Log Date: 6/9/96, 6/12/96 Log Cast: Rayek, PaleMoon, Youngblood, Ktai, Mender, Tilia, Ekuar Log Intro: Rayek has sent to Sorrow's End for Mender... and Mender has answered his summons. But there are other visitors at the Palace, too, who seek aid there, and for all that he loathes admitting his being bested by Tilia to anyone, Rayek cannot avoid dealing with them. Nor can he avoid thinking of Tilia, as he keeps a desperate watch on the Palace, not daring to go nearer to it than visual range.... ---------- Out in the sere terrain around the Palace's resting place, the dark figure of Rayek can be seen perched on a boulder up the hill. PaleMoon steps out of the doorway, hanging back as she awaits her brother. Scanning the land before her, her gaze rests on the dark figure...she watches him curiously. PaleMoon looks at you for a moment. Rayek is out of immediate earshot, but easily able to be studied at this range. From his stance on the rock, he must be tense; he sits facing towards the Palace, bare brown arms draped across a crooked knee, his amber gaze glowering over them. Near the Palace, Youngblood carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Youngblood has arrived. Near the Palace, Youngblood has left. Youngblood moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Youngblood has arrived. Youngblood ambles after Palemoon and smiles at Rayek. ** Rayek! We've been looking for you! ** PaleMoon stands waiting for her brother. Up on the boulder where he's sitting, Rayek lifts his head slightly, noting the emergence of the pair of elves from the Palace's doors. Youngblood locksends ** May we speak to you? ** Rayek, up on his boulder, straightens and stares down at the pair. Not leaving his perch, he looks down alertly at Youngblood... You locksend ** If you wish. ** to Youngblood. Youngblood nods up to Rayek and says, "We are wondering if you can..do something for us." PaleMoon remains silent, standing beside her brother, though her eyes still look up at Rayek. Rayek, once the two are in earshot, looks levelly down at them from his slightly raised perch on the rock. "That would be?" Youngblood nudges Palemoon and mutters, "it was your idea. You ask." PaleMoon gives her brother a look, half-suprised and work at her jaw...finally she takes a breath, looking up and asks, "We need someone to turn the scrolls for us. Youngblood smiles encouragingly at Palemoon. Rayek stiffens, very slightly at this. Then, his eyes narrow over his angled cheekbones, and he returns to propping his chin on his arm, with his arm on his raised knee. "I cannot," he says, curtly. "I am sorry." Youngblood cocks his head at Rayek and interrupts, "Yes you can. the stories are well known. You've done it before." Rayek eyes Youngblood, apparently unsurprised that this stranger of which he knows little seems to know tales of him. But his eyes are still narrowed, and his voice still curt, as he replies, "I didn't say I haven't done it before." Youngblood looks somewhat impatient, but tries to be polite, "Why can't you do it now, if you could do it before?:" Rayek fixes the other elf with a dully burning glare, and says bluntly, "I cannot turn what I cannot see, and I am no longer welcome in the Palace's halls. I suggest you ask Tilia to ask the Scroll to turn for you, or who she thinks has the power to do it for you." PaleMoon blinks, suprised at those words. She turns to look at her brother, confused for a moment as she asks, "Are not all elves welcome in the palace? Youngblood was about to speak when his sister opens her mouth, and he shuts his. Rayek, visibly disgruntled, shifts restlessly to lie back on the boulder, letting its collection of heat gathered during the day seep into his flesh. "All elves save me; so its new guardian has decreed." Youngblood snorts, "Who's she to tell you what to do? If you're an elf, you can go in." PaleMoon blurts out before thinking, "And who is she? Nobody own the palace. "The matter is not open for debate," snaps Rayek, "unless Tilia comes out here to take it up with me." Youngblood snorts, "Rayek, master of the palace, is going to lie down and let some other elf tell him what to do? Beh. The rumors about you are obviously exaggerated." PaleMoon says "But that's wrong..." Rayek's eyes clamp closed; his mouth tightens, drawing the lines of his cheeks taut. "I have ceded guardianship of the Palace to Tilia," he growls wearily, "and that is the end of the matter. Wolfrider, if you have nothing else to say except taunts, leave me. Elves whose opinions I value more highly than yours have spent enough time maligning me, thank you." PaleMoon looks at her brother, sending something. Youngblood sighs at his sister's sends. Youngblood sighs,' Thanks for your time Rayek.' He grumbles. "You're welcome." Short, curt, to the point. The dark-skinned elf doesn't look up. PaleMoon sighs softly. PaleMoon nodnods, looking at her brother. Youngblood shrugs at his sister. PaleMoon frowns slightly, shaking her head. Rayek remains where he is. Ostensibly relaxed though his posture might be, still, his lean brown body is tense where it lies, and there's a tight curl to one edge of his mouth. Youngblood touches Palemoon's shoulder, his expression resigned. PaleMoon folds her arms across her chest, looking up at Rayek once more and says softly, "It's still not right. Rayek's only response is a brief shudder, and a slow intake of breath, as he apparently strives to keep rein on his temper. Youngblood glances at Palemoon and murmurs, "Best not to bug him." Rayek, if he catches that murmur from his boulder perch, gives no sign of it save a momentary shudder. PaleMoon asks softly, shaking her head again, "I don't understand why he sits up there sulking so...if he can't go in, why not leave? PaleMoon shakes her head, "He must be thinking on other things. Rayek does prop himself up on one elbow at PaleMoon's low question, though, and he stares at her. "Have you some suggestion for what I might do to spend my time, maiden?" he asks. The question is phrased politely enough, though his mouth still bears that sardonic curl. PaleMoon blinks, looking up at Rayek and suprised her words were heard. She thinks for a moment and says, "Well, yes. I do. Rayek sits up, curling his leg up again, propping his hands on the bare rock. Regarding PaleMoon steadily, he says, "I'm listening." PaleMoon swallows then, before answering, "Well, you could start by doing something useful, like helping with the hunt. And, besides that, you can go find this Tilia and talk sense into her. It's not right for an elf to deny another the palace. PaleMoon adds firmly, "Only trolls do that. Rayek, without twitching a black eyelash, responds, "I have been hunting for Ekuar and Ktai, who are unable to do so for themselves. No one else has required my aid in gathering food." "As for Tilia," the erstwhile Palace master continues, the curl of his mouth tightening again, "she has not been outside the Palace when I have watched it. She has no interest in hearing my voice; the last time she did, she thrust a dagger into my face." Rayek's casual pose doesn't alter, but his yellow gaze turns hard and brittle. PaleMoon's eyes widen at that. PaleMoon glances at her brother. Youngblood blinks as he listens. Youngblood locksends to his sister, ** No, Palemoon. She's worse than a troll. She's a Goback. ** PaleMoon seems taken aback from a send by her brother. PaleMoon says "Gobacks are not trolls...except apparently for this one." Mender has arrived. Youngblood smirks, "She's worse than any troll.' PaleMoon shivers slightly and goes quiet. Rayek says shortly, "Tilia has her reasons." He turns on the rock he's sitting on, scowling, now. Mender pads out of the palace, still marvelling slightly at it. PaleMoon asks softly, "What reason is good enough for her to do something like that? Ktai appears slightly after Mender, a semi-bedraggled looking tall elf, with slightly sun-tinged skin. Youngblood spots Mender and smiles briefly. He does the same to Ktai Rayek doesn't answer PaleMoon's query, for a moment. In that moment, the proud cast of his features falters; when the moment passes, though, he registers the arrival of the others, and his gaze closes off. Ktai offers a wispy half-smile, but it appears her heart is anywhere but in the smile. She notices Rayek, however, and worry flickers across her face breifly. PaleMoon glances up at the new arrivals, moving slightly to stand more behind her brother. Youngblood clsps his sister's hand, protectively, and smiles,' Gretings." PaleMoon nods at the new arrivals, saying softly, "Hello. Mender notices the small assemblage of elves and slowly makes his way over there while at the same time not straying too far from Ktai. Mender nods a greeting at PaleMoon. "Hello," he calls out softly. Ktai follows, though her footing seems not at all stable. She inclines her head just a touch as she nears the others. Rayek lifts his gaze from where he sits perched on the boulder on the hill, and studies Mender and Ktai, unspeakingly; of the elves present, perhaps only Ktai might notice a bleak tinge to his amber gaze, though his voice holds its normal curt tone as he queries the newcomers, "You have been discussing the healing?" Mender lowers his eyes for a quick, fleeting moment before lifting them up to Rayek again. He nods quietly. Ktai nods a bit herself, then looks a bit as if she wished she hadn't done that. PaleMoon's gaze flickers up to Rayek as she hears the word 'healing'. She turns back to look at Mender curiously. Youngblood regards Mender curiously, then turns to his sister, squeezing her shoulder. Rayek frowns at Mender's reaction, and leans forward on the rock. He focuses on the fair-haired elf, and sends.... You locksend ** Can you heal Ktai? ** to Mender. Mender studies Rayek with narrowed, almost exhausted eyes. Mender locksends ** I'm.. not sure yet. ** Something subtle changes in Rayek's expression, giving again a brief glimpse of something bleak, dejected. He keeps his gaze on Mender, though, sending... You locksend to Mender, Rayek's tone is almost too straightforward, as he asks, ** Does she suffer from what afflicted me, after the Palace crashed? ** Ktai blinks, worry now clear on her face. Wordless, sendless, she looks to Rayek. Mender shakes his head quickly at a send. Mender locksends ** It's.. not the same. Similar, but not the same. ** Rayek gives a brief, short nod, and says aloud, "Perhaps... the Palace will aid you." Mender locksends ** I've healed a similar problem with Startoucher before, so I am familiar with it. ** Mender looks back at the Palace and smiles softly. "I'm sure it will." You locksend to Mender, Rayek sends enough to you to let you know he heard, no more than that. Ktai seems almost to sigh softly, looking to her hand, where three pebbles sit stonily. Rayek turns away on his boulder perch, then, frowning to himself. PaleMoon lowers her gaze, sending to her brother as she stays slightly to one side and behind him. PaleMoon lifts her gaze for a moment, resting on Ktai. Ktai stands, swaying slightly, but otherwise silent and still. PaleMoon blinks, standing a bit straight. Mender looks back at Ktai with a look of concern. Frowning softly he makes his way over to her. Ktai glances to him silently as she notices his movement. Near the Palace, Tilia comes out of the Palace with a nonchallant motion, worries in the world carried only in her stern expression, not in her motions. With her she carries a number of dried reeds and a half-worked basket. Mender stands close to Ktai, speaking quietly to her. Youngblood glances from Mender to Ktai, to Rayek again PaleMoon glances up at the new arrival. Ktai looks to Mender, her lips moving faintly as she answers. Near the Palace, Tilia looks up, scanning the area with a hunted motion, then sits, her back against the Palace's mentally warm surface, and begins to weave. Mender nods softly at Ktai Rayek, still within sight of the Palace on his rock perch, suddenly shifts and glances towards the Palace's door. Ktai sighs faintly Ekuar steps out of a cave high above and comes down to the open floor of the Pass. Ekuar has arrived. Ekuar emerges from the little cave, humming idly to himself as he hobbles down the path. Youngblood smiles and waves towards Ekuar. Rayek stiffens, eying the distant Tilia, and folds in unconscious grace into a crouch on the boulder. PaleMoon seems distracted for a moment, glancing at Tilia, then turns to ask her brother something, her eyes catching site of Ekuar. Ekuar perks up as he sees the lithe form of his student, and then the small group of familiar faces. "Hello!" he cries out cheerily. "Visitors, visitors, always glad to see--" his merry greeting stops short as he catches sight of PaleMoon, and his lopsided steps scuff to a halt. He blinks large eyes, once, slowly. Youngblood smiles respectfully. ** Ekuar, hello again. This is my sister, Palemoon. ** PaleMoon watches the curious looking elf for a moment, offering a small smile in greeting, "Hello. Rayek jerks his gaze around at Ekuar's voice, distracted. Still troubled of eye, he frowns at Ekuar's abrupt pause on the path. Ekuar manages one word, his voice a bit hoarse. "Daughter?" His face is openly surprised, and he begins his crooked progress again, hurrying across the barren ground toward PaleMoon, a burst of energy driving the frail body. Youngblood blinks at Ekuar blankly, "Daughter?" He frowns, wondering if the old one is addled. Ktai's eyes widen with shock. Rayek's amber eyes go round, utterly transforming his previously stern face. Mender nods again to Ktai while chatting quietly with her, seemingly oblivious to what's going on around him. He offers his hand to lead her back into the Palace. PaleMoon's eyes widen slightly, more in suprise at Ekuar's words. She looks at Youngblood for answers. Ktai takes his hand... it keeps her standing. Youngblood shrugs at Palemoon and turns to Ekuar. ** Please, old one, explain yourself. She has lost much of her memory. And if you are...her father..which I know you cannot be, for her fathre is my father, and you are certainly not my father... ** Ekuar's staff scrapes up small swirls of dust as he hastens to the tall maiden's side. Hurriedly tucking the staff against his body in a familiar gesture, he flings his single gaunt arm around PaleMoon, hugging her gratefully tight. His voice muffled, he says again, joyfully, "Daughter!" PaleMoon blinks, looking back at Ekuar, confusion in her eyes. Mender takes Ktai's hand and leads her over to the Palace Ktai follows Mender, slowly, picking her footing carefully PaleMoon ahs... PaleMoon looks down at the old elf, saying gently, "Old one...I...do I know you? Rayek stares, for once completely dumbfounded, and he rises unsurely from his crouch, standing now on the boulder. You locksend ** Ek... Ekuar? ** to Ekuar. Mender helps Ktai over to the Palace and motions for her to sit. Ekuar is patting PaleMoon's back happily when her words finally register. He retreats a half-pace, awkwardly, gentle face totally puzzled. "Why... Of course you do! You're my own precious little one!" His eyes glimmer fondly at her. Ktai sits slowly, seeming almost out of breath. PaleMoon blinks, still looking confused. She turns her gaze back to her brother, as if asking for help and unsure of what to do. Youngblood sighs. ** Old one, you really must explain it to her. And to me. I've told her as much of her past as I know, but obviously she never told me about you. She has lost many of he rmemories. She does not know you now. ** Near the Palace, Tilia does not, at least at present, seem to be listening. Her hands are busy and her mind is elsewhere, wandering and wondering through mazes. Ktai looks queringly to Mender. Rayek floats up, then down again, off the boulder to land just behind Ekuar. Brow furrowed, he studies the bemused maiden the ancient has just called 'daughter', then stares at Youngblood, as well. "Her memory is hurt?" PaleMoon says "I..." PaleMoon glances once again at her brother. Ekuar looks enquiringly at PaleMoon, dark eyes widening. "Petal?" he asks her, softly. "Don't you remember your old Papa, eh?" Youngblood nods to Rayek. "Yes. She hurt her head. The Palace, with her magic, has restrored much of her memory, but not all." He sighs, "She clearly does not remember you Ekuar. You'd better tell us the whole story." PaleMoon turns again, hazel eyes falling on Ekuar as she says softly, "My name is Palemoon now... You sense in a locksend, Ekuar's send tumbles with joy, underlaid with a growing thread of unease. ** This is Petal, Brownskin. The little foundling I looked after as my own... eh! So long ago, we lived in Blue Mountain. ** Rayek flicks a look at where the tall Ktai and the wavy-haired Mender are kneeled together, and begins, "Perhaps if Mender heals, within...." Then, though, Rayek's yellow stare drifts on to Tilia's distant figure, and he tenses again. Youngblood nods, glancing to his sister concernedly, "Perhaps. But she too is a healer.' Ekuar reaches out, slowly, as he did so long ago to a tiny, dirty little elf-child. "PaleMoon..." he rolls the name off his tongue. "Eh... I never was able to stop calling you 'Petal' and start with 'Snowthorn.'" An apologetic smile lightens his ancient face. "The memory's not so good in my old head, either, hm?" PaleMoon tentatively reaches out her own hand, shivering slightly as she remembers that name, 'Snowthorn'. Youngblood smiles,' he does know you Palemoon, dear. That is obvious. I don't think he would lie to you." Rayek stares at the Go-Back off by the Palace, then, expression oddly troubled, he turns away. "Two healers within the Palace should heal her entirely, then..." Ekuar takes PaleMoon's hand in his own, thin fingers cool and comforting as they press hers. He looks into her eyes. His gaze is deep, and wise, and infinitely mild. PaleMoon tilts her head slightly, gazing down at Ekuar as her fingers closes over his. Youngblood frowns as he watches Ekuar and Palemoon link minds, "One can but hope.' He murmurs. PaleMoon blinks...a glimmer of something in her eyes...slowly, she lowers herself, kneeling before Ekuar, eyes locked with his. You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek, his tone small, sends suddenly to you. ** Take her into the Palace. If she is a healer, and Mender can aid, that should restore... ** Near the Palace, Tilia's fingers curl over one another as the basket she has been making continues to take form, still gently green from the trying. PaleMoon whispers, "Poppa? Youngblood's eyes alight and he smiles. ** She remembers! ** Ekuar blinks, and a warm smile lights up his weary face. "Yes, my dear. Eh, yes. Come into the Palace with me?" PaleMoon reaches up her free hand to her brow, blinking she breaks eye contact with Ekuar...she looks around slightly confused for a moment, taking in her bearings. Youngblood moves to stand by his sister's side protectively, toucing her shoulder hesitantly, "Do you..remember more?" PaleMoon asks distractedly, "Where has the snow gone? Ekuar says reassuringly, "We're far away from the snowy lands, dear one." Once more Rayek's fiercely proud stance seems to be in danger of breaking down. He tears his gaze away from Ekuar and the maiden, the maiden's brother, the Go-Back and the Palace's form, looking for something safe on which to rest his gaze. Scowling, he moves to stalk off up the hill... Youngblood grips Palemoon's hand, and helps her to her feet. PaleMoon shakes her head, wiping at her brow as she's helped to her feet, saying, "Oh yes, of course... Youngblood smiles at Ekuar tentatively, "You helped her remember! Thank you!" You sense in a locksend, Ekuar's mind brushes gently, easily against yours, seeming to understand unspoken words. With rueful humor, he sends, ** Me, helping someone else regain their memory? Never under the Two Moons have I dreamt of such a thing, eh, Brownskin? ** PaleMoon remains mildly dazed, looking about her for a moment, asking softly, "Where is Bokril? You locksend ** I... can see how that can startle... Go... help your... daughter. Go. Please. ** to Ekuar. Youngblood blinks at Palemoon, "Bokril? High Ones, you're remembering a lot." Ekuar glances over his shoulder for one moment at Rayek, his eyes sparkling deeply, and then looks back to PaleMoon. "Come. Come into our ancestral Home, my dear, and-- eh-- we shall see you regain all you've lost." Rayek by now has made the edge of the cave in which he's been sleeping; there, he lingers at the cave mouth, bare arm pressed to the rock, face pressed to that arm. PaleMoon follows Ekuar, still holding onto her brother's arm. Youngblood links arms with Palemoon and walks along with her. Ekuar hobbles slowly into the Palace, face thoughtful. Ekuar approaches the huge stone structure. Ekuar has left. Near the Palace, Ekuar has arrived. PaleMoon approaches the huge stone structure. PaleMoon has left. Near the Palace, PaleMoon has arrived. A flitter of bright wings comes down out of the rocks, all at once. Youngblood approaches the huge stone structure. Youngblood has left. Near the Palace, Youngblood has arrived. Petalwing swoops down to peer at Rayek, then, spotting the rest of the highthings, the Preserver wings after them in curiosity. Petalwing approaches the huge stone structure. Petalwing has left. Near the Palace, Petalwing has arrived. Near the Palace, Petalwing chirps /Hellohello highthings!/ Near the Palace, Youngblood glances up at Petalwing and smiles wryly," Hello bug." Near the Palace, Ekuar heads for the doorway, lopsided steps scuffing the dust, leaning on his staff. He nods amiably at Tilia, and then notices Petalwing. "Little Preserver! Come to look after us, eh?" Near the Palace, Tilia's fingers pause as she glances up from her handicraft to the approaching elves. Ah. Visitors. I wonder if they're going to be abusive today. Near the Palace, Petalwing bobs its head proudly. /Petalwing done looksee for new sparklewaters, come back to talk to highthings!/ Near the Palace, Ekuar chuckles goodnaturedly, continuing toward the immense doorway of the beloved Palace. "How would we-- eh-- ever get along without you?" Near the Palace, PaleMoon follows along, glancing for a moment at the preserver and smiling slightly. Near the Palace, Petalwing flits in a circle around the group, including Tilia, who it eyes thoughtfully for a moment -- if a Preserver can be said to have anything like a thoughtful gaze. /Highthings go into homeplace?/ Near the Palace, Tilia keeps herself still, eyes moving to watch the approach in a tense manner. Near the Palace, Youngblood watches the bug somewhat warily as he clutches Palemoon's arm. Near the Palace, Ekuar bobs his head. "Indeed, indeed. Into the Home, to see what its embrace will bring-- eh-- Petal." He shrugs his angular shoulder slightly, saying quietly to PaleMoon, "Your new name's slipped away from me already! And -I'm- the one to help with your memory?" His smile beams. Near the Palace, Tilia says in an oddly soft voice, "Palemoon." Near the Palace, Youngblood glances at Tilia sharply, blinking, as if he only just noticed her. He grips Palemoon's arm tighter. Near the Palace, PaleMoon smiles softly at Ekuar, still a bit distracted. Near the Palace, Ekuar turns his smile on Tilia, bowing his bare head for a moment thankfully. "Ah! Eh, yes, yes. My thanks, warrior. PaleMoon." Near the Palace, The goback finds a spot where her weaving can take a rest and sets it aside, moving to her feat in a way she hopes does not look weary. She looks upward toward the preserver, wondering if it's going to get happy at her. Near the Palace, Petalwing oooohs! /Is makebetter magic, to put in homeplace now?/ It tilts its behatted head at the elves. /Petalwing watch!/ Near the Palace, Petalwing does give Tilia the occasional glance, including her in its general spurt of cheerfulness, though it has yet to direct anything specifically at her. Near the Palace, Ekuar approaches the doorway, telling the Preserver mildly, "The Home wouldn't be, ah, complete, without you, eh?" Near the Palace, Ekuar steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, Youngblood Mutters, "It'd be quieter.' Near the Palace, Youngblood steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, PaleMoon steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, Tilia steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, Petalwing steps through the doorway into the Palace. Petalwing> Petalwing announces wisely, /Petalwing take good care of homeplace!/ It mutters something else, but under its breath, as it darts through the door. Petalwing> Entry Hall(#8823RAF) Petalwing> 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. Petalwing> 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. Petalwing> Contents: Petalwing> Tilia Petalwing> PaleMoon Petalwing> Youngblood Petalwing> Ekuar Petalwing> Black Spiril Petalwing> Obvious exits: Petalwing> Corridor Winding Stairway Doorway Petalwing> Ekuar limps determinedly toward the huge staircase, eyes bright as he peers upward. "Up, up, up! Come, children, we'll visit the Scroll chamber, hm?" Petalwing> PaleMoon stops for a moment, thoughts clearing some as she comes back to the present..."No...wait... Petalwing> PaleMoon shakes her head, glance going from Youngblood to Ekuar, "No one can turn the scrolls. Petalwing> Tilia pauses, following behind with all the quietness of a shadow. Petalwing> Petalwing perches first on a column, then curiously on Ekuar's old head, as it watches everyone and everything. Petalwing> Ekuar stops at the bottom step, leaning on his staff, turning to look back over his shoulder curiously. "Oh, dear one, we shan't turn them. Hm? We'll visit them, sit with them, and you and I-- eh-- will see what memory I can help bring back to you." Petalwing> Youngblood blinks at Palemoon and Ekuar and murmurs, "Can..can I help?" Petalwing> Ekuar looks warmly at Youngblood, his fond smile including him along with his sister. "You're her brother, eh, my fellow? Of course, you can always help." [As the little party moves off to attend to the restoration of PaleMoon's memory, with Tilia lingering, keeping watch, Rayek retreats to the new shelter he's claimed in the nearby mountains. Only after a long while does the sending of his beloved mentor reach him....] You sense in a locksend, Ekuar's mind, with the extra glow added by the Palace, is searching for you... a tendril of thought, undershot with a clear thread of concern. ** Brownskin... ** You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek, after a beat... perhaps in which someone who has been lying in shade might suddenly wince at sunlight... sends back, ** I'm... here, Ekuar. ** His sending comes distantly, farther away than the little cave just up the hillside from the Palace. This is, rather, from the new cave he found a few crags over. You sense in a locksend, Ekuar replies quickly, thankfully, and an overriding sense of worry fades and subsides into the glowing depths of the elder's many-layered spirit-self. ** Thank the High Ones. I thought perhaps you... eh! Well. Never mind what I thought. I can come and see you? ** You locksend ** This place we're making is as much yours as mine... ** to Ekuar. You sense in a locksend, Ekuar seems to be moving closer, physically... this is largely apparent by the gradual lessening of the Palace's effect on his mind-touch. ** Yes... but that doesn't mean you can never have time to yourself. If you need it. Hm? ** A pause, distracted-- perhaps by the task of scrambling across the barren landscape toward the new lair. And then: ** Time to yourself... as long as you let me back to your side afterward. ** A familiar sense of nurturing there, of with you now and always. You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek's sending by contrast grows slightly clearer, though not from any aid save lessening distance. ** I promised I would not leave you again... ** You sense in a locksend, Ekuar hastens to reassure, with perhaps a tinge of chagrin at himself for having seemed to doubt his student. ** Oh! Of course, indeed, I know you did. And I also know you'll keep to it... even if you think it might be best for me the other way 'round. ** A glimmer of humor, trying to soothe raw nerves with an old joke: ** Like it or not, my dear, you're stuck with me. And I plan to live a long long time. ** You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek begins a reply, but trails off, as if not really quite certain what he ought to be sending. ** ... ** Raw nerves, indeed; it doesn't take more than a passing contact to recognize that taut, fretful feeling to the airwalker's mind. A tap-tapping, shuffling thumps, echo softly and clearly down the tunnel to the surface... noises of the ancient shaper making his way into the entrance and descending the sweeping circular staircase. As he approaches, he can be heard making little 'ooohs' and murmurs of interest, looking over his work thus far on the various rockshaping chores. Down in the heart of the dwelling -- for dwelling it is becoming, slowly but surely, rather than just a strange barren cave that reeked of confinement and a hint of pain and magic -- light flickers. Rayek has made rough candles, in the places you've shaped to hold them, and their dim glow lights this place erratically. Ekuar descends the stairs with a lopsided but easy gait... in fact, these particular stairs seem to hold no trouble for him, despite the missing arm and wooden leg. Perhaps the fact that he shaped them himself explains the way he and they seem to fit together, the structure beautiful and functional, almost seeming to cradle those who use it. The elder reaches the bottom and pats the stairs (admiring his work? Giving affectionate thanks to the stone? Those who know him would probably suspect mostly the latter.), then blinks carefully into the dimness, letting his eyes finish adjusting from the brightness outside. "Hello!" he says, gently cheerful. Rayek lies, on his back, in the sleeping niche he's claimed for himself, and filled with furs from recent hunts. He looks up, wordlessly, the light from the candles flickering off his amber gaze. Ekuar cocks his head slowly to one side, sobering somewhat. Addled he may get sometimes, but he can still find undercurrents of pain and long to ease them. He shifts his weight to the good leg and leans on his staff, peering down at his complex young friend. "It was hard to go into the Palace without you." The admission is soft, meant to express his own sorrows, as well as his acknowledgement of Rayek's. Rayek looks up at you liquidly for a moment, then averts his gaze, somewhere random. He nods, silent, perhaps not trusting his voice. Ekuar lets his own gaze drift as well, and his dark eyes light upon a rough patch of wall, scarred and chipped, perhaps by some harsh use or struggle long past. He props his staff close and reaches out gracefully with the single gaunt arm. Power begins to lightly suffuse him, gathering in his hand and then flowing like a breath of visible golden air, out to embrace the rock. The wall-section begins to shift, rearrange subtly, smoothing and easing. Ekuar offers, softly: "I'm sorry, eh?" "I... suppose... you forgot to tell me..." Rayek's voice is rough. He doesn't move, as you bustle about with the shaping work. Ekuar shuffles close to the wall and strokes his hand across it, deftly, gradually. Designs almost seem to ripple just beneath the glittering surface... but with each pass of the maimed hand, the designs shift, if indeed they were ever there. The aged head bows, casting his face into shadow. "I... think that was part of it..." he says with an almost soundless sigh, as of someone lifting a burden. A pause. "I think I convinced myself-- eh-- that I forgot. So that I needn't tell you." Slowly, Rayek sits up, watching you, expression uneasily. He is silent as you shape more, then he offers, gruffly, "Is she... whole?" Ekuar's head turns, his limpid eyes catching the light, wide and solemn. It's debatable whether he actually heard the question, so caught up is he in some deeper thought. He divulges, low: "I was afraid. To tell you." Rayek's mouth quirks, as he studies you. "I... have no cause to begrudge it," he begins. His tone is still uneasy, though that came out rather more firmly; the airwalker doesn't like seeing you frightened. Ekuar takes a step, sliding the padded fur boot along the floor. He's half-leaning against the wall, keeping contact with the stone... not truly shaping now, but his fingertips and palm are glowing, infusing the rock slowly with trickles of magic. Communing, shaper to shaped. The elder says, urgently, sorrowfully, "Not afraid of you. Never that, dearest one." Another silence, while the burden of what wasn't told remains poised on the edge of expression. And then he shares it, offering secrets for better or worse. "Afraid of how much I could hurt you. You were gone... had left me. She was a child, frightened, with the seeds of power buried deep. I... taught her." His gaze meets yours, honest and clear. "As I did you... looked after her, lived with her. But she -wasn't- -you-, Brownskin. I thought you might be... wounded. If I were to remind you of that time, without you, and tell you I lightly took on 'just another pupil.'" A breath, lifting the delicate chest. "Do you understand?" Rayek studies the floor as you speak, now, listening. At last: "I... was... taken aback by it. On top of... all else." He scowls. Why is this difficult to put into words? Another step, smaller this time. The wall, shimmering faintly where it meets the pale hand, seems to support him both physically and somehow spiritually. "I ought to have told you. Eh, I wish I had. But I feared... you might use it against yourself. To belittle yourself." The ghost of a smile tugs at the side of the pale mouth, only for a second. "You have that talent." The whisper of amusement fades. "As she is my daughter, Brownskin, so you are my son... deeper than a son. We found each other, chose each other." Rayek lifts his gaze to you. His eyes are troubled, indeed, though a hint of a smile plays at one corner of his mouth. "I have never had... a sister." Ekuar approaches further, and slowly kneels at the side of the niche, faintly awkward. His hand reaches out toward you, still softly redolent of magic. "In a way, you are her brother. Eh! And my firstborn. Never forget how we met, dear Brownskin. How I was, where I was. SKin as brown as the sun, you brought me to life again. Eh?" A tiny smile to match your own. "No matter how old I get, how gnarled like a tree-trunk, how many times I misplace my own name... that day will never leave me." "And a healer..." Rayek almost laughs. "Always healers. I seem to have a habit..." Wonderingly, he shakes his head, then reaches his brown hands to hug you up and over to him. He's trembling, a little. Ekuar's arm, strong and warm despite its seeming frailty, slips around you in a familiar embrace. His hand passes across your back soothingly, and magic senses can feel the leftover tingles where it caresses. "You do... eh... trip over them, don't you?" he murmurs. "Perhaps she can help Mender with Ktai..." Rayek's words come out distractedly, as he allows himself to just sit, to embrace, to be embraced. "Perhaps," Ekuar agrees softly. "You are good to think of it." As he speaks, his mind lightly contacts yours in unspoken question, a need: ** ? ** Rayek bows his head towards you. And sends, heavily, but clearly, his assent. His contact stays wordless and simple, as if he fears to say or send more than that simple agreement. The return send echoes with a sense of honest gratitude. Ekuar lets out a breath and rests his head on your shoulder, seeking and offering comfort, his hand lifting to twine gently in a lock of smooth black hair. [End log.]