Towertop

[Anastasia]

"What sort of replacement do you need?" Emily asks, flat out.

[Iron Dragoon]

"This ring specializes in stealth, but my defenses in general need improvement. Most of my money will go towards that. And I don't want you to spend the bulk of yours for this. Your equipment is just as important."

[Anastasia]

"Your soul's more important," Emily shakes her head, "What am I doing here if I let evil get a claw into you? I'll buy it from you for 20,000 gold."

[Iron Dragoon]

"How about this, Emily. You and me go shopping together in Brightwater, after we get everything with the bank straight. We can find something, and if end up short, you can cover the difference."

[Anastasia]

"Fine," Emily says, "And you stop wearing it now. We're safe here, no need to wear it in the first place."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa flicks it around and puts it in a pouch.

"Sure. But if anything happens, I'll use it."

[Anastasia]

Emily exhales, "We'll have to go soon. What else do you have to do before you can go?"

[Iron Dragoon]

"Talk with Jarem about our possible bait-loot, and a bit more research on a few of the items. There's some very interesting things there, and a spellbook I haven't managed to crack yet. I want that magic."

[Anastasia]

"Oh, and be careful of those other spell books. Spells like Seething Eyebane are corrupted magic - the tools of pure evil," Emily warns. "Only the most depraved souls can use those spells."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Use, yes, but study?"

Alyssa chuckles, "Studying them might help me develop a counter for it. And that I will certainly be doing."

[Anastasia]

"Be cautious," Emily says, "Don't look too deeply. Remember: Evil wants to hurt you."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa smirks.

"So you say to the Guildmaster of the Arcane Order."

[Anastasia]

"At least you're confident," Emily says, "But if you insist on trying, I suggest checking with holy and exalted spells could help, to even see if you need to make the effort."

[Iron Dragoon]

"I don't have access to many of those. I need to find a larger spell library to work from."

[Anastasia]

"I can find you some. It's as dangerous as corrupted magic - not out of malice, but because the primal forces of those can only be safely wielded by the sanctified." Emily explains this, hands finally dropping from her hips. "It's like how the Words of Creation can be devastating to someone if they try to pronounce it untrained or with an impure heart."