The Heartwood
Bordertown
Restday, The Twentieth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

Crossroads.

A crossroads in the middle of nowhere.

The grim Forest of Roth somehow, over the last few days, ad snuck closer and closer, creeping up on the path until it was but a stones throw away. The path itself had changed, strange to those from the country; frozed ground had passed to hard packed earth, and then, this last day, bits of stone, smoothly cut flat started to pock the way one by one by one until the horse's hooves clattered upon an actual paved road.

Of course, by the time the road had become, indeed, a road, Bordertown was in sight.

The town, itself, was walled and very properly laid out. A stone bound square, with each corner overlooked by a sturdy watch tower and centered on each wall an imposing set of gatehouses. Halfway along each wall there was a strategic half round structure; not only did it provide cross fire against any approaching the town but could also divide the parapet itself if a portion was somehow captured. Atop the parapet were sturdy wooden hoardings; an anomaly in most cases, for hoardings traditionally were put up only upon impending attack. These seem rather settled in place.

But then the Forest of Roth was only a stone's throw away.

The town was settled upon a small rise; and while not high at all compared to the lower fields it commanded a good view of the east - looking to Roth and its fell forest. Of the west and the road that lead to Highgaard and Trundle-on-the-Hill. To the west and the Highland Path and the rest of the world a world that ended at Talesan's Bay and the sea from which the Empire came.

But to the south ... the south, in turned, looked over Bordertown.

A hill of rubble, almost as large as the town itself, indeed perhaps even larger, rose in three overgrown terraces. It seemed more hill than structure, whatever was there before having fallen prey to nature in the manner of trees and brush, vines and brambles. Every now and then blocks of honey colored marble poked through and there were what appeared to be little mule trails here and there as if the hill had been used as a makeshift quarry over the years. Atop the pile of rubble rose what looked to be a newer structure. A single tower with a pair of small buildings tucked up against it. A blue banner fluttered above while from a chimney rose a plume of smoke; someone, at the least, lived up there, outside of Bordertown's protective walls.

The sun was still a bit before setting when the small troop passed through the town's Eastern Gate. A toll, of course, was levied ... counting the number of legs that passed beneath. On each side there were the traditional tall and narrow slots known colloquially as murder holes;anther hint that the crossroad holding had more than a little martial influences. Once inside it was a smaller mirror of Cragside; as She approached sunset the town's normal bustle increased; merchants and mercenaries all working to finish the day's tasks before darkness claimed the town. Most buildings were stone; both field found and scavenged marble blocks, the roofs were terra cotta tile and those who could not afford stone faced their lesser structures in stucco. The streets were paved and no building was allowed to touch the town walls. The streets were layed out in a very proper manner; two main crossways divided the town in quarters, meeting at the center and the town well. In places the main streets opened up; in one smaller merchants were closing up their stalls and putting their wares back upon their carts. Upon reaching the town center the well was again similar to Cragside; an older carven ring set with the runes of time, water and horse. Again a makeshift winch had been set up, to allow water to be more easily drawn from it. The western street was dominated by collection of tall buildings, familiar to Mikal. this set of structures housed the mainland's foremost Jvrillian Guildhouse - housing the barracks of Mohlkavin's Heavy Horse and Donner's Swords. Usually Michael's Dark Mark also claimed this place as home.

Two taverns had been passed upon entering.

One was small, located right at the gate they had passed through, named, fittingly, as the Eastern Gate Tavern.

The second was right there and part of the central square, a stalwart place. Two stories and carven of stone there were no windows on the lower floor; instead the building turned inward to a small central court; with its own well and stables.

The Dragonstooth Tavern.

Cesare

He exchanges a look with Darian before turning to Daxia.

"We staying here tonight?"

Whilst he and Darian had their own plans, it still makes sense to stay in the same place, though he is hoping that their stay here might be somewhat less eventful than Cragside.

Mikal

As they enter town, and reach the central square, he calls a stop. Of them all, he may be the one most familiar with the town so he points out a few items of interest, and ends with a question.

"This place is run much like Cragside was. Mostly merchants, with a section", he points to the southwest quarter, "for the Jvrillians. There are almost no Imperials here, but", he glances at Daxia, Camelia, Bekkah, and Celi and points to the tower flying the blue flag on the hill, "Lady Kay lives up there with Brother Random. Random is an Eye of Hastur. He doesn't come out much, but he is there. Lady Kay is a Priestess of Atterra. She watches over the town and is very familiar to the Jvrillian's here."

He gestures to the central square, ""The Market here is open til dusk every day."

He looks to Daxia specifically next. "There are three taverns here. The Eastern Gate, we passed as we entered, is independent of the guild. It tends to be vandalized fairly frequently, probably because of it's independence. This one", he points to the large stone structure, "is The Dragonstooth. It's a good quality inn. Good reputation. But it is somewhat expensive."

"There's one other place, on the other side of town, called Brandreth's. It's part tavern and part gambling hall." He shrugs, glancing at all the women. "Not the safest place. A bit rough and tumble."

He pauses, then asks Daxia. "Where to?"

Daxia
with the Gang in Bordertown

She looked at the Inn at Cesare's question, then shrugged after Mikal's description of the town and its inns. "I don't see we have any choice," she said, looking at the other women. "I can take care of myself, and would rather not have the concern that I will need to. The other women have varying skills I would also not like to see tested."

Daxia sighed.

"Any idea how long we'll need to stay? After Cragside, a town run by merchants is not exactly an appealing prospect." She glanced around and murmured, "Although, we can always hope these merchants are more honest and honorable."

Shaking her head, she said, "The Dragonstooth, then. Mikal, would you ask about the rates? I think Cesare and Darian would like privacy," she said with a smile and a wink to Cesare, "you and Dean can bunk together, but unless they have barracks-sized rooms, the rest of us will need to split up. Three and three, I suppose.

"Four rooms... two, three nights?"

Darian

A prior discussion about a proper inn near to mind for her as well. She returned Cesare's glance with an answering nod and a small smile.

"Mikal, will Longtooth be welcome?"

Bekkah

She followed the group to the inn.

Kadri:

She looks at Bekkah.

"I'll help her if I have to."

She raises an eyebrow, after winking. . .but also sounds serious.

Mikal

He ignores the interplay between Bekkah and Daxia, though, since he agrees with Daxia, his main contribution is to not point out where Lady Kay is for Bekkah, though it's not too hard to figure out if she tried.

He looks at Darian and shrugs. "Presuming you don't make too big an issue of it I expect if you have your own room with Cesare then Longtooth would be able to stay there with you."

He nods to Daxia, dismounts and drops Talia's reins to the ground, then heads into the inn to negotiate rates.

Celi

Celi tugged on Mikal's sleeve before he headed into the inn.

"I do not have much coin, nor have I any hope of earning more," Celi said, showing him her purse, which was small and mostly unoccupied.. "If it would save everyone the trouble, I can sleep outside the walls, in the forest of Roth, without fear. Then there would be no difficult questions nor concerns, and no one would feel put upon in terms of my share of the room expense, or questions about my behavior."

Mikal

He stops at the tug on his sleeve, and turns back to listen to Celi, then considers. She probably wants him to tell her to go stay in the woods so she can be near to Stormrunner, but if something should happen to those in the town she will not know.

"I expect you can bunk with Lady Bekkah or Daxia without any problem. If you want to stay in the forest, you should ask Daxia, alright?"

He turns and continues inside.

Cesare

"I'll slip in ahead of you Mikal, and just watch your back from a little distance."

He nods to the man, just suggesting a precaution, no real concerns that anything might happen but then he thought that entering Cragside too. He moves in just ahead of Mikal and then off to one side.

Celi

So ... Daxia is in charge. Or Mikal does not want to make this decision, which amounts to the same thing from my perspective.



So she took his suggestion and tried to approach Daxia.

"Daxia? If I might have a word? Mikal sent me to you for guidance. I am somewhat limited as to funds, and I do not wish to incur an obligation to the others in the party by shirking my share of any room fees. I will be perfectly safe o'ernight in the forest, but Mikal insisted that I get your authorization before separating from the rest of you."

I'll also miss the clever repartee, the good food and the magical tales of all things I know nothing about. The tales, the most of all, I am sure of it. But since one cannot have such pleasures for free, one must only select the pleasures one can afford.

She twisted her fingers together, and tried to look like it was no big deal either way Daxia swung.

Edited - while the action is good and the personal concerns both interesting and appropriate, the one sided statement that could not be defended against was removed from play. Please note that I really hate having to do this, especially after last week's request.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Just before sunset, Restday, The Twentieth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

Through the arched entry was a not a large courtyard, but one not small ether. It was large enough that one could ride a horse in a circle in a comfortable gate; indeed opposite the court's entry gatehouse were a pair of heavy wooden doors. they were thrown open and within were the familiar sounds of a large stable. At least three stable hands bustled in and out; if this place was expensive at least the crowns paid for a substantial staff. A bar maid served the patrons who had chose the court for their repast; mostly townsfolk acquiring a flagon of drink to take with them on their way home - but one could imagine how nice it would be to have a meal hear on a warm summer day.

There were other doors and such opening out into the courtyard; but most seemed to be larger storeroom doors or perhaps those to the innkeeper's private rooms. just off center was the tavern's private well; it looked new, perhaps only a handful of generations old. Most of the pedestrian traffic was up; up a finely carved set of covered marble stairs; they lead to an arcaded balcony that looked down upon the open square.

"Hey Talton, lookee what we got here ... I wonder if'n she even knows which end to hold ...

"I'm sure we could show her what to do with a proper sword ...

"Careful lad, I hear tell they bite ...

"Hey ... does she have a pet Squire?

"Or does the Squire keep Her around so he looks good?"

"I don't know ... I like the mousey one over there ... she looks like a good country lass ... bet she is more earthy than some prickly sword ...

"Yikes!"

The cadre on the balcony falls quiet as the small group makes their way up the stairs. They fall quiet the moment they realize ...

"Apologies ma'am, your Ladyship! We were just chattering, you know ... just fooling, joshing ... meant no harm ... just good fun, right? It is almost Midwinters, remember ..."

The white robes of Bekkah's livery come with immediate respect.

And no good Jvrillian annoys someone who can take an arm and mercy it back upon a shorn swordsman.

Atop the stairs there is a wide door ...

... and within the commons.

The commons of the Dragonstooth befits it's reputation. The floors are polished wood, the space divided by finely mortise and tenoned beams From the rafters hang a great variety of tavernish things. Nets of fruit and vegetables, polished globes of staned glass that sets the oil lamps a sparkling like a rainbow. From wagon wheels that have be circumnavigated with pegs hang pewter mugs and ceramic steins - some obviously persona others snared by the tavern girls for any patron's use. The stone hearth against the far wall isn't just stone but honey marble ... which is matched by the marble counter and the dark wood front of the bar. Heavy barrels, tapped, and rows od bottles and flasks display the tavern's primary wares. from somewhere - perhaps behind the bar or even seeping up through the floorboards from below come the most delicious scents - spiced meats, spiced cider, breads and ...

Romana, wrapped in cloak and hood sniffed, once and then closed her eyes, hugged herself tight and swayed back and forth.

" ... ooooooooooooo ... cinny-minny-mons!"

On the walls were hung shields, each bearing a different horsemark, while in a place of prominence behind the bar was racked a gigantic fang. As if from some dangerous canine the dull white bone was from no canine ... one could stretch ones arms and still not reach from tip to root.

The tables in the commons were exactly that; small round tables, simple square ones, a collection scattered about the room and easily separated or pushed together to form a group. There were no benches, however, there were actual chairs, one per person. The evening patrons were quite a mix, ranging from plump merchants to fierce looking swordsmen, to dark and rugged teamsters. Aside from the tavern girls, however, there was a distinct lack of women.

Thus, attention was gained.

The barkeep was a sturdy looking man, one who was probably quite formidable in his youth. Which may not have been too long ago; his hair was only just beginning to turn gray.

He did, however, walk with a distinct limp.

"Rooms for the night? Well that's five crown a night plus one for everyone who shares a room. Add another five and it will get you your meals, three meals a day if'n you wish.

"Another five for your horses, if'n you have any.

"Four rooms you say?"

The barkeep furrowed his brow and then nodded out towards the balcony.

"We got three together, out the door and to the right; and then two more on the other side of the court."

-Darian-

The hunter speaks up, pointing to those she means, herself, Cesare and Longtooth, "We take room other side and meals. Eleven crown."

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia hung back to speak with Celi as the others entered the Inn's courtyard. She looked down at the girl and sighed. "Celi," she said, barely above a whisper, "you would not be perfectly safe in the Forest of Roth, no matter how savvy your skills or how fearsome your companion. We know there is at least one Eastern mage, and a number of followers of the most dire of the Eastern gods in the Forest. There may well be a multitude of other barbarians. It is well known that Chaos Riders with increasing frequency ride out of Roth to attack Bordertown. So no, I will not give you leave to attempt something that may turn out to be suicide."

She shook her head. "Don't be concerned with coinage for our stay here at the Dragonstooth. I will put you in with Bekkah and Romana -- if you would only please be careful with your words. Consider how others may interpret them before you say them, yes? To pay your way, you could choose to accept the task of ensuring our delicate princess arises prior to mid-day, hmmm?" Daxia winked. "We are all together here, Celi. You and Darian contributed on the road by providing meat for our meals, and a bit extra for the families whose homes we very nearly invaded with our large number. Those of us with coin will do our part while in town to ensure we have a safe place to stay, meals to eat, and comfortable lodging for our horses, as well."

She gestured for Celi to walk with her as she led Fern towards the courtyard and the rest of their group. "Coin is not used exclusively as a means of payment, even in towns. Barter is a perfectly acceptable method of exchanging goods and services. For example, one of the tailors back home had a son who had joined the service of Rames, and he sent her written messages to reassure his mother that he was well, and to tell her about many of the interesting places he had visited. In exchange for reading the letters to her and writing replies to her son, she made my green tunic and undertunic for me." Daxia paused as she listened to the banter tossed their way from the balconies. She rolled her eyes and chuckled quietly. "Ah, and I was beginning to wonder if the tales my Temple-sisters brought back from their Initiate Journeys were exaggerations." She shook her head, retaining her smile, as she turned Fern over to one of the stablehands. By this time she and Celi had caught up with the rest of the group, and they ascended the stairs.

The change in tune of the Jvrillians when they saw her sister nearly made Daxia laugh out loud. Anyone who knew her even moderately well would be able to tell she was making an effort to maintain a placid countenance.

She leaned close to Mikal and said quietly, "What do you think, Mikal... should I upset the apple cart and handle the room arrangements, or allow your brother Jvrillians to retain whatever illusions they might be harboring by allowing you to do it?" Although there was a hint of laughter in her voice, she looked quite serious. "With Darian and Cesare taking a room on the other side of the courtyard, perhaps Kadri, Camelia and I should take a room over there, as well." She sighed almost inaudibly. "I'd rather not split us up like that, but if we must split, an even split seems more prudent." She smiled slightly. "I am, of course, quite willing to listen to any suggestions you have, as this is now your town more than mine. The Dayalan temple out beyond the south wall was likely set to ruin at the end of the Second Age... if not before."

Celi

Celi said, "Thank you, Daxia. You're not the first person to caution me about trying a night in that forest. I am grateful for your guidance and your assistance in this matter.

"If ever there is aught I can do for you -- to build up some credit, perhaps, so that I don't feel so loathsomely indebted -- I beg you, please ask; whatever it is, if I can do it, it will be yours."

After that, she just followed along. She paid attention when Fern was handed over to the stablehand, automatically radiating good will to ease the horse's stress at being handed over to a stranger.

ANd she listened to Daxia's words regarding the rooming arrangements, so that she might be able to accomplish the same thing in the future, were it ever to fall to her to do so.

She found it somewhat amazing, that of everyone she knew, Daxia and Stormrunner had both given her identical counsel about the stupidity of her "sleep-in-the-forest" plan. For that reason alone, Daxia went up a notch in Celi's quaint approval-rating system. Somebody had to take charge, she decided, and Daxia was both good at it, and more importantly, willing. Maybe that was more rare than she had imagined.

Bekkah

She was relieved when the men stopped their taunting. She had visions of them having to sneak out of yet another town. Without her robes, she knew she didn't command the same respect. In fact, she'd garnered far different attention from men. At least now, she was immediately taken for more than just a pretty face. As she passed the loudest of the men, she leaned in and whispered to him.

"While I could bring you back to life and reattach that which she removed, it would be terribly taxing on me and intensely painful for you. Better to not push her. Ever." she said sweetly, before moving on.

She smiled as she walked away. More often than not, she wished men saw her as a woman and not a Lady of Attera, but there were times it came in handy.

She did not have coin, but Daxia knew this, so she knew her sister would handle her arrangements. She could also offer to tend any sick in the inn and most likely would be offered a room for the night. She watched Dazi and Celi and she worried about Celi. She was trying hard to both go unnoticed, but also contribute. It was a difficult balancing act, but she'd done remarkably well so far.

Cesare

As everyone joined together in the inn and he manages to drag his eyes away from what must be a dragon's tooth on the wall - and if that is a tooth, a dragon must be larger than he had believed and he alrerady thought them huge - he rejoins Darian and the others. He leans in to her, asking quietly.

"Do you have coin? I have some."

He has never been in an inn this grand, other than running messages, certainly not to eat and never to stay. Far above his purse usually. He can afford to pay for them both and would not begrudge the money but he is inclined to hang onto some of it as he may yet have a long way to go. Perhaps Bordertown will provide an opportunity to earn some more coin.

Darian

She nods at Cesare's question to her. "Aye."

Coin she has and furs still and another hide.

Mikal

He hands Talia over to the groom and moves to the counter, ignoring the banter, though a small smile crosses his face when Bekkah's robes bring quick apologies.

He glances once or twice at Celi talking with Daxia, glad she is talking with her and that she is taking her advice. It might have been harsh to push her off like that, but she needs to interact with the rest of the group and not be so attached just to him.

"Let me handle it, Dazi." He replies to her question. "No need for us to become more of an item of curiosity than we already are."

He nods at her room division and asks for 2 rooms on each end of the building. One for Darian, Cesare, and Longtooth, and one for Daxia, Kadri, and Camelia at one end, and one for Bekkah, Celi, and Romana, and one for himself and Dean, right next to Bekkah's.

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

She nodded to Mikal, one eyebrow dancing upwards and a corner of her mouth twitching into a broader smile at the use of her nickname. As he tended to the room arrangements, she stepped closer to Darian and Cesare.

"Mikal is arranging rooms for the whole group, so they are aware we are all together," she said to them, as she reached down to give Longtooth a scritch. "We can settle up later, yes?"

Darian

"Aye," she answered then after a pause she leaned in closer to Dazi. "Be problem male female share room?"

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia shook her head. "Only know Vale customs. Think innkeeper only care for peaceful inn and bills paid, though. Others?" She looked around the room and shrugged. "Dazi not care what others think. Maybe Darian, Cesare not care either?" she said with a smile.

Darian

"No care," she said with a shake of her head. "City folk be odd most times. Say what need to if problem though, aye?"

Cesare

"We'll pay our way."

He confirms they can handle their share.

"What people think is only a problem if it becomes more than thinking."

He shrugs, not seemingly too worried. His hand reaches for Darian's.

Darian

She threads her fingers through his and looks up at him. "Aye, and if it be more, we handle. Want no problem for others."

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

"Dazi think Darian, Cesare, Longtooth not be Dazi biggest problem, ever," she said, grinning. "Dazi with sword be Dazi big problem in Jvrillian town, yah? Celi not like towns maybe problem, Romana talk talk talk maybe problem. Hope not." She shrugged, and said, "Dazi not worry about what not problem. Just watch, make sure talk with Celi, Romana so no problem happen. Ignore silly Jvrillian words. Be nice." Daxia looked around the Inn's common room. "Very nice inn. Would like stay in Bordertown be boring, not interesting like Cragside." She shook her head before looking back at Darian and Cesare. "Dazi not like Cragside. Miss talk with Dandy, train with Barris, but not miss Cragside."

Kadri:

". . there are things I miss at Craigside."

CELI

Celi had no issues with the possible room-mates they had lined out for her. Bekkah and Romana. They seemed sweet and pleasant enough.

She tried approaching Bekkah to see how she felt about having Celi as a room-mate.

"I always wake up right before sunrise," she explained, "whether I am inside a structure, or out of doors. My body seems to know when such things are about to occur. I would be happy to awaken either or both of you whenever you wish, before, during or after sunrise. Or not at all, if you prefer to sleep until the cows are milked and brakfast is served."

Bekkah

"I'm a pretty lights sleeper so I'll probably wake up as well, but if not, I like a nice sunrise. It's a good time for my prayers to my Lady."

Cesare

He keeps his voice down, to just those next to him which includes Daxia and Darian.

"Would be a good idea to keep quiet here. Seems we have attracted attention already and with the possible interest from other regions in several of our number - Cami, Romana and the Cragside interest - we should not linger too long or be too memorable - certainly not in our direction of travel out of here. Leaving by one road and crossing back to another once out of sight could be a wise precaution."

He shrugs. It is a suggestion.

"Might be good to earn some coin here though. We cannot continue to travel without adding funds to the pot."

Mikal

Approaching Daxia to talk about the town he arrives just at the end of Cesare's comment. "I've got something I need to do here. May take a couple of days. I'd suggest we sell the trinkets and equipment we recovered from the glade and turn it into coin. It should be enough to pay our way for some time."

Darian

The hunter still had extra pelts and now two hides. She nods more at both Cesare's and Mikal's words. "Skins sell too. If stay more days, can hunt, bring meat to inn, sell skin."

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia shrugged. "Jvrillian town. Jvrillian like poke fun at Dayalan. Think no worry there, Cesare. Dazi ignore, Dazi joke back, Dazi not make problem with Jvrillian. But... hmmmm... friends from Cragside? Yah, we not stay long. Leave together, leave separate... no matter. They know we group."

She nodded at Mikal's approach. "Yah, Dazi like investigate Temple ruins. Bekkah need visit Lady Kay. Darian sell skins. Earn coins good, but Dazi best skills not needed in Jvrillian town, yah? But reading, writing can do." She grinned at Mikal. "Some people get paper need reading, want sent answer same way. Yah, yah... crazy people. But coin for Dazi." She looked to Kadri. "Maybe Kadri best to sell item? Experience with Dama Samara helpful there?" she asked.

Kadri shrugs.

"I can but try. See if the merchants here are like merchants there. Worth a shot, anyway."

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

"Dazi happier if merchant here not too much like merchant there, yah? More honest, less..." She lowered her voice. "...thief-like, yah?"

Then Daxia looked at Mikal. "We have rooms? Ok, dinner next!" She glanced around. "Move this table, that table together... we all fit." Finally she looked at Romana, who was still smelling the wonderful scents in the air, and chuckled. "Romana Romana Romana, come sit with us. We will find out what the cinnamon smell goes with, yes?"

Mikal

He nods. "Yes. Dinner and some ale. The Smith and Sword Priest can wait til morning. Probably not open now anyway."

Celi

Celi nodded and said, "Then I assure you both that every morning, you will be awakened to enjoy the sunrise, and the rest of the day as you see fit.

"I also am generally awakened by the slightest out-of-the-ordinary sound or movement, so I will also do my best to see that you both shall be safe in your bed."

Cesare

Things are settling down and all seem to be very much in accord. He is hoping to really enjoy their short stay here. Squeezing Darian's hand, his thoughts wander to their room upstairs and he wants to be there rather than eating if he is really honest but he has the discipline to wait.. a little while at least.

"Food and an ale sound good to me."

He moves to the table, ready to sit down by Darian.

Bekkah

She found she was both hungry and thirsty. She sat down opposite the lovebirds so that there was room on either side of her if Dazi wanted to sit by her.

Darian

"Food and ale, aye," she agrees as she walks with Cesare though she casts a glance in the direction of the indicated room.

Longtooth sprawls at her feet as usual but makes room long enough for Cesare to sit next to her.

"What plan morrow?" she asks as the others join them.

And near Dazi and, if she does set there, ROmana, is where Kadri finally alights.

Mikal

He calls over a serving girl and answers Darian. "I need to go visit a weaponsmith and see a Sword Priest in the morning. I'd suggest someone visit the market and see if they can sell the gear and equipment we recovered from the glade and turn it into coin. It'll be more useful, and lighter to carry."

"Be aware that the town is divided into four areas. Three merchant families run the town, along with the Jvrillians. Family Marrennenn in the southeast, Family Emeraldsson in the northeast, Family Hysthanian in the northwest, and the Jvrillians hold the southwest. The family manor-houses are located in the center of each area. We might want to at least stay out of the Marrennenn area."

Kadri:

". . can you tell me anything of these merchant families?:

Dean

has not spent much time in taverns and inns. Mostly what he knows of them is what he saw at home, and that was nothing like what he see's now. Back in Talesan's Village, the "inn" was mostly someone's home. And people were charged for a spot to bed down and a bowl of whatever was for dinner that night. Drinking took place in front of people's houses, or out behind the barn underneath a comfortable tree - friends meeting to reflect on the day and relax.

He has never heard people treat strangers so shabbily and his eyes fairly left their sockets at the madness of yelling things at Daxia. The men in this town apparently had no use for their lives, as if they kept this up, they would lose them. Apparently, though, they had not abandoned all sensibilities as when they saw Lady Bekkah, their foolishness turned directly to politeness, as would be expected of sane men.

Dean tries not to gawk at the finery of this place. Tries to look as he thinks a protective Squire should look. Slightly menacing...slightly proud...slightly...slightly...what is that smell?

The smell of food is really wonderful and Dean really, really likes cinnamon pasties. His Mater used to make the best ones. His nose leads him to place at the table and he sits, grinning, waiting expectantly.

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia noted Dean's discomfort at the words the Jvrillians had been tossing at her. "Don't be concerned about their taunts, Squire," she said quietly to him. "Jvrillians mock Dayalans. Smart Dayalans ignore them, or laugh about it, turning it into a big joke. I am who I am; they are who they are. Nothing can change that. I am too hungry and thirsty for jokes right now, so it is simple enough to ignore them." She sat beside her sister and patted the chair on her other side. "Romana... sit sit sit," she said with a grin.

While Kadri conferred with Mikal about the merchant families, Daxia turned to Darian and said, "I want to visit the Dayalan Temple ruins south of town. No doubt everything of material value has been removed," she said, looking around at all the honey-colored marble in the common room. "But it would still be a holy place to be quietly with Dayala." She turned to her sister.

"I would be happy to walk you over to Lady Kay's hospice in the morning, if you'd like, Bekkah."

Bekkah

She gave Dazi a bright smile.

"I'd like that. I'd offer to accompany you as well, but a visit to Lady Kay could prove to be a full day affair. Perhaps someone else will go with you. You promise me, you will not go alone, yes?"

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia rolled her eyes at her sister. "Yah, Bekkah. Dazi promise," she said in the same sing song voice she used when she was seven, and then grinned before looking around the table. "Perhaps Dean or Celi or Camelia would like to enjoy the day and watch me poke through the ruins of a building that was destroyed before this Age ever began." She glanced at the dark-haired girl to her other side. "Our Romana will still be tightly wrapped in her blankets at that hour, I'm sure," she said, edging closer to the girl, making very sure not to actually touch her.

"A real bed tonight... that will be a nice treat, won't it, Romana?"

Celi

Of all the things Celi did *Not* want to do, spending a day at someone else's temple of worship ranked right up there with wood ticks and being flayed alive. Her own rituals were simple and direct; anyone who worshiped what she did, was actually *in* the only true temple, though rumor had it there were some more formalized venues elsewhere.

Ah, always elsewhere.

"What is this decrepit location you wish to ... ah, poke through?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Restday, The Twentieth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

The barkeep, ensconced behind his fine and fancy bar, nodded as the discussions were completed.

"Thank you, guv'nor. I'll have the lasses go and fit them out and they'll be ready. And your timing could nae be better; Midwinter's coming and we'll be sure to be full right soon.

"Just ask the lasses if'n you need a meal. Landis, he brought in a pair of bucks this morn, all dressed and blooded, so the venison is thick and fresh tonight."

There was a pause, however, as the small group repaired to their evening's table.

A Romana-ish pause.

The slender woman canted her head, as if she had caught a phrase, a handful of words floating across the commons.

There is a quick spin, her tunics and cloaks flaring dramatically as she returned to the bar. There, there a soft whispered conversation commenced. And from her side she untied a pouch and with a child's flourish emptied its contents on the countertop.

The barkeep ... and the patrons about, their eyes went wide.

As well as the barmaid's.

Th objects shespilled out wer an odd collection. Polished stones, odd shaped coins, a sculpted gold wagon wheel the size of her palm ... and a whole lot of sparklies. Blue and red and green and clear, they glittered in the lamp light.

She looked to the barkeep, innocent and expectant.

He looked, blinked, a bit unbelievingly. About to reach, he paused, and then his gaze fell upon Darian and Longtooth, upon Daxia, and finally upon Mikal, the Jvrillian.

With a duck of his head he nodded and selected one blue gem from the chaotic pile.

Romana smiled back as she swept her belongings back into her pouch and happily sashayed back to the small group, sitting down on a chair with a playful bounce.

From within her fur lined hood her eyes sparkled too now.

"Oh yesyesyes! Romanas now looking forwards to good sleep, long sleep, thanksthanks!"

Mikal

He looks at Romana in surprise when she moves to the bar, and then in a little alarm as she spills her pouch across the top of it. Who knows what might spill out?

He gives the barkeep a hard look and when he changes his mind and takes a smallish gem he frowns, but doesn't intervene. She overpaid a bit, but not terribly, and it was their fault, not the barkeep's.

He sighs, and glances to Daxia. "Perhaps a lesson on what things cost for Romana would not be out of place?"

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia had simply blinked at Romana's transaction with the barkeep, watched with as much attention as she watched the activities at the Allaine court. When Mikal spoke, she merely sighed. "Perhaps it is a difference between cost and worth, Mikal. If Romana is happy, then it is worth a blue sparkly bit, even if the value of the sparkly bit and the cost of rooms and meals do not match." She smiled and shook her head. "And I certainly don't know the value of the sparkly bit now in the barkeep's possession, or the value of Romana's other... sparklies and trinkets." she said.

"Romana, Romana, happy happy Romana," she said to the princess, "Thank you for the lovely bartering you did. Please be careful when displaying your pouch of sparklies, though, hmmm? There are people who do not know Romana is a big fish, and might want to take Romana's sparklies." Daxia lowered her voice. "No troubles, no excitement, ok? Just happy Romana, everybody friendly, yes? Good, good!"

Then she returned her attention to Celi, head tilted to one side and lips pressed tightly together, and shook her head. "Tcha! Celi not listen... Celi not invited anymore."

She looked again at Bekkah. "Or I will walk you over to Lady Kay, and investigate the ruins with Romana in the afternoon." Glancing at Romana again, she said, grinning, "Romana like everything except bugs and worms, yah?"

KAdri:

"ROmana. . . please be very careful. Now many in the place have seen what you have in your pouch. . and they will be very happy to empty it for you - and not give you anything in return. Here. . .your position, whatever it may have been, means nothing."

She sounded very serious.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Restday, The Twentieth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

"What valuables?"

The young woman peeked back from her hood, head tilting, as if it were both an honest and a so important question. One arm reached out and then extended, hand flat and pointed. From her wrist hung three hooped bracelets.

"Shiny steel? Sparkling silvers? Rarest platty-pus-eee-ums? Platty-pus-eee-eyes?"

"Romanas not know. Romanas not care.

She shook her wrist and they jangled together, like the jangle of faire belles, so light, so frail, so pretty. She closed her eyes and smiled.

"Music, makes Romanas smile.

"Sharing day with good, interesting folks ... makes Romanas smile."

She then opened her eyes and beamed.

"Not being woken up when even Sun yawning long shadows ...

" ... Romanas smiles lots"






" ... what is valuables ...

" ... can not be held, bought or solds."

Kadri

"And I agree with your thoughts, Romana. Really I do. But see. . .THEY don't agree. And they might be completely willing to HURT you to get a hold of your shiny things. Hurt those around you."

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

She regarded the odd-speaking dark-haired girl for long heartbeats, and then smiled. "I don't think you quite understand, Kadri. I think what Romana means -- in addition to the most valuable things being intangible -- is that the shiny bits are not valuable. TO HER." Daxia looked between Romana and Kadri, and shook her head. "If someone wanted to take her shiny sparklies... she would just give them over. And no one gets hurt." She shook her head again, more vigorously. "It might take many days, perhaps handfuls of days, to come to grips with that state of mind."

Daxia turned her attention to Romana again. "Romana should remember, though, that the sparklies and shiny steel and sparkling silvers can be traded for nights in soft beds with warm blankets where no one will wake Romana except Romana, so that Romana can smile and smile and smile," she said with the hint of a smile of her own. She lowered her voice and spoke close to Romana's hood-covered ear. "Dazidazidazi likes to see Romana smile."

Cesare

If anyone has a particular need of him he will listen but he would rather spend the day with Darian and he is not sure whether they will be up before Romana. A trip to the market might be interesting and Darian has furs to sell. He turns to her.

"Want to visit the market tomorrow? We could sell the items whilst the others get on with their day? Or is there something else you would rather do?"

Kadri


"No, Dazi - I understnd that - but I also know that there are those who would not bother to ask forst and even give the opportunity to give them away. I know this very well, Dazi. Many people are . . . Not nice."

Darian

"Market be good," she answers Cesare. "Darian trade furs. Cesare trade other things."

Cesare

He smiles, nodding his agreement.

He is feeling quite mellow. Good food, an ale, out of the cold in this fine inn, opportunity to rest a while, spend time with Darian, especially private time.

Life seems good just now.

He snags a piece of meat from his plate and reaches down to offer it to Longtooth.

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

Daxia nodded to Kadri. "Oh, yes," she agreed. "Many people are not nice. But that is true everywhere, da? True in Bordertown, true in Cragside, true in your land and mine and Romana's," she said, emphasizing the latter's name so very slightly. "And yet, here we are... having managed to eventually... hmmmm... evade the not nice people who might have tried to harm us." She regarded her friend, demeanor quite serious. "I think you might be underestimating Romana's ability to keep herself safe, yes?" she said, head tilted and eyebrows raised.

Bekkah

She smiled at Romanas' words.

*So true* she thought, starting to view the dark haired girl in a different right.

She looked over at Dazi and saw the little seven year old who looked up at her, whose smile could light a room and she smiled.

*So very true. Maybe not bought or sold, but hold, yes* she thought, thinking of the days, she held a very young Dazi in her arms.

She caught Dazi's eye and gave her a wink and a loving smile. Dazi may not know exactly what she was thinking, but she'd know how much Bekkah loved her.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Restday, The Twentieth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

"Maybes ..."

The slender dark haired young woman considered both words in agreement and the words of warnings.

"Isn't being nice better? Romanas know, not enough keep bad away. But when bad things come ... Romanas told ... that when good have friends."

Her words were soft and it was impossible to tell whether the last word was capitalized or not.

Darian and Longtooth

The hound happily accepted the other meat though he had already finished his meal. Darian chuckled a little at him acting like a greedy pup. She could not fault him for it. Their journey and hunts had been long and sometime arduous already and without the benefit of the frequent play and fellowship of their Pack. She hoped their time here would be able to bring back the balance. Cesare's presence had helped with that, for both of them.

She too offered Longtooth a bit of extra food, running her hand along Cesare's leg on the return trip.

Daxia
with the Gang at the Dragonstooth Inn

"Oh, yes. Being nice is better, Romana."

Daxia caught her sister's look and twisted in her seat to hug her. "Being nice is always better," she said both to Romana and Bekkah, and anyone else listening, as she released Bekkah.

She looked around the table at her comrades before turning back to the dark-haired Eastern girl. "Romana was told correctly. When bad things come, it is good to have friends." She met Romana's eyes, and held her gaze for a moment before nodding ever so slightly.

Kadri:

"Of course it is, Romana"

She says equally as softly.

"And if they try to take advantage, I will have to. . well, never you mind what I will have to do, but I will have to do it nonetheless. I. . .just don't want to see you get hurt - because you are much more pleasing when happy, yes?"

Daxia

"Happy Romana, happy Kadri, happy everyone! Hoi, Kadri! Cesare is going to market with Darian tomorrow," she said. "Maybe he will sell our trinkets and you will come play in the ruins with Dazi, huh?"

KAdri:

She pauses for a moment.

"I will come. . but this place would be important to you, yes? You sure that I would be. . appropriate there?"

Daxia

She looked at Kadri, puzzled for a moment before her eyebrows raised, accompanied by an emphatic nod. "You are my friend. That makes you welcome."

Cesare

He feels Darian's hand on his leg, probably a signal that she is as eager as he to retire to the privacy of their room. It is all he can do to remain seated, rather than to rush off in indecent haste dragging her behind him.

But it does speed up his eating and downing the remainder of his ale, he stands. Little point in trying to be subtle at this time, everyone knows what is going on.

"Coming?"

He offers Darian a hand.

Darian

"Aye," she answers with a smile taking his hand and standing up herself.

"Good night," she tells the table.

"Come along, Longtooth."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Restday, The Twentieth Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

There is an old saying that crosses cultures and lands, true in Talesan's Village and true in the Fifth Ring of Grand Talantal.

You get what you pay for.

While expensive, the rooms in the Dragonstooth are a decent size, clean and well appointed. They ring the second floor of the tavern, reached along the arcaded gallery balcony. Each has a pair of windows, the one in the exterior wall is tall and narrow, of diamond paned leaded glass with some panes stained in reds and blues and yellows to add a splash of color into the simple quarters. The other is larger, two lites in a sturdy wooden frame which can be thrown open to look out into the central court. Each room has a sturdy wood frame and rope netted bed, upon which is a wrapped mattress of goose own; warm woolen blankets toped with a quilt. there is a small stand of drawers, with water and a basin atop; and while the crockery is plain it is more than is found in most inns. two chairs, wooden with homespun pillows on seat and back provide the rooms final touch.

It is quite a different experience than the spare bed in a farmhouse or the more austere and spartan day's travel inns along the merchant highways.

After a long day's travels, after a warm meal and cool drink, the day finally came to an end. The small group broke up, each to their own rooms. Bekkah and Celi, Darian and Cesare and Longtooth, Kadri and Camelia and Daxia and last Dean and Mikal.

Romana chose to stay up later than most, standing on the balcony, overlooking the courtyard, looking up to the night sky and the stars.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Mikal, Darian, Cesare, Bekkah, Celi, Kadri, Dean, Camelia and Romana

Morning came with the smell of fresh baked bread, with the sizzle of meat echoing from the kitchen and the clatter of tankards and mugs. The barkeep was not to be seen, but a pair of kegs were missing from their racks; obviously replacements were being wrangled; if not from the stores then from the market. There was a continual bustle between the kitchen and the commons; the barmaids taking breakfast orders and the other patrons - mostly merchants it seems. One could tell by their girths and their fine clothing, that and their hired guards; similar to Mikal's arrangement with Daxia it was an all to common arrangement in this mercenary town. It seems that not just bread warms the baskets set in the center of each table but pastries too; buns heavy with cinnamon, flaky rolls, turnovers filled with hot fruit.

Eventually, after everyone else has woke and the morning repast taken, a sleepwalker drifts into the commons. Or at least she appears so, a lazy sleepy pace that seems to follow her nose. And it is a chaotic path that is meandered, following one barmaid and then another as paths intersect ... or rather, following the scents in the baskets they carry. Finally Romana stumbles upon the others. Wrapped warmly in cloak and hood she peer at the pastries, blue eyes sparkling. One she selects, and taking the blueberry filled cup sized breakfast in both hands she raises it up, as one might something treasured to be shown and celebrated.

"Muffles!"

With a bright smile she nibbled her sweetcake to a happy demise.

"Muffles ... muffles ... muffles ..."

A comfortable start to the day.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those going to market

Outside, a cool Crown of Ice morning awaited.

For those going to market it was not hard to find. Just down the street the paved way opened up. Within was a slowly building maze of carts and chests; most merchants operating off the back of their wagons, some spreading a blanket on the cobbles to show off their wares. the chests served not only as stores but as chairs and tables as needed.

"Wool for sale ... Kierkegaard wool ... half crown an arms-spread ..."

"Spiced mead, hot hot hot! Can't start a winter day without something warm!"

"Ice wine from Lilia's Castle ... Mead from the hives of talantal ... Amber beer from far off Talesan's Village ..."

"Fish for sale, get it while its fresh and before it goes to the ruffs! Fresh water fish, get it before noon, cook it for summer ...

"Silk ... softest silk ... from far off Dawnview Castle ... if'n your wife ain't happy, this will make her so!"

While not as large or as bustling as the Cragside markets the Bordertown market was ample and varied. Food and goods of most kinds could be easily found, harkening from the length and breadth of the Highland path, from all the keeps and towns. Including marble blocks from Montague, jewelry from Talantal, daggers and swords and shields from Brockmans and the smithies of this very town; horses and mules and oxen from the scattering of farms, a little bit of everything. The buildings surrounding the market provided shelter for the larger and more permanent shops. There was a dry goods and general store, a true blacksmith and wheelwright, a fine imports gallery, a woodcarver and carpenter's shop - displaying mostly furniture - as well as a small chapel to Marrennenn. Though it was hard to tell; the so called chapel looked and sounded more like a usury and mercantile exchange than anything religious.

It was an easy task, that morning, to exchange their collected goods for a pouchfull of coins.

Leaving the rest of the morning to investigate both market and town.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those going to The Ruins

"Hey, lass.

"That's right, you. With the sword."

The words were not friendly, but they were also not unfriendly. The barkeep, or at least the lad behind the bar who was watching over things while his master was replacing the beer kegs, accosted Daxia as she started for the door and stairs down to the courtyard.

"Daxia Yurisdotter, that your name?

"Good. Courier came by a week or so ago and said you might be coming by."

He set a small pouch on the table; the cloth was soft and it was tied with a white ribbon. It was the size of a small apple.

"Was paid enough to leave it be and to pass it on to you."

The lad then returned to his morning labors; making sure that the mugs and goblets, the crystal and pewter, were set to last all day without a pause or hiccup to inconvenience their patrons.

The ruins were not the easiest things to git to.

While they and the tower that rose atop them, were easily seen, the gatehouse that opened directly south had long ago been walled in. Not just the portcullis dropped and forgotten but actually infilled with carefully carven blocks of stone.

The safer route was out the western gate; to come under the shadow of the Forest of Roth in the least way possible. The town was already awake by then and this street was the busiest. The southerside was dominated by the collection of buildings serving as the New Jvrillian Guildhouse. It served not only a place of worship butas a hiring hall, a training hall, a garrison for the local troops and for mercenaries just passing through, stables and a place where weapons and armor was smithed. Across was the caravan staging yard; where merchant wagons could be prepped the night before to leave upon the dawn and where incoming caravans could offload and distribute their wares. Though in the shadow of the western wall there was one oddity. A small house tucked in between two larger, looking much worse for the wear. Upon its stoop sat a rough looking man; his hair was long and unkempt and he wore leathers; a jerking and breeches. They seemed sturdy but they were definitely self crafted, and what ever he was good at it wasn't the crafting of leather. A bow taller than he was leaned against the half open door to his hovel and a pair of canines rested at his feet.

But they were not ruffs. Nor were they snarkhounds.

They were wolves. Gray, feral seeming wolves.

He just watched the small group pass him by.

He watched.

Every single one.

It was a relief then, to pass through the gate - pay the toll - and start the trek around town towards the terraces of broken and worn stone. Even Romana hugged her cloak tighter about herself.

The path uphill was rough, it was uneven, but at least it was a path. It was only a person wide as it wound its way towards the summit. The underbrush was not just thick, it was lush. Even in winter the vines were a deep evergreen, they were thick and tangled. The trees which rose had macabre roots, like a hundred spiders legs they reached out and down, a tendril like maze linking them to the slow rise of the ruins. Animals of all sorts chittered and scampered, never seen but heard and there were at least a handful of ravens that looked out of the shadows, their silhouette mysterious, their eyes beady. Every now and then, however, the sounds would fall completely silent, as if some larger larger predator was passing by, unseen within the thick brambles.

Sometimes the path was frozen stone and earth. Sometimes it was carven stone steps. Sometimes it was a path over rubble, though the rubble seemed to be regular, a tumble of carefully cut rectangular stones worn by time and by the passage of those who had walked this path before.

Finally they reached the top.

The top of the ruins was, in general, fairly flat, like some fine plaza that once overlooked the High Tarn. There were hints of an earlier structure; lines of foundation walls, the shadow of what might have been a blockhouse before it lost its battle. Upon the older foundations rose two small buildings, at right angles to each other. One was obviously a small stables, and from within came a whuffle of horses. It had sturdy doors and looks that it could be, in an emergency, could be sealed up tight. The other building looked like a small two room farmhouse; simple, small, with a plume of smoke rising from its chimney.

In the corner rose a tall tower, of significant girth. It looked to have been built from the rubbled stones of the ruins; it appeared to have at least three floors and was capped by a tall, faded banner of blue.

In the center of the summit was a carven well. A solid stone circle, it was inlaid with runes.

And it appeared unused.

An older woman, thin and gaunt, looked up as her unexpected guests arrived. She was in conversation; in truth, ending a small transaction. She was offering a handful of pennies to three of the towns children, each of who look to have brought two buckets of water up from the town.

After giving the newcomers a wide birth, the children scrambled their way off, down the trail and - hopefully - safely back to town.

"Good afternoon ..."

Her voice was old, with a hint of weariness in it.

"Can I be helping you? You look all well?"

She was dressed like Bekkah, in robes of Imperial white.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those going to the New Jvrillian Smithy

First thing in the morning the and the smithy was already bustling. Not as much the making of swords and armor, however, but the preparations. Making sure the forge fire was properly stoked, fuel to last the day laid in, tools ready and water for cooling and tempering at hand.

"You say you got this out of Roth?"

After the first touch, the Karl the Smithy refused to handle Mikal's blade without a heavy glove or tongs.

"Its called a hellsword, lad. And I can't help you with it. Not like this.

"Its holding all the souls that it has killed."

He re-scabbarded the sword, handing it back to Mikal.

"You are going to have to find Lady Kara.

"And her Executioner."

A Lady with an Executioner.

A Priestess of Krysta.

"Her ... place ... is at the end of lonely Street. On the right.

Mikal

Entering the New Jvrillian barracks and smithy area is like coming home. The familiar sounds and smells and banter soothes him after the time on the road.

He heads straight to the smith, and nods, not surprised by the man's comment, though it means a side trip to a place he had hoped to avoid. Priestesses of Krysta are not persons Jvrillians enjoy dealing with, as needed as their services are.

He heads that way immediately. Knowing the town he finds Lonely Street fairly quickly and the place of Lady Kara is not hard to spot.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623
The Last House on Lonely Street

Mikal

It is true that the house is not hard to find.

But whether or not the directions are correct, that might be another matter.

The house was there, but it is no dark temple or chapel.

It was just a house.

White stonework, like the rest of the town, with windows of diamond paned glass and heavy wooden shutters. There was a coat of well tended hunter green paint on them, as well as the door, along with a playful knotwork pattern in gold dancing around their perimeters.

A young woman, somewhere between Daxia and Bekkah in age, whistled a light tune as she washed said windows. She was dressed brightly, in tunics of yellow trimmed with white and red.

Focused on her task, the cleaning girl didn't seem to notice Mikal's approach.

Bekkah

She was surprised that Dazi had received a package. Who could have possibly known that they end up here.

"A gift from an admirer, sister?"

Lady Kay's place seemed to be in the strangest of places. She could not understand why she would have her hospice amongst these ruins and not in the town.

She stepped forward to greet the much older woman.

"I am Lady Bekkah. I'd like top offer my help in your efforts while I am in town."

Cesare

Later to rise this morning than on most mornings in his life. In fact he is tempted to stay abed for much longer, Darian nestled in his arms, such a wonderful bed, huge room; he could so get used to this.

The main thing that finally drew him from the warm comfort are the enticing smells downstairs. And he is more than hungry this morning. But he is happy too, even whistling softly as he dresses.

And there is a more easy familiarity with Darian this morning. More smiles, more touching, some teasing.

Today is a good day.

Darian

A pleasant sigh. No pressing need to be up and about and a comfortable shared warmth. It had been some time since furs had been shared. It is hoped that perhaps they will be in town a bit longer. She lays abed watching him through mostly closed eyes until Longtooth decides she needs to be up and lets her know by slobbering on her face.

She laughs and pushes his snout away then stretches and also rises. A quick clean up before pulling on her clothing and joining Cesare for the morning meal. The others are all gone already having risen early.

She is a bit more brazen in her flirting with him as they off to the market to trade in pelts and trinkets. Their chore for the group done, the rest of the day is left to them and whatever they might choose to do.

"Explore town?" she asks.

Cesare

"Always a good thing to do. I always like to know the quickest and easiest way out.. habit I guess."

He chuckles, his good mood still evident.

"Also, and I know this is a dream for much further ahead.. but I would like to know the price of a horse."

Darian

She grins. "Good habit. Know all trails."

"And things horse needs."

Cesare

"I think the price of a horse might already scare me off but yes I suppose I would have to take other things into account."

Darian has a wise head on her shoulders, one of the things he likes about her. And it will be fun to explore these things with her for company.

"Anything that you want to buy?"

Darian

"Arrowheads, if smith can match or come close. Replace two lost in Cragside."

Daxia
with Bekkah, Dean and Romana at the Ruins

She had looked at the lad with a surprise that approached shock when he had delivered the pouch to her, though upon seeing the white ribbon a tiny smile appeared. After peeking inside, the smile grew even more. And when Bekkah had inquired about it, she grinned broadly and winked.

Daxia's journey up the path to the ruins appeared to be a difficult one. She lagged behind the others, her steps faltering once or twice; several times she stopped to crouch down... simply touching the ground or a piece of rubble. Once at the top, she surveyed the site. She had a puzzled look on her face as she glanced between the children and the well. As Bekkah introduced herself to Lady Kay, Daxia stood by the well... lightly tracing the runes carved into the stone of the well.

Time. Water. Horse.

With great sadness in her voice, she said, "My Lady, what has happened that this well is not used?"

Celi, en route to the Ruins.

Without ever elaborating on her plans, Celi showed up to go to the Ruins. Her reasoning was quite a bit different from the others; in fact, she had not planned to go, until the route came clear. Once she became aware that it involved passage through a portion of the Forest, she made the decision to go along. Even a minimal exposure, after Stormrunner's cautionary counsel from yesterday, gave Celi pause for those who didn't have someone watching out for them. She did have someone; in fact, probably the best someone in the region. So she elected to share her bounty by going along.

Next, the woodsman's wolves gave her pause, only because they had fine noses and no love for softpads. But a warning to Stormrunner would allow him to give the wolves' scent range some avoidance, thereby taking them out of play. Not that Stormrunner couldn't handle them; but polishing off some local's pet wolves was not the way to keep a low profile, as she made clear to him.

I need you for the others, not to prove you can kill twenty wolves. Stay clear of them and watch my people. They need your expertise, since they don't know what they are doing out here.

Actually, Celi thought they *might* know what they were doing, at least some of the time, but ... why take a chance? Stormrunner *absolutely* knew what *he* was doing, and whatever he did was likely a lot smarter than anyone else would come up with.

On the route she just followed along and exchanged all necessary route information with Stormrunner, and otherwise kept her knives ready and her mouth shut.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those at the Ruins

True, the path through the thick brush took one past strange trees and tangled vines.

But these woods, if they coud be called such, were distinctly not part of the Forest Roth.

They lurked close by, however, to the east.

"Fair met Lady Bekkah ... Lady Bekkah of Dawnview, by way of Lilia's castle? you are welcome here, your name is not unknown among the outlying farms. You do us honor. Come, bring you and yours to rest. We have a bit before his Lordship Brother starts yelling from the ramparts for his midday meal."

Lady Kay picked up one bucket in both hands, to laboriously begin what must be her first trip into the quaint house.

"And never in anyone' memory has the well been safe, lass ...

"The water is bad; tainted. Some say cursed, but there are many efective ways of destroying a well without wasting power upon it.

"The children say its haunted ...

"Children like stories like that, they are more romantic than the simple pragmatics of a poisoned water supply. Come ... let us sit inside, out of the cold."

ooc note: I think I've said this before, horses range from 5,000 to 10,000 crowns for a well trained riding horse.

Player Characters who don't start with one, historically, try to get theirs in exchange for adventuring rather than trying to save up that much gold! You want me to kill WHO? okay, but if we do it, you pay me with a horse kind of thing.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those in the Market

Arrowheads would not be the easiest thing to find in the market; quarrels for crossbows are the norm in a Jvrillian town.

"Can you show me what you want?"

That, however, was the answer given by the smith, a sturdy fellow by the name of Nedrick, who worked the shop with the aid of his sons. he showed the arrowheads to the eder one and they spoke quietly amongst each other before coming back.

"Leave this one, come back in three days and we can have a handful waiting for you. Figure a half crown each, and that'll square us up."

Bekkah

She was stunned by the lady's words.

"Yes, that is where I am from, but I am astonished that anyone would know my name. I have done nothing to learn such an honor." she said somewhat embarrassed by the title.

She watched the woman start in with a bucket and she picked up the other two, one in each hand. She carried it inside, setting it where Lady Kay set her bucket.

"Lady Kay, I must ask. Why do you stay out here. Would it not be safer withing the walls of the town?"

[ooc: If Dazi or someone else was coming in, they can have one of the buckets]

[OOC: There are six buckets of water. Three children with two buckets each. Dazi is a pro at carrying buckets of water, remember?]


Daxia
with Bekkah, Dean, Romana and Lady Kay at the Ruins

Daxia hurried over and took the bucket of water from the elderly woman. "There, Lady... why not let strong young arms help you with the water today?" She handed the bucket of water to Dean, and as she picked up another and handed that to him as well, she said, "Hoi! Dazi always say Bekkah be great Lady of Attera. See? Dazi right." She grinned at her sister as she picked up the last two buckets.

Darian

She hands over the arrowhead, mentally tallying how many full arrows she has. She started out with three handfulls. Two were lost in Cragside. The ones she used on the road were all recovered. Handing this one over left her with an even dozen. It would do.

"Three days Darian return," she tells him.

And as she and Cesare move on through the market, her eyes wander over all the goods offered.

KAdri:

"Dazi, I may be small, but it doesn't mean I can't help. . ."

Daxia
with Bekkah, Dean, Kadri, Romana and Lady Kay at the Ruins

Daxia chuckled. "Then take a bucket from Bekkah. She has the biggest heart from Dawnview Castle to Talesan's Keep," she said, "but she's as weak as a kitten. I am used to carrying water buckets."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those at the Ruins

"Oh its not me ... it's Brother Random. He knows Everybody."

Lady Kay then leads the folks indoors, into her small house. The chimney and hearth are central; to the right is a large room that serves as a small hospice. Currently there are two of the townsfolks there, their legs bound in heavy wooden splints - but they seem rested and comfortable. To the left is her one room home; a single space for kitchen and eating - there seems to be room for perhaps five around the table, and a curtained nook against the far wall; probably sheltering where she sleeps.

Daxia
with Bekkah, Dean, Kadri, Romana and Lady Kay at Lady Kay's Home and Hospice

She heard Lady Kay's words, but it wasn't until she'd set the buckets of water down that she turned to look at the elderly Lady of Attera quizzically. "Brother Random knows... everyone? How can..." Daxia stopped, blinked, inhaled sharply, and said, "Oh.

"Yes, an Eye of Hastur." She paused again. "I wonder..." She glanced at Bekkah, then closed her eyes for a couple of heartbeats, before looking at Lady Kay again. "I wonder if he might know our parents -- Bekkah's and mine -- Yuri Tashasdotter and Eelia Darksmith, of Dawnview Vale." Again, Daxia hesitated. "At least, I'm nearly certain Mama was from the Vale. I... I only remember the smallest things about Papa, but I think I remember the sound, the cadence of his voice. I think it was the Dawnview sound."

She turned to her sister. "Do you remember him, Bekkah? I don't know why this has become so important lately, but... but I need to know them. I need to know our ancestors."

And Celi, who is apparently so stealthy she has not yet been noticed in the company en route to the ruins.

Cesare

It would appear from their enquiries that owning a horse might be a lifetime away. Still he will continue to learn, fortunes can change and who know where the Fates may take him.

He wonders where he could make arrowheads. He would need to pay for the use of a forge assuming a smith would allow that. And his skill is in daggers, nothing as small as an arrow head. Darian has a deal now, so that is good for her and probably the best solution here. It does occur to him though that making and selling daggers could be a source of funds for him in the future.. but that might mean too many roots and he is not sure he is ready for that.

"Let's go explore."

Today is today, tomorrow will take care of itself.

Darian

She is more than agreeable to exploring, and for the time they are nothing more than they appear, a young couple seeing the sights of a new town, even if they are accompanied by an over large ruff and each is openly armed.

Mikal

He stops a bit confused at the unexpected sight in front of him. He had expected something a bit more, well, foreboding.

"Excuse me, miss? I am looking for Lady Kara?"

Kadri:

For the moment, KAdri looks uncomfortably silent. And declines to change that.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623
The Last House on Lonely Street

Mikal

The young woman smiled and bounced down from her task.

"I'll go right around and get her for you, Mister ..."

Her pace was light and her colorful skirts swirled about her with each skipped step, as if it were already spring. At the door, however, she paused, stopped and turn around.

"Oh. Right.

"That would be me."

The Priestess of Krysta smoothed down the front of her tunic with the palms of her hands and offered Mikal a friendly smile.

"How can I be of service?"

Mikal

"You are Lady Kara? The one who has an Executioner in her employ?" He glances around behind her, trying to see if she is trying to have fun with him.

After a few moments of consternation, he shrugs. If she isn't who she says she is then she will be in for a shock.

He reaches over his shoulder and unbuckles the strap on the sword belt holding the Hellsword, then gingerly holds it out to the girl.

"Please be careful with this. I have it from an Easterner who tried to kill me in the Forest of Roth. I'd like to have it re-forged, but I believe it needs to be purified first."

He continues to look at her hesitantly.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623
The Last House on Lonely Street

Mikal

"He doesn't work for me, silly. We both serve Her."

The young woman folded her hands behind her back and bounced on her heels.

"Did you really expect someone draped in blacks and anguished looking, preying upon the living as if she were starved and you soul was her next meal?

"Here, I'll let you in on a lil' secret."

With a mischievous smile the young priestess leaned forward.

"It's non-negotiable. When you die, My lady gets your soul. Period. End of tale. No take backs.

"Knowing that, do you really think She worries whether or not you die from a cow falling on you right ... now ... or if you fade many years from now old and sleepy and in a bed surrounded by your family?

"In the end, you, me, everybody, we are Hers.

"Until then, life is a gift, life is to be lived in the fullest.

"It seems silly to squander it being all moody and grey and sullen."

The girl took the sword, fingers on its hilt, trailing along the scabbard. If she does falter it is not from its magics, but from the simple weight of the blade. Her lips twitch and she wrinkles her nose.

"No one likes thieves."

Slowly she turned, to walk into the house.

"There ... there .. there there now ..."

She spoke quietly to the blade.

"It's all right, you are with me and mine now. No more hurt, no more longing, no more emptiness.

"Come ...

"It's time to dance, yes?"

The Priestess entered her small, bright home.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those at the Ruins

All were welcome in the Priestess' home, from the most questioning to the most quiet. Lady Kay looked to a kettle in her heart and asked simply,

"Tea?"

She then sat down at the end of her table. After, of course, setting out simple crockery cups for her guests.

"It's because its what he does. Some brothers know the names of all the birds, some of all the fish, some all the farms between Bordertown and Talesan's Village.

"Brother Random has been up in is towers with his genealogies since I first opened this Hospice, when I was your age. As for staying here, it's remote, it's quiet ... even if we have to board everything up every now and then. the riders from the forest tend to leave us alone; even they fear harming one of the Lady's acolytes and the Town is a far plumper target ... one that refuses to be ignored ... than a stone tower.

"And thank you all, for helping with the water."

She then poured herself a cup of tea, leaning back to listen to the two sisters talk.

Mikal

"Yes I did expect someone like that." He replies to her description of a black robed, brooding, priestess.

The comment about Krysta getting his soul when he died is a little disconcerting, as he'd hoped he'd be with Jvrill after his life ended, and he actually looks up and steps to one side when she mentions a cow falling on his head, then chuckles nervously.

In the end he nods agreement with her philosophy, though it still surprised him.

He follows her into the house, not sure she meant him to, but he doesn't want her to hurt herself with the heavy blade.

Bekkah

She listened to the woman and nodded at her reasoning. She glanced at Dazi to make sure she had heard the part about even the horde in the evil forest would not touch a Lady of Attera. Perhaps hearing it from this woman and seeing that she yet still lives, might make Dazi worry far less about her safety.

"I'm sorry Daxia, I barely remember them, probably no more than you do. Just images. I remember so much about you. I wanted to be your protector. You were so much more than a sister to me. You were mind to care for and I think all my memories just revolve around you. That's why it was so hard for me to leave you. Nothing short of my Lady could have pulled me from your side. Especially as young as you were."

She then turned her attention back the Lady.

"I'd love some tea."

"Afterwards Lady Kay, is there anything I can do for you?"

Kadri keeps her conversation somewhat neutral when it comes to the topic of religion.

After all. Not everyone understands hers, and there is no sense tempting fate.

"I would love some tea - if you happen to have anything sweet to put in it, why - I would love it even more."

"Tea would be most gratefully accepted. "

Celi clasped her hands, rested them on her knees. She sniffed, looked around; her lips pursed in a brief moue."You grow your own? I saw verbena, hyssop and sassafras without..."

Daxia
with Bekkah, Dean, Kadri, Romana and Lady Kay at the Ruins

Daxia nodded at Lady Kay's information regarding the Eye of Hastur.

"You're most welcome, Lady. We're happy to be of service, if even in such a small way."

She reached an arm around her sister and hugged her close. "It's fine, Bekkah. It was long, long ago; and you left me in the best possible care when you went to Lilia's Castle, da?"

Smiling as she released Bekkah and turned back to Lady Kay, she said, "Thank you. Tea would be very nice." She glanced at their newest charge. "Romana? Tea for you, too?" There was something about the dark-haired girl that always seemed to get the redhead smiling.

"Lady Kay, would it be possible to talk with Brother Random about..." She paid a quick glance at Bekkah, then back to the elder Atteran with a smile. "...our portion of Everybody? I'd be happy to carry his meal up to him, if that would help you even further.

"And who might I talk with about the well and its history? It burdens my heart to see one of my Lady's wells tainted; if there might be some way to cleanse it, surely it is my duty to at least make an attempt." She sighed. "Although, no doubt more than one of my Temple-Sisters has been through Bordertown over this Age and had the same thought."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those at the Ruins

"Grow my own?"

The old woman shook her head and held her small cup in both hands.

"No ... I am not much of a gardener. They do grow wild though, no matter what the weather."

She then returned her attention to the other Priestess, her head tilting.

"Actually, Lady Yurisdotter, if you could poke your head in the Jvrillian Temple? Like most men they are ornery and proud, and will let their hurts fester before coming to a woman for aid. the walk to town is hard on my old bones, that and Brother Random would forget his meals if I were nay here.

"As for speaking with Random, if he did nae accidentally lock himself in, the tower should be open.

"He's in there ..."

The Atteran priestess paused.

" ...somewhere.

"As for the well? As far as we know, its just another old well; like many scattered between here and the mountains. Do you think you could cleansed ... that would be very convenient.

"Are you saying it is special to you? Lady Captain Koromov has been here a few times, but usually because she needed some stitching or a bone set."

To one side, Romana quietly drank her tea. She sniffed at it, took a sip and then her eyes went wide.

"Hothothot!"

She then carefully blew across the top of her cup, before more carefully sipped at it.

"Different ...

" ... differents always good."

Bekkah

"Certainly. I will look in on them as soon as we return to the town. And it's not just the Jvrillians who are stubborn. It seems most fighters are that way, although men are certainly he worst."

She smiled at Romanas' reaction to the tea and blew on her own cup before taking a sip.

Celi hesitated, then said, "If you wish, I can pick some of the plants you brew for tea. AS I mentioned, I saw hyssop, sassafras, verbena and lemongrass en route to here. There are likely others. I could also replant any of them closer to your home, if that would be more convenient. And I can bring you actual dark mountain tea, sharp or smoke, when next I travel this way."

She looked down, then back in the Priestess' eyes. "You are of such kindness and service to those in need, I would be honored to in some wise repay you."

Daxia
with Bekkah, Dean, Kadri, Romana and Lady Kay at the Ruins

"Sister dear, are you implying that I am stubborn?" she asked with feigned shock and an enormous grin. But when she turned once again to the elderly Atteran, she was more somber.

"Yes, Lady. The runes of Time, Water and Horse mark it as a well dedicated to Dayala. I don't know the Purification spell, unfortunately," Daxia said sadly, "or I would most certainly cleanse the waters for you." She shook her head. "Captain Koromov, undoubtedly, cannot perform that spell either, for she would have cleansed it for you if she could. Any Dayalan would." She smiled, though it held no humor. "Sadly, we learn the combat-related spells first, and I am but an Initiate still with few spells at my command. And Captain Koromov..." Now Daxia's eyes held a glint of humor and her smile more warmth. "I believe the differences in philosophy between her and the Priestesses of Dayala at the Dawnview Temple cause her to spend as little time there as possible. I grew up there, and did not meet her until I ventured out from the Vale." She shrugged philosophically.

"But if there might be some other way to cleanse the waters, should I learn of another way to do so, I promise I will do that for you, or see that it is done, Lady Kay."

Celi

On some occasions, Celi had been able to determine what had befouled a water source simply by smelling it. Her sense of smell had been tested and trained by one of the really good noses in all of the Wild: Stormrunner. Smell was a skill that could be developed, improved, even trained and fine-tuned. She would never ever be as good as Stormrunner, but she was a lot better now than she had been when they first joined, and she could spot a large variety of both organic and inorganic contaminants by scent alone.

So, when she went to the well and took a sniff, it wasn't an altogether hopeless task. She wasn't going to drink her fill, or encourage anyone else to do so, since having someone die was not going to get her any closer to the contamination source. But if she could scent it, then she could look for it.

Daxia
with Kadri at the well at the Ruins

At Lady Kay's look of gratitude, Daxia said, "I cannot say for certain that it will be possible to make the well usable, but I might know more after I take a look at the well. And after that," she said with a smile, "I would be happy to bring Brother Random his mid-day meal." She turned to look at Kadri, and her eyes flickered towards the door.

Then smiling at Bekkah, she said, "If you'd like to stay and talk with Lady Kay and..." She looked over at Romana, who held the cup of tea in both hands, eyes closed, a radiant smile on her face as she inhaled the scent. "...and keep Romana company as she enjoys her tea, I will not mind." She looked around at the others. "Unless you know the Detect Magic spell, I do not mind going with just Kadri."

After a moment, she nodded to Lady Kay and returned outside. After a handful of steps, she stopped and closed her eyes. "I can almost see how it would have looked before it was destroyed," she murmured. "So much like home." She sighed as she opened her eyes, and blinked away images of a complete Dayalan temple to focus on the one that was now nothing but ruins.

She walked to the well, not speaking again until they reached the well. Unlike the well in the Dawnview Temple courtyard that was carved from the honey marble ubiquitous in Dawnview Vale and most keeps, this was carved from stone. The workmanship was so fine that, even after countless years, it appeared as though it had been hewn from a single slab of stone. It stood about two feet off the ground, and was about five feet in diameter. Runes of Time, Water and Horse were carved into the outer side and top of the stone.

"Gilly and I would sit at the well when she came to the Vale during the Dry Season," Daxia said, more to herself than Kadri. "It wasn't often, so it was special. She'd tell me tales of the world outside the Vale." Shaking herself out of her reverie, Daxia first closely inspected the stone itself, from top -- where countless Dayalans had sat in Ages past -- to bottom, where the was stone sunk deep into the ground. Then, leaning over the edge, she looked into the darkness. Looking up at the trees and at the foliage all around, she said, "It has likely been many fullhands of years since She has looked deeply into this well. Perhaps it is time for a small part of Her to do so once again."

She whispered a few words and cast her Starlight spell. Holding it in the palm of her hand for a moment, Daxia then sent the light down slowly into the well. In the confined space, it appeared brighter than usual -- though likely that was merely illusion. She made note of everything she observed -- the usual and the unusual -- as the light moved down and down.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Those at the Ruins

The ranking Priestess tilted her head at Romana's startlement, offering the young woman a curious look and then, slowly, a smile. In response, the dark haired lass retreated back into her hood. Though every now and then she'd peek back out to steal another sip of tea.

"I don't think it was for lack of concern ... but simple circumstances. We may overlook the town, but both Brother Random and myself cherish the relative privacy of this place. We can undertake our studies and work without becoming entangled in the politics of the town ... and being it a trading post with two of the most mercantile pagan cults those politics can make one down right grumpy.

"So most young folks, looking for the adventure that would have the minstrels sing of them, they stay down in the town, on the plains, dare the forest ... without the patient to share a kettle of tea."

Lady Kay then smiled.

"Why I thank you ... those stairs are starting to get a bit long for me, especially if he has hidden himself away on one of the upper ramparts. Here, let me get it ready; it should not take far too long. If you wish to stretch your legs, I'll call when its ready.

"And you study teas, Miss?"

She nodded to Celi.

"There are so many wildflowers and herbs that tumble off to the west. On some of Brother Random's maps they say Here There Be Beasts ... it is almost as if someone labeled the world, here there be tea ..."

There was a polite nod as Daxia and Kadri took their leave, and then a raised brow as Romana followed a few paces behind.

"They are still blooming, Miss ..."

She returned to the discussion of tea.

"As if they didn't even know it was the season of the storms."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623
The Last House on Lonely Street

Mikal

The inside of the temple ... house ... is like the outside. Simple, clean, bright; it could have been any farmhouse or young merchants. There were hints that she did not work the fields or the days of a farmer's wife; there was time to clean, to arrange wildflowers in a tall leaded glass vase ... or two .. or three. There were hints, however, that this was no normal house. Between two tall and narrow stained glass windows - themselves perhaps even richer than the windows of the Dragonstooth - was a huge bar of what appeared to be polished silver, beneath which were two curved verticals.

A person sized rune of Death.

It reflected the colored glass pastoral image with a soft shimmer, gentle and soothing, as if it were misted in ever shifting emerald and rose water.

Beneath the rune was a heavy wooden cube, large, its top bearing the scars of many axe strokes..

Aye.

That exactly.

Lady Kara drew herself up before the rune, falling silent.

It was reverently that she she held the darksteel blade up, closing her eyes and then setting it down upon the executioner's block.

She drew herself up, folding her hands at the small of her back.

The young priestess looked back over her shoulder to Mikal with a small poignant smile.

"This is nay going to be the most exciting matter in the world. And it will take time ...

"You do nay have to be staying if you don't wish to."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

The circle of stones were silent as Daxia approached.

She was shadowed by Romana, the slender lass like a wraith to one side of the Dayalan. She swallowed, once, and while daxia walked right up to the edge she stayed a few paces back. Her head was ducked, her expression unreadable within the shadow of her fur lined hood.

Looking down into the well and one was looking into the night. Especially with the sun slipping to the far horizon; and aye, from atop the ruins it was if you could see to the very edge of the world, the darkness was impenetrable only handful of feet below.

Still, far darker that it should be.

A moment, then two, and a few reverent words spoken.

The blue-white star shone bright; though it provided little illumination against Her light. That is until Daxia sent it down into the tainted well.

For a long while it drifted, a shimmering sphere of light slowly drifting deeper and deeper. It brought light to a ring of stone, and that ring of what could be seen also moved lower and lower, a gentle star lit drift. The stone was smooth; the craftsmanship obviously very high. Though it was not perfect; every now and then there were scratches, scars and chipped cracks in the stone- as if they had been hit by something hard.

A full hand feet down and the stone vanished

The star was still there, still continuing its drift down and down and down. But at least for a space of another fullhand of feet there was nothing within its range to reflect upon.

Finally, there was a glimpse of a ring of flatness ... then once again the circular walls of the well.

Truely finally , far far below, the bottom of the well was a black disc. It shifted, it shimmered, it reflected back the cool light of Daxia's traveling star.

Still water.

A closer look and there was something else.

The hint of some thing ... of some things else. They reflected white.

That was not quite true.

They reflected ivory.

Kadri:

SHge looks down, whistles.

"Bones, Daxia?"

She looks over, raising an eyebrow.

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

"That would certainly explain why the well is tainted. The cracks and scratches," she said, pointing to the imperfections in the upper stone segment, "weren't made by just a body being tossed into the well. Or even a handful of bodies." Daxia looked up at Kadri. "Unless the bodies were armored, armed and alive when they went in." She shuddered before looking back down into the well.

"The middle section... where there is no stone lining... that's not normal well construction. It's almost as if..." She looked up again, then out over Bordertown and the expanse of the Tarn. "...as if it was pulled apart," she whispered. "As if the ground itself tried to distance itself from the taint."

Turning back to Kadri and Romana, she said, "Whatever is down there needs to come out. That won't be easy."

Kadri eyes the well speculatively.

". . I could try climbing down there, given a rope. . . See what it looks like at the break?"

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

"Yah. Think see dirt, maybe roots," Daxia said, unconsciously falling back to her native speech pattern, as she looked into the well again. "Need much rope... more than three fullhand. Dazi only have three handful! Hmmm, good thing Bordertown big market place, huh?" She narrowed her eyes as she stared into the depths. "Now Dazi want to know who in well. Easterners throw... sorry, Romana... bored Eastern princes throw Dazi Sisters, other defenders into well? Or Dazi Sisters throw bored Eastern princes in well? Well go bad either way." She shrugged as she straightened. "We tell others what we find?"

Kadri, With Daxia and Romana at the well.

"Could be. Could NOT be. Only can know by seeing. If the body is already bones, been there for a long while, especially if its in cold water, no?"

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

Daxia nodded. "Long time, since end of Second Age if Dazi think right on what happen here." She raised an eyebrow. "What Kadri thinking?"

Kadri:

"Well. . . "

She opens her mouth. Pauses, frowns. . .

". . I'm not sure. Feels like there should be something but not sure."

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

Brows furrowed, she looked between Kadri, Romana, and the well... several times.

"Should be something? What kind something?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

From beneath the fur trimmed hood came a quiet whisper.

"Highside Heather west, yes yes .... yes."

Her words dropped even more.

"Means Dazis sisters ... here ... losted."

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

Daxia looked at Romana, puzzled. "Yah," she said, spreading her arms to indicate the whole of the ruined complex. "This not all happen from neglect. Dayalans..." She pressed her lips together tightly and swallowed hard. "We just buy time here. Like always. In end, Dazi Sisters always lose when Kh'Lhy'Ra princes get bored."

Daxia paused, head bowed. "At the end of the Second Age, the Eastern Horde came once again across the mountains," she recited softly. "Jeminy's Hill was only the first to fall, then Brementown and Bordertown. Up the Highgaard Valley they traveled, leaving only death and destruction in their wake. At each battle site, the Warriors of Dayala stood fast; no Easterner passed while any Dayalan lived. And yet..." The young Dayalan's voice broke, and she took a deep breath before continuing. "And yet the Eastern Horde moved ever onward.

"The Coven raised their forces and met the Easterners at Silk Creek Bridge, Only Bridge, at Highside Heather. Then the foul Sorcerer Davidson the Black summoned demons and beasts that ran through the terrified army of farmers. It is said that most of the Coven Lords died that night.

"As She rose the next day, the proud Knights of Roth charged the Eastern Horde and drove them to the lowside of the Tarn. The Only Bridge had been destroyed; both the Knights of Roth and the Eastern Horde were separated from the fertile lands of the highside Tarn.

"Undeterred, the Eastern Horde rallied and gathered their army; fullhand upon fullhand, more than any could count. They bypassed the ravine, skirting around the mouth of Silk Creek, by taking their uncountable number of warriors into the Dirkwood Forest, intent on gaining the lands of highside Tarn.

"A fullhand of a fullhand of a fullhand of a fullhand times a handful of Eastern warriors marched into the Dirkwood Forest."

Daxia raised her head and looked towards Romana. "Not a single one ever came out." Head tilted, she studied the figure hidden beneath fur and cloth. "You know the tales of these terrible battles, too, Romana?" She spoke softly, she spoke with kindness and compassion. "What do your people say about the last time the princes of Kh'Lhy'Ra were bored, and one prince became strong enough to tell the others they would cross the Mountains again to the Heartwood?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Truth ..."

Romana kept her head down, scuffing the broken rocks with her foot.

"Most not say, most not think, most ...

"... most not look that far ahead. Corhlayyans, most, live for nows, not for pasts, not for futures. Those that do ...

"Remembers the Slaughters in The Heartwood. Remembers the Silk Creek Massacre.

"Nothing more dangers, than a Corhlayyan wants vengeance."

She then took a breath, hugging herself, slowly raising her head.

"Powerful magics here. Was meant break the Beast and Tree lords ... to take away very source of power. Anthing ... anythings can summoned, dazidazidazi understands ... anythings. ANYTHINGS.

"All takes big enough ... what is word Dazidazidazi uses?

"Scarfulicious? Sunny Estuaries? Sacriligeous?

"Sac .. sac ... there, that word.

"Sacrifice."

She looked to the stone circle.

"Learned. How important wells. How hard Starbredkillers fights for wells.

"All takes ... big enough sacrifice."

Kadri:

". . ."

She stands in silence for a moment.

"This well was a sacrifice?"

She frowns.

"I don't like people willing to sacrifice the lives of other people. I don't like them _at all_."

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

Sacrifice.

Daxia staggered a bit at the word; sat -- dropped, really -- to the edge of the well, staring at Romana. Hearing, but not really hearing, Kadri speak.

"I..." She shook her head. "Why, Romana?" Daxia's voice was full of anguish. "Why?

"All we do is protect as Dayala directs us to do.

"We defended Risha's people at Jeminy's Hill. We defended the people of Brementown. We defended our Temple here. We defended the keeps and towns from Cragside to Snowgate Pass.

"We were buying time, Romana," she said as tears fell unnoticed. "That's all we could do. That's all we ever do.

"By the time the Eastern princes reached Highside Heather..." Daxia stopped, swallowed hard, took a deep breath.

"It was up to the Coven to and the Knights of Roth to defend the Heartwood by then. We... we... we could do no more.

"The Battle of Silk Creek happened after the Temple here fell. It was the Coven and Davidson the Black who fought the Eastern princes there. Why do this?" she pointed down the well. "Why would the princes do this to us? Why do they hate us so much, Romana?"

The strong Dayalan warrior was superceded by a red-haired young woman in turmoil, in grief.

"Why?" she whispered.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Becauses ... becauses ...

"Big enough sacrifices ... can ... can summons ..."

Romana quietly repeated herself.

" ... ANYTHING."

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the well at the Ruins

"Yes. Anything. Anything at all," she said quietly, painfully.

"But why my Sisters? How could Cohrlayans take vengeance on them for something that had not yet happened? Dayalans were not AT Highside Heather. What anything required this kind of sacrifice?"

Daxia raised both hands to her face, first wiping the tears from her cheeks, then fingers massaging forehead and temples.

"I don't understand, Romana," she said. "I'm trying... but I just don't understand."

Mikal

He takes in the details of the cottage, glancing nervously at the executioners block. When the Priestess offers him an opportunity to leave, he graciously takes it, as while he'd be somewhat interested to stay, he is relieved not to have to.

"I will return after the mid-day meal, Lady. My thanks."

He turns and leaves the cottage, heading over to the Jvrillian barracks. He can pick up the news and perhaps he can save some time and talk to the Priest now. He would like to restore the holy spells he used and make sure the Priest will be available to bless the blade once it's been reforged.

Celi [lurking beside the well with the rest of the well-wishers]

Celi was capable of great stealth. So much was clear, for no one had noticed her, where she had come to take a sampling of the water and the air around the well, hoping to be able to spot the source of the contamination.

So watching the discourse, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, as the tale of the Coveners and the Knights of Roth in their defense of the Heartwood unraveled, she listened ... and felt renewed.

Gram had told these tales, albeit from a slightly different perspective, when she was young and learning what life meant, as she sought to put their beliefs in some historical perspective.

It was not them against the rest of the world. They had fought for the land, and alongside others, and fought bravely.

Why were they held in such poor regard now? SHe should be *proud*, not fearful ofm discovery.

ooc note: gamemaster rolls the deadly dice ... player request resolved and notified.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Darian, Cesare and Longtooth

By the time all their trinkets and baubles have been traded for coin, the sun had already began its fall towards the far, far, far off sea.

The walk then, to the gate opposite the one that was entered, was not far at all. Past the big general store, past the wheelwrights, and then one reaches the opposite gate house. It faces south, actually, as the Eastern Gate actually opens to the north.

Bordertown rests at the very edge of the mainlands, so far from the coast that the lands known as the East are now, in actuality, to the north. this gatehouse has been walled in; very carefully, very surely, with tight fitting stones carefully crafted. Outside the town wall the terraced ruins rise, choked in their underbrush, capped by the small tower with its faded blue banner.

Odd, there was a single man upon the parapet.

He was slender, wearing tunics of white and gold; obviously finely made. His cloak was a dark woolen tartan, a crafted pattern only in the shades of deepest red. Indeed, it took a second look to notice there was a pattern at all. It was bound by a large and many bejeweled clasp and its heavy hood was up.

Not that it would have helped if it were lowered; the man was looking out to the ruins, his back to them.

He was also atop the very tall and sturdy ex-gatehouse.

He brought a hand up, raising a pair of fingers, as if to test the direction of the late afternoon breeze.

Except the cold storm season air was still.

Longtooth's hackles were raised.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

Romana shook her head.

"Dazidazidazi all confused. Dazi asked why would come from easts. thats why comes now ... nows.

"Romanas suspect that last time, came for power, came for vengeance, for things done before even then.

"So long agos no remembers, anyones at alls."

The young woman turned, looking out to the west, towards the sea.

"Dazidazidazi ... difference between Easts and Wests. In Easts that things make no sense, that is expected, that is way of world.

"Does Dazidazidazi know how hards, in wests, where everything tries to make sense?

"The world is the world is the world, Dazidazidazdi

"Sometimes, trying to make sense of it, makes no sense."

[OOC: This post should be BEFORE the GM's last post.]

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

Daxia eyed Celi for a moment, then turned back to Romana, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. It looked as if she was watching something behind her eyelids.

"We are always here, every time the Kh'Lhy'Ra princes come over the Mountains. We, the Dayalans... we stand first to defend the Heartwood. We buy time, holding the princes at bay as best we can," she said softly, "until others can arrive. So often... too often... others do not arrive.

"At the end of the Second Age, it was the Coven that stood against the princes when they rode over the Dayalans. But... the Coven, the leaders were destroyed. They were utterly destroyed. And why would that be a surprise? They were peaceful farmers living in concert with the land! It was Davidson the Black who learned to call the demons..."

Her eyes flew open, looking between Romana and Celi.

"I have never heard that Coveners could do such a thing... it sounds as though it would be an abomination," she said with a glance at Celi, before focusing her attention on Romana.

"Is that what happened?" she asked, barely above a whisper. "The Kh'Lhy'Ra princes taught that skill to Davidson? Is that what happened here," she said, pointing again to the depths of the well. "Did they kill two birds with one arrow... using my Sisters as a sacrifice to bring forth something so terrible that it crushed the Coven?

"Did Davidson murder my sisters? Or was it the princes? Is he the evil we've all been taught he was, or did they simply use him? Make him a scapegoat, to taint the memory of the Coven?"

Her lips pressed tightly together, Daxia shook her head. "I know we don't want this hatred to continue, Romana, but it is so hard not to hate the bored princes of your land. It is wrong, I know, to hope the Dirkwood devoured their living flesh and gnawed on their bones," she said, unaware of or ignoring the tears that were falling. She looked into the depths of the well at the tiny star of light near the bottom. "I still don't understand why they hate us so much." She stared quietly for a moment, then looked back at the dark-haired Eastern girl hidden within the hood of her cloak, blue eyes barely visible.

"Is it all because Dayala joined cause to effect when She rose on that first day and created Time and Order? It is simply because we are Her children?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

At the Jvrillian Guildhouse

It was well into the afternoon before Mikal finished with his more reverent tasks, to partake in studies and services to the Guildhouse - an equivalent exchange of a sort. The gifts of Jvrill were renewed and one of the swordlord's gear was cleaned, polished and repaired, errands run, blades oiled and sharpened ... sharp but not too sharp.

it made no sense to have a razor's edge upon a sword.

It would chip and dull upon the first hit on any armor.

Afterwards then, it was a bench in the Guildhall. The hall was emptier than usual, but that was to be expected. One third of the towns complement was missing, wintering in Cragside instead.

"Bloody Kories and their crowns ... swords and discipline, it better be a quiet season of storms; last thing we need is the forest to be restless right about now.

"Damnation, Hank ... the world's a funny place. To fid us, for once, cursing the fact that the Mark isn't here."

For Mikal, it was a bucket of beer, some bread and hot meat, shared with one of the Heavy Horse's priests. Cariadoc was his name. he was relatively short and had a reputation of chopping off the knees of those taller than he.

"The tithe of darksteel, aye, that shall well cover the task of reforging.

"Both myself and Rodrick Swordsmith, we'll take up the task as soon as the Dark Lady finishes her cleansings and offers us pure metal and only metal.

"It'll make a fine Midwinter's gift, aye lad"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Not that enough, Dazidazidazi?

"If Corhlayyan step into town square and say good morning ... how long will Corlayyan live?

"If Dazidazidazi walk up to Squires and says Dayalas best ... how longs Dazidazidazi lives?

"If Children of Trees and Beasts claim their calling ...

" ... how long before greasy smoke rises in sky?"

Romana hugged herself a bit, on the top of the Dayalan ruins.

"Folks never need excuse to hate, Dazidazidazi."

She then, however, stopped and shook her head.

"But Dazidazidazi speak wrong. Starbredkillers never protect The Heartwood. Never nevers."

She thew out her arms and spun around.

"Silly Dazidazidazi. This not Heartwoods. This world. No one calls worlds thats."

She then pointed to the north, to the north and slightly west.

"The Heartwoods over theres."

Darian

She came to a stand still when Longtooth's fur rose to stand on end. She followed the path of his gaze with her own, a wary readiness descending about her. One hand slid to the hilt of her war dagger. She was not sure if it was the man who had caused Longtooth's reaction or whatever it was beyond the walls that drew his attention."

Mikal

"Thank you." He replies with a small nod of his head in respect to the Sword-priest.

Having taken care of getting his cult spells renewed and the payment for the sword forging and placement of spells upon it he turns back towards the conversation he heard at the edge of his hearing a few minutes ago.

Moving closer to the two lounging men, he asks, "My pardon. I am just arrived from the road. Did I hear you say the Forest of Roth was 'restless'?"

Kadri- ou at the well

"I like none of them, Romana - noone who would silence someone's song for no reason other than that they do not prefer its sound. Those who would have the world be a chorus of one voice. It isn't even hate I have for them - it is less than hate - and more - it is contempt. Do you inderstand? But Dazi - _it is_ and always will be, and you can't waste time agonizng over why - just fight it, remove it where you can, lessen it where you cannot. But as to wondering why? I no longer waste my time on that; I will never know the answer."

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

Daxia stood and paced away a handful of steps, then back again. She made a sound of frustration, half strangulated scream and half groan.

"I ask 'why', Kadri, because I seem to be cursed with an overly curious nature; one of the reasons Kassia was so convinced my path led to becoming a Priestess. I try to make sense of things, Romana, because that is what I do. I see patterns, I see connections... and I make sense of them.

"How can we break the cycle of hatred and destruction unless someone... anyone... asks why? How can we find a way to accept Cohrlayans who are not Romana unless someone makes sense of the reasons we must kill one another?"

She continued her pacing, slow and deliberate, as she spoke to the three of them.

"For now... a Cohrlayan knows better than to walk to the town square and great people. And the Children of Trees and Beasts know better than to proclaim their affiliation.

"For now.

"And Dazi knows better than to walk up to a Squire and say I am better than he. For now AND for always. Dazi is not stupid.

"People fear and hate those who come from the East. People fear and hate those of the Coven. But haven't you taught us -- our small group -- that it is not the people of the East we should fear, but the Kh'Lhy'Ra princes who get so bored that -- once one becomes powerful enough -- they climb over the Mountains seeking vengeance for things their grandfathers forgot, seeking relief from boredom, seeking a bloody death to honor their Gods?

"I ask 'why' because I want answers to questions perhaps only the Gods themselves can answer. But until people ask 'why are things this way?', nothing can change. The people on this side of the Mountains will continue to hate the people on the other side of the Mountains... the Imperial Families will continue their scheming and plotting... the Noble Families of the Little Kingdoms will do the same... those of the Coven will continue to be hated and burned for the heinous acts of a single man... those who follow Dayala will continue to be laughed at, never to stand proudly with our brothers who follow Rames and Jvrill... sons and daughters will continue to be married to strangers for political reasons."

She stopped her pacing and stood looking at them, hands on her hips.

"One person can't change the world. But until one person sees there is something wrong with the way the world is, until one person asks questions... asks 'WHY?'... nothing will ever change. And I think some things ought to change." She looked at Kadri. "Some things already have. Then she looked at Romana. "Haven't they?"

Daxia was quiet for a moment or two, the space of a handful of breaths.

"That is the Dirkwood Forest, Romana. I have read scrolls so old, the inks are barely readable. The whole of the world is called The Heartwood. Not just this land here, on this side of the Mountains, but everything... everywhere. The whole world was called The Heartwood... the land on which one walks... earth... ground.

"Us. You. The Empire.

"We are all part of The Heartwood. Dazi's Sisters just protected the people in their little part of it."

Kadri, at the well, with Daxia, Celi and ROmana:

"Yah, Daxia. Some things can change. I can change one thing at a time, I can change my circumstances. Sometimes, I can help change things for a merchant's daughter, say. I can change things for this person, that person. But. . big changes . . . Dazi, I am just not that IMPORTANT. You? Maybe. You? Make big changes. Me? Nibble around the edges, try help people where I can, one, two at a time. Make the the foolish look foolish, and help the ridiculous be ridiculed. Other than that. . .even if I knew why. . . who listens?"

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

"But that's my point, Kadri," she said with a smile. "No one makes big changes. Certainly not me. I'm not that important. I am just asking the questions... I am just asking why things must be the way they have always been."

Her glance towards Celi lasted barely the blink of an eye.

"Or why things happened to make the world worse for some people. All any of us can do is one small thing at a time. Small changes made by many people are the changes that last.

"We helped a merchant's daughter. We saved a terrified girl from being dragged home to be married to her father's Friend. Those were small things that we could do. But to Elise? To Romana? Don't you think they were very big things?"

Dazi just shrugged. "The Duksheviya... the Initiate's Journey... is a time for learning. Perhaps I simply want to learn more than my Sisters who choose to remain in the Vale after they return. Perhaps, just as you make the foolish look foolish and ridicule the ridiculous, my small part is to constantly question everything. And to slay demons," she said with a wink and a grin.

"We all have our part to play. Small parts, yes. And some," she said, looking at Celi and Romana, "must do their part without letting the world know who they are."

She paused to regard the three young women with her. "What we are finding out here, away from the lands we called home, is that the world is much different... people are much different than what we were taught to believe. There is some truth in what we were taught, of course... Jvrillians do still make fun of Dayalans," she said with a light laugh.

But then Daxia said seriously, "But I Contracted with a Jvrillian, and would trust Mikal to watch my back as readily as any of my Sisters. And our Squire is as likeable a fellow as I've met, though I've no doubt there's more to Dean than meets the eyes. As with all of us, yes?"

She walked to the edge of the well, and once again peered into the depths. "Knowing what happened here and why... that will help tell us what needs to be done to clean the well for Lady Kay. Perhaps that is a small thing to us, but it will make a big difference to an elderly woman, will it not? And I can't help but hope Dayala would be pleased with our efforts, and think favorably on all who help restore Her well... no matter which God holds their allegiance."

Celi with Daxia, Kadri and Romana at the well at the ruins

"Allow me to approach, an' it does not put anyone off," Celi said. When no one immediately barred her, she hesitantly came forward, and examined the wellhead. She touched the stone, smelled, then touched her tongue to her fingertips, sampling whatever residue remained imbedded in the wellstones.

"Tell me again of Silk Creek ... please, Daxia."

She couldn't contain the tear that tracked down her cheek. So much had her people given, trying to save the Heartwood, only to be so bitterly embattled now.



ooc: flipped the backwards bracket right ways around.

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

"The stories told across the length and breadth of the land are not the ones I learned when I became an Initiate," she said softly, not looking up. "Dayalans remember the Second Age as one of peace, a time when people farmed the land, and lived simply. There was little need of our teachings or skills, whether it be those of the sword or in building.

"The tales told now say the rule of the Coven was broken at Silk Creek, but our tales say the Coven never ruled... they taught, they guided, they gave assistance to the people living and farming all across the land. At most, they led the people, showing them how to live in harmony with everything around them.

"Of the Battle of Silk Creek Bridge, it is said that the Coven leaders had gathered an army of farmers, of simple folk to hold back the invaders from the East. Simple people, Celi, led by those who knew the magics of the earth and the animals, not the ways of war. And we were not there to aid them; we had been shattered.

"One among them, though, had learned to call demons. Here... at this very well where we stand, no doubt." She glanced up at Romana, and sadly shook her head before staring back down into the depths. "A sorcerer by the name of Davidson the Black.

"When he called his demons... his ANYTHING... the beasts ran amok through the Coven army, if one could even call it that, killing the Coven leaders, killing and scattering the farmers.

"There were fewer Coveners left then than Dayalans, for at least some of our Priestesses and Warriors had survived in Dawnview Vale.

"When She rose the next morn, the Knights of Roth charged into battle against the Eastern Horde, and were successful in scattering them, though the Easterners rallied and thought to reach the highside of the Tarn by going through the Dirkwood.

"The Easterners when in; none ever came out."

Daxia was quiet, watching her starlight begin to fade within the well, and long heartbeats passed before she looked up at Celi. "That the whole of the Second Age, that anything related to the Coven, is painted with a brush dipped in the evil acts of a single power-hungry madman is not a wrong I can right. Your forebears did the best they could, and you would not be wrong in being quietly proud of them,” she said in a low tone, hardly more than a whisper. "But the fact remains that few know it was only one man, wreaking havoc down the Highland Path from Bordertown to Highside Heather, who called forth the abominations. Most people believe all of the Coven were like Davidson the Black. Most people believe those of the Coven still living among them are like Davidson the Black. So when I say be quietly proud of them, I stress the quiet. Do you understand why, Celi?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

A slender, booted foot stomped on the broken ground.

"Dazidazidazis not listens! Close ears. Muddlings, oooshing all things togethers, even not like things, like oooshings fires and waters, all gets is fogs and not sees anythings!

"Not everythings happens at Silk Creeks."

Romana ducked her head.

"Kashkhanash stev 'doashk,
"Hajhankvic stev 'nohoa.
"katanis hohka sten,
"daylna lashtana ko'aye dann koa ..."

She then looked up.

"Where, Dazidazidazi? Where World Forest? Where The Heartwood?

She pointed east.

"Not there, mountains filled with earth's bones. Not there, where the Black tried hides, where found by One-Who-Is-Never-Named ... those woods young, those woods not old."

She pointed west.

"Not theres. Little woods, lonely trees, young trees. More rocky rocks than leafy leaves! Waters too, far as can see. Romanas never see seas ..."

She pointed to the sloped terraces.

"Not heres ... once all stone, now all growy."

The young woman spun around again, almost tumbling.

"Where The Heartwood, Dazidazidazi? Not there, not there, not there ...

"Where old enough?"

She then pointed again to the northwest.

"There. Last of World Forest.

"The Heartwood."

She did indeed point to the grim fell ancient place ...

That the mainlanders called The Dirkwood.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

At the Jvrillian Guildhouse

"Turn of phrase, lad."

The sword Priest first looked to Mikal, and then to the east.

"More like those who hold the Forest are restless.

"They are like a den of merebeasts. All it takes is a poke with a pointed stick and they will be on us, rabid unthinking creatures.

" ... or if they think they've been poked by a pointed stick.

" ... or if they haven't been poked by a pointed stick.

" ... if it's raining.

" ... if its tea time.

" ... or if its not."

Celi at the well, with Daxia et.al.

"I understand.

Dazi left out the part where we lost our gods; where Mother Nature and the Horned One were tricked into assuming human form, then run down, captured, tortured and slain by the Four Fell Gods of the East. Should I mention it?

No. She said quiet.

"I will behave as you recommend. And I thank you for the honor you do me, in reco0unting that distant time. So few ever recognize the courage of the Coveners, standing against the Easterners, without their Gods to help them."

There. I got it in anyway.

"I would ask that you call on me, if ever I can be of service. I am no master at arms, but I can fight, and I have other useful skills if you require them, especially when we are without the walls of any city."

Cesare

It is pleasant to stroll hand in hand around the town with Darian, no chores to complete, no errands to run, his destiny in his own hands.. except that he is fairly sure it is not at the moment.. except maybe just this little lull they are in. And he intends to enjoy it for as long.. or short.. as it lasts.

As they near the other gate, he becomes aware that Longtooth is reacting to something or somebody. He studies the figure outlined against the sky for several moments, wondering who he is. Somebody important judging by his clothing.. and thereby someone to avoid as a general principle. Maybe the threat lies further afield? Maybe that is what the man is looking out for?

He shades his eyes, looking to see if he can see anything beyond the walls, beyond the man.

"Who do you think he is?"

He mutters quietly to Darian.

Darian

She gives a slow shake of her head.

"No know. Be wary," she answered quietly.

"Longtooth, where danger? Man?"

Lady Bekkah with Lady Kay

She watched the group waltz out of the place leaving the two Ladies alone.

"They are not much for sitting still. They all still suffer from the impatience of youth, I'm afraid." she added sipping her tea.

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

"Aaaaah!!!" Daxia waved her hands in the air, looking skyward. "Not everything happen Silk Creek! Romana say! Dazi hear! Celi ask Dazi tell story, Dazi tell story Dazi know!"

She sat down again on the edge of the ancient well, eyes closed, breathing slowly several times.

"You're welcome, Celi. Rest assured, if there is some task for which you are eminently qualified, I will set you to it without hesitation."

Silent again, she sat, though her lips moved as if she might be speaking. Finally, she repeated the Ancient words Romana had recited.

Kashkhanash stev 'doashk,
Hajhankvic stev 'nohoa.
katanis hohka sten,
daylna lashtana ko'aye dann koa...

"The poem of Beginning.

First there was the Forest, and all else was the many changing forms of darkness.
And in the World Forest the Firstborn played and ran.
Dancing above the green treetops was Chaos incarnate, an eternal night, vibrant and deadly.
Until She rose above the wood, and traced Her bright path through the sky.
Behind Her trailed all of the little children, who still mark the passage of Time...

She opened her eyes and looked to the northwest. "And in the World Forest the Firstborn played and ran," she whispered.

She looked up and back at the dark-haired girl from the East. "Is that where they are? Do the Firstborn still play and run in the World Forest?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"No."

"They too were banished when The Heartwood was killed."

The slender waif's gaze could not help but turn. The darkening sky shadowed her features, pale and still as her gaze fell upon their other companion.

Not Kadri.

"For what happened at Bordertown ...

"All it took was one more death.

"For what happened in Bordertown ...

"Was it worth it, Celi?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Afternoon Tea with Lady Kay

"That is what the young are for, Lady Bekkah. To run and cause mischief. Remember those days?

"When we too were immortal, if only for a limited time?"

The elder Atteran looked out the window, where strained conversation rolled in like a storm front.

"Lady Bekkah ...

"Are you smoothing the waters with our Lady's mercy ... or are you tossing rocks into a smooth still pond?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

At the Closed Gatehouse

At his partner's words the snarkhound could not but growl.

Now that low sound, that did catch the attention of the tall stranger. Slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, he turned his head, a slow pivot to gaze down upon the three - including Longtooth - upon the street below.

It was not a comfortable gaze he leveled.

"Master Hythainian!"

Along the ramparts bustled an older man, wearing the same colors. This one was dogged by two armoured men, wearing surcoat covered mail. Their pace was much more relaxed, a deadly manner of ease.

The tall man, now distracted, turned back.

"Master, you should be inside!"

Above, like some odd passion play, a small scene played out. The tall man replied in an odd non sequitur.

"You can't feel it, can you. The disturbance."

"No, Master."

The tall man then strode along the battlements, heading east along the wall.

"Idiot."

He passed the two guardsmen, who fell into place beside him.

"Yes Master."

The servant turned and hurried after his liege, soon out of sight.

Mikal

He nods. It sounds like the typical griping and worrying of mercenaries everywhere he's been. The world is always about to come crashing down, and anything that happens is a bad omen. If re-enforcements arrive, it is because disaster is about to strike. If men leave, they are escaping before the disaster can happen to those left. Still, these men are on the pointy end of the stick, so he can't really blame them much for thinking that way.

"More restless than normal? Has anything happened to make them that way?"

Celi

"I am not a keeper of my people's fate, child. I am just me, Celi. Like those who went before, I am part of the wondrous tapestry that is Life. We all are born, live our time upon this world and then die, without fanfare, to be returned to the bosom of Nature to nurture the future of the world that nurtured us in our time. This is the Great Cycle, as it was and always will be.

"So when you ask about Bordertown, I do not ken the specific death to which you refer, or the events within the town. I wasn't there, and my counsel was never sought. And even if I had the wherewithal, I have no way to judge it's worth. It's *inevitability*, and its place in the Great Cycle, now *that* I can affirm."

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

Daxia looked between Romana and Celi.

“Romana? Just what happened in Bordertown?” Her brows were drawn together, eyes narrowed.

“And how is it related to Celi... or her people?”

Darian

Her eyes were drawn to the tower in blue beyond the walls, the one that looked down upon the ruins. The ruins where their friends had gone.

"Something ...threatens."

"Cesare, we hurry. Dazi, Kadri and Healer Bekka be out there."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Childs?"

One word, spoken,a quiet interrogation.

"Childs?"

The Princess drew herself up, shook out her cloak and met Celi's gaze with one of ice.

"Does Celis know the last time Romanas saw Mothers? Mothers, who would sacrifice all for daughters? Oh yes, Romanas saw. Held between two in black armors cast with demons, hand in long white hair so cannot look aways, above, from the top most towers, Father ties rope Mothers ankles, threw out windows. Watch hit walls, watch hangs, watch blood stain coloured stones. Took three days die.

"Why?

"Fathers kept Mothers alive, all while Romanas stolens.

"Why?

"To teach Romanas lessons, what happens if Romanas disobey."

The hooded head fell, looking down to the ground. She was silent, until words short and clipped and in a frozen monotone clarified everything.

"You. Not. Have. Right. Call. Romanas. Child."

Turning her head, Romana's words softened as she cast Daxia a sidelongs glance.

"How hurt Beasts and Trees? They everywhere, big, smalls, hunt, hunted, no templeplace, no city-city, scattered all across world like dust in winds.

"How hurt Beasts and Trees?

"Kill Gods."

A breath, a pause, as she shook her head.

"Big enough sacrifice, can summon ANYTHING.

"That what happened, at Bordertown.

"For Celis to say not know ... Celis ...

"Lie."

She then crossed her arms, turning to look away from them both, turning to look away to the west.

"How Romanas know?

"Because always together. Never one without others. Night and day, life and death, sea and stars, not Kadris, not Lady Mercys, not Hunter with Snarkyhounds.

"Leaves only Celi.

"How knows?

"There saying ... oldest saying, those carry steel of princes.

" ... dashka'tahl daylna'te'shabash ved'm? Daylna'stashkov'dahhana'daylna ... shabash ved'm'stashkov'dahhana'daylna ...

"What difference, between Starbredkillers and Children of Beasts and Trees?

"Starbredkillers always, always fight to last Starbredkiller.

"Children of Beast and Trees?

" ... are same.

"Always fight to last Starbredkiller."

KAdri...merely sits, blinking. Feeling like she is sitting in the middle of a gathering storm and not sure what - if anyuthing - to say.

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

She stood when Romana began speaking of her mother... a hand stretched out, not touching; but it was evident from the tension in her arm that instinct was warring with the fact that one did not touch Romana.

And then Daxia dropped her hand, looking stunned when Romana explained what had happened at Bordertown... from the Easterners point of view.

"You... your mages summoned GODS???"

She stood and stared... mouth opening to speak, but then closing with a shake of her head; she did this several times before she could get anything more out.

"The... the Kh'Lhy'Ra princes came here and each time found Dayalans, warriors who would not ever give up, warriors who would fight until the ground was saturated with their blood, warriors who would keep fighting until the Eastern Princes had killed every last one of us," she said softly, with the beginning of understanding starting to be heard in her voice. "By happenstance, perhaps, both times the princes came across the Black Mountains, they found us defending the Children of the Beasts and the Trees, as you call them. But we fought -- we fight -- to defend everyone who needed defending.

"They didn't see that, though," she said thoughtfully. "They don't remember Risha's children as we do. They don't remember the women and children of towns and keeps as we do.

"But that didn't matter, did it? They saw a way to rid themselves of Dayalans, a formidable foe, and crush the spirit from the Children of the Beasts and the Trees. I wonder if they knew the whole of the land from Lilia's Castle to the Sea of Opals, from Trundle to the Plains of Kaa would turn so viciously against the Children of Beasts and the Trees?"

Daxia turned, looking to the northwest. "If they killed The Heartwood, the World Forest, to summon the Gods and bring them to our mortal plane so they could be killed...

"Then what is that?" she asked, pointing to the Dirkwood Forest. "That is not a dead thing; there are too many tales about people going into the Forest and never coming out again... too many tales of the very trees devouring people whole.

"It seems... it seems that instead of killing the World Forest, your mages simply drove it insane."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

The young woman flinched at that ... as if Daxia had actually hit her.

"No.

"Nevers.

"Pretty. Full of life. Place where anythings, anythings could happen. Cherish it."

Celi

"You worry too much about words and not about the intended meaning," Celi said thoughtfully. "That seems to me to be a child thing, so maybe I have not misspoken, yes? Besides ... I thought you were younger than me, so I said child gently, with affection. I was just trying to be pleasant, and I did not know you were so concerned with words. I promise not to speak so casually around you in the future.

"What is it you seek because of what was done to your parents in the past? Pity? An apology? I did not know anything about it, and I did not do it, nor did any of my people. I do not have any other people, so you must look elsewhere for an apology. But there must be some reason you told me these things. You are seeking pity? I admit, that tale makes me feel pity for you. Are you seeking to spread around your pain and horror? Tell these tales so that others can share in your suffering?. I suspect there are better ways to make friends, but then ... I do not have many of those, so I could be wrong about that.

Whatever your reason, it is my belief that you are what you have made of yourself, and not what others have made of you. Furthermore, you can only *become* what you make of yourself. At some point in your life, you have to accept accountability. Only you can change your actions or your condition. You should set aside that dark past life, and live your future in the beautiful world we have around us. Just because someone made you look at an evil thing, does not make you either mature, or evil."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Romanas are Romanas are Romanas.

"If Romanas were what others make of Romanas ...

"Celis would be dead."

There was a flare of tunic skirt and coat hems, as the young woman turned. Quietly, with soft steps she took towards the path that lead back down off the stone rubble.

She didn't look back as she spoke.

"Not even chance to start, Dazidazidazidazi.

"But at leastest ...

"Romanas never lied."

Cesare

He watches the man and his entourage move away and then looks around to see if there is anyone close that he could ask who that was. It would be useful to know, add a context to what they had just learned.

"Be useful to know who that was. Would maybe give important information. Take one maybe two minutes to ask, then I agree, we go to Daxia and the others. Can only suggest they return or add our support if they need it."

He looks for a moment at Darian.

"It might be that it is they who are the disturbance. Perhaps our presence here will stir up something?..."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

At the Closed Gatehouse

"Him?"

A man pushing a cart loaded with pots and pans and other items, bound for the market, looked to the odd trio.

"That's Master Hythainian ... one third of the Town Council."

Cesare

He nods to the man.

"I'm obliged for your information. Can you tell us anything more about him?"

Cesare's impression of the man they had seen staring out into the distance had suggested more than a politician.

Kadri looks briefly at Dazi. . and then moves to follow Romanas.

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Celi at the well at the Ruins

At first, a puzzled look passed across Daxia’s face when Romana spoke of the Dirkwood, then she blinked... and her looked turned to one of dawning realization, tinged -- perhaps -- with horror. So when Celi spoke again, when the Dayalan faced the Covener again, her face showed that touch of horror, though with each word Celi spoke, the impassive mask of the court observer slowly settled into place.

The mask cracked for an instant when Romana walked off with her parting words; an instant of... possibly despair.

"You are a fool, Celi, as were your forebears," she said, her voice nearly as icy as Romana’s had been. "She asked if the vengeance your people took upon hers was worth it, and you merely said it was inevitable. I doubt you even know what they did. What your ancestors did had NO place in the Great Cycle, and perhaps you should consider your purpose in this life to be righting the wrong they perpetrated on the World Forest. For although Dayalans have been friends and protectors of Coveners through the Ages, the Firstborn are precious to us and to our Goddess. And your ancestors deprived them of their home."

Daxia merely stared at Celi for the space of a heartbeat or two, before she, too, turned to follow Romana.

"Vengeance is never inevitable, Celi," she said without looking back. "Never."

Celi

All Celi could do was gaze in bewilderment at the others. She clearly had no idea what they were referring to. She was not invested with any grasp of previous history, even if the others were. She was as close to a perfect live-for-today being as existed on the planet, though she was here because she was trying to change.

"Daxia, I have no idea what you refer to. If you are going to berate me and threaten me, at least explain what I have done. My Gram didn't tell me anything about any vengeance. By us, or against us. And I have never sought such a thing. I am just trying to stay alive, and learn how to be around other people. I was alone with my Gram until a year ago, so all the things you know, I do not. I cannot even talk to any of you, without a mis-speak because I do not know what you all know, and I cannot live in the past like you do so well. I know how to survive in a forest, and I know Mother Nature, and much about her bounty both plant and animal, and that is all I know. Why are you being so cruel to me because I don't know these things?"

She sent out a thought to Stormrunner, at that moment. This is not working. I cannot be like they want. I don't even know what it is they want! Can I come home now?

Lady Bekkah with Lady Kay (And squire Dean)

She sighed as she overhead snippets of conversation outside. Conversation that seemed to be heating up.

"I wonder that myself Lady Kay."

"I have been tending to the people of the countryside for the past 5 years as I suppose you know. I just recently returned to a Cragside only to find my sister with these others. I have not seen her since she was 7 and I wish to be with her at this point. I will try to guide them, at least morally, but there are a lot of strong wills within this group. My sister, perhaps the strongest willed of all. They will take my counsel, but they follow their own missions. I simply hope to be a voice of reason at times."

She turned to look out the window and sighed again.

"And it sounds as if they may need that voice sooner than I had hoped."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Afternoon Tea with Lady Kay

"Do you know that it is impossible to win an argument?"

Lady Kay looked outside, at the obvious schism.

"Curious."

She then looked back to the other Atteran.

"Any argument. Because even if you triumph, and your way becomes the one accepted for moving forward by all involved ...

"Because no matter how right your position be the one who lost will always, always, bear some measure of resentment, even if it is just the fact that they ... lost.

"And while that resentment remains, nothing really changes.

"And that is why nothing can truly change ...

" ... without compassion, without mercy."

Lady Bekkah with Lady Kay (squire Dean)

She let the elderly woman finish her thought without interruption.

"Indeed. Worst of all is trying to win the argument with violence. That just breeds the desire for revenge."

She sipped her tea listening to some more.

"I prefer to guide them to make the right choice, thinking it was their idea in the first place."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

At the Jvrillian Guildhouse

"You do not understand, Mikal ..."

The Swordpriest just shook his head.

"If anything can stir the dread rabid merebeasts of the Forest of Roth ...

"How can we know what, if anything, stirred them now or at anytime? They do not think as we do; they share more with the followers of Old Jvrill than our teachings.

"It serves them similarly; they too fall for their fel beliefs in great numbers. There are just many more of them then there are of us, old or new."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

At the Closed Gatehouse

The merchant looked back over his shoulder, on the way to the market.

"I'm just a tinker, lad. What am I supposed to know about those that rule this town? I pay my tithes and I can sell and make a living; that's where it begins and ends.

"He's one of the three mercantile masters. Emeraldsson manages the businesses here, in town, Marrennen holds dominion over all the that trade up and down the Highland Path, and Hythainian find the rarities that no one else can get, the toys, tidbits and trinkets for the Nobles.

"Reclusive he is ... the biggest surprise is to see Lorgnan Hythainian outside his manor court.

"Now, I must away to earn coin for my dinner."

He trundled on towards the market.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Afternoon Tea with Lady Kay

"however, dear Sister ..."

Lady Kay looked over her teacup, as she looked out the window.

"Perhaps it is time to stop talking about matters ... and actually doing something about them."

Cesare

"Thank you again."

He calls after the man, watching him for a few moments as he heads to market, before turning back to Darian.

"Not quite sure what to make of this. This Master Hythainian, the finder of rare items that others cannot find, may have special skills and talents to allow him to do that, these talents may therefore give much weight to the words we heard, though we do not know how far away in time or distance it may be. But it might also be just his mood of the day. However our friend there.."

He thumbs back over his shoulder in the direction of the market.

"..seems to suggest that even seeing the Master was a rarity in itself which suggests it is something more than nothing."

He nods.

"OK, let's go find Daxia and the others, so that they can maybe think and learn more of this as the day progresses.. but we should not build it into too much just now, agreed?"

He holds out a hand to her, inviting her closeness.

"Besides, after last night, I am truly enjoying today."

Darian

Her brow scrunches as he talks.

"Not know man up there. Know Longtooth. Not growl no reason."

A glance up at the sky.

"She sleep soon. Need friends not be there..." Darian points to the tower beyond the walls. "...when She sleep."

She takes his hand, but not quite in the loverly gesture he might have expected. "Come. Faster find, faster return."

A pause happens in her step and she turns to offer a smile, "Faster return, faster to inn."

Cesare

"Good point."

He responds to her comment about Longtooth. Then listening further he grins suddenly.

"Sound like an offer I can't refuse."

He starts to run, laughing with her as they go.

Mikal

"Yet the city's guardians seem fewer than the last time I was thru." He says innocently. "Why, if the Forest stirs, are the defenses weakened?"

Darian

She grins and laughs, lengthening her stride. "Come, Longtooth."

Together they ran through Bordertown, to the gate they had used to enter.

Daxia
with Celi at the Ruins

At Celi's last question, Daxi hesitated, then called to her friends. "Romana, Kadri... wait. Romana?" She paused, taking a deep breath. "Romana Dazi friend. Romana wait for Dazi. Please. Romanaska not give up. Dazi-Dazi-Dazi and Romana-Romana-Romana do what say will do. We will.

"Kadri..." she said, looking at the young woman from the Plains. "Kadri help Romana wait for Dazi, yes? Please-please? Romana, Kadri Dazi FRIENDS!"

Then she turned and strode back up to the well and just looked at Celi for a moment.

"Cruel, Celi? You think I am being cruel?" Stony-faced, with a voice as cold as the glaciers beyond Dawnview Vale, arms crossed under her cloak, Daxia stood still and imposing, every inch a warrior. "You speak words that cut at a person's heart, for those words are the truth as you see it, and you are just Celi, taking no responsibility for anything, not even the words that slide past your lips like knives. I speak words of admonishment, words that are the truth as I see it, and I am cruel?" She snorted.

"Ah, who knows?" she said. "Each defines words in their own way, I suppose, just as each person sees their own truth. Perhaps by your definition, I am being cruel. Priestess Kassia said far more harsh things to me in her efforts to teach me, and when I was a child I'm sure I thought her cruel, as well. But she was not cruel; she was my teacher and any harsh words she said due to my inattention to her teachings were well-deserved.

"And yes, I berate you, for you are deserving of it. But what threatening thing have I said here?" Daxia asked, truly puzzled. "Or is it that you find a less than pleasant tone threatening? Perhaps you find a sharp look threatening? Perhaps your tender skin cannot bear the prickles of truth in my words, a truth that you wish to deny. That is the way of the world, CHILD, where people speak in harsh tones and gaze upon one another with icy stares and speak their truths.

"I look at you and see a half-grown girl, ignorant and partially formed. You are old enough to be wed and have children of your own, and yet you persist in acting the child. I see you act as if I am being terribly unfair to you; and I see that you have torn the last shred of my patience with your whining.

"And you wonder why I berate you?

"You have been told time and again to refrain from behaviors that would call attention to yourself, and yet you persist in calling attention to yourself with your bragging. You do not hesitate to brag of all the things you can do, you do not hesitate to brag about being the most skillful at those very many things you can do.

"I don't doubt that you have skills, though I often doubt they are at the level you claim.

"And you wonder why I berate you?

"You insult and demean my friend." Daxia paused, glaring at the Covener with undisguised anger in her eyes and her voice. "How dare you? What arrogance is this that gives you the right to insult royalty? What right do you have to demean a woman to whom I have given sanctuary in our lands? It is as if you gainsay me that right to offer her protection from those who would kill her.

"And you DARE to wonder why I berate you?

"You brag of your intelligence and use fancy words to bedazzle others into thinking that you are, indeed, possessing of great intelligence." Daxia's voice and demeanor had returned to icy calm. "But I have often wondered how a young girl from the backwoods would come to know such pretty phrasings. I have listened to Nobles in court who could take lessons from you in the use of fine language. It is just another way to call attention to yourself.

"And you wonder why I berate you?

"Despite your bravado and the catalog of the many things you can do so exceptionally well, despite your boast of high intelligence, you whimper like a kicked ruff when your truths are challenged... rather than using that intelligence you claim to have to think about your truths and the challenges to them.

"And you wonder why I berate you?

"You hear me speak, you hear Romana speak, but you do not listen. You hear our words and then pretend to have less intelligence than a common ruff, because you don't want to think what those words might mean to you. You do not like to think that perhaps your ancestors might have done something horrible. You know nothing of the past, and you wish to know nothing of the past. You are simply an ignorant girl from the backwoods, who knows nothing at all about anything of the world outside that which lies within the realm of your Goddess. This makes you a liar, Celi, either in the bragging of your intelligence or in the pretense of ignorance.

"And you wonder why I berate you?

"You steadfastly cling to your attitude that we are all foolish because we do not see your truth about the nature of the world and embrace that truth -- oh, do not be so surprised that I read your face, your body, your movements, the smallest twitch of an eyelid as easily as you read the messages of the forest, or perhaps even more so, for I know how rigorously I was trained. You claim intelligence, and yet display ignorance and bigotry... for there are many, many gods and therefore many, many ways of seeing the world, and telling stories about the world.

"And you wonder why I berate you?

"Who among us lives in the past, Celi, as you claim? No one that I can see. Some of us study the past, for the past can teach us things, just as surely as the present. No one knows the whole of the past, but each family, each Temple, each religion teaches different pieces of the past. No one knows the truth, for there is no one great truth, only the truth seen from each person's own eyes. If your grandmother did not tell you the history of your people, then how can you expect us -- any of us -- to tell you that history? How can you expect us -- any of us -- to know your history. We only know our own; and then, only pieces of it. You say you cannot speak to any of us because you do not know what we know. What do we know, Celi? You assume much, and know little.

"And you wonder why I berate you?"

Daxia was silent then, appraising the girl and quite clearly judging her.

"If you truly wish to learn how to live among people -- and I must be quite honest in saying I have doubts that this is what you truly want, for you have not shown a great deal of effort in doing even the simplest things that have been asked of you in changing your behavior -- but if you truly do wish to learn how to live among people, go to my sister," she said, pointing to Lady Kay's tiny home. "Ask Lady Bekkah if she will tutor you in appropriate behaviors. She is merciful and compassionate, qualities my Goddess does not require of me and emotions I cannot feel for you right now. If you truly wish to learn how to live among people, you will follow her every guideline and every suggestion." She lowered her arm and refolded the two of them beheath her cloak once again.

"However, if you do not TRULY wish to learn how to live among people... you may go wherever you like.

"But if you choose the path that the rest of us travel..." Daxia paused, looked over her shoulder, then turned back to Celi. "...I would recommend that you beg forgiveness from Romana for the insult you gave her. Take as long as you need to work out which words gave insult; but beg for that forgiveness."

Again, the Dayalan merely studied the young Covener.

"You have shown that listening is not a skill you possess in any great measure, and I have said a great many words. Yet, because you requested that I explain these things to you, I can only hope that you have not only listened, but will learn from what I have said.

"This lecture is now in the past. It is my wish that I never have the need to deliver one such as this to you again.

"Choose your future, Celi. I have said everything I can say to give you guidance. It is your future, and you must choose it."

Daxia remained still for a single heartbeat, before turning away from Celi and heading back towards Romana and Kadri.

"WAit. If this is a dialogue and not just another lecture, you could let me speak.

"I apologize for any misconstrue. I should have said, 'why does she speak to me thus, for I know nothing about the events to which she refers?' And this is because I am but a poor ignorant country girl whose entire repertoire of skills consists of sometimes useful knowledge about the animals and plants in the world about us.

"First, I was not trying to brag when I recounted my knowledge. What I know is small enough, and stands in no way comparable to the many things you other folk know. I was trying to make that point: my knowledge might seem limitless to you, but it is severely limiting to me, for it is all I know how to do. I never intended to imply that my knowledge was complete or overwhelming; I just tried to say, 'this is all I know, so you waste your time asking me about anything else...' because I don't know about anything else. I also never claimed to live in the past; I live in the right-now, pretty much all the time, worrying about food and shelter and weather and one companion.

"I hope this explains my response to Romana's question about 'was it enough', or some such. Since I had no idea what 'it' was, how could I ever know if it was right or enough or anything at all? I felt that she was asking me for my deepest thoughts about it, but ... as I hope I have made clear, I have no deepest thoughts. I don't even have any shallow thoughts, because I didn't even know what she referred to. Yet I am convinced her comments were intended to encourage a self-examination that would elicit guilt and shame. So all I was trying to say was, 'how am I to feel these things if I know nothing about the events?'

"I never expected you to know my history. I came with you, hoping to learn some of it, along with whatever else you deigned to share with me. But I am not doing so well on picking up others knowledge, and I have been instructed not to try and share what I do know how to do, lest someone take affront.

"I hope this clarifies my position, and I hereby apologize completely and thoroughly to each and everyone who took affront, as well as all those who might have taken affront only they just didn't notice. All I want to do is just sit quietly and learn, while occasionally doing something useful to help the group. I would speak to Romana directly, but she runs away when I get too close. I was charged with getting her up for breakfast, and even that I couldn't manage.

"I will try to consort with Lady Bekkah, and for my first lesson ... can you tell me what a Dayalan is?" She looked completely bereft, and had in fact just remembered that Stormrunner had told her "no" -- she wasn't staying outside. Maybe she should invite him *inside*.

(The parts from Daxia are ghosted with permission from Wolf and from Kel)

Daxia stops briefly near Kadri and says a few word, to which Kadri. . nods - and then Daxia proceeds past Kadri to ROmana.

Kadri, on the other hand, turns and walks towards Celi, and motions for her to sit, before sitting herself.

"Daxia is too. . .angry right now to talk to you, Celi. And I understand her anger. I am not angry so much as. . bewildered, so I will attempt to explain. When I explain, Celi, I want you to understand something - I have been there. I have been a stranger among people whose customs I did not know and people who were not my own. I left my people when I was . . younger, and went out on my own, with only Lisica and . . only Lisica and Her to keep me company. I was alone, and always looking over my shoulder wondering when I might be found. So yes, Celi, this is a topic I know well."

She pulls a waterskin and takes a sip to clear her throat.

"What I want here is to tell you how things work - not hear explaining what you do, not you saying why you are not wrong; the reactions you are getting by themselves should tell you you are doing something wrong, yes? If you want to live in the world, you live in the world as it is, not as you wish it to be."

She pauses, clears her throat.

"Do you understand what I have just said as a starter. Please, just tell me either yes, or no."

Celi took a few deep breaths, pushed her hair out of her face, and clasped her hands in her lap. "Yes, Kadri. And ... thank you for this effort. Yes, I hear what you say, and -- so far -- yes, I understand what you say. And I also understand that I am upsetting people, which I am not trying to do.

"It just seems like they refer to things I do not know, and then get upset when I claim I don't know them. I don't mean to get people upset. I am sorry I don't know things, or, apparently, even how to learn about them.

"I wasn't trying to say I wasn't wrong. I was trying to apologize for not knowing any better. I..."

She clapped her hands over her mouth. In muffled tones, she said, "I'm doing it again, aren't I? Starting over."

She batted her eyes, smiled a toothy grin. "Never mind. Proceed."

Kadri, with Celi

"If you find yourself ignorant, instead of making claims - try asking questions. Do you understand why you offended Romana? Even if not, try- venture a guess, please."

Lady Bekkah

She sighed and finished her tea.

"If only a day could go by without an argument, without a lecture and without a lesson."

She stood, straightened her robes and gave the elderly Lady a weary smile.

"Thank you so much for the tea Lady Kay. I will make sure to pay a visit to he Jvrillian guardhouse after I speak to my companions."

She turned and went outside and walked down to the well.

She just stood there for a long while looking at them, like they were her children.

[ooc: I want to let Art and Nicki finish what they've started before being motherly]

Daxia
with Romana on the path away from the Ruins

She rubbed her temples and sighed. "We have started, Romana. You and I." She looked at Romana, weariness and pain and even doubt filling her eyes. "And you didn't kill Celi," Daxia said with a sad smile. "That, too, is a start, yes?"

She looked back at the well where Kadri sat with Celi, watched as Bekkah and Dean walked out of Lady Kay's tiny home. "I think I understand something of what happened here, or at least I have pieced together bits from your history and mine. But there is so much more that I don't understand. Still, I... I..." She shook her head. "I feel like purifying the well is important, even vital. That it will... not exactly right a wrong, but perhaps set something back in balance."

Daxia choked out a frustrated bark of a laugh as she turned back to Romana. "I'm starting to sound like Kisa. I don't think I even know what I'm talking about. Just that the well is important.

"And I have no idea how we're supposed to clean it and purify it. I'm not sure just removing the bones will be enough."

Celi

"I do not know. Well ...because I call her 'child'?"

Celi wrung her hands. "If that is not why, then I truly do not know. I thought she was mad already, and then she asked me some whether some last deed had been the right one. Then I told her I had no idea what the deed was, let alone whether it was right."

She sniffed. "And then she called me liar because I said I didn't know something. Trust me, I know when I don't know something, and I didn't know *anything*. And I still don't."

Kadri with Celi:

The usual bright and irrepressible smile she normally carries on her face is entirely absent and replaced by a rather serious look.

"Among other things, yes, Celi. If you did not know or understand, why not ask? When you live out here, among people - when you want to BE with people, be among them, interact - what YOU want is no longer the most important thing. People like to have you understand THEM, or try to. When you give the appearance of not even listening to a word they say. . .they do not like it much. You yourself say you are ignorant and yet you talk at others who are not as if they were somehow your student. Instead of asking for enlightenment - which you yourself claim you need - you LECTURE. And then act surprised when people slowly build to more annoyance. You want others to treat you equally yet you absolutely REFUSE to return the favor of assuming their concerns just might be legitimate. There is a wide, wide world outside of YOUR concerns, and those people MATTER. And you wander why they get angry? That WOMAN has escaped from a people determined to sacrifice her to foul and dark gods not once, but three times, yet you call her a child? By what right under the sun do you that? By actual experience of the world she is enough your elder to be your mother. Yet you call her CHILD. And lecture."

The entire time her voice does not raise in pitch at all.

Celi

"I called her child, because that was what my Gram called me, and she was older. So I thought it was what you called someone who wasn't older. And I wasn't lecturing, I was trying to explain why I didn't know all that stuff. At least I thought I was."

It was easy to see where Celi got her conversational style: from a Grandmother pressed into service as a grandmother, mother, teacher and guardian. With no one else in her life, Celi had no other examples to model herself after. Everyone would fall into one or the other category: Gram, or child.

"SO what should I have said? What would have been the right thing to say?"

Kadri

"You could start by using her name. People appreciate that, Celi. Do you see anyone calling me "Child"? I am at least as young as any here. Yet like Romana, I am my own person - I am not a dependant and make my own path. I am not a child. Calling those not actually a child children . . . Is quite insulting to those not related. Back where I am from you would likely not be talking to me, but fighting for your life. "

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

It started with a blink.

Unbelieving.


"Dazidazidazi ... Kadris ... supposed to stay with commy radishes ... comma radicals ... commy ... commy ... comrades. Not ... not ...

"Not follows ... not follows Romanas."

The young woman cast the Dayallan a sidelongs look, closing her eyes for a second, for a moment, suddenly at a loss - how to stand, what to do, what to say. Until, finally, so quiet.

"This is new.

"Romanas like new.

"Very much."

She then whispered, oh so quietly.

"Pancakes."

Eyes an un-human blue looked back into Dazi's, the color shared, yet so different. But the young woman listened intently, sharp, trying to fit each and every word into some manner of sense, a sense fogged and dogged by disparate tongues.

"This side of mountains ... tales all how things are ... tales upon Sea of Pearls, always of how things changed.

"At Bordertowns changed here, for good, for bad, Romanas not knows. Romanas knows change Corhlayyans wanted to bring ... and only know that the changings changed."

She then closed her eyes again.

"That the well tainted still, that betrays a great hate, Dazidazidazi ... think ... how easily a prince bored becomes, yes? Wonders, Corhlayans crush west each war, so many die. But where Corhlayyans? Why not here?

"Princes bore so so very easily. So what taken ... never long helds. Things fall apart at slightest whisper of an excuse.

"Well still poisoned and not forgotten ...

"That speaks of a great hate."

Romana then took a deep breath, looking east.

"For not knowings?"

She finally smiled.

"Then look and sees. Look and sees always good.

"Dazidazidazi is right, yes?

"Wells may become poisoned, but nothing ... nothing meant to last forever."

Celi


Celi nodded furiously. "All right Kadri. I use name always. I will remember. Wasn't meant to be hurtful; my Gram called *me* child, and meant it with affection and respect. That was how I meant it, but I guess it didn't work out.

"SO how about the things they think I should know: what event was Romana referring to when she asked me about it, and ... what is a Dayalan?"

Kadri:

She gives her a long, hard look .

"You know this Celi. You have been told this. Were you not listening?"

Another pause.

"But more than that, you do not understand what happened so long ago? Truly? I know less to start than Romana and Dazi and I could pick it up. The East invaded, and the Easterners - they sacrificed many, many of the Dayalans at this spot. Sacrificed them to bring gods into this world - your gods - so that they could be slain. But the reaction of the Coven. . . "

She frowns.

". . . was to kill the Heartwood. They twisted it and used it as a blade for their vengeance. Easterners didn't do it. Coveners did it. They turned the heartwood to the Dirkwood. To that twisted place. So what Romana asked, Celi, was if the twisting of the Heartwood into that perverted place was worth the vengeance gained on the Easterners? Even if you didn't do it, can you not at least grant how. . . ."

She pauses, her eyes fiery.

". . .how much of a crime that was? A crime against THEMSELVES as well as everyone else. A crime against the very gods they were avenging. Do you think that vengeance was merely 'inevitable' and therefore somehow acceptable? Eastern princes killed people and your gods - and your people tortured the land to fulfill their vengeance. There are no innocents here, Celi. Your people were as guilty as any for their own reasons. The Dirkwood isn't the PAST Celi, it is the NOW. It is there, it is twisted, and it STILL remains. You did not personally cause it, no, that is granted and a given, but if you think its irrelevant than you would be a fool. You wish that your people's reputation could be fixed? Starting with at least this acknowledgment would be a beginning. Revenge is the sword that wounds the one who wields it, and the coven stabbed themselves in the heart with that blade."

She looks Celi directly in the eyes silent for a moment, and then speaks almost in a whisper.

"Do you understand, Celi?"

Celi

"I knew the Coveners and the Knights of Roth fought against the Easterners, only they could not stand against them. And I knew that our beloved Mother Nature and the Horned One were tricked into human form, and slain, this I know.

"But ... why would we poison the Heartwood? You say we turned it into the Dirkwood, yes? Was it meant to drive the Easterners out, or as vengeance for our slain gods? Or, I suppose, as both. Such a response does not seem apportionate to me. Who would destroy the land to save it?

"I did not know this was our reputation. Why did we not fix it afterwards? Return it to its original grace and beauty? Is it because, without our Goddess, without the Horned One, we could no longer manage our resources and the strengths of those Coveners who yet lived? WHat can we do about t now?"

Kadri:

She pauses a long time and looks at her.

"They probably did not because they could not, if I had to guess. Or because they were too busy hiding and running. I don't know all of it Celi. . but can you see why, above all, that you should not be advertising who you are? Why it is DANGEROUS? Why you need to apologize, and apologize sincerely to Romana - and to Dazi. Why you need to LISTEN? You need to change, and change quickly out here. This is no joke. You might not think we, or the world is being fair. . but fair isn't a part of it. You need to adapt."

"That's what I set out to do. Until a little less than a year ago, I had never spoken to another person than Gram. Then a few months of *no* people, just Stormrunner. So I decided I needed to learn how to talk to others, and learn how to get along.

"It's just...I know so little about the things others talk about... or even how to talk, as you see. I don't know what makes people angry or sad. You have to help me! Can I follow you and you instruct me? Help me, please, Kadri. Please."

Kadri with Celi:

She takes a long, hard, quiet look at her.

"If you ask me something, and it is a good time - and it is something of which I know - I will tell. But I do not have the patience to have an. . apprentice. Bekkah is a much better teacher than simple, simple Kadri. But - Celi. . ."

She pauses significantly, and again captures Celi's eyes.

"I know I am not in charge, and I am not trying to be, nor do I wish to be - but I will need to see you are LISTENING and at the least trying your best to use what she says to you. Because else, you will be dangerous to be around. The wrong thing said to the wrong person - could land you in danger, and then, us."

Another pause.

"Do you understand Celi? Right now, I don't want explanations, I don't want long words and requests - I want a simple yes or no without lace or feathers tied to it. I want a yes or no that you will do this - and no more."

Celi

Obviously, talking had been one of her favorite pastimes; imagine if it were taken away from you, and then you were forced to live without it for over a year. Even her intimacy with Stormrunner was not the same.

But clearly, her lack of knowledge and her unrestrained manner made her likely to put her foot in it every time she opened her mouth. Which made her a target, which -- as was now made clear to her -- endangered everyone around her.

It was one of he hardest things she ever did, to *not* talk when she finally had a chance to spill all the thoughts and dreams she had bound within her. She at least wanted to apologize for not knowing. She had been out of touch, she had no practice, she ...

She twisted her fingers together, wringing her hands thoroughly, looking about for some sort of sign ...

She closed her eyes, called up Stormrunner's mind, her strength in all things.

"Yes. I will do this." If there was the faintest urge to say "...but" and append a provisional clause, she was brilliant enough to stifle it and only turned a little red with the effort.

Kadri:

"Good."

She holds up a finger, forestalling any immediate response.

"Lets find Bekkah and arrange for those lessons - but first, come the apologies. Again, we need the apologies straight without pretty feathers and lace, without excuses or explanations - just give them - and then we will move on to Bekkah. Any explanations should come later - after you have had some lessons in how to do them properly, yes? Again, this is a time for a yes or no answer. I am no teacher, but I can say one of the things you need to learn is to listen - hear, listen and swallow what is told and digest it before responding, yes? Meals of your thoughts are much better fully cooked than raw."

She stands, motioning her along.

"Come, come. This way. Remember, keep it simple. No ornaments. no excuses. No explanations. Just apologies."

Daxia

Daxia shook her head with a smile. "Romana is Romana is Romana is comrade, too." Then her voice lowered, as well, just a whisper. "You're welcome."

And then she was quiet, thinking, aware that Kadri was speaking with Celi but not paying attention. Finally, she said, "No, nothing is meant to last forever... at least, I don't think so.

"But if I understand what you're saying, the well should have... recovered? Healed? After all this time, it should no longer be tainted. And the fact that it still is tainted, means someone is keeping the power of the taint alive with hate. Someone is still paying attention to this place, or at the very least thinking very hard about it."

She looked at the well, at the foliage all around them, at the structures where Lady Kay and Brother Random lived and worked, and finally back to Romana.

"I think..." Her brows drew together, and she sighed. "I think this is going to take some time to puzzle through, yes? So many questions! Who would hate that much? And why? How could anyone keep that much hate alive for so long? Could a person live that long, to keep hating? I didn't think so, but I've learned of other things since leaving the Vale that I didn't think were possible either. If not a person, then what group passes hate from generation to generation to keep it going so strong?"

She shrugged and smiled. "Questions, questions, questions... Dazi always has questions."

Celi

"Yes, Kadi. And thank you. I just ..." she waved off he initial urge to add a continuation. "Thank you."

Celi rose to her feet and obediently ambled after Kadri, prepared to apologize and then allow the target to vent unresisted, say "I told you so," or just smack her.

She was quite confident that, had Stormrunner been listening, his first thoughts would have been rich with his native irony. She could hear him now, saying ...

I told you so.

He would probably smack her, too.

Kadri walked up, Celi in tow.

"Romana, Dazi - Celi has, I think, something to say, something short, before we go to find Bekkah for her."

She steps aside, to allow Celi the floor.

Celi

Celi stepped up and faced them, gave each a brief curtsey, and then made her plea, maintaining eye-contact and a hopeful demeanor throughout.

"Daxia, I apologize for all the things I said and the way i said them, when just we spoke. I am hereby committed to listening before speaking, and to managing my speaking manners in better fashion.

"Romana, I am sorry for anything uncaring or thoughtless or downright mean that I said to you, and likewise for my thoughtless manner in saying them. I did not then nor do I now have any wish to injure, insult or annoy you, and I promise with all my heart to make a concerted effort, from this moment onward, to cause you no annoyance.

"To both of you, I beg your forgiveness, and the indulgence of pointing out my errors to me in a constructive fashion, that I may learn better how to behave with others.

"Kadri is helping me, and for this I am very grateful. Also, she is going to introduce me to Bekkah, who we are hopeful will be able to give me additional guidance."

SHe was finished; her expression remained hopeful as she curtseyed to them once more, then stood there with her fingers laced, trying not to over-wring her hands.

Kadri, looking up when she is finished, makes a quick hand motion, behind Celi's back, like a little chop of the hand, hopefully to forestall too harsh of a reply - for now. This was close enough, for the time being.

Daxia

Daxia observed Celi as she spoke; watched as a bird of prey catches the tiniest of movements of small animals in the grass. When the girl finished her speech, Daxia's eyes flickered briefly to Kadri, before she turned to Romana.

"Romana was more angered by Celi's words than Daxia," she said. "Daxia was only very frustrated. Rhomanishkah'al'lhahrhonsha'al'khylyrishkatsarinish is of higher station than Daxia Yurisdotter. And Daxia is, by default, the leader of this group and likes to hear what others have to say before speaking," she concluded, as she stepped back half a pace and gestured for Romana to address Celi.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Questions ... questions ..."

Romana carefully considered Daxia's words.

"Questions are always nice. Especially ones that take long long time toanswer. They can be savored, yesyes? Not gone in a heartbeat like a dartling in the forest."

Yhe slender woman simply paused, however, as Celi approached. Her gaze, soft blue and shadowed by her hood, was more than a little catious, more than a little on edge, very much like a hart who knows a hungry wolf is nearby, somewhere.

She listens, to each and every word.

And then just nods her head, once.

"Pancakes!"

One simple word in mangled Colonial. Sometimes short words are good.

Romana then gnawed upon her lower lip.

"Romanas forget somethings very important. She looked at Celi, at Daxia, at Kadri. And then nodded, bouncing once on her heels.

"Lady Mercy, Lady Mercy says lunch.

"Will there be muffles?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

" ... will there be muffles?"

That is the question that is in the air when Darian, Cesare and Longtooth reach the top of the ruins. It is an odd gathering. Romana and Daxia stand together ... kKadri with them. They are - or were - focused upon Celi. The Only other seen is Bekkah, standing at the entrance to Lady Kay's small house.

Celi

Celi had no idea what "muffles" were, let alone whether there would be any for lunch. But she was learning not to speak out against muffles, or lunch, or ... pretty much anything else.

Wait. Maybe that was supposed to be "muffins." But if she said anything, it could be construed as an insult against Romana. Word Police? No one expects the Word Police!

This was going to be even harder than she had imagined.

She wanted to make her way toward Kadri, hoping the others were through with her. But *that* might be construed as an insult by Daxia, because she did not get the final say. So she caught Kadri's eye, and nodded, then waited to be dismissed.

Daxia
with Romana, Celi and Kadri on the path away from the Ruins

Daxia silently watched Romana as Celi spoke, jaw tightening at several points during her speech, but she displayed a brief smile at Romana's expression of thanks. When she turned to look at Celi -- who was looking to Kadri for guidance -- she merely raised an eyebrow.

And waited.

While Romana worked out the fact that there was lunch to be had, and perhaps even muffles.

She ducked her head to the side, looking at Romana, with a tiny grin.

"Muffle-muffins are breakfast food in the Vale, but who knows what customs others might have, hmmm?"

Then Daxia's gaze returned to Celi.

"Your apology is accepted. It is my most sincere wish that we never have the need for lectures or apologies of this sort again, yes?" She nodded her head towards Bekkah. "Go talk to my sister, and begin your lessons."

She waited a moment before turning to Darian, Longtooth and Cesare, and regaining the step closer to Romana. "Surprise to see all here! What news? Why come?" Daxia looked from Darian to Cesare and back. "Daxia thought Darian, Cesare want time together, alone," she said with a grin.

Darian

"Aye," Darian answered with a grin of her own but she was quickly serious again.

"Darian, Cesare explore town. See wall look here."

She turns and points towards the walls of Bordertown. "Longtooth growl, warn danger. Man on wall sense too. We come, warn friends. Forest not ... happy."

Kadri

She gives Romana a brief smile.

"You are one of us. As I said to Celi. - if that means rescuing you fromthe rock - or from a sorcerer who wants a new friend - that is what I will do."

She looks over to Celi.


"Come come. To Bekkah."

And motions her along.

Celi

Celi snapped forward as if shot from a slingshot, skidding to a halt beside Kadri and Bekkah. "Thank you both for your intervention. The results have me feeling optimistic; at least so far, so good," she said. "Perhaps I should learn how to stand like this..." she clapped both hands over her mouth, then tried to look nonchalant.

"... while looking innocent. It would save a lot of analysis if I just couldn't say *anything*."

Kadri:

She rolls her eyes a bit and shakes her head.


"Celi. . . please, don't overdo it."

"Of course. That was just my way of breathing a giant sigh of relief. Bekkah, what would you like me to do?"

Daxia
with Romana, Darian, Longtooth and Cesare on the path away from the Ruins

Daxia frowned, brows knit together. "Longtooth sense danger, ok. Make sense. Longtooth smart that way, yes. But man sense danger like Longtooth?" She shook her head slowly, pulling on her lower lip with her teeth. After a handful of breaths, she said, "Never heard of such a thing.

"But Forest? Which Forest?"

She looked around, then pointed to the east. "Forest Roth?" She pointed towards the northwest. "Wor..." She stopped short, clamping both lips together with her teeth, then took a deep breath. "Forest Dirkwood?" she said quietly. Then she spread her arms up and wide, indicating the foliage all around them. "Or Forest No Name Yet?"

Again, Daxia looked around, rubbing the back of her neck for a moment. Then she crouched down, looking the big ruff in the eyes. "Longtooth feel danger, yes? Can tell Darian, show Dazi where? If far away, show which way? Longtooth can do this?" She looked into those eerily intelligent eyes, tilted her head a bit and smiled a very small smile. "Longtooth do this for friend Dazi, please?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Ruff ..."

Ruff, is a usual word to hear from a ruff, and is in fact an usual word to hear when anyone is acquainted with or travels with a snarkhound or anyone else traveling with a four legged companion of the canine species. It usually means "anything the ruff wants it to" at the time of the ruffing and certainly everyone had experienced this from time to time. Perhaps you have experienced a ruff in the morning, when it meant "I just woke up, may I have a bit to eat" and one had to decide whether there was enough left over hart from the night before or whether or not a ruff would enjoy a piece of your muffle and jam. I have experienced a ruff at the Briny beach, where we had just learned of the sad and horrible death of a young rare Talesan's Bay narwhal, who had beached himself for some unknown reason, or perhaps a vaugue and desperate memory of once, back before the retrograde changes forced upon him by evolution, his kind had walked hand in hand in a field of wildflowers, but, no longer possessing hands, feet, wildflowers or terrestrial circulatory systems his quest for reliving the past ended his future. At that moment, I believe the ruff meant "Can I roll in the carcase, it smells nice." It was certainly not the case, as I have been told, when a ruff meant "Timmy has fallen in a well, is hanging on the ledge by his fingertips, help help before he falls to his doom ..." because while we have a well, that only occurs in minstrel tails and we, alas for lack of forethought, we do not have a Timmy ...

To: Cast and Crew
From: The Stage Manager

We apologize for the delay in shooting, but take five while we redress the sets.

By the way, any one know a good exorcist?

This hack by the name of Lemony Snickett seems to have possessed the Director ...

Cousin Corky arrives, pulls out zat'nik'tel, shoots Stage Manager. Three times. All of Daxia's cousins cheer!

Cousin Corky then exorcises the Director in the same way.

There was much rejoicing.

Kel borrows zat'nik'tel from Corky, shoots Wolf. Three times.

Collects insurance. Moves to Arizona.

Momentarily feels sad about not playing Daxia anymore, but hey... Arizona! Woot!

Like I keep saying. Poor Wolf

Wolf who? I know not of this person of whom you speak.

Daxia
with Romana, Darian, Longtooth and Cesare on the path away from the Ruins

Daxia looked at Longtooth for a moment, then stood. "Very polite, thank you, Longtooth. Not helpful, but polite."

She looked back towards her sister. "Danger, danger, danger," she said softly. "Chaos Riders from Roth, the Dirkwood itself devouring any who are foolish enough to venture too close. But here?" Narrowing her eyes, she turned her attention to the tainted well.

"Here? An elderly Lady of Attera and an Eye of Hastur who, if Lady Kay's comments are in any way accurate, is slightly scatter-brained and cares for nothing beyond his work.

"A tainted well, that has been so since the end of the Second Age. Though a holocaust occurred here then, does that mean danger for today? If so, how and why? Some questions are meant to be savored; these, I fear, are not and should be answered quickly."

She shook her head, clearly frustrated. "I could leave Bordertown at first light, travel south until I reached the Satin River, then follow it until I came to the Highgaard Path near Lilia's Castle. Tiger would be well underway, and Snowgate Pass open once again by the time I reached it. My season outside the Vale will have been completed, and I would no longer be plagued with mysteries and riddles that make no sense."

Kicking a small divot of dirt with the toe of her boot, she continued, "Ah, but then what of Dazi's friends? Dazi would miss her friends, yes. Friends Darian and Longtooth would not find a new Pack in the Vale. Friend Kadri would not hold still long enough to see the beauty of each season there. And friend Romana..." Daxia sighed, looking and the hooded young woman. "Dazi's Temple-Sisters would not likely care much for friend Romana, and even Dazi's best and dearest of all friends might find friend Romana..." She shrugged. "Allaines are Dayalans, whether they serve the Temple or are merely lay members. And then there is the displeasure of Lord Kisa to face, as well as the disappointment of Verchovai Gillyflower and Dandelion."

Daxia looked at the well again. "So. There is no going home yet. So. Dazi must accept that danger, danger, danger, mysteries and riddles are following her across the High Tarn. Bah!"

She turned to regard Romana, her face clearing, frustration fading... albeit, not completely, though a slow smile comes to her face. "Romana! Shall we see if Lady Kay has muffles for lunch?" Then gesturing for Darian and Cesare to follow, she said, "Danger easier faced when belly not rumbling, yes? Come, come!"

She led the way back up the path to the ruins, and across the space to Lady Kay's cottage... glancing only once over her shoulder towards the northwest. "Romanaska? The man Darian spoke of... have you ever heard of this thing? Ability to sense danger?" she asked. "Would be a good skill to have; but I don't think I've ever heard anyone speak of such a thing. Have you?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Out at the Well

"Ruff ..."

Longtooth seemed to enjoy the rubbing, but there is no further answer to Daxia's question. However, that is not the most unexpected answer, as the hunter's prey, per se, was back in the town ... and while one could look down upon te town from the top of the ruins, it was a fair distance away as the dartling flies ... and farther as the ruff walks.

Romana, however, is a bit more useful.

She slowly turns, falling into place behind Daxia, shrugging her cloak about her.

It is cold, and there is sharp breeze slicing across the top of the tarn.

"Roamans would be as welcome in Dawnview castle, as Dazidazidazi the Highest Towers of Kh'lhy'ra upon the sea. Perhaps ... perhaps later. Not safe also. If Romanas still chased, not best things to draw attention there. Then when things bad becomes ; they becomes very very ver bad."

She did take a breath take a breath, looking at Daxia's back as they walked to the house.

"Dazidazidazidazi can, yes?

"And pretty Windows ... they can see such things. it isnot something learned, something that comes from insides.

"As for others?"

Romana just tilted her head.

"Heard stories only.

"Of those who strong enough, sharp enoughs, can feel weight of magic on world ... like when add oils to waters; oils sits on top weighing down. But rare ... rare as Dazidazidazi, as rare as Windows."

When they reached the House, they found Lady Kay there already waiting, with a bottle of wine and a big picnic basket. The gingam cover reached almost to the handle.

"Here you go. He's up there ... somewhere.

"There's enough bread and cheese for you, and some cinnamon pastries. Don't let Lord Random eat them all. He will if you don't keep an eye on him."

Daxia
with the Gang minus Mikal, but plus Lady Kay at Lady Kay's Quaint Cottage

"Oh, yes, Dazi-Dazi would like best and dearest friend to meet newest and so-very-interesting friend, but most definitely not the best idea now. But... perhaps... someday." Daxia looked confused, though, by Romana's assertion that she herself could sense danger. She shook her head.

"I see connections. I see... I say Paths, maybe you have a different word, yes? But I know if we do this thing, we go down this Path; we do that thing, we go down that Path." She hesitated a moment, then continued. "I only know this Path is good or that Path is bad because Lord Kisa showed me. I don't see very far, yes? And Paths are all twisty-turny; how Dazi see down twisty-turny Path, eh?" She shrugged and smiled at Romana. "Besides, when Romana and Dazi talk-talk-talk about maybe possible for Dayalan and Eastern Princess to not kill each other, when Dayalan say that Eastern Princess is friend..." Daxia heaved a great sigh. "All Paths get very messy, new ones pop up, olds ones go away. Very, very, very confusing.

"Maybe Dazi and Camelia can figure out better how we are supposed to work together. She says she needs to finish making her Deck first, though. So... Dazi just looks at messy Paths to see if any get less messy or more messy."

She paused again, considering Romana's words about those who can feel magic on the world.

"It does seem very... peculiar that very rare Dazi-Dazi-Dazi and very rare Camelia-Window and very rare Magic-Feeler are all right here in Bordertown all at the same time. Very big coincidence." She glanced at Romana as they reached Lady Kay's house, saying, "Dazi very much does not like very big coincidences."

As they entered the small cottage and Lady Kay handed her the basket and bottle of of wine, she said, "Thank you, Lady. I will make very certain he does not eat all the cinnamon pastries, and he will likely be trying to make very certain I do not eat all the cinnamon pastries." She smiled and turned to introduce the elderly Lady of Attera to the new arrivals. "Lady, these are more of our comrades. Cesare... Darian... and Longtooth," she said, nodding to each in turn. "Longtooth is very fond of scritches," she said as an aside before heading up the stairs to hunt down Lord Random, Eye of Hastur.

Cesare

He has nothimg really to add to the conversation except perhaps an amused smile as Romana continues her unique way of trying to explain things. He feels a closeness with her now, they have a shared tie back in the past and he still has to figure out what this means to him.

So preoccupied with his own thoughts, he has a look around, just to see what there might be of interest up here.

When introduced to Lady Kay, he nods politely.

CELI


Celi stuck to her plan and to Kadri with equal determination. She was still awaiting her consult with Bekkah, which had some appeal. Things were working, it seemed; she had neither annoyed nor insulted anyone for ... well, i seemed like forever.

Bekkah

She had waited patiently for them to finish, then she stepped up to Celi.

"Walk with me child?" she said to the girl with just the slightest hint of a smile as she led her away from the others.

CELI

Celi did a double take, then looked suspiciously into Bekkah's eyes. Was she being teased or tormented? Whatever she saw thee was worth a sheepish grin; she followed along, resisting the temptation to make some sort of sarcastic crack.

Maybe she *was* learning, after all.

Darian

"Dazi?" the hunter asked after the red headed knight.

"Dazi be safe? Cesare and Darian go Inn, aye?"

Daxia

Turning when Darian spoke her name, Daxia grinned in response to her question. "Dazi be safe, yah. Darian, Cesare enjoy time together, ok?"

Shortly after, Kadri rejoins Daxia, after handing off Celi to Bekkah.

Darian

The warning given, Darian offers her hand to Cesare and asks none too subtly, "Go Inn?"

Cesare

His wide smile says it all.

Jumping forward, one hand still in Darians, he cuffs Longtooth playfully, dancing around him in a mock fight, something both are very familiar with now.

"See you all at the inn tonight."

He calls back over his shoulder as they head off. At times like this it is easy to see the boy in the man.

Bekkah

While Bekkah still considered herself young and not in the slightest motherly, she was older than the rest of the group and she was an Atteran Priestess and she had probably traveled more than most of them. It was that last part that had helped her grow more than the simple passage of time.

They moved off away from the others. Bekkah found a large rock that looked back towards the town and she sat down, patting the rock beside her.

"Come sit down dear."

When Celi did, she looked back at the town, letting the sun hit her face for a few moments. Finally she spoke.

"I could not resist calling you child. Forgive me. Even us Atterans are allowed moments of mirth, are we not?" she asked rhetorically.

"I think you've probably heard, I've been traveling amongst the people of the lands for the last 5 years. The real people. Not nobles, not priestesses, knights and ladies, but the common people. People so rich in life that they'd make all the others feel truly poor in comparison. I suspect your Gram was just like many of the elderly I'd met. I do not view calling one younger than oneself child an insult. But some and my sister is probably amongst that group as are probably most nobles sensitive to every word uttered. And titles are the most important of those words. To you and me, titles mean nothing. I cringe when someone calls me Lady Bekkah, I am simply Bekkah and much prefer that."

"So unfortunately, you and I must play their games. You more than I because under the rules of their own games, I am to be respected even though I have done nothing to deserve it. They respect my Goddess and do not even truly see me. So in your case, what do you think they see when they know your background?"

CELI

"I ha' ne'er been schooled in the detail of Heartwood History," Celi said. "So I thought they would see a country lass, with no education and no family, little familiarity with the ways of city folk, but some useful competency with most livestock and a decent command of herbal lore.

"INstead, I encounter fear and loathing in every corner, save from thee and Kadri... and a little acceptance, from Mikal, who has met my soul brother Stormrunner. It is my belief that they freely attach the evils of my predecessors to me, and in that wise hold me accountable for the damage done the Heartwood. Even if they pay lip service to treating me as a unique individual, they are quick to insist that, should I tell anyone else of my birthright, they would happily throw me under the wagon rather than speak out.

"Not that I blame them for thinking of themselves first, but my Gram did not teach me to be that way. If you become a friend, you should loyal to that friend. Give me advice, please; I am hungry to learn how I should behave. I was always taught not to become someone's friend, if you simply cannot stand up for them when they need you. Do not let them believe they can rely on you if things get dicy."

Bekkah

"I think it sounds like you understand better than you're willing to admit Celi."

"What you say is exactly what I described. There is you and there is the Coven. Can you separate the two? If you need to show the power of the Coven, then you will die and you will bring down the rest of us with you. But if you are Celi first and only show what you can do when it is needed, then you will be successful. Others will get to know Celi first. They will know the real you and they will accept you, like I have. In many ways, I envy you Celi."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

The Last House on Lonely Street

"I hear they saw that Master Hythainian up on the battlements ..."

"... cor, I don't believe that, I hear tell e's twenty fullhands of seasons old and is all withered like a grape thats been in the sun too long, couldn't take a step even if'n he wanted to do at that ..."

" ... blimey, Lissy, everyone knows he's a lil' misshapen'ed mole of a man, so nearsighted Her light blinds him if'n he steps from the manor ...

" ... bah, I heard tell from one of the House Guard that there ain't no Master of that house. He died years ago and they just get a young kid inna cloak to stand in at the Guild meetings ..."

"You idjot, if'n he's dead how can he have been seen up on the wall?

"As I said, they get this bloke inna cloak and all ..."

As Mikal passed by the Dragonstooth, the conversation at the well was definitely a buzzing, dancing this way and that like a merebeast on the trail of a coney. And not just one, many of them and not being able to decide which one to follow past a few heartbeats. The goodwives gathered at the well, preparing for their evening's meal as the sellsword walked past. Of his companions there had been no word or sign; no call of the guard or one of the militias, no fires, natural disasters or stampede of horses.

In fact the only oddity was the tall, wizened white haired man who simply listened to the town's gossip, sitting on a small barrel at the center square. And all he did was listen, besides, of course, noticing a strangers passage across the square down Lonely Street. But that was all he did; he didn't stir and he certainly didn't follow.

Which left only the return of his battle salvaged sword.

Lady Kay was waiting for him; or at least she had the sword beside her when he returned. Waiting for him may also had been a misnomer. She sat on the front step of her house, all comfortable and relaxed, a brightness against the cool grays of the storm season. She had a tall pewter carafe next to her, which she occasionally added to her goblet; the drink looked smooth and was a nice shade of pale green. She shared it with her opposite. He was was a tall, sturdily built man, of a grim demeanor. He was dressed formally, in blacks trimmed in red, a dark, almost brownish kind of crimson. He had his own goblet, only watching curiously as Mikal walked up.

"Good afternoon!"

Lady Kay's soft voice brightly greeted Mikal, as she rested against her door frame.

She reached over, setting the scabbarded blade in her lap before offering it to Mikal with both hands.

"Alls quiet now, those trapped now free, those hurt now saved ... they dance; they have their peace, which is the best anyone can hope for."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Back to the Inn

By the time Darian, Cesare and Longtooth get back to the Dragonstooth it is definitely close to dinnertime. And appropriately there are more and more folks bustling on the streets the closer they get to their inn.

In fact, their seems to be a crowd of sorts at the entrance to the Dragonstooth's center court.

" ... and ah'm telling yooz, yooz can't be denying, they are close, they will come and kill your wimmen and do unmentionable things to your'n cattle ..."

In fact there is a circle of folks at the portcullis, the kind one might find around a street performer.

" ... or is it kill your cattle and do the unmentionables to your'n ..."

Or a brawl, or someone passed out on the street.

" ... I tell you I can SMELL them' ah can ... and they's ... CLOSE."

He was a shortish heavy set man, of sturdy build and a definite martial swagger. He was bearded and there were already streaks of gray in his unkempt mane. Long tangled hair matched his whiskers. He wore amor; a rarity in te town; a battered hauberk of chain, but his greaves and vambraces were of steel. One hand held a large stein of beer ... it sloshed and splashed between his drinks as the motions of his arms accented his words.

His other hand, what it held it was telltale.

He carried a heavy black metal double bladed axe.

His face was streaked with what looked to be ceremonial paint.

Which was blue.

In a town of New Jvrillians to find one such as him should not be too unexpected.

An Old Jvrillian warrior.

The scary thing about this stranger, however ..

... is that he seemed to be an old Old Jvrillian.

Mikal

He walks casually down the streets, returning for his weapon. He smiles at the gossip near the well, the normalcy of it a balm after the oddness in Craigside. He lifts an eyebrow as he hears mention of the Master Hythainian. He'd heard of the man the prior times he'd been here, but never seen him.

Turning the last corner he approaches the house, seeing the Executioner now with the Priestess. At her comments, and when she offers the sword, he reaches out hesitantly for it's hilt. The last time he touched it it was something like sticking his hand into a hornet's nest embedded in a snowbank. He pauses a moment, then grasps the hilt with one hand and takes the sheathed blade in the other.

"My thanks, Lady." He offers. "Might I offer you some recompense for your trouble?"

"I have never thought of myself as a full-fledged Covener. We share beliefs and witchery, but I have none of their broader aspirations. I do not wish to disperse humanity into the countryside, ban cities, or require everyone to live in a wolverine lair ... with the wolverines.

"What is it that they fear so much? We don't bring our soulmates into town, nor do we preach apostasy. A town-dweller could go their entire life and never see one of us."

Darian

Her brow furrowed at the crowd who seemed only to be noticing the old sellsword. She leaned down and spoke to Longtooth, loud enough for Cesare and those closest to hear, should they take notice.

"Find way through?"

People usually made way for him, and she was not umcomfortable with following in his wake and pulling Cesare along behind her.

Bekkah

"But child, you have just quoted more than I knew about them. That alone would make them suspicious at best, convicted at worst. Remember, within the Imperium, there are recognized religions. To them, there is nothing else. Anyone promoting their views will suffer. Yes, there are exceptions that are barely tolerated. Out in the country, the Imperial religions are not tolerated, yet there are exceptions there as well like the Atterans."

"Why do you think that is?"

"Because Ladies like me went amongst them as simple women. We went from town to town and helped them with gathering firewood, we helped with crops and we proved we were real people. Then after we'd been trusted, we aided them by curing a loved one. Then we moved on and started over. Now it is simpler because word had spread and I am accepted in each person's home. Yet, I still worked hard to help them in many more ways, than asking my Lady for aid."

"Perhaps you have been sent to be that first lady. Think simple, act simple. Be nothing but a girl. Do not claim more than a simple girl would know. Ever. Watch for opportunities to help with your arms and legs."

"They fear their own legends and stories. They fear ignorance. And how do people when faced with that which they fear? They panic. Panicked people will not be rational, you can never expect them to think through things."

"This will be difficult Celi. You may be insulted as a dumb girl or a simpleton, like the Jvrillians mock Dazi, but you must not react. If you suddenly claim you're smarter than them or more powerful, they will tease you even more. If you react with action, you will die, and potentially all of us with you."

"Be the person who learns all these things first, the hard way. At some point there may be a life and death situation with someone who has come to genuinely like you. Then show as little as you can and aid them. But even then, claim you do not know what happened and that you're glad they're safe. Nothing more. Do not proclaim your heritage and tell them that all of your kind should be trusted. Almost pretend it didn't happen."

"Tell me something Celi. Why did you come this way to the border towns? Why not remain where you were raised?"

Cesare

He let's himself be pulled through the crowd but hangs back long enough to ask of someone.

"Who is coming?"

OOC Note, for everyone who belongs to a cult:



The Gods of The Heartwood are jealous and possessive. While a person may have somewhat ... for lack of a better word ... not quite party-line beliefs, all people belonging to a religion are a member of that religion FIRST.

Otherwise you will find out the gods are real. Very real.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Lord Random's Tower

A big picnic basket, a bottle of wine, and a door to a tall, well girthed stone tower.

Romana followed with steps light.

"Cinni-minni-mons!"

The door is a task to open; it was not just thick wood but reinforced by thick plates of steel. When opened it betrayed even more security. Three bars of darksteel would hold it against those who would try to storm it.

With such protection one would think that there would be riches - gems, gold, silve and more stored here.

But instead it was only dully lit, a few glass sconced candles here and there. The glass casings were truly an expensive touch, but as one's eyes adjust to the space it becomes obvious that the crystal was not there to protect the candle from weather and wind but to protect the contents of the tower from the candle.

Rows upon rows of shelving stuffed the place; leaving only narrow alleys between. They rose high to the ceiling and were so close that one must turn sideways to squeeze by. And they were covered, they were full, they were full to overflowing. They held papers - parchment and vellum with scribbled inscriptions. They held books; thin and thick bound volumes of leather and paste board. Most of the backs were old and faded but some, some seemed quite new. Racks and barrels held scrolls of all kines; some tubes of parchment, some rolls of cloth upon sculpted handles. Here and there maps were found; some in rolls, some tacked up on a rare piece of empty wall space.

This place was a rarity upon rarities.

An actual library.

A rail-less stair of creaky wood wound about the circumference of the tower, its ricketyness betrayed its age, each step threatening to bring it a tumbling down. It didn't help that its narrowness was made even more perilous by a stack of books here, a cask of scrolls there, a forgotten plate or two and the occasional forgotten plate and pewter cup - some with a remnant of wine abandoned.

One floor up ...

Then two.

What windows there were were narrow; allowing in just shafts of afternoon light. They were deep; the tower walls being thicker than a person could reach.

And then three.

The topmost floor was more of the same, except for a soft glow coming from the end of a treacherous canyon of shelving.

There a smallish, thin and almost scrawny man with gray hair sat on a crate-for-a-stool. There was a high table with a slanted top upon which he worked, along with far too many long goose feathers and a small glass bottle of ink. His age was hard to tell ... definitely old but not yet ancient, and he squinted as he worked. He was carefully scribing, making little scritches and scratches, drawing lines here and there.

" ... Banner ... such an odd odd name ... one little family in a little village and it only goes back a handful of generations ...

" ... curiouser and curiouser."

He then perked,

"oh! Lunch, it's lunch ... or is it dinner?

"Did fair Lady Kay send up some cinnamon rolls? They are just scrumptious. Good for the heart and the belly, I have always said.

" ... I wonder if it had ever happened before."





ooc note: anyone who wanted to see Lord Random or have a bit to eat can have come up here ...

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

The Last House on Lonely Street

The blade is lighter than its match in steel, and when touched ... it is just ...

... metal.

Empty metal.

The Priestess leaned back, leaning against her Executioner. The image was simple, chaste, and could have been repeated across the thousand farms upon the High Tarn - that of a young sister leaning against an elder brother.

And her words were light and friendly, spoken with good humor and care.

"Oh ... no worries for that, lad ...

"You will pay this debt ..."

A quiet pause, a soft smile, sparkling eyes.

" ... eventually."

Celi

Celi gazed distantly. "There was nothing for me but ghosts. I know they don't exist, that life ends with your death, but I heard Gram in every shiver of the aspen, the breath of the wind. If I stayed, I would never be my own person. The towns gave me a chance to grow, while still being me. Gram had told me I would have to learn how to interact with people to grow, you see.

"I can behave as you suggest. It just seems ... wrong, somehow. Almost cowardly. But I will take the long view; you have convinced me that any chance I have will only come if they accept me first. So... I will do as you suggest: play ordinary farm girl."

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

After getting through the secure doors, Daxia stopped and stared in wonder, absently handing the bottle of wine to Kadri. The journey up and up and up took much longer than it might have, as the Dayalan had to stop every so often to look at this book or that book... only ever lightly brushing some with gentle fingertips, others not touching at all out of respect for their age.

On reaching the topmost floor, very nearly dazed by the wonder of all the books -- so many more than even the library at the Dawnview Temple -- she said absently, looking around her, "Lunch, I think." Then she blinked, seeming to come back to herself.

"Yes... yes, Lady Kay sent up bread and cheese and cinnamon pastries." She looked for a flat clear surface upon which to put the basket, settling for pushing aside some books and placing the basket on the floor. She crouched down and, flipping back the gingham cloth, she extracted two pastries... one each for Lord Random and Romana, and handed the pastries to them. She broke off a bit of bread and cheese for herself before standing, and gesturing for Kadri to take what she would like.

"I am Daxia, and these are my friends Kadri and Romana," she said to the old man. "Ah... had what ever happened before?"

Mikal

He grunts. "Well, then, my thanks again. As well for those poor souls who were trapped within."

He nods his head in respect, and turns to head back to the Guildhouse. Now that the sword has been cleansed, he should be able to talk to the smith about having it reforged. As well to the Swordpriest, about enspelling it.

Kadri
with Daxia, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

"Cinnamon is ALWAYS a welcome thing. And anyone that makes something that smells like that has to have something right about them."

She offers a wide, sparkling and above all mischievous grin.

Bekkah

"And perhaps no noticeable good will come in your lifetime, but maybe your children will be accepted, or your children's children."

CELI

Celi grinned, spunky despite the circumstance. "I hope it will happen earlier; otherwise, there won't be any opportunity to *make* children."

She adopted a deep fake voice to utter portentiously, "I know we were going to bed, but I decided instead to burn you at the stake."

Bekkah

She smiled at the girl who was charming in her own way.

"No child, you can be accepted quickly, it's the rest that could take lifetimes. Now behave, before I'm forced to spank you. I've already threatened Dazi similarily. You are all making me feel terribly old."

She sighed as she looked around her.

"Now, if I could just get someone to accept me as Bekkah Yurisdotter and not Lady Bekkah. Come let us find the others."

Celi

"I volunteer," Celi said. "But I might not be your friend of choice. If *I* call you Bekkah in front of the others, for example, I am almost certain to get a lecture from Daxia about respecting my betters.

"Still, I would courageously dare such tedium, if you wish it. Us simple country folk are brave that way."

Bekkah

"No, I think not. I will always be Bekkah to Dazi."

"When we are around other Imperials, then it would be best to call me Lady Bekkah. Not that I desire to hear it, but they expect it. And if it earns us more respect from the people here, then it is a good thing. To some it can be just as important as a very large sword."

Celi

"I can do that," Celi said. "Except, I can't tell an Imperial from the local fishwife, unless they are wearing a sign around their neck. Is there some way you could signal me? Something that doesn't look like you are saying, 'watch out, that one is an imperial'.

"Perhaps ... ah I have it!" She grinned mischievously, then abruptly dropped the expression. "Wait. Before I make a joke...I should check. What are your feelings toward Imperials in general? Do you like to laugh at yourself, for instance?"

Apparently her idea for a signal was a little colorful.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Lord Random's Tower

"I have seen may young lasses in my day, and while there may be some, one is forced to admit, some bad lassies that like cinnamon, I jave never met a good lass that didn't."

As he spoke, the elderly cleric stepped from his box and sat down in the aisle across from the basket.

"I do hope Lady Kay remembered some ... yes here they are ..."

He retrieved a set of glasses from the basket and set out one for each, pouring out the wine before untying a wooden cup from his belt to offer himself some of the rich merlot.

"This is such thirsty work and it would be improper to share a cup or drink alone! she's a wonder, that Lady Kay. A bit uppity and all, but that comes with common roots. She's from the tarn farms, actually. You can hear it in her hint of brogue. years of training in Talantal, and still its there."

He smiled to Kadri,

"Like you lass. dark haired, that gaunt frame - though very attractive in certain circles, and the lilt to your words you try and hide. You are from the south of the Plateau, aren't you. You grew up in the plains, didn't you. Either belong to Amber or ...'

He peered closely,

"No! You are Amber!"

The Brother clapped his hands, like a lad who guess the number of beans in a jar to win a carven toy from a local carpenter.

"And you!"

He turned to Romana, who very quickly took a BIG bite of her cinnamon pastry, very un ladylike and requiring her to chew lon and hard.

"Oh a shy one! That is the trait of someone fair and lady like. In the affairs of Nobles and Imperials it is very proper for a high born Lady to be seen and not heard.

"And then there's the question of a Daxia. How do you handle a problem like Daxia?

"The name itself is from the olden tongues, so that places you along the Black Mountains. ow you carry a sword, such a shame, such a shame, but that is the realities of the world. Oh if there were enough of us, if we were back in the Archipelago where such extremes were not a curse brought upon by necessity. A strong lass like you should be raising your family in peace and prosperity ... but the world is not here to be our meant-to-be-s, only to be what we have to make of it. But you are not the first I have seen, nor the last, and I have yet to read of your kind taking up arms against the Empire since the debacle of Snowgate and the wising of your Queen. But Black Mountains, you are uncomfortable with the formalness of your words, so rural and not keepbound?

"Am I right?

"Of course I'm right!

"That means you were taught to speak like that - Dawnview Castle, at your kind's gathering places?

"Do you know the Khorall? Her heir? Have they arranged a marriage for the young lass yet, she is of the proper age and I have heard that there have been couriers from Kierkegaard and Talantal arranging for her hand. Is she still a recluse; there are those who say she is hidden away in a tall tower reading books, which is an oddness for a Lady, but then all Ladies from Dawnview Vale are a bit odd.

"Red hair and ..."

He peers.

"Blue eyes?

"Blue eyes.

"Blue eyes!"

He immediately turned around, scrabbling for a pen and parchment.

"Maybe it does indeed happen more!

"What's your name, girl? Your Mother and fathers? Sisters, Brothers? Did you have a ruff when you grew up, or perhaps a favorite cow?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Back to the Inn - Darian, Longtooth, Cesare and Mikal

"Who do you think ole' Shattersword is talkin' about ..."

It was a gruff Jvrillian with crossed arms that answered.

"Of course he says it's the East, those that live in the Forest of Roth. Our Forest.

"He follows the old ways; that's who they sharpen their axes for. Said and done."

The swordsman's words were off, laced with an equal measure or pride, reverence and embarrassment.

"And he survives."

A touch of respect, at that.

Coming to the square from Lonely Street, Mikal comes across the gathering, the slowly building crowd. He had heard tell of an Old Jvrillian that called Bordertown home, but as luck would have it, and most folks considered it to be good luck, this was the first they had been in the town at the same time. The time is late, perhaps too late to return to the Guildhouse this day, and by the time he is deep into the gathering it is also when Cesare and Darian burst through the lines and into the open space right before the Dragonstooth's entry arch.

Which also puts them in plain view of the blue streaked warrior.

"You, Hunter!"

Shattersword offered Cesare, not Darian, his crooked tooth smile.

"How good is that ruff o' yours. handsome dog he is, not near as handsome as when I ran with a cabal of your kind, when we tracked down the one that may not bename, whose touch steals the Dead from Our Fair Krysta's embrace. How do you kill waht is already dead, you may ask ... and it is a tale that the minstrel's sing, of the group of us all atop an empty boulder. Your kind, they ran away and died ... and I admit it was cowering to watch their corpses lift from the ground, bow and fang ... and any sane man would run for just the chance to breath again.

"But i am not that mere man!

"With spike and chain I bound myself to that stone, so I could not run ...

"A fullhand of sunsets later, and I was the last upon that battle field!"

He crossed his arms, nodding for sure.

"So how good are you Hunter! I have seen the signs in the Forest, where I, and I alone am brave enough to hunt.

"I have seen the signs. And i can smell them on the air.

"How good are you, do you bring your Young God tales to sing or stories of shame ... dare you come hunt the white haired demons with me?"

ooc note: Yes it is appropriate and without disrespect, that a certain generation of Gods and Goddesses - Jvrill, Krysta, Risha, Marrennen, etc are sometimes called The Young Gods

Darian

She turned and looked as the sell sword called out and asked about Longtooth. It was obvious he spoke to Cesare, yet, one as old as he should know the difference between the Rhoni and those that followed the Lord of the Hunt. Yet even among her own people female Hunters were few and far between.

His story of her own running away to die she did not believe. Hunters did run, but only with purpose. Khannish turned from those who ran in fear; they became prey.

Still, it was her voice that answered him. "Hunter hunts where Hunter wills."

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

Her expression ran through interest and confusion and suspicion and more confusion and agreement and finally settled into very definite confusion.

When the old man finally stopped talking, Daxia waited a handful of heartbeats, just in case he was going to start up again. Then she nodded once, short and sharp, and rattled off the answers to his questions as easily as he had asked them.

"Yah, know Khorall Linnell, know Lord Kisa. Think rumors Lord Random hear maybe false, but Lord Kisa not tell Daxia everything. Recluse?" The redhead shrugged. "Maybe. Lord Kisa very much likes to read, that is truth.

"I Daxia Yurisdotter, sister to Bekkah Yurisdotter. Both from Dawnview Vale, yah. Parents Eelia Darksmith and Yuri Tashasdotter. Only sister Bekkah, no brother, no ruff, no cow. Parents die when Daxia very little. Live most of life in Temple.

"Daxia... Daxia like to know more family," she said, hesitantly, almost shyly... as shyly as a Dayalan Warrior could get, at any rate. "If Lord Random know more about Eelia Darksmith and Yuri Tashadotter, Daxia be so very happy to hear. Maybe know if Bekkah and Daxia have cousins? Aunts, uncles?"

She smiled slyly, her voice became more... sing-song, almost teasing. "Daxia know SOMEBODY in Daxia family Allaine, yah? Daxia not know who, but Daxia know. Maybe Lord Random know who, hmmmm?"

Kadri:

"A small correction. I was from Amber. Am from where I am now. where I was is unimportant. It's not where you have been which makes you, it's where you go."

Mikal

He enters the square and pauses, curious about the gathering crowd. He's decided he'll have to take the sword to the Guildhouse smith and the Swordpriest tomorrow morning at this point, so he moves closer. Just as he spies the object of everyone's attention the man calls out to Darian and Cesare.

He pauses. He had heard an Old Jvrillian called Bordertown home, but he'd managed to miss him on all his prior trips here. He felt himself somewhat lucky in that regard.

He listens to the man, and nods. Not at the question the man tosses out to Darian and Cesare about whether they can track and hunt well. And not about whether they want to go hunt Easterners.

No. He nods at one small point the man made. To Mikal it is the key point, and the reason most New Jvrillians groan when joined by an Old Jvrillian. It was the comment, 'I was the last upon that battle field!'. That is too often the result of joining with an Old Jvrillian.

He watches from the fringes, to see and hear what Darian and Cesare reply.

Bekkah

"Tell me your plan Celi. I do not offend easily if that is what you are asking. Others though. Goodness yes, they take some things very seriously."

Celi

"I think I have stumbled over my first lesson in being well-behaved. I was going to make a joke, with Imperials as the butt of it ... only that includes you, right? And I like you 'way too much to ever poke fun. So ... I think I will take a different approach. If there is someone I am to know as an Imperial, you could tug your earlobe like this..."

Celi demonstrated.

"Then I will know to call you Lady Bekkah ... or whatever you would prefer, for that matter. Are their other things I should do in their presence?"

Bekkah

"If I were you, I'd assume amongst strangers in towns, call me Lady Bekkah. If we are in the country and there is cause for it, then I will use your signal."

"Now. I think I will head back to town. Supposedly there are stubborn Jvrillians who do not realize they need help in healing. Will you let my sister know that is where I wandered off to?"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Lord Random's Tower

The Brother of Hastur looked at Kadri as if she had a head sprouted with broccoli hair.

"What happens when you take the roots away from a pretty tree? It falls over lass; roots, roots, they are not just an annoyance for farmers clearing fields, they tell us who we are! Something never comes from nothing; thatwould be Chaos ... we are who we are and who we will be ... all from our roots!"

Leaving his glass of wine on the floor he stood, bustling off. From within the shelves there was a sound of rustling, a whispered prayer every now and then, followed by feet upon the stairs.

Eventually, after at least a couple of cinnamon buns, Random returned with a large tome.

"A good quarter of Dawnview Vale has red hair, Daxia Yurisdotter, and thus a quarter of Dawnview Vale has at least a trace of Allaine Heritage. Such a backwards place. Do you think the Noble Allaines only have girls for daughters?No? Of course not!

"What happens to the boys, who also carry the blood of Allaines, who should be ruling those lands? Oh they get an allowance, a stipend, I suspect, but they have no rank - and as commoners they may marry as they please ...

" ... to commoner wives. Kelleni, Lermentov, Danalla, Daylton are all distaff branches of the Family. And thus their children and their children's children and whom they marry and have even more children ...

" ... carrying a fraction of the blood but not even a fraction of peerage."

He opened the book and frowned, pinching his nose.

"Again!

"What is with the world ... something cannot come from nothing, but herewe are again. Bannor, Valnoc, and now Darksmith-Tashadotter, Konstantin-Shaelasdotter, Nightwatch and ... and ..."

He just peered at Daxia.

"Who is your great-grandmother, lass? Surely you know of her, yes yes? I need it for my records, and with her name I may fill in this blasted hole!

"Oh, excuse me ...

"I'm up here so long alone I forget when Ladies are present.

"It is not right that families come into being without roots!

"They fall down!

"They should not be ..."

He then crossed his arms and offered Daxia a stern look.

"What are you trying to hide, Daxia Yurisdotter!"

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

If Lord Random had looked at Kadri as if her hair had become broccoli, Daxia now looked at the old man as if his entire head were broccoli... with arms of celery, legs of leeks and a torso that was, perhaps, a potato... or a very large onion.

"Random, Lord and Eye of Hastur very strange man, yah. All Eye of Hastur like Lord Random? Helpful for Daxia know next time meet one, yah? Saw Justice once, come to Court, speak with Khorall. Hmmm. Not his fault he say words anger Khorall. Not seem strange, though. Strange ok... Daxia just like knowing."

She crossed her arms as well, but was unable to manage a stern look... it was quite thoughtful, in fact. And she wasn't actually looking at Lord Random in any case, just a space somewhere over his shoulder.

"Allaine sons, yah. Make sense. Gift, curse pass through sons, though? Or only daughters? See? Only more questions for asking. Only more letters to write. Peerage? Pah, silly stuff. Daxia not care."

But then she refocused on him, sapphire blue eyes regarding him intently, a look of weary patience on her face. She sighed.

"Daxia say mother Yuri Tashasdotter, yah? So. Grandmother Tasha. How Daxia tell Eye who else is family if no one tell Daxia, hmmmm? Yah, Lord Random please tell Daxia how she supposed to know things no one tell. That talent very helpful, oh yes! Yes, please tell!"

Cesare

He is not sure why they.. or maybe he.. should be singled out by this warrior, perhaps because they were not gathering, to listen, to admire, to show respect but instead passing, intent on their own personal business.

Darian answers him as he expected her to.. but that means there may be trouble if this one is easily affronted.

"I am no hunter. As you see she speaks for herself. Do you wish something of us?"

He tries to be polite, a little bit of a depature for him but there is Darian to consider and he is enjoying this place and their time together in it. He will preserve that if he can. However his question may hold respect in the tone, but there is no fear. He holds his head up amongst other folk, regardless of what they may think.

Celi

Celi asked, "Could you use an assistant? Someone to fetch and carry, run errands as you require? I could run tell Daxia where you ha' gone, then come back and help if you want."

Bekkah

"I never turn down company." she said with a smile.

"I don't know how much there will be to do, but you're most welcome to join me. I'd still appreciate it if you went and told them, if I do it, they'll get all concerned that I need looking after and that is already more than a little annoying."

"Hurry off, I'll be down by the well. Just tell them, I've already gone and you're going to keep an eye on me." she added with a smile.

Kadri:

"Who I am comes from who I am, what I do. What I decide to do. Who I am is not in my blood."

She nods rather definitely.

"It most definitely is not in my blood, really."

Mikal

He drifts closer to Darian and Cesare, nodding to them both when he catches their eye and listens as they talk with Shattersword.

"What he wants", he whispers softly to Cesare, "is companions to help him hunt Easterners and dead things. To find Glory. To go into the wood with him. Of course, as with his last set of companions, they did not come out."

Turning to the Old Jvrillian, he says, at a more conversational volume, "Why bother to go into the wood? Everyone says they will be coming here any time now. Nice walls to defend here." He gestures around.

Celi

Celi acknowledged Bekkah's request with a salute that was mostly a brief flourish, then turned and bounded off in pursuit of the others.

She found that mentioning "Atteran" and "Lady Bekkah" in the same sentence, along with "bade me find" and "deliver" all in the same sentence, with the appropriate courtesy, got her good directions to Lord Random's Tower from Lady Kay. She could probably have plied her interrogatory wares on other people, but it was unnecessary; the tower was easy to spot.

Getting through the massive armored door, was the difficult part. She had no difficulty getting past all the trappings of civilization that had been collected within the tower, for she was On A Mission. Maybe later she would have tome to be amazed.

She ran up the three flights of stairs effortlessly; the one thing you could say for Celi, was that she was in excellent condition. Her Gram had seen to that, with chores and special training.

So she debarked on the third floor where everyone was, and saw Daxia. Her "Mission." But Daxia was deep in conversation with others, and Celi didn't want another lecture, so she fell back on her latest instruction, and stood quietly off to the side, moving from one foot to the other, lacing her fingers and wringing them quietly and thoroughly, looking very much like Someone With A Message.

Or someone who needed the privy.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Back to the Inn - Darian, Longtooth, Cesare and Mikal

"Hear ... the lad's got the right of it! Of course he does, even if he is all newfangled and green. Trade in that child's sword and give him an Axe and I bet I could make a real Jvrillian out of him!"

He then stepped forward, drawing his barrel shaped form up.

"Of course they will come here ... they always come here ...

"But whatreal man of his salt sets his mettle on the defense? Waiting for them to cime to us? Bah ... we should take the fight to them! So they never are seen at all by the good people here!"

There was a sudden quiet as if for shock, and then a slow swell of murmurs from the crowd.

"... you know he does have a point."

The townsfolk seem to like that idea.

"You can taste it on the wind, though, lad ...

"Something's amiss ... they ride from the forest, not into it ...

"And my Axe has a bite ... but yon hound there ... hounds find things first."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Lord Random's Tower

"Ah well ... one an hope ... but that's just a lass' life talking. Never you worry your mind about it little one; its just a fact of life and all and while you may not believe it doesn't make it any less true. Like a rabbit trying to outrun a merebeast, like a snarkhound capturing its fox, or a carrot trying to escape one of Lady Kay's salad. Did she include a salad in the basket?

"There it is ... where she finds the greens in the middle of Storm Season I shall never know. She's a wonder, that Lady Kay."

Sitting back down again he starts to nibbleon a carrot. His half empty cup of wine completely forgotten.

"Curses, bah, they are but commoner's tales to scare one children. There is no curse that cannot be driven away by Lord Rames sword or Lord Hastur's judgment. It's knowledge lass, from studying and listening a writing things down so they don't get lost in the telling.

"Tell a lad he is getting an apple, and by the time the forth person's been told the lad is now heir to the Fleets of Lys and the apples gold from the sun.

"But you were not told of anyone but your grandparents?"

The Eye of Hastur tugged at one ear.

"You should not be concerned with who your ancestors were then ...

"That will come ...

"... when you figure out why you weren't told."

Random's head tilted and snaring up that big book he had brought he flipped though to the back and started scribbling. He did not even look up as he spoke once more.

"And don't stand there like a penitent schoolboy ...

"First you are not a boy ...

"Second you this is not a school.

"And third, there's bread and cheese and ... and ... and ... where did all the cinnamon pastries go?"

Romana did her very best to look wide eyed and innocent.

Celi

Celi did a small curtsey to acknowledge Lord Random's recognition. As hungry as she was, nevertheless she would not have any until she had completed her mission. She came closer to Daxia.

|"Mistress Daxia, your sister, Lady Bekkah, bade me come and inform you that she has gone to town on a mission of Atterran care. I promised I would return and assist her as she requires, but she asked that I make sure you knew where she was, and that she was well. Have you any message for her, that you wish me to deliver?"

She glanced at Romana, who was trying to look innocent, and touched the edge of her own lip where the cinnamon pastry crumbs lingered on Romana's.

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana, Lord Random and Celi in his Tower

"Dazi read, Dazi write. Dazi remember very, very much. Dazi like reading as much as Lord Kisa, yah."

She smiled sadly and shook her head.

"Dazi say, Dazi remembering she say, she know parents. Dazi know grandmother Tasha because mother Yuri Tashasdotter. Dazi not know grandparents."

The Dayalan tapped her chin, watching the elderly man.

"Yah, Dazi think this already. But who know why Dazi and Bekkah not told, hmmmm? If know who, can ask. Not know who, cannot ask." She shrugged. "If know one answer... who ancestors, why Dazi not told... Dazi smart, figure out other answer maybe. All Lord Random books," she said, spreading arms wide to encompass the whole of the library, "not tell Dazi either answer, huh? All facts inside Lord Random head," she said, pointing to him then recrossing her arms, "not tell Dazi either answer, huh?"

She sighed, thinking for a few moments, before turning to Celi. The look on her face could not rightly be described: it was not anger, nor was it quite frustration or even disapproval, though it certainly was not joyfulness or contentment.

"Daxia. Daxia, Daxia, Daxia. As I am certain my sister -- whose name I have known all my life, thank you -- has no doubt already stressed to you, titles are not something we find of interest. Useful tools, I believe Verchovai Dandelion called them. Yes, useful tools. So." She paused to just look at Celi for a heartbeat or two. "Just Daxia.

"And as Squire Dean will no doubt attend to her safety, simply convey my wish that she not overexert herself -- a wish she will, of course, ignore because she would not be my dear sister if she did not give all her energy to those in need," Daxia said, a light smile playing across her lips as she spoke of Bekkah's dedication, "and a hope that I will see her at dinner."

Celi

"Of course, Mis ... ah, Daxia. I will convey your message. I will see to her safety as well."

She started to leave, then turned to Random before departing. "Milord, thank you for your most gracious repast and warm welcome, Perhaps we might have longer converse another day."

She bowed and turned to dash off -- only to abruptly halt. With her cheeks flaring red, she sidled over to take advantage of the sideboard and collect some bread and cheese. "I am very hungry," she explained. When she had stuffed her pockets and both cheeks, she gestured her thanks with one handful of bread, hen bounded away to rejoin Bekkah.

Cesare

He nods to Mikal as the warrior steps forward to join the conversation. He stands his ground but adds nothing further for the moment. This seems to be a matter for hunter and warrior, rather than the likes of him.

His opinion, which for a change he keeps to himself, is that you are more likely to kill more of the enemy from a position of defense rather than exposing your troops in less familiar and potentially hostile terrain but he figures that this axe-bearing warrior would not see the glory in that.

Bekkah

She smiled when she saw Celi coming alone. She half expected Dazi and everyone else to follow, afraid for her safety. She might have exploded if they had.

"Ready?" she said starting off towards town the Jvrillian guardhouse without really waiting for an answer.

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

Daxia watched Celi as she left -- then returned to take some bread and cheese from Lady Kay's grand basket on the floor -- then dashed off again. She turned to look at Kadri, then Romana, then Lord Random... then back to Kadri and Romana as she addressed them, a look of bemusement on her face.

"I wonder if one of her problems might be a hearing impairment. Whatever I said... whatever you said, Kadri... whatever Bekkah said... it clearly had little effect," she said with a sigh. "Bekkah is watched by our silent Squire of Rames, who is no doubt quite proficient -- being trained by Sir Kevin, of whose skill and temperament even *I* have heard. And yet this simple country lass with skills relating only to animals and herbs professes to ensure my sister's safety." She shrugged. "I will mention it to Bekkah, I suppose. Perhaps there is something that can be done to improve her hearing."

She looked around at the room full of books and papers and scrolls, then back towards the stairway that led to even more books and papers and scrolls. Slowly, Daxia turned back to the Eye of Hastur. "In all your writings here, Lord Random, would you have a treatise or two on the best ways to clean tainted wells? I have some ideas for how to go about it, but it would be welcome information if some clever Imperial had thought to write such things down so the information would not be lost."

Darian

Again the old sellsword had not addressed her but this time the young sellsword she knew. She looked to Mikal, and said to him, "Hounds hunt where hound will."

Celi had already gone in a cloud of twinkling heels, not paying much attention to Daxia's bemusement. She had no idea what she was going to do for Bekkah; whatever she was asked, Celi would try. But Bekkah had told her to tell Daxia she would watch out for Bekkah, and so she had. Of course, she had no idea that such a comment would ignite Daxia once again.

Off she ran, heading for the well where Bekkah had said she would be found.

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Lord Random's Tower

"Oh my ..."

At that Lord Random looked up, his tongue tapping the roof of his mouth in a sharp, precise tsk-tsk sound.

"What a strange, unpleasant and rude girl."

His head tilted, as from three stories up he heard the big door drawn shut behind their brief visitor. And then, as if already knowing he winced, as somewhere in the reaches of the tower - from the stairs - came the tell-tale sound of papers shuffling, sliding, shifting and scattering; their careful and precise balance lost against such a fast and sprite exit.

Romana blink blinked, sharp ears catching the faint sound. She simply wrapped her cloak about herself. Of her love of desserts there was no sign; fastidious as befits a princess, there was not even a crumb to betray her.

As for the Brother, Random just sighed before he returned his attention to his guests.

"Untainting a well? Why would anyone be interested in that? We get good water from the town, and the children can earn a few pennies in doing so - its good for their character and teaches them about commerce, which will serve them well when they grow up.

"But no ... how can a well be more interesting than the story of people and their families.

"Did you know, for example, farmer families get bigger the farther you get from a keep or town?

"Absolutely fascinating."

He then peered across to Daxia,

"Oh ... I have read once, your kind is interested in wells, a strangeness, temples should be uplifting, not down looking. But the place to start is always ... always the beginning. Find how when it was tainted, how it was tainted and who did the tainting.

"At the beginning, that's always the best place to start. Because if you start at the end you have already gotten there and there's now nowhere to go."

He then wrinkled his nose a bit.

"But perhaps you should. The wind whips through it at night and its quite disturbing. It's hard to do one's writing, breaks the concentration and all. Luckily it never lasts for very long."

Kadri:

"I think. . at least in vague terms, we have some idea on all three. The question is. . . where can we find specifics?"

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

The redhead winced when she, too, caught the sound of papers rearranging themselves... likely to the farthest spots on the floor they were able to float. "Well... yes. But, to be fair, she never learned social skills growing up, and must have things explained multiple times before she begins to understand. My sister is attempting to remedy her lack of social skills, but they have had only a single lesson." She sighed. "I don't think the first lesson covered situations such as this. And..." Daxia glanced back at the doorway once again. "I will set your papers back in order on our way out, so you need not be burdened by the consequences of a youngling in a hurry, yes?"

The Eye of Hastur continued his monologue, an adroit journey from topic to topic, coming to rest at the place of beginning: a tainted well.

Smiling at him, almost fondly, she nodded when Kadri asked her question.

"Ah, Lord Random, our wells are not for the purpose of looking downward at all! They provide sweet, clean water; the carefully carved stones and marble are a place to rest, to reflect, to enjoy Her light. To us, they are beauty, they are wonder, they are a gift from She whom we serve. What can be more uplifting than that?" Her blue eyes sparkled with joy and reverence.

"If I can serve my Lady, and at the same time quiet your nights and give Lady Kay a closer source of water... are we all not blessed by my efforts? And the children can still build their character and earn a penny or two by running up here to draw the water from this well for Lady Kay."

She regarded him for a moment, head tilted, her smile growing. "How can a well be more interesting than the story of people and their families?

"You ask important questions, Lord Random, not unlike the Priestess who took charge of my education. Knowing who I am -- and I am pleased that you do know who I and my Sisters are, though I feel I should point out that not all women would be good wives and mothers. Is it not better for me to make a man miserable with the edge of my sword for trying to harm the innocent, those unable to defend themselves? Or is it better that I make a man miserable day after day with my sharp tongue?" she asked with a laugh. "No, sir... I think most men would agree that it is better for me to be happy and wield a sword than chance being the one to make me miserable and suffer the sharpness of my words.

"But to your question... knowing who I am, a person might rightly expect me to expound on the history of the well and its significance. However, I would respond with my own question. How can any one thing be more interesting than any other thing when everything is so very interesting?

"People are interesting, and the stories they tell are interesting. Why there is a tainted well on the site of an old Temple is intriguing. Why a man stood on the southern walls of the town, peering out and -- so I am told -- sensing a danger... this is most curious. Why the Dirkwood is called the Dirkwood, and who comes riding out of Roth... these are fascinating things. The shapes of clouds, the different names people have for the same things, how crops on grown differently in the Vale, in the Highgaard Reaches, on the High Tarn... everything is captivating, my Lord.

"And yes, the people! Most Jvrillians laugh at me, and say unkind things. But the Jvrillian with whom I Contacted is polite, thoughtful and kind; willing to learn what I have to teach, and to teach me things I do not know; and he has a sense of humor!

"The first Squire I met was a popinjay more interested in his family's concerns than serving Lord Rames. Squire Dean may be as quiet as a mouse hiding from the barn cats, but he is the honorable young man I always imagined the Squires and Knights of Rames to be. And he does not chide me for my beliefs or for carrying a sword," she said with a wink.

Daxia was animated, and it was clear that learning, acquiring new knowledge, was a passion. She gestured to the stacks of papers, the baskets of scrolls, the shelves of books. "I could sit for seasons reading all you and others have written. But I also want to travel west and see the Sea of Opals, to discover for myself what such an expanse of water would look like." Her sigh was one of contentment.

"But first, there are things to be done while in Bordertown! I have learned many new things today, things that will take time to sort through, to understand. No doubt there will be other equally thought-provoking things to be learned during our stay in Bordertown.

"And I have met an Eye of Hasur!" she said with a grin. "You are the very first of your order I have ever met, so this is quite a delightful thing. You talk in circles and spirals and have an unusual point of view I have not encountered before. That, too, is most engaging. While you could not answer the questions I have about my ancestors, you provided me with much to think about. I am most pleased to have met you, Lord Random."

The Dayalan studied the elderly Imperial for a moment before nodding.

"Yes. Most pleased."

She paused another moment, then grinned broadly.

"Of course, if you should happen to know where we might discover more specific information about the well, as Kadri suggested, that would make for an even more delightful day."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Lord Random's Tower

"The world is such, lass ..."

The Brother Hastur simply looked to Daxia, his eyes piercing.

"It is chaos and destruction, the tale we all know. Interesting, isn't it, for all the scattered pagan beliefs, they all share that one common beginning.

"And that is why it is the most holy, most important and needful task, to catalogue, to document, to bring an order and sense to the world. Swords may protect, but they also cannot help bring carnage. Knowledge is the only true weapon we have against the ever changing forms of Chaos."

He then turned to Kadri, whose words were direct and practical.

"But no one man can know it all lass, it is well beyond one's man's ability to ken. My task is to record the history of people, and how their lines criss cross around the world; to bring order to that apparent disorder of arranged marriages, so-called free love and accidents fortunate and not.

"I do not know about wells."

There was a scholarly nod to the Dayalan.

"Your companion seems versed in such matters ...

"But if I were to suggest a start ... like all genealogies, you start at the beginning ... at the source.

"You start at the well."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Back to the Inn - Darian, Longtooth, Cesare and Mikal

The Old Jvrillian sniffed the air, looking between disciplined sell sword, the dark haired Rhoni, and the ... person ... with the ruff.

He sniffed again.

"Hunters hunt where they will ... "

Sharp eyes narrowed and his thumb rubbed the shaft of his blade.

"Sure enough and all sounds like an excuse for being scared.

"But what does one expect ... girl."

Darian

Her head tilted quizzically at the one who seemed to now be addressing her but not. Her brow furrowed at him and she shook her head.

"City people strange," she remarked then turned and made to return to the room they had lent.

Mikal

"Scared is survivable. Stupid is not. However, I will talk to my companions and see if there is any interest in your offer. I can tell you now, though, that none of them are motivated by ...., Glory."

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

Daxia looked at the old man for a moment before dropping down onto the floor to sit, to lean against... To sit, to wrap her arms around her legs. To pay attention.

"I admire, and would support in any way I can, your efforts to bring Order into the world," she said to him. "You and I are so very different, and yet our goals are not so very different at all, Lord Random. We stand against the ever-changing forms of Chaos, you and I. You and your Brothers, you stand with knowledge... to document all that has been, all that is... to corral the Chaos into orderly categories, into orderly tallies. Yes, I applaud your work, sir.

"Sadly, there are those who care little for Order, for knowledge that confines this plant to a particular category and that animal to another category. It is no secret that Chaos Riders come riding out of Roth, yes? Rumors of the Fair Folk riding on the Spring winds, yes? Treacherous men who murder honest merchants and kidnap their daughters... hateful men who would hunt down innocent girls to be dragged home and killed by their own fathers... my Sisters and I will stand against these with our swords and our lives."

The Dayalan quietly studied him, the Imperial so convinced that knowledge could bring Order to a world where Chaos was ever-changing. She smiled at him.

"All the pagan beliefs you mentioned, they do all speak of Chaos and the struggle of Order to overcome it, and from that struggle all the peoples of the world were born. I would very much like to hear the true Imperial tale of the beginning, my Lord, for my education in that area is most deficient.

"But I have thought that people are unpredictable because we come from that birthing chronicled in the pagan tales. Some folks hold more Chaos within their hearts and minds, some folks hold more Order. Some of us wish to bring as much Order to the world as possible... but we cannot eradicate it entirely. Not simply because it would be impossible, but because it would also be unwise. As one of my teachers once said, if everything is perfectly Ordered, then everything is predetermined.

"And then nothing we do really matters."

She looked at the Eye of Hastur, then to Kadri, then to Romana... and back to the old man.

"I think I can say, for each of us in this room," she said quietly, "that we want what we do to matter. We want our work, our lives, to have meant something after we are gone. If a man says, generations from now, 'A wild woman with a sword and her gang of misfits rescued my several-times grandmother from a madman'... well, then my life will have had a purpose." Daxia exchanged a glance, and a smile, with Kadri. "I don't need to be remembered, my Lord. I only wish that there will be handfuls of people to tell outrageous tales about a wild pagan woman with a sword because I have done something to help their several-times grandparent.

"Until you and your Brothers have brought as much Order into the world as possible, I and my Sisters will stand against the Chaos that remains." She shrugged, a merry twinkle in her eyes. "And if the day comes when my Sisters have nothing to do but drive off the Fair Folk and kill griffins that plague the farmers along the Skaefla Plateau," she said, this time catching Romana's gaze, "that would not really be such a terrible thing."

A heartbeat, a pause, and then her attention returned to Lord Random.

"Of course, without heroic deeds, the Firstborn pay little attention to my Sisters," she said, with a grin and a wink. "Or so our pagan tales say."

She considered for a few moments his comment to Kadri. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she regarded her companions. "I think I would like to stay up here and investigate these sounds that Lord Random hears coming from the well during the night. I know what a rare thing it has been to sleep in comfortable beds, so if you hurry you could probably catch up to Bekkah, Celi and the Squire.

"Of course, if you can bear to give up the luxury of feathery mattresses, I would be happy with your company," Daxia said with a smile.

Kadri - with Daxia, ROmana and Lord Random:

At the moment, in the talk of order, she remains thoughtfully silent. Then, when Daxia looks her way, she speaks.

"Comfortable feather mattresses are only comfortable if you are otherwise satisfied. If I let something interesting happen without me - why then I should think that I would not be satisfied."

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

Daxia chuckled, regarding both Kadri and Romana. "Ah, you both have a fondness for interesting things, yes? One of the reasons you follow the wild pagan woman with a sword. And because Dazi friend.

"During what part of the night do these disturbing sounds occur, Lord Random?" she asked as she turned to him. "Is it always the same part of the night, and every night? Or does it vary... early some nights, late others, and perhaps not at all other nights? And if it does vary, have you noted any regularity to it... perhaps by season or month?"

Again, she grinned at him.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes... Dazi like questions!"

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Back to the Inn - Darian, Longtooth, Cesare and Mikal

"But what is there but glory ..."

The Old Jvrillian shook his head.

"That is what we bring to Jvrill, the glory of our blades, to stike down those who would wok against us, in His name."

As the three returned to the Tavern, he just snorted.

"I shall find the white haired one ... and then the glory will indeed be mine. And the world a far far better place."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Sometime after Sunset
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Kadri, Romana ... and a well. With notes elsewhere ...

"It's a play of the wind lass, so it is as easy as it is, to pin down and capture a breeze. Never until after sunset but always before te dawn."

And it was those words that guided the vigil at the well.

Darian, Cesare and Longtooth had chosen to return to the Dragonstooth; Bekkah and Celi to the Jvrillian guildhouse. For the Atteran it was a bit of a difference; her travels upon the plains had been informal. Her work was done in the main room of a farmhouse or in the barn or sometimes even in the fields themselves. This evening it was even more ordered than a Hospice. The Jvrillians maintained a well kept infirmary; a room in the large complex was set aside for their wounded; it held a row of beds and had several cabinets filled with salves and other medicines.

It was very well stocked.

It had been quiet, or so the manner of hurts seemed to signify. The worst of the ills was a broken leg obtained falling from the roof while replacing terra-cotta tiles. The rest were the results of hard practice; torn muscles, sprains and more than a few sets of larger than necessary bruises.

It was also the paragon of safe; in the very center of the Town's guardians.

It provided Bekkah and Celi good bit of work, until the sun set, dinner and rest called and the Town shut its gates for the night.

Outside the gates, up on the Ruins, Romana sat on the edge of the well. She held a small soup bowl in both hands, an evening's gift from Lady Kay before she and Lord Random closed up their little house against the night and what it might hold.

The soup was warm, sprinkled with bits of meat and spices, and did a good job of keeping the chill of the season away.

She had sighed, however, deep and sorrowful, at the loss of a night in a soft mattress.

" ... Romanas have slept in goosey beds before.

" ... but has never ever stalked a well."

As the stars came out and when the two moons rose high into the sky she did, however, give Daxia a sidelongs look.

"Well hasn't gone anywheres, Dazidazidazi ... "

The young woman paused, suddenly intent.

" ... Dazi?"

And there it was.

It did indeed sound like the low moan of the wind, heard snapping around a barn or haunting the walls of a keep.

But there wasn't a wind.

There wasn't even a breeze.

There, a closer listen.

Up from the well came a mournful sound.

Like someone, someones, unable to not call out in hurt ...

Something that could only be a growling, low and feral and hungry ...

And then.

Absolute silence.

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the Well

"Yah, Dazi hear, Romana," Daxi said softly. "Dazi think that not good sounds."

She hesitated, but only for a heartbeat or two.

"Ok, this why we here. Find out, yah? But we see already into well. Only bones, yah?"

The Dayalan looked at her two friends and took a deep breath.

"Dazi not like idea going into well, but unless Kadri, Romana have better idea..."

She sighed.

"We need find plenty rope, and Dazi see what hurt, angry something inside. Bring out? Hope so. Bone, too, while down there."

Kadri:

". . I'll climb down. I'm smaller, lighter?"

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the Well

Daxia looked at the well as she shook her head. "Mean better idea than go into well. Dazi stronger, Dayalan. Wells holy to Dayala. Dazi go."

Then she looked up at Kadri. "But Dazi thank Kadri for offer, yah?" She nodded towards the small stable. "We maybe find rope there. Hope so."

The Heartwood
Bordertown
Sometime after Sunset
Rameday, The Twenty-First Day of the Month of Crown of Ice, 2623

Daxia, Kadri, Romana ... and a well.

"And then when something happens, Dazidazidazi all alones. Very brave ..."

Romana notes quietly as they retrieve a long and sturdy rope from the Imperial's stable. It seems one of them has a nice horse, who just watched the borrowing curiously.

"very braves ... smarts, maybe nots."

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the Well

"Room for all three going into well? Don't know.

"Kadri go with Dazi, Romana stay... then something happen outside well, Romanaska all alone. Dazi not like."

Daxia was quiet, pensive... staring into the darkness of the well.

"Well belong to Dayala. Long, long, long ago Her well tainted. We not know exactly what happen, but not good, yah? Maybe other Sisters try clean well, maybe not. If try, why fail? If not try, why not?"

Brows furrowed, she paused again. "If not try... why not?" she said, barely a whisper. "In fullhands and fullhands and fullhands of years, why none would ever try? Maybe none come here? Bordertown belong to Jvrillians now, maybe?

"But if try, why fail? Not make sense, that. Unless..."

She looked up at Romana, blinked and blinked again.

"We think Eastern princes, Eastern mages sacrifice Dazi Sisters, yah? What if..."

She held her breath and gripped her lower lip between her teeth for a moment.

"What if need Dayalan, Eastern princess work together to make balance for what done before? If that so... not hurt to have tricky, sneaky, foxy help, too.

"Order and Chaos balanced."

KAdri:

"Dazi. . .you don't know that what is needed down there is strength. You don't even know whats down there.Right now. . we need to. . ."

She pauses.

"Wait. I have an idea. I just need you to get light down that well. I can. . . look down there. Trust me, right?"

Daxia
with Kadri and Romana at the Well

She regarded Kadri for a moment, then shrugged. "Yah, ok. Dazi trust Kadri."

Daxia murmured her spell, and the blue glow of starlight danced on her palm. She sent it floating down the well.

Kadri leans over the well and murmurs down into the well, words that were between her and. . someone else - and her eyes go distant.
.

Celi was sharper than she acted with the others. She studied the Atterran's craft, and asked questions about diagnosis, and theory, and the similarities and differfences between humans and the animal kingdom. She was looking for ways to apply the enormous knowledge base the Atterrans possessed, to her companions in the animal kingdom. Aside from Stormrunner, her animal communication skills were good but not perfect. She was a very good veterinarian, but if she could learn to apply Atterran skills to animals, she saw an almost unlimited opportunity to get better.

"How do you suppress pain in humans? How do you set broken bones -- and she watched, and made mental noes. "Horses are harder to do that with. They have different bones and they are on them all the time. It is hard to make a horse sit there. What about fever, and the ague? "

She would ask forever, given the opportunity...

[ooc: Darn it Wolf. I had a great line all setup if someone wanted to claim they didn't need help ]

Bekkah

The first thing that Celi would notice immediately, is that Bekkah was no longer the quiet, wall-flower type. She took charge, not afraid to order anyone nearby to get whatever she needed. She also used Celi to be her errand girl, ordering her to fetch water, towels, or whatever else was needed, but she also treated Celi like an apprentice. She did not explain the gifts of her Lady, those were obvious enough, but everything else she explained fully. What she was doing, why she was doing it, the herbs she used and what their intended effect was. While she did not hesitate to order people around, she was sweet and charming with the patients. She did her best to make sure that she wasn't doing this out of a sense of duty, but because she really cared. She was cheerful, even teasing at times and at times, it was probably hard for the men to think of her solely as a Lady of Attera.

The other thing Celi could tell was that Bekkah loved what she was doing. She'd probably never seen Bekkah as happy and outgoing as she had this day. When there was nobody left to help, she finally stopped and almost immediately transformed back into a quiet, behind the scenes kind of girl.

"It's time to head back to the inn Celi. I'm famished and a bit tired." That last bit was a bit of an understatement. The magical healing took a lot out of her.

[ooc: I assume, she probably used up all of her 1pt healing magic for the day. Would she have had to use any of the bigger spells?]

Daxia
with Kadri, Romana and Lord Random in his Tower

While Kadri peered into the well, utilizing her own spell it would seem, Daxia removed her maille hauberk and set it carefully aside, then murmured to Romana, "Dazi should have worn breeches today, yah?" Then she secured one end of the rope to the nearest stout street, so they would be ready to climb down when Kadri was finished.

She looked up at the sky, the two moons providing ample light for the moment. "More than half night gone; Her rising not so far off. Hope finish before Her rising," she said quietly. "Morning devotions from bottom of well not Dazi favorite idea."

Cesare

As they headed back to the inn leaving the glory hound behind them, he comments quietly to both Darian and Mikal.

"He mentioned finding white-haired person at the end.. might be Romana. I think we should warn her and Daxia. They are still up at Lady Kay's in the ruins I think. Darian & I have just come back from there. Don't suppose you want to play messenger Mikal?"

He shakes his head.

"Not too worried about him but word seems to have reached here and others may be looking."

Mikal

He shrugs. "Sure. Don't think he meant her. More likely one of the other Eastern sorcerors she said was in the wood, but it can't hurt to be wary."

He turns to head up to the ruins. "I'll catch up with you later. Save me some ale."

Darian

"Mikal go alone?" she asks.

Darian glances upward. "She sleep soon. Together better."

Mikal

"You're welcome to come if you like. Thought you might like some time to relax together. It's safe enough. I know the place pretty well. Up to you."

Cesare

He looks at Darian with a rueful smile and a small shake of his head, before he turns and grins at Mikal.

"We might as well go together, the night is yet young and relaxing together will be better if we are sure others are safe. Come on, the sooner we get up there, the sooner we get back."