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Holmes: Agnes senses that, for some reason, the minds of the Forge seem to focus on Teodric suddenly and with force. He crumples, unconscious.
Agnes refuses to be distracted by Teo's strange behavior and continues to clutch his hand.
Kerem takes a rather concerned glance at Agnes and then, hesitantly, also keeps hold of Teodric's hand.
Agnes: Taking deep breaths, Agnes extends herself to include Teodric in the ritual even in his unconcious state. She knows that he'll need a first-hand record of this meeting.
Holmes: Agnes can hear the minds saying to her, "We need this one to maintain the link well. We'll give him back when we're done. He will remember."
Agnes: "Great Guardians. I can't begin to know what all has transpired while you have slept here. But times are chainging above. Great forces are marshalling on our borders and I seek a way to survive. I am trying to align all the great forces, yourselves included, into a plan for peace. The Creature of Earth known as the High King is raising a Murlogi army like the world has never seen."
Agnes: "Comets are being cast at cities. Forces intersect in all ways strange to us. Gods are walking the land. You protect the secrets of Tethior and of this forge. Scorpion and Badger are protectors of the city. The Two trees also protect this sacred land. And others. We must meet the High King in negotiation, not in combat."
Agnes: "Where do you stand? Badger and Scorpion are open to a deal."
Agnes can feel that the conversation is being absorbed by Teodric even while his role is passive.
Kerem listens, not necessarily happily.
Holmes: The minds speak, "We have felt a great twisting in the essence. Indeed massive powers must be afoot. We will certainly negotiate. But the powers of the Forge must not fall into the hands of the High King. The secret of Tethium alone would make him very powerful. There are other secrets, however, that would make him extremely dangerous to all life on Emer."
Holmes: In the midst of the meld, Agnes can feel Teodric's mind becoming part of the discussion.
Agnes: "Great ones, the High King already controls the secrets to Tethium."
Holmes: Tumult in the minds prevails for a moment.
Holmes: "Then it's even more important that he learn no more!"
Agnes: "I shall do as I have sword and protect the secrets with my final breath."
Holmes: "Then subjugation is preferable to destruction," say the minds with typical logic.
Holmes: Agnes becomes aware that Teodric seems to be strongly objecting to the plan she's proposing. Definitely wanting to look for an alternative.
Agnes sighs inwardly.
Kerem shifts uncomfortably.
Kerem: "...uh...I don't really know what's going on here, but...this High King guy wants to conquer Green Lake?"
Agnes: "Oh, he wants to conquer everything. But he's sort of reasonable -- at least to the extent that I think our needs don't interfere with his and we're probably the only people who understand that."
Agnes: "He needs magical spots underground and he's willing to kill everything to get them. But he doesn't _have_ to if it's better for him to leave us alone."
Holmes: Teodric's mind drops out of contact again, as do the mentalities of the Forge.
Kerem: "Does it have to be THIS magical spot underground?"
Agnes: "I don't know the specifics -- I think they're all over the place. It's just that if we can be a valuable ally and let him have his little earth nodes then we can get along."
Agnes: "Maybe even benefit from the relationship!" Agnes smiles at the hope.
Kerem: "So...how would it be better for him to not kill us?"
Agnes: Well, if we, and the considerable resources hereabouts will help to defend his interests, he'd be better off passing us by with that army for distant shores...right?
Kerem: "Okay. Well. That doesn't sound so bad. What's the problem?"
Agnes: "Just getting everyone to agree. There's a lot of animosity around here toward the Murlogi. It's kind of strange given how nice the people are for the most part."
Kerem: "Well...I mean...aren't Murlogi evil and horrible?"
Kerem: "Those are usually pretty good reasons to dislike people."
Kerem idly fidgets with something in his pocket.
Agnes: "Well, they have different ways of doing things. Not horrible. You should see their art!"
Agnes: "I admit they require a stout stick to motivate sometimes, and I've certainly put my share of them to death, but that's just how you get things done there."
Kerem: "It's just that, uh, I prefer my civilization to have less beating people to death and eating them, in general."
Kerem: "I think a lot of people feel this way."
Agnes: "Sure. And I'm not suggesting some kind of full integration...though there have been Murlogi members of Green Lake."
Agnes: "Anyway, here's our exit. Why did you happen along here with Teodric?"
Kerem: "I was hoping to ask Teodric about Tez."
Kerem: "That, uh, didn't work out."
Kerem: "Maybe you could tell me a little more about her."
Agnes: "Sure...I need to go find her anyway. What do you want to know?

Holmes: As Tez wanders about the city a bit, she ponders the dark garbed man she's just met. He says that he'll be staying a while, though he wasn't all that clear on his business. One thing is sure, though of the same stock as the Vajaari emissaries in town, the man is not like those people in demeanor at all.
Holmes: Ahead, Tez spots Chimrea heading towards a house that sits alone in a field.
Tez stares at Chimrea for a moment, standing stock still. She contemplates walking on by, or going back to 'her' room, but finds herself a bit lonely in this city and thinks perhaps the company of someone who doesn't like her is preferable to none at all. She turns her course to intercept with Chimrea's.
Chimrea stops immediately when she sees Tez. "Hey! How are you feeling?"
Tez considers that question thoughtfully. "Been better. Been worse." she finally decides on.
Chimrea: "That's fair," responds Chimrea with equal thoughtfulness. "Want to go around back and steal some cider from the kitchen?" She had been planning to go through the front door, but... well. Tez is a prime example of the shady things she's been up to lately.
Tez brightens a little, "Cider? I haven't had that in a long time."
Chimrea: "Our orchard's the best," Chimrea says, leading Tez around to the kitchen door and peeking inside to see if the coast is clear.
Tez follows her, trying to remember the taste. It lingers in the fog of her early memories. She slinks behind her, falling into her new old habits easily. "Who lives here?" she asks quietly.
Chimrea pats the door frame on her way in, like she was saying hello to an old friend. "My family lives here," she answers, matching Tez' volume. "I'm just, um, avoiding them a bit."
Tez: "Oh," she replies, and stays outside the door. "Sorry."
Chimrea: Grabbing a couple of mugs and a jug and pouring a healthy serving for each of them, Chimrea says, "Oh, come in! You're a guest." Her sense of manners quickly overwhelms her prudence.
Holmes: "... omebody won't get me something to eat. I guess I'll have to do it by myself!" says Aspasia as she lumbers into the kitchen, sweating from the heat. She turns to see Chimrea. She looks Chimrea up and down and continues, "Well, you must be my granddaughter."
Tez lingers on the threshold for a few moments more, before shuffling through. She tries not to stare around, remembering old rules of politeness.
Chimrea: "We've met, only I was much shorter then," Chimrea says to cover a momentary paralysis of fear. "Let me get you both something to eat."
Chimrea: "Oh! Grandmother, this is Tez. Tez, this is my grandmother the lady Aspasia."
Tez curtsies politely, "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Aspasia." she says with unconscious grace.
Chimrea shoots Tez a funny look, wondering again about who she was before this whole Akalatan thing.
Holmes: Aspasia nods to them both, considering them for a moment. Then, "Is there any food in this place?"
Holmes: "The Lords know, there are no servants in the place, besides the ones I brought," she continues.
Chimrea: "Yes, the servants were dismissed after..." Chimrea trails off, barely suppressing a look of horror. "Ah, grandmother, have you spoken to either of my brothers?"
Tez: "Cider, I hear." she smiles a little.
Chimrea: To buy herself a couple of seconds to think, she starts rummaging for food, shooting Tez a wide-eyed look of panic when she's turned away from Aspasia.
Holmes: "I have spoken with Osalder," says Aspasia in an ominous voice. "He says you've been running about like a commoner."
Tez raises a brow at Chimrea, then turns to the Lady, and engages her in polite conversation to distract her from Chimrea.
Holmes: Aspasia, ever the social butterfly, replies to Tez in kind.
Chimrea busies herself for a minute or two finding food, and comes back to the table with some bread, cheese, and chopped fruit. "So Osalder told you about mother and father?" she asks in a carefully neutral tone.
Holmes: "Yes," says Aspasia, "and it's a lot of nonsense, them traipsing off, and leaving you children with only some demon in this house to guard you. When they get back, they're going to get such a piece of my mind that they'll regret it."
Tez manages to recall her early training, her posture reflecting the remembered poses, her voice carries clearly but not too loudly. One might believe her a noble if it weren't for her bedraggled appearance. She pauses to let Chimrea ask her question.
Holmes: "Which is why..."
Holmes: Aspasia pauses thinking herself dramatic, but actually merely being pompous.
Holmes: "You are going to come back with me to Kaitaine once things settle down there."
Chimrea was starting to respond to the first part of Aspasia's speech, but her eyes widen at the last. "But I can't! I have"--inspiration strikes--"an obligation to Tez here."
Chimrea: "It is possible that Osalder unintentionally misinformed you. The spirit in this house is *not* a demon, and mother and father almost certainly are never coming back." Chimrea speaks with far more authority in her voice than she usually assumes at home.
Tez smiles and picks the thread up smoothly, "I regret that it is true, Milady. She is simply needed here in Green Lake, and I'm afraid it would be unacceptable for her to leave."
Holmes: Aspasia looks at Tez very skeptically. Then back at Chimrea, "What nonsense is this? Not coming back? I'd believe it of that oaf of a husband, but Isadora? That wouldn't be like her. I'm sure she'll be back after she's done whatever it is she's set out to do."
Chimrea: Internally, Chimrea vows loyalty to Tez--she's pretty sure it's the sane one talking right now, anyway.
Chimrea: "Both of them would return, if they weren't dead."
Tez radiates stability and authority, though her concentration is begining to slip slightly. "I am sorry, Milady Aspasia, that you had to hear..this terrible news so abruptly. I know this must ..come as a terrible shock for you, but rest assured that Chimrea will remain at least as safe here, as in what is...left of Kaitaine."
Holmes: Aspasia shakes her head, "Osalder said that they had disappeared? He wouldn't lie to me about something like that. Why are you making up this story?"
Tez darts a pleading look at Chimrea. She has no idea what's going on.
Chimrea sighs. "They disappeared, yes. The remaining local authority on spiritual matters said there was finality in it." Chimrea just barely avoids saying 'shaman,' realizing that will win no points here.
Chimrea: "But there are no bodies, so Osalder may want to avoid thinking of them as dead."
Holmes: Aspasia tries to take this in. She finds a chair and promptly seats herself in thought.
Tez: "Milady, would you like a few moments to yourself to collect your thoughts?"
Holmes: "I always said that this place would be her death," says Aspasia. She looks up at Chimrea, with a certainty in her eye, "All the more reason why you have to come back to Kaitaine with me. There can be nothing here that can be more important than you being safe..."
Chimrea: "Malwen would love Kaitaine," Chimrea says, "but grandmother, I really do have obligations here." She wonders if there's any way out of this conversation without being more specific.
Tez: "There are many things worth risking life and limb for, and fewer and fewer places that are safe, Milady." she trails off for a second, and begins again. "This place was not her death, as she had left here before she disappeared." she hopes she got that right.
Chimrea isn't sure if Tez' words will help, but her feeling of gratitude only deepens.
Chimrea: "And no meteors have fallen on Green Lake," Chimrea adds as a distraction.
Holmes: Aspasia looks at Tez as though she's impertinent. Then to Chimrea, "Yes, probably Malwen, too. But you're a girl, you need a civilized place, to learn manners, and refinement."
Holmes: "I don't want to hear any more about it," she says.
Holmes: "In your parents absence, I am your guardian. You must obey me."
Agnes: The bell on the front door sounds loudly, signalling the arrival of more guests.
Holmes: Aspasia looks to the door. "Probably some monster come to eat us all."
Chimrea: "I'll run and get that," Chimrea says and flees the kitchen to fling the door open.
Agnes: "Hey, Chimrea...wow, you look tense. You OK?"
Kerem smiles, a little nervously, and waves.
Agnes: "We brought Teodric, but he's...unconcious."
Tez stares after Chimrea longingly. "Milady Aspasia, I understand you are concerned for Chimrea... but please do not worry overmuch."
Chimrea: "Um, bring Teodric in here--" the room she points to is her parents', but she doesn't mention it--"and please, step into the kitchen to say hello."
Agnes helps lay Teo out on Okie's bed.
Chimrea: "I'm fine, but I've been telling grandmother that my parents are dead, and she wants to take me back to Kaitaine to be a proper lady."
Kerem wanders into the kitchen, sees Tez, and acquires a certain panicked expression. "Oh, hey, Tez. What are you doing...I mean, uh...what are you doing here?"
Agnes: "Oh! That sounds exciting...when do you leave?"
Chimrea: "I can't possibly leave. I have work to do here." Chimrea looks startled.
Chimrea: "But I'm being rude. How are you, Agnes?" she asks as she leads back to the kitchen.
Kerem catches the end of that. "Leave? Where...where are you going?"
Tez: "K..Kerem." She wavers a little. "A pleasure..to see you here. This is the Lady Aspasia, Chimrea's grandmother."
Agnes: "Oh, I could be better. Teodric doesn't want to compromise with the High King. The protectors of our city are all good with it, but boy is he stubborn!"
Chimrea: "Wait, what?" Caught between Aspasia and Agnes, Chimrea stares at the latter.
Kerem: "...ah." Kerem dips his head a little and bends, like he's seen nobles do before. "Pleasure to meet you, milady." He smiles.
Agnes: "Oh, hi Tez! When are we getting started on this thing?"
Agnes bows politely to the grandmother.
Agnes: "Oh, you know Teodric...right?"
Agnes: "He'll come around in time, I'm sure."
Agnes: "I just hope it's in time...if you take my meaning." Agnes smiles at her turn of phrase.
Holmes: "
Kerem: "Apparently Green Lake is going to be conquered by goblins unless we sell it to them first."
Tez: "Teodric? What is wrong with Teodric?"
Kerem: "Of all the colonies I could've escaped to, I had to choose this one."
Holmes: "Who are all of these people, Chimrea? Is this a marketplace, or a house!" Aspasia explodes, not able to take everything in.
Tez: "Please, let us talk elsewhere, the Lady is right, this is not proper to speak of in a polite home."
Tez tries to fight back the panic that is inching its way up her spine.
Kerem: "Well, I could eat."
Holmes: "Regil!" cries Aspasia for her manservant, "Regil!"
Chimrea: "Grandmother, I apologize for the bustle. Did Osalder already find you a room here?"
Chimrea: By 'here' Chimrea means the house--it would be unthinkable to put Aspasia up in an inn if she wanted to stay with family.
Holmes: "Yes," says Aspasia, getting the hint, but not taking it kindly. She heads up the stairs. "When you see Regil, send him up. And don't you go anywhere, young lady!"
Holmes: Regil comes in rapidly by the back door, almost upsetting the drinks in the kitchen, and heads up after his mistress.
Kerem cocks an eyebrow. "Nice lady.'
Tez slips into a chair with a little sigh and puts her head in her hands.
Agnes: "Wow, she's even more tense than you. What have you guys been up to?"
Kerem glances with concern at her, then at Chim, then sits near her. "Are you...okay, Tez?"
Chimrea gets more food for everyone, not saying anything for a minute. Finally to Agnes, she says, "She's just worried about me, and no one had told her that her daughter was dead."
Agnes: "Oh! How sad...so she just heard while we were all interrupting? Yikes. You know, that was confusing the way you said you were going to Kaitaine and then said you weren't."
Tez shudders and looks up. Faintly she replies, "I'm... very tired. I'm sorry... Sorry, Chimrea." she lapses into silence, returning her head to its cradle in her hands.
Chimrea reaches across the table and squeezes Tez' arm lightly. "You were magnificent."
Kerem: "Why would you want to go to Kaitaine? Everybody's FLEEING Kaitaine."
Kerem: "At least wait until they have a provisional government or something."
Chimrea: "She wants me to go back home with her," Chimrea explains, "because she hates the country. I'll try to convince her it's safer out here, for now."
Kerem glances at the two of them. "What, uh, happened?"
Agnes: "Maybe she wants to _form_ a provisional government!"
Agnes: "But you don't want to go with her? Didn't you just tell her that wasn't going to happen?"
Kerem: "It's not IMPOSSIBLE that she has a league of mercenaries in that dress of hers, but I think it's probably unlikely, and she's going to need one."
Agnes: "You can do a lot with charm."
Chimrea: "I panicked," Chimrea says flatly. "I'd like to avoid explaining that I'm involved with spirits out here, because it won't help the situation. Still, I'll have to give her something."
Tez: "Where..is Teodric?" she asks Agnes. "What happened?"
Kerem: "That's true. She might have some of that too, but, again, I didn't notice any."
Agnes: "Oh, he's in there." Agnes points through the doorway and sort of around the corner.
Agnes: "Chimrea, is she one of those old people who can't tell that you're a grown woman?"
Holmes: Looking at the doorway, Chimrea sees Fahd there. "May I enter?" he asks.
Holmes: Fahd is respecting the house spirit he knows watches over Chimrea and the other occupants.
Chimrea waves Fahd in, although she knows it may not be her approval he's waiting for.
Tez stands slowly, and heads for the room Teo is in. When she finds him, she kneels down by the side of the bed and watches him for a time.
Chimrea: "To be honest, I can't tell if I'm a grown woman most days," Chimrea says a little crankily to Agnes.
Holmes: Fahd waits a moment, and then enters. "You are wise beyond your years, Chimrea," he says as he approaches.
Holmes: "And blessed of Rozgar."
Kerem glances after Tez, then turns to Fahd as he walks up.
Chimrea blinks, not sure how to respond to that.
Chimrea: "Kerem, Agnes, this is Fahd, shaman of Rozgar. I don't know if you've met."
Holmes: Fahd acknowledges them all with the slightest of head movements. Then to Chirmea, "I have a duty to attend to... Teodric's father may pass tonight. I have another duty to attend to, the Dance of the Dead tonight."
Holmes: Chimrea recalls that tonight is, indeed, a ritual eve for the tradition.
Holmes: "I think you should lead the ceremony tonight," he says, finally.
Chimrea: "Would the tribe accept me?" Chimrea looks a little nervous.
Tez remembers their first meeting hazily, and smiles a little. She touches his hand lightly and whispers, "Don't die Teodric. I... I'm sorry." She sighs softly, resting her head against the bed next to him. "It's all so confusing."
Agnes flashes a 'thumbs-up' to Chimrea, trying to suppress her wide grin.
Holmes: "They will accept you, if you accept your place amongst them," says Fahd.
Chimrea lets out a long breath. "How soon do you need to know if I can do it?" Chimrea asks, hoping to buy herself an hour or two.
Holmes: "Preparations must begin by sundown," says Fahd.
Kerem shifts uncomfortably, remembering when the people around him used to mostly talk about stuff he understood.
Agnes: "I wonder if it's coincidence that this special day in your tradition lines up with Tez' special day? How long does this ceremony of your last?"
Tez turns around and slides to sit on the floor, her back against the bed, knees up against her chest, arms wrapped 'round. She listens to the murmur of conversation from the other room, not bothering to understand it, though a few words make it through.
Chimrea ducks her head and takes a drink of cider while Agnes talks to Fahd, and shoots a quick grin at Kerem.
Kerem smiles uncertainly back at her, and leans in a bit. "So, that's good, right?"
Chimrea: "It's sooner than I expected," she murmurs back, sounding a little dazed. "It'd be a pretty big step."
Chimrea: She looks back at Kerem, and blushes for some reason.
Holmes: Osalder comes into the house, and pulls up suddenly as he sees his sister.
Holmes: He's speechless for a moment.
Kerem: "Well, uh, congratulations." He smiles, putting his hand on her arm.
Chimrea: "Osalder--meet Agnes and Kerem. You know Fahd, of course." Chimrea wonders if this day can get any worse.
Kerem: "Uh...hi there." Kerem is pretty sure he doesn't like the way this guy is looking at him.
Agnes smiles at Chimrea's big brother. "Well, hi!"
Holmes: Osalder begins listing questions, "What... is he doing here?" he points to Fahd.
Holmes: "Who is that guy with his hand on you?" he says pointing to Kerem.
Holmes: "Who is she?" he points to Agnes.
Holmes: "And what are all of these people doing in my house?"
Agnes pours a cup of cider and offers it to Osalder. "Here, settle down."
Holmes: He finishes
Kerem: "Didn't anybody ever tell you it's not polite to point?" Kerem sticks his hand in his pocket with a certain roguish hauteur.
Chimrea: "Anges is a guest from out of town, and so is Kerem." Chimrea takes a deep breath. "And Fahd is here because I've been studying with him."
Holmes: Osalder slaps the cup out of Agnes' hand, and then says, "Everybody out!"
Chimrea stands up. "Please accept my apologies," Chimrea says tightly, looking at Osalder but speaking to everyone else. "I'm afraid it would be best if you left for now."
Agnes: "Wow, you're strong." Agnes ignores his command, wondering what kind of guy he is. She's heard stories about his father.
Holmes: Osalder looks at Agnes with an intense ambivalence, not sure how to reply.
Kerem sighs, and stands up. "Well, uh...good luck with the Dance of the Dead, or whatever. Let...let me know if there's anything I could help you with."
Kerem: "Otherwise, I'll guess I'll see you later? You know where...I mean...uh, well, you know where I'm staying."
Chimrea: "Thank you," Chimrea says, looking at Kerem long enough to flash him a brilliant smile before returning her glare to Osalder.
Tez: "What.. what's going on?" she asks warily.
Holmes: Osalder's look cannot get any more incredulous, but he tries. "Dance.. of ... the .. dead?"
Holmes: "Are you serious? You're attending that cult ritual?"
Kerem: "This nice man is very politely throwing us out."
Chimrea: "It's not a cult," she snaps. "It's a sacred observance of the Swift Stallion tradition."
Holmes: "Who are you?" Osalder's voice goes up an octave looking at Tez.
Chimrea: "That's Tez. She's another guest, though I hesitate to use the term given your disgraceful reaction to it."
Holmes: Then he turns back to Chimrea, "A sacred what? Has your grandmother heard of any of this? Chim, you're only a girl!"
Agnes: "Don't forget Teodric...does the big guy know who he is?"
Tez tries to resume her noble bearing, but it is tenuous at best. She curtsies to the man, "A pleasure, I'm sure."
Chimrea shoots Kerem a 'get her out of here before she snaps' look and gestures pleadingly towards Tez.
Holmes: To Tez, Osalder says, trying to remain in control, "Uh, yeah, nice to meet you, but you have to leave too. Sorry."
Kerem nods to Chim and gently takes Tez's arm. "Well, you heard the nice man. Let's take a walk. You hungry?"
Chimrea: "Grandmother is having trouble dealing with the news of her daughter's death. I'm seeking a tactful way to break it to her that her daughter is a barbarian spirit-worshipper."
Holmes: Fahd, in the confusion, seems to have disappeared.
Tez: "I'm...hungry, yes."
Chimrea: Teodric, she knows, is probably safe from Osalder's wrath--he's respectable, after all, besides being a friend of the family.
Holmes: Osalder, "You will tell her nothing of the sort!"
Chimrea: "I've considered that option, but it's impractical in the long run," Chimrea answers cooly.
Kerem: "I'll buy you some dinner." He grins at Tez, linking elbows, and heads for the door, but stops before he gets there to turn and flash a smile at Chimrea and wave. "Bye..."
Tez tries to push away the thought of Osalder's flesh parting beneath her knife, but finds it difficult. And also mildly horrifying.
Holmes: "You're quitting this silliness here and now, and going with Aspasia back to Kaitaine, is that clear?" says Osalder to his sister, ignoring those leaving.
Tez looks back over her shoulder as Kerem leads her off.
Agnes distracts Osalder with a a tap on the shoulder, after picking up the cider cup that he so rudely spilled. "I dont mean to intrude...well, you know what I mean, but who made you the authority here? Doesn't Chimrea live here too?"
Holmes: Osalder is dumbfounded.
Agnes: "I think you need to back off. Your sister is talking to you."
Chimrea: "In point of fact, I do. But I've kept my training a secret for years, so it's no wonder Osalder is upset. In a way, it's my fault."
Agnes: "You only kept it secret because you had to, right? Whose fault is that?"
Holmes: Osalder tries to say something. Twice. Then simply storms out the back door.
Agnes: Quieter now. "Sorry about that. I'm terrible at backing down."
Chimrea gets a cloth and mops at the spilled cider. "It's quite all right. I appreciate your help--I don't think that conversation could have gone well, really."
Agnes: "You probably had important stuff to say to him though. Too bad he won't listen."
Chimrea: Chimrea's hands are shaking a bit, but her voice is calm. "I'll have to find a way to make him listen. I can't just switch it off."
Agnes: "I guess it's the kind of thing where tying him down wouldn't really help, right?" She's grinning but only subtlely.
Chimrea: "Um." Chimrea considers it. "It would hold him still, but he'd stay too mad to listen, I think. I wonder if there's some way I could get him to watch the ritual. Then maybe he'd understand..." She shrugs. "But what were you saying earlier about Teodric?"
Agnes: "Oh, he just passed out while I was hooking him up with the guardians of the forge.
Agnes: "
Agnes: "And he doesn't want to cut a mutually beneficial deal with the High King."
Chimrea: "Who's the High King?"
Agnes: "He's an elemental demigod who is currently running the Nation of Murlog. He's very powerful and not exactly nice, but really, he's not bad compared to their traditional gods."
Chimrea blinks. "What does he have to do with Green Lake?"
Agnes: "Oh, he'll be bringing a big army through this way on a path of conquest. It'll be bad. But I'm sure that I can broker a deal. I already have scorpion and badger and the forge guardians on board. I need help getting with the local Rhiani spirits, and then all we have to convince are some people."
Chimrea: "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I'm understanding you. You're here on behalf of a goblin god who wants to conquer us?"
Agnes: "No! I'm trying to avoid that. Shep's nuts, woman! And he's not really a goblin, he's just pretending. I'm here on behalf of my parents, more or less."
Chimrea: "Well, I'm glad you're trying to avoid it. What kind of deal?" A thought strikes her. "And Teodric's reaction was...?"
Agnes: "He is very much opposed. But I'm not certain what his state of mind was during the communion."
Agnes: "I want to broker a deal that the powers that be can accept that would make us allies of the High King -- protecting his interests in exchange for his protecting ours."
Chimrea: "From what you're saying, it sounds like we should be stopping him, not just making a treaty."
Agnes: "Why? And more importantly, how?"
Chimrea: "Because conquering armies are bad," Chimrea says, "or at least that's how the Vajaari are treated around here. As for how, I don't know yet, but I suspect there are people in Green Lake who do."
Agnes: "Well, that's certainly a valid option, if possible." Agnes is obviously dubious. "But, you should know that none of the super-powerful entities around here seem set on that course."
Chimrea: "Perhaps they haven't been asked properly," Chimrea says. "With Thrakelust gone, there's no one in charge of consulting them, so it may be forgotten."
Agnes: "Well, I'm open to options, but I have more faith in brokering a deal than trying to oppose an unstoppable force."
Chimrea: "How do you know he's unstoppable? From what I hear, the White Wood was regarded the same way, in the old days."
Agnes: "Really? My dad never thought that. Huh."
Chimrea frowns. "Who are your parents, again?"
Agnes: "Marcia and Egani. My parents once escorted your father into the White Wood when they were investigating."
Agnes: "There was something about your dad losing my dad's donkey...weird!" Agnes thinks the stories are cute.
Chimrea: "Oh! I remember them saying Egani was, um, very interesting." Chimrea frowns. "Which, now that I think about it, probably means there are lots of good stories I missed."
Agnes: "I couldn't figure out all the details, but I think my Pop really liked your mom, and really didn't like your dad, but the whys are cloudy to me."
Agnes: "And my mom really liked a guy named Sebastian...was he like your uncle or something?"
Chimrea: "Um, sorta. Mother killed him before I was born, but I guess they were best friends before that."
Agnes: "Oh...is that why you like Tez?"
Chimrea blinks. "What?"
Agnes: "I dunno. The idea of your mom killing her best friend just reminded me of Tez..."
Chimrea: "Mother had a temper," Chimrea says carefully, "but she never went around muttering to blood moons or forgetting who she was. I guess I am starting to like Tez, though. I almost wish I didn't--I'm scared for her."
Agnes: "She's in a tough spot, that's for sure. I think she's good inside, but be careful around her."
Chimrea: "I think about you a bit the same way," Chimrea admits with Rhiani directness.
Agnes hugs Chimrea. "Good."
Chimrea hugs back after a moment of startlement. "I'm glad we agree, then. How long do I have to try to find a good plan for resisting the High King?"
Agnes: "I don't know."

Holmes: Sitting next to Teodric, Tez hears a sound behind her. Looking back, the bird has alighted on Teodric's chest.
Tez: "What're you doing here?" she mumbles.
Holmes: The bird bobs its head at Teodric's chest. It repeats this action. Somehow, Tez gets the idea it's suggesting. The bird thinks that Teodric would make a good sacrifice to empower the ritual that she's been tasked with.
Tez stares at the bird, not moving. "Can't."
Holmes: The bird bobs its head more insistently.
Tez: "N..no. Go away. Please go away." she hides her head in her hands again.
Holmes: The bird flies off. Tez can hear somebody shouting in the next room.
Tez shuts the window tightly, and wanders back into the other room

Holmes: Outside, on the road, the sun is at that odd angle where it seems even hotter than at midday.
Tez clings to Kerem's arm, letting him lead her wherever he wants. She is exhausted, and the stupid bird keeps fluttering through her thoughts.
Kerem: "Well. That guy...wasn't so nice."
Kerem: "Are you okay?" Kerem rubs her arm.
Holmes: In the distance, a figure is coming up the road. At first he is indistinguishable from the townsfolk. But as he nears, there's something about his dress that seems Ardanian to Tez.
Tez: "I'm tired. So tired. Her family is mean. I remembered how to be, but I forgot again." she stops abruptly, staring at the person ahead of them. "Is he coming for me?"
Kerem: "Uh...I dunno. Are you the kind of person for whom people are often coming?"
Tez: "I..think so."
Kerem: "...yeah, I guess that's not too surprising."
Holmes: As he approaches, his face looks familiar, too. But she simply can't place the man. On his shoulder, Tez notes, rides the bird.
Kerem squints at the man as he approaches.
Tez: "I.. he's someone. The bird wants me to kill Teo."
Tez pulls Kerem in the opposite direction of the oncoming man.
Kerem: "What? The bird? Hey..." he stumbles.
Kerem: "Okay, if you want to avoid him, let's avoid him."
Holmes: As she turns, she hears the man's voice, "Tez? Is that you?"
Tez cringes and attempts to hide behind kerem
Kerem puts his arm around her shoulder and heads abruptly down a side street.
Kerem glances back quizzically, just once, at the bird on his shoulder.
Kerem: "Why would the bird want you to kill Teo?" His voice is hushed.
Tez: "Power... in the blood. Blood is power. Life is power." she mutters sort of coherently.
Kerem: "Okay. That...actually makes sense."
Kerem: "But why Teo, specifically?"
Holmes: By carefully maneuvering back and forth and making some odd turns, Tez and Kerem manage to move quickly enough to evade their pursuer.
Tez: "He was my friend. Wants to keep me from Akalatan. He took me away. Have to go back."
Tez stops abruptly once more and stares at Kerem. "I have to go back."
Kerem: "Why?"
Kerem: "I mean..."
Kerem: "If you have to, you have to, but..."
Kerem: "...I'd miss you."
Tez pulls away, "No, you wouldn't. You... " she trails off and waves back the way they came. "Have her. You have her."
Kerem gets a new look on his face, halfway between irritated and embarrassed.
Kerem: "I mean..." He scratches at his unkempt hair.
Kerem: "First off, I don't."
Kerem: "Secondly, I...I mean, I like you, Tez."
Kerem: "Does everything have to be..." he flails his arms, groping for a word.
Tez crumples against the nearest wall, curling her knees up against her chest again when she reaches the bottom. "I wasn't always this way. I try, but I can't."
Kerem: "Tez...d-darling, it's okay. It's gonna be okay."
Kerem kneels awkwardly, hoisting her to her feet (unless she resists) and holding her.
Kerem: "We can figure this out. Somehow."
Tez clenches her fists so tightly her fingernails slice into her palms, but does not resist when he moves her. That would take too much effort, and she's so tired. Her hands fall open and she leans her head on Kerem's shoulder. "okay."
Kerem squeezes her. "Listen, let's get something to eat. You'll feel better, and we can figure out who we need for this, quest thing."
Kerem: "I think we should bring Teo, if we can talk him into it."
Tez: "Teo... I miss Teo. Not safe."
Kerem: "He's not safe?"
Tez: "I don't want to kill him, Kerem.. don't let me, please..."
Kerem frowns, fidgeting with something in his pocket.
Kerem: "Okay. I promise I won't let you kill him."
Tez: "Is it.. is it okay if I kill Osalder? He was mean."
Kerem: "Um...I mean...let's kill anybody...today."
Kerem: ***let's NOT kill anybody
Tez: "Oh." she sighs, crestfallen. Yet relieved. "Okay."
Kerem: "When...uh...when it's time...I'll let you know."
Tez smiles at him trustingly, "Thank you."
Kerem: "...any time." Carefully, he kisses her on the cheek, and leads her back towards the Market.
Tez: "I like melons." she announces as they near the market.
Kerem: "Me too."
Kerem: "It's amazing how many things we have in common."
Tez smiles, her troubles seemingly forgotten.

Shadow World

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