The Way Forward

A bright and fair morning in Alexandria dawns a little less cold than the previous days have been, and the sunlight sparkles on the Tornmawr. Most of the snow has melted off of the sun-drenched rocks, and Dolan is sitting on one of them, overlooking the water, his right side conveniently snuggled up to a large rock. His arms have pulled one knee up to his chest, and he stares out, faraway across the city.

Patch walks the banks of the Tornmawr idly in her boots, a rock here and there picked up and assessed. She's not aware of Dolan, having a nice morning out while being lost in her own thoughts. The stones she is colleting are flat, and perfect for one thing. Skipping across the waters.

That's what Patch does, a stone taken crooked in her fingers, aiming, and letting loose her makeshift projectile with a jerk and motion that sends the rock spinning. One skin, two skip, and SPLASH. Apparently she's not very good at it. "Well, that's two."

Verna approaches the Tornmawr from the east. Despite the warmth of the sun, or perhaps due to the clear, bright shining, her cloak and hood is up. A small handled basket is hooked in the crook of one elbow as she moves to the bridgehead. It is the SPLASH that causes her to pause and look down the embankment; such sounds are far more common and benign in the summer and much less of either in the present season.

Kaj surfaces from the water, about a hand's breadth away from where that stone just sank, looking as if it was a total coincidence, for he doesn't search for an 'attacker' or anything, rather continues to make his way towards the bank, water and some vegetation sliding off him as he heads into shallower water.

The SPLASH and the subsequent emerging from the water is enough to start Dolan out of his reverie, and he sits up straight, frowning. He hadn't bothered bringing armor or weapons today, not here in the city, not in the quiet morning just after prayers. He wears only a simple shirt and trousers and low city boots, his traveler's cloak pulled over him for warmth. The remains of a black eye to the inside of his left eye are present, although yellow and green colors surrounding blue and purple say that it is a few days old.

He turns himself fully, looking around the embankment, and spots a couple of familiar faces. "Brightest of days, Verna, Patch," he calls, although there's a tension there in his frame, and the cheerful greeting sounds just a little forced.

Patch had thought they were alone, turning as she hears a voice calling her name. Both Verna and Dolan's presence somewhat a shock as she drops her rocks and dusts her hands of the sand that came with them. "Dolan, Lady Verna." she says, slowly turning to make her way towards the two. "I had not realized I wasn't the only one of us on a walk." a small smile forced at her words, adjusting her red coat despite the warming weather. "Was just looking for a little time to myself, ya know? The days have grown a tad weird for me."

The emergence of the Man of Unusual Size from the waters is rather unexpected and is enough to startle Verna. Her hood promptly swivels there, then to Dolan and, her presence now noted, to Patch. She approaches, stepping off the top of the embankment to fall, very slowly, to the more flat lower bank; the simple magic much more trusted than her mountaineering abilities (or utter lack thereof).

"Good day to you both," she greets, adding, "or the three of you?" A glance is given to the wading Kaj before looking back. "My apologies for any unwanted interruption and any contribution to the oddity of recent days."

Kaj continues to make his way to dry land, so to speak, his body displacing river water like a dingy might, in terms of volume, as he leverages both mass and strength to make rapid progress.

As his torso and long mane-like hair clear the water, he pauses to shake like a canine, grinning with the pleasure of sending water everywhere and from the pure vigour involved. He too, stretches, then lets his arms drop but only half way, as it appears he was aware of several ravens incoming--his arms their natural perch before the scramble up to his shoulders and in the case of a particularly small one, his head.

When Vern includes him in her greeting, she too gets a smile.

"Well met!" he booms, in his bass voice.

Dolan turns more fully to study the newcomer out of the water, with no small surprise. "Brightest of days," he greets finally, managing a half of a quirked grin at the apparently good and expansive nature. Still - a few things need to be said.

He turns to Verna and Patch, the quirked grin fading. "No kittens, Verna?" he asks seriously. "There's something I need to tell you both. Patch - sorry about the other day. I was hoping that since I was clearly scaring the girl to death, someone who wasn't could find out what we needed to know."

Patch has to pause, turning back to look behind her as Verna speaks. How did she miss the giant in the river? It's clearly a concern as she darts a glance from Verna to Dolan. She'd heard some fuss in the water after her throw, but Kaj was not expected when he spoke. "I must really be distracted."

Patch sighs, looking to Verna, offering a semi-shrug to the woman's words. She pauses once a few steps away from the other two, hands in the pockets of her coat. Her eyes not fully meeting Dolan's in her sweeping glance of the forming group. "There is nothing to apologize for, Lady Verna. It was an oddity that needed professing. My issues aren't your fault." a grin offered, an eye finally stopping on Dolan as he speaks to her and Verna directly.

"Ah, that topic." Patch says, her tone friendly, but firm. a hand moves from her pocket to rises and rub upon her pointed chin. "I understand, but I also don't." she states, sighing again. "It's complicated, Dolan." her marked face flushing slightly, the spot darkening with her cheeks. "But, I know some of what you are dealing with and I still think your thoughts on the matter are a bit skewed. But, It's not worth arguing over."

Verna lifts her hands to her hood, shaking the material lightly in demonstration before she doffs it. "Hunter did not accompany me," she assures. She then holds further words so as not to interrupt Dolan nor Patch, though does offer a nod of acknowledgement to Kaj in the interim. After Patch responds, her expression lightens somewhat. "Regardless of fault and source, if you seek aid concerning any such issues, I would do what I may." She looks to Dolan, after, to both include him in the offering and be attentive for his further words.

GAME: Dolan rolls will: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL)

Dolan stares at Patch with both eyes, but then shakes his head. "Yeah. Just, that wizard you brought? He might know his magic, but he was a ***** idiot last night." He scoots forward to let his legs dangle over the edge of the rock. "No more ***** idiots around the artifacts, okay?" he asks wearily, his glance directing that at both Patch and Verna.

"But never mind that," he goes on. "Look - I didn't want to say this around the others, especially after - that - " He trails off, then picks up with a sigh. "I don't get to decide when this happens. I have no idea when it's going to happen. I just know that it's going to happen, at some point. "I'll send you a signal when it does. I'll send the prosthetic to you. If it goes, he'll destroy it. If someone brings that to you," and he taps his scarred temple, right next to the golden gem that replaces his right eye. "Go."

"Well, I only brought him because he had prior experience with Kol, but..." Patch says, sighing. "I am not going to deny that some of what transpired was idiocy." she admits, looking to Dolan as he addresses them. "I also didn't realize there was an unattuned artifact floating about. That was not wise." on several people's part it seems.

"As for the signal, assuredly. If it is given, if the eye shows up, we will go." Patch affirms, sighing as she tosses an eye to Verna, shrugging. "I am just tired of the squabbling. Every gathering I have been to about this has ended in bickering and harsh words. It's what they want. Or, what I suspect they want."

"When we retrieve the totems," Verna notes firmly, "they will be better secured and access restricted." That was a failing of several, herself included. "There was much of which we were unaware. Now we are more informed and can act accordingly." She nods to each in turn. "We will be prepared and will act when signaled."

A pause is taken before she addresses Patch's comment. "They are forces of chaos, and would spread it, whether by sly intent or simply undeniable nature. Tensions are high, worries are raised. Many are agitated. All of this makes discussions all the more difficult. In the end, however, we all still share the intent and will to see this done."

Dolan lets out a long, hard breath and stares off into the distance, down the riverbank towards where the sea shines not so very far off. "Okay," he says finally. "I'm counting on you." He seems about to say more, looking clearly unhappy, but clamps is mouth shut.

"Yeah," he agrees, finally looking back down at the other two. "We need to start working together. Our enemy is smart, and to this point, we haven't been. We'd better start being. We need to go to the Vast, and we need to get the totems back. We should figure out who we trust with the totems."

"Things might have gone differently had you been at the Temple." Patch says with a sigh, Verna's words having sent the bard's glance out towards the waters. "I have been advocating for that for a while, but... it was not well received. Most of my talk of the disappearances, and totems was ignored." she says, hands returning to her pockets. "I don't trust any of you. Well, I didn't. My involvement in this came from a different path, and I was an unknown to most all involved." she reasons about the situation. "I feel holding a grudge still would be too petty, but my memory is a little long. So forgive me if I have seemed a bit detached and callous." turning to Dolan and offering a small smile. "You and I still need to have a little bit of a deeper talk, but for now. This is fine."

Dolan's head turns towards Patch, and he just _looks_ at her for a minute, the mobile half of his face holding wariness, and the scarred half unresponsive. "We did try leaving them with the Temples. They were stolen from the Temples as well. They are not safe in the hands of those who do not know what they are, or their importance, or what they can do. It falls to us who know what these things are to protect them, and to take them seriously."

"I know about the disappearances," he goes on, relenting some, the visage of the inquisitor shifting into a more personal gaze. "Patch, I'm counting on you to trace those two minions. Zalgiman is being funded by two of the minions of Caracoroth. I'll find out what I can, but-" He lets out a hard, heavy breath of frustration. "Patch, I'm a target. My family is a target. There's a reason I know who V is and what those shadow demons can do. Someone is trying to kill my family, and me. I think I know who it is, but I'm trying to prove it so I can make it stop. Not to mention Kol Demontry. I can't find everything myself and still protect the people I love. I need your help."

"Agreed. I believe that we can look to the totems and their creation for inspiration," Verna attempts to offer some further positive. "The Sun and Tyrant, Moon and Shadow Sorceress... all of Light and Darkness worked to their creation for a single purpose. If They overcame such animosity, certainly we can move past our own concerns for this task."

"Dolan, we depend upon you, as well; all of us, for your plan to come to fruition. More personally, I also rely upon you, all of you. To my understanding, the Caracorothians require one piece in addition to the totems to complete their goal, and that burden falls to you."

Turning to Patch, she frowns softly at her revelation. "One or more of the temples would, in theory, be a wise choice.. but it is as he says. I can recommend against The Gray Harpist's own temple, at the least." Which pains her. "That your path started elsewhere had great boon, Patch. The alleged miracle worker might not have been discovered so readily otherwise."

Patch shakes her head. "You misunderstand. I knew about the thefts. I was the first to decry Zalgiman as the thief. His resources and influence is scary. I tried to explain that, but was told I was wrong." Patch says, calm still in her tone. "If you had been at the temple the day I accused Zalgiman, you might of taken my words more seriously than others. That's my meaning. I was lamenting the past. The missed communication and chances we let slip." that being what burns her ass about all this.

"I feel the same about these totems as I do some of my other secrets. Safe only in the hands of those who can be trusted." looking between the two. "And that is few for me. Perhaps only three." motioning to Verna. "Lady Verna because she comes recommended, and the friend who spoke of her is.... beyond reliable." she admits.

"And I'm sorry for yelling at you Dolan. Your pain is too much for me at times. It reminds me of myself many years ago, and I hurt for you. Beyond that, Kol only noticed you because of my prying. So I am responsible for that too. You have my aid, for anything. I just don't know how to handle your discomfort. I can barely handle my own."

"Then don't, Patch." Dolan's gaze remains on Patch. "Look, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm still getting used to being half-blind and looking like something parents warn naughty children about. I shouldn't have walked out, and I'm sorry." All right? is left unsaid on the end of that. "You don't have to carry my problems for me. Don't worry about me. Just help us out, because what you're saying is important, and it it does matter."

"We can beat ourselves up about what we should have done, all day, and that's not going to get the totems back," he goes on. "It's not going to change what happened. Let's worry about getting the totems back, and - Verna, what's this other piece they want? Is that what is in the Vast? If so, we'd better git. Let's protect that. Find out how many totems we have remaining, who's got them, and who should have them. Kol, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We don't have a good way to find the camp until he shows up. For now, let's get out to the Vast and find this other thing."

"I - heard about what happened. I was in the Soldier's Defense at the time." He doesn't elaborate. "The commune tells me you were right, and we need to look into that, too. There are a lot of pieces, and we've got to try to put it all together. What's this about a miracle-worker outside the walls?"

Verna is quiet for the two to convey their concerns and apologies. That portion, in this moment, is between the two of them. The questions posed, of course, are a different matter. Her lips purse. "Patch, as I understand, discovered tales of an alleged worker of miracles for the destitute and a gathering outside of the city. All was not as it seemed. The leader was in league with demons, two of which were present and posed as angelic benefactors. They preyed upon the desires of the desperate claiming to grant their most dire needs."

She pauses for a long moment before answering the other question. "The last piece is myself. The lycanthropes require me for some ritual. That is why they infiltrated and attacked the temple, and I chose to go with them. It was only by Vardama's Watchful eye and Silmeria's presence that their plans were interrupted. I still do not know their needs nor goals, but expect that they will make another attempt."

She then looks to Patch, frown flattening and cheeks coloring. "I am flattered by your confidence and that of your friend. I hope that I am able to vindicate such. With all that has occurred, and my role in events, I admit that confidence may be greater than mine own."

"Verna is right, it started because of your whispers." Patch says to Dolan and Verna. "Some talk about the totems, and their magic. It was implied they granted boons to their holders. Zalgiman said it himself, calling it his 'lucky charm'." the bard admits. "So I put my ear out, looking for anyone who suddenly had a windfall and sudden miraculous change in circumstance."

"That lead to the false prophet. A man with Stormguard blood, whom looked almost related to Zalgiman." Patch's glance to Verna filled with a sheepish flush. "Yeah, my ideas are a little unorthodox, and I didn't anticipate the demons, and dream portal. I didn't expect any of it. I had half thought we would find a snake oil show, but glad I decided not to go alone. I was fooled into thinking them Devas."

"So for that, I deem you competent enough. I could have easily been lost without help and guidance." Patch says, grinning again. "Now, see. This is nice. We're talking like adults. Something I find I rarely do these days."

While the conversation has been ebbing and flowing around him, Kaj has flung his arms up again, dispersing the ravens, and dived back into the river several times. Each time he surfaces, he shakes like a dog, the ravens land, he takes a few steps, catches some snippets of a conversation that has nothing to do with him and then he goes down again.

But on this last resurfacing, he comes up with something held in his giant hand, and finally turns back to make proper headway towards the bank.

He says something to the ravens, or appears to, but it sounds like raven squawks to those not initiated in the language of corvids.

"The wish demons." Both sides of Dolan's face twist into an angry scowl. "Those damned things. I've been trying to find out where those damned things were coming from. It's happening in the city, too. They even got a unicorn." A shudder ripples through him, but he snaps out of it at something else said. "There's a dream portal? Where?" That is new information to him, apparently.

He looks over at Kaj, and at the squawking ravens. "Now there's someone Lana and Pothy should meet," he chuckles, but doesn't engage the man directly. "Yeah. I know some of what the totems can do - and I'll be trying the third set of blood here soon, to find out what it does."

"Your ideas led to its discovery, Patch. The ends is oft more important than the means." She then expounds for Dolan,"When the ruse was discovered, the leader and fiends created and fled through a portal," Verna expounds. "I know not to where. Worse, they convinced the enamored crowd to attempt to follow them. We were able to close the portal before many did so. No good would have come to them, wherever it led." She glances to the re-emerged Kaj briefly before looking back to Dolan with concern, brow wrinkling.

"I intend no offense at your actions nor abilities, but I advise caution. Following unbidden and horrendous dreams, I sought more information with intentional lucid dreaming. The results were somewhat informative, but also quite terrifying. If it were not for the more dire consequences, I would be almost relieved that the totems are no longer in my home."

"It's what I was calling it. I know not if it was a portal of to dreams, but he wanted to fulfill wishes, and begged people to see their dreams come true." The dawn elf acknowledges. "In lieu of a proper designation, of unknown-crazy-demon-portal, I thought to use words the prophet had strung together." Verna's clarification earning a wide grin. "It surely wasn't leading to a dream location, that I am sure of."

"Wish demons, unicorns, and false prophets. All of this is just a mess." Patch says, pondering over it, but Verna's sterner words to Dolan draw her glance. "I agree, I learned it's not advisable to do things alone. At least experiment when some others are near. Who knows what could go wrong." her eyes then roaming back towards Kaj and the corvids.

"Cor'lana would be ecstatic, for sure. Pothy? I don't know if he'd handle competition well." Patch says with a laugh to Dolan's words. "I don't know. Maybe he'd like to have friends."

The caution from Verna and Patch earns them both a flat stare that then blooms into a cheeky grin that is patently false. "You just started with lucid dreaming? I've been doing it for a while, with and without the totems. The Sky-Singer's temple taught me how a couple of seasons ago. It's how I know which deity made the totem," he explains. "If you attune it and take into the Dream Realm with you, you'll see something that gives you a clue who it is. It usually needs a little religious study to interpret."

He gives up on the pretense, letting the grin fall away. "Yeah, it's risky and can result in some nasty days." He pulls down the collar of his shirt and tilts his neck to show them a pair of raised bumps that are the right size and shape to be fang-marks. "I came out of one session with that."

The collar springs back as he lets it go, and he looks over at the ravens. "I think Pothy would be ecstatic to have a friend to share snacks with. But - yeah. It's risky, but it's also how I got the vision that showed me how Kol was defeated. I have Daeus' totem attuned, and that's what I use. It's definitely got more power."

Kajdrops down to one knee on the rock-strewn sandy shore, now joined by a few cats curious to see what he's brought...his body shield it from the trio but whatever he had in his hand is not making anyone happy--the cats turn right back around, the ravens take to the skies, outraged.

For his part, the half-giant slowly shakes his shaggy head and begins to dig into the sand, his shovel-sized palms making short work of it all as he begins to bury what the river gave up to him.

Verna looks away from Dolan following his first comment, though it is to Kaj at the sudden departure of animals and burying of ... something. "Apotheosis may desire friends, but I an not convinced of his willingness to share where snacks are concerned." She looks back to Dolan in time for the display of his neck and she promptly frowns. She feels no need to inquire of their source. "He haunts both of our nightmares, then." A breath is exhaled. "I am a scholar, foremost, and thus my initial research was via more mundane means. All the more reason to have many pursue information via their own preferences. There is no single best path to the knowledge nor outcome we seek."

"That is something we do not share." Patch's eyes on Kaj as she speaks to the other two. "I am not plagued with nightmares, nor have my intrusions been met with much interest." that thought causing her lips to purse as she takes a moment to think.

"I have a few questions I need to ask someone. If you'd both excuse me, I'll get to work a bit sooner rather than later." Kaj still earning her puzzled expression before she sighs again, and moves to make her way towards the roads. "Worry not, I will share what I find." letting Dolan and Verna talk of nightmares, and leaving Kaj to do his thing. As peculiar as it is.

Kaj hangs his head for a few moments, now animal-free both as a living perch and in his general orbit.

Eventually, he stands and walks over to the pair, though he is watching Patch's departure mostly.

He smiles and stares down at both of them.

"They have met; Shard was forgiven," he says, waving one giant hand briefly in the general direction of the departing ravens.

Dolan waits until Patch walks away, raising a hand with only a, "Walk in His light," after her, but when she is gone, he remarks quietly. "Maybe it is for the best that she not get into the totems," he murmurs. "That shit isn't for the faint of heart, and if she can't handle me being upset-" He lets that one go, instead turning more fully to Verna. "Yeah. It's -"

He stops short when Kaj walks up. "Shard?" he asks.

Verna bids Patch a polite farewell, looking to Dolan after. She begins to offer a slight nod at his words and seems keen to hear more when they halt. Her attention is likewise drawn over, and signficantly upwards, to the approached Giantborn. Her curiosity remains, albeit now for different reasons. "This is in reference to your recent companions, I presume?"

"Heard you mention the lady, and White Raven. Shard did not take kindly to Potty, some loss of feathers ensued, but they are friends now," explains the giant.

He grins as if that's clear as one plus one.

"Well met," he adds, in his friendly voice, his accent strong but not obfuscating. His palm is on his chest as he introduces himself.

"Kaj uru Thaz."

For the first time, Dolan turns his face fully towards Kaj, studying him with a keen and thoughtful gaze. "So you've met Lana. Dolan Donnelly." The mobile half of his features break into a polite smile; the right half with its furrowed scars and melted flesh, and the golden gem set where his eyesocket should be, is entirely expressionless.

"Ah. That is good to know," Verna offers to Kaj before returning introductions. "I am Mourner Verna. Well met."

"We have met the lady, aye," confirms Kaj, "Mourner, Dolan," he says, repeating their names as he again brings a palm to his chest with each utterance.

His gaze stays on Dolan for longer, in particular the missing eye. "Kaj and Dolan have both learned the hard way not to attack with their faces," he states, smiling, winking over his own prosthetic eye.

Somehow, that realization brings a real, honest smile to Dolan's face, that turns into a cheeky grin. "So we have," he laughs, leaving aside the explanation of the circumstances. "I prefer a greatsword. It's way more effective." He's not carrying any such thing right now, though.

Verna is only partially-informed of the facts concerning Dolan's appliance, but does not offer correction as he does not. It may be Dolan's reaction, or possibly the mental image that Kaj's comment provokes, that forms a brief slender smile upon her lips. She considers a moment before noting.

"I should resume my shopping and preparations. If you wish to accompany, Dolan, I will inform you when all is ready to venture to the Vast."

Kaj grins down at Dolan, placing his buckler-of-a-palm on the man's shoulder.

"Indeed, there are few who would argue agains that, Dolan Donnelly, though we have met some hatchet-faced clerics who may have vorpal faces--a discussion for another time," he adds, with a squeeze that feels almost aggressive, but clearly is just giant-level friendliness.

When Verna speaks, he smiles, "I would journey to the Vast, Mourner," he says, out of nowhere, "but it is time for leavetaking." He offers a deep bow of his head as he prepares to depart.

Again, Dolan's laughter is real and lights the mobile half of his face. "I'd say we should get a drink sometime, but I've got a feeling you'd put me under the table. I wouldn't mind hearing your stories, though. Walk in His light."

To Verna, he adds, "Yeah. Let me know. I'll make sure I've got supplies."

Verna nods. "You will be informed, just as I expect to be informed should your visitor come to call. Until then, may She judge you fairly and only at your appointed time." With that bid of farewell, she turns to make her way back to street level.