Aknier and Seremela - The Temple

From Reydala

• • Aknier hurried away from the rare air of hostility at the entrance of the temple, silently wondering how in all fate things could fall the way they did. Passing through the hallways of the priest quarters, he quickly found Aaron's room knowing this was probably the only place in the temple he would find any measure of solace. Rushing to the side of the bed, he leaned over, not entirely sure what to expect… "Seremela?"

• • Seremela would be found curled upon the bed, her back to the door and her cloak pulled around her in place of a blanket. Miru lay curled at her head on the pillow, but no rest could find an elf. The opening door made her wince, fearing it was someone here to lecture or question her in a way that would hurt her head more... however, hearing Aknier, she gave a sigh of relief and even turned slightly to peer back at him, tear streaked cheeks a vivid change from her usual charm. "Ah... tis only you. Please... lock the door, I don't want to see any others..."

• • The Threuge nodded in slient emapthy, for once wishing the same himself. He turned around slowly shutting the door, partically ignoring Kaer at the side who seemed to be asleep as was. Still he made sure he did his best not to disturb his sleep, and returned to Seremela's side, sighing with grief at her side. "How are you feeling?"

• • Seremela, trying to be polite to her dear friend, she manages to at least sit up, pulling her knees against her chest and taking a moment to brush aside her tears, wanting to look somewhat presentable. "I fear I could be much better. The pain has gone down though... the confusion has remained, much to my dismay...." Her voice trailed, eyes casting away to look at some idle shadow across the room.

• • Aknier sighs, shifting somewhat uncomfortably, but attempts a smile. "I see...there's a silver lining that your pain is gone now...and in this place I can promise you no more will come."

• • Seremela somehow, despite it all, manages a soft smile that seems genuine enough. “Ah, but you... I've not even had time to ask you if you were all right after all that. So many things thrown at us both in such a short time...” She couldn't deny the discomfort in his actions though, and even after her attempt to change the subject, she heaved a sigh. “Is there something you wish to ask me though?”

• • Aknier sat down on the bed, putting his pointed hat in his lap. "No questions...not now anyways. There will be plenty of time for that later. I have a thousand, and it seems you do as well, but we finally have the time to contemplate them rather than being rushed for the answers." Pauses for a moment. "Thank you though...I am well, the 3 days that everyone slept, I was well taken care of myself. I never gave a very good or proper thank you for all that you did for me...and I very much feel I owe you that. Nathicana only knows what fate I would be in otherwise...I owe you my life."

• • Seremela welcomed the diversion onto other things than the guard who'd nearly "ruptured her head", even her grip on her legs loosened noticeably, showing her new level of comfort. That soft smile returned, leaning her head on her knees and allowing her gaze to fall upon him once more. “I am very glad to hear you are feeling better. I was, obviously, quite worried when we first found you... I shall never ask outright what they put you through, but please know, I am always here for you should you need me Aknier...” Hearing his thanks, she chuckles. “You have done much for me as well... I am just glad I did not lose you.”

• • Aknier smiled more, this time much more genuinely, his own discomfort disappating. "You may ask, I do not mind...and I have suffered through much worse. Mikhal is the only other who can now recall, but this was not the first time I was a prisoner of someone else's will. Janus made a few attempts to break my spirit by showing me choice bits of the journey that everyone made...and I will admit something..." Paused a moment… “He could not show you to me, because your own spirit was too resolved."

• • Seremela quirks her brow quizzically, until his final statement, a rush of heat being felt in her cheeks for reasons she wasn't entirely sure of herself, yet there it was. Miru by now was curled at her side and sound asleep in that near-death manner most weasels have. “Is... is that true? All I could think of was finding you Aknier. The thought of them keeping you from me... of hurting you... it drove me to such a rage I couldn't stand it..”

• • Aknier looked up to the ceiling. "I'm honored you came...and it's over now. There's no need for hatred anymore...it's thick in the air enough as is. I came up here for a somewhat selfish reason, to escape it."

• • Seremela nods in agreement to him, giving a soft sigh. “I do not blame you... between Dante and that stranger... and that... elf and Mikhal... I didn't know what to do with myself. However, I will admit... I am not complaining about your company in the least bit. Dagnir left me the instant I was settled upon the bed...” Her lower lip begins to tremble. “And... I fear he may not return…”

• • Aknier turned his head towards Seremela in mild shock, but cast a look of sadness down at the floor, deciding it was another thing not to be pushed for now. He mumbled under his breath "I had wished to ask for his aid on tomorrow's ritual..."

• • Seremela manages to divert her attention, allowing her curiousity to overcome her fear of losing the first friend she'd found in this new existance. “Ritual? What are you talking about Aknier? I feel so... out of touch since waking from that sleep, I have no idea what's going on any more…”

• • Aknier changed his tone slightly, friendly, but more "matter-of-fact" like. "I'm not sure if you heard the message of the elf who came through the temple doors. He said that an army of half dragons, similar to Mikhal, were attacking L---er...his city...to the west. Mikhal claims to know two of these half dragons, confirmed by the elf, and has asked me to prepare a scrying spell. A very wise idea that I must personally agree with. However, I wonder if my ability will be enough. I am asking for Mulinel's power to do this, and being within her temple, along with what knowledge of these two Mikhal can provide me with, I may be able to penetrate his spirit. But I do not know if it will be enough. A boost to my ability would further increase our chances, but it is a simple task of asking Father Aaron or Brother Ted to help instead..."

• • Seremela finds it very kind of him that he obviously avoided that name that makes her head twitch, though at the same time it saddened her, for she was becoming afraid of learning who she was... or had been, for that matter. "I... I see. Well, I do not know what manner of assistance I could provide, but I of course would be willing to help... Though I am more inclined to hide in here until that elf promises to stop calling me... that damned title. Daft man... "

• • Aknier: "The poor soul is probably a bit hysterical from his reckless trek through the abandoned Pilgram's trail and can't tell one face from another. I travelled a very small portion of that trail myself during the warm seaons, it was still perilous, let alone at the onset of winter! As for the assistance, it is always welcome. I'm not sure if you know the Owl's Wisdom spell, as it is commonly refered to...a casting of it during the ritual would help greatly. If not, that is alright...I simply need ways to either give me greater power to penetrate his spirit, or have his own mental defences weakened." Turns a bit, with a small smile. "Beyond that...help in preperation is always needed...it is an hour long ritual which takes the preparing of water...I can show you how it's all done."

• • Seremela she smiles faintly and nods to his possible excuse, somehow inside... she knew he was wrong, and simply trying to make her feel better. This man clearly knew who she was... but recovering the memories was painful and she was truly scared. Now her greatest source of strength, Dagnir, was likely to leave her, a feeling she also held strongly, knowing the wandering druid's habits too well. “I fear I do not know such spells... but I am more than happy to learn these things. Perhaps I can better understand your way of magic.”

• • Aknier laughs quietly. "I'm not sure I have to the right to teach you, your magic is more advanced than mine. But I will do what I can. It is divine magic, which means it does not come from intellect or intuitive feeling, but rather from faith and the answering of prayers. Still, I do believe it has an arcane 'sister' spell, so to speak, and if I remember correctly, there is a second, more powerful version." A slight twinkle comes into Aknier's eye as he grins. "Still, if you feel moved to believe.."

• • Seremela can't help but laugh when such a spark glimmers in her dear friend's eyes, shaking her head and promptly moving her hand out, delicate fingers resting with care against the surface of his lips, hardly touching, but enough to show she means to hush him playfully. “Now now, I don't think my mind can handle much of that tonight.” Drawing her hand away, she lets it fall beside her, resting against the bed. “Though... I admire your faith Aknier...

• • Aknier sighed, though still smiling, and gave a comically dejected shurg. He reassumed a more serious posture upon the last words. "Thank you for that...it's been a long road in comming to where I am with all of it...but it's where I feel most at 'home' so to speak..." Adds after a moment. "I used to be with Lucion some years ago."

• • Seremlea brings her arm back around her legs, if only for comfort now rather than the need to feel secure. Aknier had a very comforting presence, different than the protective one of Dagnir, but more soothing still. “Ah... I fear I do not know as much as I should about those they call gods... however, I know you had your reasons to leave...”

• • Aknier pauses for a moment before continuing. "Yes, and I told you them before about how the New Moons had appeared earlier in my life...although it was not until recently that I had any idea there were two organizations. I digress though...You know...it's funny. When I first left, I had wanted to leave everything about it behind me. Clerics of all faiths undertake martial training with weapons and armor when they enter priesthood, as it has been done since the dawn of man. Although it is unusual for most Mulinel clerics to do so in present day and instead take a more cloistered path, I chose the traditional path, again seeking to distance myself." Again, pauses. "But there was something that out of all irony, never changed...it was the moon."

• • Seremela, upon mention of the beloved source of comfort, turns her eyes for just a moment towards the window, with hopes of seeing its soothing light. "To... to be honest with you, since the moment I awoke to find myself in Dagnir's care, the moon has been one of my only comforts..." In fact, as that orb was beginning to come into the sky, one might take notice her skin even seems to hold a glow in its light, perhaps just because of the pale nature. “Ah, but I'm drifting into random thoughts again.” Glancing back to him, she smiled. “Thank you... for taking comfort here with me... chosing my company to escape to, on purpose or not...”

• • Aknier: "Ah? I truely believe so too...Lucion holds some claim to the moon...but Mulinel herself holds claim as well. (As does Laviege for sake of fact, but if it's alright with you, let's just as soon banish *her* from our thoughts)... maybe it was both, I can't say. But you're welcome. Tis my pleasure, especially around someone who doesn't hold hatred and suspicion in her heart...we've lacked that..." Aknier scratches his head as though realizing something. "I've sat here and ran off about myself...forgive me."

• • Seremela gives that smile of hers, the one that could make any person suddenly feel calm and secure, was back across her lips, and she shook her head to him. "Tis fine... and a welcome distraction from the ache I have felt today. Though... if I may be a bit selfish..." While speaking those last words, she let her legs move down, and her arms lift up, leaning in towards him and wrapping them about his form, giving a warm embrace. "I was unable... to truly show my happiness when we found you... so if I may steal the chance.."

• • Aknier was very much reassured at her facial expression. The embrace caught him off guard as it had been a very long time since anyone had done as such, yet he was comforted by it...and said nothing while returning the gesture.

• • Seremela took her moment of comfort from him, but she did not stay there for long, not knowing his limits and boundaries, and of course recalling the mention of another. Moving back, she sighs, though happily. "Thank you... for allowing me that."

• • Aknier speaks hastily, "...of course." He then looked up at the moon himself, quietly enjoying its blue glow himself, as it seemed Seremela did...as it seemed she was almost enchanted by it. Slowly standing, he made his way back to the door. "I suppose this is our time to part for now, I should leave you to your rest?"

• • Seremela leans back upon her arms, her legs stretched out before her, and follows his eyes to the window, smiling softly throughout every movement. However, his suggestion of rest made her chuckle. "Eh, I suppose. Though I've never needed much... I've gathered it is a benefit of my heritage. Though... I envy the dreams of others sometimes... Ah, enough of that. Goodnight then, Aknier... I look forward to helping you tomorrow."

• • Aknier: “Ah, I know little of the mysticism of elves, but I still find it hard to fathom that you do not tire as we humans." Aknier stepped outside, holding the door handle. "I believe we mean to leave first thing in the morning...though no one's mentioned a route or a means of travel. To be decided I suppose." Aknier closes the door. Stopping for a moment, he opens it one last time, putting his head through. "Good night Seremela." Finally shuts the door, leaving her with her own thoughts.