[This log was contributed to the archive by Eveshka. Part 2 of 3. - Natil.] Date: Fri, 29 Sep 1995 17:35:48 -0400 Subject: Log: Fight in the Mountain! Part Two Aroree drags Azeure away from the fray "What were you doing? Do you want to die?" Iiolanthe glides to a halt, her shoulders slumping, whip lowered. Gerren opens a larger hole in the rock, blue eyes gone surprisingly stern for the dream-headed shaper; the hole is more than amply large for the Preserver to escape, and for Gerren to swat at it. Neela flies towards the bond birds. Azeure seems intent on sending, his eyes on Iiolanthe Neela moves up to the nesting ledge. Neela has left. You locksend ** Neela?!?!?!??!?? ** to Neela. Ktai glides next to Eveshka...her face pained Eveshka darts after Neela unsteadily. [Eveshka follows Neela to the Nesting Ledge...] Nesting Ledge Contents: Neela ShootingStar Vaaljade Nightfeather(#2638DIJMaep) Skree Cloudripper FreeFlight Overdark Obvious exits: Aerie Ktai moves up from the aerie to the nesting ledge. Ktai has arrived. Neela locksends ** Go... I must do something first... ** Eveshka sends openly ** Neela??? ** You sense in a locksend, Azeure sends nothing but a fierce love and a name.. Neela is holding onto his chest, which is still bleeding. You locksend **...... my father....... ** to Azeure. Eveshka glides to Neela. ** Neela? ** Neela turns to Eveshka, looking her in the eyes. Ktai slowly glides after Eveshka and Neela... You locksend ** Are you still there??? ** to Azeure. Neela locksends ** know this I do love you.. but I cannot go... not right now.. I must be here to help put the mountain together.. Lord Winnowill trusts me and will listen now... if I do not stay others will suffer... I could not live knowing that you suffer so as well. ** Azeure locksends ** Always beloved child.. ** You sense in a locksend, Ktai gently sends ** Evie, do you know what you have done? ** Neela looks at Eveshka, ** give me the talon whip... please ** Eveshka shakes her head at Neela. ** I cannot. It is not mine to give. ** You locksend ** Perhaps.... ** to Ktai. Neela sends openly ** then loan it.. I shall give it back... I promise no elf will be harmed by it... ** Eveshka shakes her head. ** I cannot... it is not mine to give. ** Neela sends openly ** fine... ** Neela flies over the bondbirds, searching. Ktai glides to her daughter's side, quietly landing Eveshka glides in Neela's way, sending at him. ** What are you doing??? ** Neela sees the bird he searches for and drops down onto its back. You locksend ** Father! Neela is intent on harming NightFeather! ** to Azeure. Eveshka lands in front of Neela, reaching out to touch him. Neela starts stabbing at the back of Nightfeather's neck. Nightfeather Ok..now waitaminute.. Night just isn't going to let _anyone_ glide down on him.. Ktai holds her injured side, calmly waiting... Vaaljade skrees, and lunges at the elf-thing harming its kin...! Eveshka grabs the dagger, turning it on herself. ** Neela! No! ** Nightfeather jerks a bit clawing and snapping as he tries to throw Neela Eveshka tries to knock Neela off, her hands at his eyes, blocking his sight. Neela flies away trying to avoid the other great hawk. Ktai sees the commotion, long away from the immense birds, unsure what to do Vaaljade snaps his great beak forward, towards Neela. Eveshka slumps over Nightfeather's back. ** Go Neela! Flee! ** Nightfeather swoops after Neela, vengeance in his eyes Gaidel moves up from the aerie to the nesting ledge. Gaidel has arrived. Neela flies backwards almost blindly, the hawks beak ripping through is sleeve and part of his arm. You locksend ** My chamber... go! ** to Neela. Eveshka gets knocked off of Nightfeather. Eveshka weakly glides to Neela, trying to protect him. Neela flies back into the aerie. Ktai timidly glides to Eveshka, worried by the nearness of the bond-birds Neela moves into the aerie. Neela has left. Gaidel throws one of his darts at Nightfeather. Eveshka glides backwards quickly, almost afraid of Nightfeather. Eveshka sends openly ** Gaidel! No!!!! ** Nightfeather moves into the aerie. Nightfeather has left. Preserver in a sack. Gaidel says "WHY?" Ktai locksends ** Evie? ** Eveshka glides as quick as her battered body will let her into the Aerie. Gaidel quickly retrieves his dart. Aerie Contents: Nightfeather(#2638DIJMaep) Neela Iiolanthe(#6196PJNOXceq) Milani Gerren Aroree Gelnah Dewflower Door Azeure Obvious exits: Sky Hall of the Chosen Eight <8> Nesting Ledge Into The Catacombs Stairs Gaidel leaves the nesting ledge. Gaidel has arrived. Ktai leaves the nesting ledge. Ktai has arrived. Nightfeather swoops down from the ledge.. blood staining the feathers of his back as he chases Neela grabbing with his claws You locksend ** My chambers! Go now!!!!! ** to Neela. Aroree says "NO! No more blood! STOP!" Neela flies right for Azeure, not attempting to strike at him. Eveshka gathers what little she has left, preparing. Ktai tries to grab hold of the weakened Eveshka... Iiolanthe lashes out with her whip, at Neela. "Do not try this again, little one...." (She is holding Az) You locksend ** Father? ** to Azeure. Neela sends openly ** Try what? I do not attack him.. as long as you handle him properly ** Eveshka sendshouts ** Please! Stop this madness!!! ** Eveshka grows pale, and wavers. Nightfeather moves up to the nesting ledge. Nightfeather has left. Aroree frowns, one hand on her talon whip "The next one who attacks another, I don't care HOW provoked, I will take myself." Milani says "To show us how not to shed blood, Aroree?" Neela lands near Aroree, ** is this how you uphold your promises? if it is strike me down now... ** Eveshka lands weakly, making her way to Neela and Azeure..... You locksend ** Father??? ** to Azeure. Gaidel sends openly ** And if you strike Neela, you strike me. ** You sense in a locksend, Neela sends peace and softness, almost humming you to sleep. Gerren eyes the bundle still in his hands, and then eyes Milani... and Aroree. Aroree says "No... we do not kill, we do not attack each other!" [Just your typical day in the Mountain...] Dewflower bunches up it's fists and eyes Gerren "Let Dewflower go NOW!" Gerren clutches the sack with the Preserver in it -- and abruptly floats, up, darting out into the air. Neela sends openly ** Then dismiss the traitors... and exile from the mountain will suffice... never to return... then there will be no blood shed. ** You locksend ** ** to Neela. Ktai smiles sadly...knowing what that sentence means... You locksend ** Father??? ** to Azeure. Gelnah ignores Gaidel's send Neela locksends ** I am sorry... but it is for you own interest... and when I fix the mountain you shall be welcomed with celebration... I told you I would join you, did I not? ** Aroree throws her talon whip down angrily "Is this what we have become?" You sense in a locksend, Azeure sends faintly his love, undying but distant You locksend ** My Father, stay with us! I know not how much more I can take..... ** to Azeure. Dewflower has left. Gerren, with that, departs. :) Aroree stares at each of you in turn coldly, sadly. Gerren has left. Neela sends openly ** and what have we become? ** Aroree says "lost." Azeure locksends ** I will be with you as long as I can dear one.. ** Neela sends openly ** Lost to what? am I lost for defending my Lord's life? or am I lost because I still believe in the dream of the Blue Mountain? ** Eveshka speaks lightly, but weakly. "Players in a twisted game with no rules, and no leaders.... we are all - (she breaks off as Aroree says the word)" Eveshka falls to her knees, her body finally reacting. Neela nods to Ktai, then points to Eveshka with his eyes. Ktai swiftly glides to her daughter's side, landing softly Gaidel stands tense, watching. Aroree says "Your Lord's life is safe, would you still attack?" Ktai kneels down and holds on to her daughter Azeure rouses lightly with all of the sends, lying limp on Iiolanthe. Aroree says "Kill Azeure and Eveshka? Have their blood on your hands?" Iiolanthe gathers him up in her arms, cradling him like a child. Neela sends openly ** if her life was still endangered... then I must... the threat is still here, is it not? ** Eveshka's sad gaze wanders between Neela and Azeure. She reaches up and lightly grasps Ktai's arm. Neela holding onto his chest, ** I have no desire to kill... either of them... ** You say "My conscious intent was never to harm.... I only asked her a favor..." Aroree says "I thought I had taught better than that, there is never a reason important enough to kill." Eveshka closes her eyes, obviously in great pain. Neela sends openly ** Do you not think that was my reason for banishing them? Aroree when have you ever known me to be blood thirsty? ** Azeure sends openly ** You defend the one who has brought this into being.. Voll led from love for all of you.. I fight out of love.. for all of you.. She.. her rule was from fear.. kill me and release me from this treason.. let my soul fly free if you are all so blind not to ** Gaidel moves over to Gelnah and looks down at her. Gaidel prods her with the toe of his boot. Iiolanthe brushes her lips against Azeure's forehead, quellingly. "Hush. Come away now. I will protect you," she murmurs. Neela chuckles, ** you forget Azeure.. I am not one of the fools whom you have fooled for so long... remember I have heard your plans... I have heard your plots... ** Gelnah doesn't react... Ktai looks about the room, eyeing all that she once new.... Eveshka makes a weak sound and opens her eyes. Tears flow down her cheeks, and she tries to move to Azeure. Aroree looks down at Azeure "No... you cannot kill out of love, and dying is wrong." Aroree says "Fool... I tried to warn you..." Gaidel laughs at the prone form, and then moves beside Neela. Azeure sends openly ** This.. this place.. is not well.. the mountain is sick.. it has been since Voll left us.. She has betrayed us all.. ** Aroree says "It is fortunate that Voll is not alive... to see this would have killed him anew." Iiolanthe's eyes fill with tears. Ktai locksends ** Outside of Blue Mountain......it is no punishment, just alone...... ** Neela leans towards Azeure, ** then I have given you a chance to leave this place of sickness.. ** Eveshka speaks, quieter than before. Perhaps no-one hears her. "Neela... to throw me out is just as sure to kill me..... but if you must throw someone out, then let it be me, and not Azeure or.... my mother, Ktai....." Aroree says "Azeure, you cannot change what does not wish to be changed." Aroree says "We all should leave this rotting tomb, but we cannot and we despair when told we must." Neela sends openly ** Azeure above all should be banished as he is the plotter of treacheries... you, Eveshka, was just a tool... ** Door calms down a bit, over in her corner. Azeure sends openly ** We claim to be High Ones.. pure of blood and heart.. but it is evident to me now that many of you have given yourself to a lesser existence. ** Gaidel goes over to Door. Neela sends openly ** You despise us so... then leave... ** Gaidel kneels down beside her. Aroree says "Shhh... be still... would you turn them out wounded as they are?" Azeure sends openly ** You should despise yourself Neela.. you of all disgrace this place. ** Eveshka's eyes come unfocused as she tries to keep watching both Neela and Azeure. Ktai locksends ** sleep...I will watch ** Door shivers ** too many... too many voices... ** You locksend ** I cannot..... I love them both....... ** to Ktai. Iiolanthe * Na na na na na... the voices in my head... Aroree says "Be quiet as well Azeure. You help nothing with your talk." Aroree says "Leave them be, Neela... let them rest and tend their wounds, do not send them helpless into exile." Ktai looks towards Aroree her face questioning... Iiolanthe drawls, "They aren't going anywhere, and Neela certainly cannot make them." Gaidel sends openly ** If they do not go now...they will never leave. ** Iiolanthe snaps, "Quiet, Gaidel. I see to my sister's son." Ktai locksends ** I returned here once, surely you will be able to also ** Neela sends openly ** I can in the name of Lord Winnowill... or have you forgotten too Iiolanthe that she is your Lord. ** Gaidel sends openly ** I respectfully request that you order me not...Iiolanthe. ** Neela sends openly ** Their options are to leave now.. or have Lord Winnowill heal their wounds... that is once we rescue her from the rock.... ** Aroree says "No, They will heal by their own time... let Winnowill stay in her cocoon until they are safely away, I would no one here die by what happened this day." You locksend ** If you send me out, I shall die. Healed, or not. I will not let Winnowill touch me. I will die first. I did not ask for this fight. I only asked Winnowill to release my memories. ** to Neela. Door shudders, trying to free herself from a nightmare Neela locksends ** hush... beloved... I have told your mother where you will be safe... ** Aroree says "You know Winnowill, even as you guard her you know she would not be so kind to these that harmed her... this is their chance of life." Neela glares at Aroree, ** first she must be removed from the stone... ** looking at Azeure, ** and he must be placed in cage... he is too dangerous to be allowed elsewhere ** Aroree says "I will take full responsibility." Azeure manages to sit up, weakly, the blood still welling in his wounds. ** I will go.. those true to the ways of the High Ones know there is more to the world than this mountain.. this place of stagnation ** Neela sends openly ** I do not think that you have that right any longer... Aroree... considering your tentative nature here... ** Eveshka's eyes are closed, and her voice faint, but still she tries to make her thought known. "I have been Out there. My mother is stronger than I. If I am sent Out, I will die." Door slips slowly into catatonia and her shivering stills Gaidel says "Moments ago you wanted to be banished in Azeure's place. Confusing." Ktai locksends ** I have lived out there, alone and have been happy, here ** You say "I will die for those I love." Azeure says "You will not be alone my daughter." Eveshka is strangely silent. Ktai locksends ** I will go with you both ** Neela locksends ** you will not die... there is a place where the people will help you... ** Aroree closes her eyes "I am already a traitor here, what more can be done to me? I do not wish the death of anyone... not even my worst enemy. Consider carefully what you do Neela." Aroree says "Either let them heal here or take them all to the nearest healer outside, I will not have their deaths." You locksend, to Ktai, Azeure, Neela: ** ** Neela sends openly ** there is much more that can be done to you, Aroree... but that is irrelevant.. I know what I am doing... I will give them a few days... to prepare... but as I said He is to be kept in the cage. ** Neela sends openly ** Take them to the nearest healer... then.. though his bond is not to be given to him... ** You locksend ** Then put me there too. For you will have to keep an eye on me, lest I die before you wish it. ** to Neela. Aroree sighs and shakes her head sadly Neela sends openly ** Is that acceptable with you, Aroree? since it was your suggestion... ** Milani looks between Neela and Aroree, ** I take it neither of you think the chosen should help to decide their fates? ** her tone is snide. From afar, Ktai returned only to lose her daughter again Gaidel sends openly ** The Chosen are broken. ** Aroree says "Do not make this my doing. Milani is right... all the chosen should be called in council." Milani sends openly ** Except of course, those who have gone against Our Lord, they have forfeit their post. ** Neela looks at Milani, ** I suggest banishment... from the mountain forever... since we agree that there has been enough bloodshed for the night... ** Azeure shakes his head ** No... I will leave.. I only ask time to gather my belongings and whomever wishes to follow me ** Iiolanthe murmurs, "I am chosen. I will order." Neela sends openly ** All except the bond.. that is no longer yours... ** Milani sends openly ** Those who fought against Our Lord have forfeit their positions. Those who..share blood..will not be able to be involved in the council to avoid favoritism. ** Iiolanthe sighs. "If you leave, Azeure, I will accompany you... for a ways... But this is your home." She raises her 'whip. "And Neela, you cannot take his bond away." Iiolanthe says "* if you meant the bird. :) She'll feed you to jade. :)" Neela sends openly ** No, but Our Lord ordered its death... ** Ktai watches the proceedings, deeply interested, but very quiet. Iiolanthe snaps, "Our lord is incapacitated. I will take that burden. it will not die." Aroree says "The hawk had no part in this... why should it be punished?" Milani looks at Iio, "The bonds are for the chosen only. Those who have fought against Our Lord are no longer chosen. Aroree, you know this as well as anyone else, do you not?" Neela sends openly ** You have no say.. if that is your argument, we will awaken our Lord and let her make decision. ** Azeure sends openly ** Until those who dwell within the mountain find themselves pure of soul as their blood.. I will not call this home.. ** Iiolanthe bares her teeth. If his bond is taken away, you will die, Neela." Milani looks at Iio again, "If it is Our Lord's will, it _will_ be done." Aroree says "No, Iiolanthe.. think, there has been too much bloodshed..." Neela grins, ** So be it... ** turning to Aroree, ** but I will hold you to your word about the next person to attack... ** Iiolanthe snaps, "A life is a life is a life." You say "Did we not once say that to the WolfRiders?" Aroree says "Neela, I would not stand by and allow my bond to be killed... it is something you know nothing about." Iiolanthe murmurs, "I dreamt, then. But these are not wolves." Neela sends openly ** That is true, Aroree, I do not... I shall not kill the bird. ** You say "When a fledgling was shot down..... we asked a life in exchange...." Gelnah lies motionless on the stairs, only a small part of her mind aware Neela looks to Milani, ** as Chosen... it is your responsibility to carry out Lord Winnowill's commands... the bird is to die. ** Iiolanthe says, softly, "A bond is part of your soul. I would not have Azeure's soul... wounded." She lifts her chin. "It was a wrong decision, Eveshka. Perhaps I follow my Lord, but I do not always agree." Milani says "No judgement is yours to make Neela, it is for Our Lord, or in her stead, the remaining chosen with no ties to the fallen will decide. Do _not_ presume to tell me my duties Neela." Aroree says "If the bond is allowed to go with them, they have an extra chance to live... if it stays here it still lives" Neela sends openly ** The bond can be broken... as I understand... let him break it.. ** Iiolanthe bares her teeth. "I will not stay in a place that breaks souls, or a sacred bond." Azeure sends openly ** As chosen you are to protect the lives of those within the mountain.. and care for its safety.. above all else.. ** Milani says "And as for the bond, when Our Lord herself tells me it must die, then it will die and not before." Milani looks levelly at Neela. Eveshka sits up, and opens her eyes, trying to re-gather herself. [Nine Gliders in the Aerie bitching...] Milani says "The remaining Chosen without ties are myself, Kalthe, Sar, and Telia." Eveshka chokes back a sound. Azeure sends openly ** See what her teachings has turned us into.. we are no longer Gliders.. no longer High Ones.. we fight to bring each other down.. not to better ourselves. ** Aroree's tears fall unrestrained Iiolanthe laughs. "Who are you to order? I have not chosen to accept! Aroree says "Collect the Chosen then, and decide... in the meantime wounds may be bound, pain leased and the anger of battle will go." Iiolanthe says "ALL the chosen." Neela sends openly ** Then to the Cage with the traitors for now... ** [To be continued...]