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[Ranna ab'Arawn]

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With Haydn somehow beyond his vision, Khal had come in search of a new host for the Harrower. His eyes had landed on Merrique, the barmaid at the tavern in Umbra. By way of word of mouth, he had become familiar with her nature, her name, her very appearance.

When at last He was able to gaze upon her, she proved ideal for His dark purposes. Her abdomen was suitable to carry the Dark One. He tried to isolate her from the other tavern occupants, asking to speak with her privately. When she complied, He could almost feel victory within his grasp.

On the roof, He told her she had been chosen to bear the honor of being the mother of the Harrower. She did not react to His liking. He stepped closer, placing a hand on the back of her neck. As He was about to apply less than subtle methods, more of His usual technique involving abduction, some patrons alighted on the teleporter, ruining His plans. Shortly after, the barkeep's man arrived, further spoiling Khal's mood.

Never-the-less, He suggested they speak someplace else, and opened a gate near the inn. They chose the back room of the inn to converse in. Khal trying to illustrate to the simpletons that it was an honor only a fool would give up. But, they would have none of it.

As Khal was leaving the place, He remarked over His shoulder that she would be the mother, with or without her consent.

[gypsy_merrique]

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The guy was flat out creepy, which in Merrique's mind said plenty about someone who could stand out like that in Umbra. But regardless, when he asked to speak with her privately she obliged. It wasn't her place to know if perhaps the Matriarchs were expecting a visitor from far away, or an ally, or even a potential enemy. What was her place, was to be cordial and polite to those who came into the Den unless and until they proved that she should be otherwise.

She stood with him on the roof, too agape to remember to pull her hand back after he had taken it. "This is a sick joke. It has to be," she thought after being told she was chosen to bear the Harrower. Merrique reminded herself to try to keep her cool, and be calm. Not a moment too soon Walter arrived, and the three went to Umbra proper.

Merri further protested the very idea of this 'honor', and Walter was doubly displeased. She defaulted to her Matriarchs...speak with them, she had told him: I will not make a move that does not benefit my city.

With a demeanor that was just too unnervingly calm, his parting words were terrifying.

"You will bear the Harrower, gypsy Merrique. With or without your consent."

Merrique clutched Walter's hand in a vise-like grip and practically dragged him to the Sepulcher in search of a Matriarch.
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. . . But the dark is very trustworthy.
It's always as dark as you thought it was.
And you don't have to work at staying there.
All you have to do is survive it.
And I've been doing that forever.
from the novel "Dark Debts" by Karen Hall

[Walter]

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After she had left for the Den, Walter quickly finished up his things and headed there. With her being sick and all he figured it be best he stayed close by. At the den it was quiet people kept coming and going from the roof, so he followed figuring everyone was up there.

When he arrived on the roof he say a man gripping Merri's hand, giving them a strange look he walked next to her and listened to the conversation. He was sure his presense was not pleasing the man. When they went to the inn all this talk of her carrying the harrower struck his nerve. He wanted to strike the man down right where he stood. But being a visitor in Umbra he knew it was best not to spill blood. The words that rang out as he left, sent Merri into panic of fear and he could feel it in her grip.

He brought her back to the Den where she spoke with the Matriarch Cienwyn. The matriarch talked with them about this Khal, and her posting a Umbran Guard to watch over Merri. After the Matriarch left Merri and Walter talked, Merri shared what her and Cienwyn had discussed. And with this conversation there was alot that may soon be changing in both the lives of Walter and Merri.

The graduation went smooth but long, towards the end Merri slipped a potion into his hand. Walter had no idea what it was, defiently didn't look like the one that the healer had given her to take. He eyes it, completely confused. Oh well, He'll ask her about it tonight.
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[20:28] Inkari: walter=chuck norris

"What do you mean I can't sell castle deeds I create on Ebay?" - GM Darwin circa 1999

[gypsy_merrique]

---

Sitting on the benches nearest the rear of the Sepulcher, Merrique and Walter watched the graduation ceremony for Umbra's newest batch of warriors. Her heart swelled as the young strode forth and proclaimed their paths, received their awards. Someday, she thought, she may see her own child stepping forth with such honors among his or her peers. Merri considered conversations she and Walter had shared in recent weeks, and reached into her pocket.

In her pocket was an unopened bottle she had picked up from her trusted potioner, the woman who had for all these years kept children from occurring in Merrique's world. With a hand that shook slightly she handed the container wordlessly to Walter, who took it.

Many hours later, arriving at his home, Walter asked her if she was mad, giving back the medicine from the healer he had brought in for her ongoing illness. She shook her head no and told him it wasn't the medicine. A look of realization came over Walter's face and he smiled. He sat the bottle on the table.

Then he took her upstairs.
_________________


. . . But the dark is very trustworthy.
It's always as dark as you thought it was.
And you don't have to work at staying there.
All you have to do is survive it.
And I've been doing that forever.
from the novel "Dark Debts" by Karen Hall