<M Holmes> Okhfels notes that the odd little bird is watching him as he approaches Beliria's tent, prominent amongst those in the part of the camp where the Tethian refugees are now housed.

• <Okhfels> Okhfels nods to the bird. "Hello again."
• <Bird> ***<greetings/salutations>. This place is <interesting/strange/new> and not like <home/ruins>***
• <M Holmes> Beliria appears from her tent, "Ah, Okhfels, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
• <M Holmes> Her smile is not very genuine.
• <Okhfels> "I want to ask a favor of you."
• * Bird watches this 'Beliria' closely, thinking she may very well be one of the 'movers and shakers' of this place.
• <M Holmes> Beliria's brow furls a bit, not her best look, "You come to me when I'm not in a position to provide much, but given your friends' hospitality how can I but give whatever aid I can?"
• <M Holmes> She gestures to the people about her, indicating that she has work to do.
• <Okhfels> "I need to make a wedding-blade. You're the closest we have, here, to a priestess. I know you're not supposed to... but I wonder if you could say the appropriate blessings?"
• <M Holmes> Beliria
• <M Holmes> Beliria's eyebrows raise, unfurling her brow. "Ah, I see. Isadora?"
• <Okhfels> Okhfels smiles briefly, and nods. "I think everyone in camp expects it, by now."
• <M Holmes> Beliria nods. "I see. Again, I would be remiss if I did not perform this for you, given the circumstances."
• <M Holmes> She seems to ponder this for a moment.
• <Okhfels> "Thank you."
• <M Holmes> Her eyes perk up a moment later, "Actually, I think I have just the thing for you...could I take a while to get this right for you? It might take a couple of extra days..."
• <Okhfels> Okhfels looks a little puzzled. "I, ah... I suppose."
• * Bird thinks... hmm, a priest. This might be a good place to start.
• <M Holmes> Beliria smiles, "Ah, excellent then. Thank you, Okhfels, for giving me this opportunity to pay our hosts back for the kindness they've shown us."
• <M Holmes> Beliria seems to notice the bird in the tree now, out of the corner of her eye, though she focuses on Okhfels.
• <Okhfels> Okhfels bows, clumsily. "Let me know if you need anything."
• <M Holmes> "Will you be providing the blade in question," she asks, "or does it need to be fashioned yet?"
• <Okhfels> "Well, I was going to make it myself, or at least try... that's the tradition, isn't it?"
• <M Holmes> "Quite," she replies. "Do you have what you need to do so?"
• <Okhfels> "There's a forge between the two camps, and I can get the iron and fuel easily enough."
• <M Holmes> Beliria nods, and then puts up a finger to say "wait one moment."
• <Okhfels> After she departs, Okhfels looks over at the bird, shrugs, and turns back.
• <M Holmes> As she disappears into her tent, Fahd, Rhiani shaman of the crow spirit, comes striding down the row of tents. He notes Okhfels, and stops to ask him a question. "Are you the leader of these people, large one?"
• <Okhfels> "Well... as much as anyone, I guess."
• <Bird> **<<marriage??>> <<nostalgia>> <<this one/me>> had a <<wife/spouse/love>> once. <<images of the forest>>**
• <Okhfels> Okhfels wraps his arm over the top of his head and scratches his right ear with his left hand.
• <Bird> **May <your/Okhfels's> marriage end better <<betrayal>> than <<mine/bird's>> <<sadness>>**
• <Okhfels> **What could go wrong? We love each other.**
• * Bird whistles a sad song of love gone wrong, but Okhfels doesn't know the words.
• <M Holmes> Fahd begins to look around in his aetherial way, searching for something. After a bit he seems to come to a conclusion, nodding once to himself. He makes a proclamation, "Be forwarned, people of the mountains! One of your people will pass to the land of the dead soon."
• <Okhfels> "Fahd!"
• <M Holmes> Fahd looks at Okhfels in confusion. "Yes?"
• <Okhfels> "Bad timing."
• <M Holmes> "There's a good time to tell about death coming? The best time is soonest, so it doesn't come unnanounced," Fahds eyes are wandering again, and settle upon the little green bird in the tree. His brow furls.
• * Bird looks at this Fahd person. "This is new."
• <Okhfels> Okhfels grunts in frustration.
• <Bird> **<<Who/what>> is this <<harbinger/messenger/meddler>?**
• <M Holmes> Though Fahd is suspicious, it's also pretty clear that he cannot see the true nature of this bird. But just as obviously he is suspicious. "Why does one of the birds from the White Wood linger here?"
• <Okhfels> **A shaman. One of the not-sane ones.**
• * Bird continues to whistle the sad song.
• <Okhfels> Okhfels looks over at it. "Is it? It seems pretty friendly."
• <Bird> **<<sane>>/<<magic>>/<<opposites>>. <<Death/whose?>>**
• <M Holmes> Fahd says, "We could ask Egani, those are the same birds that power his wooden man."
• <Okhfels> **Nope. Not asking.**
• <Okhfels> Okhfels grunts again. "Doesn't matter. The answer wouldn't mean much to me anyways."
• <M Holmes> Fahd shrugs, "Well, no matter. If it's a harbinger of death, there's nothing to be done. When the crow says that he must take one, he will do so and nothing can stop it."
• * Bird alights from the tree, and lands on Okhfels's shoulder.
• * Bird tweets.
• <Okhfels> "If it's a white wood bird, it's the friendliest thing to come out of the woods since we've been here."
• <M Holmes> Fahd holds up a small bone tied with crow feathers, interposing it between himself and the bird. "I don't think it's my time yet," he says.
• <Okhfels> Okhfels shakes his head. "Wizards," he mutters to himself.
• * Bird cocks his head at Fahd, and tweets.
• <M Holmes> Fahd begins to walk backward away from Okhfels and the bird, and heads out of the camp. Passing him on the way in is Alshor, "Okhfels, another discovery. This time at the temple. A chamber beneath the main hall."
• <Okhfels> "Same place as last time?"
• <Okhfels> (scratch that)
• <Okhfels> "Main hall? You mean the dome?"
• <M Holmes> "No, on the island, the temple..."
• <M Holmes> Alshor tries to describe the home of the lake spirits with his hands.
• <Okhfels> "Ah, right. The temple. So has anyone looked into it yet?"
• * Bird suddenly leaps off Okhfels's shoulder, and towards the temple.
• <M Holmes> Alshor watches the bird go, "No, we didn't go into it. We thought you and Isadora would want to know first."
• <Okhfels> Okhfels nods.
• <Bird> **<<Nobody!!!!!>> <<enters/visits>>**
• <Okhfels> "Good thinking, Alshor." Okhfels calls out in the direction Beliria went, "They found something else on the island. Are you coming?"
• <M Holmes> Beliria comes out of her tent, holding a small vial of fluid. "Coming to the island. Why?"
• <Okhfels> "I thought you would want to see. What's that?"
• <M Holmes> She nods in agreement. "I have some Solarum Fluid here. Even without the rest of the formula, I can use this to create Tethium. Enough for a dagger, at least."
• <Okhfels> Okhfels is speechless. "You'd do that... for me? For us?"
• <M Holmes> "It's my gift to you and Isadora," she says. "It also might help us get started in production there. Somebody said that there's a wizard in camp who might be able to help with the process? An Egani?"
• <Okhfels> "Enh. Egani... He's a little twisted, you know? Sees people more like potion bottles than people."
• <M Holmes> Beliria tries to look sympathetic, but is obviously fighting other emotions. "What adept is not a bit eccentric this way? It's Tethium, Okhfels, tethium. I read you the prophecy. You don't believe we're destined to get that forge up and running?"
• <Okhfels> Okhfels nods. "You're right about that, I guess. He mostly stays out where his house landed." Okhfels points to the south.
• <M Holmes> Beliria looks southward. "Why don't you check the temple, and I'll go talk to this Egani?"
• * Bird has quit IRC (Disintegrated: )
• <Okhfels> Okhfels shrugs. "What am I going to do, stop you? Just be careful around him."
• <M Holmes> Beliria nods and smiles, and then heads off to the south.
• <M Holmes> *
• <M Holmes> *
• <M Holmes> As Okhfels looks into the chamber, he notes that the small green bird has, in fact, arrived before him. It seems to be alighting on various things in the room.
• <Okhfels> **What's wrong?**
• <M Holmes> The large block of stone that previously hid this door seems oddly out of place, having been slid aside by a counterweight mechanism that one of Okhfels men had tripped accideentally.
• <Lxndr> **<<mine/secret/lost/found/remembered>>**
• * Lxndr is now known as Bird
• <Okhfels> **This belongs to you?**
• <Bird> **<<yes/affirmative/mine!/secret/valuable>>**
• <Okhfels> **Would you like some help?**
• <Bird> **<<remember for me?>> <<memories lost>> <<do not take!>> <<help?>> <<keep, sort, protect>> <<yes>>**
• <M Holmes> Behind Okhfels, Alshor eyes up the brass lyre upon which the bird sits.
• <Okhfels> **What do you need?**
• <Bird> **<<Hands/feet/back/legs/arms/strength/memory>>**
• <Okhfels> "Alshor... requisition and inventory."
• <M Holmes> Alshor nods and heads into the room carefully, heading first for the magnificent lyre.
• * Bird stares daggers at Alshor
• <Okhfels> "Alshor... we're not taking these things for ourselves."
• <Okhfels> "Just moving them to safety."
• <M Holmes> After a moment Alshor notes the line of sight between Okhfels and the bird, and before he moves the lyre stops not wanting to step between the two. He looks at Okhfels to get affirmation that he's doing the right thing.
• <Okhfels> **So do we move these things or not?**
• * Bird flies onto Okhfels's shoulder, continuing to give Alshor dirty looks.
• <Bird> **<<watching/wary>>**
• <Okhfels> Okhfels takes the lyre and holds it under his arm. Carefully, he starts collecting other things from the vault.
• <Bird> **<<careful/caution/fragile!!!!>>**
• <Okhfels> **Calm down. I can be gentle. <<image of Okhfels being gentle>>**
• <Bird> **<<frustration>> <<wants hands/feet/arms/legs of its own>>**
• * Bird flies to a spot where something is obviously missing.
• <Okhfels> **Not to mention other parts. Something missing?**
• <Bird> **<<body statue stone move life>> <<image of a golem>>**
• <Okhfels> Unbidden, Okhfels thinks of Aaron. **Damn, I didn't mean... ash and smoke.**
• <Bird> **<<image of dead Bird>>**
• <Okhfels> **confusion**
• <Bird> **<<worry/time/short>> <<dead Bird>>**
• <Okhfels> **What do you need?**
• <Bird> **<<image of golem>> <<hands/feet/arms/legs>>**
• <Okhfels> Okhfels sees to it that everything is safely and carefully retrieved from the vault. **Egani.**
• <Bird> **<<what/who>> <"Egani>?**
• <M Holmes> *

• <M Holmes> *
• <M Holmes> As the train of injured people start coming into the camp, Isadora notes Sebastian at the front of the line.
• <Isadora> "What in the name of all I previously held holy is going on here?" Isadora inquires gently of Sebastian as an opener.
• <M Holmes> Egani, of course, attends to people, even as the group moves along.
• <Sebastian> Sebatian shakes his head slowly. "Someone thought it would be a good idea to launch the skyship for a test run today. It did not turn out well."
• <Isadora> "Capital idea," says Isadora. "This is what comes of running into plans without consulting the proper authorities, you see." She grimaces. "Were Marvars or his bodyguard on board?"
• <Egani> "But look how many people are still on their feet! This could have been much worse. Why, back in Sel-kai there was once a shipyard accident that..." Egani notices the looks he's getting from some patients. "Um...nevermind."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian smiles slightly, "Unfortunately, my lady, we were not so fortunate."
• * Isadora cocks an eyebrow at Egani, then asks them, "How many injured and dead?" She refrains from commenting on whether it's good luck or bad luck, at the moment.
• <Egani> Egani returns Isadora's query with a response that shows he's actually on top of the situation. "...but there might be some dead unaccounted for. It kind of exploded."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian looks distracted for a moment and mutters absently, "Now I have to find another way to leave..."
• <Isadora> If Isadora hears Sebastian, it shows only in a momentary flicker of her eyes. To Egani, she says, "Commandeer whatever supplies you need for this--to help the living, I trust I don't need to stress."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian spends a few moments ensuring that the wounded are being properly settled and then pulls Isadora aside, "Might I have a moment, my lady?"
• <Egani> "Will do." Egani then turns to Sebastian. "You know, I might know a way to get you to your destination."
• * Isadora gives Egani a smile. "Let me talk to Sebastian for a few moments before you trouble him with that subject."
• * Egani nods and begins raiding the supplies. He also stores the xenium scraps that he found somewhere safe.
• <M Holmes> Pallos is one of the men helping move the wounded along, his rugged frame making it look easy. Noting Isadora, he says, "I suppose this means we'll have to try an overland run to Kaitaine, m'lady?"
• * Isadora nods at Pallos. "Start planning, but don't head out yet--I may need to make some special requests."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian looks uncharacteristically flustered. "My lady, I had intended to depart on that skyship within the week. Now I must make other plans, and for that I must request your assistance."
• <M Holmes> Pallos looks back, wanting to move his casualty on, but thinking this might be important.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian shoots Pallos a blank look.
• <Isadora> "Remind me," Isadora says as if inquiring about the weather, "why it is that you're so determined to leave. Trouble at home that needs minding, perhaps?"
• * Isadora waves a quick hand at Pallos--not his problem.
• <M Holmes> Pallos sorta nods, and heads on his way.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian doesn't meet Isadora's eyes, "Something like that, yes. More precisely, trouble that needs minding somewhere other than here."
• <Isadora> "That's all right, then. I had this strange idea that you were going to spit on my hospitality by suggesting I'd abandon a friend. I must have dreamt it up while drinking too much." Her eyes glint.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian shifts uncomfortably. "My lady, I don't have many friends these days. I would prefer not to risk their lives in something that does not concern them."
• <Isadora> "If you think your friends are unconcerned with your troubles, it's little wonder you don't have many. I have told you, more times than I normally care to repeat myself, not to insult me by implying my cowardice."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian's eyes blank in memory, "You misunderstand, my lady. I have few friends because I made the mistake of involving them in this before. None of them survived."
• <Isadora> "Ah, so my duties out here are too troublesome to disturb me? I would avoid your danger because it's too... dangerous? I find it fantastic that you can call me a friend, but know me so little." Isadora's tone has grown gradually less light and more edged.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian's eyes flash. "I suppose it was foolish of me to expect you to understand. I shall seek assistance elsewhere then. Good day, my lady."
• * Isadora steps to block Sebastian's path, voice low so that any passing patients won't hear. "Damn it, why aren't we helping each other? Who in this camp will I discuss marriage with, if not you?"
• <Sebastian> Sebastian stops in shock. "Ah... um... er..." His eyes dart around frantically. He finally manages: "Might I offer you a drink in my tent, my lady?"
• <Isadora> "That would be nice," Isadora says dryly and follows him there.
• <Sebastian> *
• <Sebastian> Sebastian pours Isadora a glass of his slowly dwindling stock. "Perhaps you could have a seat and we could try this again, my lady?"
• * Isadora sprawls in a seat and drinks, reflecting that at least she's managed to stop him from leaving for a moment. "Okhfels just asked me to marry him, and I don't think he has half an idea how much trouble it could be."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian's eyes flash as he considers the angles.
• <Sebastian> "Hmm... What do you see as the potential problems? I am curious to see if our thoughts are the same..."
• * Isadora ticks off points on her fingers. "A marriage from home is unlikely at this point--I've enough letter writing to do, just keeping them too busy to worry about me. The Vaajari seem unlikely to be bought in such a fashion, and Sel-kai wouldn't regard us as enough of a territory to worry about. So I'm available... but he's no aristocrat, unless I know even less about Teth Hold than I think."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian nods, "You are correct. He is not a member of the Tethian nobility."
• <Sebastian> "So, he is not a noble. What are the advantages?"
• <Isadora> Isadora, sighing, seems to find this calculating part of the conversation a little distasteful. "Loyalty, but I already have that. More stability for the camp, depending on how it's presented. Closer ties to the Tethite refugees, which I would like to pursue."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian lets the silence sit for a moment, then smiles gently, "Do you love him?"
• <Isadora> "I don't really see what that has to do with the question," Isadora says a bit testily, "but yes."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian smiles sadly, "I know it does not matter to you, but does it matter to him? What I mean is, there does not seem to be a better political marriage, so is it worth it to you to do this for him?"
• <Isadora> "It's the only thing that matters to him, or nearly. He also says it would tweak the Rhiani's noses, which is probably true, and maybe worth doing." She drains the rest of the drink, then looks at Sebastian solemnly. "I've always found stories of aristocrats marrying beneath their station to be appallingly trite."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian takes a small sip from his glass. "How familiar are you with Tethian marriage customs?"
• <Isadora> "Not at all, except that apparently there's a knife involved, which is all right. I was thinking of visiting Beliria to ask about the matter." She grimaces a bit.
• <Sebastian> "Has he told you that you'll have to fashion a sheath for the knife?"
• <Isadora> "It might have been mentioned. I was still picking up my wits at that point in the conversation, I admit."
• * Isadora rolls the cup around in her fingers, her expression growing thoughtful. "I could knight him."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian nods, "You could probably get away with it too. He is, by all accounts, quite an effecient military leader."
• * Isadora quirks a brow at him. "You're taking this a little more calmly than I expected."
• <M Holmes> There's a knock.
• <Isadora> "Yes?" calls Isadora, before remembering it's not her tent.
• <M Holmes> "Ah, might I interrupt?" Narbin's voice.
• <Isadora> "Come on, then. Don't be all day about it."
• <M Holmes> "Ladship, Pallos says that you're considering sending him on a mission to Kaitaine," Narbin begins. "I wanted to just say that I think this is absolutely neccessary at this point, and that I volunteer my services to undertake the trek once more."
• <Isadora> "Your enthusiasm is invigorating. I agree about the necessity, but is there something else I should know about?"
• <M Holmes> "Well," Narbin is looking for the right words. "It's just that I'm eager. Could we begin immediately? I mean, why wait? Pallos and I could be ready to leave at first light."
• <M Holmes> "But not if we don't begin to prepare right now."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian looks hard at Narbin, "I fear the trip will not be that quick..."
• <Isadora> Isadora shrugs. "Prepare, then, but don't leave before coming to see me." Her tone indicates that Narbin is dismissed--she wants to finish this talk with Sebastian.
• * Bird has quit IRC (Disintegrated: )
• <M Holmes> Narbin looks back at Sebastian for a moment as if to say, "I'm going to do what she said, unless you register your protest with Isadora right now."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian just nods.
• <M Holmes> Narbin nods and leaves the tent with a grin.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian takes another sip of wine. "Despite what you may believe of me, my lady, it gives me no pleasure to abandon you here. I believe that I have served you well, and that we have developed an effective working relationship. Who will you turn to for advice when I am gone? Egani? Ha!"
• <Sebastian> "There are only two people I see you comfortable enough around to speak openly with, and as much as I may dislike the man personally, one of them is Okhfels."
• <Isadora> "I go to Okhfels for advice when I want to do the good thing," Isadora says. "But he's not a bastard like you."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian smiles slightly, "And that is what worries me. He does not really understand how the world works, how people work. Which is why I am glad you have someone else to talk to. Someone who, honestly, is probably more suited to you than I."
• <Isadora> Isadora leans forward, looking at Sebastian intently. "You know you shouldn't leave."
• * Lxndr is now known as Bird
• <Sebastian> Sebastian's eyes soften, "The only thing I want more than to stay here is to not be the cause of the death of all I hold dear. Once is more than enough."
• * Isadora slams her fist on the chair and rises suddenly. "Go, then, if you think so little of us." She'll stride out, then, unless Sebastian stops her.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian's hand shoots out, grabbing Isadora's arm at the elbow, "Do not insult me so!"
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• * Isadora spins on her heel, hand clapping down on her sword hilt. "We've been down this road," she says in a tight voice. "Remove your hand."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian's eyes harden, "And you were wrong that time as well."
• <Isadora> "I warned you then," she grates out. "This is the last time."
• * Pag_XP has left #indie_nar
• <Sebastian> Sebastian looks long and hard at Isadora, and releases her. "Very well, run from this problem as you have from so many others." He turns his back contemptuously.
• <Isadora> Isadora's pride would compel her to repay the insults somehow, but Sebastian's last words throw a red haze over Isadora's vision, and she moves without thinking. The rapier makes a wet noise as it enters Sebastian's back and pierces out the front between two ribs.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian turns around slowly, gently pulling the blade from Isadora's hand. His eyes are sad, "I hope that one day you can forgive me for this, my lady..."
• <Isadora> Most of the anger vanishes as the sword hilt leaves her hand, and Isadora looks at Sebastian as he turns. "Damn it all."
• <Sebastian> Sebastian looks down at the blade. "It was a good thrust, my lady. I hate to be a further burden, but do you think you could find Laura for me? I sense that this wound is a bit more serious than the last."
• <Isadora> Horror and grim determination pass over Isadora's face in quick succession. "Bleed slowly," she bites off, then whirls out to find Laura. She'll drag the other woman there with no explanation.
• <M Holmes> *
• <M Holmes> Isadora returns dragging a frantic Laura behind her.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian is sitting on the floor, the blade still poking out of his coat.
• <Isadora> "He wanted to see you," says Isadora furiously, wiping a hand across her eyes.
• <M Holmes> Laura looks at the both of them, "How?"
• <Sebastian> Sebastian silently looks up from the floor and extends his hand to Laura.
• * Isadora paces back and forth in a tight path, then something seems to snap in her and she goes to kneel behind Sebastian, supporting him so he can talk to Laura.
• <M Holmes> Laura takes his hand. "Who did this to you?"
• <M Holmes> Seeing the rapier still there she asks, "This is your blade, isn't it?"
• <Isadora> "Of course it is," she says, voice shaking. "Who else would it belong to?"
• <Sebastian> Sebastian weakly pulls Laura to him and speaks quietly, "Forgive me for this, my love... I had intended to speak with you. I wished to make amends."
• <M Holmes> Laura can't get past the blade, "Why did you do it? What could have made you run him through?"
• <Isadora> "Talk to me later," Isadora says to Laura, the gentlest reminder she can manage that Sebastian's time is short.
• <M Holmes> Laura remembers herself, and grasps Sebastian's hand tightly, "Hold on. Isadora's sent for Egani, I'm sure. This isn't as bad as it looks. You're going to make it, Sebastian, hold on."
• <M Holmes> She looks back to Isadora for confirmation on Egani.
• <Isadora> Isadora, in fact, did tell someone to go for Egani on her way to find Laura.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian shakes his head sadly, "No, my love, I will be dead within minutes." He struggles to look Laura in the eyes, "I... I ask that you promise me something."
• <M Holmes> "Nooo. Don't say that Sebastian," she starts to accept just how desperate the situation is. Then something dawns on her, "Fahd. We'll get Fahd. He can stop your spirit from leaving. He can delay the crow from taking you to the other side. You don't have to die. Then Egani can heal you. It's going to be alright."
• <Sebastian> Tears stream down Sebastian's face, "I am sorry, my love, but there is no time. I... left a letter for you with Alexander, it explains much. I ask only that you remember that I love you. I hope that you find the peace you seek here, among the Rhiani."
• <M Holmes> "Shut up, Sebastian!" she cries out. "Don't you quit on me! Fight damnit, stay alive!"
• <M Holmes> She gathers up Sebastian's body in her arms even as he's fading.
• <Isadora> Isadora, not entirely callous, doesn't mention her recent grievances on the subject of Sebastian quitting. She lets Sebastian go as Laura pulls him close.
• <Sebastian> Sebastian manages to whisper into her ear before he loses consiousness, "I hope you can forgive me, my love."
• <M Holmes> "No, no, no, no, no," Laura keeps repeating the word like a Rhiani chant that can somehow bring Sebastian back.
• <Isadora> "I'll get the priest," Isadora says, her voice flat as she rises and leaves.

• <M Holmes> As Egani returns home with his Xenium, he notes that Arblak is lurking around the workshop once again.
• <Egani> "Ah, hello! I thought you'd be back."
• <M Holmes> Arblak, as usual, tries to dissapear. Unsuccessfully. He's also trying to hide somthing behind his back.
• <Egani> "Come here. We need to talk. Tell me, can you see things that others do not? Especially here in my workshop?"
• * Egani pulls a large brass-wire cage off a shelf and sets it on a marginally clear workbench. "Tell me what's different about these birds compared to all the others that you see flying about."
• <M Holmes> Arblak seems lost for a moment, but soon catches on as Egani figures out how to get the idea across to him. Arblak says, "The birds are left-hand triangle energy transfer conduits."
• <M Holmes> Which is precisely correct.
• * Egani blinks.
• <M Holmes> As Arblak begins to speak, Egani notes that what Arblak is trying to hide is what looks to all appearances to be a very small corpse.
• * Egani pointed peeks around Arblak's back.
• <M Holmes> Arblak catches on, and after trying to hide it again for a moment, brings it out and lays it on the table. "It's dead," he says with only a hint of sorrow.
• <M Holmes> The tiny corpse has a twisted little face, and pointy features.
• <M Holmes> The little body is seething with essence, and Egani's perceptiveness of such things shows him something deep about the nature of this creature. It's an evil little imp of some sort. Not just a mischievious sort of imp, but a wholly malevolent spirit packed into a tiny little body.
• <M Holmes> "I was thinking..."Arblak says, looking at the corpse.
• <M Holmes> He can't seem to get out what it is he wants.
• <Egani> "Where did you find this?"
• <M Holmes> "He's my friend. He came to me in the swamp. At first I thought he came from the White Wood. But now I think he came from where the essence comes from," says Arblak. He seems to want to say more.
• <Egani> "How long did you two play together?"
• <M Holmes> Out the window of the workshop, Egani can see Dhazari approaching the homestead as Arblak replies, "Years and years he's been my friend. We hunt together for Rhosiar."
• <Egani> "How did you get him killed?"
• <M Holmes> Arblak's look says, "how did you know?"
• <Egani> "Oh, that's how it always is. But don't worry about it. It wasn't really a person."
• <M Holmes> Looking down at his tattered foot wrappings, Arblak says through his unruly tusks, "He drowned. And I didn't get to him in time. And he was my friend. The only friend I've ever had."
• <M Holmes> Dhazari calls out as he approaches, "Egani. Egani are you here?"
• <Egani> "In here!" Egani calls out while casually tossing a blanket over the dead imp.
• <M Holmes> Dhazari comes into doorway, "Egani, the casualties need...."
• <M Holmes> He sees Arblak, "Oh, you. Didn't Okhfels kick you out? What are you doing back here?"
• * Egani looks around for Archelaus -- he's been worrying that this would happen.
• <Egani> "Oh, Arblak?"
• <Egani> "Why, what happened?"
• <M Holmes> Dhazari looks at Egani as if wondering if the question is aimed at him. Then, "This one? He lurks out in the swamp, and occasionally comes to haunt the camp. Been around here for years. Seems harmless, but then from the looks of him, probably not, no?"
• <Egani> "I don't know yet. He's been helping me here. Step'n'fetchit kind of stuff mostly."
• <M Holmes> Rhosiar comes into the room from the other door. Dhazari spies her and explodes, "Vile hag! By what madness do you think it right to let your shadow darken the ground of the Rhiani and those we protect!"
• <M Holmes> He indicates Egani.
• <M Holmes> "I was invited!" she spits in return.
• <M Holmes> "Nice way to greet your mother, Dhazari."
• * Egani looks back and forth between them.
• <M Holmes> "You're no longer Rhiani, no longer my mother!" says Dhazari, drawing his blade. Rhosiar raises a bit of swamp grass tied into the form of a man.
• * Egani steps between the two, thundering "This is my house!"
• <Egani> "Explain yourselves to me."
• <M Holmes> Dhazari pulls up. Rhosiar continues to brandish the man of reeds.
• <Egani> "Rhosiar, please. Have I been a poor host?"
• <M Holmes> Dhazari says, "This one courts demons. She was removed from the tribe years ago. Before that she was my mother, but not a good one even then. Her presence sickens me."
• <Egani> "But you are flesh of her flesh..."
• <Egani> "Dhazari, I know what you think, but think deeper. Feel what you feel. No man, or woman, is so far gone that they can not be healed."
• <M Holmes> Apparently these words go straight to Dhazari's heart, and his demeanor changes. Without lowering his sword he says, "What I feel is betrayed! My father died when I was very young. She was all I had. Why couldn't she be like her sister, my aunt, a respected member of the tribe? Why did she have to choose to become not-Rhiani?"
• <M Holmes> Rhosiar simply turns without answering him and walks out of the room. Just as she's about to do so, however, she says, "Meet your half-brother, Dhazari."
• <M Holmes> Dhazari, momentarily dazed, turns to look at Arblak in shock.
• * Egani makes sure that he's in a position to protect Arblak.
• <Egani> "Your mother has had a rough life Dhazari. Consider."
• <M Holmes> Dhazari, sword still bared, looks at Arblak. Considering. Arblak, despite baring his massive dentition in a defensive pose, doesn't look like he could stop the scimitar barehanded.
• <M Holmes> After a moment, Dhazari turns suddenly and departs the room.
• <M Holmes> Arblak, obviously disturbed, and not fully understanding all that has passed, breathes heavily, the signs of stress all over him.
• * Egani thumps Arblak on the back a couple of times and turns a big grin to him. "Let's go have a look at your friend."
• <M Holmes> Rhosiar returns to the doorway, noting that Dhazari has left. "Don't tell Dhazari about Arblak's...ability."
• <Egani> "He's not ready to hear such news."
• * Okhfels has quit IRC (Disintegrated: Fading back into the gloom...)
• <M Holmes> "He's not only half lugro, but he's also a Marlek...every so often one is born into the tribe who naturally has the power of magic, magic like yours. It's considered a curse. But it's not Arblak's fault," she says.
• <M Holmes> Arblak lifts the cover off of the creature, his sole friend in the world. He gestures Egani to come to it. "Can you fix him?"
• <Egani> "Let's see what we can do together."
• <M Holmes> *<br>