Day 43. Shaw rode through the lakes looking for sites of grace; here she found the submerged remains of a former city or town. What should have been a welcome sight was instead a grim reminder of how quickly civilization can fall in the face of cataclysmic environmental collapse.
The wealthier citizens of the Lands Between seemed to have the foresight to either elevate their structures or build them on higher ground. Perhaps they had access to powerful oracles with which to predict the incoming rising waters, or more likely, they caused them through malice, neglect, or a combination of both. Not much different from the world she came from before becoming tarnished.
Having found 2 map fragments, surprisingly unguarded, Shaw was able to get a better sense of the region. She spotted a gap in the cliff wall adjoining the lakes and headed for it. On the other side, she found a majestic structure named the Carian Study Hall.
The interior was even more impressive than the exterior, filled with innumerable tomes and scientific apparatus. Shaw had fond memories of books from her past life, she had been a voracious reader, but so far the literary output of the Lands Between had consisted of nothing but cookbooks and various messages scattered about, left by former tarnished.
Sadly, this library was also occupied by a vengeful mage who killed her quite easily. Shaw debated whether regaining about 4000 runes was worth another attempt; she was close enough to a site of grace, she decided to risk it. She didn’t get much further than the last time, but now her tally was closer to 5000 runes. Thinking this was just another one of those places she would have to attempt again later, she started to make her way to the exit, but something held her back. “Just one more time” a voice inside her head exhorted.
Initially, the plan was just to regain the lost runes, but they had been lost further up, after the first teleport. Shaw would need to be careful. The attacks were slow enough to dodge, but the ghosts were irritating. Time to whip out the wand. “Oh, hello there Miriam. Not so tough without your bodyguards now, are you?” Gaining confidence, Shaw pressed on. You can almost see Miriam trembling behind the corner, the edges of her wide-brimbed hat giving away her mounting panic.
Clearly she was scared, as she kept teleporting away from Shaw at the first sign of serious damage. Shaw understood; she would have done the same in her situation, but evil could not be allowed to fester in a place of learning. Steadfast in her resolve, she fought her way to the top of the hall and defeated Miriam.
Now out of immediate danger, Shaw opted to do the school’s administration a solid, by also clearing the rat infestation in their rafters.
After a job well done, Shaw deserved some rest and some music. This artist popped into my recommendations recently, and I’ve repeatedly listened to her latest album, as well as her entire discography. Not something I’ve done in probably 15-20 years. So consider this a high recommendation.
