Closed Making a Deal (Vick)

[Ronas Dermir]

Season of Fall, Day 2, 513 AV Ronas had been a loyal and faithful servant of the dead for the last season. Despite their obvious distaste for him and clear dismissal of his abilities, he did not allow that to distract him from his duties. He could have taken his talents anywhere, and likely have found work. He came here because he knew that even if they didn't like him, the dead ones needed pulsers like him. Else they wouldn't have even permitted him on the island. He did not need to be beloved to serve. The island received regular 'shipments' of bodies from various sources. Mainly from Sunberth, as Ronas understood, although he suspected some of the bodies came from other sources, especially some of the rarer ones. The shipments arrived by boat, and always carried with it the odor of death and decay. Ronas rarely cared at all of these new arrivals; he knew their purpose was to serve as surrogate bodies for the dead ones in the citadel, and that was all he needed to know. It did not matter. It was not his concern and therefore he did not put much thought into it. Ronas strode purposefully up to the Port of Silence. It was not usual for the initiate to be here, especially not when the bodies were coming in. The foul stench of rotting flesh filled the air, and Ronas worked to prevent the gag reflex. His normally placid face took on a rather green pallor. Despite his training, despite his experience, Ronas had never really gotten used to this. It was a weakness he wished he could train away, yet never really did. It was, perhaps, a weakness. Ronas knew that meditation was in order after this visit was done. He needed to calm his nerves. Ronas was here because he had been summoned. And by a master of Sahova, no less. Vick, the chief Maledictor, had requested him, and so here he was. Ronas followed orders, and if Vick wished to speak to him Ronas would comply. Ronas was not certain what Vick needed; though he had heard of the master of Malediction, he had not yet encountered the nuit in person. He would be lying if he said he was not curious. He had heard some ... interesting stories about the 'man'. He had no idea if any of them were true. Ronas suspected there was really only one way to find out.