Part 50d: Betrayals

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50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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The guards move, pushing out into a larger circle, giving the General, and the stranger he faces, a little more space.  Their attention though, turns in towards the centre of the circle.

The wizard signals to two of his own guards, and between the three of them they carry the section of Broken God to the edge of the circle, where they push back into the gathering crowd.  More troops are moving in now, attracted by the commotion - they're in an army encampment, awaiting orders, any activity is a welcome distraction.

The two Archons, temporarily freed of their obligation to defend their beloved General, move outwards, and higher, growling as they move above the heads of the audience, discouraging interference...

Higher still, clouds are gathering, as another storm, a real one this time rolls in across the broad valley.  Not here yet, but soon...

The two face each other...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by The Warrior in Jet and Gold
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Realizing that James does not plan on initiating, the Warrior nods once, then shifts forward.  Despite the armor, despite the size of the blade, his movements are deceptively quick: a light tap to Fangmir's tip to bring it just off the line and then a lunge, the point of his own blade lancing forward to threaten James' chest.  Just the point, mind.  At no time does the Warrior commit too much, bring himself close enough to be grabbed, push himself so off balance that were James to lunge for his legs he could not counter with the unearthly blade.

In the crowd, soldiers whisper and money of all different sorts changes hands.

The attacks continue, should James not respond.  Deft, sure blows that never bring the Warrior off his balance or carry him too close.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron frowned and spat, spinning Ilse and sheathing her behind him. He turned his back on the two fighters then, crossing his arms before his chest and awaitng the inevitable result.

"Go to Hell, James." he whispered.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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The General opens with a simple beat attack.  James parries 'sixte' just barely in time.  The General is deceptively quick under all that armour.  James ripostes, more to force the General to recover than anything else, and side-steps.

James continues to fight defensively.  The General inadvertently assists him in this.  Fangmir's unusual size and the General's unwillingness to close allows James to operate just outside a true fighting distance.  Ultimately, it's a losing strategy as James' foe proves himself time and again to be a better swordsman.  But each engagement buys James a bit more information about his opponent and Berd a bit more travelling time.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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In the makeshift arena, the two men face off against each other, while thunder rumbles an accompaniment across the distant hills.

Both fight cautiously at first, and many of the spaectators start jeering at James, "Look at yer!  Yer fights like a dressmaker 'stead of a soldier!"  Hardly fair, considering the General is fighting just as carefully, but the audience could not, really, be referred to as "impartial".

The thunder grows louder as the duel continues, though many of the troops don't notice, too tied up in their own noise.  David, though, is notably silent, eyes turned more often towards the gathering clouds than towards the fight.

Left and Right still hang above the crowd, attention drawn to the battle, even though they are ordered to stay out of it.  They edge slightly nearer, despite the fact that their senses would show them the fight, in detail, from anywhere in the camp.  Something there is in the clash of blade against blade that almost mesmerises them.

Then it happens, a stroke of lightning reaches down to touch the earth on a hilltop close outside the camp perimeter.  The thunder roars, and even the most focussed of the watchers has his attention snatched away for a moment...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by The Warrior in Jet and Gold
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The Warrior ignores the cries and insults from the camp - no matter at whom they are directed, they are merely noise.  Unimportant.  His concentration is set upon analyzing his opponant.  Fangmir is long, heavy, and the ease at which James handles it bespeaks of strength.  And yet he fights defensively.  He gives ground.  If this is indeed a trap, set up by James and the others...if Berd is possibly on his way, even now...then James may very well be -

"Stalling."  The General shifts his stance, takes the hilt in both hands.  "As you wish, James."

There is a fallacy that fencing styles will always defeat the crude, brutal fighting of heavy blades by dint of superior speed and timing.  Those who state such axioms have never seen a master at work.  The Warrior's patterns are tight and quick, despite the power they hold.  His timing is outstanding, his defense an obsidian wall.  And now his cuts and thrusts, driven by the new grip, the new mechanics of motion, come with greater power to force attention.  It is one thing to trade a light thrust to the shoulder for an outer forearm wound.  It is quite another to lose the arm at the elbow while sneaking in that thrust.

This is not brute power - this is speed, finesse, and strength, all mating with that almost prescient sense of timing to create a web of burning edges that now cuts more deeply into James' defenses.  The trial period, it seems, is over.

And neither does the General stand still, or shuffle about - he moves, he quicksteps, he bobs and weaves with the attacks, in and out, back and forth.  And no motion is wasted.  His footwork is outstanding, and the armored figure attempts to force James into a retreat, shifting his own position to prevent and even anticipate attempts to sidestep or circle.

"No more warmup time, James," the Warrior rasps in the silent wake of the lightning strike, voice tight.  "You will have to lift your game after all."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance studied the echange with some trepedition. James proved to be a better swordsman than Chance would ever be, yet the general looked like he could dance circles around James if he cared to do so. That didn't look good for James, yet the fact that James still lived carried some meaning. Hopefully, the general wanted James alive, too.

He let his arm rest on the guitar, his fingers flat against the strings.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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James works hard to lift his game.  All he needs do is hold his ground and close the fighting distance until the General comes within arms reach, but time and again he finds himself beaten back.  The time will soon come for desperate tactics, worse, the General surely knows the same thing, but James is determined to give Berd every opportunity.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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The two men fight, and more and more attention is drawn to them.  Word spreads through the camp that the General is involved in a duel, and men flood to join the circle around the combat, desperate to see this.

Somebody has lasted more than a few heartbeats against their General.

James circles away, avoiding the burning black sword, while still seeking an opportunity to strike somehow, to turn the battle to his advantage.  And still Chance and Aaron stand by, seemingly doing nothing to help either side.

And then the rain sweeps in across the camp, cold and brutally heavy, hammering against the General's armour like the pounding beat of a drum, and the ground underfoot becomes slippery morass...  Left and Right become whirling clouds of spray as the downpor splashes against their revolving forms, and the men in the crowd huddle down into coats and cloaks in a vain attempt to gain shelter.  But still their eyes are fixed on the duel...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by The Warrior in Jet and Gold
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James is holding him, surprisingly well.  Under his helm, the General grins.  And the tempo increases.  The heavy blade picks up the pace, then varies it, then drops it completely.  Rhythm shatters to pieces - there is no 'beat' to follow, no 'pace' one can predict.  It's a page from the Book of Five Rings brought to life.

Simultaneously, the General lowers his stance slightly.  Mobility is a touch impaired, but not seriously, and stability doubles.  The heavy armor becomes a blessing in this weather, anchoring every step more securely with campaign boots made for less-than-perfect circumstances.  And still the General moves to cut off James' circling, still he presses forward to push James into a retreat.  But his blade is ready against a grab, a punch, or even a kick.  The message is clear - if an attempt at a grapple succeeds it will do so at brutal cost.

Perhaps there are small openings beginning to show in the Warrior's defenses - after all, how can one step up their assault without leaving gaps?

A hiss rises over the drumming of the rain, and steam rises from the black blade with the burning edge.  Streaks of it form a mist around the two combatants as drops are sliced in twain and vaporized by the hot metal.  It's easy to follow where the Warrior's sword has been, by the trails of light and steam.  It's harder to predict where it will go.

Something has to give, and it's going to give soon.  The earth beneath their feet, torn by the passage of many boots over this area, is turning into a swamp.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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James is running out of space.  He has no doubt that those on the edge of the circle will be less than forgiving if he comes within reach, though in truth all they would need do is block further backwards movement, the General needs no more help.

But there is a gap, there...and again.  The General drops his wrist slightly before recovering from his attacks.  An unconscious flaw or a lethal trap?  James has few options left but to chance it.  As he parries the latest flurry of blows James plants his feet as firmly as possible in the mud and, rather than riposte, he fleches.

Rushing forwards, James leads with Fangmir.  The General's lower stance reduces the chances of barrelling him off his feet, but it also reduces the General's chance of dodging away.  With any luck, the General will bring his blade across to parry, opening the way for James to go for a hold.  If he doesn't James is dead, but Fangmir, too, will find its mark.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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The heavy blade swings back, but not to parry.  Instead it reaches past Fangmir as the General ducks, lightning fast.  James' sword glances off a pauldron, and bangs against the side of the helm.  While the General's heavier weapon bites deep into Jame's arm, sliding through the muscle of the forearm, from wrist to elbow, and forcing him back.

The two men separate, James dripping blood from his right arm, while the crowd roars its approval, the General shaking his head.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by The Warrior in Jet and Gold
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The soldiers cry out at the display, then fall silent after the exchange of blows, and the General's voice carries clearly over the hiss of the rain.  "Better than I expected - caught me in my feint."  The Warrior's vision isn't fully obscured - his sword flicks out at James, warding him off while the General struggles with his heavy helm.  It doesn't seem to sit properly anymore.

Finally he gives up.  "Strap," he says quietly, sword still at the ready.  And his voice changes, rising in pitch, the intonation and flow altogether different.  "And this, James, is why I myself detest heavy armor.  Still, needs must."

His gauntleted hand reaches over the helm to grip it on the opposite side.  Muscles strain as the Warrior in Jet and Gold wrenches hard and fast.  A snap, and the remaining strap gives away, the helm spinning off to land in the mud at his feet...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Cyan
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...and then the heavy, armored gauntlet drags back copper hair, hair growing even more damp by the second.  The grin on the face brims with a certain satisfied mischief, but the pleasure only barely reaches the eyes.  The same shade as that of the blade the Warrior holds, they absorb the light like dark pools.

"Hello, James."  Cyan cocks her head to the side and studies her opponent with pitch-black, obsidian eyes.  "We never did get that spar in, did we?"  She's older.  Perhaps by a year, perhaps two, but there is a maturity to her still-youthful features that was not present before.  She gives Aaron a quick glance over her shoulder, as if checking the distance, then her attention returns to James.

"Care to do this for real, now?  No more holding back?" she inquires, and without moving a muscle something changes in her stance.  Holes in her defenses close up, and her prepared angle of attack is no longer even remotely apparent.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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The sun rises for the second time that day, but in the south.  A blinding golden light on a hilltop beyond the camp's perimeter, below the storm clouds.  An Archon voice howls, + HE'S HERE.  DEFEND THE GENERAL! +

The rain slams down now, with a force which drives many of the men to their knees, sheer weight of water pummeling them into submission.  Aaron and Chance are momentarily forgotten by the men close to them.

The Archons move... one blocking James, + APOLOGIES, BUT WE MUST... CUT THIS SHORT.  OTHER PRIORITIES HAVE ARISEN. +

+ GENERAL, THE DRAGON IS HERE! +

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron merely glanced behind him, his breath exhaling with a sigh. He nodded slightly, a small smile playing at his lips.

"My desires remain, as do my intentions. You have nothing to fear from me, 'General,'" he said, and finally turned back around to face both Cyan and James. "My loyalties are where they always were."

His look was serious, but focused, his eyes gauging the distance between himself and Cyan, and then between he and James. Possibly, possibly...

My loyalties lie with me alone... but possibly with you, if you are still you... and if I'm not dead to it already...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd's arrival, meant to shock and disorient any opposition, yet keep from the range of the Broken God until he can assess the situation, is quite brilliant - physically speaking.  Meredith and her companion are now within a sphere of clear area that defies the rain.  Able to visually observe, the little dragon stares down with an avian predator's eyes, focusing on the drama below.  The General's psychic barrier is no longer a factor.  But, surprisingly, his attention is first snared by something other than the General's face.

Deathiron!

Raw terror surges across the bridging for an instant, the fear for James palpable.  Strategies fall asunder at the sight, and Berd begins to recalibrate his plans on the fly.  Immediately he opens up a dialogue to James, and their tenuous link grows into a full bridging - James does not need to devote any concentration to it, leaving him free to defend or attack.

James, you face Gurthang, the Iron of Death.  I cannot -  And Berd breaks off as he sees who, exactly, holds the Deathiron.

The little dragon reels in the air, his hydra-mind stunned.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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Fortunately, pain, on occasion, focuses the mind wonderfully and James manages to maintain a degree of composure.

"Hello Cyan.  Well, we have now, but I'll have to pass on your kind offer.  We've already demonstrated who's the better swords...person - and I prefer to stay alive."

Without taking his eyes off the General, James calls over his shoulder.
"Look into her eyes, Aaron.  Looks like she beat me to hell."

Berd!  Focus!  Get us out of here!

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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James whip-like response cracks across the bridging, jolting Berd from his shock.  I hear...and obey, James.

Between the Barrier and Gurthang, the Warrior (it cannot be Cyan, it cannot) is invulnerable to anything Berd might swiftly prepare.  Berd knows it might only be seconds before the hammer of the Broken God falls upon him or James, walling them off from easy escape.

He chooses his targets.

Meredith - if you have any means to assist, I suggest you use it now!  And he shows her his plan.

A swift swoop, carrying her and her companion, to enter range.  Then a spiritual snatch of three targets - James, Aaron, and Chance, culminating in a dive into the Underflow.

The General is warded from physical threats and spiritual ones.  I cannot distract...her, but neither can she assault us with anything but her blade.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Cyan
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Another smile, now dazzlingly bright even in the rain, and this one is directed over her shoulder at Aaron.  "Thank you, Aaron.  Truly."  Oddly enough, there is a hint of relief in her tone.

But the smile fades at James' words, anger and frustration building in its stead.  "'Beat you to hell'?"  Her voice lowers and the gauntlets tighten on Gurthang's hilt.  "I have yet to start, James."  The edge is back in her tone, and she steps forward.  "I have a bone to pick, and since Aaron has been so good as to reconsider his allegience, I am forced to turn to you."  Now her voice rises, almost cracking, and hurt betrayal echoes in her words.  "How could you let him do it again?!"

Gurthang comes up, steam boiling from the crimson edges...and the danioti swoop to come between.  At their words Cyan steps back from James, the sword coming up between her and the light flaring upon the ridge.  "BERD!" she screams in fury.

"LIAR!"

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance cringed as the sword bit into James. Not fatal, he realized, but still enough to slow him down. That would be the turning point in the battle. He couldn't help feel sorry for James, the only one who had decided to stand up to the general rather than go with the flow. It would probably go better for James than it would for the Chance, really. There was only so far he could go at the general's side.

But then, the battle stops, and the warrior makes her revelation. Pieces click into place and Chance curses himself for not seeing it earlier. Of all the possibilities he'd considered, this was farthest from it. The warrior had shown uncanny knowledge and understanding of their group, except for Chance and Meredith. He should have constructed a timeline, but it didn't make sense until now. No, he couldn't have guessed this, never.

Then, Berd is there, and Chance is ready for that. He's been ready for this. This was where he'd make his stand, no matter where the pieces fell after. Should Berd fail to get them out, it would be torture and worse, but that didn't matter compared to doing the right thing.

As soon as the dragon is there, Chance's hand lifts casually from the guitar, up to shoulder level.

"James," he calls out in a calm, practiced voice. "Grab her." Of Berd's limitations or the general's defenses, he knew nothing. He only knew that an army without a head is much less effective. He'd seen for hours that everything revolved around her, and he meant to take out that keystone. No matter who she might be, or might have been.

First the distraction; keep them from giving too many orders; keep them off balance.

He brings his hand down sharply, striking the guitar's strings. Except, instead of a cacophony of harsh guitar sound, a deafening peal of thunder cracks with jarring force, as if a massive bolt of lightning had struck the ground right there where Chance stood.

In the overall scheme, he didn't suppose it would do much, except give him room to maneuver. It might distract others, or disrupt orders, but mostly it was meant to create chaos and give him that precious little room.

Even before the echoes of the sonic boom fade, his clothes flutter as if hit with a sudden burst of wind. As they flutter, they change quickly. Cloth and silk becomes hard metal, jet and gold. The chest swirls and takes on the image on the general's chest. The collar slides up over his head and hardens into the same helm the general had worn moments earlier. In a matter of moments, Chance is a close replica of the Warrior in Jet and Gold- in appearance only.

As the armor is changing, so is the guitar, the weapon. It remains long, but turns to black. Strings, fingerboard, frets, bridge and so forth all vanish into the emerging shape of a hand and a half sword, mimicking the general's weapon.

Even as they're changing, Chance is striding forward. Cowboy boots changing into black combat sollerets as they stomp through the mud. He can feel the added weight press down on him, but it's overall still surprisingly light, not much worse than his clothes. The shape is just a special effect- but he uses it well.

He can't mimic the general's voice perfectly, but he's studied the general the entire time they've been together. Using his best imitation of the voice, he yells out, "Hold your fire. Stand down." At best, it might be no more than a moment's distraction. He'd seen how well disciplined and prepared the army was. He couldn't hide that he'd drawn attention to himself with a clap of thunder moments earlier. He could only hope the confusion and shock hid the change somewhat. Perhaps it might only save him a few arrow bolts. Mostly, it covered his whole body and that was what mattered to him right now.

He draws toward the general; he uses his best imitation of the general's step and mannerisms. In a lower voice that still tries to come close to the one he'd heard earlier, he says, "Not a move, girl."

How many in the camp had seen her face? Did she always wear the helm? Should he be using her voice instead of the masculine, altered one? It didn't matter. He'd studied the male voice, so he used the male voice. It was a ploy of hesitation, not total deception.

He wasn't using a combat stance. That would betray his prowess, or lack of it. Instead, he was open but at arms length. He counted on the fact that any move towards him would leave her back or side open to James. He also counted on his armor to be as tough as it always had been.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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Chance is fast... but so are the Archons.  One had been already blocking James' path, making it extremely difficult for him to get closer to Cyan, the other drops around the General, around Cyan, so that she is contained within a fence of whirling metal.

+ COME NO CLOSER, OR WE WILL SEE WHETHER YOUR ARMOUR IS AS STRONG AS THE GENERAL'S, OR JUST A PALE IMITATION. +

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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Everything seems to freeze then... at least as far as the main protagonists are concerned.  The rain continues to lash the camp, and thunder and lightning hammer across the sky in an almost continuous barrage.

And the shadows seem to flow across the ground as a light, bright as a piece of the sun, hurtles closer...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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(This post takes place moments after Chance's action and prior to the freezing of consistent reality...)

Cyan yelled the Truth as she sighted Berd, Aaron grinding his teeth in agreement with her. His eyes (both eyes, so, so nice to have both eyes again...) seeking each probable target as he unsheated Ilse and moved.

Chance moved as well, shifting... the Archons also moved in Cyan's defense. Aaron noted them, his own blade shifting, snapping and lashing as he too moved towards Chance's rear, intending to use Ilse's eight-and-a-half foot length of deadly blade to full effect, if it called for it.

Yet Chance and James were surrounded on all sides by enemies, with the only thing in their favor being the timely arrival of Berd... and then reality froze.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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So Chance was playing games after all.  No, is playing games.

James has a moment to study the situation as other events draw everyone's focus away from him.  Fangmir hangs limply from his nerveless right hand and he clasps his forearm with his left to stem the bleeding.  He can still defend himself if needs be, but he won't be swordfighting for a while.

James focuses on sending Berd an updated mental picture of the chaos surrounding the command tent.
Take all of Luke's tent: I don't know where he is in there.  Leave Aaron, he's turned.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Luke will receive what he needs to escape this.  As for Aaron...I will not leave Arianne, James.  But they cannot be separated.

Aaron can make his choice after this - assuming I am capable of taking him.


A wave of force preceeds the drake as he blazes down toward the knot of drama, Meredith and her companion in tow.  I hear you, Meredith.  It shall be as you say.  And where there were there, there are now two.  Berd's minds reach for a grip on the others, hooking onto James, to Chance, and making a stab at catching Aaron, while yet another mind reaches out to a tent in the middle of the camp....

And for an instant, Berd looks full on the face of Cyan, and she stares back with obsidian eyes.  ...it is her.  My daughter.  His etheric voice speaks in a way they once shared, a pulse of emotion and knowledge, thoughts flowing as they do with no other being.

But she is barred.  A barrier of blackened glass stands between them, and Berd's pleas scrabble off it like claws on diamond.

There is no time.  The Underflow beckons.  And Berd dives deeply.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Cyan
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Chance's startling display of power manages to do the impossible - it tears Cyan's attention from Berd, and she faces about, dark eyes widening at the sight of his change.  A laugh, half of disbelief, half of amazement, spills from her lips as the tip of the black sword droops for an instant.

Then Aaron's presence is registered, coming up behind her, and the sword rises again.  She now faces in such a way that Aaron is on her flank, James on another, and Chance before her.  Then Right drops down to shield, and bitter anger twists her features.  "I told you!  No interference!"

She is surrounded.  Ilsefravnir is out, cobra-deadly in Aaron's hands.  James is hurt, but not down.  Chance...the armor means little enough to Gurthang, and his skill?  Well, she can see enough of that to judge in broad terms.  But his arcane abilities, of those she knows nothing.

James is hurt?

Cyan glances back, face puzzled, and her eyes fall on James' forearm.  She blinks once, looks at the sword in her own hand, and then stares at Aaron as if searching for confirmation.

Then Berd erupts into the campsite and Cyan eyes snap to him.  The Deathiron's tip comes up, and she stares at the drake, at the thin girl held in the grip of his power.  Rage blooms.  She never even feels his attempts, doesn't even know he tries to bespeak her.

All of this in seconds.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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A few moments of light and fire.

Mere instants.

David's voice echoes through the sudden silence as the bubble of calm surrounding Berd enfolds the group around the General, "Now!", and the air is suddenly filled with the whir of crossbow quarrels.

Somewhere another voice is chanting.

And then the Underflow is all around them, dark and cold.

Aaron is there, with Ilse unsheathed and extended reaching for a target that is no longer even there...

Chance, with the strange weapon, wearing armour so similar to that worn by Cyan...

James, bleeding and injured, still clutching Fangmir...

Luke, still on the very edge of sleep...

Berd, burning like a beacon in the darkness, overflowing with rage and confusion...

And Meredith, a surprised look on her face, holding a small piece of stone with a single red spot on it...



And so they fall...

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Never has success (if one can call it that) been such a bitter pill for Berd.

Eyes dull, he navigates the Underflow in silence, as quickly as possible.  Energy is burned at a fearsome rate, his only purpose now to find a world where they might be safe.  And there is one.  One where he knows Cyan will not follow.  He ignores any discussion, any attempts at communication.  They go deep, far down into the Underflow, until the Worlds themselves, above in the void, have vanished.  Then the drake resurfaces, and with blinding speed shoots toward a single, brightly glowing sphere....

...and out, onto a small island.  The air is cool, and salt water lashes against the outcroppings below.  The island itself is some thirty or forty feet in diameter, and of broken, crumbling rock.  Around it there are other islands.  Some have small, stunted trees upon them.  Others are like this one - the bare bones of a once-fertile land, poking up from its undersea grave.

In the distance lies a coastline.  One might see green there, if one is farsighted.  Berd wonders if that has ever been the case with him.  Exhausted from battle, shock, and flight, he flops down on a nearby boulder.

The air around the group begins to warm, and a small fire suddenly ignites within the shelter of another boulder.  There is moss beside it, suitable for one or two people to lie down, should it be necessary.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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Luke openned bleary eyes and stared up at the tent top.  Something was different.  Something was right.  He closed his eyes again and slowly faded away, vanishing into nothingness.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Cyan
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Back at the camp, a lot of people are left with blinking eyes.  An unfortunate number are left with crossbow bolts sticking out of their bodies in less-than-interesting ways.  The General, however, has neither issues.

Cyan reaches up and touches the small scrape along her cheek.  The crossbow bolt lies dozens of feet past her, scored by the mark of Right's blades.  "Thank you, right," she whispers quietly, before turning to stare thoughtfully at David, who stands beside his own little cohort of soldiers.  "Excuse me."

Right shifts over her head as Left begins to descend on David and his cronies like a blurred, bladed halo.  Cyan shakes her head as she walks toward the group, many of them attempting to reload their crossbows, others drawing blades, several looking reproachfully at their leader.

+ I COUNT FIFTEEN. +

+ THAT MEANS EIGHT FOR ME, SIX FOR YOU, AND DAVID FOR THE GENERAL. +

+ YOUR MATH IS NOT EQUAL.  I PROTEST. +

+ YOU WERE RUDE. +

+ I WITHDRAW MY PROTEST. +


"David, David," Cyan croons, her eyes black as pitch.  She sounds distracted, slightly, as though thinking of something else.  And she is.

...Aaron moves behind her - why?  James is bleeding.  And she stares at herself, a black-armored form.

Then Berd, with a girl.


Cyan blinks.  Her gauntlets fall into the mud, revealing pale, skillful hands.  Reaching down, she draws two small, black objects from her pouch and fits them in her ears.

...Aaron moves behind her - why?  James is bleeding.  And she stares at herself, a black-armored form.

Then Berd, with a girl.


Music blasts into her ears from the MP3 player as Right and Left come up beside her.

You're cynical and beautiful
You always make a scene
You're monochrome delerious
You're nothing that you seem


"Don't bother talking, David," Cyan says dreamily.  "I can't hear you."  His face is twisted, now, mixed fear and anger.  She reads the words on his lips, despite her assurances of moments before, and shrugs.  "The Lord of Pestilence can't help you now, David.  He isn't here."

"I am."

I'm drownin' in your vanity
Your laugh is a disease
You're dirty and you're sweet
You know you're everything to me


One of the men, finished reloading, brings up his crossbow and looses.  Cyan twitches her head, and the bolt flies by close enough to disturb her coppery hair.  Left and Right snarl, a metallic clash audible over the sound of the music, and dive.

Cyan continues to close as David backs away, his own sword now drawn.

Everything you are
Falls from the sky like a star
Everything you are
Whatever ever you are


Still the size of her two fists, Left punches straight through the archer, leaving a dinner-plate sized hole.  The Archon spins into another man as he draws his sword, and the weapon hits the ground moments before he does...three times.  Right falls into a small knot that begins to split and run, and the Archon expands suddenly to an eight foot diameter field of death.  Blood sprays across the faces of the horrified loyalists who watch from what they thought was a safe distance.

Gurthang comes up, burning in the rain.  And Cyan plants it tip first in the ground, bending to snatch up the broken sword cast aside by Left's attack.

Broken sword....

Berd swoops toward her, and around his neck he wears the hilt of a shattered blade, like a pendant.

A shattered blade....


Cyan blinks again, and the smile returns.

I wanna kick at the machine
That made you piss away you dreams
Tear down your defenses
'Til there's nothing there but me


David, seeing the foot-long, blunted weapon in her hand, slaps his helmet down and drops into guard.  An arm flies past his head, and he swallows thickly, determined not to look at the carnage Left and Right wreak on either side.  He has one chance, one hope.  If he kills her, then Left and Right might, just might hold off while they await new order.

Perhaps his own patron might be the one to give them.

Cyan shakes her head, closing into reach.  He doesn't understand Left and Right at all.

You're angry when you're beautiful
Your love is such a tease
I'm drowning in your dizzy noise
I wanna feel you scream


Perpared, David balances, waiting.  Cyan slowly cocks her head to the side.  "Letting me make the first move, David?  Not a wise decision."  David's teeth are tight, lips peeled back in a snarl of fear, and Cyan realizes he can't make the first move.

So she does.

Everything you are
Falls from the sky like a star
Everything you are
Whatever ever you are


As David's body slowly topples, Cyan drops the shard of a weapon beside it.  A faint sigh seems to rise from the people who watch at the sight of her, standing blood-spattered and weaponless in the middle of a crowd of corpses.  Left and Right have finished, and slip up behind her, their own blades cleaned and mirror-bright.

"One chance," Cyan calls.  "Any who served another master than myself have that, no more.  Come forth.  You will tell me everything, then be penalized with a demotion, nothing more.  Those who do not come forward will be found and slain."

She holds this army in the palm of her hand.  They believe her, even the ones who serve other masters.  They know.  A man pushes his way forward through the crowd, and drops to one knee before her.  "I was with him," he grunts.  "But I'll stay on, if you'll have me, General."

The dam is cracked.  More people move toward her, and Cyan raises her face to the rain, closing her eyes and letting it wash her face clean of blood.  Cold rivlets trickle through her hair, and down across her naked hands.

Everything you are
Falls from the sky like a star
Everything you are
Whatever ever you are


...Aaron moves behind her - why?  James is bleeding.  And she stares at herself, a black-armored form.

Everything you are
Whatever ever you are
Whatever ever you are
Whatever ever you are


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance lets the tip of his sword fall, as he looks around at the island. His eyes move to Aaron, and he keeps a safe distance. The armor skitters, but doesn't change. The color merely bleeds from it, becoming regular steel armor. He watches Aaron warily, but doesn't make a move.

"Thank you, Berd," he says with sincerity. "Sorry for the deception, they were monitoring my message to you. I could only slip in that image of the girl that wasn't Cyan when I said her name, hoping it would be enough to tip you off. I... I'm sorry, I didn't realize she was really there. I knew there was something off, but..."

It really doesn't matter. He can only imagine what Berd is going through right now. He wouldn't wish that on anyone. He leaves it at that, and stops talking. It's a time for silence.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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It all happens so fast... they arrive, Cyan is revealed, the rock with the spot of red is acquired, and then they are whirling through the Underflow again to be deposited on a world of Berd's chosing. She is sure the drake is beside himself so she lets him be. Her arm was screaming in pain as she rose, but James was bleeding, the only one showing injury. The stone forgotten for the moment, she lets her right arm fall like dead weight to her side, the movement bringing an intake of breath and tears to her eyes. Her face still shows the story of the beating Luke took from the undead at Samhain. She rips the glove off of her left hand with her teeth and offers the now bare hand to James. "Please let me help you" she had promised not to touch him without his permission, it seemed so long ago, but a promise made was a promise kept.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"No... no. Please, Aaron. It's pointless now. Why?" Arianne's voice came from Aaron's side. Her eight blades rotated independently of one another upon their mystical linkage, indicating potentially anything.

Aaron's hair hung long and wet, hiding his eyes in darkness. He gripped the hilt of his sword with white-knuckled strength, and he deftly manipulated the blade to curl up and around him in a loose spiral.

He sighed, exhaling and raising his head. Dead leaves spiraled through his eyes, his gaze equally devoid of emotion or life.

A slow smile played across his lips as he sighted Berd, and then Aaron began to laugh, Ilsefranvir whipping into a solid form with a sharp-sounding "snak!" The laughter rolled on and on, the leaves in his eyes changing from dead brown to burning red to flaring gold. He held the blade out to his side, every muscle in his body tensing, preparing for the initial strike that would begin his final dance of death...

...and then he lowered the blade, as well as his head. He spun her, sheathing Ilse behind his back. Raising his lowered eyes to Berd, the colors froze in mid-motion, creating a kalideoscopic effect within their alien depths. Aaron spoke then, in a voice raw with restrained emotion.

"Make it quick, Liar," he said in a voice filled with gravel. "I have extremely important buisness to attend to."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James drops Fangmir finally, but he doesn't allow himself to sit just yet.  Holding a hand up to forestall Meredith for a moment, James turns to Aaron.  There is more than an edge of angry scorn in his voice.

"No need, Aaron, we won't keep you, you've made your intentions clear enough.  I told Berd to leave you behind but he wouldn't abandon Arianne.  For his sake I'll ask the same thing; at least ask her opinion before plunging off again."

"For my part, just go.  You can make your own way back to Cyan, or whereever else you want to go, easily enough.  I don't know where we are, but it shouldn't take more than a week to walk back if you start now.  That time will at least reduce the damage you can do by betraying us."


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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Meredith looks at James dumbly for a moment and then a small smile pushes up the corners of her bruised lips. The tears that had gathered in her eyes spill over, tracing lines through the sooty grime that stains her face. After the battle at Samhain, and then Nairans, the young woman is filthy. She turns slightly to regard Aaron, the smile fading from her lips as the look in her eyes deadens.

"Harbonah will not be deterred from His goal, the destruction of this Node. His Army will simply be the last to die" her voice is hollow and emotionless. Meredith pauses, not to create drama, but out of a deep set weariness that can now be heard in her soft voice "I have Seen it"

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Ilsefranvir
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"Thank you, James, Meredith," Arianne said quietly from behind Aaron. There was a moment of silence, but she continued.

"None of you know anything about Aaron. Not at all. You think things, yes, you assume things about him because of the actions he has taken part in, as a member of your brave company."" There was sadness in the beautiful, wise-sounding voice. Aaron, for his lot, remained stolidly silent and chose not to respond to James. "Arianne..." he began, but she cut him off.

"Enough!" The sword flexed, splitting the sheath into pieces, Ilsefranvir falling to the ground behind him. Aaron turned, surprised, head cocked to the side as he gazed at his blade.

The blade impaled into the earth behind him, glowing, burning. The pattern etching upon its flat shimmering as the free blades turned on their own.

"I have been with you for uncountable years. My loyalties and love lie entwined with you. At first, it was magic, duty. I, your humble and devoted servant, your guardian and... yes, your mistress in those long, hazed days upon San Anyn. Even after you killed your wife with my own enchanted hand, though I knew not why, still I remained loyal to you, Ara'an," she said, her voice quiet and still.

"Before we were exiled, I used my remaining power to build the geas that would keep your mind constantly chaotic, hiding the true reason for the guilt you could not comprehend. Did you ever wonder where that ghostly woman came from? The one whom the woman Lexy and your original comrades 'purged' from your mind?" she said, the sword freezing, then moving counter-clockwise. Aaron remained silent, absorbing, though his eyes were ablaze with swirling color.

"But as time wore on, I came to forgive you for your sins... and to care for you beyond what was once a mere dalliance. Aaron of Ald Thiriel, a part of you still remains a vicious beast that only now is kept in check. There are times that I still believe you capable of violence on an awesome scale. Yet, you are also a man of astounding depth of feeling, one who has a sixth sense for emotion and a deep-seated relation to pain. If there is one redeeming quality I can choose for you, it is that people who suffer greatest usually grow tallest. When the shadow is viewed in the light, even a dwarf can seem as great as a king."

Now the blade stilled, but it burned ever brighter. From the glow of the blade emerged a pale-blue shade, irridescent and translucid. Her hair was long, flowing, her eyes sharp and green and beautiful. All around her, behind her through the sword-born flames, frozen petals fluttered, hitting the earth with a metallic tinkling sound.

"The Truth must be known. Cyan is blind, has become blind by the efforts of our enemies. I will not also have you become blinded just because..." and then the shade stopped, her voice catching. "I will not watch you fall to them just because you love her, you fool."

Arianne's hands flew out from her ethereal sides, the eight blades of the sword expanding outwards in a protective sphere around the ancient woman. Aaron had never known the sword could do that, nevermind that Arianne retained so much of her magical essence from San Anyn... he had assumed that her weakness had been due to the distance from her home. Perhaps he had assumed too much.

"Just as you stand there, I could kill you with a thought. I would, if it meant saving everyone else. But I have been by your side for this long, and I will not shirk my responsiblities. I deisre the Truth, just as much as you do. Cyan is blind, Aaron... and I believe that you are the only one she will listen to. If you do choose to go to her, to join those who wish to crush all that we know and love, then know that I will still follow you."

The blades sealed themselves, becoming solid blade once again. Arianne disappeared, the sword glowing a blinding white.

"But know this: Though I follow you, you do not own me or rule me. When the time comes and I am free, flowing through the Underflow in the form that our minds have agreed upon, I will show you your Truth. If it kills you, then know that it was your hand that killed you, and not mine. For now, if I deem that you are a danger to everyone, I will never again stand by and be used. I will refuse you, with my body as this blade, like a woman can refuse a man. We are bound like none others are, Aaron. You cannot complete your task without me. Such is the Truth."

And then she was silent, and Aaron stood with eyes closed.

"So be it."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance stands by, doing his best to keep silent. At some point during the exchange, knowing he barely belongs here as the newcomer, he eases away from the others some distance. The sword in his hand slowly relaxes back into the shape of a guitar.

He sits down with the guitar in his lap. "Yep," he says to himself, with a small sigh. He glances back down the beach at Aaron and the sword and pats the guitar gently. "That'll be us in another ten years, eh?"

Now that he's away from the others, far enough that sounds won't bother them, he begins to pluck absently on the guitar strings and think. Pieces of the puzzle always fit together in the end. There was just one left that didn't quite sit right in the picture. He'd pluck away at that one a while.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd stares out over the waves, his eyes somewhere in the past.  Somewhere not so long ago, as he counts things, when this broken island was part of a vital land.  Was that less than ten years, as he counts things?

I/Berd {understand/comprehend}, (Edgedanger/endsinger).  I/berd {hold/feel} no (rancor/lingeranger), for (cleverplan/deceptivethought) or (Cyandaughter).  You could not have known.

Meredith.  His eyes find her.  How he wishes Serena were here with them at this time.  She could help the girl, and heal James.  He, he can do nothing.  A wave of self-pity strikes him for a moment, but the drake pushes it away with an effort.  The time is long-past for wallowing.  He stretches his neck, his back, and studies the pattern of the waves absently, while many minds begin work on an impossible problem.

Danger flares, and Berd slowly looks over his shoulder at Aaron as the man speaks.  One eye-ridge rises, ever so slightly, and the dragon slowly shuffles around to face the ancient wanderer.  A glance to James, and a nod.  I could not leave him and Arianne, James.  I am sorry.  Not sorry that he did it.  Sorry that they were at odds on that matter, that he felt it necessary to countermand James' instructions in the midst of battle.

Still, he does not answer Aaron.

Meredith weeps silently, and Berd sees the gratitude as James refuses to heap more pain upon her head.  He wonders how much longer the girl can continue.  She is as strong as any here, and in many ways, stronger.  Better to ask how she could not continue.

Then speaks a voice he has waited to hear for some time.  Understanding is required and, as always, Arianne is the key to Aaron's mind.  And what pours forth is a story of tears.  And love.  An old, old story, this; so much a part of what makes man, man.  He listens in silence to its painful conclusion, and Aaron's acceptance.  The drake wonders how much more can be heaped upon the wanderer before he breaks.

Chance, not surprisingly, has moved off.  The man has an odd sense of decorum, but Berd is beginning to understand.  A Deathsinger must know when to leave a family space...even a family as cracked and dysfunctional as this one.  A family twisted up in its relations to gordian proportions, but Berd is no Alexander.

Thank the heavens he has changed his armor again.

James, Meredith...I believe you will find a small first-aid kit from Cyan's old gear behind that rock.  Mundane means might suffice to prevent James from passing out.  There is faint irony in the tone, an echo of the old Berd.  A little weary, a little too clever for his own good, and always open to talk or help.

And perhaps, on occasion, a little wise.  Only a touch.

And what now, Aaron of Auld Thiriel?  I had nothing to say to you.  I was prepared to listen, not speak, and listen I have, to discover that James was most certainly correct.  But I find I must speak.

What now?

Many things now become clear, thanks to Arianne's disclosure.  I had suspected something of the sort, but suspicion is nothing more than that.  How long your feelings have lingered, I know not, but I expect you have hidden them, and hidden them well, for some time.

And now it is you who has a choice.  Walk away, Aaron, and join her.
  Pain, there, in his words.  Join Cyan, when she is not herself.  Join her and watch her fall more deeply as her army helps Harabonah shatter the Myriad Worlds.  Join and be there when everything dies, including her.

Or stop Harabonah.

I would rather you choose the second than the first.


He cannot comprehend how Aaron could turn his back on Arianne, so.  The woman had suffered so much for him, loved him for so long.  That has been more than apparant, for unlike Aaron, Arianne has always carried her heart in her eyes.  But love can be a fickle thing, and while Arianne may love Aaron, there is nothing to say that Aaron must love her in return.  Certainly he cared for her, and perhaps more at some time.  But love?

An old, old story indeed.

Oh, and one more thing.

I have lied, and regret doing so.  I have done terrible things in madness, and regret them, too.  I have struggled to find a way to heal the injuries I caused, and dug myself more deeply in the doing.

I suspect that you, among all of the persons here, can understand that the best?

My name is Berd, not liar.  Use it, unless you wish to be known as Forsaker, and wake with spiders in your bed.
  He looks out over the ocean.  I am not so grand in my own mind that I will not stoop to petty retribution when driven beyond my patience.

Aaron.  Arianne.  Chance.  James.  Meredith.  All that was left of the core of the quest.  Arrogance, perhaps, or self-absorption - why could Serena and Devlin not be considered the core, and the rest of them outliers?  Or Dorian?  Still, it is how he feels, and now Berd wonders if they stand to lose two more.

Chance, quiet and unsure of his place within the questors, though he has proved it more than sufficiently.

Meredith, perhaps uncertain of her place within herself, but seeming certain of where she believes she stands within the quest - as a servant of something greater.

Arianne, hopeless within her love and unable to stop the avalanche, she follows in its wake, a terrible decision before her.

James, his feelings hidden behind a stoic exterior, holding back his pain and rage with iron-hard will.  Even, perhaps, from himself.

And Aaron.  Who needs to make a choice.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"My choice..." Aaron said quietly, turning away from Arianne and considering Berd and his thoughts.

"I need time." he said, and then walked away, to consider all that had been said.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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Gulls wheel overhead, crying their raucous, mocking cries, in voices that sound like the laughter of demons.  Perhaps they feel they have a right to mock.

A trap sprung, and a daring rescue from the very jaws of defeat.  And yet, in the process of the rescue, the revelation of dark secrets, wounds received, friends lost for a second time, and the realization of a dangerous enemy.  And now the group seems to be divided again, perhaps on the brink of a permanent split.  A split which could weaken them beyond their ability to compensate.

Place final victory in the hands of the Archons.

On the surface, sitting here on an island which is, itself, part of a destroyed land, long since gone, it would seem so, at least.

And yet, in the last instant of the rescue, a piece of Broken God was retrieved.  A weapon of the enemy, captured.  Available for study.  For the forst time they have access to one of the enemy's most powerful tools.

And still, the danger of a split.

Possible defeat, in the midst of victory, in the midst of defeat.

Is it any wonder, then, that the gulls laugh?

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
Finally, Aaron approached. Held within his left hand was a steel-and-leather sheathe. He removed Ilsefranvir from the ground, held her aloft for a few moments as if considering her weight in more ways than merely the physical, and resheathed the weapon. Strapping it to his back, Aaron sat upon the ground and considered.

"Aaron, there is another thing. When we were on that world, when we were with Cyan and you drew forth the blade... I could not sense her. Cyan, as a target to defend or attack, was not there."

Startled, Aaron glanced behind him, over his shoulder at the hilt of his weapon.

"You're sure of this," he asked, and felt her affirmative. He looked to the rest of the group, questions in his eyes. "Do any of you concur with that? Did anyone else not sense Cyan?"

If so... if that was the case... then he could only honestly make one decision.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Before you leap to a conclusion, Aaron, I believe that was a barrier against psychic senses and assault.  Protection, as it were.

Berd glances over.  His voice his held emotionless, with rigid control.  It gives no hint of the feelings roiling under his surface.  Cyan is...very, very strategically and tactically competent.  She would know we have Dorian, and myself.  She would find a way to protect herself from psychic intrusion.  It must be capable of deactivation - she did use your palanquet, after all.

He seems ready to speak further, but then holds off.  Waiting for Aaron's choice.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James listens to Arianne's story without showing an overt reaction, mute testimony to the amount that James has witnessed since joining the quest, for surely the woman emerging from the blade would otherwise be worthy of some remark.

It is only after Aaron leaves and returns that James responds.  The anger has leached from his manner, leaving him sounding flat and weary.

"I wouldn't know, Aaron, I was concentrating mostly on staying alive at the time."

"But for what it's worth, I believe it was Cyan.  She has been bent somehow, broken and remoulded perhaps, but nothing else fits.  I don't believe that we have been under such constant observation that they would know that Cyan and I discussed a sparring match on Fiona's ship."

"And winning Cyan back would certainly be a worthy goal if you cannot bring yourself to support us anymore.  If you do go back, look for the duffel bag I was carrying.  It contains Cyan's harp and sketchbook, you might be able to use them to reach her.  Just be careful, I'd rather not end up looking into two pairs of obsidian eyes."




James doesn't wait for, or even expect a response.  Instead, he walks towards the place Berd indicates for the first aid kit.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Like James, Meredith takes in Arianne's manifestation silently and without much physical reaction. She had fallen back on mannerisms learned many years ago, the threat of a confrontation between Berd, Aaron, and possibly James driving her to do her best to stay beneath notice. If James' theory about Cyan, the woman with the glistening copper hair and once jeweled rainbow eyes, was correct, Meredith may be able to help. If she could touch the other woman, see if there was any of the original Cyan left from what Harbonah reforged, she may be able to pull it up and over come the Archon's doings. But there were a lot of 'maybes' and 'ifs' in that thought and no one asked. Meredith certainly was not about to offer that at this point. Tensions were still running high.



Instead she follows James to the area where the medical kit was. She does her best to assist him in locating, openning, and using the kit. She forces herself to use her right arm, tries to tell her mind that the elbow is not shattered, but it is not listening and the pain is great. A few times a low hiss or intake of breath betrays the pain... that and the tears. Try as she might, Meredith cannot keep them from streaming down her face, a silent testament to the pain in her arm. She does not say anything aloud, for her suffering is a paltry thing when compared to the torment Aaron and Berd are experiencing.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron closed his eyes, one hand resting on bent knee as he considered all that had gone on. He sighed, wishing he had a cigarette, but noticing that his pack had disappeared at some point.

"As I told Cyan, my loyalties are where they've always been; my loyalties lie with myself alone." Aaron opened his eyes, the colors slowly turning.

"Because I know my loyalties, I know how far I must go. I know what I must do, and what I must do... is stay here," Aaron said, shaking his head. "I can't leave you. If I did leave, I would certainly be taken by Harbonah and tortured, doing none of you any good."

Clenching his hand into a fist, Aaron gritted his teeth. His stress was apparent, though he no longer seemed exhausted or disenheartened, as he had in the cave... as he had when he first ran into Cyan with Chance and Luke beside him.

"Trust has always been hard for people who meet me, isn't that right, Berd?" Aaron smiled slightly, glancing at his fingertips. "I don't care if none of you trust me. That doesn't matter. What matters now is effectiveness and truth. Cyan is lost, yes, but there still is hope. Whether she exists or not, whether she is shielded or died and was reborn, whether that is our Cyan or another... it does not matter." Aaron shook his head again. "No. Either she must be saved or, failing that, she dies. Either way, we must make sure Harbonah pays for every inch of ground we've given, every friend and world we've lost."

"Yes, I change my mind like it's going out of style... but have I really changed at all?" Aaron smiled, standing. "I continue to grow, becoming more and more adept at understanding the world around me, rather than being focused solely on myself. However, my understanding of myself still remains, as the core of my existence. I am because I fight for my existence... perhaps Cyan has lost her true reason for existing, her true will to fight."

Aaron turned, staring skywards, considering the entirety of all that has come before, as well as that which will come from this.

"Harbonah is going to pay for this. He has tortured and manipulated us long enough. And now..." Aaron said, turning and gesturing to the strange, cleaved piece of bloody stone. "Now, we have a weapon of our own. A piece of Broken God for us to study and master. I still maintain manipulation of Harbonah's orbs, and I'll continue to twist any I come across. That, in effect, will slowly weaken our piece of Broken God as well... or perhaps strengthen it, if I wish to turn it just-so."

Lowering his arm, Aaron looked upon each of them in turn.

"Arianne was right. None of you 'know' me. There was a time when I didn't even know myself, and if you've never been in a place like that, then you can't possibly understand where I've been. Jack..." Aaron stopped, a sadness overcoming him. "He understood me, and I hated him for it."

Bitterness welled up in Aaron's voice, his eyes widening in rage.

"But Harbonah struck, even at Jack. Cyan, Berd, Jack, Kalika, myself. For a time that was my world. Now, now it's just me. Or, rather, Berd and I," he said, and laughed a quiet, tired-sounding thing. "Sorry, Berd. Sorry... for everything." Aaron stopped then, letting silence take over. He let it hang for a moment, then decided to get it over with.

"Let's get some rest. We need it. If any of you have issues with me, if any of you want to have words, or even feel like breaking my nose for the Nth time, go ahead and try. I might even let you succeed. If not, get some sleep, let it go. We'll find Cyan or kill her. Either way, just like Meredith said, Harbonah's going to die for his ignorance."

Aaron's eyes flared, the red of burning leaves.

"So be it," he said in a barely-stable voice. Aaron stepped back and away, sitting himself in the darkness to rest and to think of the present, the future. The past...

"Cyan," he quietly whispered, and with his head in his hands, began to weep.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance let his tune die out on the wind. He'd remember it and work on it later, but it seemed things with Aaron were cooling down a bit. That was good. Maybe things had been resolved or maybe not, but at least some tension had gone out of the scene, like air out of a bagpipe.

He stands and casually walks back to the others. As he walks, he strums the guitar and sings a quaint song about finding things behind bushes and rocks- things like a picnic basket of fresh foods, blankets, tents and a bottle of bourbon for Aaron. The song briefly ponders the odds of finding such things, before Chance begins to pull aside some bushes and produce the exact items his song had just described.

Wordlessly, he approaches Aaron and proffers the bottle.

Then he begins to spread out the blanket and open up the picnic basket, pulling out sandwiches, fruit and other portable foods. He sets the tent aside for later.

He does all this without speaking, offering only the occasional friendly nod of comforting smile to the others.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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James stops when he realises something is wrong with Meredith.  He had assumed that she would be able to assist him, having two good hands, but her response to the pain in her right arm is too reminiscent of his own to miss.

James takes Meredith's right hand with his left and moves it cautiously away from his own injury.

"You've been hurt, but I see no wound.  What happened?  Is your arm broken?"  Realising the latter possibility, James shifts his grip so that it is supporting the weight of Meredith's arm.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd silently listens to Aaron's unburdening.  It sounds as though the man has come to some kind of balance, for the moment.  Hard-won, but there, nonetheless.  And it deserves response.  I trust you to be yourself, Aaron.  That is all I can ever ask of people.

I trust you will continue to fight.  I thought you might, but could not be sure, of course.  Nothing is certain.  You might be surprised how much I understand about not knowing oneself - you are not alone, Aaron.  Remember that.  As for yourself and Jack...if that is true, then it is good that Jack understood something.

Harbonah will be stopped.  If he dies, he dies.  I suspect he will, given the position in which he placed himself.

I do not...
  Berd trails off, realizing he has again begun to ramble.  Aaron has lapsed into tears.  The drake attempts to imagine what might be going through the man's mind, but cannot even guess.  There are too many possibilities, and his own thoughts are fractured.  The hydra-mind has lapsed into a single entity, cold and empty.

He thought his sorrow had burned out when his daughter died.  Now it sits in  his chest like a blackened coal, slowly strangling his breath.  He will do something to help Aaron, perhaps...but in a few minutes, when the broken sword about his neck does not choke him so.

Aaron.

Of the first generation, there is only himself.  Of the second, there is Aaron - he has been with them the longest.  All others - Lazarus, Jack, a few others - have fallen away.  Of the third, James alone remains with them.  Dorian?  Who knows?  Following, they have Serena and Devlin, off upon their own quest, and the duo of Meredith and Chance.

And Luke, of course.

Aaron will fight.  The revelations have not changed that - they strengthen it.  He will find a way, and with his new knowledge he will slowly poison the heart of the enemy.  Will it be quick enough?

James will fight.  The man never stops forging on in his stoic way.  His knowledge and terrible experience have served him in good stead, and will continue to do so...but not so much as his strong, compassionate heart.

Chance will fight.  Perhaps not physically, but he has proven himself cunning in deception.  They need that, both to see through the plots of the enemy and to sow discord and disruption in their ranks.

Meredith will fight.  She fights because she thinks she must.  A poor, painful reason for doing so, and Berd hurts for her.  She will suffer agony tenfold what she had experienced before this finishes, he knows.  She will try to take all of theirs into herself, as well.

And him?

Can Cyan be saved?  He needs to know more.  Aaron's hopes may be in vain, but Berd will not give them up.  It will be the death of him, he suspects.  Unlike Aaron, Berd knows he cannot slay his child.  He understands that the need may exist, but he will never, ever stop trying to bring her back, even as the Deathiron sweeps through his barriers.

But what else can I do?

Thank you, Chance.  I have been...remiss, bringing everyone here without offering any succor from the elements.  The drake raises dull, grey eyes toward the Deathsinger.  For myself, perhaps later.  I am...not hungry at the moment.

He will have to eat soon.  His exertions have been tremendous.

Ares' armor, no doubt there.  Gurthang.  The rage in her voice.  Her body's movements.  It was her.  Others might doubt, but Berd does not.

The drake's head swings toward James.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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"So we're back to discussing?  Everyone happy with their places in life?"  Luke got up from his rock and moved over to crouch beside Chance.  "Right now would probably be a very bad time for another 'I told you so', I guess.  I'd rather not add to my lingering hangover."  He rubbed his forehead.
"Are you doing all right, Chance?  I'm starting to feel pretty damned sorry I dragged you into this."  He grinned, a woozy expression.  "People will say I'm going soft."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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"Yeah," Chance agrees. "Bad time for that line. The funny thing about that line is it rarely needs to be said. I've got just the thing for a headache."

He pulls another bottle out of the picnic basket and hands it to Luke, this one is merely a good red wine.

"And don't be crying for me, Argentina. I got some good information out of that tour, and now we have an important lead. I think overall it was a profitable trip- too bad you had to take a nap through half of it." He grins playfully.

He leans back onto his hands, and the smile fades slowly into thoughtfulness. "Something has been bothering me, though. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I was a bit perplexed why the Warrior was putting so much trust in Aaron and me. I mean, there was reason enough to suggest either of us might turn, and we both played well on that, I think. But a good general- and she is a good general- would be wiser than to give such a recent turncoat- one of unknown ability- a weapon of indeterminate power. Sure, we were well gaurded, but.... I dunno."

He gazes out over the horizon. The breeze plays gently through his hair as he adjusts his sunglasses, which had earlier been a helment of jet and gold.

"That, and... the plan was to restart the broken god immediately when Berd appeared. I don't know how far inside the circle Berd ever got. I was focused on her and trying to keep things distracted, but I saw no attempt to restart the thing. My distraction wasn't that good. I think...."

He sucks on his lip a moment longer. He hated to sound foolish, but it was probably better than saying nothing in this circumstance.

"I think she let us go. Maybe her heart just wasn't in it, I don't know, but it just didn't seem like she did it right."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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"She's confused, lost," Aaron said quietly. The bottle of bourbon that Chance had given him (which Aaron had swiftly accepted with a look of undying gratitude) sat hanging from limp fingers. His eyes were distant, questing.

"Even if that's the case, I think Cyan let us go because she's not totally defeated. Somewhere inside is the Cyan we know, trying to get out. It's like the 'thin person in a fat body' analogy," Aaron said, and couldn't help a sour chuckle. He took a long draw from the bottle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Aaron grunted, nodding as he considered the past.

"They had us. If she had wanted us captured, she would have done it, no question about it. Cyan left way too many things open for it to not be a setup favoring the Questors."

It all was slowly fitting into place, Chance getting his instrument back, Aaron getting Ilse... and then Berd showed up and somehow, Broken God hadn't been activated again.

That was all they had needed. Once Berd was in place and Broken God was up and running, that would have been the end of it. BUt it didn't happen. They escaped with a piece of Broken God, and now they had a small, but powerful advantage for their side.

Aaron raised glowing eyes to Berd.

"We'll get her, Berd. We'll save your daughter," Aaron said with quiet honesty. He took another pull, crossing his wrists before his knees and plumbing the depths of the campfire.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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Meredith closed her eyes and took a few moments to settle her breathing. The techniques taken from Whesawhorl, along with James' holding her arm steady, allows her to get a better handle on the pain. "I carry only the pain from the injury, not the injury itself. A creature was struck down by Berd while moving against me. Its arm was shattered. In the aftermath I took the pain from it, making the burden my own" her voice is a raspy whisper. She clears her throat and smiles thinly "Its language is rough on the throat" she offers by way of explanation.

Overhearing the others Meredith turns her head to regard Aaron with solemn eyes. Still she remains silent, and returns her attention to James "Truly it will fade with time and I will endure... your wound on the other hand is in need of more immediate attention m-" she cuts herself, her cheeks coloring under the coating of grime and dust. A sign of how tired she was, that she almost called James 'my lord.'

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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"Funny.  I've always liked it.  Then again, I'm not well liked myself.  Perhaps one follows from the other?"  It could have been sarcastic, but it wasn't.  Luke picked up a pebble, bounced it thoughtfully on his hand before tossing it out into the waves.  "I needed a rest.  Besides, I would have angered the 'general' and received her sword in a most painful manner."  He shook his head.  "Her speech changed.  Every time she became angry or tense, it changed.  I should have guessed."
"As for why she made mistakes, I cannot even begin to fathom.  Perhaps you both are correct, and we were meant to escape."  He turned his head to stare up at the sky.  "I was resting at the time, and didn't get a good look."
His eyes rolled toward James and Meredith, sitting quietly together and worrying about each others' arms.  "Meredith, I might be able to help you with that pain.  Like you did for me, back in the mountain.  I'm no healer, but I could probably assist with a psychic wound."  The man kept his voice diffident as he offered.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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James is dissatisfied, but there's little he can do.  His expertise is with physical wounds not psychosomatic pain.  Even then, if he's honest with himself, his real expertise is in causing physical wounds.

Meredith is right in saying that his wound needs more immediate attention.  The gash still oozes blood sullenly and the bandage they have managed between them to apply is already stained red.  The blood loss is unlikely to be damaging in the long term, but here and now he's gradually getting weaker.

Part of the problem is that he's unfamiliar with many of the drugs in Cyan's medical kit and he's already weak enough that guessing might be dangerous.  He's also a little concerned about how well Meredith will be able to stitch the wound closed with one arm injured, though he's not too worried about cosmetic scarring.

James does have one last trick up his sleeve and he's about to suggest it to Meredith when Luke offers to help, which could solve some of their difficulties, so he waits for Meredith's response.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd sighs at Luke's appearance, a faint note of relief in the exasperation.  He listens to silent communications, gathering information and impressions from Chance and James.  He could do so from Aaron, as well, but now is not the time to disturb that man with questions regarding Cyan.

Chance's memories are near-perfect, similarly to Cyan's.  A learned trick, for a Bard or a Deathsinger.  James' opinions, given his familiarity with Cyan, paint them from another angle.

So many signs, he finally says, if one looks at them in HINDSIGHT.  At the time, it would have been impossible to see the forest from the trees.

And snippets of conversations follow.

"Omniscience isn't my bulwark; I knew someone once who pretended to it, but failed when it counted.  I try to avoid such claims, myself."..."The way of things.  Allies fall away, dragged by hooks of personal issues, of injury, and by the barbed thorn of death.  And we shrug them off, don't we."..."Mockery is cheap, easy, and the last resort of fools."..."We are more alike than some people might think.  In certain ways."...

And you and she are, Chance, in your interests, your skills...and James, this between you and her.  Twice now.  You said it to her on the ship, and she returned it to you now.

“You've already practised this morning, haven't you? Damn. Going to have to lift my game."..."You will have to lift your game after all...."

Other small things, small comments she made, are familiar to me.  Many things.  And here, the crux of the matter.

"Giants playing in the sandbox.  They build what they desire, then break it down.  They shatter worlds.  They control...everything.  Everything in Shadow is subject to the whim of Amber and Chaos.  They twist entire civilizations, create to destroy, and steal away the very freedom of the people of Shadow...."

"We'll probably all die.  But the universe will be FREE.  Someday, something will rise up in it, usurp it from the Archons.  Or perhaps the Archons themselves will change.  But whatever grows from the ashes of the old..."

"...think about it, Chance.  To give the universe a shot at finding its truth.  It's too late for this one.  But a new one...ahh, wouldn't that be something..."


She has always felt that 'Shadows' are mistreated.  And her recent revelation of my part in her life, her reaction....

Which brings us to this, of course.


""Who is this 'Meredith'?"...

"From whence did she come?" he asks, voice still taut.  "Did you see her arrive?  Did you just...happen to meet her?"  The finger curls into a fist.  "Just a bit of coincidence this young girl trundled along right at that time?"....

"'Recent addition'.  'Significant' abilities.  'Paired with Berd'.  And none thought to consider the timing of this?"  The Warrior shudders under his armor, and the hand pointing at Aaron rises to rub against his helm.  "I hold few illusions."

“I have a bone to pick, and since Aaron has been so good as to reconsider his allegiance, I am forced to turn to you."  Now her voice rises, almost cracking, and hurt betrayal echoes in her words.

"How could you let him do it again?!"


The visions, the words wind down.  When Berd finally speaks, his voice is heavy.

She believes Meredith to be my creation.  Another like her.  Meredith may be in grave danger.

Berd sighs.  Black eyes...when she used to be consumed with anger, her eyes would change to that colour.  It was the only predictable shade, given her emotions, save for the diamond of her berserk fury.  That grew from fear, more than anything else.

James has noted her fury, her constant anger.  He has theories, and I believe he is right.  Perhaps she was lost, but she has been given a purpose, and it drives her.

Is there still some of her within?  I cannot say.  I-

The drake breaks off, turns to study the waves for a long moment.

She played a game.  Cutting the Broken God in twain.  Not recognizing James.  Inviting a duel.  Holding back, and yes, she did.  She said as much, and Cyan was never given to boasting.

But she did attempt to utilize the Broken God after my arrival.  Something went wrong, and I was able to snatch that fragment.


He slants a look at Chance.  Do not try your armor against the Deathiron's edge, Chance.  It will provide no protection.

She had a plan.  Was it for the Seraphim?  For an inner desire to see us escape?  For both?  Some other reason?  Is she herself, within, or not?  Wheels within wheels, and I cannot...

...I cannot think.

I pray Aaron is correct, that we can save her.  But what do we do now?  Where do we stand?  Metatron spoke of the Charyx.  We hold a piece of the Broken God.  And now this.


Mind a maelstrom of emotion, Berd withdrawl partly from the bridging.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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Meredith turns and smiles a greeting to Luke through chapped and broken lips. Her manners truly were atrocious, that she would fail to greet another friend. His offer, no matter what his lack of tone implied, was gracious. Like father, like son she thinks to herself, the smile accompanying the thought only shining in her eyes. In... out... in... out... even breathing, keep the pain at bay. It was lessening now, as more time passed. She frowns slightly, for this meant the pain must be returning to the creature. Hopefully he had found proper medical attention or was close to it. Thankfully she still carried the majority of the burden.

"Luke" a greeting, an acknowledgment, wrapped up neatly in a single word. She used the appellation he seemed to be currently favoring and wondered vaguely at its origins. "Your offer is kind and well timed, yet this is a burden I took upon myself. If your assistance would banish the pain then I would welcome it so that I may be able to better serve. If your offer is to take the pain and carry it yourself then I cannot accept" she bows her head and keeps it lowered, waiting for his reply.

Berd speaks then, sharing a piece of his thoughts on the copper haired woman, Cyan. Meredith keeps her head bowed, even when she is mentioned. She is quiet after Berd finishes, long minutes of slow, even breathing. Then she looks up at the drake, her grey eyes hard to read. Her face is set with resolve and acceptance, almost peaceful "Send me to her. Let us try to end this quickly. If she believes me to be your creation she will not kill me on sight. She will want information. There is little she can do that I have not or will not be able to endure. A touch is all it will take, to locate any piece of her old self and bring it to the surface. If I fail" she shrugs nonchalantly "As it stands I am little more than a power boost for Berd, not a crippling loss" she says, her voice quietly intense.

She looks up at James and a touch of sorrow softens the stone of her eyes, but she knows she speaks the truth.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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"Best if you stop kicking yourself, Old Man," Luke pointed out to Berd.  "Like you said, hindsight is twenty-twenty.  Don't expect that of yourself if you don't expect it from others."  He turned back to Meredith, the fact that they now held a piece of the Broken God turning over and over in his head.
"Well, I fear I can do little for you then, Meredith."<blue>  Luke nodded his head.  <blue>"I would never be so rude as to offer to take your burden away.  Hold strong."  He paused, then leaned a little closer to stage whisper.  "I've always thought it was better for someone to bear up responsibility for their choices, rather than to have another swoop in and save them from the consequences."  His grin was wicked, stopping just short of being malicious.  An inside joke with her, or something that pretended to be so.

But his face grew serious at her next words.  "I can't say anything that James won't say, and probably far more poetically.  But in a few, poor words: I vote no.  If you think you're nothing more than a power source for Berd, you sell yourself considerably short.  And I'm a man who knows quite a bit about prices.  I don't measure worth by power or feats of might.  Any fool can manage those.  But don't believe me...."  He twiddled his thumbs for a moment, then glanced at James with a grin that showed teeth.  "How many people do you know who have shown the kind of bravery she has, James?  How many people step forward to save another without a second thought?  How many humans give of themselves so totally, even to strangers in need?"  His smile tightened.  "Blessedly few, wouldn't you say?"

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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I could fight a thousand battles, win them all, and still not stop the Archons.  And that will never happen - even now, they are no doubt considering their loss.

This war will be won by the people with the wisdom to know what needs to be done, the perspicacity to grasp the proper moment, and the will to carry through.
  Berd's eyes flicker with light for a moment.  It will come down to those I see before me, I suspect, including yourself, Meredith.

You are worth more than a sacrifice.  All of you!  I have no right to prevent you from doing offering yourselves up, and I do not - but I will never agree!


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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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"I agree with Berd," Aaron said quietly. "Trust me. I know what it's like to want to sacrifice yourself for what you think is the immediate gratification of your plan." Aaron held up his left hand, clenching it into a fist almost reflexively. The fact that he had a left hand was only thanks to Jack.

"It is foolishness to throw you at our enemy, just as it was foolishness to believe myself capable of joining them. I see that now." Taking a swig from his bottle, which was nearly empty by now, Aaron slowly shook his head.

"No, I will not see you lost in the very introduction of your lifetime. I don't know how long your general lifespan is, but if you're anything like myself or some of my other comrades, then you'll certainly have a long, long life ahead of you." Aaron said that with deliberate ignorance of their enemy, his optimism not allowing him to take into account the absolutely insane odds they were facing. Aaron cleared his throat, taking another drink before staring at the girl with distant eyes.

"Find the strength to rise above this, Meredith. Rise above it and become more than what you are now."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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"How many people have I known, Luke?  None.  How many humans might there be?  Blessedly few's one way of putting it."

James looks away, a trifle embarassed at being asked so directly.

"It is tempting to think that in one simple move we could restore Cyan and save her, but it is not that simple."

"I can't say for sure what they know of you as yet."
  James glances rather pointedly at Aaron.  "But I am sure they will be working hard to find out.  If they so much as suspect that you could restore Cyan's mind, her Archon minders would never let you close to her, Cyan herself would probably not allow it.  Even if you succeeded you would be alone amongst a hostile army who still possesses a piece of the Broken God and other sorcerous resources.  It is illogical."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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Meredith keeps her gaze fixed on the ground as their opinions fall, each one adding to the weight on her shoulders. Failure was assumed, did they truly think so little of her? Perhaps it was that they understod her and her abilites too well... better than she herself did.

Arguments, rebuttals, replies, denials, all fly through her mind, but she lets them all pass her by. "It will be as you wish" she replies simply, the sharp accent that had been slowly fading was back in full force.

Meredith inclines her head to the group in a gesture of compliance and obedience before returning her attention to James. "I fear I am too filthy to dress your wound properly. You had mentioned another method, or perhaps Luke would be so kind as to consider stitching the wound?" her eyes flick to the other man, their depths still devoid of emotion.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance remained quitely aside, though he may have been caught with a knowing smile as he listed to the other talk. For the most part, he kept his attention on his sandwhich and wine for a while and didn't interrupt.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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Strangely, James responds to Meredith's suggestion by settling down until he is sitting comfortably.  He then grips his right forearm in his left hand, covering the wound, closes his eyes and doesn't move.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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Meredith looks thoughtful "Please hold that thought Luke" she says politely before turning her attention to James.

Meredith reaches out with her still bare left hand and gently touches his uninjured hand. She sets her fingers on the top of his hand lightly so that he can move away and easily break the contact at any time.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd sits on his rock in silence as the others speak, staring out over the waves.  Everyone is talking again, and that's a good thing.  He turns his head to shoot a sharp glance Luke's way at one point, then turns back to the deep waters.

With an effort, he calls up his defenses.  Weary now, he slowly slides a curtain of shadows between the group and any searching powers.  Aaron appears to have calmed himself, which is good - the man was like kerosene, apt to erupt at a spark.  'On edge' was an understatement.

Finally, he reaches out, through the Myriad Worlds.

Drusilla.  We yet live.

Upon the bridging, to the group, he continues to speak.  To them alone.

I will bespeak Drusilla, inform her of our condition.  I also consider telling her that the General will be coming to save her army.

Drusilla needs to defend her worlds, and survive in order to assist us.  Should she battle that army, and the power of the Archons, I feels reasonably certain that eventually they will discover the force that leads the resistance, and obliterate it.

What say you?


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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Whoever Drusilla is, I think she can hold out for a short time. I think some of you need some rest, before we do any more saving of the universe and all that." He looks pointedly at Berd and then Meredith.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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"Though I've yet to meet Drusilla, I agree with the both of you," Aaron said, gesturing to Berd and Chance with the bottle. "We can't be nearly as cautious as we'll need to be in our current states, nor will we be able to level the amount of strength necessarry to defend a world or defeat an army." Aaron shook his head.

"Rest first, Dru later," he said, and yawned.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Consider me resting, then.  His dull eyes slowly close.  I will still be 'here'.  At least in part.  But my body will sleep, and much of my conciousness will drift.

The hydra-mind slowly falls into slumber, leaving only one or two of its constituent parts 'awake'.  The body follows.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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"Give us a song, Chance."  Luke grinned, a devil-may-care expression.  Things were pretty grim, but that was where he was at his best.  There was a bottom to every fall, and assuming you survived it there was nowhere to go but up.

"Something heartfelt, but uplifting, I'd say."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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One by one the group slide down into rest.  Exhaustion makes any alternative unthinkable.  The island is small, too small for any danger to be present without being seen.  Chance sings for a while, a song of hope and loss and hope once more, but eventually even he must sleep.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd lies still, but occasionally his whole body shudders.  Finally, having had enough, his waking mind pushes the others to full awareness.  The dream shatters like glass, and the little dragon, breathing heavily, shakes himself an sits up to stare out over the water.  His dulled eyes hold dark depths of misery and fear.

Justice.  But please, not just yet.

A drop hits the windswept water, then another.  A third, and Berd pushes a bubble of force outward to shield the island from the gentle rain that falls from the grey skies above.  The fire gives warmth to the sleepers, and the little drake bows his head.  He misses her.  But even if, through some miracle, they managed to save her, would they be together again?

How unfortunate; this body cannot weep.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron slowly opened his eyes, sleep, even an exhausted one not seeming to come easy. He felt restless, the urge to move, to do. It was no doubt the result of the prior excitement, but he felt a disturbance.

He sat up. It was raining "outside", he noted. Their protection no doubt the work of Berd. Aaron was almost sad for it; he missed the rain.

"I had a dream."

"As did I."

She told him of it, and he nodded. She knew his already, his unconscious laid bare for the moment. They were both silent for a while, Aaron watching the distant storm.

After while, he rose and found the beach.

"I wonder. Is she here, now?" he asked absently, his thoughts wandering. "If our dreams are to be believed, then you will leave before this storm has passed, and I... well, we already know."

"If you were Cyan... what would you do?"

Closing his eyes, Aaron considered the question, and he smiled sadly.

"If I were Cyan, I'd find me and kill me before I got any stronger."

He unsheathed his blade and began to dance then, alone and silent on the beach. As he did, with the sand moving beneath his feet, he recited a sad song to himself. There was no music to it, he spoke it like haiku or prophecy, its dirge-like lyrics breathing life into his dark dreamscape this night.

You take a knife and carve it in
Want to see your faults
As a part of your pretty skin
Everyone has a tragedy
I want you to wear yours in vain


He spun, the dance always moving. The air around him whistled, singing sad harmony to his choice of poetry.

Oblivion can no longer shade you
Reminded by the tattered tissue
Bleak silence
Errors stigmatized in you
A weak worn out friend
There's nothing left for me


He spun, decapitating an invisible enemy. Then he lunged, the blade shifting, and he continued the dance as sand flew through the air.

Again and again
Your face reminds me of a bleak future
Despite the absence of hope
I give you this sacrifice


You were my teacher, more than you could ever know... Teeth clenched, he charged, rolling. He stood and flinging the blade up and out, extended it to its farthest reach.

You're so far behind
Be my hero.
Drift away.
Save yourself.
Don't end up zero.
Cause I'll look the other way...


Aaron moved, stepping into the dance, whipping the weapon around him with an audible "snicker-snack." It flicked to its razor end and he sidestepped, moving further, deeper into his understanding of the blade...

I will crawl into your vault
Passing snakes and old rotten thoughts
Leaving a hotbed of virulence
Your world inside slowly redesigned


...becoming one. He focused his anger, his rage and fury, purifying it; pouring it into his art. Aaron would focus that, but he didn't need to give it to the sword. He was the sword. Slowly, it began to burn...

Again and again
Your face reminds me of a bleak future
Despite the absence of hope
I give you this sacrifice


Then he and Ilse were wreathed in flame, the weapon a burning serpent that licked at the damp air. Aaron's eyes reflected the light in the darkness, shining gold and red like some hellish beast. He felt it then, Ilsefranvir itself...

You're so far behind
Be my hero,
Drift away.
Save yourself!
Don't end up zero!
Cause I'll look the other way.
Save yourself...


...and then it was gone, and Aaron stood straight upon the shore of a beach somewhere far, far from anywhere he could even consider 'home.' Ilsefranvir steamed, dull and black in the dark, thick air.

"I miss... your music, most of all, I think," Aaron said to the dark sea before him. "Chance is good, but he's not you."

Sighing, Aaron let Ilse slide from his fingers, where it embedded itself in the sand beside him.

There he stood, quietly staring... remembering.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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After the healing attempt with James, Meredith withdrawls pensively. She does her best to hide the fresh pain that is screaming down her right arm. The wound on James’ arm had closed, but she had still taken the pain. It was a burden she would gladly bear for her friend. She hoped that he would not be too upset with her.



Sleep soon claims the camp and Meredith is no exception. She awakens with the dawn, moving from sleep to full consciousness in a blink of an eye. It is not an easy way to greet the day. Despite the full night’s sleep, dark circles underscore the haunted look in the young woman’s eyes.  The bags, in combination with the healing bruises she took from Luke, have her face looking like hell warmed over. Her right arm is a column of pain,  the fresh from James’ slash blending seamlessly with the dull ache of the shattered elbow of the creature. Meredith staggers to her feet and presses her right arm against her body tightly, as if the pressure will keep the pain from hitting her so hard.

She then moves out of camp and the protection of Berd’s bubble, into the rain. As she retreats her voice floats through the bridge like a feather floating in an errant breeze. Please excuse me for awhile. If my services are needed before I return, you need only ask and I shall return.

Soon she is soaked through the bone, and her slight figure is swallowed by the light mist formed by the rain.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------


James all but collapses once he is finished attempting his healing work.  The technique is extremely tiring at the best of times and this is the most severe injury he has yet attempted.



James wakes late, blinking bleary-eyed as he rouses.  He is satisfied to see that the gash on his arm has healed.  Looking 'round he recognises Aaron coming to the end of his exercises.  James scowls.  Sooner or later, he needs to have words with Aaron and it's not likely to be pleasant.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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Luke woke silently, as was his habit.  He wasn't given to much sleeping at the best of times, and he had already spent a large amount of the last day in slumber.  Enforced slumber, to be true, but sleep nonetheless.  "Never happened," he muttered against the fading shards of his dream.  "Just a dream."
But for a moment he had been his old self again with his old friends beside him, and this time the door to the throne room had broken before them.  Zaph crouching at his feet, grinning that devil-may-care smile.  Lyle, leaning casually against the marble arch.  Lilly, his on-again, off-again lover, poking Zaph with her foot.  Al, fooling around with his weapon, as usual.  Gary taking up position at the door as they entered, the everpresent gatekeeper.  And Abby, little, terrifying Abby, with her hand on his shoulder and screaming oblivion in her eyes.
It had been so very real.  Even down to the copper-haired woman opposite Abby.  Curse it all, he knew her.
"A liar ought to know better than believe in lies."  He shuddered.  "Funny thing, how we're always caught in their webs."

Now he slowly stood and stretched.  He took a moment to watch Aaron, and watch James watching Aaron.  With a pat on the shoulder for the sleeping Chance, he slowly ambled over to the bleary-eyed soldier.
"I see you have something on your mind, James.  But seeing as you are our best strategist at the moment, what with Aaron more than a little distracted, I thought I'd ask.  How do you see us fighting this war in the future?  Strategy-wise, rather than tactics."  Luke had his own ideas, of course, but these days he was unsure if they were correct.  The lingering malaise the dream had brought certainly didn't help.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance awakes slowly and awkwardly. Waking isn't his favorite activity, and spends some time drifting in and out of sleep. Finally, he seems to decide that sleeping is more trouble than its worth and he sits up. He doesn't talk or even look at the others. He just sits and stares at the ground. He hardly looks rested.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd sits and watches Aaron's dance.  Deadly and beautiful, simultaneously.  He has improved, the little dragon notes.  One could not help but improve, given the stresses the group has been under, and Aaron, while crumbling in other ways, has risen to the occasion in terms of skill.

His spirit, though...that may have been struck a mortal wound.

The others are waking now.  All of them show the after-echoes of their dreams.  Berd wonders what they had seen when they slept,wonders if any would speak of their visions.  A glance to James - but Luke is already there, discussing matters of consequence with the soldier.  Berd hoped that James would keep from throttling Aaron when next they spoke.  The acrimony the warrior held for Aaron was almost palpable, the tension between them taut as a wire.  Meredith has left the group to wander the island in the rain.  Searching for what, the Drake knows not, and nor will he interfere, despite the woman's obvious bitter agony.  Berd sighs, notes Chance's empty-eyed awakening, and makes to leave the rock.  Before he does, he pauses to turn his head toward the pair on the small beach.  Aaron and Arianne.

Fortunately, Cyan is not you.  I doubt she holds lethal intentions toward yourself, Aaron.  Or James and Chance.  The drake breathes a small cloud of multicoloured vapour into the air, watches as it slowly twists and turns before vanishing.  Which is not to say she does not wish to meet you, face to face...Meredith, on the other hand, may be in grave danger.

Then he scuttles from the rock to huddle by the fire.  What ails you, Chance?  The fire flares more brightly, giving off more heat.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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"Our dreams say that Cyan will kill Aaron with his own blade, and I will vanish amidst a storm that calls his name." Ilsefranvir shimmered in the dimness.

Aaron sighed, removing the blade from the sand and resheathing it.

"I put little trust in dreams and portents, Arianne." Aaron turned and approached the fire as well, sitting beside Berd. "If I ever do fight her, I'll welcome the test."

He stared into the fire, glancing at everyone else as he did so, save Meredith.

"We need to think of a way to keep Meredith safe while planning our next move against Harbonah," he said quietly.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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"I'm still convinced that we will have only one shot at victory, Luke.  I think Dorian's actions have proved that.  I don't see any sign that they are weaker; just more pissed off.  We need a one shot kill or at least a one hit K.O."

"The only lead we have that might give us that shot is this charyk thing that Metatron mentioned.  I had thought maybe to use the distractions provided by Berd on Nairans and the two Dorians, wherever they are, to drop out of sight.  Instead, coming after you three just put us all firmly back in the spotlight.  That will make things harder."

"That, as I see it, is the big picture.  But I still think we should warn Amber.  If nothing else they can give Cyan's army something else to worry about."


James gets slowly to his feet.  His face is grim as he adds, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to have words with Aaron."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Berd, sitting by the fire, ponders what he hears.  When he replies, it is to Aaron, now seated beside him.  Our dreams seem to be keyed to our own fears and desires, Aaron.  I do not know if they are a sending, a portent, or merely the result of sleeping on a wind-lashed, damp rock after a stressful day with little food.

I would not be surprised if some of them were true.  I do think, though, that Cyan would avoid using Ilsefravnir against you.  If she does come, it will be with Gurthang in hand.


He pauses for a long moment, considering Aaron's comment regarding 'testing'.  Then he sighs.  He is rather certain that Aaron isn't trying to say that he would win.  He seeks destruction.  How many of his crimes gnaw away at his guts, so that he harbours this deathwish deep within?  Witness his dream, close to Berd's own.

Guilt can drive such thoughts.

His head comes up as James speaks.  There is nothing preventing you from doing so again, James.  If you wish, I can 'offer' you another distraction - something showy, but without any true danger.

I would like to remind you, remind everyone, that there is someone out there with a palanquet.  Worse still, that someone is skilled with their usage, beyond mere communication, and is connected to minds of terrible strength.

Even if we had access to palanquet or Trumps, we could no longer trust their use.  As the saying goes, none of us are now taking calls.


He looks up toward Luke and James then, as James evidences a desire to speak with Aaron.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron rose again and stepped away from the fire, removing a surprisngly dry cigarette from his pocket and lighting it with a match.

"At your leisure, James." Aaron exhaled, taking in the distant sights. "The nose is prepared," he said, and laughed to himself.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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"That won't be necessary, Aaron.  I think your nose has suffered enough.  Probably you have too."

"Back in the camp I heard enough to know you switched sides.  Chance said much the same thing, but I'm willing to accept he was acting.  You, though...I don't think so.  I think you would have tried to capture me and if I resisted you probably would have killed me.  And that was before you knew the General was Cyan.  A new path to walk.  No bitching, no bull-shitting.  Remember?"

"Now you come back and say your loyalty is to yourself, but that you're coming with us.  And you expect that to be good enough.  Well I'm not satisfied.  I can't stop you coming with us, but let me put this plainly: I don't trust you anymore.  I don't want you at my back in a fight.  Matter of fact, I don't want you anywhere near me in a fight.  Fair enough?"


James speaks plainly, without raising his voice, but there is a hard edge to his words.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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"Agreed," Luke quietly said, still crouched down where James had left him.  Nothing more than that - this confrontation was James', not his.  All he wished to do was make his own position known, that it was in accord with James.  He had been 'asleep' much of the time in the camp, but had heard enough from the others to know what had transpired.  Others might have been experts at forgiving anyone of anything, but that was a trick Luke had never mastered.

He was not especially known for his compassion toward trespassers.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance nodded at Luke's statement, but he also refrained from speaking. To him, the difference was that while he pretended to switch sides, he made the effort of hidding a message within the message to Berd. And when Berd arrived, he moved to confront the general, Cyan, where Aaron - by all appearances - moved to defend the general.

However, this wasn't his argument to make. Let the others sort it out. As long as they weren't accusing him, he saw no need to bring up details.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron took another seat, this time somewhat distant from the remainder of the group. He smoked, listening to James bring about his statements, nodding here and there.

"Yep," he exhaled. "That's about right."

The cigarette hung from his mouth, and Aaron removed it, stubbing it out into the ground beside him.

"You know what, though, James? The thing is, since I've started this little journey nobody has trusted me." He sighed, exhaling the last of the smoke from the butt. "Saying you don't trust me and having everyone agree, spoken or not, doesn't really phase me much."

He frowned, considering it. "Yeah. See, Cyan lost half a hand because of me, once. I've fought with Jack more times than I can count. My own children tried to kill me, and I've killed members of my family and cut off my own hand." Aaron chuckled, shaking his head. "The truth is, I hardly trust myself."

Gesturing out towards the beach, Aaron expressed his opinion of all things in general.

"I've only trusted two people in my long lifetime, James. One's at my back and the other joined the side of our enemy, so that goes to show how much it's gained me." He sighed. "As for why I wanted to join them..." and his eyes took on a distant, sad look.

"I'm tired. Jack knew the feeling. Berd knows it, Luke knows it, and you're probably starting to feel it too, James. I think... I just wanted to see what it was like on the other side of the fence..." he smiled, "...while still sitting on the fence."

He was quiet for a moment, considering the truth of those words and agreeing with them.

"Yeah, I'm tired, but that's a bullshit excuse anyway. We're all tired, right?" He spat. "Yeah, we are, and Harbonah knows it, which is why Cyan didn't kill all of us when she had us in her hands. She's trying to turn us, and damnit, I would've joined her if just to fight beside her again and to hell with which side I was on."

Aaron pushed the heels of his hands into his eyes and rubbed them furiously, getting the grit and dirt out of them. When he removed his hands, his eyes were red and bloodshot.

"But my Bard is dead, it seems, so what's the point of joining them? Screw that shit." He frowned and slowly shook his head. "Nah. Like I said, I don't care whether all of you or none of you trust me. I'm still going to fight Harbonah whether you're behind me or not, and I'm not going to stop until it ends."

Nodding slowly, Aaron made a promise then.

"Yeah. I'm going to fight him. I'm going to bring him to ground and then I'm going to erase his ass so hard that the universe will forget he was ever here. If Cyan wants to hang her hat with him and doesn't want to hear the truth, then I'll put her down too." Aaron looked to Berd then with an accusing glance. "And don't think I won't do my damndest to make it happen, Berd, Gurthang or no Gurthang."

Aaron clenched his left hand reflexively.

"I'll fight beside you lot, but when the shit's over and done, I'm gone. I've got plans that span lifetimes, you see, and I intend to see them come to fruition. Harbonah, Cyan, Ygg, Chaos, Amber... I don't care who gets in my way." Aaron nodded. "I won't break and I won't bend. I'll grow around those bastards and absorb their sorry asses into my path of life. You guys might not like it, but we're bound by this damned quest, and I'm going to see it to its end."

"I'm going to make sure that if anybody dies, it'll be our enemies first and us last. Trust me or not, that's the truth."

Removing another cigarette, he lit it and took a long drag. He exhaled, watching the smoke mix with that of the fire.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance wanted to speak up and warn the others about pretty speeches and all that, but he let it hang in the air, unspoken. If anyone knew how well a skilled orator could spin perceptions around, it was Chance. But he had done enough talking to last a lifetime recently, and he didn't know Aaron, Berd or Luke like they knew each other. It was best to let them sort the matter out themselves.

Still, this time he didn't wander off, like last night. He wanted to be here, to study Aaron's mannerisms, language and inflections. It might be the last time he got the chance, and he might need to contact the man, later.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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James has made his point clear.  Now you have had your say, Aaron.  Dorian is not here to speak, Luke has agreed with James, and poor Meredith and Chance know little of your past and are no doubt quite befuddled.

I suppose it is my turn.


The little dragon crawls away from the fire and laboriously climbs up atop a nearby boulder.

You missed a few reasons why we should not trust you, Aaron, but I shan't bother hammering that stake in any deeper.  As you say, it is likely a good thing you do not care whether or not we trust you.

A good thing...but a sad thing.

Trust is earned, Aaron, but it must also be given.  I find it dispiriting that in all of your time in the Myriad Worlds only two people have been capable of earning yours, and been given it.  What that says about your experiences horrifies me.  What it says of your character is equally disturbing.

Given that you do not even trust yourself, small wonder you have only ever trusted one who is bound to you, and another you consider to be yours.
  Berd's voice bites off the last word, cold and hard.

Worse still, at least half of that trust was wrongly placed.  And here I do not speak of my daughter.

Let us be frank.  You speak of our enemies in one breath, and your desires in another.  You wax eloquent regarding our quest, and then preach of your plans.

The truth is in the singular, I suspect.

I trust you, Aaron.  I trust you to be exactly what you have proven yourself to be, over and over again.  You built that trust, yourself.  You have ever cared for your own issues before others.  You have always viewed yourself as above us.  We are 'behind you'.  You have spoken of 'your quest'.  This, when you have left both us and the quest in the past.

Perhaps this is a pot and kettle situation, but looking back from a detatched perspective, I am heartened to say I do not believe it to be the case.

So make your plans.  Support us when you choose.  Leave us when things do not suit you.  I trust you to do that - it is the pattern, and in your own words you give proof that you will not even attempt to change it.

Those are my words.  Long and windy, as usual.


His tone lightens.  I wonder, Luke, if any of this sounds familiar.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
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Luke grimaces at Berd's comment.  That particular barb hits a little too close to home.  "Yes, well.  Enough of that."

"Perhaps Chance and Meredith want to chime in.  If not, it might be good to decide where we're going next, and if we're going to split up again.  James' idea had a great deal of merit.  He could search 'undercover'."


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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance sits with his arms hugging his guitar. "Well, if we're done declaring our trust and lack of trust for each other," he ventures. "Can we talk about what we're doing next? I know we have this Charyk as a clue, but I've got to say I'm not very comfortable with knowing Cyan is out there after us. She knows too much about us and that's dangerous to leave unchecked. Can we do anything about that? I mean, the last thing she's expecting is for us to return for some kind of tactical strike and take her out of the picture - no, I don't mean kill her, guys - well, I'm not tactician. I can't say how to do that; I'm just saying I think it needs doing, if there is a way. If not, I really think we should find a way to warn the others - Devlin, Serena and the Dorians."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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Meredith sits at the opposite edge of the island, soaked in rain, away from the others, lost in her own thoughts. For awhile it is peaceful and quiet, and much is sorted out, but as the others rise and begin to speak their voice carry across the small isle and the peace is broken. She opens her eyes and takes in the expanse of water before her and then rises.

Silently she makes her way back to the others. She crosses the boundary into Berd's sphere of protection from the rain. She does not notice that she is shivering slightly from the rain. She stops on the outskirts of their gathering and keeps her eyes fixed on the ground.

"Please excuse my interuption. May I examine the piece of the Broken God while our plans are determined?" she requests in a politely respectful tone of voice.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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James simply nods.  Berd has, once again, summed up James feelings quite well.  Although 'expanded on' might be a more apt description than 'summed up'.  Regardless, he doesn't feel like pressing the point.

"Chance has a good point, Luke.  Undercover would be ideal, but how to do that when Cyan and her allies seem able to pinpoint us individually?  I'm assuming everyone else dreamt while sleeping?"

"I don't know that anyone's going to be granting permissions for the group right now, Meredith.  I figure that one's up to you, anyway.  It's just blood-stained rock to me."
  James gives a half-shrug apologetically.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron turned his head, narrowing his eyes at Meredith.

"No," he snapped, though he didn't mean it to come out as biting as it sounded. He frowned, and didn't speak for a moment.

"Sorry. I'm not trying to order you around, but Broken God is insanely dangerous, Meredith." Aaron shook his head. "I'm sure we're all thinking about studying that bloodstain. I know I am. But I don't want you touching it while it's still a giant question mark to the rest of us. God only knows what could happen if someone of your talent came into contact with it."

"I'll be investigating it eventually." Looking to everyone else, he chuckled. "That is, if anyone will let me anywhere near the thing. I have some ideas regarding Broken God, and I think that piece will help us greatly."

As Chance mentioned steps towards their next pathway, Aaron nodded in agreement at a few ideas, but frowned when he mentioned Devlin's name.

"Not to sound the hypocrite," he said, knowing he'd be thought of as one anyway, "but Devlin is a proven servant of Harbonah, is he not? I think that if we go anywhere near him, it'll be to resuce Serena and take him out if there's no other choice."

"As for Cyan, while I agree that striking at her so soon after seeing her would be a good idea, since she is certainly a threat to us, we must remember that she has considerable backing. You've seen it yourself, Chance." He nodded. "Despite the fact that I'd love to get into a good scrap, the odds are leveled against us quite significantly. If we did strike, it would have to be swift and sure."

Aaron shook his head as he considered it. "No. We should wait until we understand more of Broken God and, if we can, use its abilities against our enemies to strike at Cyan. If we do fight her again, I want it to be final and absolute." He frowned. "I think we should find Dorian first, both of them if it's possible, and then take care of our loose ends. Dorian is an asset we can't afford to be without."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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Meredith does not shrink back or flinch from Aaron's sharp denial of her request. Instead she raises her head and stares at him, the look on her face and in her eyes unreadable. Long moments pass and then she addresses the others.

If information about the Broken God is needed, my touching the stone will bring it to us quickly. I will abide by the consensus of those present in this matter she says quietly.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Cyan can locate us, as far as I know, by using the same means some of us have used in the past, Berd states quietly.  Palanquet, of course - she can make some for all of us, including Chance, now.  And the Broken Pattern.  He sighs a gust of crackling, seething mist.  She has mages in her army, now.  These men and women can use both Sorcery and the Broken Pattern to locate us.  But it is not so easy when one is moving and shifting through the Myriad Worlds.  And palanquet can be blocked - I believe the mental strength of those on this island is more than sufficient.

I am not saying to disregard the danger.  I am merely pointing out that while it has increased, it is by no means a reason to toss aside plans.  I know much of Cyan's capabilities, and I saw little to indicate they have dramatically increased.

The dreams...as far as I can tell, the dreams were nothing more than that.  My waking mind examined the one I experienced while it occured.  I could be wrong, but...stress can do terrible things.

For myself, I am not surprised at my dream.

I agree that we should find Dorian - he should at least be warned.  The trick, of course, will be carrying out that task.  He is devilishly difficult to locate, as Luke will attest.

But Devlin?
  Berd frowns.  Since what point was Devlin decided to be a proven servant of Harbonah?  I am curious as to that reasoning - my thought was that Devlin left us to fight the war his own way, through study of the vhuulad.  I seriously doubt Harbonah would wish for such an occurance.  I would be more inclined to contact Devlin, in that new information regarding the Broken God might push him back from releasing more of the vhuulad.

There is a small pause as Aaron and Meredith have their facedown.  Berd lets out a small, chiming laugh, without rancour.  Wisps of brilliant steam slip from between his tiny teeth.  I trust Meredith and her capabilities.  They have served her well thus far.  If she has an idea on the matter, why not allow her to try?

As I have stated before, this is the time for answers and risks, not slow, deliberate action.  If both Aaron and Meredith can garner us information, and both volunteer, I see no reason not to allow both to make their own, separate attempts.

Meredith, as I recall you hold the piece of the Broken God.  By all means, do so.  And when you finish....
  He sighs again.  When you finish, and have regained your strength, I would ask that you attempt to discover more about the secret of the Broken God from me.

I still cannot fully access my memories from my time of madness.  And as Metatron said, I was there when the Archons found the Broken God's remains.


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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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"I agree," Chance said slowly. "That Meredith makes her own decisions, though if she's wise she will consider the advise of her peers, as well." He avoids looking at the girl, as he says this. "I don't think any of us have the right to boss her in such a foreceful manner-- though any of us, if making a terrible mistake, would expect such a snap response, I'm sure."

Always with the fences, Chauncey, he thought.

"But I was wrong," He ventured. "Upon further consideration, I am quite certain that our first step is forgiveness. At this point, we cannot continue without all of us being willing to both ask it and give it, and not just to those present but to those who have, shall we say, gone astray."

He sits up a little more straight.

"That being tha case, I'll start. Though I professed to join the enemy, I feel my loyalty was proven by trying to slip Berd a secret message and by moving against the enemy when it mattered. But in other matters, I have made some errors-- mistakes of judgement... meddling, perhaps..." Now, he is looking at Meredith. "I'm quite sorry for that. So for that- and for anything else I may have done- I ask forgiveness.

And in all other matters, I consider the rest of you to have a clean slate."


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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Sighing, Aaron listened intently to all present. Upon consideration of Berd's statement, Aaron slowly began to agree.

"Hmm. You may be right then, Berd, about Broken God." He then looked to Meredith and nodded. "If you don't mind, I'd like to investigate Broken God alongside you. That way, if anything dangerous were to occur, at least I'll be there to assist." He chuckled slightly, shaking his head in disbelief. "Look, I'll be honest here. Broken God scares the crap out of me. Thinking about someone messing with it by themselves just seems crazy to me, but I hadn't considered a tandem assignment." He shrugged, looking tired. "Didn't mean anything by it, Meredith. Sorry about that."

He seemingly ignored the comments about Devlin, his attentions taken with other matters, though he hazarded one response.

"Perhaps I'm wrong in my assumptions about Devlin. However, regarding Dorian, if he finds out that Cyan has joined the enemy, do any of you believe he would be more or less willing to assist us?" Frowning, Aaron considered it. "Honestly, I can't come to a conclusion until one of us asks him, I think."

Gazing skywards, Aaron considered Chance's comment and chuckled quietly.

"I'm always one for forgiveness." Aaron laughed then, a sharp sound in the night. "True forgiveness can be granted almost instantly, if one's heart is deep enough..." Closing his eyes, Aaron considered those words, and he quietly spoke again.

"Though I hope against it, I fear our hearts may be far more shallow. The true cost of this journey may be greater than any of us can fathom, and mere forgiveness may not be enough." He raised his eyes and smiled. "But, I'm a great supporter of group connectivity, so I say why not? If the lot of you can forgive me for having second thoughts, then I know I'd be able to continue on quite a bit easier... though I doubt I'll forget thinking about #1."

Maybe I'll ease off a little. Standing alone has always been my forte... but how much has standing alone cost me? Did her 'death' and betrayal destroy me that deeply? Aaron was quiet then, considering his thoughts.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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The sky is blue, filled with wheeling seabirds, the morning sun shines brightly, still quite low in the sky.  And then the air falls silent, the birds gone.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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"Well said, Aaron," Chance comments, distractedly turning to survey the area around him. His clothing bristles and then becomes chain mail and boiled leather strips. He cautiously eases up into a crouch, as the guitar becomes a long sword.

"Anyone else sense anything?"

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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Chance, I believe you can consider yourself forgiven for the situation in which I was involved.  I understand, completely.  Berd scratches behind one ear with a claw.  Aaron...true forgiveness can indeed be granted instantly, but it must be requested with sincerity.  Nowhere....

Berd stops, stares up into the sky.

Meredith, if you wish to check the Broken God, I suggest you do so soon.  It is possible we will be interrupted shortly.  I sense...something.  A threat.  Not a serious one, not yet, but a threat nonetheless.

He grins at Chance's words.  Apparantly, I am not quite so far gone, yet.  Perhaps we are being watched.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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"I agree with Berd, Meredith," Arianne chimed from Aaron's back. "Either someone has been watching us, or something stirs that we did not anticipate initially."

Aaron looked to Meredith then. "I'll help you with the initial research, if you want to start now."

He smiled slightly then and glanced at Berd. "I think you've forgiven me more times than I can count, old man. It wouldn't surprise me if you were past being tired of it," and he laughed quietly.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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A consensus reached, a decision made. Meredith nods and speaks softly as she fishes the blood soaked stone from within her cloak. If anything has passed between us that would warrant my forgiveness please consider it granted

It is easier for her to hide the wince of pain as she settles herself on the ground. She places the stone on her knee and then pulls the glove off of her left hand by holding the fingers in her mouth and pulling her arm away. Her soft sigh of relief is easier for her to hide as well. Meredith tucks her right arm into a less painful position and then speaks again. She keeps her eyes on the stone and does not look at the others.

I have never done this with someone else before. I am not sure what is to be expected. Please forgive any... uncomfortable moments she says, clearly addressing Aaron.



Meredith then takes a few deep, calming breaths, and then picks up the blood soaked stone with her bare hand.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
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Aaron kneels, eyes rolling back into his head and closing as he focuses on the link.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
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There is a sudden loud clattering of falling rocks from somewhere below the edge of the cliff, and then a brief silence before a second fall, this one followed by a barely heard curse, "Dammit!  Stupid place to camp!"



"This'll be the handbag's idea, I bet!  Just because he can fly."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
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The little dragon, watching Meredith intently, suddenly snorts, and coughs out a puff of sooty smoke.  Berd's voice is dry over the bridgingJoy.

Everyone, prepare to welcome Shade.  I suspect you will be much more tolerant of Luke after this encounter.


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------


Opening his eyes, Aaron looked to Berd, a nondescript look on his face.

"'Handbag.' Why does that sound so damn familiar?" Raising his eyes, he frowned. "Should I just unsheathe my blade now, Berd, and be done with it?" He said it with a small smile, though it didn't touch his eyes.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
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James remains blank-faced and impassive as Chance and Aaron apologise.  Privately, he feels that asking forgiveness is all very well, but it only means something if you repent, or at least regret, the conduct and it doesn't seem to James that either applies to Aaron.

When Berd and Chance give warning, James takes guard quickly.  He is still unsure of Cyan's capabilities, but if she has reconsidered their 'escape', the counter-attack is likely to be vicious.  He is only marginally reassured by Berd's later remark, since he doesn't know Shade and somebody who makes Luke seem more tolerable, well, he'd been rubbed the wrong way quite enough for one day.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------


After Aaron removes himself from the link, Meredith does not follow suit. A serene expression is on her face... and then her brow knits slightly, a look of deep concentration, as her fingers tighten into a tight grip around the stone.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
A hand rises above the rim of the island, accompamied by a grunt of effort.  A moment later a face appears, scarred and haggard... "That's alright... I can manage, I don't need you all to help."

Shade hauls himself over the lip and sprawls on the grass, and shadows seem to pool around him.  He looks about, breathing hard, "Well, it's nice to see a few faces that I recognise, though there are some strangers too.  Where's Cyan?  Hunting?  Run off with all the brandy?"

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Talk about forgiveness was pushed away by both Meredith's attempt on the Broken God.  That garnered Luke's attention for the moment, until the visitor arrived.  The lean man stood, prepared to back James up, until it became obvious who the intruder was.  With that, he crouched again near Meredith and Aaron, perched on a rock like some great, predatory bird.

Luke stared at Shade for a long moment, then grinned.  It certainly wasn't his 'talk politely to Meredith and Serena' smile, nor was it his 'make an amusing comment to James or Devlin' expression.  It wasn't even a 'cutting remark to Aaron/Dorian'.  "Well, well.  If it isn't the echo of change."

The 'man' might not know him, but Luke certainly knew Shade.  He returned his attention to Meredith and Aaron.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Meredith pales visibly as the stone falls from her fingers. She opens her eyes and turns to Berd and Luke, completely ignoring Shade for the moment. She looks sad and stricken.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd turns his glittering eyes toward Meredith - the others can deal with Shade, if necessary.  He trusts Meredith would not make this request so urgently without good reason.

So.

The little dragon flits through the air and lands upon the stone before Meredith.  He takes a long look around the world, as if fixing it in his memory, before his gaze meets the thin girl's own.

The bridging dissolves, and Berd's layered defenses rise around himself and Meredith.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance smirks, and his clothing skitters, becoming a black version of his usual t-shirt and jean's ensamble, down to his well-worn black cowboy boots. The sword remains.

"Forgive me if I don't stand, but I can sense my comrad's tension at your arrival, and that disconcerts me-- though I sense it when Luke is around, too, and he's a decent fellow once you understand him, so I'll refrain from judgement.

"I will give a bit of free advice, though. Walk lightly around that particular topic, right now. You'll avoid additional ire from them. My name's Chance. Who are you, exactly?"


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Meredith looks at Berd with sad pewter eyes. She considers sharing her fears, but the moment is fleeting. the possibility of her being mistaken were too high and not worth the trouble they may cause.

Instead she nods to Berd, a silent acceptance of his terms. She shifts her right arm to keep it comfortable and then closes her eyes, taking in even, steady breaths.



After long minutes of calm, even breathing interupted only by a few looks of concentration, Meredith reaches forward and places her left palm on Berd's side.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James relaxes, but only marginally.  He's not in the most amiable frame of mind at the moment and it wouldn't be hard to persuade him to throw the newcomer back off the cliff.

"Chance puts that more delicately than I would."

He pointedly waits for the answer to Chance's question before introducing himself.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"I'm... I'm Shade." the stranger replies.  "Beyond that, it's hard to explain exactly.  I knew some members of this group a while ago, many of them gone now, it would seem, judging by the new faces I see around me."

He looks from face to face, pausing a moment as Meredith rests one hand upon Berd, "Where is Cyan?  I have a message for her.  A message from Jack."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
"It's a good thing I'm understood."  Despite a touch of amusement, Luke's voice was tense, low and grating, and his attention jumped back and forth between the connection of Meredith and Berd, and this newcomer.  "Bad news, Shade.  Cyan isn't here to take your message.  You're about a week or a year too late, depending on how you're counting time."

The cold iron of his voice softened for a moment.  "But you can tell Jack that this wasn't his fault."  Then his eyes hardened and he returned to studying the pair beside James.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd seemed preoccupied, and the others either too disgruntled or distracted to explain further. "Indeed," Chance continues. "We have only recently learned that Cyan- who we thought dead for some time- has been captured by the enemy and, through some means, made to lead their army. The tale is a bit more complicated than that, but there is the gist of it, I'm afraid."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd twists in discomfort, eyes dull.  But he maintains his place.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack sent me with a warning for her." Shade shakes his head, "Frankly I wasn't too sure... I mean he's not too stable these days.  After all, that's why he was left in that place, right."

"But he dreamed me back into existence, in there, so I guess I shouldn't complain.  Then he told me about the other dream.  The one about Cyan."

The dark man, seemingly cloaked in shadows, shrugs, "It took me a long time to track you all down though.  Too long I suppose."

"If only I could have got to you sooner, before you went to Charryk."


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
A serene look enfolds Meredith's face as discomfort hounds Berd's. She is used to the way information comes, even if it is disturbing, and allows it to flow through her, to that place where she can review it at another time. Right now she is focused, intent, and not easily deterred from the path she has set for herself.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's tail twists, almost ties in knots.  Slowly a shimmering globe begins to form in the air around himself and Meredith, like a heat haze - it gives off no light, but it is there.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Huh," Chance commented, his brow furrowing. "If you mean Charyk, we haven't been there, yet. We only just heard of that from Metatron as he died and then we were distracted by Cyan's attempt to capture us. What made you think we had visited Charyk, I wonder?"

He really wished Berd wasn't so preoccupied with Meredith and the Old & Busted God; Berd would know if this being was on the level or not. To him, something was starting to not feel right. His clothing stayed black. The sword stayed in his hand.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Aaron
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Cyan is dead, Shade." Aaron said as he took a seat on a nearby rock. Ilse was between his knees, sheathe and all. "Figuratively or otherwise. Whatever message you have for her should probably be spoken to us, anyway."

Raising mulitcolored eyes, he considered Jack's creation.

"Unless, of course, Jack's message is for the current Cyan. If that's the case, then you should most definetly give us the message."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Charyk?  Could be, though I'm sure he pronounced it Charryk." Shade ponders the slight discrepancy for a moment, "Not to worry, this is jack we're talking about.  He's not playing with a full deck these days.  Only last week he tried to tell me about a dream where you switched sides, Aaron, so... as you can tell, not everything he says makes sense."

"The message was, simply, to stay away from Charryk, or maybe Charyk.  It's dangerous for her, and she might even die there.  But if she's batting for the other team now, I'm not sure he'd want it delivered."
he shrugs, "Even with everything that's happened, he's still committed...  Heh!  Committed's right.  Those monks do their best, but the Broken Pattern did things inside his head that they just can't fix."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
"And there's your trap," Luke stated calmly.  "Go to Charryk.  Maybe Cyan will come after us, there.  Then all we have to do is stay out of reach of that thing until whatever it is deals with her."  He looked over at Shade.  "I don't suppose Jack was a little more forthcoming with the details?  Or has the Broken Pattern cracked that little part of him, too - the part that liked to argue over minutae?"
He leaned over and reached out with one hand to tap on the shimmer in the air around Meredith and Berd.  Ripples spread out from the impact, but no sound.  "Come on, hurry up in there," Luke said through clenched teeth.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
The look of intense concentration settles on Meredith's face again. Her hand moves up, her fingers grasping Berd's back and ridge firmly.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's eyes glitter under the rippling shield.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, he rambled some.  You know what he's like.  There was talk of fighting gods, and things that made even less sense." a sigh, and a shake of the head, "All he told me, by way of a message, is that Cyan would fall if she went there."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Meredith's grip lessens and her hand slides away, back to touching Berd's scaly side lightly. Silent tears emerge from her closed eyes and trace lazy trails down her dirty cheeks.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd's tail twines gently around Meredith's wrist as he stares up at her tears.  He has no hands to wipe them away.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
"It is interesting, but let's wait for Berd and Meredith to finish what they're doing, first. This might be important- and I hope she's okay." He kneels a safe distance from the pair, waiting.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Within the shimmering circle Meredith's eyes open, and the tears flow more openly now. She is a neat, silent cryer, as her childhood dictated she be. She smiles at Berd, and the expression is gentle and sad all at once.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shade nods his consent to waiting, then asks, "Spare any food?  It's been a long journey to get here.  You people are not easy to find.  I suspect you've been taking shortcuts."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd croons softly, a low, musical sound, and rubs his head against Meredith's hand.  Then he raises his head to stare into her eyes, yet again.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
A small smile breaks through the tears accompanied by a small laugh.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd stares back at Meredith solemnly.  Then his eyes begin to burn, more and more brightly.  He sits up and puts one clawed hand upon her wrist - it feels like a set of warm, flexing twigs, delicately settling on her skin.

On the other end of the island, the rock suddenly begins to twist and warp.  Water pours into the newly-formed tidal pool, and begins to steam almost immediately.  Crusts of salt gather on the surface, scud across to the sides and lime the rock with their white crystals.

A smooth, clean bath of pure, hot water begins to form.  Layers of sand grow on the bottom, smooth and clean to assist with the cleaning.

Simultaneously, the rock around the pool rolls, grows, and crests into a small wall between it and the rest of the tiny island.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Luke waved over at the others.  "I'm certain that someone has something in their pack.  Or can find something, if they look hard enough.  I'm not really the bread and trout sort."  He lapsed into silence, considering the news.  This was interesting.  It looked like Jack had been close with his visions earlier.  And now this place.
"Give us a description, Shade," he suddenly said.  "Of this place.  Charryk.  We might have to take the long way to avoid detection, or to set up some nasties for if we are spotted."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Meredith does not flinch back when Berd wraps his claws around her wrist. She returns his stare with one just as solemn.



Meredith then rises, disengaging from the little dragon. She steps out of the shimmering field that had surrounded them and begins to walk towards the bath silently. She still does not acknowledge Shade.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
The protective aura collapses at Meredith's touch, and Berd scrambles over the rocks after her.  He does not follow her to the bath, though; instead, he perches on a rock, near the fire.

Rather than speak, he simply watches and waits.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You're right, Luke, I could always find something.  I guess I'm just a bit wary about attracting unwanted attention by walking the worlds.  But I suppose I could discreetly locate a picnic hamper."

James sets out at a walk.  Even at his sedate pace he quickly circumnavigates the island - and continues walking.  Either he's being particularly ineffective or very subtle, but every so often a careful observer would spot a new flower or a vanished stone.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd glances toward James, and studies his movements intently, with a touch of frustration.  Almost as though watching something that remains tantilizingly out of reach.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shade grabs up a twig and pokes it into the campfire for a moment, before withdrawing it and and staring at the tiny flames flickering on the tip.  He smiles, and holds one hand cupped around the miniature torch.

"When I was dead, after that stupid mistake, I had an eternity to think, you know.  Oh, sure, Jack said it was only a few weeks, but to me... it was literally forever.  I was dead.  I couldn't speak, or move, and I don't think I even had a body to do either of those things."

"All I could do, was think.  Mostly I thought about how cold I was.  I also spent a lot of time thinking about how beautiful fire is."


He tosses the twig into the flames, watching with hawk-like intensity as it is consumed, then continues, "When Jack dreamed me back to life again, I was so grateful that I was happy to listen to his rambling, even if some of it didn't make much sense.  Charyk, or Charryk, as he pronounced it, was one of the things that didn't make sense."

"A single tower, half a mile high, with a whole army garrisoned there, standing at a crossroads between different worlds.  Surrounded by forest, besieged by monsters, and defended by men and women from all the different worlds which have an interest in keeping the roads open."

"Jack told me that there was great power there once, so far back that it makes the time I spent dead look like no more than a heartbeat.  It dragged all those worlds into contact with each other, and it was eventually destroyed.  And then he sent me to warn Cyan against going there."


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------


It is the best bath Meredith has ever had. The grime of fire, fighting, travel, and blood wash off leaving the young woman feeling refreshed and truly clean. After a thoroughly cleaning, Meredith floats in the water, savoring the feelings of floating and cleanliness. It is a luxury she was never allowed at the Parish. Soon enough she would leave, but she allowed herself a few selfish minutes first.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
Luke was quiet for a long moment after Shade's speech.  "I'm sorry," he finally said.  "I didn't know."  He had been through something similar to what Shade described himself.
He drummed his fingers on his knee.  "Well.  In the spirit of never doing what we are told, I expect we'll be heading off to Charryk.  After all, we don't have Cyan anymore.  Metatron mentioned it.  And now Jack.  It's obviously important."
He glanced up at the others.  "The quetion is, who should go?"

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
"You know, I've been thinking about that. Maybe we shouldn't charge off into every trap that is offered to us?" He shrugs, knowing they will continue to do so, anyway-- and he will be right there with them, willingly. "Just a thought."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shade merely shrugs at Luke's words, "No big deal.  I'm back now, and it's over."

"With Cyan gone, I'm not sure I'm going to hurry back to Glastonbury.  Jack's still right on the edge, those monks you left him with do try, but they're better at healing bodies than minds."

"Anyway, if I went back to him, and he asked, he'd know if I lied to him, and learning about Cyan could really unbalance him again.  Trouble is, he keeps playing with Broken Pattern, and that seriously messes with his head.  He just doesn't have the same immunity that... "
he trails off.

"So... you're going to head for Charyk then?  I probably won't join you.  Getting involved in this War got me killed, and that's something I'd rather not experience again.  I plan on finding myself somewhere out of the way for a while.  Somewhere that I can avoid Jack for as long as possible.  Mind you, once he realises I'm missing, he'll just dream me back to him."

"Best I can hope for really is that, by then, he'll have forgotten why he sent me out here."


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Luke
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Very amusing, Chance, and all too true.  And yet, at the same time," Luke noted, "how can we not?  Metatron's words.  Now this.  We should certainly be much, much more careful.  But I do not think it would be a good idea to simply leave this be and strike out along another path."  He Heard Shade's reluctance to reveal information regarding...who?  Someone with the Broken Pattern, no doubt.  Possibly Dorian.  Which begged the question of why.
"Thank you, Shade.  Good luck keeping away from Jack."  His grin was very toothy.  "I can understand."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Jack has a lot of power these days, but can't get organised enough to actually use it." a sorrowful smile, "Which is lucky for me, since it means I can avoid him, so long as he doesn't remember me."



Meredith enjoys her bath, lulled by the faintly carrying voices of her companions.  Too distant to carry clearly to her ears, but close enough that she can recognise each speaker, if not their words.

Shade stands and stretches.  "I'd best be on my way.  If Jack looks for mre now, he might find you as well.  You don't want that.  Don't worry though... I'm not going to tell him about Cyan, and I don't plan on taking word to her either.  I think I'll look for somewhere as far from either of them as I can get, and try to keep a low profile for as long as I can."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Finally feeling clean and refreshed in both body and spirit, Meredith exits the bath. She notes subtle changes to her clothing and smiles softly.



The young woman returns to the main group and seats herself a little a part from the others. She is clean, the signs of injury and pain gone from her face and movements. She fishes a small wooden comb from within her cloak (under which she is now wearing a warm and comfortable looking coat) and begins to comb out her wet hair.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
James wanders back to the group.  He has acquired a wicker picnic basket from somewhere, so it seems his efforts were successful.

He speaks to Shade.  "That seems like the most sensible plan I've heard in a long time.  Good luck with that.  Since you asked, you might as well eat before you go."

James spreads out a large grey blanket, kneels beside the basket and begins to fish around for the food and utensils he has collected.  Once finished he beckons for those who are hungry to eat.  It's just as well Jonnee isn't with them because there isn't the quantity of Berd's summoned feasts, but there should be enough to go around.

James looks to where Meredith sits combing her hair and smiles, "Feel like some breakfast?"

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Not quite part of the group, but not quite not part of the group is where Meredith sits, comb busy taming her tangled hair. Her mind wanders as she works and she is about halfway through when James asks her about breakfast. She pauses, comb in hair, while taking a moment to a) realize he was talking to her and b) reply.

She looks up at James and smiles, a small timid expression that nonetheless lights up her face with the genuine feeling behind it. "I would love something for  breakfast, thank you very much for asking" she answers before the smile falters and begins to fade and her eyes skip to the ground "If it is not any trouble and there is something left over after the others have eaten, of course" she finishes quietly witha slight nod before the comb begins to wend its way through her hair once more.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
"My thanks to you, James." says Shade, with a small bow of his head in the other man's direction.  "Though I do have the means to get food for myself, it's usually raw, or stale, or rotten... or just plain poisonous.  It's better for my digestion to just steal, when I can.  I only try to create something to eat, when I really have no choice."

"Drawbacks of a flawed Pattern, I suppose, compared to a perfect one."
  He sighs and shakes his head, "Take these clothes for instance.  My last suit wasn't suitable for travelling, so I... found... these in a suitcase fallen off some carriage on the road.  They look fine, they're weatherproof, and in good condition.  They also itch like Hell, and the previous owner seems to have had an extensive collection of fleas, though the dip in the ocean I took on the way here dealt with them, for the moment."

His attention turns to Meredith, wondering who she is exactly, and how she had the misfortune to qualify for the sort of trouble this group usually finds itself in.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Nonesense, Meredith," Chance chirps. "Of course there is enough, we could turn this whole world into a hunk of cheese, if we wanted-- well, maybe Luke could-- but there is enough, and I wouldn't be comfortable if you waited until we were done, anyway. Here..." He grabs the first thing he can find from the basket and hands it towards her.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
-----------------------------------------------------------
Meredith starts for a moment when Chance answers her. She had not expected any one to reply to her. She pauses in her combing and looks up at him with big, somber grey eyes as if searching out his intentions. Then she accepts the food, some sort of pastry, with a slight, tentative smile. "Thank you for your kindness Chance" she said with a slight bob of her head.

She sits the pastry delicately on her lap and begins to pull the comb through her hair once more. She could wait to eat until her hair was properly combed.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Shade (NPC)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Shade stands, stretching, "I'll be on my way, I think.  Thanks again for the food, and the chance to just sit and talk for a while.  As I said, I've no intention of looking for Cyan to deliver that message, and no plans to go back to Jack, just now.  Not sure which of the two would be worse for my health anyway."

He tilts his head back, squinting at the sky, "So you don't need to worry that either of them will get any word about you from me."

He starts to walk, taking a sharp right, then a left, before he gets to the edge of the cliff and lowers himself over.  Just before he disappears entirely, he calls out, "See you around, maybe."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Dworkin (GM)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Only with Shade's absence, and their sudden return, does it become apparant that the gulls had deserted the immediate area while he was present.  Now they are back, calling out to each other as they wheel overhead.

Maybe Shade is to blame, connected, as he is, to the Broken Pattern, or maybe it is a more natural phenomena... either way, there is a change coming in the weather.

The temperature drops, and there is a shift in the breeze, going from a mild easterly, to a stronger north wind.  There are dark clouds along that northern horizon, piling high, ominous, carrying the threat of a storm.

The clouds sweep down out of the north, and lightning rides with them, the thunder inaudible, as yet, over the sound of the surf.  The gulls circle lower, some dropping down to the cliff faces in search of shelter, and some fleeing southwards.

There is little danger of this tiny island being swamped, elevated above the ocean, but a storm would not be pleasant here, with so little shelter.  And a storm will strike here, within the hour.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance looked a little defeated. He lowered the food he'd been munching on and looked at the sky. With a playful shrug, he says, "I'm sorry, that's my fault. No good thing shall ever last in my presense, it seems." It often seemed that way, in fact. It was one reason why Chance had developed his happy-go-lucky manner.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"More likely it is the influence of our visitor if he travels as Jack used to.  Still, it seems that breakfast may be cut short."  James pulls a serviette from the picnic hamper and wipes his mouth.

"I'd ask where we're headed, but I don't see much alternative to Charyk, whatever awaits us there."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
(NPC'd)

The storm will not be a problem, Chance.

Berd glances at the gathering clouds, and his eyes sparkle momentarily, before he turns his attention back to his companions.  I believe that as many of us as possible should travel to Charyk.  We have no idea what we will encounter there, and a wide range of abilities would help us better cope with... he studies the clouds, and flames seem to spring up in his eyes, ... a variety of circumstances.

This is most odd.  I am unable to influence the coming storm.  It is possible that Shade's recent visit has caused it, as an accidental effect, or that somebody is deliberately interfering with it, in which case we may have been discovered.  Either way, there is nothing I can do.


===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
So much for some quiet. Again, he had the feeling that this would be the norm in this campaign. They would be chased and chasing with no breaks. He sighed and slumped a little at the thought. At least they had been offorded some rest and food.

Chance nodded, looking out over the sea noting the storm's progress. "So what do we do, Berd? Leave?"

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
)NPC'd)

Since I am unable to guarantee that we are safe here, moving on would seem to be the prudent choice.  We should... " the drake pauses as something that might almost be a large insect darts towards him and halts in front of his snout.  Dark it is, and yet seeming to glow with a strange purple light of its own, and now that it has stopped its rapid movement, it can be seen to be a tiny woman, with black hair and wings of a black-purple.

Berd studies the creature for a long moment, not using the link in its presence, until, "A message from Dorian.  Dorian has been dealt with.  Unfortunately there is no indication what that might actually mean."

He ponders the situation for a little while.

I will return a message to Dorian, using one of my own sprites, informing him that we are moving again, and asking him to join us.

As he speaks, a second sprite appears, and the two fly off together.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
-----------------------------------------------------------
Chance stood, prepared to gather his things and move on. His life had always been about moving on, but this time he had hoped to linger a little longer. The events with the Warrior in Jet and Gold had bothered him deeper than he let on.

"Dorian has been dealt with? That sure doesn't tell us much. I'm guessing he didn't want to say more, for some reason. He's letting us know something has happened, but saying it's not any of our business exactly what. Of course, we don't know just which Dorian sent the message or has been dealt with. If he returns, let's be careful."

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by James
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Those were his words then?  Dorian has been dealt with?  Dorian never spoke of himself in the third person, so my guess is that the two Dorian's have met and one is no longer.  Probably the clone Dorian.  I agree with Chance, we must be carfeul with him."

James packs away the remains of the breakfast.  They have little use, now, for the breakfast hamper so he tucks it away in the lee of one of the rocks.  An inconguity there, in such an isolated place.  James wonders briefly whether the find will confound the next visitor, then wonders whether it will even survive the coming storm.

===========================================================
Re: 50d - Betrayals by Berd
-----------------------------------------------------------
Berd ponders for a long moment.  Both of you are correct, I think.  We have no knowledge of the situation, save for one thing.  I doubt that the 'original' Dorian would refer to his clone as 'Dorian'.  He would not see it as an equal in any way.

But yes, we cannot make assumptions based on that alone.  The situation is far too complicated for that, especially since the second Dorian has become less positive in nature since our encounter with Drusilla.
  Here, Berd pauses to consider.

Which begs the question - shall I inform Drusilla of our situation and plans?  I believe we should - I still maintain that she would be a potent ally.  We-

Berd abruptly winces, and glances up into the sky.  Dorian has dismissed my messenger somewhat abruptly.  Handle With Care, indeed.

He glances toward James.    With a deep sigh, he then turns toward Meredith.

Meredith.  I am prepared to send you, now.  We know the location of the Army of the End of Time.

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Chance
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Chance frowns. "As much as I love they irony," he begins. "Do you think the clone might have actually won if they met each other? It seems a little…. unexpected."

He kicks absently at a rock. He didn't know either Dorian very well, and it came down to anything being possible. Perhaps Dorian's biggest downfall had been his implicit trust in himself. Perhaps he thought that the clone was the last being that would attack him. And who would know Dorian's defenses better than his own clone? It sounded more like a story he'd hear about some demigod in an epic poem than something that should happen to one he knew personally.

His head comes up sharply as the dragon finishes speaking. Had he missed something. "Wait, what is this? We're sending her back to the general's army? No fair making plans without the rest of us, you two."

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Re: 50d - Betrayals by Meredith
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While the others spoke, Meredith quietly finished combing her hair and eating her pastry. She then braided her hair back into a single braid. It was a different look for her, her face and neck were exposed, she could no longer hide behind her hair. She remained kneeling, eyes on the ground, mind wandering until Berd said he was ready to send her. She rose in a single fluid motion and dipped her head in a nod. Chance spoke out and Meredith raised her luminous grey eyes to him.

"I think it is best this way Sir Chance" she says quietly, a small smile tugs at her lips when she addresses him as 'Sir.' This smile, and the sudden sparkle of laughter in her eyes indicate her cautious attempt at a joke.

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