A new order

[Ebiris]

Marie smiles at the praise. "I was just saying, all those corrupted umbral blots we got rid of, those things are really rare!" she gushes. "Shar lost a lot today."

"Still Marie, she can afford that easier than we can afford the loss of our own champions. Lets wait and see how it all tallies up before patting ourselves on the back," Alicia says grimly, not wanting to rain on their parade but still trying to stay realistic about their achievements.

[Anastasia]

Good to move along slightly then, all?

[Ebiris]

Sure.

[Corwin]

"There's Shar's magic to consider, too," Seira speaks up, appearing more level-headed now. "Fighting her in melee was overwhelming, but a great part of that is due to her spells. She's focused on drawing power from shadows and death, even devoting a third of her spells to that. That final death magic in particular I've never seen in actual use before. Nasty stuff, but if I manage to match Selune's power at least for nullifying enemy spells it'll actually open the possibility of taking the fight to Shar's avatars properly. That's where I'm thinking of focusing, along with exploring better magical defenses."

[Anastasia]

And thus they return. Groups, clusters. Mostly intact to your eye, but one notable addition is not there. You see no sign of Balyss at all, even when Phoebe returns with her other allies.

[Ebiris]

Luneli and Balyss? Alicia approaches Phoebe. "Phoebe. I saw what happened to Luneli, he stood bravely against an avatar of the Dark Dancer... what of Balyss?" It's possible that shadow wave swept her somewhere difficult to get out from, but just as possible she fell in battle.

[Corwin]

Seira follows after her, letting Ranbar rest and recover for now.

[Anastasia]

"Her soul rests in Selune's arms," Phoebe explains, battlestained herself. "Our mission was a success and Balyss gave her life, though I was able to save her soul. Her soul is wounded but she will recover with Selune."

"Her soul?" Antenora breathes out, "What nightmare did you confront?"

[Corwin]

"Did you end up fighting an avatar as well?" Seira inquires. "I didn't see Shar grab Luneli's soul or the divine spark, so I'm hopeful Selune managed to protect them."

[Anastasia]

"No, something else," is all Phoebe says of it. "Selune will be some time with that and Balyss."

[Corwin]

"So that's confirmation that both are safe?" Seira asks hopefully. "I didn't want to pester Selune just for my peace of mind, but I'd be happy to know."

[Anastasia]

"Yes," Phoebe says, "We are deeply fortunate Shar did not press and take that, or was unable to at the time."

"Very...fortunate," Antenora murmurs, "Almost too fortunate."

[Corwin]

"The might of an avatar of Shar contesting the true Selune? That's one divine contest she has no chance of winning."

[Ebiris]

Alicia gives Antenora a 'are you kidding me right now' look.

"What Antenora means is she's very happy that two brave souls won't have to suffer whatever tortures Shar would have subjected them to if she'd had a chance to capture them," she says more diplomatically to Phoebe.

[Anastasia]

Antenora returns that look evenly, "I'm relieved that they're back, but nor do I put it past Shar to play mind games with us. That's all."

Phoebe inclines her head to Seira and then Alicia. "I understand your intent, if not your phrasing." she responds to Antenora. "It would not be the first time she has sacrificed a pawn to capture a queen."

"But my words were...ill chosen and focused on the wrong thing at the wrong time," Antenora concedes. She exhales, "My apologies."

"Facing Shar affects all of us," Phoebe says, "You are forgiven."