NationStates Jolt Archive

The colours of the leaves began to change with the time, yellows, oranges, reds, and rusty browns.

A brisk air covered and sweep over the towns.

The wind is hurled and it cried.

The snow settled, blanketing the ground, while it seemed the earth died.

The pond stood still, silent to the ear.

The water froze, holding the citizen's fear.

Spring would soon come and melt away the cold.

THe sun would shine and sparkle with the heaven's gold.

The stories would vanish and they would forget.

Forget things they should not, ghosts that they met.

A child wrote the poem in memory of the Lady of the Pond, the lady that had ruled the land of AmandaTheGreat, this lady was Sapphire.

Many people had forgotten her like old legends dying in the dust. Yet, there were those who could bring her back, there were those that in the darkness of their minds she remained. She was not gone yet. She did not have the energy to come back as her form, but maybe use someone else as a vehicle. Her empire had fallen to much evil and this she could not stand. Her sister betrayed her family and their reign soon to end. The time of royalty was long gone and now it was democracy at hand.

How much had time passed from her eyes. Had her children long dead, and their children gone also?

She would not know until she was granted a new body. This is what she waited for in the shell of her home. She would find the "right" person, but she knew there would be a struggle. Evil always lurked and she would keep a watchfull eye.

[Tag-Woo for Sapphire! I'm wondering who I can Join as.]

{Been almost a year since I RP'ed but I'm interested}

Slowly the warrior began to stand, his legs weak from running, his heart tired from beating. His eyes scanned the dead forest only to catch glimpse of a rabbit retreating into its burrow

"There's no going back now I suppose" The dishonored warrior claimed "Not that it mattered, for all is in ruin and shadows and there is no room for me anymore."

He began to draw his sword from its seathe, just so he could read his inscription. Before finishing he slammed the blade back into its hold and fell against a withered tree.

"What do I care, all is lost, all is lost..."

His weary eyes closed at last and the young fighter dreamt

OOC: TAG, maybe I'll bring Sigrun into this...

Under the surface of the still water, something moved. The image covered by the darkness of the night. Yet, sometimes her image could be seen walking the bottom of the pond and her creamy white gown flowing around her body, moving rhythmatically with the undercurrent of the water.

I remember the night when I sent the message out and then no one listened. How could my people forget? At least past heroes are remembered for their smaller deeds to humanity. I ruled the nation for years and years without trouble or wars. I started the whole idealism for pacifism here in our nation.

The water began to bubble with her heat, but she soon realized she was just basically in her own pity pool. Things were meant to happen this way. Her time was for the later.

She continued to wait for the right time.

---------------------------------------

The night had been cold and she walked down the street bundled up with layers of clothes and a bulky coat. She had the hood pulled up and only two black eyes peered in contrast to her pale creamy white skin.

THump...thump...thump....

Tap...tap....tap...

Thump.thump.thump.

Tap.tap.tap.

She walked faster, why now was she being followed. She clutched her stomach, as she was nearing the public hospital. Her breath was labored and depending on the pain in her stomach was causing.

Whoever had been following her rushed past her and swiped her as the figure passed by. She lost her balance and twisted her ankle. She had turned with the movement of the twist and landed on her back, unfortunely her head cracked against the cement making a sick thick sound.

Several minutes passed by, seeming an eternity to those who wait in the dark, a woman on her way to the hospital spotted the woman lying in a pool of blood and rushed off to get help.

---------------------

A soft voice matched the beat of the monitors in the NICU. "I am so surprised she pulled out of this."

"I know she was cut off her mother's blood for several minutes."

"Does Dr. Deatoria think their might be any brain damage?"

"Well, the test so far show none and actually she is developing quite well for her prematurity..."

"But she wasn't that early to come out, viability now is 22 weeks."

"True, but she did experience trauma."

The small infant laid in the incubation bed and cooed as the nurses watched over her.

"She is the miracle baby, and she is an angel."

"Although, she looks nothing like her mother?"

"Do we know the father?"

"No, but I looked at her mother's past records and it appeared she was raped and then got pregnant."

"Such a shame." The nurse looked down and reached into the opening for hands and the small female gripped onto her finger. "Her childhood shall be diffucult, without a mother, and to find out no father and the cause of it."

"What is to be done?"

"She shall go to the orphanage."

Soon the little girl's green eyes closed and she was sleeping, but still holding the nurse's finger.

"Name?"

"Amber for her red hair, or Emerald for her green eyes?"

"How 'bout Saphron?"

The baby smiled in her sleep.

"Saphron it is."

------------------------------

The warrior soon found himself in an open field, a golden plain as far as he could see. At the top of the hill he saw an apple tree that grew towards the heavens. Each apple shined like a ruby, each leaf like an emerald, and not one leaf had fallen to the ground.

"What is this, am I dead?"

Cautiously he approached the majestic tree with an optimistic bewilderment. With every step it seemed that the tree reached out to him, when a gentle breeze swept past him it told him a word, that word was sacrifice

He reached the tree to see a small child napping in its shade. Suddenly he thought of no pain nor previous misery, he drew a smile.

A sudden pain had erupted from his arm and he shot up in response to see a white wolf chewing on his arm. Once the warrior was awake the wolf trotted away into the night. Despite having fallen asleep in the snow he was sweating quite profusly. Franticly his eyes searched for the boundless field, the magnificent arbor, and the young child. However, all he saw was the limitless darkness that hung through the forest.

"Damn, what was that?"

"That was by far the wierdest dream ever, and where'd that wol..ah nevermind...what the?

He glanced down to see a bright red apple in his hand

"Sapphire..." called the voice from the shore. It belonged to a hooded figure standing still. He cloak was light grey in color, casting his face in darkness as he stood there.

"Much has changed here since I last visited...and not for the better, I sense."

His eyes peered out from under the abysmal hood and gazed upon the misty figure that walked the water.

She heard a voice, sending vibrations across the glass-like water, now rippling and appearing like the water was melting into ridges. Her image began to form just beneath the surface.

A mirage of white leaking out of the blackest black.

I know this voice? Or do I? It reminds me of Maximus. Yet, he is gone and I know this. Is it a trick?

She floated out of the water. The water dripped off her body and jumped back into the larger body of water. She appeared completely dry to his eyes.

Fog began to drift from the water and follow her like her second shadow. The air became chill to those who could not deal with the elements.

Her voice matched the iciness the surrounded them. "Who are you and why did you summon me?"

---------------------------------

A older voice screeched, "Saphron, child now what have you done?"

The cry came louder when she realized that the young prodigy child had drawn all over the walls of the hallway with red marker. Luckily it was the washable kind.

A giggle escaped out of the girl's mouth and it was hard for Madame Leroa to be mad at the little three year old. "I was making it pretty with the pictures Madame."

"I know." Madame Leroa's eyes widened as she looked at the images drawn on the wall. The symbols were ancient and how could the little girl know. The woman felt soft skin rubs against her wrinkled and age-spotted skin. Saphron had settled her small hand into the woman's larger. Her green eyes wide at Madame Leroa.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh yeah." The woman's words spluttered out. The woman had a master’s degree in education and bachelors in history of AmandaTheGreat. These symbols were much of the symbols surrounded about the empire of Lady Amanda and the leadership of Sapphire. She looked down at the little girl.

How could she know that, even if she did see in one of my books, she still wouldn't be able to understand or even draw them.

"Madame Leroa, can I go outside?"

The little girl ran outside, while Madame Leroa watched the girl bounce out the doors and her red hair follow and dance behind her.

What am I supposed to do with her?

Sigrun held out a hand to signify his presence before her as nothing beyond a peaceful meeting. "Yes...changes have occurred. Even within yourself, dear Sapphire. Changes have occurred with me as well. Monumental changes. Permanant changes. All in line with my destiny."

Two hands reached up and pulled the hood back and revealed the hidden face at long last to Sapphire. She beheld an elf, with golden-silver hair that hung softly down his neck. He smiled kindly, his eyes full of solitude, of serenity. Yet, they held much in them, as if they had seen history for a long time. In a sense, that was true.

"You know me. Long ago, I was brash, and violent. I fought anyone, and everyone. I even dared to take on the great Kain Irenicus, now known as Kain Brightblade Shentavo. He wounded me greatly, impaled me even. It was good battle at your ball, but illfated for both of us."

She nodded slowly and it seemed as if the earth around her nodded in agreement. It too had changed with her, molded around, they were one.

She stepped closer to the threshold of land. Her feet barely touching the cool water's surface.

Her bare feet, white against the clay. Her feet sank softly into the yeilding ground. She walked closer to Sigrun. Her pathway, a place to follow.

"We lead different lifes and sometimes those different lives cross more than once. The intersections are meant to be, but why, you shall find out."

"NICE OF YOU TO DROP BY AGAIN, HUMAN. I ALMOST THOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE FORGOTTEN ME DOWN HERE. I WAS ON THE BRINK OF BECOMING ANGRY WITH YOU - AND YOU WOULD NOT WANT THAT, WOULD YOU?"

"No, I wouldn't want that, as much as you wouldn't want me to leave you here for good. I am the only one who knows you are her or that this place exists, after all.
Why so tense? One would think an immortal creature as yourself would have learned some patience in all that time of life."

"YOU CALL THAT LIFE TO BE SPELLBOUND IN THIS PLACE? I CALL IT IMPRISONMENT! YOU HUMANS NEVER THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS. YOU CONJURED ME TO THIS PLANE OF EXISTANCE WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO GET ME AWAY AGAIN. BUT RECENTLY, I BECAME AWARE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THAT, SORCERER. AND YOU WILL HELP ME WITH IT."

"As long as you keep your part of the deal, that's all fine. You remember the deal, don't you?"

"I DO, MORTAL, I DO. YOU WILL GET WANT YOU WANT. BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST!
THERE IS A VESSEL THAT COULD CONTAIN MY ESSENCE AND AFTER I HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF HER, I WOULD BE FREE TO WALK THE DIRTY SOIL OF YOUR EARTH. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO GET HER TO ME, OR ME TO HER."

"Her? Who is she and where can I find her?"

"THE GIRL IS NEAR AND ALSO FAR AWAY, YOU WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL TO FIND HER. SEARCH FOR HER IN THE LANDS OF AMANDA-THE-GREAT, YOU'LL FIND HER BY YOURSELF. YOU ARE A WIZARD AFTER ALL, ARE YOU NOT?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"locus potentia" he said and waved his hand over the ground before him. He frowned as more than one location of bright red spots appeared on the map of glowing light that formed in front of him. He pounded the implications of it and decided he had to inspect them all. As long as he didn't know exactly who he was searching for, he couldn't use any spell more precise. He decided to start with the nearest light to his whereabouts and dispelled the map before mounting his horse and entering the lands of AmandTheGreat.

Sigrun nodded, "That is true. Destiny leads narrow, twisted paths. Come, walk with me and tell me the events concerning yourself since we last met?"

Sigrun walked alongside the water slowly, his footsteps seeming to defy the sand of its desire to ensnare him in its grip. He soon led away from the lake and toward a dilapidated garden that sat not too far away. Seeing the garden in its diminished, ill-kept state broke his heart, the plants clearly crying to him for help.

He bent down and muttered a spell, one that instantly revived a small rosebush, spouting roses moments later. He smiled and looked back to Sapphire,

"Your land is neglected, but it is not dead. There is still hope..."

Her eyes brightened as the scenary around her did. "Yes, things are forgotten, but they still drudge onward."

She grabbed Sigrun's hand. Her soft and delicate, much like the petals of the red roses, in his hard and strong hand.

"Sigrun, you must watch over me."

The wind picked up, a chilling bite against there once previous warm cheeks.

Her voice quieted to a whisper, "You must not let them get me, you must be my protector."

Two women rode into view heading toward the lake. One was in banded mail with a glowing hand emblazoned on the chest. The shield had a symbol of a hand seeming to stop a sword. A great helm was on her head and on her right hip was a longsword, on her left was a heavy flail.

The other women was beautiful. Chestnut brown hair, light blue eyes. She was half elven and wore a small leather vest and small leather skirt slit up the front and back for easier riding. On her right hip was an elven rapier and on her left was a parry dagger. On her back was a master crafted longbow. Two quivers were on her back and one on each hip hanging on the scabbard and sheath. Her clothing revealed a great deal of flesh and would most likely turn the heads of most men and some women if both women weren't so dirty from a long travel.

The sharper eyed archeress spotted the man and woman first and leaned over tapping the armored woman then pointing. The woman turned and moved slightly away from her companion, closer to the two standing there. It wasn't a threatening movement, rather one designed to place herself between her companion and a possible threat. She turned toward the two and stopped. On her neck she wore a holy symbol and to those who could sense it they could feel the slightly more than fledglin powers of a holy knight with an undercurrent of the power she could wield once she learned. The archeress had power as well, though it was the power of sorcery.

"HAIL", cried the holy knight in fluent elven. She removed her helm and moved golden colored hair from her face to reveal silver eyes and classic elven features. "We mean no harm", she continued in elven as her companion continued to move toward the water. "We seek only to slake our thirst from the long road."

Sigrun looked deeply into Sapphire's eyes and saw the fear that lay deep. It was like a small wave in an ocean of calm waters. A small disturbance that had the potential to become as terrible as the rising of a tsunami. Slowly, he nodded,

"Always will I do what I can, Sapphire." he whispered in response, his voice soothing to her thoughts.

Just then, the interrupting voices of another was heard. Sigrun turned, pulling Sapphire behind him slightly as he remained in the garden, near the lake. Sigrun could almost smell the holistic aura that one of the strangers gave. Inquisitor? he thought guardedly to himself, relaxing his muscles and shifting ever so slightly into defensive posture.

He listened carefully as the holistic elven woman spoke quickly in the elven tongue. Naturally, he understood it completely, and even had recognized the dialect. Yet, he didn't know where these two hailed from. He shifted his eyes to the elven woman slinking steadily himself and Sapphire. He noted the rather massive quantity of weapons that were on that elf and finally spoke. His voice rang out like a soft melody in the elven tongue, the dialect strong, something often found in Tarlachia.

"Aaye Lirimaerea. Amin sinta lle?"
"Hail Lovely Ones. Do I know you?"

He raised a hand to the closest elf, indicating she should halt in her progress, at least until he deemed them as non-threatening.

The holy knight halted and dismounted, removing her sword belt and flail and placing them in her saddle bags then stepped away from the horse holding her hands out. She didn't seem to notice the difference in his stance as a more seasoned warrior would.

The other woman noticed the difference. Her friend had grown up in a wealthy family and she had the protection and comforts of her church. The streets had taught this one bitter but valuable lessens in preserving ones life. She dismounted near the water but watched the man closely, removing her bow but not knocking an arrow until she felt it necessary.

"I know you not sir." Her elven was old, obviously from a more isolated community. "Pray fear not, no harm upon you is wished by me. We be far from our home and seek but to refresh ourselves upon this lake, if this is permissable." She looked at the woman and saw the fear then looked back at him suspiciously. Fighting was a necessaty but not preferred in her profession. Dealing with people was taught well. "Might I ask the nature of the trouble that makes her fear so? Perhaps we could lend assistance."

Sigrun watched carefully as the two dismounted and disarmed. He paid closer attention to the one with the bow, noting a hand hovering near one of the quivers. (OOC: Jeez, you think that girl has enough quivers? Sounds too unrealistic. I suggest lessening the quivers total.)

"I'm afraid you may not drink of that lake. It is considered sacred by those that reside in this nation. However, take some of this."

Sigrun held his palms out and instantly swirls floated upward in a circular motion. Two flasks sat in his hands, and were tossed moments later to both. They contained water from the River Aria, the largest river of Tarlachia, which amazingly had a special enchantment upon it that made the water fresher than that of the mountains. At the delta of the river, sat an age old spell that removed the salt from the water coming in from the Sea.

Sigrun continued speaking, addressing the fear suspected in Sapphire's eyes. A hand slid her back behind the protective form of Sigrun. "I am not at liberty to discuss her affairs with you, elf or not."

(OOC - I participate in archery and ren fair combats. It works, I've done it. The quivers are slightly modified for the hips but it does work.)

The archeress deftly caught the flask and drank from it deeply. The holy knight uttered a brief prayer of thanks and then thanked Sigrun and drank a small amount.

"Very well", she said, still in flowing old elven, "would you mind if I asked the Lady then?"

The archeress grumbled slightly, knowing that his answer would determine thier next actions. As she waited for his answer she examined the ground around her looking for any prints that would indicate that there were others around.

Quietly, Sevard snuck closer to the group in the circle by the lakeshore. He melded with the shadows easily.

He had heard in a nearby tavern the legend of this lake, and was aching to see it for himself. However, his undying curiosity led him to eavesdrop, as it was wanton to do.

Sevard was a splendidly rougish fellow, and took to spying much like a fat child takes to cake. His travels as a bard had taken him many thousands of miles around the globe (and even some parts beyond). He sought only to fill his mind with myth and legend, fiction and fact, until it popped atop his neck. The investigation of this legendary landmark was only one more stop on the list.

He leaned his fiddle against a tree, and hunkered in the shadows, listening...

The quick ears of the archeress heard someone moving in the trees. In a quick, smooth motion she rose and knocked an arrow looking in the direction of the trees. What her eyes refused to see her ears told her was there. She moved around behind her horse, point her bow in the direction of the slight noise she had heard.

"I don't think we're alone Dee", she said in elven.

'Dee' looked at Sigurn puzzled, "Well of course we aren't", she replied in the old elven.

The archeress sighed, "Not them."

The knight glanced over her shoulder then back at Sigrun. It crossed her mind that the woman's fear may not be from this man. She moved toward her horse and pulled out her sword in her left hand, wearing her shield in her right then moved toward her friend.

"Where?" she asked.

"Those trees, I can't see who or what but I heard something."

The knight put her helm on, knowing better than to not trust the woman's sharp senses and began moving toward the trees in steps that kept her balanced in case she was rushed.

"WHO BE THOU THAT HIDES AMONGST TREES?!" she shouted in the old elven.

He rode further through the forest as he saw a clearing before him in the distance. He sensed powerful forces in the vicinity, too. He stopped his mount and concentrated.

"amplus aspectus animalis deterioris" he said and his mind leaped out of his body.

He felt a strong nausea taking him while he was nowhere, but as soon as that, he looked out of the eyes of a squirrel and felt already better again.
With some fast jumps he came easily from branch to branch and reached the clearing before him. He looked down at some silent water on whose side a woman in a white gown and man in a grey cloak were standing. Two riders neared from afar.
A gathering, but of whom?
Then, commotion seemed to take the two riders and they looked around and prepared for battle.

He left the squirrel and felt the sickness of incorporeal travel again. He shouldn't do that so oftenly. He fought the urge to retch and decided not to approach the pond because of the amount of people present. But he had to go there, had to find out who they were. He could get back here later, with so much people it was bound to change into trouble.

Irritated by the feeling of familarity with the woman in the gown that he couldn't place nor explain to himself, he rode slowly forward to circle the clearing.

Do I know her? How could I? And where from?, he thought.

Sevard tensed and broke into a sweat. Elves! Blast it all! Now he had to deal with the taunting that so often came from dealing with elves.

Being a half-elven bastard child, Sevard had heard all the jokes from both sides; human and elf. However, he was not about to get pelted with arrows or become food for a paladin's hungry weapon just because he was insecure.

"Hail and hello, good friends. I am called Sevard the bard, and I am happy-" He noted with a smile that the majority of his company were women, "-to be of...service." With a wink toward the archer, he bowed low and waited for her to shoot him...

The archeress lowered her bow and tilted her head, her eyes unshamedly going over him and also showing her own half elven facial features. The combination of elven beauty and human female full figure made the archeress a sight to behold. The paladin looked back at her companion questioningly.

"He said Hail and hello, good friends", she said in elven, "his name is sevard and he's a bard." She looked at Sevard and switched back to common, "my friend only understands elven, she's full blood, but she's okay. So Sevard the bard. What ... services ... did you have in mind?" she asked in a taunting voice, cocking her hip enough to let the front and back slit leather riding skirt show her thigh.

The paladin reached down to sheath her sword, only to remember that the sheath was still on her horse and she turned her attention back to the two standing nearby. "So may I aske her her dilemma and leave it to her to answer or no?" she asked in old elven.

Sigrun watched with a guarded animosity as the half elf came into the area. Like the archess, he too had picked up the subtle movements of the half elf. He listened to the voice and studied the tone. For now, there was no hint of threat, but that didn't remove him completely from the list. Same with the other two.

He noted that the archess also possessed half-elven traits. It had been a while since he had last met a half elf, and he held no discrimination against them. After all, in his first life, he had been a vampire with elven blood running through his veins. Yet, he had not the physical traits. But that was in the past now, and now he stood as a full elf.

He turned his thoughts to Sapphire, speaking telepathically, They wish to know your plight, but I have not granted them any information. Seems to me they are harmless, but alas, we still know nothing of them. You may speak if you wish, but I caution your words.

He then spoke out loud to respond to the archess's comments about being full blood and only speaking one language. He spoke in the common tongue. "The purity of one's blood does not dictate their ability to master several languages. Perhaps you should teach her, so that she is not in the dark?"

As an afterthought, he added, "She will speak if she so desires."

The archeress sighed and spoke in common, "I am trying. She is a very good friend and good companion. As a holy knight I'm sure she's top notch", she said flicking the feather on her arrow as Dee looked at her and assuming that her friend was saying something about her weapon switched her attention back to the two. "She is just ... well ... a bit slow. Don't get me wrong", she said defensively, "once she learns something you can't fool her. It's teaching her that's difficult. I never had any trouble with learning and on the streets where I grew up teaching someone what you know can get you killed. So a teacher I'm not. But I am trying. I would kill anyone who takes advantage of her." She looked back toward Sevard then turned around again, "Not in front of her of course", she said and grinned tapping her chest where Dee's holy symbol lay. Then she turned back around to the bard again.

"Lady?" Dee asked, "I am a holy knight. Might I be of assitance to you? I swear I bear you no ill will and your gentleman seems kind if guarded. But we are strangers and I can understand his hesitance."

Sevard was nearly bubbling with excitment. A holy warrior, an archress, what appeared to be a mage, and some mysterious beauty all in the same place like this could only mean one thing: Adventurers!

It had been a long time since Sevard had had the pleasure of being minstral to a band of heros, and he longed for new tails to compile. The last group he ventured with had exiled him in the vast deserts of the Ornery Bastards, saying he was a "walking disaster" and a "plauge to sanity itself", whatever that meant.

"Well now! You all have no idea how pleased I am to make your aquaintences." The bard ambled closer to the archress, "Especially you, my dear. My, my, you MUST have gotten the best halves of both races...yes, yes indeed." He danced away before recieving the customary slap to the face and jigged over to the mysterious lady.

"And you must be she whom the legends speak of, yes?" He bent slightly to kiss her hand, "How may I be of service?"

OOC: Okay, for those of you who are not familiar with my stories, or me this is a continuation of three other stories. Immortal Pond (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=312037), Immortal Pond II (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32781), and the first one I can't find anymore. Yet, those two will definitely help you out with story. I guess partly this is my fault for not explaining so I will work with what is going on, but Sapphire only appears to those she wants to be seen from. Plus, the story is more about Saphron then her, but she is starting Sigrun on his journey. Also, it would be nice if you have talked to me prior, but I realize it is open, so I deal with that again. Another thing is Sapphire does not fear as others do, she is not like your characters by any means. The past threads can explain and I can show details later in the story also. Well, let me fix the problem now.

IC: She had remained quiet throughout the whole precessions.
Quite peculiar people are here on my land. Fear?

Then she smiled, a smile that would make any man urinate on himself and babies cry. Her voice chills and physically sent shivers up their spine and scatter across their skin as if retreating something so horrible they had no idea about it. Even the half elf would have been affected by her aura. She placed one pale frail hand on Sigrun's hand. He would in turn not be effected. "Senses are always blocked by emotions. Your heart forgets your mind and falters about it. One must not bind all to emotions."

She stepped from behind Sigrun and the shadow escaped her and light could be seen dancing on her skin and gown. It would be hard for their naked eye to decipher the difference between her physical sense and that of light. The fear they thought they had seen, even Sigrun had been mistaken, was more of those around her and people that had wondered upon her land. She encompassed the very entity of fear and held it in her eyes, which could be mistaken for worrisome thoughts.

Her smile crept larger and larger, but still the iciness stung their bare skin. Her eyes wide and she searched their inner turmoil and pushed those on each of them. Their fears before thine eyes. Just as soon as it had come, they had vanished with fog.

The once eerie smile now would be an emotionless face. Her beauty, magnificent, terrific, and horrible.

"You ask of me if I need something. I need peace and quiet. Also, this is my land," her arms spreading over the land, "I ask you what of your purpose on my land? State it and I may reconcile the disturbance."

"Right", the archeress said, "peace and quiet it is. Let's go Dee", and she headed toward her horse, pale and shaking.

The holy knight was shaken as well though she showed it less and shrugged it off sooner. "We are but passing souls here. Long it is our trail and we ceased our journey to partake of the waters of the lake. Your gentleman expressed that this was forbidden and provided for us. We shalt take us from thine presence and ask forgiveness for the distrubance." Her old elven flowed in the a way that even modern elven couldn't and she bowed respectfully.

Sevard frowned...he had no idea what was going on. One moment he bent to kiss a hand he could have sworn was there, and the next he was lying in the dirt feeling something he could not describe. The bard had never felt fear before in his life (real fear, anyway) and this was not something he liked.

"I..um, I...think that I...uh...have to go...um..." He stammered and fumbled while rising. Wasn't there a beautiful lady here before? All he could perceive now was a glowing apparition of pure terror. It asked him to leave, so by the Empire he was going to leave.

"I'll just go with them then? Didn't mean to disturb you, have a nice day, please don't kill me." He backed away toward the two aventurers with his hands up as if to protect himself.

Unfortunately, that was the percise moment his Luck struck.

He tripped over a rock and started to fall backward, pinwheeling his arms in a futile attempt to stay standing. When he crashed to the earth for a second time, the rock he stepped on shot from beneath his foot and rocketed toward the maybe-mage's head. He closed his eyes and waited for the disasterous outcome...

Sigrun watched as the clumsy bard stumbled and shot a rock out from under his feet toward him. With quick reflexes he held his hand up and caught the rock in his palm. He tossed it to the ground.

"Watch your step, bard. Now go!" he ordered. His face was calm, yet his eyes warned the bard to not try other things...

She watched the rock fly with her green eyes sparkling. Sigrun caught it and by his dear heart warned the bard to leave.

She would not like to deal with anymore distractions, she had a job to do and they were not part of it. Had there been another time, she would have had some fun, but time was short even for one in which time did not matter.

She raised one arm, thin and pale against the darkness of the night. Slowly and softly was the bard raised. Even kindness was within her. The once idea of terror would soon be lifted and sweetness filled the air, like honeysuckles in the spring time. Where the bard had once been, small patches of poppyflower sprung up. Quite absurb against the weeds that surrounded it.

Her voice soft, yet stern, "Be gone and no more harm persay will be upon your minds. Be there another time for meetings."

She looked to Sigrun. Her whisper meant only for him.
There is another here. We must be quick. You must be quick, for the life of a child is in danger.

Joshua shivered because of a chill coming from far behind. He wouldn't have sensed it at all if not for one of the many charms, gems and runestones around his neck. Something powerful was at the lakeshore. He contemplated on returning there or continuing on his path.

It is a girl I seek, IT said. True, there had been females there, but they had all been grown women.
It was too dangerous to head toward this power without high probability of further helpful information there.

He pressed on and rode as fast as the passage through the trees of the forest allowed him. He wanted to reach the nearest dwelling of people to refresh his thirst for provisions and more information. Someone had to know something helpful, there was always some truth in gossip. And perhaps, he would even find another source of power there, maybe even the one he searched for.

The knight returned to her horse and mounted. "Come Sarlya, we're not welcome here."

"You think?", she asked her in common.

The woman looked at the archeress askance.

"I said", she began speaking in old elven, "Your right".

The knight strapped her weapons back on and mounted, turning toward the road. She stopped a moment to look back, "Thank you, sir, for the water, it's most appreciated." She then nodded toward the woman, "Lady", and turned her horse heading again for the road.

Mystum’s hand trembled as his eyes traversed, once again, the passage of text he had just finished reading. The long tapers adorning his table had burned low. Was the light failing…or was it his vision?

Softly his voice aired “Can it be?”

His thoughts whirled in the vortex of confusion, conjecture and disbelief. Years of study and research had built a foundation of knowledge, which had led him to these specific tomes. Although he doubted his own thoughts, the traces on the parchment forestalled denial. In light of the writings, or despite his own fear, what he had come to suspect appeared to be the truth.

Sharply his head snapped up and his eyes widened as the depth of what he was in the process of confirming meant for the days to come.

“Once again they return”, Mystum spoke to the empty room.

Sevard hurried to catch up to the adventurer women, but they were too fast on their mounts.

Blast and consternation!, thought the bard, I came here for a tale and get nothing but the cold shoulder and a head full of...whatever that was.

He had to admit, the trick with the poppies was neat, but that still didn't change the fact that he had been scared. Him! Scared! The thought still revolted him.

"Well at least the mage didn't kill me." He quipped as he examined the tracks left by the paladin's heavy mount.

He could track them, and they probably were in for an adventure eventually at least.

That made up his mind. Scary ladies and dangerous mages be damned, he was going on an adventure with the slow paladin and the sexy archress, whether they liked it or not.

With a look back down the path toward the now out of sight lake, Sevard sang a few magical bars. Out of thin air appeared a contraption of confusing proportions. In Morieth they called the thing a "bicycle" but Sevard prefered to call it "death on two wheels".

Falling twice and running into a couple of trees, Sevard began a slow and wobbly journey to follow two of the loveliest women he had ever met....well, this week anyway...

Sigrun turned his head slightly and listened as Sapphire warned of a child's danger. He narrowed his eyes and replied in the same kind of telepathic whisper, Come with me, and we shall find this child.

He turned to her, continuing, You seem bound to this land here, as if it were your life source. Therefore, I offer you myself, for your transportation needs...

He held his hands out, waiting for her to accept and merge into his body.

I cannot leave here, Sigrun. It is kind of you to offer, but atlas I will remain here for the time being. You see my essence, if you call it, is within a child. A child by our years, a young adult by human years. She looks like me, as if a daughter, but she is not. She tells of a different story. You must guide her and protect her. I will be intertwined with her, but there are many powers yet to be found and developed.

Sapphire stopped several meters away from the pond. She turned around and faced the pond. Her hair blowing over her green eyes.

Now her words came out strong and clear, "You remember that night, the night when not only my life changed, but others too, and even the earth itself." It was more of a retorical question. "Well, just as a part of me is within the child, a part of me remains here. I am like a shattered crystals and the pieces are not coming together yet. My time is now though and I can feel her grow more ever moment, but there are other things at play and try to hault that process. You must help her through her many obstacles. I do not know where she is or what her name is. All I know is she has the same appearance as me."

Sigrun listened, knowing that Sapphire was right. He had suspected her being bound to the area, after all, it had been a place she had spent much of her previous life. He didn't say anything as he looked down for several moments, thinking carefully to himself.

Sapphire turned and watched as he knelt down and gently plucked a withering flower from the nearby garden. He held it up to her and spoke, "This flower shall be my sign of the child you speak of. Once she is found, this flower shall bloom anew, new life to flow through its petals..."

He stood and held the rose in his hand, and nodded briefly to Sapphire. "I will find her, you have my word."

He turned and departed from sight...

Mystum awoke slowly. From where he lay he could not tell what time it was, simply that it was early early day or dusk, either the new breaking of the day or the easing into night. He tensed his body, gaining strength to move himself. A faint stiffness played between his shoulders and in his lower back. He relaxed his body, hoping that he was not going to start having to liniment his back again, it smelled horrible and did little to help.

Behind closed eyes he thought back to the research he was doing before he was too tired to continue. He ticked off the list of facts that he was certain of, few that they were. Each fact only served to branch off into so many more questions, like the gossamer weave of a spider’s web. Each fact was like the spoke, each question being the circling crosspieces. He could start on the correct spoke, but easily take the wrong crosspiece. How like following the wrong rumor, the wrong interpretation of the prophecy.

“The Flower of the Pool shall be sown
A child who is woman, but is not grown
An Immortal who is and still is not
Deeds without planning, Words without thought
To what end, remains to be known”

Mystum recalled the words from memory, the parchment scroll safely protected beneath the stone of the floor under his bed. None knew of his finding the scrap, bound tightly between the leather covering and the backing board of the worn tome of “Chronicles of Lady Sapphire of AmandaTheGreat”, and he feared to let it be known.

He wondered if he was up for yet one more adventure. While not old, he was not as young as he once was. Perhaps he had allowed himself to become too soft and enjoyed too much comfort whiling away the hours, days and years in his study. A slight smile crossed his lips as ancient memories of day of glory, now long gone, pushed at the corners of his mind. He wasn’t entirely “gone by”. He was still broad in the shoulder and strong in the arms, although his once, bear-like physique had added quite a few pounds.

Stretching one last time, Mystum gave his body one big shake and thrust himself out of bed.

“Best not lay abed more or I’m likely to not get anywhere”, he muttered as he padded off to relieve himself.

She watched as a single green leaf was stripped from a nearby tree and floated with the wind downward. She watched it change colours before her eyes.

Red. Orange. Yellow. Brown.

She retreated back into the pond and waited.

----------------------------------------

Whispers down the corridor caught her attention. She poked her little red head out of the door and looked.

Strange, there was no one around.

She stepped out into the hallway. Things did not travel in the house; the walls thick and the structure absorbed much of the noise. Her bare feet padded on the floor. But would not be heard by the others.

She came closer to the headmaster's door. Madame Leroa was talking to the headmaster, an ancient man to Saphron's eyes. His aura haunted her every night when she saw him in her dreams.

His gruff voice overpowering Madame Leroa's sweet soft voice.

"I do not feel we should try to provide for her."

Interrupting, "It is our duty to the community and how could you deny those innocent green eyes. Besides she is only a child."

"Granted society places constrictions on us, but the families have come and gone not wanting."

"Not wanting, how silly. Who would not want this prodigy?"

"Prodigy? Madame Leroa you are blind, she is a disgrace to our normality."

"Just because she is...ummm...special does not mean we should disregard her."

"You cannot change my mind. I am currently searching my options to send her off."

Silence filled the room with a thick apprehension.

One single tear ran down the rosy pump cheek of Saphron and then she molded her face into a blank stare. She ran off, back to her room. She would take care of herself, how hard could it be. She gathered the few items she had and sat down at her desk.

She was only ten, but her penmanship was beyond excellent for her age, she excelled were most failed. She wrote to Madame Leroa.

It was short and simple.

Time has flown away from our grasp. My time under your guardianship has been spread thin. Yet, my memory will hold you dear, until we meet again.

Much love,
Saphron

She placed it on her made bed and out the house she went. The night was chill and frigid. The wind had calmed much from the daytime and only played with her thin nightie.

She looked about, not knowing what to do.

She began to watch, not even noticing the scenery engulfing her. She finally saw light. She must have wondered into the ghetto because several people were standing near a garbage car with a fire inside.

As if drawn by the dim light she approached it and her green eyes emblazed with the faint red of flame. She blinked once and soon the flame blazed higher and was hotter.

No gasps were made, but several of the bums backed away. No paid no heed to them and they watched her with weary eyes. She soon became tired and fell asleep, curled next to the garbage can. This would be the last time she would use her powers until a significant event happened.

--------------------------------------------------

Twelve years had passed by like twelve days. She was much more mature looking, a woman of 22 years, but still held the innocence of a ten year old. Her mentality was much of someone beyond the years could count. She had traveled much of AmandaTheGreat, learning from her Lady Amanda's sacred people. For several years Saphron had even worked in the ancient temple of the beloved woman and rediscovered her innate powers.

I had never forgotten them, but just pushed them aside.

She would tell her muse.

Now, Saphron found herself back in the same town she was born. Much had not changed, but much had. She needed to find herself; she needed to know who she was. This would be the place.

She stared up at the hospital, a relic of the older days. The statues with their blank stares penetrated her very soul.

She whispered, "Am I ready for the truth?"

The wind answered by tugging on her silky red hair and pulled her away from the hospital, but not too far away. The feeling of rebirth touched her and happiness and sadness coagulated in her heart. There was something familiar about this place.

People passed by her giving her second glances. I suppose she had to look pretty silly with a dreamy look mixed with melancholy tone.

Several men made catcalls, but when their leers were meet by a glare they hurried on their way. She was told many times her eyes could change a person with a blink of them.

She was here on business and on play. Well, not technically play because she was trying to find out who exactly she was. She worked with a popular texture designer and she herself was one of the models besides being the PR. She looked more business like today because she was going to go into the hospital and talk with some of the nurses who had worked there 22 years ago on the fateful night. Maybe they would have answers.

So, now here stood a woman graced with the curves of a woman and fit to be an athlete in a three piece black suit with a green scarf that brought out her eyes in the middle of the sidewalk, with a gaze people would assume she was on drugs.

Saphron bent down and touched the ground. She snapped back her hand by reflex.

So much power here. What does it mean?

Sigrun watched from the shadows of an oak tree not too far from where the young woman crouched, appearing to be transfixed with the place. He glanced down at the rose in his hand, smiling at the lush red petals that had been so absent for so long. He looked back up at the young woman.

By the River Aria, she is beautiful... he thought to himself, realizing that the woman looked somewhat like Sapphire used to once.

Young. Vibrant. Alive.

He pocketed the rose with care and stepped forward. His voice was soft, yet strong as he watched the young woman. He knew what she wondered, he knew that she wondered about her past, about this place.

"The answers you seek lie within yourself, young one."

OOC: DP, did you talk to ATG about this? She has a set plan on how this is to go. I advise you to not irritate her.

OOC2: Waiting on you to respond ATG.

OOC: Amanda/Tarlachia, I have not had contact with you either and would welcome the chance to ask couple questions about the story line. Feel free to drop me a post if you get a chance - writer of Mystum

OOC: Well, I did say open and technically it is, but this story is based off other stories and to get the right feel you might want to telegram me any questions and I would love to answer them. An IC post later. I just got back from california and am exhausted, so just give me some time. Thanks for your patience. Again, if you have questions telegram me.

BUMP to the hostess!

Sapphire noticed the flower bloom unremarkable fast and was now in flow display of its delicate nature.

A soft smile matched her face.

She is found. Now, she must continue to develop her powers and be unnoticed by the others lurking about her. I do hope Sigrun can handle them, for I am not sure she is ready yet.

----------------------------------

She heard his voice before she had bothered to take notice of him. She was used to the "cat-calls", but she listened to his words for some reason unknown to her.

She looked up.

Wow. Now, isn't he right out of my dreams. He can't be real.

Sure enough, Sigrun stood before her eyes. She blinked once and he was still there.

One of his nature, this is out-of-this-world. She did not understand nor did she care to.

She spoke, letting the words vibrate the auras around them, "See now, if they were within me, don't you think I would have found them. That is quite silly, sir."

She laughed, her laughter meladous and lifted with the breeze.

"So, now tell me who you are? For I feel aquainted with you already."

Sigrun smiled warmly, offering a hand to the girl. She took it and stood, looking into his eyes.

"The answers are still there. You have not sought them correctly, if you think you have yourself completely figured out. Believe me, Saphron, I know much more about you than you do about yourself."

She pulled her hand away in surprise of him mentioning her name, "How?" she asked, quite perplexed by what he said.

"Come, I shall explain more to you." he replied, gently pulling her away with an arm around her shoulder. "If you wish to know what this place is, and who you really are, then you may find it in your best interests to follow me."

How would he know my name? Silly me, he must have meet me before that is why I have this strange feeling. No, I would remember someone as significant as him. Best be it that I follow, but with caution.

She took a step, indicating she would follow. "Lead the way, then."

She sighed. He knows my name and yet I know not his.

"Well, I do not find it fair that you know my name and I know nothing of yours. Do tell me your name and you might as well tell me what you know of me."

Sigrun nodded in understanding, keeping to his thoughts for a few moments. The truths of her soul must be given in small amounts, lest I overwhelm her.

"Alas, my manners have forsaken me. My apologies, I am Sigrun Greenwood, of Tarlachia. You wish to know more about yourself?"

She nodded. He replied, "I can only tell you a little, the rest you must figure out for yourself." He looked sideways at her and spoke, "Do not be alarmed what I am about to do, child."

He raised his hand and touched a nearby tree, watching as the tree split apart and widened. A portal began to spawn and take a vertical oval shape. He gestured an open hand to her and watched as she took it gently, gazing in wonder at the portal. Gently, he pulled her into the portal. The experience was like passing through eternal harmony, but it was soon over, for they found themselves suddenly by a lake. The portal closed behind them moments later.

"Welcome to your home, Sapphron." Sigrun said softly, gazing intently upon the waters. I have found her Sapphire. Come and see your child.

OOC: Sorry everyone involved in this story, real life is becoming an burdonsome to me at the moment.

IC: Saphron was not surprised by his display of magic. She, although, was surprised by he lack of knowledge on her ability.

Or maybe he just hid that from me. I shouldn't probe him quite yet, not until I gain trust and rapport with him.

Saphron peered into the portal and noticed the pond and surrounding forest. It appeared as if it had been forgotten about for centuries.

THis place needs work. This cannot be my home, I wouldn't live in conditions like that. Although, mine have been worse. It just doesn't feel right.

Then she heard a voice and her body began to physically shake.

That voice, sounds so familar. Well, someone has a great voice, it sounds like mine. What the...

An image formed infront on the water. The hazy figure slowly became much clearer and the woman before Saphron's eyes looked very much like her.

"Fuck." The word rarely spoken by her soft lips escaped with a rush of air.

Her eyes wide and now she was breathing rapidly.

Keep control. Keep control. Oh MY FREAKIN....

She grabbed onto Sigrun's nearby arm and her fingers raked into his flesh. She didn't even realize she was drawing blood.

Then all was calm.

The woman smiled and seemed to soothe her inner being.

"Saphron, it is okay. I am sure you are confused, but soon will be learned. Please, believe me when you can trust Sigrun." She paused, looking at Sigrun, "He is a good friend of mine."

With those few simple words the image became black and silence left her to deal with the new found feelings.

She looked to Sigrun and her eyes could tell more than words. She wanted to know who that woman was.

OOC: Tarl, Sapphire is not the mother to Saphron, just so you are aware. Sapphire is the lifeforce that makes Saphron.

OOC: I know, but I thought it would be a little comical to see an image of herself. Best relation I could come up with was child.

IC:
Sigrun looked into Sapphron's eyes with an equal gaze, yet much calmer. He glanced down to his bloodied arm. "If you would..." he prompted, to which she immediately complied by removing her hands.

As soon as she let go, Sigrun waved his other hand over the scratches, and a glowing green light pulsed onto his arm. It healed quickly. But the arm wasn't completely repaired. Sigrun studied the scars left in their wake and raised an eyebrow. Most peculiar. I wonder if it has something to do with Sapphire.

"Come child." he spoke gently, holding his arm out to her as he led her to the far side of the pond where they sat under the shadows of forest trees that were thick enough that even breathing would have been constricted. He waited until she was settled down in the remote area of the forest. He knew they would not be observed, nor did he hear anything out of the ordinary with his elven hearing.

"Now keep in mind, I am going to tell you a story of the past. It will hold keys to your true identity, to this place."

She nodded and he proceeded. "This is a story, of a time long ago, when ancient creatures roamed these lands, creatures from afar coming to partake in a ball. There were some who possessed power beyond their understanding, and others who bound their power to their souls like skin. Few found harmony in their lives, few could live as they wished with little to no conflict. Sapphire, the woman whom you saw only a few moments ago, was one of these few. Yet, even as she lived peacefully, she encountered the corruptive powers of several dark characters; namely Kain Shentavo, and Maximus Destroi. Both were vampires that possessed unreal strength, both in body and in mind. Now allow me to clarify, I was once known as Maximus Destroi. I was a vampire, and I sent fear into even my allies, for my power and combat was rarely matched. However, I died, and have returned as you see before you."

He paused to let that sink in for a moment. "Sapphire saw the conflict I wage war against inside my soul, and was one of three who ever made me feel so peaceful, alive. After the ball, she and I remained good friends, until this very country, its people began to tarnish the land and send the nation into decay. Sapphire retreated to this pond to pass on into the ephereal. Yet, she could never fully escape the bounds that held her to AmandaTheGreat. She watched as her nation crumbled slowly about her, over a thousand years. Finally, she had enough, and as fate would have it, I happened to be passing by, to pay my respects to her and her heritage. She appeared to me that day, over two decades ago, seeking assistance. She had found a way to return, but couldn't do it without my aid."

Sapphron took this all in quietly, listening to every word he spoke. She asked, "What was the way?"

Sigrun shook his head negatively, "That I cannot tell you. That is where your journey to unlocking what lies in your soul, begins." He turned his eyes back to the pond, It is only a matter of time, my friend, before she figures out the truth.

Saphron began to giggle much like a young school girl with her friends.

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, Sigrun."

She paused and softly patted his arm in an affectionate manner. She rested it there, confortable with her demeanor and his growing nervousness, or so it seemed.

"You do not know the bringing about of me then do you."

Does he know of my birth and my backround? Does he realize I am here to find out my DNA and my birthmother?

She shook her head and her hair followed. "I was born, " pausing and a frown on her face, "what people call a bastard child."

She hated that word and it set fires on her nerves when she heard that.

"My single mother did not know the father of me. Well, that is what the nurses had told my guardian, Leroa. My mother died before I had a chance to breathe the air of this life. Leroa said I was a gift of God, a miracle. My backround in nursing is not strong, but I know I was without oxygen for some time and they were surprised I even lived. So, as for Sapphire I am not sure maybe she could be some sort of ancester to me. This I do not know. I do not know what the identity of my mother is, and of course my father I have the vaguest clue. So, I came to this hospital to find out about her and then later go to the archieves of the Chamber of Commerce and see her history. Now, do you want to come with me or shall I do that alone?"

Sigrun felt her sympathetic pat on his arm and resisted the subtle challenge to him. He listened as she spoke and finally nodded, "I shall go with you."

You are yet unaware of the dangers that lie in the shadows of this world. he thought futher. Your true birth parents are not the way to seek your true identity, for you are something different of them. Alas, I must let you find this on your own.

He took pace with her, his strides long and smooth. He remained silent, yet vigilant to the environment. Neither of them noticed the ghostly figure that rose from the pond and stood in its center, watching them leave.

Sapphire watched the two depart. She wished she could be of the world again.

Soon.

Saphron smiled at Sigrun. She felt something familar about him, but maybe that was just the feeling because of the woman near that pond.

THings were so odd these days.

She needed some answers and quickly.

"Sigrun, why we walk to archieves, can you tell me of your past and how you know this woman and what is your reason for being and now?"

Sigrun chuckled, "Dear child, did you hear nothing of the story I told you earlier? I have given many of the answers you seek already."

He dismissed her growing embarrasement. "Nevertheless, I shall annotate it once more, more quickly than I gave you earlier."

He did not wait for her to respond as he began his story once again, "I was a vampire well known for my brutal tactics in battle, my incredible drive to fight for what I believed in. It seemed for a long time, I was invicible to all except the strongest beings of this universe. I was your worst nightmare, and yet, I championed for the good. I was a paradox, for I was of the darkness, and yet I fought for the light, for the innocents. I died at the hands of an enemy only to return as you see me now. An elf. My blood held the power of the elves that had lain dormant in my DNA for years. Back when I was a vampire, I had begun to unlock those powers. It only served to add to my invicibility aura.

As I spent the brief time off this world, in a world hard to describe with words alone, I contemplated my life, and what I had done. I was dead, gone from those that knew me. Yet, the Fates declared my destiny unfulfilled, and so sent me back as you see me now. Since then, I have become much wiser, more controlled. Yet, I still retain that old fighting spirit that is tied into my soul. Few have seen it at its peak, few will ever recall it.

I met Sapphire, the lady of the pond, back when I was that dangerous vampire. She taught me self patience, and respect of the weak, for they too had their strengths, just not as pronounced as the rest of us.

I have been upon this earth for a long time now, more years than I can care to recall. I have watched civilizations rise and fall like the whispering waves of the ocean. Some have been great, others hardly a mention in the pages of history. My ultimate purpose as to why I am here, I still know not. Otherwise, I would be making my way toward it, as you are making your way toward yours now."

He halted, having realized he had given her another clue. Time would reveal it completely to the girl. He fell silent as he contemplated the extensive life he had led, the many faces he had met, the many paths he had taken.

Slowly the red blush disappeared and her ivory skin flawless once more. "Forgive me, Sigrun, I asked it wrong, but that provides me with more information."

She paused, "Looks like we are here."

She walked over to a computer that was open and grabbed an extra chair pulling it close to hers. She settled down as comfortably as she could in the hard fabric of the chair. She opened the icon saying past medical records search.

Some time back the hospital set up a system for records to be open to the person inquiring about themselves. This showed them the quality of care they were recieving, diagnoses, medication records, past medical history, and any education materials pertinent to that person. It would not go against the HIPPA regulation though, the client was provided with the password available and only those caring for that client at the moment could view it. Confidentiality was still a core-value in this institution.

She typed in her name, and her password and all her material came up. This was the first time she looked at it and she was nervous.

She minimized the screen and searched within the database for articles written about "miracle babies" to see what was out there; she advanced the search to the year she was born, but several pages still came up.

She looked to Sigrun, he stared at the screen. She was too nervous to show hers in wonderment of what they wrote about her, could she show this new person, a mere stranger.

"In my records, do you believe there is something I may be looking for? Or should I look mainly at the articles in archieve?"