Log Date: 10/29, 10/30/96 Log Cast: Winnowill, Sothel, Ktai, Rayek, Ekuar, Rigar, Youngblood, Leetah Log Intro: The attempt of Sar to have Zirek poison Rayek has had an unexpected -- and even more dangerous -- consequence. As Rayek lay recovering from the poison, the healer Rigar advised him to eat the petal of a particular flower, saying that it would give him his strength back sooner, though it would make his mind wander for a while. Not liking the idea of his mind outside his control, Rayek balked, but eventually gave in... and dropped into dreaming of his long-past youth, and of the child Leetah. But Winnowill, keeping true to her earlier word that she was keeping tabs on the airwalker, 'went out' to check on him... and found him hallucinating. Never one to miss an opportunity, Winnowill took advantage of his dreaming state to try to entice Rayek's soul to hers -- and nearly succeeded, thwarted only by the combined efforts of Rigar, Ktai, Delenbae, and Kiralee to awaken Rayek and make him realize what was going on. Rayek finally tore free, but not without cost: Winnowill launching a parting strike on Ktai.... [NOTE: This log was contributed by Ktai.] ---------- Rigar sits up slowly from the floor (assuming y'all just -left- him there), wincing as he rubs his eyes. Ktai wouldn't have had much option to move him, for she herself is crumpled against Rayek's still and quiet form. Rigar's eyes open, surveying the scene as they focus, slowly, almost too slowly "Ooooh.. razor teeth and bony tails..." Rigar groans, his hand moving to his forehead as he makes his way shakily to his feet The scene, as it may be, is not pretty. Rayek is the central form in the room, sprawled in his furs. Ktai is crumpled against his side, seemingly unmoving. Kiralee sits at Rayek's head, curled on herself, sleeping. Delenbae is nearer to Rayek than Ktai, determined to watch over all, but even he could not resist the call of sleep. Rigar frowns thoughtfully, moving to your side. Ktai is still, her breathing shallow, face obscured by her short hair that has flipped over her face. Rigar's fingers brush the hair from your face, his brow wrinkling at the shallowness of your breath, "Ktai?" She doesn't answer, doesn't even flinch at your touch. You sense in a locksend, Rigar's send is weak.. almost painful to fuel magic through him now ** Friend? ** There is no answer. The air tingles around him, a slight pull can be felt as he draws on the power surrounding him, his fingertips glow flickers to life as his palm comes to rest gently on your cheek, he winces, eyes closing tightly as he bites his lip, sending the clensing warmth of his touch as he locks onto your consciousness ** Ktai?.. Friend? ** Ktai finally stirs briefly, but nothing cognizant. Her mind is open, and filed with swirling darkness. The warmth invades, the golden glow bright and pure spreading light to the swirling darkness, drawing at your consciousness, clensing and reviving.. but even in this state.. you can feel him taxing.. There is so much just plain -wrong-... something set... a darkness within her mind... Then within you he remains, his touch so gentle and warm despite its cost to him, doing as he was meant to do.. to right that which is wrong.. Despite all that there is, some resident part of her, untrained and unaware, that fights you. Without words, it makes itself clear: Help Rayek. She will live, but she does not know if he will or not. Rigar's eyes open and he gasps, eyes widening at the small droplet of crimson on your cheek, until he realizes how close he is to you, pulling back as his fingertips move to the place on his lip he has bitten through. Ktai, again, doesn't stir. Rigar sighs softly, slumping back against the wall of the palace Ktai lies there, breathing shallowly and weakly. Rigar begins to do the same, drifting Ktai starts to stir, unwillingly brought spiralling back to awareness by your touch. Rigar rubs his eyes, the strength left from him Eyes, yes. Those need to open, don't they? She opens her eyes slowly, moving to sit up. A small frown as her hand brushes Rayek. Where? Rigar sighs softly, drawing his knees to his chest. Ktai's voice is soft, thin for her normal. "Rayek?" Rigar blinks, looking up... oh that was a mistake, he winces Ktai calls out softly again. Rigar eases slightly, giving into blissful unconsciousness. [And, later....] Ktai sits in the middle of Rayek's chambers, beside the sleeping figure of the brownskinned Airwalker. Radiant fury rolls off of her like waves, and it is only a testament to his exhaustion that Rayek does not waken. Rigar stirs briefly from his slumped position against the wall, but sleeps still. Kiralee dreams on, oblivious to all. Only Ktai is awake within the room, and eyes flashing in anger, she reaches out with aid of the Palace. You locksend ** Are quite finished, Winnowill? ** to Winnowill. Winnowill locksends ** Finished, Ktai? ** There is a flicker nearby, and suddenly the non-corporeal figure of Winnowill hovers nearby. ** What, may I ask, do you mean am I finished? ** Ktai's black eyes glint dangerously at Winnowill's Astral spirit. ** You. Had. Sar. Poison. Him. ** Each word is carefully spat, anger and hatred coloring them scarlet and black. ** Sar did that of his own accord. He will be dealt with. ** Winnowill seems unperturbed by your anger. Ktai's send is dark, an edge of fury lacing the words with a threat. ** If he lives long enough to return to you. ** Winnowill's send is arch. ** And what do you think you could do to him, Ktai? You are a spoiled little princess living in that Palace. Sar is a skilled Chosen. You are no match for him, even without his talonwhip. ** The raven-haired elf glares at the spirit of Winnowill. ** I am formidable when I want to be. You forget who I am, Winnowill. Sar may have the training ** She spits that word, ** But I have the reality. ** A cold fury rises in Winnowill's reply. ** Then test yourself, if you wish, against Me. Should you best me in wills, you may feel free to attempt whatever you wish against Sar without fear of retribution. ** In unmitigated fury, Ktai lashes out at Winnowill, an untrained attempt at a blacksend, drawing on the Palace around her to aid. But the Palace does not give power freely to anger, and Ktai's attempt is weak, at best. Winnowill laughs darkly in her send, a locksend reaching into Ktai's mind. She does not need to pull upon the Palace's power, and she sends a painfully sharp mental sting that almost borders on physical. ** See where that gets you, Ktai. Do not presume to things above you. I will leave you to consider what has happened. ** Winnowill's Spirit flickers, and is gone. Ktai reels from the pain, crumpling into the furs next to Rayek, where she lays quietly, anger and pain mixed with that blinding pain. Slowly, ever so slowly, her head begins to clear, and she senses another's send. Sothel locksends ** Ktai? ** Sothel locksends ** Souls Sister. Are you near. ** You locksend ** ** to Sothel. A shag haired head covered with feathers pokes in and looks about quickly. What a scene to behold. Rayek is sprawled in the center of his furs, Ktai crumpled by his side. Rigar is slid against the wall, and Kiralee is curled by Rayek's head. The residual feel of magic is enough to set your hair on end, and mind on edge. Sothel locksends ** Sister? What has happened. ** Ktai doesn't seem to move, or register that she is being sent to. Sothel moves quietly into the room and comes to rest near Ktai. His hand gently reaches out to touch hers. ** Ktai ** Ktai's hand is cool and limp. At your touch, she stirs only slightly.. Through the touch, Sothel strengthens his send but the gentlyness remains. ** Sister ** Sothel looks about him at the other crumpled forms and his worries deepen... Ktai stirs, lifting her head slightly. As gently as possible Sothel reaches to move Ktai's hand away from Rayek. Ktai lifts her head more, frowning slightly as her hand is moved. Sothel releases her hand. ** Ktai ** Ktai's voice is thin. "Who... calls?" ** It is Sothel. ** Sothel? What is he doing here? She frowns and slowly moves to sit up. Sothel moves closer to Ktai. Staying her from moving. ** Rest Sister ** Ktai opens her eyes, frowning all the harder now. She blinks at you. "What...?" Sothel smiles slightly. ** I was worried for you. As was Veshka. I can to see that Sar was kept from causing harm. I see I am too late. ** Ktai's voice is flat. "Sar." Sothel turns his attention to Rayek. ** Is he alright? ** You say "I... think so..." Sothel nodds. ** Good. I would hate to see you lose him too. ** There is warmth in his send. Ktai turns worried black eyes to you. "Where is he?" ** Sar? ** Sothel looks troubled ** I know not. I came to find you as soon as Youngblood told me you we with Rayek. ** You say "No... Rayek." Sothel looks worried. ** He is here. But his mind is deep at rest. ** Ktai frowns. "I... can't see him..." Sothel reaches out to take Ktai's hand and places it Gently on the sleeping Rayek. ** Feel his heart beat Sister. He is here. You have not lost him. ** Ktai shivers as her hand touches what her eyes do not see. "He's... there?" Sothel nods. ** Yes , He is there. I swear. He sleeps as you should be but is here.** Sothel regards Ktai with a cocked head. Ktai shakes her head. "I see furs..." The old Glider puts one hand over Ktai's eyes and the other he uses to press her hand firmly against Rayek. ** Feel sister. Do not look. You heart's desire is here. And I shall watch over you both. ** Ktai almost whimpers as her hand registers what her mind cannot. Yes, it is undeniable. She can feel him, and if she strains, she can hear him. She is not as sensitive to scent, and therefore cannot smell him, but she cannot see him at all. Sothel smiles to himself. ** What happened Ktai. Did Sar do this? ** You say "Sar? No... Winnowill." The shocked look on Sothel's face lasts only a moment. Them he sighs and removes his hand from Ktai's eyes. ** The Black One, I should have known. She would not answer me when I called. I sensed she might not have heard. ** Ktai opens her eyes, instantly looking to confirm what she feels. She cannot, and she trembles. "He is not there?" Sothel looks grim for a moment. ** She must have been about this at the time. ** The old glider sighs. ** I told Az I worried about her more then Sar. ** Sothel glances at Ktai's eyes. ** Look at me Ktai. Am I here? ** Ktai looks up, her eyes dark. "Of course." Worry tinges his sends but Sothel reaches out to Ktai, He forms In his sends the image he sees of Ktai before Rayek, her hands against him. ** See him through my eyes. ** Ktai blinks, shaking her head. "I can't!" Sothel seems to shrink in on himself for a moment. ** what has happened Ktai? ** Ktai can't reconcile what her hands feel with what her eyes do not see. "Winnowill... did this... She must have..." Sothel sits stock still and sends. Sothel locksends ** Sister. you have lived long on your wits alone. YOU have found your way through the dark. Do it now. He is there. If your eyes are blinded then feel with you heart and hands. DO NOT let the Black snakes tricks win. ** Sothel puts a gentle hand on Ktai. ** We will fix this dear one. ** Ktai simply shakes, her eyes searching for some indication that Rayek is indeed under her hands. Rayek's form lies there under his sleepfurs. To the exploration of hands, his breath comes slowly out of his throat, but steadily; his hair falls back in disheveled strands from his high forehead. ** If your eyes trouble you, close them. ** Sothel seems certian this is the right tack to take. Yes... close her eyes and she can feel him with her hands. There's a growing noise out in the corridor, audible to anyone within: a hastily tapping stick, and the scuff of a padded boot. Light, hurried... the sound of Ekuar in a rush. Not something too common. Sothel looks up slightly worried at the sound. Ktai minds the sound, but tries to assure herself that Rayek is there. Rayek's head turns a little under Ktai's groping hands; she can feel the planes of his cheek under her palm. Ekuar bursts into the room, giving a little hop-skip as he hurries, to move faster on the wooden leg. His face is drawn, even paler than usual, and his eyes are large and dark with worry. "Brownskin..." he manages, breathing fast from exertion. "Is he..." Rigar is kind of crashed out against the wall Sothel stands and floats slightly above the floor at the entrance of this elf. Youngblood pokes his head into the chamber and glances about. ** Hey. How's Rayek doin'? ** Ktai slips, slightly, moving one hand from Rayek to catch herself from falling. Her other hand still caresses at his cheek, eyes closed. Youngblood tiptoes forward. Sothel bows slightly to The ancient Elf. ** He is alive old one. He sems only to need rest. ** Sothel floats over to one of the half concious forms about the room. Youngblood sends openly ** That's what Leetah said after she healed him. ** Ekuar tosses his staff aside carelessly and sinks onto his knee close to where Rayek lies. His aged, gnarled hand moves to stroke across the dark cheek, softly, practically echoing Ktai's gesture. He glances up at Sothel, a bit of the worry leaching from his gaze. "Eh... that's good to hear. Indeed." Ktai opens her eyes and looks down to where she knows Rayek should be. When she doesn't see him, she makes a sound of soft fury. Sothel locksends ** ** Sothel glances over his shoulder at Ktai . He sends and then returns to trying to rouse the sleeping elf. Youngblood smiles reassuringly at the ancient one. ** Don't look so worried, Ekuar. This is Rayek after all. N othing could kill him. ** Ktai sighs softly to herself. He's there. She can feel him. That's all she needs, right? Rayek stirs again. There are hands touching him, with light and delicate touches; there are voices, too, on the edge of his consciousness and hearing. His head turns a fraction; his eyes lift their lids, showing a glazed glint of amber. Sothel kneels to the floor next to Rigar. His hand reaches out to touch the slumped elfs hand. Rigar winces, not at the touch.. but at something else Ekuar blinks at Sothel for a moment, his eyes widening in confusion, which turns again to worry after a moment. He looks at Ktai, sorrow and sympathy in his gaze. Ktai feels Rayek stir, and smiles softly. There. That was him. He is down there at her fingertips. Ekuar moves his maimed hand to touch Ktai's, pressing her hand gently against Rayek. He seeks to meet her eyes. Ekuar locksends ** Dear child... we'll find a way to undo this. You and I and Brownskin and all of us. ** Rigar groans, curling a bit as he raises a hand to Sothel, managing only a slight whisper "No.. stop" Ktai looks startledly to Ekuar, dark eyes focusing with ease on his eyes. Hands again, pressing at his cheek. Rayek's eyes come open, though heavy-lidded, and unfocused. His mouth works without making any noise; he frowns ever so vaguely, then sends with a wisp of his usual strength, ** ......? ** Ktai blinks, and turns her head as if to look to Rayek. Sadly, her eyes do not see him, and seem to instead focus on the fur near his ear. Her hand cups his cheek softly. Sothel softly speaks, his voice rusty and old. " If even the healer needs healing, we are in sad shape." Sothel props Rigar up more comfortably. He then returns to Ktai's side. Rigar's hand raises to his head, a sigh escaping him Ekuar bends close to his wan heart's-son. "Easy, easy, now," the gentle old voice murmurs. "You've taken some hits, sure enough, dear one... but you're going to be all right, hm? We're here with you." Sothel comes to kneel beside Ktai. The faces of Ktai and Ekuar over him are the first thing Rayek sees; still frowning vaguely, he watches them come into focus. As they do, and as he registers Ekuar's voice, his expression sharpens. ** Ekuar, ** comes his sending, reeling with relief. Then his gaze jerks to Ktai. Youngblood sighs in relief as Rayek awakens, watching closely. Ktai smiles softly, her glance flickering to Sothel as he moves beside her. Sothel locksends ** he is looking at you love. ** You locksend ** I cannot see. ** to Sothel. You sense in a locksend, Rayek reaches unsteadily for you, urgent with immediate memory. He recollects a mental blast, and pain from you. ** Eren! Beloved... ** His sending is dazed, but despite this, pointedly anxious. Ktai closes her eyes, smiling at something. You soulsend ** Yes, Rayek... I am right here. ** to Rayek. Ekuar smoothes back a bedraggled lock of ebon hair from Rayek's brow. "How do you feel, eh? Or is that a silly question?" Ktai opens her eyes, this time almost seeming to look to Rayek's. As other sendings and voices reach him, Rayek's gaze shifts, taking in the other faces above him. He swallows, tries to speak again, and thinks better of it. Easier to send, for all that he can barely manage that. ** Feel like... the Palace fell on me. ** Ktai smiles faintly. "No... Rayek. Winnowill did..." Ktai keeps her hand on his cheek, for those who know can tell that she is gauging where his eyes should be by feeling his cheek below her fingers. She is not too far off. Rayek frowns, eyes sharpening but not quite reaching their usual piercing glitter. ** I... remember. Watching me again. ** Ekuar gives a sad little shake of his head. "Aye, that she did. But you came through, my boy. With friends helping you. I'm so grateful... If these old bones could move faster, I could have been here to-- eh-- help you as well." Rigar groans "Palace fell on who?" Rayek's brow furrows a little at the word 'friends' out of his old mentor. Slowly, with effort, his gaze sweeps around what he can see of the room... and he finds it full of elves. The sight makes him blink. Ktai glances up, looking briefly to Rigar, then back down to where she feels Rayek should be. Sadly, she misses, her eyes focusing somewhere slightly above his left ear. Sothel stands quietly, a gentle hand placed on Ktai's shoulder. ** Now that I know you are well, more or less, I should rest. I came here straight from the Mountian. Not easy even for a Glider. ** Ekuar looks over to Rigar as well, his pale brow furrowing. "It looks like part of it, eh, fell on -you-, healer." He spares a brief glance for Sothel, and gives a sober nod in response to a silent question. Ktai's voice is soft. "He... helped immensely..." Rigar rubs his temple and smirks a bit "Feels like it.." Sothel smiles, and turns his gaze to the healer as well. ** Perhaps he will be better soon and came help Ktai. ** He frowns ** But that is later. Till then. ** Ktai shoots a Look at Sothel. She can see him. In a mildly annoyed tone, she speaks. "I'm fine, Sothel." Sothel moves to float out of the room but stops a moment to lay a gentle hand on Rayeks knee, then standing, on Ekuars shoulder. The he turns to leave. Ekuar looks at Ktai, honestly surprised that she should say that. "But, pretty child..." he says to her, puzzled. Ktai turns her slightly sightless gaze back to Rayek, this time seeming to look just above her fingers at his cheekbone. You locksend ** What he does not know... will not hurt him. ** to Ekuar. Ktai repeats, her voice softly insistent. "I am fine." Ekuar's mouth forms a hapless "o", and he looks earnestly from Ktai to Sothel and back again, hesitantly. Sothel locksends ** Very well. have it your way. ** Ktai's gaze wanders slightly to Rayek's ear. She is totally unaware of it. Ekuar locksends ** But my dear... he's clever, our Brownskin, eh? He'll notice. He'll find out for himself. Wouldn't it be better if he were told before that can happen? ** You locksend ** It would hurt him either way... ** to Ekuar. Ekuar locksends ** But since he'll find out either way... and finding out for himself would take longer, and he'll know we lied to him... wouldn't that hurt more? ** Ktai looks to Ekuar. Ekuar leans a bit toward Ktai, his eyes deep. You locksend ** ** to Ekuar. Rayek jerks suddenly, frowns into the air, and then his gaze flies to Ktai. He tries to sit up, reels, and cries hoarsely, "Ktai... your eyes..." Sothel sends openly ** It is done. ** Rigar's eyes make their way open "Hmmm?" Sothel turns back to the door. ** Best he know all. Secrets kill as quickly as Knives. ** Ktai turns, her eyes missing Rayek completely. She moves to soothe Rayek, but his jerking cost her the one way she had of knowing where he was. Ekuar's cool, gentle hand is on Rayek's shoulder at once, soothing him. "Brownskin," he says firmly, calmly, "Listen to me, eh dear one? We'll find a way to undo what has been done. You and I and Ktai and all of us." Rayek makes it into sitting up, but his dark face is full of alarm now, and _his_ hands go to Ktai's shoulders as his gaze searches her features. "Is it true?" he demands, voice roughening past its already husky timbre. Sothel pauses, Rigar moves to stand, but gravity and fatigue have other ideas. Ktai blinks, her eyes seeming to see through Rayek. Finally, she gives up, lowering her eyes and her head. Her soft send acknowledges. ** Yes. ** Ekuar's hand strokes across Rayek's shoulder, quietly, sorrow and sympathy reflected in the mild pools of his eyes. Rayek is trembling, now, violently, as he studies Ktai's face. The uncharacteristic presence of tears in his amber eyes makes his own rather uncomfortable to look upon, or so, at least, he'd probably tell you if he saw it. Now, though, he abruptly embraces Ktai, pulling her to him fiercely. Sothel sighs. ** I need go to rest. IF you have need, Send. ** Then the trouble maker is gone, likely to sleep against a ceiling somewhere. Sothel steps out into the corridor. Ktai chokes back a small cry at his embrace, her eyes closing as she brings her arms around him. Only then can she see him in her memory. Leetah enters, after a few moments, expression concerned. She moves immediately to Rayek's side. Ekuar is kneeling at Rayek's side, stroking the lean shoulder helplessly. He looks up to Leetah, and his eyes glimmer with moisture. As Leetah enters the room, she can see Rayek, looking rumpled, drawn, and plainly not yet fully rested; the airwalker is, aside from being fretted over by Ekuar, currently fiercely embracing Ktai, holding the Glider-born elf to his shoulder. His hand is shaking on her hair, and he mutters fiercely, harshly, "My fault...! Ah, Ktai...!" Leetah approaches Ekuar and his charge. Gently... ** What has happened?** Ktai shakes her head slightly, as best she can. "No... Rayek. I... would have given far more for your freedom and saftey..." Ekuar says, his voice a little shaky, "Healer... Winnowill's spirit was here. Rayek struggled with her... And with help, he escaped. But before she left, the dark one... eh... she damaged Ktai. She... Ktai cannot see Rayek." Rayek lifts his head at the sound of Leetah's arrival, and fixes her with a strangely helpless gaze. Tears do not belong in the eyes of this elf, and they are incongruous with the fierce and furious set to his jaw. Rayek growls, "This is my fault." Ktai's soft voice protests again. "No..." Ekuar insists, softly, paternally, "Now... it's no one's fault but the one who did the harm, children. And it won't always be so. We'll find a way. Have faith." Leetah reaches out... "May I?" Ktai's eyes are closed, and she doesn't see where Leetah reaches. Rayek does not plead, at least not with his voice or sending. But his wet, hot gaze fastens on Leetah, and stays there. Leetah's healing magic flickers as she reaches for Ktai. Ekuar murmurs, "Pretty Ktai... let Leetah try to help you, hm? At least to see where the harm's been done, to see how best to solve it." Leetah locksends ** <> What seems to be the problem? ** In Rayek's arms, Ktai stiffens, a wordless, soundless terror filling her. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Rayek, pointedly ignoring whatever strain might still be on his own body, cradles Ktai against him as though she had turned to fragile clearstone. He feels her stiffen, and his mouth twists in reflected pain. He bows his head slightly to her, sending. Rayek locksends ** Eren. Please. This is Leetah, who I have loved. I trust her with my life. Let her aid you. Please... ** Leetah backs away, uncertain. Ekuar says soothingly, worriedly, "Oh, child. Easy now. We'll look after you, eh? I promise. You need someone to go inside and lay hands on the damage, my dear." Ktai eases into Rayek, relaxing uncertainly. If he trusts her... You soulsend ** ** to Rayek. Leetah hangs back, waiting for Rayek to soften Ktai's terror. Rayek locksends ** Please... ** You soulsend ** For you... ** to Rayek. Ktai eases her head into Rayek's shoulder. She may not see, but one doesn't need eyes to relax into an embrace. Leetah gently tries again. Leetah locksends ** May I help you... where lies the problem? ** Rayek locksends ** I am here. I pledge it. I am here... ** Ekuar keeps his hand on Rayek's shoulder... perhaps as much for his own comfort as for Rayek's. He presses gently. Leetah's magic flows into the glider's body, seeking the root of the ill, as the healer's mind does the same. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Rayek looks up, then, from Ktai's hair and meets Leetah's eyes again. Once more he does not speak, but his gaze speaks for him; when Leetah's glow begins to fill the room, he allows his eyes to close. You soulsend ** ** to Rayek. Leetah's magic reaches in, eating away at the darkness. The desert born healer's eyes close and her healing glow intensifies as she struggles with the mental injury. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. With a fraction of his attention spared for Ekuar, most of Rayek's awareness remains on the curled female in his arms and on the Healer before them both. Ekuar, Ktai, and Leetah can all feel Rayek send with stubborn strength, feel him glitter as though defying any mental shadows to remain anywhere near him. Leetah's magic works softly, gently, trying to heal over the burn. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Leetah's magic continues slowly, not rushing the delicate job. Ktai eases slightly in Rayek's arms, nerves finally fading, giving her the chance to relax completely into his embrace. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Rayek remains open, now, in sending to the three elves clustered near him. Exhaustion of soul and body is shoved to the back of his mind; he focuses only on being a Presence, letting Ktai take what comfort she can from it. Leetah continues, lost deeply in the trance. You locksend ** ** to Leetah. Ktai shivers slightly. Leetah's magic slowly fades, and she relaxes backward, eyes opening, then closing again. "There..." she murmurs, exhausted. Ktai just stays in Rayek's embrace, almost afraid now to open her eyes. Ekuar lifts his hand from Rayek's shoulder, reaching out toward Leetah; his eyes shine with gratitude. "How much I have to thank you for," he smiles softly to her. Leetah smiles weakly at Ekuar and nods, "My pleasure." Rayek looks up once more at Leetah, still not managing to speak. Ekuar pats Leetah's hand very gently, his thin fingers pale against her dark skin. "Eh, my dear. I may forget my own name, but I'll never forget all the things you've done." Ktai shifts slightly now, opening her eyes slowly as she turns her head to look, turns eyes to see. Leetah smiles, hand resting gently on his frail one. Rayek _is_ there, Ktai can see; from her position leaning against him she can see the line of his brown neck, his chest, long strands of black hair. Ktai shivers, a soft cry escaping as she lifts her head and eyes to Rayek's. Ekuar's gnarled thumb strokes across the softness of Leetah's hand. Leetah smiles tiredly. Rayek turns his head slightly to look down at Ktai, his eyes very full, face haggard and drawn. You locksend ** Thank you.... Healer.... I.. owe you so much..... ** to Leetah. Leetah locksends ** Think nothing of it, Ktai.. it was my pleasure to be able to help. ** Ktai smiles softly to Rayek, doing the very first thing that comes to her mind: She leans slightly up to kiss him full on the lips. You locksend ** Still... I owe you... ** to Leetah. Leetah nods, "I would appreciate it." Leetah rises, tiredly. Ekuar turns and gropes for his staff, rising a bit awkwardly, but happily enough. The worst of the crisis is over, and the worry-lines in his old forehead aren't so deep now. "Come," he says gently, affectionately to Leetah. Ekuar beams mistily at Rayek and Ktai for a moment, then hobbles out with Leetah. Rayek's eyes fly open as he is kissed. Then, fiercely, he returns the gesture, his arms wrapping more firmly around the tall elf maiden. [End log.]