About the same time that Silnethren and Kalikel arrived at the mountain Milmota, Ikata arrived at Irrkengrond. Myliayar and Colthan met her at the city’s great gate and told her that Milyos was unwilling to leave the city and help them because of some great work he was seeking to accomplish on behalf of mortals. Ikata, much like Colthan, stated that not having a home for the spirits would place mortals in danger, and helping them build a new home for the spirits would be a great work for mortals and would spare the world much destruction. Colthan agreed with her and told her of his conversation with Milyos and that he could not be budged from his course of action. Ikata sighed in frustration.
“Fine. We shall do it without his aid,” said Ikata, “But first I want to see what he has done to my city.”
So Ikata went through all of Irrkengrond. She found it to be both as it had been when she gifted it to mortals and greatly changed since they began to dwell in the city. The gates and outer wall still stood high and mighty, enclosing within them a great hexagon. However, the walls bore the scars of Acretia’s siege, black marks were gouged into the stone from her terrible engines. Milyos’ fingerprints could also be seen. Buildings that were once homes had been converted into laboratories of magic. Some buildings had additions made to them that imitated the style of Ikata’s hand but were not of the same quality when inspected closely. But perhaps most starkly of all, the amber tower at its center was as architecturally perfect as when it was first built, but the golden radiance surrounding the tower in the sun had changed somewhat. Dark shades of blue came in at the edges, making its aura once sun-like and brilliant seem blended with night skies and the light of the moon. The fact that Milyos had truly made his dwelling here became clear to Ikata. But it was also still her city. Every street bore her touch. The great towers and every small home reflected her thoughtfulness and intention. People of every kind of mortal body bustled through the streets, born safely through the destruction and subjugation that Acretia spread across the land. Even as Milyos sought to use the city as a tool to bring about what he desired, directing the city’s focus to the pursuit of magical knowledge above all else, there were still those who reflected the spirit of Irrkengrond’s first king, Jirnan, welcoming in strangers and travelers to the mighty city. Milyos had claimed the city for his own in many ways, but still it was Ikata’s city, and she would not abandon it to him.
Before leaving to build the new heaven in the south, Ikata gathered together those who kept to the principles of Jirnan and gave them simple instructions. She instructed them to continue as they had to keep the ways of their ancestors who obeyed Jirnan and followed him. Further, she charged them with maintaining the architecture and works of the city so that it would continue to serve mortals as a sanctuary. They should work to repair any damage from the siege of Acretia that remained and then seek to maintain the rest of the city. To accomplish this, she taught them many skills in a short time and left them many texts that detailed her arts. When she was confident in their skill, she went to Myliayar and together they left the city and went south to begin the project of building a new heaven in the skies. For while her heart loved the city most of all the things she had built, she knew that it would stand as a testament to her skill and craft always so long as it served to shelter mortals from whatever would come. No matter what was built on top of or around the city, it would always bear her mark. No one could change that. She turned now to her next work.
Colthan lingered in the city to mourn the passing of Coraadrin, and observe the customs of Irrkengrond In this time it was customary to grieve for one year in the passing of a family member in the city.
Milyos did not come and speak to Ikata while she was in Irrkengrond, for his mind was bent only to the work of refashioning mortals so their souls should be like his: dark, swirling and full of mysteries. He would mark them and the world as his own.
When Ikata and Myliayar arrived in the southern skies, Ikata set about surveying the skies to see where the new heavens should be built. Setting the spirits to work, she directed them away from mortals, limiting the destruction that spirits wreaked upon mortals. Regularly, some were sent out to gather spirits who did not know of a new heaven and so continued to end mortals pouring their soul-fire across the earth. In this way many more spirits came to the foundations Ikata laid. But many more were still amongst the earth, many who were so unrestrained that even other spirits feared to approach.
The journey from the mountain Milmota to the city of Irrkengrond is long and one not easily made by mortals. Even for the fleet of foot, it might take many years for a mortal to make it, though for a swift bird the journey would take only a year. It is not so for the gods and spirits who move through the world in ways different than mortals. Treks that might take mortal legs days to traverse, lesser spirits may do in only a few hours. Yet, often the focus of spirits and gods rests in the same place. They may dwell in one place or work on a single work for the lifetime of even the longest-lived elves, so their movements seem strange to the minds of mortals.
Purpose drove Kalikel and Tilsitar across the lands, by secret paths, so they did not become narrowed in mind as had others. They moved with purpose driven by the waters of the rivers and gusts of the whirlwind. As they traveled, they summoned to follow them the fire spirits that had fueled the great engines that tore apart the insides of the mountain, ceasing their reckless and thoughtless burning across the earth. To them as well they called the spirits of those who dwelt in waters that were once peaceful that had turned raging in no way or pattern discernable, bringing many ship-faring mortals to ends they could not have foreseen. As well they called spirits who buried themselves in the earth, letting their essence fill the wells mortals drank from, such that when mortals drank from them, they were filled with power their bodies could not contain. Some buzzed and whispered relentlessly in the ears of mortals not knowing how to speak with them properly, driving them mad. Others caused life around them to rot for they were of the same ilk as Uostildad, taking in his blood, bending time around them. Some were crafters, and set about making great works. Some raised mountains and chiseled out chasms taking mortal villages whole. All of them were summoned to follow and they listened. For Kalikel’s voice and steps were known in all places of the earth and all spirits respected and feared her. Tilsitar followed Kalikel through all of the journey but did not listen to Kalikel’s calls to the other spirits. For Kilomond spoke his bitterness and jealousy to her from the void. His swirling rage and possessiveness for mortals slowly, steadily filled her.
When Kalikel, Tilsitar, and the host of spirits arrived at the city of Irrkengrond, they came to the city from the north surrounded by a great storm, for the presence of so many spirits unsettled the very mass of the earth.
Colthan met them far outside the city on the small crest of a hill, as lightning crossed the sky. Kalikel went forward from the host to meet him, with Tilsitar by her side.
“Good of you to come out of the city to meet us,” Kalikel said, scorn creeping into her voice, eyes narrowing as they moved past Colthan to the city, “I will not set foot in Ikata’s masterpiece and it would be a shame to let loose what I have brought here inside.”
Colthan raised an eyebrow slowly, “It is good to see you, Kalikel,” his eyes shifted from Kalikel to Tilsitar and then to the gathered storm of spirits. He smiled, strained and confused, “What exactly is it that you have brought us? And why are you here at all? It is not like you to travel with… an entourage.”
“Yes,” snapped Kalikel, “This whole arrangement is unusual and I deeply desire for it to be over. I believe your mother and brother are both currently in the city along with that accursed architect. I and Silnethren have arranged to bring many wandering and forlorn spirits here to invest them into your mother’s care so they would not destroy mortals. Obviously, Silenthren is not here, an arrangement I at first did not mind, but corralling this many spirits while keeping an eye on my older brother’s faithful bellows women has taken its toll on me. I miss tending my forests and streams, or running through my fields and lakes. I will go mad if I must attend to them much longer!”
At this, Colthan burst into laughter.
“So, you have been charged with shepherding all the spirits who cannot get back into heaven because of Aientas’ foolishness? Oh I have been grieved much but this is simply too funny. Goddess of the wild herding a hoard of spirits through the world! O-ho what am I to do?”
“I would like you to find your mother so I may give these spirits over to her. If she is not here then Milyos will do. If he can’t be found then the Architect will do. I want nothing more than to be free of them.”
“Ah, well, that might be somewhat challenging,” said Colthan, “for Ikata and my mother have recently left to begin work on building a new heavens in the southern skies. As for Milyos, he has locked himself in his great laboratory for there is some great work he has planned for mortals. He insisted that he must not be disturbed during his work.”
Hearing of Milyos’ work for the first time, Tilsitar, who until this point had her eyes affixed on the city, stirred and stared intently at Colthan. The spirit of Kilomond stirred in Tilsitar’s mind, riled by the invocation work done to mortals. A faint scowl crossed her face. Taking notice of this change, Kalikel took a step toward the bellows women to ensure her presence was not forgotten by the bellows women. At the same time, Colthan turned to address Tilsitar.
“… and I do not believe we have met,” said Colthan. “But to gain this type of attention from Kalikel is quite something. What is your name?”
“My name is Tilsitar, bellow’s women of Kilomond,” she responded.
“She attempted to reach Kilomond by delving under mount Milmota to the void beneath, nearly killing a spirit of the mountain in the process,” said Kalikel, “She is not to be trusted. I would slay her but Silnethren sees in her grief for our brother like our own… I think I trust him in such things. My grief has been poured out many times; his grief has not seen the light as many times as mine. And he holds his closer to him.” Kalikel looked down, silent for a brief movement. “ Regardless of our pain, Tilsitar is to go to the new heaven.”
“Hmm… I see,” said Colthan. He paused for a moment, the sounds of the storm of spirits filling the air. “Give me a moment, I must consult with my wife,” he continued. After saying this he looked down at the ground, before bending over to pick up a handful of dirt running it through his hands. Touching Coraadin’s purple stone, Colthan let the presence of his wife rush into his mind so he may take counsel with her. Silence settled in on the trio. Kalikel began to pace. Tilsitar stared at the city, shoulders slightly hunched, a mix of consternation and fear on her face. After some time, Colthan spoke, breaking the silence.
“Coraadrin and I have decided. I will stay in the city for the remaining time until the mourning period for Coraadrin is complete. I am obligated to do so for her family. However, when it is completed I will escort this mighty host of spirits to Myliayar and Ikata so they may build and dwell in a new heaven. Until then, either you may remain here with them, Kalikel, or you can trust that if you leave them they will not wander away from the city.”
“How long will the morning period last?” asked Kalikel.
“It is not long. Only three weeks now,” replied Colthan.
Kalikel stopped pacing, thought for only the briefest moment, then snapped, “Fine, I will stay with them. But I will not be held responsible for what they do to the land in the time they are here.”
So Colthan returned to the city while the wild lady and the bellows women began to herd the spirits. In the pauses and still moments of the work, Tilsitar heard the voice of Kilomond spew forth suspicion and vitriol for Milyos’ work in the city, whatever it may be for mortals. She did not know what it might be, nor why Kilomond was so concerned. For she could not speak to him, only hear him, though Kilomond could see through her eyes and hear with her ears.
Now Milyos took no note of these goings on, consumed as he was with his work. But the archmages of the city did and warily at first, from the north-facing walls of the city, looked out over the plains to the great swirling mass of spirits. Their hearts longed for the secrets they might learn from these spirits. Some even considered how they might bend the lesser spirits to their will. Eventually, the brave and foolish among them came out from the walls of the city and approached the swirling mass. But Kalikel would not let them approach, for she did not trust the city. Whenever they sought to draw near Kalikel called forth a mighty wind that drove them back, never letting them any closer to the mass of spirits.
They learned much from these expeditions and felt the fringes of the power possessed by the spirits. But they were not satisfied. So together, those who failed to reach the swirling spirit mass went to Runan Mol, chief administrator of the tower of Milyos and First Archmage of Irrkengrond. At first, Runan was not swayed by what might be gained from pressing against the spirits. From what he could discern, they did not desire to be interacted with. But as the faction of those who desperately wanted to study the spirits pressed him day after day, he eventually relented to their requests.
The mages who had attempted first to reach the spirits told Runan everything that had happened to them and about the great wind that drove against them. So Runan set out to be clever, and devised for himself a spell that would harness the wind for them, and move them closer. The testing took some days and at the beginning of the third week that remained in Colthan’s mourning, Runan set out to test it himself. He approached the mass of spirits and Kalikel’s winds swept up. At first, they pushed him back. Then he began his spell and harnessing the winds he began to advance. Closer and closer he got, until Tilsitar, who was at the edge of the maelstrom to keep the spirits contained, noticed him.
“What do you want, wizard?” she shouted into the wind.
“We want to study the spirits! To learn from them!” Runan said.
“That may not go as you intend,” replied Tilsitar, “Especially as there are so many of them here together.”
“Then perhaps we could when there are fewer of you!” Runan shouted back, “There is so much we could learn!”
“Perhaps,” said Tilsitar, “But I am not free to do so now. Nor are these others at present. And you should not be here.”
Saying this Tilsitar reached out and pushed Runan, undoing his footing and breaking his spell so that the wind swept him away back to the city.
Feeling the wizard get swept away in the wind, Kalikel came quickly to Tilsitar.
“What did he want?” asked the goddess of the wild.
“He said that he wanted to study the spirits,” said Tilsitar, “I don’t know what that means, but it is what he said. I did not allow it.”
“Good,” replied Kalikel, “I believe they would seek to be masters rather than students.”
Tilsitar said nothing to this but went back to tending the spirits.
When Coraadrin’s mourning period ended, Colthan left the city carrying her around his neck. He came to Kalikel, and she instructed the spirits to follow Colthan. He led them south around the city, keeping them a safe distance from the city. But as they left, it became apparent that so many spirits gathered in one place for even as short a time as three weeks had changed the land they had inhabited.
When one looked north from the walls of Irrkengrond one could see what appeared to be a small caldera at the top of the ridge. The air above it seemed to shimmer as though a clear sheet of cloth were permanently suspended in the breeze. The grasses that grew there changed colors randomly, growing in full bloom, then suddenly dying; flowering for months on end then lying dead for just as long. Those who stared into this space long enough reported on occasion seeing figures walk through it only for them to disappear right as they would crest the caldera. Some even said they saw whole kingdoms grow and die in the space of an hour when they looked into the dancing air. When it rained the space was dry but on clear days sometimes it would rain in the spirit-worn place, hard enough to fill the small crater. The mages of the city called it “The Impression of the Spirits” but the people of the city called it “The Spirits’ Cloak” or simply “The Cloak”. It became an object of great fascination to the mages and scholars of Irrkengrond. Milyos paid it no heed.
As soon as Kalikel instructed the spirits to follow Colthan to the new heaven she left, sweeping up a great whirlwind as she left. Colthan took the most direct path to the southern skies to find his Mother and Ikata with spirits in tow. This was not a difficult task. For while the journey took some time, whatever that might mean for a god, the new heavens were not hard to find for Ikata made no effort to hide where they were being built, marking out clearly where the foundation might be laid. When Colthan, Tilsitar and the host of spirits arrived, the spirits with Myliayar and Ikata who left Aientas’ heaven, who did not wish to lose access to the earth, were also there.
As they arrived in the heavens, Myliayar and Ikata greeted them. Colthan held council with them as soon as they arrived to determine what Tilsitar’s fate should be. Colthan passed along the judgment of Silnethren that Tilsitar should not be destroyed. Myliayar agreed with this but stipulated that Tilsitar should always have some task given to her so that her mind might focus on something other than her grief and rage. So, as the foundations of heaven had not been laid, they decided that Tilsitar should aid in the construction of the foundation as her first task. Tilsitar agreed to this as she longed to practice some of her forge craft. She built a small forge to make herself new tools for she had not been allowed to keep the great forge hammer that she had with her under the mountain. She made many tools that many spirits used in crafting the heavens and no craftsmanship has matched their quality except for what remains were made by the hands of her master. The greatest of the tools she made at that time was a new great forge hammer for herself that came to be called Lidia-adon or Heavenmaker. With it she laid the foundation of the new heavens.