Orb ; rebirth decline 8

[sorcerous]

Heroes; to me.

[ His skin is blue and his eyes aglow with red; he has disregarded his glamour entirely. He has learned, now, that his Role has changed overnight, and that he will have to relearn all he once knew, as far as his sorcery mixes with this place.

There is a tightness to his tone, a firmness, a dignity and an urgency. Not the sharp-tongued princeling, at the moment. ]

We face destruction, lest we act. To me. I am [ address of an apartment, rooms that he has rented from a recalcitrant landlord for a week or so ]; respond, or come to me if you are willing.

[ His urgency is a bit hypocritical; after all, he delayed because of his own problems. Nonetheless: he can delay no longer. The Hero of the Mountains is here, and she must be killed. ]

Comments

[sorcerous]

Enough. Pray do not risk yourself; there is temporal magic afoot, and the danger is great.

[ Please don't get involved, Mom. Please please please. -- He's scared for her. ]

[matrimony]

I am not unfamiliar with dangers. But if the risk is as great as you say, there will be need of preparations here in the event that something goes awry. [she'll hold down the fort]

[sorcerous]

[ He exhales, shakily. His fingers twitch; he would reach out to touch her, but they are an orb away. An impenetrable sphere of glass. ]

I am sorry we did not speak when I was restored.

[ It's an apology. He could have sought her out. He was afraid. ]

This world has changed what I am, from wizard-sorcerer to what they call a foundling prince. A creature discarded by royal parents, and raised far away. It means magic is out of my reach.

[ His voice is soft but tight, emotion brutally choked back. ]

[matrimony]

[There's an awful lot that she would like to say to that, but she prefers to say her piece in private, and in person. And more besides, what she heard alarmed her.]

They took your magic?

[sorcerous]

My powers were too broad for the Role they fit for me.

[matrimony]

But to take it completely.

[sorcerous]

Not completely...

The power of ice remains.

[matrimony]

I pray it will be enough for this venture.

[sorcerous]

And my strength has returned. I was feeble as a mortal when I arrived.

[matrimony]

This place has been most cruel to you, has it not?

[sorcerous]

[ He swallows. ]

Mother...

[ His eyes glint; there are tears that he refuses to shed. He fell here, alone, just a month ago -- and it had worn terribly on him since.

He looks away. ]

[matrimony]

[Gently] Go and do what you must. Be safe. And when you return, come to me. We will talk.

[sorcerous]

We will.

[ It is a promise. ]

[matrimony]

Until then, my son.