the days that bind us

[exequy]

WHO: Lots of people
WHAT: Recovering lost phylacteries
WHEN: Guardian 23, 9:44
WHERE: The Storm Coast
NOTES: Violence! OOC post over here.

All signs point to the Storm Coast, and once scouts have narrowed down the location it's only a short journey across the Waking Sea to move a small force onto the rocky coast. They row ashore just after dawn in driving rain, and follow the beach for at least a mile before finding a path that actually reaches the top of the cliff. The rain fades to a drizzle but the day remains relentlessly overcast as they hike toward their goal, grey and dim even at noon, with a raw breeze off the water.

Comments

[pinprick]

"A lot of little somethings add up," Nathaniel says, watching as the sea creeps closer to the spatter of blood. Come high tide, it will wash away the last drops of Anders' blood before it was tainted. "And it no longer has a hold over you. I'm proud of you, love. It took a long time, but it's happened now and it's done. You've survived it all and you are free."

[justice_is_blond]

He steps close to Nate again, wrapping his arms around his husband and resting his forehead on Nate's shoulder.

"I survived it and I'm free," he echoes. Free with some limitations, like the Warden's reputation being at stake if he'd continued helping, but more free than he's been since he set the barn on fire. "Maker. That's been there for about twenty-five years, looming. I wanted to think it was destroyed in Amaranthine but there's no surprise to knowing that Rylock was lying and manipulating. I... I truly wish we could see an end to phylacteries at all. I don't know what loyalists will do with theirs, but the whole practice..."

It's an invasive thing that's been used against mages for so long. All of those practices need to end.

"We're people. Dangerous people, I know, but... but we didn't choose this. And a vast majority of us are trying to do our best. Which says little in my case, but should say a lot for the rest."

[pinprick]

"I know." Nathaniel kisses the top of his husband's head, winding his arms around him. "I know. But you are free. All of them are free now. They are free to be Loyalists or Libertarians and have it actually matter that they have an opinion. Even the most conservative among them are free."

A tilt of his head. "When we get home, we will have champagne. Toast to that wretched vial being destroyed. In the meantime, care to walk along the beach with me?"

[justice_is_blond]

Nate has a point he hadn't considered. Even if they keep their phylactery, shove it in a sock in a drawer or something, they've chosen. It's a freedom. Anders inhales and exhales slowly before nodding.

"I'd like that. Do you think we can stumble along the beach like this?" He's teasing. It would be awkward and ridiculous to even take a step like this, rather than to try walking anywhere. "A two-headed blob of a shape."

Anders gives Nate's shoulder a kiss before straightening up and reaching for his hand. "Let's walk, love. We could even run." It's also teasing. ...Mostly.