Camaalis prequel thingy
Aug. 29th, 2004 02:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sparkindarknessThere is a rhyme to my madness, not just because these trhee won't leave me alone (even if 2 of them ARE dead). And it's not just because I thjink Camaalis need some good PR (actually I think the Camaalis muses have recognised they need some good PR and are throwing thmselves at me in an attempt to improve their image)
“It’s a disgrace! An unmitigated disgrace! What were you thinking? How could you put everything we have worked for for so many thousand years in so much jeopardy?” Siobhan quivered with rage, fighting not to stand from her centre seat as head of the tribunal, her long, severe pony tail lashing back and forth with every violent shake of her head. Or maybe the winds whispering through the room were the cause of its violent agitation. She was never one to hide her extremely frequent and terrifying anger, not even in her magic.
Katherine kept her eyes firmly fixed on her feet, desperately trying to avoid the stern gaze of the three judges, let alone the disappointed gazes of so many witnesses. That Liam and Rhiannon were by her side was little comfort.
“We understand that this politician has several highly objectionable views and that his policies, if ever implemented, could be highly damaging.” Doyle intoned in his carrying yet quiet voice from his seat on Siobhan's left. He was near her direct opposite, never one to be ruled by emotions, always calm, always thoughtful. His hair fell in loose but ordered waves just past his shoulders in stark contrast to Siobhan's severe yet chaotic pony tail. But the sapphire eyes he fixed on the three held just as strong a measure of censure. “But this was a task that should have fallen to wiser minds, older minds. Such blatant use of magic could spell disaster - the government is content to ignore us and pretend ignorance because they do not realise how much power we truly hold - and how much influence we have over them and their country. But, rest assured children, the government - most governments - do know we exist, and do have some idea of our capabilities. If the full truth were ever known... they would be forced to act.” The silence was full of foreboding as the room considered such a dire happening.
“You also fail to recognise the dire breach of trust you have committed with your gifts.” Prisa sat on Siobhan’s right. Like Doyle’s her voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of years that rang louder than mere volume could possibly achieve. Her eyes were focused and sharp as she turned her full considerable attention to the miscreants before her. “We are Camaalis. We can create miracles. We are miracles. We have powers beyond even the wildest imaginings of even those humans who have magical gifts - let alone those who are blind to the art. And with that gift comes the heavy responsibility - the responsibility of Guidance, Protection and Service.”
The room echoed with whispers as all present repeated her last words “Guidance, Protection and Service, Camaalis will answer.”
“There is time for pleasure in your gifts. Even fun and frivolity. But this petty amusement can never come at the expense of others!” Katherine tried to lower her eyes still further, stung by the crushing condemnation in the old wise woman‘s words. “And certainly not those who are completely ignorant of the gift. They are helpless, like children, nay, like babes in arms. They cannot protect themselves from us, cannot even try - to exploit them is inexcusable. It is cowardly, cruel, abusive and arrogant. None of these are traits we tolerate in a Camaalis; none of these will we allow you to cultivate. The cowardly cannot protect. The cruel and abusive cause more harm than good. The arrogant are to blind to guide, too foolish to protect and are never humble enough to serve.”
“Enough pontificating! You have sabotaged a mortal political convention, perhaps destroying one man’s career as he will ever be dogged by your spurious actions. Do you deny it?”
“No.” Katherine mumbled to her feet, cheeks reddening.
“No.” Rhiannon spoke softly but there was still challenge in her voice.
“No.” Liam looked like he found the whole thing darkly amusing, his contrition seemed a thin mask over some seductive and devious game. But Katherine was pretty certain it was just the way Liam looked. He always looked... nefarious.
“Very well. I propose a call of 10.” Prisa and Doyle both nodded gravely at this pronouncement. “You are called upon to perform at least 10 genuine good deeds for the world. The amount of time it takes to complete them and the magnitude of your good deeds are your own to decide.”
Rhiannon nodded her head regally, smooth, porcelain face utterly unchanged. Liam’s full lips came together in a pout. Katherine tried not to grimace. It was fair, but a hard task. She supposed it would allow her to bond with her Triumvirate more, now that they had decided to bond, despite their disastrous first mission. Grimly, they made their silent bows before turning to leave.
“One moment.” Doyle leaned forwards in his seat, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I am curious.” He tapped his lips carefully with one finger. “How did you manage to smuggle a lorry load of helium into the Tory party conference?”
“It’s a disgrace! An unmitigated disgrace! What were you thinking? How could you put everything we have worked for for so many thousand years in so much jeopardy?” Siobhan quivered with rage, fighting not to stand from her centre seat as head of the tribunal, her long, severe pony tail lashing back and forth with every violent shake of her head. Or maybe the winds whispering through the room were the cause of its violent agitation. She was never one to hide her extremely frequent and terrifying anger, not even in her magic.
Katherine kept her eyes firmly fixed on her feet, desperately trying to avoid the stern gaze of the three judges, let alone the disappointed gazes of so many witnesses. That Liam and Rhiannon were by her side was little comfort.
“We understand that this politician has several highly objectionable views and that his policies, if ever implemented, could be highly damaging.” Doyle intoned in his carrying yet quiet voice from his seat on Siobhan's left. He was near her direct opposite, never one to be ruled by emotions, always calm, always thoughtful. His hair fell in loose but ordered waves just past his shoulders in stark contrast to Siobhan's severe yet chaotic pony tail. But the sapphire eyes he fixed on the three held just as strong a measure of censure. “But this was a task that should have fallen to wiser minds, older minds. Such blatant use of magic could spell disaster - the government is content to ignore us and pretend ignorance because they do not realise how much power we truly hold - and how much influence we have over them and their country. But, rest assured children, the government - most governments - do know we exist, and do have some idea of our capabilities. If the full truth were ever known... they would be forced to act.” The silence was full of foreboding as the room considered such a dire happening.
“You also fail to recognise the dire breach of trust you have committed with your gifts.” Prisa sat on Siobhan’s right. Like Doyle’s her voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of years that rang louder than mere volume could possibly achieve. Her eyes were focused and sharp as she turned her full considerable attention to the miscreants before her. “We are Camaalis. We can create miracles. We are miracles. We have powers beyond even the wildest imaginings of even those humans who have magical gifts - let alone those who are blind to the art. And with that gift comes the heavy responsibility - the responsibility of Guidance, Protection and Service.”
The room echoed with whispers as all present repeated her last words “Guidance, Protection and Service, Camaalis will answer.”
“There is time for pleasure in your gifts. Even fun and frivolity. But this petty amusement can never come at the expense of others!” Katherine tried to lower her eyes still further, stung by the crushing condemnation in the old wise woman‘s words. “And certainly not those who are completely ignorant of the gift. They are helpless, like children, nay, like babes in arms. They cannot protect themselves from us, cannot even try - to exploit them is inexcusable. It is cowardly, cruel, abusive and arrogant. None of these are traits we tolerate in a Camaalis; none of these will we allow you to cultivate. The cowardly cannot protect. The cruel and abusive cause more harm than good. The arrogant are to blind to guide, too foolish to protect and are never humble enough to serve.”
“Enough pontificating! You have sabotaged a mortal political convention, perhaps destroying one man’s career as he will ever be dogged by your spurious actions. Do you deny it?”
“No.” Katherine mumbled to her feet, cheeks reddening.
“No.” Rhiannon spoke softly but there was still challenge in her voice.
“No.” Liam looked like he found the whole thing darkly amusing, his contrition seemed a thin mask over some seductive and devious game. But Katherine was pretty certain it was just the way Liam looked. He always looked... nefarious.
“Very well. I propose a call of 10.” Prisa and Doyle both nodded gravely at this pronouncement. “You are called upon to perform at least 10 genuine good deeds for the world. The amount of time it takes to complete them and the magnitude of your good deeds are your own to decide.”
Rhiannon nodded her head regally, smooth, porcelain face utterly unchanged. Liam’s full lips came together in a pout. Katherine tried not to grimace. It was fair, but a hard task. She supposed it would allow her to bond with her Triumvirate more, now that they had decided to bond, despite their disastrous first mission. Grimly, they made their silent bows before turning to leave.
“One moment.” Doyle leaned forwards in his seat, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I am curious.” He tapped his lips carefully with one finger. “How did you manage to smuggle a lorry load of helium into the Tory party conference?”