Tales of the Exalted

The land of Plataea was long known as the Kingdom of the Unconquered Sons. The people believed themselves descendants of the great God, and built a warrior culture of the finest quality in the River Province.
Their sister kingdoms of Terenuthis and Capua often squabbled with them, but when other kingdoms turned their eyes, it was Plataea that lead the three nations into battle.
And so it was when the Shining Horde came. For the first time ever, Plataea was conquered. Bested by a host so vast it's arrows blocked out the Sun. And with that conquest, the spirit of the people believed themselves abandoned by their Patron God.
All except a very few.

Pyrrha Nikos sat waiting along the road as the Oracle had foreseen. There were many rumors swirling around, rumors that had stirred within her a new hope.
The Unconquered Sun had blessed the last of the royal bloodlines of the Triumvirate. Lady Callista, the Seraph’s Thrice Beating Heart. A symbol of the Unconquered Sun's favor returning to their people.

They company fell into a nice routine once they were on the road again. Everyone had seemed to relax, even those who didn't seem to quite get along. There was a strange familiarity to the whole thing, like they had done this before but she knew of course that wasn't the case. Perhaps it was the same thing as the other reflections she got on occasion, the echoed memories that couldn't be anything other than memories from the piece of Sol that had fused with her.


Cion had broken out in a song from his homeland, his voice was clear tenor and was surprisingly good, even though she hadn't really known what to expect. At one point she tried to learn the words, but had a hard time with his rolling language. She thought about asking him to teach her it once she had master the speech of the An-Tir but couldn't imagine the redhead being nearly as good of an instructor as Donovan was.


Aside from the river village, the trip was going smoothly and they were making good time towards the borders Fu Tien. They were coming to the borders of Terenuthis’s sister country, Plataea. Callista knew it's history and their claims, which she'd never paid much attention to until now. She had no idea what to expect, to be received as gods or treated as charlatans. Her pondering was answered by the woman they came upon on the road on their way into the city.

Pyrrha watched the band of foreigners approach. A pair of Azuma, a Nahuatl with strange tattoos, a knight and his squire from An-Tir, A girl of Terenuthis stock if she judged right, and two even more exotic with fiery red hair. There seemed also to be a cat in the lap of one.
She rose to her feet and waved at this interesting group.
"Hail travelers." she waved, doing her best to hide her excitement in case they were not the party that was foretold. She waited for them to slow their horses before approaching.
"Welcome to Plataea, may the Unconquered Sun bless your stay. What business do you come on, if I may ask?" her green eyes glinted with interest.

"Hi yourself." She looked down and shooed the cat off who looked up indignantly from being woken up. "Oh, you know it's fair, I want to walk some, stretch my legs"

Ruby walked up to the greeter and looked past her to the city behind. "We've already been that kind of lucky, thanks though. I'll let them tell you why we're here, I don't really know all the details. Do you have suggestion for a good meal though? I'm tired of working rations." This place must not be feeling the wars that have been ravaging, having a herald out front screams peaceful. It might just be a nice change of pace for a bit.

Lucky to have been blessed by the Sun hmm?
Pyrrha grinned knowingly at the woman and her strange accent.
"I do indeed. My people are not known for food the way our sister kingdoms are, but we can certainly do better than rations. And wine to wash it down besides." she scooped up her shield and strapped it to her back before grabbing her spear and reaching a hand to the traveler.
"Allow me to guide you."

She wasn't sure on the custom, but took the greeter's hand and walked side by side with her. "Sounds plenty fine, what should I call you? Do you have a bath-house here too by chance, Callista and I would love a chance to clean up some."

”We are passing through Plataea on our way to Fu Tien, and as my companion has said we would like to find lodgings for the night,” Callista said. She desperately wanted a bath but Rebekah had already expressed that need and she didn't want to seem too eager for the luxury. Even though she had traveled more in the last few months than she had ever in her entire life, there were some things that were still hard to get used to.

Callista looked on the girl with an assessing eye. A warrior, but had the town been expecting trouble there would be more than one. Plataea was always an ally to Terenuthis, and especially with the Khal's occupation it would be foolish to attack them outright. Taking a deeper look, it seemed as if the girl really was eager to guide them onward, so unless she was merely a pawn there didn't seem to he much to worry about. ”Thank you, your guidance would be much appreciated. Do all guests in Plataea receive such a welcome? I'm afraid I have never heard of the custom.”

She turned her head towards the woman from Terenuthis and her eyes grew wide.
"I had hoped it was you, your Grace. Not all guests. Our Oracle predicted your arrival within a few days. I decided it would be best if you were met by one of your devoted. We are fewer in number than in years past, but hopefully seeing you in the flesh will change that." she smiled warmly.
"In any case, the Temple in Heliopolis has been prepared for your arrival. My father says you'd come here once as a girl, your Grace, though he doubts you would remember." it was hard to turn her eyes back tot he road as she walked with the foreign woman.
"I must say, the Shrine is... well it has lost some of it's grandeur since the Khal sacked our city. But it is yours nonetheless. My sworn-sisters have cleaned it up to be worthy of your presence." there was a bit of hurt pride in her words.
"There is a large bath within, but if you'd prefer I can see to it you're shown to a bath house befitting your stature." she smiled.

Callista was aware of the religious practices carried on in Plataea, so she wondered how this woman and her people felt about the rumors of the returned Solars. ”The temple sounds perfect. We do not require anything opulent and would be honored to be guests at your shrine.”

A soft laugh burst from Pyrrha's lips.
"Guests? It belongs to you and your fellows. A shrine to our Patron and Great Ancestor; Sol Invictus." she said.
"Are your fellows with you, your Grace?" she asked, giving the woman who's hand she still held an excited look.

Ruby let go of the herald's hand and stepped back, she was clearly not the one she was interested in. She even ignored her last question as she waited for a name. Whatever. Callista is royalty, she should have expected the reaction, this way they could talk more freely.

She smiled at the reaction, but was a little hurt at the referencing. It should have been obvious, besides, if their Oracle had seen them, why only one of them and not them as a group?

"Yea, we came together. Worlds apart drawn to each other for whatever reason"

Pyrrha's mouth opened a moment, left speechless by the woman's revelation.
She recovered, placing her hand abover her heart and bowing slightly.
"Drawn together because your kind hate solitude. Nothing that is worth remembering was ever achieved by one man or woman alone. Even among the Chosen." she said, ancient stories swirled in her mind.
"I am glad to meet you. It feels as if I have been waiting my whole life." she said to the woman.

The princes' own people doubt the gods, and here in another land there seems to be an abundance of faith. It was a superficial difference to be sure. All of the land was under the Kahl's rule and by extension hers. The moment gave him pause. How would his own country of An-Tir greet them if their duties called them there?

Mercy's murmur broke his reverie No pressure there she whispered. Though she couldn't blame them. She had been awestruck herself when it was first revealed that her masters were the chosen.

Donovan looked down from his mount and lifted his hand to shield the sun from the walkers faces.

Thank you in advance for your hospitality. Aside from the temple, what other news do you have of the kingdom?

Pyrrha regarded the knight with a soft smile, accepting his appreciation despite none being required.
"Well, there is a small sense of excitement among our young, as it's been a long time since we've had a full Phalanx of warriors ready for battle. They are hopeful the Shining Prince will call upon us to fight in Cao Wei." she explained with a small amount of pride. Most of a generation had died rather than surrender to the Khal. It had taken years for enough warriors to become old enough to take up shield and spear.
"Still, many who remember the war wallow in despair. Once we were the Unconquered Sun's proudest warriors. But after our defeat, it was believed by many that our Patron had abandoned us for our failings." her words were somber, even though she herself had never given into that despair. It pained her to see it among her people.
"But here you stand. Proof that the Unconquered Sun has not abandoned the Hundred Kingdoms. My only hope is my countrymen see you for what you are. That the brightness I feel in your presence reaches the darkness in their hearts." she said.

Cion was a bit suspicious of the strange girl greeting them at the side of the road but Callista and the others didn't seem bothered by it. He assumed this was a known custom to them and he wasn't one to complain about a lovely lady guiding them to town and promising baths. One thing he did notice was the way she seemed awestruck at the princess, and the way Ruby looked as her attention was drawn away. Cion could hardly blame the girl. Callista was not only royalty, she carried herself in a way that drew attention to her and was beyond lovely to boot.

From an outsider's view, Cion thought Ruby was beautiful too but very much overshadowed by the princess. Or maybe it was because she carried herself with an air of confidence that spoke of her prowess and likely intimidated people. Cion realized that she had seemed eager to hold to hand of the girl, and thought maybe Ruby had different tastes than most women. It would explain her odd relationship with the cat girl.

”Well I for one could use a drink and one of those baths. I too would like to know the name of our guide as our companion here asked,” Cion said. ”I am sure Speedy wouldn't mind carry you Ruby if you would like to lend our escorts your horse.” He might not be her type but there was no reason not to be friendly to her.

Ruby sighed and handed the reins of Ironhoof up to Callista to manage for their escort before falling back with Cion and Speedy. She scratched the muzzle of the god-blood in thanks, even if he didn't make the offer yet. She whispered conspiratorially near his ears, "I'll find you something coated in molasses here, just be patient." Just jumped up to ride behind the other redhead, settling herself against his broad back as she waited for annoyed chirping or a peck on the head by a certain friend she just woke up.

"Thanks, her reputation is a little hard to compare to, even when you're the one making the introductions."

Speedy perked right up and made a happy sound. "Your reputation will be as great someday and you will tire of people falling at your feet. And you horse, do not get your hopes up, I do not think you are her type," he smirked as he pulled his fellow redhead into the saddle with him. Cion supposed neither of them where her type, but Speedy’s growing fondness off her both irked him a little and amused him.

"My father liked both humans an horses. Don't ever rule anything out." Speedy retorted stiffly, more annoyed at being told he couldn't do anything than anything else before he started off in the direction of the town with the group.

Eida rode along in silence, watching everything that happened. He could practically feel Mayumi's look of disapproval from the other side, and Sanjuro had his usual little input until everything was in play. Donovan was still occasionally glancing his way, but after the short ordeal with Cachetin a couple days earlier, the Knight gave him a little more space than usual. But they were almost to town, and the sorcerer was curious to what they would find.

Pyrrha learned the names of the group and answered their many questions as best she could. Once within Heliopolis proper their was a shift in atmosphere. It was clear this once great city had seen violent conflict not so long ago.
While none of the damage interfered with the daily activities of it's citizens, the scars of left by the war were literally visible, a constant reminder of their failure and defeat.
Pyrrha said nothing about it, and honestly hoped they wouldn't notice. She lead them to the temple, commenting where she could about the wonders of their capital.
The marble temple sat upon the highest part of the city. It was lit at all hours of the day. Pyrrha lead the party in with pride. Her sworn-sisters, both warrior and acolyte alike, stopped stunned.
"Allow me to introduce the champions of the Unconquered Sun; Princess Callista of Terenuthis, Sir Donovan of An-Tir, Talon-Master Rebekah Stalling of Lookshy, Cion Danann the Fireborn and Eida, Onyx Eye of the Nahautl." she said. Her sister all placed their hands above their hearts and bowed.
"Accompanying them are their allies; Squire Mercy of An-Tir, Sanjuro and Mayumi of the Azuma-ryu as well as Jillian Marigold." she named the other guests as well. As chosen servants of the Lawgivers they could also command whatever was desired.

The sisterhood and even a few of the male priests and nobles came to greet the Solars, each offering the same salute and speaking words of respect and admiration. These were the faithful, those who retained their belief in the Unconquered Sun. Sadly they were much fewer in number than the Solars deserved. Once upon a time they would have been met with such pageantry well before they ever reached the city's walls it would have taken them days to make the short journey.
Then tables were laid out for a feast. Pyrrha asked the party to follow her to the baths. She had clothes laid out for the party, as well as servants of both gender sent to aid the demigods and their chosen companions to help wash and prepare them for the celebrations.