The Children and Gift

JP with Redsword, Lucian and Cindy

In a few minutes a line began to form, as people started to enter the temple. They all went up towards the stage, stopping a few feet away and bowed or curtseyed to Antinea, then deeper to Ritikios. The way the line was formed Antinea was first only because she was standing behind the altar.

By the time the last stragglers came in, the room was getting rather full. If one had to guess there might have been about 150 people or so, gathered there.

There were some women also of varying ages, but they were clearly outnumbered by the men, also of different ages. Most of the men though looked to be in their 20's - 40's. There were also a few children who were gathering in one area, with a woman who seemed to be in charge of them.

It took a good twenty minutes to get everyone inside, at which point the guards closed the doors.

Antinea only had to tap the podium twice and the room fell quiet, and stared at her as if doing anything else was unthinking. "Let us begin with our prayer. Everyone kneel." Everyone knelt, facing Ritikios and recited in Greek.

"May the Eldren relinquish their crowns
May the Arundan take their rightful place
Those who follow the wrong shall be forced to the right."

Had he been a younger fry, Vor would have burst out laughing at the dangerous absurdity of the situation. Great actors and poets alike would have killed to be in his shoes, worshipped like the pharaohs of humanity’s Egyptian kingdoms, served with lavish gifts and concubines.
With the full scope of the cults lunacy hitting him, he felt like he was in some drug induced dream, though knew it was reality.
As the members finished their prayer, he kept his features firm and stoic, lording over them with an assenting glare.

Standing in the same position as he had before. As the crowd arrived Sung looked ferm in his duty to serve his lord but was shocked at the number of people there this was not more than the 20 maybe 40 max that would show up to this. Sung was confident that if he had to get Vor out of the room he could.

Working on plans in his head and paying attention to the crowd was old-time work for him. This would be different than Japan where half the men would be carrying katanas or daishō. At that time would have made it a lot harder to get the Lord or Daimyō out of trouble. But Sung also had others under his command to help back then.

Not that Sung has not faced these numbers before in his life. But did not look forward to ever doing that again. It has been over 20 years since that last time. He was getting a bit nervous over the thought. Sung took a deep slow breath and let it out slowly so as not to be noticed. Being refocused now he looked at the crowd to see if anyone he had seen before.

Besides, Antinea and Staniadis, the other familiar faces were Huron, the recruiter Vor and Sung had met yesterday and Frank Boswell the Dock Master. There was also a man that looked remarkably like an older version of Lamaire.

After the prayer Antinea, said. "You may rise." The congregation rose, except Cassandra, who was still kneeling in front of the stage. No one had approached her or tried to speak with her. Actually, they seemed to be almost shunning her. "Bring out the ones in need of pentance." Staniadis went to the same door thar Antinea had come out of earlier and returned with two men. One being Doctor Lamaire, the other was a younger man probably in his twenties. They were made to go to either side of Cassandra and kneel.

Then Antinea turned to Ritikios, "My Lord, if it pleases you, the children have prepared something for you and have a gift to present from the believers."

Upon mentioning the word "children" the children instantly got into a line, they had been quiet and very well behaved throughout, even saying or attempting to say the prayer with the others.

Sung did not like what was going on. They were now messing with children He drew the line there. but he was holding his composer. Now Doctor Lamaire or what he thought looked like Him but was sure it was him. This getting to be a little much in all his years Sung was never much of a spy. Sung would walk in and deal with it and there was not much most could do about that. In his thinking why sneak when you can just walk through the front door? That is what he just did in a way.

All the years of training were kicking in he was not even moving his discipline was like iron as he stood there watching over the crowd. Waiting for any movement that is dangerous. If anyone pulls a weapon he can use that as an excuse to act.

The sight of the doctor was a surprise, especially when being sentenced to “penance”. He couldn’t imagine what he had done earn the cults ire, though he was tempted to ask. Might as well since he had seen his face for sure now, right?
This thinking halted when Antinea summoned the children. If his test with Iris had him near the breaking point, this was now risking pushing him over for fear of what they would do.

Ritikios ,however, gave a nod to proceed.

There were 10 children ranging in age from seven to about 10. A decent mixture of boys and girls. It is difficult to tell if these are the only children in the sect, or just the ones chosen to perform for the all important Ritikios.

They all stepped in front of Ritikios, so, he could easily see them.

Once Antinea, said begin. The children did a skit about the time to come in the near future, when the Arundan take the mantel of control to rule all people. At that time a child will be born 1/2 Arundan and 1/2 human, this will signal the new Era when the humans loyal to the cause will be blessed by immortality by the Arundan. It became obvious throughout the skit that the Children of The Sea, believe the Arundan to be immortal. The skit was done in English.

When the children finished, their teacher handed a plan wooden long box to the tallest boy. The box had a lid that was tied on with dark blue ribbons, tied in a bow.

The boy was granted permission to go on stage to present the gift. He did so, kneeling to Ritikios, with arms outstretched holding the box that almost seemed too long for him.

Sung stepped forward in a guard position so as not to interfere with the receiving of the gift. But be closer if something was wrong Sung could react. Song wondered if it was a sword perhaps it was quite long and the boy was careful with the weight. Sung would hold his position until it was given to Ritikios. Sung was convinced now that this cult was crazy.

Vor was unsure here. Seeing the boy be so genuine was touching, even in the current circumstances. Given a better path, he could definitely be a performer of skill. The earnestness in his eyes made Vor want to believe, just a little, for how would he react when the reality of his world came crashing down?

Ritikios gave a short grin at the performance, using Sung’s change in position to signal for him to take the box. As much as he was being sucked in by the young humans, he could never trust their “teachers”.

Glancing at the crowd and the boy. There seem to be no hostile intentions coming from anyone. the Ki in the room was very light haze neutral showing that everyone here so far was liking what they saw. there was hostility in the room Sung knew he had to keep himself under control so people would not see him in a different way either.

Sung just breathed slowly keeping his focus. Sung would let Vor deal with the gift. But someone in his position would not normally do with a surprise gift without checking. In this case, they needed to have trust and the cult trusted them and made it look like Vor and Sung trusted them as well.

The boy just stayed knelt down with arms outstretched as neither Ritikios or his assistant took the box or indicated Ritikios didn't want it.

Antinea said, "Iris would you help Ritikios with the gift?"

Iris got up, took the gift and untied the ribbons, removed the top. She was a little in awe of what the package contained. Inside was a beautifully carved wooden walking stick. Fish, coral, kelp, even a wave pattern were expertly carved into the wooden part. On the top was a curved brass handle. If one turned the handle, a sword would slide out of the stick.

The boy was dismissed and now Iris knelt in front of Ritikios with the opened box waiting for the Arundan to accept or reject it.

With Sung’s refusal to take the box, Vor could at least assume the gift was not a danger. It did throw him off a bit, instead having Iris reverently reveal it to him instead of a moment to maybe speak with Sung.

Once again, he was left in a melancholic awe at the sight of such artistry. Taking it in his hands, he felt over the material both to admire and privately judge. There were flaws, a minor nick or small rough edge here and there, but it felt on purpose than accidental negligence. Coral was beautiful, but could shred skin easily, just as certain fishes scales could. It was a beautifully realistic carving of the ocean.
Placing it back in the box, Ritikios ordered Iris to hold it at his side as he sat back down.

“And where did you find such a gift, Spiritual Leader?”

Iris did as ordered without hesitation.

Antinea responded to Ritikios, "My Lord, this particular piece was designed by a Dwarven craftsman, the carvings were done by an Arundan I do business with." The woman never said either were a part of the Children of The Sea. "We have hoped for many years for a visit such as yours and acquired things at various times for such an event. This piece was the most recent to that."

Sung took a look at it the sword's cane blade was a little thick for Sung's tastes but that's Dwarven craftsmanship for you. Fine work anyone would be proud to carry the cane thought Sung. "My Lord it is fine craftsmanship, if you wish I can carry the box for you," suggested Sung in a reverent tone.

Ritikios held a hand up to silence Sung.

"Not necessary. It seems you were too distracted to notice my command. Iris will hold it for now."

He returned his attention to Antinea.

"An Arundan you say? While I have no love for the rock-folk, I would be most interested in being acquainted with another of my kind. Do they live in Paris?"

Sung without a word repositioned himself looking over the crowd. some was eating at him. Nothing there but something near he could feel something being off there was magic out there that could block some of Sung's abilities and he knew it. Sung took a slow step forward now halfway by the stage and the wall behind him. But still behind Vor and his chair or throne, Sung had to trust his instincts.

Antinea responded to Ritikios question, "Yes, my Lord, they do live in Paris. I can give you the address, after the meeting."

Antinea then looked back over those assembled, and spoke, "Children of The Sea, I come bearing excellent news. We have acquired the long sort out Eye of The Sea. Dr. Lamaire," when Antinea said his name, the Dr. looked directly at her but if paying attention one could see the older man that looked like Lamaire also pay close attention to what was said. "Come with me to Staniadis’s office, after the meeting. I will send some mages with you. It is very important nothing happens to it, as it is precious."

Lamaire responded with a "yes ma'am."