Svarik and the company I :)

[VisAnastasis]

" Oh, it's just a distance of another dimension. I only have to keep my concentration up to maintain it crisp and clear. No biggie. " Sage told in jokily offended tone, crossing his hands. " Don't patronize me, little one. I am not who I am because such silly thing as keeping my focus sharp from another dimension would stop *me*, haha! "

[Mirach]

"Well, you are not the one who gets tons of water on his head if it does," Svarik retorted jokingly, but hiding a slight discomfort in it. "You will also have to convince Xia to leave me behind..."

[VisAnastasis]

" No biggie to convince someone to leave you, either. You're not as likable as you think you are, and I have plenty of charm to spare. " man continued to tease. " But if you're so worried for her, I can bring you two in together then after I bring in Erdel - she just has to take on a child form, so I can hold her for paw with one hand while holding your palm with my other hand. "

[Mirach]

"Alright, I think she will like that better," Svarik agreed.

[VisAnastasis]

Man nodded, and he did as he promised - he first led in Erdel, and then Svarik and Xia,through a magical glowing portal.

There was a slight tense resistance as they were passing through, but as Sage was holding them, they managed to do it. Here, there was air to breath, and it was fresh and crisp clear, through judging by the look of it, it was hard to guess what it was, as it seemed in same time present and somehow otherworldly. Area was filled with strong, pure light and power beaming through it, life spreading all around, all coming from a complex, floating object in the sky, that was shining brightly and alluringly, inviting them to come closer. Even Erdel, who was usually cautious and wary of unexpected things, seemed in awe of the floating splendor.

http://68.media.tumblr.com/80cd3f87d6ae041ea8ad99cbccc5c9de/tumblr_ng04thX4Rl1rgyw5zo4_1280.jpg

[Mirach]

"Can I ask now where are we?" Svarik said after a moment of admiring the scenery.

Dňa 17. 3. 2017 18:49 používateľ "VisAnastasis [via Cherrizon 2]" <[hidden email]> napísal:

Man nodded, and he did as he promised - he first led in Erdel, and then Svarik and Xia,through a magical glowing portal.

There was a slight tense resistance as they were passing through, but as Sage was holding them, they managed to do it. Here, there was air to breath, and it was fresh and crisp clear, through judging by the look of it, it was hard to guess what it was, as it seemed in same time present and somehow otherworldly. Area was filled with strong, pure light and power beaming through it, life spreading all around, all coming from a complex, floating object in the sky, that was shining brightly and alluringly, inviting them to come closer. Even Erdel, who was usually cautious and wary of unexpected things, seemed in awe of the floating splendor.

http://68.media.tumblr.com/80cd3f87d6ae041ea8ad99cbccc5c9de/tumblr_ng04thX4Rl1rgyw5zo4_1280.jpg

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NAML

[VisAnastasis]

" This, dear friends, is The Heart of the Sea. " The Sage said with imposing, theatrical tone... Before adding practically, pointing at floating planetoid. " Or at least, my favorite Heart of the Sea. There are many other scattered through the ocean, because it's so vast and big number is needed to keep it's life going, but this one is my favorite because it's the oldest and most gentle. "

[Mirach]

"The Heart itself?" Svarik asked with awe. "Is it alright for us to be here?"

[VisAnastasis]

" It is alright, but only if you're with me. You are able  to come here at all only because you are under my blessing now. Do not ever try to come on your own. It is too sacred to be left to just any hands that can lay finger upon it. It is only something meant for a sight of ones who have close bond with the Sea. " Sage advised them kind heartedly. " I hoped to share it with Falcon one day... But he never comes around. It's nice that I can share it with you, then. Would you like us to come closer to it? "

[Mirach]

"As long as it accepts us, it would be nice to get closer..." Svarik nodded. "And if you want, I won't tell Falcon about it to keep the surprise, but I'll convince him to come next time."

[VisAnastasis]

" It would bring me great delight if he would come, so I will hold you for your word on that one. I won't forbid you to tell him the truth, though - he is very uncomfortable fellow when it comes to concealing anything from him, even if he is deep into that habit himself, so I'll leave to your better judgement whether you wish to tell him or not. No need for secrets here, nobody can reach this place without me, anyway. But now, let us come closer... " he said playfully, and with ease and familiarity of someone who ventures here often and is in tune with the place, knowing it like back of his hand, he led them through the valley, toward the mysterious soothing planet.

[Mirach]

Svarik followed him a bit uncertainly, as he felt completely out of his element here, but since it wasn't for a long time, it was more of an interesting experience than something uncomfortable. 

[VisAnastasis]

" You know, that Riversong you spoke about... " Sage went on to talk gleefully and with interest, while they were nearing the peculiar place. " He sounds like he quite qualifies for personification of Life, and he was able to connect power stream through the land by using his soul at long night. Takes quite a presence to do it. You should ask him to smuggle in to Mountain Heart sometimes. I think that one would suite you more than this mine one, from what I can see and know of you. He sounds like someone whose powers are not below creating a little cut in layers for you to step through. I think visiting Mountain Heart would do you some good. My Spirit friend loved spending time in its light in time before the Great War. "

[Mirach]

"The Heart of Lowlands is closer..." Svarik said quietly. "But I never saw it from a layer where it would appear solid like this... I have listened to tye music of the Vein, though."

[VisAnastasis]

" Heart of Lowlands can bring ease of sun filled meadows and their peacefulness into troubled soul. Heart of Mountains can help insecure troubled people grow from within into someone stronger and ease their weakness into strength. In truth, if you find willing guide, you can go to any Heart that suits you. " Sage explained patiently. "  I just desired to bring you to this one to see how interesting it can get for you, to be sincere. An experiment it is, if you will. It is a very gentle place, once you get used to it, and you seem very gentle when one gets used to you, so I have to wonder. "

[Mirach]

"It feels calm and peaceful and ancient," Svarik said. "Like no troubles of this time can touch it..."

[VisAnastasis]

" Unfortunately, just like Mountain Heart that was in danger from the Emperors, troubles of the world can touch this just like any Heart. That is why me and my friend protect it dearly from sight or greedy hands. It is very precious to us. " Sage explained, talking of it with deep devotion, as one talks of the most beloved Queen. " It is one of the ancient ones. Tied deeply with waters. It is special in its own right, just like every Heart is special in some aspect. As Heart of waters, its ability is to reflect - just like perfectly clear water, it offers perfect reflection of one's true self. I reached enlightenment here, after 28 years of meditating in its bright core. "

[Mirach]

"Enlightenment?" Svarik asked with wonder, both at the years it took and at the term, that wasn't used in the parts of the land that was influenced by Bull's priests for longer. "How does that feel? Or is it something that one can't understand without experiencing it? Did you know you are seeking it?"

[VisAnastasis]

" I will be honest about how I came to it, but you may not like an answer to what I tell you of my past. It just happens that... There was this former emperor. Your great grandfather, of great great grandfather, I believe. He was an emperor to conquer our city. We never sow it coming as it was done through cruel ruse, and I was caught in my sleep and imprisoned, and tortured by him and his priests for quite a long time, for not willing to reveal location of this place to them, for not bringing them here to this sacred Heart. They kind of... Tore my heart out and burned it before my eyes in the end, in this overblown ceremony, and threw my body down into the sea from city Walls to make an example of me, you see. " Sage grinned innocently, scratching his chest where there must had been an old scar. " My demon friend luckily had two hearts, and he gave me one of his, and he and my Spirit friend patched me up and nursed me to physical health.. A demon heart beats in my chest, prolonging my already long life by every minute. But it was a hard time for me, you see, despite that unexpected upgrade. Pain can change a man, and as a slave I was in my first years of life, I was never too confident to begin with. I came to the Heart, seeking healing and clarity, trying to find myself again - and I found enlightenment. I was called The Sage, ever since. When you find it, you are able to understand yourself clearly, to learn to be patient and honest with yourself, and to let your true self become a part of the world, not separate entity thrown into it, sticking out like a sore thumb. I shed of my true name like snake sheds its skin, in order to become one with the Sea. "

[Mirach]

After that admission, Svarik remained quiet for some time, reconsidering what he knew of the Sage in the light of what he learned now. He was able to trust him more with it, and start regarding him as a friend, not just an interesting aquintance of Conrad. "It took that long?" he asked a bit sadly. "And I only have a few days before I have to go back..." he sighed. "Did Falcon tell you about what happened between the coronation and the Long Nighy, or was he secretive as usual and only wrote you about what he needed advice with? And dis he tell you why we took this vacation?"

[VisAnastasis]

" He is.. a sentimental lad. When you think about it, he clearly would never overshare his private business. But I could somewhat read between the lines of his letters, I think. You don't suddenly start asking for rare medical herbs of sea and inquire about what does it take for Listener to grow mad from pain, without any cause to it. " man noticed gently as he led them further toward the Heart. " He did slip up that your fate was bound to the miasma of crypt, and from how I imagine it, you don't get bound to something like that just by accident... But I digress. I really am okay with not pricking on anyone's fresh wounds unwelcomed. Falcon said you need some space to breathe, and I don't mind giving it to you without uncomfortable questions. To be honest, past bears less importance to me than one's personality. " Sage admitted, seeming in rather pleasant and talkative mood. " I have seen how you treat meek and helpless, and I like what I see. I find you not in the slightest like that ancestor of yours that killed me, and at times you shed the tense polite tone and just converse casually, you are a very nice guy. " he smiled at king fondly, as if seeing he is troubled about something and trying to make him more comfortable. " I just sow you and thought - yes, despite his tendencies to go overboard with everything, for once, Falcon really did make a good choice. "

[Mirach]

Svarik smiled faintly. "I'm glad you think that. But I wish past would have that little importance to me. It wasn't my heart that was torn out, true. Just my soul torn in half... That's a bit similar, I guess. But I don't have 28 years to meditate..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see... Some part of you do seem more new than others, to admit. It's a shame someone so sweet got in this predicament, but it happens more often than not, alas. " Sage nodded thoughtfully, and they walked in silence for a moment, before he slowly replied. " I am not sure if enlightenment is what you need... But none the less, you need to see, I was in much different position from you. At time, I only knew handful of weak magical critters, and had closer tie with demon who only later many years afterwards became my true friend. I was slave for 50 years prior, and only became free couple months before emperor's conquest. I lost *everything* when he imprisoned me and tortured me, my freedom, place in the city, my life, my dignity, and all the little confidence I built up with lot of work. Every day was a new nightmare. Each heartbeat burned, the blood running through my body reminding me of my weakness and loss. That's why finding a new purpose and finding out who I want to be was so hard to me. " he shook his head, such private things not seeming to be something he discussed often, but something he felt may be good for Svarik to hear. " You have a better foundation, and it may seem small, but you already have quite a bit of warmth within you - I can see lot of caring people have left their fingerprints upon you, and even couple of blessings. True, your friends will lie to you - they will tell you it will be easy, to comfort you. I will tell you truth. It won't be easy. It can't be easy. Whatever you have been through, it couldn't had been healthy or normal. Building yourself up taken time, and more often than not, what you build with hard work will crumble overnight. " he shook his head, with confidence of what he spoke of. " That is why you just need to keep building. " he grinned. " It will take lot of work to feel whole again, but that is just fine, and that is just how it's supposed to be - it is always best to take lot of time to build a strong house for your soul, than to build layers upon layers of bad bricks until one bigger flood crushes everything down. Don't put ridiculous demands on yourself. Don't be so cruel to yourself. You can't rebuild yourself in just few days of rest. But... " he turned his head a little, as a warm expression escaped his eyes. "... few days of rest can be a nice break from trying to build something with damaged bricks, and give more time for couple of good bricks to pile up around. "

[Mirach]

"I guess," Svarik nodded uncertainly. "I'm also trying to make a decision or even more decisions. It's like picking between two bricks and trying to choose the one that won't make the thing crumble sometimes, maybe even years later. And I don't know if there even is such a choice..."

[VisAnastasis]

" I see.... There is no point in pretending I know what you're gong through. We all have had tough choices to make, and this is your choice, not mine. I won't try to act all wise and tell you what to do. " peculiar man replied gently. " I will tell you one thing - not whole house will crumble because of one single bad brick. True, after a while, it may look ugly and stick out from the rest, but if all other bricks are solid, influence of one brick won't be so powerful to crush the whole home of your soul and leave it bare. It may help you to feel better, to not think choosing of one single brick will define your whole future life. It is but one brick among thousands of bricks to come over years. " Sage whispered, but it was more a gentle suggestion of new point of view than a tip. " Every brick is important, though, and I can see this is a bit one for you... Falcon chose well, to not force you to make it right away, whatever it is. Nobody should make this choice in your place, and you yourself have to figure out what you truly want - but, since you are already here, if you are willing, I think Heart of the Sea may be able to help you a little bit... Only if you feel like doing more than just sightseeing how pretty it looks. "