[Mkguild] Experiencing the Dawn part 2

[christian okane]

Here is part 2 Where we see more of the troubles in Marigund.

 

   Cardinal Antione Bertu had a lot to think about. As the cardinal of the
outer Midlands he was the appointed leader for all the Ecclesia there. That
meant he was responsible for the spiritual well being for over several
hundred thousand people. That alone would be taxing but add in a large
population of Lightbringers and constantly feuding nobility and it made for
a lot of trouble. Worse, the almost constant hostility between the various
faiths threatened to engulf the entire region in a genocidal war. And to add
to the tension was the constant feuding and competition with the Rebuilders.

 

   But all of those issues were set aside for the moment. What occupied him
now was the contents of the items placed in front of him. These papers,
books, scrolls and even a small stone tablet were the results of a yearlong
investigation into automaton magic. There were other documents but those
were very old and were kept in a carefully controlled library. One was so
old and fragile that the librarians refused to let anyone get near it.
Afraid that the merest touch would cause it to disintegrate. Others were
ironically enough in the Mage Guild library. So the cardinal had to settle
for carefully made copies. He did not mind. So long as the information was
accurate.

 

   Amidst the other items on the desk was an unfinished letter to the
Patriarch. Next to that was a letter addressed to all the Followers in the
Outer Midlands which was to be read out loud in all places of worship. But
it was as unfinished as the other letter. All of these were about one thing;
Automatons, specifically Madog and Salona.

 

   Already people were making their feelings felt. This morning he had
received a ten page missive from a group of 'concerned people'. The letter
demanded that Salona be taken apart and her soul be freed to go to it's just
punishment or reward.

 

   But that prompted other questions. Was it even possible to free her soul
from the automaton? And if they did would that count as murder? Also that
brings up the question is Salona really alive? Her body was not flesh and
blood and yet she moved, talked and even ate like a flesh and blood person.

 

   "What is life?" He asked out loud to no one in particular. Well aware
that people had been asking that question since the beginning of time and
still had no adequate answer. "How do you define the indefinable?"

 

   There were so many unanswered questions running though his mind. Was
emperor Creserius right in ordering all automatons destroyed? Were they
right or wrong in allowing them to exist now? The cardinal was painfully
aware that the decisions he made now would affect things for centuries to
come. Just as they were dealing with the results of choices made over seven
centuries ago.

 

   All those questions had to be weighed very, very carefully. He could see
this ultimately being decided at the highest levels. Probably by an
ecumenical council in Yesulam itself. But some things couldn't wait the
three or four years for a council and another decade for a decision.

 

   The cleric picked up a small bell that sat on his desk and rang it loudly
several times. "Father Marchel."

 

   The door opened and in rushed the young priest. "Yes your Eminence?" The
man asked as he came to a halt in front of the cardinal's desk.

 

   He looked at the letter from the 'Concerned citizens.' For all its hate
and viciousness it had but one signature; Father Philip Guthrey. The
cardinal held up the letter. "This letter was sent to me by concerned
faithful and is signed by Father Philip Guthrey."

 

   Father Marchel scowled and his hands tightened into a fist.

 

   "It is time I meet with that fanatic," the cardinal said in a voice as
cool and solid as a sword blade. 

 

   The priest didn't answer but seemed to hesitate. His face remained a mask
of calm.

 

   "Something wrong?" The cardinal asked.

 

   "Well. This could get," Marchel paused, searching for the right words.
"Unpleasant."

 

   The cardinal nodded. "I understand but I have given him free rein to
speak hoping he would moderate his words. First he attacked the people at
Metamor and now this." Bertu waved the letter in the air. "Instead of
getting calmer he grows more vehement. The carrot has failed. Now it's time
to apply the stick."

 

   "What if he doesn't desire to meet you," Marchel asked with a bit of
worry on his face and in his voice.

 

   "Take Father Burtrig and a score of the Guard," the cardinal responded
coldly. "Burtrig besides being a fine priest and being very persuasive he is
also a powerful mage. If Guthrey refuses to come peacefully, stun him and
have the Guard carry him here."

 

   The father looked surprised and confused. "Your Eminence?"

 

   The cardinal's eyes drifted up to the ceiling Broad timbers lined it and
the walls. He focused on those beams which had been blackened from an
intense fire over a century ago. A legacy of Marigund's bloody, religious,
civil war.

 

   Marchel's vision followed the cardinal's but it returned when the man
continued to speak.

 

   "I am not going to repeat Cardinal Trunro's mistake," the elder cleric
explained. "That writer's book on the Burning has taught me one thing.
Fanatics must be dealt with promptly." He leveled his gaze upon the younger
priest. All warmth was gone from his face and a look of hard determination
had replaced it. "Be polite but bring . . him . . here. I want him in this
office by Ninth Hour."

 

   Father Marchel was reminded that although the cardinal was a man of faith
his ancestors were soldiers and warriors. The priest bowed. "Yes your
Eminence." Then he turned and hustled from the room.

 

  The cardinal watched his personal assistant leave and the door close. This
left him alone in the room with his thoughts. He looked again at the two
unfinished letters. As important as it was to keep the Patriarch informed
the other letter was the more pressing concern. Guthrey was only part of the
problem. Peace was too tenuous in the Outer Midlands even at the best of
times. He had to say something now to calm emotions and sooth feelings.

 

      Cardinal Antione Bertu picked up his pen and dipped the tip into the
ink well. Slowly he started to write.

 

 

*************

 

 

   The metal feline was surrounded by score of children who crowded close to
her but not touching. Behind them was the four adults who were the
children's teacher.

 

   A boy of nine years old stepped forward. His hair was cut short and his
clothes although good were not of the finest material. It told of a family
of middle income who were using what money they had to send their eldest
child to the Guild school. Being a Guild graduate held great prestige and
was sure to open opportunities for the child when he was an adult. "My name
is Arthur Maraeli. It's an honor to meet you." And with that he gave a bow.

 

   "My name is Salona Oshanlukura Kandura," Salona responded solemnly and
gave a deep bow.

 

   The courageous boy stepped up to her and reached out with a nervous hand
and touched her on the left shoulder. "You're skin is so soft," the boy said
in a mix of delight and surprise.

 

   A young girl of no more than ten edged close in and started stroking the
feline on the head.

   
   Soon others joined in and the cat was being touched and petted like an
ordinary house cat would enjoy the attention. The feline seemed to enjoy the
contact and purred softly.

 

   "Are you really a million years old?" One sweet faced little girl asked.
The little girl had long, black hair that woven into intricate braids that
ended in green ribbons. Her face was alive with excitement.

 

   Salona gave a little growl of laughter. "No my dear. I'm not that old,"
he said in a voice filled with humor.

 

   "How old are you?" The little one asked.

 

   "I am three thousand, two hundred and forty seven years old," Salona said
solemnly.

 

   "Wow!" A little boy said. "You're ancient."

 

   "There are things older than me," she responded. "But I have seen a lot
of history unfold in front of me."

 

   "You ARE history," Carlisle added.

 

 

**************

 

 

   Walking along they came to a small garden tucked into a small corner.
Surrounded on three sides by sculpted bushes a small fountain burbled and
bubbled noticeably lowering the temperature. Lying stretched out on the
grass were a lion and lioness who seemed to take no notice of the new
arrivals.

 

  The lion opened his eyes and lifted his head. He looked at the new
arrivals. "Good morning! Good to see you about out and about Lady Salona."

 

   The lioness looked at them and flipped her tail back and forth slowly.
"How are you enjoying Marigund? And seeing it for the first time."

 

   "Much has changed physically," Salona answered. "But although the
language and culture has changed the people are the same."

 

   "Humans change but human nature doesn't," the lioness commented lazily.

 

   "Indeed," the Smilodon added.

 

   "I do hope you enjoy the city," the lion said and laid his head back down
on the ground.

 

   "We really must talk later," the lioness said in a relaxed tone. "After
you've settled in."

 

   "I look forward to it!" The metal feline answered.

 

   The small group turned and walked away from the garden, leaving it's odd
occupants to themselves.

 

    "Who are they?" Salona asked as soon as they were out of hearing range.
"What are they exactly?"

 

   "A mage and pet," Idette answered as they walked. "Both are guild members
in good standing. And mages of considerable power. They were of great help
several years ago in defeating pack of Slashers."

 

   She looked back and the two felines seemed to be asleep. "Which is the
master and which is the pet?" Salona asked.

 

   There was a moment of pregnant silence.

 

   "We're not sure," came the uncertain answer.

 

   "I don't think they know either."

 

 

**********************

 

 

  Father Marchel arrived in the church in the middle of a service. He boldly
opened the doors and stepped inside. The man paused for a moment and the
congregation fell silent as people realized he was there.

 

   It wasn't his arrival that surprised everyone. It was the mage and twelve
heavily armed guards with him that shocked them all into silence. The
soldiers were wearing tabards decorated with the crossed gold keys of the
cardinals guard.

 

   When he was sure the entire congregation was aware of him the father
started to move. Flanked by the soldiers Father Marchel walked slowly and
deliberately down the center aisle. His boots striking the paving with a
sound like thunder echoing in the large room. He marched right up to Father
Guthrey and stopped barely an arm's length from him. "You will see the
Cardinal now," the priest said simply. "We will leave immediately."

 

 

***************

 

 

   The garden was quiet at this early hour. Most of the staff and students
were still asleep in the homes. The only ones awake were a few of the guards
on duty. Their visitors had moved on leaving the garden and the small
fountain to the two felines.

 

   Their real names were not common knowledge. Most knew them simply as Lion
and Lioness. Both had been at the Guild for a long time. Few knew their real
names or even what species they were (or had been) but all respected their
knowledge and magic skills. To the untrained eye they looked like a lion and
lioness, perhaps the pets of some mage. But these 'pets' possessed magic
might and were full members of the guild themselves.

 

   The lioness walked up to the lion and rubbed her body against his own
before settling down beside him. With their bodies touching as much as
possible she laid her head down and closed her eyes.

 

   The pair were silent for a long moment. 

 

   "I've been thinking my love," she said slowly in an almost sleepy
fashion.

 

   "About what?" He answered without opening his own eyes.

 

   "About what?" she  jerked her head up and stared at him, surprised. "What
have we been talking about these last four years."

 

   "Ah," he said slowly. Then he opened his eyes and licked her on the
muzzle. "I was wondering if you meant the affair with Salona."

 

   The lioness nodded her head. "Good point, that's a messy business that I
am glad we are not involved with. But she did inspire me in another way."

 

   He purred loudly. "We think alike. Lion has been nice but perhaps
sabertooth would be a better form for us."

 

   She nodded her head and stood up. "I think it's what we've been looking
for."

 

   "Agreed." The male got up on all four legs.

 

   The two felines stood facing each other. Together the two began the
incantation that allowed them to begin the spell. The words and complex
movement of their bodies was only a tiny portion of the spell. It allowed
them to start the magic and help control it, shaping it to their desired
end. In moments their two bodies were enveloped by a soft, blue glow. The
two made sure the magic had infused their entire bodies leaving nothing
untouched. Only then did they speak the command word. The glow flared
brightly and their bodies started to change.

 

   Legs shortened and their bodies grew more compact as their spines gained
the distinct slope of a Smilodon. The male's mane vanished as both gained
the long, saber like teeth that gave their new species its name. In moments
the lion and lioness were now two sabercats, male and female.

 

   The male tilted his head back and let loose a roar and his mate joined in
the chorus announcing to all the world the power of their new bodies and
pure delight at having them.

 

   The male walked around slowly. "I like how this body feels."

 

   She rubbed her body against his. "I like it too."

 

 

*******************

 

 

   "Here is the main plaza!"

 

   The main plaza of Marigund city was crowded as always with people. Some
headed for a destination elsewhere in the city, some a friend or colleague
and others just relaxing.

 

    "This hasn't changed," Salona said as she looked around. "The clothing
is different but the people are the same. You even have the same peddlers."

 

   "Some things never change," Idette said.

 

   The metal feline pondered the large sculpture fountain that dominated the
center of the plaza. The massive, marble sculpture was filled with all sorts
of figures; some human some animal, some mythical or just plain fanciful.
She noticed a rearing centaur with a spear in hand fighting something that
sort of resembled a dragon with no wings. At the center and highest point
was the tall statue of a man in flowing robes holding aloft a sword in one
hand. There was a look of exultation on the man's face. "It's nice to see
that the sculpture is still there. It wasn't destroyed in the invasion?"

 

   "The Lutins pretty badly damaged it but it was restored to what they
think it looked like," the woman answered.

 

   Salona turned and looked to the woman. "Think?"

 

   "The Lutins overran the city after a bloody siege in 150," the man said.
"It lay empty till 228 when an army led by prince Ovid routed the lutins and
the city was resettled."

 

   "I see," the feline said slowly. "How much of the city has been rebuilt?"

 

   "About half," was Carlisle's answer.

 

   "We'll reclaim the rest, eventually," Idette commented.

 

   "I don't doubt that you will," the feline said casually. "I've seen great
cities reduced to empty ruins in a decade and yet a simple village last
unchanged for a thousand years."

 

   The group stood still and the crowd seemed to part and leave them alone.

 

   "This is as good a place as any to tell her," Idette said in a half
whisper.

 

   Carlisle looked around to be sure no one was within hearing. "Fair
enough," the mage said. Then he turned to the sabertooth.

 

   Salona's ears went back and she barred her teeth. "Tell me what?"

 

   "We need to inform you of the special situation here in Marigund,"
Carlisle said in a serious tone. "What I am about to tell you technically
breaks the law."

 

   "Breaks the law?" Salona cocked her hear to one side. "Why?"

 

   "I'll explain," Carlisle said. He pointed to the south where a large
edifice with a portico of four story tall columns stood. The entire building
was of white marble that gleamed in the sunlight. Behind the columns were
massive two story tall doors made of a deep brown wood covered with gold
leaf. "That is the Lightbringer Temple."

 

   He pointed to the east where another grand edifice stood. This one had a
tall spire sheathed in gold that glittered in the sunlight and towered at
least three hundred feet high. "That is the Ecclesia cathedral."

 

  Carlisle turned and pointed to the west. There was another cathedral with
a spire just as tall and with a main doorway every bit as grand and ornate
as the other. This steeple was not covered in gold leaf but it was just as
tall. "That is the Rebuilder cathedral."

 

   "No Yehudim synagogue?" Salona asked, semi jokingly.

 

   The woman shook her head and pointed off to the north east. "No, their
place is in Merick and far from here."

 

   "Smart move," Salona said. "Put's them out of sight."

 

   "The three religions do not get along well. Never have. There has always
been hatred and low level fighting between them," the woman said. "One
hundred years ago it broke into an open, bloody war called The Burning. It
lasted six years and killed thousands."

 

   "When Aelrig managed to restore order he enforced the rules of silence.
Religion cannot be discussed or even mentioned publically," Carlisle said
quietly. "Since then an uneasy peace has existed here. All the groups live
and work together but religion remains a private matter. All four groups do
their best to avoid each other and have as little contact as possible."

 

   The woman gave a wry smile. "When the four got together at the guild to
decide whether to restore you or not it was the first time the leaders of
all four religions had met together peacefully. Ever."

 

   "How long has this peace lasted?"

 

   "The century since then," Cecelia answered.

 

   "So for one hundred years you have lived together peacefully," Salona
commented in a calm manner. "That is something to be proud of."

 

   Carlisle just looked at her for a moment. "Ah, " he said in stunned
silence. "I've never considered it that way."

 

   There was a look of confusion Cecelia's face. "That's an interesting
idea."

 

   The group made its way out of the plaza and headed south, past the
Lightbringer temple. The street they were on was lined with all manner of
shops. Each shop had a counter with a person (or two or three) who were
extolling the virtues of the wares they were trying to sell. The street
widened considerably and for several blocks it was over a hundred feet wide.
It was crowded with countless booths and stalls leaving only a small path
open down the middle.

 

   "Welcome to the Book Market," Carlisle said.

 

   "You took me here deliberately," Salona said with a touch of humor in her
voice.

 

   "Of course!" He said and laughed then his face grew serious. "I wanted
you to see that we take the task of passing along knowledge seriously. A lot
of information is passed along here."

 

   "For a price," the feline commented sarcastically.

 

   "Yes," Beatrice said. "For a price but would you rather we do like
Sathmore and horde the books in some locked library?"

 

   Salona nodded her head and looked around. Everywhere she looked were
books; shelved. boxed, bundled or just placed in precarious piles onto carts
or wagons. What caught her attention was these books were moving; being
bought and sold. Not just sitting in some musty and unused library. With
each sale information was being exchanged alone with the money. "Interesting
point. What else do you sell here?"

 

   "Well," the Idette said slowly. "This is the book market. There's also
the  wool market, gold and silver market, jewelry market. Grain market,
vegetable market, meat market, wine market and the salt market."

 

   "Marigund is a city of merchants. If you can't buy it in Marigund you
just can't buy it," Cecelia commented sarcastically.

 

   Salona leaned closer. "Including slaves?"

 

   "Slaves?" the woman asked. Confusion plain to see all over her face.

 

   "Slaves?" Beatrice echoed with equal confusion.

 

   "There has not been a slave in the midlands for over five hundred years,"
Carlisle said in clipped tones. "That institution died with the empire. Even
in places that weren't overrun or attacked."

 

   "At least some good came of the invasion," Idette said.

 

   "There are some who say the practice of slavery is one reason for the
stagnation of the empire," the historian commented as if talking to a class
of students. "There just wasn't any drive to exceed or develop any new labor
saving methods or devices."

 

  The feline sat down  on her haunches. "If slavery is gone then what has
replaced it?"

 

   "Feudalism."

 

   "The empire was already disintegrating when the invasion came," Cecelia
intoned like the teacher she often was. "It was just too large to be
maintained."

 

   "A series of bad emperors made the situation worse," Carlisle added.

 

   "True but the collapse was inevitable," Cecelia countered with a wave of
her hand. "It was simply a matter of when. If the Lutins hadn't come along
then some other crisis would have."

 

   "Nothing lasts forever," Carlisle commented.

 

   "Except Madog and me," Salona added. She lifted her nose upward and
sniffed the air. "Do I smell food cooking?" She asked. "I smell lots of food
cooking."

 

   The group turned left and entered a narrow side street. A brick roof
arched over the road protecting it from the effects of the weather. Like all
the others roads in the city it was lined with countless stalls. A light
smoke wafted from almost every stall telling of food being prepared.

 

   "You can find food from all over the world here," Carlisle said. "They
say you can eat here every day for a year and never have the same food
twice."

 

   "I think I'll sample some of the food," the automaton said and moved
towards one of the booths. "I'm hungry."

 

   "You can eat?" Carlisle asked.

 

   "Of course," Salona answered. "Any food I eat I digest to power my body.
Just like when I was flesh and blood."

 

   "Madog eats metal," Misha said.

 

   "I can eat metal too," she responded. "But I prefer real food." The
feline walked over to one of the stands. A young woman was grilling strips
of meat and vegetables over an open brazier.

 

   A copper coin from Cecelia got them a strip of mutton wrapped around a
carrot both dripping with a brown sauce.

 

   Slowly, deliberately and with great patience she bit down on the food and
with obvious delight chewed the food. Enjoying her first meal in over five
centuries. "Food," she purred. "There's nothing better than food!"

 

   She took another bite of the meat. "What's this street called?" Salona
asked.

 

   "The name translates as the street of Bad Tastes," Carlisle answered.


   "A good name for it!" Salona commented sarcastically.

 

   "Not all the food is bad," Cecelia said. She walked over to a large
booth. The vender there was selling bowls of lamb stew in brightly colored
pottery bowls. A single copper coin got her a bowl covered with brightly
colored flowers and filled with hot, lamb stew. It also got her a good sized
piece of bread.

 

   Salona leaned close and examined the bowl and its contents. It was filled
with a rich, brown liquid which had large cubes of meat floating in it along
with various vegetables.

 

   "To get the best effect have some of the stew and then a bite of bread,"
the girl suggested.

 

   The metal feline took a careful sip of the stew, lapping up the brown
liquid and gobbling up a piece of meat. She closed her eyes and after a
moment they heard a deep rumbling purr came from the feline.

 

   He laughed. "I think she likes it."

 

   "I'd forgotten how good, real food tastes," Salona said slowly.

 

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