------------- Tales of the Raptors – Sanctum Menea

Another month gone by and another full moon approaching and Erelea had managed to get at least some of the new construction completed at what she was now calling Sanctum Menea. There was the beginning of the main building, with a few rooms that could actually be closed off against the cold and the rain. On the other hand, the main building roof still wasn’t done and the spring rains had slowed its completion to a standstill. But the approaching full moon wasn’t just any other, it was also Ghalli’s Breaking, a special holiday in the Atheaen lands, celebrating the heroes who had freed their people from ancient Symballan slavery. There was nothing special about it on the Elven calendar, but Erelea didn’t seem to care. She decided it would be a special event, nonetheless.

The afternoon of the full moon came amidst much activity, with Kami and Chianna and Miri helping out where they could to get things ready. There was still much clearing to be done and mud to dry up, new spring grass that needed to be coaxed from the ground a little early, and the final touches put on the roof and some of the buildings. Miri had convinced Malakai to lend a hand, and a lyre, to the effort, raising many of the remaining buildings, columns, and archways that afternoon at no charge. Where the grassy knoll had once stood, there was now a lunarium, an ancient Atheaen styled set of columns and caps that seemed like a more advanced version of a cromlech, and served much the same purpose. In the center was a marble plaza, surrounded with black moon rose beds and purple dragon lilies. In the center of the plaza was a round dais from which Erelae would officiate the monthly rites. Malakai was already making plans to conduct assorted outdoor musical events there on summer nights, if the Raptors were agreed.

The spring rains finally stopped for awhile. Erelae was sure that had been Kami’s doing. Rather, she was sure that Kami had convinced the Reverend Mother Beni-Isis to lend a hand. The apple trees, mixed with the dragon lilies and black moon roses, brought a heady, otherworldly scent to the Sanctum. The temperatures had finally warmed up as well. It was going to be a beautiful night. Though it would probably drop back down into the low fifties, few would notice.

In the middle of directing volunteers from the Church of Jovos to arrange the food and drink, Erelae was suddenly aware she was being watched. That wasn’t unusual. Since she’d been on the mountain with the Raptors, she was watched regularly. The whispers went from her moonlight ceremonies to simply gawking at her violacious backside. She paid them little heed. But somehow, this time, it was different. She sensed the person watching her and she wasn’t sure she liked it.

She turned to confront whoever it might be and came face to face with her past. There, standing a good ten yards away, watching all the goings on, squinting in the bright afternoon sunlight, was a middle aged Drow woman with a massive build and many scars. She wore a tunic, dress pants, and high topped boots, and hid her head and shoulders beneath a purple and silver cloak. Erelae didn’t need to cast a detection to know that cloak was highly magical. She remembered it from her childhood.

She smiled. It was a pained smile all the same. She walked across the plaza and stopped within whispering range of the woman. The woman’s eyes never left her, and she never smiled. Erelae could feel the disapproval in her glare.

“Mozher.”

“Dotter.”

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