Session 66 - Called to Account

General Summary

14th Sov'van - contd.

There were a few heartbeats and the feeling of air streaming in the direction of the inner door, but just as Ell was about to say something, the inner door cracking and began swing open. Conall and his pack lead the way into the sietch with a muttered, "Good to be home." Beyond was a short hall that led into a open chamber, where another Aiel was waiting. The figure, an androgynous looking person, bowed first to Jilken, "Welcome to Sietch Voxis, my name is Jenewin Olah. Clan Chief Fargwyn has assigned me to be your guide. If you would all come with me, he and Reverend Mother Oladre would like to speak to you all."
Conall looked surprised and asked, "Are we needed as well?" When Jenewin shook their head, he relaxed and flashed Jilken a sympathetic look, "Well then, we'll deliver our catch and report that we're back." Nodding the rest of the party, he added, "May you always find water."
Jilken was a little shocked at the warm goodbye, but automatically replied, "And your arrows find their target." Turning back to the other Aiel, she said, "Let's get this over with." With a smile Jenewin turned and led the way into one of the tunnels.
As they walked, Ranunkel took note of the various tunnels and rooms that they passed. Many of them appear to be natural formations, perhaps volcanic vents, but others had clearly been chiseled and worked by hand. It was a warren of tunnels and would have been easy to become lost in the sietch if Jilken had not explained the system of colored lines that ran along the walls near the floor. By keeping a certain color to either the right or left, you were either moving away from or towards that section of the settlement. For example, the party was currently following the yellow line, which led to the Council chambers and residences of the clan leaders.
It wasn't long before Jenewin stopped at an actual door and gave it a sharp rap of the knuckles. A moment later a voice called out, "Come." With a smile, the Aiel opened the door and ushered the party in. The room beyond was low domed and filled with soft candlelight. Several piles of cushions lay scattered around and a few doorways were visible. A pair of elderly Aiel were seated opposite the door and looked up as the party stepped inside.
The elder of the two, a man with broad shoulders and tight white curls, lifted a hand in welcome, ""Ah, young Jilken once more you bring disturbance to my sietch, and with outsiders no less. Why is it every time you visit you bring chaos in your wake?"
The other Aiel, an older woman all dressed in black, laid a hand on his forearm, "Now, Fargwyn, none of us can chose how the sands shift after we have taken a step." Turning her attention to the party she said, "Jilken my dear, you ware looking well...and traveling with a very interesting company. I am sorry that you have been called in such circumstances. But please, make us known to your companions."
Jilken gave the pair a short bow, "Well to begin with, Clan Leader Farqwyn, I did not chose to come come to your sietch, my companions and I have business upon the sands and in the mountains. But Reverend Mother Oladre's message was quite convincing. So here I am, and these are my amela'bat'shaidar."
When the introductions were done, Chief Fargwyn nodded, "Well, strangers at our gates, respect the rules of the seitch and draw no weapons and we offer water-peace to you for the duration of your stay." As he spoke Chief Fargwyn brought around a small bowl, a flask of water, and a small stone box. From the box he pulled a pinch of salt and sprinkled it in the bowl before pouring the flask in. Lifting the bowl to his lips, he took a drink before passing the bowl to Jilken.
She turned and caught the eyes of her companions and over the link said, "Everyone, take a drink and pass it on to the next person. We are being welcomed as clan-friend, probably the best we could hope for." Taking a drink she passed it on to Denye. Reverend Oladre was the last to drink and set the bowl aside.
Chief Fargwyn nodded once more, "We shall hold the kal'pakto tomorrow at noon tomorrow. Representatives from Sietch Fernis are already here and the envoys of Sietch Calmus should be here in the morning. The charge is dishonor to both clan and people. You will have a chance to defend yourself, I promise you a fair trial. Which is more that you might get in Fernis, I'd wager." At Jilken's grim nod of agreement he smiled, "For now, a room in the barracks has been made ready for you all and you are welcome to relax, perhaps enjoy the steam baths. We shall see you on the morrow."
Jilken took that for a dismissal and gave another bow before turning and ushering the others back into the hall. Jenewin was waiting outside and was more than happy to take the team to their room. They left the party there but promised to return tomorrow to lead them to the trial. The room beyond was a simple stone chamber with eight cubbies or beds carved into the wall in stacks of two. A handful of cushions were stacked next to a stone table where an oil lamp burned, giving the room a low glow and shifting shadows.
Once they were alone, Denye asked the question on everyone's mind, "So what is the Aiel punishment for dishonor?"
"That really depends," replied Jilken walking over to pull out a cushion. Dropping into a cross-legged sitting position and leaning against a wall, she went on, "I may be declared gai'shain and will have to serve until I repay the debt. Or they may decide that my water should be reclaimed for the tribe."
"That second one doesn't sound very good," said Denye, a note of concern in her voice.
"I agree," said Ell, "let's not go down that road if we can avoid it."
Jilken snorted, "It's not my first choice either."
"What do you mean, claim your water?" asked Janora, a little puzzled, "do you have water stores in common, that you keep banked somewhere like gold?"
"It sounded a bit more like a threat," observed Denye.
"Denye is correct," acknowledged Jilken, "Yes, there are water stores held by members of clans and it can be used as a form of wealth. But if the elders choose to claim my water, I will be killed and the water within my body will be given to the tribe in recompense."
"This may sound strange Jilken," replied Janora, understanding dawning, "but I think I actually respect your people a little more. But we are not letting that happen to you."
"I don't think it's particularly likely," said Jilken, rubbing her face with both hands, "more likely is that I will be declared outcast, but we shall see. At least here I will get a fair chance to plead my case."
"And you don't think you would get that with your home clan?" asked Janroa.
Jilken only laughed and shook her head before saying, "Let's just say, they are hidebound in tradition, but don't like people who aren't satisfied to to know their place."
"Now, I absolutely want to visit your family," said Denye with a determined look in her eye, "I have words to share with them."
Ell, who had settled on one of the bunks, asked, "What even is it that they think you did, Jilken?"
"Well," began Jilken looking down at her hands, "it is forbidden to bring outsiders in the desert, and forbidden to show outsiders the secret of the worms." Looking up, she cast a wry look around the room, "It is forbidden to bring outsiders into one of our clan homes."
Denye looked appalled and then outraged, "It seems like this entire sietch is guilty of that last one, they were the ones who insisted that we come. They didn't tell us that we had to wait outside."
"I plan on pointing that out," replied Jilken surely, "but that isn't the worst charge. I have, I think, enough to both defend and justify my actions. All that we have seen together tells me one thing, a time of changes is in the world and such times call for actions that might otherwise be taboo."
"I'll still make sure to prep a few Fireballs," muttered Denye, "just in case any of them are hard of hearing."
That brought a laugh from most of the party and Ell shook his head, "Is there anything, other than Fireballs, that we can do to help you, Jilken?"
She nodded, "Do any of you have any small magics that could make my voice louder and to make lights flicker? We will be in a chamber like the one where we met the elders, possibly a bit larger. If you can add some gravitas to my speech it may aid my case."
Ell nodded, "I could probably also do some small illusions to illustrate some of the threats we have faced."
"Surely if we show them these things," said Ranunkel, "they will see that you are honorable and the darkness that is coming is a threat to all."
"I hope so," agreed Jilken, "Not all of the elders are as stuck in the past as my own parents, I mean leaders. But if the stars have declared it a time of change, such change must be faced and forces marshalled else the Aiel be ground by the wheel of history. To lose the reason, the purpose for our presence in the Three-Fold Land, such a thing would be a travesty."
"What reason is that?" asked Ell, curious.
"The desert was given to the Aiel for three reasons," explained Jilken, "as a punishment for our sins, a testing ground for our courage, and an anvil to shape us. If it's an anvil, we must be being shaped for a purpose. The Aiel have some of the strongest warriors our world has ever seen. If this is not the reason we have been honed, what could it be?" Sighing Jilken looked around, "Like I said, if you can help alter my voice or show what we've seen, I think I will be able to convince them. They won't like it, but I only need to convince the majority, and I have to believe they will listen. None of the elders are stupid, but some are so stubborn they might as well be."
Feeling the need to change the subject, Jilken stood, "I don't know about you all, but I am quite ready for a steam bath." That sounded intriguing and realizing that the desert sand got everywhere, the party all agreed and leaving their bags, Jilken led them in the direction of the baths.
The baths proved to have a similar airlock to the front gate, with a pair of water-tight doors. Inside, the air was moist and humid, kept close by the low ceiling of the chamber. Several soaking pools were dug into the floor and a pit in the center of the room filled with hot coals and a number of large cracked stones. Planters full of vibrant green plants were set around the room, magical lights hovering over them like mini suns.
Jilken explained how one would pour water over the stones to create steam and then sit on the nearby stone benches to sweat it out. Nearby decanters were filled with a variety of oils and open bowls filled with scrapers made out of bone. The combination of oil and sweat pulls the dirt and sand away from the skin and can be scraped off, although Jilken was emphatic that the scrapings should be flicked into the planters to water the plants.
The bath proved to be a wonderful experience for all. Denye was quite happy to have a chance to preen the shafts of all her feathers and both Ell and Janora were happy to be somewhere where the air was full of moisture. Overall the party spent a good hour or more in the baths before finishing up and heading back to their room and started settling down for the night.
Jilken was still feeling restless and after checking with everyone that they would stay in the room for a bit, she took herself out into the tunnels and began walking. For a time, her thoughts consumed her and she didn't really pay attention to where she was going, only keeping enough awareness around her so she didn't walk into other people. Sighing she decided that the best thing she could do before tomorrow's trial was to speak to Reverend Mother Oladre and try to gain her as an ally in what was to come.
Making her way down to where the Wise Women congregated, Jilken stopped just around the corner, hearing two voices. She was able to identify one as Oladre's but the other was speaking too softly to be sure of. Cursing that the Reverend Mother was not alone, Jilken briefly considered heading back the room, but decided that this was important. Taking a deep breath and checking to make sure she look presentable, the Aiel fighter stepped around the corner and entered the medium sized cavern.
Reverend Mother Oladre was seated on a stuffed cushion at the low fire examining the contents of a small bowl, another Reverend Mother next to her on a short stool. Jilken came to a sudden stop when she recognized the second woman as Alosrin Arathyra, the head of the Fernis circle of Wise Women. Dropping into a complicated bow, Jilken said, "I beg your pardon Reverend Mothers, I did not mean to interrupt."
"Ah, Jilken," said Oladre with a smile, "I hope you and your companions have found the rooms comfortable."
"Indeed," said Jilken, "I took them to get a proper steam soak and they are resting now." Glancing over to the other Reverend Mother, who was scrupulously ignoring the Aiel fighter, Jilken sighed and added, "I was hoping to speak to you, Mother Oldare, for a few moments about a dream I had recently. But I can see you are busy, perhaps you would send a runner for me when you are finished and we can speak then?"
Reverend Mother Arathyra bent down and picked up a staff, before getting slowly to her feet, "Speak with the child, Ravalee, we shall have other opportunities for conversation." As she came even with Jilken, without turning her head, she said "Jilken my dear, it good to see that you have returned, I sorrow that this is the situation we find ourselves in. I would never stand in the way of someone seeking spiritual guidance, especially in a time such as this. I only pray that you listen to the wisdom of your forebearers."
Before Jilken could respond, she swept out of the room. Reverend Mother Oladre sighed and gestured to Jilken to take a seat, "Now, Jilken, Jilken, what have you gotten yourself into?"
"Myself into?" repeated Jilken, incredulously. "I," she said, stressing the word, "haven't gotten myself into anything. I was ordered to come here, by you, if you recall." Dropping her gaze down to her hands, Jilken added, "As for what I have found on my journeys; time, cycles, dreams, delving deep into forgotten places and stopping incursions from other planes of existence."
Oladre's eyes widened in shock at that last and she let out a small gasp of surprise. Hearing it, Jilken looked up and caught the expression, "No less than three occasions, my companions and I have stopped some sort of eldritch abomination from coming over. The lands are rife with cults who seek to bargain their way to power and so offer blood and torment to feed such demons. If we do not learn how to stop what is coming...even the desert will not protect us."
"What is it you fear," asked Oldare gently, "and if some threat looms on the horizon, is that not all the more reason to strengthen both our borders and our redoubts?"
Jilken shook her head sadly, "If we wait for the enemy to come to us, it will already be too late. Our only chance is to stop it while it is small. That is the task my amela'bat'shaidar and I on. But that is not why I wished to speak to you. Twice now in recent weeks I have had the same dream and it feels important. I am here, in this room with the history hangings and the mural of the Star Mother. I step up and touch three of the constellations and the entire wall dropped down revealing.....something beyond."
"Well," said the Reverend Mother, "the tapestries are here, as is the Crone. Which constellations did you touch?"
In response, Jilken stood and touched The Book, The Mirror, and The Wheel. A soft click was followed by a rumble and the entire mural dropped into the ground. Beyond was a small room, perhaps 20ft square. The walls were decorated with painted murals and in the center was a small 3ft statue of a pair of cats, holding a plaque. The murals appear similar to that of the door in style, and each contain an elven woman with dark hair and black eyes, but the scenes are different. To the left, she is a young woman with wild hair, dancing among green fields and flowers at sunrise. Across the room, she is dressed in leather armor, holding a spear in one hand and a small shield strapped to her other wrist, standing on a dried looking field with the sun overhead. The last panel shows her as a middle-aged pregnant woman working in a garden, harvesting vegetables at sunset.
"Oh my," said Reverend Mother Oladre, startling Jilken, "I had no notion that such a chamber existed here."
"Perhaps we should investigate further," suggested Jilken, "clearly this place is important." The Reverend Mother didn't say anything, only held up her hand and whispered a phrase and a blue witchlight leapt into being. Stepping inside, the Reverend Mother's focus was on the murals, but Jilken stepped up to read the message on the plaque. Engraved was a message in ancient Aiel that read, “Stand at noon under the One and follow the gaze of the Mother. The Vulture’s beak will point to the Gate of Peace.”
Reading it out loud, Jilken asked, "Mother Oladre, does that mean anything to you?"
"Let me think," said the older woman, "The Gate of Peace was supposed to show the way to Token'eska. The One clearly means the sun and perhaps the Mother refers to statue of Loravaris Shasto, but I'm not sure."
"We search for Token'eska," admitted Jilken, "I have seen the place, in a scrying, and we know it is somewhere within the Teeth. That is the mission that we were on, before we got pulled away to deal with this sham of a kal'pakto. We seek an artifact called the Reasoner." Sharing the stanza, Jilken asked, "Does the Sphinx with no nose mean anything to you?"
"Not that I can think of," replied Oladre, "but the Reasoner...do you know what it is you seek?"
"I do," said Jilken nodding, "it is an ancient artifact of great power. We must find it to keep it out of the hands of the evil that is rising...and may be one of the only ways of stopping the final threat. My companions could explain more, they have spent much time studying the arcane and the history of such things, while I have spent my time studying body-language and the threats that may come."
Reverend Mother Oladre chuckled merrily, "Oh yes, tomorrow is going to be very interesting indeed," Sobering, she lait a hand on Jilken's shoulder, "Thank you for sharing this with me. Who could have guessed that Jenn Aiel left this chamber here, and that we never found it in the last 600 years?"
"As if anyone considered changing anything," muttered Jilken. In a louder voice, she said, "I do not know. I certainly did not sneak in here, build a secret door, carve the chamber, and leave a cryptic message just in case my honor was challenged. I merely dreamed it." After a moment or two of silence, Jilken added, "I am glad however that I did not share this with Reverend Mother Arathyra. Are they going to be a problem."
"She is to be one voice among seven," admitted Oladre, speaking slowly, "and even she will bend when confronted with the truth....eventually. But if I were to be honest, it was she that has brought the charge against you."
"Of course," growled Jilken, anger washing across her face. Regaining her control, she repeated, "Of course. If not her it would be my father."
"That is as it may be," replied Mother Oladre, "but I am sure they have their reasons. But we must walk the path before us. Tomorrow, Jilken, remember that Tradition is important; it tells us where we came from and gives us the discipline to survive in the Three-fold Land. It can help us predict how a future situation may unfold, but no two situations are the same and everything that has become tradition was done once for the first time. The future belongs to the young, and you have always had your eye set on the horizon. No matter what happens tomorrow, I see you stepping into that future and know that you carry the heart of an Aiel."
Blushing, Jilken gave the Reverend Mother another deep bow. Offering her thanks, the Aiel fighter took her leave and headed back to the room where her companions were resting. Using the telepathic link, Jilken told the others about what she had discovered and the secret room. The party spent some time trying to make sense of the message, and Denye recalled a spot marked GP on the map she had copied from the Wing Guard. By the time Jilken actually got back to the room, she was feeling much more relaxed and went to her reverie satisfied that she had done all she could to prepare for tomorrow's challenge.

15th Sov'van

Without the sun, it was hard to judge the time, but eventually the party all woke. Not wanting to press their hospitality, the group decided it would be best to stick near the room. Jilken spent a fair amount of time getting dressed, choosing to wear her dress from the masquerade, complete with hell-hound cloak. The party had a short discussion on what they should do if things went sideways and Jilken insisted that they should keep from killing anyone if possible, and just focus on getting out.
Eventually, the same guide from yesterday appeared at the door and conducted the party to the Heart Chamber. A large domed chamber, several tunnels appear to lead off from the room and a short-walled balcony runs around the walls. Geometric patterns are painted on the walls in browns and greens, including many examples of vultures and the domed ceiling is painted with constellations. Low braziers are scattered around the room giving a low light, but are overwhelmed by a large circular hole in the ceiling from which sunlight streamed down, illuminated a circle of light in the middle of the room. Seven figures are arrayed in a semi-circle on one side of the room and a number of other Aiel are arrayed around the balcony to witness.
Jilken led the party in and the guide directed them to stand in a semi-circle, opposite the elders. Clan Chief Fargwyn stood and gestured toward the circle of light, "Jilken, please step forward into the light of the One." The fighter was already making her way there, stiletto heels of her boots clicking loudly in the sudden silence. As she took her place and removed her hood, he nodded and took a deep breath before looking around and saying, "One of our own stands accused of breaking ji'e'toh, we gather here in the Heart of Voxis to seek the truth and call on the ancestors, the gods, and the assembled to bear witness and judge aright." Taking a breath, he traded glances with the other elders and then turned back to Jilken, "Jilken Jesop, daughter of Sietch Fernis and Far Dareis Mai, you stand accused of flaunting the tradition and history of the People. You rejected the call to take a place among the Wise Women and use your magical talents for the good of sietch and people. Instead, you claimed a desire to found a new sietch and become clan chief yourself! In their wisdom the elders of your clan set a challenge, you were to go out into the world and learn of outsiders to gain wisdom Instead you return with outsiders, claiming them as Amela'bat'shaidar, and shared with them secrets of the People." Locking eyes with Jilken, he finished, "What say you?"
"First," replied Jilken, her voice solid and ringing, "I must tell you why it became necessary for me to leave in the first place. I left the Three-fold Land three years ago to seek the answer to three questions that could not be answered here. One, what is the truth of the sin for which the People are punished. Two, having tested my courage against all the desert had to offer, what else existed in the world to show me the boundaries of my courage. Last, and most importantly, if we have truly been shaped on the anvil of the desert, what are we being shaped for? No blacksmith would randomly continue to deform and strike a useless piece of metal. A forge implies creation and purpose, so what are being shaped for? And how can we find this purpose, without sending seekers out to scout potential paths to the future."
Taking a deep breath, Jilken raked her eyes over the gathered elders, stopping on Reverend Mother Arathyra before continuing, "So I did what no one else here can claim, I crossed the Spine of the World and the city of Arborlisle Harbor. I challenge anyone here to cross that boundary of water between the continents, it might as well be worlds. With nothing to stop you from drowning but a few planks of woods, trust in the wind to move you, and the stars to guide your course, else you become lost on the open expanses of the great ocean. Once there I searched, as I was told, I tried always to leave the land a safer place for my passing. I have learned the strange, and sometimes insane, customs of that water-fat land. Last Planting that journey changed dramatically, I had come to the city of Wexwood, a proper military town." Pointing back to Denye, Ell, and Janora, she went on, "It was there that I met these three, we were asked to look into a scourge of goblins. We found the goblins and kobolds too, as well as a Gulthias Tree, an ancient evil grown from the stake used to slay a vampire. With my amela'bat'shaidar we destroyed that tree and finding a common purpose began to travel together."
As she spoke of the twisted tree, Ell used his powers of Illusion to create an image of the Gulthias Tree, eliciting whispers from the gathered Aiel and a shiver from one elders. Jilken dropped her head to hide the grin, taking a deep breath to control herself before she went on, "Since that time we have faced many threats, again and again we have seen that the barriers between this world and others of a much darker and violent nature have begun to wear thin. Not once, not twice, but thrice my companions and I have stopped these threats, defeating the demons and sealing the rifts. It was on one such encounter that I slew the hell-hounds from which my cloak was made." Holding it out so all could see, Jilken did a little spin, looking all around the room, "Who among you has slain such a beast? I have killed six!"
Jilken refocused on the gathered elders, "All of this would be bad enough, but it appears that these are only the precursors and symptoms of another, larger evil that is rising. There will be signs, even here that you shall see; for example the shooting star that fell beyond the Spine some few weeks ago. We have reason to believe that there are those in the world seeking to release the Dark Titan and his armies of undead. Already we have found two of the Bells of legend and history and it on this quest that I brought my amela'bat'shaidar to the sands. We have reason to believe that one such Bell is held in the holy city of Token'eska."
Mention of the city caused quite a stir among the gathered Aiel...so much so that Clan Chief Fargwyn had to bang his staff once or twice before it subsided. The elder gave Jilken questioning look, asking if she was finished. Jilken shook her head slightly and continued speaking, "I was sent a dream, and here Reverend Mother Oladre knows I speak the truth, for the dream was fulfilled last night. Here in this very sietch, within the Chamber of Communion I opened a secret door to a hidden chamber left by the Jenn Aiel. Even deeper history has been revealed and it has given us the final clue. We now know the location of the Gate of Peace, the entrance to this city and our kin long thought lost and plan to travel there as swiftly as we can." Raising her voice once more, she concluded, "In short, it is necessity that brought my companions and I to the Three-fold Land. If this dire threat is real then the world needs us to find that bell and more than that, we as a People need to be ready to fulfill our shaping. We cannot allow the outside world to fall while we just hide in our desert. There are beings far more deadly and dangerous than djinn who care nothing of borders and if they took over Ellebore we would never be free of them. I say that I have acted honorable and for the good of clan and People, my ji'e'toh is intact!"
Before Clan Chief Fargwyn could speak, Reverend Mother Arathyra called out, "Do you now claim to be the Ham’a Sorei? What makes you think that you know what is right for the People?"
"I think," Jilken responded through gritted teeth, "that I have seen more in the past three years and learned more in the ways of outer world and what is happening beyond the borders of these sands. These sands are precious, the desert is our home, it has shaped us, it has made us who we are. But if we do nothing and ignore the doings of the world around us, then our sands will burn and fuse to glass." Breaking in a feral smile, Jilken added, "If I am not acting rightly, why was I given a true dreaming, unlocking a piece of our own history and giving me exactly what I needed for the next step along the path I walk."
Reverend Mother Arathyra was working up a retort, but Mother Oladre leaned forward and said, "Jilken speaks the truth, I was with her when she opened the chamber beyond the mural. Since then I have searched our records for any mention of the chamber but found nothing. I believe that this was a true, prophetic dream. I know not who sent it to her, perhaps the Earthmother herself, but I cannot argue with the evidence of my own eyes."
"Perhaps the divine province of Se'teru, " suggested Father Arryn Glynjor, before turning to eye Jilken suspiciously, "But what of these demons you speak of? Even the Dark Titan was defeated and locked away, surely these outsides can take care of themselves. Our borders have always stood, we have always kept our lands free, why would the gods not maintain that balance?"
"Because it is the Time of Change," replied Jilken, coldly, "The wheel of time has spun and what was old is now new again, but the world is a much reduced place and the Bright Shiners are no more. They were the only thing to stop Ollamaas and all that remains of the Shiners is the virtue left in the Bells. Without the bells and wielders with the fortitude to stand against the foe, there will be no hope of stopping the Dark Titan again. My companions and I have chosen to do something about it. We must find Token'eska and without the aid of my friends, we would never have gotten so close. If I can return a piece of our own history in to the hands of the People in the process, then I say all the more reason to be about our business."
There were a few more questions in the same vein, but also one or two asking Jilken to more fully describe this or that aspect of her travels in more details. To the former Jilken only repeated her insistence that a time of change was on the land and only a fool would bury his head in the sand. To the latter she was more polite, answering as best as she could. Eventually Chief Fargwyn stood, "You have given us much to ponder and weight, Jilken, thank you." Turning his attention to the rest of the party, he asked, "And what of you, outsiders, what have you to say of these threats of which Jilken speaks?"
Ell cleared his throat, stepping up closer to Jilken, and bowed to the gathered elders, "I am not one who can claim to know the future, I wish that I had such a power. But we have seen and dealt with more death and destruction, not to mention chaos from beyond our world, in the last year than I can recall reading about for the last 1000 years or more. Things do indeed seem to be coming to some of head and turning your back on it, just because it's an ocean away, seems foolhardy."
Reverend Mother Arathyra scoffed, "Why should we listen to the words of an outsider?"
Clan Chief Fargwyn smiled, but shook his head before responding, "They are as much a part of this as Jilken. You would not hesitate to claim their water for the tribes and here, in Sietch Voxis, I say that their words carry as much weight as their water."
Janora stepped forward as well, glaring at Mother Arathyra, "My lady, do you really believe that this piece of desert is not part of the wider world? What happens beyond your borders with echo back here whether you want it to or not. Are you so afraid that you would ignore the warnings given to you and the evidence of your own eyes. The Dark Titan will rise again with the coming of the comet and we must either stand together or we will be picked off one by one, consumed under a flood of undead."
At the mention of the comet, Denye, who had been trying to keep from speaking, gave up and joined the others, "The Vehacarro comet is returning and will be at it's closest point during the Great Conjunction, a once in a millennia alignment of the planets. The last time this happened was the end of the War of the Undead, culminating in the Binding. If such an alignment was used as a part of the working it would theoretically make sense that another such could be used to unravel it. From there Denye was off on a tanget explaining magical theory, astronomy, and other such topics. After a few minutes, she caught herself infodumping and clicked her beak shut before returning to her seat."
The other Reverend Mother, introduced as Sharora Dennasse from Calmus, smiled at Denye's reaction. Turning her head to address Chief Fargwyn, "I see nothing to prove that this child has dishonored herself. She has followed her heart and what she believes to be true. While it is perhaps not what tradition would dictate, if these are times of change, then we must accept the warnings and look to the future. I call for the vote, Jilken Jesop is innocent of the charges brought against her and her toh remains intact."
Chief Fargwyn seemed to agreed and at a signal from him, three children stepped up to the gathered elders. Two held shallow bowls, one containing white stones and the other black, while the third child help a narrow mouthed pitcher. Each of the elders took both stones and considered for a moment before dropping one into the pitcher. Each stone made a ringing noise against the pottery as it was dropped. Once all seven had voted, the young man holding the pitcher set it before the clan chief. Looking pensive, he poured the stones out and looked down at the pile before him, five white and two black. Standing once more he lifted both arms and said, "The vote has been taken and the trial of kal'pakto satisfied, Jilken Jesop is innocent of the charge of dishonor. Furthermore, I shall say, here and now, as chief of this sietch, should Jilken discover and return the holy city of Token'eska to the People, I shall support her claim of sietch-founding."
That statement caused another susurration of whispers to erupt among the gathered Aiel, not to mention sour looks on the faces of both Reverend Mother Arathyra and Father Glynjor. The clan chief ignored both of them and with a final crack of his staff on the stone floor dismissed the gathered crowd. Most of the elders gathered in a small knot, but Mother Arathyra swept out of the room in a huff, Battlemaster Paxina following on her heels, though Jilken did catch the look of sympathy that he flashed her. The party gathered around their Aiel friend, congratulating Jilken, though they still didn't understand exactly what had just happened.
Denye was happy for her friend but got distracted, looking up into the shaft of sunlight and trying to determine how such a thing was possible this deep within the stone of the sietch. It was hard to see anything in the bright light, but Helenwye was able to fly up a bit and found several mirrors along the shaft, reflecting the sunlight down from somewhere far above.
Janora meanwhile had kept half an eye on the knot of elders and when it dissolved, stepped away to intercept Reverend Mother Oladre. As the witch approached, Oladre gave her a smile, "Ahh, Janora, wasn't it? I'm sure you are as happy with the outcome as I, can I help you with something?"
"Thank you, yes," replied Janora, "I was hoping to speak with you for a moment...and show you something." Looking in the direction of the seat once occupied by Mother Arathyra, the witch continued, "I am concerned that there may still be some doubt in regard to Jilken's story and the mission that brought us into your land. As Jilken said, we have already collected two of the Bells, and while I do not draw attention to them lightly, I believe that you understand the situation." Pulling the Binder from her bag, she held it out for the Aiel wise woman to examine.
"Redanar restrains," translated Oladre, her eyes going wide, "Do you know..."
"I know exactly what I hold in my hand," interrupted Janora, giving the other woman a firm nod to emphasize the point. "We do not seek these for power, but someone must do something or none of us will survive. Please, do what you can to make your people ready. There is still time, as Denye said, we have roughly a year until the Great Conjunction. If we can stop the threat before that point, all the better, but we must learn all we can of the threat....and that means we all have to work together."
Mother Oladre had composed herself, and the surprise had been replaced with a look of introspection and calculation. For a moment or two she said nothing, but eventually she nodded, "If the Dark Titan is indeed stirring, then it would make sense that the Bells are resurfacing. As you say, I shall speak to my, kin, and do what I can to impress the gravity of the situation." Giving the witch a short bow, Mother Oladre turned and headed out the of the chamber.
Satisfied, Janora rejoined the others just to hear Ell asked, "So what are we doing now? Is there anything we need to do here before we head out?"
"Well," replied Jilken thinking quickly, "there is still that message about standing in the garden at noon, I'm thinking we might want to spend another night here and see what we can see."
Denye nodded, "I was going to suggest that."
"Maybe," replied Janora, "should we go take a look now? It's only a little after noon, perhaps whatever it was would still be visible."
That seemed as good idea as any and Jilken led them out of the Heart Chamber and up several flights of stairs to another water tight pair of doors. Beyond was the first real concentrated spot of green that the party had seen since entering the desert. The entire top of the large rock outcropping was covered in raised garden beds, some few of which were shaded by a semi-translucent cloth. In each of the beds, planted like an artificial flower were strange inverted pyramid things that Jilken explained were dew collectors.
In the center of the garden was a 10ft tall statue of Loravaris Shasto, the founder and 'Mother' of Sietch Voxis, facing east toward the nearby mountains. Jilken spent several minutes examining the statue for some way to see through it's eyes while the others looked around for any signs of vultures. Eventually giving it up, Jilken settled for jumping up on the pedestal of the statue and putting her back against the legs and peering in the same direction. It took a bit, and it was Denye who caught it in the end, but there was what could have been the distorted shape of a vulture among the shadows that played over the Teeth.
Recalling that the beak pointed the way, Jilken pulled a spyglass from her belt and began scanning the mountains in the area where it might have been. It took a few minutes and it was still hard to make out details, but Jilken found what looked like a cave mouth at the top of a switch-back trail. It looked much like the vision and the Aiel fighter excitedly pointed it out to the others. Denye consulted her map and confirmed that it was likely the GP that was marked.
Satisfied that they knew where they were going the party headed back downstairs discussing their plans. Janora and Ranunkel were ready to leave immediately but Jilken still wanted to wait until dark to leave, reminding the others that it would be significantly cooler. With nothing else to do for the next 7-8 hours, Janora suggested that she and Denye could magically create as much water as they could as a gift for the tribe. Once that was done, she reasoned, we can sleep again and regain the spent energy.
Jilken thought this was a wonderful plan, but unsure of how to present such a thing, the three of them went searching for Reverend Mother Oladre once more. She was both pleased and shocked to hear the offer, but repeated Jilken's earlier warnings about keeping such talents hidden among the Aiel. Once she got over the shock, she was more than happy to show them to a large storage cave where a number of large empty barrels were stacked. They didn't stay empty for long as Janora began to cast Create Water over and over again. Denye did likewise with Create Food and Water, although her case the spell created the containers as well.
Mother Oladre was pleased with the food as well, but Denye took care to warn her that it was fairly tasteless and would vanish in 24 hours unless consumed. The wise woman was also happy to provide Jilken with some more thumping rods. That accomplished Jilken and others headed back to the room and while Denye and Janora took a nap, Jilken headed back out into the public spaces to be seen. She had some hope that perhaps Reverend Mother Arathyra would come or perhaps send some one to speak to her.
It was relaxing to be back among her own people, and without the threat of the kal'pakto over her the denizens of the sietch didn't try to avoid her. Jilken ran into several friends and had almost forgotten her mission when she heard that the Reverend Mother and her entourage had left immediately after the trial. Sighing to herself, Jilken put the woman out of her mind and focused on the present, eventually heading back to the room and trancing for a few hours.

16-20th Sov'van

The next several days passed in a bit of a blur, but with clear directions, Jilken had no trouble steering the worms in the proper direction. Scouting ahead Janora found the Gate and followed the path down to where it started, marked with two pillars topped with what might have at one point been vultures, but had been eroded over time. It took another day and a half to make it up to the cave, but eventually the party reached the top of the trail and the Gate of Peace.

Character(s) interacted with

Chief Sontar Fargwyn (he/him, 387) - Chief of Voxis
Father Lathai Faeleth (he/him, 232) - Son of Se'thru at Voxis
Reverend Mother Ravalee Oladre (she/her, 312) - First of the Voxis Wise Women
Father Arryn Glynjor (he/him, 372) - Son of Se’thru from Calmus
RM Sharora Dennasse (she/her, 283) - Second of the Calmus Wise Women
BM Eralin Paxina (he/him, 291) - Lieutenant for CC Inanala of Fenris
Reverend Mother Alosrin Arathyra (she/her, 402)

Report Date

10 Feb 2023

Secondary Location

The Teeth