.There came a resounding crack of thunder loud and booming almost deafening in its intensity. Warriors were silenced in the middle of their war cries. Swords paused mid-swing. Brawlers stumbled and some fighters were thrown off their feet. Confusion fell upon the crowd of angry citizens. Another peal of thunder soon followed and with it came the flash of lightning striking at the sands of the beach. Men screamed in fear as the sands exploded into the air. A small crater was former where smoldered red hot sands and as the smoke cleared there stood a woman flanked by two hooded robed figures. One of these man had his hand stretched forward and it was obvious from where the lightning had come. Behind the woman soon filed a full contingent of Wave Guard, summoned to quell the fighting. The woman looked down upon the startled crowd. Her face was painted with sadness.
“
Is this what we have become?” Her voice was smooth and cultured, warm as the deserts of Eyktol. She carried herself with irrefutable confidence. Her bearing was that of a queen peering down upon her subjects. She was dressed in the finest of violet silks in garb that very well might have been suited for the desert. The lavender silk shawl that draped her shoulders was made all the more vibrant by the rich gold that adorned her neck and arms. Her midnight black hair fell down her well past even her waist. Amethyst jewels adorned several braids in her hair.
From among the crowd there were many gasps of astonishment. Several began lowering their gazes in shame. Some took to a knee bowing their heads in reverence. Whispers circulated.
“
The High Priestess….”
“
Her Holiness…”
“
Lady Selene…”
Selene of the Delving, High Priestess of Laviku in Zeltiva had the attention of all before her. From among the contingent of Wave Guard who began bearing down upon the crowd came three dark skinned men. At their head was a very concerned looking man, strong in his bearing. He bellowed, the baritone of his voice booming over the silent crowd.
“
Shikar!” The gathered Iyvess shifted and from among them arose the ebony warrioress. She held herself with pride but she bore a few wounds from the skirmish. The broad shouldered man hurried forward and upon reaching Shikar he pulled her quite firmly into his arms pressing his forehead to hers. The both of them seemed to draw comfort from one another and it became obvious that this man was the woman’s partner, her husband, the Chief of the Iyvess. Selene stepped forward spreading her arms wide.
“
Is this the enlightenment of our glorious city? To welcome our brothers and sisters of The Deep with hatred and bloodshed? Where is the pride of Zeltiva? Where is the Faith in our beloved Father? Lay down your weapons, Children.” Silence reverberated across the sands where only the lapping of the waves could be heard. The resounding thud of a sword hitting the sands drew the attention of many. A tired looking man trudged away from the sword that he dropped. He cast the Iyvess a blank stare for a moment before wandering away from the crowd. Selene watched him go.
“
Let it be known that on this day, the Iyvess stay in the sanctuary of Laviku’s Temple.” With that the High Priestess made her way through the crowd. The two robed figures remained a pace behind her but lingered close. She extended her hands to the two leaders of the Iyvess who nodded their heads to her. She returned the bow as she took their hands making it clear to all that the aquatic Dhani had the blessing of Zeltiva’s holiest figure. Quietly they began making their way along the beach away from the crowd.
The brutish man never pursued his attack on Saraphina. What fight there was in him seemed to fade with the arrival of the company of Wave Guard and the High Priestess. Yuri’s opponent stopped mid-assault just as their blades crashed together and though anger burned in his eyes the man didn’t seem stupid enough to pursue fighting with so many there to quell it. The Iyvess seemed to withdraw from the crowd gravitating toward their leaders and the High Priestess. Several of their warriors remained on the fringes of the grouping but little by little the Zeltivans seemed to be drifting away from the battle site. After a few moments the robed figures made their way through the crowd.
Ricky
The drunkard was pulled to his feet by two guardsmen who quickly made their way over the injured Sergeant. He glared at Ricky even as the guardsman’s comrades made their way over to support him.
“
You deserve nothing from me, traitor.” The drunkard spit at Ricky’s feet. There was naught but contempt in his expression as he glared at him. Whatever words might have been shared between them, Ricky would never know. The assailant was taken away into the custody of the other guardsmen.
“
Strong work, Sergeant.” As the other Wave Guards tended to the crowd a middle-aged man approached Ricky. Upon his uniform he wore the rank of Captain. His face was weathered with age and seemed almost leathery in appearance. The beard on his chin and mustache over his lips was salted with grey but his bearing was highly disciplined and militant.
“
We will take it from here. I would send you off to the Infirmary right away but Her Holiness, Lady Selene has asked to see the proud defenders of our city’s peace. Namely, those who came to the aide of the Iyvess.” He rendered a salute before nodding to Ricky in dismissal. If Ricky had questions or perhaps desired to make a report then now was the time.
Saraphina
As the crowd dwindled a blue robed man came to stand before the tiger Kelvic. His eyes studied her intently as if he were searching her for something. He maintained a respectable distance as if he were awaiting her to shift. Whether she did or not he spoke to her all the same.
“
Her Holiness, the Lady Selene of the Delving requests the honor of your presence.” The robed man gave a bow before unclasping the button of his robe. Beneath them was revealed a lean, strong physique tanned by the sun. He wore the leathers of a warrior. Upon his arms danced the beautiful blue waves of Laviku as he extended the robe to Saraphina. Beyond that he made no other move to encroach upon her personal space.
Yuri
As Yuri’s opponent left him another man approached. Dressed in blue robes the color of ocean waters he studied the young mercenary for a moment.
“
Her Holiness, Lady Selene of the Delving requests the honor of your presence, Sir.” He gave a slight bow as he gestured with a hand toward the grouping of Iyvess. The Dhani warriors seemed to be scanning the dwindling crowd suspiciously but most if not all of the aggression had faded. As he rose the blue robed man turned and began making his way back toward the Iyvess grouping whether Yuri followed him or not. It was evident that the choice was completely up to the young mercenary. He could either answer the polite summoning of the High Priestess or he could be on his way.