Aramil turned back to Xen, and the smile had completely faded from his face. In a solemn tone he said, "Who was she? If it hurts too much to say, just let the memory flow. I can likely know more from how you view your past than how you say you do."
Xen breathed calmly as he closed his eyes and summoned the scene of a tranquil pond with a cherry blossom tree just barely hanging above the surface of the still waters. Let Aramil focus on that image Xen thought.
Then opening his eyes he looked to Aramil and spoke calmly saying, "She was someone I cared for deeply. The memory and the sin are mine alone to bear."
Xen let out an exhausted sigh of relief as he took off his pack and dropped it onto the ground. The journey felt like it had taken ages, but finally he was back on his home plane. Still there was a great deal of work to be done.
Looking to Vera and Reed, Xen spoke calmly with a hint of fatigue in his voice saying, "Reed, Vera, we need to talk."
Xen looked at the two of the Fae with a sad smile on his face saying, "First, thank you. You helped us when it meant betraying your mother. For that you have my thanks."
Xen sat down next to his pack and pulled out his journal, quill, and ink ready to write down any notes he needed. Then looking back to the Fae he said, "Your mother has caused a great deal of harm to the two planes Lorwyn and Shadowmoor. I am not even sure if the two are still separate planes after her spell took hold. Whatever she had originally planned did not work at all, that much was clear from her reaction and the speed with which she blamed us."
Xen scribbled down a quick sketch of what he had seen during that ritual while he continued to talk.
"Because she has blamed us for what went wrong she has blinded herself to the true cause of everything that went wrong: Her ritual. Her understanding of planar forces was infantile resulting in untold destruction." Xen raised a hand to the side of his shaved head and rubbed his temple softly before continuing, "Her ignorance is going to cost her plane and others dearly in the long run. You need only look at the history of Dominaria to see what can happen when planeswalkers attempted to harvest her power. Oona is not a 'Walker as far as I can tell, her actions are like those of a child walking blindly into a kitchen to play with everything at hand."
"We're left with a mess that needs to be cleaned up and a child throwing a tantrum in the middle of it all. If there is any hope for your plane then we will need to get back there without having to worry about Fae attacking us from every direction. You already have a shop in Estark that has established trade between the two planes. We need to keep that trade open, otherwise no one will be able to help your home."
"Part of keeping that trade open will require you two finding other Fae that can see reason as you two do. We need allies over there that wont fight us as we try to help them. I know this wont be easy on you two. Oona is the mother of all Fae, but you two are proof that others can see reason. We don't need to start a civil war between the Fae but we do need to get some help."
Xen looked the two in the eyes asking, "Do you two think you can pull this off? Do you think you can keep the trade open and strengthen Estark's ties to your home?"
Xen smiled deeply and bowed his head saying, "Thank you!"
Then looking around for Brigid he called to her saying, "Brigid! I need to talk with you as well."
While waiting for Brigid he turned back to the Fae saying, "I'll come by your shop when I can to see how the relations are coming. I imagine though that you two will need to get the shop in order before returning to Lorwyn / Shadowmoor. That will probably be best as Oona will have had some time to cool off. By the time you return she will probably be back in her glen setting her own plans in motion. You'll want to return quickly though so as to prevent her from swaying all the Fae to her side."
Xen flashed a kind smile to Brigid and said, "We have a lot of work ahead of us, my friend."
Xen scribbled down a few notes saying, "Lorwyn or Shadowmoor or whatever is left of the two planes is a mess thanks to Oona. You saw what happened to your people the last time everything changed. Imagine now the chaos that's going to ensue from entire villages being split between their Lorwyn forms and their Shadowmoor forms."
Xen looked towards the retreating Fae and then back Brigid and let out a sigh of exhaustion saying, "Oona's the problem here. She's too heavily involved and has made the wrong decisions for your home. Right now no one is strong enough to stop her interference. Reed and Vera are prepared to help by strengthening ties with the Fae that will listen and maintaining trade between Estark and your plane."
"If we want to fix what Oona did then we're going to need a unified effort on your plane. If everyone remains splintered and unorganized than that will not be possible."
Xen tilted his head slightly and smiled kindly saying, "That's where you come in. Reed and Vera are doing their part with their people. Now I need you to do the same with the kithkin. The thoughtweft will help you spread the news with the Lorwyn kithkin. The Shadowmoor ones will be more difficult but at least they will listen to someone who is similar to them and has answers for them. Get the kithkin, both Lorwyn and Shadowmoor, working together again. We need them to be strong and unified again. Open trade with Estark so that the mages of the five houses will be able to help rebuild."
"Do this and we will have enough influence to keep Oona from pushing us out of the plane. Do this and we will be able to help fix what Oona broke."
Xen looked pleadingly at Brigid and asked, "Do you think you can do this? Rebuild the kithkin society? Re-establish trade in your plane and ours?"
Of course I can do this. The Kithkin will be whole once again and trade will be brought to Estark. Kin from Shadowmoor might be more reclusive, but even if things need to be set up in a round about way it can be done.
Xen rose up on his knees and laid a hand on Brigid's shoulder saying, "Thank you, I knew I could count on you. Aramil and I will be heading into Estark soon. I know I will be needing to talk with the leader of my House about what has occurred on your plane. I'll also need to do some training in preparation for a later encounter with Oona. To that end both Aramil and I will have need of the payment you promised us at the start of our journey. I hate to ask for this but with what we face we will need every bit of training we can afford before coming after Oona."
Aramil turned to Tayal and Ysonne and said, "What about the two of you? Tayal, you should return to your tribe and tell them what happened. I'm sure they, like the Kithin, have taken a heavy blow. They could use our assistance and trade to help them rebuild.
Ysonne, you should stay with us in Estark, and act as the ambassador to the elven nations of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor to negotiate trade agreements. After all, you did say you'd like to see Dominaria, no?"
Please do not hate yourself for asking as I completely understand. You have done so much and I thank you for your willingness to do more for me and mine.
She reaches into a hidden pocket and pulls out two good size bundles and hands them to Xen.
Here you are. Please use it well.
You speak true Aramil. They need to know what has happened today. The rebuilding efforts will take time. I thank you both for your aid in all that has happened. Ambassador Ysonne I thank you as well.
Ambassador Ysonne?
Ysonne said blushing.
I think that I could get used to that. And yes Aramil, staying here, acting as an ambassador to Estark for Shadomoor and Lorwyn sounds like a plan. There is much to do.
Xen placed one bundle in his satchel and attached the other to the outside glancing over at Aramil and back to Brigid saying, "I'll give him his payment after he's done talking with Ysonne and Tayal."
Xen looked back to Brigid and glanced at the portal before saying, "When we part ways I'll head to Frankies and let him know to expect some more trade from your home."
A flash of concern crossed Xen's face as he said, "If Oona moves early I want you to try and contact me as soon as possible. I will be training and may not be at House Shanodia all the time, but I will let my House master know of the situation. If anything happens then my House will contact me and I will come to your aide. Just remember to send word to House Shanodia and I will do everything in my power to get to your plane, ok?"
One bundle is Xen's payment and the other is Aramil's right?
Aramil nodded and said, "Then there is no time to waste. The sooner you return to the tribes, and the sooner we get Ysonne established here, the better."
Aramil sent a quick mental note to Xen. "The elves are on board. I would like to secure my payment for all of this and get to my bed in Shimia as soon as possible."
Xen opened his mind thinking, Brigid just gave me two bundles for our payment. As soon as I am done talking with her meet me on my way to Ashling and I'll give you the bundle attached to my satchel. After I find out how Ashling can help us then we can head to Frankie's and let him know of the business we've secured for him.
Xen bowed his head in thanks saying, "Stay well until our paths cross again, Brigid."
Then gathering up his things, Xen walked towards Ashling passing Aramil. On his way he paused for a moment to untie Aramil's bundle and hand it to him saying, "Our payment."
Then continuing on to Ashling, Xen called out saying, "Ashling was it? Aramil and I have talked with the others on how we might be able to help your home recover from the damage inflicted upon it by Oona. I'm sad to say that I know little of you or your people though. What did you do before Oona's spell changed your plane?"
That's okay. Not many people, even on Lorwyn, know that much about my people. I was a High Shaman to my people before Oona used her spell. I have a large amount of influence among them.
Xen smiled saying, "That's going to help us. I've already told the others this but Oona has the Fae. They already have a strangle hold on your plane. The rest of the races are going to be scattered and lacking organization. That's where the others are coming in. They're going to be re-establishing trade throughout your plane as well with ours. This will help us to unify the people and strengthen your plane. If we're going to fix what Oona did then we're going to have to be strong enough to face her. Divide we will fall, united we will prevail."
Xen looked hopefully into Ashling's eyes asking, "Can you do this for the good of your plane? Spread word on what Oona did, let the people know how much her ignorance cost their plane. Build up relations with the other races and help your plane become unified against the wound that Oona represent."
Then opening his eyes he looked to Aramil and spoke calmly saying, "She was someone I cared for deeply. The memory and the sin are mine alone to bear."
Looking to Vera and Reed, Xen spoke calmly with a hint of fatigue in his voice saying, "Reed, Vera, we need to talk."
Vera replies. Reed waits expectantly
Xen sat down next to his pack and pulled out his journal, quill, and ink ready to write down any notes he needed. Then looking back to the Fae he said, "Your mother has caused a great deal of harm to the two planes Lorwyn and Shadowmoor. I am not even sure if the two are still separate planes after her spell took hold. Whatever she had originally planned did not work at all, that much was clear from her reaction and the speed with which she blamed us."
Xen scribbled down a quick sketch of what he had seen during that ritual while he continued to talk.
"Because she has blamed us for what went wrong she has blinded herself to the true cause of everything that went wrong: Her ritual. Her understanding of planar forces was infantile resulting in untold destruction." Xen raised a hand to the side of his shaved head and rubbed his temple softly before continuing, "Her ignorance is going to cost her plane and others dearly in the long run. You need only look at the history of Dominaria to see what can happen when planeswalkers attempted to harvest her power. Oona is not a 'Walker as far as I can tell, her actions are like those of a child walking blindly into a kitchen to play with everything at hand."
"We're left with a mess that needs to be cleaned up and a child throwing a tantrum in the middle of it all. If there is any hope for your plane then we will need to get back there without having to worry about Fae attacking us from every direction. You already have a shop in Estark that has established trade between the two planes. We need to keep that trade open, otherwise no one will be able to help your home."
"Part of keeping that trade open will require you two finding other Fae that can see reason as you two do. We need allies over there that wont fight us as we try to help them. I know this wont be easy on you two. Oona is the mother of all Fae, but you two are proof that others can see reason. We don't need to start a civil war between the Fae but we do need to get some help."
Xen looked the two in the eyes asking, "Do you two think you can pull this off? Do you think you can keep the trade open and strengthen Estark's ties to your home?"
Yes, this could be done.
As you say it will not be easy. Most of our kind will stay loyal to Mother, but their are some who we think could be persuaded to join with us.
With their help the trade route can stay open and the bonds between Estark and Lorwyn can be stronger.
Then looking around for Brigid he called to her saying, "Brigid! I need to talk with you as well."
While waiting for Brigid he turned back to the Fae saying, "I'll come by your shop when I can to see how the relations are coming. I imagine though that you two will need to get the shop in order before returning to Lorwyn / Shadowmoor. That will probably be best as Oona will have had some time to cool off. By the time you return she will probably be back in her glen setting her own plans in motion. You'll want to return quickly though so as to prevent her from swaying all the Fae to her side."
Yes. The shop needs to be tended to, then we need to return home.
Yes, yes.
Vera replies as they head off towards Estark. Brigid approaches Xen.
Yes, Xen?
Xen scribbled down a few notes saying, "Lorwyn or Shadowmoor or whatever is left of the two planes is a mess thanks to Oona. You saw what happened to your people the last time everything changed. Imagine now the chaos that's going to ensue from entire villages being split between their Lorwyn forms and their Shadowmoor forms."
Xen looked towards the retreating Fae and then back Brigid and let out a sigh of exhaustion saying, "Oona's the problem here. She's too heavily involved and has made the wrong decisions for your home. Right now no one is strong enough to stop her interference. Reed and Vera are prepared to help by strengthening ties with the Fae that will listen and maintaining trade between Estark and your plane."
"If we want to fix what Oona did then we're going to need a unified effort on your plane. If everyone remains splintered and unorganized than that will not be possible."
Xen tilted his head slightly and smiled kindly saying, "That's where you come in. Reed and Vera are doing their part with their people. Now I need you to do the same with the kithkin. The thoughtweft will help you spread the news with the Lorwyn kithkin. The Shadowmoor ones will be more difficult but at least they will listen to someone who is similar to them and has answers for them. Get the kithkin, both Lorwyn and Shadowmoor, working together again. We need them to be strong and unified again. Open trade with Estark so that the mages of the five houses will be able to help rebuild."
"Do this and we will have enough influence to keep Oona from pushing us out of the plane. Do this and we will be able to help fix what Oona broke."
Xen looked pleadingly at Brigid and asked, "Do you think you can do this? Rebuild the kithkin society? Re-establish trade in your plane and ours?"
She says with a determined smile.
Ysonne, you should stay with us in Estark, and act as the ambassador to the elven nations of Lorwyn and Shadowmoor to negotiate trade agreements. After all, you did say you'd like to see Dominaria, no?"
She reaches into a hidden pocket and pulls out two good size bundles and hands them to Xen.
Here you are. Please use it well.
You speak true Aramil. They need to know what has happened today. The rebuilding efforts will take time. I thank you both for your aid in all that has happened. Ambassador Ysonne I thank you as well.
Ambassador Ysonne?
Ysonne said blushing.
I think that I could get used to that. And yes Aramil, staying here, acting as an ambassador to Estark for Shadomoor and Lorwyn sounds like a plan. There is much to do.
Much to do indeed, my friend.
Xen looked back to Brigid and glanced at the portal before saying, "When we part ways I'll head to Frankies and let him know to expect some more trade from your home."
A flash of concern crossed Xen's face as he said, "If Oona moves early I want you to try and contact me as soon as possible. I will be training and may not be at House Shanodia all the time, but I will let my House master know of the situation. If anything happens then my House will contact me and I will come to your aide. Just remember to send word to House Shanodia and I will do everything in my power to get to your plane, ok?"
Aramil sent a quick mental note to Xen. "The elves are on board. I would like to secure my payment for all of this and get to my bed in Shimia as soon as possible."
The Kithkin says with a nod of her head. She turns and starts to walk towards the Portal.
Tayal says before turning and heading towards the Portal.
Be careful back home.
OOC: One is for Xan and one for Aramil.
Then gathering up his things, Xen walked towards Ashling passing Aramil. On his way he paused for a moment to untie Aramil's bundle and hand it to him saying, "Our payment."
Then continuing on to Ashling, Xen called out saying, "Ashling was it? Aramil and I have talked with the others on how we might be able to help your home recover from the damage inflicted upon it by Oona. I'm sad to say that I know little of you or your people though. What did you do before Oona's spell changed your plane?"
Xen looked hopefully into Ashling's eyes asking, "Can you do this for the good of your plane? Spread word on what Oona did, let the people know how much her ignorance cost their plane. Build up relations with the other races and help your plane become unified against the wound that Oona represent."