Tea
Location: Victoria / Royal Palace / Health Ward / Aurora's Treatment Room
Time: Y1503 / 16th day of the Wither Moon
POV: Aurora
"Thank you for coming, Minister." (Aurora)
*sit* "Of course I would come if you call, First Princess. Is there anything I can help you with?" (Minister of Information Helena Grande)
The Minister of Information is a Fair Skin woman about forty years of age. She wears a dark blue form fitting dress. A cowl covers her head, hiding her hair and casting shadows over her face. Her role as a minister is made evident by her signet of black gold with an open eye etched on it.
*pour tea* (Ancilla Falesia)
"This will be all. Leave us." (Aurora)
*bow* "As you will, Princess." *leave* (Falesia)
"As you know, the fight with the traitor left my arm crippled. The Queen wishes for me to go to Alba and receive treatment from Gloria's healers." (Aurora)
"Fascinating." *sip* (Helena)
The Minister didn't obtain her position only because of her family name.
If my tutor didn't introduce me to her techniques, I would probably fall from them.
One such wisdoms is that humans are uncomfortable in long silences. If you want someone to reveal more information, you just have sit in silence. They will talk.
*sip* (Aurora)
By staying silent as well, she'll understand that I know of this, and we can move on to have a more meaningful discussion.
...
"... What do you wish of me, First Princess. My time is valuable." (Helena)
"The reports of Jerica, the traitor and whatever intel you may have on the Beast, the Church of Gloria and Alba." (Aurora)
"What you ask may not even exist, Princess. It will take time to find out. And as I said my time is valuable. You see, my duties are many, there may be much to be done before I can search." *sip* (Helena)
A veiled way to say that she wants something in exchange.
"Of course, minister. I'm just speaking by hypotheticals, here. But if I were to succeed in my mission, I would be closer to the position of Queen, wouldn't I? Who is again that decides how the treasury is allocated? I never seem to remember~ *smile* (Aurora)
*grin* "My time is valuable, First Princess. But it is my duty to answer to your request. You'll have the scrolls delivered to your room by the end of the day. As for Alba, you may want to search the Royal Library. Someone that lived in the past might just have left records of that place somewhere in the library." (Helena)
Materials
Location: Alba / Mera's Chamber
Time: Y1503 / 16th day of the Wither Moon
POV: Lenbor
*knock* "Priestess Mera, Master Artificer Faber and Artificer Lenbor seek audience with you." (Lenbor)
"Please, come in." (Mera)
Master and I enter the large chamber of the priestess. Of course she enjoys a much larger room than we do.
What a sight. The light from the sun shine from the window behind her, making her appearance somewhat divine. She is so beautiful.
"Master Faber, what do you think of our forge?" (Mera)
"It will do. Yes, it will do!" *grin* (Faber)
Uhm... Master is not easy to please when it comes to his tools. We even brought in materials to improve their forge as we were sure it would be lacking.
Now I want to see it even more. I guess Meridia had an hand in preparing it to suit my Master needs.
"Lenbor, that piece of wood you are holding, did Liara enchant it?" (Mera)
"Yes. Feel free to examine it." (Lenbor)
The enchantment she engraved failed, but how many years it took for me to reach this level? I'm hesitant to show her progress, but my master hate lies. And I can't exactly hide it. It's best just to show it.
Still, I am reminded how much aptitude and gifts matter. All my handwork, and soon I will be surpassed by a three years old little girl.
*look down* (Lenbor)
"Impressive. You make for a good teacher, Lenbor." (Mera)
"... I don't deserve praise. Liara's aptitude and intelligence are off the scale. She would surpass me in no time, regardless of who teaches her." (Lenbor)
"Good thing you noticed, lad. You can never compete with her, as you could never compete with Meridia. So don't! Do what you can do. Only a fool would try to fit where he doesn't belong." (Faber)
... I will never achieve Master's techniques then.
"Once Liara grows as enchantress, Meridia and Faber will take over as her teachers. But right now she needs a kindred spirit to start with. You, Lenbor, are perfect in this role. After that, I plan to offer you a place as smith for the Church of Gloria, if you wish for it. We can use a man of your talents." (Mera)
*glance at Faber* (Lenbor)
"It's your choice lad. Always had been. Other were more adept than you, but I took you in because you put the work in and never give up! You'll do fine as smith for those people. Gloria knows how much they need a good smith!" (Faber)
What am I doing with my life? My dream to achieve Master's technique will never come true. My Mother will never change. Father will never come back. What am I to do? Is forging weapons and armor all? Who am I forging weapons for? I feel more lost than ever.
"Lass, since I'm here I might as well tell you. I need materials. Lots of them! Black Gold. Crystals. Gems. Precious Metals. Old Wood." (Faber)
"Lass?!? *sigh* Very well. As long as you forge for the church, we'll procure what you need. About the payment~ (Mera)
"I don't need payment. Give it to the lad here if you want. I already received payment from Meridia. Something money can't buy!" *grin* (Faber)
I wonder what Master means by those words...
"There is more. I will tell you where to find black gold. Also, I'll share with you the location of a large crystal. Make sure you don't half ass the retreival expeditions." (Faber)
*gaping* (Lenbor)
I can't believe Master is willing to share such secrets!!! What kind of payment did he receive from meridia?!?
"... That's... very generous of you, Master Arteficer." (Mera)
"Not at all. There are possibilities that were never opened to me. Something that can only be done here and now. The material you gather will be for me to use. As far as I'm concerned, it's you who are working for me! He he he." (Faber)
Royal library
Location: Victoria / Royal Palace / Royal Library
Time: Y1503 / 16th day of the Wither Moon
POV: Aurora
As I walk down the corridor, the white sterile walls of the health ward leave place to marble walls covered in portraits. Beyond that, the style changes again to wooden walls with no windows, lighted by crystals, until i reach a large old looking wooden door.
I don't know why the door is so big. It's so impractical that there is a smaller door on the large door! I pass through as guards glances at me.
*enter* (Aurora)
The Royal Library. The greatest collection of knowledge in the Kingdom. I remember looking on scrolls about healing magic when I was learning how to treat myself.
*whisper* "Sister. I see you are feeling better. How is your arm? The thought of you not being able to use it anymore won't let me sleep at night!" *teary eyes* (Princess Candidate Elise)
*whisper* "Thank you, sister. Your words of comfort are already making me feel better." *smile* (Aurora)
The library is neutral ground, we princesses are not allowed to oppose each others in here. Exchanging empty word is all we can do.
As I walk through the familiar bookshelves, I see one of my sisters kneeled on the floor, as engrossed in her research as always.
*whisper* "Sistina. How are you?" (Aurora)
*jump* "Ah!" *tumble* (Princess Sistina)
Sistina is a bit older than me. She has long unkept silver hairs, and is short in stature. Her attire is not befitting a princess and she is flat. She dislike conflict and hate competition. She basically lives in the library where my sisters can't touch her.
*extend hand* *whisper* "Here, let me help you."(Aurora)
*grab hand* *whisper* "I'm sorry, Aurora." (Sistina)
*whisper* "It's alright, Sistina. Say, what are you researching, those days?" (Aurora)
*whisper* "I was looking into this tale on how an hermit was able to speak with Gloria! He~ (Sistina)
Sistina is shy and reserved, but as long as it's about topic she read in a book, she can speak fluently for hours.
I wonder why Mother let her stay a Princess. She is totally unfit to rule.
Still, I am thankful that she is here. My sisters only see me as an obstacle to be overcome. They form alliances with each others, but no one ever allied with me. I'm the First Princess. I'm a threat to all of them. Even more so after my recent duel. Two of my sisters were discarded already.
Even Mother. She cares for me only for as long as I can become a reliable successor. I can see doubts in her eyes. I'm so very afraid she will discard me too!
*shiver* (Aurora)
My retainers and everyone else see me as a potential future queen. They talk to me like they would talk to someone far away.
I'm close to my tutor, but I'm certain that she puts up with me because of her obligations. If I fail, she dies. And she wants to live. This is all there is to it.
In truth I am alone in this world.
*whisper* ~is everywhere! Uhm... Aurora, why are you crying? Are you unwell?" (Sistina)
*wipe tears* *whisper* "I'm fine, thanks Sistina. I'm just happy to have you, that's all." *smile* (Aurora)
*whisper* "You? Happy to be friend with me??? But I'm the lowest ranked Princess! If anything, I am the one happy to have you as friend! The only thing I can do is reading books." *look down* (Sistina)
*whisper* *hold hands* "We all have our gifts, Sistina. Do not dismiss yours abilities as worthless. They are not. Also, I need your help. I was trying to find out more about Alba~ (Aurora)
Archives
Location: Alba / Archives
Time: Y1503 / 16th day of the Harvest Moon
POV: Liara
"There, here we are, Liara. The Archives of Alba." (Meridia)
We are in a large dark room with a low ceiling. The walls and floor are all excavated from naked rock. The air here is so dry that I can feel my throat becoming.
The Crystal light we brought reveals many lines of bookshelves until they are eaten by darkness. This room is very big. I'll have to explore to find out just how big it is.
[So many books! This is paradise! I wonder what kind of scrolls they have here! History? Spells? I can't wait to find out!] (Bookworm Me)
I advance and enter the small passage between two shelves.
*grab scroll* (Liara)
The scroll is very old, but is surprisingly well kept. The lack of humidity probably is a big factor.
"How old are those scrolls, Sister Meridia?" (Liara)
"Some of them are older than the Kingdom itself. Those scroll were brought along in their voyage by pilgrims faithful to Gloria, and were old even back then." (Meridia)
*unfold scroll* (Liara)
I bring out a magical light of my own to help out in reading. It is forbidden to bring a live flame here for obvious reasons. Magical light are just more convenient too, as long as one can weave magic, that is.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
I can recognize many symbols, but some looks like warped versions of pittograms I know, and many words make no sense.
"Sister Meridia, what language is this?" (Liara)
"
"This is where I come in, Gifted One. I will teach you the ancient words. I never taught anyone as young as you, but I'm sure you'll get it, in time. Just don't expect to succeed in days, as you usually do." (Sister Geneva)
I can read the modern language, albeit with some difficulties.
[We know about 70% of the symbols and 40% of the words. Enough to glean at the meaning of the phrases. Like eastern languages in our world, mastering speech is much easier than to master reading and writing. This
Well, it's an hurdle we have to overcome. Training in enchanting and magic is progressing well, but I know too little of this world. Plus I have the feeling that something important is written in those scrolls. Something that I must know...
[Yes. Learning might not be as glamorous and exiting as magic, but it is a part of life. We have to make time for that. We can help you with common sense and experience, but we are as foreign of this world as you are.] (Doctor Me)
[And being holed up inside this fortress is not helping. Well, at least it's a nicer place than Victoria.] (Artist Me)
[If only we had
[It can't be helped. One thing is to weave large but simple spells. Our body has great aptitude, they come easy to us. Small complex spells are another thing altogether. We won't need two decades like other magi, but it will still take years to achieve mastery.] (Science Me)
My experience with school in this world wasn't smooth, but I never went to school in the old world. Making friends and learning was somewhat nice. At least after Thomen... went away... I still learn here, but many of the trainees stayed behind in Victoria. Most of the time is just me and a teacher. It's somewhat lonely.
*thump* "Sisters, the table, the chairs and the crystal light. As you requested." (Merce)
"I'll leave you to it, then. Learn well, Liara. Be warned. Not everything in those scrolls may be pleasant to read. If you have doubts, please, share them with me or Serina." *leave* (Meridia)
What did she means by that?
[I wouldn't worry if I were you. Our old world's history is full of bad guys doing the worst things. I don't expect this world to be any better.] (Bookworm Me)
*sit down* "Let start, Gifted one. What is this symbol?" *point* (Geneva)
*sit down* "Uhm... Water?" (Liara)
"Most of the times yes, but if near this one it means rain. If near~ (Geneva)
Sigh... This really will take a while...
[You know what they say. To achieve mastery in something you have to practice ten thousand hours!] (Bookworm Me)
[Have fun with that. I'll be researching boring enchantments.] (Science me)
[I'll think about old boring world shattering spells! We'll leave the fun to you! Hi hi hi.] (Gamer Me)
*sigh* (Liara)
Soldier's Life
Location: Alba / Barracks
Time: Y1503 / 17th day of the Wither Moon / Dawn
POV: Stella
*ding* *ding* (Bell)
*yawn* *raise* (Mage Knight Stella)
Early to bed, and early to raise. This is the life of a soldier. Still in Victoria things were better. There were separate dormitories for women and men, there. Here we are mixed, and this lead to awkward moments as we put on our uniforms.
Back then, when I was born, the war killed most male soldiers. Now that our generation is picking up arms, the young are about half male half female. But the old guard is mostly female soldiers. And they all look at us young recruits with hungry eyes.
There is nothing we can do about that since they hold higher positions. Good things punishments are harsh, and they don't dare too much.
*shift in bed* (Recruit Stefi)
Speaking of young recruits. Stefi has been in our ranks for more than a moon, and I have never seen her talk with anyone. Her body bears many scars, She must have had it hard.
"Uhm... Stefi, right? Which unit do you belong to?" *smile* (Stella)
"Leave me alone!" (Stefi)
Fine. I was trying to be nice, you know?
--------------------------------
Location: Alba / Hills
*pant* *pant* (Stella)
Training has never been harsher! Early in the morning we have to make a forced march around Alba, taking the hardest route.
*pant* "Things are more peaceful now *pant* one would think *pant* they would ease up on our morning training~ (Soldier Feron)
*pant* "A new war may rage in a few years. *pant* It's not time to slack off!" (Soldier Talasia)
The War. I have heard horrifying tales. Magi raining down fire on friends and foe alike. Soldiers in the front line little more than sacrificial lambs.
*pant* "This time things will be different! *pant* The Gifted One is on our side! *pant* She won't let the magi kill us all!" (Soldier Yastalia)
Liara. Yes, the Gifted One will save us, surely.
--------------------------------
Location: Alba / Courtyard
*swish* (Scout Feldris)
*parry with elbow* "Ouch!" (Stella)
*fade* (Caleidoscope image)
Dammit! Feldris is so agile! The purpose of this exercise is to maintain a spell while engaged in close combat. It's very hard to do, but it's important for a Mage Knight such as myself.
"You lasted three whole minutes! Not bad considering you are facing the great me!" *grin* (Feldris)
"I'm full of bruises! You are merciless!" (Stella)
"I do this, because I love you, Stella. No enemy would go easy on you!" (Feldris)
*blush* "You... love me?" (Stella)
*fret*"I meant~ (Feldris)
"Stella, Feldris! Come here!" (Leader Steffen)
*rush* (Stella, Feldris)
*whisper* "We have received a new mission. We are to gather materials for the Artificers that recently joined our forces. We will be heading for a place at the roots of Black Mountain Range. Be ready. We depart tonight." *leave* (Steffen)
*gulp* (Stella)
What our leader whispered to our ears is unsettling. The black mountain range is a dangerous place. I have never been there. I'm afraid.
"It's fine, Stella! You can count on me for protection!" *grin* (Feldris)
*whisper* "Dummy." (Stella)
Seamless Edge of a Crescent Silver Moon
Location: Anguish and Despair over Cruel Fate
Time: Y1503 / 1st day of the Fire Moon
Near the elven grove of
He was tall, fair of skin, had long pointy ears and long white hair collected in a braid. An Elf. Resting on his lap a beautiful blade of pure white, one metre in length, with a double edged blade curved like a sickle.
With his eyes still closed, Moon weaved a spell.
Several rocks around him started shining. Then, like attracted to a magnet, surrounding rocks slowly gathered. Little by little, the shining rocks were covered until their light could no longer be seen. First, they were formless lumps but little by little the unnatural formations grew.
No more than five minutes later, seven lumps of rocks, almost three metres tall, assumed a vague humanoid shape, only without a head. They were standing in the depressions caused by their emergence.
They were still. So still on would doubt whatever they could move at all.
(Moon)A wooden circlet on top of Moon's head started shining green. Runic patterns appeared on the skin of the man. The green luminous lines spread from his eyes to the rest of his body. The outline could be seen under the thin white one piece dress he was wearing.
*whisper* "Attack me." (Moon)
As soon as Moon uttered the barely audible words, seven golems sprinted forward with an unnatural speed.
*rumble* (Golems)
Seeing a three metre tall lump of rock sprinting like the most agile of man was a sight that would surprise and terrify anyone who would see it for the first time.
*thump* *rumble* *thump* (Golems)
The golems sunk in the terrain with each step. The small rocks were like sand under their weight. Still, this didn't seem to slow them all.
As death approached, Moon was still kneeling on the rocky terrain with his eye closed.
*charge fist* (Golem)
The first golem soon reached his target, his lumpy arm stretched forward in a fist with all the weight and momentum of a moving mountain. It was aiming for Moon's life.
*leap* *swish* (Severing White)
*crumble* (Golem arm)
As the fist was about to splatter him, Moon kicked the ground and leapt in the air, while swinging at the golem. A flash of light later, the rocks that were making um for the arm of the golem lost their cohesion, scattering amongst countless other rocks that make up for the terrain. Some of them were cleanly cut in two.
The now armless golem almost lost its balance, but was somehow able to remain standing. It had no head, but one couldn't help but feel that it was looking up, to the sky.
About five metres above the headless and armless golem, Moon was standing in the air. Runic lines over his bare foots shining even more brightly.
"Here I come." (Moon)
Moon held his beloved blade,
As he weaved a spell, the blade became a bright star.
Moon then cut the air with a sudden deliberate downward movement.
*split in half* *crumble* (Golem)
A dust puffed from the newly formed gush in the ground. It opened in a line directly in front of Moon. Two golems were caught by the slash, their core rocks severed. Finally free of their bindings, the rock that made up their bodies fell to the ground. As gravity dictated.
Five golems unfazed by the loss of their kin started moving like automatons.
*swing* (Golems)
The golems could not reach Moon directly as he cowardly floated in the air, so they charged their fist, while letting the rocks that made up their arm go free.
*rocks fly*
*rocks deflected*
The projectiles were too many and to scattered for even Moon to avoid, and even if they weren't enough to cause critical damage, Moon weaved a spell to scatter them away.
*gather more rocks* *arm reforms* (Golems)
Rocks around the golems unnaturally started to move, flying toward the five armless golems. Seconds later, they were whole again.
As the golem prepared to shot again, the light at Moon's feet disappeared.
Obeying to gravity Moon fell down from an height of eight meters.
*fall* *thump* *keel* (Moon)
Moon was kneeling with just one leg, seemingly unhurt by the fall. The golems started mindlessly charging Moon, now that he was within their reach.
*relax hand* (Moon)
Seemingly wanting to tussle with the golems with his bare hands, Moon leapt forward, charging with his elbow extended. The golem in front of him happily took the challenge, and charged his rocky arm forward.
*crush*
The rocky arm impacted an organic looking green barrier that became visible just over Moon's skin. The rocks in the arm crumbled to dust and dispersed. Still, the superior momentum of the golem won, and Moon stopped right in his track.
The golem had one good arm left. It raised it above its head, and forced it down.
As the mountain was about to hit, Moon covered his head with his two arms.
*crush*
*sink* (Moon)
The falling mountain hit Moon's barrier. Rocks shattered and scattered as Moon sunk in the unsteady rocky ground up to his waist.
*stomp* (Golems)
Soon after, the other four golems arrived and started to stomp the ground where Moon was buried.
*stomp* (Golems)
*stomp* (Golems)
*stomp* (Golems)
For many long seconds, the towering golems kicked the ground in a frenzy, pulverizing the bedrocks until the plumes of dust engulfed their mountainous bodies.
A gentile light filtered from the depression in which the golem where stomping with all their weight.
**KABOOM**
Suddenly the ground exploded, ejecting rocks in all directions and scattering the golems to the wind.
*float* (Moon)
Moon was in a meditating position, inside an immaterial golden sphere. The sphere was laying gently at the bottom of a steep crater, revealing the dirt below he rocks. Debris from the rock, and stains of terrain spreading radially from the crater.
Five glowing rocks were thrown dozens of meters away. Their light was noticeably weaker from when they were first endowed with power.
*rocks gather*
Mindlessly following their commands, the glowing rocks were once again growing new bodies. Moon won't let them.
The golden sphere around moon shattered like glass. As soon as he touched down, Moon kicked the ground, and leapt outside of the crater.
"I call upon the blade named after the moon. Severing White!" (Moon)
The shining white blade, erupted from the ground it was buried in, flying at high speed toward Moon.
*fly* (Severing White)
*grab blade* *slash* (Moon)
In a single graceful movement, Moon grabbed
*fall* *roll* (rocks)
Moon concluded his spinning manoeuvrer, stopping in his track near the fallen golem. Without looking, he threw his right arm letting go of his blade once more.
*pierce* (Severing White)
A moment later, another golem was falling apart, as Moon's blade cut through its core rock. The blade buried itself in the ground behind the golem.
Moon pointed his finger to the furtherest golem. A runic green line shone on his finger for a second, then the golem Moon was pointing at fell apart as a centimetres wide hole suddenly formed appeared on its core rock.
Moon grabbed a rock at his feet and weaved a spell on it. Moon then pivoted on his torso to gather strength and threw the rock.
*crush*
A golem that stood in the trajectory of the rock was hit squarely.
The effect was great, the lump of rocks that was the golem trying to reform itself scattered again after the impact. But the core rock survived, albeit losing even more light. The golem immediately started reforming. Golems don't know how to give up, it seems.
*whisper* "Alas, my dance was stopped. Perfection is still out of my reach." (Moon)
*rumble* (Golems)
The remaining golems reformed, but where noticeably smaller. The biggest was only about two meters in height. They rushed toward Moon, mindlessly following their order.
"... My mate calls for me." (Moon)
But Moon couldn't have any more of this dance.
*crumble* (Golems)
Without any apparent reason, the golems crumbled. The rocks that made them rolled forward because of their momentum, one touching Moon's feet as the runic pattern on his skin faded away.
*fly* (Severing White)
*grab blade* (Moon)
Moon grabbed his blade and headed back to his mangroove.
Instrument
Location: Anguish and Despair over Cruel Fate / Moon's Mangroove
Time: Y1503 / 1st day of the Fire Moon
Amongst countless trees, Seamless Edge of a Crescent Silver Moon was headed toward a special one. A large mangroove, at least four hundred years old. The old tree had tall roots that raised many meters above the ground.
The roots parted ways to allow Moon to enter the base of the tree. This mangroove was Moon's home. He planted the seed himself many centuries ago.
[Wooden houses rot away in just eight decades. A stone house my endure a few centuries. But a living mangroove may yet outlive me. My beloved home.] (Moon)
Moon was proud of his home. It was a small dome, five meters in diameter and two meters tall. The walls were the roots of the mangroove itself. There was an hole in the cieling as the trunk of the tree was hollow as well. As his home grows, Moon would eventually be able to add other floors to his home.
The floor was paved in stony tiles. There was no bed as elves did not need sleep.
Moon's meditation spot had a slight depression. The result of him using it day after day for so long. There was a second depression near it, suggesting that someone lived with him.
In the centre of the home there was a totem in the shape of a snake. It was made of wood, and it had glowing gems for its eyes.
Moon placed his hand over it.
Moon closed his eyes, and found himself in a white endless empty space.
only one other soul was there with him.
[My mate. It makes me happy to know that you are fine.] (Moon)
[Life amongst our less enlightened kins is not easy, my beloved. The smell is almost unbearable. Still, worry not. Nobody noticed my heritage.] (Peerless Wearer of Mask and Spirit)
[Why do you call, my mate? Is there anyway I can help?] (Moon)
[... The Instrument is manifest.] (Spirit)
[Show me.] (Moon)
The endless white space morphed in the shape of a city. Walls formed around Moon until he found himself in a small closed room, devoid of furniture, without windows nor a door.
A pedestal with a round glass object was the only thing inside. On the orb, there was the image of a little girl with white hair and red eyes, dancing, while collimating large amount of aether.
[It is true, then. The Instrument has appeared at last.] (Moon)
[You are sad of this turn of event, my beloved. Why? This is what we live for.] (Spirit)
[I had hope our fate could be avoided.] (Moon)
[There is no such thing as hope. We all have a part to play for hope to be reborn in this world.] (Spirit)
[And so we will. I will inform End. Our time has come. Be safe until then, my mate.] (Moon)
[Likewise, my beloved. Soon, we will be one again.] (Spirit)