|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 9:22 am
The Inner Sanctum
The Inner Sanctum of Castellum Umbra is a place where the night seems to hold sway, no matter what time of day it is. The hall is cavernous, the ceilings fading into shadowy blackness far above, but glittering with what appears to be stars, in swirling constellations. Windows are set high up in the walls, and heavily draped by day, open only at night to let the moon in all her glory shine through.
The floor of the hall is made of silver-veined black marble, polished to a high sheen. Matching columns stride down the center, forming a wide aisle leading to a raised marble dais. Upon the dais is set a throne, silver and black, made from petrified and charred fey and non-fey bones. Most impressive are the skulls of children, both fey and human, adorning the structure like pale gleaming jewels of death. Beside the throne to either side are pedestals, with flat, wide tops for resting items on.
Alcoves are set in the walls, filled with sculptures and tapestries depicting Moon Court Fey warring with, torturing, or slaughtering Sun Court fey. The sanctum is lit by silver braziers around the dais filled with oil, and torches set in sconces high on the columns and walls.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:40 am
Pale light filters through the high windows of the Inner Sanctum of Castellum Umbra. The throne room of Majestrix Nox seemed to always be cast in shadows, as if to spite the light of day.
The Moon Court ruler's head was dipped downwards as she peered over a dusty old tome from where she perched elegantly upon her throne of charred and petrified fey bones, black and silvery grey fossils in their deathly states. Her dark hair tumbled over her shoulders, constellations swimming in the ebon locks, moving across each strand independently.
Silver braziers are lit to either side of the dais the throne sits upon, and the firelight is reflected off the black marble floor and columns lining the enormous room. Above, the vaulted ceiling holds sinuous shadows amid the painted night sky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:51 am
Aranea had left her chambers, tired of waiting fon Sayuri to return to the Castle so that she could do stuff. She hoped to find the laboratory again and see if there were any tomes on alchemy; her Kithain had said that she might find she had affinity for the subjecy. However she had become lost, her size making everything seem faintly intimidating. A hand tangled in the web fine strands of her hair, and she wandered along corridors.Her steps echoed about her and their seemed to be not a living soul about. Eventually her halting path bought her to a large and imposing set of open double doors. She peered inside, looking into the gloom, and she caught sight of the floor. She hurried inside, fascinated at the way it was so dark, but still managed to show a slight reflection of herself. What was this magnificently appointed room for? She padded onwards, and then blinked, as she spied the Fey, seated on her throne. She sucked in a short breath - she had blundered into the Majestrix's chambers? Maybe she could escape before the indescretion was noticed..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:55 am
Twilight eyes, swirling with stars, rose from the pages of the tome and came to rest on the tiny figure near the doors. A faintly cold smile tinged Nox's lips and a pale hand beckoned to the girl.
"Enter child, and speak. I have waited many months for your release and I have many plans for you once you've grown into your gifts..." The woman's voice was rich and touched with a strange detatchment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 8:59 am
Aranea moved forwards, hands clutched together before her. At the foot of the throne, standing before the raised dais she looked up at the Majestrix.
'I - umm..' she gave a bow in her nervousness.
'My gifts Majesty?' she said, looking into Nox's dark eyes. She wondered what a small thing like her could do that would be of use to one of royalty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:03 am
"But of course...." the Majestrix cooed as she reached out a hand to tilt the girl's chin up so she might study her better. "You father was renowned for his alchemical skills. I bear no doubt that you shall exceed him."
Nox's other hand closed the tome and set it aside on a stand. "Tell me how you are adjusting to renewed life, Aranea..." she said quietly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:09 am
Aranea nodded carefully, blinking up at the Majestrix. She reached up and patted Nox's cheek with one hand, then withdrew it quickly.
'Sorry,' she mumbled.
'It's odd. I am finding it hard to sleep in a bed mostly. My Kithain has been nice, well I guess as nice as a human can be. But she doesnt understand.' she looked at Nox properly, then down at herself again.
'Why do I look so different from you Majesty?'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:12 am
Nox did not flinch from the cheek patting, though a brow arched at the girl's boldness. She drew back and settled more comfortably into her throne, gesturing to Aranea to sit on the dais.
"I see wings upon your back and the traceries of the moon upon your face...why do you think you look different than I, child?" she asked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:23 am
Aranea sat on the dais.
'These,' she said, holding up her four hands.
'Mostly.' she had odd thoughts as well, when she saw something living, like a insect she wondered how she could change it, what to do to it that would make it different or better.
'You dont have four of these,' she said, her forehead wrinkling. She knew her Kithain had told her that the window she emerged from formed the image of a black widow spider but couldnt she just have the ability to spin a web? That was cool - she just thought she looked weird.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:27 am
Nox ahhhhed and nodded her head. "A most wonderous and useful blessing, Aranea. You see, your totem is the black widow and she...like you...has 8 appendages. For you it means you have a splendid ability to handle multiple items at once, invaluable to an alchemist who must mix numerous ingredients and scribe their notes. I quite envy you in that respect..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:37 am
'So its useful me looking like this?' she said. Well that was pleasing to hear. She had thought this was just something lingering from the curse.
'But what would you need my skills for?' she asked, curiousity overcoming propriety. Providing that she had any abilities in that area of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:38 am
Nox smiled chillily. "Potions are most useful, child, as are poisons. You can accomplish many of the things magics can, in more subtle a manner. Where one might set detections for spells, they oft forget to check for mundane alchemical solutions."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:47 am
Aranea nodded, drinking in the Majestrix's words. She had a purpose, and she would contributing towards the Moon Court. Even at her age she felt a thrill of pride at this.
'I shall be diligent in my studies.' she said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:49 am
"I expect no less from you, Aranea. It is your solemn duty to help me eradicate the Sun Court as soon as our numbers are stronger." She glanced up with a frown at the sunlight trying to pierce the heavily curtained windows of the sanctum.
"Does your Kithain tend to you properly?" she asked absently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2004 9:54 am
'She does,' Aranea nodded. Sun Court? That was odd. That was one thing her Kithain had not mentioned.
'They are our opposite arent they - we are opposed to them, fighting them?' she said, dredging up the memories.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
