NationStates Jolt Archive

I've no doubt you have. My rest time is almost over, that's what I orginally came back here for

I interrupted that, didn't I?

Yes... but it doesn't matter. I was still doing it whilst talking to you

I guess I'll go when you do...so much to do in a day.

"I can't imagine," he said, unfolding his legs, and standing up,"Another hundred or so attempts at this apple"*leans down, and gives her a quick kiss*I'll see you later"

Tonight or so. *She teleports from the room.*

"Same as always," he said to the empty room once she'd gone. Hanging his cloak up, he returned to the training room, and began to try again on the apple once more...

Two hundred and fifty... and counting

Meanwhile, between Rhenna, Vedt, and Renor, the city is run efficeintly, and training is seen to.

After a week, and nearly one thousand attempts to perfect the first stage, Cougar found himself holding the mangled remains of the apple in his right hand. He looked down at it,"It's a start"

Rhenna had been coming into the room at that point.

"A very good start, believe it or not. You may have taken longer to grasp it, attempt wise...but it normally takes more than the first successful teleport to get it that far."

He held the 'apple' between his thumb and forefinger,"Well, it's not fit for eating anymore. But, Jovin said it gets easier every time once you get it. Let's just hope he's right"

"It's true. You might have to work before you get the next one...but now that you've got it, you'll learn fast."

*She conjures another apple and sets it on the table, sending the old one away.*

He tried again, but the apple didn't move. Not showing any signs of frustration, he tried again. This time, the apple flared with Flame briefly, before arriving in his hand, less mangled than before

Rhenna conjures yet another apple.

Cougar tried, with his eyes open. It was more successful, with only half the apple being ruined, the other half looking vaguely edible

To stop wasting time with individual apples, she conjures a barrel of them.

He smiled, and started moving the apples. As he worked, his confidance grew, as each apple turned out better than the last. By the time he has finished the barrel, the apple is still slightly bruised in places, but otherwise fine

You're doing very well. Come on, take a break.

I could argue... but I don't have the energy for that

He nodded mutely, and sat on the air again. He had managed to turn this into his normal seating position, and used very little energy doing it. He looked at her,"I've still got someway to go"

True...but it takes most of us time to master teleportation. You've only been studying it a week.

Is that all? It felt like so much longer to me... could be because I've stopped having my insomnia for the time-being

I've noticed you haven't been fighting sleep so much since we got married.

Neither have you, when I'm actually around. And I didn't fight sleep, I just couldn't sleep, at all

So you argued whenever someone tried to make you sleep. You can't tell me you didn't, because you argued with me more than once.

Yeah, I know. I just find it very hard to sleep sometimes, and when I wake up I find it hard to go back to sleep

I know the feeling.

I doubt we're the only ones either

I know for a fact we're not the only ones.

I didn't think we would be

She cleans up the room they're in and teleports them to the room of sand. Sand shapes itself into figures for them to sit on.

"You've been working very hard the past week."

Yes, I suppose I have. With nothing to truly distract me, I've found the time needed to really work

Now you see why we get so much done.

*A thoughtful look crosses her face a moment*

It's a better working and learning enviroment than I'm used to.*Notices the look*Something wrong?

No. Just wondering how much Shan's learning, in the more structured Mithdelmarian system.

If he's still as bored as he was, I'd say not as much as he could. Boredom means you don't learn as easily

Especially true in his case.

You going to see him soon?

Within the next week or two.

He'll like that. Might perk him up a bit

Hopefully.

I hope so too*Looks around him*This could be another area to work on

Yes...but not right now, this minute.

Of course not now. I couldn't summon up the energy right now

Looks like you've been working too hard. *The "chair" he's sitting in reclines, letting him relax.*

He smiled weakly,"Thanks". Settling down, he put his hands behind his head, and stared at the ceiling, seemingly lost in his own thoughts

She stays there with him.

After a few minutes, he came out of his thoughts, and looked at her lazily, his eyes glowing softly in from the light and from his energy levels rebuilding,"What sort of time is it?"

Getting to be late in the evening.

He nodded, and turned back to watching the ceiling,"And what has Rhenna been teaching today?"

Rhenna has been teaching 12-15 year olds how to read and write. Other than that, the 30-40 year olds are working on either kinetics or basic teleportation.

He smiled,"Sounds like fun, if that's what floats your boat"

It was more fun learning it. Still...they'll be good at it someday.

Everybody is good at something someday. They just have to find it

This much I know.

I've still got to find it. Ah well, got six hundred or so years to find it

And here I thought you knew what you were good at...you just had new talents you wanted to explore.

I know that I am a soldier, and enginnered to be the 'perfect' solider. I excelled in that... but now I have this*lets the Flame burn in his palm* to perfect. Once I do that...

There will always be some new challenge.

I look forward to it.

Want to see something else that can be done in here?

*He gestures* Why not? I've a feeling you'd show me anyway

She lets her chair recline, and the door closes, or is covered in sand. For a moment, there is complete darkness. Then, one by one, little pinpricks of light shine above, until there is a little illumination in the chamber.

He watched from his position, nulling the White Flame as he did so. His eyes widened as he watched the 'ceiling',"Amazing"

And the more you learn...the more you can do.

*A 'moon' begins to rise, illuminating the room further, and a 'creature' formed of the water floats gracefully across the room...it looks rather like a swan.*

"That is logical," he said, watching as the 'swan' glided past him. He couldn't help but relax under these conditions

I always liked how the water glistened in the moonlight.

It's a unique effect... beautiful as well, especially on calm water

if you can get the water to ripple just right...it looks like it's dancing.

He laughed,"I can't dance to save my life. It's stupid, born an aristocrat, and never learnt to dance"

OOC: I will start the Second thread monday. For now, set up.

IC: The time was near. Warfare had his body back.
"Father... no, that was when I lived. I am Death now. I must continue, it is the passion within that drives me. I still remember what the old death told me.
All ways conquer Life. I must go forward, even if it means my own destruction. I have conquered life several times, but I've never truely conqured it. My plans are falling into place. Those mortal fools who turned Armageddon back on me last time have no idea their playing into my hands. I have all that I need to know. Since I too, can give Life, I will give life to something that will most definatly stop them. Then I will have an elite force on my side. Heh heh, I look forward to this. My Hordes have been waiting for a chance to get their hands on Warfare's followers ever since they killed them in their various paths. I'll save that as a last straw. Instead, I think I'll send something else out first. Combined with them. Nither Kaymiril nor snake eater Prime stands a chance. Then of course, theres Shan. I will make him obey me out of fear. I could not get him the other way, I guess I'll simply have to convince him. He loves his "mother" so much. Ahahahahahahahaha" The Reaper thought. He went to a certain section of his temple. Contained therein was the strand of life for every Mortal. He picked one out in particular, and kept it on him.

The only reason I might be able to dance if the situation required it is because I'm elvenkind, and they taught us some little bit of dancing.

Still better than I could manage

I've got the feeling you could learn, if you wanted to.

See, that raises the question: Do I want to?

I can't answer that for you.

He nodded,"Of course you can't. You can't read my mind."

*Teasingly* Nor am I sure I'd want to.

He smiles,"Most of its alright, but there is a tiny percentage you wouldn't want to know. *Teasingly*And I wouldn't want to read yours, as there are essentially two minds. I can't manage mine

That's the only reason I can be angry with you and love you all at the same time.

Tell me, when you get that, which part is doing which?

It really depends on what you've done. If I've had a bad day, it's generally the dragon that's angry, but if you've done something stupid, it'd be the drow. It doesn't matter...ever since Tellryon died, I've been one mind.

I've never been schizophreniac, although I do have a little voice in the back of my head. It was that that convinced me to ask you to marry me

I've never been schizophrenic. I've had two personalities. And they were fairly similar. And I find the human notion of the little voice in the back of the head to be an odd one...still, so long as yours doesn't get odd, I don't mind it.

It shouldn't get too odd. All depends on what I see, hear and do with my life

True enough.

Did your two personalities ever talk over problems, kinda like the human little voice?

I only had that other personality for about a week, after Tellryon had awoken.

Ah, I see

It was odd, though. Half wanting to go, half trying to stay, and the one overpowering the other.

At least you won't have to do that again

No, thankfully.

He nods

So, what time is it?

Getting on for around eight o'clock now

We'd better get out of here, then, before it gets crowded.

*The illusions disappear, and the sands start shifting back toward their original positions*

Sounds like a good idea to me*stands, and waits for her*

She stands as well, and walks out with her. They aren't more than two feet out the door when D'anthe flies up from behind and perches on her head.

He smiled at how D'anthe pearched on her head, remembering how the raven liked to do the same to him from time to time. Inside however, his heart ached. They loved each other, but it was much more difficult than he had realised to maintain that love

She looks at him, sensing something. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head, and said unconvincley,"Nothing." His message was clear,Not in the corridors. Later, I'll tell you

All right. *looking up, and tilting her head back so that D'anthe was force to move up until she could see him.* Having fun up there.

*Some indistinct chatter. Cougar would be able to get the gist of "yeah, pretty much."*

He smiled weakly at D'anthe, and then kissed her quickly,"I've got one last thing I want to do. I'll see you later"

She kisses him back. "Okay. I'll see you later."

He went back to the training rooms, and entered a simulation. Leaving his cloak at the entrance, he took his Gunblade in hand and spent a few hours defeating anything the simulation threw at him...

He headed back to the room, his head cleared and heart light, his problems evaporating as he trained. He found the room empty, and took a quick wash, drying himself quickly, before replacing his lower clothing, but leaving the shirt off. He sat on the bed, and was reading something he had picked up from his house before leaving

Rhenna comes in shortly after, a parchement in her hand. She's scanning over it, and she eventually banishes it. "Zhennu." She looks up. "Oh, you're back." A smile crosses her face, but it's somewhat forced.

OOC: I'm starting setup for a later rp idea I have. ^_^ It'll come after a coupla rps, though. I only have some concept ideas.

He noticed something wrong about the way she smiled, and closed his book, a look of concern on his face,"What's wrong?"

Nothing, really. I've been called out...might be gone a couple of days...if things go really badly, a week, at most. *She plops down on the bed* This situation is becoming a pain.

I won't bother asking, because I know I'm not going to get an answer

Yeah, pretty much.

A week at most you say?

Only if things go very badly.

Let's just hope they don't go badly then. When do you have to leave?

In about four hours.

He nodded, and moved closer to her, putting his arm round her, treasuring the time he had with her until she left

It seems that whenever one of us is free, the other is busy. It's a hectic life we live.

Better together, and lead a hectic life, than apart and unhappy. We'll survive

Yes...that doesn't make it any easier at the moment, though.

This is what I was thinking about earlier, but the work kicked me out of being despondant about it all.

That's good.
I won't have time over the next few days to think about much of anything. I'll be glad to get home.

Clear your mind. Thinking of something like home doesn't get the job done faster.

You don't need to tell me that. It's something I learned long ago. Soon as I'm out of here, none of this exists until I get back. That's how it's been for centuries.

Despite that*kisses her on the cheek and whispers*Hurry back

I'll do my best. Oh, and I can't take D'anthe with me. So take care of yourself while I'm gone, or I'll hear all about it and then some.

With a subtly-veiled threat such as that, I'll be a good boy

Good.

He smiled, and felt himself begin to nod off,"You'll be gone by the time I wake up, won't you"

Unless you want me to wake you up so I can kiss you good bye.

He smiled,"I wouldn't say no to that kiss by any means"

She smiles back. "I'll remember that, then."

He poked her softly in the ribs,"I'll hold you to that"

I might have done it even if you'd told me not to. *Pokes him back*

Well, I wouldn't have complained... we are such an odd couple

True. But at least it's not boring.

As far from boring as it's possible to get

Just about. Now, I have to try and get some rest before heading out. Care to join me?

That sounds like on of the best ideas you've ever had

*Four hours later*

D'anthe wakes Rhenna, who looks at the time and leans over to kiss James.

He stirred, not really waking, but just enough to kiss her goodbye, before wishing her luck and slipping back into his own dreams.

A never-ending river...

She smiles slightly and vanishes, D'anthe sitting in the spot she had been.

A few hours later, he woke, and started going about his normal buisness. His training was to be put on hold for today, as he tried to decipher his dreams from the night before.

He'd feel a tug at the leg of his pants as he's walking along.

He looked down, and stopped. It was Monian. He knelt down,"Vendui gaer. Vel'bol zhah xusst?"

Dos joros dos nindel erg'les.

He smiled,"Ussta 'ranndi uriu inbalus ulu alu tarthe, lu' nindel morfethen uns'aa numl"

Vel'klar xunus il alu?

Usstan xuat zhaun. Il orn tlu rath ulnin

T'yin vel'bol zhah xusst, byr taga nindel dos ph' numl?

Naubol else zhah xusst. Usstan fridj inbalus natha b'vecko wussrun'wa vaen isto

Vel'bol zhahus ol bauth?

Ol zhah dubo ulu bihurr ulu folt natha waelin person

Ele?

Ol fridj zhah Monian. Usstan shlu'ta'naut bihurr ol

Vel'uss gumash dos bihurr ol ulu?

Usstan xuat zhaun

Nindel's nau jivvin.

Jivvin? Haska bauth disturbing deis zhah naut jivvin

T'yin vel'bol xun dos xun whol jivvin?

Jivvin depends pholor vel'bol dos kyorl 'zil jivvin. Usstan saph mzil klezn, drill haska bauth deis zhah naut uss d' mina

Usstan xunus naut joros vel'bol zhahus naut jivvin. Usstan aske'th vel'bol zhahus.

Perceptive child

Ol depends pholor lu'oh Usstan tlun tejmook'cinkjuu a l' draeval. Usstan saph ulu malar, ulu train, read, lu' jivvin sports vel'drav Usstan shlu'ta. Vel'bol bauth dos?

Usstan xun naut kampi'un. Vel'bol zhah "sports"?

He frowned, trying to figure out how to word this next sentence,"Usstan xuat zhaun lu'oh ulu bihurr ol easily"

"Gi..." the child looks somewhat disappointed. "Jugare..."

Al... Usstan sieva Usstan gumash zao dos soccer, natha lotha leza. T'yin dos orn inbal l' ul'hyrr

Jugare, usstan usieva.

"Tenu, doer xuil uns'aa," he said, leading Monian to a small training room, and then spending an hour teaching him basic soccer. It was not his primary sport, but he still knew how to play

Monian, being a toddler, is fairly clumsy, and the hour spent has him pretty much worn out.

He smiled at Monian,"Doer pholor, ori'gato's inbau dos folbol ulu cal"

Jugare.

Cougar took him to the canteen, and sat him down whilst he summoned some food across the hall. Once it had arrived, he sat down also,"Vel'klar ph' dos meant tlu?"

Usstan zhahus ulu v'dri.

Mayoe dos zhal'la, p'luin dos inbal cal'tuu

Drill Usstan xuat ssinssrin ulu.

He laughed,"Usstan zhaun l' tejmook'cinkjuu"

Orn nind tlu hasstn vel'drav nind ragar nindel Usstan xunus naut v'dri?

Usstan xun naut talinth ji... vel'uss zhah dosst an'kin?

Gaer zhah naut uss nin. Gajak. Nin Usstan tlun keffal p'luin a Tira

Usstan kyorl... xun dos zhaun vel'klar il xal tlu?

"Nau..."

At this point, Tira walks in, looking fairly hassled, seeing Monian, she rushes over.

"Ele zhahen dos naut wun dosst cuass'ili?"

M -- "Usstan xunus naut ssinssrin ulu v'dri."

"Gaer ph' kultar whol natha sanrr. Dos inbal tlu wun dosst cuass'ili vel'drav ol zhah draeval tlu."

Cougar sat quiet throughout this exchange of words

Monian tried to make himself look even smaller than he already was.
"F'sarn taudl..."

Tira sighed, and her shoulders slumped. She reached down and picked the toddler up.

"Usstan fridj xuat ssinssrin ulu inbal tlu z'haanin rilvel'klar lorith whol dos. Draa dalharen aslu wund trantz degahr natha stath tangin draeval p'los, lu' gumash inbal tlus elggen."

*To Monian*Dos z'klaen screa ulu rothrl l' kultar

*To Tira*Fridj ji dos zhaun, uk zhahus sreen'aur vel'drav uk zhahus doeb d' orlingg

M -- Siyo.

F -- Nindol draeval. Vaen draeval, l' oura henotep aslu Shan.

Usstan noticed. Usstan zhahus gaer

Death shook himself from his thoughts.
"The Time nears. I must Prepare." He thought. He went to the inner most chamber of his temple, and cast Dark spells not even the Gods knew. His temple began to tremble and shake. Mille Mortis shook violently as Deaths temple arose. Dark energy snaked across Mille Mortis changing the Landscape. No longer was it a smooth swamp filled planet, but a rugged mountainous world. Death went to the tallest mountain and awoke the creature within. This creature was a legend like the Grendal. It was feared by any who had enocountered it in battle, though not for long. Non had ever encountered it and lived. It was known, as the Terrasque. Death invaded its sleep. and brought it under his control. Death spread his powers accross the worlds, summoning Monsters to his side. Tiamet came and agreed to give Death 5 chromatic Dragons, one of each color. Death went to the top of his temple. His voice,audible only to one person, Shan.
"Shan, the time has come for you to do the right thing. Come to me, protect the Murderers from your Mother Shan. I am on Mille Mortis, and I wait for you. Do the right thing shan, come to me and protect your Mother. I would hate to see harm come to her." Death said.

Tira takes the toddler away.

Death shook himself from his thoughts.
"The Time nears. I must Prepare." He thought. He went to the inner most chamber of his temple, and cast Dark spells not even the Gods knew. His temple began to tremble and shake. Mille Mortis shook violently as Deaths temple arose. Dark energy snaked across Mille Mortis changing the Landscape. No longer was it a smooth swamp filled planet, but a rugged mountainous world. Death went to the tallest mountain and awoke the creature within. This creature was a legend like the Grendal. It was feared by any who had enocountered it in battle, though not for long. Non had ever encountered it and lived. It was known, as the Terrasque. Death invaded its sleep. and brought it under his control. Death spread his powers accross the worlds, summoning Monsters to his side. Tiamet came and agreed to give Death 5 chromatic Dragons, one of each color. Death went to the top of his temple. His voice,audible only to one person, Shan.
"Shan, the time has come for you to do the right thing. Come to me, protect the Murderers from your Mother Shan. I am on Mille Mortis, and I wait for you. Do the right thing shan, come to me and protect your Mother. I would hate to see harm come to her." Death said.
You lie. She can protect herself, and if she can't, then Renor can. Leave her alone, leave me alone.

"Hee, you understand little of the world child. I am Death. I gave you a chance to come peacefully, now I will have to bring harm to your Mother." Death said. He left Shan with haunting visions of Rhenna getting tortured slowly and painfully by Death.

Leave her alone! I -- I'll kill you!

Even as he relayed the message, Shan knew just how rediculous the statement was, but it was out. He couldn't let harm come to Rhenna...but he couldn't -- wouldn't -- go over on Death's side.

Warfare had finished what he needed, and was walking along The Battlefeild of the Gods, when the light faded, and Death appeared before him.

"Well, hello Warfare, I'm, glad to see you have your real body back." Death said.
"What do you want, Besides a good beating?" Warfare asked
"Ohh, now is that any way to talk to your, Beloved Child?" Death asked.
"My son died 25 Billion years ago, and your the monster that tried to replace him." Warfare replied calmly.
"I'm hurt, does this mean you've disowned me father?" Death asked.
"I cannot disown that which does not live." Warfare stated.
"So, are you going to cower at the back lines while your precious paladins charge? Or are you going to be the bloodthirsty wargod I once knew? The Wargod I enjoyed battleing against in our little game of chess for the past 25 billion years." Death said.
"So that's all this is, is a game?" Warfare asked.
"Of course it is, I've been manipulating you like a puppet on a string for as long as I've been Death. Your not smarter than me. I learned everything from you and then some. I'm going to break the system, I'm going to be Death forever, all I need, is your soul." Death said.
"Heh, you cannot have it, A soul to replace the one you willingly gave up. You have been wheeling and dealing Souls for so long, that, nothing you do will garner you a soul, someone will come along and make a deal you can't refuse." Warfare said. This irked Death a little.
"Hah, they say Satan is the ultimate bargainer, but I traded him his Soul and the Rule of Hell for freedom from hell. I am the opposite power, the only reason I do not destroy you here is because the other side protects you." Death said.
"Worry not little child, you will get your chance soon enough. Speaking of Children, what would you do if you got Shan?" warfare asked.
"Innocence is so easily lost. Time, is a fickle thing. why, a couple of hundred years could pass in a second, and I could have corrupted him beyond measure. Shan will make an excellent Dark Warrior." Death said.
"You, I cannot wait to destroy you when the time comes." Warfare said, completely angered.
"You cannot." death said. A flash from paradise sent Death away. Warfare bottled his wrath, to save for the right time.

Tira takes the toddler away.

As they left, Cougar felt uneasiness begin to grow in his gut.Something has changed... and for the worse

He left the canteen and went back to the sand-room, manipulating the sand into small shapes, and gradually building on them. As he worked, his eyes fell closed once more, and the vision began again...


"What is this place", he wondered aloud, as he walked up the river. He had no other choice, there was only one way to go. The fog swirled around him, never letting him see any further than the reach of his arm. It was perputually dark in this place, and it all added to the increased tension in his muscles. He discovered that he had no weapons, and that the White Flame would not ignite around him. He felt naked without these, and fear began to rise in his gullet. As these thoughts swirled aorund his head, something bumped into his leg. Looking down, he staggered backwards, letting it past. It had been decapitated, but there was no mistaking the body of Rhenna. She had been twisted into a highly unnatural position, as if she had no bones left. He felt the bile rise in his throat, he had seen Rhenna alive not twelve hours ago, but now she drifted on this river. He pushed the wish to vomit aside, and pushed on, casting one final look at his wife's body, drifting away from him down the river. As he walked, an unearthly chill gripped him, and made him shiver to his very bones. All the time his mind told him just to stop, to give up. His heart told him to find out what had done that to his beloved wife, and destroy it.

"What is this place..."

His eyes snapped open, and his sand constructions collapsed inwards on themselves. He was shaking, and covered in a cold sweat. After taking a few minutes to calm himself down, he struggled to remember the vision, as clear as it had been only five minutes before. He hesitated, then went to the libary. Nowhere else might he find the answer to his problems...

Mith sensed Shan's unease, and from her room, traced it to its source.

Leave the child alone...you have no power over him.

**************************************************
Vedt is in the library, standing by a bookcase with a large book open in one hand.

Cougar noted that Vedt was standing there, and said out of courtesy,"Afternoon, Vedt"

He found the book he was searching for, Snake Eater beliefs, and sat down to see what he could find

V -- Good afternoon.

Cougar finally found what he was looking for:

The River of Sorrow

An ancient belief from Snake Eaters, stemming from the fate of the orginal Assembly. It is said that when a Snake Eater dies, their soul must walk the River of Sorrow, and expierence pain and losse like it has never felt before. These normally involve loved ones in torment or death, and the expierence is rumoured to be one that either destroys the person in question, or hardens them to such a degree that they become unfeeling ghosts. No-one has ever been known to have walked the River and returned to the world of the living

V -- "The tension you feel is almost palpable. Nightmares? ... or worse?"

He looked up,"Don't worry about it. I'm just getting odd visions, and I'm trying to see how they fit together"

OOC:

Still following this thread, just the current RP doesn't apply to Galvenor

OOC:

Still following this thread, just the current RP doesn't apply to Galvenor

OOC: Hey, if you want, I can bring in a psionic from SE. I said most ppl dont use magick, but psychics do exist, maybe that would help?

Over 1/3 of my nation are full Psi active. We have entire colleges devoted to the development of Talents. The Imperial College is obviously the best. The Psi holds an important place within our society and we are allways trying to find a way to get the other 2/3 active.

I based all my Psi on GURPS Psionics and I have a list of known powers and abilities on my website

OOC: Can I get the URL then, so I have a least a basic knowledge of what I should know

It's in my sig below. In case the link doesn't work for you, here is the link:

http://balrogga.beldragos.com/

The direct link to the page with the Psi abilities is:

http://balrogga.beldragos.com/psionics.htm

OOC: I don't have signitures on here, but I'll check these links out

D'anthe flew in and rapped Cougar on the head twice.

V -- Just deliver the message, bird.

*D'anthe unfolds, revealing Shan. The boy looks highly agitated.*

S -- Cougar? What are you doing with D'anthe? Where's Rhenna?

She's out. What's wrong Shan?

No. Get her back. Get her back now. He's going to kill her.

I can't get her back, I don't know where she is... wait a second, whos going to kill her*Worry seeps into his voice*

Death is. I refused to switch sides, and now he's going to kill Rhenna.

Cougar closed his eyes,"I can't pinpoint her, but I'd know if she died. Trust me on this one."

His voice was calm, but inside his stomach had jumped into his throat.No... could it be?

I know you'd know if she died, but isn't there any way to warn her?

No. She left D'anthe with me, and *looks at Vedt*I don't know about you guys

V -- Not on the type of mission we sent her on. Have no fears, Shan...she's harder to kill than all of that.

Cougar nodded,"All right. Now calm down Shan. I don't like the sound of this any more than you do, but we've got to trust. That is all we have"

He nods. "Okay. I'll call back if I find out anything else."

Cougar nodded, and then turned to Vedt,"Brilliant. Absolutely fecking brilliant. If you'll excuse me, I have something to do"

Vedt makes a 'go ahead' sort of guesture.

He walked out, and found a seculded area, before trying to open a link to Snake Eater Prime. For five minutes he tried, but nothing worked. It was gone, as if it never existed.

What the hell is going on here?

Space seems to ripple around a certain point, revealing Renor.

"Vedt said you were feeling a little stress. That seems to be an understatement."

He looked at Renor,"Yeah, you could say that. I can't open a link to Snake Eater Prime, Shan has called hysterically claiming Death is going to kill Rhenna, and these visions of mine are very disturbing. Need I go on?"

There is a brief pause, and Cougar would be able to feel the mage's gaze on him.

"You saw her die, or dead, in these dreams of yours, did you not?"

Yes, and that is what has me really worried

I will be honest with you and tell you that where we have her now would generally be considered a suicide mission...but I will also tell you that she's come out alive from worse.

He shook his head,"I don't know whether she's actually going to die, or if it's just the vision of the River that worries me. I trust in her power though, so I'm fairly confidant"

When my dreams bring me visions of my students or friends dead or endangered, I look at what I've been doing. Most often, I find that I've been doing something wrong...it may or may not apply to you.

Cougar quickly explained about the River of Sorrow, and it's effects, finishing with,"... but why would I be seeing it? You only go once you die"

"Foldraevals udos wussrun'wa d' zeklet'tau,
Byr draevalen, d' uoi'nota."

Thanks. That's really helpful right now

Huh...I thought you'd recognise it...it's one of Rhenna's favorite works. I'd figured she'd have shown it to you by now.

I don't recall seeing it. Maybe she hasn't just yet...


A few days later
It was midnight in Rendelmar, but James Cougar had returned to his old pattern of not truly sleeping. He was working, anything to distract him from the thoughts that had been running through his mind since Shan had called him, and his conversation with Renor. As he pulled himself up for the fiftieth time, he felt an odd twinge. Letting go in surprise, he flipped and landed softly on the ground, before standing

Shock ran through him, with a strong undercurrent of fear. The emotions were powerful, but the sensation only lasted a few seconds, before abruptly disappearing.

He paused, then started as the sensation came to an end.What was that?

He stopped his training, and went back to his room. It felt strangely empty, but he was getting used to it. He collapsed into bed, and slept soundly

He'd be awakened several hours later by a feeling of pain coursing throughout his entire body, but again, the sensation only lasted a few seconds.

He woke, feeling the pain, before it dissapeared. He know knew that this was not his own, but Rhenna's. She was trying to screen it out, but sometimes failing to do so. That was what resulted in the briefness. He shook himself, but found it impossible to return to sleep. He got up, and went about his daily business

These sensations continue for three or four days, getting more and more frequent with the amount of time she's spent away, and abruptly stop altogether.

He found himself wondering when the next one would come... but it didn't. The week came and went, and still she did not come home. After eight days, only three of which he had slept properly, he was seriously worried, and it showed. His face was lined with lack of sleep and worry. The sheer lack of these episodes was worrying to him... but she wasn't dead. He would be on the verge of death if she had died, and he was still going strong

R -- "It's stopped, then? She'll be home soon."

Cougar looked at his master with tired eyes,"Yeah, they stopped some time ago"

Roughly 36 hours after the last episode, Rhenna walks back into her room, and sort of collapses on the bed, next to her husband.

The shock was enough to cause the Calipsian Node to react, despite it knowing who it was. He opened his eyes, and tensed briefly, before looking around. He saw Rhenna next to him, and sighed

*Wearily* "What, miss me?"

He spoke softly,"You could say that. Events have conspired to stretch my nerves to breaking point"

Aside from the fact that I lost control a few times...*she turns over so that she's facing him* Have your dreams gotten worse?

No. Just what I found out about them makes it harder to see them in a good light

She nods.
"I'd listen now, but I'm not exactly up for it. I'll listen in the morning."

He nodded,"Get some rest, you look as if you could do with it*kisses her on the cheek, before drifting back into his own sleep*"

Shedrifts off to sleep, as well.

After a few hours, he woke and slipped out, leaving her to sleep as long as she needed. When she woke, he would be in the libary, scanning through anything he could find on the River of Sorrow

About an hour and a half after he left her, Rhenna woke, still not feeling quite recovered from the events of the past ten days. She goes into the library, coming up behind him and putting her arms around him. "So, how have you been spending these past few days?"

He looked up, closing the book at the same time,"Training, reading... same old stuff really"

What were you dreaming about when I left? It looked fairly disturbing.