THE FROST ACROSS THE LAKE

***THE FROST ACROSS THE LAKE*** is the twenty-ninth session of *Glimpses Into The Fade.* Venturing aimlessly around the Fade leads the Fireflies to a familiar lake, revealing the memories of one particular individual...

## Synopsis

Moving back a few hours of their long rest, Riya stirs in her sleep, awaking in a burnt clearing of the forest El'duin June once frequented. Somewhere within the dead shrubbery is an old woven basket, filled with dried berries. The steam of the berries resembles a crown, uniquely in the middle it has two pits, it's difficult to identify as with time they've evolved. In this moment Riya notices her gear came with her into the dream, and plays the same tune El'duin had played previously on her boat lute. Thinking of June, the wind begins to pick up, a sweet smell enveloping her despite the decaying forest around her.

Looking up at the mountains, she feels a tremor of the ground but continues to play. From the Heavens, a feminine voice yawns and greets her. Riya calls out to June, but as the ground shakes she looses her footing. However it's enough to awake the figure emerging from the mountains, the vague face of a woman looks back at her. A deep connection burrows within Riya's chest, as if it belongs there. Riya introduces herself and states she will come find her. June looks confused, but states she shall wait. Riya awakes with the group, moving up to speed as they begin to break down camp.

As Oriza awakes, they feel extremely cold and weaker then usual. Hira hears the Monarch in her head, reminding her of what they said to keep an eye on Oriza. The Fireflies begins to move from the fields, Monsoon leading the way. Bran approaches him, asking if any of his magic had returned at all. Monsoon says it's not all there, but wonders if it was Bran, or Arel, or the Fade that's messing with his magic. Bran states he'd like to try to give it back, but neither of them are sure how to give it back. Monsoon suggests finding out what Nimue had talked too to learn of their abilities. Bran feels Monsoon's magic yearn for him, but Monsoon believes it's a part of him wanting it back since working hard to learn magic. He reassures him he's not mad at him anymore, what's another century of learning? Bran reminds him he promised to return it to him.

Monsoon states he'll be fine, Bran reminds him everyone has his back so he won't stumble through this alone. Bran bids him farewell, stating he's off to mount a horse. Oriza runs around for Spectre with Bran in tow to follow. The group feels a rush of cold winter air, as Oriza moves to rush forward to taunt Spectre forward, Monsoon brings the pommel of his sword in front of them, as the two set sight of a group of dead trees. Approaching the strange ring of trees, Riya attempts to speak with the grasses asking them to bend towards them if something dangerous is at the source. The leaves bend towards them, confirming her suspicions.

Deciding to send Spectre in. They send a feeling, empty and cold, but insists it to be 'shiny.' Calling Spectre back, the group moves forward into the clearing. An amalgamation of different places decorate the clearing — wooden floorboards and a tattered carpet, a cobblestone circle decorated with blood, a fog covered sunken ship, and a campsite draped in fabric beside a frozen over lake — each with a bright purple crystal within each setting. Monsoon confirms the lake being the one they traversed, beginning to move forward. Concluding this must be Arel's memories, they decide to break into groups of two.

Oriza and Riya drag Monsoon with them, refusing to leave him alone. They approach the bloody altar, realizing the Elven architecture. Three statues are placed around the circle, adorning both Elven and Aasimar features. The altar is engraved in old Sylvan, Orisian to be specific. Oriza suggests Monsoon to write down the runes, who begins to jot them down along with the features of the statues. Riya looks towards the crystals, to which Oriza warns her to be cautious. Gliding her hand against the crystal, everyone feels transported into a vision.

> *You are cold and hurt, and you feel wounds across your body, you feel your naked skin and malnourished body as your holding yourself small as your bleeding in the centre of this. You watch as all the children of these Gods stare at you, as these statues lock their eyes down on you. You feel your breath shallow and your scared, and your frustrated. You don't see them but you hear them...*
>
>

```
*"So? That's all we need to do?"*

```

>
>  *"Yes, we showed you step by step to d the ritual. Make sure you carve the same runes," the cold arm of your master yanks your arm up, seeing the scarring along your arms of a blade that has gone through your skin multiple times. "I'll be sure to send you a copy to make sure you get it right."*
>
>
>
>

```
*"Whut? You think I'm stupid or something?"*

```

>
>  *"No! But you Atralians after all prefer things in writing do you not?"*
>
>
>
>

```
*"Yeah yeah whatever..alright, that's your part of the deal, will send you in the prisoners tomorrow morning.*

```

>
>  *"Appreciate it...The Empire gives you your thanks."*
>
>
>
>

```
*"Shut the fuck up filthy Blood Mage. This is a one time thing, it's not going to happen again."*

```

>
>  *"Oh definitely not. Don't want to threaten your image, Great Hero."*
>
>
>
> *A burly man stands outside your peripheral vision as he spits on you.*
>
>

```
*Now, you keep out of this war, or Hell's coming for you.*

```

>
>  *"Oh, I know. I'll wait for you boat in the morning.."*
>
>
>
>

The scene ends there, leaving the group dazed and confused. Oriza can see the million of thoughts on Monsoon's face, trying to ground him. From Arel's arm, it looked bone thin, perhaps they were younger. Bran and Anthir approach a fancy wooden table, shattered to bits. The two muster the room belonging to an academy dorm room. Bran picks up a scroll left on the floor, noticing a wax seal of a griffin. Scribbled on the paper says '*We keep track of our property. We will bring you home'* in Sylvan. Setting the scroll aside, Anthir stays by Bran's side as he goes to touch the crystal. The group begins to feel disoriented as they fall into another vision.

> *Your walking through a hallway and everyone around you are regal and noble and rich, you feel your teeth grit. As you walk through this academe hall you trudge right up into a room. Your clutching the scroll in your hands, as you see a Tiefling man inside the professors office. You throw it at the back of his head.*
>
>

```
*"I can see why the fuck that's your last name you ARE a damn liar, you said there never going to find us you said i'll be safe!"*

```

>
>  *"Now Arel calm down.."*
>
>
>
>

```
*You watch as the man turns around, long time professor Magnus Saliar stands in front of you.*

```

>
>  *"You said if i ran away with you, from- to here, that i would be fine. How did they find me? Did they find you? Do we run away do we—"*
>
>
>
>

```
*"But they didn't."*

```

>
>  *He puts a hand on you.*
>
>
>
>

```
*"He didn't find me. But I think it's because you've been a little too on the nose with your research."*

```

>
>  *"What do you mean?"*
>
>
>
>

```
*"Can't keep using their secrets if you want to stay low.."*

```

>
>  *"I didn't use anything from them— I'm smart, I'm capable— this is my work!"*
>
>
>
>

```
*"I know, and you want to get in. But if you get in you'll endanger the academy— you'll endanger me..I did say you were brilliant, you really are, but we cant have this research, in the hands of a student. So, I must reject your application into the Wing."*

```

>
>  *"You can't do this to me."*
>
>
>
>

```
*"Sorry, i've got to protect myself Arel. You understand I don't want to go back to that place."*

```

>
>  *"Then what am I going to do? What am I suppose to—"*
>
>
>
>

```
*"I've got something for you..the old man, the owl, he brought some people with him a while ago. Strike one up in conversation, maybe they'll protect you."*

```

>
>  *"I can't do that, I, no—"*
>
>
>
>

```
*"Whatever it is Arel, find yourself a way of protection. I'm releasing you from my charge..and don't come back into my office. It be such a shame if the Order found out there's a Blood Mage in the kingdom."*

```

>
>  *"..Your a fucking bastard..a wolf in sheep's clothing.*
>
>
>
>

```
*"takes one to know one Arel. Now leave."*

```

>
>  *And you clutch your paper tight as you leave. You blink and find a book manuscript in your hands a few months later. You feel frost come from your finger tips reaching to the book pages as you see your research paper gilded in gold on this manuscript, and Magnus Saliar's name authored beneath it.*
>
>
>
>

```
*"I told you..I can protect you."*

```

>
>  *"Get out of my head."*
>
>
>
>

```
*"You'll need me eventually...."*

```

Monsoon feels all strength from his legs go out, leaning fully on Oriza as Riya attempts to help the shaking man up. Monsoon cries this can't be right as his voice hitches in distress. Hira feels a hand on her shoulder, as Vilya's nails dig into her skin as she grits her teeth, staring into the crystal. Vilya asks if she'd like to go there, rage in her voice. Hira nods, appreciating her help as she can't swim. Bringing Hira's hand to her waist as she leans forward into the water, pulling her into the waters towards the shipwreck. At the bottom of the ocean, she catches a glimpse of a wooden figure with Elven and Aasimar features at the front of the ship. Reaching towards the crystal, it's as if everybody is unable to breath as water rushes through your lungs.

> *Bubbling water rush through your mouth and into your lungs and everything is dark, your so scared, so afraid but your free! Your free, nobodies going to hurt you anymore. You remember following a man who said he'd keep you safe, and you thought you'd be safe but now your drowning underneath the ocean. Your alone, and your scared.*
>
>

```
*'Oh God, oh whatever God is there— anybody! I don't want to die I've barely gotten to even live-"*

```

>
>  *'You dont? And what will you give, for a life?*
>
>
>
>

```
*'Anything! Whatever you want— I want to live, I want to be free..'*

```

> *And you feel from the depths, tentacles move around you..move up and across as they wrap around you, as if the gentle embrace of a mother.*
>
>

```
*'I'll keep you safe, and you will live a good life..and when the time is right, you'll let me have a turn right? You'll let me live in the world?'*

```

>
>  *'Whatever! Yes! Yes!'*
>
>
>
> *And you feel a surge of arcane energy go through you. Magic that you've never felt before as if frost is at your command..you live. And you find yourself in the Piers of Glenwell washed up ashore as people surround you, the sun is so bright and you've never seen the sun before..People are talking and panicking wondering where this Drow come from. Just before you pass out, you raise a hand out, pointing at a red skinned Tiefling man who looks at you, as if he's surprised your alive...*
>
>

Conscious of being underwater, Vilya swims up to the surface for Hira to breath air. Bran panics, reliving his drowning in a haze. Anthir brings two hands to his shoulder, trying to calm him and remind him it's only a vision. Monsoon moves to break out of Oriza's arms, but is held firm in their arms. Monsoon demands to be let out, reaching towards the crystal at the campsite. Oriza forces Monsoon to kneel down, telling him to calm down, taking deep breathes with him. Waiting for him to calm, Monsoon moves forward towards the campsite. Bringing a hand to the crystal, the group travels to a moment.

> *It's cold, it's night it's winter, you've always loved the winter. Year afteryear again this man brings you to where you want to go, and he's kept you safe..and you watch as he stokes the fires a little ways from the lake and you've never seen a man so handsome..you've never seen a man more caring, and you suppose it's because you've never really met nice men before. But this one said he'd protect you and he meant it. And you can't help but feel that everything that is going to happen was worth it for this moment, and your happy.*
>
>
> *You hear a loud rumble of laughter as another man, tall and strong, walks into view as he moves logs into the flame almost snuffing it out. You hear the elf scold him as he almost put the fire out, and you watch as the half-goliath lean down for a kiss. And you love him too. You've never thought you'd be lucky enough to find two people to share your day with. Your happy...and you walk towards the camp, you light fire up, and they bring you into a hug. They leave kisses on your skin, you hear your heart, your home. You hear Monsoon say that he loves you, and you believe it. Odin says the same, and Odin says thank you. What for? That you let him in your life. And you laugh and the three of you spend the night together.*
>
>
>
> *As they sleep, and as you lay in between them with the blanket covering you, the barest of your souls. Your hand moves up your arm a little bit, feeling the rough scars against your skin. For how long will you be happy? You decide in this moment you can't tell them, cause you know if you told them that they'd stand by you, even if you were to do the most wretched of things, and you can't do that to good men..So in this moment you say nothing. And you let yourself be happy, you ignore that creeping dread in the back of your head of the reckoning that you are going to release upon the world, for a moment of happiness.*
>
>

All strength leaves Monsoon's body as he collapses in tears with Oriza and Bran kneel beside him. The group notices as the ice begins to crack on the lake, a body of Arel laying within the ice. Hira and Anthir move towards to lake, beginning to approach the body. Hira can decipher the Arel laying in the lake looks different to the one Bran had seen in the forest prior. Anthir produces fire, gently melting the ice, just about to reach the face of body the ice begins to crack quickly. There's still water underneath, as tentacles burst from under the now purplish ice as three very real tentacles surround them.

## Featured Characters

#### The Fireflies

* Anthir
* Bran
* Hiraeth
* Oriza
* Riya

#### Returning

* Monsoon
* Mint
* Vilya
* Spectre

#### Mentioned

* Arel
* Odin