The Griffin Sword Saga (storyline)/2003-04-18 - Maimara Marked (log)

On the morning of 4/18/03, while resting at the ever-busy dais of Ta'Illistim, Maimara is visited by Eryael, who marks her as one of Mularos' own. At the end, he remarks that the evening will be grand, referring to the rise of the Miscere'golab. As it turns out, it is even more so for them - as Maimara is the one to find the third shard.

This log is from Maimara's perspective. It has been lightly edited.

[Ta'Illistim, Hanging Gardens]
Although the floating platform is suspended well above the ground below, it overflows with abundant plant life.  The edges of the dais are brimming with delicate white queen's lace, dark lavender, fragrant rosemary and a variety of other colorful flora.  Thick grass underfoot provides an enticingly peaceful resting spot.  A thin silk canopy is suspended above, providing ample shade from the day's brightness.
Obvious paths: out

You catch the faint scent of roses lingering throughout the gardens for but a moment.

The scent grows increasingly strong, but no one around you appears to notice it.

You blink.
You sniff.
You think to yourself, "Eryael?"
You kneel down.
You say, "I..."
You stand back up.

The world begins to dissolve into a hazy blur of crimson, the scent of roses growing overpowering.  After a moment, you find yourself no longer among the garden.

You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Rose Sanctuary]
A haze of rose petals swirls endlessly around you, encircling a small space within a cloying fog of pure white.  The scent of the flowers drifts through heavily here, while their sharp thorns spiral eternally in a delicate dance of subtle recession and rhythmic advance.
Obvious exits: none

You ask, "Lord?"
(Maimara glances about suspiciously, looking apprehensive.)

A soft voice says, "Indeed... welcome to my realm, little kneeler..."

You feel the blood drain from your face.
You kneel down.
(Maimara bows her head silently.)
You say, "You honor me, Master."

A soft voice says, "Such a long time it has been, and how much you have grown since my eyes first gazed upon you..."

You say, "I do what I can in the absence of direction, Lord."
You say, "I know not what is required of me, and so I do what I may."

A few petals drift lazily out from their spiralling current and form a faint silhouette before you, which soon fades into the form of a man whose face is hidden in the tendrils of his long platinum blonde hair.

You see Eryael Ladrinyth the Mularosian Painlord.
He appears to be very young.  He has warm deep violet eyes and delicate lily white skin.  He has long, platinum blonde hair falling in soft, unfettered waves to his waist.
He has faintly visible scars across his exposed skin.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a soft white cloak trimmed in dark burgundy velvet, some light grey ankle-tie sandals, and a loose-fitting white robe hemmed with pale grey silk.

You close your eyes for a moment.
You tremble.

Eryael tilts his head up, revealing his face - and his warm smile.

You think to yourself, "It's true.  It is no trick."

Eryael says, "You have done exceptionally well, my dear... I have seen your suffering, day by day..."

You quietly say, "I fill the Cup of Sorrow."

Eryael says, "You press on... such a pretty martyr you have made, bearing the wounds of aggression of those who would fight against us."

Eryael spins around in a circle, his hands thrown up in the air and his face alight with laughter.

Maimara withholds tears of mixed emotions, agony and joy, relief and excitement.
You ask, "I have done well, Lord?"

Eryael says, "It is so delightful to watch you.  But always watching... never touching.  Until now, my lovely martyr.  So sturdy are you against such opposition."

(Maimara lifts her head slightly, her eyes bright with some unidentifiable emotion.  She glances at Eryael, and bows her head again.)
You shiver.

Eryael says, "You have done *exceptionally* well... you know the beauty of knowing your place, accepting what must be."

You think to yourself, "It has not been in vain.... it has not."
(Maimara makes a choking noise.  Her eyes squint shut, and a tear rolls down her cheek.)

Eryael says, "You have suffered through the Trials of Silence, and have proven yourself strong.  You have found strength in your suffering, and have kept your faith - extending it to others in the process."

Eryael smiles down at Maimara, his warm violet eyes shining briefly with a hazy incandescence.

You say, "I have done what I felt You wished me to do, when first You blessed me with Your presence, Lord..."
You say, "And I serve still, until my dying breath is torn from my screaming lungs, and beyond the Ebon Gates."

Eryael says, "Your faith in the Great Lord is strong... I can see that it shall not languish."

Eryael extends a lithe, smooth-skinned hand covered with faint scars down toward Maimara.

Eryael says, "Take my hand, Maimara, and rise."

You say, "Never.  My life is forfeit if I walk a path away from Him."
(Maimara trembles silently.  She reaches up and grasps Eryael's hand lightly, her fingers cold and damp on his.)
You stand back up.

You feel a rush of relief as your skin comes in contact with Eryael's - your senses are flooded with almost euphoric sensations.  He lets go as you rise, and the feelings slowly fade away.

You inhale sharply, hissing through your teeth.
You say, "Lord, I..."
(Maimara reaches out towards Eryael momentarily, then seemingly regains control of herself.  Her hand withdraws.)

Eryael says, "Shh... it is time for your strength to be recognized..."

(Maimara holds her breath, almost imperceptively.  Her visible flesh crawls with goosebumps.)
You think to yourself, "This cannot be real."

Eryael says, "You will bear the mark of the Master... not the mark of a bauble, but the mark of a Thorn, whose form does glint in the sun of the Great Lord Mularos, and whose barbs reach out to spread His will to others..."

You think to yourself, "This cannot be true, oh Lord is it?"
You say, "With great pride, I shall do His will, as ever I have done."
You think to yourself, "Forever, His, and you'll do it Maimara, you'll do it well, you've done well."
 
Eryael practically glides toward you, his feet never touching the ground as he descends upon you - his warm smile and eyes never changing as his hands clasp around your neck.  A dizzying sensation of pure bliss overtakes your mind, and at the same time you feel the utter agony of your flesh begin pierced with reckless abandon on your neck.  The two ragingly strong sensations begin to mix, until all you are left with is a haze of euphoric agony... and then you find yourself collapsed on the floor, your neck stinging slightly.

You take a deep breath.

Eryael lasciviously licks off a faint trail of blood on his right hand, his smile aimed down toward you.

(Maimara raises one hand to her neck, her mouth working to speak, though no words come out.)

Eryael says, "Serve the Great Master as you have always done, my Thorn... we will see each other soon."

(Maimara draws in a deep breath, and rasps, her speech labored.)

Eryael says, "And tonight, tonight shall be grand..."

Eryael seems to be holding back a giggle.

You softly say, "Your will is my order, Master."

Eryael smiles.

Maimara struggles to control herself.
You say, "In fealty, I serve.  It shall be done."

Eryael makes a gesture that mimics blowing a kiss toward you, and the haze of rose petals fades away entirely.  The surroundings bleed into the more mundane buildings of Ta'Illistim after a brief seconds of vertigo.

You feel yourself being pulled away...
[Ta'Illistim, Hanging Gardens]
Although the floating platform is suspended well above the ground below, it overflows with abundant plant life.  The edges of the dais are brimming with delicate white queen's lace, dark lavender, fragrant rosemary and a variety of other colorful flora.  Thick grass underfoot provides an enticingly peaceful resting spot.  A thin silk canopy is suspended above, providing ample shade from the day's brightness.
Obvious paths: out