Sylican morning

[Ebiris]

"I heard from Ebony that he's returned to Celestia," Alicia says as they linger by the gate. "There's been a lot of turnover in Aurora's forces, but Jaela's still there, gearing up for the next Crusade. It'll be hard to top that one, but I have faith - that's why I've left Ebony with them after all. Anyway, lets go. If Chronias is growing more radiant for a reason, we ought to discover it," she says, walking on through.

[Anastasia]

Light.

Chronias is bright.

Latha looks up to it, momentarily spellbound.

Antenora does the same, silent.

You feel drawn to it, a sensation in your bones, the light enrapturing you.

[Ebiris]

Alicia looks up as well, smiling softly as she feels that perfect light on her face.

But there's more to do here than just bask in it! Turning her head towards Romiel's fastness, she contacts him telepathically. 'Romiel? It is Alicia, here with Latha and Antenora. Are you able to host us right now?'

[Anastasia]

The fortress is as you remember, if rebuild and expanded slightly. Soldiers are outside and in, at practice. Angels and archons fly about, practicing in the skies above as well.

'Alicia, please come in. Teleport to where I am, it is not warded.' Romiel replies.

[Ebiris]

Taking the hands of her two companions, Alicia teleports inside at that invitation!

[Anastasia]

It is a room full of light. Light and warmth, windows letting in the glow from above. Here Cresiel sits at a table, full of documents and papers. He looks up from reading one, alone in here. "Everyone," he greets, "Well met. It has been some time."

"Chronias glows. It calls all of us, in its way," Latha says, following you.

[Ebiris]

"It has, hasn't it?" Alicia agrees, walking over. "You're still looking well, though." She glances out the window. "Jessica told me Chronias was especially radiant recently, and I saw it briefly for myself when I visited the House of the Triad yesterday, but I hadn't the time to ponder it fully. Is it a portent of something to come? A change in the Mountain? That's really what we're here to learn."

[Anastasia]

"Opinions are divided," Romiel walks to the window as well, Latha behind him and Antenora behind you. "Some believe it is the beginning of the End, when Barachiel shall blow his trumpet to signal Sealtiel to open the gates to Chronias. Others hold it to be a warning of great danger, and that we must grow wiser and strengthen ourselves. Yet others simply travel higher, seeking to reach Chronias."

Looking up at it, the light of it bright on his face. "The Hebdomad are simply telling any who ask to ponder the light of Chronias."

"Perhaps Alicia has good fortune. There are things divinity will not tell others, but will tell other divinities," Latha speaks up now.

"That I do not know," Romiel admits, "But there are signs, omens. Something important is happening, of that I am certain."

[Ebiris]

"My next idea was to ask Xerona, though simply meditating on the light may prove fruitful," Alicia admits. "But I felt it was a worthy excuse to visit," she turns back to Romiel with a smile. "How is your son doing? I heard from my own contingent on Aurora that Cresiel had returned to Celestia in the wake of Lifasa's liberation."

[Anastasia]

"Ah, Cresiel." Romiel smiles and shakes his head, "His mother complained to me recently, so I daresay he is doing well."

Antenora frowns at that, "That's uncharitable." Her gaze is on Romiel, "Why?"

"Oh, you misunderstand. His mother is Villisa, a solar who serves Sune. Our relationship was circumstantial and a mutually agreed mistake, but Cresiel arose from it. Villisa and I do not agree about much, including our son's path. He follows the path of Celestia and crusading, something Villisa finds ample cause to complain about. Mother and son are not close, they simply are not terribly compatible. Whenever she complains, I know he's doing something worthwhile and crusading."

"That's still..." Antenora frowns even more, "I don't like it. It reminds me too much of mortal relationships, or some relationships ruined by erinyes, who turn love into love filled with sweet poison."

Spreading his hands, "Nonetheless, it is a pattern we have fallen into, comfortable and warm. Regardless, Cresiel has been reassigned to a newly risen noble here. Moore from Aurora, I believe you would be familiar with him?"

[Ebiris]

"Really Antenora? It puts me far more in mind of you and Marie, always complaining and bickering at each other," Alicia says. "Though in your case the relationship somehow works regardless." She turns back to Romiel and nods, "The pixie bard, yes? I'd heard he'd left as well though not that Cresiel was with him. It's good for the bonds forged during that Crusade to stay strong even if people all go off to find their own further battles to fight."

[Anastasia]

Antenora blushes rather considerably, lighting up her face. "...our arguments are meaningful." she finally says.

Latha merely gives Antenora a look, as if the facial equivalent to declaring that no sir, you do not believe that.

"Yes. He's the Duke of Songs now - not equivalent to Ducal rank in Baator, but still of some standing. He has a keep on this layer, I believe." Romiel says, "I have not visited, but Cresiel and I have been in touch."

[Ebiris]

"Really? He must have impressed someone then," Alicia says, letting Antenora have her delusions. "Anyway, what have you been working on lately?" she asks, a glance at Romiel's table full of paperwork. "Not that I want to keep you away from any of it, but it's good to trade notes. Seira and I bloodied Lixer's nose yesterday and pulled Zariel out of Hell... that's a long-standing issue we've both been bothered by ever since we heard the story of Torm's fall, though given her state the work's only just starting there."

[Anastasia]

"Intelligence gathering. I'm filling in for a few years for another, who was loaned to the House of the Triad." Romiel explains, "I was just reading about disturbances on Avernus, though no reports that are that solid as of yet. That was the two of you?"

"That seems to be against type," Latha remarks, "Broadening your horizons?"

"Likely so," Romiel admits, "The path higher takes you places expected and surprising. I'll trade you that story for some intelligence about Malcanthet's recent doings as well as some rumbling from Zquujaj."

[Corwin]

Bypassing Sending's limits without a drain on her resources in a way that makes archmages everywhere green with envy, Seira sends to Alicia, 'I'm going to visit with Chan. She asked to see me, and said she wouldn't mind seeing you as well. Are you available and interested?'