Artifact 01: Colorblocks

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

[ Sitting at a small, wooden table with a tall umbrella, Angela seems to be enthralled with something. The something sits on the table in front of her.

It looks like a collection of painted wood blocks, the kind of thing a baby would play with. They are currently arranged to look like a small cluster of houses, complete with angled roofs and chimneys. Suddenly, she lifts a hand, and knocks all the blocks down.

This would be disappointing for anyone admiring the block sculpture, but only briefly, as the blocks immediately start to build new houses, all on their own. ]

Comments

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

My kingdom has yet to build up an army of its own. Our numbers are under four hundred to begin with.

[lamb_of_gold]

But you have that vast snowfield, do you not? That in and of itself is quite the deterrent to an aggressor.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

The snowfield itself is an aggressor. Year after year we lose more of our people to blizzards.

[lamb_of_gold]

Such is the way of life, unfortunately. All you can do is try your best to keep everyone safe.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

If we can find something to ward off the storms, or even some way to move to another place, we might be able to survive. That's why Koren and I are looking for these. [ She taps the blocks. ] Well, I am, at least. Koren is looking for the Seventh Moon.

[lamb_of_gold]

Oh?

Your other...Her mother used magic to warm the city.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

She... did?

Mother's magic is strong, she is much more apt than I, but there is no way she would be able to do such a thing.

[lamb_of_gold]

I didn't know the details. Only that she did. Something about a flame.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

If we could keep Altena warm... If we could grow our own food, and provide for ourselves... We'd need not fear Ricrot. We could build our army, establish ourselves, maybe we could build a tower if we found a Mana Point.

[ She seems to be lost in thought for a few moments. ] If only I knew how...

[lamb_of_gold]

As I said, I was unsure of the details. However, I got the impression that it was quite...Limiting.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine using that much magic would be. No doubt it would kill you after so long.

[lamb_of_gold]

I'd heard nothing of that, only that whomever maintained the flame could not leave the area.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

That wouldn't be so bad.

[lamb_of_gold]

But she did so love to travel.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

That's right, she visited other worlds...

I wouldn't mind staying in one place, if it meant my people would be safe. It would make Mother happy again too...

[lamb_of_gold]

More that she seemed to enjoy traveling around her own.

Then why don't you? At least for awhile.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

I'll guess that she had less to fear than I do, then.

Ah, I can't right now. I mean, I'm trying to find a way to protect Altena, I wouldn't do any good just being there. Mother would be happy if I found something...

[lamb_of_gold]

She was hardly fearless, but she'd be damned if she let it stop her.

Perhaps you should return for a visit, at least.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

I suppose. But I can't be careless. It's not just my life at stake, but Koren's as well, if we're caught.

... I can't. Not until I've found something useful.

[lamb_of_gold]

Then you must both take extra care.

You miss your home.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

[ She nods. ] It's a risk just leaving Altena.

It's... not really that simple.

[lamb_of_gold]

Care to elaborate, then?

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

I just want Mother to be happy again.

[lamb_of_gold]

I'm hardly a mother, but I would think she'd want her only daughter to spend some time with her.

[whitestlotus.livejournal.com]

[ She says nothing, but knocks the blocks over again. ]