Legend of Ransera

A rattling screech pierced the early morning skies above Kalzasi's Skyharbour, and it was answered with a chorus of similar shrieks ominously heralding an approaching flight of winged beasts. Though the sun had barely begun to crest above the distant horizon, one could see the shadows of great, winged beasts in black silhouettes against the grey, dawnlit clouds.

Drawing closer to their assigned landing area, those below would see that the V-shaped formation was led by a figure set apart from those to its rear. The largest of the beasts- the great chiroptera- was ostensibly mammalian- A gigantic bat with a long snout, a massive wingspan and a body thick with white fur. The other creatures in the wing appeared reptilian: Wyverns with bronzish scales that glistened in the burgeoning light of morning, and their long, whip-like tails ended in barbs not unlike the stinger of a desert scorpion.

The chiroptera was first to alight on the landing pad, and its rider seemed so small and slight upon its great back- a figure all clad in black against the stark white of the animal's fur. The figure wore a silver diadem that seemed to hold a thin, black veil in place. The winds whipped at the veil and, for a split second, revealed a glimpse of the moonpale cheek of the rider beneath, but he lifted a gloved hand to hold it in place as he leaned down to speak into the ear of his mount.

"Tranquillitas, Noxala. Nunc quiescas..."

The wyverns began to land in flanking positions around the chiroptera, each carrying a rider far less modest of dress. Their armour gleamed gold that seemed to glow the brighter as the sun had now risen fully above the horizon to highlight their lustre. There were seven members of the Solunarian honour guard in total- One was set apart from the others, with platinum blonde hair and features that seemed to evenly split the difference between Siltori and Hytori lineage. Of the remaining six, three appeared full-blooded Hytori and three full-blooded Siltori. Their heights, their builds, their colouring... There was a strange symmetry to the array of them. But it was the figure in black who dismounted first, patting the side of his mount's neck and whispering into its great ear:

"Manē hic."

The slender figure of the emissary stood around six feet and one inch in height. His long robes were nearly all-concealing, but the click of his footwear against the stone suggested boots. As he drew closer, the outline of elfin features could be seen against the sheer, black veil and he was pale enough that his visage was not completely obscured.

"I am Sentinel Phocion of Soluniarium. I believe you have agreed to set aside space in your aviary where we might stable our mounts?"

"Will you look at that?" Kaus declared as the strange beasts drew near. But he maintained a stance of attention. They were flanked by two Avialae Sky Guard and two elven palace guards—one Hytori, one Siltori. Behind them were two Sky Guard standard-bearers, holding the banners of Kalzasi and Great House Novalys. They were certainly resplendent, and Kala could only hope that she had presence enough to match, for she was the smallest person present. The many layers of silken robes around her fluttered in the morning light, and the star sapphire cabochon limned with diamonds marked her a scion of House Leukos. Kaus had a similar blue star upon his chest.

None of them flinched in the buffeting winds of so many wings. Kala had her honor guard of seven to match the ambassador. She still wasn't sure what had made the Iron Queen choose her to greet the foreign dignitaries, but she had done what homework she could about the reclusive elven nation. That he spoke first about his mounts made her respect for him rise a notch.

She bowed.

"Ave Vigilia Phocion," she said, her pronunciation careful. "O gratum adventum." Then, as he clearly spoke Common, she switched. "Space has been set aside for your mounts in the Aviary, and you will be guests in the Palace of the First Wind until such time as an embassy is established. If your mounts will accept guidance from other hands, they will be seen to and you may join me on the gondola."

She indicated an elegant craft moored nearby, which would take them from the Skyharbour to the Novalys seat of power. Another craft was nearby as well, with stevedores prepared to remove luggage from the mounts and ferry it up to the palace. But the emissary and his honor guard wouldn't have to wait for all that.

"I am Kala Mizal of House Leukos, and I am here to offer support to you and your embassy while you are here. This is my brother, Kaus Siv." He bowed. "If you would join me, we will see you to your suite so you might refresh yourselves before meeting with the Queen-Regent."

Whatever the man and his retinue required—within reason—she would try to accommodate, and then lead them to the gondola and the Palace withal.

"Gratias, Domina Kala." The Sentinel inclined his head in acknowledgement of her courtesy, then nodded to her companion. "Dominus Kaus." He did not expect that the Kalzasern delegation would have troubled themselves to familiarise themselves with a tongue as obscure in this realm as Vastian beyond the most rudimentary of greetings, so he left it at that and reverted to the Common tongue.

"We are most pleased to accept Her Majesty's invitation." He began, his accent in Common was not only flawless, but it was pronounced in the Kalzasern dialect. His impeccable diction was quietly voiced as if to demand the full focus of anyone wishing to comprehend him. "It has been many centuries since a Solunarian envoy has been received in Karnor." And the last time they had not sent diplomats, but conquerors on the backs of far greater dragons than those chittering behind him. He turned and regarded his mammalian mount, whose black eyes gazed at him as if seeking comfort. He raised his voice and called to her:

"Noxala, custodibus obedire, et serpentes ducere."

The chiroptera let out a plaintive wail, but at a sharp gesture from Phocion's black-gloved hand, she went silent and lowered her head to follow the Kalzasern attendants. She glanced back and let out a call to the wyverns, which moved to follow her.

"Are we to meet with Her Majesty, then?" The veiled figure turned his obscured face back toward his hostess. "I had not thought in this time of turmoil in your realm that she would have the time to attend us, but I would be most pleased if she did." Could one see the hint of a smile painted on the pale face behind the veil?

"Lead on. We follow."

"Word has been sent ahead to Her Majesty," she explained, happy to be on the firmer ground of their Common tongue. "I will see you to the Palace of the First Wind and to your quarters therein. I'm certain her schedule is being shifted now to accommodate your arrival." Kala certainly hoped it was as she guided them over to the gondola, which quickly unmoored and rose, gracefully turning its prow toward the palace.

In reality, she had been given little in the way of information. The Queen-Regent was a Briathos, and her family was sworn to them, so of course she was going to do as the Siltori sorceress demanded. But she had no control over the Queen-Regent's comings and goings, only hoping that she would value the possibility of alliance enough not to leave them cooling their heels with only flimsy assurances that she would grant them an expedient audience.

Kaus was looking curiously at the honor guard and their weapons, clearly considering whether it would be poor form to ask them to spar at some point. His face was too open to make a good diplomat, but he was also charming enough that most people liked him, so he did just fine as long as he wasn't supposed to hide ulterior motives. One of the guards caught him looking and he grinned, shrugging apologetically. The smallest of smiles moved Kala's lips in response though she wasn't looking at him.

She answered whatever questions posed to her, better equipped to offer information about the sights than insight into Sahfri's mind. Perhaps she had been chosen because she was from a loyal family, she was noble enough for her appointment not to cause offense, and young enough that any failings might be blamed on her youth. Whatever she felt about this, she kept to herself, doing her best to reflect well upon Kalzasi. For all she knew, the aid of the Solunarian throne would be necessary to keep Kalzasi safe.

"On behalf of She who sits the Radiant Throne," Phocion began, shifting his head slightly toward Kala so that his profile was more discernible and his soft words more audible, "I extend condolences for the loss of your Shokaze and the abduction of your Shinsei." He let the words hang for a moment in the morning breeze, before continuing.

"It is a troubling thing when a Prince may be cast down in cold blood." In Solunarium it was nearly unheard of, but on the rare occasions where a royal had been assassinated in the modern era it had invariably been at the hands of another Solunarian royal. In a realm as a remote and carefully regulated as Solunarium, external threats were few and far between.

"Were either of you present for the tumult?" Phocion inquired, glancing from Kala to Kaus- focusing on the man with interest. His was a more legible face to the eyes of this Sentinel- warm and expressive where Kala seemed impassive. More like himself, though he had the added obscuring layer of the all-concealing garb.

He would follow freely wherever his hosts led, his retinue following behind and marching in a carefully practised unison further emphasising the odd, unnatural symmetry they'd evoked since dismounting their wyverns. If the display seemed superficial, it was exaggerated enough to feel self-aware. It would have been clear from even the most cursory research that theirs was a culture that valued aesthetics, but even if the Kalzasern delegation hadn't troubled themselves to look into their background at all, it was apparent enough now.

"Is it true what they say of your Shinsei? That he is Godwoken?" It was worthy of note that his mother was renowned to be of Siltori blood- One of the races deemed chosen in the eyes of the Varvaeryn Faith to which all of Solunarium (at least officially) subscribed. Phocion did not let on that he knew which god was associated with Talon... a figure whose name was a curse on the lips of any Solunarian devout.

"Thank you," she said simply, solemnly. From what she knew of the Solunarian court, there was infighting, but the idea of assassinations and abductions from without hadn't come up. Phocion's words were likely in earnest. Someday, perhaps, the Radiant Throne might seek to rule the world in its imperium, but that seemed unlikely in their lifetimes.

Kaus was quick to respond when he was addressed, much more clearly a nineteen-year-old than his twin, though she was far smaller than him. With Phocion's attention diverted, Kala studied him. Perhaps she ought to have worn a ceremonial veil; she had brought a few from Starfall with her.

"We were there for the wedding reception," Kaus informed the emissary. "They came in cloaked airships, and the Zaichaeri diplomats turned on their hosts. They dropped canisters that gave forth a noxious cloud that seemed to eat through magic. I couldn't hold my pact weapon on this plane after a while. Fortunately, Kala kept away from the fumes long enough to activate an artifact that called rain to clear the air, but it was too late." He frowned. It was a troubling memory. She was glad he hadn't gone into their suspicions that the Imperium was involved; that was better left to the Queen-Regent. But, of course, Kaus wasn't stupid; he was just honest.

"He is," Kala affirmed. "It is strange, though. I met him before and after, and he remained Talon Novalys, merely more powerful, more driven. But then, you might understand the Gods better than I." Her words were curious more than pointed. She was devout after a fashion, though she bore no particular reverence for dead Arcas nor bound Talon. It was to the Masked Queen that she owed her quest, after all.

Phocion canted his head sharply back to Kaus as the young Synnekar replied in his expressive, youthful voice.

"An attack that cripples the Craft of a room full of mages is concerning indeed. I am sobered by the thought." Indeed it had been reports on this very matter that had enabled the High Sentinel to finally convince the Crown that it was time to extend the reach of their diplomatic arm into Karnor. The people of Solunarium could not sit idly by with their heads in the Atraxian sands, whilst innovations were underway that might cripple the whole of their society overnight if deployed against them. It was pivotal to learn the nature and the reach of these weapons.

"Too late for His Majesty, perhaps..." Phocion turned his attention from Kaus to Kala, "But I suspect your actions may have saved the lives of countless others. You are to be commended." In the distance a wyvern's shriek could be heard, but Phocion didn't visibly react.

"In the interest of candour between us, I will freely tell you that we have sent a delegation to Zaichaer as well. We know that they have been accused of participating in the attack, but we do not wish to stoke the wrath of either City-State by seeming to show favour to one without exercising due diligence." His head tipped slightly toward Kaus, since he seemed more susceptible to optimistic inferences.

"Though I will not rule out the possibility that we may take sides if your conflict persists and if the cause is found to be righteous." Kala's words called for a moment's contemplation.

"Her Divine Radiance the Solar Sovereign, Resplendent be her Reign, is the living embodiment of Varværyn divinity..." He smiled under his veil, and perhaps amusement even tinged his tone, "But I suspect She is of a different ilk than your Talon." His tone darkened slightly to match his garb, "What a pity I cannot meet him. What wonders he must be able to impart from realms beyond our mortal ken. I wonder... have either of you been party to anything particularly revelatory?"

"Perhaps," she allowed. "I did not have sufficient vantage to see the entire chessboard."

"You are too modest," Kaus interjected. "Though, at least you can count lives saved in those whose wounds you tended after." He colored slightly even though his outburst had hardly been overbearing.

Kala smiled gracefully and let the conversation move as the emissary chose. The event had been strange, time distorted, from party to attack to aftermath to standing for Ser Baudric before an inquisitor and a newly raised Daizoku. Her face went serious at Phocion's admission.

"I would be disappointed in you and your sovereign if you had not," she said simply. "It would be irresponsible not to investigate all sides of the conflict and poor diplomacy not to open relations with them. You will receive better intelligence about both city-states from within. You will make your observations about the Queen-Regent, of course, but for my part, I can only say that Kalzasi does not seek dominion, whereas the existence of the Order of Reconciliation betrays a desire to exert control beyond their borders. Solunarium is fortunately remote, but eventually, they will seek to spread their New Atheism beyond Karnor."

She spread her hands.

"That said, I have met good and honest people from the Brass City. Our quarrel is with their government and its terrorist actions." And the Gelerian Imperium, but it was not for her to share that intelligence.

"His efforts at the reception were revelatory," Kaus said. "No doubt they have been planning this since he traveled to Zaichaer as a diplomatic envoy."

He fell quiet at a silent urging from his sister. Righteous indignation was all well and good, but the elder statesman might dismiss them if he thought them overemotional children. But her hand fell to the relic at her wrist.

"I suppose fledgling deity, while powerful, has limits. Our revelation was more minor, more personal. At the Temple of the Fallen Skies, an Ara, Saedene of the Midnight Mourning, came to us while we were paying our respects to our father's memory." And later, she had laid a quest upon her from the Masked Queen herself, but she didn't know if that was meant to be shared.

"It is good to exercise modesty." Phocion observed blithely, "All the better when you have a companion at your side to emphasise that from which humility calls upon us to demur." Though his face was not audible, his gentle voice exuded tones of what was doubtless a wry expression beneath the veil.

The Sentinel was pleased when his hostess began to wax artfully political. She struck him as an adept diplomat and, guileless though he seemed, Phocion could recognise the strategy of including Kaus as well to serve as a foil. Recognising in Kala a similar sense of stoic formality, the more effusive youth might disarm a dignitary- Perhaps to the point of recklessness. He could also appreciate that Kalzasi, too, seemed to hold beauty in reverence. It was possible they even knew the power it wielded.

"Your objectivity is appreciated. I know it cannot be easy to exercise at a time when wounds are so fresh, but that is all the more reason we must remain impassive. Solunarium is, after all, not party to any firsthand observations nor evidence of culpability in your unfortunate incident. We were very understandably absent from the reception in question." Again he allowed faint hints of his own amusement to escape from behind the mask of formality.

"Such an organisation would be hard pressed to gain a foothold in our realms. Our Faith is embedded into our laws, and our laws are exacting... Have you been able to root out the rot of this Order from your lands?" He paused for a beat, "I understand Her Majesty has been rounding up Zaichaeri nationals, though I know not to what end..." He trailed off and looked to Kaus as he spoke. Noting the subtle prompting from Kala, he pressed the lad further:

"And what revelations did those efforts yield?" He considered Kala's words next- subtle and cagey as an incomplete thought.

"This temple of which you speak is of Orkhan make, is it not?" Phocion knew that Kala, if she'd gone to the trouble of learning phrases in Vastian, would surely know that there was age old animosity between Solunarium and the Orkhan commonwealth that shared their continent. His tone, however, suggested no personal enmity on his part toward the much maligned Ecithian race.

"That must have been a harrowing experience..." Phocion considered the implications, and how Kala had come to exposing this revelation to his ears. An opportunity. "And do you believe the ascendancy of your Shinsei had aught to do with this audience? If it is not too much to enquire, I would love to hear what was revealed by such a... potent entity."

"The Queen-Regent ordered the dismantling of their chapterhouse here in the city. The Reconciliators have been detained, as have the ambassador and his family. Zaichaeri citizens here present were ordered to turn themselves in to the authorities for questioning." She was uncertain what had become of those lines of questioning; she wasn't an official part of the government except for this new task with the Solunarian delegation. Kala had been trained by her family, but hadn't joined the diplomatic corps.

Kaus also answered, "We knew he was an accomplished warrior and mage, but after his father was murdered, he fought with... silver fire..." There was an uncertainty, an awe to his reaction.

"It was not elemental fire," Kala supplied with more certitude. She had the Rune of Semblance, after all, and Elementalism as well.

"Dawnfire," Kaus said quietly, remembering stories of Arcas.

"In any case," Kala continued as Phocion had asked more questions, "we met the Shinsei briefly at a party soon after we arrived in the city. It was between two and three weeks later that Saedene appeared to us. She had a wyrmling in her arms that had strayed from its mother, the which she left to reunite after leaving us. She asked to whom we prayed. She left us with a strand of her hair, which the prince runecrafted into this relic." She raised her wrist in case he wished to see it. "At my request. She did not mention Arcas or Talon Novalys, but I suppose the timing could be correlated. The wisdom of the Gods is beyond my ken."

The vasty Palace of the First wind hove into view. The drawings she had seen of Solunarium were impressive, but she didn't know that any of them were built upon floating lands. She was of two minds about them, however. They were glorious, but as she had noted to Stefan Dornkirk, they were inaccessible to women or the other races unless they had access to an airship, which seemed exclusive in a way that seemed wrong. It would be one thing if it was a city entirely populated by male Avialae, but it was not.