The Next Step Forward

[Iron Dragoon]

"Uncle?"

She shakes her head and continues.

"It has been entirely a pleasure. I've enjoyed making a friend of her. She's an eager one; a trait I enjoy greatly. We have many things to talk about."

[Anastasia]

Elle's voice softens a bit, "Well, good. She gave us a scare doing what she did."

At this Emily slumps a little more, "Um...about that..."

Oraga turns to her, expression neutral and voice flat, "You screwed up."

"...yes." Emily looks down, shuffling back and forth a bit, fidgeting. "I...well...the Ring of Delaros is...gone. I may have maybe absorbed it it was an accident because Alyssa has some strange power I've never heard of before!"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles. "Yes, perhaps. This is the second time it's happened. Both were unexpected and unexplained. Though I think the level of 'screw up' involved is fairly minor. A bit of a planar jaunt and making some friends is rather minor. Though I don't know what this ring from Waukeen entailed."

[Anastasia]

There's a long silence at that, "You did what?" Elle's voice is perfectly flat, a long breath held in. "Miss Songsteel, that ring was an artifact loaned to her from Waukeen, likely irreplaceable. However did you manage to break it? Emily, tell us what happened. I'm not going to yell at you for it."

[Iron Dragoon]

"No idea what-so-ever. I offered her an open door and it broke into light."

[Anastasia]

"That's exactly it, metaphorically anyway," Emily slumps a little more, "I've never seen anything like it! It just happened and the magic may be a part of me now, since no spiritual wound, see?"

Elle peers at Emily at that, "So...not only did you break a priceless artifact, you absorbed its magic - or if the person hearing it is uncharitable, you stole the magic?"

"...yes?" Emily says, managing a weak smile, then shooting you a desperate look, mouthing, 'Help.'

[Iron Dragoon]

"I doubt a case of unknown magical interaction could be viewed in the same way as theft with intent. I've been in charge of the development of more than a few young people, and I believe Emily understands the impact of what's happened. I think moving on to figuring out what to do about it will prove more constructive."

[Anastasia]

"Granted," Elle agrees, "Like what you're going to tell Waukeen, Emily."

Emily slumps even more. "Ask her if she does gradual repayments?"

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa chuckles at that. "I'm sure it'll work out. I haven't ever met Waukeen, but I can't imagine she'd be too unreasonable. Upset likely, but not unreasonable. It'll likely be something of equal value recovered or a number of tasks. I don't mean to be dismissive of the situation, but there was no ill intent and making a deal with Waukeen isn't the same as a deal with Malcanthet. I can't believe that there would be the same level of viciousness involved."

[Anastasia]

"Intent matters as much as yesterday's wind - little at all, long gone," Elle points out, as Oraga simply looms, watching the entire conversation. "You have a lot to make up for, young lady. Both of your mothers are waiting for you to get home where it's safe. There was a Sharran incident recently, we're not letting you be at risk of attack here. The Cauldron is much safer than a random wizard's guild."

After a moment and a look to you, a smile to you, "No offense to your guild, but I doubt your magic can match our works and defenses in the Cauldron."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Likely not. There have been two Shar attacks here. Something we could likely help each other investigate."

[Anastasia]

Emily perks up and nods quickly here, "I want to stay and help them with that, since Shar has to be stopped and stopped from picking fights with innocents. I really want to Auntie Elle. Please?"

Elle slowly exhales through her nose at that, and instead answers Alyssa. "Shar's giving you trouble as well. How recently?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"This morning. Orcus Root poisoning. Jarem, one of the Red Knight's clerics who is staying here, one of a contingent, stabilized the victim. Emily here offered to look at one of our diviners who was cursed and blinded by Shar."

[Anastasia]

It's not Orcus Root, Iddy. It's burnt othur fumes. That's the sort of thing that really needs to be clarified and fixed.

[Iron Dragoon]

Sorry. Phone post, so I don't have notes.

"This morning. Burnt Orthur Root fumes. Jarem, one of the Red Knight's clerics who is staying here, one of a contingent, stabilized the victim. Emily here offered to look at one of our diviners who was cursed and blinded by Shar."