With a flash of light and a slight pop in his ears, Jason found himself back on L'mdana in the third temple. Charaustra was right beside him, tensed and ready for action. No battle awaited them, however, simply a very happy friend.
"Jason!" Genhyl cried, obviously relieved to see that he was all right. He ran up and grabbed Jason's shoulders, as though trying to make sure he was real. "What in the name of the gods happened to you? We were worried."
"It was Char's Coming of Age Ceremony... they just grabbed us from where we were to attend it," Jason explained, looking around the inner chamber of this temple. It was made of the same familiar, dark stone as the other temples, but plants seemed to grow everywhere, even in this dark location. Vines coated the walls and trees grew haphazardly around the room. Char was examining the purple foliage with curiousity.
"Well, thank the gods you are safe," Genhyl said. He seemed to resist the urge to give Jason a hug and released him, turning to where Alexei and two green-cloaked M'l'kai were waiting. A brilliant orange Azalai stood to their left, prepared to send Jason and his party on their way. Jason approached them respectfully, Genhyl falling in behind him next to Charaustra.
"This is the Temple of Gytala, Goddess of the Forests," Alexei said formally by way of introduction
Well, that explains the plants, Jason thought. Alexei continued.
"The offworlders have not yet found this amulet, and now they never will."
Alexei stepped back, deferring to the resident M'l'kai. The Daughter of the Forests stepped forward. Her robes were deep green, and there were several branching dark tattoos on her pale yellow face. Her golden, cat-like eyes fixed on Jasons as she began to speak. "Take the Amulet of Gytala, Jason Walbrook. May your journies to the other temples be safe." She held out the shrouded amulet. Jason bowed before gently taking it and placing it in his pack with the other amulets. The Daughter of the Forests turned to Charaustra, raising her hand with palm facing fowards in a gesture of blessing. "Charaustra, dragon of Glass, may your powers protect your bondmate and the Sacred Amulets." Jason thought he felt Charaustra's Vis Astrum pulse cold inside the pocket in his robes. He had to clear his throat before speaking.
"Thank you, Daughter of the Forests," he said, using the M'l'kai's proper title. He bowed to her again, then turned to bow to the Son of the Forests as well. Charaustra followed suit from his side. The orange Azalai began chanting; its soft hissing filled the room.
Soon, a deep purple mist formed and circled faster and faster until it became a portal, hanging before Jason and Charaustra. Genhyl stepped up beside Jason, who looked over in surprise.
"Afraid I am going somewhere without you?" he murmured quietly to Genhyl. Genhyl gave him a stubborn stare.
"Let's see, the last two trips through these portals, something horrible has happened to you," Genhyl whispered in return.
"Going to Char's Coming of Age Ceremony was not 'something horrible'," Jason corrected quietly.
"I am not taking any chances," Genhyl muttered. "After you."
Jason stepped through the violet portal with Genhyl and Charaustra right behind him. Alexei went last, bowing to the M'l'kai before she left.
"Many days to you, Children of Gytala," she intoned. Then, she too departed. The Azalai's chant died down, and the portal faded away.
"May B'rigl have mercy on them," the Son of the Forests said to his partner. "They go to the Temple of Tula'tag. May it not be too late."
The Daughter of the Forests bowed her head in silent agreement as the pair left the secret chamber. They would be encountering the offworlders soon, and they had to be prepared for what might happen. Neither of them saw the glint of two eyes in the darkness, nor did either of them hear the whisper of fabric as a figure disappeared away from the wall outside the chamber, carrying its information out into the night.
Background from Absolute Background Textures Archive. Storyline and characters created by and copyright © Rachel "Indyana" Gratis, 2001-2004. Dragon from Veniam Mactare.