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Exile in the Vastari - Chapter Thirteen: Anora’s Grace
From the journals of Raphael of Gannetgul, recorded during his time in exile.
Though, the door was not attached to any tangible surface, Raphael noticed that the wooden door felt heavy and the hinges seemed rusted and resisted his weight as he pushed it open. As the wooden slab labored open, Raphael beheld a spectacular sight. A marble throne room, bedecked in crimson. Elegant in its simplicity. A single table was placed near the center of the room, upon it was a golden vase that held a bouquet of humble poppies and a set of metallic scales. Two ornate peacocks roamed around the table displaying their visual cacophony of plumage for the visitors. Raphael had never seen this place before, yet it felt strangely familiar. He suddenly felt at home in this great hall.
“Ahai!” a melodic voice came from a female figure seated upon the throne at the far end of the hall. Raphael found it strange that he had not noticed the woman before. “Come in friends. I have been expecting you for some time now.”
The woman arose from her throne and gracefully walked toward Raphael and the Ruler of the Realm Between All Realms. The woman was tall and had flowing chestnut hair that was smartly worn in a style that displayed the graceful lines of her neck. She was garbed in a soft white toga that shimmered like icy cirrus clouds illuminated by the setting sun. Sprouting from her shoulders was a set of gossamer wings, which she wore folded upon back. In her hand she grasped a familiar sword.
Raphael suddenly recognized the fair creature before him. Scrambling to drop to his knee, he hurriedly took off his wide-brimmed hat and averted his eyes respectfully.
“My goddess! Lady Anora… I am not worthy of such an audience.”
“Arise,” the goddess Anora said with authority, as she stepped before Raphael, “Do you know what this is?” She held the sword that she clutched in her hands out to Raphael for him to inspect.
“Aye goddess. It is a sword that I found in the desert. At the time I believed it to be your answer to my prayers.” Raphael stood, but continued to look down at his feet.
“Look upon me Rapahel of Gannetgul, and hear what I have to say.” Anora lifted Raphael’s chin with her slender fingers until their eyes met. “This is no ordinary sword. It was the blade of my lover, High King Jude of Willowstone. The skeleton that you took such care to bury in the desert was all that remained of him. Your actions have shown great compassion and an unending sense of justice.”
“Goddess, it was nothing, truly. I was only doing what was right.”
“You are pure of heart Raphael of Gannetgul, and I am truly sorry for the course that your life has taken.” Anora guided Raphael to the table, “I cannot bring back what you have lost, nor can I ease your suffering. However, I can give you the instruments that will aid you in delivering my justice upon the unjust.”
Raphael now noticed upon the table a brace of dark steel pistols and two curved sabres sheathed in chocolate brown leather.
“Take these Raphael, they will aid you and others as you journey across Galacia and beyond.” Anora stepped back toward her throne, hugging the sword of the High King to her chest. “Know that I will not forget what you have done for me Raphael, and that I will never forsake one with a heart as pure as yours. Farewell Raphael... and Farewell to you too Lunarius, my old friend.”
Anora was suddenly gone, and Raphael was left alone in the great hall with the Ruler of the Realm Between All Realms.
“Come, we must now travel behind the red door.” The gaunt man held open the wooden door for Raphael.
“So, you’re name is Lunarius, eh?” Raphael gathered his weapons from the table and followed his host through the portal.
For the entire story, click here... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/sets/72157635218437758...
For more information on the Vastari Desert, or to follow Raphael's progress... Click this link... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/9508632581/
Comments and feedback are always welcome!
Exile in the Vastari - Chapter Thirteen: Anora’s Grace
From the journals of Raphael of Gannetgul, recorded during his time in exile.
Though, the door was not attached to any tangible surface, Raphael noticed that the wooden door felt heavy and the hinges seemed rusted and resisted his weight as he pushed it open. As the wooden slab labored open, Raphael beheld a spectacular sight. A marble throne room, bedecked in crimson. Elegant in its simplicity. A single table was placed near the center of the room, upon it was a golden vase that held a bouquet of humble poppies and a set of metallic scales. Two ornate peacocks roamed around the table displaying their visual cacophony of plumage for the visitors. Raphael had never seen this place before, yet it felt strangely familiar. He suddenly felt at home in this great hall.
“Ahai!” a melodic voice came from a female figure seated upon the throne at the far end of the hall. Raphael found it strange that he had not noticed the woman before. “Come in friends. I have been expecting you for some time now.”
The woman arose from her throne and gracefully walked toward Raphael and the Ruler of the Realm Between All Realms. The woman was tall and had flowing chestnut hair that was smartly worn in a style that displayed the graceful lines of her neck. She was garbed in a soft white toga that shimmered like icy cirrus clouds illuminated by the setting sun. Sprouting from her shoulders was a set of gossamer wings, which she wore folded upon back. In her hand she grasped a familiar sword.
Raphael suddenly recognized the fair creature before him. Scrambling to drop to his knee, he hurriedly took off his wide-brimmed hat and averted his eyes respectfully.
“My goddess! Lady Anora… I am not worthy of such an audience.”
“Arise,” the goddess Anora said with authority, as she stepped before Raphael, “Do you know what this is?” She held the sword that she clutched in her hands out to Raphael for him to inspect.
“Aye goddess. It is a sword that I found in the desert. At the time I believed it to be your answer to my prayers.” Raphael stood, but continued to look down at his feet.
“Look upon me Rapahel of Gannetgul, and hear what I have to say.” Anora lifted Raphael’s chin with her slender fingers until their eyes met. “This is no ordinary sword. It was the blade of my lover, High King Jude of Willowstone. The skeleton that you took such care to bury in the desert was all that remained of him. Your actions have shown great compassion and an unending sense of justice.”
“Goddess, it was nothing, truly. I was only doing what was right.”
“You are pure of heart Raphael of Gannetgul, and I am truly sorry for the course that your life has taken.” Anora guided Raphael to the table, “I cannot bring back what you have lost, nor can I ease your suffering. However, I can give you the instruments that will aid you in delivering my justice upon the unjust.”
Raphael now noticed upon the table a brace of dark steel pistols and two curved sabres sheathed in chocolate brown leather.
“Take these Raphael, they will aid you and others as you journey across Galacia and beyond.” Anora stepped back toward her throne, hugging the sword of the High King to her chest. “Know that I will not forget what you have done for me Raphael, and that I will never forsake one with a heart as pure as yours. Farewell Raphael... and Farewell to you too Lunarius, my old friend.”
Anora was suddenly gone, and Raphael was left alone in the great hall with the Ruler of the Realm Between All Realms.
“Come, we must now travel behind the red door.” The gaunt man held open the wooden door for Raphael.
“So, you’re name is Lunarius, eh?” Raphael gathered his weapons from the table and followed his host through the portal.
For the entire story, click here... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/sets/72157635218437758...
For more information on the Vastari Desert, or to follow Raphael's progress... Click this link... www.flickr.com/photos/10211834@N07/9508632581/
Comments and feedback are always welcome!