Peek: The Raven's Due

Emarlo's day is not going quite how he would have expected. For one: he died. The ratkin didn't think he was being quite so effective with his shots, but after the overwhelming series of attacks launched at him, he was able to see that what he thought was just a couple of the Maw's clergy he was keeping pinned, turned out to be a couple dozen!

And they weren't just pulling their people back to heal, either. From the number of bodies with arrows lodged in them, he could be responsible for ten or more dead! It's a bit of a sobering thought, having so many dead by his hand, but they seem to be off to whatever afterlife they've earned.

Which is the next unexpected thing for Emarlo: the Raven has been ignoring him. Even as the magmyrm come to collect his body, the ratkin only catches glimpses of the Raven as he goes about his duties. Maybe he'll get revived at the field hospital?

He can't think of any other reason for the apparent shirking of the Raven's duties, so he follow his body as the magmyrm carry him away. He's not exactly confident in them being able to help him, though. He's mostly in one piece, but there's a lot of slashes and holes in what he's pretty sure are important parts of him.

Like the indent in his head. He's pretty sure that's the one that ended him, or at least made it so he didn't have to feel all the rest of the wounds. He trails after the magmyrm, still wondering why the Raven hasn't gathered him up, and sooner than he expected, he's in the hospital. Or the morgue, as it were. He's laid on a cot, but he's covered, and laid beside other covered cots.

He also sees several other of Lord Thedeim's dwellers, all also looking a bit confused. Still, maybe they know something he doesn't. He approaches a large tarantulakin and tries to strike up a conversation.

"So... dead, huh?"

She snorts at the tone, like he just commented on the rain, and nods. "Yeah. How'd you die?"

He shrugs. "Pissed off more Maw cultists than I thought, and they got tired of me and went all out to get rid of me. You?"

"Overrun by least while protecting civilians."

Emarlo winces. "That sounds like a pretty unpleasant way to go. I got hit in the head, so I didn't really get to feel what specifically killed me."

"...I wouldn't recommend it. Still, I was able to watch the civilians make it after I didn't."

He nods at that, looking over the other souls that are mostly chatting with their neighbors. "I take it you don't know any more than I do why the Raven isn't taking us?"

"I wish. Lady Yvonne made it sound like he'd grab us up pretty quickly once we're dead. I've seen him glance at a couple of us, but more like he's making sure where we are, rather than coming to pick us up. It's weird."

"...has anyone tried to run?"

"Not that I know of. I passed by a jumping spiderkin who said she's gonna stay where she died, instead of following her body. I dunno if we're closer to being runaways or she is."

The two share a shrug before Emarlo speaks. "I think he probably knows where we are regardless. As long as we don't try to make it difficult for him, I don't think we'll get in trouble."

"So... what should we do?" asks the tarantulakin. "I think most of us were wondering if Lord Thedeim would be able to revive us like Lady Yvonne, but I haven't seen anyone get back up."

"I dunno. Should we try to group everyone up? Would that make it easier or harder on the Raven once he finally gets us?"

"Grouping up would make it easier on me, yes."

The dead all freeze as the Raven speaks, his eyes resting on each individually before he continues. "I imagine you all are aware your Thedeim is... unusual. The massive miracle of fate done in his name has complicated things. I will take you all where you belong once things have... settled down, as mortals say. If you would point your fellow deceased to this hospital, it will make things simpler for me once it's time, and quicker for you all, too."

The Raven tilts his head in an avian smile. "Mortals always try to avoid death, but once it's upon them, I find they prefer if it's dealt with quickly. I will return for you all, and thank you all in advance for your cooperation." He spreads his wings and soars through a wall like it's not there, leaving the stunned souls behind him.

After a few moments, Emarlo speaks. "Well... you all heard him. Let's split up and follow the magmyrm as each group leaves. They're going where the wounded and dead are, right?"

The gathered souls slowly nod at that, with a few laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Leave it to Lord Thedeim to do something to complicate matters for even the Raven!