Following the Unicorn (book)

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Following the Unicorn
Allyria Cloudfire

By my hand, this day,
356 years, 253 days since the Victory of Lanival the Redeemer

-----------------
The light shines brightly through the chapel window.  Kertigen
and Hodierna sit side by side and smile gently down toward the
pews in the chapel. Motes of dust dance in the light, and
colored rainbows chase the dance.

"Hodierna, you say? Why do I follow her?" Allyria smiles at
the students in the chapel as she reminisces.  Her hands
gently touch a soft white velvet tabard. Exquisite silver-
threaded ruby roses entwine around an image of a shimmering
white unicorn standing guard over a cleric kneeling in prayer.

"Settle and make yourself comfortable, for I've a tendency
to wander a bit in my tales. 'Twas when I first arrived in the
town of the Crossing.  It was 347 years since the Victory of
Lanival the Redeemer.

"The Crossing, when I first arrived, was a very quiet place.
We used to sit in the Town Green and share our experiences and
teach each other what little we knew. Death was a frightening
and final experience for us all. We were very relieved when we
learned there was a way to gain favor with the gods that would
protect us. There were rumors of a place out in the wilds
where you could find this favor through prayer and devotion.
We were told to choose a god or goddess to ask for this boon.

"I might have chosen Tamsine, as hers was the first shrine
that I found. Or Truffenyi as he is the patron of life. After
I joined the Cleric guild, I began to study more about the
gods and goddesses that grace our realm. With their many
aspects, it was very confusing as I studied the books on
shelves in the guild library.

"When my friend Stelgar asked me to explore a ruin he had
heard about, I was still undecided in choosing a direction. I
wanted to continue my research. 'You study too much! He
nagged. 'Let's go see what the gods have to say for
themselves.'

"It was a time when resurrection was unknown. Rejuvenation was
a skill only hinted at by the guild masters. No clerics had
yet achieved the skills or devotion necessary to satisfy the
guild leaders of our worthiness to learn the spells.  So with
trepidation, I grabbed my hunting sword and held my shield
close, and followed Stelgar out the West Gate Wilds and
through the flatlands of Mycthengelde.

"I shivered in terror, for I had only heard tales of those
more skilled than I getting slain by horrid goblins lurking
outside that very gate. Stelgar hurried us down the path to
some ancient ruins in a place called Siergelde. It seemed
deserted enough, so I grew bold enough to look around."

"We wandered around the circle of stones. Gazing thoughtfully
at the different statues and monuments to the gods and
goddesses of the realms, I felt peculiarly drawn to the
Architrave showing Hodierna. There I learned that it is
through Hodierna's favor that resurrections and healings are
possible. I felt a deep sense of harmony in my soul. 'We can
learn more about the gods and goddesses here!' I exclaimed.
With my desire for wisdom, I lingered in the spot.

"Growing impatient, Stelgar pressed on, searching for a special
spot where he had been told to pray.  "Pray here" he said. And
so I did. Again, and again, I prayed. Fervently, beseeching
the gods for mercy. Then I saw it! Out of the corner of my
eye, a flash of white. No more than that, but I was certain it
was the unicorn of Hodierna, beckoning us on.  'Stelgar," I
said, "I don't think we are in the right place.'

"Following the flash of white, we found the place to seek favor
with the gods. We learned to take an orb, sacrifice some bit
of ourselves to prepare the orb for offering and to offer the
orb on the high altar of the temple. And favors were granted
us. They held us in the realms in times of trial and assured
of the gods' care for us.

"Alas, the high altar is just a remnant now." A tear runs down
Allyria's face. "And the shrine to Hodierna in the ruined
temple shows only a fragment of her face. However, her harmony
remains to guide and comfort us."

Allyria pauses, then continues. "Throughout my life, I have
followed Hodierna as a major focus. The things she represents
are very precious to me. It was her name I beseeched to guard
my soul as I quested for the gift of life. It is her name I
invoke when I use that gift for others. It is her favor orbs I
choose to place on the altar. And occasionally, I am graced
with a vision of her or her messenger. "

Allyria bows her head in quiet contemplation.