[OPEN] holes in the sky, pierced by the fire

[eolasemah]

WHO: Everyone who's around!
WHAT: A rift has opened in Skyhold. We have to deal with it.
WHEN: The last day of Wintermarch
WHERE: In the courtyard, between the tavern and the dungeon.
NOTES: I will be posting periodically to let you know the results of what your dudes are doing! If you need clarification or want to ask me something, PM me on this account.

It’s a dismal, rainy evening, with Skyhold at the mercy of one of the many winter storms that passes through the Frostbacks. Most of the keep’s denizens have shut themselves inside to sit by a warm fire, have a drink, even go to bed early rather than face the freezing rain and the wind.

The tavern windows are aglow with light and merriment, but in the open area just behind it comes a different kind of glow: flames bursting to life and then dissipating, as a solitary elf in an oilskin cloak practices her fire spells in the relative safety of the rain.

It’s no secret that Sina has been isolating herself as of late, though her mood has taken an even more pointed downturn in the last few days. Her movements as she works are increasingly erratic, frustrated even, as there are times when she casts a serviceable fireball, and others when barely a spark leaves her hands. As she grows angrier, her energy depletes, and she’s barely resting between casts.

Perhaps it is because of this that what happens next occurs at all. In a burst of anguish and fury, Sina wrenches her hands forward, drawing from whatever reserves she has left—and then her shard reacts.

In an explosion of neon green that knocks Sina flat on her back, a rift erupts into the gloomy sky. It crackles and hums insidiously, its strange electricity causing every shard belonging to every Rifter in the vicinity to suddenly spit and pop in recognition.
No doubt drawn to the new opening in the Fade, the dark form of a despair demon slithers from the rift, takes stock of its surroundings, and slowly begins to approach the prone form of the fool that freed it. Moments later, it is followed by several spindly green terror demons, and at last the hulking inferno that comprises a rage demon.

Comments

[eolasemah]

The rift across the courtyard reacted again, causing a lurch and a strangled wail from Sina, but the distance was helping. They would be able to see that it had connected to the shards of the rifters nearby, but Sina was now far enough away that this did not affect her own. She was in pain, but still very much alive.

[fleurdesel]

"As long as I am touching her, the spell will hold." It must. It would hold even if she wasn't touching Sina but this bone deep pain, this bone deep violation of Fade Magic interfering with her work? She needs to be certain that her magic goes where they will it. "We need to move- Bruce."

He is capable and they can, they will, see Sina safe.

[amygdalae]

Bruce nods to Adelaide's words, and without another word shifts himself closer to Sina. He takes a moment to determine the best way to do this and then proceeds forth. He bends down and wriggles his arms underneath the elf, steadying himself and giving Adelaide and the other elf time to be prepared.

"Ready?" he asks, once they've better shifted and settled. Once he gets the affirmative Bruce then straightens up slowly with Sina hefted in his arms. He makes sure to keep his movements steady so that Adelaide can keep close to maintain the connection that she needs.

[nadasharillen]

Nari takes a wary look around, the sounds of the continued combat ringing loudly from the courtyard. If she busied her hands with Sina they might move faster... but if a demon came upon them, she'd have to drop her hold to defend them.

Or, she thought grimly, perhaps they wouldn't have time to do anything at all.

"Can you carry her alone?" she asked, urgent and low, "I can guard you then, while you move."

[fleurdesel]

"We can take her." Between her and Bruce they have the slim, too slim mage cradled in their arms, spell spinning through their skin to keep Sina breathing. "Go, we have her."

[amygdalae]

"Of course." Bruce shifts Sina in his arms as he responds, giving the other elf a nod of assurance. He wouldn't have minded trying to handle it alone, but Adelaide's help is also appreciated, and Bruce gives her a brief, grateful smile before he focuses back on the matter at hand. "Yes, you go on ahead first. We'll be right behind you."