PRELUDE:This story begins not with the birth of the child of this story, but with her grandfather. Tales have been told far and wide of love, and how it knows no bounds. This is one of those stories, however this story is true.
It began with a song, a song sung by the fairest of maidens upon the shore of Highstar Lake. Her hair was like silken sunlight, her eyes bluer than the lake she walked along. For two years, there was one who watched her in the night from atop a cliff, listening to her voice that stirred the very heavens. Her name? Kaeyna Mazrak, oh how he loved watching her, listening to her sing. Who was this being that spied upon this beauty? He called himself Ternesj'gix, but to the common tongue he was known as Stoneclaw, Guardian of good, protector of the less fortunate.
He had to know her, he longed to breathe in her scent, to drink in her beauty up close. It was then he had chosen to take this chance. He swooped down one late night from the cliffs in the form of a might silver dragon, then took a handsome appearance of a silver haired man. Just before she took her nightly walk, he lay himself half in the lake and half upon the shore with his eyes closed. As she arrived to this naked man, she paused in fear at first.. then her kindness shined through as she rushed to his side to see if he was still living. She brushed his silvery white hair from his face, and leaned close to hear him breathing. Relieved she tried to stir him, drawn to his handsome form.
Eyes fluttering open, a smile formed upon his lips as his voice was like honey as he spoke
"Doth an angel stand before me?" Taken by such flattery, her kindness was continued as she saw him clothed and fed. They spent many hours that night talking, singing and laughing together as well as getting to know one another. Days past and the love he had for her grew, as her love began to mold for him. Another year passed, and they soon were wed, and a year later a son was born to them. Half-draconic, half human he was raised under his mothers bardic influence, though his father taught him many stories all true about guardians of oppressed, deceived, and less fortunate.
And so this tale moves forward, twenty years later. Their son had grown into a strong and loving being much like his parents. His draconic heritage difficult to keep secret, he travelled the high forest singing songs of knights, and epic battles, as well as telling tales. It was on a day much like any other he heard a terrifying scream, and so he ran to find a woman surrounded by five monstrous bugbears. He glanced around, then shouted out in the draconic tongue before charging and slaying three of them while the other two were beating him from behind. The woman intervened, casting a ball of flame upon them saving her savior.
He rose to his feet, dusting himself off and turning to her he was immediately entranced by this beauty before her. He put forth his gentlemanly charm, and introduced himself to her..
"I am Nevyn Mazrak M'lady, and I am at your service for eternity for I fear you have stolen my heart." She was taken with her hero, though was reluctant to show such. She knew that was in love with this man, but also knew she had a responsibility to her people. She spoke with a soft, lanquid tone
"And I am Lorianna, I owe you my life good knight." He escorted her home to an elven city where many thanked him for saving their Coronals betrothed. Astounded by such a discovery, he humbled himself and waited until all attention from him was gone before retreating from the city. Little did he know, the woman had followed him, her curiousity and fascination for him to hard to ignore.
Years passed as she watched him, and he did not age as normal men did. To this she knew not why, but it gave her hope as she had fallen in love with him after all this time. She came to him one moonlit night, and gave her heart and soul to him. They were bound in marital bliss beneath the stars, however they knew the consequences would be dire. Her betrotheds people learned of her treachery of loving a this man, and so she was banished and her sister took her place among them. She made her home with her husband in his parents house on the lake shore. They spent many happy years together and their life became even more fufilled as a daughter was born into their family. She... was called Kaeyna after her grandmother. But her story, is another to be told, another day.
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The years were peaceful for the content family. Kaeyna's grandfather would visit often telling his wild tales of his adventures, while her father and mother were away on trade. She had come to look forward to every visit from her grandfather, even when her parents weren't gone, excited about the stories of her grandmother and often asking them how they met and fell in love. She was but a child and infatuated with the tales he spun for only her.
It was her eighth birthday, when her mother and father were called away. They had been needed at her aunts city that had fallen under siege by a hoarde of orcs. She begged them not to go, but it was in that lesson she was taught that sometimes one must put their own wants aside to help others for the greater good. Family was in danger, and they could not very well ignore the call for help. With reluctance in her heart, she could only nod as she curled up in her grandfathers arms and watched them ride away. He held her close, like a treasure coveted and did all in his power to console the weeping child as her parents left, knowing the danger he faced he too had many decisions to make should they not return.
A year passed, and return her parents did not. Old enough to maintain the house on her own for a few days, her grandfather took to the skies to seek out his son and daughter but what he had come across was enough to break even the hardest heart. The elven city was in ruins, small orc camps in place of what was once a beautiful glade to gaze upon, he searched wildly among the carcasses and piked heads for his son and it was there on a throne he saw a fat, filthy orc cheiftain wearing the very skin of his boy. Enraged he filled their camp with the acid flames of his species, melting away their skin and filth that they had wrought upon the lands. And as the rage died, he remembered the one treasure that remained good in this world, and he could not fathom how he would break such heart wrenching news. Slowly he returned to their home, a hard decision made as he walked through the door.
"Grandpapa!" The girl exclaimed excitedly, but soon slowed her pace to him when she saw the sorrow on his face.
"Kaeyna, my beautiful grandchild. We are going away, to a place where you will never have to see suffering or the ugly side of hate and evil. It is a land where you will be safe and loved for always"She did not understand, she wanted to wait for mother and father to return but then it hit her like a forceful storm. He told her they would not be returning, that the orcs numbers were greater than the elves. She buried herself in her grandfathers arms, crying endlessly as he carried her through the astral planes into the outer plane of Elysium. There the setting of Amoria began settling into her heart, casting away the pain and loss and filling it with hope and love. As the years passed, she kept the memory of her parents sacrifice with her while following in her grandfathers footsteps helping those in need. It gave her such fullfillment to help others and guide the lost through the lands of Amoria to their destinations. A girl of few words, she often brought comfort and smiles to those around her when she played the lilting tunes from her pan-pipes.
As years passed she grew into a beautiful young woman, but still quiet and timid to those she had yet to know fully. Her pain forgotten, she never endured heartache or suffering in this plane anymore, finding peace 'round every corner and a rainbow after every rain shower. It was bliss for her, with her grandpapa visiting every so often from his duties in his Gods service. Yet little was she aware of, that the longer she remained the closer she came to becoming a petitioner of Amoria. Yet her fate changed the day she and her grandpapa chose to take the River Oceanus down into the next level of Elysium. The day warm, they picked swimming as their means of travel, but in some way were seperated from each other bringing the young girl from a world of peace and tranquility into a world of darkness and pain.
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[Entered within a silver leather bound journal with a dragon embossed on the cover] //ooc - Exported the In Game written ones to here//
Journal Entry
Chapter 1
Grand-da bought me this book to put my songs in, but I decided instead to use it for my thoughts. I miss mum and da, but I can't seem to cry here, or feel sad. I feel at peace, I feel calm when I should feel pain. They died, and yet I can't seem to cry
Grand-da visits when he's not serving Bahamut. He takes me across River Oceanus for some hunting. It's the only time we really have together and I've improved greatly in the use of my bow from his lessons.
Its been some years since I picked up my quill. Grand-da visits less and less, he's become so engrossed in his duties. I am surrounded by beautiful beings, guardinals, celestines and more, yet I feel so alone, so isolated.
I remember the stories of war and violence, yet that's all they are in Amoria. Just stories, Grand-da brought me here to shield me from it all and yet does not let me near a sword. The bow seems to have become an extension to me, I feel incomplete with it sometimes. Grand-da is here! Another entry for another day then....
Journal Entry
Chapter 2
I don't know what happened. We were crossing River Oceanus. It was a warm day so we decided to swim to the beastlands. We dove underwater, pretending to be fish and when I came up he was gone. I called for Grand-da but no answer. A fog started to roll in, it was too thick to see anything, and I began to get scared. The waters started getting rough and I think I hit my head cause I woke up in a rather large pond of water.
So, it would seem I have stumbled through a gateway from Elysium into a material plane they call the Core. I've never heard of it, but I can feel everything rushing back. The loss, the pain, the tears. Grand-da is nowhere to be found. Another loved one lost to me. As if my parents death to those muderous orcs wasn't enough, now the only one I had left is lost to me. They say there is no way back so what am I to do?
Journal Entry
Chapter 3
I came upon a beautiful cathedral. It is so magnificent and I feel safe within its walls, safe from the darkness outside. They say it belongs to a goddess called Ezra, guardian of the mists. I think I will know her better, see what comfort I can find in her.
I met Templar Commander Vasten. He gave me many books of Ezra. I spend days reading them, but it was a troubled templar, a man named Card who even in his own trials took the time to teach me about her, including her prayers. I feel drawn to him, he is in so much pain I wish I could help him release that pain. Offer him a shoulder in his time of need.
I have been baptized by Warden Nell. She is a kind woman, gentle and understanding much like mum. I like her very much. I have begun my training to become a templar. The lessons have been difficult but I find myself improving. Templar Card teaches me a great deal in swordsmanship though I still prefer my bow.
Journal Entry
Chapter 4
Templar Card has found his way back to Ezra. It warms my heart to see him no longer in pain, to see him smile. That smile, it makes my heart race and I fear I have fallen hard this time. I've never been in love but I remember the look of love, how mum looked at da.
We spend much more time together, both in training and personal time. I confess I have in fact fallen in love with him, I've never felt this way about anyone, and aside for my love for Ezra, he is all I think about.
We have taken a chance with one another. He confessed his heart having been broken, and I vowed never to do such. There is struggle though within the family, it troubles me to see everyone at odds with each other. It seems Marle is the source. Some want to charge the Zeklos keep and strike at her, others like Warden Poisson and Ward think it wiser to have faith and use more tactical means.
Journal Entry
Chapter 5
Card and I have become distant, he has been more focused on his devotions to Ezra which is inspiring to me, yet I feel as if I am losing him to the claims made against him from the other Wardens and templars. What can I do? There is little I can do but love and support whatever he decides
It's been some times since I've added an entry. There has been much going on, especially with the legion heretic Marle. We had her, but Vasten got it into his mind to try and sneak his way into the keep. He disguised himself and struck Warden Poisson, freeing Marle and leaving the warden vulnerable to any enemy. It's been some time since then though, and Vasten has worked on his redemption I think, but he still has many struggles.
And so it comes again. Another loss, another crack to my heart. How many cracks can I bear before it shatters like glass? Card sat with me, he confessed to me he is not ready for a relationship and I merely smiled and supported his decision.
Journal Entry
Chapter 6
I've been in a shroud lately. My heart aches so much, I miss Card but I know it was not meant to be. I ask myself, I ask Ezra, why does everyone I love leave me in some way or another? Am I meant to be alone? Even Vasten and Sable have left, never to return.
I have been assigned to join Warden Ward to Port Lucine regarding the arrest of Marle the heretic. With me, our newest initiate Viktor Leonte. I am to train him, but even I have much to learn still.
We went to the jails. There we met with the Capitain, he seems stern but kind. He complimented me, calling me pretty but Warden Poisson seemed upset by that. He took us down to see Marle and her companion. Marle remained silent in her pride, but her companion Lilindi, spouted so many lies. Lies about Nell being a murderer, and Cote having the stolen artifacts. He's been arrested, and I tried to take his place but the Capitain just looked at me and then escorted me out. I cannot lose another lo ved one.
Journal Entry
Chapter 7
They let Warden Poisson free, for a moment I was ecstatic before the reality hit me again. He could sense I was troubled. I confided in him, but I don't think he quite understands me. How could he, when he has lived in a world surrounded by people and friends as he grew up. Me? I was surrounded by celestial knights and guardinals who had more to do than sit about and play.
I tried. Tried to explain how I felt. I am surrounded by family this is true, but I was surrounded then too and one by one they faded from my life. I am surrounded, yet alone and I am beginning to forget things. I have forgotten what it is to be held close when afraid. The brush of a gentle kiss is like a fading memory to me. Thirteen years of minimal affection, only to know a brief taste of it in this world before it was snatched away again. I don't know what lies in store for me, but I fear it will be one devoid of affection and love. The love every young girl longs for from someone special.
Journal Entry
Chapter 8
Warden Poisson treated my shoulder, the pain was excruciating enough to take my mind off the heartache of loss temporarily. Then, it all came crashing back like a wave. The warden asked why I was in the private Erudite library. I didn't know it was private, and I explained I was looking for anything on planar travel. He does not believe Elysium exists, and thinks it a bad place.
Little does he know, it is the outer plane where heroes and good souls go to when their material life ends. It is true, it is not meant for a material travel to live long in, but it is not a dark palce. He chastized me for being homesick, I have only been here for less than a month and he chastized me for wanting to go home. He has his city, his place where he grew up to go to, but me? Does he truly expect me to just forget my home and my desire to see it again? Apparently, such thoughts are cowardice to him, that I am trying to run away from my duties. I have never run, its everyone else that has left me.
