Hostel Fox

[Yui-chan]

Yui regarded Salinye with a thoughtful look, indulging her curiosity with one short moment to consider what the elven sorceress might be searching for while she pondered the Ward Room. To lead Salinye into the place where the most sensitive texts were kept was a simple matter, but to help protect her while she was there... that could well be more difficult. Knowledge, like any other source of great power, has the potential to be very dangerous.

 

"There is one other place where tomes are kept, Salinye-sama, but I must warn you about it before I can take you there, for some of what's kept within the Ward Room is extremely dangerous." The Huntress frowned, an expression that spoke volumes about how much whatever it contained worried her. "You mustn't touch anything until we've verified that it's safe. Wakatta?*"

 

{* "Understood?"}

[Gyrfalcon]

Gyrfalcon tucked his feet under himself and stood up, stretching to work out a kink from the landing. "With a mage of illusions as powerful as you are, Ozymandias? Indeed, I can understand why we all wish for your dreams to be peaceful and serene."

 

Daryl stepped forward with an easy grin, holding the wooden equivalents of paired long knives easily. "Mind if I spar with you, Ozymandias?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders to loosen them.

 

Gyrfalcon went to the benches along the wall where Annael stood and sat down near her, breathing heavily as he drew a cup of water from the bucket of fresh water Annael had helpfully drawn as he and Ozymandias had sparred.

 

"Gyrfalcon..." Annael said quietly, and he looked over to her. "Yes, Annael? And thank you for the water."

 

Annael nodded "You're welcome. I was wondering if you could do me a favor, though..." she said softly as wood clacked against wood on the sparring mat.

 

Annael held out a hand and opened it slowly, to reveal a black feather that could only have come from one of her wings. "Could you see if you could do anything about my wings? I don't want to lose any more feathers..." she said with a helpless shrug, ruffling her wings as she did so.

 

"Of course." Gyrfalcon said, stripping off his practice gloves and placing them on the bench beside him. He wiped his hands off on a towel and gestured. "If you'd sit facing away from me, I'll see what I can do about your wings." he reached into his Bag of Holding and after fishing around for a few moments, he pulled out a feather care kit. Placing it between Annael and himself, the half-elf opened the kit but left it alone for the moment.

 

Instead, he reached forward and began to inspect one of Annael's wings, carefully moving each feather and testing each feather. Any feather that seemed even the littlest bit loose was treated with a small bit of salve at the base that acted partially as a healing agent and partially to help keep the feather attached until the healing could do its work. On some of the looser feathers, Gyrfalcon concentrated and added a touch of natural energy, though he was slightly short of breath when he was done as the nearest thing to nature was fifty feet away through three walls.

 

Finishing with strengthening Annael's feathers, Gyrfalcon had just pulled out a light oilcloth when Annael spoke for the first time since he had begun working on her wings. "So, about the dream we seem to have shared..."

 

Gyrfalcon's light brushing with the oilcloth paused for a moment before continuing. "I don't know. I don't think it was directed specifically at us. At least, I don't have any enemies right now who could walk into my dreams like that and manipulate them. Do you?"

 

Annael shook her head after a long moment. "I don't think so."

 

Gyrfalcon frowned. "Besides... it really felt like the dream was directed at Salinye rather then you, I, or any of the others. I think we should go find Salinye and talk with her. I know for a fact that Daryl had bad dreams last night, and I'd wager he had the same dream you and I did. There, that should help you wings for the moment."

 

Annael looked over her shoulder as she fluttered her wings, noting hopefully that not a feather even felt like it wanted to fall away. "Do you think she might know why we shared this dream?"

 

Gyrfalcon shrugged as he replaced the kit in his Bag of Holding. "Honestly... I don't know. But since she seemed to be the focus of the dream, she's our best bet for finding out why we had the dream. If not her though, Tamaranis might know."

 

Annael nodded "You think he'd have the dream? He is a vampire, and they don't normally dream as you or even I would..."

 

Gyrfalcon nodded "A good point, and a reason to ask him. If he *did* have the same dream we did, it would mean that someone was manipulating our dreams, because as you noted, vampires and the other undead don't see the world the same as you or I would, and their dreams are decidedly different from anything we'd have when they have them."

 

A thump from the training area brought their heads around to see Daryl flat on his back, with Ozymandias' sword at his throat. "You win." Daryl admits.

[Annael]

Annael smiled as she fluttered her wings a little. "I know that my wings are always safe in your caring hands. Thank you again."

 

Gryfalcon smiled in return and sketched a small bow. "Anytime mi'lady." Annael giggled at the title and performed a curtsy in return. Annael looked at the door to the sparring room as it opened with a soft sound to reveal a servant carrying two letters. Straightening from her curtsy, Annael shrugged her shoulders softly at the questioning look that Gyrfalcon gave her.

 

"Lady Annael, Gryfalcon, my lord Tamaranis bade me give you these missives." Bowing before Gryfalcon and Annael, the servant clicked his heels, spun around to the door and left with quick strides the way he came.

 

"Did that servant just click his heels?" Daryl asked as he and Ozymandias walked over to where Annael and Gyrfalcon stood near the wall. Annael nodded as she opened the letter addressed to her.

 

Lady Annael

 

I write this for fear of the small chance that you are unaware of the fact the unpleasant dream you had last night was not of natural origin. I too experienced the dream in which you, Gyrfalcon, Daryl, and myself attacked Salinye.

 

I am currently attempting to determine the nature of the force responsible, as of yet I can tell you nothing other than it seems to be capable of slipping through my most elaborate wards. I feel this implies a dangerous entity, I think you can conclude for yourself that it seems hostile as well.

 

Regrettably I have little else to offer, but I felt it best to ensure those involved are aware of what little knowledge I have acquired on the matter.

 

"Well," Annael said as she looked at the men around her. "I think that we have a serious problem on our hands here."

[Salinye]

"There is one other place where tomes are kept, Salinye-sama, but I must warn you about it before I can take you there, for some of what's kept within the Ward Room is extremely dangerous." The Huntress frowned, an expression that spoke volumes about how much whatever it contained worried her. "You mustn't touch anything until we've verified that it's safe. Wakatta?*"

 

Salinye met Yui’s gaze keeping her face neutral as she listened. She didn’t like the idea of being “monitored”. With recent discoveries, she was no longer sure who was friend and who was foe. Allowing Yui to know which volume she planned to read raised certain flags of caution in her mind. However, in the few seconds the wizardess had to consider this offer, she really didn’t see what choice she had. Either she could allow Yui to escort her to this room where more precious volumes were kept, or she could not go to it at all.

 

Allowing a smile to play at her lips that did not reveal her inner hesitation she responded. “I understand. I only ask that I am extended the courtesy of having my choice of research kept in confidence. I’m not accustomed to having my work monitored. We mages tend to appreciate our privacy.”

 

Salinye ran a hand casually through her hair trying to tame that one lock that insisted on falling down the side of her face no matter how she tried to tie it back. Not forgetting the missive that was now residing within one of the folds of her robe, or Charles she picked up her bag and slung it over her shoulder hoping the huntress would lead her to the ward room they had spoken of.

Edited July 7, 2003 by Salinye

[Ozymandias]

The former king of all Egypt immediately asks, face serious, "What is wrong?" Upon Annael's recounting of all the events that had transpired, with quiet agreements voiced by the others, the Loremaster looks grave.

 

"This reeks of magic or mind-skill. Tamaranis, being another victim and due to his vampiric nature the only other expert I know of in our keep, save myself, in such matters seems uniquely qualified to tell us much."

 

"But he already said he doesn't know anything in his letter," replies a confused Daryl.

 

"His expertise may make him a prime target, I mean." Ozymandias draws one final, deep breath to compose himself. "Let us hurry to him."

[Yui-chan]

"...We mages tend to appreciate our privacy.”

 

As Salinye slipped her pack back over her shoulder, Yui-chan nodded and gathered her cloak from where it lay in a pile on the chair. With a deft motion, she slipped the pitch-black fabric over her shoulders and clasped it with a black brooch at her neck. She picked up the book she'd been reading and tucked it under one arm before turning back to the sorceress with a kind smile. "I understand, Salinye-sama, and I'll respect your privacy. I'll just find a seat and continue to read my book while you search."

 

Salinye had no choice but to accept the Huntress' terms and trust her to keep her word. She needed to know about the information in that note, and it would be nearly impossible to find on her own if it was so sensitive that it was warded. The fact only added to a growing sense of paranoia that she fought to keep under control.

 

As Yui turned and gestured to the initiate to follow her deeper into the rows of shelved books, she intoned, "I only regret that I cannot give you real privacy and leave you alone in the Ward room. It's Keep policy that absolutely no one is ever in there without another mage within viewing distance. I hope you can understand when you feel the energies in that place; it's for your safety and the safety of the residents."

 

"I'm sure the Elders would not have so stringently guarded the contents of the Ward Room unless it were completely necessary, Lady Yui," Salinye said, offering the other woman a smile that was much more confident than she felt. Secrecy was another good reason for leadership to restrict access to a room, after all...

 

Yui-chan stopped at the end of a particularly long, dark aisle between two shelves, her gaze fixed on an unobtrusive wooden door set into the grey stone. Though the wood was plain, a closer look at the lock revealed a complex runic spell inscribed in a dozen layers of magic on the hammered metal, and Salinye could feel the mental hum of the powerful wards woven into the wood. She'd never felt their like, both in sheer power and in steadfast construction. There were no snags in the weave of these spells, not a single loose strand or flaw, and the energy was so tightly controlled that its sense-signature, the eminations that naturally radiate from any sorcery, extended only a few feet out into the room. Normally, wards that strong should have stood out like a beacon to any mage within a hundred meters!

 

Yui glanced back at her companion, grinning slightly at the awe clear on Salinye's pretty face. "Undoubtedly, this is the magecraft that all of the Elders are most proud of. It stems from the first days of the Pen, when Master Ozymandius, Peredhil, Zool, Wyvern and Lumpen stood together to create this place. They brought with them a very dangerous text from the dark ages of Terra that needed protecting, and as pieces have been brought to us or found by members and Elders alike, the wards have been strengthened and deepened until they've become what you can sense here." Her grin turned into an appreciative smile that she directed at the door before her. "I have to admit I was very excited when I discovered this little bit of adventure in my library. The wards sing so beautifully that they give me shivers sometimes in the late hours of the night. It's such a work of art!

 

"Achem," recalling herself from her admirations, the young woman glanced sheepishly at Salinye, a gentle blush gracing her cheeks. "Situresimasu.* I get a little bit overeager when it comes to this place. Forgive me."

 

Salinye laughed softly despite her worries, "That's quite alright."

 

With an embarassed wince, Yui mumbled, "Give me just a few moments, and I'll have it open," and turned her face back to the door, closing her eyes in concentration. The key was a spell whispered under her breath, the words of which were far too low for Salinye to hear. As they wove together into a glowing nimbus in the air, the magess brought her hands up in a strange series of gestures, passing them back and forth around and through the bright energy in a manner that reminded Salinye of a sculptor working his clay. Within a few minutes, the impression proved correct as the power slowly gained the shape and size of a skeleton key, its details sharpening beneath the deft motions of the magess' nimble hands.

 

When the light looked as stable and solid as a piece of metal, Yui fell silent and reached up to pluck the newly-formed key from the air. She turned to Salinye, her green eyes slightly luminescent with residual power, and fixed her with a serious gaze, ignoring the beads of sweat on her forehead. "Please be careful, Salinye-sama. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there are things in this room that can destroy your soul with a touch. I will wait just inside the door and bury my head in my book to respect your privacy, but please touch only what you must and do not hesitate to call on me the moment you sense any danger. Will you do this for me?"

 

Salinye nodded somberly, fixing her eyes on Yui's. Those depths of washed-out green reflected nothing but genuine concern, and the sorceress found herself even more wanting to be able to trust the new Elder's intentions. Temae Yui seemed such a guileless woman; it was hard to imagine her being a part of any nefarious conspiracy, and yet... The elven lady shelved her concerns for consideration another time, instead pledging, "I will, Lady Yui. You have my word."

 

"Yosh**." With a smile and a nod, the little human turned and slipped the magical key into the rune-scarred lock. It burst into a thousand sparkles of light as the door swung slowly open before them.

 

"In that case, welcome to the Ward Room, my friend."

 

{* Japanese for "Pardon me."}

{** Again, Japanese. Loosely translated in this context, it means "Good."}

[Salinye]

The Ward Room

 

Salinye stood holding her breath as the magically protected door slowly swung open. The mage could only see a portion of the room, but couldn’t move to walk in, as the waves of magical energy were so strong they took her breath away seeming to penetrate to her very soul. Being a magical being, she was naturally sensitive to magic anyway. However, the invisible waves of energy radiating from the ward room were so overwhelming it took her completely off guard.

 

Finally, after a few moments of mutual admiration, the huntress, Yui-chan placed a hand upon the small of Salinye’s back gently urging her forward. Blinking to clear her mind from its awe, she walked forward into the room with Yui only a few steps behind them. As soon as they had crossed the threshold, the plain looking, although highly enchanted door quietly closed behind them.

 

Yui, immediately leaned against the wall next to the door and pulled out her book seeming to get enraptured by it’s words, as promised. Salinye, however, scanned the room drinking every last wonder in. The room was pentagonal and very large. The ceiling stretched high above them causing the wizardess to wonder if its appearance was enchanted, or if they were indeed in a pentagonal tower. A large soft glowing orb was suspended near the ceiling casting a warm glow over the natural reds and browns that seemed the color scheme throughout the entire room. At first glance, one might assume the orb was a manmade object, however, Salinye’s keen wizardess senses told her it was indeed magical illumination.

 

Three of the walls, including the one behind Salinye, with the door that they had entered through, housed about half a dozen tomes encased in large glass and wood cases. There was quite a bit of empty space that could hold more tomes, however, the appearance was such that gave the impression that the tomes were so powerful as to need plenty of space between each other. Salinye had once experienced what could happen when two powerful tomes that were not meant to interact with each other did. The results can be deadly…or worse.

 

Her desire to spend days, weeks, perhaps years researching those tomes alone was very strong. However, Salinye knew her place and regretfully turned her eyes to the far wall across from her and the door. This wall paled in comparison to the three others she had just examined. The wall was completely covered in very average bookshelves that unlike the three previous walls, was full of books. The only thing that made these bookshelves appear anything out of the ordinary was the fact that they ran along the entire wall from floor to ceiling. The top of the bookshelves could not even be clearly seen from where she was standing. To the left of the wall was a rolling ladder that also extended up to the wall to enable access to the upper most books.

 

The fifth and final wall on the right hand side was also lined with shelves. These shelves contained a series of small wooden and glass cases. Each case is about 3 inches wider and taller than the tomes they hold within. They sat upon the shelves side by side, the small tome cases preventing any of the tomes from interacting with each other.

 

The floor of the Ward room was hardwood. The wood was stained in intricate designs that followed the octagonal pattern of the room. Many hues of browns, reds and ambers flowed over the floor all coming together in the center. However, the center of the design could not be seen for it was covered by the most interesting and notable pieces in the room-A black weathered Armoire. The doors of the armoire were closed, and it appeared it had not felt the touch of a hand in many long years.

 

The piece was obviously the focal point of the room and automatically drew in Salinye’s attention as well as curiosity. However, the moment she allowed her eyes and mind to focus on it she felt a whispering wind pass through her mind. The words of the whisper could not be heard clearly, although the message was as understood to the wizardess as if it had been yelled out to her. Within the armoire lies something far more dangerous and powerful than I. The wizardess didn’t need to know what was kept within it’s weathered wooden case. She only knew she would not be seeking to find out.

 

The mage started her descent around the room, drinking in the power that radiated from the first three walls. She innately knew that the tomes upon those shelves were the most powerful ones. She was careful as she walked to stay within the middle of the path not getting too close to the shelves nor the armoire in the center. Passing the third wall of large tome cases she stopped in front of the high-shelved wall at the far end of the room. Standing in front of this wall glancing up she decided that although these books must contain sensitive information, they were not magic or magically protected beyond the security of simply being in this room. Moving on to the fifth wall to the tomes kept within their smaller cases she again felt energy radiating towards her. Although the power paled in comparison to those of the first three walls, she still thought these tomes were most likely highly magical and powerful.

 

After pacing the room in this manner for several times, she finally concluded that the book she was looking for, the one indicated in the anonymous letter would be along the back wall among the non-magical books. “Yui?” She asked turning to look over the top of the armoire at the huntress.

 

“Yes?” She responded lifting her eyes from her book.

 

“Am I assuming correctly when I say that I could safely peruse the books upon this back wall without worry of magical reprecaution?” Salinye asked.

 

Yui smiled pleased to see that the information the wizardess sought appeared to be on that particular wall and not within some of the more powerful tomes. “Yes, Salinye-Sama. That is correct.” With that she went back to reading her book as Salinye approached the shelves.

 

She spent some time pulling out this book and that, flipping through pages and skimming information more out of curiosity than anything. Once her curiosity was satiated and she realized that most of the books seemed to hold either sensitive information or documentation outlining disturbing events, she stepped back and sat down on the floor Indian style.

 

Closing her eyes she concentrated forcing the will of her power forward searching for a tome called “Gyrfalcon the Mad.” Salinye indeed wished to find this tome if it did exist, however a large part of her hoped it didn’t. The wizardess sat like this, unmoving and buried in the concentration of her search. Yui remained calm the entire time as if she’d rather be doing nothing else than reading her book within the ward room, just as she promised.

 

Finally, the wizardess opened her eyes and looked up in time to see a green book slowly slide off of the shelf and begin to drift down to where she sat. She watched as the book continued it’s descent until it came to rest gently upon the floor in front of her. To her surprise and dismay the title was indeed, “Gyrfalcon, The Mad.” Salinye nervously looked over her shoulder to be sure that she was not being watched. Once she was sure (AGAIN) that Yui was keeping her promise she reached down to open the book and casually flip through the pages.

 

Salinye knew that it was probably highly against policy to allow any of the books or tomes to leave the ward room without express permission and good reason. Knowing the book would take days to read she closed it back up again and placed both of her palms against its cover. Closing her eyes once more she mumbled the words of her spell as quietly under her breath as she could. Soon images began slowly flashing through her mind.

 

The starting images were indeed of Gyrfalcon. However, he was not in this world, and he was not dressed in the ranger gear she was accustomed to seeing him in. He was very much a…MAGE. There were other mages as well. Soon the pictures began coming so fast that the wizardess could not take time to think about them. She could only merely absorb them within her mind to think on later. As they sped the horror grew. Icy lands, great demons in battle. Many people gathering together to defeat the evil and ill-intent…Gyrfalcon.

 

This realization caused Salinye to throw her hands up away from the book in horror and gasp while involuntarily scooting back from it. The motion caused her to slide across the well-polished wood floor, her hip brushing the bottom black leg of the center piece armoire. As this happened that same whispering gush of wind blew through her mind, only this time the whisper was more of a roar in intensity. Salinye’s eyes flew open as she repelled herself away from the armoire more horrified than she had been about the information she discovered.

 

The sound of her gasp and shuffle across the floor brought Yui quickly across the room to find her sitting in a heap breathing deeply and pale, the edge of her skirt covering the book she had been reading from view. “What happened?” She asked with grave concern lacing her voice.

 

Salinye looked up blinking as her heart began to slow. “Nothing. I’m sorry to have alarmed you, I was just….surprised at my findings.” Yui looked at her with a mix of skepticism and concern, but didn’t push the issue. “I just need to return a book, and I’ll be ready to leave, please.” The huntress nodded and slowly walked back towards the door glancing over her shoulder once.

 

Gathering her wits back together Salinye climbed the ladder returning the book by hand, rather than magic. She then crossed the room, purposefully walking in a wide arch to avoid the centerpiece. Picking up her backpack and slinging it over her shoulder while wiping at the beads of sweat on her forehead she smiled to Yui. “I’m ready, now. Thank you for helping me and for your patience, Yui. I am most grateful.”

 

The newest Elder of The Pen stared at her for a long moment. “You’re sure you’re alright, Salinye-Sama?” She asked one last time.

 

Salinye nodded replying, “Yes. Wizard research isn’t always easy on the Wizard.” She then smiled eager to leave the room. Yui nodded at her answer then placed her hand upon the door knob and opening it just as she would any other door. This act surprised Salinye. Apparently the lock worked one way. Of course. That would make sense. She thought to herself.

 

Once they were both outside of the Ward room and back into the library the two women exchanged pleasant partings and Yui left the library. Once she did, Salinye slumped into the chair beneath the stained window the huntress had been reading in earlier that morning to contemplate her findings.

Edited July 22, 2003 by Salinye

[Elwen]

Control...you must get control... Elwen thought, shoving the anger away along with the form of her alter ego before resuming her Elven form. She was too tightly strung to care about Tamaranis's reaction to her sudden transformation, and quite simply, didn't care. All she wanted was the head of whoever had hurt her twin, and she wanted them to die quite painfully.

 

"Excuse me." a soft, unfamiliar voice said. Elwen turned to find a slender Elven man, obviously a messenger of some sort. "Are you Lirya Moonflower?"

 

"Yes." Elwen extended her hand and took the message he gave her.

 

"I have been trying to track you down for some time. A harper is always difficult to find." the messenger said, with a nervous look at Tamaranis, before leaving. Elwen frowned tightly and opened it.

 

What she didn't expect was the news it contained.

 

'Neesan*-

I know you're going to wring my neck the next time you see me for being even more stupid than I usually am, but this is important and I don't care if you do. Something is very wrong-somebody is messing with people's dreams, and I don't know who. I'm going to go check it out, and stop them if I can.

-Aural-

 

Dreams...I wonder... Elwen thought. She extended the message to Tamaranis. "I believe this may help in some manner."

 

(*'Neesan-Japanese for "older sister", the shortened form of "oneesan.")

[Tamaranis]

Tamaranis watched Elwen's transformation into kitsune form and back to elven. He found it strange, but was unmoved by the beauty of the kitsune. He continued to wait, then for Elwen to read the letter she received. accepted the letter and read it. Then read it over again.

 

"It's unfortunate that Aural didn't bother with any details." He finally said. "It would have been nice to know exactly what he was planning to do."

 

His voice didn't take a tone of annoyance, and so it was difficult to judge, but it seemed Tamaranis considered Aural somewhat of a fool. Elwen missed the cynicism however, she was more focussed on whoever had hurt Aural.

 

"Still, if he was able to detect the attack he must be skilled." It occured to Tamaranis that this Aural, whoever he was, would probably be easier to deal with than the entities he would otherwise have to recruit into tracking down his attacker as a last resort. "It seems more and more advantagous for us to work together."

[Gyrfalcon]

In the silence following the reading of Annael's letter, and Ozymandias' statement that the small group would have to seek out Tamaranis to get a better sense of what was going on, Daryl brightly filled the silence.

 

"Did he really click his heels?"

 

Annael sighed, and Ozymandias shook his head, amazed anyone would miss the seriousness of the situation.

 

"I mean, really, how many people actually click their heels. When you think about it-" Daryl continued.

 

Gyrfalcon just chuckled. "Give it a rest Daryl."

 

Daryl subsided with a sardonic smirk. "Only because you asked so nicely, Gyr." he responded, racking his practice armor. Ozymandias and Gyrfalcon followed his example, neatly replacing their equipment.

 

"Excuse us, Annael, but I think we should go clean up a bit." Ozymandias said, and Gyrfalcon nodded. Daryl shrugged and grinned, starting for the shower room.

 

"Why don't we meet up in the Banquet Hall?" Annael suggested.

 

"That will be fine." Gyrfalcon said, bowing slightly to Annael. "We'll see you in a half-hour or so... well, however long it takes to dunk Daryl in a barrel of water."

 

Daryl turned around and smirked. "First you'll have to catch me."

 

-----

 

Thirty minutes later, the trio entered the Banquet Hall and joined Annael at her table, a somewhat damp Daryl still grumbling from having the contents of a barrel of water dumped on him by an exasperated Ozymandias.

 

"I don't suppose anyone knows where Tamaranis spends the noon hours?" Gyrfalcon asked. "Normally I'd just suggest wandering up to his tower, but since he's not as night-bound as his vampiric kin, He might be awake and about right now."

 

There was a discreet cough, and Gyrfalcon looked up. "Sir, this is for you." the messenger said, offering a letter. Gyrfalcon took it with a murmured thank you, then looked up. "Please stay for a moment." he said. He opened the letter, and read the signature first, finding that the writer was none other then Tamaranis.

 

The half-elf looked up. "Tell me, is your master still in residence at his tower?" The man bowed slightly. "He was when I left, but the master, he could be anywhere at the moment."

 

Gyrfalcon looked between Ozymandias, Annael, and Daryl, shrugging. He then looked at the servant. "Thank you, you may go." he said. The servant bowed once more and left. Gyrfalcon quickly scanned the letter and nodded. "It's the same letter as Annael has." Gyrfalcon said, tucking the letter away.

 

Daryl looked curious "So, should we head off to Tamaranis's tower, or what?"

 

Gyrfalcon shook his head. "Do we know he's still there?" He responded.

 

Annael looked up from where she had been toying with her drink, listening quietly. "What about a divination spell?"

 

Ozymandias snapped his fingers as her comment sparked a thought. "I can easily do that. Tamaranis has most likely warded himself against a direct divination spell, but I can always find out what his surroundings look like. If the divination shows a black stone tower, then Tamaranis is home. If it shows someplace else, we at least saved ourselves a trip."

 

Daryl rose and quickly returned with a bowl full of clear water, which he set before Ozymandias.

 

"Thank you, you're not that bad for a foul-tempered werething." Ozymandias said affably.

 

"I didn't do anything to you for dumping that water on me!" Daryl protested.

 

Ozymandias just shook his head. "If looks could have killed Daryl, I'd have been a smoldering corpse." Not waiting for a response, the mage closed his eyes and grew silent for a moment, calling his divination spells to mind and selecting one.

 

Daryl grinned but stayed quietly as Ozymandias began to chant.

 

The water in the bowl clouded, then cleared. No longer reflecting the ceiling, instead it showed an aerial view of a neat stone building, which extended into a large, well-tended garden, including many rooms that seemed to be composed of plant life.

 

"Where is that?" Annael murmured, leaning forward to look. Daryl leaned forward as well. "That's Salinye's Hostel!" he exclaimed.

 

Gyrfalcon raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment. "Lets see... near the forest to the north, about a mile from the stream?" Daryl nodded. "You pegged it." the werefox replied.

 

Ozymandias let the spell lapse and looked at Gyrfalcon. "You've been there?" The half-elf shook his head in response.

 

"Not really. My northern patrol takes me by it on the return leg of my journey, but I never stopped by." Ozymandias smiled and shook his head. Along with a few of the other ranger-types or otherwise restless folk at the Pen, Gyrfalcon patrolled the lands around the Pen, making sure no vermin, like orcs, were nearby and tending to any of the needs of the nearby communities.

 

"How long of a journey is it?" Annael asked quietly. Gyrfalcon shrugged. "Patrolling, about two days. But then, I'm wandering through the woods and I'm not really moving in a straight line. If we took the road and some horses, we could be there by late afternoon if we pushed ourselves a bit."

 

-----

 

Not twenty minutes later, they were mounted on three horses, Daryl preferring to take the shape of a fox and ride with Gyrfalcon, as he otherwise unnerved horses. Annael sighed and tucked her wings in as close as possible- she would have much preferred to fly, but she didn't want to risk her feathers until they had set a bit more. Besides, she'd rather not outpace her companions too much.

[Ayshela]

Ayshela looked carefully back and forth between the shapeshifting woman and the.. gentleman.. in the shadows. Seeing that the woman remained lost in thought, she slowly stepped forward until she was noticeable.

 

"Excuse me, sir," she said in a low but clear voice. "I've returned seeking Salinye and find, instead, her staff in an uproar. When you have a moment, i believe there are several matters of which we need to speak."

[Tamaranis]

Elwen stared off into space, intent on something else. Finally she acknowledged Tamaranis, "No, I can't allow myself to be caught up in this now. I have my own mission and I have to finish it. Sorry."

 

And with that the tall kitsune abruptly strode towards the exit, intent on whatever her personal goal might be.

 

All things considered, it could have gone worse.

 

Tamaranis turned to Ayshela, "It seems I'm suddenly available to talk."

[Merelas]

"BASTARD!" thought Merelas. The man cackled, and his anger only rose higher and higher.

 

An ice bolt flew out of nowhere and slammed into his side. The ice penetrated his skin like a dagger, chilling him, but at the same time fueling his fury.

 

With a mighty roar, he twirled his staff, held out a hand, and sprayed liquid fire from is fingertips in a circle around him. If only he could find the man, it would be a simple task to destroy him.

 

The blood was seeping from his wound now, and he tried not to concentrate on it. Instead, he closed his eyes, held both is arms out to his sides (staff clasped in the left hand) and called upon the powers of fire. If the mage had hit him then, it would've been the end.

 

But he cackled instead. Merelas suddenly brought his arms in to clutch his staff with both hands, spun it above his head, and pointed it in the direction that he had heard the sound. An inferno suddenly sprang up, at least twenty feet square, and burning trees, undergrowth, and hopefully the ice-mage.

 

Satisfyingly, a scream came from the area. The man hurriedly took flight then, and Merelas followed his ascent with his keen eyesight. He could still see him, and he had the perfect counter for this action...

 

Wham. The blue mage hadn't waited for him to counter. He had turned, but barely, for another spear of ice to strike him in the shoulder, but this one was enchanted. He felt himself slowing down, and hurriedly grasped the ice shaft and pulled. It came out with a sickening, horrifying wrench of pain. Merelas collapsed to the ground, and vomitted. He nearly lost consciousness there, but forced the light to refocus with his energy. Quickly, he looked to the sky again, still bleeding from both wounds, and sighted the man.

 

I'll get you yet. I've got you in my sights, you... scum!, he thought, at a loss for what exactly to defame the man with.

 

But I must press on!, he thought urgently, and so he continued, still keeping the mage in his sights, who was circling back now, a bit burned, and flying crookedly.

 

He summoned all of his strength, stood up, and thumped the ground with his staff, thrust it up into the air, and slammed it back down again. He began to chant quickly and powerfully in his native tongue, and he felt it coming.

 

He's getting closer... I hope to all the Gods and Goddesses that be that the paths cross...

 

And then, when the man was no more than one hundred feet away, but still in the air, a huge meteor dropped from the sky on top of him, propelling him down into the ground in a smoldering heap, and burying him alive.

 

Merelas collapsed.

 

A few hours later, he woke weak and malnourished. The massive battle had left him drained, wounded, and hungry. He had to move. As much as the prospect of it seemed impossible, he had to, or the mage would have succeeded in taking him to his grave with him.

 

He struggled to his feet, and tread onward, using his staff for support, not paying attention to where his ragged steps were taking him. Eventually, he looked up, and saw a looming building. It appeared to be some kind of a guest house, and that was exactly what he needed. As he struggled towards the door, his legs gave way, and he realized that he could not make it. In a last hope to at least alert someone of his presence, he sent a flare towards the building, and heard the crash of glass shattering, as it proceeded through a window. At least they would find him. What they did with him, he wouldn't know until he woke...

 

If I wake, that is... he thought, almost jokingly, before losing all consciousness.

Edited August 19, 2003 by Merelas

[Annael]

Annael shifted uncomfortable in the saddle, sighing as it suddenly touched a particularly raw spot. Tilting her head to the side, she listening intently as a slight sound caught her attention.

 

"Gyrfalcon, did you hear that?" Annael asked as she spurred her horse forward to draw up next to Gyrfalcon and Daryl.

 

"Sorry Annael, I was lost in thought. I didn't hear anything. What did you hear?"

 

"I'm not sure, it was very faint and like you, I wasn't really paying attention. But it sounded like shattering glass."

 

"Shattering glass? If you can hear glass that's breaking at the Hostle, then you have amazing hearing, Annael." Ozymandias said as he turned to look back at her. Annael nodded her head slightly in acknowledgement.

 

"Gentlemen, if you don't mind, I think I'm going to fly on ahead and see what I can find out. I travel much faster that way. Besides, I don't think my rear can take much more of this saddle." Annael dismounted her horse to a laughing yip from Daryl. "No more comments from you, my werefox..." Annael threatened as she spread her wings and sped high into the air.

 

"Hmm, I wonder what I can do to get myself a pair of those. Would definetly make travelling easier," Ozymandias said as he watched Annael fly off, her black wings shinning in the sun. "Well, come on then, let's not just sit here. Let's follow her!" Ozymandias lend forward and kicked his horse into a hard gallop, Gyrfalcon and Daryl not far behind.

 

--------

 

Annael slowed down to hover above the Hostle, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area. Shocked to see someone laying on the ground, Annael quickly flew down to land softly beside the body. Kneeling, she felt for a pulse and breathed a quick sigh of relief as she felt it, feathering ever so softly against her finger tips.

 

"Is he alive?" Annael looked up to see Gyrfalcon, Ozymandias and Daryl dismounting. Annael nodded in response to Gyrfalcon. "Barely though, his pulse is very faint. From the looks of him, he's been in a fight."

 

"More like a mini war I'd say," Daryl said, once more in human form. "I'm surprised that no one from the Hostle has come out to investigate the noise. If you heard the sound of the broken window from so far away, why didn't they hear the noise from inside?" Daryl stopped talking as he realised that Annael wasn't paying attention, her focus concentrated on the skies.

 

"We should get him inside. We can work on helping him once we get him in a bed and his wounds washed. Ozymandias, Daryl, help me bring him inside please. Annael? What is it?" Gyrfalcon stood up and looked at Annael with a slight frown.

 

"I'm not sure. Something's not right, but I can't figure it out. Bring the wounded one inside and see what you can do for him. I'm going to scout the area to see if I can find the one who did this to him." Annael took off into the air, flying quickly off over the forest to the west.

 

Daryl watched a black feather float down and held out his hand for it to settle softly on his palm. "That was odd, even for Annael." Putting the feather into a pocket for safe keeping, Daryl bent over to grab hold of the unconscious man's legs. "Come on Gyr, we've got to get him inside." Ozymandias lifted the man's shoulders and with Daryl's help, carried the man inside, Gyrfalcon holding the door open. With a final look over his shoulder in the direction that Annael had gone, Gyrfalcon follwed the men inside.

[Tamaranis]

Suddenly glass was shattering and flames were hurtling through the air. The occupants of main room turned from the shattering window in unison, but a great deal of blood was drawn, all the same.

 

The flames struck a far wall, burned with magical intensity for a moment, and faded from view.

 

The Hostel staff's reaction was commendable. They might have all been field doctors in past professions. Casualties were quickly assessed and guests were directed to "stay down" until they could assess and deal with the threat.

 

Tamaranis turned first towards the window that had been shattered, calling out a spell he'd invented long ago to enhance the supernatural powers of the undead eyes. As he completed his magic the path the fire spell had taken became visible to him. He couldn't see it's point of origin from where he was, or any sign of the attacker however.

 

Then he turned back to Ayshela, she'd reacted faster than most, and escaped being injured by the flying glass.

 

"Our conversation will have to wait a few minutes afterall."

 

Ayshela nodded in agreement, also glancing around for some sign of whoever had attacked the hostel.

 

"Some fool killed himself casting that spell!" a voice called out, "We're safe."

 

"He's not!"

 

A youngish man was dying on the floor. He'd been near the window when the spell hit, and his face and throat had absorbed many of resulting fragments.

 

Tamaranis walked across the room, looking out the window and following the spell's path backward, but not standing near enough to it to make himself an opportune target. The mage who had cast the spell was, indeed, sprawled uncerimoniously on the ground, clutching a staff in a deathgrip.

 

The attention of the hostel's staff was focussed on the injured man inside, than the injured one outside, and so no one went out to collect him, however.

 

Tamaranis noted that the mage was still breathing, but decided against taking chances, he wanted to find out just what the man was up to. So he began the casting of a spell somewhat more complicated than the one affecting his eyes. His will locked around the spirit of the prone mage, disallowing it to leave, even if the body couldn't carry on. Not healing magic, simply a delay on death, should it come to that.

 

As an afterthought he split the spell's power, also targeting the man on the hostel floor who was in the process of bleeding out.

 

"Be quick, not careful." Tamaranis advised a pair of healers attending to the injured guest.

 

Just now, Tamaranis wasn't prepared to go running outside to meet and greet the attacker. It was the middle of the day, afterall, and he might not have been alone.

[Salinye]

Salinye sat slumped down into the chair of the library staring straight ahead. She appeared to be staring at the many hued lights that reflected through the stain glass window onto the wall in front of her. However, instead she didn’t see that wall at all. She was lost deep within the confines of her mind reviewing the information she had just absorbed. She probably would have remained just like that, unmoving, if it hadn’t been for the soft chortling and nipping at her hair by her dove, Charles.

 

Slowly mentally rising from her thoughts she turned her head to gaze fondly at the Dove. “Oh yes, the missive.” She said flatly pulling the rolled parchment from a fold within her cloak. Unrolling it she read as a deep crease developed along her brow. Crinkling the paper up she ran one hand along her newly forming headache. “What next?” She mumbled to herself before slowly rising to her feet.

 

“Well Charles, it appears, not only did my anonymous tip prove accurate, but also a “tall dark and unfriendly stranger” is inquiring about me at the hostel. From the description I’m assuming they are talking about Tamaranis. Why would he be looking for me?” She shook her head, “This can’t be good.” Making sure that Charles was quite rested and well watered and fed she released him back out the window, then gathering her own belongings she magically whisked herself away to her hostel.

 

*****

As the magically charged air began to settle around her the wizardess froze shocked at the sight before her. One window of her beloved hostel was completely blasted out and the walls along one side of it and directly across from it were charred black. The wizardess gasped as tears sprung to her eyes. One hand rose to clutch at the collar of her dress as she noticed the moaning man lying within a pool of blood in the center of the room as the grumpy old druid as well as a couple of other healers attended to him.

 

She then noticed Tamaranis standing to one side glancing cautiously out the window. Through the hectic chaos no one had noticed her arrival. Weaving through the panicked crowd she marched right up to the vampire following his gaze out the window to see another body lying in a heap outside.

 

“Explain yourself and this mess immediately.” She said to him in a low cold and accusing voice.

[Gyrfalcon]

Gyrfalcon half-turned in the doorway and made sure that the horses weren't going anywhere for a little while before following Ozymandias and Daryl into the room. The trio came to a halt as they stared at the room, healers clustered around a young man who was groaning quietly. Near the broken window, a shadowy figure stood, his eyes focused on the trio and their unconscious burden for a moment before looking outside again. Daryl shook his head, for the man stood on the edge of the sunlight, yet the shadow the man stood in was as dark as night.

 

"Stop staring at Tamaranis and help me get this guy put down on a table." Ozymandias said to Daryl. "I thought you two have met."

 

Daryl helped Ozymandias set their burden down as gently as possible on a table, realization dawning as to why the figure was cloaked in shadows. "We have, but only at night."

 

"Ah, that would explain it. Those shadows are a little unnerving the first time you see them, aren't they?" Ozymandias said, looking around for the proprietor of the hostel as Gyrfalcon moved to tend to the unknown mage's wounds to the best of his abilities, seeking to keep the man alive until one of more gifted healers could come over and help the mage. As he called on what limited healing spells he had, the half-elf noticed a strange magical aura around the man, dark in nature, yet seeming to help keep him on the brink of death rather then allowing the mage to plunge into death's domain.

 

Ozymandias could not find anyone who looked like they had the authority and bearing of an owner among the crowd, and was going to talk with Tamaranis when there was a flash of light, and an elven woman appeared. She looked around in shock, and a hand rose to her throat as she perceived the shattered window, the charred wall, and the man still on the floor being tended.

 

Before Ozymandias reached Tamaranis, the elven woman confronted the vampire.

 

"Explain yourself and this mess immediately." She said to him in a low cold and accusing voice.

 

Meanwhile, Gyrfalcon cast the last minor spell of healing he had memorized this day, and he looked up at Daryl, slightly weary. "Will you go ask one of the healers to come attend this man?" the half-elf asked, and Daryl nodded before threading his way through the crowd.

 

As it was, the first person he met was the irascible old druid, who was muttering about people too stupid to get out of the way of flying glass as he finished with a last healing spell, leaving the man whole but unconscious.

 

"Excuse me." Daryl said politely, but the druid ignored him, standing up and stretching his back slowly.

 

Daryl tapped the man's shoulder, and the druid turned around. "Eh? What do you want?" the old man demanded.

 

The werefox in human form sighed. "There's another patient that needs your healing touch, he's-"

 

The druid's hand shot out, gripping Daryl's chin and garbling his words as the druid peered intently as Daryl's eyes. "Hm... not yellow-eye fever, but your eyes aren't a normal color... hm... I've heard of a disease or two that could do this..."

 

Daryl gripped the man's wrist and slowly pulled his hand away. "This isn't about me, thank you. I'm just fine. The mage on the table over there, however, isn't fine. Would you mind helping him?" Without waiting for a response, Daryl hustled the druid along, ignoring the man's protests and attempts to hit him with his staff, which was hard to do at such close quarters.

 

Depositing the druid in front of the unconscious mage, Daryl faded into the crowd before the druid could turn around and really belt him with the staff. The druid grumbled and looked at Gyrfalcon. "A ranger, eh? Well, at least it means you know what you're doing, not like some of the idiot warriors I've seen in my day..." looking down at the mage, the old druid gently inspected his wounds. "Hmm.... frostbite, and large puncture wounds... pah, the idiot must have gotten into a spell duel with another mage.... idiots, all of them..."

 

Gyrfalcon smiled gently but refrained from interrupting, for even as he muttered to the mage about the intelligence of his fighting, he called upon his remaining healing powers to help the man.

[Tamaranis]

Tamaranis turned his gaze towards Salinye, silently gauging her for a moment. She was in the middle of a foolish emotion response to something unwanted, likely the damage to her hostel. She would calm herself, given time.

 

"I only came to deliver a message to you." he stated, "It may be of some importance, and since mages of our ability are able to travel quite quickly, I thought I would do it myself."

 

"As for the damage," Tamaranis gestured towards the prone form of Merelas, "he should be able to explain it better than I, as he caused it. I'm sure that between the measures I've taken and Gyrfalcon's abilities, he'll live." Then he added "At least until he becomes conscious enough to explain this mess to you, anyway. "

 

Salinye's rage stalled out for a moment. The vampire's complete lack of concern over her anger was plain. He couldn't be lying about not causing the destruction, because he didn't seem to care if the blame fell to him or not. He was simply stating facts for her. In the brief moment of relative calm she experienced it occured to Salinye how utterly absurd the notion of Tamaranis coming to her hostel simply to blast out a single window was.

 

But some one had to be blamed for something right now, and she hadn't found his humor even remotely amusing.

 

"And just what was so important that you had waltz in here and terrorize my staff?" She demanded.

 

"I believe you were awakened by an unpleasant dream this morning?"

[Merelas]

Merelas sputtered, then stirred, then finally, after several false alarms, awoke. The space around him came crashing into view, along with the terrible, chilling pain.

 

"Oomph!" he cried, as he attempted to get up, and was "helped" back to the floor by either the Druid-type man above him, or the half-elf that looked vaguely familliar, but whose name escaped him at the moment.

 

"Wha... where am I?" he queried, still rubbing the sleep and pain out of his eyes.

 

"You are in the Hostel of Salinye Celestialgrace, and I do suggest you lie back down before you get your fool self killed!" said the unfamilliar man above him, and he did so, quickly, while they completed the things that they could do to help his health at the moment.

 

As they did that, Gyrfalcon attempted to keep his mind off of the pain by making conversation... as well as satisfying his curiosity.

 

"What happened to you? How did you get these injuries?" the ranger asked, still aiding the druid with his work.

 

"I..." started Merelas, but he stopped before he could say that he didn't know... it had been that blue mage... everything was fuzzy, and he couldn't really think that well, but he supposed that he should explain his condition to those that had saved his life.

 

"I was fighting a blue mage... an old rival, you might say, and he sent all these ice-bolts at me, and one Glacial spike that I think gave me internal damage... I got chills all over me after that, and it was like I was moving at half speed, but I'm fairly certain that he's dead now... sadly, along with half the forest to the south... someone should do something about that fire, I suppose..." he said, his voice trailing off at the end.

 

"Why did you send that flare through the window?"

 

"I collapsed near the... hostel, did you call it? Yes, I collapsed outside, and I knew I was falling unconscious... I hadn't meant to break the window, just get someone's attention that might be willing to help... I suppose it was rather stupid of me, come to think of it... although it did probably save my life... ouch, damn it!" he said, as the druid singed his skin as he healed. The herbalist gave a rough apology, before continuing.

 

"Who is this... Celeste Salinthingy? And... why has she taken me in?" he asked, lying on the floor... but the half elf--Whatshisfalcon, Merelas thought--only shrugged. And there, the conversation sort of lulled... that is, until the simultaneous conversation that Tamaranis and Salinye had been having ended, and the latter bustled over with a quite frazzled (although supremely competent) look about her.

[Ozymandias]

A brief surge of panic washed over Merelas as he saw the all-to familiar stylings of a Phantasm mage's robes worn on one of the onlookers. Even as he summoned his strength to cast even a basic fireball, however, he got a closer look at the man's face as he walked toward the battered wizard.

 

The robes were too dark a blue, and the face lined from far too much more than concern to be his old foe, he realized in relief. There was a faint hiss and wisps of smoke curled from Merelas' fingertips as he let the fireball cancel out. Thankfully again, none seemed to notice.

 

Crouching down next to this fiery stranger, Ozymandias spoke first.

 

"This," he begins, gesturing to the proprietress," is Salinye Celestialgrace. Our hostess here in this hostel. You are in the lands of the Pen is Mightier than the Sword, Sir, and I myself, am Ozymandias, the Loremaster of the Pen. You have been taken in as we take in all strangers, with welcome and care, unless you prove to be a foe."

 

The old man's face turned unsettlingly serious.

 

"Then, circumstances become quite different."

[Ayshela]

Ayshela spun and dodged the flying glass, escaping injury by fleeting seconds. Nodding agreement to Tamaranis's suggestion that their conversation could wait, she hurried to help the injured, lending what healing ability she had.

 

Ah! Salinye had arrived at some point in the frantic activity. She could sort out what was going on with Tamaranis, though, come to think of it, she didn't look too happy.

 

Ayshela cast the last healing spell she had, then stood to weave her way towrd Salinye. Arriving at Salinye's side as her attention focused on the young mage, Ayshela murmured to her "i really don't think he intended harm. It might be best to hear him out before you have his hide for the damages."

[Annael]

Annael landed outside the hostle and shook out the skirts of her dress. Once a lovely blue and white blend, it was now marred with great black streaks, where it wasn't charred at least. Wiping a smoke streaked hand across her face, she noticed the injured mage wasn't on the ground anymore. Figuring that he had been brought into the hostle, Annael made her way inside.

 

"Hey Annael, you look a little singed around the edges there. Not that I don't mind what it did to your dress..." Annael turned to give Daryl a warning look.

 

"Stop staring at my legs!"

 

"You know what, I just noticed that you walk around barefoot! Your dresses are usually so long that I didn't notice. Awww, what cute little toes!" Annael glared at the werefox and shook a finger in his direction. The cloud of butterflies above her head started to flutter over in his direction.

 

"Oh heck, Annael, you know I was just teasing you!" Daryl stumbled back away from the mass of butterflies getting nearer.

 

Annael gave a little giggle and turned to look around the hostle. Glass was all over the floor, people rushing around trying to help the injured. Spotting Ozymandias and Gyrfalcon, Annael started in their direction. A arm shot out in front of her, stopping her but not touching her.

 

"Careful there Lady Annael, there's glass." Annael turned to look at the shadow. "So I noticed Tamaranis." Annael looked down pointedly at her feet, which weren't touching the ground.

 

"Ah yes, your wings." Tamaranis nodded and turned, fading even father into the shadows. Annael blinked, then continued on her way, her feet staying just above the ground, her wings shifting softly.

 

Annael stopped just away from the group which had grown to increase Salinye, who was hovering over the injured mage from outside. Ozymandias turned his head a little, recognized that she was there and turned back to the mage. Stiffening, Ozymandias turned completely around to look at Annael.

 

"Starting a new fashion sense?" Salinye, Gyrfalcon and the unknown mage all turned to look at her at Ozymandias' question, shock, humor and confusion showing on their faces.

 

"I ran into a little fire south of here."

 

"Little? If little did that to you, I wouldn't want to see big!" Gyrfalcon exclaimed, eyeing her wings, many feathers of which were damaged. Just then, Daryl came running up and collasped at Annael's feet, wrapping his arms around her legs.

 

"Please! Call them off!! I'm sorry, I won't comment on your cute little toes any more!!" Daryl curled his body into her legs, clutching her tightly. Annael looked at the others and gave a little smile. "The butterflies...." The chorus of "Ahhhs" said enough. Just then the injured young mage gave a little cough, drawing the attention of the gathered group.

 

"Well sir, I believe that you are the cause of the fire that I did some battle with. That was quite a blaze you had going there. Not to mention the remains of what was once another mage. I'd say that you won this battle, and it appears that you're going to survive."

 

"Hey, you've got wings!"

 

"He's a smart one there, isn't he?" Ozymandias said, rolling his eyes.

 

"Let's just see how smart. So, who are you, and why are you in my hostle?" Salinye asked, staring at the mage in question.

Edited September 20, 2003 by Annael

[Merelas]

"Me? Me? I'm me, of course!" Merelas said, with a giggle... his eyes focused and unfocused, and his head drooped to his chest.

 

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" cried the druid who had been attending him, striding towards the incoherent Merelas, and slapping him, sending a surge of magical energy through him as he did so, which rejuvinated his understanding and ability to think.

 

"Oh!" he exclaimed. Unfortunately, that crash back to earth had also brought back his senses, and with that, pain. Accordingly, he grimaced, and then put on a strong face for the crowd.

 

"I suppose that I had better introduce myself and explain my actions. My name is Merelas en'Bella, and I am of a race that I would expect none to know. The hidden fire-elves of Leyànnèdel are my kin, although my father was a human. As such, I can manipulate the powers of fire, but have very little other magical skill, as well as absolutely no skill with a weapon. I suppose, if you were to give me a profession, you would have to call me an Elementalist, rather than a mage...

 

"The fire you saw, Winged Lady, was of my creation, as you surmised. I did so of no intent on my part, but merely in battle with the remains of the phantasm mage you found on the site. I suppose it was rather wreckless and destructive of me... but, at the time, I did not think of it that way. In answer to what I believe your next question will be... I cannot tell you his name, or what he was an enemy for... suffice it to say that he was a proponent of Evil... and therefore, he found justice by my hand."

 

With that, he looked around, before continuing. "Eventually, I woke after the battle, and fled the flames, although they were not likely to harm me, being half a fire-elf. I wandered hither and yon, until eventually reaching this... hostel? Yes, this hostel. I collapsed outside, my strength giving out. Not knowing how long it would be until someone came upon me. I launched a flare into the air... and apparently, it went astray and burst through one of the windows of this lovely estate. I give my apologies for any damage I have caused, and pledge to you that it was of no intent of my own. If I am no longer welcome, I will gladly pay for my keep until I am well enough to be on my way... or, if you prefer, I suppose I could take my leave immediately..."

 

Merelas looked around at those near him, and hoped to find some words of acceptance among them... and eventually, permission to rest.

[Salinye]

"I believe you were awakened by an unpleasant dream this morning?" Tamaranis stated. Salinye felt her face drain of warmth and accompanying color as he spoke these words. The wizardess momentarily forgot the singing of her precious hostel and all the people around her. Frozen, her mind swirled with flashes of that nights terror. She subconsciously rubbed at her wrist still feeling the cool touch of his pasty white hand. Looking back up to his eyes she almost expected to see that cold stare filled with ill intent. Instead she found her glance met with cool indifference. She was just about to speak when her name being spoken by a semi-familiar voice caught her attention.

 

"This," he begins, gesturing to the proprietress," is Salinye Celestialgrace. Our hostess here in this hostel. You are in the lands of the Pen is Mightier than the Sword, Sir, and I myself, am Ozymandias, the Loremaster of the Pen. You have been taken in as we take in all strangers, with welcome and care, unless you prove to be a foe."

 

Salinye broke her inquisitive gaze with the vampire and turned seeing Ozymandius for the first time. Someone had finally brought the fallen fire mage inside. She also noted for the first time the presence of Gyrfalcon, Daryl, Annael, and oddly enough, Ayshela. “So, have they come for a group assault?” She thought to herself.

 

Walking over to join the group hovering around the mage she was just about to blurt out her thoughts in an equally tactless way when the man on the ground spoke through groans. They listened to his broken senseless chatter which ended in him focusing his battle drunk eyes on Annael exclaiming, “Hey, you’ve got wings!”

 

"He's a smart one there, isn't he?" Ozymandias said, rolling his eyes.

 

"Let's just see how smart. So, who are you, and why are you in my hostel?" Salinye asked, staring at the mage in question. They all listened patiently as Merelas attempted to explain himself. When he finished his introduction of sorts all kept silent awaiting Salinye’s decision. After all, it was her hostel and her decision whether he could remain or not. If the mage’s story was true and his arrival here on this of all days was truly coincidental, then he would meet no hostilities from her. However, she was having a hard time trusting in coincidences this particular day.

 

“Very well.” She spoke addressing the crowd with a voice that naturally gentle, but had an edge of authority that was not usually disputed. “He may remain here and our healers will tend to him. However, he will have a guard placed at his door.” She then turned to address Merelas directly. “You are free to wander the hostel, we don’t keep prisoners here. However, we will naturally have you under watch. Today, trust is earned, NOT freely given.” With that last statement she allowed her eyes to once again scan over the “visitors” that surrounded them. “If these conditions are not favorable to you, you are of course free to leave.”

 

Merelas looked at her through slightly unfocused eyes. “No, M’lady. The conditions are fine and understandable.”

 

Salinye nodded towards the main healers. "You may take him to the infirmary. My staff will have a guard there post haste."

 

“Well, now that that’s settled. The rest of you may follow me to my office if you wish. I find it highly unlikely that you are all coincidently here on a social visit, nor do I believe this is The Pen’s welcome wagon. I think it’s about time we unveil some masks.” With that the wizardess turned and walked down a hallway leading them to a secure conference room not waiting for responses. She knew either they would follow her for discussion or they wouldn’t. Either way, she was done playing guessing games.

Edited September 23, 2003 by Salinye

[Ayshela]

Ayshela cast a puzzled glance at Salinye, then turned to look at everyone who had been indicated. Deciding she didn't need to wait to enter last, "on guard", she shrugged and turned to follow Salinye down the hall.