Ashes of Victory
cy 4845 Janos 9th
[There are several people I want to talk to. Obviously, I'm waiting a decent interval before appoaching any of this...]
Willowstar
Before she disappears, Merlynar seeks audience with his Goddess.
''Lady, all that I do I do in your name, and for your cause. Yet the path becomes confused by your children."
“All children must – alas – fly the nest Merlynar. Do not let the plight of my children interfere with the staunch and welcome work you do in my cause. I have brought them up to be independent, to know their own minds and – most important of all – to strive for their own goals. They are gods of the future my priest and their decisions will shape the world we live in.
“Malakar is willful like his father. This day of unfettering is long overdue…do not believe that your actions against him will in any way test your loyalty. Malakar and I are now enemies. It is time the world grew up fast if it to survive what my son has in mind.”
Willowstar's acceptance of what Merlynar knows to be true - Malakar's evil - eases his mind immensely. "I am your High Priest, Lady Willowstar, and your enemy is my enemy. I shall do what is within my power to ensure that Malakar does not inflict his vision on the world.'' [This is interesting. As a player, I know Malakar's æpothosis will make Grayhawk a better and more interesting place - I've been saying we need more dark Gods; as Merlynar, it's him or me!]
"Elena is the soul of goodness and light - though young and somewhat naive. Malakar... Malakar treads a dark path. My every instinct tells me to oppose him; yet he is your son. What should I do?"
The goddess sighs. “She likes you Merlynar. As a mother I could not ask for a better suitor but she must not be distracted from a difficult road ahead. She will need your courage and loyalty before she needs your love.
“Malakar by the same token hates you…strangely and ironically balanced wouldn’t you say? The relationship between the three of you will intensify…just ensure you are ready for the challenge.
"She has of me whatever she asks; and I will be ready for him when next we meet!"
"On another subject, my Goddess; should it please you to create a church of Elena, I would be honoured to proclaim her faith."
“Elena’s path to godhood will take her through many dark days before she ascends. Your role in that is as yet undecided but if she wished a disciple I would gladly grant her your service if you so desired.”
The goddess bows and turns to leave. She hesitates and half turns her perfect face towards Merlynar. “No one hid your identity Merlynar. I am fully aware of your Echeronian background and your subsequent Allorin upbringing. Elf, human, plane dweller, or soul dancer…what matters most is Faith – all else is immaterial. When you faced Malakar it was your faith that made you survive…know that I love you as a son…”
Merlynar bows, beyond words. His life is dedicate to this being, and she confirms his decisions, approves his suit, and blesses him with her love. Despite all else that has happened today, for a moment he is utterly happy.
Cellion
"Your Eminence, when Lady Vali first arrived here today, she saw things other than they are. Can you shed any light on this? Whom did she see?
“Forgive me Merlynar but what Vali saw I did not…”
"Then guard our holy temple well, I beg you, sir [he's the boss after all!], for there are powers afoot that can affect it without your permission or knowledge!"
Valadain
Merlynar asks for an audience with Valadain, and if he refuses, respects the decision.
If he accepts, Merlynar drops to his knees before the bereft Godslayer, the tears running down his face at the pain he confronts.
"I would have saved him if I could," he says sadly. "'He followed the corrupter Malakar, but at the end he fought for the light and died well, defending the fallen Elena. By misfortune he took wounds at my hands too. I am sorry."
Valadain embraces the queen who pours her tears onto his shoulder. The Godslayer has a steely gaze; dark eyes firm and fixed…a killer's eyes. He shakes his head to indicate that now is not the time for conversation and Merlynar thanks Willowstar to be away from the barely stifled rage within Valadain’s soul.
[Sounds like my boy! Actually I'd meant to try and get him alone once he'd cooled a bit, but never mind - it's said]
Elena
As the Godchild recuperates, Merlynar visits her regularly, and her return to health lifts his heart. Finally, he raises important questions.
"Elena, what has happened has changed us both; we are bound together, forever. For my part I look on this with gladness; I cherish the hope that you feel the same way too.''
Her deep blue eyes hide her grief to the world…but not to Merlynar. “Follow me to your doom Merlynar, for that is all that will come of us. I have led Brendil to a cruel death and for what? For vanity. The queen is broken by my thoughtless actions.
"You led Brendil nowhere, dear one; had he followed you he would have lived. Malakar's plotting and his own weakness placed him where he was, and my misfire made him vulnerable. At the end, though, he chose his own place to stand, stood for the light against the dark, to defend you, and died well. In his place I would have done the same."
"But there is a shadow between us, cast by your brother. Surely, now, you can see that he is lost to his father's evil? For what he has done to you alone, I would slay him in an instant. But he seeks empery; he seeks Godhead. You saw how the weak and corruptible followed him! I will not stand by and see such a 'god' lifted up."
“There will be no shadow between us ever! We are bound by souls and I would gladly give up everything to follow you Merlynar…just say it and we will slip away! Malakar will not bear our love well…his jealousy will impel him towards us…before long it is a battle we must face."
"So be it. I shall be ready.''
''But this duty sets me against your bloodkin. The thought of you turning from me chills me; but how can I turn from the world's hazard?''
Elena embraces Merlynar and buries her head close to him, her scent is like a charm spell and drags him deeper into her affections.
His eyes are haunted. "I am torn. Who can help me find the path?''
Elena is silent but the answer to his rhetoric comes from the trees, a man stands in his view, Merlynar is struck by the perfect folds of his cloth, the ease with which the immaculately dressed nobleman wears them. “I will help you Echeronian…in fact I am your only hope…”
''The more people that tell me that, the more sure I am that I am my only hope,'' he says. ''Who are you? You had better not be who I think you are...''