NationStates Jolt Archive

"Gre'as'anto lu' verve dro," says Arel to the Master in the traditional Kaymirilian greeting. "Kaymiril is a long way from here...I am not surprised that you haven't heard of it."

"Ahh well. Roy calls me the Master instrument maker, but I doubt it, I am good, but then a lot of people say I am a master, so I guess its true, after all, if everyone else is wrong, and your the onlyone right, it might be time to re-organize your thoughts. Would you care to see a few instruments?" Howard asks.

He goes to a cabinet, and shows Arel a Lyre, a Lute and several other instruments, all of them of Masterwork Quality. Each one has ornate decrative patterns on it.

"I've chosen Purplehart for your New Lute Roy. It is quite hard to work with, but the wood itself can withstand a lot." Howard says.

He shows the wood to Roy and Arel, the wood is Purple, naturally, with no Magic or Druidry what so ever.

"Your going to have to stay a few days while I complete it of course." Howard says.

"I'm okay with that, are you?" Roy asks Arel.

OOC: Purplehart actually does exist, and it really is Purple, naturally. It is also extremly hard.

She nods. "That's fine."

"Great, No time like the present to get started." Howard says. he pauses for a minuet.

"Roy, Arel, I need your help to accomplish this. I'm not as young or as spritely as I once was." Howard says.

He seems almost to be in a slight amount of pain, but wheter or not is from asmitting he needs help, or something else is hard to tell.

Roy looks shocked, Howard's never asked for help before.

"Sure, are you okay?" Roy asks.

"I told you I was retiring before the reaper retired me forcefully didn't I? Besides, You've never gotten an instrument for free." Howard says.

Roy goes over, ready to help. He gives Arel a worried look, this isn't like Howard.

"What do you need? If you're in pain, I have some things in my bag."

She goes over to help, as well.

Bah, pains nothing. I would really be in pain if I couldn't at least finish this by the end of the day. Anyways, lets get started." Howard says.

He gives Roy some commands, Arel another. He works all three of them hard, and by the time he calls a break for Lunch, the Lute is 5% finished. Along the way, he passes on some of his secrets for making masterwork instruments.

"So, what would you like for Lunch, I have a good variety of cured meats sitten in the strange cooling contraption a passing salesman insisted I needed. I only bought one to make him go away. I must admith though, food does stay fresher longer." Howard asks.

"You got any ham?" Roy asks.

"Why yes i do, freshly cured and smoked yesterday. in the bottom of, what was it called again, oh yes, a Refriderator." Howard says. He sits at a wrighting desk and writes on some parchment there. He keeps whatever he writes secret.

"Make me one while your at it. What about you Arel? What'll you have?" Howard asks.

She shakes her head. "I ate something this morning, so I'm good until tonight."

"okay." Roy says.

He gives Howard a delicious looking Ham snadwich. Howard keeps writing, but does seem to eat it.
Eventually, he puts the pen down, and calls a return to work.

He givs yet more directions to Arel and Roy. when he calls a stop for the night, it appears 25 percent done.

"Allright, we've made some progress. Arel, what do you want for Dinner?" Howard asks. He goes back to his writing Desk, whatever he's writing seems important to him, but he still keeps it secret.

"Don't forget to make me some, you two make it." Howard says.

Arel laughs. "I'll see what there is to make, and then I'll cook for all of us. He's still learning."

She heads off into the kitchen. She sees the oven/stove and the refrigerator, and then the fireplace.

"That works better." She then finds what there is to make, and comes out of the kitchen half an hour later with three plates. She puts one down next to Howard, and hands another to Roy.

"There's a bit more made, if you're still hungry afterward."

"Thank goodness, I wouldn't trust Roy to cook anything properly. *after extenseve sapling, which involved eating half the plate* Tastes pretty good." Howard says.

He resumes his writing.


Roy shakes his head. Then he eats his own plate.

"It is pretty good Dear, like Always." Roy says almost absent mindedly.

Eventually, Howard sets down the pen, seals his writing, and unlocks his bedroom door. He Motions to another Door.

"That's the guest bedroom. Have a good night." Roy says. His plate is empty and in the sink. Its early for Roy and Arel, but late for him.

"Good night." Roy says, Howard closes his bedroom door, while waving goodnight.

"Good night." She sets her fork on the plate. "It felt odd, cooking indoors."

Roy looks at the desk, he can plainly see Howards scroll he was writing on. It was plainly marked:

"Last Will and Testament."

Roy seems a little depressed after seeing that.

He sits down, and puts his head in his hands. The last person he could call Family was going to die.

"We all have to die someday, Roy. And we all have to prepare for that eventuality."

"I know, its just, I've known him so long. I thought when I was younger that he would live forever. I knew he was going to die, but, I was never willing to admit it, even to myself." Roy says.

"A lot of people knew him. He always made instruments, and was always a Judge at the great compition. To lose him, well, its like watching an unsinkable ship sink. No one can believe it at first, but after awhile, we get over it, and move on, I'm just in the intial stage of Shock." Roy says.

She walks over to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. "He's not dead yet. Still...I know roughly what you're feeling. Our great healer died not so long ago...Aras...she'd been there since anyone could remember...and no one saw her death coming...especially not in combat."

Roy lets out a breath.

"Well, I'm going to bed, the bed is really big, with lots of room for both of us." Roy says. He gives Arel an embrace, even a kiss on the check, then disappears to the guest room.

Arel goes and cleans the dinner dishes before heading off to bed.

The morning greets them with the smell of cooked oats.

Howard fixed some oatmeal for breakfast.

"Ehh, Gruel, fun." Roy says as he wakes up. He goes to a seperate room, changes, and heads out to a second day of work.

Arel had already been up for some time -- she only needed four hours of sleep a night, and was already out and downstairs when Roy woke up.

Its another day of the same, only things go quicker today, when the day is over and finished with, the lute is 75% done. It looks finished, bur Howard insists that some fine tuning needs to be done.

Roy sits down Weary after Dinner.

"Whew, never knew Lute making was so hard." Roy says. Howards already in bed.

"We actually did the hard part yesterday. I wonder how purplehart resonates..."

"I don't know, we'll find out tomorrow." Roy says.

"I suppose so. I know that hardwoods are preferred for instruments...but too hard, and I'd think it wouldn't sound quite right."

"I don't know myself, I generally have a willow, or Ash, sometimes even Oak." Roy says.

"Willow's softwood, and sounds kind of reedy. I like mahogany. It's pretty and it resonates beautifully. Then again, I don't know what our instrument makers do with it."

"Well, remember what Howard had us doing, I suppose that might have been a clue." Roy says.

"No...there are certain things they have to do first to treat the wood, and make it ready for use."

"Well, this the first lute I've ever made."

"Me too. I normally buy my instruments, and let the professionals make them."

"Quite an experience, ehh?"

"Indeed."

Well, I'm sure by ourselves and instructions we could have made a decent one, I'm glad we had expert instruction though. Heorgh, I'm tired, goodnight." Roy says.

He goes in to bed, and resumes his normal four hour elven sleeping pattern, having completly recovered from the fight. When he awakes, he sits, and waits for company

Arel'd gone to sleep shortly after Roy had, but had woken up before him again, unaccustomed to sleeping indoors.

She was sewing something or other -- presumably some gaudy outfit for some future preformance.

"Well, good morning." Roy says.

Howards Door cracks open.

"Well, lets get some breakfast made, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one excited about finishing the Lute." Howard says.

He goes to the table, oblivious of the fact no breakfast was made yet, and started the final touches himself to finish the Lute and make it sound good.

Roy sighs, and goes to help.

Arel goes and makes a quick breakfast that's rather like a pita stuffed with fruit. She gives it to them wrapped up tightly enough that they won't make a mess of it, then helps as well.

Howard led them through the final steps, including the decrative delicate wood carvings in the side. Then, he took the lute himself, and carved his seal in the Back, then played a merry little tune in celebration. All in all, it only took half the day.

"Since the day is half gone, stay the night, I insist, My last visitor came, twenty years ago." Howard says.

"Twenty years? That seems a very long time."

"That's still when the last visitor crossed my Doorstep. My, I feel, tired. That took a lot out of me." Howard says.

"You want a nap?" Roy asks.

"That sounds like a winner." Howard says.

"Well, go take a quick Hour." roy says.

"Okay." Howard says.

He goes in, to take a quick hour nap.

Arel plucks a few notes out of her lyre.

An hour passes, then two, at the start of the third, Roy goes and checks on Howard. Soon, Arel can hear Roy quietly sobbing in Howards bedroom.

He comes out.

"He's, dead." Roy says.

Arel goes and embraces Roy, comforting him.

"Then the least we should do for him is to take care of his funeral."

Roy opens the Will.

It says many things.

"I, Howard civius the third, being of a clear state of mind, set my Last wishes down on paper.

First, when I die, Bury me underneath the Cottonwood tree behind my house. I have many centures of Fond memories beneath that tree. Carve a decent headstone into the trunk.

Second, I have no Children, and thus no one to leave my possessions with.
Thus, I declare them to be donated to charites that can use them, except:

My instrument tools are to go to Roy Haelbringer the second, as are all my books, and the Twin Harps.

Third, Donate my House to the healers, I have great respect for Healers, and wish I could have been one. In this manner, at least I can still help in some manner.

Fourth, please spread the news of my passing at the next Barding competition, I had many friends there, and don't want to leave them in the Dark.

Fifth, My fortune is to go to the poor. Money is a worthless pursuit, however, it is necessary for todays world.

Finally, do not mourn for me, for I have lead a good life, and lookforward to my rest. I will not fight Death, I will not be stubborn, I will go willingly and peacefully when i die.

Signed,

Howard Civius the Third."

"Well, time to break out the Shovels." Roy said with tears in his eyes.

Arel nods. "You start on that. I'll make him a shroud."

Roy digs a deep grave.

Arel sews and enchants a shroud (Since there isn't any time to make a proper coffin), then prepares the old carpenter for burial.

When she's placed him in the shroud and sewn it shut, she levitates the old man a little and has Sussun carry him out.

"May you rest in peace." Roy says.

"dust to dust, ashes to ashes, return to that from which you came." roy chants, the first part of a guarding spell. He plays a very sad very depressing Thernody about Death on his new Lute. The Grave flashes once. Then Roy lays Howard in the Grave, and fills the Grave. The Seal of Eternal Death rests on top in little blades of Grass. Howards rest would never, ever be disturbed.

Roy goes inside, and breaks down completly, and can't be brought to any sense of composure for at least an hour.

Arel casts a different spell on the tree, and Howard's name appeared, and beneath that, some musical notes.

She then goes and sits with Roy...not urging him to composure...just letting him mourn.

Roy Eventually gets up, gathers his inheritance, and calls somebody else to take care of the rest.

"If I stay here any longer, I, I don't know what I would do." Roy says.

A healer comes in.

"You called, this house is yours, follow the directions in this will. Howard is dead and buried, and I am the Roy mentioned in there, and have my inheritance." Roy says.

"HOWARD DIED!" The Healer exclaims. He sits, shocked. He was one of Howards best friends.

"Aye, it'll be done." The Healer says.

Roy goes outside, A large bag of Holding on his shoulder. He seems ready, needing to leave this place.

Arel picks up her bag, and walks out, activating her glider and waiting for Roy to step on.

Roy steps on. Silent.

Arel takes them away.

Roy will remaine silent for quite sometime.

She lets him. Silence is her way of life, between preformances.

Roy opens the Bag, two Harps can be seen, hand holdable harps, slightly bigger than a Lyre. the look exactly alike in every way, shape, and Form. They are the Twin Harps. They are made from Mithril, Dwarven Forged Mithril, and have Gold designs on them. Pure, Gold. The Strings are of an unknown type, and feel really soft and plyable. Roy plucks one, both Harps sound the same note, even though Roy only plucked one Harp.

"That's what he meant by Twin Harp ehh? I always wondered about that." Roy says. He puts the Harp away.

"That's interesting...I wonder why he did that."

"Oh, they were Artifacts made by his teacher, a Dwarven Bard, who was also a Master Black Smith. The Dwarf worked many enchantments into the Harps. These Harps have many powers, and cannot be trusted in just any hands. I wonder who I will pass them onto when I die." Roy says.

She shrugs. "You'll know when the time comes."

"Now, to get us to Kaymiril." Roy says.

"Hold one, and just Hold it. I know how to work them a little, but really I'll have to spend quite a bit of time with them to really master them. Howard was always so friendly because he knew he could stop anyone with his Twinharps." Roy says.

He hands one to Arel, it feels Heavy but Light at the same time. It is remarkably easy to Hold. Arel can feel its powers running through her. The fact the Roy trusts her to hold one, says volumes about how much he trusts, and loves her.


Roy pulls the other one out. He plays a song he never played around Arel before. Reality Ripples, and their just outside of Mithdelmar, where Roy originally teleported them. He takes both Twinharps, and puts them away. He casts a hiding spell on the Bag. Only he can see it and know where its at. He ties the bag to his back.

She looks at her hands. "I've never held an instrument quite that heavily enchanted before..."

"Normally, I'm just your average Bard, weak Magic, great entertaining skills. Through the Twin Harps, I become as powerful as any Wizard. There are a whole Slew of Twinharp songs that Howard and the Dwarven Bard created that have effects simillar to spells, but half of them require both Harps, playing in unison, but I can only play one at a time." Roy said.

**************************************************************

In a tottaly unrelated matter:

That night, as everyone slept, all those that had ever come into contact with Warfare would have a similar Dream.

Warfare, as a young Child, a young Drow Child, when he was still Anna's child, would run up to said person and beg them to protect him from Kajeenith, that if Kajeenith knew he still existed he would Die a horrible death.

Anna and Arianna however, shared a diffrent dream, the exact same Dream, for it was a mass Dream, split between the two of them.

Warfare ran up, like in the previous Dream, only he was a fully grown Adult.

He spoke: "Mother, my Precious Arianna, do not cry for me for I am not Dead. This is all a part of my plan to defeat Kajeenith. Protect and Hide My soul from the coming Storm of darkness."

Behind Warfare boiled a storm unlike any seen before. It was black, and composed of Dark Energy. What it consumed, was never seen again, and it wanted Warfare. Kajeenith could be seen riding the storm, his Evil Laughter filled their ears, when the Dream would suddenly stop. Kajeenith's Evil Laughter would still ring in their ears for a while.

"Well, it certainly is a difficult matter to play two harps at a time. We only have two arms, and the harp is a two-handed intstrument, like most."
**************************************************************
Anna woke up as the last strains of Kajeenith's laughter faded. She'd only managed two hours of sleep, but she didn't care. She stood, and went to the her office. She'd been neglecting her work of late, and it was time to finally do it.

Her mother came in, shaking her head. "Dalhar, you'll kill yourself, working like this. What wakes you at such a time?"

K -- "A dream, mother...or maybe a vision. I know not which. I merely know that there is something that must yet be done...something that is not yet complete."

When Costh woke up, he could still remember his dream, something that was for him at least quite rare. As he thought about it he decided, and while resting his hand on the hilt of the sword that would become his symbol of office, swore to protect Warfare.

OOC: Alright, Kay, I'm going to timeskip to C waking up from that dream.

IC: Cougar woke with a start, and shook himself slightly. That dream had been... well, odd. He knew that Warfare had been part Drow, but why did he have this dream?

He got up, looking at Rhenna and sighing. The things he had put her through had made her closed to him... he couldn't read her. He stroked his hand through her hair just once, and then went to take a wash. He needed it.

Rhenna woke soon after...more accurately, opened her eyes. She hadn't really been asleep, she hadn't really been awake. She knew he was worried about her...his actions said that much, but she couldn't feel it. Not much of a surprise, she couldn't feel much of anything.

She got up, changed, and left the room. Her first class started soon enough.

When he came out, he saw she had gone. She was right, he was worried about her. More than usual... now he knew how she felt when he went quiet... like he had a few weeks before. He dressed in his normal clothes, and went about his buisness for the day. They weren't avoiding each other... but something like that put strain on a relationship, he knew that much

Classes were again grueling. They would remain that way until the students got accustomed to the new level of work.

This level, whilst gruelling, was something he had adapated to... well, at least to a degree

After class, the students were dismissed. Most of the Drow students hurried out.

Cougar stayed put, waiting until the last had left before approaching Vedt,"I just want to say thank you for yesterday"

The mage shook his head. "You've nothing to thank me for yet. We took her to her own little corner of Hell and left her there...we still don't know what the effects will be, or what she might do."

"I hated doing it... but it was the only way I think we were going to get through to her"

"Well...we'll see how it works out. She came back so badly broken that she can no longer completely hide it...and now the children will take care of most of the rest."

He stood there with his hands steepled, almost contemplatively.

"We can only hope... it's never been this quiet in my head before... the feeling is not one I could claim to enjoy... I hope we did the right thing"

R -- *Entering* "The right thing? Doubtful. But what's done is done, your course is set, and now you must run it."

Cougat looked at him,"Could you have suggested a better course of action?"

"I would have let her distance herself by about a month. She is not human, Cougar, to feel the need to rush everything, nor is she Drow, to just accept everything that happens. Dragons rarely care for any creature...but when they lose that which they care for -- and as Drow attatch more easily, so has her Dragon half -- they hurt deeply. Yes, it is something she needed to accept...but the way the two of you went about it may have done her more harm than good."

"Maybe I should just leave... I always do more harm than good"

V -- "Leaving isn't an option you have. You married her. And now you would leave her to deal with it on her own?"

R -- *Coldly* "Leave him be, Vedt. If the human heart is this weak, perhaps it is for the best."

The Black Master turned to leave. At the door, he paused. "Never mind that if he leaves her now, it will kill her." He then vanished.

"I deserved that"

"Yes, you did."

"I have no intention of leaving her... god only knows how many times I've told her that recently..."

"Then why all the doubt?"

"Why all the doubt in my mind? Why I doubt if we did the right thing, why I doubt if we'll ever be the same again, why I doubt that you and I did the right thing? It's human nature, we judge our existence based on pain and doubt and fear. Without those things, we aren't human"

"Your humanity is going to be the end of you. While we may not have done the right thing, we took action. She will get better. She may have gotten worse before she gets better, but everything has been set in motion. Your continued part is to be there for her...and not to give up."

"Humanity be my end? Quite possibly... but I don't think it will just yet. I've never given up on her before... and I'm not going to now.

"Good. Or its next nearest cousin."

Cougar smiled a strained smile,"She may come to you before me... you two are closer than we are... I envy you at times"

"Bear in mind that we've been friends and confidants since I was this tall."

He holds his hand to just above waist level.

"Still, I envy you... hopefully one day, I'll have that sort of thing... but until then..."

He turned to leave, letting the last words hang in the air

"Until then, she still has her family."

He smiled slightly,"Lucky her"

He left, not really knowing where he was going

*Musingly* All of this...then Lolth...right after Kajeenith's coming...then Warfare's death...and now that dream. Too much to be coincidence...and like everything else, this probably has at least one more turn for the worse.

Cougar spent the rest of his day working on the techniques he'd been learning in class, before finally returning to the room late at night, prehaps around ten.

She isn't there.

Kajeenith stood atop his fortress-temple.

Kaymiril is bound to declare War on me. Watching her own son die probably wasn't easy for her, nor was it for me, for now I am without Equal. There are those more powerful than me, and those less powerful than me, but no one right at my level.

I must take action first before Kaymiril and Snake Eaters attacks me. I know Snake Eaters only helped Kaymiril, but all the same, the allies of my enemies are my enemies.

"Let the Mortal hunt begin." Kajeenith said to himself.

He decided, he knew what countries he would first target.

He only had to wait, until the proper time.

He didn't worry about too much... he knew she wanted her time, and how he couldn't feel it. He still felt crap for having done what he had done... perhaps he should have left it.

Vedt was right... my humanity will be the death of me

He lay down, and slid into sleep. It was quiet in his mind that night, with little bothering him

Rildorath was standing, leaning against the wall. He, Haldosir, and Nervim were with the Queen, planning.

"You know...in the old days, it was said that many gods had crafted the world, and then they left mortals to do with as they would. Even Lloth, whose evil clutches we fled from, only directly interfered rarely, and never on our level...even though your ancestor would have felt her gaze."

K -- "But the ancient gods that crafted the world were not the bloodthirsty monster whose shadow even now looms over us."

H -- "True. The Dark Gods claimed victory only to the strong, and no mercy to the weak."

K -- "But we will not be weak. His armies are cut down in size, I know this much already. But those he still has are strong."

N -- "However, with evil comes division. Evil is greedy, always wanting more power. That will make his followers untrusting of each other...and might even cause him to kill off some of his own."

R -- "Evil is untrusting."

H -- "Exactly. And there are many weapons against the dark gods at your disposal, highness. You merely need to discover them from among those spells you know."
**************************************************************
***Rendelmar***

Rhenna comes in later. Part of the numbness had been broken through...the children of Rendelmar were more adept at this than the adults...simply because of their innocent, caring natures.

She laid down beside her husband and went to sleep.

About four in the morning, he woke and sat up. He didn't know what had caused it, but he stayed awake. Looking over, he saw how far, in relative terms, she was from him. He sighed slightly, and brought up the holographic display that showed the latest news from Snake Eaters. It helped him to concentrate,"Show all recorded cases of the Nurgle's Rot virus in the past twelve months"

He was worried about her, but another nagging worry sat in his mind. He wanted to know why Nurgle was attacking Snake Eaters... if he didn't find it, they could all be in trouble

She slept through it. Dreams flitted through her sleep like shadows, but nothing enough to wake her.

His search found nothing substantial,"Display all warp storm activity in the region"

A map appeared, with four or five splotches displaying areas that it was dangerous to traverse using the warp... or normal sublight travel. He sighed, seeing that a world had been cut off by them... not an important one, but still... it didn't feel good to be cut off... he knew that

She woke up, opening her eyes. She'd gotten four solid hours of sleep. She didn't move, though.

He noticed her move out of the corner of his eye, and looked down at her, then his watch,"Morning"

"Good morning."

"How are you feeling?"

She takes a moment to think about this. "I'm not, really."

So I noticed...

"I see"

"It isn't right, is it?"

"What isn't right?"

"That I can't feel anything."

"It's your way of dealing with it... I should have been more sensetive to you"

She lets the silence hang for a minute. When she speaks again, her voice is barely audible.

"You left...and you didn't come back."

"I know... I hated it... but I didn't know where it was"

"But why'd you leave? You said you wouldn't."

"I know... Vedt teleported me away... I didn't want to leave you to have to face it alone... I wanted to be there"

"I couldn't take it. I could see it all again...*at this point, her voice starts to waver* ...feel it all again...and I just didn't want to hurt anymore."

He moved close to her,"It's my fault.. I just wanted you to heal... but I should've realised I couldn't help. I was selfish"

"I know you wanted to help...but it takes time to heal. You should know that."

"I know... I just hated seeing you like that... you had me worried constantly... scared me"

She turns over to look at him for the first time in this conversation. He began to feel from her again...still a pain, but a duller pain. She didn't say anything...just looked into his eyes.

He felt the pain rising in the back of his mind. He wanted to hold her, to make it better as best he could, so badly... but he didn't know how to do it. It was like his limbs refused to adhere to his commands. He sat there, not far from her, looking back at her

"You scare me, too, sometimes."

"I know... I wish I didn't though"

She sits up. "You can't help your job, or its dangers. I can't help mine, either."

"I know... but still"

"You make it look so easy...to heal, to move on..."

His eyes fell,"It's not... I just pretend that it is... part of what I grew up as... if you let the pain take over, then it just hurts. If anything, I'm worse than you"

She reaches out to touch the backs of her fingers to his cheek, trying to discern what, exatly, he meant.

"Rhenna... I was so scared, so worried about you... I lost sight... You think I heal easily... I don't. Still, the nightmares return to plague me... again, and again... and again. I've never let myself completly heal because to do so would destroy me... I had to be strong, always the strongest... and to see you in the state you were... I never thought I could see you in that state... and it scared the living hell out of me. Everyone said it would take time... but then when Vedt told me what you could be like, I freaked out... I just didn't want you to die"

She shook her head. "I wasn't going to die. I -- we -- lost something very important...but there is still too much to live for."

"But everything you did... it seemed that way from my perspective"

She nods. "You acted on what you saw...but you should have known better, James."

"I know I should've known better... and I'm sorry. When it came to it... I hate myself for it"

"Don't hate yourself, James. How could I love someone that you hate?"

He thought about this for a moment, before his fist connected sharply with the wall, the bones in his hand crunching under the force of the impact,"I'm so stupid"

"If the sound of that was any indication, I'd say you've just proven that."

He examined his hand. It was swollen slightly, and bruised... possible fractures. Nothing too serious,"I know that... this takes my mind away from it all"

She raises an eyebrow.

You take me back there so I can 'deal with it,' and then you purposely go and injure yourself to 'take your mind away from it all.'

"I know... it's the complete opposite... it's like I can't do anything right anymore... all I wanted was to help... but instead, I may have done more damage"

She sighs. "Give me your hand."

He held it out. It was quite obviously broken in two places, hairline fractures. The bruising and the swelling weren't all that bad, but large enough to be noticable

She takes his hand gently. His bones snap back into place, and they heal, while the other damage starts mending itself.

"With time...or a little bit of help...all things heal. It might scar...but scars only exist to show us where we've been, and how far we've come."

"But what if that little bit of help is far in excess of what it should be?"

She releases his hand.

"Then, in some cases, it can be devastating."

She nodded toward the headboard, where his fist had gone through, and motioned for him to move back. When he did, she did, and cast a spell. The hole mended itself...but then it kept on. The wood began to crack and warp, before it finally exploded, bouncing harmlessly off a sheild she'd put up.

He took the message in. Too much help was dangerous... and that was exactly what he had done. Tried too hard... and accomplished something at the cost of something else. He just looked at her, not knowing what to say

She doesn't look at him. With a wave of her hand, the splinters disappear. With another spell, the headboard is repaired.

"But broken things can still be fixed."

"Are we broken?"

"I do'nt know...I don't want us to be..."

"Neither do I... it's the last thing I want"

She nods. "Then let's not be."

He hesitated briefly, then kissed her. Just once. He had no idea of how this would go down

She just lets him kiss her for a moment, then kisses him back.

The relief was instant. His entire body relaxed... and he began to remember some of the things that made this woman so special to him, this not-withstanding

She sensed him relax, and let the kiss linger.

Behind his eyelids, images flashed on his mind, replaying good times from his fairly short life... a large number centred on her as it happened. He let the kiss linger a moment longer, then broke it softly

She looked at him. Her eyes had lost much of the hollowness and regained some of the brightness that was normally there.

He looked back, seeing the change in her eyes, glad that it was there. His eyes also had regained some of the light in them, not of the White Flame, but of the sort that showed who a person was

"You look like you're feeling better."

He touched her cheek lightly with his fingertips,"So do you"

She smiles slightly. "Then maybe I am."

He traced her smile, however slight it was,"It's good to see you smile."

"There hasn't been reason to, lately...I haven't felt reason to."

"I know... that's why it's good"

**Later that day**

When Cougar got to class, he would notice that Vedt wasn't there...and that whatever they were learning ought to be challenging, as it was Renor himself that was covering for him.

Oh, this is going to be interesting

As he thought this, he sat down, waiting to see what happened

"Today we are going to be covering the practical applications of a form of casting that you studied a few weeks ago. Vedt is not here to take you through that, so I will. This form of casting is very different to what you have learned up to this point, and to be honest, some of you will never quite understand it. Others of you will find you prefer it."

Oh god, not this again. I didn't understand the theory... let alone the practical applications.

Cougar tried nevertheless, but it was obvious from the start that this was not a form of using magick that he was going to get. Although he made the effort, valiently and without complaint, he just couldn't get it. He attributed it to a combination of less time spent learning magick, and also his own style

Cougar wasn't the only one who didn't get it. Only a handful of students in the entire age group grasped the concept of casting it well enough to come anywhere close to success that class.

"We will work on this again tomorrow. Until then, go along."

Cougar suppressed the urge to sigh, knowing full well that Renor would hear him... and after the previous days encounter, not drawing attention to himself, becoming the grey man despite his race. It was something he could do well in any situation. He left, and then, having stepped up his training in all areas, decided to take the afternoon off. He didn't know why... he decided that, having worked far later and longer than normal, that he could afford one day. Still, he wasn't inactive for long. Less than two hours had passed, and he was back to his training

That night when he gets back to the room, Rhenna's sitting on the bed, getting some last bit of work or other done.

He came back about half nine, his hair matted slightly from his training,"Good evening"

She looks up at him and smiles slightly. "Good evening."

He kissed her softly,"Please excuse me, I need a shower"

She kisses him back. "It looks like it. Go on."

He smiled, and went into the bathroom. She could hear the sounds of running water, and a slight gasp from him as the hot water hit one of the bruises that he had sustained. His training was very physical... no wonder he had bruises all over.

After about fifteen minutes, he emerged, clothed to the waist, rubbing his hair with a towel. He smiled at her, and removed the towel, revealing his now almost brown hair, darkened by the water. It was slightly tousled, but otherwise normal. On his left hand side was the scar from his last mission, the one he hadn't told her about. It was still slightly red, but had healed nicely

She'd have fussed at him for not saying anything about the cut, but she'd decided that the man just liked pain.

"Feel better?"

"Much. The magick of a shower, it can help like nothing else"

"True."

Some of those bruises didn't seem to agree, though.

He seemed to read her thoughts, and indicated the bruises,"What, these? Hot water and fresh bruises... not a good combination"

"What do you do with yourself during the day to wind up like that in the evenings?"

He smiled,"My training is very physical. Throwback to when I was learning my trade"

He flared briefly, letting the bruises subside,"Luckily, I can do that now"

"True. That makes it more convenient."

"Much more," he said, sitting on the bed, still drying his hair. He teleported the towel back into the bathroom, and summoned a loose shirt over. Having slipped this on, he sat with his legs stretched along the bed,"And how are you? Honestly"

"I think that I can honestly say I'm okay, for the first time since I got back."

Roy was with Arel, when a message arrived. It came as a trained, intelligent bird not native to Kaymiril. It delivered its message, and waited for a reply.

The Message read:

"Dearest Roy Haelbringer II,

We are proud to announce our decision to make you this years head Judge at this years Master Bard competition. As head Judge you will of course recive a handsome pay, and have the responsibility of selecting the other four judes, subject to our approval.

Yours,

The International Bards Association."

Roy looked at Arel.

"I have been selected as the Head Judge at this years Master Bard association. I have to select another Four Judges, will you be one?" Roy asked.

"Umm...all right. How does one judge bards?"

"Well, as a Bard yourself, you judge them based oncertain time tested standerds.

For instance, in the singing category, Their based on their ability to carry a note, range, body movements done while singing, a variety of things, the performers are given the cryteria before each performance. Its real fun to watch, and fun to perform in. As a judge, you even get paid." Roy said.

He wrote on the bottom portion his acceptance, and his nomination of Arel. The Bird flew away with the reply.

"Well, sounds doable."

OOC: Holy crap guys, look at how far this has come.

"And now we wait." Roy says.

He picks a nice shady tree, and strums his Lute. It sounds wonderful

Arel sits under the tree as well, not far from him, and smiles slightly. He seems happy with it.

The Bird returns, and lands infront of Arel, with a Note for her.

"Dearest Lady Arel,

We are happy to notify you that you have been nominated b Master Bard Roy Haelbringer to be a Judge at this years Master Bard competition.

Before we can accept his Nomination, and ask you to attend, we must first ask you a few Questions.

1) How are Bards veiwed in your country?

2) What, and where is your country?

3) What is a Bards responsibility?

4) What is your opinion of The Dark Bard? (A very nasty Bard who uses his talents to control people)

5) Do you specialise in any one area?

6) If you have family and or friends competing this year, do you feel you can be honest and Fair, not only with them, but with all Performers?

Please be honest. We will have a Paladin reveiw your responses. Remember, this works because you leave a little bit of your soul in everything you write. (OOC: Gee, wonder where I got that from?)

Yours,
The International Bard association."

There was space underneath to respond.

"Hey, their quick." Roy says.

"It appears so. Well, I'd better answer." She takes out a quill and inkwell.

"Dearest Lady Arel,

We are happy to notify you that you have been nominated b Master Bard Roy Haelbringer to be a Judge at this years Master Bard competition.

Before we can accept his Nomination, and ask you to attend, we must first ask you a few Questions.

1) How are Bards veiwed in your country?

Bards are travelling entertainers, and while the common man will greet the bard openly, the upper classes see us as little more than scum.

2) What, and where is your country?

My country is Kaymiril, located on Terra.

3) What is a Bards responsibility?

As I said before, we are primarily entertainers. In times of battle, we can also be called upon to fight, and to help give direction to armies. Sometimes we'll also be called in to lift the heart of one in sorrow.

4) What is your opinion of The Dark Bard? (A very nasty Bard who uses his talents to control people)

I have never heard of such a one, but a bard who misuses his abilities should never be able to hold an instrument again...if he persists, he should be incarcerated...and if that does not work, then he should be killed. An evil bard is unacceptable.

5) Do you specialise in any one area?

I specialize in tragic ballads, but can do anything, like any bard worth his or her salt.

6) If you have family and or friends competing this year, do you feel you can be honest and Fair, not only with them, but with all Performers?

I have no family competing, and as far as I know, no friends. I can and will be honest and fair with all preformers, no matter race, gender, creed, religion, or ability.

Please be honest. We will have a Paladin reveiw your responses. Remember, this works because you leave a little bit of your soul in everything you write. (OOC: Gee, wonder where I got that from?)

Yours,
The International Bard association."

Arel signed her name to the paper, then sent it off with the bird.

The Bird returns again.

"Dear Lady Arel,

We invite you to attend the competion as a Judge. A salary is paid to all Judges in Pure Gold Bullion.

If you accept, we will transport you and a guest out to the competiton.

Yours,
The International Bads association"

There was a pair of boxes underneath, one was marked attend another was marked Don't attend. A line said to mark only one.

Arel marks the box that says she will attend.

"They are fast."

"Well, I've had limited dealings with them in the past, but they've always been fast." Roy says.

The Bird flys away. A full Hour later, a portal opens, and out steps a mage, and a man in a Business suit.

"Roy, Glad I found you. We're ready for you to come. We accepted Your nomination of Arel, and need you to help us find her. We also need three more nominations." The man said.

"Two things, no three.

One, Who are you?

Two, Lady Arel is right here next to me.

Three, I'm not even sure yet." Roy said.

"Oh, how rude of me. I'm Edward. Lovely to meet you Lady Arel, we're ready for you as well. I'm form the International Bards association. We need the judges input as to where they want stationed. Lady Arel, have you chosen your guest? Your guest will be given a front row seat." Edward says.

"Whoa, your ready? already? you guys move fast." Roy says.

"Well, we don't waste time." Edward said.

The mage sighed, and shook his head.

"Well...I guess I'd like to bring my sister, Seera. How far off is this, again?"

Or in the first place...

"We have selected a world known as Ephseus. It recently reformed, and to honor the act of Nature, we're hosting it there. We have built a grand Opera House, and Bards from all over creation to come and perform." Edward said enthusiasticly.

"I meant when is it?"

Ephesus...

Kajeenith's temple flashed in front of Arel's eyes, and a series of images flashed before her eyes...all of them bad. She collapsed to the ground and threw up, the images were that bad.

When the vision stopped, she stayed on the ground, gasping for air. A thin sheen of sweat covered her forehead.

"It's not an act of nature. Host it somewhere else...anywhere else..." She looks up, fear in her eyes. "That place was reconstructed by malevolence."

"WHAT!" Both Edward and the Mage shout simultaniously.

They Babble a large amount of incoherancy. finally, they pull themsleves together.

"Where could we possibly host it in such a small amount of time, with a large enough capacity for 3 million performers, and one million guests?"Edward asks.

Mentally he calculates all the money wasted on the opera house.

Roy meanwhile was at Arel's side trying to comfort her. He picked her up bodily, and set her down by the tree, and continued to hold her close, protectivly, from the threat of Kajeenith.

Sussun brings Arel a cup with water in it. She takes a mouthful, swirls it around in her mouth, and spits it off to the side.

"I'm fine, Roy, really."

In all actuality, her skin felt colder than ice to the touch, and she was trembling uncontrollably.

"I don't care where you have it. Ask the Queen, and host it here, there are some few places big enough. Just don't host it there."

we'll do just that, where is The Queen?" Edward asks.

"Don't you lie to me Arel, your as cold as Ice, and your shaking uncontrolably. Your not fine by any stretch of the imagination." Roy says.

"The Queen is in the Valshanth, four hundred miles north by northeast of here."

She shakes her head and looks at Roy.

"This happens sometimes...give it a few minutes, I'll be fine."

Roy lossens up, but still keeps an Arm around her.

Edward and the Mage meanwhile, step into a black teleport portal, and appear at the Gates of Valshanth.

"Greetings good sir," Edward greets the gate Guard, "My name is Edward Kaipo, I am the owner and CEO of The International Bard Association. My compainion here is known only as Garath. He is the Head of the Guardian Mages the the Barding association employs. We wish to have an audience with the Queen, and seek to host this years International Master Bard competiton here." Edward says. He was about to continue when Garath put a hand on Edwards shoulder reminding him that he was about to Ramble on.

Edward stopped and waited for a Reply, hoping to be let in. After all, the hosting Country would get exactly half the profits. And that usually measured in the hundreds of Millions, but this year it was going to be televised as well, and who knows how much that will Rake in?

After a few minutes, Arel does stop trembling, although she's still cold. She starts to stand up, but just passes out, her head slumping onto Roy's shoulder.

****************************************************************

The guard looks at the men, somewhat disgusted, but he guestures for a messenger.

"The Queen will be informed that you seek an audience."

"Thank you." Edward says, oblivious of the disgusted look.

Once again, Garath shakes his head.

After a time, a message comes back.

"The Queen will see you."

A servant leads them in.

They Follow the Servant.

Roy Meanwhile, pulls out his CLoak, and spreads it over Arel. He proceeds to hold her close, while trying not to wake her up.

The servant leads them to just in front of the throne room. "The Queen is a very busy woman. Please try to not consume too much of her time."
****************************************************************
Meanwhile, Sussun had contacted Seera, who came. She went and checked her sister for temperature and pulse.

"Another vision? What of? Did she say?"

"No, she only said that Ephseus was a world constructed by malevolence. She was really cold and trembleing for awhile, then she passed out." Roy said.

"We won't." Edward says.

He hesitates, then boldly opens the doors and steps in.

"This happens every once in a while...ever since she was little. You needn't worry about waking her, she's out for six hours. Other than that, she should be fine."
**************************************************************
The Queen is sitting on her throne. There are a few obvious guards...meaning that there are many unseen guards.

K -- "You wished an audience with me?"

"Yes your magesty, I am Edward Kaipo, Owner and Ceo of The International Barding Association. I have come asking your permission to host the 500th Grand International Master Barding association here in Kaymiril. One of our selected Judges has informed us that you might be willing to allow it.

One thing I can promise is that the hosting country gets exactly half the profits from ticket sales. Usually this ranges about Four to Five hundred Million in profits, but this year its also being broadcast for the first time, and that promises to rake in a whole lot more. It is immensly popular, and generates a lot of Tourisim sales from all the guests besides." Edward said after he gave a deep florid Bow.

He was fully prepared to answer questions.

"For introductory purposes, I am Garath, his Body guard, and Master Mage besides. It is an honer to meet you your majesty." Garath said with a similar bow.

The Queen thought for a moment.

Is Kaymiril prepared for such an influx of people?

"I have a few questions for you. First, when is this? Second, where do you plan to prepare? Third, how long does it last, and fourth, how many are expected?"

"well, in five months time,

We expect five million performers,

at least one million visitors,

and trillions of viewers around creation Via the Live broadcast." Edward said.

Six million...in five months...the one place that might be able to handle that will need extensive work...it should be doable.

"If you find any suitable place in Kaymiril for such an event, you have my permission to host it."

"Might you be able to suggest such a place your majesty?" Edward asked.

"I have no doubts that your judge that suggested here already had a location or two in mind."

"Thank you." Edward said. They left, and went back to Roy and Arel.

Arel's still unconcious.

"I think that I can honestly say I'm okay, for the first time since I got back."

A smile crept across his face, slowly but surely, and he kissed her again,"It sounds so good to hear you say that as if you mean it"

She kisses him back.

"It is an odd feeling, to be certain."

"I'm sure it is... you'll get used to it though"

She rests her head on his shoulder, somewhat wearily.

He stroked her hair lovingly, just taking satisfaction and enjoyment from the moment... maybe what he had done was wrong, but it looked as if he'd managed to at least set things straight somewhat. He reached through the link, still only being able to feel her pain slightly, but he knew that she was mentally and emotionally exhausted. He slipped an arm around her, his hand resting on her upper arm and squeezing slightly

She just rested there. He was there...he would stay...and eventually, it would be all right.

He wasn't going anywhere. That much was clear in his mind. He simply stayed put... just trying to do the right thing. Trying to make up for past mistakes.

After a couple of hours, D'anthe roused himself and nudged her. She got up, changed, and kissed him.

"I'll see you this evening."

"See you later"

He kissed her back, then left soon after... there was always training to be done

Again, in Vedt's class (which was covered by Renor) they worked on the new form of casting.

"Come now, Cougar. This is really little different from what you were doing when you first came to me, only you're using fashka instead of tupora fashka, and letting your cast radiate, instead of having it be linear."

Cougar had to resist the urge to snap at Renor, knowing to do so would be among the more stupid things he could do. This form of cast was different to what he had done before... he didn't like the feeling. When he had first met Renor, he had no control at all. Now, he'd worked hard to bring about his control... and was being asked to forget the large majority of it.

He gritted his teeth, and tried again. This time, with his focus completley at the task, the cast went well, for a change.

"There. Now you see that this is not without some level of control. This is why most of us do not use it often, it is not as controlled. It is, however, about as controlled as the average human mage ever gets with his training as it is. It gives your power levels a temporary boost, which can sometimes be a very useful thing, indeed."

"I dislike not being in control... you must remember that from my first lessons"

"I teach you this now, that you may have it at your disposal should you ever need it. If you never need it, you never have to use it again."

"Very true... the old idea of better to have it, and not need it... you get the idea"

Renor leaves him and sees to some other students.

Cougar continued the new casting technique. He felt the surge of power that came at the expense of control... it wasn't a feeling he enjoyed, but he acknowledged it. In the back of his mind, he hoped never to have to use it

Class is eventually dismissed for the day.

Cougar left the room, and went to his infiltration training... he chose one of the jungle esque training rooms, and used it to practise his stealth skills...


Emerging a few hours later, he wiped the last of the cam-cream off his face. It was annoying to wear at times, especially for too long a peroid. But he finished with it, and returned to the room. It was about four in the afternoon... she didn't finish for about another half hour

She didn't come in for another hour and a half. She'd spent an hour in the library, trying to get caught up on work.

He looked up as she came through the door, and smiled,"I was just leaving to get something to eat... care to join me?"

He had the suspicion she hadn't been eating unless forced... something he knew he did as well

"Sure."

He got up, and took her hand, leading her to the canteen and getting her dinner for her. He sat down next to her,"Enjoy"

"Shan, Jovin, and Ashra's work...whatever you do, do not eat the orange mass."

She starts eating at the other items on the plate.

He smiled,"Thanks for the advice"

He too started on that evening meal... it was good overall

She ate about half of what was there before putting down her fork.

He stopped,"Not hungry?"

"Not really."

He laid his fork down,"Alright, it doesn't matter a great deal"

She stands and kisses him on the cheek. "You go on and finish...I'll be in the library." She banishes her plate and leaves.

He watched her leave, and then looked at his plate. Well... that fell through rather badly

He banished his plate also, and decided to give her a little time to herself. After about half an hour, he came into the libary, and came up behind her, slipping an arm round her,"Hi there"

She'd been working on something or other, but she looks up and gives him a faint smile. "Hello."

"I'm not disturbing you unduly, am I? I can go, come back later"