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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greppa of Tartwater" data-source="post: 1112539" data-attributes="member: 10191">New New Post Transitions In my time, I've taken many things for granted. One of them, was living with one of the most powerful Healers in Theralis. Since leaving orc captivity, I've never awakened injured or ill. It gives me a sense of immortality when I think about it. I was feeling all too mortal when I woke up. Before light hit my eyes, I felt myself tense at the unfamiliar sensation, "what?"The question pulled me completely awake. Uripedas hove over me, his black feathered bulk eclipsing the ceiling. Uripedas smiled down at me and spoke to someone, "He's awake."The bed shifted and Merideth was looking at me. She closed her eyes for a moment and smiled, "Glad to see you're awake.""What's been happening?" I said weakly trying to sit up. Pain wormed its way through my chest and ribs. "I'm still injured," grabbing at my chest, and inflicting more pain. "Why haven't I been healed?""I couldn't heal your wound," Merideth replied firmly pressing me back to the bed. "The healer who was there with you tried as soon as you'd gotten rid of Athan. She said he hit you with some sort of glowing power. I tried when I arrived, but I couldn't do anything either. We bound your wounds and brought you here.""How long have I been asleep?" "Three days.""THREE Days?" I exclaimed, "What's happening? Is Allas still attacking the city? What about the orcs?"Merideth's face darkened, "Allas' forces vanished right after you defeated Athan.""Even the one's fighting the Orcs?" I asked"Especially the one's fighting the orcs," She replied bitterly. "She also took away the light. The sun hasn't been seen for three days.""What about Luccas and the others?" I asked."They said they were dealing with you. They told Phitios that they would only complete the deal with you," Merideth replied."Where are the orcs?""Occupying the outer areas of the city.""WhaAAAAAT?" No one has EVER occupied part of the city before. I gritted my teeth and pushed back the covers."You aren't fully recovered," Merideth said moving to push me back.I caught her hand and said evenly, "My recovery can wait. Bring me my things."They brought me my tunic, sandals, bracers and belt and choker, all of my defensive items. My short sword and spear was noticeably absent. I fidgeted around until I found Belial's feather, "Let's go."I strode out of the room...well, more hobbled out of it. I never realized how important chest and abdominal muscles were in walking. I had to stop often. I should have flown, but that felt like cheating. They'd put me in the center most chamber of an unfamiliar compound. There weren't any windows for as far as I could see. The only light being provided by oil lamps and candles. My leaders seem to a lot more paranoid than I gave them credit for. When I got out of bed I imagined a fairly short walk, but this was more like an olympic foot trace. I pulled back on the pace and just walked. It wouldn't improve anyone's faith if I reached my destination and passed out. So I just walked. Sometime during this painful stroll, Phitios appeared at our side. "Do whatever you have to do," He said. "We need sunlight. Just don't give too much away." And he proceeded to tell me what "too much" was. I listened for a few moments as he detailed some fairly distasteful situations. Eventually, I tuned him out. I'd already negotiated with them and I think we had a very good deal. I surreptitiously rummaged around my pockets and found the parchments right where I left them. Phitios was nervous, then again dealing with the celestials should make anyone nervous. Phitios just didn't like having control over a situation. We emerged in the council chambers. The gallery area was packed with people and each of the councilors sat listlessly conferring with a stream of people. The din was distinctly distasteful in my current state. I was escorted to a large chair in the center of the room. Now I was distinctly uncomfortable. I took a deep centering breath...and almost passed out from the pain. Giving up on being comfortable, I pulled Belial's feather from its home in my robe and lit it. Belial appeared, in all his delicious majesty. His face was stern and formal and his appearance silenced the room. Everyone faced me. I held their futures in my hands. "Let's get started Belial," I said a little more grumpily than I intended.He looked over at me and smiled. I must've looked pretty pathetic, all pale and wan. If I ever saw Athan again, I was going to do something worse than dismiss him...maybe banish him to the plane of shadow. Belial nodded and the room darkened momentarily as a horde of ravens appeared and coalesced into the form of the Goddess Corvidae. She smiled at me and we began to talk. It was all very casual, but was I "negotiated for" was exactly what we agreed upon when we'd met before. If anything, it was theater. The banter began to fade, when I gave Merideth a very meaningful look. "What?" Her expression said, then the meaning dawned upon her. "Um, no she stammered. Not here...not now."I gave her what I hoped was a stern look, "This is what you wanted," I hissed, "Just do it."Corvidae tilted her head and said with a slight smile, "What is this?"Put on the spot, Merideth stepped forward, "As I asked when we first met, how does one become a priest of you?""Is this something that you want?" Corvidae asked.Merideth nodded firmly."Are you sure?""Since the first day I met you," Merideth replied. Corvidae beckoned and Merideth descended her place behind my chair and knelt before her. "For your faith," the goddess intoned, "and your openness and honesty. I gather you into my service."  She removed her ever present cloak of black feathers and laid it across Merideth's shoulders. She touched my friend's head in silent benediction and vanished. When Merideth stood and faced the crowd, she did so through eyes that were dark as night. Hsethmah's presentation wasn't nearly as flashy. A hellhunter appeared. We exchanged brief pleasantries including an exchange of responsibilities. "We will see to things immediately," It responded. It turned to go and paused, "Do you want them dead or alive?" I thought about it, remembering our "labor management" program and replied, "Alive.""They will be waiting for you in the morning," it said then it vanished. Then the star of our program made her appearance. Luccas' servant appeared resplendent her crimson edged beauty. I felt myself smiling as she resolved and the crowd gasped. She approached my chair. I would have stood and bowed if I didn't know that I would fall over."Mother of Light," I intoned. "Greppa," she said with distant warmth. And with that we began to chat. She affirmed her responsibilities and I publicly accepted mine. Any thought of ascending in the city's hierarchy were now gone. Priests weren't allowed to rise above the rank of Captain. In order to help my people, I have become a priest of Luccas. It was a bitter moment, but I've become used to sacrifice. Once we finished our banter. I looked to the windows and the darkness that filled them.She got the hint, and we finished the deal. A warm red glow seeped into the room, intensifying into a bright pink light every bit as intense as the yellow light that Allas once provided. "Let there be light," her rich voice intoned triumphantly, and then she was gone.</blockquote>

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