Unti Family/Nerta/A3S3

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The Cafe The Square The Roof The Kings The Street
Roleplay from Valian Stone Daubeny
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Valian gave the guard a withering gaze when he heard Yxevarii cry out in rage.

Valian stepped back and withdrew a horn into which he blew sharply, a loud sound resounded through the square and swiftly 25 men in glistening white armour came out of the Temple, golden shields in hand with long sliver glaives at the ready “Guard, tell your Lady Emilia that she is in Keffa, a holy city, an Obian City and that we will not tolerate a blasphemous ritual in her walls.”

By now the 25 soldiers had come to Valian’s side “Defend the Grand Inquisitor!” Valian ordered as he ran around to Yxevarii, he stepped into front of her rage filled charge “Grand Inquisitor, wait, you are too important to risk right now, let me and my men help you with this.” The last of that sentence was whispered to the Grand Inquisitor’s ear as Valian held his mace arm out defensively to hold her back, he admired her fervour, this was the first time he had seen her shout, but he wouldn’t let her fight alone. “Say the word and we are with you.”

The men in white armour formed around Valian and Yxevarii in a circle, golden shields locking together and glaives sticking out the cracks, ready to impale any who approached.
Valian Stone Daubeny (Knight of Ossmat)
Roleplay from Mulki Laraak
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
By Order of the Prelate

She called out to one of the Inquisitorial guard who had been the picture of vigilance since she returned to the city: "Franklin, tell your Mistress to have the Soothsayer Polli hanged from the walls before the wretched woman causes a riot."

---

While Inquisitor Franklin makes his way down the seemingly-eternal sets of steps leading down from the Inner Sanctum, dozens of peasants have begun pushing and shoving toward Polli. At this point, Yxevarii's charge has slowed to a sluggish pushing-match as a veritable sea of stinking, unwashed peasants trample the temple square. Makeshift clubs, shivs, stools, and even empty tankards are thus wielded, the fools beating one another about as often as they attempt to overrun the blasphemers' positions. Nearby, the anti-heretical bloodlust has begun to infect unrelated events. Adventurers are accosted and shoved by drunken fools looking for an excuse to fight, Templars drag bloodied peasants to jail by the dozen, and Inquisitors try their best to blend in while struggling to reach their assigned targets - occasionally fighting off peasants who mistake them as foreigners or adventurers themselves. All it took was one bloody word for the entire thrice-damned city to go up in flames. Figures.

Chaos descends as the most fervent of the masses begin pushing against Lady Emilia's warriors, a tsunami of ineffectively-perfumed and often half-drunken partygoers enraged by Polli's blasphemous insult to their faith, holy city, and realm.

Even the Inquisitors and Templars nearby are overwhelmed by the tide. Panting and pushing against the human wave, the Grand Inquisitor sighs angrily. None can hear her comments over the din of screams, thumping of makeshift shields, and clashing of steel.

"DAMN IT! Why'd you have to go and - BY ORDER OF THE, OH F UCK OFF!- say that... Lucky if there's enough - OUT OF MY GODDAMN WAY YOU INBRED CURS! - limbs to piece together a corpse - MOVE YOUR ASSES! - when this is all over..."

Mulki stood there smiling, when a group of uptight peasants sauntered over and began looting one of the wagons. Another three approached from behind intent on manhandling Mulki and Dolores, when suddenly one of them grabbed Mulki herself. Confused, Mulki struggled against her captor while screaming, "HELP! FRANDS! BAD MAN!"
Mulki Laraak (Commoner of Obia' Syela)
Roleplay from Yxevarii Auru'in
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
The Riot Guard had come home to roost. Just in time, too.

Shields pushing against the mass of bodies before them, Valian's men pierce that drunken, gelatinous blob of idiocy in time to free the Grand Inquisitor.

"Valian! Bloody f uck, we have to stop this madness! Grab Polli before the damn peasants burn Keffa to the ground, and end up killing a bloody Royal or every damned one of us for that matter!"

Would be surprising if he managed to hear anything more than scattered words, like:

"Bloody... stop... madness... polli.... burn... Keffa... kill.... bloody... royal... damn... us..."
Yxevarii Auru'in (Grand Inquisitor of Obia'Syela)
Roleplay from Duncan Blackstone
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Duncan was drunk, not just from the wine but the sheer weight of magic he felt, he walked onto the street and smirked at the crowd assaulting some poor sods in the Temple Square, he heard a shout and looked to his right, he saw two women being manhandled by some ruffian looking fellows.

Duncan swigged the last of his wine and marched over, “Oi, ya f uckeads piss off and leave the girls alone.”

The three men laughed and continued their disgusting handling, Duncan drew his shortsword and hand crossbow, he levelled the crossbow and fired, causing the one who was holding Mulki to fall back dead with an arrow in his eye, Duncan breathed in deeply, his eyes beginning to glow a bright red, he felt the alcohol leave his system, his head was clear and Duncan smiled cruelly “Leave or I will slit you two from balls to brains.”

The two ruffians backed up, one pulled out a cudgel and charged Duncan, who just dodged to the side and with a swipe of his shortsword left the ruffian headless as his ugly head rolled across the floor, that was enough for the last to run off, Duncan thought about firing his crossbow again but didn’t bother, not worth the energy, he walked over to Mulki and Dolores “Evening Ladies, you two alright?”
Duncan Blackstone (Commoner of Thalmarkin)
Roleplay from Valian Stone Daubeny
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Valian nodded, getting the gist of Yxevarii’s orders, he turned to Captain Tomasa and Lieutenant Haydrian “Get Yxevarii our of here, find Vivian and Elizabeth and get them all to the Temple, NOW!”

Valian and his remaining 23 men broke from their shield circle and began to push their way towards Polli.

Tomasa and Haydrian ushered Yxevarii back and out of the square “Sorry Mistress but we have to keep you safe, we must find Vivian and Elizabeth, and get you and them to the temple.”

Valian swing his mace at any who got in his way, he could almost see the Vordulians and Polli, his men were with his, lashing out with glaives it maxes of their own.
Valian Stone Daubeny (Knight of Ossmat)
Roleplay from Emilia Delamoire
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Shadow's Blight, the armed regiment of archers that surrounded Polli and Lady Emilia tightened shoulder to shoulder.

"HOLD!" Emilia commanded.

"Do not let them through, but do not land the first blow!"

Though all thoughts went to unleashing the rain of arrows Emilia knew that the first blood drawn would erupt into more chaos, and one her small unit would not fair well in.

The large figure of Captain Brictilda came into view with her large shield raised to protect Lady Emilia.

Emilia shouted backwards at Polli,

"I'm not sure what you are doing but whatever it is, do it quick!" The young Lady Emilia urged the woman.

If Polli's intent was to get them all killed, she was doing a great job so far.
Emilia Delamoire (Dame of Pel Mark)
Letter from Saoirse MacArbin
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Luto, I have no quarrel with any being here in Keffa at this time, so long as they respect that this is, foremost, a rite of the Heralds of Obeah.
Saoirse MacArbin (Grandmistress of Obia'Syela, Duchess of Amen Obeah)
Roleplay from Gustav Kuriga
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
The Guard of the Golden Feather would begin their march on the city, attempting to breach it or find a way in, in an attempt to stop all the rituals and destroy the portal stones currently in use. They are outnumbered, but will fight with a zealotry of men who die to destroy a threat to the entire continent.
Gustav Kuriga (Ambassador of Vordul Sanguinis)
Roleplay from Viviane
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Viviane nodded to Valian, "Yes, that is where the column emanates from, that is where I must go. I would appreciate your continued protection."

A turtle sauntered down the road.

Hearing conflict in the square, Viviane yet again retreated to shelter with Elizabeth, this time finding a coffeehouse down the road in which to wait out the hostilities. Even so, animals that had followed Viviane from Ossmat, Mekoter, and Zwering mingled around Viviane, inside and outside the coffeehouse.
Viviane (Adventurer)
Letter from Training Match
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Valian Stone Daubeny, Knight of Ossmat meets his challenger Yxevarii Auru'in, Grand Inquisitor of Obia'Syela, Royal of Obia'Syela, Margravine of Ossmat, Priestess of Heralds of Obeah for the agreed training match.

Both participants are using the 'defensive' strategy, so that neither has an advantage.

After a series of blows, Valian Stone wins the training match.
Training Match (Event)
Letter from Fiorina Margaretener
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
The former Steward of Wudenkin and Marshal of the Golden Southern Legion ordered her handful of guards to take aim on the one-armed historian only, her former Liege. She held no grudge against him, even liked the man, but for the sake of the current hour it was her arrow that wounded the Disciple of Xlair Silverblade.
Fiorina Margaretener (Dame of Zwering)
Roleplay from Jecht Tideweaver
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Several scores of heavily armed soldiers from the Shattered Vales now protect the square where Emperor Jecht and Dolores are performing their ritual. This includes the Emperor's personal royal guard. None but Dolores' procession, adventurers, soldiers, and nobles of Obia'Syela, and the Shattered Vales are being permitted access. Those who did not fall into one of these categories have been escorted away from the square.
Jecht Tideweaver (Emperor of Shattered Vales)
Roleplay from Valian Stone Daubeny
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Valian had reached the Vordulian soldiers, he and his men were close they formed shields around their commander, forcing the rioting peasants back “Lady Emilia, stop this madness, surrender the blasphemer or me and my men will attack.”

Valian did not get a response before armed men rushed into the square swinging wildly, Valian turned his men and they rushed to hold thee new foes back.

Elizabeth had hidden in the old coffeehouse with Vivian, she could feel it, the fighting, the magic, all of it, conflicting tunes that turned melody to cacophony and she began to cry, she felt something in her veins burn, like the hot metal that left her left arm scarred from her first wound.

She didn’t notice that her eyes were no longer the teal they were before but shining golden orbs, her sobs echoed as if another voice cried within her.

Without warning golden energy arced from Elizabeth’s back, reaching out like lightning, striking glass and animal, a bolt brushed against Vivian.

Elizabeth felt it all swirling in her, the cacophony, the chaos, it hurt her head and heart, her soul wretched in pain and she screamed.

The scream was loud, it cracked and in some cases broke the glass in the coffeehouse, even to those outside the coffeehouse and even in the temple square itself could feel the shockwave of energy that resonated from the girl.

Elizabeth shook on her feet as the energy stopped spewing from her, she stumbled and then fell towards the floor, blacking out.
Valian Stone Daubeny (Knight of Ossmat)
Roleplay from Yao Ling Pryde
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
"I will always be ready to fight the Daimons," Yao Ling said with a smile.

Then a procession of cats crossed in front of her and she turned to follow, intent of where they intended to lead her.

And what exactly the voices from the light were saying.
Yao Ling Pryde (Sophos of Nothoi)
Roleplay from Saoirse MacArbin
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Saoirse had been spending her time deep in the temple, where the ritual had taken place. Pacing, going through her sword forms, anything to occupy her body so her mind was free to think. Her troops had been patrolling the city, and Tayla had been reading her correspondence to her in between her meditations, but for the most part she had been trying to understand what was happening. And, unfortunately, failing.

So when she received word that the army of the Vales was arriving, and Jecht wanted to meet, she gave word to bring him to the temple happily. Some good news was a welcome distraction, and maybe Jecht had more information to help untangle all of this.

She grinned at his approach, and gave him a quick embrace, rapping her knuckles on the back of his armour before taking a step back.

"Fruit indeed! And it is good to see you, and the rest of your people. I think we will need all of them before this is over, one way or another."

Her grin turned wicked.

"And I would hope that it had to be resized! There are a few differences between how armour fits us, which I think we should explore this evening once you have settled in."

She held his eyes confidently. Soon, they would both have many and urgent duties to attend to, but for now...They might well die in the days ahead, and she would seize this moment.
Saoirse MacArbin (Grandmistress of Obia'Syela, Duchess of Amen Obeah)
Roleplay from Yao Ling Pryde
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Yao Ling had lost track of the penguins when the light from the tower turned black. But the polar bear walking down the street had been impossible to miss.

The voices emanating from the light had whispered louder at that moment, and Yao Ling followed the creature as it meandered through the market square.

She eventually ran into the new arrival Luto, who always seemed to know more about what was going on than was proper.

Luto leaned in and said, "Sophos Yao Ling Pryde,

"We must decide. Are we to begin the ritualistic work to welcome It to Nothoi or are we to kill the Others to stop them from completing the rituals before we have done so? We need at least Two Others alive to complete the rituals.

"For Nothoi."

Yao Ling cocked her head to the side and examined Luto for a long time. "What is It? Who are the Others? And why should we kill anyone here?"

She waved her hand at the polar bear who had stopped to eat some food someone had left. "Even the wild animals are friendly. Surely that means nothing but goodness and light comes from this event, yes?"
Yao Ling Pryde (Sophos of Nothoi)
Roleplay from Rosko Nabarl
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
It wasn’t exactly hard to see the towering pillar of light, so Rosko and his troops had just kept heading towards is, small groups running off ahead to check on the easiest route.

Arriving where there was a lot of commotion, and apparently some rituals and such, a bit of a battle, some shouting, Rosko assumed this must be where everyone was gathering, and had his men at ease, but ready to go.

A group came along to try to escort them away from the area, to which the soldiers snapped to attention as Rosko sent them on their way. He would not be leaving here now, he was here to see what was going on, and destroy and daemons if they appeared.
Rosko Nabarl (Margrave of Vatrona)
Roleplay from Yao Ling Pryde
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Yao Ling stopped when the wild stag looked at her. It turned towards the temple of Daishi that still stood in the center of the city and began to plod that way.

Yao Ling followed as the voices from the light seemed to grow stronger for a moment. Then they faded away as the local soldiers began to escort people out of the square.

Yao Ling moved closer to the stag and it walked straight into the temple complex without deviating in any direction. Only when they were inside the walls did the stag stop and turn to look at her once more. Its expression was expectant.

Yao Ling turned her head to see the Obian soldiers clearing the square and waved one of the temple acolytes over.

"Please get this fine fellow some food," she ordered. "He has done me a great service today."

Then she walked up onto the walls to see what she could see.
Yao Ling Pryde (Sophos of Nothoi)
Roleplay from Godfrey Greybrook
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Losing himself in the fevour, Godfrey fell onto both knees and placed the Goblet, now filled with blood. Then, taking a scroll out of his satchel and rolling it out before him, the Prophet began to cite his sermons, hoping the sworn would hear him and that that while the portal was made from Heraldic energies, the true champion of humanity would use it to shape the future of all whom occupied the city of Keffa, the unholy birthplace of Obeah, for the better.
Godfrey Greybrook (Ambassador of Vordul Sanguinis, Priest of Vordulism)
Roleplay from Emilia Delamoire
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Emilia was hard pressed as the wave of Obian soldiers and peasants rushed her units as they attempted to protect Polli and her ritual.

The sound in the vicinity went from a dull roar to a cacophony of unrest as battle rung out in full force.

Disadvantaged due to her short height, Lady Emilia couldn't see anything, but drew a short sword and looked out in a panic.

"EMILIA! They are attacking!" Yelled Captain Brictilda.

Emilia, seeing only the peasants throwing stones and anything they can find at her troops while the Obian troops pressed forward with shields.

"I can see that!" She responded loudly.

"NO, Lord Gustav us Attacking!!!" Brictilda yelled back, thrusting out her shield and deflecting an arrow that sailed toward Emilia.

"WHAT!?!" She screamed back in response, clearly surprised at the unexp ected action from the sponsor of the Golden Southern Legion.

From that moment on, things became complete chaos. The young noble woman knew that those defending the city from Lord Gustav would soon not discern the difference between the rogue Lord Gustav and her troops.

"POLLI! DO WHATEVER IT IS YOU NEED TO DO AND DO IT NOW!" Emilia shouted as she half ran half crawled through the mayhem to kneel on the ground next to Polli and her ritualistic drawing.
Emilia Delamoire (Dame of Pel Mark)
Roleplay from Aelanta Peregrine
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
This one house overlooking the market square seemed somewhat out of place here. It had heavily reinforced walls, windows fortified with thick iron bars. It's only door was a square chunk of metal, size-wise best fit for a dwarf. It looked like a disguised fortress and it sure was one.

Aelanta remembered very well how this old manor was turned into a mini-citadel. It was her uncle's project, back when he served Eldest Wilhelm of Grehkia and they resided in Keffa. He always expected a dagger in his back, her uncle. And he eventually got it, but not in a manner that he could have protected himself from. Such is the irony of life.

Aelanta was looking out of the third floor's barred window as the ruckus in the streets was getting more intense. First nobles clashed and now the peasants showed up with improvised weapons. There will be blood soon. Was it a part of the ritual? She looked up, over the roofs, and immediately saw the pillar of light connecting the sky with the local temple. It was absolutely terrifying.

"I am scared, my lady," Petra, one of her amazons, blurted out, as if having read her lady's own thoughts. Aelanta turned around and eyed the three women from her retinue who were present in the room. Young Petra and Helena were on duty, guarding their lady's chambers. Septinia, her captain, has just returned from a patrol bearing the news: Rogue, Aelanta's own wildcat, still was nowhere to be found. Truth be told, one of the main reasons Aelanta was here was to find Rogue, who ran away along with countless other beasts following the pipers to Keffa. Septinia also brought in fresh correspondence.

"It seems that we have a choice before us on whether to work together to see the ritual through, or to turn on each other in a bloodbath to stop it." Aelanta read aloud. Her skin crawled when she reached the word "bloodbath". When she raised her eyes from the letter, she noticed that all three other women were looking out of the window. Their eyes reflected various emotions, ranging from fear to anger.

"I think it calls my name," said Petra, her gaze transfixed on the pillar of light. Her voice sounded almost desperate. "It also says something I can't quite get. But in my dreams I can remember it all and it scares me so much I wake up. And then I immediately forget it again."

"It says I will die here." Helena added in her husky voice.

Aelanta shivered and looked out of the window once more. The mob was still in motion, like a stormy sea. It moved according to some secret patterns, it seemed. Each man and each woman were like chess pieces on a board. Being positioned carefully by powers that be to start the good old game where only one colour wins in the end.
Aelanta Peregrine (Dame of Firbalt)
Roleplay from Phelan Dragonborn
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Phelan had watched from a doorway in amusement as a beautiful woman, he found out later it was Yao Ling Pryde, collected, fed, and even followed the many creatures who had been drawn to Keffa. Being a humble commoner, he would never approach her. He looked around and saw many nobles from many realms. He of course knew Emperor Jecht of the Vales. The Emperor had been speaking to Grand Mistress Saoirse. Yxevarii looked to be having a good time, though her bottle was running dry. Phelan watched it all and pondered the pipers all of which were asking if their lords wanted to selfishly keep "It" solely for their own realms by killing all the rest or if they were inclined to work together and share whatever "It" was. He hoped this gathering of almost all the realms of BT which had the feel of a carnival or a baudy celebration would turn into the bloodiest battle this island had ever seen,
Phelan Dragonborn (Commoner of Shattered Vales)
Roleplay from Antonia Fitz Roberts
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
Antonia had been enjoying a few quiet days in the parlour of her estate, drinking wine and playing cards with her companions, Jessica curled up at her feet. She had left the balcony doors open behind her and her ladies occasionally flinched at the sounds of whatever was occurring outside.

"My lady, should we not..." Rosie had asked more than once, but had been silenced for the third time by Antonia holding up her hand and saying 'Eponine, I'll raise you 40 gold and this tiara'

In the end Rosie had given up. Afterall, her mistress deserved a rest, she had spent the last month and a half traipsing all across the realm inspecting granaries and mills, discussing theology with minor prelates and addressing large crowds of commoners, convincing them to come under the guidance of the one true Faith. The beating she had received at the hand of Daishi followers had hurt her pride more than her body, although the broken clavicle was still very sore. Rosie knew that Antonia had been tempted to raise the banners once again and conduct a personal crusade against the unfaithful. Why she had not was anyone's guess

It had been many days since all this mess in Keffa had started and Antonia had not looked out of the window once. At that moment, however, a messenger boy was shown into the room and coughed to try and get Antonia's attention. Antonia looked up, curious. The boy was clearly not a member of her own household, for one thing he was male and for another his livery was frankly ghastly.

"What is it?" she asked, pouring another glass of wine, before thinking better of it and downing the bottle.

"erm, we have reports that the Grand Inquisitor could use your assistance" the boy stammered

Antonia smiled sweetly at that "well, surely then she can have her little pet heretic deal with the crisis" "erm, m'lady, I don't think that Valian is technically a hereti.....ouch!!!" the boy yelped, having had an ashtray flung at his face. He began sobbing at the blood ran down his nose onto his livery.

"Relax boy, a broken nose will do much to improve your visage and that livery was already ruined before you had blood on it" she turned to Rosie "I am going to go and see what all the fuss is about, it's been very loud. Quite inconsiderate, when you think about it, trying to have a relaxing bath with all those flashing lights, height of rudeness. Never wanted anything to do with this blasted thing in the first place, but I guess even the grand prissy prude needs a hand sometimes for one 'so crude and vile' as me. Fetch me a bottle, I'm going out"

"Shouldn't some of us go with you?" Rosie asked, "there's rioting in the streets, some say, and..."

"I am quite capable of protecting myself, besides Jessica is coming with me" she glanced down at her food stained priestly vestments and looked over to the two stands in the corner. One held a second set of robes, carefully cleaned by the household servants. The other bore the weight of her scarlet armour, the snarling fox mask glaring at her. No need for any of that, and certainly no point changing. Riots were messy affairs and blood went rather well with curry. "See you in a jiffy, do wait up, I want to finish the game later. Actually sod it, pack away, Eponine is cleaning me out"

She clicked her fingers for the cat to follow her, picked up from a bowl what she thought was an apple, spat it out and cursed Vahannian for leaving yet another onion in her fruit bowl. Grabbing an actual apple, she swiftly went down the stairs, across her well-maintained courtyard and out the side gate. She strolled along the canal, gazing in curiosity at all the hub bub going on around her.

"Oh do piss off" she said absentmindedly as a man sidled up to her, pushing him into the canal. "Not as good as Rines" she muttered, "look, it's nowhere near deep up enough, he's cracked his head on the bottom. He'll drown now, isn't that a shame Jessy?" She sauntered off down the street, biting into her apple and humming a merry tune before switching into a bawdy song that made some merchant's wives blush

She pushed her way through the Vales soldiers, vaguely wandering what the hell they were doing here. Some tried to stop her, but seeing the cat and the dagger in her belt, plus the look in her eyes, they obviously thought better of it. At last, she found Yxevarii. Tapping her on the shoulder, she remarked casually, as if talking about the delightful weather we'd been having

"I understand there's a spot of bother you need a little hand with?"
Antonia Fitz Roberts (Grand Chancellor of Obia'Syela, Dame of Keffa, Priestess of Obeah)
Roleplay from Kristina Chamberlain
Message sent to Everyone in Keffa
She hadn't truly recovered from the ritual to create the pillar as yet... containing the magics had taken an effort of will that was far beyond what she thought was possible, now guests of the Kingdom sought to denature and destabilise it... she could not allow it to happen.

She had spent the days in prayer, praying for strength, praying for the edges of the Goddess power to protect her work. Even sleep had been no respite as the pillar called to her, literally pulling her toward it. She woke unrested and tired in the depths of her soul.... now there were constant reports from the faithful of blood magic being practiced in the Holy city, daimonologists plying their crafts...

She felt the void in her soul like a gnawing hunger, while at the same time feeling nauseated. It had taken a huge effort even to light the braziers at Ossmat and now she trembled on the verge of exhausted tears. The temptation to pull from the pillar was there, but so was the potential for the pillar to pull back and consume her.

Pulling back the veil she shooed the inquisitors as she mounted the stairs and pulled herself up to the balcony at the crest of the Temple, she had preached to the masses from here on many occasions reaching the ears and minds of thousands at a time.... never though had the square thronged with so many crammed and teeming through the marketplace.

Despite her protests a pair of Inquisitors appeared at her sides eyes vigilant looking for threats... gripping the balustrade she accepted the wave of blinding pain as she allowed her eyes to truly see... the faith was awash, vibrant and shimmering as an ever expanding bubble across the city... then she saw it, her ears tuning until she could hear the husky invocations of the Vordulist. She had never thought of blood magic as a reality, but she could see the creeping stain of his invocation rising and seeping toward the pillar. Invoking the Goddess she pulled on the thread if his words and intent, feeling the spell as she pictured it being wrapped around a spindle.

The bitter taste of his magics filled her mouth and she tried with limited success to change its nature to the primal energy that she herself was so lacking. It writhed within her unnaturally and she sought its release almost as quickly as she had absorbed its potency. Her eyes normally the golden hue of the Obean workings, were streaked the crimson of the blood priests as she extended her will to the east, a spiritual self shutting and barring the doors of the temple, magically sealing them.

His magic made her feverish, shaking with its casting and the need to evacuate it from herself.

But she needed more, there were pockets of alien workings across the square and the market place and she pulled on them all, feeling their alien quality like the whispers one would hear in the woods or in an unfamiliar house.

The pressure was much but she could not be allowed to fail. Slamming the doors of the northern corridor left her barely standing. Then she saw it, a flare of golden energy from one of the coffee houses near to the Temple, distraught she could feel the child's soul howl as Obeah used her as conduit, and Kristina once more set to harnessing the primal fire. It entered her outstretched hand and she felt with satisfaction, as the child went limp, sleeping a restorative sleep... the burn of the fire quickly devoured the alien magics, once again lighting her eyes golden. The air felt cool around her and as the pressure dropped she could see the play of golden lightning arcing between fingers and along her hair. How the child had held so much energy she would never know, more than fifty years of training and she could barely restrain the power as it surged and discharged in its tiny arcs.

As the burning fires both fed and devoured her she imagined once again how it would be to enter the column of light...
Kristina Chamberlain