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Holmes: As Egani herds Hilda the first out of the way to see what he can do with her, all eyes fall on Okhfels, who appears to be some barbarian king. Looking back, Fahd notes that the watching people arrayed along the shore are a mix of the communities back in the mundane world being projected across as though they were the people of the city, along with actual spirits from the long dead city.
Okhfels: Okhfels nods. He has been rehearsed for this moment, and walks to the edge of the water.
Holmes: Belnif comes along with Okhfels, and points down in the water. Sure enough, with his help, Okhfels can see the spirit of the mud below looking up at Okhfels contemptuously. Challenging him to try something.
Holmes: Alshor stands by Okhfels, ready to strike the drum, if Okhfels commands it.
Okhfels: "Alshor... strike Enemies Fear the Shaking Earth."
Holmes: The Mud Spirit stops milling about as he hears the drum beats.
Okhfels: "Hear me, Alshouckgah."
Okhfels: Okhfels stamps one foot on a stone on the muddy bank. A tremor shakes the land, and a great crack starts to open, drawing muck down into the earth.
Okhfels: "Hear me, Alshouckgah!"
Holmes: The spirit is definitely paying attention now, but moving agitatedly as if trying to show that it is not scared.
Okhfels: Okhfels stamps his other foot, and another crack opens. "Come, Alshouckgah! Come or I shall banish you to the depths."
Holmes: Not far behind Okhfels, Dhazari takes his eyes off of the goings on to look suspiciously at what looks like Aysha standing there.
Holmes: Taking a cue from Okhfels, and simply seeming inspired by what's going on, after a few glances, the Troll shaman comes beside the lake and shouts trememdously at the lake, too.
Holmes: Elle looks at Okhfels, and does nothing, as she's not been asked to do anything. So she stands with arms crossed.
Egani: From behind, Egani works to bind the spirt to Okhfels' project.
Holmes: With the help of those around him, the Mud spirit soon cowers before Okhfels-as-king, and asks what he must do.
Okhfels: "Bring up all of the best clay, and make a way, twice as wide as I am tall, from here to the island."
Okhfels: "Anchor it in the bottom, and make the top flat and smooth."
Holmes: The mud at the bottom of the lake begins dancing obsequiously to Okhfels' commands.
Holmes: At this, people from back in the mundane world pass fire brands through the opening to those waiting to take them forward to Okhfels. Other people perform minor bits of the ritual. Okhfels notes that Beliria stands on a high spot nearby, trying, as usual, to boss people about.
Okhfels: "Bring the fuel!" Okhfels points out onto the causeway. Wood and tinder that have been stacked in preparation is gathered up, and Okhfels leads a procession out onto the packed clay causeway. One by one, the workers lay down their burdens, covering the bridge with a thick layer of wood and charcoal.
Holmes: Behind Okhfels, Leomar sees Marklaus approach Okhfels from behind...almost like he's sneaking up.
Leomar: Leomar just watches.
Egani inspects the fireworks, shifting things here and there, building for better draft. He also prepares some chemical reagents that will help the fire to gain and maintain heat.
Holmes: Marklaus gets Okhfels attention, and the big man notes as he turns that Elle is looking over at him concerned for a moment. Then she looks away.
Holmes: "We have to speak," says Marklaus.
Okhfels: "Now is kind of a bad time, Marklaus. What's wrong?"
Holmes: "Look at her," Marklaus gestures at Beliria. "You can't honestly think that she's right to be in any way part of this new place for the Tethians. She represents the worst of Teth. We can start new, Okhfels. We should make her a sacrifice to the spirits, and be done with her."
Holmes: "You once said to me that you'd do anything to make a place for us," he says. "Did you mean that? Then do what must be done."
Leomar: Leomar steps up to the conversation.
Okhfels: Okhfels brow creases.
Leomar: "Marklaus, are you insane?"
Okhfels: Okhfels lets Leomar talk for now.
Egani recruits help to lay flat slabs of sun-baked mud atop the small towers of wood. Once the fire is going well, these will reflect the radiated heat down, into the surface of the bridge.
Leomar: "If we begin this venture by killing our own, what was the point?"
Holmes: "She made Okhfels kill my brother," he says. "I'm more sane now than I've ever been."
Leomar: Leomar is knocked out of his righteousness. "We haven't even - what? Okhfels, is this true?"
Okhfels: "She didn't /make/ me do anything, Marklaus."
Holmes: "She didn't tell you that my brother had assaulted her?" Marklaus replies. "She lied to you, Okhfels. Lied."
Okhfels: "I was young, and she told me lies, but in the end it was my hammer that did him in. So if she is to blame, then so am I. Now go back to the land... you don't want to be out here when I light this up."
Isadora stands conferring with Fahd and Lucian, blissfully too far away to hear this conversation.
Okhfels: Okhfels takes up a position near the island end of the causeway
Leomar: Leomar is appalled, and follows Okhfels. "Okhfels, if what Beliria said wasn't your reason, then what was it?"
Okhfels: "Leomar... go back to the bank. This isn't the right time."
Okhfels: Okhfels takes a deep breath, facing the fuel that stands between him and the island
Leomar: Leomar is torn between standing and arguing and retreating to safety. After a moment of consideration, he settles for making a vaguely threatening gesture and storming away.
Holmes: The troll, seeing what's about to happen seems to recognize that it needs to do something. It approaches Egani, reaching into it's huge bag for something.
Okhfels: Okhfels blows out a tremendous breath, and the fuel erupts into flame.
Okhfels: Okhfels walks back along the causeway, magically stoking the fires as he goes.
Egani watches the troll with interest.
Holmes: As Egani's preparations add to the conflagration behind them, the troll pulls out a skin; one of the skins of the giant snakes of the White Wood. It also produces a frame. Then it gestures to the huge conflagration. After a moment, Egani realizes that what it wants is for Egani to make for him an enchanted drum.
Holmes: A move of genius for a troll, it seems. But then this is no ordinary troll.
Egani takes the equipment, sizing things up and begins to fabricate the snakeskin drum.
Holmes: For a moment, Egani thinks that the troll may be baring his tusks at him, but then he realizes that this is what passes for a smile on a ten foot monster.
Holmes: The supporters on the shore fan the flames with their cloaks too
Egani: As the fire burns, Egani augments the rude parts supplied by the troll with doodads of his own -- leather thong, rubbery adhesive and brass tensioners. Marcia watches wide-eyed as her husband collaborates with the beast.
Okhfels: As his part is now done, Okhfels goes to talk with Leomar, as the bridge cools in the steaming water.
Okhfels: Okhfels takes Leomar aside, instructing Alshor to make sure noone comes close for a while.
Leomar: Leomar's calmed down a bit, but he still has a grim expression. "I'm owed an answer, I believe."
Okhfels: "No, you're not, but I'm going to give you one anyways."
Okhfels: "I was kept away from folks when I was a child. They thought I wasn't very smart. I grew up in the forge, once they found out I was good with fire."
Okhfels: "So I didn't really know how things work when I met Beliria."
Okhfels: "She lied to me, and I went out to beat up Marklaus's brother."
Okhfels: "He was the first person I had ever struck in anger."
Okhfels: "So yeah... I killed a man. And I was never the same."
Leomar: "So, because you were ignorant you had the right to do whatever you wanted?"
Okhfels: "What do you want, Leomar? What do you want me to do?"
Leomar: "I..." Leomar flounders.
Okhfels: "Maybe leave my home, never to return? Done."
Okhfels: "Maybe make amends with the man's family? Done."
Leomar: Without much spirit, Leomar eventually answers "Well... Don't kill Beliria."
Okhfels: "Don't worry, Leomar. I'm not going that way. I'm not the man I was."
Leomar: Leomar starts to feel that maybe he's made a fool of himself.
Okhfels: Okhfels claps Leomar on the shoulder.
Okhfels: "Come on... there's still lots more work."
Okhfels: *
Egani: As Egani puts the finishing touches on the drum, including infusing it with powerful essence, he tests the tonal quality, striking it 2/3 of the distance from the center to the rim. It booms out with a low quavering tone. Egani smiles and hands it to the strange monster.
Holmes: The troll repeats Egani's test, and the grimacing smile that it showed him before comes back even larger than previously.
Egani: Seeing that the troll is happy, Egani climbs back aboard his wagon and readies the mules to cross the bridge.
Holmes: A representative carrying device fashioned by some of the crones of the Rhiani camp is brought forth, and as it does, it appears to become the ornate carrying device that originally was prepared for this ritual. The next station is for Okhfels and Isadora to carry this over the causeway.
Holmes: The sun glints brightly off the very level and shining surface of the baked bridge to the temple.
Okhfels: Okhfels takes his end, holding it out for Isadora to put the gemstones where they belong.
Okhfels: "I'll take the lead," he says quietly, "And try to find the cooler spots for you."
Egani sets the queen's head where it can see and comment.
Holmes: The head says in it's typically manic tone, "There, on the temple. I can see the spot!"
Isadora sets the stones in place with great care. She flashes a grin at Okhfels, which looks strange on her current face. "As long as my feet don't burn off before the other side, I'll be fine."
Isadora takes up the other end.
Okhfels: Okhfels takes the handles with the platform behind him, and starts making his way down the middle of the causeway.
Okhfels: "You keep them steady, I'll make sure of the path."
Holmes: The marble of the carrying case weighs tremendously.
Okhfels: Okhfels takes his grip far back along the way, taking most of the weight.
Egani: As they set off, Egani follows the pair, keeping a close lookout, ready to ward off interruptions.
Leomar: Leomar glances skyward and an icy wind leaps up, rapidly cooling the fresh-baked road.
Egani: In additon to watching out for standard disturbances, Egani has a book open and as he reads aloud, he reaches out and cools the ground under Isadora's feet.
Isadora does her best to share the burden, ignoring the strain in her arms and lingering pockets of heat in the road.
Holmes: Okhfels and Isadora manage to carry the gems across in perfect unison. Some pain for Isadora when done, but for the trip, she shows no weakness at all.
Holmes: Setting the gems down, everyone looks to the temple for signs of the scorpion guardians.
Holmes: Isadora sees something strange happening in the flow of time here, something forming just ahead. Egani and the shamans see it too.
Isadora flexes her hands surreptitiously after they set down the gems, stepping forward with her eyes on the disturbance.
Okhfels: Okhfels looks where Isadora is looking. "What?"
Egani: Looking to Fahd, Egani asks "is this something you know?"
Holmes: Egani looks behind him, and notes that the robed figure, supposedly one of the Rhiani warriors who's been running things in and out is no longer a Rhiani warrior. Instead, in his robes, stands Archelaus.
Holmes: Fahd says, "It's....Elahra."
Holmes: And a glimmering projection of Elahra does erupt onto the scene.
Okhfels: Okhfels mutters. "Ash and Smoke."
Holmes: "Before you go on, we must have speaks," she says.
Isadora glances sideways at Okhfels as she steps up beside him.
Okhfels: "Speak, then."
Egani: While attention is on Elahra, Egani gestures Archelaus toward the wagon.
Holmes: Archelaus slips inside.
Holmes: Elahra waves her hands and says some very arcane sounding words (which Egani knows is an ancient language of the gods, but not what it says), and suddenly Sebastian's visage is drawn instantly to her.
Holmes: All about Sebastian's presence, there is a tear in space, and a very advanced city can be seen beyond. She says a few more words in the odd language, and then says, "Tell them Sebastian!"
Holmes: The break in space around Elahra shows that she is still safely held in the stockade. Well her body anyhow.
Sebastian: Sebastian blinks and looks at Isadora, clearly making an effort to look her in the eyes. "Um... I haven't really been keeping up as well as, perhaps, I should. You didn't happen to send that letter to the Ullizis did you, my lady?"
Holmes: Fahd examines the bindings he has on the stockade, satisfied that Elahra can't escape this way, at least.
Isadora: Isadora's expression is calm as she returns Sebastian's stare. "My correspondence has been busy, of late. Could you be more specific?"
Holmes: Exasperated, Elahra says, "If you don't have somebody free me, now, Sebastian will be informing some powerful people that you're taking what's theirs."
Sebastian: Sebastian Sebastian looks a bit uncomfortable, "Well, I had written a letter to the Ullizis explaining the situation at the lake to them. I had finished it the day, well... you know. I was wondering if you had gone through my things and happened to find it...?"
Sebastian: Sebastian looks hard at Elahra, his eyes expressing deep disappointment. "Anyway, if they have not reveived that letter, then I'm afraid my little revelation will be upsetting to them.
Isadora looks at Elahra incredulously. "You want me to help you out of the pit you dug because you're threatening me with the ire of powerful people?"
Holmes: "If, on the other hand, you let me go, I'll have him deliver the message that Sebastian intended to send in the first place. Securing you against them," she offers. "Yes, I wan't out."
Sebastian: "Oh, perhaps I should mention (though I am not sure it will matter to you, my lady) that I expect such a meeting to be very... uncomfortable for me. The Ullizis will not be happy with me."
Holmes: First Egani, and then Okhfels, both feel that somebody is mentally sneaking into Okhfels mind, trying to command him to attack Isadora.
Egani doesn't really know what he's doing, but he's trying to track the attack to the source.
Okhfels: Okhfels steels himself.
Okhfels: "Isadora... go on."
Isadora shakes her head, her eyes hard. "Approach me another day, I might consider it. But to bring this before me today, and in such a fashion..." She looks from Sebastian to Elahra. "You can rot."
Holmes: Elahra screams in rage. Sebastian disappears into the streets of Sel-kai, and she fades back to her cage.
Egani: As Egani tries to figure the situation out, he mutters to his companions in the wagon, "Are you guys seeing this?"
Sebastian: Before he disappears, Sebastian offers Isadora a sad shrug as if to say, "I didn't think you cared..."
Holmes: Egani can see that the attack comes from one of the spirits in the crowd on the shore. As though it's a memory, he feels that this attack happened the first time, too. Not in the record of the event, however.
Egani hops down and approaches Isadora and Okhfels, watching the big man carefully, ready to defend Isadora.
Holmes: Egani can see the man in the crowd, his face contorted with pain as he's obviously repelled by Okhfels with...Archelaus' help?
Egani: Gesturing to one of Okhfels' soldiers and then pointing to the culprit Egani uncharacteristically gives an order. "That one there. See him? He's attacked your commander. Bring him here alive."
Holmes: Okhfels senses that he's recieved aid from somewhere nearby...from someone who's mind is familiar.
Isadora: Now noticing something going on with Okhfels and Egani, Isadora shoots a questioning look back at them.
Holmes: The soldiers chase off after the culprit, but when the reach the shore pull up before the city, wondering if they should go in after this spirit.
Egani: "You're OK then?" Egani asks Okhfels.
Okhfels: As the attack eases off, Okhfels opens his eyes. "Yes.... yes, whoever he is, he failed. Thank you, Egani."
Egani: "He's there, in the crowd. Y Our ? men don't seem comfortable aprehending him. I expect it's an agent of the Sorcerer."
Leomar: Not entirely sure what's going on, but keen to make amends for his earlier argument with Okhfels, Leomar pushes past the soldiers and runs towards the city.
Egani returns to his wagon and consults with the ancient queen and Archelaus -- either may have knowledge of this.
Holmes: Archelaus says quietly, from under cover, "He'll be no more trouble to us."
Okhfels: Watching Leomar disappear into the distance, Okhfels just shakes his head.
Egani: "My Queen, was this troublemaker a lone agent of the Sorcerer or part of a greater disturbance that we will have to deal with?"
Holmes: Looking back toward the temple Isadora sees, very close, two giant scorpions made of unbelievably green emerald, just about to pounce on her.
Leomar: "This spirit attacked your commander! Will you let that slight stand?" Leomar shouts to the hesitant soldiers as he passes them.
Holmes: A couple of the soldiers peel off and follow Leomar.
Egani calls out to Isadora "Look out...no, to your left...behind you!" trying to help her avoid her doom.
Lana: Suddenly Lana is standing next to Isadora. She looks over briefly, "I'm with you."
Holmes: A voice shouts out, as if from nowhere, "They can't see below themselves! Slide underneath!"
Holmes: The scorpion distracted by Lana, and Isadora following Egani's advice, she manages to perform the sliding technique, and the scorpions pass her and wander off into the far nothing beyond the lake. This leaves Isadora before the opening to the purification pool, but with a horse standing in her way.
Holmes: Isadora can see that it's one of the horsehearted practice's spirits.
Holmes: It looks into her eye, and she can tell that it does not want her to pass.
Okhfels: Okhfels watches the scorpions pass with some amusement, and then follows up behind Isadora.
Lana: Lana, also following Isadora, shoots Okhfels a dark look.
Isadora rolls back to her feet smoothly, staring back at the horse and addressing it calmly. "Why do you bar our path?"
Holmes: Bird, following along in all this, starts to have some vivid flashbacks. He's been here before. Before this was a memory. This is his memory. Or just as his is. Something happens, something big, just up ahead.
Holmes: Reading the spirit's signs with Fahd's help, the horse spirit's response comes to, "We must not abandon the plain."
Okhfels: "And you will not," says Okhfels, now used to this argument.
Holmes: The horse seems deaf to Okhfels. A voice from the back of the crowd shouts, "Push it out of the way, Okhfels!"
Bird mutters to herself. "I know this. This... this is mine."
Okhfels turns to see Aysha-Bird approaching.
Isadora says to the spirit, "Honoring the old places doesn't destroy the plains--strengthening the heart does not require cutting off the hands."
Bird walks up to the horse as if she always knows it... and perhaps she has. "Hello, girl. Recognize me?"
Bird takes a sugar cube out of her pocket, and offers it to the horse.
Holmes: The horse shakes it's head, but reluctantly steps aside. Apparently it wanted just one last reassurance.
Holmes: As the horse moves aside, Bird can see the purification chamber beyond, and it all comes back to him. How long ago, when this happened the first time, he had been Terian's assistant, and how Terian had been put at ease by having thwarted the diversionary attack outside, and how, he had controlled Terian's mind just long enough to ensure that the purification ritual was perverted.
Holmes: It had been he who had caused the temple to sink the first time.
Bird walks into the purification chamber, eyes open in wonder.
Bird: <<I know this place...>>
Isadora: Isadora-as-Terian, unaware of what's going on with Bird, also steps forward.
Okhfels: Okhfels puts his hand on Terian-Isadora's shoulder. "Hold on, just a second."
Okhfels: Okhfels turnst to Aysha-Bird. "What?"
Bird: <<I was there...>> *cough* "I was there, when the temple first sank..."
Isadora was just turning to gesture for Marvars to be brought forward--her own addition to the purification state, although it may have little parallel in the original.
Bird: "I should be here now. This is my place, as much as yours."
Bird looks at Isadora-as-Terian.
Okhfels: Okhfels looks on, pensive.
Isadora nods to Bird in acceptance.
Isadora: She then waves for Marvars to be brought up, still on the threshold of the purification chamber.
Isadora turns to face Marvars squarely, and says to him, "You planted an agent in my camp to undermine my efforts, and in so doing endangered the lives of us all. When exposed, you uttered grievous threats against my person and thus compounded your betrayl. You have broken faith with me as your vassal. Unless someone here will appeal for you, I will wash my hands of you before continuing."
Holmes: Dhazari looks like he has something to say, but waits to see what Isadora does with Marvars.
Holmes: Marvars, bewildered by the events and his environment, looks up at Isadora mumbling for mercy.
Holmes: Nearby Lucien looks on face impassive, but still somehow not entirely comfortable.
Isadora looks around those gathered nearby, cold eyes glinting in the old priest's face as the time for interruption grows short.
Bird: Isadora, I will vouch for him, if he swears to me; and if wrong happens by his hand again on this Quest, you may take us both.
Isadora: "What would you offer to right the wrongs he has already done?" Isadora asks Bird, wary at the unexpected request.
Isadora, I have been in here before; when it happened in truth, rather than in Quest. I know the motions, the rituals - how to ensure the purification succeeds, what Tarien did wrong. I will trade you this knowledge... IF Marvars gives me his word, and his fealty.
Okhfels: Okhfels nods. He thinks this is a good idea.
Isadora: "He meant to sell me into slavery when I confronted him with his treachery," Isadora says to Bird. "Why would you want to take this enemy of mine and hold him close?"
Holmes: Egani notes that some of the people from the city are coming up. He understands that Fahd, Isadora and them can see which are normal people, and which are spirits of the dead, but it's hard to see how. Now if he were to capture these spirits, and do essence analysis on them....
Bird: "I was given a second chance once - this is why I am still here. I only wish to pass it on, and allow someone else a second chance."
Holmes: Isadora relinquishes Marvars to Aysha-bird. But As she does so, it occurs to her that this person is getting inside her head. This occurs to Egani and Okhfels as well.
Isadora shoots an "I thought you didn't trust these people" look at Okhfels.
Okhfels: Okhfels' expression darkens considerably.

Holmes: Seeing that Idris is not sure of what he's seeing in the ritual, one of the Rhiani men says to him, "This is a memory of this place, long, long ago."
Idris nods
Idris: "a hole in time?"
Holmes: Idris notes that this man is one amongst many who are eying Idris and the Vajaari priestess with him. Their expressions are not very friendly.
Holmes: "I suppose," replies the man.
Idris is contemplative. "frightening."
Idris: "Who's memory? Or is it the world's?"
Holmes: "I think it's the memory of the lake," says the Rhiani. Then he looks at Idris' companion and says, "Is this your woman?"
Idris: "She is her own woman. She is a pristess and free."
Idris: "And so far as I know, memories do not exist by themselves. They are owned by someone."
Holmes: "Then call it an echo in time. Can you deny it? Look at it and you tell me what you think it is?" the Rhiani seems perturbed. "And who are you, anyhow, to question our ways? Has this priestess put you up to sabotage?"
Idris raises an eyebrow.
Idris: "I have no reason to doubt what I see--or question your ways. And I am no saboteur."
Idris thinks for a moment.
Idris: "Nor does she command me--I have no leader. What is your stake here. Do you follow Isadora?"
Holmes: "We all intend to make this place a stronghold against our enemies," the last word includes a pointed glance at the two of them.
Idris nods again, considering. "I am not your enemy unless you wish to make it so."
Idris: "Who commands this gateway? Who determines when and where it opens to? Which of them (gestures at the people leading thte ceremony) is the guide?"
Holmes: The Rhiani respect directness, and so he points to Isadora, "Yes, you ask her, if you want to be part. But heed well. Asking means asking to join with us, and in whatever comes of this undertaking."
Idris considers. "Why do you join? Protection? Belief that she is just? For a share in the spoils, whatever they are? Why you?"
Holmes: The man gestures to himself as if wondering why Idris wonders about him in particular. Then he thinks and replies, "The great wind is passing, changing the world. We must find a new way. Or all will be lost. I'm sure of that. There are spirits in there who can protect us."
Holmes: He gestures into the otherworld.
Idris: "I see. So it is fear." I nod. "Respectable. However, there are things beyond protection that I desire. Thank you for your candor."
Idris moves to approach the organizers of the ritual--and will wait to speak with the people who seem to be in command (Isadora ... and others?)

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