Ancient Blood in Ancient Veins

[Mr. Glasswater]

Without a word Glasswater did as he was told. Breathing in slowly, he pulled the gentle fragrances into his very being; into the core of his awareness as he allowed his thoughts to drift to gentler memories. He thought of the sea, of being beneath the soothing, rolling waves of Denetion's waters.

As if pulled down by the eddying undercurrents of the ocean, the big Glaucan sank to his knees, swept away into the depths of his subconscious.

[Cneidon Mako]

At first, he fought the drug's effect, his muscles stiffening to stand against the urge to slumber. As his senses softened, so too did his resistance, and he heeded the Fian's bidding, allowing his mind to reach a temporary serenity.

[G'lyana]

Strong Fian arms lowered them to the ground in safety, but soon their legs were as bound as their arms and tied to strong, smooth and thick tree limbs. It would ease the Fians burden of carrying them the rest of the way to the river. But the boats awaited them their and the mighty current of Aiedial shall bring them home - to Halainn inniu.

Hours Later...

G'lyana sat at the head of the boat, looking down at the still slumbering Mako and Glasswalker as two male Fians paddled the boat. It was just wide enough for one person but long enough to carry up to six.

She had to admit that the Glaucan and Necian had been resting comfortably, peacefully - and more importantly, quietly. Something that was impossible since the moment they had first stepped foot within her lands. The Elven Noble savored the moment for it wouldn't last much longer, for Halainn inniu loomed in the distance and they would be waking soon. The great Fian stronghold of culture and magic was nestled within the forest and surrounded by the mystical and majestic Ordorian cliffs. She dared to steal a glance to look at the Wyndaire falls, her favorite place to swim as a child. She could see white buildings peeking through the canopy of trees as eyes scanned further, but soon she heard the groans of sleep beginning to fade and intently watched the pair.

They no longer required their bindings; limbs were free to move and eyes to see, for if they were foolish enough to attempt any aggressions, they would be killed instantly.

[Mr. Glasswater]

Glasswater stirred, his first thoughts as he pulled himself into consciousness being an awareness that they no longer traveled on land, but rather on the water. It was comforting to feel the gentle rockings of the boat, and as he opened his eyes, the Glaucan let out a long exhale. He felt rested and rejuvenated.

One hand went out to lever himself upward, managing to use Mako's still slumbering form to push up from. The Necian seemed to stir at his touch, but Glasswater paid no mind to their close quarters as his eyes trailed upward to stare in wonder at the awe-inspiring sight before him.

Forgetting himself for the moment, he shook the Imperator as if the two had always been merely old friends.

"Wake yourself," he whispered, "... we are here."

[Cneidon Mako]

"Do not touch me."

The words were still clouded by sleep as Mako was slow to stir from the effect of the Fiannic herb. His eyes opened slowly, blinking once to collect himself as he sat up, sharing the Glaucan's view of the impressive hidden city.

[G'lyana]

The boat was steered towards a smaller channel, floating underneath a heavily fortified stone bridge where more Fian warriors dutifully took note of the party arriving. Not threatening in stance, suspicious eyes never strayed from the captives until the boat had turned out of sight, hidden behind spindly bushes and hearty shrubs.

As they drew nearer to the city, towers of alabaster speared there way through the canopies as enchanting musical strings accompanied a rather lovely, but melancholic, ethereal voice - who's words the captors could not dechiper.

"G'lyana!" Kyjah was calling to her from the other boat. He was far from subtle in his nod towards the edge of the river bank. The Fian was stunned to see what she saw, an actual member of the Council ready to greet them. Perhaps they had foreseen her arrival, but if that were true, they would have revealed that when she was brought before them.

Idly she took note of her prisoners and remembered the words the Glaucan had spoken, wondering just how weighted the truth of his words could have been.

[Nei'thim]

His was a face of calm. Of weighted responsibility. Of patience. The face that most thought of when the Nine were spoken of. Was it any real surprise that he had been chosen by his peers to greet the travelers arriving? He supposed to most it would be, but for himself there was no question that the events playing out were of a divine nature.

Nei'thim, standing along the riverbank, watched as the boats drew closer. It would not be long now; the uneasy currents sent out from the gods brought with them expected visitors.

[G'lyana]

Once the boats were near enough, two Fian hopped into the water to pull the boat safely to shore. Three broke away and honored Nei'thim by bowing and touching two fingers to their heart and then forehead.

Kyjah and the rest of the Fian escorted G'lyana and the two prisoners towards the most celebrated member of the Nine. Those that were guarding the Glaucan and Necian did not have to formally greet Nei'thim because of duty, which included Kyjah. G'lyana did however, but her bow was not as deep as the warriors that accompanied her.

"Urraimnas, Seanóir na"* Respected dictated that she wait for his permission to continue and explain how the events came to pass in which Mako and Glasswalker had found themselves as prisoners. Though, admittedly, G'lyana was quite certain that the Nine understood the reasons behind their appearance and those reasons would be revealed in time.


*Honored Elder

[Nei'thim]

The slightest of breezes caused his white locks to shift ever so gently, and with a bow of his own, Nei'thim returned the respect that had been showed to him. He smiled thinly, knowing that G'lyana harbored curiosity at his presence. He could see it in her eyes. She knew to be patient however, just as he knew as well.

Gaze sweeping past her to look at the Necian and Glaucan, Nei'thim quirked a smile, and when he spoke, his voice held the soothing overtones of kindness tempered with command.

"We have been expecting your arrival with much anticipation."

[G'lyana]

"For this I am not surprised. How I found these men fighting upon our lands was curious, but not as curious as the tales that followed after their capture." She stepped to Nei'thim's side and presented them with an extension of her arm.

"This is Zeo Cneidon Mako, an Imperator of the Necian League and to his left, Glasswalker of the Glaucans."

[Cneidon Mako]

Mako could assume this elder Fian was a man of some power here in the lost city, but he could infer little else.

"Fian Host, this Glaucan is an enemy of the Necian State. In my pursuit to apprehend him, we have both been taken hostage and brought to this place. I have no quarrel with you."

[Mr. Glasswater]

If he had any less control over himself, Glasswater would have stared in shock at the forward words and mannerism that Mako now exhibited. They had been brought to a city of ancient magic and old power, and the Necian still held on to his overbearing nature like some dog to a scrap of tablemeat. As it was, the Glaucan kept silent. It would be best to speak only when spoken to, and to incur as little wrath as possible.

He had done as Ariadne asked, but it was a sure thing that the manner in which things had come to pass was not expected.

Turning his eyes from the Fian woman to the one who'd met them at the shoreline, Glasswater allowed only a respectful nod.

[Nei'thim]

And in return, Nei'thim gave a nod of his own to the big Glaucan.

The Necian of course, behaved exactly as he'd expected, and the elder Fian turned a bemused stare to the man.

"An enemy of the Necian State?"

By the tone of his voice, it was a simple matter to know that he thought very little of such an accusation.

"That sounds rather... weighty."

Nei'thim turned slightly, gesturing for them to accompany him as he spoke once more to G'lyana.

"But, first things first. The Nine will convene shortly to discuss the shifting Balance, and if I'm not mistaken, your limping Glaucan is in need of a healer."

[G'lyana]

Glasswalker was not in any danger from the wounds suffered by the incarceration, nor the battle with the Necian. But Elder Nei'thim wished to treat the Glaucan with as much curtesy as was shown to him. For this, G'lyana had no reason to argue and would do so as ordered. It just happened to have been put politely, but twas still an order.

"I shall see to it personally," she replied with a stiff nod and looked to her companion, Kyjah. "Escort our Necian guest to suitable quarters until the Nine have called for him."

He bowed dutifully, opting for more formality now that this particular Elder was present, "It shall be done, Iníona*."

Two of the Fians in escort broke away with Kyjah to lead the Necian away along with Nei'thim, leaving Glasswalker and G'lyana alone with the last two Fian armsmen.

G'lyana stood in silence, appraising the Glaucan before lifting her hand towards the river. "If you would follow me ..."

As she approached the river, she then lowered her hand and shifted so that she could plainly see Glasswalker from over her shoulder. The first signs of apprehension began shadowing her face, breaking the calm, dignified features that had been seen since they had first met. "Please expose the wound. It would be ... easier so that I may mend it."

*M'lady

[Mr. Glasswater]

He had hesitated for only moment, but at the Fian woman's beckon, Glasswater followed dutifully. He gave a furtive glance over his shoulder as Mako was taken away by the one named Kyjah, though soon his eyes returned once more to G'lyana.

Carefully he lowered himself to sit beside her, his hands going to untie the laces of his boot.

"It is nothing broken," he began in a low voice, "... simply bruised muscles and pulled tendons."

With his boot removed, the Glaucan began to peel up his pantleg, exposing smooth skin. His features betrayed no hint of the aching and dull throb that had afflicted him from the moment his horse had fallen on him, but it was easy enough to see in his eyes that - though certainly nothing major - the pain was still there.

[G'lyana]

"Sometimes those are the worst injuries, Glaucan," she commented before rolling up the sleeves to her dress. The Fian wanted pure contact of flesh to water, securing a deep connection to the nature of her powers.

Hiking up her the ends of her dress, G'lyana glided to her knees and immersed her hands into the placid river. Only did she feel the cold of the water nip at the edges of her wrist due to hands disturbing its tranquility.

She rose carefully, not to loose the precious liquid that had pooled into her cupped hands. "Our Elder does not wish you to be in pain ..."

The Fian had made her way next to Glasswalker and knelt before his injured leg. It was swollen, but not discolored - not enough time had passed for that to appear. "... a clear mind is needed to explain yourself."

She studied his exposed leg while her hands hovered, gauging the most severe source of damaged tissues - which was the knee. Hands broke apart, water fell against the injury in one splash, forcing his leg numb instantly. Droplets clung to his blue skin, never even hinting at dripping off to the ground below. The saturation diminished quite quickly, warming his skin pleasantly as the healing properties of the water she imbued repaired damaged muscles and tendons with a gentle caress of unseen hands.

Once his leg had dry completely, feeling returned fully and his leg was healed. G'lyana allowed her eyes to meet the Glaucan's, "Better?"

She knew full well the answer.

[Mr. Glasswater]

Glasswater had watched her with some amount of interest, careful to not make his curiosity so apparent. It was an odd feeling, the watery tendrils snaking their way over his skin as they healed that which had been damaged.

And when it had finished, the Glaucan turned his eyes from his leg to the Fian woman, pondering her question for but a moment.

"It is as if nothing had ever happened."

He was slow to his feet, cautious to put too much weight on his newly-healed leg.

"My thanks."

[G'lyana]

The Fian was satisfied that the Glaucan was healed.

"You are welcomed," she spoke and motioned for the guards to follow. "We best be off. There is not much time to for the Council to deliberate on matters to your arrival. We best be off."