King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
No more debate? All right. I'll call the vote at... Oh, let's say 8:30.
EDIT: Vote closed.
EDIT: Vote closed.
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The Maid of the Comet: A Tale from Azeroth
- Thread starter King Tharassian
- Start date
- Fantasy
Chapter 5.6
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
"So long as there is any chance of success, General, then you may find me ready. I hate the undead as you do, and you can expect me to gladly join in any mission with the intent to destroy them. " You took a breath, already seeing in her expression that she knew a 'but' was coming. "However, I must recommend that you determine why your sources were wrong, if you were informed in such a way. And with the new threat brought to light," you grimaced at the shattered corpse that lay nearby, "then we must be more careful. After all, if a demon could impersonate one of the Crusade's own members, then who is to say that it couldn't find ways to infiltrate whatever network has been informing you, bending what you hear to their own dark purposes?"
There was a long silence, and Abbendis gave you a long, dark glare. But at the same time, she seemed slightly shaken, and her hands were visibly shaking, at least from where you stood. You almost thought you could hear her teeth grinding together with how tightly her jaw was set.
"I will deal with matters that concern me and mine, girl." Her change in tone only made clear just how calmly she had spoken before. "You can deal with matters of your own. If my sources are somehow flawed, I will learn why. But more importantly, you will not be part of it unless your voice is relevant at that table." She took a breath, and the anger was gone. "I hope that when next we meet, you count yourself among our number. And more importantly, I hope that you understand what is your concern." With a curt nod to Morlune, she strode out of the Cathedral, calling out orders to someone outside to 'clean up the mess.' Morlune stared gravely out the door.
"I'm not certain how wise that particular choice of words was, Jeanne." The paladin shook his head. "You could have left it at your promise and nothing would have changed."
"And leave the matter of my framing unaddressed? I cannot do that. I will not be accused of crimes I have not committed and be expected to keep silent. What I said, I meant with no ill will or insult. It was simply my recommendation based upon what I have seen." You crossed your arms, glaring at the body. "And I feel I was completely justified."
"And I would agree. You do have a right to confront when you have been wronged, and the General even acknowledged the mistake. But to directly call into question an authority that she apparently trusts implicitly with no preamble or time to allow for more trust to build? That may well have soured her opinion of you again, and one does not wish to have the ire of one like Abbendis." He sighed. "I suppose you're lucky that she's more diplomatic than her father. He would have launched into a tirade in return rather than simply offering a reprimand." He rubbed his eyes with his left hand, the hammer still weighing down his right, before turning back to the door. He stood, waiting for a time before you began walking out with him.
There was a long silence as the two of you passed through the village towards the path that led to the Abbey.
"If the General dislikes me, then it is nothing I haven't felt before." He raised an eyebrow at your sudden comment.
"You have experience with persons of power and authority disliking you then?"
"More than I'd like." Morlune was looking at you, you were sure, But you kept your eyes looking ahead, following the road.
"Well, if you are indeed planning to join soon, then that should make up for a great deal." You happily accepted the change in subject with your silence as he prepared to speak again. "If you intend to walk the Proven Road, then you can expect me to gladly sponsor you."
"Thank you, Sir Morlune, but I hadn't yet decided which path I intended to take. I asked Phillipus for his opinion, but he was frustratingly vague yesterday."
"Well, it's ultimately your choice. In all likelihood, he just wanted to make sure you realized the possibilities of both Roads." The Abbey was visible now. "But this is my advice. Do not wait. If you feel that you are ready for the Proven Road, take it. The sooner you are one of us, the sooner you will be trusted outside of my Host. You might earn the trust of the Gilneans eventually if you wait, but you shouldn't expect a warm greeting in Hearthglen or the Enclave." As you both walked through the open doors, he halted. "But I don't expect an answer of any kind. You don't owe me one. Just… Be careful, and realize that you may need to fulfill your promise to the General sooner thank you think." He gave you one last nod. "I won't keep you from a deserved rest. Good day, Jeanne."
"Good day, Sir Morlune." You gave a small bow in return before he walked down another hall.
You were left with a jumble of thoughts as you returned to your quarters. Demons wearing human faces weren't too surprising, but the influence that they seemed to have was terrifying. If they could dupe the leader of an organization like the Crusade, then who knew where else they could be active? You would have to be vigilant. If you were caught off-guard there was a very good chance that you wouldn't make it out.
Damn. You should have known that your luck wouldn't last.
Shaking the self-pity out of your mind for now, you focused on what you would do next. Maybe it would be good to ask for someone's advice? Or maybe you should practice again to give yourself time to think? Morlune's mention of rest came back to you, and you had to admit that it was tempting.
[] Seek out guidance
-[] Write in who you ask (any contact or NPC is viable)
[] Practice
-[] Choose subject
[] Rest and recuperate.
There was a long silence, and Abbendis gave you a long, dark glare. But at the same time, she seemed slightly shaken, and her hands were visibly shaking, at least from where you stood. You almost thought you could hear her teeth grinding together with how tightly her jaw was set.
"I will deal with matters that concern me and mine, girl." Her change in tone only made clear just how calmly she had spoken before. "You can deal with matters of your own. If my sources are somehow flawed, I will learn why. But more importantly, you will not be part of it unless your voice is relevant at that table." She took a breath, and the anger was gone. "I hope that when next we meet, you count yourself among our number. And more importantly, I hope that you understand what is your concern." With a curt nod to Morlune, she strode out of the Cathedral, calling out orders to someone outside to 'clean up the mess.' Morlune stared gravely out the door.
"I'm not certain how wise that particular choice of words was, Jeanne." The paladin shook his head. "You could have left it at your promise and nothing would have changed."
"And leave the matter of my framing unaddressed? I cannot do that. I will not be accused of crimes I have not committed and be expected to keep silent. What I said, I meant with no ill will or insult. It was simply my recommendation based upon what I have seen." You crossed your arms, glaring at the body. "And I feel I was completely justified."
"And I would agree. You do have a right to confront when you have been wronged, and the General even acknowledged the mistake. But to directly call into question an authority that she apparently trusts implicitly with no preamble or time to allow for more trust to build? That may well have soured her opinion of you again, and one does not wish to have the ire of one like Abbendis." He sighed. "I suppose you're lucky that she's more diplomatic than her father. He would have launched into a tirade in return rather than simply offering a reprimand." He rubbed his eyes with his left hand, the hammer still weighing down his right, before turning back to the door. He stood, waiting for a time before you began walking out with him.
There was a long silence as the two of you passed through the village towards the path that led to the Abbey.
"If the General dislikes me, then it is nothing I haven't felt before." He raised an eyebrow at your sudden comment.
"You have experience with persons of power and authority disliking you then?"
"More than I'd like." Morlune was looking at you, you were sure, But you kept your eyes looking ahead, following the road.
"Well, if you are indeed planning to join soon, then that should make up for a great deal." You happily accepted the change in subject with your silence as he prepared to speak again. "If you intend to walk the Proven Road, then you can expect me to gladly sponsor you."
"Thank you, Sir Morlune, but I hadn't yet decided which path I intended to take. I asked Phillipus for his opinion, but he was frustratingly vague yesterday."
"Well, it's ultimately your choice. In all likelihood, he just wanted to make sure you realized the possibilities of both Roads." The Abbey was visible now. "But this is my advice. Do not wait. If you feel that you are ready for the Proven Road, take it. The sooner you are one of us, the sooner you will be trusted outside of my Host. You might earn the trust of the Gilneans eventually if you wait, but you shouldn't expect a warm greeting in Hearthglen or the Enclave." As you both walked through the open doors, he halted. "But I don't expect an answer of any kind. You don't owe me one. Just… Be careful, and realize that you may need to fulfill your promise to the General sooner thank you think." He gave you one last nod. "I won't keep you from a deserved rest. Good day, Jeanne."
"Good day, Sir Morlune." You gave a small bow in return before he walked down another hall.
You were left with a jumble of thoughts as you returned to your quarters. Demons wearing human faces weren't too surprising, but the influence that they seemed to have was terrifying. If they could dupe the leader of an organization like the Crusade, then who knew where else they could be active? You would have to be vigilant. If you were caught off-guard there was a very good chance that you wouldn't make it out.
Damn. You should have known that your luck wouldn't last.
Shaking the self-pity out of your mind for now, you focused on what you would do next. Maybe it would be good to ask for someone's advice? Or maybe you should practice again to give yourself time to think? Morlune's mention of rest came back to you, and you had to admit that it was tempting.
[] Seek out guidance
-[] Write in who you ask (any contact or NPC is viable)
[] Practice
-[] Choose subject
[] Rest and recuperate.
End of Chapter Five
Faction Status Change: ???: Hostile
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- Location
- canada
well fk.... that was not what I intended to happen with this plan at all lol! I shoulda figured Jeanne was too blunt to be more subtle about it
anyway best we get more practice with our powers in... We will need them soon enough after all.
[X] Practice
-[X] The Light
- Location
- nz
[X] Practice
-[X] The Light
-[X] The Light
ThatGuyWithIdeas
Treize died for our sins
- Location
- Romania
[X] Practice
-[X] The Light
-[X] The Light
Spectrum
Tell me a secret~
- Location
- Behind you~
Is this where I'm allowed to say "I told you so"?well fk.... that was not what I intended to happen with this plan at all lol! I shoulda figured Jeanne was too blunt to be more subtle about it
[X] Practice
-[X] As an Exemplar
Start boosting all the various other soldiers if we need to prepare for large operations. At least get the basic skill unlocked and see where to go from there.
- Location
- PA
The mistake you made is you told a Jeanne of arc expy her holy voice of god was wrong to her face.
And we know that's what we did, to boot.
Admittedly we know out of character we're right but the trick is proof-the actual dreadlord will love that we stuck our boot in our mouths there.
Sooo...Still wish to save the Crusade?
I'd either commit or walk away now, but basically fulfilling the prophetic warning Abbendis received seems like a terrible idea. Even worse is sitting around sucking up resources (armor/weapons&food) without committing in a way that makes us responsible for any screw ups.
And we know that's what we did, to boot.
Admittedly we know out of character we're right but the trick is proof-the actual dreadlord will love that we stuck our boot in our mouths there.
Sooo...Still wish to save the Crusade?
I'd either commit or walk away now, but basically fulfilling the prophetic warning Abbendis received seems like a terrible idea. Even worse is sitting around sucking up resources (armor/weapons&food) without committing in a way that makes us responsible for any screw ups.
- Location
- Tarn-Vedra
[X] Practice
-[X] The Light
-[X] The Light
- Location
- USA
[X] Practice
-[X] The Light
-[X] The Light
[X] Practice
-[X] As an Exemplar
-[X] As an Exemplar
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
Okay. Vote will end in about an hour.
Pre-Chapter Vote #5
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
Okay. Time for the Interlude!
Character:
[] Nightmares
[] In His Highness' Service
[] Fire and Fury
[] Strangers in a Strange Land
[] Nightmares
Informational:
[] Magister Sunheart's Annotated Guide to Azeroth, Chapter 5: Adventuring
[] [REDACTED]'s Profile of Leaders for Regent Fordragon, ca 25 ADP
[] [REDACTED]'s Report on an Unusual Development
Strange, Silly and Weirdness:
[] The Adventures of Lieutenant Alverold and Crew: Too Quiet for Quillboars
OR:
[] None
Character:
[] Nightmares
[] In His Highness' Service
[] Fire and Fury
[] Strangers in a Strange Land
[] Nightmares
Informational:
[] Magister Sunheart's Annotated Guide to Azeroth, Chapter 5: Adventuring
[] [REDACTED]'s Profile of Leaders for Regent Fordragon, ca 25 ADP
[] [REDACTED]'s Report on an Unusual Development
Strange, Silly and Weirdness:
[] The Adventures of Lieutenant Alverold and Crew: Too Quiet for Quillboars
OR:
[] None
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
Vote will end tomorrow.
- Location
- USA
[X] In His Highness' Service
ThatGuyWithIdeas
Treize died for our sins
- Location
- Romania
[X] [REDACTED]'s Report on an Unusual Development
- Location
- Tarn-Vedra
[X] [REDACTED]'s Report on an Unusual Development
[X] Strangers in a Strange Land
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
Okay. Vote is closed. And....
Chapter 6 Interlude: [REDACTED]'s Report on an Unusual Change of Circunstance
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
A Report to Regent Fordragon on a Curious Change of Circumstances Based upon an Unexpected Development, ca. 25 ADP
By [REDACTED] of [REDACTED]
In my previous reports, your humble servant has placed significant focus on the ongoing Crusade for Lordaeron, issued by the Church of Light four years ago after the death of Grand Marshal Othmar Garithos, Lord of Blackwood. Your humble servant has also examined the leadership of the organizations involved, and even attempted to give a closer look at the inner workings of those same organizations.
However, this humble servant must break from their normal pattern of report for an unforeseen change in the situation. As you are surely aware, High General Brigitte Abbendis is the de facto leader of the Scarlet Crusade, and rarely ventures beyond the borders of the so-called "Scarlet Enclave" (formerly the Duchies of Avalon and King's Bay, and the Bishopric of Tyr's Hand) except for specific occasions. However, she recently traveled to the Western Plaguelands for no easily discernable reason.
This humble servant should probably begin with the rumors that now surround the General as of recently. There are some who say that she has been given revelations and visions. Others say that the Light itself speaks to her. Many Scarlets seem content to accept these rumors, despite the lack of clear evidence.
That said, her recent journey West is surrounded overwhelmingly by the belief amongst the common Scarlets that the Light has commanded her to hunt down a dangerous element in the region. This humble servant's informants indicated that there was some difficulty in the General's travel Westward for a few days, and then the situation became much easier for her party after that time. No reasonable explanation has been provided for their initial lack of progress.
Only yesterday, the General entered the town of Hearthglen with her entourage of four Crusaders and the High Abbot of New Avalon and Tyr's Hand. Every indication was that she intended to collect Inquisitor Isillien before moving on, but only an hour later she came out of Mardenholde Keep in a state of fury, staying in the town only a day and leaving with nothing more than her group had arrived with.
Since then, the Inquisitor has apparently been quite irate, screaming at his assistants to complete some vague task he has assigned to them, and a number of couriers left on the General's command for other regions; several traveled into the North Kingdom, and it is this humble servant's opinion that the General is mustering forces for a military engagement of some significance, perhaps the 8th or 14th Lordaeronian Hosts. If this servant's suspicions are correct, then the Crusade might even be planning for an attack on the Bulwark or Andorhal.
Now, the most important question is why the General is making this journey at all, if she merely left the next day. In fact, her choice to take the Western path South indicates that she is moving towards Tirisfal or Vandermar, and this humble servant is sure that she is not making the journey to the Monastery at this time of year. That must mean that she is moving towards the village, but one can only guess at her purpose.
The facts and rumors combined give the following possibility: according to rumors gathered by this humble servant, there is a young recruit in Vandermar who has gained something of a reputation following a skirmish at the Bulwark. It cannot be understood why the Inquisitor would be involved, but if the rumors surrounding the recruit in question - a young peasant woman of unknown origin - are true, then it is understandable why the General might be curious. Even so, it is highly irregular to take such a particular escort for a journey of curiosity, or indeed, for her to deal with it in person at all. This humble servant can only guess at the reasoning, but shall continue with further investigation.
Glory to the Alliance and to Stormwind, and Long Live Prince Anduin!
Your Humble Servant
SI:7
*the following is scribbled somewhat incoherently as an afterthought*
PS: And Light Bless Stormwind's Noble Regents.
PPS: Why does the closing address seem to change so much nowadays? It's much more flowery than a few months ago.
PPPS: I am sorry to hear about the Southern Malady spreading into Duskwood. I pray each day that no more will die in the disease's progress.
By [REDACTED] of [REDACTED]
In my previous reports, your humble servant has placed significant focus on the ongoing Crusade for Lordaeron, issued by the Church of Light four years ago after the death of Grand Marshal Othmar Garithos, Lord of Blackwood. Your humble servant has also examined the leadership of the organizations involved, and even attempted to give a closer look at the inner workings of those same organizations.
However, this humble servant must break from their normal pattern of report for an unforeseen change in the situation. As you are surely aware, High General Brigitte Abbendis is the de facto leader of the Scarlet Crusade, and rarely ventures beyond the borders of the so-called "Scarlet Enclave" (formerly the Duchies of Avalon and King's Bay, and the Bishopric of Tyr's Hand) except for specific occasions. However, she recently traveled to the Western Plaguelands for no easily discernable reason.
This humble servant should probably begin with the rumors that now surround the General as of recently. There are some who say that she has been given revelations and visions. Others say that the Light itself speaks to her. Many Scarlets seem content to accept these rumors, despite the lack of clear evidence.
That said, her recent journey West is surrounded overwhelmingly by the belief amongst the common Scarlets that the Light has commanded her to hunt down a dangerous element in the region. This humble servant's informants indicated that there was some difficulty in the General's travel Westward for a few days, and then the situation became much easier for her party after that time. No reasonable explanation has been provided for their initial lack of progress.
Only yesterday, the General entered the town of Hearthglen with her entourage of four Crusaders and the High Abbot of New Avalon and Tyr's Hand. Every indication was that she intended to collect Inquisitor Isillien before moving on, but only an hour later she came out of Mardenholde Keep in a state of fury, staying in the town only a day and leaving with nothing more than her group had arrived with.
Since then, the Inquisitor has apparently been quite irate, screaming at his assistants to complete some vague task he has assigned to them, and a number of couriers left on the General's command for other regions; several traveled into the North Kingdom, and it is this humble servant's opinion that the General is mustering forces for a military engagement of some significance, perhaps the 8th or 14th Lordaeronian Hosts. If this servant's suspicions are correct, then the Crusade might even be planning for an attack on the Bulwark or Andorhal.
Now, the most important question is why the General is making this journey at all, if she merely left the next day. In fact, her choice to take the Western path South indicates that she is moving towards Tirisfal or Vandermar, and this humble servant is sure that she is not making the journey to the Monastery at this time of year. That must mean that she is moving towards the village, but one can only guess at her purpose.
The facts and rumors combined give the following possibility: according to rumors gathered by this humble servant, there is a young recruit in Vandermar who has gained something of a reputation following a skirmish at the Bulwark. It cannot be understood why the Inquisitor would be involved, but if the rumors surrounding the recruit in question - a young peasant woman of unknown origin - are true, then it is understandable why the General might be curious. Even so, it is highly irregular to take such a particular escort for a journey of curiosity, or indeed, for her to deal with it in person at all. This humble servant can only guess at the reasoning, but shall continue with further investigation.
Glory to the Alliance and to Stormwind, and Long Live Prince Anduin!
Your Humble Servant
SI:7
*the following is scribbled somewhat incoherently as an afterthought*
PS: And Light Bless Stormwind's Noble Regents.
PPS: Why does the closing address seem to change so much nowadays? It's much more flowery than a few months ago.
PPPS: I am sorry to hear about the Southern Malady spreading into Duskwood. I pray each day that no more will die in the disease's progress.
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Chapter 6.1: Uncertainties
King Tharassian
Governor-Militant
- Location
- Victory Bay, Kronus
Your thoughts were clouded by confusion and worry. Absently, you sat down again at your table, your hands going through the motions from earlier in the morning. It was an attempt to capture some semblance of normality again, and something in the depths of your mind told you that simply practicing with this gift you had been given was a wise way to do so.
But even as the healing spell formed between your hands, something struck you, and every worry that had been spawned from the events of the day crashed back with a vengeance. You had thought that you were safe? You thought that this place would be different? You assumed that every thought that had raced through your mind as the General and that… that thing had questioned you would just go away?
No. One wrong step and it would be back into the jails. Back to the mercy of the guards and the whims of your accusers. Behind you, you could suddenly feel a cloying presence, the sound of ragged breathing from a throat tight with rage and rough from screaming. You couldn't look, because to do it would only reinforce that he had power over you.
Be careful, woman. You do not help yourself by refusing to submit to our judgment.
The Bishop's voice in your ear made you go rigid. Then, as his words came back again and again, questions upon questions, the shock became fury. You focused on the Light again, pouring yourself into it, and Cauchon's voice became the timbre of the unnatural beast you had faced. Then it morphed again into the General's voice. The Light became brighter, and the thoughts fled before it.
The runes spun in rings around the gleaming core, and you lost yourself in the golden glow. It flowed around and through you, and aches you hadn't realized were there were soothed, and a calm fell over you, clearing your mind and restoring some of the peace you suddenly wanted.
The Light faded, a soft glow permeating your room for several minutes afterward, and the calmness remained. You were left staring at the space where the spell had been forming, now an empty patch of air. Had you just completed a speel that you had been struggling with for at least an hour earlier while not actually paying attention?
Shaking your head, you set yourself to it again, determined to cast it more quickly. If you could create and direct a healing spell in the midst of battle, everything would change. The very existence of such abilities was forcing you to reevaluate the tactics you were familiar with.
Unfortunately, it seemed that there was not much chance of shortening the casting time for now. The spell continued to form, but it was only marginally faster to coalesce, and the harder you tried, the less impact your efforts seemed to make. As you pushed yourself harder, you felt something cold at the back of your mind. As it crept forward, you heard Michael calling out.
"Jeanne! We need to talk!"
Retreating inward, you found the common room of the mindscape empty, and sounds coming from the 'entrance hall.' Rushing there, you found Michael and Margaret pressing against a door that had not been there previously, and Catherine mending damage to the walls by patches of frost.
"What's going on? How can I help?" Michael glanced at you before grunting with exertion.
"Not much, I'm afraid. Whatever is doing this, it is strong."
"And it feels like that first one that got through!" Margaret looked panicked. "But there's something else out there too, and they sound like they don't get along very well!" Catherine grimaced.
"We've heard something from that light in the storm, as well. I can only guess, but -" She was cut off by an icicle piercing the wall, stretching forward at least three feet. The sounds of some kind of struggle echoed in from outside, and you heard voices behind the deafening storm beyond your little refuge.
Gripping the ice, you tore the spike off of its base, shattering much of it. Once separated from the greater whole, the ice melted away, and then evaporated. The sounds of battle grew louder outside as a gap was made between the wall and the icicle, and the wind began to slip through a gap too small for you to see. More ice began to form as you watched, spikes splitting off of one another from the broken stump of the first, as though trying to dig themselves into your hideaway.
[] Write-in
Sorry for the long wait, everyone.
But even as the healing spell formed between your hands, something struck you, and every worry that had been spawned from the events of the day crashed back with a vengeance. You had thought that you were safe? You thought that this place would be different? You assumed that every thought that had raced through your mind as the General and that… that thing had questioned you would just go away?
No. One wrong step and it would be back into the jails. Back to the mercy of the guards and the whims of your accusers. Behind you, you could suddenly feel a cloying presence, the sound of ragged breathing from a throat tight with rage and rough from screaming. You couldn't look, because to do it would only reinforce that he had power over you.
Be careful, woman. You do not help yourself by refusing to submit to our judgment.
The Bishop's voice in your ear made you go rigid. Then, as his words came back again and again, questions upon questions, the shock became fury. You focused on the Light again, pouring yourself into it, and Cauchon's voice became the timbre of the unnatural beast you had faced. Then it morphed again into the General's voice. The Light became brighter, and the thoughts fled before it.
The runes spun in rings around the gleaming core, and you lost yourself in the golden glow. It flowed around and through you, and aches you hadn't realized were there were soothed, and a calm fell over you, clearing your mind and restoring some of the peace you suddenly wanted.
The Light faded, a soft glow permeating your room for several minutes afterward, and the calmness remained. You were left staring at the space where the spell had been forming, now an empty patch of air. Had you just completed a speel that you had been struggling with for at least an hour earlier while not actually paying attention?
Shaking your head, you set yourself to it again, determined to cast it more quickly. If you could create and direct a healing spell in the midst of battle, everything would change. The very existence of such abilities was forcing you to reevaluate the tactics you were familiar with.
Unfortunately, it seemed that there was not much chance of shortening the casting time for now. The spell continued to form, but it was only marginally faster to coalesce, and the harder you tried, the less impact your efforts seemed to make. As you pushed yourself harder, you felt something cold at the back of your mind. As it crept forward, you heard Michael calling out.
"Jeanne! We need to talk!"
Retreating inward, you found the common room of the mindscape empty, and sounds coming from the 'entrance hall.' Rushing there, you found Michael and Margaret pressing against a door that had not been there previously, and Catherine mending damage to the walls by patches of frost.
"What's going on? How can I help?" Michael glanced at you before grunting with exertion.
"Not much, I'm afraid. Whatever is doing this, it is strong."
"And it feels like that first one that got through!" Margaret looked panicked. "But there's something else out there too, and they sound like they don't get along very well!" Catherine grimaced.
"We've heard something from that light in the storm, as well. I can only guess, but -" She was cut off by an icicle piercing the wall, stretching forward at least three feet. The sounds of some kind of struggle echoed in from outside, and you heard voices behind the deafening storm beyond your little refuge.
Gripping the ice, you tore the spike off of its base, shattering much of it. Once separated from the greater whole, the ice melted away, and then evaporated. The sounds of battle grew louder outside as a gap was made between the wall and the icicle, and the wind began to slip through a gap too small for you to see. More ice began to form as you watched, spikes splitting off of one another from the broken stump of the first, as though trying to dig themselves into your hideaway.
[] Write-in
Sorry for the long wait, everyone.