Sylph
Fickle
Ymir
Location: Church of Seraphina
"Don't worry it gets cooler inside."Location: Church of Seraphina
Ymir visibly relaxed at the words, though her portable wind orb certainly helped to alleviate that stress as well. The volcano radiated a different sort of heat from deserts or tropics--their source shone from above, brightest and sharpest during the day. The temple's warmth rose from the volcanic fissures below. Ymir would've questioned the sanity of building a temple on what was essentially an extremely volatile rock--if she weren't certain that was the exact reason.
Only a fire church would seek out an active volcano for a home.
Ymir sighed, wiping the sweat off the back of her neck as they headed up the (colossal) stairs. She knew as soon as she set eyes on the foundation that the temple had to be at least as old as the ancients. Unlike most remnants it hadn't fallen into ruin or disuse, quite the opposite. The entire structure, from the carved pillars to the traditions practiced within, was a living relic of the past. An empire risen to match the new age.
"This part of the temple was made eons ago by the first fire titans and dragons born of Seraphina's power. The eldest dragon still lives upon the summit of the volcano and gives wisdom through his lectures to the clergy."
Ymir paused on the outer terrace before the entrance, staring up at the summit. A pilgrimage of stairwells circled up the slope, but she doubted her ability would reach far enough to see the top. Trying would only give her a headache, so she started after Titus instead, following him into the temple where several entrances led to unknown rooms.
"I would like you to meet my foster father, he's this way."
Foster? Her gaze flickered towards Titus, watching his back as he stepped towards the rightmost entrance within the temple. She knew his mother had perished to the frost giant, but nothing of his father. Ymir hadn't considered he mightn't be around.
She always mapped out rooms before she stepped into them, but even so the hall they entered was impressive. Arches of polished stone overlooked the rows of clerks within, the carved likenesses of Seraphina watching over them. The air was noticeably cooler as they stepped inside--no doubt to protect the great number of scripts--but rather than being a relief, Ymir found herself tense. It was painfully obvious what they had stepped into was some kind of court. Even nice architecture couldn't make up for the memories she had of them.
Shaking it off, she glanced around the room, noting the exits before her gaze fell on the figure standing upon the raised dais--apparently the one they were meeting.
"It is a pleasure to meet you young lady, I am Lucian the Blind, and Titus foster father. I hope that my appearance is not off-putting, as I am blind there is no point in my eyes being visible."
"Of course not," she said, smiling at his words. A visor was hardly the strangest thing she'd seen a person wear, and in any case it fit with his polished attire. "It's an honour, Father Lucian. I am Ymir of Avalast. I hope you can forgive our appearance-" She glanced down at her own, mud-tracked pants, already knowing her hair would be a windswept mess from the day. She supposed Titus would have warned her if there were a dress code--he didn't appear much cleaner himself. "We came straight off a hunting quest."
"Though I must inquire what brings a servant of the disillusioned and doubting God here to the temple of Seraphina?"
Her smile froze, and in her head, the room seemed to go silent.
Servant of the Disillusioned and Doubting God. An unpleasant sensation crawled up her spine. Her shoulders rose, hands retreating to inside of her pockets as Lucian's smile inclined her way. "The servants of Taenia rarely find themselves at our doorstep you see."
He can sense magic signatures. Lucian's expression no longer seemed kind to her. Ymir's smile recovered as she rocked back onto her heels.
"Just here to do some sightseeing," she said. "Maybe disillusion a few people along the way." The fact it had been brought up at all seemed like a threat, her gaze fixed carefully on Lucian in response. The innocuous nature of his question would made no difference. Ymir was used to being on the defensive whenever Taenia became involved.
EldridSmith