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Angelique · Journeyman Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 114

Her excitement filled the room. A ball, a real ball, a chance to dance in public with Isk. A part of her would always be that infatuated young gypsy that first met him, who's greatest desire was to please him and been seen in public on his arm. From friendship, to courtship, and over a year of marriage they had shared so many joys together and yet her excitement as she slipped on the gown he bought her and dressed for the ball was like that of a young princess. As she brushed her raven hair til it was of a high sheen she noticed her complexion was a bit pale this eve. She had yet to eat, but there would be food at the ball and Isk was waiting downstairs.

Everyone was present, and they were well received, even if the Lord Chancellor had been shocked to see them. The gardens were lovely and there was a large spread of food on the buffet, but no fruit. Her heart sank. She new she must eat soon, she had grown a bit dizzy. Angelique spotted her friend Queen Sarah across the courtyard and inquired where she might find some fruit. Sarah escorted her into the palace and as they exchanged knowing glances at each others stomachs and talked of safety of children born and unborn with a high profile husband, Angelique helped herself to a pear and tucked an apple in her bag for later.

As Angelique returned to his side she knew Isk would never understand the friendship that was growing between her and Sarah. The dancing was all she had hoped for. It was easy to ignore the subsiding dizziness as Isk held her close in the crowd. Even the story telling after the dancing was enjoyable. All that was about to change.

Walking back through the palace with Isk at her side she was suddenly jerked to a halt by the drow that snuck up behind her. Holding a gold cutlass to her throat, Faith demanded everyone step back and Isk seeing the fear in Angelique's eyes and the determination in Faith's insisted everyone oblige the drow. Scared as she was, Angelique knew he was already formulating a plan to save her. She begged her husband to take care of the children as the drow pushed her into a portal. But one guard did follow, she heard him refer to her as a princess. The guard thought the gypsy was a princess. Even with the blade to her throat the irony of the changes Isk had brought to her life did not escape her. As he fought with Faith, Angelique's neck was cut. She quickly found herself inside a small cell and heard the fighting between the guard and drow. As the sound of clashing steel ceased a stranger opened the door to her cell and she ran out only to be grabbed by the stealthing Faith again. Damn that sneaky creature! With the gold cutlass to her throat, the guard attacked Faith again, Angelique's cut again, a bit deeper this time as Faith fell to floor.

Seeing her chance, she made a run for it, out of the house if that's what you could call it with all the spiders and cells. She ran past yew trees, and found a road, ran along it a short ways til she stopped holding her neck. Looking around and feeling finally safe, she wrapped her neck with a scarf and opened a portal to take her back to N'julem to find Isk. After he had eased her nerves at home she would relive all that had happened with him.

It would seem Faith's threat on Isk and his wife was not as idle as Angelique had thought the night the Humanis confronted the Drow in Minoc recently.

Faith · Lore Keeper Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 942

Angered by the previous events in Minoc brought upon by the pesky humanis, Faith recalled what had happened. "How dare they attempt to force us out of power!" A scowel appeared on the face of the young drowess. Alexis came up to her with request to take command of the drow. As faith took it, a smile appeared across her face. "Now that i have control of the drow," she thought, "I will finally have my vengence on that fool Isk and his pregnant wife"

Her rescent visit to the underdark brought her back in touch with her true intentions. "We must have a blood sacrifice to our queen lolth to regain her favor!" Then she added with a smile to her lips, "That fool's wife will make the perfect sacrifice!"

Learning that there was a ball in Nujhelm, Faith planned how she was to get into the castle, and there, she will finally capture angelique. She found her way to Nujelm. As she wandered the streets, she heard the trotting of mounts, "guards no doubt." she said to herself. She then, hid in the shadows and advanced towards the castle unseen. As another person tried to open the door to get in, the praetorian guard tried to keep him out. However, she was able to sneak in.

As more of the praetorian guards patrolled the castle interior, Faith stalked down the halls unseen in search for Angelique. As she heard her voice she smiled. As she approached her, she had noticed that Isk was by her side. "All the more better" she thought.

As she got behind angelique, she drew her weapon, a cerimonial cutlas made of gold, she lept out of the shadows. She grabbed Angelique by the hair, pulling it back and edged her cutlas under the victims throat. As Isk realized what was happening, he tried to reach for his weapon. "Do not even think of it foolish human, or I shall cut your wife's throat!" As Isk took his hand away from his weapon, he feared for his wife's safty. "Do not do anything foolish drow!" he shouted. "If you let her go now your life will be spared!"

As faith heard this, she replyed, "I have no intention of releasing her!" "I have come to claim my vengence in the name of my queen, Lolth! One of the praetorian guards, riding a beetle, tried to edge forward. Isk shouted, "Do not interfer for you will endanger the safty of my wife!"

As Faith began to utter the words for a portal, she said, "If any of you attempt to follow me through the gate, this human female will die by my hand!" As she entered the portal, one of the praetorian guards, against Isk's orders, followed her through. As Faith was about to open her door, with Angelique in her clutches, she heard the approaching sounds of insect legs. She then turned around to notice the praetorian guard approaching her, weapon drawn. "Go back from where you came from, or she will die!"

As he refused to back off without rescuing Angelique, Faith cursed to herself. "I must not lose this sacrifice, if i am to kill her now, I will fail my queen."

As he was about to attack, faith tried to paralize him. But to her dismay, it failed. She slit angeliques throat only enough to cause pain without killing her. "I must keep her alive for the cerimony!" she muttered to herself. As her weapon cut into Angeliques throat, the mounted warrior attacked. Faith pulled angelique into her house only to have the door stormed wide open. "Damn him!" she thought. As she slipped into the shadows, the mounted warrior searched the floors to find her.. then decided to take angelique home.

Faith attempted once more to grab Angelique, as she came back out of the shadows, only to fall to the warrior's weapon. As they left, Faith cursed to herself. With little strenght she managed to wisper, "Gi ussta valsharess, usstan hojjau dos! Qualla evagna uns'aa! (Oh my queen, I failed you! Please forgive me!) From that day, Faith was still going to prove herself to Lolth, even if she had to find an opportunityaway from guards to get to Angelique.

Angelique · Journeyman Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 114

While recanting the tale of her narrow escape from the drow to a new patron, Jaana, at the Gypsy Crossroads, Angelique is suddenly grabbed from behind. The yank of her hair pulling her healing throat backwards, the gold cutlass pressed to her flesh were all to familiar. Before she had time to do more than scream, Faith had her back to her lair.

Swiftly dragging her upstairs, Faith wasted no time in swiping the cutlass deep through her stomach. Holding her over a chute, letting her blood flow down into the pit of spiders, driving them into a frenzy. The fall down the chute did not feel like a long one and soon the many spiders, brown and white, were biting her from head to toe. All she could see was spiders, filling her with their poisons with each bite, until the blackness came for her. Just as it came begging for her to release herself into the peace of the blackness the gypsy heard his voice. Isk had come for her, she must hold on. The darkness came again, she must not give into death, she must hold on for him, for the children. He was outside, he would save her soon if she just held on.

Angelique's next recollection was of Isk carrying her, healers, sandstone. Then a strange bed, strange rhyme and Isk, yes always Isk. She pleaded with him for her own bed, home, familiar surroundings. Her bed, yes she was back in her bed. Isk's voice telling her to stay while he ran for a drow? No, that couldn't be right, but he did say to stay and her body had no urge to move. Her stomach, the pain was so great, the hundreds of stinging bites over her body. Arella's scream. But how could it be, the child makes not a sound, was it in her head? Rising to check the basket at the foot of the bed, she doubled over in pain as she loses the child she is carrying. Falling to the floor feeling the pool of blood she rests in, just peeking in to see Arella, Athlon and Auris safe in the basket before she drifts off again. Drifting off letting the physical and emotional pain take her, knowing she has dropped Isk's son.

Her hell has just begun...

Faith · Lore Keeper Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 942

She carefully thought of her previous failure, thinking of what she could do to avoid the same trouble as before. Sneaking in a guarded palace was not such a smart plan. Faith decided to make a fresh start. Coming up with a better strategy, she planned to find the house of the humanis gysey and capture her, in the safty of her own home! Feeling an idea finally formulate, the drowess high priestess sent out her shrikes and ravens to contact her bretheren. Of these that came, Katrina, Katrina's mate, NeA'Nor, Kalion, and Kay were able to respond to her summons. As each drow came, she greeted them and mentioned the plans. She sent Kay and NeA'Nor to look for the spiders that were needed for the cerimony. As they were on their way to locate them, Faith decided, now was the time to go nab Angelique.

Following the rumors that she lived somewhere warm and close to the desert, Faith knew just where to start her search. As she arrived in the desert, she quickly slipped into the shadows to avoid confronting the deadly sand vortex's. She continued on, leaving the desert and finding a road. Skulking up the road, she looked at each house, using her drow hearing to listen intently for signs of people. As she came accross a villa styled tavern, she hearded several voices from an open window. One of them that she was able to tell sounded like Angelique. Faith then slowly made her way into the house, still within the shadows.

She ascended to each level of the building, the sounds of the voices getting more clear. She then entered a room with an elaborately furnished bar room with many tables. A few humanis were sitting there while angelique was standing near the bar. A malicious smile spread across the young drowess's face. Slowly approaching the gypsey woman, Faith slowly drew her weapon, as quietly as possible as to not be detected. As she passed Isk, she circled around Angelique, getting behind her. All of the sudden, she firmly grabbed hold of Angelique's soft hair, jerking the gypsey's head back and at the same time, sticking her gold weapon against her throat. Angelique gave a cry of surpise, startling her husband, who had a look of horror in his eyes.

While trying to reason with the drowess, Isk tried slowly to make a reach for his weapon. Being clever enough to see what he was up to, Faith stopped him short by saying, "Do not even think of it hun, or I shall gut your wife like a pig before your eyes." This stopped Isk immediately. He then ordered everyone to stand down. Taking precautions, Faith decided to utter the words Kal Ort Por, causing both her and Angelique to teleport away without even a trace.

Standing once again in front of her house, Faith noticed movement and the high pitched chirping of the spiders from within the bars of the dungeon. The drowess smiled her satisfaction, knowing things so far are going according to plan. She entered her house, pulling Angelique by the hair, weapon still against her throat. Faith then oriented Angelique so she can see the spiders close up in the dungeon. As the spiders noticed her, all of them made a lunge against the bars trying to reach her. The spiders were a mixture of both white frost and brownish spiders. The dungeon was matted completely with webs, and a giant egg sack up in the corner. Faith smiled. As angelique screamed in reaction to a spider coming close to reaching her, Faith pulled her away and took her to the teleporter. They were finally at the top of the house. They passed the hot tub and to a small bared door. Faith pinned angelique against the Door. The sounds of the spiders could be heard echoing from behind the door.

Faith opened the door and began the chants that were nescessary to conduct the cerimony. "Gi ussta Quar'valsharess!!", she chanted. "Ja'hai nindol or'shanse d' p'leik 'sil udossta belbol ulu dos!!" (translation: Oh my goddess!! Accept this sacrifice of suffering as a gift to you!!)

Raising her hands, gold cutlass armed, she then suddenly plunged it into the belly of her victim. Angelique screamed in horror and agony. The blood spilling from her stomach began to drip down the long chute into the spider dungeon. The further exited the spiders into a feeding frenzy as they all started climbing over each other trying to climb the chute and towards Angelique. The frightened gypsey woman screamed again as a clawed appendage nearly grazed her. The spider lost its balance falling back into the pit.

Smiling her pleasure, Faith finally pushed angelique into the chute. Angelique shreiked in horror on the way down, a thud sound soon followed as Angelique hit the ground. Faith ran down to the bottom floor to watch the spiders feed. The spiders quickly advanced on her bitting her, while wrapping her in silk. As Angelique muscles became real weak, she did not give much resistance. Her abilty to feel pain was still there as she let out a blood curdling scream once the spiders began to feed on her blood. All at once, the drows, including Faith, smiled knowing that Lolth would be pleased. As the spiders were done, they hung angelique's weakened body against the wall near the sack. Once the spiders settled down, Faith entered and hacked the webbing down. Still keeping angelique in the silk, faith dragged her out of the dungeon. From within the bundle, angelique moaned in reaction to the pain she felt. Faith then heard the commotion ouside. Recognising two of the voices, she noticed that galnor and Isk were out there. "All drow, go outside and stall them.. I plan to drop his beloved wife in a public spot in Magincia for all to see!" As Faith left with Angelique, the other drows went outside to confront Isk. Faith dropped Angelique on a decorated platform close to where Goodmans once stood. Smiling down at the wriggling wrapped gypsey, Faith realized that the drow have done good today. "This is for you my queen." she thought to herself.

As she left for home, she planed to confront Isk and that insuffeable Galnor.

Isk · Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 4:15 pm Post subject: Desperation

“How dare you strike against my family!” Isk took a tighter grip on his axe. Having checked the building without locating his wife he made an example of one of the drow bystanders. Raising his axe and descending it upon the cranium of the creature it fell immediately causing a shocked hiss to emanate from the rest of the drow sinners. Already two giant spiders lay vanquished at the foot of Isk’s ethereal dragon. The shadow elf Galnor seemed to have helped in cowering the remainder of the drow who remained reluctant to inform the Magnate where his wife was taken. “At least he is good for something” Isk’s thought was quickly superseded by desperation. Already a few were looking for Angelique in Minoc. “Could the drow be bold enough to drop my wife in Magincia?” Malo turned to Isk having heard his words but remained otherwise engaged in a verbal battle with the drow supporters.
Slinging his axe into its holster the porcelain masked Magnate spurred his mount towards the moongate and sprung into the island of Magincia. A pigeon landed at his shoulder indicating Minoc was clear of visible drow activity as Isk raced through the streets of Magincia, veering through corridors and alleys driven by a prickling thought that Angelique is running out of time. Alas the magnate reached the elevated platform to the north of the city where his wife was placed. Wrapped in webbing her body was covered from head to toe and rested still as if death had already taken her. “Angelique!” He screamed and more than one person began to gather under the pediment to observe the events. Tearing through the webbing to expose his wife’s face he saw the blood and terror upon it. Her usually tanned skin was a pale mask of death, the flowers she had in her hair like a shroud of funeral petals clinging to her skin under the spider web. “She breathes!” Isk elevated his voice even more, the sound like the boom of a cannon forcing the gathered citizens to make way in shock as Isk carried his wife to the healers.
With every step he relived the moment of her abduction, the face of the sinister Faith engraved into his memory forever.
Laying Angelique on one of the stretched beds within the work place of the healers Isk gestured for the citizens to disperse. That was when she cried, the cuts on her stomach viciously deep as the rest of the webbing was removed making Isk turn from the scene for moments. His heart sunken at the knowledge that the unborn child which they had named Anankh would not survive, the thought reaffirmed by the medics who whispered “she will abort” in his hear and with those words his furry grew. Angelique would need him, his support and attention, her torn body seemed to beg for release. “Be strong my wife” Isk later remembered saying as he brushed a gauntleted hand through her web clogged hair “I will have vengeance for our son” With those words Angelique knew the life of their unborn child had been extinguished and not even the soothing words of her husband could not stop her tears.

Galnor_Bloodmoon · Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 6:08 pm Post subject:

Sitting in his stone chair in meditation Galnor recalled the events that happened recently. Focusing on when he brought Isk to where Faith may have Taken his wife. A sinister grin played on his lips as he opened his eyes slowly.

"Turmoil trouble and confrontation... Sssuch ssweet flavorsss... I do enjoy it" Galnor said in a low eeriely happy voice.

With that he closed his eyes once more pondering the fate of Angelique and what Humanis' next move would be

Ariel · Visitor Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 17

A pigeon arrived from Isk. Asking Ariel to bring the children to the Magencia healers. Angelique was bleeding badly and a poison was creeping through her body. Upon arrival at the healers Isk was seen arguing with a drow, demanding a cure for the poison. One look at Angelique and one knew a cure was needed quickly.

"Bring her with us, we will get her a cure", Ariel said as Isk gathered Angelique in his arms. A magical gate was opened and Isk carried Angelique through to the safety of Ariels house. Isk carried her to the bed and laid her down as Ariel ran downstairs to the hidden box and began flipping through the ancient books looking for the cure spell. Once the spell was found and the ingredients mixed, Ariel took the cure back to Isk. Handing the orange petals and the orange brew to Isk, he propped Angelique up to get the potion into her. As she slowly swallowed, Ariel recited the magical words that would help Angelique.

Spirits of air, sea and sand
May I do your will upon my hand

Power of light, magic of right
In the darkness of this night

Let thy words unite and bind
Let candles, torch and lanterns shine

With this wind I send this rhyme
To cure this poison for all time

The spell and potion will cure all poisons running through Angeliques blood. The gash on her stomach will need time and a healers care. As Isk gently picked Angelique up, Ariel thought to herself, maybe a spell is needed for Faith and the drow for what they have done, one they will not forget for a very long time. As the magical gate opens for Isk to take Angelique home, so she may rest and the healing process to begin, Ariel headed back downstairs to the ancient books, to look for a special spell for Faith and the drow.

Sadira Reflov · Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:07 pm Post subject:

Alizia was tending to Charles, her son, when a raven came flying in landing on a table near by. She looked upon it for a moment and went to it gathering the message that was attached. She opened it up and read it. Her eyes widen abit as she called for her daughter Nadia.

"Nadia, I need to go to the healers, then off to Isk and Angelique's home. Should your father return before I get back, let him know that is where I will be."

Nadia just looked at her brother then back up to her mother.

"But mother..do I .."

The look on Alizia's face showed that Nadia should remain quiet. She bowed her head and nodded.

"Alright."

Then muttered something about if he doesn't behave feeding him to a Bogling. Alizia knew that this was the day Nadia planned on seeing her fathers gravesite. They both were going to go..but with Mark still attending matters in Magincia...Nadia was stuck watching her baby brother. Alizia quickly recalled to Magincia's healers. She gathered up the items she believed she would need. Then she recalled to Isk and Angeliques home. Once there she was met by Angeliques grandpapa whom had one of the children. He was quiet fussy as well. She proceeded to hear about how Angelique believing her milk was still poisoned and didn't want to take a chance of poisoning her children. All of them seem to take to one animal milk or another but Auris. Alizia would remember the raids on her hometown by the orcs and the many babies that were left without mothers. One of the healers figured out something that was just as nutriious as mothers milk and seemed to be widely accepted by those infants that did not accept animal milk.

"I shall be right back. I have the thing just for that."

With that she recalled back to her other home on the island. Seeing all the animals gathered about her doorway a sad sigh escaped. She had missed her step son..though to her he was not her step son but her son. She had raised him from when he was just a baby himself. She hoped Alton was doing well with his grandparents. Shaking her head as to get the memories out, for she had a task she needed to tend to. She went up to the bedroom and gathered the supplies needed. After all was gathered up she then recalled back to the house.

Once she was at the house, she was greeted by Angeliques Grandpapa. She then proceeded to give him a vial of what looked like to be juice. He thanked her then went off trying to see if it would work for Auris. Ali then made her way to the house and knocked. She heard someone tellin gher to enter and that she did. She went straight upstairs to where she saw Angelique, whom looked like she had seen hell and returned to tell all. But Ali didn't want her to realize how bad she looked, though she was sure Angelique could feel it. She just offered a smile and greeted her friend. She then moved to take a look at the bites and such while her friend relived the whole ordeal. She pondered for a moment then asked a frew question pertaining to the spiders that had bitten her. Ali then took out a book that was binded in dark leather. She flipped through the pages til she found the spiders that were in question. She then looked further down and took out the items needed to make the potion for both the bites and the possible poison that maybe left in the breastmilk. She then started to make a potion, then a sauve. She then paused as Angelique got to the part about aborting her unborn son. Ali looked up fighting the tears in her eyes. She could not imagine what it would be like to lose a child. She leaned over and carefully gave Angelique a hug.

"I am so sorry Angelique. I could not imagine."

Ali remembered how she went off when she lost Charles, her husband. The thought of losing Mark..or losing one of her children. The thought alone made her think craziness like before. She shook her head and tried to get those thoughts out. She was here for Angelique, her children and husband were safe.

"Angelique this sauve here is to be placed on your bites. In time as they heal, they will start to itch. Its best to put this on after you wash or bath with oatmeal soap. That too will help with the itching. Now this potion you need to take a teaspoon before bed. This will help to purify the milk. It will take two weeks for you to do it..should you wish to feed before then..I brought this."

She pulled out a flask with some form of liquid in it.

"What milk you can express out, put it in here leaving it in for 5 minutes. That will help purify the milk, though it maybe abit tart to Auris taste, he will take to it more than he will the animals milk. which he does not seem to like."

Angelique raised a brow as this was news to her. She then informed Ali that she didn't realize Auris was not eating. Ali could see the worry look start and she reassured her that he is taken care of now. She then proceeded to look upon her belly at the large dressing that was covering it.

"May I?"

She asked gazing upon the bandage. Angelique nodded and layed down. Ali carefully removed the bandage and was pleased to see that it was taken care of. But Ali was overly cautious type. Though it did not look infected, she didn't want to take that chance. She pulls out another vial and gives it to Angelique.

"This is for your stomache. Though it looks ok, which is good I do not want to take any chances. Use this twice a day for two to three weeks then only once a day. You should do dressing changes accordingly."

She could see the look on Angeliques face.

"Do not worry I shall write the instructions down for your husband. I know this is alot to take in."

She could see the relief in Angelique's eyes. She then looked at the last bandage. Angelique gave approval nod for Ali too look at it. She then removed it to ensure there was no infection. From what she could see there was none. She looked up at Angelique.

"Do you know of the placenta came out as well?"

The pain in Angeliques eyes as she recalled the prior events that led up to her miscarriage. It was then she informed Ali that she did not know..and how Isk had put the baby into the fire gathering up the ashes to place them in a urn. Ali told her it was imperative they find out. Cause she could give her medicine to help heal her womb, but only if she knew if the placenta had come out with the child. Angelique told her she would ask Isk. Ali then proceeded to redo the dressing and looked up at Angelique. They talked abit more and Ali could see the visit was wearing her out. She then moved giving her friend a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Take care of yourself Angelique."

Angelique nodded slowly then turned her head to gaze upon the fireplace. Ali could only sigh as she made her way down the stairs. She wrote out instructions for Isk. After that was all done, she then recalled back to her home. Once home, she called for her children. Nadia came in holding Charles. Ali gazed upon them and gathered them up in her arms. She kissed and held them there for a while. Yes, she could not imagine what it would be like to lose a child. And with that thought, she thanked the Virtues for giving her that much.
_________________
"Nature gave man two ears but only one tongue. A gentle reminder that he should listen more than he speaks."

Angelique · Journeyman Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 114

The month since the attack had taken a it's toll on the gypsy. Emotionally it has been the hardest time of her life. There was the time she thought Isk was dead, back in the days when the love was one sided. She has turned her cabin black and let herself find refuge in the darkness, sending most all visitors away, even her closest friend the majority of the time. Hearing he was alive brought her out of her dark mood. But her unborn, Anankh would not have that happy ending. Now she had the added burden of Isk and their three babies depending on her. Depending on her to be strong. Depending on her milk. This was a hard time for Isk as well. How oft she overheard him praying to his Mother god. Her mother and grandfather, Papua Jaque had been helping her keep the house up and care for the babies. She could not let them see her darkness and add to their burdens either.

A month of days using her energy to fight the tears, and put on a calm face when others were in the room. Only in front of the babies did she let down her guard and show the deep depression she felt. She loved her children greatly but they were Isk's. Arella her first born was definitely a Papa's Girl, knowing his schedule, waiting for his return home at his typical times. Striving to please him in her unique ways. The twins would grow to be trained by him in theology and the arts of warfare. Anankh was to be her son, the one that would prefer to swim with her, run barefoot from spring til late in the fall.. The musical one. Several gypsy's had foretold it, his young aura matched hers, where the previous three had been distinctly different.

At last she could take the double life no more and let her guard down and confided in Isk. The deepness of her grief. How she had never gotten to hold the baby and say her goodbyes before Isk has burnt him in the now covered fireplace by the bed. How she could not escape the memories of that night, the spiders, the blood, the feel of the webbings, the smell of Anankh flesh burning, the smell of blood. How she felt the hair of the spiders legs on her body when she slept at night. Allowing her to hold the urn and say her goodbyes only let her slip further away into her grief.

One day she found his Utopia and tried it for the first time as an escape from the physical an mental pain, only to slip further away from reality, a day she would never remember. A short sail, Isk intended to use to get her out of the house and in the fresh air, and improve her state of mind, only succeeded in the total opposite. A large storm brewed, she begged him to stay out, finding some form of comfort in the gods crying with her, until she slipped further from reality again, hearing Anankh calling her in the thunder. Upon Isk's instance to open a portal to home she cast many times before finding the proper spell to get them out of the stable Isk had sought shelter for them in. Her portal opened to the dark cabin she had lived in before.

Perhaps time will cure her grief, but her body has gone through as much as her mind. The hundreds and hundreds of spider bites festered leaving her unable to be held and comforted. Eventually with the potions they slowly flattened and spread, then healed, itching all the while, so that she cut off her beautiful long nails. Her body seemed to be healed by now from the loss of the baby. Her abdomen would always carry a nasty scar, a cause of yet more depression for the belly dancing gypsy. But most noticeable was the deep dark circles around her eyes and the loss of perhaps a quarter of her body weight. Her cheekbones, elbows, wrists, ribs, knees and ankles protruded. Her flesh ghastly pale over her gaunt body. Her belly appearing hollow even with the dressings over it. Her fingers and feet had grown a pale grey in color. And her entire body was cold to the touch, her hands the feet the worst. Arella, Athlon and Auris recoiling from her cold touch. Her body had grown too weak to hold them in positions they were accustomed to.

Isk encouraging her to eat, to let the grief past, to fight to get well. All the while she tried to convince him that she was using all her energy to eat, to nurse the babies, to rest. Isk insists they move back to the bright cheery home while she insists the bright light pains her eyes. She is of the mindset that her body fights against her.

Is it all in her head? Could deep grief destroy one's body so?

Will she recover?

Isk · Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 11:13 pm Post subject: Events and a letter

The wind rushed through the gypsy camp above the Twin Oaks tavern. Dangerous waters seemed to protest the happenings of the camp as Isk rode in on his ethereal mount, his father in law Pierre Morei stood over the linen draped body of his wife which had been placed upon coloured cloth at the edge of where land meets water. Pierre gazed down upon his daughter as Isk descended from the mount, the ethereal beast disappearing beneath him.
“What is this?” Isk raced to the side of his wife and dropped to his knees, covering her side with his cloak he placed his right hand on her neck unable to find a pulse until he felt a light breath upon his skin.
“She is...” her father had lost his voice, his tears and the stress of the situation had torn at his throat making his final word seem all the more haunting “dead”
Jolting his head towards Pierre Isk narrowed his eyes at him, his look like that of a lion ready to pounce. Envy green eyes piercing the older man from beneath an expressionless porcelain mask which gave him a sense of calmness he did not feel. Only the sense of a family bond had kept the porcelain masked magnate from lashing out against his father in law.
“She lives, I can feel her breath.” Isk lifted his voice to be heard over the wind, the sound of it like mourners wailing in pity. “You should not have taken her from the home!” Isk took his wife’s hand and squeezed it looking for a response that did not come.
“I... I thought” Pierre stuttered, his mind still fogged with grief until the slightest spark of hope seemed to shine at the last moment. “She lives?”
“Yes, but she needs help as soon as she can get it. Do NOT take her from her resting place again Pierre, she can not survive being moved. She is close to crossing, and if she ever does than I will follow after.” In a moment of conceit the porcelain masked magnate added “And where will the world be then?”

* * * * * *

With his wife and mother in law in the above floor bedroom, Isk sat at the writing desk of his home which was a sanctuary that has seen only a few selected guests and took out his writing materials. Angelique lay in a coma like state and could only breathe now, the urgency was great.
“I need to contact him”

*A letter to Lord Smogg*

You who are among the greatest mages in the realm rivalled perhaps only by GreyPawn of Moonglow must extend your hand towards me in help. My wife has entered a state of non-responsiveness, the attack triggered by Faith of the Minoc drow has left her with a lack of blood in her system, she is in a coma. Respect the urgency of this letter and bring your wisdom into my home, you of all people must know what can be done to help her. You of all people have the skills and magics to strip her from the reaching hand of the reaper.

You must help.

-Isk-

Savhanna · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 2:53 am Post subject:

While taking a break from her desk and the mall, Savhanna enjoys the afternoon working in one of the many gardens in Spiritwood when a hawk lands upon her shoulder. Taking the parchment tied to it's leg, she notices the hawk staying in the garden as she opens it finding a hastily written yet familiar hand, tho lacking his usual pleasantries.

Savhanna,

Angelique is much worse. Lord Smogg has bought her a short period of time with the blood of her mother. I am in need of a group of men to accompany him to acquire the poison of a TeraMatriarch, for an antidote as the first step of his healing. I beg of you to gather The Guardians and those you can to meet at three in the afternoon tomorrow to accompany us on this task. Should he fail to make it out safly with the poison we may have lost our final window to heal her. If she falls to eternal death, I will soon follow. But for now we must stay positive, yes stay positive.
I shall meet you and the men I know I can count on you to gather tomorrow at the shrine.

Isk

Knowing what must be done, Savhanna headed to the shrine for prayer and meditation and set off to find a group of willing warriors that would not fail her friend. Angelique like all those of Spiritwood was family, she could not fail her now.

Writing a quick reassuring reply to the Magnate and sending the hawk on it way, she heads out with determination and a heavy heart.

Isk · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 7:39 pm Post subject:

With the stink of acid and venom in the air the Terathan Matriarchs slashed onwards into the band of adventurers which had collected at Spiritwood hours earlier for this dungeon crawl. Ariel of the Guardians stuck her dagger into one of the beasts to get at its blood, a crucial ingredient which Smogg demanded for the cure he was to make later that same day. Men and women from all over the realm including Guardians of Spiritwood, Loyalists and members from various independent groups joined together to tackle the dangerous dungeon. Battle scarred Isk’s armour withstood the descending claw of the matriarch which soon dropped lifeless to the ground due to Metios’ careful blow. While Sir Robert and Malo dealt with the remaining matriarch Spookster lead the others in decimating the oncoming wave of insectoid men which seeped though the doors of the dungeon keep. Only the hiss of their Ophidian enemies stalled the second wave of the Terathan's long enough for a hasty escape to be made.
“How many vials do we have?” a voice rang out from the band answered by “Thee of poison and three of blood” Ariel held up the pouch which held the precious life saving cargo and recalled to her lab so that the vials could be properly prepared for Smogg’s ritual.

* * * * *

[Seven hours later]

The necromancer lifted the greenish blood from the pouch as he made his way to Angelique’s side. The porcelain masked magante glanced with worried eyes upon Smogg as he stoped in front of the fireplace and lifted a giant rodent with his bony hand. The lack of flesh upon it making Smogg's strength seem supernatural as Smogg held the rat up and plunged a blood soaked knife into the creature. “The common sewer rat has a great resistance to toxins.” It was hardly an explanation and soon the necromancer had placed the bloody rodent on the bed beside Angelique who had been given a cut on her wrist, the little blood she had pouring from it until Smogg himself sucked the last drop out.
“Repulsive” Isk stated and took his eyes off the scene, glancing instead to Pierre who made his way to the side of his daughter, Angelique, knowing that soon he would have to give her his blood to make up what she had lost during her long coma. Isk hardly noticed Spookster who watched almost shoulder to shoulder with him the proceedings as Smogg drained the blood of the rat into Angelique giving her its resistance. “It is your turn now, Pierre” the necromancer stated as he leaned over Angelique to get at Pierre’s blood, inserting a strange tube into the older man’s arm to drain his blood into the patient.
Isk shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he watched the events unfold, Pierre losing consciousness as Angelique began to gain color looking less and less like a corpse while Pierre gained the deathly visage. Smogg’s words hardly resinated in Isk’s mind as he kept his green eyes narrowed in focus on his wife as she began to breathe quicker and quicker, her heart pounding stronger. The words “...take him in her place” resounded in Isk’s skull though he did not turn to watch Smogg carve a symbol into Pierre’s hand. With a loud exhalation it was over and where once Angelique was at death’s door now Pierre had crossed for her.
“She will live” Smogg said without emotion making a move as to lift Pierre’s lifeless body from the bed. It took more than a moment for Isk to realize the old man was dead. Lifting his left hand in a gesture for Smogg to set Pierre down Isk raised his voice, anger evident in his words at the surprise of Pierre’s death “Leave him. The gypsies have customs that must be observed”
Disappointed Smogg retreated from the corpse and responded “Very well” in a tired voice.
Smogg and Spookster did not need to be told that Isk wished to remain alone with his wife and soon the magnate found himself in the room alone at Angelique's side as she stirred on the bed, Pierre in his hands.
“I-Isk” she had said before she opened her eyes. Turning her head weakly she opened her eyes as if from a dream. “F-father?”

Savhanna · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 1:28 am Post subject:

In the days that passed Angelique leaned on Savhanna during her visits all the more. The weight of gypsy customs changed home, oft Savhanna wondered if the marks of the deaths would be permanent. The visible changes were obvious, every basin and tub in the home was drained, every looking glass covered, the family including each babe was shrouded in black robes. No one cooked, no one ate, just clans of gypsies arriving and drinking brady around Pierre's annointed body. Yet no one touching him, nor speaking his name.

The whispering and pointing had not slipped by Savhanna. Up in the bedroom alone with Angelique she explained the customs and the reactions of the gypsies.

Isk had gotten Pierre and Eva's blessing to marry Angelique, outside of the gypsy community but it was not without reservation. While Angelique had spent much time learning about Humanis, she had spent relatively little time teaching Isk of gypsy customs. She never spoke of customs relating to the death, especially that of a baby.

A baby is a special blessing but also can be an extreme curse if taken from life. The baby is not to be touched by the parents at all and is to be taken from them by the grandparents and buried in a secret location. If not, grave and tremendous evil will upon the family. Anankh had died before birth and Isk had not followed these customs. Angelique in her mourning cried out his name repeatedly. She made Isk bring his ashes back into the home. She held the urn and rocked it for hours until some of the stitches in her stomach popped.

Blame lay heavy upon the household. The gypsies blamed Isk and Angelique for the loss of Pierre. Eva held that blame but also blamed Angelique for not teaching Isk, and herself and Pierre himself for approving of the marriage. Angelique blamed only herself and the drow, Faith. Whom Isk blamed was a secret he held behind that mask. Jaque Morei, Peirre's father was the only one who seemed to blame no one. It felt as if there was so much blame it would last forever and tear the family apart.

On the third day of mourning, as Angelique told Savhanna of the reasons for the customs she found so odd, the pair were startled to hear Eva screaming at the gathered clans.

"Enough! Enough I say! These are my children ye speak of. Ye have had your three days of mourning now be gone. Be gone! Pierre's burial shall be private and free of your finger pointing." That said, Eva turned and went to Pierre's bedside as the crowd departed.

The Raven · Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

Seeing the people approach The Raven flew up in the treetop and silently watched. They gathered in a circle, the younger man, the one with the mask taking a shovel in hand and digging a deep hole in the
soft spring ground. As he laid the shovel down he moved to the other side, standing between the older woman with the basket of babies in her arms and the young woman on trembling legs. The Raven recognized the young woman, this was his master. She had not called for him much in some time. She had not sent nor received many messages. How different she looked dressed in the dark hooded robes like the others, all except the masked man helping to hold her up.

The older man lowers down a man's body, also wrapped in black robing. Speaking words over the grave the old man spoke to the gods of the elements. The Raven could feel them draw near. As he finishes speaking, the young couple, together, lower a small white urn into the grave, to lay in the arms of the dead man. The old man speaks more words to the gods of the elements as the women weep.

The Raven moves down to a lower branch to get a closer look at this odd sight as the young man makes his way to other side, leaving the older woman with the basket to support the young woman. Picking up the shovel again he backfilled the grave with the dirt he had shoveled out. The sobbing young woman placed flowers atop the fresh dirt, blue and white snowdrops. The masked man set the shovel back to the ground and made his way between the women to embrace them both again.

From his perch on the lower branch The Raven could smell the fermented juice of the grape as old man filled a large golden goblet and held it high in the air, speaking more words. He watches as the old man sips and passes the goblet around to the young man and each of the ladies in turn. All stand in silence for a moment before the young woman lets the masked man lead her a short piece away by the arm and lifts her up to her mount, mounts his own steed and rides away.

The old man stays and comforts the woman a short while, then leaves her alone as she weeps. The Raven watches for some time longer til she leaves before flying off in search of his evening meal.

Angelique · Journeyman Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 114

With her father and son buried, the offical first phase of the mourning had ended. There would be the feasts of 3's to come tonight and again in 3 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and again in one year when at last her mother would remove her shroud. She knew not when her grandpapua, Jaque Morei, would remove his shroud, but as for Angelique it was time now, for the babies as well.

She removed each shroud and carefully cleaned and folded each of them. Looking at the three shrouds her mother had made or the wee ones, she knew not what to do with them. Praying there would never be another time for young ones in the family to wear them, she packed them away just the same. She remembered Savhanna had said she had borrowed the one she got for Angelique to wear from a woman from The Cult of Infernal Necromancy.

Eva boosted Angelique up on her mount, protesting all the while that she should not make the journey herself. Angelique riding off as she did as a determined child, with her mother's protests and warnings fading off in the distance.

When she rang the bell at the tower and stepped back she heard a someone approach from around the side of the tower. A woman's hand reached out for the robe, as she thanked her for returning it she slipped it on. She spoke slowly, never giving her name. "I can see you are still dark on the inside." Was this woman part gypsy, did the robe convey her feelings? Angelique had not long to wonder upon that as the woman continued, "Let not go of your grief easily. During the next five weeks your grief will spare you from danger and possible death twice." Angelique listened carefully as the woman contined, trying to see her but she was well hiden in the shadows of of the looming tower. "I fear for those close to you, who do not grieve with you." At this Angelique quickly thought and could think of no one close to her that did not grieve with her. Replying to the woman, "The robes are gone but the grief remains." With that the woman simply said, "I must return to the shadows in which I dwell." and vanished completely from sight and sound.

On the journey home the stranger's words replayed over and over in her ears. Who close to her did not grieve with her? Perhaps some would say Isk, but that was far from true. He was skilled at hiding much behind that
porcelain mask of his, but she saw, she knew he still grieved deeply. The babies? They were slowly returning to normal behavior and yet they still reacted to the feelings around them but did they actually grieve still? Savhanna? She was very close to Savhanna, and her long time friend had been very supportive but it was not her grief to bear. Papua Jaque had handled the deaths with more strength and less blame than any in the family. Yet he continued to wear the shroud and he must still grieve for his son in his own private way. Mama? No, she mourned more than any.

Once home and lifted from her mount, her mother assisted her in rocking the babies. How she longed for the strength to do her daily activities alone. Until Isk returned home the woman's words would haunt her, and he would be away for a few days, catching up on all the work that he had let slide while she was laying in the balance of life.