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 Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:12 pm
"My--My lady!" he was stunned.
"Surely you aren't serious!? Isn't this bird very near and dear to you? I have given you nothing in return, why would you so freely give such a magnificent creature to someone such as I?"
He regained his composure.
"I understand your position but I've seen the way you treat these animals, you love them. Surely you don't want to just let it go for nothing? Isn't there anything I can give you?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:36 pm
"Is it not better to love something from afar, rather than hold it dead in your arms?" Quiya asked. She looked regretfully at the bird with a sigh. She knew she could not leave the carnival without leaving behind her creatures, and she did not want anything to harm the magnificent phoenix.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:59 pm
Bartheyamus nodded.
"I understand, you have my word that I shall cherish it dearly and nurse it back to health."
Bartheyamus was about to receive the highest honor of any follower of the phoenix: The Joining. In Scripture, the ritual was to adjoin both the soul of the phoenix and that of it's caretaker, allowing both to know when either were in danger. This bonding would mean that the phoenix would be a loyal companion to Bartheyamus until the time of his end. Both would share the emotions of grief, pain, joy, and rage.
The benefit to this ritual however is that the phoenix would possess a bit of Bartheyamus' strength, enough to recover it's health, perhaps.
He looked to Quiya once more to make certain this was what she wanted. The Joining could not be undone after all.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:49 pm
Quiya nodded, even if she turned away and walked deeper into the cage, tears firmly locked away in the same place where the grief for her children was. She convinced herself that this would be best, that the visitor would be better for her. "Before you do it, what is your name?" She asked quickly, turning abruptly.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:20 pm
The male dipped a stiff bow, crossing his legs and bending at the knee before crossing his right arm over his chest.
"I am Bartheyamus Tyrliate Aurlin, last of King Valeriu's loyal subjects and follower of the Way of the Nocturnal Phoenix."
After his introduction, he placed his hand gently on the phoenix's neck to calm it. He leaned to it and whispered the words of initiation.
"Bli Med Meg!"
He then opened his palm wide towards the phoenix and in that instant, the phoenix tattooed on his palm was released as energy to be transmitted into the majestic bird before him.
The energy from his palm surrounded the phoenix in a red, glowing frenzy. Flecks of red, orange, and yellow burst in the room like sparks in a smokescreen. When the energy fully enveloped the bird, Bartheyamus started to float in the air, at the same time the phoenix took flight and they both started circling each other in the air.
They spun faster and faster until nothing was seen but a crimson tornado. Eventually, the process slowed down until Bartheyamus had appeared out of the smoke, his body glowing with a faint fire and the phoenix was perched atop his shoulder. The bird was both in good health and spirits as it let out a mighty cry.
Bartheyamus appeared before Quiya, smiling.
"My lady, you have given me the greatest honor I could ever hope to achieve." he then dug a large sack of gold from his pocket and tossed it to her.
"Thank you, I'll call him Alusain." as he said this, he stroked the bird's strong neck again his smile still ever-present.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:36 pm
Quiya looked at the sack of gold she had caught, and bowed her head in thanks, remaining silent. She could not trust herself to speak at the moment, and simply approached the bird, giving it a final pat before going to the cage entrance, opening it. "I wish the both of you great luck," She said quietly, eyes looking away still.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:55 pm
The phoenix, now perched upon his shoulder began to change in form becoming more akin to his new master. Alusain grew darker in hue, becoming more and more nocturnal.
"Alusain, say goodbye to her." Bartheyamus said happily. Alusain flew over to Quiya and nuzzled her neck, curling up on her shoulder for a moment.
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:37 pm
Quiya made a soft crooning noise in the back of her throat and sighed. "Pray do take care of him," She said. "If you need any help, ask for a Quiya of the moon's shadow, that should lead you back to me," Softly she scratched the phoenix's crest.
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:46 pm
Bartheyamus smiled and bowed.
"I promise you then when I think of the phoenix, so too will I think of you, my lady."
He then winked to her as he beckoned the phoenix, Alusain, back to him.
"If ever you wish to visit her, my chambers are in the netherregions of the castle. Not too different from a crypt."
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:47 pm
Quiya smiled sadly and bowed slightly, the bird fluidly moving off of her shoulders. The words of a silent prayer came to her lips and she looked upwards as she repeated them, making no noise. She turned then, having said her goodbyes, and locked the cage, working towards the back of it to cover it with a large, large drape.
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