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 Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:00 pm
 Another sleepless night.
The Chieftain paced his empty chambers, dismissing the solitude as preferable, as he certainly would not have made good company of any sort tonight. He hadn't for a while now. Best not to share the troubling thoughts and worries that came with the burden of his position.
He was faced with the same dilemma; the desire to go out and do something as opposed to sitting here waiting to hear news from the field. The search continued for the damnable demon responsible for all this pain. The temptation was great to join the search. Rais could just imagine, if he could get his hands on the one responsible...the demon would fare far worse than the wingless angel in the Root Cellar. Ripping his wings off would only be the start of it...
Yet, responsibility reminded him that there were plenty still here at home that required his presence. He needed to stay here, to hold everyone together; to provide the safety and assurance to those here who could not defend themselves that they wouldn't need to. He would be the reminder that nothing like this would ever be allowed to happen again. That they could be safe here, that nothing could ever hurt them so while he remained. He would protect them at all costs.
Weariness settling over his sleep-deprived form, he paused his pacing to settle one shoulder against the wall of Laisidhiel, as if gaining strength from the contact.
Spirits, give me a sign. Have I made the right choice? Staying here and shoring up our defenses? Or should I take to the offensive, track down this 'Raken' Pae myself? Get the answers we all so desperately need? Or do I stay here, keep protecting our people? Am I making the right choice?"What sort of chaos are you allowing in your domain, mortal?!?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 2:16 pm
 If she had been in a more benevolent mood, the panicked look that crossed the Faun's visage as he whirled around to face her would have been almost humorous. Unfortunately, the Goddess was here on more serious matters.Making some attempt to salvage his composure, the Faun Chieftain looked the intruder over before recognizing her as the strange Faun 'goddess' who had accompanied the first batch of 'lost' acorns to return home. While he did not know the full story behind this woman, those who had come with her had spoken of her in reverent tones. Nevertheless, these were his private quarters.
"How did you get in here? The guards are under strict orders not to let anyone past after--""Silence!" the moonlit fauness whirled on him with a predatory glare. "I have no time for your ridiculous mortal games! I go where I wish and I am here on serious matters!"Though the Faun Chieftain's ire flared at being reprimanded by some strange woman in his own quarters, some instinct urged him to quell his ego for now. This was not the fight he was looking for right now. After silently meeting her stare for a long, tense moment, he replied in an even voice, "Very well. What important matters require you to come to my quarters at this late hour?"Artemis raised an eyebrow, noting the Faun Chieftain's response. Cheeky mortals. Still, he showed some fight in him...which was good, given what she'd seen so far. A lesser may have been broken by the weight of dealing with such matters, and she was about to add to his concerns.
"My kind....do not normally get involved with the business of mortals. Some may dabble from time to time, some more than others, but for the most part, we tend to our business, and you to yours. When the wild ones were drawn here and chose to remain here with you, that was their choice and I allowed it. I appreciate that they were welcomed here. At that point, they ceased to be 'mine', as they had chosen to go their own way. In time, when she came of age, my own daughter made the same choice and was also welcomed here. While I may not have completely understood her choice to get involved with you mortals, I respected it, and how she was accepted by your people."
Remaining dangerously quiet, her voice hardened. "I return to find the people under your protection in panic and ruin. This fortress no longer safe! And had her tiny fairy thing not found me, I may have been too late to save my own daughter! Tell me 'Chieftain,'" she spat with quiet disdain, "What in Hades is going on here?!?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 1:44 am
The fur bristled on the back of his neck instinctively, the Chieftain incredulous that some woman dared enter his private quarters and berate him like a CHILD! If he had not seen the powers some of these so-called deity wielded, he would have physically tossed her out on her tail himself, if not locked her up in the Cellar for such insubordination. Who knew what limit their powers had, though? If nothing else, he'd prefer not to spend the next season as a woman, or something equally as debilitating.
His eyes narrowed and he held a hand up to stop her from going further, though she looked at him questioningly. "Wait...what has happened to Lady Silvana?"Artemis huffed quietly, continuing to glare at the mortal Pae. Not as in-control over his domain as he wished, clearly. At least he showed some decorum of respect for her daughter, even if he seemed to struggle to do the same for she. Not the pressing issue here, however, and she cared little for the mortals' affairs most times anyway. Made sense that they would care more for her daughter for that reason.
"You...don't even know, do you?" She rolled her eyes slightly, then shook her head. "I suppose you've had other distractions here, from what I've seen. Can't keep track of all your charges, can you?" Ignoring the answering glare from the Faun Chieftain, she continued, "While you've had your hands full here, the South has been no less dangerous, it would seem. As I said, my daughter's fairy thing came to find me. The best hope for help for her, it seems. I keep in contact with her periodically. She has told me of strange beasts that make their way into her forest. Never have I heard of anything like what attacked her this time."
Noting that the Faun had fallen silent and attentive at least for now, she took a moment to take a deep breath, then continue in more detail. "I got the story from her only after she'd recovered. Something about a suspicious youth in the forest a day or so after the attack here. A winged Pae, a mere boy, if fully grown from the sound of it. He had been taken, however, by another group...which fled and left him behind. She had taken him as her own captive and apparently was bringing him here when the group returned and attempted to take them by surprise. She mentioned a strange Pae, a flash, then she couldn't move. When I found her...her body had nearly turned to crystal." The huntress' glare had gone cold, her tone speaking volumes of what she would do if she had found those responsible.
This glare flickered over the Faun Chieftain before cooling. "The fairy healers at that House in her woods called it a magical condition. They treated her and she is still weak, but recovering. Any other except one with my blood likely would have died. What sort of creature, let alone Pae'il can do that?"Rais had no answer for that question. Turning a Pae'il to crystal? How...? He'd certainly never heard of such a thing...and to have that happen so close to Laisidhiel...to one of her servants...
Was this the sign he'd been asking for?
There were far more dangers out there than he'd even anticipated, and with too many unknowns to be able to plan any sort of effective counter-attack. No...they had to remain defensive. He would protect the Tree's children, no matter what measures must be taken.
Having turned his thoughts inward following her story, Rais took a moment before addressing the goddess again. "I am relieved to hear that no worse fate has befallen a sister of the Tree. It eases the weight upon my heart, if only a little, considering what she has endured instead. If there is anything we can provide to aid her recovery...""She will be transferring here to continue her recovery. Until she is back to full strength, then she will return to her domain and duty."If Rais was taken aback by the quick response, he did not show it. Only nodded. "She is always welcome here. Always has been." Of course, they had their own issues to deal with now, concerning safety and recovery. But...perhaps her presence would be a reassurance to some of the others. At least here, she would have others to look after her in turn.
"I appreciate the information you have brought me, dreadful though it may be."Artemis' eyes narrowed. "I cannot aid you, at this time. I have other business I must attend to first. Depending on how events play out, I may or may not be able to offer more. But for now, I ask this only: look after my daughter. These are troubling times and she has developed this fascination for you mortals that I dare not comprehend. If she continues to place herself in danger for your sakes..." She let the threat hang on the air.Their eyes met in an unwavering stare. Green to green. "She has sworn herself a loyal child of the Great Tree. That makes her my responsibility. I will do all I have to in order to protect her and the others under my care. No matter what lengths I must take, they will be kept safe."Seeming to consider the mortal's conviction, Artemis finally nodded and broke the stare. "See that you do. For now, I must go." Seeming to fade into the moonlight, the hooved goddess was gone in a matter of moments.Silence fell over the room, the remaining occupant unnerved for some time, wondering if he were truly alone. This had to be the sign from the spirits. He would not stop searching for the one responsible for all of this...but he would concentrate efforts on keeping his people safe above all else. Wearily, he crossed and sank into the chair behind his desk. He reached for a quill, ink, and parchment, drafting a notice while his mind remained focused, before sleep could attempt to claim him...****
[FIN]
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