A General Announcement

[Athena Fire-in-Snow]

Echo is spreading the word throughout the Sept:

"I have successfully Challenged for the position of Ritemaster. Since our Grand Elder rightly frowns on a single person holding multiple major Sept positions, I will be opening the post of Keeper of the Land for Challenge. I know that multiple people are interested; I will therefore ask those of Adren rank or above who wish to Challenge for Keeper of the Land to notify me of this on or before the 23rd of this month. On the 23rd I will provide a competition Challenge to allow the best of the challengers to prevail. I would also ask those currently of Fostern rank who hope someday to hold this post to let me know before the 23rd, as I would like to utilize their services for this Challenge."

[Marks-The-Prey]

Words are whispered from the shadows and in waking dreams.

"Echo of the Falcon's Scream fears the challenges of her 'lessers'."

"Her own self-important idolization prevents her from seeing merit in those 'beneath her notice'."

"Echo wants to make it clear that she sees Cliath and Fostern as nothing but tools and toys for the Adren and above to play with."

"Maybe she does not deserve her position(s)? Perhaps her free leave to give terrible and ill-advised council lead her to this awful 'challenge'."

"One can not 'offer' something for challenge. We can ALWAYS challenge if we do so honorably. This METIS cares nothing for tradition!"

"Strip her of all that she loves, all of her pride. Let her shiver in the Winter and pray that someone take pity on her pathetic form and addled mind."

[Athena Fire-in-Snow]

Echo hears the words that reverberate as she wakes, and takes the time to turn them over in her mind. After careful analysis, she remains convinced of her path. Her mother always taught her that there would be those who will find fault in all things. Those words would doubtless be spoken, those and others. To each she had an answer, founded in tradition and tempered with patience. She was ready.