Log Date: 12/19/96 Log Cast: Ktai, Rayek, Tilia, Sothel Log Intro: Alarmed and angered by news that Alorn plans to violate the sanctity of the Palace by trying to steal him, Rayek has been striving to rally the elves within the Palace into a regular defensive group, but the task has proven more difficult than he likes, between Neela not feeling welcome in the Palace and deciding to retreat to Sorrow's End, Ktai wrestling with the unexpected arrival of her long-lost daughter Daia... and Delenbae dropping vague hints about the untrustworthiness of Gliders. The airwalker has drawn on the strength of the Palace to send to Savah in Sorrow's End, but the counsel of the Mother of Memory, supportive though it is, also leaves Rayek feeling restless and without options. He begins to work on honing his own inner strengths, intending to increase his ability to withstand mental assault should the Gliders ever succeed in capturing him, and it is in the middle of such exercises that Ktai sends to him.... --------- Rayek's Chamber(#7481RAFJL) Smaller than many of the other chambers of the Palace of the High Ones, this quiet nook is the place Rayek has appropriated for what passes as his rest. Like the rest of the Palace, it is a room of oddly rippling walls and ceiling and floor, a room where a flicker out of the corner of your eye might be a shadow -- or perhaps a lingering spirit. Ekuar's deft and ancient touch is everywhere you look, in softly smoothed stone and gently curving walls. Shaped torch-holders bathe the chamber with a warm glow when the tapers are lit. The old rockshaper has crafted this place to be restful for the spirit, radiating the care he feels for his Brownskin. Obvious exits: Corridor Ktai locksends ** Beloved? ** Ktai locksends ** Rayek? Beloved... Sothel is cooking if you hunger... ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek doesn't answer immediately, as though he is taking physical stock of himself. After a moment, he replies, ** I might as well; I make no progress. I will have to delve into the Scrolls... ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek's voice, as it had the last time you sent to him, speaks of having just emerged from deep meditation; this time, however, he sounds weary and frustrated. Ktai locksends ** Then come... eat and refresh yourself. There is something that I would wish to discuss with you... if it might bring you aid. ** You locksend ** I will come out. ** to Ktai. [Out through the Palace to...] 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: Tilia Bright Green Tent(#9206JOes) Obvious exits: Corridor Winding Stairway Doorway Tilia is literally just standing in the middle of the huge, cold room, staring at the front doors. Rayek steps wearily into view from the corridor to his and Ekuar's chamber, squinting as though the light level in the wide entry hall hurts his eyes. He rubs stiffly at one shoulder, then straightens as he spies the little Go-Back. ** Eh? ** Tilia looks over her shoulder, easily snapping out of whatever it was going on. Rayek inclines his head shortly but amiably enough. His lean features are tiredly lined, though his gaze is alert; his stride picks up a bit of energy, as though unconsciously he shifts to a firmer walk now that he is observed. "Ktai roused me," he says. "There is food being cooked." "Yes," she says absently, and turns back to the doors. "I know." Rayek's sharp gaze takes that in, then he says only, "Follow, if you will," before he himself paces outside. You step out through the doorway, leaving the entry hall behind. 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, Sothel sitts staring through the fire at Nywen's sleeping form. His fish floats slowly in the fire. Some distance away, Ktai stands very close to the steps of the Palace, looking out over the plains with quiet eyes. She is an overly safe distance from the fire, and something in the way she stands indicates her distaste for the flames. Rayek pauses as he emerges from the Palace, drawing in a lungful of the outside air, and squinting up skyward as he lets his gaze adjust to the difference in light. After a moment his amber regard shifts to the surrounding campsites; spying the cookfire Ktai must have mentioned, and Ktai herself, he strides out towards her. 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 starry outlines of the Human Hunter begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the cool autumn skies. Contents: Ktai Sothel Humbugger(#9936Jaop) Dead leaper Dead leaper OOC SIGN: Palace visitors, please read me! Silvie's tent(#8012JLe) Palace(#500Jae) Obvious exits: Mountains Northwest South Sothel seems oblivious. But sends quietly. ** I have never met any others who didn't like me. At least not for the reasons of beings a Glider. But Nywen, She was talked badly to here in the palace. ** Near the Palace, Tilia carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Tilia has arrived. Near the Palace, Tilia has left. Tilia moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Tilia has arrived. Tilia steps out of the Palace with a hesitatnt expression, her steps careful and cool eyes glancing side to side. Ktai looks down sadly, shaking her head. ** It is something I have long since come to terms with, Sothel. Our people have done many things that you and I wish were not so... but we have no power over the past. We learn from it... and continue on. It is sad that others cannot see that we are not a part of that past any longer. ** Rayek draws up beside Ktai, nodding to her, the stiffness of his movements replacing itself with grace. His black eyebrows crook as he takes in the send from Sothel, and he levelly interjects himself into the conversation with, ** Greetings. ** Ktai looks up and over to Rayek with a soft and sad smile. ** Hello, beloved. ** Sothel returns Ktai's sends quietly. He nodds quietly toward Rayek. THe fish floating in the fire nodds with the Gliders head. ** WE still can make a diffrence . I do not know how, But someday... ** Tilia stays a distance away from the fire to be near its gloomy light, away from its heat. Ktai sends openly ** Sothel... every day that we hold Winnowill at a standstill we make a difference. Every time we turn away from the chance to fight... makes a difference. Whoever we touch in our lives, touches in turn another life, and it goes on forever, like ripples in water. ** Sothel stands and turns slowly to face Ktai and her lovemate. ** Yes. Forever. Like the life of some elves. But even the HIGH ONES died Sister. Will any carry the fight beyond us? Have we lived so well at a stand still against the balck snake.? ** Rayek comments as he approaches the fire closely enough to lift a brown hand to it, palm down, as though he might lift out and float a single mote of flame with his magic, ** If it was Delenbae who spoke without trust to your Nywen, Sothel, I would place little weight upon it; after all, as I told him myself, much of what is said about your tribe has also been said of his. ** He smirks, then adds, ** Much of it has also been said about me. ** As Sothel goes on, he falls momentarily silent, but no less alert, studying the older elf. Ktai falls silent, rebuked by Sothel, and turns to look flatly to Tilia. Tilia has a simple expression on her face, but there's something distant. This normally rock maiden has a little bit missing. Ktai blinks, then frowns slightly. The Fish bobbs a moment longer in the fire then floats to lay on a flat rock. Steam rises from it. Tilia blinks and looks to Ktai, coming back to herself. "The world is broken, and yet we must live with it." Ktai tilts her head as she looks to Tilia thoughtfully. Rayek turns, at Tilia's words, and says archly, "Or heal it." Tilia says "A dream." Sothel shakes his head and looks to Rayek. ** I have no quarrel with you Brownskin. I myself am slowly making changing color. But, your people and his welcomed me in your old villiage. ** Sothel sighs and looks to Tilia. ** Perhaps fixing it is a much better choice. Rayek is right. ** Tilia sneers lightly. Sothel moves toward the others. ** My True Lord had a dream. I am living it now. He did not WANT us to return to the stars I think. HE wanted us to life safely. AND LIVE we do . I am more alive then I have ever been.** Rayek gives Sothel a brief one-sided smile, but most of his attention diverts now to the small Go-Back to whom he's been deferring in matters of the High Ones' first Home. His eyes narrow slightly, the look of being suddenly presented with something that perplexes; then, he says dryly, "What, is it impossible that 'right' and 'Rayek' might be uttered in the same breath?" Sothel looks over his shoulder to where Nywen sleeps. ** But not till after I began to leave the Mountain. ** Sothel looks back to smirk at Rayek. Tilia says "Only by someone who doesn't know you." Ktai locksends ** Peace, beloved... I think you are right. ** Ktai glances to Rayek Sothel looks to Tilia. ** You think Rayek isn't right? ** Rayek glances back at Sothel as he sends on of Voll and the world outside the Mountain; at the notion of returning to the stars, his amber gaze can be noted to flick briefly skyward, a look of what may well be longing. But as the conversation continues, he smirks again, this time into the flames, still with a hand lifted to them. "Tilia," says Rayek, "thinks very little of my notions." Tilia says "Now that he bothers to have them at all." Ktai sighs softly, slipping from the group to sit upon a nearby rock. Sothel watches Tilia for a moment longer then looks at Rayek. ** My people could not survive outside. ** A glance at Ktai. **Not many of us. ** He looks back to Tilia ** My LOrds dream would be truly dead were it not for Rayek.** Tilia's gaze does not leave Rayek, but she replies, "And?" That pronouncement makes Rayek look up again, one brow quirked as if he's slightly taken aback that someone should actually be praising him. You locksend ** Tilia's dislike is a burden to which I've grown accustomed; I'll bear it. ** to Ktai. Ktai locksends ** ** Ktai smiles faintly, though it cannot be seen. Sothel sighs. ** You should understand. You were a Go-back. What I know of your tribe is that it went nowhere. ** He reaches down to pull a small peice of fish free from the cooked mound. ** Your tribe was even more stagnant then mine. For you had children to teach your stagnation to. ** The send is ironic. And mocking at the same time. ** No wonder you think the world broken. ** Tilia says "You're no better for thinking you're right." Sothel laughs around a mouthful of fish. ** I am not right.. BUT you are wrong. It is not the world that is broken. It is the elves that roam it.** Sothel locksends ** and SHE is the master of the palace??? ** The elf at the distance lowers her head, sending clearly. ** Does it matter who is wrong and who is right? Does it truly? We come from different paths, from differing pasts, and we stand together against something bigger than we are individually... but as a whole, we might have a change to correct the wrongs. Has this not yet occurred to our minds? That we aren't alone? ** Rayek appears to consider scowling, but then thinks better of it; his gaze remains sharply focused on the fire, as the sendings and spoken words flow around him. You locksend ** I have been far less accommodating, in the past. ** to Sothel. Sothel reaches out to span the distance between him and Rayek. His hand rests lightly on the brownskin's arm. The contact startles Rayek rather more notably than Sothel's earlier comment of praise. Rayek's gaze wings up again, to study the Glider. Sothel locksends ** I wondered if you would ay that. Leetah said your darkest fear is yourself. As is your worst enemy. ** Sothel returns the gaze with blue sparkling eyes. Tilia says nothing, tense. Something, no doubt a sending, makes Rayek's mouth quirk in a curve that's almost a smile. "Leetah," he murmurs aloud, "knows me best of all the elves that walk this world." Sothel locksends ** I meant no offense. But my sister loved you. I took advantage of Leetahs breif visit after the Winnowill visit to as kthose who knew of you. there are many who thought you arrogant. But few that truly dislike you. ** Ktai looks back up to gaze at the mountains in the near-distance. Sothel moves away from Rayek slowl. He drifts toward Tilia. ** Is it so bad a world. ** You locksend to Sothel, Rayek relays that he is not offended; and aye, yes, he's arrogant and knows it. Still, something in his wordless reply draws slightly back from continued contact, as though he doesn't really believe that many elves carry much fair will towards him, and a claim that they do is to him something to simply let go by without debate, as though someone might have told him that sting-tails aren't dangerous, or the Daystar isn't hot. Tilia moves her eyes to the motion, giving Sothel a warning look. "The world is the world." Rayek lets Sothel move as he will, remaining standing straight and tall of posture by the crackling flames. Ktai locksends ** ** Sothel pauses to look at Tilia.. .. ** Is It? ** Sothel looks up to Palace beyond and back to Tilia. ** Or is it mearly a fever dream some human has of four fingers? ** He seems almost serious in his question. ** Can you tell he diffrence Tilia? If the world is broken, let us try to mend it. If it is us.. Mayhaps, there is still some hope. ** Sothel's face shows mixed sorrow and concern. Tilia says "If that's what the world is, that's what the world is." The figure on the rock's shoulders droop slightly and she looks off to the sky. The old Glider smiles. ** Then how can it be broken? See your problem is solved. ** Tilia frowns. "Don't patronize me, and don't patronize me by saying you're not." Sothel shakes his mane. ** I am sending the truth dear TIlia. YOU are the one who pointed it out. Yet you do not see? ** Rayek's attention flicks from face to face, and finally he says exasperatedly, turning to regard Tilia, "You speak as though we should never strive to better anything, including ourselves." Sothel jumps at the sound of Rayeks voice.. He almost forgot he had an audience. Tilia opens her mouth. She shuts it. She says harshly, loudly, "I will not deal with idiots who tell me what I am saying. This conversation is /over/." She turns and nearly jogs back to the palace. Tilia approaches the huge stone structure. Tilia has left. Near the Palace, Tilia has arrived. Ktai puts her head on her knees, sitting on the rock. Sothel sighs. ** Gee. SHe reminds me of a young ALorn. Hope she turns out better. ** You locksend to Tilia, Rayek snorts, clearly, mentally. ** And you have the effrontery to call _me_ arrogant, and blind? ** Near the Palace, Tilia steps through the doorway into the Palace. Near the Palace, Tilia has left. Rayek snorts, aloud. "She reminds me of _me_, a hand of years ago." You sense in a locksend, Tilia is valiantly trying to resist sends to her, perhaps hectically. At that, the elf on the rock twitches - either a wince, or a laugh - but remains quiet. Sothel nods. ** Then I see why you are said to have changed so. ** Sothel turns back to Rayek. an odd smile on his lips. Sothel locksends ** I think my sistyer needs you brown skin. ** Rayek smirks. "Changed? Yes." His gaze then flicks to Ktai, something of his anger subsiding out of his eyes. Ktai remains sitting on the rock, her forehead to her knees. Her hands are clasped in front of her, with her arms about her legs. Sothel moves again to touch Rayek's arm lightly. His head nodds as if in speech. Sothel locksends ** Go to her. I must return to my life mate and rest. This -fishing- is tiring. ** Sothel turns away from the two elves and heads back to where Nywen lays sleeping. A fire and a lovemate. WHo needs a mountian?. You locksend to Tilia, Rayek sends one time more, the contact bright and sharp and clear simply by virtue of being Rayek's, unenhanced by any strength of the Home. Carried with it is an annoyance, though whether it is at you or for you or both is less clear. ** I nearly went mad trying to shoulder the burden of guarding this place alone. I advise you to consider that you need not be alone. ** With that, and without elaboration, he goes silent. Rayek turns, releasing a sigh, and pads to where Ktai perches atop the rock. You sense in a locksend, Tilia's defensive sending throughout it gives the distinct impression of a pushing away. Rayek murmurs, "If I've been blind, it's a blindness I've passed to Tilia." Troubled of eye, he leans against the rock, regarding Ktai quietly. Ktai lifts her head to look to Rayek. Wordless, she offers her hand, and an open arm. You locksend to Tilia, Rayek, pushed, obstinately lingers, then adds sardonically, ** Of course, after being told so many times, yes, I know I have neither your respect nor your approval. Don't bother to remind me again. But I have stood where you're standing now, and I think you're making the exact same mistakes I did. I think that's as foolhardy as you've accused me of being, and I'll continue to think it whether you like it or not. ** With that, Rayekly pride dictating that he will cursed well make his own exit, he mentally turns away -- for all that he can still be palpably sensed just outside the Palace's halls, along with the rest of the elves within and around it. You sense in a locksend, Tilia, tired and small, as though her thoughts were dry and thin, ** I have respect for you. ** Rayek settles beside you, gaze distant, annoyed; at Tilia, perhaps. Nevertheless, he allows himself to clasp the offered hand. Ktai slips off the rock to embrace you gently with cool touch. Eren soulsends ** I love you, Rayek. ** Rayek smiles faintly at you for a moment, then blinks, gaze flicking to the Palace's walls. Something, it seems, has startled him anew. Ktai looks to you, sending softly. ** Now what? ** You locksend ** Thank you. It is mutual. ** to Tilia. Rayek shakes his head a bit, wonderingly. "She sent that she respects me." Ktai smiles gently. ** Why does that surprise you, beloved? ** Rayek chuckles, lowly. "She is more like me than she likes to admit," he answers, as if that is explanation enough. Ktai kisses your cheek softly. Ktai locksends ** So am I, beloved. So am I. ** Ktai steps back slightly, pulling you with her. ** Come, beloved. Let us shy away from the Palace and its demands, and return to the place where the fountain ripples below the ground. ** Rayek smiles a bit, distractedly, but rises with you. "Yes," he agrees, simply. Ktai kisses your cheek again, leading you off towards that hidden 'home'. [Rayek and Ktai retreat into the mountains, into Rayek and Ekuar's private shelter...] Underground Dwelling(#7227RAFJ) A bizarre chamber to be found underground, particularly in the World's Spine Mountains, this place is completely incongruous with the stark terrain outside. Clearly too regular to be a natural cave, it has been snugly shaped by some loving hand, from the small fountain bubbling up from the middle of the floor, to the niches in the walls where at night crude candles cast pale glows, to the delicate and fanciful shapes that adorn the walls. On the northern wall is a larger niche where sleepfurs have been piled, perhaps big enough for an elf or three to rest. The only way out appears to be a stairwell that spirals prettily up through the stone. Obvious exits: Stairs Ktai has arrived. As Ktai glides down, she begins to sing softly, an old song that she sang once while in here. Her voice again blends with the water, light and free. [End log.]