NationStates Jolt Archive

You really do need to relax.

He nodded slightly, knowing she could feel it,"I'm trying... really, I am. But... I just can't seem to do it at the moment. I'm calmer than I would have been had you brought me straight home, and I can control myself better... I'm just worried about what trouble this could get me into"

So am I, to be honest with you.

I don't want trouble to happen... especially not with you.

She nods and continues stroking his hair.

After an hour or so, he sat up, mocing behind her, and rubbing her shoulders,"Enough of pampering me, you deserve some as well"

It's been a month since I could do that, though. *Whatever her words, she starts relaxing into his massage.*

And it's been a month since I could do this as well... you don't seem to be complaining

That feels good.

He moved slightly lower down her back, and spoke softly in her ear,"Good"

She leans back some and lays her head on his shoulder.

He stopped rubbing her back, and put his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck as he did so,"I'm glad I got that six months leave"

We'll actually be able to spend time together for the first time since we were married.

Yes... that's assuming any number of factors

Yes...hey...*elbows him gently in the ribs* Try to be optimistic for once.

*Smiles, but it is strained*I'll try... not promising anything though

She sighs. "Yes...hard to be optimistic when you're hearing voices and think that whatever it was that had you will come back and take you away again."

I'm sorry Rhenna. I'm quite a dreary person to be around at the moment. It's amazing you've put up with it

You're not the only one in Rendelmar that gets like this after capture. Putting up with it comes with the job.

Thanks anyway. Monian was saying earlier plenty of people were worried about me... is that true, in your eyes?

Every day, at least half of the population asked me what was happening and if you were all right...the children, especially.

He shook his head,"Why? I look out for them, yeah, but that's just my way."

Because they like you. A child often has better intuition on who can and cannot be trusted than does an adult.

Strange children. If I wasn't hearing it from you, I'd still be refusing to believe it. Maybe it's time I stopped being so inward.

You'd become part of the community that way.

It's hard... only human here. Stick out like a sore thumb... didn't help in the academy, and that kinda s**t sticks in your mind

But it really doesn't matter. If it did...I'd be very much rejected. A dragon is looked upon less kindly than is a human, generally speaking.

How'd you manage it?

Well...I've grown up around most everyone here, and anyone else grew up around me. The only one left by the time you came around with a problem with my heritage was S'gart.

Hmmm... I'm sure I'll get used to it*yawns*Man, my stamina has really gone down

The world seems to shift around them, and they're in their room. "Then go to sleep."

"I should. Thanks again. For everything*kisses her*

She kisses him back.

He smiled, and slid into sleep. He appeared alright, for a few hours, until the voice started again. It was high, clear, but he didn't recognise it as anyone he knew
Wake up! Get out of there! Come to us!

No! Leave me alone

You can't get rid of us. We are your sorrow, your fear. We ARE part of you!

Get out of my mind!

You cannot deny us much longer... you will come. We already know this...

The voice drifted away in nothingness. Suddenly, he woke up, shaking slightly. His entire body felt covered by a cold sweat, and as he tried to sit up, he found himself being pinned. Looking down, he saw Rhenna with her head on his chest, holding him there. He smiled, and didn't move.Better to let a sleeping dragon lie

The slight movement as he tried to sit up was enough to nudge Rhenna back into semi-conciousness, and the emotions running through her bond with her husband, though they were calming, were enough to jolt her the rest of the way back.
She turned her head and looked up at him.

"What happened?"

He looked at her,"Another one. More extreme than any of the others... I'm going to Mithdelmar. I need to get checked out."

She sits up. "I'll go with you."

He looked at her,"You don't have to"

I want to. *Her tone brooks no argument.*

Bit of advice: Don't argue with her

Good idea

He laced up his boots quickly, and strapped his Gunblade to his hip("Haven't felt that in a while") before looking to her,"Shall we?"

In response, she takes his hand and teleports them both to Mithdelmar.

Cougar smiled slightly, and sat down to wait

Rhenna speaks briefly with a Gray class, and shortly a different one comes and takes Cougar for an analysis.

Conventional ((nonmagickal)) scans reveal nothing, but magickal probes reveal an outside influence.

Gray Mage -- Have you been hearing voices lately?

Cougar looked at the mage,"Yes. That's the entire reason I'm here"

Fair enough. The good news is that you aren't insane. The bad news is that there's something mucking around in your head that doesn't belong there.

Any idea as to what it might be?

It looks similar to, but not exactly like, both necromancers with a familiar spirit, and someone who has been possessed.

Hold on... you're saying someone put whatever it is in my head, to mess around with my brain, and possibly possess me?

That's jumping a bit far, but it isn't beyond the possibilities of the imagination. To be honest with you, I cannot tell you entirely what it is...only that it will be necessary to remove it.

Cougar nodded,"Alright. Thanks for the help"

"Specialists will come...I will request that Mith contact your wife when they are prepared."

Thanks once again. I take it I am free to go?

Yes.

He got up, nodded to the mage, and walked out of the room

Rhenna's waiting for him, working on something or other.

You'll be pleased to know I'm not insane... but there is something there. They just don't know what

Good news and bad news...how most things around here work. Do they think they'll be able to help you?

He said they'd send for some specialists, and that Mith would contact you when they arrive. As for what I think... no, I don't think they'll be able to help. It's not physical, and it's something that they've never seen before.

Don't underestimate them.

I'm not... just unnerved

That's understandable.

I just hope it clears up soon... one way or another

Careful what you wish for...*reality shifts, and they're back in Rendelmar*

I will do, I promise*kisses her*What time is it?

Almost four thirty in the morning.

In that case, I'm going back to bed... after this*takes a hypospray from his kit, and presses it to his neck*

She watches him. "To prevent dreams?"

"I've been using it for the best part of a year now"

Why didn't you say something sooner?

Didn't want to worry you unduly

Time makes all the difference in whether or not the Gray Class can help you.

Oh no, this for the dreams I was having. Those seem to have stopped, the voices are only two, maybe three days old

If they've stopped, why did you use the hypospray?

I don't know if it'll stop the voices as well. It's worth a shot

She nods.

He noticed her discomfort, and that her scales had become more prominent, something that only happened when she was stressed. He laid the 'spray down, and hugged her,"Hey, I know this is hard, but I promise you it will be alright"

I hope so but...I don't know. I have a bad feeling about this.

I have too, to be honest. But you know that we'll get through it, whatever it is

She nods and returns his embrace.

He smiled, and kissed her before breaking away,"Now, if you'll excuse me.. .that stuff gets to work in about three minutes... I have about thirty seconds left"

He lay down, and almost instantley his eyes closed, and he slept. He would end up sleeping till almost midday

Rhenna kissed him back in the time the kiss lasted, and watched him lie down.
She knew she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, and instead she left to get some work done.

When he woke up, he felt refreshed and much better than the previous night. Checking his watch, he saw the time was close to midday. Training... but not too much he thought, before getting up.

He found an appropiate room, and started to work

Midday...he didn't even sleep so late after we were first married...

With that thought, Rhenna went back to teaching. Telekinesis...basic...but fun.

In the training room, Cougar was working up a light sweat. Undisturbed, the man could go for hours

I thought about something yesterday afternoon. *Shan was standing just outside the doorway*

Oh yes?

The room of sand wasn't only put there for an exercise in telekinesis and control. It has another, rarer use...that I thought you might like to see.

Alright then. Let's go

The three monks finished their Meditation. Warfare was strolling by.

"Milord!" called the barbarian looking one.

"Yes Thetazil?" Warfare asked.

"We haven't seen you in a long time. We wondered if you were okay." Thetazil said.

"I appreciate your concern. I am okay, and was considering writing a friend of mine to see what he was up to. Like yourselves, he to is a master of Close Quaters Combat." Warfare said.

"A master? what artform does he follow?" The thin one in purple robes asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. It seems to be a variety of forms, and I'm pretty sure he makes up half of it as he goes along, Nyzil." Warfare said.

"Well, how do you know he is good then?" The third one asked.

"Faern, I know this man's skill. I've seen him fight." Warfare said.

"Forgive me for saying so, but you are too kind hearted. You would be impressed if someone managed to fight off a lame wolf with a stick. I cannot accept your judgement of this man." Thetazil said.

"His words are true master. While I am sure you are a bit sterner than he suggests, you are known for being really kind in judging someone's skills." Nyzil said.

"Yes, allow us to test his skills. We are merely concerned that those who you call masters can accuratly defend themselves, if one of your enemies found you and decided to send one of their minions after your friends." Faern said.

"I do not know how well he would take your doubts. However I do understand where your coming from. I will tell him, maybe he'll come, maybe he won't. Remeber though, I call you masters. If you doubt my words with his skills, maybe you should examine your own." Warfare said.

Warfare wrote out a letter to Cougar. In it, he asked just how Cougar was faring, and what he was up to these days. He also expressed the desires of the abbots to test his combat skills and why. He then wrote out that if he so desired, He could come to the tower, and have a "hands on" testing session with the abbots. Warfare closed the letter with wishes for continued good health for Cougar and Rhenna.

Warfare mailed the letter to Cougar via Mithdelmar.

Shan takes him to the room of sand and kneels in the center.

The sand begins to rise and take shape. Cougar would recognise a map of the galaxy. It reforms into a star chart of the area within 50 light years of SEP, then to within 5 lightyears of where Cougar had been, where the bodies hover.

"Impressive... alright, I recognise this system... it's the Ferd system... what are you trying to show me"

It's the last location that this room was trying to find. It isn't nearly as exact as it can get, though.

So...she was using it to get an idea of where I was... hold on.. if it was more accurate before, surely it could have shown her where I was being held?

She couldn't find you, or she could have gotten in really close. Watch.

*Shan thought for a moment, and the scene shifted again. It focused in on the Sol system, then on Earth. It rotated to find Kaymiril, then it narrowed in on the ground above Rendelmar. It then looked through the city itself, noting the various figures, and Cougar was suddenly standing face to face with dopplegangers of himself and Shan.*

Cougar put his hand out to touch his doppelganger,"Incredible. Nothing we have can achieve this accuracy... incredible"

The doppleganger reached out to touch Cougar, and its mouth moved as he spoke.

"See...she was really very far from finding you. It was driving her insane."

I can't imagine how it must feel... I don't know what she's going through when she goes out

The sands collapsed back into their resting state.

"She blocks you out on purpose...but that's really neither here nor there."

"I know she does it... to protect me if I remember correctly"

Pretty much.

Cougar nodded, and as he did so his head exploded with pain. It was so intense it drove him to his knees:

COME! NOW!

Alright, alright... just stop this pain!

*pain stops*There. Now, come to us. Come to the River

Yes. I must walk the River of Sorrow

Cougar looked up, and suddenly the White Flame flared around him, white light pouring from his eyes. He looked at Shan, and said in a voice that was not entirely his own,"Find Rhenna. Tell her that I have gone to the River of Sorrow. Tell her to go the Tower, there she will find Eldrad. He can help"

With that, he dissapeared. No effect, no nothing. He just vanished... and the Dauntless lifted off the pad.

In front of Rhenna, a note materialised. It read:
I'm sorry. I've had to go. I must find out what is wrong. Do what Shan says

OOC: Link to the River of Sorrow http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=416220

"What?" Rhenna can almost feel her blood turn cold. ((Don't laugh, yes, she is reptilian already.))

Shan comes running up, and speaks to her for a moment. "Tell Vedt to take over for now, Shan. I have to go."

So saying, she teleports to the Tower and walks in.

"I'm looking for a human that calls himself Eldrad."

The River of Sorrow had been walked. Everyone gained some peace and understanding of their past from it. Warfare managed to finally let go of the past. He let go of Costh and Ramick, and walked off.

No one knew from whence she came, but the fact remained, there she was.
She had naturally purple hair, and eyes of Green. Her skin was tanned, but fair. She had no lipstick on, or any other form of makeup or jewlery, but was really very pretty all the same. She had on a long blue dress, with black High-heeled shoes. She walked delicatly, with a Noblewoman's grace. Long white gloves adorned her arms. No weapons or any other form of offence or defence seemed to be on her. She stood for a breif time, in the entrance to the Tower.

Edit: forgot a phrase

Costh returned from SEP and was walking into the Tower, "Could I help you miss?" He asked the lady, not really seeing her face as he was coming up from behind.

"I was just wondering who the owner of this fine tower was, and if he or she would allow me to peruse the library that surely must exist in this tower." The mysterious woman said. She knew full well what she wanted to know, she was merely testing this young man's honesty, but she showed no signs of this, and appeared for all intents and purposes to be a normal innocent Lady.

"This, this is a tower for the teaching/learning of magecraft and sorceries. As to the library you'd most likely be allowed to study. As to ownership, I couldn't say who owned it, if anyone does." Costh replied

"Thank you." The Noblewoman said.

She walked off, her heels clicking on the floor. She made her way to one end of the library, and appeared to be flipping idly through the books.

Costh, his curiosity piqued, decided to head to the library as well and observe the lady. As he settled into one of the chairs with one of his books he watched the lady as she perused the bookshelf.

Without even glancing out of the book she was "Flipping through", she asked Costh:
"So then, are you the only one here Rune Mage?"

"If you mean here in this library, then beside you yes, if you mean at this Tower then no. And the names Costh by the way." Costh replied

"Then there are other Mages here, besides yourself? How powerful is the most powerful Mage here then?" The Noble woman asked. She carried a book with her, sat down in a chair, crossed her legs, and continued looking through it.

"By the way, my name is Lady Arianna, nice to meet you Master Costh." Arianna said.

"Yes there are, as to the most powerful mage, I couldn't really say, more powerful than I in anycase. It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Arianna. May I ask why you are here?" Costh asked

"I am here to learn. It is a never ending thirst, a burning desire I feel within. That is why I'm reading my way through the library. I am a fully trained Mage, but recently gained more power than I know how to handle, this is why I came here after I learned of the tower, one, to learn more, and two, to learn how to controll my new powers." Arianna said. She floated the book back, and floated an entire bookcase over.

"I will most likely be suffering the same problem you are in a while." Costh replied

"Then, you too are going to ascend into Godhood?" Arianna asked. She put the book down, with appearant difficulty.

"Demi-godhood actually, thought I have the option of choosing when." Costh replied

"I didn't, I ascended, how high I don't know yet, after I defeated a Dark Goddess of Knowledge. She delighted in taking away the knowledge of others and leaving them dumb. They couldn't do anything, they couldn't talk, fend for themselves, nothing. They were vegetablized. I defeated her to spare my father the same fate, but to no avail, he died anyway. When she died, I said that she didn't deserve her powers, and that if I could, I would take them from her. The Idea came to mind to simply absorb them from her, and I got it all. Now I guess I'm a Lawful Goddess of Knowledge and what else, I have no idea, although I have noticed that my presence does seem to calm others down exponentally, and I even started one war before it started." Arianna said. She floated the bookcase back, and floated another to her.

"So you are a goddess then?" Costh asked "There's another god that comes to this Tower somewhat infrequently."

"Really? What is his name?" Arianna asked, intrested.

"His name's Warfare." Costh replied, "He's a somewhat odd god truth be told."

"Odd? Me? Why, what ever do you mean by that Costh?" Warfare asked. He had silently appeared in a corner behind costh, keeping his presence secret.

"I thought I felt the presence of another diety,but you slayed a Dark Goddess to gain your powers? which one?" Warfare asked.

Arianna was absolutly terrified at being in the presence of another God. She thought they were all blood thirsty Phsycos who wanted to kill her for killing Illnith, the Dark Goddess of Knowledge.
"Illnith, but please don't kill me, I really didn't mean to do it!" Arianna said. She had gone ghost white in fear.

"Me? Kill you for killing a Dark Goddess? What? You really think we're all Dark Gods and your the only Light Goddess? My my, your first Divine experiences must have been rough. Actually, I want to thank you for stopping her, she was spreadding Idiocy like it was a good thing. Come, I will help you adjust to your new status, but first, I think you should meet other Light Gods and Goddesses. We like meeting newly ascended Dieties, especially if their on our side." Warfare said. He walked over to Arianna, put a hand on her slender frame, and they both disapeared to Paradise. A feeling of peace washed over Costh, as the residual edges of the teleport spell brought a piece of Paradise to the Tower.

OOC: Sorry Theao, gotta go for awhile, and this was a handy exit.

"Like I said, odd." Costh said to the empty air where Warfare and Arianna where standing. He then went outside to continue training.

***The Valshanth***

Preparations were being made, servants bustling and rushing. It would only be a few days time until Crown Princess Annastrianna d' Maril became Queen Kaymiril VII. Invitations had been sent, announcements had been made...now the preparations just had to be completed.

***Rendelmar***

It had been nearly twenty four hours since Cougar had returned from the River, and much of it had been spent sleeping, the remaining time spent thinking quietly to himself about all manner of things

Rhenna still hasn't been back to the room, so he's been left to sleep and muse on his own.

He shook his head, glanced at his watch, and saw breakfast to be fast approaching. He got up, got dressed in his usual black attire, and left the room as it had been before he'd used it.

A sound is coming from around a corner. "K-tunk...k-tunk...k-tunk..."

Strgane sound... wonder what it could be

Keeping one side close to the wall, Cougar poked his head slightly round the corner

Shan's sitting against one wall, bouncing his ball against the other.

"Hi, Cougar. What did you do this time? I heard from Tari, who heard it from Ashra, who heard it from Racl, who heard it from Vrasha, who heard it from Vedt, that you're going to have to start attending classes...not all of them, like the rest of us...just Vedt's."

Cougar couldn't suppress a smile, but it was once again strained,"That's news to me... as for what I did, my advice to you is to forget it. Understand?

"That's what Rhenna said, too...So I'm just going to have to guess it was really bad. Then again, she couldn't have been too happy when you just disappeared like that...Ah well."

He continues bouncing the ball.

He sighed, and sat down next to Shan,"You're right, she wasn't in the best of moods when we got back either"

"She still isn't. You know it's bad when both she and Vedt have multiple bruises and abrasions from a 'sparring match.' It means that one or the other is really angry, or confused. Last night, you could feel what sort of spells they were using during that match. I was surprised Renor himself didn't step in."

Oh, I can guess which one is angry, and maybe a little confused. But in any case, I haven't seen her since we came home, and I doubt I will for another few days

Yeah, she tends to hide when she's angry. It's better for all concerned that way, you know? I certainly wouldn't want to face her when she's still freshly mad with me.

In all truth, neither would I. Although I'd prefer it if she actually hit me, at least then I'd truly know she was angry

Shan shakes his head. "She has never once struck in anger...no one here will."

Maybe so... oh well, maybe I've had enough beatings in the past few days and weeks. When does Vedt's class start?

Nine thirty. You'll be with all the other 25-40 year olds...so I'll be there, as will Tari and Ashra...Jovin's 41...idiot that he is.

Cougar looked at his watch,"Two hours from now then. Just enough time for my nerves to get to me"

"What?"

He laughed,"When I was younger, I had two hours until my first true class at the academy. In that time, my nerves worked me into such a frenzy that I nearly went crazy. Now, I'm wondering if a similar thing will happen here"

Arianna and Warfare came back from paradise. There, she had managed to meet the Gods, and the welcomed her relitivly warmly. Leviathan and Beldragos were not found, but that's alright, maybe she would meet them later. Warfare took Arianna to the top of the tower at Hoeth, and there, he was going to help her learn a bit about her new powers.

"Now then Arianna, There are many things Gods can do that not even Archmages can do, for instance, the easiest of these is Airwalking. Simply command the air to support you, and it well." Warfare said. As he said that, he stepped out onto empty air.
"Now you do it." Warfare said.
"Support me." Arianna said as she stepped off the tower, unfortunatly she began to fall, but Warfare caught her and put her back on the tower.
"No, no, no, You command it with your powers, your presence. You command all elements in a similar manner, each one will do something diffrent for you." Warfare said.
"Well, you never said that in the first place." Arianna replied.
It took her a few tries, but she managed to accomplish standing on empty air.
"Great, now that you can command air, commanding other elements should be relitivly easy." Warfare said. He took her by the arm, and they walked off.

They came to a tall mountain somewhere, and they simply sat on a rock. As they sat there, night fell, and the stars came out. They talked all day and night long about diffrent things. As they talked, a meteor shower started. Nearby, a dead rosebush slowly sprang to life, and a single rosebud bloomed. A spark of love had been ignited that night.

The next day came, and they were nowhere to be found on Hoeth, or anywhere. They had gone to the Temple of All knowledge, in paradise, otherwise referred to by the Gods as the Divine Library.

Leviathan, having heard that Warfare and a new goddess were seeking him out, sought to find them. After having spoken to Zeus, he found them in the Divine Libary,"Warfare, you were after me I hear? What's up?"

"Oh, Leviathan, I thought you might like to meet a new Goddess, from what I understand, she ascended only three months ago after she defeated the Dark Goddess Illianna and took her powers. She's over in the A section. We're both pretty sure one of her domains is knowledge, so she's reading her way through the library, trying to get caught up. Let's go" Warfare said. At that moment, however, Arianna came on over to make sure Warfare was still there because she still didn't quite know how to get back to the mortal realm just yet.

"Oh, Warfare, who's this?" Arianna asked.

"Leviathan, may I introduce Lady Arianna, recently ascended with no titles yet. Arianna, may I introduce Leviathan, master of the Black Flame, Master Diety of the nation of Snake Eaters, and a really, really fine Drink Mixer to boot." Warfare said.

Arianna gave a curtsy, and then held her hand out for a handshake.

Leviathan bowed slightly to this new Goddess, and then shook her dainty hand,"It is a pleasure to meet you... you defeated Illianna I believe I heard? Incredible. She was becoming a nuisance to us, but we've been tied up recently, so you are truly deserving of the place you now hold"

He released her hand,"My friend is overemphasising my drinks... they are not the best they could be. By the way Warfare, I was wondering if you wanted anymore of the Tangleberry Twist I made sometime back? I've got a stock of it in, just finished it recently. I also would like to discuss Cougar with you... I am worried for him, but you know the rules, I am not allowed to interfere directly"

"Sure, Tanglebarry twist is most excellent. Cougar, what's wrong now? I thought everything would be better now that he went through the River of Sorrow, I know it helped me." warfare said.

"Tangleberry twist?" Arianna asked.

OOC: In response to the PM, proberly best.

IC: Leviathan shook his head,"It did... but that final twist of events did not help matters any. Also, Rhenmet is still so angry with him that she is not going near him, and I think this may do him more physcological harm. He's frail at the moment, we all know this. But in any case, could you do me a favour? Keep an eye on him, and don't let him get killed or anything stupid like that. So long as his line survives, Snake Eaters is safe from Kaelis Ra."

He turned to Arianna,"It's a drink I fixed up, using some Tangleberry wine and a few other ingredients that not many people would think of using. Try some" he summoned up the Black Flame, and shaped it into an ornate wine glass, filling it with the beverage, and offering it to her,"Take it, it's quite cool"

Arianna took the glass, looking at the black flame very, very carefully. Then she looked at the Tangleberry twist, sniffed, than drank it. She set the glass down an a nearby stand.
"Wow!" Arianna said a bit louder than she intended.

"Quiet! If you want to yell take it outside." The Keeper of all Knowledge said. The Keeper was guardian and master of the Temple of Knowledge.

"Sorry." Arianna said. The Keeper wandered off.

"Carefull, its powerfull enough to blow your head right off your shoulders if your not carefull." Warfare warned.

Leviathan laughed softly,"If you are trying to obtain knowledge of the Black Flame, you will have no such luck. If you were to study Cougar, you would find that there is no information on the White Flame. Trust me, you won't see this power anywhere else in Creation. And Warfare, don't scare the poor girl... only certain drinks have that power, but not this one2

"I've never seen such a flame before. And don't worry, I was commenting on its flavor. I tasted a drink once that out and out knocked me out after a single sip. Gave me a monster headache. Oh well, back to my reading." Arianna said. She picked up the slass, and walked off with anticipation.

"I wasn't trying to scare her. Don't worry though, I've never let cougar die, I'm certainly not about to start now. As for his problems with Rhenna, well, there's not really that much I can do. I can't go to Rendelmar, I can't make them get together, no, the only thing is time. I've a feeling there will be a time of peace coming upon us soon." Warfare said. As a Wargod, Warfare always could feel such things.

"Peace is relative, as a wargod, you should know that much. And you are right about them... they will survive in their own way. Also *looks around*There is something in your eyes about her, Warfare. Something you want to tell your friend?

"I don't know, she's the most intresting Goddess I've met since, Khalana died all those years ago at the hands of my own son. But, that was the past, this is now. We sat on a mountain top in Hoeth last night watching a meteor shower and talking about many diffrent things. Like I said, she's diffrent from all the other Female entities I've met through the ages, I don't know what it is, but, she feels diffrent. While I've been around her, I felt something I never felt before, peace, pure, simple, peace. You can find the most beautiful moments in life in a single simple period of peace." Warfare said. While he was talking about Arianna, a single white Rose grew in his hand.

Sounds like someone has found love at last. Just... be careful, alright? I don't think that Creation could deal with it if it didn't work out

"Love? Me? But I thought that me finding love was in the big book of impossible acts." Warfare said. He reached for a nearby shelf, and pulled down a book. It was titled the big book of impossibilities. Warfare flipped it open to a certain page.

"It was right here between
"102345: Leviathan mixing a bad drink."
and
"102347" Rahegalhoff cracking a smile."
Aeriously, that man never smiles, and seriously,
"102346: Warfare finding true love."
was in there just last year." Warfare said as he showed the entries to Leviathan.


OOC: BRB.

"Well... things can coniviently go 'missing' from record books," said Leviathan with a slight smile, rubbing out the entry, and replacing it with,'The Gods ever actually agreeing on any one thing'

Warfare smiled "Well, that's true at least."

Arianna meanwhile moved to the B section, carrying the now empty dark flame cup with her.

Now you have no reasons to stop... but as I said before, just be careful. And get in touch about that Twist

"Yeah, I will." Warfare said.

Good... now, if you'll excuse me, it seems that I need to go and laugh at Kaelis Ra once more

"Laugh at him a couple of thimes for me." Warfare said.

Oh I will*dissapears, and rumbling laughter is heard across creation*

Warfare smiled, then he sat down on a nearby bench.

"Love? Me? That's impossible, I'm a violent angry Wargod, not some peaceful loving marriage God. How could I possibly fall in love again? I thought I put away my capacity for love when Khalana Died, and later on when I finally killed my son. Then again, wasn't that done in necessity? Why was it necessary though, maybe I never put it away? No matter, I simply enjoy my time with Arianna." Warfare thought silently.

Arianna meanwhile was thinking similar thoughts.
"Why do I enjoy his compnay so much? Could I be falling in love with him? No, that couldn't be. I've known hundreds of men, and they were all idiots who only wanted to be with me because they thought they could get somewhere, but, Warfare seems diffrent. No, he couldn't be diffrent then anyone else, he'll reveal his colors all in good time. Why does that statement feel so wrong? Why do I simply want nothing more than to be near him?" Aianna thought confusedly.

S -- Oh. Ah, don't worry. It's nothing hard today.

Says the person who has many more years of training by Vedt under his belt

What? It's not like he's got anything against you. Well, except a thorough beating last night. *Shan chuckles* He's not going to kill you.

Hmmm... something tells me the thought has crossed his mind on at least one occasion. And I'm not so sure about him not having anything against me... he changed after the Derscon incident, we got on alright... then his attitude towards me changed. Dunno why

Warfare walked over to Arianna and gave her the White Rose that had been growing in his hand.

"Why, thank you." Arianna said. After a few minuets passed, she spoke again.

"I think I need a break." Arianna spoke.

"Well, why don't I show you around Kaymiril, I grew up there recently." Warfare said.

"Okay." Arianna replied.

Hand in hand they disappeared, and they appeared at Mithdelmar.

"See that big grey temple over there? The Healers of Mithdelmar live in that temple, Their class color is Grey, and they specialize in Healing and Life magick, though I suspect they know a little Necromancy as well." Warfare said.

"Really?" Arianna asked. They walked through the streets. Everywhere they went, All nearby flowers bloomed, even if the plant was previously dead. Birds sang louder, prettier, and the sun shone just a little brighter. They paid it no heed. Soon, they were right outside the temple.

Rendelmar:

Why would it? You're imagining things.

Mithdelmar:

Mithdelmar is as busy as usual, medics rushing from one end of the temple to another on some emergency or other, but on the whole, it's a fairly slow day. For Mithdelmar, anyway.

No, I'm really not. Call it what you will, but somethings different. In any case, I'm going to these classes... I'm sure we'll see there

Yeah. And you don't have a choice in attending the classes. Or then he will have something against you.

Did I ever say I didn't intend on going? No. I'm going... I recognise I need it anyway, it was only a matter of time.

I'd actually say that if it was anyone who had a problem with anyone, it would be you who had the problem with Vedt. Like you see him as some sort of threat or something.

"We'd best leave them to their work. Come on, I'll show you the caves where I encountered Lolth." Warfare said.

"Lolth! Your the one the beat her? Wow, I'm impressed." Arianna.

"I used Annilation, It was overkill." Warfare said. They walked over a neaby hill, and broke the laws of science as they arrived at the caves. They didn't enter, but they stood there watching. Then Warfare tleported them to Valshanth, in the courtyard.


They walked through the halls, Warfare hadn't visited Anna in while, and he decided to introduce his new friend. Arianna and warfare both felt nervous, and they weren't entirly sure why. Soon however, They found Anna.

"Mother, I haven't seen you in awhile, thought I'd come by and introduce my new friend, her name's Arianna." Warfare said.

"Pleased to meet you." Arianna said, with a curtsy.

Cougar thought about this for a moment,"Y'know.... I don't see him as a threat or something. I know full well he could destroy me in a second without trying. However, I dislike the fact that he changed. On the basis of things, I actually like him, he's got something about him I agree with... but then he changed it, so there you go"

***Valshanth***

The castle was bustling as they walked through the corridors. It had never looked so good or overdone when Warfare had been growing up. Anna was at the center of a bunch of staff, answering about 18 questions at a time when they found her.

"Warfare, good to have you home." She nods at Arianna. "Welcome to the Valshanth."

*Back to the servants* "No, the *such and such thing* goes *such and such a place* come on, most of you helped at my mother's coronation, so what's so hard about this?"

After a few minutes, she manages to extract herself from the crowd. "Gods of Chaos and Strife, you'd think that if one thing went wrong next week, the world would come to an end, by the way they're acting. In any event, I ought to have five minutes before the next wave hits. Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro, Arianna."

***Rendelmar***

...I guess it's just a perspective thing.

"Xal dosst dro tlu retlah d' brorn, Ussta Jallil. Niether of us have Domain over Chaos or Strife, so, we can't help you there. Congratulations on your Coronation though." Arianna said.

"So, other than the appearant coronation, what's been happening with you Mother?" Warfare said.

"What ever happens in my life, dalharuk? Paperwork...and the impending coronation. You are both invited to attend, should you want to. But do tell me, then, Arianna...what is it you have domain over?"

"Well, we're pretty sure I have domain over knowledge, and its possible I have Domain over Peace, which is totally opposite from the War domain. I only ascended three months ago when I defeated the Dark Goddess Illannith. I took all her powers and domains, not that I asked for them. Warfare says theirs a domain test he's going to administer here pretty soon, but first he wants me to get used to my powers." Arianna said.

All the flowers in Valshanth had gone into Full bloom, even the dead plants had come back to life to bloom. All of them had become much more richly colored and vibrant. The air had become to smell sweet by this time. It felt like perpetual spring. A strong feeling of love had decended upon the castle. Yes, this is what happens when two Gods fall in love, even if they can't admit it.

Anna nods, and the next wave of questions starts to descend on her.

"Well, looks like duties of state call to me..." She sighs. "Good luck, you two."

"Thank you." Arianna calls. They go back to the Divine Library, and Ariannd resumes reading.


OOC: Gotta go for dinner.

Anna goes back to the business of everyday (and special occasion) life in the Valshanth.

Since time does not flow in the Temple of Knowledge, Warfare and Arianna emerge later. Arianna's eyes seem glazed over as she recovers from having caught up to the level of any other diety of Knowledge. They sit outside the temple. Random rocks are scattered everywhere. They simply sit and enjoy the moment.

OOC: There's not really much to do, with SE not on. I'll prob start Anna's coronation Wed.

OOC: After anna gets crowned, I'm going to start the RP with Grahf, and after that thread is done, I'll marry Warfare and Arianna. The marriage RP will be a nice pleasant rest between Grahf, and whatever else gets cooked up next. Not by me, because we all know I'm going to do something later this year. I'm also going to do a mini-event in the white tower resurrecting Kajeenith.

OOC: Lol, Anna's first child gets married before she even considers havnig her second.

OOC:Monday or Tuesday, I'll probably start doing lead-ups to Grahf, the destroyer. Its during that RP that Warfare and Arianna will finally admit that they've fallen in love.

***Valshanth***

The castle was bustling as they walked through the corridors. It had never looked so good or overdone when Warfare had been growing up. Anna was at the center of a bunch of staff, answering about 18 questions at a time when they found her.

"Warfare, good to have you home." She nods at Arianna. "Welcome to the Valshanth."

*Back to the servants* "No, the *such and such thing* goes *such and such a place* come on, most of you helped at my mother's coronation, so what's so hard about this?"

After a few minutes, she manages to extract herself from the crowd. "Gods of Chaos and Strife, you'd think that if one thing went wrong next week, the world would come to an end, by the way they're acting. In any event, I ought to have five minutes before the next wave hits. Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro, Arianna."

***Rendelmar***

...I guess it's just a perspective thing.

Cougar smiled,"It is isn't it... in any case, I've got to get some food, I haven't eaten for about two days. See you later Shan"

Nine thirty. Third jungle room, which is good, because after we finish our training for the day, we get to continue building our treehouse.

Cougar laughed,"Alright, I'll see you later"

*One hour and fifty five minutes later*
Cougar arrived, having left most of his gear in his room. Clad only in a plain black jumpsuit, he waited

The rest of the students are already there. Some of the boys are roughousing, like boys do.

Vedt doesn't seem to be there.

9:31, a young girl rushes into class. She can't be any older than 25...looks a bit younger than that.

Shan -- "Good, now we can get moving, since everyone's here now."

Cougar looked around, picking out familar faces, most of whom he recognised in some capacity or another. He followed the rest of the group into the room

They go in and down a path. About five minutes later, they come to a clearing, and Vedt's in the center, sitting on a rock and reading.

"You're late."

*The girl who was late* I'm sorry, Teacher. I got lost.

V -- Cherin...it's still your first month here, it can pass. Don't look so nervous, child...we won't hurt you here. No matter what some students might tell you. *His glance flicks over to Shan.*

Today, you will all learn the limits of your magick...some of you remember this exercise, some of you don't. There will be no magick used. Instead, assume a meditative position...both physically and mentally, and look inside. You know what you are capable of...now you merely have to find that knowledge.

Cougar did as he was told quietly, without arguement and without trying to draw more attention than was needed. He crossed his legs in front of him, and closed his eyes. This exercise was slightly familar, being one of his earlier sessions with Renor

Nearly an hour passed, when all of a sudden, the girl who had cmoe in late began to convulse. After a fraction of a second, a massive burst of power shot out from her. The burst was contained by a counterspell of Vedt's but the child had started screaming.

"NAU! Usstan nym'uer mina! Usstan xuat ssinssrin ulu nym'uer mina...morfeth ol alu tarthe!"

V -- Shan.

Vedt teleports himself and the Cherin out, as Shan snaps out of his meditation and stands.

Cougar held his position, although he wanted to see what was going on. Later he decided silently to himself.

Looking inside himself, he saw the white rings around each of his cells, marks of his power. He looked deeper within himself, and saw that there was so much that be accomplished with his power, but he had to learn to tap it

Half an hour later, Vedt returned. Shan stood up to approach him, but the man just shook his head. Stunned, Shan sank back down to the ground, but didn't resume his meditations.

Cougar felt Vedt return, but remained in his position, comfotable in what he was doing

Vedt kneels beside Shan and speaks to him briefly, and Shan reassumes a meditative position.

The rest of the class passes without incident.

After three and a half hours, Cougar felt it was now time to leave this state that he had sunk into. It took a moment to begin to withdraw from his meditation, but as he opened his eyes, he felt much more... there was no word to describe it

The rest of the class was already up, but silent. As Cougar came out of it, Vedt gave a wave of dismissal, and the children went off in their different directions.

Vedt remained where he'd been.

Cougar turned to leave, and began to walk away. The class had been different to what he had expected, but also very educational to him. Vedt had been right, teaching was needed in his case. He stopped, and turned back,"Vedt, what actually happened during that session?"

"To you, or to Cherin?"

To Cherin

"It happens every now and again...very, very rarely. The meditation occasionally brings out the power all in a rush, or brings back haunting visions. Normally, this will mentally or physically harm the child, but we will be able to bring them back...sometimes, they are injured beyond repair...and other times, the strain is enough to kill them. Cherin will no longer be joining her classmates."

Cougar swept his palm across his chest. Although not a religious man at heart, he had the deceny to honour the fallen. In the back of his mind, a question posed itself,"Why did it have to happen to one so young?"

"Such is the nature of magick, Cougar...some will live...and some will be consumed by their own power. It can happen to the evil and the innocent alike. She should not have fallen, though...I never thought she would be one of the ones to die...I never expected her to live, either."

Maybe so... but why did you not expect her to live?

Vedt stiffened, then sighed.

"No secrets in Rendelmar, right? Very well. About thirty years ago, I had to leave Rendelmar on a long term mission...I moved to the town where I was supposed to be...even got married to appear like a normal man to all outside eyes. There was an accident shortly after I was done, near where I was...I broke the bonding spell, and returned, letting my wife think I was dead. Little did I know I had left behind a child, as well...We know where our children come from...she lost her mother just recently, and was powerful enough to be here. When I learned who her mother was...we are not supposed to have children, Cougar...so she could never know...but had I known when I left, what I would be leaving behind, I would never have returned...and Renor would have understood."

Cougar wanted to reach out and comfort the father of this now dead child, but he knew Vedt would not accept it coming from him. He instead stood where he was,"I know it's not much, but for what it's worth... I'm sorry"

Vedt nods.

"Pray, if you pray at all, that you never lose a child. Now go, unless you had a question pertaining to today's exercise...class is over."

Cougar nodded, and left Vedt to his own thoughts. As he walked, he made a concious decision to keep this information to himself. If he heard others talking about it, he would feign ignorance in the matter until the time was right. He didn't pray often, only to honour the fallen in the manner of his people, and when he was left with little alternative.

Having little to do, and not feeling like training despite the fact that he wanted to rebuild his physique, he went back to his room, collected his rifle, and found the sandroom, empty at this time. He sat down, opened the cleaning kit, and began to manipulate the sand around him whilst cleaning the weapon

Rhenna, Renor, and Vedt gather to burn the child's corpse in Rendelmarian custom.

The work took him longer than normal, as he cleaned everything to a better condition than normal. He finished it off with a weapons check, firing three silenced rounds, catching them in mid-air, and dropping them to the floor before collecting them and the casings and replaced everything in his room

As he's walking down the halls, he hears a steady, rhythmical sound.

Why does that sound familar to me?

He rounded a corner, and came upon Shan, once again bouncing his ball,"Is that all you ever do?"

"Mostly. Force of habit."

He smiled,"Each to their own I suppose. I used to go shooting alot, but theres nowhere truly suited to it in Rendelmar"

Of course there is. You just haven't found it yet. Everyone learns how to shoot.

You've learned from Konig... you'll be alright in shooting. And I'll find it one day, just not today

Yeah...I don't think it opens for you until you're forty five.

That's fair enough. Firearms are dangerous in the wrong hands

True enough. *K-tunk...k-tunk...k-tunk...(etc)*

Cougar just shook his head, and continued to wander the halls until night had fallen. When that had happened, he returned to the room, and slept well, but something didn't feel right

When he wakes, Rhenna still hasn't returned.

Vedt's class is in a training room at eleven.

Cougar, having finished his physical workout before the class, came with his hair still slightly damp from his quick shower. He once again wore a jumpsuit, but it was different, with intricate designes over one arm. He arrived slightly early once again

One of the children, a young boy, had already begun his lesson. As he swung a staff, Vedt caught him, straightend out his posture, and showed him how the motion was made. The other children were filing in.

Combat training? Should prove interesting to say the least

Cougar picked up a staff for himself, twirling it experimentally to gauge the weight and balance, before checking himself over

S -- You might want a bigger one...if it's too little for you, it tends to flip out and cause you trouble...it's just how they're made.

*He spins one around*

Cougar thought about it, and changed it,"I'm not normally a staff man, but I can do it well enough. Willing?"

"Sure." Shan selects a spot to spar, and plants his feet shoulder width apart, holding the staff horizontally in front of him.

Cougar smiled, knowing Shan was better than the rest by some way... you didn't be descended from Haldosir and have nothing to show for it. He brought his staff up, and took the first strike

Shan caught the attack easily, then used the force of Cougar's own blow to let him spin around and strike at Cougar's side with the other end of the staff.

Cougar brought his staff back to block the blow, and used the impact to cause the other end to twirl round on itself, heading back for Shan's ribs

The child merely ducked under the blow, whipping his staff around and across, looking to knock Cougar's feet out from under him.

On a normal day, Cougar wouldn't have thought twice about jumping over the blow and striking back. On this day though, something different was also there. As the blow came towards him, time seemed to slow, and the scene seemed to change.

I have no son....

The next thing Cougar knew, he was on the floor, his shoulder clicking as he crashed heavily into the ground

Shan was standing back up in a heartbeat.

"Are you okay?"

I feel alright... but something strange just happened

How about we stop for the day? Maybe you're still not up to this.

No, I'm fine, really. I need to do this

Shan flicked his gaze off to the side for a moment, then nodded.

"If you say so..." He resumed a defensive stance.

*******************
Vedt caught Shan's gaze...he had seen Cougar take the fall...he knew that Cougar shouldn't have taken that fall. He would be watching.

He hadn't missed that glance, but he paid it no heed. Instead, he resumed his stance, and attacked again, although to all watching it was apparant that his moves were more agressive, as if truly fighting rather than sparring for learning purposes

As his aggressiveness increased, Shan's rose to match...but how long could he hold out...as he wasn't entirely trained...and he was much smaller than Cougar? The only thing that kept him in this fight was his speed...but even the fastest can miss a step...

As he fought, Cougar's vision was one of his father laughing at him, calling the same words over and over again in his mind,I have no son... I have no son...

Eventually, it just became too much, and in an outburst of anger not seen by many present, Cougar brought his own staff down on Shan's with such force that it splintered in the middle. A sliver shot up, nicking his cheek and drawing blood in the process

The very force of the blow sent Shan two feet up in the air and five feet back. He did an aerial somersault, and landing on his feet, he held his now worthless staff out in front of him.

Vedt stepped up. "That is enough, Cougar...put the staff away."

Cougar did as he was told, placing the staff calmly back on the rack. It was taking a supreme effort to remain calm and collected in his mind, but he managed it,"With your permission Vedt, I'd like to take some time out"

Vedt guestured to the sidelines.

"Speak with me after class."

Cougar nodded, and sat down heavily, taking a swig from his water bottle, and leaning his head against the wall,What happened to me out there?