What was lost is lost no more (Aeri)

[Tradieus Kha'Serith]

Third Cycle of Immanis
Eighth Candlemark in the Brightening of Srennia
The of Era I of the Celestine Mandate
Thirteenth Era Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Reign of Arabella
Paradigm: The Eclipse of the Sun

Had it really been almost two era's since he had step foot within the walls of his home? Even the thought sent a shiver throughout his entire body. True he had more then enough good reasons to tell to anybody, but to him they were empty. He had left Diana during her time of need, left the people and the woman who an trusted him with so much just standing alone. Tradieus had done what he thought was best for the city. Now as he thought back on it he knew that it was the wrong choice and he berated himself daily. He would make amends though, that was one of the reasons he had come through the snows of winter once more to Diana, his home.

The large bronze scaled Dracon was alone that brightening having left Morton and Rumen behind at the inn. He did not need their protection here or so he hoped. Nobody had recognized him this far, which was comforting yet also made him kind of sad. It didn't matter though, in time the people of Diana would come to know him again. He had plans to make Diana return to its days of pride and regality that it had lost in recent memory. One of the reasons being the Schism that had torn the city itself in twain. Something Tradieus himself had taken part in, he had tried to prevent the riot and the eventual sundering of the ground but not even he could have stopped it for there was too much going on then. Things would be set right once more, when he returned fully to the City of Faith. For now though he had to talk with the woman who had once so long ago placed faith in him.

Tradieus could still remember where to find the villa of Aeri and his taloned footsteps turned in that direction. He could not help from smiling as he walked, just remembering the things about the city that made it worthwhile to come back. Trad could still picture his first meeting with Aeri in the crystal room in the Basillica. From that meeting came many days of hard work to prove that he was the right choice, it was the first real time he had gone among the people and talked to them. He had delivered food and clothing to those needy people that lived in Diana, he had done it and he had liked it. With those thoughts in mind he turned down the street that would eventually take him to the Villa of Aeri, hopefully the friendship the two had shared once had not faded like their city had.

With those thoughts in his mind Tradieus took the steps of the villa two at a time untill he came before the doors. Rapping lightly on the door with his knuckles he waited. Whenever he was answered he would introduce him, "Serale and may Diana bless you this brightening." He would give a nod of his giant head in greeting. "My name is Tradieus Kha'Serith, I have come to see Aerienne Sarista, is she available by chance?"

[Aerienne Sarista]

The Archprelatine guards at the gates looked at each other. One of the two, an imposing Lionoid man, set his face sternly and looked set to reject Tradieus. But the other, a dwarf, shook his head at his companion. "Wait, Rar. I know this one. He was a friend of Her Holiness." He turned to look at Tradieus.

"Sir, I'm afraid you've come at a difficult time. Please wait here while we see if Her Holiness will recieve you." He nodded at the Lionoid, who grumbled but gave the signal for the gates to be cracked a bit. He then slipped inside, and two more guards appeared on the wall. They bore crossbows, but they weren't pointed at Tradieus or even cocked. The guards were alert though.

Fifteen minutes later, the Lionoid returned, murmured something to the Dwarf, and resumed his place. "She will see you sir. I ask that you please show consideration. Her Holiness has gone through a rough time of late. It has been trying for her, and we would not see her suffer any unnecessary stress." He shut down from there, clearly reluctant to say more. He gave a signal and the two guardians up above disappeared. Simultaneously, the great gates opened wide. The dwarf nodded at Tradieus. "Go on ahead sir. Just follow the main path through the garden to the fountain. Her Holiness has said that she will meet you there." He gave Tradieus a brief smile. "Good to see a familiar face around these days."

[Tradieus Kha'Serith]

Tradieus looked down at the two guards that were in his way. He sighed when he saw the look the Katta was giving him. Trad was not going to take no for an answer anyways, if need he would have sat down in the light snow and waited for Aeri to see him. This was of a far greater importance then any of them would be able to understand, only Diana and Aeri would truly know the suffering in his soul. He must see her.

The dwarf thankfully recognized him. “Thank you master dwarf.” Trad nodded in thanks. “It is of great importance that I meet with her holiness.” The Dracon intoned gratifyingly when the Katta was gone. “I thank you once more friend.” The troublesome Tradies said once more and patted the dwarf on the shoulder. Trad didn’t say anything about Aeri being troubled for he too was in duress these brightenings.

Once beyond the gates the dracon was greeted with a pleasant view. Even in winter the garden still shimmered in frozen beauty. He could take time to admire it later for now he had to talk with the Allerian about pressing issues.

Making his way to the fountain Tradieus would happily greet Aeri by taking her hand in his kneeling and pressing them to his mouth. “Holiness, I have come to seek your forgiveness for my past transgression.” On one knee he would keep his head bowed. “If I may be so bold as to ask you to speak with me as well. My soul has been tattered since we last met.” He would plead.

If he arrived at the fountain and she wasn’t already waiting Tradieus would stand arms crossed waiting patiently for the red haired woman to appear.

[Aerienne Sarista]

Aeri gently took Tradieus's hand. "Tradieus! I am so happy to see you again! Please rise. No one should kneel to me. And of course I would be glad to talk to you. Please, come inside. I would be glad to help you, if I can." She stood to one side, allowing him to go ahead of her into the manor.

OOC: Writer's block sucks. I'm sorry.

[Tradieus Kha'Serith]

Standing up quickly at the words of Aeri Tradieus smiled as best as a lipless race could. "It pleases me to see you again Holiness." He said quietly before following the Allerian into her home.

When inside Trad waited for Aerienne to take him to wherever it was they would talk. Going over in his mind the words he would say to her. These words had been a long time coming and he wanted to make sure they would be for naught.

"Diana be praised that I find you in good spirits Holiness." He started off. "Although from what I have heard from those in your employ that you are not so. It is okay to let the shield come down Holiness. The Gods gave to all of us our emotions to use, not to hide away from." It was almost as if he was preaching to her about the workings of the Gods. He knew though that what he was saying was true and if anybody was to understand him it would be her.

Now that that was out of the way, or would it ever truly be, they were free to move on to reasons why he had come. "The reason I have come to you Holiness is to speak with you about things that I have seen." Starting off slowly he sighed. "I am sure you have heard of all the reports about the 'warnings' from Aetheria, the river of blood and now the most recent, the crumbling of the statue in the Garden of Hope." Signing the symbol of Diana Trad continued. "There has been so many other rumours that I have heard it has shaken my to the core. The people have little faith in the Gods these days. It pains me to say this, but it must be said or it will forever be this way." Sighing yet again and putting a taloned hand to his forehead he closed his eyes.

"The division of the church is what I think has done this. The heathens that call themselves the members of the Church of the Sacred Three are nothing but liars and cheats. You know as well as I do that all they preach is foul and vile, nothing good could come from the mind of the traitorous Jodus." Trad spat the word out as if it was poison. "What disturbs me more is that nothing has been done about them. I know that it would be fool heartdy to defy them with arms, but to ask for help is not something to be ashamed of. I am not talking help from the Gods, though they are to be beseached I think, but from His Imperial Excellency. Contact the Regeant please Holiness. Make him listen to your words, this cannot go on for much longer. The faith is being broken down farther, for both sides, that is what I think is wrong these days. The Gods are finding ways to tell us to come together again or face cleansing."

[Aerienne Sarista]

Aeri smiled gently. "I have never hidden from my emotions, Tradieus. I think of them as a strength, not as the weakness that so many believe destroyed my kind."

As they reached the spacious foyer, Aeri's face became sad. "Yes, I am aware of some of these warnings. Diana came to me in a vision when I was in Alleria Prime, and there She ordered me to give up my position as Archprelatess and find a successor. She also has forced me to feel the emotions of all who died in the disasters at Tirisfal, Imperia, and Zerdargia." She shook her head, sighing, and then she nodded decisively. "I have spoken of the problems within the Church before the Regent and the Council of the Crown, but there are so many problems going on right now that there may not be enough resources to handle it. But I will speak with Milo again, and ask assistance, not for myself, but for the Church. You are right that this division cannot last. With all the darkness around us, someone must bear the light of hope for the people."

She looked at Tradieus and smiled. "Thank you for speaking on their behalf, Tradieus."

[Tradieus Kha'Serith]

Sighing with a troubled look on his face he looked at the floor for a moment. "We cannot even deem to grasp the workings of the Gods. It is best we look at it as a blessing, no matter the guise it takes. I feel for you my friend, I do, but Diana has done something to you that I think will take shape over time." He patted her on the arm lightly. He was not even sure what type of blessing his Holy Mother had given to the Allerian, but he was convinced it was for a reason. A reason not to punish her nor to be vindictive, it would all work out in time.

His eye ridges peeked slightly upwards at her words of meeting with the Reagent already. "How could they have not taken immediate action? The Regeant and his staff, all within Her Empire, are here to serve Her and the other Gods of Aetheria. I cannot believe they would let such a heresy sit and simmer, breaking down the faithfull even further. There must be something terribly wrong to allow them to not notice this." His eyes were alight now with a silent fire. This was something he though he could help with. "Please, Aeri, send me. Send myself to Alleria Prime on your behalf. Allow me to bring our case before the leaders of Her Empire. Do me the honor of representing you and the rest of our beloved Church and people."

[Aerienne Sarista]

"It is my hope that you are right, Tradieus." She gave him a hopeful smile. "I hope that whatever pain I go through, it may help someone else in the future." She walked to the back and opened the doors into the large backyard area.

"When I was last in Prime, there was a very bad situation brewing in Narim, and problems springing up all over the Empire. The others care, Tradieus, they really do. They are just so overworked and stressed right now. Especially after the Imperia disaster. I will send word to Prime and ask that you speak on the Church's behalf. I think that your care for the people's spiritual well-being will show through, and perhaps inspire action in others." She smiled more brightly at him. "Then this division might finally start to come to an end, and bring peace again."