[Glimpse] A Blessing for the Embattled Author

Ivory had headed for the shower soon after the texts had come through, rendering her skin clean of perfumes and makeups in order to satisfy her want for ceremony. It may have seemed silly to some, but this contract was never one the contract undertook lightly. To the Pale Dragon, weaving the Wyrd was akin to something coveted and sacred. It could be dangerously effective in its purpose and, for that reason, Ivory was secretive about such power.

As she waited, the Pale Dragon lit the many candles of her little ritual room, arrange the seat cushions and pillows for her guests as they arrived.

When they did, they would find a fresh faced Ivory dressed in white, bereft of any scent but her own. She motioned them to sit quickly looking Agrippa dead in the eyes as she moved to explain the specifics of the ritual, knowing full well that time was not on their side.

“I’ll be quick, Agrippa,” she said, “This ritual cannot specify a distinct goal or directly guide you along the path. It can only grant you the favor of the Wyrd to reach the event in which it crafts. You must be the one to forge the journey, the Wyrd won’t guide you. It will only bless your endeavors.”

She would wait for an acknowledgement before continuing.

“Be prepared to be here for a while… Weaving the favor of the Wyrd takes time. You must wait.” she said, emphasizing the last words so that they understood.

The blood price was not demanded, given the urgency of need. For this, Ivory would burn the Glamour required. This time.

And then the Pale Dragon closed her eyes, head dipping as she fell to a deep, trance-like sleep. It had been some time since she had performed the ritual. She had been weaker then and now the contract’s visual effects were more pronounced.

It began with the slight touch of wind to flames, the Wyrd responding to her will as she worked to gather the threads. In times, the flames seem to glow brighter, as if gilded by goal and accompanied by soft, pleasant sounds as if relaying distant hums. Then the effects bloomed!

Golden light lit along the edges of the room as the ivory scaled dragon’s head raised, her gaze looking to the ceiling as she began to whisper in incomprehensible tongues. In time other voices responded in kind, rising to a crescendo before, finally, a strong gust of air snuffed the light from the candles, blanketing the room in darkness… but the moments in the void were not long.

A burst of light filled the room, birthing from the Pale Dragon’s golden halo as she seemed to flow to her feet, golden eyes resting upon the Unicorn. The gaze was not the same stoic one Kai had received when Ivory had aided her. No… in this endeavor Ivory had unlocked the gift of the Muse. As such, the gaze was one of warmth. It is then that the gentle voice of the oracle again left Ivory’s lips:

“Agrippa, in your moment of weakness, the Wyrd finds you worthy.”

As the first words left, it seemed like the Fairest practically radiated a sense of prophecy.

“The Wyrd has granted you a Promise of Favor. Fortune shall find you in your quest to finish your book before the shifting of the seasons. For as long as you undertake actions within this goal, the Wyrd shall bless you.”

Ivory would lean low, as soft, scaled hands caressed Agrippa’s face, golden eyes looking to their own.

“Know this, dear friend. My will alone cannot invoke this event without your action. The path must be forged by you alone, but know that the blessings of the Wyrd go with you. They will help to steady your mind and sing to your heart as you seek to prevail against the trials so harshly set against you.”

Rising back to her feet, the empowered Fairest would grant the Beast a final not of encouragement as the abundant light began to waver.

“Go now… and take back your freedom.”

With that, the light again snuffed out. After a moment a groan could be heard from Ivory’s side of the table. After a moment the sound of shuffling could be heard as Ivory stumbled slowly in the dark to the door.

“That was… whoa!” the Pale Dragon’s voice said in the dark, it’s tone ringing with a sense of ecstatic energy.

The door swung open, spilling light in from the hall way and finally allowing Ivory to see the light switch of the room itself and flick it on. Turning her attention to the pair Ivory smiled brightly before taking Agrippa into a tight hug.

A glance to a watch or clock would show that Ivory had been engaged in the ritual for only 10 minutes, but its effects upon the Fairest herself was profound.

In time, she’d release him.

“Okay! Your running out of time, so I’m gonna skip some formalities. I need you to promise me to keep my ability to spin Fate a secret. I don’t need the wrong people knowing I know how to and pressing me into service, okay?”

“Now... I did what I can, but the path to the finish line needs to be done by you,” she said, looking to Agrippa, “Normally this ritual can help you for a month, but you don’t have that kind of time. Once the seasons shift, the effects are gone because the window for the event will be over. So use the Favor while you can. If you take the chance to forge ahead, you are going to succeed, Agrippa. I can feel it!”