Post by Orianna Èirigh on Feb 12, 2024 15:31:19 GMT
The sun was bright on the back of the house, casting long beams of golden light across the tiled floor and copper pots. This was her favourite time of the day, when the sun was setting. Orianna gathers the carafe of kaeth she had made, two cups, and a small dish of accompanying treats Gerhard had made that morning, picks up the tray she placed everything on, and strode out of the room. Her tail flicks back and forth in nervousness as she walks the short distance to the front room with its roaring hot fireplace.
She is carefully setting up this late afternoon coffee for two when Valethra comes bounding in, leaping up onto the sofa, humming with excitement. Images of a dancing flame are projected across their bond and Orianna smiles.
“Yes, I am going to attempt to reach out to them,” she says in Draconic. “Hopefully, they hear me.”
With everything set up, Orianna kneels in front of the roaring fire. Its heat is intense, hotter than any normal fire. She has been burning it for over an hour, adding logs wrapped in heavy paper covered in primordial symbols of heat, flames and fire. It was an old spell she remembered reading from the Grand Archive, one to summon strong fire elemental forces to the Material Plane. She still gets a shiver down her spine whenever thinking about Ashkaa. All of the old knowledge lost there, barely understood by what remained of her people. One day perhaps she could go back… But those were thoughts for another day.
Orianna takes a deep breath. As she exhales, she closes her eyes.
“First of all Flames, the Heat that is the Heart of every candle, torch, and fire; I call you to my hearth, Asteros, for I would speak with you,” Orianna says, speaking the old incantation in an archaic Primordial. “Be welcomed into this place, friend.” That last part she added.
Sometimes, the old spells are quite impersonal.
There was a long pause after she had finished speaking. Orianna waits patiently for a reply, as the spell said there would be some indication of connection. Just as she was debating trying again, the fire grows more intense and a familiar voice emanates from it.
“Oh I’m very sorry for the delay, I had a customer in the shop. But of course I’d be delighted to have a chat. Now stand back from the fire I’m about to come through.”
As the First Flame finished speaking the heat from the fire grew more and more intense as it also got big enough to consume the whole fireplace. Orianna quickly rolled and shuffled back and Valethra even squinting her eyes closed like she would when sitting in a beam of warm sunlight. That was when the young tiefling noticed though the heat was intense the fire stayed within the hearth, as if it would not have hurt her even if she reached out to touch it.
The flames twisted and danced and then almost seemed to part as a friendly face in the form of Asteros steps into the room.
“It is an honour to be called on by the Herald of the Wyrm Queen. How is it I may help?” They say whilst also opening their arms to give Orianna a hug.
She smiles and steps into the embrace. “Thank you for coming, Asteros.” After a moment, she steps back to gesture to the kaeth she has prepared. “I do not wish to keep you long but I hope some refreshments would be welcome.”
“Oh yes, most welcome indeed. I haven’t had much of a chance to sit down and stop for a little while so some refreshments would be lovely.” They sit down on one side of the sofa and Orianna on the other. “Now what is on your mind young Herald. You seem troubled, has something happened?” There is the hint of a concerned look on their face.
“Ah, well,” Orianna starts as she pours Asteros a cup of the kaeth, “less than a ten-day ago my home- this home, was invaded by the First Frost.” She puts two treats on a plate and places them in front of Asteros as well. “He stole one of the Keys I was keeping here when I was away in the Fugue Plane. At the same time, the First Slime stole another Key we were keeping in Daring Academy. So they now have five of the nine keys…” She trails off, glancing over to Asteros.
Her gaze is met by theirs. The concern has contorted into a mix of confusion and panic. Their cup is way from the table to their mouth, and it is shaking slightly.
“I… I… Orianna I am… I’m so sorry, I had no idea. I can only apologise for the actions of my cousins and I hope that no one was injured in this attack… I honestly had no knowledge of this.” Asteros takes an absent sip from their cup and places it back into its saucer, clearly contemplating the greater implications of this attack. Their frown only deepens as they continue.
“But we were watching them. We knew their locations for the past few months, and had spies in their service. How did they slip past our view? What magic do they have at their disposal? I fear that this calls into question all the information we have gathered on them recently, and how much we can trust what we learn going forward. How do we know what is truth or deception?”
Orianna’s concern only grew with each word Asteros said. They weren’t holding anything back and their reaction was too genuine not to be real. When they question what magic their cousins must have at their disposal a cold shiver runs down her spine.
“I may know a way they could have slipped past your view,” she says, eyes going distant. “It would make sense too, considering what they have done in the past.”
Orianna sits up a bit straighter and leans into Asteros. “The First Smoke gained access to new magic after their months of stalking the Wellspring in the Court of Sorcery. What if with his newfound power he is somehow able to open Doors on the Infinite Staircase? That would certainly be a way to go places by untraceable means, plus-” she holds up a finger, “-they could hide or confuse anyone who tries to follow, or who does not know the Infinite’s method of magic.”
“Now that is a truly terrifying thought. If they have mastered the use of the Staircase then they could go anywhere they wanted at a moment’s notice. I think you are right. If there was anywhere that would have that knowledge available it would be the Court Of Sorcery.” Asteros pauses to take another drink from his cup before continuing.
“But if this is the case then we no longer have any means of tracking my Cousins movements. This obviously puts us at an even greater disadvantage. I do not know how to counter this other than asking the beings of the Staircase for help, but that is more your territory then it is mine.”
“I can do that when Gerhard returns home,” Orianna says, mentally making a note. “But there is something else with all of this that I wanted to… to advise you on.”
Orianna had her cup of untouched kaeth in her hand. She takes her first sip — more of a gulp than a sip — and winces a little at how hot it still was. Holding onto it steadies her as she looks back to Asteros.
“With the invasion of my home, it changed things. The Archwyrms are gathering and they will be involving themselves in this conflict now. I wanted to tell you so you could inform your cousins, and to let you know that though Stellarum and the others are stepping in, we have not forgotten our alliance. It would be imperative for you to tell those who were at our meeting…” She sets her cup down with a soft clink. “Though now we may have to consider that not all who we count as allies truly are.”
There is a deep sigh from Asteros as they close their eyes before opening them staring off into the middle distance out of a window.
“I suppose that the involvement of the Archwyrms was inevitable. They have never sat back and watched before. But you are correct, we are quickly approaching a moment when knowing friend from foe is a blurred line, not knowing what information to trust for fear of where it truly has come from.
“But thank you for this advice young Herald. I will inform my Cousins. I have a feeling we are going to need to rethink our strategies — and do not worry. We will do our utmost to ensure that the Archwyrms know that the Alliance still stands for us as well.”
Orianna bows her head. “That is what I hope for. And if there is anything that can be done from our side, please let me know. I don’t want to see you hurt.” Her brow pinches together as a tiny bit of her worry comes through. “I don’t want to see any of the Primordials hurt…”
“That is a very noble sentiment Orianna and it warms my heart to hear you say it, but unfortunately I do not hold out your optimism. My cousins are determined in their ambitions and goals and will not be easily swayed from their current path. You may not wish to fight them, or see them hurt, but there will come a time where they will not give you an option.”
Orianna looks away. She knows they speak the truth but it still hurts to hear it.
Asteros lets out a heavy sigh. “When it comes right down to it, Orianna, you and the wonderful family you have built here are simply an obstacle to them. They may try to slip past or distract you to get by, but keep putting yourself in their way and they will not hesitate to unleash themselves on you.
“Just promise me you will be careful Orianna, and always watch your back with them. They are bolder than usual and I couldn’t stand it if you got hurt, let alone what kind of fury Stellarum would let loose if something happened to you. You mean too much to both of us.”
“That is-…” Their words make her heart both swell with feeling and break into pieces. She straightens up, doing her best to smile encouragingly. “I will be careful, Asteros, as I will do my best to walk this fine line of optimism and realistic truth. Even if it will only be you who knows how I feel, it needs to be said. I do not wish any harm on any of your family… much as their actions may mean that it will happen.” Her smile faded as she spoke and now she looks out the window, starlight seeing far beyond the pane of glass and yet not seeing anything at all.
“If there was any way this could be resolved before things got too far… If there was anything I could do to end this… I would.”
Orianna blinks, then shakes her head.
Asteros reaches out and takes her hands. The heat that touches her from their hands is like placing one’s hands close to a fire on a cold winter’s night. It is soothing and quite relaxing. A little of the tension between her shoulders eases.
“If there is anyone alive today that could bring this all to an end without bloodshed and injury it is you, Orianna,” Asteros says to her. “I believe in you and I know so do the others. Being the one to walk that line between optimism and realistic truth is precisely why you will succeed where anyone else would fail.”
There were no words she could say that would be enough to encompass the gratitude she felt at being believed, nor were there words simple enough to illustrate how she still had a seed of self doubt in herself despite all that has been accomplished so far. It was not out of humility, or a false sense of modesty. When dealing with the forces of nature, be they elemental or draconic, Orianna had to be careful, lest she lose herself and all she cared for in the process.