Though their preparedness was likely well earned through pasts riddled with treachery in this particular instance there was nothing to trap, mangle, or maim the companions. The relief was almost tangible in the air as they realized they were safe for another precious if fleeting moment.
As the group began the arduous ascent they noticed that small purple flowers began to sprout at their passage. Although the flowers did little other than to sweetly scent their journey, they still seemed to unnerve Virtue. After about an hour of walking up the tree the group came to a wrought iron gate that was covered in ivy. Across the wooden archway a message was scrawled "The path is clear to the pure of intention."
The gate swung easily open and the group continued forward. They found themselves on a patio made of thickly woven tree limbs. Before then was a cave like opening that was lit by a faint purple glow. As they continued into the opening they saw the walls of the wooden cave were spotted with glowing purple flowers. The effect was calming and they felt a welcoming presence. Eventually they reached a chamber with a beautiful empty throne that was literally growing out of the grass covered floor. The throne was covered in the glowing flowers but the colors of the throne flowers came in a myriad of bright colors.
"We have come to seek your blessing to continue towards the castle. Please, give us a sign or tell us how we are to receive it." Jebidiah said while looking around the room for anything else that might stand out.
The throne began to uncurl and transform like a flower blossoming into a figure that was similar to the weed men they had seen previously except this one was distinctively feminine. Her head was adorned with a crown of purple lillies. She turned her alien glowing eyes on the group and narrowed them shrewdly. Despite the expression the group felt a sense peace surrounding them.
Weed Queen - "What are your intentions travelers?"
"Our intentions are to free Celeste from the parasite that has invaded her mind and is turning it against itself. In this course, we seek to cause no harm to her, hence why we seek your blessing instead of destroying the guardians at the door. Will you give us the blessing so that we may carry on and free her from this parasite?" Jebidiah asked with an unwavering calm in his voice.
**Miko catches up to the group during Jebidiah's speech, having fallen a bit behind the others during the ascent while lost in thought. She had largely resisted the tree-song earlier, but the smells had reminded her a bit of home. Misty's home, that is. She still hadn't told Misty's (?her?) family what had happened...**
Miko - "The parasite is also known as "the dark one", I do not know if you have a name for Celeste but this land is connected to her well-being."
**She couldn't afford to ponder it now. Actually, no, she'd pondered it enough - she obviously should tell them as soon as this was all over.**
The being seemed to mull the thought over for a moment.
Weed Queen - "If your intention is to defeat the evil one and to free the queen then why would you not take the quickest path? Why did you not kill my warriors?"
There was a gravity in her tone that made it clear the question was an important one.
Miko - "The queen is deeply connected to this land. I feared that destroying her guardians would negatively effect her, or at least give the evil one some kind of advantage. I am particularly concerned about what the great bear told us - 'The evil one's poison rots you from the center. Look within to find its influence. Only with revelation will damsel be saved'.
**The woman pauses for a moment to let the bear's words sink in. She holds out towards the others during this; there are a few more words she's yet to add.**
Miko - "Although wanton destruction CAN be revealing, in a sense, I am worried those words mean she is being deluded and will need to be convinced of something. I don't want to start that discussion with 'sorry we killed your guardians'."
The weed Queen made gesture that passed for a shrug.
Weed Queen - "She would not know in her mind. What you see is an illusion my child. A mind broken into pieces, fractured into defensive sections to slow the advancement of The Evil One. I am the Queen and yet I am not. All beings here are either a piece of her or a piece of the evil one. Though his camouflage is cunning. It is likely you will meet those that seem to be of the queen but will indeed be of The Evil One. Perhaps this bear you speak of, or perhaps even myself. One thing you can be certain of is that in the end only one of the two will be left standing."
Miko - "We know the binary state of this land, and needlessly weakening those defensive sections remains a concern. However! One that cannot see the clock might still find the time in their host's face. Observation is key, and I would further contend that the path of mindless destruction is unlikely to teach us much. Do you disagree?"
Weed Queen - "Things are not always as they appear. And though violence may oft be mindless, its calculated use is valuable when the time calls for action. Can you protect me when you find my heart?"
Miko - "It is not a question of ability. But if you could explain exactly what you mean by finding your heart and the need to protect you I could give a more useful answer than this general proclamation of competence?"
The queen raised her palms towards the group. Purple flowers blossomed on her hands and golden spores flowed out over the group and coated them. The adventurers suddenly felt rejuvenated and rested.
Darla nodded, holding a hand out in the direction of the ledge and concentrating on summoning and controlling the giant creature. Hoping a quick glide back down to the doors would be sufficiently short a journey, she hopped on and waited for the others before commanding the thing to fly.
**Assuming no other surprises lie in store for the group, Miko proclaims that they have received the Queen's blessing once the two warriors are again within earshot.**
When they arrived back at the gate the warriors seemed to sense that they had the queen's blessing. They stepped aside and the gate slowly opened inward. Before them lay a treacherous looking swampland. The ground was covered in murky looking mud and water.
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Weed Queen - "What are your intentions travelers?"
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Acelin's Characters (since her sig won't work).
Miko - "The parasite is also known as "the dark one", I do not know if you have a name for Celeste but this land is connected to her well-being."
**She couldn't afford to ponder it now. Actually, no, she'd pondered it enough - she obviously should tell them as soon as this was all over.**
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Weed Queen - "If your intention is to defeat the evil one and to free the queen then why would you not take the quickest path? Why did you not kill my warriors?"
There was a gravity in her tone that made it clear the question was an important one.
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Darla blurted out her response without seeming to even turn her attention towards the weed queen.
Miko - "The queen is deeply connected to this land. I feared that destroying her guardians would negatively effect her, or at least give the evil one some kind of advantage. I am particularly concerned about what the great bear told us - 'The evil one's poison rots you from the center. Look within to find its influence. Only with revelation will damsel be saved'.
**The woman pauses for a moment to let the bear's words sink in. She holds out towards the others during this; there are a few more words she's yet to add.**
Miko - "Although wanton destruction CAN be revealing, in a sense, I am worried those words mean she is being deluded and will need to be convinced of something. I don't want to start that discussion with 'sorry we killed your guardians'."
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Weed Queen - "She would not know in her mind. What you see is an illusion my child. A mind broken into pieces, fractured into defensive sections to slow the advancement of The Evil One. I am the Queen and yet I am not. All beings here are either a piece of her or a piece of the evil one. Though his camouflage is cunning. It is likely you will meet those that seem to be of the queen but will indeed be of The Evil One. Perhaps this bear you speak of, or perhaps even myself. One thing you can be certain of is that in the end only one of the two will be left standing."
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Weed Queen - "Then you have my blessing."
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Nervada - 98% fat free, high in fiber.
Eizen - Collected
Yack - Walking
Miko Wydberg
Tanya
Go ahead and run, you'll only die tired.
Those who might never meet are pooled together