| Chaos Unleashed |
"May her deeds be forever recorded in the Book of Chaos," Dynia said placing a cloth of swirling color over the
body of her mother.
A multicolored aura surrounded the body then both vanished. "She has joined with Thynitic," she said as she
looked around at the other priestesses who had accompanied her to the Shrine of the Four. "She will live on as a
part of the Chaos that is the Lady."
One of the priestesses stepped forward and held out a set of robes. "As one Daughter is called to the Lady,
another Daughter is born to the Chaos. Dynia, you are of the line of Thynitic and are now called to serve as the
Daughter of Chaos."
Dynia picked up the large black book that rested on the stone where her mother's body had lain. She let her
fingers glide across the rearing unicorn symbol on the front of the book then rest on the chaos portal balanced on
the tip of its horn. The black leather felt warm in her hands as Savthia placed the robes on her shoulders.
A swirling vortex of color surrounded Dynia. When it faded, she placed the book on the nearby stand and bowed
her head as it opened and the pages began turning.
"The Daughter has been named and anointed," Savthia said. "It is time to return."
"Yes, there are preparations to make," Dynia said as she headed for the stairs that led back to the main part of the
shrine.
"Send messengers to the Taladilith and the Alowien," Dynia said stepping out of the shrine. "I request their
Speakers meet with me to discuss those who invade our homes."
"The Taladilith and Alowien will never agree to meet with you," one of the other priestesses said.
"In this matter, I believe they will. Even they must agree that these invaders must be dealt with and soon. They
have killed two of the Daughters for no other reason than they want our home for themselves. Both the Taladilith
and Alowien have also suffered losses at their hands. They will agree. I just don't know if they will agree with the
course we need to follow."
#
Dynia nodded her head respectfully as Lorna escorted the Speakers for the Taladilith and Alowien into the shrine.
"Leave us," she said to the young priestess.
The girl bowed then turned and left the building. Dynia watched as the other two looked around. It had been
many centuries since any, other than the Rynial, had entered the Shrine of the Four; the place where all had
worshipped their gods. Now, there were only three of the four left and only the Rynial came to this place.
"The balance is fading," Velalir, the Speaker for the Taladilith said as he entered the alcove originally dedicated to
Neysinil. Water no longer flowed in the fountain and dust covered everything. "The actions of Carina may yet
cause our destruction. They have already caused the loss of our cousins, the Cyral."
Dynia stepped in front of the elder speaker. "We are not here to discuss the actions of Carina. Her crimes took
place almost four millennia ago. She has been punished by Thynitic Herself and is no longer of any consequence."
Velalir shook his head and took a step past her. His hand shook as he gestured at the alcove. "If that were true
then this place would not be decaying as it is. The spark of Order that resides in all things, even Chaos, is gone."
Dynia placed a hand on the Taladilith's shoulder and pulled him around to face her. "Listen to me, Velalir; there are
more important matters at hand at this time. You, who are so concerned with the balance of things, look at what
the arrival of these invaders is doing to the balance in our home."
"You are calling for war," Syneron said.
She turned to the Alowien speaker and nodded. "Something must be done."
"Are you sure you do this for all the people, Dynia," Velalir said. "Or do you do it for retribution?"
"Yes, I want retribution for what they did to my mother," she said. "However, I do it for all. If we do not stand
together, these humans will destroy Kilenter and us. They have already destroyed over a third of the forest. How
much more will you tolerate."
"The Alowien will not answer the call for war," Syneron said. "We too have suffered losses, but we will not be
responsible for causing others to suffer either."
"You will not defend yourselves?" Dynia stared at the Alowien Speaker.
"I did not say that. I said we would not answer a call to war. There is a difference. However, as we do not care
to suffer any further, we have decided to leave Kilenter and travel across the Sea of Dreams. The islands there
will be our new home. We invite our cousins the Rynial and the Taladilith to join us."
"So, like the Cyral, you will run away. To exile ourselves, from what is our home, is unacceptable. The Rynial
will not travel with you," Dynia said.
Syneron nodded. "The Cyral left seeking a way to restore that which had been trapped, before it is destroyed. We
leave to protect what little is left. I understand your feelings and you will be welcome when you are ready." He
turned to look at Velalir.
"I will pass your invitation to my people; there may be some who will wish to leave. For my part, however, I will
contact the leaders of the human city that sits near our eastern border and see if an agreement can be reached."
"You are both fools," Dynia said. "Galolith claims to be the father and protector--yet he encourages those who
revere him to flee like lemmings to the sea."
Syneron straightened as he looked at Dynia and she shuddered at the age she saw in his golden eyes. Unlike
Velalir, who looked each of his eight centuries of life, Syneron still appeared no older than three or four centuries.
That is except for his eyes. His eyes were as old, if not older than the Taladilith's.
"Galolith considers all life precious, as do we. To needlessly spill the blood of our people and these humans,
would be foolish when there is another solution at hand."
"And, what will you do when they find their way to these islands--flee again? You will have to make a stand at
some point; why not make it now?"
"The Alowien have decided. We will not be a part of your war." He turned and walked down the corridor.
Dynia watched as Syneron stepped into the alcove dedicated to Galolith. The Alowien was done with the
conversation and she realized he would be opening a portal back to his village. She turned her attention back to
Velalir. "And what about the Taladilith?"
"As I have said, we wish to try talking to them first. However, if that fails, we will support our cousins." He held
out his hand.
Dynia touched her fingers to Velalir's and nodded. "The pact is sealed."
"You will give us the time we need to talk to the humans?" Velalir said.
"We will give you time, but do not let it take too long."
Velalir nodded. "The pact is sealed."
Dynia bowed slightly as the Taladilith made his way to the alcove dedicated to Frayrith. She doubted his efforts
would accomplish anything, but she would give him time to talk to the humans. She just did not make any
guarantees as to how much time she would give him.
