Date: November 8, 1999
Place: Courtyard, Estrella Council Chambers, Infirmary - Delphic Citadel
Cast: Dara, Eric, Maya, Starsong
Scene: Having learned of the visions plaguing clairvoyants for the last few weeks, the Provost seeks out one of the Estrella, determined to find out what is going on. However, the Estrel he waylays, Maya, has no real answers to give him -- yet a sudden loss of control over her magic hints that the situation may be far more grave than most realize.

Pale and gaunt and very much unlike her usual self, Maya wanders the courtyard without apparent aim. Her steps shuffle and she gestures amidst the quiet hiss of whispered words, punctuating her speech with sharp and nervous slashes at the air. In her wake, a dance of sparks like fireflies swirl through the midnight gloom casting a golden aura about her.

Eric notes the Estrel and walks toward her. His voice is strained, forced to be calm and collect. "Estrel... if you have a few minutes, I think we need to talk."

It almost seems like lightening, but the flash is too warm, too golden. The sheet of flame resolves into a single, flickering tongue over Maya's hand, illuminating her haunted expression along with the dark circles under her eyes and the heavy lines around them as well. "You think." For all the startlement and her decidedly unsettled state, her voice is iron-hard and cold. It casts disapproval clearly on the less than decisive statement and perhaps even disbelief as to the Provost's ability in that arena. Or perhaps the tone is owed to something completely other.

Eric growls, seeming unaffected by the entire display. "Aye. We need to talk. Now." Impertinent mongrel, isn't he?

The tongue becomes a lash, whipping at the Provost and splattering across the stones at his feet. The tone, too, becomes razor sharp, "Watch your tongue, Provost. You have neither the right nor the authority to speak to any of the Estrel in such a manner." Her eyes narrow and she stares for a moment past the man's shoulder. Like the fickle flame, Maya changes abruptly, her manner softening. "But I see you are troubled. You will follow me." Her 'request' is not voiced with a growl, but with the power of absolute conviction. She does not even wait to see if he follows, but turns towards the tower itself and alters her earlier shuffle to a decisive stride, quickly setting foot to the stair and ascending it into the main spire of Delphi.

Estrella Council Chambers - Delphic Citadel - Haven:
      A large half-circle table takes up most of the room, its length divided into four parts. Each stained section has room for three chairs, and the face is hung with a banner before each trio representing the race-affiliation of those Estrels. Behind the each quarter is a smaller area cordoned off by rice-paper screens and hung tapestries and containing a desk or two and the place to store information. Obviously this is the room in which much gets done.
      Torches burn from every corner, lighting the room in the night, but in the daylight the sun streams in from cut-glass windows that cover most of the rear wall. The side walls are hung with representations and symbols of each race and every facet of magic known to Delphi.

Eric comes in from the hallway.

Eric growls upon entering the room, "Why wasn't I told about the earthquake visions?"

At this hour, the chamber is empty even of servants, but torches are lit and flicker to dispel the darkness. She does not even acknowledge the demand, although her eyes flick to the side as it is voiced, such a reaction is unlikely noticed with her back still to the Provost. A gesture lights the remaining torches and Maya paces across the room to where crystal decanters sit along with expensive goblets of glass. The material rings with a bell-like tone as the Varati woman removes one of the stoppers and pours herself a drink. She turns, glass in hand, to measure up the Provost and lift her chin to him, "And a good evening to you as well, Provost."

Eric says "Hardly. Look, I did not come here to chit-chat. If any of you had wanted that, you might have cracked my door open at least once in the last six months. I've just found out from an outside source about these visions, and if it is true that all seers have seen this, then I really, really think I should have been made aware."

Maya lifts her other hand and points at the Provost with one finger. "Sit."

Eric crosses his arms, "I'd prefer to stand, thank you." He does relax a little bit though, clasping his hands behind his back.

Maya shrugs. "Then you may leave, Provost. You have no right to demand anything from the Estrella. Not at such a time, in such a tone. I am inclined to give you more than just the information you request, but not until you grant the respect I am due. Sit. Or leave. I really do not care which." She lifts her glass, drinking from it idly and watching the man with glittering eyes.

Eric says "Why should I respect a council that put me in a position, then all but abandoned me? I have no direction, no council, no word from any of you on anything. I found out about what could eventually be one of the most important and deadly events in the history of this city, from an outside source. I came into this position respecting each of you with every ounce of my soul for what you were, and what you have obtained. But that respect has been eaten away by event after event. I'm running this city while you sit in your council and debate whatever it is you debate. And am I given even the slightest respect for it?"

Maya fixes Eric with a level look, "If that is the way you feel about it, Eric, you have the right to resign your position. In fact, if you feel so strongly about it," she sets down her glass slowly, "Perhaps you should."

Eric growls, not at her, but more at the situation. He tosses himself into a chair and sighs, "I thought you people put me in this position because I felt so strongly... just tell me this can change and I'll stay. If this is how it will be forever... then I am not sure I want to stay."

Maya makes no move to reassure the man now sitting before her. However, instead of lording over him, she pours another glass and kicks a chair out nearby, taking a seat and offering him the second goblet of wine.

Eric takes the goblet and drains a good bit of it. He sighs and shakes his head, then turns to look at her. "Is it true? About the visions?" The anger for not being told has abated.

Maya glances down at the goblet in her hands and cups the bowl of it in both palms. Her thumbs run over the gentle curve of it, nearly stroking it to song before she looks up again, "What do you know of clairvoyant visions, Eric?"

Eric frowns, "Frankly, they scare the shit out of me. I hate the thought that my future might be set or foretold."

Maya chuckles softly, "Be happy you are not granted that talent.." Still, the laughter is almost bitter and she sighs, leaning back into the chair. "It is not so simple as that, Eric. The future they often foretell, yes, but almost never literally. The visions we receive are woven of our own, personal symbology. So when you ask 'is it true,' I can only answer that yes, many people have seen visions that imply that there may be a tremor of some sort in Haven. But there is no certainty. One vision I have seen of late is that of a great crack opening up in the earth to swallow me. I can sense... malice, and it almost seems to be a fanged maw, like that of a great animal. Does that mean that the Rialto will split in two? Likely not. It is more likely interpreted that a great change is coming.. something that will shatter the foundations of what we know. Or... it could be so simple as to represent the fissure that our student WindRyder opened within the Courtyard... Or it could mean something entirely different and not related to myself at all -- something that will only come clear after the events have taken place."

Eric bahs, "I should want that I never be told of these visions... if they are mere artistic impressions of events we have no clue of and can make no sense of until it is too late. But if it's true that ALL seers have seen tremors, then certainly there must be something to it."

"Who is 'all?' What is 'everyone?' A great many clairvoyants are experiencing things of late, to be sure. But I cannot say that 'all' have seen it. Many have. Many have also seen serpents rising from the waters, ancient rivers rising from their beds in to new courses and great suns burning the earth until the powers beyond our own intervene." Maya lifts her glass again and drains a goodly portion of the liquid from within, pausing a moment to study the glass before continuing. "The only thing I can say with certainty, Eric, is that great change is coming. It would be best to be prepared for anything. But when that change will come..." She shakes her head sadly.

Eric asks again, this time softly, with deep concern and sincerity. "Why wasn't I told?"

Maya lifts one hand to her brow in a gesture fraught with pain and fatigue, no longer meeting the Provost's gaze. "It is easy to doubt your own sanity, Eric. I... see much and understand little. What use is it to come with unformed doubts and portents of some undefined doom that will happen at an undefined time in the undefined future?" She grimaces, "Perhaps a report should have been made. Perhaps action needs to be taken. But with something like this -- all I have read leads me to believe that while some events of the future can be changed, ones portended on such a wide scale cannot be altered. We have only to wait." She sighs and drops her hand, looking up again. "I would rather not provoke panic in the streets."

Eric sighs, "Well, word is out now... and I have a feeling we will be needing to pay close attention, to stop just such a panic from happening."

The corners of the Estrel's mouth turn down and she shakes her head, "It was inevitable. Very well. An announcement that Delphi is looking into these visions should be issued. I will see that something is done. I ask you to listen on the streets. Many will be unaware. Most of Haven is not cursed with the gift of the Sibylla. They will not understand what is going on, and I see no need to frighten them with this information until we understand it more clearly. If it becomes common knowledge among the people, then we will speak."

Eric nods, "Very well." He moves to stand, assuming he is dismissed.

Maya rises slowly along with the man, "Eric."

Eric looks at the woman before him. "Aye?"

Maya lifts her chin slowly, "It is good of you to come to us with this sort of concern." The corners of her mouth turn up slowly, eyes flickering with a hint of flame, "But perhaps next time it would be wise not to assume the worst before you speak to me?" The smiles softens the sting, but the rebuke is still there. Clearly the Estrel hasn't forgotten being called down on this issue just a short time ago.

Eric nods. "For what it is worth, I apologize. Things have been... tense lately. I should not have taken my anger out on you." A slight frown at himself, something else flashes in his eyes and he glances at Maya, then away.

Pain! The vision assaults you not within your mind or your eyes, but within the very marrow of your bones. Fire! Tearing pain! Within, magic pulses like a heartbeat gone wild, fluttering frantically. It twists and you feel the tearing sensation again, as if something were being ripped apart deep within you. It stretches, drawing itself out of your body with every increasing tension, pulling, rending.. the thread of it draws out ever tighter and tighter...

Until it snaps.

Within, there is a wrenching sense of loss, as if part of your very soul has been taken forever. The sensation fades slowly with the end of the vision...

Lips part as if to speak and Maya leans forward towards the Provost, but the gesture is stopped mid-reach. In her hand, the goblet trembles, the liquid within sloshing around the delicate bowl. Whatever she was about to say is lost in a choking cry of pain. From nerveless fingers, the goblet tumbles, suspended for a long instant as if frozen in time before it begins its hastening descent towards the stone floor of the chamber. The shattering crystal rings and red wine runs across the shining floor like blood. Maya clutches her belly and falls to her knees, eyes staring at nothing at all even as the air around her starts to ripple with intense heat...

Eric starts, first moving toward the Estrel then recoiling back as the heat ripples out. He rips the sword belt from his back, freeing his cloak. He snaps the clasp and tears cloth getting the cloak from around his neck. Using it as a shield against the heat, he leaps forward, covering the Estrel with the thick cloth cloak. Hoping she is immune to her own burning, he tries to wrap her in the cloth and pick her up. He's got to get her to the infirmary. Now.

In an instant, the heat flares to flame around them both, white hot and lighting the chamber brighter than one thousand candles -- and then it is gone, leaving Maya limp and collapsing into dead weight with another cry of pain. This one tears from her as if ripped out, the sound of utter and complete loss.

Eric yells out in pain and startlement, but tries to press on, burnt cloak tattered, hands and faces red from the heat, the Provost tries to lift the limp mage and turn toward the door.

Maya twitches, gasping. She doesn't struggle, but neither is she a limp burden any longer. Instead, she seems to be trying to find a focus on reality although her gaze still lacks clarity. "Wha..?"

Eric growls, "Hush Estrel, I'm taking you to the Infirmary, you collapsed." He lifts the woman easily and carries her toward the door. He opens it, and uses a foot to shove it far open long enough to get him an her through it.

Eyelids flutter blearily and Maya scowls as she tries to lift her head and look around. "No... no, I'm all right..."

Eric opens the great door leading out of the council chamber and steps into the hall.

[Lower Landing - Delphic Citadel - Haven]

Eric huffs, "We'll just see about that. Please, just stay still, its not far." He moves down the stairs to the lower levels of the tower.

[Courtyard - Delphic Citadel - Haven]

It's deep night, a couple of hours before dawn. Consequently, the courtyard of Delphi is quiet around this time. Merely Dara lies stretched out on one of the stone benches, her dress half-open, exposing a good measure of her silvery body to the night. Her body hardly moves, and her gaze is stares out to the full moon.

The doors to the Tower bust open as several servants rush ahead of Eric. He is carrying the Estrel, Maya. They all move toward the Infirmary.

A bit more clarity seeps back into Maya's gaze, along with a suddenly peeved expression at being hauled about so unceremoniously. "Really, Provost. I am quite all right. It was just so... unexpected." She struggles to right herself and perhaps put a foot to the ground as well.

Starsong's bare feet pad lightly across the stones of the courtyard as she skirts the edge of the maze, circling around towards the nearest of the large trees that break up the leafy wall of the hedge. The sudden appearance of Eric and Maya, however, snaps her out of the slightly dreamy distraction in which she had been floating, and her head suddenly whips towards the as she takes off after them, moving with new purpose.

The Estrel appears quite a bit more haggard than usual. Pallor marks her complexion and dark circles ring under her eyes. And yet, for all that, it may be the Provost who looks worse for the wear -- his clothing and skin clearly scorched and the scent of burning and fire still clings to them both.

Dara blinks and slides into a more adequate seat on the bench, looking around herself to take in all the sudden intruders of the courtyard. A more intense study is given to the odd couple. "Blessings and fair night, Estrel, Eric, Starsong," she greets in her soft voice. "Is everything all right?"

Eric seems to easily keep the Estrel in his grasp, "Nay, Estrel. If you wish to leave the Infirmary moments after I release you, fine, but you are going." He continues toward the Infirmary.

Starsong's voice bursts in, almost before Dara is finished. "Eric? Estrel? Are you all right? What happened?" Her quick, worried words dash ahead of her as she follows them towards the Infirmary.

The door is opened for the two and Eric carries her into the Infirmary. "I have no clue." Pain is etched into his features.

Eric heads through the arched doorway of the north tower.

Dara gets up from the bench, following the trek to the infirmary, though at a much slower pace. Her so far serene expression changes to one of concern and worry.

Taking the steps two at a time, her face growing more and more concerned, Starsong rushes into the Infirmary after them.

Infirmary - Delphic Citadel - Haven:
      Sharp smells immediately meet the nose inside the infirmary, mingled scents of crushed herbs and antiseptic solutions assailing the senses. One side is reserved as a work area, long tables with accompanying stools standing ready, with neat shelves ranging above holding various jars, bottles, and other assorted containers holding whatever the healers may find useful in their work. A set of windows are carefully positioned to allow bright sunlight to flood the work area by day while over toward the other side, curtains stand ready to hide a neat row of cots. The whole room is kept impeccably neat, likely the work of novices.

Dara steps into the infirmary from the courtyard.

Eric sets Maya onto a cot then stumbles back, shaking his burned hands. Sweat rolls off his face, stinging red from apparent flames or heat.

Maya remains silent, her jaw set, until Eric places her on the cot. Immediately, she stands and straightens her robe and with the air of the uncompromising, she looks to Starsong and orders, "You will see to the Provost's injuries." Whether the fact that he is burned shocks her or not makes no mark on her expression.

Starsong's rapid steps slow abruptly as she reaches the threshold of the Infirmary: shocked into stopping by the sudden wave of sensation that rushes over her, she hovers on the edge of the room for a moment, drawing deep breaths until the lines of tension on her face ease and her concentration returns. Then, with renewed resolve, she joins the flurry of Adepts and Acolytes that are already starting to move towards the injured Estrel and Provost from their posts around the Infirmary. "What happened?" Starsong cries as she draws closer, bright, worried eyes darting from one to the other.

Dara comes in a bit later, looking uncertainly around the room of the wounded ones. "Is there... is there anything I can do?" she asks weakly, feeling a bit helpless at all the emotions of suffering and pain she picks up in the room.

Eric mutters, "She collapsed and cried out. I'm fine... make sure she is." He either did not hear Maya or does not seem to care.

Maya fixes Starsong with an unwavering look. If her command is not carried out over the Provost, she is likely to speak quite quickly. Resolve marks every line of her body and she slowly crosses her arms. "Sit, Eric." Does something about that sound like a familiar command? Perhaps it is the amusement that subtly colors her gaze as she transfers it to the Provost.

Eric chuckles and does up his hands, "Fine!" He seems amused, though pain still cuts into his features.

Eric sits.

Starsong's eyes lift to meet Maya's, the concern in them fading slowly into calm assurance as she nods. "Yes, Estrel," she says, her voice even, the frantic note completely gone as concentration begins to take over. "You'll be all right... and you do need healing," she says, turning back to Eric, her voice softening a little as she holds out her hand towards him. Her eyes dart briefly up to Dara, and she flashes the Atlantean woman a quick, grateful smile. "It's all right, Dara -- I can take care of it. But thank you."

Dara nods emphatically back to Starsong, before focusing her attention back on Maya and Eric. Sure, she has thoughts and guesses of what could have happened, but this seems neither the right time nor the right place to address them. So she just shuts up, braces herself and takes a seat on a nearby chair in the corner, watching the process from there.

Eric sighs, offering his hands up to Starsong. He grumbles something about Healers.

That Dara choose not to voice assumptions is probably wise, knowing Maya's propensity to voice her opinions of those that do so. She lords over the proceedings between Starsong and Eric as if she were the Master Healer of the Infirmary, watching silently.

Starsong's hands wrap ever so gently around Eric's, and a small smile comes to her face as she murmurs, "There... it will only take a minute..." The look of concentration in her eyes deepens, and although her gaze is pointed at Eric's burned hands, she looks more and more as if she is looking through or beyond them.

Eric leans back, eyes closing. The healing calms himself and falls asleep quietly. Apparently the Provost has been working as hard as normal.

Maya hmphs softly as the Healing takes effect and nods once to herself. She sighs and reaches up to smooth her hair back from her face and turn away from them both, hardly hiding her troubled expression from the others there, so lost is she in introspection.

Leaning forward as Eric leans back, Starsong keeps her hands curled gently around his, her voice a soothing murmur as she works. "There... almost done... you'll be better soon. Good...rest now...." Slowly, slowly, the skin of his hands fades from angry red to pink and back to its usual healthy color. Even though her hands do not move, the burns on Eric's face begin to fade as well, once his hands are fully healed.

Dara looks with big eyes from her chair up at Starsong, "He'll be all right, won't he?"

Maya glances back over her shoulder to measure up Starsong, waiting for the answer to the Atlantean's question.

Starsong sets Eric's hands quietly by his side, and bends to pull the sheet over his now-sleeping form. Giving him one more gentle, almost maternal pat, she straightens up to turn back towards the others. "He'll be fine now," she says, giving Dara a reassuring smile. "Sleep will be good for him... he's so tired," The smile fades away into concern for a moment as she glances back towards the slumbering Provost.

Maya nods. "Good. You did well... Starsong." The Estrel visibly searches for the name for a moment, but pronounces it with confidence once remembered. She turns and strides towards the exit of the infirmary.

Starsong looks quickly up at the Estrel, blinking to focus on her as a smile begins to spread across her face once more. "Thank you, Estrel..." she says, pleased and surprised, but the words trail off as Maya sweeps past her. "Estrel? Are you all right? Can I..." Uncertain now, she hovers on the point of following Maya.

Maya does not even bother too look back. She casts her words out, unworried whether they are heard or not. "I am fine, Healer. Watch the Provost." She slips past the Atlantean without even a nod and through the arch back into the courtyard.

FIN  

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