Log Date: 8/5/96, 8/7/96 Log Cast: Ktai Rayek Petalwing Azeure Eveshka Rigar Log Intro: Ktai returns to the Palace after a sojourn to Sorrow's End, eager to see Rayek again -- but not expecting that in the meantime, her blood daughter Eveshka and her adopted sire and dam, Azeure and Alorn, along with Alorn's son Zichri, have come to the Palace as well.... ---------- Ktai locksends ** Rayek? ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek's response comes readily, from deep within the Palace, magnified by its strength... and rippled through with other layers of contacts. ** Ktai. Back from the Sun Village? ** Rayek(#3218PBOUXace) Lean, angular lines and bold shades define the frame and form of this elf. Deep golden-brown skin clearly marks him as one born under a hot Daystar, and is set off against near-waistlength, uncompromisingly straight hair, black as a starless night sky; eyes of a molten shade of amber dominate his aquiline features. He moves with a hunter's sharp, smooth grace, but there is an added fluidity to his motion and stance, making him seem to float even when he is at rest. Pride, too, is always present in his speech, sending, and carriage, suggesting a supreme awareness of any impact he is about to make on his surroundings - and assurance that this impact will be naturally worthy of notice. For those that know this elf personally, his current garb might well strike them as surprisingly crude. He is clad only in roughly tanned breeches, furred boots, and a vest laced about his torso, all in varying shades of undyed brown. His hair is caught back from his face in a long and flowing tail, and worked into the thong holding his hair is a pair of vivid, bright red feathers. Around his neck he wears a silver necklace, in the shape of a wolf's head. Ktai locksends ** Yes... and I have many things, and words from loved ones. ** You locksend ** The Palace has remained quiet, peaceful. I come. ** to Ktai. [Rayek leaves the Palace... but as he does so, he finds others outside besides Ktai....] Some distance away, Azeure climbs down from the back of the large bird Some distance away, Azeure has arrived. Some distance away, Azeure settles on the ground, nodding before glancing back up to Eveshka Rayek floats out of the Palace, accompanied by the flitting purple form of Petalwing, and he pauses there, blinking at the sight. You move away from the huge stone structure, stepping around the rubble that litters its immediate vicinity. 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 sun is high in the warm spring skies. Contents: Azeure Ktai Nightfeather(#2638IJMeq) Lasaar's tent(#7510Je) Palace(#500Jae) Obvious exits: Mountains Northwest South Petalwing has arrived. Petalwing oooohs, quirking its little head. /Flyhighthings!/ Ktai watches Azeure calmly, she has not yet seen Eveshka. Rayek's arrival saves her from the shock of seeing Eveshka, and she turns smiling to Rayek, holding out a small bundle of red silk. Azeure nods ** Rayek.. it has indeed been a long time ** Rayek hovers there for a moment, quietly studying the great hawk and its passengers. He nods just as calmly back to Azeure. ** It has, ** he agrees, before turning to Ktai, and blinking at what she carries. Ktai offers the bundle to Rayek, smiling. ** A gift. ** Petalwing flitflitflits up to inspect the bird, then Azeure, and lastly the third of the Gliders, chattering, /Homeplace muchquiet again, is good highthings come see!/ Rayek lands by Ktai, then his brown mouth quirks at one corner. "They remember me, still, do they?" he murmurs. Eveshka remains atop the bird, watching the Palace. Azeure sends openly ** You are quite the memorable type Rayek ** Ktai smiles to Rayek. ** They do indeed. Savah has invited you to the Festival this year... it would be so nice if you could go. ** Azeure takes his moment of invisibility to glance up at his daughter atop the bird The antics of the Preserver catch Eveshka's attention, and she pales at the sight below her. The other corner of Rayek's mouth quirks, and he simply slides the Glider a brief dry glance before accepting the silken garb, studying it almost as if in distant fascination. He lifts a black eyebrow, then, and answers simply, ** If Tilia returns before that time, I will consider it. ** The garment is small, as most clothing from Sorrow's End is. Red in colour, it is almost without golden decoration. The silk has a weave that is slightly shimmery... as if it were silk mothcloth... but it is decidedly opaque. Petalwing beams at Eveshka, then flits down to see what its favorite highthing is playing with. /Ooh!/ it chirps, landing on Rayek's leather-clad shoulder. /Pretty!/ Rayek half-smiles, then inclines his head, once. "Thank you," he tells Ktai. "My tanning skills are not such that I could not use new clothing." With that, the airwalker turns. "I shall change." He glances up at the Gliders, and adds, "The Palace is open to you, as it is to all. Enter as you will." Ktai smiles softly. Ktai locksends ** The words feel more true now, do they not? ** Azeure nods ** Thank you Rayek... ** Rayek flashes a brief half-smile at Ktai, nods once, and turns to glide into the Palace once more. Palace(#500Jae) You see before you a tall stone structure, taller by far than any elf or human or troll. There is something odd about its appearance -- it almost seems to blend in with its surroundings, at least if you are not close to it. But the closer you get, the more it seems to *tug* at you, and show to you its battered towers and spires. The nearest wall sports a long, winding ripple that might once have been a mighty crack, and the nearest visible entryway, a doorway at least as tall as two elves, sports a pair of heavy, ornate doors. Obvious exits: Doorway You approach the huge battered stone structure. Some distance away, Eveshka doesn't move. Some distance away, Petalwing flitflitflits off to follow Rayek, curiously, chattering all the way, and making up songs about red shinystuff. [It does not take too long, however, before Ktai discovers the purpose of the other Glider visitors. Nor does it take too long for Ktai to confront Alorn -- and although Rayek has deliberately distanced himself from the Gliders and their interactions, Ktai draws him back to awareness of their presence....] Ktai locksends ** Beloved... is it true that you can mind-stun others? ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek's sending is there, clear, with a flavor of alertness to it, and a crackle of power augmented by the magic of the Scroll of Colors. His tone, however, is restrained. ** I have that ability. ** Threaded through his reply is query: he has sensed the heated sendings outside. Ktai locksends ** Please... my daughter... will kill herself in send! ** Second Level This wide corridor sports myriad tiny ripples and swirls in its walls and floor, as if once it might have been rife with damage; now, these patterns seem only to add to the ethereal feel of the place, giving your surroundings a flowing, airy look. The air is full of a barely palpable tingle, a sense of welcome, a stronger sense of magic. At one end of the corridor you can see the stairs that wind back down into the lower level of this place; at the opposite end, a tall doorway that glimmers golden in the faint light. Contents: Rigar(#4594PJOXce) Obvious exits: Scroll Chamber Winding Stairway Rigar sits quietly in the midst of a herbal spread Rayek comes floating out of the Scroll Chamber at a brisk pace. His amber gaze lights briefly on the elf here, and he looks unsurprised, but he also looks distracted as he continues on his way. [Rayek hastens out of the Palace, driven by the urgency of Ktai's sending....] You move away from the huge stone structure, stepping around the rubble that litters its immediate vicinity. 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: Ktai Eveshka Alorn ShootingStar(#3911IJMUae) Dawncaller(#10495Jaeps) Azeure Nightfeather(#2638IJMeq) Lasaar's tent(#7510Je) Palace(#500Jae) Obvious exits: Mountains Northwest South Ktai stands, her eyes locked on Eveshka, sending to no avail. Dawncaller Dawncaller is a slim, rather small female jackwolf. Her coat is tan with reddish lights, and she moves skittishly on occasion. Her eyes are a deep brown, and often slant away. She's nowhere near alpha of the pack, but her silky coat condition indicates she's not the bottom of the heap either. Rayek comes floating out of the Palace at a steady pace, black eyebrows drawn together, amber eyes alert. He pauses near the shimmering walls, to take in the scene before him. Eveshka's open eyes see only light... for she is looking slightly upwards, sending with all that is in her being. Alorn sits perched on a rock, watching Eveshka intently. No, she's focused on Eveshka, sending. Azeure trembles slightly, frowning as he sits quietly Eveshka shakes once, her send continuing. Rayek flicks his gaze across Eveshka, then to Ktai. You locksend ** Ktai -- what exactly do you expect me to do here? ** to Ktai. Alorn turns her head away and shakes it furiously. Ktai locksends ** Just stop her... if you can... before she dies. ** Ktai turns her attention back on her daughter. Rayek scowls. Eveshka sways now, her eyes seeming to almost focus, then snap out again. Azeure sendshouts ** STOP! ** Ktai winces sharply. That hurt. You locksend ** Ktai -- this is not a thing in which I can help. If... ** to Ktai. Alorn floats to a stand on her rock now, turning her gaze toward the Palace. Crystal blue eyes dart for a moment over it's dark haired Master before coming to rest on it itself, and then close. She bites her lip when Azeure sends, and bows her head. And she sends again, this time toward the palace. Eveshka sways again, reeling, her send faltering. Ktai watches nervously, not daring to get too close. Rayek draws in a slight breath, and meets Alorn's gaze when it passes; his is alert, wary, perhaps concerned. But he does not come closer, nor does he send, yet. Instead, he crosses his arms across his red-silk-clad chest, watching. When Eveshka reels, he nods slightly, as if unstartled. Azeure frowns, finally looking up. You locksend ** If she cannot go Out she cannot kill herself in sending. No elf has ever died from that. She'll wear out her own strength, first. ** to Ktai. Ktai locksends ** She'll burn like I did! ** Eveshka sways again, like a reed in the wind. You locksend ** Then we'll get her a healer, Ktai. I can send to Mender once more. ** to Ktai. Alorn nods once, faintly, to nothing in particular. Then once more she turns towards Eveshka. Ktai locksends ** ** Eveshka falls, senseless and silent in send. Ktai hisses, drawing up short, but not daring move. Rayek glances sidelong at Ktai. His gaze is sharp and clear, with just a hint of mildness tempering that amber regard. He waits, patiently, watching to see the outcome of this; when it happens, he straightens slightly, where he floats. Ktai makes a soft sound, but no moves. You locksend ** The Cat Elf healer is in the Palace. The one who healed me, before. ** to Ktai. The Glider standing on the rock glows now, ever so faintly. Her eyes re-open, focusing entirely upon Eveshka. Ktai locksends ** Do you know how she fares? ** Azeure watches in horrid disbelief You locksend to Eveshka, Rayek's mind, golden, clear, sends forth a tendril of contact, seeking to establish What Is, nothing more. Eveshka locksends ** ** Ktai watches, unable to look away. Azeure's eyes flutter and close as he turns his head, muttering softly, almost imperceptibly "I can't" Eveshka lies silent on the ground. Azeure shakes, visibly, his fist clenched tightly Rayek quirks a black eyebrow, gaze flicking first to the watching Gliders, then to the prone one.... The faint glow around Alorn fades just as it came, and she crumples neatly on the rock, still watching Eveshka. Rayek sends openly ** Gliders. I do not know why you argue, and unless you threaten the Palace's sanctity, it is not my business. But I advise a halt to your argument, and the aid of the healer within, if he will offer it. ** Ktai watches, twisting a bit of her hair. Alorn attempts to pick herself up and fails miserably, so settles with mearly curling up tightly. Hands go to either of her temples, and her eyes close again. Rayek studies Alorn briefly, then glances over his shoulder, towards the Palace's doors. You locksend ** Healer. There are those who may need your aid outside the Palace, should you choose to give it. ** to Rigar. Near the Palace, Rigar carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Rigar has arrived. Ktai turns, unable to look any longer. Near the Palace, Rigar has left. Rigar moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Rigar has arrived. Alorn bites her lip and shakes her head a bit, making an obvious attempt not to move more than is absolutely necessary. Rigar wanders ouside, frowning, glancing at Rayek "Oh my..." Rayek lands lightly, gracefully, and as Rigar arrives, he inclines his head once by way of greeting. The red-clad elf then steps out of the way. Rigar speaks as his eyes roam over the scene Eveshka remains where she has fallen, seemingly unconscious. Rigar kneels near Eveshka, his fingers glowing faintly as he searches her body with his magic for any imperfection. Near the Palace, Ekuar carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Ekuar has arrived. Near the Palace, Ekuar steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, Ekuar has left. Near the Palace, Ekuar carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Ekuar has arrived. Near the Palace, Ekuar has left. Ekuar moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Ekuar has arrived. Ktai moves away a bit, unable to look back. She stops at a rock, and sits, her back to it all. Alorn curls up even tighter when Rigar begins to work, still holding her head. Eveshka -seems- whole... Rigar sends openly ** Why is she like this? ** Azeure curls in on himself, pulling his knees to his chest Ekuar shuffles out of the Palace, his placid face faintly troubled. He takes in the scene as he moves toward Rayek with lopsided steps. Ekuar locksends ** Brownskin... I heard your send. The very air feels-- troubled. What's happened? ** A faint send rises from the yellow-clad elf up the way. ** She sent too much. ** You locksend ** These Gliders... have argued. I do not know why. That one has fallen; Ktai called for me. ** to Ekuar. Rigar blinks, his glowing fingertips seem to fizzle a bit and fade into nothingness "Sent too much?.. Heh..nothing rest won't cure.. and the other one?" Rayek sends simply, ** I sensed them arguing. ** Ktai is silent. Ekuar stops next to Rayek, leaning on his staff, peering solemnly up at his darkskinned pupil. Ktai locksends ** If he will not help I must go for Mender. ** Rigar looks around ** Not everyone at once ** Ekuar locksends ** Eh! Seems strange, to fall from too much sending... I hope none of them have been fighting with their minds. So much damage can be done. ** Eveshka is in no condition to send. Rigar sends openly ** What happened to her?.. She send too much too? ** Ktai replies coldly. ** I wouldn't know. ** Alorn just sits. Rayek rests a hand on Ekuar's shoulder, then adds to Rigar, ** It is not my argument; I have not interfered. I know only that they argued; I felt it from inside the Scroll Chamber. ** His glance flicks from Glider to Glider in turn. Ktai stands, and moves to increase the distance between herself and the Palace with the little group before it. She walks alone, and unhindered by bags or parcels. Ekuar looks apologetically at Rigar, blinking, a little vague. "I'm sorry, child. I was inside, having-- eh-- a little nap. I felt there was a disturbance. And so I came. Hm?" Rigar nods and sighs, walking towards Alorn ** I see.. well tall one.. let's see what we can do for you.. if anything ** Alorn hisses a bit as Rigar comes near and shakes her head. She mutters something almost inaudible that might possibly be: "Don't." Ktai locksends ** I am sorry, Rayek. It seems I can do nothing but shatter your peace of mind. Forgive me... I leave. ** Rigar's fingers take on a golden hue as he begins to probe Alorn Ktai moves further on foot, away. You locksend ** Ktai... my peace of mind is not the issue here. Yours is. Do you wish to see this maiden healed? ** to Ktai. Alorn skitters backwards and almost falls off her rock. "Don't." She says again, louder. Rayek glances off after Ktai, brow furrowing. Ekuar tips his head to one side, aged forehead creasing in thoughtful consternation. Rigar arches a brow "Very well then... hurt as you may be.." You sense in a locksend, Ekuar seems to have noticed Ktai's retreat. ** Was the pretty Glider arguing as well? ** Rigar shrugs and moves back towards the palace "I'll be with my herbs should the unconsious one need my help" Rigar approaches the huge stone structure. Rigar has left. Near the Palace, Rigar has arrived. Ktai locksends ** My mind... no longer matters. The disaster I bring sits there for you to see. ** Near the Palace, Rigar steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, Rigar has left. You locksend ** The one lying there... that is her daughter, I think. She grieves. There are... wounds of soul and heart, I think. ** to Ktai. Azeure sighs softly, looking about.. a serine sadness in his eye Alorn curls back up and watches Eveshka. Eveshka does indeed move finally, like one with too many dreamberries in thier immediate past. Ktai moves on slowly, into the now-widening distance. Rayek closes his eyes once, sending. You locksend ** As you wish. Know that... your companionship has been welcome. I will do what I can to watch over the maiden. ** to Ktai. Alorn glances after Ktai and frowns a bit, then bows her head again to rest her forehead on her knee. Ktai stops. Cold. She does not dare look back. Rayek then opens his eyes again and addresses the Gliders, ** The Palace is open to all, if you require shelter out of the Daystar's light, and if you will take that shelter without combat in the Palace's halls. I'd bring the maiden in, at the very least. ** With that, with a clasp to Ekuar's shoulder, he turns to step inside. Ktai locksends ** The I will be near. ** Palace(#500Jae) You see before you a tall stone structure, taller by far than any elf or human or troll. There is something odd about its appearance -- it almost seems to blend in with its surroundings, at least if you are not close to it. But the closer you get, the more it seems to *tug* at you, and show to you its battered towers and spires. The nearest wall sports a long, winding ripple that might once have been a mighty crack, and the nearest visible entryway, a doorway at least as tall as two elves, sports a pair of heavy, ornate doors. Obvious exits: Doorway You approach the huge battered stone structure. Some distance away, Azeure moves to beside his daughter, more than willing to lift her into the palace Rayek glances off in the distance, half-smiles a moment, and then nods quietly to himself. Some distance away, Ekuar turns as well, faithfully accompanying the airwalker, with a compassionate (and worried) smile to the visitors. You step through the doorway into... Entry Hall(#8823RAF) 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. Among the fanciful shapings in this wide chamber can be viewed a 'black spiral' of rock resting on a low column. 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. Contents: Rigar(#4594PJOXce) Obvious exits: Corridor Winding Stairway Doorway Ekuar steps in from outside. Ekuar moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Ekuar has arrived. [End log.]