Author: Ravnanger; April 2003
The Tribunal
Ravnanger stood on an island in a beautiful sea. The sun was low in the sky in a spectacular sunset while wind rustled the leaves of the trees around him. There were many people about the simple but grand buildings nestled in the grass. Looking about he did not know most of them but some of the faces were familiar from the realms of Norrath. Each of them bristling with equipment and skill as they waited here on Tranquility, for friends, Clan mates, or just allies to press on through the portals. Looking about he spied a mountain not far in the distance. From there he might be able to see what he searched for.
Following a river cascading down from some high point Ravnanger picked his way up the slope. The air became moist as he ascended, the roar of a waterfall lay ahead. On the wind carried a tune no bard nor 100 bards could master. Pausing, Ravnanger had come to the end of his search. Above him pouring out of the mountain was a great torrent of water divided into two falls each spilling over one side of a giant set of scales, the Scales of Justice. With some trepidation he stepped into he stream of water, his arms outstretched as he felt the magiks overtake him. In moments he was in a place hellish in nature.
As the wash of magiks faded Ravnanger found himself under a dark sullen sky wheeling quickly overhead. He was surrounded by Grey featureless stone walls. The air carried the screams of the condemned. At his feet were the stones marking the graves of those who would not stand an eternity of punishment. In silence he left the graveyard. Out in the courtyard there was a small group of people resting or mending wounds. Huddled as they were far from the other things here. Instruments of death, Guillotine, Hangman's nooses, the executioners block. Once again the sounds of the hopeless could be heard.
Ravnanger turned and passed them by on his way into the cell blocks. Ahead lies the Six Hammers....
Some time later...<
Sitting on a pathway leading up to several dragons guarding some firey abyss Ravnanger sits quietly beside the Bone Caller Ghajin A'Zerias. Many moments pass in silence before one of them speaks.
"Well..I am off to other realms Barbarian." speaks Ghajin as he stands and straightens his robes. "I can say I understand you now though I will never set foot back in there again." The powerful Heretic visibly shudders uncharacteristically and walks off down the mountain.
Ravnanger's world of soft wind and silent meditations is broken by the scent of Lady's Mantle and the warm welcome voice of his mate, Lanadena. Looking up with the dawn sun falling warmly on her features his soul rises from the depths which it had fallen. Shaking away most of the darkness he rises, making himself smile, giving her a bear hug.
"Failte...I knew you would find me here when you woke." Ravnanger says in a soft low voice.
Lanadena looks to the East and up the slope of the mountain with purpose. "You have been to see them M'Love?"
Rav "Aye.........I...have."
Seeing the serious slightly pained look on his face she takes on one of her own and looks off to where the water fall lies.
"Shall we go then?" she says. "Aye.... I 'll show ye the way" he says with a sigh.
Slowly the magiks of the portal in the waterfall releases them into the graveyard under the dark foreboding sky amongst screams of the forsaken and forgotten. The courtyard is empty of life. Taking her hand he leads her to the stairs leading deep into the fortress of the Tribunal. Large riveted iron doors seal off corridors of grey stone. At the first corner an expedition of adventurers lie in shambles. Their party broken, their flesh rent and gnawed upon. A still warm Master lies dead, his fists glowing as the mice eat hungrily and cast their magiks on themselves. In silence we move along past row upon row of cells. Prisoners of the ages, the forsaken and forgotten. Some speak, telling their woes while others are beyond contact.
Startled, Ravnanger comes to a halt, Lana almost crashing into him. She places a hand on his shoulder as she sees why he stopped. A large cloaked figure many hands taller then either of them blocks the corridor on its patrol of the cells blocks. It swings its hammer from side to side as it passes them as if it never saw them. They watch the sentinel disappear around the next corridor before proceeding. Deeper they went, to the place where the worst were kept. Here Specters guarded whatever was in the cells, prisoners themselves forever.
Pausing at an intersection they ponder which hall to take as they all look the same. Somehow they sense which way to go and open a door off the main corridor. This hallway descends, then opens up to a large room flanked with many guardians and sentinels. Each godlike in their own right they watch with a judging eye as the two shamans pass. Then before them is the Warden of this eternal prison. He looks impassively at Rav then longer at Lana. His eyes burning into their souls.
"Who seeks an audience with the Tribunal?" Booms the voice of the floating Warden.
Silence fills the air as only our breathing and hearts pounding can be heard.
"She does." Ravnanger points to Lanadena who looks startled. "Shamaness Lanadena MacLear, Chieftess of Clan MacLear, Daughter of Halas, Defender of Justice and seeker of Order."
"You are worthy of passing through the portal behind me to the Tribunal?" booms the Warden.
"Aye........." Lanadena whispers
"Then pass." Speaks the Warden as he motions to the swirling portal behind him.
Lanadena reaches for Ravnanger's hand only to see him back away and shake his head no.
"Lana..I have been before them. I have spoken to them. This is your time, I shall give you a few moments alone with them then I will follow."
Lanadena, knowing Rav would never send her into danger steps boldly into the portal and whatever lies beyond. Some moments later, Ravnanger quietly steps up behind Lanadena. Before them both are the Six Hammers of the Tribunal,the Universe wheeling about them dizzily. By the look about her face, Ravnanger knows she understands now what he learned a short time ago. She has looked upon them and has forever been changed. He could only wonder what they spoke about..for he never would.
Many days had passed when they returned to the grassy slopes of Tranquility. The main building was bustling with activity as people gathered for journeys and returned form them. Almost every face spoke of what lies here. Those who went beyond the reach.