The Griffin Sword Saga (storyline)/2003-04-25 - Eryael (log)

After retrieving the Griffin Sword's pommel, Maimara flees Ta'Illistim to Solhaven, where she finds refuge within its hidden Temple of Luukos. Quarters are prepared for her, and she is assigned a guardian - the wraith Xavean. She has frequent visitors, not all of whom are aligned with the Dark Alliance. Several days after her arrival, Eryael is recovered enough to visit, following the rise of the Miscere'golab, which caused all of the Four to retreat to rest. He meets her within her "gift", an idyllic sanctuary accessible from her inner chambers.

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

[Temple of Luukos, Quarters]
A massive ivory fireplace dominates the eastern wall, its mantel carved with the subtle forms of slithering asps.  A grouping of lush velvet chairs surrounds the warm ring of amber light that wavers from beyond the delicately-etched panes of glass in the fireplace, their high backs generously padded.  Deep viridian green velvet curtains obscure the view to the west, but not the lingering, pleasant scent that occasionally wafts from therein.  You also see a massive black wraith, an ethereal shadow-orb and an ethereal crimson shadow-orb.
Also here: Cappurnicus who is sitting
Obvious exits: north, west

A massive black wraith says in a hollow voice colder than ice, "Those... who I am bound to... come.  I am ordered... to depart for now.  Excuse... me."

You blink.
You ask, "They come... they come here?"

A massive black wraith descends through the floor and disappears in a whirlpool of shadow.

Cappurnicus frowns.
Cappurnicus says, "I'm sure he will be back when he can."

The fire continues to burn warmly.

You say, "He can't mean they're really coming..."
You furrow your brow, probably adding a wrinkle or two in the process.

A pale priest just arrived.

You say, "Ah... good evening, sir."
You bow to the pale priest.

Cappurnicus nods to the pale priest.

A pale priest says, "I would ask for your guest to leave your quarters, for now."

Cappurnicus says, "Very well."
Cappurnicus stands up.

You stand back up.
You remove a sinuous bronze key from in your dark ritual robe.

>north
[Temple of Luukos, Quarters]
Billowing deep green silks drape across the arched door leading out of the chamber, their surfaces shimmering like the scales of a viper through water.  Solid black marble walls are polished to a lustrous shine, and set within the middle of the room is a huge poster bed lavished with silken pillows and black sheets.  A dark crimson table rests on the necks of two intertwined serpents, its surface wrought with sinuous patterns and the curvy-styled seats surrounding it padded with lush velvet.  You also see an arched door and an ethereal shadow-orb.
Obvious exits: south
Cappurnicus followed.


[Maimara lets Cappurnicus out through the door.  Her other invisible guests also depart.]


>south
[Temple of Luukos, Quarters]
A massive ivory fireplace dominates the eastern wall, its mantel carved with the subtle forms of slithering asps.  A grouping of lush velvet chairs surrounds the warm ring of amber light that wavers from beyond the delicately-etched panes of glass in the fireplace, their high backs generously padded.  Deep viridian green velvet curtains obscure the view to the west, but not the lingering, pleasant scent that occasionally wafts from therein.  You also see a pale priest that is sitting, an ethereal shadow-orb and an ethereal crimson shadow-orb.
Obvious exits: north, west

The flames crackle and hiss softly, casting a crimson-tinted glow across the room as it's filtered through the dark glass panes surrounding it.

You put a sinuous bronze key in your dark ritual robe.
You say, "They have gone."

A pale priest rises slowly from his position on the chair.

You hear the faint thoughts of Cappurnicus touch your mind:
"Good luck to you."

You ask, "Is something the matter?"

A pale priest says, "Eryael has grown well enough for a... visit.  In a manner of which I'm sure you're familiar."

You close your eyes for a moment.
You say, "Aye..."
You say, "I think I know to what you refer."

A pale priest says, "He asks for you to meet him within your gift.  I know not when he will come."

The dark glow from the fireplace wavers on the edge of the floor for a moment.

You say, "I will wait forever, if it is deemed necessary."
You say, "Thank you, sir."

You bow to the pale priest.

A pale priest says, "That is all I've for you.  Good evening."

You say, "To you as well, sir."

A pale priest steps off to the north, his robes trailing along the floor.

>west
[Temple of Luukos, Quarters]
Four large deep black columns spiraled with emerald green serpents mark the corners of the expansive, bubbling pool spreading across this room.  Curls of sweet-smelling steam rise up from the faintly roiling water, rising up in languid wisps to shroud the black marble floor in a soft haze.  A large painting spreads across the concaved ceiling, centered on a circle of intertwined vipers.  You also see a large crystal orb.
Obvious exits: east

>go orb
[White Beach]
The endless ocean stretches on for miles and miles before you, the perpetual light of the setting sun on the far distant horizon casting glimmering rose-hued jewels of twinkling light across its surface.  The rhythmic recession and advance of the waves upon the pristine white sands provides a lulling, gentle melody of natural beauty to sing to all who would hear it.  A light breeze continually drifts across the area, bringing with it the lingering smell of roses.
Obvious exits: out

You take a deep breath.
You kneel down.
You say, "You beckon, Lord, and I come."
You reach out and touch a thorn-covered crimson Mularos symbol.

The waves crash against one another far out in the distance, adding a pleasant crescendo to the melody of the sea.

(Maimara bows her head, her face obscured by her dark hair, as it lifts in shadowy tendrils in the breeze.)
You breathe as quietly as you can.

Far out to sea, superimposed over softly glowing orb of the setting sun, you spy the silhouette of a robed man walking upon the water toward you.

(Maimara gazes off towards the sun, a slight smile crossing her face.)
Maimara tenses, excitement and remembrance coursing through her.

Grains of pure white sand gently stir about your feet as the breeze picks up slightly.

As the youth slowly comes closer, you catch more detail -- faintly translucent locks of platinum hair conceal most of his face as an unfelt wind causes them to billow back and forth, but a single eye, its interior nearly aglow with splashes of violet color, stares toward you.  A thin line of a smile can be seen on the lithe man's features.

You think to yourself, "It is He... of course it is."
You say, "Master..."
(Maimara bows her head, closing her eyes to slits, watching in careful reverence.)
You quietly say, "I am comforted to see You are well..."

The figure steps onto the shore from the water's surface and stands before you, his silhouette translucent like glass -- but it does not diminish the vibrant color of his eyes or the warmth of his smile.  He opens his mouth and speaks in a soft voice, "Ah, my Thorn...how I've worried so."

The air swirls about you pleasantly as currents drift in from the sea.

(Maimara's eyes open, an expression of carefully controlled awe crossing her almost perpetually troubled face.)
You quietly say, "You needn't worry, Master... I am here.  I have it for You... if You desire it of me..."

A small wave laps at the shore, spreading up for several feet before fading away.

The translucent youth smiles once again and bursts into a flowery bout of joyful laughter as he looks down at you.  He speaks, "Rise, please, rise...you always were so respectful..."  He leans down to cup his hands around both your cheeks, and you feel a slight, tingly warmth as the seemingly unreal hands comes into contact with your skin.

(Maimara rises slowly, sighing softly at the almost imagined sensation of touch.)
You stand back up.
You quietly say, "You deserve no less, Lord... it is Your due.  You honor me so..."

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "Ah...that.  I had nearly forgotten, my Thorn...so sweet of you to remind me."

You hesitantly say, "I am told, Master, that it has been Your wont in the past for those in Your service to bear it long... and so I shall, if it be the will of my Master."

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "You will not languish with it for very long, this I promise..."  His hands slide from your cheeks, fluidly moving to your shoulders to give them a reassuring squeeze, "Your suffering has been long and great, and you would not serve the Great Master hindered so..."

You quietly say, "If that is Your will, Master.  I am content merely to serve the Great Master, and You."
(Maimara's hand reaches out towards the figure before her, hesitantly.  Her eyes close at the touch of the figure's hands, and she trembles slightly.)

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "It is good to see you are in such good health, my Thorn...I could sense your pain, fear, and trepidation the night the skies were set alight..."

The youth's left hand reaches down to clasp your own outstretched, and his smile deepens.

You softly say, "I fear, still, Lord... almost irrationally.  Those who surround me... I fear... would wish for me to betray You.  They speak ill of the Serpent-Lord, who houses me... they fear it shall be taken from Your servant..."

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "I can feel it now...even from this distance.  But soon, soon I can truly be here, my Thorn."

A soft burst of flowery laughter erupts from the youth, his feature's like that of a carefree, happy teenager for a moment before his laughter ceases.

Maimara smiles slowly, her eyes opening fully, looking truly relieved.

The air swirls about you pleasantly as currents drift in from the sea.

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "The little scaly ones are they who bind the Alliance together, they are smarter than to try treachery when the endeavor is so close to true victory."

You quietly say, "I thought as much.  And even if it were so... the treachery only serves the Great Lord.  They shan't have it... tis for Him... and for You."

The waves crash against one another far out in the distance, adding a pleasant crescendo to the melody of the sea.

(Maimara closes her hand on the transparent hand of Eryael, trembling.)

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "But I have been here...long ago.  Perhaps it is time again to place the touch of the Great Master here once again."  He giggles slightly afterwards.

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "I can sense your faith, your devotion even now, my Thorn.  It is like a dazzling ray of inpenetrable light.  So...very beautiful."  The youthful apparition smiles, and his hand clasps yours tighter.

Grains of pure white sand gently stir about your feet as the breeze picks up slightly.

You say, "Your bauble... he fancies himself my shield.  It is he who brings word of treachery to my ears... and fear to my heart.  I know not what to do for him.  He mystifies me... and defiles Your gift with words of lies and betrayal."
You softly say, "Tis here, inside this dream of dreams, I find my peace... I feel Your touch in the wind, and it strengthens me."

The ethereal youth speaks in his soft, soothing voice, "He is envious of what you have, of what you've earned.  He will use your trust in him to try and tear away what he may..."

Grains of pure white sand gently stir about your feet as the breeze picks up slightly.

You quietly say, "He won't succeed.  Only it is that I try to show him what it truly is to serve, and accept one's place, whatever place it may be.  He is blessed, to be wanted even as something he would despise."

The ethereal youth speaks in his soft, soothing voice, "He does not understand...I do not believe he ever shall."

(Maimara gazes into the luminous, almost disembodied face, her eyes peaceful, and adoring.)

Grains of pure white sand gently stir about your feet as the breeze picks up slightly.

You quietly say, "Is it Your will that I try?  Or shall he be truly made to accept his choice... and be cast out..."

The ethereal youth speaks in his soft, soothing voice, "What you do with him is up to you, my dear Thorn.  He is no longer there for my eyes, nor the eyes of the Great Master."

You quietly say, "I think, perhaps, he might be made to serve... even if it is against his will.  He's... fond of me.  I think..."
Maimara smiles an almost bitter smile, and says in an almost choked whisper, "Or at least.. he is fond of what I carry."

The air swirls about you pleasantly as currents drift in from the sea.

You close your eyes for a moment.

The ethereal youth speaks in his soft, soothing voice, "With your position, my lovely Thorn...comes power in the eyes of the Great Master.  He and I no longer see the broken bauble, but if you do...then you may do with him as you best judge fit."

You quietly say, "So long as it does not displease my Masters... I shall take liberty to."

The air swirls about you pleasantly as currents drift in from the sea.

(Maimara reaches out with her free hand, towards the figure's pale golden hair.)

The ethereal youth smiles, and moves his right hand up to your cheek again, his ephemeral thumb brushing back and forth under your eye.

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "I must leave here, now, before I overextend myself.  I promise I shall truly see you soon, my lovely Thorn."

You quietly ask, "Is it Your will, Lord, that I stay with the Serpent-Lord's servants?"
(Maimara nods, her eyes never leaving the violet eyes before her.)

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "Would that I could provide you with such protection, but for now...it is necessary, my lovely Thorn.  You will be safe here."

The air swirls about you pleasantly as currents drift in from the sea.

You softly say, "As you wish, Master.  It is a pleasure... knowing it is the will of my Master."

The ethereal youth leans in close, until his head nearly touches yours.  His smile grows wider, and he leans down further to let his lips brush against your forehead, sending waves of resonating warmth across your entire body.

You take a deep breath.

The ethereal youth speaks again in his soft, soothing voice, "Goodbye for now, my Thorn."

Grains of pure white sand gently stir about your feet as the breeze picks up slightly.

The ethereal youth fades away into the air before you, the memories of his touch still lingering on your skin for several seconds before dissipating entirely.

You softly say, "Fare thee well, my Master.  May Your recovery be swift, and Your Glory and that of the Great Lord's be brighter than ever."