Part 5
The rest of the winter passed slowly, but without incident, Sirene deciding to spend more time helping out Vaust with the running of the Inn, giving him more time to just lounge around and relax. Sirene seemed to enjoy surprising travellers who recognised her, shocked to find such a powerful mage bringing them their drinks. Some people started to say the atmosphere of the Inn was more lively with Sirene helping out The Innkeeper, and Vaust was able to play some subtle tricks as well, influencing luck here and there.
On the last day of winter, just after midnight, Eigengrau returned to the Inn. Sirene and Vaust had just finished cleaning up for the day and were relaxing at the lounge chairs by the fireplace. Spotting Eigengrau, Vaust waved her over.
"So it’s time then?" he asked. Eigengrau nodded.
"Sirene, are you sufficiently prepared?" Eigengrau asked Sirene, who was sitting deep in thought.
"Yes." Sirene replied after a short silence.
"Remember, as much as you may wish to, you cannot leave Faenluna for even a second until I return." Eigengrau said. "If I could have found Narin I would have left you with him instead, but you insisted on staying on Karand."
"Master, even the greatest of stoics needs conversation. Faenluna will be fine." Sirene said. "Let's make sure you can actually do your end of the plan, first though."
"Of course. A moment." Eigengrau stated, her voice as flat as ever.
Eigengrau slowly sat on the ground and crossed her legs. The frost around her seemed confused, and briefly pulsed, before growing upwards and beginning to encase her body.
"You will cease." Eigengrau stated. "I am ceding control to the blank slate and you will cease." Eigengrau continued, emotion creeping into her voice. "This is only a mantle, and it's not who I am."
"Master, you used a contraction." Sirene said in a comment that went ignored by Eigengrau.
"The borrowed power shall be returned on a temporary basis until it's needed again." Eigengrau continued, her voice no longer flat. The frost stopped growing in response. "I'm just the God of Death, I'm not the God of Time nor am I time."
Sirene watched in amazement as bit by bit, Eigengrau's body was changing. Her hair was visibly growing, and slowly changing colour.
"This is only temporary!" Eigengrau shouted at seemingly nobody. "We both agreed, I could discard it if I needed to. I'll be back!"
The frost shot up and encased Eigengrau in an icy tomb, much to Sirene's shock. It lasted for a few seconds before it cracked, then exploded, revealing somebody who looked like a much younger Sirene.
"It seems time itself likes me." Eigengrau said, laughing as she got up and dusted herself off. "Looks like I need to age up a bit, but I think we're mostly good."
"There was a lot of stuff that sounded important there, master." Sirene crossed her arms as she said that. "What did you mean borrowed power?"
"Never you mind that." Eigengrau said dismissively. "It's time for your part. Go on off to Faenluna."
Sirene glared at Eigengrau for a long moment. "We'll talk about this later, you're not dodging it this easily."