The Warning [Liminal and or Paragon]

[Cachet]

50th of Winter 511AV

They were sent, the message heavy and the consequences of not delivering it catastrophic. Three among them had shared the visions of V’nessi, they knew what was to come. This level of destruction had not been seen since the Valterian ripped the land apart. And now it was going to happen again. The gravity of the scroll cases they carried was immense. But the message was true; this would happen. So with the blessings of Avalis, Rak’keli and all their sisters back on the isle they left with great speed taking what little they needed relying on the kindness of those along the way for the rest.

It was a cold night with the not so odd site of a ship loaded down with Konti appeared in the harbor. But what was odd was the way they behaved. Usually Konti had not a care in the world, but these women operated with purpose and conviction of action. They had work to do, and that was putting it lightly in the least. The ship docked just as the sun began to set, the wonderful setting sun danced across their scales, all would know where they came from. The beautiful maidens from the White Isle, but they carried with them a heavy warning. People would die, the job of these messengers was to make sure these cities prepared for the worst. And the jobs of the healers accompanying them was to help with the impending fallout that was to come.

Fifteen Konti in all disembarked from the ship onto the dock. It was quite a sight surely there had to be something going on. Immediately when asked for any kind of name, verification or information one of the messengers would indeed speak with that all to known Konti charm. Her voice level and even while her eyes made for a very serious delivery of subject.

“We are here for one reason. Deliver news from V’nessi Champion of Avalis Seer of the White Isle to your governing body. It must be done so immediately. I and five others are staying here the others are traveling on immediately to their destinations. But I must first speak to whomever is head of this city.” The woman was directed to the Lord of Council’s Office immediately, it was not every day that a Konti came making such demands. Especially with such urgency behind her words.

The group of three made way through the city while the healers stayed behind and tended to the boat, there were always preparations to make for the journey ahead, and there was indeed a journey ahead here. It would be a long and strenuous one for the Konti. But they had sworn to V’nessi they would accomplish the task at hand. The three laid eyes on the large granite building and entered only after announcing themselves with a gentle knock. Surely the office would be closing here soon, nevertheless this information couldn’t wait until daybreak to be read. And the rest of the group would have to make haste because every hour mattered now.

The man behind the desk seemed to be writing down something, frowning and generally displeased with whatever was going on. Surely their news wouldn’t make things any better for him. The name plate read Tranaris Johnson who by the look of things seemed to be in his late fifty’s. He welcomed them asking what he could do to help them. Again the answer was simple.

“We must speak to the Lord of Council, V’nessi has sent us with an urgent message to her. She must be made aware of this news immediately.”

[Paragon]

Tranaris looked up from his notes and gawped. Before his very eyes, in swept three lithe Konti, their faces grave with severity. He glanced behind them, wondering if a few more of the white seers were going to pop up. He shuffled his papers and tried to grasp a little decorum back, listening to the pale haired woman's demands. V'Nessi? The Leader of the Konti he thought slowly... part of him wanted to stick to the rules and turn these women away from his office, but Lady Satterthwite would be just as angry if he rejected the possibility of important news. If the countenances of these three women were anything to go by, it was certainly major. He nodded gently at the woman at the front, "I'll go and get her, I'll only be a few moments." The three Konti stood impatiently, knowing no sooner had they left their message, they would need to leave and continue their travels. But their hearts were heavy with the thought they could not tell all of Mizahar in time. Only a minute or so later, Tranaris came back through the door, accompanied by a slim, tall woman, with dark hair held in long ringlets. She had a medallion around her neck, denoting her rank, yet she had always been renowned for her disinterest in Zeltivan affairs. It seemed that today she would finally have to get involved, with or without the Regents and Sailors. "V'Nessi sent you from Mura...? It is not often we hear from the White Isle," she asked quietly, watching the three women. "What news do you bring to our City?"

[Cachet]

“Lady Satterwhite, my apologies for intruding. But this news, it can’t wait.” The Konti all bowed some to show the appropriate amount of respect for this woman. But this air was quickly also dismissed as one of the women handed over an Isurian steel watertight element proof scroll case.

“We need to discuss this in private Lady.” The Konti said as she handed the scroll case over.

As the scroll left her hands it was like a visible burden was taken from her. That alone would hint at the gravity of the news the women carried with them. The scrollcase was ornately decorated and engraved. Set in the engravings were silver etchings of sights around Mura and sealed with a wax seal. The seal itself had a complex design. It had a seers eye set in the center of a lilly. There was no way the seal was fake, and if it was indeed original it had not been tampered with. She would wait to be in the company of only the Lady to speak.

“I wish our arrival could be heralded by news that was not of this nature Lady. However we come bearing a warning of what WILL come. V’nessi didn’t send this news lightly. But she has decided to take decisive action to help her allies.” She let the lady open the scrollcase before speaking again.

“Inside are the transcripts of what V’nessi has seen in her visions.” She would allow the woman time to read them if she decided to. She knew that these transcripts would indeed produce questions.

Storms ripping apart the lands transforming it into shadows of what it once was. Poisoning fields, killing everything that lives and transforming all that survives the onslaught. The land will go infertile unable to bear any fruits or support any life. Vibrant colors illuminating the sky, blinding those that look at it. Buildings crumble into the sea and the pawn becomes a king. The Kings will change the lands forever and the caged beast rattles his cage. The bars are near breaking. The storm ventures on nothing can stand in its path, nothing can stop it. For it is divine it its creation. It will start in the mountains, Windreach.

There was another page as well that was labeled for Lady Satterwhite.

Lady Satterwhite
I have enclosed the visions as it relates to Zeltiva. I hope you understand that I only enclosed the relevant information as it relates to you and yours.

An object of great power will expose itself from the waters, it’s nature still unknown to me and clad in mystery. But one thing is sure, it holds great magical value. Dangerous people will escape into the streets and food as you can imagine will be scarce. You will suffer great structural damage to much of your city, and the astronomy tower you hold so dear will crumble. Your piers will also be damaged if not destroyed completely making travel to the white isle nearly impossible. But do not worry. I leave in your charge five highly competent Opal Order Healers and this messenger. The healers also have other talents that will prove invaluable to you later.

I ask that you send the other two messengers and healers with due haste toward Syliras. Give them what you can and then take haste in preparing your city for what is to come.

Take care of my daughters and sisters
V’nessi Ulvalin

[Paragon]

Maria swallowed, a lump forming in her throat as she read the scrolls. An icy chill fell down her back, like old fingers scratching at her spine. In all her time as the Lord of Council, she had never really had to deal with anything. The Regent's and the Sailor's Guild took control of most things. In fact, they ran the city de facto. She simply sat in her office, and stamped and approved their suggestions. But now she had to be involved. Zeltiva. Her City was in danger. And this written vision was so specific... damage, food shortages. A mysterious object in the water. It made her blood crawl. She looked up at the Konti, nodding gravely. "I am grateful for your warning. Truly. You may take as many horses as you need from the Narvaen Stables - I will send word to the owner. We do not have much in the way of provisions, but we can offer materials, rope, and probably some fish for sustenance." Maria, touched at the medallion of her dominion. It was time to step up and take control. She did not want to think on what would bring this divine storm. The God's were unfathomable, and now it seemed their dangerous games would spill over to the mortal realm. She could not just stand by and watch her City fall to ruin. "Thank you, Seer," she whispered, "now go. Go to Syliras with Godspeed. Bless you all. Zulrav and Laviku... may they be with you on your travels."

[Cachet]

The three seers were glad to see the Lady took this all seriously, because it was indeed just as serious if not more so than they had already relayed to her. They were also very glad that she would provide them with the means to go forward and spread the message to the other cities. They had places to go and every moment mattered; the Lady saw this. But they also saw her inner strength start to come out; she knew what she had to do now. These women had urged her to action. What great leader wouldn’t be urged into action after hearing the warning of these seers?

This seer was here to aid her. Help her in the time to come as were the rest of he healers as well. Each had other specialties besides healing. Hand picked for the rough road ahead. V’nessi knew what was ahead and who to choose to help counter some of the chaos. That was why she had assigned these six daughters of hers to Zeltiva. She had also done the same for every other city she sent aid to. The women had abilities such as tracking, auristics, herbalism, and farming that would help make them invaluable to the cities in the aftermath. But for now all they could do was prepare.

The Konti who handed her the scroll case then spoke. “I am the seer that is at your charge now, as are five of the healers that came with us. The others they must journey onward, but as far as Zeltiva is concerned M’Lady we need to formulate a plan and do so quickly. There isn’t much time.” Her words heavy but true…even the lady would see that.

“V’nessi hand picked the Konti that were sent to each area, the skills of these women are unique and will aid you. I will introduce you to them at a later date or now if you wish. Whatever the case the others must leave immediately, and it would be wise if we formulated a plan M’Lady.” It seemed this Konti was an adviser as well, which was not uncommon among Konti. They were extremely diplomatic as well as the obvious benefit of having a seer as an advisor.

The other two women bowed and then headed to the rest of the group down by the pier. They were instructed to keep moving, they had transportation now. The lithe almost surreally beautiful maidens of the white isle ventured on, leaving behind six sisters who would aid Zeltiva in the coming crisis to come. The five assigned to this messenger waited outside for further instructions. While the messenger introduced herself.

“M’lady, my name is T’throssa. It is a pleasure to be of service to you. What be your will?”The two were alone right now. The rest were at the stables making themselves ready to leave. They took no more than they absolutely needed to just stay strong on the ride to Syliras. And like the cold winter wind they were gone just as fast as they had come.

Now the future of Zeltiva rested squarely on the shoulders of it’s leader. Until now the guilds had made the decisions, and she was more of a pretty wallflower. But now, NOW Zeltiva needed her to make decisions executively. SHE was the leader of Zeltiva and her citizens needed her to stand up. There was no way they could survive otherwise. The guilds wouldn’t act fast enough, and the people would have to bow down and trust their leader if they wanted to lessen the catastrophe that was to come.

[Paragon]

Maria nodded, gradually acknowledging the gravity of the situation. "It is good to meet you. I am Maria Satterthwite, Lord of Council for Zeltiva." She looked to the window, viewing a glimpse of her city. Chaos and carnage here - it was almost unthinkable. Zeltiva was a peaceful city, with no gates, no walls, no standing army. It was the world's fount of knowledge, and held remnants of the past at every turn. "When... When does V'nessi say this will happen? And when did she witness this vision?" No matter how many times she met the Konti, they always held an air of the mystic about them, concealing knowledge known only to them. "I must admit, I'm still taken aback and I can barely think clearly," the Lady suddenly looked tired in her complexion, yet she retained the glamour she had always carried. "It's clear this involves the Gods... What can we possibly do to prepare - those visions. They will be seen in their fulmination however we approach this - correct? Can we place any trust in Laviku sheltering us? Does this surpass even his powers?" She looked out to her city again, overwhelmed with shame. The people would not even recognise her face. She had been a ceremonial leader - and little else. She had allowed the University and Sailor's Guild to muster too much power in that time. "I must tell them all. I must warn them, and comfort them. Bless Avalis and her daughters for this warning. This time, I must act."