[Intro]
Desperately wounded by the crash of the Palace of the High Ones, Rayek has
been wrapstuffed by the Preserver Petalwing--and the cocoon which contains
him has been spirited off to Sorrow's End, by the mysterious Two-Edge. It
does not take the bold little Preserver very long to venture out to find
help for its highthing friend--and it soon finds it, in the form of Ranvish
of the Sun Village, and his small daughter Dreamer.

Ranvish takes the cocoon to shelter in his hut in the village, and quickly,
word spreads about the mysterious find. But Petalwing is impatient, and it
ventures into the Sun Village itself, looking for the highthings it knows
to live here, and hoping to find 'makebetter magic' for the wounded
magic-maker....

----------
Dancing Square
A wide paved square surrounded by brightly colored pavilions and 
  canopied platforms. Gaily colored banners and paper lanterns hang from poles 
  at the corners in the light of the child moon. Cool winter winds dip to 
  ground level from time to time.
The winter darkness paints the sky a deep black velvet and makes the stars 
  shine like troll-jewels as they dance round the two moons. The lanterns are 
  lit in the square and the boisterous gaiety of the evening turns softly 
  sensual, voices lowering and murmuring like sweet water flowing across the 
  village.
The village is dry and dusty, the plantlife dormant.
Contents:
Mender
Sun-Toucher
Harmony(#8236Jaeqs)
GentleHeart
Drum
Obvious exits:
Garden<W>  Canopy<E>  Savah's House<NW>  Boundary Path<S>  Crossroads<N>
You arrive at the Dancing Square still smiling a bit, looking around to see 
  who is here.

Mender sighs and shakes his head, chuckling, watching after Tel-tela.

Kerial has connected.

Petalwing wobbleflits determinedly into view, squinting around the square as 
  it looks for highthings!

Sun-Toucher cocks his head at a peculiar sound, "What...is that?"

Mender glances at Petalwing and smiles tightly. "A preserver, Sun-Toucher. 
  Hello there, little bug."

Kerial winces, and decides to head north, just coincidentally avoiding the bug.

Sun-Toucher squeezes Suntop's shoulder, his voice infinitely gentle, "Suntop, 
  my young friend, you must not allow blame to defeat you, or anger you overly. 
  It is an inevitable part of life: you cannot please everyone. Accept what you 
  do, it is of great importance."

Kerial goes north.
Kerial has left.

Petalwing ohs! And looks extremely relieved as it approaches the 
  elves, perching on wherever is handy, its little head hung tiredly. /Is 
  Petalwing!/ it announces as grandly as it can.

Mender smiles tightly again and offers his hand for Petalwing to settle in.

Petalwing perks up a little, and pipes, /Is more highthings in 
  sunny homeplace now? Petalwing must find... / It flits with exhausted care 
  onto the offered hand.

Mender hmms? and narrows his eyes some in curiousity. "Easy, little preserver. 
  What do you need?"

Petalwing chitters /Need makebetter highthing! Is for sharpdark 
  highthing! Petalwing _promised_!/

Sun-Toucher frowns, "A preserver. Makebetter highthing? Mender. 
  It means a healer!" He stands abruptly, "Someone needs you, Mender."

Mender frowns and nods to Sun-Toucher quickly, then turns back to 
  Petalwing. "Who? Where? Show me."

Petalwing goes on babblingly, /Got highthing to bring wrapstuff, 
  but highthing go way! Petalwing all alone with sharpdark highthing in 
  cozyhut!/ It blinks, then beams hopefully. /Petalwing show!/ It awkwardly 
  climbs into the air on its crinkled wings, and weaves an unsteady course off 
  through the village.

Mender stands upright, watching Petalwing and waiting for it to lead the way.

[Petalwing leads Mender, with Sun-Toucher following, through the village to
  the path just outside Ranvish's and others' huts.]

Boundary Path by the Cave(#676RL)
The sheltered valley gathers you close in rocky arms. The village 
  is nestled in a hidden canyon of red-yellow sandstone and prickly cactus 
  turned garden oasis by the precious well that brings water from the depths of 
  the earth. Mother Moon soars full overhead, with Child Moon's waxing crescent 
  barely visible on the horizon in the chill winter skies.
The village is dry and dusty, the plantlife dormant.
Obvious exits:
Boundary Path<N>  Kien's House<NE>  Ranvish's House<SE>  Suntop's 
  House<SW>  Lookout Ridge<NW>  South BoundaryPath<S>  Wolfrider Cave<W> 
  Crossroads<E>
You finally arrive at the wolfriders caves.

Sun-Toucher walks in from the crossroads, to the east.
Sun-Toucher has arrived.

Mender walks in from the crossroads, to the east.
Mender has arrived.
Mender hurries the bug up. "Hurry! This sounded important."

Petalwing points a tiny green finger at Ranvish's hut, piping 
  insistently, /Sharpdark highthing there!/ It peers anxiously at Mender, as if 
  judging him, and then zips in through the hut's window.

You enter Ran's House, and Shop.
Ran's Place(#9769RJL)
As you enter the front room of Ranvish's home and shop, you 
  notice a table in the center of the room. On the table are various items of 
  gold, silver, copper, bronze, and a few other metals, all of excellent 
  quality. You see a hallway leading into the main chamber, and a doorway 
  leading into his workshop.
Obvious exits:
Out  Work Shop  Main Room

Mender enters from outside.
Mender has arrived.

You have entered Ranvish's workshop.
Work shop
As you walk into Ran's workshop and you first glance around it 
  looks cluttered and messy. A variety of tools are strewn about on a work 
  bench on a far wall. If you look closer however you can see there is a sort 
  of order, though only Ranvish would be able to fully understand it. On the 
  north wall is a forge, where a hot fire is always kept burning. Near the 
  forge is an anvil, where Ranvish does most of his work.
Contents:
Wrapstuff cocoon(#9552Oa)
Obvious exits:
Ran's Place

Mender has come in from Ran's place.
Mender has arrived.

Petalwing lands atop a pale shape lying on the floor in the 
  workshop, and inspects it with fretful worry before looking hopefully up at 
  the golden-haired elf. /Is sharpdark highthing!/ it cries worriedly.

Mender nods quickly and kneels right by it. "Who is in it? How bad?"

Petalwing repeats insistently, /Is sharpdark highthing!/ It 
  wrings its little hands. /Homeplace go tumblerumble, sharpdark highthing all 
  squashed! Poor sharpdark highthing!/
Petalwing finishes pleadingly, /Can do makebetter magic on sharpdark highthing?/

Mender takes a breath and looks around, really wishing 
  Sun-Toucher were here, then turns back to the cocoon and nods. "I will."

Petalwing seems to light up, as much as a Preserver can, and it 
  nodnodnods in a sort of desperate ecstasy. It confides sadly, /Sharpdark 
  highthing muchsquashed. Highdigdig brought wrapstuff!/

Mender looks around the room. "I'll need something to cut it open with."

Petalwing makes a sort of frightened wail, its wrinkled wings wilting.

Sun-Toucher has come in from Ran's place.
Sun-Toucher has arrived.

Mender happens to spy a knife of sorts amidst the clutter and 
  stands to get it. "Easy, Petalwing. As long as he's wrapstuffed he'll be 
  fine."

Sun-Toucher hurries in, his staff tapping upon the ground. "Mender..what is it?"

Mender hurries back to the cocoon and kneels by it. "Someone is 
  wrapstuffed here. Apparently hurt badly, right Petalwing?"

Petalwing frets back and forth, chattering seemingly at random. 
  /Petalwing _promised_ take good care of sharpdark highthing! Poor Petalwing! 
  Poor sharpdark highthing!/ It blinkblinks and then nods rapidly up at the 
  nice makebetter highthing! /Sharpdark highthing muchsquashed! Petalwing saw!/

Sun-Toucher frowns, "You had better cut the person free, then."

Mender eyes Petalwing and keeps an even tone. "Petalwing, I will need quiet to 
  do this."

Petalwing's eyes go wide, and it whispers, /Petalwing be muchshushed./ By way 
  of demonstration, it claps both miniscule hands over its mouth.

Sun-Toucher gestures calmly to Petalwing, chuckling softly, "Come 
  here, little one, come talk to me and leave Mender to his work."

Mender nods once, approvingly, and turns his attention back on 
  the cocoon. He slowly slides the knife into the side, making sure not to 
  puncture the elf inside, and slices the cocoon open.

Petalwing peeks at the kindly no-see oldhighthing, and flitflits over?

Sun-Toucher holds out his staff for Petalwing to purchase upon, 
  his smile gentle and soothing, "You did very well bringing Mender, little 
  one, you are very good."

Leathers, stained with dust and blood, are the first thing to 
  come into sight, and brown skin visible under the tears.

Petalwing peeps in a very tiny voice, /Petalwing good guard./

Mender mutters as he spies the skin. "A sun villager."
Mender withdraws the blade and places it to one side, now using 
  his hands to pull away the wrapstuff.

As the concealing threads are sliced open, Petalwing casts a worried glance 
  at Mender's actions. If it had teeth, the Preserver would bite its lip, if it 
  had a lip. As it happens, it just frets atop the staff.

Sun-Toucher soothes Petalwing with soft murmurs, "You did well to 
  bring Mender, he is wise and a good healer. You have nothing to fear."
Sun-Toucher's eyes widen, "One of our own, Mender..."

Mender keeps pulling away at the wrapstuff, trying to both not 
  disturb the wounds more while attempting to assess them. He nods silently to 
  Sun-Toucher's remark.

A lean, battered form... hands, bruised and bloodied. And finally, a snarl of 
  tangled black hair.

Rayek, as his head is freed, gives a faint, rattling breath.

Petalwing gives a tiny little moan, gripping the top of Sun-Toucher's staff.

Sun-Toucher says in a soft whisper, "Mender...who?"

Mender gasps! "Rayek..."

Rayek tries to scowl, his black eyebrows furrowing slightly over his closed 
  eyes. One hand fumbles. Something's wrong...

Petalwing pipes tinily, /Make sharpdark highthing better?/

Sun-Toucher seems to falter in surprise, leaning hard against the wall, his 
  voice is weak. "Rayek...."

Mender stares down at the battered body for a moment then quickly gets to 
  work, pressing a hand to Rayek's forehead. Quickly, a soft orange glow 
  envelopes hand and forehead, sending soothing feelings through it.

Rayek's breath rattles in his throat, weak, thready. He jerks spasmodically 
  as Mender's magic contacts him...

** Delenbae ** Mender sends suddenly. ** Where is he? **

Mender turns his head ever so slightly to look at Sun-Toucher

Sun-Toucher shakes his head, 'I know not."

Mender sighs and nods, turning all his attention back to Rayek, muttering 
  "What in the name of the High Ones happened to you..."

Rayek gasps hoarsely at Mender's sending, or might, if the brief intake of 
  breath had any sound at all. He starts coughing, violently, his head shifting 
  slightly back and forth.

Mender ignores his own question and immediately returns to Rayek, sliding 
  his hands down his chest and torso to magically look for the wounds. His eyes 
  narrow as he begins finding them.

You locksend to Mender, Rayek, the moment you make contact with him with his 
  magic, seems to go mentally reeling, as if the touch of your power scalds him 
  like heated water. There's more damage here than just the physical, you 
  sense, as you begin you work.

Sun-Toucher murmurs, "That we shall find out. If he lives."

Mender takes a preporatory breath and steadies himself, placing his hands on 
  Rayek's chest. ** He'll live. **

Petalwing moans anguishedly, /Homeplace go tumblerumble. Sharpdark highthing 
  go splat./

Sun-Toucher smiles, "Good."

Mender locksends ** <soothing> Easy, Rayek. We'll fix you up. **

Sun-Toucher looks sharply at Petalwing, but smiles soothingly, "Homeplace?"

Mender's hands glow orange as his eyes close, focusing on the healing at 
  hand. He places on hand on Rayeks chest, the other just above his ribcage.

Petalwing nodnodnods! /Highthing homeplace! Many highthings come, want 
  homeplace, sharpdark highthing say no, try talk to no-body highthing but 
  no-body highthing make homeplace fly, naughtybad highthing cut open wrapstuff 
  and make no-body highthing make homeplace go tumblerumble! All go splat!/

Sun-Toucher gasps, "The Palace."

You locksend ** <Sharp flares of memory. Confusion. Where is he? Noise and 
  power, a surge of _something_ searing into him as he desperately throws his 
  magic into trying to halt... something... Impact. Pain.... > ** to Mender.

The soothing of the magic penetrates Rayek's body, searching for the physical 
  damage and slowly beginning to knit it back together, one piece at a time. ** 
  <soothing> Quiet.. Rayek... let me heal you first. **

Rayek's external wounds slowly begin to close under Mender's ministrations, 
  but his brown skin is unhealthily sallow, and his breath remains 
  insubstantial in his throat. Even as the magic works on him, he unconsciously 
  jerks as if caused more pain.

Mender moves his hands up to Rayek's chest and throat, searching for any 
  physical ailment that may be hindering his breathing.

You locksend ** <His throat is hale... but lower down... cracked bones have 
  torn into his lungs. He can't breathe. Went long long minutes without air... 
  ><In another portion of his mind, he still reels. He should be in the Palace. 
  He can _feel_ it, still, but it's strangely distant... > ** to Mender.

You locksend to Sun-Toucher, Rayek, as Mender works on him, throws off 
  random bursts of emotion stark and easily palpable to your inner senses: 
  bursts of confusion, pain, and disorientation.

Mender takes a deep, shuddering breath as the tremendous healing task before 
  him begins to take its toll. He shifts his hands back down to Rayek's lungs, 
  pressing gently against the sides, sending the warmth of his healing deep 
  within the body.

You sense in a locksend, Sun-Toucher pushes against your confusion, pain, 
  disorientation with a steady, strong, reassuring pulse of confidence and 
  surety.

Tel-tela has come in from Ran's place.
Tel-tela has arrived.

Rayek seems to settle, at least a bit, though one lean brown hand twitches 
  occasionally with the influx of power. Slowly, painfully, his breath gains a 
  hint of strength.

Tel-tela blinks, and walks in "I heard something...oh!"

You locksend, to Sun-Toucher, Mender: ** <Mender's magic sears him even as 
  it heals. Too much power... too much... he reels as if staggering under the 
  Daystar, out in the middle of the desert.> **

Mender winces at the effort, finding more than he originally expected to 
  heal. Sweat begins to form on his brow as he continues to probe, finding and 
  fixing what he can.

Petalwing flitflitflits anxiously atop Sun-Toucher's staff, its own crumpled 
  wings forgotten as the light of Mender's magic envelops Rayek's motionless 
  form on the floor.

Suntop locksends ** Rayek? **

Rayek sends openly ** <A burst of open sending. A flare of bright light 
  vivid in the forefront of his memory, an explosion of color that slams into 
  him with all the impact of the side of a mountain.> **
Rayek twitches again, unexpectedly, a breathy groan slipping out of him.

Sun-Toucher puts a hand to his head, going pale.

You locksend ** <Pain! He reels. Too much power. Too much power... > ** to 
  Suntop.

Sun-Toucher nods, "That is a wise suggestion."

Tel-tela blinks, and kneels by Mender.

Mender gasps and collapses back on his haunches, hands falling to his side. 
  His face is covered in sweat and his expression that of exhaustion. ** 
  I've... done what I can... physically.. he's fine. **

Tel-tela caresses Mender.

Suntop locksends ** <confusion> Where are you? **

Mender half leans/half falls into Tel-tela, taking deep breaths.

Tel-tela holds him close.

Petalwing eeps, and flits anxiously, if crookedly, down to Rayek's chest and 
  peers at him critically, inspecting him all over. Rayek stirs feebly, an 
  expression that's trying to be a wince flickering across his features.

You locksend ** <Too much power/too much magic!> <As if scalded, even by 
  your distant sending, he reels, disoriented.> ** to Suntop.

Mender opens his eyes and stares at the roof.
Mender says "Sun-Toucher?"

Tel-tela holds Mender. "You okay?"

Mender leans against Tel-tela for support and nods quickly. "I'm fine."

Petalwing, finding Rayek's skin whole at last and his breath steady even if 
  weak, looks immensely relieved. It immediately flits to Mender's shoulder, 
  and hugs his ear! /Happy Petalwing! Nice makebetter highthing!/

Sun-Toucher steps closer, "Mender?" He puts a hand on his shoulder. "Are you 
  allright?"

Rayek(#3218PBXac)
This is an unconsious elf, who might be tall if he were not lying limp and 
  broken in form. His deep golden-brown skin clearly marks him as one born 
  under a hot Daystar; his near-waistlength, uncompromisingly straight black 
  hair is snarled and tangled. He is clad in what were once hunting leathers of 
  a rich dark red, but these as well as his body are almost completely covered 
  with dirt and blood.

Mender smiles softly and chuckles in an out-of-breath manner at Petalwing, 
  and raises a hand to pat it. He looks up and nods at Sun-Toucher. "I'm fine, 
  but... Rayek isn't. There's something more than physically wrong with him... 
  would you be able to look?"

Suntop has come in from Ran's place.
Suntop has arrived.

Sun-Toucher kneels down and puts a hand on Rayek's forehead. The old elf's 
  entire face seems to pinch up as he concentrates.

Petalwing eeps, its head jerking up as it spots Suntop. /Hellohello 
  findmagic highthing!/

Suntop walks in, looking around, concern showing in his eyes.

Mender continues to lean against Tel-tela, exhausted.

Tel-tela snugs Mender. "You'll be fine :)."

Mender manages a weak smile for Tel-tela.

Suntop smiles faintly as he sees Petalwing, he turns to look to Sun-Toucher, 
  Tel-Tela and Mender, after looking Rayek over.. "How is he doing?"

Mender glances up at Suntop. "Alive. Do you have any idea what happened?"

Petalwing wobblingly flits back to Rayek, perching on his chest as if 
  clearly intending to guard him with its tiny life.
Petalwing repeats earnestly, /Homeplace go tumblerumble! Sharpdark highthing 
  go splatsquash!/

Mender is too exhausted to try and interpret bugspeak at the moment. ;)
Mender says "What is it trying to say, Sun-Toucher?"

Petalwing adds, pouting, /Petalwing go splatsquash, too! Under naughtyloud 
  fightsmuch highthing!/

Mender
Slender as a whip, with leanly defined muscles, this young elf moves with 
  lupine grace. He is richly tanned, but palely, hinting that while he might be 
  a desert-dweller, he is not a Sun Villager by birth. His hair is a pale, 
  bleached blond, wavy and tumbled; it hangs loosely about his angular features 
  and down to his shoulders in back. Slanted and wideset, his eyes are a warm 
  shade of grey, like the sky during a gentle rain.

Mender kneels down by Rayek and slides his arms underneath him, scooping him up 
  gently. He nods to Petalwing. "Yes, it will be better than here."

Tel-tela
You see before you a young slim sunfolk maiden. She looks at you with bright 
  green eyes, and has flowing black hair down to her waist.
She wears a *very* skimpy outfit, that she uses when she is in her garden. 
  Her tight Vest top strains to contain her full breasts, and ends actually 
  just below them, leaving her stomah open to the air. Her skirt is very short 
  too, barely covering the upper parts of her thighs. Her long tanned legs 
  glisten in the light.
Carrying:
Jar of jam

Mender blinks at Petalwing.

Suntop nods, and shakes his head. "The Palace.. has been..well.. let's say that 
  it won't fly again anytime soon.. *sigh* Rayek managed to get the Palace to 
  fly.. but thanks to one thick-skulled GoBack, it was nearly destroyed."

Sun-Toucher shakes his head softly.
Sun-Toucher frowns, "How, Suntop?

Mender blinks up at Suntop, wide-eyed.

Petalwing pouts, crossing its tiny arms. /Naughtybad fightsmuch highthing 
  cut wrapstuff! Petalwing _told_ no!/

Suntop sighs softly. "There was one in the Palace who was in wrapstuff.. one 
  named 'Tilia'.. Rayek knew her, I guess. He convinced her to guide the Palace 
  into the air, again.."

Mender blinks. "You went with him?"
Mender slides out of Tel-tela's grasp to stand slowly.

Sun-Toucher gasps, 'Into the air?"

Suntop shrugs a bit. "I didn't MEAN to go with him, necessarily. I followed 
  Ember because Two-Edge called her and sent her to find the Palace again. When 
  we GOT there, Rayek went to Tilia and convinced her."
Suntop winces as he shrugs, favoring his left arm visibly.

Mender scowls. "And you didn't bother to tell anyone?"

Petalwing's pout deepens. /Naughtybad highdigdig!/

Sun-Toucher shakes his head, "Unbelievable."

Mender pads over to stand directly in front of Suntop. "You knew things were 
  happening with the Palace and you didn't bother to tell anyone??"

Petalwing eeps, and scurries down on the other side of Rayek's head.

Suntop looks Mender in the eyes, and frowns deeply. "Don't even start with me, 
  Mender. I didn't ask for the Palace to crash.. I only wanted to find it. Now, 
  many elves have died.. and the Palace is not able to fly anymore. NOT because 
  I wasn't able to send to anyone.. but rather because _I_ was a bit too busy 
  struggling to keep a dreamberry-addled GoBack from cutting the wrapstuff to 
  the Guider of the Palace!"

Sun-Toucher's voice is calm, overridingly so, "Peace. You both."

Mender rolls his eyes. "By the HighOnes! Did you even -think- of telling anyone 
  you were going there?? Me? Sun-Toucher? Savah??"

Suntop looks ironic. "Think about it this way, then, Mender.. If Ember tells a 
  person to do something..or go somewhere.. do you really think she will WAIT 
  for you to go and tell the nearest person that something is happening" He 
  chuckles softly.

Mender grows rather irritated. "Look at it this way... this isn't about easy 
  life in the forest! This is about the Palace!!"

Tel-tela sighs "Mender, he didn't have time...Suntop, you of all elves , could 
  have sent to someone"

Mender says "Did you have even the smallest inclination that this is a bit more 
  important than a jaunt to the pool?"

Suntop says rather calmly. "Mender, you're tired. Don't start blaming me for 
  things that I had little control over. I won't allow it."

Sun-Toucher steps over, his presence reproving. "All of you, this is no time to 
  assign blame. Cease this useless squabbling."

Petalwing frowns a little, softly, as the highthings argue, but keeps its tiny 
  mouth shut for once, and peers hopefully at the unconscious Rayek. Maybe 
  sharpdark highthing will wake up.

Mender says "I'm blaming you for not having the sense enough to actually think!"

Suntop snorts softly. "Ok, so I'm not perfect..Never once claimed to be."

Mender turns to Sun-Toucher, the anger still very prevalent on his face and 
  nods, then proceeds to turn and walk out.

Tel-tela sighs, and turns, and kisses Mender firmly on the lips, and then doing 
  it to Suntop also.... "Will you both be quiet?"

Mender leaves the workshop and goes to Ran's place.
Mender has left.

Sun-Toucher puts a hand on Suntop's shoulder, the other on Mender's, his voice 
  is gentle. "Please. Do not fight."

Suntop's shoulders droop a bit.. as he shakes his head. "Why is it that 
  everyone has to place blame? It _happened_. And the Palace is a whole lot 
  bigger than me.. or anyone else.. to just simply stop..and think. The Palace 
  is overwhelming!" He looks to Sun-Toucher, as he says softly, "I've had quite 
  enough of people being angry at everyone else..No one is perfect. But 
  everyone expects perfection!"

Mender has come in from Ran's place.
Mender has arrived.
Mender pads back in, eyes still narrow in anger, but he speaks a little more 
  calmly. "Someone should look after Rayek."

Suntop looks up at Sun-Toucher, and shakes his head. He turns to look at 
  Mender, when he sees him coming back. "Tell that to those who act purely from 
  anger, Sun-Toucher. Then, perhaps I can accept that all is well enough."

Petalwing pipes up, /Petalwing do!/
Petalwing carefully patpats Rayek's gaunt brown cheek. /Take good care of 
  sharpdark highthing!/

Mender glowers at Suntop. "When did you get back, anyway?"

Sun-Toucher smiles sadly at Suntop, murmuring, "I will do that."

Mender glances down at Rayek. "We should move him to my hut. I can take better 
  care of him there."

Petalwing says hopefully, /Cozysoft snugplace for sharpdark highthing?/

Tel-tela sighs, and wavies, and follows Mender.

Rayek's limp form is easily hoisted up. He's lighter than he should be, if such 
  can be noticed, and as he is lifted, Rayek moans a bit.

Suntop walks over to Tel-Tela.. and stops her for a moment..

Mender carries Rayek out.
Mender leaves the workshop and goes to Ran's place.
Mender has left.

Tel-tela stops.

[Mender carries Rayek on to his own hut, with Petalwing following briskly
  along as best it can with wounded wings. The healer passes Zemmil in
  the Dancing Square, but doesn't bother with greetings, carrying the
  semi-conscious Rayek straight to his hut.]

You push aside the hanging strands of beads, and enter the healer Mender's 
  house.
Visiting chamber
Cool and airy like most of the Sun Folk's constructions, this hut's primary 
  chamber is tinted faintly along its walls with images of the green growing 
  places. The hanging strings of beads in the two windows and the doorway 
  rattle lightly in passing breezes. Candles in holders in the shapes of 
  wolves' heads cast warm circles of illumination about the room.
Contents:
Mender
Sleeping pit
Obvious exits:
Cellar<Dn>  Out<SE>  

Petalwing steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.
Petalwing has arrived.

Mender kneels down and gently lies Rayek in the sleeping pit, making sure that 
  there are plenty of blankets under him for softness.

Petalwing flitflitflits, unsteadily, and takes the first perch it can find, the 
  rim of the sleeping pit.

Sleeping pit
This is a wide, shallow depression in the floor of the hut, filled with soft, 
  light blankets and random pillows, of assorted dusty shades of purple, green, 
  and blue. The circular rim of the pit is worked in delicately carved 
  sandstone of a yellow-brown hue, smooth and wide enough to sit on. Here, 
  Mender often works healings, or simply lets guests sit and relax.

Petalwing nodnods, looking happier. /Cozysoft napplace,/ it says approvingly.

Mender stands upright and runs his fingers through his hair, glancing down 
  into the pit. He turns quickly to smile softly at Petal.

Tel-tela steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.

Mender holds his hands out. "Let me look at you, Petalwing. Are you hurt too?"
Mender smiles softly at Tel-tela.

Petalwing blinks at Mender uncomprehendingly, then answers plaintively, /No 
  fly good! Petalwing go squishsquash!/

Mender smiles and nods at Petalwing. "Come."

Petalwing hopflits to the healer and peers up at him hopefully.

Tel-tela smiles, and sits down on the bed.

Mender holds his hands out for Petalwing to land in. That familiar orange glow 
  soon encompasses the hands, surrounding Petalwing and its wings. Shortly, 
  the wings are healed.

Petalwing ooooooohs! /Petalwing feel tinglesparkles!/ It cranes a look over 
  its shoulder and beams. /Wings strong!/

Petalwing(#3061)
No more than half a foot in height, this tiny sprite of a creature is the color 
  of new spring leaves, with gossamer wings of sunset hues of pink and yellow 
  and orange. It has huge crystalline eyes, with green pupils surrounded by 
  pink, and it sports a jaunty curl-topped golden brown hat. It chitters in a 
  daring - and rather screeching - high-pitched voice.

Mender smiles and lets Petalwing go, then proceeds to sit beside Tel-tela 
  on the edge of the sleeping pit, leaning against here and gazing down at 
  Rayek.

Petalwing flitflitflits experimentally, and trills brightly as its wings work 
  properly! /Petalwing happy! Fly fast!/

Tel-tela smiles "Yes, you fly fast."

Rayek lies quietly, that faint scowl still on his features. No one in the Sun 
  Village has seen him for ten years, but it seems as if those years haven't 
  treated him quite well; even apparently physically healed, he is thinner than 
  he should be, the planes of his cheekbones sharp in his face.

Mender glances over at Tel-tela. "Can we feed him?"

Petalwing finally lands on the rim of the sleeping pit again and confides 
  wisely to Tel-tela, /Petalwing fly much for sharpdark highthing!/

Tel-tela nods "I can bring over soups that just need water added."

Mender nods to Tel-tela. "That would be nice, if you could."

Petalwing nodnods, endorsing this plan. It pipes up, /Sharpdark highthing not 
  eat much for Petalwing!/

[Tel-tela runs off, and momentarily returns... ]

Tel-tela smiles, bringing several pouches and a pot of water.

Mender says "Tel-tela... could you bring Savah? Please?"

Tel-tela smiles "Okay."
Tel-tela steps out through the beaded doorway to the Boundary Path.

Savah steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.

Tel-tela steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.
Tel-tela brings Savah in.

Savah ducks as she enters the hut, then straightens again.

Petalwing ooooohs! /Hellohello muchmother highthing!/

Zemmil steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.

Savah looks at you for a moment.

Mender looks up and nods to Savah quietly, motioning down in the sleeping pit.

Zemmil stands in the door, looking curiously.
Zemmil looks at you for a moment.

Petalwing flitflitflits up to see Savah, beaming happily at her. /Petalwing 
  brought sharpdark highthing!/

Mender spies Zemmil and nods a greeting, making a motion with a finger to his 
  mouth to be quiet.

Savah kneels by the pit, looking down at Rayek. Then she smiles. "Dear one.. 
  Mender?"

Zemmil nods to Mender.

Sun-Toucher steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.

Mender looks at Savah. "Yes? Savah?"

Zemmil is standing in the doorway.

Zemmil
He is very tall, and extremely thin, this elf. His skin is bronze, while his 
  close-cropped hair is light in color, and pale grey eyes. he is wearing an 
  outfit of light woven cloth, dark blue in color. The long-sleeved shirt is 
  trimmed with silver, and laced up the front. His pants are likewise trimmed, 
  and he has simple leather boots on his feet. His expression is level, and 
  emotionless, rarely showing passion. The left shoulder of the shirt has a 
  silver embroidered pattern, in the shape of a four pointed star.
Carrying:
Wooden Elk
rolled cloth bundle
Large leather satchel

Petalwing peers at the talltall highthing curiously before flittering over 
  again to light by Rayek's disheveled head. It settles down with 
  satisfaction. /Take good care of sharpdark highthing now!/

Mender keeps sitting at the edge of the pit by Rayek.

Sun-Toucher steps near to Savah, "Savah, what shall we do about Rayek?"

Savah says "How is he, healer?"
Savah smiles to Petalwing, and reaches out to touch Rayek's forehead gently 
  with her fingertips.

Mender glances down to Rayek and frowns in concern, speaking softly. "
  Physically, he's fine. Mentally.. spiritually... I don't know." He shakes 
  his head in confusion.

Sun-Toucher looks down at Savah, frowning slightly.
Sun-Toucher says quietly, "I shall try to reach him, if you wish it, Savah."

Savah shakes her head, a small smile on her lips. "No.. let him rest. There is 
  time, now."

Zemmil asks quiely, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Long distance to Savah: Rayek, as you look at him closely, is clearly in 
  strained shape. He is thinner than he should be; evidently, the ten years in 
  which your erstwhile pupil... and almost-son... has been secluded have not 
  treated him well. He seems whole of body, yes... but there is a faint bemused 
  scowl on his features.

Mender nods in agreement with Savah. "I think the best we can do for him now 
  is let him rest."

Sun-Toucher nods to Savah, "Rest cannot hurt him."

Tel-tela smiles "I'll watch him."

Petalwing looks very pleased with itself--it accomplished its mission! It 
  flitflits as it pats Rayek's face with a tiny green hand.

Savah murmurs, stroking Rayek's hair back. "Where was he found?"

Petalwing pipes /Naughtybad highdigdig brought wrapstuff to hideycave!/

Mender shakes his head. "Petalwing took us to Ranvish's house. Rayek was there 
  wrapstuffed."

Sun-Toucher murmurs, "Ranvish took him there?"

Savah looks thoughtfully at Petalwing. "Two-Edge brought him to a cave?"

Mender glances at Sun-Toucher and shrugs. "Perhaps. Probably."

Petalwing shakes its head. /Nononono! Naughtybad highdigdig! Came to 
  homeplace! Took bigrocks off sharpdark highthing and 
  Petalwing made wrapstuff and highdigdig brought wrapstuff to hideycave! 
  Highthings found!/

Tel-tela climbs down into the sleeping pit.

Sun-Toucher listens to Petalwing, frowning, "Slowly, little one, slowly."

Tel-tela sits on the edge, looking down at Rayek.

You locksend ** <As you skim the surface of Rayek's thoughts, you catch a 
  glimpse of a violent coil of images and impressions. Everything around him 
  shaking... anger and fury at... someone?... A burst of white light, and he 
  reacts in unthinking desperation--can't let it crash! And a flare of mental, 
  magical pain, as he is overloaded--and as he slams hard into a wall, buried 
  by falling rubble... > ** to Savah.

Rayek's head turns slightly, restlessly, trying to scowl.

Petalwing draws in a HUGE breath, and nods very earnestly to no-see 
  oldhighthing!

Sun-Toucher smiles at Petalwing, his blind gaze turned towards the Preserver. 
  "Repeat that. Slowly, little one.'

Zemmil says "Two-Edge?"
Zemmil says "He's here?"

Tel-tela smiles "Oh pooh, why are you mad, you just got healed from what I 
  uderstand was a nasty accident."

Mender takes a breath and runs his fingers through his hair. "What's going on?"

Sun-Toucher sighs, "I make no sense of what the Preserver tells us."

Savah's eyes widen slightly as she looks at Rayek.

Petalwing draws out its piping words very slowly: /Sharpdark highthing in 
  homeplace! Many highthings come! Want homeplace! Sharpdark highthing say no! 
  Highthings fight! Naughtybad pokestick highthing try unwrap no-body 
  highthing! No-body highthing make homeplace go tumble-rumble! All squash! 
  Sharpdark highthing squashed under bigrocks! Petalwing try find! Naughtybad 
  highdigdig come!/

Mender blinks at Petalwing, not able to make wolves nor zwoots out of that. 
  Instead, he shifts his gaze back to Savah. "Savah? Have you found something?"

Sun-Toucher turns his blind gaze to Savah, quiet. "Savah. What do you sense?"

Zemmil says "Who crashed the palace?"

Tel-tela smiles. "Are you awake Rayek?"

Petalwing, for whom talking slowly more or less amounts to taking a breath 
  every other word or so instead of every five, pouts as it doesn't seem to 
  tell its story right.

Rayek's head turns in the maiden's direction, as if he hears her. But if he 
  does, he doesn't seem quite awake; his eyes are still pressed closed as if in 
  pain.

Zemmil looks toward Petalwing.
Zemmil says "Preserver... please tell me..."

Tel-tela takes a damp cloth, and holds it to Rayek'shead.

Petalwing pipes readily, /No-body highthing!/

Sun-Toucher murmurs, "Rayek. He crashed it, I think."

Something of the scowl leaves Rayek's features as the damp cloth soothes him.

Petalwing pouts again. /Petalwing _told_ pokestick highthing shouldn't tear 
  wrapstuff./

Savah says "A great destruction.."

Mender nods slowly.

Savah looks somewhat distant.

Zemmil says "A highthing with a spear... Lursa was here... she was following 
  her tribesmates..."

Mender says "There was someone wrapstuffed within the Palace, Petalwing?"

Zemmil's eyes widen slightly.
Zemmil says "The gobacks tried to take the palace from Rayek."

Petalwing nodnodnods firmly to Mender. /Wrapstuffed longlong time! Petalwing 
  saw!/

Zemmil says "There was an elf in wrapstuff. One of the gobacks tried to free 
  them from the wrapstuff, and the palace crashed."

Mender eyes Petalwing. "Who? What is the name?"

Sun-Toucher shakes his head thoughtfully.

Savah departs. "Call me when he wakes up, children."
Savah steps out through the beaded doorway to the Boundary Path.

Tel-tela touches Rayeks cheek softly. "You'll be fine"

Petalwing says sagely, /Was no-body highthing in wrapstuff!/

Mender says "Is there still anyone there, Petalwing?"
Mender stands and smacks his forehead. "Suntop."

Petalwing considers this solemnly. /All highthings left!/ Its wings drop a 
  little, dejectedly. /Findmagic highthing and firehair highthing and all the 
  fightsmuch highthings!/

Sun-Toucher frowns, listening.

Tel-tela kisses the sleeping Rayek on the cheek.."Sleep well."
Tel-tela climbs up out of the sleeping pit.
Tel-tela smiles, and climbs out, and moves over to Mender.

Zemmil says "Fightmuch... Definitely gobacks."

Mender glances at Tel-tela and smiles softly, offering an arm for her.

Tel-tela smiles, and wraps it around her.
Tel-tela says "He's resting okay."

Mender nods to Tel-tela and pulls her close, smiling softly. "Thank you."

Zemmil says "I will leave."

Mender glances at Zemmil and nods. "If you wish."

Zemmil says "I do not seem to be any use here."
Zemmil steps out through the beaded doorway to the Boundary Path.

Suntop steps in through the beaded doorway from outside.

Tel-tela smiles, and waves at Suntop.

Sun-Toucher smiles, "Suntop."

Mender glances at Suntop a little hesitantly and nods. "Thank you for coming."

Suntop walks in, after a few moments, and stands near the door. "Hello again, 
  Sun-Toucher.. Mender.. There is something you need me for?"
Suntop smiles, and waves to Tel-Tela when he catches sight of her.

Mender nods and motions with his head down at the sleeping form of Rayek in 
  his sleeping pit. "Do you have any idea what happened?"

Petalwing flitflits over to nestle down by Rayek again.

Suntop nods, wincing a bit. "Yes.. I do. I suppose you want me to tell you 
  everything that I saw?"

Mender nods, turning back to Suntop. "That would be useful."
Mender keeps an arm around Tel-tela.

Tel-tela nods "Please Suntop..."

Suntop leans against the wall, as he relates the tale: 
  "I'll start from where I was asked to join Ember. She came to me and told me 
  that Two-Edge had said that she would be wise to search out the Palace. He 
  did not give a reason.. and Ember decided that it was wisest. So, Ember and I 
  headed out in the company of a few Gobacks... We eventually found the cliffs 
  near where Father and the tribe first came through to Sorrow's End. We 
  wandered a bit..and the call of magic grew stronger. When we found the 
  Palace, it was hidden..it was there.. yet our eyes could not see it. We 
  could feel it..and sense it.. but not see it. It was strange. Anyway, we 
  went into the Palace...and inside, we found Rayek. Brindle did her best to 
  upset Rayek.. but did not succeed. Rayek went to the room where the Scroll 
  of Colors were..and before anyone other than Brindle could enter..he shut 
  the door behind himself, magically."

Sun-Toucher shakes his head, "Quite a tale."

Mender nods slowly. "But what cause.. whatever?"

Suntop sighs. "I'm not done yet, Sun-Toucher.." He pauses and takes a deep 
  breath.
Suntop says "Anyway.. Rayek and Brindle were locked into the Scroll Room.. 
  since I could not get in..and everyone was concerned about what was going on 
  inside, I 'went out'..and observed what happened. Rayek was sending to 
  someone.. someone who had no body, that I could see..until I saw a body 
  which was wrapped up in wrapstuff..Rayek was sending frantically.. trying to 
  convince that person of something..while Brindle was trying to STOP Rayek..
  but it was too late..he'd done it..The Palace _FLEW_! We could all feel it.. 
  the whole place shook like nothing I'd ever felt before..magically..and 
  physically..."

Mender smiles tightly and nods to Lursa as she wakes up.

Lursa says "What?"

Mender returns his attention to Suntop and nods. "Go on..."

Sun-Toucher's eyes are wide, sightlessly staring at Suntop.

Petalwing nodnodnods firmly! /Homeplace go tumblerumble!/

Suntop says "We flew.. and I went back to my body..to tell Ember and the rest 
  what was going on.. It was then that Ember realized that we still had 
  Petalwing with us. She got it to open the door again..and we all got into 
  the room."
Suntop says "Once in the room, I saw that Brindle was fighting Rayek.. saying 
  something about no elf deserves to be wrapped up..and she broke free of 
  Rayek. Rayek then had to fight with Kahvi..for reasons I still don't know..I 
  was too concerned with Brindle, who was struggling to cut the body out of 
  the wrapstuff. I felt a shift in the magic.. cutting that one free was a 
  BAD idea!"

Sun-Toucher nods quietly, listening.
Sun-Toucher frowns, "I wonder why, Suntop."

Mender frowns and growls, muttering something incoherent yet again about 
  GoBacks.

Lursa listens carefully...and wonders if perhaps she shouldn't sneak out.

Suntop says "Because.. That one was _guiding_ the Palace..keeping it in the 
  air! When she cut the strands, she broke the elf's concentration..bringing 
  her back to 'our world'.. instead of that of the timeless world of being 
  wrapped up. I fought with Brindle.. TRIED to convince her to stop.. I 
  delayed her...but was unable to stop her.. she'd hurt the one 
  in the wrapstuff..CUT her..with the dagger she was using. It was too late. 
  The Palace crashed.. but before that happened, I'd called out to Petalwing in 
  a final attempt to save us from falling to the ground.. Petalwing wrapped 
  them BOTH up..the one called 'Tilia'..and Brindle.. the both of them.. 
  because it was the only chance of keeping the injured one from dying.."

Sun-Toucher murmurs, "The strings were cut, the puppet fell."

Mender outright frowns, not bothering to hide his contempt and anger.

Suntop sighs deeply.. "We felt it.. the Palace crashed 
  into the ground..the room collapsed.. and a lot of the GoBacks were crushed.. 
  I, myself, was hit..and injured, as you can see here... *motions to his 
  injured left arm..then he pulls his hat off, revealing a rather deep cut on 
  his head*..Ember was hurt too..No one in that room was left uninjured..a 
  number of GoBacks died. Rayek..*sighs deeply* ...Rayek was no where to be 
  found..he would not answer any sends.. nothing. I wanted to dig him out, but 
  Ember dragged me out of the room when another cave-in happened.. and I didn't 
  see him again.. until today."

Mender scowls, but impressively keeps his words to himself.

Petalwing pipes up solemnly, /Sharpdark highthing go squishsquash./

Mender turns his head to look down at Rayek, away from everyone else.

Suntop falls silent, and puts his hat back on.. he 
  looks over at Rayek, then at Mender.. he shakes his head sadly. He looks to 
  Sun-Toucher and Tel-Tela..and sighs. "I should go now, I think.."

Lursa murmurs to herself "It wasn't supposed to be that way...can't belive 
  they *DESTROYED* it..."

Mender turns sharply on Lursa. "You knew about this?"

Lursa says "I told you earlier."

Mender says "No, you said nothing of the sort that they would invade the 
  Palace."

Sun-Toucher frowns, "And now the palace has crashed."

Lursa says "I didn't think they were INVADING it!"
Lursa says "Persuading Rayek to put it back...but not INVADING it!"

Suntop turns to look at Lursa, remembering something.. 
  "You are a GoBack? Then it should also be mentioned: Rayek was threatened..."

Tel-tela sits, and tries to take this all in.

Lursa says "With what?"

Petalwing points out sagely, /Homeplace not allgone! Is just busted!/

Mender shakes his head in disgust, waving his free arm. "Rayek needs some 
  peace. He needs to rest if he is to get better."

Suntop's expression actually turns dark..almost with anger. "Brindle and 
  Kahvi..They actually THREATENED.. to GIVE Ekuar to the 
  trolls..if Rayek did not fly the Palace BACK to the Frozen North!"

Lursa says "They couldn't have given Ekuar to anyone. He was traveling here 
  with me."

Mender turns and looks at each assembled person in the 
  room and sets -very- evenly "If you need to argue, take it outside."
Mender says "Suntop, were there any surviving GoBacks?"

Lursa says "He's here in Sorrow's End right now, in fact."

Petalwing perks up! /Oldold moverock highthing here?/

Suntop says _very_ softly.. "Threats of that sort aren't taken well by Rayek..
  and no one.. for any reason.. should ever play with another's life like 
  that." He looks at Lursa for a moment, and sighs.. 
  "But that was your chief's decision not yours, I know.." He looks over to 
  Mender. "Yes, there were a few..Kahvi and Brindle and a younger one whom I 
  did not hear named."

Mender nods to Suntop. "Then we'll talk to them afterward, too."

Tel-tela sighs, and leans on Mender.

Lursa scowls, thinking deeply.
Lursa says "Yes, Ekuar is here, bug..."

Suntop looks to Mender, and sends to him, briefly.

Mender nods curtly to Suntop.

Petalwing beams and patpats Rayek's tangled hair. /Sharpdark highthing like 
  oldold moverock highthing!/

Mender disentangles himself from Tel-tela and pads over to Suntop, reaching 
  for his injured arm.

Suntop looks at Mender, with sorrow in his eyes..he shakes his head, but 
  doesn't move.

Mender gently touches Suntop's arm, encompassing it with a healing glow. 
  Shortly he removes Suntop's hat and presses his fingers 
  to Suntop's head, taking slightly longer to heal those wounds.

Suntop closes his eyes..a pair of tears slide down his left cheek as he is 
  healed.

Lursa quietly finds her clothes

Mender finishes the healing and removes his hands, giving Suntop a soft look 
  of compassion before padding back to Tel-tela.

Suntop puts his hat back on his head, then turns to look at Lursa. "Your chief 
  is a fool, cousin..Thinking that something that belongs to all belongs to 
  ONLY your tribe. But regardless of true beliefs..a life is not something to 
  be played with. If you have any compassion in you at all.. do not ever let 
  Ekuar be used like that again.. no matter what your mad chief says."

Lursa says "I'll leave him here...or help him find the Palace...to..heal it."
Lursa says "He won't go North again."
Lursa scowls.

Tel-tela holds Mender's hand.

Suntop nods, then smiles. "Actually.. I think he would 
  rather like to work on the Palace.. It would do him much good, I think."

Petalwing oo! /Petalwing knows where homeplace is!/ It 
  looks happy for a moment, before its tiny face falls, and it pouts. 
  /Petalwing must take care of sharpdark highthing!/

Mender turns to Petalwing with a soft smile. "I'll take care of Rayek, 
  Petalwing. He'll be fine."
Mender grips Tel-tela's hand.

Tel-tela smiles. "I will too."

Petalwing looks somewhat hopeful, and brightens again.

Suntop smiles over at Tel-Tela and Mender, briefly.

Mender glances at Suntop and nods, a brief, soft smile flickering across his 
  face.

Suntop looks down at Rayek, after sending to Tel-Tela 
  and Mender..and he smiles softly. "Rest well, my friend.. and when you 
  awaken..*sighs softly* Let's hope you are up to the work that will be ahead 
  of you, for you to help heal the Palace..if it ever can be."

[End log.]