Self Discovery (Open)

Aleria sat in the large hall, still leaning her head on her palm. Let her go, Caliga. I want to see what she's going to do.

Naturally, the raven did not obey her immediately, and stopped the girl anyways. Sighing, the Fallen stood, and walked over to the large picture window. The Atrum Angelus knew very well that the girl would soon come here to ask permission to leave.

Caliga, now, please. Return. I wish for you by my side when she comes to visit. Also, fetch the pendant from the upper tower please.

Milady... the raven's voice was high and raspy as he turned back and began to edge away from the girl, Is this wise? We have spoken on her subject already.

We each have our suspicions Caliga, I know. However, this could be the best way to prove their validity.

Aleria did not even bother to turn, she had known the girl would come here. You should have just let her leave, Caliga. She reprimanded the raven as he came to land on her shoulder. The stately bird just ruffled his feathers, preening his port wing. From his talons a small pendant floated into her hands, coming to rest between her fingers.

"Of course. You may come and go as you please. Caliga just likes to know everything that is going on. But here," finally she turned, and held out a small sapphire pendant shaped like a teardrop on a silver chain, "take this. It will guide you back through the wood safely."

Aleria turned, A wise bird indeed. Chuckling to herself she took out a silver bowl, filling it with clear, crystalline water. Two drops of her own silver blood began to swirl into arcane patterns as she gazed down at the surface and chanted softly under her breath.

"Revelare revelare. Omnes enim secreta haec oportet nos rescindimus. Aperi vacui, devolvat abysso. Est enim nulla vestibulum mauris."

An image slowly appeared on the surface, foggy around the edges, but as focused as an eagle's perception at the center. She saw the small girl travelling to the East, towards a small village. The pendant made it easier to locate her, since it was already imbued with her energies. Well, we shall see how this turns out.

Chuckling again to herself, as the images played across the surface of the water, she called Caliga to her from his perch on the windowsill. An interesting development, yes? Well now, let's not tarry.

With that, she rose, making her way out of the main hall into the entry way, taking a seat on the fountain as she waited for her guests to arrive. [/i]It seems, Milady, that we are indeed correct. Shall I fetch it for you?[/i]

"Please do," she murmured aloud as her long fingers swirled delicate patterns in the glowing liquid of the fountain.

"Not if you are planning on staying here... Just keep it with you. You never know when it may be useful. After all," Aleria looked up, "it is more than it seems."

Standing, she began to wander back into the gloom. "I hope you enjoy your new form. I must warn you though, that changing so many times will have detrimental effects."

An old dusty tome appeared in her hands as Caliga flew in a circle overhead. Silently, the tome floated forward to her guest as shadows wrapped themselves around the woman's form. "There may be some useful knowledge in there... Keep it safe."

"There have been others. Though they were much before your time... and not nearly as fortunate to live as long as you have."

Her voice echoed through the hall, though she sat concealed at the top of the stairs. Playing with a few tendrils of shadow, she contented herself to watch the young man, curious about him and his past, blossoming suspicions nagging at the back of her mind.

If he has survived this long, milady. Then perhaps...? Caliga rasped in her mind.

Of course. I will fetch it myself however. Keep yourself out of suspicion, my friend, Aleria replied.

You know I always am, mistress, the emerald eyed raven lofted up towards the ceiling, merely a blur of black feathers and two sparkling emerald against the deep dark that the torchlight couldn't penetrate.

"You would do well to read. All that you need to know is there... Trust me, though I knew none of them personally, I have had brief dealings with them." Her voice begins to fade as she floats away through the shadows. Caliga is still circling in the obscurity above, but he eventually drops down to sit on the dark mahogany banister. As he ruffles his feathers, a soft rustling could be heard from the top of the stairs, like a large pair of wings brushing together, and then the Fallen's voice floats down once again.

"And you are fortunate child. You have the chance to harness your curse into a blessing, and use it's true power."

Pulling the shadows around her like a cloak, she disappeared up to the tower in which her chamber was. Caliga stared down from the inkiness of the stairwell at the young man before flying off after his mistress.

Do you want me to watch him, milady? the dark bird inquired as the ascended a spiral staircase made of weathered stone.

I can watch him for now, you must deliver to him a gift. We have long waited for this day, my old friend. But do not be conspicuous. He must touch it of his own volition.

Her tall wings brushed the floor as they continued up to what appeared to be a stone wall. Aleria advanced silently and touched her hand to the rough stone, drawing intricate patterns along the seeming blank wall. Silver lines began to appear from her fingertips and a small round stone -previously imperceptible- seemed to melt, becoming viscous. A small pendant that the woman kept around her neck, hidden, floated up and forward to be absorbed by the thick grey substance. Slowly, ever so slowly, the wall shimmered, and a door began to reveal itself. It opened silently on invisible hinges to reveal a room much larger than what one would expect.

The floors were partially covered with deep crimson carpets, and a couple armchairs sat facing a crackling hearth. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and glass display cases that held a myriad of obscure and ancient arcane looking artifacts. The table in the corner was topped with an ornate chess set and overshadowed by a large spiral staircase. Aleria glanced around the room and her wings vanished. Silently, she ascended the stairs, past another floor, to a perfectly circular room. The room was lavishly furnished, with an ornate desk and chair, and silver perch that looked like it must belong to Caliga as he flew directly to it and landed.

In the center of the room was a staircase, the marble and wrought iron created a tight, vertical spiral that closed itself in like a cage, save for the bottom which formed an arch under which the Fallen passed to climb to the uppermost floor, more of an attic than anything.

The room above was dark, and she lit no lights. However Aleria moved silently and swiftly, without touching anything. Eventually, her fingers came to rest on a pewter box which she unlocked with a small skeleton key and pulled out a long, delicate black feather which the shadows took from her hand and carried it back to the waiting raven.

Go to him, Caliga. You know what you must do.

The raven lofted into the air, and left by way of an open window. His wings spread wide against the night sky, he sent a soft whispering reply.

Of course, milady... Exordium.

Caliga promptly flew quickly, winding through the halls until he arrived at the door that was his destination. With a single powerful flap of his wings, the oak structure blew open, and he came in to perch one of the four posters of the bed.

Sleeping. Of course. Well, might as well give our guest a proper place to stay... This place hasn't been cleaned in ages.

With that thought, the raven quickly flapped his wings and the dust seemed to fly away as he pried open the window, then returned to his perch to wait for the young man to awake.

****

Meanwhile, in her tower, Aleria sat down by the crackling fire and delicately flipped through an ancient tome that smelled of must and ink. A thoughtful frown creased her brow and turned her lips as she read.