The Naga-Speakers[]
A pile of crumpled notes, in Noxian script.
Vaesus,
There is a meeting of the Naga-speakers on the second moon-- tell no-one.
--Jaal
Jaal,
I don’t know. Why hide this from the rest? A hidden desire isn’t the will of Nagakabouros
--Vaesus
Vaesus,
If there are many ways to Nagakabouros, why should we not take the fastest? Hichialun will be there--she’s a priestess, too. Just come to the meeting and listen.
--Jaal
Jaal,
You asked me how to speed your studies. What an interesting question! I can only presume your Noxian background leads you to value speed, rather than the quality of your learning. A Buhru student would know that Nagakabouros is not interested in how fast you grow in your worship of her. Only that you grow always, grow consistently, persevere and focus.
Each day you must rise and face some new obstacle. Today, you must climb the tall tree on the western cliff, then leap into the sea and swim across the harbor. Perhaps you will fail--then return to shore. Perhaps you fail the next day, too. So train every day, train for five moons in the shallows until you are strong enough. But swim--always swim!
I must warn you against the Naga’s coils. I know they seek to cheat Nagakabouros of your labors. They preach the sun, but show only its reflection in stagnant waters.
Swim well, my student.
Priestess Kamaalbaalthani
Vaesus Marcus,
Jaal asked me a similar question. I understand your worry that you Noxian converts are being tempted by the words of this... false prophet. The Naga knows nothing of our god--she may look like a serpent, but her methods are craven. Her strength is brittle, and her desires are hidden, not proudly shown to the world. How could you trust such a being?
I raised the matter with Hichialun. She assured me there was nothing to worry about. I am unsettled by her response, and by her insistence that Illaoi should not be bothered. I will send word to the Buhru of this false prophet, and seek Illaoi if I can find her. Until then, Hichialun has commanded me to stop teaching you and focus on my own studies.
Swim well, my student.
Priestess Kamaalbaalthani
A carving scratched in spidery writing on the bone handle of a broken knife.
“Vaesus. You say you do not know what to do?
Nagakabouros gave you a life. Live it!”
--Jaal
Vaesus Marcus,
I had hoped to find you before I left, but sadly, when you read this, I will have left the temple to find help. I fear Hichialun has been corrupted. The Naga’s influence here is greater than I thought. Flee the temple if you can!
It was an honor to teach you, my student. You do credit to the Noxian people. Foolishly, I had doubted Illaoi’s edict that we should teach foreigners such as yourself… I believed your kind too foolish to see the truth of Nagakabouros. Now, I see her righteous wisdom. She carried the truth, but it is you who revealed it to me. Beware the Naga!
Swim well, my student.
Priestess Kamaalbaalthani
Jaal,
I know you planned to kill me--I saw the flask in your bag. It smells like acid. Poisoning me would have been cowardice... but I forgive you for your weakness.
The wind is howling outside. I can see the mist on the shore. We will fight together against this Harrowing, and in the morning, when Illaoi has pushed it back, we will apologize and be friends again. To return to friendship is not stagnation now. We will be friends again, but we will not forget. We will change.
You will tell Illaoi what you have done, too. About the Naga. All will come clear. You will be tested for your weakness… and you will apologize to Priestess Kamaalbaalthani. I refused your knife, but I cannot imagine what you planned to do to her. But she would have beaten you! I know it. The Goddess has shown her worthiness time and time again.
--Vaesus