Zion - LotNM Character Prologue (Armenius Tenge)
Zion - Path of the Moon Mother Prologue, Armenius Tenge
The polar bear sat on the edge of his bed, completely naked. He had less than ten minutes until he was to address the assembly-- more than enough time. Besides, his mind was still stuck on contemplating what would come after the speech. After so many years in Shrad he would finally step outside the city-- something he had not done since before he was ordained. It had been a long time.
The Lord High Priest looked to the dozen black-robed, black-masked men that attended him; they never left his side. He nodded to each in turn, a morning ritual he had developed a number of years ago. The men never spoke and gave no indication that they cared a thing about what he did... after all, they weren't supposed to. Individually, any of his escort could best any other in single combat; together, the twelve guardians could probably take down a city. The bear had considered it on one occasion, but one did not live a long time by being reckless.
Standing, the Lord High Priest spread his arms wide and his divine raiments came to him, finding the right place on his body by themselves. The bear lifted one leg then the other as a finely embroidered pair of silken breeches slid into place, and he relaxed his arms as the freshly donned robe buttoned itself from his neck to navel. Letting out a casual yawn, he made his way out into the hall. While some practitioners of magic would be at least a little winded after such a feat, the bear showed no signs of stress.
With his dozen men-in-waiting, the Lord High Priest strolled down the temple hallway toward the grand auditorium. What few priests he passed were hurrying, likely on their way there as well. They all stopped or slowed long enough to wish him the blessing of the Moon Goddess, which he accepted courteously and offered one of his own. It was an unfair exchange, of course as his blessings were worth far more than theirs, but the bear knew very well that one who had more to give had best do so freely lest someone decide to take more than what was fair.
He stepped into the staging area adjacent to the auditorium. A curtain blocked off the far side of the room which led out to the auditorium proper, and he was greeted by one of the temple Priestesses, "Eternal Governor." she bowed. The High Priest's dozen followers did little more than glance at the hyena.
"Majh Blackpaw." the polar bear clasped one of her paws with both of his own, giving it a heartfelt squeeze. She was the only priestess that referred to him by his governing title; it was a trait she picked up from most of the guards under her command, "You are looking... expectant." he noted.
"I am expecting many things, Eternal Governor." she confirmed. "Gentlemen." she greeted the bear's men-in-waiting simply; they ignored her, as usual.
"Then you know why I have called this assembly?" he questioned, though he already knew the answer; Majh was aware of everything happening in Shrad. Were she not on his side he would have had her dealt with long ago but, considering her steadfast devotion to the church and his office, it seemed only prudent that she be maintained as a valuable, if unpredictable asset.
"The envoy to Zion has not returned, and the 'important delegate' is likewise missing." she offered. Her reference to the important delegate was not missed by the bear, who felt the slightest tingle of discomfort wedge itself in the base of his chest. If she knew about him, and knew that he hadn't returned, then what else did she know?
"You are well informed." the bear offered.
"My Lord..." the hyena bowed low, "I will overstep the bounds of my rank and ask that you assign me as the temple delegate to the next envoy."
"You do overstep your bounds, Priestess..." the High Priest confirmed, "But if you wish to join the pilgrimage then I will not deny you your request."
The woman laughed at that, in full-blown hyena fashion... but it stopped suddenly as she gave him an appraising look, "Wait..."
"Yes?" he inquired casually.
"You mean that I may join the envoy as the temple delegate?" she questioned.
"As a temple delegate, yes." the bear nodded, smiling on the inside that he managed to make her squirm at least that much.
"As 'a' delegate?" she pushed him further.
"Indeed." he nodded, making his way past her toward the curtain.
"You are sending someone else from the temple?" she inquired.
"Yes." he confirmed.
"Who else will you be sending?" she asked... though to his ears he couldn't help but think that it sounded more like a demand.
"Myself." he answered, and his inward smile became outward as he left the always-talkative hyena completely speechless. The polar bear always seemed to find joy in the simple things in life, and getting the better of Majh Blackpaw had always been high on his list. The fact that she seemed to enjoy their vocal sparring sessions made him like it more. Despite how dangerous he knew she could be, that danger made it all the more worthwhile.
The Lord High Priest glanced to his dozen followers in black and motioned for them to remain where they were; they obediently obliged. Stepping out beyond the curtain, the polar bear raised a paw skyward, gazing out across the enormous crowd gathered in the temple's auditorium. He said nothing as a herald introduced him.
"Faithful followers of Tah'aveen, Moon Goddess and Great Mother to us all, you stand in the presence of Armenius Tenge, Lord High Priest of Shrad, Master of the Ways of the New Moon, Eternal Governor of Shrad, and Chosen Favorite of the Goddess Tah'aveen." the mina bird to the side of the stage announced loudly, the entirety of the bear's grand title flowing freely from his beak.
"Goddess hold you and keep you safe." the great gathering said in unison.
"And you, my children... and you." the polar bear spoke to the congregation. His smile was wide and his hopes were high. There were hundreds in the assembly and, from them, he would choose his champions. In less than six hours he would have his envoy and they would all be custom picked. "The Goddess' will shall be done this day," he announced, "and it shall begin and end with you."
The polar bear placed his paws on the podium before him and he spoke louder, powerful enchantments taking hold so that his voice could easily carry throughout the auditorium, "A chosen few of you will have the opportunity of a life time. Those of you who volunteer will be honored. Whether or not you are accepted for this great responsibility, you will have my blessing and my respect. Who among you is willing to do the will of your Lord High Priest?" he questioned and, just as he suspected, nearly ever paw in the assembly shot up.
"My children, you make me swell with pride." he announced, a genuine grin spread across his muzzle, "Today, in a pawful of hours, I will personally be making a pilgrimage to Zion." a huge wave of whispers flowed through the crowd. The bear gave it several seconds to grow in volume before he quickly cut it short by continuing, "I am looking for those with faith in souls, love in their hearts, and strength in their bodies who will travel beside me."
By the dozens nearly every single paw in the auditorium rose once again. The bear's grin widened even more; he liked that kind of response.