March 12, 2019, 8:02 pm. Too late to pass on the tea.

Bitter. So, incredibly bitter. This tea is perhaps the single most vile concoction to have ever crossed my tongue. And that includes calamari.

I shudder as I attempt to down the single mouthful. It’s a full body effort to not just spit it out. But eventually I manage to finish. When I look up, my vision is blurry. There are tears in my eyes.

Glancing back down at my cup, I analyze it. Something I should have done in the first place. As I’m about to read the description, the taste changes. Suddenly, instead of… whatever that was, my mouth is filled with something that reminds me of maple cookies, but with a hint of apple and vanilla. It’s not enough that I’d say it was worth the torment that came before. But it is pleasant.

“Hmm. Thank you, daughter. This is a wonderful treat.” I watch Talkith closely as she takes another sip. I don’t see her so much as wince. Does being a higher rank make you more resistant to bad taste? That would be useful.

“You’re welcome father. I wasn’t sure when I’d see you again, but I acquired a full measure. I hope you’ll allow me to give it to you.”

For a second, her father pauses, and since I’m watching so closely, I see her ears flick minutely. “That… that would be most appreciated.”

Talkith and Tipan sit quietly as they sip their tea, and I take my cue from Tipan. Though I don’t drink any more of the horrendous tea. It doesn’t even give bonuses. It’s literally just an aftertaste tea.

Once Talkith has finished her tea, Tipan stands, collecting all our cups, placing them in a neat pyramid next to the kettle before returning to her seat. Then she places her upper arms on the table in a neat triangle, her father matching the gesture.

“Would you like to begin?” Talkith whispers, her upper eyes closed and her bottom focused on Tipan.

“Very well. Why are you here father? Why now?”

“Ah. Straight to it then. I’d hoped for more time, but perhaps it is best this way. Your sister is dead and won’t be returning.”

I don’t say anything, watching Talkith. But she’s schooled her expression, keeping her inner thoughts guarded while waiting for Tipan’s response.

After several measured breaths, Tipan says, “I know.”

“I thought you might. I’ve also been informed you were involved in an uprising with Lord Hansome of Glimmering Sands.”

Tipan is almost as surprised by this claim as I am. Is everyone blaming us for everything Ivicka did? Didn't they hear about us helping them?

“Father. I wish I’d been more involved in Glimmering Sands, then perhaps I could've stopped her. As it was, I was forced to flee from those who attacked Lord Hansome.”

“So, you do know more about what happened there?”

Tipan, pulls back from the table, closing all her eyes and tucking her head against her chest as she keeps her hands perfectly locked in place on the table. I can’t help but note how she keeps her hands away from the book on her waist. She takes a deep breath, her fur rustling softly. Then she unleashes her gaze on her father. “Ivicka went mad. She destroyed the tower, attacking Lord Hansome in his throne room.”

Talkith studies Tipan for several long seconds before saying, “I believe it is once more your turn.”

“Have you spoken to mother?”

At this, Talkith flinches, as if Tipan had struck her. “You know that I… that she… It’s not so simple.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the Outlanders, father, it’s that it really is that simple. It’s just not comfortable.”

Talkith shifts in her seat, but even as she almost stands, she keeps her arms locked into the triangle before settling back into place. I’m so going to get Tipan to explain what that’s all about later.

“Do you have any proof about Ivicka?” Talkith asks.

Tipan is shaking her head before her father’s even half finished, “That she’s mad. I… Not that I can show you. Not yet. If I did, I’d have brought it forward a month ago. Do you believe me?”

Talkith nods, then shakes her head, “I want to believe you. But I’ve seen reports of you sabotaging gliders, breaking out prisoners. I’ve even heard that you broke into Bethyrne and helped destroy a research lab. Not to mention the reports of your assault on the Taken training facility.”

I almost interject at this point, but a quick glance from Tipan wards me off.

“All of that is true, but lacking context," Tipan says. "And will require a great deal of explanation."

And thus, Tipan begins her long retelling to her father, a process that proceeds without interruption until Tipan asks. "And why have you been summoned father? Am I truly a threat to our people?"

"I came, because you betrayed your sister. Long before this madness with the M'tari, if I understand correctly. Why would you do this?"

"Ivicka was going to kill them. As prisoners. Just to have a chance to steal their powers. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. As for-”

“Again, you accuse your dead sister.”

“Because it’s the truth.”

“Or perhaps it’s because it’s convenient. You’ve blamed your sister for your own failings for years Tipan. And even now that she’s dead, you continue.”

For the first time since they started this exchange, I can see Tipan struggling to keep her arms in place. Her entire body is vibrating as she takes deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

“Perhaps she was right. Perhaps you never were worthy of the Stormguard.”

At this, Tipan’s arms finally still.

“Leave.”

“What?”

“I said, leave, father. If you don’t want to be here, I’m not forcing you.”

“Tipan. I didn’t… it’s not…” Talkith stops, glancing at me for the first time since they started. She sighs once before knocking on the table. In response, both of them lift their arms from the table, staring at each other as they stand.

“I can’t just leave Tipan. You will need to stand before the council and answer their questions much as you've answered mine. And with some luck, we will find a way to appease the M'tari.”

"Fine. I'll go. But you don't need them. They have no responsibility to the Aetherium," Tipan growls back, her hands flexing as she glares at her father.

"Your Outlander friends caused this mess. You have admitted yourself that they weakened the Aetherium at the M'tari's direction."

"Which is just another reason we should work with my friends. We have contacts inside the M'tari. They'll listen!"

"Do you not think I've tried?" Talkith snarls back. "The deep Elders have called for the end of the Aetherium, Tipan. If I do not bring your friends home in chains, then who knows how many innocent K'tharn may die."

"I…" The rigid anger in Tipan’s posture suddenly leaks out at her father’s words and she slumps back into her chair. Yeah. That doesn’t sound good. Time to pass it along.

[Alexis] “Wyonna, can you let the others know that Tipan’s father is here and she’s going to try to arrest us?”

[Wyonna] “Already on it. Demo’s hiding at his ship. Rose is going with him, just in case. But Beth says they’re going with plan C-3. With contingency WD-3.”

Right. Of course, they’re already on it. We've been here a while.

[Wyonna] “Okay. Beth says she just needs another minute. Keep her talking.”

Talking. Okay, we can do… When I look at Tipan, I realize she’s collapsed into her arms, tears flowing down her cheeks.

I glare at her father. Why can't bad parents just... not.

This would be a perfect opportunity to freeze her in place. But I still haven’t gotten that working yet. At least, not with my Facet. I doubt regular elemental magic would have much effect. I’m tempted to send her flying on the tip of my Ice Castle, but that’s not actually any good against anyone who can move.

I wrack my brain for a way to delay Talkith, but then I realize she’s just standing there staring at her daughter. Maybe I won’t even have to do anything. Placing my hand on Tipan’s shoulder, I continue to watch Talkith for any sign of movement. I even hold ready to Pause at the slightest twitch, prepared to give myself as much reaction time as possible. But she doesn’t do anything other than stand there awkwardly.

It’s almost embarrassing.

[Wyonna] “Okay. Beth thinks they’re ready. You can come out whenever.”

I almost nod at Wyonna, but catch myself, kneeling slightly to whisper in Tipan’s ear. I’m certain with Talkith’s Extreme Awareness, she hears every word, “Come on, let’s go get the others. I’m sure they’ll think of something.”

Doubt I sold it, but at least I made the effort. At the very least, Tipan gives me a weak nod before standing up. Without acknowledging her father, she turns away, returning all the tea-ware to her storage space before leading the way to the surface. I follow right behind her, trying to think of what we can do. And wondering if we’re really going with WD-3.

Without the ability to Return, it’s unlikely the others will be able to escape, so it might be best.

Right as we’re reaching the surface, I get another message from Wyonna, but I don’t get time to check it before I’m shoved out of Tipan’s house. I slam into Tipan, but we catch ourselves before we go sprawling in the dirt. I attempt to throw up defences, but I realize my mana’s being blocked. It’s the same technique as Atun, except not as pervasive. I freeze time, prepared to spin about to attack Talkith with my metal chakram when a black bolt passes over my shoulder.

Even with time frozen, Beth’s attacks travel at a ridiculous speed.

Crap. Did she just kill Tipan’s father? I mean, her father’s powerful, so she probably has Restoration, right?

While still frozen in time, I manage to get myself half-turned, expecting to see a partially destroyed K’tharn. But Talkith isn’t there. Even as I keep spinning, I’m unable to find her. I see Josh moving toward us, his Rose petal armour fully deployed with Beth flickering out of sight and Roberts bunkered down behind the grill, but still no sign of Talkith. I wait for the full duration of my Pause, but she doesn’t show up.

As it ends, I hear a splat from beside me where Tipan failed to keep herself standing. That’s not like her, I spare her a quick glance, but I keep searching for her father. She must be around somewhere. Teleportation isn’t working, so it’s not like she would just leave.

“Anyone see her?” Beth calls out.

“Nothing!” Josh calls as he grows a barrier around me and Tipan, shielding us from view at the very least.

“Nothing!” I join in after expending an entire second Pause searching for her.

“Two O’clock, Med-High!” Rufka calls out as she shoots a lightning arrow from inside one of the houses. The arrow acts as a beacon, but I can barely make out the distorted shape as Talkith dodges out of the way.

I’ve entered my third Pause in as many seconds, the time dilation's effect diminishing even as I throw a veritable hurricane of elemental energy in the general direction. Whirling whips of fire and bolts of lightning, all backed by spikes of metal and boulders the size of a vee-dub with my chakrams in the middle. I’m not even trying to hurt her; I’m just hoping I’ll be able to pick her out when she blasts through.

But none of my attacks seem to make contact.

I’m still searching the sky when cold metal clasps around my throat, constricting not only my ability to breath, but my mana as well. Suddenly, it’s as if my connection to the world around me has been stripped away. In my panic, I try to fling spells from my hands, but there’s nothing. The runes refuse to form, sputtering into nothing. I’m still able to Pause, but I can’t do anything. I have no maneuverability without my magic. I’m not even able to send messages to Wyonna.

Even as I’m Paused, I watch Talkith disappear in a flash of light, reappearing instantly behind Rufka. With my eyes wide, I remain locked in place as she secures an identical collar around Rufka’s throat. She doesn’t wait either, flashing around the compound, sneaking collars onto each of us, one at a time. Josh falls next, not even able to track her. Beth tries to fight back, even scoring a hit with her automatic void rifle, but then she’s unconscious. At which point, Roberts holds his hands up in surrender.

I’m not entirely surprised to see her approaching Tipan last. Tipan’s still sitting in the mud where she fell when her father pushed us.

“Tipan. It’s time,” Talkith says, a collar held in hand. Part of me wants to grab her and try to throw her away, but she hasn’t even drawn her swords. I haven’t felt this weak since we first faced Ivicka. Even Atun’s brutal combat wasn’t this bad.

Even then, I was at least able to bump her and dodge.

Tipan shakes herself off, pushing herself to her feet, meeting Talkith’s gaze. She doesn’t say anything as her father snaps the collar into place.

With Tipan secured, I’m expecting orders or to be forced to follow Talkith, but instead, she whistles. She waits for several seconds, her ears tilted toward the sky before returning her attention to us. Josh was about to bring both of his hands down on her head when she stops him with a glance. Then she snaps a pair of cuffs around his wrists before he has time to pull back. She moves to Beth and Roberts next.

Rufka comes up next to me, taking my hand. “You could still run,” she whispers. My jaw hangs loose as I stare at her. Then I flick a meaningful glance at the swamp surrounding us, and the not inconsiderable drop the top of the atoll.

“Did you not see how fast she is?” I whisper back.

“You’re faster. If you let yourself.”

“Impossible,” I reply. And it’s not just that I’m afraid of teleporting through the interference. I don’t want to leave Rufka behind. I don’t want to leave any of them behind. Besides, that's not part of plan WD-3.

“We’d have a better chance if you're free to rescue us.”

“I’m not leaving you!” My grip tightens on her hand, and a half-smile pulls at her lips. Then it turns into a full grin.

Even as I get a horrible premonition and try to pull my hand back from hers, Rufka kisses me on the cheek and then chucks me like a piece of rolled up paper off the edge of the atoll, toward the swamp below.

My initial reaction is to scream at Rufka. Just like I would when she normally throws me. But this time, I don’t have any magic coming to my aid. And the swamp comes up fast, cutting my scream off with another mouthful of swamp water.

Seriously, my mouth is going to kill me if I keep getting crap in it. If I don’t drown first.

Luckily, even with my mana cut off, I’m still superhuman at this point. It’s easy to figure out the way to the surface. I’ve taken a handful of breaths when I realize Talkith still hasn’t come for me. Looking up, I see a pair of dragons landing at the edge of the compound.

For a second, I think they’re going to leave me, but then I see several K’tharn making their way off the top of the atoll in my general direction.

I make an honest attempt at trying to escape, scrambling through the swamp, using Pause, even through the collar, managing to teleport a rock a few hundred feet away and causing it to explode on accident and just generally being as annoying as possible. Eventually, they chase me onto a small hill that’s barely visible from the atoll. The K’tharn pursuing me are almost disappointing after Talkith. I feel like I might even have a chance, even without my magic.

But then she finally appears in a flash, a set of manacles in hand. Except unlike the ones she clapped on everyone else, these include extras for my legs.

Sorry Rufka. Looks like I’m not getting away this time.

Would've ruined the plan.