Over the course of several days, the Codex faded further. Finally, it
became entirely blank. Lorielan's observation was that the essence
within was unchanged; thus, while the loss of the words of the Codex was
widely felt as a blow, it was no catastrophe.

On the 9th of Sarapin, a weak amber flicker alerted Lorielan and Her
companions, Rho and Yin, that the Codex was changing yet again. Just as
the previous text had faded out, so now letters began to show on the
first page, slowly revealing themselves a bit at a time. As a crowd
gathered, letters began to become words, and words, phrases. Guesses and
speculation flew as pulses of amber signaled more efforts to reveal the
message. Finally, it was clearly visible:

A world without compassion
Is not a pleasant notion
But it is what you will know
If not for your swift motion

Listen now if secrets you seek
Myself, I am all but broken
But hope will never be denied
With these words as your token

Ready yourself for enlightenment
There is little time to waste
Bring My light-forged warrior home
Show him to the sundering place

The Gift of the Sun is light
Light dispels the darkness
Clouds of Flame obliterate it
His energy you must harness

Amongst the guesses was the correct answer - Nimbus, the firewolf. When
Tarah had joined Shallam, She and Mithraea, Goddess of the Sun and
then-patron of Shallam, had exchanged gifts. Mithraea's gift had been
one of Her three firewolf pups, with the intention that Tarah may use
him as a temple guardian. However, where was he to be found? All that
was known was that Tarah had sent him to a trainer that would teach the
pup his duty, years ago.

As some began to search the Concordian temple, along with some other
random places related to other guesses, Tarah's pet mynah bird, Raffles,
participated in his own way. Finally, however, spurred by continued
mention of Nimbus, Raffles mimicked a dog's bark. A short silence
followed this sound, then Rho started asking Raffles directly about
Nimbus. A curious look greeted this attention, then Raffles called out
in Tarah's voice, "Good puppy!"

Further questions directed at the bird seemed to trigger related
memories. When he recited a comment, in an unfamiliar voice, about
having plenty of room to run, guesses and speculation once again ran
high, and more search parties departed. The questioning continued.
Finally, Raffles spoke again, with a telling clue: an admonishment to
not chase buffalo. With that vital piece of information, a small rush to
the Dardanic Grasslands ensued.

The first to stumble upon the mysterious animal trainer was a youngster
named Agel. Within minutes, a sizable crowd gathered around the young
trainer, named Daveed, with questions about the firewolf. He was
reticent to answer the demands for information, until Itkovian arrived
and proved his connection to Tarah via his order ring. Without further
delay, Daveed sent a loud whistle out across the grasses, which was
answered by a distant barking and a bellow. Closely following a
harassed-looking buffalo, an adult russet firewolf made his entrance.

Confronted by a mass of strangers all trying to pet him at once, he
shrank back to Daveed's side. However, Daveed began making it clear to
Nimbus that it was time to go. Finally, the firewolf reached out a
curious nose towards the gentle Concordian Seelie, apparently finding
something soothing about this one person in the mob. While Daveed
discussed his possible future, expressing a love of training animals and
an interest in New Thera, Seelie and Nimbus formed the beginnings of a
bond.

Itkovian and Seelie set off, with Nimbus now following Seelie, searching
for the "sundering place". After a couple of dead ends, the entourage
ended up at the Northern Nave. There, with another group gathered,
Nimbus was encouraged to move into the Apse to the north, where lay the
body of Tarah. Nimbus was convinced to leap into the room. Shortly
thereafter, a couple of blasts of primal fire could be felt, then
observers noted that the black corruption no longer dominated the room,
and it was entered in safety.

Tarah's body was found to be still coated with the corruption, but it
was being held in check by enveloping flame from Nimbus, who crouched
close by Her side. Ideas flew fast and furious, as further action was
debated. Itkovian erected a new shrine, but was swift to dismantle it
when the stain upon the body surged against Nimbus' flames, causing him
to snarl.

Right upon the heels of this, a group of Mhaldorians, fresh from their
annual Sarapin Sacrifices, invaded via portal. The force, led by
Dyzanru, swiftly fell into battle with the defenders. The battle raged
for several minutes before the force finally escaped once more through a
portal, doing more damage in various parts of the Basilica before being
driven out.

When all began to calm down, many defenders went to the Apse to recover,
and some began to pay a lot of attention to Nimbus. Already nervous from
the attack, with so many people around distracting him, he became more
upset until he finally began to snap at people as they tried to pet him.
After Itkovian devined the problem, he requested everyone leave, and
things settled down. Concordians kept vigil at the body, and at the
Codex, while other defenders kept people out of the Apse.

When things calmed down, Itkovian considered things to try. At one
point, he grasped the hand of Tarah's body to try to show Nimbus what he
wanted done. Much to his surprise, the primal fire that Nimbus was using
to shield the body slew him. When Lorielan appeared a bit later, it was
found that She could not touch the body without the stain resurging anew
against Her.

Shortly thereafter, it was noticed that the Codex had gone blank yet
again. Tarah's body seemed to be protected, but it was apparent that Her
essence within the Codex was losing strength in Her attempts to
communicate what had to be done. The body could not be moved, and ideas
were running short.

Penned by my hand on the 15th of Scarlatan, in the year 422 AF.