Crossed swords

[Corwin]

Not at present.

[Anastasia]

As you work on that, you get a simple message.

Seira, we must talk immediately.

[Corwin]

How about I stop by, then? Seira offers, and dispatches an avatar. It is a blind plane shift to Waukeen's realm, and her longtime sponsor should easily redirect it to a precise destination of her choosing.

[Anastasia]

Waukeen paces back and forth, in a gown of gold and pearls. She turns as you approach, as you stand on a beautiful balcony that overlooks Brightwater.

"Mystra has informed me of grave news, and news I would spread with you. Shar has gained greater power than we feared." Waukeen begins immediately. "And Shar is very bad for business! I'm not supposed to spread this widely yet but hang that, Seira, you'll probably fight her before someone tells you!"

[Corwin]

"Is it about how she can merge with demiplanes?" Seira asks Waukeen. "And you need a lot of pull with anarch powers to counter it? I just got back from a trip where she demonstrated it, and apparently I'm not the only one she was bragging before."

[Anastasia]

Waukeen rushes to you, "You're alright?" she asks immediately, "Is everyone else?"

[Corwin]

"Yes, thankfully. I heard from Alicia that Shar has some swords wounds from which defy easy cure, but she hasn't displayed them today." She gives Waukeen a self-deprecating smile. "Aside from frustration at using the better part of valor, we're all fine. Even if it stings that I have to load up on so many spells you can barely see me behind them to stab her, and my pride in the art of counterspelling is ridiculously unreliable with her."

[Anastasia]

You get a hug - a tight, motherly hug that holds you to Waukeen. "I'm relieved, Mystra was so clearly worried and upset even if she didn't say so."

[Corwin]

"We could've lost someone," Seira admits, keeping a tight rein on her frustration. "I took it too lightly just because I thought it'd be a proxy and not an avatar. Damn, how is she so ridiculously strong?"

[Anastasia]

"There's a very simple reason for that." Waukeen says after giving you that hug, "Sometimes, Creation isn't fair. I'm just relieved you're all safe - I was worried you'd taken Emily or Xera with you and they were overwhelmed, or maybe Kascha. If she tripped at the wrong time, it could be a disaster."

[Corwin]

"That's more a danger while going alone. Though yes, I'm going to let them know. The big question is what now? Do you have a lead on some special training we could do to let our avatars carch up to hers?"

[Anastasia]

"Seira dear, I'm the wrong one to ask," Waukeen admits openly, "Unless it involves buying and selling, which..." she considers. "Do you have something in mind?"

[Corwin]

"I don't suppose you have a lead on an artifact that'll make my dispels more effective?" Seira wonders, moving to investigate new options rather than dwelling on the past. "I managed to counter Shar's magic, but like I said it wasn't too reliable. Being better at it would make a future meeting go differently."

[Anastasia]

"You don't settle for second best," Waukeen observes, "I may have a lead on one, of course."

[Corwin]

"Then I'll pursue that first. My magic is my best option, after all." And for the martial aspects, maybe she can become a stronger dragon? Something to ask Io about.

Amaryl, would you mind informing our friends of Shar's new tricks? she asks her wife in the meantime. Starting with Moore and our daughters, who might be the most at risk?