By now everyone has started to feel the effects of not being able to dream. Loud booming sounds and ground shaking are heard and felt all around with no specific source.
Poppy sitting at one of the tables of the tavern her hands clasped firmly to the sides of her head. A displeased look stamped on her face "I don't know." She said flatly. "I have looked high and low and everywhere inbetween. I can't seem to find the source of the damned thing!" She said in a snarl
Blaise, looking as exhausted as anyone in town had ever seen him, notices Thalenir push open the tavern door and speak. Massaging his own temples, the ifrit replies, "It is anyone's guess what in the Pit that booming is, but if it doesn't stop soon I'm going to go mad."
The bard glances at Thalenir once more and suddenly freezes his temple-massaging as his curiosity kicked in. "The word around town is that I am not the only one who has been absent lately. And, I'm almost certain that it's not because you were drowning yourself in Rican ale. And whores. ...And gambling. Anyway, where have you been, friend?"
Thalenir frowns at the two ruffled Jastreyians. "The two of you look awful. I take it this has been an ongoing problem, then?"
He sits across from Blaise. "I had some business in the Aether. Word came from the Berylline Syndicate that... well, it was a personal matter, at any rate. I wasn't in a place to receive letters, but I sent several. Did Haven not tell you where I was?"
Blaise listens as closely as he could to Thalenir's words. At the mention of Haven, the ifrit had one of those awkward moments when you choke on your own spit. Several red-hot embers fly out onto the table as he hacks and coughs. Composing himself, Blaise responds, "Well...AHEM...excuse me. I have been away as well, but it was more...let's say, a vacation than anything. As for Haven..."
The bard glances down at the table. "As for Haven...I thought everyone in Orn knew."
"Yes, It has been like this the past few.... day or so. I am not sure. I havent been able to sleep so the day have started to blur." she said wryly "Mhmmm The Berylline Syndicate do share?" She said sparing a soft smile. A air of uneasiness came over the fae when he asked mentioned Haven. "Oh you don't know. Uhh, well she is kinda poofed and became an immortal." she spat out really fast preparing herself unsure on how the paladin would react.
Thalenir's eyes narrow at Blaise and he says, "Knew... what?" before hearing Poppy's reply. He looks back and forth between them, assessing, then smiles tentatively. "Ah, I see. Have a good laugh at the paladin's expense. Very funny. Did Pelle put you up to this?"
Weylyn was sitting at a nearby table his hands folding his ears against the side of his head. He was wimpering the mug of ale untouched in from of him. As the rumbling subsided he quieted down as well, though as he lifted his head he still had his grimace on his face "I wish I knew where that bloody well was coming from... I haven't been able to think for days and that rumbling just makes my headaches worse." he growled baring his fangs, His ears laid flat aganst his skull.
Looking solemnly back at Thalenir, Blaise speaks again, "Poppy may speak bluntly, but...I'm afraid she speaks the truth. Haven has ascended to immortality. Impossible though it may seem, a new Age is begun. And..." Blaise pauses gravely, "...she wasn't the only one."
Poppy catching Blaise's glare shrugs. "What were you going to just wait and let him find out, when he hears Athena praise her name? That'd go over great" she said with a laugh. Poppy clears her throat before speaking. "Now, Thalenir I know you and I have had various disagreements.Butttt, I am not lying to you. I swear your wife became a immortal. A immortal of good stuff tooo." She said sticking her tongue out. "So it is no ruse, Blaise is right another ascended too, Keg. Kinda...."
*Though his presence at the tavern had become far from regular of late, information on the rumblings had made the runesmith seek out anyone with information.*
"Aye, aye'll attest t' the' truth o' their words Thalenir; aye wish I 'ad more t' tell ye, but both Keg and Haven are both gone."
Poppy gives Athena a small dry smile. "Welll.." she said taking a deep breath. "We told Thalenir what had happened to Haven. He thought me and Blaise were playing a mean trick on him stormed up by Pelle and then poofed." She said shaking her head making hand jestures. "He did not take it well. I am not sure where he has ran off too."
With a small smile, Althena turns to her feral friend. "Actually, Avaren is the First Immortal of the New Age," Turning back to Poppy, she frowns. "That is not good. The way he can teleport, he could be anywhere. And, even a paladin can loose his way, especially if he is grieving." She glances around the tavern, seeking any who may be of assistance. "Perhaps we should go out looking for him?"
Glancing nervously about, Althena watches as the paladin betrays his anger and sorrow. Stepping back, she watches as objects blink in and out of existence, jumping as the bowl crashes to the floor. Taking a breath, she takes one tentative step forward. "She has arisen, Thalenir," her voice is soft and soothing, as though speaking to a child. "She is gone from where we can see and hear her, but," she stops, placing a hand to her chest. "she remains here." Her smile widens. "And, she continues to serve and help as she can as the Immortal Avaren."
The dark elf approaches with the enthusiasm of a beached whale, trudging slowly into the Shady Corner, as if the welling waves of the arcane call to him. Eyes, half shut, scry over the scenery and see the mimicking state of unrest amongst all folks around. "What... een da flyin' porkers ees goin' on 'round 'ere?" He then looks over at, what currently seems to be a pitiful mess of an empyrean. Squinting a tad, the dark elf can slowly see what appears to be the air moving around him.
Oh...
*Esgir moves to stand between the paladin and the ixifar.*
"Thalenir! 'Ave ye taken leave o' yer senses man?! Althena would'nae lie t' ye! There were those who were there when Haven ascended, it's a new age- and as much as it may hurt, she is'nae here as she was before- she 'ad a higher calling. Ye jest talked of her compassion and kindness! Her sacrifice and anger at the unjust and the foul that would threaten the innocent! Can ye think of annaeone more deservin'?"
Althena stumbles back as the empyrean wizard's anger overtakes him. The magic in the air hums as his words break through, rising above the cacophany as the building itself reacts to his power. Head bowing slightly at his power, the Ixifar healer pauses, frowning slightly as she stops her retreat, raising her head as much as she can against the greater power that is the mage. Voice still quiet, hopeful, she says, "Yes, to all of those, Thalenir. And I know you love her, as she loves you. The woman she was has brought new hope to those in need. Saved many who would otherwise have perished. She was special and important to those who knew her, and so much more to you." She raises her head slightly more, fear upon her face, but unable to retreat further. "I am sorry."
Thimble had taken to stopping at the Shaddy Corner after long days of working in the mines and would often fall asleep without returning to her hut. She'd failed to wake up at Thalenir's entrance but now that the Tavern was practically in the middle of a small quake, Thimble awoke with a start and jumped to her feet.
She saw Thalenir standing round abouts the middle of the Tavern, looking rather tense and his face twisted with a hostility she'd not seen so much of before. "Thalenir?!" Thimble charged towards him and poked him with a cure (cure). "What's wrong?" She asked again, taking a step back to see if it'd done anything.
The dark elf flinched at the reckless goosing of his gnomish companion, and he takes a crouching ready stance. Looking at the aetherous state of "the Just" is starting to invoke a reciprocal reaction from himself being named "the Brave."
"Okay, T'alenir. I'm not one to tell you what to do, but I t'ink dis is a good time to calm.... down... Chill, like da oceans of Glesmyr." He creeps closer, inch by inch, carefully, feeling a sense of responsibility and possibly desperation as his breath labors to get out.
Althena reached over to gently place a hand to Esgir's shoulder, hoping he realizes how much she appreciates his protection of her. She is nearly stunned as the tiny gnome paladin rushes over to Thalenir, and equally surprised by the harsh wording from her elven friend. She glances over at Thalenir, taking note that neither his power nor anger has dissipated, and she worries for those within and without the tavern. Taking a breath, she says, "Will your anger and sorrow, and rightful grief bare harm to others?" She knows her words are harsh, but she can think of nothing else to say. "If you feel the need to strike someone, go ahead. I am standing here. But either you do so, or calm. Others will be injured if you do not."
Thimble blankly stared at her finger and then up at Thalenir. "Well I only just learned it, I didn't know if it'd help or not. So yes, I did, you look scary and are doing scary wizard things. I may not know what's going on exactly, but you look hurt, and thus the cure. Hmm Uhh.." Thimble glanced around to see that everyone in the Tavern looked in some what hesitation at Thalenir's sudden surge of power, maybe not exactly afraid, but hesitant to do anything of it.
Thimble listened to the words being spoken from others and gathered that he was hurt emotionally. Thimble creeped forward again, opened her arms out wide and then around Thalenir in a warming hug. "Sometimes this helps when people are hurt not on the outside, I think."
The dark elf assesses the situation, seeing and feeling the atmosphere around the wizard retreat to normal. He stands sidefaced to him, beads of sweat rolling down his head, his furthest hand trembling.
He squints, "You did not'ing wrong. She merely saved each of us from a grave deal of misfortune dat literally plagued us. It's not fair, no, many t'ings we encounter are not... but if you lose control an even worse deal of misfortune will befall each of us." His limbs still tingle with warmth from fight or flight reflexes, waiting to see what needs to happen next.
As everything settles, and the mage's power recedes, Althena takes a stumbling step forward, suddenly realizing she had been pressing against the tide of power to stand straight. She turns, watching as the empyrean accepts the gnome's hug, and turns her head slightly, uncertain whether she should bear witness to the raw grief he displays. Head still turned, she whispers again, "I am sorry," realizing that, despite the joy of Avaren rising, Haven will be sorely missed by those most dependent upon her. She closes her eyes, feeling the now familiar fatigue sweep over her, more so at the expending of energy to stand against the might of the powerful wizard. "Heal him," she whispers a prayer to Avaren, hoping the Immortal will hear her words and grant mercy upon the one who loved her most. "His need of you is overwhelming and present."
Thimble released Thalenir and stepped back, smiling gently.
Her face then went stern and her tired eyes narrowed, attempting to make sense of what was happening. "Okay, so, I gather something or someone did something and probably Haven did something very good but as a result isn't here anymore. What do we need to do now, more importantly, what do you need to do now knowing that whatever has happened, happened?" Thimble questioned directly at Thalenir.
Poppy steps forward to stand next to Thimble. "If you need to vend your rage, do so, just not on these people. It is clear the damage it can do." The fae stated firmly motioning to the mess he had made of the tavern. She took a deep breathe before continuing. "As Thimble said, and from what I have gathered and understand, She saved not only town but a city in Sirison from a horrible plague created by Hurisisa and her followers. She defeated the revived Drak . I am sure you remember him fairly well.." She pausing before continuing picking her words wisely. "I know you must hurt," the fae said softly almost sincerely. "Buttttt, at least you have those who will stand with you through that pain." she said warmly patting Thimble on the head trying to stay firm in her words to the wizard though I bit of fear could still be heard in the unseelies voice.
In a chair at the table in the corner, Blaise remains stock upright. Wide-eyed, he watches Thalenir's display with awe and terror. The ifrit respected the enormous amount of raw power that the wizard commanded. Blaise was certain that Thalenir could single-handedly destroy a Shard if he chose.
When Thimble finally began to calm him down, the ambient waves of energy dissapated. Without moving his gaze, Blaise reached up and grabbed his mug, which was suspended in midair, and pulled it back down to the table.
Quietly, almost under his breath, the ifrit utters, "You'll be with her again, soon."
Looking around, and realizing that Thalenir was surrounded by friends, the Ixifar healer stepped back and turned, making her way around the shattered items that the mage's power had tossed about, and quietly made her way around the tavern, taking a seat at the back, watching as the paladin calmed.
From the Tower, Kaelan senses the raw power of magic being wielded uncontrolled nearby. He hastens from his quarters, out the Tower and towards the tavern as the power recedes. He steps into the tavern expecting one of the many attacks of monsters that seem to plague the tavern. Instead he finds Thalenir at the center of a group of people. He stands back to listen.
A column of light reaching skyward appears in front of the tavern. A moment later, Thalenir materializes, drifting weightlessly to the ground before the pull of the earth takes hold. he rolls his shoulders, acclimating to the change of environment, and opens the door to the tavern. He stops halfway as the tremors and noise begin. "Does anyone know what that is?" He squints and angles his head, trying to pinpoint the direction of the noise.