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26th Day of Fall, 514AV
The last of the fires were put out twenty six days after the first had been lit. It had been a struggle, and many had seen loss over the first third of this new season, whether it be possessions, livelihood or even lives and family. Seisyll had been lucky - the newcomer had no loved ones local, no true home to speak of, her chosen livelihood rested in her memories and voice, with her harp to aid her. The clothes that she had arrived in had met with some fire damage, yes. But she considered herself to be one of the more fortunate.
Though it saddened the Ivyess to see so much destruction from the incineration, Seisyll had appreciated all that she had learnt about the inhabitants as the fires ravaged the Myrian stronghold. The secret, unknown Dhani had found unity and solidarity in the peoples whom she had previously believed to be little more than barbaric. As the fires raged, the olive-skinned Myrians had helped others, rather than only protecting her own. But it caused the paler woman to question the nature of these peoples: how could they be selfless and kill her kin on sight?
It was on the final day of the fires that rumours of a celebration had spread through the city; a chance for all to come together and thank the Goddess Matsuki for her protection during the first third of the horrific season. Whilst Seisyll was glad that the fires had finally been quenched, she had personal motives for attending the praise of the Goddess: blessed by Matsuki, Seisyll was a devoted follower, and would take any opportunity for public prayer. It had been a welcome discovery when she learnt that she shared her faith in common with many of the Taloban population, as it was an easy chance for her to gain whatever trust or familiarity she could.
Evidence of the extinguished fired littered the city... if an individual building had not been licked by flames, it would have fallen prey to the heavy plumes of smoke that the wind pushed around and inside it. Black and grey dominated many buildings, and she wondered how long it might take for the city to return to former beauty,something that she had never seen.
As the apparently young woman approached a slowly forming crowd of native inhabitants, she remained quiet and close to the edge of the group. People were milling, talking quietly, as it this was the first time that they were not in a rushed hurry, ever afraid of where the flames might next attack. As they had done before, words flew over her head, some that she understood, others that she didn't. And she waited, wondering how the Myrians would give praise to the Goddess of Rain.
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