I have missed most of this last chapter, which is unfortunate since it was really the one I was most interested in... but life happens.
Anyway, over the past few months Riend has been sequestering herself in the Hall or Mages archives, trying to study up on rote magic in an attempt to understand more of what is going on (despite the fact that NONE of it is particularly rote magic, but you gotta begin somewhere). It's also given her time to come to grips with what happened four years ago. After the ritual she'd returned home to her forest where her family had instructed her to bury the events, pretend they had never happened... weakness is not something her mother abides. So she did, she locked away the entire year's events: possession, betrayl, shame. After that she was able to discuss events with the kind of cool detachment of a spectator, until Stone was freed and returned to the Landing. The night she discovered the Hall's plans for Stone she had a moment of weakness, she hastily made the decision to aid him in his escape. Thankfully Grishom knew her too well to let her know the truth, so when he met her this is what happened... (OOC NOTE: I left the log largely unaltered, mostly cleaned up and comments added where necessary for understanding (silly whimper verb).)


Grishom's voice whispers in your mind, "You seek me?"
You think to yourself, "Good evening, you are as ever resourceful. If you will forgive my impetus, I believe we should meet, soon and perhaps a bit away from your... guards."
Some guards move up to Riend's side, and escort her through the gate into the brass tower.
[Brass Tower, Entrance ]
Cold and damp, the tower interior is smaller than expected. A circular stairway leads to a landing above you, but the upper portion of it is scorched and twisted. You also see a sturdy wooden chair, a sturdy wooden chair, a small wash basin, a wooden bookshelf, a brass stool, a stained wooden worktable, a sturdy wooden chair and a sturdy wooden chair.
Also here: Lord Grishom
Obvious exits: up, out
The guards bow, and leave.
Grishom flashes a wide grin.
Grishom gives you a lingering kiss on the hand.
Grishom says, "Hello, Riend."
You glance out.
You nod slightly at Grishom.
You dryly note, "It would seem the conditions of your confinement have altered since last I saw you."
Speaking politely to Grishom, you say, "Lord Stone."
You incline your head.
Grishom asks, "Have they?"
Grishom smirks.
Grishom hugs you, and you wrap him in a warm embrace.
Grishom says, "It is good to see you."
Grishom says, "There comes great comfort, in familiar faces."
A cold shiver runs up your back and you tremble ever so slightly.
Grishom says, "Please, have a seat."
Grishom pulls out a chair.
Riend takes a moment to collect herself, slowly unclenching each muscle and allowing the the simplicity of the act to relax her.
You settle yourself on the wooden chair for a moment's rest.
You fold your hands in your lap.
You pointedly ask, "I would venture to say that you are aware of what the Hall has planned for you?"
Grishom nods.
Grishom says, "Yes."
Grishom says, "I agreed to such."
You raise an eyebrow in Grishom's direction.
Grishom says, "To be given the chance, to end the darkness I helped foster."
Grishom asks, "Heroic, isn't it?"
Speaking to Grishom, you say, "Yes, which begs the question of what your plan of escape is."
You take a deep breath.
You carefully say, "...and if I may help."
Grishom smirks.
Grishom asks, "You would see me free from the Hall?"
You feel a dull pressure on the left side of your head, and for a moment, memories flash before your eyes, of youth, of the Gorge, of home, of yesterday, of today.
You close your eyes for a moment.
Riend forces the memories back for a moment, concentrating on the conversation at hand before she comes to her senses. She knows this is wrong, she knows she is weak.
Grishom turns an inquisitive ear toward you.
Speaking to Grishom, you clarify, "I would not see you encased in glass, incapable of movement and left to the horrors of your own mind."
Speaking emotionally to Grishom, you admit, "I am not fooled, I know what you are and what you have done... but you have been tortured beyond what I can comprehend, I could not stand by and watch you endure it again."
Grishom grins slowly.
Grishom says, "I am moved, by your words Riend."
Grishom says, "But understand, I deserve this."
Speaking firmly to Grishom, you disagree, "No one deserves this."
Grishom says, "I would argue that."
Grishom says, "You know Riend...."
Grishom says, "Many of the women I murdered...."
You cock your head at Grishom.
Grishom says, "I felt little for. Beyond their appearance, beyond that initial....emotion it caused in me. To help fuel the spell, the ritual...."
Grishom says, "Emotion was as much as a component as the blood was."
Riend shifts uncomfortably, torn between wishing to understand and despising having to hear it.
Grishom says, "But I cared for you, truly."
Grishom says, "Our time spent together, was longer than many others before."
You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.
Grishom says, "It was not enough to stop my path, or the Shadows grip on me..."
Grishom says, "But another time...another place...another world....perhaps..."
Grishom smirks.
Grishom waves his hand in a dismissive gesture.
Grishom gives you a lingering kiss on the forehead.
Grishom asks, "You asked, what can you do to help? To set me free?"
Speaking sadly to Grishom, you say, "There was a time I would have wished I could believe you, that I could have loved you in a way that would have stopped you... but I was not strong enough."
You realize there are some important matters you should tend to . . . later.
Grishom nods.
Grishom says, "Your words tonight, have freed me."
Grishom says, "I thank you."
You feel your face flush to the tips of your ears.
Grishom kisses you, his mouth lingering on yours.
You close your eyes for a moment.
You sigh softly.
(Riend reaches up to brush her fingertips across his cheek, before slowly pulling away.)
You quietly say, "We do whatever it takes."
Grishom grabs your hand.
Grishom gives you a lingering kiss on the hand.
Grishom nods.
Grishom says, "Precisely, whatever it takes."
You blink.
You glance skeptically at Grishom.
Speaking firmly to Grishom, you add, "Without murdering innocent people."
Grishom asks, "May I ask a favor, for someone else then?"
Grishom asks, "In my place?"
You frown, staring questioningly at Grishom.
Speaking confusedly to Grishom, you ask, "What do you mean?"
Grishom grins.
Grishom says, "I mean, you sought to help me."
Grishom says, "But I do not deserve it."
Grishom says, "So I would ask you help someone else."
Speaking uncertainly to Grishom, you ask, "And let them imprison you for who knows how long... to whatever fate they choose?"
Grishom nods to you.
Grishom says, "It is a fitting end. Do not worry about me."
Grishom says, "I will ask you of this though."
Grishom says, "When the time comes...."
Grishom says, "Save Glethad."
Grishom grins.
You close your eyes for a moment.
You will speak quietly on your next message.
You resignedly say, "I will do all that I can to help him."
You tilt your head up.
Speaking tenderly to Grishom, you ask, "Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?"
Grishom grins.
Grishom says, "Nothing."
Grishom says, "They will come for me, I am told, on the Eve of the Huntress."
Grishom says, "I will not resist them."
Grishom says, "If I do not speak to you before then...."
Grishom says, "Goodbye Riend Ar'Fiernel."
Grishom pulls you to your feet.
Grishom kisses you, his mouth lingering on yours
Poor baby! [whimper]
You pull Grishom closer to you.
You kiss Grishom, your mouth lingering on his.
You furrow your brow, and you feel a single tear makes its way down your cheek.
Speaking dolefully to Grishom, you respond, "Goodbye, Grishom Stone."