Afina and Jaela's planning session (Afina, Jaela)

[Anastasia]

As you go down...

'Jaela, Lifasa retreated to Elysium. Meet there. Vision of Bel leading attack on Aurora. Be advised. Repeat, vision of Bel attacking Aurora. Please be careful.'  Tepen's voice.

[Corwin]

'Understood,' Jaela responds. 'Alert Afina and Hanna, their teams split up on 27's suggestion. Have Hanna retreat to Elysium once her objective is secured or if threatened.'

Not going down! Studying the chariot~

[Anastasia]

The chariot is strong and enchanted to fly, but not otherwise magical. Good stuff all in all, but not like super fancy.

[Corwin]

"Would've been nice to have it for the evacuation," Jaela muses, hoping she'll get to keep it when they're done.

[Anastasia]

As you stand there, pondering that?

'Jaela, update. It is possible Bel is coming to your location. Aid party sent and incoming.' This time it's Sage Vul'lath's voice.

[Corwin]

What could possibly help her against Bel? Are they sending Sehanine Moonbow?

'Unfortunate,' she responds dryly, hoping that Vul'lath would appreciate it. 'Were Hanna and Afina alerted? Will send 27 after Hanna if overwhelming opposition appears. Hanna is to evacuate at once if that happens.'

[Anastasia]

No immediate reply.

That change anything you're doing?

[Corwin]

No, I'm not second-guessing myself.

[Anastasia]

You wait and Lifasa screams.

There is no other word for it. Everything quakes as liquid agony burns through your mind, dropping you to your knees and unable to think. Several seconds of it, leaving you reeling from it. You're aware 27's at your side as the pain clears slowly, like awakening from a deep sleep.

[Corwin]

"Did it get you, too?" Jaela groans, using her spear to stabilize her as she struggles back to her feet.

[Anastasia]

27 shakes his head. "Natives," he says quietly. "Only natives."

[Corwin]

"So Afina. But not Hanna or Baleruk. Not Simmer. Surraruthru, fuck, why did they have to split up, again?"

[Anastasia]

With great wisdom and as close as a badger slaad can come to a smile, "It was a good idea at the time?"

[Corwin]

"Fuck you, but it's my fault for listening in the first place. How soon can you get to Hanna? And after you did that, how quickly can you lead her group to Afina? Give me a ballpark, here."

[Anastasia]

"A few minutes," 27 says.