The Message [Blythe]

[Cachet]

37th Fall 511AV

As Blythe woke there would be a knock on the door. She would hear it echo throughout the house. Seemed no one else was there. The knocks were gentle but they could still be heard throughout the house. Blythe had plenty of time lately to think about what her teacher had said. What she had read into her future. And the gift she gave…was so extravagant. It was obviously one of a kind but she knew her instructor had several like it. As to where she got them from…well that was anyone’s guess. When Blythe answered the door there stood one of the runners from the city office. She smiled and then spoke.

“Blythe?” She then produced a letter wax sealed from an unknown source. “Well here you go.” She said handing the letter to her as she then started off down the street to deliver any other letters she had for that day.

The letter was inside a sealed envelope, the seal wasn’t immediately recognizable by Blythe. All she knew was she hadn’t seen it before. That was curious…She would break the seal and inside a letter would read as follows.

Blythe
I have been thinking about your reading for days now. And have decided you do indeed deserve to know the truth of the matters. An Akalak in Riverfall has my lover captive. And has had him captive for nearly three seasons now. I haven’t been able to see him this entire time. But I have been told he is in good condition. But other sources tell me this man is torturing my lover and others. My lover is a Kelvic, a black panther and I believe the Akalak is concocting herbal toxins trying to find out how to get them to bond with him. I am going to Riverfall to free my lover no matter what it takes from me to get it done. I thought you will need to know this. By the time you get this letter I will already have left.

Kariha

The letter was indeed from Kariha, but what did she mean about ‘no matter what it takes’? Was she going to kill to save her lover? Why didn’t she take other methods into account? Surely there had to be another way to free her lover…Surely. But as Blythe sat pondering the contents of the letter she would begin to feel that something was indeed very wrong. Her predictions would come back to her from the reading she gave. By the Gods there were all kinds of horrible things that could happen to Kariha.

[Blythe]

Blythe read the letter for a second time, running her finger over the words. She felt closer to Kariha for some reason, then, as though doing so somehow heightened the connection between each of them. Tugged on the thin thread that held wove their two separate lives together. She felt then, as though she could feel everything that Kariha must be feeling. As though she too, were enduring everything her katana mistress was enduring alongside her. Even though the words had been few and far between, and only provided with the most basic of explanations, Blythe felt strangely cold. Sad, lost in a sea of tears that she could not explain, or push away. Her heart ached. This was wrong. Everything about it was wrong.

Her lavender-colored eyes turned red and puffy, as several droplets of salt-stained tears rained upon the yellow parchment Blythe clutched between her pale, trembling fingertips. Something is very, very wrong here, she thought, the idea playing over and over again in her mind as her vision became glassy. As it became all the more difficult to make out the words that had been scrawled upon the parchment. "Those poor people," Blythe whispered. "All of those Kelvics, more than likely the same age as dear Keyta... poor Kariha. Her heart must be torn to pieces over this. No wonder why she has been acting so strange lately, turning in on herself." The woman paused for a moment, as she gently folded the paper once down the center, and then again, before shoving it hastily in her pocket. "May Avalis watch over all of them... all of us. May she guide us towards a future filled with joy and happiness," she finished, before making her way back through the door, and closing it gently behind her.

Once inside, Blythe made her way to her room, and slumped down on her bed. She simply did not know what to think, or what to do. She felt bad for Kariha, and even though she did not know the woman well, she wanted to help her. But what could she do? She was just a simple fortune teller who could hardly wield the gift her teacher had generously given. Blythe sighed, it was not as though she knew much of the outside world. It was not as though she were a gifted healer, who could fix her teacher's physical ailments should her opponent prove too much for her.

"Oh Avalis, what am I to do?" Blythe whispered, silently wishing that her grandmother were around to help guide her through this particular predicament. The woman always seemed to know what to do.

Perhaps then, that is what we should do. Find Rose, she should be able to help, Blythe thought, as she eased her body up, and off the bed. She circled her room a few times, until she located her pack which held a few of her belongings- food, her cards, and a waterskin among them. She flung the bag over her shoulder, and then plucked her katana off the night stand. She secured it to her waist, allowing the tie to hang around her middle as though it were a belt. Cutting her long, flowing dress in half.

That's as ready as we can ever be, Blythe thought, as she sent another small prayer up to Avalis before making her way through the house, and out the door. Keeping her right hand on the sword's hilt for as much of her travel as possible, as though beseeching Kariha's skill and strength.

OOCI assumed the messenger would leave as soon as the message was delivered, so... excuse me for ignoring her completely.

[Cachet]

As Blythe walked through the streets she would see trailing eyes meet her side. That Katana was a thing of beauty, and it seemed that everyone knew where it had come from. There were few that would appreciate its hidden beauty and intricacies. Most on the isle knew its previous owner and also knew that she had disappeared. None had seen Kariha in some time now. None had seen her in the Suvai pavilion, and still none had seen her around town. This rose suspicion among the Konti as to where she had gone. Few knew the truth but plenty knew the rumors; especially the rumors to how Blythe had obtained such a work of craftsmanship. But rumors spread fast, like a wildfire through the women.

On her way to the temple another woman intercepted her laying a hand gently on Blythe’s shoulder from behind. “Blythe, please come with me.” The voice was gentle and indeed Konti. As she turned around to address the voice she would see that the woman seemed to be pressing her for some reason.

“Your presence has been requested…please follow me.” The Konti didn’t seem to be much older than she was, dressed in a plain white dress trimmed in blue.

If Blythe followed the woman would lead her not to far away from the Opal Temple, but instead would lead her to the Vision Center. Blythe’s heart would likely drop into her stomach. Why was she here? The woman would lead her into the building then down a hallway motioning to Garola as she passed by. Blythe would be stunned by the beauty of the area, the wonderful paintings as well as decorations that hung in the hallways. But that beauty would likely be lost by the sense of urgency that was in the air around her. She would be lead down the hallway to a large opal door. The woman would stop and motion.

“Please, she waits for you.” She said allowing Blythe to open the door herself.

[Blythe]

"Presence... requested?" Blythe whispered as the woman's hand dropped from Blythe's shoulder, and to her own side. Whatever could this be about? the konti wondered as she followed the other woman through the streets, and then in silence to the Vision Center.

Oh goodness, Blythe thought, as they made their way through the door, and down a set of halls. Something must be very, very wrong... you just don't get taken here for nothing. Blythe sighed, and pulled several loose strands of hair behind her ear. Hopefully nothing terrible has happened... surely they wouldn't take me here because they feel as though I have done something wrong... I didn't do anything wrong, did I?

Blythe ran her right hand through her hair, tugging apart the knots. Letting the strands sink into the space between her fingers, the space between her nails, and her finger flesh. She was trying to comfort herself now that her heart was beginning to beat even faster than before. Now that several beads of sweat had appeared on her brow.

No, that's silly, everyone knows you didn't do anything wrong, Blythe's mind whispered as the pair stopped in front of a door. "Who is waiting?" she asked, as she pulled her hand away from her hair, and let it drop to her side, as the woman opened the door, to reveal a large conference room. A table at the center, behind which, another konti sat.

Blythe walked inside, slowly, nervously. She could barely hear the door clicking shut behind her. "You wanted to see me?" Blythe called, instantly scolding herself a moment later, for failing to properly introduce herself. Even though it did not appear as though she truly needed a formal introduction.

[Cachet]

The woman responded to Blythe’s question before she let him in the room. “I am only here to guide you; I know nothing else of this meeting.” She admitted as she then let Blythe into the room. Once she entered the door was closed quietly behind her.

The office was a second story suite, with a large ornate table in the center of the room. It was made of ornate wood decorated with silver inlay. It was a most beautiful table with matching ornate chairs with wonderful crimson colored cushions. The room was ornately decorated but Blythe was far too worried to notice any of it save the tables and chairs. Across the room of this second story office suite was a set of wonderful double stained glass doors that were open allowing for a beautiful view of the cityscape. The woman whom Blythe was supposed to see was sitting in a chair facing away from Blythe looking through the doors out over the patio over her city. Enjoying the gentle caress of the oceans breeze.

Blythe would feel something immediately when she entered the room and it would only get stronger if she approached the figure. She was in the presence of greatness…Her mark from Avalis told her she was in the presence of someone marked higher than she was. A great teller of visions; likely someone from the mothers or grandmothers circle. Oh she was in trouble indeed if she was in a meeting one on one with any of them. But who was she? Her mind would begin to pick out features.

She had long wavy blond hair past her shoulders, and her voice when she finally spoke was melodic and even. “Come Blythe take a seat.” She said motioning to an empty chair next to her. Who was she?

As Blythe came closer she would see her slender figure, her features sharp and pronounced. Her gentle deep eyes bespoke of her intelligence and her demeanor spoke of her leadership. Blythe would become more and more anxious with every passing second…then it hit her. Could it be? V’nessi Ulvalin? No….it couldn’t be her. Why would she request Blythe’s presence here? But as she took her seat she would notice there was nothing to dissuade her from reaching that conclusion….it was the Matriarch herself!

[Blythe]

Blythe swallowed the clump of saliva that had gathered in her throat, and offered a slight, respectful nod, although the other Konti would be unable to see it. She walked slowly, uneasily towards the table, and took a seat next to Konti matriarch. She ran her hands over the folds of her dress, straightening the creases out as she forced herself to breath. Forced herself to try to relax, ignore the pounding of her heart, the beads of sweat that would not stop trickling down her brow.

Blythe kept on breathing, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Over and over, holding the air in her lungs until it hurt, and she had to let it out. "You wished to see me, V'nessi?" Blythe asked. "For I have done something wrong? Or is it something else? More of a social visit perhaps... a message from Avalis?" Blythe paused for a moment, and wiped some of her sweat away with the back of her right hand, before returning it to her lap. "I can't say I've gotten many of those of late." It was difficult to say then, to what Blythe was referring, but it did not matter. Surely the matriarch would reveal her reasons for calling Blythe to her side soon enough.

[Cachet]

The matriarch sat looking out over her paradise. Several things had come to her attention especially as of lately. One was concerning and involved the leaving of Kariha. She heard none had seen her in a long time, and she had seen visions of what was to be…and she knew she must alter them or suffer dire consequences. And the other item of interest involved Blythe, and her relationship with Kariha. She had seen several things and knew that she had to do something. Maybe alter the future for there were several outcomes here. Almost all of them involved someone giving up something, just as to what that was…well that would be up to Blythe to decide.

The matron composed herself and then spoke, her voice carried the weight that would be expected of the champion of Avalis. “Look out before you Blythe, all this in balance. But I must say there is an element that threatens to disrupt this balance. And I must act Blythe…you must act.” Her words carried a heavy weight with them as she then looked to Blythe.

“I’m afraid I can give you no choice in this, I would like to avoid exiling you, but you must know that you can’t stay here much longer. For time is a fickle thing when plans have been laid, you must leave by end of Fall. Or I will have to take action.” The Matron never liked talking about exile, but it was needed in extreme instances and if that was what it took to get Blythe to action then so be it. She had a slight feeling of guilt as she spoke to Blythe, she didn’t want to have to exile her. But she would.

She stood and walked over to a large scale sitting on a table and spoke. “Many often underestimate small things Blythe.” She said as she poured out large even amount of rice on each of the scale balancing it evenly. There were large mountains of rice but they were indeed evenly weighted…exactly.

“But all it takes to turn thing around and tip the scale,” She said as she then picked up a single white grain of rice and placed it on the scale on one side unbalancing the perfect balance that was there. “..is a single grain of rice. Often overlooked all it takes is a single small event to overturn the scale. One person causing a slow avalanche of uncontrollable events they could never have foreseen.” She let her message sit as she then walked back over taking her seat next to Blythe.

“You must find Kariha, the balance sits with her and you Blythe. You will have to make very difficult decisions once you do catch up with her of which life and death are just afterthoughts.” She nodded and spoke again.

“The death of the Akalak holding her beloved is not acceptable, and will earn her exile definitely. But more importantly it will start into play a series of events that will enact a Riverfall Mura conflict of which I can’t allow. However Blythe, if you can stop the death of the Akalak and bring Kariha back we can seek other methods of resolution. As of now I am the only one that has seen this Blythe, the other circles wouldn’t take kindly to your involvement in this, but it is needed. You are the last grain of rice Blythe.”

[Blythe]

"Exiled…" Blythe whispered, as her eyes grew wide, and she found herself reduced to silence. Caught up in V'nessi's words, everything this strange, and powerful Konti had to say to her.

But I have done nothing wrong, have I? What in Avalis' name would I be exiled from this land for? Blythe wondered, as she forced herself not to panic while the older Konti spoke. Not to panic until it was all over.

"But what may I do to disrupt the balance?" Blythe asked. "What could I do to keep it in its proper place? Put it back in place?" Blythe went on. "I am just a simple fortune teller, who has lived on this Island for the majority of her life. It's my home. My family's home. We don't leave often... I myself have only left a handful of times. How could this be... what do the two of us, our relationship, this Akalak for that matter, have to do with anything?"

Blythe paused for a moment, to catch her breath and run her right hand through her hair. Allowing it to slip between the spaces in her fingers. To calm her, to sooth her to the best of its ability. "Why would Avalis choose us?" she whispered, before pausing once more. She couldn't let the Akalak die... not that she particularly wanted to kill him either. She wasn't the type, and even if she were, she wasn't as skilled with a katana as Kariha, and Kariha was having trouble, which could only mean that she would have no more luck than her teacher.

Blythe swallowed the clump of saliva in her throat. "Then why involve me at all, matriarch, if I may be so bold?" Blythe asked. "My hands seem tied... if the Akalak dies, then I face problems. If I help Kariha to kill him, as I am sure she wants to do, then we may both face exile or worse. If I can't find her, someone dies, the Akalak reins free. Unchecked, set in his twisted ways... trying to find some sort of serum to give to Kelvics, so that they may bond with certain people." Blythe shuddered. "That can't be allowed to happen either V'nessi, especially when so many look to Kelvics as companions. Friends, confidants, lovers... I take care of one myself, Keyta..."

Blythe's voice trailed off. "And if I don't go, I lose my home here anyway... what purpose does this serve, making us both go?" Blythe asked. "Why are we being sent away when our hearts are pure? Why are we being punished for doing our best to follow the path of Avalis? To do what is best for the largest amount of people?" she asked.

Blythe took a deep breath, in through the nose, and out through the mouth. "Forgive me for speaking as such, but it really does seem like we are both being punished. Kariha and I... have we upset Avalis in some way? Her sister?"

OOCSorry this post is all over the place, I figured Blythe would be that way given the situation.

[Cachet]

V’nessi brushed her hair back as she listened to Blythe. She was worried and wanted to know what she could do to prevent all of this. But it was already settled. V’nessi had to prove this to her somehow. She again stood and spoke level to Blythe.

“It must feel like you are being punished Blythe. I understand that, but sometimes…it is just in the cards.” She said as she then moved over to a desk against the wall and opened a drawer.

She lifted out a velvet box and set it on the table near Blythe. She then put her key in the lock and opened the box slowly. Inside Blythe would see the most wonderous set of Tarot cards she had ever laid eyes on. They seemed to be set in ornate gold and silver scrolling and as she looked at them she could also feel and sense that they were touched by the gods themselves. She could only see the backs of the cards with the ornate symbol of Avalis on them in the dead center back of the cards. She knew now that they had to be touched by the goddess herself and given to her champion V’nessi.

“These cards will help Blythe touch the top of them and I will show you what I mean. The other sides of the cards are completely blank.” She said as she picked up one of the ornate gold cards and showed it to Blythe. She was right the other side was completely blank. She then set the card back into it’s place in the box.

“When the person who I am going to read touches the cards pictures transform and show themselves in the faces of the cards. Specific pictures meant just for the person who I am to read, a gift from Avalis herself.” She said as she then held the box for Blythe. After she touched it V’nessi smiled and flipped the first card out of the box.

Card1 :

It was tinted red, completely red with a black skull centered in the middle screaming in pain and agony. Not a great sign…

“As it relates to your quest it seems no matter what you do death awaits, torture…horrible things no matter what action is taken Blythe. But it also means there is a new beginning awaiting you.” She shrugged it off and then flipped over another card wanting that to be the end of it.

She breathed evenly and then again flipped a card over.

Card2 :

V’nessi was almost terrified when it was again the same card as before…how could this be. She was slightly confused and shrugged again turning over another card. “This is unusual Blythe.” She said as she laid out another card.

Card3 :

[Blythe]

Blythe stared at the three black skulls the cards depicted. The blanket of crimson red blood that rippled behind them, in an imaginary wind. Her lavender-colored eyes settled on the eye sockets, the hollows in the depiction's bone. She paled. The scales that lined her forehead, although still bathed in the sun's golden light, seemed to fade. Seemed to lose their luster, cease to shimmer.

"Is that your version of the death card?" Blythe asked, her voice little more than a whisper. "Or something?" Blythe paused for a moment, allowing herself but a moment to swallow the clump of saliva that had gathered in her throat, before she continued speaking. "For it's a bit strange, for the cards to repeat themselves, isn't it? Even if at first, they are all blank. At least... when giving a reading with regular cards, ones not touched by the hand of our goddess, the cards cannot repeat themselves... they can only be used once per reading."

Blythe paused again. "Is that it though? Are you done? Three black scrolls on a blanket of red? Or is there more you wish to prove, to show me, before you send me on my way, to most certain death... it seems. Or to be met with a series of unfortunate ends. Death. Destruction. Ill-will..."