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Will Kaldhel · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:51 am Post subject: Frozen Tears

Molly lays in the bed shivering uncontrollably. Will holds her close to him to warm her. She continues to shiver as he piles blankets and more blankets on top of her shaking form attentively trying to tuck them in. Nothing seems to help.

She looks up, her green eyes glassy and unfocused. He begins to cry feeling helpless to stop the progress and unable to warm her.

She says, “Will…it’s so cold…” her breath misting from her as if it were frost.

“I’m trying to get you warm love but I don’t know what else I can do” he says with a note of frustration, compassion and fear for her life.

"Love…I…love you…it is not your fault…”, she says her own frustration and fears welling as icy tears in her eyes.

“I will find a way to free you love, I swear it!” he says with resolve.

She reaches up to touch his cheek, her hand icy to the touch and the tears she touches on his face turn to ice feeling like snow against his skin.

He strongly whispers, “I love you Molly” as he starts to sob uncontrollably and hugs her very tight to his chest. She strokes his face and hair as she speaks comfortingly to him.

“Love… don’t cry… find out what is happening to me… I don’t know how long… I can hold on…”

“I will love.”, he says as he manages to bring his sobbing under control. "I’ll free you of this if it takes all my days to do so."

“Please… My Darling... Bring Almael… I want to see her lovely face.”, she says weakly.

He nods moving to the crib and gently picks Almael up. She bites her lower lip, icy tears rolling down her cheeks. He carefully lays her on Molly’s breast.

“No…love she will be chilled.”, her voice quivering with tears and she continues to shiver.

He gently picks her up and holds her so Molly can see her and brings her closer to her hand. She gently runs her finger against the angelic face of their daughter.
Molly, speaking to Almael says softly, “Your daddy loves you and he will see you have all you need my angel.”

He nods slowly as tears stream down his face.

She continues as if she is saying goodbye, “One day you will be grown and know that I love you and always will no matter were I am my angel.”, tears, cold and frosty roll down her cheeks as she speaks to both of them. “I will fight to be with you both…” She pleads “Don’t …don’t let them bury me.. as in my dream…”

“Don’t talk like that love…” Will says filled with emotion, “I won’t love…never!”, he says emphatically.

Shivering, her words come in spurts.

“Ill find a way to free you love… somehow.”, he promises.

“Draw strength from each other my darling. Let that guide your heart, my Heart.”, she reaches up to touch him and Almael.
Gently he leans his face to her hand his tears still evident on his cheeks. She softly strokes her frozen hand along his face. Then her hand stops moving as the shivering turns to tremors and shimmering, then all movement stops, with her hand still raised touching his face.

He holds Almael close as he realizes she will move no more. He fights back the sobs as he hears something barely audible.

A breathless sound passes her lips, the last she says, “I love you both…forev…” the wispy sound trails off as the green eyes remain opened but no longer move and all is quiet, her breath but a mist of frost coming from her nose but she no longer responds.

His breath catches in his throat as he looks at her silently mouthing the word “noooooo.”

He slowly moves back a few steps holding Almael. He gently pulls Almael tight to his breast and begins to sob openly and unrelenting. Looking into her ice green eyes with tears running down his face he vows, “I will free you Love, if it is the last thing I ever do.”
_________________
Hate binds a warrior,
Anger is the gateway to impatience,
Impatience is the pathway to defeat,
Opportunity is the stepping stone to victory

Shihan Reckoning · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 1:20 am Post subject: Urgent Request

The evening had not gone well. Duke Kaldhel had sent a urgent request for Shihan to come to the guild hall. When he arrived a disheveled man holding his daughter sat looking for guidance and assistance. “She is gone Shihan.” the Duke rattled through his tears.

“Who is sir?”

“Molly, she is frozen in bed upstairs.”

This started a frenzy of activity that sent request to healers around the land of Sosaria. Graciously they came from the far corners of the lands to see if this icy malady could be reversed. Lady DeWinter brought several healers she knew. Alessandra, whom the House Gauntlet was already asking for help in locating a person to read the Duchesses eerie dreams came to assist. Odd how the dreams became so real. Even Reminiscence came after Shihan who was out searching for healers heard of the situation.

Several ideas were promoted such as poisoning from her recent attack with Vash, a magic spell, or just perhaps something she ate or drank. Research was what was needed. Shihan considered the premonitions she had and decided to renew his look for someone who could decipher her dreams. He needed to find Miss Dubois.

After considering what else could be immediately done he decided to message the members of the Royal Court of Light to ask for assistance. After he received permission to depart from the Duke, Shihan headed for the offices to put together a message for the members.

Royal Court of Light

18 October 2006

From: Shihan Reckoning, Grand Commander, House Gauntlet

To: Royal Court of Light Members

SUBJ: ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

1. Request any court member guild lend assistance in the aid of the House of the Gauntlet and its Liege Mistress the Grand Duchess Molly Kaldhel. The Duchess has mysteriously fallen ill. She is in a frozen but alive stasis. If you can lend assistance both medically though you guild memberships, or with knowledge of a similar incident that was reversed, please contact Grand Commander Reckoning or any member of the House of the Gauntlet with your assistance.
2. The Duchess seemed to also have had a premonitions in the form of dreams about this illness and we seek a soothsayer who understands such issues.
3. We also seek the bandit named Vash as it seem possible that he may have been able to poison her during his recent attack on the Duchess. His detainment is desired by both the RCL and the Kingdom of Sanctus.
4. A person named Azrieal is also sought in connection with a previous incident and his detainment is also requested.

End

Respectfully,

Shihan Reckoning
Grand Commander
House of the Gantlet

Shihan took the message to the quickly awoken scribes and had them make copies then went to wake various retained messengers to have these passed at the earliest possible time.
_________________
Shihan Reckoning
Grand Commander, The House of the Gauntlet
The Royal Court of Light
_____________________________________________

Peace is Boring, Death is Permanent (usually)

"shihan-san, do you choose to block my entrance to this room?" and he stepped back and said, "Emperor, only a fool would fight you in a room this small."

Rryn Anyai · Journeyman Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 244

Mai Reifujin ! Mai Reifujin ! Inpo-tanto messe-ji ! Inpo-tanto messe-ji setsuju Mai Reifujin ! Gaijin anou inpo-tanto !!

The young boy's voice carried in the wind as he ran through the courtyard toward the house. She recognized it as the precocious boy that was constantly peering around the corner watching the samurai in training. The men had noticed him long ago but allowed him to think they were unaware of his presence. He had become a constant that they expected much like a mascot.

"Whoa... slow down..." Rrynn caught him as he barreled past her in the garden.

" Mai .... Reifujin... Inpo...Inpo- tanto.... " he managed to get out between gasps for air. He thrust his small hand out holding the message giving up trying to speak. He bent hands over knees catching his breath once she had retrieved it.

" Hai I heard you from the street" she laughed " A foreign man bade you bring this important message to me. You have done very well Hashi ! "
The young boy straightened up feeling pride that he had pleased her and done a good thing.

" Off to the kitchen with you... Cook will have something warm and tasty for you and then you can go sit on the fence and watch the samurai for a little while." she winked at him as she pointed toward the house and with a bright grin the boy ran off to the kitchen.

Watching him disappear through the doors, she turned her attention back to the message he had handed her. She saw the seal from the House of the Gauntlet. She headed toward her study as she opened the seal. Minutes later she sat staring off, the letter hanging loosely from her hand into her lap. Thoughts rapidly went through her mind. Thinking of what could possibly be done now she went down to the courtyard and bade Ayumi to take the letter to the elders quickly.

" The teas are not strong enough for whatever is ailing the Duchess Molly. The letter contains more information on her current status. Perhaps the elders can find something more to help them with this information."

Ayumi bowed her head and quickly headed off to the temple. Rryn walked back toward her study, deep in thought of what they could do to help. Sitting down on her chaise she glanced toward her desk and the neat pile of invitations she had penned earlier for a gathering of the Ladies to a day of tea and pampering.
"The healing water's onsen would have been very relaxing for the Duchess to soak in, but in her current state, it would be detrimental to move her." she thought aloud picturing the large steamed pool fortified with oils and herbals. A light touch at her shoulder and Ayumi handed her a note from the Elder Priest.

Several hours later , she had secured the oils she needed and had visited the Elders to see if any progress had been made. Though they were deep in study still, they had found nothing of the strange illness that had befallen the Duchess.
"It is not a natural thing , this illness I fear and I can find no poisons of man or beast that would cause such reaction" one of the Elder healers explained.
" I fear this is beyond anything our healers can fix but we will continue to look for answers. I would suggest that she have a talisman placed over her for protection as I stated in my note. Have you the necessary ingredients I require?." the Elder Priest questioned.

Rryn nodded understanding and handed several oils to him. The Elder Priest walked toward the front of the main temple and stood before the statue of a male surrounded by flames. He withdrew a piece of driftwood and placed it on the table before him. He began a light chanting as he added one oil then another to the wood. Several more ingredients went atop the wood. Taking his candle he set the wood alight in a brief flash of flame. He soon handed her the talisman.

" This talisman is of Ho-Masubi, the Fire God. Although destructive by his very nature, and feared by mortals, Ho-Masubi is not evil and does what he can for mankind, providing them with light and warmth and a means with which to live. Perhaps he will watch over her and ward off what brings her to this illness."
"Domo arigato" Rryn bowed deeply to the priest. " we can only hope it might help in some way."

Arriving back to her rooms, she quickly penned a letter out to Lord Shihan Reckoning explaining they were doing their best to discover what they could of this illness and that she would arrive soon with the talisman.

"Though the talisman may seem a strange cultural thing, we hope it will ward off any evil and at least bring some comfort to the Duchess." she wrote in her letter.

Rryn carefully wrapped the talisman in thick silk and prepared it for the long journey it would undertake.

They would leave at daybreak....

Shihan Reckoning · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:07 pm Post subject: Frozen in time

Another doctor was examining the Duchess. Shihan was starting to feel the anxiety of the terrible situation. With the Duchess almost dead, no currently having the ability to revive her from her state, and her own premonitions of her death in his head, he was feeling useless in this situation. Combined with personal issues of Lily and her apparent physical ailments from what he could only see as a case of exhaustion, Shihan felt his life swirling in a storm of turmoil. The members of the Royal Court of Light had been respectful in their words of encouragement for the Duchess but no response had come that could be considered a solution.

From outside the RCL the House of the Gauntlet had received help from many different groups, some very surprising. The suggestion to ask for more assistance from the Empress Rryn of the Tokuno islands was suggested and word was passed to ask for her to try to determine if the herbs in the teas might have had a negative effect instead of a positive one. A soothsayer was being searched for to try to figure out the premonitions of the Duchess. Umbra had assisted with knowledge that was not normally available to see if something could be gleaned from her condition. All in all though Shihan feared that if a solution was not found soon, the Duchess’s final premonitions of her death would come true and he did not want to consider that…… ever.
_________________
Shihan Reckoning
Grand Commander, The House of the Gauntlet
The Royal Court of Light
_____________________________________________

Peace is Boring, Death is Permanent (usually)

"shihan-san, do you choose to block my entrance to this room?" and he stepped back and said, "Emperor, only a fool would fight you in a room this small."

Shihan Reckoning · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:05 am Post subject: Another day closer to death

Looking for assistance, Duke Kaldhel was becoming desperate. The Duchess was slowly loosing what life she had in her away to the frozen world she had entered. The Royal Court of Light meeting brought several people to help the House Gauntlet in its time of need. Doc Anthrax from Umbra who had looked on the Duchess the evening before came to report his findings. No luck there. The Lady Ivory was sent by King Talon to see if his assistance would be desired. The Duke had graciously accepted. Lady Wickedrose offered her assistance and that of her house as well as Lord Tai and several others. Roxxy Dubois seemed to have been found by Lady Tika and was brought to the meeting. It was all starting to look like something might break with all the well wishers seeking to help.

In the midst of this the villain Vash seemed to find an opportune time to show up and harass people coming to and from the meeting. He presence was discovered and he was chased and captured it seemed. This lifted some of the worries from the Dukes shoulders as his capacity as Luna sheriff involved taking him into custody.

With the meeting over Duke Kaldhel had dismissed me to take Lady Dubois and a newly arrived Lord Talon and his wife the Lady Saidhe to see if their knowledge would help decipher the mystery of the Duchess’s frozen body.

Using their skills, each in their own way, information completely unavailable came to light. Parts of what seemed to becoming a puzzle slowly started come to light. Lady Dubois seemed to have a visionary ability to see parts of the nightmare the Duchess had spoken of. She seemed to eventually focus on some faces, two faces. The Lady Saidhe perceptions reached into the still body of the Duchess and found pictures of the past and of evil and deception, of dark magic. Lord Talons methodical mind brought new questions to light and analyzed information to bring forward new theories as to the nature of what seemed to be becoming an curse from an evil force.

The possible truth became apparent to him as he put things together and provided an articulate summary that pointed to a gift presented by the druids as a possible source for the evil. He used his considerable power of light to expel the evil, drawing from personal strength and from the power of those around him.

While he was unsuccessful in the end, the strength of his magic and personal will to succeed brought the first response anyone had seen from the Duchess in several days. She was alive. She was there.

But even with the knowledge of a possible force for evil discovered, the ability to remove it seemed to have been undiscovered. Worn of energy the group retired to gather its lost strength, and rethink its course of action.

Duke Kaldhel decided after given council to move the Duchess to a safer location and requested that I find the Druid leader Maelwyn as the evil object seemed to have been a gift presented by their kind and perhaps they might know its nature. Dispatched I left with escorts to the Treefellow forest to find the Druid leader and hopefully put another piece into this ever growing puzzle.
_________________
Shihan Reckoning
Grand Commander, The House of the Gauntlet
The Royal Court of Light
_____________________________________________

Peace is Boring, Death is Permanent (usually)

"shihan-san, do you choose to block my entrance to this room?" and he stepped back and said, "Emperor, only a fool would fight you in a room this small."

Rryn Anyai · Journeyman Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 244

Rryn was exhausted by the time they had arrived in Luna. It was well past the hour any civilized being would be awake and she was grateful for the kind inkeeper that had been woken and so graciously shown them rooms.

They had tried to leave Zento at daybreak but had been delayed by shouts. The city's gongs and bells rang out the alarm. The samurai were dispatched out to assess the problem. A large fire had broken out just west of the city, appearing to have come from some of the hunters in the area that had left their campfire unattended when they had gone back to hunt. The citizens had banded together and formed long lines to pass the buckets of water up to the fire. When it was over , they had only lost one home to the fires. It appeared to have been adandoned. Several citizens had required healing aid and Rryn had remained with them until the last one had been sent home.
She had returned home to find the men had restocked their supplies and were prepared once again to leave. They knew the importance of this journey and that a life lay precariously in peril and were prepared to move on immediately. After a quick change of clothing, Rryn joined them outside and mounted her mare. The proccession soon made its way through the city to the portal that would take them out of the islands and into Malas.

Now resting in her room her thoughts turned to Duchess Molly. Glancing towards the satchel on the desk, she pictured the talisman in her mind and her last thought as she dozed off was one of hope.

The Squirrels · Visitor Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Posts: 9 Location: The woods

Sorrel watched through the days as the Lady Molly's condition seemed to worsen. He furrowed his bushy brow and worried his whiskers. Something was just not right.

He stood by, as healer after healer came to see the Lady Molly. But, it seemed none of them could help her. So many came with hopeful faces, to leave so saddened and helpless. He flicked his bushy tail with.

There's nothin' to it then! A squirrel's gotta do what a squirrel's gotta do!

And with that, he adjusted the tiny bow across his back and hopped through the window, on his way to find the druids.
_________________
Chitter chitter chippa chip

Saidhe Skyfire · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:32 pm Post subject:

King Talon and Queen Saidhe Skyfire portalled into the House of Gaunlet only to be met by a rather large barking guard dog. He took a few sniffs of Saidhe and calmed down rather quickly when she bent down to let it smell her hand. After being escorted to Lady Molly, they were breifed on her situation.

Molly was rigid in her bed... dressed all in white from head to toe. Her eyes were closed and her lips a light blue. One would only know her to be alive by her shallow breathing. Saidhe let out a soft whimper, gazing at the frozen beauty. Talon went into semantics only imediately, asking Shihan question after question.

"Who has she been near since this situation arose?"
"Has she eaten anything out of the ordinary lately?"
"Has anthing foreign been brought into the home?"

The questions went on and on for nearly an hour. Before long Lady Roxxy was brought in and stared at the Lady Molly for what seemed like hours.
She asked for a simple cup of warm water in which Saidhe created with a snap of her fingers. Roxxy gave Saidhe a grin as she took the water and began to add some herbs to the water.

Roxxy focused her energy on The Lady Molly and information soon began to come to light.

"Two faces..." she repeated over and over. Roxxy's face showed her confusion.

Talon instantly took the hint and started questioning Shihan.

"What in this home has significance to Roxxy words? What could possibley have two faces?"

Shihan pondered but could come up with nothing. He stated that mayhap Will would know and called apon him.

During all this Saidhe was preparing herself for a dreamstate in which she would be able to speak with Molly. She sat down next to the bed and leaned against a tall cabinet, her head resting apon it. She closed her eyes and began to focus her thoughts on the frozen Duchess. Almost instantly her head fell to the side and it began.. Whispers in her ears at first.

"Darkness covering me... enveloping me in it. I fear I can not escape. Someone.. Azreal? Someone helping me to him.. carrying me to him. Cold so cold.. I pray that I will not live thru this.. two faces... Azreal but the other I can not see... Tell Will and Almael I love them.." The whispers trailed off and Saidhe's chin slumped against her chin.

She awoke to the roomfull of people looking at her in horror. Shihan's face in utter fear. She later found out she had spoken all the words whispered to her. More information was unraveling.

After gaining her strength back, she stood wearly, awaiting Talon's next move. He asked a question that brought widened eyes to the room.

"Was she given any gifts lately..?"

Shihan brought a doll and sat it on the floor. It seemed to stare at Molly. The guard dog began barking furiously at the doll, snarling and foaming at the mouth. Talon took the hint and started shouting for it to be removed.

Shihan tried to lift the doll but it would not budge. It seemed full of rock. He whacked at it a few times with a stick but it would not move. It was glued to its spot as everyone else stood in awe of the doll.

"Someone evil is in this room.. something evil.. and dark" Roxxy said softly, almost shivering.

Striding over to Molly, Talon took Ice from across his back and laid the sword on the bed, laying Molly's hand apon it. He called for everyone to clasp hands and focus their energies on The Lady. He began to chant.

"An Lor Mani Nox.. Rel Sanct Lus Zu.. Corp Des Nox.. In Kal Lor Mani!"

Talon repeated this chant a few times untill suddenly a single frosty tear fell from Mollys eye and froze on her cheek. Before Talon could repeat this incantation again a bolt of energy shot from the doll and hit Talon with such force it threw him across the room and slammed him into the wall.. He slumped against it like a fallen tree.

Saidhe ran to his side and craddled him in her arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Enough for one night... this is doing no good.." She softly cried out to the room.

"But it has Lady Saidhe. We have gotten more information tonight then any other healer that came to us. We must press on and continue." Shihan spoke softly to her, trying to calm her restless mind.

Talon stirred and began his attempt at standing. Saidhe helped him to his feet.

"After we figure out the key to this, we will try again. Untill then move her from this place and that doll. Her life depends on it." Talon grunted in pain. "I must go and rest. Saidhe, portal us quickly."

With a few words they were back in Sanctus. Talon snug in bed, the covers up to his chin. Saidhe sat holding his hand all thruout the eve, watching him as he slept, frost still misting from her every breath.
_________________
Saidhe is more metal than Barl.

Rryn Anyai · Journeyman Joined: 24 Oct 2004 Posts: 244

Rryn awoke the next morning, having arrived home late the evening before. They had not had any success in finding anyone from House Gauntlet to pass the talisman off to. She awoke to the sound of laughter as the household prepared for the Cultural Day and Open Air Market. Lady Mallory had arrived early and was already in the kitchen rolling batter for the mooncakes and helping the children and Ayumi write out the fortune books. Rryn walked through the door ... and was instantly hit in the face by flour! A full swing flour attack was in full force. Realizing she had walked into the room, they all stopped staring at her face covered in flour and they all burst into laughter as Rryn did. The girls, having only arrived from their holiday the day before, ran up to her hugging her. Soon everyone was back to baking and cooking and rolling sushi. Meanwhile the men delivered the booths, freshly painted, to the festival site. Preparing to leave for the days' events, Rryn looked over at the silk wrapped talisman and decided to bring it along in hopes someone from House Gauntlet may appear at the festivities.
The market was in full swing when Rryn turned around and came face to face with Lord Shihan. She asked a moment of his time and they stepped away from the crowd for privacy. He explained that they had all been sent out to seek out answers and apologized he had not been there to receive the talisman. He had only gotten her message that morning.
She slid the talisman out of her satchel and handed it to him carefully explaining what needed to be done. Nodding to her he excused himself to return to Duke Kaldhel with it immediately. Rryn looked up to the sky for a moment, sending out a short prayer for Molly, then turned her attention back to the festivities. Tai approached her stating that he had seen the girls safely home and had received a request to meet with Duke Kaldhel. She smiled and told him to have a good evening and thanked him for attending to the children. As the evening wore down, many of the sellers were closing up their booths and clean up had began. Rryn had began to help cleanup when she heard a voice behind her.
" Empress Rryn?" he asked. Rryn turned around to find Duke Kaldhel behind her.
" Ah so, Konban wa Duke Kaldhel." she responded smiling warmly.
" Might I inconvenience you and ask you to come with me to meet with Lord Tai at my home." he asked quietly " It is regarding my wife and I .... well... "
" Of course, it is not an inconvenience." Rryn replied. She looked over to the young woman helping her and handed the reins of the packhorse to her.

They were soon arriving at the House of the Gauntlet and entering the lovely home. Upon entering the private rooms of the Duchess, Rryn's eyes immediately fell upon two breathtaking, lifelike dolls. Something about them made her feel strange, but she shrugged it off. She helped the Duke to place the talisman on the Duchess's chest over her heart. Watching her closely, a small icy breath was seen. Then nothing more as they watched , holding their breathes in anticipation. They began to talk and Rryn could not help but feel herself glancing to the dolls several times in the conversation. She explained the talisman to the Duke and that it could take time to work or may not do any more then what it had. At best it might ward off any additional injury to her, but it would not harm her. Tai, seeing her glances at the dolls, brought the subject up regarding them and asked if they looked familiar.

" They look very much like the craftsmanship of the ones that young lady showed us not long ago. The ones that she offered to us for the girls. The price was very simple for them. As I recall Master Po demanded we not purchase them, he was very adamant that they not be brought into our household." she knelt to examine them closer and asked Will if he knew the maker. He stated he did not as they were gifts. Then he told her of the odd occurrences regarding them and King Talon.

"... and he demanded they be moved, or Molly removed from their presence but in her state we cannot move her." he stated. " We tried to move that one.." he pointed to the druid one " and it will not budge"
Rryn tried to pick it up and he was right, it was as if rooted to the flooring.
" What of the bride doll?" she asked
" We did not try it, after what happened to King Talon, we were afraid what it might do" he replied and at her bidding he attempted to lift it and it came up easily into his hands
" Well... I will be ..it came up and ..nothing" He excused himself quickly to remove it from the room and put it away in a sealed container.
Rryn watched as the more Tai watched the other doll, the more agitated he became. When she questioned him, he stated simply that it had to be removed one way or the other. He spoke to Will and explained what he could try to do to remove it but it might mean destroying the doll. Will nodded agreement. While they watched over Molly, Tai prepared himself to use the dragonfist, a dangerous action for him that could cost him much more in the end. Rryn knew how to bring him down from it, if he did not succumb to it. Covering Molly to protect her , they heard the roar of a dragon as Tai slammed into the doll , once, then again, a third time.. then silence. Turning around the doll and Tai were both gone.. the doors to Molly's suite standing open. Looking back around to Molly, she could have sworn she saw the slightest glint in her eye before they returned to her frozen state. They heard the bell from the doorway and a sudden crash and sound of surprise and quickly left the room to see what was going on. They found Tai on the ground on all fours growling with the doll clutched protectively in his hands. Lady Mallory and Lord Gailan stood in shock at the doorway. Will gently removed the doll from Tai's hands and Rryn carefully escorted him from the room. Sitting him down on the chaise, she reached into her bag and pulled out the incense she carried , lit it and blew the smoke into his face. He lay motionless , the voice that spoke was not his own but that of Taimat. The time for the fight to control was at hand and the threats to her and the children were muttered. Suddenly, the voice quieted and Tai surfaced.
" I cannot endanger you or the children" he stated as he ran from the room before she could stop him.
She began the search of places he might have gone....

Tai Kwan Leap · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:24 pm Post subject:

The morning was dawning and splashing dappled shades of amber across the steps of the Temple of Ultimate Humility. Seated in lotus position, glowing a pale jade and hovering above the top step was Master Po in his saffron robes.

“Come forward little ryu. There is much that must be said” The color of the old man’s eyes was a pale alabaster as his unseeing gaze focused on the young monk.

The young monk stepped forward on the path of rice paper his feet bare and calloused. He calmly placed his feet in a slow progression to the bottom step. Upon reaching the end of the rice paper and the steps leading up to his sensei, he cupped his right fist with the palm of his left hand and bowed low.

He slowly straightened and began the ascent of the 50 steps leading to the temple entrance. There were four men standing between him and the top step.

“I bow to the Sensei of the Earth, Master Tsuchi” Tai says again cupping his right fist and bowing.

As he slowly stands up a crushing pain in his chest explodes and spreads throughout his body. He blinks realizing he was in a fugue state and knows he is close to losing control. At the back of his thoughts he hears the voice of Tiamat, once the greatest of the Silver Lotus Dragons.

He needed to rest and meditate. Leaving a trail of dead hiryus in his path he makes his way to the safe house in Isamu. Stumbling up to the sleeping quarters he staggers to the futon and collapses.

Days or just moments might have passed, but he hears movement and he struggles to rise.

“I knew I would find you here” Empress Rryn says as she steps out of the shadows.
_________________
"He's been fired from the Shrimp Boat?" -- Charlaine Harris "Living Dead In Dallas."

Haydn ab'Arawn · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:12 am Post subject:

Two figures the Lady Molly's mind presented clearly. One was very familiar to her, a face was shown, and her mind revealed she knew him to be undead. The other, not so well known, was draped in shadows in her vision.

Random images of earth elementals and the Chamber of Virtue. A circle of holy and nature magic champions. The cure.

Again, the images of two figures. The shadowy figure focused a bit, and she recognized the tell-tale mind reference to ice or cold. The shadowy one had something to do with cold.

And then, there was silence. The unconscious mind knew no more, or could tell no more.

It had all come out in rhyming poetry, as she saw it in the Lady Molly's thought-speak. The Staff of Ceridwyn acting as a channeler for Lord Oaks' power. The others in the room, the Lady Molly's friends, had heard only fey music. Thus, she translated it as the images came.

"If this had been the power of Oblivion, I could perhaps counter it. Unfortunately, tis not. But, it is good that her condition is not worsening past this point. There is still a heartbeat. I will cast a binding on this room to keep any more evil curses out."

The Blessing of Oaks she reinforced on the Lady Molly's forehead. Then, she drew upon the life power of Oaks to seal the room with nature magic.

"I can do no more for now. I will go to Ilshenar, to the old libraries, and seek the methods of this ritual she showed us."

Their grief was so deep that her departure went almost unnoticed. She gave a robust autumn acorn to Sorrel and scratched the back of his neck once, on the way out.

"Stay here, stay true to thy duty that we placed upon you so long ago."

She walked quietly to the porter, at which she turned around to address him one last time.

"Send for me if there is any change in her condition."

Sorrel saluted her as she stepped onto the teleporter, off to dig through libraries in Ilshenar for the procedure of the ritual.