[un: sprite bulb] voice;

[bearshermark]

[Too nervous to write and worried about probably misspelling Bonaccorso, there's a rare voice message]

I've suddenly been asked to meet with Bonaccorso to speak on behalf of Vannozza's supporters. I can't imagine why, but it isn't as though I can refuse. ..But neither do I really know what to say about her. She hasn't spoken much..

[A pause for silent stressing]

The meeting is in a few hours, so I would be grateful for any guidance.

Comments

[bearshermark]

[A thread of panic]

What? How? I thought Arha's army vanished.

[weifinder]

Calm, Eleven. Arha's army was released, though if that means to whatever cycle is here or not I cannot say. But the walking dead are in the forest, kept like feral animals; and the necromancer districts sport their own.

The cities to the north, south, and west are controlled by and inundated by the dead. Taravast has held as it is this long. Isolation fails it now, should it think to forever hold itself apart.

In that, at least, I can agree with Lord M.

[bearshermark]

[Silence, for a minute as the truth of that settles in. Then a very deeply dreaded:] Oh..

[He can almost see it. Shudders, then snaps to judgement, the internal threat insidious]

Just what do those necromancers think they're doing?

[weifinder]

Mm, we all seek to control what we believe is to be controlled. Or to solve mysteries, because we can. To what extent they do either, I leave that to them each to claim.

My point, such as it is: Taravast is not untouched. What comes already has tendrils here, and it is a better hope if they're present to seek to curtail the extent of their reach.

Necromancers are not Undead Lords until they are. As you may know, with Anurr.

[bearshermark]

Those that are dead should be left to rest. Goddess save those souls bound or bodies manipulated by another's will.

[weifinder]

Yes, well. One would hope one does, only to learn that hope is ill applied without assurance, here.

[bearshermark]

..Assurance?

[weifinder]

That one's soul or body is beyond reach.

[bearshermark]

[That leads him down an interesting path of thought for a solid minute]

..If I die, I think Archeval could likely destroy what's left of my soul. I might have to ask him, when he gets back, though it's a lot to ask.. But the thought of becoming undead.. I can't. At least getting rid of my body would be easier.

[weifinder]

There's resurrection, as well, which is not the same as undeath. You'd refuse that, on all accounts?

[bearshermark]

It depends on the methods used, but I doubt they're beseeching the will of the divine to restore one's soul to their body. I wouldn't trust the necromancers here to resurrect me, certainly- not when they practice blood magic.

[weifinder]

Would you trust me?

[bearshermark]

[There's a good, long pause, interspersed by hesitant breaths]

..I don't know. I want to, but you've felt like death to me, before.

[weifinder]

I should. I've dealt with the dead, and death, enough in my life. But would you trust me to resurrect you, or not?

[bearshermark]

[Goddess, that's a difficult question still. He's inclined to trust, but the risk feels dire]

..How would you seek to try?

[weifinder]

Measured against the loss of life of someone I care for, and possessing the skill to seek to give them a chance to get back through the gates to their world, I would prefer to try. The option of sealing or eradicating their soul to keep them from being a danger to this world, and never allowing them to return back home, feels... harder for me to accept.

2/2

[weifinder]

As for the how, I've been learning, it's why I attend the healing courses you do as well.

[bearshermark]

You're learning the methods of the necromancers here.

[Yes, there is a good bit of reservation there. He sighs]

You should know there is already at least one future where I've returned to my world. I don't fully understand, but I've been told of it twice over now. Even if I die here, somehow my spirit will make it back there.

[weifinder]

If it's based on people being present here from all the wrong times, then I'd count at least... five different versions of my world represented. Even still, I would not want any of them here to believe themselves soul-destined to return.

I just... don't want to see you cut down, Eleven. If not me, I'd ask you to consider any of the other necromancers, but with them I can't guarantee what they will or won't do. I can only know myself, and my lack of interest in anything but the survival of those I care for.

[bearshermark]

..I'm honored you care for me, and I trust that you wouldn't bind me to your will as they might.

When you've fully learned what they have to teach you, we can speak more about it. Until then, I'm too wary of their practices to risk it.

[weifinder]

Mm. I'll ask again at that time.