The Calm Before The Storm
The Calm Before The Storm
| In-universe date | Era Nova, September–October, Year 7 |
| Real-world date | 2026-10-30 |
| Author | Percival van der Berg |
| Category Type | Character News |
After a lengthy journey north, we finally arrived in Kheta-Kedet with both teams and their accompanying equipment. Upon reaching the City of New Kedet, we were directed towards a designated construction area, where we began establishing a temporary worksite. Supplies were unloaded, equipment arranged, and a suitable space prepared to serve as our base for the upcoming operations.
Once everything was sufficiently organised, I called upon Hendrick Vosmeer and Theodoor van Rijn to accompany me to meet Semet. I explained the responsibilities entrusted to each of them: Hendrick's frontier team would lead the way, explore the lands beyond the portals, and secure a safe route, while Theodoor's researchers would follow behind, documenting their surroundings and collecting materials and specimens for further study.
Semet seemed pleased with the arrangements and appreciative of the additional support our teams could provide. She also appeared glad that I had respected her earlier request not to venture through the portal myself. We spent some time discussing the coordination between our forces, the responsibilities of each team, and the precautions required before proceeding. Once our plans were sufficiently outlined, we parted ways to complete the remaining preparations.
With my duties for the day largely settled, I found myself contemplating what awaited us. We were preparing to enter a place of which we knew next to nothing, and the dangers that might accompany such an undertaking were hardly worth overlooking. I could only hope that our preparations would prove sufficient and that everyone would return safely.
Perhaps wishing to take my mind off these concerns, I wandered towards the Kedeti market. While browsing the various stalls, I found myself asking several merchants what one might purchase to express affection for another. Their suggestions included Kedeti chocolate, ornate jewellery carrying particular meanings, and even a stroll along the **Mistra-Itrw**, the Kedeti River, preferably during sunrise or sunset. The last suggestion struck me as particularly appealing.
After some consideration, I purchased a sizeable portion of Kedeti chocolate alongside two pieces of jewellery. The first was a finely crafted bracelet bearing a ruby shaped into the symbol of **Ib**, representing love. The second was an ornate gold necklace adorned with diamonds, its sapphire pendant shaped like the **Ankh**, a symbol of life. The merchant explained that gifting one could also serve as a wish for someone's long and prosperous life. I found both meanings rather fitting and was quite pleased with my choices.
By early evening, I had made my way towards the pyramid where the portal stood. Semet was nearby, occupied with several of her subordinates and coordinating the preparations. I remained at a distance for a little while, waiting until she had finished attending to her duties before approaching. Raising my hand in greeting, I was met with a wave of her own.
I was just about to speak when I hesitated, briefly reconsidering the words I had intended to say. For once, I seemed rather less certain of myself than I would have liked. She tilted her head slightly, noticing my unusual silence.
"Percival? Is something the matter?"
I paused for another moment before gathering myself and offering her a gentle smile.
"Would you care to take a little walk with me this evening, *Liefde*?"