Pahoran
Bapona
Ruthora
Falrisona
Calistra
Sarino
Taselia
Bapona
Ruthora
Falrisona
Calistra
Sarino
Taselia
Glade's Knights Council
Glade 1 121 AS
It was the beginning of a new season and change had come upon the world, the world was unaware of how much change had come but the Rayunia clan may have been the only ones to fully understand what was before them. The dream had come to all of them, and as far as they could determine the any who had taken the oath of the Dawnmartyr had seen the vision.
Then they had come Inquisitors had tracked them. One rather nasty fellow leading the way, and the only reason they had seen through the families disguise. Several of them had been captured, then rescued, and now among them five of them bore Arcas mark. It was now a new season and the ways of fifteen years would need to be evaluated, and changes made.
The wagons were circled the younger family was running to and fro fixing where the cold had left its mark. To anyone who had ever watched before it looked no different then the normal new season activities. On the inner side away from prying eyes and ears the elders were gathered. The sun was shinning and the group sat in a circle around the winters fire, still necessary for cooking and keeping that early chill at bay.
Pah stood feeling a bit odd, but his elders had insisted that he be in attendance at the particular meeting. As Pah stood there he remembered the return journey. They had made sure to turn the remains of the inquisitors since frankly leaving there remains there would have desecrated that scared place. Then they had collected there things and returned home. The location of a lost citadel know theirs, and an imperial medallion with its collars was theirs to study.
His brothers and grandfather who had taken the worse betting were all put under the healers care. Bakato’s wing patched so he could fly once healed, Palden who was still young had been watched over his mother. Grandfather had well, despite being the oldest one there was still very much in the prime of life for a Hytori, and his wife’s affection had taken them out of general accessibility for a few trials. Pah had returned to his cot in the Fortress and collapsed exhausted. Even all of these day later his vest was still bruised and he could feel himself creaking from the fight.
They now all stood here in the circle all know that this would be a critical conversation. Pah to a cup of tea that his mother was passing out to everyone and slowly sipped on the warm drink. The elderly Taselia cleared his throat and the quiet conversations stopped and they all turned to look at him. He looked around and the raising his hands into the air began to speak. “In the name of Arcas and Raxen, and Skar and Keela we come in this council. We seek humility to understand your will as we come to our decisions this day.” It said a lot that the ancient prayer was offered for this gathering. It was simple and straight to the point and Pah approved of it himself. He had heard others pray and it got so wordy that there was no way their was any humility in that prayer.
They all raised their arms into the air in agreement and after a moment of silence the patriarch Avialae lowered his hands and looked critically around. “Alright someone dropped the firework into the fire a few days ago and now that all the urns have been bandaged up we need some answers and need to make a plan.”
His serious but kind gaze looked over at them all and settled on Falrisona. The other knight nodded and spoke up. “We were discovered by an Inquisitor. A fairly high ranking one at that. Him and his squad created stories of people needing help to lulled few of us into isolated situations. It took all nine of them to capture each of us.” He was apologetic about what happened just stated the facts.
The others nodded it was well known that helping people was the most likely greatest give away to their disguise. “Haegar had one thing to his advantage. He is a failure squire of the Order.” That produced a series of different reactions. Sighs from some corners and hissing from others. “I was his trainer in later years. In the combats arena he was well qualified. My first suspicion though was when how I saw him reveal in the pain of training.
There was all of the oldest generation and many of the second. These were those who had lead the training of dozen of new knights. “One of those.”
“Yes but he had no compassion. He hated his fellow man. He just wanted to kill monsters and I heard him say his fellow man was weak and should be bow before us knights.” Their was sadness in the Hytori’s voice and eyes. “I felt sorry for the young man but had no doubt when I recommended his expulsion from training before he because any more knowledgeable about our ways.”
“So what your saying old friend is unless we scarred up that pretty face, he would have known you anywhere.” Taselia said.
“Don’t you dare.” Calistra’s voice was icy though her eyes twinkled with the humor. The older man held up his hand’s in mock surrender.
“Well that clears up a lot.” The Avialae said and looked around the group. Pah spoke up then.
“That might be how he knew. He had enough connection left that maybe he got some type of hint.” His baritone voice was gentle but carried.
“Was that information what he wanted?” Came a soft voiced question from Sarino.
“Yes. Though bringing in a clan of Dawnmatryr trained Avialae slaves would have been the icing on the cake to his Imperial pimps.” The Hytori said with a sigh. He looked at the crowd. “The Dawnmatryr are the enemy of the Imperium and frankly all of these Atheistic movement. To the Imperium itself the fact that this family has so many Avialae in it is pouring salt in the wound.”
“Well we Knights are supposed to the salt of the earth.” Bapona said with a straight face his eyes twinkling. Their was a surprised silence and then chuckles all around. “Falrisona, we are aware of the risk we face. The real question is what does the rest of the Imperium know.”
“I would say they know there are knights here, they most certainly have begun to hear rumors of Arcas return.” Pah paused, “I suspect that Haegar did pass some information along but I would be surprised if he gave a detailed account. He wanted to bring all the trophies in. Giving to much information in his report would have made him expendable.” Pah said out loud. “I think though the biggest clue will be when the whole group doesn’t come back.”
There were nods as people thought. “So either the Imperium knows everything about us or just that something is here.” Pah’s mother summed up. “So the question is what now.”
They all looked at each other and Pah spoke. “We go on with life.” He said matter of factly. “We continue to train, recruit, and transport. The only difference is we do it based out of the lost citadel.”
There was a long pause and Pah looked around and said “What. We really only have three options. Run for it. Pretend nothing happened or settle down and prepare.”
The elders all looked at the young man. The each felt a sense of pride over this young man. He had seen through their dilemma. They wanted to keep the order alive and so had escaped the fall of the tower. This was different they could run and hide again but if they always did that the slowly but surely the commitment to the values would fade and they would become Wagoners with some old stories.
Now was the time to prepare. This was the time to see the Order rise again. Or it was time to just abandon all they promised. Taselia smiled at his Grandson and said. “Well boy you were named well. I think we need to pay a visit to these ruins and make some building plans.”
“I think we also need to visit the Shokaze.” Came Pah’s mother’s addition to the conversation. There was silence.
“Why?” Came her husband reply.
“We originally moved here because it was home of the Avialae AND because it was rumored that it’s ruler was rumored to have sympathy for the values we hold dear.” Everyone nodded their head.
“And given Talon’s position he most likely knows about use and best to form good will by visiting.” Her husband said wrapping her in a hug. “Your are very smart dear.”
“Glade you noticed.” She said back. “Shall I get a letter ready.”
“While your doing that I suggest that while we are preparing we still keep on a low profile. Our visit should be disguised as a visit of Wagoners at least through to the man’s door.” Taselia added. “Let’s see about gathering the knights and recruits but let’s do it quietly.”
There were nods of agreement. They were rebuilding and so avoid a direct confrontation was best at this point. At that point the pot on the fire began to bubble and the women looked at it. “Okay back to work all of you lunch will be ready in ten.” Sarino said as she pulled out one of the most powerful weapons. A cooking spoon.
Glade 1 121 AS
It was the beginning of a new season and change had come upon the world, the world was unaware of how much change had come but the Rayunia clan may have been the only ones to fully understand what was before them. The dream had come to all of them, and as far as they could determine the any who had taken the oath of the Dawnmartyr had seen the vision.
Then they had come Inquisitors had tracked them. One rather nasty fellow leading the way, and the only reason they had seen through the families disguise. Several of them had been captured, then rescued, and now among them five of them bore Arcas mark. It was now a new season and the ways of fifteen years would need to be evaluated, and changes made.
The wagons were circled the younger family was running to and fro fixing where the cold had left its mark. To anyone who had ever watched before it looked no different then the normal new season activities. On the inner side away from prying eyes and ears the elders were gathered. The sun was shinning and the group sat in a circle around the winters fire, still necessary for cooking and keeping that early chill at bay.
Pah stood feeling a bit odd, but his elders had insisted that he be in attendance at the particular meeting. As Pah stood there he remembered the return journey. They had made sure to turn the remains of the inquisitors since frankly leaving there remains there would have desecrated that scared place. Then they had collected there things and returned home. The location of a lost citadel know theirs, and an imperial medallion with its collars was theirs to study.
His brothers and grandfather who had taken the worse betting were all put under the healers care. Bakato’s wing patched so he could fly once healed, Palden who was still young had been watched over his mother. Grandfather had well, despite being the oldest one there was still very much in the prime of life for a Hytori, and his wife’s affection had taken them out of general accessibility for a few trials. Pah had returned to his cot in the Fortress and collapsed exhausted. Even all of these day later his vest was still bruised and he could feel himself creaking from the fight.
They now all stood here in the circle all know that this would be a critical conversation. Pah to a cup of tea that his mother was passing out to everyone and slowly sipped on the warm drink. The elderly Taselia cleared his throat and the quiet conversations stopped and they all turned to look at him. He looked around and the raising his hands into the air began to speak. “In the name of Arcas and Raxen, and Skar and Keela we come in this council. We seek humility to understand your will as we come to our decisions this day.” It said a lot that the ancient prayer was offered for this gathering. It was simple and straight to the point and Pah approved of it himself. He had heard others pray and it got so wordy that there was no way their was any humility in that prayer.
They all raised their arms into the air in agreement and after a moment of silence the patriarch Avialae lowered his hands and looked critically around. “Alright someone dropped the firework into the fire a few days ago and now that all the urns have been bandaged up we need some answers and need to make a plan.”
His serious but kind gaze looked over at them all and settled on Falrisona. The other knight nodded and spoke up. “We were discovered by an Inquisitor. A fairly high ranking one at that. Him and his squad created stories of people needing help to lulled few of us into isolated situations. It took all nine of them to capture each of us.” He was apologetic about what happened just stated the facts.
The others nodded it was well known that helping people was the most likely greatest give away to their disguise. “Haegar had one thing to his advantage. He is a failure squire of the Order.” That produced a series of different reactions. Sighs from some corners and hissing from others. “I was his trainer in later years. In the combats arena he was well qualified. My first suspicion though was when how I saw him reveal in the pain of training.
There was all of the oldest generation and many of the second. These were those who had lead the training of dozen of new knights. “One of those.”
“Yes but he had no compassion. He hated his fellow man. He just wanted to kill monsters and I heard him say his fellow man was weak and should be bow before us knights.” Their was sadness in the Hytori’s voice and eyes. “I felt sorry for the young man but had no doubt when I recommended his expulsion from training before he because any more knowledgeable about our ways.”
“So what your saying old friend is unless we scarred up that pretty face, he would have known you anywhere.” Taselia said.
“Don’t you dare.” Calistra’s voice was icy though her eyes twinkled with the humor. The older man held up his hand’s in mock surrender.
“Well that clears up a lot.” The Avialae said and looked around the group. Pah spoke up then.
“That might be how he knew. He had enough connection left that maybe he got some type of hint.” His baritone voice was gentle but carried.
“Was that information what he wanted?” Came a soft voiced question from Sarino.
“Yes. Though bringing in a clan of Dawnmatryr trained Avialae slaves would have been the icing on the cake to his Imperial pimps.” The Hytori said with a sigh. He looked at the crowd. “The Dawnmatryr are the enemy of the Imperium and frankly all of these Atheistic movement. To the Imperium itself the fact that this family has so many Avialae in it is pouring salt in the wound.”
“Well we Knights are supposed to the salt of the earth.” Bapona said with a straight face his eyes twinkling. Their was a surprised silence and then chuckles all around. “Falrisona, we are aware of the risk we face. The real question is what does the rest of the Imperium know.”
“I would say they know there are knights here, they most certainly have begun to hear rumors of Arcas return.” Pah paused, “I suspect that Haegar did pass some information along but I would be surprised if he gave a detailed account. He wanted to bring all the trophies in. Giving to much information in his report would have made him expendable.” Pah said out loud. “I think though the biggest clue will be when the whole group doesn’t come back.”
There were nods as people thought. “So either the Imperium knows everything about us or just that something is here.” Pah’s mother summed up. “So the question is what now.”
They all looked at each other and Pah spoke. “We go on with life.” He said matter of factly. “We continue to train, recruit, and transport. The only difference is we do it based out of the lost citadel.”
There was a long pause and Pah looked around and said “What. We really only have three options. Run for it. Pretend nothing happened or settle down and prepare.”
The elders all looked at the young man. The each felt a sense of pride over this young man. He had seen through their dilemma. They wanted to keep the order alive and so had escaped the fall of the tower. This was different they could run and hide again but if they always did that the slowly but surely the commitment to the values would fade and they would become Wagoners with some old stories.
Now was the time to prepare. This was the time to see the Order rise again. Or it was time to just abandon all they promised. Taselia smiled at his Grandson and said. “Well boy you were named well. I think we need to pay a visit to these ruins and make some building plans.”
“I think we also need to visit the Shokaze.” Came Pah’s mother’s addition to the conversation. There was silence.
“Why?” Came her husband reply.
“We originally moved here because it was home of the Avialae AND because it was rumored that it’s ruler was rumored to have sympathy for the values we hold dear.” Everyone nodded their head.
“And given Talon’s position he most likely knows about use and best to form good will by visiting.” Her husband said wrapping her in a hug. “Your are very smart dear.”
“Glade you noticed.” She said back. “Shall I get a letter ready.”
“While your doing that I suggest that while we are preparing we still keep on a low profile. Our visit should be disguised as a visit of Wagoners at least through to the man’s door.” Taselia added. “Let’s see about gathering the knights and recruits but let’s do it quietly.”
There were nods of agreement. They were rebuilding and so avoid a direct confrontation was best at this point. At that point the pot on the fire began to bubble and the women looked at it. “Okay back to work all of you lunch will be ready in ten.” Sarino said as she pulled out one of the most powerful weapons. A cooking spoon.
