Althena stepped into the clearing, amazed at the progress the group of dwarves had made within the last few days. The shining white stone foundation had been laid out, detailing where the church, hospital and hospice rooms would lay. A simple square design with only one level, but a good start. She walked around the group, taking note of the looks of annoyance cast in her direction as she carefully stayed out of their way as they brought the heavy stones forward. She paused next to the foreman, watching as he explained the layout to one of his workers, referring to the blueprints he held in one large hand only briefly. With a nod, the Ixifar stepped away.
She had been surprised by the progress, as the dwarves - fewer than nine at any given time - had been promised what healing concoctions Althena could produce in exchange for their building the foundation and outer walls. The structure would be set, but she had not the funds, experience, skill or knowledge of how to finish the church once the structure was set.
Frowning, she turned away, going to kneel before the shrine, bowing her head as she mediated on what her next step should be.
Feathers along the back of her neck ruffling slightly, Althena lifted her head, certain another had entered the clearing. She looked over and saw the dwarves slowing down, obviously preparing to end their labors for the day. She glanced upwards, taking note of the waning sunlight. Frowning, she rose, dusting off her knees as she turned and noticed Esgir Anvilsmiter standing a respectful distance. Smiling at her friend, she strode closer to the dwarf.
"Good evening, Esgir," she greeted, bowing her head, the newly sprouted white feathers along her face ruffling slightly. "I see that the construction had caught your attention." She grinned, eyes going back toward the foundation.
*Bowing slightly in return.*
"Aye, aye imagine tis just my nature t' be drawn to earthen crafts. Aye first thought twas a Temple to Kragg the Forge Father when aye saw the dwarves at work; when aye saw you 'ere though I thought I was mistaken. Aye take it tha' you are headin' th' construction o' a Temple t' Avaren?"
*Gaze following her own as both looked over the worksite.*
Her grin grew into a broad smile as she nodded enthusiastically. "Well, I am funding the start of construction of the church," she shook her head slightly. "I have used what gold I had and am paying these fine dwarves in medicinals." She tilted her head as she glanced back at the dwarf at her side. "Once the outer walls are finished, these dwarves will be done with their task." Her eyes twinkled slightly. "Perhaps they could be induced to assist in the building of a church to Kragg?"
Taking a slow walk through the temple, Peleus was reminded of his childhood. The many status every where lining the walls made of diffrent stones. The calm and quiet stillness that only comes from stone walls. The only sound that could be heard was his own foot steps until the sound of hammers and chisels began to echoed all around. Approaching the group of craftsmen, Peleus slowed his pace to a halt to admire the progress and craftsmanship.
Looking around noticing Esgir steering at Althena. Wondered over to Esgirs side, remaining silent.
"I'm certain that, as dwarves, they would be more than willing to help." She turned fully to the dwarf now, the smile fading slightly as her voice became more thoughtful. "The foundation and walls will be up, and that is such a strong start, I feel almost ungrateful with my concern. But, I have no funds nor skill to complete the church. I may have bitten off more than I can chew, as they say." She turned away, her gaze once again fixed upon the growing structure that encompassed the clearing. Her smile may have faded, but the Ixifar still exuded an almost peaceful aura as she watched as the dwarven workers packed up their tools and left the work site.
Nodding, the Ixifar reponded, "Exactly. I built the shrine," she gestures toward the shining stone just behind her. "with my two hands. Staring as the dawn's light first touched the ground, then purifying it before laying the stones. The stones simply appeared." She turns to look at the foundation. "As did the stones we are using for the church. Just enough to finish the structure. It is almost as if this was meant to be." She then flushes slightly. "That must sound strange and perhaps delusional to you." She ducks her head slightly.
"I know what you mean, good dwarf," the Ixifar tilted her head slightly. "I have seen many things, both back in my homeland and during my time with Marloff. I, personally, would not doubt. But, sometimes, when it comes to matters of faith, it is far easier to overlook or ignore that faith needs to come from somewhere. Whether simply a feeling," she looks upward at the darkening sky, "or as the stars come out to light the sky," she then looks back to the foundation. "Or a pile of stone appears just as you have a need." She looks back to the dwarf. "But, faith needs to have that 'start'. And for some, they have never had the chance, opportunity or even the eyes or heart to see when that start occurs."
Althena startles slightly at the sudden appearance of the sylph monk. Smiling at her friend and fellow docent, she bows her head slightly. "Any help is appreciated, Good Peleus. The dwarves shall have the foundation and walls finished shortly. We then need to find those who can assist with finishing the interior, furnishings, and so on." She raises her head, tilting it to the side slightly. "We may also need to get word out to those who would either revere Avaren or who remembered her in her mortal incarnation of Haven Melrose."
"Thank you, Peleus. That would be a great help indeed." She offered the monk a smile, eyes still fixed upon the gleaming white stone. "The cloth can be used for clothing to help cover the poor. Or for bedding and such." Her smile widens. "Yes, it would be a great help indeed." She looks back at the sylph. "Thank you, my friend. Avaren's blessing upon you for such a generous offer."
"My thanks, gentlemen. I am certain your skills will be of use once the church has been complete." Now she frowns. "However, I believe I will need to go out among those of Jastrey to get those who can help complete the church. I just hope that without gold or treasure to offer, I will be able to find those of like minds and devotion to do so out of charity, rather than in hopes of gain." She glances at the darkened sky once more. "I have kept you both too long. Perhaps dawn's light will ease my mind and show me a way."
Althena smiled at Peleus. "I was meditating on it earlier. However," she turns her smile to Esgir. "Ignoring friends and guests would be rude. She glances at the shrine. "Perhaps I should return to my prayers and meditation for this eve, and see what the dawn brings to me." She turns back to the others with her. "Good evening, gentlemen. May you find your way through whatever Darkness surrounds you."
With these words of farewell, she steps to the shrine, kneels and bows her head to resume her interrupted meditations.
That evening another figure appears at the shrine. Swift gazed at the outline of the worked stone laid by the dwarven laborers. He had heard about the project from his fellow ixifar and come to observe the progress. It reminded him of the small temples scattered about the dry hilled plains south of Parrasson. They were about the only permenent structures in that nomadic land herders.
Swift walked over to Althena and talked in a low whispery voice. "Good evening Althena. I had herd rumors of you starting a temple. I don't wish interrupt your meditation but can we talk for a few moments?"
Hearing the familiar voice, the Ixifar healer opens her eyes, offering a smile to the other Ixifar. Pushing herself to her feet, she brushes off her knees. "I always have a moment or two to speak with you, Swift. You know that." Straightening, she steps to the candles before the shrine, leaning over to light them to give more light to the darkening clearing. "How can I help you?" She asks as she pockets the flint and steel as she turns back to the tall mage.
Swift sat on his knees in front of the shrine and took a deep breath. "Two things are troubling me. The first is my reactions to the Shriss in the tower. It is no secret that the ixifar...any child of Ixifiah, does not..." Swift trails off for a second.
"We have great internal fear of serpents. It can't really be explained. We find this occasionally with other lizard creatures as well like saurians and dragons. But, my reaction to the Shriss was so deep, so emotional in a terror I never knew I had. ... I could have killed her! And thought nothing of it until it was to late. I'll...have to speak to her at some point. Somehow, I'll have to make that work."
"Which brings me to the second. The path of the sorcerer is not an easy one for us. A sorcerer taps into the chaos of the Malstorm. But as you use it, it also uses you. A mortal can not stop it. You can only channel it, like a flooding river. Making a dam to hold it back only increases the efforts of chaos to undo you. You have to redirect that energy; make it flow to some purpose. But that purpose is always some kind of chaos, some kind of disorder. The Malstorm does not create or preserve."
Swift continues visually shaken. "I have known the dangers for a long time, but I thought I could control it. This shriss has shown me otherwise. I don't want to go made with the greed of power Althena! I don't want to become like the dark feathered children of Mehmed, cursed to the ifrit. Or to become like Al'hariq the Fallen!"
Swift looks to the white stone glowing dully in warmth of the Prime that imbues it. "Providence has given me hope however. Avaren might be my only salvation if such a fate comes."
As the Ixifar mage spoke, Althena stepped around him, until she was in front of him. Kneeling down, she continued to quietly listen as Swift made to unburden himself of the ills he had been feeling as of late. Once he was finished, she tilted her head, smiling at him compassionately. "That you question, means that you shall not fall." She turns to gaze at the shrine. "I have learned over the years that those who never question their path, when it is upon the dark path their feet could tread, that normally fall to evil, greed, power. I doubt you ever would, my good friend." She sighs, turning back to Swift. "As far as your reaction to young Siska, I had a similar reaction." She shakes her head. "Oh, not as violent as yours. Merely a feeling of fear so strong coming over me as to nearly paralyze me. It is an ingraine fear, one that dates back to our race's progenitor, Ixifiah. It is an instinct we must learn to overcome if we are to be a part of this world." Her voice trails off, as though the Ixifar was lost in memory.
She shakes her head, looking directly at the other kneeling before her. "Your path is one of the arcane. It takes years of study to acquire the discipline to carefully weave the fabric of magic, control and command it to do your bidding. it is wise to worry over corruption, for magic is a powerful tool, and can make its user powerful. And, if the heart of the wielder is weak or greedy, then the wielder of magic can become currupt. Use that wisdom, that knowledge that it is possible that you could fall. Find faith to help you watch over yourself. to find that guardian over yourself." She places a small hand upon the mage's shoulder. "Come here, to this shrine, to the church once it is complete. Offer up your cares and worries, your fears and concerns. Meditate. Prayer. Even study your Art. Do so with the knowledge that Avaren will watch over you. That Her Servants shell always offer you a place. Join Her church in Her name, and offer up your skills and heart to Her. If that is how your heart directs you." She tilts her head downward slightly before meeting Swift's eyes. "You should never, however, join a faith simply because you know fear. Join a faith because it is how your heart, mind and soul direct you. Accept it into yourself, your very being, to strengthen you even as you strengthen the faith you have accepted. Then, you shall know peace." Again, the healer's voice trails off.
"Avaren would have you," her voice is softer now. "She accepts all who seek to cleanse, either themselves or others, of the ills that so affect everyone."
Swift though for a moment weighing his words and emotions. What ever the future would bring, Althena was right. As long as he questioned the nature of what he could wield some good could come out of it. He would have to talk to this Siska in some way. I would not do for her to become the personification of what he feared about himself.
"I respected Haven and Avaren for her actions. Now Avaren represents something we as ixifar share. Our empathy, compassion, and wanderlust nature. I can't follow her as you do Althena. At least, not yet. My path differs. Thank you my friend."
"This sanctuary will be of great help to all those in need in the near future I feel. I'll try to return regularly as events allow. Here, this will help in a small way for the continued construction."
(Swift hands Althena 10G)
Althena smiles at her friend's words, and remains silent as the other Ixifar hands her a handful of coins. Cool to the touch, they feel heavy, and she gazes in stunned silence at the fistful of gold she now held. She had been hoping for assistance with the building of the church, leaving the worry of funds for curatives and other supplies for the hospital until later as she tried to scrape together what funds she needed for reagents and curatives. However, with Swift's generous offering 'later' has become 'now'. Tears threaten to rise to her eyes as she considers the implications of what she now held. During her time in Jastrey - indeed, in any town she and Marloff spent any amount of time in - she had spent what coin she (and more often than not Marloff) was able to raise on those in need. Seldom were there any donations or other offers of help, and she had found herself using her own strength to keep those who came to her alive and well. And, lately, her pockets had been empty, her supplies dwindling. And she feared for those who traveled with her, that she would be unable to fulfill her duty as a healer to them in their greatest need. Now, with this coin, she would be able to refill her pouches with curatives, satisfied with the knowledge that, should her own healing strength wane, she would still be able to help those of Jastrey she had come to call 'friend'.
Shaking her head, she reacted in a completely emotional manner, leaping forward to offer the taller Ixifar a hug. "Thank you," she whispered as she pulled herself away, this time the tears falling. "This is a generous offer. And, I thank you greatly for it. Know that it will go to good use, toward the healing of those of Jastrey, and in Avaren's name."
Bowing her head, she continues. "The darkness is lifting, and shall soon flee. Blessed by Avaren."
*The activity involved in new construction had garnered the attention of another dwarf as well, Esgir Anvilsmiter, runesmith and Disciple of Kragg, walked over to see what was going on. Seeing dwarves at work, he wondered at first if it was a Temple to Kragg the Forge Father, which he had been ruminating about since arriving back in Jastrey; seeing Althena knelt at the site though, he assumed it was instead a Temple to Avaren, the other immortal who had come into being just recently, the ascended mortal Haven Melrose.*
*Not wanting to interrupt, he stood respectfully off the side, waiting for Althena to take notice of his presence.*