Evangeline sighs, looking not for the first time at the pair of stones on the desk in front of her. One is a deep blue, etched with a stylized depiction of a shield. The other is darker, a mottled and streaked combination of browns and dark yellows, set in a simple gold ring. The Phoenix Rose is quiet around her, the rest of the residents out or asleep, leaving her and her thoughts alone in her room.
Two stones. One representing what she almost became, one hinting at what she might yet become. Taking a moment she gathers herself, then lays a hand on the mottled yellow wyrmtear, immediately feeling her mind assaulted by the will of the horde.
"Take Me!"
"Use Me!"
"I will give you power!"
"The power to achieve your goals!"
Powerful words, seductive words, teasing at Evangelines desires, giving promises, soothing doubts. That she even had the thing showed how little Verad understood her, and the depth of her ambitions. Taking it for research, was the line she had given him, as if there was much more to learn about the things. There was but one thing that could be done with the things. Use them, and gain the power of the Drakes from which it was spawned, all at the low low price, of oneself.
She could slip the band on, the transformation would be quick, painless. The transfer of power, instant. Within minutes the towers of the Syndicate would burn, the government in Chaos. Her new form would allow her to influence the minds of mortals, molding their thoughts like other drakes. Those who did not submit would fall, and a new society would be born, one that would be equal, glorious...
But not free.
Gritting her teeth she pulls her hand off the thing, the images still fresh in her mind. After a moment Evangeline takes a small square of cloth, using it to scoot the ring to the side of the desk.
Drumming her fingers she turns to the other stone, laying a hesitant finger on its pale blue surface. Thoughts emerge as well. Where the wyrmtear was seductive, welcoming, the paladin soulstone was hot, angry, and bristling with disdain. It did nothing so high as speech, but she could feel its discomfort at her presence, as if it could read the reservations within her own soul.
"You are not worthy."
"You are not strong enough for this path!"
Evangeline herself almost agreed with the stone. She still wondered what Master Wolfsong saw in her exactly, to vouch for her so. Even more for Lady Crofte to agree with him. Casting her gaze on the ring once more, she shakes her head.
Two stones, one promised easy power, and offering it with open arms. The other promised nothing but hardship, and suffering. When she held it in her hands it felt as if it would rather be anywhere else in this world.
Two stones.
Finally she reaches over and takes the paladin soulstone in both hands, feeling it spark uncomfortably within them. Closing her eyes, Evangeline concentrates.
Two stones. One representing what she almost became, one hinting at what she might yet become. Taking a moment she gathers herself, then lays a hand on the mottled yellow wyrmtear, immediately feeling her mind assaulted by the will of the horde.
"Take Me!"
"Use Me!"
"I will give you power!"
"The power to achieve your goals!"
Powerful words, seductive words, teasing at Evangelines desires, giving promises, soothing doubts. That she even had the thing showed how little Verad understood her, and the depth of her ambitions. Taking it for research, was the line she had given him, as if there was much more to learn about the things. There was but one thing that could be done with the things. Use them, and gain the power of the Drakes from which it was spawned, all at the low low price, of oneself.
She could slip the band on, the transformation would be quick, painless. The transfer of power, instant. Within minutes the towers of the Syndicate would burn, the government in Chaos. Her new form would allow her to influence the minds of mortals, molding their thoughts like other drakes. Those who did not submit would fall, and a new society would be born, one that would be equal, glorious...
But not free.
Gritting her teeth she pulls her hand off the thing, the images still fresh in her mind. After a moment Evangeline takes a small square of cloth, using it to scoot the ring to the side of the desk.
Drumming her fingers she turns to the other stone, laying a hesitant finger on its pale blue surface. Thoughts emerge as well. Where the wyrmtear was seductive, welcoming, the paladin soulstone was hot, angry, and bristling with disdain. It did nothing so high as speech, but she could feel its discomfort at her presence, as if it could read the reservations within her own soul.
"You are not worthy."
"You are not strong enough for this path!"
Evangeline herself almost agreed with the stone. She still wondered what Master Wolfsong saw in her exactly, to vouch for her so. Even more for Lady Crofte to agree with him. Casting her gaze on the ring once more, she shakes her head.
Two stones, one promised easy power, and offering it with open arms. The other promised nothing but hardship, and suffering. When she held it in her hands it felt as if it would rather be anywhere else in this world.
Two stones.
Finally she reaches over and takes the paladin soulstone in both hands, feeling it spark uncomfortably within them. Closing her eyes, Evangeline concentrates.
