To be touched by a god
A man should never neglect his family for business
-Walt Disney
15th of Summer, 510 AV
From his lofty perch on the scarlet strand, Dovinya took a moment to observe his surroundings and gaze down into the depths of the cavern that yawned beneath him. He couldn't deny the particular peace invoked within him at seeing Kalinor stretched out beneath him, nor the serene quality of the sheer depth of the cavern. Height did not suffer him like he knew they did the surface creatures, and for a moment he pitted them for it. To live in such fear of being so high kept them from seeing the beauty afforded from such vantage points. Offering a short prayer to Viratas he continued forward, hand over hand on the strand, his gold eyes flashing to settle ahead on his goal.
He was to meet some friends over by The Meadow's Public House, and he found himself eager to see them again. Nearly a year had passed since he had last seen them, but now that they where here and free from ties he intended to try and reclaim the time lost. It wasn't often he got away from his work or family obligations after all and he was certain the time would be well spent.
* * * * *
"
Dovinya, where has the time gone?" A lanky symenestra called him from across the wide room as he entered through the curtain veiling it's entrance. He greeted the man with a smile in return, and moving gracefully over he took a seat beside his companion, and looked across the table to see the others, surprise barely registering on his face that a human was among those seated. The man arriving so soon was something he hadn't expected but it hardly made a difference to what was intended. Partially a social gathering, partially a bit of training for himself he was here to better prepare himself for associating with other races, just another thing to outfit him better for the harvest he would one day undertake. Still he'd hoped to have some time with his associates before their guest arrived but would not fret because it was not so. He had a facade to maintain after all.
"
Voldon, Selvantia, Doloven it is truly a pleasure to see you all again The city has grown to seem rather hollow in your absence" Dovinya replied, his eyes passing from his friends to the other seated at the table. "
And you, come for trade good traveler?" He added, switching to common gracefully, gesturing to try and accent his words. The bearded man of broad shoulders, shifted awkwardly in his seat as if he was uncomfortable with Dovinya's presence, but the expression quickly flickered away when the man extended his grimy hand.
"
Names Rorke, heard that you might have some interesting goods here that might warrant a second look by your friends here" The man rumbled out his bushy beard twitching with every words. Not wanting to offend, he took the man's hand firmly, and kept his mouth clenched shut even as a wave of disgust rolled through him. He'd need to wash all over to get this ones filth off of him, but such things could wait till he'd had his fill of his present company. Instead of grimacing, he took his seat back in his chair, and painted on a smile.
"
You'll not be disappointed, by my own eyes i've seen works here that will attract even the most discerning customer"
The human grunted at that but said not a word as he stared forward, sipping his pungent smelling drink. Why the creatures behaved so sloppy never ceased to raise questions with him, but he looked away in any case, less the human catch a glimpse of the disgust forming on his features. He was not as capable of hiding his emotions as his father or companions more, but then again that was why he was here. To learn.
Taking up his own glass filled with refreshing water, he elegantly sipped it while letting his eyes wander Selvantia. She was still as beautiful as when he had last seen her, and a part of him wondered if she remembered the night they shared so long ago. It was a shame she was married now, but such where things. From her his eyes jumped Doloven, his kin in good humor for once, laughing and making jokes with the human. The symenestra's eyes reflected emotion much darker, and told him he still had much to learn.
A hand tapped on his forearm and suddenly he realized Voldon had been speaking to him. Attempting to save face in front of his peers, he chuckled softly and set down his glass to settle on the table. "
Of course"
"
Great, well meet back here in three bells. It will be quite a treat to see how your mother's creations have improved over the years" Voldon stated as he gracefully rose from his seat, patting his friend on the back. The shock still registering with him, it wasn't until the group left that he understood what had occurred.
"
What have I agreed to?" Dovinya whispered softly under his breath.
* * * * *
Three Bells Later..Reentering the building now with some his mother's best weaves, his shoulders where heavy with dread. By his companions words, it seemed that it was for the intent of trade that they decided to part ways to meet again later, but doubt still encircled his thoughts. The dangers of distraction all to clear and relevant in his mind now. He wished he had paid due attention to the conversation at hand, but would his they really find fault in him for this one slight. After all, he was observing, even if it hadn't been the human his eyes stayed on, though even repeating the explanation in his mind he knew it would only draw laughter and scorn from his peers. His guess needed to be correct.
A voice behind him made him jump slightly, and turning he found surprise washing over his features at the sight of an even older face than he had expected.
"
Father?"
The older symenestra smiled, and nodded, parting the curtain to the side and stepping fully into the room. "
Good you brought something appropriate for trade. Come now, to the second floor, they are waiting for you there" His father said, brushing past him gracefully. Catching his wits about him quickly, Dovinya followed him up the stairs, his surefooted movements getting him to the top just a moment after his father. Across from the stair case on of the dozen locked doors stood open, and beside it congregated the three symenestra he named his closest associates. Taking his place by Selvantia, he let his eye linger on her for a moment longer than the rest before he turned to face Voldon, and proffered from his bag a silk scarf made from his mother.
"
Care for a look good Voldon?" Dovinya said with a wry smile, watching with pride as his friend examined the cloth.
"
Perhaps I shouldn't let you show your wares to the merchant first lest your mother's weaves put mine to shame" His friend replied in good nature, turning over the cloth again before handing it back to Dovinya. "
Shall we continue? The trader expects us to meet him in his room." Voldon continued drawing a nod of agreement from everyone, and with Dovinya and his father taking their place behind Voldon, they headed across the wooden bridge. The wood felt odd underneath his wooden feet, and he felt it was much to wide for his purposes but as he understood it, human's found their strand roads far from accommodating.
His eyes didn't remain focus on their grounding for long though as a voice called out from the other end of the bridge, the scruffy trader evidently having little patience and already exited his chambers to see how long they would be. He saw Voldon wave back to the man, and that seemed to placate him for the man made a move to enter back into the abode before he settled on standing outsides it's entrance, planted firmly in the center of the bridge likely because of a uncomfortably with heights that Dovinya found hard to grasp. He moved a bit quicker, not wanting his friend to get the best deals with this trader. His mother's silks deserved first look after all lest the merchant not have enough coin to spread around.
Gripping a rope on the side, he sidestepped slightly as gracefully as he could manage so he could be beside his friend when he greeted the stranger. Now the man was easier to see without his companions form blocking the view, but the sight wasn't quite pleasing as the man now wore a tunic stained with alcohol most likely. "
We've come bearing goods, care to take this inside?" Voldon said smoothly, leaning on the opposite rope as if responding to Dovinya's own movements. The man opened his mouth to speak before his eyes settled just behind Voldon, and tracing the man's gaze, he eyed his father with a similar taken aback expression. Within another bat of his eyes, the man had drawn steel, and in his hand was a dagger that gleamed in the firelight pouring from the man's room.
"
Petching widow!" He heard the man scream, but it was a distant sound even as he moved in-between the man an his father, moving closer instinctually as his eyes followed its direction. He knew where it would strike, and that it would likely leave him without ability to sire children, but still he moved closer to the blade to protect his father, and to hopefully lessen the power in the strike. Still the pain ripped through him as the dagger bit him low, the man striking true to the target even if it was on another, and sending a wave of dizzying pain that blackened the edges of his vision. Voices where raised now, and through murky vision he could see his father, and Voldon wrestling with the man. His hands gripped the rope behind him, and focusing on the man he drew all the strength he could within himself. The pain was so intense, even though the dagger was out and waving around dangerously in the human's hand now. It needed to be handled soon if he was to get any help, and keep everyone else safe.
Pulling his right leg to him, he grimaced and nearly swooned at the pain that radiated low from where he couldn't comprehend, but with his last ounce of clarity he kicked out hard, and felt hard tissue greet his bare soul as he snapped the brutes head to the side and sent him tumbling from his father's and friends grip to flip over the edge of the rope bridge. His leg settling under him once more, another wave of blackness washed over him, and he could feel himself falling backwards.
* * * * *
[
Four Bells Later]
He awoke in a comfortable white bed, and found his eyes wandering around a sparsely populated wing, and he drew a sharp breath after a moment. Dovinya sat up suddenly the events leading to this internment coming back to him, and the jerking movement bringing a fresh stab of pain from his groin and forcing him to fall back into the bed until the pulsing subsided. Handling the sheet gingerly, he lifted it up, and looked over in shock mixed with a cold acceptance that chilled his bones and as he eyed the bandages covering him as would a loin cloth, he let out a rattling breath. It slowed the very breath in his breast seeing such injury to be sure, even if it was to be expected, and his eyes flickered up to look for an attendant, catching a glance of the flat shape on his wrist that resembled a gem on one of his mother's favorite gowns with only a passing look. He needed to know the depth of what had befallen him.
Looking around he found the room quite empty for the moment, yet still he felt as if there was someone in the room, though none presented himself to his eyes. As he looked over to one side, a figure walked into view right beside his bed side, a tall and broad man, with a face accented by hard lines. His breath caught in his throat at such a sight, and inexplicably he could feel the gravity of this man's appearance even if he didn't immediately recognize his god.
"
Viratas.." The single word escaped his lips, drowning into the quietness that deepened between them as the man watched him thoughtfully. It was a miracle he even managed to speak that, and breathless now, he could only wait to see what brought the god's appearance and thankfully he didn't have to wait long.
"
Be easy, your kin are safe thanks to your sacrifice" The god spoke, his voice resonating inside of him. "
You have always carried my name on your lips, and now my mark on your arm, use it wisely, I shall be watching you"
Curiosity tempted a look, and eyes darting from viratas briefly, he spared a look at his wrist only to see the gem dissolve and be replaced a sort of glass chain encircling his bicep. Looking back up he could see that the god was gone, and he was once more alone in the room, and breathing out a slow breath as a lone tear ran down from the corner of his eye to trace his pale cheek. For the gods words had made cast away all doubt of the extent of his wound, and his despair swelled. His eyes slowly closing he fell into prayer, and when his father and mother arrived later, so to did their prayers and tears mixed with his. For him, there would be no children.