#Lands of the Old Faith Innerworld

[the-silent-fellowship]

Lands of the Old Faith

[PT: Lands of the Old Faith]

Lands of the Old Faith, a term for a part of the headspace that acts like, is similar, or is the Lands of the Old Faith seen in the game Cult of the Lamb.

[ID: in Alt text]

[Tags] @system-term-archive, @pluralitywords, @pluralterms, @radiomogai, @plurchive, @darkwood-archival & @chiroluna

[rionas-path]

Chapter 5

The Imperfect Retelling

XXXVIII. The goddess let the air stay still, with only the faint, warm wind Of early spring brush along the undergrowth. Her story; she knew, Could give away details abundant. Her goals, thus: to skew This tale yet believable remain. Dilute – chiefly, skimmed Shall this story be. Choosing wisely her beginning’s spring, The events known to every man, be it poor or mighty king. All this to either bore or irritate and most, to rescind The questioning doubt which took root in Ríona’s mind whirlwind.

XXXIX. “Of spring rains and summer storms, one could dream eternally… A tale of time and of passage, bereft of peace, of mind. Two silhouettes did merge as their shadows had intertwined-” Annoyed and defeated, Ríona let out a breath cheerlessly: “Perfect, thou art of no help as usual…” and began to take Her leave, standing up from the cobbled bench. No wish to partake In Aurianne’s game of mockery. In response, she quickly Hit back with a remark both grating and nonetheless motherly:

XL. “Patience, my dear! Though thou seem’st to think thee know’st all, Thou know’st not where this tale of mine leads.” Her aura seemed to pass Across onto the other shoulder, continuing to amass Her narrative: “Two silhouettes came from that blessed hall Of the Innerworld’s Void on that faithful day. Now ancient, long Forgotten history – save for this old, astute mind’s song! We had always been meant for greatness, but they did us stall In those times of Amber’s Domain, when we were but a thrall!”

XLI. Content with the spirit’s meanderings Ríona was not And swiftly jumped in again: “Get on with it, please! For the love Of all that is holy!” The continuous interjections of The youth were partially the goal which the goddess sought. To safely skip and omit what she pleased, but withal annoyed She’d act: “Ah! Again, with thy interruptions! Thou destroyed A poor and frail spirit’s tale! Have it thy way!” Thus, the plot She did not want to proceed, abjured and inwards she did trot.

XLII. “Wait, no! Please linger still for I’m sorry! I shan’t be a child No longer and shall listen to thy tale but please don’t go!” Cried Ríona and thus, the goddess relished the moment so And promptly gave her rules of engagement to leave her tale undefiled: “Thou shalt not interrupt henceforth! I shall tell my tale to thee, And upon any hitch or halt my tale shall stop. Agree?” The youth merely shook her head in accord without a wild And errant spoken word. With swiftness she perched on the bench beguiled.

XLIII. “Let’s not remain unhurried and carry on. My fabled rise Assured was not!” the goddess rendered her words in succour. “In early years of my existence, my life painted in demure Light of a wondering wisp, gliding on meadows below clear skies Of the Inner and Outer worlds. A fledgling spirit, full of ardour; Much like thyself; but lo! For one shall find their world grow harder Once all the rules are revealed, far removed from the fables’ cries That erstwhile were pledged! At times life’s change is slow, then ere thy eyes!”

XLIV. “I revelled in those hidden, closed off corners of the land, Those nooks and crannies which laid unfound for vast stretches of time. Thus, I quickly became the patron of hidden groves. Not prime But a lesser sylph, which gave boons and gifts to a daring brand Of folk – Those bold enough to seek my blessings’ benefit! Oh! The meanderings of life are fickle; no elegist Am I; alas, to sing a psalm for my sanctuaries grand! Vast were atrocities; both by flow or by someone’s hand”

XLV. “A cave in here, an earth’s shake there; floods which ravaged my spaces, So carelessly hid them and then dismantled. No more did they bring My flock the comfort they deserved! No more did they to me sing, And no more did they decorate them with their murals and graces!” The goddess’ passion grew as she reminisced of those times Which were now but a mere echo in a pond of long forgotten rhymes. Taking a few moments of peace, attempting to find the traces Of where her chain of thoughts was traversing and turn them into phrases.

XLVI. “Thus, with but a few remnants of my essence; at dawn of people-folk, I learned of deeply hidden secrets without an origin In natural virtues. They hid deep beneath and deep within The hearts of men, women, child or elder. ‘Twas there I could stoke The growing fire, spread my wings, and weave my web of lies. But think not my path was clear! The fire’s touch was under a guise Of false accord and tyranny gave chase; and to invoke His prideful rule, Krouth challenged all… and all he did provoke!”

XLVII. “‘Twas he who made lives of us patron goddesses misery. He made us concubines of his celestial court and clan And under his command, we toiled and travailed for the mortal man, Never permitted to do as we pleased with our powers of witchery. This drudgery; thereupon, tainted our hearts and souls with hate And mind mist! His reign interminable, his lust one could not sate! So ravenous for power was he, he strode t’wards me blindly As a fool, when I laid there waiting to indulge in my trickery!”

XLVIII. “That night a tyrant fell to his knees and begged for mercy, Alas, such goodwill was never on the cards! His burned bridges Finally caught up to his fiery fate! Oh, his cries were like riches Taken from the highborn and given to the peasants!” Her spree Of sharpened words as a deluge, atypical of Aurianne. In a split second, she quickly found control and recalled her plan. But I digress, his fall became my rise and the rest? History. Curious, dost this lore sate any of thy mind’s inquiry?”

XLIX. This tale left Ríona of words bereft, awestruck and bemused. Lost in her thoughts, bedazzled at such lost lore none would find Even in deepest of dreams. Not a single question was left on her mind Leaving the pair in a meditative silence. Unmoved, They stayed on that garden bench where many an afternoon had been spent And whilst the young lass couldn’t hide her glee, the goddess sent Herself into a mood of complacency, as she refused To believe her slight slip up could ever be against her used.