Chapter Text
Our heroes’ trip to meet with Cantor Krinze and High Cantor Viti does not go the way Zerith-Var had hoped. He hung his head as he walks beside Mariska who rides atop her spectral indrik mount. She had offered Zerith a hand up, but he did not feel like he deserved such luxury. He offered to portal them anywhere that she wishes, but she declined saying that she needs some time to clear her head.
He has successfully persuaded the High Cantor to their cause, but ultimately fails in hiding his past mistakes. Krinze, now one with the spirit of Talbirra, has fled and Zerith is afraid that their friendship is truly over. He deserves no less for his past actions. Viti who is much heartened after speaking with her sister’s spirit is watching over the young cantor. She told Mariska that when they are ready, they will contact them about going after Ravith-mora once their preparations are complete.
They slowly make their way down the road from Dune toward Rawl’kha. Mariska does business with a traveling merchant to lighten her pack. The pair come across a couple beggars along the way that Mariska offers coin and food to.
Zerith sighs as he watches all the good in the world that his tamiit does. Not for the first time he wonders why he is worthy of her attention. Even after their heated words after the cantor left, she is still by his side. She does not seem angry, only sadness follows her.
Once in Rawl’kha, Mariska books them the last room at the inn. They eat their dinners slowly and eventually find their way to their room. After she finishes caring for her gear, she lets her hair down and begins to brush it as she watches Zerith tend to his armor.
“You must have really loved Ravith.” Mariska quietly comments.
Zerith pauses in his work before forcing himself to continue. “I thought I did. We were young and thought we knew everything. To this day, I am unsure why Talbirra partnered us together. For the longest time, I thought it was because she wanted me to temper Ravith’s overzealous nature. This one only found it difficult to say no to her eagerness.”
“Maybe it wasn’t about what Ravith needed, but about what you needed.”
“This one does not understand what you are trying to say, tamiit.”
“From the memories I have seen, it could be that Talbirra was trying to temper your over confidence.”
“Talbirra would not wish for me to fail.”
“It’s not that she wished for it, only that she wanted you to learn from it.”
“What could someone learn from failing to send the lost souls back on their path to Azurah.”
“Okay, so maybe not so much failure as experiencing disappointment.”
Zerith sets down his armor and begins work on his greatsword. He looks unhappy about the turn in the conversation.
“You can’t save everyone, Zerith. Not everyone wants to be saved and not everyone agrees with what it is to be saved.”
“You are one to talk.”
“Oh, I am aware of my flaws, tamiit. I have lived with them a long time and lost many people because of my actions. It is because of my failures and disappointments that I strive to be better.”
Mariska sets down her brush and climbs into bed. Zerith watches her from the corner of his eye. He is aggressively tending to his sword, but keeps his mouth closed.
“I am not trying to fight with you, tamiit. I am trying to help you find your way back to the path,” she quietly says as she settles into bed.
Zerith finishes with his sword and looks over to find Mariska now asleep. Ja’kh has appeared and is curled up at her feet. He shakes his head at the little cat. After Zerith has situated his gear, he takes off his shirt and climbs into the other side of the bed. He turns and watches Mariska sleep as he considers her words.