rush99999
Lurking Krog
Izurich
GubGar
Kalas
Pyromania99
TheHangedMan
Bartimaeus
The Irish Tree
~~The Illuminator~~
Location:
White Dawn
The snow crunched under her feet as she walked. It was an odd feeling, having so much in her head. It made her giggle. The gift of knowledge was both a burden and a curse. Ah if only they could all see it, too. She wanted to share it. Wanted to give it to them. Wanted to teach. Enlighten. That was what she was here for now, after all. That was her mission. Her job. To be a gate to the Library and teach the mortals.
She paused, her steps carrying her to the edge of the village. A cold wind blew past, carrying with it the smell of freshly cooked deer and fruits from the forest. Failing their planned sacrifice, they had quickly put together something else it seemed. She knew what they were doing well. A feast to honor the pilgrims. Mere fools, they were. They learned nothing. They took it as a sign Lazhria wasn't suitable. That the Illuminator wanted another mind. A greater mind as perceived by them. But no, the Kadisht would not volunteer himself. A coward, but that was fine.
The Library had use, even for those.
Silently, she began walking again. Past the huts the people lived in, the night easily hiding her from any prying eyes should there be any. Slow and purposeful was her steps, yet not slow enough to let think she was aimlessly walking as she weaved through the shadows until she came to the beach where the bonfire was burning brightly. Crowded around it, sitting comfortably in a circle on mats and rugs of animal fur were all the residents of White Dawn. The Kadisht was easy to find, his bright dyed red furs easy to pick out...and the one with the largest amount of food in front of him.
"Are we really sending Cxatha?" Standing at the edge, she could hear the conversation he was having with one of the Lloi's. She leaned closer, a frown forming. Just seeing them angered her.
"There is little to be done. He is the brightest and must be sent. The Illuminator wills it." The Kadisht replied. Oh did he now? La-Zha's frown turned back into a smile. Oh how ignorantly wrong they were. Did they ever even know what the Illuminator wanted? Perhaps in the past, when he first revealed themselves to these people, but if they did they had long forgotten it, it seemed.
Some more conversation. Whispering to the Lloi beside him. What were they saying, in such hushed tones? Her ears couldn't reach, but she knew anyways. Cxatha. Son of one of the Lloi's. A Lloi of which, seemed to disagree. How droll. They planned trickery. To let him leave, but only for a few days before returning saying that reaching the wall was impossible. Pathetic. Had they not sworn, to pursue knowledge above all else? They were letting petty things such as emotions get in the way.
She began walking closer as the Kadisht took a stand. No one would notice her just yet, because she didn't want them too. A little trick of the mind, so they would simply fail to notice her.
"Brothers," The Kadisht began. "Sisters! Friends. The Illuminator has blessed us once more with a year of enlightenment, well being and luxury." Hah...how pathetically false. La-Zha smiled as she arrived at the fur rug he was standing on. She took a seat next to him, grabbing a rather juicy looking deer leg from a bone plate in front of him as he continued. "But as with every year...progress demands sacrifice. Since the first generation we have always honored the White Stars missive. Send a single person to the wall, so that the Library may welcome them." He had started walking by now, making a slow circle around the bonfire so that he could see each and everyone here. "We had planned for a suitable sacrifice in his name - one of the weak of minded, given to the Lord of Knowledge so that he may enlighten them in death." His red colored robes fluttered lightly in the cold breeze of the sea. "But our plans were hindered. Bryyre is a traitor, and Lazhria is to be henceforth exiled from White Dawn, should she ever find her way back here she is to be killed." Walking to a tall, lanky looking boy with sharp features he placed a gentle hand on their shoulder. "In her stead, we must make another. Cxatha, you will go to the wall and make the journey in her stead."
"I would be honored, Kadisht. Anyone would, for the chance to visit the Library. I shall redeem us for the ignorance of that child."
"You shall be recorded in the histories as a Saint, Cxatha." La-Zha merely smiled as she tore another piece of meet off the leg of the deer. She had almost eaten all of it. She hadn't realized how hungry she had been. Or was it something else? She didn't spend too long thinking about it. "But without further ado, we shall begin the festivities! Come, Cxatha."
clap
A small cheer erupted among the populace, the first slow one going unheard.
clap
The second broke through the loud cheers, a piercing thunderclap, silencing them within seconds.
clap
The Kadisht turned slowly, not understanding what had just happened. How had she gotten so close? Without anyone seeing?
clap
"La...Lazhria?" His voice was unsteady as La-Zha smiled up at him from her seat, a bone, picked clean of all of the meat on it held lightly in her hands. "How did...how are you-?!" Silence befell the Lloi's and the hunters. How had they not seen her?
"Surprised?" La-Zha's smile never faded as she waved the bone lazily in the air. Something about the way she moved seemed unnatural. Her joints didn't seem to bend right. "Thought I died or something? Took Bryyre on a wild snow hare chase?" She chuckled lightly, chewing lightly on the bone. The fire crackled in silence. "Well, I did. Sort of. He's no longer with us but he made quite the lovely paint."
Silence.
"Nothing to say? And here I thought talking was the only thing you were good at." Slowly, she stood, her voice dry and humorless as she responded. "That was quite the speech you gave. I have to wonder why you gave the same one the year before. Oh, and how incredibly false it was as well. Lord Iva? Bless your small mind with anything? How arrogant." La-Zha stepped closer, the Kadisht took a step back. Something primal, something was telling him he should flee. Something was wrong.
"Ah, he even knows it." The Kadisht stumbled backwards, heat from the bonfire against his back. "You know what you've done. You know your insults well, don't you? I can see it aaaaaalllll in the dark corners of your mind where you try and hide it." Her voice had odd disjointedness to it as she spoke, it was dry and almost monotone. The rest of the others gathered seemed entirely unsure on what to do. Some of the hunters simply watched.
"I-I don't know how you got back here so easily." He seemed to be calming himself down after her sudden interruption. "Or what nonsense you speak of. Has the Illuminator taken your wits, girl?" He seemed to be ignoring or not noticing her obvious inhuman qualities now. That was fine, and expected.
"No no, he has given me more wits than you will ever have!" An amused chuckle. "Not that you have any to begin with..."
"Insolent...!" He glared at her, but before he could say anything else she interrupted him once more.
"Afraid, Kadisht?" She was so close now. Close enough he could smell a slightly antiseptic smell coming from her.
"Of what?"
"Of being discovered. What Lord Iva will do now that you've offended him?"
"I've done no such thing." He scoffed. "I've led this village to prosperity with his blessing!"
"Then why, oh why have you done nothing but but fatten yourself?"
"I've done no such thing!"
"Have you not? Am I wrong? Are we wrong? He says we're wrong. There is one way, to find out Kadisht. Knowledge above all else. That's what we want. Throw yourself into the bonfire." By now some of the other people had gotten to their feet, most were understandably confused, but did nothing. Unable to decide what they should do.
Poor little fish. So used to being led around, not thinking for themselves.
"I am under no obligation to listen to the deranged mind of a mad woman!" He spat.
"Ah, no? You won't? So we're right then? Of course we are. I know all that there is, and all that there can be. I know your mind, Kadisht. Your selfish, rotten, putrid mind...If you refuse your role so easily...then I shall simply take it."
