Part 5
Pending Rewrite
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 recognized 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, “Vordeaas andmuch myselfas spentyou mostmay ofwish theto, winteryou craftingcannot thisleave enchantmentFaenluna we’refor goingeven toa placesecond until I return." Eigengrau said. "If I could have found Narin I would have left you with him instead, but you insisted on you. Once it is caststaying on you, you will become me. You will have my personality, my appearance, and most importantly in order for this to work, my hoarfrost.” Eigengrau said, as she pulled a small blue orb from her robes.Karand."
"Master, “Ladyeven Eigengrau,the onegreatest lastof thingstoics beforeneeds weconversation. do this. How longFaenluna will thisbe take?”
“The Emperor’s Job? I was on it for nearly 6 years before my apotheosis happened. Now, hold still.”
“Six ye-”fine." Sirene began,said. but was interrupted by the blinding flash of blue light from the orb. When she could see again, she found herself slightly taller, and looking at herself.
“Well, you certainly look the part!” her doppelganger said with a broad grin on her face. “But let’"Let's hear you talk the part!”
“Talk the part?” Sirene asked, but her voice was different. It was slightly deeper, and completely monotone. “Well, I certainly sound the part.”
“Oh, that’s perfect! Yes I think we did it, Vaust.”
“It’s uncanny. She looks exactly like you Eigen, even down to the circle of hoarfrost at her bare feet. Sirene, do you feel okay?” Vaust asked, a look of concern on his face.
“I am well.” she monotoned. It was a strange feeling, she thought. She had so many emotions she was trying to impart on her words, but the even tone and speech of Lady Eigengrau was all that came out. “She needs to look older, though.” she said, gesturing at her doppelganger.
“Oh, right! You went with mid-20s. Let’s see...” she clapped her hands and in the blink of an eye, she aged several years. “Okay, does this look right?”
“Like a mirror. Fascinating.” Sirene replied. “It seems all that remains is for me to fill in as you.”
“Yes, now remember, it’s important you take breaks outside of time as needed. The enchantment can be temporarily suppressed if you focus hard enough. As well, I’m still going to be out there in the world anyway, or, rather the rest of me will be. So really you can just wander around if you want. If mortals talk to you, just give them a smile and let them talk. They never expect answers.” Eigengrau began to explain to Sirene what to do. “However, if you get the urge to tell them something, do it. The spell we crafted will make sure you tellcan themactually exactlydo whatyour theyend neededof tothe hear.”plan, first though."
"Of “Itcourse. seemsA youmoment." andEigengrau Vordeastated, sparedher novoice expenseas atflat makingas this foolproof.”ever.
Eigengrau “Islowly justsat don’ton wantthe ground and crossed her legs. The frost around her seemed confused, and briefly pulsed, before growing upwards and beginning to put you through the same pain I had to suffer, Sirene.” Eigengrau said with a sad smile onencase her face. “Take care of yourself, kid. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” with that, Eigengrau turned and walked out the front door of the Inn.body.
"You “Don’twill sweatcease." itEigengrau Sirene,stated. you’ll"I doam great!”ceding Vaustcontrol said,to slappingthe blank slate and you will cease." Eigengrau continued, emotion creeping into her onvoice. the"This back.is only a mantle, and it's not who I am."
"Master, “Iyou certainlyused hopea so.”contraction." Sirene monotoned.said Thisin willa takecomment somethat gettingwent usedignored to,by she thought. Well, no time like the present she thought, and she walked out the front door as well, and headed north.Eigengrau.
"The “Goodborrowed luckpower youshall two.”be Vaustreturned saidon outa loud.temporary “It’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 quieterback!"
The themfrost around,shot I suppose.” Vaust sighed sadlyup and satencased downEigengrau onin thean loungeicy chairtomb, much to Sirene's shock. It lasted for a nap.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."