Log Date: 10/27/96 Log Cast: Ember, Zirek, Rayek, Sar, Tilia, Silverfox, Youngblood, Leetah Log Intro: The Palace has had its fill of uproars lately, what with the recent visit of Winnowill, and the fight that erupted between Rayek and Sar over the silver wolf's head necklace Sar had once given to Ember, and which she gave to Rayek. Now, Sar has returned to the Palace, and has had an attempt to kidnap Ktai foiled by Rayek's applying of a hefty dose of hypnosis to the Glider; incensed by that, Sar has also threatened Ktai, by telling her that if she will not return to Blue Mountain, Rayek's life will be forfeit. Rayek has scoffed at this threat, not believing that the Glider can do anything to him. He does not, however, expect the method which Sar decides to use.... ---------- Side Corridor(#6192RFL) This is one of the smaller corridors through the Palace, and gives less of a feeling of airy, open space than the larger passageways do. The damage that the Palace suffered is no longer in evidence here; translucent walls and columns once again swoop smoothly and gracefully to a delicately arched ceiling. Obvious exits: Rayek's Chamber Entry Hall Ember locksends ** Rayek...? ** Zirek locksends ** <> ** You locksend, to Zirek, Ember: ** I am here. ** Zirek locksends ** I would ... have a word with you if I might. ** [With that, Rayek rises from where he's been sitting and moves out into the Palace's main hall.] Rayek steps out quietly into view, amber eyes seeking out those who have sent to him. Zirek almost jumps, then nods. "Hello, Rayek. I, uh..." he scratches the back of his neck. "I wanted to say I was sorry." Zirek offers his hand. Ember crouches to pick up her spear once more, and remains crouching, watching the two of you. Zirek looks over at Ember and sighs. "There aren't any rocks around, Zirek says "Em, I'm not gonna hit him..." Ember blinks, startled, first at Zirek, then at the spear in her hand, and laughs. "I wasn't going to /attack/, Zirek. I just wanted to pick it up." Zirek sighs, "Sorry... I've gotten paranoid... ever since the incident with Ktai... which is what I wanted to apologize for, Rayek..." he turns to the desert elf. Rayek quirks an eyebrow, and says dryly, "It is not to me that you owe an apology, young one, but to Ktai." His gaze holds no warmth, though it holds no censure either. "It was her head you cracked open, not mine." Zirek nods, "I tried to apologize to her, but I think she's hiding from me." he looks glum. "Everyone's been treating me like a troll. I guess I deserve it, but it still hurts." Ember, dryly, sends, ** You're hardly a troll. ** Zirek Sharp gray eyes and a quick smile are the first thing you notice about this wiry young elf. Tall and slender, his build calls to mind the refinement of a sword, well tempered and used. His warm leathers have been replaced by silky mountain leggings of a softly blue hue, a subtlety totally destroyed by the brightly colored and rather worn loincloth he wears over them. His smallish sword is one made by Two-Edge for a lighter elf, for he wields its light weight easily, even though he is only half-grown. Dark brown hair falls shaggily around his face, cropped short in the back. It might once have been curly, but now just falls in unkempt locks. After a summer in the Sun Village, his tan is almost as dark as it was when he left many turns ago. Around his neck he wears a necklace of elk teeth on a leather thong. Worn and thin, these teeth must have been from a geriatric elk. Carrying: Zirek's cool furs silver dagger Ember Huntress through and through, Ember is an economy of motion, lithe, whip-slender form lightly muscled under smooth brown skin. Her form is nearly fragile in its slim delicacy, fragility belied by strength of spirit and laughter in steady blue eyes. Her hair, colored like the dying flames she is named for, cascades in a soft riot of tangled curls down her back, a few long strands shagging over her eyes. Her slender shoulders are bare, small capped sleeves encircling her biceps, loosely attatched to the deep red one-piece leathers she wears. A heavy belt of tan rests at her hips, two more slender straps twisting up a bit, a dagger's sheath held in place by the straps. Tall boots, wrapped with leather for firm placement, rise up to bare thighs, and over her forearms are slim, wrapped gloves. Carrying: Dagger Zirek giggles, looking at Ember, cheeks flushing a little. Ember grins rather lazily at Zirek, and drops a wink. Rayek stands with his arms crossed before him, gravely studying the other two elves. Zirek shoves a hand in his pocket, looking sheepish. The other hand he uses to ruffle his bangs out of his eyes. Ember's grin turns less lazy, more amused, and she turns her gaze to Rayek, studying him in return. To Zirek, though the send is open, she says, ** You're blushing, lad. I thought Go-Backs didn't blush. ** Zirek chuckles, "'M half GoBack." Ember laughs, and straightens, leaning on the spear. Ember locksends ** Has Ktai spoken to you, Rayek? ** Rayek, if anything to Ember's eyes, appears to be paying only a part of his attention to what is going on here. There's a troubled look to him, a very subtle one. You locksend ** Of Sar? ** to Ember. You sense in a locksend, Ember nods. ** Yes. ** You locksend ** She says that he has threatened my life. ** to Ember. Zirek walks over to clap the desert elf companionably on the shoulder. He grins, wishing to include him in the friendly exchange. Of course the thorn between his fingers could HARDLY be considered a friendly gesture, but the sooner Sar's orders are met the sooner he can get back to the business of hanging around and being friends which he prefers. Rayek blinks, first at the shoulder clap, then the slight, sharp momentary pain in his shoulder. He straightens, steps back from Zirek, and frowns, then probes at the flesh, with one brown hand. "What did you do?" Zirek blushes a little, "Well... it was an odd request, but Sar wanted me to see if I could poke you with this thorn..." he shows it between his fingers, "I think he was testing my subtlety." Zirek shrugs, not really too concerned over it. Ember's eyebrows draw down. "/Why/?" she demands. Zirek shrugs, "It's just a thorn.. just a game... what's the problem?" he looks genuinely baffled. Rayek starts to scowl, then the expression wavers slightly. Hand still on his shoulder, he says to Zirek, voice starting sharp, "What have you... done..." Abruptly, he staggers back a step. Zirek looks utterly confused. "It was just a little thorn.. not a weapon... I didn't HURT him..." The spear hits the floor again with a clatter, and Ember leaps forward towards Rayek. ** What did you do?! Poison? ** Zirek looks bewildered, "What?" Rayek staggers again, head starting to droop. Looking quite surprised, he mumbles, "Didn't... think of this..." And, without warning, he crumples, face going pale under his brown skin. Zirek looks really confused. By the time her leap is complete, Rayek is on the floor, and Ember has a blade in her hand. Without the slightest hesitation, she shreds the shirt (shirt?) away from the tiny prick, and with the tip of her dagger, slashes two quick slits into Rayek's shoulder. Zirek just stares. Red silk falls away from Rayek's shoulder to reveal a tiny puncture wound -- but one that stands out rather clearly, inflamed as it is against his dark skin. Or, what would be dark skin if it wasn't turning a strange shade of sallow yellow around the mark. Zirek sends openly ** I don't understand?! What's happening? ** Sar steps in from outside. Sar moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Sar has arrived. Sar hovers above, just long enough to admire the scene. Sar looks at you for a moment. Zirek is bewildered, watching Rayek and Ember. He looks up... ** Sar... what's going on?!" Ember drops her mouth to the newly cut slits, sucking poison out and spitting it to the side. Her sending is wordless, but conveys distaste and fear. Then, ** Find a healer. /Now/! ** Zirek turns instantly to obey the order... casting his mind out for Leetah or anyone else nearby. Sar floats down. "He will not. Zirek, attend me." Zirek stares at Sar, eyes full of tears. He moves toward him. Rayek lies where Ember has placed him, his face going paler; Ember can probably hear his breath going uneven in his throat, and with one hand, Rayek claws near there. The sound of Sar's voice makes him stir, violently. Zirek sends out one burst of sending, stronger than any he's ever done... not a sendshout, but an outgoing, helpless plea... ** Healers! Rayek's hurt! Help him! ** Then he follows Sar. Sar frowns slightly at Zirek, then slips a hand around his waist and lifts him into the air. Tilia steps in from outside. Tilia moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Tilia has arrived. Sar floats up again, and looks down at Ember and Rayek with ill concealed triumph. ** Let Ktai know, that this is her doing. And that the next time, there will be no healers. ** Silverfox steps in from outside. Silverfox moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Silverfox has arrived. Tilia ambles in with spear and catch with a 'now what' sort of expression set in her broad jaw. Silverfox follows Tilia, pale. He's... hurt. Why can't he breathe, and why is he so hot? Is that Zirek, sending? Rayek snaps his eyes open with an effort, and stares glassily upward. ** Sar....! ** He tries to float up. Sar is, coincidentally, mostly shielded behind Zirek. (This to anybody with missile weapons.) Ember pounds a fist on the floor, spitting poison again. ** Too much, ** the send snarls, ** I can't stop it. He's going to /die/. ** Silverfox's eyes widen at the sight in front of her. Sar floats over to the exit with Zirek, lingering just a little to enjoy the scene below. Rayek, indeed, looks rather startlingly pale. Eyes blazing hotly, with his magic, with fury, and with what can only be a fever of some kind building up in his blood, the airwalker rips free of Ember's assistance and throws himself, unsteadily, at Sar.... Youngblood has arrived. Youngblood pokes his head out of his tent, blinking in surprise. ** What the? ** Zirek is positioned between, so takes the full force of the attack. He doesn't even try to get out of the way. Ember's send explodes into the air after the desert elf: ** You IDIOT! You'll make it spread faster! Lie DOWN! ** Then, more loudly, if possible, and deliberatly trying to use the Palace as an amplifier, ** MOTHER!!! ** High Ones, let her be near enough to hear... Tilia says "She is near." Leetah has arrived. Tilia calmly points her spear at a doorway and says, "Leetah." Rayek, unchecked, barrels into Zirek and Sar, but his flight is as random as a boulder loosed from the top of a hill. He growls thickly and tries to meet Sar's gaze, but immediately rolls off them and away, crumpling again to the floor. Tilia moves the spearhead over to Rayek. "Rayek." She's playing Doorwoman today. Leetah comes in, out of breath, looking around. ** Rayek!!! ** the send is wrenched from her... worry and love flavoring it. She reaches out to him with healing magic already flowing brightly. Rayek, where he has fallen anew, is now sweating, and his breath escapes him in ragged, wheezing bursts. Sar laughs, letting Zirek take the worst of the impact and after that dodging easily away from the unsteady attack. "Ah, but this is too much fun to abandon." Lifting Zirek beyond another similar attack, he caresses the youth idly as he smirks, watching the commotion. Silverfox bites her lip, watching Leetah do her magic, before glaring at the gloating floating elf. Ember skids across the floor to where Rayek falls, literally sliding on her knees to stop beside him as her mother enters, and then surging once more to her feet to stare helplessly, furiously, at the out-of-reach Sar. ** Snake's spawn, ** she snarls, ** still afraid to fight your own battles. ** Youngblood frowns deeply, stepping closer to Rayek, but not too close. Leetah cradles Rayek gently, tears streaming down her cheeks as her healing magic envelops him, purging the poison from his system. Ember's head snaps back, and her eyes darken in pain and rage. ** Yes. ** It is a challenge, to Sar. Vale steps in from outside. Vale moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Vale has arrived. Vale runs in like a madelf, hair a mess and a makeshift spear in his hand. The tip is bloodied but he carries nothing but this. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Sar caresses Zirek's cheek, and murmurs to him. "What do you think, little one...should I fight Ember in honest challenge? Vale Vale is a young elf of slightly unusual proportions, with broad shoulders and a slender waist. Dark eyes flash from beneath a wild array of bangs pushed back over a colorful, intricate leather braided headband. His hair is a rich dark brown, thick and long enough to fall just below his shoulderblades; his expressions and movements are wolfish, feral, but not ungraceful. He wears an unusual shirt that somehow matches his form, created from something that shimmers rainbow, dancing with the light. It is tucked into thin leather leggings, tan and perfect for warm weather. On his neck hangs a necklace of gold, three white claws hanging against his chest. Tilia glances to the doorway and stands straighter. Tilia This is a terribly small goback woman, come of age in spite of her diminuitive size. She is not unattractive, strong jaw nearly flat, eyes long but thin, eyes thin but piercingly dark. She is haggard and worn and hard as the rock of the earth, her furs open and sporting many small holes and a few larger ones. She is thin, but stern, the wind having eroded at her. Carrying: Wooden Spear Silverfox Warm amber-coloured eyes smile at you, in direct contrast to the silver wings above her eyes. Matching her eyebrows is her long silver, curly hair, reaching to mid-shoulder, and more often then not, has leaves of some sort in them. About average height, at 4'5, she does not seem too short ot too tall, rather she is the right height for her build. Slender and graceful as a fox (and just as quick), she seems to love the light. She wears a light mothcloth shirt, a light green, that hangs down to her waist, with a matching skirt of the same material, moving lightly in the wind. Sandals lace up her legs, and tie off at her knee. She is tanned dark, from her time at Sorrow's End, her hair bleached whiter, if that were possible, and there are strange scars across both of her forearms. There seems to be a sense of determination around her. Carrying: LogList Vale looks around wild-eyed and walks to his mother. Zirek closes his eyes and clenches his fists, ** Stop it ... please... please stop... ** Vale looks around wild-eyed and then calms slightly, looking to his mother again. His eyes clenched shut, his mouth open and desperately trying to suck in any air he can get, Rayek claws feebly at his throat where he lies enveloped in Leetah's arms and magic. The inflamed mark at his shoulder fades quickly; less quickly does the color of his skin begin to return to a normal brown, and his face is still bathed in sweat. Ember stands, tense, staring up at the glider. Waiting. Sar caresses Zirek again, where he floats above, smiling slowly the whole time. "It would be most amusing. Of course, I might have to kill her. Well, little one?" Tilia looks up and says, "Not in the Palace." Silverfox glares up at Sar too, then at Rayek, as he claws at his throat. Ember, to Tilia, without looking away from Sar, says, "I hadn't intended to fight here." Zirek sends openly ** <> Don't Sar... don't.. please.. I'll do anything... just don't kill her. ** Ember sends openly ** You think he /can/? ** Leetah keeps a warm radiance around Rayek, too lost in the healing trance to respond to anything else. Ember's sending is tinged with blood. ** And I, Zirek? If I had to kill him? ** Sar kisses the point of Zirek's ear, and sends in reply. ** Then she will live. I will honor your choice, little one. ** He looks down at Ember triumphantly, then pulls Zirek with him outside. Sar steps through the doorway outside. Sar has left. Zirek steps through the doorway outside. Zirek has left. Vale gets the idea that whatever has transpired is out of his hands and tries to relax. Silverfox bites her lip, then goes outside. She can't help here, can't help there... But.. Ember turns, finally, to her mother and Rayek, tension still radiating from her. Silverfox steps through the doorway outside. Silverfox has left. Vale steps around the room until he can find Ember's eyes, curiosity in his. Tilia says "Desperation." Tilia looks around, sees that everyone is quite preoccupied, and looks outside again. You locksend to Leetah, Rayek's senses flood with red-black darkness as he strives to pull air into his lungs; gradually, though, ever so gradually, your glow opens his throat enough to allow him to weakly breathe. Ember's eyes snap up from the healer and healed, to meet Vale's. Rayek, at last, slumps weakly in Leetah's arms, the hand with which he'd been clawing at his own throat dropping limply to his side. Leetah is hunched over Rayek, magic forcing the toxin to slowly release its hold on him. It is a painful process. Youngblood shakes his head in quiet confusion. Vale nods, and looks over his shoulder. Vale glances occasionally to Tilia. Ember's eyebrows curl down a little, and she nods to a sending. Tilia leans on her staff and becomes nearly a statue, watching the healing. Ember turns on a heel, and stalks out the door. Or wherever Ktai went. Leetah continues healing until the last of the poison is cleansed from Rayek Leetah locksends ** <> ** Ember steps through the doorway outside. Ember has left. In an open send, Rayek, as the chokehold the poison has on his throat slowly lessens, releases a groggy sending, dotted with sparks of red: ** Don't... don't let her go... back to the Mountain... ** Ktai locksends ** Rayek...?! ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek sends back, more out of instinct than conscious control: ** Don't... go... don't go... ** His sending is reeling, dangerously weak. Rayek opens his eyes, halfway, trying to focus on Leetah above him. Eren soulsends ** I shan't, Rayek. I belong here... with you... ** Leetah smiles gently down at him, stroking sweat from his brow, expression tender and tired. Vale watches out the door. Youngblood crouches near Rayek. ** Will he be allright? ** Vale blinks and trots out with a slight glance over his shoulder. Leetah sends openly ** He will recover. Time and rest will finish what I began. ** Vale steps through the doorway outside. Vale approaches the huge stone structure. Vale has left. Rayek repeats, insistently for all that his sending is reeling with profound weakness, ** Don't... let her go... she must not go... don't... ** Leetah smiles openly to Tilia, very very tired. Leetah nods once. Tilia's expression softens and she spares Leetah a slight kindred smile. Youngblood sighs softly. ** Good. ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek fumbles for your sending, repeating dazedly, ** Please don't go... don't go, beloved... don't go... ** Eren soulsends ** I'm staying right here, Rayek... ** Leetah lowers her head, drawing Rayek slightly closer. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Leetah locksends ** <> Trust... Dear Rayek, trust in her. And in us. ** Leetah rises, helping Rayek to do the same. "We both need rest now... if you will excuse us." [And meanwhile, outside the Palace, Ktai returns from a hunt....] Ember locksends ** Where do you go. ** to Ktai. You locksend ** I come from Hunting... ** to Ember. Ember locksends ** Can you track Sar? ** to Ktai. Ktai walks towards the Palace, two small desert furry creatures in hand. She looks as if she's been on a lousy hunt. You locksend ** Sar?! No... Why? What has happened?! ** to Ember. Silverfox turns and sees Ktai. She pales, and mutters to herself. Ktai blinks, suddenly catching in step, frowning to the Palace, her pace quickening. Ember locksends ** <> Let me come to you. ** Silverfox moves to intersept Ktai. "Ktai.. " she calls out hesitantly. Ktai turns slightly, pausing. Her send is almost irritable. ** What? ** Silverfox gulps, she hates being the bearer of bad news, and her send reflects that... ** Sar... left a message for you.." Near the Palace, Ember carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Ember moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Ktai scowls at Silverfox. ** Spit it out. ** Ember stalks out, fury radiating from her. ** He made Zirek try to take Rayek's life. ** Before you ask, she lifts a hand: ** He's all right. Mother's with him. ** Silverfox doesn't notice Ember, she's looking too upset. She takes a breathe, then stops at Ember's send. Ktai turns, eyes darkening, dropping the kill and taking to the air for the Palace. You locksend ** Rayek...?! ** to Rayek. In an open send, Ember's sending snaps: ** /Stop/. ** Ktai returns in send without pausing. ** Why? ** Ember's shoulders are tight, furious. ** I need your help, Ktai. This has gone on long enough. Far too long. I cannot track him by air without the help of a Glider. ** Now she stops. ** He has a bird. I can't fly -that- well. ** Silverfox gulps, then just sends it straight. ** It was a message to you, Ktai ** Ember sends openly ** It is -faster- than -running-. ** You sense in a locksend, Rayek sends back, more out of instinct than conscious control: ** Don't... go... don't go... ** His sending is reeling, dangerously weak. You soulsend ** I shan't, Rayek. I belong here... with you... ** to Rayek. Ktai narrows her eyes slightly, sending. You locksend ** Healer? ** to Leetah. Leetah locksends ** Yes, Ktai? ** Near the Palace, Vale carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Sar glides down from above. Silverfox groans as Sar shows up. Damnit. Then glares. Vale moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Ember's expression goes flat as Sar arrives from the sky. Sar locksends ** That was a warning, Ktai. Nothing more. Now, are you ready to return home? ** Sar arrives without Zirek, though Talon can be spotted by the sharp-eyed. Ktai whirls at a send, almost seeming fire and fury embodied. ** Over your dead body, which I'd be more than happy to oblige with. ** You sense in a locksend, Rayek fumbles for your sending, repeating dazedly, ** Please don't go... don't go, beloved... don't go... ** You locksend ** Keep him safe. ** to Leetah. Silverfox is somewhat relieved, she didn't have to deliever the message. Vale stops in his tracks just outside the doorway. Leetah locksends ** I shall... do not go to the Mountain... he would only follow. ** You soulsend ** I'm staying right here, Rayek... ** to Rayek. You locksend ** The only way I will go to that place is carrying Sar's dead body. ** to Leetah. Ember's sending lashes out: ** My challenge, Ktai. /My/ challenge. ** Vale says "Um." You locksend ** Our challange, Ember. Strength lies in numbers. ** to Ember. Ktai doesn't allow her eyes to flick to Ember as she sends. Sar laughs, floating closer but remaining out of missle range. "Perhaps you can challenge another over the right, first. Like good barbarians." Ember locksends ** A wolf challenges alone. ** You locksend ** Then I wait behind, ready at your call. ** to Ember. Ember's fingers tighten on her spear's handle. ** Will you fight, Sar, or dangle from the sky like a frightened bird? ** You sense in a locksend, Ember nods once, sharply, her attention taken by Sar. Ktai smiles grimly, shifting in the air, taking place just slightly behind and to the right of Ember. Vale says "Um." Sar grins, apparently enjoying himself. "I have come for Ktai, wolfrider. Not you." He beckons to Ktai. "Come, now. Do not delay further." Silverfox glares up at Sar, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Ember smiles, nearly the same smile as Sar has. ** You can come through me for Ktai, Glider. That's the only way you'll take her. ** Ktai sends scathingly. ** A Chosen not accepting a challange? Sar... I am disappointed in you. You shame Voll's memory and his Chosen. ** Vale says "Um." Sar floats down, slowly. "A glider hiding behind a wolfrider? I am disappointed in you, Ktai." Sar says "Very well, then." Sar glides slowly...then suddenly accelerates, launching himself straight at Ember. Vale stops looking lost and glances over at Sar looking, merely, confused. Ktai scowls, but the attempt at insult falls flat. She's no more Glider than Ember is. Silverfox scrambles out of the way, being not fighter the way Ember is. Ember's stance changes marginally, dropping into a slight crouch, her spear to the fore. Go ahead, Sar. Impale yourself. That'd make life a lot easier. Ktai waits, her own dagger slipping into her hand, quietly waiting, watching. Sar doesn't do Ember that favour, of course. As he skims past and up, his talon-whip goes *snick*, shooting out at the spear. Ktai sends her dagger flying, magic guiding, full intent to cut that cord at the get-go. You locksend ** Let's see what he can do without that pretty toy. If I can just get it... ** to Ember. Sar abandons the cut whip with a snarl. But the disruption should be enough to let him kick out at Embers head. Ktai's eyes glint darkly, the dagger zinging up. It if happens to hit Sar - oops. If not, Ktai reaches out to catch it. Ember ducks back, not fast enough, quite, to miss the blow, but it only glances across her cheekbone, and she is not impeded by it. Too blindly, she thrusts forward with the spear, freeing one hand to reach for her dagger. Silverfox watches, biting her lip as the fighting begins. Sar reaches with one hand to wrench the spear away, the other reaching for Ember. Sar dodges Ktai's dagger, but his attention is now seriously divided. Ember leaps to meet that, allowing the spear to be wrested away, and a deep growl rises from her throat. ** Not so easily ** snarls the sending. ** Not so easily. ** Vale watches, not biting his lip, readying himself, it seems, to leap. [At this point the RP was OOC interrupted; thus, we assume that Winnowill has somehow sensed what has happened to Rayek, and, incensed, has sent to Sar to order him back to Blue Mountain, and saving his skin in the meantime from Ktai and Ember. End log.]