The Andre Miller Saga

Andre Miller 13 The Messengers

The halo rested on the dining room table. The family surrounding it, Andre, Caleb, Frankie, Tilly, and Kyle. "It's a hell of a thing, isn't it?" said Andre, "A 12-inch ring of light and power. I've been summoning for almost 40 years and I've never seen a halo in the real."

It had been 9 days since the group had returned from Marathon, Florida where they battled a true dragon and acquired the halo from the ghost of Saint Bartholomew. It had taken 9 days for their wounds to heal and their strength to return. Kyle had almost been killed in the battle with the dragon and all of the others had been badly injured.

"You think we're ready?" asked Frankie.

"I'd like to summon Shirentavale one last time, to see if she can provide us with the common name of a single Virtue, versus us having to go fishing for one using the most dangerous and tempting bait in existence. We'll only get one shot at this. Plus, there's the chance the Virtue says no, or assigns us a quest of its own. These things are as strong as some of the lesser Elemental Lords. It may just decide to smite us for our impertinence. I doubt even my strongest circle could hold a Virtue in place for long."

"Well, let's talk to Shirentavale and see what we do next." Said, Caleb.

They locked the halo back into the house's magically protected vault and made their way out to the summoning building. As they went, they took off their shirts so they were bare-chested and Tilly was in a sports bra. It was common practice and a sign of respect to the spirits to show a bare chest when summoning a being from the higher planes. They took their places around the main circle and placed a pound of holy mana into the offering circle.

"I call out to Shirentavale, high celestial and friend. If you be so willing come to my call and commune with us. I offer 1 pound of holy mana for your time and council." Intoned Andre in the ancient tongue of celestials.

After a few minutes of chanting the sound of tinkling bells and the smell of rose petals filled the building. "Summoned I come, Shirentavale has arrived. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call today dear friend?"

"Greetings Shirentavale. We seek your wisdom and knowledge. As you know we've spent the past several months trying to acquire an item of power to summon a Virtue. Recently, through a life-changing battle, we have gained the halo of Saint Bartholomew. A sacrifice which you have told us should be enough to call to a Virtue."

"My friend, you have accomplished the near impossible! The halo of a saint is indeed enough to call the eyes of a Virtue to you. But why call upon me? It seems you are ready to proceed on your quest."

"We seek the name of a Virtue, rather than tossing out the presence of the halo into the ether where anyone could feel its power and invite all manner of disaster." Said, Andre.

"I know only one Virtue's common name. That is Zuriel, leader of the Virtues and most powerful of them. It is a name I do not think you wish to invoke." She said with a serious look on her face.

"Yes, that is a being I wouldn't dare to try and summon, ever. Can you think of a way to seek out a name?"

"A messenger of the 1st host may know a name, but I would not be able to point you to which one. A general of the 1st host, like Prolanacle, who you have met, would know a name for certain, but motivating him to share it would be difficult and require a great sacrifice just to entice him to come, let alone to give a name."

"I didn't know the 1st host had messengers. I thought they were all warriors and healers." Andre said.

"All of the hosts bear messengers; it simply falls on to who they deliver messages to. Your search can begin with Cantalee, a messenger of the 3rd host. They have had reason, from time to time, to exchange words with messengers of the 1st host. If they can be properly motivated, perhaps they can continue you on your journey of discovery."