228 The Hall (1/2)
Tia had been asleep for quite a while already, and she continued to pass her time in somnolent bliss, snuggling into a compact ball by Li's side as he sat upright on his bed, his eyes closed not in slumber, but in meditation.
He had to get everything in order now. Soon, he would leave, and he did not want any loose threads remaining.
In his meditation, he reached out to his heart, and his consciousness emerged from his human figure, phasing through the inn and gliding across the worried city, past the hundreds of torchlights from guard patrols shimmering on the shaded streets below, past the towering walls of Riviera with its massive stone knights, and to the forest, to his heart.
Unlike the city so full of man and his fickle worries, the forest was peaceful. Even more peaceful than usual, actually, for the creatures of the Winterwoods could tell when man had left the soil.
Here, at his heart, surrounded by flora and fauna that thrived, he could hardly tell that there was a war imminent upon the horizon.
”Great One,” said Iona as she materialized in front of the heart in a swirl of green sparks. She bowed her head, red locks shimmering in an alternating glow like the flickering light of a fire.
”Good to see you are doing well,” said Li with a curt nod before he cut out the pleasantries and went to business. ”Iona, I know you, the one most closely connected with my soul, knows this, but I will be leaving temporarily.”
”I understand,” said Iona. ”I have glanced into your heart. I see it. Your intentions. Your vision of the future. Of the garden.” Her face brightened up. ”A wonderful vision. Where all life, no matter how strong or weak, how young or old, may thrive.”
”It's all theoretics for now. I've no illusion I'll have to make some hard-thought compromises down the road,” said Li. He was slightly surprised to see a hint of curious emotion on Iona's face, but as soon as it flickered, it fizzled out. She looked at him now with expectant but calm poise, ready to receive orders.
”But there is plenty to think about that is right in front of me. This demonic invasion is the single greatest way for me to spread my faith throughout this whole duchy. No, perhaps this entire world. Were I to shatter this world ending threat, then there will be none that will not flock to my garden.”
”And as your faithful root, I shall tend to the garden in whatever way you wish,” said Iona.
One thing that had improved vastly, however, was that Iona talked like her own being. Initially, she was like a hard coded program that only had pre-written responses for certain things Li needed, but now, she could speak with him about most anything.
”And that is why I am here. Iona, you will stay with the Justicars. In my absence, you will be protector of the Winterwoods, my people, and Riviera,” said Li.
He held out an open hand towards her, bidding her to give hers, and she did. He held her hand there and focused. A spark of green energy traveled across Li's astral form, passing the bridge of interlocked hands and reaching Iona's being.
”That is a spell crafted by my own will. The [Roots of Order]. This shrine can already emanate the effects of that spell, but I want you to have access to it as well. Its cost is steep, and so to aid you, I will place a totem of mine on the fields by the city walls. That way, you may give both the farmers and the citizens of Riviera reprieve from any eldritch rot should it make its way here.”
Iona took her hand and put it over her heart. ”I will cherish this spell with all my life,” she said, closing her eyes in gratefulness. ”And your orders have been heard. In your stead, I will try my best to act as guardian.”
”Good,” said Li. He snapped his fingers, and a booming pulse of power cracked from his ghostly digits. ”And now, you also have authority over the Justicars. Use them wisely. Goodbye, Iona. When I leave the city, I will make sure to give you a more proper farewell.”
”I will be waiting most expectantly,” said Iona, the faintest hints of a smile visible upon her.
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The next morning, and the entire day, really, went by in a whirlwind of activity.
As soon as first light struck, Li determined that Old Thane probably had had enough sleep, and Tia, too, was stirring, her energy restored. Zagan did not sleep, but simply lay curled up by the fireplace, sensing Li's intentions and determining that he was not needed.
Li got ready as he usually did. He dressed in the formal attire of his guild but did not so much bother with any personal hygiene. A perk of being divine - he stayed in optimal condition.
As he put on his jacket, Tia yawned loudly, tracked her eyes on him, saw that he was awake and ready to move, and instantly leaped from the blankets to his shoulder, latching onto his back with newfound energy.
”New day, new adventure!” she said.
Li smiled. ”Yes, Tia, new day, new adventure. Maybe the very first 'real' adventure I'll have in this world.”
He nodded out a slight goodbye to the sleeping old man before he left the room.
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Out in the city, Li made an immediate trip to the City Hall, scaling the awfully lengthy series of steps to the domed building at the city center. Immediately noticeable was just how many soldiers there were now buzzing about like bees by an agitated hive.
Knights and soldiers from quite literally every single corner of the duchy. Even beyond, too.
Rivieran knights in their white and blue armor. The occasional rare blood legionnaire in white and red towering over everyone else with their superhuman brawn.