The Warden glared at the landscape before him. The Gods blessed him with a scene of orange pastels upon green as the sun slowly crept over the horizon. Mist hung low in the air across the breadth of it all, a blanket of white veiling the better part of the canvas before his very eyes. It was a wonder to behold such a thing each day for he had held audience with the some of the very beings that created it all. Every blade of grass and every grain of dirt existed entirely due to their efforts. He blinked hesitantly, reveling in the beauty of such a masterpiece. It was an overwhelming moment of peace following the prolonged exposure to a torrent of disquiet.
It was the first he had seen of this beloved world in some time. He had been unable to see his people for the length of that absence. The worry for their safety had worked its way into his chest. After the conflict with Preksak so recently there was no way he could be sure they had kept him from following to this new realm. The thought alone assailed him, provoking caution...or paranoia. The difference was minute at this point.
"So you have returned?" The voice caught him off guard. Aegon did not turn to meet the visage of the familiar tone. It seemed thought alone had summoned him.
"I have, as was always my intention."
"Good. Loka needs all of its people I'm afraid."
From his perch, Aegon could see the developments in the town that were far more humble prior to his departure. Lavish structures adorned with banners and decor overlooked the buildings with a near intimidating presence.
"They seem to fare well without all of us..." Aegon said frankly. He could feel the other's presence as he approached. They stood side-by-side now, drinking in the scene together. Still, the Warden did not look at him, only acknowledging him through periphery alone.
"As they always will. You of all people know that life will find a way," There was a moment or two of hesitation before he continued, "as will death."
The statement was almost prophetic but Aegon knew it to be the simple wisdom of someone far older than himself. What he spoke of was simple truth and the Warden accepted it plainly, understanding what he meant by Loka needing all of its people. He watched from the high vantage as the people in Aladra carried on about their day without a thought or consideration for impending doom or a looming evil. The Slicers that were already here had since accepted the newcomers and vice versa. Worlds always seemed to assimilate their very being and culture rather than they having to do so with the worlds. It was that fact that caused him to understand that Loka was eternal, no longer bound to any single realm. They were Loka...and it would carry on in them no matter where they have been or where they must go.
"I trust your travels have prepared you for the road ahead?" asked the man in the black robe.
"I believe you knew the answer to that before asking."
"Call it a courtesy for the sake of conversation." His tone was flat but not without any semblance of feeling. "Am I to understand you have yielded the burden of your surname?"
The moment froze and felt as though it might remain still forever. The mention of his last remaining tie to an unfulfilled legacy was unexpected. The remnants of his family name were finally becoming but ash amid smoldering embers from a fire in his memory kindled by the Warden himself. When considering who he was before the ascension to his post it was all he could do to remind himself that it was once reality, but no more. Now it all seemed a story of someone else's life which was nearly accurate. The weight of the crown was but an obscure memory that did not feel his own.
"You are correct. The name represents someone that no longer exists."
"I hear otherwise from fields soaked in blood." Aegon thought for a moment of how best to respond to such a thing.
"Those actions shame the title he was to bear. You know as well as I do that such things forfeit any true legacy." He was careful not to speak the name lest he be seduced into violating his station in the name of mortal honor. In this sense, it was no longer his world...and his legacy was lost.
"Very well...Master Aegon," said the black robed man who turned and faced the other direction. He placed a hand on Aegon's shoulder for but a moment and said, "I do wish you luck. I am afraid your burdens are only beginning to mount."
The Warden did not even need to turn his head to see the smirk beneath the hood because he could feel it lingering on every word that had escaped the man's lips; another prophetic undertone. It was only a moment later that the presence was gone as quickly as it had appeared. The residual feeling of uncertainty was not welcomed and Aegon remained on that perch basking in the sunrise. Eyes like brooding garnets he refused to remain unsettled. It was a new dawn but one unlike most others. Their people were free from the threat of extinction once more.
How long would they remain before the next harrowing portent?
It was the first he had seen of this beloved world in some time. He had been unable to see his people for the length of that absence. The worry for their safety had worked its way into his chest. After the conflict with Preksak so recently there was no way he could be sure they had kept him from following to this new realm. The thought alone assailed him, provoking caution...or paranoia. The difference was minute at this point.
"So you have returned?" The voice caught him off guard. Aegon did not turn to meet the visage of the familiar tone. It seemed thought alone had summoned him.
"I have, as was always my intention."
"Good. Loka needs all of its people I'm afraid."
From his perch, Aegon could see the developments in the town that were far more humble prior to his departure. Lavish structures adorned with banners and decor overlooked the buildings with a near intimidating presence.
"They seem to fare well without all of us..." Aegon said frankly. He could feel the other's presence as he approached. They stood side-by-side now, drinking in the scene together. Still, the Warden did not look at him, only acknowledging him through periphery alone.
"As they always will. You of all people know that life will find a way," There was a moment or two of hesitation before he continued, "as will death."
The statement was almost prophetic but Aegon knew it to be the simple wisdom of someone far older than himself. What he spoke of was simple truth and the Warden accepted it plainly, understanding what he meant by Loka needing all of its people. He watched from the high vantage as the people in Aladra carried on about their day without a thought or consideration for impending doom or a looming evil. The Slicers that were already here had since accepted the newcomers and vice versa. Worlds always seemed to assimilate their very being and culture rather than they having to do so with the worlds. It was that fact that caused him to understand that Loka was eternal, no longer bound to any single realm. They were Loka...and it would carry on in them no matter where they have been or where they must go.
"I trust your travels have prepared you for the road ahead?" asked the man in the black robe.
"I believe you knew the answer to that before asking."
"Call it a courtesy for the sake of conversation." His tone was flat but not without any semblance of feeling. "Am I to understand you have yielded the burden of your surname?"
The moment froze and felt as though it might remain still forever. The mention of his last remaining tie to an unfulfilled legacy was unexpected. The remnants of his family name were finally becoming but ash amid smoldering embers from a fire in his memory kindled by the Warden himself. When considering who he was before the ascension to his post it was all he could do to remind himself that it was once reality, but no more. Now it all seemed a story of someone else's life which was nearly accurate. The weight of the crown was but an obscure memory that did not feel his own.
"You are correct. The name represents someone that no longer exists."
"I hear otherwise from fields soaked in blood." Aegon thought for a moment of how best to respond to such a thing.
"Those actions shame the title he was to bear. You know as well as I do that such things forfeit any true legacy." He was careful not to speak the name lest he be seduced into violating his station in the name of mortal honor. In this sense, it was no longer his world...and his legacy was lost.
"Very well...Master Aegon," said the black robed man who turned and faced the other direction. He placed a hand on Aegon's shoulder for but a moment and said, "I do wish you luck. I am afraid your burdens are only beginning to mount."
The Warden did not even need to turn his head to see the smirk beneath the hood because he could feel it lingering on every word that had escaped the man's lips; another prophetic undertone. It was only a moment later that the presence was gone as quickly as it had appeared. The residual feeling of uncertainty was not welcomed and Aegon remained on that perch basking in the sunrise. Eyes like brooding garnets he refused to remain unsettled. It was a new dawn but one unlike most others. Their people were free from the threat of extinction once more.
How long would they remain before the next harrowing portent?
