TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS

***TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS*** is the eleventh session of *Glimpses into the Fade.* After recent events and battle after battle, the unnamed adventurers find themselves unable to move up north from wounds both emotional and physical. Nothing could've prepared for betrayal, plots, and schemes that seem to be much larger than themselves. Exhausted, where will our unlikely heroes even begin? Who will take the first step, when even their winged-cloaked mentor hasn't left his bed?

## Musings

*Some say that the hurt that is felt in the body numbs the hurt that is felt in the heart. Is this perhaps why we have so many wars, and battles, and scuffles? Is there truly that many hurt people in this world? But what happens, when the fight is lost? When the drive is gone? When the fire is put out?*

*How much hurt does one need to do to get even with a broken heart?*

*How much time is needed for wounds this deep, to heal?*

## **Synopsis**

*The following session is not linear, and is considered downtime before leaving the town of Duncaster.*

After the encounter of Arel, Hira attempts to find any traces of magic within the cavern, but finds none. Leaving the well, Oriza attempts to heal the wound on Monsoon's ear, who flinches and moves away from the touch. Monsoon looks at them with wide eyes, no anger within them, but more scared of Oriza’s touch. Arriving back to the clinic, Eduna takes care of Monsoon's wounds.

Bran finds somewhere secluded to read the letter from his sister Violet. Climbing the tree near the clinic, he reads his letter aloud to himself and Mint. Violet speaks of the gift Bran had sent with his letter, a book of poetry called *Mornings of Sunshine and Dew,* critiquing the poems written. She writes excitingly, intrigued by her brother's travels and wishing to hear more of his new friends and adventures. Regardless, Violet already views Bran as a hero, and wishes him the best. In the envelope is a small pressed violet lily. Bran shows it to Mint, who pecks it in response. The familiar scent makes Bran start to cry, thinking about how much hope she has in him, and fears of letting her down. He thinks of if his situation was reversed like of Monsoon's and Vilya. He looks up to Monsoon and thinks if Monsoon couldn't protect his sister, then he surely he couldn't. He stays up on the tree, rereading the letter.

The following day, Oriza opens her eyes and feels incredibly sore, their body filled with aches. They don't have the strength to get out of bed. Bran and Riya head into town in search of a library and breakfast. Finding only a book stall filled with fairytales, the two of them return with only breakfast. Hira awakes, equally as stiff and bedridden as Oriza. The party looks to Anthir, who continues to eat the middle of his sandwich, keeping the bread (the best part) for last. Oriza offers half of their sandwich to them, claiming it makes them so happy, he should take it. But Anthir refuses, telling her to finish her food as she needs her strength. As two of the members are bedridden, Riya, Bran, and Anthir head to the Mayor's office to claim their payment.

They arrive to the Mayor's makeshift reception room, waiting their turn. The Mayor, Sten Bordeaux, greets them once more, recognizing them. Riya greets him, reporting they've dealt with the portal underneath the town. Sten is confused, not buying the explanation of a portal to another land being the reason of destruction of the land. He gives in, asking for the name of the leader of the party. The three of them freeze, having no talk of a leader, Bran takes Riya's hand and proclaims she's the leader. Sten nods, asking for her full name. Riya panics at the mention of a surname, and Bran quickly gives his own, having Sten write 'Riya Gromery.' If anything is amiss, Sten will be sure to talk to her. Riya leaves quickly, but Bran stays to critique the Mayor's manners as he didn't say thank you. Sten says the payment is more then enough, and the three of them leave with 400 GP in hand.

The three of them return to the clinic, and Bran loudly states they need a party name, or at least a leader. He apologizes for shoving Riya into the role as he was panicking. Pulling chairs towards Oriza and Hira's beds, they attempt to brainstorm a potential name. Hira asks why everyone decided to join the Golden Phoenix Guild in the first place. She admits for her, it was her Aunt who signed her up, fearing she was staying indoors too much. Riya explains to experience of adventure to tell more stories of her own adventures, as she's grown tired of the same stories being told. Anthir admits to previously being in another guild, they ran away and found themselves here. Hira asked if this guild is any different, Anthir it isn't, but the people were. They admit to running away from someone.

Hira pokes Oriza with her staff, urging him to share a bit. Oriza admits to joining as a way to seek revenge, nobody questions further on the matter. Bran mentions his sister, who gave him a quest to fulfill. Hira asks about his sister, and Bran mentions they're twins, which causes Monsoon to stir in his bed. His back is turned to all of you and his blanket is pulled up high, his satchel, food and money completely untouched. The five of them continue conversing over potential names, with Hira writing words pertaining to the five of them and their goals.

As the sun sets, Riya finds herself outside the clinic having a walk, when you feel a soft warmth on the ring of your finger. The wind blows gently and she hears the soft playing of a lute. Riya calls out to the voice, the playing growing louder as she moves through town. The playing is coming from the outskirts of town, despite going deeper into the dense forest the moonlight seems to make a path for her. Riya arrives to a clearing, to a familiar voice praises her for what she's completed. The voice asks if on this journey she can continue to help her, and Riya accepts the help, as long as she can help her as well. The voice explains that she finds Riya comforting, something familiar despite having no memories and no name, and isn't sure where she is. She requests Riya to help her learn more about herself, and with a determined look in her eyes, Riya agrees. She returns back to the clinic, ring in hand, that now acts as a Ring of Spell Storing.

Whilst Riya is gone, Anthir begins to think of Firbolgs, and their capabilities. He approaches Hira, asking if they could talk to her privately and they head outside behind the clinic. They go over the fight days earlier, in which in Hira's place, they saw a strange figure instead -- a Firbolg with a large scar and mask. Hira begins to panic, stressing she hoped they weren't truly there. Hira admits to them that she's also running away from them, in fact a large group of people. The green mist had messed with her vision, making her see them in their place, and that's why she began running. Anthir reassures her the figure only appeared for a split second before disappearing, and that she answered his question plenty. She moves past this revelation to ask if she owes him anything for all the healing he's provided. Anthir refuses any payment, claiming they've designated himself as the healer of the party, and wishes to be useful. Hira reassures that he is plenty useful in battle, and sees him as a great ally and friend.

The two of them walk to the clinic just as Riya returns. Hira greets her, and posits the same question of owing anything for all her healing. Riya gasps, shocked at such a thing, questioning why she'd ask such a thing. Hira's ears droop, stammering in confusion before Riya says she'd never charge her new friends for such a thing. At the mention of being friends Hira is elated, her ears perking back up claiming she sees everyone in the group as friends as well. She thanks Riya once more, and heads back to their room with a skip in her step. She talks to Bran, wondering if he found a library, who sadly says no but there is a bookstore! The two plan to visit during their morning sandwich run.

Early the next morning, Oriza awakes with slight grace as the exhaustion is beginning to wear away. She cleans and sweeps the room and in a practised manner, and hangs up Monsoon’s cloak. They begin training on their own, the Belladonna in hand. Anthir leaves to the markets in search for a blacksmith. He comes across an Elvhenanian woman selling her wares, and buys a quiver and shortbow. Meanwhile Hira and Bran head towards the sandwich shop, but stop at the book stall on their way back. Hira searches for books to send back to Calypso, ones the library don't carry. The book of most interest to her is a book of Elven Legends. As the leave the stall, Bran mentions Calypso had told him prior that she signed Hira up to the Guild, and is why he also joined.

Bran asks her if she thinks he's holding everyone back. Hira clearly states she doesn't believe that, and views him as very capable as such a young boy leaving home, she thinks he'll only grow more powerful and smart. Bran tucks down his hat to hide his eyes as he sniffles, thanking her, and hoping she can rely on him as he's relied on her. Hira wipes away his tears, saying there will be plenty of time to grow. He then asks if Monsoon has mentioned him to her, and Hira is conflicted to answer, but advises bran to think about how to make up to Monsoon and return his magic. She thinks what Monsoon needs most is someone to be by him, and admits she thought that person would be Vilya, but she left shortly after. Bran asks if she's contacted Hira since then, and she shakes her head, judging from what they saw days earlier, she doesn't think id hear from her soon. The two of them return to the clinic, with Anthir proclaiming this is the worse sandwich to date.

As the third day rolls around, the party begins making preparations to head up north. Hira approaches Monsoon's bed, seeing as he hasn't gotten up the past three days. Hira shows concern, saying laying around won't do much good for him. She tells him they're leaving the next day, and reminds him that no matter the storm, that Vilya will come back to him. At the mention, Monsoon sits up in bed dishevelled with a bandaged ear and stares at her. He admits he doesn't know what to do, having no answers for his questions. Hira suggests to seek out those answers, but Monsoon is filled with fear and dread over learning the truth about Arel. He can't find himself to hate them, and Hira believes it's perhaps a mercy that he doesn't, not yet at least, until they find answers. Monsoon feels that mercy is the cruellest thing of all.

Monsoon reminds her that he still plans on leaving the group once they arrive to Glenwell. Hira accepts his decision, despite him being their mentor, she won't hold him to that degree. Things change, and he urges the group to follow a different path as this one is too dangerous, to find new mentors, something easier. Hira frowns, saying she'll talk to everyone, but until then urges him to eat, to get some fresh air suggesting the perhaps the winds will comfort you. As Hira walks away, the bed creaks as he lays back down. During their dinner, Hira updates the group on what Monsoon has said and suggested for them, the five of them dwell on their thoughts for another day.

It is bright and early the next morning, with all awaking to the smell of freshly bough sandwiches, settling on the table in the middle of the room. Monsoon is already awake, carrying in boxes for Eduna and chatting quietly with her. He wears his usual garb but his cloak is not anywhere in sight. He curtly greets them, saying they have a long day on the road ahead of them. As he walks away box in hand, the session ends for the night.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Eduna Summerglade
* Mayor Sten Bordeaux

#### Mentioned

* Arel
* Vilya
* Violet