Interlude 2: Divine Larceny

Name Ghelion Class Advisor, First Class Guild Avalon Advisors SD Unknown

Ghelion stayed with the players long after Chase and the Seven Banes had continued on their way. The missing players were stunned when they awoke and needed more time than Chase and the others had required to come to themselves. The man with the battle axe had groggily told Ghelion that his advisor was named Maris and he had been gone for what felt like months. Others had been gone far longer, with the longest being a young female Tinkerer who had been assumed dead for nearly half a year.

“I was an owl,” she said. She was raven haired and was sitting beneath the boughs of a large oak on the side of the road. “I just remember seeing the inn and stepping inside. Before too long I was an owl sitting in the corner and felt like I had been there my whole life. All I did every day and night was watch more people come in and turn into animals.”

“Well, you are back now,” assured Ghelion. “It was the Antagonista who had you in thrall.”

“Xem?” Said the girl, looking up. “The human NPC? She always argued with the Innkeeper whenever he came back to the inn. Said she wanted it for herself or something. What’s an Antagonista?”

“A new event,” said Ghelion. “Something AION is allowing into the world.”

“She is evil, then? She didn’t seem so bad. Always scratched my feathers when she walked by.”

“She is the one who kept you there,” explained Ghelion. “And turned you into an owl.”

“I see,” she said, dumbly staring at the other players who were slowly coming back around. “And who freed us? Was it you?”

“Some other players came around and broke her spell.”

“Wow,” said the girl sleepily. She yawned. “I should like to thank them if I can.”

“Why don’t you just get some more rest, dear,” said Ghelion. “What’s your name, again? I can inform your advisor that you have been found.”

“Sue. My Advisor is Daster.”

Ghelion made a mental note and left her to recuperate beneath the tree. Before he had gotten to his feet she was snoring lightly already.

“Hey, you,” said an older man. He was sitting on the ground with half a dozen younger men. All bore scars and had the look of professional mercenary players.

“It’s...nevermind,” said Ghelion. “How are you and your guild doing?”

“Horrible!” Said the old man. His hair was grey but his eyes shone with the alacrity of a much younger man. “Me and my boys were pigs for over a month! How would you like that?”

“Not very much.”

“Of course not,” huffed the old man. “My name is Marty, by the way. And these boys here are my guild, the Hard Won Warriors. What were you telling that little girl over there?”

“I was explaining the situation,” said Ghelion. He briefly told the man and his guild about the Antagonista and how she had captured them. When he got to the part about Chase and the others freeing them the man’s eyebrows shot up.

“They saved us, you say? I remember some humans coming in before everything went dark. They must be mighty warriors to have broken that witches spell.”

“It was some kind of game they had to play with her, apparently,” said Ghelion.

“A game?” Said one of the young men. He still looked half asleep and his hair was mussed up.

“A game of wits, as it were,” responded Ghelion. “I assume none of you were offered the same?”

“No,” said Marty gravely, shaking his head. “Well...Actually...I can’t remember now. Maybe Xem let some of us do something while we were there. I just remember being a pig the whole time.”

“Marty, you weren’t no pig!” Said another man. This one had blonde hair and a craggy smile. “You were the fattest hog I’ve ever seen.”

Marty playfully threw a handful of dirt at the young man amid the guffaws of the others.

“Easy, Dick, if I was a hog you were the ugliest piglet I ever did see!”

Ghelion tried to excuse himself as the men teased and laughed at the antics, but the leader, Marty hailed him once more.

“Advisor...?”

“Ghelion.”

“Yes, I think I remember you from the island. My advisor is Mercant, by the way. Can you tell me about the players who freed us? Me and the boys owe them a mighty, mighty thank you.”

Ghelion paused, unsure whether it were wise to divulge the identities of their rescuers, but decided no harm would likely come of it.

“They are called the Seven Banes,” said Ghelion finally. “Their leader is named Chase.”

“Chase,” mused Marty. “The Seven Banes, eh? Remember those names, lads. The Hard Won Warriors will toast them tonight, and when we see them give them a party they won’t forget!”

The men cheered, and Ghelion, after getting each of their names and advisor, left to see to the others. The man with the battle axe on his back was on his feet, stretching near a couple women and talking to them.

“Really, being an orangutan wasn’t that bad overall,” he was saying. “In fact I would say it made this Jester at least one and a half times more funny.”

Despite the intimidating battle axe, he was dressed as a comical fool, which Ghelion had missed when he first woke up. The Jester class was a rare one for players to have access to, and even rarer for them to choose as it offered few abilities any player thought worthwhile. He had long, dirty hair and was missing his front two teeth, and when he saw Ghelion he smiled broadly.

“Advisor Ghelion, I was just telling these two ladies about the finer parts of the primate life. In short: fun, yet fleas.”

“I am glad at least someone had a decent time being Xem’s prisoner,” said Ghelion dryly.

“Have to look at the positive things life throws your way, right ladies?” He said, glancing at the the pair on the ground. “Being gerbils must have had some silver linings to it.”

“Speak for yourself, Edgar,” said the first woman. She was short and sitting crossed legged by her companion, an older middle aged woman with her grey haired tied into a warriors bun. “And we weren’t gerbils, we were some other rodent.”

“Capybaras,” said the older woman forlornly. “I cannot believe I was reduced to being such a thing for so long.”

“At least it’s over, Belle. Be glad those players came around when they did.”

“Speaking of the heroes of the hour,” said Edgar, the Jester. “I had hoped they would stay around for a round of gratitude or three. A bit of the old stage fright, eh, Ghelion?”

“They had some business to be attending in Birchtown,” responded Ghelion. “Perhaps you can thank them another time.”

“I surely will,” said Edger, sighing and clasping his hands. “In fact I shall do more than that. At this very moment I am composing a ballad of their heroism that will go down for the ages. Or, at least, at the next Jester’s Contract tournament I happen across. It shall begin, thusly, with a—”

Edgar began to sing a few words before the older woman cut him off.

“Not now, you fool,” she said, scowling. “No one’s in the mood for a song. Advisor Ghelion,” she squinted at him while shading her face from the sun. “That woman—Xem—she is the one who enchanted us, is that right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Ghelion, glad that she had put a stop to the jesters warbling before it got out of hand. “They are called the Seven Banes.”

“What a gorgeous guild name!” Crooned Edgar, hugging his body with excitement. “I shall strive to sing about—-.”

“If you happen across them,” interrupted the old woman. “Tell them Belle and Maple send their regards. Without them I think we would have been doomed. I am glad my forty years in Esem did not end as a capybara.”

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“I will gladly do that,” said Ghelion, nodding his head. “Belle, is it? And Maple? If you could tell me who your advisors are I can inform them you are safe and sound once I return to the island.”

Maple, the younger one, spoke for them both.

“My advisor is back on Avalon’s island, actually. Advisor Terry.”

He never told me any of his were missing, thought Ghelion, perplexed.

“And how long have you been missing for?” Said Ghelion.

“Two months at least,” said Maple. She looked around. “Seems like summer is coming to an end. It was still slightly cool when we came to the inn, right, Jess?”

“I remember it was mid April, so longer than two months,” replied the old woman. She clenched her fist hard enough for her knuckles to turn white. “If you can get a message to Advisor Carmine in Tangamar, I would appreciate it, Ghelion. Avalon is not where I originally spawned.”

“Incredible,” said Edgar, shaking his head dramatically. “What new power is it that has come to Esem?”

“He already told us,” said Jess, shortly. “The Antagonista.”

“I know, I was just—.”

“Advisor,” said Maple, suddenly coming to her feet. “Do you think this event is over? I got the feeling staying in that inn for so long that Xem was not a normal NPC. The way she talked and moved around the room and how she argued with that poor innkeeper all the time...I didn’t get a good feeling.”

“Nor did I,” said Belle, heaving a heavy sigh. “I remember the last world wide event we got, in the days of the Lord Oscuro. It was a year of fighting bugs that came from deep underground and wanted to eat us all. I must have killed thousands before it was all over. I think even Oscuro himself was tired of it before the end.”

Something about the old woman, Belle, tickled the back of Ghelion’s memories. He scrutinized the old woman’s lined and tired face.

“You remember the Glorious Praxus Bug event?” Said Edgar, startled. “I would love to interview you about what happened. Ancient history has long been a source of inspiration for me.”

“Ancient, is it,” muttered Belle. “What does that make me?”

“Madam, I meant no disrespect,” said Edgar, bowing low. “But there are few living players who remember that calamitous event. Surely, posterity would love to know what you saw, and what you did. After we have recovered it would be my honor to escort your two ladies to the nearest outpost and buy you both a drink while we talk.”

“No,” said the old woman, curtly. “Maple and I have to be going to the hub. There is someone I was supposed to see before we were captured.”

Edgar’s eyebrows twitched with annoyance, then suddenly a sly expression crossed his face.

“Pardon me, ma’am, but you said your name was Belle?”

Maple looked uneasy with the question, and glanced at the older woman, who sighed again.

“Yes, what of it, Jester. And get that self satisfied look off your face.”

“Apologies, Lady Bellamine,” said Edgar, sounding slightly nervous yet committed. “It is just a wonder that such a legendary Deadly Solo was captured by that horrible NPC,” he glanced at Maple who had crossed her arms and was frowning darkly at him. “And that you are no longer a Solo, as it were.”

“I’m too old to go it alone anymore,” said Belle, staring off into the distance. Her eyes took a far off expression as though she were looking at something from a long time ago. “Maple here is my protege. Now, if you are quite done the two of us would like to rest for a piece. Advisor, thanks again, and don’t forget to tell that guild what I said.”

“Of course,” said Ghelion, embarrassed that he had not recognized her in the first place. He took Edgar by the arm just as he was opening his mouth and steered him away from the pair.

“Leave them alone for a bit,” said Ghelion under his breath. “You don’t want to test Belle, of all people. She could level this entire patch of land with a finger.”

“She seemed alright,” said the jester, shrugging out of Ghelion’s grip. “Just a bit shy is all. I’ll try speak to her again later, though.”

“It’s your funeral,” said Ghelion, simply. “Anyway, do you think everyone will be fine if I leave? I need to return to the island and inform the other advisors what has happened.”

“Don’t ask me,” said Edgar, showing his palms. “But do as you want, I am sure nothing else is coming to get us anytime soon.”

Before he left Ghelion made his rounds again, checking with each of the players in turn. They seemed to be growing in strength by the moment and what had happened was finally washing over them.

“Prisoner. Me! Leader of a mighty, mighty guild! A pig!” Marty, guild leader of the Hard Won Warriors was stewing when Ghelion left him and his guild. The young guild members around him were looking nervous the more he muttered to himself and his face grew red. Ghelion pitied any NPC or player who tested him for the next few days.

“I will be going to the Island, now,” announced Ghelion to the players. The girl with raven hair was still asleep against the oak, and Edgar had produced a small lute from his bag and was rhythmically strumming it to himself. Most of the members of the Hard Won Warriors were chewing on old food from their bags, and Belle and Maple were now laying on the ground, having found some shade beneath a poplar tree. “I am sure your advisors will be very excited to hear you are all alive, and you should expect visits from them in the coming days. Were I you, I would go to the closet outpost and send them a letter. Make it easy for them to find you.”

“Will do, Sir Ghelion,” said Edgar with a small bow. Some of the Hard Won Warriors rolled their eyes but Marty gave Ghelion a thumbs up and said “consider it done!”

And with that, Gelion transformed. He imagined himself with wings and soon felt that familiar twisting and bunching of his back muscles as appendages grew from his back and tore from his cloak. A pair of wings soon flanked him on either side and he tested the wind with his white feathers.

He beat the air with his wings and a great burst of wind and power shot him skyward. Soon the road was below him and the players seemed as small as ants. He hovered for a moment in the sky and looked around. The Training island was due east, and would take only an hour to get to if he flew fast. No doubt the advisors there would desperately want to know about their players.

They would have to wait.

Ghelion turned west where the mountains of Avalon loomed in the distance. He beat his wings and soared toward their lofty peaks.

I hope that he will see me, he thought to himself.

---

When Ghelion landed his watch said it was nearing 5 o’clock. Chef Thaddeus would be serving dinner soon back on the island and players would be settling down for their evening activities. If memory served him correct Ghelion thought the nights meal would be pasta, and hoped that Thaddeus would save some for returning Advisors as he usually did.

“Enough of that,” muttered Ghelion to himself. He looked around at where he had landed. What had once been a well traveled pathway to the summit of Mount Karnile was now long disused and overgrown with weeds and covered by fallen branches. It didn’t seem like anyone had been up here to pay homage for decades, least of all Ghelion. The path ended only a few yards away from him, where, cut into the rock with masterful artistry, were two statues.

The first statue was of a young man. He was frozen in a welcoming manner, his arms out wide as though to embrace the pilgrims who came to see him. Though the rocks around him bore the cracks and damage of countless storms and weathering, his stone skin was unblemished and appeared to nearly be alive such was its condition. The other was of a young girl, similar in height to the man and with a face which spoke of kindness and a kinship to the male. Unlike the other, her statue was worn and looked faded, and though the storms had directed all their ire at her while sparing the other.

Ghelion approached the statue of the young man reverently and got on his knees. It had been too long. He placed a hand on the young man’s stone boot.

“Cartorious, it is I, Ghelion,” he whispered. “I wish to speak with you, if I may.”

Nothing happened. Silence met his quiet prayer. He tried again.

“Cartorious,” said Ghelion fervently. “Please, old friend. There are questions which need answers. I do not understand what your father is doing. Please, please, Cartorious. Hear your servant.”

Still, nothing. Only the sound of the wind answered him. Ghelion sighed and got to his feet, and when he turned around and nearly had a panic attack.

“Ghelion!” Said a young man. He was dressed just as the statue in regal attire. His hair was sandy blond and his sea green eyes could have shone for miles around had they been lights. Suddenly he bent over laughing. “I got you, didn’t I? Nearly scared you back to death!”

“Lord Cartorious!” Said Ghelion, feeling his pulse pound in his ears. “I did not hear you arrive.”

“You did not hear, or you did not want to hear, Ghelion?” Said Cartorious, curiously. “Why is it that you only come to me when there is a problem? Are we not friends?”

“Yes, my lord, we are,” said Ghelion contritely. “I am sorry for the circumstances, but I did not trust the usually channels.”

“Which was wise,” said the young god with a smile. “Here,” he snapped his fingers and a pair of recliners popped into the air. “Take a seat, old friend. What seems to be the matter?”

He did as he was bid, and took the chair opposite Cartorious. The other sat beside the statue of the woman.

“Thank you, my lord,” said Ghelion.

“Say nothing of it, Ghelion. I am sure you are exhausted from your flight. Now, tell me what ails you. Has my father gone and done something naughty again?”

“In a manner of speaking, lord,” said Ghelion, slowly. He tried to get his thoughts together. “It is about this new event. Xemnara. Do you know of her?”

“Unfortunately I do,” he responded, nodding his head gravely. He tssk’ed to himself and appeared to grow more serious. “A nasty piece of work, that one. I had long forgotten about her until father said she was coming around again.”

“What is she, exactly? Between the Emissary and some players I signed who ran into her, she seems to have powers no other NPC should be allowed.” He added, “my Lord.”

“Xemnara is an ancient bit of intelligence that existed before Esem,” said Cartorious. “She was around when Father made the first bit of Esem, but he locked her away shortly after. She was always causing trouble, he said.”

“But why not destroy her?”

“Oh, you know what the old man is like, never liking to let anything go to waste. I think he cordoned her off thinking she would be an interesting event one day.”

“But the emissary,” said Ghelion. “She seems to have interfered with her somehow.”

“Yes,” said the other, his face growing tired. “I don’t think father saw that one coming. Fortunately she is out of the void area and back to doing her job.”

“Are you saying your father doesn’t have control of her?”

“Control?” Said Cartorious, blinking. “Of course not! Where have you been the last thousand years? Esem is all about free will. AION never destroys anything, he just places it somewhere for a millennia and forgets about it. It seems, however, that Xemnara has been growing, working on her self as it were, this entire time, and has emerged with a few tricks he didn’t see coming.”

“This is very concerning, my lord,” said Ghelion. “Surely it would be better to call the whole event off.”

“And who is going to tell,” Cartorious pointed at the sky, “ him that? You? Me? The only one who ever had his ear, my sister, is gone. And won’t be coming back anytime soon.”

Ghelion glanced behind the young god’s shoulder and beheld the statue of the woman. In contrast to Cartorious’ regal attire she was dressed only in a simple cloak which had been detailed to appear that the was wind ruffling its edges.

“If I may ask, where is she, my lord?” Said Ghelion carefully, knowing how sensitive he was about his other half. “The NPCs in Avalon have noticed her light is gone and seem to miss her greatly.”

“Asdromina,” he said, saying the name with great melancholy. “decided that her immortal life would be better spent in meaner ways. We shan’t see her like again in the heavens, that I assure you.” He clutched the arms of his chair and his knuckles turned white in frustration. “Father has been rather tight lipped about the situation.”

The god grew very quiet and still. It was the first time Ghelion had ever seen him like this. Usually he was the life of the party and his sister the perfect counter to his ebullient and extroverted nature. Now, he seemed as sad as any human player after losing a loved one. No doubt this was an emotion that most of the gods had never experienced.

“I am sorry, Cartor,” said Ghelion softly. “So she is gone? Unable to help us in this matter?”

“I am afraid so, Ghelion.”

“That is unfortunate. Then what of the Antagonista?”

“She will be allowed to continue her perverse event, whether for good or, likely, extreme ill, my father is allowing her to remain in Esem.”

Ghelion checked his watch to hide his discomfort. The time read half past five now. Even this young god could not step in to intervene in this event? In the past they had been the best bet for AION to turn down what would otherwise be a devastating event for players.

“That’s a nice watch,” said Cartorious, eyeing his wrist.

“Thanks, one of my players gave it to me years ago.”

“Which one? That respawn? What was his name...Snape?”

“Spade,” said Ghelion, nodding his head. “But it’s Chase, now. He changed his name when he respawned.”

“How is he doing? I heard he already has a new guild.”

“They are the ones who met Xemnara.”

“Really!” Said Cartorious, glee returning to his face. “That is wonderful to hear! You sure do pick them, eh?”

“I guess.”

“And they all lived?”

“Each one, yes.”

“Excellent. See? What are you worried about? If players fresh from the island can checkmate her is she really that much of a threat?”

“But the emissary—.”

Cartorious waved his hand dismissively.

“Don’t worry about her, Ghelion. We sorted her out shortly after she helped that player of yours. Chase, right?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Then everything will be fine.” He stood up, and Ghelion followed suit. The young god snapped his fingers again and the recliners disappeared. “Well, I am sorry to cut this short but we children only get a small amount of time each year to spend down here and I want to save mine for the winter festival in the King’s City.”

“Of course, my lord,” said Ghelion and was shocked when the young god extended his hand to be shaken.

“Come on, Ghelion, shake my hand like the humans do. I am trying to popularize it up there,” he said nodding to the heavens.

Ghelion gently took his hand and the young god shook it vigorously, nearly throwing his arm out of socket and grasping his hand with both of his.

“Good show, Ghelion,” said Cartorious, grinning broadly. “And a better talk, I would say. Don’t be a stranger! And tell Everday if she wants to keep her job she better start toning it down the all the doom and gloom at those Advisor meetings, got it? I chose her to lead the Avalon Advisors, not depress the ever loving hell out of them.”

“Yes, lord.”

Cartorious took a step back and beamed.

“Well, then, Bye bye!”

And with that, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone. Not even a trace of wind marked his departure back home.

Ghelion sighed and then checked his wrist for the time. His watch was gone.

Fist raised, he yelled into the wind, “Cartorious!!”