Phil's left eyebrow raises at the mention of the Seat, but the korred says little. "That's a question for my lord, then, though I expect he'll be happy to answer a few after all you've done ... if we catch him, that is. Come now, and follow on!"Vespernys du Lac wrote: ↑Wed Jun 16, 2021 12:28 am “Thurnbarch is dead,” Vesper confirmed. “Lead on. We will aid Fionbharr if we can. We also desire information on the Seat of the Wise.”
Without further delay, the bushy-bearded fae hurries away from the ruins and into the woods, where the unnatural cold is in full retreat as melting snow slides off the trees above to the steaming ground.
As you walk, the path seems to expand and contract, the air throbbing with the rhythm of a strengthening heartbeat. Far off, through the impenetrable woods, you think you hear the sounds of sylvan armies on the march.
The warriors move aside as you approach. Phil, huffing and puffing, motions you on.
"He'll have known when we entered the realm," he says. "You're expected, but don't keep him waiting."
Passing into the vast clearing that is the Autumn Lord's court, you hear movement in the unseen reaches, as if the surrounding forest was girding itself for war.
"You have succeeded," he says, stating it as fact. "For the ice to retreat, Thurnbarch must be dead, and the Cold Woman free. Now I must prepare for war, to try to push back the White King as best I can. Any victory won will be fleeting, but perhaps I can buy the time for my cousin's advance when the deep frost begins to thaw in spring."
The fae lord looks over the bruised and battered group curiously, as if seeing some new quality among them.
"To be true, you have surprised me. Few mortals have journeyed into the Weald like this and emerged whole ... let alone defeated a foe as bloody as my former champion. You have my thanks. As for your relative's trespasses, consider the slate washed clean. As well, I would give you a boon."
"Drink, each of you, and when you are done fill your waterskins with the rest. Return to your village and sprinkle it on your fields, and they will yield one more harvest before autumn's end."
The Autumn King's Favor
"As for the questions forming on your lips -- Where is your lost kinsman and how can you reach him? -- I offer my aid, and an answer, though it is one you will not like."
"The Weald hides many dark and shadowed places, and other holes that are no place at all. Your Cormac is trapped within one such hollow, a place of ghosts and ancient detritus it is better not to name. He journeyed there from the Seat of the Wise, an ancient circle deep within the Elder Green from which many paths diverge ... but you cannot follow. At least not now. The doorway your kinsman found opens only on the autumn equinox, a fortnight past. For now, return to your homes and mortal concerns. I will take the field against my enemy. Return when a year has near passed and my servant will show you the way."
The Autumn King appears impatient to conclude your meeting, but will entertain further questions before Phil appears to return you to your village.
