Dinner with the Lightbringers

Leona and Aureo are cuddled up in bed, and she gives him the ring that Zanelor had given her. He tells her that he has some things to wrap up with King Theo, and they get ready for the day.

Leona goes through the castle, finding Zanelor in a small, comfortable room. She tells him that she wanted to check in on him, after his ordeal, and he seems to be ok. She also tells him about her engagement.

He speaks of his mother, who was a great singer and story-teller, and his father, who was a paladin. They also talk about Kesra, and her reluctance to be a paladin. Zanelor also warns her that Venvyre may seek her out. He tells her that Roman was working for the Assembly when he got recruited into the Silence, and Venvyre knew it.

Zanelor tells Leona that, when she was born, he and Venvyre were amazed by the power she had. He says that Soren "was not born with what makes the Sylvarian line", so he didn't need to be hidden like she and Kesra did. That's why she's an Oracle.

He tells her that Venvyre loves Eachthighearn fiercely. The Ki-rin god had cursed him, shackling him away from the prime material plane. Venvyre believed that she could break those chains with Leona's raw power. Zanelor found Venvyre and Leona when the ritual was nearly complete and took Leona away. He's not sure what effects that ritual might have on Leona. He fears that the divine shackles from Eachthighearn could have been redirected onto her. She asks him if he plans to speak with Kesra before he leaves, and he says that he's open to it, but doubts she will speak to him.

It takes her a while to find Andromeda, on the terrace, but she eventually does. She asks Andromeda about the vision that Elden had, and Andromeda recounts it for her. Leona believes that the black mage killing the white cleric represents Roman killing Synestra. Andromeda says that, to her, it would also fit her brother, being killed by a mage from another plane. Leona muses aloud about the flesh-bound book, believing it to be a necromancer's grimoire.

Elden, after a few hours, also goes to see Andromeda. He tells her that he's having a hard time with not knowing what the vision means. She tells him that he should stay very far away from her, that she will only bring him pain, and that she is sorry. He reaches for her hand, and sees a flash of light, hearing a voice saying "Do not fear, Sky Seeker, the fault is not yours", and sees a look of terrible shame and regret on her face, and she hurries away.

Alexander receives a note inviting him to a Lightbringer family dinner, and asking him to bring Kesra. He asks her again about what she overheard between Theo and Celestia. He tells her that he would very much like to check her grave to see if she's still buried there sometime later. For now, they head out to run some errands in town, but run into Elden, Leona, and Aureo over breakfast.

They discuss the upcoming ball, and make plans for getting ready for it. Eventually, Alexander heads to a temple of Ioun to learn about her. He meets a half-elf cleric who is also named Alexander who is happy to share some knowledge about her. The human Alexander asks about kinds of magic that Ioun doesn't like, but there's not too much specific there, other than she doesn't like secrets.

Alexander takes Kesra, Elden, and Leona around, showing Kesra various architecture, and winding up on the Lightbringer estate, managing to do so without her realizing what he's doing. As the door opens, and she figures it out, she moves to leave, but Alexander's mother goes after her, sending the others inside. She manages to connect with Kesra, convincing her to come inside.

During the course of dinner, they discuss the undead army north of Wolfecrest, and of the adventuring life. Eventually, Alexander pulls Kesra aside, apologizing for the deception. Alexander's mother also makes conversation with Elden, winding up discussing having children and what that's like. Eventually, Kesra and Alexander's sister, Dawn, head off to spar.