"Quite a number of the knights of our order take great satisfaction in dispatching the evil in defence of the weak," Ludomir tells Shiva with a knowing grin for her and Alaris. "I will reserve my judgement. As for the abyss... the realm of demons, yes. What exactly is it that you wish to know?"

Shiva rolls her eyes, unable to suppress a now sincere smile. "Whatever you say." She then looks to Caio and nods solemnly before giving Alaris a nudge with her elbow "I got your back too, hun." Her mind almost slips to a darker thought of what it would mean for Alaris if she ever truly lost herself, but she pushes it away and focuses on The Abyss.

"I would like to know about the forces that control it, if there are any? And if you are aware of any stories about mariliths?"

"After a fashion, perhaps," Ludomoir tells Shiva with a wry smile. "Like all of the lower planes, the abyss is said to be comprised of layers. Perhaps an infinite number of layers, always changing and merging and dividing. It is a realm of chaos. Each of these layers is said to be ruled by a demon prince. Their will to destroy and dominate others gives a demon realm form. Marilith demons originate from one such realm."

The man pauses and drinks a gulp from his water skin.

"Of course, this is all just theory."

"I see." Shiva's brow furrows as she does her best to conceptualize what Ludomir is describing. "What layer are mariliths thought to come from?"

"A dread realm known as Vudra," Ludomir elaborates, tilting his head slightly in curiousity. "Why do you ask?"

"Vudra." Shiva whispers to herself, rolling the name around in her mind. "There is evidence to suggest that my lineage traces back to a marilith. I don't have any living blood relatives, so I have been trying to uncover more information on my own. I've never met another tiefling with my...features." She gestures to herself with a knowing smile.

"Hm," Ludomir muses with mild amusement. "What would you do if it were true?"

"I would continue to live as I always have." Shiva says with a shrug. "It's more a matter of knowing. I don't even have a family name, and I've had experiences that make me believe that powerful forces are interested in me for my heritage."

"'The weapon of the enemy'," Ludomir intones with a smile. "Guard it well."

Once Caio has finished setting up camp, the travellers settle in for their evening meal, before bedding down for the night while Astrid takes the first watch. Only the tiniest specks of the pitch black sky can be made out from amidst the dense shadows cast by the trees of the forest. However, for now, the woods seem quiet in the wake of the undead attack.

Nimue rises in the small hours of the morning to relieve Shiva of her watch and a mote of flame blossoms to life in the air in front of the young Elf. It curls and unfurls into a sheet of parchment that drifts smoking towards the ground. A sheet of parchment signed Valentine Morgenstern. She glances around, but appears that nobody else has seen the fire message arrive.

Nimue stares down at the parchment for a long moment. Oh Mother. What did you do. She shakes her head, sighing inwardly. Perhaps she'd find out. Perhaps this was simply another step in the journey. She reaches out, grasping it delicately in her hand, blowing on it gently to disperse the remaining smoke. "Well Valentine," she murmurs quietly. "What now?"

Her brow creases as she reads the letter. Then her heart drops into the pit of her stomach. You bastard. She swallows, taking a deep breath, leaning her head back against the tree she was sitting against, trying not to let panic seep in. 

A chain dances through his hands, blessed steel caressing his tan skin like a lover. His body moves with more grace than power, spinning round and sending the meteor crashing through one, two, three targets. He changes abruptly and sends the weapon into retrograde to reduce the blunted projectiles fired at him into splinters. The steel makes its rapid orbit once more, then with the gentlest tug it is sent rocketing through the last dummy. Caio snaps it back and catches the head in his open palm. It’s familiar, like a long lost friend.

The raucous squawk of a cormorant rouses him from his trance, and threatens to wake the rest of the party as well. Thankfully Ghoul quiets as Caio prowls over but the bird gives him a pleading look as he points his beak to Nimue several feet away, saddling up her horse in the dim light. “Where are you going?” His voice is right behind her as if he’s been there in the shadows the whole time.

Nimue freezes, her hands tightening around the edge of the saddle. She hadn't expected to wake anyone, had hoped to slip away quietly, as if she'd never been there. "I'm...." Nimue finds herself almost lost for words. She releases the saddle, turning slightly towards him. "He has my brother," she says quietly.

“I see.” Caio turns his gaze to the darkened forest around them, piercing through the trees to search for some inscrutable solution to the problems that continue to beset them again and again. The birds haven’t begun to sing yet, only silence answers him. “Do you need help?” he says at last.

She wanted to say yes. She didn't want to do this, do any of this, alone. She had been so certain of what she needed to do, and now.... Everything was changing. Instead, she leans her head against the saddle, running a hand through her hair. "I have to do this. And I have to do this....alone." She looks at Caio. "There's no other way." 

Alaris snores for a loud moment, then rolls over in their blankets with a fluttery sigh as the bleak days of hungry street-running play themselves out again in their sleep.

As Alaris falls into silent slumber once more, Caio turns back to Nimue. “I understand. Completely.” The last word sits heavy between them. “I won’t ask you to lie to me and promise you’ll stay safe. Do try and keep in touch though, especially if you uncover anything that could help us hunt the bastard down. Or if you run into Ling.” His voice trails a bit and for once the calculated inquisitor seems unsure of what to say next

The silence is deafening, and Nimue can't take her eyes from his. She doesn't want to. For once, she knows what it is that she wants. And it's something she can't have. "I wish...." she starts, her voice trailing off. There's another moment of heavy silence. "I wish I didn't have to go." Her voice almost breaks, and she stops short. She draws a strand of hair behind her ear, shoving away the feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. For once, she's glad her Grandmother isn't here. Not that she isn't listening.

"If....I mean... when I find Valentine, I'll look for her. Anything I can do to help. I will." She turns back to the saddle, not trusting herself to speak.

“I know.” he responds with a solemn breath. One hand extends to grasp the woman’s shoulder in a small gesture of comfort. 

At least this time you’re getting to say goodbye, and you know where she’s headed. Good chance you’ll cross paths again. We both know that’s not always the case.

Before the stifling silence can overwhelm them, Caio releases his grip and nods off down the road. “You should get going before the others wake, unless of course you’re in need of one last scolding from Nikolai.”

She closes her eyes, his hand a small comfort on her shoulder. When he draws it back, Nimue smiles, a sad look in her eyes. "He means well. I don't hold that against him." She looks off down the road. She looks back at him. "Don't tell them where I've gone." She turns to Ghoul. "And you take care of them." 

Tearing herself from both of them, she gracefully mounts her horse. She looks down at Caio one last time. "I'll keep in touch." Without another word, she starts off, back towards Piotrgrad. Her eyes darken, and she steels herself, resolute in her choice. Only once does she look back, but turns back to the road before her. I'll find you again. Someday.

A soft murmur comes from the formerly snoring pile of blankets. "You okay, Caio?"  Two silvery eyes capture the starlight and glitter with unshed tears as Alaris gazes up at their friend.