[Temple] The Mousai supplicant

[Tolmai]

Immanis, XIV P.F.

Tolmai woke up and knew that tonight was the night he had been waiting for since he had left Karhet. He spent a full hour grooming and making his clothes presentable. Finally convinced that even a Posati would not fault him for his appearance, he walked out of his burrow and headed north to the Temple of the Blessed Hands.

~~~

He had heard a lot about the temple from his stay in Natura, but this was the first time he had ever set foot in it. Awe was probably the least of the emotions that boiled up from within his soul as he gazed upon the stained glass windows of the good deities. Unbidden, tears fell from his eyes as he gazed upon the the visage of the Blessed Mother, she whom the humans call Diana. Removing his hood he made his way to where the light of Diana's window splashed upon the white marble.

"Even in the darkest of nights vill the light of the Vlessed Vother shine" he whispered reverently.

Raising his paws upwards towards the image of Diana, the Mousai closed his eyes and uttered a silent prayer:

"Blessed Mother, I have heard your call and I accept it as my Choice. Everything I am is yours, Blessed Mother. I have left my family, my friends, and the company of my kind to heed your call. I beg you, guide your servant. Use me to give the gift of Choice to those who are denied it. Let the guardians of this temple see that my only desire is to be forged into a vessel of your will."

[Venn Drega]

Tolmai’s prayer was heard, at least by an attendant priestess. The young woman moved quietly before him and made a sacred sign of Diana’s blessing over him when he had finished his prayer. “The Blessed Mother smile upon you, friend. I am Syl’lyth a priestess of the temple.” Her dark hair fell over her shoulders and there was a youthful twinkle in her eye. She was indeed a young woman who did not look beyond twenty patterns.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” she inquired softly. As new as she was since being accepted as a priestess at the completion of her term as an acolyte, Syl’lyth had learned to notice the smallest details about those who came to the sanctuary. She could tell that the mousai had a true devotion in his heart by the way he had dressed and groomed. Not a single hair on his pelt was out of place. She also knew that it was his first time within the Temple when he looked with deep reverence upon the images of the Aetherians. The heart of true devotion never ceased to move her.

[Tolmai]

Tolmai wiped the tears from the fur on his face and looked at the young priestess.

"Serale, Priestess Syl’lyth." Tolmai timidly replied, bowing low in greeting. "Vy nave is Tolvai and I... I..." Tolmai stopped, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before continuing. "I have cuv to seek entrance into the Order of Faladins as a squire."

After he had blurted it out, Tolmai opened his eyes. He fully expected the worst possible reactions to his statement and his eyes reflected this. After all, he was a Mousai asking to be admitted as a squire to a Paladin order full of Brightlanders.

[Venn Drega]

Syl'lyth smiled at the mousai's request, not because he was diminutive, but because of the boldness of his request. "Ah, Tolvai, then I will bring you to one of our senior paladins," she said. "You will be able to make inquiry with him." She turned slightly and beckoned the rodenti to follow her through a side door. She led him down a long stone corridor lit by glowing lamps since the long narrow windows set high up on the side of the wall were now dark.

She finally came to a set of double doors. Pushing them open revealed a large chamber filled with books. In fact, there were three stories full of shelves that were accessed by narrow spiral staircases. In the middle of the room was a large circular counter where there sat a wizened old man with spectacles. Although the room was lit by a large domed skylight in the brightening, the man was was now reading by the light of a candle. Surrounding the central counter were large tables lit with candles that sat empty. There were also two openings to identical adjacent rooms, except they did not have a circular counter in them.. One to the left and one to the right. The raven haired woman led Tolmai to the room on the right. All the tables in this room was also empty.

There was a slight rustling sound that caused the woman to look up at a silver haired half-elf who was sorting through a set of scroll on the third floor level of the room. "Commander, there's someone here inquiring about entry into the Silver Stars," she called up, her voice reverberating off the stone floors before being absorbed by the books. The Naturan paladin, peered down at the two through his dark eyes. They could see the eerie iridescence of his silver pupils as his face was shrouded in shadow.

"Isn't the Grand Mistress around today?" a baritone voice queried.

"No, Gunnilla had something to tend to at the Porcupine," the woman answered.

"Very well then," came the answer. The tall paladin who stood nearly six and a half feet descended the spiral stairs with a scroll in one hand and a candle-holder in the other. "Thank you sister Syl'lyth," he said with a smile and a nod. "Serale and welcome to you," he said to Tolmai. "I am Venn Drega of the Silver Stars. Why don't we sit and talk a little about your desire to join our vocation."

"I'll be going then," Syl'lyth nodded with a smile before turning to exit. Venn bowed slightly to her before taking a seat, indicating to Tolmai to join him at the table.

"So, my friend, tell me who you are and why you are interested in our order."

[Tolmai]

Tolmai bowed to the priestess as she turned to leave. "Thank you friestess."

After straightening out he looked over the chairs and pulled one out. Making sure that his claws did not scratch the wooden surface he clambered atop it and sat on his haunches, his tail, the tip of which jerked left to right in an unconscious display of nervousness, trailing downwards to the floor over the right side of the chair.

Tolmai's first sound was little more than a high-pitched squeal. "I..."

Clearing his throat he tried again. "Serale Covvander. I am Tolvai, called Vrightlander, until my ascendancy last era I lived in Karhet. Nov I live in Natura and I vork for Vissis Flovrvottov at the vakery gathering nuts and verries for the vread."

Tolmai paused for a bit to collect his thoughts before continuing. "I left Karhet to live under the sky vecause I felt the Vlessed Vother call ve to her service, I Chose to heed her call." The conviction behind Tolmai's emphasis on the word 'chose' could not be more obvious to any listener. "I do not knov vhy I ended her in Natura, vut it felt right. Long have I thought over vhy I was led here. I am Vousai so I thought it vight ve to learn to be a Druid, vut it did not feel right. So I stayed and vorked and learned vore avout Natura. It vas then I learned avout your order. The vore I learned avout it, the vore it called to me. I resisted cuving here for a long tive vecause of fear, vut tonight vhen I voke uf I knuv that I had to cuve."

Having said as much, Tolmai continued. "I vas not trained as varrior, beyond vhat is norval for Rodenti of couse, nor trained in arcana, vut am villing to take up the <Rodenti Claws> and arcana in the Vlessed Vother's service. All I ask is to ve given the chance."

[Venn Drega]

The Teleris examined the furry creature he spoke with rather carefully. He had been known other Rodenti, primarily Relequis, but never a mousai. This one seemed larger than he imagined. He listened to the answer to his question although he found the accent somewhat difficult to decipher. Apparently the mousai had become acquainted with the Flourbottoms and had a deep sense of spiritual devotion. He wondered at what kind of warrior Tolmai would make since the rodenti's hands might have trouble with a sword or mace. But then there were always exceptions.

"So, Tolvai, tell me about your ascendancy. I am unfamiliar with the rituals of your people. Also, when you refer to the Blessed Mother, you are referring to Diana? By the way, how did you learn about the Silver Stars and what do you know about us?" Venn peppered Tolmai with questions not only to clarify but also to probe.

[OOC:I'm glad you are in the adventure thread 'Fallen Heroine' with Venn. There is a likelihood that he will take you on as a squire, just so you will be aware and can edit those posts later.]

[Tolmai]

OOC: Thanks! Here's to hoping Venn Drega does accept me as a squire.

Tolmai blinked at the Paladin's response, obviously taken slightly by surprise by something Venn Drega asked. He was quiet and still for the span of five heartbeats before he spoke.

"Vy ascendancy?" He spoke with what seems to be a note of amusement considering that the Mousai was chittering a little. "Vell, I... that is I..." He spoke brokenly as the frequency of his chittering increased. Tolmai shaked his body to get a hold of himself. He cleared his throat not once, but twice before continuing. "I av froud to say that I vanaged to steal a fair of <Rodenti Claws> frov one of the vlack Ratta and laid it at the altar of the Vlessed Vother. I have thev still. The forver ovner vas very avused at the theft. He said he stole those <Rodenti Claws> on his ascendancy hivself and that it that they have fassed down in that vanner for untold generations." Up until this point Tolmai looked proud of his accomplishment, but there was a sudden shift in his demeanor that signalled he had a sober thought. "I don't knov vhat vill happen to those <Rodenti Claws> if I die vithout offspring or if no other Rodenti fuf steals thev frov ve, vut I leave that to the Vlessed Vother." "Yes" he said nodding as if he was just heard some new piece of information "I leave it up to Her."

"As for the name of the Vlessed Vother... Yes, I refer to Her that you sfeak of. Avong Rodenti it is blasfemous to sfeak the nave's of the gods. I have not veen avle to shake off that havit, vut I av sure they don't vind so I do not try hard." He said with a small motion of dismissal.

"As for hov I found out avout the order, vell it vas quite accidental actually. I vas taking a naf avong the vranches of an oak vefore heading for the vakery with vy harvest late vun darkening vhen I vas voken up vy people talking on the ground. A grouf of Rangers vere talking to a van in arvor that sfarkled like the night sky. Vy fur stood on end then. Is as if a litter of fufs decided to ruv against ve? I don't knov if I describe the sensation right considering you don't have fur, vut is vat it felt like. I ask Vissis Flovrvottov avout the van and she said that it vas provavly one of the Faladins of Natura."

"I av afraid the only thing I know of the order is that you are varriors in service of the gods of light and that you vield veapons and arvor that sfarkle vith the light of the stars." Tolmai looked sad at this point and looked down not meeting Venn Drega's eyes. "I do not think I can vear arvor or vield sords or vaces though. Rodenti are not vuilt that vay. Ve have different vays of fighting also. Ve rely on stealth, cunning, and our athletic avilities." He suddenly jerked his head up and the sparkle was back in his golden eyes. "Vut veing a varrior in service of the Vlessed Vother? That vas all I needed to hear. It vas as if...a song vas singing inside me? Did I say that right? Vy soul vas...haffy. I knev than that is vhat I vas here for. I vish to serve as varrior of the Vlessed Vother."

Tolmai's bearing suggested that a great weight has been lifted off him. His tail no longer jerked from side to side and his ears and whiskers did not quiver. His golden eyes were bright and alert. He waited patiently for the Commander to ask him more questions.

[Venn Drega]

Venn sympathized with the rodenti. The creature wanted so very much to be a holy warrior and yet was faced by certain obvious challenges related to physiology. “Fear not, Tolvai, a servant to the Aetherians is not judged merely by physical or even mental attributes. It is the strength of devotion which is judged. As long as you do not persist in acquiring what is not yours here at the temple, you may do well. It is simply not the custom here.”

The paladin placed a hand on his chin as if giving the matter some thought, creating a moment of silence between them. The Mousai knew little of their order and yet there was something to be said for his zeal. Was there a place among the Silver stars for the one he identified as Tolvai?

“I will tell you what, friend. I will have you accompany me for a cycle. If, at the end of this time you still feel called to become a Silver Star and the order deems you suitable, I will take you on as my own apprentice. How does that sound to you?” Venn offered.

[Tolmai]

Tolmai was nodding vigorously.

"I vould not dreav of stealing anything from anyone in the tevfle. Ve practiced those skills vecause it is a fart of avr traditions. I do not see the need to fractice thev on those I consider vy friends or allies unless it vas for fun, a fractical joke if you vill." Tolmai's eyes were glittering with life. "The cutlery is safe frov ve" he added chittering his amusement.

“I will tell you what, friend. I will have you accompany me for a cycle. If, at the end of this time you still feel called to become a Silver Star and the order deems you suitable, I will take you on as my own apprentice. How does that sound to you?”

Tolmai's tail was now sticking up behind him and his whisker were quivering with pleasure. "A chance is all I asked. I fray to the Vlessed Vother that I prove worthy. I acceft your offer sir!"

All of a sudden Tolmai froze, a look of consternation crossing his face. "I... I forgot to tell yuv sovething ivfortant. Ve Rodenti are nocturnal. I... I cannot go here during vrightenings unless I vish to stuvle around vlindly. The vright light vill also cause ve headaches." Now Tolmai looked really worried. "The earliest I could ve here is late vrightening and then only if it is cloudy." Tolmai was giving the impression of a rapidly deflating balloon. He looked at Venn Drega with forlorn eyes.

[Venn Drega]

The mousai was evidently very pleased as his whiskered quivered. He was obviously troubled by something. The Temple Commander nodded at what Tolmai shared. "Hmmm, I can see how that might be a further hindrance. Why don't you come to the temple at dusk then every day, seek me out and we will see if this is workable." He paused before asking, "Does anything enable you to function during the day? A deep cowl or perhaps something to protect your eyes? I'm just curious how you might be able to extend you exposure during the brightening, although I can see how being nocturnal has its own advantages as well."

[Tolmai]

Tolmai showed Venn Drega the hood he was holding in his hands.

"I vear this vhen I need to go out during vrightenings, vut even vith it vy eyes vater and vy head aches. It is less if I cov out vhen the shados start to lengthen. So if you need ve here vy late vrightening I can ve here. It vould ve vut a svall sacrifice if it is in honor of Her. Any time vefore that vould ve... counter froductive is right vord I think."

"As for other vethods..." Tolmai gave what would be the equivalent of a Rodenti shrug "There vas great interest in using ovsidian to helf us see in light, vut I av not Lotori so I do not knov vuch avout it."

[Venn Drega]

“Very well,” the paladin conceded. There was no point in faulting the rodenti for his physical limitations. “Come to the Temple at dusk starting tomorrow,” he said. “Ask for me at the entry hall and I will meet you there. Is that arrangement satisfactory?” Venn would then ask if Tolmai would be able to find his way out of the Temple on his own. If not, he would walk him to the entry hall before returning to the library again.

~*~

The next brightening, Venn was already in the entry hall when Tolmai arrived. The tall paladin was conversing with one of the monks. When the discussion had concluded, he greeted the aspiring paladin and gave him a tour of Temple. They started by ascending the many stairways and tunnels in the Temple wall until they reached the promontory, the highest level of the temple where a terrace was built extending form the cliff that jutted out over the temple complex. The position provided a view of the entire temple property as well as a view of the City of Natura from above. They could also see as far the Dolwoods and the Great Basin to the south in the fading light.

Then Tolmai was shown the infirmary, the refectory, the library, the scriptorium, the stables, the training hall, and some of the empty cells that members of the Temple orders would occupy. What became evident was that the Temple was a massive structure that would likely take cycles to fully explore and still have secrets unrevealed. As they travelled the halls, Venn watched Tolmai, observing how the mousai interacted with the environment and people, as if making a silent assessment. They then returned to the refectory again and Venn poured two drinks from them from the variety of refreshments available. He then sat down with Tolmai ans ask, “So Tolvai, have you any thoughts or questions?”

[Tolmai]

"I vill ve here Sir. And yes, I can find my vay ot Sir." Tolmai gives Venn Drega a bow and takes his leave.

@};-

Venn would have noted that Tolmai looked from the promontory with wide-eyed wonder. He did seem ill at ease, even hesitant entering the large, open spaces within the Temple and the Mousai's expression was a mixture of awe and puzzlement while exporing the rest.

Tolmai was lost in thought as he took the drink in between his paws. Taking a swig, he considered his options. He didn't see much sense trying to sugar-coat his reactions, that would be counter-productive.

"Vhat you have here is veautiful... and so large! So vany unused ofen sfaces. In the varrens all sface is used. It vill take tive for ve to adaft."

Tolmai stared at the depths of his drink for a beat, then continued.

"I av curious. Vill I ve required to stay here if I get accefted? If so, is there an area vhere I can dig a den? The cells are too tall for ve. Also, vhat about vy vork for Vissus Flovrvottov? Vhat else do I need to knov or do to ve accefted?"

[Venn Drega]

"No, our brethren do not necessarily live here at the temple," the part sea-elf explained with a slight shake of his head. "Many of our order live within the demesnes of Natura with their families in private homes. I certainly understand if you prefer to live within your own warren and it is an acceptable arrangement."

"As for being accepted as a squire, you must understand who we are and what we stand for. The Order of the Silver Star is but one of several different orders of holy knights in Aelyria. Our members must hold to honor and sacred duty before the Aetherians. We serve as instruments of justice and mercy within the empire. You may begin your journey to be a Silver Star as a squire, but to be a paladin, you must prove this commitment."

"Our squires are also trained in the use of arms as well as arcana. You must be comfortable with this. As for a steed, our order is trained in mounted warfare," Venn scratched at his chin a moment as if considering. "Can you ride a horse? Or do your people use other mounts?"

[Tolmai]

Tolmai nodded in understanding. "I av glad to hear that there is choice in the vatter."

Mulling over the rest of the word of Venn Drega the Mousai seemed to be having a bit of an internal discussion. "To the Rodenti the Vlessed Vother is redeemer. She gave us Choice. Is this vhat you vean vy Justice and Vercy?" queried the Rodenti. "If it is, then there is no qvestion on vhat vy Choice vill ve. I have left vy kin and kind to serve Her in giving other the Choice."

"I av no stranger to arcana and varfare. Rodenti are vorn varriors ..." Tolmai suddenly scratched behind his right ear, "Exceft the Fossati that is." Giving a slight shrug Tolmai continued "Ve Vousai have talent for Arcana. It sings in Vousai vlood. There is no frovlem there also."

At the mention of riding and horses Tolmai's ears twitched and after Venn Drega asked if the Rodenti ride the Mousai's eyes took on a far away look before focusing back on the elf. "I have not heard of Rodenti riding anivals, ve are not vuilt to ride in saddles. Hind legs too short. Vut I think sove Rodenti use chariots in arena vattles. Vill that ve acceftavle you think?"

Tolmai's voice has taken on a tone of hope. It just might be that he had a chance to be accepted as a squire. There will be difficulties for sure, but he was hopeful.