Newcomer
EXP: 20,399, Level: 6
Level completed: 6%,
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“Yes. Is that like your people?â€
Mordelain nodded. “I had not considered it possible. But, on a smaller scale, this conclave prepares priestesses to take on the mantle of their predecessors. I didn’t think it was literal.â€
“Does this bode well for me accompanying you?â€
“Yes. I think it possible you will not succumb to madness.â€
“Oh, I assure you, it’s far too late to stop that.â€
In good humour, the two women finished their supper and drained their tea. They exchanged tall tales about their people and how each viewed the role of the women in their society. After all that had transpired across the nine worlds, Mordelain found it comforting that the spirit of her people, once gracious and kind had manifested without the hubris that came with such power.
“You came to tell me how to end this dreaded heat, though, not to tantalise me with voyages across the stars.â€
“Ah, yes. When I showed you Irrakam of old do you remember the great dome that stood where your tower now stands?â€
“Vaguely. Go on?â€
“It was a hydroponic dome. It channelled water and hot air beneath the city to great stores of grain and rice paddies beneath the earth. Though the dome has long crumbled to dust we believe the air flow is still intact.â€
“Believe, or know?â€
“I need to find out. To do that I need your blessing to enter the catacombs beneath the tower.â€
Amaya raised an eyebrow. “That is sacred ground.â€
“I thought the tower was sacred ground yet here I’m sat.â€
“Not only is it sacred, it is dangerous. The tunnels, or tunnels as I thought they were our home to creatures even the Harriers fear.â€
“If the Harriers were half as brave as I they would have reclaimed them years ago.†Mordelain smirked.
“Even if you could kill a dozen mandible drakes, what purpose would old tunnels serve?â€
“If we dig the tunnels and connect them to one another, because they are below sea level, we can channel sea water into the heart of our home. Wells could be refilled. Our animals could drink saltless water. We could use the salt condensed by the heat of the tunnels to preserve food for winter.â€
Amaya listened carefully to Mordelain’s plan. “It seems feasible. That would only help Irrakam, though. There are hundreds of villages and tribes still out in the deserts on the brink of death. What of them?â€
“Ah, yes. I was hoping you would ask. Long ago I found a terraforming device, still intact, and somehow still functional. I was able to activate it and restore some, if still sparse rainfall. I may be able to steal away something from the past to restore that device proper – it will be able to make rainfall whenever, and wherever in Fallien it is needed.â€
“You said that word I don’t like again. ‘May.’â€
“Hah, forgive me. But leave the matter of the Skeinsliver to me. If you can find adventurers willing to clear out the tunnels my companion Suresh has contracted workers to carry out the necessary construction to connect the tunnels to the docks.â€
“You sound as though you already intended to carry out your plan. Why do you need my blessing?â€
“I’m not asking for your blessing, Amaya. I am asking for your help. I know you are more powerful than history tells. If your forebears were truthful, you may be able to help me change the course of history.â€
Amaya narrowed her gaze into a pensive inspection. “What have you heard?â€
“Rumours speak of a Priestess who once dreamt of yesterday and tomorrow. She plucked the nightmares from our children’s hearts and buried them in the past. A dream weaver. A visionary.â€
“How does that help, were it true?â€
“If I understand your magic correctly, you can take something from a dream and make it real. You may be able to remove the Skeinsliver from a memory of Irrakam of Old without having to risk unbending time altogether.â€
A long, awkward silence filled the chamber. As evening turned to night and cold descended, sentries arranged a tarpaulin halfway up the chamber and strapped it tight to protect their charge from the freezing night air. The Long Summer created Long Winters by night.
“I may have the power to do something like that. But you must tell no one. Ever.†Amaya’s approachable tone changed to one of command and respect.
Mordelain bowed in her seat. “You have my word, Priestess.â€
“Let us tend to the matter of the tunnels first. I have not practised that non-existent magic for nigh a decade. I will need time to prepare the ritual and you will need time to create the most vivid and opportune memory for me to work with.†Amaya waved her hand to the door, signalling for Mordelain to leave.
“Thank you, Amaya. Together Fallien will endure.†She rose, bowed, and left quickly before she overstayed her welcome.