Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer


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Part 11: The time of the Gatherer

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Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Outside the building the wind starts to pick up, shifting to the north. The sand starts to drift, driven by the stronger wind into a sleet of stinging particles...

Inside, there comes a musical trilling from the space beneath the floor, dozens, perhaps hundreds of voices calling out in the strange tongue of the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an...

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus slips past Jack into the building, his ears flattened against his head, eyes narrowed to slits to shield them against the wind and sand. Once through the entrance, the panther's form blurs once again, quickly morphing into Lazarus' human shape. If Jack hasn't yet made it into the shelter of the building, Lazarus steps forward, grabs the man by his shirt and hauls him into the building, dumping him unceremoniously on the floor.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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From somewhere off on the northern horizon, there comes a faint noise, almost like the sound of a herd of galloping horses, but not quite. It gets louder as the seconds pass, although still barely more than a whisper.

Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an seems nervous as it tries to hurry the group towards the opening to the lower regions of the building. As the group approaches the entrance to the basement (or dungeon?), a party of twenty or so of the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an appear from below, armed with staves and driving perhaps one hundred creatures which are similar to themselves in appearance, but slightly taller and much broader, and dressed only in simple kilts.
The lumbering giants shuffle towards the exit from the building, driven by occasional prods from their herders.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali's eyes widen at Jack's sudden pain, and she acts without thinking. She sheathes her sword, even as her other hand wraps securely around Jack, muscles shifting to lend her extra strength. With her blade secured, Kali's other arm wraps around Jack's midsection and she drags him inside after the others. She then helps him to his feet to see if he is able to stand and move on his own, while her sharp eyes settle on Lazarus, now in human form.

"Should we follow them?" she asks the Chaos Lord while straigtening Jack. "Are you able to move on your own?" she asks himi gently, not wanting to cause him more pain.

Then she realizes that Hunter is not there.

The thought hits her like a punch and Kali jumps, her eyes wide in a mix of panic and fear as she mentally calls to the wolf, seeking his location and asking to return to her side.

She waits long seconds for a reply...

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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OOC: Not certain what to do with everyone grabbing at him so I’ll just play it by ear.

Jack only leaned on Kali for brief seconds before he had his footing solid again and no longer needed her help. “What ever it is it’s giving me a massive head ache and when I tried to feel it’s mind I was hit by a wave of my own physical pain. “ He was still rubbing his temples as he tried to shut whatever it is out of his mind.

Though he is still aware enough to tell something is wrong with Kali, he looks at her and says “What’s the matter love?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan stares with disgust at the lumbering giants. Nutritional caste, no doubt. She turns at Jack's question and regards Kalika curiously...then pauses. Something is definitely missing....

It hits like a bolt of lightning, and Cyan's ruby eyes widen.

"Hunter!" she gasps. "Where is he?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Hunter!?!” Jack said and dropped his mental defenses back down despite the pain. Jack reached out taking Kali’s hand and added his mental strength to hers so she could more easily find the great wolf.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus's eyes narrow as he realizes the wolf is still outside. "Look," he growls at the companions, "we don't know what we're dealing with here, and we don't have time to be upset. Kali is best equipped to find Hunter and I can get him back here quickly with the Logrus."

He turns his gaze to Jack, "if searching by whatever means you have is going to render you useless, its best not to try. Kali's bond will find him and between the two of us, we'll get him back safe. Go find shelter."

Turning back to the exit, he extends one hand palm outwards, his eyes focussing on something beyond the doorway and the howling winds.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Berd! Can you...?"

The little Dragon is on his feet on Cyan's shoulder. He stares expressionlessly out into the growing storm. The glittering eyes begin to shine more brightly.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“I don’t know if it will or not.” Jack says evenly, still combining his mental strength with Kali’s allowing her to make best use of his mind. “I have been getting an intensifying head ache the closer that thing gets and when I reached out to feel it, it made me physically ill. I hate to admit it but yes if I were to go out there and help you, I would fear that I might slow you down.” The look on his face when he says that is pure frustration. “Yet as long as Kali seeks him mentally I can probably use my own mind as raw power to strengthen her connection to Hunter allowing her to find him more readily.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali doesn't respond as the others as she concentrates on locating Hunter. She feels him, knows that he's there. When Jack links up with her he can feel the icy fear that has gripped her, that she is barely able to keep at bay. She was in contact with the wolf, he was outside. He had followed Lazarus, but then wandered off to explore the new place on his own. With Jack's help she got a picture... The living buildings of the people of this land. Apparently he had meandered off on an exploring expedition and was working on backtracking back to them.

Kali feared he would not make it and Lazarus's words echoed in her ears.

She looked up at Jack with somber eyes. "I have to go to him" there is no room for argument. "Take care... I will be back soon" her eyes soften for a moment as she looks at Jack, and her love for him flows through their still linked minds. She reaches up and kisses him lightly on the lips and then breaks the contact and the link.

"You don't have to come, but if you will let us go" Kali addresses Lazarus with a small smile on her lips. These Chaos Lords never ceased to amaze her.

Then the world shifted. She was flowing, her bones and skin melting and bending, reforming themselves until a petite entirely silver wolf sat where Kali once stod. Intelligent yellow eyes lock with Jack's, and with a glance to Lazarus she is gone.

Once outside Kali will hunt for Hunter's scent and then follow it with all of the speed she can muster. She plans on reaching the wolf and then helping him find his way back to the building, pushing both of them to move with as much speed they can muster.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"If she had have allowed me to make a Palanquet!" Cyan cries in frustration, then shakes her head. Nothing can be done, there. Best leave it!

"Jack, step back from the door," she says loudly enough to be heard over the storm. "My clothing will protect me." On her shoulder, Berd has risen up, hissing in warning, back arched. "We have to keep the door open for them, Gatherer or not! They will attempt to return here - it is, apparantly, the only safe place!"

Kirilindë slides free of its wooden sheath and glimmers as she grips the doorframe with her other hand. The colour along the edge ripples through the rainbow, but Cyan's eyes are nothing but diamond.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Before the link was broken Kali could feel the same icy fear in Jack for her that she felt for Hunter, but he knew he could not help. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

“please return her safely.” Jacks whisper is lost in the wind after she is gone, his shoulders slump and he seems to shrink in on himself. When Cyan tells him to move back, his head snaps up and she is rewarded with a almost savage snarl for her kindness and concern. “The devil I will! I’ll not retreat while she’s out in this, may the sands strip the flesh from my bones!” His fist lashes out connecting solidly with the wall, leaving small cracks in the stone.

Jack starts to pace ignoring the sting of the pelting sand on his face, ignoring the building headache that signals the coming of the Gatherer. His face a mask of smoldering anger, he paces. Anger at himself for not being any help when push came to shove. Anger at himself, for not knowing who he himself is, for know having the memory, the knowledge, the skills or the ability to help.
He paced, cloak and pant leg flapping in the winds, but he did not feel them. The torrent that raged within him was much stronger and more painful than that on the out side. Every fiber of his being was focused on this and thrumed with total desire to find the Other or anything he could do, so he just might be able to help his love.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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A small frown grows on Lazarus's face as he concentrates on the door. With a grunt, he snaps his extended hand shut and refocuses on Kali. "Let's do it." Inhaling deeply, he closes his eyes and his form melts back into that of the panther. Panting with the exertion of the change, the dark cat tears off.

I'll have to keep close to her - don't want to lose her in this sandstorm...

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Narrowing her eyes, Cyan opens her mouth...then shuts it, just as quickly. Quietly, she steps back from Jack, giving him some room to pace, and continues to watch the open door with diamond eyes.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares looks to their host. "Why are these people being driven outside, into danger?" He thinks he already knows the answer, but wants to confirm it.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Turning to face Ares, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an replies, "Nutritional caste are they, the Gatherer to appease."

Outside, the distant sound now includes something that is reminiscent of the noise of bacon frying, a crackling, popping, sizzling noise mixed in with the hoofbeat-like rumble.
Lightning flickers along the northern horizon, lightning in a clear sky...

Kalika Wolfblade races across the dark sand, a silvery shadow moving almost too swiftly to see clearly. Desperately her mind calls out to Hunter, frantic in her effort to find him. Beside her another shadow flows across the land, this one as dark as the sand itself. Lazarus, his eyes closed to mere slits against the blowing sand.
If the wind gets much stronger then they may be forced to find shelter.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali races across the sands after Hunter, caught in the the throes of her bond to the large wolf. Her mind calls to him frantically and she ignores the particles of sand, transformed into tiny pinpricks of pain by the strong wind. She sees Hunter and she locks on, renewed strength carrying her towards the wolf. But something was wrong. Instead of bounding towards her, Hunter was heading away!! Her minds screams at him, pulling on the bond between him, that which bond them as malai. She pulled with all of her strength, mentally recalling her bonded to her side. She had never pulled before and she didn't know what would happen, but she was desperate.

As she pulls a sharp howl tears from her throat, verbally pleading with the alpha male to return to her and safety as well as mentally.

Despite the sharp winds, she would not be deterred in her mission. With no thought for her own safety, she continues chasing Hunter, oblivious to her surroundings, all energy focused on one task. A task she could not fail.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack stopped pacing and drew his sword, looking towards the source of the sounds. His eyes squinting against the sand and the wind, his face reddened by the same. He reached out with his mind, searching for Kali, for a sign she was still alright.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Jack reaches out, and a howl sounds faintly in the distance, the unmistakable sound of a wolf, almost blotted out by the wind and the sounds from the north. Suddenly the man stiffens and falls to the ground where he lays twitching and spasming.

Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an lays a hand on Ares' arm and speaks in urgent tones "Inside they must come. Madness outside is."

Berd sits upon Cyan's shoulder, claws gripping tightly in the face of the wind which is rapidly approaching gale force. His face is pressed against her cheek, and she can feel the tension in his muscles.

Kalika's heart pounds in her chest as she runs, part exertion and part fear for Hunter. She feels Jack brush against her mind, but then he seems to be snatched away as if something hit him...
Lazarus continues to run with her, assuming that she knows how to find her lupine partner.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"It is no storm that approaches," Cyan whispers, reaching down and pulling Jack away from the door. She whips out her palanquet set, and pulls out one of a red-haired woman, seated on a rock beside a small pool, under the stars. She is playing a harp, and a long sword is placed propped against her granite seat. A tiny dragon can be seen peering out from the rock behind her, into the pool, where the stars shine.

"Ares!" The card is slapped into his hand. "Shut the door when I leave! I assume you know how to use this? Do so! Keep trying - I will answer the call when I find the others! Berd - assist him, if necessary!"

Berd hops to Ares' shoulder and begins to add his weakened strength to that of Ares, should the man agree.

But Cyan has already hefted her blade, and plunged out into the 'storm'. Screaming the names of her companions, and Hunter's, with her trained voice, she pushes her way through the howling wind, shielding her face with her spare hand, hunting for her friend.

Have to find them...might be their only chance!

The palanquet will allow her passage to the tower...fates permitting.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack fights against the visions and madness where Cyan dropped him, fighting to get his mental defenses back up and in place as his body lays twitching on the floor.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali feels Jack's touch, but before she can respond he is batted away, her wind refocuses. She can't afford to lose her focus when she was so close. Hunter's steps falter and she lets out another piercing howl, pleading for him to stop and return, images flash in her head and she forces them through the bond that connects them, forcing them into his mind as she continues to pull with all her might. Her head is pounding, her muscles burning, and her eyes gritty with sand, but she will not give up on her bonded.

The images are shared memories of theirs... when Hunter first found her and they bonded, the first time she changed completely, their adventures... memories of them and her always doing what was right for him and protecting him like she was desperately trying to do right now.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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The nutritional caste members are driven outside, and their herdsmen leave them and retreat inside. The creatures seem to be highly unintelligent, since they just stand still, looking about, jaws hanging slack. Most have raised a hand to shield their eyes against the unaccustomed "brightness" of the dim sun and the sting of blowing sand.

Inside Jack lays on the floor, twisting and writhing in an attempt to defend himself from whatever is attacking him. Ares and Berd watch over him, worried.

Ares looks up at a strange sound and sees that the tower entrance is shrinking, closing from all directions at once as the walls and floor stretch to seal the gap...

Cyan moves quickly across the sand, eyes closed, relying on her excellent hearing to track the wolves by the sound of their howling alone. The awful sound from the north feels as if it is pressing down on her shoulders now, pushing her down to the sand. Somehow she keeps going, feeling that she must be close.

Kalika hears an answering howl from Hunter, but still the big wolf hesitates, not returning to his bond-partner.

Lazarus follows the silver wolf, but something makes him halt for a moment and turn to face the north, peering through slitted eyes at the source of the strange noise. A range of mountains is rising there, from the previously unbroken desert, or possibly a mass of storm clouds. Only one thing spoils the effect; neither mountains nor clouds possess thousands of gnashing, shrieking, chattering mouths...

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares watches as the door shrinks, his frown deepening. If Cyan cannot find the others then she may be the only one who gets back inside. "I don't like the look of this." He searches about for their host, yelling, "Can you leave the door open until our friends return?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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The images from Hunter hits Kali like a blow and she only continues on by the sheer force of her will alone.

She responds with images of her own, not noticing that the dark shadow of Lazarus's panther form is no longer pacing her. All the while closing on her bond-mate, getting closer and closer. Another pleading howl rips free from her throat.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Gritting her teeth, Cyan pushes forward through the storm. Something whips by, slicing along her cheek, and she shrugs it away. I know, she returns silently, wondering why she isn't feeling any contact from Ares. That IS why I gave him the card, remember?

Her diamond eyes peer out from between her gloved fingers. "Close," she whispers, not even parting her lips fully and still, STILL tasting sand. Listening, she forces her way through the storm, slipping Kirilindë back into its scabbard.

What...is...that...sound?

"KALLIKA! HUNTER! LAZARUS!"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Something flickers through the air, a rainbow dance in the diminishing winds.

Berd lands on Ares shoulder. His tail slowly reaches out and the tip of it gently taps the card in Ares' hand.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Pacing along behind Kali, Lazarus notices the rising mountains even through the howling winds and sands. Then the chittering sounds of thousands of gnashing teeth pierce through shrieking wind.

Locusts! It has to be. Millions of them - and from the looks of this place, probably with fewer scruples when it comes to food. It's too late to call up anything useful with the logrus either. Damn. This would be really interesting if I weren't about to be bug bait.

A small pebble driven by the force of the winds slices across his dark snout, drawing a line of blood and reminding Lazarus of where he is. Blinking in surprise, he quickly realizes that he had stopped.

Dammit! Where'd Kali go?

Peering off in the direction Kali had been heading, he realizes that she's gotten significantly ahead of him.

I'm gonna need more speed than this.

The dark cat's form blurs once again, legs lengthening a bit and its fur lightening a bit except for a few dark spots, the panther form replaced by that of a cheetah. Having completed the change, Lazarus tears off after the wolf, his churning legs throwing great plumes of sand in the air.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Berd flies to Ares, tapping the card that he holds in his hand. Ares though watches as Jack shrieks in pain, writhing in agony, his back arching so far that it looks almost about to snap.

The door closes fully, and Jack relaxes, and there is suddenly another man there with him, appearing out of thin air to sprawl on the floor!

Outside, Kali finds Hunter at last, and moments later Lazarus joins them in his newer, faster form. The trio turn, heading back through the howling blasts of sand. Ahead of them a shape stumbles through the orange-lit gloom, coming closer.
Cyan.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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With a loud moan of anguish Jack flails scrambling for his sword, his eyes are not quite focussed on anything as of yet. He finds himself calling her name calling her name even though he does not yet realise where or even who he is. “Kali!8221;

Not that he knows who he is anyway. . .

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Having finally swayed Hunter, relief floods through Kali and she suddenly feels every ache of her muscles, ever cut in her flesh. She nuzzles the alpha male, relieved that he is still alive. Then she realizes she is panting hard and has to summon the strength to make it back. She looks at Lazarus, yellow eyes slitted and crusted with grit. She nods her lupine head in one quick motion and begins to lope back towards the buildings, hoping against hope that they make it there in time and that her strength doesn't give out.

when the shape comes into view Kali readies herself to leap onto it, ready to savagely rip out its throat. It was the only way to quickly dispatch of the threat so they could keep going on. Muscles bunched for hte leap, Kali realizes through the fog that has settled over her mind that the form is Cyan, and instead of attacking Kali moves past her, and then turns and takes a mouthful of the woman's pant leg (and sand) and tugs her in the direction of their shelter with an irritated growl.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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(NPC'd)

Ares ignores the stranger, and Jack, who seems to be calming now, and he turns his attention to the Trump. Concentrating on it with all the will he can muster. "Come on, Cyan," he mutters, "be there."
He almost sighs with relief when he feels the card growing cold beneath his fingers, a sign that contact is occurring.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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(Alright, here goes. I'm going out on a limb this time, gang...)

***

For a moment, everything flickers, then Aaron opens his eyes to his new surroundings.

"I feel I've fell into a whole lot of trouble."

Aaron found himself laying next to the stranger he had seen in the tunnel only moments before, and then notices the sheer agony that the man is in. Somehow, he didn't just see it, but he felt it in his head. Like the distant "thud" of a thunderclap, only repeated like the rumble of a drum.

Not knowing why or how he was doing it, the man scrambled to his knees and grasped the stranger (obviously Jack, though Aaron doesn't know it) by the sides of his head with both hands. He knew it was very dangerous, with that sword so close, and this man so obviously disturbed, but he felt it was the only choice. He was here for a reason, and if saving this one man by sacrificing himself was that reason, well...

Closing his eyes, tuning out everything else within the room, he focused as he once did long ago, and turned his thoughts into the point of a lance, moving slowly into the stranger's mind. He kept his mental defenses up, and always within the back of his mind, picturing that familiar shape; he was ready to throw his full concentration into it at a moment's notice.

And as he held the man's head in both his hands, he sought out the chaos within this stranger's mind. Slowly, very very carefully, he sent an image into the man's mind. A helping hand, reaching out to lift him up... then, a familiar face.. the face of a woman. She was unfamiliar to Aaron, but he had a feeling the stranger would know who she was.

He let those images linger within the stranger's mind, hoping somehow, he would recognize the woman's face.

His first action in this place, would be to help the man who had shown him the first Hidden Path...

My friend... who are you?

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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As Aaron he reached for Jack , Jack brought up the sword point up dancing a lazy dance between them. Less of a threat more of a warning for Aaron to keep his distance. Jacks deep blue eyes gaining sharp lucidity. “You are Aaron, yes? I am Jack.” He looked guarded for the moment with a thin smile.

If this worked to keep the other man from touching him Jack suddenly looked at the sword, grinned Sheepishly and said “I must apologize, it has been a trying experience.” Then rolls to his feet and extends his hand to the other man for a handshake.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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As Lazarus recognizes the form of Cyan through the gloom, he looks over his shoulder to check on the progress of the oncoming wave of teeth and claws.

What is she doing?! Someone needs to find that woman a book on military strategy and acceptable risks...

"Is the door still open?" shouts Lazarus, trying to make his voice heard above the gibbering mouths and howling winds, slowing his pace to match that of Kali and Cyan's.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares focuses on the palinquet, feeling Berd giving his push against the card extra impetus in an effort to reach the bard. "Cyan," he mutters, "answer dammit!"
He glances at Jack, "Jack, give me your hand. Help me push this contact through."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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"Excuse me." Jack said to Aaron and ran over to Ares as quick as he could grabbing the other mans hand and pouring all of his psychic strength, focus and energy into Ares and the Image of Cyan. His mind reaches out to the image and simply demands “Cyan!” Leaving no room to be ignored. Everything he has he focuses on thes one call, either she will answer or she will have a headache!

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Before Aaron could get a good enough mental hold on Jack, he felt the man defending against him, which wasn't much of a surprise. It seemed that Jack was regaining his compsure now as well, so Aaron left his recovery up to him.

Jack introduced himself, and Aaron didn't have any time to respond befor he ran off to assist the other man within the room. That man also appeared to have a dragon on his shoulder. Aaron raised an eyebrow at that.

Rising to his feet, he watched the two men, and recognized what they were focusing their attention on. He had seen similar cards in his past... and had owned one at one time. He knew it for what it was, and also could seem to understand why they were so intent on it.

Though he held his tongue, he had a feeling that he could get through to the person they were trying to contact. If those two men didn't do it right now, he was going to join in, like it or not.

He examined the room they were in. They were apparently sealed off from any outside contact, though in the back of his mind he felt that same mental reverberation he had felt from Jack, or something similar to it. There must have been a serious storm going on outside, for that above all else was what he heard the most.

Aaron adjusted the sword strapped to his back, and kept his attention on the other two men... and one dragon.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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OOC - Okay, already! :)

IC -

Seeing the others close in on her, Cyan drops to her knees. She opens contact to Ares at the same time she reaches out for all of them, even Kalika, who is trying to pull at her pantleg.

It would be amusing if the situation weren't so cursed deadly.

Not one, but THREE-in-one! Men. So cursed impatient, in all things. Eye still shining like diamonds, she opens her arms to those she is with. "COME CLOSE!" she screams over the wind, her voice raw with the fear of what she has felt. I will not die like that! "I WILL TAKE YOU BACK!"

When they move closely enough, she folds her arms around all three in a quick motion, then opens a hand for Ares/Jack/Berd. "ARES!"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Cyan pulls Kali close, and Lazarus and Hunter. She reaches out through the storm, mentally shrieking Ares' name. She notes a slight lag in the contact, as if something was obstructing it, interfering...
The storm rises in intensity, black sand burning against her skin, a larger piece of gravel hits her and she can feel wetness on her cheek... blood.
Through watering eyes she sees members of the nutritional caste running past her in a panic, and under her feet the ground trembles beneath massive footfalls. Something dark and incomprehensibly large looms out of the storm, and somehow she knows that, even though it fills half the sky, it is still miles away.
The wind howls, and the chattering of teeth almost drives her mind over the edge into madness. In that moment she realises that the vast shape, dimly glimpsed through the storm, is a single individual.
A hand grasps hers. Kalika? Lazarus?

...

The silence, the sudden stillness, is a shock, and for a moment she believes herself dead, until Berd appears, hovering in front of her nose, and trills a query at her.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Dear gods," Cyan whispers, slowly releasing the creatures in her arms. She has fur on her nose, and sneezes, once, explosively.
The sight will be burned into her mind for the rest of her life, however long that may be. The enormous, cthonic entity, treading across the sky. The mouthes.

A shudder, and she closes her eyes, briefly, as she did not before when it bore down upon her.

Somehow her mind manages to hang onto the edge of sanity. Despite years of travelling the many worlds, she has never, never....

Eyelids snap open on wild, obsidian eyes. "Fine! We're all fine." Berd narrows his own, glittering orbs as she bursts into hysterical laughter, then clamps her jaws shut, eyes shut hard for a moment.

When they open again, their topaz gaze has steadied. Enough.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Note to self - get a pack of trumps. Those things are useful.

Reappearing in the stone structure, Lazarus shakes furiously, showering the room with black sand. Tredding slowly over to Hunter, his orange, nearly pupil-less eyes half-lidded, he smacks the big wolf lightly on the nose with one paw. "And here I thought you were the rational one in the group," he says as he sits down, tail curling around his haunches, a small smile playing on his feline features.

Looking around the room to make certain that the others are ok, his eyes come to rest on the stranger. "Someone please tell me that the new guy is not another amnesiac."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Hunter
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Hunter is about the shake the sound off of himself as well, but then is smacked soundly on the snout by Lazarus, the large wolf head snaps around to regard him dangerously, like a predator looking at its prey, but the look melts away at Lazarus's words. A lupine glower overtakes the wolf's demeanor and a quick jerk of his nose indicates Kali and Jack, a not pleased but tolerating grumble rising in his chest. With a snuff, he then shakes the black sand off of himself, the shower of black mostly landing on the cheetah Lazarus. Now the grumble is more of a chuckle and one yellow eye winks at the Chaos Lord, mouth breaking into a toothy grin.

Hunter then goes to Kali's side and licks her ear consolingly.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali burst through the portal with Cyan, Lazarus, and Hunter. Her sleek silver wolf form lands on all fours. She raises her cowed head, the shining silver of her fur dulled by the black sand that coats her body. Yellow eyes meet with startling blue ones and the petite wolf takes a shaking step forward. Her body aches, she had poured everything she had into that race against the storm and she had not been at full strength from the begining. Her lips raise in what was going to be a smile, but then she sways on her paws and then crumples into a heap. The exertion of the day has finally caught up with her, and she has passed out.

Hunter pads silently to her side and licks her eyes with a small whine and then settles down to watch over her prone form. He especially keeps his eyes on the stranger.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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"It seems to me," Aaron begins, opening a hole within their cameraderie.

"...that you all are in quite an interesting situation at the moment."

Dark eyes gazing once again about the room, he settles them upon the group, keeping himself seperate from them by a few feet at least. His tan, bare arms are crossed over his chest; his dark, slightly curly hair is more than a bit mussed from the previous commotion.

He raises an eyebrow at Lazarus' declaration, and shakes his head, a half-smile already on his face.

"No, I'm far from an amnesiac. Allow me to introduce myself."

Sweeping his arms out infront of him, palms up, he bows slightly to the group, at least to those who were awake.

The man seems young, in his early to mid twenties, but as he gazes up at them from that small bow, his brown eyes look quite deep and very intent. It's as if he's taking in every detail of their little group, filing it into the back of his head.

"I am Aaron, a Seeker of Hidden Paths. It is apparent that I've found one. Though where it will lead me, I am unsure." He rights himself once again, and adjusts the cloak hanging off of his back. He doesn't expect them to accept him right off the bat, but he's willing to bet they need all the help they can get.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Lali!” Jack says softly yet with intensity dropping to her side as she falls. He eyes the Alpha male Hunter, “Please, will you trust me to help care for her Hunter?” He ask as he pulls his sleeping bag from his pack and gently lifts her onto it. Then he take his Dagger and cuts away his torn pant leg, again cutting it in two. Pulling his water skin from his pack he pours it over half the pant leg and begins to clean her. Tenderly caring for her wounds.
“Cyan, Lazarus. . . It is good to have you back safely, I was concerned for you all. “ His face shows concerned worry and he works on Kali, his eyes seek Hunters. “Cyan, I have little worth anything, yet almost anything I have I will gladly give to you if you can quickly make a Palanquet of me that I may have.” Still not taking his blue eyes off Hunter Jack asks “Hunter, what happened? Is this because of me?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Hunter
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Hunter steps aside and allows Jack to tend to Kali, but stays near her side, hovering over his bonded much like a mother hen.

He looks up sharply at Jack and holds his gaze steadily.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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A sigh issues from Lazarus as he is once again covered with sand, "And people wonder why I'm a cat person." Shaking his coat once again, he dislodges as much of the dust and sand as he can, and pads over to where Jack is crouched by Kali's supine form.

"Jack, I wouldn't worry too much. She's exhausted - shifting shape takes energy, so does communicating with Hunter, and fencing with you. Between that and her fear, she's just worn out," as he finishes, he closes his eyes and allows his form to resume its natural shape, appearing sitting down, legs folded underneath him, next to Kali's bondmate. Lazarus' face is a bit pale beneath his usual tanned complexion and the dust of desert outside. A few small, already healing, scrapes line his face.

Grunting a bit as he gets up, he peers at the new-comer, and runs a hand through grit laden hair.

"Interesting, is an understatement Aaron," he says, extending his hand, "I'm Lazarus. And don't tell me you're into that Zen-Buddhist bunk, mr. Path Seeker."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack Looked at the Male wolf and He continued to treat Kali’s Gray lupine form. “Sorry, big guy. I don’t understand. I guess I’m a slow cub.” Well try again in a bit. Still letting his hands work on her gently, his eyes turn towards Aaron.

“Just what hidden way did you find and how did you find it?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Hunter
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Hunter dips his head once at Jack, clearly not surprised, and then lowers his head to sniff Kali's form, and gives her another gentle lick before settling down with a sigh. Her breathing was even and deep and the large wolf figured she wouldn't be getting up any time soon.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron sat down, finding himself more than a bit tired as the adrenaline surge wore off. He was surprised at himself at how excited he had become.

Chuckling at Lazarus, he shook his head again. In response, he also answered Jack's question.

"Within this wide and quite infinite universe are a great many pathways and roads, all leading to one place or another, but all of them ultimately terminating to a single home. I believe we've all heard the saying at one point or another, of where all roads lead."

His right hand moved about, indicating their current surroundings.

"You all have been led here down a singular pathway, ultimately meeting up with eachother. I have no idea where you have been previously, but all the places you have been to have forced you to come to where you are today: in the company of myself.

"Once, long ago, a person told my fortune. This person informed me that I would be changed, and in turn, change others. I have no idea what my purpose is, but I intend to do whatever I can to accomplish something with myself. I seek the paths that are normally hidden from view by most people. When I first ran into Jack, I'm quite sure I hit a road that I had no intention of discovering. After all, how do you think I suddenly appeared next to him?"

Aaron shook his head, realizing he was rambling on. Leaning back on the palms of his hands, he eyed the others.

"Tell me, how did you all get here? Why are you in this predicament in the first place?"

"And why am I here?" he thought to himself.

***
(Damn, I'm wordy. >P)

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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The one who has called himself Jack sits before you, tenderly ministering aid to an unconscious seek gray wolf that a large black wolf also seems concerned with. It is surprising the difference a day can make in a man and the contrast between the Jack most of you met and the one before you is stark.
Jacks hair is windblown and wild, and a couple of days stubble adorn his chin. His face is reddened and lips cracked from his brief unprotected exposure to the elements. Bruises show on him from his lesson in sword play today, but they could be much worse if she had wanted. The hands that clean and comfort the gray wolf are openly weeping from broken blisters. They have even started to chap and lightly bleed where the grit, wind and his ignoring them have dried the mistreated hands.
Slowly he seems to be whittling away at his attire as he cuts strips away from his shirt cleans them and bandages any needed places on the gray wolf. His muscles still seem to tremble from his own private ordeal of the Gatherer. Gone are the strong smiles and knowing smirks, his smiles are now weak and the smirks strained. Over all Jack probably looks like he could apply for the job of a mad hermit right now.

Jacks blue eyes watch the new comer Aaron, studying him and he hums a calming lullaby to the resting Kali. Though his eyes are bloodshot and he looks tired, there is something strong and resolute in them. “Then where are you going when you are going away from that place?” Jack asks hesitates for a moment “So is it free will or fate that controls you Aaron?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan slowly relaxes, having slipped back out of the center of the group. Jack looks as though he's fully capable of taking care of Kalika - she gives him a quick nod at the request. "No..." she tries, then coughs. "Nothing will be necessary, Jack," she manages this time, slowly forcing the words through a raw throat. Singing, she can do for hours. Screaming in a sandstorm...that's a different matter.

Quietly she settles back on her feet, nodding politely to Aaron as he makes his introductions. "Cyan," she murmurs, uncharacteristically reserved. The memory of what she saw is still screaming in her mind, warning her that, despite the stone walls around them, IT is still out there.

Berd huddles on her shoulder, humming softly. It's a wordless song, and she gradually falls into the rhythm, listening to the conversation of those around her.

Pausing, she considers Aaron's words, and offers up an explanation of her own, counterpoint to Jack's question.

"I have not been led, save by my own desires. I am here because I choose to be," are her carefully considered thoughts in reply. In the company of himself. Quite an impressive sense of self this one has, she thinks waspishly. Cyan certainly isn't at her best, and Berd sharpens his humming to compensate.

Eventually, she begins to relax again.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Cyan,” Jack says softly looking over at the bard from Aaron. “I have snapped at you twice now. For this I am sorry, I was unjust in both instances and it was unbecoming of me. You kindness and favor is undeserved, I am in your debt and shall someday repay it.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan taps her lips with her finger for a moment. She considers Jack's comment. "You have kept count?" she asks finally, staring up at him with sapphire eyes. "The one at the door was understandable, Jack, and I fear I cannot recall the other...but I am certain there would have been a good reason. I would accept your apology, if you insist, but I do not see the need. As for debts...."

Cocking her head to the side, she surveys the tired, battered man. "I will not be so churlish to disregard your gift of a debt owed - it is no small thing, and you honour me by the offering. But I do not see a need for it here - we are all, of course, in this quest together, and I feel no need to hold debts against those I consider to be friends. Nor can I consider it a debt to save a life, or to offer assistance of which I am capable." A smile touches her abraded lips for a moment, and she winces as the expression pulls the skin of her sand-blown face. "See to Kalika," she says softly, leaning back against the wall. "We will discuss this anon."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack nods at the bards words, “As you wish.” And he falls quiet and concentrates on caring for and comforting Kali as best he can.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus follows the exchange between Cyan and Jack silently. He sighs, "Well, I think I'll leave the discussion of debts and the intricacies of free will to you all. I'm going to talk to Veldoma and his people about the Gatherer." He takes a few shaky steps towards the stairs leading down and frowns. Taking a deep breath he walks more confidently to the stairs.

"Oh, by the way," he calls over his shoulder as he descends, "Veldoma confirmed that it was Cylla who stopped here before us. And just for the heck of it, I asked him to draw a picture of her for us - seeing how some of us haven't seen her before."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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As Lazarus turns away from his companions, the whole tower rings like a vast bell and all of the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an present fall to their knees, heads bowed to almost touch the floor. Again the sound, deafening, as though somebody has slammed the gates of Hell, and the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an start singing in unison, counterpointing the sound of something huge slamming against the walls.
Then the ringing stops for a few moments, to be replaced by a sound like that of a bow being drawn across a badly-tuned violin string, a sound to set teeth on edge and prickle the skin on the back of a person's neck, a sound which drags on and on and on and on... seemingly forever, but which is, in reality, most likely just a few seconds.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack covers Kali’s woflen form with his own body while this happens. As soon as it stops Jack grabs his pack, water skin and Kali’s if he can see it. He gently picks up the sleeping gray wolf in the sleeping bag, cradling her in his arms. “Hunter, come on. We’d best follow Lazarus. Kalika will be safer deeper in the earth.” With that he follows the Chaos lord watching to see if Hunter follows his bonded.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Why not go with them?" Cyan says to the others. "For myself, I would...prefer to remain here. Thank you."
Berd hums disapprovingly on her shoulder, but the bard merely smacks him on the muzzle softly. "No, I am staying here," she states with finality, emerald eyes flashing in the dim light. Berd hisses briefly, then curls up on her shoulder, nervously eyeing the walls.
Cyan slowly, delicately, begins to pull our her small painter's box. Her hands shake as she does, but it is something the bard must do.
Taking out the sketch, she considers Jack....

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron considered a few answers to the questions posed to him, but decided to delay his responses, in favor of following both Jack and Lazarus.

"I believe I will join you also. I'm sure hearing me blabber on is the least of your concerns. And I would like to meet your hosts."

He stands up, out of the entire group, the one who is the most rested and able to go to task. Should any of them require him to do something, he was there, but he was far from anyone's slave. Though his head still reverberated from that awful gong-like occurence, he needed information.

Allowing Jack to step past, he followed the two men to the stairs, with a departing nod to the already distracted Cyan.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack stopped and looked back Cyan “Cyan, come with us please.” he said a worried look on his brow, “Come down where it is safer, I will see that no one disturbs you.” He stood there holding Kali in his arms imploring the bard to come with them.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan's head comes up and she stares at him like an animal for an instant, Amber eyes catching the light like Kalika's, and throwing it back. Slowly, she shakes her head. "I've a palanquet to make, Jack." Berd croons soothingly on her shoulder, urging her up, but then she snarls something, uncharacteristically angered with the small dragon, and he rears back, wings fanning the air in his agitation. "Go, then," she hisses. Berd leans in, and Cyan jerks her head away from his, and stares back at Jack, her eyes softening.

"You felt it, did you not? How can you stand there? How-?" She bites off the question, struggling for a moment, teeth buried in her lips, then opens her mouth agin, staring at him through eyes of obsidian. "I saw IT, Jack." Her trained voice catches, raw. "Please, go. I need...."

Berd hops off her shoulder, and sadly, tail dragging, wanders away to walk past Jack, giving him a quick look as he does. Cyan desperately turns to her sketch. "I will make the card for you," she whispers feverishly, beginning to expand on the sketch, fill it out. "Not to worry. I will finish this one."

There's a note of desperation in her tone as she tries to sublimate the vision in her mind with her work. Thoughts of the 'nutritional caste', out in the 'storm'. Out with IT.

IT, around the tower, above the tower.

Berd pads carefully down the stairs, turning towards Jack, eyes glowing. He lets out a small chirping noise.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Under Jack's gentle ministrations, taut over exerted muscles begin to relax and soft sigh hisses from between sharp fangs.

The rumbling thunder/impact sound is enough to bring the female wolf back to consciousness. She licks one of Jack's hands weakly, eyes brimming with exhaustion befoe closing again, lulled to sleep by the rythmic sound of his heart beating through his chest. She was save and her men were save. It was all she could hope for.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack was about to snap something back at Cyan, it was easily seen in his face. When he stopped and looked down to the wolf in his arms. “Shushushh,” he softly made a gentle shushing noise “Rest wild flower, sleep.” He leaned down and gave the gray wolfs cheek a gentle kiss. “Rest well Laili.”

When Jack looked up from Kali to Cyan, his face was more at ease than it had been since the wolf woman had left his side to save Hunter. Though she can see tears silently rolling down from his eyes. He tries to shift Kali around to where he can get to them, but can not seem to make it if only for not wanting to disturb her rest any more than he has.
He walked back to Cyan leaning his face out for her to wipe the tears away for him, his eyes blinking. “Would you?” he asks simply, after a moment he continues. “I’m not certain what I felt Cy, or what I experienced other than pain, shear and utter pain. I know I am relived to have escaped the fringes of it’s mind. I know I am overjoyed to have my friends back alive. I know I can not willingly leave my friend up here, alone with that.” He looked up in the recesses. “Even if she demanded it of me. No more than I could willingly leave my post and await Kali’s return. I need to see that my friends are safe right now, and to do that I must see them with my own eyes. Come with us Cyan, I beg of you. It is more important than my palanquet.”

Jack hesitates for a moment looking onto Cyan’s ever changing eyes then asks “How many worlds are there Cyan?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan reaches out with trembling fingers and carefully wipes Jack's face, his tears beading up on her odd, silky gloves. She leans forward, listening to him, and hugs her knees, burying her face in them.

Denied again.

"Safety?" It's a harsh gasp, muffled. "If I am not safe here, you are not safe below, Jack. I only wished to be left alone," she says plaintively, "only wished for silence." For an instant, she sounds like a child, and glares at Berd, who simply sits and grooms his tail casually.

Ruby eyes flash with annoyance, then the Bard nods.

"I will come," Cyan whispers hoarsely, then rises to her feet, shoulders sagging in defeat. The sketch is carefully folded into the book. Her tools are carelessly tossed in their pouch. Berd gives a trill of disapproval, and for an instant it seems as though Cyan will throw the pouch at the little dragon. He skitters to the side slightly, eyeing her warily, but the moment passes, and she slowly, carefully puts the pouch away.

"Lead on, Jack," she breathes. "I will come. As for worlds? An infinite number, Jack. Infinite."

Berd grins toothily from the corridor, eyes glittering like jewels.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Had he still been in the shape of the panther, Lazarus might have jumped through the roof, as it was he still manages an impressive leap in startlement at the thundering blow on the tower's walls. Spinning around to peer at the point of impact with the structure, his hand reaches back to grasp the hilt of his blade.

As he discovers the walls are still standing he runs a hand shakily over his brow. I'm more tired than I thought.

Pulling a few stray strands of hair away from his face, he watches as Aaron and the other's begin their descent. "You all go ahead, I want to check out whether this place is going to hold up under the strees."

His eyes become unfocussed for a moment.

Though his gaze is directed elsewhere, he seems to be following the conversation between Jack and Cyan. As they finish, an exasperated sigh works its way from between his clenched teeth. "Oh by the serpent's eye!! This isn't shakespeare! Just get below before I have the logrus do it for you."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Berd utters a chiming sound that, while not bearing any resemblance tonally to such an laugh, is undeniably a derisive chuckle. At whom he is directing it is open to debate.

Ignoring Berd, Cyan slowly swivels towards Lazarus, her eyes catching the light like opals. The smile wavers on the verge of a baring of teeth. "'How poor are they that have not patience.' Othello, Act ii, Scene three. While I have not been to the Master's world, I have yet spent time studying his great works. You would do well to bring some William Shakespeare into your life, Lazarus - he could teach you much."

With short tugs, she straightens her clothing, sending dust everywhere, the shimmering silk shirt showing no sign of damage or wear. Then Cyan studies Lazarus for a long moment, appraisingly, finishing with a thoughtful nod. "Your words have sprung from lack of patience and stress, and as such, may be forgiven. But so too may actions, and these are less easy to forgive. Thus I will leave you with this, flatly spoken." Now her voice is strong and clear - there is a point to be made here. "If you touch me with your power, in frustration, anger, or any such reason, to compell rather than to aid, then it will be war between us. I do not suffer such attentions any more than you would suffer the back of my hand."

Giving him a polite, but stiff, nod, she then turns to Jack and waves him towards the entrance to the depths.

From there, Berd watches, obviously mightily amused by the entire situation.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus continues to stare at the ceiling, a small smile creeping over his face. "Odd choice of people to draw on for advice, since Othello goes mad and kills himself. But since we're trading passages, here's a few that I like that seem as though they might be appropriate."

He clears his throat and then begins in clear voice, "'Have we eaten on the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?' MacBeth, act one scene three."

"I like this one too," he continues, "seems like it fits as well, 'Away, you scullion! You rampallion! You fustilarion! I'll tickle your catastrophe!' Henry IV act two scene one."

"I know Shakespeare quite well Cyan, I just prefer not to be one of his tragedies. I'm better suited for the comedies." As he finishes, he starts to laugh. At first it's a chuckle, but soon it grows to a booming laughter that carries over the chanting voices of the natives.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack was about to say something when Cyan spoke, as she spoke a glint of humor came to his blue eyes and the thin smirk returned to his lips. He moved past the Chaos lord with a nod and a smile. “See you in a bit then?” and he led Cyan down the stairs a light chuckle matching Lazarus’s. Laughter was always, the best medicine. He thought, but did not know where the thought came from.

Jacks eyes meet the little drakes eyes for just a second as he walks by Berd and down the stairs, then turned checking to make certain hunter is near. As he drew closer to Aaron he spoke to the new man. “My apologies for dragging you into this mess, the truth is I do not know how I did it in the first place. Nor do I think I will be much help in answering any of your questions as I have no answers of my own.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Here is one of my own, Lazarus: Mockery is the last refuge of fools." Turning on her heel, Cyan leaves Lazarus' laughter behind, following Jack down the corridor.

Berd grins at Jack, his wings spread, and he tenses, but a searing glance from Cyan's emerald eyes sets him back on his heels before he can leap to her shoulder. A moment passes, then he follows her down the hallway, the tension in his back indicating that his own annoyance has peaked, and anyone attempting to touch him will be bitten, at the least.

Cyan continues after Jack, Hunter and Aaron.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Cyan's last comment only provokes increased laughter, his howls trailing her down the corridor. After a few moments, his laughter subsides and he refocusses on his scrutiny of the tower.

Well that was fun. I suppose at some point I should apologize, but in all honesty I'd rather deal with angry Cyan than whoever that was before.

He sighs again softly and shakes his head. Wonder what the locals made of that whole exchange? I really should grow up someday.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Still the building howls like a totured animal under the forces being applied against it, and still the Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an kneel in apparent prayer. Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an approaches and speaks urgently, "Please, into the depths you should come for safety. Dwellings fail seldom, but fail they do." It gestures towards the entrance to the lower areas of the building.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack continues caring Kalika deeper into the bowls of the earth, looking for someplace he believes will be safe and comfortable of them.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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As Aaron continues on his way, followed by Jack, he lets the argument between Cyan and Lazarus turn into a mumble behind them.

At the behest of Veldoma, Aaron nods to the being and continues downwards, watching his step as he does so. The reverberations from above and even all around cause him to consider the structure in which they're encased.

Keeping his eyes ahead and moving down, he answers Jack.

"Do not concern yourself with what has occured in our past, Jack, even if it was such a short time ago. I feel that what went on was necessarry, even if it is unexplainable as of yet. Keep your mind on the task at hand, and care for the woman in your arms."

He voiced caution within his tone, placing his hand against a wall for balance. He was, after all, in an alien place, in an alien situation. He had many things on his mind at the moment, but he needed information. Considering the attitudes and physical exhaustion of the others in the group, he felt Jack would be a good source such information, despite the man's own questions.

And thusly, he continued on.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“I can not help but concern myself with the recent past, as I have no other concerns at the moment other than the immediate future and the present.” Jack continued down but sized Aaron up glancing at him sideways. “The one I carry is a wolf, what would lead you to believe otherwise?” Holding the unconscious gray wolf in his arms. “Have you ever seen me before?” Jack asked him continuing down.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Hunter
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Hunter paces Jack, a silent, foreboding shadow at his side. When his mistress stirs his ears prick up and his eyes brighten. He is ashamed of his actions, adn eagerly awaits the time when he will be able to make ammends with his mistress. When Aaron refers to Kali as a woman, despite her wolven shape, the large wolf focuses dangerous eyes on the newcomer. In a shift motion, the alpha male places himself between Aaron and Jack with a silent snarl. He is barely tolerating the new male, but by the defensive tone in Jack's voice this newcomer was questioning his mistress. A deep, rumbling growl begins to rise in Hunter's throat, but he cuts it off, controlling himself with an amount of effort.

He continues to pace Jack, attention on the new comer, wary for any attack against his bonded.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan paces silently after Jack, Hunter and Aaron. Slowly, her fury begins to wane as she walks - she is ever one to lose her anger quickly, even more quickly than it may come. But the hurt at the condescending way she was mocked by Lazarus still remains, a deep cut within. It is obvious the man thinks little of his companions on this journey, believing them to be nothing more than children beside him.

A lonely life, she thinks quietly, finally holding her arm out for Berd. The little dragon gratefully flutters up to her shoulder. I should not care for his opinion, but I do. Still, it is not so much of a concern. I will merely have to avoid further conversations with him.

She considers this, amber eyes darkened by the gloom around them. A lonely life indeed.

Berd, seated on her shoulder, lets out a small, quiet sigh, and a puff of violet smoke.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron continued down the path before them, apparently not hearing Jack for the thoughts within his mind. Something nagged at the back of his head, for quite a few of his companions had intrigued him on a deeper level.

And that something at the back of his head just kept prodding him.

Focus. it said.

However, the current state of affairs within the building had him distracted as well, and he couldn't do what his mind wished. He hoped they reached their destination soon, as he was the one leading Jack down there. Though Aaron was sure the man could get there himself. It was, after all, a straight path down.

"Jack, if I may, how long have you been in the company of this group?"

His voice sounded as distracted as he felt, as if he was asking Jack this just out of pure curiosity. Aaron's eyes followed the stairs as the continued on.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack clucks his tongue at Hunter, “No, no. We do not eat our guests unless they are rude.” He says flashing a wild grin at Aaron. “He thinks you are a threat to his pack mate here. Or maybe he thinks you are challenging him as the Alpha male. Neither action would be wise I think. Wolves, interesting creatures, their strength is in the pack. Together they can pull down beings that are stronger, quicker or more intelligent. They care for each other and the pack as a whole. They do not play the games we play, either you are a friend or a foe to them, there is no middle ground to play with.”

By the time he finished Jack’s knowing smirk as in place again “I have been with them around a day, give or take an hour or so.” Jack answered his question. “An answers for an answer Aaron, anything less would be rude. Do you know me?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares follows after the others, almost stumbling. He is not physically tired, but mentally. The walls of the building seemed to make it harder for him to make the Trump contact. He's never come across anything quite like it before, most forces will either block a Trump entirely, or not block it at all. This had been a resistance, not a blocking.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Finally the group find themselves at the base of the ramp, inside a large chamber deep below ground. The chamber is lit by glowing patches on the walls, some sort of luminescent fungus or mold. There are more entrances around the cavern, and it is apparent that all of the towers are connected to this one chamber. But there are other tunnels too, tunnels which lead deeper into the earth.
The Sha'a'a'anpurrkanallapa'an are gathering here, both the upper caste and the nutritional caste. Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an is instructing them in their strange twittering tongue, and they are hurrying in and out of the deeper tunnels, while the singers make their way down behind the group.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Gazing about the large area, Aaron gathered his thoughts, and gazed across the room at the alien entities that had congregated there. He had stopped at the exit to the stairwell, moving a bit ahead to allow for the others to enter.

"Jack my friend, if I knew thee, I would tell thee." this he spoke with some slight amusement, with only a hint of his previous distraction.

He slowly began walking towards the center of the room.

"Also, I had wondered about that. Lazarus spoke of an amnesiac before. Is that amnesiac the one who holds that wom... ah... wolf in his arms?"

So let it slip again, he did. And Aaron's past was not unfamiliar with such baiting.

***
OOC:
Yep. Onto book three of Amber's Great Book, and already Zelazny's wirting is reflecting my own.
And for the sake of continuity... re-editing has been done in a certain past post.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack finds a clear spot by the wall and sets Kali and the sleeping bag down nestling her in it, he shrugged at Aarons question. “My answer first this round.” He says casually but there is something dangerous in his voice. “Why would you suspect that she is anything but a wolf?” He asked the dangerous edge even more pronouced as he tended to Kali and seemingly to started to settle himself in.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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"Amazing," whispers Lazarus, still gazing at the walls of the dwelling. At Veldoma's urging's he allows himself to be herded down the ramp with the others, occassionally trailing a hand down the side of the tunnel, jotting notes down in a beat-up notebook, or asking Veldoma questions about the dwellings.

Plunking himself and his equipment down next to where Jack has laid Kali, he continues to write in his notebook for several minutes. Finishing up whatever notes he was taking he places the book back in his pack and leans his head back against the walls of the cavern for a moment, closing his eys.

"How's she doing, Jack, Hunter?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan sits down against the wall of the lower level, and rests her head for a moment, leaning back, eyes closed. Then the amythest orbs spring back open, and she slowly begins to take out her painting tools, again commencing work on Jack's request - a palaquet card.

Berd, on the other hand, jumps down and wanders over to where Hunter sits. The little dragon gazes down at Kalika with some interest, being careful not to get too close, now that Hunter is guarding.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack’s voice softens again when he speaks to Lazarus, loosing the hardened edge. “She is resting well, thank you. She seemed relaxed and happy when I had a second with her up there.” He smiled at the memory as he sat down propping himself against the wall and placed her head on his lap.

Jack leaned over for a moment and whispered to Lazarus

Jack leaned back from whispering to Laz, his hair falling to cover his eyes and he let his head droop forward.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus opens his eyes and scans Jack's face for a moment.

"Good, I can probably dredge up some vitamins or something like that to give to her when she wakes up, make the recovery faster. Remind me later," he replies, pushing himself up off the ground.

"But for now, I'm interested in these hidden pathways that Aaron was talking about," he continues as he walks over to the young man. "They might be useful if we have to abandon this dwelling on the chance that thing outside gets through."

"How do you locate these pathways?" Lazarus asks, a look of keen interest growing on his face.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron too, sat along with the group. Waiting out what lay above their heads seemed like the best idea.

Adjusting the straps around his waist and chest, he reached around and removed his sheathed sword from his back. This, he placed within his lap, for the straps had begun to irritate. Stretching slightly, he stared about the room.

"I inquire, Jack, because I noted that you were bellowing the name of another earlier, at the time when I had appeared beside you. It was a woman's name. I've met Cyan and Lazarus and you, and your two... make that three... animal friends. Yet I do not see the third woman."

He turned his attention to the man, his dark eyes piercing, penetrating despite their dull color. The gears within that mind of his were working quite efficiently, it seemed.

"Kalika, her name was... yes."

He raised his eyebrows, his chin as well, as if considering this... rolling it around in his head. After a moment, he turned his attention to Lazarus, and shrugged in response.

"I'm unsure as to how I gain entrance into these pathways. Pure concentration, I suppose, as well as a little math. Probabilities, and things of that nature."

Aaron made a vague gesture with one hand, flinging it out infront of him as if to say it didn't really matter. Lowering it, he ran his other hand calmly across the hilt of his short sword, the flickering silver-blue upon the metal crossguard catching his eye.

"The paths themselves are really of no consequence. It is what lies at their end that matters most."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus' brows twitch downward for a moment and then resume their normal position, "Sounds like they're of consequence to me - they're part of shadow - an interesting and important part."

"Almost everything out there has something interesting or value about it" he continues, gesturing at nothing in particular. "Take this place for instance - all of the structures of this shadow are alive and responsive to the environment. They apparently grow out of the ground, starting from the size of small pebbles... Looks, like an ordinary tower, but a closer look and you find out some amazing things."

Sitting down crossed legged next to Aaron, he shrugs, a wry smile pasted to his face, "Fair warning, the scientist part of me tends to overrun everything else when I find something of interest."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack quietly mumbles, sounding quite groggy, his long hair hiding his face in the shadows “A female name for a female wolf.” as Lazarus continued on with his dissertation it is easy to see that Jack’s breathing becomes steady and even, and his slump suggest sleep.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan continues to work feverishly on the card in her paint box, applying all of her usual energy, but for once, focused.

Berd merely saunters over to where Jack sits, and plops down beside him. He gazes out at the others with amused eyes, taking a moment to lock them with Ares'.

. (Laughter)]

He flicks his gaze over the shortsword in Aaron's lap, and then continues to study the rest of the man.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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With a chuckle, Aaron leans forward, spurred on by Lazarus' comments.

"Ahh, so you've studied upon such things, hmm?"

Leaning back and placing his weight on the palms of his hands as he did so, he gazed about the room.

"Yes, I suppose that too is understandable. Though I fear in my limited perspective, I see these 'shadows' as merely entrances, gateways to where I truly wish to be."

Cocking his head to the side, he considered.

"However, I see your point. I also suppose that wasting my time trying to find the perfect shadow would be detremental to one's knowlege on such things. It seems to me that my journey began with something of a push, that wasn't of my own design. I belive if I had more time to examine the shadows which I have previously visited, I would share your opinion."

Raising an eyebrow, as well as one of his hands, he gestured to Lazarus.

"Speaking of previous visitations, may I inquire how you all got here in the first place? I believe I've asked it previously, but the excitement caught us all up, and I fear it was lost in the hurry. After all, I highly doubt any of you would be in this place unless you had an absoulte need."

Leaning back again, Aaron leaned his head to the side slightly, the sound of his neck making a quiet, yet almost disturbing popping sound. He clears his throat.

"Ah, excuse me."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Aha. Cyan glances up at her work towards Aaron. Another of those who considers the myriad worlds to be nothing more than 'shadows', nothing more than reflections of the truth. In this case, even moreso. Doorways? Doorways in the sand**. She wonders briefly if he feels the same way about the living, breathing creatures inhabiting these myriad worlds, but decides to withhold judgement on that matter. Best allow him to demonstrate, rather than making up your own mind.

It's a rare moment of wisdom defeating reaction with her.

"We are following a trail," she says clearly, turning back to her slowly manifesting card.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Glancing over to Cyan, he makes a slight humming noise.

"A trail? If I may, from who, or what? And where, exactly, is this trail visible?"

She had certainly peaked his interest now. He stood for a moment and moved, adjusting his position so he could view everyone within their party.

"Oh yes... they're quite nervous. Not that I don't doubt their reasons. That woman, Cyan especially. She seems quite shaken, despite how she wishes to hide it. I wonder... how far has it affected her? this, he thought, though his eyes and demeanor gave away nothing of his thoughts.

The sword was again within his lap, and he dragged his thumbnail across its sheath. Thinking. About Shadows. Jack. That "wolf", Kalika. Cyan.
His entire future... and his recent past occurences.
And his present state. Was he an enemy here? Aaron wondered.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an approaches the group of strangers, looking at the newcomer with interest. Where had the new creature come from? The one called Jack had apparently pulled it out of the air.
It curbs its curiousity though, saying instead,"The Gatherer soon gone will be, speaks to me the dwelling does. Uninjured are you all? Aid we can give if required it is."
"The other traveller I have the image of." It holds up a tube, about two feet long. some material rolled up and tied with a cord.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jacks head rises and his where he sits with Kali’s head in his lap, when you see his eyes the are bright and alert, no longer bloodshot. Those bright blue knowing eye are trained firmly on Aaron with a knowing smirk playing across his lips. Then he smoothly looked away over to their host.

“Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an,” Jack said seemingly without trying, as he gave it a shallow bow from where he sat “One of our number is exhausted to the point of being passed out, we have many little cut bangs blisters and bruises, not to mention we are tired and dirty, but we are otherwise well. Anything you might have for any of that would be appreciated, thank you. I will need to speak with you later on the matters of the Gather and more if that will be alright, right now I have matters to attend. ”

His eyes moved to Lazarus glancing at Aaron with a smirk as he passed. “Lazarus, I need those vitamins, I also need to speak with you, your wisdom and council.”

As he speaks his hand strokes Kali’s fur gently.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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A thoughtful look passes over Lazarus' face as Veldoma explains about the Dwellings.

"What's that Jack? Oh the vitamins, yeah, hold on a second," holding his left hand out, palm upwards, Lazarus' eyes grow unfoccused for a moment or two.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"A trail we have been set upon," Cyan says distractedly, continuing to paint despite the discussion. "Unfortunately, more I cannot say now, until we know more of you, sir," she continues, her voice far more relaxed than it was before. Her nervous energy, it appears, is being channelled and dissipated into her work. She pauses, glancing up at Aaron with topaz eyes, and shrugs. "As a traveller, surely you must understand."

Berd turns his head around to stare at Jack for a moment, noting the differences. He slowly raises his head on its long neck to look at him with glittering eyes.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Hunter
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Hunter settles besides Kali, on the opposite side as Jack. He doesn't mind the little dragon, in fact he quite likes Berd and enjoys the game between them. He spreads his maw into a toothy smile at the little dragon and then yawns hugely. He lies his large head on equally large paws and stares intently at Aaron, yellow eyes showing an unnerving amount of intelligence. Despite his relaxed position the vibe coming from the alpha male is clear. Stay away.

In Jack's lap the petite silver wolf slumbers peacefully, rib cage contracting and expanding in time with her breathing. In some areas her sparkling silver fur is stained a translucent red that shines with a ruby color in the light, but especially above her left front leg. Further inspection shows an old reopened wound.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack reached over to pat Hunter for a moment before his hands fell back to massaging the muscles of the wolf in his lap. His eye’s met the small drakes glittering orbs and Jacks knowing smile grew at some amusement.

Jack chuckles at something, an amused yet dangerous chuckle of a cat playing with a mouse glancing back to Aaron as he does so.

The quickly looks back to their host with a warm smile. “She does have wounds, and could probably use some treatment if you could bring it for me to administer. The Alpha wolf will not be keen on others getting near her right now."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Berd
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Berd glances back at Hunter, not the least bit discomfited by the fact that he would be a very small meal indeed, and grins. The grin yawns open into silent laughter as he stares at Jack, needle sharp teeth glittering like crystal.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Giving Cyan a respectful nod of the head, he replies.

"I understand quite well, indeed."

I expected as much... were his thoughts on the matter. He knew they would be quite defensive for the time, considering their recent encounters with whatever lay above. That "Gatherer," as the shadow-dweller stated.
Add to his continuing inquiries and, well, he figured he'd be able to surprise them in due time, should opportunity arise.
If he survived.

He cast his eyes in Jack's direction. Despite the man's fairly well-meaning attituded towards their initial meeting, Aaron was quite interested in his current attitude. Upon mentioning the wolf-as-woman possibility, he had grown a might defensive. The reactions of the male wolf as well signaled that Aaron had hit something quite close to home. Just a wolf indeed.
However, that was far from a necessarry requirement for him at the moment. Aaron was more intent on where he may be going in the future, and his personal well being, than the identities of his fellow travelers.

Indeed, he didn't wish a knife in his sleep, either. And he was assured that none of his party wished one in return.

Necessities make for odd occurences. Quite odd.

He raised his eyes to Cyan once more.

"You have set upon a trail. Are you assured that this trail is not one that has been placed before you, to bring you to your own demise? As a seeker of most paths, I must state that such things are not impossible. Nor improbable. Surely, you must have realized this possibility."

It was an honest question that had been poking about his mind since Cyan had spoken it, even with his other thoughts. Again, he wondered. He didn't expect a complete response, and he knew they didn't yet trust him to reveal the whole truth.
Then again, Aaron was far from used to receiving everything from everyone he met.
So he wondered, and mulled upon his own conclusions.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Aaron's comments seem to pierce Lazarus' concentration. One eye opens, the brow over it raising in a look of skepticism.

A seeker of most paths? What does that mean?

"It's not improbable? In this case? Or in most cases?" he shakes his head slightly and a blond lock falls to partially cover his face. "There's a difference between being highly possible and highly probable. In the present case it is certain that someone has left a path for us to follow. Though the probability that it is some sort of trap intentionally left for us is up for grabs yet. As for paths in general, most of us here have been travelling paths of one variety or another between the shadows for a good deal of time without running into our demise."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Lazarus reaches out a hand and, with a flick of the wrist like that of a conjurer, he pulls a small, rattling jar out of the air and passes it Jack.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Thanks Lazarus.” Jack says as he takes the pills “Takes offense at designation? What’s that supposed to mean ya animated blowtorch? You are about big enough to make a handbag out of you know” He shoots with a wink and smile at Berd."Thanks Berd, get some rest."

Jack talks as he digs in his pack for the water bottle. “Lazarus, where are Aaron and Ares from?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus frowns a bit at Jack's question. "It might be best to ask them yourself Jack," he replies, squatting down next to Jack, his voice pitched low. "The best I can tell you of Ares is what he's told me himself. He's from Amber originally. Aaron, I have no clue about. His method of travel doesn't appear to be through use of Amber's Pattern. At least given what I know of the pattern and how it functions, but that is admittedly very little."

Running a hand through his hair, he continues, "strange group we have here... Anyway, do you or Kali need anything else from the store?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack frowns at Lazarus not quite understanding and starts speaking in low tones like him. You can tell he did not understand the implications of his question “Their minds are similar. . .Not really like anyone else’s in our group.” He leans in and whispers to Lazarus

When he sits back from Laz he says “Yes, she could probably use a good meal when she wakes, I could use something palatable myself and a decent first aid kit would be nice. I also would like a rope and grapple and some new clothes would be nice.” Again not quite understanding what Lazarus is doing, only that he produced what was needed and offered more.

He then take the pills and the water to have them ready and looks down at the wolf in his lap and firmly says “Kali, LIEVZ!”

A burst of psychic energy can be felt across the room as he says the power word to give her a few moments of recovered life force so he can give her the pills.

He immediately says to her, “Good morning sleepy head, take these,” Trying to get her to take the pills and water, “Do not try to talk with me, you’ll use to much energy, it won’t last for long before you are tired again.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan opens her mouth to answer Aaron, then closes it when Lazarus answers the question for her. A shrug, then, directed towards Aaron. "He seems to have summed things up adequately. Besides which..." Her amber eyes narrow, slightly. "Far easier simply to KILL us. Someone of enough power to set this situation could certainly have dealt with us singly. Together, we present a far more difficult situation." She pauses, then jumps in before anyone else can. "And yes, I realize that there are possibilities THERE as well, for manipulation and other torments. However, I prefer to think that, on occasion, lacking evidence to the contrary, the simplest explanation is the most likely."

Another polite nod to Aaron, and she begins to go back to her card. However, the use of the Word of Power causes her hand to twitch (fortunately not ON the card), and Cyan glances up. "Jack," she says quietly, setting the card down and standing. "Is Kalika well?" There's an urgent concern in her voice, now.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack glances at Cyan, his deep blue eyes concerned but not troubled as you would expect if something were truly wrong. He looks back down with the pills and water ready for when she awakens. “No, no, she is well enough, just resting as far as I can tell, extremely fatigued. I am just waking her up long enough to administer Lazarus’s medications to ensure a quick recovery. I would like to be able to just let her rest uninterrupted for as long as she needed, but the situation what it is." He shook his head "Also I want to treat the old wound on her arm, it has reopened.” He glanced back up to Cyan again for a second.

“Thank you Cyan.” His eyes soften and he smiles a thankful smile at her. He glanced around before going back to tending Kali “Thank you all, you have all amazed me with how you have selflessly pulled together for each other in a time of need, and how much you care for your friend.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"A pity Kendall wasn't here," Cyan notes absently, moving over to crouch beside Jack and Kallika. "Well. We will have to make do with our 'primitive' medications. Are you skilled with that?" She motions to the wound.

Obviously much more relaxed, Cyan shows a certain embarassment in her amythest eyes as she listens to Jack. "Kallika is a good person, Jack," she says, looking down at the smaller woman. "I would never desert a friend."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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He looks at Cyan with a smile, “I know, but thank you none the less.” He looks down at Kali again frowning “I don’t know if I am a skilled physician, I suspect I know something of healing but I just can’t remember.”

He breaths a deep sigh “Only another reason to ensure Kali’s speedy recovery. I- Iwould be happy to sit and care for her for years if need be, but I saw some things before I pulled Aaron from wherever. Perhaps memories, perhaps delusions, maybe just plain fantasies. I can not truly follow up on these and the fact that I pulled a man from nowhere, while I tend her and I will tend her until she is well.” The last is said flatly, no room for question.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan pauses. "Wait. YOU brought HIM here?" She rocks back on her heels, eyeing Jack speculatively. "All of that talk made me think that he came himself...I was not here at the time, recall?"

Shaking her head, she stares back at Jack. "I think you might want to tell us exactly what occurred." Her tone is concerned, not threatening, and her sapphire eyes full of worry.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack glanced up at Kali again with a uncertain look and stopped for a moment before refocusing on Kali hopeful that the magic word will bring her round for a bit.

“Well I’m not certain how much was me and how much was the Gatherer.” He does not look up from Kali as he tells the tale “It started when we were out front waiting on Kali and Lazarus to find Hunter and return. I reached out with my mind to find Kali, just to make certain that she was alright, contact was for a moment and then what I suspect was the Gatherer caught my mind with it’s defenses down. I fought to get them back up, it was all I could do to fend it off. Man that thing is powerful, it was all I could do to stay conscious in the midst of that pain.”
Jack shakes his head, “I’m not certain how much of this is real, what was me and what was the Gatherer” he repeats “I remember before the attack, my one single desire was remember who I am so I could find a way to help Kali and Lazarus. Now I need to try some things once the Gatherer is gone and Kali is well again.”
His blue eyes looked up into Cyan’s there was an intensity to them, “At first I heard the surf pounding on a rocky coastline, and felt the spray against my skin as I lay on the deck of a ship. Above me the sails bulged in the wind and the rigging creaked and groaned. There were dragons wheeling in the sky above me. I would have loved to examining it more, considering the garb I was found in, but the pain and sickness that I felt held me in check and my desire to be there for Kali drive me to continue to fight so I could get up my mental guards.”
“The masts of the ship became trees and I was in a lovely grassy clearing with butterflies and singing birds... I might have enjoyed it if I did not feel like death warmed over. Then with a sudden change I was walking down a sloping black-surfaced corridor lit by glowing orange globes spaced widely along the arched ceiling. Aaron was ahead of me though at the time I did not know who he was. I was in a lot of pain and he offered to help me, I begged of him to help my friends out in the storm with IT. He came towards me and caught me as a massive wave of pain washed over me. Then someone closed the doors up there and we appeared together, upstairs.”
That sounds like the end of it, but Jack continues. “For a moment I was disoriented from it all, he tried to make mental contact with me after I had just gotten that thing out of my mind. I was furious, if I had not been responsible for him coming here I would have thrown him across the room. So I gave him the benefit of the doubt because he was my responsibility. Then he shows an unhealthy interest in Kalika while she is unconscious and unable to defend herself.” He glances at Aaron his eyes smoldering, “So far he seems to have been honest, though he has played games and toyed with answers. . .I am much to tired right now for games. I would suggest that he stop playing them soon and lay all of his cards on the table.”

Jack ends bluntly , looking back down to Kali for any sign that the word worked.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Berd and Cyan watch with interest as Jack speaks, the former cocking his head to the side, the latter slowly sitting down crosslegged, abandoning her painting near the wall for the moment. "The Gatherer..." Cyan shudders. "Pray you never, ever see it, Jack. With what you experienced, it might be too much." So much this man has endured...

"It sounds as though you were travelling through the myriad worlds, Jack, in search of something to assist. You found him," she says, waving towards Aaron. "Perhaps you should trust yourself? You never met Kendall, but he was as odd an individual as I could imagine, with strange customs, and yet was of asistance when we needed it. Perhaps it is the same here? Where Aaron comes from, it might be the style to speak in the mind and obfuscate," she continues, wryly. "Perhaps his interest in Kallika is merely that of concern, or curiousity? Who can say?"

Worried, Cyan fixes Jack with a topaz gaze. Is this the real Jack we are seeing now? Or one brought about by exhaustion and frustration? Somehow, she feels that it is the circumstances, not his true nature, that are bringing out the rising annoyance and suspicion.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack continues glancing back and forth between Cyan and Kali. “Yes, but was it me traveling on my own, or through the Gatherer?” He asks rhetorically “I feel- I feel as if some of what I saw may have been from memories, and I can not explore the possibilities right now, not under these conditions. I remembered that word of power through this all, I am so close to finding myself that I can taste it. . .Yet stymied at every turn, But over all you are correct Cyan.”

He glanced over to Aaron and smiles sheepishly “I fear I owe you an apology Aaron, it has been a roller coaster ride of a day and my emotions are not under reign. Yet I must still ask that you keep a distance from us right now, until she is recovered. You understand I must protect her. . .However if you could share with us your side of the story and anything you may know, I would be most grateful.”

Looking back to Cyan “Again I find myself thanking you again Bard.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares looks up at Jack's question, his face still beaded with sweat from the effort of contacting Cyan through the storm and the resistance of the walls. "Yes, how, for instance, did you find yourself in Jack's delusions, memories, whatever?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Relieved that Ares is recovered (he had headed downstairs before she could talk to him...or was in the mood to do so), Cyan slowly stands and walks over to the dark man.

"Ares," she says, making certain not to interrupt his question to Jack. "I have to thank you. Without you, everything would have been useless, and we would all have died a terrible death." The look in her amethyst eyes, unshed tears there, says that she means it.

"I owe you my life and my soul. This is a debt I cannot repay. And I owe you my thanks, friend." A small smile quirks her mouth for a moment. "And my apologies for our hard words, in the past."

Glancing towards Jack, she shrugs. "Thanks between friends are always easy, Jack. I hope I was of some assistance - no doubt you would have come to that conclusion, in any case."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Perhaps,” Jack says and nods to her “Perhaps.” Looking to Ares “Cyan’s words mirror my own feelings, my thanks for Kali. If I could get up and give you a hug I would ya big lug.” He smiles as he says the last feeling in part as if a weight has been lifted from him.

Looking Back to Arron he waits for answers from the man, still keeping a watch on Kali for any signs of the power word.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares manages to force a smile through the exhaustion which is mercifully clouding his mind, "I could no more leave you all out there than I could walk out and face the Gatherer myself. I saw its face too, you know, just for a moment as I broke through to you. I think it tried to block the contact, to drag me through to it. If I hadn't had help I think I would have ended up out in the storm with you."
There is a haunted look about his eyes, quite unlike his usual confidence.
"I don't want to see that thing again. But I've a feeling I might, in my nightmares at least. I..... " a sound suspiciously like a sob escapes the man's lips, "I think I went mad for a moment while it looked into my mind."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Dear god. Cyan puts her hands on Ares' shoulders. For the deadly, driven man to have such a reaction, for Jack's agony, the touch of the Gatherer's mind must have been...utterly and completely horrifying. It seems, she muses, that I got off easy.

"Ares, please relax. Sit down." Carefully, she helps him to sit. "Do you need to take off the armor? If not, just rest. I will get you something - that kind of effort you put forth is mentally, physically, and spiritually draining. You are exhausted, in every way. I can understand what you are feeling...I was lucky. I only SAW it." She gives the dark man a wry smile, and fumbles around until she finds a flask, buried at the bottom of her pack. "Pass it around," she says. "Brandy. I save it in case...well, you never know when you will need it. This seems a good time."

Sighing, she sits back on her heels. I should play something...something relaxing.

A pity music doesn't come easily right now.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus absorbs the exchange between Jack, Cyan and Ares quietly, a curious look on his face. As they finish, he looks around briefly as though just recognizing his surroundings until his eyes land on Veldoma, still holding the tube in his chitinous hand.

"Apologies, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, we're all a bit worn out. Thank you for finding this picture of the last visitor. It is a most useful piece of information for us," standing up, he accepts the rolled up parchment from their host. Lazarus then carefully unties the bindings and unravels the scroll.

Scanning the picture briefly, he grunts and squats down once again by Jack, handing him the paper.

"I've a few ideas about how to answer some of the questions we discussed Jack, but they might be a bit uncomfortable. Let's talk about it again after you're a bit more rested and I've done a little more thinking on the topic. In the meantime, I'll go dig up those items you requested."

With that, the blond man returns to his pack and digs out his worn journal, silently paging through the book.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack takes the picture from Lazarus and looks at it before storing it in his own pack., “Certainly, whatever is needed, though I think I can handle some discomfort. Lord knows I would love to just curl up with her and go to sleep, I will not be getting any rest until Kali is on her own feet. So it may be a while. ” Jack does sound tired. . .

He looks at Ares “I do not understand. . .I felt unbelievably sick, I felt pure physical torment at times, I was delusional, but never once did I feel anything like you felt by the sounds of it or like Cyan saw. Was I able to hold it off so well, or was I on the far side of sanity? Never once did I feel as if I’d loose my mind, perhaps my body, but not my reason. This is peculiar.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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"Perhaps the Trump amplified the effect." replies Ares, "No matter, it is over now, and I'd rather not remember it in too much detail, if I can help it." He moves over to the wall, sliding down it to sit on the floor.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Clearing his throat, the young man passes his dark eyes upon all within his view. He begins to speak, but his topic is not yet on what they wish.

"Jack, when I tried to enter your mind, you were able to vehemently halt me from such a possiblity. While yes, I will state that I was only trying to help, you were able to shun me, with quite a bit of force. Had I not anticipated it, I would have surely felt it much harder than I did."

His eyes follow the walls of the room, a sure sign he was pondering many things.

"That fact shows me that you are stronger than I anticipated, especially after an assault by the entity that exists in this Shadow. I suppose it could have been reflexive, but then again..."

Aaron stops then, lowering his head, his eyes finding the all too familiar contours of the blade nestled within his lap. Staring there, his eyes gain a wistful look, as if washing and reviewing past memories. He would speak then, and his voice carried in the chamber.

"I, am from Amber."

He lets this resound, but follows through.

"While you have met others from Amber, perhaps I should state that I am of Amber. I have followed currents and paths within the city-world itself that have turned me into the person you see before you. Though peace reigns currently in Amber, I have witnessed the small atrocities that are not uncommon in a kingdom. Yea, even been a party to them."

His eyes follow the contours of the leather scabbard, the veining within the handguard of the blade. The sky and ocean blues, flowing across the silvery hilt of the weapon itself.

And slowly, he unsheaths an inch of the weapon.
And notices something... interesting. Something he hadn't anticipated, viewed upon the blade. He hides his surprise, for it could only be a trick of his mind's eye... playing on his past.

Re-sheathing it, he continues.

"I have been through great trial, but then, so have you. I even sported a time within the Amber naval fleet, getting my own taste of how the Shadows work. How we move from place to place. Old habits die hard, however, and I later found myself in foul company, back on homeward shores. A deal went very bad, I found this blade, I met a woman who told me my fortune. After I recovered from the 'bad deal', I sought out a new life. Somewhere I was needed."

He sighs, raising his head to the others, eyes gazing at each of them.

"My new life found me. I was within a large room, with a sphere of light above me. A hallway was nearby, which I entered. Therein was... something."

Here, Aaron chuckles, looking upon Jack in particular.

"That something happened to be our mutual friend here, and may I state, I accept your apology. My blade was unsheathed, and what a sight I must have looked, bearing upon him like a beast from the dark, my weapon held to slay. Oh how close I had been to the attempt."

His voice is light, but he lets the possibility of slaying Jack in his formerly weakened state sink into it.

"Of course, that is far from what I wished to do. Seeing the man in pain, I inquired of whether he needed assistance, and, well... here I am."

Spreading his hands out before him, he chuckles.

"Also, allow me to apologize. As Cyan stated, and as you must now know, it has been burned into my nature to seek out the secret meanings in the comments and thoughts of others, hence the 'hidden paths.' I have witnessed the tired and weak give up a great many secrets. My questioning must have seemed an interrogation to you."

Leaning his elbow against the sheathed weapon, he places his forehead in his hands. His eyes are closed, his brow furrowed, and a tired laugh escaped him.

"My, had I figured myself this tired, I would have rested much sooner."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack watches Aaron as he speaks with a noncommittal expression, but even such a neutral expression says something of Jack for those that know the enigmatic man halfway. He simply nods at the explanation of coming to Jacks mental aid. Jack nods when Aaron says that he is an Amberite, then his eyes narrow for a second when he says he is of Amber and again when Aaron looks at his blade.
Jacks face is again neutral when he talks of his bad deals and the mention of new life. When he mentions what a site he must of looked and the talk of slaying the weakened Jack, Jack gives a surprised snort of laughter. Jack shakes his head at the last, his expression still unreadable.
Silently he looks away from the Aaron. . . Still shaking his head.

He turns his focus back to Kali

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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After the Word of Power is spoken the slight wolf in Jack's lap shudders, and Hunter snaps to attention, a deep growl resonanting from his throat, his feral eyes locked on Jack. His lips peel back to reveal sharp, deadly teeth and his muscles bunch.

The female wolf settles with a sigh, and instantly Hunter's ears perk forward, the snarl dying on his lips, now forgotten. Instead of lunging forward to attack Jack, he extends his big wet nose and sniffs the female wolf delicately. Jack speaks on, and her ears twitch. Hunter snorks in distaste and retreats.

Aaron is speaking now and the wolf in Jack's lap is changing. Her form softens, the edges blurring and moving to reshape itself. To Jack it feels as is she has turned to jelly and it strikes him that she is completely vulnerable during this change. Then the edges are hardening and instead of a female wolf, a female human lies in Jack's lap. Her hair is long, braids snarled and the bright metallic silver color dimmed by the dust of the sand. Her face is youthful and pretty, the smooth skin marred by smudges of sand and shallow scrapes. She is thin and lithe, and wears black clothing that is set in fine layers that wrap her muscular body tightly. The left arm of her shirt is wet and shining with something... probably blood. A sword belt is strapped to her thin waist and she opens her eyes and regards Aaron. They are the eyes of a wolf.

Her nostrils flare as she inhales deeply, taking in the new man's scent. Hunter tenses, ready for his mistress's command. She then smiles a smirk of a half smile and straightens, sitting next to Jack.. and then falling to lean against his shoulder for support. The change had taken more out of her than she thought. She smiled weakly, staring deeply into Jack's eyes.

"Mornin' glory" she rasped harshly in a voice that was raw from the wolven equivalent of screaming into a sand storm.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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A honest smile shows on Jacks face though his tone is fussing and caring at the same time as he speaks looking back into her amber eyes. It’s easy to see he is pleased and he seems to relax a bit, loosing a certain edge of tension he had gained again at listening to Aaron speak. He does not need to reply to her greeting, his smile says it all.

“ Here take these and drink, they will help you recover.” He raises the pills to her lips followed by the water “You shouldn’t have worried with the change, my magic is neither strong nor long lasting and you are weak.” He fusses at her, “Take these, drink as much as you need then rest lalai. . . ”

Jack whispers something to Kali quietly.

Jack gave Kali a quick kiss on the fore head and put an arm around her. Looking over to Lazarus, “Do you have a first aid kit or medical kit as of yet?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus is still reading through his journal when Jack asks about the first-aid kit.

"What's that? Oh right, hold on."

Setting the book down on his pack, he holds both hands out in front of his body, palm upwards. A moment or two later a small, white plastic box with a red cross drops into his hands.

Walking back to where Jack is tending to Kali, he crouches next to the two of them and hand's Jack the kit. "Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else."

Turning to the silver haired Kali, he smiles, "It's good to have you back amongst the living."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Kalika," Cyan says with great relief. "Seeing you awake is a pleasure." Her topaz eyes sparkle with delight, and she finally relaxes, fully. "We'd best see to the injuries...though I am sure Jack will fuss and cluck over them, and not allow us to touch you." Her smile widens into a deep grin, and she sits back on her heels, staring up at the ceiling for a moment.

Berd gives a little, chiming laugh, then slowly crawls up Cyan's arm to perch upon her shoulder, staring down at Kalika with his glittering eyes.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack made a face at Cyan after nodding his thanks to Lazarus. “I don’t see why you can’t help clean her wounds and bandage them, as long as Hunter does not object.” Jack says to Cyan, eyeing the wolf and remembering the look it gave him after he said the power word. “You are her friend as well, I believe I would even appreciate the help since that arm does not look good and keeps reopening.” He shook his head clucking his tongue. “It will never heal at this rate. . .So much grit and sand in her wounds.” Jack shivers with the though of it. "What ever shall I do with you young lady?" he asks Kali in a mock chastising voice.

Though he talks to Cyan he does not back off with the pills and water. He is making certain Kalika takes her medicine.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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He hears Jack's snort, and chuckles in response, feeling also a bit foolish for his assumption. Though it was true, he could have killed the man, the chances of it actually happening were quite slim at the time. Jack's reflexes, and Aaron's intent were amongst the many stalling points of such an action.

But that had no matter on the occurences of the moment, for the wolf in Jack's lap chose at that moment to transform.

Now Aaron's chucke turns into outright laughter as he views the spectacle, his voice echoing and tired sounding. After a moment, it stops with a heavy, though amused, sigh.

"My, my. It's a wonder why the few of you were skipping about my questions upon that she-wolf's true identity. It's not like I'm unfamiliar with those of the shifting type."

Though to see it at such a close proximity... quite a feat.

He regards Kalika from his sitting point, and bows his head in greeting, his dark eyes lowered in respect.

"If I may introduce myself more fully, dear lady. I am Aaron, a visitor to these, your fine companions."

Raising his head, he chuckles again, a slow smile spreading across his features.

"And I fear I've pestered them quite a bit."

The inquisitive young man is now quite amicable and relaxed, it seems, though his eyes do not hide the mind within. Still, it churns, as if the thoughts behind it are burning, questioning even as he attempts to rest. For the moment, they bore into Kalika's own, asking, wondering, before settling on nothing in particular or the floor between them.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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As he notices the young mans intence gaze at Kali, Jack snaps the word without thinking "Aaron Askiir!" the relaxation gone from him again his muscles tensed and Jack half rises.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack finshes comming up the rest of the way drawing his blades as he does. The pills and water bottle fall onto the bed roll where he sat.

"Back off!" He snaps, his blue eyes cold and hard "Out of her mind and stop trying to read her, she is under my protection!" His tone is flat and there is not doubt that he is furious.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan is on her feet as soon as the Word of Power slaps across the air. Berd shoots away in a blur to hover as Kirilinde's hilt slides into one of her hands, the wooden sheath in the other. "Hold!" she cries in her Bard's voice. "I pray, gentlemen, swords up! We are guests!" At the same instant, she focuses her concentration, and her silk shirt begins to shimmer slightly, her hair growing even brighter. "Please!"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack slowly looks at Cyan and nods “Of course, you are right.” his shoulders drooping a bit. He slides the dagger back into it sheath and the sword back into it’s staff before dropping back down to sit with Kalika. And goes about the business if straitening the mess he has made

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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With a sigh, Cyan relaxes her grip on her sword, prepared to draw for defense, but holds concentration on the other shield at her disposal. "Thank you, Jack." Battle was not my desire - not here, not now. Nor ever, with her friends.

Turning to Aaron, she narrows diamond eyes. "And you, sirrah. Speak plainly, and openly, and we may yet be friends. Dissembling and obfuscation, spiritual probes and winding pathways of speech, all of these are both weapon and shield in their own ways. I have been willing to ignore such things as your way of speech, but you seem an intelligent man - by now you must have realized that we are on edge, and such actions and attitudes are anathema to us. If our company is not to your liking, I sense that you hold the power to leave, at any time. If, on the other hand, it is agreeable, then best that we speak with respect, and hold one another to the same."

Berd lands skillfully on her shoulder again, the near-omnipresent grin gone from his draconic features. Glittering eyes survey Aaron carefully for a moment, then his supple neck turns so he may regard Jack.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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In response to Jack's bellow of the Word of Power, the man merely chuckles.
He waits out the moment, and nods to Cyan, bowing his head in acquiescence.

His eyes rise to the one before him.

"Jack, my friend, please, calm yourself. I assure you, I was nowhere near to probing your dear friend. Had I wished to implement such things, I would have."

He waves his hand as if to blow it off, but he sighs and shakes his head.

"Again, I apologize to all of you. Indeed, implimenting such methods as those I have attempted upon you all today has sapped me of a bit of my strength. I honestly wish to join you, and I too feel that it would be a waste to attempt to mislead you further, or to scan any of you at all."

Lifting the sword in his lap, he adjusts the cloak at his back and moves the sword through, so the hilt points up past his right shoulder once more. Adjusting the belts upon the sheath, he straps it to his person.

"So yes. I've made my introductions, and I've no desire to trick any of you. Honestly, I don't think I'd get anywhere with the steel-trap minds I've come into contact with on this day."

"Finally, I'd like to state, that I wish to get the hell out of here. I understand you all need your rest, though, and I am quite patient. Also, you may need to gather more information for your journey, so don't go thinking I'll stop you in any way."

Aaron lowers his eyes, placing a hand across his torso and sketching a small bow.

"If you'll have me, I request to join you on your journeys."

Inwardly, he chuckled. What a greeting he'd gotten from these people! Such force! He had made his decision to stay with them long before Jack attempted the Word of Power, and this only served to hammer it home.
Oh yes. This would definetly be worth his while.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack listens to Aaron then wordlessly sets to cleaning and binding Kali’s wounds, as he does so he seems somehow distracted, to a point where he stops working for a bit and stares into nowhere.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali was blinking sluggishly at Jack when he leant to whisper to her. Her repsonse to his words set her back ram rod straight, a cold light glinting in her eyes. She speaks to Jack in a cold whisper, the words twisted and made harsh by her raw throat.

"That will never happen again" she vows harshly "Ever" her tones does not broke for argument, and Hunter reflects her resolve with a low grumbling growl of assent.

Her expression then softens "and yes I will take my medicine like a good girl" she takes the pills and a swig of water and swallows, wincing as the liquid passes through her abraded throat "More aspreen I take it?" she jokes softly, handing the bottle back to Jack.

Her attention turns then to Lazarus, and warm smile lights up her face. Before she can speak, the new man makes a formal introduction and Jack bristles to her defense. The warrior woman frowns at him and Aaron.

"You have such a strong mind you should use it to think before you speak lalai" she chides Jack softly, rasping out the words. There is much unspoken with those words.

To Aaron she inclines her head, in a difficult position to rise and greet him more formally. "I am Kalika Wolfblade" she says curtly "and this is Hunter" she motions to the big wolf who yawns hugely, teeth gleaming in the dim light. Then he winks at Aaron.

"Lazarus" she turns to the Chaos Lord once more "I wanted to thank you for joining me out there. That was not an easy thing to do and showed that despite your... somewhat crusty exterior a warrior's heart beats" she chuckles, but soon lapses into coughing "We faced the Big Bad Wolf down" her smile is warm and friendly. She had gained much respect for him as of late "and thank you again for the supplies and aspreen... like Fizbin you produce something from nothing. You would have made a good ulez" she compliments him.

Then something clicks, her mental processes still just a tad behind schedule.

"Asyri?" she tries to repeat the Word of Power with little success "How did you know his family name? Do you know this man Jack?" she asks with mild confusion that is touched with a growing sense of fatigue.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack slowly looked at Kali from where he seemed to be lost in thought. . . “What? Aaron ASKIIR!” Jack asks “No, that is not his family name.” He adds with a chuckle. “And I do not know him.”

Shaking his head Jack continues, “It is a magic word, but it does not work. I have been picking up little things since my time with the Gatherer. When Aaron seemed to be trying to read you it just came out, as a defense reaction. Obviously it is broken though.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Satisfied, Cyan relaxes fully, the colours of her shirt fading slightly as she does. With a nod to everyone, she moves to crouch near Jack and Kalika, giving them what room they require, but being availible should either of them speak up to her.

Then she slowly sits down, back against the wall. Kalika is talking to Lazarus - Cyan still isn't happy with him, or the way he treats her, but has to admit he showed fortitude in assisting Kalika as he did - fortitude and bravery. And loyalty. All good qualities. I will have to simply avoid discussions with him. He is a friend to Kalika, and a worthy one, despite his manner. Arguements and fights would be devisive. Nodding to herself, she again begins to take out her palanquet materials.

I am never going to get this done. A though occurs to her, and she glances over to Kalika. Hopefully the other woman won't mind having being dragged through a palanquet...

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Still crouching, Lazarus watches the exchange between Jack and Aaron seeminlgy without expression, though he does extend one hand slightly towards the space between the two, perhaps in preparation for something. As Cyan difuses the problem, the hand drops back to his side.

Lazarus regards Aaron through blue eyes until Kali addresses him.

"Crusty!"

And with that he burst into genuine laughter.

"That is more than charitable Kali. I've been called far worse and probably rightly so. But I'll take crusty. And you're welcome on both counts. Though the equipment was nothing. Hunter was in capable hands of course, but it's always nice to know you have someone as backup in case something grows wrong. Besides," he continues, glancing briefly in Cyan's direction, "I must admit that I get along with non-humans better than humans. I'd probably be almost as lost as you were something to happen to that pile of fur and fangs."

"Anyway," he says standing up, "I'll let mother goose here tend to you. But let's talk about Fizbin someday. He sounds like quite an interesting man."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack speak softly from where he sits gently cleaning and dressing Kali’s wounds “I am from Amber?” it is as much a statement as it is a question. He looked up into Kali’s amber eyes, boyish excitement on his face “Amber!” He leaned in and quickly kissed Kali in his excitement. He pulled back looking deeply into her eyes “I must speak with Ares for a moment, I will be right back to finish tending to the rest of your wounds,” He finishes with he one on her arm “and if you don’t rest I’ll make you tale more aspreen Lalai.” Another quick kiss then he smoothly moved over next to Ares and began to whisper.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Tilting its head to one side, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an watches the strangers with open puzzlement. They claim to be allies, and yet seem to have deep-seated hostilities and mistrust among themselves. How could they hope to stand against outside dangers, if they cannot stand together.
It lifts its face towards the ceiling, "Leaving is the Gatherer, moving away. Gone soon will be."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares raises his head, bone weary and unable to entirely rid his mind of the memory of what he had seen through Cyan's eyes. Things like that simply should not be, not in any sane world.
He blinks at Jack as the man speaks to him, "What?", then he lowers his voice before continuing.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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An irritated look crosses Jacks face, but quickly softens. Oh what the Warrior of order had been through. Jack continues to whisper.

Jack waits a moment checking Ares reaction.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares looks pensive for a moment, then continues to whisper to Jack.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack Whispers something back nodding in consent.

With that Jack gets up and moves back over to Kali setting back down and back to work on her wounds. “I suggest that we get some sleep, if that is fine with everyone, Cyan and myself shall watch the first part of the night. Lazarus and Ares can watch the rest.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Nodding to Kalika as she introduces herself, he chuckles at Hunter.

Pulling his knees up and tucking them against his chest, he leaned his arms upon them. He stared forward at nothing, but watched Jack from across the room. He thought he had heard the word "Amber" come from his mouth.

While not necesserally of any consequence, Aaron filed that simple fact into the back of his mind.

Their host let them know of the Gatherer, and that too interested Aaron. He mulled over what the beast could be, and why it had affected Cyan and the man Ares so. Could something be done about it? If the attack they faced was mental, perhaps he could assist the two in healing.

He chuckled again at himself, shaking his head. That required certain trusts, though he was sure he could teach them how to block off whatever they wouldn't want him to see. There were so many possibilities in this group of people.

As Jack spoke, he nodded in agreement, though he personally felt he was in better shape than Ares looked, but he wasn't sure whether they'd appreciate him barging in. After all the commotion before, they were probably afraid of him stabbing one of them in the night, or some such nonsense.

Slowly closing his eyes, his mind rolled things over inside his head. Past, present and future.
And above all his other thoughts, he examined that single, overwhelming spiderweb that seemed to burn within him. Even now.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"As you wish, Jack," Cyan says wearily. She looks up. "Berd will likely be doing much of my watching." The dragon's head, eyes glittering with annoyance, shoots up from where it was laying on the ground, preparatory to sleep. "Yes, you," Cyan states with burning ruby eyes. "I must finish the palanquet." Well, continue. She's a long ways to go from finishing, but the outline is done, and details are coming in. A man...standing at a crossroads...nine directions...a staff.... Cyan shakes her head, eyes blurring for an instant, then she draws strength from...somewhere, and continues. "But if you wish to speak, Jack, merely say so, and I will. I can leave this at any time." Looking up at him, she smiles thinly. "It should be done within the week, I hope."

Berd flops down again, obviously disgusted.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“No, I had no intension of disturbing you with chatter, unless you had something you wished to speak of. I merely suggested the first thing that came to mind.” Jack replied, his brow furrowed “Cyan, If you are in need of sleep I shall take the first watch alone.” Concern for her registering in his voice. “The palanquet, is important but not so much that you must drive yourself to the edge for it.”

As he spoke he pulled the remained of the bottle of brandy from his pack and passed it to her. "Here," he said as he offered it to her.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Brandy again? You do not have to bribe me to keep me up, though the palanquet might suffer," she jokes, emerald eyes flashing with genuine amusement. "No, a watch would be good. I fear that sleep would likely elude me." She glances over at Ares' hanuted face, and can see the same feeling within him as her.

"No," Cyan whispers, "a watch would definitely be good."

"As for sleep," she continues, after a quick sip of the fiery liquid, "I am more than capable of staying up all night, if need be, as, I suspect, are you. So. Not to worry, Jack."

Slowly, she looks around at the rest of the group, settling in. "Odd little set of talents we seem to have gathered."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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"Jack, didn't you just pull Aaron out of your head?" coming to stand next to the jaciu, his brows furrowed. "And Cyan just had a run in with the Gatherer. You're both exhausted, while I just took a run through the sand. There's no reason why anyone else needs to take watch while I came through the whole ordeal relatively unscathed."

"I'll take watch. We should be ok with our hosts around as well. If I get bored, I'll just teach Hunter to play poker," he continues, gesturing towards the wolf, "and if I get tired, I'll wake someone. But it just doesn't make sense to have people who are exhausted taking watch when there are others who aren't."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“You company is always welcome Cyan, why don’t you put the painting down for the moment and help me with Kali’s wounds. I think spending time with friends might be good for us both. Plus it will help me get it done so I might just curl up with her and relax. It would be nice to relax. . .”

Jack looks at Lazarus with a mock look of horror “I do not like you insinuating that I have ever had anything like him running around in my head.” He chuckles a rueful chuckle at his joke. He looks at Aaron “Sorry Aaron, tomorrows a new day, I’ll be in a better mood then. Though take it as a good sign I am teasing you. I only tease people I grow comfortable with.”

Then he looked back to Lazarus “No, I do not feel that bad and it will take me time anyway to see to all of Kalika’s little bumps and scrapes. Not to mention I would probably spend half the night awake anyway just worrying and watching over her before I curl up and go to sleep. So much like Cyan I will not sleep for a while, just give me my time to enjoy the fact she’s alright after your little run in with the big bad wolf.”

Jack looked up at him and smiled warmly “Lazarus, thanks again. . .For everything.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"I shall not sleep for some time, Lazarus," Cyan says, stiffly but politely. "I thank you for the offer, but it is not needful." Glancing over at Jack, she flushes slightly when he talks about 'curling up' with Kalika. "Certainly, certainly," Cyan says quickly. "It would be my pleasure to assist with the aid of our friend." Now her voice is more relaxed. Going into her large pack, she quickly takes out a small pouch, containing some clean linens, a needle and black thread, and other small bags.

"This is my kit. I have used it before on myself." Sometimes, as they all likely know, wandering through the myriad worlds could be...painful. Berd glances up at her with irritation, but Cyan merely shrugs to him, fixing his glittering eyes with her topaz ones. "I will finish the card later, Berd." With a disgusted snort of suspicious smelling smoke, Berd lays his head back down on the ground.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Good we can properly stitch up that arm.” Jack says working out of Lazarus’s first aid kit. He stopped and looked at her speculatively for a moment. “What’s the matter, did I say something wrong?” He asked Cyan “I do not understand, you flushed when I mention resting with Kali. . .”Did I offend you?” He is wearing a smirk so you are not certain how much he is teasing you or how much is Jack being lost.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"My apologies, Jack. The fault is mine," Cyan says. Berd gives that musical snigger again, despite appearing to be asleep. "I am simply ill-used to such conversations, I fear. I realize you meant nothing by what you said, but still...."

Berd looks up at Jack suddenly. There's a pause, and then the little dragon shoots away, hovering out of reach as Cyan's palm slaps down where his tail was most recently, clenching impotently into a fist. "What are you telling him, you flitting newt?" she hisses, eyes flashing like opals, face flushed.

Berd blows her a musical raspberry, complete with sound and long, vibrating, forked tongue.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jacks chuckles turn to repressed laughter before he quickly reins his emotion thinking of how coolly she has been treating Lazarus since he laughed at her. He sits there smiling at them both for a long time just enjoying the moment. He glances away with a troubled look as a odd thought struck him.
He covered the troubled look quickly with a smile, though it was not so honest and open as before, with something sad behind the smile as he looked over each of his companions in turn. Kalika and hunter, Lazarus, Ares and even their newest member Aaron, his blue eyes looked them all over in turn.
He looked back to Cyan and Berd, his smile relaxing as he himself seemed to relax. “I am sorry Cyan, I meant no offence, nor did I mean to embarrass you.” His honest friendly smile had returned.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"I am not embarassed," Cyan lies furiously, her training actually allowing her to sound convincing, despite the fading flush to her cheeks. "But I thank you for your politeness, Jack. No offence was taken." She gives him a little bow, stonily ignoring the cackling dragon, hovering on his back and rocking back and forth, out of reach.

Not from you, anyways.

She sits herself back down, dignified. Waiting a beat, Cyan leans closer, beginning to check Kalika's wounds. She hisses once at the damage to the arm. "That will need to be stitched...but it is certainly not life threatening." Her amber eyes snap up to look at Jack. "What troubles you, friend?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Nothing,” Jack says quietly and uncertain “at least nothing more than the troubled mind of an amnesiac with déjà vu. . .I think I’ve forgotten this all before. . .” He chuckles then drops his voice to a low whisper as his own hands work cleaning the grit from wounds before bandaging them.

When he leaned back from the whisper he asked “Do you want to stitch it up or shall I?” His voice is trouble free and business like.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan smiles at Jack, ever so slightly, emerald eyes shining.

"I will stitch," she says. "If you make a botched job of it, Kalika will be furious. If I do...well, she will have a harder time beating me over the head."

And so she begins, while Berd calms himself and flutters down, knowing he is safe now.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“That must be it.” Jack smiled uncertainly at Cyan, then he teased her right back “Oh sure! Let her rip my arm off while you sew her up.”

He reached out and took Kali’s and affectionately “I know you are a little toughie, but if you need something for the pain I’m certain we can find you something.” With his other had he dug in the first aid kit. "Do we have any thing for pain Lazarus?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares sits by the wall half asleep, troubled by Jack's words to him, and by his failure to explain clearly to Jack what happened when he contacted Cyan outside.
It wasn't just the mind of the creature as it had tried to disrupt the Trump, but the sight of it, as viewed through Cyan's eyes. A thing as big as mountains, with hundreds of mouths, each big enough to swallow a house, and hundreds of eyes, all focussed on him, on her.
And the sound of those gnashing teeth and gibbering voices, as heard through Cyan's ears.
And the fact that no matter how often he told himself that it was Cyan out there, and he was just observing through her mind, he new that thing was coming for him, personally.
Never, in all his time in Shadow, has he ever encountered anything which exuded so much raw menace as this Gatherer did.

Suddenly there is a scream from one of the natives, and Ares looks around to see a huge tendril forcing its way through the tunnel from the surface, a single vast eye on the end, and a huge mouth filled with sword-sized teeth muttering Ares' name over and over as it devours the locals by the dozen. Hundreds of smaller tentacles spread out from it, grabbing at anything that comes within reach.
What had they been told? Sometimes the buildings failed?
Ares pushes up from the wall, ready to sell his life dearly, even though he knows he could not fight such a thing.

With a jolt Ares sits up, Jack and Cyan are tending to Kalika, Lazarus and Aaron are sitting quietly nearby. Ares is sweating.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Time passes slowly, perhaps an hour, but it seems more like three. Jack and Cyan tend to Kalika, then the bard returns to her own tasks. Lazarus and Aaron rest, although the former occasionally retrieves medical supplies for Jack and Kalika. Ares sleeps fitfully, and wakes up with a tortured expression each time...
Finally Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an returns to where the strangers sit. Its hands move through a series of intricate, graceful motions as it speaks, not addressing anybody in particular, "Spoken has the dwelling. The Gatherer gone is. Safely may we ascend."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron's eyes open slowly, rising to grace the features of the being who had housed his fellow travelers.

His meditations hadn't come upon much, but that didn't phase him. A great many things had occured since his last time in Amber, and he knew that his travels would only get more interesting from here on.

He had waved off Jack's apology, for he understood, and wished nothing more of past experiences. For now, Aaron would remain silent. His mind was at work, mulling over the great occurences of recent times.

Sitting as their host announced the Gatherer's departure, his mind focused on his inner forces, and tried to unravel their mysteries.

"Change. Things must change.", he mumbled to himself.

And slowly, he began to concentrate. Wondering if he could try something. After reconsidering, he turned slightly, so he wouldn't gather the attention of the rest of the group. After all, they would need their rest. Despite Veldoma's declaration, he had a feeling the group would prefer to gather their rest here.

No matter what happened, he would rest here himself, and gather his strength.
In the meantime, he would continue his concentration.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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After they had finished dressing Kali’s wounds Jack chose a post a few feet from the wolf woman wanting to give her space and rest. From there he considered Aaron, the newcomer he had pulled from no where had mad no real overt moves. He did not understand why the other man rubbed him wrong. Now that Kali was alright and the trials of the Gatherer were past, his mind was working more clearly. Perhaps the problem was not in Aaron, but within himself.
It is something he would have to have to set aside for the moment and watch him even more than he watch the other man. After all the other man had a powerful mind, he may be the only one of them that could help him in the end. Jack mulled over the possibility’s, he would pursue the paths chosen first, but he may have to make a deal with Aaron later. In the interim it was best to befriend them man and at least seriously give him a chance.

He glance at Kalika a cloud of unease passing over his face and whispered quietly to him self. “Perhaps I am not that man either of us thought I was.”

When Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an returned Jack glance at Kalika a cloud of unease passing over his face and whispered quietly to him self. “Perhaps I am not that man either of us thought I was. Jacui, the forever lost. I am not good enough to guard your back.”

Quietly got up glancing at Kalika from time to time and when to speak with Veldoma' with a small bow. “Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, you had spoke before of The lands being rich an plentiful before the Gatherer came. When did the Gatherer first come?”

Jack was worried, he had time to think about the potentials of the Gatherer and how it could tie into the quest. Something like that unleashed out on the other worlds. The potential destruction was all to imaginable. The had to be a reason for each of the worlds, there had to be a reason for them to chose this world and it probably had something to do with the Gatherer.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Not wanting to call attention to the proud man's fears when the group was silent, Cyan now slips over to Ares while the others move around and discuss.

"Ares," she says, "are you...never mind." Of course he is not all right. The horror in his eyes is twin to the one she saw. "I...wish there had been another way. I did not think that...thing would be so awful." She shudders at the memory, eyes grey as slate. "I fear the vision will haunt us for the rest of our lives. I, myself, will never forget that sound."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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As he is talking to their host, Jack sets his pack down. Taking his pistols out he puts them in the pack then follows suit with his fencing dagger, lastly he takes his staff and ties it to the pack. Standing back up and leaving the pack on the floor.

Jack says to Cyan and Ares in a light playful tone. “If I do not return you know that Aaron has killed me, we will be back in a bit. Watch over everyone.” Flashing them a joking smile. Then he reaches out with the toe of his boot and nudges Aaron. “Come Aaron, you can protect me while I go check out the surface and talk to our host. I am not bringing any weapons so my life is in your hands.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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With a "ssst!" noise, inhaled through his teeth, Aaron's concentration breaks at Jack's nudging. He had apparently been quite deep into something.

His dark eyes refocus as he turns slightly and considers Jack's proposition. After a moment of such consideration, he gives the man a half-smile and nods.

"I'll gladly accompany you, Jack. I also believe it's time we see just what this beast has accomplished above-ground."

Standing, he adjusts his cloak and blade, making sure the latter is loose in his scabbard. Though he had a feeling that not even his sword could protect them, should the entity return.

"Similarly," he says, "I believe it would be wise to get proper bearings upon our current whereabouts. In case we should ever have to return, for whatever reason, someone should remember the lay of the land."

Glancing about at the rest of the group, he lets out a slight chuckle.

"And aside from myself, I have a feeling nobody else would wish to remember this place."

He gestures to Jack then, with a final adjustment, and nods. "Lead on."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack gave a glance back at his friends, he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that time running out and change was coming. “Aaron, some how I don’t think we will ever have a problem finding this place. Though we may need answers before we rush off.” He was worried that something of the translation may be being missed by not understanding their hosts hand gestures.

Jack looked at their host “Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, tell me about this Gatherer, while we ascend.” With a last look back towards Kali, filled with affection. Jack started up the stairway.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Walking along with the man and Veldoma, Aaron chuckled silently to himself. Jack's emotions towards Kalika were more than obvious. Though he had nothing against either of them, he hoped that Jack was cautious with their relationship. Such things could be used against them very, very easilly.

But Aaron too was intrigued by the Gatherer. If he could know more about it, perhaps he could help Cyan and Ares heal from their mental grievences. Perhaps, even the knowlege they gain could assist Jack in some way, though he had a feeling that the beast's power was more of a negative sort than anything that would help his companion.

He felt the weight of his weapon upon his back, and the weapons in his mind. The latter would probably assist him more so than the former, should he have need to use them.

So he continued, following them upwards and onwards.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Jack, Aaron and Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an ascend the ramp, spiraling and looping up towards the surface structure, part of a whistling, chirping throng. As they walk upwards towards ground level, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an tells the two men the tale of its people, and their first encounter with the Gatherer. "Thus told it is in our histories that once live in a place where moved the sun across the sky we did. Came here many of our people did, to a land green and rich. Well grew the plants and crops. Warm it was then, and from the ground grew dwellings. A good place it was. Increased in numbers we did and across the land spread in our millions. Found the stone gates did we, many of them, but their secret they kept from us."
"In the time before counted was time did that happen. Long did we prosper here. Passed did one thousand seven hundred and six generations, richer than the previous one was each. Then came the Gatherer."
"Cracked the sky did, black burned the sun, and fell to ground the Gatherer did, smaller then, scarce bigger than a dwelling."
"Destroyed all was where it passed. Mountains, oceans, fields, all dust became. Changed the sun was, cold and dim, bigger. Move in the sky it did no longer. Little food we had safely stored, so created the nutritional caste we did. Bigger grew the Gatherer, and before it nothing stood, save the dwellings and the stone portals only."
Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an is oddly still as it recites the tale, no flourishing hand movements. It walks in silence for a little while, then continues, "The last of our people we may be. Three hundred and twelve times now has the Gatherer returned. Failed have dwellings. Died have people, faster than hatched they are. Doomed we are."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack finishes listening to their host attentively and then speaks. “I want to hear more an this, I have questions and desire to offer you aid. Though I must confer with my associate here and my friends down stairs before I can officially offer anything. Give me a bit to speak with Aaron then we will continue.” He then gives his full attenetion to Aaron.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Son of a gun!” Jack steps back wincing in pain and stops where he is. “That was unpleasant!”
“Hold up, let me try this a different way.” He speaks more to himself than anyone, standing where he is.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron halts as well, and watches Jack carefully. His eyes are intent upon the man, and his concentration is focused.

He speaks, his voice echoing both encouragment and command at the same time.

"You will remember."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Shhh,” Jack snapped out loud “It’s very important you back off with your Pattern right now. I’ll explain later, in the mean time your Pattern could be detrimental to us both. There are more paths and more than one type of order.”

Jack continued the journey, focusing and closing out the outside world. There was noting for him now, except him and his Pattern and he continued forward in his mind. Watching and waiting for an effect.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Berd
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Bored with the discussion between Ares and Cyan, Berd flits off after Aaron and Jack. It would be far more amusing to watch the interplay between those two, and he IS curious about Jack. VERY curious. So he leaves his 'charge' behind for the nonce, and continues to float quietly through the air behind the two men and the odd alien creature, listening to their conversation.

Jack, it seems, has understood a little more about himself. Perhaps due to Berd's discussion? Or something else? Most likely more than one, particular possiblity.

The dragon scurries along the wall near them for a time, not bothering to disguise itself. It wants them to know it is here, so there can be no confusion later on. Then it launches again into the air, fanning its wings to stay aloft, glittering eyes surveying the space ahead with some trepidation.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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"You may be right Cyan, I've been wandering about for a while out here in shadow, and I have never seen anything so," Ares pauses for a few heartbeats, searching for the right word, "so wrong. It was as if it doesn't belong, here or anywhere else. Perhaps the memory will fade when we move away from here."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron does as spoken and releases the image from his own mind with a silent nod to Jack.

"No problem."

Cocking his head to the side, he hears a semi-familiar noise, as of flapping wings. Glancing behind them, he notices Berd and chuckles.

"It seems we have a little visitor."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack stood there, his blue eyes focused on something far away, strain showing on his face and beads of sweat standing out on his brow. He mutters words softly as he concentrates, but the words are like someone talking in their sleep, so mangled, garbled and soft that you can not tell what Jack says for certain.

His body seems to relax- then suddenly starts to tremble, his eyes half roll up and his hands go to his temples as if resisting something or in pain. Then his body relaxes again and he looks up at Aaron and then over to Berd, though tired something shines in his deep blue eyes.

“Well, well. . .” Jack said as he looked between them “Who would have known? I’m not an Amber man.” Jack smiled at Berd holding an arm out for the small drake. There is something confident, calm and collected in his voice. “Come let us see what the Gatherer has done. I am anxious to speak with our allies about helping these people.” Still holding his arm out for the Drake he asks “Is everything alright down there Berd?” there is a hidden note of concern in his voice.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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He had been watching Jack quite intently, wondering just what was going on since he had shown him the images. He had wondered what had been going on, and whether anything would occur.

Now Aaron eyes Jack with some interest... and perhaps... suspicion? That possibility is hidden quite swiftly, however.

Not an Amber man? I wonder...

"I too, am interested in the Gatherer. Let us continue."

He gestures for him to go on, and glances at Berd for a moment, before moving on.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan nods to Ares, her emerald eyes shining slightly as a thought occurs to her. "Myself as well...but I wonder. Should we let the memory fade?" Turning to the armoured man, she narrows her eyes. "I have never, ever heard of such a thing. And while all things are possible, Berd...he is wise in many ways, and that was new to him. Is it not possible, as well, that the Gatherer-" she spits the word out "- is somehow connected to our journey?"

Standing, Cyan begins to pace. "I cannot even think of something Berd would refer to as a 'God'. But that is exactly what he said."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Berd
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Berd laughs silently at Jack's declaration. His glittering eyes fix on the other man's, as he hovers in the air.

Eyeing the arm for a moment, Berd seems to sigh, then lands, light as a feather, and commences preening himself, scratching and biting at shimmering scales.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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"That could be true. If Cylla came here looking for something, then the Gatherer is certainly a something. I've seen nothing else here that is even remotely unique." Ares leans back against the wall, "The only question remaining then is, why is the Gatherer important to Cylla, or whoever she worked for?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"For that," Cyan says, "we must ask Cylla or the Gatherer. Since Cylla is dead, it must be the Gatherer." She gives him a wan smile. "Not personally, of course."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Once Berd lands Jack starts walking up the ramp again, easily holding the arm out as a perch. His attention focused ahead.

“It is good that you are interested, I suspect that this is something that could effect all worlds. Indeed it could very easily threaten your Amber and the pattern you hold so close.”

“Thank you for giving us that moment Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an, again I will speak with my friends and see if relocation of your people is possible. I am worried about the Gatherer and it’s potential.” Jack speaks to their host his voice thick with concern and compassion at their plight. “You said there are other stone gates? Many others? Do you have a map of them?”

His strides are quick and sure towards the surface

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Berd
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Berd's eyes flicker with a thousand sparkles of light before fading in contemplation.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Pausing at the head of the ramp, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an considers Jack's question carefully while waiting for the dwelling to open again. "Maps there were once, but leaves nothing to map does the Gatherer. No landmarks that navigated by might be. No mountains, no rivers, no lakes. For these things words we have, and of their nature tales. But seen them none living have. Dwellings only remain, and stones, but to reach they are too far."
The structure of the building puckers and melts and slides aside to reveal an opening out into the chill desert. The desert looks different. There are no dunes, not even low ones, anywhere in sight. All is flat.
None of the nutritional caste are left, not even bones.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack stepped out the door looking out across the barren, decimated landscape, still holding his left arm up where Berd sat “We have to get these people out of here.” He said flatly without looking at anyone. “No one deserves this.” He scanned the horizon “What do you think Aaron? Do you have any insight into this whole mess?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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He hadn't necesserally expected this.

While there was quite a whole lot of nothing before them, he had at least expected some sort of landmark on which to base their current postion, from that to the original place where Jack's group had come to this Shadow. Now, there was none.

Well, aside from their current dwelling, but how far would they have to walk to reach the next exit? Would they get there at all before the Gatherer sensed their presence? Aaron asked these questions, and quite a few more regarding his fellow traveler Jack, within the back of his mind.

He was silent for quite a while, before he nodded.

"It seems that our only answers can lie in one place. We have no understanding as to how the Gatherer can sustain itself on such little sustenance, when it inhales absolutely everything it comes across. Veldoma's group will be swallowed no matter how long it takes to get here, unless we get them out of here first. We don't know if the Gatherer will come back, but I think it could come back whenever it wants to."

He cocked his head to the side, as if considering something else.

"It also seems to me that our answers may lie with the Gatherer itself, no matter how abhorrent that may be to us. It is a dangerous and deathly powerful entity, but there must be something behind it. The Gatherer apparently has some sort of intelligence, if it was able to fend you all off like that, but I'm only assuming such intelligence. It's sheer size could also play a factor for something like that."

Though he hadn't seen the Gatherer personally, he only knew of a few other things that could account for the desolation done to this place, and none of those things registered here.

"Whatever the case, we should discuss this with the rest of the group first. Especially Cyan and Ares. I doubt they would wish to meet that beast again so soon."

He looked to Jack, and again he pondered the man's previous statement.

Not an Amber man... Were you testing me, Jack? Drawing out my declaration of my power over the Pattern? I pray not. You may find yourself in something worse than what you were looking for.

That was a most silent thought, for it was the last thing he wished for his comrade.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“You are correct, I can not nor will I speak or make decisions for the rest of the group, we should go back and speak with them. You make some interesting points some that I outright agree with. ” Though Jack’s words say it is time to go back he continues to stare out into the sands.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Berd
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Berd slowly glances around the emptiness, and gives a small chirrup that is swallowed by the silence.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack looks out at the sand glancing one way and then another, his eyes focus on some distant point. “The land cries out in pain almost as if it is alive. . .The world is so terribly broken. . .How long until shatters completely or simply breaks through into the next world?”

Jack turns and strides back into the building wordlessly, setting a wicked pace with his long legs and strong strides. Not looking to see if the other man is following , he ignores and conversation for the moment. If Aaron does follow the pace that Jack sets forces the smaller man to have to half jog to keep up.

Jack strides back down the ramp, down into the heart of the earth where his friends are. Picking up speed as he hits the downward slope. When he comes back into the open area at the bottom he has determined look on his face as he moves quickly to the group.

“Lazarus!” He calls out “The buildings are alive yes? At least in a strange way.” taking a wild guess.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron pauses at the entrance to the building, and gazes out at the blasted landscape as Jack takes off.

His eyes follow the sheer nothingness that surrounds them, and a sigh escapes his lips.

"What power do you hold, beast? And from whence, or whom, did it derive? I wonder."

With that, he too turns back into the building and down, to meet up with the rest of the group.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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As he awaited Lazarus’s answer he did not wait, Jack kept moving and speaking. He started by leaning down and whispering something to Cyan as he passed by on the way over to where Kali lay.

“Forgive me for speaking quickly,” Jack says pacing back and forth “I am trying to give you all that I have found. Ask me questions once I am done. The people of this city are dying faster than they are hatched. I would like to propose getting them out of this world. There is also more than just the one stone circle here. They seem to be resistant to the Gatherer who can and has leveled mountains, much like the building are resistant to it only more so I suspect.”

He paused for a moment then continued on “ This world is Badly broken, I am not only speaking of the land, but the order of it. . .The- pattern of the world is broken. It was almost as if the world was a living thing, howling as it’s life blood is spilling out.”

There was another pause “I do not know, if this last is true, it is only theories, fears. I suspect the Gatherer may be doing much more than merely eating the land, but instead devouring its spirit, everythings spirit. I suspect its literally a world eater, the Gatherer, gathering all of the energy of any given world. How much more can this world take before the Gatherer breaks through it and moves to the next one? What's more is, what was our quarry doing here, if not something to do with the Gatherer. We will need to ask out host more about what they did while they were here.”

“Questions? Thoughts?” He stopped pacing back and forth

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares scrambles to his feet, one hand against the wall to steady him even after he is standing. His face pales for a moment, but then he seems to recover his strength, "This thing, the Gatherer, from your description it would be Entropy-incarnate. It could eventually eat entire Shadows! Reduce everything in them to dust."
He shakes his head, "Do you suppose that Cylla may have been trying to find a way to capture this thing. It would make a terrible weapon if you could control where it appeared in Shadow."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack stops pacing and looks at Ares, “It’s a possibility. . . From what our host said this land was once fertile and green, his people numbered in the millions, now he says this is all that remain.” Jack quotes their host verbatim "Cracked the sky did, black burned the sun, and fell to ground the Gatherer did, smaller then, scarce bigger than a dwelling. Destroyed all was where it passed. Mountains, oceans, fields, all dust became. Changed the sun was, cold and dim, bigger. Move in the sky it did no longer.”

He pauses letting it sink in. “Perhaps you should report this to your lord?” Then he is off and pacing again. “You and Cyan seem deeply effected by this Gatherer on a mental and emotional level. Yet Lazarus and Kali saw the same thing and where as she wore herself slap out, she does not seem unbalanced, nor dose Lazarus. . . They share the trait of shape changing to some degree. . .”

Jacks voice sounds more like he is pondering aloud then talking to anyone in particular as he walks back and forth. “I have as of yet to hear a good description of that thing, other than erratic accounts. Almost as if it defied shape and description? If Lazarus and Kali share that. . . .Then what do Cyan and Ares share that rejects the mere sight of the Gatherer?”

“Kali and Lazarus seem to share the adaptable chaos of change to some extent? How do you two share order and rigidity? Or am I following a dead end train of thought?” Jack seems to be making leaps in logic as he brainstorms, picking away at different ideas rapidly "Perhase it was the mental contact through the Trump?"

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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The bard blinks once or twice at Jack's whisper, then nods, slowly. Interesting. Then the conversation turns to the Gatherer. With enough time to relax, Cyan merely nods at the mention of the creature. Memories fade, and so does the raw shock.

At Jack's later question, regarding their heritage, Cyan shrugs, barely able to follow the thread of the conversation. "I hold no great power within," she states clearly. "The Art I control is that of the palanquet. But if you wish a description of the Gatherer...It was huge. I mistook it for a mountain range at first. In the sand, I heard vast footfalls, saw it loom over us...it filled the sky, and yet it was still miles away. Nothing should be that big, and still live. And the sound...like a thousand mouths, teeth chattering."

A muscle in her cheek jumps, belieing her calm tone.

"That was all."

Berd hops from Jack's shoulder, flitting across the space to settle on Cyan's. She seems to draw strength from him, and stares back at Jack, emerald eyes burning with the memory.

"I am no Lord of Order, or Chaos, Jack. I am no Shapeshifter, nor Master of Magic or Words of Power. I am only a wandering artist, and a Bard." She grins, slightly. "I fear I am also only a peasant. Such illustrious company is beyond me. Nobility of Chaos, Order..." She motions to Lazarus and Aaron. "It could well have been the palanquet. As I reached for Ares' hand, I felt something interfere with the contact...possibly the Gatherer?"

She frowns. "And you think it might be a...weapon? Certainly we must help these people...some method of escape. I wish now that we had others of our companions with us. There was one who vastly surpassed myself in the creation of palanquet. Certainly he could have better assisted with the exodus."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack smiles over at Cyan, a sympathetic smile “I’ll admit that I am grasping at straws here. . .Grasp at enough and you may grasp the correct one. Do your palanquets that you are attuned to contain any of the pattern?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"The Pattern? That is the tool of the Lords of Order, is it not?" Cyan shakes her head. "Not to the best of my knowledge. Why? Should they?"

Berd, again, gives a mild, chirrupping sound that is suspiciously like a snicker. Cyan glares at him, sapphire eyes darkening with annoyance, but the little Dragon shakes his head to Jack, and then blows a puff of purple smoke into the air.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“Well anything I think at this point is guess work in the face of lack of information. Trying to piece everything together with a few pieces of fact. It could be a weapon. It could be that she was just passing through here on her way to another gate, as I said there seem to be more gates. Any way you slice it I would like to help these people, but I do not know how.” Jack says quietly sinking down to sit in front of where Kali sleeps.

Jack was getting tired and it could be seen in his face, the raw adrenaline rush and excitement of discovery were wearing off. It had been nice to have something to focus on, he was not quite ready to deal with some of what he had found inside himself. No he would deal with it later. Right now, he had to keep moving and figure this out.

His eye seemed to focus on a point beyond Cyan and Ares

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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"Or perhaps," Aaron begins, as he enters the room himself with a flourish of his cloak,

"She was trying to harness the Gatherer herself, and failed completely, due to its considerable strength."

He halts near Jack, and looks to each one of them, having heard a considerable amount of their conversation before he entered.

"Jack stated that this Shadow's Pattern is being broken. Judging from what I've viewed above us, I would suspect the same. In fact, considering that the Gatherer seemed to have spawned here, this place may be affected by its Broken Pattern quite directly. Either the Gatherer is the result of this Shadow's Pattern being disrupted, or it is the fault of the Gatherer itself. Similarly, the woman you are trailing may be at fault for its creation."

He ponders this himself, then nods.

"Yes. If this place was of complete Chaos, I'm sure it would be far more unstable. Though I am unsure how close we are to the Courts, I believe this place has enough of the Pattern left within it to designate it as a Broken Shadow, one that is physically affected by a fractured Pattern. However, I will state that my knowlege of the Broken Pattern is not great, as I have only heard of a small amount of it. I believe, though, that this may fit our situation, and may assist in the knowlege of the Gatherer."

Aaron's eyes became noticeably troubled as something else struck him. It was like a punch in the forehead. If this Shadow was being affected by the Broken Pattern, than he knew of only one person with enough knowlege on it to be of assistance.

And going to that person was the last thing he wished to do.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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"Well," Cyan says, "I know little enough of the Pattern, and nothing at all of a broken Pattern, I fear. Your knowledge of...will you stop laughing, Berd? Your knowledge of such a thing is far more than my own."

She ponders the enigmatic man's explanation, and frowns slightly. Meanwhile, as noted, Berd is practically falling off her shoulder. His laughter is near silent, this time, it is so intense. "Perhaps you might explain this, for those of us without the knowledge that you possess?" Topaz eyes glittering with annoyance, Cyan taps the giggling Drake with a hand. "Quiet, you."

Berd slowly slides off her shoulder and falls to the ground with a *thud*. Lightly. Lying on his back, rolling back and forth, gently. Cyan, vexed, picks him up by the tail and slings him over her back like a sack. "I am terribly sorry. I truly am not certain what has gotten into him."

Berd's tail continues to quiver.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack rolled his eyes, when he opened them again he looked at Cyan until he caught her Topaz eyes with his own deep blue eyes and a knowing smile on his lips.

Finally he broke eye contact with her after a moment giving her a knowing wink. “You say that it has spawned Aaron? Tell me what you know about this please.” Smiling a warm friendly smile at the new man.

Jack though to himself, it is to bad Kali sleeps, she would enjoy this.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron looks upon the man.

"Jack, if as you say, this Shadow is affected by its Broken Pattern, then perhaps it is the Broken Pattern that has spawned the Gatherer. Either that, or it's the other way around, the Gatherer being the cause of the deterioration of this Shadow. The latter seems more plausable, but if that is the case, than from where, or whom, did the Gatherer emerge? That is what I mean."

However, his eyes still seemed quite troubled, and that possibility kept thudding around in the back of his head. Despite what he knew of the Broken Pattern, it wasn't much, and he'd have to go to a small length to get to the man who knew more about it than most others.

Aaron mumbled a curse.

"Now it's getting complicated."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack shakes his head, Then specifically looks around to make certain Kali and Lazarus are there. He has to guard Kali, and Lazarus has not given him an answer.

Jack speaks as he looks for Kali and Laz. “Don’t worry about the complexities Aaron, work with what we have.” Jack smirks at the statement “I had though that you meant that the Gatherer had spawned here, as in gave birth to another. The fact is we do not know if it was born here, if it came here or if it was put here. We do not know much of anything.”

“Aaron, all cards on the table. Tell us everything you have discovered since you came here and what you have been holding back and I will lay my cards on the table. Yes I have been watching you, and reading you. The time for that is past. The whole, unadulterated truth and facts of the matter could help us both and save us much trouble to come. I am sorry I was so edgy and treated you rudely.”

Jack hesitates “I- I lost someone I cared for once upon a time, I couldn’t protect them. I was not going to let that happen again, or die trying to stop it." A sad look passes over his face "Tell us everything and I will tell you what I can.” Jack stands there, studying the Amber man with his deep blue eyes. “As allies we would be quite formidable, but the only way to seal such an alliance is with trust. You have given me much, and I thank you for it.Now I ask more, but it will be returned.”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Dworkin (GM)
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Appearing at the base of the ramp, Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an approaches the group once more, "Reminded me Tn'axatholamentosha'aplanoctuop has. When here the other was, a device did it in the sands leave." It gestures towards the ramp, "To it I take you can."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Veldoma speaks, and Aaron waits for the others to acknowlege it before answering Jack.

"It seems our patience has paid off, but I suppose you're right, Jack."

Clearing his throat, he gestures to him specifically.

"Of the entire group, only Jack knows that I am bonded to the Pattern. It is because of this that I ran into Jack in the first place, though at the time he didn't know where I had come from. I will tell you now that that is how I have come into the presence of this interesting group. Through the Pattern."

Glancing at Veldoma, he continues.

"There is another. My half-brother, Jadus, is also bonded. However, he is bonded to a specifically different Pattern. Somehow, he has bonded himself to a Broken Pattern. It seems to me that the Broken Pattern is like a cross between Chaos and Order, Logrus and Pattern, in that it is the Pattern that he controls, but that his Pattern is shifted, never completely solid. He knows its dangers as well, and he is quite educated in its use."

Now he looks directly at Jack, his eyes deadly serious.

"I will not lie to you, nor will I obfuscate myself further. Jadus is a very dangerous man, and I won't make you believe for a second that he and I hold any form of familial love towards one another. If you want to know anything of the Broken Pattern, and if the Gatherer is of it, he is the man I will have to ask. Unless Veldoma or any of you can give us a better answer, than I will have to meet him."

"If this is what you wish," he says "than I will say that none of you need to join me. You can continue on in your journey. I have a feeling that as long as I get a firm visualization for your next destination, I can meet you there. However, I will inform you that going this alone will not be easy."

Aaron chuckled then, which was more a release of tension than any form of amusement.

"Doing it as a total group, rested and well fed, and it still would not be easy."

He stopped and sagged, letting that statement hang. If the group truly wished to meet his brother, then this was the time to say it.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan listens to the explanation, becoming a little more excited when the 'device' is mentioned. She turns to Veldoma'antazaclania'antiacla'an and bows, formally. "I thank you - we would like to see that, if you can give us a very small amount of time." She listens to Berd for a bit as the others speak, getting a firsthand glimpse of everything he saw and heard when he went up to the surface with Jack and Aaron. As well as his short conversation with Jack.

Jack. Lost someone...of course. His demeanor...his single-minded attatchment to Kalika. Poor, lost Jack.

Then conversation shifts again, back to Aaron.

Smiling faintly, Cyan casts her mind back to what the little dragon had told her about Aaron, back when they FIRST came down into the room, before he and Jack had left. "Things are not always as they seem, Aaron. Berd knew of your great skill with the use of the arcane energies of the Pattern from before you, he, and Jack headed up to the room above to look out into the sands. You are, then, of the nobility of Amber?" Standing, she bows. "Prince of Amber, I greet you, now that you have shed your disguise." There is faint amusement on her face.

"As for the Broken Pattern," she questions, amethyst eyes shining with clean mirth, "is there not another way we might gain information about it? I do not doubt your concerns about your cousin," Cyan states, nodding, "and this leads me to ask: surely it is not as rare as that? Possibly we could find another? I think the danger of your half-brother should be avoided until we have exhausted all other possibilities."

There is, of course, among other things, the device on the sand.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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Aaron laughs, though not at Cyan's honoring of him.

"My dear Cyan, I assure you, though I may be of noble blood, I am as far from royalty as they come. A 'Prince of Shadows' I may be, but of Amber, well..."

He shakes his head with a slight smile, but that deteriorates as he gains a serious tone and gets to the point of the matter, shying away from talk of himself.

"We have pressing matters to deal with here first and foremost. That device should be primary to our journey. We needent meddle in the affairs of my brother if we can help it, and unless we have a certain necessity. I agree with you, Cyan, that there could be another way to learn of the Gatherer, but Jadus would more than likely have a considerable knowlege of things that spawn from broken Shadows."

"I state that as a possibility only, though. I, personally, don't wish to see my brother any sooner than I have to. More appropriately, I don't wish to see him at all. It is only the strange bedfellows of necessity that prodded me in such a direction."

Aaron nodded and gestured to the upward pathway.

"Let us find out what we can here first, and then deal with the reasons behind it. We will only go to Jadus if all other possibilities are exhausted."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Cyan shrugs, shooting Aaron an emerald glance. Royal blood is royal blood, and while she does not know much about Amber, Berd has informed her that only those of the ruling family can summon the powers of the Pattern. If Aaron is a greater adept of such powers, certainly he must be of the Blood.

I am travelling with far too much royalty, she considers, waiting for others to comment or input on the matter of the Gatherer or the Broken Pattern, a phrase she had not heard of before today.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“You are mistaken Aaron, the Broken pattern is not a combination of order and chaos.” Jack said casually “And you mostly likely will not have to speak to Jadus on this matter. The Pattern taught me much of the universe when I walked originally. I will tell you more once I am satisfied with your answers.” Jack gave a small unreadable smile.

Jack makes no move to arise from where he sits for the moment. “I do not doubt what you have said or suspect you are hiding anything, but you are rushing though things to fast for my tired addled mind. How did the Pattern bring or lead you to us? Also have you told us all you have been able to glean about the Gatherer?”

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Aaron
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The man begins to pace back and forth, mulling over certain things, but he glances at Jack out of the corner of his eye.

"I have already told you all the things I believe of the Broken Pattern and the Gatherer. I've said that I don't know very much about either, only what I've surmised. Jadus, however, is a matter I hope to circumvent."

Pausing in his motion, he turns to Jack, a bit of that old suspicion in his eye.

"I never said that I used the Pattern to get to you, Jack. From what I can remember, I had finished walking it... and then I was in that room, right before I met you. I had not thought of where to go, before I finished mapping out the Pattern. From what I can gather, I didn't use the Pattern to get myself here. Someone else did."

Spreading his hands out before him, he turns and stares at Jack. His dark eyes are wide, and the hilt of his sword protrudes from behind his right shoulder, light glinting off of its surface.

"I have revealed myself, oh fatigued one. Now, the turn is yours."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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“You said that you had come into the presence of this interesting group, through the Pattern. I was only curious as to how, not an unreasonable request.” Jack started off, as he spoke he pulled pieces of a light exotic looking armor out of his pack and put them on.
“Do not worry, I am not intending to fight you, merely getting ready to go out. Let us start with who I am.” He does not talk for several seconds, a far away look in his eyes.

“Who am I? I feel the best of who I am is Jack. . .I have learned more that matters in these two days than I had in over 200 years. From Lazarus I learned that no matter who you are or where you are from, that your people are important. Even if you were not born to them, lives matter. You often choose your people and they you, it is not who you are born to.”

“From Ares I am learning patients, but either he is a slow teacher, I am a slow student or it is a subject that can only be learned slowly. His quiet watchfulness is teaching me other things, though mostly his valor I whish to learn. He faced a battle of his weakness though he could not win, for his allies.”

“From hunter I learn loyalty and I believe he has other lessons for me.”

“Berd, I am still pondering Berds lessons for me.”

Cyan “I have learned the lessons of friend ship and respecting the worlds for their own.”

Kalika, “I can not begin to list or number the lessons she has taught me. She is the best piece of the triad.” He looks affectionately down on the wolf woman. “Even if something should happen I will proudly carry these lessons. The best parts of me I owe to them, that part of me is Jack. So I am Jack, for we all want to be the best we can. The best of me is from them, Jack.”

“What’s more is it is not important to someone like you. For as I understand it, to you I am nothing more than a shadow, a reflection. A minor noble from one of the many world, who uses what you call the broken pattern. Still I know something of the broken pattern and that is what is important to you.” He smiles at Aaron

“That thing you have in your head is the pure pattern? Pure unflawed order?” Without waiting for an answer Jack continues “Each world has it’s own version of the pattern, but all I have seen other than yours are flawed, broken. The breaks are not chaos. Chaos is a random crap shoot, a jumble. The flaws in a pattern are breaks where all of the universal garbage collects. Unlike chaos where you take the good with the bad, the flaws hold only the bad. Do you follow so far?”

“If this world was fertile and thriving once upon a time, then it pattern was relatively unbroken. Either someone broke it’s pattern bringing the Gatherer, or the Gatherer came and is eating away at this world pattern. I suspect with the way I heard the world screaming, that this beast is breaking the pattern.”

Jack stands having put his Armor on and gently shakes Kali to wake her. “Come Lalai, we need to go see something. Let us go now.”

OOC: Sorry I know she’s out but he would not leave her behind for this.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Berd's head comes up from around behind Cyan's back and gives Jack a devilish grin of his own, before he scrabbles his way up Cyan's shoulderblades, claws sinking into the fragile-appearing silk, and up to her shoulders, where he perches, uttering a single, purple puff of smoke before lying down.

Cyan nods to Jack, adjusting her pack. "Very well, walker of the Broken Pattern." She gives Aaron a wry smile. "It was not my secret to tell." She ponders Jack's words for several long moments, ruby eyes burning darkly in the dim light. "We all learn from each other, or so I hope. Shall we then seek out this object in the sand?"

There's a twinkle for a moment, and the Cube is produced. Cyan examines it for a moment. "Perhaps it might prove to be another thing like this...I suggest that, whatever the object, we all stand back and survey it before ANY of us touches it. Agreed?" The Cube disappears again, a trick of presdigitation. Cyan hooks a foot in the red cord of Kirelindë's scabbard and flicks the thin sword into the air, catching it with a flourish and slinging it over her shoulder by the cord.

"You all know far more about the Pattern, of Order, Chaos, and this...Logrus than I. I will depend on your judgement in these matters." Berd lolls aimlessly on her shoulder, occasionally breathing out a thin, rainbow puff of mist. "Jack?" she asks, stressing the name. "Lead on."

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Jack
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Jack catches Cyans eyes for a moment with his own.

With his armor on now, and making certain Kalkia is awake and the bed roll is in his pack. Jack bows to Cyan, “I would be delight Madame Bard.”
He takes Kali’s hand and follows their host towards the surface as if going for a pleasant evenings stroll.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Ares
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Ares starts to applaud slowly at the end of Jack's speech, "Bravo! Well said Jack." His face is split by a broad grin as he gathers his belongings together, ready to leave. His mood and weariness seem to have lifted somewhat, but there is still something at the back of his eyes that hints at horror.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Cyan
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Slipping up beside Ares, Cyan pats him on the back. "Come on, Ares," she laughs. "Let's go see what we can find above." Leaning over, she whispers something in his ear.

She gives him a quick grin and a wink, while Berd makes a bored face at the swordsman from behind her head. Then Cyan takes his arm and wheels the agile man after Jack and Kallika (not hard!). Her own mood seems to have shifted, with its customary lightning fast turnaround time. If Ares doesn't move quickly enough, she 'urges' him onwards, topaz eyes gleaming with excitement.

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Re: Part 11 - The time of the Gatherer by Lazarus
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Lazarus remained noticeably (thankfully?) quiet throughout the discussion, his only contribution the occassional scratching of his pencil that punctuated the brief pauses during the conversation as he scribbled furiously in his journal.

After a few moments he notices that the discussion has ended. Looking up from his work he sees the other group members walking up the ramp.

"Now what?" he grumbles

Shoving himself up off the ground Lazarus quickly shoulders his pack and walks after the companions, continuing to write in the leathern book.

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