Garl headed for the great northern forests after leaving Rab at his hamlet. The carpenter had said 300 foot beams would be needed, and that meant there needed to be trees available to meet that size requirement. Such would be very hard to find natively, but with a bit of assistance, some of the greater mahogany trees could be coaxed into growing a bit more than normal for this project.
He found the forest alive as he circled above the great trees. He could feel the trees below him reaching into the ground, taking up their nutrients and water to store in their leaves and development of wood. He touched down amidst the towering giants and felt the living ground beneath his taloned feet. It was a feeling that was missing on his home island since the invasion. They had damaged the life of his island at every level, and Garl stood among the tall trees drinking in the essence of life before he reached into the soil with his magic.
When Garl left, there was a soft groaning in the trees as they grew more than they had ever grown in their lives. The girths of the trees expanded, and the canopy rose higher above him as their branches reached further skyward. The earth nourished their efforts, and the big silver lifted into the skies above the trees and headed back to Matlal.
His next problem was going to be The Elder. The last thing any of them needed now was the return of the oldest of his kind after he had deserted them for the invasion. Garl pondered what he knew about the Elder, who by rights should have been the leader of the dragons, but who had abdicated in favor of the Younger. Leadership was never something Khirsah Tavadon had been known for in the past. And he certainly had done nothing toward improving that skill during the invasion.
It grated on Garl to know that the Lady had reached out for him, had gone so far as to seek him in the Primordial Darkness, despite the fact that she herself was not from that place. She had found him, she had touched him briefly before he rejected her and sent her back to that black sand beach. He had refused to come even though she had told him of Tass’ plight and the presence of the invaders. Khirsah had left those in the islands to their fate. That was a crime against his kind that many knew about. It was not going to be easy to continue the work on Matlal if The Elder chose now to remain.
He flew toward the Isles, and entered the magical fog bank that separated his world from the world of men. He flew unerringly through it and broke into a sunlit day in the Emerald Isles. But the green had been stolen from those islands, destroyed by the invaders and turned into something ugly and black, with the exception of a few places where the Lady had magically returned some of the green, living things. Those places right now are small and scattered, but they are growing. No thanks to The Elder.
Garl’s mood was dark as he landed in the courtyard where dragons had been busy replacing the stone work. He looked critically along the stone walls that now soared 4 stories into the air. The rebuilding was progressing, could the carpenter deliver as he’d promised the Lady?
Garl sought the signature of the Elder, and found him gone again from the island. It was for the better. His presence was a distraction none of them needed.
Matlal and the Eldarie
Moderator: Tasslehofl Momus
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Garl
MESSAGE s
The goblin watches over his shoulder as the tall gatekeepers jabber and point. Their scrunched-up, offended faces give him a satisfied smirk. When their useless talking is done, he turns around and throws the plank neatly through the gate-window. It clatters on the cobblestones inside, and he nods and disappears into the crowded streets again with a flutter of cloth and smear of green. Left behind are a fetid puddle, the aroma of compost, and the plank, on which is a (relatively) neat question mark, drawn in what looks and smells like tar. Various squeals, shouts, and oaths of citizens follow the departing goblin, until all fades into the usual bustle and chaos of the streets.
The goblin watches over his shoulder as the tall gatekeepers jabber and point. Their scrunched-up, offended faces give him a satisfied smirk. When their useless talking is done, he turns around and throws the plank neatly through the gate-window. It clatters on the cobblestones inside, and he nods and disappears into the crowded streets again with a flutter of cloth and smear of green. Left behind are a fetid puddle, the aroma of compost, and the plank, on which is a (relatively) neat question mark, drawn in what looks and smells like tar. Various squeals, shouts, and oaths of citizens follow the departing goblin, until all fades into the usual bustle and chaos of the streets.
Last edited by RabMallet on Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PLANNIN AND DAMMIN
Soon’s Mug took off for Ryhdin, I set meself down longside Toggins’s creek. To build a mill for three-hunnerd foot trees, fifteen foot through. That’d take a waterfall of power, and some saws sharp as dragonteeth. Shake me head. Course, if the waterwheel angled like this… and the downstroke of the saw caught like this for the upstroke…
First thing’d be to damn up Toggins’s creek. Then I can raise a wee mill to test. “Where are yeh, bleeders?” I look round for the goblins, finally find them harassin a cow onto the parcel, drivin it with long whippy-weeds and rude noises. They stare at me as I stomp over and do the bit of yellin. Of course it’s Widow Juno’s heifer and she’s told me in startlin’ clear words that if’n the critters frustrate her cow’s grazin one more time, she’ll hex me up down and sideways til I won’t sleep for all the boils on me body.
So I’m all and good at keepin way from that sort of situational.
I tell the green beasties to go and build a wall cross Sean Toggins’s creek, then hurry the cow back to the Widow’s before she misses some udders and comes lookin to put some on me. When I get to the pasture, the gates wide open so I have to rassle up all the wanderin cows, pigs, and goats that have set to adventurin. Dunno how many she had to start with, and one of the goats strikes me as lookin a bit Toggins-like, but I’ll let the two of them work it out themselves.
By the time I get back to the parcel, I’ve figured what planks I need, and how I can use one of the empty barrels for a waterwheel and all. Somethin seems off, somehow, bout the parcel, but its not til I’ve carried me tools and lumber to the edge of the creek that I figure out that me feet are wet.
There’s not jest rocks and dirt packed into the creek, as I’d expected of the greenies. They’ve got a good bit of Toggins’s stacked-stone fence, most of his fallin-down barn, and his feed trough.
Made a brilliant dam, though. Water’s backed up … well … clear all over everywhere. Three of Toggins’s cows’re watchin me, water up to their knees. Spoiler’s scoopin floatin cow dung outta the water and flingin it at Mug, who keeps kickin Flowerhead back into the dam water. Same old thing.
I knock a bit of spillway into the dam and start poundin in posts and planks. Wonder if’n Alais’ll get me message before week’s end, or if I should send another note in, jest to be sure…
Soon’s Mug took off for Ryhdin, I set meself down longside Toggins’s creek. To build a mill for three-hunnerd foot trees, fifteen foot through. That’d take a waterfall of power, and some saws sharp as dragonteeth. Shake me head. Course, if the waterwheel angled like this… and the downstroke of the saw caught like this for the upstroke…
First thing’d be to damn up Toggins’s creek. Then I can raise a wee mill to test. “Where are yeh, bleeders?” I look round for the goblins, finally find them harassin a cow onto the parcel, drivin it with long whippy-weeds and rude noises. They stare at me as I stomp over and do the bit of yellin. Of course it’s Widow Juno’s heifer and she’s told me in startlin’ clear words that if’n the critters frustrate her cow’s grazin one more time, she’ll hex me up down and sideways til I won’t sleep for all the boils on me body.
So I’m all and good at keepin way from that sort of situational.
I tell the green beasties to go and build a wall cross Sean Toggins’s creek, then hurry the cow back to the Widow’s before she misses some udders and comes lookin to put some on me. When I get to the pasture, the gates wide open so I have to rassle up all the wanderin cows, pigs, and goats that have set to adventurin. Dunno how many she had to start with, and one of the goats strikes me as lookin a bit Toggins-like, but I’ll let the two of them work it out themselves.
By the time I get back to the parcel, I’ve figured what planks I need, and how I can use one of the empty barrels for a waterwheel and all. Somethin seems off, somehow, bout the parcel, but its not til I’ve carried me tools and lumber to the edge of the creek that I figure out that me feet are wet.
There’s not jest rocks and dirt packed into the creek, as I’d expected of the greenies. They’ve got a good bit of Toggins’s stacked-stone fence, most of his fallin-down barn, and his feed trough.
Made a brilliant dam, though. Water’s backed up … well … clear all over everywhere. Three of Toggins’s cows’re watchin me, water up to their knees. Spoiler’s scoopin floatin cow dung outta the water and flingin it at Mug, who keeps kickin Flowerhead back into the dam water. Same old thing.
I knock a bit of spillway into the dam and start poundin in posts and planks. Wonder if’n Alais’ll get me message before week’s end, or if I should send another note in, jest to be sure…
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Alais d Nitesong
- Expert Adventurer
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 11:52 am
- Location: Matlal, Riverbend, I' Taurn or Nitesong, depending on time of year
- Contact:
The green, stinking creature threw the board through the gates to the
astonishment of the two Sidhe. One of them levitated the board, but kept
it as far away from their sensitive noses as possible.
Upon the board was simply a question mark. No other identifiers, nothing
other than the malodorous stench that still clung to the air where the
goblin had once stood.
The 'message' was then encased in an air tight bubble and sent up to the
house. The Lady would find it in the foyer upon her return, and they hoped
she understood the intended message, because for them, this delivery only
begged questions.
Alais coalesced at the entry of the house late that afternoon, and as she
opened the doors and entered the foyer, she was met with the encased
delivery. She studied it with a slight frown upon her features, trying to
puzzle out the message intended. From within its hermetically sealed
bubble, she could not truly tell much, but the moment she cracked the seal,
and the odor wafted out of the bubble, she knew immediately.... Rab! Only
Rab kept goblins of the people she knew.
Now she would need to find the man to see what was preying upon his mind.
astonishment of the two Sidhe. One of them levitated the board, but kept
it as far away from their sensitive noses as possible.
Upon the board was simply a question mark. No other identifiers, nothing
other than the malodorous stench that still clung to the air where the
goblin had once stood.
The 'message' was then encased in an air tight bubble and sent up to the
house. The Lady would find it in the foyer upon her return, and they hoped
she understood the intended message, because for them, this delivery only
begged questions.
Alais coalesced at the entry of the house late that afternoon, and as she
opened the doors and entered the foyer, she was met with the encased
delivery. She studied it with a slight frown upon her features, trying to
puzzle out the message intended. From within its hermetically sealed
bubble, she could not truly tell much, but the moment she cracked the seal,
and the odor wafted out of the bubble, she knew immediately.... Rab! Only
Rab kept goblins of the people she knew.
Now she would need to find the man to see what was preying upon his mind.
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
SMALL SAW
So’s to keep me delicate pate-skin outta the sun, getting so hot now, I rig a bit of tarpaulin over the deckin. The deckin holds the axle, which holds the waterwheel which drives the great round not-blade. Course it’s all not the size it’s sposed to be … forty-foot around round-blade’s not to be found easy-like.
And the waterwheel’s twice that in order todrive the whole thing. So a ten foot waterwheel and a five foot wheel blade made of wood should show it well to Alais. Guess I’ll stomp on over there and knock on her great green gates. She never did nought bout me note that Weedy took in, so guess it was spelled wrong or somewhatnotwith.
Swing the mallet up and nod to the goblins, snorin stupidly in the sun, and off to town.
So’s to keep me delicate pate-skin outta the sun, getting so hot now, I rig a bit of tarpaulin over the deckin. The deckin holds the axle, which holds the waterwheel which drives the great round not-blade. Course it’s all not the size it’s sposed to be … forty-foot around round-blade’s not to be found easy-like.
And the waterwheel’s twice that in order todrive the whole thing. So a ten foot waterwheel and a five foot wheel blade made of wood should show it well to Alais. Guess I’ll stomp on over there and knock on her great green gates. She never did nought bout me note that Weedy took in, so guess it was spelled wrong or somewhatnotwith.
Swing the mallet up and nod to the goblins, snorin stupidly in the sun, and off to town.
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Alais d Nitesong
- Expert Adventurer
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 11:52 am
- Location: Matlal, Riverbend, I' Taurn or Nitesong, depending on time of year
- Contact:
The house on Gold Dragon Way had been silent for many months. There was only the watchful eyes of the sentries, and the wild life that resides upon the grounds. Even the house seemed to be in suspended animation. No movement; nor even dust settling broke the silence of the place.
Ozymandias remained unmoving, but his sensors were tuned into the house. He had remained in RhyDin after shutting down the doorway between RhyDin and Harmony. Ulysses had come and vanished again, leaving the golden automaton once again without his friend and master.
Ozy heard the commotion at the gates from within the great house. It would seem that a rough looking carpenter was at the gates seeking the Lady.
Ozy stirred, flying from the house toward the great dragon gates, where he came face to face with a human calling himself Rab.
Ozymandias remained unmoving, but his sensors were tuned into the house. He had remained in RhyDin after shutting down the doorway between RhyDin and Harmony. Ulysses had come and vanished again, leaving the golden automaton once again without his friend and master.
Ozy heard the commotion at the gates from within the great house. It would seem that a rough looking carpenter was at the gates seeking the Lady.
Ozy stirred, flying from the house toward the great dragon gates, where he came face to face with a human calling himself Rab.
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
-
Alais d Nitesong
- Expert Adventurer
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 11:52 am
- Location: Matlal, Riverbend, I' Taurn or Nitesong, depending on time of year
- Contact:
Dark threads
Matlal had been progressing slowly. The methods employed by the invaders had rendered much of the island incapable of sustaining any form of life at all. The efforts I have used to gain ground against the poisons used by Malchor and his minions has taken a great deal of energy. I have returned to RhyDin because Ozymandias has informed me that I have a visitor. Rab has come with questions. But tonight I have come to Twilight Isle in the hope of regaining some of the magic I have expended upon the island I now call my home.
I coalesced just inside the portal of the magic island, and was greeted by the old Druid, but I felt Tass’ presence instantly. He stood at the edge of the tree line watching me as I moved across the white sand. The difference between the life I feel on Twilight Isle is as different as the color of her sand. Matlal’s sand is fine grained obsidian rather than this white sugar sand, and the island is as dead as Twilight Isle is alive right now.
I felt a harder, colder aura rolling off of Tass. Something I had never expected to feel from the old friend I had respected for many years. His empathy and compassion that had always set him apart from Khirsah was missing. Replacing it was sharper and threaded with a darkness I had only known in the Elder. It was the utter darkness of where they had been created. It was Primordial Darkness.
I paused, slowing my advance toward him then, and was instantly greeted by a newer friend, but a friend none the less. Rhaine. My gaze slid once more over Tass in assessment before focusing on Rhaine, who had no love for the dragons of my association. “G’e’en lass” and while I did not turn my back on Tass, I would not lead her toward him any further. Something was wrong, but now was not the time to seek discussions with The Younger.
She remained seated in the sand, and so I moved toward her. Her smile was infectious, “Good evening Alais, how’s that life at the dragon isles?”
I returned her smile, “The restoration is progressing. I am waiting for Rab to deliver the timbers,” but before I could finish my thought, my attention was dragged involuntarily back to Tass, the darkness in him is more prevalent than even it had been when last I had seen Khirsah, and that troubling thought interrupted my discourse with Rhaine. I joined her in the sand, hoping she had not noticed my sudden lapse.
She looked at me with something in her eyes that I had not seen nor thought to see in her, and that was an unusually human like joy. Something has made Rhaine approachable and almost humanly warm. “Have not seen you for half an eternity,” she told me as I settled beside her in the warm sand.
Tass simply watched, that in itself was very odd, but it was the fact that he kept his eyes on me the entire time I sat with Rhaine. He never said a word, nor projected a thought that I could discern.
I worked to focus on Rhaine, “You have an aura of happiness about you that I have never seen before lass.” I had seen her ring, but chose not to say anything at this moment. It did not appear to be an artifact, and she was not known for wearing jewelry simply for the pleasure of wearing it.
She smiled again, “I’d start babbling unnecessary information shards if I wasn’t so curious to know about how things are for you.”
I quirked a sable brow hearing her. Clearly something was changed, and in that moment I knew what it was. She looked up to smile at Artemus. A smile that spoke volumes, and that non-vocal communication between my friend and Sylus’s brother turned my insides cold. I tried to cover that feeling quickly. It was not for me to judge, “You are welcome to babble lass, it is news of a firend and not babble at all, and I see you are wearing a new bit of jewelry as well.” Inside I was hoping it was not an engagement ring, and yet, it looked very much like just that article of jewelry.
Rhaine laughed, “been busy til dizzy, receiving orders, and following them.”
I gave her a questioning look, “following orders and not giving them?” I was used to Rhaine being in charge, not on the receiving end of orders.
Unfortunately she had picked up on the chill that swept through me at Artemus’ arrival. “What happened?” She glanced again at Artemus then back at me, “well, one has to be good at following orders before giving them, and I have to give tons of them too.”
I wrapped both hands around the crystal snifter as she looked lovingly at the ring on her finger and then she blushed! “It’s not an artifact.”
I had known it was not, but the blush in her cheeks told me something “Yes, you are most likely right.” I replied to her comment about orders, and as I was just about to respond to the ring not being an artifact, there came a soft tear in the winds that I knew well. Khirsah stepped from the tear, his silk clothing whispering softly as the breeze from where he had come slithered across the sand. “Not an artifact? That has the look of a human engagement ring lass, have you found someone?” I suspected that someone was Artemus, but Khirsah’s arrival had split my focus. I glanced at Tass and then at Khirsah.
Rhaine shrugged slightly, “Or someone has found me. Why is Art’s presence so disagreeable to you my friend?”
She wanted me to be comfortable around Artemus, but I never would be. Not after what he had said about Sylus to me. “Artemus and I have nothing to say to one the other lass.” No point in dragging up old history while she is happy with him.
Artemus joined us but kept to Rhaine’s off side from me. His hand moved to hold Rhaine’s and his thumb rubbed lightly over her knuckles as he spoke, “she has not liked me since I chose to speak my mind on my brother. I do not blame her, I was rather much an ass that night.”
I coalesced just inside the portal of the magic island, and was greeted by the old Druid, but I felt Tass’ presence instantly. He stood at the edge of the tree line watching me as I moved across the white sand. The difference between the life I feel on Twilight Isle is as different as the color of her sand. Matlal’s sand is fine grained obsidian rather than this white sugar sand, and the island is as dead as Twilight Isle is alive right now.
I felt a harder, colder aura rolling off of Tass. Something I had never expected to feel from the old friend I had respected for many years. His empathy and compassion that had always set him apart from Khirsah was missing. Replacing it was sharper and threaded with a darkness I had only known in the Elder. It was the utter darkness of where they had been created. It was Primordial Darkness.
I paused, slowing my advance toward him then, and was instantly greeted by a newer friend, but a friend none the less. Rhaine. My gaze slid once more over Tass in assessment before focusing on Rhaine, who had no love for the dragons of my association. “G’e’en lass” and while I did not turn my back on Tass, I would not lead her toward him any further. Something was wrong, but now was not the time to seek discussions with The Younger.
She remained seated in the sand, and so I moved toward her. Her smile was infectious, “Good evening Alais, how’s that life at the dragon isles?”
I returned her smile, “The restoration is progressing. I am waiting for Rab to deliver the timbers,” but before I could finish my thought, my attention was dragged involuntarily back to Tass, the darkness in him is more prevalent than even it had been when last I had seen Khirsah, and that troubling thought interrupted my discourse with Rhaine. I joined her in the sand, hoping she had not noticed my sudden lapse.
She looked at me with something in her eyes that I had not seen nor thought to see in her, and that was an unusually human like joy. Something has made Rhaine approachable and almost humanly warm. “Have not seen you for half an eternity,” she told me as I settled beside her in the warm sand.
Tass simply watched, that in itself was very odd, but it was the fact that he kept his eyes on me the entire time I sat with Rhaine. He never said a word, nor projected a thought that I could discern.
I worked to focus on Rhaine, “You have an aura of happiness about you that I have never seen before lass.” I had seen her ring, but chose not to say anything at this moment. It did not appear to be an artifact, and she was not known for wearing jewelry simply for the pleasure of wearing it.
She smiled again, “I’d start babbling unnecessary information shards if I wasn’t so curious to know about how things are for you.”
I quirked a sable brow hearing her. Clearly something was changed, and in that moment I knew what it was. She looked up to smile at Artemus. A smile that spoke volumes, and that non-vocal communication between my friend and Sylus’s brother turned my insides cold. I tried to cover that feeling quickly. It was not for me to judge, “You are welcome to babble lass, it is news of a firend and not babble at all, and I see you are wearing a new bit of jewelry as well.” Inside I was hoping it was not an engagement ring, and yet, it looked very much like just that article of jewelry.
Rhaine laughed, “been busy til dizzy, receiving orders, and following them.”
I gave her a questioning look, “following orders and not giving them?” I was used to Rhaine being in charge, not on the receiving end of orders.
Unfortunately she had picked up on the chill that swept through me at Artemus’ arrival. “What happened?” She glanced again at Artemus then back at me, “well, one has to be good at following orders before giving them, and I have to give tons of them too.”
I wrapped both hands around the crystal snifter as she looked lovingly at the ring on her finger and then she blushed! “It’s not an artifact.”
I had known it was not, but the blush in her cheeks told me something “Yes, you are most likely right.” I replied to her comment about orders, and as I was just about to respond to the ring not being an artifact, there came a soft tear in the winds that I knew well. Khirsah stepped from the tear, his silk clothing whispering softly as the breeze from where he had come slithered across the sand. “Not an artifact? That has the look of a human engagement ring lass, have you found someone?” I suspected that someone was Artemus, but Khirsah’s arrival had split my focus. I glanced at Tass and then at Khirsah.
Rhaine shrugged slightly, “Or someone has found me. Why is Art’s presence so disagreeable to you my friend?”
She wanted me to be comfortable around Artemus, but I never would be. Not after what he had said about Sylus to me. “Artemus and I have nothing to say to one the other lass.” No point in dragging up old history while she is happy with him.
Artemus joined us but kept to Rhaine’s off side from me. His hand moved to hold Rhaine’s and his thumb rubbed lightly over her knuckles as he spoke, “she has not liked me since I chose to speak my mind on my brother. I do not blame her, I was rather much an ass that night.”
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
-
Alais d Nitesong
- Expert Adventurer
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 11:52 am
- Location: Matlal, Riverbend, I' Taurn or Nitesong, depending on time of year
- Contact:
Dark threads
Khirsah moved then, his steps painfully graceful as he moved toward the three of us. It was time for me to leave Rhaine. I know how she feels about the dragons, and I need some time to speak with the Elder. I gave Artemus a stiff nod, “it was not your mind, it was your disrespect.” I rose then off the sand, “I shall leave you two a moment, there is someone I have a need to speak with.”
Rhaine sighed, “I see… wonder why he called you an idiot Art… you two shifters seem to be of horribly low opinion about each other.” She was absolutely right. The two had never gotten along, but it was Artemus that I would never trust. She gave me a smile, and I left them to speak privately after giving her a hug.
I wished her happiness, and she smiled, “I hope so, otherwise it would be totally unfair.”
I chuckled, “Rhaine, you’ve a way with cats lass, you do.”
Khirsah had almost reached us, he had stopped just short of us. His presence was imposing but not overbearing as he waited in silence at my approach. I studied him a long moment before inclining my head the the Elder, “g’e’en m’lord”. It had been months since I had seen him. He had left Matlal, and I had not seen him since that time. I had missed his presence, and yet, the dragons were not happy about having Khirsah on Matlal.
He did not move as I approached, “perhaps… evening none the less.”
I swept one hand toward a table at the edge of the sand, “do you care to join me to watch Tass?” His response was laced with unsaid meaning. Not that Khirsah would ever speak plainly, but I knew from his tone he had the key to the coldness I felt coming in waves off of the Younger.
Khirsah turned in the direction I had indicated, but did not move as he commented, “he is more interesting to watch of late, that is true.” He seemed to wait for me to make the first move toward the remote table.
I folded both hands into the long sleeves of the dark blue robes and moved toward the table without looking back at him. I could feel him following, but even my elven hearing could not hear him as he moved across the sand. I reached the table and turned to regard both brothers. One in the ring, and oddly harder and colder, the other within touching distance, but cold and hard enough that I knew I could not. There had been a time when Tass would have been approachable, and even warm, but now, none of that was evident. Khirsah’s darkness wound around him like a second skin, but what troubles me is that I can now feel a similar dark thread around Tass. I decided to simply say what was on my mind to Khirsah, “Something’s changing Lord Khirsah, it is the feel of you both.”
He stood for a moment longer before sitting as well. “Correction, something has changed.”
A cold thread of dread ripples through me hearing the past tense used by The Elder. I did not know what to say to Khirsah, and Wyheree’s entry gave me the opportunity to greet her and ask how marriage agreed with her. She smiled, “Alais, it has been far too long.”
I took one of the empty seats and studied The Elder a long moment before returning Wyheree’s smile. “Aye Wyheree, it has.” She settled onto a seat nearby, “have you been faring well?”
I kept my eyes on Wyheree, “I’ve been working to restore Matlal, and have you ever met Lord Khirsah Tavadon?”
She shook her head, “I do not believe I have, Alais.”
I then asked if I might make introductions, and Khirsah stood once again. He is not a tall man, but his presence towers like the Pearl above everything else. He gave a very slight nod of his head in acquiescence.
Wyheree smiled and looked at Khirsah, “of course”.
“Lord Khirsa, this is Wyheree Black. Wyheree, I’m pleased to introduce you to Tass’ brother, Khirsah Tavadon.” Wyheree rose and gave him a sweeping curtsey. She told him it was a pleasure to meet him, and true to Khirsah, he made a crisp reply, “some feel otherwise.” He was not polite, he was not rude, his words simply were. When one does not know Lord Khirsah, it is easy to misinterpret his tone for rudeness, but such is an emotion Khirsah does not have.
Wyheree smiled and retook her seat. I quirked a brow at Khirsah and wondered if he meant the dragons on Matlal, or something else entirely, but then I turned to Wyheree, “have you been sailing?”
She gave me a brilliant smile, “Indeed I have. We did spend the winter here in Rhydin, as we purchased a lovely manor near the coast. Now that spring is here, we are sailing again.”
Khirsah regarded Wyheree a moment longer before turning his attention to me and settled onto his seat. I nodded but glanced again at Khirsah, “it would explain your glowing color Wyheree.”
Rhaine sighed, “I see… wonder why he called you an idiot Art… you two shifters seem to be of horribly low opinion about each other.” She was absolutely right. The two had never gotten along, but it was Artemus that I would never trust. She gave me a smile, and I left them to speak privately after giving her a hug.
I wished her happiness, and she smiled, “I hope so, otherwise it would be totally unfair.”
I chuckled, “Rhaine, you’ve a way with cats lass, you do.”
Khirsah had almost reached us, he had stopped just short of us. His presence was imposing but not overbearing as he waited in silence at my approach. I studied him a long moment before inclining my head the the Elder, “g’e’en m’lord”. It had been months since I had seen him. He had left Matlal, and I had not seen him since that time. I had missed his presence, and yet, the dragons were not happy about having Khirsah on Matlal.
He did not move as I approached, “perhaps… evening none the less.”
I swept one hand toward a table at the edge of the sand, “do you care to join me to watch Tass?” His response was laced with unsaid meaning. Not that Khirsah would ever speak plainly, but I knew from his tone he had the key to the coldness I felt coming in waves off of the Younger.
Khirsah turned in the direction I had indicated, but did not move as he commented, “he is more interesting to watch of late, that is true.” He seemed to wait for me to make the first move toward the remote table.
I folded both hands into the long sleeves of the dark blue robes and moved toward the table without looking back at him. I could feel him following, but even my elven hearing could not hear him as he moved across the sand. I reached the table and turned to regard both brothers. One in the ring, and oddly harder and colder, the other within touching distance, but cold and hard enough that I knew I could not. There had been a time when Tass would have been approachable, and even warm, but now, none of that was evident. Khirsah’s darkness wound around him like a second skin, but what troubles me is that I can now feel a similar dark thread around Tass. I decided to simply say what was on my mind to Khirsah, “Something’s changing Lord Khirsah, it is the feel of you both.”
He stood for a moment longer before sitting as well. “Correction, something has changed.”
A cold thread of dread ripples through me hearing the past tense used by The Elder. I did not know what to say to Khirsah, and Wyheree’s entry gave me the opportunity to greet her and ask how marriage agreed with her. She smiled, “Alais, it has been far too long.”
I took one of the empty seats and studied The Elder a long moment before returning Wyheree’s smile. “Aye Wyheree, it has.” She settled onto a seat nearby, “have you been faring well?”
I kept my eyes on Wyheree, “I’ve been working to restore Matlal, and have you ever met Lord Khirsah Tavadon?”
She shook her head, “I do not believe I have, Alais.”
I then asked if I might make introductions, and Khirsah stood once again. He is not a tall man, but his presence towers like the Pearl above everything else. He gave a very slight nod of his head in acquiescence.
Wyheree smiled and looked at Khirsah, “of course”.
“Lord Khirsa, this is Wyheree Black. Wyheree, I’m pleased to introduce you to Tass’ brother, Khirsah Tavadon.” Wyheree rose and gave him a sweeping curtsey. She told him it was a pleasure to meet him, and true to Khirsah, he made a crisp reply, “some feel otherwise.” He was not polite, he was not rude, his words simply were. When one does not know Lord Khirsah, it is easy to misinterpret his tone for rudeness, but such is an emotion Khirsah does not have.
Wyheree smiled and retook her seat. I quirked a brow at Khirsah and wondered if he meant the dragons on Matlal, or something else entirely, but then I turned to Wyheree, “have you been sailing?”
She gave me a brilliant smile, “Indeed I have. We did spend the winter here in Rhydin, as we purchased a lovely manor near the coast. Now that spring is here, we are sailing again.”
Khirsah regarded Wyheree a moment longer before turning his attention to me and settled onto his seat. I nodded but glanced again at Khirsah, “it would explain your glowing color Wyheree.”
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
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Dark Threads
Khirsah’s eyes met mine, and I asked him if he had been to Matlal of late. He remained essentially unmoving, and said “I have otherwise been… occupied.”
“It is a pity m’lord, though you’ve had your reasons no doubt.” I meant my words, and I had missed him, but I know that the dragons who are helping with the rebuilding of Matlal harbor no such sentiments. Garl believes Khirsah left us all to die. Garl was there when I tried to reach Khirsah and tell him of the impending invasion. He knows Khirsah rejected me and sent me back to the Island and did not follow me there.
Khirsah’s lips gave a small twist of derision that would make most people flinch, but I knew the man, and knew I was in no danger from him as he asked, “a pity? Were I to make myself known upon the isle once more, I fear you would lose a contingent of helpers, your chief among them. Perhaps that would be a pity.”
”Time does heal most wounds milord, and Garl just needs to understand why you did leave us to the invaders.” Indeed, even I needed to know why. He’d told me that his presence would not have made any difference, and yet I cannot help but think it would have made some impact on what happened to us all. Tass had finished his match and stood away from both Khirsah and I, but he knew the Elder was here, and his eyes seemed a bit more narrowed as he regarded us both.
I summoned a crystal snifter of Liquid Fire and offered it to Khirsah. He had never accepted anything in terms of food or beverage from me in the past, but I would not assume and I offered it to him.
Khirsah’s smirk never left his lips, “time in whose eyes?” He never even glanced at the offered glass, merely giving a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.
“Time has a very different meaning for you and your people, but Garl is wise.” I knew it would take a lot to convince Garl that Lord Khirsah had not abandoned us to our fate, and I caught a small blush as Wyheree over heard part of our conversation.
Khirsah’s smirk remained unchanging, but he let his eyes flicker through the amassed souls on the Isle. I have never seen him here, and as he glanced around us, it struck me that he was very much out of his element here. I followed his eyes and found Tass still leaning against a tree. He had not come over to join us, and I find that curious. Instead I found Tass’ eyes locked on me in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.
I lifted the refused drink to my lips as I spoke very softly to Khirsah, “will you enlighten me Khirsah? “ My eyes never leaving Tass as I spoke.
Khirsah’s voice was equally soft, “that would depend on what you need enlightenment upon.”
I glanced at Wyheree, who seemed intent upon the matches, “I’d very much like to know why Tass feels more like thee. What’s happening to him?”
Khirsah’s eyes held mine a moment, “to us.”
“I don’t fee the same thing in thee.” I was so focused on asking my question that I nearly missed his softly spoken correction. I stopped short as his words registered.
He gave a slight quirk of his brow as Wyheree glanced again at me, as though she too had heard my question. Khirsah then spoke quietly, “continue your observation.”
My voice dropped into elven softness as I answered Khirsah, “darkness, cold… they’re the things I’ve felt from thee.” I knew he would not take offense to my observations, and as his eyes held mine, I continued, “Aloof and detached, but Tass was the one with feelings and humor. But that’s being buried in something that does feel cold and detached.”
Khirsah regarded me a moment, “do not confuse detachment with hurt.”
I glanced at Tass in his ring and back, “it is not hurt that is in that aura…. But certainly pain is there.”
Khirsah remained unmoving, “that which you see is caused from that hurt. What is would not have happened if not for it.”
I frowned at that. “Why Khirsah? Why does he surround himself with this darkness when it is not in the nature of the man I know? From whence is he drawing upon it?”
“It is a pity m’lord, though you’ve had your reasons no doubt.” I meant my words, and I had missed him, but I know that the dragons who are helping with the rebuilding of Matlal harbor no such sentiments. Garl believes Khirsah left us all to die. Garl was there when I tried to reach Khirsah and tell him of the impending invasion. He knows Khirsah rejected me and sent me back to the Island and did not follow me there.
Khirsah’s lips gave a small twist of derision that would make most people flinch, but I knew the man, and knew I was in no danger from him as he asked, “a pity? Were I to make myself known upon the isle once more, I fear you would lose a contingent of helpers, your chief among them. Perhaps that would be a pity.”
”Time does heal most wounds milord, and Garl just needs to understand why you did leave us to the invaders.” Indeed, even I needed to know why. He’d told me that his presence would not have made any difference, and yet I cannot help but think it would have made some impact on what happened to us all. Tass had finished his match and stood away from both Khirsah and I, but he knew the Elder was here, and his eyes seemed a bit more narrowed as he regarded us both.
I summoned a crystal snifter of Liquid Fire and offered it to Khirsah. He had never accepted anything in terms of food or beverage from me in the past, but I would not assume and I offered it to him.
Khirsah’s smirk never left his lips, “time in whose eyes?” He never even glanced at the offered glass, merely giving a nearly imperceptible shake of his head.
“Time has a very different meaning for you and your people, but Garl is wise.” I knew it would take a lot to convince Garl that Lord Khirsah had not abandoned us to our fate, and I caught a small blush as Wyheree over heard part of our conversation.
Khirsah’s smirk remained unchanging, but he let his eyes flicker through the amassed souls on the Isle. I have never seen him here, and as he glanced around us, it struck me that he was very much out of his element here. I followed his eyes and found Tass still leaning against a tree. He had not come over to join us, and I find that curious. Instead I found Tass’ eyes locked on me in a way that sent a shiver down my spine.
I lifted the refused drink to my lips as I spoke very softly to Khirsah, “will you enlighten me Khirsah? “ My eyes never leaving Tass as I spoke.
Khirsah’s voice was equally soft, “that would depend on what you need enlightenment upon.”
I glanced at Wyheree, who seemed intent upon the matches, “I’d very much like to know why Tass feels more like thee. What’s happening to him?”
Khirsah’s eyes held mine a moment, “to us.”
“I don’t fee the same thing in thee.” I was so focused on asking my question that I nearly missed his softly spoken correction. I stopped short as his words registered.
He gave a slight quirk of his brow as Wyheree glanced again at me, as though she too had heard my question. Khirsah then spoke quietly, “continue your observation.”
My voice dropped into elven softness as I answered Khirsah, “darkness, cold… they’re the things I’ve felt from thee.” I knew he would not take offense to my observations, and as his eyes held mine, I continued, “Aloof and detached, but Tass was the one with feelings and humor. But that’s being buried in something that does feel cold and detached.”
Khirsah regarded me a moment, “do not confuse detachment with hurt.”
I glanced at Tass in his ring and back, “it is not hurt that is in that aura…. But certainly pain is there.”
Khirsah remained unmoving, “that which you see is caused from that hurt. What is would not have happened if not for it.”
I frowned at that. “Why Khirsah? Why does he surround himself with this darkness when it is not in the nature of the man I know? From whence is he drawing upon it?”
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
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Khirsah’s eyes met mine, “the Dreamer is awake.”
His words were cryptic, and I repeated the name, “Dreamer?” He simply nodded, adding nothing more. I thought quickly of Tass’ and my discussions, but could not produce anything about a “dreamer”. “Whom, or what is the Dreamer?”
Khirsah gave a very faint shrug, “the one who dreams us.”
His words registered immediately and abruptly, “and prithee, what does that mean to the two of you and the isles” If the dreamer could create the dragons and indirectly the islands, what would happen now that the dreamer was awake??
Khirsah could see from my expression that I understood the enormity of having the Dreamer awaken. “you see it.”
I drew in a slow, deep breath before responding, “aye, but I do not understand the ramifications milord.” I suspected, but I was hoping Khirsah would elaborate.
He watched me, waiting for me to put it together, “what was the difference, and in some ways, still are, between myself and the Younger?”
I whispered, almost to myself, “Tass has never spoken about the Dreamer….” And then my eyes met Khirsah once more, “was?”
Khirsah gave me a smile that would have made Death flinch, “Hith tha Kashal shtar vash.” He waited for my reaction, “and yes, Lady d’ Nitesong, vash.” The words rolled through the tongue and the mind; powerful words, from the language of the Dreamer, words that resounded through the psyche and would not be ignored. I gave Khirsah a long, searching look.
“What you are saying does make me very nervous milord.” I gave a slight shake of my head. Vash. The very word conjures unease.
Khirsah’s lips twitched, “as well it should… there are now no restraints.”
I did shudder then, “there should always be restraints…. Always.” A failure to have restraints meant chaos. Chaos in this instance was terrifying.
“That is the meaning behind the Dreamer,” was all Khirsah said.
I swirled the amber liquid in thought, “will the other feel the Dreamer as well?” I wondered how closely the other dragons were bound to the Dreamer, or if it was just Tass, Khirsah and the third.
He shook his head, “no, they are not born of it. Not directly.” When I asked him if the Third felt it, despite her being deceased, he told me that she did.
I canted my head slightly as I considered the import of Khirsah’s words. “Do you know what has awakened the Dreamer?”
“A broken dream,” came the simple reply.
I was not expecting such a simple response, “Prithee, who’s broken dream?”
Khirsah remained unmoving, “who indeed.”
I slid my attention back to the dueling rings and rested my eyes on Tass, “and prithee, what do you see as the outcome?”
He lifted a hand and simply stated, “loss.” Tass had just lost his match and moved silently from the ring, but the loss Khirsah indicated went much further than a simple dueling loss.
I glanced again at Khirsah, “I do not think the Dreamer much influences such a thing.” I was hoping Khirsah would elaborate.
He shook his head as though teaching a child, “you think too small.”
I hadn’t thought too small, but trying to lead Khirsah into divulging more was not working. “Loss of a different nature.” I was pondering all of the losses Tass has had.
He watched me long moments, “what is missing from him?”
Tass continued to walk away on the sands, a smirk on his lips as I regarded the brothers, “Much has been lost,” I told Khirsah then. I suspect this has something to do with Tass losing his wife and daughter, and I wondered aloud, “What would put the dreamer back to sleep… and dreaming?”
His words were cryptic, and I repeated the name, “Dreamer?” He simply nodded, adding nothing more. I thought quickly of Tass’ and my discussions, but could not produce anything about a “dreamer”. “Whom, or what is the Dreamer?”
Khirsah gave a very faint shrug, “the one who dreams us.”
His words registered immediately and abruptly, “and prithee, what does that mean to the two of you and the isles” If the dreamer could create the dragons and indirectly the islands, what would happen now that the dreamer was awake??
Khirsah could see from my expression that I understood the enormity of having the Dreamer awaken. “you see it.”
I drew in a slow, deep breath before responding, “aye, but I do not understand the ramifications milord.” I suspected, but I was hoping Khirsah would elaborate.
He watched me, waiting for me to put it together, “what was the difference, and in some ways, still are, between myself and the Younger?”
I whispered, almost to myself, “Tass has never spoken about the Dreamer….” And then my eyes met Khirsah once more, “was?”
Khirsah gave me a smile that would have made Death flinch, “Hith tha Kashal shtar vash.” He waited for my reaction, “and yes, Lady d’ Nitesong, vash.” The words rolled through the tongue and the mind; powerful words, from the language of the Dreamer, words that resounded through the psyche and would not be ignored. I gave Khirsah a long, searching look.
“What you are saying does make me very nervous milord.” I gave a slight shake of my head. Vash. The very word conjures unease.
Khirsah’s lips twitched, “as well it should… there are now no restraints.”
I did shudder then, “there should always be restraints…. Always.” A failure to have restraints meant chaos. Chaos in this instance was terrifying.
“That is the meaning behind the Dreamer,” was all Khirsah said.
I swirled the amber liquid in thought, “will the other feel the Dreamer as well?” I wondered how closely the other dragons were bound to the Dreamer, or if it was just Tass, Khirsah and the third.
He shook his head, “no, they are not born of it. Not directly.” When I asked him if the Third felt it, despite her being deceased, he told me that she did.
I canted my head slightly as I considered the import of Khirsah’s words. “Do you know what has awakened the Dreamer?”
“A broken dream,” came the simple reply.
I was not expecting such a simple response, “Prithee, who’s broken dream?”
Khirsah remained unmoving, “who indeed.”
I slid my attention back to the dueling rings and rested my eyes on Tass, “and prithee, what do you see as the outcome?”
He lifted a hand and simply stated, “loss.” Tass had just lost his match and moved silently from the ring, but the loss Khirsah indicated went much further than a simple dueling loss.
I glanced again at Khirsah, “I do not think the Dreamer much influences such a thing.” I was hoping Khirsah would elaborate.
He shook his head as though teaching a child, “you think too small.”
I hadn’t thought too small, but trying to lead Khirsah into divulging more was not working. “Loss of a different nature.” I was pondering all of the losses Tass has had.
He watched me long moments, “what is missing from him?”
Tass continued to walk away on the sands, a smirk on his lips as I regarded the brothers, “Much has been lost,” I told Khirsah then. I suspect this has something to do with Tass losing his wife and daughter, and I wondered aloud, “What would put the dreamer back to sleep… and dreaming?”
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
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Khirsah’s answer was not reassuring, “that, even I do not know.” When I asked him if he had any ideas, he answered cryptically, “A return of the dream that woke them.”
“That may be impossible,” I whispered. How could the dream be returned? I dissipated the crystal snifter and folded both hands into the sleeves of my robes as I considered what I had learned tonight about the Dreamer.
I turned once more toward Khirsah, and he regarded me a moment before standing. I stood as he prepared to depart, “Prithee milord, how dangerous is the Dreamer?”
His brow lifted at that, “consider what you are asking to what you know of where we come from… then compare it to what you know of us.”
I did not even try to suppress the shudder at his words. The implications are too awful to consider.
Then I found Khirsah’s hand wrapped around my own before he gave a formal bow over my hand, kissing it gently, and then he was no more, simply vanishing. I blinked in utter shock and stared at the spot where he had just been standing. Then with a soft whisper of Annaran, I dissipated into a shimmering column of silver and returned to my new home in Matlal.
“That may be impossible,” I whispered. How could the dream be returned? I dissipated the crystal snifter and folded both hands into the sleeves of my robes as I considered what I had learned tonight about the Dreamer.
I turned once more toward Khirsah, and he regarded me a moment before standing. I stood as he prepared to depart, “Prithee milord, how dangerous is the Dreamer?”
His brow lifted at that, “consider what you are asking to what you know of where we come from… then compare it to what you know of us.”
I did not even try to suppress the shudder at his words. The implications are too awful to consider.
Then I found Khirsah’s hand wrapped around my own before he gave a formal bow over my hand, kissing it gently, and then he was no more, simply vanishing. I blinked in utter shock and stared at the spot where he had just been standing. Then with a soft whisper of Annaran, I dissipated into a shimmering column of silver and returned to my new home in Matlal.
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
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It was Imp’s shift at the Arena, and I decided to take a break from the construction on Matlal. Khirsah’s words had weighed heavily on my thoughts, and still I was no closer to solving the riddle of Tass’ coldness, and his shift to be more like Khirsah and how it all related to the wakening of The Dreamer.
I arrived and headed for my sofa, but was instantly greeted by Imp as he flailed his arms before poofing over for his traditional hug-lick-grope. In the midst of that assault, Rhaine also greeted me, “Alais!!”
There is no dissuading Imp, so it’s best to simply bear his molestation with good graces. After he started to return to his couch, I sent an enchanted peacock feather after him, tickling him all the way back to his couch.. He flailed as the feather followed him all the way there before vanishing.
I settled on my sofa comfortably as Cory and Tarl walked through the doors. I was so thrilled to see Tarl, but before I could say hello, Rhaine rushed to my sofa using vampiric speed, “finally you here and the shifter isn’t.” She understands my mislike for Silas’ brother, for which I am grateful.
I smiled again as Tarl avoided Cory’s attempt to trip him and said hello, then invited Rhaine to join me. Cory sent a wave off to me as well as his admonishment that he had not come here tonight to get his “arse” kicked. I flashed a quicksilver smile at him and turned once more to Rhaine, who pulled up a chair saying, “Figured that his presence seriously annoys you.”
I nodded agreement with her assessment, “aye lass, he does.”
Tarl headed for the bar, but gave me a smile as he passed, and I asked Rhaine if she would give me a moment and I rose from the sofa and headed for Tarl, wrapping him in a quick hug, “I’ve missed seeing you laddie.” He was such fun to tease and talk to, and I have missed him.
Tarl chuckled as he returned the hug, “I've been around more the last few weeks then I have been in years before that. I think that madness tournament reinvigorate my interest in the arena.”
I laughed, “it is pleased I am to see you though, for I have been out of RhyDin.”
He gave me his most charming smile, “I hope you were away on pleasure rather than something serious?”
Coming from Tarl, that had double entendre written all over it, but a shadow slid across my features as none of the meanings would apply, but rather than going into the dark details, I simply gave him a long searching look, “I had hoped so too, but it is not the reality of things.” Then changing the subject, I glanced between he and Rhaine, “Have you met Rhaine yet?”
He shook his head, “I don’t believe we have been formally introduced.”
And so I did the honors, introducing Rhaine to Tarl before inviting him to join us for a bit. “Tarl Cabot, may I introduce you to Rhaine Rustovich. Rhaine, this is one of my oldest friends here in RhyDin. But I do warn you, he's hell on females.“ I knew Rhaine and I would find time for the talk she had come for after Tarl departed. He never remained long.
Rhaine rose and gave Tarl a military style bow, “nice meeting you” she told Tarl, who managed to look hurt, “hell on females?” His hand went to his chest, “I would say I go out of my way to make sure every encounter is…pleasurable.”
I arrived and headed for my sofa, but was instantly greeted by Imp as he flailed his arms before poofing over for his traditional hug-lick-grope. In the midst of that assault, Rhaine also greeted me, “Alais!!”
There is no dissuading Imp, so it’s best to simply bear his molestation with good graces. After he started to return to his couch, I sent an enchanted peacock feather after him, tickling him all the way back to his couch.. He flailed as the feather followed him all the way there before vanishing.
I settled on my sofa comfortably as Cory and Tarl walked through the doors. I was so thrilled to see Tarl, but before I could say hello, Rhaine rushed to my sofa using vampiric speed, “finally you here and the shifter isn’t.” She understands my mislike for Silas’ brother, for which I am grateful.
I smiled again as Tarl avoided Cory’s attempt to trip him and said hello, then invited Rhaine to join me. Cory sent a wave off to me as well as his admonishment that he had not come here tonight to get his “arse” kicked. I flashed a quicksilver smile at him and turned once more to Rhaine, who pulled up a chair saying, “Figured that his presence seriously annoys you.”
I nodded agreement with her assessment, “aye lass, he does.”
Tarl headed for the bar, but gave me a smile as he passed, and I asked Rhaine if she would give me a moment and I rose from the sofa and headed for Tarl, wrapping him in a quick hug, “I’ve missed seeing you laddie.” He was such fun to tease and talk to, and I have missed him.
Tarl chuckled as he returned the hug, “I've been around more the last few weeks then I have been in years before that. I think that madness tournament reinvigorate my interest in the arena.”
I laughed, “it is pleased I am to see you though, for I have been out of RhyDin.”
He gave me his most charming smile, “I hope you were away on pleasure rather than something serious?”
Coming from Tarl, that had double entendre written all over it, but a shadow slid across my features as none of the meanings would apply, but rather than going into the dark details, I simply gave him a long searching look, “I had hoped so too, but it is not the reality of things.” Then changing the subject, I glanced between he and Rhaine, “Have you met Rhaine yet?”
He shook his head, “I don’t believe we have been formally introduced.”
And so I did the honors, introducing Rhaine to Tarl before inviting him to join us for a bit. “Tarl Cabot, may I introduce you to Rhaine Rustovich. Rhaine, this is one of my oldest friends here in RhyDin. But I do warn you, he's hell on females.“ I knew Rhaine and I would find time for the talk she had come for after Tarl departed. He never remained long.
Rhaine rose and gave Tarl a military style bow, “nice meeting you” she told Tarl, who managed to look hurt, “hell on females?” His hand went to his chest, “I would say I go out of my way to make sure every encounter is…pleasurable.”
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
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Rhaine took that rather at face value, and I canted my head at Tarl, “My dear, mayhap enjoyable, but your training methods are not for me.” I gave him a quicksilver smile. Tarl’s history was dealing in pleasure slaves, and Tarl’s world owned women and made them groveling, weak souls for whom I have always felt sorry, although, Tarl’s training created some fabulous bedmates for men in many places.
Tarl smiled at Rhaine, “always a pleasure meeting someone who can bring such joy simply by their appearance.”
I gave a soft chuckle. Tarl was always smooth. “She’ll be immune to you Tarl luv.”
Rhaine glanced at Tarl, “So I guess your every visit to the Arena is a pleasure, for this sport hardly attracted women without at least above average appearance.”
Rhaine would be amazed by Tarl’s home world indeed. He winked at me as he answered my quip regarding his methods, “well, maybe you just haven’t given them enough of a chance.” Then he turned once more to Rhaine, “: I do admit that the arena does seem to attract more than its fair share of devastatingly beautiful women, but that really only raises the level of expectations doesn't it?”
I quirked a sable brow then, “But few of them are white silk luv.” Tarl had traded in white and red silk long ago, but there were precious few who could be even considered white silk here in RhyDin.
Tarl laughed merrily, “that is an understatement! Then again, I only rarely find interest in a white silk.”
That surprised me, perhaps Tarl was mellowing with age? “You’ve favored Red then?” I motioned to the sofa and surrounding chairs before inviting him to sit with us for a bit.
Tarl shocked me completely then, “in general, given a choice, I'll take red over white. But, I do enjoy the adventure that comes with ... spending time with those that are as free as myself.”
I gave him a truly stunned look. “indeed?” That Tarl could make the shift to free women from his former life was truly amazing.
He took a seat with Rhaine and me. “So you’ve returned to RhyDin Tarl, have you seen the new additions? Our Rhaine here is associated with one of the new temples in town.”
Rhaine clarified my statement, “new to RhyDin, but not new to other places.”
Tarl shook his head, “I have not really been able to look around that much, but I saw a map hanging outside and it's easy to see the city has grown significantly since I was last regularly frequenting here. I've been mostly involved in the madness tournament and not had time for too much else.”
Rhaine settled into mostly listening as I asked Tarl how he had been, and he smiled, “I’m in the finals.”
I gave a soft whisper of Annaran and a crystal snifter formed in my hand as I told Tarl I was pleased to hear that he had gone so far in the Madness Tournament. I asked Rhaine if she would like something to drink, but she declined. I smiled, “Och, Lass, you’re spoiled by that very fine beverage you did serve to me in your place.”
Tarl was telling us that he and Gnort were supposed to have their match sometime this night to determine who the winner would be, and then he smiled, “I wouldn’t say no to a paga.”
Rhaine produced a bottle of the Mrrshan Blue as she smiled, “I’m always spoilt rotten.”
I chuckled at Tarl, “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve tried to summon paga?” I was not certain it would be up to snuff as I had not even attempted paga in years. I focused on the table before melodic Annaran words riffled in the quiet room and a glass formed with what appeared to be a decent paga, but only Tarl could assess that. I nodded at the glass, “if you’re not afraid of my being rusty Tarl, it is yours.”
He chuckled, “I am sure it could not possibly be worse than some of the brews I have had.”
I laughed, “I cannot compare with what you get at home, but I do hope it is at least palatable.
Rhaine brought forth a soap bubble thin glass and she poured some of the vivid blue wine into it, and I was prompted to inquire into how her experiment was going in creating more of the rare liquid. She gave me one of her enigmatic smiles, “this is the result of these experiments, and I can’t say it differs much from the original. It should be identical in two years.”
That was high praise coming from Rhaine, and then she produced a second glass, “test it if you like.”
I nodded at the offer, “Yes, I’d like that very much.” Then I set down the crystal snifter of Liquid Fire and accepted the very thin glass and its blue nectar.
Tarl smiled at Rhaine, “always a pleasure meeting someone who can bring such joy simply by their appearance.”
I gave a soft chuckle. Tarl was always smooth. “She’ll be immune to you Tarl luv.”
Rhaine glanced at Tarl, “So I guess your every visit to the Arena is a pleasure, for this sport hardly attracted women without at least above average appearance.”
Rhaine would be amazed by Tarl’s home world indeed. He winked at me as he answered my quip regarding his methods, “well, maybe you just haven’t given them enough of a chance.” Then he turned once more to Rhaine, “: I do admit that the arena does seem to attract more than its fair share of devastatingly beautiful women, but that really only raises the level of expectations doesn't it?”
I quirked a sable brow then, “But few of them are white silk luv.” Tarl had traded in white and red silk long ago, but there were precious few who could be even considered white silk here in RhyDin.
Tarl laughed merrily, “that is an understatement! Then again, I only rarely find interest in a white silk.”
That surprised me, perhaps Tarl was mellowing with age? “You’ve favored Red then?” I motioned to the sofa and surrounding chairs before inviting him to sit with us for a bit.
Tarl shocked me completely then, “in general, given a choice, I'll take red over white. But, I do enjoy the adventure that comes with ... spending time with those that are as free as myself.”
I gave him a truly stunned look. “indeed?” That Tarl could make the shift to free women from his former life was truly amazing.
He took a seat with Rhaine and me. “So you’ve returned to RhyDin Tarl, have you seen the new additions? Our Rhaine here is associated with one of the new temples in town.”
Rhaine clarified my statement, “new to RhyDin, but not new to other places.”
Tarl shook his head, “I have not really been able to look around that much, but I saw a map hanging outside and it's easy to see the city has grown significantly since I was last regularly frequenting here. I've been mostly involved in the madness tournament and not had time for too much else.”
Rhaine settled into mostly listening as I asked Tarl how he had been, and he smiled, “I’m in the finals.”
I gave a soft whisper of Annaran and a crystal snifter formed in my hand as I told Tarl I was pleased to hear that he had gone so far in the Madness Tournament. I asked Rhaine if she would like something to drink, but she declined. I smiled, “Och, Lass, you’re spoiled by that very fine beverage you did serve to me in your place.”
Tarl was telling us that he and Gnort were supposed to have their match sometime this night to determine who the winner would be, and then he smiled, “I wouldn’t say no to a paga.”
Rhaine produced a bottle of the Mrrshan Blue as she smiled, “I’m always spoilt rotten.”
I chuckled at Tarl, “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve tried to summon paga?” I was not certain it would be up to snuff as I had not even attempted paga in years. I focused on the table before melodic Annaran words riffled in the quiet room and a glass formed with what appeared to be a decent paga, but only Tarl could assess that. I nodded at the glass, “if you’re not afraid of my being rusty Tarl, it is yours.”
He chuckled, “I am sure it could not possibly be worse than some of the brews I have had.”
I laughed, “I cannot compare with what you get at home, but I do hope it is at least palatable.
Rhaine brought forth a soap bubble thin glass and she poured some of the vivid blue wine into it, and I was prompted to inquire into how her experiment was going in creating more of the rare liquid. She gave me one of her enigmatic smiles, “this is the result of these experiments, and I can’t say it differs much from the original. It should be identical in two years.”
That was high praise coming from Rhaine, and then she produced a second glass, “test it if you like.”
I nodded at the offer, “Yes, I’d like that very much.” Then I set down the crystal snifter of Liquid Fire and accepted the very thin glass and its blue nectar.
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
- Expert Adventurer
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About that time, Artemus arrived and I worked to bury my feelings about the man, turning instead to glance at Tarl as he took a long drink of the paga, “mmm, quite nice. A few more of these and you will have me drunk, and then you can have your way with me.” He wore a big smile that was partially obscured by the second drink he took. I know Tarl is not serious and I laughed as I pondered an appropriate reply, but Rhaine spoke up then, “So how is the life at the dragon Isles? I have seen Lord Momus at the Twilight Isle together with his brother, they seemed to be rather disturbed.”
I sobered quickly at Rhaine’s query, “Yes lass, Khirsah has returned from the Primordial Darkness, and there are changes I do not like happening to both of them.”
Rhaine removed Artemus’ hands from her eyes as he’d attempted to ‘sneak up’ on her and she gave me a probing look, “why did they go there?”
I pursed my lips, “It is a very good question Rhaine. I know why Khirsah did, and I am not certain that Tass did, but the darkness emanating from him is tied to that place, and the Dreamer.”
Artemus hugged Rhaine before saying, “I’ve had my fun, I’ll go and amuse myself at the bar so you and Alais may continue your discussion. I know my presence this close makes even the friendliest company distasteful.” She nodded at him promising to see him in the rings later on that night.
Rhaine turned back to me, “What in the ices of Cania is that Dreamer? I have heard you talking to them about it, and I don’t like it in the least.”
I studied Rhaine a long moment, “that which did dream the three of them.”
Tarl received a note delivered to our table as Rhaine and I spoke, which he opened and read as I pondered how to tell Rhaine what I knew, and what I suspected.
Rhaine frowned, “what an odd coincidence.”
I gave her a puzzled look, “coincidence? I do not believe in them.”
Rhaine elaborated then, “Art is worried as their ancestor is awakening.” Her voice was quiet now, almost as quiet as an elven whisper as she made certain her words would not travel beyond my hearing alone. “And at the same time this Dreamer.”
Tarl’s voice broke the seriousness of our conversation for a moment as he said, “ah, looks like the finals of the Madness Tournament is going to be postponed. Gnort has had a few other things come up that are going to detain him.”
I glanced at him, “alas Tarl, does that mean you are dueling for the joy of it then?”
He grinned, “I don't have much else planned this evening, so I'm willing to did in some work if somebody is looking for it.”
Cletus accepted Tarl’s open statement and Tarl smiled as he promised to return momentarily.
I smiled at Tarl and wished him success in the ring. That gave Rhaine and I a chance to continue our discussion as she spoke softly, “I don't know if there's any connection between them. I do remember what Art told me about their ancestor, but the Isles are another world...”
I lowered my voice, knowing Rhaine would still hear me, “I do not know much about the ancestor, Sylus never told me a great deal, but the Dreamer has awakened, and the changes in Tass take him closer to Khirsah, but Khirsah has changed as well.” I have never spoken to anyone about Khirsah, but there is a tie between the Elder and myself that I cannot deny and I curled my hand around the scar that he and I share. I continued, “Yes, the Isle’s are another realm, one created and held in this world by Tass, Khirsah, and their sister, should that change….” I left the remainder unsaid. The isles would vanish in the blink of an eye if the keepers of that world were changed too much.
Rhaine bit her lip with her fangs, “this doesn’t sound good. What could awaken this Dreamer?”
I swirled the blue wine a moment, “from what Khirsah did say, disruption of the dream.”
Rhaine muttered, “Either Chimaera awakened him by its own awakening, or Vanion messed up reality with multiple deaths, or Tass and Khirsah have been playing too much with darkness. Any of these is bad nuff...”
I took another sip of the blue liquid, “the most troubling thing is that Khirsah has no idea how to get the Dreamer back to dreaming, and that is the greatest unknown.”
She sipped the blue wine and frowned slightly, “If we only knew what was “disruption of the dream”. I care little about the dragons and their world, but it’s your home as well.”
I know Rhaine has no use for Tass and his home, but I care for all of the dragons who live there, and would do what ever I could to help keep them safe. I spoke even more softly, “Rhaine, Khirsah’s reply was cryptic, but when I did ask that question, he did ask me what has Tass lost, and Tass has lost his dream, his family.”
She glanced away from Artemus’ ring, “was that because of this demonic war?” I simply nodded, and she continued, “I can only hope that this simultaneous awakening of two hyper-ancients is a coincidence.”
I gave a lift of a brow as I could not imagine that Rhaine believed in such coincidences.
She shook her head, “I don’t, but I hope they exist even if I don’t believe in them.”
I sobered quickly at Rhaine’s query, “Yes lass, Khirsah has returned from the Primordial Darkness, and there are changes I do not like happening to both of them.”
Rhaine removed Artemus’ hands from her eyes as he’d attempted to ‘sneak up’ on her and she gave me a probing look, “why did they go there?”
I pursed my lips, “It is a very good question Rhaine. I know why Khirsah did, and I am not certain that Tass did, but the darkness emanating from him is tied to that place, and the Dreamer.”
Artemus hugged Rhaine before saying, “I’ve had my fun, I’ll go and amuse myself at the bar so you and Alais may continue your discussion. I know my presence this close makes even the friendliest company distasteful.” She nodded at him promising to see him in the rings later on that night.
Rhaine turned back to me, “What in the ices of Cania is that Dreamer? I have heard you talking to them about it, and I don’t like it in the least.”
I studied Rhaine a long moment, “that which did dream the three of them.”
Tarl received a note delivered to our table as Rhaine and I spoke, which he opened and read as I pondered how to tell Rhaine what I knew, and what I suspected.
Rhaine frowned, “what an odd coincidence.”
I gave her a puzzled look, “coincidence? I do not believe in them.”
Rhaine elaborated then, “Art is worried as their ancestor is awakening.” Her voice was quiet now, almost as quiet as an elven whisper as she made certain her words would not travel beyond my hearing alone. “And at the same time this Dreamer.”
Tarl’s voice broke the seriousness of our conversation for a moment as he said, “ah, looks like the finals of the Madness Tournament is going to be postponed. Gnort has had a few other things come up that are going to detain him.”
I glanced at him, “alas Tarl, does that mean you are dueling for the joy of it then?”
He grinned, “I don't have much else planned this evening, so I'm willing to did in some work if somebody is looking for it.”
Cletus accepted Tarl’s open statement and Tarl smiled as he promised to return momentarily.
I smiled at Tarl and wished him success in the ring. That gave Rhaine and I a chance to continue our discussion as she spoke softly, “I don't know if there's any connection between them. I do remember what Art told me about their ancestor, but the Isles are another world...”
I lowered my voice, knowing Rhaine would still hear me, “I do not know much about the ancestor, Sylus never told me a great deal, but the Dreamer has awakened, and the changes in Tass take him closer to Khirsah, but Khirsah has changed as well.” I have never spoken to anyone about Khirsah, but there is a tie between the Elder and myself that I cannot deny and I curled my hand around the scar that he and I share. I continued, “Yes, the Isle’s are another realm, one created and held in this world by Tass, Khirsah, and their sister, should that change….” I left the remainder unsaid. The isles would vanish in the blink of an eye if the keepers of that world were changed too much.
Rhaine bit her lip with her fangs, “this doesn’t sound good. What could awaken this Dreamer?”
I swirled the blue wine a moment, “from what Khirsah did say, disruption of the dream.”
Rhaine muttered, “Either Chimaera awakened him by its own awakening, or Vanion messed up reality with multiple deaths, or Tass and Khirsah have been playing too much with darkness. Any of these is bad nuff...”
I took another sip of the blue liquid, “the most troubling thing is that Khirsah has no idea how to get the Dreamer back to dreaming, and that is the greatest unknown.”
She sipped the blue wine and frowned slightly, “If we only knew what was “disruption of the dream”. I care little about the dragons and their world, but it’s your home as well.”
I know Rhaine has no use for Tass and his home, but I care for all of the dragons who live there, and would do what ever I could to help keep them safe. I spoke even more softly, “Rhaine, Khirsah’s reply was cryptic, but when I did ask that question, he did ask me what has Tass lost, and Tass has lost his dream, his family.”
She glanced away from Artemus’ ring, “was that because of this demonic war?” I simply nodded, and she continued, “I can only hope that this simultaneous awakening of two hyper-ancients is a coincidence.”
I gave a lift of a brow as I could not imagine that Rhaine believed in such coincidences.
She shook her head, “I don’t, but I hope they exist even if I don’t believe in them.”
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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Alais d Nitesong
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- Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 11:52 am
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I spared another glance into Tarl’s ring before saying, “I don’t think such hope is wise, do you?” The changes in Tass were worrying enough, but Khirsah’s ominous words that he too was changing was the icing on a dangerous cake, and naïve hope was the last thing anyone needed.
Rhaine is too pragmatic to place false hope, and she confirmed that with her next words, “Alais, even without these two, hell is breaking loose around here. Vanion alone is bad enough.’ I simply nodded my agreement.
Anubis pressed open the ancient doors to the Arena and announced that he was seeking peer duels. Apparently he is preparing to seek another challenge, and my eyes slid over the golden skinned man. He moved deeper into the Arena before stating again, more loudly, “I’ll try this again, I want a peer duel.” It was then that he felt my gaze on him, “Are you game?”
I nodded, and he rudely told me to “inform the blue abomination.” I simply let his rudeness slide, it would do me no good to try to teach him manners, he was well beyond hope there. Rhaine wished me luck and I rose when Imp called us to the ring.
His coppyery palms fell toward the gilt hilts of his daggers as he entered the ring. I had summoned Morvinyon, but for dueling Anubis, would have preferred having Daemonbane in my hands. I fleetingly wondered what effect that black blade would have on the evil that resided within Anubis.
Anubis slipped between the ropes and the razor sharp edges of his daggers gleamed with an illusion of malice as he set himself up for our match. I in turn leveled Morvinyon as we began our steel dance.
Midway through the match, Anubis sought distraction of my focus and casually pointed toward Kaja and Harris in the next ring with one of his serrated daggers, “If you wish to take a second to look, heavy breasts will soon lewdly sway in that ring. And Kaja will probably move too.” I could hear Kaja snicker, but I did not take my eyes off the Egyptian.
He realized his tactic was not going to work and he relented before darting at me once more.
I did lose my focus though when Imp announced that Tarl had defeated Cletus, and left myself open for one of the Egyptian’s attacks. Tarl left his ring and moved closer to watch Anubis and I.
Anubis grew impatient, demanding that I “give in” as he had something outside of the rings to deal with, but I was not willing to concede since I was leading at the moment, and I certainly did not wish to lose to him. He grunted as our blades collided once more, “Quit making me finish this. It’s common knowledge that I am better than you, so you gain nothing.”
His taunting would not work on me. I quirked a brow at his arrogance, “If you are so much better, perhaps you’ll finish sooner?” I sidestepped his aggressive thrust for the advantage and the win. While I did nod to him, I was not foolish enough to turn my back on him as I exited the ring.
Tarl’s voice reached me, “nicely done Alais!”
I thanked Tarl and congratulated him on his win as I sent the falchion into oblivion. Tarl smiled, “that’s about all I have time for, I have to be taking off.” I bade him a fond farewell before settling once more onto my sofa, picking up the blue wine and taking a thoughtful sip of it.
The night then took a downward turn as a dark soul from my past arrived for the first time in many months, and I heard a hiss too close to my ear, “miss me?”
I spun around to face the blood speaker’s leader as a silver dagger slipped from my sleeve into my hand, “I cannot say that I have.”
A bloody tendril snaked out from his sleeve, and slid over my shoulder and neck, “but how I’ve missed you. And, our unfinished business has been eating me alive.”
I held my ground, but cold settled into the pit of my stomach before I hissed at him, “get off me, we have no unfinished business.”
He gave me a sickening grin, “Perhaps you should meet me in the ring, you might feel safer there.”
My gaze narrowed dangerously at him, but I could not suppress my shudder as I tried to pull away from the bloody tendril before whispering the Annaran spell that allowed me to dissipate into the shimmering silver column, leaving the tendril where I had once stood.
Rhaine is too pragmatic to place false hope, and she confirmed that with her next words, “Alais, even without these two, hell is breaking loose around here. Vanion alone is bad enough.’ I simply nodded my agreement.
Anubis pressed open the ancient doors to the Arena and announced that he was seeking peer duels. Apparently he is preparing to seek another challenge, and my eyes slid over the golden skinned man. He moved deeper into the Arena before stating again, more loudly, “I’ll try this again, I want a peer duel.” It was then that he felt my gaze on him, “Are you game?”
I nodded, and he rudely told me to “inform the blue abomination.” I simply let his rudeness slide, it would do me no good to try to teach him manners, he was well beyond hope there. Rhaine wished me luck and I rose when Imp called us to the ring.
His coppyery palms fell toward the gilt hilts of his daggers as he entered the ring. I had summoned Morvinyon, but for dueling Anubis, would have preferred having Daemonbane in my hands. I fleetingly wondered what effect that black blade would have on the evil that resided within Anubis.
Anubis slipped between the ropes and the razor sharp edges of his daggers gleamed with an illusion of malice as he set himself up for our match. I in turn leveled Morvinyon as we began our steel dance.
Midway through the match, Anubis sought distraction of my focus and casually pointed toward Kaja and Harris in the next ring with one of his serrated daggers, “If you wish to take a second to look, heavy breasts will soon lewdly sway in that ring. And Kaja will probably move too.” I could hear Kaja snicker, but I did not take my eyes off the Egyptian.
He realized his tactic was not going to work and he relented before darting at me once more.
I did lose my focus though when Imp announced that Tarl had defeated Cletus, and left myself open for one of the Egyptian’s attacks. Tarl left his ring and moved closer to watch Anubis and I.
Anubis grew impatient, demanding that I “give in” as he had something outside of the rings to deal with, but I was not willing to concede since I was leading at the moment, and I certainly did not wish to lose to him. He grunted as our blades collided once more, “Quit making me finish this. It’s common knowledge that I am better than you, so you gain nothing.”
His taunting would not work on me. I quirked a brow at his arrogance, “If you are so much better, perhaps you’ll finish sooner?” I sidestepped his aggressive thrust for the advantage and the win. While I did nod to him, I was not foolish enough to turn my back on him as I exited the ring.
Tarl’s voice reached me, “nicely done Alais!”
I thanked Tarl and congratulated him on his win as I sent the falchion into oblivion. Tarl smiled, “that’s about all I have time for, I have to be taking off.” I bade him a fond farewell before settling once more onto my sofa, picking up the blue wine and taking a thoughtful sip of it.
The night then took a downward turn as a dark soul from my past arrived for the first time in many months, and I heard a hiss too close to my ear, “miss me?”
I spun around to face the blood speaker’s leader as a silver dagger slipped from my sleeve into my hand, “I cannot say that I have.”
A bloody tendril snaked out from his sleeve, and slid over my shoulder and neck, “but how I’ve missed you. And, our unfinished business has been eating me alive.”
I held my ground, but cold settled into the pit of my stomach before I hissed at him, “get off me, we have no unfinished business.”
He gave me a sickening grin, “Perhaps you should meet me in the ring, you might feel safer there.”
My gaze narrowed dangerously at him, but I could not suppress my shudder as I tried to pull away from the bloody tendril before whispering the Annaran spell that allowed me to dissipate into the shimmering silver column, leaving the tendril where I had once stood.
Lady Alais d' Arma Graham d' Nitesong Sidhe
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