BEJEWELED〔M〕〔IC〕「Hoef & GodlyD&D」

[GodlyD&D]

The men were excused shortly after that. Ildapan and those men with him reunites soon with the others left who had accomplished setting up the initial camp. Ildapan then sent out those who could speak the Damuzi speech out to other communities that would need to be reached, accompanied by others appointed to go with them. During this time work on building a fortified base to be secure enough with posts for observing all around it. The base portion of this was just in place, when others returned with the news of their acceptance, and with all those back, the work on building went yet faster.

It was several days involved, taking a lot of wood, for layered walls, with stone filling the space inbetween, which was still being worked on, when news of importance came.

[Dire Hoef]

From the west did a messenger arrive.

And with that messenger came a party of a half dozen people. Among them was the priestess Idmah, who had been commanded by her mother to follow the halfblood back to this very camp.

Now that she was here, she took the initiative in standing before Erhardt. "I am the one who communes with the Island. I am Idmah Bebe-mak, daughter to Meskalam-dug. High Priestess of the Anu-Hadis. The news your messenger will bring will be spoken by me. He may save his breath," she gave the man a knowing nod. He returned it in kind, stepping aside.

Idmah, standing among dozens of men, spoke candidly. "This island will know no rest. The battle that was waged disturbed the slumber of dreaming demons. Slamp, who was its name, was merely one of the many demons that call this place home."

Erhardt took a moment to look to Ildapan and then those gathered before saying, "I had faced this Slamp, and it was certainly a threat.. But what must I and my men do to combat even stronger foes?"

Idmah thought about the question, and after some deliberation said, "The Anu-Hadis said to me that one of you will suffice in becoming its Warden. I believe you lot already know who that is."

Those gathered rested their eyes upon Father Ildapan, who had just entered the conversation.

[GodlyD&D]

It was taking time for the translation of Idmah's words to be given to these men of Erhohen who had come to be watchful and give the defense they could for those on the island, for those not understanding the speech of the Damuzi, including Erhardt, so Ildapan still caught enough for the gist though he just managed coming that late into the meeting.

Ildapan who spoke this speech said to Idmah, who he saw was an impressive figure who called for respect, "I may be the one Warden as I perceive there is the call for it, but these others with me would not just return to the lands they are from, and I would not have managed any of what has been according up until right now without them. So I should have them still around with appointed jobs around here in assisting me while I yet act as the Warden for watching this land of the Damuzi. I also know what some among our own people were missing, there are things which are supernatural that are starting to become more central to this world, this should not be ignored."

[Dire Hoef]

Idmah, hearing the man's words, thought of what the Divine Gem had told her. Thus she spoke, remaining candid, "That is fine. The spirits that dwell among us only seek you, what happens to these people is none of my concern. To me, you are all ghosts."

Idmah carefully closed the distance between her and Ildapan. She examined his stature, his character. From the locks of hair down to the boots that he may wear. All was scrutinized. However, she did not deny him for the Anu-Hadis accepted him. She was not to argue for this man had been given the favor of all that dwell in the light. So she said, after the scrutinization was over, "You will leave me to the Great Shrine at the center of this island whenever you are ready. There, you will be given your blessings as Warden."

[GodlyD&D]

Ildapan said, in the words Idmah would undesirable directly, "I will be ready very shortly. I must see that the men working with me will have everything here they need to have this structure adequately built by the end of this day for having a fortified shelter for all there that night, while there would be a position there high up for watching, which would then be occupied as a station starting that night. When I see enough to trust they will have that, I will come." He turned and said to Erhardt, "Show me to the fortified sides that I can see how adequately they are done, and show me then the interior chambers that were worked on. I will judge if I should trust that you will have it finished enough for use this night."

Erhardt agreed and then led Ildapan to where he could look carefully at all those things.

[Dire Hoef]

From there Ildapan was shown the fortifications. They were sound, made from the wood brought forth from their motherland. And in its strength was Ildapan assured by Erhardt. He said, "We will be able to withstand many winters. You've traveled far from your home, father, that I must commend. However, your journey only begins now. You are no longer just a citizen of Erhohen, but the Warden of the Forgotten Isles! Cheers to your call! Hofen Hail Hylax!" There were cheers from those gathered. Idmah, separated from them, stared on in eager silence.

And when Ildapan was given ample assurances, he left there with Idmah. He and her traveled through the jungles, undisturbed. Not a soul dared come before them, for they were blessed. And when the pair arrived at the Holy City of Eridu, they were greeted with flowers and incense. The elders were expecting their arrival, and had runners usher them to the grand zigguarat at the city's center.

There, both Idmah and Ildapan stood before a half-circle of old wise men; aged well past their years. They observed them quietly before the seventh one, who sat in the middle, spoke with a thunderous tone, "Warden of the Isle. The Divine Gem has chosen you. How does one speak on this? Are you prepared to battle against the evils of this world?"

[GodlyD&D]

Ildapan spoke with words of the same speech his mother and her mother before had made sure would continue through him. "I have seen great troubling things coming to this Isle of the Damuzi. Those things are showing a start of what can possibly come, and this Isle is in need. I would be ready to do what I can for the defense needed here, with being sure the men who came with me remain to be at my assistance. If what has come already does not return, I am sure we need to be ready for something else that would be a threat that yet comes, and it will need us to be more ready. In being chosen I will do all I can with what is available for me, even while I call on all here to examine themselves and be more battle ready in the ways they can be."

[Dire Hoef]

"Then it shall be so," he raised his hand to the other wise men who nodded in agreement, "You shall be sent to our deepest chambers to complete the final rites. We must arm you with the ancient tools of war. I am sure your blood mother told you stories of when our people knew the way of death. We have forgotten them now, but you will rekindle that flame. Wielding it with temperance and security." From that breath, two escorts stepped into the room; ready to guide the man of Damuzi blood.

Idmah stood forward a few paces and announced herself, "I have heard the Divine Gem speak with intent. It warned me of the second arrival. A great giant will be disturbed and arise from the base of the mountain. Its form was too close to be a monster, and too far to be a man." Idmah gave each of those men a look of pure confidence, and for that they began to discuss amongst themselves. However their whispers were quickly dashed at the mention of, "Slamp. That's was to be the name of the preluding demon. I say to those who cannot defend the weak flee to the coast. This place, that lay at the foot of the Great Mountain, is in danger of being swallowed by that giant."

"Then you urge us to listen?" The third of the seven questioned thunderously.

"I urge you to act, my elders. To the weak they must run for they will be swept up in the tidal wave of death and destruction! I and the Warden may be able to withstand the attacks of the giant, but you all cannot. I suggest again taking everyone to the coast. There, the Warden has built a fort that will protect us in the coming months ahead. Go there, and shelter there!"

[GodlyD&D]

Those elders did not wait. Ildapan looked at Idmah, and said, "I do not know anything about this giant that is more a monster, I would need you to tell me about him. But Slamp was no mere prelude, but was certainly a mighty being, demon or not, yet offering choices rather than just threatening to kill."

[Dire Hoef]

Idmah, with the elders having fled from this place, spoke to Ildapan, "The Divine Gem had uttered his name, Yhorman. Such a name I had never heard be spoken as us Damuzi were given names like that of our beloved creator. This name does not belong with us, and thus may be before our settling. However, what is most important is that this monster wields fire as his sword. Be it friend or foe, this monster will consume all life for it hungers eternally. I think it to be the punishment for rebellion, but the Divine Gem does not tell me everything. It only has given me the most important facts of this monster."

Idmah took Ildapan's hand and guided the Warden to the chamber of the final rites; flanked on either side by the two escorts.