Within the courts of the Xindhi, the capitals of the Red Technocracy, UCON, and Trantor, and many other nameless nations appeared a peculiar message pinned to a wall;
To the Leaders of Independent Nations--
We, the leaders of Castle Cadremus, noted below;
Balinda Wright
Alphaeus Iratel
Ellana Normane
Orienda Tastir
As well as our available sub-generals,
Tyrelio Dofenson, subordinate of Balinda Wright
Gyrel Mendol, subordinate of Ellana Normane
Rish Mendol, subordinate of Ellana Normane
Rigel Lake, subordinate of Orienda Tastir,
--and the other inhabitants of Castle Cadremus invite thee to our humble facility for diplomatic purposes, involving but not limited to temporary and permanent alliance, trading agreements, right-of-way, technological exchange, and mere bondmaking for the mutual growth of all nations of the Great Vast.
Penned,
Grimore.
AL-HAZRED: DUN CAITSITH-In the throne room, a swirling chaos of energies flared as several Xindhi discussed the note, seated above them in the massive basalt throne; Lady Drake thumped her skeletal fingers on the arm of the throne.
“Well?” She rasped as the noise seemed to die down enough for her to interject. “What of this Castle Cadremus?” Several of the Xindhi turned towards her, the energies in their eye sockets flared then coalesced to pin pricks, “We are not sure lady, we believe it to be a magical nexus, by the wording it is not technological as we reckon it.”
The dark lady stood swiftly, the plate armor flashed in the multicolored glow as she stepped rapidly down the steps and among her advisors. “Tell me, the Dreaming Queen, will she savor this experience? Will it allow her greater understanding of the multiverse?” Several of the counselors nodded, then an arch-druid spoke up, "Indeed milady but whom shall go to experience it?" Another nodded, "Yes it would have to be an envoy and not an Cughtagh or Aeryn, it must be one of the counsel." Lady Drake lowered her head, it was true, this was an offer of diplomacy, and as such only who had that authority could represent the Dreaming Queen. "I cannot go..." rasped the Dark Lady.
“I can go milady, I can be the great queens envoy to judge this Castle Cadremus.” As Lady Drake whirled to see who spoke, the others who stood around her parted slightly as Synjyn stepped from the gloom. Lady Drake peered at Lord Counsel Synjyn Drake, the crimson energies in her eyes swirled chaotically as she drew her self upright, “Of course Lord Counsel, I would expect nothing less than such a gesture. You shall have a Cughtagh and Aeryn to escort you.” The Lord Counsel bowed and raised a hand, “My Lady, I would be honored to have such along with me.”
Lady Drake turned and moved slowly back to her throne, as she sat down the other counsels moved to their smaller high-back chairs, taking seats as the Lord Counsel stood before them all. “I believe I am entitled to my own personal escort am I not?” Casting the brilliant crimson energies towards him, the glow increasing until it bathed the Lord Counsel, “Of course you are I suspect that the added power of a Cughtagh and Aeryn would augment your guards.”
Nodding then bowing low, Lord Counsel said, “Indeed they would, I accept and if you have no further need of me milady, I bid you my leave that I and my retinue may leave.” With a dismissive wave the Dark Lady returned to slumber as she framed the event in the holon for the Dreaming Queen to experience and understand.
CASTLE CADREMUS: Mounting his great skeletal beast, Lord Counsel wheeled around and urged the dragon like beast towards the great slumbering gates, as he closed in upon the massive portal, the thunder of the Frostfire Knights escort as they rode forward, falling in step behind their leader, three-hundred strong. Once he was before the great horned one who kept eternal watch upon the dreaming gates, the Lord Counsel raised an armored fist, his voice echoed across the deathly silence that began to rush into the void left by the shod hooves.
“I shall experience this Castle Cadremus for the dreaming queen.” Rasped his voice, and even before the last syllable was uttered, ten riders broke ranks and formed a wall on either side of the armored knight. The standard carried by one seemed to shift as if by some wind, and then fell stiff as the rider ceased movement. The blue energies flared then shrunk to pinpoints of light, the impression of a smile settled upon Lord Drake’s visage.
With an almost imperceptible nod, the entourage moved forward, and through the great slumbering gates, following the thrum of the resonance laid out by the Aeryn Zamtha. Slowly crossing the vast distances, passing holons and worlds as a thundering shadow, a sudden and swift storm across the land, the Xindhi rode with a purpose. Children tossed and turned in their sleep, for a brief moment nightmares flooded their fragile psyche. Adults shuddered as they felt the shadow cross their perception; a cold chill rode along their spines causing the hair on their arms and nape to stand erect.
Castle Cadremus was before them now, the envoy and his companions felt the pull, the thrum was strong and vibrant, there was much to learn here, and they would partake in the understanding of this holon. Slowly the membrane of the holon puckered and stretched, a shimmering water-like portal appeared as the troupe broke through and touched the surface of the world, they touched reality once more. Before them rose the edifice known as the Cadremus.
The Xindhi rode forward; the chill winds whipped the banner violently before settling down thanks to the standard-bearer manipulating the wind with prana, creating a void space around the standard where the tempest held no sway over the honored device. Three hundred escorts for the Lord Counsel, accompanied by the Cughtah Belam and the Aeryn Zamatha, they rode forth from the forest and stood before the castle, waiting to be recognized and admitted as guests.