Open Chronicles A Festival of the Lights

[Empyrean]

Raea could admire the way someone like Aurora was both free to do as they pleased and still confined to duties and obligations. Raea had a different kind of freedom, one that she had to work hard--just to stay alive. She had no permanent job, no major responsibilities. The few friends she managed to make she kept in touch with as they parted ways.

In a way, Raea was envious of it. She wondered--if House Knight had survived the Red Night--would she be in a similar position? Or would she be called upon to marry and produce heirs and solidified that House Knight continued with her? Would she be bored politicking away with some man probably twice her age who held no regard for what she wanted now that he was Lord Knight? Raea thought Aurora brave in that moment for bending the rules. Her memory stone rolled around in the palm of her hand, warm and soothing. "I hope one day I am brave enough to do the same. I don't think I want to be tied down to tradition. My life changed when my family line was..."

Murdered?​

Slaughtered?

Eviscerated?​

Wiped from existence?

All of these seemed apt and yet too violent--too much for words. As if--to say them meant it was all very true and still not some nightmare. The Red Night had been vile, brutal--no. Ruthless? No, even that word did not taste right on her lips, on the cusp of her vivid recollection. The scent of blood still made her queasy--it was a miracle she could be a healer at all. At first, it had been difficult. She had been screamed at by an elf mage who was tired of a woman who was too light-headed at the sight of blood. In time, she got over it, but to say it did not still make her stomach churn would be a lie.

Corpses that were neatly displayed. Propped in ridiculous poses--ludicrous and insidious. It was evil, and yet there was a mockery--a jest of the lives the people led before they were killed. Raea blinked rapidly, forcing the memory down--down and away. It was not what she wanted pressed upon her memory stone with its curious memories already swirling around.

"--I'm sorry. It's honestly a long and sordid story. I won't bore you with the details. But I will say--I find you admirable, Your Ladyship! Not everyone in your position has the opportunities afforded to them to be able to step away. Who looks after your people while you are away--that is, if you don't mind my asking?" It occurred to Raea that she may have insulted a royal. She chewed her inner cheek and winced at the boldness and insinuation of her words. Not since the Red Night had she spoken to other nobles on equal measure--let alone an individual from a royal line.

It occurred to her that for someone who was of noble birth she truly had the most appalling manners...

Eternity

 

[Sabine Fenvaris]

"Master Hector!" Sabine exclaimed, boisterous and amused. "I am here escorting my Lady Raea to the Festival. She was curious of the band of brigands--" At this, she wrinkled her nose in displeasure with a wry smile, "--that bested me and the Knights that came to my rescue."

Sabine leaned closer to Hector, her voice low so that only he might hear, "I suspect her ulterior motive is to ditch me here so that I may join the Knights." Straightening again, her wry smile faded to a knowing smirk, "Though she'll not get rid of me so easily. I imagine she will do her best to make a donation to the Knights if they'll accept such things. We are a small House, but we have our pride." Rolling her shoulder, Sabine stood straighter.

"My Efrideet tells me you appear most enthused and intrigued by her existence. Vanakara is not an easy feat to pull off. And my memory stone was but a catalyst to bring my beloved to life--in a way." She regarded Hector with a measure of seriousness just then, "Tell me, Hector. What is it that you know about magic?" One arm--her only good arm--crossed another. It was then upon closer inspection that if one were to truly look at Sabine's right arm, it would hold the texture of sand. Truly, for Sabine only had one arm. It was all connected.

The construct.
The missing arm.
The memory stone.

And yet it all revolved around the power of magic. If Hector had a voracious appetite for the circumstances, Sabine would engorge him.

Hector

 

[Hector]

Hector smiled, enthused by the Lady's words. His face warmed some at the sound of being called Master. Even chuckled some to himself.

It was a common enough honorific. Especially when in someones home. But maybe it was because they were upon Monastery grounds that Hector thought it so, well, flattering.

Master Hector. His mind flashed to forgefire and hammer strikes. Metal glowing in the roaring belly of a kiln.

Lady Sabine went on, and her enthused voice plucked him from his fantasy.

"Oh?" he said with some curiosity. "I mean, we would be honored!" he added. Cleared his throat and bowed his head with a little more formality. "To accept an offering, or to have you amongst our ranks, Lady Sabine, either would surely be of great benefit to our order, of that I have no doubt,"

He rose, and could not hide the joy from his expression. It was not everyday that he learned of potential new ally, or that such a skilled warrior may join their number.

She spoke of a thing named Efrideet, used the word, Vanakara, and even mentioned the ananembic amber, how it may have acted as a catalyst to an unforeseen reaction. He noted then, the arm of sand, as she pressed her question, and crossed her limbs.

His eye was full of wonder, his mouth agape. "Um, well," he stuttered. Shook his head and huffed out a breath. To think, she wove magick was one drew breath. The limb. Had it always been there? Made of sand as it were?

"Sensing magick has never been my forte," he admitted with a nervous titter. "But, well, I have some understanding of the arcane," he said, with a hint of iron in his voice. "I... well, I have been taught that it is a part of the world, like the air we breath, and the water we drink," he wasn't sure if that did justice to the Master's lectures, or the trainings he had underwent with Sworn and Pursuants alike.

He looked down at his hands. The sack so full of constructs he had put together in preparation for this celebration. "I know that like much in life, there is always more to learn," he said and looked to his empty hand. Thought of the flame he could summon and shape. Felt his chest warm with a crackling heat.

Sabine Fenvaris

 

[Sabine Fenvaris]

"Magick falls into many disciplines. Though the laws are absolute, there are different wants to interpret and manifest that magick." Sabine nodded, turning just long enough to scan the crowd and spot the dutiful golem that was Efrideet, lurking near the Lady Raea and Aurora. Her brows knit with a frown--Raea had not left that woman alone since discovering her!

She turned back to Hector with a sigh, "Before I was bested by brigands, I had been ensnared by a far more sinister creature. We know of the fae--to some degree. They have their order, their own flavor of magick. The raw elements they are able to sway. From such a band of Fae, I came to learn about Vanakara--The Weave." Sabine deftly lowered to a crouch, a hand reaching out palm flat and fingers splayed over the ground. "Some would say magick is a by product from more primordial forces. Or so, that is what some Fae would say. My tangle with the damned beasties unfortunately jaded my perspective of the world, our mastery of magick--no. We are children playing with things we know so very little about." Sabine regarded Hector with a wolfish grin and a glint in her golden eyes, "Still, children have great imaginations. And thus, civilizations rise and fall at the behest of magick. The prices are paid. Magick has a span. It is a transaction. We give something to receive something from the primordial forces at hand, no?"

The grin faded, and for a moment Sabine was lost--lost in memory and thought. "My price was my pride. My sword arm and the life of a loved one. The Unseelie are tricky bastards, the lot of them--don't ever trust the Gentry. They will rob you blind! But from that price, I learned the Weave. Vanakara is nothing more than taking threads of magic and weaving them into the very forces of nature we reckon with. Sewing them together, knotting and threading. It takes a great mind to take the rawness of magick and give shape to a thing." Sabine nodded to the construct. It was no perfect thing and took considerable strength to pull together. "Like a muscle, the will must train. Many years ago, I could barely lift a rock. The sand would not stir. The earth did not shake. But I am stubborn, and I trained until I bleed from my hands, my nostrils. Earth is stubborn, but I am more stubborn. I curse the fae, but they gave me a gift and my Lady Raea."

Sabine stood again and dusted her britches off. Extending her constructed hand out, Hector would see it was etched with runes along the forearm. "Sand is easiest. I can manipulate it, adjust the surface tension. The pressure. The magick within is nothing more than veins. That is the easiest way to think of the construct. Like a leaf with veins. She only speaks because I remember her voice. I can remember ever letter she's ever enunciated. I can remember her soul..." She smiled sadly, wistfully. It was unlike Sabine to be vulnerable. Least of all about some fallen lover no one had ever heard of. "She was giantess. I loved her fiercely. And the only thing stopping me from seeking her murderer is that Lady Raea lives. Damn the woman for trying to--to do me a favor by shirking me off!" Sabine spat on the ground in disdain, growling low, "I'm too proud for it. I won't leave her."

Whether Sabine meant Raea or Efrideet, even she was not sure.

"The construct will not last. It will eat away at the stone, and once that essence--that memory is gone, the transaction is complete, and the construct will cease. My body is scarred with runes. I touch them up to maintain the magick. So, too, you must when shaping things like a construct. All magickally gifted have the potential for Vanakara. All people have the imagination to give shape to things. Tell me, Master Hector. If it were in your hands, what great things would you shape?" A slender brow arched in sincere curiosity. There was no mistaking the lookin Hector's eyes. There was something there the young man could feel. That his was a mind meant for something more. What could he do? What would he do?

Hector

 

[Hector]

It was a curious thing. To hear the understandings and wisdoms he had heard come from other tongues, and writ across other scripts, spoken now before him by this new practitioner. This new perspective.

Much of what was shared was familiar to him. The exchange. The cost. Though, he supposed it was because of the perspective that had raised him up. The philosophy that had guided his growth, that he had come to understand things differently.

"Wow," he said a bit breathless upon hearing it all. "You've lead quite the life, and have learned much and more because of your path," he bowed in respect to the loss she shared with him. And all the other wisdoms of life that had instructed her. The treacheries too. "Thank you, Lady Sabine," he said solemnly. "That was, most instructional" He added. He cleared his throat, and raised his gaze to her.


Then he furrowed his brow, a hand raised to his chin as he went over what was shared. "The Weave, as you call it," he nod again, agreeing with the term. Smiled. "Well, no, I suppose the primordial forces you mentioned, we gave them names, to help us make sense of them," He put out his empty left hand, and showed his five fingers splayed. "The Pursuits of Magick. Five in total, from which our world's magick is derived. Life, Loch, Death, Wyld, and Flame," he closed two fingers, held out his thumb, pointer, and middle. "I can wield three of them so far, but, only minor spells really, sept for, well," he closed two more fingers, and left only his pointer finger out. "Flame," he said, and with his word, his breath pushed out, a small candle-flame sputtered to life, just above his finger.

He smirked. "There is a cost, of course, but we learn how to shape the magick of the world around us, and within us, to help give it form, give it power," he traced the air with his flame-lit finger-tip, and lines, like shimmering tongues of fire, were traced into the dark night air. "It is as you say, Lady Sabine," he said proudly. "Our imaginations hold great power," he drew in a breath, and filled his lungs like forge bellows. Traced once last line down before him.

The little candle flame grew long with the motion of his hand. Hung in the air like flame formed sword. Embers and sparks hissed from its molten form.

"With proper channels, and focus, the cost is reduced," he closed his eyes, and motioned his free hand up. The sword rose with the motion, and from his mouth poured words.

With wings like flame-kissed skys,
Do arise,
Oh ash-winged flyer,
Let my heart be your pyre.

The sword swirled in on itself, into a vortex of flame that hissed and spat golden cinders. Until a winged bird came forth from the eye of the storm. As large as a raven, its wings spread proud and wide as it soared up above them.

Hector winked at the geomancer. Full of a Squire's foolish pride. "Our order is ancient, Lady Sabine, our secrets many," the raven of fire arced long and graceful in the night sky above them. Hector laughed. "But I still can't say I've ever seen something as intricate as your... Efrideet," he grew somber at remembering that the spirit inside the construct was the memory of her lost love. "But, I am greatful that you would be so generous, as to impart your wisdom with me, Lady Sabine, and... well, if you wanted, I am sure the Captains would not mind you stay and study with us a while? If only... well... if you thought it might serve you,"

Sabine Fenvaris

 

[Eternity]

Looking over the amulet size gem in her palm, she smiled about the way it glowed under the lighting of the sparks exploding in the sky above as each magician took their turn giving the crowds a light show. Her eyes lifted back to her friend. “Many stories like those can have the utmost surprising endings or we will say new beginnings.” Pausing a moment before answering Raea’s question about who is looking over her people, she took a deep breath. Aw how her father would be disappointed with her decisions to leave their hidden realm, to explore the world above. Aurora wanted nothing more than to allow the fae of her home to meet the people of the cities and countries above, to mix and mingle learning of the great vast world of possibilities before them.

Gaia birthed more than her own people, this Aurora recognized. “I have a council made of nobles from around my country, they help me. There is also my mother, she also takes on some tasks for me when I am unable.” In all honesty her mother would rather her daughter accept her responsibilities in full, but she was beginning to accept that Aurora wished to bring a great era of change to the Fae of Crystallo.

Picking up on the anxiety of Raea, she laughed softly. “Please understand I don’t feel like you can offend me in any way, nor do I find you upsetting in your boldness.” Stepping oddly close to Raea, she leaned into her ear. “I find you refreshing, and quite fun!” Pocketting her stone in a hidden spot on her gown, she reached for Raea’s free hand and pulled her away from the lines of people waiting for their stones. Laughter left Aurora’s mouth, as she pulled her friend towards a lively part of the festival where people danced and laughed pointing at the magnificent light shows above.

Empyrean

 

[Empyrean]

Raea's heart pounded in her chest, and somewhere in this dizzying, maddening world, this moment made sense. It clicked into place softly and she pondered the realities of fate and destiny.

This person was meant to be in her life.

Creeping heat swirled in her cheeks--flushed red, even in the cool evening. Aurora had been so close, so forthcoming and honest and it almost pained her. Having never had a person like this to engage with before--dare she admit that she was almost painfully shy about reciprocating? Knowledge was always something that she couldn't help but be drawn to, a curious mind that didn't waver.

But this was something more. This was...the beginning of an acquaintanceship? A...friendship?

Suddenly memory stones and delicious holiday treats, dances and favors meant so little. A melodic thrumming seemed to hover in the air around them. Raea felt compelled to follow Aurora--who was no longer royalty--but another girl. And she was not a noble, but another girl. They were two silly girls doing silly girl things that their world more likely than naught forbade them to enjoy. Raea was consumed with survival. Aurora was consumed by duty.

Not tonight.

Raea twirled with uncanny grace on the tips of her toes. She would twirl Aurora in turn. The night would fill with their laughter as formality melted away into a familiar rhythm. They operated as though they had known each other their whole lives--and perhaps in some way they had. Food was shared, whispers and giggles exchanged and they danced--oh how they danced! Raea's heart swelled with a fullness she wasn't sure she had ever known, ebbing the melancholy of her grim world away. Slowly, quietly.

Would it last? She didn't know!

Her belly was full of laughter and wholeness and for just those moments--that was enough.

Eternity

 

[Sabine Fenvaris]

"Your particular affinity is uncommon among the Vanakara." Sabine remarked with some measure of admiration. Then she sighed heavily, her gaze instinctively searching for Raea.

"She is both a danger, and in danger." Sabine said darkly, her gaze lingering on the women together. The way they laughed was rare, and it plucked at her heartstrings. Her brows furrowed and her nose wrinkled, "My tangle with the Yosei was no accident, nor their imparting of this magic upon me. My cost was great because I was but a toy for them. I am not keen on the fae...but I am keen on my Lady." She glanced back at Hector, the severity of her gaze softening measurably.

"I will sincerely think on it. It is...a wonderful opportunity--perfect, in fact. I'm twice pissed I didn't think or consider it until she nagged me about it, the damned buzzing gnat. You Knights are all I've heard about since making the journey here." Sabine twisted her arm, a rune etched within the "skin." She drew a line across it--effectively scratching it out with minimal effort. It was only a twinge of will, and the golden, metaphorical string attached to the arm snapped. It melted away, the way that sand trickled and fell when there was no vessel to hold. It was a shape--and then it was nothing, and the reality of Sabine's disability came to light.

"I have...duties. I have things I must do before I can go my own way. But don't be surprised if I come stumbling through the halls in a drunken stupor!" At this she laughed deeply, her head thrown back at her own amusement. The moment had grown too serious, too soon--and she was here for lighter moments. "Aaah, Master Hector. You are far wiser and more skilled than I in the ways of magic. I need not teach you anything--you already know. You have a lot to teach me." Her grin broadened into a smile--genuine and true.

Hector