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After Gwalchmai's little speech, Mysteria took a deep breath. Calm down, she told herself, he's right, no sense in rushing after Georgi in a hurry, first get some sleep. At that thought, she felt her own tiredness, she hadn't got much sleep the previous night either.

Looking onto those surrounding Yshania's body, Mysteria suddenly thought that she must be mad, any interference could make the spell go wrong, and here she was. Stupid, stupid, she cursed herself. Then her eyes fell on the dagger beside her, and that too was not in the right place, she could still feel the evil radiating from it.

Taking it, she quietly left the room, intend on not disturbing the process. Once outside the room, she breathed more freely. She entered the kitchen and laid down the dagger on a shelf. She seemed to be carrying it around a lot.

Suddenly, Dragon Wench gasped and let fall down her cup, making Mysteria jump. At the same moment, she saw a casket of wine bottles move across half the room on its own. Now she was doubly glad she hadn't stayed in the hall.

To avoid any further notice, she slipped outside once more and sat down on the stairs where she could see both the kitchen and the hall door. Once they had finished putting Yshania back into her body, she'd go and try to get a word with Thantor.

She then began to wonder if she was going to stay. She wanted to stay, she wanted to help find Georgi, and the mention of the Shadow Master had sent her blood boiling. So this was why the woods had suddenly turned evil, thinking of it, she became angry. She would help them defeat him and....and.... and she didn't even know how to tell them about her magic and if they would be willing to take the risk to take her with them. No, perhaps it was better for her to leave, but somehow, she couldn't get herself to leave, so she just sat there, still undecided.

"Damnit damnit damnit damnit DAMNIT!!![" Der-draigen raged in her head. How were answers going to be obtained now?? She stood back in a far corner, fuming and grinding her teeth so hard her jaws locked together. She would have to fix them later. Further interference at this point would definitely be looked on with suspicion. She could use the stone to do it, but...she had to wait, to bide her time and find the right moment to reveal its power. Premature action could leave an undesired "power signature", and she didn't know who among these people might recognize it. Simbul certainly might. And...by the way, WHAT in the nine HELLS was Simbul doing here??...Not that Der-draigen wasn't looking forward to the inevitable confrontation...She didn't like the way Simbul had said "halfling". If you give me away, g'hiyy'n, she thought, guarding the thought very carefully, I will end you.

The ritual began and Der-draigen slowly moved toward the door, fearing impending illness. Then she thought of something, and smiled. The ritual might provide some answers after all. She didn't quite know what she was expecting in that area, but...she suspected she may benefit from staying...

She edged over toward the little group to observe, at just enough of a distance so as not to be intrusive.

She hung on tight to Thantor as the process began, she had appreciated his company on this journey of discovery, but she sadly recognised it was now time to let go...she could sense the impatience in some of their company, the urgency in others, and though she still did not understand her role in all of this, she knew they still had a long journey ahead.

Feeling the touches of the magic starting to creep in, getting stronger and harder to resist, she hugged him tight and thanked him. Her last conscious thought was that they were separating with the bastions lowered.

She closed her eyes against the blinding lights, against the colours that were swirling like oil paints in agitated water...the white noise was rising to a deafening roar...a familiar violent wrench...then stillness.

Opening her eyes, she glanced down at her body on the floor, but this was not the same as before, she felt anchored, secured by the magics of her friends...she took a moment to prepare herself, then allowed herself to be drawn down...slowly at first...increasing in speed...until she re-entered her body with such force that it was lifted from the ground.

After a few moments she started to regain consciousness, she opened her eyes and managed to offer a weak smile to her friends...she tried to thank them, but no words would come. Glancing around, T'lainya and Thantor looked exhausted...Vivien was seated on the floor, Jenna beside her. Symbul hovered just above the ground, as haughty as ever, and seemingly none the worse for their experience. 'She will need to rest now' she declared before turning and leaving the room.

'We all need to rest now' T'lainya said wearily as she and Thantor helped each other to their feet. Both offering a hand, they lifted Yshania...Thantor met Yshania's eyes for a fleeting moment, something passed between them...a warm appreciation of the value of what they had shared...

'Here, let me help!' Alreth spoke from the darkened corner, distracting them. Standing beside Yshania, she allowed her to place her hand on her shoulder, though she cringed at the contact. As Yshania's hand lighted on the halfling, Ysh heard a distant howl of wolves...she was sure the halfling had heard it too as she felt her tense briefly.

Glancing at the others, they did not appear to have sensed the same, so she relaxed and allowed Alreth to lead her to her room...

I WILL find out what you know druid! Der-draigen thought to herself...

"Dragon Wench, do you think that it could be the Shadow Master toying with us? He's a sadistic basta rd, it, wouldn't surprise me if he was doing this on purpose."

Nippy heard a commotion in the room nearby and went in. He saw Yshania and Thantor standing up, wearly looking but whole.

"Welcome back! Did you enjoy body snatching?"

Grinned Nippy. He flashed a smile at Yshania and offered some tea to them.

Everyone able to walk and find their way into the kitchen came in, with the exception of Bloodstalker and Farscape, talking out in the fresh air.

"Well it seems everyone is whole and returned to normal." Nippy smiled at his friends. "I think that I will take this oppourtunity to retire. I will be up early in the morning practicing with the bow. I'm getting quite good now I think, I mean, I don't hit Gwal in the backside anymore!"

He grinned again and turned to Aegis.

"Would you like to join me in the morning? I'd like someone to practice with, you seem like a handy archer. If you want to, meet me early in the morning out the front, we can get some work done."

Nippy wished everyone a good night and went to his room.

He opened the window, breathing in the fresh air. His shirt billowed out as the icy air of night flooded in his room. He felt refreshed by the cold.

He looked into the dark night and saw the moon. It was wide and bright and he felt secure with it's presence. He knew Torm would watch over him and he said a silent prayer, wishing for the protection of his friends...

Well, nothing had happened during the ritual...but there was still time..."Here, let me help!" Der-draigen/Alreth offered eagerly. The instant the revived druid placed a hand on her shoulder for support, the wolves started up again. "Keep quiet," Der-draigen chided. But they told her that Der-g'ha'toth had been reached, and that she wanted to speak to Der-draigen. "Tell her I will, soon, but not now!"

"Alreth" led the druid to her room, followed by T'lainya and the ki master (whose name she still didn't know), who assisted with directions to the room. When they got there, the druid fell onto the bed. Good, she'll be cold asleep in no time, she thought. Turning to the others, she placed a hand on the hilt of her sword and said, "I would be honored to stay with your companion while you both take some rest. You're both probably tired from your efforts, but...I really haven't done much of anything. I certainly haven't yet repaid your assistance and hospitality as I would like to..."

She looked at them appraisingly. "I can tell you are wary, because I am a stranger. All I can give is my word."

She stopped speaking and awaited their response.

Aegis nodded towards Nippy, telling hims that he would meet him out there. The elf then turned towards the filled room. Everyone seemed to be exhausted, except the small halfling. Since the first moment he haad seen her, and the wolves, something didn't make sense. He decided to watch her, and wait for her to seperate herself from the group before confronting her about anything. He dropped his hand to his blade, just to make sure it was still there, and wen to help the exhausted Dark Flames take Yshania to her room.

T’lainya thought about Alreth’s words. She was tired and someone guarding Yshania sounded sensible. She had noticed Alreth watching the healing ritual when it was performed. She wondered why the halfling seemed so intent on proving herself. She thought back to the moment when she cast the detect evil spell. She had gotten a definite sense of anger from Alreth. She wondered if Alreth thought the spell was directed at her. Why would she think that, the priestess wondered. She also remembered the evil presence that had attempted to reach Alreth. That, combined with Yshania’s possessed body reaching for some invisible trinket had T’lainya concerned about Alreth's motives. She let none of this show on her face, letting an expression of deep weariness show through.

“We would appreciate that Alreth.” T’lainya spoke softly. “I would also urge caution for yourself, I saw the evil that possessed Yshania reach for you before it sank back into the earth below the keep.” T’lainya let that sink in for a moment, then turned to Thantor and smiled.

“It’s time for me to rest. Alreth don’t hesitate to call out if anything strange happens. This is no slur on your ability or honor, merely concern that this will prove to powerful a foe for anyone to fight single-handedly.” The priestess bowed to all present and went off to her room.

Gwalchmai suddenly remembered something, and ran up to T’lainya’s room, arriving just an instant before she did. She entered to find him hastily removing piles of drying laundry and clotheslines that had been set up in her room. Gwalchmai, his arms full of towels and clothing, passed an astonished T’lainya and muttered an apology, “We weren’t sure when you were coming back, and we thought it might rain.” He beat a hasty retreat.

He then spoke with each of the new guests, letting them know which rooms were vacant and where bathing facilities could be found. He noted that Mysteria had already found the bathroom, judging by the muddy paw prints all over the floor. Farscape translated Gwalchmai’s directions to Maharlika. Bloodstalker seemed to be uncomfortable within the walls of the keep, so Gwalchmai told him that the stable would be quite warm, even in the winter. Alternatively, there was a small shack on the grounds that had been used by a ranger who had briefly joined their group some time back. He left Bloodstalker to decide for himself. Aegis wasn’t sure where he would sleep, and kept glancing into Yshania’s room where Alreth had set up her vigil.

Gwalchmai hoped that everyone slept well this night. Many were exhausted from the day’s events, and others had traveled a long way. Why did things feel so strange within the keep? It wasn’t just the sudden influx of adventurers, though the coincidence and timing of all these new arrivals raised a whole bundle of other questions. No, something seemed…. off….. about the keep, like each room was tilted just a few degrees or some of the color had been sucked out. Looking out a window, the world had been transformed, a pale moon lit the thin blanket of snow that had covered everything. The snow, which had stopped falling, wasn’t thick enough to soften the lines and brighten the night the way a Midwinter’s snowfall could. Instead, the darkness was brought into sharp contrast, appearing dirtier and forbidding. He would sleep in his armor tonight, with his weapons nearby.

Following Gwalchmai around for her second tour of the keep, still holding her wine, Mysteria saw some people standing in front of Yshania’s room and therefore edged closer to them.

Looking over at the familiar looking man, Mysteria saw that he was finally looking in her direction. Their eyes met for a moment, and held, as if each of them was trying to figure out if they had met before. Curious to find out more about him, Mysteria walked over to him. He smiled at her and stood up to greet her as she approached. When she finally reached him, she offered her hand, introducing herself. "Hello, I'm Mysteria. May I ask your name?"

"You may," Thantor replied with a chuckle, enjoying the slightly formal way she had addressed him. "My name is Thantor. It is always a pleasure to meet a fellow ranger." He accepted her hand, found her grip to be solid but friendly. Mysteria... that name sounded familiar for some reason. He initiated a systemic search of his memories, looking for an image or connection to his guest's name.

Thantor, Thantor... Mysteria still didn't think she had heard that name before, no. Yet, he was looking hard at her. Did she seem familiar to him too?

Suddenly, several vague, fuzzy images emerged in Thantor's mind. Mysteria. Yes! She had grown up in the same village he did! He still remembered the time she turned the cow pink because she was so embarrassed. It was clear to him why she couldn't remember him. "You don't remember me, do you?" he asked, smiling broadly.

"No, but you seem familiar." Mysteria noticed the twinkle in Thantor's eyes. He knew something...
"Does... Chane Tarnruth sound more familiar?"

Now, where had she heard that name before? Suddenly, she remembered. This man in front of her... it couldn't be. Loopy? The idiot from her village? Realizing that she was gaping at him, she quickly shut her mouth. "Chane Tarnruth, you are...? You've changed... a lot. I never, I mean you were..." She shut up, blushing. She had almost called him an idiot in front of all the others.

Seeing her reaction, Thantor laughed, "Fortunately, there are no cows nearby."

"I don't want to talk about that," she snapped. Blushing even more, she added, "It has gotten me into too much trouble already."

Thantor's eyes softened as he looked at her, and she could see that he was just enjoying the moment.... not making fun of her. She relaxed a little and looked up at him. He was looking at her with a kind of warmth she had not experienced in a very long time. "I imagine that it would be troublesome," he said gently. "Forgive me... I meant no disrespect."

"I would appreciate it if you would not speak of it," she asked, suddenly self-conscious. Thantor smiled. "If you promise not to call me Loopy." She laughed in spite of herself. "Deal".

"I may be able to help you control your magic, if you wish. I would be happy to do so."

"I.. I don't know. The last one who tried to help me ... I didn't want to but... erm ..." It still was hard for her to tell him this, but he deserved to know. "He irritated me, my magic got even more out of control than normally and I ... turned him to stone. I wouldn't want you ..." She shrugged her shoulders, there really wasn't anything to add to it.

Thantor nodded. "Clearly your magic and your emotional state are interconnected at a deep level. This type of bleed-through is fairly uncommon, but I have seen it before. Since this is an inappropriate joining, we need to create two separate energetic systems, in the place of the one enmeshed system you have now. It will take some time to do this, since apparently I will have to be careful not to irritate you." He smiled. "The person you worked with you previously, Mysteria, was unskilled and did not treat you with the proper respect. That will not be the case if you choose to work with me."

After having puzzled out his somewhat elaborate phrasing of her problem, she nodded. Despite her long absence from people, Mysteria had always trusted her instincts. She felt that Thantor was being honest with her, that he spoke from a place of knowledge, and that he was truly concerned about her welfare. She found herself thinking that if a village idiot can become the man she saw before her, perhaps it was possible that she could change as well. "I think I would like that... thank you." She paused for a moment, brow furrowed, thinking fast. If he helped her, that meant that she would have to stay, but if she stayed, it definitely wouldn't be long before somebody found out about her erratic magic. Looking at Chane Tanruth, or rather Thantor, she took her courage in both hands and said: "Thantor?"

"Yes?"

"I think I won't be able to keep my magic secret for long. Maybe it would be best... I mean, the others would perhaps react better to this if you explained it to them."

"Certainly, I would be happy to," Thantor replied, slightly surprised that she had changed her mind. The level of trust inherent in her request was not lost on him. He could sense the loneliness in her and he felt a sense of sadness that her magic had been so hurtful to her... isolating her from others. He found that he liked her and was happy the fates had brought them back together once again. "Looks like both our glasses are empty. Let's refill them, shall we?" And they headed off to get more wine, Mysteria promising herself that it would be her last for tonight as it didn't really help her keep control. In fact, she was rather surprised that nothing had happened during her talk with Thantor, but then she noticed the slightly bluish tinge to the torches lighting the room and grimaced slightly.

Bloodstalker was relieved immensely when Gwalchmai had offered a choice between the stable or the shack. While many would have felt in some way slighted, he could tell the druid had sensed his uneasiness and was subtlyy offering him a way out. He really didn't think he would have been able to sleep in the keep itself, and besides, he was used to being alone anyway. Still, he wondered, had his discomfort been that apparant?

He returned his attention to Farscape. Suddenly aware of how tired he was, and how worn out his new companion had to be, considering he had thrust a blade through himself earlier, he excused himself, adding that he would like to continue their conversation later, if Farscape wished.

Walking back into the keep, he picked up his pack, and headed toward the stable. It was, as Gwalchmai had said, quite warm. Stripping his armour from his body, Bloodstalker rumaged through his pack, bringing out a vial of ointmant he had learned to prepare from Cend. Taking off his shirt, he began to rub it into his shoulders and back, feeling the ache in his muscles ease a little. Feeling his fingers trail across his back, he was again reminded of the scars that adorned it liberally. Three years under the lash had left it's mark. The scars were there, visible for all time, but there pain had long since ceased. he wondered bitterly if the scars he carried inside his mind would ever heal as well.


His administrattions completed, he began his usual nightly ritual. Checking his armor thoroughly, making any adjustments needed to keep it in top condition. Satisfied with that, he took a stone ans unsheathed Striker. The blade had served him well over the years, and he began to sharpen the Bastard Sword, so that it would continue to serve him. The rythmic sound of the stone moving across the blade began to settle him, the monotony of the act bringing him a small amount of peace. He enjoyed it while he could, for he knew that more than likly, his slppe would be haunted again with memories and events he wished he could forget.

Der-draigen watched T’lainya and the ki master leave the room and close the door behind them. She immediately sealed the door, leaving no trace of the energy used for the operation. Good then…she would have no interruptions for a while yet.

That elf, Aegis…she knew he suspected her. He wasn’t clear on exactly why, and that was a good advantage. How did he know, Der-draigen wondered…Was he a genius? Was he psychic?? Or…had someone written down her secret thoughts and motives, and he had been able to read them somehow?…Stranger things had happened in Faerun; in fact she had witnessed most of them…

Well, he had to be taken care of. The priestess was another matter; she was wary of “Alreth”, but any attempt to deal with her would surely be found out. Aegis however would be no problem. It would only take the slightest bit of power to work, and any trace that was left could easily be traced to the outside. Plus, it could be attributed to all the strange goings-on in the keep.

Der-draigen chuckled, a cold, hard sound like pebbles shifting in an icy brook. She closed her eyes and concentrated, bringing Aegis’ face and form before her with the help of the talisman.

“Riyy’in-ha, orryeh si’odh…”

And in a much shorter time than she had expected, it was done. Wherever the elf Aegis happened to be in the Keep, he was now in the form of a plump, yellow, speechless chicken. And should he ever happen to be transformed back to his old self, there was no way in creation he would be able to know how it had happened.

Der-draigen laughed into her sleeve. There was one problem taken care of. Now to the real business at hand…

She approached the druid’s bedside. Time for some answers, she thought.

Yshania collapsed onto the bed. She was exhausted, and still somewhat bruised, but she could not sleep. Images continued to swim around, something still lingered...from each visitation...she fell into deep meditation...watching the light, fight the dark...

Unclasping his cloak, he knocked on the door of the stable, he saw Bloodstalker sharpening his blade.
"here my friend, take the cloak, it's warm, soft and provides excellent protection, looks like you could use a little comfort in here"
Dropping back against a wall, from his pocket Farscape pulled out a small pipe and some fine pipe weed.
"what drew me to this Keep? Well, something drew me here, the Star of Darkness. Or, that is what the Order called it. It is a magical talisman of immense power. I have spent years tracking it until my companions and I slew a great Silver Dragon who had corrupted by its power. Now, I am sure it is here within the keep...."
His face turned hard and cold in fear. Bolting from the stables he ran through the snow back into the keep.
Maharlika, Nippy, grab your blades and follow me!"
Snatching his blades from the pile by the fire he sprinted up the stairs.
Touching his talisman, a pillar of glimmering light engulfed him for a brief second, and when it retreated it left a suit shining armour.
He ran to Yshania's room, kicking the door open he shouted "Alreth, who are you and where is the stone!"

Rude Awakening, Reality Bites!

His meditation, suddenly interrupted by Farscape's call of alarm, Maharlika quickly follows suit, Deathstryke at hand. But... no obvious light blue color on the blade?
What's all this ruckus about, I wonder? Wait my armor... ahhh, nevermind!

Well... That sucked...

*****

The new form of Aegis kicked at the floor, his keen elven mind still in place, but his body polymorphed. The quick thinking Aegis made the logical decision to remain in the bundle of his clothing and gear, until one of the Dark Flames found him.

@Aegis: LMAO! You look rather like... dinner! *evil grin*

OOC: Please note that Mysteria has filled in her place holder.

His boot hitting the door with a solid thud, it did not budge.
"What?!?!"
Kicking the door again, it still refused to budge...
Stepping back, Farscape struck the door with his sword using all his might, a blow that should, by all logic, have torn the door loose from its hinges.
Still nothing, not even a scrape.
Sighng heavily, he dropped to the floor.
"I suppose its up to them" He said resignidly.

T’lainya stared at Gwally’s back as he hurried off with the last of the laundry. She shook her head for a moment and then burst out laughing. It was good to be back. She looked around her room, hoping the damp chill in the air was from the laundry. She unpacked a few things and started on the process of purifying her chamber. She finished the ritual and opened the window, staring into the sky. She said her evening prayers with light of the moon and stars filtering into the room. Just as she was ready to retire for the night she realized she was hungry. Sighing she opened the door and started towards the kitchen.