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Part 20c: Vigil
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Part 20c - Vigil by Dworkin (GM)
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Overhead the stars glitter from a clear sky. Strange patterns,
which doubtless have strange tales attached to them. The air
grows chill, and even Berd's subtle influence can no longer deny the
fact that this is so.
By the spire of stone which marks the last resting place of Ares of
Amber, the women, one blind and one maimed, sit close together.
Hunter sits between them, the wolf sharing his senses with one and his
body heat with both.
Jack, too, is there, in mind at least. Linked to them all in
different ways, but linked all the same... They follow his
progress through the heart of the city of glass, and send silent
encouragement and support.
Hunter suddenly raises his muzzle skywards and sniffs the air. A
deep, rumbling growl starts low in his chest and climbs his throat,
escaping between bared fangs which gleam white in the starlight.
Berd wakes, and hisses, and clambers from Cyan's lap onto her
shoulder. The tiny drake perches there, eyes fixed on a point in
the darkness.
There is a slightly deeper darkness there, an approaching shape which
gradually resolves itself into the form of a person, wrapped in a heavy
cloak against the cold, face hidden in the darkness of a hood. He
(or she, it is impossible to tell) stops some twenty feet away and
opens the cloak, spreading arms to show empty hands.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
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A man of about 30 years of age, standing about 5' 10" with a slim build
walks slowly and cautiously towards the first people he has seen in
this Shadow since his rather rough arrival. He is dressed in
faded blue jeans and brown leather walking shoes. He has a white
Cossack blouse tunic bound by a navy blue sash around the waist.
He is wearing a long crimson silk scarf around his neck and a
calf-length grayish-brown Australian Outback oilskin duster. He
has a dark brown leather knapsack on his back and carries a solid
looking wooden shillelagh with carvings on it. He wears tanned
leather fingerless gloves and silver-gray shades over his pale gray
eyes. His chestnut brown hair falls freely to his shoulder and he
wears a forest green beret on top of his head.
He has an inquisitive expression on his face and a reasonably friendly
and disarming smile as he looks at the two strangers before him with
their "pets". As he carefully approaches he holds out his hands
to show that aside from the shillelagh, which he is using as a walking
stick, he carries nothing that could be considered threatening.
When he gets closer he pauses a few moments to study the wolf and the
drake. He then says in a soft and melodious tone of voice, "Good
evening fair ladies and well met. It seems that I am not alone
out here in the cold and I would be grateful for this revelation...
except for the fact that your non-human companions seem not at all
pleased by my arrival.
I assure you that I mean none harm and I am but a simple traveler on a
personal journey of discovery looking for a moment of company and
warmth. However I do not wish to impose upon your peaceful
slumber and if you so desire, I will withdraw to a more acceptable
distance.
Yet... the night is already so cold, would it not be better to avoid
adding to the chill by withholding the warmth of human contact?"
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Berd, after his initial discomfort, settles down on Cyan's shoulder and
begins to preen himself. There is, however, a flash of glittering
eyes, now and then, indicating he has not taken his attention from the
stranger.
Cyan sits at the fire, still holding the palanquet in her bandaged right hand, her concentration split between it and the stranger. What foul timing this is...or is it enemy action?
Her natural politeness and acceptance of strangers is swamped by the
fact that she, right now, is the only lifeline to Jack...and Kalika
still has not fully adapted to her new circumstance. Should the
stranger be an enemy, they will be in grave danger.
Well. I have two stalwart companions, and Kallika, blinded, would likely be capable of giving me a rough time of it. She studies the man for a long moment. Fascinating clothing...I wonder if he has any concealed weapons? It's possible; she's seen such things before.
"You speak well, Sir Traveller," Cyan states quietly, her topaz eyes
catching the light of the fire for a glittering instant. She
remains seated, card in one hand, knees drawn up before her, thin sword
leaning against them under her other hand. "We are, at present,
caught up in matters of some import to us...but unless my companion has
misgivings, you are welcome to share the fire. I would not turn
away a traveller from the comfort of a camp already made. I only
ask that you not disturb me in my work - times past, I would have
offered you a song, or stimulating conversation, but I fear that,
tonight, my time is not free for whimsy. My apologies."
With her free, good, hand, Cyan motions to the space across the fire
from her, then drops it back to rest easily on Kirilindë's hilt.
The movement is not threatening, but reflexive.
All the while, her words are being relayed to Jack. Jack. We are no longer alone, but continue. It is something we can handle.
Berd suddenly snaps off her shoulder, swooping up to his new, customary
position, atop the glassy column. He sits up there, a shape in
the darkness with two, glittering eyes, studying the stranger.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Not to worry, Jack, Cyan pulses back along the palanquet contact, giving him a fleeting glimpse of focused, sapphire eyes. Berd
and Hunter are watching him carefully, both physically and not, and
should something go wrong, I feel...reasonably certain the four of us
can handle it. Besides, Aaron should be returning soon.
.....
I hope.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Still waiting for the stranger's answer, Cyan continues her silent communication with Jack.
Do not alert them to your presence. Better to continue to
observe, now. Glean as much as you can, then, when we can observe
no more, interact. First, though - what is that wheel of fire
doing? Can you not watch it for a bit longer? It seems to
have some kind of standing with these creatures.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
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Cyan typed:"You speak well, Sir Traveller," Cyan states quietly,
her topaz eyes catching the light of the fire for a glittering
instant. She remains seated, card in one hand, knees drawn up
before her, thin sword leaning against them under her other hand.
"We are, at present, caught up in matters of some import to us...but
unless my companion has misgivings, you are welcome to share the
fire. I would not turn away a traveller from the comfort of a
camp already made. I only ask that you not disturb me in my work
- times past, I would have offered you a song, or stimulating
conversation, but I fear that, tonight, my time is not free for
whimsy. My apologies." With her free, good, hand, Cyan
motions to the space across the fire from her, then drops it back to
rest easily on Kirilindë's hilt. The movement is not threatening,
but reflexive.
The man bows in a courtly manner towards the woman who spoke and replied in a soft and cordial manner, "You kindness and generosity is most appreciated. I will do my best not to intrude on your... matters of import. Perhaps when you have completed your... work,
I might have the pleasure of your words and song. For the moment
though I will merely indulge in the warmth of the fire and for that
gift, I at least owe you my name. I am Leonardo Henri Cezanne,
proud artist but humble traveler."
Leonardo moves to the place the woman has indicated across from her by
the fire and he sits down cross-legged. He places his walking
stick across his lap and then takes out a small pad of waterproof paper
as well as a selectable multi-color ball points pen. Leonardo
takes a moment to study the two women and their companions before
commencing to put pen to paper. He works quietly and remains
silent as his attention seems focused on his work and only occasionally
does he look up as if to confirm some detail in his mind.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Berd
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Berd wattches the stranger from his vantage point, eyes glittering like points of cold fire...
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali is seated near the fire, the hood of the cloak pulled up, her face
obscurred by the dancing shadows of the fire. It is obvious that she is
a small woman, but the cloak conceals all other details. A large wolf
is standing protectively next to her, hackles raised and teeth slightly
barred. The wolf is silent, as Kali sends back to Jack. I can hear you my love... I know you know, but please be careful she smiles along the link as well, but then her attention is back onto the new comer, this Leonardo.
Hunter approaches the man, standing behind him, peering over him at the
drawing, and Kali borrows the wolf's eyes to see what he is drawing,
nervous of him trying to capture her soul.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Cyan nods, slowly, to the stranger's words. "Thank you for your
politeness, Leonardo Henri Cezanne. I am Cyan, of No Place in
Particular." She grins, emerald eyes shimmering in the flickering
firelight. "It is always a pleasure to meet a fellow artist."
She focuses her attention back on the palanquet, and the bizarre scene it shows. Conflict
is intelligence of some kind, Jack, though how much I cannot say.
I would advise you to continue to observe this scene...something of
import is occurring.
Our stranger is like you or I, rather than being like Aaron. He
is from the myriad worlds, I think, but has grown from exposure to
Power of some kind. Berd names him 'moresolid/strengthened', if
you get my meaning. He also holds some kind of object of power,
but I am not certain what it might be. The only visible weapon is
an oak cudgel, but there may be others...the aforementioned object of
power. And...some do not require weapons to be dangerous.
Hunter and Berd are watching him...I do not believe he poses a threat,
as yet.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
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Leonardo looked up briefly as the wolf walked over to him but after
that he seemed to pay it no mind. When the beast tried to look
over his shoulder at his work, Leonardo just smiled as he hunched over
and continued his working.
Unless the beast was willing to physically push Leonardo around... he
wasn't going to see anything. This was not the first time
Leonardo had been inclined to keep his work to himself... he had a
strong aversion to showing his work until it was finished and ready for
presentation.
Without taking his eyes off his work or looking up, Leonardo said in a soft and amused tone, "It
seems I have an admirer... however I'm afraid this individual will just
have to wait until my work is complete. I am not in the habit of
premature displays... only the finished product is worthy of
presentation. I assure you... it will be worth the wait, but I
must request that I be given space to work freely."
For just a moment, Leonardo pauses in his work and looks at Cyan before looking over at the wolf and adding, "Besides...
you don't wish to cause an incident that could disturb Lady Cyan's
concentration? It would be most impolite to bother anyone when
they are hard at... work. I hope you understand that I have never been comfortable with strangers at my back or looking over my shoulder.
If confrontation is the goal, I prefer it done face-to-face... if it
must come to that at all. As for my work, until it is complete...
I feel a certain proprietary protectiveness, which makes me uneasy
around snoopers. I do hope you understand Master Wolf and will
not take undue offense."
Leonardo then resumed his hunched stance as he returned to his work and
used the flaps of his duster as an impromptu cover to shield his work
both from the elements... and unwanted snooping.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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"Hunter is merely concerned," Cyan states absently, desperately trying
to keep her attention on two things at once. Berd slips in and
assists her, taking up some of the slack when it comes to Jack.
"My friend," and here she waves to Kallika, "objects strongly to people
painting pictures of her. Hunter merely seeks to prevent you from
making such a mistake - an honest one, in face. If you are
painting her, I request that you refrain."
She grins, suddenly, as if to say that there is no offence taken, and
none given. Her eyes catch the fire like rubies, burning with a
ruddy glow. "Being a painter myself, I understand my friend's
position, but also give you leave to paint me."
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
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Leonardo looks up from his work and then looks back at the wolf saying in a soft tone of mild reproach, "You
see... all that concern and worry... and now we have disturbed Lady
Cyan's concentration. I only hope we have not caused too much
trouble... you really shouldn't have been so nosey."
Leonardo turns back to Cyan with a placating smile and replies in a contrite tone, "Do
forgive me for allowing my hobby to disturb you Lady Cyan. I must
confess that this is the first time I have come across someone with
such strong objections... especially as I was intending to present you
with the final work as a gift for your warm hospitality.
I suppose the your friend objects just as strenuously to someone
drawing her portrait as she does to painting it? Very well... I
have no wish nor use nor need for an uncooperative subject.
I do thank you for your permission to draw you Lady Cyan and I hope
that at least YOU will appreciate my talents when the final work is
offered to you in the spirit of companionship. I shall have to
begin anew... but no matter, now I can focus on a willing subject and
will be able to work in peace without third party interference or
interruption."
As he says this last statement, Leonardo briefly stares back at Hunter
before turning towards the other lady, raising one eyebrow and saying
in a cool tone, "The
next time you desire to make your wishes and idiosyncrasies know my
lady, I would humbly request that you do so in person rather than
through secondary agents. Unless of course you have lost the
capacity for speech, in which case I absolve you of any accusation of
rudeness.
There may be others out there who are familiar with the silent
intentions of the beasts of the wild... however I do not count myself
among their number. I do not appreciate being hounded as I have no inkling as to your wolf's true intentions or motivations.
I am sure upon reflection that you can understand the threatening
hostility one might sense from the sudden close and unwanted approach
of an unknown strange beast. I have no wish to become a wolf's
dinner nor be made a gruesome example of due to unintended offense
given through no fault of my own.
Seeing as I have acquiesced to Lady Cyan's civilized request that I
refrain from drawing your image... I would now ask politely that you
remove your animal companion from his current position as I find its
presence most unnerving.
As I mentioned before, I never show my unfinished work... only the
final product is ever presented for critique. I also have
developed a distinct need for... personal space which I would ask that you respect just as I am willing to respect your
disinclination to having a likeness made of your features. Thank
you for your understanding in this matter."
Leonardo then flipped over the page he had been working on and began to
write. However even if the wolf was so rude as to continue to
stare over Leonardo's shoulder... the writing would be meaningless as
it was a personal cipher/short-hand Leonardo used for his own private
observations.
After taking several minutes to write down his thoughts in this cipher
in silence, Leonardo turned the page again and looked up at Cyan.
Leonardo smiled warmly and then his eyes seemed to glaze over in an
unfocused manner as his facial expression relaxed into a passive
look. After a few moments of this, Leonardo began to draw again
on the fresh sheet of paper.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Cyan's eyes widen as Leonardo speaks, shading over to a burning amber
hue. Her jaw sets, and she flexes her one, free hand for a
moment, almost losing her concentration on the card. Berd
hurriedly takes it up, letting out a chiming laugh that sounds almost
mocking despite its musical nature. Slowly, she shakes her head,
considering informing this...Leonardo...that he no longer has the right
to draw her, either.
But that, in this case, would be petty.
Her gaze rolls towards Kallika with interest, concentration now split,
as she wonders how her companion will respond to their 'guest's'
arrogance. The nerve. Coming to our camp, and speaking so, when he knows nothing of us, our customs...
Again, she considers speaking herself, but then smiles thinly.
Kallika is more than capable of 'defending' herself, should she so
wish, and Cyan would hardly deprive her of the opportunity.
It would seem, she sends to Jack, that our traveller shares some characteristics with the 'old' Aaron, if I am reading this correctly.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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It might be best, Cyan agrees, ruby eyes shining with mixed amusement and frustration. We
can always come back to this land; circumstances here are forcing our
hand. This reconnaissance is something that we can complete-
"-later," she finishes aloud, reaching out for Jack. "Come through, Jack."
Berd hits the ground, keeping far away in case Jack materializes atop
him. He has no wish to interpenetrate with the shadow-creature
that Jack has become.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Dworkin (GM)
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Cyan reaches her hand out to Jack, and a nimbus appears in the air, an
aura visible only to those with the sight to see it. This one is
strange though. Most Trump gates shimmer with the colours of the
spectrum, this one comprises only shades of black.
The blackness flows and billows, like ink poured into water, then recedes.
Jack is here...
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Jack
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The darkness retains the vague form of Jack
while he searches through the triads link for what has happened over
the last few minuets. The dark form of Jack sinks into the
shadows, around the camp. Blending, becoming one with them and becoming
lost in the dark. Yet a soft psychic voice can be heard coming from
varying places across the camp. Changing location and directions fast
as the wind he says.
Rudeness…
is coming into
someone’s camp as a guest This part comes from right next to Leonardo’s ear, indeed from his own shadow.
and hiding what you are doing.
Jack rose from Kali's shadow, the inky darkness pouring off him as he did so. “Hello Lalai” He said before leaning down and kissing the top of her hooded head. “Miss me?” He the knowing smirk in place.
He looked back to the new comer the smile becoming
a distasteful frown, deep blue eyes regarding the man. Jacks boyish
face growing serious yet his voice was soft and not unkind in it’s
seriousness. “Leonardo Henri Cezanne, I am Jack of the Darkwell and
this is not your camp. It is however how ever the wolves camp, so he
may do as he pleases within reason. You are guest here, I would suggest
that you try and behave yourself respectfully as one. We have been in
most trying circumstances as of late, having lost a dear friend today.
So forgive us, we do not have time or the inkling to baby egos or an
artists delicate feelings. We have rules in the way we treat each
other, one of which is letting each know exactly what we are doing and
keeping nothing. . . I repeat no, zero, zip, no secrets at all
from each other.”
“ Being a bit of a diplomat and traveler I
know it is best to abide by the rules and reasons of those you are
with. If you can do this great you are most welcome to our fireside and
company, if not then I would suggest you go make your own cam and
dispense with our company. I have no patients right now for verbal
fencing and do not wish to get into it with anyone. So a simple yes or
no, and an apology to the lady and the wolf would be for the best.”
Yes Jack was being blunt, but better to have
everything up front. He looked around the camp absentmindedly after
finishing. “I would offer you a drink after you finish with the
apologies , but I do not know if we have anything worth wile.”
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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The spectral dance garners a smile, but Cyan bursts into a peal of
delighted laughter at Jack's forthright speech. "Ah, Jack, now I
know why," she begins, hesitating, then continuing smoothly, "why your
company is such a delight. As usual, keen diplomat that you are,
you have ferretted out just the warm, soft words of comfort and welcome
that are required." Her laughter rings out again across the
plain, clear and bright, for the first time in...a long while.
Berd perks up and chirps happily, rising on blurred wings, and swings
over to land on her shoulder, piping a welcome to the Jack of Shadows.
"Leonardo Henri Cezanne, this is Jack of the Darkwell, our sometime
leader and voice of reason. Jack, as you know, this is Leonardo
Henri Cezanne, traveller and artist," the bard states, motioning to
each in their turn. "As for the drink, Jack, though Lexy has left
us," she continues, Berd letting out a small snort of disgust at her
words, "a little piece of her has remained behind...." Rooting in
her pack, Cyan comes out with the three-quarters full bottle of fine
brandy (one of a pair), and holds it up.
"Regretfully, we have no cups. But I trust the strong spirits
will deal with any issues of passing the bottle." Amethyst eyes
shining in the dim light, she holds the bottle towards Jack. Berd
crawls down her arm, sitting on the top of the neck, Cyan's arm dipping
slightly for a moment under the extra weight. "Wretched
creature...oh, would you? My apologies. Do you wish the
brandy, Jack?"
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Jack
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Jack took the brandy with a comically
melodramatic hurt look , the shrugged his shoulders and flashed a
friendly smile at Cyan. “Hey, at least I didn’t try the same kind of
diplomacy on Leo here that I used on Aaron back on the boat.” He said
before taking a small sip of brandy for politeness sake and casually
handing it back to the bard.
“Certain situations call for unique
diplomatic strategy. Far be it from me to argue with tried and true
techniques, even if it means altering how they see things through mass
aversion therepy.” He endeavors to look innocently up as if he has a
halo. Yet the knowing grin has returned only making him look that much
more impish. With that failing miserably he stuck his tongue quickly
and impishly out at the bard.
Followed by a glance back over to Leonardo he added
“We are really not a bad lot, but you have caught us at a really bad
time friend.”
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
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[OOC: Jack... I would check with Dworkin about whether your psychic
words reached Leonardo or not... in fact you may find that you don't
sense Leonardo's mind at all... unless you intend to really PUSH which
will be noticeable.]
Leonardo looked at the arrival of the newcomer with a passive
expression on his face and shrugged as he rose casually from the ground
saying in a disinterested tone, "Well...
it seems that diplomacy as well as manners are truly dead.
However apparently flashy and overly flamboyant entrances are still in
style... somewhere. It's a shame I've seen better or I might have
been impressed.
If you wish to find fault with me as a guest... I believe one may
safely say you are more than a bit lacking as a host. So much
fuss over a simple gift... I can't believe it! The only reason I
began this drawing was to present it as a gift to the two ladies who
invited to me to join them. Where I come from, it is customary to
offer a gift in exchange for generosity and welcome. The only
thing I have of any value is my art but apparently my meager talents
are unworthy of such exalted company.
Well... I can tell when I am not wanted and I have no intention of
overstaying my welcome. A welcome which seemed to come to an end
the moment I sat down and had wild beasts stalking me from behind while
I tried to make a gift for my hosts.... and to think it is my manners
which are called into question.
By no matter, this gift seems as unwelcome as I am and I shall bother
you all no further. While this campsite may indeed belong to
you... I trust the rest of this wide open world does not? I am
after all here to search for someone and I would hate to think he has
met with similar... welcome. Good evening to all of you."
Leonardo tears out the two pages which contain the first and second
drawings. He then crumples up the paper and throws it unto the
fire before putting away his notepad and pen. He then bows to
Cyan and adds with a sigh and in a regretful tone, "It
seems a shame that I will not be favored with your stories and songs
after all. I should like to have been able to present you with
your gift but it seems others have taken great exception and I would
not wish the picture to be a subject of contention among your
companions. I just wish to thank you once again for your kind
welcome and attempts at soothing your companions rougher social edges.
I am sorry if my attempt to reward your kindness has caused you undue
hassle or disrupted your work greatly, it was never my intention.
Good evening Lady Cyan and fare thee well in your future
endeavors. Now I must be off, I have dallied too long as it is
and the object of my search may already be approaching his peril."
Leonardo then turned to head back out into the night.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Cyan's eyebrow rises slightly as she listens to Leonardo put forth his
grievances. She remains silent, however, letting the man's
arrogance and bitter sarcasm flow off her, glancing at Jack with a wry
expression. No, I was wrong. Aaron was never, ever this bad, in certain ways.
When he addresses her, the redheaded woman merely stares back at him,
quietly waiting for him to finish. Berd flops off her arm and
immediately moves to the place Leonardo has just vacated, setting
himself down in the warmth with a satisfied sigh. "I wish you
luck in locating your friend," the Bard replies in a neutral
tone. "If we see any who appears to be a stranger to this place,
we shall direct him to you...or succor him, as we would with any in
peril." Giving him a short bow in reply to his, she turns to Jack
when the man leaves, emerald eyes flashing with wry amusement.
"Well. I fear you have returned, Jack, only to leave...or
rest." Taking the bottle back, the bard sips at the brandy.
"Berd and Hunter will ensure our Traveller does not return without our
knowledge...I hope." Reaching out with a foot, she taps the
drake. One indignant belch later, the little dragon is clambering
up on her shoulder again.
"What, precisely, did we discover?" Cyan frowns. "I fear
much of what transpired in that world was so alien I barely
comprehended it."
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Jack
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Jack nods to Leo as he leaves and says “Best
of luck to you, but if your are looking for Ares. . .It is to late.”
Again blunt and tactless.
Then Jack turns to the bard “What stories do you have about the
Seraphim bard? I do believe things have just gotten interesting and the
pieces are coming together.”
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
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Leonardo had only take two steps away from the camp when Jack interjected...
quote:“Best of luck to you, but if your are looking for Ares. . .It is to late.”
Leonardo turned towards Jack with a curious expression on his face as he asked in a perplexed tone, "Hmm...
"Ares"... the name is not familiar though I am sorry to hear that
anyone has come to harm. The man I am looking for is called
"David" but I have not been able to establish contact with him for a
few days now... yet... my dream clearly showed him to be approaching
danger.
Did this "Ares" meet is final end then? I don't suppose he looked anything like..." {OOC: insert description of Ares} "... did he?"
Leonardo's fairly passive features and tone have changed to one of
concern and the worry is clear in his tone of voice. Leonardo
pulls a Card from his belt pouch and looks at the card face with an
expression of trepidation.
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
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Cyan sighs, slowly turning her head to look at Leonardo.
"Yes. That is Ares. He died a short time past, and is
interred beneath that spire." The bard slowly points to the
glassy, volcanic column rising from the ground a short distance
away. "I am truly sorry. Ares was a good man - one of the
best I have ever had the pleasure of knowing." Turning, the bard
stares into the campfire, her topaz eyes matching the tips of the
flickering flame.
"He perished of wounds received while in our company. They were poisoned."
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Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Kalika Wolfblade
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Kali remains seated as Leo addresses Hunter, who stares back at the man
with his best 'dumb animal' look. Instead he sneezes quite audibly and
wetly on the artist before padding to Kali's side and seating himself
there protectively, a lupine grin on his 'face.'
Jack comes from the shadows then and Kali tilts her head back to greet
him. the hood falls back, causing her silver hair to glint metallicaly
in the firelight, the starmetal chain still bringing a flare of
irridescent color to the silver locks. "Welcome back lalai" she smiles, the feelings of love from their bond making it a soft, caring smile since the look in her eyes cannot.
Kali then turns her head, the scars around her face shine wetly, their
puckered pink color a testament to the fact that the venom had stopped
it's damaging work. Her pure white eyes face the heat source whose
scent was 'Leonardo.'
"You speak of your customs being tread upon by us not accepting tribute
or treating you poorly... customer that were tread upon in ignorance,
much as you began to tread upon one of our customs in ignorance" a
small half smile seems out of place on her face since her eyes are
unable to echo the expression "that would make us even, no?"
She does not rise, but instead says seating, her head tilted so that she is 'looking up' at those who are standing.
===========================================================
Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
All pretense of calm evaporates as a dark shroud of despair descends
upon Leonardo's features and mood. Upon hearing that his friend
his dead, Leonardo collapses sinking to his knees as his head falls to
his chest and his eyes stare at the Card in his right hand.
In a pained tone with his tears barely kept in check from flowing freely, Leonardo declares, "Dead?....
then I have failed him.... I was too late to warn him of his impending
doom and now my friend has perished due to my wretched tardiness!
I have failed them both... David I was unable to save and now I must
inform Samuel that his age-old boon companion's light hath been
extinguished forever. The task falls to me to communicate to my
dear benefactor the odious message that life doeth now become that much
colder and darker for this tragic loss.
But... but HOW is this possible? Was not David's armor
impenetrable, impervious to harm and the tools of war known to
man? And yet... the dark deed is done.... there must be true
villainy at work here! David has fallen to the machinations of
devious treachery... foul poison hath been his Achilles’ heel."
Leonardo takes a moment more to silently stare at the Card before he
uses his left hand to make the sign of the cross. With his head
bowed and his eyes closed, Leonardo speaks softly to himself apparently
oblivious to anything else around him.
===========================================================
Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali turns to Jack, a silvery eyebrow quirking upward slightly. Wretched tardiness? Odious? Doeth? he feels her suppress a chuckle Is this guy for real? she send through the link, not trusting herself to speak aloud without compounding this wordy fellow's pain.
Somehow she found it hard to believe that the stalwort and accomplished
warrior Ares would keep 'boon' companions with a dreaming pansy like
this Leo character.
These thoughts, are of course, also shared with Jack.
===========================================================
Re: Part 20c - Vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan glances Kallika's way, and gives her a crooked, pained
smile. Mention of Ares has driven the ease from her, and she
takes a long drink of her brandy, setting the bottle down where she
sits.
"No armor is impenetrable," she says quietly, staring into the fire
with amethyst eyes. "Ares was injured by a poisoned blade, not
once, but several times. He rode to us, through the myriad
worlds, having saved an entire world's populace, what little remained,
from destruction. En route, he was waylayed and injured; he died,
with a world's greatest physicians unable to assist him. The
people of this world will always count him their greatest champion, for
he freed them from their oppression."
She takes another, smaller sip from the bottle. "I grieve for your loss."
Berd stares miserably up at the piller, and lays his head down on her shoulder.
===========================================================
Blunt again by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack sighed and closed his eyes for the moment.
Inwardly he matches Kali’s chuckle despite trying to be serious. I
don't know if he's real or not Lalai. Yes, the stark contrast is a odd
thing to imagine. Then again Ares seemed an accepting man, my love.
Still this one seems hard and stubborn where Ares covered a tender
heart with hard silence. Leo spews forth a tidal wave of prose with no
recognition of others feelings. If only he were half the man of Ares.
He then opened his eyes and looked at the garrulous man.
“Ares our friend died because he underestimated what we are facing.”
Jack says flatly, in a hard tone of voice. He had spoken softly and
kindly last time but apparently his kind tone was not taken as
anything, along with Kali’s feelings. Discounted as mere trifles
compared to the feelings of this babbling man. “We all almost
died with him today, attacked by a thing that came into camp under the
guise of friendship. Yet it tried to hide what it was doing.”
Jacks voice became harder and sharper,
striking points that he knew would be lost in this mans utter seeming
Solphistisim. “I feel for your loss, but that does not change several
facts. When in Bell Garth do as the Belle Gathians, David would have
observed this fact. You have been rude, you started doing something
with pen and paper in our campsite without asking and tried to hide
what you were doing. You have disrupted a delicate operation that was
to both continue Ares work and avenge his death. However you are
correct we have been rude as well, you have won the augment. Though in
winning it you have lost. It is a wise man that knows when a debate or
argument serves no purpose. Only a fool argues when nothing is served
by it and indeed things my be lost by winning. Now since you can not
see the grief you have cause or accept that have not wronged anyone,
then away with you. We have work to do, Davids work and his revenge! I
have no time will for this debate as I said before. ”
Jack looked away from Leo relying on Hunter
to keep an eye on the man. Perhaps he was being to hard, but things had
to be done. After the stint with Aaron being insane he had not taste
for this kind of folderol. Jack Sat down by Kalika, letting his hand
find hers. Seeking the reassurance of the warmth of contact. She could
feel and see his mind working away on the problems that faced them in
his mind. The Shadow man truly did not have time for BS as his mind
worked away. With the things he had seen he knew they were running out
of time, possibly the universe and all of the worlds as they knew them
were.
“Cyan.” He says sharply, but not harshly. “I need
you fully here and now.” His deep blue sizing the bard up. “I need to
know about the Seraphim from the old tales Cyan! I know a little, but a
bards views are needed here! You had mentioned that the people of the
stone circle world thought your were Seraphim once they saw the cube. A
fact that Ares took advantage of. Aren’t Seraphim considered divine
light and fire? I have heard many descriptions of them, isn’t one of
these descriptions great wheels of fire? That thing that was following
Ares, that I fought and defeated with everyone’s help. It seemed to be
of light and fire and could change it’s shape. Though it could change
shape it could not hide how powerful it was from those that were truly
sensitive.”
“So the Broken God could not send these
Seraphim to Amber or Chaos where they have more of these sensitive
people. He had to enlist Cylla to do his leg work. This is all being
built on the powers of the stone circles that we have seen, which were
built on sights where a truly ancient power is. Predating even my
pattern, possibly as old as Aaron’s or older. Even the world the Gather
was ravaging was full of a version of this power. I imagine they took
the people there just to give the Gatherer a physical snack, the power
of the world was the true prize. The mechanical spider servants
of that world are building a giant dish, I rather imagine to project
this energy where it is needed. I could not imagine it being just for
receiving the energy as they must already be receiving it from
the Gatherers orb.”
“I could of course be wrong, this is
just brain storming. Though imagine for a moment an item capable of
projecting great energy across the worlds. Perhaps all of the way to
Amber and chaos it’s self. What would happen to the worlds if someone
not just attacked, but destroyed Amber, Chaos, The Amber Pattern and. .
. What was that? Oh yes, the Logrus. If the universes were not
destroyed it would only be because someone else had a different power
to hold things together. Though I could not tell you what that power
is. That is of course a worst case scenario.”
“Also don’t think for a moment Cyan, that I missed the crack about me
being the sometimes leader. Everyone knows Berd is one of the leaders
and Hunter explained it to me in no uncertain terms that he is the
leader. As always, I am just the baggage picked up in a distant world.”
The last came with a wry smile.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Starting out of her ruminitions, Cyan nods quickly, her attention
falling away from Leonardo. Whatever his grief, he shall have to
come to terms with it on his own, it seems. Ares is...gone.
They have work to do. "Yes, Jack. I apologize."
Listening carefully, she considers his words.
"In some worlds, the Seraphim are indeed described as beings of light
and fire, greatest of the servants of the creator. The name is
almost universally connected with the forces of 'good'." She
gives a twisted smile. "For what that is worth. As for
wheels of fire, riding across the sky...that has been considered to be
characteristic of the Ofanim. The Seraphim are divine creatures
of fire, sometimes considered snakelike, sometimes not. Most often,
they are described with multiple wings. In any case, while the
Wheels of Fire may NOT have been the Seraphim as described, the
association exists. Among many of the 'armies of light' are these
Wheels I named earlier, wheels similar to the two we observed."
"Forgive my rambling." She stares long and hard at Jack.
Then finally, eyes burning rubies, she continues. "That creature
we defeated may well have been one of the Seraphim. It fits, of
course, far better than the fiery wheels, and its power
was...immense. Your suppositions on the matter of the stones, the
Hand, Cylla's presence, the Gatherer...all make perfect sense.
But we have seen them USING the pattern, in the Hand. What
if..." She fumbles for an idea, almost loses it. "What
if...they intend to somehow corrupt the pattern, or the logrus, into
something they can use for their own purpose? Much as they have
with the Hand? What if that was merely a trial, as it were?"
Tapping her lips with one fingertip, she smiles, briefly. "We
know who the leaders of this motley group are, Jack. And we snap
to when they command."
Berd warbles agreement, and promptly demands that his head be scratched.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“No need for appologies between friends
Cyan” Jack softly threw the bards words back at her then continued on.
Not worrying if he continued over the anything the struggling artist
was saying at the moment. He knew if Kali, Hunter or Berd had anything
they would speak up. Though he smiled at Berd and held a hand out with
the intention of stroking the small drake if it chose to come to him.
“Yes, yes a definite possibility
bard, I had not though of that. Of course we must consider that it is a
pattern wielder behind this all. Perhaps to usurp the crown of Amber?”
Jack clucked his tongue in thought for a moment. “Well we are getting
more facts and growing closer anyway. We have things we must get done,
yes I will go back to that world tonight. To continue the goal of
gaining information that I was so rudely interrupted in.”
Jack looks puzzled for a moment,
“You know after your rescued me and I awoke for the first time. Hunter
got up in my face as my love checked me out. I was much more worried
about him tasting Jack than his taste in art.” Jack shrugged with a
chuckle and let the thought pass “The spiders are laying out the
circuitry for that dish even as we speak and our time is running
out. Before I do go back you need to contact your Amber Prince
and give him what we have so far if you can. I have the feeling that
this is about to turn nasty.”
He breathed a heavy sigh and looked at the
red headed bard for a moment “We will talk about leaders later, right
now. . . I guess if the shoe fits.” Jack seemed to slump and deflate a
bit beside Kali. Even with the sleep he got, the entire thing was
emotionally tiring. Now if he was the leader he was responsible for
them all. Yet wasn’t he already? He felt protective of all of them,
even Aaron. They were his people to him. Yet that meant he was
partially responsible for Ares death, as he knew at the time that the
Amber man should not go alone. Isn’t that why Jack chose to go to the
other world alone? So that no one would be at risk but him? Nothing
buts spiders, firey wheels and him.
Jack had been to busy facing Aaron and
trying to mend their differences to speak up when Ares left. So wasn’t
he at fault for his friends demise. Jack closed his eyes again and
pulled his hood up to cover his own face. He knew Kalika and Hunter
could see his uncertainty wearing on him in his mind. Yet he hid it in
the shadows of his hood from the others. If he was a leader then he
could not let them see him so uncertain. Just the thought of leadership
and it's responsability was a heavy weight. If he could not lead his
own world,then how could he bear the weight of the lives of these
people and the miriad of innocent lives at stake if a war broke out
from this.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack...." Cyan reaches out a hand towards him, sensing his
exhaustion, both physical and spiritual. But he is safe beside
Kallika, and her hand drops. Uncertain, she casts about, thinking.
And more comes to mind.
"Jack, the Seraphim were said to be honorable, the highest creatures of
good that could exist. But the Nephalim...the stone circle was
said to have been built by them." Her voice takes on an eerie
cadance, then, and her topaz eyes grow far away. "The Grigori
were Those Who Watched, sent down by the Creator to stand with the
People. They were to assist, to guide, to help...and they grew
too close to their charges. They selected wives and husbands, and
mated with them...they became gluttonous, lecherous, seduced by all of
the power life has over people. They lost their way, and were
struck down by the Creator."
Berd shifts uncomfortably, his glittering eyes staring into the
flames. He doesn't notice Jack's gesture, though not from
rudeness - he seems lost in his own thoughts.
"The Grigori were destroyed, some say. Others claim they walk the
worlds, like ourselves, eternally seeking redemption. Still
others place them at the heart of Evil in the Worlds. But there
is one truth that fell from that legend - the Nephillim." Cyan
leans forward, stirs up the fire. Sparks fly into the air, and
Berd follows them with his eyes, up to the heavens.
"Children of the Grigori - half-human, half...Angel? Spirit of
Light? Unbalanced, full of power. Mad with it, in
fact. Giants they were, but rarely of the physical form; it was
in might, lore, and guile that they stood high. Immortal, or so
it is said. Their powers were vast, and they strode the worlds,
taking what they would and ruling over men and women, sometimes in
wisdom, sometimes in evil. They were the greatest and worst of
the people. It was the flood that swept them aside - sometimes in
a world, sometimes in a storm over the worlds. The tides of life
and death tore their power asunder, and they were no more."
Her voice clears, and she shakes her head. Berd's head comes
down, and he stares sadly into the flames. "So I am told, in any
case." Cyan stares at Jack for a long time.
"Jack...we know who our leader is. It is the one among us who
stands forward when their talent strikes. It is the one we follow
when we feel the need. Sometimes, Jack, that is you.
Sometimes it has been I, sometimes Kallika, sometimes Lexy...yes,
sometimes Aaron as well, and I daresay he will do more, now that he has
come to himself. We all lead here, Jack. It is just that
you do so more often than I." Cyan puts her head down on her
knees. "Do not take more on your shoulders than is your due, Jack
of Shadows."
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack looks up from his spot by the fire and
Kalika, from here he speaks softly. “I suppose you are right Cyan, as I
would gladly follow any of you especially in your element. The matter
just strikes a tender subject, I could not lead in my home. I did not
have what it takes to make the hard decisions, who lives and who dies.
What is for the best, in the face of what is right. I guess the subject
is a sore one with me.”
I know what a leader should be, but
Aaron is right in that I do not have the soul for it.” He let his
hand that had been held out for Berd fall softly onto Hunter stroking
the alpha wolves fur. “Let those with dreams of grandeur bear the
weight of leadership. Myself, I just do what needs to be done.” He
breathed a last heavy sigh letting it out.
"So do you think bringing the prince of Amber up to date is apropriate?"
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Leonardo had not really been paying attention, as he was lost in his
own thoughts. He also had mainly been speaking to himself and had
not realized his voice had carried to the others. Leonardo
finished his silent prayer and stood back up with his facial expression
set in stone, no evidence of tears in his eyes... rather there was the
hint of fire behind them.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Leonardo took a deep breath and let it
out slowly before turning back towards the three strangers and their
animal companions. With a neutral emotionless tone, Leonardo
addressed the others, "I
beg your pardon once more for intruding but there is an item of
information which you possess that I will need if I am to see made
right the wrong which has been done to David. As you say, there
is no need or use for argument nor have I the will to continue along
our previous line of discussion. I see with my eyes and hear with
my ears... you know what you know, and that is an end to it.
But I must know the identity of the source of my grief as well as your
own sorrow and the cause of my mentor's pain. You say you were
friends of David... or Ares, two names but the same dependable
man. If Samuel and I are to seek retribution for David's death,
we will need to know upon whom the blade should fall. I plead
with you to please favor me with the details of our target. Once
I know who the enemy is, I will honor your demand to withdraw. I
will need to pay my respects to David's last resting place in any case
before pursuing our new agenda."
A stark and deadly serious visage has wiped away the carefree, flighty
fop of earlier and he stands ready to make good his promise for action
as he shifts his gaze from one to the other of those assembled near the
fire.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Neither could I choose for anyone, Jack. I would say that none
of us here are fit to be rulers...as such, we are those who band
together and seek out the trouble that threatens those in the halls of
power." Cyan shrugs, eyes as hard as agates. "And crush it,
like a boot to a scorpion. And, because of this, we are none of
us the 'Leader' of this group - it is a position we trade. In
your case...you seem to find that position more quickly than others,
but we all stand beside you. You lead, Jack. You do not
'command' us into danger, and neither would I when the mantle falls to
me." Stirring the fire with a stick, Cyan adds, "And yes, I
believe it is time to bring this matter to those very same halls of
power."
Then Leonardo speaks, and she slowly turns towards him, listening to
his request. Again, the man makes no attempt to apologize for his
rudeness, earlier, but the request is one that cannot be denied.
Unfortunately, it is also one that cannot be easily answered.
"Leonardo," Cyan begins patiently, "I regret to say that this
information cannot be given. Not 'will not, but rather 'can
not'. We know only the barest handful of hints to the identity of
the Enemy - perhaps it is within this world we study, perhaps this
world is only staging area. We cannot know. And the tale
would be long in the telling. I can appreciate your desire to
find retribution, but regretfully, I cannot quickly assist you beyond
saying this - there is a war going on throughout the myriad worlds, a
shadowy war where the pieces are only just begun to move. The
first blows have been struck, with our allies all unawares of the
vastness of their consequences. Our trail has led us here - to
Ares' world, to bury our friend, and our next steps lead to a world
where we can see the Enemy at work. Is it their home? Or
simply ONE of their homes? We know not. As such, we are
going to Amber, where we will inform the Royalty there of our
discoveries. This threat is against all that exists, we fear, and
thus those who hold the greatest power must be informed. Should
you wish to travel with us to Amber, to listen to the story, so be
it. Else, I can tell you the story now, while the others rest,
and you may seek out your friend and relate what you can. But
there is no finger to be pointed at a single cause...yet."
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
As he listened to Cyan's explanation... which lacked the concrete
details he had desired, Leonardo sighed but nodded his head in
acknowledgement of her efforts. In a tone laced with regret and
disappointment, Leonardo replied, "I
see... a danger, an evil too dark and mysterious as yet to make a clear
and proper target. It is what I feared upon hearing of David's
demise... such would be the expected magnitude of a foe who could lay
low so mighty a warrior.
I greatly appreciate your efforts to guide the hand of just retribution
Lady Cyan and I am touched by your offer to enlighten me here and
now. However I have given my word that I would bother you and
yours no further once I had a clear direction to pursue... and I am a
man of my word.
I will not indispose you further nor force your companions to endure my
presence a moment longer. If it is good enough for the Royalty of
Amber to wait until later for the full tale... then certainly one who
is less worthy can wait as well. Besides... I need to pay my
respects to David soon if I am to leave for Amber.
Fare thee well Lady Cyan and while on the trail of this Enemy, I wish
you all Good Hunting. I will see you again in Amber and I wait
with baited breath for the tale of dark foreboding and woe, which surly
your story must be. I now bid you all a good evening, may your
dreams be ones of victory and triumph."
With a short bow encompassing all those present, Leonardo took a firm
grip on his walking stick and headed out in the direction that Cyan had
earlier pointed out as being the final resting place of David/Ares.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
OOC - the Gravesite is about 20 feet away, if that. A tall spire of volcanic glass, as I recall.
IC - "Luck to your own quest, and safe journey," Cyan replies
quietly. Politeness costs nothing, after all. Beside her,
Berd merely stares into the fire, evidently lost in his own
thoughts. Cyan, eyes a thoughtful sapphire, turns back to Jack.
"And so, Jack of Shadows, without Lexy we have no means of moving
swiftly through the Myriad Worlds. There is Aaron, of
course...but he is not here, and we must await him, having no means to
tell him how to follow us." The Bard frowns. "We could
leave him a message, but I would rather wait. It is safer.
I suggest we await Aaron's return, then begin our trek to Amber."
Amber. The city she had always wished to visit and now found
herself not caring if she ever saw its fabled spires. Cyan has
learned much during her travels, now, and has realized one thing.
Amber is not what the legends state. Well, not all of them.
Berd slowly raises his head, and looks at her miserably. The Bard
frowns. "What ails you, silly dragon?" Hauling him into her
arms, she commences to scratch his eye ridges, but, after a long
moment, Berd slowly pulls himself free, careful not to do any
scratching of his own. Cyan watches in surprise as the drake,
appearing unwontedly heavy, flaps up to the top of the obsidian piller
and perches there, staring out into the night sky, only his eyes
visible at this distance.
"That," Cyan comments, obviously distressed, "is a first.
Jack...my shirt, if you would?" she asks, holding out her hand. I would have it back. Besides being...more useful than the one I wear, it is my favourite....
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali wraps an arm around Jack, lending support for his weariness. Listen to Cyan... she has more wisdom than I can offer her wry laugh is only echoed through the link as she squeezes him. We all have had our time leading... you more often than most because it is in your blood, it comes naturally to you... she pauses and turns her head to kiss him softly, and a little awkwardly on the cheek and you are good at it. She smiles in what she hopes is an encouraging manner.
The idea to return to Amber confuses Kali at first, but she does not
voice her confusion, instead thinking about it while the pup gets over
his grief and demands revenge. Kali fought the urge to sigh. How many
vibrant young men had she seen throw their lives away in a vain attempt
to avenge a fallen loved one? She considers for a moment and then
snorts softly. Too many to count. She remembers when a card
contact was attempted and the card burned away. It seemed there was no
choice but to return to Amber. For some reason it seemed like back
tracking to her, a waste of time when they had just caught the scent of
their Enemy. The chase was just begining and they were going to back
off like cowed dogs.
Of course she saw the wisdom in returning... the tiredness that still
plagued Jack, the lines of loss and sadness on Cyan's face... the signs
were everywhere. Perhaps it was just the wolf in her, but backing off
completely at this point seemed foolish. Perhaps leaving a select
person or persons behind to reconnoiter and serve as a quick bridge
back to the Shadow would be worth considering... but she does not voice
her thoughts, keeping them in the Triad instead.
Leo moves to Ares' grave and Hunter confirms the thought before Kali
has it fully developed. The man's scent was marked and would not be
forgotten.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
With his head bowed low, Leonardo approaches the obsidian spire which
marks the last resting place of his old friend... when his attention is
suddenly draw upwards to the sound of flapping wings. As his head
springs up from its lowered position, Leonardo notices that the
dragonesque creature-companion of Lady Cyan has taken a perch on top of
the pillar.
Leonardo stops in his tracks and takes a moment to study the creature
perched atop the spire and then he slowly turns around to stare back at
the campsite from which it came. His right eyebrow rises slightly
in irritated question but otherwise his features remain passive.
Still at this distance and in the dark, it is unlikely any back there
would take note nor care if they did.
After a moment longer, Leonardo turns back to his original destination
and continues walking until he is at the base of the spire. He
then kneels down gently, makes the sign of the cross with his right
hand and begins to pray silently for his friend. However he is
unable to complete his prayer as his mind refuses to leave the topic at
hand... just what is this group up to and why is he being spied on?
Even in this, my moment of grieving respect for the dead... I am not
free of suspicious observation!? Have these beings no respect for
the dead... a man's grave stone is not a perch! So am I to be
watched like a convicted criminal... do they think me a thief in the
night to go steal away the remains of my friend!? What purpose
does this needless hounding serve... first a wolf and now this odd
creature, can I not just be left alone in peace with my grief and
sorrow?
Still... I have taken their measure and found them wanting for the most
part. Why should I now expect good manners or peaceful
unobtrusive behavior when none... save perhaps Lady Cyan, has bothered
to show me any common courtesy? Well no matter... this grave
site, unlike that COLD campsite, does NOT belong to them and their
wishes mean nothing here and now. I shall do as I please... let
them watch if it be their pleasure.
Leonardo takes out the Card with David's portrait on it and places it
against the spire. He then reaches into the inside pocket of his
duster once again and withdraws a second Card. He does not look
at the second Card at first, instead he merely presses it against his
chest as he closes his eyes. Shortly thereafter, Leonardo finally
sighs with resignation and turns the Card over to study the picture it
reveals.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, sitting atop the spire, continues to stare up into the night
sky. Whether or not he has even noticed Leonardo's presence is
open to debate.
Whatever odd thoughts pass through his mind are his own.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack smiled softly at Kali’s kiss and encouraging thoughts, Of
course both of you are right lalai. I am only a leader when you all
choose to follow, what a game of follow the leader we have. What's more
is you are right about Amber. She could feel he had no intention of
back tracking, he had thought apparently incorrectly that Cyan
hand a one of her drawings of the prince. “No now is not the time to
back off.” He said aloud almost without realizing it.
Jack started a bit
realizing he had spoken aloud, then looked at Cyan a bit sheepishly.
“Cyan my apologies. I thought you had a way to contact the prince
without back tracking.” he said as he tossed the balled up shirt to
her. “No with the enemy working so hard now is not the time to go to
Amber. We should wait for Aaron’s return, he will be able to call forth
a creature with his pattern to take a message to the Prince in case we
fail.”
Having met Amberite’s he was in no hurry to
see either Amber or Chaos. I will go back to the other world tonight, I
must figure this out.” Jack was not tied of arm, the added
emotional drain of the conflict with the new comer had worn on him.
Added to that his feeling of responsibility for the welfare of the
group. He would be fine.
Though the delay of going back could cost them
greatly. A price paid in blood and lives, a price he was unwilling to
pay. There were other ways. . .
“Aaron spoke of knowing people, perhaps one of them
could get a message through.” Jack melts back into Kalika’s hug
relaxing and letting the worry fade, at least he was home. Smiling he
feels her scent Leon. The man may not be of Amber Blood, but he was of
Amber attitude. An attitude that had almost seen this group undone and
could have ended Jacks life on more than one occasion. Yes it was best
to just let the man go his own way rather than have that attitude
threaten the group again.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack," Cyan says, throwing the shirt back to him immediately, "perhaps you forget - the palanquet that the Lords of Amber use no longer function. They cannot be
contacted that way." She grins, ferally, her ruby eyes flashing
in the firelight. "This means that there is a force actively
seeking to isolate them, for my palanquet still function perfectly. Another piece of the puzzle."
She sighs, picking at her second shirt. "You will still need
that, if you are to return to that world...I agree that we need to
bring word to the Lords of Amber, immediately. I think it would
be foolish not to do so - what if, by some mischance, all of us died or
were captured? That would be disaster, and that is why I advise
we do so. But if you think that Aaron's power can bring forth
such a messanger, then that is how we shall proceed." She watches
Jack snuggle up to Kallika for a moment, then shrugs. "I have the
gate - you can go when you wish. But take a moment to relax, and
eat something."
Moving to the fire, she puts on some tea, and then begins preparing a
simple meal. "It would be best if you were not hungry.
Stealth becomes more difficult when one's stomach is growling.
Remind me to tell you the story of how I discovered this, someday."
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Indeed I did not know or at least remember
that Amber’s Trumps did not work.” Jack said catching the shirt and
winding it into a tighter ball. A soft smile finding his lips again.
“Tea and food would hit the spot Bard, I belive I'll take you up on
that relaxing and eating before going back.” The changes always left
him hungry in direct proportion to how many times he changes. This time
it had only been into the full shadow so it was not as bad.
“Cyan-“ He through the shirt back to her
just to be a pain and see what she would do, the smile became a grin.
“My thoughts exactly, we must contact him just in case we do not make
it. Though I do not know for certain if he can contact anyone. After
all I am just guessing as best I can based upon my pattern. It just
does not feel right backing down from the quest either. Perhaps Kali is
right, we might have to split up, some of us go back and inform the
prince and others stay and work on the quest. In the mean time I would
love to hear your story now as we relax and wait.”
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan catches the shirt with a vexed expression. "Jack...I am
cooking. Unless you wish your food done poorly, I suggest you
leave off the tossing of my shirt." She doesn't particularly
worry about it falling in the fire - there are a few benefits to its
creation. The Bard does, however, gaze up at the piller where
Leonardo stands with worried amethyst eyes. She isn't looking at
the artist, though, but at a small shadow atop the pillar, ignoring the
food cooking on the fire.
Shaking her head, Cyan returns to her work. "I MAY be able to contact Aaron, through the use of a palanquet.
His is not yet finished, but it might be sufficient to do the
trick." She shrugs. "I will not know until I try, I
suppose. But if it functions, we can bring him here
immediately." The Bard grins. "AFTER I have finished the
meal."
Thoughtfully, she continues to stir the spiced stew on which she
works. "The story...well, I cannot give it full justice - many of
the names will be unfamiliar to you, and without years to tell the
entire story, we shall have to simply accept that fact. Very
well...."
Considering where to start, the Bard, unexpectedly, flushes.
"It...began in Beleriand, where I and Beleg Cúthalion of Doriath made
the decision that we would tweak the tail of Gorthaur, the Abhorred
One, by scouting his fortress, Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of the Werewolves." The names have the same ring to them as others she uses...Kirilindë, Palanquet....
"It was a whim, really, a foolish, mad whim, but he and Mablung were
oft of this mind, and I followed them, willy-nilly." The flush
deepens, and then she laughs, shaking her head. "I was too young,
far, far too young. Barely eighteen, but well-trained for all of
that. Well-trained...but hardly well-schooled. I spoke my
mind much more than was proper, and I drove them to laughter with
incessant questioning. But I digress. It was spring, and a
long journey to the island, poor, fallen Tol Sirion; we decided, on the way, to pay a visit to one of the King's distant relatives and tweak his nose, so to speak...."
Cyan's tale runs on, wild and fanciful, full of humour and other,
deeper emotions, hardly to be believed unless one looks closely enough
to see the wistful look in the Bard's eyes when she speaks of her
friends.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali idly strokes Jack's hair while he speaks with Cyan. She listens to
the Bard's story with mild interest for she cannot see the wistful look
in the Bard's eye, only hear the longing in her voice. She chuckles at
the appropriate times, but her mind is distracted. The Leonardo
character was bothering her. The entire time they knew Ares he never
once mentioned close friends who were so obviously tied to him.
They had taken on a huge quest, one that Ares understod the
implications of. Of course he was a secretive man, held to his own
things, but the stories Ares had shared of his past didn't jive with
this fop's story of close friendship. Still there was a lot about the
dead Amber man she didn't know. It just seemed like a coincidence that
this man would appear, being a friend to 'David', narrowly missing his
death. Leo was almost a liability to her. He knew the had a great task
to complete and that Ares was involved. Had Ares communicated with him
while he was away with Gatherer's world? Did he know anything? If so
letting him go, feeling insulted and angry might be a liability to
their little strike force.
As Jack's worries recede, Kali's rise. She shares then tentatively with
her love, not wishing to ruin his improving mood.... but still she
sought his thoughts. The arrival of someone new had caused Kali to
retreat into herself. She shared and communicated to Jack through their
link... but he got the distinct impression that the petite woman was
drawing into herself, isolated from the others... and ok with this.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Leonardo concentrated on the portrait of the Card with intensity
clearly visible by the set of his jaw and the grinding of his
teeth. He was kneeling before the grave marker and the strain of
his activity seemed to be having an effect as his stance wavered.
Leonardo sighed as he slowly let his breath back out as lowered himself
back into a cross-legged seated position. With his right hand
Leonardo continued to hold the Card before him. With his left
hand, he retrieved his earlier pad and pen from inside his coat.
Using a fresh blank page, Leonardo began to sketch the obsidian pillar
that marked the final resting-place of his friend. While he split
his attention between the Card and his new drawing, Leonardo made it a
point to pay attention to his hearing as well.
Because he was facing the pillar, Leonardo was forced to keep his back
towards the group of hostile strangers and he had already seen how
volatile they could get over a simple drawing. While it was true
he was not at their camp any longer and was not drawing any of them...
there was no telling how they might react, especially as this new
drawing was anything but... "simple".
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, hearing the rustling of movement from nearby, finally glances
down to see Leonardo sketching something. The little dragon, his
emotions unclear, merely snorts a small, shimmering cloud of green and
purple smoke into the air, the airy manifestation twisting through
half-formed shapes, before turning back to his silent vigil. If
that is what it is.
===========================================================
Re: Blunt again by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack sat there relaxing as best he could in
these trying times and listening to the Kali across the link. “Jive” another Jonny term Lalai? He gave a mental chuckle. You
are right though it is odd, but not impossible. As you say we did not
know the quiet Ares that well, you knew him better than I. What is
odder though is that Lenny there seemed to be vexed with you not
speaking to him. Any man that knew Ares, knew he was a quiet sort
himself. Any one that truly knew and accepted Ares, liking him for who
he was. . .Well, I would imagine them as the type of person to respect
a persons silence. I could not imagine some one being the quiet,
contemplative Ares friend and not respecting a persons silence.
Jack half turned to look at Kali, not
recoiling in the slightest from he latest wounds. Instead only a brief
worry for her was felt from him for his bonded. After all he was now in
some ways as blind as she was, his eyes seeing only the woman he loved. Perhaps you are right, he does know much now. We have no proof that he
was Ares friend or not. Many things have seemed off with that one. . .
It is you that bore the brunt of his arrogance, what do you feel we
should do? Though he had charged in like a bull in a china shop,
the matter was still hers. Even though as a member of the triad he knew
what effected one effected all.
===========================================================
Berd's vigil by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
There is a tension in the air that is almost palpable, between the
stranger and his friends. Berd does his best to ignore it,
perched atop the stone spire. The little drake seems aloof, above
all the petty squabbling that seems to control the lives of these
humans.
Suddenly he rises to his feet, peering away into the distance.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd, after a moment's pause, flits down to land on Cyan's shoulder.
"And so Celegrom merely stares at Beleg, who says (in the most
outrageous tone)...." Cyan, in mid-laugh, pauses to stare at the
drake. The lines of merriment on her face fade, and she slowly
stands up, taking the food off of the fire. "My apologies.
Something approaches, I fear, and Berd likes not the feeling he
receives." Quickly, she snatches Kirilindë from the ground,
leaving it sheathed. "Jack," Cyan hisses. "Ready
yourself - we are not in a good position for battle! Kallika -
can Hunter discern any scent on the wind?" One-handed, Cyan roots
through her pack, hunting for her sketchbook, finding it, and dropping
it to the ground. Berd immediately begins flipping the pages with
his tail. Dividing her attention between the direction from which
Berd indicates the creature comes and her work, she blinks dark, jade
eyes in consternation. Will it work? It might yet be enough. Might. She would rather contact Aaron directly, have them go to him, but that may not be possible.
If not, there are others she might use. On her blade, her harp, and her...
Shirt.
Paling, Cyan realizes that Jack still has her shirt. "No time for
that," she mutters, still rushing around the camp, gathering up the
gear and flinging it into packs. "Ware, Leonardo!" she cries into
the night, knowing the man has not gone far. "Something
approaches!" That will have to be enough - the man is obviously a
World-walker, and hopefully can leave on his own. If not, and
they must flee, Cyan will have to drop him off somewhere.
"Something fell, I fear," she mutters.
Berd, finding Aaron's sketch, rises into the sky on filmy wings, his
eyes burning in the darkness as he hunts for whatever might be
coming. A slight breeze begins to blow, from direction of
whatever comes. Cyan, in her turn, drops to her knees now that
Berd has taken up the watch, and begins to focus on Aaron's
sketch. Her mind enters that peculiar place of the palanquet, and she seeks to merge her power with the sketch, with the essence of Aaron, captured on paper. Aaron...please, we need you. Answer!
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack was up in a fluid motion
drawing his sword from his staff easily. He took a few steps forward
letting the fire fall to his back, circling the fire looking out he
searched the darkness which for his eyes there was none. Looking out
across the landscape as if lit by day to him, for what may come. He
reached out with a his mind seeking what ever had set Berd and Cyan off
as he moved. After making the circle he came to stand in a defensive
position in front of Kali.
Having heard Cyan call a warning to
Lenny, he did not worry with it other then an errant though as to Would the man believe that or will he be to busy bemoaning everything. A low almost wolfish growl escapes Jacks lips. “Cyan if it comes down
to it and we have no choice, I will guard the retreat as you get
everyone away.”
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Still focusing, Cyan spares Jack a single, amethyst glance.
"Jack...you are not thinking with your head. This is one time I
take command. If I cannot bring us all away with the palanquet,
it will be because I cannot bring ANY. If that is the case, then
only you have the power to transport us, quickly - Berd's method is
far, far too slow." Berd, high above, hisses angrily...with
frustrated agreement.
"Should this not work, and we are forced to flee by other means, then
you will take them away, understood?" There is steel in Cyan's
voice now. "I cannot, and neither can Kallika. There will
be no 'holding off', and then escaping through your Dark Well, for if
the palanquet functions, then all will escape. If it does not, we all are trapped...save for your power, which must lead us to safety."
Her voice lowers as she continues to concentrate on the sketch, almost
a sing-song. "Besides...if battle is joined, you know very well I
will be incapable of leading a retreat...." Her thumb opens space
between Kirilinde's hilt and sheath, exposing a hint of silvery blade
that flickers with a rainbow sheen.
Through Aaron, through Kirilinde to my home...and failing that, through Jack.
"...and you still hold my shirt, Jack. You can always find me
later." Her wry smile, distracted as it is, shows her knowledge
of the hopeless optomism inherent that statement.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Still searching with night eyes and
tendrils of the broken patter, for whatever was coming at them. Jack
spoke and he did not sound so confident anymore, even a little afraid.
“Um Cyan. . .We may be better off facing whatever
is here than using my abilities to retreat. There are things out there
much worse then what ever is coming, and I lead us straight to them if
I lead the way. That's not even mentioning if any one of you looked the
wrong direction or make a mistake. . . Well the last person I tried to
lead between worlds I misplaced in a very bad neighborhood. It may be
quick, but it's dirty!”
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack," Cyan whispers, her concentration wavering, "you go through
there. You can, therefore, bring people through there, If
we face death here, better something uncertain. The retreat will
only be if there is no alternative - I would much rather use the palanquet should they function." She focuses on her sketch, then continues her call. Aaron, please!
Her maimed hand crawls to her belt, where it unclips her hand-sized,
rectangular pouch. With a flick, Cyan tosses it to Jack.
"If it comes to that, and I hope it shall not, take yourself only far
enough on your Night's Path that you may use these."
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
A short time before Cyan's warning, Leonardo's face took on a pained
and irritated expression as he placed the Card he was holding back into
his inside duster pocket. Leonardo was not pleased... not pleased
at all! He looked down at his initial sketch with a disapproving
eye before putting both the notebook and the pen away.
Leonardo was staring up at the drake perched atop the spire when the
creature looked out into the distance with some alarm. Leonardo
had already decided he could put off his duty no longer and was in the
process of standing up when Cyan's warning came.
Leonardo swiftly sprung from his seated position and reached for
something within his duster again but this time from the side opposite
where he had stored the pad, pen and Card. After a moment or two,
his left hand emerged shrouded by a metal gauntlet. As Berd is
still flipping through the sketchbook, Leonardo nods in Cyan's
direction and replies in a calm, emotionless tone, "Heed has been paid to thine words and I thank thee for the warning Lady Cyan! I am... prepared."
Leonardo moves slowly away from the obsidian spire and looks off in the
direction to where the others are focusing their attention. As he
does this, Leonardo senses something from slightly behind him...
something familiar. Suddenly it dawns on Leonardo as to why he
got such an adverse reaction earlier in the evening... but if battle is
to be upon him soon, Leonardo knows there is no time to concern himself
over this new insight.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
The book snaps shut, and Cyan slaps it down on the top of her pack,
closing the shoulderpack and slinging it over her shoulders. "Our
options have become more limited," she mutters. "I thought it
fair to warn you," she calls out to Leonardo, "that if this proves to
be a potent foe, we will not be here for it. I could assist you
in escaping this place, should you need to do so."
With Leonardo informed, Cyan cocks an eyebrow over a shining, topaz eye
and moves to stand near Kallika and Jack, trusting that Hunter will
stay with them. Kirilindë is drawn, then, the silvery blade
beginning to ripple with the colours of the rainbow.
For an instant, clouds dance across the ithilinaur.
"If I call upon you to touch me," she states quietly, to everyone, "you will do so." It isn't a question.
Trusting to Berd to keep things well in hand from high above, Cyan
pours her focus into the blade. There is a place...a bowl, set
amidst the mountains, with a small cabin in the woods. A pond
lies nearby, a small pond with a chuckling, laughing waterfall....
Bird! Bird! For a moment, the concentration falters,
then comes back even more strongly. The Bard shakes her head -
that memory returns more and more often with every passing day.
Setting it aside, Cyan begins to forge the link between her sometime
home and herself, folding space with the power of the palanquet. Can I do this? Do they still function? Was it the sketch, the power, or Aaron himself?
Please, let him be well.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd can feel Cyan's dismay at the lack of response from Aaron's
sketch, but dismisses it. The man is unavailible, for whatever
reason. They will have to overcome or escape on their own.
In truth, were it a purely physical threat, he would have full
confidence in Cyan's ability, even without her full armor. But
the little dragon senses this danger is far more than that. He
peers through the night, seeking with all of his senses, both mundane
and psychic, to discover the truth of the intruder - it's appearance,
its nature, its power.
As he does, Berd's eyes begin to shine in the darkness, as he reaches
forth with his strength, asserting his mastery over the world around
him...should it not be contested.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Two figures appear at the edge of the firelight, tall and bulky, but
heavily robed and hooded. Nothing can be seen of their faces
within the shade of those hoods, but the voice that calls out is
distinctly feminine, though somewhat hoarse and cracked, "Hello,
by the fire! May we join you? My sister and I have
travelled far to see the tomb of Ares, and the night grows cool for two
of our advancing years!"
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The Tomb of Ares?" They have come a long way, for something that
has only been here for a short time. That is, of course, assuming
they are referring to where Ares lies, Cyan considers, and not the pile
of stones that lay here beforehand. "Speak your names, if you
would, and let us see with whom we converse, good travellers," Cyan
continues, eyes darkening to ruby as she studies them.
Lachesis and Atropos...twin fates, come to view the passing of a warrior?
Somehow, Cyan thinks it will not be so simple. But she drops the
tip of her blade, judging distances. If they can reach her before
she prepares herself...well, her odds would be poor, in any case.
"Were you friends to Ares, or do you come to mourn the fall of a worthy
enemy?" she asks clearly. "For Ares has only just now perished,
and yet you have travelled far. Perhaps you might clarify this
for us, that we may allow you to our fire."
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
The sudden snap of Cyan's book causes Kali's muscles to stiffen, a
reaction only Jack can detect. She doesn't argue with Cyan regarding
touching her if needed and wonders what it is that will attack them
this time. Her hand sneaks to her sword before she chides herself
mentally. She wouldn't be much help if it came to a fight.. and besides
they were going to 'relocate' if danger came.
The sound of an elderly woman reaches her ears and Kali is instantly
suspicious. So many new people coming to their camp... this had hardly
happened in the past, and besides look what happened when they invited
Leo to the fire?
Hunter moves in front of Cyan as the Bard is standing in front of Jack
and Kali. His hackles are raised and a menancing growl rumbles up from
his throat. It is clear that to him, these women are NOT welcome.
Both Kali and Hunter scent the air, attempting to get the women's
scents as Kali wonders how close that would have to be in order for her
to feel their heat, hear their hearts.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack looked the two over pulling up his dark
well lens to see what he could tell about them. Silently he stood guard
over Kalika not liking this any more then she did. Though he
showed quite the opposite by sliding the flat of the blade along his
finger and edge of the wooden scabbard. When the tip caught in
the opening he dropped the blade into it’s resting place. The rested
the staff across his shoulders, a hand aging on the staff on either
side of him looking as if he would make a good scarecrow.
It was an old travelers custom,
meant to show that you were relaxed and ready, but meant no ill
intentions as a man at ease. From here he let Cyan do the talking, with
the way he seemed to be messing up as of late it would be best.
Besides, as she had pointed out it was best to let one person act as
the delegate.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"My name is Meg," one of the strangers says, "My
twin is Star. Far may be farther for some than for others.
Far for a centaur is not the same as far for my sister and I. It
came to our attention that Ares, who was important to us, had
fallen. We came to see if it was true, travelling as fast as we
could, and yet we do not arrive until late into the night."
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan typed:"I thought it fair to warn you," she calls out to
Leonardo, "that if this proves to be a potent foe, we will not be here
for it. I could assist you in escaping this place, should you
need to do so."
Leonardo paused for a moment staring at Cyan and then at her four
companions apparently debating something within himself. Then
with a small resigned sigh, Leonardo nodded in agreement and replied in
a polite tone, "Fore
warned is fore armed, I thank you once again for your kindness Lady
Cyan. I would be most grateful for your aid in travel as my
methods are less than swift and time may be of the essence. David
trusted you and you fought beside him in battle, no truer testament of
worth could be had."
Leonardo began cautiously closing the distance between himself and
Cyan, being careful to keep Cyan between him and Jack. He had
covered about half the distance to Cyan when the two new arrivals made
their entrance. Leonardo raised an eyebrow at their words but
held is tongue in favor of Lady Cyan's words.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I regret to say that the tales are true," Cyan says, politely, if a
little strained from tension and memory. "And yet, you have said
neither yea nor nay to my question as to what Ares was to you, beyond
'important' - was he your friend, is the matter at hand. Neither
have you unmasked. Unless there is a reason for this, I ask that
you do so," the Bard continues.
"Do not look at their faces," she whispers to the side, to her
companions. There are other legends than those of the Fates, the
Norns, and the Furies. Kirilinde still hangs lightly in her left
hand, the plain wooded sheath in her right, and Cyan glances
down. The blade fades, slightly, from flickering images to
mirror-clear ithilinaur and she watches the shapes of the two women in the flat. Her other, wounded hand is hooked in the straps of her pack.
Her eyes are shadowed, with the fire behind her.
High above, Berd eyes the two women suspiciously, then slowly begins to
scan the surrounding countryside with his own, glittering, eyes.
It occurs to him that a distraction here could conceal the approach of
others, and he hunts for any dark shapes moving through the
grass. Lazily, wings only beating the minimum amount needed to
ensure that he continue to glide through the thermals, he circles the
camp.
Even as he does so, the little dragon continues to slowly work his will
upon the world around them, bending it's laws and forces to his
control. Slowly...but implacably as continental drift.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Please, Dearie, we are old and tired, and
require only that we be allowed to sit near the fire. We don't
even ask for food." the woman's voice become's plaintive, and
she stumbles forward a pace, two, a third, raising her hands to her
head as if in pain.
Her sister steps forward to aid her...
"Just let us sit, and get warm, and then you'll
know our tale. For now, let it be said that we regret Ares
passing as much as anybody could."
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan can't help it. She probably should. She should
probably be more suspicious, probably be more demanding. But she
can't, not and be true to herself. Her topaz eyes soften, and she
sheathes Kirilinde with a quick motion, the thin-bladed sword sliding
back into its shabby wooden scabbard. "My apologies," the Bard
says, feeling much the heel. Her tone has changed - now it grows
softer, like her gaze, and she shifts uncomfortably. "We are not
at our best.... Please, Elders - come to the fire. Warm
yourselves - we were about to take food, and you are welcome to it."
They have been polite, and have not threatened. Are not Jack,
herself, and Kallika beings of some power? Should they be
ostracized because of what they were?
Berd lets out a disgusted sigh, far overhead. He wings down,
still focused upon the world around them, and lands upon Jack's
shoulder. His glittering eyes narrow, but the little dragon gives
no other sign of displeasure.
Hurrying forward, Cyan moves to aid the aged pair.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The two shuffle closer to the fire, and in the increasing light it is
clear that, though they are female, they are not human. Beneath
the heavy, but tattered cloaks and robes, they seem to be hunched and
twisted, and yet still they stand over seven feet tall, and their
shoulders seem as broad as those of any strongman in a travelling
carnival. Their heads are bowed and covered still by their hoods.
"Thank you most kindly, Milady."
Both sisters pause before Cyan for a moment, but they still don't show
their faces. The bard can see ragged strips of cloth hanging from
within the hoods.
"Were you friends or allies of Ares then, that you sit in vigil at this, his final resting place?"
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Please, it is only Cyan; I am no lady," the Bard says, reaching out to
carefully touch their wrists, wary of giving offense. Their size
does not disturb her - she has lived most of her life with non-humans,
of one form or another, and Cyan has never been disturbed by those who
do not resemble her kind. "Please, come to our fire, share
food." She wonders about the cloth. Are they the blind Norns?
A dozen legends and songs flit through her head, but the one Berd has
told her catches her attention more than any other; the blind Norns,
those who fashioned the Star Wand of Sun-Eyed Set, the Destroyer,
father of Typhon, father and son of Thoth.
Berd eyes the two uneasily from Jack's shoulder. Nothing about
their power is familiar, but the little Dragon has learned to be
wary. Things are not always as they seem. Little children
often appear cute, for example, but they poke and prod relentlessly,
and have grips like iron manacles!
"Allies of Ares, yes, and I daresay friends as well," the Bard states
sadly. "We were with him when he fell, and tried to help.
But the poison in him was potent, and though he struggled against
it..." Falling silent, Cyan stares at the ground for a long
moment. Then she looks up at the pair, her amethyst eyes shining
brightly with unshed tears. "I would have known him better, been
a better friend to him. Now we shall never have the chance."
"And from what I have seen, here, on Olympu, a great man has
fallen. A lord, in every sense of that word." Cyan breathes
in shakily, then lets it out again, recouping her control.
Staring up at the two women (she has not been around women taller than
herself in a half-dozen years), the Bard gives them a sad smile.
"But now...now we are at business, business of ours and Ares'
both. But I tell you, we can spend the time to give you the fire
and a meal."
They have travelled far and are aged, or so they say. If not feigned, the weariness in their voices is proof of that.
Berd snorts, sending out a puff of shining silver vapour. The cloud fades almost immediately.
===========================================================
Re: Berd's vigil by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Leonardo had remained silent during the coversation between Cyan and
the two sisters, allowing her to conduct the "interview" of the new
guests. He had only managed to get about half way back to Cyan's
campfire when the two arrived and he decided not to make any sudden
moves in order to prevent provoking the two new arrivals.
However... this left him several steps away from the fire when Cyan
invited the sisters to join her at the fire. Leonardo was of
course not included in this. As it seemed that the immediate
threat was over, Cyan was not leaving for the time being and he had not
been included in the invitation, Leonardo had no wish to cause an
increase in tension other than what was already present.
So with slight sigh, Leonardo watched the sisters closely as they
walked over to Cyan's campsite and took their seat by the fire.
He watched a moment longer to see how they would interact with Cyan
before making a small shrug and returning to the burial spire.
Leonardo returned to his earlier place before the spire and sat down to
resume his sketch. He placed his hand with the gauntlet back
inside his coat and when he withdrew it, he now had his pad and pen
again. With a brief look over his shoulder to stare at the two
sisters once more, Leonardo returned his gaze to the spire and
continued his drawing.
===========================================================
The Sisters by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Both strangers move across and halt by the fire, and the one who has done all the talking, Meg, speaks once more, "Friends of Ares, you say? Well, that's good to hear. It means we haven't travelled all these leagues in vain."
There is the sound of tearing cloth and a hissing like a thousand
kettles coming to the boil, and both sisters seem to grow in stature as
huge wings unfold from beneath the torn and shredded remnants of their
clothing.
"Ares may be dead, but we can avenge our sister by slaying his friends!"
Both hoods seem to explode as hundreds of serpents burst through the
fabric, and the sisters stand revealed, crimson-eyed in the firelight...
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
An instant's warning from Berd is all she gets, but it may yet be
enough. Cyan's gaze drops, as legends howl in her mind.
"Medusa and Stheno," she gasps, spinning back, clearing ground for an
instant. The story of Ares - she should have known! Always too quick to trust! My friends! I have led them to this, fool's fool that I am!
"Kallika! Jack! Remember the palanquet!" she shouts, emerald eyes wide, staring at the knees of the Gorgons. "And do not look into their eyes!" Ares defeated these, when they were three! We have a chance! If not...Jack has my palanquet, and will bring them all to safety....
The fear rises in her - fear of death, and worse, fear of death for her
friends - and spills over her rationality. It boils as Berd lets
out a shrill cry, fury of his own splitting the air, and Cyan drops
low, one knee bent, the other leg out straight and wide for an instant,
crouched before the demonic figures looming over the camp.
Berd swoops higher, and begins to pull strength into himself.
There is little he can do, here and now, but at the least the Drake can
attempt to deny them their most absolute power. Reaching out, he
seeks to quell the burning fire in their eyes, if that fire matches the
power of legend - the power to render any meeting their gaze into
unliving granite.
Her hair falls in front of her face, obscuring her own eyes, but Cyan's
lips are clearly visible. Lips that slowly peel back, even teeth
gleaming slightly in the firelight as she grins. "I expect you
weep for Euryale," she whispers in a voice not quite her own. "I
can ensure you weep no more." The Bard's voice is grating as she
fairly bites off the last few words of the sentence, and then her voice
cracks and Cyan shakes her head, starlight and flame striking rainbow
points in her crystal-clear, diamond eyes.
And she's gone.
Kirilinde's sheath is a black streak, torn away from the silvery blade and discarded. Ithilinaur makes a bright arc in the air as Cyan explodes into motion, her boot
kicking the pot of steaming stew into the air at the silent Gorgon, the
tip of the gim lancing out, flicking low at the shin of one of the
Gorgon who names herself Meg, then whipping up in a backhanded, wrist
driven cut at the (possibly stew-coated) face and writhing hair of the
other, never coming off line during the strikes, never
over-extending. Cyan's sure, even footwork keeps her on the move
while her sword forms a tight pattern around her, weaving through a
razor-edged defensive net while snapping out to cut or stab. Her
gaze is fixed on their chests, allowing her peripheral to do the best
it can.
The diamond eyes are blank, empty. Cyan's mind is a stormy
construct of howling fear, crashing fury, and a thousand patterns from
which to choose, a thousand possibilities for attack and defense.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Leonardo had been casually listening into the conversation over by the
campfire as he worked on his sketch when all hell broke loose.
Ahh just perfect... so much for the kindly old crone routine!
I wonder if that merry little band has learned not to judge a book by
its cover... probably not. Oh well... I suppose I should lend a
hand... after all... they were friends of David and it is clear their
enemy were two of David's foes! I'll just have to face facts... I
simply was not meant to complete this bloody drawing at this time!
Leonardo jumped back up from his seated position and reached back into
his duster to put his pad and pen away. When he withdrew his left
hand from his duster, the gauntlet was back again. Leonardo was
impressed by Cyan's martial skill and he hoped the two sisters would
focus their attention on Cyan rather than him. With any luck, he
might be able to move within striking distance from behind without
alerting them to his attack.
Leonardo moved forward quickly but quietly as twin curved blades
roughly two feet in length extended from the back of the
gauntlet. Leonardo looked for a potential opening to strike as he
closed in on the sisters... but above all he wanted to keep clear of
Cyan's whirling blade as she seemed much more proficient in combat than
he.
That would be all I need... to get skewered by one of David's
friends while coming to their aid! Then again... that would be
par for the course at this stage of the game. With my bloody
luck... they'll have made good their escape just as I get within
reach. I had best keep my own escape route firmly in mind!
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack Heeded Cyan’s first warning had no t
looked directly at the woman, and when everything exploded into shorts
of rage he reacted Kali,
do not let Hunter look into their eyes! We can not look at them, at
risk of our lives! You are the only one of us half way used to fighting
blind. We need your help!
A hidden part of him knew he was over playing it, but he
also knew she could never be happy living in reliance on them. She was
very proud in her own way and he intended to see that she kept that
pried.
Jack pulled the palanquet Cyan had passed to him and stared into it
hoping to open it as quickly as possible. Though he knew he need one
thing. . . Time to concentrate.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shouts her warning, even as Medusa and Stheno draw wicked-looking
heavy knives from within the folds of their ragged clothing. Jack
sends the warning to Kali and Hunter through their link, and Leonardo
leaps to his feet and draws his weapon.
Cyan is a whirlwind of destructive force, cutting at the sisters and
feeling her blade bite home several times, while vicious knives and
serpent fangs attempt to strike at her arms, chest and head.
Wherever the Gorgons' blood spills the grass immediately shrivels and
dies, and the earth beneath smokes. Soon the air is filled with a
strange vinegar-stench, and the bard hisses as a knife blade opens a
cut across the back of her left shoulder, even as she spins away.
Jack stares at the Trump, willing it to open, and feels it start to grow cool in his hands.
Leonardo starts to circle round behind the pair of monsters, looking
for an opening, two long blades sprouting from the strange gauntlet he
wears.
Hunter, confused by Jack's instruction not to look at the enemy,
instead runs across to Kalika. The wolf snatches up her sheathed
sword from where it lays on the ground and presents it to her.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd feels it, a compulsion burning at the atavistic mind of his
companion. With a snarl, he abandons his attempts at cleaving the
power from the Gorgons; instead, he floats lower, his eyes beginning to
shadow, as he links his mind with Cyan's.
For an instant, the little dragon is almost swept away by the storm of
madness tearing through the Bard's thoughts - but this won't be the
first time he's delved deep into the heart of her baresark rage.
Berd is, after all, intimitely familiar with it.
His own mind cloaked, avoiding detection within the shadows of his
charge's hindbrain, the shimmering drake adds his own mental force to
Cyan. Slowly the mental fortress of Cyan's consciousness is
buttressed by his own, not-inconsiderable spirit.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali hears the cloth ripping, the snakes hissing, and retreats even
deeper into herself. A fight... she cringed from the idea, the
humilation causing her cheeks to burn red as she grinds her teeth in
frustration, the anger and resentment causing muscles to knot with
tension.
Cyan's warning rings in her ears... do not look at them.... and then
the compulsion to do so. Kali can't help it, she raises her head even
as she grabs her sword from Hunter, sending a silent thanks and warning
to obey Jack as she rises in a fluid motion. the cloak is ripped from
her throat in a savage, sudden motion that belies the anger that is
pounding through her body. In her mind, the secret spot is raging
against its constraints, fighting to be released.
Kali draws her sword in a single, practised motion. Jack's words echo
in her soul as she brings the blade up to guard. She skirts the heat
from the fire, her senses focused on one of the beasts. She can feel
the lack of warmth of the thing's fetid blood, hear the pounding of the
cold heart that pumps the foul subustance through veins that wobbled
and thrummed with each beat even as its acrid smell burned in her
nostrils. She was focused completely on the thing and as Kali walks
towards her, she scrabbles and almost falls. She catches herself and
the motion causes her hair to part from her face and twin unseeing eyes
"look" upon the Gorgon.
The small woman's face becomes of mask of death with sightless, white
eyes that do not judge, and an expression that is heartless and
uncaring as the last barrier crumbles and the rage, sorrow, and anguish
howls through her body and soul. The purposefully walking stops as she
moves, instantly becoming a smudge of silvery white. She charges the
beast with no thought of her own goodwill, a kamikaze, brazen move.
Kali remains trained on the heart that pushes the poisonious fluid
through the gorgon's body. She raises her sword, her hands tightening
on the grip as she braces for impact even as she prepares to adjust for
any sudden attempt to evade her deadly kiss. The slice in her thumb
splits and blood flows freely as she screams.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
The scream is raw, laced with pain and suffering, the ragged call not
quiet human, not quiet wolf... but something terribly caught in
between, something being shredded by internal conflict.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
There is a cut, and blood, but the pain is far away, unimportant.
The Enemy still stands before her, the fear still surges within her
wildly, and the answering fury still boils like lava beneath her
skin. Cyan is dimly aware of Berd, somewhere within her, and that
seems to (oddly) hurl fuel on the conflagration of rage; her diamond
eyes burn with a rainbow sheen as they refract the firelight, and she
slips under a snake's head, swordtip snapping up precisely to split it
down the middle, rather than cut it off.
To do that would leave an opening.
Inside, that crystal part of her within the cyclone calculates,
analyzes. It is not that thay carry more skill than she, it is
that they are two, and they are strong. Stonger than her. A
blade whips past her face as Cyan leans back, hair a crimson cloud
before her in counterpoint to the thread of darkness spilling from her
shoulder; a few stray locks are severed. But footwork takes her
away from the attack before she overbalances, Kirilindë snaking out to
prod the Gorogon away, drawing blood. Skin like stone, perhaps;
any other creature might well have been bleeding rags by this
point. Or dead.
For an instant, she sees the pattern of movement again, the big
picture, and dodges wildly. Something touches her body, something
cold, hard, and sharp. They're getting through, but so is
she. It must be like reaching through a tangle of razorwire,
Kirilindë sword net is so tight. But she cannot trade forever,
and without her armor, she's vulnerable.
Then Cyan hears it. A gutteral cry, feral and rising into a
scream of agonized purpose. Her wild mind recognizes the sound,
registers the killing intent, and knows that one of the creatures is
about to fall.
Kallika has entered the battle.
An answering, maddened laugh bubbles from her lips, and the Bard spins
away for the barest instant, long enough to capture a sense of which
Gorgon Kallika attacks. The one called Meg - Medusa, presumably,
but the names, the identities do not register to Cyan. Rather, it
is THAT Enemy that the Ally attacks, and THAT one remains. Her
own laughter rises in pitch as a terrible counterpoint to Kallika's
furious cry, and the furnace of wrath within her erupts anew.
Shifting her stance, slipping in, Cyan catches the sisters on the
flank, with Kallika attacking one, her attacking the other, forcing
them to defend alone. Empty, diamond eyes stare at the Gorgon's
chest, and Cyan drives into her, striking more powerfully, going for a
disabling wound. Two whipping cuts, to the insides of each arm,
forehand-backhand.
Then a driving thrust, downward, a cratering stab into the belly
pushing into the bones of the hip, forcing the Gorgon to the ground.
Onetwothree. Motions performed so smoothly, so perfectly timed, they are one.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Every fiber in Jacks being longed to
join the fray, to be at his loves side. He felt her pain and rage
unleashed and it burned in his blood. He can not all to his
Chuncee love, he can not help her. He has been given the assignment of
opening the door. It became unbearable to no be able to see the
fight, not be able to be there, not even be able to spare the
concentration to feel across the link.
He would never forgive
himself, but he focused all on the image and the coolness beneath his
hand. Willing it to open, forcing it to open. Please be okay Laila was the only though he spared, even then he did not use the link. He
was useless as ever in battle. . .She was not the one dragging the
quest down. . . It was he.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kalika's arrival brings a turning point in the battle. Her blade
lances towards the back of her chosen target, who seems to sense her
approach at the last instant and turns to face her. Crimson eyes
lock on to blind white ones, and the horror hisses in rage as she
realises that she is powerless against a target who cannot see her.
The jagged-edged knife rises to strike at the silver-haired woman, but
too late. The slim sword blade slides through cloth and scales
and flesh, driven by all Kalika's weight and strength. It misses
the heart, as the monster tries to dodge, but it is still a terrible
wound. Venomous blood splashes onto the ground, and the Gorgon
staggers back from the blow.
"Sister! I am wounded!"
Leathery wings spread and beat hard to lift the massive creature into
the air, bringing a howl of pain from between blood-frothed lips.
The other Gorgon falls back before Cyan's furious attack, parrying
frantically, and desperately seeking an opening to meet the bard's
gaze. The yell from the her sister distracts her for a moment,
and Cyan's weapon slashes across the creature's abdomen, tearing open a
deep wound and filling the air with the strange, acrid smell once more.
The Gorgon turns to flee, wings unfolding and presenting Cyan with an
easy target. The blade flashes once, twice, severing tendons and
membrane in the right pinion. The wing slumps to the ground,
dragging the creature off balance and leaving her crawling as she tries
to escape, not realising that she crawls almost directly towards
Leonardo.
Cyan tries to ignore the odd feeling that somebody is speaking her name...
Jack focusses on the Trump image, as Hunter guards him, and the scene
seems to unfold before him... a cabin in a clearing, surrounded by
forest, mountains beyond, and a sky of perfect blue...
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron's attempt at contacting her nothing more than a whisper in the
furnace of her mind, Cyan stares down at the broken figure before her
with diamond hard eyes. If the Gorgon turned her head now, there
likely would be no time for the Bard to look away, but the creature is
bent on escape, and nothing more. To see an enemy crawling away,
fleeing...in times past, this has been a tidal wave across the fury
burning in the woman.
But now, with this spawn of evil, this lackey of the lord who tormented
the beings of this world, this creature who tried to slay Ares so long
ago and failed, this monster who nursed its hatred for years, this vile
form who set upon them with murderous intent....
This being who, even now, might roll its gaze up and meet that of Leonardo....
Berd, flitting far above, sees the Gorgon attempt to flee Kallika, and
decides that it would be far too much work to try to bring it
down. Dangerous, too. It's running; why bother? But
his head snaps towards Cyan, then, and glittering eyes widen. The
little dragon gives a small, despairing cry, but it's too late.
There is no hesitation as Cyan steps forwards, her sword flicking out
much like Berd's tongue, stabbing into the softness at the base of the
Gorgon's skull. The Bard's lips thin, her laughter cutting off as
she strikes; should the blade find its mark, Cyan twists the silvery
weapon once before withdrawing it, and stepping back, showing teeth for
an instant.
Berd lets out a hiss of displeasure, and falls to land beside Jack.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Before the blade sinks in Kali knows she has missed. The failure cuts
through her faster than any sword, wounds her deeply than any attack
Medusa could have mustered.
The starmetal blade, gleaming with putrid fluid, slides from the
thing's flesh as it flys away, annoucing the wound to its sister as it
flies away. They were vindictive creatures, but obviously couldn't
travel shadow, else they would have tracked Ares down instead of
waiting for him to return home. The point falls to dead grass at the
Chunchee's feet, the sharp tip gliding as effortlessly into the turf as
it had the gorgon's scaled flesh.
The pain, anger, unfairness, all of it flows back into her, leaving her
feeling like an empty husk as it is locked back away, it's influence
depleted greatly. The failure struck a chord in her... the same feeling
that assaulted her after the reptilian thing spat its venom in her face
and she feels skewed, like a broken doll.
Kali takes a deep breath to steady herself and raises the blade from
the ground, she wipes it clean on her trousers, wincing slightly when
she accidentially opens a tear in the cloth. The blade is then
resheated. The other gorgon is as good as dead, felled by Cyan's blade.
She fights the bitter sigh in her lungs. Where before anger and rage,
the need for vengance against those who stole her sight would consume
her and fill the secret, broken part of her soul, there is just nothing.
Woodednly, the fluidness displayed in the short skirmish sorely lacking
in her stride, Kali stumbles across land that she just tread
confidently across. She makes it back to Jack and Hunter and stands
beside them, wrapping her arms around her chest, hating herself for
alienating them, but unwilling to pull on the strenth and support she
knew they needed for other, more worthy tasks.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
NO! No... I will not obey, ye twisted creatures of
darkness! My eyes as my mind are my own to do with and command as I choose! Bloody hell... and indeed that phrase doth mark
these beasts true when one other doeth mark them true with sharpened
blade! What fine play fellows the dear Lady Cyan has invited to
dinner... yes... much better company than a mere artist creating a gift
of thanks.
Well they'll find this is one artist whose canvas can just as easily be
flesh as paper and whose broad brush strokes work just as well with
blade as pen! Now if only the proper moment doeth reveal
itself... for I shall do none good by striking too soon or ineptly only
to fall victim to these beasts and join poor David in premature final
rest.
Dworkin typed:The wing slumps to the ground, dragging the
creature off balance and leaving her crawling as she tries to escape,
not realizing that she crawls almost directly towards Leonardo.
Yes... the time to strike is nigh! My eyes may be closed but
my ears fail me not... and my nose doeth signal the death stench of
mine enemy! For friends of David, I shall strike here and do for
them what I was unable to do for my comrade!
Behind his shades now firmly placed over his eyes, Leonardo kept his
focus on the lower body portion of the beast as it moved towards him
unknowingly. Having fixed its movement and position in his mind
as if painting the picture of the scene using his mind's eye, Leonardo
moved swiftly with his bladed gauntlet to slash at the head and use the
return stroke to thrust for the black heart of the twisted beast!
"Have at it yonder beast of darkness! There
shall be no new stone carved this night from pliable flesh save the
severing of your own hardened heart! Ye hath chosen poorly when
you make enemies of those who would call David Friend!"
quote:There is no hesitation as Cyan steps forwards, her sword
flicking out much like Berd's tongue, stabbing into the softness at the
base of the Gorgon's skull. The Bard's lips thin, her laughter
cutting off as she strikes; should the blade find its mark, Cyan twists
the silvery weapon once before withdrawing it, and stepping back,
showing teeth for an instant.
With his eyes still tightly shut behind his shades, Leonardo senses the
blindingly swift movement of a being who could only be the magnificent
fighter... Lady Cyan, as she strikes for the head of the beast.
As Leonardo pulls his own blade back as he jumps back a step or two
following his strikes, he flings any clinging organic debris towards
the ground beside him listening as the ground begins to wail with the
hiss of the blood.
Still Leonardo seems unconcerned for his weapon except to wrinkle his
nose at the smell with an expression of mild distaste upon his
face. The beast lying motionless before him, Leonardo raises his
eyes to where he can best discern the location of Cyan and he makes a
courtly bow towards her.
Gazing at Cyan with admiration though not visible behind his shades, Leonardo says in a respectful tone, "Well
met and well played my fine fellow practitioner of martial artistry...
for art it must be with such fluid graceful death dealing as I have
witnessed you perform so flawlessly this eve. A shame about the
third... yet it will think twice if it hath any wisdom before striking
so blindly at those who would call David friend.
So it seems that even as "Ares"... David had an eye for those who
shared his martial passions and sought such like minded artisans of
combat as comrades-in-arms. To the worthy goals of mutual defense
and revelry in the zest of living on the edge of the blade, I salute
you Lady Cyan and your companion whose howl instills more fear than her
wolf could ever hope to match."
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack held the image now
that it was open, “The way is open, we can retreat!” he called. Yet
even as he called he could now feel through the link that the battle
was over. He could not help feeling again like with the dragon he was
useless in the fight. He let the image go knowing that they could call
it back if needed, but the need was gone. He stood his cheeks burning
with embarrassment, only to set aside his own feelings. He looked at
Kalika for a moment and moved to her side, picking up her cloak as he
did so.
Placing the cloak over her shoulders,
he said “Even blind you fought better then I ever could.” There is no task so worthy as you He tentatively put a hand on each of her shoulders and massaged
them. Though a part of him was locked away. That which was not
held the deepest awe for her, the same as watching her the night of the
dragons attack.
Jack silently watched as Cyan and Leo finished the job on the other
sister and looked up into the night trying to track the other as she
fled.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The final Gorgon, Medusa, crawls across the grass, blood pouring from
her ripped belly and shredded wing. Suddenly she sees Leonardo's
feet as he steps in front of her.
She struggles to raise her head, and the bladed gauntlet slashes across
her face, blinding one hellish eye before she can lock her gaze with
that of her target. Her screech of pain is cut short as Cyan's
sword pierces the back of her neck, and then Leonardo ensures that she
is dead by thrusting his blades down into her black heart.
Blood starts to spread across the ground around her, poisoning the very
earth. Crawling things boil up from their burrows, driven out by
the venom, only to find more of the same on the surface.
And still Cyan can hear a voice speaking her name...
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shudders, staring down at the ground. Unfortunately,
Leonardo's compliments fall on deaf ears - every sound around the Bard
is swept away by the roaring of her pulse. Color bleeds into her
eyes, almost literally, the diamond shading over to ruby as, for a long
moment, she slowly turns her head, the madcap grin fading from her
lips. There is the stranger, standing a few paces away, speaking
- his words are a garbled mass to her uncomprehending ears. There
is Kallika, Hunter, and Jack, of course. The Triad. Berd....
Berd stares at her sadly from where he sits beside Jack. The
little dragon hunkers down and walks towards Cyan along the grass, tail
trailing and wings furled, looking oddly...ashamed. Cyan's eyes
fall on him, and the colour in them seems to solidify. Abruptly Kirilindë slips from her hand to hit the soiled ground with a wet thump.
Dizzy, she stumbles, then drops to her knees. The stench in the
air hits the Bard then, like a hammer, and the Bard vomits from an
empty stomach, weakness rippling through her, crimson hair plastering
to her pale, suddenly sweat-covered face.
Berd cringes where he stands, then forces himself to walk up to her, crooning sadly.
Shaking, Cyan holds up a hand to ward off anyone else. A large,
hairy spider, driven out by the blood of Medusa, crawls over the
fingers buried in the grass. It goes unnoticed. Get away...Don't touch me....
The stranger is unknown to her, and Jack is busy...and it is unlikely
she could tolerate his touch at this moment. It would be a
painful lash on her spirit. "Gods," she croaks, running one hand
over her fouled mouth. A shock of pain echoes through her arm
like a scream, and Cyan coughs in reaction, bringing another thin
string of bile from her mouth. More frantically, she wipes it
away. "Berd...what happened...Aaron." A thin, mirthless
smile crosses Cyan's features, and for a moment, her eyes hold an echo
of diamond, there and gone. "His timing...exquisite...."
One hand comes up, but she drops it, wiping it on the grass. Berd
positions himself between her and the portal about to open, as Cyan
struggles through the confusion, chemical and spiritual echoes of the
baresark rage, forcing herself to open to the palanquet.
Not even aware of exactly what has transpired, the Bard yet attempts to reply, one hand on the grass, the other held out. Aaron. Is this you?
Berd's head turns to face her again, and he stares at her with worried, jeweled eyes.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Aaron," Cyan manages to gasp out. It feels like broken glass in
her throat. Reaching out, she finds her hand taken by a heavy
gauntlet, and the Bard pulls.
There's a rainbow shimmer, and Cyan releases as soon as she parts the
curtain between worlds, bringing Aaron to them with the power of the palanquet. And there it is, in the hugely gauntleted hand, the opposite to that which she has so recently released.
Cyan sits back, away from Aaron, allowing her hair to fall down in
front of dull, jade eyes. Berd paces in front of her, tail
lashing, seeming almost savagely angry and protective. It's odd
for the little dragon to be showing so much furious emotion and
purpose, even given the situation. Keep away, his aura fairly screams.
"Aaron...in the very teeth of time," Cyan hisses, then coughs, spitting
violently to the side a moment later, and wiping her mouth with a
handkerchief fished from her beltpouch. "In truth, a touch late,
but...." Looking around, craning her neck as if stiff, Cyan pales
further at the sight of the body, just behind her, almost as if she
were seeing it for the first time.
Berd snarls, then, a low, tearing sound, easily as full of compressed
violence as any cougar's. His eyes burn like tiny stars as he
marches to and fro, wings fanning the air, speeding up, slowing down,
all in time with his fierce agitation.
"Berd, please...cease...."
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Well... once more I'm relegated to silence and my efforts at
camaraderie ignored. Why do I even bother to try... well... for
David's sake at least I suppose. Still... an unwanted guest is
really no guest at all... perhaps the graceful death-dealing Cyan would
have preferred to keep this a strictly invite-only private party.
Oh well... this is what I get for sticking my next out to lend
aid. I suppose I should crawl back to my proper place and get
back to my drawing... Amber knows it won't get drawn on its own.
Besides... it seems they have more company arriving and if this one is
anything like the last couple of visitors... well things have only gone
from bad to worse this evening! Best to bid adieu and withdraw
while my limbs are still attached... I suppose.
The twin blades retract back into the gauntlet as any remaining blood
is exuded and flung to the already hissing ground. With a brief
look at those assembled, pausing for a moment to size up the newly
arrived "Aaron", Leonardo bows to the group and says in a cordial and
polite tone, "Well
fellow friends of the late "Ares", it seems the time for mutual defense
has passed and victory can be declared in our favor... mostly due to
the Lady Cyan's impressive martial skill.
However the temporary cause which called upon my ties to my fallen
friend has given up the fight, in one case permanently. I will
therefore honor my earlier promise and not impose my unwanted company
upon you further.
I wish you all well in your pursuit of our common foe and may one of us
be fortunate enough to properly avenge the premature demise of the
noble David. I bid you all adieu."
Rising from his bow, Leonardo glances briefly at the interaction
between the drake and Cyan with a look of concern but does not act
except to shake his head slightly in resigned acceptance.
Leonardo turns around and once more begins his trek back to Ares's
burial spire.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Passing through the contact, Aaron could palpably feel how uncomfortable Cyan was as soon as he went through.
But he could do little at the moment, for as soon as he stepped
through, and maintained enough thought to give Cyan her own space, fell
to his knees and let out a long, low groan.
The armor on his body encased him in a complete, scaled shell. It was
silver, but mysteriously nonreflective. Instead, light shimmered down
its length, and the scales almost seemed to move in waves down his body
as he moved to the ground, similar to the body of a snake.
Aaron himself was silent, breathing heavilly and staring hard at the
ground with mismatched, empty eyes. Arms hanging uselessly at his
sides, Aaron suddenly let out a great moan of agony.
"UhhhhaaaAAAGH!"
His arms came up, wrapping about his torso as his eyes squeezed shut,
his mouth gaping wide in a yell that remained unspoken. The armor
shivered, before rolling up off of him, starting at his feet and
revealing his surprisingly clean oufit beneath. It swiftly completed
its ascent to Aaron's neck, and the armor broke into a rope of metal
and slid, interestingly enough, into the suddenly half-unsheathed blade
of Ilsefranvir, on Aaron's back.
"Thus so have you been judged by the power of the Sjardring."
"Thus so, do we bless you and curse you with its truth."
Ignoring everything, Aaron seemed to relax, his voice hitched for a
moment, before blood began to trickle out of the piercing wound at the
back of his left leg, and Aaron passed out.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan, head still spinning, sits back upon the grass. She
desperately wishes to throw up again, but there's nothing there but
acid. The Bard chokes it down, swallowing thickly. "Berd,"
she says in a stronger tone, staring up at Aaron with a wry look.
"What..."
Then Leonardo, to the side, gives his farewells, and Cyan realizes she
has not the faintest clue what has happened, beyond a few blurred and
garbled memories. "Berd-?" she says again, this time a question.
The little dragon quiets, his head craning around to look at her
quizzically, letting out a peep. Cyan narrows sapphire eyes, and
nods. With a sad look, the dragon meets her gaze, the glittering
in his own, shining orbs flashing brilliantly for a moment.
...the gorgons, with knives and snakes...Jack's desperate focus on the palanquet...a
wild, confused melee...Leonardo jockeying for position...Kallika's
furious intervention...a last, vicious exchange of blows, then the coup de grace...the third Gorgon leaving a trail of blood...
"Leonardo," Cyan says quietly as the man begins to walk away, "you have
my thanks for your assistance. This could have gone far more
poorly than it did, and I warrent you would have leapt into the fray
should the opportunity have arisen. Our lives are no small favour
- my gratitude is yours." The man had every opportunity to
escape, but did not; that, in itself is worth respect, whatever his
demeanor.
Turning, she looks with shock at Aaron as he collapses - Cyan struggles
to rise, then falls back to a seated position as dizziness overtakes
her.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“We need to move on,”
Jack said simply and quietly “The ground is poisoned, the air is
poisoned, this is no place to be.” He moved over and collected his and
Kalika’s stuff. He looked over to the artist by the spire. “Hey
Leonard, would you like to see why Ares died? I could use someone
watching me on when I go to work on the other world. If you are a
palanquet artist of Cyan’s merit.”
He knew this would raise some eyebrows in the group.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
A few moments later, Aaron awoke, and he groaned as he lay face-down upon the earth.
He noticed two things.
One, there was an acrid stench in the air.
And two, he apparently had a pair of new senses.
He could literally feel that a battle had taken place.
Aside from the obvoius corpses that were nearby, and Cyan's post-battle
trauma, Aaron had the strangest sensations that seemed to feed him more
than just the obvious.
That must have been the result of Herzkrieg.
Aaron could also feel another presence nearby. That was, no doubt, the
result of Ilsefranvir's initial senses. It... seemed a neutral presence.
The man sat up, then immediately regretted it as dizziness and spearing
pain shot through his head and leg. Slowly, he rose to his feet, and
attempted to clear his vision.
Then, the armor spoke.
"Your counterparts pose an interesting bout of
questions, Master of the Sjardring. Would that I would inquire of them,
if not for their obvious distraction."
Aaron groaned again. "What's your name?" he asked the new soul, and gained a response.
"Arvais von Herzkrieg, former Master at Arms for Kallios the Blind, now these six thousand years gone, Master of the Sjardring."
Aaron's head cleared, and he feared he couldn't process what the
armor's soul had just told him, yet he knew and felt that it was true.
Flickering in and out of his mind's eye, he saw three men in combat,
fighting with spear, with axe, with sword, before it was replaced by
his view of Jack.
"Ugh." he said, and limped towards his old friend.
"Jack. I'm very pleased to see that you survived your excursion." he
winced as he stopped by him, and looked first to the dead Gorgons,
then, with a raised eyebrow, to Leonardo.
"I also see that you were not alone." he gestures to Leonardo with a flick of his head, "Is this man friend or foe?"
Again, rolling memories attempted to floor him, attempted to draw him into the furious, wonderful ability to destroy, but he set his jaw and drove them back into himself, and then they vanished.
He wanted it, oh how he wanted it, but this was neither the time, nor the place... and he was so tired.
Aaron sighed, and his wounded leg nearly gave out, before he made himself relax.
"Agh! Forgive my seriousness. I've..." I have to stop you from taking Herzkrieg... Father!
"...I've been through quite a fight, Jack, and I'm wounded. If we've
got another place to go, I agree with you that we should bail from this
place." he turned, and looked to Cyan and then Kali with worried eyes,
eyes that seemed to have regained some of their original life.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack shrugged “Honestly I
don’t know what his story is Aaron.” He cast a sidelong glance at
Leonardo “He claims to be a Friend of Ares, but he seemed to take
offence at Kali’s introverted nature. That bothers me as Ares was not
exactly outgoing either. Anyone that could understand Ares silence
should have the patients of Jobe with quiet people. He was down right
rude to Kali while at the same time seeming to kiss up to Cyan at every
turn.” Again his observations were blunt lacking tack.
“So no I really don’t know the story on that guy.
If he is what he claims the he has hung around with Ares who he knows a
David and has spent time in Amber. That would explain the arrogance and
sarcastic tongue with which he spoke to Kali with. If that’s the case
then perhaps you should go speak to him as you have a better
understanding of your fellow Amber men. I have no time to beat the snot
out of or argue with another mad Amber man.” He looked at Aaron and
smiled a tired smile. “No offence meant. We have to get moved and I
have to get back to the Broken God’s World. It’s much worse then we
thought.”
"Oh I'm sorry Aaron." Jack dug in his pack and pulled out a First Aid
kit "Get over here and I'll patch you up. We have not had the best time
here either."
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan comes back to full consciousness at Jack's sally to Leonardo. Another...artist of the palanquet? That would be two, in less than a week, that she's met. Odd. Suddenly we are like grass...I wonder how Jack knows?
Bringing up her gaze, she looks, for the first time with focused eyes,
on Aaron. "Gods above! Aaron! Sit down!"
Against Berd's obvious wishes, the Bard manages to make her own feet,
and stumbles over to where Aaron struggles to stand, then sits back
down. "Jack, I would see to Aaron," she begins, holding out her
arm for the first aid kit and looking pointedly at the obviously
distraught Kallika. A bolt of pain ripples up that arm, and she
winces, staring at her own wound. "Ah, curse it...when did that
transpire? Perhaps Aaron can see to me, when I have finished
acting the surgeon."
Berd, a disgusted look on his face, wings over to Jack, and sits in
front of him. He holds out his front 'claws' for the kit.
Cyan presses down, carefully, on Aaron's shoulder. She jerks as the 'Armor' speaks aloud. That is not Arianne's voice. Has Aaron discovered yet another soul, locked within steel?
Staring at the transformed armor suspiciously, Cyan ensures that Aaron
stays seated. "Roll over on your stomach, Aaron, if you would,"
she says quietly, looking down at the wound. It is quite ugly,
from here. "We can...as you say, 'bail', when I have bound your
wound, and given you support."
Turning towards Jack, she frowns as he speaks. Naturally, for
Jack, it doesn't matter that the man is standing right there - from
where Cyan sits, too, every word is true, and she'll back him up. As if that were necessary. But politeness, in this case, costs nothing to someone who has assisted us.
"Aaron is not moving, Jack. Send the kit here with Berd, and I
shall deal with the injury." Her topaz eyes flick towards Kallika
again, and Berd hops once in front of Jack, impatiently. "And,
for the moment, leave the matter of Leonardo's poor manners. He
did assist during the battle, when some might have ran and left us."
Turning her head, she looks at Aaron (who is, hopefully, following
instructions). "And into what have you thrown yourself now,
Aaron?" the Bard asks quietly.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
Leonardo paused and turned back to face Cyan as she addressed him and
he nodded with a pleased smile on his face saying in a cordial tone, "Well
Lady Cyan, you were a friend of David, your enemies were his... and now
that makes them mine. I was happy that I could lend aid to those
who so kindly saw to his proper burial... though it seems my efforts
were in vain in the face of your incredible skill.
Perhaps I shall have a chance again to lend my blade to your defense at
some later date. While I am touched by your gratitude, it is
unneeded... I knew the risks and I chose them willingly... much as
David would have done I suspect."
Leonardo was about to turn back towards his original heading when Jack
began to address him. Following his offer for Leon to lend his
assistance, Jack then went on to explain his side of recent events in
as unflattering and biased a manner as possible to the new arrival
Aaron. Throughout all this, Leonardo remained silent and merely
stared at Jack though his darken shades with an unreadable neutral
expression on his face.
Hmm... I see he hasn't changed his tunnel vision. He's
certainly one for sticking to his own view of events... regardless of
the facts! And to think he asks my aid in one breath and in the
next takes great pains to be as insulting as possible. I
wonder... as this "Jack" ever considered a career in politics... or
diplomacy perhaps?
He certainly talks a good story... considering that throughout the
battle he spent his time hiding behind a Trump while he sent his women
in to do the dirty work. All flash and no form or function....
how typical of some pumped up Shadow dweller, high on life with his
petty powers and ignorant of the finer points in life.
Someone really should put him in his place... but it will require a
more experienced and lighter touch than mine. I'm too prone to
ending the pain quickly... this one should be given to Samuel to play
with... he knows how to administer pain that keeps on giving.
What is more... this simpleton has shown the key to his own
destruction... the "wolf girl" is the leverage needed to twist this
one. But... for the time being at least... I have more important
matters to attend to. Samuel has made his request and as much as
it displeases me... I must admit it is a sensible one. Time to
play the game I suppose... at least for now.
When Jack had finally finished his insulting commentary, Leonardo
waited a moment or two to allow all emotion to drain from his face and
voice. It was a trick Samuel had taught him... though originally
the goal of the training had been to assume an unbiased poise when
regarding one's artistic subject. Samuel liked to stress that
allowing one's emotions and passions to get the better of one, would
only adversely color one's work... often leading to subtle
imperfections.
Leonardo slowly removed his shades and placed them in his breast pocket
as he let out a small sigh of resignation. He did not want to do
this but Samuel's "requests and suggestions" were not to be ignored
lightly.
Leon adopted a slightly hurt look and responded in a contrite tone laced with genuine remorse, "It
seems Master Jack that we have both been the victims of misconstrued
first impressions and that a certain mutual misunderstanding of each
other's cultures has lent itself to unintentional hurt feelings and bad
blood. This was not nor has it ever been my intention...
especially with regards to people David called friends and comrades.
I ask you to please forgive my earlier rudeness... it did not stem from
deliberate intent to cause hurt feelings but rather a lack of
experience with your cultural norms, customs, moors and taboos.
Where I come from, having one's portrait made is considered a great
honor and the subsequent gift of such a portrait is valued above
mundane monetary exchanges.
Artists do not ask permission to make art as there is never any
objection... it being considered one of the highest compliments to be
chosen as an artistic subject. Also it is a common rule of
courtesy that kindness and generosity shown to a stranger demands that
the stranger make repayment... usually in the form of a valued
gift. For me... my art is my most precious gift and my drawings
are my most valued possessions.
Normally I am not blind to changes in culture or custom... but I have
not run across the brand of objections that the Lady Kalika holds on my
previous jaunts. Still... I should have picked up on the issue...
but my mind was preoccupied with my concern over finding David.
While it may not excuse any insult I gave... I would point out that
normally I am more attuned to such cultural variances than I have so
far displayed.
Also with regards to my objections over being so closely approached by
the Lady Kalika's wolf companion... I can only say that I have had very
traumatizing past experiences with strange wild life on my
journeys. In fact I was badly mauled once while on a Hunt with
David... my fault for allowing a wild beast to get too close. Had
it not been for David's quick thinking and actions, it could have been
much worse. So the close proximity of the wolf, which had already
displayed a certain hostility towards me, undoubtedly led to my being
even more unnerved and ill prepared for the Lady Kalika's unspoken
objections."
Leonardo turned towards Kalika and bowed deeply as he stated in a clear and deeply felt tone, "Lady
Kalika, companion of Hunter the wolf, comrade of Master Jack and Lady
Cyan and friend of the late brave warrior of Amber David or Ares as you
knew him... I now ask before these other friends of David for your
forgiveness. Through my own folly, pride and limited
perspective... I have caused emotional distress and social discord to
you and your comrades.
This weighs heavily upon me as a civilized gentleman and even more so
as I have offended David's memory by insulting his friends. I
humbly apologize for my improper behavior and my lack of understanding
and acceptance for your personal beliefs. I hope in time you will
find it in your heart to forgive my rudeness."
Leonardo took a deep breath and then continued in a respectful tone with a hint of wariness, "HOWEVER...
as much as I do not wish to cause further unrest, I must take issue
with two of your statements Master Jack which I feel are unfair in
their assessment. First is your assertion that I am... kissing up...
whatever that is, to Lady Cyan. While I am not entirely familiar
with that phrase, the context in which it was used was most
unfavorable. My attitude towards the Lady Cyan has been from
first to last a reflection of her own gracious behavior towards
me. Again where I come from, when one is treated in a kind and
generous manner... it is only proper to respond in kind. She has
been polite and cordial towards me, I thing it a tad harsh to find
fault with me for attempting to return the favor.
As for my comments regarding Lady Cyan's martial ability, well I think
anyone would be hard pressed to argue that it was her prowess with the
blade that led to the favorable outcome of the recent engagement.
I was and still am most impressed by what I saw of her technique, if
complimenting her on that is also considered an insult by your cultural
standards then I apologize as I meant no offense by my high regard for
her skill.
The other assertion of yours that I feel is not fully accurate is your
assessment of David... or "Ares" as you knew him. The very fact
that he went by two different names in different locales and that he
would have friends who did not know the existence of each other...
seems to indicate that perhaps none of us truly knew this man
fully. Was David quiet... well he could be but at other times his
boisterous levity or demonstrative voice of command would put my to
shame on my most verbose days.
Perhaps he showed you all one face as Ares and showed Samuel and I
another face as David... two sides of his personality to go with each
name. Perhaps we will run across another friend of David/Ares who
knew him by a third name and who knew him by a completely different
personality all together. I certainly did not know this Ares as
you describe his personality... he may have been like that at times,
but he was far more when I knew him as David."
Pausing for a moment to look down at the dead Gorgon and then back at
the burial spire for Ares, Leonardo faces Jack once more.
Leonardo's expression has a hardened serious look and his tone of voice
changes to clear determination as he says, "Master
Jack, the past is the past and I can do nothing to change what has
occurred... either between you and I or between David and his
foe. I can only make amends by looking forward to the future
where my actions may make a positive difference.
You have asked if I am willing to confront the Enemy that led to the
premature demise of my friend David. You have requested my aid on
some mission, which seems to be designed to strike back at our mutual
enemy. Know this, your Enemy was David's Enemy... and that now
makes this dark evil force MY Enemy.
Perhaps one day David's comrades-in-arms will be my comrades, but until
then we can at least coordinate our efforts to combat this mutual
Enemy. I will lend what aid my humble talents can provide in
whatever capacity you feel needs to be fulfilled. If you propose
to take the fight to the Enemy... then I am your man, on this Shadow or
on any other."
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack moved over to Aaron and
Cyan with the first aid kit instead of handing it to Berd. Though he
did take a moment to stroke the drakes snout. “I will assist Mistress
Cyan with, the work.” he said giving the drake a soft smile. Listening
to Leonardo he opened the case and set about helping the Bard and his
stricken companion by pulling out what they needed. Jack was playing
nurse to Cyan’s doctor.
As he worked and helped he kept
listening to and glancing towards Leonardo as he spoke. It was not
Jack’s place to forgive the man, he was not who the original offence
was against. However the verbose man had been big enough to apologize,
so Jack had something he must now do. Handing Cyan whatever she needed
next he spoke. “I am sorry if I came on a little strong when I came
back to camp. We are seriously in the middle of a war that Killed the
great Ares or as you knew him David today. What’s more is it killed him
on his own special ground of battle.” Jack’s voice was soft and
thoughtful though with an hard edge of someone who was trapped on the
front lines of a war.
“Entire worlds are being destroyed,
apparently all in the name of striking against Amber and the Chaos some
how. . . But I’m getting side tracked.” Jack shook his head handing
Cyan what she needed next “I am sorry for the Kissing up comment, it
was a low blow beneath me. However you know as well as I do appearances
are everything, and to slight ones friends is to slight oneself.
That is neither here nor there I suppose. Perhaps you are right about
David Ares, it is not unheard of. ”
Jack handed the next item Cyan needed
to patch Aaron up. “Good then you are an artist that can make and use
the magic cards that view other places? So you will be able to view me
and talk with me without opening a gate to me, with the use of my card?
” Jack looked up at the man studying him.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali remains standing, hugging herself, slowly regaining control and
fighting the strong current of emotion that batters her. Finally she
sighs, a tired, drained, letting it go. What was the point?
She smiles at the cloak on her shoulders, even though she wasn't able
to direct it at Jack. The irridescent chain glimmers in her metallic
hair as she turns towards the sound of voices. She takes a few steps,
getting closer, but stays on the outskirts.
When Leonardo speaks her name her head turns to "look" at him, white
eyes starting blindly at the artist. The pink burn scars on her face
only serve to make the startling white orbs stand out even more. She
nods her head as he speaks, the chain chiming softly.
"I am no lady, so please do not name me as one" Kali requests quietly
of the artist "It is the belief of my people that a picture, be it
painting or otherwise, steals a part of your soul. Too many pictures
and then there is nothing left" she moves her hands as if watching
something float away on the breeze before chucklying softly and
continuing seriously "A foolish idea I know" she shrugs "but that of my
people. I am sorry for any insult either me or Hunter dealt" she the
nods her head again, before falling silent.
Wordy yes, but an apology... quite the character she thinks to herself, waiting to see how things would pan out. Lalai she sends to Jack even as her failure stings at her As
long as one of the Gorgons lives this will not be a safe place to
return to... Aaron is wounded, Cyan is wounded... you are right. We
need to move on and then sort things out then... with or without our
lovely new friend
She inhales, searching for the earthy smell that is Jack, hoping to
find her way, but there are too many scents on the wind and the she is
unable to pin point him, only catch the undertone of his smell. Hunter
nuzzles her hand and with her fingers firmly emeshed in his fur
he guides her to her love. She wishes to embrace him, but Hunter shares
the image of Jack carrying all of their stuff. Shame flares and she
reaches forward, blood dripping from the reopened wound on her thumb. Please... I will carry my own things, it's one of the few things I can still manage she requests with a self depreciating laugh.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack turned from his work
towards his bonded, she can feel his mind busy at something. Quietly
listening mentally “You are right Lalai, we probably should not even
have Aaron laying upon the ground as it seems poisoned. I would hate to
see that seep into his wounds.” He looked at the people around him
“Seriously folks, we should probably think about getting out of here.
We need to treat both Aaron and you Cyan.”
He pulled a bandage out of his box and turned to
Kalika, Taking he her hand he said “This will sting dear heart.” He
poured something across it to clean the wound before putting an bandage
across it and topping it with a kiss. Then he looked at Cyan with a
mischievous smile “Is your patient going to get the same treatment
Bard?”
Looking up into his loves white eyes Carry them if you like Lalai, but you are more then a pack mule. The battle turned when you joined it. Not that he had seen it himself, but he had seen the memories in Hunter who he reached out and rubbed.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron complied with very little comment, though he felt that he would
have rather been in the gentle hands of Cyan, then the
more-than-tired-and/or-agitated hands of Jack. It was with that
thought, that he rolled over and listened, quite intently, to everyone
speak.
Finally, he too let his thoughts be known.
"Firstly, to Leonardo." he began, but paused. The armor had long since
disappeared into Ilsefranvir, apparently becoming one with the sword
until it was needed again. Having rolled up his trousers so Cyan could
get to the wound, Aaron crossed his arms beneath his head and rested,
blessfully rested, against them.
"I will be honest with you, as is our way in this group. I am Aaron,
apparently the last Protector of San Anyn, son of Amber, and Master of
the power of the Battle Magic Sjardring." that last part seemed to come
from him without his own knowlege, and nearly surprised him. "Master"
wasn't exact truth, or so he thought, but Leo didn't need to know that
- yet.
"With me are Arianne den Ilsefranvir, the Eight Fangs Priestess, and
Arvais von Herzkrieg, Warmaster of the House of the Sjardring. The
former, encased within the blade upon my back, the latter, within the
armor that I wore upon my arrival." What?!? Where the hell is this coming from?!?
Well, you never asked about my history.
And I merely supplimented your initial memories. You should have known already, anyway.
"They too, are members of this group, and should be respected as I and my friends should be."
Aaron paused, for his leg still hurt quite a bit, before collecting himself and continuing.
"Allow me to say, that you talk too much, Leonardo. In that respect,
Jack does also, at times, but I will say this: Actions speak louder
than words in this group. Believe me, I know from experience." a tone
of sadness came into his voice at that last, but he cleared his throat
to cover it.
He glanced up and back, at Cyan, and chuckled.
"If Cyan says you helped defeat those reeking corpses over there, then
I believe it. That makes you somewhat passable in my book. But if you
want to stay with us, then you better learn to put your suspicions and
egotism behind you. All of us here have great stakes set into this
journey, and I must say, I myself have only recently found out that the
stakes are greater than I ever thought. I, personally, won't be slowed
down by some guy who thinks he's the hottest thing since Oberon."
His mismatched eyes, one brown, the other an alien sort of silver, flickered. Aaron's voice was cold as he continued.
"Cyan, Jack, Kali... there is an orb on San Anyn. I'm more than sure
that it's the exact same type of orb that was on the Gatherer's world.
When I arrived, it had absorbed almost every ounce of Sjardring magic
from the House, with the exception of the armor Herzkrieg." And two other artifacts... he added, to himself.
His voice became pained again as he continued.
"There is much at stake, and I believe our time is running out."
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"T'would seem," Cyan muses in reply to Kallika, "that there are no
ladies here at all. As for foolishness, who can say? The palanquet capture more than your image; perhaps, in the past, they did far
worse." Her tone is thoughtful as she accepts the First Aid kit
from Jack. "My thanks, Jack, for this and your assistance...and
you are correct. Worlds die. Millions perish, or so we
suspect. We have no time for wrangling." A pang ripples
through her when Jack asks Leonardo about his skill with the
cards. Mine is...insufficient? Ruthlessly, she quashes the thought. If Jack is asking him, he must have his reasons. And you have no right to feel slighted, in any case.
It stings, though.
As Aaron struggles to lay down, Cyan turns emerald eyes on Leonardo. There is that word again...Shadow. He is, of a certainty, from Amber.
"A fine apology...I think, at least, there was one buried with
that." That said with a small smile, which fades. "We have
a certain way of dealing with each other, sir, and it is one with which
you must become accustomed if you wish to travel with us. I fear
we can be plainspoken, and demand that from others - put flair and
flash into your phrases as you will, but the point must be clear."
The Bard sighs, knowing that this next point will bring some
resistance. "And we must know all there is to know of you - from
where you hail, to what is your allegiance, and what skills and Arts
you bring." Cyan gives an apologetic shrug. "If this is too
onerous, consider that we, too, will reveal all. But that is a
decision you must make."
Turning back to Aaron, she accepts a bandage from Jack and
flushes. "Aaron will receive care from me, Jack, but I believe I
shall leave the kissing to you." Berd lets out a musical snicker,
then curls up near the fire, obviously relaxing.
"Aaron, be still." Carefully, Cyan cuts away the cloth near the
wet and sticky injury. "The wound yet bleeds...good. It
will not be fouled, and these bandages are clean. Berd?"
Berd, raising his head, groans, then coughs forth a cloud of
shimmering, silvery smoke. It fades when it reaches Aaron's leg,
and he feels a coolness suffuse the wound. "Far better than
antibiotics and codine-laced DMSO," the Bard mutters, the words
sounding oddly stilted from her.
"This will need to be stitched. Aaron will split it further and
bleed more, should he walk. It will not hurt,
Aaron...much." Quickly she threads the curved needle and begins
to work, her fingers steady and sure at their task. It's odd to
find such things in a first aid kit, but if they were not there before,
they are now....
"I greet you, Arvais Von Herzkrieg," the Bard says absently while
stitching, "and it is a fine thing to hear you again, Arianne.
Master of the power of the Battle Magic of the Sjardring, Aaron?
There is a story, here, and I suspect you have more to tell us...but it
should wait for Leonardo to make his decision. You HAVE been
busy, have you not?" The redhead frowns. "And gently, now,"
she states, tapping the back of his neck. "Jack has already had
words with our traveller. Sufficiently, I believe." There
is wry amusement in her tone, then, a gentle prodding. "May we
now see the Aaron we have come to appreciate?"
The Bard coughs, once, reddening again. "Enough from you, I
think," she whispers to Berd, who rolls over and looks innocent.
Poorly.
The stitching is nearly complete, and Cyan grows grimmer, less
introspective. "As for the Orb...I suspect there are more of
these things, strewn throughout the Myriad Worlds, than we ever
suspected. Your world is in peril...and many more, I fear.
As you say, time grows short. Someone seeks to challange the
power of the ruling Houses, those of Amber and Chaos, and is uncaring
of how many must perish for them to obtain the necessary strength."
Carefully, Cyan knots off the stitching, and, with a damp cloth,
tenderly wipes the wound clean. "There!" the Bard announces,
nodding happily. "That should be sufficient...Berd can repair
your trousers, should you wish."
Berd snorts in disgust, indicating that he will do no such thing. He is, after all, a drake, not a haberdasher!
"Do you have further injuries, or can we move?" Cyan
pauses. "And...Jack? My shirt, if you would?" For a
third time, the young woman flushes. "The wound can wait, but I
would change to my proper clothing before we cross the Curtain Between
Worlds."
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack hands Cyan her shirt this time
instead of tossing it to her. “Yes we need to move, don’t worry I shall
let Aaron stitch you up then kiss it to make it better, unless you’d
rather Leo or I do it.” He nodded with a wry grin.
“Better said then I could currently
bard, but still missing one thing.” He looked to Leonardo “When
she says we keep nothing from each other, she means it. We don’t go on
private little jaunts without the others knowing and we share what we
find.” Each of our fates rest in the hands of the other and we shall
surly fail if we do not work together as a total team. We have found
things that can kill the mighty Ares, things that could turn my mind
into so much putty, things that could best each of us on our own ground
and the only way we have come though is by working together. Cyan is
right, you have a choice to make. That is to join or not to, there is
no riding the fence.”
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Carefully rolling over, Aaron sat up, but kept his wounded leg extended
while tucking its opposite close to his chest. Testing the dressing, he
smiled, and nearly burst out laughing at one point... before letting
out a light cough to cover that up.
"Cyan, you certainly have more talent on one hand then I do in my
enitre body. Not only with the cards, but with medicine as well. I
thank you."
He glanced at Jack, a chuckle emerging. "Oh, and thanks to you too, Jack. Your amusement will certainly help me to heal."
There was mention of his past adventures, and Aaron nodded to Cyan, but sadness was present in his eyes.
"Later, I will tell you the stories of San Anyn, and many more histories at that." he said, and felt that that too, was true.
"I make your acquaintance, Artist Cyan." said Arvais, politely.
Aaron grunted as he stood, favoring his wounded leg so as not to reopen the injury.
"I fear I won't be parting the worlds until this leg is healed."
He looked to Leonardo, then, and to the man's answer towards the group.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The prospect of Stheno returning, with Cyan and Aaron injured is one
reason to move on from here, and a second soon becomes apparent.
Rain. Not a torrential downpour such as Aaron had so recently
experienced, but an unpleasantly cold drizzle which seems to seep into
the very bones, and which looks set to continue for most of the night
at least...
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron stared into the downpour, eyes wide and nearly blinded by the
falling precipitation, as if viewing something that none other could
see.
"No, Arvais. It cannot be." he said quietly, before looking at the rest of the group.
Yet he knew it to be true, and the armor acknowleged it. The memories
always were witness of the truth, and he felt the memory now, burning
in his mind's eye like a lightning flash. He was sure it would take him
quite a long time to adapt to his many new senses, but now wasn't one
of those times.
He reasserted himself, mentally and physically - into the here and now.
"Let's get out of here!" he said over the rain.
===========================================================
Re: The Sisters by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack leaned down to Aaron, as he did so the
shadows of the night deepened and moved twisting unnaturally,
taking on a reality that the darkness should not have. They rushed Jack
rolling over him like oil flowing over him , broiling and twisting
about him in the inhuman change that the others had seen several times
now. I’ll be the pack ass, but you are now the luggage. The Psychic resonance of his voice were foreboding as his appearance,
and the knowing smirk held a dark wicked aspect on his inky face.
Then again they may have been getting used to this all by now.
He picked Aaron up gingery, as of a father picking
up a babe. Swinging the smaller skinny man unto his back he Let Aaron
put his arms around his neck and took his upper legs in the crooks of
his arms. You
take us some place safe ol’ bean, I’ll be your legs. Let’s go
people! What do you feel coming Amber man? Cyan, you got anything
left in your bag of tricks?
Kali rest your hand on me, let me guide you Lalai
===========================================================
Home by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Taking her shirt from Jack for...what, the third time in minutes, Cyan
turns her back on the group...but with the unfamiliar presence of
Leonardo, that isn't enough to alleviate her discomfort. Berd
comes to her rescue, coughing forth a shimmering, satiny mist that
clears moments later, the iridescent shirt in place, the bloodied,
gashed one now balled up and going into her pack.
"Either Aaron or you, Jack, or perhaps Kallika - I trust her hands, in
more than one way." Cyan's face nearly matches her hair, now, but
she laughs. "Whichever, however, there shall be no kissing -
either Kallika or I might object. Strenuously. But the
shoulder can wait anon..."
Turning back to the seated man, the Bard quirks a thin eyebrow.
"Hardly, Aaron," Cyan laughs, amethyst eyes twinkling faintly with
amusement. "Besides, were that the case, my skill must needs be
considered somewhat truncated...." She holds up her lopsided hand
to illustrate. "And please, Master Herzkrieg, it is Cyan - I am a
bard by trade and training, and my artistry naught more than that of a
dabbler." A touch of honesty forces her to admit, "Perhaps a
skilled one, but an amateur, nonetheless."
Then the rain begins, and Cyan shivers. Shock has set in, some
time ago, both from the wound and the fury, and her temperature
plummets under the rain. "B-Berd?" Hissing with annoyance,
steam rising from his scales, the drake crawls under her patched,
leather cloak as she hastily throws it around herself, his eyes
beginning to dance and shine. If all goes well, the group finds
themselves in a dry spot, where no rain falls...for the moment.
"Aaron?" the Bard whispers, reaching out towards the man who seems lost
in thought. Her hand is pulled back, though, when he cries out
agreement with Jack. Cyan nods, and fumbles with Kirilinde.
Jack boils and rolls, and, as always, the change is fascinating, but
Cyan forces herself to concentrate.
"Here, now, to me," she cries over the patter of the rain.
"Leonardo, if you would come, come now! Your decision can attend
for a time - this is not fit place for man or beast!" The sword
begins to come out of the plain, wooden scabbard, Cyan hissing with
sudden pain as her shoulder twinges. She only draws it slightly
more than a handspan, though - what is visible is blunt ithilinaur,
with no edge, the metal slimming just where it touches the
scabbard. An inch more, and the blade proper begins to appear,
then the visible length begins to swirl like oil on water, in the sun.
"Someone rest a hand upon my unwounded shoulder," Cyan says, wet hair
clinging to her face, silk shirt damp from the rain that has gotten
through, eyes focused upon the blade. Berd waits on the
shoulder in question, eyes bright. "Make a chain, and hold tight
- we go, now!"
The moment everyone links to her, Cyan reaches.
===========================================================
Re: Home by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Mere seconds before he grasped Cyan's arm, a thought emerged. A memory, of his or another.
A fire, a fire! Burning orange!
Beyond, below, beneath, be all.
For curse, for health, for love, for life.
So too, do I, believe.
A heart, a heart! Bleeding red!
Become, believe, begin, be none.
For Line, for Hearth, for Hell, for Harm.
So then, does time, ordain.
An eye, an eye! Staring silver!
Be truth, be lie, be sight, be mine.
For you, for I, for they, for all.
So thus, does death, depart.
Her time, so done.
Your curse, begun.
Her death, last breath.
Your life, all strife.
Forever, for never.
From Chaos till Order.
Her age, your torment.
Allways, Again, Revenge, Onward, Neverending.
Then, through rain and rainbows, memory and everything disappeared.
===========================================================
Re: Home by Leonardo
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Leonardo waited patiently for the endless instructions and
reiterations of the "group's rules" and the constant admonishments to
be "totally honest"... he couldn't help but strain a bit to maintain
his facade of the chipper eager-to-please persona he had adopted to
mollify their petty concerns.
Good grief... do they treat everyone as if they were a child!?
How many times do they think they have to warn me of the necessity of
"full disclosure"? Either I'm going to "tell all".... not BLOODY
LIKELY... or I'm not.
With all these reminders of the important to open up... and lower all
my defenses I might add... before they do likewise of course... one
might wonder if they are stressing this need to me or to themselves?
I can't help by be reminded of the words of another Bard... "She doeth
protest too much methinks". I wonder... just how many secrets
each of these "honest and open" individuals has kept from the others?
It seem to me that this Aaron has already violated their wonder group
policy... he seems none too anxious to "reveal all" about his recent
encounter. Apparently there isn't a hard and fast time limit to
this truth-telling... or perhaps the rules just doesn't apply to those
too powerful to snub!
Do they take me for a fool... ahh... perhaps so for that is a foolish
question, of course they do. Would they repeat themselves so
often if they granted me the benefit of the doubt from an intellectual
standpoint? Still... as Samuel would say, "Information is
Power... and only a fool or a dead man willingly surrenders POWER!".
Still I suppose I will have to tell them something, if only just to
placate them. I wonder... after my heart-to-heart, just how fully
free flowing will the stream of information be on their end... and just
how much will they hold close to the vest? I wonder...
As the multiple sets of instructions and directions from the various
members of the group finally begin to die down, Leonardo makes a
courtly bow towards the assembled group of wounded warriors.
In a calm, clear and respectful tone Leonardo says, "I
do believe you have stated your case quite sufficiently to impress upon
me the dire need for complete honesty. I must admit that such a
policy of total truth does not come naturally to anyone who has been to
either end of the Universe and survived to travel the Shadow another
day.
Also you demand the full truth from me here and now as if it was but a
simple recounting of a few minutes... all the while I still know next
to nothing about you except what I have been able to surmise from
scraps of side conversation.
Still... you were friends of David and you do know more about his Enemy
than I. Perhaps such drastic measures have been put in place to
insure final victory... only time will tell I suppose. However if
David trusted you all, then I will not insult his memory by failing to
do likewise.
To begin with, for the sake of Master Aaron of Amber, my name is
Leonardo Henri Cezanne and I am an artist of some renown in my own
social sphere. To the best of my knowledge, I was born and raised
and trained on a World... and hence Shadow... known as Escher. It was on there that I made a name for myself as a painter, sculptor, illustrator... one might say "An Artist for All Mediums".
The Shadow Escher was undergoing its Second Renaissance and the Art
World was experiencing a true revolution and rebirth in the hearts and
minds of the people. The artist became the new popular idol whose
talents lifted him or her above the common people and art for art's
sake was held as the highest form of personal expression.
Having mastered the conventional art forms, I began to delve into the
art of the subconscious mind... my quest was the pursuit of drawing the
images that one could not see but could feel. During my rigorous
self study, I began to make art which revealed the inner workings of
the world in ways few others could sense directly but which struck a
cord in the souls of all who looked upon it.
I dubbed my new movement of artistic expression... "Psychic Artistry" where the ultimate goal was the perfect reproduction using conventional media of the "soul beneath the surface". It was at this time that I meant Samuel who would later introduce me to David, whom you all knew as Ares.
Samuel was the one who showed me that my Psychic Artistry could affect me just as I affected it. It was Samuel who first
mentioned the proper name used by the sophisticates of Amber and the
Courts of Chaos for my "Psychic Artistry"... Trump. I assume that is what you mean by "magic cards" or that other term... palanquet?"
It was at this point that the first warnings and unease about some
unseen and unnamed danger began... originating with the newly arrived
man of Amber.
Bloody Hell... not another attack by unknown danger already!?
No wonder poor David was driven to his grave! These accursed
star-crossed travelers of Shadow attract danger and trouble as if moths
to a flame... to rather to a raging inferno! Either they return
from conflict or they invite conflict to take a seat with them for a
bloody chat! Such ill fortune no doubt played a hand in poor
David's untimely demise!
Yet... perhaps this interruption is merely my own good fortune taking
affect? I mean with this delay, I am granted a reprieve from
baring my bloody soul to these insulting ingrates and obnoxious
simpletons! Yet... with the level of mistrust, suspicion and
overt intrusion into personal matters displayed already... I very much
doubt this reprieve will last long at all!
Still... one must use the twists of fate which are dealt at random...
perhaps the strain of this trip will forestall further prying
questions. OR... at least grant me a long enough breather to turn
the tables and begin insisting... in as pleasant and demure a way as
possible... that they honor the quid pro quo. What is good for
the gander is fit for the goose that has laid the golden egg of
knowledge... I shall not give up Power without due "compensation"!
quote:"Here, now, to me," she cries over the patter of the
rain. "Leonardo, if you would come, come now! Your decision
can attend for a time - this is not fit place for man or beast!"
With a nod of his head, Leonardo responds in a cordial and polite tone, "As
you wish Mistress Cyan, for you refuse the title Lady, I shall follow
your direction in this matter. I thank you for including me and I
concur that this locale has lost a great deal of appeal as the night
has waned. I only hope our destination proves more hospitable but
I will place my trust and faith in your able guiding hands...
artist-to-artist."
quote:"Someone rest a hand upon my unwounded shoulder," Cyan
says, wet hair clinging to her face, silk shirt damp from the rain that
has gotten through, eyes focused upon the blade. Berd waits
on the shoulder in question, eyes bright. "Make a chain, and hold
tight - we go, now!"
Leonardo silently and swiftly moves towards Cyan but Aaron reaches her
first and thus Leonardo finds himself the middle link in the chain
between Aaron and Jack.
quote:The moment everyone links to her, Cyan reaches.
Hmm... not the way I would have done it, still not bad... for an amateur....
===========================================================
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