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[Nadia Swiftar]

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They all came through the gate and were standing in front of what appeared to be a house. Curiously they dismounted and began to walk inside. After looking around for a moment Brianha noticed a glow from above and wondered if that was what they had come all this way for. Going further into the house she entered a room where a man was sitting behind a desk… All piled into the room and someone in the group recognized him and called out his name “Lord Bailos?” He slowly looked up and sighed “Company and a lot of it” he looked irritated. Approaching him Brianha could see he was no ordinary man and was very cautious of him. She explained who she was and that they had been on a journey in search of something and had been led here. Lord Bailos seemed a little claustrophobic with everyone in the small room and so led them up to what appeared to be a meeting room.

All sat down and eyed the man with curiosity. “So tell me your story” He had said to Brianha.. she was in no mood to elaborate and simply said “ I have lost my memory and have come in search….” Without finishing he interrupted her “You are a poor story teller” appalled at his rudeness she seethed “I am not here to tell a story” Realizing she could upset him further she held her tongue. Sensing her frustration Vaen took her hand and squeezed it lightly.

After it was explained it was decided that something needed to be given in exchange for use of the ball. Lord Bailos looked around trying to decide who was his best prey for the reward. Eyeing Vaen’s cousin Liam, Bailos seemed to be interested in trading Liam for use of the ball. Liam being the loyal cousin and friend made no qualms about giving himself for this cause. After Vaen and Liam stepped out to discuss the issue Brianha made it clear that he could and would not be taken at her expense. It was hard for her to hold back the truth at this moment when someone else could be in danger, but she had to stand her ground and proceed with her plan.

Standing she said, “I will not allow this to happen” As she was trying to make her point clear Vaen and Liam had come back in and heard her protests. Fearing that they would lose their chance to use the crystal ball Vaen took Brianha outside to sooth and reassure her that this was best.

After they tired to make the other see their point of view, Vaen just told Brianha that he would stand by whatever decision she made. If she did not want this to happen then it would not. Agreeing they both went back up the cold stone stairs and went to Balios.

Vaen simply stated. “It is decided… there will be no deal.”

This seemed to surprise Bailos and he tried to provoke her by asking if she did not want to have the chance to see her past. Knowing the others were looking for answers, and knowing that to them this was the only way.. Brianha knew that she had to use the ball, here and now so that they would be satisfied and so she could proceed with her plans.


Brianha looked straight at Bailos. “Can I not owe you in turn for this favor?”

Bailos seemed to contemplate this and then with a smile “You do realize that this will be a debt.. a debt meaning you will do as I say when I command it?”

She nodded understanding that she was to be the only one responsible for this debt and in her heart it took some of the guilt away knowing that someday she would pay for the deception to her loved ones by repaying this debt on her own.

Vaen seemed appalled by this idea and interjected “Why would you do this, you yourself said the memories will eventually come back?”

Ignoring Vaen she continued to look at Bailos “Deal?”
Smiling he nodded, and so it was decided.

They began to head upstairs when Bailos commanded everyone else stay where they were. The only ones who made the journey up the stone stairs were Brianha, Vaen and Bailos.

She could see the chair in front of the ball and her nerves started to get to her. They walked up to it and Vaen made it clear that he wanted to test it first to ensure its safety. Lord Bailos seemed put off by this and then Vaen proceeded to say he to would be in debt to him. Brianha was not happy that he had agreed to this but knew there was nothing she could do about it. And so with that he commanded Vaen to sit down.

Vaen sat in front of the ball and was instructed to close his eyes. Bailos came behind him and rested his hands on Vaen’s shoulders speaking something Brianha could not understand. The ball started to glow and she became mesmerized staring into it. She nearly forgot to look at Vaen to see what it was doing to him. When she did look up she was concerned to see his jaw had tightened and she knew what he was seeing was not pleasant and was quite frightening. This concerned her and she became even more wary of sitting before it herself. All of a sudden he let go and jumped up. Instantly he turned around and faced the wall to hide his face.
“Are you well?”
All he responded was a curt “It works”

Lord Bailos seemed pleased with this and then turned to Brianha
“Come sit”

Hesitantly she walked over to the chair and sat down. Feeling his hands on her shoulder she shivered and tried to relax. “I need to tune the ball to you now, so that it might not show so many beasties” He seemed amused by this and she wondered what Vaen had seen now. “Now close your eyes and concentrate on one question. The images will flood if you do not concentrate” She tightened her eyes and thought of one question and instantly she began to see her past swirl behind her closed lids. Taking it all in she smiled as she watched her childhood pass by. The years were but mere seconds and her body seemed to take exception to the toll she was putting on it. She would not let go and in the distance she could her a voice tell her “You must tell it to stop” she could not. She felt like she had lost control to the ball and then instantly she felt nothing, saw nothing save for blackness.

“She is fine” Bailos had told Vaen after he had looked at Bailos with concern because she would not stop it. “Maybe she is just weak”.

Brianha tried to open her eyes but she felt like every muscle in her body had been torn out. All she could manage was a small “I am fine” and then she felt weightless as Vaen picked her up and cradled her to his chest. She took solace in his arms, for she needed his strength right now. He took them down to the others where Claudette instantly wanted to know how she was.. was she well?. They knew she needed rest and though they were all impatient to know what she had seen and if she had found the answers to the cause of her memory loss, they agreed to go to the freehold where all could rest their weary bones.