| SILENT CRIES Dramatis Personae The Sun Elves Areaal Silverleaf, Queen of the Sun Elf Nations Calliope Mehnrah, High Illumin of Solaris Garrett Dessent, Dark Elven Divine Seeker and Gallant (High Illumin�s defender) Diedrick Llilethias, Solus of Solaris Eran Illidis, Inquisitor of Solaris, Guardian of the Pilgrimage Cant Enyyale, a Scribe of Solaris Esmen� Wesnel, a Scribe of Solaris Others Serenity, a prostitute First Creed By Corrigan Faith, faith can be founded in anything. There are those that can find faith in themselves, in others around them; friends, loved ones. Conversely, some demand a symbol, a figurehead. Without that mere trinket of faith, representing whatever power that may be, they are lost. Without that figurehead, they are without faith. Faith, faith can be broken too easily. Yet we pursue it anyways, clinging to our faith in faith. excerpt from Of Gods and Mortals Darius Ethwellyn �There is nothing.� A collective sigh of all gathered. Not of relief, or pleasure, or boredom, but a sigh of defeat. There was nothing. Tired from her exertions, High Illumin Calliope Mehnrah rubbed her pale amber eyes. �High Illumin, allow me.� Garrett was at her side, his muscular arms raising her light, lithe frame from the cold, cream tiles. They were arrayed, with accenting colours of orange and golden yellow, in a circular fashion on the round room�s floor, framing a large sun in the centre of the outer ring. A simple, sterile alter of white marble occupied the centre before the white-clad High Illumin. A bowl full of rose petals occupied its flat top. Six columns, spaced equidistant of creamy marble, held aloft the high domed ceiling of glass. Sunlight poured in through to the chamber, casting an ethereal glow upon the collected mass� white robes. The entire ceremony had held a certain angelic beauty to it, though the High Illumin had been too involved to notice. Even now, as Garrett, an almost exact opposite with his dark skin, white tightly braided hair and armoured for battle � the pale white colour of their attire being all they shared in common � escorted her from the chamber, she failed to notice. �I cannot hear Him, Garrett,� she said at last after they were well away from the circular chamber. The man was a Divine Seeker and her Gallant, the sworn protector of the High Illumin. Also, much against common practice, a Dark Elf. In the past, a majority of the Gallants had been Sun Elven, Avari or Dar�Avari. However, Calliope had been much appeased by the loyalty and devotion the young Dark Elf had avowed and proven to her time and again, proving her right in her decision. Furthermore, with blade in hand, he was a warrior not easily trifled with. �Worry not, High Illumin; He will hear our prayers soon enough. They are not lost to us.� Sighing wearily, Calliope nodded, hoping her defender to be correct in his assertions. It had been a long time since any priest of any following had heard from their God, and Solaris was no different in replying to her prayers. As High Illumin, Calliope was nominated the highest power in the eyes of her fellow First Born followers in communicating with their deity. For months now she had done little more with her days but spend them in silence and solitude, save Garrett, and prayed, calling out to Father Light in hopes that He would once more grace them with His presence. But, for months, He had not answered. �You are right, though, dear Garrett. I cannot lose hope.� Indeed, I am the strength of my brothers and sisters. I cannot fail them. As if in answer to her thoughts, �You give us all hope that there will be answer, High Illumin.� �I hope you are right, my dear Gallant.� She finally felt recovered enough to stand her own. �Garrett, if you will.� �Of course, High Illumin.� He removed himself, striding now at her side, stalwart, powerful and upright, white eyes ever roving. They walked in silence for a while then, though the covered marble bridge that spanned a gap between the Dome of Sol and the main construct of the High Temple of Light. A waterfall cascaded thunderously below, dividing the shore from the jutting spire of rock upon which rested the domed-ceiling house of prayer, around which the falls flowed. The bridge offered a breathtaking view of the surrounding forests, despite it only cresting from the canopy by mere feet � it was often here the High Illumin came for moments of silent reflection. �High Illumin!� A bright, though frantic, voice greeted the pair as they entered the High Temple. Cant ran towards them, robes billowing about him. �Anything?� He had not participated in the ceremony, being one of the several new initiates, though he showed much promise. The High Illumin shook her head, once again feeling a part of herself break as she, yet again, watched the flames of hope die out in the young Sun Elf�s eyes. �Soon, I feel,� she lied, in hopes of reconciliation. There was at least a flicker. �Of course, High Illumin. I will return to my duties and inform the others.� And he was off. �There is much zeal in him, High Illumin,� observed Garrett, �I would very much like to train him in the ways of the Divine Seeker.� �Perhaps someday, Garrett. That is, however, a choice for him to make,� replied the woman, looking on after the young lad. She brushed blonde hair from her face before they continued on. �Of course, yes, High Illumin. Merely musings,� offered her Gallant in apology. She smiled. �No worries, dear Garrett. I feel you are accurate I your observations. He would be an apt pupil, were he to chose your path.� Smiling, Garrett nodded. They continued through the pristine halls, simple, yet ornate in spots, passing scribes on occasion. On every face she saw, though, the High Illumin read confusion. They were lost in their faith without Lady or Lord to guide them. It saddened her, for she wished there was more for her to do. �You do all you can, High Illumin,� spoke Garrett, again seeming to penetrate her dour mind. �Ever observant, my Gallant.� She sighed, heavily. �I suppose I have�� They arrived at her bedchamber. �I will have your meal sent to you promptly, High Illumin,� said the Gallant, bowing slightly, hands splayed to each side, palms upward, at waist level as he did so in proper fashion. �My thanks, Garrett.� The High Illumin then left the corridor, hearing her Gallant�s heavy footsteps stalk off with purpose. Second Creed By Corrigan At some point in your life, you stop and look down at your hands, hardened with work, or softened with the turning of pages, and wonder: 'Is there something more out there for me?' That�s usually when I go back to work, telling myself not to be such a dough head. ~ Eryk Calous, fisherman Musty pages crowded between leather-bound covers. Rows upon rows, shelves upon shelves, climbing ever higher within the high halls of the library archives. Recent history of the world always found its way into the annals of Elldwin�s library. The great, wide structure held more books than any other library on Illcara, housing all of history since Elvenkind were able to write. Its majesty never ceased to amaze the High Illumin as sunlight poured down in sharp, angular beams through broad windows near the vaulted ceiling. The half-circle patterns glowed at even intervals along the main thoroughfare of the library lobby. Striding through beam after beam, bathing in the momentary warmth, Calliope�s soft steps drew her to the far reaches of the library�s easternmost wing. Garrett�s heavier steps followed in her wake, though allowed her the distance she needed for reflection; years of his service had taught when to be near and when to be far. Her soft fingers brushed over the spines of various books as she gazed up the tower shelves. What are you after, Calliope? She stopped, hand resting lightly upon a possible find. �Of Gods and Mortals�� Let�s see, shall we? Taking the book, she continued to peruse. The babble of the stream that flowed through the High Temple�s gardens to join the river Emaylaya and pass over the falls was lulling to the young Sun Elf. He stood perched amongst the branches of a large willow tree that wept its leaves into the crystal waters. Cant often found himself in the embrace of the old tree, whether studying or simply enjoying the peace of mind, or entertaining thoughts of- Out there� The young Elf was musing, staring out across the vast forest In�add, squinting against the setting sun. In truth, as devout as Cant was to his Lord Solaris, the young scribe longed for adventure. Pristine walls and dusty bookshelves held scant chances of battling dragons or visiting distant dungeons wreathed in flame, or even the chance meeting with exotic women of- �Cant!� His thought process shattered. Looking down through the boughs, neck craning, he spied Esmen�. �Cant! Come down here!� she called up to him, as if she were a mother yelling to her children playing too late into the evening. �What do you want, Esmen�?� he yelled in response. The olive eyed girl had softer features than most Sun Elven woman�s, making her much more kindly when her warm smile opened up, alighting her cheeks and eyes. Now, however, her frown was mildly disconcerting. �You were supposed to meet me half a bell ago you dull-witted fool! We were to be studying! I knew I�d find you here, staring off into your silly daydreams�� the rest of her tirade dwindled as she continued to mutter to herself, though still looking to kill her male companion. Grinning sheepishly, Cant knew he�d not here the end of it as he clambered down from the willow�s heights. �Sorry, Esmen�,� he grunted as he neared the grass. She glowered at him as he hopped down and straightened. �Come on,� was all she said as she stalked off, her white robes tossing furiously about her. There would be no reasoning with her. �Pages upon pages, Garrett, and still nothing. No hint as to anything like this happening in the past, no glimmer of possible events leading up to it�� She remembered what it had felt like, when suddenly her prayers went unheard. It felt as though a void had opened in her, like something held only by a thread had been cut away, leaving a gaping hole that could not, would not be filled. The High Illumin had collapsed, then, into her Gallant�s arms. That emptiness still remained. �I know not what to say, High Illumin,� offered Garrett from where he stood, several paces to her back and left. He had been standing there, alert, for the past nine bells while Calliope had scanned all the books collected before her. She often found herself shaking her head at his unwavering sense of duty, but had ever praised him for it. Garrett was a good man. �There is nothing to say, Garrett�� She leaned forward onto the table, head in the palms of her hands as she stared blankly down at the open book before her. �There is nothing�� �Does not any of this bother you?� chimed in Cant suddenly, breaking the silence studying had held over the pair. Esmen� glowered up at him, but asked just the same. �Does what bother me?� �The silence?� She considered him for a moment, but her features softened to a worried look; a solemn nod. �I just can�t stand sitting here, feeling as if there is nothing I can do to help, nothing I can do to rock the Gods from wherever they may be to answer our calls.� �Rash fool,� hissed Esmen�, �You cannot �rock the Gods.� You are but a mere mortal. You have no power over them, Cant, and never will.� �I know, Esmen�. But� If there was just something I could do to figure this all out, or maybe do something great and garner their attention-� �You dream delusions of grandeur, Cant. If they do not acknowledge the High Illumin in her prominence, what makes even consider they will you? Hmm?� the female Elf sighed heavily, looking at the book before her once more. �No more of this, there is studying to be done.� She did not look up at his response. �Yes� Studying�� Cant gazed out the nearby window over the sunset tainted horizon. |
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