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"A memory for safe passage" the sphinx repeated.
A memory for passage, a simple trade. The words "I've seen worse" along with the thoughts of a seasoned tiefling came to the forefront of Soren's mined. A determined look on his face as the small party tracked the missing children.
The memory morphed to the tiefling sitting opposite him. Soren watched as Iaus methodically cleaned the three pears of shoes he carried with him as the two sat their watch with the warmth of the fire keeping the chill of the night air at bay.
The fire dimmed, the air grew damp, the weight of ahead resting on his shoulder. Soren listened to the slow rhythmic breathing of Iaus while he grabbed whatever sleep he could get, his tail subconsciously coiling around Soren's forearm.
Iaus' tail tightened sending a pain through Soren as he felt Rowena twist the knife further into him, his own knife that he once wielded freely was now being used against himself but all Soren could do was watch Iaus.
The animalistic look of being cornered Iaus portrayed was more painful then the physical pain he was in. Iaus had the young half dwarf on his hip while his son Barrin and the other boy were tucked behind him, as he trying to shield them from the manic father westpike and the new horror that was taken place before the ancient stone.
The feeling of frozen stones under foot as Soren stood at the doorway of the only inn in this nowhere village he had been calling home. Iaus had stopped mid sentence, his full attention now on Soren. The gruff looking man behind the bar didn't look pleased with Iaus and certainly was not happy with Soren as he let all the hot air leave the open door way.
Iaus went to take a step but ended up just scuffing his foot in hesitation, he looks like he wanted to hug him. For a man that normally wouldn't let anyone know his thoughts they were written on his brow so vividly. Disbelief at seeing the presumed dead man breathing in front of him, relief at seeing the presumed dead man breathing in front of him, fear, for if the the dead man is here then is the gate still open?
~
"Memory of this man will do as your payment, Soren" the sphinx went to reach out to grab at something that she was only privy to, the same gesture made towards the rest of Soren's party.
"No!" Taken a back by his own refusal, Soren halted those memories were precious "Take something else! Please, please not him"
"Very well" with the go-ahead the sphinx took something. Soren couldn't tell what he allowed to slip past but he remembered Iaus that's all that mattered.