Post by Sadori on Jan 9, 2012 15:09:52 GMT -8
Sadori rubbed at her eyes as she leaned over the map spread before her. The damage was extensive, though to be honest, not nearly as far flung as she expected. Nonetheless, she was glad she'd insisted Olorae and other members of their house seek shelter in the Hunter's Village property. No, it wasn't the damage that troubled her, it was the "new" things that made the Dancer's head ache. Lost bits if historical lore trickled in daily, most of which only confirmed her own beliefs and suspicions. Again, not too troublesome, but the structures that had suddenly appeared all over the land- appearing as if they had been there all along and worn down over the ages, yet she was sure they had never been there at all! Aden had actually seemed to be bolstered by the same events that destroyed other villages and towns. The town center now sporting a fountain and bright flowery foliage. Most of all, she was troubled by the "Gates". Four in total, she had stumbled upon the first one and continued to explore until she was sure she had found all of them. Great magical gates to tunnels leading underground. She had been able to see through them only a little way, and the effort made her dizzy. As had her attempts to enter through the magical fields. There was no indication as to what these "gates" might be too, other than the Elven racial symbols leading to each gate. This was frustrating her, and likely best left to scholarly minds. All this was a distraction to what was really eating at the esteemed Blade Dancer. In a word... Tatiyana.
Since the seals had begun breaking and Shilen's fury started waging war on the living world, Sadori had been carefully observing each of the returning Echoes as they trickled in. Aludian had been an Echo far beyond her reckoning, but was also not a threat to the existing power structure. All the same, she had watched and hunted with him and found him to be quite trustworthy. The Dwarves, Jhaelle and Tiella were also uninterested in leading or obtaining authority. They were simply as they had always been; cheerful, friendly, and industrious.
Tatiyana was a whole other story. Arriving as if just plucked from the ashes and completely oblivious to all that had changed since she left so long ago, the Grand Matriarch, Domina had returned. Olorae had nearly swooned with shock and excitement, fairly handing over the entire clan into the woman's arms. The thought of it sickened and chilled Sadori. Was she the only one aware of how perilous it was to assume trust of ANYONE in these times? Especially one who held such a following! What if she was a fraud? A plant to learn all the secrets and inner workings of the Echoes and it's members. With all the world in turmoil and Shilen's enemies fighting harder than ever to keep her contained the Echoes had to stay vigilant. The Dark Mother had not won her freedom yet.
Sadori sighed and pushed away from the table and poured herself some wine, she had been doing that a lot lately. Prayers to Shilen had been unanswered lately, likely because the goddess had other more pressing matters to attend to. She didn't know Tatiyana well enough to determine on her own if she was the real artifact, and by the time the stars cleared from her wife's eyes it may very well be too late. Time was not a luxury the Dancer had. She must know NOW. If only there were some way to tap into the knowledge and wisdom of the Mother indirectly. The Temple Celebrants were gone, even Elkadia's wise words would no longer be heard. It was truly amazing what the blind could... Blind? Blind! Of course! Her own blind sister, Zepheer had been removed from stasis transformed into somewhat of an oracle. Spewing seemingly disjointed streams of thought and prophetic warnings. A team of scholars had been charged with writing down her rantings and trying to decipher them.
It may not be the direct answer Sadori was looking for, but it might very well be the only answer she would get.
Setting the now empty glass on the tray, she strapped on her swords and donned her cloak and mask before heading out into the miasmatic gloom.
Since the seals had begun breaking and Shilen's fury started waging war on the living world, Sadori had been carefully observing each of the returning Echoes as they trickled in. Aludian had been an Echo far beyond her reckoning, but was also not a threat to the existing power structure. All the same, she had watched and hunted with him and found him to be quite trustworthy. The Dwarves, Jhaelle and Tiella were also uninterested in leading or obtaining authority. They were simply as they had always been; cheerful, friendly, and industrious.
Tatiyana was a whole other story. Arriving as if just plucked from the ashes and completely oblivious to all that had changed since she left so long ago, the Grand Matriarch, Domina had returned. Olorae had nearly swooned with shock and excitement, fairly handing over the entire clan into the woman's arms. The thought of it sickened and chilled Sadori. Was she the only one aware of how perilous it was to assume trust of ANYONE in these times? Especially one who held such a following! What if she was a fraud? A plant to learn all the secrets and inner workings of the Echoes and it's members. With all the world in turmoil and Shilen's enemies fighting harder than ever to keep her contained the Echoes had to stay vigilant. The Dark Mother had not won her freedom yet.
Sadori sighed and pushed away from the table and poured herself some wine, she had been doing that a lot lately. Prayers to Shilen had been unanswered lately, likely because the goddess had other more pressing matters to attend to. She didn't know Tatiyana well enough to determine on her own if she was the real artifact, and by the time the stars cleared from her wife's eyes it may very well be too late. Time was not a luxury the Dancer had. She must know NOW. If only there were some way to tap into the knowledge and wisdom of the Mother indirectly. The Temple Celebrants were gone, even Elkadia's wise words would no longer be heard. It was truly amazing what the blind could... Blind? Blind! Of course! Her own blind sister, Zepheer had been removed from stasis transformed into somewhat of an oracle. Spewing seemingly disjointed streams of thought and prophetic warnings. A team of scholars had been charged with writing down her rantings and trying to decipher them.
It may not be the direct answer Sadori was looking for, but it might very well be the only answer she would get.
Setting the now empty glass on the tray, she strapped on her swords and donned her cloak and mask before heading out into the miasmatic gloom.