The Growing Storm

[Norani]

Glade 10, 123

The sky over Drathera was dark, clouds deep and heavy, the smell of impending rain permeating the entirety of the dragon nest turned city. There was no wind blowing around the mountain on this day, the weather seemingly holding its breath, as was the rest of the city. Two days ago, a young Orkhan woman arrived with grave and perilous and seemingly impossible news, demanding an audience before the Senate.

And it had been granted.

But bringing the entirety of the Senate together, especially in these more difficult of times, was an ordeal. Today was the day that legislative body of Ecith, in full, would meet, and listening to this young woman, and discussing what her tale meant and would mean, was the only order of business. Senators from all over arrived, wearing the colored sashes that indicated what constituency they represented, fastened by a shining metal ring, enchanted with many of the powers afforded to the Office of Senator. In addition to the typical Senators, the village chieftains all arrived as well. They wore no sashes, bore no Ring of the Senator, but rather, they carried their Relics openly on their person. Their relationship with, their mastery of those tools was what gave them the right of chieftain and senator alike.

A pair of deep brown eyes stared up at the massive doors of the Senate, tall enough that a flight of dragons could comfortably fly in together. They were crafted by Fyraea and her many followers, and enchanted heavily over the years. For one who bore the citizenship marks, for those who upheld the Tenants that all of Ecith was bound toward, the doors would open as easily as one's eyes in the morning. For those who were outsiders, enemies of the state, opening these doors would be akin to trying to push Drathera itself.

A worried inhale, a tightening of a green throat, a pit of nausea roiling through her stomach, Norani found her feet heavier than the stone she stood upon. She knew that she needed to do this, she needed allies, she needed support, her quest was far too important, was far too difficult for a trio of two Orkhan and a fae to accomplish alone. But Norani had never spoken before anyone like this before, had never attempted to convince the minds of many. The thought of standing before hundreds of senators, all of the chieftains, before Gods and tens of thousands of citizens was far more terrifying than the fight that came next.

Her legs wobbled and gave out, and she dropped to her knees, clutching at her stomach as the nausea increased tenfold. Her breathing began to quicken, and with it, the winds of Drathera came to life. As panic took over her, the winds began to whip around the mountain, small but vicious, ripping away anything not tied down and throwing it out over the lands. And it only grew as she knelt there.

She couldn't do this. She needed Yeva with her, she needed her mothers, her fathers, she needed her spirits, she was too weak, too small, too young to do this. None would be able to take her seriously, she couldn't even take herself seriously, could she? After all, what had she ever really done?

'You found friendship.'

Her ragged breathing paused. Words she'd never heard from a voice she knew so well.

'You found strength.'

Brown eyes looked up, around her, searching the air around her, as the comforting voice relaxed her shoulders, her hands falling away from her midsection. The voice she had longed to hear for so long now, the only voice that could turn her away from her mission. She knew it couldn't be her, but perhaps it was the part of Yeva that lived in her heart, the part she'd been reborn from by fire under the gaze of Agst'rasera.

'You found love.'

Norani could feel Yeva's slender fingers resting gently on her shoulder now, as the Orkhan closed her eyes. She nodded, knowing Yeva was right, even if she wasn't here. She had bonded with the World Tree. She had been chosen to save the Titan, Ghoron, and the missing seasons, not by luck or chance, but because she had the strength to do so. The winds around Drathera whipped more ferociously now, but they didn't pluck a single cloth, not a feather nor an errant bit of straw from their places upon the mountain. These winds raced higher and higher around the mountain, slowly closing in around the Orkhan lass.

Norani's hand reached up, to rest upon the hand that wasn't, couldn't be, upon her shoulder, as the winds swirled as strongly as a hurricane, wrapping around her. And when she opened her eyes, she bore a robe of cyclone winds, perfectly stable, flowing as easily upon her body as the finest Ecithian silk. She would do this, she needed to do this, for no other could. She stood up, striding toward the massive doors of the Senate, passing the most elite of Ecith's guards and dragons who watched her approach. Inside, it was a massive ovular building that extended high into the heavens, able to provide seating and emergency housing to the entirety of the Ecithian population, a building that grew and shrunk based upon the need of its people.

The doors gently swung open without even a touch from the Orkhan lass, the winds providing her a gentle and calming entrance. She looked up and saw over a million of her people, mostly Orkhan, seated quietly as she began to walk toward the center stage. The stage was not ornate or adorned in any way, simple marble flooring, no seating, no podium. Here, the art was that of the word, art of the emotion, of the mind. Here, Truth prevailed purely; here, a whisper would be heard by all; here, a tongue in Ecitharese was a tongue translated for all that deigned to listen.

And Norani Windwalker stood there, waiting to be welcomed and greeted by the Senate.

[Paragon]

The eyes of many observed a lone figure walking into the senate chamber. There were no whispers. There was silence. The Senate of the Commonwealth had been summoned and every member was in attendance, representing every person who called the nation home. Whether they be Orkhan, Elf, Human, Avialae, Gnome, Dwarf, Half-Giant or Dragon, the assembled regarded the petitioner entering the chamber with a solemnity that was due the occasion. Among them however, there was one set of eyes that bore upon Norani more heavily than the others. Eyes like pools of molten silver studied her. The one who regarded her stood like a mountain amidst a sea of shapes. Features both Orkhan and Draconic gave him a ferocious appearance that belied his sharp intelligence and even deeper wisdom.

“Norani Windwalker. You summon the speakers for your people and we assemble. We wait. We listen. Speak.” Achaka Lonelyblade, the Warchief of the Commonwealth addressed her and it was, in the eyes of all, appropriate that he do so. For the one called Windwalker was summoning them to consider an act of war and while it would not be the Warchief who declared war, it would be he who accepted that terrible burden. Seated directly behind the Warchief was another figure. His skin was a mix of ash and ebony. His hair was long and dark. His eyes were closed and though Achaka was bigger than him, it was as if the very air around him could be split with but a flick of this Orkhan’s wrist. He was an absolute presence, a figure that bore the weight and force of something undeniable. For the moment, however, that figure remained still and silent.

And they awaited her, she who was Windwalker, they awaited her words and her tidings.

[Norani]

Norani had never felt so small in her entire life, not the first time she tried to climb the great tree back home, not the first time she saw Drathera in the distance, not even when she was among the roots of Agst'rasera. So many eyes were upon her, and she could feel them all. And her own found the silvery eyes of Warchief Lonelyblade as he spoke to her. She nodded her head to him, closing her eyes for a moment, and took in a deep breath.

Speak to them as you would speak to me.

She opened her eyes, she started into her story.

"On Frost 45th of last year, while on my Och'uvnai, I was sitting upon a beach, lost in a storm of my emotions, distraught, for She-Who-My-Heart-Aflames, Yeva Bleu, had recently disappeared without a trace. In this moment of my pain and my worry, I saw a great tree far out to the east." She paused, for she'd come to know that others could also see it, but as far as she knew, none had successfully made the journey to it.

"This struck me as strange, as this was out over the great eastern seas, and I was familiar with the view on clear and sunny days. I took this to be a sign, from what or whom, I had no idea at the time, but I was sure. And so, on the back of Ruvaf, Eggmate-to-Me, we flew toward this great, shining tree, hoping to find Yeva there."

She paused for a moment, to catch her breath, calm her pulse at reliving these emotions. "As we flew, the seas grew black, grew violent, angry and restless. The waters spoke to me, 'Return the Tempest' as they whirled in rage. A great, black wave formed, one that must have stood taller than Drathera came for us. Ruvaf and I, aided by my magic, flew through the wave, believing it to be our only option to finding this tree and Yeva."

Norani gripped her fist, trying to not feel like she was a crazy person telling a crazy story. She knew the words to be true, every single one, but how do you convince that of others. Another breath, "I awoke on a beach, Ruvaf nearby injured. It was a seemingly impossible island built around the great, shining tree I had seen in the distance. For a moment, I thought we had died. This island immediately revealed to me to be a place that was unique, special. The elements behaved differently there, and much of the flora had aether as part of their very structures, I could reach out and touch the aether there. Large dragonshards were abound all over this island, and I quickly found that it was inhabited by a large number of curious and helpful elemental spirits."

She smiled fondly at having first met all of her elemental friends, "Communication with them was difficult at first, but I managed to work it out. And they led me to a witch that lived on this island as well. Her name is Astrid, and she lives in a hut among the roots of this great tree." She paused for a long moment, "Astrid taught me a great many things, the first of which was the name of this tree. It is called Agst'rasera, the Tree of the World." She had not heard of this before arriving at the tree, but with so many elders here, so many people far more educated and wise than she, surely some would know this, and she gave it the weight she felt it deserved.

Continuing, "She told me that it is where the Dragon God Aedrin forged the first elements and where the Achaeri, the Titans, helped him build the elemental planes that feed into Ransera eternally." Norani bowed her head gratefully to Astrid, "She healed Ruvaf, and she confided in me that she is the last of the Agst'ga, the Tree-Givers, those who tend to Agst'Rasera. She taught me more the way of spirits and the world, taught me the language of the Titans so that I may speak to the spirits more plainly and..."

Norani took a deep breath, knowing this was the reason why she had convened the Senate, "She told me of Ghoron, the last Titan. She told me that when the skies ripped open over Zaichaer, when the Chaos Storms raged everywhere, Ghoron took the elements and the missing seasons and locked them all away with him in order to protect them. But as he made his way there, he was attacked by an ancient evil and injured. Ghoron managed to lock this evil away with him and the missing seasons of Glade, Searing, and Ash."

She breathed in deep once more, "I am tasked with entering the Eternal Grove, to find Ghoron and the Seasons, to rescue them, and to stop this ancient evil. I know not what this evil is, nor anything about it, but if it can harm a Titan, I know I cannot do it alone. And I know that if the seasons are not rescued, the world will remain locked in Frost forever."

She took a long pause, letting the Senate and populace mull on the story she'd told. As she did, her eyes scanned the crowd, and a gasp escaped her, a hand coming up to try and catch it. Her family were there, sitting with her chieftain and others from her village. All of her mothers, all of her fathers, all of her brothers and sisters, each and every single one of them were there, looking on with a mix of worry, surprise and pride. Norani was on the verge of rushing to them, tears threatening to burst forth, but her eyes fell on her Chieftain, and the woman gave a short, curt nod.

Norani understood.

"I come before the Senate today to ask for the full wisdom and might of the Commonwealth in aiding me in this mission. I know the way back to Agst'rasera, I have enlisted the help of the ancient and wise witch Imogen Ward and of Destynrael Dromlach’darach de Clann na Feithidí Uisce. However, this mission is bigger than the three of us, it is bigger than all of us here in this great Senate, it is bigger than all of us in the Commonwealth. I call upon the Senate to answer its promise to aid any who are able to aid in the fixing the world broken by the Eclipse that haunted us for seasons. It may not darken the sky, but it is not done."

Another breath, another moment, "I seek the wisdom of the elders and scribes that might know any more on the Titans and what ancient evils might challenge them. I seek the strength of the greatest mages and warriors our Commonwealth can provide. And I seek the guidance of a leader to oversee this mission, for while it is mine, and it was seen that I should carry this burden decades past, I am not wise enough, strong enough, to be a leader to an army. It is bigger than myself and it is too important to be careless or naive about."

She wished Yeva could be here right now, sitting with her family. One final breath, "And I seek that this great Senate not view this as an act of war, as is often our response. I am but a fledgling soldier, and there are many here that are far more experienced in war and peace and everything in between, but our history has long been a story of war after war after war." A plea, "If we can rescue Ghoron and the seasons, I am confident that whatever great evil is locked away in the Eternal Grove will remain locked away, just as the seasons will be if we fail."

She bowed her head, crossed her arms behind her back, "Thank you for listening to me today. I await your deliberation." She waited there, knowing that proper protocol would be that she be questioned, that others that might be able to impart wisdom to help provide context, or counter the points speak. This part of the proceedings could take a long a while, but the Senate was blessed in such a way that time mattered not. They would be here as long as was needed to reach a decision. And Norani would stand her ground there, resolute and patient.

[Paragon]

“Impossible.” An elder Orkhan woman was staring at Norani with a look of open disbelief. “The Tree of the World was burned, its roots plucked from the earth, and the Titans slaughtered or driven mad in the Age of Wonders. What few were left were hunted down by the Empire of Lys. Is that not why the Wildking has been so absent from the world for so long? Enraged and grief-stricken that the mortal world so spat in his face?”

It was rare for the formal name of the Clockwork Empire to be used and those who did use it were typically very learned scholars of the subject. The woman who spoke narrowed her eyes at Norani before turning to the Senate. She held her head high as she spoke loudly and with a certain air of authority.

“We gain nothing by chasing the phantoms of old myths. Rather, we should learn from them and move forward with what I have proposed.” The woman stepped forward and addressed the Senate more directly.

“This is a distraction. Again, I urge the Commonwealth to see reason. This Eclipse is nothing more than another Imperial machination. Did not our Seers and shaman divine that the empire had captured the Lord of Light? They robbed the world of its light and clearly have used that to inflict more suffering upon this world. Did we not receive a warning that calamity would be enacted in our world at the hands of their black hearted emperor? They seek to weaken the world and make it ripe for intrusion. Already we have received word that they are sending their spiders to weave webs in fields far flung from their borders. They are moving to act before we realize they are weak.” She gestured to Norani.

“How are we to know that this is not simply some elaborate ploy and this woman has not been fed extravagant lies? We know all too well the extreme lengths the Imperium will go to in order to enact its agenda. We know our enemy. We know who is truly responsible for this. A lost Titan hailing from an imperial puppet state? This is a farce. It reeks of the Imperium’s meddling.”

There were murmurings of agreement. There were many who nodded their heads. However there were just as many who seemed skeptical.

[Talisman]

“My esteemed colleague may very well be right in that this could be an Imperial distraction,” another Senator spoke up. Taioth only rose to speak, the representative of the Crystal Dragon Flight catching what lights there were within the enormous senate. Crystals hung from her flowing violet hair, from her ears, from her neck and beaded intricate designs in her diaphanous dress that hugged her curvaceous shape. While she was in her human form, her skin was covered in scales that looked not unlike crushed diamonds, and her ever-changing eyes looked upon Norani Windwalker, “As fantastical as these claims are, I wonder if this is not some idle flight of fancy. I have also heard of strange structures and trees to the North, East, West, and South.”

Her gaze swept the chamber. “Grief and loss can make for terrible dreams, but endless focus on only the Imperial issue clouds our ability to focus on what is in front of us. While we must not lose sight of what can come in the future, perhaps that is a mistake that the Imperium is hoping that we will make. If they move to gather allies, such as those of the desert beyond the mountains, while we only focus on their efforts across the sea, that would be a grievous error,” her face was taciturn, calm, unreadable. “While I do not discount the fact that the Imperial problem is growing and must be dealt with, if they had the ability to produce this Great Darkness, they would have moved against us by now. Their own lands and people are also suffering, and what reports we have indicate that they are also struggling. Let us consider this supplication on its own merits.”

Her kaleidoscopic gaze returned to the young Orkhan Magess before them. She came with humility and clearly, many, many nerves. This was but a child who may have been meddling with things that were meant for those well beyond her years, and yet... she had attempted what few others did, much less came back from. “What you claim to have seen and experienced contains information and details that are contrary to much established knowledge. You come here to make a request for many kinds of aid and resources for a mission that seems completely surreal. What proof do you present to us, Young Windwalker? I would be interested in hearing it, or seeing it, if you are able to produce evidence of your claims. Part the mists for us... if you can.” Taioth sat back down, the Dragoness’ unrelenting focus affixed upon Norani.

[Norani]

Norani listened patiently as the Elder spoke of history that the Windwalker was not informed on. She'd never heard the Empire of Lys, and the stories from the Age of Wonders were often told as nearly mythological. It was a strange position to find herself in, to know something, something so primal, so real, so absolutely true, to have been fundamentally changed by it, only to realize that possibly so few others know about it, that none believe it.

Is this what people who go mad feel like? Are they actually crazy or just have a truth not believed?

But Norani waited, she listened as the woman attempted to use her time on the Senate, to use Norani as a stepping stone towards war. She grit her teeth, and she kept the winds tight to her body, no visible change in the tempestuous robes she bore, but she could feel them raging harder against her skin. Patience, resolve, to lose control here would invite more disbelief and make her mission that much more impossible.

And then the woman came for Norani's character, suggesting that she had been played, deceived, utilized by their greatest enemy to weaken her people. And many other Senators and onlookers were in agreement, as Norani gripped her own wrist behind her back tight. She knew, she absolutely knew that Astrid was not from the Imperium, that this was not a plot in which she was simply a pawn. She knew it, deep in the heart that she'd rebuilt her body from, and there wasn't a single shred of doubt within.

These Senators and citizens were like her, before she found Agst'rasera, before she'd befriended the spirits, before she learned from Astrid. They are lost, confused, scared. Norani took a deep breath, listening as another Senator spoke up, giving Norani the benefit of the doubt. She would have to show them the way, as Astrid and the spirits had shown her. And the latest Senator set the stage for her to do so.

But it was a difficult choice.

Norani knew she had to make it, that she had to trust that in doing so, they would believe her, to provide her what was needed after. And so, she released her arms from behind her back. "Thank you, Senators. I will provide proof in two folds." Norani spread her arms, pulling forth her aether through her runes. As she did, her citizenship marks glowed, signaling the connection to this most protected and enchanted of buildings, and the magic was allowed to flow.

Names were cast into the aether, carried by the winds of her voice. "Ooshi, Glorbp Glorbp, Zzzick." And the three soon answered, crawling out of the great tree shaped Summoning rune upon her back, floating around her. They were chittering in excitement, looking around at so many people. They'd never seen so many, and rather than being scared or intimidated, they were excited. They were speaking rapidly in the language they shared with Norani and Astrid. However, Norani could see the perplexed looks of many, realizing that the Senate building wasn't translating for them.

But she could fix that, in the same way she first learned to communicate with them. "Apologies, they speak in Acherani, the language of Titans, a language I myself have begun learning as well. Please, allow me to remedy this language barrier." She made sure to communicate her intentions clearly before them all, knowing every action would be scrutinized. "I first learned how to speak to the Elements more directly through a bit of mingling of magics, so I will apply that now to this platform. I hope it works so that you may understand them."

Norani pulled her aether through both her Animus rune and her Elementalism rune, blending the aethers together into something new. She then knelt down, placing a hand on the stone stage upon which she stood, and she pushed the aether into it, utilizing her Elemental Echo ability to Enmesh the stage. She pushed and pushed the aether into, filling every crack and crevice of it, seeping it into every bit of stone. Once it was done, she severed the connection and stood back up.

"Allow me to introduce the phycaal spirits of Ooshi, Glorbp Glorbp, and Zzzick. They are residents of Agst'rasera, and dear companions. They've helped me on my journey of understanding, and I hope that they might be able to help you as well."

She held a hand out toward Ooshi, gesturing the little wind elemental forward. Norani, now speaking in Acherani toward Ooshi, "Ooshi, can you please speak about Agst'rasera, in your own words?"

The little wind elemental bounced and bobbed and nodded. She began floating around the stage, speaking, "The winds of the World are born upon Agst'rasera. All winds are from there, and I am a shepherd for them." Norani's eyes widened, learning more about her friend, just as the Senators were, "The winds tumble down from the branches, forming and growing. When they are ready, I cast them out from Agst'rasera into the world, to live their lives and fulfill their responsibilities. I have been carrying out this duty since I was born into this world among the boughs of the World Tree. I know every wind of the world that has come since then, and they all know me."

The little phycaal bobbed, signaling she was finished, hopping over to Norani. Glorbp Glorbp went forward now, not needing Norani's invitation. He bubbled, "The waters of the world are born from Agst'rasera's roots. They flow out into our ocean of oceans, and spread out into the world. Norani Windwalker here has experienced what it is to be a single drop of water, to flow through the cycle of rest and renewal that all waters must experience. I am a shepherd to these waters, and I have helped guide her to understanding them and she has embraced the teachings, and the World Tree has chosen and blessed her for this undertaking." He too then bobbed back over to Norani.

Zzzick flashed forward, zipping back and forth, his speaking fast, excited, "The seeds for every storm are born around the great World Tree. We watch over the world, racing across the skies, to bring balance to the world. Your world is unbalanced with the seasons locked in the Eternal Grove, we can feel it. Your lands, your waters, your skies, inundated by storms and rain for far longer than is natural is not a curse, but rather, the spirits here trying to fill the void of the missing seasons. If it continues, you will find your land returning to the oceans once more, so as to better endure the everlasting winter."

He thundered back to Norani's side. She thanked them, smiling, appreciating the lessons they taught her and those at this Senate meeting. But she knew it might not be enough, so took a deep breath, knowing that if this went badly, she might not be able to fulfill her mission at all. "And now I will provide proof that the World Tree is still intact, still giving to the world."

She sighed a bit, grabbing a pouch from her waistband. There was only enough left for one more use, but she hoped that perhaps, if they believed her, the Senate might be able to refill her resources. "I have learned a method of travel, that utilizes the ancient roots of the World Tree. These roots grow through and between all of the planes of Elements and others, and feed the elements into our own world. I only have enough sand left to do this once more, and I was to use this to return to Agst'rasera but..." she took a deep breath, "If I return without the aid of the Commonwealth, it will likely all be for naught."

Norani began pouring the mixed blend of sorcerer's sands into the intricate runes that Astrid had taught her, imbuing them with her magics, with the bond that she had with the World Tree itself and she focused on Agst'rasera. As she knelt, shaping the lines and curves, she had to fight to keep the bile in her stomach from coming up. This was her desperate attempt at making them see the truth, if this did not work, she would have no resources and no way back. But she let this anxiety race out of her, releasing it into the winds that began to swirl around her without moving a single grain of sand.

And when she was done, she stood up, pressed her thumb into the point of one of her tusks, dropping a bloodlet into the center of the circle. Her citizenship marks flared once more, allowing the opening of a doorway to one such as she. A large portal opened up in front of Norani, allowing all of the Senate to see into it. At the base, a large root that stretched down a corridor. On one side of the corridor, the Plane of Water surged and raged angrily, especially close and active here in Ecith, and on the other side, the Plane of Earth, resolute and strong.

Norani stepped around the portal, "This is one of the many roots of the World Tree, between the Planes of Water and Metal." A flash of lightning flowed along the roots, "And the lightning is my guide through this world between worlds, and will lead me to Agst'rasera once more should I follow it."

One more deep breath, a soft smile, "Please, come and study it. See for yourself that the World Tree is real, that my words are true, and that my mission is worthy."

[Talisman]

Taioth had learned over her millennia of life not to discount the fantastical. It was a lesson mortals sometimes failed to learn until it was too late, and more often than not, it would be the death of them. But the the ancient elder was interested in seeing what Norani could show them, and it seemed that her intervention gave the young Orkhan a little boost of courage.

Good.

While she respected Achaka and her prowess, she had much to learn still. The warhawk's determination to prematurely push her nation into a continuation of a war that they were still recovering from, whilst the world was being assaulted and changed by forces that were beyond the ken of many, was ill-advised and Taioth could not in good conscience support that stance. It could not possibly end well for them, and would only harm their people and their nation more. Many had died to protect their home, and many would die in the next war when it came. But the odds were not favourable, not right now.

Her eyes were unblinking as she watched the arrival of the little elementals that Norani summoned, her expression remaining the same. But their language... her ears recognized some of it, as ancient and old as it was. She had an idea of what it was, especially as it escaped her. Across the hall, she looked towards those of the Red and Green dragonflights, taking in their reactions as well in order to check her own instincts on what she was hearing. At Norani's words of explanation, along with her incantation, however, the tongue that the little companions spoke to them in became understandable. She had to give her that. She had asked for proof, and here it was.

One by one, the spirits testified, explaining their experiences as Taioth sat back. They were confirming what Norani Windwalker had stated, and she did not smell a whiff of a lie on them. This was their truth, and that was undeniable. The representative of the Green dragonflight seemed to understand their language before the youngling had enabled the Senate to understand the words of her friends, which confirmed another piece of this puzzle. Not just for the Crystalline dragon representative, but for others. When Norani used sands to conjure the portal to Agst'rasera, one eyebrow actually quirked. Well, now. It had been so very long since such a thing had ever been seen in this world, and now... This was no idle flight of fancy.

When she encouraged the Senators to come and look and see, a number of Senators did approach the stage, and Taioth was among them. She inclined her horned head to Norani. "You have proven your point, Young Windwalker." She loomed tall over the young green-skinned warrior. "How long will this portal hold? Have you any more of that sand that you used?" Others with Traversion might be able to investigate it in order to return to it, or some such route will be taken. The sands might be replaceable, or they might not be. But she was neither lying, nor deceived. The World Tree did exist, and the Seasons, it seemed, needed to be freed. While they might yet play their part in this, the imbalance of the world was troubling. When so much was in a strange state of flux, they needed to correct it.

And it seemed that this hatchling might well be one of those who would shape the generations to come.

[Norani]

Stomach roiling with the nerves of waiting, Norani watched as the first of the Senators started down toward the stage. She could see in the eyes of many that she had swayed more opinions, that by providing this proof, she had achieved at least some level of success. She just hoped it would be enough.

It had to be.

The Senator that gave her the benefit of the doubt approached, and Norani gave her a soft smile. "Thank you, Senator." Norani did not know her name, she was effectively a country bumpkin when it came to the politics of the Commonwealth, and she only knew the names of a small handful of Senators, one of which was her Chieftain. At the questions the woman posed, Norani could answer one and not the other.

"I... don't know. It closes behind me when I enter it, I've not had the time to see how long it might last." But Norani was not satisfied with that answer. It was the answer of the young girl who barely knew anything of her magic. This was hers. It was magic empowered by her. And so, Norani reached out with her aether, closing her eyes, feeling at the portal that she had created, a question in the tips of her magic.

And an answer was given in return.

She opened her eyes, "It will hold for a day or until I pass through it. This portal is tied to me through my blood and my aether." And then a soft shake of her head, "I used the last of it for this proof. If I cannot convince the Senate to help me, it will not matter. I am not strong enough to do this alone, none of us are." There was a certain point of pride within the Orkhan lass that thought that maybe she was strong enough to do this by herself. That admitting this weakness to an elder like this was a mistake.

But if there was one lesson she had learned time and again in her life, first from her village, then from her time in the Ecithian military, from Yeva, from Astrid and the spirits, from Imogen, its that there was far greater strength when heading into these difficulties together. To go alone was perilous.

"But I know what the sands are, I just do not know how to make or acquire more. I was hoping the Senate might be able to refill my stores."

One of the Senators, a middle aged Orkhan woman, was nearby studying the portal with her glowing eyes, "It doesn't utilize Slipspace at all. I... cannot say how this works, but it very clearly does." She smiled, "The aura of these roots however is breathtaking. It's so... old. Ancient beyond ancient, and its power runs deep. I thought I felt familiar traces in it but I think... I think those are touches of the roots in everything else."

A tall, really tall earth Moratallen man sat down on the stage next to Norani. He spoke softly, "You said you used sand for your ritual? Do you mean Sorcerer's Sand?" His words and demeanor were gentle. He seemed able to pick up that Norani didn't know everything about this or magic in general. She nodded, "Yes, twelve types."

He nodded, "Did your master teach you about the sands? Making them or anything?"

Norani's throat tightened, "No, she didn't have time. I traveled to gather my allies and to come here immediately." Norani knew that Astrid was ill too, and if she took too long..

The man nodded again, and something about him gave Norani the feeling that he might be a teacher. "Sorcerer's sands are made from dragonshards and are used in many types of magic. It is a versatile tool. What types of sands do you require?"

Norani nodded appreciatively at the lesson, "The nine elements. And Blood, Order, and Chaos." She paused, "I think I can make a few of the elemental ones myself, but I don't really know anything more."

The man looked at her inquisitively, "Do you mean lodestones? Many elementalists can make those, but to make actual dragonshards.." Norani nodded a bit uncertainly, she at least knew the difference between her lodestones and the dragonshards she'd made. "I haven't tried making them yet, but I have made dragonshards of lightning and others of cloud."

The man's eyes widened in surprise and awe. "That's very impressive." He looked over at Taioth briefly, before looking at Norani again. "You seem to be very accomplished for an elementalist so young. You have learned much from the World Tree it seems." She nodded, "Yes, I have. I've had this magic for almost a decade now, but I didn't really understand it until I Agst'rasera showed me more."

She still didn't understand so much, she felt. But she knew enough to want to learn so much more. The man looked down at Norani's citizen markings, reading her life's story, then cast another, more wary gaze at Taioth. "Some of those sands are pretty hard to come by, but if the Senate will allow it, we can get them for you."

Norani was elated, a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. She could get back to Agst'rasera and she could barely contain the smile upon her face. She looked around as Senators continued to confer and study the portal, and she finally felt that maybe she would win over their support. If they would help her, maybe they had a chance at this. She cast her eyes toward Achaka Lonelyblade, wondering if he might be the one to take the role of leader in this mission. He was likely the most qualified to see it to success.

But still, she worried that a man like him might be willing to make it into a war, not a rescue.

And so, as they deliberated, she waited, answering any further questions as best she could.

[Talisman]

When Norani thanked her, Taioth nodded, the crystalline beads that were strung on her hair making a sound almost like a windchime. While the Moratellan sourced the sand to be Sorcerer's sand, that did make sense to the elder dragon, and she turned her attention to the spirits, looking on through the portal while keeping an ear on the conversations flowing around her. There was as much to be found in what what was unsaid as there was in what was said. Practiced eyes studied the elemental spirits as she crouched down to inspect them. Wind, Water, Fire. They had seen and experienced things that others could probably never dream of.

How sad that was, that the wonders of dreams could be inhibited by the reality of the world that they lived in. Such darkness, such wetness, was painful. It was draining. It spread misery and depression... not to mention the starvation that was coming.

Some of those conversations were quite interesting. That she had developed the ability to make dragonshards herself; and clearly, where she had gone to the World Tree, that had affected her. Such was not normally the skill of mortals, after all. But when Norani had said that she had had possessed Elementalism for nearly a decade now, frowned to herself. That would cause problems later, because such a thing was not allowed here, and for good reason.

Perhaps it was meant to be, that the Weaver had seen it to happen; but that did not excuse it. Children were to be children, and children were to be protected. Be they human, Orkhan, or dragon. But if this was not dealt with... then the children were going to die.

"Let us put forward a motion to authorize the assistance and aid that is required," the dragoness looked on over her colleagues. "And should it be successful, let us begin to make our plans. Achaka, your skills as a general and warleader will be needed here... especially if we have a colossal enemy to face. Just as young Norani has earned boons and knowledge from her efforts, Drathera as a whole could benefit in ways that could protect and nourish future generations as well. All of those in favour?"

[Norani]

As Taioth put forth a motion, it was accepted and repeated by Chuck, the Consul of Peace. As he spoke it, the markings of every Senator present would begin to shine brightly, in the colors of the tattoo. This vote came with three options. The first, the affirmative, would grant Norani the full assistance and aid of the Commonwealth for seeing this mission through. The second option, the negative, would deny full assistance and aid. The third option would be to abstain, but in doing so would require the abstaining Senator to give their reason for abstention and render them ineligible for any further motions relating to this specific matter.

Norani stepped away from her portal, biting her lip nervously, standing at attention, her knuckles growing white as they wrapped around her wrist behind her back. This was it. This was everything. If she failed here, there was nothing more to be done. The die was cast and now must lay as it falls. She cast her eyes toward her chieftain, the Senator that represented her and her family. Chieftain Boraba cast a nod in Norani's direct. And with that, she cast her vote through her markings, which shifted in color to a vibrant, deep violet, the color of the affirmative. Norani nodded at her, trying to hold back the tears of gratitude, but instead her eyes began to watch as the colors of the Senate began to shift.

Her eyes grew wide. A wave of violet was sweeping through the Senate. Small islands of yellow, the negative, and red, the abstention, stood out, but they were in an ocean of purple. It did not seem that much deliberation was needed and Norani's heart soared. The Commonwealth was answering the call. The few abstaining Senators descended from their seats, citing their reasons; one citing that opening a portal in the Senate posed a threat to the sanctity of everyone's minds that were present and another said that a Senate believing tall tales is no Senate worth having their presence. The young elementalist touched a hand to the lotus over her heart, a small prayer sent to Yeva in the Astral Sea 'I did it Yeva. One step closer. Please, hold on. I'm coming.

Chuck stood up, "The motion has passed. Norani Windwalker will be granted the full resources and aid in her mission to rescue Ghoron and the missing Seasons. I present the following motion to appoint Consul Achaka Vog'uv Lonelyblade to serve as Mission Leader. If there are any other nominations to be made, please provide them now."

Many present expected the many Chieftains present to nominate themselves. Whenever it came to something like this, the Chieftains always vied for the role of Warchief. It was a point of pride in each and every single one of them. However, none were self-nominated. Chuck smiled, he had the feeling that was a good sign. The Chieftains believed in the Windwalker, for she was one of their own. And perhaps the slight snub that Achaka was no longer one of them, since he no longer had a village. The vote presented and all the Senators' marking reset to their default glow.

This time the ocean of violet was entirely unanimous, an extreme rarity in the Senate. Chuck nodded, "The motion has passed, Consul Lonelyblade will serve as Mission Leader. He will use the resources and aid that this Senate has given to aid Norani Windwalker to see this mission to its end."

Norani looked up at Consul Achaka, and he gave her a small, curt nod, which she returned. Chuck continued, "If there are any further motions relating to this, give them now. If not, then we may adjourn so that preparations can be made."

And several motions were set forth, resulting in hours upon hours of further deliberation. One motioned to have Norani removed from this mission for being too inexperience. It was quashed. Another motioned that this mission be delayed until the Commonwealth had repaired itself and could afford to send soldiers and resources. It failed but gained a small amount of traction. One, however, took more time than the others, and that was that this mission should be tabled until after the promise of destroying the Imperium was kept. That vote came perilously, dangerously close to passing, having failed by only a handful of votes.

But in the end, no further motions had passed, and the Senate was adjourned. As many civilians and Senators departed the building in a great wave, Consul Lonely blade climbed down the steps toward Norani who was standing by her portal. She had met him only once before, when she had claimed her own citizenship markings and joined the Ecithian military, along with the rest of her contingent. He towered over her, a mass of scars and muscles, and seemed quite possible the fiercest looking person in the Commonwealth. And he smiled softly at her, "You've come so far Norani Windwalker, and I am honoured to help you go further, and to carry this Commonwealth further."

He glanced over at the portal, watching as many other Senators and academics and others that were simply curious buzzed around it. He then cast his eyes back to Norani, "How much time passes when you travel this way?"

"I am not sure, I've had no good means of tracking the time in my travels thus far."

He nodded, "It will take three days to muster all of our forces and resources into full readiness." He whistled over at an Orc, a fierce woman who came trotting over, "See to it that Norani Windwalker is appropriately outfitted for this. Whatever she requires. She will need to depart as soon as possible."

Then Achaka reached up to his shoulder, undoing a leather strap there. As he brought it around, Norani could see that it was an animal horn of some sort, with ancient runes she could not read carved into it. "This is the Horn of the Warchief, one of the most ancient and precious artifacts of the Commonwealth. When it is blown, it will summon the entire military might of Ecith to your location. Every single citizen soldier. Make haste to this grove, and when you are there, call upon us on the third day if you're able to track the time. If not, call when able, and you we will deal with our lot on arrival." He offered it out to her.

Norani started to stammer, knowing she was not worthy to carry such a relic. She swallowed deep, and reached out for it, wrapping the strap across her torso as Lonelyblade had worn it. It was surprisingly light, fragile feeling, as if dropping it might shatter it. She hoped that was not the case. And in that moment, Norani realized that this was all very real, and very quickly happening now. In three days or less, she would blow this horn, calling thousands of her brethren, her friends, her family to her side in what would likely result in the deaths of so many. And with this, suddenly the horn felt far heavier than a stone.

A calloused hand engulfed her shoulder, "Far heavier than the crowns of kings and queens old. It is no easy task asking someone to lay their life on the line for something you believe in." She weakly nodded, unable to take her eyes off of it, "But you have shown great wisdom this day, more than many soldiers your age. You know that you are not ready for this role as leader, and you admit it, and you seek council and advice. These are powerful tools that will help you to grow into a worthwhile leader one day."

He sighed, "But no leader is ever truly ready, truly worthy, until the fighting begins."

He released his hand, "You'll be ready. You have the fire of the Orkhan within you, the wisdom of the stars, and a heart that knows love. You are ready."

He nodded at the soldier at Norani's side, and he turned, a contingent of high level soldiers following after him to begin receiving and belaying orders, making his way back to his seat where the ashen skinned titan of an orc still stood, watching, silent. The soldier with Norani turned, and she saw that her name was Ulaya. "Ulaya, I need the Sorcerer's Sands I utilized, clothing and armor that is very light and allows me much more freedom of movement than most. And I need you to fetch Imogen Ward, outfit her in any way she requires and to bring her here."

"Yes, Windwalker." And with that, she turned and left at a very brisk pace.

Norani stood there, looking around this great hall, looking for her family, her chieftain. She had so much to say to them, so much to share. And then she saw them, all gathered around the edge of the arena. Norani ran over, shedding every bit of bitterness, scorn, hatred, everything she'd felt for them, every pain caused by their betrayal and her departure instantly washed away, as she shouted across the Senate, "Mamma! Pappa!"

Mamma Kiki, the tallest and broadest of her five parents, was also the first to reach her, scooping her up into a massive bear hug. Norani buried her face into her mother's hair, finding safety in her mountain of a mother. Soon, the rest were there, Mamma Xerka there, hugging Norani, laughing as she always did; Pappa Aido and Pappa Nili embraced her too, and her dozens of siblings all joined in. After a long moment that ended far too soon, she was set back down and given some space. Standing nearby was Mamma Ourha and Chieftain Boraba. She had already reunited with Mamma Ourha when she came to rescue her and Imogen from the sands. Still, it was surprising for her to see tears in the eyes of the seemingly most closed off of her parents.

"Mamma... Pappa..." She stammered, blustering, sobbing, "I'm so sor..."

Mamma Kiki shushed her, lifting her up once more, bringing her to eye level, "You have done nothing worth apologizing for, Sweet Nose. We are sorry. We committed grave sins against you, every day that we kept Juno's memory from you." She touched her forehead to Norani's and Norani nodded against her. All of her parents around her apologized, and as Norani wiped away her tears, she could only now see just how guiltwracked they all had been. Not just while she was gone, but while they kept their secrets too. Orkhan are not known for hiding their emotions or secrets, and she could see their very faces change to not be carrying it around.

In a bare whisper, "I forgive you."

Mamma Kiki squeezed her tight, caressing her hair, just as she had done when Norani was small, and had scraped a knee or was pecked by Jackpies. She broke the embrace and hugged each and every member of the family around her, each said their apologies, told her they loved her, and she forgave each one in turn. She hugged each of her siblings, and picked up the littlest one, barely a year. Cradling the baby in her arms, she walked over to Mamma Ourha and Chieftain Boraba.

Her relationship with her birthmother was a bit different than the rest of her parents. Ourha had trained her, spent more time honing Norani through games and challenges, but was never as open with her emotions as the rest. She remembered asking Pappa Nili about it once, and he said that sometimes in war, parts of yourself must be locked away just so you can survive the horrors. Little baby Hudu was now suckling on the small end of the Horn of the Warchief.

"Please, tell me why. I know keeping Juno's memory from me must have been difficult for you, but... why? Why do that to me and to yourselves?" Norani knew that the enchantments of this place did not allow for lies to be uttered.

Ourha moved to speak but Boraba held up a hand, silencing her.

The chieftain spoke, "I gave the order to them, following a vision from Seer Vuka. She was adamant that in doing so would help to bring you to a pivotal moment for the safety of the entire village." Boraba looked around, "Seems she was right."

Boraba reached into a thigh pack, pulling out a small book, untitled, leatherbound. "This is everything our village kept about Juno before she was taken. Every rune upon skin, copies of every piece of art. Everything we have been able to keep of Juno is in here." She handed it to Norani who took it silently. She... she still didn't understand. Couldn't she have come to this moment while still holding Juno's memory? Couldn't all of this emotional pain and turmoil been avoided?

"I..." she didn't know what to say.

Looking up at her chieftain, her gaze fierce, furious, but the winds forming her robe did not break from her discipline. "You hurt my family. You ordered them to hurt me, to bear this burden for years."

She seethed for a long moment, "You, I will never forgive."

And with that, she turned her back on Boraba and started to walk away. There was a sharp grip on her shoulder, and Norani's fist was already balling up, preparing to hit the chieftain that was likely accosting her for the massive disrespect. Instead, Mamma Ourha was there, embracing Norani tightly. "I'm sorry, Dragonfly. I'm so terribly sorry, for everything. For pushing you, for deceiving you, for..." The words died in her throat. Norani's anger abated and she hugged her mother back. She was still heated but it was not the time nor place for such things.

She had bigger things on her plate.

She pulled away from the hug, baby Hudu seemingly unaware and unfazed by what was going on around him. But he did enjoy the pretty colors of the portal and the smooth feeling of the artifact in his chubby fingers. Norani stayed there by the portal, resting a bit, answering questions from her family, from Senators and civilians alike about her time on Agst'rasera. And she found herself wondering if this might be the last time she'd see her family, her people.

And all the while, wishing that Yeva could be here by her side for this enormous moment in her life.