The night was cool and heady as Evenstar softly approached the Temple. The stone was dark; she knelt down to loosen the ties of her stiff sandals and slipped them off. One does not simply enter the Temple without preparing one's heart for an experience; without clothing oneself with reverence. Wings rustled against the night, and she breathed a sigh of relief. How nice it was to feel the gentle breeze after the heat of the day.

As she entered the Temple, quiet after the days activity of priests and priestesses attending to rituals. a noise caught her eye. The smell of grass, dirt, and some unknown creature she had yet to identify filled her up -- narrowing her eyes, pupils dialting, white wings poised stiffly behind her as if she were about to attack -- she hesitated. At last. the rustling stopped. She darted deftly behind a huge column of marble, eyes piercing the darkness. A sweet-looking furry animal popped out from behind the ancient tree: white-silver fur, catlike in shape, yellow eyes staring right at her; the creature hissed, revealing long canine teeth, capable of tearing her wing off.

Hmm.. well, just go away now. I'm not hurting you.. she thought, staring right back from behind the column. Wings widening in a threatening gesture, she smiled back at the wildcat. "Shall we have a go?"

Cerridwen Kirk was knelt before the altar of Aurora, her pale pink and white silken robes pooled upon the floor beneath her, violet hued eyes hidden beneath closed lids. She appeared younger than she was, elementals did not age nearly as fast as a pure mortal soul. Melodically, she whispered softly in prayer, hoping the Goddess could feel the sense of urgency in her voice as she begged for the safety of her brother while she aided the workings of the Goddess herself.

The hunt for Odin had brought her to Eiler, she had been pulled away from her search by the nearby citizens of Grand City, which needed a healer...more than that, a light in the darkness. There were other clerics and priests of Aurora scattered across the four continents as they attempted to help put this world back together after the recent devastation of Aleris. It was a long and arduous campaign, but she had no plans on leaving those in need for her own personal quest. Cerridwen had faith. Faith that the goddess would not desert them in their time of need. Faith that Aurora would watch out for Odin, where ever it was he had found himself.

The Life Elemental saw the beautiful winged creature enter the temple, curious as she was about the wings that adorned the muscular back of the woman, most importantly she could feel the pulsings of life that radiated from her core, and Cerridwen knew a pure spirit had graced the temple with their presence. Cerridwen began making her way over to Evenstar, winding her way between patrons and priests, before coming upon the stranger.

It was then that Cerri noticed the cat like creature that had caught Evenstar's attention.

"Shall we have a go?"

The youngest Kirk female smiled upon hearing this, and caught the attention of the beast. "Graenen, back to the temple now, you are frightening the newcomer." Cerridwen waved her hands in a 'shoo' like motion at the large cat.

"Please, do not feel threatened by him. He is merely a guardian of the temple mound, nothing more. He is trained only to frighten or contain, never to harm. 'Tis not the way of our Goddess." Cerridwen swept her hands around her form, allowing them to hold the long folds of her robes to her body as she bent down in a complete bow to Evenstar.

"I am Cerridwen Kirk, a follower of our Lady of Spring, the Goddess Aurora. May her light fall upon you always." She rose back to her full height, vibrant hued orbs falling upon the gorgeous creature before her. "We have such few citizens with the ability of self flight," Cerri gestured towards the woman's wings, "You will have to excuse my admiring stares."

"Is there anything I can help you with, child?"

This was a picturesque scene.

Evenstar had just begun locking gazes with the feline creature when another's energy field buffeted her own gently. She shook her wings, an Icarii behavior signalling thought, and sometimes alarm. It was a motion of vibrations as quick as the whippoorwill's throaty call, nearly as rapid as a hummingbird's wing. Her dark-haired head turned sharply, instantly straightening her posture to prepare herself to encounter the Elemental. The stranger's energy pulsed softly, showing no signs of malcontent or threat. Relaxing her wings slowly, her luminous green eyes surveying the scene: the stone, marble, soft wind caressing the trees' leaves, a lonely songbird calling into the night, and a woman.

Evenstar breathed a quiet sigh of relief and exhaustion. She had wandered Aleris for so long, and felt so alone... Although she was experienced in the way of survival, surviving the forest's darkness as well as the height of snowy mountains, her heart was weary of loneliness. Visions of her father flooded back to her, and she closed her eyes for but a moment. He had been a fairly ordinary-looking human, yes, but brave, and beaten down by the sadness of many lifetimes. His kind dark eyes smiled at her, the smell of his leatherwork, the soil, and the herbs he tended to, drying in the sunlight and then hung from the low eaves of the outbuilding of their home. So long since she had seen him, but so powerful were the memories. It was now, in her later years, that she realized how strong he was, how he gave everything he was to protect her. And how he taught her of the Star Dance, of her mother's world, her lore, her knowledge. She had been fashioned by his love and prepared by her mother's history.

Evenstar glanced back at the feline, hearing the voice of the stranger. Graenen, back to the temple now, you are frightening the newcomer, intriguing. A kind of guardian of the Temple. Her eyes cool, wings relaxed and tips trailing the ground gently, Evenstar heard a name. Cerridwen Kirk... Evenstar purposefully kept her expression peaceful as she watched her beautiful bow, but letting slip a faint smile. She was relieved to find in Cerridwen gentility. Immediately following the initial bow, Evenstar swept her own white dress behind her, wings rushing forward with a flush of air, then smoothing behind her, bending low, a gesture clearly practiced over many years. It was an extravagant Icarii bow, usually reserved for the most distinguished of Icarii Enchanters. But perhaps Evenstar would make this exception.

Slowly she glanced back at her white feathered wings, smiling more freely. We have such few citizens with the ability of self flight... You will have to excuse my admiring stares. She supposed her wings must seem strange and interesting to Cerridwen, but they were perfectly normal to Evenstar, of course.

Is there anything I can help you with, child? Child... A term of endearment, of sweetness. But also for Evenstar, of the customary tinge of sadness. She bowed her head slightly, then met Cerridwen's purple gaze. "Of course... It is perfectly understandable. It is a convenient method of travel, although tiring..." She shrugged, causing her wings to rustle, eyes smiling. "I am also a follower of the Goddess Aurora; I was simply hoping to pay homage to her, perhaps offer sweet incense... Also, if I am acceptable, offer my time and service to her altar..." She made a gesture of humility, spreading her hands wide.

Aurora had indeed been her father's beloved deity and power. Evenstar understood and felt the energy and connection between every living thing, with the land itself, as all would sing and dance its way back into the Star Dance. Cerridwen was part of it, of course; though her power and energy was different than most she had encountered. It was strong and vibrant, clear as the blue sky in autumn. Others, especially humans, had their own unique energies, though they were often muddled, troubled, with sadness and regret so deep it affected their lifespirits. One had to rid oneself of such concerns, for the Star Dance had no regard of selfish motives, and would cleanse tainted spirits through pain, if necessary. It only maintained the clear balance of life. Evenstar was there to seek one such power, found in the Spring Goddess Aurora. Yes, she craved clarity and balance, and the cleansing power of love.

It has been said that deities are known to have endless energy and strength, that they cannot ever grow tired. This was quite true sad to say.

Aurora wasn't tired. She was exhausted.

The battle against the Val'nothe, the hoards of undead that rose up by the hand of Terra Vale had taken its toll on the Mother Goddess. Finally all breathed a sigh of relief as the vile creatures were imprisoned once more under the Eternal Lake, the undead had once more retreated back to their graves, and Terra Vale's body was nothing more than ashes in the funeral pyre that contained the remains of those that were slaughtered in the Great War of the Gods.

Even in her depleted state, Aurora warmly embraced her brothers Tempesturo and Galenous, her heart filled with joy to see them thriving once again, even as it wept tears of sorrow and anguish for the lives senselessly lost. Time would heal all wounds, both of the people and the earth, and now that balance was restored to the global climate, it was time for the Spring Goddess to return to her temple. Aurora bid her sister Elysia a farewell with a kiss on her cheek, knowing that Elysia's job was far from over. Thousands of souls would need the care and attention that only the Winter Goddess could give.

Two days had passed, and Aurora had taken advantage of the silence and solace of her temple to rest and recuperate. The earthen mound that served as Aurora's temple was intact, for which she gave thanks. Her altar, the massive oak that stood tall and proud in the center, its broad leaves serving as the ceiling of her temple grew strong and radiated the energy of all living things. This was Aurora's heart, this temple. Those she had given shelter to had now returned to whatever remained of their homes with hopes of rebuilding their lives. Aurora gave each and every one of her children her blessing and some provisions as they took their leave, and once again, her temple was silent.

The Mother was tending to the many herbal plants growing in clay pots, these plants dominating each and every available space of carved out stone shelves in her temple. The dusky breeze blew cool against the Mother's face as she swept from plant to plant, humming a mindless tune as she watered, trimmed and blessed her precious saplings. Several fat green candles burned brightly, casting a brilliant glow against her coppery colored skin, her dark hair was pulled high atop her head to reveal the graceful nape of her neck. Tonight she wore a simple linen robe of white that contrasted beautifully against her skin tone. Bare feet swept lightly against the mossy ground that served as her carpet. Aurora hadn't felt such peace in quite some time.

Aurora had retreated to her inner sanctum just before nightfall for her evening meditation when she heard the footsteps of one entering her temple to pray at her altar. Aurora sat upon the many pillows that decorated the mossy carpet of her sanctum, her own private domain that was inaccessible to any other save her sister Elysia. She smiled to herself as she listened to Cerridwen pray for the safety of her brother. Ah child, would that I could comfort you in all manners. Your brother is lucky to have your love and devotion. Aurora thought. Odin's life force burns brightly still, have no fear.

The Mother closed her eyes, clearing her thoughts as she left Cerridwen to her prayers. Aurora would, in time, make her presence known to the young elemental, but for now she would--

The on goings in her domed temple of earth and stone kept Aurora from seeking the inner peace that she had hoped, and she fought the urge to laugh. A Mother's work was never finished for her children always sought her attention. Another set of footsteps, two rather, only one belonged to one of her four legged children. Shaking her head with mirth, the Goddess rose from her pillows and stretched. Two young women, both so very different, and yet both entered her temple seeking their Mother for guidance, for someone to listen to them.

Aurora placed a palm against the door that would lead out into the center of the earthen mound of her temple where her altar of oak lay in the center. She left her sanctum and entered the main chamber, going unnoticed by the two young women. Aurora smiled proudly. Both were lovely and graceful, both contained an inner beauty as well as external. She caught the attention of the shoo'd cat and crouched down low, silently beckoning the feline toward her.

Aurora stroked the large cat's ears and whispered softly. “It would be rude of me to startle them, wouldn't it? Rather sneaky, I should think.” Emerald orbs glittered with devilish mirth as the wildcat purred against her hand. “Bad kitty, having such thoughts as you do.” Aurora chuckled as she drew away from the cat and stood in one fluid motion to step from behind the massive oak where the two women were conversing. Aurora's smile widened upon hearing Cerridwen's offer of assistance, touched by her daughter's pure heart.

“Good evening, my daughters,” Aurora's voice filled the dome chamber as she approached the young women, her palms pressed together. “My blessings be upon you both. My light and love fill your hearts and minds, your words and deeds.” Her smile widened as both turned toward her. Aurora first looked to Cerridwen as she embraced the violet eyed elemental, placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead. “You are so loving and so brave. Do not give up hope, child,” she said softly to Cerridwen, laying a gentle hand upon the young woman's cheek before turning toward Evenstar.

Truly the other young woman was a sight to behold. Aurora tilted her head in consideration before finally speaking. “Beauty takes all forms, does it not, my daughter? Your beauty is undeniable, but there is more to you than that, isn't there?” Aurora reached toward Evenstar and embraced her as she did Cerridwen, brushing her lips against the winged beauty's forehead before stepping back.

“You both honor me tonight with your presence, daughters.” She turned and walked over to a nearby table where three rounded cups lay on a tray accompanied by a matching teapot filled with steaming lavender and rose hip herbal tea. Aurora began to pour the tea, its fragrance filling the temple. “Ladies, sit with me,” she called to them. “My time is yours.”

A few days before Evenstar and Cerridwen met eachother at Aurora's Temple, a farmer was busy working his field. It wasn't much of a field. A few weeds struggled to sprout from the earth, then withered and died when his dog marked them proudly. The tidal waves last month had drenched the soil with salt, and almost everything refused to grow.

Almost everything, he thought miserably, staring at the head of yam he'd planted this spring. It seemed to be mocking him as it grew in the barren field, proudly stretching towards the sunlight above, a lone sentinel watching over its garden graveyard.

His family was starving, and the nearest village was a day away at least. Besides, he had nothing to trade except those delicious yams. There was a catch. He planted that yam a day after he learned his wife Anna was with child. As he buried the plant, he promised he'd harvest it the day his son was born.

That day was months away, but his stomach was rumbling and food was growing sparse. He had no choice. I'm sorry, yams. I'm sure you'll understand. He went to work with his machete and started to dig the lush plant out of the ground.

As he dug his machete into the yam hill, a cold voice spoke up from behind him. "Didn' you say you wan't goin' dig me til you' baby born?"

Shocked, the farmer whipped around searching for the source of the voice. There was no one here but him and his dog. He looked down to the dog, a scruffy brown mutt with curiously wise eyes. The animal tilted it's head up at him.

Then it spoke. "I heard you tell 'im that too."

He lifted his machete defensively, but the weapon split apart and a pair of metallic lips chided in. "What hell I go'n raise, if you make that dog bite me!"

He threw down his machete and ran full tilt away from the cursed garden, leaving the uprooted yam plant baking in the sun. As he turned the corner, he came across another farmer. This second man carried a bundle of wood in his arms and teetered unevenly as he labored down the pathway.

"Oh thank gods I found someone!" the farmer gasped, coming up to the man with the wood. His blue eyes were wide with terror. "I'm so glad to see you!"

"What's the matter?"

"My yams, my dog and my machete all talked to me!"

The second man chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "And that's why you're running?" He laughed harder.

That's when his bundle of wood added its own input: "If it was you, you wouldn't run?"

The man flung the bundle of wood to the ground and the pair of them ran into the night horrified.

--

Too frightened to return home, the farmer headed north towards Aurora's Temple, hoping the goddess could protect him. He reached a small fishing village after two full days, and his legs were sore and his back tired from sleeping on the rocky ground. He wandered down the streets as he headed north. The sun had set and he didn't want to get caught out in the wilderness for a second night, so he decided he'd find an inn and spend the last of his meager gold.

Wandering up the shoreline, he noticed a man smoking near the docks. Smoke puffed from his mouth. The farmer was a horrible addict, though he'd been rationing his tobacco desires this year, but seeing the other person smoking settled the matter for him. He walked up to the figure.

"Hey, you got a light?"

The man turned its head to him. Its teeth burned like fire, and smoke poured from its mouth as it gnashed its teeth at him.

The farmer ran until he came upon another man, adrenaline pouring through his skull. "You have to help me! There's a demon back there - I asked for a light, but it gnashed its teeth at me. Fiery teeth."

The man grinned and asked "Teet' like dese?" Roiling black smoke poured from its mouth.

The farmer ran north towards Aurora's Temple, leaving the village behind.

--

When he came upon Aurora's Temple, Cerridwen and Evenstar were just getting acquainted with the goddess Aurora. The sun was high in the sky, and the farmer was drenched in sweat. He wasn't sure if he should approach the figures near the temple. They could be more demons, more tricks. He glanced behind him, listening for the sound of dragging chains, but nothing was following him. For now.

He headed up the stairs to the temple, approaching the group.

"Please.. you have to help me.. My name is Jorah." Stealing another furtive look behind him, the farmer continued. "I am being stalked by .. something.." He then proceeded to explain these recent events before anyone could gnash their teeth at him like the man at the harbor had done.

The Spring Goddess was enjoying herself with Cerridwen and Evenstar as they chatted amiably over tea. Aurora told the tale of the Val'nothe, of the necromancer Terra Vale, of the thousands of lives senselessly destroyed in the Great War. Her sadness was evident, but as she neared the part of her story where her brothers were released from their prison, the eternal hope that life would spring anew, that balance would be restored, the Mother's verdant eyes lit with an intense fire. Aurora understood the value of hope more than any living being in the realm. She treasured and nurtured it.

As if by magic, the clay teapot continuously refilled itself with the steaming, soothing brew and trays of fruit and small pastries replenished themselves when in danger of growing low. Aurora regarded Cerridwen with a fond smile. “This lovely creature you see before you, child,” she began to Evenstar as she gestured to the violet eyed beauty, “she is on a quest for her beloved brother. Never tiring, never faltering, always diligent, this is my Cerri.” Aurora's smile was radiant as she reached for Cerridwen's hand and gave it a squeeze. “Her loyalty knows no bounds for she has hope, child, do you see? She has a faith that remains unbroken, unbowed. In her heart, Cerridwen believes she will once more be reunited with her brother, and I can say truly that this will be so.” Aurora's eyes glittered mischievously then. “When the time is right, that is,” she amended. “If Odin wishes to be found, then he will, and not a moment sooner. Patience is the key, patience and unending hope.” The Mother could have pointed Cerridwen in the right direction, making her quest far easier than need be, but Aurora was a firm believer in free will. Odin's whereabouts would remain shrouded until the right moment when Cerridwen was meant to discover them.

The Goddess then turned her attention to Evenstar, studying the winged lass with those luminous spring colored orbs of hers. It was strange, really, to look upon Evenstar for she bore such an uncanny resemblance to the Goddess. Her dark hair and shapely form were similar to Aurora's as were her striking eye color. Save for Aurora's slightly darker skin tone and the glorious white wings that sprouted from the young woman's shoulder blades, Evenstar could have been a child from her own womb had no one been the wiser. Even their manner of dress was the same. Aurora leaned forward and tucked a dark strand of hair behind the girl's ear. “You are so lovely, my daughter, yet your eyes betray your sadness.” Aurora offered Evenstar a tender smile. “I shall ask you of your tale, my love, but first I must express something to you both.”

“I do not believe in servitude,” Aurora began, delicately plucking at her linen robes. “If one chooses to follow my path, then it shall be done so willingly and without hesitation. You honor me, as I said before, by coming to pay homage, and I cherish both of you for that, but understand that you are not my servants. You are my children, and should you chose to honor me by living your life in my name, by cherishing and protecting life, by nurturing those who are in need and giving selflessly to others, then I thank you for that.” Aurora paused briefly to pour each of them more tea. “I have no particular priestesses to call my own, I will admit that. Though I love all my children, there are a select few that bear my mark upon them.” Aurora thought fondly of Khory and Madrin at that moment.

The Goddess regarded both young women for a moment as if searching for something, then nodded to herself after a long moment. Slim browned hands were held out before her, fists closed. When she finally did open them to reveal pendants hung upon simple brown cording. A talisman each that contained moss agate, tourmaline, emerald, malachite and green amethyst bound together by intricate copper wiring. “Each of these precious stones holds meaning to me. Wear this to give you balance, for strength and clarity, for harmony and wisdom,” Aurora explained as she held them out to both women. “If it is your wish to follow the path of Aurora, then wear these as a sign of my promise to honor and cherish you as you honor and cherish me in your worship. All I ask,” Aurora's smiling tone grew serious then, “is that you do nothing to desecrate my name and my way.” The Mother winked at both of them. “I do not believe either of you to do so, for there is nothing by purity in both your hearts. This I know. Know that the decision to become a Priestess of Aurora is not one to be taken lightly, and I will not sway in my love and pride for you should you decide it is not the path for you.” Aurora would not know of their decision to accept or not, for at that moment a man burst into her temple, terrified and wide eyed as he pleaded for help.

Aurora rose abruptly from her seat and placed the amulets upon the table as she rushed toward the young man and held him still by his shoulders. “My son! Jorah. Hush now,” she soothed as she reached up to stroke his brow, calming him as she led him toward the table where Cerridwen and Evenstar sat with identical looks of shocked surprise on their faces. “Sit down and tell me what frightens you so,” Aurora commanded him in a loving but firm manner.

The Mother listened calmly, offering him sips of tea as he told his troubling tale, a frown forming upon her lips. Aurora would have considered malnourishment and the stress of an impending birth the reason for such a strange tale, had not another bore witness to the man's testimony. After several long moments, she glanced at her daughters and shook her head. “I cannot explain such madness. The only thing that makes sense would be perhaps some left over residual evil force from the necromancer Terra Vale when she raised the army of dead.” Aurora stood then and walked to her great oak altar, placing a hand upon it to draw strength. “My daughters, if either of you could shed some light on this matter, then I am willing to listen. If not, then perhaps I should consult my siblings to see if they have an answer to what could be a problematic future situation.”

Aurora sighed then as she turned to face the trio. “And just when I thought harmony was restored to the realm.” She shook her head and chuckled ruefully. “A Mother's work is never finished.”