Weylin, Demelza, and their dyrs had been dismissed by Ishmael. As much as Weylin would have liked to think he could walk out on his own accord, he was grateful when Demelza scooped him up. Beth had climbed up on top of Oberon, her hindquarters aching painfully with each movement. She held onto the big ole bear, nuzzling her nose against the scruff of his neck as they walked.

Tears continued to fall down Weylin's cheeks. "I'm so sorry," he whispered to Demelza, as if the whole thing had been entirely his own fault.

Demelza & Oberon

Demelza had gone in cocky, but when she exited with Weylin & Beth in her arms, her expression had changed. Her mouth was in a tight line and her eyes were lit with righteous anger. There was even a touch of shame, as she thought of how easily @ishamel had been able to threaten them into silence.

“Hush now,” Demelza said, pulling Weylin close, “Hush, there’s nothing to be sorry about. We’ll fix this. We’ll fix this together.” The words felt hollow as she said them. How could they? Would they ever?

Demelza would stop and lay Weylin & Beth down within eyesight of Ona & Obri, though Liza had yet to see her.

Regan watched from a distance. Half-shifted in her hellhound form, far from the wolves with their sharp teeth. Zevran would be in the midst of those gathered, his sacrifice nothing of note. Certainly not enough to earn him a brand. Regan’s wolfish ears were tuned to the sounds of whatever was to come.

Weylin was still trembling and Beth moved into his arms once Demelza & Oberon had set him down. They were soon approached by a woman and her dyr, Ona & Obri. Weylin had never met her before but he recognized her as the woman in the tavern that Demelza had been with when Ishmael had entered after her. He didn't speak to the woman, knowing she was addressing Liza more than him.

Demelza’s head rose when she heard Ona & Obri’s voice. Ona—a beauty wasted on the cruelty of Elderkeep. A flower in the desert of what Dresmond had once been. The rage in her eyes lit anew, casting the shame into sharper relief.

“He said my tribute had been paid. That Weylin was…was—“ Demelza swallowed the hot, angry tears that rolled down her cheeks. “I hate them,” she hissed as she rocked Weylin, “I hate them and I hope they all burn.”

No, Weylin didn't know Ona well but he still melted into her embrace with Demelza still rocking him. Too scared and heartbroken and pained to even care that he was being so weak in this moment. Silent tears cascading down his cheeks once again as he soaked in their comfort.

Beth, hesitant at first about the new dyr, accepted his comfort as she began to lick at her wound but that only made it hurt worse so she quickly stopped. Monsters. How could they? She had no idea that kind of torture their people had truly been suffering all these years.

Weylin looked up at Ona & Obri as she spoke to him and sniffed as he wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. "That day that he came into the tavern and he had the fight with Liza...I went after him to try to stand up for her. As a result he demanded I work for him and that is what would be my tribute...Our tribute I guess," he said, glancing at Demelza & Oberon again. "It's why I was up there taking notes for him." He started to tremble again though he tried to control it. "I don't know what else he'll make Beth and me do for him..."

A loud screeching would rip across the open field of Dresmondi, a Gifted Eldouir with a sonic scream Gift, and it would hurt. It would make them forcefully bow or sink to the ground cowering to cover their ears until it stopped. At that point Ishmael Eldouir would grace the people of Dresmond with his presence which stopped the screeching.

Another useless Eldouir would be used to amplify the Eldouirs voice:

"Times are changing...again. The days of self pity are over; no more scampering about in the mud like scared little pigs!" his voice boomed yet he wasn't really yelling, however everyone would begin to notice the gathering of rats dozens of them seemingly pouring from the shadows where the torches lights couldn't reach; behind and below Ishmael. When Ishmael paused to scan the crowd the wings of birds could be heard but not seen. Ishmael pressed on, "We've supported you people long enough and it's time the crutch is kicked out from under you! Your Tributes have been laughable at best and your lands are dying. Do you not wish for your lush and fruitful lands? Your preceived notions of freedom? From now on Tributes will require a solid contribution to the future of this kingdom! While the days of caravans are long gone the prosperity of your dyrs and previous ways of living is very much a useful asset: tomorrow is a new frontier! Tomorrow we start expanding the borders of Elderkeep, we sow the fields for food, we start the construction of a kingdom built by the gifts of your dyrs! You want food? You'll grow it! What you grow will not only keep the tab paid for feeding the Eldouir, your Masters, but it will feed you! If you want shelter? You'll build it and you will expand! With our guidance we will return these lands back to the land of Milk and Honey! With your dyrs and the healing of your lands I have the belief we will return your precious medallion and once again return your ability to pair your people with the only thing that makes you worth...well anything..."

Another pause. More rats. More birds. It seemed actually that the entire ground was moving around the still masses of Dresmondi.

"Resistance and acts of rebellion will result in one outcome: death. I am Ishmael Eldouir and I am of the many...the small eyes and ears," this seemed to make the countless droves of animals hype up, the birds flew low taking nips at dyr, Dresmondi, and Eldouir a like, "I'll know before you of everything that goes down within this kingdom...but work with me and not against me, and you can have a brighter future. Go! Celebrate! Dance! Sing! Heal! Be prepared though for tomorrow and the new frontier!"

Ishmael turned and left, and the Eldouir filed in a line to follow.

(Everyone can do a final reaction post but this thread is basically finished.)

Regan listened to the Eldouir with her wolfish ears pricked. Once he’d finished speaking and the crowd started to disburse, she’d spring into her werewolf form and dash back to Elderkeep, slipping in with the others to go back to the safe haven of Zevran’s wagon. It was there that she’d wait for him…though it was becoming increasingly evident that Zevran’s days were numbered. That night, Regan would listen to the man’s rattling breath as if each were to be his last.

[ EXIT REGAN ]

Demelza nodded quietly and lifted Weylin & Beth to his feet. She would spend the entire journey home blinking back tears, trying to stay strong. The woman had always been a beam of light, but she felt her light dimming.

One step at a time, little one. One step at a time.

Demelza took a shuddering breath as she felt her bear dyr’s head on her shoulder. One step at a time…but to where? To where?

[ EXIT DEMELZA ]