From: Wolf031877 *AT* aol *DOT* com Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 13:49:43 EDT To: jrorr *AT* exis *DOT* net Mime-Version: 1.0 Subject: Tsoran in the Palace Ktai's black eyes shift to focus on the curtain to the corridor. In Rayek's Chambers, Tyree's floating around again, doing slow circles. Ktai's eyes narrow slightly, and she reaches up with her magic to collect Tyree and bring him closer to her. "Erp?" Tyree makes a faint sound of surprise to have his flight interrupted by Ktai's magics, and he floats over towards her arms. Out in the corridor, Tsoran has left. Tsoran has arrived. Ktai is in the process of bringing a small bundle of floating baby towards her open arms. When Tsoran enters, she flashes a quick look towards him, then temporarily dismisses him until Tyree is safely snugged into her arms. Tsoran nods faintly by way of greeting. He studies the newest part-glider for a few seconds as it is secured by Ktai. "The master of the Palace does not seem inclined to answer sends." Ktai smiles faintly, settling Tyree comfortably in her arms. "He rarely is when it is a glider. Given the past history with them, I certainly cannot blame him." Tsoran raises an eyebrow. Tyree's wide fledgling eyes come to rest on Tsoran, and they study him back in kind. He makes a soft sound of disagreement at seeing Tsoran in here. Tsoran says "I was under the impression the master of the Palace was currently female." Ktai laughs softly. "Ah. You mean Tilia then. I doubt she ever answers sends, for she certainly does not answer mine. You'll probably find her in the Scroll Room, lost to the Scrolls as Aurek has been lost to the Egg." She fusses lightly with Tyree's hair... where -do- those curls come from? Tsoran locksends ** They spread their mindpoison even from birth, I see. But you wouldn't understand that, would you? ** Tsoran says "So the outsider is still considered a Master, as well. I assume he can influence Tilia at need." Tyree's eyes blink upon something he apparently hears, and they settle back on Tsoran after wandering up towards his mother's face. Ktai says "Given appropriate reason, Rayek can do as he wishes." Ktai locksends ** ** Tsoran says "Including moving the Palace? Or using its powers for other purposes?" You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree's mind actually does make a little sense of your words, if not the meaning, and though he doesn't say anything, a sense is felt from him. <> Ktai looks to Tsoran quietly. "I am not one to speak for him in those matters." Tsoran locksends ** Or perhaps you are merely sensing Ktai's discomfort. The Chosen trouble her still, then. ** Tsoran says "I am not asking you for his consent, but his abilities. Can he do it?" Tsoran walks closer to Ktai and Tyree. You locksend ** <> ** to Ktai. Tyree presses gently closer to his mother. Ktai looks to Tsoran, rising from her seat in the furs. "He can do whatever he desires." Tsoran looks down at Tyree again. "Does he care for that child? It is most obviously not his." He does not stop until he is within arms reach. Tyree looks back up at Tsoran, and it almost seems as if there's a little bit of defiance in his eyes. "Rayk..dada." he states, in a soft but firm voice. Tsoran's lip curls faintly as he reaches for the child. "My, how clever." Ktai smiles thinly and flares a bit of her magic about her, causing a soft rippling wind. "Does it matter? If you touch him, either he or I will send." And Tyree is gently moved to a more... secure grip. Tsoran looks at Ktai. And, quite deliberately, places his hand against Tyree. Ktai waits, watching. Tyree winces reactively under Tsoran's touch, and he lets out the beginnings of a cry, not at all comfortable with things here. Ktai's eyes narrow now, and she shifts weight, taking a step back so that Tyree is out of touch-range. You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree lashes out at you with what minimal sending ability he has - granted, even at his young age, he's been able to touch others with feelings and senses, but it's not strong. <> That, and the underlying desire to have you -away- from him. Tsoran takes another step, closing the distance again. He says mildly. "I think we have a common interest." You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's send has the strength of many millenia, the inexperienced send brushed away like a leaf. Then there is a faint suggestion of a threat sent in return. ** That's right. Cry. Call for help. ** Tyree begins to squirm against Ktai, most definitely not comforted by Tsoran's presence. He wants to go! Ktai turns, gliding towards the door. "Do we? And what is that... common interest?" Tyree's cries begin to intensify. Out in the corridor, Eveshka has arrived. Out in the corridor, Eveshka slips in quietly, awaiting another send from Ktai. Tsoran just entered through the door, and thus is between it and Ktai. "The safety of our children, of course." Ktai's eyes narrow. "And think better of your safety to either excuse yourself from this room, or get out of my way. I have no more interest in you at this time." Out in the corridor, Eveshka has left. Eveshka has arrived. Eveshka enters the room quietly and with a demure send of ** Yes, Mother? ** At Tsoran's presence, she doesn't at all seem surprised. She rather expected it. Tsoran remains where he is. "I suppose I should know better than to think any of you renegades care about others than yourselves." Tyree's crying can be heard from down the corridor, clutching tightly to his mother, the intimidating Tsoran ever-present. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran's send becomes a constant pressure, rather like the air just before a thunderstorm. And with the same promise of imminent lightning. You locksend to Ktai, Tyree's touch on your mind is not as gentle as before, given his fright of the situation, and it seems worsened by the efforts of another. Ktai laughs faintly. "I care about my children more than I do about myself. You simply care about Winnowill." Suddenly, her eyes lock on Tsoran's. ** Get your thoughts off of him. Now. ** Tyree's crying only worsens. Eveshka locksends ** ** Tsoran says "How little you know me, Ktai. All gliders are under my protection, and thus under my care." Eveshka steps forwards into Tsoran, something pressing against his back. ** Then protect yourself, Chosen, before you protect others. ** Tsoran says conversationally. "Has it occurred to you that destroying my body within the Palace would merely free my mind, Eveshka?" You locksend to Eveshka, Tyree seems to latch onto your sending, like a beacon in the darkness, using it to try and aid his calming. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran suggests, unrelenting. ** Perhaps your 'daddy' can help you. Your mother certainly can not. ** Eveshka sends openly ** I don't care. Do you? ** Tyree's squalls begin to slowly settle, ever so slowly. You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree tries to just block you from him. You sense in a locksend, Tsoran sends a sudden flash of pain, pinpoint past your defences, timed with his next words. Tsoran says "Somebody else will." Ktai waits, watching with a grim glint in her eye. Fool, to trust a glider of the Mountain and Winnowill's bed. "Then go, Tsoran, before something... untoward occurrs." Tyree yowls in pain, and suddenly goes limp, unconscious. Eveshka locksends ** Hush little one. I won't let him harm you or mother... not while I still have-! ** Tsoran says "Dear me. Too late for that, it seems." The pressure in Tsoran's back grows. A send, low and dark issues from the former elf-shadow. ** What did you do to him? ** Ktai's eyes narrow, and she sends, but not to Tsoran. Tsoran folds his arms over his chest. "Kill me, and never find out." Ktai locksends ** ** Tsoran says "Or do as I say, and all will be well." You locksend to Ktai, Tyree's mind is dulled from the flash of pain Tsoran sent just before, but despite his state of unconsciousness, his mind still functions Eveshka sends openly ** What is done can be undone. All, that is, save death. I have learned that over the years. Now undo it. ** Ktai locksends ** ** Tsoran says calmly. "My aim is the same as yours. But as it seems I can get no rational cooperation, I will use whatever means necessary." You locksend to Ktai, Tyree shows mental improvement, but it seems he doesn't exactly wish to wake up again. Not at the moment. Eveshka moves, a slight quick motion, and the pressure is gone from his back, to be replaced by a tight grip of her levitation in reverse, used as something to keep him put. Something flickers in the light at his thigh, then the dagger returns to the small of his back. ** And I will use the means I find necessary to remove you from this room... even if it means wounding you so that you must seek your Lord's aid. ** Ktai locksends ** ** Tsoran turns slightly to regard Eveshka. "You are compounding your mistakes. I have no intention of returning to my Lord, intact or otherwise, unless I complete my mission." You locksend to Ktai, Tyree gives his mother at least that - the sense that he is, and will be, himself, and he'll be all right. Tsoran says, grimly. "I have failed her twice. There will not be a third time." Dark violet eyes glimmer with a fire not commonly seen as the significantly smaller female glares up at the Chosen. ** She'd kill you. Then state exactly what it is that you desire. And go slowly about it. You wouldn't want me to get... excited. ** Ktai locksends ** ** Tyree remains unmoving, held securely in Mother's arms. Ktai looks up from Tyree to Tsoran, anger smouldering in her eyes. Tsoran looks amused. "Oh, I'm sure you would be quite the sight when aroused. I mean, excited." He turns to looks at Ktai again. "As I was saying, my interest is in the safety of our children. The glider children." There's a soft snort from behind Tsoran. But the dagger doesn't move. Tsoran says "And to protect one of those children, I need the assistance of the Palace Master. Either one of them." Tsoran says "Eveshka assured me one of them would be within quick sending range from you and your offspring, Ktai. The rest... follows." Ktai's eyes are no less angry, no less suspicious. "Which child, Tsoran?" Tsoran says "A glider child. That is all you need to know." He smiles faintly. "As it seems Eveshka was overly optimistic in her evaluation, perhaps another way can be agreed on." Eveshka, for her part, doesn't move. Tsoran reaches towards Tyree with his index finger. Tyree sleeps the sleep of the KO'd. Out in the corridor, Daia has arrived. Out in the corridor, Daia has left. Daia has arrived. Daia leans against the doorframe, smiling cheerfully. "So where's m... uh..." Close to the entrance of the door, a small white and lavender figure stands against a taller Chosen. Something's just not right in here. Ktai moves out of reach again. "I have no desire to... work with you." Tsoran says "Then what is, will remain." Daia steps sidewards, leans against the doorframe instead of around, and eyes everyone curiously. Tyree is held protectively by his mother, and he is asleep..or maybe unconscious. Daia strides towards Ktai, face bathed with concern. ** Is something wrong with Tyree? ** Tsoran takes a step aside, turning towards Eveshka. Ktai sends openly ** Ask him. ** Eveshka waits, watching, silvery dagger held in her hand. Tsoran extends a hand to Eveshka, palm up. "I believe you have something of mine." Daia looks around, baffled gaze settling on Tsoran. The glint of metal in her sister's hand catches her eye, and her confusion gains wariness. Eveshka shakes her head. ** Even trade. You took my brother's mind to pain. I took part of your ability to give physical pain. ** Tsoran sighs the sigh of the sorely tried. "I will not ask you a second time, Eveshka." Tyree's mother can feel him beginning to stir, ever so faintly Daia's eyes narrow at Tsoran, but she turns and strokes a finger down Tyree's cheek, ostensibly ignoring him. There is the sound of metal against stone, The now all but useless 'head' of the Talonwhip sprung on the floor... just outside in the corridor. Ktai holds Tyree gently, glancing up at the sound, then looking to Daia. Daia smiles softly, looking at the little one. Eveshka waits. She has all the time she wants. Tsoran locks eyes with Eveshka, whispering softly. Behind her, metal rises soundlessly into the air. "Our Lord has expressed an interest in your return, Eveshka. Would you like to see the Mountain again?" Tyree's eyes open back up, and he glances between mother and Daia, feeling his sibling's touch. Tyree's eyes travel over towards Eveshka now, as the question is asked. Daia slips her hand away from Tyree, quickly whirling around Tsoran, braid swinging, to stand protectively between him and her sister. ** You won't. ** Tsoran holds out his hand, his weapon returning to it with sudden speed, flashing through the air. Tsoran says "I don't think that pose works very well, Daia. Very crowded, between us ;)" Daia grins. Never claimed to be polite. Hey, I was raised by wolves! Er, Wolfriders! ;) Daia says "Nah; if there's no room, I more likely wound up next to you two, one hand stretched out." Tsoran says "More likely, indeed." Daia smiles slightly at Tsoran, eyes hard and mocking. Eveshka simply watches, only slightly shifting when Daia steps between. Daia slips one hand around to her back, groping for Eveshka's hand to gently squeeze it. Ktai looks over, stepping back further. Back to a wall? Better than back to the air where Tsoran can get. Tsoran reaches for Eveshka's knife, closing his hand around it. Tightly. A small trickle of blood results as he tells Eveshka. "I have no fear except that I might fail to please my Lord. I will let you consider my offer until the outsider returns. And then I will do what needs doing." Tsoran releases the knife, licks slowly at his hand, and steps around the pair of elves to exit through the door. Tsoran steps out into the corridor. Tyree is finally alert enough to watch Tsoran's exit, and even at his age, he looks none too happy. Eveshka sends dryly. ** Since when did She let WolfRiders take Glider bodies? ** Daia watches him go, eyes widening. ** What.. How... Why..?! ** Wrapping her arms around her torso, she shivers lightly, then turns and hugs Eveshka quickly, avoiding the knife. Eveshka hugs quietly back, the knife mysteriously (yet not so) vanishing. Violet eyes look over Daia's shoulder to Ktai and Tyree. Tyree hugs close to his mother again, with Tsoran gone. "Nastybad flyhighthing.." he murmurs, the words forming slowly. Oy. Petalwing's influence felt. Eveshka sends openly ** You have to go to Sorrow's End. ** Daia looks from one face to the other, grinning at Tyree's comment. ** What did... does Tsoran want? Why? ** Ktai hugs Tyree closely, a grim smile on her face. "I think he wants the Palace." Tyree coos softly at Ktai, though he still appears a bit dazed from whatever Tsoran did to him earlier. Daia scowls briefly, scornfully. ** Are you okay? ** Ktai nods slowly, looking to her son for his thoughts on the matter. Eveshka simply stands there, watching. She's gone back to being the impression of an elf for now. Tyree looks all right, after a yawn passes over him, and he sends a faint confirmation of the fact. Daia looks at Eveshka, lifting one hand to brush back a loose strand of hair. Hesitating, she waves one hand slowly in front of Eveshka's eyes, seeking a response. Ktai looks over, arching a brow at Daia and Eveshka. Eveshka's gaze, now light, shifts to focus on Daia. ** Yes? ** Daia smiles slightly, still concerned. ** Are you okay? ** She glances over her shoulder at Ktai and Tyree, then back at Eveshka. Eveshka sends quietly. ** I... will be... I don't like to fight... ** "Where dada?" Tyree questions, his eyes seeking out signs of Rayek. Rayek? Dada? Ktai deadpans. ** He's out chasing dinner. ** Actually, Rayek isn't that bad at hunting... just... Ktai's been known to be faster. Daia lowers her eyes, then raises them again, nodding. Grinning slightly at the exchange going on behind (?) her, she sobers quickly, ** Being in the Mountain sounds like it would be a continual fight. We can take care of whatever's going on if we stay together. ** She's determined not to lose the family she didn't know for so long. Eveshka sends openly ** It isn't safe here anymore. ** Daia sends openly ** Because of Tsoran? ** Eveshka sends openly ** Yes. He hurt Tyree. I warned him, mother warned him. It's not safe. ** Tyree snuggles back into Ktai's arms, feeling sleeptime coming back over him. Daia looks at Tyree when his name his mentioned, the soft smile returning. Softly, ** I first saw Tsoran in Sorrow's End. The only place safe from him is nowhere that I know of. ** Eveshka sends openly ** There are more people in Sorrow's End. ** Ktai sends determinedly. ** It is time to go back to the outside rooms. He won't know of those, but I am not leaving without Rayek. And he won't leave the Palace. ** Daia looks curiously at Ktai. ** Outside rooms? Outside of where? ** Tyree closes his eyes, resting. Ktai sends openly ** There are... caverns made by Ekuar. We stayed in them before... ** Daia's eyes stay on Tyree while her mind moves elsewhere. ** Why does Tsoran want to take you back to the Mountain? ** Eveshka's send is quiet. ** He suffers that failing that all Gliders are Winnowill's. ** Daia sends openly ** Including me? ** Eveshka sends openly ** All Gliders. ** Daia grimaces. Returning her gaze to Eveshka's face, ** Do you want to go back? ** Eveshka's send is clear. ** No. ** Daia nods firmly, turning to Ktai and Tyree. ** Do you? ** Tyree offers a fading send-sense of weariness as he falls asleep again, this time of his own accord. Ktai shakes her head. ** No. ** Daia nods one more time, satisfied. ** Then we just have to convince Tsoran. ** (Things ended here, because people had to leave)