Snippet #1446570

The Grand Master stepped through the Iron Gate, feeling the sunlight on her stone-cooled flesh. She favoured the sunlight over the artificial lights the keep the caverns lit. To her it felt as if it was a piece of the Primordial Lord of the Light remained amongst them. Although she knew this was not true, the sun was merely a ancient artifact created by the Light and without its master its power will begin to wane. She could not help to honour it still, for the Primordial Lords' creations are certainly deserving of reverence. After standing for a moment she turned her attention the the party before her, a cluster of Adept guards maintain a cordon around a small cage. She waves them aside and they move from the cage, revealing a number of fairies fluttering and clutching at the bars. Looking down in disdain she observes the fear in their small faces and the bravery that hides it. She looks the the guards
"Where did you catch them?" She asked, her voice cold and calculating. A senior adept stood forward in his blood-red armor and spoke, bowing his head "Grand Master, the Mind Hunters reported fairies asking of the Astral Keep in the villages below and warned us to keep vigilant. These beings showed themselves soon after. We were prepared and caught them before they could leave will our position." This response triggered several indignant squeaks from the imprisoned fairies but they were silenced by a icy cold glance from Arina. She crouched down before the cage, her cold blue eyes piercing the fairies. Her gaze was unflinching as she spoke to the adepts "Have they spoken?"
"Yes Grand Master, they asked for you. They say they are agents of the Divinity." Was the response that caused Arina pause as she considered the words. She knew of the Divinity and the power of the guild. She certainly knew more of the guild constantly interfering in the plans of her predecessors then the Divinty knew of the Unitate. The fact these fairies were asking of the Astral Keep suggested the Divinty did not know their exact location, guaranteeing the secrecy of the Unitate. She now turned her questioning to the fairies. "Why were you sent?" She asked coldly. A fairy embolden itself and answered, attempting to present a semblance of courage. "Waa Divinity requests the presence of all guild leaders in Athendra within two days to discuss current events." The fairy cut off, its gathered bravery melting away at the conclusion of the message. Arina nodded and stood, turning to the waiting adepts, "You have done well. Take the captives to the examiners. The Furies strengthen you." As one the adepts bowed and uttered a chorus of "Restore the storm." They methodically continued to heft the cage and carry the protesting fairies into the gaping depths of the Astral Keep. They would either prove useful to furthering the Unitate or will die, silencing their knowledge of the guild's Keep.

Arina Talion remained standing in the dawning sun as she considered the current situation. The recent pillar of light spotted from the heights of the watch towers caused an unmistakable excitement amongst the guild. Many of them revered the anomaly as a sign, a signal of the reclusive relics the guild has searched for since ages past. Of course action was immediately undertaken, a hundreds strong force of seekers were dispatched to search the lands in which the sign orientated. No doubt this conference was invested in the strange occurrence. Arina was cautious, although the Divinity was supposedly peaceful spies through the years have revealed the great power at Waa's command. To accept this request would expose her greatly, even with her might and the power of the Primordials survival would be doubtful if betrayal was in order. She turned and left the sunlight on her back as she returned to the dark caves of the Astral Keep. Decision already made she prepared to present it to the Council to receive their support.

It was soon after midday when the wall gates were flung open and an armored column passed beneath. Over fifty armored bodies marched through on foot and on horse, accompanied by the giant forms of five titans. At their head rode the Grand Master, splendid on her powerful charger and encased within her power armor. Much of the force composed of the silent and deadly Furies, yet with the unmistakable presence of every caste. The steady marching beat, thundered as giant steam suits thudded against the hardened stone path, keeping in perfect sync with the trotting of the horses and even the mighty crashes of the titans. From the walls shouts arose, a chant in time with the powerful beat.
"Of Light there was one
Of Darkness there was another"
The well known words of the Prophecy rose triumphantly from the walls and was soon echoed by the departing warriors, ringing out from the path the chant was deafening. Yet not a whisper of the chorus drifted across the great distance to the villages below as the party continued almost as if off to war.