It was another book in a language he couldn’t read, Jigano had just realized. The familiar thrill of the challenge had just started to course through him when the world went white and he found himself staggering on soft grass. He had been caught in a few spring gusts as a raven, but nothing had prepared him for this, or the sensation of nausea that ripped through him and took long moments to subside while he found all other concerns lost to the beauty of the Goddess that stood before them.
Beautiful didn’t begin to describe her, but even so the Provost of the Loreseekers didn’t begin to relax until he found Amalia with his eyes and reached up to steady a woozy gryphlet who was in danger of stumbling off his shoulder. The book was still held in his hand, but it was momentarily forgotten as Safrin spoke and the bard closed his eyes to savor the music of the spheres that seemed to chime within her voice.
Beauty could be dangerous, however, and soft smiles could hide sharp minds. It was never wise to be at less than his best when dealing with the divine – or less than respectful. He sank to his knees beside Amalia, feeling his roiled stomach beginning to settle as he let his friend speak – with an animation and joy he’d witnessed in her only once before. A pale brow rose briefly in surprise, but a smile touched his lips at her genuine gladness. He rose as she stepped back, a calm and solid presence at her side as he bowed deeply to the goddess. ”My thanks to you, great Lady,” he said solemnly – then winced as Isuma Reep!ed excitedly in his ear and demanded down to chase the sparkles that fell from the rising star as it returned to the heavens. ”I have another book we cannot read,” he offered as well, glad he still gripped it – and gladder still that the rest of the books wouldn’t require retracing their starlit run through the Underground. Hopefully Seiji and the girl were alright…
”But Amalia followed your servant, brave and true and holding unshaken faith in you,” he said with a smile for his friend and fellow Loreseeker. ”The credit is hers, and the glory as well.” For he had no doubt the bright young woman would have solved the puzzle in her own time, once she saw it. Chance alone had the bard reaching the wall first, and Isuma’s curiosity revealing the key.
Beautiful didn’t begin to describe her, but even so the Provost of the Loreseekers didn’t begin to relax until he found Amalia with his eyes and reached up to steady a woozy gryphlet who was in danger of stumbling off his shoulder. The book was still held in his hand, but it was momentarily forgotten as Safrin spoke and the bard closed his eyes to savor the music of the spheres that seemed to chime within her voice.
Beauty could be dangerous, however, and soft smiles could hide sharp minds. It was never wise to be at less than his best when dealing with the divine – or less than respectful. He sank to his knees beside Amalia, feeling his roiled stomach beginning to settle as he let his friend speak – with an animation and joy he’d witnessed in her only once before. A pale brow rose briefly in surprise, but a smile touched his lips at her genuine gladness. He rose as she stepped back, a calm and solid presence at her side as he bowed deeply to the goddess. ”My thanks to you, great Lady,” he said solemnly – then winced as Isuma Reep!ed excitedly in his ear and demanded down to chase the sparkles that fell from the rising star as it returned to the heavens. ”I have another book we cannot read,” he offered as well, glad he still gripped it – and gladder still that the rest of the books wouldn’t require retracing their starlit run through the Underground. Hopefully Seiji and the girl were alright…
”But Amalia followed your servant, brave and true and holding unshaken faith in you,” he said with a smile for his friend and fellow Loreseeker. ”The credit is hers, and the glory as well.” For he had no doubt the bright young woman would have solved the puzzle in her own time, once she saw it. Chance alone had the bard reaching the wall first, and Isuma’s curiosity revealing the key.
