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[Scar]

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The pickings had been scanty and Scar had lost a lot of weight during the months he had lingered near the Shrine. Rabbits and a few deer were the usual fare, though occasionally for the sport of it he tackled bears, ogres, ettins and trolls. He had forgotten entirely who he was, and only occasionally in his mind did he get fleeting glimpses of what could be familiar faces and lands. But this was his home now... the somber gray walls of the Shrine of Justice served as the den where he could rest and find solace. Nothing bothered him here. The creatures of the surrounding forest had long since abandoned their habitat to him... fleeing quickly from his presence, sensing impending doom each night the moon was full. And they were right to do so.

His clothes, what was left of them, were in tatters. His armor, shield and weapons were rusting as he had taken them off and hid them nearby. He did not need them anymore... an animal such as he has its own, natural, repertoire of tools for killing.

He was snoozing one afternoon, sleeping lightly, allowing the warm rays of the sun to bathe him in their soothing touch. In the distance he heard a song... a lovely, lilting tune... mesmerizing... and it grew louder. Someone was coming.

In an instant he was on all fours in a defensive stance; his face grimacing into a bestial snarl. He lept quickly behind the ankh within the shrine to await the appearance of the singer.

She entered the enclosed area still singing. In her arm she held a basket of gold and red flowers which she began to strew about. He could see she was an elf maiden... lithe, graceful, and beautiful to behold... certainly no threat to him.

Yet for some reason he did not wish for her to see him, thus he remained hidden, watching her every move.

She spotted him looking at her nonetheless. "Mae Govannen! Greetings, friend," she saluted, smiling. "I mean you no harm. If I intrude upon thy reveries, I shall leave and return another day?" She started to turn away.

Feeling foolish, he stood up and came out from behind the ankh. He tried uselessly to straighten his jerkin, but it was no use... he looked a mess. "No, there is no need for that. I... I live here," he stated.

She drew closer to him. "Live here? At this shrine? Art thou a monk perhaps? A druid or ascetic?"

"No, none of those. In fact, far from it. I have... lost my memory. I cannot remember where I am from or even who I am. I found myself here at this shrine one night months ago and have remained here ever since."

"How sad!" she exclaimed, her tone evidencing the genuineness of her words. "I am Kayla Ariesus, of House Gauntlet. I live in Yew and hail from Heartwood. I have plenty to eat and a spare bed for thee if you need one. Allow me to show thee the hospitality of my home, and of the elves. Come home with me, friend."

Scar was embarrassed for his appearance and ignorance, but not so foolish as to decline her offer out of hand. It had been far too long since he had a good meal and a soft bed. Still, he knew what he was and what might happen. He shook his head. "I cannot. I have a curse you see. I am a danger to others. Thus I should not go with you."

Kayla smiled and approached him slowly, taking his hand. "I sense no evil in thee, and these things I know. Whatever torments you, I will find remedy. This I promise," she said, confidently. "Come and see."

One look into her green eyes and he knew she could be trusted. Against his own better judgment, he nodded and followed her back to Yew.

[Scar]

---

One might think that time would rekindle old memories, but despite the months that dragged on, Scar was no more near knowing who he really was than when this nightmare first began. Vainly he racked his mind for some shred of recollection, some wisp of an image, that would be the key to unlocking the steel cage that had imprisoned his identity... all to no avail.

He was not suffering. To the contrary, life was good. He lived the life of a rustic, a Yewian, within the small, but comfortable dwelling owned by an elf maiden, who saw to his every need... well, almost.

Kayla Ariesus was quite aware of his "condition" ...that, at the time of a full Feluccan moon, or as a result of great rage, he would transform into a wolf and begin a hunt. She was knowledgeable enough to recognize the condition, and, more importantly, to sympathize, and ward off its worst effects by having him bound with heavy chains (which he not only allowed her to tie him with, but of which he, himself, applied) and placed in confinement... a small deserted cottage south southwest of Yew. There, against her natural principles, she would bring a hind or another small animal to him so that he might slake his thirst for flesh and blood. And, as any dutiful friend might do, she brought him a change of clothes in the morning, cleaned him up, and the area, and released him. They would then return home, to her villa, and resume what, by all evidence might seem to be... a normal existence as husband and wife.

For her part Kayla inquired far and wide as to any disappearances of men who might fit his description. She was careful not to divulge his lycanthropy, of course, but she visited the townships of Skara Brae, Jhelom and Minoc, those within close proximity to Yew, to ask about missing persons and fugitives. Having learned nothing, she could only deduce that his appearance in Yew was the result of a spell, or entrance via the moongate. In the end, she gave up her search, for the longer he remained with her, the more they got to know one another, and so her feelings for him grew.

Those feelings were not unknown to him, nor could she, or would she, easily conceal them. He reminded her of another woman he knew once, and though he could not remember her name, he could see that woman's strong will and unapologetic femininity shine through. That, coupled with his gratitude to her for all she had done and was doing for him, allowed the seeds of love to germinate.

And so, though he remained in doubt as to his own identity, he was happy and contented, willing to give this new life a try, to see where it might lead him, unfettered by a past which had left him behind.

[Merci d'Rue]

---

It is often said, Time and Tide wait for no one. As Merci surveyed the bow with its lock of hair still attached to it she sighed. The bow, which had once belonged to Kelei, Merci's once oldest daughter was symbolic of many things to Merci. Yet today it made her think of another.

Long ago when Stonegate had stood fresh and young, Merci had been flattered by the request to bite and sire one of her first Lycan. To her it had always been a great thing and she had felt the imprints of it still even now. This Lycan had come to them an archer and she remembered it well for not many at that time cared for the art of the bow.

Crickette and Scaramandine had amazingly both been archers and both, become Lycans. Crickette bitten by Myrddin, still stood under Stonegates banner this day, steadfast and true, the connection to Myrddin and his bloodline still clearly present.

Yet it was not so with Merci, Scar had disappeared. She had long felt, it was her duty to find him, to find the Lycan that she herself had bitten. So it was, that she asked one of Stonegates own to accompany her one day, Kaylor, to help her find the man Scar, who had once called Stonegate home. Together they searched Papua, for if you knew Scar, that was naturally a place he would go.

While the people there new of a man matching his description, in fact, even knew his name well, this was because Scar had once controlled the Papua region long ago. So Merci's attempt turned up fruitless, for while they new of him, thier news was of age and not recent.

Merci shook her head in vexation, knowing that ultimately she had failed Scar in some manner, and also her own King. That somehow in her youth as a Lycan, she had not taught as he had with the expertness with which he excelled. Merci was not used to this, she had always felt she could achieve any task, and pass any test.

Yet for now she would bid Scar a fond farewell and wish him happiness, peace, and well being. Whether he lay in a deep grave or roamed lands distant only time would tell. Fate would have the final say.....
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May destiny guide you...