| What with all the things going on around the Courtiers of late it was late into the evening whilst we were sitting in the lower halls of the Tower of the Magi in Rhovanion. We saw a familiar figure step into view silouetted by the glowing radience of the moon, that of one of the Sisters of Nuiduin, Sister Ishtar De Lune.
She was polite and well mannered as always, something i liked about the woman truth be told. After drinking her tea and telling us of events surrounding the Sisterhood since we last were there in Illshenar, she spoke to us of the true reason ebhind her visit. She was concerned for the Healing Pool in Tel'mar, for its dwelmer had been locked away now for many months. No longer was the Pools magical dwelmer accessible to all as was intended when the Sisterhood gifted the knowledge of its location to the Knights of Virtue. Then she spoke of a green stone, a magical stone. Her attention shifted from us both to Cherry directly. She reminded Cherry of her Oath as one of the foremost Healers in the land to Guard and Keep the Healing waters sacred to the Sisterhood in safe hands. With a small almost inaudible incantation the air shimmered before us and an image formed. It was a image of a rectangle almost crystalline stone which seemed to pulse slowly. Ishtar explained to Cherry that this stone was what drew the life blood of the land, the Ley to the waters running through the Pool. The stone was a foci, drawing upon any Ley that ran close to where ever it was placed. This was why the Healing Pool was so potent for the stone drew on the many Ley lines that channelled to the Shrine of Justice, for as we already knew the Shrine were situated upon the conjuction of many Ley lines. They gave these locations a name, they called them Nexus points.
She went onto explain that the Sisterhood were unhappy with the present situation. I intervened at this stage and made it known that on many occasions we had tried to speak with the few remaining Knights there but none seemed interested. On hearing this a frown broke out on Ishtar's forehead, and she stood up with adopting a firm stance. Then my mind is made up she spoke, we shall reclaim what is lost, the Lodestone shall be taken from Tel'mar. She took several steps away from the seating area and with a firm command of 'Come with Me' she opened a portal.
We arrived in Tel'mar, the place was as quiet as always. At least now the Shrines corruption had been stilled so we encountered no hostilities. Ishtar proceeded directly to the space between the walls that surrounded the Shrine and the walls of the Building that sheltered the Pool. She began to speak words of power...one by one the surface of the earth broke twice as Stone Elementals came forth. She commanded them to seek the Lodestone buried deep below the Building. With a snap of her fingers they began their work. The might of such creatures is known to me from the knowledge granted me by the Lady Jade and also by the occasional work of my beloved. Soon the Elementals re emerged and then with them the earth broke a third time as a feintly glowing green crystal came to the surface, the LodeStone.
Ishtar bent down and cupped the stone in her hands, turning towards Cherry she then did something unexpected. She said in soft tones.....( I will quote this so as not to misinterpret her words ).
Cherry, you have always honoured the Sisterhood and have remained true to the Geas we placed upon you never failing to answer the call of the Healer. The Priestess's of the Sisterhood have meditated upon the future and wish you to remain the Guardian. But now you know the true form of the nature the Pool took, the power did not come directly from the waters but from the Ley redirected by this stone. The Pool here will retain some of its power for a short time but that will eventually fade away as with all things created by man.
With that she handed the stone over to Cherry almost reverently and spoke again in the quiet tones she used a moment before.
Lady Cherry, take this stone and forever be its Guardian. Know that where ever it is placed it will always draw upon the Ley, the lifeforce of this land we all dwell in. It must be placed in contact with the earth to have an effect and its nature will always take on a healing role in some shape or form. Its exact nature will depend upon where it is placed.
Guard it well Cherry for it is one of the last remaining stones of its kind. In time perhaps you would consider returning with me to the Sisterhood. i know they would welcome one such as you.
With a smile and a slightly raised hand she vanished, and all that remained was the smell of freshly turned earth.
__________________ Life is the Dance and Honor,
the Dance is Death to those we oppose,
Honor is our salvation.
Without Honor the Dance is meaningless
forms and we are nothing.
So said by Sai-Renya Killandra - Sword Elder of the Renshai |