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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 1:41:24 GMT
Whenever Rajit gets a chance, he would like to talk with Mairwyn.
"Mairwyn, again I thank you for bringing me into your group. The Sundel do not take acceptance lightly. I will guard each of you as I would my own people and land."
"I'm not sure I understand all that is happening. We have stories of Ravenwood in my homeland but I assumed most of it to be lies or exaggerations. The council seems to have great knowledge but what they have told us seems almost too fantastic to be true. And from what we saw in Tir Na Og, I don't see how our small group would be capable of such a mighty journey. You seem to be one of them. Or at least you were. I do not understand this either. There is much I do not understand." This last he says looking at the drop of water dancing in the circlet on her head.
Rajit goes quiet and looks down.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have asked. I was sent by my order and will persevere but I crave to know more. Can you help me understand?"
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 1:44:10 GMT
"I am happy to help you understand all that I can," I answer. "I am no longer Mairwyn of Ravenwood, but Mairwyn the Mariness, yet what I can explain of their ways without compromising them I will. What is it you would most like to know? For I am as ignorant of what you do know as what you do not. Is it the Sun Titan that is your perplexity? The nature of our mission? Or the fact that it is our mission, rather than belonging to the Mages of Ravenwood?"
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 1:49:10 GMT
"You get right to the heart of it. My life as a Spear of the Shezazi is uncomplicated. We travel, protect our borders and protect the land. Being sent here is . . . intimidating. I guess I'm curious firstly as to how they came by all of this knowledge and secondly how they can confidently send such a small band forth to correct it." He give a lopsided smile. "The mention of a titan was indeed shocking. I am still hesitant to accept the truth that they exist and then, if they do, how we might fare against forces that could slay such a creature."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 1:58:29 GMT
"How the Mages of Ravenwood come by this knowledge is due in equal parts to their wisdom and their power. They are powerful indeed, and they are constantly monitoring all that happens in Kailos. As your Shezazi no doubt are always in contact with the land, always learning from it what passes in Kailos, so the Mages of Ravenwood are always in contact with the pulses of the Nine Spheres of Power throughout Kailos. The knowledge they gather, they collect. There are tomes in Ravenwood older than the oldest trees of Sundelia. There are mages who might very well be older than the trees." I smile and shake my head. "This is the power that is open to the Mages, and in their wisdom they use to protect Kailos."
I furrow my brow. "Do you think, for instance, that my lord Árón does wrong in leaving us here, to fend for ourselves, while he travels Kailos, giving aid to those who, in these dark times, are utterly without hope or help? I cannot think you would be so mistaken. So it is with the Mages of Ravenwood. They, too, are serving Kailos. Many are their journeys, many their labors. But were they to make an open attempt to go to the Sun Titan, those who went would be destroyed, without ever reaching their goal, and those who remained behind would be compromised. Ravenwood would fall, and with it Kailos. Kailos' enemies are many. More than this I may not speak of their reasons. But I know that their reasons are good. Nor could they have offered their own magic, which they took from Aethyl. Am I wrong to think that your opinion of them fell, for taking from Aethyl what they did not offer of their own?"
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 2:28:36 GMT
"In truth, yes, my opinion of them did lessen because it seemed that they were choosing to stay here in safety while asking another to sacrifice." His eyes unfocus a bit as he reflects. "The Sundel are oriented towards action and a Spear will always step into danger for the sake of the nation." He becomes silent for a time. "But then I do not judge the druids for remaining in Sundel as it is my role, not theirs to defend." His eyes refocus on Mairwyn. "Perhaps I was too harsh in judging them. I was thinking about what I might do but we all play our roles. Thank you for your patience with my ignorance." He again smiles lopsidedly. "It will likely not be the last time I behave ignorantly. I am bold in speech and deed and sometimes require correction. However, I would like to think I accept correction well."
He extends his hand to Mairwyn "I always speak truth and will do so to this group. But will you speak truth back and plainly? I am not a man of subtlety and so would ask that you be forthright with me in all things. If I offend, I cannot mend what breach I cannot see."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 2:36:42 GMT
I lay my hand in his. "I can easily promise to speak truth plainly. I do not hold against any what was not meant as cruelty." I smile a little as I acknowledge, "It is hard to accept treachery, though, and yet for my dear cousin's sake I have done even this. Not committed treachery," I explain, "but taken it as a blow on the face and let it pass. So with you, who are a Spear of the Shezazi, and thus devoted to our mission, it will be easy and clear."
Then I change the subject, for speaking of the Drusincus debacle is still awkward. "But the Mages of Ravenwood did not take from my dearest cousin what they could have sacrificed themselves. Once a mage has received training, the magic in his blood becomes his blood. Not only would taking the magic from one of them have meant their death, which it did not mean Aethyl's, but also the magic itself would have died as they did. They are bound together, mage and magic, in a way that my cousin did not ever achieve."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 10:41:59 GMT
"Thank you for your promise. It is good to know that there will be no games with us. It makes life easier, yes?" He smiles broadly at Mairwyn. "And thank you for instructing me on this situation. Aethyl is brave and selfless indeed. Now, what of this Rosentos? I would know why my new friend upsets him so. I confess I find myself disliking him."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 11:18:50 GMT
I blush. "It is difficult to explain. He ... fears that my presence would cause discord and jealousy amongst the Masters there. That for ... love of me they might even forget their great tasks." I shake my head. "I am a mated woman, belonging to my Iritari and to my lord Árón, so why he should fear such things I hardly know."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 12:19:54 GMT
"I hope that his fears are unfounded and that the Masters would have more judgment and wisdom than that. But," he looks at Mairwyn appraisingly (not lecherously) "you may underestimate your own beauty and grace. I know that in your heart you are mated to Iritari and Aron, that you will be faithful to them and they to you. However, my people's history contains conflict and wars that were begun over women who did not possess anywhere near your loveliness. Rosentos is wrong to hold this against you. There is no question about that. One may as well blame the moon for the tides. But on the other side of things, the moon's pull is real as are the tides it creates. Perhaps he will see things differently when we return triumphant with the sun at our backs and he will have cause to celebrate you."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 12:26:13 GMT
"Whether we return in triumph or in desolation," I say, "I am exiled forever from Ravenwood. I am cast out of it, and I am forbidden ever to enter it again. The words have been spoken, the doom of exile laid upon me. Whatever his motive, his word is absolute."
My eyes are clear, unclouded by tears. "Though Ravenwood was my home, dearer to me even than Elunia, I lay it aside, most willingly, for the sake of my devotion to Galadrin."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 12:35:01 GMT
"I am truly sorry to hear it. Better death for me than exile from Sundel. Is this the decision of Rosentos alone or do all the Masters agree?"
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 12:40:55 GMT
"They agreed," I said. "However much they might have wished otherwise--I know that some were sorry for it--they did not dare to stand against Rosentos. He is preeminent among them, and he speaks with an authority few would gainsay, and none did. I am cast out."
I smile at him. "I understand your feeling toward Sundelia. But for me, my love for Ravenwood is what I laid on Galadrin's altar. And indeed, my love for it teaches me the wisdom of Rosentos' words. Better that I keep from Ravenwood for its own good. I love it enough to leave it, that others than I may enjoy it."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 2, 2021 13:34:44 GMT
"Your sacrifice is admirable. And I'm glad that it's gained you such devoted mates. It's good to see that Galadrin rewards his faithful."
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 2, 2021 23:03:28 GMT
"He does," I say. "But it was not for reward that I made the sacrifice, and I do think that perhaps most times the rewards might not come until one is in Alaxton's halls. Why an exception has been made for me..." I trail off.
"But I know that what one gives to the sea, one receives again tenfold, however or whenever it might be."
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Post by Sir Roland Desprez on Feb 3, 2021 0:53:54 GMT
"I only hope I have such courage to sacrifice if the need arises. I look forward to further conversations with you Mairwyn. In serving Alaxton, Abrexa, the land and the druids I serve you and our company."
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