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T’lainya stood in the great temple of Corellon Larethian in Evereska. Her heart was heavy with thoughts of Darkpoet. She watched the various clergy of the Seladarine enter the hall on their way to the main council room. T’lainya felt someone standing behind her; she turned to see the friendly face of Endelia Silverbranch. She smiled at the older woman. Endelia was her mentor and one of her oldest friends in Evereska. Endelia looked at T’lainya and whispered, “We’ll talk later.” The high priest approached and the women nodded, following him into the council room.
The council session was long. It had gathered to discuss the drow incursions on the surface. T’lainya presented what she knew of Teshana and her band, as well as additional information that Menadir had provided. She had the corroboration of two Sheverashian priests. There were other reports and long discussions as to the best course of action.
T’lainya was tired when the session ended. Seeking solace from her thoughts of Darkpoet she climbed to the top of the temple. Looking up to the sky, she watched the stars pale in the coming of dawn. She watched the city below and shivered, feeling the weight of her duties. She would return to Pal’lith soon, her duty required more travel and contact with N’Tel”Quessar than most of the other elves preferred. She noticed her eyes fixed upon the last star in the sky. The star pulsed with a deep blue light and she felt the presence of the power. An omen then, she thought, but for good or ill? The brief sensation was gone and she stood silently lost in reflection.
“M’lady” a voice interrupted T’lainya’s thoughts. She turned to see a young acolyte standing before her.
“May I help you?”
The acolyte handed her a message from Menadir. T’lainya read the message with a nameless fear gnawing at her. She hurried down the stairs to her cousin. She faced him, her heart beating faster at the grim expression he wore.

They had galloped for some time. Yshania slowed the mare to a walk and began to take in her surroundings...the sky had paled somewhat and she could hear the first of dawns chorus. She spoke quietly to her mount, feeling they had bonded closely somewhere between their first meet and this race into the morning. She pulled up the mare at the top of a hill, gazing down at the expanse of land before her.

‘I need to give you a name’ she smiled, stroking the mare on her neck. Toying with the talisman her mother had given her ‘I will call you Pridwen’ she said. The mare snickered her approval.

Suddenly Pridwen tossed her head and began to move forward…Yshania, puzzled, became alert. She threw her cloak away from her scabbard and dropped her hand to her scimitar. Through the dawn mist, some way off, she caught sight of a horse carrying two riders. Her first instinct was to run, suddenly she felt too alone and exposed, but something made her accept Pridwen’s advance…

The horse was moving slowly, not encumbered, no. Almost like they were preserving time, wandering with intent but without haste.

As they neared, Yshania recognised the party. Clicking her tongue she urged Pridwen into a canter…

‘Hey!’ she called out to Dragon Wench. She saw Dragon Wench pull up her steed and raise her hand in a silent salute.

Yshania pulled up her horse beside them and studied their situation. Dragon Wench smiled weakly, she seemed dazed…lost and found…something was lifting from her but Yshania could not grasp what was happening. Could not sense whether even Dragon Wench understood what was happening. She considered her companion, then without a word glanced back at her friend for an explanation.

‘Yshania’ began Dragon Wench, hesitating and gazing for a moment at her partner ‘this is Jerren’

Yshania was too lost for words to even stutter her surprise…staring hard at Dragon Wench, she became suddenly concerned that she might have lost her mind, but whoever her companion was – he was naked and looking equally bewildered. Yshania unbuckled her brooch, and bringing Pridwen alongside threw her cloak around Jerren. He nodded his thanks and pulled the cloth around himself tightly, burying his face into Dragon Wench's back. Some things were never meant to be explained, Yshania accepted. Smiling at her friend, she reached out and touched her hand. They proceeded in silence, Yshania's heart and mind a turmoil of realities….

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Yshania ]

Dragon Wench tried to gather her thoughts together so that she could explain Jerren's presence to Yshania. But, she was still trying to grasp the reality of the past several hours, and she found herself at a loss for words. She noticed, however, that her friend seemed to understand the situation.

Still feeling somewhat unsteady, she smiled at the druid, and talking little they continued their return to the keep.

Her thoughts swirling, Dragon Wench wondered how she was going to introduce Jerren to the other Dark Flames. Vaguely, she wondered if they should discretely enter the keep through the little used side entrance...

Just as she was contemplating this, Dragon Wench spied a familiar figure seated on a rock. She looked down.......unsure how she was going to present Jerren to Gwally. Yshnania, shifted uncomfortably, and Dragon Wench sensed that her friend would have preferred to be almost anywhere else......

Gwalchmai continued to scan each road, looking for any sign of his companions. In his mind's eye, he flew down one road, then back to the keep, then down another. Back at the keep again, he caught sight of himself, out of the corner of his ‘eye’. From far above, he was surprised to see two horses standing over his own oblivious, prostrate form. Zooming in closer, he saw three riders. Releif washed over him as he recognized Yshania, Dragon Wench and... who was that other one? Holding on to Dragon Wench as if for dear life, covered in Yshania’s cloak, dark hair, piercing green eyes. A slight resemblance to Nippy, but lacking in youthful carelessness and full of experience. His eyes flew wide - the connection between this man and Dragon Wench was obvious. Gwalchmai felt as though a huge door in his life had been slammed shut.

Feeling profoundly uncomfortable, Dragon Wench turned to meet Gwally's shocked expression.

Deciding that it would be better if she were to dismount, Dragon Wench slid off her horse.

Gwally looked pale....and he seemed...upset???? She swallowed, this was going to be a bit more difficult than she had imagined.

Finally, she said, "Gwally, I would like you to meet Jerren......it's a long story....one with which I am still coming to terms."

Jerren, still sitting on Midnight Spirit, smiled at Gwally, and looked at them questioningly.

Yshania glanced at Gwalchmai, concerned at his discomfort, then dropped from her horse to stand beside Dragon Wench...

She did not understand this sudden sadness, and glanced between the two as introductions were made. Gwalchmai seemed, for a moment, quietly acceptng of the situation - moreso she felt - than maybe she had been...

His hands clenched and unclenched his staff, and he gritted his teeth. For a long time, Gwalchmai didn’t say anything, he just stared ahead, trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind as the last vestiges of Farsight drifted away. Finally, he said in measured tones, “I was looking for you.” He looked at Yshania, then to Dragon Wench. He felt honestly happy that they were back, and that they had not fallen afoul of some horrible fate. His eyes fell on Jerren, and he felt his head start throbbing like someone had dumped a hurricane inside his skull. He guessed that Jerren, even in his current thin, weakened state, would have a similar tolerance for wine as his half brother.

Dragon Wench looked sheepish and a little confused. As her eyes flitted to Jerren, Gwalchmai could see a spark, a flicker. When she looked at Gwalchmai, he saw traces of worry. Half of every journey is uphill, half down. Dragon Wench looked as though she might be on the downhill part, at long last. Throwing his arms out wide, he grabbed her in a huge bearhug that threatened to bend ribs. He then gathered Yshania into the hug, causing her to gasp for breath. Releasing them both, he said, “Welcome home! You’re just in time to meet a really annoying woman and help us figure out what is going on with Harry! Jerren? I’m pleased to meet you at last! You look like you could use a meal. There are some eggs and biscuits in the kitchen, I think you’ll know the cook. I’ll meet you all there in a few minutes!”

Gwalchmai turned and went to the vegetable garden, looking for pumpkins.....

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

As he watched the interchange between Gwally and Dragon Wench, Jerren nodded to himself in quiet understanding.

Dragon Wench, somewhat relieved, fiecely returned Gwally's hug, and grinned at both Jerren and Yshania.

Quickly, the two women leapt back onto their mounts, and cantered the remaining distance to the keep.

When they arrived, Dragon Wench helped Jerren down from Midnight Spirit, her hand grazing his cheek as she did so.
"I'd better bring you to my room, and then find you some clothes," she whispered.

Jerren grinned. "Are you sure you want me dressed?"

Blushing, Dragon Wench gazed into his eyes. She motioned the way upstairs. "You need some food, and after that, some rest."

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: dragon wench ]

Meanwhile in the kitchen…

Vivien could not tear her eyes from Harry, not believing the hate in his eyes. Where had that come from? Had they harmed him in some way? No…this hate must not be him, not his true feelings towards his friends. But…blackness seemed to come from his eye. Her own blue eyes searched for a hint of HIS personality in those black empty depths, but he seemed gone. As she watched, it was if she could almost see the evil in him, see the blackness coming from him in waves. To her eyes, he was a walking contagion, shadowy tentacles in the air around him, passing through any near. No one drew back from those shadowy forms, as if the darkness from him was not truly there? Shaking her head slowly, she broke eye contact, trying to clear the images, knowing she was again seeing things that weren’t there, her imagination taking over again.

Looking up again she winced, the hate and the darkness within him looked so hurtful and wrong that she found herself almost whimpering, not wanting this thing to be happening to him. Taking a step to reach to him, she forced herself to stop, not sure what that darkness would do to her. As she struggled inside, unsure of what to do, she felt a harsh warmth on her finger; the ring now burned, almost throbbing as a living thing, a reaction to the evil before them. A rustling sound came from behind her as she stared locked on Harry’s face, and she knew someone had come to stand beside her…

Gwalchmai was beginning to feel a little better, though his quarter staff could use a good cleaning. He walked back through the kitchen doors with some trepidation. He had no idea what he would find, but was surprised to see that very little had changed since he left. Nippy was still eating (how many stomachs does that boy have, anyway?), Thantor and Simbul were arguing over whether Georgi would look better changed into a warthog or a fruit bat, Georgi was stalking around the far side of the room, Jennabard was pretending not to be staring at Simbul, Harry was still frozen in time, and Vivien was worriedly looking at Harry.

Focusing on Vivien, Gwalchmai’s first thought was how stunning she looked in the new robe she was wearing. Her former leaf tunic had also been also quite nice, as well as pleasantly revealing, but it had been starting to look a little ragged. Maybe the leaf tunic will be better come spring time. This mage’s robe she was wearing was not of a design he had ever seen before; it was not a Traveler’s or Knave’s Robe. Vivien cut an elegant figure in it, and though not as revealing, the long leg slit, plunging neckline, and other decorations made a particularly powerful statement. These thoughts comforted Gwalchmai, knowing that his mind had again returned to the more familiar territory of somewhat lecherous musings. Far better than the blacker thoughts he had been having this morning. He smiled.

But the look on Viv’s face bothered Gwalchmai, so he sidled up next to her and gave her a light hug, “What’s up, Viv?”

“Something is horribly wrong with Harry,” she said while twisting the ring on her finger, “I see evil with him - tendrils moving around despite the spell he’s under.”

“What are the tendrils doing?”

“I don’t know. They’re working on something. Trying to do something. Maybe.....”

Suddenly, there was a low hiss, like the sound of air escaping, followed by a stench of stale air and rot. Harry ‘un-froze’, apparently to Simbul’s surprise. Harry pulled his cloak around him saying, “You people will never learn.” and ran out the door. Thantor instantly ran after him, but soon returned saying that Harry had somehow vanished.

“Now the Shadow Master will know that I am here.” The Simbul said ominously. Gwalchmai shrugged his shoulders and went to get a glass of water for he and Viv.

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: Gwalchmai ]

As Dragon Wench and Jerren made their way up the stairs, Dragon Wench felt her skin crawl, and Jerren she noticed, suddenly tensed.
"Didn't you say this place was safe?" murmured Jerren.

"It is.....or at least.....it should be," she replied uneasily.

Finally, they reached Dragon Wench's room. Jerren seated himself on the bed, and despite the worry creasing his brow, he watched her with a mischievious glint in his eye. She met his gaze, and felt the familiar response. Then, reminding herself of his weakened state, she turned and moved to her trunk.

Still overwhelmed by the new realities of her life, she sifted through the contents within. Layers of clothing, and other items touched her hands. She dug through, right to the bottom, until she found what she had been looking for.

Dragon Wench pulled out the tunic and breaches. As she looked down at them, she remembered the moment she had stored them away, the heavineness she had felt at the belief that she would never see Jerren in them again. The knot returned to her throat, and she swallowed.

As she gave Jerren his clothing, he reached out and pulled her close. They remained in eachother's arms a long moment; conversation was unnecessary.

The sound of commotion downstairs broke in on the warmth of their reverie. Regretfully, Dragon Wench stood up. Jerren slipped on the tunic and breaches, noticing, as he did so, how big they seemed. "I think I need to eat, and....gather my strength."

"Then we should go to the kitchen and find some food," she replied, a smile hovering in her eyes.

Together they went down the stairs, and entered the kitchen, where chaos appeared to be reigning supreme.
As they stepped through the door, silence fell, like a blanket.

With more calm than she felt, Dragon Wench smiled at her friends.

"I'd like you all to meet Jerren."

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF TORM!!" Spulttered Nippy, he spat out his food and stood up.

"What beast is this that takes the form of my brother? Dragon Wench! What is going on here?"

Nippy stood with his hands on his katana, he was shocked beyond belief.

Dragon Wench glanced at Nippy, her expression cool.

"You've never actually met your brother, how can you assume to know him?"

Then, remembering her own initial response to Jerren's appearance, she calmed slightly.

In a softer tone, she spoke again, "It's a long story, one that I...we...are still trying to understand......but I assure you....this is Jerren, I know this to be true."

Gwalchmai smiled at Nippy’s consternation. “Serves the Paladin right - no hangover, my foot!” he thought to himself. Gwalchmai went to the cooking area to get some warm food for Jerren as the others moved forward to greet the new arrival. Except for Simbul, who huffed loudly and rolled her eyes a lot. Georgi even smiled as she shook Jerren’s hand, and Gwalchmai noticed that she seemed a little flushed. It made sense; Jerren was probably considered a very good looking man by members of the opposite sex. But Georgi seemed particularly affected.

Yshania had been surprised at the ferocity of Gwalchmai's bear hug, but with the breath she had remaining had returned it with a giggle, and a wink towards Dragon Wench. On arriving back at the keep, she had taken both Pridwen and Midnight spirit and stabled them with fresh hay and water. Giving them both a quick brush down she slapped her hands together and, snatching up her bag, returned to the keep.

Approaching the kitchen she saw people spilling out into the hall, all intent on some activity inside. She could just about hear Dragon Wench speak, so soft was her voice, then suddenly an outburst from...Nippy! as the discussion progressed she pushed through the door, straining to learn more…but catching her foot in the trailing handle of her bag she stumbled into the room. She felt two arms grab her before she fell…looking up she saw it was Jerren who had saved her further embarrassment.

She smiled…he regarded her kindly, setting her on her feet. Suddenly he seemed no more the bewildered, weakened man she had accompanied back from the dales…there was a new…quality…about him…a new strength that emanated unconsciously. Yshania blushed deeply as he grinned at her, he had obviously noted her brief acknowledgement that his britches were faded in all the right places…Damn! she was transparent sometimes…’th-thanks’ she stammered.

She coughed and glanced around her, noticing Dragon Wench’s amused expression. Cringing and sorry, she turned to consider the others who looked sombrely on….

Using the Hide in Shadows skill, Harry moved out of the castle and when he got to the nearby woods he opened a portal and stepped through.
Emerging miles away on a hill top overlooking a caravan winding it's way towards Trademeet.
As it was moving very slowly he was able to match it's progression towards the town and consider his plans, the arrival of the Simbul made things much more interesting.

[ 11-21-2001: Message edited by: Harry2052 ]

"Why must things always be so complicated?" Sighed Nippy.

"I apologise for my outburst Jerren, I mean no rudeness but as far as I knew you were, well, on another plane."

He walked up to him and grasped his hand.

"Hail and well met, it seems we have much to talk about..."

OOC: Welcome Jerren.

"You are wrong, Simbul," Thantor said heatedly.

"Am I?" Simbul huffed. "Well, let's take stock, shall we? One of your "party" -- and I use the term intentionally, since they are more like a harem auxillary than a fighting force -- has the emotional maturity of a five year old. Another, who will go unnamed, has the self-discipline of a warthog ---"

"Well... I think we should change Georgi into... into a fruit bat," offered Thantor suddenly, changing the subject as Gwalchmai walked by. "Oh, good idea," sniped Simbul, rolling her eyes, "certainly don't want to set him off again."

As soon as Gwalchmai was out of earshot, Thantor resumed the conversation at a lower volume. "There are extenuating circumstance for all of this. The Dark Flames have lost three of their members recently, one tragically and -- "

"I'd make that four, or did you forget that one of your crack assault team is now *possessed* by the Shadow Master? But I am sure there is a perfectly good reason why your teammate had the misfortune of leaving their mind unguarded for days on end, despite facing off against one of the most evil forces on the planet," Simbul retorted, rolling her eyes.

"The drow attacks, dealing with legions of wounded," Thantor continued, ignoring her, "has also set everyone's nerves on edge."

"Yes.... I can see your paramour certainly has had her nerves set on edge," Simbul replied, watching Georgi's flirtatious behavior with Jerren. Thantor's face was an unreadable mask. "Georgi is not my paramour, Simbul, and like anyone else in this keep she is free to do as she chooses. I don't wish to discuss it further."

Simbul turned and faced Thantor, a steely intensity in her eyes. "If we proceed with this, someone will die, Thantor. One of your friends here will be no more. Can you live with that?"

"It is not my choice to make, Simbul," remarked Thantor evenly. "Each of the members of the Dark Flames has their own score to settle with the Shadow Master. I do not control their destiny. And -- if Harry is any example -- they have already been marked for retribution. We are too far into this now to back away. What I am certain of is that more will die without your help." Simbul turned from him, and Thantor sensed a heaviness coming over her as she gazed out the kitchen window.

Meanwhile, Anicka was watching the reaction to Jerren's presence with interest. Jerren was attractive in a roguish sort of way but certainly was no match for Thantor's rugged handsomeness and chiseled hard body. She was amused by Ysh's flushed response but it was Georgi's reaction that particularly intrigued her. Perhaps she had misread Georgi and Thantor's relationship, she thought to herself... She caught Dragon Wench's eye and the two women smiled at each other for completely different reasons.

"Your friends are brave, Thantor, and I can certainly understand why you have cast your lot with them," Simbul said finally, smiling at Jennabard as she passed them. "But I have seen so many brave souls perish in this fight. I am loathed to put them in harm's way when there is no time to train them. Amlaruil only mentioned you and Anicka in connection with this mission."

"Why don't we leave the final decision to them? The are certainly more skilled than the elven regulars Amlaruil sent with you."

"At least the elven warriors can be counted on to exercise restraint and follow orders," replied Simbul. Holding up her hand in the face of Thantor's intended protest, she continued. "Very well, Thantor. It will be as you wish. Now why don't you tell me who each of these people are so there will be no more cases of mistaken identity." As Thantor began to point out the different members of the Dark Flames, Simbul began to integrate her observations and perceptions with the various names and faces. Anicka joined them at this point, offering Thantor a strawberry dipped in whip cream, which Thantor accepted. Simbul noted with some satisfaction that the druid, Gwalchmai, was so preoccupied with ogling the attractive young mage next to him that he was spilling water down the front of his shirt. This was entirely consistent with what she knew of him. Thantor did not know the name of the new man who had come in with Dragon Wench, but Simbul noted immediately the aura of ancient magic around him. In fact, the younger warrior, Nippy, who was greeting him also had the same aura. She made a mental note to explore this more thoroughly later. Watching Dragon Wench and Yshania interact, she wondered if they might not be sisters. Though she had teased Thantor about it earlier, she noted with some chagrin Georgi's continued interest in Jerren. That certainly couldn't be an easy thing to have to watch....

"May I have your attention please," announced Simbul, taking command of the room. As all eyes turned toward her, she continued. "For those of you who do not know me, I am called the Simbul. I am here at the bequest of Queen Amlaruil... and I have a date with the Shadow Master. I originally intended to only involve Thantor and Anicka in this quest, but Thantor tells me there may be some of you who would have an interest in it. If that is the case, please come and speak with me. We will be leaving the day after tomorrow."

[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: thantor3 ]

While Vivien spoke with him, Gwalchmai found himself lost in conjecture about what Viv’s new robe would look like if it happened to get wet. While images of wet-robe contests among the Dark Flames flooded his mind, another part of his brain registered a small stain left by some dropped eggs on his tunic. He intentionally spilled a little of his water on the spot and rubbed at it, since a clean tunic would make a better impression on Dragon Wench’s old friend. Gwalchmai was roused from his reverie by Thantor going around the room and naming each of those present to Simbul. When he pointed out Gwalchmai, Simbul’s face briefly turned red, as she realized her earlier mistake. Nevertheless, Simbul continued to look past Gwalchmai’s face, ignoring his presence as best she could.

Gwalchmai also noted Anicka fawning over Thantor like some love-struck bar maid. A powerful Paladin warrior in her own right, she was batting her eyelashes, thrusting out her chest, and licking her lips as she fetched strawberries for him. What she saw in him was not obvious, and that mystified Gwalchmai. Everyone knew that Ranger-Clerics were just Druid wannabes anyway.( )

Gwalchmai shook himself out of his less-than-serious musings when Simbul made her announcement and asked for volunteers. Gwalchmai was the first to step forward, volunteering himself by asking, “Why wait a day and a half? We’re ready to go now!”

Simbul was aware that Anicka and Thantor had continued discussing strategic options while she made her announcement. Apparently, Anicka's eyes and lips were reacting poorly to the dry, dusty environment of the keep. As Thantor handed her a glass of water, Simbul noted the subtle attraction Anicka had towards him, which was entirely reasonable. Ranger-Clerics were a rare breed, unlike Druids who could be found under every tree and bush -- and usually were.

Roused from her musings by Gwalchmai's question, she considered him in a straightforward way. "Fair question. There are a couple of considerations. First, and most importantly, I need some time to work with the mages in your group. There are spell combinations that will be particularly effective in this situation. Thantor also feels that there might be psionics involved and he wishes to have the opportunity to address this with each of you. Second, your team needs time to regroup. An assessment and plan concerning Harry's domination by the Shadow Master has not been formulated and others in your party," with a nod to Jerren and Dark Wench, "appear to have just returned from a long journey. The Shadow Master is not some moonstruck drow commander and this is not some half-baked quest for glory. It will require meticulous planning and execution in order that each of you will return intact." She paused, then added with sincerity, "By the way, Gwalchmai... please excuse my earlier lapse. I am pleased to see that you will be joining us."

[ 11-25-2001: Message edited by: thantor3 ]