Log Date: 10/25/95 Log Intro: As Rayek's absence begins to lengthen from hours into days, Ekuar frets about the Palace. Other elves staying in the Palace come and go... Windkin has taken Lursa to (so he told Ekuar) Sorrow's End; Delenbae has left for Sorrow's End with Gelnah... Alorn, long gone, left without the old rockshaper's noticing. But the only absence that concerns the bent old elf is that of his brownskinned friend. Where can Rayek be? ---------- Ekuar> Entry Hall(#8823RAF) Ekuar> High-ceilinged, airy, this chamber widens out from the doorway that serves as its entrance from outside to an expansive room, filled with little more than strangely ornate walls and the occasional column, rising up to the ceiling far overhead. Closer inspection of the walls reveals patterns shaped into their surfaces, sometimes of wings, or flowers, or the lithe forms of elves -- and sometimes of images that defy description. The air is full of a subliminal shimmer that plays at the edge of elfin senses, a tingle that feels welcoming even in its eldritch oddness. Ekuar> A long winding stairway twines its way up out of this chamber and into the upper heights of this place; you might be able to find other ways out of here, but the only other exit in immediate sight is the archway and doors that lead outside. Ekuar> Contents: Ekuar> WolfFlame Ekuar> Obvious exits: Ekuar> Corridor Winding Stairway Doorway Ekuar> WolfFlame looks up and grins brightly, "Heyla Ekuar...how are things?" Ekuar> Ekuar shuffles slowly into the chamber, and gives the young elf a sad look. "Brownskin has not returned," he says, as if that explains everything. Ekuar> WolfFlame ohs softly, "Then how are we ever going to get the palace back together?" Ekuar> Ekuar sighs, and leans on his staff. "Brownskin has not returned... but his spirit is not in the Palace, therefore he is alive... he must simply be found..." He frowns vaguely. "The Gliders do not seem helpful. Perhaps young Suntop could reach Savah, and they could find... hmmm..." And then he peers at you. "That tall one, Delenbae... he went back to the village, and did not take you?" Ekuar> WolfFlame sighs and nods, "Said It was better I stayed...I don't know why...I guess he was bored with me...but Del says he'll be back soon I hope" Ekuar> Ekuar smiles tiredly. "I fear I am an insufficient host, lass... my old head doesn't carry much in the way of entertainments... and this is not the happiest place to be in, right now." Ekuar> WolfFlame smiles softly, "I've enjoyed meeting my mother for one at least...she is wonderful company...I just wish I could touch her..." Ekuar> Ekuar bobs his head benignly. "Found a spirit that's kin to you, did you? Eh, well... the Palace is full of our dead... but there's something to be said for touching, too..." Ekuar> WolfFlame sighs softly and nods, "She died when I was born..." Ekuar> Ekuar settles himself down carefully against a pillar, and nods sympathetically. "A harsh world we've crashed on, a harsh world, to be sure..." Ekuar> WolfFlame nods slightly, "But we must take what we have or else just give up huh? It's a harsh but fascinating world for sure" Ekuar> Ekuar smiles sadly. "Eh, me, well... some elves forget that, it's a bitter lesson to learn for hearts that just don't WANT to belong here." Ekuar> WolfFlame smiles softly, "Life was hard but I think I've managed well enough" Ekuar> Ekuar looks the lass up and down, and heh hehs. "I couldn't comment on that, lass... but you seem a sturdy one, and that's good... " He squints myopically. "Come all the way to this drafty, lonely place to talk to your mother?" Ekuar> WolfFlame shakes her head, "I wasn't even sure she would be here really....but ever since Delenbae said it was near I just had to come see it...almost like something pulled me here..." Ekuar> Ekuar says sagely, "The Palace pulls at all of us, lass... every elf. I've felt it myself, and seen it pull others..." Ekuar> Delenbae steps in from outside. Ekuar> Delenbae moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Ekuar> Delenbae has arrived. Ekuar> WolfFlame ohs softly, "Well I'm here anyway...just wanted to see it more than anything " Ekuar> WolfFlame looks up at Delenbae and grins, "There you are!" Ekuar> Delenbae nods. Ekuar> WolfFlame smiles, ** Delenbae, I don't think you and Ekuar have been properly introduced...** Ekuar> Delenbae nods to the elderly elf.. ** Greetings. ** Ekuar> Ekuar squints, from where he's leaning against his staff, and says, "Can't say that we have... " He bobs his head, benignly. [At this point, Rayek has Ekuar go idle because of helping out with an Ekuar audition in another window. Rayek is, in the meantime, in the care of the Cat Elf healer Rigar, to whom the Glider Ktai has brought him. And as he has grown aware that he has been moved, Rayek has become angry, ready even in his illness to strike with his magic to get himself back to where he believes he belongs -- the Palace.] Rayek whirls on Rigar, lip curling in a snarl. The feeling of _magic_ abruptly increases about him, and there's a sense as of the brownskinned stranger about to haul off with a strike.... Ktai locksends ** Don't! ** Ktai nearly knocks Rigar over as she moves to Rayek, sending. Rigar looks down and begins to arrange some herbs, obviously unimpressed.. before toppling over and looking up at Ktai "Wha??!" Ktai watches Rayek. ** Don't. ** Rayek, no less angry, hurls that built force at Ktai. It's unsteady, but it lashes out palpably enough. ** I. Said. Let. Me. GO! ** Ktai winces. Rigar's eyes snap up as he rises "I will NOT have violence in my cave!" Ktai almost laughs. ** So... you want to play it that way, huh? Fine. ** Rigar darkens as he stands at his full height "And I will NOT have any sick stranger doing as he will until he gets better.. so you'd best get used to these surroundings" You sense in a locksend, Ktai's mind touches yours in almost firece fire. Solitude. The total sense of being -=alone=-. Ktai's eyes grow cold, and she locksends at Rayek, her face totally unreadable. Rayek, with that, wobbles up to his feet, clearly intent on getting out of here Right Now. There's a not-quite-here, febrile glint to his eyes, as he begins to float. ** I will _not_ -- ** And then he cuts off, as if slammed into a wall. Ktai locksends ** You see... I understand all too well.... 2100 turns alone..... you tell me.... ** Rigar moves towards Rayek, knowing how to deal with floaters and grabs for an ankle, making to bring him down into the pool of water A single tear falls down Ktai's cheek. She doesn't notice it. Rayek's face drains of what little color it has, and with a strangled choke, he crumples. Ktai catches him. Ktai's magic cushions Rayek, and lowers him softly to the floor. Ktai moves slowly beside Rayek, sighing heavily. "I wish it could have been another way...' Her voice is low, and almost too low to hear. Rigar frowns and settles back with his herbs.. muttering something about a world full of brainsick elves.. Ktai picks up the cloth and wets it. She lays it across Rayek's forehead. Rayek clenches his teeth hard, arms curling around himself. Fiercely, he jerks away from the contact. Ktai shakes her head. ** No. ** Rayek's breath rattles in his throat, as he stubbornly works to clear that... sending... out of his mind. Out of his conscious memory. He. Will. NOT. Think. Of. That! And it's easy, very easy, to let the heat in his head block out everything else, except his wary awareness of the elves behind him. They'll leave eventually. They must. And then, so will _he_... they cannot hold him... cannot... Rigar settles back in the soft furs and separates herbs.. obviously unimpressed You sense in a locksend, Ktai's mind hovers lightly nearby, a cool brightness in the dark. ** Forgive me... but I understand... ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek growls in his sending. _He_ is hot and bright, but how much of it is from his sickness, and how much from the innate strength of his mind? Betrayer. He will _NOT_ share sendings with her. He pointedly ignores her. You sense in a locksend, Ktai's mind remains cool and calm. ** Forgive me, my friend. I know all too well...