Wraithvine introduces Amatu to some of the other chosen, and brings him to meet the child Vee and her family.
From these prompts @internutter/challenge-03013-h090-something-popped-up
And @internutter/challenge-03091-h183-pause-button-broken -- Anon Guest
There are many things to be said about chosen ones, but, "At least this one isn't taking along their mum," is fairly rare. It has been sighed a few times by Wraithvine as ze drove the cart along some very specific trackways with an Ogre and a halfbreed Tiefling/Aasimar already in tow. And the captive in the cart unhappily awaiting justice in Waterdeep.
Slithery Sam had already learned not to try escaping, wheedling, or bargaining. Two out of three of this new band were not tolerating fools gladly and the third had a badly disguised grudge about that one time Sam nearly poisoned his Mama. He was the only one who didn't call attention to the branch of the road Wraithvine steered down.
"Uhhh. The marker says that Waterdeep's down the other path. Is this a shortcut?"
"A brief side-trip with a suspicion regarding the way things are going." The Elf Wizard briefly touched a letter in one of his pockets. "Vee's been blooming."
Pondermoore, who knew more about these things than either Sam or Amatu, started giggling. "Pondermoore like fam'ly re-unions."
"The hell are you talking about?" Sam started to panic. "Is this even more of your lunatic associations?"
"Spoilers," cackled Wraithvine.
They were headed to Lower Petraine, where most of the buildings were carved into the walls of the valley, the sun hit the gardens by means of clever mirrors, and the residents were more ecclectic than they should be for a valley town of its size.
Which also had a carillon of bells to let the Mayor know he should bust out the special cider for honoured guests.
Where the new band met, in order, a fully-grown and very friendly bugbear who had been singing some crops free of blight, a Kobold who just instantly adopted everyone but Sam, and the aforementioned Vee.
She looked human enough, except for the wings. They were draconic in nature, and roughly the same colour as Lady Anthe. They were not of an adequate size to lift her off the ground, but were sufficient to slow her fall or, once high enough, glide for impressive distances.
"One hundred and twenty feet up to glide," echoed Wraithvine. "Interesting. No darkvision?"
"No, if I want to know what's in the dark, I have to drag Gramma along or take Rawr. And neither of them like to fly." Vee pouted. "And Rawr got too heavy too quick. It's not fair."
"I am not going on any more adventures," said the Kobold otherwise known as 'Gramma'. "Get her some night-sight goggles or something. I can already see the monkeyshines inherent in all of this and no thank you. I'm done."
"I was not going to ask," soothed Wraithvine. "Master Rawr? Care to lend your talents to the inevitable?"
"You're probably going to need my passive skills more than once. Let me get my stuff."
"Miss Vee Antheson. I am certain your gifts could come in handy too."
"Wraithvine!" Snapped Anthe. "She's eight!"
"I was going to protect her. I look after all my charges thankyou. Besides... a lack of a miraculous healer might give your little valley a break." Wraithvine added, "And the chosen one has a magic bell that knocks me clean out every time he uses it."
Motivation spotted, Lady Anthe nodded. "Enlightened self-interest. I get it. I want her owning every piece of protection you can get on her. No arguments."
Vee said, "Why?"
Instant rebuttal. "Oh no, don't you start that again today."
A smirk and a half-step back. "Why?"
Pondermoore started laughing. "This gon' be good adventure. Me tell."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / michelgenny]
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