Black Swan|Athrug

[Kender Bard]

With walking stave in hand, the man trudge over the broken, heated landscape of Athrug. Lifting his head he spotted the newly built temple out of his good eye and heaved a sigh of relief as he walked the rest of the way to the stairs and began the long ascent upwards, his black, peculiar Taed robes whispering over the steps and the long, elegant cape trailing behind him.

[Devon]

Christian had just finished his morning prayers. Getting up from where he sat he straightened out his robes and began to walk the long halls. He had admired how Athrug was rebuilt, but it felt lonely, even lonelier since Thessa was no longer around. Sighing he stepped out of the front doorway and spotted the man coming up the steps. Noticing the robes he brightened a bit, though his face didn't show it. "Hello brother. Welcome to Athrug."

[Kender Bard]

The man paused, and gave an elegant bow before climbing the rest of the way and coming to stand before Christian. Speaking in whispers, he said, "I came in pilgrimage to this hallowed land. I hoped to pray at the altar. Perhaps here, if anywhere, my Lord will hear me."

Now that he was closer it was clear to see that his robes' peculiarity were derived from the fact that where black circles should be in the delicate pattern of Taed's sign, there were instead eclipse signs, like that of Morilanta. Also, barely able to be seen for it was stitched in black and dark silver thread upon a black plane, the cloak bore a personal emblem of a swan.

[Devon]

Christian studied the man's robes for a few moments. He wasn't too familiar with Morilanta, but he had heard of it by now."Ah, well you've come to the right place. I'm Christian the High Priest here. Follow me." Paying no attention to where the man was from he nodded to him and turned to lead him into the temple. Stopping near the altar he stepped aside so the man could go and pay his respect to Taed.

[Kender Bard]

Sweeping back his cape, the man bowed again humbly to Christian, going before the altar and kneeling as he slipped into meditation and prayer.

Some time later he rose again and sought out Christian, inquiring, "Is it true that prior to my people coming to this land, you led a holy crusade for Taed?"

[Devon]

Christian nods slightly and replies, " I did what I had to do after the destruction of Athrug." He shook his head a little remembering the war that had taken place. Normally he didn't like to talk about it so much, but he was with another worshiper of Taed so he let it slide.

[Kender Bard]

Apparently that was all he wanted to ask on the matter. "I am Black," he introduced himself, holding out a hand and looking around. "I expected there to be more people here, home of Death though this may be."

[Devon]

Christian reached out and shook the man's hand. "Unfortunately this is the state of Taed and his followers right now. I was trying to go about helping the other temples, but the war and rebuilding Athrug has set my plans back a bit."

[Kender Bard]

Black nodded his hand faintly to the news. "I hope you do not mind, but I was hoping to remain here for a while - through winter and some of the spring."

[Devon]

"Not at all," Christian replied. "It isn't like we are pressed for space in this temple. I'll show you to your quarters Black."

[Kender Bard]

Black managed a thin smile for Christian at his words. "Is there anything you might require of me? I would hate to be a laze about. At the very least, I might keep you entertained with music. Though during my stay I must profess I must head to a more populated area once a month or there about... where is the nearest city?"

[Devon]

Christian smiles in return to the man's offer. "Your help and company would greatly be appreciated here. As for the nearest city, that would be Ilyamen. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks to reach it."

[Kender Bard]

Black silently winced at that. "Is there nothing closer?"

[Devon]

"There is also Reave, that shouldn't take more than two weeks," Christian replied. "Naurorod may technically be closer, but if you are a bard I doubt it would suit your needs."

[Kender Bard]

"Tell me of Naurorod," Black said quickly. "You would be surprised what I find suitable."