| Maggie Explains to the Chosen the Purpose of their Gathering |
| The Setting: Maggie's Cottage Gathered there are Maggie, Halloran, Yasmin, Darius, Dysanter, Gringo, Willow, Bowrie and Ksheyna |
| K'Sheyna Nighthawk I watch silently as more and more people arrive. My eyes meet the Sokudo's and I return her nod. The talking horse bemuses me. It was time to leave. I yawn suddenly drowsy again. I'll leave after I sleep. Blackness then bright colours and confusion. *You can not run you know child* I spin round and see an image of that damn book. I try to push it away. The authors of those damn things where all madman. *Not this time. Here does this help?* I look back and in the books place was a handsome Elf. I blink thinking its a manifestation of madness in me. The figure shakes his head. *What are you? And why me?* *I am a manifestation of the light. All the goodness in the world. Life Love joy Happiness. I was created when the Gods created the world. I hold the balance between darkness and light in check. It is given to me to physically manifest when the balance is about to be tipped. On the day that Maggie was born I chose the form of the book. That was about 400 years ago.* The figure smiles cheekily. *Don't tell her I said that and keep the knowledge to your self* It / he admonishes. I mutter back , *You’re just scared she will burn your pages.* *Too right. She would you know. Moving on. An ancient evil started moving in the world at the same time as Maggie was born. That balance thing you know. Except something happened and it grew more powerful then it was supposed to. It is basically the physical manifestation of the dark.* *So how does that explain you becoming a book?* I ask it insatiably curious. He taps my nose playfully. *On the night Maggie came into the world kicking and screaming. I possessed a poet from Kraggen Mire. With each word of prophecy he wrote down in the volume, the more my spirit invested in its pages. I have been waiting for you...... For all of you. Each one of you I created. Well all except the old goat Maggie. You are all MY children.* He places a hand on my cheek. *Let go of your fears My Child.....My Dagger. I've waited centuries for you. I won't let you go easily. Trust in me Nighthawk K'sheyna.* I shake my head. I couldn't. *Let go the barriers little one. Touch your potential.* He reaches out and touches my forehead and I scream. All the barriers I had out on my magic dissolving. I wake up shaking and pale. *Trust me my Dagger! If you need me call.... or open my cover* The laughter sounds merrily and then dissolves. I jump up and walk slowly to the cottage, flinging the door open and staring at the occupants. Book of One The formless presence of the book pervades the peaceful clearing and address the form of a young woman of the grasslands. ((You can not run you know child. Not this time. Here does this help?)) The form of an elf stands before the young woman. Her eyes widen with a terrible fear, the fear of madness, ((What are you? and why me?)) ((I am a manifestation of the light. All the goodness in the world. Life Love joy Happiness. I was created when the Gods created the world. I hold the balance between darkness and light in check. It is given to me to physically manifest when the balance is about to be tipped. On the day that Maggie was born I chose the form of the book. That was about 400 years ago.... of course, don't tell her I said that and keep the knowledge to your self.)) ((You're just scared she will burn your pages.)) A feeling of amusement flows from the kindly eyes of the elf form. ((Too right. She would you know. Moving on... an ancient evil started moving in the world at the same time as Maggie was born. That balance thing you know. Except something happened and it grew more powerful then it was supposed to. It is basically the physical manifestation of the dark.)) ((So how does that explain you becoming a book?)) laughter.. ((On the night Maggie came into the world kicking and screaming. I possessed a poet from Kraggen Mire. With each word of prophecy he wrote down in the volume, the more my spirit invested in its pages. I have been waiting for you......For all of you. Each one of you I created. Well all except the old goat Maggie. You are all MY children. Let go of your fears My Child.....My Dagger. I've waited centuries for you. I won't let you go easily. Trust in me Nighthawk K'sheyna.)) The girl shakes her head vehemently.. ((Let go the barriers little one. Touch your potential.)) A feeling of gentle reluctance but necessity; the touch of an insubstantial hand upon the forehead of the grasschild.. screaming as shields collapse around her, releasing the flow of magic so long blocked within her channels.. ((Trust me my Dagger! If you need me call....or open my cover.)) Laughter and dissipation.. the clearing is empty leaving a stunned and shaken grasschild whom runs towards the cottage and flinging the door open in furious and futile anger.. "I'm in. Not by Choice it seems. It appears None of us have had any choice in all of this. We have been manipulated by the Powers That Be." Addressing the Book, ((How does my hating you and your whole concept effect this task? I will not blindly cooperate while you move me like a pawn on a chessboard. Once my usefulness is over then you hang me out to be sacrificed to your cause. NO NO NO!!!) ((You will cooperate, you already have my child. There is no choice as Maggie will tell you all. You are a pawn and non pawn, the choices of your actions are free, you still face the consequence, the larger purpose cannot be swayed but by death or chance or the prevention by the darker forces.)) Sternness replacing the gentle admonishing.. ((You cannot run, you cannot hide, your task will drag you kicking and screaming to its purpose, you can either follow willingly and cooperate or spend your time sulking and cursing the winds of fate, behaving as a sulking child instead of the adult you are and will be. Your resistance, your anger is a weakness that may be exploited by the servants of the dark and an endangerment to your future companions. Your lack of control and refusal to use your powers cripple them... you will have deaths on your conscious that you cannot explain away as the just deserts towards Outlanders, for these companions are honourable, trustworthy and... with the codes of honour and behaviour you feel are exclusive to your people. The darkness you see in the souls of people now, those you have encountered are as pebbles to the boulders that await if you and your companions fail in the task.. and even your people will not be safe or excluded, Child of the Grasslands.)) Silence as the book withdraws... Maggie Heatherwick Suddenly the door flings open and Ksheyna stands there staring at us all. Her eyes are a bit wild and a hint of anger colours her face. I stare at her. Her shields seem to have been crumbled and I could feel the power leaking from her. I brace myself. ((Good Grief horse fodder? What the hell did you do?)) ((Just had a few words Maggie, don't get excited, she will calm down....... Wait a moment.. Horse Fodder???!!!)) I ignore the book's outraged question and focus on K'Sheyna as she stares back at me.. "Well child?" Ksheyna Nighthawk I regard Maggie shaking with absolute fury. " I'm in.. Not by Choice it seems. It appears none of us have had any choice in all of this. We have been manipulated by the Powers That Be." I stare at Maggie wanting her to deny it knowing she can not. I didn’t like this situation, not one bit. My eyes fall on the book and I glare, o O ( How does my hating you and your whole concept effect this task? I will not blindly cooperate while you move me like a pawn on a chessboard. Once my usefulness is over then you hang me out to be sacrificed to your cause. NO NO NO!!!) I slowly start building the shattered remnants of my shields back up. Weaving them around the magical power that threatens to burst loose. Not as strong as they once were but strong enough to stop it trickling out of control Maggie Heatherwick I nod making no attempt to deny it. I look around at the suddenly silent group as they fix Kshey with stares then turn to me. "It's true, you are all brought here for a purpose that I will reveal to you. You have been chosen my chicks; to fight in a battle of more than just brawn and sword work." I cast a look around at them as each look rather uncomfortable with combination of fear and disbelief. "You aren't here by chance and it's no use running, you will just come back in a full circle here. I'm sorry but that is the way it is." I lay a hand upon the book nearby. "This beckons you all and even I must obey its summons." I sigh a little. “I suggest people get rest soon, you all have beds available in various rooms, by now you will have found that this place is larger then it looks.” There appears small, diminutive beings whom each move towards a visitor beckoning them to follow. "No one will trouble you here you are safe for now. I suggest rest and I shall explain to you your tasks tomorrow. The time is coming when you must complete your tasks. We cannot afford to wait too much longer, the last to join us may have to meet us within the forest." I smile at the sudden subduedness and the flickering of anger; studying the various reactions. Yasmin's face carved as if from rock, rigid with distrust and a deeply hidden fear. I knew she hated magic, she would believe she was following orders from her emperor. Ksheyna was fuming, resenting every move upon the chessboard. Bowrie looked bewildered but quite excited by the prospect of adventure. Fiona looked bemused, but also wary and watchful almost resigned and somewhat disturbed. More to her than met the eye. Willow looked the most comfortable with it, the magic in her soul making it easier for her to accept. Dysanter looked completely lost through Gringo bowed his head in obeisance. Halloran looked annoyed, resigned and somehow completely unsurprised. She was the only one who listened but busied herself. She was doing admirably. Dr Darius listened politely with interest. I smile at them all. "Do not fear my children. This is right and it isn't as much a burden as you think." For a moment I let them sense the power of Wyldewood, its peacefulness and majestic prowess.. before letting it slide. Darkness settles upon the cottage as the night sounds begin and the little beings lead the companions away to their bed. Morning….. Maggie Heatherwick Everybody comfy? Let's begin" "Ahh but Maggie I believe you forgot me." I sit up straight as a new voice joins in and look in shock at the figure appearing leaning against my door. I know my face registers confusion. "Well you old goat?. Hmmm you know I think you may just have gone senile.. I mean to have forgotten me." I stare at him and frown. "Who are you? How did you enter without me knowing?" He ignores my question and grins at me cheekily. I can see my female chicks staring at him in admiration, Bow and Willow and Hall regarding his fine face and form appreciatively, Yasmin suspiciously, Dysanter and Darius with small frowns. Though Kshey looks flushed and a little angry. "Well? Are you going to tell us what we are here for or are you just going to continue to do a goldfish impersonation?" Well, how rude!! "Now just one moment young man! You come into my home and you show politeness and courtesy too me else you will find yourself listening on this tabletop as a radish. Now sit and be still, we will work this out later and no backchat young man. You can't be foe, no enemy is able to enter my dwelling, so I will take it you must be one of those pesky will-o-wisp spirits inhabiting a sapling. Be quiet or I shall take my stick to you and this book!" I lift it menacingly and bang it back down on the table hard. ((That is for not telling me we have another addition to our group you pile of wood rot!)) The book grunts and strangely enough the stranger elf form blanches a little. I glare at him narrowly and point a finger to a chair, "You, Sit and Listen." I turn to the rest of the group and smile, temper restored, "Right, are we comfy children? Let's begin" The group seat themselves and look at me expectantly, a mix of eagerness, suspicion and nervousness. I smile at them all reassuringly. "400 years ago there was a balance within Praelan. The Gods of Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Spirit created a balance that had withstood and been stable since this world. An event happened, a collision, of not just this world but all the worlds within this galaxy with that of another galaxy. Depending upon your belief of course, or alternatively a massive battle of dark and light." I look at Dr Darius and smile at his start of recognition. "Praelan is one of many worlds set within a galaxy, the astronomers at this young gentleman's school make a point of studying the stars in an attempt to foresee the future and study the beginnings of our world. I think they suspect we are not the sole living inhabitants in our universe. They are of course correct. But to go on, there was a collision of millennia, wherein our galaxy collided with another, an error on the parts of our gods? Or for scientific reasons, it does not matter. Suffice to say our little Praelan was not affected in catastrophic terms as such, aside from a few small earthquakes and floods, but it was enough to cause a war to ensue between the powers of light and dark; a fracturing of the five elements. The day when the gods discovered they were not all powerful and needless to say the foundations of their power seriously shaken. Some went mad and split their aspects into the dark and light you see now." "The Book of One," I lay my hand upon the cover of the book before, "was created when the world was made. It is a manifestation of the light. All the goodness in the world. Life, love, joy and happiness. Although you wouldn't know it sometimes, to hear the pesky creature. I think the Book of One invented pigheadedness." ((Me stubborn? Hmmphh!! Ms Rooted in the Earth Oak of immovable grouchiness!)) I grin and continue. "The Book of One was to hold the balance of darkness and light, or at least the essence that creates the book, when the collision happened and the gods literally went mad, it was given to this essence to create the book. And here it is." I lay my hand upon the book again and note the looks it gained. The surprise, fear and suspicion. And the strange glimmer in the eyes of the pesky elf. "What you may not know however is that there exists within this world another book. The Book of Chaos, an essence completely opposed to our own beloved and polite Book of One. The absence of all that IS good.. A ruling of darkness that will bring to its bidding all the horrors and nightmares of our world. This darkness was created at the fracturing. It is the essence of all that went wrong, all that is mad, all that is dark, a manifestation of the darkness that grew within our gods and the universe at the collision. The darkness within man and within ourselves. This darkness will be aiding our enemies.. the book is kept within the hands of the Ashanti Order." I turn to look at K'sheyna who pales. "Yes." My guests' faces register surprise and unease. "We have enemies; fierce, powerful and ruthless. You are gathered here to thwart them. The more grief, anger, fear, suspicion and hate in the world, the more powerful the Book of Dark becomes. All beings on this earth are related and connected. With the corruption of the land and its people, the Dark Book grows ever more powerful. The Book of One is threatened, and we are gathered to help prevent such a catastrophe, for once the dark takes hold and conquers the Light then all is lost. Why us?" Yasmin interrupts in a hard voice. "We are hardly saints." "No you are not, but you all have within you a capacity for love and sacrifice that can change this world, each of you a culmination of your lands, the spirit within them." "You Yasmin, hold the honour and swift merciless justice of Terasi." "You Halloran, hold the power of healing and love, enough to heal the world." "You Ksheyna, a thirst and quest for justice and what is right, the betterment of our race, though you resist." "You Willow, the power and strength of water, and its ability to heal and wash away all wounds, to comfort and love, bend and not break." "You Bowrie, the ability to see falsehood, to watch, to advise and to become one with the elements and see through all tricks." I look down at the spot where her hand had penetrated. "You Dysanter, the lover, the light of fun and playfulness, the honour of light and the aspects of a player. What world would this be without humour and wit?" "You Gringlasarian, the representation of all non human races, yes not just your tribal herd but all animals within Praelan, the hope of them all, their salvation to live in their forests, their burrows, their dens." I smile at the widening eyes and flickering ears of the horse. "You Fiona, a bandit yet a seeker for justice and truth, a searcher for the deeper aspects of self." "And last but not least, Darius, one of the greatest gifts, the healer of magic, the righting of wrongs." “This one,” I point to the strange young man, I do not know how he fits. No doubt there will be more coming.” "You have all been chosen for tasks to aid us and bring back the light and banish the darkness. Grand words I admit, but not all that hard when each of you have only an aspect. What tasks I cannot know, that will be revealed when the time is right by you yourselves. However the prophecy within this book tells of the gathering of companions whom together will fight back the darkness. Of course it isn't that easy, you each have to overcome your own personal demons in order to achieve that goal and realise your own potential. In a way to battle and win over your own inner darkness which will have to be achieved for us to be successful." "There are icons within the world, icons created reflecting the five elements, an icon for Earth, one for Fire, one for Water, one for Air and one for Spirit. There are also further icons reflecting the lesser elements. Any one of you can wield them, it has not been given to me to know who will wield them. If you are the right one then so be it. Those who have not an icon to wield are required to aid those wielders, only all together can our purpose be achieved. This quest for these icons will take us through all the known lands and some we don't know." "The Archer, The Dagger of Justice, The Guardian, The Sword, The Water Bearer, The Trickster, The Rapier, The Horse Lord, The Seeker and Magic's Healer. All these are you. I would imagine more will join us at later dates, but for now.. you are all gathered." There is silence as all of my words are absorbed, "We will have to set out tomorrow morning, we cannot afford to dally here any longer, I must study the book to the clue for the first icon." I lean back for the moment finished and await the flood of words, questions and denials. One Eyed Fiona A seeker? Witches Teeth, I am seeking nothing here, I'd rather run away from all this foolishness! Falling into madness she must surely be, this was all the sort of prattle her own mother ranted on about, and here was a group of otherwise sane people, all avidly listening, and there was the odd one she'd heard Maggie refer to as an...an ELF? Stories to frighten and entertain children, talk of magic, all Fiona had ever seen of magic were the silly potions sold to superstitious townswomen out of back rooms, love potions and fertility poultices, all silly things for silly ignorant people. She'd agreed to stay, Maggie had a convincing way about her, Fiona could not discern for the life of her just how the old woman had changed her mind. This bordered on too much, though, she watched the others, hoping that their reactions would echo her own and she could make some sense of what was in the air around her. In the darkened fire lit shadows of the room, strange shapes flitted in and out, the faces of those gathered in the room took on strange expressions, she closed her eyes and rubbed her temples... it seemed an eternity before anyone spoke... Ksheyna Nighthawk “You Ksheyna, a thirst and quest for justice and what is right, the betterment of our race, though you resist." I look out of the corner of my eye at the new edition the Elf. He nods. Why me. I wanted to shout at the gods to leave me alone. I didn’t need this.” "Ok Maggie Let's pretend I believe you and the pile of tinder. But why us specifically. Wouldn’t anyone have been just as good?" I ignore the fact that the pesky book had specifically told me he/it had caused all of us except Maggie to be born. I sigh in resignation. "If we are going to do this then shouldn’t we get started. The Ashanti will be looking for me as it is... Perhaps we should do some research whilst on the road." If there was one thing in the world that scared me it was the Ashanti. They had no remorse or feeling and they followed their dark dictates to the letter. My eyes meet the elf's. I know he can see the fear that I hide from everyone else. His look of sympathy is almost too much. What would he understand anyway. I turn to him with a cheeky sweet smile "And just who are you anyway. You never introduced yourself properly. Never gave us a name.....I mean Maggie welcomed you but you could be an enemy for all we know. You’re technically not one of us. Maggie didn't name you in the prophecy " The Elf frowns and I continue to smile sweetly at him. Devaeriel Stormsong Wiping the frown off. Damn child wanted to give me away. The only way I could help protect them was if it was unknown that I was here " Meddling" as my counterpart would call it. We were not supposed to interfere directly. But I needed to be here. I am Devaeriel Stormsong. Elvan Knight and councillor to the Elvan Queen. I have been sent to keep an eye on things. The elves are curious. They have felt the disturbances moving in the world. Besides when we heard that our half-breed cousins had bestirred themselves and sent one out of the Grasslands then we thought we should investigate, since it must be nigh on close to a disaster to move you Clansmen." I smile sweetly back at her, knowing she would be fuming at the little dig.......and the warning. I turn to Maggie and bow. "I am here at my Queen’s insistence. She bids you greeting. I believe you and her have been friends for a long time." I smile at her charmingly. Meanwhile I set a few spells of protection over the book underneath her hand. "I believe the child" I indicate K'sheyna. "Has a point. The Ashanti have bestirred themselves. They have traced the Book to Delagatta, the village in which I believe young K'sheyna was attempting to sell the Book. It will not be long before they come here. And tho your protection is strong Guardian, The Ashanti are in great strength. The Balance is tipping in their favour right now." Dr Richard Darius After entering the cottage and taking an offered seat, I listen to the one called Maggie tell us why she has called upon us. As she talks to us I watch the book under her hands. It had several protection barriers around it, high-powered magic had enchanted this volume and if this is the Book of Light then the Book of Chaos must be equally defended. No wonder they need someone that has the power of un-casting other wizards’ spells. I watch as the elf slips in place yet another protection upon the book making the aura that surrounds it even larger. It's a strange sight to see so many wards and protections around a single object and it wouldn’t surprise me if the book had a consciousness of its own, being of the powers as the gods went crazy would probably have imbibed it with self awareness. “Maggie, you say we will all be needed to stop the downfall from the other book, the one of chaos? With the power I see emanating from that book do you not think the dark side won't have foreseen this and gathered an army of evil to try and stop us from getting the dark book away from whomsoever holds it?" I watch as the realisation that the owner of the dark book must also have known of the prophecy and may even at this very second be gathering powers from the underworld and inner sanctums of darkness to do the bidding of the crazed second volume. One Eyed Fiona Taking stock of all of this, the world she'd accepted as real, free from magic and mystery suddenly gave way beneath her. Is this the world her mother had lived in? She felt suddenly sad, thinking how her mother had lived out the end of her days in ridicule, among the practical people who'd laughed at the very idea of gatherings such as Fiona now sat amongst. Longing for a seat at a campfire where the world seemed more orderly, where gods didn't go mad, she listened with a growing mix of interest and fear. The rest seemed quite comfortable with what they heard, none of it seemed new to the majority of them. She had so many questions, she wished she could talk to someone alone, she trusted Maggie, not really knowing why, she felt drawn into this, there was a tug at something inside her she hadn't before admitted was there, and she was insatiably curious. Bowrie I sit and listen to the old woman Maggie as she explains why we are here. I look around at the others, some with looks of shock on their faces, other faces I can’t read, “Boy what have I let myself get involved with?” I think to myself. Most of what she says is way over my head and my thoughts begin to drift elsewhere. She speaks to everyone in turn, I look up as she mentions my name, "You Bowrie, the ability to see falsehood, to watch, to advise and to become one with the elements and see through all tricks." She knows, damn it, She knows is all I can think when I see her looking down at the spot where my hand passed through the floorboards. I feel my face turning red with embarrassment at the thought of someone else knowing my secret. Then I remember the sound of my mother’s voice as she told me that one day my talent would be called upon. Maybe this is that time. I continue to listen hoping that I would get a chance to talk to the old woman at some point. As some of my so-called companions start to voice their opinions to Maggie. I open my mouth to speak, “We’ll I’m willing to give it a go, nothing better to do. Ok Maggie, I’ll let you lead me to my doom so to speak.” With that I stand and leave, walking out to the stable. Yasmin Toshido I listen, the anger growing as the others voice their opinions! No! Magic was evil I wanted nothing to do with it! I was not destined for some grand campaign run by witches and warlocks. I stand up suddenly and look at them all with hard angry eyes, but keeping my face blank, my words falling into the sudden silence with cold hard precision "This is a lot of superstitious mumbo jumbo you speak!" I glare around at the group. "Magic! I don't believe in it, a good sword, discipline, courage and honour is what carries us through. I will come with you Maggie but only because My Emperor commanded me too and it is my duty as an honour bound Sokudo to protect him and Terasi. I will have nothing of this magic nonsense! While you are all up flying high in the air on all this la de la stuff, I will be on the ground dealing with the mortal foes and their very real weapons." I curl my lip at the thought of magic. "Magic doesn't help you when you have a sword stuck in your side, I would much rather defend against that sword with blades of my own. All the magic users I have seen hide behind the town walls while us with swords die in our own blood to preserve them. Magic is the weapon of cowards afraid of steel and death!" I bow to them stiffly and stride out the cottage towards the edge of the clearing pausing and glaring out at the trees surrounding this cottage. Magic indeed! Magic killed my family, corrupt greedy magic. Selfish magic. It had no honour. Maggie Heatherwick Fiona looks troubled and oddly frightened, reflective. Kshey glares then speaks up, "Ok Maggie Let's pretend I believe you and the pile of tinder. But why us specifically. Wouldn't anyone have been just as good?" I grin at her. "Maybe but you have all been guided to this event before you were born the prophecy works in strange ways. You have developed the skills required, all of you through the careful selection of forces moving your ascendants. For instance, your father wasn't chosen to father you by chance Ksheyna, his shamanic powers are some of strongest that have been seen and generated. Yasmin's family is one of the strongest and most respected of the Sokudo family, her skills trained through generations, the others are likewise. She sighs, "If we are going to do this then shouldn't we get started. The Ashanti will be looking for me as it is...Perhaps we should do some research whilst on the road." I nod. She turns to the elf with a strange expression, "And just who are you anyway. You never introduced yourself properly. Never gave us a name.....I mean Maggie welcomed you but you could be an enemy for all we know. Your technically not one of us...Maggie didn't name you in the prophecy." "I am Devaeriel Stormsong. Elvan Knight and councillor to the Elvan Queen. I have been sent to keep an eye on things. The elves are curious. They have felt the disturbances moving in the world. Besides when we heard that our half-breed cousins had bestirred themselves and sent one out of the Grasslands then we thought we should investigate. since it must be nigh on close to a disaster to move you Clansmen." My eyes widen slightly and I grin slightly at the jest he put on the clansmen. He turns to me "I am here at my Queen's insistence. She bids you greeting. I believe you and her have been friends for a long time." he continues, "I believe the child has a point. The Ashanti have bestirred themselves. They have traced the Book to Delagatta, the village in which I believe young K'sheyna was attempting to sell the Book. It will not be long before they come here. And tho your protections are strong Guardian, the enemy is in great strength. The Balance is tipping in their favour right now." I nod. "I know." The doctor speaks, "Maggie, you say we will all be needed to stop the downfall from the other book, the one of dark? With the power I see emanating from that book do you not think the dark side won't have foreseen this and gathered an army of evil to try and stop us from getting the dark book away from whomsoever holds it?" I smile at Darius approvingly. The lad was clever. "Exactly dear. You are correct. There is probably a group gathering right now. And the dark prophecy does gather its own little group. That is why together you must work and why we must leave as soon as possible." I look at Bowrie who is flushed and smile reassuringly at her and the others. I can see the words sinking in to the group and their consternation rising. Bowrie speak, her face still flushed, “We’ll I’m willing to give it a go, nothing better to do. Ok Maggie, I’ll let you lead me to my doom so to speak." She stands up and leaves the cottage heading to the stables. I watch after her and then look back at the others left, I can see Yasmin is furious, she stands abruptly and looks as if she were ready to draw her big knives and lay into us all "This is a lot of superstitious mumbo jumbo you speak! Magic! I don't believe in it, a good sword, discipline, courage and honour is what carries us through. I will come with you Maggie but only because My Emperor commanded me too and it is my duty as an honour bound Sokudo to protect him and Terasi. I will have nothing of this magic nonsense! While you are all up flying high in the air on all this la de la stuff, I will be on the ground dealing with the mortal foes and their very real weapons. Magic doesn't help you when you have a sword stuck in your side, I would much rather defend against that sword with blades of my own. All the magic users I have seen hide behind the town walls while us with swords die in our own blood to preserve them. Magic is the weapon of cowards afraid of steel and death!" She stalks out the room. I sigh, oh my, Sokudo and their silly honour, I looked around wondering just who would be best to teach Yasmin that all magic was not bad, perhaps Willow might help or even Halloran. She was down to earth and practical enough to make Yasmin listen. This was going to be rather interesting, it would take lot of work to forge them into a cohesive group, I just hoped the dark book's gathering was similarly disjointed. "Well children, I suggest you all get rest, we will head out first thing in the morning. I stand. We can discuss this on the way to Kantara. That will be our first stop." I grin at them all and disappear into a back doorway with the book determined to study as much as I can. Willow Whitewolf Huh? What? I shake my head at the commotion going on in the front room of Maggie’s. I stop just inside the archway between the kitchen and common room still towelling my hair and picking weeds from it after my moonlight swim in the nearby pond. Another new arrival, no make that two. Maggie weaves her story of the balance of light and dark, of the book and how we were all chosen. "You Willow, the power and strength of water, and its ability to heal and wash away all wounds, to comfort and love, bend and not break." I grin as I pick another errant weed from my hair. Well I had powers over water but me, able to heal and wash away all wounds, to comfort and love?? I’m not so sure about all that. I listen to everyone’s reactions, just standing there not saying a word, hell I had opened my mouth and babbled on like an idiot twice already. No need to make more of a spectacle of myself than I already had besides every time I looked in the direction of the elvan knight I got this funny feeling in my stomach and I lose all track of what’s being said. Damn it Willow your acting like Winnie now. Get a grip girl. This is gonna be too long a journey to have your tongue hanging out the whole time, not to mention Winnie would never let you hear the end of it if you keep making goo goo eyes at the knight. I growl at myself, aggravated by my behaviour. I turn back and take a seat in the common room, looking out the window as I listen to Maggie’s rebuttal to questions and statements made. I’d have to have a talk with her later for two reasons. One to find out more about this trip without knocking the others over with my excitement and two to see if she has something for this damn itch! Damn legs why do they always itch so after morphing back to human form. I pull up my pant leg and scratch hard, growling at the annoying itch. “Damn scales…”I mutter out loud. Maggie suggests everyone get some rest. Tells us that we’ll be heading out in the morning and our first stop will be Kantara. Kantara! I smile wide, practically bouncing in my chair with just the thought of showing off my home. I catch a glimpse of Maggie grinning at me, then look and see Kshey regarding me with one eyebrow raised. I blush and grin as I turn to look back out the window. Ah sheesh Willow you’ve done it again. Everyone makes their way about the cottage, readying them selves however best suits them and I once again find myself alone. I was bored. I was too excited to rest and all my things were all ready to go so what to do with myself till morning? I stand and pace, looking out the window and smiling wide at the glistening of dew on the leaves of the tree outside. Ah yes, why not? I walk outside and make my way to the back of Maggie’s cottage and bury myself deep within the gardens. “As good a time as any.” I raise my arms and draw in the power of the earth about me. Opening myself up and focusing my chants on the winds and the sky, I call upon their favour so that it may rain. I giggle a bit and smile wide as I feel the first soft sprinkles of rainfall upon my face. I twirl about, ready to pat myself on the back for a job well done when the skies open up suddenly and torrents of rain pelt down, beating the plants in the gardens and soaking me to the skin before I can take two steps back towards the cottage. I run, slipping and sliding on the muddy path back to the front door. I open it and bull my way inside running smack into the elvan knight. “Errrrr ummmm hi! Ummm you know what? It’s raining outside.” I look at him trying to keep a straight face. Yasmin Toshido "By the Spirits of my ancestors!!" I look up as the suspiciously clear night clouds over a sudden torrent of rain sheeting down. I retreat under the huge bole of a tree and whip out an oilskin, placing it over the hilts of my swords. Now I would have to clean them. I grit my teeth but refuse to go back inside. Damn them. I glare outward as the rain drenches my clothes. I had dry clothes in my pack indoors, and I pitied anyone trying to place their hands inside it. I hoped it would be one of those magic users maybe? The rain suddenly stops. I glare and wring out my clothes. Totally unnatural. I growl and shift restlessly, no I didn’t need sleep just yet, I decided I would do some forms and training. Making my way some way away from the clearing I find an area clear and prepare myself for the Dance of the Tiger. I was feeling like pounding something with my bare hands, this animal form seemed appropriate. I move into the first position and begin to breath slowly focusing on my movements and breath speeding up as I move further into the dance until my strikes and kicks become a blur and I become the Tiger within my mind. Dr Richard Darius After being dismissed from the little gathering I make my way outside to the east side of the cottage where it would be easy to find some loose soil, I had a feeling that some extra protection may be needed before this night was through. I locate the soil I am searching for and begin shaping it up into the form of a body, then writing out a spell upon a tiny piece of paper I roll it up ready to place into the head of the creature I was forming. I need the soil to stick together so it doesn’t fall apart upon it's awakening so I cast a rain cloud and let it soak the surrounding area forming a mud body, then I cast heat, a heat so hot that steam rises from around the motionless form on the ground, before reaching the head with the heat spell, I insert the rolled up paper into the cranial section and then finish off by sealing the mud/clay creature’s head. I wait for a full minute before something happens, the creature's right hand raises slowly, then the rest of the creature, very slowly rising up into first a kneeling then standing position. "Golem, you have your instructions, do you understand?" the creature bows slightly as it has no real neck to speak of or voice to speak with but it did understand what it had to do for the night. ************************************************************************************* Continue to: Further meetings - Delko meets the Chosen; Alister makes an appearance Or you may return to the Library... |