Caladion Ithildin's Story

Aerlinde entered the dining hall, spotting her brother and his wife. Caladion looked rather more well-slept than her, seemingly having been spared from the worst of It's visitation this night. She had to admit she envied him slightly, but there was no resentment in it. She loved her brother dearly, and even at her darkest hour, likely wouldn't wish to set It on him instead.

Instead Aerlinde greeted them with a wan, yet sincere, smile, not having a reason, the energy, nor the will to fake a less pallid countenance when all present could deduce the struggle she had faced from the bags under her eyes.

She sat down in a chair near theirs, as they exchanged spoken greetings. Some pleasant small-talk later, during which Aerlinde learned her niece Gilthoniel had decided to go visit her 'secret' paramour in Elwenil, her sister-in-law Eryn excused herself. It was about time for her and Caladion's youngest to wake up and he tended to ask for his mother first thing in the morning.

Caladion playfully grumbled a little at this, faking being put out at this clear favoritism the boy expressed. As soon as Eryn closed the door behind her though, his eyes sharpened and he stopped slouching.

"Did you manage to glean anything from It?", he asked Aerlinde.

She shook her head. "Same as always", she answered, "While taunting me with the fact that It was drawing ever closer to being free, It seems to be just as in the dark as we are as to the cause of our problems."

She paused, taking a bite of her food before continuing, "Pun not intended."

Caladion gave her the stink eye at that addition, but didn't say anything about it, deciding to finish his own dinner.

He excused himself not much later, citing that he needed to go prune the pile of paperwork undoubtedly waiting for him before it grew enough to drain him of the will to live.

A great clap of thunder, a sky obscured with clouds. It had been raining for too long in the Whispering Wood. Was the eclipse so long ago foreshadowing for a darker time to come?

Lighting streaked the sky. The Whispering Wood's cries weakened as above the rain beat down. After a time the edges of the clouds turned slightly pink. Thunder clapped again. Shortly after, the faintest glimmer rippled its way across The Cradle of Life, originating from the Mana Nexus. It was faster than a blink, but nonetheless some sort of call.

Aerlinde Ithildin couldn't help but feel frustrated at the sight before her, a large crowd of people. Some of them were summoned like her and her brother, and they were not the target of her ire, but a significant number of them were definitely Stewards.

The same Stewards who had disappeared who knows where, leaving the burden the Order had taken upon itself to people who had been wholly unprepared for their sudden absence. There had been none qualified left to take this weight upon themselves, but needs must, and so she, the discoverer of the fact, had volunteered.

It had been so very hard, but she had persevered. She hadn't been able to stop the degradation though, and now, when it had gotten to the point of no return, they dared return? Call upon others to fix their mistake? Their negligence? No, mere frustration might not be the right word. Anyone who knew her would be able see she was beyond livid, despite trying not to show it.

What had passed had passed after all, and they should focus on a solution, instead of pointing fingers.

Her brother Caladion, also in the room, was likewise in a bad mood. Not just because of the terrible situation they found themselves in, but also the fact that his daughter, Gilthoniel, had not returned home yet. This was not a rare occurrence, but with everything happening, he couldn't help but fear the worst.