The Seven Keys.

[LadyFairy]

After they had eaten, and were siting near the fire. Tela looked over at her companion. She had set up a bed roll earler, and had noticed her companion had little as far as supplys, but then that was no surprise. Sence he was keeping it a secret that he could change shape.
Pulling a spare blanket out of her pack, She turned to Garin You may use this if you want... i dont mind i'll probably change shape myself to stay warmer, and with the fire we both should be very comfortable. She said holding the blanket out waiting on his reply.
Do you know how far it is to the capital from here?? ive heard that the wise one is supposed to have a home there. She asked,Tela couldnt believe she was nervious, she had never been nervious around another in her life, humnoid or animal, but for some reasion with Garin she was. She didnt want to scare him away by making a wrong move. She liked him alot, and hoped that he might feel the same twords her.

 

[LadyRozes]

Tildiir suddenly felt like a pressure he had felt lifted off his shoulders.. it seemed like a relief to finally do something he wanted... the vows made by the other two compaions of his daughter made him feel warm and felt that he would be able to see his daughter again,... now .. he needed to talk to a certain missing dwarf.. he really wished that Saraka was there .. at least he would have understood what he had done.. and he was sure he would have loved the reactions of the people...

He hugged his daughter Calixte and whispered,"as soon as things get easy for you .. make sure you disappear.. and do exactly what I say .. go down to the crypt and .. take my fathers sword .. it will help you .. I promise.. I .. I think that is what your friends are looking for.."

When he looked towards his court once more, he noticed that the elf and knight were missing ... perhaps .. something was a miss.. Tildiir signalled his guards to follow them..

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

Nexus looked at the sword, her eyes widening with shock.. "you .. but.. how .. are you able to hold .. that ?!"


Snider slipped out of the shadows and in the pathway of his overindulged brother and his whore.. "I see that you havent changed your taste in women, brother .. how are you coping with the loss of your pathetic common lower class whore.. I see you ahve replaced her with another .. lower class breed... you just dont get it do you ?"

 

[poohlive]

"Oh... it's not so hard," Goven lied, "Just a little shock. Feels weird, almost good. Like, sweet acid, I think, just running through your veins. You're weak, and at the same time, you can feel the strength just beyond the sword."

Goven smiled, looking down at his prize. His curse, his only feeling left to feel. Something that made him feel like he truly needed to feel. A sad, sick, lonely crazy elf. He couldn't stand for too long, much less casting a spell. And for some reason, that made him feel all right.

"We should leave soon. I believe the others know of our presence, and once they see the sword gone, they will come after us."

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I froze. That voice. I knew that voice. I knew he wasn't dead. I knew there was a reason I still felt tormented over what had happened all those years ago in the glade. I was shaking violently as he appeared in front of Trianna and me.

"You..." I stared at my brother, eyes flaring with resentment. With anger. With hate. "I will have your blood for your crimes..."

I drew my sword. "For justice, for honor, for love!" I screamed the Vae battle cry at my brother as I charged. I swung for his head, he ducked and drew his short swords. I blocked the following two blows and found our blades locked together each of us jostling for position. I looked to Trianna.

"Get the others! The agents of evil are here!"

I pushed Snider backwards off of our blade lock. We squared up, ready to strike. Trianna stood there.

"Go!"

 

[Vixandra]

Calixte

I nodded to my father and hugged him tightly before returning to my seat beside Yris.
I said, a bit too loudly for casual conversation, "Yris, would you please escort me back to my room with the Lady Tana? I do fear that I've had a bit too much excitement this eve."
We left, gathering the "lady" Tana and Growls with us, though I imagine the wolf came only because of Tana. I sure wasn't going to argue with it- thing was huge.
We hit the outter hall and I explained what my father had said.
"So lets head down to the crypt again and get that sword, okay?"
Yris nodded- obviously happy to be away from the ball. Tana just looked at me and nodded slightly.
"Yes, Princess Calixte."
"Don't do that," I said annoyed. "I was Cali to you when I was a nameless bastard, I am Cali now. None of this princess stuff- we've not the time for such useless formalities, okay, Tana? Now come along, lets go."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna froze at the insults hurled her way, a slight flush covered her face but her eyes were hard as she stared the man up and down.

Insults were just words and the elvin people had long felt themselves above all others. She did not share that particular view with her kin, her father had taught her that all had similar spirits, hopes and dreams...but now she could imagine that this person before them was truly lesser than most.

Her hand slipped to the hunting knife within the folds of her skirt and she paused as Ramas locked swords with his brother, hesitant to leave him alone.

With his final promptings, though, she turned on her heel and ran down the corridor they had come from almost skidding into Cali and Yris.

Catching her breath, she told then,"The evil ones are here. Hurry! Ramas is in battle with his brother! Cali! You must call the guards to your aide! I fear they are after that which we seek!"

Her head whipped around as the guards the king had sent came into view.

'"Evil has invaded the castle!" She called to them,"Sir Ramas is down the hall fighitng with one of those who would see the world turned to chaos! Hurry!"

Grabbing Tana's hand, she pulled the girl along as she turned to run to her room. She needed her bow and Cali and Yris would need no distractions.

"Growls!" She said,"Keep by her side! Vigilence! We must not let them have anything that would aide them!"

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I cracked my knuckles after spotting Trianna and was ready for a fight by the time she finished. I unclipped my whip, holding it coiled at my side.
"Imagine, those jerks in my father's palace trying to mess with MY sword! How bloody rude!"
I took off at a run, the silence runes on my boots flaring to life. There were benefits to knowing good craftsmen. Of course, considering the clanking guards behind me, I shouldn't have bothered, loud as they were.
"Come, men of a realm that is now my own! To Victory!"
Cheesy, I know but I had to say something and it seemed to work well.
We stumbled upon Ramas and a man who resembled him standing a few feet apart, swords drawn. I didn't see anyone else but that didn't mean there wasn't anyone else.
"Guards- fan out, secure this area. Leave that man to Sir Ramas but don't let him escape. You three- get more guards and secure the family crypt! Now, don't dawdle! By Lyris's six toes, I am your Princess and you will obey! NOW!"
The last seemed to snap them into action though they flinched at the part about Lyris. Guess the elves didn't like the Rouge's diety much. Can't blame them really.
I waited for someone else to join the fray- wouldn't be fair if Ramas had all the fun.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir followed along behind Cali, drawing his sword as they came upon Ramas. Yrismir silently wished he still wielded Kinslayer, but pushed that thought from his mind, watching over Ramas and the other, and glancing to Cali as she gave orders.

"I don't think we have to worry about the sword, remember what it said in the crypts? Only one of your relatives could wield the key, and I doubt they have a long-lost twin or something."

He looked at the knight, and grunted. "Hey, Ramas, can you finish this quickly or are you going to need help?"

 

[Strolling Gecko]

OOC: I hope you don't mind, Rozes, but I went ahead and wrote out the battle between Snider and myself to keep things moving along.

IC: Our blades hissed through the air before slamming together in blow after deafening blow. There was no doubt about it to anyone who was watching: Snider and I were trying to kill each other.

I paid no heed to anyone who came upon our battle. Fighting Snider's dual short swords, especially without my armor or a shield was a task. I found myself parrying more often than not, only getting in strikes when he was off balance. Snider had obviously become a master at two weapon fighting. His weapons whirled around him with blazing speed as if he were tornado of steel. I was always the stronger, more skilled fighter between the two of us. He always got cocky during our fights. He always had to taunt when he thought he had the upper hand. So far he showed a frightening sense of focus. I had never seen him in such a way.

I deflected Snider's right short sword up and away from me, leaving his torso unguarded. I followed with a sweeping backhand blow intended to hew him in half, but Snider managed to leap backwards just enough to avoid my blade. He countered with a lunge with his left sword, but I parried his blow away so hard it sent the sword clattering to the floor. I tried to bring my sword down hard on Snider's head, but he twisted out of the way and pinned my blade to the floor beneath his. He brought his foot down on the flat of my sword and pinned it to the ground. He went for another lunging strike I narrowly avoided by side stepping and grasping his arm. I wrung his arm over my head which caused him to drop his sword before flipping him over with a throw.

Snider lept to his feet. I spun to face him. The battle paused for a moment. We were both breathing heavy, but neither of was was near exhaustion. Our eyes locked on each other.

"Looks like we'll be settling this like when we were children," Snider hissed, "Unless you're still too noble to beat up on your poor, weak brother."

"You are not my brother any more," I spat back at him.

Snider and I began to thunder away on each other with our fists. Snider caught me first with a right hook, but I ducked his follow up and hit him hard in the ribs followed by a straight jab of my own. Snider went for a sweep of all things, which I lept over. I landed flat footed and caught a foot in my gut. Snider grabbed my head and slammed his knee into my face so hard it dazed me. I dropped to a knee. Snider circled behind me. His arm constricted around my throat and I for the first time I felt my life slipping away from me. I was getting dizzy. Everything began going black. The hallway in front of me was fading in and out. I felt death began to take me. Then I saw her....

Trianna was watching me die.

One thought surfaced in my drowsy state. One thought bubbled up from the depths of my mind and I grasped onto it with all my being.

I would not abandon her on our quest.

The world became clearer. I found new strength within me. I fought back to a knee and powered my way back up to my feet. I grabbed Snider's arm and pulled it off of my throat. I flipped him off my back and onto the hard palace floor. I stumbled back a bit to catch my breath. Snider had landed near one of his swords. He quickly grasped it and hurled it for my head. I avoided it with a swift turn to the left letting the blade fly by and embedding itself in the wall. Snider scrambled over to his other blade. He charged, swung and missed as I rolled under his blow and grabbed my sword. Snider went to bring a blow down on me, but I blocked it at the last second with my own. I stood and Snider got a piece of my left arm with his sword.

He smiled a wicked smile. I caught him with a slice across the belly. Not deep, but enough to cut through his armor and cause him to start bleeding. Still he smiled.

"That's enough brother," Snider hissed, "my work is done here."

That said, Snider seemed to melt right into shadow. Somehow I knew he was gone. He wasn't stupid. He must've realized that the good gods' champions had appeared in addition to several royal guards. Snider obviously knew he was outnumbered and thus he ran.

I leaned on my sword gasping for my breath. I turned my head to Trianna and I smiled. Then the world went black and I collapsed.

 

[RoneLith]

She seemed on edge about something, perhaps he should loosen up his demeanor towards her. It was not her fault and he had to remember that there were those out in the world who would not subjecate him. He sighed slightly, suddenly feeling foolish about the apprehensive nature he had been displaying to her. He looked up at her and sent her an image of his smile.

I feel I owe you an apology, he said to her softly. It has been a long time since I have met anyone that did not instantly fear me and I have treated you unfairly for that I am sorry. He paused briefly. I have never actually been to the capitol of this area, but I am sure it should not be too hard to find, big cities often carry big smells. If you do not mind I would like to accompany you, this world is very dangerous alone.

Quickly he shifted back into his human form and rolled out the bed roll she had offered. He crawled into it and returned to his wolf form. Thank you, you are much to kind. I wonder, would you care to hear a story?

 

[LadyFairy]

She smiled changing shape herslef and , laying down upon the bed roll. She looked over at him and sending the message to him threw her mind as he had done earler. You ve nothing to appologise for, we do not know each other all that well. It is I who should appologise to you.....i would be honored to have you accompany me. Please tell me your storie.

 

[RoneLith]

It begins in a small village, the kind of place filled with farmers and other men of the land. A simple place where the greatest problem to occur is when is the rain comming. It is here that the story begins. The image of a quaint town with a few well made and cared for homes is projected in her mind. A nearby creak takes care of their water and a forest begins on the other side of it. Truly a peaceful place.

In this village lived a man who had become a hero to everyone in the village. It was thanks to this man that this town stayed safe from attack and any travelers who might wish to do harm to the people. Bandits feard him and stayed far from the village. It was said that his sword could stike down ten men in one stoke. The village had been kind to him and had given him a beautiful home to raise his baby son. The child's mother had died giving birth and he had no one else to help him. Though many ladies in the town wanted to be the step mother to his son he could not bring himself to dishonor the real mother. So it went the child grew up raised both by his father and any number a lady villagers who offered their help. As he grew his father began to teach him how to use a sword and defend himself against others. He wanted the boy to take his place protecting the town after his passing. The boy found a passion for fighting and progressed very quickly, in his teen years he began learning from others in the village and men who passed by on thier way to bigger and better things. It was when he was fifteen that he was put to his greatest test. He paused for a moment to let it all sink in.

Would you care to hear the rest later or shall I go on?

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

Trianna reached her room and burst through the door. Picking up Tana, she put her on the bed and held her head in her hands.

"Tana, I need you to stay here with Growls while I make sure you are not in anymore danger. Do not leave this room. Do not open the door for anyone except myself or Ramas. Do you understand?"

She could see the fear in the child's eyes and wished she could wipe it away but there was danger out there and it involved her directly. She had a right to be afraid.

Standing, Trianna locked the windows and closed the heavy curtains casting the room into shadow. Speaking a word, the room lit up with a magical glow. It wasn't Trianna doing it, it was simply a spell most elves used to light thier homes and the reason that dthe wood lelves homes looked as if pixies had taken refuge in the trees when the night fell upon their villages.

Grabbing her bow and arrow, she dashed out the door again calling to Growls. "Stay and guard her. If any but those from our party enter...tear them apart."

With her face set, Trianna shut the door and laid a hand on it, speaking the words for a magical lock...also a common elven ward in every home.

Dashing down the corridor, she slung her quiver over her back, her long skirt sweeping around her legs as she ran, her slippers making no noise.

When she arrived to where Ramas and his brother were fighting, she slide to a stop, a look of horror coming over her usually placid face. Ramas was on his knees and his brother was squeezing his neck. She could see the light fading from his eyes.

In a flash she had an arrow in her bow and it was aimed at Snider's head, If she let go, he would die. She was very skilled and she knew she could hit the man without hurting Ramas.

But her eyes were locked with Ramas' and she saw something within it and she knew. He had to overcome this or die trying. No other way would he be able to deal with his past.

Swallowing, she let her bow down and loosened the tension on the arrow, willing Ramas to find the strength to fight back. Her heart seemed to slow and almost stop as she saw him struggling for breath...and then it happened.

Giving a gasp, she saw Ramas find his last bit of strength and Snider went flying past her and the fight resumed. Her eyes watched every movement as if it were played in slow motion and her stomach gave a lurch as Ramas was hurt and then a thrill went through her as Snider was also dealt a blow.

As Ramas sank o the ground unconscious, Trianna was by his side, catching him and lowering his head onto her lap as she pressed on the pulse point in his neck which was already showing signs of bruising.

She gave a trembling sigh as she found it and nodded to Yris and Cali.

"He will liive. Go! Go and do what you have to. I will have him taken to my room so I can stay with him and Tana. I will guard the girl...you must fulfill this part of the prophesy!"

Calling to a wide eyed servant who had watched the fight, she told him to find the healer and two to carry Ramas to her room. Without argument, he sped off and up the corridor to do as she bid as Trianna sat in the hallway, Ramas' head cradled in her lap, a soft song of healing coming from her lips as she rocked him back and forth.

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

Snider slinked into the room where nexus and Goven were, the blood oozed onto the carpet.. :I fear we may be too late.. they know we are here ... "

Nexus turned and sneered at the idiot, " and I suppose you will lead them right here.. "

Breathing hard Snider finally manages to get out, "you... alll... just ... leave.. go out into the hallway and pretend you are .. guests.. ... jsut walk out..."

NExus smiled.. "oh dear brother I do believe we will need to stp out dont you?"

They headed down the hallway and almost bumped into the palace guards that were running about .. shortly after donw the hallway .. a familiar green skinned man stood with another ..

 

[LadyFairy]

smiling Tela sent him a feeling of warmth and said.Please continue.... Tela found that she enjoyed the sound of his voice. As she listened to his storie, and that she was no longer nervious around him. She watched him with great interest , and respect as he told his tale.

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Micaelae and Ambrasia

The two of them rushed into the castle,Ambrasia sniffling and simpering pleadingly even as Micaelae fumed.Where were those two girls?had they lsot there cover?He'd kill them when he found them!

rounding a corner,two guards turned."who are you?Guards!To me!,I've found two of them!"

The guards charged Micaelae.

"fools"he muttered and raised his hands,darkness radiating around him as the illsuions of the msot horrible monsters arose from pools of the deepest black void.
Skeletons,horrible oozing moinsters of flesh and eyes and bone shuffled outward,gurgling and hissing.The first guard swung at one of the apparitions,to only have it walk through the sword,cackling and crackling evilly.The guard yelled and as the illusion hit him the guard froze,a cold chill making his body shudder,twisting itself in its own fear before going out like a light,fainting.
The other guard stared,seeing only the guard beign dragged down and savagley torn to pieces.the guard turned on his heel and ran screaming away.

"oh My Love that was Brilliant!"Ambrasia simpered and coo'd,fluttering her eyelashes and seductivly moving into his line of sight.

"stop acting like a harlot and search for the others,i fear we may be leaving soon."
As Ambrasia hmmphed and stomped a dainty,illusioned foot she trudged after him.

Lucia and Cecilia

The two calmly walked through teh hallways before splitting,Cecilia going to where Goven's rooms were(apporximatly),and Lucia to go and worn their Master,Micaelae.

Cecilia turned the orner and almost ran into Snider's chest.
"oh..forgive me"she said quietly,her form becoming a bit sleeker,more tantalizing,her dress clinging to her but not revealing,only hinting witha smoky black suggestion.
"Oh my!your hurt"She simpered,hands going to him to glow,removing the blood and closing any open wounds.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I nodded at Trianna. "Sounds like a plan. Lets go, Yris!"
With caution and care, we made our way down to the crypt once more- wouldn't do to be jumped on the way down there. A quick detour to our room let me pick up my sword, Yris his staff.
Could never have too many weapons on oneself.

 

[RoneLith]

"Very well," he said softly starting again. "As I said it was at fifteen he was put to his greatest test..."

...Slowly the image filled her mind.

He rushed to his father as the ogre slammed it club into him knocking his sword infront of the boy. Quickly and without missing a step he scooped it up and continued to run to his father. As the ogre moved in for the kill the boy slashed its wrist causing it to drop its club in pain. He stood now defiant, his father's sword in his hand inbetween a rather large and angry ogre. "Son get away," he heared his father say.
"No father, I am going to save you and our town!" The boy stuck out with his father's sword only to have it bounce harmlessly off the ogre's thick skin. Quickly he dodged a giant fist and struck again with the same effect. It was a loosing battle if he did not find the answer soon. Suddenly pain ripped through him and he was no longer on the ground. He gaged as the ogre grabbed his throat and lifted him high into the air. The boy knew he would have to be quick or death would surely come. The sword as if guided by the boy's natural instinct to live, stuck hard into the ogre's eye, piercing straight through. He fell to the ground as the ogre roared out in pain and surprise. All at once the ogre fell dead, the sword sticking straight into its brain. As if the sword itself moved, its lifeless body gave one final sigh as its last breath was realeased.

...the image fades slowly.

"After that day the task of protecting the town from attack fell on the boy, his father no longer able to do so with a shattered leg that never completely healed. The town held him in high regaurd after that and he was praised with thank you's and hello's from many of the people. The lady's of the town also took notice on him alot more often than before." He chuckled slightly. "And what fifteen year old boy dosen't like that." He paused again and gave out a slight yawn. "Life was good for him and the village for many years and he alone repelled many attacks from orcs and goblins and the like. It was not until ten years later that he was truly tested again. It was on this day that his honor held true but the trust he had thought he gained in the town fell to peices. He had spent the night with a lovely young lady from one of the more prestigus families in the area, seacretly of course. They had had a few of these sessions before and had never taken each other's virginity, however this night the fates conspired against him. In the morning as the sun came up, he left their hiding spot first as they had grown accustomed to doing, as he walked back into town an old woman shouted harshly at him and pointed a group of about fifty men from the village to his postion. Murderer they shouted, Killed his own father others proclaimed. The groupd of men surrouned him as the village magistrate came forward. He pronouced that he was accused of the death of his father. They demanded that he tell them where he had been all night. He shouted his innocence and demanded to know what proof they had. The magistrate tossed the boy's own sword in front of him, covered in blood. It was found stabbed in the back of your own father he told him. He cried, out of the loss of his father and the loss of the trust in the town. He professed his innocence again and they once again demanded his wearabouts for the night." Garin paused, he tried to hide his tears as they slowly started to shed. Apparantly there was more to this story than he was letting on. "He could not bring himself to damage a lady's honor nor his own and refused to tell them where he had indeed been. They threw him in chains and dragged him to the town square. The lady he had been with pleaded with him to tell them where he had been. He simply stated, it would do not good they have already made their decision. The lady's father just happened to be a rather talented wizard and she ran home as fast as she could to tell him.
The town decided that he too would suffer the same fate as his father and he would be run threw with his own sword in the back. It was only moments before his death was to come when an explosion of light filled the area. The town wizard had arrived. Everyone around backed away as they stood in fear and awe of him. He bent down and whispered to the boy, 'my daughter has told me everything about the two of you, I thank you for not harming her or robbing her of her honor. I know you did not kill your father, I feel there are other things at work here than just us. If you will permit me I can save your life at the least.' The boy nodded thankful to have someone with reason still in his head. The wizard then proceded to remind the town folk of all the good deeds he had done and that death was not the answer. He convinced them to banish him into the world never to be allowed to return. They conceded but only if he were made sure that no other would be able to be harmed by him. It was determined that he be made into an animal and cast out into the wild. Stunned by this the wizard made a decsion in his own mind, he would not curse the lad as they so wished but would make it both a gift with a slight curse to fool the town priest who was nothing short of moronic. He would be neither human nor animal but a mix both eaqul and seperate. His only curse would be the full moon, at that time he must be in his animal form or be permantely and completely turned into it. And so it came to pass he had been allowed to choose the animal that would be his form, and he would be sent away into the wild never to return.

He glanced over at her trying to judge her reaction. He would wait to finish what was left unsaid, unless she asked. A tale of both triumph and deafeat but even in deafeat a small measure of victory may be obtained. That is the moral of this story.

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela could new when she had seen the tears in his eyes that the storie he told was about himself. She wasnt sure what to say to him, she wanted to comfort him but, didnt want him to feel that she were offering pitty of any kind, he would not welcome such. She was Honored that he had shared his storie with her.

She wished she could go to his village herself and teach the towns people there a lession, but it was not her place to do so. He had been honorable and they had treated him cruely. If she ever came across the wizard and his daughter tho.. she would have to thank them for saving his life...

Sending him a feeling of warmth, and understanding. She asked.
Did you ever discover who really killed your father???

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Trianna

As the others sped off, Trianna looked down at Ramas and noticed a sheen of persperation on his forhead. Her brow furrowed...the cut had not been deep...he should not be reacting like this.

Pushing the material of his shirt aside, she looked closely at the wound and felt the heat from his body. He was running a fever, she was sure of it.

But then he began to shake as if he was cold, his body twitching and a moaned escaped him. Her eyes flew open and something clicked inside. Her father had told her these symptoms and they didnt belong within a castle's walls. Nor did they belong to a minor cut.

As the healer came down the hallway with two assistants, Trianna reached back and unstrapped her quiver.

"Don't touch him," She commanded as the assistants bent down to pick him up.

They looked at her in surprise as she reached into a pocket where she kept extra pieces for fletching and pulled out a packet of crushed herbs and leaves.

"Water," She said and, when one assistant looked at the healer, she nodded and soon a small amount of water from a flask was placed in a shallow bowl was given to Trianna, both flask and bowl coming from one of the large pockets in the assistant's robes.

Using her knife to strip some of her dress off, she dipped it into the water and pressed it against Ramas' mouth to wet it and then used the rest of the water to mix the herbs in.

When she had a thick paste, she dipped her fingers into it and spread it on the wound instructing the assistants to hold Ramas' arm as he flinched away from the mixture.

Lathing it on thickly, she stripped her dress once again and wrapped it around his arm, holding the paste in place.

"I could have cured him..." The healer began and Trianna interruped her.

"He would have been dead by the time you had gotten him to the room. There was poison on the blade. A very venomous snake and it takes only a short time for the poison to kill. It needed to be drawn out as quickly as possible. By the time you could have managed a spell his last breath would have been taken."

The healer looked a little miffed that Trianna might suppose to know more than she did but the wood elf ignored her as she placed a hand on Ramas' cheek to judge the fever.

"You will still have much to do," Trianna told her,"He is not out of danger yet."

Nodding at the assistants, she added,"You may take him now. To my room."

Standing as they lifted him up, she ignored the looks that that statement brought and led the way down the hall.

"Tana!" She called out at the door,"It is only me. I am coming in."

Speaking the word of unlocking, she entered the room and noticed Tana's eyes becoming wide at the sight of Ramas unconscious and obviously ill being carried between two other men.

"He is hurt," Trianna told her, regretting that she must find out about such evils so young but she would not likely be allowed to avoid them forever. "We must nurse him back to health."

The assistants placed him on the bed and Trianna removed his boots and shirt, being careful not to jostle the bandage on his arm as the healer began her preparations for her part in his recovery.

"Tana, get water and bathe his face. Be sure to wet his lips," She told the girl who looked relieved to have something to do.

Standing back, she watched the healer begin her series of spells to drive off the sickness and poison that was fighting to take over Ramas' body. It was a long time before she was done, Tana sitting by the bed and wiping his forehead as the healer worlked.

When all three finally packed up and left, Trianna moved to the door and locked it, instructing Growls to stay by it and let no one in.

Going back to the bed, she took Tana by the hand and placed the girl on her lap, hugging her.

"We have done all we can. We must trust in the Gods to do all that they will. Go and get ready for bed. I will not leave Ramas here to continue the journey. We travel when he gets well whether we have to catch up with the others or not."

Letting the girl go and do as Trianna said, hoping that it would keep her mind busy enough to not dwell on what was happening around her, she went to a drawer and removed her lyre, sitting back down on the chair by Ramas' bedside and strumming it.

Slowly she began to sing, to weave a hymn to the Gods of healing and light to ask for Ramas' recovery. The music grew and swelled within the chamber as Tana prepared for bed and Ramas shivered on the bed, fighting the evil his brother had done to him.

 

[LadyRozes]

Snider's eyes widened as once more the chit saved his life. "You know this ability doesnt belong on this side of the war.. but I am greatful for your help..."he snapped at her. Smiling he knew his idiot of a brother had to be in the midst of death throws. "we need to leave here soon, there is a way out through the tunnels beside the catacombs.

****
Nexus and Goven sauntered by the hallway hoping not to catch anyone's notice however the Guards called out, "HALT!! No one is allowed to leave the premises.. you must reenter the ballroom, or head back to your rooms.. "

Nexus looked at the Guard, "Surely you are mistaken .. I think its alright for my brother and I to leave.."

The guard looked at the duo suspeciously, something didnt seem right between the two. The guard looked at Goven, "Is there something wrong with your brother he seems to be quite pale.. Let me call some of the healers.."

*******


Iniside the tomb everything looked the same, but nothing flet the same.. everything appeared to be in order....

 

[RoneLith]

No, he said happy she had gotten the message. I have my suspiscions but everyone in town except for the wizard and his daughter belives I did it. Both the wizard and his daughter said they would continue to look for the killer and would notify me as soon as they discovered who it is. I have heard nothing from them since I left nearly ten years ago. He sighed and looked up at her a warm kind expression on his face. I am glad I told you, I am truly going to like calling you friend.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir hissed as they entered the catacombs again, and grabbed Cali. He looked around. "There wasn't this much magic here before. Something is very wrong here. There is a great deal of magic left here. More than enough for any normal spell. Something is very wrong here."

He moved forward, looking around. The sword still seemed to be in place. He let Cali go, and muttered to himself. He shoved his sword home, and raised a hand to his staff, recalling the previous spell. Wood feel back, revealing the dark heart. It pulsed one, the staff jumping in his clenched fist.

It began drawing the leftover magic into itself, slowly draining away the residue from the spells cast. Yrismirs eyes narrowed, and he barked a command to it in orcish. He watched as it stopped, feeling thje residue of power settling back. He gritted his teeth, and turned his attention elsewhere, trying to figure out what had happened here.

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela smiled. I think i am going to enjoy calling you friend as well, and i am very glad we met. Laying her head upon her paws she curled up and went to sleep.