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Realms: Bough Logs

Seventh Movement, Coda

The small cavern holding the well is quiet as the pack embraces, the only sound being the dripping of water, and the ruffling of raven feathers as Thought and Memory shuffle on their stone perch. Thought is, as instructed, keeping quiet if it cannot be courteous, and Memory is not nearly as chatty.

Norris noses Mikal's hair, and looks at Jareth. "At any rate, it's not something to worry about now. This gift given us by the ravens, I think our work here is done for the moment, and we should continue on our journey." he suggests gently. Not that he's not enjoying the hugging! But there are things to be done, long before they can see to the possibility of bringing the old gods back.

Jareth reluctantly disengages and nods to Norris, "You're right. We need to go."

Norris nods, squeezing Jareth's shoulder. "Back down Ygdrasil, then, to find transport to Jericho. We're things to collect, and Gan Eden to find."

Jareth takes a last look around and sets the place in his mind. Another story to carry.

Back at the hall, Norris takes a moment to place Odin's skullcap back on his seat and cleaning the perches where Huginn and Muninn roost, saying a proper farewell to the ravens and Ratatosk. He does ask Loki, while he's still got a humanish form, if they were to bury the remains of his son.

Mikal finally sighs, opening her eyes where she leans against her packmates, and smiles up at Norris, "Yes. A little further to walk on this path, it would seem. I seem to be making quite a few visits to the Underworld... and back again, even if each time a little bit more of me is worn away." She sighs tiredly, straightening, and glances to Loki, "Big brother, it occurs to me you too are a shapeshifter. You have the ability to be yourself if you wish." She smiles faintly, reaching up to brush a reddish lock of hair out of his eyes, and softly adds, "Regardless of your shape, I shall remember you as my dear brother."

Loki smiles quietly, taking Mikal's hands. "Just as your god-forms come and go, so does mine... and more often than not I'm simply Raphael. Or Wolf as the case may be. But we should get going."

Mikal waits silently for her companions by the blasted doorway of the great hall, sitting on a huge shard of stone and staring dry-eyed out across the wide plains cradled in the arms of the gigantic world tree. She feels worn thin and ragged around the edges, like a piece of leather that's been used too often. She wonders tiredly if all the deities together can defeat the spider-wasps... she folds her arms about her knees and rests her cheek on her arms. She hopes so. She wonders if she'll survive to see that.

Jareth steps up to Mikal and rests a hand on her shoulder. He knows there are not words sufficient to the task just now, so he simply hopes his love and support can be felt through the tough.

Mikal tilts her head just enough so she can see Jareth from the corner of her eye, and smiles wearily to him. It helps.

Jareth smiles back and kisses her temple before straightening up.

The trip down Yggdrasil is a little shorter than the trip up, but still a little arduous. It is, after all, climbing a tree that dwarfs most mountains. Likewise the trip back to Neuschwanstein goes well, along the path with the shrines. However, actually reaching Neuschwanstein gives the group a surprise; up from the docks at the main gates to the Castle there appears to be an argument or altercation of some sort. A company of ljossaelfar in the uniforms of Neuschwanstein are blocking the gate to a similarly-sized company of soldiers in the uniform of the Church guard. For the time being the group is too far to hear the nature of the argument but it is loud.

Norris slows his approach and looks at his companions. "Maybe you or Raph should sneak up there, see what's going on before we hurtled headlong into it?" he suggests to Mikal.

Mikal nods silently, studying the two groups below for a few moments... then she slides off her fey stag, divesting herself of pack and extra clothing. She hands the pack to Norris, then gives little Lazuli a kiss on the forehead before handing him to Jareth. "Be right back; give me a bit." She nods once to Raphael, and the two of them simply disappear into the underbrush by the road.

Jareth blinks and takes the gryphkit, letting him settle onto his shoulder where Lazuli tucks himself under Jareth's hair with the kit already riding there.

Mikal feels oddly better, slipping silent and unnoticeable through the underbrush with her half-brother just like they did all through her childhood. She doesn't have to look; she knows Raphael is covering her back as she slinks close enough to see and hear what is going on.

Ferro peers at the disturbance, and chirps rather seriously at Norris. "Yes, I agree." he rumbles, scritching Ferro's ears, which he clearly enjoys. He keeps his mount at a walk, counting on the stag to keep pace, as he redistributes the pack he was given on his horse.

Mikal creeps closer to the arguing group, keeping the the brushes beside the path as she nears Neuschwanstein. Both in the Waking and here, it wasn't exactly designed to be defensible, but rather utterly gorgeous; King Ludwig certainly achieved that.

The Church guard captain is arguing with the Neuschwanstein guard captain; they are demanding to speak to the lord of the castle. "A ship out of Uluru used by rebels against Mount Zion is here in your port! We demand from the lord an explanation."

The aelfar captain is livid, but controlling herself. "Mount Zion has no jurisdiction here, no matter what the faith of King Ludwig."

"Well, it's not as if Yggdrasil has jurisdiction...."

"Have you done anything to that airship?"

"We have seized it and detained its crew aboard her. I left a few of my men there but we demand to know what it is doing in your port!"

"You have overstepped your bounds, Churchman, by doing so in our port. The lord will hear of this, and when he does-"

"Excellent! Bring us before him now, and he may explain himself either to us... or to Uriel!"

The argument goes on in that vein for some time; the Neuschwanstein guard is not going to just let the Church Guard before their lord, but the castle guard are furious that the Churchmen seized a ship. And from the sound of things it was the party's airship, the one that Tuwhaki loaned them. It's almost certain that the Church knows that Tuwhaki uses that ship and has branded him some sort of rebel, rather than the CHurch being on the trail of the party.

Mikal watches silently for a bit, then signals Raphael over their link -- can he spot any way for the group to slip unseen or heard around this block in the road, so they can get to the ship? It wouldn't be hard to get past the castle without catching the attention of the arguing guards there; there's several streets and paths that are out of sight of the castle that turn away down to the port.

Mikal nods at that mental note from Raphael; after that the two of them turn and wriggle silently through the underbrush again, returning to the Pack. Once they emerge, Mikal thanks Norris and re-shoulders her backpack, explaining what she saw. "The Churchmen are standardly armed with pikes and halberds -- no distance weapons, which is odd considering they came in on a new ship. It's in port right now. My initial thought was to return to our ship, toss the guardsmen overboard, free the crew, and head off. However..." she looks a bit troubled, "firstly, we are effectively endangering the crew -- they may not want us aboard any more. Secondly," she looks rueful, "we're sort of responsible for the wolf at the gate which the aelfar guard are now facing. There's a part of me which... well... which wishes to make the mortals back off. They really are overstepping their bounds here. What do you all think?"

Mikal grins as Lazuli zips through the air, chirping and trilling happily as he performs a creditable -- if slightly shaky -- barrel roll around her before alighting on her head.

Jareth says, "I think you make a good point. But how?"

Norris looks grim. "If the ship no longer wishes to carry us, that is an issue that we will deal with when it comes. But if the Church is flexing it's muscles, I say we flex right back. We made a deal with Barachiel, atop Inanna's temple, that the hostilities would be stayed between us and the minions of the Architect. That includes his church. If they are actively in abeyance of that agreement, we should rub their face in that. They do not have the right to countermand an Angel."

Norris says, "I seriously doubt even a whole ship of Church guards would wish to try to fight a group of gods." He smiles lightly. "Especially when one of them is Inanna."

Mikal thinks a bit as she rides... then looks thoughtfully at Norris, "That is an excellent point. I do have to ask, though, big brother: do we know if Barachiel considers 'minions of the Architect' to include the mortal Church?" She smiles faintly at the sweet comment.

Jareth smiles tiredly, "I often wonder if the Church has anything to do with the Architect."

Norris spreads his hands. "Difficult to say. But what Barachiel thinks is not the point. It's what the leader of these CHurchmen think. I would be very surprised if a mere Church captain thought his orders were more important than an angel. He'll be worried about overstepping. Not to mention chagrined at trying to take arms against deities. This is an opportunity. We should take it, openly defy the church in front of the Aelfar, and strengthen our own position. It's as much about spreading the word as it is about tweaking the Church's nose."

Mikal smiles in wry agreement to Jareth, then nods firmly to Norris, "Very well then. Let us go and face them down." She sits up straighter on the fey stag, deliberately taking her time and gathering her deific aura about herself as she rides. "We will send the Churchmen back to Mt. Zion, then take flight on our ship for Jericho. Have we a plan, my brethren?"

Jareth says, "If we're going to tweak their noses, we should be our deity-selves, yes?"

Norris considers. "Yes. We should openly enter the city as ourselves, make our way to the docks, and then confront the leader of their forces."

Mikal nods to Jareth; her hair is already starting to flare out as if from a breeze, and her clothing is changing to the Sumerian warrior-goddess's attire.

Mikal /Inanna smiles at Norris, "To the castle gate first, my brother. The docks are lower down-tree."

Jareth takes a deep breath and raises his head, gathering his goddess-hood around himself and slowly changing from a pretty young man into the owl-winged Lilith. She mantles her wings and settles them again, face determined.

Ferro is a little perturbed as Norris's hair changes color as the gryphkit is busy grooming his human, and chirps indignantly at the now blonde Hephaestus. The god grins, and puts Ferro down by the saddle pommel. His armor gleams, his eyes burn with the heat of the volcano, and he takes his rightful place at the Queen of Heaven's side.

The big fey stag strides proudly down the trail, carrying his head high. Mounted on his back is Inanna, Goddess of Love and War, armored for battle but with her weapons slung peacefully. Raphael trots ahead in the curious, almost sideways lope of the wolf covering ground, and the three riders follow abreast, coming around the turn of the trail and advancing calmly on the arguing guards.

The four gods -- for Raphael also takes on the form of Loki -- stride down the path. From where they approach, it's not hard for them to see when the four are spotted: The Neuschwanstein captain happens to glance over, does a double-take, and gapes. The Church guard captain shouts for a bit, demanding that the captain pay attentnion, then looks over... and splutters. At that point, all of the guards are staring. Along the path, more than a few of the mortal and aethyr civilians are staring and murmuring. Bits of words, like 'mirakel' and 'de goden keren terug' can be heard.

Inanna's stormy-eyed gaze sweeps across the gathering, then fastens coldly on the Church guard captain. Her voice is low, but gathering power like the distant rumble of thunder, "What is this? Who dares break our compact with Barachiel?"

Hephaestus is actually quite pleased that Raph has taken Loki's form again...considering they are at the foot of Yggdrasil, that can only help.

The name draws the captain out of his stupor. "Barachiel?!" he exclaims. "What compact? Who are you to speak the name of an angel of Zion?!"

Hephaestus looks cold. "Who are you to speak so to the Queen of Heaven, mortal. You are adressing Inanna of Ur. And in the name of your god, you are in abeyance of a compact made between we four and Barachiel." he says, the rumble of the earth in his voice.

Inanna stares icily at the mouthy captain, and her every word is sharp, "You are foolishly arrogant, little mortal. For the benefit of those here wiser than you, who still remember respect, the compact between Barachiel and ourselves was as follows: that hostilities shall stay between us and the minions of the Architect -- including his church. You may not involve innocent bystanders such as these aelfar, or ship crew." She stares coldly at all the guards, adding in ringing tones, "Mortals of the Architect, you have not the right to countermand an angel. Get you gone!"

The Neuschwanstien guards are remaining poised respectfully but still blocking the gates against the Church guards; the church guars themselves are looking less and less certain; none of them have spoken to a god before, let alone seen one. The guard's mouth moves but no sound immediately comes out. "But... but but... we were not informed...! We were not told of any such compact!"

Lilith smiles sweetly and says, "You have been now."

The guard captain stammers, "How am I to... to take your word...?" He knows it sounds lame even as he speaks it.

Inanna nods courteously to the Neuschwanstein guards, then gently nudges Iron Antlers with a heel. Imperiously she adds, "You trespass on Yggdrasil. Clear the way and get you gone!" The big stag lowers his head slightly, a warning glint in his eyes as he treads steadily forward. She herself does not bother drawing any weapons. She rides in complete confidence of their righteousness.

Hephaestus looks grim. "Ignorance only gets you so much, Captain. Are you willing to take the risk that such an agreement was not made? Are you willing to stand before Uriel and accept punishment for besmirching the honor of Barachiel?" He clenches his fist, and puts his will to the earth....and makes it shake, underneath the standing soldiers, just to make his point. And as Inanna moves her stag forward, so he encourages his mount into a walk.

The mortal guards stagger from the tremor, Loki holds up his hand and lets fire dance upon it, growing into a flame. "You tread on the soil Yggdrasil sinks its roots into," he snarls, "and we found what your six-winged masters left of Asgard. Begone ere I forget that you are but servants trying to do a master's bidding!"

Lilith's wings spread, stirring the air and she looks over the guards. "Go. Now. We are merciful gods, unlike the one you serve. Leave in peace while you can." She urges her mount forward to just behind Inanna. "Take your people and leave, captain. Leave this place and the ship in peace. This is not your church and these are not your people."

The captain looks like he's about to say something, before he stumbles over his own tongue a bit, then finally grits his teeth. "Very... very well," he mutters. He clenches his fists, looking at the gods... before saluting them (though it's like pulling teeth) and then turns to his company. "Back to the ship! All of you, back to the ship!" He manages to make the demoralized troop go back in something approaching disciplined order.

The deities follow relaxedly behind the troop as they all head for the docks, looking curiously as if they're sweeping the soldiers on ahead before them.

Hephaestus has satisfaction in this: taking the church down a peg, without it resulting in violence. Scritching a contented Ferro's little head, and nodding to the people that come out to watch this odd procession.

Lilith relaxes, letting her wings lay down along her back again. The less bloodshed the better at this juncture.

Inanna rides tall and proud, remaining icily aloof and pretty much ignoring the soldiers imperceptibly pushed ahead of them.

For one moment, Loki looks like he's about to lob a fireball in their midst anyway, but he clenches his fist, extinguishing the flame. It takes him some time to calm down completely.

Inanna rests a hand gently on the angry god's shoulder, and there's both compassion, empathy, and love in her eyes for an instant as she meets his unhappy gaze.

The Church guards go down to the port, and with harsh tones the captain calls his troops from the 'rebel' ship, and orders that the Church ship be made ready to depart.

The small cavalcade of goddesses and gods heads for their ship. As the soldiers who illegally assaulted the Uluru ship hastily disembark, they part like water before that invisible but impenetrable bow wave of deific righteousness.

Hephaestus turns back into Norris once they get to the ship, and finds the captain of the ship in all the fuss. "We apologize for this mess. This wasn't supposed to happen. Did you lose any people, resisting the Church?" he says somberly.

Inanna murmurs quietly, "Cast off soonest, captain. We do not wish to be 'accompanied' by the Church ship." She dismounts and sees to Iron Antlers and Lazuli, then returns to the deck.

The ship is made ready, and is still making ready while the Church airship lifts off and sails up and out of the harbor, heading more deosilward than the party's own course will take them to Jericho.

Somewhere in the preparations, Loki revers to Raphael; it seems to be more comfortable for him in the long term, at least for the time being. THen less than an hour later, the airship is sailing out of the harbor, and lifting off into the sky.

Mikal quietly warns her friends, as she too reverts to just Mikal, to keep an eye out for the Church ship attempting to sneak after them. Hopefully the guard captain has rushed off to check in with the angels... but caution would be wise regardless.

Jareth reverts to his mortal form when the ship lifts off. He pads over to Raphael and crouches beside the big raptor-wolf, voice quiet, "I wanted to let you know I grieve with you."

Norris approaches Raphael on deck as the big wolf looks over the rail of the ship, and smiles as he notices Jareth comisserating with the wolf. It will be better, he supposes, once they are away from Yggdrasil, and back to their mission. He pets Ferro in his large hands, and just stands with his pack, watching the big grey castle dwindle.

Raphael gives Jareth a side-tilted look where he's crouched on a big hawser, clinging to it with his claws so he can keep watch too. Mikal strokes the thick mane, her gaze quiet and grave... and slowly the aggressive arch of the raptor-wolf's body relaxes. Lying between the two mortals, Raph closes his eyes and rests his chin on his front paws. His emotions build up within him, escaping in a low, soft moan... it grows and builds, his head lifting, until for the first time ever the raptor-wolf gives in to his grief in a full-throated, mournful howl.

Mikal wraps an arm about Raph's neck, leaning against him in silent commiseration. Her voice is soft under the howl, "Soon. Soon."

Norris's eyes tear up. He can't help it.

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Last modified: 2008-Oct-04 19:17:18

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