Promises in the Ka'doloki Sand

Written by Court Musician, Neugierig Stormsong

Performed by Historian Jurixe S. Nithilar

Jurixe Welcome, one and all. The Retelling you are about to listen to was created by Neugierig Stormsong. It is named 'Promises in the Ka'doloki Sand.'

While she could not be here to present this Retelling in person, I have determined that it should, nonetheless, be told in her voice and manner. Thus we begin.

Shifting mist coalesces from the air, resolving into the appearance of a female horkval with Neugierig's likeness.

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The likeness of Neugierig stands quietly for several heartbeats, pointed fingertips clasped lightly in front of her. Eventually, she speaks in a soft rasp.

At the Sea God, Lord Neraeos's command, Cyrene began expanding towards Ka'doloki to establish a new port along that stretch of coast. Tritonic guards were dispatched, land was cleared, and construction began near the village.

The people of Ka'doloki protested almost immediately, and with each passing day the tension between the villagers and the tritonic guards deepened. This culminated in Second Tritarch Antanelus Escelius Argano slaying Renu, a fisherman of the village, before witnesses.

The likeness of Neugierig falls into a weighty silence. After a measured breath, she straightens.

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The village was shaken by the death. Elder Nhamdi demanded recompense. In response, many Cyrenians rose to make amends. They visited Ka'doloki, spoke with its people, and worked to understand their customs and their grief. Elmer Fortuna, the Paragon, stood before the Elder and promised that the village and its leader would be protected by Cyrenian hands.

At first, Elder Nhamdi demanded the death of the culprit who had slain Renu. Under Cyrenian persuasion, however, he consented to a punishment of lashes, delivered with a salt whip.

Exhaling through her nose, the likeness of Neugierig speaks on.

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Cyrenians then worked alongside the Elder to prepare a funeral for Renu. Huntmaster Faerum sculpted a memorial, which stands now at the northern corner of Ka'doloki's beach. The funeral itself was conducted by the Paragon, with Elder Nhamdi, Ka'dolokian villagers, Cyrenians and the Lord Neraeos Pelagia in attendance.

Jurixe tilts her gleaming head to look up at the memorial in the vicinity.

The likeness of Neugierig's voice warms with gentle familiarity as she says:

The Paragon spoke of Renu's life, of his skill, and of his eagerness to help those around him. Next came Elder Nhamdi, who spoke about how Renu had been as a son to the village and how deeply he was missed with each passing month.

The ceremony then moved to the sculpture, where the punishment was to be carried out. Captain Barrien Vorondil of the Nerai stepped forward to deliver the sentence. Second Tritarch Antanelus Escelius Argano accepted the punishment without protest. The salt whip tore into his flesh fifty times, rending him to the bone as he shook with the strain.

△ △ △

The likeness of Neugierig's voice deepens, rougher now through a rasp.

The Lord of the Sea cried out in fury at the death of His own before His feet. Elder Nhamdi, still mourning Renu, spoke aloud that the triton had deserved his fate…

Her pointed fingertips press together as she pauses, then:

A single breath passed in silence.

The likeness of Neugierig inhales, her posture tightening.

Then Lord Neraeos Fylakas turned and smote the Elder down before the statue of Renu. When Dame Trilliana moved to decry the act, He backhanded her aside. He then set Himself upon the villagers nearby, slaying all but some women and the children. In that instant, the promise made by Elmer Fortuna was broken.

The likeness of Neugierig's hands lower slowly, palms open and upwards before her.

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Afterwards, Cyrenians and others laboured to mend what bonds they could. Some were repaired, but others were broken forever. Some paths must diverge even as they continue on.

The likeness of Neugierig's voice softens slightly but retains its sharpness of word as she continues.

More time passed… Many tended to the needs of the villagers who remained. At last, the Lord Neraeos Okeanos came to them. He healed the wounds He had inflicted and raised a great barrier against the seas, filling the shores with bounty for those who yet lived there.

The likeness of Neugierig exhales slowly, and at last, she brings her pointed fingertips together once more.

The port now stands finished, and it is set beside a village forever changed…

As silently as it appeared, the likeness of Neugierig disintegrates once more into a swirling, insubstantial mass, before dissipating into nothing upon the sea breeze.

~ ~ ~

And that is the end of her Retelling. — Jurixe