Now Livia could not only smell the sea, but hear and see it too. She was still getting used to the fact that it was blue here in Berodyl instead of red, but it was a beautiful sight all the same. The tall grass gave way to shorter patches with softer earth weaving between them. As she looked out to the horizon, something else caught her eye. “White rapids… why are there white rapids so far out to sea?”

“They don’t call it the Bleeding Sea for nothing,” Krey said.

“So it literally… bleeds? Where does the water go?”

“Far, far down… down into Low’th. It encircles Berodyl, an inscrutable abyss.”

“How does Berodyl not run out of water?”

“To the east, one of the two oceans that divides the continents is called the Infinite Fountain. I’ll give you three guesses why it’s called that.”

“I think I can figure it out,” Livia nodded.

Krey pointed to their left, spotting a figure on the shoreline. “There. I think that’s who we’re looking for.”

Livia squinted, and could just about see them. She was quite a bit south from their current position. She had hair as red as her homeland’s cinnabar-stained waters, and wore robes of brightest white. It’s definitely her, Livia thought. It’s definitely Hierophant Emilie.

As they got closer to the hierophant, and to the end of land, Livia noticed that the edge was not a smooth beach, but a sheer edge from which water only flowed in one direction: out to the falls. Emilie showed no signs of noticing their approach, so when Krey and Livia were finally near, they announced their arrival. “Your Holiness,” Krey beckoned.

Emilie jolted upright from her somewhat slouched position of prayer on her knees. She ascended to her feet and turned to look at them; Livia saw her eyes were that same staunch red.

“Hello, Sir Knight. I was not expecting company.”

Livia stepped forward. “We’ve come looking for answers, about the ways between worlds. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

Emilie smiled. “Ah… Livia, if I recall correctly. I remember you. You were just as direct when you first arrived.”

“Forgive her, Your Holiness,” Krey interjected. “She means no disrespect.”

Emilie bowed her head. “I’m sure. And what is your name, Sir Knight? I recognise you from Ardour Temple as well, but… I don’t think I ever heard your name.”

“Zoubor. Krey Zoubor.”

“May I call you Krey?”

Krey’s eyes darted around for a moment before returning to Emilie’s face. “I… if it pleases you, Your Holiness.”

Livia looked between the two of them in silence for a moment, then continued speaking. “Look, uh, Your Holiness… if you don’t mind, I need to be direct again. I hear that leaving Berodyl isn’t possible anymore, but that’s not great for me, since I’m not from here. Have you seen Phyrn? I understand you hierophants commune with the gods.”

“Seen her?” Emilie almost seemed to recoil. “Livia… no one has seen the gods since the destruction of the mystic pharos nearly three thousand years ago, when Berodyl was first taking shape. We hierophants listen to the whispers of the gods, but… actually see them? I’m afraid not.” she turned back toward the sea. “However… I am hoping that that is about to change. I have been praying without interruption ever since I arrived here… but no matter how much I try to reach out with my faith, I receive no reply.” she sighed. “I am a hierophant… I cannot let my faith waver… and yet…”

Livia’s hand rose to the pommel of Veridis. “I have no idea if it’ll be of any use, but I think I’ve got something that might help.” she drew her deifacted blade, and held it out for Emilie to inspect.

“Oh my…” the hierophant seemed almost breathless at the sight of it. “What… what is this beautiful sword?”

“It’s called Veridis. It might help us reach out to Phyrn.”

“How?”

“She made it for me.”

“The goddess made this… for you? It would seem there is more to you than meets the eye, Livia.”

Livia said nothing, just allowing the corner of her mouth to curl upward.

Krey stepped closer now. “Hold on, you told me you found this at the top of a mountain.”

“I did, but do you remember what else I said? Phyrn was the one who made it possible for me to get to the top of that mountain. Only her power could have guided me safely to Veridis. I’m sure she had a hand in making it too.”

“You will have to tell me this story in all its detail at some other time,” Emilie insisted, “but, for now, I think I know how we might test your theories regarding the sword. Please, join me at the edge.”