Who: Lirael and Damien Thorn What: Lirael's arrival Warnings: Not yet rated... Will update if things get saucy.
The full moon was high when a vortex split the sky over the hills that surrounded Thorn Mansion. Whatever came through the swirling portal brought with it a new surge of power, to those who could sense such things. It was a strong, warm magic wrapped in something cold and dark.
A small wave of panic went through Lirael. Something had changed. She stilled the bell in her hand, looking around as she fought to keep her balance. The landscape had changed. The presence she had felt in the Second Precinct was gone. She couldn't afford confusion or fear here. She made her way back toward the First Gate.
On a hill, a young woman stood motionless, her pale skin nearly glowing under the moonlight. She was surrounded by a diamond of four glowing marks, one at each cardinal direction. The air directly around her was very cold, and frost had formed on her skin. Her eyes were open, tiny ice particles clinging to her lashes. She wore a strange purple robe, with tiny silver keys and golden stars printed on the delicate fabric. Over that she wore a mail shirt of armor. Draped over her shoulder and across her chest was a bandolier, though the pockets were far too large for any kind of standard ammunition. Protruding from each of the seven pockets was a wooden handle. On her belt was a sword in scabbard.