In the mountains surrounding the Place of the Winds, an army of air elementals swirls in, building, shaping, creating a place for creatures of air to live in comfort. Large nests are built. Seen from above they make the pattern of a swirling galazy of stars. Caves in the side of one of the mountains are hollowed out and large balconies attached for the convenience of flying creatures. Rope bridges are constructed to connect the balconies and nests for the benefit of those nonflying creatures who might visit here. An omniportal is placed within the center of the largest cave. Decorative details and comfortable rugs and feather pillows are added to the rooms within the cliff face. The elder elemental looks around at the changes and nods in satisfaction.
"It is exactly right," he says approvingly. "I will call forth our allies now, to let them know that all is in readiness."
In response to the summons of the winds, a flock of celestial eagles descends from the sky and lands in the nests that have been prepared for them.
"We answer the summons of the Winds, Azuri'ith."
The flock of mysterious birds flies in on silent wings, dark as night itself. They too settle into the nests that have been prepared for them.
The omniportal flashes and a djinn steps through. He raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"This is certainly better accomodations than I was expecting. I need to make very few changes. I thank you for your kind hospitality, Azuri'ith, and look forward to our continued association."
"I will go then and inform the Champions of the progress we have made here."
The elder air elemental disappeared in a rush of wind.
LJ follows her grandfather as they fly over the mountains. It had been too long since she had stretched her wings. It felt good to feel the freedom of the air again. She gasped in surprise as she realized what they were flying over.
"Are those - nests? And that pattern...it's the same as the one on my... Grandfather, what is this place?"
"This," he said with a satisfied chuckle, pleased by her reaction, "is the Eyrie of Celestial Harmony. We built it for you, Star Song, as a place to house those allies who have answered your call to war. Would you like to meet them?"
"Of course," she says, stunned by the level that her allies have gone to while she was otherwise occupied. They flew in and landed on a large balcony. She could see a large cavern with an omniportal inside. She turned around, amazed at the number of birds she can see in the nests.
The largest of the celestial eagles flies over to the balcony and lands in front of her. It gives her a respectful nod.
"We have answered the call, Star Song. We will fight against the Black."
:We will fight for you also. We will guard you from harm.:
She turns to the humongous bird, black as night, certain that the words came from him. He also gave her a respectful nod.
"My Lady, it is an honor to meet you in person," the djinn said, kneeling before her.
LJ blushed furiosly. "No please, no kneeling." she stammered out.
"Of course, my lady," he said, chagrined. "I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I am your humble servant, Djuhah, and I am here to strike terror into the hearts of your enemies, fair lady."
LJ wasn't quite sure what to make of the djinn, but the rest of it...it was overwhelming. A tear came to her eyes.
These are happy tears, she assured her grandfather as he looked at her in concern. I never expected anything like this. Thank you. All of you.
A translucent form appears before Lynora-Jill and the assembled creatures of air:
Champion of the Wind
Child of starlight
Singer of Peace
Divine Intercessor
You take another step along your journey. Go forward with my blessing: I move on as well ...
The glowing form of Braaawktor fades from sight
"Thank you, Bwaaktor," she whispers, a tear trickling down her cheek. She will miss him and being able to go to him for advice, but he seems to be at peace, and for that she is grateful.
Suddenly, Lynora sees a cloaked figure nearby, just outside the Eyrie. It seems to want to get in, but the wards are preventing it. Lynora feels a momentary chill, getting the feeling that this is not something she wants in the Eyrie.
Before LJ can speak a word about the strange figure, two starhawks fly out to confront it.
Barely dodging the mysterious figure as it flies away, Sky enters the Eyrie. After flying around and giving a quick wave to LJ, he begins looking for an empty nest. When he does find one, he unslings the pack at his side, revealing eight large eggs. With the grace of any bird, Sky places the eggs together in his nest carefully. His form wavers as he takes his dire eagle form and settles down to keep the eggs warm.
*cirlces the thread looking for some roadkill*
"I should get back to the Sanctum of the Sun before Jack Hammer wakes and finds me gone. I will be back soon, I promise. This place is so beautiful, and I am so very glad to have all of you fighting on our side."
:We will fly with you, Lady. The cloaked one is gone, for now, but there may be other dangers. We will guard:
Two of the Starhawks accompany LJ as she flies back to the Sanctum.
Mmmmmm.....roadkill
Mmmmmm.....roadkill
Sky glares at the vulture, ready to kill to defend his eggs should the bird be so foolish to try for them.
Mmmmmm.....roadkill
A small air elemental direct Vinny to a recently deceased mountain goat that no one has yet claimed.
Mmmmmm.....roadkillA small air elemental direct Vinny to a recently deceased mountain goat that no one has yet claimed.
:::SNARLS at Vinnie de Vulture and the Air Elemental:::
"That's my mountain goat!"
LJ and JH finally arrive at the Eyrie.
Tdah!
A large black bird glides silently over to the balcony in front of the open cavern in which the omniportal sits.
:Welcome back, Lady: It gives a bob of its head, that appears to be the avian equivalent of a respectful bow.
:Greetings, Earth Champion. It is an honor to meet you.:
A large black bird glides silently over to the balcony in front of the open cavern in which the omniportal sits.
:Welcome back, Lady: It gives a bob of its head, that appears to be the avian equivalent of a respectful bow.
:Greetings, Earth Champion. It is an honor to meet you.:
Greetings. I am happy to be here.
JH scans the Eyrie from the portal, basking in the life and 'freshness' of the place. He breathes deeply of the fresh air.
LJ giggles as a small air elemental tickles her wings. She waves at Sky, and takes JH's hand.
Would you like to walk outside and see the nests first or the rooms here inside the cliff?
LJ giggles as a small air elemental tickles her wings. She waves at Sky, and takes JH's hand.
Would you like to walk outside and see the nests first or the rooms here inside the cliff?
If we see the rooms first we may never get to see the rest of the place. ;)
She laughs and leads him out onto the rope bridge connecting the balcony with the nests. She stops to speak with several of the birds present, admiring newly hatched chicks and introducing JH to them.
"We are pleased that you have chosen to come to this place, Earth Champion," an elder celestial eagle speaks to him. "It is an honor to fight alongside you, and the spirit you carry with you," he adds, nodding meaningfully at the eagle side of the hammer.
"We are pleased that you have chosen to come to this place, Earth Champion," an elder celestial eagle speaks to him. "It is an honor to fight alongside you, and the spirit you carry with you," he adds, nodding meaningfully at the eagle side of the hammer.
Thank you. I am honored to be found worthy of such fine friends.
:Would you like to see the Eyrie from above, Earth Champion? I could carry you, if you so choose.:
:Would you like to see the Eyrie from above, Earth Champion? I could carry you, if you so choose.:
Maybe a short trip. I feel 'disconnected' if I'm off the ground too long.
The starhawk lands near JH and lowers itself to allow him to climb on.
:A short trip then.: it agrees.
She laughs and leads him out onto the rope bridge connecting the balcony with the nests. She stops to speak with several of the birds present, admiring newly hatched chicks and introducing JH to them.
One new-hatched chick croons as Lynora-Jill looks him over
The starhawk lands near JH and lowers itself to allow him to climb on.
:A short trip then.: it agrees.
JH climbs aboard. The rush of cool air is so much more intoxicating outside of the dream flight. He holds on firmly.
The starhawk takes off, slowly circling above the Eyrie so that JH can get a good view. LJ flies alongside. He can see from above that the nests are indeed arranged in the pattern of a swirling galaxy, and a good many of them are already filled. He can also see something LJ hasn't noticed yet, which is that the balconies along the cliff face are arranged in the same pattern.
The starhawk takes off, slowly circling above the Eyrie so that JH can get a good view. LJ flies alongside. He can see from above that the nests are indeed arranged in the pattern of a swirling galaxy, and a good many of them are already filled. He can also see something LJ hasn't noticed yet, which is that the balconies along the cliff face are arranged in the same pattern.
JH points to the balconies, and shouts above the winds.
This place is much more than a fortress of air. It is a sanctuary for the heavens themselves.
JH points to the balconies, and shouts above the winds.
This place is much more than a fortress of air. It is a sanctuary for the heavens themselves.
LJ's flight path wobbles a bit as the truth of his words hit her. She is stunned that she didn't notice the repetition of the symbol - her symbol - before. She's not entirely sure if she's comfortable with this.
The starhawk slowly circles over to the main balcony, where it bends down to allow JH to dismount.
:The Lady is not comfortable thinking of this as a Temple, even though it is one. Tread carefully there, Earth Champion.:
With its warning given, the starhawk flies off.
Mmmmmm.....roadkillA small air elemental direct Vinny to a recently deceased mountain goat that no one has yet claimed.:::SNARLS at Vinnie de Vulture and the Air Elemental:::
"That's my mountain goat!"
Hearing no objections from Vinnie (or anyone else in the Eyrie), Roy rips a bloody chunk off the mountian goat and scampers off somewhere...
That was fun, but I'm glad to be on solid ground again.
That was fun, but I'm glad to be on solid ground again.
I'm glad that I was able to show it to you the way I see it, she says with a smile that is just a shade too bright. Let me show you the rest. They've done wonders in such a short time. The rooms are really quite comfortable. And of course they all have balconies, which is something that I appreciate. I like to be able to go for a fly during the night.
That was fun, but I'm glad to be on solid ground again.I'm glad that I was able to show it to you the way I see it, she says with a smile that is just a shade too bright. Let me show you the rest. They've done wonders in such a short time. The rooms are really quite comfortable. And of course they all have balconies, which is something that I appreciate. I like to be able to go for a fly during the night.
Obviously I'm not doing enough to tire you out. I'll try harder.
Obviously I'm not doing enough to tire you out. I'll try harder.That was fun, but I'm glad to be on solid ground again.I'm glad that I was able to show it to you the way I see it, she says with a smile that is just a shade too bright. Let me show you the rest. They've done wonders in such a short time. The rooms are really quite comfortable. And of course they all have balconies, which is something that I appreciate. I like to be able to go for a fly during the night.
She laughs, startled out of her discomfort. Honestly since I connected myself to Yggdrasil, I have more energy than I know what to do with.