Game Date: 18 Yearwane, 994 KC-1 Darkmonth, 995 KC; Play Date: 1/12/2002
18-19 Yearwane: Laylah dreamed that she saw Ormenlind riding down a road as a ground-eating canter. The landscape was unfamiliar to her; on one side of the road [south] was a forest, on the other [north] were fields, from which she watched him approach. Before he reached her vantage point, he stopped the horse, looked at the setting full moon ahead, then looked over his shoulder at the predawn lightening of the sky behind him. He dismounted, and led his horse into the trees. Laylah followed the sound of the horse into the forest, but those noises soon ceased. She returned to the road, but saw nothing other than the now-gray sky of false dawn. She went back into the forest, but woke from the dream before discovering sight or sound of Ormenlind.
19 Yearwane: Laylah woke just before dawn--as if the dream were at the same time of day. She found a quiet place to think, and to mend her dress. She decided not to talk to Rashira directly until she had figured things out a bit more on her own.
Pelmark found her about an hour later, to give her news: Darra had fallen asleep before dawn, and he had sent another cleric to watch her; also, the ship to the capital would leave late that morning. She related her dream to Pelmark. He was unable to enlighten her much about the forest; most woodlands of any significant size in the Empire are in the south and east, not the north or west. This reply made her wonder if the dream had shown her a real place (like his burial site?).
Darra woke about an hour after dawn, at the edge of the market closest to the edge of town. Norris was there to greet her, and lead her back to the temple, where she slept again. Pelmark woke her later that morning, and explained that she fell asleep before shifting back. He had waited for her to change, then fetched Norris, to whom he hadn't explained anything.
The caravan all boarded the ship, and set sail for Krynan. Due to the full moon, Ruqayyah was rather jittery, and Laylah tried to keep her occupied and out from underfoot. After Darra (and Pelmark) had caught up on sleep somewhat, Laylah related her dream to Darra and Ruqayyah, and her suspicion that the dream had depicted a real place, this very day. Darra confirmed that much of Southmarch and southern Eastmarch were heavily forested. She also knew that Ormenlind had fallen in battle near the Ongrican border, but didn't know whether he had ever been buried. Laylah believed she had seen his animated remains in her dream. Darra suggested they talk to Murshid. He was unable to identify the kind of spirit she saw from her description of the dream. However, he was inclined to agree with her conclusion that she had seen a vision of a real place and real event.
Darra asked Pelmark about maps of the Eastmarch. None were available on board, but he was fairly certain that a major road went east from Bregmund, for most of the length of the Eastmarch; this fit her vague recollection of a road along the edge of the southern forest there.
They then consulted with Mistress Theolodia. After some reflection, she told them that some of the clerics had wondered why only the snake had manifested to this point. Laylah's dream seemed to indicate that Ormenlind and his horse would arrive by different means. If he was coming from the east, he could be en route from his death site. The battle that decided the Krithian Civil War was fought on the Ongrican side of the pass between the Auroras and range now known as the Ongrican Mountains. Ormenlind was killed by an Imperial soldier, whose blow struck the prince's breastplate where the Asanos hung over it. Ormenlind's body was found after the battle, but missing the Asanos; most believe that it was taken by one of his retainers. The Emperor wept for his brother, but then ordered his body impaled upon a lance and raised above the battlefield to be seen by the rebel army. This broke their morale, and the enemy routed. The histories are unclear about the final fate of Ormenlind's body. Laylah guessed that the Emperor wanted nothing further to do with it, an none of his men had the nerve to take it down without his order. Theolodia agreed that this was one theory.
Ruqayyah asked whether Ormenlind was more likely to be a demon, undead, or something else, given his demonic master. Theolodia could not answer that; he could easily be either. Laylah suggested that perhaps he wasn't wandering, but that the weakening of the Asanos let him return to his body. Ruqayyah wondered in the demon-horse was the last hold Zukuvor had on him. Laylah expressed pity for Ormenlind; the others wondered aloud whether, after all this, he would no longer be in torment, or whether his next fate would be worse. They took their leave of Theolodia, to ponder what they could do to fight demons. Ruqayyah went to consult with Murshid, who continued her lessons about sensing spirits.
The ship reached Krynan near evening. The city was very large, impressive and busy, and sported a great deal of dragon iconography. Ruqayyah commented on the gaudiness, asking Laylah if the Krithians here were full of themselves. Laylah mentioned that she had been here once before, for a short visit after the circus closed its show in Gunrothric; she had spent most of her time next to the protective strongman, Kazu. She pointed out the domes of the Celestian Mother Church to her companions: six domes, one for each order, surrounding a higher central vault.
The ship moored at a pier owned by the temple, a short distance form the Imperial docks, where the ships at berth were simply huge. They disembarked, and porters in the temple's employ helped carry the clerics and their things to the Mother Church. Theolodia was given a litter in deference to her age and rank.
Ruqayyah was the last of the clerics' party to leave the ship; before she did, she created an illusion of a gold dragon (about 15' long and 12' tall) preening itself on deck. The crewmen backed away in awe, but the captain stood his ground. He looked around, then glared at the dragon, causing it to vanish in his disbelief. He then looked at Ruqayyah, arms crossed and boot tapping. When she tried to look innocent, he gestured for her to leave. As she left to join the Duz, Qutaibah mentioned that while her timing left something to be desired, the visual effect was impressive. Perhaps she could find a more appreciative audience before leaving the city? She began thinking about how to create an illusion of Ormenlind that would inspire fear...
The party approached the temple from the Golden Eye and Crescent Moon side. They entered through the Golden Eye wing, then turned into a guest park between the two wings and outer wall. Their guest rooms were located along the outer wall, facing the central domes. A Master-rank cleric of each of the two neighboring orders greeted them, spoke briefly with Pelmark and Theolodia, then returned to their other duties. They were shown to guest rooms and introduced to some of the lay staff and novices who would see to their needs.
Ruqayyah mentioned that her birthday was coming up soon, in just two weeks, at the first of the new year. This fact depressed her, because she would then be 19--the same age that Governor Hajaj's son "settled down" and accepted his role as a Duz. This prompted Laylah to chide Darra again for not telling her birthday in time for Laylah to make a big fuss over it, as was traditional in the circus. Laylah could recall her last birthday celebration before she was taken from the swamp and her mother; it was in the rainy part of spring, but she didn't know the exact date, so in the circus, she had celebrated it on the most convenient free day between performances. (Ruqayyah suggested that, this year, she celebrate it on the first really rainy day of the spring.)
Laylah, Darra and Ruqayyah would have relatively light duties during the preparations for the final ritual (on the 30th), so would have most of the next two weeks to themselves. They would be free spend most of that time as they wished, but should have an escort if they left the guest area, and should leave all weapons in their quarters. Laylah inquired about a small shrine to Rashira; there was nothing small inside the temple grounds, but the park included benches near the Golden Eye chapel, and the city held other, smaller shrines (though none in the immediate vicinity of the Mother Church). Ruqayyah asked Qutaibah what she should and could do. He replied that she could study in the (spacious) guest quarters, romp in the park, etc. He and Afla would be available part of the time, though they would be busy with the Celestians most of the time. She could look around the city, but should bear in mind that she was here as a representative of their people. (She later complained to Laylah and Darra that none of this sounded fun.)
The three women played tag in the park before dinner. Theolodia watched them, but they designated her "off limits." They also saw Afla and Qutaibah talking together outside the dining hall, but left them to each other. Eventually, they had dinner and went to bed.
20 Yearwane: The three women went into the city to shop for new clothes for Laylah (her most recent growth spurt required larger clothes). They also spent some time singing and dancing in the marketplace.
Ruqayyah practiced her spells as often as she could over the next several days, adding the Aura spell to the list she was trying to learn.
The clerics and Duz had audiences with the Paragons. The Golden Eye Paragon wished to meet Laylah before the ritual, preferably before the purification period began on the 24th.
21 Yearwane: The clerics had an audience with the Emperor. Theolodia reported that His Imperial Majesty insisted on meeting Laylah, Darra and Ruqayyah sometime before the ritual; this made the young women nervous, but at least it would be a private meeting. They wished to see His Majesty as soon as possible, in order to have less time to get worked up about it.
22 Yearwane: Theolodia arranged the meetings: Laylah would meet the Paragon that evening; all three would meet the Emperor the next morning.
Laylah wore her new clothes rather than novice robes to meet the Paragon; she did not want to imply a desire to become a novice when she did not have any. Theolodia led her through the park towards the Golden Eye wing. Before they reached it, however, they saw a woman in dark blue desert robes sitting on a bench. Her robes were simply cut but finely made, with no insignia, but Theolodia recognized her as the Paragon. The woman invited them to sit, and introduced herself as Sunhild, head of her order in the Empire. She felt that meeting here would be more comfortable for them all. Sunhild was veiled, so all Laylah could see was a bit of pale skin framing eyes the same rich blue as her robes; her voice was gentle and very melodic. She said that "the One we all serve" had not revealed the outcome of the next few weeks to her, but She spoke highly of Laylah. Laylah blushed, and expressed her feelings that what she knew best seemed to have little bearing on her being here, but she would try her best to serve the Lady, who knows something she doesn't. Sunhild sympathized, explaining that she rarely knew what the Lady intended for her, either, but if Laylah needed to talk about anything, she would listen. Laylah's link to Her is very different from Theolodia's or Sunhild's, so the Paragon hoped that they would have the chance to talk at greater length after "all this" was over and they both had less pressing matters to attend to. When Laylah asked what the priestess wished her to do, Sunhild merely told her to stay true to herself, her friends and the Lady; according to Theolodia, that has served Laylah well so far. The Paragon took her leave of them, repeating her wish to spend more time with Laylah when time allowed. Laylah bowed, and Sunhild gave her shoulder a friendly squeeze in return. After she left, Laylah hugged Theolodia to reassure herself that this was all real. After seeing the elderly cleric to her room, Laylah returned to the park in order to dance for quite a long time, as her way of praying her praise and thanks to Rashira.
23 Yearwane: The three women rose early to prepare for their audience with the Emperor. Darra helped Laylah trim her hair for the first time in 6 months; Ruqayyah asked Afla to help her comb and arrange hers. They dressed in their best garb: Laylah in her Cat gift robe, Darra and Ruqayyah in their nicest performing clothes. Laylah tried to reassure her friends as best she could: If the Emperor expected something that they were not, and they didn't pretend to be anything else, then either he would end the audience early, or revise his expectations. Either way, they should not be worried if they were unsure what to say or do.
Pelmark and Theolodia led the three women to the palace. They were met by a tall, thin, pale, blond man in herald's robes, who carried an ornate white staff. This man led them through several halls and chambers to a small hall, where a group of three chairs on a low dais faced a row of less ornate chairs. They were seated, and the herald soon returned with Their Imperial Majesties: Emperor Brand IV, a tallish, charismatic man with dark brown hair and eyes and a long mustache; Empress Carimine, an attractive, very pregnant woman with gray eyes and a long brown braid, noticeably younger than her husband; and Crown Prince Sidor, a boy of seven who strongly favored his mother.
After introductions were made, the Emperor stated that the clerics had explained their plans to him, but he wished the three young women to state, in their own words, what their parts in this were. Laylah said that Rashira wished to see the Asasos cleansed, and that she wished to see this through. Ruqayyah pointed out that the object was full of evil, and more was coming; without them, the task could not be finished. Darra was here to protect her friends from the evil within the object.
Brand then said that he knew Laylah and Ruqayyah's allegainces, but wished to know Darra's--did she serve a god? Darra did not wish to name Him, but the Emperor insisted, in order to fulfill his duty to protect his Empire. After he promised to keep her secret, unless her actions forced him to do act himself, she finally told him that she served Kuldor, god of justice. Brand had no objection to her participation, now that she had satisfied his need to know.
Prince Sidor defused the tension somewhat by asking his mother permission to ask Ruqayyah a personal question. She agreed. He asked, "Are you a cat?" She explained that she was a member of the Cat Tribe, but not all of her tribe looked like she did. He asked if she could turn into a cat, and she said yes. "Can you teach me? I need to know how to do that. It's very important." Both of his parents looked rather shocked at this request. Laylah sensed that the answer concerned them more than she would have expected, so asked Sidor why learning this was so important. Obviously embarrassed, he replied, "Because it will keep me out of trouble." (Darra chuckled--that had never kept Ruqayyah out of trouble!) He stated again that it was very important, but claimed that he couldn't tell them why. Ruqayyah offered to try to teach him, if his parents gave permission. Sidor apologized to his parents for the liberties he had taken, and expressed his hope that Ruqayyah's help might reduce their worries about him. Carimine told him, "We'll have to discuss it with your Uncle Eginhard first, dear," then told Ruqayyah that she'd send for her after this other business is past. Brand explained that as his heir, Sidor would be at the ceremony, and asked Ruqayyah to humor him, but to keep this talk about cats within the family. She may be just what they need, but they could not know that yet.
The Imperial family took their leave. As their guests left, Pelmark was deep in thought. Just outside the palace, he stopped, murmured, "oh, my," then continued on back to the temple. Back at the temple, Laylah asked what that was about. He took a stiff drink first, then stated his belief that Sidor may have just spilled a "state secret." Sidor may be a were; if so, Eginhard, the Paragon of the Crescent Moon order, almost certainly knows this and is advising the imperial family. This could easily agitate the Were-Hunters, and raise questions about the succession. If he can't control the change, then stress (like seeing the demon-snake!) could easily trigger it. That would potentially dangerous, and embarrassing. Ruqayyah asked how long his order has had Were-Hunters; what scripture supports their activities? (For as long as he knows of; dangerous weres attract much more attention than "safe" ones.) She observed that if Ormenlind had a similar lack of support regarding natural ability, that would go a long way towards explaining his deeds.
Darra apologized to Theolodia for not telling her earlier that she was a priestess. She realized that she had also not explained that she was a were, so did do now. Theolodia replied that this data would have worried her more if she had not had the opportunity to know Darra first. Darra is very unlike any other werehorses she has heard of. Darra suggested that if Sidor needs to be taught control, perhaps he had best learn it from another were. Ruqayyah will worry about that after they decide whether to involve her.
That night, Laylah dreamed again. She saw a port town, late at night with a half moon in the sky. A shadowy figure crept along the docks, looking at boats. It went into a small, one-man craft with an awning at one end. It raised a fist, then Laylah heard a muted thud, followed by a splash a moment later. The figure untied the boat and moved it into open water. Laylah woke in the middle of the night. Too upset to sleep, she went out to a park bench to think.
24 Yearwane (Waning Half): Darra and Ruqayyah found Laylah outside, looking morose. She told them "he's coming," crossing the sea, without his horse. Ruqayyah went to find Pelmark while Laylah whimpered at Darra: she wasn't there, and could do nothing, not even see if the person was okay. When Pelmark came, she told him what she saw. She was certain that Ormenlind was headed here, and would arrive within a couple of days. He left to pass the word, and ensure a close guard between now and then. The women fretted about Ormenlind's purpose; if anything happened to the Emperor, his role would fall to Sidor.
Ruqayyah sought out Murshid, to tell him of Laylah's dream. He guessed tat Ormenlind was most likely undead, and might be limited by his material form, and/or under some form of compulsion related to the Asanos. The clerics performing the ritual would be at risk, as might be bystanders (especially the imperial family). Wards against this kind of creature might be possible, but were beyond Murshid's abilities. The priests here who would be most likely to know magic of that sort would need their energies elsewhere. Ruqayyah renewed her resolve to learn more of Murshid's spells.
She returned to Darra and Ruqayyah to compare notes. Darra's best guess is that Ormenlind was some kind of revenant, either cursed or willed to an undead existence (basically, the physical equivalent of a ghost). She found Pelmark again, and asked to borrow his sword Helledoth during the ritual, because he would be busy with the ritual and unable to wield it then. Pelmark returned a quarter-hour later, with the sword. It had taken much arguing, but the demon-slaying blade had agreed to let Darra wield it during the ceremony only. Pelmark gave it to her to keep in her room until then, then left to join the other clerics for the beginning of their week-long purification rites in preparation for the final ritual. Darra thanked the sword, but received no reply.
Ruqayyah practiced creating an image of Ormenlind, in the hopes of convincing the cats and birds in the area to watch for him. She shifted to caracal form, sought out other cats, and tried to explain her idea. She then changed to owl form and tried again with the local seagulls. None of them showed any sign of comprehension. She then located a temple guard, and explained both her belief that an undead would come in the next few days, and her attempts to alert the animals, and asked that the guards keep watch for any disturbed animals, which might signal the undead's presence. The guard, a Crescent Moon cleric, looked skeptical, but then asked her pardon and touched her brow while chanting a few words. His expression changed, and he promised to inform his superior as soon as he was relieved. [He cast a Truthsayer spell, and sensed her sincerity.]
That evening, Laylah alternated between dancing and attempts to meditate. She finally managed the latter near sundown. She prayed to Rashira: She didn't know what would happen in the next week, or even whether She did (which scared her). She felt that "people screwed this up, so it's our job to fix it." She didn't like asking for favors, and wanted guidance on what would be acceptable. She didn't know what good she could do beyond placing a warm body between this evil and someone else. She has passed on Her warnings, so that they would not be wasted. She was scared more then ever before; if she was too scared, then Darra and Ruqayyah might lose heart, but she didn't feel right pretending to bravery she didn't feel. A reply came: Laylah would serve Her best by living. Some have the means to defend themselves, others do not; she need not worry for all involved. She is braver than she thinks: true courage is not letting fear destroy you. Lastly, it would be better for her to follow her own heart, rather than any directive She could give. "Do as you judge best, and good will come of it." Laylah thanked Her, and expressed her feeling that it's easier to have faith in oneself when others do. The reply to that, "We do--more than just I," surprised Laylah enough that her divinatory trance was broken.
After recovering from the fatigue of this communion, Laylah sought out Darra. As a distraction, she needed to do something "stupid and childish--anything, just stupid and childish," so they played tag.
25-29 Yearwane: The priests continued their purification rites.
Darra reported everything to Kuldor in prayer, with thanks for his past and future aid. She has taken it upon herself to battle these evil things (especially Ormenlind), and will be helping to protect Sidor and his unborn sibling (the "heir and spare"). Therefore, she asked for strength, and the ability to see the things she needs to smite. (She got no reply, but had the sense He was listening.)
Murshid drilled Ruqayyah on the Sense Spirits spell. She thought she finally figured it out. She also pulled her knife out of its usual hiding place within her robes, and carefully sharpened it for the first time in a long while.
30 Yearwane (New Moon; Year's End): That morning, the priests performed the last of their purification rites, and made final preparations for the ritual that night. The final set-up took place that afternoon and early evening.
The imperial family arrived a little while after dusk [which was about 4-5 PM]: Brand, Carimine, Sidor, the chief herald, and six Imperial Guards. The Captain of the Guard carried the Emperor's own sword bare in his arms; this longsword bore the symbols of all six Celestian orders on the flat of the blade, a dragon's head at the cross-guard, and the blue spear of St. Theodon on the pommel. Murshid scanned the imperial party, then began patrolling the outer halls (he would not remain within the sanctuary this time).
The Hall of the Six Orders was a great hexagon, with doors to each of the order's own domes in the centers of the six walls. At the center of the vaulted chapel was a clear space where the priests would lead worship services; around this center were six groups of pews. Outside this was open space for worshiping each of the five Celestian gods in turn; their huge statues (as well as St. Theodon's, representing the Order of Spheres) stood in the six corners of the sanctuary, with an ornate altar before each one. The entire chapel was brightly lit by both mundane and magical light sources. The brightest of the latter were one over each of the statues, and one casting a shaft of light into the exact center.
Two clerics were posted as guards outside each of the six exits, and more were posted throughout the compound. The set of pews nearest Theodon's idol was reserved for the imperial party, who took their seats as the clerics continued their preparations. The six Paragons placed the Asanos on a pedestal in the exact center of the chapel, and formed a circle around it:
Pelmark and Theolodia joined them, at their respective superiors' sides. Afla and Qutaibah took up a position near Rashira's altar. Laylah stood between them and the imperial family (to stay near Sidor), Darra stood in the aisle between Uralor and Tovanira's idols, and Ruqayyah started between Tovanira and Phaor's.
When the bells in the tower above the dome rang a couple hours after dusk, the clerics began their ceremony. After they started, Darra shed her outer robe, revealing the arms and armor beneath. Laylah heard the hissing begin as soon as the ritual began, and made a face at Darra to inform her of this.
An hour before midnight, Darra heard horse hooves on stone--they seemed to be circling the chapel. She told her two friends, who did not hear it, but passed on the warning. Helledoth sensed no spirits within his sensing radius. Darra loaded her crossbow anyway.
Closer to midnight, the ritual started to crescendo, in order to reach the climax intended for midnight. Laylah could hear the hissing growing louder as well, and a slithering sound added to the din. Just after she noticed this, Darra heard the sound of the hoofbeats change--the cadence changed and grew louder, as if the horse were lifting its hooves to maximize the noise produced. Darra moved to the Golden Eye side of the chapel, where she thought the sound was loudest. Qutaibah and Afla watched those doors, as well as the Spheres doors. Laylah moved to the opposite side of the sanctuary; as she moved, it she could pinpoint the slithering noise to roughly where the Asanos was. The imperial party noted their actions and came more alert; the Emperor remained in his seat, but was obviously ready to act at a moment's notice.
Laylah heard the slithering multiply, as if from many places in the chapel. She directed Ruqayyah to one point, where the dance-mage cast Sense Spirits, and caught a very brief flicker of something. It seemed to be headed towards Darra, so she moved closer herself. Darra heard the horse sounds right outside the door, not moving except for making the noisy strikes with its hooves. She moved closer to the door.
At midnight, the clerics shouted their defiance of the Demon Gods, and on cue, the bell above began to toll.
At the first bell, the watchers could hear a door somewhere beyond the Golden Eye doors crash open. Darra heard real hooves approaching. For Laylah, the slithering noises stopped.
At the second peal, something crashed against the Golden Eye doors, but they held. The slithering started again, but not from the center; Darra and Ruqayyah could hear it now.
At the third stroke, another crash sounded. Someone (one of the cleric guards?) screamed just outside the door, but the cry was cut off abruptly. The Emperor Stood, taking his sword from his captain; the guards also drew, and shifted to shield their charges. Before the next toll, the crashing came again. Laylah heard a snake in the area around St. Theodon's altar, and she and Ruqayyah began moving that way.
At the fourth bell, the doors flew open. The black demon-horse entered first, followed by Ormenlind on foot. He held a sword, obviously taken from one of the two fallen priests visible outside the doors. The horse walked slowly but purposefully towards Darra. She dodged right for a clear shot at Ormenlind, and hit him in the arm. She tossed the crossbow aside, and drew Helledoth, which immediately burst into flames. Alfa and Qutaibah moved to place themselves between Darra and the Paragons.
The fifth bell tolled. The horse, which had nearly reached Darra, reared and breathed flame at her. She dodged nimbly, and struck its foreleg with Helledoth. Its own attack missed badly. Meanwhile, Laylah felt something slither over her leg, and got the attention of Ruqayyah, who ran to her. Darra struck the horse again, this time impaling it through the neck. It collapsed, stunned.
Ruqayyah cast Sense Spirit as the sixth and last bell struck. She sensed something right in front of her, and pointed at the spot. The guard captain saw her point, and swiped at that space, but met no resistance. She tried to kick at it, and felt nothing. The Emperor noticed their movements, brandished his sword, and invoked "Doshonor!" The Crescent Moon mark on the blade glowed briefly. Brand went en garde and looked about him. He focused on something near Ruqayyah, stepped forward, chopped at the air, and stepped back. He called out that it was in some sort of spirit-form, so he couldn't strike it. She recalled that Laylah's attempt to snake charm it last time angered it enough to materialize.
Meanwhile, Laylah circled around the imperial party, and headed for Ormenlind as he advanced on Darra. She called his name, and he stopped to look at her. "Please stop." He pivoted and walked towards her instead. Darra struck the downed horse again; the blade struck its head with a flash of flame, and its body dissolved into a cloud of thick black smoke.
Ormenlind stopped within a few feet of Laylah, weighing his sword in his hand. "Please put it down, there's been enough killing." She prayed silently that he would put the sword down, and prayed for peace. He raised the sword and struck her across the collarbone. The blade bit in, then snapped. Ormenlind looked at the broken blade in apparent confusion. Darra had turned from the horse just in time to see this, and stepped closer but not within striking distance. She noticed the light over Rashira's statue begin to refocus on Laylah (who did not notice this happening). Ormenlind also saw this, and stepped back. Laylah continued her plea: "Please don't run away." He looked around, saw Darra, bared his teeth at Rashira's image, and moved towards Darra.
Ruqayyah tried the Beast-Soother spell (which she has not yet cast successfully) on the snake. It materialized right in front of her--the same smoke-like giant serpent from the last ritual. It struck at her, lightning-swift, and grazed her right leg. She scrambled backward, over the first row of pews. [This was the first time she has been hit outside of a dream, and was panicked by it.] Brand struck the snake, and his blade cut deeply into its body.
Laylah moved towards the undead prince: "Ormenlind, please stop." Darra backed away from him, staying just out of his range. Laylah, being hurt, did not pursue him further. "We're just trying to help. We don't want you to go back to the shadow." He closed more quickly. Darra got the first strike of the exchange, but the blow was absorbed by his armor. He struck her in return, gashing her flank.
The smoke-snake attacked the Emperor, but missed. Ruqayyah tried her Itch spell, to no effect. Brand sliced through the snake's head, and its body dissolved into vapor. Ruqayyah could sense that it was still there, but insubstantial, and warned Brand. He concurred; he could still see it. However, he doubted it could materialize again anytime soon. Ruqayyah began to feel woozy from the fatigue of casting so much magic.
Laylah pleaded, "Please talk to me." Ormenlind stopped a moment, and moved so he could see both women clearly. He spoke, "Too late," and when Laylah denied it, he repeated it again, more loudly. Laylah replied, "I understand you, but don't believe what you say." "What can you do?"
"Pray for you," she answered, "hope for you, give you what hope I have, feel sorrow for you. You were a man, men have free will. No god can take that from you. Acting on what you decide will not be easy, either way. But if you fight the one who torments you, I will help."
Ormenlind looked around--at Darra, at Laylah, at the statue, at something behind and to the left of Laylah. Darra sheathed Helledoth. Ormenlind grinned at her. He looked again at Rashira's idol, laughed bitterly, tossed his broken sword at the altar, laughed louder, and walked towards the door. Laylah called, "If you walk out, you will accomplish nothing, you will let the shadow keep its hold." He turned at the doorway, stopped laughing, and said, "There is nothing here for me. They [pointing at the gods' statues] will not take me." She countered: "Have you asked." "They have that [the Asanos] again. They will not take me." Laylah repeated her question. He did not answer, but simply balled his fists, turned, and walked out. Darra called out, "Ormenlind, can I help you? I don't serve these gods," but got no response. Laylah collapsed, crying and praying "Lady, grant him peace."
Darra asked Kuldor what to do about Ormenlind, and received the answer, "Nothing, for now." She asked to be told where, when, how. "Later, perhaps." She thanked Him.
1 Darkmonth, 995 KC (Winter Solstice; New Year's Day): Somewhat belatedly, Ruqayyah noticed that where Sidor had been was a lion cub cowering in his chair. She shifted to caracal form (with unexpected ease), and tried to comfort him by purring and rubbing against him. The cub shrank away at first, but then, still trembling, let her touch and groom him. Empress Carimine watched all this, crying uncontrollably, with her face in her hands.
Darra gave Laylah a careful hug. Laylah asked to cry alone for a while. Darra left her side, saying, "Tears are what he deserves." Looking around, Darra noticed the lion cub and caracal in Sidor's seat. She also saw the pieces of the broken sword; after a moment, she decided to leave them there.
The two Duz went to Laylah's side. Qutaibah kneeled, and gestured over her wound, mending much of the damage and stopping the bleeding. Before rising, he told her, "Rest easy. Well done." He then moved to Darra, who was retrieving her crossbow. He examined her wound, and managed to heal most of it [in spite of her Magic Resistance]. He instructed her to clean and bandage it properly when she had the chance.
After about 15 minutes of crying, Laylah stopped, and wiped her face. By then, the Sidor-cub had calmed down, and was getting drowsy (as was Ruqayyah herself). Carimine stopped crying, and petted the caracal tentatively, murmuring her thanks. She then leaned back in her chair, utterly exhausted, to simply watch the two cats.
Brand stood down from his heightened alert, claiming that the snake-demon was no longer visible. It had lurked about the edges of the temple during Laylah's confrontation with Ormenlind, but had since vanished. (Meanwhile, Helledoth grumbled indistinctly at Darra--she had not slain the undead.)
The Paragons seemed to have proceeded without interruption. The observers and defenders waited and rested during the remainder of the ritual. There were no further signs or sounds of the evil spirits associated with the Asanos.
Laylah thanked Rashira for stopping the sword. She stood, and joined Darra, allowing her to hug her this time. She thanked Darra for putting up her sword. They discussed Ormenlind--how they wished they could help, but he needed to ask for that help. After a while, Darra circled the chapel, using Helledoth to scan for spirits. They found nothing, except when near the Asanos--something was there, but not constantly, nor as strong as before.
At some point during the early morning, Qutaibah checked the fallen priests outside. One had had his skull smashed in by a hoof. The other was near death, but would recover, though not quickly.
The ritual ended in dawn. Darra and Laylah approached the circle of tired, bedraggled clerics. They could see that the Asanos still missed a few pieces, but was now shiny, unblemished silver. Helledoth could sense no spirits within it.
Ruqayyah had drowsed for a while, curled up with Sidor. When she woke up, she felt she was in no danger of losing intelligence from staying in cat form., so stayed in that shape to watch the sleeping cub. He was still asleep, and still a lion, when dawn came, so she changed back to human to lift him. She carried him to the altar of Doshonor. Sidor began to wake up as she walked. His parents followed her at a short distance; Darra followed them; Laylah and the Paragons watched from where they were in the central circle. Ruqayyah placed the cub on the altar and prayed: "Doshonor, please bless this child, so that he will have a life free of the fear that some of Your followers have brought." She sat down next to the altar. The lion cub changed back tinto a boy, who fell asleep on the altar. Carimine gasped, and buried her face in her stunned husband's shoulder.
The Paragons returned their attention to the Asanos. Darra returned Helledoth to Pelmark, with her thanks. He asked to hear more after they both had a good sleep. No one had touched the Asanos yet, so Laylah went to it. She stopped herself when she realized that the clerics were discussing what to do next. She suggested leaving it here for the rest of the morning, and do more after they all got some much-needed rest. Darra asked if anyone had picked it up. No one had. Laylah offered to, but Darra did first. Nothing happened; it was inert. The Paragons bantered some names about, agreed on some of them, and sent for those clerics to relieve them from watching it.
The Emperor picked up his sleeping son, and carried him away out of the temple. The others broke up to go clean up, bandage themselves as needed, and get some sleep.
Illustrations for Session #52
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