Great Campsite - Southern Anacet Lakes
To one side (to the north, nearest the lake) of this huge open area are
tents, pavilions, cook fires, the signs of mass habitation. To the other
side (to the south, in the foothills of the mountains) is covered in piles
of rough woods, stone and the workers who are processing the materials into
usable materials for building.
The tents and pavilions are of every color possible, some simple, some more
elaborate. In the center of it all is the largest pavilion of them all,
colored in the Royal colors of blue and silver. Cirall's royal flags and
banners fly from poles and posts around it, signifying it as defenitely
hers. A pair of guards stand out front while others walk around it and the
rest of the campsite, keeping peace and order around here.
Aldani Dragons are coming and going, even the children are being busy
helping with little chores such as helping prepare foods, gathering small
suplies for hunters, bringing water to those who need it, etc. Most of the
adults are active over with the building materials, bringing them in from a
path that cuts deeply south into the mountains, working on them in the open
area somewhere, or taking finished materials back down the path to where
something big is being built. Materials, tools and workers are also coming
and going down the path to the main roads, probably to or from the other
cities and Forts of the Aldani. A large table setup between the living and
working areas is covered by dragons and mass paperwork, people overseeing
supplies to make sure they get done right and to where they need to go.
Draft animals pull the wagons of supplies around, their corral set up down
near the lake.
The different public-use tents are marked for what they're used as with
signs and banners hanging around and over the entrances. There's the main
Engineers' tent where the head engineers, Nigel and Kaymar, can be found at
some time or another, mulling over papers. The Healer's tent, run
efficiently by lady Kiira from Sithern, can see to almost any wound. The
Mess tent, where food can be found almost constantly, even throughout the
night for those dedicated to working on construction or general life here at
the Campsite. The Queen's personal tent can be found further into the 'sea
of tents', an open ring around it, guards on patrol constantly. The Supply
tent can be found next to the Engineers' tent, near the open area where the
wagon trains come rumbling in and out. Cargo from supply trains is brought
in and processed here as well as most of it stored until needed. A new tent
has been set up for the Temple folks since they have decided that they are
safer here than in Menari. It is between the Queen's tent and the lakeside.
Zetan emerges from Marius' tent to let her mind rest. Its a lot of information to absorb, but she makes it a point to learn as quickly as possible ... she doesn't want to strain the resources of the Aldani dragons when there seems to be an incredible amount of work needing to be done building the new town. She looks about ... somewhere, doubtlessly busy and worrying herself over her job, is the only other face besides Marius' that she knows. "Be well, Ashia," Zetan whispers to the wind.
Ashia is sitting on blanket not too far away, pouring over her notes yet again, every so ofter she waves a messenger over,hands them something, then sends them off again.
Vahn sits nearby his consort's side. He is playing a game of chess with Maerma, the daughter of Jonas, the Drigellan engineer.
Zetan doesn't see Ashia, but does notice a laborer struggling to haul a heavy stone up a wobbly ladder leading up a wall, probably to serve as a counterweight for something. Without thinking, she rushes over and holds the base of the ladder so it doesn't slide or wobble, making the laborer's ascent much steadier.
"Thanks," the laborer calls down as he carries it the rest of the way. "You are quite welcome," Zetan offers.
Ashia glances over at Vahn, and grins, "She's beating you again." she teases.
Vahn says, "She is very good."
Ashia nods, staring at a paper thoughtfully, her answer is rather absent, "Verry..."
Vahn says, "And I'm still new to Drigellan chess."
Ashia dosn't answer at all this time, and murmurs, "Thats strange."
Vahn remembers when Maerma made this board for him.
Zetan holds the ladder's base steady until the laborer safely gets to the top and climbs off onto the scaffolding and toward its destination. Zetan then turns around to head back toward Marius' tent, not wanting to wander too far for fear of getting lost among the bustling. She spots and recognizes Ashia, though, sitting on the blanket alongside another dragon ... with a different-looking crest. She has noticed, in fact, there seem to be two different kinds of crests and ponders .... male and female? Ashia is the High Priestess, so that makes her female ... hmmm ... curiously, Zetan looks around and spots a filled well used to draw water to keep the workers and the pack animals hydrated. She walks over to it and looks at her reflection ... oh me, she /is/ a she!
Ashia grumbles, and leans against Vahn, "Love, why do people always send me this stuff?" she shakes her head, "Its going to take months for me to straighten this out."
Vahn says, "Oh... what now love?"
Ashia says, "It looks like a scribe screwed up some of these notations. They don't match the descriptions."
Vahn says, "How so?"
Zetan pulls back ... well, its about as big of a shock as species transformation ... but at least already having had that shock had her somewhat prepared for more changes. She wanders back toward Marius' tent, but pauses as she gazes over toward Ashia. She wishes she could spend more time with the High Priestess, but probably a lot of Aldani do ... and she definitely deserves and needs her private time with her consort. Zetan absently gazes at them for several moments before catching herself doing so and tries to take in more of the scene to adapt herself better to her new surroundings.
A male dragon aproaches the High Priestess respectfully and softly clears his throat. "Ahem, High Priestess?"
Ashia shakes her head, and gathers her notes together, "I need a break." she frowns at the voice, and looks up, "Can I help you?"
The dragon bows deeply at the waist. He wears robes of the school. He nods and says, "Yes, please. We have a new group of New Ones and Lord Marius thought it would be best if you, our High Priestess, could talk to them a little about our religion. You are the best one suitd to the task." He adds hurriedly, "If that is perfectly all right, my Lady."
Ashia nods, with a glance at Vahn, "I guess I could, how big a group is it?" she tries her best not to look upset, this is her job after all... "Oh nevermind, just bring them here. This is as good a place as any.... If you don't mind the company, Vahn?"
Zetan is called by Marius to the tent and does as requested to wait nearby. Vahn shakes his head, "Not at all. I love watching you work."
The male dragon bows again and walks over to the tent used temporarily by the school and calls out, "Will Zetan, Darilli and Ssringo please step forward?" Hopefully they are still within earshot as requested.
Zetan's head turns toward the voice ... Zetan ... she's still getting used to the name and steps toward it.
Ashia nods and hands her notes off to another messenger, "Put these in the temple tent, please."
The other two called also step forward and the male inclines his head towards all three. "Good, thank you for being prompt. The High Priestess has agreed to give her time to talk to you three about the religion of our society. If you will follow me please?" He then leads the group to where Ashia and Vahn sit. He bows deeply again to Ashia, "Many thanks, High Priestess. Send them back to the tent when you are finished speaking please."
The messenger takes Ashia's notes and dashes off to the Temple Tent without a further word.
Zetan smiles warmly at Ashia, but fearing breaking some unknown protocol, doesn't interject anything.
Ashia returns Zetan's smile, and gestures to the area before her, "Please sit, I'm not much for formality, so please, get comfortable.... and yell at me if I'm confusing you. I am High Priestess Ashia." she nods to Vahn, beside her, "This is my consort Vahn, and his friend Maerma." she smiles, "May we have your names, please?"
Zetan sits as requested and, noting the others whom she guesses haven't had the pleasure of already meeting Ashia, volunteers first. "I go by Zetan now, Ash ... High Priestess," she smiles.
Ssringo shuffles his orange feet and looks at the ground when asked to sit. He then just flops down where he sits. He yelps as he accidently sits on the end of a wingtip, causing him to roll over onto his belly. Defenitely not someone used to wings. Darilli, a yellow female, mimics the one in robes and bows deeply. She says in a quiet voice, "I am Darilli." She looks over at Ssringo and says, "My friend here is Ssringo."
Ssringo loks up sheepishly from the ground and waves weakly. With Darilli's help, he sits upright properly. She sits down with more grace and eloquence than her friend. Both look at Ashia with eager, learning eyes.
Ashia makes a sort of half bow, "Greetings, and welcome." she pauses, considering things, "Do you have any questions before we start?"
Vahn fades to the background, as it were, and listens to his consort teach the New Ones.
Zetan has lots of questions, of course, but can't seem to filter out the ones in her mind related to the religion. She has her wings tucked neatly .. . it isn't that much of a trick for someone used to packing backpacks tightly and efficiently for rugged hiking in the outdoors ... just a lot more sensory in that these 'backpacks' have nerves and she can feel every ounce of strain in them.
Darilli thinks and then decides on the one most promiminent in her mind, "Do you worship actual gods, or elemental forces, as I've noticed?" Ssringo is just shy and still a little embarrased about sitting on himself, so he stays quiet.
Ashia tilts her head, "Acually a little of both." she chuckles, "Actual gods, each one represents an elemental force: Terra for earth, Aeris for air, Flamma for fire, Aqua for water, and to balance them, Spiritus for spirit."
Zetan listens intently. She was not big on religions in her former life .... in fact, an atheist. However, a combination of not wanting to insult the society she's fallen into and is wholly dependent on, along with having experienced a rather significant event that defies any and all rational explanation entices her to pay close attention and to listen very closely.
Ssringo blurts out without thinking, "Do we get punished for not praying to these gods since we don't know them?" Darilli looks sharply at him and then gives up and looks at Ashia, also curiouus. She adds, "How heavily is this religion enforced? Being thrown into it from our previous lives and beliefs, it is hard to accept them at first. With time, hopefully we will come to enjoy them. But for now..." She leaves her sentence hanging to state her point.
Ashia shakes her head, "You won't be forced to believe anything here, though I would encourage you to. I'd think, the more you were forced, the more you would resist." she shrugs, "Take your time, explore."
Zetan listens closely to Ashia, absorbing the information. She ponders for a moment, then asks out of curiosity, "Do the Vehrakts have a religion to fuel their brutal bloodthirst I hear about?" Then feels a bit silly and stupid ... she's an Aldani priestess ... on our side ... the Vehrakt bloodlust she's heard mumbled about by some of the teachers and lecturers over the past several hours is something she wants to understand. She feels it as important to know and understand possible adversaries she faces as much as the society she's fallen into ... but perhaps she should have waited to see if the Aldani have anthropologists that might understand the Vehrakts and any other sentients she might run across.
Vahn chimes in, his experience with the Vehrakt helps. "The Vehrakt follow only once god, known as Viktiss. Not much is known about that religion, but all Lord Rhinn would say is that it is very barbaric and cruel. Worship is forced on their people." He puts an arm on Ashia's shoulders, "We are lucky that way, we give the option to follow, or go your own way."
Ashia's face becomes unreadable for a moment, and manages a sigh before Vahn chimes in. She smiles to him, and murmurs, "Thanks." then she offers, "I'm not the best person to ask."
Zetan glances at Vahn to try and size up the injury Ashia mentioned. She doesn't think it a far-fetched guess that he was injured in a fight with the Vehrakt, but doesn't want to intrude with such personal questions ... nor for that matter to reveal that he is grounded, something Ashia may have imparted to her as friendly privileged information. She begins to wonder about whether there is a religious connotation to the New Ones like herself, why they are brought here and, as she has heard, some to the Vehrakt and other realms. She remembers Ashia mentioning Marius would explain the how ... and though she hasn't yet reached that far in her studies, Zetan figures this may be her last opportunity to ask the why of it for awhile, and her mind is full of curiosity ... "Is there a belief as to why beings from distant, far-off worlds that are so very different are taken so suddenly from them and thrust into here?"
A calm, studious male voice answers that question from behind the 'students'. "It is still a small mystery as to the methods used by the Core to bring individuals from one life to a new one here in the spheres. Many are on the brink of death, some are in the prime of life. All that is known is that they are brought to us in the prime of draconic life with enough instincts to survive at first." The lavendar form of the Head Instructor steps into the circle and takes a seat just as casual amongst the New Ones. He continues, "It has been debated and argued over time and again as to these questions, dragons have even gone to ask in the Core, yet no one can find out. Most retain memories of their past lives, some are completely forgotten when they step through the portal for the first time. But all eventually fade away to dim memories and dreams as the new life you are starting takes precedence." He looks at everyone and asks, "I do hope that answers the question?"
Ashia hugs her knees against her chest as she listens, "Well put, Lord."
Maerma takes the chessboard and scampers off.
Zetan's eyes go to the speaker as he answers. Its a little ... disheveling ... to be thrown between worlds, one-way only, the world she was thrown from not even having even close to a foggy clue this is what happens to some people that are never heard nor seen from again and the world she was thrown at not having any idea how or why, either ... she does her best to weigh in her mind that there is nothing anyone could do about it and she had best transition to the new life as quickly as possible. She does feel blessed this society has become so tolerant to it, and hopes she can learn to be a productive member ... and not find herself loathing it as she did the society she was supposed to be a part of in her first life. "Have we New Ones been popping in all throughout your ... errr, our Aldani ... or even Tal history? Or just lately?"
The lavendar male dragon, Marius, nods and says, "For many a century, yes, there have been New Ones. It has only been recently that they are coming through in larger numbers. It used to be only one or two a ten-day, but now it is more frequently." He shrugs his shoulders, "All we can do is help our New Ones to understand and adapt to the new surroundings." He waves a hand towards Vahn and continues, "As Vahn here said, not everyone is as tolerant. The Vehrakt, for example, force their New Ones to adapt quickly or face unknown consequences."
Zetan nods and smiles toward the High Priestess. "I do feel blessed. I do not think the society I came from would be as friendly nor accomodating to strangers dropping in out of the blue ... members of that society hardly like or trust each other," she finally voices her praise.
Ashia nods, "Then again, we've grown used to such things, and devoloped ways of dealing with it." she shrugs, "We seem to have little choice in the matter. I don't believe in making enimies out of a potential friend."
Zetan smiles. "I hope all I meet are as accomodating as you, High Priestess," she says to Ashia. She turns to Marius and adds, "And I've never had as terrific a professor as yourself."
Marius nods and agrees with what Ashia says. "That is why we are here, to help you who are New to our world. I teach the ways to the New Ones and Lady Ashia here teaches us, both new and old." He looks up at the sky and comments, "Hmm, it looks as though the priests of Aeris have been busy, for it looks as if it will rain soon." The sky is getting a bit dark from clouds building up. Marius looks at his three students and says, "If you will follow me, we can continue your lessons and discussions in the scholarly tent?" He stands up, waiting for the three to stand up before moving on.
Darilli and Ssringo both stand up, Ssringo needing a bit of help still. They look over at Zetan and follow the Head Instructor when all are ready. Darilli bows deeply again to Ashia and Vahn. "Many thanks for sitting with us, High Priestess."
Zetan nods at Marius, but takes a moment to do her best execution of a bow of gratitude she's learned to Ashia. "Thank you for your patience and generosity, High Priestess." She follows the other students behind Marius toward the tent.
Ashia stands, bowing after the departing students, "You're welcome. Please return if you have more questions."