Fable - Ask When the Faith Fails Us

[Ánië Táralóm]

Long had been these past months, and very quiet. Throughout everything they had endured these many years they had never suffered in such a way as this. Even in the Temple's corridors with close companions it still felt as though the people around her were leagues away. In some ways they even felt like... strangers. They all felt the same, she knew they did. Not many of them could say they hadn't been joined very long. For most, it was difficult to remember what life was like before being joined...

She could not speak for everyone, but she could not remember much from when she was... not herself. It was like waking from a long sleep filled with vague dreams of things that simply could not be. It was in this time when she needed her people the most, to hear and feel them through the Shoraes' comforting melodies. Waking from that dream into this... it was dreadful to feel these feelings alone, and though she wished to with all her heart she could not make the step to reach out.

None of them could.

And then finally, after much fasting and prayer...

…she could hear their song again.

---

It had been quiet at first, but it took little time after before the whole of the collective spoke and sang to one another once again. Even the Shorai itself seemed... healthier - its light, just a little more luminous. It was in these weeks that it was decided to be time at last to convene as they once and always had. Ánië, uncharacteristic of a High Councilor, lingered outside the Temple's grand entrance in the courtyard below. Though much of Sharyrdaes was broken and deserted, the upper tiers were still inhabited, and well defended from the beasts wandering beyond. Many now dwelt in the undercity, but many dwelt aboveground still, despite the dangers. She intended to greet as many of them as she could, as a good number of them often aided in the city's defense when necessary. The twisted beasts of the wild grew ever more ferocious with every passing year.

This evening no doubt all would come to be in the Temple, to hear and be heard as they address for the first time the calamity that had befallen them, and by what strange miracle they find they have come to be themselves again. More importantly, perhaps, what exactly happened to them. She nor any of the Conclave fully understood what took place, but it is their hope with the collective joined in one accord they might unveil what had come to pass...

 

[Vordrakel Deaz'renith]

It was in the dark that he first heard their voices again. For many days after the demon's attack, Vordrakel had spent much of his time in meditation to try to reconnect. With his kin. With parts of himself that seemed lost. The sense of solitude was always a strange and unsettling thing, yet even after the Shoraes's return, he maintained this daily ritual of willful separation. Whether it was inspired by lingering wariness or in preparation for a possible future, even he did not know. Only that, like so many others, couldn't fully trust a doorway that had allowed an enemy inside.

The Song rose again in his mind as he pulled his consciousness back to himself and opened his eyes. The Temple halls were quiet this late in the day except for the occasional echo of humming or softly spoken prayer. Away from the pressing darkness outside of this sanctuary, Vordrakel enjoyed the temporary reprieve - for peace was always such a fleeting thing.

He waved a hand over the cluster of candles set before him, willing their flames to extinguish before standing from the mat he'd been seated upon. With slow steps he set off across the marbled temple floor towards the main cathedral, where the Order was to meet to discuss the most recent in the series of trials set before their people.

Before he had gotten far, one of the acolytes came up beside him and offered him an elegant curve blade in a sheath.

"Here is your weapon back, as requested. You are aware that bringing weapons into the prayer halls is not forbidden?" he asked, almost awkwardly. It was to be expected, for relying on spoken word was always a bit cumbersome. As a long-serving shield, Vordrakel knew those who took care of the Temple quite well, so it took no jaunt into their collective thoughts to know this one was new.

"I am aware, thank you," he replied with a smile as he took his weapon from the acolyte and looked it over. "This bloodied steel has no business in a place of peace."

He gave a nod of farewell to the acolyte and kept walking, having sensed another more familiar presence ahead. He saw Ánië walking down the hall towards the cathedral.

"Good evening, High Councilor."

Ánië Táralóm

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

The state of the Shorai gave her hope, and hope was much needed. Raëlta was quick to latch onto it, yet cautious of growing attached to it. Once upon a time, she might have, for once upon a time she couldn't imagine a disaster such as that Arkhivom had wrought upon them. Though he had been bested, the corruption of what was most holy had left a mark on the stalwart priestess. Former notions of safety had been shattered. The future now seemed more uncertain now than it ever had been before.

But today was yet another day forward, and today would be a bigger step than most. Since the moment she'd woken up and heard it sing again, Raëlta had been busy at work preparing for the turn of events. She'd gotten ready in a rush, donning her priestly attire and speaking private prayers before heading immediately to the temple. She'd been among the first to arrive and began lighting candles and incense while the few other priests kept busy with other preparations. It did not take long for more to arrive, and once enough of the clergy was there, Raëlta move to the altar and began to officiate a small ceremony. Incense was burned as an offering that the gods might hear them. Even before they could deduce what had happened, Raëlta knew that this was dire enough to warrant their aid and deliverance. Most anyone would agree. One didn't need to be clergy to be so shaken by what they'd undergone.

Much was left to the imagination, and imagination could be terrifying. Raëlta feared the worst, and through the hope the uncertainty did gnaw at her. But they needed to know what happened. It was dreadful that it had occurred at all, but even more dreadful that it might occur again. Raëlta needed to understand, as did all who had arrived.

And through it all, they would need the priests to be stalwart to lead them. Raëlta was present to be such a pillar, for beyond discovery the Sharyrdian would need support. Among the rest of the priests, Raëlta remained ready to provide both, when the time came.

For now, she continued her song to the gods, with an acolyte arriving with a replenishment of incense to add to the offerings given for their favour.

Ánië Táralóm Vordrakel Deaz'renith

 

[Enderathil]

Darkness, a void that could never be filled. How it threw her to be devoid of the connection she had once shared, how small and vulnerable she felt in her own mind. It was enough to drive one crazy, and perhaps she had gone crazy for a time. Pining for her people, to feel the song that had filled them with belonging.

To hear the song again, it brought tears to her eyes. Still, it hurt. How could she trust it when it had been so violently ripped away? If it happened again, surely she could not withstand it. Together they would look for answers, together the would rise as one. As it should be.

Trembling fingers hastened to close the clasps of her dress, it seemed she couldn't move quickly enough. They were to gather and do their best to make sense of what transpired. A shallow breath as she paused, her lips a grim line. While she rejoiced in hearing the song again, it's return had been almost as jarring as when it had left

Enderathil hastened to the temple, acknowledging others as they moved collectively. It was still quiet, there were those still waking and those still returning to the choir.

Ánië was the first she stopped to truly acknowledge, and she was not alone. Vordrakel, the shield of the order was there as well. Enderathil approached quietly, pressing a finger to her forehead and a small bow of her head in greeting. "It pleases me to see you both." When the world went quiet, quite a few had secluded themselves, Enderathil had been one of them. Driven to the edge of insanity.

Ánië Táralóm Vordrakel Deaz'renith Raëlta Ylnâthel

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

It was almost surreal to her, the experiences of this last while. Weeks ago the people passing by had seemed so distant and dark to her mind, even when speaking as closely as ever did their voices seem quieter. And now she could perceive them - their hearts and minds - with so much more clarity, through not only her eyes and ears but through her own mind and soul. Those more open appeared more brightly, and those more closed seemed a little more dark, but the light was present in all once again. But all of them had built upon the walls of their minds that preserved their self in the midst of the whole, and none of them showed the same light with one another as they once had, save for those precious few.

Ánië was such a one, shining as openly and brightly as she could muster in the wake of such lingering dismay. It was her duty, or so she felt, to maintain and show forth the faith she still held, shaken as it was. There had been many indeed who had secluded themselves in the midst of their trouble, as was only natural. For some, this was the first they had been seen in what, to them, likely seemed far too long...

While making her way through the Temple she was gladdened to be met by Vordrakel, one most stalwart and faithful of the Shield. He addressed her, and his voice was there in both her ear and mind, like echoes upon itself that diminished as quickly as they were heard. It was only amongst themselves, and perhaps exceptionally telepathic others, where this was so. The words were filled with so much more understood meaning and intent, even simple pleasantries told a far greater story than one outside of their Shoraes might imagine.

She pressed the palm of her hand to her chest and bowed her head as she greeted him, "Good evening Vordrakel, it is wonderful to see you," she said. Then she moved closer to place a gentle hand on his shoulder for a moment, and then withdrew while exchanging only a few more words with him about this evening's gathering before Enderathil came near.

Though there were many who chose to hide more of their light, Enderathil's seemed... dimmer. She was not alone in this, but she was one of those fewer who returned to reveal far less of themselves. Their thoughts were far more guarded, their echoes far more quiet. It saddened Ánië, but within the fortress of her mind did she hide this from those around her, and with as much might as she could muster shared only her hope.

She wore only a smile.

Ánië greeted her very similarly to how she'd greeted Vordrakel, returning first the sense of formality they respected, but then once again as before she drew closer for a more intimate and friendly gesture. She lifted her hand to Enderathil's cheek and the smile in her eyes seemed to deepen, "sister, it is wonderful to see you again. I have missed you." She withdrew, and asked them both to join her as she went to the main chapel.

While the Temple as a whole was magnificent in stature, hospitable to even the likes of giants through its grand corridors, no place was a grand as the main chapel. Along its longer sides were mezzanines, and beneath these and atop them were the statues of the Celestial pantheon, as well as numerous paths down other corridors. At the chapel's far end was the main altar, and beyond was the grandest of their graven images, Astra. On either side of her was a grand, stone stairwell, leading to a great archway behind her. It was beyond there, into the council chamber, she would soon need to go.

There were still so few who had come, but many more were yet to arrive and their arrival felt very imminent. But even as the presence of multitude began to grow around her, ahead - at the altar as of course she might expect - she felt a presence most comforting.

"Come," she said to the others, "let us meet with Raëlta, and see how things progress."

---

Vordrakel Deaz'renith | Raëlta Ylnâthel | Enderathil ​

 

[Vordrakel Deaz'renith]

Vordrakel returned Ánië's gesture by briefly touching her arm with one hand, emanating the feelings of kinship and respect he held for her. He was glad to feel the radiant light of her spirit again shining like a beacon to ships still lost in the night. He didn't possess as deep of a connection to others as Ánië did, but he was all too aware of the strange distance that had grown between them all.

He turned to greet Enderathil with a bow and welcoming thoughts as she joined them.

"Indeed. We have all missed your presence, Enderathil," he agreed with Ánië's sentiment with a warm smile, though he sensed in her expression that same uncertainty that they each struggled with to some degree. A wound he hoped this council would begin to fully heal.

He followed behind Ánië and Enderathil as they entered the chapel, his gaze taking in the familiar grandeur of the chamber and the statues therein: mainly the stoic, armored image of Nykios, who was the patron of Vord's calling; the small, gnomish portrayal of Metisa, whom he prayed to for guidance; and Astra, the progenitor of the fire and light that maintained all life.

Despite knowing in his soul that this place was a sanctuary, he found that his eyes were instinctively searching every corridor for some unknown foe, as if he was out patrolling Sharyrdaes's lower tiers. He paused to consider this strange feeling until Ánië spoke again in the physical as well as the mental. He returned his gaze to the stairs leading up to the council chamber and dismissed the unwelcome feeling.

Though he had seen Raëlta several times in the course of his patrols of the Temple proper, they had hardly spoken anything beyond formality since Arkhivom's attack, lost as they all were in the prisons of their own solitude. It would be a difficult thing still, for there was a part of him that felt he had failed in his duty to protect them. That perhaps he was not yet worthy of forgiveness.

Ánië Táralóm Raëlta Ylnâthel Enderathil

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

Raëlta continued to sing her wordless song, a slow moving and melancholic melody that echoed off the expansive Temple walls. Smoke from the burning offering rose up from the gilded bowls to each side of her, wafting upwards towards the roof in steady streams of winding white. Her gaze remained upwards towards the unseen stars in address to the gods themselves – though the song was intended for the ears of those who’d arrived, of which there were a few in attendance. Those who had assisted her had departed for other tasks, leaving her alone to her holy work.

She closed the song with a long, hanging note, turning her gaze back down towards the small group that had congregated before her to hear it. There were a few more among them, and Raëlta gave a look to each, before stepping silently down the short stairs that lead to the floor. The look she gave told them they had her attention, but she’d not address them until she stepped off the dais from which she had been singing, out of tact towards faith. She had just spoken to the gods, and could not speak so casually to the new arrivals as if the two could be compared. Distinction such as this had always been part of the job, to keep holy matters holy and her community tended to.

“Welcome, Ánië, Vordrakel and Enderathil.” She said, with a somber expression that carried a hint of hope behind it. Without a word, she could tell what had brought them here. It was surely the same matter that had prompted her to arrive – the Shorai began to sing again, and hope that things would get better had sparked anew. It was a struggle to grasp, but they sorely needed it. These had been dark times, and she needed to be there to shine the light upon it. It was part of what she had promised upon becoming a priestess, and a holy duty she’d never shirk.

“The song does sing again, and to this I am grateful. As are all surely are.” She asked them as she stepped over. She could sense reasonable apprehension, and sought to soothe it. Raëlta was glad they had come, ever welcoming of any who arrived at the Temple. Yet today was a special matter, one with hope that had long gone unseen. Perhaps they had arrived for answers, and while Raëlta may not have anything exact she would gladly guide them and provide them with hope. That the song could be heard again was a boon that could not be denied, and a glimmer of hope after such tragic events.

“And with it comes hope and recovery.” She added, sounding a touch more certain than she truly was. That such a tragedy could happen had been formerly unfathomable, and the truth and new reality a burden to bear.

Yet as always, they would do what they must. They needed to move forward, and they needed the clergy to lead them. Under this pressure, Raëlta too found strength. It might not be easy, but it would be done. Even if there would be much hard work ahead, along with uncertainty and fret, there was relief in knowing it was so.

Regardless of her own trepidation, Raëlta was ever ready to do what was needed.

Ánië Táralóm Vordrakel Deaz'renith Enderathil

 

[Enderathil]

Ánië was like a shining beacon, that at any other time would be warm and welcoming. Still, Enderathil found herself skittering into the corners of her mind. Still clutched in fear and distrust. She wasn't the only one, others had a similar dimness to them. Her trust had never been broken like this and it was much harder for her to recover than some.

She could feel the sincerity in Ánië's voice, and in her mind as her warm hand cupped Enderathil's cheek. She allowed a smile, embracing her kin, attempting to open up just a little to the other council member before her.

Enderathil murmured similar sentiments to Vordrakel, but found herself distancing just a little. She had not been overly familiar with him, and he was not as open as Ánië. She bowed her head in acknowledgement as it was suggested to proceed further and meet with the woman of cloth that everyone had always adored upon a temple visit.

Enderathil took in the words of Raëlta, trying her best to let the hope reach her in words and mind. She had fallen so far from her kin, and didn't know how to begin to feel normal again, if that was such a thing. "Today hopefully begins our healing." She said the words, but her eyes refused to meet those around her.

Raëlta Ylnâthel Ánië Táralóm Vordrakel Deaz'renith

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

Ánië may have portrayed herself brightly and openly, but none were so luminous in her eyes as the priestess, Raëlta. It had been in their darkest days when all others seemed dim that she did yet shine. Many had looked to her for guidance and faith, and ever had it been that she shared a spirit of hope. Ánië, too, often looked to her when she herself could not see clearly. And as always, even just in their greeting did the priestess speak of hope and healing. It brought a smile to Ánië's face, and she nodded her agreement as Enderathil voiced hers.

The song did sing once again, and though it was still rising in its clarity, it was a joyful noise all the same.

"Though the Conclave holds the floor as it always shall, it will be open, priestess. Do you intend to speak this evening?" Ánië asked.

Tonight's gathering was something not quite like anything before. It was rare for all of the Order to assemble in such a way, as their collective allowed for the transfer of thought over sometimes very great distances. Tonight, however, they were drawn together. It was a need. It was light that seemed to guide them, but still she could feel the apprehension. She herself had her own. But yet, she came, as did those who had followed with her and as had the priestess.

"As surely as the gods have their ways will we continue as we always have," she said as she looked up at the image of Astra, "and perhaps in this faith they will honour us with answers."

 

[Vordrakel Deaz'renith]

Vordrakel inclined his head in respect for the priestess as she descended from the dais, and remained silent until she addressed them.

“The song does sing again, and to this I am grateful. As are all surely are.”

"It is our core and our soul. As it recovers, so will we all," he echoed Raëlta's thoughts. "It's like stepping back into a familiar place that we haven't seen in years... we will feel at home again as we reclaim these memories."

It wasn't just a matter of faith for him - it was the rational course. Not one of them would need to undergo the process of recovery alone. The demon might have thought it had stripped them of their greatest strength, but in reality their individual selves were just as important. After all, they were not one mind, but many minds sharing a deeper connection.

He hoped Raëlta would speak of her thoughts and findings through her communion with the divine, to clarify if this was a trial set before them by the gods or if the gods simply did not feel they needed to be involved. For Vordrakel's part, he had approached this from the perspective of the arcane, the experimental. The mages among them had agreed to contribute to a larger body of research on the nature of magic the demon had used to manipulate the Shorai.

A long and difficult task, which had not yet yielded the answers hoped for in the confusion of the aftermath. What precious little they had learned, he would share at this assembly.

Ánië Táralóm Enderathil Raëlta Ylnâthel

 

[Raëlta Ylnâthel]

“It does. Today we take our first steps towards our own restoration.” Raëlta affirmed to Enderathil, wearing a warm smile as she spoke. “A glorious day of hope made real, anew.” She added. The hope the day had thus far provided was a blessing to hold onto, and one she'd not take for granted. Still, Raëlta concealed her worry. She didn't doubt they could rebuild, but she doubted that they would be safe from further threat. The catastrophe.
Recovery was a task she was prepared for, but protection was a worry that she knew no solution to.

She nodded at Vordrakel too as he echoed her sentiment. As concerned as she was, Raëlta didn't wish to burden them with such fret in what was a longed for moment of hope. Wishing to provide support and guidance, she determined that this was neither the place nor the time to voice them.

Ánië announced the opportunity, asking if Raëlta had any words to share. She returned a nod to the question. There was much to be done and spoken of, and she'd not miss the chance to attend and speak. As a priestess, she could offer some words of spiritual guidance or reflection, of which she had accumulated much to share. Doing so might help herself as well, and she could not deny how wonderful it was to see the others in heightened spirits. Things were far from fine, but it was undeniable that they were better than they had been for a long time.

For the moment, they could rejoice. For the moment, they should rejoice, and Raëlta would only encourage it. Concerns could wait a couple more days to share. She'd not want to rob others of their day of happiness and hope. Until now, it had been in short supply and her congregation was taking to it like water after a drought. They needed this, and Raëlta did, too. No matter what worried her, what they had all spoken whad been uttered true.

Today was the first step towards a truly brighter future, and she was determined to accept it for the blessing it was.

Enderathil Ánië Táralóm Vordrakel Deaz'renith

 

[Enderathil]

As they greeted each other, speaking in kind with one another, others began to arrive. The air was filled with spoken word, and the always active hive of their minds. Enderathil once relished in it, and she hoped she would one day soon again.

She was appreciative of those in her current company, there was support here, and she clung to it as if it were a lifeboat and she was lost at sea.

"I wonder who will all step in with words today, I wonder if there are those who have not joined us because they cannot truly hear yet." She was worried, what if harm came to them again? They would never recover, how could they?

Raëlta Ylnâthel Ánië Táralóm Vordrakel Deaz'renith

 

[Ánië Táralóm]

It was not long after their meeting that others began to follow after them into the Temple. As the evening progressed, this number only grew until soon there was a multitude gathered therein that had not been seen in many, many years.

For a time, the Temple's choir sang their wordless hymns through voice and thought, and with them did the multitude join in this song. All while they found their places did they sing, and soon the time came near that there within the council chamber the Conclave would address them. And though they and the council were apart from those who dwelt in the main cathedral, one need only close their eyes to see and hear the perceptions of those within.

---

Ánië stood amongst her peers, those other members of the Conclave that oversaw all of what the Order carried out. They were placed at the fore of the council's vast chamber, and before her was the entirety of the council seated. She looked out amongst them as they all dwelt, for a time, in relative silence. There was a reverence in the air that all present could feel, and they could not help but allow themselves this moment of opportunity to rekindle the intimacy that the Shoraes provided.

It was a quiet, and pleasant joy they shared.

But it was not for this purpose that they had come together like this, and soon, Ánië stepped forward from her place and addressed all of those present. And to even they who were distant from her did her voice reach them as though they stood at her side. And it was not only her voice which came forth, for though she stepped forward, each of the Conclave spoke with her as one.

"And so, here we come once more. Long has it been that we, the children of Aerai, have dwelt in the light of the Shorai. Though now it has come to pass that even this light that we bask in even now, has come to be our greatest shadow. But even in these dark days do we have hope."

With her voice alone now did she continue, "no matter what darkness the demons of our people may have wrought, it has ended in failure. We rise now, once again as one. Let not the weight of uncertainty hinder us as we move forward, let us instead carry it willingly and with faith."

And she spoke of times past when times had grown grim, how even then those who had come before them persevered despite facing what they too had seen as their impending end. She recounted how even in time against seemingly hopeless odds did their ancestors find a way to overcome their trials and carry on.

"We, too, shall carry on. And I believe it is by our faith in each other, and the faith we hold dearest to our hearts, we shall prevail. And so I think it only best that we hear the words of she who speaks with the gods. Come forth if you would, Priestess Raëlta."

---

Vordrakel Deaz'renith | Raëlta Ylnâthel | Enderathil ​