- Invitation Status
- Looking for partners
- Posting Speed
- 1-3 posts per day
- Multiple posts per week
- One post per week
- Slow As Molasses
- Online Availability
- On fairly regularly, every day. I'll notice a PM almost immediately. Replies come randomly.
- Writing Levels
- Adept
- Advanced
- Preferred Character Gender
- Primarily Prefer Male
- No Preferences
- Genres
- High fantasy is my personal favorite, followed closely by modern fantasy and post-apocalyptic, but I can happily play in any genre if the plot is good enough.
Even considering this was likely to be one of the largest temples in Al-Yaazdim—or perhaps even because of its size and presence—the area near the grand structure seemed unnaturally quiet. As she offered a polite smile in the direction of Busia's voice, Linyah kept her ears peeled for activity in the surrounding area. Yet all that greeted her was the faint whistling of the wind as it echoed around distant corners, and the occasional faint sound of metal scraping against metal.
The human silence only served to compound with the silence of the gods that Linyah had noticed as they made their way here. The temples should have been radiating divine presence like heat radiating off the noonday sun, yet it was silent and barren. Where had everyone gone?
"Something seems really strange..." Linyah muttered softly, her words far more for herself than her new stone companion. However, she still obediently stepped out from the folds of Busia's cloak, momentarily releasing her grip on the other woman's arm so they could reposition themselves. "But, yes. I will. Let us proceed."
Strange wasn't unfamiliar territory for Linyah. After all, there was no reason for the sharp-voiced goddess to hurry her here if things were normal. However, she was starting to get an ominous feeling that matters might be far beyond the usual scope of her experiences. Her fingers tangled their way back into Busia's palm as the other woman stepped forward, and Linyah took some reassurance from her solid, strong presence.
At least she seemed to have found a reliable companion, which was far more than she usually had.
The two stepped out together, walking slowly towards what Linyah presumed to be the entrance of the temple in front of them. When her toe bumped against the edge of something solid, she promptly stepped up. One after the next she climbed up the stairs. However, before Linyah could feel the ground once more flatten under her feet, indicating they had reached the foot of the temple, she was once more brought to a halt by Busia's firm grip. Linyah stumbled ever so slightly, her feet trying to step ahead of her torso, before she managed to steady herself. Her head turned slightly to the side as she once more caught the sound of the faint scratching of metal.
"Halt."
It was only then that Linyah realized that there were people in front of them, and understood what the noise she had been hearing was. Armored guards must be blocking the way into the temple. However, far more than his presence, Linyah was taken aback by the guard's words. Or, more accurately, the countless emotions brewing in the depths of that man's voice.
Linyah had always been a sensitive listener. Sound was often the only way she had to judge the people around her. And that was why she could pick up so many subtle hints in the tone of his voice. Frustration, nervousness, confusion, anger. Far too much emotion to normally be contained in a single word. The emotions only grew more pronounced as his brief exchange with Busia continued.
They weren't going to be allowed in the temple. Linyah could guess that even before Busia turned them both around. However, more than frustration, confusion bubbled within her. Who's temple was this? If it didn't belong to the sharp-voiced goddess, why had she brought Linyah here? If it did, then why were her own guards blocking Linyah's admittance? The gods had pronounced her many names to their followers. Saintess, prophet, oracle, speaker. Not once had a god ever set their followers in opposition to Linyah while they still thought she was useful.
No, you can't leave. The goddess' voice was as brusque as ever, but underneath her clipped manner, Linyah was certain she picked up a hint of desperation. You have to reach the alter.
Linyah had so many questions she wanted to ask, but didn't dare mutter to herself too much when Busia was still right next to her. But there was one question that could perhaps work for both her seen and unseen listeners. "What's going on?"
I'll explain when you get inside.
The other answer Linyah received was unexpected. "Another way in?" she repeated, surprised and slightly overwhelmed by Busia's words. "You... intend to go against the orders of the temple guards? For someone you've just met?"
Linyah couldn't say she was suspicious of Busia's motivations. She needed all the help she could get. But the stone woman's utter reliability was almost as foreign to the young woman as the situation in which she now found herself, trapped outside the temple a god told her to enter. "Why are you going so far for me?"
The human silence only served to compound with the silence of the gods that Linyah had noticed as they made their way here. The temples should have been radiating divine presence like heat radiating off the noonday sun, yet it was silent and barren. Where had everyone gone?
"Something seems really strange..." Linyah muttered softly, her words far more for herself than her new stone companion. However, she still obediently stepped out from the folds of Busia's cloak, momentarily releasing her grip on the other woman's arm so they could reposition themselves. "But, yes. I will. Let us proceed."
Strange wasn't unfamiliar territory for Linyah. After all, there was no reason for the sharp-voiced goddess to hurry her here if things were normal. However, she was starting to get an ominous feeling that matters might be far beyond the usual scope of her experiences. Her fingers tangled their way back into Busia's palm as the other woman stepped forward, and Linyah took some reassurance from her solid, strong presence.
At least she seemed to have found a reliable companion, which was far more than she usually had.
The two stepped out together, walking slowly towards what Linyah presumed to be the entrance of the temple in front of them. When her toe bumped against the edge of something solid, she promptly stepped up. One after the next she climbed up the stairs. However, before Linyah could feel the ground once more flatten under her feet, indicating they had reached the foot of the temple, she was once more brought to a halt by Busia's firm grip. Linyah stumbled ever so slightly, her feet trying to step ahead of her torso, before she managed to steady herself. Her head turned slightly to the side as she once more caught the sound of the faint scratching of metal.
"Halt."
It was only then that Linyah realized that there were people in front of them, and understood what the noise she had been hearing was. Armored guards must be blocking the way into the temple. However, far more than his presence, Linyah was taken aback by the guard's words. Or, more accurately, the countless emotions brewing in the depths of that man's voice.
Linyah had always been a sensitive listener. Sound was often the only way she had to judge the people around her. And that was why she could pick up so many subtle hints in the tone of his voice. Frustration, nervousness, confusion, anger. Far too much emotion to normally be contained in a single word. The emotions only grew more pronounced as his brief exchange with Busia continued.
They weren't going to be allowed in the temple. Linyah could guess that even before Busia turned them both around. However, more than frustration, confusion bubbled within her. Who's temple was this? If it didn't belong to the sharp-voiced goddess, why had she brought Linyah here? If it did, then why were her own guards blocking Linyah's admittance? The gods had pronounced her many names to their followers. Saintess, prophet, oracle, speaker. Not once had a god ever set their followers in opposition to Linyah while they still thought she was useful.
No, you can't leave. The goddess' voice was as brusque as ever, but underneath her clipped manner, Linyah was certain she picked up a hint of desperation. You have to reach the alter.
Linyah had so many questions she wanted to ask, but didn't dare mutter to herself too much when Busia was still right next to her. But there was one question that could perhaps work for both her seen and unseen listeners. "What's going on?"
I'll explain when you get inside.
The other answer Linyah received was unexpected. "Another way in?" she repeated, surprised and slightly overwhelmed by Busia's words. "You... intend to go against the orders of the temple guards? For someone you've just met?"
Linyah couldn't say she was suspicious of Busia's motivations. She needed all the help she could get. But the stone woman's utter reliability was almost as foreign to the young woman as the situation in which she now found herself, trapped outside the temple a god told her to enter. "Why are you going so far for me?"