Vashina Estate

[Validus Ur Vashina]

Only just finished after years of hired labor, the Vashina Estate is a fortress of a building, better equipped for a siege than the section of Lorica Vite. Yet, the place loses none of its elegance in this, as everything seems to just... fit. The place is as heavily decorated as it is defended, with a heavy dragon theme as well as three symbols. One can only guess at what those mean.

Atop the estate is a massive dragon statue, one that makes up the central tower of the central building. The head which rests at the top of the dragon, which is standing upright on its hind legs, its six wings outstretched and tail wrapped around the central building, is easily large enough for several rooms. The double doors that lead into the central building are in the part of the tail that is in front of the building, far behind the outer walls of the place. The dragon chosen as a model for the tower is platinum in color, though any who know the God Bahamut know that this is not he. An impressive estate, to say the least.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

The two of them make their way into the new estate, hardly impressed by the worksmanship of the place.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

Validus walks out and gets into the carriage, which immediatly takes off. Without a driver.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

This time, Validus decides to go for a walk. He heads towards the City Center.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

Vera steps through one of the specially prepared shadow chambers, entering the estate only after she uses one of her devices to give the "signal" to open the room to the Plane of Shadows. She always thought the things Val thought up and did with his magics were absolutely amazing, and this was certainly no exception. She didn't know it was at all possible to completely remove other Planes from an area, with a permission device and everything that connects a single chamber to a single Plane, allowing only those who bear the device (and can use it) to enter. An impressive man, Val... she was sure there were much easier ways to do this, but Val always had to do things the hard way. In the end, this was more rewarding than a simple Dimsenshional Anchor.

The Plane of Shadows withdrew from the room the moment Vera stepped out and she headed to her brother's chambers within the head of this statue of Ledon, the Ishtarian Dragon God. When she got there, she found Validus standing and looking through one of the large eye windows, smiling slightly. He doesn't bother turning when he speaks. She never did know how he was always able to sense her.

Hello, sister. I trust you had your fun?

Vera grins as she walks further in and finds a couch to lay on, putting her feet on one of the arms and her head on the other.

I sure did. You were right, Val, there’s some really interesting stuff down there. There were all kinds of things in the sewers, from a tas'sl'ke to things called Mindwitnesses… Mindflayer Beholders, if you can believe that… to some kind of wolf creature to some slimy worm. Got to kill one of the Mindwitnesses and the worm. The tas'sl'ke got away.

Validus turns from the window and looks at his sister.

A black dragon, Vera? I suppose it was too arrogant?

Vera nods and Validus quietly chuckles, a sound that is at once both soothing and… frightening.

You never could resist teaching them a lesson. The moment someone seemed to think they were higher than you, you just have to prove them wrong.

Validus walks over to his high-back chair and sits in it, folding his hands in front of him.

One day, Vera, you will meet someone who truly is stronger than yourself.

Vera rolls her eyes at that comment.

I know, Val, I know.

Validus smiles pleasantly.

I’m aware that you know, Vera, but I’m not always sure you completely understand. Anyways, those were not the interesting things I meant. There is something further down, something very interesting… though you must be careful if you decide to go there. Do not go through a room with a crystal chandelier.

Why not?

Validus doesn’t answer her question. All he does is smile at her. She frowns and nods.

Ok, fine. I’ll make sure not to.

Excellent.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

Vera returned after a long trek through the sewers and made her way up to Val's rooms. He was finishing up on some documents, something about a few purchases he has made in Eluria. Vera didn't really care. That sort of thing was boring to her. She could never understand how Val could do all of that.

After he finished with the documents he moved them to the side and looked up at Vera, waiting. Vera tried to outwait him once before... it didn't go over so well. She didn't want to waste another day like that.

I got to the place you were talking about. I couldn't find any other way in except for that room you told me not to go through.

He waited again, knowing there was more. Vera sighed and continued.

Something's going on down there. Something big. The sewers are filled with whispers, and my aspect keeps telling me the dead are nearby.

Really? How interesting.

Val didn't seem the least bit surprised.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

Oh sister?

Vera looked up, surprised Val spoke.

Yeah, Val?

Please give me a description of the place just before the entrance. The place where "all paths meet".

Vera blinks, a little surprised. How the Hell did he...? Best not to dwell on it. Val was like this. Really, she should stop being surprised. She described the place to him.

Thank you, sister.

With that, Validus disappeared. There was no draw of magic around him that Vera could sense... there never was.

Well, she wasn't invited to the party. She found a couch and laid down on it in her usual fashion, wondering what the Hells Val was doing now.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

The air distorted around Validus' chair. When the distortion fades, Validus is sitting there with a brand new book, the cover a strange material that shifts in color continously.

Vera looks at the book with curiousity and interest, but no sooner did she glimpse it than it faded away. Validus smiles at her and Vera frowned, knowing all too well that that meant the subject was dropped before a word was spoken.

[Validus Ur Vashina]

The foundation shook, but this place was built to withstand such things. Still, the earthquake was felt.

Validus smiled slightly, looking out of the eye-window from his chair as he thought about the future... about what is to come. Perhaps another city shall lie in ruins...?