[Alneyan]

Renaissance Circa 2400.1

The Renaissance Seeder was a magnificent sight to behold as it left Sigil's spaceyard, the blazing four yellow stars glimmering on its pale hull. Leaving the gravitational pull of the greyish world below, it headed towards the sister planet of Milvanis, true seat of power in the Faction. The twinkling colony ship slowly faded away from view, as thought it were a transient dream, mere shadows of long past times.

Obviously, the Gathering knew it was no chimera, but rather the renewal of the Sign of One. Following the Last few months quarreling, the Faction eventually decided to be involved once more in the galaxy instead of keeping itself to its own world. And so the Renaissance, a Seeder, was sent to reclaim Milvanis where rested most of the secrets of the Signers.

These were the thoughts that occupied Cirily as she observed the departing ship, along with the other Signers sitting at the Gathering. She glanced at her peers, each of them lost in thoughts, from the sour V'Sanys to Factol Darius, head of the Sign of One, the ever serene. Besides this, their faces were unreadable, and their musings too well concealed even for the trained eye.

Cirily only focused her attention back on the present time when Darius spoke in her crystalline voice: "Done is done", she simply said, a saying so obvious that the dullest of Carnisas could have voiced it. "We cannot undo the past, and we should put aside our past squabbles, instead of contemplating these petty arguments." Cirily almost indulged in a smile as she heard the words, knowning all too well the conflicts amid the Signers. The recent concern regarding the prospective role of the Faction had only rekindled old strifes, and the schemers were as active as before, beckoned by power as butterflies are attracted by light.

By what she could make out of the glances the other Signers exchanged, she gathered her doubts were shared. Likewise, the Factor must have been dubious about the reach of her words, as she added, her voice not quite as steady as before: "So be it, but we do have more pressing matters at hand. Our minds have sensed the presence of other alien life, and we managed to compute the approximative location of their worlds. It is our fear a few are able to roam between the stars, and knowledge is therefore truly needed regarding these creatures. As for now, we cannot infer who have thought of them, giving them their existence, and what their intents are." Cirily could not help being taken aback by the plain truth, as it was a daunting prospect for Signers. How could life thrive where their minds do not nourish these existences?

"But most of you have not been told the whole dark of it," V'Sanys' voice came, firm and grim. "Our wandering thoughts glimpsed at these other, older races, attempting to preside over the fate of this galaxy. As in our lore, there are three such races, and a fourth one, fully withdrawn and merely acting as Keepers. Three peoples equal to us lurk close to Sigil, and we can but fathom at their intentions." Cirily had the pleisure of seeing plain surprise or astonishment written on the faces of most Signers, thrown out of balance in their certitudes. As for herself, she was the Ward of the Lore, and as such was well learnt with legends. Unlike many Signers did not reckon the power of stories in shaping this world, their world, she was conscious of the distinctive partners of many tales, which betrayed the part of truth hidden within.

"Unfortunately, this threat is the plain truth, and the main reason why we must make haste," Factor Darius added once the hectic whisperings died. "We might need to be ready any and every threat, as the safety of our society may very well rest on our shoulders. If our worst fears were to come true, the Sign of One might need to call for the rebuilding of a proper military so as to protect our worlds against any invader and to..." Her voice trailed off at the thought of such an uncommon prospect for Signers, accustomed to peace and no hostility either between themselves or with other species.

"The Gathering is dismissed and will resume regular schedules on the morrow, until Renaissance has succesfully claimed Milvanis," the Factol finished, giving them free leave to depart. As Cirily left the Hall of Speakers, she noted the wary looks and the disturbed chitchat as minds slowly grasped what was happening. A Renaissance the ship was named, but it looked more like a falling than anything else, she mused bitterly. A storm was gathering, but would the Sign of One weather it?

[ March 16, 2004, 19:07: Message edited by: Alneyan ]