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Part 17: Interlude in Bredaniant
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Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Dworkin (GM)
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The fortress is old and crumbling, the metalwork on the gates rusted,
and the road broken by ruts and potholes, almost overgrown by coiled
briars in places.
It is clear that if this place is still garrisoned, it is only by an army of scurrying mice.
The landscape is filled with steep-sided crags, the fortress hanging
onto the flank of one, high above a forested vale where the glint of
water can be seen snaking between the trees. Above, the sky is
clear, and so blue that it almost makes the eyes hurt to look at
it. The air is cool, though not as bitterly cold as Caina, and
smells of strange blooms.
Within the fort, it becomes clear that the road continues on, beyond a
second gate in the far wall. The outer works are of ancient
stone; three sides of a courtyard, with the mountain making the
fourth. A turret at each of the two exposed corners, and a large
keep carved from the mountain face itself, complete the
fortifications. It seems that much of the structure lies within
the peak.
Just inside the open door to the keep is a pile of blankets, matresses,
pots and pans, food, waterskins, and a fire already ablaze...
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
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Lexy looks the fortress over. More rundown then when she was last here, but that is to be espected.
"Before you is the fortress of Dakai Pass. Dakaihold was it's name
once, when there where people around to remember it." She looks at the
crumbling fortress,and begins walking towards it.
"This was once a trade route bewteen two great cities." She points down
the road, away from the fortress. "Go that way for a few days, and
you'll find the ruins of a large city by the sea. Shezka was it's name,
and it was the main supplier of goods for the cities over there." she
point to the other end of the road. "War came to this place. Shezka was
destroyed. Without their point of supply, the people of this mountain
kingdom began to die out. A few Thanes took some of their people and
left. The rest stayed, and eventually died. The mountains are dotted
with abandoned villages, towns, and a few ruined cities. It's actually
a very interesting story. Eventually, the invaders moved on. From what
I've been able to piece together, there was a great battle far to the
north. There, great magics or weapons where unleashed, for when the
smoke cleared, nothing was left. The sea had reclaimed what had once
been a thriving kingdom. There are some islands left, but nothing there
conforms to the maps I've seen. Then, I don't know what happened. The
people just began to die out. There are still people in this world. You
have to travel far over the ocean to find an inhabited place. But they
do stil live there, most of them completly unaware of the great tragedy
that took place here."
With her little story done, she looks to the others. "We are safe here.
There is no one here to harm us. Those of you who need rest, please
take it. There will be plenty of time to talk later."
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
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Taking in the scenes about him, Aaron inhaled the air of yet another
new Shadow. He and Jadus had already discussed what would occur with
one another, after Aaron had awoken. He wished his brother a safe
journey.
Listening to Lexy, he found her story quite interesting. He may return to this shadow sometime in the future, but for now...
Shedding his cloak, stained tunic, and even Ilsefranvir, he took all in
hand and walked away from the group, to the very outside of the keep
itself. He felt that the rest of the group needed their time, and it
would be best to leave them to it, without his annoying presence.
So he sat outside the walls, staring off into the distant green of the
forest below. Beside him, sat Arianne den Ilsefranvir, silent and
sheathed.
Inhaling the air yet again, Aaron closed his eyes, and meditated on the
things of the past, present, and future. Amber; The Pattern; the group;
the Fight; his brother; the Dark; the Kryn... and far, far backwards.
To what Jack and The Dark had reminded him of.
Of the Shadow he once called home. His kingdom.
"San Anyn."
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
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Cyan listens carefully to Lexy speak. Another tragedy.
Another senseless war. All too common, these days...all
days. So, too, did they battle hopelessly against the forces of the Lord of Fetters.
Her emerald eyes gleam as she takes in the tale, and she nods when Lexy
finally finishes. "An unfortunately familiar tale, Lexy..." and
Cyan breathes deeply. "The scent of agony, of despair, is long
gone, though. The only thing that remains is sorrow." Her
eyes flicker to the other woman. "Though I find the air here
fresh, and clear. And the cool weather is much the same as my
home. My thanks."
Stumbling slightly, Cyan slips into the keep. Aaron heads out
for...parts unknown, and the Bard merely notes this fact while tugging
open her pack. The bedroll comes out first, and she stares around
muzzily for a moment, before giving a startled jump. Berd pulls
his head back from her ear, and she rubs the bite-place irritably - the
little dragon did not break the skin. "I know...I know."
Placing the bedroll out, not too near the fire where she will become
too hot, Cyan stares around at the others for a time, then gives them a
tired smile.
"Good day, everyone. I fear I have little left within me...sleep calls."
With that, she slips into the bedroll, curling up on her side like a
child. Berd crawls around the Bard, eventually settling on her
long, red hair, ever so carefully, and sits, his head slowly going down
to lay on her shoulder. Eyelids close over iridescent
orbs...almost. But a thin, sliver of light escapes from them; the
dragon, even sleeping, is ever-vigilant.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
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Jack breath a sigh of relief,
at least for the moment, not telling how happy or not Hunter was with
getting yanked away. He mutters something about “not knowing how
your spells work. . .” to Lexy.
Looking at Kali he says “I’m going to grab some Z’s, you are more then
welcome to join me. I’d love it if you did. . .” Then he finds a spot a
little ways away and settles in. Spreading out his sleeping bag for two
and throwing a couple of blankets across it for cover. Jack lay down,
it would not be long before sleep claimed him. Yet he fought it waiting
to see if Kali had anything she wished to talk about before he slept.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
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Lexy watches as people retire. Most of them look like death warmed over
right now, so it is obviously needed. Compared to them, she was fresh.
She smiled at the thought as she crept into her sleeping roll. She was
only fresh when compared to this lot.
Lexy whispered a quick sleep blessing, then curled up as well within
her bedroll. Her final action before falling asleep is turning her head
a bit to regard Jack and Kalika.
"Don't stray too far. This building isn't entirely stable." she is
about to turn over again, when she decided to add something else.
"And don't be too loud." she gives a q uick laugh, the rolls over and closes her eyes.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
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Hunter, looks around, startled. His eyes flash with the viciousness of
an angered predator. His hackles are raised and his look, promising
death, is fixed on Lexy. A growl raises in his throat, a deep grating
sound of threat as he bares his fangs. His body tenses for the
leap to extract vengence on the one who would dare to interupt him...
Kali, quickly getting her bearings in this new place, whirls to face
the alpha male. In her feral eyes looms a threat larger than the one
reflected in her bonded. No words are audibly passed between them, but
her eyes are blades piercing the wolf before her.
Hunter's outward appearance settles down. Lips cover fangs, fur
smooths. The threat is still in his eyes as they settle on his
mistress. Kali's eyes widen and she laughs, a short, almost mocking
sound. Sullen, Hunter runs from the keep, seeking solace in area
surrounding the keep. He sought prey to vent his frustration on.
After the wolf left, Kali sagged, her energy noticeably drained. With
numb fingers she unbuckled her swordbelt and settled in wearily besides
Jack. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head near
his. Kissing him lightly, she closed her eyes tiredly and sighed.
"Sleep peacefully my love..." she whispers, opening herself to him so
that he can feel how drained the confrontation with Hunter was on her
soul. She was exhausted, her old shoulder wound was throbbing, and the
extertions of the day were catching up. Like him, she was ready to sink
into a deep sleep.
She yawned hugely and snuggled closer to Jack, warmth and caring
flowing through her to him. "I love you" she whispered before sleep
claimed her completely.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
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Jack was getting better at this, he
had expected a poor reaction from hunter and expected Kali to
catch it. He was amused, but only so far that Lexy had not exspected
it, or at least show the kindness of letting Kali collect the wolf. It
was kind of like steeling food from Berd. He shuddered at the thought
of having to wrestle a scrap of food from the drake. It would probably
die before letting go!
Jacks voice drifted over from the
mass of blankets that were Kali and Jack, “Shhhh, I’m trying to get to
sleep mother.” he replied to Lexy, but there was something teasing in
it. Then added, someone need to keep watch. Not all of here are
trusted, there is still an outsider in our midst that is less than
stable. Please watch over us Lexy, wake me when you get tired and I’ll
take second watch.” seconds of silence past and then. “Oh and
plllllttttt.” He blew a raspberry “That’s for being a wisenheimer.”
Jack held Kali close opening himself to her and
helping bolster her emotionally and spiritually even as she had
helped him physically. She feels all of the emotions returned to her in
the warn safe caring world of his arms, “I love you as well Lalai a mekia." he whispers and finally drifts off to sleep.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
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Lexy nods to Jack, eyes opening a crack. "I promised you uniterupted
rest, and I ment it. Sleep well, Jack." she says. She continues to lay
down, but now her eyes are open, and watching. But that is not the only
way that is watching, as she set's out her wards. No one, and nothing
will move without her knowing about it. With nothing better to do, she
reaches into her things and pull sout a samml book, smaller then her
hand. She opens it up and begins to read the tiny script within.
(OOC:Unles ssomeone has something they would like to do, I would
suggest perhaps skipping past the sleeping part. Just a thought.)
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Ilsefranvir
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....
"It's been hours. I failed to wake you, for even I could sense the rest you required, even if you did not."
He found himself leaning against the wall, staring up at the sky above.
He didn't know the time of this Shadow, but it felt later than when he
had first sat down.
"You and I are probably leaving, Ari."
Inside, Ilse sighed. When was the last time she had heard her name?
She'd been known by the name of her father's father for so long. Better
to remember her old self, than the self in the sword.
"They have good reason."
Now it was Aaron's turn to sigh.
"I know."
She sent out a flow of calming thoughts to her master. Such was the
responsibility of weapons of the Soul and Mind. She was classified as a
Mind-bound weapon, but she knew that her connection to Aaron was deeper
than that.
Raising his eyes to the skies above, Aaron simply stared on.
"Then let us wait for them, and see what they decide."
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
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Time has passed. Cyan slowly shifts, rolling Berd over. The
pulling at her hair, from this, wakens her, and she sits up, Berd
rolling even more with an irritated snort. Reaching down, she
carefully picks up the drake and places him in the warmth of her
bedroll, pushing the blankets around him. As she stands, the
little dragon wiggles his way underneath the wool, until only the tip
of his nose shows.
Cyan stares down at him, smiling fondly. Then, with a sigh, she
picks up her pack and, silently, rifles through it until she finds her palanquet case, complete with the quills and inks. Slipping outside, she
stretches, and stares around at the wild, broken ruins, cocking her
head to listen to the wind. The Bard doesn't fail to notice
Aaron, and gives him a polite nod.
The redhead moves to a small, broken expanse of wall, and hops up,
sitting down and staring out across the silent land. There's a
lonely beauty here, and Cyan can appreciate it. Taking out her
sketchbook, she spends a moment, as always, to marvel at the make and
construction. That some people find such things so commonplace!
A Victorian era quill pen is removed and put above her ear, the ink on
the stone beside her. Charcoal comes next, and it's with that the
artist begins.
First a sketch of this land. Then one for Lazarus.
Ares. Jen. Aaron. Jack, she is nearly done, and
Kalika has requested that Cyan not form a palanquet of her. Cyan will respect that request. A sketch of Lexy is
complete already, requiring much more before it becomes a full palanquet.
Time enough for that, later. For now, Cyan loses herself in the work.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
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Jack drifted awake enjoying the warm feel of Kali next to
him. It didn’t get any better then this, his life was complete. He
gently kissed the silver hair on the side of her head and slid out of
bed, knowing she was probably awake. You could not have all of the
activity without waking her. “Morning beautiful.” he whispered.
He was rested, and he had his love. All was good in life again with
Jack, he was his old self. He wandered over to the door to look out at
the day after he put his armor on. There Jack stood in the doorway of
the ruined abandon building and his eyes fell on the outsider, the
rogue amber man and he pondered the problem.
He could not remember a time when the
Amber man had opened up to them, usually in the background, always
watching, always seeming to scheme toward his own ends. The
man had chosen to be an outsider, every silence when something could be
shared was his choice to be an outsider. Every bit if trust not given
to the followers of the quest was his choice not to be trusted. Every
trust he betrayed was a trust he could not be given in return.
Then again the man had shared his mind with Jack and his
pattern, but only out of ignorance and arrogance by what Jack
could tell. Only when Aaron had though he was better then Jack. Still
he could not help but think the man had some potential, perhaps it was
because there was a part of Jack that wanted to see something good in
people, see the wonder in life around himself. Could the Amber man work
together as part of a group or was he such a rabid individualist that
he could not? Was the Amberite over his madness? It was not for Jack to
decide. . . The Amber man would have to prove himself, Jack had offered
his suggestion and his honest help to the man and was refused.
It rested on Aaron’s shoulders now, Jack
was betting Aaron would try to follow along and do something big and
showy to get in good graces. With out ever realizing that trust was
built by slow and steady work, by constantly being there, with or
without reward. At least without any other reward other than the fact
that by giving and receiving trust offered something stable, something
secure, a friend ship that ran deep and was hard to define. That was
something you had to work and strive for. . . Somehow Jack didn’t
believe the man had it in him. Aaron was in this for Aaron and because
it amused him, nothing more or less. His choices put him on this path,
it had to be his choices that changed that path. Life was choices and
people were those choices.
Jack turned from the door and went
back inside to rummage through the food supplies and start putting
together a breakfast for everyone. Laying out a blanket he set out the
food, arranging it so that it was pleasing to the eye as well as the
pallet. Once done He calls out, “BREAKFAST!”
He did not think that Amberite would be staying, but no sense in him leaving on an empty stomach
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
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"You open up to me on a level that cannot be
fathomed by others, Aaron. Adapt to, and open up to, the others around
you, and perhaps you and I have a reason for remaining here."
By "here", Aaron knew Ilse meant "the group." But Aaron had his doubts
as to whether any of the group would even accept his staying along.
They needed much more than a person who could use a sword, and the rest
of the group had already proven to be more than a match for anything
that came their way, up to and including travelling through Shadow.
"I am an Amberite, am I not?"
Ilse sighed.
"You're not understanding their situation. Since
when have you considered yourself to be an Amberite? Perhaps on a
biological level, you subconsciously react in an Amberite fashion, but
up until you regained your sanity, what has the word 'Amber' ever had
to do with your actions?"
"I'll need time."
"They'll give you time."
Grinding his teeth, Aaron remained against the wall, figuratively and
literally. Jack called for breakfast, and though he was starving, he
stayed his place. Would they give him time? Now that he could think
clearly, would they allow him the freedom of acting, without question?
He doubted it, but what was there to lose? He could leave, whenever he wished.
Even if he didn't want to.
Rising from the wall, Aaron threw his tunic back on, and flung his
cloak over his left shoulder. Taking Ilse into his right hand, he held
her sheath and began walking back to the camp.
"I'll leave it up to them." he repeated to himself, and cast his eyes ahead.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
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A flash of silver, a spray of crimson, a jolt of pain, the scream of a man. Lexy's eyes snap open as Jack calls out breakfast, his call blending
wit the scream she had heard. Lexy stares around, hand clasped around
the half drawn blade next to her, before releasing a breath she had not
realized she had been holding.
"A dream." she mutters to herself. With little effort, she pulls
herself out of the sleeping roll, and digs through the things she had
arranged for the night before. It took a few moments of scrounging, but
she found what she was looking for. New clothes.
She disapears a few minutes, and returns dressed differnetly then she
had been. Still in blue and silver, the outfit she wears now is
definatly more suited to traveling. A blue split skirt with silver
tracings along the hem, a blue blouse with billowing sleeves, again
with silver stitching around the collar and the cuffs. A silver belt,
her sword, black boots, and her flute case complete the ensemble.
"Good morning." She says cheerfully to those that have gathered around for Jack's breakfast of champions.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
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Berd explodes out of the bedroll with terrifying speed at Jack’s call,
and is skidding to a stop near the fire in an instant. He grins,
toothily, at the man, and stares at the food for a long moment.
Cyan, on the other hand, continued to draw for a long moment. She
had just finished capturing the sweep of hair, and didn’t wish to lose
the image, framed in her mind’s eye. After a moment, she sighed,
and flipped the book closed with ink and charcoal-stained
fingers. Rubbing her forehead (and leaving a black smudge behind)
the Bard tried to will away a growing headache, and failed. I think it could be a difficult day.
Hopping off the rock, Cyan slowly headed back into the ruin.
“Good morning, Berd. Finally awake, I see?” she says, laughing
quietly at the little dragon. “Apparently, Jack, you have
discovered the magic word.” Brushing her hands irritably, the
Bard manages to clean off most of the black goop, be it ink or dust,
and sits herself down next to the dragon, amethyst eyes glowing
slightly in the dim light. “Well, I am expecting a fine meal,
Jack. Shall I assume you will not disappoint?”
Laying down on her back, she stretches out, reaching into her pack and
coming out with the last of the bottle of brandy. “Not much left
there, I fear,” Cyan states, looking at it sorrowfully. “I should
have thought to ask Bjeoric...but no. Dark news should come
without reward, else it turn up every moon.” The wild loneliness
of this place has brought her thoughts back to her roots, and the
Bard’s speech has begun to reflect that fact.
Unscrewing the cap, the Bard offers the fine spirits to the Chef.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
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OOC; Just working with things I knew would keep easily for the food.
Jack had actually spent a
goodly amount of time fixing the mornings repast. Warm smells greeted
the group as they each entered, the smells were almost as warm as the
fire that crackled. The blanket was set with a large stack of
flap jacks with honey, Coffee can biscuits and gravy in a cast iron
skillet set in the center along with a large platter of cured grilled
Ham. A wheel of cheese has been sliced open and foil baked
apples, cooked in honey and spices. The smell of Coffee permeated the
air from a pot by the fire and a pot of oatmeal sat on the blanket with
brown sugar.
Jack greeted each of them in turn warmly
with a hearty “Morning!” that was by far to cheery and the knowing
smirk that had been absent for so long now. He poured up a cup of
coffee and handed it to each of them as they came. He laughed at Berds
exuberant appearance and tossed the drake “Good morning little one, I
know at least one of you shall like my cooking. Sorry folks, no juice
or eggs, but I have and apple crumb cake cooking in the Dutch oven for
later.” He said ,
Jack shook his head at Cyan “No
thanks Bard, looks as if you need it more than me, besides I have
coffee. Drink it in good health .” His eyes swept across the
assemblage “What are you waiting for, an RSVP? Dig in.” as for
himself he continues to mill around, cooking and making certain
everyone has what they need and want. “If any of you don’t like
coffee, let me know and I’ll brew tea.” If nothing else he would take
the job of the party cook. He smiled at Kali, “Any thing I can get for
you Lalai?”
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
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Lexy grabs a bowl and helps herself to some of the thick porridge. She
sniffs it, appreciating the sweetness of it, and then looks over to
Jack.
"If it isn't too much trouble, chef, tea would be good. There should be
a herbal blend somewhere with the supplies." She says, pointing in the
general direction of supplies she had prepared, a little more spread
out then before due to Jack's foraging.
Lexy begins to eat. "If you guys can think of anything we need for our
journey, now would be the time to bring it forward." she says between
bites. "I can manage normal supllies easily enough." She turns an
amused look on Cyan. "Including brandy, if you would like." she hides
her grin behind a mouthful of oatmeal. She remembers well the other
woman's taste for that particular drink.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
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"Coffee...ugh." Cyan makes a face. "Terrible stuff. I
simply cannot understand how you tolerate it." She takes a quick
sip of the brandy. Berd sighs, and then goes back to staring at
the food, thumping his long, thin tail on the ground at Jack's words to
him. "Our breakfast, though, smells wonderful, scenting of hidden
delights preparing to ambush our admittedly tired palates." Cyan
helps herself to a largish portion of the food, and then sits down with
Berd. It's fairly obvious to whom the largest portion will be
going.
"Brandy, be it orange, apple, apricot, or the more pedestrian sort,
would be a fine addition, Lexy," Cyan says, thoughtfully. "I
would be forever in your debt." This said with a bright smile
below sparkling emerald eyes. She puts the bottle down where any
takers can get their hands on it, and continues to eat. "I can
see your usefulness to this sort of expedition! I expect you
would be quite in demand. Goodness, Jack, but this food is well
preapared!"
Berd eyes Hunter thoughtfully, making certain to place himself on the
other side of Cyan from the huge wolf. He has no wish to be lost
in the confusion of food, and mistaken for an interestingly coloured
morsel.
Cyan falls silent, though, when Aaron comes in.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
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“Tea? No trouble at all Lexy.” Jack
said brightly then dug out another pot and the tea getting water on to
boil while he filled the tea egg “Bad dreams Lexy?” It sounds like
almost a rhetorical question letting her take it or leave
it as she wished “I still wake up in a cold sweat with visions of the
car exploding, but you know that.” He spoke without looking at her as
he prepared the tea. “Life goes on.” He smiles as he comes back
to the blanket taking a moment to stoke Berds head. “Thank you, I’ll
get you a small list of things I need and would like if you would.”
“Eat up Berd, I’ll take the tail
thump as a compliant.” Jack stood there smiling obviously please with
the others enjoying his cooking. his hip was still showing signs of the
limp and it was not hard to guess his arm was still stiff despite the
bit of time he took to heal in the dark. “You know Cyan, I remember as
a youth, saying the same thing about booze. Some of my best memories
are associated with coffee. Morning and after dinner coffee seemed to
be the only times my family got along.”
Jack was about to thank Cyan when Aaron come in
and Cyan falls silent. Jack gave a slight frown, pouring up a cup of
coffee for the Amber man and handed it to him with a smile “Morning. .
. Dig in lad, there is food enough for all.” Jack nudges Cyan with the
toe of his boot as he passes her hoping she will get the point. They
may have to be hard, but no call to be rude.
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
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Cyan glances up at Jack when he nudges her foot, and the miserable
expression on her face indicates that her silence has nothing to do
with rudeness. I am NOT looking forwards to this. I seriously doubt it will go well. "Good morning, Aaron," she says quietly, then continues eating.
Berd snorts at her in disgust, then uses a long, clever tongue to
snake his snout clean. He glances at Aaron for a moment, then
goes back to eating.
"I have never been partial to coffee, Jack. It is not merely the
taste, but the crawling feeling under my skin, as though a thousand
ants had entered my blood...alas, it is not to my liking." She
shrugs. "To each, their own, of course!" Her ruby eyes
flicker towards Lexy, with some concern. "Lexy, was there aught
that disturbed you, the night past? Or merely the shadows of
memories of this place? I had not known you suffered from dark
dreams until Jack spoke, now."
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Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
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Lexy pauses on her second bowl of porridge, and looks up at the mention
of bad dreams. Slowly, she lowers the spoon back into the bowl and
looks thoughtful for a moment.
"Occasionally, I still am troubled by thoughts of my past." she says at
last. Her eyes jump from person to person, including Hunter and Berd.
She sets her bowl down, and takes a deep breath.
"I suppose all of you are owed an explenation. Jack reminded me of
certain things last night, which is probably why my rest was troubled."
Again, Lexy falls silent as she brings up the words she'll need.
"Once apon a time, I lived in a place very different from this." she
gestures around them. "A place of changing skies, where the veil that
seperates shadow is very thin indeed, and is crossed on a daily basis."
Her eyes turn to Aaron. "I come from the end of Shadow, beyond the
Great Tree, where the shadows seem to exist beyond normal laws that
bind flatlanders." She let's that sink in for a moment before
continuing.
"The Courts of Chaos are an interesting place to grow up, I suppose.
It's hard to judge it compared to other places. Experience there are..
unique. Very formal, very polite. A mask that presents a calm face. But
the under the mask is roaring torent of emotions, running the gamut,
from love to rage, and everything in between. As a Lady of my house, I
was brought up with full knowledge of all this. Some things I took too,
some I didn't. It's the things that I didn't agree with that lead me
here." Lexy pauses only long enough to take a foil wrapped apple from
the small pile and begins to unwrap it.
"When I essayed the Logus, I allready had in mind to leave that place.
I was tired of being used, being seen as nothing more then a tool to
further others plans. So, I left." Her apple now unwrapped, Lexy
lengthen a single nail, and uses it to cut the apple into slices.
"One thing you must understand about the Logrus is that it drives you
insane for a time. It rebuilds you, and it takes time for you to become
accustomed to that. It isn't as gentle as the Pattern. So, it's not
unusal for those that take the Logrus to disapear for a time. However,
I didn't turn up, and I supposed my mother decided to investogate on
the condition of her precious daughter." there is some bitterness in
her tone as she speaks these last words.
"Servants where sent to retreive me. Sadly for them, I didn't wish to
be retrieved. It ended all one day when someone I knew came knocking on
my door. A man I had thought a friend." Again, the images of her dream
come back to haunt her.
"I refused to go, he drew steel, as did I. My mother issued orders, and
she wasn't to be disobeyed. The fight was long, but I had picked up a
few tricks. In the end, I killed him." She stares down at her apple
bits, not really seeing them. Instead she see herself, much younger,
her word in hand, the other pressed against a wound in her side,
standing at the edge of a small shard, the maelstrom raging below,
having taken another vistim.
"After that, I think they finaly got the idea. I had no intention of
heading back." she says at last. "It's been many years now, and no more
attempts have been made to retrieve me, for which I am thankful." she
pops a bit of apple into her mouth and waits.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
So. Lexy is of the mysterious Courts of Chaos, of which
Cyan has heard much from Berd. Fragmented, confused
stories. Twisting skies of rainbow and black and white.
Starry abyss. Non-existant natural laws, or laws so confused that
they defy explanation. And she is not merely a sorceress, but a shapeshifter as well.
And her story....
"Lexy, I am truly sorry," Cyan says, staring sadly at the other
woman. "It sounds as though you had a foul childhood, one that
you were more than happy to leave...and it followed you. And
now...you have no wish to return? Ever?" It must have been a terrible life for her.
And she had been forced to kill her 'friend'.
So much the other woman has seen, and done! And much of
it...terrible. "Were I to have such a life," Cyan says quietly,
reaching over to touch Lexy's shoulder, "I should think that nightmares
would be the least of the results. You are a strong woman, Lexy,
and lucky to have that strength, for it enabled you to flee a place you
did not belong."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack poured up a cup of tea and handed it to Lexy
“I am sorry that anything I said may have stirred up the ghosts of the
past.” He looked down and let it end at a simple apology. Though
he poured another and passes it to Cyan.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy takes the cup and brings it up to her nose. She closes her eyes
and breathes deep of the aroma. A smell of autumn meets her nose,
everything ripe and full, ready to be harvested. The heat from the cup
transfers itself to her hands. Lexy takes a sip of the tea, savoring
the rich earthy flavors of the brew, and the soothing quality of it,
feeling the warmth course through her body.
When her eyes open again, the agitation that had been there is gone.
"It wasn't as bad as all that. I had some happy times, though most of
them where had in ignorance. And it gained me much knowledge, gained me
the power to traverse shadow. I had friends back home." she sighs, and
shakes her head.
"I have no particular wish to return to the Courts. I left that place
long ago, by choice. And I live with my choice. I've made friends while
in my self-imposed exile. I've led a happy life, doing what I want to
do, not what others tell me or manipulate me to do. I have my own
homeland now, a place that I watch over, and in turn am watched over
by. The rim Lords and Ladies can have their power games, lies, deceit
and deaths. Me? I'll live out here, where my life is my own to live as
I see fit.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Belated, Aaron greeted Jack with a wave of his hand. He caught a seat
about as close to the rest of them as he felt he should be, prior to
helping himself to as much food as he deemed necessarry for whatever
path he was set upon.
"Morning, Cyan." he responded, and Ilsefranvir sighed in his head. She, he placed beside him.
Clearing his throat of a bit of food, he listened intently, quite
intently, to Lexy's story. He'd heard much of the Courts during his
many travels, and her story peaked his interest quite a bit. Not only
that, it gave him good reason to start speaking.
Raising his hand, he cast his gaze to each of the group and raised his hand.
"If I may?"
What will you tell them?
As much as necessarry, dear heart.
Aaron pauses to swallow a bit of his breakfast, and delays that pause a bit longer as he collects himself.
"Lexy's story reminded me of my own recent thoughts. Considering my past troubles, this should not be surprising."
Raising his fork, he gestured to the fire before him, gazing distantly into it.
"I shall save you all the tale of my birth and the initial trials of my
first fifty or so years, and get straight to the turning point."
Reaching beside him, he unsheathed Ilsefranvir and impaled her into the
earth beside him. She stretched, her blades seperating a few inches
apart, and rotating independently of one another. She was his friend,
and he felt she should be free to speak, should she feel the need.
"I had traversed Shadow with a friend of mine, by the name of Dewaite.
Like Lexy, he is a Chaosite, though that's about as much as I know as
far as his family goes. He was quite the Trump artist."
He finished his food quite fast, revealing the depth of his hunger to the entire group. So much for obfuscating that fact. He begins to speak again, and his eyes gaze far away, through the distant stone walls.
"He and I ran across a Shadow known as San Anyn. Prior to coming there,
I had been... well, I had been running with Jadus, and he and I fought
over the love of a woman. That woman decided that neither of us was
worth her time, and for the sheer spite of it, cursed both Jadus and I.
Her curse against me was quite direct, and opened me up to my hidden
insanity."
Squinting his eyes shut, Aaron shook his head furiously.
"San Anyn was a Shadow that Dewaite brought me to. Initially, we were
simply going to rest there, but upon witnessing my dementia, a group of
townsfolk took me in, and cared for me. Dewaite, having other things to
attend to, left me in their care. Initially, I was quite Mad. But it
became apparent to me that the townsfolk seemed used to such actions.
As I stayed longer, I learned that the town itself was cursed with a
generational insanity that spread, randomly, through the populous.
Father to son, usually."
He glanced at Ilse, and raised an eyebrow.
"I am long winded. I apologize." he says to the group, and smiles slightly, shaking his head.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan gratefully accepts the tea from Jack, nodding in thanks to him for
the hot drink. She pours a touch of the brandy into it for taste,
and sips at it, listening to Lexy continue.
"It is a fine thing that you did so, Lexy. I have seen, in my
limited experience, that if one is happy, one is where one should
be. If one is not, well...either circumstances or the person must
change." She gives the woman a quick smile. "It appears you
have changed your circumstances. I find myself a trifle envious
of your finished product."
Then Aaron steps in, and speaks of his own experiences. Cyan
falls silent, staring into the cooking fire with brilliant, topaz
eyes. Berd, beside her, burps quietly, and settles down for a
bit, his glittering eyes half closed. The Bard tries not to look
at the gently waving weapon; it is disconcerting to her.
When Aaron finishes, she glances up at him with a neutral expression. One
might be curious as to why, for the 'sheer spite of it', a woman would
be foolish enough to curse two powerful men like Aaron and Jadus.
What did they do, I wonder, to arouse her ire?
"Do go on," the Bard says, quietly.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron seemed to take a few moments to collect his thoughts, and he
looked to Ilse as if she was explaining something. With a sigh, he nods
and removes her from the earth, placing her in her sheath, and setting
that within his lap.
"San Anyn was cursed with an insanity 'sickness.' From generation to
generation, one man or one woman was hit by a form of madness that
incited delusions and violence. Up until the point that I arrived, each
of the eight large provinces within San Anyn was infected."
Closing his eyes, Aaron fell silent.
"San Anyn had been hit by this insanity over a
thousand years ago. It took at least that long to build up to such an
extent as to nearly envelop the entire Shadow," Ilse now speaks. "The only thing keeping the folk within from totally falling apart were
the eight members of the Protectorate. One person from each province,
usually their Lord or Lady, was bound to one of the Sjardring, the Weapons of Soul and Mind. At their head and Lord of the eighth province, was my very first Master, Ostweil."
"The Sjardring were created when the first insanity hit
the initial kingdoms, right at the highest representations of
government. I was one of the first, and along with my seven other
'siblings', were connected to those so cursed. These first eight became
the Protectorate, and we did our best to quell the spread of the
madness."
Now Aaron spoke.
"Upon my arrival, the madness had nearly taken over. Kierheig was the
Province of Lord Ostweil, and this was where I had arrived through
Shadow. I was taken to Lord Ostweil by a woman of considerable age. The
town was large and walled, and a considerable amount of soldiers
patrolled the streets. I had met with Ostweil once already, but as I
arrived again, it was apparent that the Lord had already departed a few
days prior. A skirmish with the Ilfaire, an outlying kingdom seperate
from the original eight, had pulled him into the thick of battle.
Kierheig was without a Lord, and Ostweil's High Counselor, a mousy
little man, got the idea in his head to send me out there with a
message. 'An Outsider, unknown to our enemies!' he had said."
"The battle with Ilfaire had been long and hard,
which was surprising for a man like Master Ostweil. By the time Aaron
arrived on the scene, my Lord's forces had nearly been trounced. A
series of catastrophic blunders on the parts of Ostweil's Under
Lieutenants cost him not only the outlying forts of Kierheig, but also
the life of Lord Ostweil himself. Ilse's voice takes on a somber tone, one of sadness and rememberance.
"I was there, that day. For that was the day I had taken Ilsefranvir in
hand. I saw Ostweil fall right at the gates of Ilfaire itself, and he
made me promise to protect San Anyn. As I took Ilsefranvir, I felt
Ostweil's madness flow through her... and into myself."
Aaron sat back, far back, and leaned on his hands to stare at the sky above.
"Odd, don't you think? Practically unbelievable, if you ask me. How is
it that I absorbed Ostweil's madness, and my own insanity, and still
remained even remotely stable? Well, Ilsefranvir is a powerful shield,
and she adapted to the added circumstances. It took me... slightly
longer to do so." he closed his eyes and shook his head.
"I and two others of the Protectorate staved off the forces from
Ilfaire, and sent them back into their own walls. That resulted in...
something I hadn't anticipated."
"Needless to say, I stayed at San Anyn for a considerable span of time.
I'm close to one hundred and twenty-three years of age, and even now
I'm not sure how many of those years were spent at San Anyn, trying to
stave off that madness with the others in the Protectorate. Add to
that, and despite my personal feelings against it, the others in the
Protectorate named me Lord over Kierheig, and therefore, Lord over all
of San Anyn. Believe me, I didn't understand why at the time... but,
who better to rule a land of madmen than a madman himself?" he
chuckled, shaking his head.
"I eventually had to leave San Anyn, for as the Masters of the Sjarding die, their madness is passed on to each other member of the
Protectorate. It came to a point where I could no longer stand to see,
or feel, each of my bretheren die at the hands of the Ilfaire. Madness
piled upon madness as the Ilfaire hunted down family and friends of the
members of the Protectorate. They were hoping to get at myself, and
especially Ilsefranvir and her brothers and sisters... so we left. I
was sure to leave San Anyn in the care of the remainder of the
Protectorate, and the High Priest, Ramiel."
Aaron stared long and hard at each one of them.
"I have been through insanity after insanity. Some of you have
experienced madness in other forms. Yet in all my trials, the one that
amazed me most, was the fact that even with my silence none of you
attempted to figure out why I was insane. When you found out about my
madness, I heard not 'Let us figure out why you are mad, and put a stop
to it.' but rather, 'You've hurt us all and we dont' want you around.'"
Aaron stopped and ground his teeth, closing off the bitterness in his
voice. After a single breath, he spoke again, quite calmly.
"But... I do not hold that against you. Any of you. That can just be
led, I suppose, back to my own silence. After all, if one does not
request help, how can one attain it? I mean, those Shadow dwellers who
we assisted against those ice giants surely asked for help... right?"
He waved it off, shaking his hand towards the fire.
"Bah. Whatever the case, I managed to find my way to Amber. I got into
a small bit of trouble there, and somehow ran to the Pattern. There I
walked it, found Jack, and... well, here we are."
"So! In totality, I can do all things one who has walked the Pattern
can do. From what I know, I can traverse Shadow, adjust it here and
there, use the Pattern for my own defense and over time I assume that
my mere presence will alter whatever Shadow I choose to live in.
However, as far as skill goes, I'm lacking in practice. Arianne?"
"My parameters are as follows: I can manipuate the
stuff of Shadow, forming it or altering it to suit that which my
capablities require, up to and including altering gravity, so I may
move at a faster pace, or at a greater distance than my mere
shapeshifting would allow. I am bound to Aaron as his Protector to fend
off any outward signs of his madness..." She pauses there, as if sensing or thinking, but continues. "However, I am no longer required in that fashion. As an effect of this bond, I can also sense aggression towards my Master."
Aaron cocked his head to the side and looked at each of them in turn.
The dark brown of the man's eyes flickered with the light of fire and
sun.
"If you require anything else, such as proof of my sanity, I'll even
open my mind to whoever wishes to see its clarity for themselves."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
OOC - heavily edited...
IC - Cyan listens in silence to Aaron's disclosure of his past.
It is an interesting story, to be certain. She frowns at his
manipulative accusation, his attempt to make them seem like the people
who have caused this problem by not helping him.
When she speaks, her tone is less formal, more clipped - her natural
rhythm has faded, leaving only the terseness of tension. There is
much she could say regarding his unspoken accusation, much she wishes
to say, but for now, holds back. It would serve no purpose.
"We have been assured before that things had changed; yes, even by Ilsefravnir.
And yet they had not. Now we are to take it things have changed
again. You offer us the opportunity to check for ourselves; well
and good, a fine suggestion. And yet, your manner is not so
different from what it was before - we have no guarantees that, sane,
you will be any better a travelling companion." She shrugs,
obviously still thoughtful about the matter, rather than having come to
a decision. "In any case, I would hear the opinions of the others
upon this story, and your assertation that you are no longer
insane. Then, perhaps, we can come to some decisions."
The redheaded Bard narrows dark, sapphire eyes. "I would also
appreciate knowing exactly why you wish to continue to travel with us,
given your obvious disappointment with our attitudes and reactions to
your situation."
Berd sleepily rolls over beside her, and stares skeptically at
Aaron. His eyes flicker to Ilse for an instant, and then he lies
back to relax, himself.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack was right, Kali had awakened when the others first started moving,
but stayed lying down with her love, savoring hte moment as much as
he. She rose a few minutes after him and stretched, yawning
fiercely.
"Cyan, Lexy" she greets the others with a short bob of her head. her deep purple eyes settle on Aaron, but she says nothing.
Moving with fluid movments, Kali moves behind Jack and hugs him from
behind, kissing the back of his neck lightly. "Jack" she moves to face
him with the same dip of her head, but her eyes are shining.
"Thank you... I will serve myself" seh smilse at him and helps herself to the oatmeal and apples.
When Lexy begins her story, Kali settles down on the floor to listen
attentively and eat her breakfast. While Aaron and Ilse take up teh
narrative, Hunter slinks in. The large wolf settles down on the ground
as well, lying down near his mistress. She ignores him, keeping her
attention on Aaron while he speaks. She rises to get more oatmeal and
kisses Jack's cheek "Thank you... it is delicious!" she then settles
back down and waits to hear Aaron's answer to Cyan's question.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack fairly melted back into Kalika’s
hug-n-kiss with a warm smile. “Morning Kalika my love.” he said
quietly so as to not disturb the talk. He nodded to her
compliment and slid an arm around her with and easy casual familiarity,
kissing her back on the cheek in kind. Though his attention takes
in all that is being discussed, he would rather focus it else were and
on better things.
He turned back to the talk, so
many things to say and ask, at this point he felt the need to play the
devils advocate. “Aaron, to a point both yourselves and Cyan are
correct, it has not been that long that we knew you were mad. Well at
least certifiably any way” Jack smiled a wry grin, but that gave
way to a concerned look “Perhaps we should have tried more to
assists you. Back when I first met you I did beg you to help me help my
love who was lost in the desert with the Gatherer. As soon as I came to
back at that world I slapped my shield in place out of reflex. Still I
felt your mental strike, and it was a strike. It was not a bolstering
of my defenses it was a strike and enough of one to rebound.
Perhaps it was a strike against the Gatherer in my mind, perhaps not.
Sadly we will never know. Still if it was the Gatherer you meant it
for, it was a risky move at best. You could have harmed me just as
easily as the Gatherer, possibly more so. If it was me that it was
aimed at, then you have been a naught boy from the start.”
“I’m not just bringing up the past for the
sake of it, that and the games you played at the start gave me ill
feelings towards you. What could you expect? I know you would not want
me to attempt to operate on your mind with the equivalent of a meantal
sword blow when a surgeons precision and healers care is called for.
Any more then you would want Kali or Cyan to use a sword blow to remove
a cancerous lump from your brain in a single blow.”
Again Jack gave the wry friendly grin
“Everything went down hill from there. Now it was so much more than
your silence. The natives of the Gathers world and the villagers back
there showed us kindness, they embraced us, they were good people. Then
again their problems were obvious and easily taken care of. Yours were
not obvious, you did not embrace us. You can only help those that want
it, that embrace it. How were we to help you? No sooner than we knew
you were mad then you said your madness was taken care of by Isle. Then
we were facing the giants and you put every one at risk again. Men died
there because we did not defend from the walls, and that does not seem
to matter to you.”
“None of that is truly the heart of the
matter though.” Jack said softly, his voice was heavy with concern.
“The five of us Cyan, Berd, Kalika , Hunter and myself are tired or
constant conflict and obfuscation to coin Cyan’s word. Not just
from you. . . From any one. We were willing to leave Lexy behind,
because of her attitude and unwillingness to work together as a perfect
team and she has not behaved half so badly as you. We have faced much
and there will be much worse to face. If we can not have total trust in
one another then that will be our undoing more than anything. It has
already almost undone us on more than one occasion.”
“So I guess the question is how are we to
trust you, how are we to trust that you will set aside your ego and
pride for the team? How are were to have faith that you will not be
quiet keeping some critical piece of information to yourself ? It’s
more than simply the madness and clarity of mind, how do we know you
will not be mad with greed or power? That you will not sell us out for
the chance at the powers that we are dealing with here? It get’s even
muddier then that. . . Now we may have to trust your brother as well,
can he see what you see with that eye? Is he even now back at the
village trying to figure out how to take that arm and use it for his
own ends? I see anger even now hidden behind your words, well contained
all be it. Cyan can see it as well and it give her cause for question.”
“How are we to trust you and know
that you will be there when it’s needed? Not arguing, blaming others
and quietly doing your own thing? Can you honestly tell me that you are
totally trust worthy? This quest needs great people and we need
security between the questors. You are a powerful man Aaron, but
are you a great men and can you provide us with the warm security of
knowing you are there and that you will be there no questions asked?
Working together totally, sharing everything absolutely. I also would
love to hear the answer to Cyan’s Question.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy leans back a bit, glad the spotlight is off her now. At least now,
she can enjoy her apple, and it really is quite good. Jack is definatly
handy to have around the kitchen. Cooking isn't her strong point, as
she well knows. Giveb half a chance, she would burn water. However,
calling forth food is something she has a lot of expirience with, and
she was glad that someone had been able to do something with that which
she had brought forth.
However, right now, there was something else to deal with. Aaron.
"Aaron,. I myself have not seen this mad ness that the others speak of.
I arrived much after the fact, and only heard about it through others.
So perhaps of everyone here, my view of you is the least untainted.
However, that isn't saying much, Aaron. The story I heard of you is
definatly not one that would inspire trust in you and your actions. You
may have been mad, and perhaps you are cured now. We have only your
word and that of your toy to confirm that. However, it is my
observation that madness seems to run strong in your bloodline, so
perhaps it is the truth. But can you be trusted? To this, the answer is
unkown. But from what I have heard of your bloodline again, it is a
tale of betrayal, hate, vendettas and lies. You said you were willing
to open your mind to us, fully. Well, I for one would take you up on
that offer." Lexy says, setting aside what is left of the paple she had
been eating and leaning forward a bit, dropping her voice slightly, one
hand reachin idly out to stroke Berd as she speaks.
"I would examine your mind, and see if there remains any trace of
madness there. Having experienced madness myself, and having seen it's
effects in others, I know for that which I look. Will you consent to
this, Aaron?" she asks.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd snorts, contendedly.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sighing, Aaron exhales a small chuckle.
"My friends, and I use that term truthfully, you've noted that I dared
to blame you all of your lack of insight towards my insanity. However,
did you also note that I blamed not you, but my own lack of speaking?
My friends, my insanity was the fault of myself, and perhaps an outside
source or two, and had nothing to do with you."
He pauses and glances at Jack.
"As for my actions in the past, you must understand that I was horribly
confused after walking the Pattern. The fact remains that once I walked
it, why did I remain insane? The Pattern being as it is, shouldn't it
have wiped me clean and removed that sickness from me? Considering the
maelstrom I walked into when I met you, Jack, you shouldn't have been
so surprised that I was less than cordial with everyone, even though I
wished to be the contrary."
Grinding his teeth, he sighs. He felt Ilse bristle in the back of his
head at Lexy referring to her as a "toy", but he made sure she remained
quiet.
"Look, I don't mean any of you any harm at all. To answer your
question, Lexy, I'll allow you to skulk around within my mind. While I
do not believe you hold malice against me, I will be paying strict
attention to you."
After a few long moments of silence, Aaron slumps forwards as if
exhausted. Raising his head, he shakes it and looks to each of them.
One eye brown, the other a glaring silver from the sun above.
"I'm going to be brutally honest with all of you. I'm totally sick of
being this way. If anything can be done to get this folly over with,
I'll accept it. While I leave the decisions up to the rest of you, I
will live and act towards the consequences of those decisions. However,
if you just don't feel like dealing with it, I can just leave. Let's do
it, here and now."
With that said, he made it all known. He was sick of it.
After all, how long could a man stand madness without it affecting
everyone else around him? Didn't he leave San Anyn for that exact
reason?
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack nodds to Aaron "Do you want me or Cyan to
keep an eye on your mind while look at his Lexy. Just to ensure that he
does not take advantage of you opening yourself to read him?" he says
evenly as if discussing the weather.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack, you would be a better choice than I, I think, to monitor
Lexy. My strength is not so great as yours, and I am not so
skilled as you." Nor as patient. Cyan gives him a twisted smile, then turns worried, ruby eyes on Lexy. I hope nothing will go wrong.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy holds up one hand in a hold gesture, and shakes her head. "In
order for trust to be earned, it must be given as well." Her gaze
slowly travels from Jack to Cyan. "I'll do it alone. Consider it
part of the test for Aaron." She then smiles a bit. "And if I should
suddenly become a raging berserker, please don't cut off anything
vital. It's a bitch to grow back body parts."
With her last remark, Lexy gestures Aaron over. She's about to delve
into the black depths of an Amberite mind that has very recently been
the victim of madness. A madness that may still linger.. or may never
have been. So, as a precaution for herself, Lexy takes the time needed
to prepare herself fully for this.
When she is finaly ready, she looks to Aaron, and smiles. "Whenever you are ready, Aaron of Amber."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd yawns, unconcerned. His eyes flicker about the group for an instant.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“You know, you still have not answered a single question Aaron.” Jack said evenly.
“ One!” Jack held up a finger “Why are you here on this quest Aaron? What are your goals? Do you even know what the Quest is?”
“Two!” A second finger arose “Is that thing in your eye socket a link to your brother, will it betray us even if you do not?”
“Three!” He held up a third finger “Will you devote yourself totally to
the team and the quest? You do nothing without advising and speaking to
one of us, full disclosure. A perfect team, no room for these arrogant
games. Are you honestly trust worthy?”
Jack studied the man knowing that he could read the truth or a lie in his words.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Well, I was going to wait until we judged him 'sane' before pinning him on those points, but... Now appears to be as good a time as ever.
Cyan frowns down at Berd, as the little dragon snickers musically, eyes
glittering as a wide smile shows teeth. She clamps a hand over
his mouth. "Enough, please." The Bard looks back to Jack
and gives him a thin smile, amethyst eyes burning darkly as she turns
to await Aaron's response.
Berd peevishly jerks his snout free of her hand, glares once, and settles back to watch.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack smiled a crooked grin at the Drake
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hunter slinks up the Kali, a sharp look in his eyes as he watches his
mistress. She meets his gaze evenly and a lupine equivalent of a grin
breaks out on Hunter's face, followed by a snort. Kali shakes her head,
but there is a small smile on her lips. The alpha male moves to her
side and settles down against her, lying his head in her lap. She pets
him, all the while watching and listening to the others.
"That was actually 5 questions my love" she says to Jack with a soft
smile. Her eyes pause on Aaron for a long moment, taking in his
appearance and demeanor.
"Why don't we give him time to think about his answers while Lexy does
whatever it is she can do to determine his sanity" her tone is neutral,
betraying no trust or disbelief at the newly revealed Chaosite's
abilites.
"Aaron has been though a hard Ordeal" and the capital can be heard "and
we are completing the final stage of his Trials. Hold on the questions,
until we see the results of this final Trial, and then we can take the
time to fulfill Cyan's sharing requirements" she offers rationally, her
deep purple eyes still watching Aaron. He was witch-eyed now, and if
Lexy was able to validate his story of madness that marking, along with
insanity, would make the grievous act of acting against a comrade
easier to forgive. As for herself, she would let the Council decide her
fate.
Hunter whined quitely and licked her scraped fingers. Kali ruffled his
ears, unconcered. She then sat back and continued with what she was
doing before, watching... and waiting.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron set himself so he was kneeling before Lexy. He raised an eyebrow
at Jack, but commented on nothing, but he mentally thanked Kalika for
her clarity. Instead, he focused on relaxing, taking a series of deep
breaths as he rested his hands upon his knees.
Closing his eyes, he spoke.
"Before you begin, Lexy, I must do something. Ilse, please remove your
connection from me. Your resonance will interfere with Lexy's search."
Ilse was about to argue against his request, but she sighed and responded with "It will be as you wish, Master."
Aaron let out a slight gasp as he felt the familiar peaceful sensation
that had engulfed his mind so often, dwindle and disappear completely.
He felt both an immediate desire to have it back, and pain of the true
impact of his bout with insanity.
It felt like his mind was scarred. Keeping his eyes closed, he
concentrated, and did his best to change his mind to that which
reflected best upon him. He knew his mind would picture San Anyn, but
it would be a pockmarked, charred reflection, without the guarding
force of one of the Sjardring in place.
The true example of his own mind.
Releasing a final, staggered breath, Aaron nodded.
"I have prepared as best I could. Do as you would, Lexy."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack smiled at Kali, it was his usual
knowing grin. “Ah, Kali. . .It works better if he answers now dear.
That way I can read the truth in the statements while he does not have
his mental defenses up. Of course if he’s being honest he will have no
objection to this, if not he will continue to put it off. Also the
other two questions are mearly to define the three major questions. The
basic questions are why is her here on the quest? Can we trust his eye
and can we trust him?” Jack looked at Aaron and grinned “Of course if
he wishes to drags his feet and answer only once his defenses are back
in place, I understand. Trust me I will understand all to well that he
is continuing to play games. The choice is his.”
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens in, and watches for a long moment. Then, frustrated,
she stands and begins to pace. Her eyes flicker to the harp-case
on her pack, but then away again, the frustration in their topaz depths
increasing. She snatches up Kirilindë as she walks, pulling the
blade halfway out, then snapping it back into its scabbard with a hiss
of annoyance. The Bard rubs her hand along her thigh, wincing, as
Berd looks on with some concern and worry.
Cyan paces, continuing to wait. It is something she detests, but...there is nothing else she can do.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Eyes still closed, head bowed, Aaron speaks again.
"One: I intend to stay along with the group for as long as I am able.
It is already apparent that you need assistance with your quest. Since
I have skills that would assist you as a group, and it seems that I am
growing in strength, I see nothing but a positive outlook in that
respect. Also, I may be able to find the woman who harmed me while on
this quest. The Pattern seems to have a habit of dropping such things
across my path."
Aaron's brow becomes furrowed, as if he's attempting to think. It was
tough trying to concentrate, but his defenses were so nullified, it
didn't seem to matter. The answers just seemed to come anyway.
"Two: My eye is of little consequence. As far as I can see, the only
thing it's able to do is allow me to view you as I would normally. I
sense nothing out of the ordinary from it. As to what Jadus would do,
well, how can I say? I can't read his mind. You may be able to, Jack, but I cannot."
Now Aaron opens his eyes, looking from Lexy over to Jack. His voice is
low, a reverberating rumble, and his odd eye flickers and sparkles as
if representing his feelings.
"Three: I will act towards this group in a manner befitting one of its
members. However, in the event that something happens within the group
that would endanger myself, I will act accordingly in my own defense.
In comparison, I would do the same for the rest of you. I will, of
course, consider everything that occurs within the light of its effect
upon myself and the group as a whole. As for making you all aware of my
plans, well..." he chuckles and shrugs. "I've no plans save to clear my
mind of this foolishness and continue our journey. And who can say what
may occur in the future, Jack? Uncertainty is part of life."
Sighing, he closed his eyes and refocused his attentions upon Lexy.
"I tire of this harassment. It's your choice to trust me or not.
Whether you'll actually allow me to prove my trust is up to you, for I
am fully prepared to execute such proof. Until then, let us at least
finish this."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
"The willow knows what the oak does not. That no matter how fiercly the
wind blows, it bends while the oak stands strong. In the end, the
willow will still be there, while the oak breaks." Lexy says, laying
her hands on Aarons face. "So, what are you? Oak or Willow?" she says,
then catches Aaron's eye with her own. "Let us find out when a
cleansing wind strikes your mind."
And then is silent.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Unsure of how long this will take, Cyan continues to pace. If it
would be a while, she should continue with her sketching...spirits
know, that will take a great deal of time. But right now, the
Bard has no interest in such things.
Harassment, indeed. Simple to accuse, coming from someone who
willfully attacked Jack with a weapon, and endangered the lives of many
back at the town. He still has not addressed that fact...or shown
remorse. His madness was the cause, yes, but his lack of care for
the results disturbs me.
Cyan has known people who have reacted this way, before. People
whose emotions seem stunted, except during extreme circumstances.
People so self-absorbed they ignore the effects of their actions on
others, and who always have a good excuse prepared. People who
lash out, manipulate, in order to get their way. There was a
word, she recalls, for such people. Sy...Psychotic?
No...that would refer to Aaron in the grip of madness, as I
recall. This had nothing to do with insanity.... Yes.
Psychopathic. While Aaron does not show all of the signs of such a personality, there are certainly enough of them. Hopefully it is only his madness. Lexy might determine that as well.
Her sapphire eyes come to rest on Berd, and she stares at him for a
long moment. Then Cyan shakes her head, and continues to pace.
She sincerely hopes that Aaron is not a 'psychopath'. Cyan has a word of her own for such people.
Evil.
It doesn't seem to fit, though. Not quite, despite all that she has observed. It simply does not ring true.
Back and forth her feet go, and Cyan waits. Impatiently, as always.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack simply waits and watches his body relaxed and his face neutral.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Inwardly, Aaron smiled at Lexy's question. Soon, she would recieve his true nature, and then this charade could end.
Breathing evenly, deeply, Aaron relaxed and allowed Lexy's ministrations to continue.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy shifts slightly, and continues to work, wearing an expression of concentration.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
To the rest of the group watching, Aaron's form goes completely still,
barely breathiing. At this point, Aaron's consciousness has moved
completely within himself, and shut out all outside stimulus.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy continues to study Aaron, frowning slightly now.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron's brow furrows, and he frowns considerably.
Aaron's voice is calm as he speaks at a whisper.
"Let us finish this, all of this. I wish not to hurt Cyan or Jack or any others. Help me finish this. Please."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali continued to eat her oatmeal and pat Hunter while Lexy and Aaron
stared at each other. This was considerably more boring than she
thought it would be. Hunter sniffs delicately at the oatmeal and
then snuffs in disgust. Kali chuckles.
At Aaron's words, she looks up at Jack, a questioning look on her face.
She doesn't comment aloud however.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack flicks his staff into the air
with a casual movement catching it smoothly as he stands. Or at least
somewhat smoothly Kalika and Cyan both sees all of the flaws in what
would be motion for most. He met Kali’s deep purple eyes “First blood
gets whatever they ask for dear?” he asked referring back to the
challenge to spar and the winners prize from the Gatherers world and
issuing the challenge a new. What ever was happening between Aaron and
Lexy was now happing so fast that it was said and done.
Jack needed away from all of this; it was a
lousy way to start the morning and a total killjoy. He needed
some time with Kalika before continuing, Let the others sort it out, he
knew he was still not liking Aaron’s answers, they were as bad as
Lexy’s when she was walking the fence. That’s just what it was,
wishy-washy answers with no commitment and no spirit. Chosen to be able
to let Aaron step back and I had to do this for me and be honest to ant
words he may have given. Perhaps that was just the way it was going to
be, in which case he could play that game as good as anyone and far
better than Aaron seemed to be able to. He just didn’t like it, he
didn’t like it and didn’t want to play that way.
Whatever was to pass, he was to tire of fighting
the Amber man for hollow, wishy-washy words. Jack was giving up, beaten
and falling back to his old standby of just being the baggage they
picked up. He had tried everything he could to get the Amber man
to truly stand for something and it was just not possible for the man
to do so.
“Care to spar love?” Jack asked knowing he really had to get out of
here. Yes, refocusing on what really mattered, Kali and himself
would help clear and center him. Perhaps she could help him to see
everything in a different light, she had that way about her and was
wiser than she believed.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy's voice is heard right after Aaron's, though it is slightly
strained. "Jack, Cyan, Kali... I've found it. The madness in his mind.
Aid me in this task." she asks quietly.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
A small smile creeps up onto Aaron's still face.
"I understand."
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali rises, an intrigued smile on her face. She is about to comment
when Lexy asks for their help, and she is about to offer her help.. but
then Aaron speaks. He understands? Understands what? Kali frowns,
distrust flooding through her. She moves to Jack's side and
twines her arm with his and holds his hand, and shares her fears with
him. Her thoughts and feelings are expressed not as words, but as a
wash of emotions, glipmses of faces and pictures. It is painfully
obvious that she is inept in the way of communicating mind to mind,
save with Hunter.
Lexy and Aaron... both untrusted, both offering excuses for actions
instead of taking responsibility for them. Aaron at least had the
beginings of a viable reason for his actions... but now the two of
them, asking for their help... her mind was weak, she knew that... and
she feared being sucked into a trap. What was it that Aaron understod?
Was it the insane Aaron speaking? Doubt assailed her, she did not want
to link up minds with them. She did not trust them, and would not,
until this Ordeal had resolved itself.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Berd?"
The little dragon nods, and flits backwards. He disengages his
thoughts from Lexy's, preparing. Sparkles dance, under his
half-closed lids.
Cyan walks quickly to where Lexy stands. Pausing, she glances
back towards Jack and Kallika. From the expression on her face,
it is obvious that Kallika holds some...reservations. Cyan nods,
her eye blank pools of obsidian at that moment, and raises her sheathed
sword. "Kallika?" With a thrust of her arm, she sends
Kirilindë arcing through the air in a toss to the other woman, the
weapon still sheathed. Hold it carefully - I would not have it in my possession.
Then she lays hands on Lexy's shoulder.
Outside, the sky begins to darken and a storm begins to gather.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack raised Kalika’s hand placing it
under his hair on his neck, he needed both hands free for what was to
come. Kalika can feel what is going on with Jack as he has no walls
against her.
He basically trusts Lexy however Aaron has a
powerful mind and it’s best not to underestimate the worst. Lexy could
be potentially compromised and Jack is mentally kicking himself for not
being a part of this from the start. There is no malice or ill feelings
in what comes from him next.
Kali is not to join with Jacks
mind, she is to keep her guards up and only watch Jack’s mind. She is
Jack’s insurance and his life line. Kalika knows that if anything goes
wrong, if Aaron has tampered with Lexy’s mind, if either of them
mentaly attack him or Cyan unprovoked. Then It is Kali’s job to break
contact and end it here in the physical world, end it quick and
permanent if there is betrayal by striking Aaron down. Jack take
full responsibility for this and it is only to be if it meets the
criteria Jack or Cyan being attacked and Jack asking Kalika to. He does
not want any accidental deaths.
Kali can feel Jack build mental
defenses, setting one around the link they share, protecting her mind
as she had protected him in battle.
Jack Steps forward Laying one hand one Cyan letting his mental strength Join with hers.
Jack mind is interesting to see in
action, running multiple lines of thought at once with amazing speed.
Turing problems over in his mind to examine them from every angle. He
has a strong mind, but it is also a nimble agile mind that seems to
adapt as easily as his shadow form. In some way it is nebulous
and hard to get a grip on. His Defenses seem to be hard walls
where he desires and insubstantial ghost that are untouchable as he
wishes.
This is his world and he is formidable as a friend or foe here.
His other hand falls to Lexy a split second after he links with Cyan,
leaving the link to Kali defended behind the strongest part of his
mind. He studies Lexy’s mind making certain she was alright and nothing
has happened to change her since she liked to Aaron.
Cyan, Lexy, are you both well? . . What Needs be done Lexy? . . .
If Lexy Touches me and I reach out and touch Aaron it will be a
stronger contact for me so I will better be able to help Aaron. . . Is
Aaron alright?
These pour through almost as one thought and no particular emotion is
tied to them as Jack is keeping his mind guarded as he assesses the
situation, reading the two bard women like open books to make certain
they are okay.
Truly a formitable man as either friend or foe in the worlds of the mind
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Jack and Cyan make contact with Lexy, and their minds link, there is
an odd whirling sensetaion, as if things are moving at great speed.
There is the feel of Lexy around, but tthis is not an attack, but
rather bringing Cyan and Jack to where they are needed.
When the journey ends, the pai find themselves in a small area, a small
grassy hill, where three mental images are standing. One is obviously
Aaron, who seems pained, but whole. The other is a young child, holding
Aaron's hand. Long blonde hair, ancient eyes. It's not hard to
determine that the 'child' is Lexy, as she chooses to project herself.
She seems unharmed, just concentrating on something. On clopser
inspection, there is a thread of violet light that seems to connect
Lexy to the third person.
The last person in the trio is harder to determine. Surrounded by a
shifting cage of shifting light and darkness, it's where Lexy's gaze is
locked. Inside is a woman whose features are hard to make out. She's
short, and the lights of the cage she is trapped withing seem to have
clothed her in shifting shadows, aided by her raven hair.
*Jack. Cyan.* comes the child-like mental voice of Lexy. *Meet Aaron's
madness. This is what has tainted his thoughts and actions. And this is
what Aaron muct overcome in order for his mind to once more be whole.
But battle is harder within your own mind, where memories of the past
can be all powerful. So, you are here, as I am, to help Aaron. Give
your strength to him, so that he may face this ghost, and vanquish
her.* The child-Lexy holds up the hand she's holding, the only sign of
movement she's made so far.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I am willing to assist," Cyan states, stepping forwards and taking
Lexy's hand. It is enough that Aaron requires help to free
himself from this madness; all other conclusions and judgements can
wait until this is finished.
Berd narrows his eyes. The storm continues to grow outside, but
there is an eerie calm about the ruins, as if it were sitting in the
eye of a burgeoning hurricane....
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jacks mind adapts readily to whirring that seemed like
transportation, but was not. Kalika could see crisply through Jacks
mind without being a part of it. The mental image of Jack is just Jack,
seemingly nothing more or less. Then again the shadow man has never had
any pretences. He knows you do not have to form images of armor
to be defended. Those were for weaker minds, and his mind saw the
realities around them that sat behind the images projected.
Let me go first Cyan, I shall let you know if I need help. Jack does not speak but the words are there, they are just simply there. As well as the honest intention to help. Be ready to join or retreat as needed.
Jack’s hand left Lexy and he reached out and touched Aaron
in the real world his other hand still holding Cyan for the link.
We shall attack your madness together Aaron Jack was still guarded but he was assisting the other man as long as it
was aimed at the madness within Aaron. If it was directed anywhere but
there, he found Jacks help not there. What is the name of the madness? What do you call it?
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"As you wish, Jack." Cyan steps back, bowing, allowing Jack to
take the lead, and adds her will to his, placing one, strong hand on
his shoulder. Like Jack, Cyan remains much the same but even more
so, down to carrying Kirilindë here.
This isn't because of any skill, or ability, or knowledge of psychic
conbat. This is merely due to ignorance, and the fact that, no
matter where she is, Cyan cannot be anything but Cyan.
She stares at Lexy's child body for a long moment, wondering, then concentrates on lending her strength to their focus.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
*Jack, this is something Aaron must do, if he can.* Lexy says, her lips
unmoving. *We can lend him our strength, but he must vanquish it
himself, or the madness may return. Only he can properly destroy it, in
a way that is personal to him. It's as much about symbology here, as it
is brute force.* Lexy is silent a moment longer, regarding the shifting
Cage. *When you are ready, Aaron, I will lift the barricade, and we
will lend you the strength you need. But you are the one that needs to
defeat her.*
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
From beyond the stone-carved fortress there is a brilliant flash of
light, followed moments later by a sky-splitting crash of thunder, and
almost simultaneously by the roar of torrential rain slamming down into
the courtyard.
From somewhere deeper within the structure echoes the sound of water slowly dripping, which rapidly becomes a continuous flow...
In the courtyard the flood swirls and rises, until the moss and debris
clogging ancient drains finally gives way before the pressure, and the
water starts to flow away...
Just inside the keep, small green lizards, six limbed and golden eyed,
scuttle along the walls, hunting for insects driven inside by the
sudden storm which seems to have risen from nowhere, as is so often the
case in high mountain areas.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
He could feel them now, as many of them as wished to connect to him. It
was a... sobering experience, to have his once private thoughts so bare.
As each member of the group manifested themselves, his once
sillhouetted form gained far more clarity, until he was completely
represented as they usually see him. His clothes seemed more fitting to
one of Amberite blood, and were that same aquamarine that Lexy had seen
in his thoughts previously. He straightened himself and seemed to gain
strength as he felt out each of the members of the group.
There is so much I wish I could say to all of you for this. comes his echo from everywhere, but feelings of thankfulness and honesty are felt by all nearby.
In seconds, his right hand darts out from his side, and the sword form
of Ilsefranvir appears within his hand. At this manifestation, the
woman within the cage reaches forwards, slamming her hands against the
magical field. She gnashes her teeth, and for the first time, her voice
is heard. It is high pitched, but easy to make out.
Fool!
I ask that you do not fear her, nor I, nor what I am about to do. For the benefit of all of you, I summon the Sjardring.
Arianne!
Now another woman appeared with them as the blade in his hand vanished.
She was about Aaron's height, her long, golden hair tied into a tight
braid that hung down the length of her back. She wore a long flowing
dress of white, and her feet were bare. She turns, looking to each of
the members in turn, green eyes flickering. She seems to be very
beautiful, but in the mind, how can one be truly sure?
It is good that you are here to help him. I thank
you. You need not fear, for madness is what I was created to fend off.
Your defenses are sure, especially you, Jack of the Dark Well, but all
men can succumb to even the slightest of memories.
She turned and raised her right hand, and a feeling of utter calm
overcame each member within the group. While this power encompassed
only the mind of Aaron, all the others felt it, and were bolstered by
this protection. It was less of a feeling, and more of a solid,
understood fact. Distantly, a dark blue haze was seen at the edges of
the black oblivion that extened past the island they stood upon.
Now the woman in the cage laughed, and Aaron spoke.
Cyan, I believe her name was Melanie... though, now I have my doubts. She had a different name. he raised his head, and searched the eyes of the woman in the cage.
Slowly, he stepped forwards, and took hold of one of her hands.
Instantly, her face changed to one of joy and desire, and she placed her other hand upon his.
Oh yes. You do remember me, my love. Come to me now, yes.
But Aaron yanked upon her hand, pulling it through Lexy's field. The
woman's body slammed into it with a yell of pain, and Aaron released
her, where she slid back into its confines.
You are nothing to me. You represent nothing but madness. Jadelynn,
though you weaken me, you weakened yourself more by striking out
against me. I have suffered long enough with your presence in my mind,
for I know now that you are not merely a memory, but Jadelynn's actual
representation. A hook you placed in my mind, that you have drawn upon
whenever you felt the need to be amused. He raised his hand, poking the side of his head.
I can feel you now. I know you are far away from me, but I know you are experiencing this as if you were actually here.
As the woman rose, Aaron and the rest of the group now felt another
mind connect with them, and it was in fact coming from the magical
cage. Melanie... no, Jadelynn, had been secretly connected to Aaron all
this time. And he didn't understand it until now. All they felt was
malice and anger emerging from the woman, malice... and the babbling of
thousands of voices.
Instantly, they felt the mind reduce the connection and the voices,
thankfully also reducing in number and volume, as if power had been
sapped from her. The woman in the cage cowered for a moment, her eyes
suddenly flaring bright yellow before fading. Arianne thrust her right
hand forwards, and the shield she formed strengthened itself.
She is leaving. Her power is... quite
considerable, even from this distance. Yet... she only wishes to move
away. That is all I feel.
Now Aaron moved forwards, and Jadelynn stood as he penetrated Lexy's
field. Suddenly, a billowing, surging force of black erupted from
around Jadelynn, but Aaron scoffed.
Woman, cease this foolishness. The people who are backing me cannot
be harmed by your madness. If you saw the madness that Cyan or Jack
have seen, you would understand that your power is nothing in
comparison. His hand shot out and siezed Jadelynn by the throat.
She screamed and reached, and the blackness surged forwards, instantly
encompassing them both in a cocoon of darkness. It was kept from the
outside only by Lexy's field, and now each other member of the group
heard one thing enter their mind.
Help me.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan comprehends none of this, but instinctively knows she does not
have to do so. Silently, she redoubles her efforts to simply assist, thinking furiously all the while. Why does he persist to speak to her? Remove her from here, however she comes to be here, and be done! If it is strength Aaron requires, well and good. Cyan can provide this.
Anything more, well...she has not a single clue what to do.
Outside, the storm continues. Now lightning begins to fall, over
the waters, in the hills around the tower. Berd stares at the
group, concentrating his 'vision'. Deep, rolling booms shake the
walls as the spears of the storm's rage continue to fall, but nothing,
no rain, no wind, no jovian hand, comes near the tower.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Askiir! Jadelynn!” Jack was never one that believed in fighting fair, he might not be able
to fight this battle for Aaron, but he could nudge it in Aaron’s favor.
A psychic disrupt against Jadelynn would buy Aaron Time and give him an
advantage. It should disrupt anything she was attempting. Including
what ever she was using to reach in Aaron.
Jack laughed as she tried to hide in the dark, he was at
one with the dark. Whats more is he knows it is not really there in the
first place, at least not here in the mind. Sure it could blind you
just the same if you let it, if your mind and will allowed it. Still
Jack was the darkness, he traveled the dark paths and he was more than
just a normal man of the Darkwell. She could not hide from him so
easily and He poured the sight of what was happening around Aaron into
the Amber man, into all of them.
I had no memories for some time Isle, it taught me memories and the self are only what you make of them. again he did not speak, it was just there, a calm serene knowing
and even more of Jacks power filled the Amber man to take advantage of
the disrupt along with the knowledge that this was his mind and nothing
should exist here without his say.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
<i>Lexy watches, impassive. She contines to stare at the woman,
and watches as she tries to escape. Suddenly, a hint of a smile
suddenly flits across her face. So, that's the way she wants to play
it. A miniscule movement of her eyes, and a small tendril detaches
itself from the cage, and sinks into the woman within.
*There is no where you can run that we can not find you.* comes Lexy's
child voice. *There is no where you can hide that we can not hunt you
down.* a moment of silence, then Lexy speaks again. *Were I you, I
would run as fast and far as I could, and hope that our paths never
cross.* There is a deadly edge to her voice, seemingly quite out of
place in the voice of a child.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Though only Jack could see, there was little left to the imagainations,
for both Aaron and Jadelynn could be felt, combatting one another.
Your friends are strong, but you can do nothing to
stop how they feel! They will still question your every action, every
thought you think and deed you do will be stamped into their minds as
if your next may kill them! her laugh echoed through the space around them, and Jack could see Aaron stumble slightly.
But as Jack used the word of Power, she too stumbled back, yanking her
hand free from where it was within Aaron's torso. Grasping her mind,
her eyes pierced the dark veil surrounding them both, and she stared
directly at Jack
Ah ha. A beast as he is... but, you are different. Stronger than he.
Jadelynn smiles at Jack, and it is a lustful, dark smile that she gives him. She even licks her lips.
She tries to back away through the cage, but Lexy causes her to do the
opposite. Jadelynn screams as the tendril pierces her, tying her to the
cage from within. Seeing no other option, she hisses and dives at Aaron.
But his fist comes up, and he grabs her by the throat yet again. Aaron
rises from the now wilting grass, burning like a dark blue flame, his
voice echoes with authority as strength from the group merges with him.
Outside, thunder booms, and this accompanies his voice.
ENOUGH!
Apparently, Jack's use of the Word and Lexy's defensive measure was
enough to weaken her connection even more, for now Aaron lifted her
above his feet and swept his opposite hand in a circle. The shadows
flowed at his hand, and now the entire group can see him holding her by
the neck like an animal, raising her high above the island. The
darkness flowed away, back into Jadelynn.
This is my mind, and it belongs to none other!, his words flow
out, and the land beneath his feet falls away, so the shield tops a
massive hole. Aaron floats there, holding her high above the void.
Here is where all my memories die, Jadelynn. This is the oblivion
that is forced forgetfullness, the same oblivion I placed upon
Ilsefranvir without my knowlege. I know of it now, and can use it when
I feel the need. I feel the need now!
Jadelyn hisses in his hands, spitting and clawing her nails at his
face. Though she slashes and scars him, causing him to bleed, he, and
everyone else present, know that those scars and that pain cannot
compare to the guilt he feels about his prior actions. The things he
did to eveyone now watching. Even now, that guilt slowly makes itself
known, reverberating towars them all like a recently struck bell.
That only serves to strengthen Aaron more, as a memory flickers there,
Cyan there, losing her hand. Scowling, Aaron suspends Jadelynn above
the void, and the blackness about the group begins to take on a
sun-like glow.
With a final shake of the woman, Aaron places her face before his.
Jadelynn smiled a syrup-sweet smile, and her eyes seemed to glitter.
You are nothing.
With a sigh, Aaron shook his head.
And you will always be less than what I have.
Aaron threw his arm down, thrusting Jadelynn into the abyss with all
his might. As he did so, he let out a powerfull yell, and sealed the
void of his memory. In seconds, a blast of light and Jadelynn's
piercing scream blinded and deafened all those not within Lexy's shield.
The group immediatly felt the intruding mind instantly disappear. It
was there for one moment, screaming with a thousand voices, and then it
was there no longer. The sudden silence was deafening.
As the glow dissipated, Aaron was seen on his knees, his head bowed.
His body shuddered, as sobs emerged from him, and those were heard as
hearing returned.
Knowing that he would remember the consequences of his actions, Aaron could no longer remember what madness was like.
He knew of Jadelynn, of her powers, and the things that he had done... but, he no longer knew how insanity felt.
His sadness was deep, for he felt the pain of knowing that he had been used to cause such great harm.
Yet hope bloomed in the distance, a flaring white. Hope that he could
heal the wounds he had caused, and in the process, gain strength
through his ordeals, and all that which the group as a whole would
encounter.
Yes. I can do that much. And more.
Turning his head, he rose. Taking in the sight before him, Aaron looked to the others and nodded.
That and more. And not alone. Never alone. If it wasn't for all of
you being here, I would not have been able to complete the healing.
He lowered himself to his knees, in his mind, though he felt he should do it in person. Bowing his head to them, he spoke.
Thank you all. For this, and all of your patience. Let this pain be
finished between us, so that healing may begin. I, Aaron of Amber and
San Anyn, speak this as an Anynian Protector, and a Son of Amber, on
the word of both my homes and all within them.
He knew that there could be no lies here. His mind was bare before
their scouring gazes. Let them search his mind if they wished, he would
allow it.
Bending, like the reed.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack withdrew his visage disappearing, but
not quite all of the way. He was aware now of his body and Kali’s
touch, both physical and mental. Though he was nothing more than a
disembodied presence in Aaron’s mind, watching Lexy, Cyan and Aaron.
He would let Cyan finish the questions, he would watch and step in if needed.
“That wasn’t so bad now was it Lalai?” He said back in the real world.
Can we finish the last of this now and answer the questions properly Jacks disembodied thoughts came, though kindly in their feelings. His
trust of Aaron had over all grown, but he still needed the last three
questions answered properly. Or at least could the trust him to
disclose everything fully and work together or was he still walking the
fence.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali's hand shot out and caught Cyan's sword, the movement more of a
reflex than anything. She nods her head to Cyan, and thrusts the
sheathed blade through her belt for safe keeping.
At Jack's request she closes purple eyes and takes a deep breath. Memories rise... the klunde..
the Mercy Stroke. The first sword stroke she ever learned. Back when
Rwyn was still alive, before her torment began... Hunter communicates,
a swirl of wolven thought and sound and Kali nods. It did no good to
dwell on the past, especially when the future held so much.
"It will be as you wish" she whispers to Jack, and she opens yellow eyes.
Kali witnesses the mental scene through Jack's eyes, all the while
supporting him with her love as best she can. His mental abilites
impress her, the true opposite of herself, and pride sparks as well.
This was her love in action in his element, such a pillar of strength.
Oddly enough, another mental presense lends support as well. It is a
foreign touch, the mind offering strength in a feral, animalistic way.
Although he cannot communicate with Jack, Hunter, through his link with
Kali, lends what support he can as well.
The episode ends, Aaron's madness was vanquished as far as Kali could
tell. She smiled at the back of Jack's head and she moved her hands
from the back of his head so that she was encircling him in a hug from
behind. Her face ended up besides his. "Not bad at all lalai... not bad at all" she said softly in his ear, her lips barely brushing his ear lobe.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
There is little point in Cyan searching Aaron's thoughts - for the
first, she is unschooled in such things, and for the second, she finds
the situation disturbing. Battles within the mind...she was
little help here, if anything at all.
Thirdly, this is all very new to her, and her distrust and distaste for
Aaron is old. Better to start from scratch, and see what happens.
With Jack fading the connection to Aaron, Cyan breaks it
utterly, slipping out of his mind. Slowly, she shakes her head to
Berd. The drake yawns, crackingly, and settles his head down.
Outside, as within Aaron, the storm begins to disperse.
"Very well," Cyan says, through dry lips. Quietly, she moves over
to her pack, and takes out the bottle of brandy. There is,
however, nearly none left, and with a sigh, the Bard replaces it, going
about making tea, instead. Her hands shake as she places the
kettle on the fire, and tosses in the herbs; moments later (literally)
the tea is boiling. Berd grins, and rolls over as Cyan nods to
him, and pours herself a cup, placing the kettle to the side.
Her hands no longer shake. The work, the tea, both have served
their purpose. Grimly, the bard clenches her right hand, and
sighs as a bolt of pain shoots up her arm. Much longer, I fear....
Then she slowly looks up to where Aaron sits, beside Lexy.
"I would say that congratulations are the order for the day, Aaron,"
she states, pleased the man is, at least, free from the grip of the
sorcerous madness. "Your mind is your own, and this is a good
thing. Nobody's mind or spirit," she continues slowly, recalling
her past discussion with Ares, "should dance to the whim of
another. It is a fine thing that you have thrust this bedevilment
from you. And thanks to Lexy, and Jack, both of whom
assisted. I, unfortunately, could only add my strength; I fear I
have little to offer in that battleground." Cyan grins at the
others, obviously uncaring about the possible conclusions one might
draw of her with such a fact. Unintelligent, uncultured, and unsubtle? Perhaps, indeed. She sips at her tea, opal eyes thoughtful, and considers where to go next. Best get it over with.
Glancing at Kallika, Jack, and Lexy, Cyan shrugs. "I have seen
much this day, and no doubt there are those here who are
exhausted. But I have questions that must be answered. Only
a few, and then I am done, Aaron." She leans forwards,
slightly. "So. Why would you travel with us? Why
would you assist us? How is unimportant. What you would
bring, is unimportant. I would judge your reasoning, your
emotional stake in the matter. Speak truthfully, but with detail."
The Bard sighes, looking down into her tea. "I will not lie to
you; I cannot forget your attacks upon my friends, both verbal, and
physical. I cannot forget the madness, back with Bjeoric's
people." She knows this will hurt, from what little she
understood within Aaron's mind, but continues. "This will never
change."
Cyan then looks up, at Aaron. "But your answers here will
determine if I am willing to set that Aaron aside, and see you in a
different light. See a different Aaron. One I may be able
to separate, in my head and heart, from the one of before."
Looking down, she draws a quick doodle in the dust with her
finger. "This is not a matter of semantics, or a mind-trick I
will play to satisfy honor - it is how I must see it, or the answer
will be no. For the Aaron-That-Was held problems that stretched
far beyond simple madness."
Berd snorts, wakening, and glances at Aaron skeptically. Then he
goes back to sleep, beginning to snore, loudly. Picking him up,
Cyan slings him over her shoulder, gently, holding him by the
tail. The dragon's snores deepen.
"So tell me, Aaron. Why would you travel with us? Why assist us?"
The doodle in the dust is a simple, curved line. The red-head
stares down at it, eyes narrow. Behind her, Berd's sonorous
breathing echoes off the wall....
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy feels the others detach themselves from Aarons mind, and Lexy
stays only a moments longer then they, to offer some last advice.
But finaly, Lexy breaks contact with Aaron, though her eyes still have
a slightly unfocused look to them, as if looking elsewhere.
"This woman is dangerous." she says quietly, turning her gaze slightly. "And she knows of us. We must know of her."
And so Lexy sits, and occupies herself as others question Aaron and his
motives. She has no need to, not anymore. He had comletly opened his
mind, and Lexy took full advantage of that fact.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack shivers as Kali’s lips brush
his earlobe. Goosebumps come to his skin and a grin to his face as he
quickly released his grip of Aaron’s arm not wanting to share feelings
such as this with anyone other than Kalika. He turned in Kali’s arms
wrapping his own arms around her. His hands coming together at the
small of her back, pulling her close. “Be careful with that stuff
lalai,” He teased her. “affection and flattery from you is a powerful
combination and you don’t want to get me started.” The broad smile was
only slightly out shown by the affection glinting in his eyes, looking
into her gold specked wolves eyes.
He leans in kissing her petite neck
to tease her for a moment before breaking away to kneel down and ruffle
Hunters fur playfully. Jack would never be the Alpha, he did not have
the personality for it in the end. Else he would have stayed to be a
prince that became a king. Hunter would always be the Alpha male. . .
“Thank you Hunter my friend.” He says softly.
Jack glance around the room still rubbing
hunter, one arm around Kalis waist “Lexy is free of any mental
manipulation or brain hacking. As for Aaron, “ Jacks wry knowing smirk
fell into place “His mind his well and truly screwed, but nothing wrong
with a little crazy.” the smirk resolved it’s self into a broad grin
“he was being honest unless he is a pathological liar as well and
believes his own lies. There may be hope for him as of yet.”
Jack stood without awaiting a response, he let go
of Hunter and his body slid up Kali’s. Dropping back into low tones he
held her again. “Thank you Kalika Wolfblade, love of my life. It is
good to know that though I may be a clumsy oaf, you still know and
appreciate me. Not just for who I am, but also recognize that I do
bring abilities to the triad. Respected and loved by you. . .What more
could any man possibly want?” He rested his head against hers staring
into her eyes.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Slowly, Aaron opened his eyes and beheld the people who had assisted him. All of them had helped him, even Cyan, though at the time he knew that she
thought herself far less in comparison. He knew she was wrong, for he
felt her as sure as he felt the rest of them during his time of trial.
A good sign.
No. Assisted was too small a word.
Aaron took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled. Arianne was firm in his
mind again, resting there within her island cradle. She was paying
attention to Jack's connection to him, which suited Aaron fine. It was
short lived anyway.
His mismatched eyes took in every person before him, and Aaron adjusted
his position. He was cramped and aching, but he rejoiced in that
feeling, for those feelings were his own, and not those of another.
Looking each of them in the eyes, he nodded.
"So, I've many a question to answer. Those questions I will answer first, and then I will tell you of the enemy you have met."
Taking another breath, he began.
"This is my quest as much as it is yours. I represent two kingdoms
here, one a small outskirt at the near center of Shadow, the other, the
very representation of creation itself. I act in service of both, not
from a mere sense of honor, but from my heart. I have interacted and
lived with the people of Amber, and felt the responsibility of rule in
San Anyn. If there is danger to either or all, I am in the particular
position to fight against that danger. I have loved ones in San Anyn,
people I have not told you of. Arianne den Ilsefranvir too, has family
there. Let us not forget my blood in Amber. Thier scope is wide, and
they are obviously concerned. Anything that concerns them, should
concern me."
He smiled then, and raised his eyebrows.
"And I have a particular attachment to you lot. It's not everyday I
meet a group of people who help me fight off a rampant cow who tried to
crush my mind." he says, before glancing at Jack and chuckling. "As if
she could make it any worse than it was already..."
Straightening, he regains the seriousness in face and voice.
"You asked of my eye, Jack. Again, I must say, that I still feel
nothing in the way of interference. Believe me, you'll know it if I do.
Do not forget that you experienced a hint of what Jadus is capable of
manifesting, Jack. I wasn't blind to when he used Neth'us." he looked
at Jack alone, and his vocalizing the actual name of the 'eye' hinted
at more to be told. Later. said his eyes and mind.
"And thirdly, I believe I have already made myself clear that I will
devote myself to not only your cause, but also to this group. I am a
member of this group, for I have undergone changes here that were not
possible on my own. In the future, I will do my best to represent this
group, even to the very throne of Amber or the edge of Chaos."
Rising to his feet, Aaron stretches for a moment, and begins to pace.
Finally, he stops, and crouches down, setting on the balls of his feet
before them. He thumbs his chin, and he seems to be thinking.
"Yes. Now we come to our most recent occurence. Jadelynn."
He raises his eyes and looks to Jack.
"Jadelynn is a mistress of the mind. She's obviously mad. Insane to the
point of being completely lost, so much so that she has the ability to
spread that madness. I don't know how she does it, but she is not
someone to be trifled with in any proximity. The fact that any of us
got out alive was becuase we were prepared for anything." he pointed at
nothing in particular.
"I'll tell you this right now: We will never have the same chance like
we had today. Jadelynn knows you all by your minds, and that's far
worse than if she knew you by any other way."
His eyes narrowed, and it was apparent that he was thinking quite deeply.
"Yet, something bothers me. If Jadelynn actually threw all of her power
through me and used my mind as I know she has the ability to, I'm not
too sure we'd all be talking like this. No. Something was distracting
her to the point of her nearly killing herself. I dealt her a powerful
blow, but she learns quickly."
Again, Aaron looks to Jack and raises his head.
"She spoke to you, Jack. She compared you to someone, and what I felt
from her when..." he pauses, and instinctively rubs his chest. Aaron
could still remember her hand deep within him.
"What I felt when we were fighting was very similar to what I felt when
I first scanned your mind on the Gatherer's world. I think she
recognized your Broken Pattern, and compared your strength to another
she knows of. I couldn't get an image of who it was, though. I was far
too distracted yet, I believe that Jadelynn was distracted by that
other person. I pray we never have to deal with her again, but we
should all do well to prepare our minds in case we do in the future.
Our enemies may have powers of a similar type."
It was apparent that he was looking to Cyan when he said that, but his eyes found each of them.
"If you have more questions, let us continue to discuss, unless of
course, we all have plans otherwise?" he raised his eyebrows and
chuckled.
"I mean, it's not like we're going anywhere anytime soon, right?"
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens to Aaron silently, her eyes studying him. She does
not glance away when he suggests that they all gain more experience in
the battleground of the mind; fact is fact. It is a weakness in
her, and her powers are not the same as the others. They hold
sway only in connection of mind to mind, rather than in the actual
conflict. Compared to Jack, or Lexy, she fights weaponless.
"Insomuch as the quest has become far greater, obviously, than a simple
threat to Amber," Cyan begins carefully, "I do believe that any can
claim, with sufficient care behind their claim, to be a part of
it. The question, of course, is whether our paths will lie
together, or merely parallel." She prods the doodle again, and
then swipes her boot over it, obliterating the line completely.
"Jack, I believe, had more specific questions regarding this. I suggest you answer his, as well." Though I am sufficiently satisfied. Still, the entire group must agree.
The Bard holds Berd up before her by his tail; the little dragon
wakens, then sneezes a small cloud of suspicious-smelling, purple smoke
that leaves Cyan coughing and waving a hand before watering, emerald
eyes. Crawling down to her lap, the dragon surveys Aaron for a
moment. Then, giving a little 'whatever' shrug, he curls up on
her knees, and lays his head down to observe.
"I expect you will tell us more of this...Neth'us," the red-head
continues, stretching her arms, and wincing. "Later, when we give
ourselves over to each other, metaphorically speaking. As for
your mistress of the mind..." Cyan frowns. "She may be
powerful, but to assume she could overwhelm the entire group, standing
together, may be ascribing too much to her." Berd grins
toothily. "As for her knowing us by our minds, well....all may
not always be as it seems. Even to such as her. She may be
able to FIND us, and of this we should be wary. Perhaps you
should give us all of the information you carry of her - does she have
access to a greater power? This would be..." Cyan
frowns. "...most disturbing."
And as for the spread of madness, I may be suceptible to this, but Berd is - LIKELY - not. Thank the spirits. The possibility for disaster there are appalling.
"She may also be all that you say, to the point of being capable of
easily destroying us all," Cyan muses. "Best not to be too
confident." In an eerie display of connection, Berd hops to her
shoulder as she begins to rise, avoiding tumbling off her knees without
any warning. Cyan begins to pace. More difficulties, distracting us from our quest.
"I can only hope that this is the last we have seen of her. Our
work is important; I do not believe we can afford having another enemy
breathing down our necks while we hunt."
Outside, the storm has blown itself completely away.
"I suspect the others have questions to ask. I leave myself open
to questions as well, of course..." Cyan states, with a thin
smile. "Indeed, when decisions are made, I volunteer to speak of
myself, first. Then the rest of you can attempt to outwait each
other for the coveted position of 'dramatically last'," she finishes,
her grin growing more wry.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali reciprocated Jack's embrace and then it was her turn to shiver, a
devilish thought replying wordlessly to Jack's teasing... Perhaps she did want him to get started... just not necessarily right now. She smiles a
small, private smile at her love, purple eyes only for him.
He asks what more could a man want? A list of things flies through her
eyes and Hunter growls reprovingly. Kali looked down at him, a doubtful
look on her face.
"Really?"
The alpha male sniffed and looked away from her, only to lean into
Jack's rubbing even more. He growls throatily, a content look to him.
Kali flushes and only manages to exclaim "You!" to which Hunter's
muzzle cracked into a lupine grin. The exchanges were a mixture
of wolven sounds, images of wolves, and feelings.
Jack can feel that Hunter is content with what he is doing, as if it
should have always been this way... Kali is surprised by his audacity,
which only amuses the wolf even more. Soon my love... her mind says to him You will be a part of this world doubt stabs through her, doubt not in him, but in herself Unless of course you changed your mind.
Kali put a lot of effort into trying to keep the thought neutral, she
didn't want her feelings to affect Jack's decision. She was still
wokring on accpeting that Jack returned her feelings and wanted to be
with her... and what this meant to her and the changes in her life. So
many changes...
Kali listens to Aaron's words, still at Jack's side, relishing the
feeling of his arm around her waist. As if he was staking his claim to
her, and it didn't bother her, to be marked like that... on the
contrary... Aaron's words, the madness, the insinuation that this
Jadelynn took a special interest in Jack. Hunter bristled at this, and
stepped forward, defensively in front of Jack, coming from the opposite
side of Kali. He hackles were raised and he barred his teeth for all to
see, a deep growl rumbling from his chest. The growl ended sharply, and
the alpha male sat down next to Jack, his head tilted slightly up, as
if pleased with himself.
"He says if Aaron's madness returns to strike at Jack, we will hunt her
through the Shadows and she will pay" Kali translates solemnly, ever
fibre in her being agreeing with her bonded "One way or another, she
will pay if she interferes with us again" Her dark purple eyes settle
on the Amberite.
"You have passed your Trial and have emerged, like all, a new person. A
true man ready to take his place in the world. Your past actions have
been spontaneous and ill thought out, the actions of a child. You were
shown mercy once, by Cyan. While the actions of the child cannot be
erased, they can be dispelled by the actions of the man, but should the
child show its head again, I will be there, waiting to cut it off" she
disengages from Jack to walk up to Aaron. She grasps his hand in
her own hand. The rough calluses of decades of weapnswork mark her grip
as one more suited for a man than a woman. Kali grasps his hand in a
motion of greeting and acceptance. Before releasing Aaron's hand, Kali
squeezes, hard,
an echo of her previous words. She offers him acceptance, but she will
also be watching, waiting for the old Aaron to show himself so she can
bring him down... only she acts in the physical, not metaphysical world.
Through the handclasp, Kali keeps her eyes on Aaron's mismatched eyes.
She then nods once, curtly, and then returns to Jack's side, where she
belonged.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looks up from where she still sits, still not having moved. "The
mind-witch may know the feel of our minds, but we know hers as well.
She will not find us patiently waiting for slaughter. I think it's safe
to say on behalf of all of us that where she to try, she would become
our prey." Lexy shifts slightly, then turns her gaze fully on Aaron.
"As for your past transgressions, it is not for me to forgive you. You
have hurt a friend, but the punishment is not mine to deal. You have
lied and kept secrets. Again, it is not for me to forgive you. In fact,
all the forgivness in the world won't mean a thing to you Aaron, unless
you forgive yourself. If you feel true remorse for what you have done,
the you are the only one who can truly free yourself from that burden."
Lexy smiles a bit.
"But, I am willing to accept you to travel for us. Kali's blade is
enough protection for me, should you play us false." she says, with a
nod to the wolf-woman.
===========================================================
Re: Part 17 - Interlude in Bredaniant by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack shook his head and answered Cyan. “No, Aaron’s
answers are good enough for me as well. At least for the moment, future
questions shall be based on future actions. As they are with all of us,
myself included.”
“Over all I am not that worried for the moment about Jadelynn, however
I will consider her as an issue for Aaron, myself and the group for a
bit.” Jack said casually “ I will let you know my thoughts on her
after I have looked at the issues from all angles.”
His arm slides comfortably back
around Kalika’s waist. Surprisingly it was less a show of marking that
she was his, but more of just the comfort of her touch for himself.
That and the fact that he was being mentally protective of her, he
could only protect her mind so so from across the room. With physical
contact he had solid mental contact and could protect her weakness and
to him the most precious aspect of her. . . Her mind.
“Later then, you can have your wicked way with me.” he teased in reply to her devilish thought. A curious arched eyebrow is all that is seen at the exchange between
Kali and hunter, but she can feel the curiosity course through Jack.
though he does not press her with it. I can wait as long as you are by my side. she knows that he would do what ever was needed to join her and Hunters
world. What’s more surprising is she can feel that he has been hiding
his own worried uncertainty. Just like hers, but from the opposite side
of the coin. The worry that she or Hunter would reject him. More
of worry about her rejecting him than Hunter. He was no Cunchee warrior
and did not believe he would ever quite fit that mold. Worry was
there that she would reject him because of this. He was soft in
comparison to her and her people. Soft of arm and soft of heart. . .
She can also feel that he still whishes to spar once they get the
chance.
“Go ahead Cyan,” Jack said the knowing smirk back in place “tell us of
yourself, we listen with an intent ear. I would also like to hear of
Aaron’s Pattern and just what he can do with it after that.”
===========================================================
What you see is what you get! by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well." Cyan stops her pacing directly over the small, scuffed
out doodle of the curved line. She stares down at in in confusion
for a moment, then Berd snorts from her shoulders, and she shakes her
head. "With Jack, that would seem to make four. Everyone is
correct - nothing can change what has happened before - only time will
tell if what we see now is reality." She turns, ruby eyes dark in
the dimly-lit ruin, and stares at Aaron. "It seems that you are
welcome, Aaron." Her expression brightens, cautiously.
"Assuming you yet wish to join."
A new beginning, then. Aaron-of-Before, get thee behind me. I shall no longer see you.
Sitting down atop the scribble, Cyan shoots a grin at Jack in answer to
his smirk. "So. We begin now? And I did say I would
be first...." Berd twines and turns on her shoulders. "Pick
a place, you, and settle yourself." Her eyes travel over the
others. "At the risk of sounding unlike myself, I shall attempt
to be brief and avoid drama." Considering, Cyan wonders exactly
where to begin, then decides on a logical place.
"You know my name - the whole of it. I am Cyan, nothing
more. I hail from a world of the kind that many World Walkers
speak of as Shadows." Her tone is slightly edged at the
word. "This, I suppose, makes me one of these shades, less solid,
as Berd might say, as those who come from a land where a power holds
sway. More mutable."
Now Cyan breaks into a genuine smile. "That matters not to
me. I am not, however, typical to my world's people,
anymore. I suspect it is due to many factors; exposure to the
energy of the palanquet and my World Walking with Berd being
two of the most important. I am far, far stronger than a human
should be, though not so strong as some here. My stamina is
outstanding, surpassing some of the lesser of the Eldar, and rivalling
their champions. In addition, as all of you know, I am, as you
are, psychically awakened, capable of communication and exertion of my
will beyond my body. These are not abilities or feats common to
those native to my world."
Cyan stares up into the shadowed, broken timbers of the roof.
"These abilities have served me well, where I have Walked. So,
too, has the knowledge of the palanquet,
taught to me at a young age by Berd." She rubs the dragon's head,
and he lets out a chiming purr. "With this knowledge, I can
manipulate the energies of far-speaking, as well as sense their
presence. I may also utilize these energies to defend myself from
greater Powers; my strength, in this regard, grows should I hold a
talisman in my hand, on which I might concentrate. I shall speak
more of this later."
Berd snorts again, and a puff of bright, rainbow smoke wafts towards
the ceiling. Embarassed, Cyan backtracks. "Of course, I can
also create the palanquet images, and will do so before we leave, of all of you. Save for
you, Kallika!" she hurries to say. "I have given my word on this
matter, and shall keep it." Berd looks dubious, then glances at
Hunter and changes shoulders to be farther away from the wolf.
Cyan places her fingers against her forehead for a moment, as if
striving to recall something, then shrugs. "As for what I have
learned...I am certain I am the youngest of all here. Just over
thirty years of age, have I. My skill with blades, seems to be
instinctual, as I have never been formally trained. But I have
spent time with Finwë Noldofinwë, and he spoke well of me after our
practices. Then there was that summer with Mablung, and
Cúthalion...." She flushes, then, and looks down, letting her
hair cover her eyes. "But I digress." Berd lets out a
chiming sound that oddly resembles a snicker, and Cyan taps him on the
end of his nose. Unconcerned, the drake rolls around on her
shoulders, putting his belly up for a scratch. Cyan complies,
despite the awkward posture it forces upon her arm. "When I
fight, though, truthfully...well, you have seen the results. I
maintain my tactical sense, and knowledge of the greater issues,
but...well, I can say this. I have never, ever, harmed an
innocent, or a friend." A shadow crosses her face, then, and she
looks up at Berd. "To...the best of my knowledge."
The little dragon yawns, eyes glittering, and Cyan shakes her head, brilliant hair seeming to brush her gloom away.
"I could speak of my past, but that is not the purpose of this
discussion...and I did promise no drama." A dazzling smile lights
her features for an instant. "I have spent my time Walking the
Worlds since I was...what, nine?" Berd snorts an agreement.
"During that time, I was educated at the Bardic College of Shasivae,
and you have seen the results of that. Less formal was my
education in noble ettiquette, and the ways of survival in harsh
environs. For that, I have two very dear friends to thank.
Would that I could." Her smile fades, but she continues.
"While I would be no match for Kallika, I'll wager my skills in the
wilderness equal any others here, and I am well familiar with the,
shall we say, lower crust of society. In addition, I have had to
pick a few locks in my day, and a pocket as well. Gold," Cyan
notes, "was not my prey...well, let us say that something was needed,
and leave it at that."
The Bard looks around at everyone. "I suspect my own stories are
likely the most boring of all here. Unlike Aaron, I do not have
shadowy figures searching my backtrail, hunting me for my life and
sanity. Unlike Jack, I am not a fallen noble, who has a dark and
painful past." Her eyes grow sad for an instant as she stares at
him. "Unlike Kallika, I was not ostracized, simply for being who
I am. And unlike Lexy, I am not fleeing repression and
imprisonment in a velvet cage. My past is colourful, chaotic,
sometimes frightening and sometimes glorious (to me in any case), but
it is also completely unrelated to our current quest." Cyan
stares moodily down for a long moment, obviously lost in memory.
Berd, growing impatient, bites her finger. "Ah! Rauko."
After examining the affronted digit, Cyan continues. "Where...ah,
yes. Artifices." She holds up Kirilindë. "With Berd's
assistance, I was able to infuse the energy of the palanquet within items. It was some time ago...and the circumstances were
particular. I am not sure if they could be replicated." And I do not have the assisance of the Fire-Spirit's grandson.
"My clothing, woven to fit me, has become far stronger, resistant to
both blade and club, oddly enough. Dirt, as well, and do not
think that has not been useful!" A quick grin, then. "I
believe it grows stronger yet...possibly due to the exposure to the
energies of palanquet...." Cyan trails off, ruminating,
but jerks back to herself as Berd opens his mouth. "Do not dare,
you. My harp, as well, has been infused with these energies - it
has changed the sound, slightly, to something unique, and keeps the
instrument perpetually in tune. Another fine use for the power of
Far-seeing." Cyan shrugs. "My sword...Kirilindë is an ithilinaur blade, forged for me in Nargothrond." She touches the simple,
scarred wooden scabbard for an instant. "With the infusion of
power, it has become even stronger, now capable of slicing iron like
rude cloth, and piercing through strong alloys with a little
effort." And its effect on people... Her mind shies
away from that thought. "All of these, in addition, contain
images I can utilize for travel or defense. Those on my blade and
harp are of my homeland, in different places. That on my
clothing, within the weave, is of myself. As I stated before,
should I have contact with an image, it enhances my ability to defend
myself against the Powers. My own image is best for this, lest
you think of me as an egoist."
"As for the palanquet themselves, I carry a set of
images." Drawing out a small, leather case, she opens it, showing
the tops of a small set of cards. "There are few," Cyan states,
considering the cards. "Myself, of course, and Berd. My
home, and the glade beside it." A muscle in her cheek
twitches. "Nargothrond, before Glaurang, and Menengroth before
those vile..." Cyan breaks off for an instant, then sighs,
relaxing slightly. "Kirilindë, my clothing and harp. One or
two other images...now, I fear, useless. They will never speak
again." She blinks, and her hand fumbles, the missing digit
making it oddly clumsy as she buckles the top of the case. Berd,
still lying upside down, frowns. His eyes glitter briefly, under
half-closed lids.
"And that," Cyan says, nodding decisively, regaining control over herself, "is what I carry. Which brings me to...."
Berd looks at her, yawning. His mouth closes with a click. The expression on his face seems to say if you must, you must.
The Bard's expression grows more uncertain. "Berd...I will not
speak of his past, any more than I will speak of mine. That is
not the purpose of this discussion." Her tone is hesitant,
displaying the true reason for her not speaking of it - lack of
knowledge. "He...Berd is a World Walker in his own right.
He moves through the worlds much as a master of the Pattern may do so,
from what I observed with Ares. Though, I must say, Ares'
approach seemed far more direct and focussed." The drake snorts
in disgust, rolling back over on his belly, still somehow keeping on
her shoulder. "His power over the worlds, however, is far greater
than that of Ares; if the world is not one of solidity, as he puts it,
he can exert his will upon it with shocking results. Some of
these, you have seen." Cyan's gaze flicks towards the
ground. "Some you have not." For an instant, her eyes are
far away.
With a shudder, Cyan breaks the memory. For a moment, Berd's eyes
dull, and his surprisingly mobile draconic features twist in pained
sorrow. But then the Bard continues, her voice quiet. "It
costs him, though, weakening, tiring him. His power extends over
the people of a World as well, though he does not like to use it as
such, and will not alter the minds or spirits of them. At all
times, Berd's spiritual eye is around us, touching the World, hunting
for threats and danger. His mind is closed, should he so desire,
and I believe it would require considerable work to breach his
defenses." Her face hardens, slightly. "Defenses that grow,
I think, with each day that passes on this quest." Berd's head
comes up, and he stares at her quizzically, eyes glittering. She
looks at him, then away. "I believe he may, at one time, have
been far more than he is now. Perhaps he begins to
regain...." The Bard's voice trails off.
Berd yawns again, uncaring, and puts his head down. Cyan frowns
wryly, and shrugs, her good humour flooding back. "In any case,
that is the extent of what I know." Rolling her head back, she
stretches, then places her sword at her side.
"I said I would be brief. I said I would avoid drama. One
in two." The Bard grins, happily. "So! As an old
friend of mine would say, 'any questions?'"
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy leans forward, listening to Cyan speak. What she has to say is
very interesting, despite what she may think of herself. Cyan seems to
have led a good life, and Lexy is a bit envious of that fact. But she
doesn't show it.
When Cyan finishes up, and asks if anyone has any questions, Lexy nods. She does indeed have some.
"First, never think less of yourself. You are Cyan, and that is good
enough. You have strengths and weaknesses, just like everyone else
here. Do not think that because your home is in shadow that you are
less then some of us, for that is not true. To do what you have done,
to have lived this long in a changing world, and made changes for the
better. That speaks of true strength. I'm sure Berd choose you for just
that reason."
Her gaze now turns to the little dragonette. "Which brings me to my
next question. Berd has been said to have more influence over Shadow
then someone who has walked the pattern has. Now I am curious as to
what exactly that means. What are the limits of your powers, little
one? What can, and can't you do?"
Lexy continues to study the little dragon, awaiting an answer from Cyan or Berd.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan's eyes shine like amythests in sunlight. "My thanks to you,
Lexy - I know my faults and frailties, and for me these distinctions,
Shadow and Reality, they are...wrong, and not the measure of a
person. But it is a good thing to know that there are others who
share this belief." Her smile lights up her face, then dims at
her friend's question.
Berd slowly turns his head towards Lexy.
Cyan looks up at Lexy. "I...do not know. We have never explored that..."
The dragon's eyes glitter.
The truth, Cyan. All of it. Cyan's face is paler
than normal, as Berd sags, seemingly exhausted of a sudden.
"Given enough time...his control is absolute. It only weakens
when he does, or, I suppose, if a superior will would stand against
his, carrying with it a greater power. One more strong than Ares,
I would guess. He controls the air, the ground, the energy that
flows within them. He can seize the minds and spirits of a
World's Dwellers. He can part the curtain between Worlds, track a
path, and change the very laws of existance. It has made him less
that popular with certain users of magic."
Her gaze falls on Berd as the little dragon begins to pant, his eyes
now dull, like bronze. Why he is so tired may be a bit of a
mystery. "Two armies once battled outside a village, on one of
our many wanderings. We came across the dead of the village, cut
down by both sides in the confusion. Berd...I have never seen him
so furious, and I fear my anger matched his. While I held the
cliff against the scouts of both sides, he prepared."
"It took a long time, but when he was finally finished..."
...the lightning stalks the field like the legs of a giant insect,
jovian spears hammering down, over and over, to the sweet scent of
burning, flinging objects high and stirring clouds of red mist that
fill the air in their wake. Passed by the wave of brilliant,
searing death, the stunned and shattered formations of men can only
stare in horror as the dark wall of howling madness sweeps down on
them. The wind claws them, tears them, shrieking, from the
ground, into the black maw of the first of the enormous cyclones that
storms across the broken field, its siblings parading in hellish
majesty behind it....
"He obliterated them," Cyan whispers.
"It was long ago."
Berd, his face an agony of shame, turns and pushes his head into her
stomach. Cyan cradles him gently, her eyes brimming with the
memory. Even now. "We both learned something terrible that
day, I think." With a sigh, she rocks the exhausted little dragon
back and forth.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jacks expression changed in time to the bards tale, from
surprised laughter, to caring sympathy. Somewhere after her last speech
replying to Lexy his knowing smirk returned, but it was laced with
friendship and compassion in its impish nature. A smile for Cyan.
“I did not fall,” he said
softly, sounding a little smart alecy to break the down cast mood. “I
jumped. . . Like a rat abandoning a sinking ship. I had to save my soul
after all.” A twinkle in his eye mocking himself. “And I see more
nobility in yours and Kalika’s simplest word or smallest action than
runs in all my family’s veins, myself included. That is why I
worry about Kali, thinking she will come to her sense and realize I
have the good catch, and she has been short changed.” A flash of a wry
grin.
He left it at that. . . For the moment.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Outside the storm seems to redouble in fury, the water crashing down in
almost unbroken torrents, the thunder sounds like the constant rumble
of a waterfall, and the lightning strobes instead of flickering...
Berd pulls his head out of Cyan's stomach with a whiffle of alarm, and
twists it about to look towards the entrance, lightning reflected in
the dull bronze of his eyes.
He shakes himself, then looks at Cyan...
There is a blinding flare of light and a crash which drowns out all
other sounds, and then one of the towers collapses into the courtyard,
the sound of its fall masked by the continuous thunder, and partly
blocks the entrance to the keep.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron once thought of himself as a storyteller, and he had hoped of
educating his fellows as to the absoulte limits of his current
abilities. Much more so, he hoped to encourage Cyan, for she had more
than proved that she was as far from a "Shadow" as he, or any other
person he knew.
He also wished to continue the discussion on Jadelynn, for he did not
want his friends to place her as low as they seemed to be. He would
tell them everything he knew of her, and more.
Sadly, that was not to be, for the natural forces of their current
location sought to cause them grief. Instantly he rose and jumped back,
then he felt for Arianne.
Love, do you sense anything?
He felt her start at the initial comment, but she knew his habits from days of old. Arianne's mind searched out.
I'm looking...
Standing now, Aaron gazes around the encampment as best he could in the
raging storm. Rain itself didn't bother him. It was that lightning
strike. Perhaps his recent encounter with the ancient witch had caused
paranoia to seep in, or maybe he was just being seriously cautious, but
the tower had blocked the entrance.
"Anyone else care to go with me and find out whether we can get out of
here? I have a bad feeling that something not quite natural just
happened."
For a moment, Aaron looked to Berd. Can you sense something, my powerful friend? I wonder.
Darting his eyes towards the entrance, he cocked his head to the side
and chuckled. That chuckle became a "Ha!" as he spoke in a loud voice.
"We've got palanquet, two versions of the Pattern, a
powerful drake, and I'm complaining about getting out of here? I've
traded insanity for senility!" he laughed again, but that was drowned
out by the crash of the downpour. He kept his senses keen, and
monitored Ilsefranvir as he looked to his friends for answers.
"Care to get a little drier?"
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan chuckles at Jack's words...but then looks down at Berd in alarm,
and up to the others. "Aaron, you are correct, but it is more
urgent than that! This...the original storm was Berd's work, but
something has changed. Berd names it a Shadow Storm, and as he is
not wont to use that term, I suspect it is something with which the
more experienced Walkers are familiar!"
She glances to Lexy, Kallika, and Jack. "We need to leave here! Now!" So much for my palanquet!
Berd, exhausted by his acts of power, weakly struggles for her
shoulder, but gives up when she cradles him in one arm, snatching up
her pack and sword with the other. "Can any of you take us from
here at once? I have only my images, and they are sorely
limited! Or...is it possible to wait out a storm of this kind?"
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looks up, startled as the tower shudders. The keep was ancient,
it's true, but this shouldn't have happened. It was whole enough to be
able to stand up to anything bellow hurricane strength. And even then,
retreat far enough into the mountain, and you could outwait time
itself, had you the patience.
That's when she hears the crashing boom of the tower falling, and now
Lexy stands, looking towards the entrance. "Not good." she mutters to
herself.
"Cyan, if this is a shadow storm, then we leave, it's that simple. I'll
take us somewhere else. If either of you two have the pattern up, then
I suggest you take it down. The Logrus and the Pattern don't react well
together." she says, though her words seem almost an afterthought.
Allready, she's watching several tendrils as they sweep through shadow,
looking for a safe place, looking through them to view each place they
stop at. It's a fine juggling act, but one Lexy has done before, and
will probably do again. Leaving in a hurry is becoming a bit of a
specialty of hers.
Finaly, she finds somewhere that seems safe enough. Far enough away,
and no signs of hostile life. Gravity was a little lighter then
normal.. well, beggers can't be choosers, now can they?
"If everyone is ready to go?" she asks, looking around.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I am prepared!" Cyan shouts over the howl of the wind. She holds
Berd tightly, and her pack and blade with her other hand, grimacing at
the pain shooting up her forearm. Topaz eyes dance over the
others, making certain they are well as the Bard moves to stand next to
Lexy.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“Sure, get us out of here Lexy,” Jack says
with a frown thinking about the possibilities of the storm. “but I am
curious. . . If your Logrus does not mix so well with the Pattern, how
is it that you transport the active pattern contained in Isle?”
It was a casual enough question, but held a weight behind it. For Isle
was a Pattern blade containing not just a piece of the pattern, but
like the hand a copy of the unbroken pattern.
He arched an eyebrow and waited, letting them sort
it out for the moment as he grabbed up his and Kali’s packs and
equipment. Ready for travel.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali is surprised to feel Jack's uncertainty, so much like her own. An echo of Jack's feelings comes to her and she smils. Yes... we shall speak of it later. She leans into him, ready to listen to the others, giving no thought whatsoever to what she herself would say.
She listens to Cyan's story with an open mind. She appreciated the
Bard's openss and knew that she had shared all with them. But it seemed
that they would never get the time that they needed to complete their
discussions, to handle their business. Hunter looks up at Kali from
Jack's side and she nods, mentally translating the swirl of images and
sounds. He is right... it is time. At this new place, we will form a Triad. A heady mix of fear, excitement, desire, challenge rushs through her as Lexy searches for a place to escape the Shadow Storm.
"Thank you" she says to Jack when as he moves to get their gear. She
takes her pack from him and shoulder's it, comforted by it's familiar
weight.
She turns purple eyes to her love and smiles up at him.
===========================================================
Re: What you see is what you get! by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shadow Storm...
That was something which Aaron was familiar with. The word caused a
flicker of memory... an old man. He couldn't remember his name, but he
had little time, nor want, to ponder the memory at the moment.
Eyes scanning the sky, he shook his head and tightened Ilse against his back and chest.
"Worry not for me, Lexy. Let's just get the hell out of here!"
The Logrus. Faster than the Pattern, but gads, this'll be a rough one.
Arianne chuckled. Could be worse. It could be the Broken Pattern instead.
Aaron laughed in the storm. He had to agree with that.
===========================================================
Go now. . . by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack snapped into command mode “Cyan, your palanquet if your would.
Lexy, Take yourself, Cyan, Berd, Kalika and Hunter out of here. I’ll
use the card once you are gone to pull Aaron and myself through.” He
snapped off the commands easily “Aaron, we don’t leave people
behind alone. You have been accepted, we aren’t going to leave you.
This could be as simple as something went awry with Berd’s
manipulations, or a rare coincidence. Though it could be your Witch at
work wanting to catch you alone, or some third party trying to end this
now. I will not give them the chance to cull one from the group. If
Cyan’s card does not work I will be relying on you to lead me through
the worlds.”
Jack turned to Kali and hugged
her close for a moment kissing her quickly with a passion borne of
concern and love. His own emotions burning with the revelation that it
was time for the triad at last. His emotions mirror hers, though a
strong curiosity flavors them as well. I
can not wait for either the talk or the joining of the triad, but it
must wait until we are together and safe in Lexy’s new place.
As he broke from the kiss and spoke in soft tones
filled with concern “Now please don’t argue, go with Lexy and
Cyan. Aaron and I will be along in a moment. I need to look after my
team and Aaron is now one of them, but I must know that you and Hunter
are safe and sound. Do you understand?” He asked her his voice filled
with worry and concern for her that he projected in their contact as he
reach out to Cyan for her card. "Do not worry, if Cyan's card and
Aaron's pattern fail, we will still have my Broken pattern or Dark Well
in desparation."
"Kali. . . I love you, please go and be safe for me." He knows she will
not heed his words, but he has to try see her to safety. After all if
it does come down to relying on the Broken Pattern to travel, that is
the least safest thing he can imagine.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looks at Jack and shakes her head. "It's quite simple, actually.
It's not his sword I'm touching, it's him. That he happens to be
carrying it is of no concern to me. Remember, I got us here without any
problems, and the sword was with him then." Is her reply. And then
that's it, there is no more time for words as the world around them
begins to shift as Lexy outraces the shadow storm...
...breakfast table in an otherwise empty room...
...drawn shades, the room darker...
...room gone now, replaced by a city around them...
...steel girders, tumbling...
...dogs walking their pet humans...
...a tree that seems to have an apetite for flesh reaches out for them...
...a barren place, all wind blasted rock...
...now greenery all around...
...hushed silence in a cathedral...
...slowing now, an ampitheatre...
...a small lake...
...an island in the centre of the lake...
And this is where the group winds up. The grass is green, with a grey
tinge to it. The vegetation here seems to have very wide leaves, to
catch a weak sun. A definate nip to the air, and a feeling of
lightness. In the waters around is the sinuous flowings of serpent like
things.
"We are here." says Lexy, sounding a bit strained.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali hugs Jack back just as fiercely, but can't help but to chuckle at his request. And if that fails Hunter will track them through Shadow. We will get back somehow. I stand with you. Her mindvoice, which is more feelings than actual words, is firm and
unyielding. Jack is correct in knowing that she will not leave him.
"We stand with you" she reiterates her point aloud, including Hunter as well.
And then they are shifting, the world around them changing. They settle
on an island, and Kali gasps, taking an involuntary step backwards,
away from the body of water, which causes her to bump into Jack. In
that brief touch the naked, and utter terror that poessessed her at the
sight of the water races through him. Hunter moves to her side, there
is an exchange and then she breathes, taking in large lungfuls of air,
her deep purple eyes focused on the water, but unseeing. Her face has
paled considerably, which causes some old scars, faint traceries of
faded wounds to stand out on her skin. Despite their experience on the
boat, large bodies of water still instill a complete and total fear
that takes time to get over. Kali swallows and takes Jack's hand. The
fear is still there, and she is starting to get a handle of it, but her
control of it is weak.
"I guess it could be worse..." she murmurs to Jack, images of the
swelling ocean waves of Aerth coming to mind. She closes her eyes in an
attempt to steady herself. She smiles weakly, her control strengthening
with the seconds. The inital shock of ending up so close to the cursed
water was begining to wear off, and embarrassment rose to take the
place of child like fear.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan opens her mouth to protest Jack's orders - not from intrasigance, but for the simple fact that it would be easier for them to all go together - when they are whisked away. She
stumbles, the abrupt twisting and shifting again being beyond her
experience. Berd hisses in vague frustration, obviously disturbed
about something....
Then it's over.
Cyan staggers, catching herself on a tree. "Well...that
was..." Unable to find a word better than 'interesting', and her
Bard's training informing her 'that won't do', she chooses to leave the
sentence hanging, and look around.
Well, it's better than that terribly hot place to which we were drawn some time back. Far, far back, before Lazarus, even. "Lexy," she says with concern, "perhaps you should sit down."
At some point, I should explain a few things about the palanquet, and how they function.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looks around, as if to satisfy herself that they are where they
are supposed to be, and then takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly.
"Sorry about the less then comfortable ride. It was a little faster
then usual. I guess I wanted to get away from the storm faster then I
thought." she gives an embaressed grin. "However, perhaps I should
explain to you exactly what we escaped from. A shadow storm is...
well.. no one knows exactly what they are or how they start. But in
essence, a shadow storm is a force that moves across Shadow, tearing
the barriers between worlds, and bringing havoc. By their very being,
they are destructive. If you survive a storm, then there is a very good
chance that you will be somewhere else entirely. Think of a hurricane
that is unrestrained by normal shadow barriers. That's how it was first
explained to me." Lexy looks around again.
"However, looks like we outran it. Now, what I want to know is was that
just coincidence, or not? I don't know about you, but I've never heard
of anyone able to control shadow storms. And yet, I'm unwilling to
chalk it up to pure coincidence. I don't suppose anyone else here has
enemies they haven't mentioned?" she asks, looking around.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron did little to show his slight confusion. Momentarilly dizzied
from being thrust through the Logrus, Aaron kneeled down upon the
ground, one hand against the side of his head.
His right eye thumped with the beating of his heart... then against its
beat... before returning to normal. He felt a momentary feeling of "?"
flicker into his mind. Apparently, the Kryn hadn't liked their travel
either.
"Someone please assure me that each one of us is on this Shadow, and
still isn't back in the midst of that storm? You'll have to pardon my
confusion."
He checked on Arianne. She seemed... scrambled for the moment, but he felt a sort of "I'll be fine" response emerge from her.
"Another question: Lexy, someone couldn't ride a storm like that to
travel through Shadow, could they? I mean, if they can't control it, it
would be impossible, right?"
But nothing is impossible in Shadow. came the proverb he had found echoing through his mind lately.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy shakes her head to Aaron's question. "As far as I know, it's
impossible. It would be like trying to wrestle a cyclone. Even if you
survived contact with a shadow storm, you would be at it's mercy."
comes her reply. "But then again, I am not an expert. They say that
anything can exist in shadow. But, if you had enough power to control a
shadow storm, then I would think you have ways at your disposal that
are a little more... discreet. A shadow storm is about as subtle as a
brick to the head."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack wrapped his arms and cloak around the petite Chunhee warrior.
Lending her his emotional calmness and support in this matter, but not
trying to take it or her fear from her. He was only there for support. It’s alright, I’m here. his presence warm and reassuring in the face of her initial fear.
Though for just a split second her fear became his it was such a
powerful emotion and he was not prepared for it initially.
He pulled her close wanting to reassure her and spoke through the link. As you well know I spent time sailing amongst other things back home. he transmits through the link to her in the blink of an eye Every
body of water large and small had spirits of some kind, from Gods to
lowly sprites. From the mountain pools to the oceans of the world, from
babbling brooks to raging rivers. All kinds of spirits and strange
beings existed in them. Some good some fill with malice, but most like
us trying to just live in their own way.
A man could live or die on the sea by the
whim of the spirits. If he knew the ways of wave and spirit, the lore
of the ocean. If he paid proper respect for them both, he could spend a
life time on the ocean safe as a babe in his mothers arms. If he did
not pay dues to the spirits and did not follow the lore, he would
probably not last. It is wise to respect what you do not understand. I
have and have had unreasonable fears of my own. That’s not even taking
into account my blatant paranoia. This as in all things you are great,
you control your fear well, not it you. You have nothing to be
embarrassed about, I am so proud of you to be able to fend off such a
phobia.
Will need to wait for the triad ceremony until we are away from here and the water is not weighing on you? She could feel his love and respect for her despite and perhaps a little because of the things she though weaknesses.
He spoke to all even as he communicated via
mental contact to Kalika, his mind easily able to handle the multiple
conversations. “The great storms? Perhaps not controlled, but they can be created. Destroy a universe within the great universe and the universes near it will feel the effects of the great storm. Bend reality so far that it breaks and you stand a chance of causing a great storm.
If I try and use my pattern to bend the rules of a world, editing it so
to speak. Yes I could probably do it, but things would go so far awry
as to probably cause a great storm . As for control, practice
enough, study enough and you can skip stones across a lake using a
nuclear bomb, though you do not in essence control the blast. Sure,
devastate untold lands in doing so, but it’s possible.” Jack looked a
little grim. “I think it an odd coincidence. . . The Gatherer came with
a storm, Areth had a massive storm, the giants came with a storm, the
dijin came with a small storm and now this. That is interesting, I
wonder if these Shadow storms ” He spat the word “cause refection’s of storms throughout the worlds near them?” then is silent for a moment before continuing.
“I am a prince, of course I have enemies. Heck there are
people in my very family that would kill me as soon as look at me. Any
capable of doing something like that? None that I know of, then again I
have been either in seclusion on Mount Faust or away for a while with
you and things change. Sorry I’m not more help.” Jack nods with a
frown, truly apologetic that he does not know anything more.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali finds solace in Jack's embrace and turns away from the water,
burying her face in his chest instead. For a moment it was nice to not
be the strong one, to be able to be weak, to depend on another. She
follows the conversation of the other, but doesn't comment on the
Shadow Storm. She was out of her element there. Instead she continues
to regain control. Jack's words help, but not everything he said
coincided with Chunchee lore. That was the hardest part, what she
needed time to accept and adapt to. What she was taught as a child, the
rigorous ceremonies and strict beliefs, they were not true, invalid.
The framework of her life, that which had shaped and molded her, was
not true. These thoughts had started during her delegation to
Brintiz... and after the things she saw, heard, and learned from the
first World Walkers she had travelled with she could not deny it, but
instead pushed it back, hid it away in her mind and refused to accept
it.
Her belief system been challenged and she had to face the truth, as
unsavory as it may be. She kept her mind open to Jack, sharing these
thoughts and feelings with him. We
don't need to wait... I need some time to... adjust to things. I need
to be away from everyone, well not you, but the others, but you are
needed here. Hunter will stay in case something happens there will be a
way to reach me she pauses, and realizes how dire she must sound There
is nothing wrong lalai, no bad thoughts, so much as happened, I don't
want to be overwhelmed. I need to be adjust and also prepare for the
Triad. I will return for you with the coming of night, and we will
start. I love you Jack.
Kali looks up and goes up on her tip toes to kiss Jack on the cheek. She then steps away from his side and looks at the others.
"It is obvious that my strengths do not lie in 'World Walking' or
Shadow Storms. While I would rule nothing out, the chances of that
Storm being caused by an enemy of myself of my people is extremely
slim" she takes a breath and looks out a long the waters again "I need
to take some time for myself. Hunter will stay to listen for me if more
stories are shared or if I am needed" her gaze falls on Aaron with that
last statement "I will tell my short tale in the morning"
Being done with her piece, Kali looks at Jack and smiles an honest,
heartfelt grin that lights up her face and makes her affection towards
him clear. And then she is melting, her body shrinking down, the lines
of her form blurring as she reshapes herself. In moments a small silver
furred female wolf sits where Kali once stod. With a soft yip, the wolf
turns and lopes towards the interior of the island.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
It was an easy decision, all they
could do is theorize and conjecture. At least that was all he could do.
Even though no question was asked, he knew the answer and where he was
to go “Hunter, Please let Kali know if I am needed.” He smiled at the
others “I’ll tell my story then as well.”
Though it was daylight and his power
was not at it’s height the shadows from inside his very cloak darken
and begin to writhe tendrils reaching out and flowing over him as he
jogs after the his Chunchee love. He is powerful enough to change in
the light. The shadows flow over him folding and shifting his form,
becoming more beast than man until he bound forward landing on four
huge paws. This time he is more lupine then last time he tried this
form, but traces of the dire wolf can be seen still. His massive size
for one, and a midnight black wolf that is Jack races off after the
svelte silver one unerringly, with barely a glance back.
He will not be left behind, unless she wishes it. They would prepair
together, he would be there for her, just as doggedly as she was for
him.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy watches the pair head off, and then turns her gaze onto the wolf.
"Well, I hope you can reach them in case of emergency. Last place I
thought was safe turned out to be along the path of a Shadow storm."
she shrugs. "And before anyone asks, toss a stone in any direction, and
if you toss it hard enough, your bound to hit someone who doesn't like
me. My leaving home didn't exactly make me popular. However, I don't
know of a single one of them who could command a shadow storm." She
shrugs. "Sorry I can't be of more help then that."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Hunter
-----------------------------------------------------------
The large wolf looks at Lexy's eyes as she addresses him. The
intelligence that shines there is surprisingly sharp. With a low growl,
he nods once, sharply, and then lies down with a soft whine. Left
behind again. He sighs.
OOC: Jack and GM- Looking for your input here... should Kali and Jack
continue to post on this thread or move to another thread/private
messages to avoid chaos on the main board?
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan listens gravely to the others, then stares off after Jack and
Kallika wistfully. A moment later she yelps, and gives Berd an
accusing glare. "I have had just about enough...." Pacing
in a circle with annoyance, she runs fingers through her hair to get it
back into 'shape' from where the drake tugged it.
"Enemies?" Glancing sadly to Lexy, after the woman's comment,
Cyan shakes her head. "Oh, I have had people irritated with me,
angered with me, possibly even willing to murder me. But I truly
believe that none of them have that kind of power...and in any case, I
sincerely doubt that any of them were World Walkers, or even
knowledgeable of the Myriad Worlds. As I said, I have lead
a...dull life, by comparison."
Looking up at Berd, on her shoulder, the Bard sighes when she sees he
has returned to slumber. Her amethyst eyes flick back to the
others, looking at Hunter with an odd cast to them for an
instant. "As for the storm itself, Berd has no conclusions.
Theories, yes; it could have been him, accidently, it could have been
someone else, it could have been coincidence. Neither of us put
much stock in the third."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron slowly sat down, arching forwards and stretching a bit. His head,
and all those who existed within it, the Kryn and Ilse, seemed calm
again. At least, the Kryn was acting like his eye now, and not like the strange, alien prosthesis that it actually was.
Arianne was resting. The drain on defending so many minds against the
power of Jadelynn had been taxing on her. He had wished to practice
with her, but they both were quite tired as it was.
Yet, he remembered that flash of memory he had at hearing of the Shadow Storm.
"I do not have enemies who could control such a massive force as that,"
Aaron commented. "Yet, I knew an old man who once said he could
actually manage to manifest, and even ride one." Aaron chuckled and shook his head.
"I'm sure he was mad, though. At the time, that old man was tied up and
being prepared for execution. Still, it was an interesting thing to
think upon as we passed through that Shadow."
Aaron had taken that far off gaze, as he stared at nothing. Memories, again.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, when we get right down to it, I don't beleive in coincidence.
However, without anything to back it up, I can't say who or what is
behind it." Lexy shrugs. "It may not even have been directed against
us. Whatever it was, it's passed, for now. If some inteligence is
behind that shadow storm, then it will take time to locate us. And the
best way to proove it, though dangerous, is to stay here and make
ourselves available. If we are targeted, then we know someone is behind
this... and then we turn to you Aaron." He gaze meets the far away look
of Aaron.
"It is my understanding that the Pattern is quite different then the
Logrus in that you can walk to anything... even if you don't really
know what it is." she says. "So it may be a matter of talking a walk
and having a friendly chat with whoever is behind this latest
occurence." Lexy sighs and picks several long, tough strands of grass.
As she talks, her fingers plait the strands together, keeping herself
busy.
"How is your hand, Cyan?" she asks the bard.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan has, by now, finished the labourious task of getting out her book,
her inks, and her pens. She pauses in her preparation, and turns
back to Lexy.
"The pain is dull," the Bard states truthfully. "Unless, of
course, I do something foolish like take up my bag and sword with only
this hand. Of course, my other needs to be free for more
important cargo." She glances at Berd, and the little dragon
snorts, flopping himself down on the ground, and immediately falling
into slumber.
"Perhaps in a day," Cyan muses, looking down at the enwrapped palm, "I
shall be able to remove the bandages. Given that I have a habit
of rushing things, I should wait at least two more, then, do you not
think?" Frustration fills her sapphire eyes for an instant, then
fades. The Bard shrugs, once, with great finality. "Needs
must."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looks at the bandaged hand, and then shrugs. "I don't know.
Probably giving it time would be best." she says. "It's not a problem
that I am very well versed in, I'm afraid. My physiology is a little
different then yours." Lexy looks around at the place they now find
themseleves in. It's nice enough, though a little bleak for her tastes.
"So, what do you think Cyan? You've been at this for more time then I.
What do you really think is going on? We have a cube that defies the
laws of physics, that acts as a trump. It somehow records it
surroundings, and seems to have a reaction with a circle of stones in
another shadow. We have reports of a mysterious stranger snatching away
a young womand from one shadow, and then she makes her way through
shadow, planting devices that syphon off power, and probably send at
least a part of it to her home shadow. She dies, her assailant
unkown... a Prince of Amber asks for our help. A shadow storm... There
is a bigger picture here, but I'm afraid I can't see the forest for the
trees." Lexy looks down at the plaited grass rope, and balls it up,
tossing it aside.
"The way I see it, we have two destinations we must go to, at the very
least. and neither one is high on my list of places to visit. Amber and
the Courts."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You are hardly the only one lost within this forest, Lexy." Cyan
shakes her head in frustration. "Puzzles are not my
forte...unfortunately, it seems as though we have quite a large one
before us. For myself, I would avoid Amber - we have been told
all they know, though more information may have surfaced, and in Amber
the power of palanquet apparantly runs wild, now." She runs her good hand through her
hair, thoughtfully. "Agh. I need a bath. As for the
Courts, well, I suspect you would not wish to visit them..." The
Bard gives a heavy sigh of disappointment. "To gaze upon the
Abyss...well, enough on that. In any case, I had it in my
thoughts to return to the world of the Gatherer, and seek to examine
further the silvery ball. What think you of this?"
Looking down at her hand, Cyan frowns, morosely. "I suspect you
are correct, regarding this. Time heals all wounds, they say."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy nods as she listens to Cyan. "So they say. But time is such a
mutable thing. That's one thing I've learned. Time is a commodity that
is never around when you need it, but that is overwhelming when you
have no want for it. Time is espicially unstable where I was born."
Lexy is silent a moment, looking away, thoughtful. When she speaks
again, her tone is quiet, more subdued.
"The Courts must be visited... and you can't go there alone. I can take
us there, though I know not what my presence will produce in the way of
reaction. But at the very least, I can get a good feel for the
situation there, talk to people I know and find things out that you all
might not be able to find out on your own. I still have friends there."
As she speaks, her gaze is locked on the ground, her fingers picking at
the hem of her sleeve. She looks up, her expression unreadable.
"But we could go to the gatherer's world. Perhaps something new will be
discovered there, though I fear that will only delay the inevitable."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Time slides past, faster or slower, it is impossible to tell unless
those who are grounded in true reality, like Berd, make an effort to
find out. He reports that time here is fast... a day here is a
little less than an hour in Amber or the Shadow of the Gatherer, much
less than that in Caina.
A cold breeze whips across the lake, stirring up the waters and
disturbing the grey-green vegetation on the island. Flocks of
small birds are darting about above the surface of the mere, their song
sounding more like the voices of sheep than those of birds. They
swoop to skim the waters, and every now and then a sinuous form rises
to snatch a bird from the air and pull it down.
Oddly, the birds don't struggle, and many, if not all of them, seem to
break free and reappear moments later, launching up from the lake with
a triumphant cry...
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron nodded in agreement with Lexy's final statement. He wasn't
particularly overjoyed at the idea of visiting the Courts, but
returning to the world of the Gatherer interested him.
"We should close up whatever loose ends we're leaving lying about
before we make off for other points of interest." he said, with
reference to the Gatherer.
He got a momentary sensation from Arianne. She was awake now, apparently well rested. And she hinted at an idea.
Aaron made a humming sound, and he seemed to be pondering something for a moment.
"Excuse me, ladies. Do not be alarmed, but I'm going to try something."
He stood up and moved a little bit farther back from Lexy and Cyan.
Unsheathing Ilsefranvir, he sat down and placed the bare blade flat in
his lap, the flickering image of the Pattern upon her blade
disappearing against him.
Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the ground before him. Focusing on
the Pattern, he tried to draw the power not just through himself, but
also through the sword. Aaron had meant to get more practice in
manipulating such universal forces, and now seemed as good a time as
any.
Let's see if I can make a sand castle. Something small...
He exercised his will upon the earth before him.
Rise... form thyself... ramparts, squared walls, rising higher up as
towers are created... a massive, rectangular keep at the center... a
drawbridge over a buried moat... and perhaps a pair of guards at the
gate.
In the future, he hoped to try something... a little more direct, and
slightly drastic. Like, self defense with the Pattern. That, he would
leave for another time. For now, he needed to get back in touch with
the Primal Power, first and foremost.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, I would hear Jack and Kallika's thoughts as well," Cyan notes
quietly, preparing to draw. "But my feelings walk the path with
yours, both."
She cocks an eyebrow over an amused, topaz eye, at his choice of words,
though. "Forsooth," Cyan laughes. "I see only one lady,
here, and I doubt she is of the sort to simper and swoon when you
summon arcane forces, Aaron." Quietly, Cyan picks up her pen and
begins to draw. "Neither am I..." she murmurs quietly, "...of the
kind...who will become distraught at...some use of power."
Softly, Cyan. Aaron is no diplomat - he merely sought to
inform you he was about to attempt something. But his choice of
words! Cyan shakes her head in wry amusement while she sketches. He meant no offense. Leave off, and cease pondering a return.
The Bard pushes an amusing image from her thoughts - her offering Aaron
shelter behind her, the next time they find themselves at the point of
an enemy's sword - and continues to concentrate on her sketch, paying a
distracted interest to what the scion of Amber is doing, despite her
focus.
Berd yawns, and puts his head down, watching Cyan's sketch take form.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy turns her gaze on Aaron, watching with great interest as he
attempts to do whatever it is he's doing. It doesn't take long to
figure out what he's trying to do. Manipulate the Pattern. Now he
definatly has her attention. She's always been curious about the
opposite of her own power, the other anchor of this multiverse. KNowing
how the pattern works, and it's limits could be very useful.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Odd swirls of the breeze, tiny shifts in the air currents, and against
all odds the sand in front of Aaron starts to pile up. It is not
as precisely perfect a reconstruction as he would perhaps have liked,
some things are just too improbable, but there is a recognisable, if crude, representation of a fortress taking shape before him.
Cyan continues to work on the Trump, and before long she feels a familiar tug at her senses which tells her that power is being infused into the page, along with a hint of reality.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack is nearly complete.... Cyan smiles, happily, eyes
shining like rubies in sunlight. "Prepare yourself, Berd."
The little dragon gives her a 'don't teach your grandmother to suck
eggs' look, and goes back to staring intently at the nearly finished
drawing. Cyan quickly switches over to her few, colored inks, and
begins the work of completing the palanquet.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aaron chuckled to himself, amused.
"You think you'd use your time to manifest the Pattern in a more... appropriate fashion," Arianne piped up from his lap.
Relaxing, Aaron released his concentration on the mass of earth before
him, and watched as it slid back into a formless pile. He was
moderately satisfied with that, for he had channeled the Pattern
through Ilsefranvir as well as himself. That might prove useful in the
future, but he would rather get used to using the power through
himself, rather than relying on a secondary source.
With a sigh, Aaron nodded.
"Fine."
Now, Aaron focused again. Now, he would form something else. The air
before him, about a foot away, and inches above the pile of earth he
had adjusted.
Freeze, cold, frozen lance... rise above the earth before me...
glittering ice is what exists there... a flicker here, a sparkle there,
but control... control... He focused harder, imagining its height,
its length, impaled in the ground before him. Five feet high from where
it had broken off at one end, thickness about that of his forearm.
A spear of elemental glass... beautiful, and hurled, deadly... it is here, now.
He was getting used to it, now. It wasn't so much as forcing something to be there, as much as realizing that it's there becuse he
wanted it to be. He had to ease the Shadow into "believing" it, rather
than simply demanding it. With such a power, the sky could rain spears
such as that which he desired... but he made sure not to will such a
thing as that, for even though he hadn't the experience to do such a
thing, one never knew.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Impressed by Aaron's creation (for she has never seen a human do such a
thing), Cyan takes note of the castle for a moment before it dissolves,
and then goes back to work.
Berd watches Aaron with narrowed eyes, and nervously glances upwards. As he does, the air above them ripples, slightly.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looses interest inJack's manipulations, and turns instead to watch
Cyan. But soon even this place. She's watched trump artists before, and
once you've seen one, you've seen it all. And since she has no interest
in trumps, she lets the bard work.
"Well, I'm going to go for a little walk. If anyone needs me, I'm sure
Cyan can get in touch with me." She gets up from her resting spot and
walks away from the beach area.
She doesn't really have a destination in mind. She's just wants to have
a look around, really. Relax, get out from under the gaze of the
others. This teamwork thing is tough at times. Normally, she would have
gotten up with narry a word, and done what she damned well pleased. But
with this lot, she can't get with that.
Her walk takes her to a small game trail, cutting through the grass ans
shrubs. with nowhere else really to go, Lexy follows the path of least
resistance, just letting her feet guide her.
She pauses once to examine a beutiful blue flower, looking very out of
place in an otherwise stark land. But sometimes the flower that blooms
in adversity is the most beutiful of all. For a moment, she wants to
reach out, and pluck it. But to do so seems almost a crime, to so
callously destroy something that has struggled to acheive it's current
state. So instead, she leaves it be, passing by it and letting it live
in peace.
Now as she walks, Lexy reaches to her side, and unclasps the sturdy yet
decorative leather cheath at her side, and pulls out a metal tube,
followed by another, and finaly a third. She fits the three parts
together, forming a flute of some sort, Y-shaped, though very elegant
and decorative seeming.
Lexy pauses, and looks around. No one in sight. She smiles, and
continus to walk, stopping only shen she reaches the final destination
of the game trail; a small babbling brook. She looks both upstream and
downstream, and seems to find something she's looking for. She heads
towards it, walking along the bank. Tenty feet away, she finaly reaches
the small rocky outcrop she had aimed for. Sitting, she puts the flute
to her lips, and begins to play.
The music that emerges is haunting. Sounding almost human in it's
sonority, the tune is slow, and simple at first glance. Until one picks
up on the complicated under melody that seems almost lost with the main
notes. The two seemingly seperate songs, one very quiet and complex,
the other louder and simple, mix together, in a way that would seem
impossible. It seems almost a coincidence that the two songs go well
together, instead of carefull planning and execution.
Lexy lets the song continue, the notes reaching only her ears. It's nice to play, she hasn't had the chance to do so in a while.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
As Cyan works onwards into the afternoon, the image begins to take on a
life of its own, and it's not the only thing. At her feet there
is a flicker of movement; the cube, all but forgotten, seems to unfold in shimmering planes of light, then fold back in on itself. It is
now noticeably larger, and the uppermost face bears an image of this
world.
The bard studies her work in the late afternoon light, and decides that there is nothing more she can add to it.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Well, well. Berd hops off of Cyan's shoulder, and they
both study the cube for a short time. "That was interesting," she
murmurs. "I doubt it actually unfolds." There is a slight
pause. "Yes, it would have been quite uncomfortable!" Berd
laughs, musically, and climbs back up on her shoulder.
"Well," Cyan says after a moment, "Jack is finished. Shall
we?" With a small razor, Cyan slices the page out of her
notebook, and holds it carefully in both hands, fully inked and
coloured. Opalescent eyes focus on the image, holding it in her
mind.
Berd leans over and breathes, slowly, carefully. A shimmering,
sparkling wind blows from his mouth, sweeps over the grass at their
feet, and fades away. The paper seems to dissolve away at the
edges, growing thicker in the middle area, its shape altering under the
combined force of the duo's manipulations. For an instant, the
image seems to swirl, as does the changing paper...
Then it solidifies, and Cyan looks happily down at the completed palanquet.
"There." With practiced motions of her uninjured hand, she slips
it in with the rest. "One down..." She looks down at her
book, where sketches of Lexy, Aaron, Jen, and the home of the Gatherer
await.
The redhead sighs, and looks around. The day, while not young, is
still bright. She can hear Lexy's music, faintly, from a ways
off. Aaron is, apparantly, still attempting some sort of
Sorcery. Jack and Kallika are nowhere to be seen. Normally
Cyan would attempt his palanquet, to test it, but...a faint smile flickers for a moment on her face, and she shakes her head.
Better to continue, while the light is good. Night will come
soon, and the others will return. Hopefully to continue the
discussion.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
After what seems like quite a while, Aaron lets out a breath. Leaning his elbow atop his knee, he scowls.
"You're trying too hard again. Save your strength
and energy. You may have the pleasure of transporting everyone else
through Shadow, so you should conserve yourself."
With a sigh, Aaron leaned back and stared upwards. After a few moments, he looked towards Cyan, and the cube.
"It's shifted, has it?" he asks.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Indeed," Cyan replies, setting down her sketches and holding up the
cube. "It grows larger...I suspect it takes some time to
'accustom' itself to a World, before 'adding' it to the
repetoire." She studies the cube with dark, ruby eyes. "The
trail grows cold, curse it. Despite the time differential here,
we fall further behind." It's odd, hearing her use such phrases,
but they roll from her tongue with as much practiced ease as do her
more artistic sayings.
"Have you had much success with your efforts?" she inquires, politely, of her travelling companion.
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
For a moment, Aaron stares long and hard at the cube, as if trying to
wrap his brain around exactly what causes its transformation. Then he
sighs, and smiles at Cyan.
"Much to my approval, I seem to be able to control at least a little
bit of Shadow. Though as my companion notes, I seem to be reaching
slightly higher than I'm able to grasp." he answers, a slightly
perturbed look in his face. "At any rate, any practice is better than
no practice at all." he shrugs, and resheathes Ilsefravir upon his back.
Rising, he moves closer towards where Cyan is sitting.
"I seem to remember commenting to you that Jack had been acting odd
when that transformation of his occured." he gestures with his right
hand, absently as he shares his mind with her.
"While I have nothing against Jack at all, I still find his actions
slightly odd. He seems... I don't know. It's, like he's acting superior
without knowing he's doing it. It confuses me, how he wished to know so
much about my abilities, and yet I still know very very little about
his."
Shaking his head, he sighs.
"Am I just being paranoid, Cyan? Perhaps my experience with Jadelynn
has shaken my constituion, consdiering the assistance Jack gave me with
her."
===========================================================
Re: Go now. . . by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Paranoid?" Cyan shrugs. "Jack has his moods, I have seen. He certainly seems to act differently when he changes...the most when he first took that....shape. But see here."
Quickly, she sketches a perfect triangle in the dirt at her feet -
equilateral. "Mind. Body. Spirit." With each
word, Cyan touches a point. "All of them of equal import.
Let none say differently to you. Alter any of these, and it
changes the other two. Weaken the body, and watch the mind
falter, the spirit fade. Drain the spirit, and observe as the
mind grows dim, the body exhausted. Sharpen the mind, and see the
body respond more swiftly, the spirit quicken. Now, with
Jack...the entire body has altered, to something extremely
different. Kallika could, no doubt, tell you about the effect her
wolven form has upon her - with Jack, the changes may be even more
significant, as he is altering a fundamental aspect of his
being." She frowns down at the triangle, then laughs. "I
grow philosophical! In any case, I do not think it is serious,
but we shall bring it up to him when he speaks to us of himself."
Berd crawls around to Cyan's other side, lies down, and relaxes.
"As for his acting superior, well..." Cyan rubs her forehead.
"You and he are both of the nobility, it seems. Now, this is not
to say that egos come with such blood, but that it is characteristic of
the upbringing to have a certain view of oneself. It is, in fact,
a matter of course, when one is raised in such a fashion. Jack,
while leaving his past behind, cannot leave himself behind and, as
such, can seem as though he is acting in a superior fashion.
Possibly he is." She spares Aaron a glance from her sapphire
eyes. "I have called him on his mood, once as I recall, and he
apologized. I believe apologies were necessary from both parties,
in fact, but that is beside the point. As for him speaking of his
abilities...I do not plan to leave this World before discovering the
talents of all of those with whom I travel, yourself included.
But that is a matter to discuss as a group."
===========================================================
Darkness falls by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The sun, dim already, slides down the sky with almost indecent haste,
and drops behind the hills on the distant shore in what must be one of
the least spectacular sunsets ever seen. As the orb vanishes and
the sky darkens, a chorus of peculiar mewling cries rises from dozens
of places around the lake.
The cool air rapidly becomes distinctly chilly, and overhead the first
stars appear, blazing across the heavens in unfamiliar patterns and
clusters.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan frowns, looking around. Lexy isn't nearby, Jack and Kallika
have not returned...and it grows late. "Strange that Lexy is not
here," she mutters, standing. Wandering about the campsite, she
picks up the pieces of wood in the area, as much as she can, not
particularly caring if they are large or small. Kindling doesn't
matter.
To waste some more time, she makes a quick log cabin/teepee setup with
them, and Berd, waking, coughs out a small, scintillating cloud.
It slowly settles on the wood, which then bursts into flame.
Still nobody but her, Berd, Aaron, and Ilse.
Reaching into her pouch, Cyan removes her cards. Shuffling through, she finds Jack's palanquet,
and removes it. Silently, the Bard toys with it for a long
moment, before returning it to the pack, and opening her book.
Flipping through the pages, she finds Lexy's nearly-completed
sketch. The Bard stares at it for a long moment, then focuses her
will upon the palanquet....
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy doesn't move for the afternoon. She laternates long periods of
playing with time of silence. It's relaxing for her, and gives the
others any time they need to be alone.
Night falls on this place, and Lexy looks up at the sky, watching the
constalations. Another alien sky, another cluster of stars. She still
loves this sight. She's been to places where travel to the stars was
possible, but she's never taken advantage of that. She feels that doing
so would ruin the mystery. Beutiful sparkles of light, set against the
deepest black velvet. Enticing, and beutiful to behold. What need is
there then to explore them, to uncover their secrets?
Lexy slips of her stone and takes a sip of the water, watching it
trickle by, seeing the distorted reflection of the night sky in the
rippling surface of the small stream. Her dipping hand distoring the
surface farther, and slowly becoming whole again. Life is much like
that, in away. No matter what distorts it, life goes on, and heals
itself as best as it can. Sadly, unlike water, scars are left, and Lexy
bears her share of those. She sighs, and pushes herself up.
That's when she feels a familiar tingle. In this place, she's a little
hesitant to take it. It could be anybody. But finaly, she opens herself
up to the contact.
"I'm here."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"It is only me, Lexy," Cyan states through the contact. "I merely wished to see if you were still alive." The bard grins. "My apologies for disturbing you. I am making supper at the moment, but will set aside a serving for you."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I shall join you in a bit." Lexy replies. She takes one last look at
the little glade, and smiles. Chances are,t his would be one of th
elast times she will have to truly unwind and relax in a long time.
Well, she knows how to get here again, if she needs to.
Turning her back on the tranquil glade, Lexy leaves it behind, and
begins to retrace her steps, back to the shore and the fire. As she
walks, she takes her instrument apart, slidding it back into it's
protective case. It was nice to play, just for a while.
Her walk back is slower, and she pauses more then once to look at
something of interest. It's nice at times to just take in the sights.
But finaly, she makes her way back to the fire, and rejoins Cyan and Aaron.
"Have you two been good?" she asks, smilling slightly.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Just fine, thank you," Cyan says, making a curry in a pot at the
fire. She sprinkles in some herbs, and grins up at the
woman. Berd, knowing full well Lexy wasn't speaking to HIM,
continues to lie still, staring intently at the pot. For an
instant his tongue flickers out, testing the scent, and he sighs with a
certain draconic satisfaction.
"I expect," the bard continues, going back to her stirring, amethyst
eyes catching the light of the fire, "your day has been
comfortable. Did you have any epiphanies?"
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy settles herself down and chuckles slightly. "No, nothing like
that. Just a little quiet time. I suspect that those will start getting
more and more infrequent as time goes by." she says, sniffing
experimentally at the pot, and then nodding to herself. "Smells good.
What you got cooking?" she asks.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Likely true," Cyan agrees. "Oh, this? Nothing much, I
fear. Merely a curry. My repetoire is sadly lacking."
Berd nods, sagely. "But I make a reasonable curry. My
supply of herbs, though, is beginning to grow thin."
Berd's tail taps her pouch. She nods. "Of course, I could
jaunt home, and grab some...and then return via one of your palanquet.
But I dislike casual use of such things. Who knows what might be
watching? While communication is relatively painless, actual
movement through the worlds might attract attention due to its
disturbance."
Berd sighs, heavily.
"And so. It appears to be the five of us here tonight."
Cyan grins, topaz eyes shining slightly in the firelight.
"Hunter, Kallika, and Jack have deserted us until morning."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I'm not suprised." says Lexy, chuckling slightly. "I'm sure they want to enjoy some time alone as well."
Lexy looks once more to the stew pot, and then back to Cyan. "Well, if
eyes are apon us, then they allready know we are here, I'm sure. I
wasn't exactly subtle in bringing us here, and Aaron's manipulations of
the pattern also serve to advertise our presence. So, if you can think
of anything you need, I can fetch it. Who knows when the nest time we
will have to stock up is?" she says.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Hunter
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hunter, lying so silent and still, is easily forgotten as Cyan and
Aaron make passes at discussion. He relaxes, dozing off and then
twilight descends upon the land. One of the wolf's ears twitch and with
a sigh, he rises.
The great wolf's yellow eyes reflect in the flickering light of the
fire. He looks directly at Cyan and Lexy and shakes his head, No.
He takes a few steps, heading towards the woods that Lexy just walked
out of and pauses to look back with another stern shaking of his head. No.
As he begins to lope into the woods a howl sounds. Not the mournful
wail of a wolf at the moon, nor the distressed call for help, it is
more of an inquiry. Hunter's answer resonates, deeper than the first
call, eagerness and excitment. He pauses again, almost into the woods
and looks back with glittering eyes at the campsite. Another silent
shake of his head, and then the alpha wolf disappears into the forest.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Arianne twanged in his mind. She noted that Hunter left. Keen senses, that woman.
Aaron nearly smacked himself when Lexy noted that his manipulations of
the Pattern would not go unnoticed in the universe at large. He had
been so focused on his own desire to learn, he hadn't even thought of
the consequences. Stupid... but far be it from him to forget such a
thing, and file it away for future rememberance.
He had been thinking upon a few things, and as Lexy mentioned the ability to acquire certain things, Aaron perked up.
"Lexy, if I may make a slight request?" his silver eye flickered in the firelight as the dwindling day grew darker still.
"The clothing I was wearing within my mental state interests me. It's
of a type and cut that the members of the High Protectorate wore on San
Anyn, a fine set of clothing suitable for any type of engagement,
whether social or millitary in nature. I... seem to remember having a
set of such clothing myself, during my saner days." he says, running a
hand through his hair.
"If it wouldn't trouble you, could you procure such an outfit for me? I
would prefer it to... this mass of cloth. I believe it would do my
personality and state of mind well. I could describe it for you, if you
need." Aaron gazes at her with a questioning look. Then with a shake of
the head, he chuckles.
"However, if it's a bother, then don't worry. I'll survive."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan watches Hunter leave, frowning. She had, in her work, nearly
forgotten the big wolf's presence, more used to him following
Kallika. The assumption had been that he had gone with her.
The assumption was incorrect. Yet...how to apologize?
I will simply have to do so when he returns.
Nodding to Lexy, she quickly writes up a small list of herbs, spices,
and supplies in her flowing script, tears it out of the book, and hands
it to the older woman. Listening to Aaron's request, Cyan turns
and stares into the fire. Everyone
reaches for their past, even if it is painful. Lexy rejects it,
but for how long? Jack has accepted his. Kallika...I know
little of hers. Aaron, most definitely, now that he has fully
recalled it.
With a small smile, the Bard stirs the coals again, bringing them back to life under her curry. It is nearly done.
...a little girl's voice, crying out to the shimmering thing fluttering in the air before her..."Bird! Bird!"
The flames flicker as the coals spring to wakefulness.
"The curry is finished."
Berd leaps up and hops over to Cyan's shoulder, glittering in the
firelight. "No, it is not all for you, Berd," the Bard says,
quietly. "Leave some for the others."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy takes the list from Cyan, and looks it over. "I'll do my best."
she says. "This isn't an exact science I'm afraid. It may take some
time. As soon as we are done eating, I'll get to work on this stuff."
She turns her eye to Aaron.
"As for your clothing, that may take a bit of time, depending exactly
where we are in shadow. I'll do my best, but no guarantees."
Lexy takes up a bowl of curry and proceeds to eat with some gusto,
cleaning off several bowls of the stuff before feeling satisfied. One
wouldn't think it by looking at her small frame, but this girl can
definatly pack away the food.
When themeal is finaly done, LExy excuses herself and pulls back a bit
away from the fire. Once there, she finds a comfy spot and calls forth
the twisting entanglement that is the Logrus.
Once she has it summoned to her mind's eye, she proceeds to pull in the
things she needs, extending the Logrus through Shadow, the tendrils
creeping out like shadows behind a setting sun.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Adjusting himself, Aaron too grabbed a bowl and helped himself to the
food at hand. It took him a minute, but he did manage to finish off a
bowl and a half.
"My compliments, Cyan." he says, though his appreciation was enhanced by the small burp that escaped.
"Oh, very polite..."
"You shut up." Aaron retorted, and cleaned out his bowl.
Returning his gaze to Lexy, he watched her carefully, his eyes paying close attention to how the "other half" worked.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy feels the gaze of Aaron apon her, but doesn't allow it to distract
her from her work. She has work to do. Slowly, she continues to extenmd
her tendrils through shadows, looking, searching. Then, one of her
tendrils wraps around something, and Lexy yanks it back in. Moments
later, there is a small whoosh of displaced air, and a packet of some
brown powder lies at Cyan's feet.
Over the next hour, the performance is repeated several times. "We are
a bit out of the mainstream." Explains Lexy as she works. "It takes a
little longer to reach what I want." Bit one by one, the things that
where on the lists are checked off. Aarons clothing, Cyans spices.. and
two fine bottles of brandy.
Lexy's last summon takes the longest of all, and when it's done, she
has a bottle of some thick looking green liquid in front of her, which
she seems quite happy to have.
"Didn't think I'd find any of this." she says, picking up the bottle.
"If anyone is in the mood to try something a little.. different, here
it is." she says, holding up the bottle. Maybe it's a trick of the
fire's flickering flames, but the contents of the bottle seem to be
moving.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Taking the clothes in hand, Aaron runs a practiced hand through the fabric.
"My thanks, Lexy." he says, sounding distracted and far away. Turning, he leaves Cyan and Lexy alone for a few moments.
A few minutes later, he returns.
His dark hair has been brushed back now, away from his eyes, and he
moves his right arm out, moving the long cloak upon his back behind him.
The outfit is almost exactly the same as first appeared in his mental
universe, and it's quite a change from the grungy pants and tunic he
prevoiusly wore. His shirt is a loose fitting piece, with a tight, low,
dark collar and matching cuffs. The pants are of a similar nature,
though more fitting to his form than the shirt. The entire ensemble,
cloak an all, is colored similar to aquamarine, like the blue-green of
the deep sea.
"Much better. The shirt's a little loose, but that's not a complaint."
he smiles and his pleasure is apparent in it. "All it's missing is my
personal symbol, and that's far from necessarry."
His attention is captured by the bottle that Lexy had procured.
"Lexy, just what is that in there?"
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Well, this is fabulous," Cyan says, hefting one of the bottles of
Brandy and looking through it into the fire. "My thanks,
Lexy. Truly a wonderous skill..."
Berd snorts in disgust.
"Quiet, you. And the spices will certainly assist in masking my
sometimes horrid cooking." She quickly pockets the bag before
Berd gets his nose in them. The dragon breathes a cloud of
rainbow smoke, and heads off to the fire.
Cyan's sapphire eyes widen as Aaron returns. "An interesting
outfit, to be certain, Aaron. Rest assured that it suits
you." Nodding faintly, and committing the outfit to memory for
further use in a palanquet Cyan spoons out some curry for herself.
"I second that question, of course," Cyan states, looking at the bottle. "It looks rather...unwholesome."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy smiles and looks through the various things that are layed out
arounf the camp, and finaly scrounges up 3 containers taht will make
suitable glasses.
"Well, this would be something that I found on my travels. It's a
wonderful concotion of various thinsg. The rough translation would be
'Drink of flavors'. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but somehow,
those who brew this take a combination of ingredients, mix them
together, and make a liquere that surpases anything I've ever tried
before. It evaporates the second it hits the tongue, filling your
entire mouth with a virtual siege of flavors."
Carefully, she unscrew the cap and pours the thick green stuff into one
of the glasses. Then, using a finger, she stors it, which changes the
liquid from green to red.
"You have to mix it first. It adapts itself to each drinker, so that no
two people will ever get the exact same flavor combinations." she says.
With the liquid now changed color, Lexy takes a small sip and closes
her eyes. She smiles as she sets the glass down, and lets out a small
sigh.
"Just as good as I remember it." she says, grinning. "Anyone else want some?" she asks, looking around.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Shade
-----------------------------------------------------------
From the forest come the sounds of a mournfuly
eerie howl with an unearthly quality to it. You quickly realize
that the howl is psychic in nature as it sends shivers down your spine.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan pauses. "Perhaps...later." Slowly, she stands, picking
up Kirilindë, but not drawing. "I think that this bears
investigating. Can either of you determine what may be taking
place out there?"
Berd perks up - had he ears, they would be swiveling. Slowly, the
little dragon sits up, then vaults into the air, hovering beside
Cyan. His eyes narrow, and he coughs a small could of burning
gold into the air; it rises up and hovers about thirty feet off the
ground. Rather than being bright and glaring, and thus completely
ruining any night vision the group has developed by sitting around at
the fire, it is soft, muted, complementing rather than overwhelming.
Cyan's hand comes down on her pouch, and returns with her cards. A moment later, and Jack's palanquet snaps out into her fingers, the other cards returned.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy looks up at the 'sound', and frowns. "What the?" she mutters,
looking around. What could that have been? She stands as well, glass
and bottle still in hand.
"I'll see what I can do." she says, looking towards the centre of the
island. The logrus twists before her eyes, and she picks out two
tendrils to sweep the place, looking for Jack and Kali. She picks out
another two to search for the source of the howl they all heard.
"Shouldn't take too long." she says, her vision allready superimpossed with that which the logrus sees.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
The howl fades into total silence. A silence which is soon filled
by the sound of the local wildlife chirping and singing in the
darkness...
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy continues turns to look at the others after a few moments, and frowns slightly.
"I've found Kali..." she begins. "But I don't know where Jack is. He
might have stepped into that fractured Pattern of his. Whatever I'm
seeing, it's Jack, but not Jack." she says. "I don't know if it's
something to worry about or not." she says at last. "I can check on him
of course." she says, looking over her shoulder towards the centre of
the island. "What do you think? Or this could all just be part of the
bonding ceremony I've heard Jack talk about."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
“People change Lexy.”
Jacks voice rings out from the darkness deeper in the tree line, hidden
from the drakes light. It was handy being able to tap Hunters hearing,
through the link. Yes I know love I am being an enigmatic pain in the ass, call it my mischievous nature he sent to Kali as he held her. Then the man steps into the light
from behind a tree the standard knowing smirk on his face. He holds a
tried but happy Kali cradled in his arms contentedly. “Does that help
you any?” He walks into camp setting Kali down, turning he made up a
wide sleeping pallet using blankets and his sleeping bag. I shall
tuck you in my darling, safe and sound to rest. Then eat and join you.
. . Would you like anything to eat before you sleep Lalai?
“Everything okay on the home front?” He asked aloud casually getting
the bed ready for Kalika. Speaking sharing his thoughts with Kali at
the same time.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Can't resist can you? Kali asked Jack at his mischevious behavior. It was not chiding, more amused by his flair for the dramatic.
As Jack enters the light of the others, Kali yawns hugely, giving
everyone a nice look at her delicately pointed teeth. She was so tired
she hadn't been able to shift entirely. After the yawn, she rested her
head against Jack's chest, loving the warmth of him, the strength of
him, and he himself. After she is settled into the nest of bedrolls she
smiles blearily at the others.
"Been a long night" she says by way of explanation. Hunter rolls his eyes So articulate... he says to his bonded as he lies down by Kali's head, his own head facing out, alert for any threats.
Kali frowns a litte, and then yawns again. "I'm sorry... so tired, have
a good night..." Admiration again at Jack's ability to mentally
multitask so well. I'll be ravenous in the morning, but I just need to sleep... sleep and you... and Hunter... the thoughts trail off as the warmth of the fire, the safety of being
with Jack and Hunter collects its due. Unconsciousness swallows Kali as
she falls almost instantly into a deep sleep, her breathing regular and
deep.
While not facing the group, Jack can sense that Hunter's attention is more on them than on the outside world.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan laughs, a little nervously. "Well, then...it is good that
everything went as planned. I become a trifle worried at eerie,
spiritual howling, is all." She smiles, then sits down by the
fire again. "Best that we keep it quiet, in any case."
Taking the food right off the fire, Cyan shrugs. "Everything is
as well as might be, Jack." Ruby eyes catch the light, oddly,
then fade as the bard looks out into the darkness. "As well as
might be," she whispers quietly, then goes back to reducing the flames
to hot coals - giving warmth, but little light.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
I can never resist drama lalai. . .Jack does the equivalent of a soft mental murmur though Kali is asleep. He softly brushes her hair into place before arising. Sleep well my dear. He would join her soon enough, right now he must eat his body screaming
for lots of food. He let the shakes from low blood sugar show through
now that she rested.
Though he stands after
Cyan has turned away from the fire, the darkness means so little
to him anymore. It no longer hinders his vision any as he looked at the
people around him. They were now hopefully a proper group, and now
there was a pack within the group. “Ruby eye’s Cyan?” he can see them
clearly in the night as if it were day, every expression. “I am tired
an my mind is addled, I do not remember what that means. Yet I believe
though it is not as bad as the diamond eyes, I think it means you are
less than thrilled. What’s the matter?” He speaks softly in the
darkness that had settled in. “Also forgive me but I am simply
starving, is there any of that food left? I need food. . . Lot’s of
food before I sleep. Is there any left?”
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, Jack," Cyan says, an odd smile on her face as her eyes flash like
topaz, "you try to ferret out my secrets...but you will find them like
smoke, unable to grasp, for I know them not." She shakes her
head, still stirring the curry despite it being off the fire. It
might still stick to the pot.
"I cannot see my eyes, and cannot tell you what they might mean.
Berd has attempted to keep track of them, for an entire month,
and...well, our success was less than stellar. Certain colours,
of course, are more common than others. Blues, greens, purples,
yellows and reds...they are merely my mood, with the blues and greens
being the most common. 'At rest', I suppose." Berd offers
an amused snort, at that, and she smacks him on the snout. "The
purples, yellows and reds, well...they indicate a heightened interest,
shall we say. In what way, well, that might vary with my mood,
again, though assuming red to be a colour of annoyance...well, in some
places I have been, red is considered peaceful. But it could
merely mean nothing at all."
She grins, suddenly. "I seek not to confuse - it confuses me, as
well. At times, I suspect it changes at random. At other
times, not. Only a few shades of jewels or stone are of definite
significance, and you have hit upon one with your comment. When I
grow angry, very angry, they may become as volcanic stone - the black
glass. When I am extremely pleased, or...well, sometimes they
might shift to being as opals. And the diamond...."
The bard shakes her head. "That has nothing to do with
anger. Empty of colour at first glance, but carrying them all in
a shimmering mixture under the light...broken and refracted." She
shivers.
"Bad, as you say."
Quickly, she hands to bowl to Jack. "And yes, as you see, there
is plenty of food left." A quick smile graces her features, then
it is gone.
"Those of my world are as you." Cyan shrugs. "For a time, I suspected the influence of palanquet, but then Kendric, while...odd," she says with some distaste, "did not have similar eyes."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack shoveled the curry down his
gullet ravenously “Naw,” He says trying to speak around a mouth full of
food. “I’m-“ He swallowed “I’m not trying to ferret out nothing, I’m
trying to say you seem tense and on edge, without saying it. Didn’t
work so well.” He shoveled another spoon full of the yellow muck in his
mouth. “Murph. . . So what's eating you? By the way, I heard that you
finished my card, thanks bard.” His words were muffled around the food
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You know, at some time between stuffing your face and chatting, you
have to take a moment to breathe." remarks Lexy lightly. Her eyes watch
Jack, and though they do not hold the color changing ability of Cyan,
they do show a definate interest.
"What happened Jack?" she asks him, curious.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
The bowl already empty, Jack moves to
refill it licking his lips clean before wiping his chin on an arm to
make certain all was clean. “I’m sorry, the changes make me so
hungry. As I told Kail I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.” He
apologizes for his rude behavior. “I’m still getting used to all of
this, but I’ll tell you what I can. We went out into the hub of the
Island, racing and having fun. Talked for a while and then went through
the bonding ritual.” He shrugged “Any words I give it would never do it
justice. It was that spectacular in a quiet way.” His deep blue eyes
held a far off look while he spoke about it. “Then the tree of us
came back romping and having fun, it is so great I just don’t know what
to say.” The smile spread into a broad grin at the memory and you could
hear the awe in his voice.
“Why, did I miss something?” He asks
honestly “What’s the matter guys?" There was a note of concern in
his voice.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Miss something?" Aaron finally speaks from his point by the fire. The
mere alteration of his form of dress seems to have heightened his
spirits, and his own senses of attention to the world around him, quite
a bit.
"He's attentive to even the lady Cyan's hint of eye
color, yet that odd psychic howl, and even your change of dress, go
unnoticed, Lord Aaron." Arianne speaks, and a small laugh is
hinted at the end of her statement. The silver hilt poking over Aaron's
right shoulder shudders slightly.
Aaron flips his own bowl end over end in his hand, grasping it out of
the air, practicing swift-of-hand games with it, seeing how far the
bowl can fall before he yanks it back into his grasp. As he watches,
the brown eye is amused, but the silver eye seems intent on Jack...
almost staring in comparison.
"Perhaps not unnoticed, dear Arianne. Yet to me, your distraction is
understandable, eh Jack? You must have gone through quite a change in
the past few hours."
A final toss of the bowl, and he sets it in his lap, leaning forwards and patient for an answer to his statement.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Hunter
-----------------------------------------------------------
The great wolf's ear twitches. This was boring and due to his
unexpected nap while Jack and Kali needed alone time, Hunter wasn't
tired. He sighs, puff of dust coming to life before him and he rises
and pads silently over to Jack's side.
The great wolf sits regally there and watches the others alertly, eyes finally settling on Aaron. Not sure if I like that one. He smells different and can work magic, like an ulez he comments silently to Jack, eyes still on Aaron while images of the
the Amberite constructing the sand fortress come to the wolf's mind,
and through their link, to Jack's.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Finished, yes. I shall get it out, allow you to have a look at it."
Cyan is glad that the discussion has fallen far afield from her
emotions. These ones aren't the business of any but herself, and
she'd rather they not be aired for dissection by the group. As
they have nothing, directly, to do with their quest, it's likely best
kept to herself.
She silently hands the bowl of curry over to Jack to allow him seconds
as he speaks. With a shrug, the Bard hunts through her pack,
coming up with another bowl she fills with more of the stewish food,
and places it on the ground near Hunter. "Sorry about missing you
before," Cyan whispers, emerald eyes meeting emerald eyes. She
doesn't know if the wolf understands, but has to try.
Berd, for his part, sits on her pack, as far away from Hunter as he can, while still appearing undisturbed.
While Aaron plays games with his bowl, spinning it in the air, and Lexy
questions, Cyan sits back against her pack, Berd crawling onto her
shoulders, and watches carefully. She isn't certain exactly what Ilsefravnir is getting at, nor Aaron, but at the Amberite words closes her eyes,
obviously still awake but deep in thought. The light of the fire
reddens her cheeks as she sits, silent. One hand flips through
Cyan's pack of cards, locating Jack's by touch, and pulls it out, to
snap it between fingers and hold it out towards the man. Berd
hums appreciatively, and nods once, eyes glittering in the darkness.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
I swear Hunter, one little howl and people start looking at you funny. Jack sent through the link Now I understand how wolves got such a bad rap. He laughed a wry sardonic mental laughter. Hmmm you don’t say, a sand castle? Thanks for the info big guy, I’m still trying to be certain of him myself.
At the same time that Jack is
mentally conversing with Hunter, he lets himself banter casually with a
small part of his attention. “The howl Arianne? It’s a free world and
wolves can howl, of course I heard it I was part of it. As for Aaron’s
fashion successes or Faux pas, they are his I would not dream of
commenting. Now the good bards eyes and manners, much as Aaron’s ,
Lexy’s and your own show the emotion and feel of the group. I am more
concerned with that than I am a howl in the wilds or Aaron’s
attire.” He teased the sword with a smile.
He turned that friendly smile on Aaron,
“Yes the night was a little over whelming, but not so much as I did not
notice. Just dealing with the important things first, people and their
feelings. What bout your self, what’s up with you bro?” Jack started in
on the second bowl scarfing it quickly as he listened to the responses.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Hunter
-----------------------------------------------------------
Just wait until they catc.. see you with blood in your mouth, or a piece of fur. Then the real fun starts, Princeling the alpha male replies easily, laughter coloring the sending.
After Cyan places down the food with meaningless words, Hunter sniffs
the bowl delicately and tries to keep a straight face. He had forced
himself to eat cooked food before, at the Gatherer's world, out of
courtesy, but he had already eaten and the cooked mush was less than
appetizing. He looked at Jack, and then fixed steady yellow eyes on
Berd. Please thank her for the offer, but I prefer my food... fresh a small but well fed rabbit-like animal fleeing for its life, teeth
ripping through flesh and hot blood pouring down your throat. A graphic
image to get his point across. After long moments of staring at the
little dragon, Hunter smiles in a lupine way and then looks up at Jack, You need this more than I do and then he nudges the bowl towards Jack with his nose.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan shrugs when Hunter ignores the food, pushing it towards Jack. Well, I guess the spices are a little too much...at least, I hope that that is it.
The dragon on her shoulder turns to look, to find Hunter staring at
him. The image he displays is shocking, to be true, but oddly,
given his former wariness of the wolf, the little dragon does not
flinch. Instead, his glittering eyes thin to razor lines of light
on his head, and lips twist, without showing teeth. Definitely a
smile, not a snarl. The image is accepted without reply, the
little dragon's mind as shuttered as Hunter's has been in the past.
Sitting back, Cyan opens one of the bottles of brandy, and pours a
small cup for herself, her amber eyes nearly matching the colour of the
liquid. A taste, and a raise of the cup to Lexy. "Well
found, Lexy. A fine taste to it." Listening to Jack banter
with Aaron and Ilsefravnir,
the bard stares moodily into the flames for a short time. Berd
lifts his head, and bites her ear, carefully. She nods,
once. "I know. Leave be, Berd," the red-haired woman
murmurs quietly while the men talk.
Important things. Feelings. Jack seemed to be in a
fine mood, and why not? Aaron, too, and Lexy, though the other
woman was very quiet. Kallika, of course, was sleeping.
Perhaps I should follow suit.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy continues to sit where she is, silent and observing. So far, she's
been very interested by what's she's seen, and has noted the lack of
any concrete answers from Jack. She takes up her cup once more and sips
at the contents. She's still wary of Jack, and it shows by the way she
watches him. Another sip of her drink, and she continues to watch Jack.
"So, you, Kalika and Hunter are all joined now? Some sort of triad
thing? What's it like?" she asks, continueing to watch the man
carefully.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan sits up, frowning. "This is...odd." Berd, on her
shoulder, opens his eyes all the way. The Bard stares into the
fire, with an expression of surprise on her face. "Someone is
attempting to contact me, using a palanquet. Most curious - aside from Kendall's, I had not known another existed of me, though it is not impossible...."
After all, Kendell's had to have come from SOMEWHERE. Something that Cyan has forgotten, until now.
Slowly she stands, picking up her sword, but leaving it in its
sheath. Pausing, she glances around the group with her emerald
gaze. "If you would prepare yourselves...it might be best if I
opened myself to the contact. Should something go wrong, it would
be none too difficult for you to assist me in breaking the contact."
On her shoulder, Berd settles himself.
OOC - I will await feedback.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
With a chuckle, Aaron leans back on his palms, sitting cross-legged before the fire.
"Arianne's questions were merely a test of your attentions, Jack. Pay
her no mind." He heard her huff in the back of his head. Better to
humor her later.
"As for my more recent ministrations regarding certain reality-altering
powers, yes, I've been practicing with the Pattern. Nothing very major.
I was simply trying to get back in touch with it. I'm pleased to say
that I can at least grasp my abilities now, and should more than likely
be able to take us through Shadow..." he trails off as his attentions
focus on Cyan.
He was about to ask her what was wrong, but she got it out before the
question could be posed. Aaron felt Arianne "rise" in his head, as if
she had been sitting in the first place.
"Prepare ourselves, indeed. We're behind you here, Cyan" came his
response as he stood and adjusted himself accordingly, speaking for
both he and Arianne.
Aaron focused himself inwardly, preparing his mind, and he felt Arianne
mimic him... felt the psychic forces of the sword as she apparently
prepared another of her mental shields, like shimmering bricks building
up one after the other. She sent images to him of what to do, in case
such a thing would be required, and despite some amusing, but unasked,
questions, he responded in the affirmative.
"Let's see what we've got here."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Ilsefranvir
-----------------------------------------------------------
She had huffed. Pay her no mind... indeed. She'd give him such a headache, he'd write stories about it.
Yet Arianne was enjoying the conversations, and despite her psychic
attentions towards the rest of the group, was in a relaxed mood. She
felt that, since these people had helped the Lord Aaron so deeply, she
at least owed them that much, and so kept her mental eye on each one of
them. Especially Cyan and Jack. Two opposites when it came to mental
power.
While her powers were limited only to the psychic shielding that the magic of the Sjardring could produce, and her own mental senses, using Aaron as a channel when
he was mentally connected to others increased those powers somewhat.
She had gained strength since she had been completely unlocked, and as
she tested her abilities more and more, was optimistic about other
types of power that could come about in the future.
Arianne caught the subtle change in Cyan seconds before Aaron rose, and
sensing the surprise in Aaron, already began to manifest a psychic
barrier. She was designated as Aaron's protector, and she thought of
him first and foremost, but she sent ideas for the man to use the
barrier to protect Cyan as well. Jack could defend himself
substantially, and Arianne doubted that Kalika and Lexy required
assistance in such things. But Arianne alone remembered exactly how
Aaron became infected with that insanity, and she would shatter and die
before she let another like Jadelynn harm someone she knew. Even
remotely.
Her time of relaxation had ended, and Ilsefranvir prepared herself accordingly.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack had been about to reply to Lexy when
Cyan spoke. He stepped and stepped over to her changing to shadow
form as he moved. The shadows folding up around him, he became one with
Cyan’s shadow to make contact with her. . “Don’t worry, I am only going
to lend you my strength Just in case.” And he does just that, not
trying to read her, simply leading her his mental will. Ready to use a
power word if things went bad.
He thinks for a moment about waking Kali, yet he does not want to disturb her. Lalai, we may have a problem. Are you awake? He asked softly through the link. .
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan grins. "I will wager that, in this arena, I am far more
skilled than any in this place, unless another here has knowledge of palanquet they have been holding back. Nevertheless...I am glad that all of
you will be ready - I know my limits, and am no master of this.
As for keeping contact, please be careful. Rather, prepare yourselves to contact me. Berd and I will muster our own methods
of defense, but he and I will certainly ask for assistance should it be
required." Her smile is strained. "I am not too proud to
accept aid when my mind is being pulverized."
She looks back as Jack enters her shadow. "How...peculiar."
His mental touch on her mind is there, but only lightly. Enough
to gauge the situation - she approves. Jack, however, finds it
more than a little difficult to maintain a 'grip' - Cyan's mind has
become a twisting, shifting structure, parts of it appearing and
disappearing seemingly at random, while walls of her own psychic force,
buttressed with surprising strength by what can only be Berd, are
quickly rising. Though they are not of the strength that he, or
Aaron, could muster, they are, indeed, much more impressive than the
average world-dweller.
Once Lexy and Kallika have readied themselves, should Kallika be awake, Cyan opens herself up to the contact.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Hunter
-----------------------------------------------------------
Hunter snorts at Jack. She has just fallen asleep, it will take more than that to wake her. Mischeviousness plays in his thoughts as he bounds over and leaps onto Kali, his heavy form hitting hers solidly. Wakey, wakey!! he says to her gleefully.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali is abruptly awakened and reacts defensively to Hunter's little
joke. She rolls to one side, seeking to get him off of her stomach, one
clawed hand coming up to rake an ugly set of gashes across the face of
her attacker. The claws melt away midstrike and she punches the wolf
soundly in the snout, earning a surprised and painful yelp from the
wolf. It is a very un-alpha like sound.
Kali rises, leaving Hunter to lay in the warm comfort of the blankets,
and sways a bit, catching her balance and fully coming to her senses.
Her long silver hair is loose and puffed out like a metallic cloud,
yellow eyes rapidly waking up and not looking very happy. Her clothes
are dishevled and she is frowning. She looks to Jack. She is unhappy
with Hunter, whose pride is hurt more than his snout, not at the
situation.
"What's going on?" she asks aloud while bending to retrive her sword.
Lethargy still drags at her, but the adrenaline rush from Hunter's
stunt is keeping her alert for the time being.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Lexy
-----------------------------------------------------------
Lexy prepares defenses in her own way, comanding the writhing form of
the Logrus to her, ready to strike out as neccesary. Yes, she's had
experience with trumps, and not all of them plesent. The Loggrus may
not be useful aaginst the trump contact, but there had to be someone on
the other side. And the Logrus could find that other person if needed.
Lexy satnds and lays her hand on Cyan's other shoulder, her own mind sharp and ready, capable to lend what assistance she can.
"Kalika, Cyan has received a Trump contact from an unknown source, one
that even Cyan isn't sure of. Prepare yourself, for this may just get
ugly, though we have no way of knowing."
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Jack
-----------------------------------------------------------
Jack had known it was probably
not enough to wake her up and had been tanking, half wanting her wake
and ready and half wanting to let her sleep. Now that she was up it was
best to have her clear headed and ready instead of groggy. He broke
contact with Cyan and said to Kali across the link Kali Lievz! the revitalization powerword to ensure she was fully charged at least for the initial contact.
Lexy, is correct Kali we have company, just be ready. Then he resumed his mental guard of Cyan
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Kalika Wolfblade
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kali straightens as if struck by a bolt. Energy courses through her,
chasing off chains of lethargy that weighted on her. At first she is
confused and doesn't understand what happened, but then knows it comes
from Jack and is thankful.
She draws her sword and drops the sheath as it is unattached to her
belt. She hooks her wild hair behind her ears, not really doing much to
improve the way that it looked, but it did keep it out of her face. Her
expression is serious, not unhappy, and her emotions have changed to
reflect this as well. Silently claws extend from the hand not holding
the sword and unseen to the others, her teeth shift to the sharp, meat
tearing canines of a wolf.
Hunter rises and takes a defensive stance near Aaron. Kali's eyes flicker to Jack's shadowy form. Thank you for...whatever that was she smiles at him and then looks at Cyan, taking a relaxed posture,
sword held up and at the ready. She is calm, muscles ready to react to
what may come.
"I am ready" she says.
===========================================================
Re: Darkness falls by Cyan
-----------------------------------------------------------
Cyan nods, noting Kallika's calm, relaxed stance, able to flow rapidly
to do whatever she requires. It's a far cry from the tension
filling the air around the Bard from the others. She smiles,
faintly - she didn't need any reminder that the woman was far more
skilled and prepared for sudden violence than the others, but it
helped, sometimes, to know who had your back.
Aaron, Ariane, Jack, Hunter, Kallika, Lexy. Her bard's mind settled them in a file, alphabetically.
And, of course, Berd. But then, he was always out of order.
"Very well," she says quietly, and opens her mind to the contact.
"Good evening," the bard says, apparantly to the empty air.
===========================================================
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