While the Crimson Calling is aboard the Gilded Zephyr, Alexis approaches Rask.
“Having slipped free of the Shadow Blades, what is their next move? How long will they wait in Sutheron? How will they try to pick up our trail? Obviously, we didn’t know the resources they have in Sutheron that they might be able to call upon, but let’s assume the resources are minimal when it comes to tracking us; I want to know what the Blades will do on their own.”
Early in the group’s training on the edge of the Llanos river, Alexis approaches Ca’armine.
“How is your rest and re-orientation so far?”
…
Alexis listens with genuine interest. After some discussion and follow-up Alexis brings up another topic. “In Sutheron I neglected asking if anyone is hunting you like the Shadow Blades hunting Rask.”
Alexis awaits Ca’armine’s reply.
Early in their stay along the Llanos river Alexis sits down next to Ethelred on the same log. Alexis starts talking when Ethelred looks up from his reading materials at him.
“Poor girl. I hope she doesn’t get herself killed before we get back. A lot of potential in our little miss of house Veronia.
“She’d sure like a message.” Alexis says, clearly intent on not going out of his way to make this happen.
After the group has been dropped off by Hap, spent a day investigating the items they have, and enjoying being in the grasslands each of them starts delving into their own studies.
Over the next week, the weather seems to stay cold where the group is, even as spring seems to be taking hold around them. Frost greets the group on their gear and around the camp.
As well, during this week, backpacks and other buckles seem to be open when they were left closed. Perhaps this coincides with the occasional dreams of twisted creatures begging to be released when nothing seems to shackle them, struggling to open doors that finally open to rooms full of seemingly worthless treasure, or attempting to read books that contain text that seems to form never-ending and circular writings.
The group slips away from Vordegern’s warehouse under the bright mid-morning sun, its rays casting long shadows as they weave through the alleyways. Alexis casts a quick glance over his shoulder, then leans in to Rask.
“You looked… surprised when you saw that Cedric Ironjaw character.” His voice carries a hint of curiosity, as though he’s fishing for a story.
Alexis is staying up on his watch with the smell of smoke still coming into the mansion of the Crimson Calling. He has spent the time on his watch so far pacing to try and stay ahead of the memories from his time with Malkar.
During his pacing Alexis checks on Gustav, and notices Sally as well. Alexis is able to forget about himself as he remembers what Sally went through.
Alexis squats next to Gustav and speaks to Sally “we both went through a lot today, didn’t we, although I might have come out with fewer scars than you, huh?” Alexis smiles faintly at Sally and reaches out to pet her.
Alexis gets up and walks away coming back a few minutes later with some morsels for Sally. After feeding Sally Alexis asks “I’m going to keep walking around, did you want to join me?” Alexis extends his hand for Sally to hop on.
After the group is arrested by the Collegium guards and taken to the comfortable “holding cell”.
Alexis, looking tired and energized at the same time, who is still bruised from the bookshelf and burned from the scroll magics, speaks.
“Well” he says looking around the richly appointed room “if we’re going to be held for questioning, this is a better spot than most.”
He sits down and starts fiddling with his jasper necklace.
“Lorianne’s surely going to have already gotten the first word. I never thought the Collegium could be so compromised. Have to see how this plays out.”
After shortening the leather thong around the jasper necklace, Alexis wears his red jasper around his wrist. He moves to Gustav to tend to him while they wait.
After arriving back at Mavon’s estate after the confrontation with the Bloodfang and the killing of Thorgar. Alexis takes Rask slightly aside.
After a moment making sure they’re alone.
“Rask. Throgar surrendered. Twice. The Crimson Calling aren’t blood-thirsty mercenaries. Killing isn’t how we solve problems. I appreciate you leaping in front to confront Throgar after I’d gotten him angry. I do. Thank you for being so willing to risk yourself for me. But when someone surrenders we need to let them. If we kill the helpless, we sink to the level of those we fight against.”
At this moment one of the other Crimson Calling hands Rask and Alexis their share of the money for completing the job and killing Throgar.
Alexis looks at a loss for words
“This… we don’t kill… who surrendered.”
Alexis starts to walk away while putting his reward away.
Before settling in for the night, shortly after meeting the Crimson Calling, Rask finds Ethelred separately from the others and catches his attention.
“I can see it in your eyes Ethelred. Your first time?”
Rask looks into Ethelered’s eyes.
“Recently.” Rask nods,
“If you want to talk about with someone who’s been there, let me know. You’ll never forget, but it does get… easier.”
Rask’s thousand yard stare is sad and determined, but welcoming and hopeful too.
As the group is about to leave their two week spot after getting Dauntless, Alexis muses to his companions “I can only imagine Leer’s troll powder supply is getting pretty damn depleted. Even though we haven’t seen eye-to-eye with Leer, and he poisoned us, nobody deserves whatever fate is about to befall him.
“I’ve made a little progress with scrying magics, but if I’d studied more at the Collegium I might be able to know Leer’s fate now.”