The mirror: Kevali

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The Kevali inhabit vast cavern systems beneath the surface of their hostile planet. The twin suns constantly boring down on the surface have created a harsh desert environment. The days are long, the nights longer (the normal day lasts 36 hours). The intense heat of daytime and the bitter freezing cold of evening drove the Kevali underground centuries ago.

Phosphorescent algae provides an ambient glow, while oil lamps set into carved niches in the walls provide most of the dim light.

The capital city of Andhakara'a is built around an inky black subterranean river, the water is mostly drinkable...

The air is stale, it's crowded and the air is filled with the sound of tools and working.
It never seems to stop.

Map

Kaliyani frowned. She looked to Jarral, then back to Andre. "I do not understand." She guided him away from the gathering to a quiet more private corner. "What do you mean?"

"It was just a small thing, I could stay and check again with the next vision he has, but from what I felt, there was a bit of damage to his brain. I healed it, but it is a danger before my people can get here to heal his blood and possibly beyond that." Andre said quietly and shook his head "It is just a guess on my part right now."

"You think the visions might be causing it?" Kaliyani frowned. she raised a hand to her mouth as something struck her. "Do... you believe that may be what drove the last Ishvara mad? And his father before him?"

Andre frowned but nodded "That is possible. A mortal mind would not be strong enough to see a god's mind infinetaly but I would not state it as fact without at least one more vision to cause an injury to be certain, after all today is only the first time I have seen him."

Kaliyani nodded grimly. "Then we shall wait for Fate to speak to him once more."

Andre bowed his head again to her then looked to the council again "I can wait for that, even if it takes a while."

Kaliyani nodded. "I am certain she will make her will known soon enough. "

Andre nodded and gave her a smile again "True, she has chosen him after all."

(wanna timeskip a few days to get things rolling? Or just a few hours to give Andre a tour or something? I dunno heh.)

(LOL, sure, a few days we can have the other Carpathians arrive)

(sounds good!)

---timeskip a few days or whatevs---

Andre and Kaliyani were assumed to be bunking together, particularly as she and Jarral seemed to be the only people who could speak common. They were permitted to sleep in the Lord's chambers, Jarral wanted to keep Kaliyani close and he was used to sleeping with someone else nearby. The silence of that chamber was intollerable to him.

The community all ate together, their meals were mainly raw meat and gruel made from blood and some sort of grain. Andre had all the animal blood he wanted.

It was impossible to tell night from day down here, time sort of blurred. Work continued as the Elders and the Steward made preparations for their new Ishvara's ceremonial inauguration.

Jarral fluctuated between nervous apprehension and mild discontent, while he seemed to take to having authority very naturally, he was still a child and all this attention was taking a lot of getting used to.

Kaliyani gave Andre a tour of the city and informed him that as soon as they got word his people were near, they would meet them.
they would be landing on Kalvair and making the rest of the trip on foot.

Andre didn't mind staying near the young king. His people's ship would send a call ahead to be certain they would be accepted to come in and not be turned away. They would go through the security to be able to land. They would have to wait for darkness to disembark though.

Kalvair was primitive enough it didn't really have much in the way of a proper space port, they'd be directed to land in a field. A messenger had been sent when they'd first contacted their communications tower, and Jarral just vuagely nodded to Kaliyani and Andre as they left to meet up with the Carpathians.

when night fell in Kalvair, the pair would leave Andhakara'a's underground caverns, through a shimmering portal, to the Kalvair capital.
Meanwhile the Carpathains would be met by two guards and a man with a cart lead by 4 goat-like creatures they were helpfully informed were called H'ruk.

The guards didn't speak common, so there were a lot of gesticulations indicating the delegation get on the cart and go.

There were five in the delegation that came, the other three were just there to run the ship, so they stayed with it. The five nodded and moved to get on the cart so they could be taken to the city.

Andre was excited to be able to see his people again, though he stayed with Kalyan I so he could meet them with her and do introductions.

Kaliyani looked nervous, meeting strangers was not something she found easy.
She'd taken to wearing a scarf draped around her horns to cover her hair as it slowly grey back, it also allowed her to cover her face far easier if she felt the need.

The journey from the landing site to the capital was slow and uncomfortable. They had no paved roads, just dirt tracks and full of pot holes and rocks.
Though it was night, people still worked in the fields by moonlight, the townships they passed through didn't seem to sleep as people moved about carrying goods and water and huddled around fires. Out of the suns the air cooled rapidly.

In the Kalvair capital, nestled between shear cliffs, the air became distinctly chilly as the warmth of the sunbaked rocks dissipated into the night. Kaliyani pulled her shawl closer for warmth and gazed up at the moon.

Andre smiled when he saw the cart with his people coming to them. One of them, apparently the youngest, jumped out of the cart and came running over to tackle Andre in a hug. He managed to keep his feet as he gugged the girl in return "I didn't know you were coming, Christine." He said then set her back a little to look at her "Kaliyana, this is my niece, Christine."

Kaliyani bowed her head to the younger girl, and to each of the group in turn.
"I am pleased to meet you all" She told them, looking a little awkward and self conscious. She tugged on her shawl. "You are welcome to our worlds."

Christine looked to her and smiled happily, standing straighter to give a bow "We are happy to meet you as well, and glad to come help in our way." She looked like she was around 17 years old. She and Andre looked to the other four as they disembarked from the cart to come over and greet them. Andre would introduce them, the oldest looked to be around 30 and was named as Max, next was a female looking around 25 and named Jessica, the other two looked like twins, both around early 20s and male, named Brandon and Bryan.

Kaliyani bowed to each, introducing herself as Kaliyani Vivek and giving the cart driver a jug of water for his troubles.
The guy and his H'ruk left them to it.

"We appreciate your assistance" Kaliyani told them. "Come, the night will only get colder. " She guided them back toward the portal.

The group followed her, chatting with Andre about his family and the planet as they did.

Kaliyani listened to the conversation but didn't contribute, leading them through the portal which left the non teleporters with an unfamiliar prickling sensation as they passed through the gossamer fabric of torn space.

The two guards who had come with the landing party flanked them as they walked.

She lead them down to the subterranean river, along past the docks to the bridge. The guards stopped.

Kaliyani paused, looking back to the small group. "The Elders may have concerns about allowing strangers near the Ishvara, I will do my best to ease those worries but if they seem hostile please do not take it personally. They are simply worried." and the Ishvara was the last of the bloodline, which made him absolutely irreplaceable. She didn't share that particularly piece of information though.

The Carpathians looked to her and dipped their heads "We are used to being feared, we will not take it personally or react badly." The leader, Max, said kindly.

Kaliyani nodded. "It is not you personally they fear, simply the safety of our Lord. Come, you will meet him now."
She lead them across the bridge.

The guards on the bridge stopped them to check each of the Carpathians for weapons or anything harmful, it was protocol.

The Carpathians didn't use long range weapons and had left their knives on their ship for this meeting, it was supposed to be peaceful after all.

Satisfied, the guards let them pass.

Kaliyani lead them into the chamber where the sour faced steward met them. she bowed her head to the assembled, looking faintly irritated by it all.
the Steward lead them into the presence of the Ishvara who sat upon the throne that made him look so small. Around him sat the Elders, settled in a semicircle, flanking him 4 to each side of the throne.

Kaliyani bowed low.

The Ishvara looked at the group curiously.

Andre came forward and bowed then introduced the five that came again, this time introducing Max as their most respected healer and the headmaster of their school.

Jarral bowed his head in return, watching them intently. He had a tendency to stare a little too much at people, gazing at them placidly with dull eyes.

Kaliyani bowed to each of the elders as well as introductions were made.

The two nearest the throne stood, apparently reluctant to move far from the Ishvara.

Akantarak looked like an adolescent female, with her silvery hair hidden beneath a simple headscarf. Her eyes glowed a vivid purple.
She was introduced as "Akantarak, mistress of twilight"

Suravi was an older man with greying hair worn in a long single braid. His eyes smoldered like coals. He had a regal bearing about him, he stood with his hands folded in front of himself.
He was introduced as "Suravi, the judge."

The others were introduced in turn.

beside Suravi sat Ilar, a stocky rugged man with a shaved head and glowing green eyes and Shu, a young man with strawberry blonde hair and eyes that glowed like flames. The third male was Naral, a plain and humble looking man with long dark hair who sat with his head bowed and made no motion to look up at the guests.

Beside Akantarak sat Lady Ania, a white haired woman who's hair remained uncovered and seemed to whip around her with an unfelt wind. Her eyes shimmered blue and Saras, a tall lithe female with a shaven head save for two long pieces that framed her face.
The final female was Ada. She and Naral looked like they must be related, their features were extraordinarily similar. She wore a headscarf over her hair and like her brother had her head bowed and did not move from that position.

The other six fixed the group with steady, wary gazes.

Akantarak said something.
Suravi agreed.

Jarral raised a hand to silence them.

"You are welcome here." He told the Carpathians softly. "I thank you for your agreement to help."

Both the standing Elders bowed their heads in respect to their lord.

"They cannot speak your language, which frustrates them." Jarral explained cooly. "They do not know what to think of a people they cannot understand."

Kaliyani nodded. "Then I shall act as translator My Lord."

Jarral shrugged. "We are not used to having guests, I do not in fact believe we have had an alien ship land on our soil for... generations. "

"Not since outside trade was ceased..." Kaliyani nodded.

"I do not believe any such group has ever stood in this room." Jarral looked faintly amused.