Maren, Therian Republic
A Meeting Of Champions
Nothing had been the same ever since Set-Lanme went away, and the tension was so palpable that one could feel it in the very air. One of the major goddesses had been stolen away, just carried off like an unattended child in the night....how could one as powerful as the Lady of the Deep have just been plucked from her home like ripe fruit?! Most knew whose work it was, a vengeful priestess who wished to topple the gods and didn’t seem to care if she took the world with her, but that didn’t make it any less frightening. In fact, it seemed to worsen things all the more.
If a mere human could throw off the balance of nature in such a way; devastating tidal waves, earthquakes, long-dormant volcanoes erupting. Fishermen unable to feed their families, explorers no longer to sail their ships...then what did that spell? The gods were supposed to be untouchable, all divine beings. Nothing was supposed to hurt them, and now that somebody could, that meant nobody was safe at all. Fortunately in the midst of all this chaos, there were gods and mortals both that managed to keep their heads. Tempest, Queen of the Gods and Goddess of the Sky in her immense grief could not allow herself to fall to despair, so she gathered her court and proposed that they gather their most faithful to their sides. These Champions would be their eyes, ears and hands. They would be able to walk into mortal affairs where the gods could not, could tread the paths that even divine feet daren’t walk. Their first meeting would take place where it all began, in the sleepy seaside town of Maren.
Arriving At Maren, The Fay King's Delegation
“My lord, I really must insist....” North was amid the bags and sacks that had been prepared for travel, peeking in the cart again like some neurotic assistant. Well technically he was a neurotic assistant, but don’t tell him that to his face.
“North, dear. I’ve packed everything.”
“HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?!”
“Because you’ve checked my bags seven times on the way here!” Thorn, the Summer King of Faerie laughed like a bell at the visual of his devoted servant and friend comparing their travel sacks as they were heading to the little oceanside town of Maren. “I promise, we’ve seen to everything. Since when has a detail ever escaped your critical eye?” He absentmindedly adjusted his leaf-green robes as the cart drove on.
“But what if...no offense, Sire. But what if there’s no winter clothing, you do know that the weather’s become unpredictable, yes? And you do tend to underpack, I mean…”
“Northy, I haven’t underpacked since I was six. If anything, you overpack. We can’t take a lot with us, I mean we shall be on the road, dear. Anything more will slow us down, the cart is just taking us to our destination.”
“Your bags were filled with candied pineapple and cream, no actual clothing.”
“Again, I was six.”
“Why didn’t we use a portal?”
“Because I wanted to arrive at the same time as everyone else.” Thorn said flatly. “Had we used the portal, we may’ve been stuck there for ages waiting for the humans to arrive. My darling Frost, you are too shrill...you’ll worry yourself half to death!”
“Well one of us has to!” North sniffed, tilting up his head. “I mean worrying about you is my job.”
“I know it is, old friend.” He took North’s pale blue hand in his dark brown ones and gave it a comforting pat. “See, you’re getting cold again. You get cold when you’re agitated.”
“I’m always cold, my lord.”
“Yes, but now you’re like an icicle. There’s frost on your reins.”
“I can’t help but be worried...the world is literally going to hell in a handbasket.”
“I’m worried too.” Thorn’s dark eyes turned a bit solemn, as if he’d just gotten sad news. “But if I let myself fall into bad spirits, I fear I will falter. For the sake of my people, I can’t let that happen.” He jerked a bit when he felt a cold hand on his shoulder. “I’ll always be here, thorn-child. If you do stumble a bit, I’ll catch you.”
“I know you will, old friend. And the exact same to you...oh look, we’re here!” They finally arrived on the sandy beaches and worryingly still water, giving coin to the cart driver before grabbing the bags they could carry and walking deeper into Maren.
“I don’t like this. This place seems cold...devoid of life. Like you, North.”
“Shut up.”
“You dare tell your king to shut up?!”
“I damn well do. The pair fell into a fit of hushed giggles, well North was smiling as he was determined not to giggle and looked around. “This is supposed to be our rendezvous point, correct? The goddess Tempest said she would meet us here?”
“Well, that’s the message that supposedly everyone got, but I don’t see anybody for miles. Just sand, literally everywhere...wait!” Thorn put a hand up and stopped walking, seemingly listening for something. “Do you hear that?”
“Hear what, Sire?”
“The music. There’s music here.”
“Now I hear it. Sounds like...a flute?” They listened for it again, a high-pitched melodious sound split the air followed by several others. A song. “Who in Vimrasa’s name is playing the flute on the beach?! Whoever they are it sounds lovely, but…” The sounds got closer and closer, and soon they were accompanied by the sound of footsteps. “That would be me, I hope I wasn’t disturbing you.” A deep voice came out of the fog, and Thorn could make out the outline of a tall shape as the flute song continued briefly. A man then, judging by the voice and height...but with the long blond hair he could easily have been mistaken for a woman. He was dressed in a flame-colored tunic with gold stitching, giving an elegant bow before the two fae lords. “Why did you stop, sir? I was enjoying the show.” The blond man gave a laugh at that, securing his flute with a sash at his waist. “I’m glad. I’m guessing you two fine gentlemen are here to answer the summons of the goddess as well?”
“Indeed we are, and who may you be?”
“Cicero, but my friends call me Chickpea and strangers tend to call me Canary. Royal Bard of Vitanu at your service.”
“Thorn, Lord of the Summer Court and High King of the Fae, at your service. It seems we have a common goal then, Lord Cicero.”
“Seems so, Your Majesty. Are we the only ones here so far? I’ve been on the beach for a minute and haven’t really seen anyone.”
“We’ve only just arrived, we hoped that more people would be here by now.”
