Chapter 7: Miles before peace is found
Perkins listens to all this with a hopeful look, transforming back into a frog and jumping up to Tanzy's shoulder. Um...good motherwitch? Do you think I might be able to tag along with them for a bit? That bit they have me doing with the well has been getting dull. I quite like having adventures! The old woman shrugs. If you wish. Of course, you could find yourself slain within a day and end up back here sooner than you like. I'll humor you though. I do still owe you for that time you beat me at dice. He gives a little froggy grin at this. Hopefully you don't mind...Tanzy? he adds.
By now it's time to go and Emeric and Raina exchange low words at the corner of the room, clearly a lover's parting, and the woman looks saddened by the separation. Still masked as he is, you can only assume at Emeric's state but he doesn't seem particularly happy either.
Ezran is also returning with you, though she declares she will go off and find Jett, try to free him of his possession as best she can. Considering it was her death that made him so vulnerable to it in the first place, she might actually have a chance of that.
The motherwitch gathers you all to the center of the room and starts to concentrate, muttering something to herself. You feel the air go very still, your heart beats start to slow. Suddenly though, she stops herself short and glares up accusingly at Tanzy. Blistered kneecaps! You ate something didn't you?! she points. Raina turns in surprise, peering at Tanzy too. Tanzy, when you came here, my brother offered you food and drink. Did you...take it? Raina asks worriedly. Of course she took it! When am I ever wrong?! grumbles the witch. You're lucky it's me who is sending you back. If Raina had tried it wouldn't be pretty. Well. It's your problem now dearie. Good luck with that. Then suddenly, before anyone can react, the old woman snaps her fingers and you fall to the floor, completely limp. You can't gasp, can't move, can't blink, you just fall as though you weigh a thousand pounds. Then. Nothing. Oblivion.
The nothingness lasts an eternity. You can't think, can't fathom anything. You are simply in a black void, no body, no mind, just a vague unthinking consciousness. Then finally you wake up. You're all lying on your backs by a campfire, the stars above you and seated nearby is Halek, Ulthol and Loden, all looking incredibly relieved to see you. Ezran is nowhere to be seen.