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....Had I not seen it with my own two eyes, and heard it with my own ears, I most likely would have credited the story off to drunkenness on the storytellers part. However, I was there, and I was not alone.
....We where gathered in the main hall of Prince Mitru's castle after the eulogy for our departed comrade, Radu, when a very old and decrepit blind man limped through the double doors and proceeded to beg for a morsel. None paid him any heed, save Sir Owain, Sir Rhoric, and, rather surprisingly if you know M'Lady, Lady Nicoletta. He was offered gold by the former Knight and food by the latter, then shelter by the Lady. As I understand it, he gave Lady Nicoletta something of a warning before departing from her castle the next eve, before she awoke.
....It was thought this would be the last we would see of the strange old vagabond. Twas not to be, however. The following night, he hobbled in once again and began spouting his prophetic message. Most in the room paid great attention to him, and when he was approached harshly by one of the men present, his defender was none other then Lady Nicoletta once again. As the old man's words continued, speculation began as to their meaning. There was after this a slight argument before Baronet Benedick gathered up the old man and escorted him back to her home.
....As of this writing, my aquantiences and I have yet to agree on a meaning of these words. Some dismiss them as the rantings of a deranged old man. Others believe them to be a divine warning of the impending doom just around the corner. What follows is the words of this old man, as well as speculation as to their meaning. Perhaps you might be able to give us further incite into this mystery...
...."In times to come, when thy kind hath grown decadent as thy founder did, the sons of Able will again rise up, and thy people shall end in a sea of blood, and a rain of fire. The False servants of the Lord will set upon thee, and with holy sword guided by unclean hand they shall smite thee down. Seek not to rise above thy place...rule not the sons of Able, seek not to guide them, seek not to use them, seek not to impose thy dominion upon them, lest ye die in the firey vengeance of the Lord. Few it shall be who escape the dying times...for the next Flood shall be not of water, but of the Blood of the damned and the living alike. Seek the high places...seek the lonely places...seek the places where the sons of Able have not yet ventured, for there is thy only hope of salvation."
....It is quite obvious as to the meaning of many of the phrases which the old man used. "Decadent as thy founder did", for example. Our founder, our father, is Cain. It is well known how he suffered. Perhaps we are to suffer as he did. "The sons of Able". Mortals, of course. "Will again rise up, and thy people shall end in a sea of blood, and rain of fire." Any simple minded fool could tell this means the mortals shall visit some cruel end upon some, if not all, Kindred. "False servants of the Lord".. this has me puzzled. Perhaps it refers to the Baali? Though why Mortals would deal with them, or them with Mortals, I know not. Yet, another possibility exists.. Could it perhaps be heretics? Or some form of self dillusional "Christian"? "Seek not to rise above thy place. Rule not the sons of Able, Seek not to guide them, seek not to use them, etc". Once again, this is rather obvious. Remove ourselves from mortal society. Somehow I doubt this shall ever come about. "Few it shall be who escape the dying times" is a grim, yet positive sign. We shall not all perish. "Seek the high places, seek the lonely places, seek the places where the sons of Able have not yet ventured". Go into seclusion. Perhaps torpor in the ground? Again, I doubt this shall come about...
....Lady Nicoletta
"Well...," begain Sir Rhoric as he scratched his head after being asked for his intrepretation of the words you have just read. "'tis not all ill. Though we must seek higher ground, we shall not starve."
Harmless study of those already doomed shall not draw the wrath of any hand. Rather, it shall draw praise; in knowledge alone do we realize ability to reach that higher ground -- and the truly eager to learn, the truly willing, shall exist without harm.
....Lady Larija
"E h..." was the first thing out of Adam Creeds mouth when I asked him of his thoughts on this subject. He looked at me blankly as he continued, saying only "And all this meaning...?"
I listened intently to the old man, believing at least some of the impending news must be true, as any other mortal would not have such knowledge of the kindred as a prophet might...
Sir Owain
