Posted by Not-so-proud Black on December 16, 1999 at 20:29:12:
In Reply to: My birth posted by Carvahlin on December 15, 1999 at 15:14:52:
> The Flying Citadel glistened brightly in the morning dawn, the sun just coming over the clouds on which it sits. The usual din of the arial citizens and diplomats from various locales in Thera was exceptionaly loud this day, as expectations regarding the pending birth boiled. > The arial Emperor blesses one birth in a year, and this was to be his most special yet. One of his very own servants, who some say was having an affair with the Emperor, was to give birth this day. She, the unwed mother who'd had a short-lived relationship with a visiting soldier, personally asked that the single blessing be upon her baby leading many to believe that she had threatened to release the secret of her affair with his Majesty. > The ceremony had been held a week prior with waving banners, bright ribbons, magical displays, and a parade of Pegasi-pulled carriages that had been specially decorated for the occassion. The Emperor sat over the ceremony in brilliant finery of finest silk, waving constantly to his loyal following who threw praises to him like blown kisses. The servant sat at his side, her hand in his as was custom, the blessing upon the child supposedly exchanged within that grasp. > I was sitting in my tower and was still groggy from the late night before, but such is the life of the Captain of the Guard. My morning instructions handed out, I had retreated to my usual perch to sip on some hot tea and have my breakfast scrones. That's when the screams began, damn near made me fall out of my chair. A flock of startled birds flew directly into my tower! You should have seen the mess they caused, feathers strewn about not to mention what they released in fear, I don't think I need to go into that any further. I took up my axe and rushed from my tower, across the overlook, and into the Citadel from which the screams came. I was embarrassed to have barged in on the birth, the mid-wife still bent awkwardly over the servant who was sprawled out in the most heinous contraption I've ever seen. The servant's wings lay limp at her sides and her legs were well up over the mid-wife's shoulders. > I excused myself and stepped outside, pulling the door closed behind me. That's when a crowd of druids came rushing up the hall screaming something about "Lightbringer" or somesuch, rambling incoherently about the setting of the constellations, moon, and sun. I had to swing my axe to keep them at bay, they were raving lunatics! "Get back!" I screamed time and again, "Be gone you loons, the blessed newborn is coming!" Finally they quieted themselves and waited patiently nearby, still murmuring to themselves about the stars. > Shortly thereafter the mid-wife came into the hall, her face and neck streaked with sweat. I brushed her hair gently out of her eyes and asked about the child. "He's beautiful!" she exclamed, "Brilliant red feathers and yellow trim, simply striking to look at." She said I could go in, that the mother was now covered and had asked that I be allowed entrance. I walked in, blushing still from seeing her as she was when she was born, but she was a proud mother too wrapped up in happiness to be embarrassed. "Isn't he grand?" she asked and I just nodded. To tell you the truth he was painful to look at, those bright red feathers and yellow trim clashed horribly and were a strain on my eyes. Looking at him was like staring into the sun. > I told her of the horde of druids that demanded to be allowed in and she nodded her head. "Let one in" she said hesitantly. I did so, choosing the one who looked most calm. The glares I received from the rejected ones caused me to shiver momentarily, fully expecting fire seeds to be released at any moment. Once inside the young druid removed his hat and bowed slightly. What he said came in a whisper. "M'lady" he said, "the stars predict great things for your son. The Celestial Eye rests in a position equidistant from the Chariot of War and Maiden of Peace constellations. The Lotus of Spirit holds a dominant position over the sun and the Burning Ring of Fire is all but blocking out the moon." I was as confused as the mother I think and he recognized this, further explaining in a common tongue. "Your son should possess the great ability to balance war and peace, to walk the fine line in between. His spirit will be set strongly within the realm of the sun, quite possibly becoming a religious fighter for the cause of the light. The Burning Ring of Fire's position over the moon leads us to believe that his anger will be directed towards darkness, again pointing towards the possibility of his taking up arms in the crusades." > The mother let out a great sigh, not of relief but of fear. I did my best to calm her. "M'lady" I said, "half of these druids are as queer as a three legged pigeon, don't mind his ramblings, I'm sure your son will be a proud member of my guard away from any real danger." That didn't seem to help much, she was crying hysterically and it was all I could do to restrain myself from loosing my axe on the unfeeling bastard! "Fool!, begone with your ramblings, can't you see you've upset the mother?!" Recognizing my anger he fled through the door without opening it, I'll never get used to the ability of some to make their escape through solid wall. > "Excuse me m'lady, I must be returning to my tower. Peace be with you." I said. With that I left, levelling one of the druids with punch. "Mind your manners heathens and have more respect for the ladies!" I screamed at them, causing them to scatter. > As I returned to my tower I pondered on what the druid had said. They were saying "Lightbringer" as they came up the hall at first, and then all of that talk about constellations, chariots of war, maidens of peace...I didn't know what to make of it all. A great balancer of war and peace, a fighter for the light and religious crusader. I couldn't believe it, the city had spawned its share of adventurers, but not often was one as highly decorated as this newborn.