quest/src/epistolary/00068.md

title	created	updated	public	syndicated
00068	Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:14:47 -0700	Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:14:47 -0700	yes	yes

00068

The fingertips of the Nyxmaer graze the eye and an eldritch wind begins to howl inside the fish market.

It whips around and around inside the ritual circle, flipping blankets and tossing pillows. The dreamers also toss and turn in their sleep, but still do not wake. The foul wind tugs at their hair and at their clothing.

The small candles around the edge of the circle go out, plunging the room into near darkness. The dark flame of the demon candle sputters.

The wind screams as it pushes through the small smudged gap in the circle and out onto the floor of the market. It coils around Rind's feet and teases at the hem of the child's dress. It ruffles the duck's feathers.

The fingertips flick over the eye, caress it, draw it close. And finally its fist closes tightly around it.

The last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. The wind and the sirens stop all at once, and in the silence all that can be heard is the steady rain outside.

"Look Trine or not, I need a little more than this. I ain't nobodies errand boy, and insofar as I can tell either the Gods are dead, or they haven't given a rats ass about me or anyone else. What's more, you're claiming to be some sort of divinity, yet you can only manifest here amongst my nightmares, the same ones I learned years ago to shut out. You never forget the face of your first mark, but what they don't tell you is it doesn't have to haunt you either." Alex looks directly at the apparition.

"But I'm reasonable too. Give me some proof you say what you are. You say you have power to share? Well power I need. I have people to protect, and an unclue to rescue. I'll be damned if I let anything happen to them. Yet here I am, stuck in this god firsaken place chittering away with my own subconcious getting attacked by freaking mushrooms people."

"Just give it to me straight Neddas, what assistance are you offering, and what must I give in return? If you an guarantee me a way to protect those close to me, I don't give a rats ass about the rest."

Neddas silently holds your gaze for a long moment.

"What you ask of me is fair, since I am asking so much of you."

They hold out their hands and present you with a stone amulet. It slightly resembles the Ginnarak Crystals. Much smaller. And more almond shaped than melon shaped. But it is the same shade of blue, with the same veins of slightly pulsating gold throughout. It hangs from a fine chain of small silver links.

"As long as this stone is in your possession, you will find you have the courage to do what you think is right. Be aware that it is a piece of me. And those who know about it will try to take it from you."

In the distance you can hear alarms and terrible moans carried on a howling wind.

~

Corraidhín impatiently flips over the first three tumbrot cards in front of Inky:

1. A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. The Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left side.

2. Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially those of the fantastic spirit.

3. A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond his strength.

Felixe the Cat passes the two six-sided tumbrot dice to Inky and recites a small pome for the inkling:

In the superior world it is
A young man, leaning on his
to indicate therein. It is
speaking, to the traditional
red standard has been

You can suddenly hear an ominous wind whistling outside the club and battering at the windows.

"Well?" Balvin prompts. "What do you do?"