Arc 2: Bury Me Shallow

> *"Deep within the unforgiving dunes of the central desert lies the Oasis-the largest civilization led by the powerful Regis and their kin. Two Sandswept lionesses-Sadzi and Mirazh-find their lives interconnected through prophecy and fate."*
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*Bury Me Shallow* covers the events surrounding the two lives of Oasis lionesses, Sadzi and Mirazh. While neither lioness has ever met each other, each are intertwined with a prophecy that foresees the downfall of the Oasis itself. Will they be its saviors or its doom?

## Act 1

### Stolen in Broad Daylight

#### Summer 1328 N.E.

One quiet day, Regis Eremu, Counselor Dione, Captain Caliban, and his trusted Sentinels carry out an assassination in secret, just on the outskirts of the Oasis. The civilization is a literal oasis in the middle of the seemingly unending desert, the Expanse, that has become a thriving group centered around the Moon and dreams. The group destroys the home of a young couple of Outskirters and kill the husband. It is implied the wife knows Dione, but she is killed too. Back lit is Eremu watching out over the Oasis with the fire behind him. Someone clears their throat and he looks over to his brother, Dione who looks on at the affair rather sullenly. He nods to the now smoldering house. Eremu turns around and walks towards Caliban who reveals two cubs. One slightly older who is scared and cowering, the other an infant who the older is defending. Eremu looks them over, his eyes more so focused on the young male. The young male cub’s teeth are bared, but his legs are shaky. The infant is female with the usual markings of lions in the desert, but Eremu becomes focused on the spiral pattern on her forehead. He begins zones out before Dione interrupts and Eremu returns to focusing on the male cub who reveals his name is Sirocco. Eremu offers a proposition to the boy: never tell a soul, not even his sister what has happened here tonight and become Eremu’s *heir*. He could become **Regent Sirocco**. Or die here tonight alongside his sister, his choice means little to the Regis who begins to walk off. With seemingly no other option, Sirocco puts on a brave face, picks up his sister, and follows his new family into the Oasis.

### The Prophecy

#### Fall 1332 N.E.

A normal evening in the Oasis has started; like many *Sandswept* animals, the residents here wait till the sun goes down and it is pitch black as to avoid the heat of the day. It’s dusk aka dawn and folks are spilling out into the Oasis for their daily chores. Sadzi accompanies her brother, Regent Sirocco, to sneak out among the crowd ready for a night of exploring. The two have to evade their “babysitter”, Captain Caliban, and are able to, thanks to the help of their childhood friend and Caliban’s youngest daughter, Hati. The siblings run around the Oasis until they find their hideout-a portion of the waterfall that has been abandoned and is littered with the paintings of stories long forgotten. Eventually Hati catches back up to them, sans Caliban. Sirocco and Sadzi engage in light sibling bullying before Hati breaks it up to tussle with Sirocco herself. They’re messing around when Caliban finally finds them, very much winded, and informs them Regis Eremu is looking for them. It’s very important. Reluctantly the two head out-leaving Hati to be scolded by her father.

Sirocco and Sadzi go to find their father. On the way Sirocco thanks Sadzi for not telling Hati he and Hati’s older sister, Kamaria, are set up for a date later that night. Sadzi lightly teases him, but reminds him they are siblings-they look out for each other. They race each other till they eventually make it to a meeting with their father who is less than pleased to see them late. Nonetheless he escorts them to Erenay & Deimos, the Oracle and his son (Sadzi and Sirocco's grandfather and uncle through their mother). They inform the Regis that Deimos had a terrible dream about something happening to the Regent of the Oasis. Eremu asks for Erenay’s guidance who can only give his interpretation-Sirocco and the Oasis are in danger. Sadzi and Sirocco leave the meeting confused (this prophecy will spark a paranoia in Sirocco that will follow him till he dies) and their father leaves troubled. Sirocco returns to his Regent duties with their father while Sadzi visits their uncle, Lord Dione. The two discuss Sadzi’s future and her concerns for it. Dione relays that Sadzi’s role in this kingdom is to provide clarity and comfort to her brother as he takes the throne just as he has, however if there are other things she gravitates towards they can certainly set her up as an apprentice. Maybe she’d like to study under Koray as an Archivist? But most importantly, she is there to remind the young Regent to have fun every once in a while. Sadzi excitedly commits to the task.

### The Slow Spiral

#### Winter 1332 N.E.

Regis Eremu has started to grow weary with age. Sirocco is expected to take on more of his duties in preparation for his own eventual coronation. Sadzi attempts to lift his burdens as much as possible but she begins to see her brother less and less all the while he becomes more agitated with her. Hati has also been glued to Caliban’s side as she has been promoted to low rank Sentinels at the Oasis. Looking for company, Sadzi finds herself more often than not wandering the Oasis  in secret. On one excursion Sadzi looks for a cave filled with bats! As she explores she is ambushed by young Outskirters, or those who have not paid their toll to the Regis and thus are not allowed permanent residence within the Oasis itself. The leader of their group is an animal Sadzi has never seen before, like a lion but covered in hypnotizing stripes. The group pursues Sadzi and when one knocks her down to the ground, Sadzi watches as a blast of intense light surges from her to the Outskirter, sending him flying and killing him instantly. The other Outskirters run and immediately Sadzi seeks out her uncle. Sadzi interrupts Dione as he is entertaining guests. Upon seeing his niece's distress Dione waves off the crowd and gets the two privacy. When Sadzi spills her secret, Dione suggests training under a mage. Deimos, their other uncle, is a skilled arcanist if she is interested. Sadzi is hesitant, what if this is something bad? She killed someone today! Dione assuages Sadzi’s fears by telling her that this only means she is truly special and destined for great promise. He will research a tutor best suited for his niece. Sadzi goes to the hideout where Hati and Sirocco go to silently comfort her after hearing about the incident.

#### Summer 1333 N.E.

Months pass and the Summer Solstice is here; the Oasis is in celebration! Sadzi, Sirocco, Hati, and her older sister Kamaria have fun running around the festival. Hati and Sadzi have a chance to tease Sirocco and Kamaria about their relationship, but Sadzi’s mother, Ersa chases them off. Dione finds Sadzi by herself and the two talk about the recent magic incident which Sadzi is clearly not over, but is pretending to be for her family. Dione says her uncle Deimos has offered to tutor her if she is interested. Before Sadzi can give it thought the event comes to a screeching halt as Regis Eremu suddenly collapses into the pools of the Oasis.

Uncle and niece painstakingly make the walk to the Regis’ quarters and bid their goodbyes. Eremu requests alone time with each of his loved ones. When it is Sadzi’s turn, the dying Regis alludes to Sadzi he is not her real father, leaving her both suspicious and in mourning. Sirocco shortly thereafter assumes the role of Regis and within the week is married to his sweetheart, Kamaria. While Sadzi is happy for her older brother, she can’t shake Eremu’s final words to her. It eats at her for several weeks before she confronts her mother and uncle alone beneath the waterfall where the water drowns out the sound to passersby. Dione has Ersa leave so that Uncle and Niece can be alone. With great shame Dione reveals that Eremu was not her nor Sirocco’s father….and that he killed their birth family. Sadzi is horrified, but Dione justifies their actions: it was the Moon’s will. Eremu and Ersa couldn’t produce an heir themselves so the Moon granted Eremu a vision: a vision of two bright, healthy heirs. When they finish talking Dione leaves Sadzi alone. She just stares at her distorted image in the fall’s waters. A strange rage begins to build in her gut, but she swallows it down and reminds herself of her task-to keep her brother at peace and the Oasis happy. Several weeks later Sadzi is lying about the falls when Dione approaches her. She seems slightly tired, but is smiley and happy with her uncle. Just behind him is her other uncle, Deimos. Deimos tells Sadzi, Dione filled him in on everything that happened with the Outskirters. The memory of the event riles up a fear and anger in Sadzi she attempts to mask with a wide smile. Deimos offers to teach her all of his knowledge on magic if Dame Sadzi is up to it. Reluctantly, she accepts.

### Respite

#### Fall 1333 N.E.

The Oasis is in celebration as a new Regent is born: Io. Hati is exuberant at the thought of being an Aunt to the little cub, but Sadzi is more distant with her nephew. Sadzi has continued her training with Deimos over the past couple of months and is getting stronger with each passing day. He tells her that her magic is especially powerful and she notes the minor moments where she loses herself in the magic. Deimos tells her this is normal and to lean into the Moon’s flow but something within tells Sadzi this is wrong. Sadzi attempts to reach out to her brother, but her attempts are blown off as he becomes more enveloped in his duties. Hati has been promoted to her father’s position as Captain (and secretly executioner) as he has retired, yet Dione remains Sirocco’s Counselor to Sadzi’s dismay. Kamaria and Ersa grow sick and despite all attempts to heal her she passes, leaving Sirocco, Sadzi, and Hati in deep mourning. Sadzi sees her chance to re-establish her connection with her brother and they share a sweet moment together in their old hideout. There Sirocco requests Sadzi to stop her training with Deimos as a mage and to take up being his Counselor instead. It is time for Uncle Dione to retire and for her to take her true place with him ruling the Oasis. Sadzi agrees. Hati eventually sneaks her way into the hideout and the three laugh like they were cubs again and for a moment everything seems like it’s going to get better.

### Everything Comes Crashing Down

#### Spring 1334 N.E.

Months pass and Sadzi is beginning to feel the strain of her grief and anger over Eremu, her birth parents, and Dione. Her moods are more erratic and she does not sleep much; too many dreams about bloody waterfalls. She is fearful of seeing the Oracle Erenay so avoids him like the plague. As Sirocco’s Counselor she is expected at every meeting he attends which have become more frequent as of late. There have been a few skirmishes along the entry road to the Oasis. A band of Outskirters has been intercepting their supply runs so he sends Hati down to deal with it. The resulting conflict leaves many innocent Outskirters injured and some dead. Sadzi confronts her brother about this and he scoffs her off for being “too sensitive” considering her position. When she presses him about being as callous as Eremu, Sirocco retorts that he was the greatest leader there ever was. Sadzi reveals their true parentage and Eremu’s deceit but Sirocco explains rather cruelly 1) *he’s known all along* 2) and in fact he knows more than her nosy self for once: Eremu wasn’t their father, *Dione is*. He then blames her and accuses her of being selfish of what was given to her.

Days later, Sadzi approaches her brother’s throne where her nephew is also sitting and asks what news at the border. Sirocco reaffirms what he had stated before-intense, violent conflict with Outskirters. Does she still hold reservations about sitting by her brother’s side? Is she gonna put the Outskirters above her people? Sadzi shrugs it off, her purpose is to ensure peace and clarity for the Oasis. She then informs her brother that their Uncle Dione is in need of his niece and nephew. Captain Hati has requested a meeting to discuss what’s happening at the roads in. Agreeing, Sirocco instructs Io to stay at the throne and wait for his return. Sadzi escorts her brother to their old hideout and as Sirocco begins to vocalize his confusion, Sadzi unleashes her attack. She remembers what Deimos said about giving herself into the Moon's will and blacks out. When she comes to, she is being restrained by a bewildered Dione and an enraged Hati while Erenay and Koray are looking over Sirocco who is cradling a small limp form...oh.

In her state Sadzi never noticed the ever curious, petulant Io who refused to listen to Sirocco and followed his father/aunt. Sirocco is in despair over his son and Dione, knowing what will come next, just whispers for his niece to run. Run as fast as she can and try her darndest to get to somewhere like the forests that border the deserts- just get far from here. He will distract them all. So she runs. And runs and runs until she collapses miles from the Oasis. A group known as the Xerophytes  finds her. Almost immediately Sadzi recognizes their leader Nerium, she is the tigress Outskirter Sadzi had met in her youth; the one who had chased her and whose friend she killed with her magic. Sadzi turns tail, never looking back. Sirocco becomes hellbent on finding his sister. He puts out a message that anyone who sees her should report to him immediately. A message the Xerophytes hear…

## Interim

#### Spring 1334 N.E.

Bluebell/Blue, a *Petalborn* lion, is tending to his daily chores in the commune, his orchard, he and his outcast friends run when someone returns with a new friend: a *Sandsept* rogue by the name of "Iris". She claims to be a passing wanderer and Blue offers their home to her for rest as she seems to have not stopped in some time. "Iris" agrees reluctantly, yet one night becomes two and before she knows it two years have passed. She falls in love with Blue and becomes best friends with the residents of the Orchard. The group fall into a simple routine of support and comfort for one another.

#### Spring 1336 N.E.

It takes two years, but eventually one of the Xerophytes, Harea, finds Sadzi/"Iris" hiding in the Orchard. When Sadzi is alone, Harea ambushes her, claiming Sadzi is to return to the Oasis to face trial for her crimes and takes her away. When Sadzi does not return from her chores Blue devotes himself to finding her. Meanwhile Harea returns Sadzi to the Oasis where she is soon executed by Hati in front of everyone. Nerium and her group thanks to Harea are rewarded entry into the Oasis and welcomed as members; finding Sadzi was their ‘offering’ to the Regis. Around this time Blue finds his way into the Oasis, desperate to find Sadzi/"Iris". He is shocked to see Harea. He thinks they were friends once upon a time, maybe he can reason with her. Harea will not have it and tells Blue to return home, he is confused and has her mistaken for some other lioness. Nonetheless Blue continues to trail Harea until he gets himself in trouble for outstaying his welcome in the Oasis. Afterwards Harea finds Blue. Once in secret he reveals she does know Blue and remembers him fondly. They were childhood friends in a pride outside the desert that lost touch once Blue was run out for his pale coloration. She doesn’t tell Blue everything, just that eventually Harea found herself with the Xerophytes. She believes in their cause and they are like a family to her. When Blue asks what she is doing here of all places, Harea admits the Xerophytes had heard whispers of the regicide years prior by the Regis’ estranged sister. Fables said she was a cub eating witch who terrorizes people’s dreams and Sirocco wanted her found and brought back here to face punishment. Nerium sent Harea, knowing she wouldn’t hesitate to bring misfortune to a member of the Oasis nobility. Bluebell is horrified to make the connection between his "Iris" and this "Sadzi" Harea is speaking of. Harea confesses that what she found in Blue’s Orchard was a very broken lioness ready to accept her fate and it didn't fill her with the satisfaction she hoped it would have. Harea and her prisoner spent their trip getting to know one another somewhat. Harea felt for the first time genuine remorse over an Oasis lion...which was weird. Since then she has had questions about Sadzi and has an idea where they can find them.

Together the two go to aging Archivist Koray who knows all the stories of the Oasis. When they say they wanna know the truth about Sadzi, he reluctantly lets them see the near senile Dione who has spent all these years in self imposed exile. He relays Sadzi’s entire past, ugly truth and all. Blue eventually leaves once the story is over. There is nothing left for him here and he did all that he really could to save Sadzi who was apparently not exactly all that he believed her to be. He offers a place in his commune to Harea should she want it.

#### Spring 1337 N.E.

The Xerophytes become as involved as they can within the Oasis, eventually catching Sirocco’s attention. He is not a complete fool, he senses danger from Nerium, but she is...an interesting tigress. He admires her tenacity so fine, he will play whatever game she is. Sirocco and Nerium fall into a weird something... She plays into his paranoia perfectly to the point where Sirocco trusts no one other than himself and Nerium. Soon enough they are engaged and wed against Hati's warnings to her best friend.

#### Spring 1338 N.E.

Nerium and the others are living lavishly and have seemed to have abandoned their mission of destroying the Oasis. They’ve cemented themselves into the social infrastructure and have control over almost everything. The contempt folks have for them is not unknown. Harea is beginning to feel the physical consequence of her actions (body is getting creaky and things are starting to hurt more, take longer to heal, etc). She starts to reflect on her past choices and on why she’s staying when she comes across a cub with the same mark as Sadzi.

## Act 2

### The Cycle Begins Again

#### Spring 1338 N.E.

Mirazh, or Mira as her close friends call her, was born then dropped off at an orphanage run by a lioness named Selene. She is a nervous cub, yet loves to be involved with the others at the orphanage. When she discovers magic at a young age, she quickly becomes a favorite in the group. One day the kids are running around the Oasis and bump Harea who is as feared as her leaders, Regis Sirocco and his new wife Nerium. The kids all scatter except Mirazh who balls up and whimpers at the larger lioness’ paws. Harea feels really shitty about this and assures the cub she isn’t gonna hurt her. She asks the cub's name. The cub slowly stands up and says her name is Mirazh…and that's when Harea sees the mark on her forehead…the same as Sadzi.

Harea quickly becomes a regular at the orphanage. The cubs learn to love her presence and she offers her assistance where she can to Selene; the two become something of friends. Nerium becomes suspicious of her friend’s comings and goings. She sends her “eye” Prickle to spy and they discover Mirazh. Nerium has little interest in the cub until she learns Mirazh is a mage. Nerium then orders the cub be brought to the Regis’ court. Harea has little power to question Neriums’ orders and does as told, escorting the terrified Mira to the court. Sirocco upon seeing the “Mark of Sadzi” orders the girl be executed by Hati who is reluctant, but luckily Mira is saved by Harea and Nerium who convince Sirocco that if THEY train the cub, she will be their ally. The Regis agrees...for now. His only stipulation is the cub never leave the sight of the Sentinels and to keep her contact limited to those within the waterfall unless specifically cleared otherwise.

### Us or Them?

#### Summer 1338 N.E.

Mirazh starts her life in the waterfall. She has to admit it is an absolute bore and the urge to run through the dunes beyond the wall only grows stronger with each passing day. Everyday it is training by tutors in history, politics, the arts, and most importantly magic. Harea is the cub’s bodyguard as well as combat mentor. Regis Nerium has taken it upon herself to educate the girl on history and politics. The Oracle Erenay, takes the lead in all things magic with concerns to the new cub despite knowing very little about it. During one of her lessons, Mirazh makes the mistake of asking Nerium about the “Mark of Sadzi '' on her head and why everyone is so scared of her. The tigress takes them to the Oracle who shows them the paintings made by Archivists retelling the story of Sadzi, albeit with some dramatic liberties taken. When Sadzi was executed she was burned and her ashes scattered, not laid to rest beneath the dunes like others who pass in the Oasis. He informs the young Mira that the Moon predicted Sadzi’s return so that she may take her revenge. Mirazh, herself, IS Sadzi. The Oracle tells her Sadzi’s spirit is within her and that he is her mentor for magic to ensure Sadzi’s spirit never returns. Erenay threatens the cub and tells her that Sadzi is a powerful witch who will do anything in her power to return-Mirazh better do her best to keep that from happening if she wants to keep Harea and the Oasis safe. Nerium lets Mirazh go. The cub runs to Harea who confirms that Sadzi was a powerful sorceress that slew the previous Regent. Mirazh begins to question and ignore all voices from within and resolves herself to the life the Regis and his court have planned for her.

A few weeks after these events Captain Caliban is found dead in one of the pools of the Oasis. Hati is inconsolable and believes it is one of the Xerophytes who killed her father. Sirocco will hear none of this and makes the shocking decision to imprison his best friend. Harea is promoted and now controls all Sentinels of the Oasis.

#### Winter 1341 N.E.

Years pass and Mirazh grows from a cheery, hyperactive cub to a subdued, cool adolescent. She has exceptionally grown close to Harea who occasionally sneaks her to see Selene when they can. The Regis and the Xerophytes have begun to very slowly trust Mirazh, inviting her to meetings discussing topics like trade or expansion plans for the Oasis. Not everyone in the Oasis is happy and more and more are voicing their discontent every day. For example, a few years previous Erenay, the Oracle to the Oasis was found dead in his cave, nearly everyone assuming it is due to old age. With his departure the residents of the Oasis waited with baited breath as to who the next Oracle would be. Yet Sirocco has never appointed another Oracle, something many of those in the Oasis have reservations about. Without an Oracle, who will interpret their dreams? Who will be the conduit for the Moon?

One day after the Winter Solstice the Oasis’ waterfall stops flowing, bringing fear to the Oasis. Mirazh is given her first mission by Nerium: she is to assist Harea in finding out what has happened. The Regis is too preoccupied tending to the people who are afraid this is an omen. Nerium would look into it but then who would look after one of the newest additions to the Oasis: Ceres, Nerium and Sirocco’s cub. This is both an assignment and a test of strength and loyalty. Mira is excited at the chance to prove herself. Harea, however, is very suspicious of this. She knows the Xerophytes original goal was to cut the water supply from the Oasis. Nonetheless the pair head off into the Expanse in search of answers.

One night they run across a group of Outskirters. They lift Mira’s spirits as they recall stories from their birthplaces far south from here. When she removes her headgear and reveals her mark, the Outskirters very quickly pack up and leave. Realizing it is because of her mark on her head, Mira has a mini meltdown trying to figure out why Sadzi chose her. She does not get very good sleep. The next evening they continue on till they find what they are looking for: a massive blockage from a rockslide has created a dam preventing water from reaching the Oasis. Harea realizes with horror that this is a test of loyalties for her, not Mira. Either Harea can side with the Xerophytes and keep the water blocked (and in doing so killing Mira to keep the secret) or aid Mira in unblocking the water, but in doing so betray her friends. Ultimately Harea chooses Mira.

### Destroyer Defeated

#### Winter 1341 N.E.

The pair arrive back at the Oasis where immediately Harea finds Koray. She knows Mira and her are on borrowed time and need to strike Nerium first. Koray confides in her that he does not agree with the influence of the outside tigress, *Nerium the Destroyer* as the people call her. She is a cancer on the lineage that must be taken care of. Koray also fears the Regis is lost too, a shame really as his father was so bright. He will help her coordinate an assassination come of them both the following day when the guard is at its lowest due to the heat. Before any of this is set in motion however, Koray wants Harea's assurances that she will 1) join him in taking out Nerium 2) never speak of it again. She agrees. Koray goes on to say he knows this Oasis better than anyone, especially Nerium's 'eye' Prickle, he can send messages to whoever Harea trusts. The two then need to decide who to include in this: Mirazh and, surprisingly, Hati are their top contenders. Koray will find Mira, Harea should go for Hati (Harea attempts to argue this, but Koray rather smugly walks off).

Hati is not easily convinced. She does not trust Harea one bit and resents the lioness for taking her position from her. In the hyena's mind, why should she help the very creature who ruined her life? Moreover, why should she be asked to kill her cubhood best friend? Harea accepts all blame, but stresses Hati will inevitably meet the same fate. Sirocco won't keep her locked away forever...inevitably Nerium will rid the Oasis of all other influences. Hati reluctantly agrees, but only under one condition: Harea must truthfully answer a question. While Harea is confused, she agrees. Hati wants to know if one of the Xerophytes was behind her father's death. Shamefully Harea nods. It was Poppy. Hati is incensed, but contains her rage long enough for Koray to sneak her out successfully.

These is one final barrier to handle: Nerium's 'muscle', Jua. He is a soft hearted lion, but his size and strength as well as his weak will make him a powerful weapon they need on their side...but he'd never fight against his brother Kichea who is too smart to fool. Mirazh has an idea and asks Harea to sneak away to his quarters and ask he take his brother, Kichea, to the bat caves as soon as possible. There have been rumors of dissenters from Prickle and Nerium requires their presence immediately. Poppy should meet them there. Harea herself will stay behind with Prickle to keep Nerium and Ceres safe. Harea then asks her Sentinels to accompany Jua. This works, leaving an open window for Koray, Mira, Harea, and Hati to strike.

When the group rushes the Regis' quarters, Sirocco is dispatched easily, but Nerium is prepared. Prickle had seen Jua and the others leave without Nerium's orders and knew something was wrong. Poppy was informed just in time to defend Nerium as well. A fight between her, Hati, Harea, Mirazh, and Nerium ensues. Hati is able to mortally wound Poppy, meanwhile Koray kills Prickle, but is severely wounded doing so. Nerium is able to force Hati, Harea and Mirazh to retreat. The tigress trips Harea and drags back. As Mirazh sees this, she lets loose a magical blast (reminiscent of the one Sadzi once used) that literally blows Nerium off of the waterfall and sends her plummeting to her death in the pools below.

The following morning the news of the assassination is released to the public, an investigation begins while a council is formed to raise the young prince Ceres until they are of age.

#### Spring 1343 N.E.

Years after the assassinations, Mirazh is still haunted be her actions that night. While shopping, she meets a wandering performer named Lochan at the Oasis. His melody soothes her and the two have a nice chat which Mirazh realizes only after he has left has helped soothe her mind and soul. She stows this memory in her heart then prepares for Ceres’ ‘coronation’ later that night.

## Epilogue

#### Fall 1345 N.E.

Hati and Harea have settled their conflicts over the years and in fact have coupled up! They have taken on a guardian type role for Mira who has become quite withdrawn. Harea has her own issues relating to killing the Xerophytes (Jua and Kichea were later given the choice of execution of exile by Hati and Harea..the boys chose to leave) and Hati makes the decision they should leave. Is there anywhere the two lionesses have ever wanted to travel? Harea suggests a little orchard not to far from the end of the Expanse...she knows the way. As an Archivist now, Mirazh requests time off to explore Illirah and find stories to fill the Oasis' walls. Ceres, now a fine Regis of the region, agrees. The three begin preparations for their journey. In the back of her mind Mira hopes to find the Wanderer, Lochan, again. Even if she doesn't, it is a nice opportunity to start over. To be free. As she packs up her paints and other supplies, Mirazh happens to glance up at the painting of Sadzi. Mirazh glares at the soulless stone staring back at her and pushes down the voice nagging her head that tells her to embrace her new freedom from Nerium and Sirocco. She sees just the briefest glimpses of a figure too similar to the tiger and flinches. She will not be free so easily.