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An adventuring party recruited from Osirion teleports into Azir on the 8th of Desnus. Rahadoum's recruiting contact in Osirion wrote ahead to note they were expected. Couple of guys he's known a long time - a wizard, a ranger - and a new guy, sorcerer, probably to replace the cleric they usually travel with. They spend two days in Azir getting oriented and head out to the front. The ranger wears an unusually high quality amulet of Nondetection; the sorcerer wears a headband for intelligence, which is a bit unusual as sorcerers usually don't need it to cast, but some variants do; they are otherwise unremarkable. Chaotic Good, Lawful Neutral, no reading, which could mean neutral or 'hiding it'. They work quickly and effectively, manage resources reasonably well, get recommended to higher-ups for a closer look on that account.
He ducks his head.
"- I had hoped I was wrong to fear you. That is by far the better world to be in. I am very grateful that you kept my secret. And - I am sorry. For being wrong. For hurting you when it accomplished nothing. I...could not have taken the risk before I knew for sure. You must know that." A crooked smile. "Of course you know that. It does not exactly seem to have held you back, that I left when I did. I know it means little now, but - I am very proud of you. And you figured it out, too, I am so curious what clued you in. Though of course it would serve me right if you never told me."
"I know everything. I am a cleric of Nethys. - he chose me for me. It had absolutely nothing at all to do with you."
"I invented a new ninth-level spell! The way you do it - I wish you'd told me you were cheating, I wouldn't have been so angry with myself for needing so many tries to get them all to work."
"I am sorry." He looks down at the plush carpet, for a moment, then back to her. "I doubt it would have mattered at all if I had ever met you, in terms of Nethys finding you. You were always going to find a road for yourself. But - it was a very happy time, for me, when the world around seemed so dark, and I will always be grateful for that."
"I suppose I cannot help being myself, by definition. I do believe it. And - I am sorry for costing us thirty years, by being so very myself. And I am deeply grateful for your aid now." His smile broadens a little. "Do you have a plan for the House of Oblivion? The pharaoh of Osirion seems to think you may have one squirrelled away."
"Impressive!" His eyes narrow a little. "Somewhere else in the material plane, or elsewhere?"
"I feel that 'elsewhere' is a very inclusive word, really. Well, please do not dump a portal to Abaddon on Velgarth, they have enough problems. I am sure you will do something sensible."
"Are you. I'm not going to hurt Velgarth, Velgarth is lovely. I might drop in and steal one of their superweapons but I promise only if I need it for something important."
"Perhaps 'sensible' is not the appropriate word for a ninth-level cleric of Nethys. Brilliant and insane, does that suit you better?"
"I am nonetheless rather fond of mine, so you will have to do the noticing for both of us."
"Well, all right." She shakes her head, sighs. "If I'm moving the House of Oblivion I should get started on that. Give my regards to your wife, and the children."
"Yes, of course. I would tell you to be careful, but that would be silly. But - do take care. I hope we will speak again after the war."
Leareth is going to ask about that after. He's also wondering if Nefreti chose to say it just to see the look on his face.
"If we don't speak again after the war, your incaution, not mine, will be at fault," she says, and leaves, and vanishes as soon as she's outside the room.
"Yes, do you not?" He shakes his head a little. "You ought meet them. After the war, when there is time to spare. Parmida and I married very soon after the - events of my death. When I finally told her the truth about myself and she believed it, she wished to go into stasis so that she would be here for me when the time came. I could not keep her alive as long as I could myself, the magic is harder... I missed her very much but it is what she wanted. My adopted son Saba is in Axis. I would like to introduce you, someday, when it makes sense to visit. You would like Axis. I had a city there once, it was beautiful. My daughter Zahra is retired and has a lovely little house - she knits in her rocking chair and she makes magic items for the war twelve hours a day. I love them dearly."