"Battle on the Astral Plane" Log Date: 10/10/04 Log Cast: Winnowill, Ryriel, Imriel, Tsoran, Ktai, Strongbow, Kintae, Kahvi, Flashfire, Moonshade, Joth, Kureel, Yeyeen, Savith, Savah, Eveshka, Sandspur, Llune, Suntop, Skywise & Gloomwing (Winnowill's preserver) Log Intro: The twins Imriel and Ryriel converge on Blue Mountain for a final battle--with a gathering of elves of many tribes who have cast aside their own differences to unite against this common enemy. Winnowill, Lord of Blue Mountain, joins forces with Savah and Suntop to confront Imriel in the astral plane while her Chosen and other elves fight with the attackers outside the Mountain. When Imriel and Ryriel are defeated at last, Winnowill emerges to heal the wounded below. [NOTE: This is a companion log to "Battle at Blue Mountain I" and "Battle at Blue Mountain II", from Imriel's and Ma'at's points of view, respectively.] ---------- Winnowill's Room(#4542RDJU$) A pale golden light, just more than a flicker from a shadow, trickles down from overhead. The room opens up to an ornate bathing tub, leading to a series of hooks with Lord Winnowill's wardrobe. In the far corner, a large bed appears to be formed out of the rock itself, canopied with a transparent veil of dark gray silk. The floor has been smoothed over kept clean, almost a softness of stone underfoot. The ceiling breaks off into stalactites that crane down to form arches against the wall and pillars in the center of the floor. A light musk smell hangs within the air, perfumed with a honeysuckle sweetness radiating from several vines and plants that grow near the entrance and the bed. Several piles of folded leather, dyed black and streaked about the edges with a dark sky blue, lay near the tub and at the foot of the bed. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Ryriel: Imriel sends to his brother, ** I did not expect so many. But no matter. We will take her. I want all those below, Dead. ** A whimpering voice echoes in the send, ** Please no, do not! ** Its not Imriel's mind that cries so, but a wholly other elf, well elfess. But the thought magic is so close to his, its disturbing. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Tsoran's mind reaches silently towards you, hovering patiently in mental space as he awaits your attention. In a locksend, to Ktai, Strongbow, Kintae, Kahvi, Flashfire, Moonshade, Joth: Winnowill sends to the elves at the base of the Mountain, a twinge of urgency and apprehension in her mental voice. **Elves, danger approaches, Beware, they come!** She stirs in her mountain, and prepares. Winnowill locksends, to Kureel, Tsoran, Yeyeen, Savith: ** Chosen! Awaken and gather in the Aerie, The Twins we have awaited are within sight, you will fly to Tsoran's aide. ** In a locksend to Savah, Winnowills mind is urgent, intense and yet oddly calming now that it has begun, **Sister, it is time. To the Aerie.** (travel spam removed) Aerie At the very summit of the Mountain you find the clearest signs of the transformation initiated by the Dreaming gliders at Winnowills bidding. The rocky surface is still shaped in intricate loops and whirls, echoing the wonder of the great Egg. Half familiar shapes can be sensed as much as felt among the twisting and folding surfaces..some utterly alien, other of a disturbing familiarity. Pain cries from the walls, but so do joy, and wonder, and the dizzying echoes of the long gone Dreams. The gargantuan latticework forms a dome to crown the Mountain with shapes that from afar might seem to be the roots of some twisted tree. Even here, the tiny cracks can be seen criss-crossing all surfaces. The loops and folds open out to the open sky in unexpected places, and ways. Though none of the openings are larger than the armspan of a glider, and most much smaller, there are still few places left shadowed. The light of the sun and the moons weaves intricate shadows, that changes in fascinating ways as time passes. In some nooks and crevices there have been placed furs or pillows, telltale traces of the gliders spending hours and days in dreamy contemplation of the sky. A winding stairway leads Down to the main parts of the Mountain. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah is not panicked, but she is worried, ** I am in the Palace, I can not get to the Aerie. ** Winnowill locksends, to Eveshka, Savah: ** Eveshka, the time has come to make yourself truly useful, get Savah here.. now. ** Yeyeen hastens in from the Hall at her Lords summons. Sensed in a locksend, Flashfire's open send outside may be picked up on, just before yours: ** They come. ** Winnowill awaits at the edge of the Aerie, Her eyes scanning the ground below. As her Chosen arrive she points out to the elves below, and orders them forth. In his room, Savith likewise snaps to attention. Wordlessly, he hands his child over to her caretaker, collects his helm and talonwhip and Flies. Winnowill locksends, to Kureel, Tsoran, Yeyeen, Savith: ** Go my Chosen defend Lord home and the elves below, but remember this, the twins are *not* to be killed, contained, but we will not stoop to their level, protect them from the others if you must. ** Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Tsoran sends in confusion. ** What twins?** Kureel flies as ordered, aw no killing Strongbow. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah: Eveshka spares a moment before replying, but her send flashes back with accuracy and crystalline clarity: ** At once, my Lord. ** In a locksend to Tsoran, Winnowill is active, her mind tracking several things at once, enacting plans long crafted, and suddenly very useless! **The two magic using Murderers who we brought these elves here to deal with. They are coming, I feel their magic.** Yeyeen grins to herself as the order for the 'twins' not to be hurt comes through and follows her brother out of the mountain. Sensed in a locksend to Kintae, Winnowill, Joth: Kahvi sends to all GoBacks, **Don't overreact. Stay calm for now. Let the magic-users and archers handle this first until we can tear them apart without running danger to be blown off by their magic.** The experience of their first meeting with the twins clearly rings through her sends, and she is not going to underestimate them again. Her send is forcing, piercing, so that everyone -- no matter what skill -- hear it, or at least feel that she is giving orders not to attack right ahead. Savith nods to his Lord, and hesitates only for a moment. He glances over his shoulder once, back toward the innerds of the mountain. Oh, how She can feel his mind reach out, searching for that flicker of light that is his soulmate, but still in her sleep she is, and so no response does the Chosen get. A light frown appears before he follows his Chosen Brother and Sister out of the mountain, collecting a spear as he goes. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Tsoran whispers as he realizes... ** Lord, forgive me. I have made an error in judgement.** Winnowill locksends ** A time for errors and forgiveness later Tsoran, join your Brothers and Sisters and protect each other. You must hold them off till Savah Arrives from the Palace. ** to Tsoran. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Tsoran's send explodes in a wordless scream of pain and surprise, and a crackling of searing flames. Ryriel locksends, to Winnowill, Imriel, Tsoran: ** To your knees, impure one,** the look Ryriel gives Tosran seems to say. Oh, but the thoughts are far more clear. **This is the Power of the High Ones. A power you have forgotten, and a power I will remind you of before your fire-pured soul is free of this sack of filth and flesh.** ** Flashfire locksends ** From another send outside: ** I saw preservers, too! They..oh no. ** ** In a locksend, to Imriel, Ryriel, Tsoran: Winnowill bridles... 'A power one of the Chosen has forgotten? Chosen know all about power, and being subjected to it. She channels her might into a focused mental blast, a spike of pain thrust white hot from Her mind towards the invader in Her Chosen's. Of course, its quite a distance, so white hot, could quickly turn dull red, yet still she *will* have this invader out of Tsoran's head, that's Her territory! Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Ryriel: Imriel bypasses the peon on the ground that burns and sizzles - he is useless, just a toy, and toys are something he knows about, cause well, he wants one: one named Winnowill. With the distance dulling her thoughts to a dull red haze, he does react, frustrated by the scouring thought from her. Ahh, but then the feel of his brothers magic settles in his mind, and he feels much better, and wholly pissed off, his mind linking with Ryriel's, boring upwards towards the Mountain, ** Come with us, lost one. We will show you the way. ** How easily will she be swayed by the unbridled power of his mind, he knows not - and with her up there, he can not add the sway of hypnotism as he would like. Kintae locksends, to Winnowill, Kahvi: ** This way. Let Joth have the other half of our war party. Tonight, they will dance for us. ** Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Imriel, Tsoran: Ryriel winces as Winnowill's mind attacks back, and reflexively does he withdraw his heated gifts, turning his attention, instead upon himself and his brother. And now, the only left to fuel the flames upon Tsoran's body, is Tsoran himself. Ktai locksends, to Winnowill, Savah: ** They've just burned Tsoran. Set fire to him just like that... ** In a locksend, to Imriel, Ryriel: Winnowill scoffs at the attempt to usurp Her thoughts. **You may have been my match in the Void, but you are vastly out matched here. Surrender to me, lost souls, and I shall consider hearing your pleas, while you are still conscious.** In a locksend, to Ktai, Savah: Winnowill is busy, Her mind bent on the twins from a distance, but sends an acknowledgement regardless **I know, I felt it. Put it from your mind or others will be hurt, Tsoran will be tended to, once these Twins are.** Kureel locksends, to Winnowill, Yeyeen, Savith: ** Chosen, with me, we are going to collect our Brother. ** Kureel locksends, to Winnowill, Yeyeen, Savith: ** Savith and I will keep them busy, Yeyeen, get him out and back to the Aerie. ** Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah: Ktai mentally snorts. Put it from your mind. Easy for Winnowill to say, but Ktai has not the talents of her daughter. She only sends a grim sort of acknowledgement, however, locking her mind down again as she does while in the Mountain, her mental imprint diminishing to a mere whisper. Savith locksends, to Winnowill, Kureel, Yeyeen: ** I have the one on the left, Brother. ** Eyes narrowed at a small pair of dots below, sweat beading lightly on Her brow, the Lord of BLue Mountain stands proudly at the very edge of the Aerie, the crisp autumn air whipping her gown around her. Into the Aerie comes the pale figure of Eveshka, her glittering magic swirling about both herself and Savah, giving both elfesses flight enough to wing out from the Palace and arrive in relative safety within the Aerie. ** My Lord... here we are. ** Her magic swirls back about herself once it is safe to release herself and Savah, and she looks only a little flustered, but has managed to keep most of herself in reserve. She's been preparing for this, after all. Haven't they all? Winnowill locksends, to Imriel, Ryriel: ** Last chance, Lost ones, Surrender to me and I will protect you. ** In a locksend to Savah, Winnowill join minds with me sister, before those elves below end these lost ones lives, Let us do what we can to protect our race. As soon as she is in the Aerie, she waits for feet to touch the ground, flight is not something done often nor is it particularly her favorite thing to do, but, when it must be done, it is. ** I am here, ** is all the Mother of Memory sends aloud. Winnowill scowls, looking below.. not good. She sends to the Twins first, offering a last chance, and then to Savah, preparing to enact one whether they like it or not. She says nothing, her back straight and steady, barely moving, save for the wind, for all intents she seems unaware of all around Her, save those dots below. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah's mind reaches forth, opening its vast reaches of desert sun and warmth, she knows this will go badly, she can feel it - but so many have died. Eveshka casts a glance about the Aerie. Is no-one keeping watch over the Lord of Blue Mountain? Very well, she will until given orders to do something else. There will be no secretive attacks from behind if this elfess can help it. In the air, Savah can be felt, each breath. Her mind, her power, something that is not commonly out for all to see. The vastness of the desert, the heat of its blazing daystar, ripples about her, directed through the Mother of Memory, and into one willing to wield it as agreed on - and only, as agreed on. In a locksend, to Imriel, Ryriel, Savah: Winnowill/Savah sighs, well the Winnowill side anyways. **I gave you a chance, remember that.** Following directly after that is everything that Winnowill, and Savah combined can muster, each ounce of magical might Filling your mind, teaching you what a Blacksending *should* be. **FALL** The minds order, wave after wave of a brutal mind searing pain threatening to tear apart your very minds. **FALL** Tears begin to fall from Savah's eyes. Something was just done, with her assistance, that is dreadful. In a locksend, to Kureel, Savah, Yeyeen, Savith: ** Chosen, the Savah/Winnowill creature sends, at least mostly the Winnowill part. **If the Twins fall, and the others are foolish enough to cast their heritage aside and seek their death, you must bring the Twins to the Aerie, with as much speed as you can muster, and bring Tsoran along as well.. he will need tending too.** ** Winnowill breathes in deeply, then exhales in one long slow breath, as her mind channels more power then should be possible to the minds of two poor misguided power sources. They should have played along. A wry twist of a smile alights her sweat sheened face. That felt good! Savah and Winnowill should hurt people together more often! Eveshka continues to wait, to watch, for she has nothing else that she can do as of now. Her talents are those of the up close and personal, the ones that get into your head and change your views of reality. Should any approach the Lord and Savah, they might well be on the disturbing end of a glittery violet glare. Standing with Winnowill, at the edge of the Aerie, is Savah, power rippling from her, directed towards Winnowill, who adds more, then directs it at those down below. Tears stream down her face, but, for now, she doe snot turn away, she does not turn her back on the fight as it were. Sandspur enters the Aerie with no little wariness, a restless bundle of Glider pip held securely in his arms. Acedia quiets somewhat as she snags a double- handful of Sandspur's hair, but the Rafter is too stunned by the sight of Savah and Winnowill to even wince at the demanding tugs. Swallowing hard, he skirts the two women and their aura of power to look down on the valley below, trying to catch a glimpse of Savith, wishing desperately he were down there to help his friend in battle. The glideress that Sandspur met once in the Chamber of the Egg watches the arrival of the Raft-elf and the glider child with glittering eyes, but offers nothing, says nothing to him. She's quite obviously standing guard, however, and will brook no interference from anyone, no matter their intentions. Desperate times call for hard edges on otherwise soft elves. Kureel locksends, to Winnowill, Savah, Yeyeen, Savith: ** Of course my Lor...... ARGHG! ** Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Imriel, Ryriel, Savah: Imriel's mind feels almost as if it could burst from all the power being driven into it, that, and he has another screaming to be set free. He sends a ripple of blacksend back towards the two above, his mind seeking to link to his brotheres: its his only hope at the moemnt. Winnowill gasps as both one of Her Chosen falls, and a deft Blacksending channels back to the two eves. She clutches her brow and teeters, trying to keep her balance. In a locksend, to Imriel, Ryriel, Savah: Winnowill's mind breaks off, the combination of blacksending surprise, and Her chosen's pain being linked to Her mind a passing distraction, you have a breath, perhaps two before she regains her facilities. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Imriel, Savah: Ryriel can't. He just can't! There's too much going on. He can't. He can't spare... but his brother! His brother needs... Torn, Ryriel can't gift his brother the support Imriel was looking for. Much like Winnowill, Savah has a sheen of sweat on her brow, and she seems reluctant to stepo up to the plate again, one hand going to her brow, eyes closing, teetering, so close to the edge to, not a great combination. But Winnowill needs her now, all elves need her now. And so with eyes closed, the wind whipping at her dress, she shares her power with Winnowill... taslk about feeling dirty in the morning. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah: Eveshka's magic slips about Savah much like a warm blanket, offering support and comfort. ** You will not fall, Mother of Memory. I will not allow that. ** Sandspur looks to Eveshka, brow drawn, grey eyes clearly showing his concern for those below -- or at least for one below. "Do you know how it's going down there?" he asks softly. He looks up as Winnowill teeters, shifting Acedia to one arm, and moving to catch the slender, dark woman if she should fall. It's automatic; if he was thinking, he probably wouldn't have done so...the Blacksnake still makes his skin crawl. The fragile glideress spares a glance towards the Mother of Memory, but nothing outward seems to change. When she is addressed, she looks back, that strange glittery gaze possibly unnerving. "It is going as it will." Never one for straight answers, this elfess. "Help me keep them from falling," is now offered through gritted teeth. Her magic can be felt hard at work trying to keep both Savah and Winnowill from falling, but it is strained. "Pick one." Sandspur grimaces, reluctant to set down his charge. "See to your lord," he mutters, moving to stand behind Savah. Winnowill regains her balance, a little surprised by the assistance. Her attention is distracted again.. and then she feels that twinge of magic, the kind not often felt, coming again from below. And she can do nothing to stop it it's too late. One of the twins will loose fire on the combatants. She sets her Jaw, And joins minds with Savah again, almost yanking her spirit along with Her own. The air in the Aerie grows heavy again as massive might is poured into two minds. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah: Eveshka's magic sweeps back from Savah, for the most part, swirling up and around Winnowill with that same soft comforting glitter. ** My Lord, Sandspur will see to Savah, and I will move to catch her if I must. Kodachi does not answer my calls, and I have told Tyree to stay away. ** There's a pause, and it's followed with grim determination: ** I will not let either of you fall. ** And she means that. In a locksend, to Imriel, Ryriel, Savah: Winnowill barrels her mind, and Savah's along with it, down the slope to the conflagration below, she could do nothing about the latest flame of firestarting magic, she was too distracted, but **THIS ENDS!** She screams in a rage built upon confidence, power and the overwhelming sense that none save Herself deserve to claim such power, a feeling of certainty that if these Twins are allowed to continue, then all will be lost. She begins the process of tearing Ryriel's mind to shreds, quickly, and savagely. In a locksend, to Eveshka, Savah: Winnowill does not answer, though her mind is there to receive your send.. she's just entirely focused elsewhere. Tears stream down the Mother of Memory's cheeks, down to her chin, where they drip, and fall, only to be caught by the whipping breeze of the afternoon turning towards evening. So much can she feel through Winnowill's mind, the pain that is inflicted, as well as the tortured souls that make up the Twins they now seek to stop. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savith: Kureel sends with his last breath of consciousness, shame and defeat. **My Lord I have failed you... I'm...>** Flatline, brain at least. Eveshka remains still, guarding the backs of the two elfesses who are so very busy with the battle below, her magic swirling a faint light lavendar glow about Winnowill, ensuring that her Lord will not slip and fall to her death below on the unforgiving rocks at the base of Blue Mountain. She does, as well, keep an eye on Savah, for a little of her magic is held in reserve, just in case she should have to catch any sudden stumbling on the Mother of Memory's part. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah, Savith: Kureel sends with his last breath of consciousness, shame and defeat. **My Lord I have failed you... I'm...>** Flatline, brain at least. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Ryriel, Savah: Imriel reaches blindly through the pain, escape. How do you escape pain, you leave your body of course! Astral he goes, he needs escape, yet the pain follows him. He can feel that soul searing locksend of blackened anger and agony. Its then, he sees those that work to thwart him, and not for the one he came for, does he dart - but the other, The one, blazing like the daystar, adding power to the moth like one. Sandspur sidles up behind Savah and loops an arm loosely around the seemingly frail elder's waist. If she starts to fall, he'll pull back, but he won't go off the edge with her. Winnowill grins, though she does not seem overly pleased, Her head Chosen has just fallen. But on the bright side, so has one of the Twins. And the other comes now, into the Void. Where *none* can match her. She turns her Eyes from the battle, and sits calmly. Then she is gone, her Sprit on the winds of a world disparate from this one. Eveshka's magic carefully cradles her Lord; she will NOT allow anyone to disturb Winnowill, for she has seen that settling before. She has seen it on her Lord, seen it on Neela, seen it on Suntop. And she knows all too well what can happen when the one who sends Out is unceremoniously disturbed. In a locksend, to Imriel, Savah: Winnowill meets your mind in that space between worlds, where the surroundings are as black as her own soul. This, is Her domain, a place where no, one, can best Her. And you are now simply just One. She floats her spirit between yours and Savah, Arms outstretched, a final warning. Behind her trailing tendrils of inky dark hair swirl, threads tracing off, black eldritch energy forming into a criss-crossed pattern. This pattern is reinforced, layered over again and again, then trust around Her astral form, a growing shield.. and net. Sandspur can only look down on the valley, frowning. He wants to be out there, not here. In the Aerie, there is a sight to behold. Winnowill, Lord of Blue Mountain sits motionless, calm, sendless, facing out to the world. Next to her, stands Savah, tall, regal, tears trailing down her tanned cheeks. Sandspur is close to Savah, one arm wrapped around the revered Mother of Memory's waist, and Eveshka stands with her back to both elfesses, her glittering magic ensuring that Winnowill does not fall to the rocks below. A gasp of breath is taken inward as something unexpected occurs, then Savah to goes as motionless as Winnowill, not drawn into the astral plane, but willingly following the Lord of the Mountain into that realm: however good or bad idea that might be, can certainly be debated later. So still she is, breathing slow, eyes closed, and remaining upright.. one hopes Sandspur has more than a light hold on her waist. Sandspur feels the bronze-skinned woman against his body sway ever so slightly and tightens his hold unconsciously. A bead of sweat skitters down the Rafter's spine as Acedia begins to squirm in his arm. "Tie her to your waist," hisses Eveshka at the Raftelf. "We cannot risk the Mother of Memory falling." And her magic is still in use, keeping Winnowill safe. She is Lord... she must be kept safe! "Tie her with what?" Sandspur hisses back. Eveshka spares just enough emotion to smirk at the Rafter. "Haven't you ever raised a floater? Tie a belt around her waist and then tie her to you!" She's a little occupied, and so the Rafter is getting snapped at. She probably doesn't mean it. The halls of the mountain are silent, as every glider left within has been warned of the severity of the situation. The very walls seem to sing with the tenseness of the situation, as each elf remaining inside holds their breath in shared anticipation of the outcome of this grand battle. Llune shares this feeling of solemn worry, but cannot confine herself to her quarters alone, when those she loves and those she has come to call 'friends' are below and fighting the gravest threat ever to face elf-kind. So she's been quietly pacing the deserted halls of the mountain, and has wandered to the aerie just as Eveshka snaps at the little winged visitor. **Here.** she sends quietly, loosing the beaded strap from her hair and floating it quickly within Sandspur's reach. Sandspur speaks through gritted teeth. "Are you offering your belt? Because I don't have one." What in the world makes this Glider think that a Rafter had ever reared a Glider pip anyway? Sandspur is still learning, after all. He starts a little as Llune's strap brushes his arm as gently as tidepool eddy. "Um...thank you, but could you just hold her, please? I think she'd like that better." Sensed in a locksend to Savah, Suntop's send is almost tentative, but strong...seems that the mystic is finally rested. ** Savah? Are you about the Palace? ** Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Savah: Imriel's hisses inwardly, he knows what that netting is, he know all to well. And then, another net comes to the fore, one of his own crafting, one made to hold another. Yet, this one is different. It glitters brightly, the trapped soul inside held tightly, begging to be set free. Stranger still, in the Void, all have somehting which holds them to the physical, something that can be felt: but not the trapped elf held by Imriel, what tugs at her, is the Palace. ** If you stop me, I will do worse to her, than you can imagine. ** Its a threat, one he is not certain of, but one he will try none the less. Still, he moves to the fore, heading towards Savah. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Suntop: Savah's mind is not on the physical plane, but, she can still hear, there is worry and fear in her contact, and it is brief, ** The Void, please! ** Urgency is what she seems to indicate. Something bad is happening. Sensed in a locksend to Ktai, Winnowill, Savah: Flashfire's send-sense flickers, like trying to maintain hold of a slippery rope as gravity pulls from below. Everything hurts, and it would be easier to just let go and accept what fate seems to have in mind for him. ** T-trying.. ** he manages weakly. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Flashfire, Savah: Ktai's send flickers back like a breeze over parched senses. ** Don't try, just do. ** Granted, she has no idea who he is, but she's not going to let him fade away. In a locksend, to Imriel, Savah: Winnowill scoffs, so he has an elf trapped? If he is stopped they will be released, if they are already dead.. then they will be freed. **You will do nothing, and then more of those strands strike out from behind her, black tendrils of astral hair acting as striking snakes, the shield only a diversion, for now. The ropes seek to ensnare legs, arms, spirit and soul. Then comes in the net for the final blow. Llune moves up dutifully to the smaller elf's side and taking her son's squirming pip from Sandspur, she looks quickly at Winnowill and Savah before turning to the wee one. Acedia whimpers and squirms a bit and Llune chucks her gently under the chin and croons a soft, nearly inaudible tune to the babe, who shortly relaxes and starts playing with the beaded strap Llune had offered Sanspur to tether the child with. Llune bounces the colorful ribbonn in the air with her magic, and turns her attention back to the other adults in the room, **How do they fare below?** she asks simply. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Imriel, Savah: Suntop has only been awake for a few moments, but somehow he has rested enough for his strength to return. It is only a moment after the locksend from Savah before he sends his spirit darting into the Astral Plane, following and searching for tht other spirits that are so familiar. Sandspur peers over Savah's shoulder...and feels his mouth go utterly spitless. "There's smoke," he whispers. "Fire and..." He watches as the earth itself seems to attack those below. "The world isn't on our side," he manages. Eveshka doesn't bother looking, she cares not how the battle goes. Her concern is the welfare of her Lord and that is all that she is dealing with right now, thank you very much. Make sure that Winnowill and Savah do not fall, that's her life function for the moment. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Suntop, Savah: Imriel can feel his body going week, he can feel the life flowing from him, even here, he can feel that bit of his soul, slipping, desiring to run to the Palace, but HE CAN'T DO that. He MUST succeed. The weak one, a last charge, a last barrage of mental power, sent and barreling towards the Mother of Memory: for she has been docile thus far, only assisting, not doing. In a locksend, to Imriel, Savah: Winnowill scoffs, so he has an elf trapped? If he is stopped they will be released, if they are already dead.. then they will be freed. **You will do nothing, and then more of those strands strike out from behind her, black tendrils of astral hair acting as striking snakes, the shield only a diversion, for now. The ropes seek to ensnare legs, arms, spirit and soul. Then comes in the net for the final blow. That's what she was afraid of. Making sure the little one is thoroughly distracted, Llune dares a gance down to the carnage below. She can make little out, save that there are a large number of ant-like forms that must be elves below, many of which... Are not moving. Oh dear. She turns away, blinking back tears - for perhaps some of those still forms are her friends or her family - and continues to hum a soft song that does not betray her inner turmoil. Singing? Someone's... singing? Eveshka turns her head slowly to look to Llune, makes a small smirk of dark amusement, and turns to look to Winnowill now. Her Lord... so still... is she breathing? Has the opposition won and she's guarding an empty shell? By Voll, she hopes not. Winnowill is indeed breathing, though.. not by much. Someone is about to get very-unlucky. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Imriel, Savah: Suntop arrives just in time for the release of that mental energy. ** NO!** is shouted as Suntop's spirit moves in to block that wave of energy from harming the Mother of Memory. Something catches his attention for a moment, but he then returns his full attention to the elf and task at hand. Sandspur continues to stare out over the field, silently willing Savith to be all right. In a locksend, to Suntop, Imriel, Savah: Winnowill is surprised by Suntop's entrance, but with all her attention focused here, the surprise doe not dull her might. Those tendrils of power tighten about the elfs form, constricting, retracting, and the net looms closer. Then, she begins to send, her power, and pride at being attacked here again, funneling her blacksending into the remaining twins mind. Numbing it, driving into remission, even as her trap tightens around him. In a locksend to Savah: Imriel does not assault, nor doe she batter and bash or blacksend the one aiding the dark-haired blacksender. Instead, he thorws at Savah, a wash of everything he believes is true, the joy of purging and cleansing the elves on this rock that they do not call home, the joy of ordering his brother to cause pain, when he himself does not have the power to do so. The anger at the Underworld for ousting them, the desire for revenge full and complete with the annilation of their entire tribe and home. The need to see that all with impure blood or thought, be stricken from life, and placed into the Palace where they can be then used as powerful tools, all at his discretion. His way is the right way, his mind batters into Savah’s. Death is on his hands, and now, she can feel it through him, feel a soul screaming helplessly in his mind, seeking freedom. But Imriel is master and holds to her, forcing Savah to ‘taste’ what I is like to truly control. It is elation and joy: for him. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Suntop, Imriel: Savah's spirit draws back, surprised as well by the seeming assault of the other. Its then, that the mind of the other, touches on her own, he sends, and what he sends, leaves the Mother in shock. But Suntop, Winnowill: the pair, together, such a strange combination, but effective one as well. Her spirit moves to flee, away, must get away. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Suntop, Savah: Imriel's mind barrels into Savah's, not blacksending, not snaring: just sending. But his charge is thwarted, his sending halting, his mental barrage coming to a halt as Winnwoill snares his soul. The soul he holds, at least, screams, its joys of freedom, and Verlaan's soul goes where it should: to the Palace. To Suntop, Imriel turns his attention, ** No! Not you TOO!! ** He thought that one understood. They'd talked only a couple times, but, certainly he understood, he seemed to... And then, a look of stark terror ripples across his astral image, and his mind screams in fear and rage, ** NO!!! ** A tug then felt on the soul of the elf. Will Winnowill hold on to a soul, darting to the Palace? Can she? Would she? Would Suntop let her? In a locksend, to Suntop, Imriel, Savah: Winnowill chuckles in the Astral plane, reading the fear, the recognition, understanding suddenly what that other soul was as it flew to its joy. As the soul is constrained she seeks to hold, it even if only for a breath. **How does it feel, Lost one, to be held, to know that if you are loosed, you will suffer the same fate that you inflicted on so many others. Which I wonder would you prefer.** She pauses, smiles gravely. **For what you have done to me and to mine, no, to our people, I should hold you here for an eternity, tormenting your soul for ages. But I am not you. Go, and know the peace you do not deserve.** She releases, and returns hurriedly to the real world. Healing is required, and she can waste no more time on these Twins. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Imriel, Savah: Suntop turns to watch Savah flee...perhaps it is best. But turning back, his spirit frowns at Winnowill, ** Do not kill him! ** He reaches out to stop the Glideress...to stand between them if he must. He has come late to the battle...he is still trying to catch up to all that he has come upon. In a locksend, to Ktai, Strongbow, Skywise, Flashfire, Moonshade, Joth, Yeyeen, Savith: Winnowill returns from the Void, and sends urgently, **Get those wounded to the tents, direct Gloomwing to those who are near death until I can arrive, see to those you can, While I tend to those seriously wounded first.** Eveshka's eyes narrow at the appearance of her Lord. Is there a limit as to how long one can remain Out before the task on the physical is too strong? It looks as if they are all going to find out the hard way, doesn't it? At a loss, she simply stands and waits. It's all that she truly can do. Winnowill gasps, and opens her Eyes, sending immediately. She speaks while reaching into her gown, and pulling out a deep violet and black miasma of wings and depression. "Gloomwing, go down, and do. Do as they tell you." Then as the little preserver flies on its way she speaks. "Eveshka, get me down there, now." Eveshka looks immensely relieved for a moment, and then nods, wrapping her magic once more about the Lord of Blue Mountain, and bringing both herself and her Lord into the air. She's starting to wear thin, but she will see her Lord safely to the battle scene if it is the last thing that she did. (travel spam removed) Field before Blue Mountain(#277RJ) A single mountain stands almost unnaturally into the air before you, grand and solid. Boulders and uneven, sheer rock faces threaten those who wander too close. Huge cracks split the mountain's roots, down to the assortment of rubble at its feet and up, hundreds of heights toward the mountain's spindly peak. In either the brightness of day or under the light of twin moons, the entire mountain and all the rocks about it have a definite blue tint. The field, dotted with boulders, seems to end at the mountain itself. One of the larger cracks obviously delves in deeper, forming a short, narrowing cave. Ktai's send is somewhat surprised, and it tingles with that as she cradles him into her arms and draws him back out of harm's way. ** Yes, I am Ktai...? ** There's a definite sense that she does not know who he is, but it doesn't matter right now. Oh! A Preserver! Her voice rings out clearly across the area. "Preserver! You want something to do? Come and do!" There is, after all, an injured highthing in her arms. >From above, a preserver, its body black, and wings magenta and electric blue,. wings down slowly from above, "Gloomwing do?" The question seems asked of any and everyone. An odd pair to say the least, though it seems to be a day for it, Black and white hair swirl together around Elf and Lord alike as Eveshka, her face only slightly betraying a constant strain that she is determined to push through, floats the Lord down to the battlefield, Winnowill herself looking a bit drained. She sends openly and simply. **Bring me to those that need healing most.** Flashfire's eyes just close, unresponsive to Ktai any further as he bleeds on her a bit. If he makes it through this, perhaps he'll get the chance to answer her. For once, if a Preserver is to wrap him, he's not exactly objecting. It sure wouldn't hurt. If all goes well, there will be no need to howl for him. Moonshade dives into Strongbow's arms and wraps her own around him. She allows herself the luxury of burying her face in his chest for only a moment. She then pulls herself together and looks to Strongbow. "Gather up the wounded." She looks to Gloomwing, "Preserver!" She waves to the preserver and directs it to Flashfire. "Wrap!" Ktai draws up at the send. Winnowill. Well, that's not the healer that she'd prefer, but she turns in midair, her broken and bleeding charge within her arms. Flashfire's seen much better days, and if Ktai has anything to do with it, will see a few more. "This one... is close to dying..." And if the Preserver gets to her charge first, well, that's good too. Oh thank the High One's Winnowill is here! Carrying Kureel, Savith flies to Winnowill eyeing Eveshka a moment before settling upon the ground. Though injured himself, Kureel is far worse off. **My Brother, My Lord,** he sends, glancing back to look for Yeyeen. She's still moving on her own, but Kureel... Kureel is... He turns back to Winnowill, concern in his eyes. He's no healer. Eveshka's magic breaks off the moment that her Lord is safely on the ground, and she herself makes a rather unsteady landing. Worn, weary, she looks to her Lord for a moment. ** My Lord, ** She sends, completely ignoring the presence of her mother, ** Shall I bring Savah as well? ** Strongbow nods to Moonshade and lets go, albeit relunctantly. Moving from his wolffriend he begins helping with the clean up. So many bodies... Gloomwing Twitters happily, OO someone said Her name!!!! Oh, but Pretty Dark has her.... Ooo Pointy face Glidething!!! Gloomwing circles down to Kureel's form and almost pouts as it begins SPOOTing goo all over the bleeding and crispy Chosen. Yeyeen is but a moment behind Savith, injured quite healivy herself, but unwilling to bring herself forward for healing. She merely joins the leghting line of those lieing on the ground awaiting the healers touch. Winnowill speaks quickly, before walking to Ktai to begin the healing glowing nimbus that will hopefully keep Flashfire alive. "No Eveshka, rest here, help the wounded, Savah can ask one of the other Chosen to bring her if she needs to." She settles in and begins the taxing, and not gentle task of healing as quickly as possible the batter elf. Eveshka nods, but instead of sinking into an exhausted puff of Sorrow's End silks and long silver hair, she begins the ageless task of recovery. A moment passes, and she comes to a complete halt, what little color there may have been in her face draining completely. ** The Palace? What of Suntop? ** Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Suntop: Eveshka's send flashes across, though she is growing weary, a quick sense. Is Suntop well? Sensed in a locksend to Eveshka, Winnowill: Suntop goes hurtling back to his body from the Astral Plane and actually blocks the incoming send. He cannot be distracted now. Kahvi turns, the fire of battle still burning in her eyes but, with nowhere to direct it, she turns ferociously around with her weapon still hot with the evil elf's blood. With nowhere to direct this burning adrenaline, Kahvi does what seems most natural - she lets a blood curdling, animalistic scream escape her lips, one half victorious, one half livid that there was not more that could be done to these two evil elves. This done, she moves in a flurry to start gathering up the dead and wounded, though she begins with the wounded. The pain she feels in her leg is ignored as she works through the pain to help those still in need. The battle field is littered with dead elves. Skywise sees to those lined up near the camp, surveying the group to see who is most in need of the healer's touch. To others he offers his little pouches of pain-killers, assuring them they will be cared for, and making sure those with intermediate wounds - those not life threatening, but still incapacitating - are made as comfortable as possible. His wounds are negligible, a few scrapes and cuts here and there, and mental anguish to last several decades at the least, so he does not look to be healed. Surely Winnowill will be exhausted saving so many at once. Luckily Skywise has learned a few herbal healing tricks from his friendship with Shenshen, so has a fair store of simple herbs to assist those with more minor wounds. High ones this is a mess. Under normal circumstances, Ktai would back away from Winnowill. But these are far from normal circumstances, and instead, she offers him quietly, waiting to see how badly injured he truly is. She herself cannot tell, but she knows the weak sends for what they are. No need for the bug to come to Flashfire, not with Winnowill going over to him first. It's easy for her to see how close to passing he still is, but his soul continues to fight, to hold on. There is something left to salvage. He groans as the healing starts, body tensing as his jaw clenches. It /hurts/..but it's not much different than what he's already been going through. Sensed in a locksend to Winnowill, Flashfire: Ktai's send is determined. She's said it to him before, she'll say it again: ** Don't you give up. Not until I know who you are. You know who I am, it's only fair. ** Winnowill frowns as her magic lights the deepening night weakly, she has spent much today, and has more yet to do... and this elf is teetering on the brink. She exerts, and realizes this will take more then she has to give. She opens her eyes briefly. "Gloomwing, to me, do." She has brought the clawed elf to a stable condition, he will not die, but she will need a fresh mind to take the imbedded molten rock from inside hi. The gloomy little preserver quickly floats to it's Lord side, and begins vomiting its goo all over the greatly wounded elf. Be careful Ktai, it's sticky. Eveshka rises once more into the air. She ought to check on Suntop in the Palace. She turns to look to Winnowill, sending quietly. ** My Lord? What of Suntop? Someone should check on him... ** The daystar begins to fall, the sky changing from afternoon, into evening, with a burning and brilliant sunset. Sticky is something Ktai is used to, given that she's had Petalwing in her hair more often than not in recent memory. Seems that Rayek isn't the only one who likes long hair. But as the oddly colored Preserver approaches, Ktai lifts Flashfire into the air, her magic suspending him for ease of the bug. When it is finished, she will make certain that he is safely secured until he can be tended once more. Sensed in a locksend to Ktai, Winnowill: Flashfire begins to stabilize slowly as Winnowill's healing touch begins to work, but it will be a while before he can say anything more, everything shutting down as the wrapstuff does its job, leaving a very long cocoon behind. Savith narrows his eyes at Eveshka and snaps at her, **Silence yourself, for Our Lord must focus on her work! And She ordered you to rest, glider! Allow the Chosen to Fly at Her Will.** With his Brotehr getting wrapped for later, Savith turns to pass Kureel off, only to see just how hurt Yeyeen is. Pressing his lips into a tight line, Savith sends an order to his Sister, **Lay down and consider yourself off duty until further notice.** Order sent, he summons Generi to collect Kureel and take him away. Shortly, Flashfire no longer looks like a direct descendent of Timmorn himself. By the time Gloomwing is through with him, he's left as a long cocoon, stable until anything further can be done. Winnowill looks away from the wrapstuffed elf, and sees her Chosen, Savith ordering elves about, and wounded a bit as well. She sends, and walks towards him. Winnowill locksends ** Chosen, here, I need at least one Loyal elf walking amongst all these Outsiders.** ** to Savith. Eveshka turns and looks at Savith with strangely cold and crystalline eyes. She doesn't reply, doesn't rise from the strange chill that has settled over her, instead simply stands there, waiting. Her mother is summarily ignored, which is probably for the best. Ktai retrieves the cocooned Flashfire, regarding the wrapstuff thoughtfully for a moment before looking across and seeing her daughter for the first time. Her mouth opens, but closes again as she turns with her burden and seeks somewhere safe that she can secure him. Skywise tends to those with lesser wounds and nods to Kahvi when she pulls a few more unconscious to lie in the row of wounded. "You should rest, Kahvi." he urges, noticing the growing bloody spot in her leathers. She waves a hand haphazardly at him as she turns back to the others left and begins the gruesome job of sorting through the dead to find the living. Her pain is forgotten or ignored as she notes the faces of her kin that have fallen forever. Those still living are lifted and moved to the group of those still living. Those so near death they require wrapstuff are laid at one end near a preserver who has busied itself with wrapping them. Skywise and Kahvi continue to work tirelessly to organize the victims of the war. Savith glances at Winnowill and makes his way over, torn but whole. He nods faintly, mind awaint his orders. Eveshka's ins't bothered with at the moment. SHe can be just as cold as she wants, but he is Chosen. Not following a Chosen's orders is similar to not obeying WInnowill. Savith locksends ** I am here to Serve, My Lord. What is Your Will? ** to Winnowill. Winnowill reaches out and summons that pale nimbus of light around Her and Her Chosen briefly, he is not hurt much, so this is a quick job, and once done she moves to Yeyeen, but at least she has one capable healthy Chosen down here to watch her back now. In a locksend to Savah, Winnowill takes a moment to send out a brief thought, as she tends to those below. **Sister, are you well?** Yeyeen is shaken and very badly injured. She doesn't move to sit, for she knows if she does she'll betray the weakness she feels. Instead, her eyes lift to Winnowill as Her Lord approached. Meanwhile, Savith's eyes close briefly at the healing touch, taking a deep breath before falling into place at Winnowill's side. Sensed in a locksend to Eveshka, Winnowill: Ktai's send is quiet. She doesn't trust Eveshka, doesn't want to have much of anything to do with her, but she is Mother, and she feels compelled to send. ** The Chosen is right, Eveshka. Rest. For Tyree. ** There's nothing there that indicates that she wants or expects a returned send, but she has to send. It's in the Scroll of Motherhood. Eveshka's magic stills, settling back into the silence of self, and as a send touches her mind, those violet eyes widen for a moment, and she turns to look to Ktai's retreating figure. Another moment passes, and those violet eyes harden for a moment before she very deliberately sits on the ground, glittering silks gathering dirt and blood as she does so. Winnowill locksends ** When you are rested, go to see Suntop, see if all is well now that the spirits of *those* two rest there, let him know that any help he can provide here would be appreciated. ** to Eveshka. In a locksend to Winnowill, Savah doesn't respond. She's, kind of out of it at the moment. Eveshka locksends ** Yes, my Lord. ** She will do as ordered, and shortly. She cannot say that she is entirely exhausted, but she will rest a bit longer and then go to see how Suntop has fared... and how angry with her he is now. ** I believe that there are supplies within the Palace that may come of aid. When I return, I will bring them. ** to Winnowill. Flashfire lies there, in Ktai's arms. (tm) Eveshka heads towards South