That was a rushed breakfast if I’ve ever seen one – must be something to do with the revelry last night. Wouldn’t know, I retired well before midnight, papers needed writing, plans made. Pity, I was going to use breakfast as an opportunity to share the details of my ‘so-called’ curse with them. But they’re big boys (and girl), I’m sure they’ll be ok. Let’s hope the reveal doesn’t come at a bad time…
You have to give it to them, they are keen so we rush through the mountains and forests with the rather able Helikaon leading the way. Great navigating, I am almost impressed, though I’m sure we could have found better transport, by foot is so tedious. We reach a misty path, leading, allegedly to the Oracle’s temple. I keep cautiously at the back – better safe than sorry. Nevertheless, as we reach a small opening we’re suddenly approached by unfriendly mist demons or… what are these things? And the rest of the party proves somewhat useless or, maybe, scared? So both myself and Helikaon approach and after a rather drawn out fight (ouch, burn!) dispatch them to whatever boiling hell they came from. I dare not admit to it, but maybe the others may have been wise to keep at a distance or, as they have, move towards the temple. A bit late at the party I approach and try to put on my best diplomatic face though these goons seem to have already messed it up: one’s turned into a little boy, another into a dire wolf. Don’t think we’ll get out of this without a fight. But who are we fighting you ask? The Order of Sydon, holding some of the temple priests prisoner. And most interestingly, someone has cast an excellent spell on their leader, who is convinced we are friendly. Must learn that, diplomacy would be so much easier! A combined approach of deception (I do love deception!), luring some of the soldiers out and just sheer brute force win the day. My new friend Theo seems to even murder one of the soldiers with a teddy bear. Who knew you could do that? I’m really enjoying this. To the point to which I think a teenage Alke came out and over-excitedly threw all her spells around. Diplomacy is so boring compared to this.
The priest tells us about the Oracle being held downstairs by a witch and points us towards the key. Careful, I use my mage hand spell to pick it up as Braz and Theo approach. Which much to their dismay releases four magical swords that proceed to attack us. Poor Theo is knocked unconscious and Calliope just sits there next to him trying to revive him for most of the battle. Extremely useful, isn’t she? Braz seems to be doing a good job; not sure what’s happening on the other side, as I’m round the corner for most of the ruckus. Well, thankfully, the swords are defeated. That would have been a very undignified death - no one should have that on their tombstone.
Recovering quickly, we run down towards the lower level and to rather blank looks from the others I quickly solve the puzzle opening the final door. Beyond it we’ll hopefully find the Oracle and, we are told, the witch Heleka. I can only hope it won’t be too much of a fight, as we are all a bit tired - maybe they’ll listen to reason and persuasion. Or maybe not… after a quick trek through the caverns (the sight of a Hippofilius as a huge direwolf trying to gingerly on the edge of the steaming river still makes me giggle!) we find the witch and her watery minion holding Versi. I had thought I had seen my fair share of disconcerting things in my life, but the witch does really make one’s blood run cold. Yet, we rally together and she is quickly defeated and turned back into the smelly algae and sea she was made out of. I don’t think I’ll look at fish soup quite the same ever again.
What follows is each one of us going to talk to the Oracle herself and thoughtful, tired faces becoming even more pensive and worried as heros came back and sat down to rummage through their discoveries. And maybe just a glimmer of hope in some eyes - let’s hope so as very little motivates people more than the hope for something better. I found little of help - I need to search a dryad, Demetria, in the Oldswood. It feels like this is just one more tiny step in this endeavour to find out about the means of my demise - one of so many and slowly I am losing hope that I will ever get there. Yet, there is some hope left and that’s in the good and acceptance of others and none have flinched at the medusa locks, though some have made some very misguided jokes about… Slippy. And Calliope’s naive comment about this not being abnormal would have probably been silly coming from anyone else, but from her it feels actually genuine. It’s been a long time since I’ve last felt accepted for who I really am. Well, it’s been a long time since anyone but me knew who I really am… and even she, Versi, seems to have had a change of mind. Let’s hope it’s not just a passing thing!
We have to complete three labours in our quest and I promise you’ll find out more if you continue reading. No point in spoiling the story now…