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[Haydn ab'Arawn]

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The ritual proceeded as planned. The sealing of the circle of harmony, the calling to the elements and directions. The words of power to coax nature into assisting Lady Molly. All had gone as planned.

Except for one thing.

Maelwyn had spent the better part of 2 weeks looking for a diamond large enough and strong enough to be enchanted. The enchantment over Molly would need a new home, and she hoped to contain it within the gem.

As the ritual drew to a close, she noticed the gem was trembling in her hands as it drew the force of the icy curse into it. Something was wrong. It became more evident as the last of the negative energy was pouring into the crystal, changing its color from its pure clarity to an inky blackness. But, it wasn't enough to contain it.

She glanced up from the trembling black diamond to verify Lady Molly's condition. As Lady Molly confirmed she was well, the diamond reached it's maximum capacity and there was still more energy needing to be absorbed. Having no place to go, other than flooding into the person clasping the huge diamond, the full force of the negativity poured into Maelwyn, leaving the diamond once again, crystal clear.

Most were so busy joyously applauding Lady Molly's restoration that they did not notice the druid collapse to the floor in a heap. Those that did notice did not quite understand, but accepted that it was perhaps part of the ritual. Wisteria and Tavish realized that something had gone terribly wrong, however, and hastened to collect the fallen druid. They bade their appologies to the assemblage and hurried out with their fallen sister, to a place strong in earth power.

It was Tavish's hope that by placing Maelwyn under a light layer of soil, thereby surrounding her with the healing earth, that she may rejuvenate and return to her natural state. Wisteria watched on, as he dug a shallow bed in the clearing of the Standing Stones. As he placed Maelwyn in, however, she began to stir. Wisteria lowered herself beside Maelwyn, asking questions of her regarding her wellness.

Maelwyn stood and seemed disoriented. She gazed at both of them, and she knew who they were, but felt not the ties to them that she had previously felt. She experienced a keen sense of loss.. and deep anger. Anger at losing. But what? What had she lost? The two druids were asking questions of her.. was she alright... was she ok.. it was enough.. She wanted silence! Nothing but silence so that she could figure out what was wrong with her, but they would not shut up...

She hurled fireballs at Wisteria, and when Tavish tried to step closer to calm her.. she swung the Staff of Ceridwyn at him, striking his shoulder. Wisteria called a wall of fire to absorb the fire Maelwyn flung. Maelwyn had to leave.. she had to get away from that place and figure everything out. She uttered words that took her far from that place close to nature.

She stood in front of her childhood home. A house on the shore of Dagger Isle, which had previously bordered the now gone city of Caina. As the cool wind blew on her, clearing her mind, she realized her hands were in pain. Looking to the staff she clutched, still defensively and tightly, she noticed it was burning to touch. She dropped it in the snow and examined her hands. The oak leaf imprints on her palms had blackened. No longer the vibrant green they had been. The Staff of Ceridwyn had rejected her, and she now knew why. No longer could she feel the presence of that long revered druid, her aunt, inside her. The taint that had transformed Maelwyn had pushed her aunt's spirit out.