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In reverence to
https://tazlure.nl/board/viewtopic.p ... highlight=
ic:
Langredoc approached Paige ignoring the city guard. Reiker the wolf had already taken position between the woman and the guard.
“I am her bodyguard...†Langredoc said, answering a unasked question while he reached out to Paige. His hand stroked her chin, her eyes wide open expressed fear in abundance. It took her a while to see the real face before her, fear clouding her senses. When she did she also stretched out her hand to confirm if that what she saw was reality, like she didn't trust her eyes.
“You followed me..†she whispered. The warrior just nodded. “You wanted to keep me safe.â€
The stepped forward embracing the man, placing her face at his chest.
“I am scared. I have a feeling that my sister died this night. Eaten by this pool of pain and loneliness. Something died with her, something deep inside me.â€
The man stroked her hair while listening, his eyes and those of the wolf never stopped their vigil, this was a bad night, and it could become much much worse if they where not careful. The guard gave up, he had other things to do, and maybe he also feared the night. The reason was not important, he walked away.
Langredoc shielded the shivering woman from the world around her, while she cried softly. After a few burns she went on, her voice filled with tears. “I want to leave this horrible place. I want to go back to the forests.. I want to see the sun through the morning dew... I want to hear the birds singing.â€
Her hand stroked his chin, tear filled eyes searching for confirmation in those of the warrior. Langredoc smiled and kissed her lips.
“Maybe I want to hear the sound of children playing...†she said in between kisses. “I want to leave from here...now.â€
Langredoc nodded. He knew the consequences, they would never be able to return to Citadel without danger. Not that it changed much to the man, he would be a outcast or a fugitive anyway, it was Paige that he was concerned about. Her eyes told him enough, no need to try to convince her otherwise. The man was not even sure if he wanted to change her mind. The idea that Paige would share his life was tempting to say the least. He played with her hair for a few flickers then the two started to walk, facing a uncertain destiny. After a few steps Paige complained that she had a headache, her hands grabbing her head. She muttered that she could hear her sister calling her until a few flickers later she just passed out. Her body quickly caught by Langredoc.
The man swallowed the panic that was collecting inside him. He noticed the guard who was watching from a distance. “I need a healer and quick !†he shouted at the man. The guard approached the two carefully, not sure what to think about the situation. But Paige's pale face was way too real for a joke or trick, so when the man was convinced he guided the warrior to a healer.
Langredoc was worried because when he placed the woman on the table it seamed that she was barely breathing. Panic started to settle in until he took control again. The healer was a old man who quickly started to check the vital life signs of the woman. Langredoc could only watch and stare at that beautiful pale face, that had a strange smile. The healer suddenly stopped.. looking surprised.. checking for life signs again, he turned towards Langredoc. “She has died.. I don't know why. She just died.â€
With these words the whole world collapsed for Langredoc.. Langredoc knew that nobody just died. There could be many reasons, even a broken heart.
When he touched the body of the young woman he could feel it was gone, no heartbeat, no breathing, all silent. The healer and the guard closely watched the young man like if they where unsure about how violent he would react. Langredoc bended forward and softly kissed Paige's lips. He whispered “Good journey my dear, may Pan make sure that your never bored.â€, stroking her hair. His normal (dis)trust in the Gods returned so he quickly checked her body for traces that would tell him if she died of non natural causes, he could not find any, and that did not convince him though. Once again he had a feeling that he was not meant to have friends. At least he was tall and strong now, so he could bury her by himself, she was not the first he had buried. Just the last in a long line. He collected some of the woman's belongings together with a lock of her hair. When ready he asked the Healer for a piece of cloth. The old man gave him a while lined peace of cloth that Langredoc wrapped around Paige's body.
After placing some coins on the table he asked the guard where a temple or cemetery for those who followed Pan was and he picked up the now lifeless body.
After a remark that sounded like “Well, don't forget that you have to come with me to report this all..†the Guard guided Langredoc to a Temple of Pan.
Located on the Inner Ring of the Citadel, it is one of the few known temples of the infamous god, Pan, blossoming in the tolerance that used to be so typical of the capital. Though there are altars for the sects of Pan's Blood and Pan's Arts this temple is mainly devoted to Pan's Joy: the wild enjoyment of drink, sex and music to the abandonment of everything else. And surely it’s no coincidence that this temple is located right between the former Rose Guild and the Bardic College. The sounds of revelry have died out with the raids in the town, a sudden silence that seems almost eerie.
The whiter than white marble columns are invitingly covered by green vines, almost pulling the visitor inside. The entrance of the temple is formed by a set of large marble stairs that give a sense of awe, but the creeping plants manage to give the atmosphere something intimate at the same time. The great redwood doors stand open to welcome all who wish to worship the Threefold God.
Entering the sanctuary and crossing the marble floor accented with inlaid lines of black mica, one quickly realizes that the vast chamber is divided into three areas, each containing an altar to an aspect of the deity. Huge columns rise up to the vaulted ceiling, each entwined with lush vines, giving the sanctuary a feeling reminiscent of a garden.
Acolytes are present to greet visitors, dressed in loose robes.
Langredoc arrived at Pan's temple with all the weight of the world in his arms. Paige's eyes closed and her head leaning against the tall man's shoulder most people probably assumed wrongly that the woman was deeply asleep.
He would like to scream at the Gods, fight them, force them to bring the woman back to life. To demand the sunshine back that they had taken from him. Still he could not, he was a warrior, a red warrior. So he faced the Red Warrior and took his loss, something had died inside him.
So now his eyes searched for a priest.. priestess of pan who could help him to make sure that Paige would go her own way. Like she always had.
He nodded a thanks to the guard who had guided him here.
The happiness of Pan's temple, the thrill surrounding it made him feel more lonely by the flicker. It was like he was on his way to a wedding with his bride dead in his arms. His feet refused to enter the place.