Helena clutches her hands, trying to not cry at the thought of all of this fuss and danger being because of her.  She looks up at her protectors and lifts her chin a little.  "You have all fought so hard to help me, and I know so little about swords and bows and magic.  But as much as I want it, these mongrels won't just stop and let me go home."  She sniffs a little to hold back her emotions, but keeps going.  "So you should have the best you need to stay safe.  I could only make you a rug or a tunic with what I know, but if what I am unlocks these vaults and you can get things you need so you and other people won't get hurt, then that seems like the best thing to do."

"Then you may stay for a short while, preparing yourself for what is to come," says the Crown of War.  "Come, be refreshed, eat, bathe, sleep, and learn what you can before the winds of destiny pick up speed again."

The group is escorted from the Crown Circle and into the village itself.  They are given the use of two of the huts, and shown a bathhouse, dining hall, a meditation glade, a place to practice arms, several workshops, and the homes of the various Crowns where they studied their ancient texts and added more to them with each day.

A week passes, in practice and meditation, of arms, of magic, of spirit, of self.  Those who need to consult the sages, others look to themselves for answers and preparations.  The moon spiders keep an eye on the signs of the mongrels, and report that they are no longer moving in force through the Farlight Forest, but instead only having a few small groups search while the bulk of the resources seems to be elsewhere.

You are as ready as you've ever been.

Yalevenia is there as you are ready to leave, smiling as she presses a small bundle into each of your hands.  "This will aid you in climbing the walls of the inverted city, or the mountains to the north as need be.  They will last two days, so be mindful.  Be well and wary, choose wisely," she says, making a sign of luck and blessing over each of you.

OOC: Still headed to the underground city?  If so, are you returning the same route you came by?  Traveling openly, or hidden?

Davor spent most of the week in communion with the spirits. The shaman barely emerges from the meditation glade for the entire time the party stays with the elves and the glade is thick with the smoke of incense and the low chants of the half-orc. When the time approaches for the group to leave, he emerges to share what he has be told. "The spirits have shown me things about the underground city. There are ghosts and danger there. More than just the mongrels and their masters. We'll have to be careful."

Despite the week of meditation, Davor seems none the worse for wear. When an opportunity presents itself, he takes Helena aside. "I know you still have doubts, but the spirits show me the past as well as the future. Your ancestors who built the empire did great good for many. You have the opportunity to do the same, I think. The spirits have faith in that."

With so much turmoil surrounding her and with no real understanding of what was before her, it was probably understandable when Helena chose to remain alone and for most part apparent from the others during the week that they spent in the Elven lands.  She spent the time quietly riling against all that had happened.   Slowly though, the pent up frustration and anger changed into a resigned and stubborn unwillingness as her mind struggled to accept that she, a simple weaver, could in any way be the person they sought.   And yet she couldn't find any other plausible reason behind the attacks, behind these men and woman who now mothered over her and behind the Circle's warnings.   Somehow, she was who they said they she was.

And it was then that depression set in.  If her body was to be used as a tool for war, could she in good conscience allow this to happen?   Selfishly life knowing that her life, given, could probably save millions?  She could end this... if she had the guts.   And yet despite it all, she couldn't bring herself to do it.

These dark thoughts continued to plague her and as they gathered to continue their journey, the other are sure to notice how haggard the young woman appeared, her eyes dark and sunken, her movements listless and tired, her voice barely a whisper and yet some vague sense of duty forced her to continue moving, to continue supporting the group who'd gathered to 'shepherd' her to the war she could see brewing on the proverbial horizon.

Much of Teana's time was taken up with the elven sages. The libraries of Greenbriar contained knowledge about the elements and elemental planes that Teana had never dreamed, and the elven sages, while somewhat less learned about psychic abilities in particular, helped teach her disciplines of focus and meditation used by clerics, druids and wizards alike. She had gotten far on talent and doing what came naturally, but now she had knowledge to reinforce that talent. Of course, this wasn't free, and Teana spent a significant amount of money on consultations and minor permanent spells that helped her channel her abilities more effectively.

300 gold spent on retraining.

When she wasn't studying, Teana was up in the air for at least an hour each day. She flew around Greenbriar's "airspace," heading up towards the clouds and simply exulting in her power. (One of her teachers had had to admonish her after she accidentally triggered a short burst of unexpected rain, but she quickly learned to get that under control and he took it with good humor.)

And at day's end, Teana made sure to drop in for dinner with the group, trying to gather the others in one place at least for that part of the day. She did notice Helena's increasingly dour mood, but for most of the week merely did her best to cheer her up with companionable banter and a few wry "dad jokes" from her hometown. But near the end of the week, she took the chance to "accidentally" meet the distraught girl in the inn hallway a candlemark before bedtime.

"Helena. Please talk to me."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:46, Mon 10 Feb 2020.

Helena really wasn't up for talking and while Teana's words were clearly meant to offer support, Helena was far from ready to accept that support.  Dark eyes considered the half-elf and she simply shook her head and continued on to wherever she'd been going.

When Teana saw her again - at the gathering - there was little if any difference in the way she looked, but she'd at least broken her self-inflicted isolation.  Time would tell what might happen next.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

"I've tried with her as well," Zenna told Teanna after seeing the half-elf rebuffed by Helena. "Seems it's just too much for her right now. Let's hope that's a luxury she can continue to enjoy."

"Indeed," replied Teana softly. "All we can do is be ready for when she needs someone."

Davor chimes in on the conversation. "Kindness isn't my strength, but she wasn't receptive to what I had to say either. The spirits are growing more restless and I'm worried that fate with only pull more harshly on her as we go on. Strange as it probably sounds, I think leaving this place and forging ahead on the path may improve the situation." He seems genuinely concerned by Helena's state and earnest in his desire to help despite advising leaving the safety of the elves.

Urle spent this time in three ways at the elven forst.
First sitting and watching over Helena from a distance.
Second sitting with his eyes close and facing the sun.  Talking quietly to himself.
Lastly looking after and grooming Demetria.
He does not speak to the others or to Helena

As Helena draws into herself so does Urle.  Somewhat paralleling the girl.

The day after Teana Florin spoke to her the knight went to the elves and asked for a few items.

He then for the first time, walks up to Helena and looks her in the face.
I am a simple Cavalier.  A horseman trained to fight.
If you are what they think you are you deserve someone better than me to protect you.
They should have sent someone else.  My friend was to be your body guard not me.

He drops a bag on the ground in front of her.  In it is all that a weaver would need make small peace of cloth for a table.
Urle turns to go as he does he adds.
When it is all to much I go and look after Demetria.  Brush her down and tell her how I feel.
Make something for the elves to thank them for their hospitality and talk to the fabric.
I know all weavers do, like us that groom a horse talk to our horses.

Then he heads back and heads of to Demetria to groom her again.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Tue 18 Feb 2020.

Helena doesn't say anything as Urle delivers his odd gift... but when she joined the group she had something neatly folded, wrapped and tied, in her hand.   Unbeknown, her first attempt to calm herself had been a disaster and after several attempts, she'd abandoned her work and almost the group!  Forced though to confront the situation, she'd returned, and finished the piece.

She now stood before the group, hesitant and yet... needing to speak, "I can't..."  She clears her throat.  "I don't understand why this happened to me.  The Circle of the Crowns' has shed some small light but it still makes little sense to me."

She licks her lips, clearly still nervous, but straightens her shoulders as she visibly forces herself into a final decision, "But while I struggle with that, I know that I can't and won't be used to fuel a war."  Her words have an odd ring of finality.  "Omens aside, though I struggle to understand the why of that, if I am forced to lead in some way as Empress or otherwise, then I will do what I must."

She looks to each of the gathered group, "I've been remiss.  I have not had a chance to speak to you about why you chose to search for me, defend me, indeed remain with me and risk your lives for me... but you are still here and I thank you for that."  She seems to be gaining in confidence as she continues.  "I can offer nothing or significant value in exchange for your support but I beg you to stay.   Simply put, I need you and I have no one else to turn to."  She tries to look each of you in the eye as she continues, "What I can offer is simply this.  I will endeavour to the best of my ability to honour those who sent you."

She lets that settle in before continuing, "Of the possible destinations... fleeing this place and starting anew is all I'd like to do but with Omens pointing to me, I cannot take this option.   I must face my Blood."

"As for the Mountainson, he holds a clue but anyone powerful enough to take a Chimera from another powerful Magician is also likely able to hide or misdirect their actions and are also likely to attempt to kill me once again. We will have clues enough in due course."

"The cursed ruins in the mountain smacks of the source of our enemy's efforts and while heading there may be a surprise, walking blindly into the unknown fills me with fear.  Who knows what will await us there or even what a cache might hold or have bought them."

"Other Vaults - with nothing to go on, we'd be wasting the opportunity we have here if we did nothing while we searched for other options.  They are acting... so must I."

"And finally, the city under the Vellowgrass plain.   While I have no desire to walk back underground - past the corpse of the Chimera and those feeding upon it - this city would seem to provide us with Knowledge... answers... and resources.   I see no other viable option but to head to Vellowgrass."

She knows the group had already considered this the most viable option and so would be ready.  "I am ready to depart without further delay."  The group would decide if they wanted to travel with her and she was still unsure if they would.

Turning then to those elves who'd joined them for their departure, she offered them a odd half-bow (she'd never had to do such a thing before!) "Thank you.  Truly.  For your kind hospitality, for your protection and support, for you patience.  And most especially, your willingness to share your wisdom.  I hope in time that I can repay you in kind.  Until then, a small gift of thanks."  She offers them the cloth she'd woven.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Thu 20 Feb 2020.

Teana listened to Helena's speech, and then smiled when she came to an end. "Well done, Helena," she said. "A very good analysis of our situation. And I can only speak for myself, but I'm not leaving you. You have my metaphorical sword. And if you ever need someone to talk to, you know I'm always here. I hope that you'll trust me when that time comes."

Urle did not say anything.  When Helena looked at him he nodded his head with somber smile on it.  The simple fact she had a small peace of cloth with her said it all.
He did not have to say anything it was clear he was going with her unless she told him otherwise.

He nodded his head again, more to himself than anything else when she offered the gift to the elves.

Davor meets Helena's eyes and grins broadly. "You have my ethereal sword. And the regular one too I suppose, but most importantly we'll have the council of the spirits to help us walk this path of destiny." The half-orc seems eager, his toothy grin managing not to be menacing. He is prepared to depart immediately, but offers to carry any extra supplies that the others want to take.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:09, Sun 02 Aug 2020.

Zenna looked at Helena with great sadness. "I am here because I feel for you. You have been thrust into an impossible situation. You should not expect to make sense of it. No one could." She smiled. "I assure you, killing manticores and treating with intelligent spiders is not a typical day for me, either. We put one foot in front of the other, not because we know what we are doing, but because we do not know what else to do. We are creatures of instinct, same as Koto here." She reached down to scratch the head of the wolf that was never far from her side. "Only difference is we are cursed with the ability to question why we do what we do."

"And you have my magic, Helena. I believe you have made a good choice, and we will be here beside you through this storm of Fate," Jerec says.

The elves accept Helena's woven cloth with a bow.  "You have put much thought and heart into your weaving as you have into the thoughts of your future and fate. Fare you well upon your path, and we will watch the waters and stars for when the wheel turns."

With blade and spell and spirit and power, the group can take their leave of the Circle of Crowns, heading through the spider-silk paths into the thick forest trails.  There seem to be no immediate sign of the mongrels, as the elves told you, but you are several days from the underground entrance in the Vellowgrass Plains...

OOC: How do you guys want to travel?  Openly?  Subtly?  Leave no trace? Get a wagon and conceal your numbers? In disguise?

Having made her decision to return to the underground city, Helena is content to let those with her debate the actioning of that decision.   She'll say as much too, "So what's our best chance of getting back to the city underground?   Which way should we go?"   Simplified terms.

Davor offered his own opinion as soon as they set out. "There's no reason not to at least try to travel without leaving an obvious trail. If they know we reached the elves, they might wait here for us to leave. If we can slip by unnoticed it might take them a long time to realize. Let's move quietly and disguise our trail."

Teana nodded to Davor. "I'd say sneaking's the best option if we're in a group," she said.

Zenna nodded enthusiastically. "Drawing attention to ourselves would cost far more time than rushing would save."

Jerec taps his mouth in consideration.  "Some of you are skilled in the arts of stealth, but some of us are not. Perhaps a compromise?  For those who are stealthy, keep out of sight. And for those of us who would likely make you curse our clumsiness," he smiles and waves at himself, "Perhaps we should take a disguise. Then our numbers would appear to wrong if they see us, and if anyone does interfere we shall give them a nasty surprise!"

Urle added.
Like Jerec I have not studied or practiced the art of stealth.

Davor lets out a laugh. "I won't pretend to be any more subtle than you Urle. I'm just saying that we should cover our tracks or at least obscure them so that we're hard to track. Anyone who manages to spot us will pick me out immediately."