From the ashes of Medlorhie, sactified by the power of the Goddess, which casts away the Veil of Shadows, wispy clouds of light slowly rise;all are bathed is soft daylight. The light grows stronger yet, a column reaching towards the heavens from which the presence of Avanlae can be felt even by the most ardant unbeliever – the light is comfortably blinding.
The wispy clouds coalesce into a form of light; first, it is featureless, and but eventually it bears the features of High Hierophant Medlorhie Haesen. She steps from the column, her hands cupped before her, a growing sphere of light held in her hands.
Her soft voice is heard:
”Avani is great.
Avani is great.
I bear witness that She is the Light.
I bear witness that She is the Light.
I bear witness that the Light of Avani is Messanger of Avani.
I bear witness that the Light of Avani is Messanger of Avani.
Make haste to worship and serve the light
Make haste to worship and serve the light
Avani is great.
Avani is great.
I bear witness that She is the Light.
I bear witness that She is the Light.
Blessed be the All-Father. Blessed be the Name, Haelyn.
Blessed be the All-Mother. Blessed be Her Divine Mercy.
Blessed be the fruit of their union, Cuiraecen.
Blessed be the Lady of Light. Blessed be Her Eternal Light."
She is wholly dressed in the white robes of the Sudawarhi. She says coming to stand before Gaerred and the other assembled. She speaks to Gaerred:
”Gaerred, the Shadow is mighty in Elinie. The Shadow is resilient and resourceful in Elinie. You must be strong and vigilant. You must not falter, Hierophant. Never underestimate it, Gaerred, Never—Not Even for a Moment. Underestimate. It.”
She looks him squarely, but her face softens with a smile.
”But all is not lost though the way forward may not be clear. For there are no new things beneath the Sun, Gaerred, but manys things that have long been forgotten. Find the forgotten things and find your path.”
She smiles slightly and looks to the assembled and speaks again:
”The Lady is with you all. The Lady shall be with you.”
She looks back to Gaerred.
”Though I walk through the Valleys of the Shadow.”
It is a stock prayer from the Life and Protection of Avanlae, to which all the Elinien (and likely the Holy Order) knows from infancy.
”I shall fear no ill,” is given in response.
Medlorhie speaks again:
”For She is with me.”
”Her countenance protects and guides me.”
”Blessed be Her Name Amongst Names.”
”Blessed Be Her Eternal Light.”
Medlorhie nods at each response ever so slightly.
”And as I was the Light of Avani.”
In this instant, Naire shallowly gasps – Gaerred utterly stops speaking. Neither Naire or Gaerred speaks for a moment, before Naire slightly bumps Gaerred, who with a sudden breath speaks.
”So shall I be,” He says.
Medlorhie continues.
”Faithfully carry forth the light and illuminate the way of the Lady.
Go in Peace and serve the gods.”
Medlorhie touches Gaerred and begins to step backward towards the column.
Then, she is gone.
As the room attempts to process the entire event, Naire collapses to her knees and grasps the hand of Gaerred placing it upon her face.
”High Hierophant,” she says ever so quietly.
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And so it came to pass in the One thousand five hundred and thirty-fifth year of Haelyn’s Divine Ascension, after the fateful Sword and Crown, that the regency of the Life and Protection of Avanlae passed to Gaerred Khaiarén, Hierophant of the Life and Protection of Avanlae, after the High Hierophant Medlorhie Haesen fell in battle against the Shadow.
Blessed be the Haelyn!
Blessed Be Avanlae!
