| DESCENT INTO CHAOS |
Torliana stood with the other new acolytes; Kindling was the proper title, as the ranking members of the temple waited for
the arrival of the new High Priest of Mount Veri. She chided herself again, he was the Keeper of the Flame, she had been
here two days, she should at least be thinking with the proper titles. She forced herself to focus on the events she was to
be a part of, despite wanting to enjoy the antics of a small purple fairy dragon that was flitting near the right wall. Dragons
were rare in Shokar and considered a bad omen when they appeared. She, however, thought the creature was beautiful
and worthy of admiration. Besides, she didn't believe in omens--good or bad. Fate was what you made of it; not something
preordained.
She had felt uneasy since coming to the temple of Hellavar, but she was determined to succeed. She knew the task she
had set herself would be difficult, particularly as an elf, whose very nature rebelled against strict order. Yet, here she was
seeking that order.
She watched as a man came riding into the courtyard, his horse held to a slow walk. His armor while emblazoned with the
fires of Hellavar seemed loose as he slowly slid from the saddle. One of the Kindling dashed forward, bowed and took the
reins of the horse and led the mount to the sables. So, this is the one everyone has whispered about since I got here.
Torliana studied him beneath veiled lash. How can this man be the one they call the Great Bringer of Law, Hellavar's
Blazing Judge? She suppressed a smile when the man seemed to stumble a bit as he took a couple of steps. Saddle sore
and yet he travels the length and breath of Shokar, a respected judge even by Tormasus' High General and Dh'Mark's
King. This cannot be the one who will be taking over leadership of the temple.
She fought the frown she knew was on her face as Rynalia, Mistress of the Brotherhood of the Flame, the order of monks
Torliana had been accepted into, stepped forward, bowed her head to the priest, and then offered to escort him into the
temple. The priest nodded to the Mistress of the Flame, then let his gaze wander over those assembled in the courtyard.
His eyes widened as they met Torliana's and she bowed her head slightly. She had enough discipline to recognize that
despite her opinion of him, his position was still that of Keeper and she would respect the position.
the arrival of the new High Priest of Mount Veri. She chided herself again, he was the Keeper of the Flame, she had been
here two days, she should at least be thinking with the proper titles. She forced herself to focus on the events she was to
be a part of, despite wanting to enjoy the antics of a small purple fairy dragon that was flitting near the right wall. Dragons
were rare in Shokar and considered a bad omen when they appeared. She, however, thought the creature was beautiful
and worthy of admiration. Besides, she didn't believe in omens--good or bad. Fate was what you made of it; not something
preordained.
She had felt uneasy since coming to the temple of Hellavar, but she was determined to succeed. She knew the task she
had set herself would be difficult, particularly as an elf, whose very nature rebelled against strict order. Yet, here she was
seeking that order.
She watched as a man came riding into the courtyard, his horse held to a slow walk. His armor while emblazoned with the
fires of Hellavar seemed loose as he slowly slid from the saddle. One of the Kindling dashed forward, bowed and took the
reins of the horse and led the mount to the sables. So, this is the one everyone has whispered about since I got here.
Torliana studied him beneath veiled lash. How can this man be the one they call the Great Bringer of Law, Hellavar's
Blazing Judge? She suppressed a smile when the man seemed to stumble a bit as he took a couple of steps. Saddle sore
and yet he travels the length and breath of Shokar, a respected judge even by Tormasus' High General and Dh'Mark's
King. This cannot be the one who will be taking over leadership of the temple.
She fought the frown she knew was on her face as Rynalia, Mistress of the Brotherhood of the Flame, the order of monks
Torliana had been accepted into, stepped forward, bowed her head to the priest, and then offered to escort him into the
temple. The priest nodded to the Mistress of the Flame, then let his gaze wander over those assembled in the courtyard.
His eyes widened as they met Torliana's and she bowed her head slightly. She had enough discipline to recognize that
despite her opinion of him, his position was still that of Keeper and she would respect the position.
| Illustration by Matt Baugh |