"I do. She's an Ascended from Bastion in the Shadowlands." Ysera carefully studied the physical features of the Kyrian warrior before her.
A bright golden metal visor covered her eyes, while noble, sacred armor protected her chest, abdomen, and other vital areas. Combined with her sky-blue skin and snow-white wings, these features led Ysera to identify her as one of Bastion's officials-an Ascended.
Ysera had visited Bastion a few times and interacted with the local Ascended. Back then, she had been carrying out the Winter Queen's orders, gathering the nature spirits wandering through Bastion and bringing them back to the Night Fae in Ardenweald.
The local Kyrian leader, Ascended Kalis Rhine, had helped Ysera search for the souls of the Wild Gods, but the price of that search had been half their anima.
Charging for services was normal enough, but Ysera had always found it rather strange. Why was the Kyrian covenant, which prided itself on nobility and righteousness, so mercenary?
"You have no right to make accusations without investigating. As I understand it, only righteous, pure souls can ascend among the Kyrian. Jumping to conclusions like this is hardly professional." Rowan seized on the central contradiction and challenged the Ascended before him.
Faced with his challenge, the Ascended snorted. "The portal's destination was here, and your mages constructed a portal platform here. We have both witnesses and physical evidence. Anything else you say is sophistry."
Rowan's lips twitched. He thought this Ascended seemed a little dim. She had a one-track mind; there was no reasoning with her.
"Forget it. Let's talk about how you got here from the Shadowlands instead. If you can offer me information of equivalent value, perhaps I'll help you return to the Shadowlands," Rowan promised.
Hearing that she could return to Bastion, the Ascended dropped