When RP takes control IC thread

[katalynn]

"The stars are not out, there is no point in staying here right now to dwell on petty feelings."

Stood up with him, wrapping her arms around him and gave him a light kiss.

"I am happy to have met someone like you."

Taking a step back, one last look at the sky of where her arrow shot up into. Wiped away the tears, gathering her thoughts even more so.

"Shall we?"

Smiling sweetly at him, as if nothing as changed.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She steps back as the Necromancer's servants step in and subdue Dominic. She glares at the one servant who mentioned that he might be better off dead. "You may think that of him, but you are wrong he is not a burden to us."

She didn't wish to offend anyone, but Dominic meant too much to her to let them even think of not trying. She was thankful when the woman said she had said she would at least try.

She watched warily with the ever loyal Slip residing on her shoulder, just as worried about his master.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

The gold elf smiled warmly at the elf maiden, truly happy at how things had turned out. Together the pair descended from the roof and into their room. Thalryn chuckled as the cat opened its mouth and bared its fangs in a yawn.

“Pouncer,” he thought to himself, She may as well have named it “Kitty.”

The gold elf nodded toward the door and he and Athyna exited. They shortly found Dominic strapped down to the bed and Vivre hard at work. Thalryn could see the fatigue setting into the lady necromancer, and he knew she was giving the cure her all. Her servants stood firm watch over their lady, ensuring that if exhaustion claimed her, she would not make it to the floor.

Skyler observed from Dominic’s side, and the look on her face told Thalryn things weren’t going well.

The elf approached the servant Vivre had identified as Lang, the artisan of the lyre he’d purchased. He cautiously put a hand on his cold shoulder, turning the undead man’s attention slightly from his mistress before speaking.

“Is there anything I may do to serve your lady or make her casting easier, friend?”

 

[katalynn]

Athyna sat in the back of room quiet and suddenly timid around the group. Unsure of what to do, or even what she can do. Her powers were really limited, and even with that they were combat spells mostly. Also there were far to many people in such a small room. Yes, she was worried about Dom, but what can a ranger do?

Instead of trying to help, she backed out of the room slowly. Feeling a twinge of being out of place came over her, walked down past the courtyard, noticing that the bag of coins she had left for the female necromancer was still there. Placing it once again in her posessions and headed down to the market place just to see what they had to offer.

During her roaming she also thought about a new name for Pouncer, it was really only a temporary name anyway. She wouldn't make him suffer with such a name, plus it really wasn't fitting for him.
The silver elf stopped at one of the merchants with many things to offer. Upon seeing a ruby studded collar that would be perfect for the huge beast, she wasn't sure how he would feel about such a thing, so she may have to come back.

Noticing as well hanging up was a scaled tunic; black and red scales woven into leather. Made for woman for like her, it wasn't bulky like what she had on now. Would fit to her form, giving her more agility and far more protection.

"Excuse me m'lord... May I ask what kind of scales these are and how much?"

The dwarf merchant was looking at her, weighing her measurements in his head.

"The scales are from a rare Black dragon that lives in the far western lands. This particular one was sadly the only left of her kind, she was dieing of age and sickness. The red scales that highlight the fine tunic are as well from the same dragon. They are the purest scales and elven made to last a life time and even longer."


The dwarf stroked his beard his a few moments while staring at her somemore. Then he went into the back, mumbling while he rummaged through some boxes, huge wooden chests.

"Awww finally I knew I still had them!"

Just and she turned, he pulled out some more items, black scaled leggings that matched the tunic, only without the red. Along with some gloves that looked to be of black leather, and boots to match.

"These gloves and boots were made from her skin, they are thin and light. Feel like nothing at all when worn. But they will protect you from anything there is out there. Least, from outer things, inner sickness goes w/out saying."

His short stubby hands and arms held the pants up to her, testing their length and size compared to hers.

"Yes, these will do nicely. These I'm afraid are not from the same dragon. If you look close enough, you will see the shimmering stars within them. I'm afraid I do not know the name of these scales, but they do have the same quality for they are made from the same elven maiden."

Athyna was looking closer at the legs and the tunic, they didn't really look like scales from a distant. More like very fine material. She was noticing the red in the tunic were dragon that wove into eachother, connecting at the tails in never ending lines. She finally spoke after listening to him and his stories,

"You have told me much m'lord, yet, you have not told me the price of these fine items."

Looking down at the dwarf, she had more than enough money for she never really spent it. Never spent money on herself like this before. This time, she deserved it.

He pondered a moment, acting like he knew he couldn't trick this one. And the way the outfit was, it would highlight her silvery hair, the sparkle tha shown in her silver eyes.

"For all it I would give you m'lady. No more 500plat."

She smiled, knowing full well that this type of gear was worth far more than that.

"Would the elve maiden who made such wonderous items, accept such a low price?"

Dwarf looked down, scratching at the dirt with his toes.

"No, she would not m'lady... But I have been having a hard time selling them. The price would be more than generous, and she would understand."

Athyna went to another pack and pulled out a bag full of plat and gold. Should have well over 3000 worth of plat in it. Placed it on in his hands and he knew right away that it was more that he had asked for. He didn't question her,

"Keep it, It will do you good and keep you from your maidens trouble."

His smile grew,

"Yes, yes, it is more than appreicated m'lady."

The stubby hands worked quickly to package the items and giving it her. Athyna bowed her head and thank him once again, he did the same.

Once back at the room they had shared, she debated long and hard if she should stay or take her leave. Thalryn had said he did not wish to lose her, but she would be surrounded by people who..........

"Luathas! ... That is what I shall name you... Do you approve?"

The huge head of the cat lifted up, ears perked up and he walked over purring lifting her hand under his nose.

"Its settled then, your name is offically Luathas."

She stood up grabbing her new gear, looking at it with much appreication. Stripped out of her leather clothes which were pretty beat. Slowly slipped into her new stuff, felt like silk to her skin. It was perfect how it formed to her shape, giving her a whole new look. Even felt like the ranger she was meant to be, strong, emotionally collect. Now she wanted to kill something.

"You should stay here, Luathas, I'm not sure what they are doing and I don't wish for you to get yelled at."

Wondered over to the room she left about maybe an hour ago, it was hard to tell if things were better or worse.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Lang, Shihou, and Huozai

His eyes darted to the elf, and then back to his lady.

“No, there’s nothing you can do, save keeping your distance.” His voice was odd, muted, as if he was just learning how to speak. Lang touched his lips for a moment. He had been barely able to understand what the elf had said to him - a good thing that he had become adept at reading lips as time went on. To stop any further questions, Lang pointed to the fine stitching job within his ears, signaling that he couldn’t hear.

He tilted his head upwards, looking over at her as she did her work.

The blood that flowed from her hand was black…That wasn’t good. His glance went back to the two men. With her being as preoccupied as she was now, it would be hard for them to communicate with the living within the room. They still could talk among one another, though. His eyes went to Shihou. The blonde’s ice blue eyes held Lang’s, and his quiet voice was heard within the confines of the blonde covered skull.

“Her blood is black. We don’t have much time before it can spring loose…”

“And I bet these people would show no remorse. I will see to it that she remains herself.” The blonde’s gaze was determined as he took his natural place at her left side. Lang moved closer to her right, backing off of the Oracle for the time being.

Huozai paced behind them, his actions akin to a great cat’s indignation at being caged. He was not left out of the mental conversation, but his eyes could not see the slow trail of black from her palms, the carefulness of her grip on the pill, trying to keep herself from going over a precarious edge. But he did know this: if something went wrong now, it would take nearly all of the forces in Hell to restrain her.

 

[Armphid]

Jasleth

Jas wrapped her closer, feeling her heart hammering frantically against her chest. He liked to think of himself as a man without fear, but this frightened him. There wasn't anything he could really do here. He was helpless. He HATED being useless. "I'm sorry, love." "Just try to bear with it a little longer, we'll get it fixed." "Let me try and ease the pain at least..."

He set her back down on the bed, slipping into the Ki Sight that would allow him to use the Chakra technique. Her essence flow was greatly distorted, by some black twisting force that swirling and eddied sickeningly in his pelvis. Taking a deep breath, he reached out with gentle fingers, hooking lines of life force and guiding them to proper flows, minimizing contact with that wicked thing that was slowly expanding inside her. He couldn't cure it, but this should eliminate some of the pain, and restrict its growth. "There...does it help any Kryss?"

He placed his arms under her, gently lifting her from the bed. He listened to her reply with a faint smile, though his wine red eyes were grave. "Well...at least we know that it's the Blight now." "I heard the necromancer arrive...hopefully she'll be tending to Dom now." He thought for a few moments, reviewing the little he knew if The Blight and necromancy. "With as bad as his case is...she won't be able to help you too, at least not now." "Which means that it's time to impose on the Sages." He was already moving downstairs, "They are the world's greatest healers, and I will make them cure you."

Jasleth stopped in the doorway to Dom's room, watching the events unfold for a few minutes. He felt a kind of shock when he saw the slender woman tending to Dom. He did know her...he was sure of it...but he couldn't think of how, or from where, or even what her name was. Were they friends? Were they enemies? The large man with her looked up, sensing a new presence and the dead face seemed shocked. As if the man had recognized him as well. As if this was the true face he had expected to see in Kyle earlier.

Jasleth and Kyle had the same face, and general build. Jasleth was more muscular than the lithe Kyle, and his hair was a dark blue, not quite the black of his other side. The monk padded up beside Thalryn. He whispered, so as not to disturb the proceedings. "Thal, Kryss is having some kind of attack." "I think it might be Blight too." He glanced at the working necromancer. "Both of them will be too much for one day, I reckon, so I was going to find the Sages and browbeat them into it."

He felt eyes on him, and noticed the big guard was still regarding him with a thoughtfully displeased expression. Jas inclined his head, and since the large man was close, spoke to him in as soft a voice. "I hope you carried my apology to you lady, friend." "As well as the hangover powder." "For some reason...I very much want to see her pleased and safe..." Jas's gaze drifted to the woman again, then he shook his head. "But another friend needs me now, and I can't keep her waiting any longer." "I know that yous mistress will be weak after this...I don't know that it means anything, but there are empty rooms here, and they're a sight better than that inn." "She can rest here, and she'll have my protection as well as yours." Saying that...protecting her...it felt right somehow. "Please convey the apology and my offer when she is finished, sir."

He looked back at Thal and nodded. He gave Skyler a brave smile, wanting to speak to her but not wanting to get too close lest he disturb the process. Instead he stepped back next to the elven swordsman and the ranger. "Any thoughts or advice before I go, Thal?" "Athyna?"

 

[katalynn]

Kryss started to calm down knowing that she wasn't alone, the feel of his arms around her, the one that she fell in love with here with her now. The pain was still torturous she allowed him to try to help ease it. Noticing that his hair was blue again, his eyes were once more red. Kryss had closed her eyes for a few moments, just trying to relax, thoughts started to become a bit distracted.


"It still hurts, but not has bad. Just a dull pain right now."

Not wishing to be alone right now, she got up with him and followed him towards the room Dom and Skyler shared. Seeing the man strapped down to the bed, he did seem pretty bad. Far worse than Kryss. But then again, they both got it in different ways, Kryss's would be much slower than his. She cringed slightly at thought of how she got it.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Athyna sat in the corner watching the dead servants, they seem to know something, keeping something from us.

Leave it to the dead to keep secrets.

She thought to herself, that thought slowly disapeared when she realized that it could be the link between their master and them. They may not be able to speak without her.

"I do not know Jas, her servants seem to know something. I can tell just by the way they are looking at eachother. Also her blood as turned black. I do not understand enough about this to know if this is good or not. Yet, the look of her men, I'd have to say it is not good."

Athyna spoke softly and quietly to Jas, slightly noticing the change in him as well.

How the hell is he doing that?

Another thought that didn't last long, wanting to ask him, but feared that even he wouldn't understand himself.

"There is far to many people in here. And there is nothing we can do cept sit back and watch."

She got up and wondered over to where Skyler and Slip were, placed an arm around the girls shoulders offering some comfort. Wasn't much else she can do, and seeing the worried look in the girls eyes made Athyna want to show some support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kryss stayed back in the doorway, amazed of what was going on, yet, being scared at the same time. Dominic seemed to be in so much pain, and to have to restrain him like that.. She was hopeing that it hasn't gone to that extent with her. He almost didn't seem like himself, even if he was restrained but something about his eyes. Something in them wasn't him.

As if it was the most natural thing for her to do, she stepped up behind Jasleth takeing his hand lightly, as if looking for protection from him. The fear rising in her just at the sight of what the female necromancer was doing to him. Kryss has never known so much fear till now.

"Is that what they are going to do to me?"

She whispered out to no one in particular, more of a thought spoken out loud. Both her hands held onto his hand, needing to be close to him now. Some how she knew the difference between Kyle and Jas, right now she needed Jas. Much comfort came to her when she woke up to him holding her. After all, it was Jasleth that she met, that she loved. Though at this point she also knew they were the same person and loved both of them. Later she would have to ask about how this is possible, for now, she needed to be taken care of.

"Jasleth, I'm scared...."

Kryss spoke softly, unable to keep her eyes off what they were doing to Dom, even unable to keep her eyes away from his gaze. As if he was staring right at her.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

The Sages. If they could have gone to the Sages, why would they put the Lady through all of this trouble?

Lang clenched his fists, the knuckles growing all the more pale. She was going through nine kinds of Hell for these ingrates? No, he wouldn’t even let her stay here, no matter how tired she was. He would carry her back to more welcoming surroundings with his own arms. He shifted, the move odd and offbeat compared to his usual smooth dance like way of moving and carrying himself. He looked up to Huozai, and all three men shared the same glance, the same thought, for a handful of moments.
______________________________

These people had no idea what pain was.

Zhu bit her tongue to stop from making any sort of audible sound. She was succeeding in driving the Blight out; she could feel it. One last push, and it would be out of his system. From a black-bloodied palm, she picked up the pill from ash, and forced it into Dom’s mouth. Clapping the bleeding palm over his hand, she tilted his head back as far as she could, stroking his throat to induce him to swallow it. The sooner he could do this, the better. It felt like something was pounding on the inside of her chest, her head, with hammers and axes, making it hard for her to think. Slinging her hand back from his mouth, she put down her hand to steady herself. The black print left on the floor boiled, burned for a moment, before cooling. Bringing herself to her knees, she held her hands over his head. Placing her fingers on his temples, she took in a deep breath.

“Zhu.” The word was drawn out, breathed. It was elusive and intangible, impossible for those outside of her Art to understand or to repeat. It was the sword brought down on the exposed neck. The single word of life would have enough punch, enough power behind it, to send the Blight within his head screaming into oblivion. It would burn through his skull like a black fire, everywhere that her blood had fallen upon him. Fire and thorns ripping at his flesh, clawing, making sure that nothing but the bone remained. His screams were now muted to her as she continued to run over the 5 Words, starting and ending with her very own name.

“Shihou.” The counter of Time, the reassurance that this curse would not be revisited upon him. “Huozai.” The purification qualities of Fire, the reassurance that the curse was burned from every cell, every part of his being. “Lang.” The soothing and calming qualities of the Ocean to ease his pain, to bring him back to the realm of the sane. Taking a slow breath, she lightened her grip on the sides of his head. “Zhu.” The final word, and the final binding.

Whoever this Avrice was, she had to give him points for casting such an effective Blight. She pulled her hands from his temples, and inched back in order to stand. Not surprisingly, she found that her legs did not want to work…She was dimly aware of her body just not responding to her at all. Then…she was rising from the ground. Fighting within herself to at least get her head to turn around, she realized that there was no need to…she could recognize the smell. Pine forest and rich earth beneath expensive Jasmine cologne…Shihou. Something about black blood - ah, that’s why she probably couldn’t move. Her body had to do something in order to prevent it from breaking free. Amazing how thorough or how effective her working suit could be…Huh. It was like she was sleeping, but couldn’t close her eyes…
___________________________________

Shihou shifted the seemingly zombie body of the young woman. Her eyes were wide open, but glazed over. Even her chest had stopped from rising and falling. Huozai, the only one capable of clear speech now, spoke.

“Your friend has been cured.”

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

A bronze skinned hand lightly clasped Jasleth’s shoulder. “Do what you must for Kryss,” the gold elf spoke. “When Dom is ready. We will join you.”

Thalryn and Jasleth then clasped arms. The monk gave the elf a curt nod, then turned back toward his lady.

Even as the monk turned away, Vivre finished the ceremony. The necromancer’s ruby eyes were still open, but she seemed to be unconscious. He still felt her life-force, but he couldn’t get a firm grip on her power.

“Will she be alright?” Thalryn inquired of Shihou even as Vivre hung limply in his arms. “Is there anything we can do for her?” He spoke. “Anything at all? I have some healing and regenerative spells that may help?”

The glow from the necromancer’s eyes seemed faded, and Thalryn was worried that Dominic’s cure had come at to high a price. Somehow, though, the elf knew that the woman knew her limits, and she wouldn’t have attempted the healing if she wasn’t confident of her own safety.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

Shihou gave the elf a look that said that the blonde questioned his intelligence. Did he not see the stitches on his mouth preventing him from speaking? He shot a look to Huozai as he shifted Zhu higher up in his arms and headed towards the door.

Saying the light had gone of her eyes was an understatement. She looked dead.

Sensing that they were beyond done here, Lang turned to follow Shihou. These people could untie their own companion. As the blonde ducked out of the door into the darkness of the staircase, Lang surveyed the people within the room with disdain. He was giving them one last…once over. He still was incredulous - they put her through this when they had an alternative to curing their friend. Bastards. Sometimes she was too nice for her own good. Without a word he turned and followed Shihou down the staircase, leaving Huozai behind. He said nothing for a long while, leaving the silence to hang in the air.

“She’ll be fine - we have no need of your help,” he said finally, before making his own way to the door and down the staircase. He was fighting hard to control his own anger, but at least in this way, his Lady had gained some information about Avrice that these people could not have told her - how his magic worked. That would be all that she would need to know...

 

[Armphid]

Jasleth

Jas wasn't as stupid as the pretty dead boy obviously thought him to be. He could read thier body langauge, alive or not, and for some reason they were seriously torqued off. "Damned if this isn't THE most defensive group of bastards I've ever met." "Arrogant sons of bitches...still...don't want to leave this ugly."

Jas and Kryss went down before the dead men, pulling open panels and leading the way. As they entered the courtyard, Jas spoke. "I'm sure you feel this isn't my place, but I don't much care." "I'm not one for formality and I speak my mind." "You're all pissed about something, and I don't know what but I've got a good idea." "One, we didn't kow how bad this would be for your lady, two, she did and agreed to do it anyway." "Maybe you shouldn't second guess her." There was an entreaty for understanding in his voice, despite the blunt words.

"The Sages aren't a sure bet either, they have the best chance of being able to help for people who aren't necromancers, your lady was a pretty sure thing." He paused, "I don't mean to offend you, but you all seem to expect everybody to be plotting their actions out of malice, and it just don't work like that." "We're glad for the help, and grateful besides." "Your lady has saved our friend, and there was no guarantee that anyone in the valley could." "Her compassion is beautiful to behold, and her power breathtaking." "She's a wonderful example of humanity...but that doesn't mean everyone else is trash, the way you three seem to think."

Jas met the gazes of two of the men unapologetically. "Your lady's a great person, and I'd bend over backward to help her after what she's done, but you guys' attitude bites." "If you want to take a piece out of me for saying it, then once I'm done with the Sages we can go outside the valley and have the pointless fight, but maybe you should think about what I said."

He turned then, walking toward the center of town, to where The Orrey was. "I'll drop by later to see if your lady's all right, and to extend my service to her again." "Whether you three like it or not, she's more than earned several favors from me." "If she ever needs me, or wants my help, it is hers...but since I'm not sure you'll tell her, I'll do so myself." Jas waved, "See you then." "Try to cool down a little, huh?" "Life and death and big things, but if you're too serious and defensive, how can you enjoy them?"

He bowed to the unconscious necromancer, then offered Kryss his hand. "All right, Kryss...let's go see if the Sages can help." "And what price they'll offer us." "Unless it's something they've summoned you for...the Sages of Sanctuary never give anything to anyone." "And their prices...can be very high."

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

And what did they do in return? Both Shihou and Lang rolled their eyes, and continued on their way. But Lang was never one to keep his tongue still.

“Why don’t you take that silly little whore of yours and leave us be? What you say about our Lady means nothing coming from breathing trash such as yourself. The world will crumble and fall into Hell before we take what you mean to heart! We have not ASKED for your help, and you’re foolish to think that we WILL do so at a later time! Do us a favor and keep your distance - seeing your face will only make matters worse. If the gods are merciful, all of you would fall by the Blight and realize the TRUE power that necromancers have over you!”

By this time, the ocean-eyed young man was raging. How dare this idiotic young man tell him ANYTHING of life and death? He knew not how old the men were, and probably did not care. All they were to him were zombies. Such ignorance would not be tolerated. He opened his mouth to say something more, but was stilled when Huozai laid a hand on his shoulder. The two men exchanged a long hard stare, before Lang wrenched his shoulder from under the taller man’s grasp and stormed off.

Shihou glared at the monk, wishing that he was able to speak what he thought. The blood-chilling anger of his now slit-eyed gaze spoke volumes that his voice would have never been capable to reach. He shifted the catatonic girl in his arms, and followed after Lang. Once more, Huozai was left behind. Though his sense of sight was impaired, his sense of hearing was not. This little brat would not be saved by the ringing air of familiarity that oozed from him. He was of a crash stock, and deserved to rot. Only by the goodness of his Lady’s heart…Well, then. Let the bastard take his woman to the Sages and pay their price for ineffective methods - it would bring him no harm. He took a deep breath.

“Do not show your face to our Lady unless she requests you herself.”

The words would fall like the hammer upon the anvil. He would not say more, lest he got into a fight with the runt. Times like this, he was glad that Lang was at least able to get a few telling cuts in. The gods knew that this fool more than enough deserved it. Without waiting for his answer or to hear where the boy went, Huozai turned off and followed the path of the men before him.
_________________________________________

“Why they aren’t DEAD is anyone’s guess. Lord knows it would make this world an easier one to live in,” snarled Lang as he angrily filed his nails with a sliver of bone. The men had returned to the seclusion of the graveyard, rather than go back to the Inn. Zhu was still in the cradle of Shihou’s cold arms. “I don’t understand that monk’s problem. Aren’t they supposed to be wise and skilled?” he added, his hand pausing in the furious filing to make a grand gesture. “I bet he’s a flunk out. I would so die if my pupil was that stupid.”

That was at least enough to illicit a chuckle from the other men.

“You can’t blame the Lady for wanting to help, though. If I was as nice as she was, I’d help a luckless case like them, too. Sometimes it’s like she doesn’t see how nasty those people think.”

“I don’t think it’s that she doesn’t know, but that she tries to gloss it over for the better good,” offered Shihou. “She was just raised properly, unlike those other beasts.”

“True, true, we DID do a good job. If only we could be parents to the masses.” Lang sighed as he stopped again in his filing, holding his hand up to study his workmanship. Perfect. As usual. “I would have loved to have snapped that pretty little neck of his. And that wench’s too, just for being badly dressed. You know that’s a crime in and out of itself.”

“What if they’re saying the same thing about us?” Huozai had broken his silence. His thick arms were crossed on his chest as he looked out into the field beyond the graveyard.

“Who cares what they say about us? They’re not important.” Lang tossed the bone file into the air, caught it, and threw it into the dirt like a dagger. His aim was startling accurate, even though he was shooting for nothing in particular. “The only one that’s important now is that Avrice. Maybe we’ll be lucky and he’ll kill them himself.”

“I suppose his other party members think he’s a jackass too, except for the one getting serviced by him. That’s usually how those things go. Girls like that are…” Shihou shuddered mid-sentence. “I knew plenty of their type when I was living. Friendships between women are forced, end up strained, and usually with lots of talk behind one another’s back. Imagine, people looking ill upon our Lady just because her only friends are men. And…I am going nowhere with this. I just thought I would follow my train of thought to where-ever it took me…”

“Which is into the ground, as usual.”

The blonde frowned at Huozai. The red-head just gave him an “it’s true!” look, and shrugged. Shihou growled, then shifted Zhu in his arms again. From the old wound on her left palm, the black blood had paused, now issuing red from the slow stream. He smiled a little. It wouldn’t be much longer now.

“I wonder what drives our Lady,” Lang suddenly said, running his fingers through his hair. The question caught his companions by surprise. “To be nice, I mean. We know why she’s a necromancer. But why is she so kind?”

“Practice for the future,” Huozai flatly said. “When she has the power she wants, then she won’t have to be nice. Work for you, Lang?”

There was something in the way that the red-head had said Lang’s name that made him cringe. However, he wouldn’t give the man that pleasure. He snorted in reply, and tossed his hair back over his shoulders.

 

[Sean Connery]

Ooooooh

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

Jasleth’s voice was carried back into the building, and Thalryn’s sensitive ears heard where the conversation was going. The gold elf’s eyes widened alarmingly as he looked to Athyna, and their eyes exchanged a worry that the situation was about to get out of control.

He rushed out to where the monk had been busy speaking his mind. Thalryn even cringed at Lang’s reply, knowing that Jasleth was fiercely protective of Kryss, and even the monk’s knowledge of the town’s defenses may not stay his hand.

As the zombie finished his speech and turned to leave, Thalryn put a staying arm on the monk’s shoulder. Jasleth turned, his eyes burning into Thalryn’s, but the elf held his gaze true, and shook his head.

“Let them go, Jas,” the elf spoke firmly, “It’s not worth it.”

 

[katalynn]

Kryss was feeling the tension rise in the room adding the fear that was already driven into her. Once they were outside and words were being spilled out from the servant, and Jas. The pain inside was deepening once again, seemed as if the Blight was feeding off the heated words, relishing her fear.

Gripped Jasleth's hands tightly before dropping to her knees just as the last servant spoke then left. Kryss could barely breath, heart pounding hard as she doubled over in pain. Wanting to cry, but couldn't. Wanting to speak, words wouldn't come out. She didn't know what to do, her mind was screaming for her body to move, yet it wasn't listening to her. Slight numbness started to take over her limbs, the breathing within her lungs were weak and shallow as they felt like vice gripping her lungs.

The Blight was getting stronger the more she was around heated moments, whenever her fear would rise. It was makeing Kryss weaker within the moments of the argument. She could almost feel the pain of the necromancer, then the visions of her dream came back. Avrices' voice was mere whispers that were becoming more and more real. Kryss couldn't do anything, couldn't speak, scream, anything. Even the voices around her were becoming distant.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

It would just be so easy to kill them all…cause the earth to awaken and split under their feet, letting the corrupt dead feast, sate their eternal appetites for blood….

But I can't do that. Not all people deserve to die...


She was lost in that dark place again. High columns of black marble and obsidian, shining in the pale moonlight like glass. From the floor came the smell of roses, bright pearl spots of pink and red dancing under the lights. Against the wall, armor lined the way, men perpetually at guard. How old was she? She felt like she was much shorter, looking up constantly. As she ran from pillar to pillar, she was surprised to hear the click of heeled shoes. That was funny - she had never owned a pair of shoes like that in her life. The sound made her stop, lift up the edge of her wine colored dress [!], and glance down at the shoes. Fine slippers of satin and glass!

“Little Lady!” Called a voice. She turned. It sounded a lot like Lang. But she hadn’t been called “Little” in such a long time…

“Little Lady! Why are you in this wing of the Castle? You could get us all into trouble!” The voice grew attached to a tall and lean figure, shouldering a spear. From beneath the fluted ridge of his helmet, the ocean eyes held a bright smile within them. From beneath the flat pan of the nose guard, his full lips pursed for a moment. Though the majority of his face was obscured, the waves of curling brown hair on his shoulders, the way he smelled as if he had bathed with milk and almond was more familiar to her than any face.

“Oh, Lang! I just got a little lost, that’s all…” She trailed off. She was a horrid liar and everyone knew it but her.


Yes…Rise up and feed on all of the unworthy. Crush their bones to powder and burn their souls. Collect their children and smash them against the rocks. Kill the women instead of the men - they carry on the next generation. No, kill all.

If I am to kill, let it only be the ones who are corrupt, be them man, woman, or child.


“Sure you did, Little Lady.” He knelt, the sound of his armor tinkling musically against the floor. He held out a gold covered arm, offering the crook of his arm to her. Scampering up it, she found her usual perch on his shoulders, her legs draped on either side of his neck.

“Hup!” He said as he stood up slowly, trying not to dislodge her. “So tell me, Little Lady, why were you really here? This is where he lives. I would think that your previous engagements with him would be enough to chase you away for a lifetime!” The imposing helmet titled down as the man laughed softly.

“I just don’t think he’s all that bad. Besides, a lot of people don’t like me cause Papa had me with Mama, and she’s not the Queen.” She twirled a long strand of black hair about her finger [ Black hair? She couldn’t remember having black hair ] untangling it before it got wrapped up in the ring she wore. “He’s on the outside, too, since Older Brother is going to be King next. I just think he needs someone to talk to.”

“Mayhaps, My Lady, mayhaps. It would do my heart well, as well as Shihou and Huozai’s, if you stayed closer to your own side, okay? Can you do that for me, Little Lady?” As they neared the Palace room, he knelt again to let her down. Removing his helmet, he shook his hair free. Zhu had heard the other palace girls and even other princesses talk about the Royal Guard Lang and how handsome he was - he was the one that made them all sigh. What, with his flawless skin, and beautiful hair and kind nature and smile…


What difference did it make? People didn’t value life. That’s why it should be taken away from them. Did she not see how they treated her? And even worse, the abuse that her family took from them when all they wanted to do was protect her? They didn’t understand the loyalty between them - if anything they hated it.

I know that even in love people do not truly have the loyalty I have with my guard. For that I pity them; not hate.


He was very beautiful, even the young girl had to admit that. She felt her cheeks grow warm, and she smiled shyly at him. She knew she was special in his eyes. How? Well, when she smiled at him, he smiled back! Like he was doing now. “All right, Lang, I’ll stay closer to home…”

“You promise, Little Lady?” He held up his pinky.

“Of course!” Imagine, breaking a promise to Lang! Her own dark pinky twined with his, and they both nodded, knowing that what had happened would pass away into the vault of secrets. “All right then, Little Lady, I will go back to my post. Come and visit me, okay?” He smiled again as he stood, putting his helmet back on. As he walked away, she watched him. The dark red cape he wore seemed like the mantle of the sunset…When she was older, she wished to be like him! They would make a good couple, she thought. Well, if she learned how to walk and carry herself like he did…


“Lady? Are you awake…?” There was his voice...like it hadn't changed at all...


Then came that day…Everything was consumed in fire. It was so hot….Didn’t they hear her screaming? All she saw where the gowns and robes of the other royalty, and how they looked like flowers when they fell. She paced back and forth, wildly. Her voice couldn’t be heard over this din…There was no way!

“Help me! Please!” She cried out, waving her arms.

“Little Lady! Little Lady!” Those familiar voices were so distant…Above the high rise of flames, she could only see the fluttering colors of red, gold, and brown…From above her, a great rafter fell free, and started falling. It was odd how it was moving so slow…but yet, she couldn’t bring herself to step from under it. There wasn’t enough room for her to move. As the rafter grew closer, flaming and beautiful, she sighed.

I wish I could have told Lang how much I loved him.


Her eyes opened slowly. Her left hand hurt. As she flexed the fingers, the stiffness of her cut palm screamed protests of pain. Shihou shifted, and let her sink to the cool dirt of the graveyard. In an instant, Lang was at her side.

“Lady, are you all right?”

“I’m fine….” her expression grew sullen as she looked off into the distance. “I was dreaming….only dreaming.”

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I'm not quite sure when I blacked out, but I was quite sure when I came to. I could see that Skyler was standing next to me and Slip was looking at me off of her shoulder. I could see the necromancer was standing, almost wobbling, near me. My leg was searing in pain; it was as if a pice of it was just torn off.

I looked down at my leg and was quite surprised to see the Blight was gone. My eyebrows rose a little bit. Gone...my leg, although a little bruised and burnt, was healed. "Oh my God. It's gone...the Blight is really gone."

My head felt clear...clearer than I could remember it being. My leg hurt...but I felt good. I looked over to the necromancer. She saved me, and I didn't even know her name. "Thanks." I managed to say to her. "I don't know how you did it...but I thank you."

I held Skyler's hand as I lied there. I could still remember what the voice in my head had said....what it tried to get me to do. "Skyler..." I began, but cut off what I was going to say. It was better if I didn't bring that up. Instead, I asked: "Do you think you could find me a pair of crutches or something I could use? Even a walking stick would work fine." I didn't know if I could walk very well with this leg.

 

[katalynn]

Athyna saw how things went down, Jasleth with Kryss going after the necromancer and her men. Shortly after voices were rising, least to the elves they were. Thalryn gave a shocked look towards Athyna with a mutual agreement he went down to stop a possible fight.

Staying back while watching in silence of everything, seemed as if time itself went in slow motion. Skyler jumped to Dominics within seconds of them leaving, monk and dancer went downstairs. Just all in slow motion for the ranger.
There was nothing more she can do here, barely able to hear Dom while he talked to Skyler. Once more she headed out of the room closeing the door behind her so the two can be alone and with much needed rest.

Bypassing the room she shared with Thalryn, suddenly feeling the saddness hit her again. Instead of dwelling on it;

"Want to join me Luathas?"

She asked the cat as if it was an actual person, course to Athyna he might as well be. Luathas got up off the bed and followed her down the stairs where the necromancer was leaving. Jasleth, Thalryn stood and also just in time to see Kryss go into some kind of attack.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

She sat perched on the edge of a tombstone, now. This one was a towering monument, a large cross jutting from the earth. Deftly climbing up it, she was now on one of the arms, watching the field beyond the city. The moonlight painted her hair as a deep copper curtain. She crossed her legs as she rested her chin on her palm. That dream...she couldn’t ever remember having black hair, or being a princess or a “Little Lady” of any sort. But Lang...why had he been in it? Her chest ached as she struggled to recall, giving her a silent warning to drop it.

Sitting at the foot of the cross was Lang, alert as always. His ocean hued eyes took in the graveyard, now beginning to be bathed in the grayish purple blues of the oncoming dawn. After she had awaken, there had been little said between any of the servants and her. Without a word she had stalked up to the cross and climbed it - that had been about an hour ago. Even though the undead weren’t as prone to fatigue as the living were, the other two men were tired; he could sense it. He had stood up, and said the first words since Zhu that night: “I’ll stand guard.”

The other men had just nodded, and laid down under individual tombstones.

“....Are you not speaking to me, then, My Lady....?” he asked, tossing his dark curls over his shoulder. He rubbed at his shoulder idly. It was much easier to talk like this, when the others weren’t as aware and there were no other mortals to screw things up. His usual girlish mannerisms dropped, leaving only a cast of royalty behind. He spoke quietly and evenly, regal baring in every word. “Did you think that I spoke too ill of them? Am I to be at fault for being your guard?”

“......I didn’t say anything like that. I just had a weird dream, that’s it.”

“You’re not one to keep secrets from me, My Lady.”

“I can’t tell you. Not without risking another attack.” Her voice was flat above him.

“I see...Have you thought about what we are to do next?”

“I don’t know...” she trailed off. After she blacked out after curing the Blight, her memory was a large gap. “I don’t think we’re too welcome among those other people, and I hate traveling with women. We’ll see where the road leads us.”

He said nothing, but nodded slowly in reply. He didn’t regret his words from earlier - just wished that they had more rancor behind them. Nothing he could say would have expressed his anger at that time. Tilting his head upwards, he watched the sky lighten, brought to an even lighter hue by the freed curtain of Zhu’s flame like hair.
____________________________

He stood next to the dark haired prince, trying not to laugh at his whispered comments about the royalty. There had been a few vicious rumors that this man liked other men, but nothing was farther from the truth. He was a new guard, though...What was his name? Oh, that was it - Lang. Lang from the Ocean border with his eyes like the very ocean he was from.

They were one of the many guards lining this beautiful hallway, the sun filtering through the stained glass ceiling in reds and golds. The white marble floor seemed to breath in the light, exhaling it’s eternal rose color scent. Each man stood against one of the numerous marble columns, watching and waiting for this infernal ball to end. The men and women danced like translucent bubbles, the various colors of their attire swirling and mixing together in a flowered foam mass. Even as Lang continued to talk, the blonde noticed that his gaze would keep returning to “Little Lady”, the illegitimate [ well, now legitimate ] princess. She spun around idly in a dress mimicking both wine and pearl, her dark hair held up away from her face. She was at that age now where she had not quite grown out of the puppy fat cute of youth, but in her face could be seen the firm foundation for future classic beauty. What had her mother been....? Oh, there had been so many rumors...Before he could contemplate further, Lang’s voice called him back.

“Ah! And here comes your fiancee. Is that not her?” Lang gestured to a young woman walking down the hallway. In her face was all the haughty nature of a noble woman, her skin white like a china doll. Her own dark blonde hair was swept from her flawless face. She paused, took a breath, and turned back to join the dance.

“She’s pretty, but in a way that a viper is...” added Lang, low enough for her not to hear. “Don’t you think so as well, Shihou?”

The blonde frowned. “That’s my fiancee...I love her no matter how she looks or acts.”

“Mmm. Well, I could not be in love with so cold a woman...! Bah! We’ve waited here long enough, and in full armor, no doubt! I’m taking a break,” Lang declared. Setting aside his spear, he shook his dark brunette hair free as he removed his helmet. Shihou smiled a little. If it had been any other soldier, he could run the risk of possible death for doing something like this. Lang just had a tongue of honey - he could charm and talk his way out of anything. That’s what made him so much fun to be around. “Hey, I know you’re not going to stand there like this!”

Shihou laughed, and removed his own helmet. He was older than Lang, true, but the only way that one was able to tell was now - when the helmet was removed. His dark blonde hair, the color of honey filtered through with light, was cut short, but fell on either side of his face in long waves. His eyes were the pale milk blue of mountains, his skin nearly as white as his fiancee’s. Although he too was known as handsome, he knew he could hardly hold a candle to the young prince beside him.

“So, Shihou...Where are you from? Why did you decide to be a guard? I’ve never heard you talk that much.”

‘Well, when one is with you, one can scarcely get a word in edgewise,” said Shihou, smiling. The mellow pseudo smooth baritone of his voice seemed to make the hall stand still and listen.

Lang laughed.

“Well, I was born and raised in this kingdom to a noble family. When the time came, they decided to press me into the royal guard, simple as that. See? There is not much to talk about...I have found it fairly enjoyable, though, despite the lack of time with my beloved.”

“But surely someone else is taking the place of that woman?” the brunette wagged a finger, gesturing to the main ballroom. In the midst of floundering young suitors, the Little Lady spun around.

Shihou laughed. “I think she is more your type...”
_______________________

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She squeezed Dominic’s hand and smiled. “I can find you one, just as soon as we get you untied.” She went about untying his ankles from the bed, then his wrists. “How do you feel now?” She was still unsure of what had been keeping her from mind-speaking with him, and decided she would address it later.

“Slip, can you now speak with Dominic?” She hoped he could still speak with his master. Maybe it had been only something temporary or maybe somehow she had lost the link they shared.

 

[Armphid]

Jasleth

His eyes widened as Kryss unexpectedly crumpled. Damn! Was the Blight so sensitive that it reacted to his emotions as well as hers? He'd have asked the necromancer, but her servants had lef and she was in no condition. Plus the pretty arrogant man would likely just lose his cool again, it had been hard enough not to slug him already.

Jas scooped Kryss up in his arms, "Thal, I'm going!" "You and the others can catch up." He was moving even before he spoke, a ki enhanced leap carrying him well over the the wall of thier pagoda. He touched down lightly, then began to sprint for the Lodge of the Sages. Even as he did so, he felt a knot of worry in his gut. What would they ask of him? He doubted he had anything worth enough to get them to heal Kryss, but he was out of options.

The town was busy at this time of day, but as he approached, traffic seemed to melt out of his path. The folk of Sanctuary drew themselves out of the way well before he got close, and merely watched as the speeding monk bolted past, thier faces impassive. Jas noted it, but couldn't stop to find out about it now. The odd behavior of these people worried him. They all seemed to know what was happening...

The Lodge of the Sages was not what one expected. Rather than a grand hall or a marble temple, it was a very plain, and very cozy looking house. It was round in shape, and stood as high as the three-story Inn where he had first called upon the mysterious female necromancer. The many windows were also circular, and though they were unshuttered and had no curtains, nothing of the inside could be seen through them. A large round door stood open, as if his hurried approach had been long expected. "Which it probably has," he thought.

He gave the slightly trembling dancer a squeeze as he bounded up to the gaping door. "Hold on Kryss, we'll find help here." He paused at the threshold, feeling a sudden heavy weight. Once he passed through, he would not emerge unchanged. There was more doubt in him than he would have expected. He liked himself as he was...and this would alter that forever. Even more than that, entering would set him upon a path from which there was no escape, and little chance of return. No one had told him this, but in his heart of hearts, he knew it to be true. He stood there for long moments, his mind suddenly in doubt.

"We've come so far, Jas." Kyle's voice came from a distant corner of their mind. "We've fought hard, and suffered to get here." "So have others."

"Yeah." Jas smiled then, glancing down before casting his gaze again to the archway. "It wouldn't be much of a story if we just stopped now would it?" He laughed, holding Kryss a little closer. "Strength, love." "We'll need it before they let us go again." Then he stepped into the blackness of the Lodge.

Immediately, Jas was in another place. It was a round room, it's size difficult to gauge, for it seemed to be larger or smaller dependig on where he looked. Seated on simple woven mats were doezens, perhaps hundreds of beings. Men and women, old and young, elves, dwarves, humans, orcs, goblins, elementals, and other races beyond count, sat with their legs crossed, dressed in a staggering variety of garb, some as nobles, some as peasants, some as warriors. The only thing that was the same was their eyes. They had no cornea, no iris, no pupil. Each orb was the dark blue of a clear night sky, disturbed only by tiny flecks of white that seemed as stars. High above, there was no ceiling, just the vastness of the dome of Heaven, clearer than Jas had ever seen it, continuing it's eternal dance.

A clear, tenor voice rang out from a nearby Sage, who looked to be a boy of perhaps ten years of age. "The Man With two Lives and the Burning Dancer arrive, seeking counsel and healing." The chanted words seemed to hang in the air, easily carrying across the chamber.

"Ah," the other assembled Sages chanted in perfect unison. "Welcome are the instruments of fate, our saviors or destroyers."

Before Jasleth could speak, another Sage spoke. An elderly looking orc, clad in the saffron robes of a monk of the Orange Principle. "Set down your companion, Man With Two Lives, for here her ailment can in no wise effect her, and long have we wished to see you with our waking eyes."

Jasleth bowed in the Sage's direction, and carefully set Kryss on her feet. The slender dancer looked surprised as she easily stood, not wavering for even a moment as she stepped a pace to Jas's right.

From high up, a blue-skinned giantess dressed in white furs gestured with a massive hand. "Be not afraid, or worried." "Sit," and Jas now saw that similar sitting mats were near them, in the exact center of the chamber, "for our counsel shall take much time to disclose, and we would not be poor hosts." She smiled kindly, the first real expression to cross the face of any of the Sages. "We know what you seek from us, and the trials you have endured." "Yet we must withold from speaking on these matters fully until your companions have arrived." "Wine shall be brought, and until your fellowship and four others have made thier way here, tell us your tale, so our memory may be refreshed, and we may see where your heart lies in what has already occured."

Jas bowed again, the usually boisterous monk feeling somewhat subdued. The power of the assembled presences was tangible, as was a sense of an extreme age that was somehow ageless, even from the child that had first spoken. "Gladly, shall we do as you have requested." He knew without being told that there were no titles, no honorifics needed here. He smiled a roguish grin, "As your guests, though I would have been compelled to do so merely by your beauty." He winked at Kryss, letting her know that she was still first in his eyes.

The giantess's face was first a bit startled, then she smiled braodly. From the gathered Sages, a soft, gentle, laugh rose. "You are as pert as we had expected, Man With Two Lives," she said, "but it is not a fault in this case."

The orc from before spoke up, "Indeed, we take great pride in the beauty of many of our number," his own visage verged on the hideous, "for it makes up for the lack of others!" Again, that universal laugh rose around them.

The child who had first spoke waited until the laughter had settled, then again chanted," The Tale of The Company of Doom is told."

"Ah," came the reply, again in perfect unison. "The second book of the Frozen Flame comes to an end, the third still unwritten." "Speak, Man With Two Lives, Burning Dancer, the world has long awaited this tale."

Jas sat down on the woven mat, exchanged a glance with Kryss. Awed, anxious, but warm. "Just butt when you wish, Kryss." "I imagine I may get carried away at points." Then he cleared his voice, and spoke in a louder register. "All tales should start at the beginning, for that is the way of the universe itself." "Yet, there is a beginning to this story that none of the present cast beheld, and so it must be begun on a day months past, in Garnet Town, far to the south west...."

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn & Elistraee

Emerald eyes gazed after the monk as he cleared the wall of the courtyard. The elf looked out over the wall for many moments, pondering the events that had transpired and where things would go from there.

As if compelled, the elf went off in search of the lady necromancer, though he knew not why. His feet carried him in the direction of the graveyard, though not because it was the most logical place she would return. Somehow, the elf knew she was there, and his brow furrowed as to how he knew this.

*********************************

The black ferret sat atop the bed in the room Thalryn shared with Athyna, head cocked to the side as she felt her master move away, his thoughts a jumble of confusion.

Somewhat reluctantly the comfortable ferret rose from the pillow she had laid to rest in and slid down to the floor. She left her room and approached the room Skyler and Dominic shared. As she entered, she immediately felt Slip’s eyes on her, and she nodded briefly to the Iguana in silent greeting. The ferret then turned her attention to Skyler as she reached out with her mind to communicate with the vampire.

A soft, melodic voice entered the woman’s mind. Skyler, Kryss has just had an attack of some sorts. Jasleth has made all haste for the sages, and I do not think we should be so far behind him, although Thalryn has gone off to find Dominic’s healer, though the elf’s own mind was unclear as to why.

**********************************

The elf gazed at the beautiful necromancer perched high on a tombstone from the rusted gates of the cemetery. The woman seemed to be lost in her past, though she was not dazed like she had been when she was carried from the pagoda.

To himself the gold elf wondered why he was here. He had no cause for following her, yet he had been drawn here nonetheless. Knowing how he would be received by the woman’s servants, Thalryn almost turned and headed back from whence he had come, but something started him moving toward the woman again.

Lang stood as he saw the gates swing open, his spear firmly in his grasp as the elf stepped into the graveyard. From her perch, the lady necromancer gazed his way.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

“What do you wish with the Lady?” Lang’s voice was clear and regal, his shoulders thrown back. The spear was ready in his hand. He hadn’t wanted to start anything to disturb the other men, for they needed their rest, and sent a mental message for them that he would handle it. At the elf’s silence, he took a few steps forward. He paused only when he heard the soft thud of Zhu jumping down to the ground behind him. She laid a calming hand on his spear, looking deep into his eyes. They stood still for a moment in that gaze, before he looked down and away, pacing back to his spot at the foot of the cross.

Turning her attention back to the elf, her eyes held his own. She was tired and troubled, shown in the shallow crease of worry lines across her forehead, the drawn look of her eyes and the way the flesh sagged beneath the brilliant red orbs.

“Why are you here, Thalryn?” Her voice wasn’t as cold as it could have been - just worn out. “You have no further reason or need for my skills, I take it…?”

Behind them, Lang shifted the spear on his lap, his eyes glacial. Within the darkness of his hair that surrounded his face, his gold earring played hide and seek with the rising sunlight. In this pink stained dawn, he was his closest to resembling a living man once more, and his handsome face seemed to take on another level, giving him an ethereal appearance. As the dawn stretched her fingers across the face of the other listless servants, she painted their faces in the colors of the living.

But as it hit Zhu…she seemed to grow as cold and lifeless as her servants. Perhaps it was an illusion, or the lack of sleep that suddenly made her skin so sallow, ate away from the bright light that usually permeated her eyes.

“Well?” she pressed again.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

Yeah. Slip said to Skyler. I can contact him. Why, can't you? I thought you had a mental link with him too.

Oh yeah. I just remembered. Slip turned to me. Ashlin wants to speak with you. I assume it's about where we need to go.

"Does she?" I said, rubbing my wrists. It was more of a statement than a question. "Well, she can wait. I think we should go to the Lodge of the Sages. Jasleth and Kryss are waiting for us."

What? How'd you know that? Slip asked.

I'm an oracle, remember? I responded. With that, I attempted to stand up. Skyler had to hold onto me and I leaned against her so I didn't topple over. I put an arm around her neck.

"I think I can walk. With your help." I said. "Let's go to the lodge. Something important will be going on soon." Together, we made our way out of the hut and down the long streets until we approached the lodge.

As we entered the house, we were instantly in a large oval room filled to the brim with all sorts of people. "Wow." I said softly. "Look at all these people." I could see Jasleth was telling a story. It was the story of us. He was dictating about the battle of the spiders right now. He was jumping around, as if attacking the creatures for real. I laughed softly and sat down to listen to the story.

 

[Armphid]

Jasleth

As soon as Dominic and Skyler appeared, Jas paused in his telling of the story. His face brightened as he realized that Dominic was standing (mostly) on his own.

From behind Dominic, the red haired boy's voice lifted in chant once again, "The Eyes of Doom and the Blood Protector come before the Sages of Sanctuary." "Gone is the dark shadow from the Eyes of Doom, cleansed by the Queen of the World." "They come in search of counsel and wisdom."

"Ah," came the hundreds of voices in perfect union. "Blessed and welcome are they in the Lodge of the Sages." "The Company of Doom grows, but thier number yet lacks." "Guardians or executioners, the path is not clear."

Jas moved over to them, "Glad to see you guys." He gave Dom a thumbs-up, "Nice to see you up and about, Dom." He saw the two of them looking aroudn at the spectacle before them. "Oh yeah...you get used to it...eventually...I imagine."

An unearthly beautiful man who seemed to have been spun out of ice and gold stood, speaking in crystalline tones. "We are glad to see your companions, Man With Two Lives, for with their arrival, the time of the Event draws nearer." "Yet it is still not time for your questions to be answered, and our counsel given." "Pray, continue your tale." He turned a beatific face to the others, "His energy is strong, but do not let this tale be his alone, every one of you has made it, and you too must speak your part."

Jas inclined his head. "Like the man says, guys, jump in whenever you want." Then he rose back up to his full height, "Now then...it was then that two of our number who did not stay with the company went into the caves..."