Child of Dawn

[rissa]

THE BEGINNING

---

"Priestess! Please, you must stay within the confines of the carriage. Please! It's a wonder no one from that village followed us. Priestess!" Amalie hissed for the hundredth time that afternoon.

The woman didn't yell or raise her voice, instead she hissed. A tone that belied her so-called vows. She was beautiful, even in her age, but she had a foul way of her; a stern anger that reared it's ugly head whenever her vision wasn't precisely adhered to. Amalie stalked forward, manicured hands lifting expensive skirting. "Priestess, please!" This time it was more moan than hiss, and she turned round, searching the freckled, wrinkled face of the woman who was supposed to know her best.

"My name is Katarzyna Nupera. My friends call me Zyna. Those who've seen my magic call me the Songbird. And yes, I am the last Priestess of Nargath, but please Lady Amalie, call me Katarzyna."

The young woman stood from the clear waters of the lake, annoyance marring her usually calm facade. Her long tresses hung limp and straight, covering her breasts and privates, falling halfway past her thighs. The guards that stood nearest averted their eyes on instinct, but Amalie continued to stalk forward, her skirts ever rising against the muddied shoreline.

"Katarzyna," Lady Amalie hissed, anger finally gracing her psyche. "The sun is full in the sky and you are bathing in a lake our guards are unable to completely search. Leaving the temple was not something we decided lightly, Katar-"

"It wasn't something I was able to decide on at all. Though I'm liking the freedom I've attained." Katarzyna interrupted slyly, walking from the lake as Amalie continued to droll on, her voice elevating with the end of every sentence.

"-zyna. You left the carriage in the middle of that village! What if someone had recognized you? What if they're on our trail as we speak? You cannot and will not, apparently, understand how important you are. But no, go ahead, trapeze around in the lake like some kind of water nymph. Go! Hmf."

"Lady Amalie, please be calm."

Katarzyna grabbed her cloak from the log and wrapped it around her shoulders, freeing her wet hair from within it's confines once her cloak was secured. There was a sigh of relief from the guard standing behind Lady Amalie, and Katarzyna did her best to hide the smile growing upon her lips. She plucked her boots and riding gown from the log and crossed the gap between she and Amalie. Reconciling slightly, Zyna gave her an apologetic glance and a small bow before walking back to the carriage barefooted.

There was grass beneath her feet. Tall, wild, untamed… Splashes of colors broke up the monotonous but lovely green, and she weaved in and out, careful not to trample over the flowers. She envied the freedom of this small meadow, of the horses that had their head's; grazing free without a scarce thought to their whereabouts, trusted enough not to be reined. Zyna glanced around, noting the trees had already changed from her sturdy oaks and willows to something stronger, taller, filled with more life.

What did Amalie expect of her? For years she was trapped behind a sea-stone temple, taught the ways of her clandestine craft until her fingers and nose bled. And now she was free. Free from the studying and the praying and the monotony that was her life. Besides, the horses needed rest and she needed a bath.

Weren't priestess' to be clean?

With a groan of defeat Katarzyna climbed into the carriage, the dirt on her feet sticking to the rushes lining the inside. Changing into her riding gown quickly, she waited for the Lady by slipping into her boots and attaching her dagger and sheath to the leather around her waist. She needn't wait long, however, as the woman climbed in and sat across from her. Crossing her arms and legs and glaring disappointedly just above her head, Lady Amalie bounced her foot until suddenly the carriage lurched forward and they were off once more.

She didn't know where they were going, not entirely. Whenever she asked, she was simply told, "North". And north they went, ever slowly, only stopping for supplies and when the horses needed rest. On and on they went, till this day, in this very moment… But there was nothing she wanted more.

"Priestess Katarzyna!"

With a start she jolted forward, her left hand reaching for her blade as she glanced about wildly. It was dark and she felt cramped but she listened with a daze, as Lady Amalie explained they were watering the horses and something about moonlight. Katarzyna rubbed her eyes and waved the woman off, still taken with sleep and dreams and visions.

@Tarieles

 

[Tarieles]

The Order of Dawn mostly conducted business by contracts, and then letting whoever wanted to take said contracts. Of course, there were limits. However, this particular mark was very special, and the one who wished for her death was one of high standing, and thus had pockets lined with silver and gold. The guild would not let this one go to just anyone. They needed to be sure that the mark was taken care of properly, and that no witnesses were left. This would have to be done as silently and as quickly as possible. It meant Gryphon would be a popular name among the lower classes once again.

The man had been tasked with finding and eliminating this woman. He did not know what she looked like, or her name. He was only told that she would be heavily guarded, that she was a priestess of some sort, and that it would be no easy feat to find her and eliminate her from this existence. He could only assume it was some woman who slighted the contractor. Perhaps held some nasty secret about him that would ruin his well being. Gryphon didn't ask questions. He was meant to kill, and that was all he was to be used for. Once he was done, he could return home and continue his daily life. He still had to win his money back from that damnable dwarf. The stocky creature was incredibly good at cards.

Earlier in the day, Gryphon had reached a small village that he was familiar with. He was told to begin his search here, and to look out for strange-looking travelers. He had passed through this place many times when he wasn't on a manhunt. However, he would not be able to walk through in his current garb. Armored, hooded figures with visible weapons was something people would notice, especially in a small farming village. Instead, he stayed near the trees, where he could still see, but he could also rest in peace. He had to watch from a distance, in hopes of catching a glimpse of his mark.

It had been a few hours of stalking the perimeter of the village before a carriage came through. That was definitely enough to pique his curiosity. It was indeed guarded. A young woman exited, only to be followed by an older woman, beckoning her back inside. While he couldn't hear anything other than vague voices, he could easily tell that this was what he was after. That was easy enough. As the carriage rumbled forward, Gryphon continued to follow, keeping out of sight and away from them. They were not making it difficult to follow. Perhaps Grandmaster Wiesk had been overreacting at the difficulty of this mark.

​

The small troupe had stopped, and Gryphon stayed close. This was definitely the person he was looking for, if the old woman chastising the priestess was any indication. She was very rude, it seemed, though she had good intentions. Unfortunately, those good intentions would be wasted. Gryphon watched as the young woman undressed, bathing in the lake. She was beautiful. Shame that beauty wouldn't save her. He eyed the guards, who seemed to be distracted by trying their hardest not to stare. Weak willed men. Like they had never seen a woman in the nude before. It would be an opportune time to strike. The guards were distracted, the only one paying much attention was the old woman, and his mark was bathing and had no weapons on her person. It would be the easiest mark he had in a long while. Something stopped him however, and he couldn't go along with it. Not here. Not now. He would follow for longer and strike in the dark. He could get closer without being seen, too.

A small smile crept to his lips hiding behind the cowl as he listened to her. The girl reminded him of his mother. Of course, those thoughts couldn't cloud his opinion. She had to die. They left him just as quickly as they came, and he became ready to follow them once more. He kept to the trees, using what he had learned as a child to his advantage. Night was falling, and the dusk would keep him hidden. Night was inevitable, as was her death. It was only a matter of time.

​

It was time. They had stopped to let the horses drink. The beasts were unbridled, and were lead to a river, to be temporarily tethered to a tree while they grazed on the delicate riverbank grass and drank their fill. The carriage was temporarily immobile. His plan started into action.

Through the darkness, he slipped to the horses. The guards had returned to the carriage, and the horses were alone. An idiot move on their part. He calmed the small herd, as they started to whinny nervously. He untied their ropes, giving them a soft shove down the riverbank. They were spooked enough that they hurried along. He could hear a few of the guards muttering, asking if they had heard something. One even started to notice that something was amiss. Gryphon moved away from the horses, just before the alarm was raised that the horses were free. A good enough distraction. A few of the guards ran after the horses, while the others stayed near the carriage, obviously more alert now. Their weapons were readied to attack whoever might dare hurt their charge. Having a whole day to assess these idiots in armor, Gryphon knew where to strike. Like many light armor sets, the front and sides of the neck were poorly guarded. That would be the weak point. Singling one out, he prepared to strike, as adrenaline started to pump through him. This was his favorite part.

First a short scream, then gurgling, which lead to gasping. It alerted the rest of them near the carriage, but Gryphon had already sentenced one to death before they could react in time. He dodged the incoming strike of a poleaxe, kicking the man in the teeth, and sinking the blade into the side of his neck. That was two down. Only a few more before he could focus on the prize inside the carriage. The third approached, sword poised to strike. Gryphon dodged yet again, tripping the man. These guards were not good at fighting in such dark areas. He brought his foot down on the man's groin, receiving a loud cry of pain. Odd that he wasn't protected there. With two dead and another incapacitated, Gryphon turned to the carriage, where his true target awaited.

 

[rissa]

"Katarzyna… "

The whispered squeak came from Lady Amalie. With eyes that were wide and no longer stained with sleep, Zyna held a finger to her lips and unbuckled her sheath. Screams and groans of pain emanated from the guards outside. It was horrifying. Enraging. Terrifying enough to send shivers down her spine. And yet there was a rage, hidden behind her heart that screamed. Who dared to attack her people?

Slowly, in a soft whisper that resembled birdsong, Katarzyna, the last priestess of Nargath, began to sing.

A soft golden light blossomed inside the carriage and with its birth, Katarzyna's voice grew stronger, deeper, resonating across the dusty path that led north. The light pulsed, much like a heartbeat and grew stronger until Lady Amalie had to shield her eyes from the blinding light. Her dark auburn hair shone, the dagger in her grasp whispered secrets from the past, and the carriage door flew open.

Zyna took a single step forward, her face now visible. She was livid, horrified, and tears tracked down her cheeks. "Who," she asked just above a whisper, "Do you think you are?"

 

[Tarieles]

Gryphon watched in semi-awe at the light that poured out from the carriage. He had to put a hand in front of his face to avoid becoming blinded. Apparently being a priestess had its perks. He kept silent as she asked who he thought he was, but began to move again. He dashed to the left, bringing out two of his daggers. He tossed one in her direction, only to see it bounce off the light that was around her. He narrowed his eyes. This was some sort of protection spell he had never seen before. Perhaps this one would be a good candidate for corruption. Grandmaster Wiesk was always looking for new candidates for the order. He especially loved unique ones that he could use to fill his ranks. This one was definitely unique.

He kept moving, weaving about so nothing would hit him, even though nothing seemed to be coming his way, and tossed another dagger at the girl. This one was dead on, but was still brushed away and landed in the grass. This was frustrating. He stopped moving for a moment, and brought his right hand up to his chest. In a swift movement, he brought his thumb, ring finger, and little finger together, while his other two fingers remained stiff. He disappeared from view. One of his few spells.

Gryphon walked forward, not making any other moves to attack. Any other action other than walking could make him visible again. He was going to get up and personal, but not kill her. No, he decided against that. He'd take her back to the Order, and perhaps they could do something with her. He hadn't seen the old woman, but he could do away with her easily enough.

He was getting closer to her, and was about to strike when something... interesting happened. The blinding light wavered, and retreated, back into... Her dagger? He was baffled by this, but wasted no time. He lunged, appearing suddenly to her right. His hand gripped her neck, bringing her to the ground with him. He pinned her on her stomach, wrenching the dagger from her hand and tossing it away. He took his own dagger, pointing it to her throat.

"Don't move." He threatened under his breath, moving his mouth towards her ear. "If you cooperate, I might let you live." He murmured under his mask. He was interested in what she was, and he knew that the Order would be just as interested. If the mark held interest to the Grandmaster and his Nexus, they were not beyond lying about the mark being dead to get the money. After all, Thisen was known to honor those who were dishonest.

Gryphon took the girl's hands behind her back, taking some rope from his belt, and tying them up.

"Don't make me gag you as well." He added as a final threat, before standing her up and hauling her over his shoulder, looking around for any survivors. His eyes stopped on the carriage as he saw movement from within. Likely that crusty old woman.

 

[rissa]

"Three things," Katarzyna began softly, yet her voice was firm, almost compelling. "First, you must retrieve my dagger. If I am not to wield it, then you must.

"It didn't harm you, you see, when you touched it, so I know you won't harm me. Secondly, put me down."

When he complied, surprising her when he did so, Katarzyna continued. "Thirdly, I will go with you, without fight and complete compliance. All I ask, is that you spare Lady Amalie."

Pausing, she took a moment to study the stranger. Boldly, for a woman who's arms were bound behind her back, Katarzyna let her eyes roam across his face, his frame, the hands that had so easily ripped an ancient dagger from it's owner. She was curious, but not at all frightened.

At least for her own sake.

"That woman, like myself, is the last of her kind. Let her travel to the Seastone Temples to record her knowledge. She won't live long anyways."

 

[Tarieles]

Gryphon stared at the woman as she spoke. Making demands like these, she was certainly bold. He glanced at the dagger he had tossed to the side. Apparently it was enchanted to protect her. He scoffed lightly.

"You are not in any place to bargain, priestess." Though having her come without a fuss would be much nicer than her struggling. He'd really rather keep her alive for the time being. He looked to where he could see the old woman's figure in the carriage. He knew he was supposed to leave no witnesses to his assassinations, and he rarely did, but the temple in question was likely far away. If it was a Seastone Temple, then it was very far from where they were. A fragile old broad such as herself would never make it back alive.

"Fine. I will let her go. I will bring your dagger, only because it might be of interest to the Grandmaster. But that is all you may ask." He left her where she was for a moment, going to pick up the dagger. When he picked it up, he held it in his hands for a moment, wrapping it with cloth and shoving it into his side pouch for now. He'd need her sheathe to store it properly, but he'd get that later. As for now, they needed to leave. Just in case there were other guards who were ordered to stay behind. He could never be too cautious. He pulled her to the front of him, pushing her along down the road. He was ready to carry her again if need be.

"Just don't make me change my mind. Someone wants you dead, it's a courtesy I didn't slit your throat when I had the chance."

 

[rissa]

"A courtesy..." Zyna mumbled, pretending to miss a step and accidentally stumble into his chest. She caught herself quickly, but when she knew he couldn't see, she glanced back, to Lady Amalie.

She let her face crumple under anxiety, in fear for the old woman. In the span of a heartbeat, Katarzyna's face spoke of apologies and love, of luck, fear, and hope. When she turned back 'round, she felt steel encase her heart and vowed that one day, she'd find her. But for now... she needed to survive. She needed to live.

One foot after the other, Katarzyna continued on. The stranger was silent, in words and stride, but it gave her a chance to think, to formulate a plan. She had no mind of escaping, at least not yet.

A long while later, Katarzyna finally spoke, breaking the silence with her melodic voice.

"Will you tell me who this Grandmaster is, perchance?"

 

[Tarieles]

Gryphon paid no attention to the girl and where she was looking. He was more concerned about watching the areas around them. He stayed silent, not bothering to speak to her or make any noises. He stayed on the road, but was wary about watching for passersby. Of course, at this time of night there were likely only vagabonds and other criminals on the roads. People who had something to hide. He was no exception.

It had been a long walk so far, and Gryphon was only human. He was starting to get tired and hungry, and decided camp would need to be made soon. His thoughts were interrupted by the girl he was forcefully escorting. He didn't say anything at first, but merely shook his head.

"That is not information I can give to an outsider. What I can tell you is he will likely have an interest in you, as will those directly under him." He told her. He stopped, and jerked her in another direction off the road. They would be able to stop here, before they got too close to the village. He wandered off of the road for a few moments, grasping her arm so she wouldn't get left behind or in case she would try to escape in the trees. Eventually, he came upon a large enough clearing that would work for a camp.

"We stop here for the night." He said, bringing her to a thin birch tree. "And I can't risk you running, so you will be sleeping here." He gestured to the tree, pulling out what seemed to be silk cloth from his pouch. It was wound tightly into a small bundle. He pushed her down, unfurling the silk rope, and tying it around her a few times.

"It's soft, but strong. Elven made, so don't think about trying to break it." He told her, finishing up the knots. He stood, then stepped away a short distance. Far enough that it would be a bit difficult for her to actually converse with him, but close enough he would be able to watch her and make sure she wasn't trying to escape. He didn't make a fire, he didn't need to. Fires were signals, and he didn't need to cook food. He had his trail rations. He sat down in the grass, pulling down his hood and mask from his face. Unless she had dark vision, he wasn't too worried about her seeing what he looked like. That, and she was either going to be accepted by the Order, or killed, so it didn't matter much.

Gryphon also took off what little leather armor he wore, leaving only an undershirt and trousers to sleep in. Sleeping in armor was a bad thing for anyone, and he wasn't looking to wake up stiff. He pulled a small cloth from his side pouch, which he had also taken off. Inside was plenty of dried meat, hard tack, dried berries, and nuts. After he had his fill, he looked to the girl. He figured he'd need to feed her. Taking two pieces of the tack, he brought it to her, holding it up to her mouth.

"You can have this to last the night, you can have more for breakfast if you don't make too much of a fuss."

 

[rissa]

"Thank you," Katarzyna replied, her voice shimmering in it's softness. She took a bite, straining ever so slightly against her bindings to do so, chewed the tasteless tack and swallowed it down with only the slightest hint of a grimace.

She ate neither fast nor slow. Her actions were measured. Balanced. The Priestess used the time to study her captor. His face, surprisingly soft and unlike anything she imagined him to be. His body seemed taut, defined in it's musculature, and ready to strike at a moment's notice. Though she suspected any Assassin's might.

Before her last bite, Zyna licked her lips sheepishly, gathering away any crumbs before speaking. "I understand why this is necessary for you," She began, glancing down at the bindings. "But I've given you my word. At any rate, I'd like to meet this Grandmaster of yours.

"If we're to travel together, can you at least give me something other than 'abductor' to call you?"

Gryphon stood back up after she finished eating giving her a cold look. He still didn't trust her in the slightest. Not when it seemed quite obvious that she was actually a powerful person.

"Promises are easy to break. Lies are easy to create." He moved back towards his own spot once she finished eating, putting the food back in the bag. He rummaged through his pack a bit more, taking a waterskin out and taking a sip. As she asked for his name, he nodded slowly.

"I am known as Gryphon to everyone." He told her, walking back over and offering her a drink.

"To everyone?" Zyna raised a brow and looking off into the distance as she called to mind the history books she'd been forced to read, she frowned softly and shook her head. "I'm sorry Gryphon," She chimed, "I'm not sure the temple I grew up in were aware of your deeds."

Gryphon was silent when she mentioned she hadn't heard of him. Had he really been out of the game for that long? He scoffed a bit, and capped the waterskin before standing back up.

"Get some rest. If you fall asleep on the road tomorrow I'll drag you." He told her, returning to the small camp he set up. He cast one of the few spells her knew, one that would alert him to anything larger than a rat trespassing within the small campsite. With the final touches of the spell cast, he relaxed on the small patch of grass he had claimed. Anxiety leaving him, he soon drifted off.

He was asleep before she could tell him that her southern temple was far out of the way, hidden amongst the sand, the rocks, and the waves. She didn't understand her need of justification, however, so she bit her tongue until she tasted blood. She spat it out, vowing herself to stay strong.

Awake long into the night, listening to a symphony of evening song, Katarzyna couldn't help but sing along. She didn't cast any spells, though she could've freed herself easily. Instead, she let the moonlight wash over her, cherished the unfamiliar rhythm of another's breathing so close… even if it was her captor's, and let her mind free.

She'd been alone for so long now, surrounded by men and women decades older than her. Perhaps this was just another journey she had been forewarned about, something she had never dared hope for…

Perhaps this was just a new beginning.

Her eyes finally closed an hour or so before dawn and she dreamed peacefully, prophetically, drowning the day's events in morning birdsong and dreams of what could come.

 

[Tarieles]

With the priestess similar to baggage weighing him down, Gryphon took quite a bit longer to get back to the Order than he had wanted. It was only a few days walk, but it took a couple more days on top of that. She was a surprisingly good prisoner, and had never attempted to escape. She asked him questions, but he kept his answers vague and uninteresting. It was almost as if she wanted to be kidnapped.

As the pair neared Raven's Point, the path became more and more treacherous. Gentle slopes turned into steep inclines. No more was there soft, plush grass and trees. Barren shrubs dotted the mountain path, steep cliffs threatened to take the life of anyone foolish enough to stray too far from the roads. Mountainous terrain continued until they two peaked over the range, a large stone city below them.

"Thank Carric..." Gryphon murmured to himself. He wanted to climb into bed and sleep there for a day. Next time he had to bring someone somewhere, he was stealing a horse. The air had turned hot and dusty, and in the distance a smoking mountain could be seen. A volcano, with the world's last dragon tucked inside. It was the city's protector, making Raven's Point one of the safest cities in the world.

Moving down towards the city, Gryphon looked up at the sun. It had been roughly five hours since they had started out for the day. He pulled some jerky from his side pouch, snapping off a piece and handing it to Katarzyna. He had been keeping her untied as they walked, and his attitude about her had changed since the first day. No more barking orders unless he had to, instead using simple, but forceful, statements to let her know when and where they would be stopping. The only time he felt like he had to tie her up was when he was asleep.

The walk down to the city took them another two or three hours, and Gryphon stopped her before they got too close to the walls. He dropped down his hood, removing the cowl from his face. He hid his weapons within the folds of his armor and clothing, before he turned to the priestess and gave her a stern look. He didn't say anything, but instead motioned for her to continue as he walked on.

Walking through the gates, the smells of the city danced through the air. The vast amount of dwarves living in Raven's Point meant many delicious types of meat and hearty vegetables were the main foods. Stalls selling such things, both raw and prepared, lined the streets. Other shops sold trinkets and jewelry, fabrics and stoneware, as well as some containing more exotic goods from across the sea. While many races wandered throughout the market, it was predominately made up of small but stocky people, the dwarven people.

Gryphon paid no attention to hawkers and merchants, making his way through the crowd with purpose. He made sure not to lose Katarzyna behind him. Moving past the market, they came to a circular plaza filled with more people moving throughout the city. It was set up in a circle, with this being the middle. In the plaza stood a large marble fountain in the shape of a dragon, one arm in the air and its wings spread. Gryphon continued to walk past everyone, not bothering to even look at the city around him. Walking down one of the main streets, he looked over his shoulder before grabbing Katarzyna's arm and pulling her into an alley in between some housing. Here he kept walking until he came upon another, smaller plaza. This one had another statue, one of a tall man wearing fine robes. The placard was missing at his feet, with only two holes where nails once were.

Gryphon stopped her, leaning to where the placard would have been. Pulling out what looked to be a key of some sort from his pocket, he inserted it into the left hole. A soft click, and Gryphon pulled the key back, lifting the face of the pedestal. It opened a small hole, one big enough to climb through. He ushered Katarzyna through the hole, following behind her. He gently closed the thin stone hatch behind him, leaving them in darkness. He walked forward to the glowing outline of a door, and knocked twice in quick succession, twice more slowly, and another three quick raps.

"What business do you have here?" A low voice asked from inside.

"I followed the road." Gryphon replied. More locking mechanisms could be heard, before the door swung open. A tall, bald man with stone colored skin greeted them. He gave Gryphon a large grin.

"It is about time you got back! Thought maybe the job was too tough this time." The large man clapped Gryphon on the back, practically sending him forward. Gryphon gave him a knowing nod.

"Well, you know I won't go down that easy Cobble." He said, looking down the hallway. "Wiesk in his room? I have a little present for him." He nodded towards the woman standing behind him. The man, Cobble, shrugged.

"I dunno, I've been here the last few hours. Prolly though, unless he got sommin to eat." Cobble stared at the woman, an apprehensive look on his face, but he said nothing. He nodded the two of them through as Gryphon gave his regards to the tall man, and they pair continued down the hall. As they walked down the hall, tavern noises became louder and louder. Gryphon opened the door at the end of the hall, and the noises came to a peak.

The hallway ended, spitting the two out of the door and onto a balcony. Music, shouting, and drunken conversations dominated the scene, as men and women alike drank and were merry below the balcony in the tavern area. Gryphon walked across the balcony, headed to the door, before a loud shout cut through the noise.

"Tha' facker is back! Boy, they's all thought you were dead!" The room turned quiet, only to all focus on a short dwarf (even for dwarf standards) standing on a table with a wooden mug in his hand and beer froth on his beard. He let out a loud laugh. "That means I won that fackin' bet! Pay up ya doubters!" He demanded, pointing to a small group sitting in front of him. Gryphon chuckled, shaking his head, before opening yet another door, which led into another small hallway and another door at the end.

"Stay here." He told her, closing the door behind him and going up to the next one. He knocked softly, no pattern this time.

"Enter." A soft voice came through, and Gryphon stepped in, closing the door behind him. There, sitting at a desk, was the Grandmaster of the Order, Dharus Wiesk. The tiefling looked up at Gryphon, giving him a small smile.

"The job is done, I take it? She's dead?" He stood, standing much taller than Gryphon. He was rather imposing, even for Gryphon who had known him for years. He looked at his feet, half nodding.

"Sort of. The job's done, whoever wanted her out of the picture got their wish." He paused, watching the man's face fall slowly as he said every word. "But, she's not dead. See, I was going to kill her, but something... Something was wrong. She's a magical being, but not in a common sense. I thought you'd want to take a look."

"Then where is she?" Wiesk demanded, looking understandably upset. Gryphon held up a hand, opening the door behind him again, beckoning Katarzyna to come in.

"This is her. The priestess."