Session Start: Thu Dec 13 19:30:30 2001 ==Lude Start== As the crowds stream out of the Council Hall, the sun creeping low toward the ocean, the camel-like Alqada known as Sallam finishes talking to his fellow delegates from Zil Padon and heads for the door with the rest of the crowd. As he exits, he looks around for a particular familiar face... * Jalanda is waiting patiently by the door, running her eyes over the passers by, awaiting something. In a moment, she looks Sallam's way with her lavender eyes. This seems to break her stony look, a small smile appearing with the realization. Sallam smiles softly but seriously to Jalanda, waving to her. "Good evening, Jalanda. Would you like to go speak in the park? It is rather empty this time of day..." * Jalanda strides over carefully, bowing her head once to him. "I would be delighted to, Master Sallam..." As they walk to the park, Sallam looks at Jalanda and asks quietly, "So...you believe that you have found what you were being called to do, yes? Does the haze of the future tell you what will happen, or has the fog yet to clear?" * Jalanda matches pace with him, the park seeming distant to her thoughts. Her voice is soft. "I was sorry to leave so suddenly then... but I believe I have found the answer." [Sallam] Can you tell me more of what you have learned? *As they enter the park, he takes a seat on a bench next to some aromatic flowers that remind Jalanda vaguely of Zil Padon's own flora.* * Jalanda follows him to the bench, finding a seat somewhat close to the flowers. a slight twinge of homesickness can be seen, but it passes quickly. The vision was indeed a portent... I was not mistaken in this. The people... those that I travel with... they shine brighter than any I have seen before. But, it is not just this that I have gleaned... it is much, much deeper... Sallam smiles and nods seriously. [Sallam] Do you believe they require your guidance? How much will their destiny alter that of our world's? I see in them many possibilities, but I cannot tell which are the most likely outcomes of your journey. I am uncertain what the outcome shall be. But the path there has been made clearer after that day... * Jalanda looks thoughtful, recalling the events of the recent past. [Sallam] Is there anything I can do to help, or do you believe destiny will guide you well enough without me? No, you must know this. If nothing else for the sake of the issues to which you have been brought here to consul. * Jalanda sighs once. "It has to do with the events surrounding the kidnapping my companions spoke of. Of the girl called Erellisae by the Icarian temple followers." Sallam nods. [Sallam] Please, go on. Well, as you can plainly see, they speak the truth of these matters. But the chase led us to very ancient ruins of the Angelou. The spiritual presence there was extraordinary. We were compelled to investigate it further... Sallam listens, leaning forward with an intrigued look. Upon its center were found passages... an ancient prophecy. I know not who had recorded these words, but it was of a time before Gaia's arrival. They spoke with insight and clarity... It spoke of the fall of the Angelou that was to occur, and the events to pass after it. [Sallam] The things it spoke of...have they all occurred? Or are there still more prophecies to be fulfilled? * Jalanda pauses, bringing them to mind. "Then the humans and Icarians shall become whole once more, and the world will shelter under the Tree of Life. The Wall that divides humanity will stand but will be a barrier no longer." Another pause. Sallam frowns thoughtfully, puzzling this through. This has been fuffilled, but it spoke of further events. "The three Dimension Orbs will have lost their power, but when humanity rises to claim the future, the Spirits' power will fill them once more, opening their hidden pathways to the world once again, their possibilities ten times tenfold what they are now. The paths to the future will open up in all directions, and the Bells of Time will ring in triumph." [Sallam] Dimension Orbs...? Bells of Time...? [Sallam] What do you make of this? *Blinks* * Jalanda shakes her head. "I don't know what they intone, but there have been other signs..." [Sallam] What kind of signs? * Jalanda folds her hands upon her lap, looking at him much softer. In that chamber I conversed directly with the Spirits. Sallam brightens. [Sallam] I knew you were chosen of the Spirits! Did they speak well? Or ill? How does the future bode? Just as we had to pass through a set of doors together, so too do the path of them and I point forward... I saw the trials ahead, the conflict they each possess... Sallam nods encouragingly. [Sallam] And trials of your own...? * Jalanda closes her eyes. "I also saw what I must face..." He looks sympathetic and waits for her to elaborate. * Jalanda raises her head, looking at the flowers. "I shall be caught between worlds once more... facing the scars of mind and body to find peace and victory. Facing the past..." Sallam sighs. [Sallam] Part of me wishes to shield you from this, Jalanda...but ever since the day I took you in, I knew you would one day have to face your past. It is not something I can prevent. I can only hope it will not be too difficult for you... * Jalanda turns her head back to face her master. "You've been like a father to me... you've given me direction, and strength... I wish to honor that." [Sallam] I have done my best to teach, shelter, and guide you. I hope you will be all right on your own, traveling with these adventurers...I only wish I could do more to help. But... still, I think of that day like a frightened girl. My body recalls it vividly... [Sallam] I understand. But the mind is more powerful than the body. Your body tells you to fear...but your mind knows better. You know that it is in the past, and it will stay there, and if similar threats face you in the future, you are better equipped to counter them. * Jalanda smiles, finally warming up a bit. "Still giving such sound advice..." Sallam nods, also smiling. [Sallam] But the question is...will you follow it? ^^ I think I know a bit better than to be so impetutious to your wisdom after all these moons... * Jalanda chuckles softly. "I can only hope those that you speak to today are so fortunate." Sallam nods. [Sallam] Very wise of you. And well...we do what we can. Sometimes they listen, sometimes they disagree. It is the way of things. We listen for the Spirits' will, and what they will tell us of the future...but others do not always believe. We do what we can. As do you. It is all anyone can do. But I must admit, your presence here is certainly unexpected. Sallam shrugs. [Sallam] I was asked to represent the Alqada at the last minute. We are hoping to sign a treaty between all the nations, that will help us all work together, many nations with one goal. This, at least, I think we shall accomplish. It seemed a worthy purpose for leaving Zil Padon... Working together... I wonder if Zil Padon will truly be one someday, in body and in soul. [Sallam] It is already so much more united than it was when you were a girl. Have patience. *Fatherly smile* Patience... yes, who else would elcture me upon this? *small smile* I, however, worry about the patience of the Icarian temple... [Sallam] Ah yes, them....they are most particularly close-minded to the advice we give them. The Alqada, the Mogay, and the Lainians in particular have many difficulties with the Temple...but we will do what we can. If there is any further knowledge you can impart to aid us, please do... * Jalanda puts a hand to her chest emphatically. "It pains me to see them blinded to the Spirits so. Their temples are so cold. They honor the ICarians, yet they do not honor life." [Sallam] Well, someday they will learn the error of their ways...or the Spirits will let their truth be known to all, with our aid. One way or another, truth shall prevail, as it always does. * Jalanda muses, eyes sparkling a bit. "Yes, I am certain it shall. Until then I must continue to follow the signs. They may be the ones to rise up to claim this bright future." [Sallam] This I hope, and I am certain you will accomplish great things yourself. *Smiles* * Jalanda nods. "Your praise lightens my heart beyond words. It has most assuredly been too long, Master..." Sallam bows to her slightly. [Sallam] You are a most worthy student, and I pray for your success and safety every day. *he stands* I would hate to keep you much longer with my musings.... for you do have affairs of state waitng for you now. A destiny of nations to guide. You most certainly are worthy of this. * Jalanda offers a smile, it seems very innocent, a rarity. "As I always pray for yours." Sallam nods. [Sallam] Yes, of course. I must go now to my inn, for tomorrow morning comes early. If you must speak with me, send a message to the Raven's Call Inn or to the Council Hall. * Jalanda nods to this. "Spirits be with you. Tomorrow brings many things." She bows respectfully and stands as well. With another bow and a smile, Sallam heads back toward his inn. * Jalanda remains in the park, gazing at the flowers once more. She mumbles faintly to herself, "...perhaps one day it will bring you back to me..." ==End Lude== Session Close: Thu Dec 13 20:53:10 2001