Ahead of the Storm - Day 39

Alhaster, Three Months Ago

Elena stood shaken at Meerthan's words... and braced herself for the accusation. But how could Pellegri know of her destiny, to be the cause of the universe's destruction?

Yet what Meerthan said next was not what she expected: "Indeed, Elena, Pellegri has discoverd the identity of our greatest enemy, she who wishes to use the Amalgamation to gain knowledge of a secret... a secret that could threaten the Gods themselves. The one she suspects is a fallen Demon Lord named Shami-Amourae, who was formerly the Queen of the Succubi, and Demogorgon's lover - until Malcanthet stole both titles from her. I know little else, as of yet, but I am rapidly trying to translate the Demonomicon section on her, and gather any other research that I can. That is why I rushed to Alhaster - I will be needing your library again, your Highness..."

Elena remained stunned, yet filled with a growing relief. So it seemed Pellegri was not yet on to her own dark secret... This was good. Elena was not ready to face a battle against her own friends, which surely would be the result if one such as Pellegri knew the dark future she had ahead of her.

But Meerthan had said something more... that Pellegri had fallen unconscious? She immediately asked him what he meant by that...

"Well, Elena, I mean exactly that... After pressing herself so far with Commune spells, it seems that the stress and fatigue has taken its toll upon Pellegri. After her last Commune, she passed out, and has remained so for the past three days."

Despite having not spoken with the Pelorian since the fall of Kyuss, this news still pained Elena's heart. The one she had once thought of as a younger sister, though naive in the ways of the world, remained quite brave and determined in her cause. To have pushed herself to the brink of collapse in order to gain knowledge to save others - this was indeed the Pellegri that Elena had always held a certain admiration of.

Making arrangements with Meerthan to grant him full access to the castle libraries, Elena told Zeech that she would be away for a few days - that there was business she must attend to. Zeech accepted fully - such was life, married to one like Elena, who was always coming and going and doing things as she wished, whether he liked it or not.

And so, Queen Elena departed for the city of Sunrise, to seek out her old friend. Using her own personal Hat of Disguise - a hairpin she always wore in case of emergencies - she changed her appearance to match that of a commoner, so that she would not be recognized by the townsfolk.

Once teleported a safe distance away, she began to slowly walk into Sunrise, where there she came upon a fantastic sight... Surrounding the center temple of Pelor, were gathered villagers and pilgrims by the thousands, lining up to plant flowers near the church as get-well gifts. All were whispering soft prayers to Pelor, to return to them their Angel of Light, Pellegri... who remained quietly sleeping within the church. This vigil had gone on for three days now, yet still Pellegri had not stirred from her slumber.

Elena walked up quietly, discreetly conjuring up from within her cloak a bouquet of flowers of her own. As she said her own prayers in her head, she advanced and planted her own gift alongside the others. The other people paid no particular attention to her - she was welcome, one of their own. Elena remained alongside them through the night, speaking prayers with them and listening to their talk of what Pellegri had done for the city, these past months.

At last, as dawn arrived the following morning, Elena made her way forward through the crowd, toward the front entrance of the church. Two commoners then spoke to her from the front of the crowd, saying it was no use, that Pellegri wasn't to be disturbed with visitors. Elena turned and gave them a stern gaze - and at once, they fell silent under her hypnotic stare.

Elena knocked on the door of the church, waited a moment, then knocked again. Finally, a man appeared at the door, opening it to speak with her. The man, a paladin adorned with the symbols of Pelor, apologized to her, but said that it would not be possible for anyone to see Pellegri up close at this time. She was still sleeping, and needed her privacy.

Elena spoke softly... "I'm sorry, but you WILL let me in..."

And under the charm of her voice, the man's mind drifted off slightly, and he was not able to voice his reply. He simply made a vague hand motion, ushering her inside... Then he closed the door behind her and stood, daydreaming, inside the entrance.

Elena then picked up her walking pace and quickly checked the rooms of the church until she found what she was seeking - Pellegri sleeping gently on a bed of white linens, a look of concern upon her face.

Elena pulled up a chair and sat beside her former friend. Closing her eyes, she put her hand upon Pellegri's forehead and began to whisper a prayer to Wee Jas... and then one to Pelor as well, much as she had seen Pellegri pray to Pelor, time and time again. Then, returning her thoughts to Wee Jas again, she asked her Goddess for a Miracle, that Pellegri might awaken, strengthened and rejuvenated. Feeling the pang in her own heart that such a costly spell always took as its toll, Elena opened her eyes to gaze upon Pellegri again.

And in a moment, her eyes fluttered open as well. As Pellegri's eyes adjusted to the light, she looked around the room, and spotted Elena beside her.

"Good morning, Pellegri," spoke Elena. "It has been far too long."