He Has Come (Pala)

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

11th of Ioannes

The honor guard that had led Palacrisis and his two guests numbered twelve with Heru Celerrond at the head making it thirteen. The Lord of the Third House was resplendent in shining silver and white mythril coupled with the mist grey uniform of the Celerrond family. Not one to show off while in the midst of others, not one to show of anywhere, Jarae was dressed as simply as the other twelve guards except they worse plain chain mail. Each elf guard carried one of the famed elven long pikes, which greatly resembled the Aether Pikes of the Allerians, a longsword and a short bow slung across their backs. Jaraelium himself had only his longsword attached to his waist, he had no need for another weapon as he was the most able user of the blade after the great general Fal Sulas of course.

The stay at the Celerrond home would have been one of pure, painful beauty for the visitors that had stayed the last darkening within it. The sapphire roves that cascaded over the large keep of the family were breathtaking in the light. The waterfalls that graced the lands near the house was the source of a pristine lake that flowed near the Silver Dragons home. The countless visitors of the manor, humans, katta, elf, dorn and many more could only rave about the hospitality of the generous Jarae to Pala. It was no surprise that Glioca had gotten the lord to offer his home as a layover during the long trek through the enchanted forest of the Tawnleaf.

"Hoooold." The guard at the gate called as the large group approached. The guards quickly stopped their pike butts landing together on the packed earth with a thud their chain mail rattling softly. "What business do you have within the city of Silrosia with such a force of armed guards?" It was a human this time that asked the question gazing at the party through wary eyes.

"Jaraelium Celerrond escorts His Imperial Excellency into Silrosia at the behest of Her Grace Glioca U'sioanyl." The strong voice of the warrior lord replied to the human guard as his horse trotted forward to show himself better.

"Ah, it is you my lord, please please go on in. Open the gates boys the governor has come to enter." Turning around he called over the gate. His answer came with the squeak of the gates pulling open for the first time since they closed during the darkening.

When the trekking group did move to the other side of the Sapphire Archway they were greeted with another much larger group of gathered elves and humans. This group included a regiment of forty city guards and a company of druids that stood in regal dress as they waited the candlemarks for Pala to come into the city. At the forfront of the soldiers and nature mages was a small group of men and women that bowed and curtsied deeply as they saw Pala step through the gates.

A woman dressed in a gown of deep green and gold stepped forward, a crown of chocolate brown hair flowing freely around her face. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you Governor Jones, I am Glioca." She said in greeting he soft violet eyes giving their own greeting of warmth and happiness. "May I introduce to you the staff of the city government." Turning sideways and extending a lithe arm to the side as the others that stood there moved closer.

"May I present A'lyena Celerrond, Aedile of Syl'rosya and aunt to Jaraelium your host for the past darkening." Glioca introduced the aged elf with the raven black hair and hazel eyes who gave another soft bow.

The next to step up was a human man, tall with hard features and strong grey-blue eyes that nodded at the governor. "This excellency in Jokoln Espariva, Prefect of Syl'rosya and once more related to Jaraelium through marriage to his sister." Glioca finished with a smile of her deep purple eyes.

"The Constable, Captain Landon Uth Gunther." Glioca said inclining her head to the rather large set man with unruly blonde hair that was doing his best to bow with his weight.

The last in line that came forward as an extremely tall and rather well muscled elf that bore a deep scar running the right side of his face. "This is Kano Lwynis Gilthandruil, Commander of the city militia." The lady thane introduced him and with a finality she moved to take her place beside the governor to await his once over of the officials and those of the guards.

"May it also be noted that Assistant Prefect Chrysannia Syl'lithar is not present. She was elected to remain at the Oracle to make ready for you, Excellency." She noted in quickly then was once again silent awaiting word of the human.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

The governors daughter was entranced, an enthusiast of cheap romances that depicted lords and ladies, loves won and lost and deeds of knightly daring it was as though she had been transported into the pages of the stories. The previous darkening had been magical, the Lord Celerrond had been courteous and gallant offering the young girl his arm to escort her into the glittering hold and sit her close to him at pracenda. She had watched the floating elegant dancers who seemed never to put a foot upon mere stone as they played out the complicated figures of the dance. Her ears had been assailed by sweet music that had an unearthly haunting air to it, so different from the coarse tunes that she had heard before. Meyra wanted more of this ethereal music, the table was laid with delicacies that were both strange and sweet to her tongue and she selected small portions of nigh on everything not just to satisfy hunger but curiosity.

A young lord sat on her other side and told her funny sweet stories of their lives in the stockade the palaces and the woodlands. His strange eyes never wavering from her fresh face glistening with excitement in the subtle candle light of the great lord’s dining room. The handsome elf poured sweet acidic fruit juices into her cup with his own hand and each sip was a delight. She blushed as the elf asked her dance but at a nod from her father she allowed herself to be escorted onto the dance floor and with her natural athletic grace and a few giggles of joy she managed to follow one of the more simple dances under the tutelage of her partner.

Palacrisis was content to sit quietly and offer polite conversation with the lord Celerrond, some talk of horses and the information that his own magnificent steed had been bought from Moranor Andres. A couple of slightly ribald stories of his days in Tearsfall so far away in both time and physical distance now! He drank of the fine wines sparingly his hand hovering over the glass as servants offered to top him up, he enjoyed the food and delights of a fine elven table but never to excess. They made no mention of politics and business that was for later and as the opening moves on the chess board are both familiar and comforting not to be rushed least anyone watching would think he was a gauche human in the center of the sophisticated elven nation.

The candles in their scones were burning low, the musicians were beginning to tire and even the ever polite elves were snatching a surreptitious yawn behind elegant hands .The lord Celerrond called a halt to the meal and entertainment and with some relief Pala was free to sleep in the great bed that his host had put aside for his comfort.

Meyra was equally tired but her sense of wonder was keeping her eyes open, her companion kissed her hand as she made to follow her father and her world was complete. She would sleep the darkening away with dreams that were not fiction but fact. A frightened slip of a child huddling in a ruined warehouse after the terrible darkening of the battle of Tearsfall all the way to the great court of a real life elf lord.

She too had come a long way!

The following morning was busy as they prepared themselves for the public side of their journey, the lord Celerrond had explained that there was to be an official meet and greet the governor. Pala had woken at dawn and stood at the window of his room thinking about what he would say later that morning

keep it simple stupid he had told himself you are already in enough trouble over Dzrg so no controversy, ….hmmm

Dressed in his blue long coat white shirt and stock, trousers of the same hue and shiny black knee length boots, Pala eschewed his elven long sword but as was his wont slipped the razor sharp hunting knife into its sheath and slipped it into the back of his trousers governor or not I ain’t walking naked in there

Meyra in her summer frock had piled her strawberry blonde hair up and she rode beside Pala, side saddle as befits a young lady but her sharp eyes missed nothing all was a wonder and the memory of the last darkening’s entertainment rested within her ready to be unpicked and shared with her coterie of friends.

after dismounting it was a matter of names and faces, the lovely thane had introduced herself and led him along the line of officials, bows and brief strong handshakes, small pleasantries , “pleased to make your acquaintance, thank you for your service to the city, very smart turnout,” but all the time registering names and faces placing them into the filing cabinet of his mind.

The line ended and he turned to face the congregation and with a soft smile on his aquiline face spoke clearly across the crowd.

My lords ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your greeting and your hospitality it honour’s the city of Syl’rosya as well as it does this poor human. I have much to learn of your ways and methods but I am looking forward to the task. So Lady Thane you have my thanks and that of my daughter Meyra. I am at your disposal for the next month and although we will be camping some distance from your city I hope to share some simple hospitability with any one who would honour me with a visit be it pleasure or business.

Meyra at the cue of her name had sunk a deep low curtsy at the lady thane Glioca and Pala ended his little speech with a deep and respectful bow to the thane before stepping forward and offering her a small package.

My lady thane it would give me pleasure if you would accept this trifle as gesture from a man from the east to a woman from the west.

The package was a small oil painting , the companion to the one he had offered the Governor of Lauryl at the ball .In subtle tones of blue and gold it showed the fishing boats of Tearsfall arriving home after a darkening’s fishing. Impressionist in style it suggested the subject with deft brush strokes rather than a graphic imagery.


Pala smiled Thane Glioca can we move on now, I am sure your people want to return to their occupations?

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

Thane Glioca took the gift in her delicate hands with a happy smile and a nod of her head. She unlike many members of The Combine welcomed outsiders and thought that the man before her would do many great things for not only the small city but the entire province.

"I thank you dearly for this your Excellency." The lady elf said in thanks as she handed the beautiful painting off to an aid that was standing near them. "I did not take the liberty of arranging a carriage back to the Oracle because I thought it would do you good to walk the streets. Get to know the town as we meander our way to the house of government, so if you would follow us." Indicating with a small motion of her hand in the general direction of the Oracle of Oak.

"We Syl'lrosya salute you your Excellency!" The ring of the gathered soldiers sounded in unison as the Thane and the Governor left the courtyard that the formal meeting had taken place. Just as quickly as that the soldiers dispearsed in a clean orderly fashion and were nowhere to be seen within a few short heartbeats. They were some of the finest trained men in the entire province, what less could be said of those that Fal Sulas mentored.

"How have you found your stay on the borders of the Tawnleaf?" The Archdruid asked in idle conversation as they took their first few steps. The rest of the local government were following behind sharing in their own conversations. "I myself live within the forest, but my home is a far trek from the main road that passes through it and the Celerrond Cheb is the only Elder House that finds solace in the magical forest. So please do not think ill of myself for having done so, I did it merely to save you time and to uphold the laws of etiquette that are so profound here in Syl'rosya." Her accent liltingly sweet on the elvish form of the stockade city.

The group continued the slow trek through the city Glioca and a few of the others pointing out certain landmarks. The most prominent being the open air stadium that graced the city in glory, then it was the magical hanging gardens that were already filled with people so early in the brightening. Then they passed the memorial park to honor the dead that were killed during the Vysstichi attack a few eras ago. Glioca took a noted stop at the memorial for long minutes as she seemingly forgot that the Governor was with her, the other elves in to the group doing the same. It was different it seemed for the humans in the procession as they were not the targets of the malicious attack, but they all shared the pain all the same.

"Forgive the long stop Excellency." The druid said quietly once they had resumed their walk which would continue for a few more candlemarks as the group made a few more stops along the path. Hopefully the walk had given the new Governor a brief layout and description of the stockade city.

When they finally did reach the now defunct palace of Prince Moonstone Glioca showed the Governor around the structure. The palace was one of the wonders of the world and an achievement of elven architecture.

Lush garden parks adorn the wide expanse of courtyard, with the charming oaks beckoning those who approach from the golden and silvery cobblestone paths. Several springs bubble from the within the parks, meandering through the large Palace grounds, where many pavilions are perched on, for members of the Council and foreign delegates to have more informal conversations within the confining walls of the Palace. Hedges snake along the grounds, with flowers in full bloom within the green wells, with carefully cropped statues carved onto the hedges; statues of Elven nymphs and Elvish warriors, brandishing swords and the traditional long bows, with others displaying musical instruments, playing their silent melody to all those who entered.

Pristine and hallowed groves adorned with tall, darkly barked oaks, once the symbol of Moonstone for their tenacity and strong, sturdy roots. Dark beech green leaves were spread like a beautiful canopy, carpeting almost the entire parks with its archaic solace. Erected proudly on polished mahogany were the colors of the Imperial Crown, the Empress, flanked by the mascot of Arakmat - the golden sun stitched against a blue kite shield trimmed with red flames, with a black helm a top the shining suns; and lastly the sigil of the Elfhame of the West, the Acorn dancing atop the Three Elven stars. Spreading from either sides were the colors of the Cives, flags emblazoned with the emblem of the Nobles, flying golden and silvery, blue and violet, pink and emerald in the winds.

From the rose pink quartz towers were graceful balconies etched onto the smooth surface of the minarets, where trailing leaves and vines hang from the rails, swaying softly in the winds as if singing an archaic song, with many colored flowers dancing in the breeze. While the rest of the spires and the rest of the courtyard was constructed in Syl'rosyan fashion, the main Palace building was carved out of the purest form of colorful marble, with mosaic tiles fitting into the floors like a masterful picture of the three forests of the Elfhame - the charming Restwood, stalwart Tawnleaf and the mysterious Blackbarch before its plunge into darkness.

The now defunct Palace now serves as the Official building to house the Council of Eight, Imperial representatives to govern the Elfhame after its fall to Emperor Constantine, as well as the office of the Thane. Walking through the sacrosanct arched walk ways of the Palace on carefully pattern tiles which were all exquisitely made from Elven hands, and beautifully cut windows made from stained glass so that the light that falls into the Palace would flicker and melt against the crystal walls, changing from a lurid pink and violet in the morning, into a deep and sensual blue at night, one would arrive at the desk of Alecto Platt, the Thane's personal assistant, as well as Imperial Journalist to the Imperial Stockade.

The corridors seem to stretch into the grand Hall of the Oaks that few have set their eyes upon, for it houses the very seat of power within the Elfhame where the numerous Lord and Ladies of the Council convenes every cycle. Within the Hall of the Oaks were eight podiums that sits the various representatives of the eight different interests - Religious, Economics, Industrial, Military, Arcana, Elven, Civic and Diplomatic. The Thane sits at the end of the room, perched on a high podium, where he could observe the entire parliament session, giving him a seemingly ubiquitous presence in the great Hall. Before him were tiers of benches for the Nobles and delegates to observe the political battlefield, where ideas, laws and policies alike are born from.

From the second storey would be the opulently designed mezzanine, a sprawling crystal balcony for the more important foreign delegates to observe from a top the Hall, allowing a bird's eye view of the entire session. From the golden doors of the mezzanine, the walkways would lead to an open air parapet where the Thane would address the public from the vast courtyards, with silvery fluted railings that curve circularly around the protruding walls of the floating patio.

Once the tour of the Oracle had been given the city officials bid the Governor farewell for the moment as Glioca ushered the man to her officers.

"Now your Excellency, is there anything specific you would like to see our do for the next few candlemarks. The Council of Eight meets this brightening to discuss the normalcy of life in Syl'rosya. That is not for a few candlemarks yet though, so we could discuss the details if you would like." Sitting in a large oak chair she said with her hands clasped on her lap,

[Palacrisis D Jones]

Palacrisis was grateful for the chair; the long walk through the marvels of Silrosia had been dazzling, a cornucopia of beauty grace and style. Architecture was based on the natural but the joy of colour infused the elven city. It was different even alien but none the less delightful to behold. Thane Glioca had proved to be a charming hostess and guide pointing out places and objects of interest as they made their way through the by ways of Silrosia. Her offer to take a walk had been accepted with a hint of pleasure in his voice, what better way to take in the stockade of the elf than by striding through it absorbing the myriad sights and scenes with some time on his hands.

The stadium was a wonder and memorial allowed him to bend a knee briefly in private homage to brave people who had been cruelly struck down. Glioca’s apology was simply greeted with

Thane Glioca it was an honour to pay my duties to your fallen. I understand what it is to lead a city struck by cruel fortune and in that memory I pay my respects to your loved ones.

If Silrosia was a wonder for a simple boy from the far east of the empire the palace was a …well…. Palacrisis’s barely had a vocabulary that was adequate to voice his sense of amazement. The walk through the halls and garden had mesmerized his senses as wonder after wonder had been revealed to him. Meyra had slipped a hand into his and her eyes shone with amazement, his normally garrulous daughter silenced by the elves and their beauty.

The memories of all he had seen were still etched freshly into his brain and it was with a slight start that he returned to his hostess as she enquired of the myriad questions she knew he would have.

Thane Glioca first of all I must thank you for the honours you have done me by showing me your beautiful city. I think I begin to understand why the elvish peoples of Silrosia guard their privacy so carefully, these places deserve to remain inviolate You asked me earlier about my stay on the outskirts of the Tawnleaf, well I have felt a sense of tranquility from being just close to that great forest, I feel as though there is an aura of old wisdom about the woods perhaps not a sentient wisdom but more a feeling of great all knowing calm ages old and in tempo with the seasons. You must forgive me thane sometimes I get a little imaginative and perhaps my language runs away with me.

He leaned back in his chair surveying the elegant room in which they sat framing his next comment before

I admit that I dearly wanted to see Silrosia and your city has amazed and delighted me but I also wanted to talk with you. The vice regent has charged me with a duty and even the most enchanting visits must occasionally be spoiled with the duty of business. You will know that shortly there will be a conference of reconciliation between the Church of the Sacred Three and the Church of Faith chaired by the regent and vice regent. Silrosia in the aftermath of the vysstichi abomination came out in the public press firmly on the side of the Church of the Sacred Three. The vice regent has charged me with establishing the truth and to find out what hold the church of the Sacred Three has in Silrosia if any. I would ask that you submit this question to the Council of Eight so that you may submit a position paper to me and eventually to the regent.

Pala put a hand up as if to stop a reply and then leaned conspiratorially forward

As a gesture of faith in you and the council of eight, you should know this. Aerinne Sarista is no longer Archprelate of the Church of Faith, the goddess Diana visited her and stripped her of her powers and her stole of office ordering a distraught Aeri to go out and find her successor. This is a matter of the highest secrecy but the elves are known for their discretion so this information may be disclosed to your colleagues on the understanding that no word will leave the council chambers.

Palacrisis was serious what he had just divulged was a secret at the highest level and if any word leaked out his tenure as governor would probably end ignominiously.

ooc ~ I understand this may take some time and it would help if Pala got some ic information about the Vysstichi raid which would seem to be the catalyst for the letter to the Herald.

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

The violet eyed lady elf reclined in her chair as Pala spoke his thoughts about the enchanted Tawnleaf and the stockade city. She was a quiet woman generally and never said much only speaking when she needed to. Her face was passive and detached as he told her what was on his mind about the cities stance with the church and the dark ones attack. Her face may have been emotionless but it was still warm and friendly. A small smile appeared on her face when he let her in on the secret about the Allerian being stripped of her powers.

"There is little within Syl'rosya that is religious. We are a people of Phedos and Carmelya, two deities that both churches do not take much of a stance on. As to why we sided with the fake church I am not quite sure. The meeting the decision took place was well, riddled with faults to say the least. The late Thane, Phedos bless him, may have made the decision in haste and with clouded eyes due to as you said the Dark Elf attacks." She was silent then for long moments, her eyes closed as she thought.

"As to placing the question before the Council of Eight myself. I will call a meeting of the Council, a private meeting, within the next few brightenings and you excellency may voice your words there. We will discuss it with you there, but of course there will need to be another vote on the subject. You of course know of The Combine do you not?" She asked her eyes fluttering open as she looked at him.

OOC: We will go along IC and compile the information through RP. It will be more interesting that way for the both of us and seem like less work for me. Sorry, but I am a lazy bum.

[Palacrisis D Jones]

“Indeed Thane Glioca, The Combine from what I have read is probably the most sophisticated model for local government in the empire. Each member is essentially an expert in their field and their thane the greatest of them all. Yet books are dry things they do not reveal the true spirit of the subject or the nature of the combine in its deliberations .Those books do not reveal the pressures that are imposed upon the combine by the ever changing stances of “the game of houses” you play in Silrosia”.

He paused his deep blue eyes searching the impassive elf for a flicker of emotion. “Yes I know that the houses are an influence and the games of power they play with each other are very much a closed struggle. Perhaps the decisions that the combine makes are a reflection of the game perhaps they are not. No doubt you will enlighten me. Frankly I do not much care about these struggles within the world of Silrosia as long as they stay here in your enclosed world. Yet Thane I must tell you the elven world is subject to the Articles of the Imperium so should word reach me that there have been breaches of the law my mandate extends inside the walls of Silrosia and your fabled isolationist policy will not be allowed to interfere with the law.”

He smiled gently “but of course in a world so well governed so ordered and so beautiful there will be no need for a clunking great human to interfere …..Will there?”

Pala leaned forward “Your words regarding the religious question reassure me, you and the combine are free to discuss this matter further should you so wish but I am satisfied that the word of an elvish thane are her bond and I shall report to our regent that all is well on that front. From a personal point of view peoples should feel free to worship their choice of god and I have little concerns on that matter. Diana is the mother of the empire but if you choose to pay special regard to her colleagues in Aetheria then that is matter of personal and cultural choice.”

“ I should like to address the combine perhaps introduce myself and allow for a short question and answer session. I am not the sort of man that once he achieves a certain rank or position will sit upon some ivory throne and deal with just the problems that are presented to him. I will be active in Arakmat, we face many problems and I need the advice of all sections of our society. The elves are famed for their wisdom I would draw upon that thus yourself and the combine are a valuable source.

OOC; sounds great to me