Gnarlpaw slowly opened his eyes.
The aging wolf slowly looked around his chambers to try and get his bearings. His attendants, The Templar, all knelt nearby watching their master intently as they had been for the last week while the Avatar went on his spiritual journey through the realms of the unseen. And now that he had come back to them they waiting with anticipation for the knowledge he would impart on them.
"My time is coming to an end, my followers. Even you must admit that. I am afraid that the time of my successor's ascension is coming quickly. But I don't bring only sad tidings. There is still one mission that we will complete before the sands of my hourglass run out..."
All of the Templar immediately got to their feet and unsheathed swords or pulled battleaxes or warhammers from their backs in salute. If there had been any signs of fatigue or sore muscles from their sitting in one position for so long, it was not shown.
"I am happy to see that you all are ready to take on this task. It will not be easy, and I would be telling untruths if I were to say that it was not going to be a gruesome task. But before I reveal what I have seen, I must ask that you send messages to the temples of the elements that they send their greatest magi and summoners. A message must also be taken to the war academy of the To'Yaree to ask they send their best warriors. Do this, and then you will hear the words of prophesy that I have for you my Templar. Bring the best fighter and healers our planet has to my temple, and we shall all set out on a journey that will no doubt change us all."
The warriors of the Avatar nodded, and then headed out to bring his message to all of the outlying temples and villages.
=======Temple of the Winds============
The first of the Templar arrived at the temple just before sundown and waited outside of the gates while the sentries guarding the temple went to fetch the head master. When the human looked over the wall's edge, the templar raised his shield so the light would play off the golden symbol of an eye atop a mountain, the sign of the Avatar.
"I come bearing a message from He Who Sees. I request an audience with you, Master Al'orith."
The male atop the wall nodded and shouted down to the gatekeepers, and soon the large wooden doors seperated just enough for the messenger to come in. As he did, the Templar removed his helm and relinquished his blade to the keepers of the gate, as was proper when entering the holy training grounds of a temple.
Before he could turn and call up to the master of the temple, the human stood before him. Speed always was a benefit of being a wind magi.
"Now, what is this message that the Avatar wishes you to send to me? We are the closest to his temple, yet we hear the least of his dealings." Al'orith said softly, his voice strong as he turned to lead the messenger towards the tower where his chambers were, as well as the kitchen and mess hall.
The wind temple's uniform was modest, a simple grey shirt tucked into black pants and black leather boots. They were all given a gold signet when they graduated though, a sword and staff crossed in the foreground while a cloud rested in the background. Also, for when the weather was not pleasant, they would wear cloaks of a deep thundercloud grey that no matter the winds around them, never seemed to move. It was eerie to say the least, and of all the temples, the messanger wished he hadn't gotten the task of speaking to Those who ride the winds.
"The Avatar wishes to ask that you send your best wind magi and summoners to his temple. He has just returned from a journey to the world of souls, and apparently there is something that needs our immediate cooperation." The gold armored fox stated simply as they walked through the mess hall and up the stairs towards the master's chambers.
Al'orith rubbed his chin in thought. It was no question he would send students, for one did not deny the Avatar a request. To do so would mean that they would be cut off from the protection of the Templar if such was needed, and in the past there had been times when the offending temple's magic had been completely cut off, the students culled of any ability to weild the art ever again. But he could not send the very best, for if the temple needed protection, Master Al'orith would need those with skill to defend their home.
"You put me in an odd position, Messenger. I wish to send the very best, but I cannot offer more than my best students. I cannot afford to send any of their instructors, for if something should happen that would require the defense of our temple, I would want the most capable and powerful of my brethren." Finally came the wind master's comment as he ushered the Templar into his chambers and offered a glass of fine Fenapple wine.
"I understand fully, but do you not trust that He will protect your temple should anything happen? As you stated, you are the closest temple to the Avatar's own, it wouldn't even take half a day to get the full might of the Templar to your gates." The vulpine retorted, sitting down in a chair off to the side of the doorway, taking the wine with a slight smile.
"It's not that I doubt Him. It's that half a day might be too long to wait if the Stalkers of Shadow should attack. The Templar are a mighty force, but they lack the speed of my ilk. I will offer you what I can, the Avatar can be assured of that. I have my students' safety to think about foremost. But let us not talk of that now. I ask that you stay with us tonight and return in the morning to your own master, giving him the news that the very best students of the Wind temple will arrive with you."
====Water Temple=====
Initially the meeting with the Waterlords went the same as with the Walkers of Wind. What was different however, was that the messenger, a female bat, had actually studied at the temple before being selected for the Avatar's Templar. So when she arrived to speak with the master, it was like a homecoming. And this led to a much more positive outcome.
"So you see, Sir, the Avatar needs you to send your best wavemasters and seacallers to his temple. He will reveal the specifics once we arrive there." The messenger stated after pleasantries had been exchanged and a light lunch was prepared.
The aged face of the otter wrinkled in thought as he stroked this white beard that cascaded from his chin in wispy strands.
"I see. Our temple has been in his debt since he calmed the great waves years ago. We cannot deny him his request, or his wisdom in sending one of our own back to deliver the news. I will personally lead the group of my finest to his temple. We will make sure that he knows at the very least we of the waves will not shirk our duty to the protection of our land..."
Both members of the Kapua smiled as they looked out the window at the glittering ice that made up the thick walls and towering sharp spires of the temple of water, as memories flooded back to them both, some pleasent, others painful.
====Temple of Life and the Forests====
"No. I am sorry but I cannot spare any of my druids at this time. The attacks from the Mokoi and the Dark Dwellers has increased over the last few weeks, and we can barely keep the forests safe for travellers and merchants. I wish that I could help, but I cannot spare anyone..." The forest lord shook his head and sighed, this request could not have come at a worse time.
The summer was coming, and that meant that more fires were sure to start as the heat rose near the borders with the Boglands, and that meant that the Druids of Life Temple would have to be ready to move at a moment's notice. On top of that was the odd increase of shadowbeast activity, merchants with their full carts of goods were disappearing without a trace, and it fell on those who were supposed to be protecting the forests to get to the bottom of it.
"But as a gesture of good faith, I will send a single person. That's all I can afford to send at this time. But do not worry, he is not some pup fresh to the temple. He has shown great promise in summoning the beasts of the woods, and I think he will be a fine addition to the force your lord is setting up...When you are prepared to leave, I will make sure that he is ready as well."
The Forest Lord smiled as best he could, but the lines of stress were evident on his muzzle and around his eyes as the big horned sheep turned to speak to one of his assistants who had been standing nearby. The smaller being listened intently as his lord told him to summon Swift River, and to tell the fox to pack for a long journey and to include his summoning supplies. The little messenger chittered and ran up the trunk of the large tree that served as the student quarters, ducking in through one of the windows.
"He will be down shortly. Please accept my apologies, but I need to get back to my advisors and our work." Bowing at the waist, the Forest Lord turned and would head across the courtyard into a small log building.
=========
The other temples were quick to respond with their own problems and concerns, but all sent at least one member to represent them. When the messengers got to the War Academy, and the odd training grounds of the Boogeywalkers, both groups were more than willing to send large groups. The To'Yaree warriors sent two entire companies of soldiers, and the Voodoo practicing Boogeywalkers sent fifteen of their very best witch doctors and voodoo queens to aid the Avatar in whatever it was that he wanted them to do.
It would take several weeks for all of the messengers to return with their collected forces. And then another week of staying at the temple of the Avatar before the Gnarlpaw would reveal anything about the reason all of them had been called.
The aging wolf slowly looked around his chambers to try and get his bearings. His attendants, The Templar, all knelt nearby watching their master intently as they had been for the last week while the Avatar went on his spiritual journey through the realms of the unseen. And now that he had come back to them they waiting with anticipation for the knowledge he would impart on them.
"My time is coming to an end, my followers. Even you must admit that. I am afraid that the time of my successor's ascension is coming quickly. But I don't bring only sad tidings. There is still one mission that we will complete before the sands of my hourglass run out..."
All of the Templar immediately got to their feet and unsheathed swords or pulled battleaxes or warhammers from their backs in salute. If there had been any signs of fatigue or sore muscles from their sitting in one position for so long, it was not shown.
"I am happy to see that you all are ready to take on this task. It will not be easy, and I would be telling untruths if I were to say that it was not going to be a gruesome task. But before I reveal what I have seen, I must ask that you send messages to the temples of the elements that they send their greatest magi and summoners. A message must also be taken to the war academy of the To'Yaree to ask they send their best warriors. Do this, and then you will hear the words of prophesy that I have for you my Templar. Bring the best fighter and healers our planet has to my temple, and we shall all set out on a journey that will no doubt change us all."
The warriors of the Avatar nodded, and then headed out to bring his message to all of the outlying temples and villages.
=======Temple of the Winds============
The first of the Templar arrived at the temple just before sundown and waited outside of the gates while the sentries guarding the temple went to fetch the head master. When the human looked over the wall's edge, the templar raised his shield so the light would play off the golden symbol of an eye atop a mountain, the sign of the Avatar.
"I come bearing a message from He Who Sees. I request an audience with you, Master Al'orith."
The male atop the wall nodded and shouted down to the gatekeepers, and soon the large wooden doors seperated just enough for the messenger to come in. As he did, the Templar removed his helm and relinquished his blade to the keepers of the gate, as was proper when entering the holy training grounds of a temple.
Before he could turn and call up to the master of the temple, the human stood before him. Speed always was a benefit of being a wind magi.
"Now, what is this message that the Avatar wishes you to send to me? We are the closest to his temple, yet we hear the least of his dealings." Al'orith said softly, his voice strong as he turned to lead the messenger towards the tower where his chambers were, as well as the kitchen and mess hall.
The wind temple's uniform was modest, a simple grey shirt tucked into black pants and black leather boots. They were all given a gold signet when they graduated though, a sword and staff crossed in the foreground while a cloud rested in the background. Also, for when the weather was not pleasant, they would wear cloaks of a deep thundercloud grey that no matter the winds around them, never seemed to move. It was eerie to say the least, and of all the temples, the messanger wished he hadn't gotten the task of speaking to Those who ride the winds.
"The Avatar wishes to ask that you send your best wind magi and summoners to his temple. He has just returned from a journey to the world of souls, and apparently there is something that needs our immediate cooperation." The gold armored fox stated simply as they walked through the mess hall and up the stairs towards the master's chambers.
Al'orith rubbed his chin in thought. It was no question he would send students, for one did not deny the Avatar a request. To do so would mean that they would be cut off from the protection of the Templar if such was needed, and in the past there had been times when the offending temple's magic had been completely cut off, the students culled of any ability to weild the art ever again. But he could not send the very best, for if the temple needed protection, Master Al'orith would need those with skill to defend their home.
"You put me in an odd position, Messenger. I wish to send the very best, but I cannot offer more than my best students. I cannot afford to send any of their instructors, for if something should happen that would require the defense of our temple, I would want the most capable and powerful of my brethren." Finally came the wind master's comment as he ushered the Templar into his chambers and offered a glass of fine Fenapple wine.
"I understand fully, but do you not trust that He will protect your temple should anything happen? As you stated, you are the closest temple to the Avatar's own, it wouldn't even take half a day to get the full might of the Templar to your gates." The vulpine retorted, sitting down in a chair off to the side of the doorway, taking the wine with a slight smile.
"It's not that I doubt Him. It's that half a day might be too long to wait if the Stalkers of Shadow should attack. The Templar are a mighty force, but they lack the speed of my ilk. I will offer you what I can, the Avatar can be assured of that. I have my students' safety to think about foremost. But let us not talk of that now. I ask that you stay with us tonight and return in the morning to your own master, giving him the news that the very best students of the Wind temple will arrive with you."
====Water Temple=====
Initially the meeting with the Waterlords went the same as with the Walkers of Wind. What was different however, was that the messenger, a female bat, had actually studied at the temple before being selected for the Avatar's Templar. So when she arrived to speak with the master, it was like a homecoming. And this led to a much more positive outcome.
"So you see, Sir, the Avatar needs you to send your best wavemasters and seacallers to his temple. He will reveal the specifics once we arrive there." The messenger stated after pleasantries had been exchanged and a light lunch was prepared.
The aged face of the otter wrinkled in thought as he stroked this white beard that cascaded from his chin in wispy strands.
"I see. Our temple has been in his debt since he calmed the great waves years ago. We cannot deny him his request, or his wisdom in sending one of our own back to deliver the news. I will personally lead the group of my finest to his temple. We will make sure that he knows at the very least we of the waves will not shirk our duty to the protection of our land..."
Both members of the Kapua smiled as they looked out the window at the glittering ice that made up the thick walls and towering sharp spires of the temple of water, as memories flooded back to them both, some pleasent, others painful.
====Temple of Life and the Forests====
"No. I am sorry but I cannot spare any of my druids at this time. The attacks from the Mokoi and the Dark Dwellers has increased over the last few weeks, and we can barely keep the forests safe for travellers and merchants. I wish that I could help, but I cannot spare anyone..." The forest lord shook his head and sighed, this request could not have come at a worse time.
The summer was coming, and that meant that more fires were sure to start as the heat rose near the borders with the Boglands, and that meant that the Druids of Life Temple would have to be ready to move at a moment's notice. On top of that was the odd increase of shadowbeast activity, merchants with their full carts of goods were disappearing without a trace, and it fell on those who were supposed to be protecting the forests to get to the bottom of it.
"But as a gesture of good faith, I will send a single person. That's all I can afford to send at this time. But do not worry, he is not some pup fresh to the temple. He has shown great promise in summoning the beasts of the woods, and I think he will be a fine addition to the force your lord is setting up...When you are prepared to leave, I will make sure that he is ready as well."
The Forest Lord smiled as best he could, but the lines of stress were evident on his muzzle and around his eyes as the big horned sheep turned to speak to one of his assistants who had been standing nearby. The smaller being listened intently as his lord told him to summon Swift River, and to tell the fox to pack for a long journey and to include his summoning supplies. The little messenger chittered and ran up the trunk of the large tree that served as the student quarters, ducking in through one of the windows.
"He will be down shortly. Please accept my apologies, but I need to get back to my advisors and our work." Bowing at the waist, the Forest Lord turned and would head across the courtyard into a small log building.
=========
The other temples were quick to respond with their own problems and concerns, but all sent at least one member to represent them. When the messengers got to the War Academy, and the odd training grounds of the Boogeywalkers, both groups were more than willing to send large groups. The To'Yaree warriors sent two entire companies of soldiers, and the Voodoo practicing Boogeywalkers sent fifteen of their very best witch doctors and voodoo queens to aid the Avatar in whatever it was that he wanted them to do.
It would take several weeks for all of the messengers to return with their collected forces. And then another week of staying at the temple of the Avatar before the Gnarlpaw would reveal anything about the reason all of them had been called.
