It had been a busy few days, and Malanis was eager to return home for some rest. Entering the enclave he found another of his brethren, Drakvoz, sitting across from an exotic woman of dark complexion. The emblem of Kossuth hung from a thin chain around her neck, denoting her as one of his priestesses.
Introductions were made and Malanis was just about to withdraw from the conversation when two new figures entered the grand foyer. A woman clothed in red robes, though not those of the wizards, followed by a rugged man who wore the trappings of one who lives among the animals. A brief sigh escaped his lips as he dutifully crossed the marble floors to greet the newcomers, followed closely by Drakvoz and Ekaterina, the fire priestess.
The woman, well versed in Thayan etiquette, introduced herself and presented her companion, a man she'd only recently met on the road with an unusual quandary: A bow he plucked from the bones of some creature in the Fields of the Dead had attached itself, quite literally, to his hand. No matter what methods he tried it remained bound, not allowing him to even open his fist. The knuckles were white from clenching the innocent curve of the wood. He appeared very uncomfortable in the lavishly decorated room.
Malanis carefully observed the bow without touching it, weaving a spell over its edges to identify the curse. Ekaterina set her drink down and offered to aid him through the purifying flames of the Tyrant. She cast her spell and the bow dropped immediately to the floor, the druid backing away quickly lest it jump into his hands once more. He declined to keep the now inert weapon, so Ekaterina threw it unceremoniously into the fireplace to send the flames ever higher in honor of her god.
The red robed woman, also a priestess of Kossuth coincidentally, stayed and conversed with Ekaterina for a time about their shared faith. Malanis, relieved that the afternoon's excitement had concluded, collected his things and made his way to his chambers for a nap.
