Author: Raith, Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2020 5:58 AM, Post Subject: A light in the dark [P, R]

Raith closed his eyes, feeling the vibrations from both his guest and his lover, resonating throughout his Domain and straight to him; alerting him to their whereabouts. This Pilgrim did not belong, they had not come here to find him that was for certain, were they simply lost? How did one simply lose their way and find themselves here at the Observatory? It wasn't as though Raith had made the path an easy one, he had specifically made it difficult, to frustrate and infuriate those who found themselves here. But this one… this one had not become angry, he had felt no surge of rage within their visitor… so they had not come to see him, nor were they even remotely like one of his usual Pilgrims, so who was this stranger?

As the pair made their way back to his Throne room, Raith sat up, pulling his ornate blindfold down over his blind eyes, looking very much the part of the regal Deity, if not a King. From his shoulder, Silence gave him the image of the newcomer beside Alairia, and Raith's suspicions were confirmed - this girl was not meant to be here, not even slightly. "Greetings little waif, you've strayed far from the path and found yourself in a very strange place. I see my beloved found you, and brought you safely home," he uttered softly, his voice smooth and husky as he reached out his hand to his lover, gently tugging on Alairia's wrist, to pull her into his lap. He smiled, kissing Alairia's neck, arms wrapped about her waist before he cocked his head to one side 'looking' at the girl. 
"My name is Raith, I am Lord of the Domain. God of Wrath and the Heavens, better known as the Blind God, but I see plenty. Tell me, little one, what is your name? How have you strayed so far from the path to find yourself here?"

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 6:20 PM, Post Subject: A light in the dark [P, R]

The darkness and silence carried on.

It mattered not which path she followed, nor whether she tried turning back to retrace her steps. Each turn, each time she faced a different direction, Iona wondered if a new path opened to her. There was no escaping the depths of that labyrinth. Fear made itself a place within her very swiftly. She would push it aside to focus, but it always resurfaced before she would realize it. Many times she wondered what Cilas would do. Perhaps there was a secret she kept overlooking, or it required magic. Magic… Iona was not familiar with the ways of magic and had no skilled hand for it. The only power she possessed was her spiritual energy, which, her capabilities were limited to providing only harmless balls of light. With that in mind, she decided to follow her first thought.

Her quiet steps slowed. The lights moved closer to every solid structure, allowing her to see every little detail. Her eyes began sweeping over every inch of the walls, the floor and ceiling that she could manage. Her brow furrowed with concentration. How would she knew a secret if she saw one? If there truly was one, then it would not be “secret” for nothing. Perhaps it could not be found with sight, or any senses in fact. She stopped in place and heaved a light sigh. What made her think she could find such a thing? She knows nothing of the world nor its magic. Without that knowledge, what could she do? Her heart gradually beat faster until it was racing with fear.

Calm yourself, losing your nerve will not make your situation any simpler, she mentally told herself. She slowly drew in a deep breath and released it quietly.

Then, as if the Gods pitied the lost maiden, three dark figures emerged from the cloak of shadows down the hall. A woman approached her with canines on either side, a smile upon her face allowing Iona a sense of relief. Not even for a second did she consider that the woman might be an enemy intending harm.

The woman greeted Iona kindly, to which the maiden responded with a polite curtsy. She continued with an offer to lead the lost Iona out of the never ending labyrinth. Her eyes twinkled with joy. She did not know who Lord Raith was, as the woman mentioned, but she assumed they were the owner of that…twisted and dark place. Why would anyone create such a maze for any who venture inside? Perhaps they did not enjoy the company of other people. “I hope I am not intruding,” Iona apologized with a saddened smile. She did not wish to be in a place where she was not welcome. She would accept the offer given, and as soon as she is given clear directions to leave, she will finally be on her way to rejoin Cilas. She only hoped she didn’t make him worry too much…

Iona followed the woman without muttering another word. Soon enough, the hall opened to a path in open air. Iona gazed with amazement while her eyes followed the strip leading upwards, and at the blazing, thick liquid gradually falling down. Doors stood at the top, and behind it, a glass dome with magnificent towers reaching for the sky. She followed the woman upwards and pushed passed the doors. A black path stretched before them, lined with fire. But gazing beyond, she could see nothing but endless black. She shivered with the thought of falling and not knowing what awaited her, death, or perhaps something worse. Or, maybe the chilling air caused the shiver. It had quite the bite, seemingly able to reach to the very depths to her bones.

Then, finally, a circular room opened to them. Doors lined the edge, the glass dome overhead and allowing her to see the beautiful stars. But what truly caught her attention was the magnificent beast standing before them, with mysteries eyes that looked at her in a way that made her wonder if it could actually see her. And beneath its fire breathing jaws, it held a beautiful seat within its clawed hands. Seated upon it was a man.

Author: Raith, Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 2:20 PM, Post Subject: A light in the dark [P, R]

He had, essentially, been outcast from his own Temple, by his lover. Quite how this had happened, he couldn’t quite understand… and yet she had still managed it. Not that Raith was ever going to admit to that, if anyone asked he had gone to the Heavens to speak directly with his Celestials, and that was the story he was going to stick to. What Alairia wanted him out of the Temple for, he had no idea, and part of hi, was dreading the answer quite frankly, but at least his time with the Celestials had been productive. Small mercies.

Running his fingers through his hair, the God strode across the ‘floor’ of the Observatory, shutting the door behind him. He stopped, and scowled, he could feel the vibrations from Raiqi, one he recognised as Alairia, the other was new. Sighing, the God left the Watchtower. There was never a moments peace was there? He complained inwardly, but in truth the man enjoyed it, his new lofty position suited him and his ego, and no matter how many people traversed the Maze to reach his door, Raith would bask in their attention.

Entering the Throne room, he was assaulted by the heavy scent of flowers, and his blind eyes rose Heavenwards. Alairia. So that had been her ploy all along had it? Well, he had to hand it to her, she could be just as manipulative as he could, they were a perfect match in that sense. The Stars above, so much for his cold image… Rolling his eyes, Raith took his place upon his Throne, resting his chin upon one hand, he could feel Alairia leading his guest back through the Maze, he might as well wait and make an intimidating presence from here. 
”My Lord? Lady Alairia has gone to meet your guest… she asked us to, put up the flowers,” Thalia whispered quietly, as though she might anger her Deity by speaking.
”So I guessed. It’s her home as well, she may do as she wishes. There’s no use arguing with her, she’ll only put more up if I try and get rid of them,” he replied in an almost bored tone… never underestimate a woman, they would always win.

Author: Alairia, Posted: Sat Nov 2, 2019 4:01 PM, Post Subject: A light in the dark [P, R]

”No, not there,” a light voice commanded a newly appointed servant in the dining hall. Alairia stood at the very end of where she and her love would hold meals with guests…if they ever made it through the maze that finally brought them to the temple. The elf woman rested a delicate finger upon her chin as she ‘looked’ at the decorations of the hall through her companion’s eyes. Dusk was sitting in a perfect position to get the best vantage point for Alairia to see through his lupine vision. Even with her blindness, she had learned adaptions to make it in the world. Raith always was teaching her new ways. ”I want the flowers to be arranged along the walls, as well as in the center of the tables please. We may be in the temple of wrath and heavens, but I will not live where there is no source of life and color.” She could hear the servant snort lightly, which only made Ria laugh as well. No matter where she lived, there would be a source of life and light.

“Mistress, there is a new comer in the labyrinth. They seemed stressed as well as lost.” Another servant had entered the dining hall to bring her the news. Raith was not available at the moment, so this gave Ria the opportunity to help lost travelers through that insufferable network. ”Thank you for letting me know. Remember, don’t tell Lord Raith.” She smiled brightly at the two servants as they shook their heads with another laugh. Their master and mistress were stark opposites of one another, and yet they melded well.

A high pitched whistle called out to her lupine companion as well as her shepherd. The two canines got to their feet and padded after their mistress. Ria was getting better at navigating through the maze, but it was good to have her seeing-eye canines there to help her get back when she became uncertain. Raith was annoying with his tricks. She smiled as she thought about her mate, while heading into the maze to find this traveler. She knew his true heart, and few ever had the opportunity to know the side that she did.

Green cloak was clasped on each shoulder as her hurried feet carried her around corners. Even with her blindness, Ria was sure in her travels. That day was perfect in her clothing choices as she wore standard leather breeches that were stuffed into knee high boots and a light fabric white shirt.

It did not take her long to find the woman who was attempting her way through the maze. Dusk and Ky flanked her tightly on each side as they neared the woman with her pale blue light balls to light her way. Ria stopped a short distance away from the woman, a bright welcoming smile upon her lips. That evening she did not where her circlet of silver over her eyes to cover the intense scarring over her eyes and nose bridge. ”Welcome to you, dear visitor. I don’t know what has brought you to Orme Observatory….but I welcome you in this space. Myself and my companions are here to help escort you to the main hall….if you would like. My lord Raith is not available at the moment, so I felt it would be appropriate to bring you in for refreshments before he can see you.”

Ria tilted her head slightly in hopes that her smile was bright enough and friendly enough to encourage the woman to follow. The environment was not friendly. It was not meant to be. The elf healer was a different entity compared to what the temple of her mate was. Even so, she wanted to help on both ends. Hopefully, the offer would be taken.

Author: Lady in Black, Posted: Mon Oct 21, 2019 7:13 PM, Post Subject: A light in the dark [P, R]

How did she end up like this? All Iona had intended to do was find her way back to Cilas, but, she instead managed to get herself lost. Where she was, she knew not, and escaping was beginning to seem impossible. She wandered through the dark halls, taking each step blindly with hopes that she would not walk into a wall or whatever creatures may be lurking out of her sight. Coming to this new island was unintentional, and stumbling upon this volcanic place heightened her curiosity until she could not resist entering. She followed the path inside. The next thing she knew she was swallowed up by pitch blackness. When was she going to learn that leaving Cilas’ side always resulted in misfortune finding her? She never should have strayed.

But…

She supposed she did not wish to burden him more than she already has. Leaving him permanently this soon would be unwise, as she currently knew no other person in this world that she can trust as much as him. She would soon be fooled and possibly hurt, or even killed. Cilas is her guardian, and her guide in this unknown world. But she needed to gain some independence. Relying on him every time she is in trouble she put herself in was unacceptable. She constantly wondered how often he wished he hadn’t brought her along, so he could be rid himself from such a childlike woman. It was embarrassing, and very disheartening. Perhaps he is just too kind to tell her how he truly feels. Or, he is too kind to even think of her as a burden. She didn’t wish to leave him, though. The predicament made her chest ache. For some reason, she hoped she would never have to leave his side. He was comforting, encouraging, supportive, and she often found herself smiling every time she thought of him.

Yes, she missed him already, and needed to find her way back to him. She summoned her spirit energy and gave it a form. Small balls of blue light floated around her like leaves on the wind. Their light was bright enough to reveal the walls on either side of her, converting them in a pale blue light. The path before her and behind her stretched until they went too far for her lights to reach, ending them in dense darkness. She continued onward, keeping an eye out for any unsuspected danger.