A heavily pregnant Galatea waddles around Fort Valsgaurd arranging several packs. In one you can clearly see her clothing, some ritual supplies, and her staff. The other contains small blankets and what appear to be swaddeling rags and tiny gowns. Her movements are limited as she moves around the fort in preparation for departure. Galatea takes a small necklace of shells from a peg at her altar but drops it on the ground. She squats down as best she can, glaring at the necklace that is still outside of her reach.
Discussion
The high town tavern was quiet in the winter hush, as a familiar face pasted a wrinkled parchment to the message board. In scrawling, barely legible hand, it read: To the Magi, Sorcerers, Ritualist, Enchanters, and Druids of New Haven; As we all know, there is an abundance of magickal knowledge within this towns borders, and many of us can attest to be surrounded by what could easily be named the greatest magi our of age. But so too could we attest to the frustration and exhaustion incurred when that knowledge is scattered to the wind and inaccessible. As such, I propose that the magic users of New Haven come together to discuss terms of the incorporation of a group designed to protect and share magickal knowledge. A meeting will be held in the 3rd month of the new year to further discuss this proposal.
Tenderly, a tan set of fingers gingerly took the collection of shells and lifts it out to her. Large dark eyes met her gently from a frame of long white hair. "Here you are..." Deep down, although her and Galatea didn't meet eye to eye as religious figures, she could at least say farewell, from one woman to another. She gave a genuine smile to her belly then at her with appraisal. "Seems joo are most ready to have jour new little one soon, where shall you be heading? Estador?.." Her voice was tender, awaiting for her to take the necklace.
Galatea grunted as she stood up and took the tiny necklace.
”Thank you Aleena.“ she then sat down to catch her breath as she wrapped the necklace in cloth and placed it in a basket.
”The little lion will be here within this moon. I will be leaving with a legion escort to Estador once I have finished packing.” Her stomach visually shifted and she placed her hand above the movement. “Decimus is proud to be the father of the first new Valorian but I regret he won’t be able to take part in our usual customs due to the increased Drow activity.“ her eyes shifted to the white priestess. There was something more on her mind but she was not sure if now would be the most appropriate time to provide warning of things she had seen yet to come.
Aleena softly crossed her wrists before her, she was wearing her civilian attire from Bolvaryia, a black corset over a colorful skirt. There were signs she's been walking around with mud around her boots. Her eyes soften her way, "I could only imagin vhat that means to joo, to give birth vith out him besides joo. To see ze babe's first cry, that must be painful...." A pained smile rissen in reassurance, " But I have faith Decimus will be fine, he's very dedicated in his role and doing it for protect ze future,..." nodding at her belly in gesture. "No gesture of love can be bigger then that?" She observed her items, crates and supplies readied then back at her. " I wish you a safe journey. I've never been there to Estador? But I heard it is a safe strong hold and well aways from here. Many are migrating to ze city. I vas told that even my brother Elijah has escorted ze Farmers to Estador to assure their arrival is safe vith other paladins. So you'd definitely be among good company.."
“In days of old, if a Valorian woman gave birth to a child on the battle field, it was said that child would grow to be a mighty warrior. Hopefully since they will be born off the battlefield, they will grow up in a time when warriors are no longer needed.” Galatea stood up with effort and lit a candle on the altar, her face growing dim once more.
”Make sure that the community listens to more source to find truth while I am gone. The Drow followed the path of imbalance and this war came about as a result along with the corruption of spirits and fae. If High Town, Low Town and Valoron can not work together as one front, we are doomed.”
Galatea went back to packing as she whispered a prayer under her breath.
Aleena dimmed her eyes softly, watching the flicker of the candle flame light up at her alter. Her gaze fell to the sands gently in thought, as if calculating a reply. "Aye,..do not worry too much Galatea,...I do not plan to listen to any more Greylocks or strange suggestions anymore pinning us vith fear and ze manipulative information. I may be securing Rothe but I have no intention on letting him sway ze towns. " her voice was a more solem one. " I can at least say, I will do my best. As always at the last minute of desperation, everyone will come together. Legion, ze towns, and many alike." she smiles faintly, "Only this time, I'll calmly know what needs to be done." Strangely, she wondered how she grew in having faith in New Haven's somewhat predictable mayhem? How they disasterly screw up but later somehow fix it? Is she finally finding her inner calm, or is she simply more resistive to the floggings of the dark painful world, she wondered?
In all of the push and pulling of hell, she still had faith. As to where it comes from even Aleena couldnt clearly say? It was strange and it was sincerely real to her. Very real. "...you'll see. " she said Her gaze followed Galatea as she turned away to pack her things. "May Inil journey with you Galatea and your small lion, be well..." A gentle nod of her head at her direction, before turning back to high town.