The overlook lies above the burial path, concealed from anyone below by a shelf of pale stone. Corven’s slate rests beside a disturbed patch of ash, a snapped reed, and violet thread.
Corven Voss
This ash was fresh when I arrived. The reed broke inward, as though someone crouched here, and this thread does not match Veyra’s observing method.
The fragment glints faintly against the gray dust. Its violet hue carries a cool residue, too deliberate for weathering, yet too faint to identify by sight alone.
Nera
I can test it, but the residue may answer loudly. Whoever left it could learn that Mara is here, even if the working reveals nothing else.
Elian Voss
Then the choice should remain visible. I will stay beside the cairn and watch the lower path, but I will not touch the thread.
Corven Voss
I have not tested it. The disturbance points east, toward the ridge, while the burrower’s trail continues north. They may be separate.
Nera lowers her hand above the violet fragment without casting. Beyond the overlook, the eastern ridge lies empty beneath the pale sky, waiting for Mara’s decision.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether the second watcher knows Mara is examining their position
“"I'm tired of walking all over for this person." I pull soulcatcher out. " Soulcatcher, dance with me, Mettë leryalë, oira liltë i firini." The spell translates to eternal dance of the dead. It invokes the spirits of the cairns to go after and bring the second watcher to my location.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Arcana, rolled +1)
Mara
Soulcatcher, dance with me, Mettë leryalë, oira liltë i firini.
Soulcatcher arcs above the ash, and pale spirits rise from the cairns in a silent spiral. They follow the violet residue east, leaving every stone undisturbed.
The spirits return across the ridge with a young adult woman between them, tall and lean beneath a charcoal traveling cloak. Her dark braid is threaded with silver, and a white mask hangs at her hip.
She walks freely within the spectral escort, her hands visible and empty. The spirits guide her to the overlook, then settle around the cairns without touching her.
Vaelis Thorn
I came because the dead carried your summons, though they did not bind me. You wanted the second watcher.
Nera
That is her method, or someone trained in it. No return-path, no claim, and no face revealed until now.
The violet thread dims between Mara and the eastern spellcaster. Corven keeps his slate close, Elian watches the lower path, and the cairn spirits wait for Mara’s next choice.
Quest Complete
Identify the second watcher
New Gift: Mastered Intrusion Sense
“" thank you my friends, you may return to rest." I say to the spirits. I look to the second watcher. " Ok suga, what's your story." I ask giving a mesured look.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Persuasion, rolled +0)
Mara
Thank you, my friends. You may return to rest.
The cairn spirits bow around Mara without touching her, then dissolve into pale motes that sink between the stones. The overlook grows quiet again.
Mara
Okay, sugar. What's your story?
Mara gives the eastern spellcaster a measured look. The woman meets it steadily, her empty hands remaining visible while violet residue fades from the ash.
Vaelis Thorn
My name is Vaelis Thorn. I studied Veyra's observing craft under protest, then stripped away its hooks and return-paths when I understood what they enabled.
Vaelis Thorn
I watched the old road because the burrower follows its remembered warmth, and because Grey Gloves were measuring the same danger. I marked the crossing to compare their response, not to summon Mara.
Vaelis Thorn
I came east when the gray-badged scout appeared, erased my final sign, and waited beyond the ridge. Your spirits found me, but they did not compel me. I wanted to know whether you would ask before deciding what I was.
“" that's delightful you believe that. You see Elvish blade dance is our combat style, we mages all have an ability called Mettë leryalë or final release. Mine is called eternal dance of the dead, it's very nature is the being who I wish to me." I pause to let it sink in . "By force if necessary, so darling by very definition you where compelled to come. Now did you know I was examining your position?" I ask plainly with a thinn smile and I start to absorb all magical energy in the area.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Arcana, rolled -1)
Mara
That's delightful, you believe that. Elvish blade dance is our combat style. We mages all have Mettë leryalë, or final release. Mine is the Eternal Dance of the Dead, and its nature is the being I wish it to be.
Mara
By force if necessary. So, darling, by definition you were compelled to come. Did you know I was examining your position?
Mara pauses, letting the words settle. Then she opens her healed hand and draws at the magic around the overlook, pulling violet residue, ward-light, and lingering spectral traces into one controlled current.
The ash goes dull, the violet thread vanishes, and the cairn’s faint protective warmth folds into Mara without disturbing the stones. The surrounding workings fall quiet beneath her mastery.
Vaelis Thorn
I knew you were examining the place, yes. I felt the boundary being read, but not your exact sight. I came because your attention had already found me.
Vaelis Thorn
And you are right about one thing. Your spirits compelled my arrival in the plain sense. They did not command me, but they removed distance and made refusal impossible without fleeing.
The successful absorption leaves Mara briefly light-headed, and the last captured energy burns away one reserve of prepared power. Vaelis remains still, hands visible, while the emptied overlook offers no hidden magic to either woman.
Quest Complete
Determine whether the second watcher knows Mara is examining their position
New Gift: Perfected Intrusion Sense