Session 5 Part 1 - Mounting Threats

The next day greeted the trio with a cold harshness as snow blanketed the city, the dark skies looming over the streets. Sethie led the group through Hilltop into the Steepes to survey the bay. As Wora had said, the bay was littered with ships bearing the dark green banner of the Vaerean Armada. The darkened wooden hulls and gray sails almost disappeared against the cloudy backdrop, with faint glints of iron and steel scattered across their decks.

“The Sea Dogs,” Sumayya whispered.

Coada squinted, counting the ships. “They easily outnumber us,” she hesitated, “four to one, at least.”

“Plus,” Sumayya added, pointing to the ship decks, “They have firepower.”

Sethie and Coada watched the bay in silence, awed by the sight of crewmen scurrying across the ships. Cannonry and guns were foreign to this nation. Sethie flushed with concern, while Coada calmly wrapped her tail around hers.

“We need to get our families out of here,” Coada urged. “Or at least have them ready to leave. I don’t like this one bit.”

Sethie nodded in agreement, leaning into Coada. Sumayya quietly surveyed the ships, counting each one and measuring their distance from the city. They were right to be concerned; this could easily be a show of force. If this was a proposal, saying no would not likely be the safest answer.

The trio descended the Steepes in silence, with Sumayya keeping her attention on the bay as it sank below the rooftops. “So,” Sethie began, cutting through the tension, “Had some time to think about your dad yet?”

Sumayya paused, placing her hand on her chin in thought, trying to recall what her mother had described. “He was tall, elven in appearance, with light olive skin,” she hesitated, “I think she said he had sharp features. His eyes were red, and his hair was white like mine.”

Sethie and Coada exchanged glances, pondering the description. A flash of recognition pierced Coada’s mind as she let out a long, frustrated groan.

“What?” Sumayya asked, annoyed.

“I think I might know your father,” Coada murmured. “Oh, and if I’m right, you have a brother.”

Sethie and Sumayya gasped.

Coada looked toward Kings Run. “Brosvis Moltenlash.”

“The new High Treasurer?” Sethie blurted.

“The very same,” Coada continued, irritation creeping into her voice.

“Hm.” Sumayya pondered for a moment before shaking her head. “We’ll just have to see,” she concluded, smiling softly toward the pair.

Sethie nodded, looping her arms through Sumayya’s. “For now, let’s focus on what we can,” she whispered reassuringly.

Sumayya nodded as Sethie led the trio back through Hilltop to her home.

The small shop door stood open in the wintery streets. As they approached, the warmth of the storefront invited them in. Sethie and Coada breathed a sigh of relief as they crossed the threshold. Orianna stood behind the counter, fiddling with potion labels. She looked up with a warm smile as they entered. Sumayya lingered in the doorway for a moment, uneasy, as she scanned the streets. A hooded figure caught her eye as they stood in the shadows of an alley across the street. She hesitated before turning back inside.

“I’ll be right back,” she called, waving toward Sethie and Coada as she casually made her way toward the alley, watching the figure disappear down it.

Sumayya surveyed the street for prying eyes before she slipped into the tight pathway. The figure stood towards the back wall and lowered her hood as Sumayya approached, revealing a cropped black bob that fell straight along her olive skin. Her brown eyes were muted by the shadows.

“Demaris?” Sumayya whispered.

“Anya,” Demaris responded, tapping her knuckles against the stone wall. “I hear you’re running around town with a cleric of the Ten Spires.”

Sumayya straightened her shoulders. “Yes, she’s been an excellent asset.”

“You should be proud,” Demaris continued, tracing lines into the dusty wall. “Many of us spend years earning the trust of locals, working tirelessly to be fully accepted as one of them.”

“I’m not one of many, I suppose.”

Demaris stopped, looking at Sumayya with a vicious smile. “No, you are not, sister. No, you are not.”

“Did you come just to congratulate me, or do you have business?” Sumayya demanded.

Demaris rolled her eyes and approached with familiar grace. “Relax. I come bearing gifts. A promotion!”

“Is that so?” Sumayya raised an eyebrow.

Demaris plopped a small pouch into her hand. “Keep up your work with the cleric, and we’ll keep up our work with the festival.”

Demaris turned to leave, raising her hood. “Wait!” Sumayya called.

Demaris stopped and turned, leaning against the wall impatiently. “What do we know about the Vaereans and their presence here?” Sumayya asked.

Demaris straightened. “Above my paygrade. If we need to know, we will. I wouldn’t worry about them.” She turned again, waving goodbye as she slipped deeper into the alley.

Sumayya waited a moment before opening the pouch. A small sum of gold gleamed inside, along with a simple ring. Her breath quickened as she inspected the ring— a band of loyalty. Whatever was about to happen must be serious. She sighed, pocketing the gold and slipping the ring on before returning to Orianna’s.

“Ah, there you are!” Coada chimed as Sumayya walked through the door.

Sumayya watched as Sethie and Orianna returned to the front, concern etched on Orianna’s face as Sethie joined Coada’s side. “Just be ready,” Sethie repeated to Orianna, who gave her a gentle nod.

“We were just getting ready to stop by the orphanage, if you care to join us,” Coada said, eyeing the new ring on Sumayya’s hand.

“Sounds like a plan,” Sumayya replied sharply, nodding goodbye to Orianna as the group stepped back out into the snowy streets.

It wasn’t long before they arrived at the orphanage. From the window, Coada could see the children reading in the study, Ovar sitting with Vitrene and Setil as they worked. She lingered on the street, waiting to catch his eye. After a few moments, Ovar looked up from the children, raising his brow.

Coada gestured for him to step outside as she slipped behind the door. He stood and quietly joined them on the porch.

“Thank you,” Coada began. “I didn’t want to disturb their studies.”

“It’s no problem,” he said, leaning against the wall with gentle concern. “Is everything alright?”

Coada hesitated. “I need you to get the kids ready to leave.”

Ovar’s eyes widened slightly.

“Not immediately,” Coada continued, her voice tinged with urgency. “With the Vaerean Armada at our doorstep, and such an important festival coming, I’m worried something bad will happen.”

Ovar nodded. “Of course, I’ll make sure we’re safe, and if we need to leave, I’ll be ready.”

“I know this is sudden, but I just want to make sure you’re safe,” Coada said, her voice quickening, “I’ll figure out where we can send you and make arrangements—”

“Hey,” Ovar interrupted, placing his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve got it handled. We can go to my family in Faltaren. Don’t worry.”

She smiled and straightened up. “Thank you,” she mouthed before turning back to join her companions. Ovar nodded and waved goodbye before returning to the children.

“I need to stop by my dorm,” Coada said sternly as they continued down the street. “It’s time I make my return known to my superiors.”

Sumayya nodded.

“We’ll travel ahead and do some shopping. Meet you by Iron Wall?” Sethie asked.

Coada nodded, leaving the two as they passed the Ten Spires. She hesitated, glancing at the large corner of the city she had called home for so long. The grandiose chapels scattered throughout. She sighed as she continued, weaving through the central courtyard and following the alleys to House Arcea. It was one of the larger chapels, standing tall and gleaming even in the darkened sky. White stone adorned with ruby reds and plated golds decorated the structure. The grand doors, adorned with a depiction of Arceous herself in full regalia, stood open. A few patrons—mostly military or guards, but some civilians—were coming and going. Coada nodded to her fellow priests and priestesses as she slipped through the back halls.

Her movements relaxed as she entered the dorms and saw Retha sitting at a far desk, lost in her work. Retha looked up, her eyes widening before quickly glancing back down at her papers.

“You made good time,” she called to Coada with stifled excitement, her stern face hiding a slight smile.

“Well,” Coada replied, plopping into the chair across from her. “I had to make sure you were keeping everything in order.”

Retha looked up as Coada smirked playfully. “I’m glad to have you back,” Retha said warmly, her voice taking on a motherly tone as she smiled.

They sat together in comfortable silence for a moment.

“I wanted to see if I could request some new equipment,” Coada began. “Something a little sturdier.”

“Is that so?” Retha’s brow raised. “Expecting trouble?”

Coada leaned forward with a sigh. “No, I just want to be safer. If this trip taught me anything, it’s that I need to be better prepared for anything that may happen.”

Retha nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. Give the armorer a few days.”

Coada nodded. “I’d like a glaive too.”

Retha looked up, locking eyes with Coada. “I’ll see what I can do,” she affirmed.

“Thank you,” Coada replied, standing and stretching. “It was nice to see you again.”

Retha smiled warmly. “You too. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

Coada nodded and continued out of the dorms. As she reentered the main chapel, a familiar figure passed by. Coada’s eyes widened as the figure paused, bowing slightly.

“Coada,” Alfera began, “Always a pleasure.”

“Captain!” Coada smiled. “It’s a pleasure to see you. May I walk with you?”

Alfera nodded and continued toward the chapel exit as Coada joined her in stride. Alfera Leothran, Captain of the Lauthrian Army, carried herself with dignified strength. Her dark skin almost glowed against the blues and blacks of her uniform. Her hair was pulled into a tight low bun, and her golden eyes glinted in the light. She could rival Arcea herself in both beauty and fierceness.

“So,” Alfera spoke, pulling Coada from her thoughts. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Coada hesitated. “I’m not sure if you knew, but I was away for some time and just returned. I heard about everything that had happened and wanted to inquire about Brosvis’ new position and what happened to our previous treasurer.”

“I hadn’t heard,” Alfera replied with a quick glance. “For starters, welcome back. I trust your travels were fruitful. As for that situation, not much is known yet. Our High Mage Ruen Fioras has been investigating it alongside my people, and so far, it looks like he snapped.”

“Do you think it could be the Wasting?” Coada asked.

“Could be,” Alfera pondered as they approached Torch Side. “We don’t know yet.”

As they arrived at the gate, Alfera bowed her head. “If you’ll excuse me.”

Coada bowed. “Thank you for your time.”

Alfera nodded as she passed through the small gate into the massive complex.

Coada lingered for a moment before beginning the trek south to meet Sethie and Sumayya.

The early afternoon brought scattered sunshine as Sumayya and Sethie took seats at a small café in the merchant district. Across the street, they watched the Iron Wall, the manufacturing district and home to most of the armorers and weaponsmiths in the city. The heat from the kilns seeped through the street, bleeding into the neighboring districts and providing a welcoming warmth to their outdoor seats. Snow still drifted lightly down, but the city was alive.

“How do you like it so far?” Sethie asked, sipping the warm tea they had ordered.

Sumayya hesitated. “It’s... different. Where I’m from, how you look matters far less than what you can do. If you can earn your place, you’re just fine. That comes with its own problems, of course, but this culture of fear is so foreign to me.”

Sethie slowly spun her tea, lost in thought. "That must be nice," Sethie murmured, her gaze distant as she stared into her tea, “I spent my whole life being treated as less than others. I don’t want that for Zhera.”

Sumayya nodded. “Maybe you can visit Leor one day. It’s a beautiful country,” she chuckled, “depending on which island you visit.”

The pair sat in silence, enjoying their tea and watching the flow of people through the city. After some time, the glint of Coada’s armor caught Sethie’s eye. She leapt up, tossing a gold coin onto the table as she ran to join her. Sumayya smiled from her seat, slowly finishing her drink before sauntering over.

“Didn’t get much shopping done, I see,” Coada smirked.

“We thought it was a nice place to stop for a break,” Sethie replied, walking past them into Iron Wall. “Come on!”

“So, what are we doing in Iron Wall?” Coada asked, following them into a small storefront.

Sumayya pulled out a small pouch of gold. “I’d like to purchase a second rapier.”

“And I’d like to get a few daggers, just in case,” Sethie added.

“In that case, you came to the right place!” an old halfling man bellowed from behind the counter. “So, what’re you looking for?”

Sumayya stepped up to the counter, surveying the weapons scattered about the small shop. “Any rapiers, perhaps?”

He smiled. “I could part with one of my more basic models for about 70 gold.”

“What about your more... detailed ones?”

“My basic enhancements run from 150 to 300 gold. If you’re asking about custom enchantments, I’d need to know what you want,” he said, pausing to gauge Sumayya’s reaction.

She held his gaze. “A basic weapon will suffice.”

“Suit yourself,” he shrugged, hoisting a rapier onto the counter.

Sumayya counted out the gold as Sethie approached. “Can I get some daggers too?” she asked.

“Sure,” the dwarf smiled. “10 gold each.”

Sethie placed the gold onto the table, and the man slid two daggers across. Sumayya followed suit, gently pushing the pile of gold toward him.

“Pleasure doing business,” the man said with a smile, sliding the rapier toward Sumayya.

Sumayya affixed the sheath to her opposite hip as Sethie pocketed the daggers.

“We ready?” Coada asked from the doorway. The pair nodded and followed her out.

The sun had begun to dip below the rooftops as they returned to the brisk air. “I suppose we should head back for the day,” Sethie noted.

Coada nodded. Sumayya looked up at the sky, now mostly clear and painted with hues of deep purple and blue. “I think I’ll stay in my room tonight, get some use out of it,” she concluded.

“Understood,” Coada said. “I’ll stay in my dorms, give your family a night with just you.”

Sethie smiled. “That sounds good. Should we plan to meet tomorrow?”

“I wanted to do some research on the Wasting,” Coada hesitated. “You’re welcome to join me.”

Sumayya nodded. “That sounds like a plan,” Sethie added.

“Wonderful! Meet me at the House of Healing in the Ten Spires tomorrow morning.”

Sethie and Sumayya nodded, and the trio parted ways for the evening.