[Temple of Torek] Around the Temple... (Open)

[Kasumi Adsa]

20th of Melora, winter, Era I of the Celestial Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.

Every now and again the young heir to the house would visit the temple of Torek. Roughly, it would be about every month and today was one of those days. He didn’t go for the services offered there. Most of his worship was done at the western complex, but a visit to the temple made him feel closer to the Aetherian. He was a devoted believer in Torek, though in his life he didn’t always do what was expected of him. In coming to the temple he tried to relieve the sins he had committed. It was a kin to time to reflect over his actions and if they were truly right. The ideals of Torek weren’t absolute in his mind. Depending on the situation, it might have been wise to forsake him then to serve him better in the future.

As usual, he had gone to a somewhat secluded area of the temple that gave him the quiet he needed to be with his god and started to sift through his memories. Several things came to mind, mostly relating to his actions around members of his clan. He decided most actions were needed in those cases, though he still asked for Torek’s forgiveness. Few other things remained after that, and he considered them unrequited mistakes. Something he had not noticed in time, or a mistake in judgement. He asked for forgiveness and strength to not repeat those mistakes. In all his reflecting took a few candlemarks, but his stoic figure remain calm and still through his thoughts. There were slight movements here and there over time, but nothing major. He wouldn’t dare be disrespectful while seeking Torek’s blessing.

After he had finished, he chose to relax a little while. In a little time they would need his presence back at the clan, but for now he’d watch the other people enter and leave the temple. Watching them was of little merit. He waited close to entrance to the temple, but in the way of anyone. He wore fairly plan clothes but he still had his swords on him, though that was expected. He had entered Dragon territories and an escort was close by, but to most he appeared to be somewhat alone. If anyone bothered to observe him long enough, they might recognise him. He had a pretty memorable face, and people who knew him would know him.

[Veleraen]

During the last few cycles, Veleraen had routinely made his way to the temple after teaching at the dojo to say his prayers to the World Bound Son. Ever since his encounter with the herald of Aslan in the wilderness, he had become unbound and his eyes opened to the world. Aslan had given his blessing and support to the Titan and it was his duty to repay that honour in blood, sweat and tears.

His prayers had drifted slightly in the waning months but now, they came every brightening like clock work. Life had taken hold and the Giant was now in a dilemma. The tides were turning and a shadow loomed on the horizon. The armies of the righteous would come together to fight that which now had a face and a name...It was almost a crime to utter such words in such a holy setting but ever since word from the newly crowned Prince, his Excellency Milo L'Evienne that one man named Fidelis Meridius sought to bring chaos to this world, Veleraen's plan's had changed significantly. He sought prayer and guidance daily, his conscience and meditation sessions lasted for candlemarks into the late darkening. The signs of fate were pointing him in a new direction, down a path where uncertainty lay.

The path he walked that brightening however was towards the Temple of Torek. He was stopping by for prayer before heading out to the wilderness to train. The giant was wearing his armour but he did not have his regular halberd with him. In its stead was a massive siegebow and a quiver of extremely large arrows that were strapped to his back. A dagger lined his belt and his boot as well, but it surely was not as imposing as the chainmail armour he wore upon his frame. The chestpiece itself was pure ruby, harder than steel, infallable as it gleamed in the rays of the sun.

Standing at just over fifteen feet, the Knight of Aslan strode with a purpose towards the entryway, his skull locked red ponytail, braided tighted to his shoulders, swayed slightly as he walked. Two jagged scars that were quite noticable were the first thing anyone saw when they looked upon his visage. One came down from the right side of his right eye in a circular motion as if he'd been gouged by a blunt tip of sorts and ripped itself down to his jawline. The other streaked vertically downwards across his left eye, either of them caused by wounds that should have made him completely blind. Aslan helped him through his troubled times, through the wars and battles. Through everything he survived, he owed to Aslan's blessings, the God of Honour surely had enough to pass along to him and to spread to those who wished to accept it.

Stepping through the entryway, Veleraen continued inwards into the inner courtyard where a centerpiece with a huge reflecting pool that reflected the daytime sky lay dormant for those who wished to visit it. He did not take notice of Kasumi's presence immediately as he entered, not truly knowing his position or family title. The Knight had not sworn allegiance to anyone or any clan in the city during his duration but if the clans had known about his skills, they might have asked him. Luckily for Veleraen, this was not the case.

Kneeling in front of the centrepiece by the reflecting pool, he bowed his head, closed his eyes and ushered a prayer to Aslan as his hands fell to his knee.

"Bestow upon those who are not fortunate to bask in your light, with the honour and glory they truly deserve. In the Son's name I fight, I bleed and offer my being to shield those who are threatened by the shadow that looms over us all. Take into your embrace, Lenara, her innocence brings only happiness to this world. Satsumaiha, her smile and calming touch tames the largest of beasts...and my family, I pray and hope you will keep them in your mind and continue to protect their honour.

I am but one Knight, but I fight and take arms for those who cannot. I stand for those who are not able to. My touch takes away the pain and bestows it upon my shoulders to bear and bear alone. My strength upholds the weak and my wrath undoes the wicked. In your name, I give all and take none, I only ask you give all that I not claim as my own and bestow it to those who deserve it most.

You give me honour, and so it shall be given, again, until the last breath escapes my lungs. In your name, Aslan-Immanuel. Amen." The giant's deep voice was slow and solemn as if he was reading from a poet's journal, his soul deep with hidden feeling. Raising a hand to his forehead, he touched it but once and then continued to kneel and gaze upon the statue centrepiece. Perhaps one brightening he would be lucky enough to kneel and stand, knowing that all that he sought to accomplish would be done and will of Aslan would live on for millenia to come. That brightening had not come, not yet.

[Amarillo]

The dregs of winter still held sway within the City of Song. The brightenings had followed one another in steady succession, progressing to the point where it was already a full cycle past the Lantern Festival – nearly halfway through the month of Melora. The weather had been occasionally warmer and a hint of Spring was in the air, but the evenings remained bitterly cold once Telath’s suns sank below the surrounding snow-covered hills.

It had become the practice of a certain young Kemite of no known clan attachment to sing the praises of Prensia at least once during a cycle. On occasion the pattern was disrupted by alternating observances for others of the Elder Aetherians, most notably Io and Torek. This was to be one such brightening – his morning had begun before sunup deep in the Chinthe District where lay his home, several candlemarks past. His pursuits had brought him thus far, to the very edge of the Dragon and Kirin Districts … and the Temple of Torek.

He’d left his instrument at home because of the lingering chill that often accompanied these last brightenings of winter. There was no sense in harming the sensitive reed or perhaps damaging the metal with some inadvertent bump. That did not mean he was without recourse, however; his voice could act as an instrument if he so chose. As it happened, having the voice was a requisite for his chosen profession of bard. The use of another instrument was only icing on the ricecake, so to speak. Thus, dressed in his typical simple fashion of dark woolen trews and a long-sleeved shirt of lighter color and his soft boots, he’d come to the place where the God of Honor held sway.

Although he had not begun his prayers and meditation yet, he’d already removed his boots and found an out-of-the-way space for his devotions. Indeed, he’d been present when the towering ponytailed warrior swayed through the entryway toward one of the inner reflection pools. Letting out his breath in a soft hiss, he marveled at the workmanship of the giant’s armor. That breastplate looks to be made of some sort of … stone? Metal? What else catches the suns’ rays and glints in such a fashion? Certainly not the layered-silk-and-laquered-bamboo armor I am used to seeing the Vermilion Guard arrayed in as they pursued their duties! For a moment – until the huge being was out of sight – Amarillo wondered at the material before ultimately dismissing it as irrelevant to the task at hand. After all, Torek was known to be somewhat more demanding than Prensia … and the youth did not want to offend the most honored of the Elders.

As distracted as he’d been by the giant, the soft-spoken Lauryllian had missed the return of another young man. If he HAD caught more of the fellow’s facial features it was highly likely that he would have recognized the Adsa clan member. After all … it wasn’t as if the clan colors weren’t in evidence among the city’s population on a daily basis. Even without observing the other’s face it was a reasonable assumption based on his posture that he was of the clan nobility - simply by the way he stood abreast of the doorway, in full view of those trickling into the Temple.

Turning back to the task at hand, Amarillo knelt and composed himself prior to softly humming a few bars of a reverential tune he’d been using with his prayers to Prensia. His reasoning was simple; the Elders were all more or less in league with one another and thus should find the offering similarly appeasing. Lowering his head to avoid distractions, he gathered his thoughts and began to sing quietly in his strong tenor.

Each brightening I pray aloud, hoping to find Your Plane
Each brightening I’m more confused – gods-fearing becoming godless
All the heroes and legends of my youth have become mere idols of clay
This empty place inside me aches – I fear I’ve lost my faith

Show me the way
Wrap me in your Strength and Honor
Wash all illusion away
Show me the way…

Each eventide as sleep approaches there is a moment where dreams are sacred
I close my eyes, knowing there is peace in world bent on war and hatred
Only to wake in dawn’s light, seeing the reality and knowing we have yet so far to go
I pray, Torek, for a sign … I am afraid I just won’t know

Show me the way
Take me upon your shoulders
Wash my confusion away…

And if I feel that warmth, should I believe?
Tell me – how will I know?

Show me the way
Wrap me in your Strength and Honor
Wash my illusions away
Show me the way
Give me guidance and the courage
To believe I’ll get there some day
Please show me the way…

Letting the psalm’s final note drift aloft like a bird just freed from captivity, the young man closed his eyes and reveled in the sanctity of the Temple. For long moments he luxuriated in the feelings left behind by the music of praise, hoping against hope that the God of Honor would shower His blessing upon what the Kemite privately considered to be an unworthy servant.

Eventually, he opened his eyes to find the other young man still standing near the Temple entrance, watching those who were even now arriving. He rose lithely and made his way circumspectly toward the plain-dressed individual, fully intending to offer what aid he could.

[Kasumi Adsa]

The young heir watch the crowd pass by, most of which blended in with each other. Out of those he saw only one caught his eye, a giant. Obviously the size of the being was the first thing to attract Kasumi’s attention but from there he noticed the scars, which suggested the giant had been through many battles. He was definitely a true follower of Torek, and someone Kasumi wouldn’t mind talking with. The young heir was indeed a follower of Torek, but he was still forced to do things in a cowardly manner. He had deep relationships, fought honourably, and stood firmly by his comrades; but he wouldn’t condone the actions of the Riishi. He would bring justice to them when he could, but for now he could only cowardly follow them until he had the resources. Kasumi judge this giant would make a good ally and friend, simply from his outward appearance. Kasumi might have to befriend him, but for now he’d let him say the giant prayers. Perhaps when the giant is done the young heir can introduce himself.

As it had happened last time the people all blended in together. He took notice of several things, yet nothing was of interest to him. Colours of other families, faces, things they were carrying, and other such pointless things. Even when the young bard passed through, Kasumi interested wasn’t peaked. He was more average than most of the others that came in, and possibly blended in even more. Regardless, Kasumi wouldn’t even be able to recall that the man had even entered. It would be freakish if the young heir’s mind could remember something like that, even if e was quite capable.

Kasumi kept part of his attention on the giant as to when he would finish, but it didn’t seem like it was just yet. Before the giant had finished his prayer, another, the bard, had finished his own and had chosen to approach Kasumi. The young heir was quick to pick up on the bard’s approach, but had little reason to do anything about. The bard didn’t appear to be dangerous, but Kasumi still took a cautious approach to the situation, making sure he could draw his weapon quickly if so was needed. He had already assumed there’d be little need to do so. If the bard wanted him dead then surely he wouldn’t approach him directly. How things would turn out didn’t really matter to the heir, but made Torek had guided this meeting. “Serale, is there something you want?” Kasumi greeted the bard with little to no clue to who he was or what he wanted.