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Holmes: The scorpion-Archelaus shakes off not having been able to get through the portal as Okhfels approaches to take him out.
Holmes: Tehu, realizing that the scorpion is his master, moves to help out.
Holmes: Alitia charges forward to help out, but Fahja catches her arm before she gets far. He shakes his head at her, and then at the fight indicating best to let the others take care of things.
Isadora: Although Isadora still holds the recovered gems, she doesn't let them keep her out of the fight--she tucks them against her side with one hand and turns that side away from Archelaus, facing him side-on with extended rapier as if he were a more normal fencing opponent.
Okhfels leaps onto the Arch-scorpion's tail, wrapping one massive arm around each of two sections. Straining his muscles to their utmost, he twists, trying to rip the deadly tail off completely.
Holmes: The huge carapace of the scorpion refuses to budge, but Okhfels can feel it beginning to strain. Isadora holds off Fahja and Alitia who approach to help the Archelaus.
Egani arrive late for the party. While steering clear of the monsterous combat, he noticing Archelaus' stabbed body and goes to render aid.
Holmes: As Isadora holds off the enchanted Fahja and the massive amazon, she feels suddenly a bit dizzy, and the world tries to turn upside down. But part of her brain shouts at another to get it under control, no time to freak out, and Archelaus' attempt to take her body fails.
Okhfels tries to wedge his fingers in between the plates for better purchase. He grunts with effort.
Holmes: The scorpion's plates start to separate, but the bucking throws them both a bit. In the end, Okhfels comes up with the better position, however.
Holmes: In a flurry of activity with it's legs, the scorpion lurches back towards the temple. Using it's length it manages to lurch up to a point above the portico. Okhfels manages amazingly to hold on until this point, but seeing that Archelaus intends to climb the massive temple, he drops off before it takes him to a great height, and out of reach of his allies.
Okhfels: "Ash and smoke!"
Okhfels picks himself up off the ground and surveys the situation on the ground.
Holmes: Soon the scorpion has managed to hide it's massive form amongst the ornate architecture high on the temple.
Isadora backs off from Fahja and Aliltia, looking a little woozy. "What the hell just happened?"
Holmes: Fahja drops the point of his sword, "Apparently you tried to destroy the last body of a very imporant individual."
Isadora: "Most of us only get the one, so I can't spare too many tears for him," says Isadora, starting to recover her equilibrium.
Okhfels waves for his men to come in closer.
Isadora: "What did it feel like when Archelaus attacked you?" Isadora asks Okhfels as she moves over to him, scanning the various other participants warily.
Okhfels: "It felt like the world was fading away."
Egani continues to work on Archelaus, applying magical patches here and physical remedies there.
Isadora: "Can he, ah... do it from a range?" She eyes Archelaus' body with a calculating glint in her eye.
Okhfels gives Isadora's hand a gentle squeeze, not willing to let his guard down enough to hug her while Fahja is still dangerous.
Okhfels: "Yes, he can."
Okhfels: "And I know what you're thinking."
Isadora: "I'm thinking I'd rather like to kill him."
Okhfels: "Join the troop."
Okhfels says, "I think you and I need to stay close, until he's worked out."
Egani drags Archelaus and his pet head back to his boat.
Isadora: "Right," she says to Okhfels, eyes still roving around. "Who do we take care of first, then? Fahja?"
Okhfels: "He is one of Archelaus's friends."
Okhfels looks Fahja in the eye. "Would he be willing to give up his body for his friend, though?"
Holmes: Difficult to read without pupils, Fahja responds, "I doubt that Archelaus is willing to give up anything more for me at this point. Our debts are settled for the moment. Though I would have him do more for me if I could speak to him again."
Okhfels: "You were willing to fight for him."
Isadora: "You dance around the real issue," says Isadora. "Archelaus is a danger to the camp, and you neither stand for nor against him plainly."
Egani rows across the lake and heads back home.
Holmes: "I don't want him dead yet. I think that would be rash," says Fahja. "But we are no allies."
Okhfels: "Then who do you serve?"
Holmes: "Only the Goddess Inis," says Fahja. Though the look he casts at Alitia speaks of more servitude.
Isadora: Isadora says to Fahja, "Seeing what just happened, you must understand my reluctance to welcome more free agents into camp. Let me be plain: this is not open ground. If you are not willing to place yourself under the authority of myself or the Rhiani, you will leave."
Okhfels nods his support.
Isadora casts a meaningful look at Alitia. "Even if you are cursed, does she not want the society of normal folk?"
Okhfels: From behind, Okhfels asks Isadora quietly, "Inis?"
Isadora twitches a shrug at Okhfels' question. She slept through all her religion lessons.
Holmes: "Inis is the dancer of the red moon," says Fahja. "Did I not explain this to you before you grabbed me on our first meeting? Anyhow, she is beauty and pleasure, and danger as well."
Holmes: He brandishes the red sword again, though not threateningly.
Holmes: "We will stay with my people."
Tehu: "Beggin' your pardon Ma'am, Sir...I don't know much about such things. But is there such a call for all this talk of killing and the like?"
Isadora nods. "Good," she says to Fahja. "I'm not sure where you've been, exactly, but I hope you find Green Lake a better place."
Isadora: For Tehu, she spares a glance and says, "Yes."
Tehu: "Meanin' that Master Archelaus was for me a wise and somewhat distracteed man, but I'm not recalling him killing any of you all, good people."
Okhfels: "He did worse than that... or at least tried to."
Holmes: Isadora looks down not far off, and sees something glinting in the sand where Okhfels had wrestled the scorpion Archelaus just moments ago.
Tehu: "That must have been something pretty awful bad."
Isadora is about to say something to Tehu, but shifts over to investigate the sparkle instead.
Holmes: She realizes that she'd dropped one of the gems there. As she picks it back up, she can see a figure of a badger inside digging, ever digging.
Isadora: "I need to talk to Fahd," she says to the nearest person, staring into the gem and sounding distracted. Looking back up, she says to Okhfels, "This place can't be left unguarded while Archelaus is out there."
Holmes: Isadora notes Fahd coming around the temple, examining it as he goes. He walks over to Isadora. "You called?"
Isadora: Isadora holds out her cupped hands to show Fahd the gems and says, "I have a job to do."
Okhfels addresses Fahja, Alitia, and Tehu. "My men will escort you off the island."
Holmes: Fahd nods to Isadora, then looks back at the temple, "There is something strange here. Why build temples to spirits? It is not meet."
Holmes: In the distance, above the skyline of the White Wood, unseen by anyone but Archelaus, a huge bird shape rises up and starts winging towards the island.

Holmes: Sebastian notes one of the Rhiani escorting a horsed man in armor to the colony. He has the look of a northerner about him.
Sebastian: Sebastian supresses a sigh, something he finds himself doing quite often in recent days. "Just what I wanted, more new people to cause problems..." He then shrugs on his jacket and heads out to meet the newcomer.
Tisris: The rider carries himself with an air of nobility, though his armor has seen better days. His sword, from what you can see of it is, very well cared for. "Hail, and well met!"
Sebastian: Sebastian gives a little bow, "Welcome to our humble colony, stranger. What brings you?"
Tisris: He returns the bow. "I am seeking someone, a priest. Perhaps you have seen him?"
Sebastian: Sebastian closes his eyes and thinks. "Few priests have passed through these parts, I am sure to remember the few who have. Who is it that you seek?"
Tisris: "The one I am seeking is known as Porcaru. If you had seen him, you would remember him. He wears naught but furs, and is balding." With these words, he swings down from his horse. "Please, have you seen him?"
Sebastian: Sebastian pulls a piece of colored paper from somewhere and begins folding it carefully. His eyes squint as he concentrates on the paper. As he works he mutters quietly to himself. "Hmmm... No, no fur-wearing priests have been through here. What makes you think he came to this part of the Rhianni lands?
Sebastian: "
Sebastian: Sebastian's eyse flash suddenly. "Wait. Someone mentioned such a man..." Sebastian continues folding. "Aysha, I believe. You could ask her, but I recommend against it..."
Tisris: "Oh. It is a manner of great urgency. Is there some reason I should not?"
Sebastian: Sebastian pauses in his work, "Yes. She's not entirely sane, and the just recently she tried to perform a ritual involving human sacrifice. Later discussion indicated that this was not the first time either."
Tisris: At the words human sacrifice, Tisris's eyes widen. "Perhaps it is even more important that I speak with her then. I may have *other* business with her."
Sebastian: Sebastian gives the newcomer a long-suffering look. "We really aren't looking for more human sacrifices at the moment, so I hope that's not what your business might be."
Tisris: After a grim smile, Tisris continues. "I rather had the opposite in mind."
Sebastian: Sebastian arches an eyebrow curiously, "What is the opposite of human sacrifice?"
Tisris: "I only ment that I might deal with this problem in a most ... straitforward manner." Resting his hand on a his sword hilt.
Sebastian: Sebastian mutters something, it sounds an awful lot like, "Why does everyone want to solve everything by killing around here?" Then he shrugs, "If you want to speak to Aysha, you will need to obtain permission from Lady Isadora. I believe she is out on the island at the moment."
Tisris: "Very well, then. I will seek out Lady Isadora. Thank you for your time, good sir."
Tisris: Tisris bows, and moves to remount his horse.
Sebastian: Sebastian watches him ride away, shaking his head in resignation.

Holmes: On the say so of Captain Jilliams, who indicated that Isadora is currently out on an island in the lake, Tisris enters the hut in which Aysha is incarcerated.
Tisris: As Tisris pulls back the furs that form the door to the hut, he casts a long shadow. Slowly entering, his face tilts back, reavaling a hard face, belieing his youthful appreance. He sweeps the dark brown hair away from his face, and speaks. "Hello, Aysha. I'm told that you have information that I need."
Aysha looks the newcommer up and down
Aysha: "Who might you be?"
Tisris: "My name is Tisris, and I was told that you know of a priest I am seeking."
Aysha stands, stretching languidly. In spite of the grime and wear - it is obvious she has not donned a new outfit in some time - Aysha is still dark and voluptuous. She gazes smokily at Tisris and sways towards him.
Aysha: "I know of many priests and priestesses, Tisris, having been one myself. Who do you seek?"
Tisris: "I seek the one known as Porcaru."
Aysha: "That is a name I have not heard in a long time. Why do you seek him?"
Tisris: "He brought me to the light of Zanar, and he has been gone for far too long. I must know what has happend to him."
Aysha furrows her brow in thought
Aysha: "It has been many moons since I crossed paths with the priest Porcaru."
Aysha: "I last saw him in Sherezak, the great city."
Tisris: "Thank you - I have heard little
Tisris: of him since I had started my search."
Tisris: Tisris turns to leave, then pauses, his face troubled. "I have heard a disturbing thing. I must know, is it true you have tried to sacrifice a human?"
Aysha replies "I am . . . was . . . a follower of Akalatan, the death god. I have sacrificed many humans. But none *here* know of any humans that I have tried to sacrifice. There are only fools here, ignorant of the higher mysteries."
Tisris: Tisris draws forth his sword. It seems to glimmer in the light, and the places hilt first toward Aysha. "An excellent tool for killing, no? Would you care for a closer look?"
Aysha stares at him with contempt
Aysha: "I have no need for such toys to kill."
Aysha looks a bit sad
Aysha: "Some would say I kill too easily. I came near destroying an entire city once."
Aysha 's voice rings stronger
Aysha: "But my people were saved!"
Tisris: "That is admrable. However, I really must insist." Aysha was speaking, Tisris moved closer to her. Finally within reach, he quickly presses the hilt upon her arm.
Holmes: Tisris begins to chant a sombre sounding invocation, and purple colored tendrils of light begin to emanate from the sword. Aysha turns to him, her eyes literally ablaze with a compelling light, but Tisris manages to tear his gaze away. Moments later, he pulls away he sword from her arm, and there is a mark there.
Holmes: A guard enters the hut. "What's going on here!"
Tisris: Tisris turns to face the guard, sheathing his sword as he does so.
Tisris: "Just ensuring that this *person* will not be sacrficing anyone while I continue on my quest."
Holmes: The guard looks at him suspicously, "My job is to guard this one. You will not be needed for that."
Holmes: He tries to pull himself up in height and authority, but comes up short in at least one respect.
Aysha snorts with laughter
Tisris: Tisris moves aside. "As you can see, I have not harmed her in any way."
Aysha: "You need have no fear for your... charge, guardsman. This boy poses no danger to _me_!"
Tisris: Tisris smiles slightly. "I can see we will meet again. Pray that we are not on the field of battle. Now, I must leave." He strides towards the door, then stops for a moment.

Holmes: Sebastian stands before the assembled Rhiani elders. The old men of the tribe waiting merely to become ancestors of the tribe number 5, and are surrounded by the more important leaders of the younger men.
Holmes: One of the eldest says, "Speak what you may speak."
Sebastian: Sebastian closes his eyes as if supressing a minor pain, and then proceeds to explain. "We have known for some time that someone has been stealing from the Rhiani camp. We considered it likely that it was someone from our own camp as it was not going on prior to our arrival. Quite recently we have discovered the culprit's identity, and, unless I am mistaken, have managed to recover the majority of the stolen goods."
Holmes: The elder speaking is named Moorak (a common name for the last generation), and he asks, "So what of the symbols we found that say that you, yourself, Sebastian of Sel-kai, are involved?"
Sebastian: Sebastian shrugs, "I can say nothing of them. I was not involved so I have no idea why someone should write such a thing. It is a custom, in my land, that one is permitted to know who his accuser is. It would greatly set my mind at east to know who would write such a thing, and what reasons they might have for doing so."
Holmes: "Well, if nobody will come forth, then we must assume that your word is truth and theirs not," says Moorak.
Holmes: "I come forth," says a voice from the shadows. Elahra steps out and shoots a vicious look at Sebastian.
Holmes: "He is in league with the theif!"
Sebastian: Sebastian's eyes narrow slightly, "Why would you say something like that, Elahra?"
Holmes: "Because I saw you speaking to Speckler about stolen goods. Even now you do not reveal his name to the elders. But you would sell him out I suspect if you thought you could conceal your complicity in this," she spits at Sebastian. "The city men are all like this. There is no trusting them!"
Holmes: Several of the elders seem to be somewhat persuaded.
Sebastian: Sebastian sighs sadly, "Are you doing this simply because I revealed Zoora's intentions? I really had thought much better of you than this, Elahra. Were you this twisted by her dark powers?"
Okhfels is now known as Vaxalon
Holmes: Elahra shoots even more venom at Sebastian with her gaze. "What do you know of Zoora? She dissapeared not long ago! Are you saying you know something about her dissapearance?"
Holmes: Sebastian realizes that Elahra has rehearsed this quite a bit.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks genuinely surprised. "Elahra, I do not think it is wise of you to drag what I know of Zoora into the open. I know _everything_ about her, but airing such things would turn out quite badly for you."
Holmes: "Bah. Either you lie about knowing something, or you're admitting that you're witholding information from the elders. I don't have anything to hide. Make more lies if you must. It'll only bury you deeper!" she says.
Holmes: From the shadows where more Rhiani watch the goings on about the fire, Sebastian notes Shahnsa moving about to Elahra's side of the ring.
Sebastian: Sebastian gives Elahra a look filled with pity, "Very well," and then more quietly, "I wish it could be otherwise..." He straightens and looks directly to the elders, "I request that Fahd Yazid be called to this council. Between us I believe we can explain Zoora's evil and Elahra's part in it."
Holmes: In the distance, the sound of the horses neighing in the pen is the only other sound that splits the night air.
Holmes: A runner heads off to find Fahd.
Holmes: *
Holmes: Later after Fahd has arrived, he speaks to the council, "What Sebastian says is true. Zoora was a deciever."
Holmes: "Liar!" says Elahra. "A shaman of the tribe has been ensnared in his web of lies now!"
Holmes: Fahd seems unmoved by this accusation.
Holmes: The shaman steps forth, and opens a bag, "This is part of the remains of the woman Zoora that I am keeping to ensure she does not return. I will summon her shade now from the land of the wandering dead, so she can tell the story of what happened."
Holmes: Fahd performs a ceremony by the fire, elaborate. But after a bit, the parts of Zoora that he has coalesce into a form that speaks.
Sebastian: Sebastian simply sits quietly, gazing sadly at Elahra.
Holmes: "Hate!" the shade screams, "Hate for those who foiled my plan to bring Andaras into this realm! And hate for those like Elahra who failed me. The sacrifices should have been guarded better! Damned Rhiani!"
Holmes: Shahnsa steps out from the shadows to try to console the desperate Elahra. But she throws him off, looking around like a hunted animal.
Holmes: She knows that the tribe can only have one solution to her lies.
Sebastian: Sebastian stands up slowly and brushes himself off. Carefully not looking at Elahra he turns to the council, "Though Elahra's crime was against the tribe, I request that her fate be placed in my hands for it was I that she wronged. By the same token, the thief has wronged the tribe though his crime is against us all. I am willing to turn Speckler over to the council for judgement," Sebastian pauses for a moment, "reg
Sebastian: Sebastian pauses for a moment, "regardless of whether you choose to grant my request or not."
Holmes: The elders huddle together beneath the tarp, the fire casting long shadows of them against the back. A wind comes up and the shadows dance enthusiastically with the spirits that move the air. After a long while, Moorak comes forth to speak for the tribe once more. "We accept your offer."
Holmes: There is a feeling of relief that passes through the gathered people.
Holmes: "Further..." the crowd goes silent again.
Holmes: "We feel that tonight you have shown that you, Sebastian of Sel-kai, have passed the test of truth, standing in the fire of the honest flame, and coming out unscathed. You are now welcome at any time amongst the Rhiani as a member of the tribe," Moorak finishes and leans back to watch Sebastian's response.
Sebastian: Sebastian looks uncharacteristically surprised. He blinks several times, apparently at a loss for words. "Um... Wow... I must admit that this was an unexpected outcome. But I accept the honor gladly, the respect of the tribe is of great value." Sebastian executes a short bow, still looking slightly bemused.
Holmes: Moorak smiles. "Come, sit with us tonight, and let me tell you the story of how Cay brought the truth to the Rhiani."
Holmes: The tribe begins to bring food.

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