What Did Your Paladin Eyes See?

The crisp air of a fall evening carries on it bright, glittering starlight, the smell of woodsmoke from fireplaces across the city, and the sound of scratching on parchment. Seldan, in a quiet moment, is seated in the courtyard, off to one side with his back to the inner wall of the temple, with a sheet of parchment and drawing tools against his knees, looking from his work back to the courtyard and to his work again as he does so. He is simply dressed, shirt and trousers and shoes only, not even the robe tonight.

Conversely Serene is kitted out for a journey, one to start or to finish.. or perhaps both. Her boots show the obvious wear of the road, and dust clings to various parts of her armour and clothing. The thick braid she's taken to wearing is in need of maintenance, several strands having escaped during what is likely been a long flight. Upon entering the sanctum of the temple she reaches up and pushes back the cowl of her cloak, then strips off her gauntlets and hooks them to her belt beside her sword.

Armor is never quiet, and Seldan looks up at the sound of it, immediately sitting upright and setting whatever it is he's working on aside, drawing materials carefully atop the drawing itself. "Serene, Her light upon your path." His fingers are covered in what look like charcoal, and he quickly traces a sigil in the air, speaks a word, and then slowly runs one hand over the other, taking perhaps half a minute to clean such dust way.

Serene's quick scan of the courtyard pauses and then fixes upon Seldan as he calls her attention to him. Whatever her goal may be, she sets it aside and approaches him, tilting her head and responding, "Her light illume, Seldan." She offers little else, waiting politely for the man to finish magicking himself to cleanliness while she briefly eyes what she can see if his drawing work. Which is to say, very little. "I had wondered," she says after that half minute or so, "if you would still be here upon my return. I am pleased to see that you are."

GAME: Seldan rolls craft/calligraphy: (16)+8: 24

"In truth do I find myself facing new challenges," Seldan answers, looking back down at the covered drawing. Although the materials hide much of it, its edges suggest a rendition of the courtyard itself, a study in light and shadow drawn by a gentle hand. "In fact, it was of these that I had hoped to ask though, although I would not burden you so freshly in. Perhaps I might prevail on your time when you have rested?"

Serene gives herself a short nod.. then shakes her head at Seldan's offer. Only once, but firmly. "I have not yet reached a state of doddery requiring an evening nap, Seldan. Not quite. I am here and you are here, now, so, and I have time yet before I intended to be away. And I should not need to remind you that I am always willing for conversation."

"This is known to me, and yet would I not abuse that willingness." Seldan draws a deep breath, and lets it out, pushing that stubborn lock of hair out of his eyes. It doesn't do a bit of good, because it just falls right back to where it was. "I would hear your tales of the Sendor War, and of the death of Animus, such as you know them. I was but a boy when these events befell, and have little to no memory of such, but it bears greatly on the challenge we now face."

Serene grunts softly and does not respond immediately. Though she betrays little surprise, she takes a moment to consider Seldan's request.. and perhaps to consider possible reasons for making the request. "The full tale," she tells him eventually, "is a long one. It will require me to order my thoughts upon it... I will be sure to set aside time to give you as much as I know. For now I can summarize." She gestures then, to the bench beside Seldan, a silent inquiry.

Seldan nods at once, moving over on the bench, and moving his things, to make room for the armored warrior. "I would hear all that you can tell, for it is the Shards of Animus that we must now seek. The Tempter sends her minions to find them, and threaten those that might hold them, though whether it is to use them to her own ends, or merely to keep them from the hands of those who would use them to aid Animus ... I cannot say. Whatever the end, if minions of the Tempter seek a thing, then shall I move against them."

Serene unhitches her sword from her belt, then turns and lowers herself upon the bench, placing the weapon upon her lap. She doesn't speak further for some breaths, taking the time to unwind her braid and then begin slowly reworking it, tight. "The Sendor war had so many fronts. Physically, spiritually. I spent much of my time on the Versis front and found myself with a very narrow perspective while I was involved. I know the war was much bigger than what I was aware of."

The mention of Versis elicits a wince, and a nod, from Seldan. "Of such things did Griva speak, and I would not bid you speak, does it trouble you to do so. Who was it that did such?"

Serene shakes her head. "It was a dark time, but it is in the past and if recollection may assist you now, I will do what I can." Over and under, she folds her hair back into place. "I do not know much regarding the assault on animus. I know that in Versis there was an invasion of demonkind. I know not if the dark one had a direct hand in such, or if she merely took advantage of the distraction it provided. I do know that at the time the focus was upon closing the Hellgates."

Seldan merely listens to whatever Serene can tell with quiet interest, respectfully waiting until she is done to speak. "A difficult time indeed. I had not intended to evoke difficult memories. merely to seek an understanding of the challenge that we now face."

"As I said, I will spend the night trying to remember what I can... perhaps She will lend her aid and awaken the memories I need should there be any that can aid you," Serene says, pulling her hair tight and then clasping the end of the braid. "I was in Alexandria when the darkness hit. Which I believe was the moment Animus was struck down. The time was chaotic... Silver had been grievously wounded during that time, and though I could not point to a specific moment, I seem to remember having felt the dark one's touch upon the world at that time."

"I see." Seldan ponders these words, eyes lowered. "Then the Shards are doubtless of great value to her, and therefore must be kept from her grasp. But ... how will we know them when we see them? Where do we even begin to look?"

Serene shakes her head, an admission of ignorance. "Trust in the goddess. It may be that these shards may hide in plain sight, though I believe that such artifacts of power cannot help but somehow affect the world around them. I cannot believe that something containing even a portion of the essence of the divine could remain inert. It should simply be a matter of knowing what you see when you do."

"I pray that you have the right of it." Seldan's eyes lift, but he only stares off into the distance. "For now, though, I should let you seek your rest, and I should see to my own studies, ere I sleep as well. I would hear aught that you might learn upon your travels, if such you think would aid me."

Serene rises, gripping the scabbard of her sword in her left hand as she puts her right to her breastplate. "Light willing I will have more information for you, Seldan. And if I come across anything in the future I will pass it on to you."

"Then you have my thanks." Seldan stands and gathers his drawing things, carrying them carefully. "Her blessings upon you this night, and Her light remain upon your path." With that, he turns to take himself back inside the temple proper.