Journal of Jeziellia, Matis

[jennaelf]

Mara'tyr home, Criatius Settlement, The Ancient Lands
Fallenor, AC 2, JY 2513

"What are you doing, Calaith?" Mireya hissed as she hurried to close the front door of their home behind her husband, with a quick glance to be sure no one was following. A shock of red hair could be seen in the dim moonlight from beneath the blanketed bundle in his arms. "You can't bring her here! They'll come for her when they are done with your brother!"

"Mireya, gather the children and what we will need to travel." Calaith's voice was quiet, but not a whisper. "We are leaving before morning."

"What?"

"We are leaving Criatius."

"Are they coming again?" Mireya began to tremble, remembering her childhood, when the Great Swarming began. The entire Jh'tira house had been destroyed in the blink of an eye. Mireya and her mother had been the only members to survive.

"No. Just do as I say." The bundle in his arms stirred. "Shh, Jeziellia. Go back to sleep," he murmured against the child's hair, rocking her gently.

Mireya Mara'tyr cast the child an unwelcoming glance in the darkened room, but turned to do her husband's will. She roused Valael, Nysia, and Malasyon, urging the drowsy children to gather together a bag for travel. While the children had lived their whole lives in Criatius, there had been drills, in case the Kitin were to find them.

Downstairs, Calaith Mara'tyr stared at the silhouette of the twin pyre platforms against the night sky. He cradled the sleeping girl, his niece, holding her tightly to him. "Jena keep you, Calicci, my brother. I'll watch over her for you," he whispered, before turning to go and prepare himself and his new charge for the journey they would have to make.

[zangan]

< This is amazing Jez!! Please contiue it!! Its so cool that there are people using in game drama for their characters story's, as most people just make there's up it is made up...Thinks back to his and.. >

[jennaelf]

[backdated to match September 28, 2006]

Pyr Academy, in the city of Pyr, Imperial Dunes of Burning Sands

I have penned as many letters to as many old contacts as I could manage. Despite my mother's attempts to keep me from my peers, I did make a few friends, and more than one owes me a favor or two. I sent a small package of dapper to Aeduir Vesotia. I hope he's still as honest with friends as he was when I knew him. If so, he will probably provide me with the most promising results for the things I require.

I have languished too long in self-pity over everything; almost since the day I set foot in Yrkanis. Somewhere, in my ambitions and in losing my sense of control, I lost myself and subsequently my dearest friend. Kas reminded me a little last night of what it means to be Matis. Of what it is to keep one's chin held up, to face one's troubles not with bowed shoulders and helplessness, but instead with determination and the Matis greatness to which we are born.

"Do not fail us." Never again.
"Do not fail yourself." One step at a time.

I have drawn up maps of my own, for the settlements I know. They won't get Enon and Kas too far, but perhaps the two of them can find more information when they reach the settlements. It should give them a few days' worth of relatively safe travel, at the least. I pray to Jena that this will be something.

I've been harassing the Pyr Academy staff, trying to access as much information about the old Kingdoms as possible, but I haven't gotten far. They don't like me here, to start. What they did provide, however, gave me some ideas to pursue. Now I must wait for word back on the letters I sent. It shouldn't take long. I hope.

Valko has helped me somewhat in my quest for fire. Given the attraction to flame I have been experiencing more strongly of late, I find it a little amusing when the word "inflame" comes into play in conversation. The dreams are more constant. I wish I knew what they meant. I wish I knew why the fire is burning me, and yet I cannot feel it, as I once did in those visions.

I sent a letter back to Ema. I hope she understands.

Jeziellia laid down the quill. The stone room was perfectly silent. In the hall, a Pyr guard patrolled back and forth, casting her a suspicious look on each passing of the open doorway. Jeziellia grinned at him in answer.

The trainers near the Imperial Square had seen her with Valko, now leader of the Pyr Militia, and wouldn't really give her any trouble, but some old habits were hard to break. Allowing a Matis in the Academy at such late hours could only mean trouble, afterall.

Snuffing the candle on the stone table, Jeziellia gathered her journal, and the notes she'd been making. She carefully stacked the few scrolls she'd been given to read from (they didn't seem to want to give her access to their amber cubes, but they had scrolls that detailed the information for public use) in a neat pile. She didn't know where they belonged, so she would have to trust that a staff member would find them and return them properly.

For now, she needed to return to Yrkanis to see what she could find. With luck, she could avoid crossing Enon's path in her task.

[jennaelf]

Vesotia Settlement, along the path of the Exodus, 2535

Aeduir put the shell fragements aside as the runner entered his shop tent.

"For you, sire." The boy was winded, holding out a package.

"Thank you, lad. Why running so fast?"

"It was good dapper for that to get here quickly!" the boy grinned.

"Then there's no need for me to tip you. Be off," Aeduir grinned at the boy's disappointment. He waited until the runner had gone before looking the package over. No markings to give away its origins. Curious.

Aeduir Vesotia put the package on his workshop table, considering it. He'd made enemies in the past. It would not be unusual to find a Teikip viper inside such a delivery. Such things were bound to happen when you were of the family that claimed high standing for founding the settlement in which you lived.

He folded his arms and circled the table. On the other side of the package, light from his small forge glinted off of something he had not seen the first time he'd looked; Inlaid in the lower corner of the package was a sliver of shell. On the shell were painted, in small and flowing script, two letters: J. M.

"Jeziellia!" he exclaimed with a broad grin.

[jennaelf]

[backdated to align with September 30, 2006]

Yrkanis, in Majestic Garden of Verdant Heights

Jeziellia smiled softly at the sleeping figure next to her. His breathing was slow and deep, his face was a mask of peace. For the most part. As she watched, a frown began to crease his brow. Lightly, she brushed a strand of hair from his face, and rested her fingers on the center of his forehead. After a moment, the tension eased from his features. She smoothed his hair back, then turned her attention to the journal in her lap.

If anyone had asked me, just a day ago, if I thought this would be possible, I would have said "never".

There are things afoot I do not understand, but I can only believe that fate took me to Towerbridge last night. Enon was there. I don't know what gave me the strength to stay when I saw him, to speak to him. Whatever the cause, I am glad for it. It shielded me from all manner of dangers, and this allowed me to help him all the more...

There were things he said that put a knot of dread inside of me. Something of Kas' words, and more Enon's - I must remember that fear has its place, and to keep it there. I must master myself. I will. He needs me to. Something important is coming, I can feel it in every fiber of my being.

Now I sound ridiculous, but I cannot help it.

Something dire. Something great.

He asked me, what about him frightens me so. I told him I didn't know. I think I do though. After all the things we said, and the upcoming journey he is going to take, I know more of what it is. Growing up, I never 'had' things. When I did, I would hold tight to them, for fear of losing them. All things are lost with time. To avoid loss, one has only to have nothing. Oh, it sounds stupid even as I write it.

"And in your soul.. your essence recognizes me.. and you run."

What is it in him, in his words? It stirs something in the darkest corners of me. All I know is that for a moment, with his arms around me, the warmth of his body behind me, I wasn't afraid of any of it.

I will need time to reflect on all of this later. For now, I have a task.

Jeziellia looked once more to the peacefully sleeping figure. Leaning over, she pulled the blanket up to cover his bare chest. It was amazing the power of simple reconciliation. She had slept in the warm embrace of oblivion. There was no fire, there was nothing but peace and the safety of his presence next to her. She rested a hand over his. Still caught in sleep, his hand turned, his fingers seeking hers. She twined her fingers with his, and he murmured something she couldn't quite make out.

She disengaged her fingers from his and stood. As quietly as possible, she picked up her pack, and left him resting on the varinx-fur blanket. She had things to do. Today she would submit herself to the Tests of Rank in the Order. She also had an appointment with an inkmaker in Davae. She needed more to complete her maps for Enon and Kas. She could almost feel the time was drawing closer.

[jennaelf]

Yrkanis, Majestic Garden of Verdant Heights

Yesterday, I passed my first Test of Rank. The first three. I am now a Blade of the Order. Because of my ambition, and Jena only knows what else - maybe the observations they've been making of me since my time in Silan - Haldir offered me the position of Officer. I accepted.

I careplanned with Haldir in Loria. Something about it wasn't the same as the companionship I feel out with Enon, or even with Kas. Stoic Kas. I wonder what the difference is. Zyquo took me out to the Upper Bog and I careplanned for him as well. That was much closer to that which I am accustomed. I enjoyed myself, and the company very much. I look forward to it in the future. I'm also looking forward to showing Enon some of what I learned. I'm certain he can put the knowledge to better use than I can, just yet.

My maps are almost complete. I will be checking with the couriers today for any word from home.

Once they are done, I must go back out to the desert.

[jennaelf]

Siritili Settlement, The Ancient Lands
Harvestor, AC 3, JY 2513

"She's just a child!" Calaith reached for Jeziellia, in the hands of the Matia guardsman. For his trouble, another guard punched him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

"You will not interfere. It was decreed that all of the immediate family of Calicci Mara'tyr be executed for crimes of high treason," The captain spoke calmly, though there was a reflection of sympathy in his eyes as he watched Calaith struggle to his feet. "Your family was spared by his Majesty for your dedicated service, Calaith Mara'tyr, but if you continue to fight against us, I will have to consider you an aide to a traitor to the Crown." The threat in his words and tone were unmistakable.

Calaith stood frozen. They would kill his wife and children if he interfered, but how could he stand by and watch them burn his brother's only child?

The child in the guard's arms didn't seem to understand what was happening. In the cycles of fleeing the kitins, she had often been handed to strangers to ease the burden of traveling with a child barely able to stand, let alone walk or run. Her blue eyes looked from one adult to another, wide and curious. And innocent, Calaith thought.

"Restrain him," came the captain's words. Two guards stepped to Calaith's sides and held his arms. He offered them no resistance, though every muscle in his body was tensed.

The man carried the child to a small pyre and stake that had been raised overnight. There was a raised forge grating for the child to stand on, bundles of twigs and dried grass beneath and around it. The captain spoke softly, so none could hear, to the child as he bound her hands to the post. She started to cry, soft whimpers of a child who didn't understand what was happening or why.

The captain turned to face the crowd of worn Matis faces that had gathered to see. "In fulfillment of the order that the family of Calicci Mara'tyr be executed for high treason, we now mete out justice to the last of the family line. In accordance to the crime, so shall be the punishment. Death by fire." The captain nodded to a guard holding a lit torch. His knuckles were white, his hands in fists, and he could not look at the three year old girl he'd tied to the pyre post.

"What is Matia law?" Calaith cried. "Matia is dead, under the Swarming. The King is gone!" He slumped in the grip of the guards. "Don't do this." Calaith whispered. His eyes were locked with the captain's.

"Light the pyre."

"No!" Calaith struggled with all of his might against the two men restraining him. In years past, he may have been able to free himself, but now he was tired from running, weak from hunger.

The straw beneath the girl's feet caught easily, setting the twigs and other sticks aflame more slowly. The girl stopped crying suddenly, transfixed by the sight of the flames.

The Matis in the crowd began, one by one, to turn away. Though this would once have been welcomed as justice, none of them had the stomach to watch the loss of another child.

As the fire heated the grating and licked at her feet, the child began to scream.

"Jeziellia..." Calaith's legs gave out beneath him and he fell to his knees.

* * *

Shen-Yu had been tracking the Mara'tyr family nearly a full cycle, since their departure from the Criatius settlement. It was his duty to protect the child of Calicci Mara'tyr, until his death.

He was meditating when he heard the child's scream. In an instant, the Zorai was on his feet and bounding toward the nearby Siritili settlement. Silently he cursed himself for staying so distant. However, it was his way to remain far from sight when the family entered a settlement. Karavan Guardians wandering the wilds were rare enough. A Zorai in Matian lands was more so.

Shen-Yu pushed himself to run faster when he caught the smell of smoke on the wind.

* * *

Jeziellia screamed and screamed. The fires licked at the bottoms of her bare feet, the heat dancing around her legs. She pulled against the ropes that bound her, trying to escape the flames. The guards looked away in shame. Many of them had lost their children to the Swarming, or to the wilds. Some had sent theirs into the unknown, across the rainbows with the Karavan.

Calaith Mara'tyr was collapsed on the earth, hiding his head in his hands, sobbing for the child's fate and the captain's eyes were on him. No one saw the tall, dark figure emerging from the forest behind the pyre. The figure bounded to the pyre, easily reaching across to the child. He cut through the bonds that held her, discarding his knife to grab up her falling form, holding her cradled in one arm as he strode into the midst of the guards.

"This is a child of Jena!" Shen-Yu declared, to still any objections to his interference. He held the child where she would not obscure the Karavan sigil on his breastplate. "Bring healers. Now."

[rabcaz]

My friend

I have just read your latest addition to your journal and I admit to have been
breath taken by it.
Such past you have lived, such pain and loss there must be inside you.
I do not know how to place this in words, but I find you to be a great Homin,
one that I value dearly and highly.

I am ashamed that our first contact would be through such thing as this note,
but I do hope the little Yubo bearer of it found you well and safe. Yet I still
would have liked to be able to tell you this in person.

My friend, I hope I can call you such? Some might see me as an unforgiven for
not laying my allegiance to either Kami nor Karavan, for I seek to learn from
them both and cannot place one higher then the other. It be the same with
Homins.

I look forward with great enthusiasm to the day we will cross our paths on
Atys for the first time and I will finally be able to meet you.

Be well

Your friend
//Drakfot

[jennaelf]

Vesotia Settlement, along the path of the Exodus, 2535

Aeduir frowned, rereading the letter from Jeziellia. In all the years he'd known her, when they were children, she had never called on a favor, and now... She was calling in one of the biggest she could have. Aeduir absently rubbed at the stump where his knee should have been.

* * *

He and Jeziellia had been playing in the forests around the settlement. They were both in their early teens, and carried their swords for protection. Ragus were rumored in the area. They had climbed a tree to escape a too-curious kipee. The kipee, in eager pursuit of the object of its attention, lunged its weight against the tree, sending it toppling to the forest floor. The crash startled the kipee and it ran away. However, the tree had fallen on Aeduir's leg. Jeziellia seemed only a little shaken. The kipee was gone, but the sound of the crash and Aeduir's cry of pain had carried through the forest. In the distance they could both hear the baying of a ragus pack.

"Run, Jezi! Get help."

"There isn't time, Aeduir." The small-framed girl was leveraging herself against the tree, trying to lift it. The task would have been impossible for three full-grown men.

"Agh! It's no use Jezi, you gotta run. They're coming." The baying was getting closer.

Jeziellia drew her sword and stood next to him, putting him between the tree and her. The only way the ragus could get to him directly would be through the maze of branches, or through her. "I'm not leaving you here."

"You can't fight them!" The world was turning into a dim haze for Aeduir. At least he'd be unconscious when the ragus tore him apart.

He remembered her turning to him. Something in her eyes was different then, and he remembered her saying, "I'm really sorry Aeduir." He thought she was sorry for asking him out to play in the woods...

When he had awakened, he was in the home of the settlement healer and a season had passed. Jezi was sitting next to his bed with a worried frown. His left leg, from just above the knee, down was gone.

* * *

"Alright, Jezi. You saved my life, I owe you what I can." He shook his head. Whatever she was looking for must be very important. Aeduir attached the peg contraption that served as his leg's substitute and moved over to his shop desk. The box that had been included with the letter was full of dapper. By his estimation, easily 50,000. More than enough to live the rest of his life in the settlement comfortably. Then there was her asking that he do it because she'd saved his life.

"Must be very important, indeed."

He moved his chair aside and carefully lowered himself to the floor. Beneath the desk, undetectable to any who didn't know it was there, was a small trapdoor. Aeduir took a key from his pocket, and unlocked the small lock built into the floor. Inside the secret compartment were remnants of the Old Lands. Documents on paper, before the people had taken to using Amber cubes, old jewelry, and other such trinkets of days gone by.

"Everything old is new again," Aeduir chuckled to himself. He lifted a flat box from the compartment and closed it again. Turning the key in the lock, he heard the satisfying snap of the lock engaging. The flat box was placed on the desk and he pulled himself up once more. He thought about sifting through he papers in the box, but he'd handled them a dozen times. Anything he'd found personally useful had been removed long ago. He'd send Jezi this whole thing. What was he going to do with them?

Dear Jezi,

What a pleasure it was to hear from you, though I'm uncertain if the situation is one in which to rejoice. Your tone seems dire, and I wish I could understand why you felt the need to invoke old debts and send such a handsome sum. Not that I'm complaining.

I wish you had said more of how you are doing. I heard you continued down the Exodus path. From time to time, someone comes to the settlement to preach about rejoining the newly formed kingdoms, but I have to be honest with you Jezi - Not only wouldn't I make the trip, but why should I give up what I've made for myself here? I'd almost make the trip to see you again.

I have sent every document I've ever acquired, or nearly every one. My family papers, of course, are still in my care. Sorry, Jezi, but I'm sure you understand. Hopefully there's something in this old box that can be of use to you. If not, I will ask that you send them back, or at the least send me copies and put the documents in a safe place. They are remnants of an age that will not return.

Take good care of yourself, Jezi. I think of you from time to time, and I hope you think of me for more than just the help I can give you. Don't frown. It never was that becoming on you. Married yet? I'm sure you've got those New Kingdom Matis swarming around you, House endorsement or not.

With Love,

Aeduir Vesotia

[jennaelf]

Yeng Settlement, near the Ancient Zorai lands
The last day of Fallenor, AC 2, JY 2510

Calicci rubbed his eyes and pushed the scroll on the desk away from him. Through the window of his small hut, he could see the goo nodule he'd come to study. His wife was in the healer's, giving birth to his first child. He couldn't sleep, but the Zorai would not let him stay either. He tried to study and failed.

Rising from his seat, he began to pace. He could hear his wife's cries in the stillness of the night. All of Atys seemed to hold its breath; there was no breeze to stir the trees and the grazing bodoc herd was silent.

Calicci trusted the Black Circle tribe to take care of his wife, but he wished he could be with her. The pregnancy had been difficult on her. A frown darkened his features, his eyes drawn to the goo nodule in the distance. He was also worried about other things...

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mara'tyr, come," it was Shen-Yu, the youngest son of the healer. He followed without question. In his eagerness, he had little trouble keeping up with the Zorai's already long strides.

The tribe healer stopped him at the door with a hand on his shoulder. Calicci met the Zorai's eyes and though the mask betrayed no emotion, Calicci knew. He shoved past the healer and into the hut. Everything was silent.

The healer and his son stepped inside the hut, but remained near the doorway, a sign of respect to the Matis man whose wife was passing from Atys.

"No, no." Calicci gripped her hand, falling to his knees next to the blood soaked bed.

His wife was pale, and cold. Their child rested in the crook of her other arm, supported by pillows so the mother could hold her. The effort was clear, but she opened her eyes to gaze at her husband, "Isn't she ... beautiful?" Her voice was weak, but just as sweet as he'd ever heard it. The irises of her eyes reflected an unusual violet light.

"Yes, my love. Like her mother." He kissed her hand, desperate to keep her with him a while longer. "What will we name her?"

His wife closed her eyes, rolling her head to face the baby girl, her eyes opening once more. "Jeziellia." She was still so long Calicci feared she had gone, but then she turned her head back toward him; her strength was failing fast. When she opened her eyes, he could see the haze of death creeping in.

"Stay with me, my beloved." He whispered.

She took a shuddering breath, "I love you, Calicci."

"No goodbyes. We will be together again." He fought back the tears.

She smiled softly and when she exhaled, it was for the last time.

* * *

Shen-Yu looked after the child while Calicci Mara'tyr looked after his wife. The child began to cry the moment her mother had perished and had not ceased for nearly an hour. He had helped his father with newly birthed Zorai, and none had been this difficult. Flustered, Shen-Yu took a step back. Observing the child, something caught his eye.

Shen-Yu was trained, like the rest of his tribe, to notice the slightest of symptoms. What would prove invisible to another's eye was everything but that to his.

Shen-Yu did not remove his gaze from the child as he reached out to his father through their Seed connection. When he sensed he had his father's attention he spoke through the link, "Father, the infection has passed from one to the next."