Date: August 8, 2000 (Aether: November 27, 3906)
Place: Niamh's Chamber - Delphic Citadel - Haven
Cast: Altair, Niamh
Scene: The Hound Commander, Altair Chryseis, has heard a disturbing rumor on the streets about Khalid Atar. He visits the Citadel in order to inform the Estrel, Niamh, about the rumor personally. For one should not hear that one's god is dead from a stranger.

Niamh's Chamber - Delphic Citadel - Haven:
      Perhaps it was because of some sort of comfort that Niamh took over Maya's old chambers. The theme of red and gold is replaced by many colors, the predominant being black. Rustic tapestries decorate the walls now, and the cushions about are covered with black, glints of silver and emerald green breaking up the darkness. The window is usually left open unless there is rain and then the heavy curtains are drawn. The part of the room that once held a loom, now holds an altar to Khalid-Atar. A statue of the god-king resides in the center, the place of honor, done in blackest obsidian. Braziers to either side of the statue give off the pale blue smoke of incense and the heady scent of myrrh. Hung about the wall behind the statue are prayers, embroidered on cloth in a dark, burnished gold, set off by the shadows cast by the candle flames. In front of the shrine is a well-worn woven carpet...where the elementalist kneels many times a day in prayer.
      Another door to the back of the chamber is usually open; it's the door leading to the bedroom. Some of the black of the outer room is echoed in here, but only as a highlight color. The main color in this room is a dark gold. Torches flicker all about , providing ample light at nearly all hours.

A rather hurried knock comes at the door, followed by the familiar voice of Empyrean Commander Chryseis. "Estrel Niamh, may I come in?"

"Atar..." Hopefully it's not another 'murdered' Estrel or shifted student... or, Fires forbid, another quake in the Grove. The pen the young Estrel was writing with is set down as he stands to admit the Hound into his chambers. "Enter, Commander."

Altair's dropped the "cool, considerate commander" routine for a look more suitable to the occasion, one of shock and surprise. Taking a moment to breathe deep and claim a little more of his composure, he steps into the room and closes the door quietly behind him. "Ave, Estrel... I've heard rumor on the street that is either cruelly vicious or openly absurd, but had me worried enough to come to talk to you for reasons twofold."

Niamh tilts his head slightly as if trying to figure out which rumor... hopefully, he isn't part of it. "Well, Commander? Out with it." Instead of sitting back at the desk chair, he leans against the edge of the desk itself, waiting.

Altair takes another slow, deep breath. "Before I repeat the rumor, I want you to know that I mean no disrespect or insult, but I needed confirmation or denial, as is possible. I know how touchy this subject can get. The rumor... it says that Khalid Atar has been slain in battle..." He almost cringes at this, praying Niamh takes this rationally and calmly rather than exploding and taking the commander and half the tower with him.

Niamh freezes. Not an eyelid blinks, not a muscle twitches. Finally, a whispered, "What?" breaks the silent stillness. Then comes the explosion, "Impossible!" The flames in the braziers about the shrine punctuate his words for him as they flare, "He is a God... Gods don't die!" It must be that ritual phoenix thing... it has to be. Surging forward, he jabs an accusing finger at Altair. "Where did you hear this? is there a body?" He won't believe it without proof.

Altair arches a brow at Niamh, obviously noting he's come to the wrong man. "Estrel, please. Calm yourself. All I know is that word on the street says a badly-injured wyvern queen crashed into Atesh-Gah's courtyard quite recently, bearing an equally injured Atarvani from Masada. He claimed that Khalid Atar had been slain. I have no details on how or where, though likely from the man's departure point, Masada. I need to know if I should get together with the Archon and put the Hounds on heightened alert. Whether true or rumor, this is liable to stir up all kinds of trouble. We'll need those Hounds out there to make sure some idiot, Varati or Empyrean, doesn't take advantage of the rumor and start an incident, or worse yet, a riot."

What does one do when they are told that their deity is dead? Of course, Niamh refuses to believe it until he sees the body with his own eyes... but there is a growing seed of fear inside. Barely hearing the Hound, he seems to snap out of his thoughts, "Heightened alert... yes." Then, a dawning in those eyes. "Yes! And try to quell those rumors. We can't have that spread about Haven..."

Altair bows his head to Niamh, knowing that when he was snapped out of it he would be rational. "Consider it done, Estrel. The Hounds shall be informed to respond that they have no knowledge of there being anything wrong with Khalid Atar, and that there has been no word from the Maharani or Atesh-Gah on the rumors. To consider them false. Is there anything further you need from me, Estrel?"

Rational... when all he wants to do is let his anger and confusion rage like a wild fire. But what good would it be to find a dead Estrel upon the Amir-al's return? Surely he cannot be gone. "The less it is spoken of, the easier it will be to stop any... mistaken hostilities when the Amir-al returns." And that is Niamh's reasoning... perhaps it makes sense, perhaps it doesn't. Shaking his head, the Estrel moves to walk Altair out, "No, Commander. I appreciate you telling me this in person instead of hearing it on the streets."

Altair nods softly, understanding. But at the same time, he also understands that his own Gods have been dead for many centuries... "I sincerely hope that Khalid Atar has not been killed, Niamh. Despite his actions at Lycenae and Empyreal propaganda, I have always looked up to him in recent times as the greater peacemaker of the two worlds. It would be a grave loss to the world should we lose him now, when Peace needs him and his kind so badly." He bows his head to Niamh, turning to leave and inform the Archon.

Niamh actually follows the Hound out, closing the door behind him. "I will accompany you part of the way if you don't mind." Seems he's going to make a trip to Atesh-Gah himself.

Altair looks back to Niamh, nodding softly. "To Atesh-Gah, I assume...? After speaking with the Archon and assigning new orders, I plan to head there myself. To talk to the Maharani, if she is accepting visitors. We've grown quite a rapport between us, with recent incidents... I'd like to make sure she is well."

"Of course, to Atesh-Gah." And he'll ask about the Queen-Maharani as well... and look for the Atarvani who brought the message. Briefly, Niamh wonders if this is a nightmare... if he's really asleep and in a moment he will awaken with Majidah beside him and all right with the world.

Altair is hoping this is a nightmare as well. Without Khalid, what will happen between the Empyre and the Varati? What will happen to Avalon? And Haven...? "Gods, please let this be a horrible dream..." he mutters quietly, a silent prayer that might carry to Niamh's ears.

Niamh glances to the Hound and murmurs an, "Amen," before following Altair out into Haven's streets.

FIN  

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