From Sol Invictus

Book02: Markuran's Tomb Revisited

< Island of the Aalorai | Sol Invictus Logs | Carnival Fever >

Summary: Markuran and Zahara return to his tomb, to see what the ..spirit left behind.

XP:M1, Z1

Tags:
Kiriath, Faith Ecliptic

After releasing the black wind from his crypt upon their last visit, Markuran was reluctant to revisit the site of Kiriath's tomb. But some months later, he and Zahara returned. Cerin and Birds were working on understanding the new process of Exaltation and Zahara hoped to scavenge more samples of First Age Weaponry from the tomb, to help her learn how to forge with this new technique Cerin had showed her.

<Zahara?> "I am stronger than I look," she reminds him. "Or you could borrow my 'stone and carry me across if it would make you happier."

<Markuran?> "It's your stone. Let's hurry, I don't really want to linger here.."

Past the chasm and once again within the tomb, the two Solars look around at the shattered coffin, the scattered bones and the undisturbed jade boxes. Dark carvings in jade and soulsteel scream their unreadable message across the walls and blue pyre-flames light the small, dank room.

<Markuran?> "The coffin was covered in spikes and made of soulsteel and had no lid. I think it was obviously a warning. I wish I had heeded it.."

<Zahara?> "For what it's worth, Markuran." she says, touching the runes on the walls, "This time I think you have learned enough to deny the temptation."

<Markuran?> "They slew those who made the Gods, in that age. Their knoweldge was beyond compare. I hope that it was a flaw in the soul that has since healed..but I fear the eels are simply a harbinger of the same darkness."

<Zahara?> "Then you must realize when the...eels.. become to active, and stop them, as you did recently. It does make life much nicer, don't you agree?"

<Markuran?> "Someday, I might not be able to stop them. But, I will fight them as long as I have strength in my body and mind."

<Markuran?> "He doesn't deserve the respect your ancestor did, Zahara." apparently the big man noticed your look

<Zahara?> "I'm sure my ancestor was not all sunshine and light either." she smiles slightly.

<Markuran?> "He wasn't locked in a block of death's metal on a guarded isle in the middle of a bottomless pit."

<Zahara?> "Well...no." she prods the shards of soulsteel with a toe. "This is true."

<Zahara?> "Very well-crafted, too. I think your priests will like them."

<Zahara?> "What'd you find?"

<Markuran?> "Baubles and silks."

<Zahara?> "Give those to your priests too."

<Markuran?> "They need no such fripperies."

<Zahara?> "Why not?"

<Markuran?> "They are to be among the people, showing them the way. These silks are for a master, not an ally."

<Zahara?> "How will the people know who they are?"

<Markuran?> "Sometimes, they won't need to. But if they must, the medallions and less...foolish vestments will serve. These are not appropriate. And, they're too small for most of my priests."

<Zahara?> "Surely you'll have some priests that aren't..tribal. Eventually."

<Zahara?> "Hmmm maybe Birds will like them."

<Zahara?> "Nice mace."


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