The Duet (Tenebris)

Tenebris stalked the halls of the Palace alone, his sanctum of stone and onyx, built on blood and bone, if it could talk, even the Archon would beg for deafness. Though he could not hear the whispers of the ages, tales of lives lost, and deaths of agony no-one should ever feel, they remain cloistered in the dungeons and echo around staircases of twisted rock. So much to say and no ears willing to hear, no soul willing to feel the torment that lies within. Tenebris was no different yet the thought often mused and crossed his mind in his solitary contemplations. The past by many is considered a forbidden land and its people's trials are over. In future times, when gravity has mastered this place, humbled it to no more than pebble and crumb, all will be in that hour-glass that is now, yet the Archon ever persisted to pry into the past and preserve the knowledge and lessons of those who came before him. It was this train of thought that led the Archon unconsciously in will somber walk to the hall where he gifted apartments to Shira. The Archon felt a wave of relief washed over him as he approached Shira's room in the preparation to converse with her, although the mightily black Dragon couldn't exactly explain why merely convincing himself that while he found himself in this part of the Palace he'd check up on her progress.

Many within the Nightwing Domain saw the Archon as flawless, having to constantly maintain the austere formalities of court and the machinations of well-polished stature to inspire such confidence, but in the singer and her goal, Tenebris sound warmth, and a simplicity which reminded him of his days of old as a Scholar, to appreciate the beauty of the past and allow others to experience such. As such Tenebris found there was an openness he could maintain with the Dragoness Shira, as she was so devoted to her goal when they conversed Tenebris forgot all about the intrigues of his position and the daunting fears not being enough of a leader, of failing in sacred duty, of his purpose unfulfilled, weighty as it was. To this end, the Archon gave a firm knock upon the door before allowing himself inside of Shira's chambers, his head bowed low in a humble fashion of respect. "Why, hello there Shira, I thought I'd pay a visit to see how your progress has been coming along, tell me, what are your findings thus far?"

Tenebris maneuvered his slender shaped body, serpentine like and fluid in his movements, he followed Shira in silence taking account of her words. His mind immediately began racing over the known ciphers he was familiar with, even before he came before the encrypted scrolled what was laid out before him. He gave a nod of acknowledgment and thought as he craned his neck forward, his eerie sapphire shrewd glare narrowing as he examined the scripture with interest. He released an indulgent soft growl from his throat as he inspected the scroll. Shira was right when it came to the Document, it was one thing translating the tongues of the past but finding such a scripture in code was even more intriguing.

Most written words invite a conversation with one's thoughts, one unspoken and kind, for one can always walk away from the words of what is written if one chooses, and return when ready. In a way, they are the legacy of their author's thoughts, preserving ideas that would otherwise be as fleeting as the song of a bird. Yet with code, it was a mystery, the rare occasion when that which is written is to be kept secret and private. The intimacy of the cipher only to be shared with those of prior such knowledge, a knowledge which the Archon instantly now lusted over.

Tenebris looked up from his musings, as he turned his attention from the scroll to Shira, he raised his ink-stained talons on his right forepaw as he ran a thoughtful claw over his maw as he seemed to ponder the conundrum. "Now, this is certainly intriguing. We have a number of known ciphers which we have utilised over the years, some which are still used now by members of the Inquisition", Tenebris spoke softly as he seemed to think on his own words as he inclined his head to look once more upon the scroll. "Perhaps, such a document using this script has been deciphered before in our Archives. I will have my Steward check for such. Usually, though it is just a matter of comprehending the pattern. Do you have any thoughts on it thus far?"