SimonPontius (*Simon, *Pontius)
Male - *Thentis, Other
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Relationship Status: SingleHe's taken his evening runs past here many a time, tonight for some odd reason he has stopped here to take a breather. His hands cupped on his knees as he bends over, sweat beads running down the curvature of the bridge of his nose, he knows he's seen seen the split in the standing stones before, something different this time, maybe the play of shadows, maybe sweat in his eyes, none the less he walks over to take a look.
Wiping his face with the rep cloth from his shoulder, tying his hair back as he stops, those trained eyes of his nudge his brain, these standing stones were not a process of nature at all, these were placed here from the living rock on the cliff above, the chisel marks though old and weather worn are there under the algae and over growth. His fingertips trace them gently, old iron tools created this, many days of labor to not only free them, but to settle them in place. Not plumb anymore by any means, time and settlement has seen to that, but placed there for some reason lost to the ages.
The space between them must have been a lot wider at one time, maybe wide enough for at least two men abreast, but now they lean on one another, like two old friends leaning on each other for support, he lets out a deep breath and squeezes between the two. His bare feet can feel what is under the tall grasses and weeds..a pavers stone. Squatting down, taking the dagger tucked in the back side of his waist band, he cuts away the brush and smiles as he sees what his sense of touch had hinted at. Tucking the dagger back he runs his fingers over the stones, the hand of nature has taken away some pieces, yet the stones still have their integrity and strength, right through to the way they have been locked together...Builders have been here, for what and when he doesn't know, but Builders without doubt.
He stands slowly and moves forward and to his right, glancing up, the sky clear, the ivies and vines catching his ankles now and then, he follows what the Ancient Ones have placed here, the walls curved and though showing the signs of nature taking back over, were at one time clear and smooth, some of what must have been plaster flakes off onto his fingertips..why was this place so important, to take the time to smooth the rock face and replace it with a finish, to create the now stone steps he follows in some winding staircase...
Down he follows the stairs, going forever to the right and he stops dead, his jaw goes slack as he sees the black tem wood door, the color tainted with long agos, the brass fittings from the handle to the bolted hinges still there, like the doors of the Priest Kings, the frame of stone in an arch with the ornate capstone staring back at him as if he indeed was the intruder here. He holds his place for a moment, then takes two steps to the door and grasps the loop handle and turns it..the lock mechanism complaining loudly, a screeching, wretched noise as both hands turn the stubborn handle now, oh he did think to stop, the feeling of you are not wanted here crept up like a long shadow, but his sense of curiosity over powered that.
The door did not yield easily as he nudged and pushed it open with his shoulder, he stared at its thickness, at least four horts thick, heavy with the meaning of once closed from the inside getting through from the out was almost impossible once it was locked..but why was is left unlocked? Was this place abandoned in a hurry or was it just as simple as someone plain forgot? His eyes adjusting as he squeezed in, an air and light shaft providing some light, enough for this time of the day at least, he feels the answer beneath his feet. He squats down and can see the worn yellow robe still cradling the skeletal remains of a Builder, the keys in his fingertips, a lock on the floor next to him.Looking over his shoulder the door has upon it a bolt lock, a key hole and a clasp for the lock on the floor..
"I'm sorry my Brother, I did nae mean to disturb thee" in a soft reverent tone.." This is no place for thee to lie for eternity." He wraps him in the robe he is in, as gently as he can, taking great care as not to separate his remains, cradling his skull in his hand he moves this Ancient One to what looks like a small alcove and lays him there, covering him with what once was furs, then offering up a small prayer for him. When he has finished he looks around talking quietly " What was this my Brother? Who requested this? Why were you left alone? I'm sure the keeper of some ancient secret of our caste..."
Taking small steps forward, knowing the light will soon be fading, he tries to read the inscriptions on the wall, they were painted on in a neat script, most of which have simply eroded over time, he dares not touch them understanding the fragile nature and sighs softly to himself. He can hear the sound of dripping water in the distance but other than that the only other sound is his foot steps and his breathing as he continues on. There are small carved arches with stone tables, delicate and ornate reliefs, what he knows to be sitting fireplaces each large enough for at least twelve to sit comfortably, smaller rooms on each side of him, doors opened to what may have been sleeping quarters and though not easy to see a room with the tools of his trade, old but still sharp to the touch, the handles gone but they have stood the test of time.
And there on the shelve, in neat but dusty rows were energy bulbs. The smile on his face as he picks one up and blows the dust off then turns the bottom, the flicker then the light, his caste only knowing the science behind them, he holds it up as he journeys further along. A great hall opens itself up to him, an arched ceiling by his estimates to be at least two hundred horts at its apex, three arranged sitting fireplaces and one door at the far end. This door in better repair, the brass even looks still polished, he turns the handle easily this time and the door swings open for him.
The hall wide the ceilings again arched, the walls smooth and simple, a hand rail on either side carved from the rock, the steps down an easy angle then they open up in a half moon at the bottom. And at that last step he blinks, and stares in awe as he turns the bulb up to full luminosity, ahead of him lay, in a wide arc, faces carved into the stone, at first he took a step back, the faces, so real yet none have bodies to support them, his mouth became dry, the hair prickled on his neck and arms...they went up and along each wall as he approached and looked around, the air circulating around him from some unknown source, clean and fresh, his senses not believing what it is that they are in..cautiously, with respect he traces one of the faces, so life like, almost ready to speak, the artistry taking his breath away. Just below each face a plaque with what must be the Builders names..Quantro, Diannis, Alecandra...each engraved with such care and beauty..behind each must be the resting place of his Brethren before him..
As he turns down the bulb out of respect, one space on the wall is still opened, he moves to it without thought as if he were guided there, floated there.. reading the name on the plaque under the face that familiar face, " Sha-Ben"..sitting down on the floor.." It can't be.." thinking of the Builder who apprenticed him.." it just can't be...he was old when I was his charge"..he stops mid thought and stands..backing out of the chamber, then running up the stairs, through the great hall and to where he came in.
He moves quietly to the Builder he laid in the alcove, there is no way to tell, impossible..he spins and goes to the main door again, turning the bulb back up and slowly scanning the area by the door...he sheds a silent tear when he sees the signet ring, picking it up, he carefully wipes the dust away, Sha-Bens initials, the hammered gold with years of being worn bent, but the onyx stone in the center still as it was as he remembered it. He tucks the energy bulb under his tunic, up high, puts the ring in his pouch then goes to the remains of his mentor. Ever so carefully, with the greatest of care he picks up the remains, the key ring sliding to the floor, " Come my Mentor...come"
Making his way back slowly to the chamber " I will make sure you are with the others and your secret here is forever sealed..I've missed you, you old sleen.." As he looks into the blackness of Sha-Bens place, he can see the small latch under the stone and pulls it with a free finger. The stone slab slides out softly, one of the things he had taught him about glides makes him smile, another tear finding its way through, as he lays the remains of his Mentor on the slab placing the ring back on his finger...kissing the top of his skull out of respect, turning the energy bulb down some and setting it on the slab next to Sha-Ben.." I remember, you never did like the dark...rest well my Friend." sliding the slab in, then lifting the heavy close stone into place, feeling it lock as he pushes on it...he sighs and wipes his eyes in the darkness.
Finding his way out in the dark, not thinking about anything as he squats down to pick up the key ring, in the light fading he can see the small sign on the floor, the name of this place..he picks it up and goes back out the heavy door, pulling it closed behind him, finding the right key, he places it in the lock and to his surprise it turns without argument..nudging the door..it is indeed locked, he places the sign near it and heads back up the stairs, through the standing stones, the keys tucked away in his leathers, he walks the rest of the way back home.
