The canopy darkens as a slender woman steps forward from the shadows, Her bone-white hair floating eerily in the air behind Her. She smiles broadly, the scythe in Her hands glimmering in the light.

You think to yourself: Wh-What? Here?

Lotheryn hides his face beneath a carpet of moss, his branches dipping slightly.

Softly, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says to you, "I did not commend your loyalty to your companion, little one."

Eirossel tilts her head curiously.

You have emoted: Elexia suddenly stiffens in surprise, her eyes looking up to Viravain, and then quickly finding the forest floor as she dips her head. "W-Welcome, Lady Goddess," she sputters.


Viravain drifts closer to you, the impenetrable darkness that haloes Her flexing as She moves, Her toes scraping the lush soil beneath Her.

Lotheryn surreptitiously sends protective roots to hide beneath you, ready to grasp her if necessary.

You have emoted: In her apparent fright, Elexia's hand drifts of its own accord to the storm glass amulet hung about her neck. She still does not move her eyes upwards, her head bowed respectfully.

Eirossel rocks to balance lightly upon her toes, watching Viravain and you with a curious expression.

Llani's wings buzz to life as she darts in front of you, her her own fright is quite apparent from her shaking hands as they tightly grasp her cudgel.

Her voice deep and low, its timbre matching the wind through dead branches, Viravain croons, "What a truly strong heart you must have, to face the Dark Spirits with such..." She gestures vaguely, a simple unfurling of Her fingers. "Poise."
You see a deer wander through a clearing in the distance.

Her eyes falling on the storm glass amulet, Viravain, Lady of the Thorns says to you, "Mmm. There is silver fire in your veins. Lisaera."

Lotheryn grows still, the tenants of his eaves taking refuge in hidden hollows as he watches Viravain.

You have emoted: Elexia finally lifts her eyes to Viravain, though her body is still immobile. "I... Lief is my dear mentor and sister. I was glad to accompany her there," she speaks just a little more coherently this time.

Her hand gripping her amulet more tightly, you say, "I am a Lisae, like my mother, and her father before her."

You think to yourself: Dance upon the cycles of life like leaves upon the wind. To do so is to know the Truth. The wheels of change will turn forever, yet it is not a certain truth, nor is it a logical truth...

Tilting Her head, Viravain continues, "A truly remarkable Elder. My Cousin commands the storms." She smiles again, Her eyes unblinking as She stares at you. "Would you do anything for Her?"

You think to yourself: I... yes. Of course... Yes.

Viravain's fingers trail along your cheek, almost motherly, save for the claw-like nails that scrape along your skin.

You have emoted: Her voice soft, Elexia nods quietly. "She is remarkable." The grip on her amulet causes her knuckles to go white from the force. "I would do all She asked of me," she says with a bit more firmness even from before.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across Viravain's lips.

You think to yourself: Her touch... Not unlike the Mother, but there's something else... Different, than when I am in the Weald in prayer...

Viravain withdraws Her hand slowly. "How wonderful for Her," She utters, Her green eyes flickering with wyrden flames.
You have emoted: Elexia watches Viravain's eyes, entranced for a moment before she shakes her head. "Thank You for allowing me safe passage in Your Wood," she chimes as she bobs her head once more. "And... Thank You for Your words here."

You think to yourself: Respectful... Mother of the Wyrd, and an Elder, be respectful.

Viravain drifts backwards, the unnatural darkness that envelopes Her widening as She moves. "Continue your solstice revelry, Serenwilde. I merely wished to offer My ..." She pauses briefly, the faint smile still playing along Her features before continuing, "...pleasure at having met such a loyal mortal."

The rowdy notes of a drinking song, faint at first, then rising to the undisputed intensity of a Dwarf On A Mission, herald the arrival of Ironbeard the Magnanimous who casts his beam of a smile about himself as he arrives.
Bowing deeply, and a bit unstably, Ironbeard the Magnanimous pronounces his blessing, "A gift for Eirossel. Oh yes!"

Jolanthe nods solemnly to Ironbeard the Magnanimous.

Ironbeard the Magnanimous taps his nose knowingly at Jolanthe.

Leaves rustling with fear, Sower Lotheryn the Tree of Knowledge says, "Merry Solstice, Lady Viravain."

Lotheryn gives a hexagonal honeycomb and buttercream tart to Viravain, Lady of the Thorns.

With a sudden look of concentration, Ironbeard the Magnanimous smiles a crooked smile, rubs his ample stomach, and fades to nothingness, followed by the sound of a distant belch.

Viravain looks at the tart in Her hands briefly, and then nods, Her smile fading.

You have emoted: Elexia takes a step back and clasps her hands together, finally prying her one hand free of her amulet. She bows deeply as she chimes, "Merry Solstice, Lady of Roses," in response.

Coiling sinuously about Her petite frame, stygian shadows cloak Viravain in an unnatural darkness and evanesce into the aether, leaving behind only the faintest scent of roses.

Viravain, Lady of the Thorns has bestowed Her divine truefavour upon you. It will last for 5 months.

You have emoted: Elexia takes in a deep breath, then releases it slowly. Even her wings droop as she slumps in exhaustion at even the brief encounter with the Divine.

Eirossel, Psalmist of the Treesongs says, "Well, what a time for Ironbeard to visit."

Jolanthe Myeras says to you, "Well, that certainly doesn't happen everyday."

Jolanthe Myeras says to Eirossel, "Most precise timing, really."

Lotheryn sighs in relief, as his roots sprout from the soil to offer a bower buttercups and bluebells to comfort you.

You think to yourself: That... was almost as stressful as having tread in the Wyrd itself. But, Her words were kind, if... What's the word... strong? Severe? There is a power to everyone She says.

Sower Lotheryn the Tree of Knowledge says, "I'm convinced that Ironbeard is a Vernal God of some kind."

You have emoted: Elexia smiles gratefully to Lotheryn as she closes her eyes and inhales the scent of the bluebells. "His timing... It really is impeccable," she finally manages as she laughs in an unnerved manner.

The corners of Jolanthe's mouth turn up as she grins mischievously.

With a weary smile, you say, "She was speaking of the other weave, when I followed the Awanydd Lief to the Wyrden Festival. Moon above, that was terrifying..."

You shake your head.