When you see an opportunity, you have to snatch it up right then and there. That way, you leave no room for regrets.

Hey, look at that, I got a chance to weave in another one of my other short stories I've done in this world! If you would like to learn more about Linara, check out Animus!
...I have to say, when I started this Thursday_Prompt , I didn't imagine that she'd be showing up. A few ideas were buzzing around my head for who Ozin's invader might have been, but the characters write the story, and I wanted to know a bit more about what happened to her after the events of Animus, so...
:3c

Glossary:


Toria: The city of Toria was founded on the Bay of Anat, and it is this bay that shaped the capital of Verdania into what it is today. Once a place of orthodox order as the supreme seat of Belbatoria's worship, the constant flux of trade in and out of the harbor brought alks from all over Alka, each one changing the city bit by bit. Now, it is known as the most diverse and free city in the world.

Verdania: With its numerous trade routes, wealth of magical resources, and status as the seat of Belbatoria's worship, it is not uncommon to hear people say that Verdania is the center of the world.

Belbatoria: The proud goddess of order, light, and knowledge. Of all of the gods and their followers, hers are the most numerous, with devotees across the entire world.

alk: The anthropomorphic residents of Alka call themselves alks to differentiate themselves from the animals that they resemble.

Malevolent Damnation: Sometimes simply called hellfire, use of this spell is considered the highest crime by most nations. In essence, it is a supremely potent and painful itching powder, though none of its victims would ever call it that. It is most often used in interrogations as the effect can be toggled on and off by speaking the incantation.

spell: Every spell in Alka requires ingredients of some kind, and many of these spells come in the form of potions. The art of spellcraft involves careful measurements, specific techniques, and also a touch of etherial manipulation. Without a mage's inborn talent, not even a person following a spell's recipe to the letter can hope to create one for themselves.

ether: Sometimes called lifeforce or mana, this is a mysterious energy that suffuses the world, allowing mages to cast spells and giving rise to many strange, magical plants and animals.

zoomorphic: Sometimes, alks, especially snakes, birds, and mers, are born missing certain anthropomorphic traits or with extraneous ones, more closely matching their animal counterparts. Depending on the culture, such differences are either accepted or even celebrated, or they are erased with impunity.

mer: The common term for any sort of marine alk, but especially fish alks.

thieves' cant: Used by many a ne'er do well when silence is of the essence, this sign language's true origins lie beneath the waves.

etherial scope: This fragile device allows one to visualize the ether in living things and in spells. It is an invaluable tool to any researcher...or thief.

diviner: Many alks have the innate ability to sense magic, but diviners are able to sense even the ether in the air. As a result, they find it difficult to interact with the material world, often coming off as strange, aloof, or even wicked.