The Temple of Divine Light

[Legendazona]

The ghost floated just beyond the Temple walls, waiting for the half elf. She'd come up with a new plan to be rid of the stain on Eldarie lines.

As Alia Anor left the Temple, she followed, knowing that sooner or later, she would stop to eat.

The poison was ready, she only needed to know what food to place it into, and so she followed and waited.

If it worked on the half elf, it should work on Sylus and Artemus, and maybe even Dimitri.

A smile brightened her mood.

[Alia Anor Graham]

I made my rounds in town - getting my list of errands nearly completed on behalf of the Sister's and Brothers. The scent of freshly made bread made me realize I was hungry, and I stepped into the Inn. The cool interior was welcoming and I found a small table near an open window. The serving wench brought me a glass of sparkling water, and in short time, my lunch also arrived. It was quite pleasant to sit there in the quiet, and I closed my eyes long moments after my luncheon. The sound of a slight splash brought my eyes open, but no one was near me, and only the water seemed disturbed. Picking up the glass, I finished the bubbling beverage before paying for my meal and heading back to my errands.

The day was warm, and I began to think my robes were the source of my discomfort but there was no time to return to the Temple.

Instead, I headed for the Isle. By sunset, I was not feeling myself at all, but a bright smile from Dimitri and a challenge from Keeper Farek were enough to keep me on the Isle.

Farek quickly and soundly bested me, and I started for a table because Dimitri was in conversation with Artemus and I did not wish to intrude. However, they invited me to join them, and I was grateful for the company.

The first thing I noticed were spots of blood on Dimitri's uniform. "Are you hurt?"

"No," was his one word reply.

"Then it is not your blood?"

"Yes, it is mine. When I came, Shahai was here. She doesn't really like me all that much. She can somehow control the shards in my chest." He was seemingly not concerned, and so I did not push him, but a little later Daigotsu arrived.

When Dimitri accepted his challenge, I was appalled, but he went into the ring with him.

I had not planned to duel again. My insides were overly warm, and my sense of balance is off, but Artemus sought to keep me occupied while Dimitri dueled Daigotsu. Artemus' demeanor has changed toward me, and I mistrust this altered tenor, especially since he is the brother to Alais' betrothed.

As the night drew on, my hands began to shake. This was noticed by Dimitri, and he worries, though I'm trying hard to convince him that I am simply tired. I have never suffered illness, it is a thing foreign to elven nature, and yet I exhibit all of the infirmities of a human with an illness. I believe they call it "flu", this is not possible however for elves.

Dimitri's concern grew, and when Keeper Brigath decided to seek a dueling partner, I accepted despite how I felt.

"Alia Anor, you are in no shape to duel" Dimitri admonished, but I needed to re-focus his attention away from me.

It was a blessedly short match which ended in a huge surprise as I defeated Brigath! Despite my thrill, I was feeling really badly, and I was not fooling Dimitri. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Do you wish to go to the Temple? Just tell me when, I will go with you."

A chill raced through me, and I decided to go. He rose to come with me, and I shook my head, "no, stay and enjoy your evening."

As I stepped through the portal, my legs gave way beneath me as I landed in RhyDin. This was not good.

[Artemus Kurgen]

It is a moderately warm day within the city of Rhydin. Moving about their daily lives the citizenry comments on it roughly when they have a momet or two to spare. Sweeping through the streets we come to a large building...a Temple. The outside is simple and unadorned as is a few rooms on the inside. In a large yard, several of the Temples members are training and being sent through routines of self-defense. These are unimportant at the moment..though they may be later. Looking at the entry-way to the Temple we see a woman exit. She is tall and beautiful with auburn hair. Wearing the white robes of the Temple she makes her way to the market. But wait....what is that drifting down from above and behind her?...why..it appears to be an apparition of some sort. the spectre seems to want to move unobserved. Let us give it it's wish for now.

Following the young woman we watch as she runs a few errands and visits several shops. Some time later in the day she stops to get a bite to eat. This is interesting...the ghost appears to move into the cooking area....it appears to pus something in the food on a plate that is later delivered to the young woman we have followed. How is it that we see all this? Why through the eyes of an eagle..with the ears of a mouse....the animals seem to be in abundance in the city today. What reason could there be for this?

We whisk ourselves away to a great forrest north of the city where at a small pond..with the thousands of views from the animals of the city wavering on its surface. Standing at the edge of the pond is a man who seems to be in his early twenties, his blonde hair is cut short, and a pair of black robes are draped about his person. Artemus is seeing through the eyes of the animals, watching not just young Alia Anor to whom he has been aske to protect....but the whole city.

[Alia Anor Graham]

The lethargy and chills continue, and may actually be worsened, but I went to the Outback in hopes of seeing my friend Dimitri.

As I sat down, Sylus walked by and told me, "you should see a physician, you smell sick." He is the man Alais has taken for ner next mate, and I have no trust in anything he says.

Dimitri was indeed there, and he came over to join me. "May I join you?"

Gazing up at him, "I'd like that Dimitri, please do. How long have you been here?"

He sat down and told me he'd been worried about me. He is a very sweet man, and I sought to re-assure him that I am simply worn out. He does not believe me, and I am beginning to wonder if he is correct.

He told me about his patrol's brush with 3 Nyadds in the swamps of Azilla. They did something unusual in that they ran, leaving one of their dead behind. Dimitri says normally they fight to the end, but these did not, and that change in character is cause for concern.

As Sylus left, he once more addressed me, "I know you disregard everything I say as biased and against you, so I'm not going to bother asking you to see a doctor again."

After he left, I confided in Dimitri that I do not trust his friend Sylus. He IS biased, and it is safer for me to keep him at great distance.

We were quietly talking about the Temple, and that Dimitri likes our facility when Artemus arrived. He came directly to our table and inquired if he might join us. He'd come with a mission as he announced he could not stay long. His goddess Mielikki had advised him that he is to look out for me.

"Artemus, I do not need anyone looking out for me. I have the White Lady. She is all that I need," was my objection.

He looked at me, "But I will do as I have been commanded. I will complete my task, and be as unobtrusive to your life and current ways as possible... I will just be keeping an eye on you. I understand how you feel, but a little extra does not hurt."

His announcement incensed me. As he left in a flutter of raven's feathers, I glanced at Dimitri.

About that time, Max quipped that the flurry of black feathers reminded him of the way pheasant feathers flew when he killed them. I couldn't help but smile as Max spit out a feather.

Dimitri commented that he had not seen me smile in a long time, and I was instantly sorry that if such a simple thing would please him, I had not done so.

I was truly not feeling well, and I excused myself to return to the Temple. Dimitri would have escorted me, but I do not wish to have him see how weak I am right now. He would only worry further, and I do not wish to cause him such consternation.

[Alia Anor Graham]

It was late, and I could not sleep. The sickness was worsening, and yet I cannot rest.

Leaving the sanctuary of the Temple, I returned to the Outback, but Dimitri was gone, so I sought a quiet table and a bit of tequila.

Immediately behind me walked in a man who did nothing quietly it would seem as he pushed the doors up and nearly off their hinges. He was dressed in a leather duster, and mirrored sunglasses. As he headed for the bar, he moved with a grace that reminds me of a panther on the prowl.

I was somewhat startled when he brought his bottle of Grey Goose vodka to my table, kicking out a chair for himself as he sat to join me. He claimed my pendant had attracted him, so he could ask me about it, he'd made himself comfortable, and at that point, all I could do was bid him sit, but in truth, I did not feel up to talking.

I asked him if we'd met. His cryptic answer did not register at the time, but as I look back now, he never did tell me his name. "Not yet, but perhaps that could change, mind telling me about tht pendant? I've seen a few of them around lately."

We spoke about the Temple and exchanged barbs about the taste of vodka, which I likened to the taste of after shave as opposed to the smooth taste of anejo tequila.

Eventually he began to press me about having the "flu", but elves do not suffer human ailments, and this one was human.

His voice was beautiful to listen to, a rich baritone and I found myself wanting to stay just to hear him speak. At length, he insisted on escorting me back to the Temple given the lateness of the hour and the risks in the Rhydinian streets. There in was my mistake!

I do not know precisely what he did after we stepped into the darkened streets, but I remember blackness encasing me, and I find myself now locked in a suite of rooms I haven't seen in a very long time. Rooms in I' Taurn!

He'd taken me not to the Temple, but delivered me instead to the last person I wanted to see. The woman who gave birth to me, yet shunned me for most of my life. Alais.

I awoke in a comfortable bed wearing not my robes, but rather the soft silk of elven cloth. My Temple clothing was no where to be seen. The sorceress herself was seated beside my bed, and she held me immobile with one of her damned spells.

Our eyes met and locked, and I felt nothing but deepest, coldest hatred for this creature who now holds me hostage.

[Alia Anor Graham]

The Priestess has not returned to her rooms at the Temple.

Her return is overdue.

[Alia Anor Graham]

Alia Anor

The wards were thorough. I’d tested them with everything I knew, but my captor had thought of just about everything. She’d forced me to listen to her talk about her fears that I was not making my own choices, and that her only reason for this atrocity was that she wanted to assure that I could and did make my own choices. This is an absurd way of allowing me to make my own choices.

She’d been in and out a number of times. Each time I had nothing to say to her. She grew tired of my silence, and on her last visit, she released me from the binding spell that had held me immobilized on the bed. As soon as she departed, I began testing her wards.

Hours passed as I tried everything I knew, but still I remained locked within these rooms.

I thought I had hated this woman before, but now I truly know the meaning of rage and utter hate. She embodies it. I will see her pay for what she has done to me.

In the early hours of the morning I found it. The weakness in her web, her cage has a flaw!

I studied her wards carefully before beginning to unravel them. I have learned a great deal about her abilities, but at last, the ward was sufficiently undone to allow me to bypass it and escape onto the balcony of the rooms. Freedom of the night sky! I climbed over the rail and dropped feather light to the ground below. I was free! I had lost my robes, but my necklace remained intact.

As I made my way toward the Temple, I stopped briefly in the Arena, hoping I would meet up with Dimitri. He was there, and as I walked in, he called my name, and greeted me with a warm smile.

We sat on the callers sofa and talked, about my abduction, which he’d known about, but did not come to see me because he said he would not be able to see me like that without doing something about it. He alone would not be in a position to have tried to rescue me, and I do not blame him for not coming.

He does not see the Temple as evil, and this makes me feel encouraged that I might be able to bring him into the fold of the Temple. He would be such an asset, and I would be very pleased to see him daily.

He surprised me then as we spoke about the dangers the Temple members were facing, now with this abduction, many more may be at risk. I told him I did not want him to worry about me, but he did….”I did worry about you. I was afraid that…. Something might happen to you.”

“I’m sorry you were worried. I will try not to worry you again,” I promised him.

Abruptly he told me he loved me. I was very surprised by this announcement, but confess I have been drawn to him time and again. His company is something I crave. I stayed longer than I had planned as we talked about this change to our relationship. Yes, I must gain Dimitri’s initiation into the Temple.

I returned to the Temple, and slipped into my rooms quietly, in the morning, I would need to speak with Brother Zed, explain to him what had happened, and warn him that my abduction included poisoning and kidnapping. Our other initiates may also be in danger.

[Ariel Datrazanov]

Lily and the Temple of Divine Light,

I would like to thank you for your attendance last Friday at the grand opening of Ariel's Emporium. Your patronage is greatly appreciated, and if there is anything I can do for you and the the Temple, I do hope you will return to me for your needs.

Again, thank you!

Ariel Datrazanov
Ariel's Emporium
RhyDin

[Alia Anor Graham]

At first light I dressed once more in the white robes of the Temple and headed for Brother Zed's room. I was admitted to await his availability.

When he met with me, I explained to him that my absence had been forced, the woman who bore me had me poisoned and abducted against my will. Her accomplice was a man named Caleb, whom I would recognize again in a moment.

My discussions with Vincent had me convinced that something needed to be done to these two who have commited several crimes against me. I'd spent time in the library studying other cultures, and each time the search came up the same. Kidnapping, poisoning all fall under crimes that are punishable.

"Brother Zed, I worry that if such drastic measures are taken against me, what will be the next measures taken against the bretheren of the Temple? Should we not make an example of them? We already struggle with unexplained deaths and attacks."

I will follow his counsel, but personally, I believe there should be swift retribution for this attack on myself.

[Vinny]

It had been an interesting night. He had heard about Alia's return, but had not run into her before he left for Twilight Isle. Once there, he was more than glad to run into Dimitri, who filled him in on the whats and wherefores surrounding her kidnapping. He took note of everything Dimitri said, planning to talk to Alia about it at the first available opportunity. Fortunately for him, she soon appeared on the Isle.

When asked about it, Alia's story matched Dimitri's. He wasn't surprised to hear that, but still, better to get the story straight from her incase Dimitri had actually tried to lie. Judging by the interactions between Dimitri and Alia, that seemed unlikely. He was a sheep, easily led, and easily fed to the wolves if he should ever try to get out of line. But something nagged at the back of his mind. He knew that he associated with Alais, Sylus, and such. Could he be a spy, feigning friendship with Alia and himself to get info on the Temple? He sighed and shook his head. No way to be sure, but just having that thought meant that he should keep a closer eye on Dimitri.

For now, he needed to have a talk with Brother Zed. His guidance would be needed to plan the next course of action. There were going to be serious repurcussions against Alais, Caleb, and all who stood with them one way or another. Perhaps he would kill their nearest and dearest, or maybe reshape I'Taurn into a spitting image of the temple, or perhaps do nothing at all for now and let the tension climb a little more. There were infinite possibilities to savor, at least until Brother Zed could see him.

[Artemus Kurgen]

As night approached a large raven swooped down and perched itself on the wall of the Temple. Cawing aimlessly it hopped from stone to stone, its head twictching from side to side regarding a pair of guards that approached.

Spotting the raven a gaurd looked to his companion "Hey...wathc this..."Grinning broadly, the man picked up a stone and threw it at the raven as hard as he could. But to his astonishment the raven stepped to the side and out of the way of the incoming stone.

Taking flight, the peculiar bird cicled that area of the wall a few times before swooping down at the two guards dropping white liquid bombs in passing before veering off into the night.

((an hour later in Redwyn Memorial))

That same raven alighted on the ground and hopped towards a tree. Black eyes flash once and became a piercing gray. Black feathers changed into robes. With a wave of his hand the blonde haired priest created a portal and returned home...he had seen what he wanted to know.

[Alia Anor Graham]

The plans for the hospice have been approved by the city government, and I have the permits in hand. The Seaside site will become the new home for the hospice. The property owners have lowered their price after I'd told Lily that they wanted too much for the property initially, and I have the Temple's permission to go forward, but Dimitri has left. He's gone to think, to find his path.

I have tried very hard to show him that his presence as one of us would be a good thing, but still he is torn. I have spoken with Lily about this, and she would like me to succeed in gathering Dimitri to us.

When he returns, I shall give him a gift. I wear even now the beautiful golden bracelet he gave me before leaving. His gift will be a golden chain with the eye pendant, similar to the one Seraphina gave me, but more masculine, something to rest against his heart and remind him of me.

Today I will see the goldsmith.

[Caleb Feren]

The days had been filled with a bustle around the Temple. He knew that a price had been placed upon his head, and with that knowledge, a smile spread to his lips. There were some things that should not be toyed with… he was one of those.

He was careful when he made his surveillance of the grounds. He had continued to follow the girl since she had made her escape from the house. Her movements were watched closely by those of the Temple now that she had returned, and in particular, one Vincent Smith. This one would make sure the girl was watched closely. He would prove to be an interesting game.

Pushing himself off the building, a building that was just recently purchased and soon would be under construction, he stepped back into the flow of the crowd, blending himself once more into the seamless flow of monotony.

[Anne]

A letter arrived at the Temple with a package of a dozen cookies.

Hey Vincent;

I know this is belated and I apologize, but Congratulations on achieving Arch Mage! I watched as much of the match as I could and you preformed exceptional. I hope you can forgive me; I had to leave early due to some very unusual work hours. I may stop by the Temple some time to see you.
Enjoy,
Anne

The letter was sealed with blue wax, the imprint of an ancient coin used as a seal.

((Cross-posted in Anne Ellis Xile))

[Vinny]

The package got to him as he was coming back to the temple one evening. He smiled as he opened it up, chuckling soflty to himself. He was quite happy to be getting this, especialy as she was one of his most vocal supporters that night.

He took them of to the side, sitting down on a bench and happily munching away on them. Life was good. Now all he had to do was thank her for them the next time she found time to swing by.