[RPG] [AT][Tournament] Anton Anaris ~ Kindler

[Timothy Collett]

Anton stands in the midst of a crowd just outside the tournament  
grounds proper.  Many of the people have skeptical looks on their  
faces, others a patronizing half-smile--but some listen with true  
attention and interest as Anton speaks of Arelien, and of the  
beginnings of the world.

"In the beginning, there was the Universe, and from the thought of  
the One, She made the Gods.  The High Gods were three: a brother and  
two sisters.  The eldest was Mistarin, the Grey Sage.  The second was  
Arelien, the Bright Lady.  The third was Elanzil, the New Moon's  
Queen.  After them came seven younger siblings, and when they were  
all brought into being, other spirits felt their presence and flocked  
into the Universe from the Outer Void.

"Among these spirits was one of great power and majesty, who named  
himself Akorin.  He had been cast out of his home for betrayal, and  
sought to dominate the other spirits here, in this world new-born.   
But the High Gods saw his deceptions, and made to cast him out--too  
late.  For he had already gathered a following among the greater and  
lesser spirits, and they came to his side and took him away to safety.

"Then began the Starlight Battles, for they took place ere the sun or  
moon were made, and all the light there was came from the stars, and  
from the Gods themselves.  Arelien it was who led the charge, and the  
Seven and the Three fought Akorin and his lieutenants, with their  
attendant spirits battling fiercely by their sides.  Soon, Akorin was  
defeated, and bound by the Silent One, Aya, and cast back out into  
the Void."

Anton pauses to assess the effect of his words on the people.  A few  
have turned away, losing interest, but many more have come closer to  
hear these tales of the glory of his Goddess.

With an expansive gesture, he invites all to come and listen.  "May  
the Sun shine brightly upon you all!  People of Wor'ight, the way of  
the Lady Arelien is a bright way and true.  In the seventy-first year  
of the Second Dragon Rise, She defended the people of the Greenmarch  
from the mighty Kal-athath, a dragon sent by the God of Chaos,  
Kelkhat Himself, to lay waste to the land..."

* * *

An hour or so later, Anton meditates in his rooms.  When he left  
them, after two more tales of Arelien's bravery and protection, and  
two of her mercy, and asked the Sun to shine brightly upon them all,  
several people asked the Sun to shine brightly upon him, as well...

He smiles, seeing before his closed eyes a pair of eyes of flame--not  
burning or scorching now, but warming him with their favour.

--

"The only thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart."
  ~ Miles Naismith Vorkosigan

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