A new hill

[Anastasia]

To that, Queen comes forward and takes your hand. A clasp of hands as she pulls you in close to her, "Go forward bravely."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa returns it with a pat on her hands, "Thank you. May knowledge and wisdom guide you to success and new journeys."

[Anastasia]

A firm shake before the stairs ahead of you shimmer. "Go that way, you'll find the Roots and a guide."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa turns to Emily, "Anything else, or shall we go?"

[Anastasia]

"Nothing." Emily turns and goes to hug Alicia, "Thanks, Aunt Alicia," she promises warmly, before going to the shimmering stairs.

Once they do the two are gone, and with that, the way ahead for Alicia is now unbarred by distraction.

[Ebiris]

"Thank you for helping them. Whether or not that avenue proves fruitful it's at least a lead," Alicia says to Queen once they're gone. "That just leaves us with the problem of getting to the Spawning Stone."

[Anastasia]

"A fell problem," Empress Sulia admits, "Are we enough alone? Yet, the nature of the reward demands a smaller party, does it not?" Here she frowns, "Unless one calls in a great favor from a close friend."

[Ebiris]

"Anyone from Sylica can help of course, but I'd rather not simply force our way in violently," Alicia says. "The first problem is how to get there of course... although. I have something that can help when we're there. I don't suppose either of you two are anarchs?" she asks.

[Anastasia]

Two headshakes before, "In truth I don't know if I am," Queen admits, "I've not had reason to go to Limbo."

[Ebiris]

"Well, I happen to possess an artifact that can make anyone an anarch. For divinities it works a little bit differently - it makes Limbo as malleable as your own divine realm. Please don't spread around that I have this, but I can empower the two of you with it. If all else fails, three divine anarchs focused on reaching the spawning stone might open a path through raw Limbo."

[Anastasia]

"I don't imagine it is without risk," Sulia says at last, a hand to her chin, "No, I fear we may attract more attention with that, but it is too useful a chance to ignore. Thank you, I accept."

"As will I," Queen says, "We won't avoid combat here, but this may soften our journey."

[Ebiris]

"Come on then, back into Sylica and I'll take you where we need to go," Alicia leads them back up the stairs and through the door into Sylica, teleporting them to the hidden cave where she's hidden the Icon of Sensation.

[Anastasia]

As you do?

Alicia.

[Ebiris]

Yes, Malcanthet?

[Anastasia]

I want to talk.

The Gith Queen is willing to be a mediator.