Fable - Ask Before the Dark Times | Sharyrdian Order

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

The night was cool, and calm. The sky was clear, and the land was washed in the pale light of Arethil's moons, full in their beauty. Beneath them, in the midst of sparse trees and great fields of grass, a lone figure sat silently by a gently burning flame, just near a softly running stream. And there in the quiet, watching the dancing fire, that lone figure - Erën - dwelt in memory.

Recent years were filled with darkness, and violence. These were the things he and his kind were once set starkly against, but farther back in those simpler times, none of them could have known what was to come. They'd all heard of the prophecies, they all knew of the ancient threats, but no one would have believed they would unfold in their time - in this time.

Hubris, he thought, to believe they were above any evil. But of course, such was easy to say now, but back then, even he would deny any such thing could happen...

---

Sharyrdaes
130 years ago...

The city was brimming with activity. There was excitement in the air, and all of the Shoraes - their collective consciousness - felt it. It had been years since the Sphere of Nykios had been called home, and Swords of the Order had been returning to Sharyrdaes in great numbers. Erën had been one of the last to return, and he traveled only with his closest comrades and friends, Aidathin and Te'leis. They were well renowned through all of the Order as some of the greatest warriors the Order had known, but even Erën - First Sword of the Order - would say that there were many of this generation that were of the Order's greatest. And indeed, their kind had lived in great prosperity due to the actions of those who came before, but in their own time they had maintained such prosperity with unwavering might, proving worthy of their inheritance.

As the three approached the great gates, the runic shapes etched in them began to glow, and the great stones were moved by some unseen force to allow them entry. Like her walls, and her gates, all of Sharyrdaes was made of beautiful, bright stone. It was crafted with such precision and care, that there was not a part of it that did not seem magnificent. Most of the streets were rather close, though there was an obvious main route that led up through the city, which due to how it was built against the mountainside, rose up in obvious tiers. It was at the highest of these tiers where the Temple was built, and the great tower that rose high above, and the council chamber of the Conclave at its pinnacle. And in the midst of the city's architecture, vines, bushes, and trees were all given room to grow using elaborate aqueducts that were fed from rivers and streams that ran through the city, down from the mountains Sharyrdaes was built against.

Erën and his friends entered into a great square as they passed through the gate. At its center was a magnificent fountain, and they approached it to stop and drink from its water. Around them, under the shade of many trees, there were many people working to prepare for a coming celebration. To one looking on, it would seem as though their arrival went unnoticed. But as the people continued to work on their individual projects, through the collective there were many who acknowledged their arrival. Though many preferred a verbal interaction, given the dedication of the Aeraesarian people to their tasks, this was but a typical and accepted part of their culture.

After a short while, they wordlessly departed from there, and started on their way to the Temple. As was tradition for all Swords returning to the holy city, they were to return to the Shorai, housed within the Temple, and lay hands upon it. It would not take them long to arrive.

---

The Temple was the greatest structure in all of Sharyrdaes, and it was vast. The primary structure was comprised of many levels. There was the Celestial Tower, which reached high into the sky, and there was even a great portion that reached underground, deep into the mountain. Much of an Aeraesarian's youth is spent in the Temple, as it serves as a place of education and training. Perhaps the most important factor in this was the Shorai housed within, as it was believed that before the ritual of the Joining, the more time spent in the presence of the Shorai made the ritual easier to handle for the individual, something that did not usually take place until half a century of age. It served as a place of worship, with a great chapel dedicated to the Celestial Pantheon with Astra at its forefront. And of course, it was home to the Conclave, the authority of their Order and their people.

After arriving at the Temple, they passed through the grand chapel, and stopped before the image of Nykios. Each of them presented their weapon, and knelt before his image for a time, and recited their own, private mantras beneath their breath. When they were finished, they rose to their feet, and continued on to ascend the grand staircase that wrapped itself behind the greatest image within, the statue of Astra, to an archway that led deeper into the Temple, to the Chamber of Tychan. To the Shorai.

They entered the chamber, a great room illuminated by only the pulsing light of the massive crystal within. Many balconies ringed this tall room, and the crystal itself reached tens of meters above. There were many who stood about the chamber. Some of them were Swords who had preformed the tradition of the return and chose to remain for a time, as closeness to the great crystal usually strengthened ones bond with the Shoraes, while distance weakened it. Those who had been away for a long time, often dwell near it longer than most. Others were here for various other reasons, some of them shared this openly while others kept it to themselves. As for them, after they had completed the return, they too chose to remain for a time.

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

She was only a small child training in the Temple the last time so many had been called home. Back then she was still so many years away from her inevitable Joining, and could not understand the effect so many returning would have on one through the collective. To feel the presence of so many, so close, was almost surreal. It was almost overwhelming. Thoughts and feelings from those who were once so distant bombarded her, and it had taken time for her to grow accustomed to their heightened presence. There were so many who had been gone for so long that she had almost forgotten some of them, but with their return her memory of them did too, as did the collective memory of them within the Shoraes.

And then there were those who she was expecting, and hoped to see in person before the coming celebrations. She felt the presence of Erën, Aidathin, and Te'leis quite blatantly, even when they were still some ways away from the city. She was so familiar with their presence, and had missed them so, that it was like a bell ringing in her mind when they came near. She would see them soon enough, for there was another who she was even more desperate to seek out - though she hid this desperation within herself, shielding those feelings from the collective, keeping them only for herself... and one other. She could not feel her presence yet, but Anie hoped that she could still be on her way... surely nothing had happened to her.

She shook away her worry, and instead focused on the tasks at hand.

Under the Sphere of the Edict, she served as an Arbiter in the Temple. With her affluence in magic and telekinesis, she'd been chosen as an educator there. She, among many others, taught their young in the ways of the Shoraes, of magic, and combat. But with the coming festivities, the Festival of the Bright Moon, she also suspected there to be an announcement. It was no secret that she, as well as several others, had been selected to join the Conclave as a High Councillors, and she was aware that some of the sitting councillors were preparing to step down following the festival. Who exactly was to be selected following them was unknown, as each one had chosen their own successor - with the unanimous agreement of all those in the Conclave.

She, nor anyone else, knew who had selected whom, only the Conclave.

So in the meantime, she continued on in her task, which for the time being had her rallying her students into preparing the Temple for the festival. This consisted mostly of diligent cleaning and tidying, as well as decorating in rather extravagant fashion - which, extravagance to an Aeraesarian was likely quite plain to another. Nonetheless, for a great while she spent tending to this task until evening was upon them. By now she could feel the presence of her friends near the Shorai, and she decided that she would leave them to reacquaint themselves to its presence. Instead, she returned to the Temple's grand entryway, and greeted those as they entered in to carry out the return, all the while hoping to feel Ilona's presence, hoping to see her ascending the stairs to the Temple's great gates.

 

[Ilona Xy'Mari]

Ilona Xy'Mari couldn't honestly say when she had been home last. It was at least half a year and her heart ached to see Ánië more than anything in the world. She had only been a little ways behind Erën, Aidathin, and Te'leis, but she had slowed down to let them get far enough ahead of her that she could sneak away for a bit unnoticed.

She needed to see Ánië, she needed to apologize for the way she had left after they had argued about their relationship. Ánië, the most beautiful of the Aeraesarians and Ilona's childhood friend, wanted their relationship to be public knowledge while Ilona was wary of what would happen if she was killed. Ánië had long ago been chosen as a future Councillor and it was quite taboo for a Councillor to take another mate if the first died. Ilona did not want Ánië to live alone forever.

Ilona had expected to find Ánië in the Temple but not right at the entryway. Her heart skipped a beat or two as her eyes fell on the blonde that had stolen her heart so many years ago. It was at that moment she decided that she would return to the Shorai in a little bit. It was tradition and she would complete it but apologies came first.

"Ánië, I was hoping to speak with you..." Her voice was soft as she stopped a foot or so from Ánië. She had no idea if the woman was even hers anymore. She had left after the fight and her words had not been kind.

If you are so determined to live alone if I get killed, I will give you a small taste and not come home for a while!

They were the cruelest words that Ilona had ever spoken and she had felt guilty every minute she was away.

"I am so sorry," she said softly and looked down to the ground.

---

Ánië Táralóm

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

Raëlta, among the other clergy in the temple, had been busy with preparations for the festival. There had been much to do, and offerings to make, all of which were held in massive shallow bowls carved of bright white marble. Poems to Tychan had been written on linen paper and then set alight, burnt in consecrated flame as a gift to express their gratitude to Him. Another bowl carried tongues of flame and nothing else, not even any sort of fuel that could sustain it. Rather than oil, it was sustained purely by magic which the priests channelled in shifts, so as to keep the spell ongoing in gratitude to Metisa and Her holy gift to mortalkind. Yet another contained shattered steel of weapons and armour to be molten as a sacrifice to Nykios, and as proof that they maintained the holy wisdom He had blessed Arethil with. To Drakon, food from their harvest had been gathered as a sacrifice to Him, and gratitude that the god of nature allowed such nourishment to grow from the ground.

In the bowl that held Astra's offering burned a flame fuelled by the finest and most expensive oil that the priests had blessed over the days before the great festival. Aionus' gift was absent, for it was immaterial. It had been bequeathed during the Shorai beforehand, where the priests had given an hour of their time in reverence, and their thanks for the countless hours the god of time had provided.

Her holy duties done with for the moment, Raëlta took a moment of respite to gaze at the arriving onlookers from one of the temple's balconies overlooking the city, the sounds of the Shorai singing still faintly audible to her elven ears. It was a moment earned after days of preparation. It was also a moment fleeting, for there remained much to do once festivities began. She had participated in hundreds since childhood, and had officiated over dozens as an ordained priestess of the Sharyrdian Order, but never a Festival of the Bright Moon. The sanctity of this holy event never ceased to enthrall her. Blessed were they, to have a city and temple so magnificent, and blessed was she to be entrusted with the holy duties of officiating it.

As she did before every festival, Raëlta, stilled herself for a moment of reflection, her eyes closed as she reviewed the memories she had in solace. Once she had opened them again, she could see others making their approach, and she could further sense their identities long before her eyesight could see them clear. Erën, Te'leis, and Aidathin – three among many of their Order she had known thus far over her long life, and Raëlta welcomed them as she did all who'd arrived for the celebration. Once she had taken a long enough rest, the time came to do exactly that.

She made her way from the balcony, and down the steps to the temple's main floor before heading down a hallway that led to the entrance. Ánië was there in conversation with another, and Raëlta caught just enough of the conversation to determine it was private. Rather than the entrance, she decided to make her way further within the temple to tend to the others and allow the two their moment to tend to whatever begat the regret implied. Ánië was a kind soul, and surely deserved that.

Social support was an important matter, though the limitations of Raëlta's position as a priest made providing it difficult. She could only hope those of her congregation would tend to it, and she was simply happy that they were.

Eren'thiel Xyrdithas Ilona Xy'Mari

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

Erën was one of those who often spent more time away from home than there. He seemed to prefer being alone, or rather, away. In fact, it was likely that among most his peers he had spent significantly more time abroad, and the reason for this was no secret. He had not always been this way, he had not always been so distant.

He had been in his youth, less than a century old when he uncovered an insidious plot... within the collective. A plot that his own father had helped to bring about. And with him having crossed lines that no Shorai Aeraesarian should ever, the revelation led to his father's inevitable death... only, while the Order would have handled it differently if they could, it was by Erën's own hand. While the likes of his father and his apparent fellow conspirators were older, wiser, and more capable of retaining and even hiding themselves while joined with the collective, Erën was not so affluent, not back then. When he had returned - alone, having left with many - the whole of the Shoraes could feel every feeling, and recall every thought. It poured from him and consumed his mind... for a time.

Through much guidance Erën was himself again, but never the same. Gone was the brightness in his smile, replaced with an indifferent frown. But also there came strength. He became fortified and focused. He did have joy, but he kept it hidden, like so much of himself - proving to be much like his father in his mental fortitude. He was a difficult read, even through he Shoraes.

But in this time with the return, he carried with him no distress as he had so long ago, and instead, he felt comfort. He'd stood with his palm against the Shorai a little longer than most do. He dwelt by its side a little closer. Outsiders might place this as an odd affinity for a glowing crystal, but in truth the affinity was for what the Shorai represented, what it tied together.

Their people. No matter how cold he'd ever seemed, his devotion to them and their Order had never been questioned.

The three of them remained for a little while, and when Erën turned to leave the others followed after him. They returned out into the main chapel, descending the stairs around Astra's great image. As was their own private ritual, part way down the curved staircase they stopped and offered her a moment of reverence. It was she who was personally responsible for both Nykios and Tychan's creation, and their teachings bestowed upon to Arethil. For this, they remembered her. It was after this quiet moment to her when they carried on.

Raëlta was well respected as an Arbiter, and her place in the Temple was well founded as a proper appointment. They approached and greeted her, placing their hands on their chests with the bowing their heads.

"Priestess," Te'leis spoke aloud, lifting her head, "you must be quite proud. I don't think I've seen the Temple so well prepared," she cast her golden gaze around approvingly, then gave the priestess a smile.

"Agreed, your works for our peoples' greatest ceremony are to be honoured," Erën added.

From Aidathin and Te'leis, there was a warmth in their presence - feelings of contentment, and quiet but kind thoughts. Erën on the other hand was more akin to a stone wall. He, like a few others like him have and had been, was always quite reserved, even in the collective. But the half smile on his face revealed what his mind refused to.

He was happy to be home, and no doubt eager to see a particular someone.

---

Ellias knew he was here. She could feel it.

Maybe all that mumbo jumbo about why she and the other kids lived at the Temple was true. Ánië had told her that being close to the Shorai helped the mind grow accustomed to its influence, and presence, whatever that all meant. But she said in the collective you could feel other people around you even if you can't see them, even if they're not in the same room. Maybe some silly celebration that hasn't happened in like 300 years(292 to be exact) was going on, and she knew he was coming home.

In any case, her father was coming home, and she wasn't sitting around waiting. Or cleaning.

She knew the way of the return, she knew where he'd go. So, when she'd grown impatient enough, she sprang up from menial duties and escorted herself to the chapel, rushing past anyone and everyone her path. Thankfully, the Temple was a vast structure, and even its smallest corridors were great in size. There was little risk of her disrupting anyone while on the move. More than one certainly took notice of her, even watching her rush her way along for a short while, but paid little mind.

They knew where she was off to.

---

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

It grew difficult for Ánië as the time went on. She was certain she could feel Ilona's presence, but it was hidden away. It wasn't until she finally laid eyes upon the Second Sword ascending the stairs to her that she felt a warm relief. She was okay. And then Ilona said words that Ánië was not certain if she should expect. I am so sorry, she said, letting her eyes fall.

Deep within her she wished to reach out and embrace Ilona with love and comfort, but she understood the reasons for her harsh words before she left. She would respect and honour her love's wishes, and resign herself to the secrecy they had long lived in. So she could not act as she truly wished, and instead behaved in a manner appropriate for one of her eventual, predetermined appointment as High Councillor. She reached out with a gentle hand, placing it on Ilona's shoulder for as much of a comforting touch as she was permitted.

"Be of good cheer, Second. All of the Shoraes rejoices with the return of the Swords," she said with a smile, then quietly adding, "and I for one in particular," then she withdrew her hand, and stepped aside with a casual gesture inward, saying, "come. No doubt you are eager to complete the return. I will come with you into the chapel, and await you there."

---

Ilona Xy'Mari | Raëlta Ylnâthel ​

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

"Priestess, you must be quite proud. I don't think I've seen the Temple so well prepared," She spoke, and Raëlta turned towards her with a warm smile of her own at the compliment. She had worked tirelessly along with the others, and to see their efforts were noticed provided her with a sense of satisfaction. Their efforts had been to their people as much as it had been to their gods, for it was through festivals and ceremonies that their community was strengthened.

"Agreed, your works for our peoples' greatest ceremony are to be honoured," Erën added. It was wonderful to see him again, as it was all of their Order. Raëlta delighted in the return of those from afar, and to hear of the warm reception elated her further. She valued the sentiments of her kind, especially of such reknowned warriors such as they.

“Thank you kindly. It's always so wonderful to see everyone.” She beamed in response, careful not to limit her welcoming sentiment merely to those in her presence. She was a priestess for the entire Order, and remained resolute in dutifully caring for all with neither priority nor preference. Though she did hold fondness for warriors and those required to venture beyond their walls as part of their duty. That she could stay and tend to the holy rites she had always held dear was a blessing, and there was not a day that she did took it for granted.

Surely they could sense her jubilance much as she could sense their contentment. It meant as much to her as their spoken thanks, and she beamed even more at the satisfaction that their efforts had brought such an attitude forth to be shared by all. It was truly a time where all could come together in both mind and spirit.

Theirs was a truly great gift, one Raëlta and all of the Order could truly cherish.

Eren'thiel Xyrdithas Ilona Xy'Mari

 

[Ilona Xy'Mari]

Ánië's hand on her shoulder was all she needed to know that all was alright between them. There was a weight lifted off her shoulders at that moment and she just smiled at the woman who had held her heart for so long.

"You are kind, Ánië, I appreciate the escort," she said, then quietly added, "I appreciate any time I get with you..."

As they walked, Ilona changed the subject to more mundane topics. Although mundane in nature, she did need to be caught up with what had been going on and why everyone had been called back.

"What have I missed these last months?"

---

Ánië Táralóm

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

"The Festival of the Bright Moon has come earlier than expected," she replied. It was not expected for another eight years, but variations like this were not uncommon.

The Festival of the Bright Moon took place during a particular alignment in the stars and moons, which resulted in the Shorai reacting in a peculiar way. It resulted in a marvelous display, one that the Aeraesarians celebrated as a sign of their ongoing prosperity. It was tradition that all of Aeraesar gather in Sharyrdaes for this event, and soon all of their Order will have arrived.

She shared other things through thought, predominately the progress of many of her students. Much of her time had been dedicated to teaching them, and there is where much of her thought dwelt. Many of her students were certain for particular appointments, while some of the others were a little less sure footed. But she was confident that they would find their way.

As they drew closer to the others, she finally said, "It is also expected for several of the Conclave's high councilors to step down following the celebrations, as well."

It was impossible for her to hide the excitement in her voice.

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

“Thank you kindly. It's always so wonderful to see everyone.”
​

"Agreed," Erën replied with a gentle nod.

The grand chapel was an enormous chamber, spanning much of the primary structure. It was so vast, that from where he stood at nearly the furthest point in, those entering through its great archway appeared tiny. The statues of the gods stood tall, towering high overhead, lining the chapel with great spans in between. Within these spaces were many ascending pews, and occupying them were many Aeraesarians, singing softly and in unison. These pews were absent at the chapel's midway, where instead there were great archways leading elsewhere into the Temple. Above him, encompassing a great span, a tall curved ceiling rose high overhead, accommodating the even greater size of Astra's image, which stood tens of meters tall. Her head was level with the second story, a wide balcony spanning around the entire chapel. This second story was accessible from the same grand staircase that led to the Shorai's chamber, and led to many chambers dedicated to education.

Erën looked to those who knelt in their pews, their hands clasped before them, their heads bowed, and the voices reciting as one. They sang the Shorai's song, stopping only to rest, to once again resume. But never in the Temple was their song silent, and always through the Shoraes was it heard.

They dwelt there together for a time, and soon there were other close friends who drew near. Ánië, his kin, and the Second Sword Ilona.

Aidathin turned his attention with a smile, saying, "Second, I was beginning to think we'd lost you."

Erën nodded to Ilona, but quickly his attention turned to Ánië, and he said, "Ánië, where is...?"

Ánië smiled and waved her hand as she approached with Ilona by her side, "just listen, and you'll hear."

---

No sooner after the words were uttered did she appear from one of the chapel's archways. Her eyes tracked across the room, and she was quick to spot him, standing near Astra's image. She took no notice of whoever else was near him, or near her, and she shouted with glee for her father as she scrambled down the few stairs leading down from the archway into the chapel. She weaved past a few people passing and was soon upon the gathering.

She leapt to her father, who knelt and embraced her as she came near. It had been almost a year since they had seen each other.

After a few moments they withdrew, and Eren rubbed his thumb against her cheek with a smile. She smiled back, and then finally turned to see who else was here. She smiled at Te'leis and Aidathin - it had been some time since she had seen them as well. When she noticed Raëlta and Ánië, however, she grew a little tense. She wanted to run and give Ilona a hug too, but it was too late. She was caught. She straightened up, and composed herself a bit better. She was forgoing her duties, which were to continue to ready the Temple for tomorrow night's ceremonies...

She gulped before looking up and Raëlta and saying, "Uhm.. Priestess! I, uhh..."

Erën stood back and watched with an amused smirk on his face, arms crossed loosely against his chest.

---

Raëlta Ylnâthel | Ilona Xy'Mari ​

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

Erën returned a nod, and Raëlta's smile stayed bright. The chapel had always been a place of magnificent splendour, though the transformation it had undertaken during their preparations was breathtaking. The result was as enthralling today as it had been during her first and only other festival she'd attended, centuries ago as a student of the order. This one had arrived earlier than expected, though was neither unheard of nor by much, by elven standards. Anything less than a decade was but a brief window of time.

"It is also expected for several of the Conclave's high councilors to step down following the celebrations, as well." Ánië spoke, and Raëlta musing turned to the selection that was sure to shortly follow. The topic had been one of conversation in recent times, as the replacement would surely being change to the order. Raëlta did not look on the position with aspiration, for in her wizened years she understood it was not her place to as servant unto the gods. She'd be selected if she was needed, and were she selected she'd serve with pride.

"Ánië, where is...?" Erën asked, to which Ánië replied, "just listen, and you'll hear." Though neither of them mentioned a name, Raëlta could sense whom they were talking about. The emotion tied to the individual was clear enough. There was only one other who could trigger such a response, and the one in question revealed herself not a moment after.

Ellias made a beeline towards her father, and though Raëlta turned her attention towards her, she would not interrupt the embrace. Erën had been away for a long time as he often was, and deserved to have his moment with his daughter uninterrupted. Though as with the festival, the moment had come sooner than it ought to. Ellias was supposed to be elsewhere. The acolytes still had plenty of duties underway. It was something Ellias was surely aware of, given the justified tension she displayed at the discovery of her dereliction of them.

"Uhm.. Priestess! I, uhh..." She stammered out, barely beginning her sentence. It was clear enough she had no explanation to give.

“You've a reason why I've not seen you yet today either, Ellias Xyrdithas? The others have all been dilligently at work.” Raëlta remarked, her once warm smile faded into a stoic expression. She could remember her own youth, and the pursuit of obeying impulsiveness. Experience and training had taught her better – lessons she'd seemingly have to impart upon Ellias to correct her truancy.

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

Ánië had been waiting, listening to the Shoraes, hearing her brethren's thoughts. As one learned through their many, many years of mental training and fortification, her mind could almost quite wholly be in two places at once. Almost. While she was present in the here and now, she was also elsewhere, and though one hardly experienced an omniscience within the Shoraes, it certainly seemed omnipresent, capturing almost everything any of them who had ever been joined had ever seen or heard or thought or felt. So when those few passersby saw young Ellias scampering down the corridor, Ánië remembered as they did.

But even if this were not the case, there would still be no surprise on Ánië's face as she came running to her father's side, well and far beyond a proper greeting - at least in a place like this. But when it came to children, there was often great leniency.

Ellias was one of those... who Ánië was not quite sure about. She had the gift, but there was something holding her back.

Ánië could not hide the soft smile that lifted her lips as Priestess Raëlta stayed her inevitable wrath. They all knew it was coming, and each of them did well to hide their playful smirks as Ellias was chastised for her dereliction of duty.

With another comforting hand on Ilona's shoulder, Ánië said, "come, the Shorai awaits, and young Ellias has some explaining to do."

They started toward that same grand stairwell, wrapped around either side of Astra's great image.

"I trust your time was well spent..?"

---

Ilona Xy'Mari | Raëlta Ylnâthel ​

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

Well, Ellias had nothing to say for herself. The frown of disapproval Raëlta wore remained on her face. She had tried to instill a sense of proper duty within her, but it was ever a difficult task. No doubt Erën knew of this tendency to shirk responsibility, she could sense his satisfaction that Ellias’ truancy had been discovered and addressed, though she needn’t the Shorai to do so. It was worn clearly upon his face in a smirk.

Still, she couldn’t be too cross with her. Raëlta had similar tendencies in her own youth, before she gained the discipline she sore sorely needed. Looking back on those times, Raëlta couldn’t deny that discipline had only gotten so far with her. Admonishment would secure temporary obedience, but Raëlta knew well that it wouldn’t instill much in Ellias beyond a desire to avoid being caught next time. Her path to wise devotion of both duty and divine could be credited to many influences over the decades of her adolescence, but she could not deny that her first Festival had played a major part in it. The toil of preparations held little to sway, but the wonders of the Festival itself would follow shortly, and perhaps then the young Ellias might find enlightenment. Hope that she would warmed Raëlta, and she might have an opportunity to teach.

Once she’d fulfilled said duties, of course. The temple needed the help, but there was necessity well beyond that. The experience of what she’d help prepare for was sure to instill devotion. To have a part in something so grand had struck Raëlta with awe, and she truly hoped Ellias would feel the same once festivities began.

“No reason? So you've been absent for nothing but it's own sake?” Raëlta continued her verbal prodding. This was not a part she cherished, but it was something Ellias needed. She knew full well Ellias was without excuse. The least Raëlta could do was see her contend with it, though she held no misgivings that prompting sufficient introspection would not come so easily.

The work would surely be plentiful. The more menial tasks were almost always left until the end for the students. Ellias' tardiness was sure to result in the brunt of these tasks to her. Raëlta mused that, if anything, might prompt punctuality in the future.