Xiur bit back the urge to rise to his feet again. He knew he would only begin pacing anew in frustration and anxiety; and there was already too much of those emotions souring the mood of the hall. His recall of the last two trials did nothing to improve his demeanor. 'Hope' was one of his domains, yet his best efforts outside the hall had barely registered any lasting impact on the scattered defenders still facing off against the shadow beasts' depredations.
He had done what he could to support their efforts and would not suffer the suggestion that he'd made no difference. But while lifting heavy masonry to get to trapped citizens, and filling them with hope while they were rejoicing in rescue was gratifying, the way their faces fell when they looked about the smoke and rubble of the remains nearly stripped himself of their newfound hope along with them.
Ne'haer had not been one of Xuir's common destinations throughout the arcs. Were it not for the element of Treid's heart being the focus of the three conspirator's intent, he might not have gotten involved at all. And where his old friend's future was involved, Audrae must surely be mixed up in it as well. At first, this had not appeared to be the case. But now news had come that clearly showed her involvement. Whether it was willing or not was still uncertain.
Equally uncertain was Faldrun's place in this whole ordeal. Every indication was that his minions would have a superior resistance to the shadow beasts; their very blood being a disintegrating element to the creatures' cohesion. But the ambush he'd staged on the Etzos contingent's route had come off as very ill-prepared. Xiur knew many ways that the Fire Lord could have ensured victory over the heroes en route to Ne'haer. But the attack had clearly been rushed and uncoordinated. And while Xiur was thankful for that, it put Faldrun's complicity with the conspiracy in doubt. Had the Fire Lord been in on Lisirra's plan from the start, the riverside ambush would have shown far more preparation and been a devastating success.
Perhaps some detail would come out in the meeting to account for it. He knew that Faldrun and Lisirra were not on good terms. Yet, where the lives of mortals were concerned, they seemed quite compatible. Xiur had plainly heard what the Marshall of Etzos had said; that they were already "dealing with those responsible" for the shadow attacks. These creatures had apparently beset that city in advance of most others on Idalos. And with Lisirra gone from Rhakros, it looked like Etzos was mustering for retribution against her city.
Part of him wished them well. Another part wondered if this was perhaps Faldrun's part in the conspiracy; to wait for Etzos to march south, so he could do the same against Etzos. He sighed heavily. This was shaping up to be a grimly interesting cycle.
He had been waiting for one of his Immortal siblings to make some speech, whereupon he would spread the aura of hope throughout the room. It struck him as manipulative though somehow. Even as this thought struck him, a mortal woman made a worthy attempt to fill that same role among the others present, stating that they were not afraid. Reactions of several of those present suggested mixed reactions, or even outright scorn for the brave words.
Xiur was inspired by it though, and now felt a measure of shame for his gloom. Of course there was fear. There would always be fear on Idalos. But he stood in support of the young woman. "No, it is not that we are not afraid. Do not show disdain for brave words misspoken. I do not believe that this soldier meant that no fear is present here. What we have seen should give any rational being cause to fear. What she meant is that we will not surrender to fear. We will not cower and await these fiends to finish us, uncontested, at their leisure. Such treacherous beings as these are surely already scheming their betrayals of each other. It is ever their way. They will not trust each other enough to wait until they have achieved complete victory before they begin undermining each other."
As he spoke, he allowed an aura of hope to spread throughout the assemblage.
He had done what he could to support their efforts and would not suffer the suggestion that he'd made no difference. But while lifting heavy masonry to get to trapped citizens, and filling them with hope while they were rejoicing in rescue was gratifying, the way their faces fell when they looked about the smoke and rubble of the remains nearly stripped himself of their newfound hope along with them.
Ne'haer had not been one of Xuir's common destinations throughout the arcs. Were it not for the element of Treid's heart being the focus of the three conspirator's intent, he might not have gotten involved at all. And where his old friend's future was involved, Audrae must surely be mixed up in it as well. At first, this had not appeared to be the case. But now news had come that clearly showed her involvement. Whether it was willing or not was still uncertain.
Equally uncertain was Faldrun's place in this whole ordeal. Every indication was that his minions would have a superior resistance to the shadow beasts; their very blood being a disintegrating element to the creatures' cohesion. But the ambush he'd staged on the Etzos contingent's route had come off as very ill-prepared. Xiur knew many ways that the Fire Lord could have ensured victory over the heroes en route to Ne'haer. But the attack had clearly been rushed and uncoordinated. And while Xiur was thankful for that, it put Faldrun's complicity with the conspiracy in doubt. Had the Fire Lord been in on Lisirra's plan from the start, the riverside ambush would have shown far more preparation and been a devastating success.
Perhaps some detail would come out in the meeting to account for it. He knew that Faldrun and Lisirra were not on good terms. Yet, where the lives of mortals were concerned, they seemed quite compatible. Xiur had plainly heard what the Marshall of Etzos had said; that they were already "dealing with those responsible" for the shadow attacks. These creatures had apparently beset that city in advance of most others on Idalos. And with Lisirra gone from Rhakros, it looked like Etzos was mustering for retribution against her city.
Part of him wished them well. Another part wondered if this was perhaps Faldrun's part in the conspiracy; to wait for Etzos to march south, so he could do the same against Etzos. He sighed heavily. This was shaping up to be a grimly interesting cycle.
He had been waiting for one of his Immortal siblings to make some speech, whereupon he would spread the aura of hope throughout the room. It struck him as manipulative though somehow. Even as this thought struck him, a mortal woman made a worthy attempt to fill that same role among the others present, stating that they were not afraid. Reactions of several of those present suggested mixed reactions, or even outright scorn for the brave words.
Xiur was inspired by it though, and now felt a measure of shame for his gloom. Of course there was fear. There would always be fear on Idalos. But he stood in support of the young woman. "No, it is not that we are not afraid. Do not show disdain for brave words misspoken. I do not believe that this soldier meant that no fear is present here. What we have seen should give any rational being cause to fear. What she meant is that we will not surrender to fear. We will not cower and await these fiends to finish us, uncontested, at their leisure. Such treacherous beings as these are surely already scheming their betrayals of each other. It is ever their way. They will not trust each other enough to wait until they have achieved complete victory before they begin undermining each other."
As he spoke, he allowed an aura of hope to spread throughout the assemblage.
