Draiks and Angels: Survivor

22 - Rainbow

The following morning, a runner woke them up saying the Oracle would like to see them. Blearily they followed the Draik down a hall, up two stories and down another hall to the Oracle's chamber. The runner knocked, waited for a response, then opened the door for them.

The young Oracle was sitting as was beseeming her position in the center of the far wall, with a large clear crystal in front of her. The runner closed the door behind Ava and Tadeas, and they approached the Angel.

"First, let me say thank you for coming to my rescue," she said. "From what I have seen, I was saved from a terrible fate."

Tadeas could still feel the terrible pit of dread from learning he was going to be converted and unable to stop it. He hoped it would go away eventually.

Ava's eyes stung as she thought of what might have happened if she hadn't used the relic's power yesterday.

"What is it you wanted to ask of me?"

"We were hoping you could contact Salav, the deity of the Brethren of Water."

"I can try."

Ava and Tadeas took seats around the outside of the room as the Oracle raised her hands over the crystal.

Tadeas could remember everything that happened while he was Caleb's stooge. He couldn't believe that he had forgotten what had happened to his family. And Ava completely. She had done a good job keeping it together, but as he thought back on it, he recognized the growing panic in her voice. He was so grateful she had found a way to get him back to normal. And... ashamed. A large layer added itself to the guilt-knot in his chest.

Ava knew she should feel proud that she managed to rescue the Oracle and Tadeas all by herself, but she didn't. She felt smaller and weaker than ever and she didn't know why. Because she couldn't save Tadeas from Caleb's spell without wasting one of the relics? It wasn't a waste if it saved Tadeas, it wasn't! But it was supposed to be used to defeat Yom Cimil, and if they failed at that now... it would be her fault.

The Oracle dropped her hands and said, "I cannot."

"Thank you for trying," Ava said.

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Ava and Tadeas ate breakfast in the anteroom of the guest chambers. Ava pulled out her notebook and pondered over it while eating her toast.

"Why is it always orange juice?" Tadeas complained.

"Breakfast of champions," Ava said idly.

"What does that even mean?"

Aaron walked in and sat down at their table, holding a hand up in greeting, "How goes it?"

Ava finished her toast and responded, "We need to figure out where to go next. I can't remember any more religions of Brethrenism and locations where they might be highly concentrated."

"Which have you done so far?" Aaron asked.

"Let's see... Brethren of Diversity, Brethren of the King, Brethren of the Way, and you for Brethren of Water."

"Hmm... those are pretty much the major ones... you start getting into weird religions after that..."

"Maybe that's what we need," Ava encouraged.

"Well, if you need a location to go to, I can think of a couple of the weird ones that have enough of a presence in one place that an Aerie might be able to help you."

Ava pulled her notebook toward her.

"One would be Brethren of Harmony, in Multalacus. The other would be Brethren of the Present in Mellifera," Aaron said, watching her write.