Session 7 Part 1 - Prophet

Coada awoke before the fireplace on the study floor, with Sethie, Sumayya, and Wora wrapped closely in her tail. She smiled quietly, brushing the hair back from Wora’s face.

“I have to thank you for the festivities last night; it was a wonderful experience,” Sumayya whispered, her tired eyes blinking as she sat up to greet Coada.

Coada smiled. “It was a much-needed break,” she replied, a slight rasp still lingering in her throat.

The two sat quietly in front of the fire until the others began to stir—Sethie first, followed quickly by Wora.

“Good morning,” Sethie mumbled cheerfully through a yawn, stretching her arms overhead.

Wora groaned, rolling over to bury her face from the morning light. Coada began patting her shoulder gently. “A little too much fun last night?” she teased. Wora groaned again, sitting up slowly with a tired, distant stare. Coada chuckled before rising and heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

“Thank you, Wora, for last night,” Sumayya said softly.

“Yes, thank you. It was lovely,” Sethie added.

Wora smiled sleepily. “I’m happy to have had you! Now I need a bath. I’ll be back,” she mumbled, standing shakily before heading towards the main bath.

Sethie and Sumayya stood shortly after, heading into the kitchen to help Coada prepare. Together, they worked in quiet comfort, preparing tea, eggs, and sausages. Soon, they sat at the table just as Wora returned, her step more lively.

“So, our illustrious victor, how are you feeling today?” Wora teased.

Coada rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. How are you?”

Wora waved her hand dismissively. “Never better!” she smiled, settling beside Sumayya to begin her meal.

Coada laughed and returned to her meal, when suddenly, a familiar voice drifted into her mind. Umeran. “Coada, report to the Ysora Keep receiving hall at noon today for further discussions regarding your vision.”

Coada responded mentally, “Yes, sir.” She looked around, seeing that Wora had stopped mid-bite, likely receiving a similar message.

Wora smiled after a moment and gently set her fork down. “I must be going. I apologize. I’ll see you all soon.” She stood and gave a brief bow before leaving.

Sumayya and Sethie nodded their goodbyes as Coada stood and led Wora to the door, giving her a brief hug before sending her on her way. As she returned to the dining room, Coada explained, “I received a summons to the Ysora Keep at noon. I’ll need to clean up first and head out as soon as possible. Would you be willing to meet me in King’s Run about an hour after?”

Sumayya nodded and turned to Sethie, who shrugged. “That should be fine! I want to check on my home, so we’ll do that while you’re out.”

Coada smiled and rushed off to prepare for her meeting. She hesitated, glancing back toward her allies before entering the bathroom. It was small, barely enough space to remove her armor and wash up. She took extra time polishing each piece before redressing, and by 11 o’clock, she was ready.

She exited to a quiet home; Sethie and Sumayya had already left. Coada stood in the doorway, looking back at the once lively halls, a small sadness filling her chest. With a deep breath, she turned and stepped into the cold morning air, locking the orphanage behind her as she set out for Ysora Keep.

As she passed through the streets, a familiar voice drifted into her mind. “I see you’re meeting at the castle today. Would you join me at my cottage afterward? I have someone you need to speak with.” Wora’s voice was quiet and focused.

“Of course,” Coada responded warmly, her eyes trained on the castle, growing ever closer. She paused at the courtyard gates, looking toward the abbey before approaching. The guards, surveying her with suspicion, opened the gates with a bow.

“You are to wait in the receiving hall until requested,” one of the more ornately decorated guards barked. He was older for an elf and carried himself with an arrogance that made Coada’s blood boil.

She merely bowed her head, continuing up the small path to the large wooden doors. Two more guards stood before the doors, opening them just wide enough for her to pass. She bowed her head to each as she passed, and they closed the doors behind her with a resounding thud. She was alone. The cool, grey stone room was adorned with grand tapestries and stained glass, stretching high above. An ornate fountain trickled slowly in the center, providing the only sound, while cold stone benches lined the walls.

Coada sighed and looked toward the smaller double doors before her. She took a seat and began to wait.

Sethie and Sumayya sat quietly, finishing their meals after Coada rushed off. “How’s your…” Sethie paused, considering her words. “Supply?”

Sumayya smirked, lifting the flask from her hip and giving it a swirl. “Good for now. Plus, I picked some up when we were hunting the other night.”

Sethie shook her head. “Alright,” she smiled. “Just wanted to check.”

Sumayya nodded with a soft smile as she stood to gather the plates. “Well, thank you. I’ll let you know if I need more.” She winked.

Sethie laughed and stood to join her. They quietly washed the dishes and left, Sethie glancing down the hall at the empty space as they exited. 

Sumayya stretched as they stepped out into the street. “So, first your home, and then?”

Sethie smiled. “We’ll see where the day takes us.” Sumayya chuckled and followed her up the street to Sethie’s home.

The door creaked open, the bell chiming into empty space. There was an eerie silence as Sethie entered, realizing she’d never come home to an empty house before. Her stomach twisted briefly at the hollowness. “Come on,” she muttered, leading Sumayya upstairs.

Sumayya followed quietly, watching Sethie gather items from each room and lock them away in storage chests, packing up remaining food before heading back down into the shop. “One last thing,” Sethie called, gesturing toward her mother’s workstation. “She showed me this a few times, and we have some time. Care to make some healing potions with me?”

Sumayya smiled, pulling up a chair beside Sethie and watching intently as she gathered ingredients and began brewing, walking Sumayya through each step. The first batch wasn’t perfect—Sethie could tell from the smell—but the second and third were flawless. She stepped back proudly, admiring the handful of corked potions she’d made.

“You have a knack for that,” Sumayya commented.

“Well, I learned from the best,” Sethie said with a melancholic tone.

Sumayya placed a hand on Sethie’s shoulder and gave a reassuring nod. The two quietly stashed the potions in their pouches and continued out into the shop.

“I thought I heard you back there!” Gnash called.

Sethie and Sumayya jumped, startled by the small halfling leaning against the entryway, puffing his cigar.

“We didn’t hear you come in!” Sethie responded.

Gnash smiled and stepped forward, surveying the barren storefront. “Saw the door cracked and wanted to make sure there were no intruders.”

“Just your usual suspects,” Sumayya chuckled.

Gnash raised an eyebrow at her. “I see.”

“Gnash,” Sethie said, her tone questioning. “When we said we wanted to help—”

“No, no,” Gnash interjected. “I made a promise to your mother, and by the gods, I will keep it. I won’t willingly put you in danger like that.”

“But I—”

“Nope!”

“If you don’t let me help, I’ll just do it myself!”

Gnash sighed. “Fine,” he relented. “Tomorrow morning, we have an idea on the area, and I think it uses the sewers, so be ready to get dirty.”

Sethie smiled wide. “Deal!”

Gnash sighed again, shaking his head as he turned around. “Looks like I have some homework to do then. I’ll see you here at dawn.” He waved as he left.

Sethie turned to Sumayya, who leaned against the wall with an amused expression.

“What?” Sethie barked.

“I just hadn’t seen you so insistent before,” Sumayya responded.

“Well, if people need our help, why shouldn’t we?” Sethie questioned.

Sumayya shrugged. “I hadn’t thought of it like that, I suppose.”

“Always a means to an end for you, then?”

Sumayya pushed off the wall, and the pair began to exit onto the street. “Something like that,” she muttered.

Sethie shook her head, locking the door behind them. “I suppose we should head over. Maybe grab a bite on our way?”

Sumayya nodded as the pair set off to rejoin Coada.

Coada sat quietly in the receiving hall, the events of the past few days racing through her mind. The stillness of the room began to grate on her patience. Minutes turned into an hour before an usher entered and called her name. He was a younger elven man, with neatly braided hair and soft features.

“Coada Alba?”

Coada stood. “Yes?”

“They will see you now,” he said curtly, turning and leaving the door open behind him.

“They?” Coada whispered under her breath as she followed him down a long hall. They turned right, passing through a quiet courtyard and into another set of grand double doors.

Coada’s chest tightened as the young man stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. Inside, she saw Umeran standing in the center of the room, smiling warmly. Behind him, a grand dais held King Orthrious upon his throne, with Ruen Fioras standing to his left, Princess E’lara sitting slightly behind him to the right, and Wora standing beside her, a hand gently placed on the princess’s shoulder.

Coada took a deep breath and advanced slowly into the room. A hushed murmur ran through the nobles seated in raised sections to the left and right. All eyes were on her. Coada approached Umeran and bowed as he ushered her before the king. They both bowed again, and a heavy silence fell.

“Your Majesty, and our esteemed guests,” Umeran began, his deep voice echoing through the hall, “We come today with a prophecy—a warning from the gods themselves.”

The room erupted in murmurs, a mixture of skepticism and awe. King Orthrious raised a hand, and the room fell silent again as Ruen stepped forward.

“And what is this vision you speak of?” Ruen asked.

Umeran looked toward Coada, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Go on,” he whispered.

Coada nodded, her back straightening as she looked up to the king. “I received a vision from Arcea. It showed war coming to our soil, to this city, soon. Dark and twisted creatures laid siege to us,” she paused, “We were barely holding the line.”

“And how can we be sure this is a vision?” Ruen replied. “No one has had such direct communication with the gods in hundreds of years, except our great king.”

Coada began to speak, but Umeran stepped in front of her. “I’ve vetted this through magical means. Coada has been a member of House Arcea for many years and was raised in my program. I confirmed her aptitude and can assure you that this vision is as true as can be, or at least, she is not lying about what she saw.”

Ruen stepped back and looked down at the king.

“At the very least,” Umeran added, “I ask you to trust my word as the High Priest and advisor to the High Court.”

The king pondered for a moment. “Then let it be so,” he said, his aged voice carrying the weight of a century of life. “Coada Alba, Prophet of Arcea.” Another wave of murmurs rippled through the room as Captain Alfera stepped forward.

“With the upcoming festival, I will make the necessary preparations to defend our city,” Alfera announced. “We will lock down all entrances and station units around the city. No one will enter or leave without our knowledge.”

The room quieted again as King Orthrious stood. “So it will be,” he declared, waving to the room. The nobles stood and began to shuffle out. Coada locked eyes with Wora, who nodded reassuringly before leaving with the princess.

Umeran wrapped his arm around her shoulder and turned to lead her out of the room. “You did great,” he whispered. “I’m proud to call you one of our own.”

Coada bowed her head respectfully as they exited. Umeran stepped away, bowing in return before leaving her to return to his duties. Coada stood for a long moment before the now-closed doors, reflecting on the audience she had just had, when a cold but familiar voice drew her from her thoughts.

“Impressive display, I must admit,” Ruen said, his tone laced with bitterness.

Coada turned to face him, bowing deeply. He nodded in response.

“I shall walk you out,” he ordered.

Coada nodded again as Ruen linked his arm with hers, guiding her down the long hall. She remained silent, observing as no staff or noble dared approach the mage.

“Prophet of Arcea,” he hummed. “It does have a nice ring to it.”

“It’s not what I wanted. I just wanted to warn the kingdom.”

Ruen smirked. “And warn us you did, but that’s not why we’re speaking.”

Coada glanced at him, eyebrow raised.

“You see, until your arrival, Danyell hadn’t said a word. It wasn’t until you showed up that she even acknowledged the world outside her cell.”

“Strange,” Coada said, her tone disinterested.

“Indeed,” he continued. “So I took it upon myself to look into your group. You were easy enough to investigate, having been under the kingdom's thumb since you were nursing. Sethie too—daughter of a potion mistress in the North Corner. A petty thief, but I understood the connection. Now, Sarah…” He paused, staring intently at Coada.

Her stomach dropped, though her expression remained neutral. 

Ruen smiled viciously. “You see, records of Sarah are incomplete, and when I inquired, the town said they had no record of her in their census.”

Coada’s eyes burned with fire. “And what exactly are you trying to say?”

Ruen smiled, gesturing toward the door. “Be careful who you call an ally,” he whispered.

Coada responded with an exaggerated bow. “I’ll be sure to take note of that,” she said, her voice firm.

Ruen smirked before turning to head back into the castle. Coada remained, watching him until he was out of sight. She sighed deeply before exiting through the receiving hall and into the entrance courtyard.

Despite the winter air, the courtyard was bustling with nobles, guards, and government staff. Across the road, she spotted Sumayya and Sethie leaning against a wall, talking as they waited.

Sumayya looked toward her, offering a warm smile as she approached.

“Well?” Sethie asked.

“Well…” Coada paused, leaning between them as they looked toward the castle gates. “You’re looking at the Prophet of Arcea, apparently.”

Sethie and Sumayya looked at her in surprise.

Coada’s expression darkened. “They’re locking down the city ahead of the festival to be safe. And…” she hesitated, “They looked into us, Sarah. They know your name isn’t legitimate.”

Sumayya’s stomach twisted as her expression hardened. “It’s okay, I’ll handle it,” she whispered.

“So, what’s the plan?” Sethie asked quietly.

“For now, Wora asked to see us after this. We’ll see what comes next.” Coada straightened up, pushing off the wall.

Sumayya nodded, her usual softened expression returning. Sethie smiled and linked her arm through Coada’s. “Let’s go then!”