A blessed homefront

[Anastasia]

Not dead. I have him.

[Ebiris]

All the better. Did you find Acheron's seed as well while you were there?

"Captured, not slain," Alicia says aloud. "I can't fault the competence."

Marie looks vaguely unhappy that someone matched her own achievement in capturing one of Shar's proxies.

[Anastasia]

"At least he's being useful," Is Syala simple conclusion.

Yes.

[Ebiris]

"Too useful, he found something else on Acheron too," Alicia says, having no further conversation for the devil. "So we can check that one off from any further investigation as well as discounting Ryn as a factor going forward."

[Anastasia]

Antenora sighs, "I had hoped for better."

Syala's own word choice is quite uncharitable. AS she makes extensive commentary about Gathgorian's family and scatological interests?

It seems the Incarnation finally erred in one small way, and in this there is a great complication.

It did not forbid this Guardian from taking residence within the seed, and from choosing who may and may not use it and under what terms. It was focused on another, Io's champion, when I stormed it.

[Ebiris]

"Ahh, he found it but hasn't claimed it," Alicia clarifies a moment later after Gathgorian uncharacteristically chooses to share further information. "It seems like Alyssa has already caught the Guardian's interest."

Did it say so explicitly? It may be that it can only test one at a time.

She may as well offer a bit of her own thinking, since he didn't need to elaborate like that.

[Anastasia]

"Now that's more interesting," Syala cuts herself off, "I'm listening."

Yes. I have neither the time or desire to wear down its patience in this matter.

[Ebiris]

"Yes, it seems like it's refusing to even test Gathgorian in favour of Alyssa. We've seen others express preferences but not to such a degree," Alicia says.

[Anastasia]

"This sounds abnormal," Antenora reflects, "The other Guardians weren't like that. What's changed with this one?"

"Could it be this Guardian can be one we can use? We could use all the allies we can get," Latha says, voice hopeful.

[Ebiris]

"If it's going to help anyone, it's going to be Alyssa it sounds like," Alicia says. "I wouldn't put too much stock in its capabilities or inclinations though. I'll ask Alyssa if she knows more though."

Alyssa, I've heard from Gathgorian that you've attracted the interest of the Guardian on Acheron. Are you close to obtaining the seed there?

[Iron Dragoon]

Not yet. I've been running down leads and so far have come up dry. I have a few more to check into, but the last one led me to a hidden enclave of the Lord of the Eighth.

[Ebiris]

Curious. Gathgorian has found the Guardian but been rebuffed for even attempting to claim the seed in favour of its interest in you. You could simply keep doing as you're doing and trust the Guardian will reveal itself to you, or you could barter with Gathgorian for the location. I wouldn't recommend this and he'd certainly demand a share of the seed for it, but it's an option to be aware of.

[Iron Dragoon]

Interest in me? Curious, I've been led astray so far... And no, I don't desire to have any negotiations with Gathgorian, though that does open the possibility of him ambushing me out of jealousy, I think. Perhaps I can trace Gathgorian's movements and find the Guardian that way... Thank you for the information! If you need help with anything, please ask.

[Ebiris]

It's a remote possibility but see if you can parlay the Guardian's interest into helping with greater problems? Thus far they've all been forbidden from interfering in Creation beyond testing worthiness for the seeds, but this one expressing such an opinion in your favour does give some hope its on a looser rope. Good luck.

[Iron Dragoon]

That would be an interesting turn. Thank you again.