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[Merci d'Rue]

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Today, it had relinquished to her a bit of itself, a dark fragment of stone had fallen softly to her leather bound hand. She looked down at the tiny vessel, shiny and smooth. She had seen the stone become soft and silky, a black obsidian magma in Myrddin's hands. She had seen it wield pure energy and slam Ether into her body. Yet it was always changing.she could not muster surprise at its current form.

Myrddin stood behind her and could feel the strong emotions pouring out of her. She was trying hard to hide them, she did not wish to lose control, nor did she wish to appear weak. He paused a moment considering what to say. Leaving Umbra had been hard, but they had faced it with strength, and so now must they once more. He said nothing in the end, allowing her the peace and serenity that lay in his silence. He was there to escort her safely from the Castle to Stonegate Valley.

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The walls of the valley held their secrets quiet as the King approached with the Oracle, and the Wolves moved away sensing the importance of their distance. Nothing could be left here, not a trace. The buildings were clear, no furnishings within them, all items not made of stone removed.

She moved to the four most critical buildings of the valley, buildings the stone new and had touched, and she knelt centered within them. She lowered the small stone fragment to the ground. Her shoulders shook, a tear wrenched free from her eye as the battle raged within her. Emotions wild and untamed raced thru her body and the transformation stood just inches from her grasp.

It’s too much, I can't. She mumbled.

He was not surprised; his hand came down and lightly squeezed her shoulder, instantly easing his friend's distress. Relief poured thru her as Merci realized, in the heart of every guardian there was her home.

All that we have worked for Merci lives within every member of this clan, fate guides us now, do not fear it.

Lift your blade to it.

She did just that, her hand grasped the hilt of her Kryss and lightly she touched the stone fragment's surface, the energy transferred there infusing into it. Power awakened there suddenly bursting free, a wave of ether covered the buildings around them, knocking them both swiftly back. Time seemed to stand still, the buildings shimmered and rippled like a mirage and then, were gone. There was no trace, no sign, not even a mark upon the ground. The snow untouched, flat and clean.

It was in this moment, like the sudden onslaught of a storm upon a ships trade route, the fates of the Guardian's of Stonegate were changed forever. Today Destiny had set a new course.
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May destiny guide you...

[Merci d'Rue]

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The Oracle stared out into the starless night, inky blackness surrounding her.

In her eyes a vision played...

Rivers of Blood
Sacrifice of life,
Brittle Bones of dust
War and Battle is your destiny

It was time to move to begin the bloodshed, but first, they needed a very special compass...
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May destiny guide you...

[Merci d'Rue]

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She mumbled now as she walked, the words flowing thru her again, striving to understand their meaning and intent.

Rivers of Blood
Sacrifice of life,
Brittle Bones of dust
War and Battle is your destiny

and then...

Your flesh will weather many storms
Your lack of focus in battle will be your downfall.

She tried to put the puzzle pieces together but they would not fit, holding a shining green crystal up in front of her she stared at it. You are danger and beauty wrapped into one, your secrets lie in your meaning to each person and no two effects have seemed to be the same...

So diversity is at your core...
How ironic..

She pulled from her pack, the small black stone, and looking down upon it said softly.

We are the Outcasts,
The Warriors of Fate,
We are the Forsaken...
So let us now fulfill thy destiny.
For only the Strong...Survive.

So her words like a spell were carried away on the breeze. She knew those who could, would hear her.
_________________
May destiny guide you...

[Merci d'Rue]

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The dirty cave floor met her. Her body ached, her head throbbed and the Oracle lay limply. She did not wish to live. The fact that she had lived thru the day before, her mind sick her body wrong, was in itself a miracle.

It was only thru the sharp blow of Myrddins hilt to her head, that he had stopped the catastrophic. In her mind she could see the row of guardians rushing to the king. Rushing to protect him from, his most beloved friend.

In a frenzy she had charged him, in a frenzy she had tried to take his life and hers. Her mind poisoned. He had shown her mercy. Something she didnt deserve.

A pitcher of stale water sat near her and she grasped it drinking it down letting it run in rivers down her chin, cooling her, cleansing her for a moment. She dusted herself off and stood shakily, she had healed greatly, the cut on her neck was mild and almost healed. The spot where she had been hit on the head was fast healing. Then she looked down.

Still hanging like ghostly shackles were frayed ropes, they were wrapped around each wrist, and draped around her waist like a belt. Blood from where they had cut into her as she strained dried upon them. They were a reminder of her illness, one that she could not forget. Control Merci.. he taught you control..find it, cling to it or die.

She could only thank Quinn for making the ropes so tight, and to rythane for destroying the crystals even if they shot pain thru her like a knife.

Now, she was in tune and she could feel them, she could feel them out there. Two crystals..whispering in the darkness.

Calling to her? No, to something..

She cut the ropes shorter so they did not drag against the ground, but left them wrapped around her ankles and wrists, and left the one tied loosely around her waist. This was not over.....
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May destiny guide you...

[Merci d'Rue]

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Tall and Proud the warrior female trudged thru muck and slush. Wild creatures roared in the night and the air was alive with bugs buzzing and humming. The smell of rotten water, and rich warm earth rose up undeniably into the air, overwhelming her senses. In the distance she saw it illuminated, the gentle glow of the parapets, the welcoming colors of Stonegates flags swaying in the winds. Her heart felt peace, her body ached for a good night's rest....

Castle Stonegate rose rebelliously from the swamp, forcing itself upon this land and claiming itself as master. Much like their King, it refused to bend, it refused to yield no matter thier wins or losses they would fight forever.....

The small group that Merci led home now, quaked and whispered staring in awe, the Kings people gave a cheer and a word broke out amongst them, a word long unheard.

Home...

At last they had returned..to their Walls of Stone.

Upon the steps she paused, they looked at her in question. She spoke softly her words carrying upon the air. The voices of the wolves rose up around the castle singing in triumph carrying her message.

Only the Strong Survive...
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May destiny guide you...