25th of Summer, 511 AV
19th Bell
19th Bell
For all it's perilous notoriety, Kaie would admit, the Sea of Grass was utterly enchanting. Sunlight danced playfully along the edges of overgrown plant life and across the surface of local geysers, whose gaping maws routinely spat their steamy mists skyward. The hypnotic hiss of towering grasses lulled the vast plains throughout the day, their spines bent over one another in the summer breeze. Yet now it was time for Syna's vibrant descent, streaking warm accents across the sky in beautiful defiance, the day star glowing bright as the golden center of an egg. With every passing chime, the shadows stretched themselves and awoke from a long slumber. It wouldn't be long before they all melted into one giant entity to dominate the world in the absence of the Goddess of the Sun. The darkness would be broken only by Leth's limited control. The era of the several bells marking their reign would dissipate with the rise of sun once more. Until then, the weary travelers would enjoy what light they could still squeeze from the world.
Four Drykas, all clearly displaying their Windmarks, sat before a small fire in the center of their gathering. Across from them were the obvious foreigners. Two Myrians, a father and his teenage daughter of fifteen. They might as well have manifested themselves straight from any of the stories that the horsemen had ever heard of Falyndar's inhabitants. The savages shamelessly wore nothing more than simple leather vests and loincloths. Their weapons were displayed as openly and proudly as the Drykas did their Striders. It had been yet another long day of travel on horseback through the dangerous Cyphrus plains.
Upon the young Myrian woman, Kaie, the Sea of Grass never lost its mysterious luster. More than once that day did she dare to lag toward the back of the group, amber eyes staring into the spaces between tall stalks, as if her gaze alone could reveal the secrets the grasslands held. Most of the time she'd just stop for a tick, let her imagination run wild with what beast could possibly prowl just out of sight. The men they rode with were unfamiliar to her, the four Drykas. One was an old friend of her father's they met in Riverfall. The rest seemed to join their journey as they moved along, occasionally losing the new additions along the way. For the most part they seemed alright. Then again, Kaie would never know. Neither Grassland sign nor Pavi was something she was well versed in. Luckily, her father had taken it upon himself to learn a thing or two of the language some time ago. Only one of them was often left completely in the dark.
A blanket of darkness began to cover the Sea of Grass soon enough. Without competition, the light of their fire was almost too bright for Kaie's eyes. Already was her skin becoming blistered by the heat of the flames. The plains were still very much alive in the night in ways not so different from the jungle. Insects sang their nightly hymn, the grass rustling so deceptively in a way that made one curious whether it was an animal or just the wind that spurred the sound. For the most part, the travelers were quiet. A bit of Pavi was exchanged but it seemed just about everyone was spent. But the young Myrian woman was not. Instead her mind was swimming in the past. Perhaps it was the way the darkness enveloped her that brought on recent memories.
The deep echo of the purple Akalak's voice in Riverfall returned to her just then. She recounted her visit to the Night Tower, the day she had sought further understanding of the elusive Mistress of the Night. Despite the ambiguous nature of the information passed on, she had been enlightened. Perhaps pleasing Akajia wasn't so much of an enigma as she had once thought. His advice was simple. It was strange she hadn't thought to truly employ it until then.
"Pray to my mother and ask her guidance, if she finds you worthy she will speak to you. If you understand her secretive ways then I'm sure that she will find you worthy."
"Kaie? Where are you going?"
"I've gotta, you know, go," She excused quickly, replying back in their native Myrian tongue as she rose unannounced from the fireside.
"Kaie..."
"Relax. I'll be right back," She replied, this time with a soft grin of reassurance. His face was stern, lips already parting as if to object. However, she did lift her spear as she returned to her feet like a silent reminder she wasn't completely helpless. Keritan was no fool. He understood the true nature of Cyphrus and was not keen on her going anywhere alone, especially in the dark. "Father, what are you gonna do? Watch me pee? I promise, I'll be right back."
True to her word, she didn't stray too far. Just enough to be out of earshot and left to her own thoughts. A place just disconnected enough where she could focus. Slowly, she lowered herself to her knees like the others in the temple had. With her palms resting on her thighs and eyes closed, she concentrated on exactly what she wanted to say. Granted, she had spoken in prayer to the Goddess almost daily. Yet somehow, she felt this time was different. It would be more...Intimate. Perhaps enough to get the Goddess's attention. Just enough to grant her some mercy in the dark maybe.
"Goddess of Shadow, Mistress of Night, I call to you in the dark on this night to seek your council. I have been to your temple in Riverfall and spoken with your sons. I know I am not one of your children as Myri is my mother, but I ask you to see me through the darkness all mortals walk. Teach me your ways so I may honor you as you deserve to be honored. Show me a sign, any clue to what you demand of me. I'll see to it that it is done. I am young but my mind is strong in ways my body is not. Still, you know what I am capable of. If the day ever comes, I swear it will be your secrets I will keep."
