In Aelham

[Aurelia Courville]

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It’s a misty old world, and we are only in it for a short, sharp whileThe center most chamber of the Aventine fortress--the Temple of De'helio where the Mother was located--was filled with the sounds of whispered breezes through leaves. Most of the Veg'eta Pa'u were speaking the prayer of protection for the Pa'u, who would represent the Veg'etian people, and their escorts on the Aelham capitol.

As a tenth level Pa'u, second only to the Tree Mother herself, Ver'bena (http://www.swordandmug.us/Images/zahn.gif) was to be the head councilor in the Arbitration meeting on Aelham. With her, she would take five Veg'etian guards and two other Pa'us; Fi'dan (http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/ranilove2616/freta.jpg) and Chi (http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/ranilove2616/Tae.jpg), on a total of four Aves. It was her hope and prayer to the Goddess that this would be enough.


"Pa'u Ver'bena, it is time. The Aves are readied and the wind is in our favour." A tall guard with skin as grey as ash had spoke.

Ver'bena didn't look up from her knelt position in front of the tree mother, hands palm up and half stretched out before her. "Thank you Aesc. Tell Abellio we will be there shortly." The Guard nodded and exited the chamber to do as the Pa'u had bid.


Once Aesc was gone, The Mother tree spoke as if only for Ver'bena's ears. "You must make sure another war does not come." the Pa'u looked up then, to see pleading in her Mother's eyes. "The Goddess hears our prayers and will do all she can to give us the means to protect ourselves." She took a breath and tried again, her voice even lower than before. "But she can not control the others." Ver'bena thought The Mother meant to say more but Her eyes were closed now and she wouldn't move again for some time.

Ver'bena closed her eyes too. She hoped that her strength would be enough.


~


I know that look Pan, and you can stop giving it to me." Maia's voice was strained as she climbed down from the sallow tree she'd been collecting bark and leaves from for their medicinal uses. "'oh Poor Maia, left all alone again.'" She'd said in a high pitched mocking tone. "Just so you know, I didn't want to go all the way to Aelham for some stupid political venture." She jumped the last length of the tree and brushed her hands against each other in an attempt to clean them. She didn't have to look at the Ave to sense that it didn't believe her. Even she was finding it hard to believe the words she spoke. "I'm sure Pa'u Ver'bena had her reasons for not bringing me along."

Maia hadn't been at the protection chant with the other Pa'u. She hadn't been there to see the group off. She'd been sulking in the garden just outside the western gate.

Pangur Bán had found her in the sallow tree just after watching the other Aves leave with the head Pa'u and her group. Her head was tilted now and there was understanding in her eyes. Maia closed the gap between herself and the large white bird before her to stroke its beak.

"Of course," She said after a moment of thought, "She never said I shouldn't go either." The Ave ruffled its feathers knowing exactly what she was meaning to do. "Oh come now. Everything's perfectly alright. It is a peace meeting after all." She could feel Pan's glare at the back of her head, she had already started to walk back to the temple to prepare her clothes for her own departure. "And I'm a fourth level Pa'u--the only one of my age. Besides, I'm an adult and have been for the past twenty cycles. I can do as I please."


~

The stairs that led up to the senate hall were speckled with the bodies of delegates from almost every island of Aelham. The capitol was crowded with twice as many people as usual and the air was thick with tension. Ver'bena and the rest of the Aventine group landed and made their way into the senate building as quickly as they could.

Reuel, High Priest of the Ormereian tribes, greeted them once they were inside. He too would be helping Mediate in this process.

"Thank you, Reuel. It is nice to see a friend amongst us." Ver'bena said in greeting.

He laughed, a deep and rumbling laugh and lead her to the head of the room. "Our people can not afford to go through a war. And even if we could, we believe in a loving God who would not want to see us kill or be killed for no reason."

She smiled back, "Then our Gods are of the same mind, Reuel." There was to be a third representer as a mediator, but it seemed he hadn't arrived yet. The other races were entering the building though, so the two took their seats, Chi and Fi'dan and the Veg'etian guards stood just behind Ver'bena and Reuel's own men behind him.


~

Even with at least a half hour delay, Maia and Pangur had arrived not long after the others. "Look," Maia pointed down to the blue domed building that was the Senate hall. "There are the other Aves. You can land there and I'll sneak in through the--I mean, I'll walk through the front like any other." If it was possible, Maia could have sworn Pangur had just rolled her eyes.



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[spirits breath]

By a small inlet stream, by one of the many irrigation ones, a small isolated one was a nice place to relax. Mainly for Rhogar, as long as he was, he was more agile than it would seem, especially in a bed of water. He seemed to like it since it made his scales shine brightly for a while.

"Rhogar, how do you expect me to fit in there? Go behind you and have you splash up water with your tail?" Selena spoke almost sarcasticly. Her armor being removed to her cloth clothes. Wasn't fancy, but it was a godsend when it came to having her armor on.

Speaking with a light almost merry tone, he bumped his body out a bit to make a hole near his head. "There is always room for you my friend. And you would figure I would be used to seeing you in cloth by now. Something about you just looks nice with your armor on." A large grin came from hiim despite him controling it.

Jumping into the small stream, she gave her draconic friend a light tap on the side. Noticing the grin. "You only like the armor because it is covered with your scales. Do I have to explain it to you again? Or how about something more along the lines of... this!" She tightly squeezed at rhogars right arm.

A light chuckle at her attempt to startle something that is looking at her creep up on his arm. "You do know that you can't reach around my arm let alone by the thick part of it. But don't we have to go somewhere like some sort of councel or something?"

"i like your vagueness, and yeah." Selena wadded out of the water and began to jog to her armor and weapons. Wasn't anything fancy, but it had one thing most weapons didn't. It can stay ablaze with the magical fire, in a coopertive way. The arrows were a prime example of it.

Moments later, the two were on their way to the large blue domed building. Looking for the way inside.

[Atrum Daemon]

“Commandant, we have arrived,” the voice of the ship’s captain said from outside Delox’s door.

“Thank you, captain,” Delox responded, “I will be ready shortly.”

In truth, Delox was already dressed and prepared in terms of appearance. However, he had to prepare himself mentally for what he felt was an unnecessary appearance. Rebellion still existed on Hel and he felt that his skill would be much better used in that field. However, he had been selected to represent Hel and he would perform his duty.

While his age was equivalent to that of an old man within many races, Delox was still considered rather young among his own people. But, his standing within the Hellion military and his position as the eldest son of the current House Aldiani patriarch made him qualified to present Hel’s interests.

Before leaving, Delox made sure to strap his sword to his side. It was not the blade he normally wielded, no, the sword he wore was meant for such formal occasions. The blade and sheath were both ornately designed and well-crafted and while the blade was combat ready, it was plain and had no magical seals engraved upon it. Delox looked at the blade for a moment before sighing deeply, removing the sword and replacing it with his own. His own sword did not look as pretty as the other, but would serve the purpose well enough and be more effective if violence suddenly broke out during the meeting.

Straightening his clothing and making sure his armor was secure, Delox exited his room on the ship and stepped onto the dock with two guards flanking him. Walking from the dock, Delox set his course toward the blue-domed building in the distance.

[StormWolf]

High up in the antechamber of the First Tower of Malkier, the Lord Dragon (http://ramascreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/anthony-hopkins.jpg) and his gold-scaled companion looked down on the kneeling man before them from a raised pulpit. The elderly Lord Dragon stroked his pointed white beard a for what seemed like an era, mentally conversing with his Dragon.

"Gaidin Primus Marek Eisendrag, rise and let us look at you." the Lord Dragon spoke calmly, almost gently, but his voice and his tone was one that chilled the bone and demanded obedience. Marek did not hesitate to obey and rise to his feet. The Asha'man was draped in black from head to toe with eyes like iron pulled fresh from the furnace. Marek's bearded face remained cold and firm as the mountains of Mokai.

"Tell me, my child, why you think you were brought to here to meet me in person." the Lord Dragon leaned forward on his golden throne, resting his elbows on his knees. The Lord Dragon's golden Companion leaned forward as well, straightening its long and thick neck to take a whiff of Marek's scent. The Asha'man didn't flinch a centimeter.

"Lord Dragon, it is not my place to question. You beckoned me to come, and so here I stand before you." Marek spoke in a voice that was firm as steel and held a heat like the fire that forged said steel. It was the voice of a soldier and a zealot that was doubtless in his cause. This made the Lord Dragon smile.

"Right you are, my son. Right you are..." the Lord Dragon sat back up and knitted his fingers together. There had been enough idle talk, and they had wasted enough time with it.

"Marek, I am entering the twilight of my life. I have sensed the birthing of the next DragonHeart. You, as an Asha'man, know what you must do. You are to go and retrieve my Heir, so I may teach it before I die" Marek cleared his throat and bowed respectfully to the Lord Dragon.

"As my Lord Dragon wishes, but if I may ask... why me?" Marek asked from his bowed position. It was irregular for a Gaidin to meet with the Lord Dragon, let alone be assigned to find the DragonHeart for the next generation.

"Why me, he asks?" the elderly prophet chuckled and slapped the golden arm rest of his throne. The laughter quickly faded away after a fit of coughing. "You are the most zealous and loyal Asha'man I have seen in a long time, Marek. You always bring Malkier to glorious victory, no matter the cost. For that trait alone, I need you." the Lord Dragon took a deep breath, patting his Dragon on the nose.

"The DragonHeart has been born to the highest authority of the Veg'eta people. I am sure you know of them." once the Lord Dragon saw Marek nod, he continued. "Heretical as they may be, the new DragonHeart as been brought from beyond the veil of time and taken to a new life in the form of a Veg'etan child. You must bring the DragonHeart back to Mokai with the greatest haste. Our entire nation rests with you." Marek cleared his throat and bowed to the Lord Dragon once more.

"I will not fail, my Lord. My word to the Maker, mark my soul, I will not return until I have the DragonHeart." Marek gave a salute to his revered leader, waiting for a dismissal before turning on his boot heel and striding out of the marble hall to where his own Dragon was perched.

I say, Marek, you feel absolutely terrified... Sura'fina mused worriedly in the mind of Marek, her voice echoing and beautiful, like the voice of the most angelic of singers.

Of course I am terrified, Sura. The fate of Malkier has been heaped on my shoulders. Marek said back to her telepathically as he mounter her saddle. Sura'fina spread out her wings and took to the sky, circling the White Tower and gazing at the vast city below. They both got absorbed in the High Chant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX6LjPvXV4I). Sura'fina offered her own soft voice to the chorus that ebbed through the city. Marek was humming the male parts of the High Chant, but his mind was set on the Asha'man Temple.

Marek, I know where you are planning on going, and you know that I hate it! Sura'fina glowered lightly over her shoulder at Marek, knowing that if he had set his mind to it, not even the Maker could deter him.

"I have to, Sura. I gave my word to the Maker, and I must seal it." Marek did not sound happy about his decision, but he sounded resolute. Sura shook her head and swooped down to the Asha'man Temple. Marek dismounted and made his way towards the Chamber of Oaths whilst unbuttoning his coat and shirt. By the time he was inside the Chamber, Marek was naked from the belt up. His muscular body was criss-crossed with scars and runic brands from his lifetime of service to the Lord Dragon and to Malkier. Going to his knees, Marek started to chant his prayers to the Maker, touching his head to the cold marble floor. Before him stood the Holy Symbol of the Maker (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KL0gPoxruBc/TDFAY9bxuLI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/ROyis5h7wcU/s1600/empire_symbol.jpg), glinting in its magnificence. On the alter beneath the Symbol sat a multi-tendriled leather whip called the Discipline. The tool of pain was blessed in the holiest of oils and salts, designed for making blood pacts with the Maker himself.

Marek took the Discipline from the altar and brought the lash down across his back, leaving deep red lines in his pale skin. Marek continued to chant his prayer to the Maker in the Old Tongue, swearing to the Maker that justice and purity would be upheld as blood oozed down Marek's muscular back. The pure salts and holy oils burned the gashes left behind, but they also kept out infection and banished ailments. Marek flogged himself across the back 15 times, one for each Law that was given to the Malkier by the Maker.

Once the flogging was finished and Marek washed his back, he got dressed in his shining Gaidin Armor (http://www.dragonagenexus.com/downloads/images/647-1-1270854703.png) of Starmetal, dragon scales, and dragonhide. The armor had been recently polished and repaired from the last conquest, as was Marek's ashandarei, or sword-spear. Clasping on his black Asha'man cloak with a brooch of the Maker's Symbol holding the cloak on over Marek's heart. Ready to make his appearance at the Council, Marek mounted Sura'fina and dug his spurs in to her hide, sending the two of them soaring off in to the open sky towards the council at the city of Aelham.

****

Sura'fina soared in the skies over the floating city of Aelham. Her blue scales sparkled like gems in the sunlight. Marek's appearance was just as magnificent, his Starmetal armor glinting brightly high up in the sky. Swooping down, Sura'fina brought them down to the Senate chamber. People of various races milled about or stood idle, but quickly dispersed to make room for the Dragon to land. Guards readied their pikes, but soon felt the cold feeling of fear sink in their stomachs as they made eye contact with Marek's burning red eyes.

"I come to speak on behalf of the Lord Dragon of Malkier. You will stay your weapons." Marek's voice echoed eerily within his helmet. The guards looked at each other, then pulled their spears back and stuttered their apologies to the heavily armed Malkieri delegate. Marek was deaf to their words and dismounted Sura'fina, patting her on the side.

Stay alert, Sura. I'd not be able to bear anything ill coming of you. Sura snorted and nudged Marek's chestplate with her snout.

You be careful, Marek! Do your best not to start another crusade. They both chuckled. Marek removed his melmet and touched his brow to Sura's snout, smiling faintly as they exchanged jests and jabs for fun before Marek had to turn and head inside the senate building, his helmet tucked under his arm.

[Nevan]

From the water-island of Pryham, came Anendual, Prince of a race who were still very much unknown to the common outsider.
Perhaps it was this, or perhaps it was the reason he had been sent alone to such an important meeting, with little to no experience of the lives of Land-walkers, that caused a young Royal to walk to the meeting amongst groups of curious do-gooders, local News reporters and other secondary characters who would spend the meeting not-actually-in the Blue Dome.

Anendual wore white-leggings, blue-laced shoes and a green waist-coat decorated with gold-coloured finery. Just under that waistcoat lay a white shirt, and under that still was an amulet; the reason he could walk in the first place.

Indeed, his abnormally unbalanced walk, which occasionally had him hold his arms out to keep balance, drew attention as much as his slightly Serpentine features, and his pale-blue skin.
When not narrowly avoiding falling over, he was tightly clutching a rolled up piece of slimy parchment, or uncomfortably pulling at his collar and complaining about heat and dryness under his breath.

Eventually the crowd he had been apart of began to slow, then came at a stop by a series of Armoured guards intent on keeping the Riff-Raff out. Anendual didn't stop with the rest, he kept walking through the men and women who spoke in languages made purely out of complaints, rude adjectives and moaning until two crossed spears stopped him in his path.

"Let me in!" The man hissed.
"Identification!" A certain guard captain hissed back.
"..Ah... Uh... Well. You see, I wasn't given any. But I do have this," the man explained, with a noticeable hiss at the beginning of 'see'. He held up that slimy piece of parchment and gave it to the Guard, who unrolled it and looked in disgust at the state of it.

"Was this thing written un-"
"Yes."
"... Well... From what I can read... I know that this doesn't make any sense."
"Huh? What does it say?" Asked the sly Anendual.
"While the Seaman so longer stands, the people of vision will serve the timeless Kingdom.. As I said, this makes-" And so the guard was cut off by the effect of the spell he had cast upon himself.

"Entry granted."

"Thank you. Also, these people need entertainment, do a little juggling for them, yes?"

And so Anendual walked freely into the Blue Dome, while a confused Guard Captain flimsily tried to juggle something that wasn't there. The sheet was no longer going to cause trouble; it had turned into liquid and disappeared through the ground just as Anendual ducked the crossed spears and made his way inside to a meeting he was certainly going to enjoy...

-

Moments later, the figures of one man and one woman wearing Serpent-scale armour and sheathed swords stepped through the crowd towards the Juggling Captain. They were obviously of the same race as Anendual, and seemed to have a similar body-changing enchantment cast upon them.

They stopped by the guard, and looked at one another. "Why did he do this?" The man asked, "using such magic was completely unnecessary."

"You know the Prince," the woman explained, "he will do it simply because he can. I will follow and ensure he gets into no more trouble. End this poor man's humiliation, yes?"

"Of course. It will take some time; try not to have too much fun without me."

The woman laughed, then continued on through guards who had no Captain to refuse her entry. The man merely set to work restoring the damage done.