Answers in Amantli (Part 2)
Log Info
- Title: Answers in Amantli (Part 2)
- Emitter/GM: Cuemoni
- Place: Amantli, Xiuhcoatl Tribe, Am'shere
Miahuatl has led the group further into the cave where she dwells, approaching a chamber that seems to make Cuemoni nervous as they reach the mouth of the passageway that leads into the new chamber. The cave itself is painted on the walls with more symbols that are similar to the ones on Miahuatl and Cuemoni's scales, suggesting that Miahuatl's been trying to make this place into one where the People could commune with Xiuhcoatl outside of the spirit's caverns, now barred to the tribe.
The reason for Cuemoni's nervousness becomes clear when Miahuatl leads them into the chamber. In the center of the room is a pillar with a shallow obsidian bowl. "This one greets the holy tool of divination," Cuemoni says in a reverent tone. "Once Miahuatl blesses water for it to fill the tool, it will become an obsidian mirror."
Miahuatl seems to be filled with her own brand of pride as she says, "This one was entrusted with the obsidian mirror before the Elder passed on to Xiuhcoatl's waters," she says. "Otherwise... Yaonemitl might have it as well. Shaman Zeke, please allow this one to fill it if you feel it may be of help."
Still wrapped in the appearance of 'Citlaltic', Telamon follows behind, looking at everything. After all, it's an honor to be here, and he'd be a fool to not sop up everything he sees. "I wonder if they will build a place like this to Talkuatika Tepetl, in time?" he wonders aloud.
Telamon's eyes fall on the obsidian bowl, and he restrains himself from letting out a low whistle. "It is a -wondrous- crafting, Shaman Miahuatl. And you have kept it safe -- well done." He looks to Zeke at Miahuatl's inquiry. "Your choice, Zeke."
Zeke follows politely, his silence indicative of the deep thought which he has fallen into in preparation of an attempt to communicate with the divine. He observes the obsidian bowl and bows his head to the holy tool in acknowledgement of its power. He has never used such before, but it is possible that he can connect to this item and they might be granted vision to accompany the words he might speak on the Dragonfather's behalf.
Zeke lifts his head. "Pleasssse do Sshaman. The divine work in mysssteriousss waysss, and they may see fit to ussse it. Thisss one will need a plassce to sssit, and a plasssce to burn the incsenssse which will allow thisss onesss mind to connect to the Dragonfather'ss will."
Miahuatl nods to Zeke's requests, and she provides for him a seat that is, of course, friendly for sith-makar to sit, and she also provides a small stone table next to the pillar that contains the bowl for the burning of incense. She also fills the bowl with water, invoking the spirits to make it holy, and there is a feeling in the air that her request has been heard indeed. The place feels more hallowed and important for the presence of the water.
Cuemoni seems almost nervous. "This one places faith in Cihuaa and the Dragonfather," she says softly to herself, as a means of reassurance that all will be well.
"Aya, Cuemoni," Miahuatl says with all of the gentle affection that their bond seems to have. "So nervous in the presence of the spirits and the divine, even still?" Her eyes sparkle as she adds, "This one understands. Shaman Zeke, when you are ready."
Telamon can sense it as well. A feeling that someone -else- is there with them. Hopefully what they're doing is not a problem. Hurriedly, he puts a hand into his haversack, coming out with a scroll, quill, and ink, ready to start recording answers as he or Cuemoni asks questions. "Cuemoni," he says quietly, "Tell me if you've any thoughts for questions to ask. I've got a few, but I'm not so egotistical as to think I've covered everything."
Zeke is driven back into his contemplative silence as he settles into the offered seat carefully. Every motion is precise and careful as he pulls out the accoutrements of an attempt to communicate with the divine. He sets the incense alight with practiced ease. Zeke has performed this particular rite many, many times. The sith-makar has no need to tap into his private supply of holy water; the vessel for that already exists. He feels at home. He feels at peace.
A familiar lassitude settles into his body. His physical form becoming secondary, almost unnecessary. He breathes to speak, not because he needs to breathe. His eyes close, and he feels his mind open, expanding to allow the divine the space it needs to speak its truths.
Zeke has performed this particular rite many, many times. This time, something is different.
Zeke's eyes open with a snap and his eyes are full of holy, white light so bright that the natural color of them is gone. He should be blind, but he can See. He can See so many things that he has never seen before. His mind widens, his own thoughts finding space in the warm domain of the divine. He gasps softly, that divine voice slipping out of his mouth as it has so many times before. "BEGIN."
Cuemoni marvels for a moment in the stark difference of the presentation of her Cihuaa compared to what she knows him as ordinarily. She has not seen him do much of his miraculous work as a servant of the Dragonfather. To Telamon's question, she nods gently, indicating she has questions. Many questions. But several are not for this moment.
She bows her head.
"This one greets the presence with us. Is the entity speaking through this one's Cihuaa... the Dragonfather?" It's a good thing to confirm where the information is coming from.
The voice speaks again, and there is no competition in Zeke for the use of words. He gives graciously, freely. "YES." Zeke feels a small thrill of distant joy, and knows that it is his own.
Telamon inhales sharply, but doesn't exclaim out. Instead, a smile blossoms, even hidden under his illusion. "Highest Eli," he says, his voice soft but clear. "We seek understanding of what has befallen this tribe. Did the previous Elder of the tribe pass leadership to the one known as Yaonemitl, before she went to the Halls?"
He has his suspicions, but it must be confirmed before they take any further steps. Especially if such steps involve explosions.
The voice answers Telamon's question. "NO, SHE DID NOT RELINQUISH IT." The words are far more expressive than the usual, expected yes or no response that Zeke is used to, and before he can even consider that he might need to wait for someone else to come up with the question, the words tumble out of him. He should not be able to speak at all; save the words of the divine within him.
"Is Yaonemitl responsible for the previous Elder's death?" His own voice is his own, and far different from the one that speaks through him. Even though that too is in a way his own voice if not his words.
That voice within him answers again. "YES, HE POISONED HER AND STOPPED HER HEART."
Cuemoni's marvel at Zeke being able to participate in this ritual at the same time that the Dragonfather himself is able to speak lasts in her eyes and her body language--up until the moment that the deity reveals that the Elder was poisoned by Yaonemitl. Shock runs through her--quickly followed by a quiet and cold fury.
Her tail shakes like a rattlesnake's.
"Who gave the poison to Yaonemitl?" She cannot imagine Yaonemitl having made it himself. He is a warrior, not an herbalist.
It is not a yes or no question, so for a moment, Zeke does not expect that it will be answered, but as the divine has chosen to give clarity to him in this moment, the Dragonfather answers again through him. "IT WAS NOT GIVEN. MEDICINE FOR PAIN IN EXCESS."
Telamon just stares in shock. "I see," he says after a moment to Cuemoni. "He gave her too much of some herb or potion to dull pain. In excess... it would be fatal." He exhales shakily, before getting himself under control.
"Highest Eli, the tribe dwindles and suffers. What must they do to regain the favor of Xiuhcoatl, their patron spirit?"
Zeke would feel his own rage, but he is only part of the greater light, and anger is such a distant thing in this moment. Telamon's question is a good one, and an important one. The Dragonfather answers. "XIUHCOATL SLEEPS. AWAKENING BY HOLY CEREMONY, LIGHT BROUGHT TO CAVERNS."
Again, Zeke speaks before he can think that he should keep his peace, asking his own question. "Dragonfather, is Xiuhcoatl in any danger?"
Even full of the Dragonfather's light, Zeke is chilled to his core by the words that are given in response to his query. "YES, YAONEMITL MEANS TO CONTROL XIUHCOATL AND KILL TO REPLACE."
Cuemoni's shock and sorrow for her Elder's death from the medicine that was meant to heal her is replaced once again by her anger that Yaonemitl has such designs. "Is he influenced by any malevolent spirit or deity?" she asks.
Zeke is proud to call Cuemoni his cihuaa in so many ways, but every day, in every moment she finds small ways to remind him that he is blessed to have her in his life. Her wisdom is only one of many things that he loves about her. In a distant way, he's interested to note that this emotion, his love of her is not diminished by the touch of the Dragonfather. Not even a little. "NOT MALEVOLENT, BUT INFLUENCED, BY TLETLALIA, VOLCANO SPIRIT."
GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/religion: (11)+13: 24 GAME: Zeke rolls Knowledge/Local: (7)+5: 12 GAME: Zeke rolls Knowledge/Religion: (19)+27: 46
"I see," Telamon says with a cool tone. He sighs. "Yaonemitl is probably trying to curry favor. Wouldn't be the first time." He looks to the others. "We need to go to Xiuhcoatl, now. Before Yaonemitl gets back, and -definitely- before he comes up with some way to destroy Xiuhcoatl."
He turns his gaze on Zeke, still possessed by the spirit of the Most High. "Highest Eli, does Yaonemitl bar the path to Xiuhcoatl with warriors under his charge?"
The voice rises from within Zeke. "THE WAY IS BARRED WITH TLETLALIA'S TEST; SERPENTS GUARD SLEEPER."
The answer burns a curiosity deep into Zeke's soul. A question that he has had from the beginning. One he needs answered. Even if it can not be. It is pulled from him again, as all the questions that he has inside him have been. It is almost as though the questions can be heard, and so they must be created. The Dragonfather wants to answer him. His eyes burn. "What is the source of Yaonemitl's obsession with Cuemoni?"
The Dragonfather answers him. "HE BELIEVES CUEMONI IS XIUHCOATL'S CHOSEN AND COVETS BLESSED OFFSPRING."
"Tletlalia--the volcano spirit whose eruption did not reach our village because of Xiuhcoatl's intervention," Cuemoni's golden eyes are filled with surprise as she breathes out the statement for Telamon's sake. "If she is not a malevolent influence... then it is Yaonemitl's own malice that has taken her influence and used it to his evil ambition."
She takes a deep breath before she asks, "What is the ceremony that will bring light to the caverns?"
Wise cihuaa. Zeke would move his tail if he could, so full of his love for her he is. "UNION OF FIRE AND WATER IN SPIRITS' WITNESS." The words mean nothing to Zeke, but hopefully they will mean something to someone.
GAME: Zeke rolls Knowledge/Religion: (3)+27: 30 GAME: Zeke rolls Knowledge/Nature: (8)+5: 13 GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/religion: (16)+13: 29 GAME: Telamon rolls knowledge/nature+4: (10)+21+4: 35
Telamon's eyebrow rises behind his illusion. "That's somewhat obscure-- wait." He pauses. "Fire and water. Life and rebirth." He stands up suddenly, walking back and forth. "Union of fire and water. Zeke has been a life-giver, a bearer of water if you may, all his life. And Cuemoni, you are fire-aspected, are you not? You could play the roles." He scratches his chin. "I'll handle keeping out unwanted guests. At least this has more pageantry than the last time..."
He looks at Zeke. "Highest Eli, could Zeke and Cuemoni take on these roles of fire and water?"
The question stuns Zeke, but the Dragonfather is not stymied by that distant emotion of surprise. "YES, BUT IT WILL BOND THEM AT THE SPIRIT."
Zeke hears the words, and knows that the Dragonfather knows his heart. That love is too important for the divine to ignore. Even the one he serves above all else knows the importance of his heart. His love. The word is spoken as soon as the others have left him, and he never hesitates. "Yes."
Cuemoni's golden eyes sparkle at the single word given by Zeke in response to the Dragonfather's remark. "Yes," she echoes. They will do this. Not only to save her tribe and to oust the interloper... But because this is what they both want.
She has to take a moment to ask the next question. "Does the ceremony require an officiant?" It seems to her that this may well be the logical role for Telamon to take.
The voice answers Cuemoni without hesitation. "YES; THE SCRIPT WILL BE PROVIDED."
"Well, that's something." Telamon sounds faintly bemused. "I've never acted as the officiant for a wedding before. First time for everything..." He shakes his head, refocusing on more pressing issues.
"Highest Eli, will there be danger for Zeke and Cuemoni?" No matter how important this may be, they are still his friends, and he doesn't want them hurt.
The words come easily, "THERE IS ALWAYS POTENTIAL FOR DANGER, BUT LOVE IS BRAVE."
Zeke agrees with those words. Love is brave, it makes him brave where he has always held so much fear in his heart before. "As isss thisss one. Thisss one lovessss Cuemoni. Thisss one isss willing." There is no doubt in him that this is a thing that must be done, and that he wants to do. To be bound spirit to spirit with Cuemoni is an honor, and her joyous acceptance fills his heart with love of her all over again.
"This one loves Zeke," Cuemoni says softly, her golden eyes shining with joyous tears now. "This one loves Cihuaa. This one is willing and brave."
She aches to go and embrace him, but he is still in communion with the Dragonfather. Instead, she asks, "Will Yaonemitl attempt to stop the ceremony?"
The answer is clear, and not surprising. "YES; HE WISHES TO MANIPULATE CUEMONI INTO SPIRIT BOND."
For all that it is not surprising, Zeke can't stop the distant feeling of rage that sparks to life in hims. "Thissss one will not allow it." His voice would have held a growl, but that anger is too far from him, so he is merely determined instead.
"He'll -try-." Telamon's tone is utter ice, cold and hard. "I will wipe him off the face of Ea before he gets the chance." His hand curls into a fist, then relaxes. "But I don't wish to hurt those who are blameless."
"Highest Eli, what forces can Yaonemitl bring against us to stop the ceremony?"
"THE TRIBE." The words are laced with near-regret. A touch of emotion from the divine.
The weight of those words is a heavy reality, and Zeke like Telamon has no wish to harm innocence. "To what action would you council ussss Dragonfather?" In the end, this is the question he asks the Dragonfather in his own mind and heart more than any other. Perhaps this time, there will be words to comfort him, rather than merely the sense of being listened to and comforted from afar.
The answer, in the end, is a comfort, but one that Zeke should have known. He is reminded as always that he should have faith. "BE BRAVE; THE TRIAL IS FIERCE, BUT YOU ARE MORE."
Cuemoni understands in that instant why the divine might express regret. It isn't a just thing, to send the tribe to disturb a sacred ceremony just because Yaonemitl covets her for his own. The reminder of faith is a beautiful thing. But there are a few questions that remain with their dwindling time.
"What is Tletlalia's Test?" she asks.
This time, the answer is not a comfort. It is merely the truth. "ENTER CAVERNS, BEG FORGIVENESS, PREPARE FOR JUDGMENT, SURVIVE IN ASHES." But, Zeke has faith.
Telamon sighs. "Of course. He'll throw the whole tribe at us if it means he gets his paws on Cuemoni. I'll have to take that into account." Tel is already running mental exercises, the best way to keep the misguided tribespeople away while Zeke and Cuemoni work. "...I have some ideas."
At Daeus's answer, Tel just nods. "We keep going. We take whatever is thrown at us and we don't stop till this is mended." He taps his fingers together. "Highest Eli, does Yaonemitl possess any powers out of the ordinary, granted to him by Tletlalia?"
"A SPEAR OF FIRE SHE REGRETS GIFTING HIM." Zeke can feel that the Dragonfather is gathering. The time of questions is nearly at an end. His own mind feels distant, so connected to that light is he.
Cuemoni gives a rumbling noise in response. "Tletlalia must have given Yaonemitl the spear and her influence in hopes he would ensure that the ceremony was performed--not to decide that the ritual was for him to undergo. She is as much a victim of Yaonemitl's meddling as the tribe is." Her derision for the warrior is evident in her words. What opinion she had of him is very little at this point.
She asks the last question on her mind. "Will Yaonemitl know that we have entered the caverns, even if we sneak by him?" It is good to ensure the timeline of how things will happen.
"YES, HE WILL BE INFORMED BY TLETLALIA'S SPEAR." Zeke can think of no questions himself. His mind is empty now. Clean and clear.
Telamon mouths a silent curse. Of -course- the idiot has a magic spear that'll warn him. He takes a deep breath, restraining a sudden urge to ask something absurd. Instead, he senses time grows short, and asks only, "Highest Eli, have you any other counsel for us, as we move forward to set this right?" Might as well see if anything else shakes loose.
"GO SWIFTLY; IF YOU ARE FOUND NOW, CUEMONI IS ENDANGERED." There is no urgency in the words, for all they are urgent words. The divine leaves Zeke and the light flashes out of his eyes and his green gaze returns. Then they close and the sith-makar slumps forward. His whole body just... falls to the ground.
His emotions are his own again, and the entire encounter has left him... exhausted. He is so tired. The weight of the Dragonfather in his mind has left his mind and body drained of energy. Too weak even to try for the moment to lift himself from the ground. Cuemoni.
He lets out a low grunt and tries. His muscles shift and there's no power behind them. Yet, for Cuemoni... he MUST.
"Cihuaa!" Cuemoni dashes over to Zeke. This time, she doesn't think about asking to touch him. She's just filled with concern and worry for her Cihuaa, the one who she loves--who has just done so much for her, something that constitutes a miracle in her book. She goes to touch him, to help him up.
And the moment she does... She realizes what she's done. "This one begs your forgiveness," she says gently, murmuring it to Zeke.
Miahuatl approaches, however, raising a claw to Zeke--and Cuemoni's eyes flare with a protective anger. "Don't touch him!" she commands.
The elder of the two sith-makar women stares for a few seconds, eyes nictating. "This one was going to offer a spell to rejuvenate the Shaman Zeke?" she asks. "If it is all right."
Telamon jerks upright as Zeke falls over, but the fact he's still moving is a good sign. "Let the lady work, Cuemoni," he says firmly. "You trusted her to teach you, so trust her to do right by your cihuaa." Telamon rubs his chin. "Besides, we don't have time for Zeke to take a nap. You heard that last bit. No more waiting; we have to move, and move swiftly. We need to get there, and set things up so we can fight on our terms, not Yaonemitl's."
Zeke allows Cuemoni to draw him up, never flinching at her touch. Though, he admittedly does initially recoil a little at the closeness of the other female. He is vulnerable and... He swallows his fear and rubs his cheek against Cuemoni's cheek. "Thisss one isss ssso glad for you Cuemoni. There isss no need for apology. Thisss one acceptsss the gracious offer. Thisss one needsss to be ressstored. To move."
He looks at Miahuatl and nods. "Thisss one appreciatesss. Thisss one mussst go, and quickly. For the sssake of thisss one'sss cihuaa. Pleassse forgive." Zeke's words are a little rushed and sloppy from exhaustion, but he agrees with Telamon. They must be on their way.
For the sake of all but...
Mostly for Cuemoni.