Episode 3 Sneak Peek #11

From a "you got fired branch" where Veyer is present. This is from my June document; I'm really hoping that I will be able to get the game patched soon and start working on new content ASAP so we can move on to something that's not an Aeran or Veyer branch. 😅 

[CHOICE] 4. “What is your plan when we get to the tower, then? You must have one.”

“Of course,” Zenaida says, relief washing over her face. She seems quite pleased to leave your former line of questioning behind. “Unfortunately, it must be adapted due to circumstance, but as Savant Krellion has graced us with their presence, all might not be lost.”

Veyer flashes you a grin. “I am thrilled to hear what you have in mind,” they say, reclining in their seat and folding their hands in their lap with the air of someone settling in to watch an entertaining play. “Please, Your Grace. Enlighten us.”

A bird caws overhead. You raise your chin, craning your neck as you spot the small, dark shadow cutting across the sky. The soft pinks and greys of the early morning have been chased away by the sun, making way for a vivid, cloudless blue. The swirling mist has faded at last from the river, warming with the rising sun. The back of your neck already feels warm. It seems Velantian summers do not spare the heat.

“Our goal is not to simply retrieve the Astrial,” Zenaida begins. “We must do so without detection. Diradan Tower has been under watch since the explosion—the Guild, the Velantian government, the Arcanists’ Lodge, even the Meissandium are monitoring the shroud. They have conjured orbs to survey the tower day and night and report on any changes.”

1. “So? It’s not like they can detect me.”
[CHOICE] 2. “…sounds like those are going to be a problem. How do we get rid of them?”
3. Let her continue.

“They are far more than a simple problem, Wayfarer $lastname,” Zenaida says. “They could compromise the mission itself. The orbs’ casters will be on guard, searching for any discrepancy, any small change, any inconsistency—”

“—and the moment I leave a physical trail, they’ll know,” you conclude. “And if the tower’s abandoned, an open door that shouldn’t be open or a trail of footprints that shouldn’t be there will raise their suspicions. I’m guessing we’d like to avoid a fight with whoever might be watching?”

She smiles hollowly. “It would not do for you to retrieve the Astrial from its chamber only for it to fall into unwanted hands upon your exit.”

Veyer raps their fingers against the gunnel. “Ah, so that’s why you need me. A simple solution, Your Grace. You’re fortunate I’m fond of $firstname. I wonder what you would if that wasn’t the case?”

Malsara curses under her breath. It is the first sound she has made since you got in the boat. “Listen and keep your mouth shut, Krellion,” she says flatly, her dark eyes boring into theirs. “The tower will be in sight soon. We are almost there.”

You straighten, adjusting your posture as you peer past the bow. The river bends ahead, its shoreline overshadowed with trees, obscuring the tower from view. You’re not sure how much time has passed since you left Mahanin, but you are well into the morning now. How long has Aeran been scouting? Has he been there all night?

And if these surveillance orbs are as troublesome as Zenaida implies, how has he managed to avoid them?

Sweat trickles down the back of your neck and it has nothing to do with the sun.

“Wayfarer Kellis did propose disabling the surveillance orbs,” Zenaida continues. “But we feared it would bring unnecessary attention to our activities. Fortunately, with Savant Krellion’s aid, we can distract them instead—create a construction illusion of the grounds to mask your movement within the complex.”

Veyer whistles. “You have a high regard for my abilities, Your Grace. I hope I can live up to them. How many surveillance orbs were there again? Dozens…? Hundreds…?”

“We do not need to incapacitate all of them, merely the ones in Wayfarer $lastname and Wayfarer Kellis’ direct path,” she says crossly. “Quinn mapped the orbs’ positions herself, but unfortunately we are without her help. We will have to rely on the results of Wayfarer Kellis’ reconnaissance to determine which areas to target.”

“That explains what Veyer, Aeran and I will be doing,” you interject, trying not to wince at that particular combination of names. You were prepared for a certain level of mortification, but this is more than you want to think about. “What about you and Nova?”

“I will ward Veyer so they are not detected,” Zenaida replies. “Nova will support me. You must remember that is a covert mission, Wayfarer $lastname. It will be only us. Should something befall us, we will stand alone. No one will come to our aid.”

You nudge $blade’s hilt with your fingers.

1. Stay positive. Despite her ominous tone, you have a feeling her cynicism is a result of last night’s proceedings than true belief that her plan will not work.
2. Stay wary. She may have planned for as many contingencies as possible, but no plan is ever perfect. Without the support of Lethalis itself, you are at a severe disadvantage.
[CHOICE] 3. Keep your thoughts to yourself. You’re here to do a job.

You exhale sharply and scratch the back of your neck. You can see Veyer watching you out of the corner of your eye. Their characteristic smirk has disappeared now your journey is nearly at its end. The gravitas of what you’re about to do—what they have voluntarily involved themself in—must be sinking in.

Zenaida twists her fingers in her lap. “Wayfarer $lastname,” she begins quietly. “If I—”

Malsara grips her shoulder and rises to her feet, lethally still and alert as the boat rounds the final bend.