[K108.24] 37 Ortackus

We left the Council escorted by six guards. The advocate came with us part of the way, telling us that we'd been more talkative than we should have been, but it worked for us, and so on. He reminded us not to name names, since that could get into awkward territory, especially because now they'd call us back individually, checking our answers against the others'. It's all about the politics: we may be here to do good things, but if they are not in the direction the Council wants to go, then that could get awkward. It's likely that only two of us will be called, but there's always the possibility of more. They'll likely grill us about the people dead in last night's events, our relationship to them, and so on, because most of the representatives on the Council were linked to someone there.

The advocate went back to the Council, and as we continued on, I noticed Mirashan watching us. She's not been caught up in the Council stuff, which is good.

Once we were back in the barracks at the House, we discussed what to tell the Council. The truth, of course, but there are things that we can leave out unless they ask directly about them. And as the advocate said, avoid naming names.

There was a knock on the door, and someone said there was a woman to see us; it was Mirashan. She came in, and told us some of the things she heard this morning. According to Hab's testimony, the people doing the ritual were doing bad stuff, and we weren't, which is good to hear.

Mirashan also talked with Hab after that, and found out more about the curse: Years ago, when she became Blessed, Baz was her mentor. She was glad not only to have a mentor, but a friend, since most Blessed of Death are outside most society. Thorfold was a Warrior of the Defender at that time (76 years ago), and there was a plague of time spirits attacking the town. The shrine was set up to help defend the town, and heal, and prevent things like the current situation dockside. Thorfold decided that Baz was behind the plague, and went to Hab's place, and killed Baz. He tried to kill Hab, but she escaped to her holy place. The Council at that time didn't do much to Thorfeld for this; he had been useful in setting up the shrine. The plague continued, and Thorfold decided it was death and destruction doing it. He went with 14 followers to strengthen themselves before fighting followers of the Storm King. But this didn't work right at the shrine, perhaps because it was for killing rather than for defense, and it rebounded on them, killing them all. Hab couldn't take care of the bodies because of the mixed death and life energies there. And for years after, no healers could come to town. (That's why the Council was so interested in my lack of difficulty coming!)

Hab also sent a message for Cor: you can't push Death away with onen and and wield it with the other.

There are rituals for defenders to be better able to defend or heal. Because this group used the shrine, I suspect that the mixed energy (girding themselves, but to be able to deal death) went into the shrine and on into the rock below the city, since they're connected. Hab can't go to the shrine, and she thinks I can't either, because of the mixing of the energies. Hab didn't deal with the bodies; I wonder what happened to them?

Mirashan also said that there are a lot of people infected with fog and mist spirits. And that Warukashal is on 'our' side because of the kayfarth berries, which they're mostly in charge of.

Cor wondered whether Baz's killing was part of the wound. I don't know. Perhaps, though I would guess not in the same way.