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A flock of cranes

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Tai Kwan Leap
Lore Master
Lore Master


Joined: 29 Jan 2004
Posts: 1132
Location: Nujel'm-jima

PostPosted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:26 am Post subject: A flock of cranes Reply with quote

Tai Kwan had remained at his wife, the Empress of Tokuno's side for a fortnight. He stared ahead in his kneeling position watching her labored breathing. The ruby, star sapphire and emerald Hugh Kinley had placed on her forehead were all a dull grey.

He had been told they would detect any mental activity. Tai Kwan had been told if they would just regain their natural color he would know that his wife, the Empress had returned to her body and had thoughts.

Tai reached up and grabbed the rice ball aimed at his head.

"Master Po, I have been vigilant" Tai Kwan says.

"Little Ryu, have I ever told you my concept of eternity" Master Po asks.

"I do not believe so, my sensei" Tai says bowing his forehead to the floor.

"Imagine if you will, an obelisk of ebony, a thousand feet high. And once every thousand years this raven flies past and brushes it with it's wingtip. Eternity is the amount of time it would take for that raven to erode that obelisk to the ground" Master Po says throwing another rice ball.

"You know I am standing vigil. I assume your story has a point" Tai Kwan says catching the rice ball without turning.

"Little Ryu, it will take an eternity for her to show any sign of improvement. You have the blood of emperor's in your veins. You were born for this station" the blind man says.

"These are not the Three Countries. These are not my lands" Tai says bowing his head to the floor again.

"You are her husband. She gave you the royal seal. You are to be the Emperor" Master Po says kneeling and bowing towards Tai.

"Iie!" Tai screams slapping the floor, creating stress fractures throughout the room.

"Lord Otori, it is your time" Master Po says keeping his head to the floor.

The simple monk digs in his robes, and pulls out a golden glowing orb.

"Not true, I have this" Tai says holding the Eye of Travesty aloft.

Master Po staggers to his feet and swings with his staff and reaches with his hand. Tai blocks the staff with his left arm feeling the bone shatter. He slams the orb upon the ground with his right hand feeling the shards slice into his hand.

"This cannot be" Master Po says trying to shield Tai's body with his.

Tai gently pushes his sensei to the floor as he stands. He stares at the swirling crimson vortices about his wife's body.

"Hugh-san said this can work miracles" Tai says bowing once.

"I wish for my wife to be returned to me and our lives to return to normal"
Tai says slowly to the room.

The voritices began to spin frenetically. Slowly they joined as one above the Empress's prone form. Then a black tendril of power leapt out from the vortex jerking Tai Kwan to his feet. His scream of rage as his Talon Bite was forced into his hands shattered the windows in the healer's room.

He struggles with the force compelling him, but in the end he brings his blade soundly down on his wife's throat.

The Vortex spins brigthly turning gold and strikes Tai full upon his body and face. The flames burn the hair from his head and his left eye from the socket.

A voice booms out, "You ask for that which Travesty will not grant. Therefore we curse you with our wrath."

Tai staggers back one half of his head on fire. Master Po tackles him rolling him in his cloak.

One of the healers douses them both with a bucket of water.

Tai screams in rage and leaps up. His head is burned bald, the left side of his face is horribly scarred to the point that he is missing his left ear and eye.
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Starfire
Sage
Sage


Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Posts: 556
Location: Kissimmee, Florida

PostPosted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:23 am Post subject: Tai found Reply with quote

Starfire had gone to the Garden to see her friend, Hugh. To her horror, what she found was a badly burned Tai laying on the ground digging at his seared flesh. Rushing forward, she pushed him down gently and cradled him in her lap. She pulled the treated bandages she always carried and commenced to apply them to the wounds on his face.
Tai was incoherent and disoriented and rambled on about many things. Star listend to him quietly, calmed him and continued to apply the healing bandages. She could tell the wounds would scar deeply, but they needed tending to and cooling to prevent further injury.
Several times, Tai became so disoriented she feared for his mental health, but realized that the pain could cause such a reaction: pain at the loss of Rryn, his love, pain of the flesh, pain of how to cope. It was indeed a great deal for anyone to have to handle. But even more so when you are the one many lives are counting on to be strong.
Star contined to calm Tai and speak quietly to him. At last he seemed to come to himself for a bit, and Tai didn't know how he would take care of the children and a kingdom. Star said it was easy, she would find a nanny for him. Tai reached into his robes and handed her a porcelain egg. He explained the history of the egg, his parents having it made, Rryn carrying it on her, and now it would help her find a nanny. It would change colors depending on the intent of those it was near. Star tucked it away and assured Tai she would find the right person.
Tai seemed to grow a bit stronger and more coherent, so Star helped him to his feet and onto her steed's back. She opened a gate and took him to her home since she knew it was a safe haven. As Star was settling Tai into one of the guest rooms, he mentioned that he was the only one who knew where all the children were. Star had him whisper the answer to her, explaining that it would not be safe if he were the only one. Tai had nodded and told her. He then drifted off to sleep.
After setting her cousin to guard duty, she left to retrieve the children. Her home was the safest place around. And besides, now more than ever they would need to see their dad, and know he too was safe.
She found the children where he had told her. She had smiled at Grigori and Padruig trying to keep tabs on the three little ones. Grigori had immediately smiled and come over. Star told him she was going to go fetch more steeds so the two bigger boys could help her get the little ones to her house. After getting everyone saddled up, Star gated to her home and Grigori led Padruig and the three upstairs to two of the other rooms. Star followed slowly smiling softly.
"Family needs each other in times of crisis. It is good that they will see Tai and he them in the morning. They can help heal each other."
She put her wards into place, placed additional guards, and laid down on the couch to sleep before the doors sheltering the others.
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aka: Tatiana Thorn nee Alexi; Summer Kane; Ivory Skyfire; and others
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Starfire
Sage
Sage


Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Posts: 556
Location: Kissimmee, Florida

PostPosted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:21 pm Post subject: Children Reply with quote

Tatiana was delighted. The house was full of children, she only wished it were under better circumstances. But the house was alive with their noise, running, calling out. Grigori was getting to be so self reliant and watchful of the little ones. It made her so proud to watch him. Tatiana smiled softly as she watched him showing Mr. Tai's son where he use to sleep here and all the toys he left behind. Soon, the two were ensconced in dragging every toy out and playing.
Grinning to herself, Tatiana sat back down in the front room and sewed more dresses, and bonnets. It was a task a mother should do for her daughters, but the two girls were now motherless. But Tatiana would help out as best she could. She just hoped Mr. Tai did not think she was making too many. The two girls were sitting nearby, playing with dolls and dresses Tatiana had made them. They were so happy, she just wished she could see them smile like that always. Smiling to herself, she went back to making yet another outfit.
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aka: Tatiana Thorn nee Alexi; Summer Kane; Ivory Skyfire; and others
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