Day 266 (244th) Rebuild the Gate

Day 266 (244th):
Light was just coloring the sky as we woke. We could all feel the increase in the population of the castle. Dressing quickly, we went to the place that we were told to go last night. Upon entering, we saw almost all of the families were represented. Each wore their family color. I could see they were all nervous, excited, and still pondering if they could be the sacrifice the ritual required. I glimpsed a person with an odd aura, but he/she moved behind a cluster of people before I got a good look.
When Talrik, Chobi, and the Saplings arrived, the nearly one dozen elves gasped. Some huddled together while others became defiant. The Crowns entered with the rest of the families. To their credit, the Crowns noticed the discomfort of their people. The pair walked over to our mortal powers. Sarvicnal gave Talrik a hearty slap on the back.
"Good people, these are our allies in this task. Cleric Talrik, here, has provided the stones that will make the actual physical structure of the gateway."
Moving over to the Saplings, Sarvicnal continued his introductions, "These are young Treants, referred to as Saplings. They are Pine, Elm, and Oak. They have provided special vines that will be the gates for this gateway. These vines will live off the energy of the portal, keeping it contained and put a stop to the bleeding of energy into our kingdom. It will also keep people from entering accidentally."
The crowd was relaxing as they saw the ease with which their leader interacted with these beings. Sarvicnal went over to Chobi.
"This is Chobi, which I was told means 'fifteen' in draconian. She is apprenticed to Aper See, a King dragon that lives not far from here that many of you may have seen in our skies. She and two others study with this ancient power so his knowledge and skills are not lost. Her master has provided the chalice that will hold our blood and the essence of the one who willing gives his/her life to bind this structure together. He, through her, will perform the magic that holds this gate together as a solid structure."
The crowd was having some trouble understanding her position. I could see some of them have the same idea that the Palace had about "setting her free" of the the dragon. Sarvicnal gave them the same look he gave the Palace last night. Many registered his disapproval and changed their minds. The King came over to us.
"While I do not have to introduce them, I will tell all of you that the Sisters will be an important part of this ritual. If I read it correctly, the Immortals will hand over the containment of the portal to them for a short period of time. Ladies, could you explain to these good people what is expected of them?"
Sarvicnal rejoined Elenvarna as we faced the crowd.
"Families, you part is very simple," Sarah began, "You will be encircling the portal but as far from it as the cavern will allow. Except for the sacrifice, each of you will only give a small amount of blood. A drop or two in the chalice is all that is needed. You will stay and repeat, 'Lav-uuner hyar rinde ando', while the ritual proceeds. You will be told when to begin chanting. You will continue until told to stop."
The crowd mouthed the phrase. They looked at each other, wondering who would be the sacrifice. A servant entered and whispered to Sarvicnal, who nodded and waved him away.
"Good people, a meal awaits us. Please follow us. After we eat and are comfortable with each other, we will go down to the portal and seal it back."
Sounds of agreement echoed in the room. We followed the Crowns to the large dining chamber. The Palace was not there so the families took their places as we all sat down. The Crowns, Talrik, Chobi, and the Saplings took their places from last night. We sat at the same table as before. The families took tables as far from us and them as possible and still be in the same room. The families clumped together, only sitting with those with whom they were already familiar. None made any attempt to speak with anyone they did not already know.
"How are they suppose to get comfortable with us if they cower in corners?" Sarah mentally asked us as she looked around.
"I am not sure. I do see fear that has nothing to do with us or the others. Alice and Anna, can you confirm that some have been threatened to both be and not be the sacrifice?" I asked.
Alice and Anna surveyed the room. They confirmed that about half had been bombarded with threats.
"I see 'duty', 'honor', 'pride', and other things batted around as threats to be the sacrifice. I see 'commitment', 'family', and 'responsibility' as threats to not volunteer", Alice told us.
Anna also said something similar. The odd aura was blocked again and I could not make out the person it surrounded.
As the food was served, I noticed the Crowns looking at us. Keeping everyone else from receiving, we told them what we had learned. Both were upset, but made no announcement nor said anything to let them know we knew. Talrik rose when he had finished eating to gather the stones. Elm left and returned with a covered basket. Chobi left and returned with the chalice.
We were waiting for everyone to finish eating when I felt powerful and familiar energies within the building. The Crowns must have noticed, for they looked at us, nearly pleading. A single nod was all it took for them to rise, causing the rest of the room to jump to our feet.
"Everyone, our other guests are here. Let us go to the portal," Sarvicnal called to us.
We fell in behind the Saplings and Chobi, who were right behind the Crowns. The families followed us as we headed to the heart of Crialas. Unlike the previous trip, the portal's corruption did not press upon us. I could feel it was being contained, most likely by the Immortals we were expecting.
As we got closer, I felt a change in Chobi. She stumbled a step, then righted herself and continued. Her glow shifted drastically. She turned to look at me. Those were Aper See's ancient eyes looking out of Chobi's young face. A wink and a nod let me know everything was fine.
We arrived to see the metal doors open, the portal in plain view. Gasps from behind us broadcast that the families saw it as well. Inside the chamber, the Crowns led them around the walls while we, the Saplings, and Aper See in Chobi's body went towards the center. Talrik had a few wet sacks with the rocks still inside them. He seemed pleased with their condition. Flanking the portal were Aloriana, Rollis, the Lord and Lady of the Wild, and Scotvla, who was far more solid than the last time we had seen her. They did not speak, merely nodding when they saw us. Set, Dawn, and Bo took up almost defensive stances at the door.
Once all the families were in, Aloriana signaled for the doors to be shut. Set at one and Bo and Dawn at the other, they closed them with a rather large bang, causing some to jump. Gretta fished out the miniature hammer out of Greed's sheath and tossed it into the fluctuating portal. It stilled for a moment. The World Builder, Galvadore, and six smaller figures walked out. The smaller figures went to six points around the portal then became as still as statues. The other Immortals gathered around them. The World Builder opened his arms as he spoke.
"Welcome, everyone. Let us begin this task. I see the stones, the vines, and the children. Where is the chalice?"
"Here, my lord," Aper See's deep voice rumbled out of Chobi. In her hands was the chalice.
"Excellent. Brothers and sisters, please begin your part," he said, looking at those at his sides.
They encircled the portal. We watched the chaos become more orderly, the realms did not flash by as fast, and the energy stayed within the room. The portal itself shrank to the size of a large cottage.
"Givagar, your turn," the World Builder instructed.
Dragging his wet sacks, Talrik approached the portal. He began arranging the soft stones around the glowing area of the reduced portal. While he did this, the World Builder got the chalice, produced a slender dagger, and proceeded around the chamber, collecting blood. He started with the Crowns, who gave some without qualm. The World Builder said something to Elenvarna, causing her to touch her stomach. Moving around, he quickly and efficiently collected a drop or two from each person. Talrik had finished laying out the stones before the World Builder completed his circuit. When the last person had given, he returned to stand near the portal.
"You were informed a living sacrifice must be made to fill this chalice and complete this gate. Who is the sacrifice?"
Many took half-steps forward only to step back again. Fear, doubt, anger, plus many more emotions swirled around.
In all of the mental chatter, I heard a single voice state, "I'm too scared."
To that person alone, I asked, "Why? What frightens you so?"
"Many things; pain, death, my family's loss, and much more."
In quick order, I explained what would happen. With all of that straightened out, a voice rang out.
"I am the sacrifice."
A female elf in her middle years walked stiffly to face the World Builder. The strange aura surrounded her, nearly obscuring her features.
"I am Catara Moon Swimmer. I sacrifice myself willingly to make this gate and protect this kingdom."
"You admit, before all gathered, that you do this without threat, bribe, or coercion of any kind."
"Yes, I do."
"Then place your hands upon this chalice and repeat the words spoken to you."
Catara took the chalice. The World Builder rotated her to face Aper See, who placed "his" hands over her's, pressing them onto the sides of the cup. Locking eyes, Aper See spoke and Catara repeated.
"Let us be united. Here, I give unto you, my long life, my old age, my power, and my spirit. Perfect be our unity."
As the last word died away, Catara began dissolving into mist and flowing into the chalice. While she flowed, the blood level of the chalice grew. Completely filled, the last puff of Catara disappeared into the chalice.
Turning to the World Builder, Aper See said, "It is done."
The World Builder stepped aside to allow Aper See to go to the portal.
"Speak, children of the Founders, speak the words you were given," he commanded the families.
Weakly at first, they began growing in volume and strength. Aper See poured the blood over the stones, which quivered and started to hum.
"Sisters of the Swords, take over the containment," he told us.
Drawing swords, we encircled the portal. The Immortals slid the pressure of holding it to us. It was hard, but not as much as I had anticipated. We held the portal compressed as they, Talrik, and Aper See spoke the words that caused the stones to expand and the blood to seal the gaps between them. Up and over the portal, the stone ring grew. The families continued their chant, nearly a counter point to the Immortals' chant. Both sides met in the center, forming a perfect keystone. The pressure of containment lessened noticeably when it and the Immortals finished. The families continued. The Saplings approached and placed their small vines at the base of the ring. The Immortals began another, similar, chant with the Saplings joining them and the others. The vines nearly exploded in size to grow up the ring and meet in a knot over the keystone. Once thoroughly entwined, smaller vines grew from the length of the vines, blocking the light of the portal and dimming the cavern. The pressure decreased again as it and they were complete. Cold hands touched us. The six smaller figures, who had not moved until then, laid stone-cold hands on our shoulders. Emotionless, they spoke as one.
"This is our's to take now. Your part is complete."
Just as the Immortals had slid it to us, we slid the pressure to them. We breathed deeply when they gained the last of it. Aper See motioned for us to join them. The six figures seemed unfazed by their burden and returned to their spots. They became silent and still once again.
Pleased at the results, the World Builder called the families to silence.
"Your gate is rebuilt. Your portal is safe to use again. These six, former members of your Palace, are now the monitors and controllers of this gate. As sharrieroc, they do not need food, water, sunlight, nor anything else to continue. In time, they will die and new monitors will be needed. At that time, you will choose their replacements. Now, let us remove this taint this portal has made upon your land. Take the hands of those next to you. Set, Dawn, Bo, complete the circle."
The families joined hands and our companions closed the form by joining hand to wing to claw to hand. The Immortals took each others' hand and we seven, the Saplings, Talrik, and Aper See encircled them and joined hands. All was silent as the power built up among the Immortals. Once it reached its peak, it erupted, passing through us, then the families, then out. It raced out so fast, I could not track it. Everything within my perceptions was clean. A massive weight was gone. I felt like crying , laughing, screaming, and collapsing all at once. I saw people genuinely smiling, true happiness shining from them.
The World Builder thanked all of us. He, Galvadore, Scotvla, the Lord and Lady of the Wild, and Rollis parted the vines and disappeared into the portal. Aloriana gave us seven hugs and walked out the door. Chobi was herself again. The Crowns dismissed the families and they left. Those of us left in the chamber took in the sight of the rebuilt gate and the monitors, still motionless as statues, and felt great relief and joy.
As we followed the Crowns back to their apartments, Orania met us. Chobi handed her the new Chalice to place with the other. Catara, in the Chalice, must have been resting as I felt only a peaceful calm from it. Orania gingerly accepted the Chalice and went to put it with the other. We continued to the Royal apartments. Everything was so much lighter, brighter, and cleaner that it felt like a different building and kingdom. Inside, servants were smiling as they went about their duties. Some sang and whistled. We were greeted warmer than ever before. We sat in the Royals' parlor and listened to the Crowns recount the ritual. The renewal that they had attempted was nothing like this and it showed them that it was far too inadequate. They chastised themselves for even thinking it would be enough. Servants listened intently to their recount of the building ritual. Elenvarna did state that it saddened her that only six of the thirteen Galvadore had taken survived the sharrieroc transformation. Both Chobi and Anna explained what they had become. Grueling forces transformed living flesh into statues. Until needed, they would not hear, see, nor experience the passage of time. When needed, they would make the portal stay at the desired realm, open the vines, and monitor the travelers and the gate until the travelers returned or decided not to come back. They would not aid, rescue, nor interfere in any way with the travelers and their interaction with their realm of choice. Once the travelers were back, staying, or dead, they would close the vines, releasing the portal to resume its randomness, and be statues again. How long they "lived" was unknown as they would not age nor show any signs of decay until they simply fell apart. The minimum number of monitors needed was three. All of them "dying" at once was unlikely, as each had been a unique individual with varying lifespans.
Dinner interrupted our discussion and we realised how famished we were after the rigors of the ritual. Our conversation turned to hopes and dreams of Crialas' future. Elenvarna told us that the World Builder had said her babies' blood was going into the gate along with her's. He assured her it would not harm them in any way. As we ate, we noticed the servants going to the outer doors from time to time. When asked, they said people were laying gifts at the doors, for us, Talrik, Chobi, the Saplings, and the Crowns. In them were a lot of letters of apology. Apologizing for doubting us all, for rude behavior, for unkind words, actions, and thoughts, for a host of other things. The servants were sorting them out to take to our rooms as a whole instead of one piece at a time. This made the Queen cry, as it touched her heart that her people were understanding and accepting new ideas and new friendships. Sarvicnal ordered treaties to be written between Givia, Aper See, and the Treants. Talrik, not being of a position to make treaties, said he would let his leaders discuss that with the Crowns. Chobi and the Saplings weren't certain if treaties were necessary, but pledges of good will might be more appropriate.
We parted late into the night and nearly dragged ourselves into bed. Most of us didn't undress and were asleep in short order.