After the events which led to the return of Pentharian, and the
cleansing of Him and Tarah of Slith's corruption, the Church abruptly
found itself without the guiding influence of the Holy Codex with which
it had lived for so long.

An announcement went out to Shallam and the Church, late in the day on
Valnuary 12th, that the coming of a new Codex was at hand. Early in the
morning on the 13th, the gods Pentharian, Lorielan, and Tarah would meet
at the Apse to bestow this divine gift.

Anticipation turned to concern as the set time passed and Tarah was
nowhere to be seen. Mortals found Her in the Northern Nave, Her eyes
full of terror as She stared north into the Apse. Her memories of the
last time She had entered that room were full of pain and darkness, and
She was frozen by Her fear. Lorielan and Pentharian, along with the
gathered mortals, spoke with Tarah to soothe Her and convince Her that
Her fears were for naught. Yet, naught would sway Her.

Then, a revelation emerged that surprised some there, though certainly not
all. Those who had witnessed the growing fondness between the two gods
since Pentharian's return smiled knowingly as, guided by Lorielan's
counsel, the God of Valour boldly declared His love for the Goddess of
Compassion and His intent to protect Her from all harm.

Caught in a storm of emotion and uncertainty, Tarah became speechless
and pale. Abruptly She fled from the overwhelming scene, Her form
disappearing into a silver line that shot into the morning sky.
Pentharian gave chase in kind, bursting into light and rising from the
city in pursuit of the distant silver streak with breathtaking speed.
The world was witness to the chase, the intricate dance of the two
star-like points of light, visible even in the daylight skies.

It didn't take long before the chase was over, and Pentharian's voice
thundered across the skies answered by the bright laughter of Tarah, no
longer afraid. The pair began to spiral slowly back down to the ground.
The descent ended at the Gates of the Basilica in a second burst of
light. As it faded, the pair became visible in a peaceful, joyous
embrace. Their eyes opened, and as Their gazes met, a tear spilled
across Tarah's cheek, which Pentharian caught in His palm. Tarah covered
His hand with Her own, and when She withdrew it, the tear had turned
into an amber teardrop upon a fine silver chain.

Her fears now banished, Tarah entered the Apse with Pentharian and
Lorielan. The three gods spread out within the Apse, forming an
inward-facing triangle. They raised Their joined hands high, eyes closed
and faces lifted upwards as motes of light shimmered into existence and
began to swirl gently about. A whirlpool of light began to form, its
brightest point at the nadir directly at the centre of the three. The
overall light level of the room increased, swept into this whirling
construction.

At last, no light was left but the condensed point in the middle of the
triangle of gods. They opened Their eyes, collectively focused on this
point, and slowly began to lower Their hands and faces, drawing down the
light with Their movement. It elongated vertically as it lowered. The
brightness began to fade back into the normal, ambient light of the
room, a leather book upon a pedestal of soft luminescence was left. The
Codex of Light, a collection by, or inspired by the wisdom and will of
the gods related to the realm of Good, was presented to the mortals in
triumph.


Penned by my hand on the 21st of Chronos, in the year 423 AF.