The duty to live

[Ebiris]

Facing the fey avatar Alicia uses her divine voice in turn, lips not moving.

Examining the circumstances of Snowwind's death may shed some light on things. I'd suspect enemies of mine with a talent for manipulation, of whom Malcanthet and Shar are never far from the top of any list.

[Anastasia]

Also consider that it may not be about Sylica. It merely may be a gambit to occupy you further and send you on a false course. A simple distraction at the wrong age to ensure another effort's success.

Syala gestures with Blessing of the Twelve before she adds aloud, "It won't be the first time."

Few dare, because any who trick me pay with their lives.

But you are not an oathbreaker. Not as you speak and not as you feel.

[Ebiris]

Regardless of whether it comes from one of your enemies or one of ours, we're all involved now. For that I would like to propose a truce until we can understand who is trying to put us at odds and why.

[Anastasia]

Congratulations, that's worth a second Diplo check. No penalty this time.

[Ebiris]

[19:22] <@Ebiris> roll 1d20+58 diplo
[19:22] <Kobot> Ebiris rolled 1d20+58 diplo --> [ 1d20=3 ]{61}

[Anastasia]

"For now," The Queen of Air and Darkness speaks aloud, "I will find the truth of this matter, and those who have wronged me shall lament."

[Ebiris]

Alicia will switch to her indoor voice as well in that case, lips now moving with her words. "What happened to Snowwind then, that led to my involvement seeming so brazen?"

[Anastasia]

"An avatar of you crossed paths with an interest of mine, and in discussion you agreed to tolerate and not harm Snowwind, only to slaughter him.' The answer is short and to the point.

[Ebiris]

She's being remarkably cagey over the specific circumstances of Snowwind's death.

"What else was discussed with this fake avatar?" she asks, since this seems like a fairly involved con-job.

[Anastasia]

"Very little," Is the answer at last, a frown on her face. "I did not look as closely. I did not think one would dare so boldly."

[Ebiris]

"I need to know specifics. What was said, where it happened. I don't casually send my avatar out of Sylica," she gestures over herself. As this is the only avatar the rest of Creation knows she possesses.

[Anastasia]

A snap of the Queen's fingers, as a slender, ice blue crystal appears in the air before you. "See yourself."

[Ebiris]

Alicia inspects the crystal!

Arcane sight, spellcraft take 10 for 63 to see how it's supposed to be used whether touching or just looking, then assuming I don't see anything suspicious about it I'll use it in the indicated manner.

[Anastasia]

It's activated by touch and lets you see a recreation of a memory.

Thus you touch the crystal and you recall.

A winter grove. Trees of ice and snow, fruits that grow of all of winter's energies. A crystalline song is played by these fruits when the blizzard-winds blow, sending more snow about.

Footsteps.

One booted foot in front of the other.

Alicia Reynes strides towards this grove. Her blade is not out but her hand rests on the hilt. A sensation of mild surprise follows, a moment of cold, clinical curiosity.

My servant, a powerful being approaches. Confront her and determine her aims here.

From beneath the snows of the grove he emerges. A figure of ice and snow, elven and of impossible, deadly frozen beauty. As if ice blades and winter winds were forged by Moradin's hammer into a being. A look of frozen amusement is fixed on his face, body clad in armor of shining blue ice.

As Alicia approaches the grove, he comes forth, unhidden. "My Lady," he greets, "You have come a long way to somewhere you should not be."

Alicia smiles - it's an easy smile, ever so charming and lovely. "I am where I wish to be."

Snowwind claps his hands together, "Forgive me if I do not trust you. You must leave."

Leave this place, you have no claim here, nor does your wife.

"I'm passing through," Alicia speaks aloud, "I will vow an oath that none of yours will be harmed, you are not my enemies."

Snowwind stays silent, as there are a few moments.

Vow that you will not harm Snowwind or any of my own, paladin. Vow that and you may proceed.

"I vow that I will not harm yours or Snowwind." Alicia promises that glibly, a confident look at that. "You have my vow."

At this Snowwind steps aside, "Very well then, my Lady, you may enter."

Alicia does so, and looks about. There is silence as she takes it in and adds, "Beautiful," she remarks, "Your lady's appreciation for beauty is not a myth."

Snowwind bows at this, "It is as you say-"

It is all he says as Bonds separates Snowwind's head from his body. He falls over, slain in one surprise strike. "Any word spoken to evil is worthless," Alicia sneers down at the corpse, as flames erupt around the grove. The winds howl even heavier as the flames yet burn, as Alicia is gone.

[Ebiris]

That's such a bad impression of her! The first line she said was perhaps something she might say but the rest of it? It's not her at all.

How did she kill Snowwind so cleanly in one hit? Any magic on the sword or behind the strike given, or was he just that weak?

"That sword she used," she says after the memory completes, holding out her Root Wood Avenger. A blade of grey wood, mirror-smooth. Different from the silvery metal of Bonds. "It's my old one. I met Malcanthet recently and she would have seen this one. She's one of the few who has seen it, in fact."