The mystery of Benfal (Moore, Tryll)

[Nephrite]

Moore flies over and takes a seat. "Oh, I've been around that road a few times. I'm starting to understand the method in which the Mountain shares its wisdom, if nothing else. I'd say it's strange that you're not getting any fish today, but perhaps fate wanted you to do be here for some passerby. Ah, but trying to analyze that sort of thing will lead to nothing but madness."

[Anastasia]

"It takes wisdom," The angel says, voice knowing and calm. It's relaxing to listen to him. "Wisdom is that one cannot strive endlessly, even with a body that does not tire. The mind and soul crave succor. Thus I fish."

[Nephrite]

Moore laughs. "Mortals would call that a hobby, you know."

[Anastasia]

"So do I," The angel laughs and pulls his line in, before tossing it out another time. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am known by many names, but my title with suffice. I am the Authority of Wisdom," he introduces himself, "One of the Seven Authorities that serve Venya. Tell me, do you understand what lesson you have begun to learn this time?"

[Nephrite]

"Oh, good, I had started to worry that once you got up here you lost all concept of normal things!" Moore says with a smile. "Oh, goodness -- my apologies for approaching in such a casual manner, I'm sure there's some kind of protocol I was supposed to follow." He clears his throat to sound more regal for a moment. "Moore, of Aurora. It's an honor -- though I'm sure you knew who I am anyway." He shrugs again with a smile. "Anyway... to answer the question -- it seems to be that you can't force something, even if you want to." He takes a breath at this and looks over at the river.

"There are times where you just have to go at a casual pace and take a look at everything around you before you're prepared to make a decision about something. Of course, there are times where a sense of urgency is important -- but in a case like the one I'm searching for, I'm asking for a favor, right? Basically I know that what I want isn't something easily obtained, so I need to be able to understand the truths that are hidden from normal sight by taking time to see them. ...I still don't understand the part about the lake leading to that guy's house, though, admittedly." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

The Authority merely laughs a little more about your first comments, letting them go. "You're close. You're right, some things you can't force and some quests are doomed to failure, because they seek something impossible. Cantasa Alexandria is impossible for you. It's not your quest. If you walk with wisdom and understanding, the journey may grant you boons in place of it, but you will not gain your goal personally."

A pause as he reels in a fine, silvery fish. He deftly unhooks it and taps it, its struggles ending. "Is it not the journey that's important instead of the destination?"

[Nephrite]

"It's hard to overcome that when you're used to instant gratification." Moore says with a smile. "That's the kind of thing you have to learn here. Taking the time out to just wander gave me a lot more than I would've had if I just went to the end of why I was here. The journey gives you the experience, the destination tests that experience, something like that?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, something dwarves understand naturally," The Authority of Wisdom says, casting out for another fish. "I could tell you the truth of Cantasa Alexandria, but you would forget it as you heard it. It is not meant for any but the divine. She is..." Huh, did he say something? You blink. "As you see."

[Nephrite]

"I do understand that part, at least. You probably know how I got to Venya in the first place, don't you?" Moore asks -- it's obviously not really a question but a statement. "I'm not going to get the answer for that by just asking you, I'm probably still not 'prepared' for that truth." He turns back to look at the lake again.

"I can remember their names now, though. So I can hold them in my heart as I continue on my own journey. Let me ask you something, though, is the truth about Benfal so... mm. No, I think I get it. The people of Benfal don't need to be burdened with the truth of the miracle, they probably couldn't understand it even if someone told them. That doesn't mean the truth is obscured -- just that... it's like a book with a lot of puzzles. You have to get through all the puzzles to get to the end. Something like that?"

[Anastasia]

"It's not wrong," The Authority says, looking up, "We all strive to find the answer to the greatest riddle of them all, which waits for us above. Would you like some advice?"

[Nephrite]

"I try and not turn down advise from authorities on the subject." Moore says with an expression that quickly sours. "You've probably heard that one a few million times."

[Anastasia]

"I stopped counting," The Authority says, "It's part of the job."

[Nephrite]

"I'll try and come up with a better one for next time." Moore says with a grin. "But I'm glad to see you have a sense of humor. Maybe that's all the wisdom, though." He chuckles and then clears his throat. "Anyway, yes, any advice you have would be welcome. Thank you for being willing to share it."

[Anastasia]

"The best advice I can give you is this: Understand that not every struggle is yours and not every quest is yours to complete. Sometimes it is another's journey." The Authority of Wisdom says, pulling in a second silvery fish. Fast as you can follow he plucks it off the line and puts it with the first, where it goes still.

[Nephrite]

"I understand. Just like The Father, unfortunately." Moore says with a small frown. It soon passes as he takes a breath. "Should I infer from the fact that I'm at least this far that the quest I'm on has some merit?"