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rainstardragon“I’m too tired to make up scripture right now!” He sagged into a pile of cushions that had been left by some of the day’s postulants.
The guard shifted uneasily, his purple chitin armor glinting in the light of the suns that filtered into the castle through the ceiling aperture. “What should I tell them, then?” The old gelfling scowled. “Does anyone have anything to give the crystal? If it’s another bunch of freeloaders expecting handouts just send them away.”
“Sir!” heels clicked, then marched off after uneasy eyes darted to where the Light-keepers slumbered in their thrones.
The Crystal Eminence sighed, rubbed his eyes. “It’s not like I know why they fell asleep. There’s that old pair of Gardeners I hear tell of in one of the Ancient Cities who are older than them, and that Maudra is still a heretical meddler with too much energy. At least her husband is too preoccupied with his arcane tasks. I’m in trouble if word of this reaches them...” He looked to where the Light-keepers lay in their aging splendor.
They weren’t that old. He even had personal knowledge of grannies older than them who still chased fizzgig off with their brooms. “Distribute the offerings to those in need… indeed… such folly. That only teaches them to beg. Besides, all things rely on an exchange.” He grumbled and stroked the soft fabric possessively. “This is an opportunity though. With them asleep, all these eyes turn to me for wisdom. If I do this right then when they finally fade away there will be only me. I will lead the way.” He mused to the crystal that floated in the middle of the chamber.
The crystal listened, watched. It’s children had to be allowed their own choices. High in her tower, where the true mouth of the planet sat in meditation, an old face, half male and half female, frowned. “So… a new pocket of Darkening. Can’t win them all. Bound to happen where it all began anyway. Have to wait and see. Too far for these old bones to go get them, even using the fast way. But you, little one...” Aughra opened her eye and looked at the tumbeloth grooming its tentacles beside her. “You lot once helped urVa’s apprentice rescue the Waystar’s seed and those prisoners. You’re troublemakers by nature with your chaos. You might keep an eye on him and see about getting word to your little friend off in Shelna. Seems I could use a good pair of Gardeners. Confirm for me the visions the All Maudra will begin receiving. Probably can’t do anything here, but she can work on other things that will be needed.”
The tumbeloth pulled his tentacles back into his stony shell and tilted his head. He smiled slowly. “So, now we have your express permission to mess with him properly?”
“Yes, yes. Do what you little ones do best.” She waved an exasperated hand and turned away, groaning as she labored to get up.
The tumbeloth waddled off to seek his brethren. It was time to lay some plans, and perhaps some more dung bombs.
I actually intended to use the prompt “I’m too tired to make up scripture right now!” provided to the FFM2025 prompt bank by the awesome and always fun @WizardandGalaxy (at least I think it's the same one I'm thinking of) as the seed for a Selkies' Skins universe flashfiction.
I ended up with a Dark Crystal Age of Power era AU fanfic because I've been thinking of that franchise so much lately and because I REALLY hate the Crystal Eminence in the comics. There had to be something at the core of animosity between tumbeloths and that guy, right?
Ok, maybe not.
Next one I do I really need to make sure I get back to Selkies' Skins stuff. Or maybe some Dragon Shaman... I don't know. Three different series that I'm lucky the characters aren't real and can't attack me to get me back to working on...
Originally posted: https://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago/art/1213784157