The ringing of pick axes and the revving of bow saws rang through the air as the Legion worked. Large stones were being formed for foundation, as logs were laid in place as the supports of walls. Each Legion member focused in their intent in the service of the Eldest. Galatea opened the plans for the temple were locations for each of the shrines, a healing station and garden were marked out. Future outlines for sleeping quarters were also outlines on the plans but had been omitted for this current building season. Paladin Azric looked over the site as Galatea approached with plans in hand.
"It looks like we are ahead of schedule," She handed him the plans "I believe we are ready to set the blessings of the walls now that the cleansing of the land has taken place."
She then rolled up her sleeves and went back to work carving a pillar for the veranda. As she rocked back and forth, pushing the planer she hummed a Valorian folk song
" As I went down in the valley to train Studying about the warrior's way And who shall wear the starry shield? Oh Ordin show me the way!
O sisters let's go down Let's go down, come on down O sisters let's go down Down in the valley to train
As I went down in the valley to train Studying about the warrior's way And who shall wear the commander's robe? Oh Ordin show me the way........"
"Very much so. Thank you, Priestess." Azric looked down at the plans and back up to the temple. The Legionnaires were hard at work, finishing construction on the final wall.
Azric walked to first wall, now long completed, and prepared the site for a blessed ritual. Azric pulled his sword free from its scabbard and tapped it against the stone wall. A dim red circle formed around the tip of the blade and Valorian runes began to form upon the wall. Azric slowly drew his sword along the wall in a circle, creating a ring of glowing red runes. Once the circle was complete, Azric took a step back and knelt before it, sword laid across his lap.
A soft muttering came from the seated figure, the runes on the wall pulsing and growing brighter with the completion of each verse. Finally, Azric completed the incantation and the rune circle dissipated, filling the area with a spattering of tiny red lights, floating away and winking out of existence shortly after their expulsion from the wall.
Azric stood up and drew his sword once more to repeat the ritual. This time, a dim blue circle formed around the tip of his blade upon tapping it against the wall. This will take a while... Azric thought, sighing as he arced his sword in a circle once more.
Drawn by the invitation from the Priestess Galatea, as well as the unmistakable sounds of construction, Bal'ar strides into the construction site. For a moment he stops in awe at the changes that have been wrought since he last stepped foot in this place. Slowly he takes in the sights before him, admiring the determination of the Legion as they shaped wood and stone to bring this place the glory it deserved. As he scans the area, his eyes finally settle on the Priestess Galatea, she herself hard at work. Without further delay, as the progress that had already been made had him realizing that he had been gone too long, he picks his way over to the Priestess. Near her he stands, admiring her work and listening to her song without interrupting her, until she notices him naturally. As she finally looks up from the pillar she is carving, he speaks,
"Priestess, I have come to answer your summons. Please forgive my tardiness. I typically do not spend much of my time within the limits of New Haven." He looks around once more, "In apology, and appreciation of this invitation I offer my services in any way you deem me useful. My talents in construction may not be as refined as my others, but they are yours in this endeavor.
"Honored Bal'ar, any gift of your time and skill to the Eldest is always welcome!" She scanned the area. "The earth has not been prepared to take offerings to your Eldest. Would you like to do so? When I finish the pillars I will move inward to the temple to finish laying the floors." She smiles as she wipes the sweat from her brow, "When the temple building is finished, we will soon be able to build the shrines. Is there any things in the plans I need to change so that you may better serve your Eldest?"
Surprised at the title of "Honored" that comes from Galatea's lips, Bal'ar takes a moment to collect himself before responding. Before he does, he bows, and when his eyes again meet hers the genuine smile and look of ease on his face is one that is rarely seen.
"No plans need be changed Priestess. The worship of Noktal is simple, and needs no decoration. Once the floors are laid I will seek assistance to move what semblance of a shrine a shrine I possess to its proper location, and seek the input of other followers as to how to develop it to fit the varied paths that one may walk in Noktal's name. I know there are those among us who walk the path of guidance of souls, rather than a path of purification of those Noktal would deem anathema. It will be interesting to see how they help develop this place of worship. For the moment though, if you would prefer my services as Priest rather than physical help with the construction, I shall walk the grounds speaking my prayers and rituals," Bal'ar glances as the Paladin Azric, "although they will not be quite so flashy as his until it is time to bless the shrine proper."
Aleena, in the meanwhile, is elaborately sketching the structural needs of the Shrine of Inil beside a window.
Unlike the many who have already done a design and helpers to assist them, she,....was still in drafting stage. Taking her sweet time....
She wondered, that if Theron saw her he might say that her slow and languid designing is very typical of white elves.
And he would be right, she didn't lament it.
What others don't know is she's been carefully crafting a Shrine of Inil for over a year, as there is alot of symbolism, artwork and relics to be collected to represent the light. And they were all very expensive in shipment, each one needed a worthy place to venerated. Something sturdy and out in the sunlight and moonlight, it had to be made carefully and with time. A positive symbol of hope and joy when others feel despair, it would be a reminder to not falter even when all things appear bleak....
For now, she had crates of the Holy ancient relics, meaningful to Inilians and the history behind them, just waiting to be displayed again.
However, thinking about cathedrals and shrines has made her remember too much of the Holy Realm. Memories of the dozens of Paladins and Knights who once saturated holy structures and lived on monk-living quarters would flood her involuntarily. How they rode their horses across the cobble stone cities, their badge, passively and acknowledging civlians while carring out their humble duty.
Sometimes she would frown saddly and gazed away to view the landscape when her memories would come back to her brother...
Hanging her head and inhailing a breath to maintain herself, she tried hard not to speak much about it infront of others, they were all so willingly to move on and create a positive home again. Why ruin it? She too wanted this...
( I must carry on....) she thought, taking up her pen once more.
The renewed harmony among all followers of the Elders was what gave her the enthusiasm to continue, should the memories resurfaced, she would stand and distract herself with drinking water or watching the construction from afar.
Currently, she is seen in the tavern drawing out elaborations and decore on scrolled architectural prints. It will take funds and materials to complete this. Legion has that and could easily build anything in a week. For Aleena? Her shrine would take six months, possibly hiring the best dwarves and tinkers to chisel Mithirilian Stone.
Also, she noted, others are less prone to make elvish designs too; one has to feel them, wait for the muse, the inspiration, the artistic penmanship to decide each mark and sculpture that has history and meaning.
That too takes time,...
She estimated the Shrine of Inil will be completed sometime in early September, just in time for the Harvest Festival....
For now, she will submit artwork to be displayed in the temple Galatea is opening for the Six, with prayers and sacred history to represent the Eldest of Light and Love.
Psalms of tree and stone being brought towards new life’s journeys sang out among the salvos of picks striking, saw-teeth grinding, and mortals at worthwhile toil. When Galatea had mentioned the building of the temple in passing, Axson had been uncertain of his place in such a project, drawn though he might be towards the spiritual core of the enterprise. But, where there is work to be done, there is always a place for one to be.
The Legion had been hard at their labor, the progress on the temple a sure sign, as well as the small pile of broken tools that had accumulated having become casualties of the task at hand; a trio of adzes, a throng of chisels, and even a hand-drill had been put aside to be ministered to later. If the woodsman could be counted as a minister to anything, such instruments were among the congregation.
Without a bid for invitation he found a spot for himself beside the implements and, removing his own tools from one of his several pouches, began surveying the items for their repairs. He hummed to them as he did so, quietly, contemplating each as he said the words to light his wizard’s forge and setting up his elven anvil. Selecting the two halves of a chisel that had snapped, he looked the blade of it over and then began preparing the two parts for reassembly so they could continue their part in their sacred work among the temple builders. His attention soon became lost in his own contribution.