Prophecy of Winter

A misty gray, early morning is far earlier than Seldan would normally be out and about, but from the weary, hollow-eyed look of him, it is more likely that his night is not yet over. Still in armor, full pack, gear, and weapons have been sitting in a corner of the library since evensong last night, and now he sits at one of the tables in the library, books and scrolls scattered all over the table, but it is two scrolls now that appear to have his attention.

The Goblin is definitely up earlier than she might usually be. She definitely leans towards night owl, which fits well with some of her capabilities. Acedia wanders bleary-eyed into the library, the blue-and-white robes she wears rumpled and slept in. The light pit-pat of her bare feet on cool floor precedes her leaning upon Seldan, and resting her face upon cold metal armor. "You should sleep.", she mumbles. "I mean, Her light upon your path... but you should sleep, Seldan."

Linwen is just wandering the temple doing early morning guard duty. She's coming down the hallway outside the library.

From the look of him, Seldan isn't really reading, so much as staring blankly, the sort of stare that one who forces themselves to remain awake gets. He blinks and shakes himself when Acedia leans on him, and looks over at her. "I have found it, but can make no sense of it, Acedia, and yet do I think it important." He rests an elbow on the table, forehead in his hand.

The scrolls in front of him prove to be a variety of things, and all but one page is written in flowing sildanyari. That one page, written in trade, is in Seldan's hand, in Tradespeak, and appears to be a series of notes and statements. Another is a letter, and the last is from the library itself, a written poem?

"Isn't that just a further indication that you should get some sleep?", the Gobbo says sleepily, yawning for effect. "I mean, Salina has been at this a long, long time. One more sleep cycle isn't going to change things much, but it will help clear your head and let you put the pieces together." Acedia rubs at her cheek.

Her eyes are drawn to the scrolls. "Sadly my skills do not include conversational Sildanyari.", she says of the writings, "But your hand and Tradespeak, I do recognize."

The paper in trade reads:

"SALINA CAN NOT SEE INTO THIS PLACE WHILE THE PRESENCE OF THIS ONE REMAINS. NOR HAS SHE EVER LEFT THE PLACE WHERE SHE HAS RESTED FOR THESE LONG YEARS."

"SHE RESTS IN THE FAE REALM. AS SHE EVER HAS."

"HER PLOTTING HAS NEVER CEASED FOR A MOMENT. NOR IS SHE UNWISE ENOUGH TO CONSIDER HERSELF SAFE FROM HER ENEMIES."

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?" - meant only for me - Eluna's servant cannot hear her thoughts, as she is worshipped as a deity

Salina has NC possessions of power, and the two are linked (in the margin) how?

"DEMONS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR PEACE." - Eclavdran is unlikely to leave.

"YOU HAVE NOT ANGERED ELUNA IN ANY WAY SELDAN, OR THIS ONE WOULD NOT BE HERE. WE ARE A REMINDER. SEEK HEALING FROM YOUR KIN. THE ANSWER YOU SEEK LIES IN THEIR CLAWS." (margin: speak with Zeke on this)

"THE END OF THE ROAD YOU ARE ON, YOU MAY FIND LEADS A PLACE YOU DO NOT EXPECT. REMEMBER THAT VENGEANCE IS NOT THE DUTY OF A KNIGHT, AND THAT THERE IS MERCY IN THE LIGHT."

GAME: Acedia rolls intelligence: (4)+3: 7

Seemingly unaware of reading over his shoulder, Seldan raises his head, and looks towards his gear. "Open the right-hand pouch of my pack, and think of a scroll case with a blue cap. Within that scroll case, you shall find a scroll that aids in the reading of languages." As it happens, if she does so, she will find several copies of the same scroll. "Fear not, the spell is simple and readily had."

Kira has arrived.

The Gobbo eyes Seldan a moment, and then follows his instructions, rummaging through his backpack. She gently extracts a tightly rolled up paper, which she unwinds, and reads through its contents. She goes cross-eyed for a moment and blinks several times, before she returns to Seldan's side, eyeing the Elven writings.

"So what is it that you are reading?", she wonders, as her eyes flick back and forth. "I mean, your writing is a conversation with... something, yes?"

Kira arrives at the temple, in search of Seldan and/or the family Padaryn. She's dusted and/or wiped the majority of the flour from her person; a respectful intent that proves even more prudent as she's directed to the library. Books can get dusty enough without her adding to that. She enters the area and looks about, though doesn't out for those who might be present. It's a library! Shh.

Seldan had raised his head to watch as Acedia digs through his pack, and successfully found what he sought. "I will cast it, do you not know the use of such," he offers, but starts at her next words. "I have not spoken of this? Forgive me, I was certain that Temple gossip would have had this days agone. I had sought a communing of the Seers, that I might find a pointer to the answers to many mysteries, but the Seeress had other ideas, and bade High Seeress Aki summon one of Her angels to the holy pool. The writings are what Her angel said."

Seldan had raised his head to watch as Acedia digs through his pack, and successfully found what he sought. "I will cast it, do you not know the use of such," he offers, but starts at her next words. "I have not spoken of this? Forgive me, I was certain that Temple gossip would have had this days agone. I had sought a communing of the Seers, that I might find a pointer to the answers to many mysteries, but the Seeress had other ideas, and bade High Seeress Aki summon one of Her angels to the holy pool. The writings are that which Her angel said."

His voice is rasping with weariness, but floats out of a quiet section of the library, making them easy enough to find.

Kira turns her head to follow the voice, peeking around a corner and shelves. "Good morning, Silver Guard..s," she offers quietly, adding the plural as she sees Acedia. Only after does she notice the weariness. "At least, I hope that it is good for you both?"

"No, it is a spell I could use naturally, if I chose to, and I may do so in future. I would replace the scroll, yes? If you would tell me the cost." Acedia peers over the other scroll, the one in Elven writing.

"No, I have ignored the Temple gossip. I am a new adherent, and I am trying to get everything organized. So I've not been the most social of late." She goes quiet a moment and peers at Seldan. "You've been visited by one of Eluna's angels? That's amazing!" The Gobbo squeaks and hugs at the man. "And it told you to stay the course. That must have been some relief, yes? To know that your own judgement has led you down the proper path. If you were unwavering before, you are certainly as bedrock now."

She squeaks again at Kira's arrival, and bounces over to hug at the woman's waist. "Hello Kira!"

Seldan looks as though he's been up all night, but looks over at Kira's arrival. "Sentinel, I wish you good morn as well. I would share this with you as well, and your arrival is most fortuitous. I know not if you read the sildanyari tongue and script...." He trails off, looking down at the scrolls in front of him. The first, beneath his own notes in tradespeak, is a letter. It reads:

There is a legend among our people, which dates back nearly as far as the breaking of the World Tree, the shift of the elvish people from the relm of faries to this one. This story tells of a prophesy which stated that winter would one day cover the world. It seems, that the people of that time took the prophesy very seriously. The term 'Endless Winter' then, resonates with us and suggests that perhaps this prophesy was in fact true.

R

Actions were taken to stop the winter from coming, and it was thought to be taken care of all those years ago. Perhaps then you should look into this prophesy yourself and see what might be made of it. We wish you well in your endeavor.

The missive includes some records relating to Nenarulo Calanalata, but there is not much of that, and the letter suggests looking elsewhere for information on the man as well.

Kira is behugged and returns the embrace with a smile, leaning down some to do so. "It's good to see you." She looks up at Seldan and his ... pile of papers, her head shaking slightly. "I don't know sildanyari, no," she admits, but steps to look at the collection of things regardless. "Is this what you'd hoped to find? I wasn't able to find anything of use in the city records."

Acedia follows Kira back to Seldan's side, and returns to reading. She slips a hand under the first piece of parchment, and pulls out the bottom sheet, peering at it curiously. "So the Sildanyari knew of Endless Winter. From about the time they were forced to our world. Maybe... it was that same calamity which made the Elves leave the fae realms in which Salina's home was destroyed?"

"I ... cannot say." Seldan rubs a hand over his eyes, staring vacantly at the papers, but looks up and nods to Kira. "The missive is from the High Temple in Llyranost. They had little on him, but it is in my mind to search elsewhere. I cannot think that...." He trails off. "Perhaps. I would know what they did ... but they are not forthcoming. Perhaps Master Mith-" He corrects himself, "Mikilos can find more."

"The prophecy is thus." He pulls out the bottom stack, which turns out to be a poem, and the paper underbeath has translated it (roughly) into Tradespeak.

What has ended has at once begun

The twist of time the bell has rung.

From twix the days the winter comes

The end of songs the bitter hums.

A child born of endless day

Fae this one with vengance to pay.

She will bring about our endless plight

Caught in shadow out of sight.

Winter she comes for us all

One by one the nations fall.

The twist of time the bell has rung

What has ended has at once begun.

Kira's lips purse as she reads it. "That is ... very foreboding, and mysterious. Why do prophecies always seem to be that way?" She is a bit late to register Acedia's comment, but it sticks and she looks between them. "Salina's home was destroyed?" While she could also remark at how long ago that would have been, it's been stated more than once that she is immortal. Endless. Which brings her to ask, "Was she a child? Is the prophecy of her?"

Acedia eyes the prophecy, reading over it once. She eyes Seldan for a few moments, and then begins to carefully collect, sort and stack the papers on the table. "You're being ordered to bed, Seldan.", she says softly. "You're on the cusp of putting it all together, but you are beat. You need sleep." She yawns again, for emphasis. "We'll get you out of your armor, into a nice bath, and then into bed. Where you will remain undisturbed to sleep."

She glances to Kira. "Salina has been called Endless Winter, so I would assume the prophecy is of her. It speaks of what has ended has at once begun. Time looping in on itself. That describes her use of the tower, perhaps? Maybe she's lusted for vengeance so long that she's stuck in an endless cycle?" The Gobbo looks to Seldan. "Something which I believe we have begun to break. No matter that for now, to bed."

"Yes, she was a child once. We were shown ... the fall of her village. Siavonere, I now know. The druids know how it may be reached, and I think her still there ..." Seldan rubs at his face again. "The plague. It spreads to the land itself. It is in the water. Could that be...." He shakes his head. "I would have many minds and many eyes consider this, that Her wisdom be found. Could Salina ... seek vengeance on the demons? Did Eclavdran have aught to do with the attack on the village, and is that why he knew?" He's rambling now, even as he obediently begins to stand up. "Vengeance is not the duty of a knight...."

Kira's lips purse, both in thought on what was shared, and at Seldan. "You should rest, Seldan. You don't need to discover all the answers right this morn, and I don't think you will when exhausted. You aren't alone in this, and you have my word no ill will fall on us because you closed your eyes."

The Gobbo carefully tidies the papers and then suddenly jumps up onto Seldan, placing her hands on his cheeks. "And there is mercy in the light!", she says firmly. "So that is the answer then, in the end. You will bring her to the light, Seldan! You will show her something she knows not of... mercy." Acedia grins then and hops down. "But it is as Kira says, rest now, eureka later." Gathering up the papers, she reaches up to tug at Seldan's hand, pulling him gently along.

"Very well. I would gather my gear." Seldan smiles at the gobber, though the hands on his face make the expression rather funny-looking. "You both have my thanks, and I will speak more when I have rested. Fortunately, Mother does not expect me to return for a few days. I have not told her of the hunt, nor all of what it is that I seek. She has faced enough torment, for my sake." He scrubs at his face again, and yawns mightily this time. "I would have you share ... what it is that I have found. It may want the minds of many."

Kira offers Seldan a nod and smile. "Of course. I will see what I can add, and certainly share what you've found. Do you or your mother need anything?" She looks to Acedia, smile widening at her conclusion. "I hope that is the the case. If this is all about vengeance... she never seemed ... angry, or sad, or ...anything, to me." Her smile dims to pursed lips again as she thinks. "Just very ... cold."

Acedia rolls her shoulders in response to Kira. "If she is truly Fae, she is immortal. Immortal in a sense that not even Elves can understand it fully. Even gods might have difficulty. But the comparison between short lived races like myself, and longer lived ones like Sildanyar, is apt. They cannot fully comprehend how we Gobbos can suddenly build up a civilization in such a short time, and we Gobbos cannot fathom how the Sildanyari haven't fallen away to dust already. To try an imagine how much time Salina has spent doing... this... I suspect her anger has long been spent, and any joy or caring died with her village. She does this now, I think, because it is all she is and all she has."

Slowly, Seldan shakes his head. "No, I have sent for Father to escort her home, ere Salina can seize her again." He stares at the floor, the stare of a thousand miles that some display when exhausted or not entirely present. "There is emotion within her ... but once have I heard it. The last time ... we crossed swords, at the moot. She sounded ... almost sad. Within her prison ... I prayed. She told me that she prayed too, once." His eyes drop further - what is he talking about? "Some prayers are answered."

"All prayers are answered.", Acedia says. "Just that sometimes the answer is no. Gods are not at our beck and call, and they do not arrive in a flash of fiery light to deliver vengeance upon those who have wronged us. As much as we might wish it, yes?" She again tugs gently upon Seldan's hand. "To bath and then to bed."

Kira really shouldn't (should she?), but she can't help but be saddened by Seldan's words. Not just of his words, but ... for -her-. "I would like to know what happened to her, before, if I could... but after you've rested," she adds firmly.

Acedia's assurance, and demands of Seldan, rekindle Kira's smile. "Yes, prayers are answered. Cryosanthia's were, by The Dragonfather, whom she thought she wronged the most."

Seldan takes a moment to gather his gear, slowly, and only then does he let the others tug him along. "She is not alone in that, Kira, for that night did Eluna answer mine." A warm, reverent smile overtakes the exhaustion written in his features. "You have the right of it, both of you. I shall share the tale of Siavonere with you, when I awaken." With that, he prepares to be pulled in the direction of bed.

"I'm delighted to hear that, Seldan," Kira beams. "Now go get clean and sleep. Please." She trusts in Acedia to navigate their temple and push, pull, and/or drag Seldan where he should be.