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[Thraxas]

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As much as he hoped it might, the mirror would not lie. The twin pointed protuberances on his brow were, if anything, getting bigger. Soon, neither the slender golden circlet, nor the feathered hat he sometimes wore in public, would adequately conceal them from curious eyes. He had a helm, but it was for combat only. Should he wear it around, as it seemed he now must, people who would not normally notice, would begin to wonder why he kept it on all the time.

He released a disgusted sigh and slammed his fist against the wall. The strange black sigils that had suddenly criss-crossed his arms were bad enough... they could be easily hidden... but this was becoming too much.

What have you done to me, you swine! Can you not leave me be?!

He did not expect Og'Garoth to answer him---that had long since ceased. He was a full-fledged apostate now, a backslider at best, who had not sacrificed an elf, nor anyone else, to his daemon god in months. This was, no doubt, the god's way of tormenting him, forcing him to dance to a tune he did not wish to hear any longer.

He sat down and pondered things for a moment.

There is one...

He took pen and parchment and began to compose a letter...

Dear Friend,

I trust my courier, Harbinger, will remember you and find you wherever you may be. If you receive this, and I know you shall, please reply to me through him. If he returns without response, I will know you have utterly rejected me and shall accept it as my fate, perhaps as my due.

However, if you have any feeling for me; if there remains any whisper of concern or spark of friendship still within you for me, you will answer that we may meet to talk.

I have need of you, and beg your indulgence, at least this one time.

Help me, please.

Thraxas"

After affixing his personal seal, he rolled up the letter and enclosed it in a brass cylinder which he tied securely to Harbinger's leg.

He spoke softly to the creature which squawked once in affirmation at his command: "Ceinwyn ab'Arawn."
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"If a criminal has what you want, you do business with him."

[Ceinwyn ab'Arawn]

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The great black beast had found her, even down here, in the depths of the ice cave. She turned away from the book case, leather-bound tome in hand, to greet the huge bird. He landed to perch on her shoulder, nuzzling her with his large head.

"Oh you are a clever one, aren't you?" she ruffled the familiar pitch feathers fondly, her violet eyes now on the brass cylinder at the bird's ankle. Opening the case, she took the rolled letter from within. The parchment unrolled between her nearly-blue fingers easily and she read the entirety of the message it contained. When she was through, she moved with her guest to the table to pen a response, the great bird hopping down to rest on the back of a nearby chair.

"Well, Harbinger, it must be quite serious indeed for him to have sent you all the way here."

The bird watched silently, giving no hint whether or not it understood. She began her reply.


"It's been a long, long time, Thraxas, since anyone has spoken to me. I must confess to a more than passing curiosity as to the reason you send for me. It has been many years, though I would still consider you more than a friend. I did create you, after all, in a manner of speaking. We have even sired a daughter together.

The words of humility are a bit unusual, coming from you. This can only mean you are in a dire situation. Your letter contains such an air of desperation that I am moved.

Of course we can meet to talk. There is no need to beg.

Cein"


She rolled the response tightly and slipped it into the cylinder and gave Harbinger an apologetic gaze.

"Sorry, friend, I wasn't expecting guests. I have no treats to give you this time. I will be sure to bring you something good when I meet with your master. Now, be off with you and take heed as you fly. This cave isn't the most cozy and welcoming place..."

She realized she would remain curious about Thrax's problem until she met with him, and tucked the book back to the shelf. It had been a long time since she had visited with anyone, and much was to be done before their meeting.