Order of the Dark Flame (Story, No Spam)

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 4:13 pm

The Journal of Rai’ya, High Priestess of Amaunator and Ruler of Tris. (Excerpts)

15 Nightal, 855(DR)
Sir Rex has been deposed as leader of the Paladins. The faithful Paladins have never returned from their quest. Perth blames me, and stormed out last night, vowing never to return. I can write no more tonight.

8 Eleasias, 857(DR)
Every small problem, every bad storm is blamed on me. But thanks to the constant reaffirmation my good husband provides, I think people are slowly starting to see faith in Moander for what it truly is. Nothing but slavery. They grumble at my tax increases, but some are seeing our build-up of stores as protection against the harsh winter to come. I had heard that even the Master of Shadows was seen to fly into a rage of frustration. My faith in Amaunator and my people appears to be bearing fruit. Speaking of the Master of Shadows, what ever became of the High Priest of Moander I met those many years ago?

28 Marpenoth, 857(DR)
I have word from Perth! He has been living the life of a farmer, and has even married. They have twin daughters and have given them the names Circe d’Perth and Helena d’Perth. Faithful Sir Rex has volunteered to go and arrange for us to visit my dear son, his wife, and my granddaughters. Imagine! I am a grandmother! I would go myself right now, but the countryside is a dangerous place despite the recent renewal of faith in Amaunator. I fear for my son in these times, living unprotected. There are barely enough faithful to guard this very keep, much less my own son. Secrecy and the gifts Sir Rex will take will surely protect my family better, until these foul times can blow over.

1 Uktar, 857(DR)
Things seem quiet tonight. Ya’que is in his study. I must see to the treasury. Cold weather is coming, and we must provide food and wool to the people.

There are no further entries.

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 5:18 pm

Anomen had finished packing what little he had and prepared to leave the keep. The long discussion he had with Thantor had been helpful. After considering it, he had come to agree with Thantor that guilt was a type of insanity that served no purpose. But though he could intellectually understand that remorse was the healthier way to address the terrible things he had done, he could not assuage the guilt he felt. He was unsure where he would go. Perhaps he would seek out the counsel of Sir Ryan concerning a quest or piligrimage that might aid him. In any case, it was too painful to stay here. He went to Georgi's room and left a letter there for her he had prepared. Then he quietly departed.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 8:07 pm

[OOC: Suddenly, Anomen came running back, giving a swift kick in the arse to Darkpoet, a deep kiss full on the lips to Nippy, a massive wedgie to Kramor that left his underwear over his head, and a quick, two-fingered poke in the eyes to Gwalchmai. Then he bounced off, hooting like Daffy Duck.

]

[Also OOC: Please note that Geaorgi has updated her 'place holder' post on the previous page!

]

[ 07-05-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 8:19 pm

{LOL!)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 8:33 pm

After some deliberation Nippy, Gwalchmai and Dragon Wench made their way back to the keep and gathered in the kitchen, where Gwalchmai proceded to prepare the evening's repast. They had decided that a good feed accompanied by copious quantities of wine and mead would help them all to determine their next course of action. When Kramor appeared he stared suspiciously at the chef and muttered, "lay off the cumin this time OK."

thantor3 · Post by **thantor3** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 2:14 am

Thantor was well acquainted with survivor guilt and the post traumatic scarring such things left on a person's mind and soul. And in a professional arena, there were many things that could be said at such a painful moment. But perhaps because of the recent happening with the qa transfer or because Georgi wasn't his student or his charge, what she said affected him differently. He pictured her young form standing amongst the carnage, her parent's ripped from her life, the horror mixed with unfathomable aching loneliness. What words would ever be adequate in the face of pain that massive? Tears formed in his eyes. "I'm listening, Georgi," he said softly.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:16 am

Georgi raised her eyes when Thantor spoke, and watched in wonder as a tear rolled down his cheek. She saw the profound effect that her words had on him, and the realisation touched her. She allowed her hair to fall forwards over her face, trying to blink away tears from her own eyes. At length, she continued. "They burned the keep to the ground. If anyone else had survived the slaughter..." she paused, hearing the roar of the fire in the distance, and - had there been screams, almost drowned out? She wasn't sure... "They didn't escape the fire. I managed to climb down from a window," she studied her hands intently, the scars now barely visible, from clinging to the scorching stones of the castle wall.

"Nothing was left, but a pile of rubble. My father was a powerful man... he probably had many enemies who could have hired the mercenaries to dispose of him. But none of the men were found. I don't think much effort was made to look for them. I was sent to an orphanage. That's where I learned to fight... we were taught by volunteers from the local garrison. I liked it. I was good at it, I had a lot of aggression to work out." Georgi glanced up at Thantor sheepishly, "I still do, I guess you've noticed."

Thantor smiled reassuringly. "So you handled your anger through fighting?"

"Yes. I thought it would get rid of it, but there was always more... The more I fought, the more I wanted to fight, and... to kill. When I was sixteen, I went to a local tavern, and pursuaded the owner to let me fight in the pit. He wasn't keen at first, but he let me fight a mutated gibberling," she laughed. "As he became more aware of my potential, the beasts got bigger. I loved the adrenaline rush I got from it. I guess he recognised the business potential of it too - you can imagine what a crowd-puller a 16-year-old female prize fighter was."

Thantor nodded, inwardly seething at the callous exploitation he saw in the situation. Why had nobody tried to help the child? It was remarkable, really, that she had turned out as well-balanced as she was, under the circumstances...

"The orphanage didn't like it, of course, when they found out. They were probably glad to get rid of me. It wasn't too difficult to get work as a mercenary. I always worked alone, I had to take responsibility for myself... You get used to being alone. It gnaws away inside you though... When I got the chance, I travelled south to Amn, looking for something... I don't know, something different, a new life. I suppose that's when I found Anomen." Her face clouded over. "But I don't remember." Her hand returned to her cheek, fingering the fresh scar tissue.

"You're right," said Thantor quietly. "I couldn't possibly understand the horrific things you've been through. I feel an intense sadness for your loss, for your suffering..." He reached out and moved her hand away from her face, and pushed her hair back, uncovering her scars, allowing his hand to gently brush her face. "More than anything, I am filled with admiration for you. Despite all this, you've become an amazing woman... I hope it is not inappropriate for me to say this." He slowly withdrew his hand. Georgi smiled sadly. "Thank you, Thantor."

He grinned mischievously. "Wait till you see my bill!"

She grinned back. "You have lettuce between your teeth."

She disappeared upstairs before he had a chance to reply.

[ 07-06-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:16 am

Loner had fallen asleep again as soon as Anomen had left the room; an after-effect of the exhaustion caused by the ritual. awoke to see Kramor sitting in a chair by the bedside. He was sleeping, but opened his eyes when she looked at him. She turned away and drew a sharp breath; she hadn't thought he would return.

"I...didn't think you'd ever come back," she whispered, "after...knowing what I felt during the ritual..." Her voice trailed off, choked with grief. She felt as if she had been unfaithful to Kramor with those memories. The feelings she had experienced for Anomen as she carried his soul had been so real and so present -- less like memories than the actuality of the moment. She felt sick over it. "I don't blame you for leaving," she went on after a moment, "and I wouldn't blame you if you had stayed away. I...would understand if you left again. I have betrayed you."

Trembling, she covered her face and wept quietly.

[ 07-06-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:27 am

(Kramor snored, oblivious to what Loner had just said.

)

Vivien · Post by **Vivien** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:30 am

The smell of cooking began to waft through the door of the Keep, and Viv perked up at the thought of food.

Taking Darkpoet's hand with concern, as he still seemed a bit sad, she led him inside.

With a smile at DragonWench, Gwalchmai and Nippy she had Darkpoet sit and put some bread and cheese in front of him.

"When's supper?" She asked with another smile while reaching for the wine jug and a big glass.

Edit: ROFL Georgi

[ 07-06-2001: Message edited by: Vivien ]

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:40 am

Originally posted by Georgi:
(Kramor snored, oblivious to what Loner had just said. )

{OOC:

It isn't Loner's fault she's been unable to speak for two days. A residual effect of the ritual, most likely

}

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:43 am

(OOC@Loner ROFL

What kind of excuse is that for not noticing that Kramor sat down and fell asleep?

)

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:46 am

{OOC @Georgi: Tch

wouldn't he have woken up at some point? Although it's true Loner can't see very well...

}

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:47 am

Seeing Vivien and Dark Poet, Dragon Wench turned and smiled at them. Her appetite had also been whetted by the fragrent aromas emanating from the stove. Casually, she handed Vivian the small vial, "look, what do you think of this?"

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:49 am

Originally posted by Georgi:
It was remarkable, really, that she had turned out as well-balanced as she was, under the circumstances...

OOC: Well-balanced?

IC: As Vivien walked into the room asking about food, Gwalchmai saw Darkpoet loom behind her. He stood quickly, ready to attack, thinking, "Who let this fiend out of his cage?" But, curiously, Vivien was holding Darkpoet's hand as they entered. Darkpoet had no weapons, and no one appeared in danger of having their head chopped off or of being turned to stone.

Gwalchmai's brow furrowed and he felt at a loss. Rather than show his confusion, he busied himself fetching two more plates so that Vivien and Darkpoet could share in the meal. (A meal that lacked any trace of cumin

)

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 8:53 am

Originally posted by Gwalchmai:
OOC: Well-balanced?

no one appeared in danger of having their head chopped off or of being turned to stone.

I wouldn't be too sure

now where did I put my sword... I feel a sudden urge for decapitation...

@Loner well you made it sound like he had just arrived, not that he had been snoozing there for ages

[ 07-06-2001: Message edited by: Georgi ]

scully1 · Post by **scully1** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 9:03 am

OOC: There, I edited

}

[ 07-06-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 9:07 am

OOC@Loner you edited?!?! But, the snoring was so dramatic... I felt it really added to the intensity of the moment...

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 9:15 am

Originally posted by loner72:
OOC: There, I edited }

Wimp.

Commit yourself to your post!

Take your lumps like a man! er... WO-man, I mean... uh, never mind.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 9:19 am

Now how would Kramor feel? He isn't even around (unless he's lurking)to defend himself.....or Loner

.