Log Date: 7/7/96 Log Cast: Feetsteady, Ktai, Rayek Log Intro: Fallen into yet another dark depression since his barring from the Palace, Rayek has retreated from contact with the elves who remain free to enter it, losing himself in hunting, the seeking of water, and whatever other mundane tasks with which he can occupy his mind. But Ktai, healed by Mender and regaining her strength and magic, is concerned for him, and broods over what she can do to draw him out of his re-established stifling shell of isolation.... ---------- Feetsteady enters from the savannah. Feetsteady has arrived. Ktai is sitting nearby on a rock, idly tossing smaller rocks. Feetsteady walks quietly up here, silently thinkimg... Feetsteady just looked at me! Dark eyes notice the arrival, but she is neither friendly, nor hostile. She simply tosses another rock. FeetSteady FeetSteady is 4'5 foot tall, and stands quietly. His hair is black with streaks, beached white by the sun. He looks around with deep greeb eyes which watch the area trielesly. His figues are wolfish and wild. His nose is sharp, and twitches sensitivly. Feetsteady's lips are blood red and cover sharp pointed teeth. His hair is free and hangs down his back to his waist, and his beard covers his chin and neck with black and white whiskers. H is skin is dark, deeply tanned by the sun, and bitten by the snow. FeetSteady is dressed in brown leggings and a tunic made of the same leather. He wears soft boots which make no sound as he walks. a shaghorn cloak sits on his shoulders, and the head skin and skull act like a hood A black belt sits snuggly arround his waist and is carrying some flasks of water. Sharp leaf shaped knives are tugged into his belt, and boots. A quiver fulled with light arrows, and a bowsits on his back. In his hand a l ong spear sits. FeetSteady walks silently, with movements like thoose of a hunting animal. If you make eye contact you may notice a look of sadnes, and distance. A quiet voice. "Can I help you?" She continues tossing rocks. Feetsteady growls as he looks up at the stone structure.. niether hear, nor understanding the quietvoice.. A small rock hits right close to a shoe. Feetsteady turns to look at the glider awe in his eyes at the surprise of the structure.. She repeats. "Can I help you?" Lips, what she said and quickly understands it.. ** well maybe.. ** Feetsteady looks at the structure ** what is this? ** She frowns slightly. His send is faint to her, but yes, she can hear him. Her own send is hesitant, and weak... for years of unuse. ** The Palace of the High Ones. ** Feetsteady rolls his eyes back, and speak with a growlingly wolfish voice to make it easyer on the glider "Grpardon? the palace of what?" A smirk. "The High Ones." Feetsteady looks perplexed. confused, and bewildered, then a look of relization comes across his face and he says in a wolfish voice "interesting name for a cave" She laughs softly. "It's not a cave." Feetsteady growls and looks confused.. More small rocks land nearby. "What do you mean? The female looks up from her rocks. "As I said. It is a Palace, not a cave." A confused look comes over the hunters face "A cave called palace of the highone.. I understoud that.. " The female laughs softly, shaking her head. "But it isn't a cave...." Her voice drops as she talks to herself. "Rayek would be furious to hear him..." The hunter sighs, and sits growling to himself "I dont understand what you mean.." She scoops a few rocks from the ground and commences tossing them idly. "Do caves fly?" Feetsteady thinks "i dont think so, but thats only because I havnt seen one flying.. there maybe ones that do.. " A heavy sigh as the female tosses another small rock. "This is the Palace. Have you not heard of it?" Ktai(#10543PXcqy) Black hair, long and full, is free to float about the thin dark face of the quiet elf before you. Eyes as black as her hair, and as deep as the Night glance your way, then flicker back after a moment. For an elf, this one is tall, and rather thin, yet almost as tanned as a sun-folk from her years in the desert sun. Her lips purse as if she is thinking you over, then they thin as she seems to almost dismiss you. She wears a loose yellow silk dress that flows softly about her, rippling in the slightest breeze. If you manage to see her feet, you will notice the soft leather shoes were once black, but are now badly scuffed to a dull grey. After a moment, you realise this one is a Glider-elf... but something - her wildness, perhaps - gives one pause enough to wonder if she still calls relation to any within the Mountain....or if they be willing to call relation to her... Feetsteady shrugs "no, since I met others elves I heard of the 'high ones' but I assumed the where woodland deity's.. " Again, her soft laugh. "No. The High Ones are our ancestors. Those that came to this world and died so that we would live." Feetsteady looks confused "pardon?" Her eyes look to you sharply. "No... I don't suppose you've heard of the High Ones...." Feetsteady drinks from a flask and offers you some of the liquid "could you tell me who they are, should I ask them if its ok for me to be here I wouldnt wont to ttrespass on there lands.." She smiles faintly, yet shakes her head, declining your offer. "Perhaps you should speak to the Master of the Palace... Rayek." Feetsteady puts the flask away a growling voice "is he the leader of the highones?" "He is the keeper of this place." You locksend ** There is a visitor. ** to Rayek. You sense in a locksend, Rayek, if he is in sending range at all, does not answer you. Feetsteady sighs and stands "Maybe I will thank you for explaining this to me.. " The female looks up briefly, then twists her lips in annoyance. "He refuses to answer. He's more like a High One than he knows." Her black eyes return to looking at you. "I will tell you what I know... but it has been thousands of years since I have given the High Ones much thought." You locksend ** You are wanted... ** to Rayek. The hunter nods respecfully to you "thank you" A small smile flits thinly across her lips. "The High Ones... elves far older than you or I... who knew the secrets of flight among the vast night stars...." Rayek locksends ** What do you want, Ktai? ** You locksend ** .... I owe you thanks.... but that can wait... for there is an elf here who knows naught of the High Ones. I can think of no better teacher than you. ** to Rayek. She watches you for any reactions. "They travelled within this Palace, going from world to world, learning and experiencing." He follows what you are saying losely.. "But it was an accident that brought them crashing down to our world... stranding them in a place they didn't understand." He nods...still not understanding what this has to do with what you said about the highones before.. "Suddenly, they learned of things we have always known. Pain, fear.... even death." The female smiles thinly. "Yet thier original home remained... through the years... and here it is. Long after they have gone. The Palace still stands." She turns back to her rocks as the other loses interest. "I told you he'd tell you better than I can. But go on. He's not like to absent himself from here for long." Once again engrossed in tossing her rocks, she pays no notice as the other elf moves from sight. [After a short while...] You locksend ** The other is gone.... ** to Rayek. You sense in a locksend, Rayek's mind is out there, if you have gained enough health and strength in your magic to sense it. He does not, however, answer you. You locksend ** ** to Rayek. You sense in a locksend, Rayek does not block you, if indeed he's paying attention to your efforts. You can sense him, though, west of the valley in which the Palace resides. You locksend ** ** to Rayek. Wide Pass Through World's Spine Mountains(#356RJ) This wide pass is nearly an entire days' ride from one side to the other, from what you can tell. The sun is still hard and heavy here, but the looming presence of the mountains to either side seem to lessen the drain of the barren waste. The seven stars of Goodtree's Rest begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the warm spring skies. Contents: Palace(#500Jae) Obvious exits: Mountains Northwest South You ascend with care up the trail into the surrounding peaks. Among the Mountains This rocky nook among the peaks of the World's Spine mountains gives a breathtaking view of the pass below. The air here is pure, clear, and clean; sound carries with very little effort, and often the sounds of winds and distant hunting birds ring across this expanse of stone. Oddly, for all its starkness, the place doesn't seem nearly as forbidding as it should... the ground bears an obvious trail, and in more than one spot, rocks appear to have a strangely smooth and restful shape, almost as if one could climb onto them and be quite comfortable. The seven stars of Goodtree's Rest begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the warm spring skies. Obvious exits: Sheltered Doorway Pass You locksend ** Oh, puckernuts, Rayek. How in the name of the High Ones am I supposed to find you around here? ** to Rayek. Up into the mountains, as you go, you can catch -- again, if your magical senses are returning -- a subliminal glimmer about the rock. Perhaps as if Ekuar has been that way, working his shapings. Rayek locksends ** ** You locksend ** ** to Rayek. There, maybe? What's that shadow under the rocks? A stair....? Underground Dwelling(#7227RAFJ) Contents: Rayek Obvious exits: Stairs Ktai makes her way slowly down the stairs, pausing half-way to catch herself with the wall. The stairwell you come down shimmers, subliminally. Ekuar has indeed been here; the rock is shaped with fanciful traceries. And the stairwell is open enough that someone Rayek's size could easily float up and down it. It spirals down into the earth, and cool air meets your face; faint light meets your eyes. She waits there, neither up, nor down, trying to regain her footing. She's never had any luck with stairs.... Silence, from below. She moves the rest of the way slowly by foot, almost as if she is feeling her way down the stairs as she looks about. A chamber, simple of design -- but what in the world is it doing in the middle of the mountain range? There are hollows in the walls where someone has put crude candles; it is these that cast faint glimmers across the room. In the center of the floor is, of all things, a miniature fountain -- and it bubbles very softly, the only sound in the chamber. Off to one side is a niche in the wall that holds sleepfurs -- and there, his back to the room, lies Rayek. A very soft send, though from weakness or intent, it is unknown. ** Ah... there you are. ** Rayek says without turning round where he lies, "Yes." The soft sound of silk rustling as she moves slightly. ** Shall I go? ** Rayek's voice is low, unemotional. "Do what suits you; I have no say over it." Well, that's not the usual dismissal she's been getting... She moves slowly closer. ** I owe you a great deal, Rayek... ** Rayek does not stir, either to order you out or to encourage you to stay. The silken rustling grows closer, and two slender and tanned arms reach around from behind and hug you gently. Her breath is cool on your neck and a soft send tingles. ** Thank you... ** Rayek gives a slight gasp, startled by actual physical contact. He jerks, propping himself up on his hands, and shudders. Ktai moves back, startled herself, falling into a bundle of long black hair and yellow silks. Rayek, now sitting up, flashes you a brief uneasy glance, enough to give a glimpse of a worn profile. "You..." The voice that comes out of him sounds faintly strangled. "... are welcome." Black eyes peek out from under her hair, and she shifts uncertainly closer again. ** Rayek...? Is something wrong...? ** Rayek turns away from you, head bowed. "No." She lifts her hair from her eyes, moving closer again. ** Why am I unconvinced... ** Very slowly and lightly, now, she rests her hands on your shoulders, massaging lightly as she sits there, not sending, not speaking, just being there. Is it unsurprising that the line of Rayek's shoulders feels akin to the cool stone of this underground chamber? He doesn't shove you away, but neither does he seem to want to yield to any sort of comfort. Now, that is something she is used to, so she continues massaging, a small scrap of a song hummed under her breath. Slow and sweet, the song itself is a child's tune, perhaps one a child once sang with her. Soft hands continue massaging and the song seems to meter out the rhythym. The soft hum almost gives way to a full voice, but it hovers within hum as she massages with a bit more pressure, trying to relax your tense muscles. Rayek hisses, involuntarily jerking away from you. ** Sorry... let's try that again... a bit softer, hm? ** Again, the cool hands are replaced on your shoulders, the softer massaging returning slowly with the song. Rayek refrains from looking at you, still; his shoulders, though, can be felt to be shaking. Softly, a concerned send filters through. ** Rayek... what is wrong...? ** Rayek mutters back, numbly, "What does it matter?" ** You're upset..... it matters to me... ** Her cool hands continue to massage lightly, her song sweet and soft. Rayek begins, "I..." Then trails off. Wordless, sendless, she lightly kneads your shoulders, her humming the only sound she shares. How long has she been massaging your shoulders? Her hands are still cool, and her song ever-continuing. Gradually, despite himself, the brown-skinned airwalker seems to relax. He twitches every so often, as his shoulders unlock themselves. But still he doesn't look at you. ** Hmmm... that must be better... ** She continues the soft massaging. ** Will you tell me what is wrong? ** Her song finally slows, and stops, but she continues massaging. Rayek says finally, resignedly, "It is nothing you can help, Ktai." The gentle hands continue. ** And why not? You helped me when I thought I had nothing left. ** Silence, save the bubbling of the fountain and her breathing. "I have..." Again he begins, and again he cuts himself off, but this time more harshly. "I have... enough." Her send is quiet and gentle now. ** Enough what, Rayek? ** Rayek flicks a hand, dismissively. "I need nothing," he growls, lowly. She's not so easily dismissed, and remains massaging your shoulders. ** No need to growl. Your shoulders speak loud enough. ** Her send continues. ** Besides, when did we begin discussing what you needed? I only asked how I could help you. ** Those cool hands slowly move towards your back, massaging lightly. Again, a humming song A soft send shyly picks up the song, almost send-singing the old lullaby that her own mother once sang to her... the send-words are nonsensical and light... Rayek shivers, once. Breath can be heard to escape him. "I am not speaking with thought," he mutters. "You will have to excuse me." Ktai continues to massage and send-sing, but her sent thoughts are clear of song. ** All will be well, Rayek.... and there is nothing to apologize for. ** Cool hands massage slowly and lightly in time to the soft song. It could be your imagination, or has she altered the song to mingle with the trickling of the water, blending with the free and easy sound? Probably.... Rayek's head sags a little, as you keep rubbing at him. Ktai smiles softly, continuing to send-sing and knead out tension. Yes... that is exactly what he 'needs'. Rest. Ktai gently rubs at your neck, trying to ease any tension she can feel. The song continues to caress your senses. Her send-song turns gentler, begins to fade softly... fading into the trickling water, then dying off as her cool hands slowly try to shift you towards lying down. Rayek frowns a little, glances around at you again -- and aye, his face looks ragged, tired. He stares at you as if not quite understanding what he's seeing; then, resignedly, he lies down again, slowly. Black eyes flicker worried over your face, but a small smile forms on her lips. She leans over and pulls up a cover to your waist and kisses your cheek softly. You soulsend ** Sleep, gentle soul. Things will be well. ** to Rayek. Rayek stirs vaguely. The faintest of sendings stirs out of him, then: ** Gentle? I? ** You soulsend ** Yes.... gentle, you. ** to Rayek. A softly tanned hand brushes at some of the hair in your face, and almost absently traces your cheek lightly. The soft send of comfort and rest follows. Rayek shudders a time or two more, perhaps involuntarily. "Have rested," he mutters. You soulsend ** Then why does the gentle soul feel so heavy and lost of emotion? ** to Rayek. The gentle hand traces down, resting lightly on your shoulder. ** The... ** He pauses. Truth though it might be as you perceive it -- for sendings don't lie -- he is still flabbergasted that anyone should assign such a word as 'gentle' to him. And after a moment, he sends exactly that bafflement, a ripple in his previous flatness. Again, the soft press of lips to your cheek. You soulsend ** Yes. Gentle. ** to Rayek. In the dim light of this underground place you can see him blink, goldenly but oddly dully, up at you, black eyebrows drawing together. But the movement of his head as he turns it to you is brief. After a breath, he turns his face away, eyes closing. She nods slowly, though you cannot see. ** Rest, gentle Rayek. You shall see. Very soon, you shall see. ** Her hand remains on your shoulder as she settles beside you. Rayek mumbles, "See what?" His voice is blurred, with his dark face pressed into the furs. You soulsend ** How gentle you truly are. ** to Rayek. A soft kiss to the cheek turned up, and the lightest of sends. ** Sleep, Rayek. Sleep, and dream well. ** [End log.]