The Path Behind

In the early evening(7:26), The group is heading to a tavern called the Twice Lit Candle. Atlas asks how Aureo and Leona met, and the group relays the story. Aureo also tells them that they have seized control of the capital, but not the castle, and that he told the troops the truth about his mother being held captive in the 9 hells. He says that Iris, with a clever ruse, revealed several of the guards to be devils which helped with his believability.

Aureo asks the party(17:11) what they're doing next. They say that they need to discuss this with Red, which is, in itself, strange.

They arrive at the bar(21:50), and Leona performs for the crowd. For one of the songs, she creates a silent image of fireflies, singing directly to Aureo.

Atlas wanders off to find Sura(31:15), locating her in the library, studying the royal line. She tells him that she's avoiding the emperor, worried about how it will come across if she claims to be a Macierre. He assures her that Aureo is a little stuffy, but seems to be a good person. She also says that she is thinking about going with Aureo to the nine hells to rescue his mother. He offers to take her to the bar to introduce her to him, and she reluctantly agrees.

Atlas and Sura arrive at the bar(41:11). Atlas introduces her to Aureo, as promised, and she greets everyone. Alexander takes his leave, and Leona catches him as he goes. She asks him if he's ok, as he's been a little isolated from the rest of the group, and he assures her that he is. Sura and Aureo have a quiet little conversation, and she asks for a few moments of Aureo's time the next morning. There's some talk of sparring, and Sura says that she gets sympathetic pains when she sees anyone fighting.

They head back to the castle grounds(55:23), and Aureo takes Atlas aside for a moment. He thanks Atlas for looking out for Leona, while Aureo can't be with her. He tells Atlas about the prophecy, and that both he and Kesra fit it. He asks Atlas not to say anything to Kesra about it. He also mentions that he's noticed Sura's similarity to his family, and Atlas notes that, if anything happens to her, not even the nine hells will stop him.

Meanwhile, Elden and Sura chat(1:08:53). She asks if he ever feels out of his depth, and he laughs. She tells him that she takes damage, and that her theory is that Oracles are the Weave's way of balancing for when something disastrous is coming. She also offers to to a tarot reading for him sometime.

Kesra and Leona are talking(1:16:27) during this, with Leona asking about how she is. Kesra deflects, mostly, and Leona offers to talk to be a listening ear any time she is ready.

They arrive back at the castle(1:23:06), and Sura asks what question he would like her to do a reading about. He asks if he will ever see Val again. She does a reading, and sees that he has been disappointed, and that he's dwelling in the past, and that he should be willing to learn from his mistakes. She sees that he is a reliable and trustworthy person, and he should embrace that for her, and for himself. She also sees that he is confused, and uncertain, and that this is not a time to make decisions, but he should wait and see what happens and what others think.

As everyone is settling in for the night(1:32:16), Leona sends a message to Kesra, saying that she's glad they are on this adventure together. She receives only snores in response.

The next morning(1:34:15), Alexander buys some supplies, and begins to copy his spellbook. Xytharia comes to check on him at some point. He asks her about how souls get created. She notes that mortals are the only creatures able to create the souls that deities need. They ponder sentient weapons and how they actually work, in terms of putting a soul in it. They also discuss Aureo's upcoming trip to the nine hells.

Kesra wakes up, quite hung over(1:49:22), and goes to take a nap at the temple of Pelor. An older cleric is sitting there on the bench next to her when she wakes up, and reveals to her that she's not actually awake, and this is a vision of Pelor. She asks him about how many more of "those things" she needs to find, and he lists off the pieces of the Veldahar. He also tells her that, one day, he will ask her to re-plant the tree that she destroyed. He points out that she can she can pray to him any time, before she wakes up for real.

Meanwhile, Leona goes and finds Elden(2:07:52). She apologizes to him for what happened on the airship, and gives him a salve that she got from the Stormwildes. He tells her about when he watched the rest of them go through their visions. He tells her about Cassius, and she recognize the name from a book she read once. She thought he was a fictional god, because she only ever heard of him from that one book. He tells her he believes he is some kind of vessel for Cassius. Leona also asks him about Val, and he tells her about the last time he spoke to her. He says that he hasn't called her because he doesn't know if he could handle it if she didn't answer.

When Leona returns to her room(2:33:52), Sura is waiting for her. She tells Leona that Atlas mentioned that Leona is an oracle, and she hoped they could spend some more time together. She offers to do a tarot card reading for Leona. Leona asks "Can I keep my family safe?" She sees that the idealistic "happy ever after" is not realistic for Leona, or not in the way that she hopes. Next, she sees Leona's care for the whole world, and the pressure it puts on her. Finally, she sees that Leona should find some help from some person in her life, but to also trust her inner voice. She also mentions to Leona that she and Atlas have multiple partners, and that any feelings he has for Leona are not at her expense. And she happens to mention that she has found another partner, named Kendell, who Leona recognizes.