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Maiden World- Part One



Eldar Craftworld Aldune-

The stars seemed to endlessly roll by in a continuous tide, waxing and waning with the passing of lightyears. In this voyage through the Galaxy, it seemed the only constallation that one could always find is the everpresent doom shown by the Eye of Terror. Even in the Warp, its hateful stare is always fixed, starring outward with vexation. Always, it contemplates the destruction of everything outward of it. As Draelith looked back with his own steeled gaze, he felt its presence- its wrath- bent toward him. The young Farseer understood well that Chaos not only held that baleful stare for the Eldar, but for all races good and evil that live under the blanket of stars. Always seeking to defile. Always seeking to corrupt. Always seeking to destroy.

"Come now, Draelith. Let not your mind linger too long on the evils of the Eye." The smooth, commanding voice broke the mystic from his meditation. As the Craftworld had travelled through the stars and the Warp, Draelith fixed his stare on the Eye as he had many times before. Deep in thought contemplating his enemy, he had not noticed the passing of time. Now, looking about the stars around him, he realized that the Craftworld had travelled for days. The Warp had so commanded his attention that time slipped by unobserved. Looking back toward the figure whose voice recalled him from his reflections, Draelith bowed deeply. His mentor, the Master Harquinith stood in the archway that led to the stargazing hall. "Some of the other Farseers may begin to wonder about your obsession with the Eye. What is it that causes so much fascination for you, my boy?" asked the ancient Master.

"It is not an obsession, Master. I am constantly steeling myself against the constant threat that the Eye and all of the Chaos Lords pose to us who would prefer to live hamoniously in the Heavens. By meditating, I set my mind against my opponent always." Draelith had always been something of an enigma amoung the Farseers of Aldune. As a child, he displayed great talents as a warrior- his physical prowess and heartfelt devotion to the Way of the Sword would have made him an excellent Exarch with the propper training. But as he aged, he also developed an innate understanding and natural aptatude for the Arts of the Farseer. At his Comming of Age ritual, he was crowned with the Farseer Helm, commiting him in his path. Even though he has never shown any regret or remorse for his current role, he still watches the Aspect training with a studied eye and a longing to push his physical skills to their limits. Beyond a doubt, the Way of the Sword has not left him, and yet he is commited also to the Farseer path with all his heart.

"Take caution, Draelith. Battle is not something we should ever look forward too, not even against a most dreaded and hated foe such as Chaos. If ever we find ourselves delighting in combat, we risk loosing sight of the peaceful ways and misplacing our warrior spirit into dark arenas where no Eldar should dare to tread."

"I do not delight in combat, nor do I long for war. It is difficult to explain, Master, but I delight in the Way of the Sword and the Mind. It is the Way that I love, not the tasks for which we use it. Also, I delight in the knowledge of being ready to defend the things that I love- my Craftworld and my people. It seems that being able to protect them and help them allows me to love them all the more. I crave to be worthy in battle, to be worthy of that love."

Master Harquinith smiled at Draelith's response. "Well stated, my former apprentice. Still, always be vigillant not only against the Eye of Terror that you see amongst the stars, but also the Eye that holds its stare in your mind as well. Let your love for the Way guide you, as it has been guiding you."

"Yes Master." Draelith bowed deeply. Even though he was now a Farseer, and no longer an apprentice, he did not mind being called such by his teacher and mentor. Years after his Crowning, he still listened to Master Harquinith as obidiently as he had during apprenticeship. Indeed, Draeltih still bowed deeply and reffered to him as master even though he now had unquestionably earned the right to regard Farseer Harquinith as an equal. It has been this devotion and respect to his mentor that made him such a good student, and an excellent Farseer. His devotion to his mentor, but also his deep love for the Way. "I thank you for your guidence, Master."

"No thanks are due, Draelith. Come now, we must begin our work. We have arrived at our destination and there seems some promise in the planet down below. You will help me study these Artefacts, won't you? There is much to be done on the surface." Harquinith seemed excited over the prospect of research. Perhaps, one of these years, he will uncover some of the treasures of ancient glory. As the Craftworld wandered amidst the stars, the portents of Master Harquinith has guided them to a number of worlds that may have once held Eldar knowledge now lost. The gallery of Aretfacts and ancient runes that the Craftworld has collected is in thanks largely to the efforts of the ancient master. His understanding of history and thirst for knowledge has made him the most respected Eldar among the Craftworld. Amidst his colleges, he is considered "The First" and few would question him. This has made him, almost single-handedly, the leader of the Aldune Eldar- dispite the presence of the Farseer Counsil. Nearly every seat has been trained by Master Harquinith, and none has forgotten his wisdom that taught them.


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