yael

What does that mean?

That very question has plagued her ever since the day her kin were burned alive in front of a God who did nothing to save his devotees. Time and time again she’s asked herself what this or that event means - is it all fruitless, all one big jumble of randomness they may spend their lives trying to make sense of, when the truth is that there is no rhyme or reason to it? How can that which she has not seen for forty years be here in front of her, in this place of death and confusion?

Yael’s mind reaches back to the stories she’s heard about the Rift Gods and how one by one, they were slain by Helovians. How their worlds were annexed and brought here by the Sun, Earth, Moon, and Spark. And now Kaos says the Rift Gods are a part of him - or he is here on their behalf - and yet he sends his message via an ancient language. How does it all tie together? Is her G-d this God? Is this part of a larger deception? Time seems to stand still whilst the gilded woman stares at the lowest set of letters - her gaze lost somewhere in the mists of distant memories. Seeing and yet unseeing, she registers Isopia and Lyanna’s questions with flicks of her long ears, but there is a lifetime of silence before she answers in a distant voice.

“Adonai ees vone of ze vords for God een my language,” she says without looking back at the Seer. Yael isn’t surprised Isopia followed her, and when Lyanna makes her presence known, the petite mare doesn’t bat an eye. If anything, it seems entirely natural to have the two there, although she does briefly wonder if anyone else will show up - undoubtedly some will be curious to see three Edgers all headed in the same direction, but then again, ignorance is also sweet, sweet bliss. They cannot see it yet, but a look of awe has slowly made its way across Yael’s face; awe and longing and all the sorrow she’s forced herself to keep locked away for fear of being overwhelmed by it.

You see, this has to be some sort of miracle - there was no way they could have known Yael would find herself on Xelovia’s shores. Or - could Kaos have? Could Kaos have been the one who brought her here? Weaver said she walked here, but she could swear the stars in this sky are different than the stars at home. And then to be, to her best knowledge, the only one who can read these letters? Is this what she is here to do? Her head bobs up and down in an affirmative to Lyanna’s inquiry as Yael’s eye once again drink in the lines and dots, even daring to brush her lips against the lowest etching before taking a step back to report what she knows.

“Zis xere says shalom,” she begins, gesturing to the lowest set of letters. “Eet ees used in several vays - as a greeting and farevell, but also, eet means peace.” Eyes flick between the two mares, to see if they understand. “A greeting amongst friends.” That much is ingrained in her culture. She could simply say boker tov if she wanted to say good morning, but shalom personally suits Yael better. She takes a couple of steps to the left, looking at the longer line of letters. “Ka’os yikhsod...” her voice trails off after a moment, hoping she’s got the right words. “Kaos vill save.” she finally pronounces, after going back and forth between several words - after all, it has been several decades since she’s seen the letters written. Finally, her neck arches to see the upper letters. Oh, that one’s easier. “Koakh,” she says, though her tone changes a bit, harsh in the sound she creates in the back of her throat.

”Power, t’at means. Strengt. Force.” A quick circle around the obelisk again reveals nothing else, but when she takes a step back, more letters on top are evident.

“Ah, I can’t make out ze top vones…” Even squinting, the letters were unclear, and she wouldn't want to deliver a false translation.