A Raven's Blessing | Vax'ildan x OC | TLOVM

Into Rimecleft

Warnings: Strong and Sexual Language; Violence, Gore & Death.

"Ah, what a lovely morning to find a Sphinx," Vex stated, still riding on her newfound maturity. 

Athena herself actually felt rested for the first time in several days. Everyone insisted that she didn't take watch last night so that she could have a full night's rest. Luckily, no dreams or gods came to her. She attributed it to her body resting from the last several day's events. Grog however let out a loud yawn and cursed under his breath. 

"Didn't get enough sleep?" Vex asked. 

"Huh? Of course, I did," he stammered, "Lots of sleep with really nice dreams where no one died."

"Uh well that's good, Grog," Athena complimented as she walked past him. She naturally fell into step next to Vax as they went down a hill. 

"How's your arm?" he asked. 

"Oh, it's fine. Pike helped a lot, just another scar," she lifted it up to show she had her range of motion intact without any pain. "The Fire Ashari gave me another undershirt too so at least I'm not walking around with a hole." 

Vax hummed in response as they both fell into silence again. 

"Your armor, you, um... getting more used to it?" Athena boldly decided to ask. She remembered his actions from the other night, how he tried to pry the armor off of himself. 

"Hard to get used to a relic of the Goddess of Death." 

"Still, you have her vestige now."

"And her haunting visions," he sadly admitted. He let out a long sigh as thought back to his dreams. Corpses in his mind. He was becoming more fearful of the future ahead of them if they were to fail.

"Something I know all too well." 

Vax gave her a curious look but she knew he would not pry into her. Athena though could see how everything was weighing him down. How alone he must be feeling now. Her experience in the past and now were similar. She knew he wasn't ready to talk about it but she wanted to provide him with some comfort. 

Plus chapter eight of Gilmore's book also recommends it. 

Athena pulled out her pendant from her pouch. The symbol dangled in the air between them as she spoke, "I used to be a follower of the Lawbearer when I was young. I have more memories of her than I do of my parents. We lived in a small farm town near the south part of Tal'Dorei...nothing special about it really. But every week we would all gather in the center of town and pray to her. Thank her for peace and the prosperity of our town."

Athena brought the pendant closer to her, holding it in her hand now. Her reflection dimly showed in the old metal. "However, I lost my faith after my time in the Ironamal. I felt like my goddess abandoned me after so many years of asking for help. Though she has decided to appear now."

"Did Vasselheim trigger something then when we went to her temple?"

"No. It was before. When I almost died. I spoke to her." 

Vax's eyes widened at her statement, "You did?"

"Yes. She was cryptic about it so I didn't get a clear answer. But I sometimes hear her voice and see her in my dreams. I already have to contend with my past actions in my dreams but now she is there. It's why I have trouble sleeping at night. I suspect it is the same for you," she said as she turned to look at him. Vax lowered his head giving her the answer. She took ahold of his hand.

"Listen...I don't know if I believe in the gods...but I believe in you, Vax. Whatever happens, I will be there with you til the end. I know we will work it out."