12-28-2017, 08:16 PM
They were all ushed into this great metal beast that coughed and sputtered its way back to the shelter. Valeriya held tight to its back. The others walked back to the shelter, but only after she directly told them to do so. It seemed Regus's trip had been fruitful, for he returned with many trunks. It reminded her of the bag of belongings that Illarion bore out of the Khylsty's caverns on their ascent to the Above. She would need to rummage through the items soon, for she wasn't entirely sure what all she grabbed before it was too late.
The prick on her skin felt like a scratch. Despite the sting, she didn't wince. In fact, Valeriya studied the tube with great fascination. The liquid within was colorless, yet somehow it was infused with magical properties to ward off illness. The Above was truly wonderous. She clutched her crystals at her neck and uttered a quiet chant to enhance its potency.
Armande's declaration was specific to her this time. She was to remain in place. She groaned about it, hands knotting into fists, but she agreed. "Very well, beloved. I will do as you say. For now."
She added and left him to his energies.
Besides, she had energies of her own to explore.
"Illarion, bring me the satchel that you carried from Below."
She called and her twin hurried to obey. She was peering into one of her crystals, eyes squinting like she may see something buried deep within the facets, but broke the trance when Illarion plopped the bag before her.
She bid him and all the others away. She didn't want them to know what belongings she possessed. Some of their relics were holy, to be touched by Rasputin himself. But she was the Eye. She was the consort of Rasputin reborn. She could touch what she wanted. But she demanded solitude while doing so.
The first item retrieved was a metal coin. It had a face stamped on one side and numbers on the other. She recognized the symbol for it was born on other items as well. She laid it aside.
The next was a vial not unlike the one she thrust into the Pits that catalyzed their exodus. She put the cork to her nostrils and tried to smell the contents, but unsure of its use, she also placed it aside.
A bottle with a scroll rolled up within she held to the light. But given she could not discern the symbols on it anyway, it was also laid down.
A ring bearing some sort of seal. There was a cross on it that reminded her of Illarion's branding. Otherwise, she found it ugly and it was too large for any of her fingers anyway. She cast it aside. Several other rocks, stones and jewels came up with her next grasp, but none were the one she hoped to see. There was only one item left, and when her hand closed around it, she held out hope.
She smiled when she saw it. It was a red jewel the color of blood in the shape of a tear drop. This belonged to the Eye before her, and the Eye before that. Other than the crystals around her neck, it was the most important tool she had for the visions. She curled it close to her chest and decided it was time to show to Armande.
"Armande, I found the bloodstone,"
she said as she entered. He sat, head low. "Armande?"
she called, worried that some fit or spasm had taken him.
Confused, she stood in place. "Look,"
she demanded that he see it. This was her most prized possession and she almost hadn't brought it Above. But even as her gaze fixed on Armande, a flicker called to her from the depths of the stone.
She froze and pulled the jewel close, peering deep into its depths.
The prick on her skin felt like a scratch. Despite the sting, she didn't wince. In fact, Valeriya studied the tube with great fascination. The liquid within was colorless, yet somehow it was infused with magical properties to ward off illness. The Above was truly wonderous. She clutched her crystals at her neck and uttered a quiet chant to enhance its potency.
Armande's declaration was specific to her this time. She was to remain in place. She groaned about it, hands knotting into fists, but she agreed. "Very well, beloved. I will do as you say. For now."
She added and left him to his energies.
Besides, she had energies of her own to explore.
"Illarion, bring me the satchel that you carried from Below."
She called and her twin hurried to obey. She was peering into one of her crystals, eyes squinting like she may see something buried deep within the facets, but broke the trance when Illarion plopped the bag before her.
She bid him and all the others away. She didn't want them to know what belongings she possessed. Some of their relics were holy, to be touched by Rasputin himself. But she was the Eye. She was the consort of Rasputin reborn. She could touch what she wanted. But she demanded solitude while doing so.
The first item retrieved was a metal coin. It had a face stamped on one side and numbers on the other. She recognized the symbol for it was born on other items as well. She laid it aside.
The next was a vial not unlike the one she thrust into the Pits that catalyzed their exodus. She put the cork to her nostrils and tried to smell the contents, but unsure of its use, she also placed it aside.
A bottle with a scroll rolled up within she held to the light. But given she could not discern the symbols on it anyway, it was also laid down.
A ring bearing some sort of seal. There was a cross on it that reminded her of Illarion's branding. Otherwise, she found it ugly and it was too large for any of her fingers anyway. She cast it aside. Several other rocks, stones and jewels came up with her next grasp, but none were the one she hoped to see. There was only one item left, and when her hand closed around it, she held out hope.
She smiled when she saw it. It was a red jewel the color of blood in the shape of a tear drop. This belonged to the Eye before her, and the Eye before that. Other than the crystals around her neck, it was the most important tool she had for the visions. She curled it close to her chest and decided it was time to show to Armande.
"Armande, I found the bloodstone,"
she said as she entered. He sat, head low. "Armande?"
she called, worried that some fit or spasm had taken him.
Confused, she stood in place. "Look,"
she demanded that he see it. This was her most prized possession and she almost hadn't brought it Above. But even as her gaze fixed on Armande, a flicker called to her from the depths of the stone.
She froze and pulled the jewel close, peering deep into its depths.
The Eye of the Khylsty