Showing posts with label Remus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Remus. Show all posts
Current Character Description - Remus (Nathaniel Stormweather)
His movements slow and fluid, this warrior's grace contrasts with a sinister air about him. His attire laid out completely in black, a great horned helm and body fitted plate armor hide attributes which would identify him otherwise. Once a man with a name, the world of Toril now knows him only as Remus. A billowing cape swirls with his every move as if possessed by it's own mind. A sharp taloned gauntlet remains constantly closed about the hilt of a wicked blade which hangs loosely from the belt at his midsection. His breastplate bears the crest of a long forgotten purpose, though the inscriptions beneath this crest can be read in ancient dwarven. "Within The Twilight Is Born True Power"
Collecting Colin (1-2)
Sanria walked slowly from the kitchen, holding Orn to her chest. The baby boy squirmed surprisingly little, as though he knew something major had happened. He contented himself in listening to his mother's heartbeat as she carried him upstairs. Sanria sat down in the rocking chair in Orn's room. While the motion put the full-bellied baby to sleep, it lulled Sanria's mind back to all the events that had transpired. Once again her tears wetted Orn's hair. Tears for everything.
She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there, soaking Orn's head as she rocked slowly back and forth, over and over. It just came as a surprise when Throm's voice entered her thoughts, "I seem to have acquired some of your property at my home." The necklace?
"Proper...Colin."
Sanria got up and put a spell over Orn to keep him sleeping for a much longer period of time. She wove her spell and ended up in Throm's living room. The couch lay shattered on the floor, beside Colin who also lay on the floor out cold. Above it all stood the smoky projection of Throm. "Hell... I didn't know he was coming. I'm sorry."
"I'm not worried about that. I'm just going to have one hell of a time trying to carry him to his room is all."
"I'll transport him back to the cavern. He's none of your concern, anyhow."
"Are you certain that's the safest idea?" Throm asked.
"I don't believe he'd hurt me or Orn."
"Neither do I to be frank. But he seems pretty worked up."
"Well, it was bound to happen whether he slept with that girl or not," Sanria said with surprisingly little emotion.
She knew that it would have eventually happened. No one can stay in a loveless relationship and even the most faithful in those circumstances could falter. Sanria sat down beside Colin and moved some of his disheveled hair from his face. "He doesn't see just how much that girl loves him and how she could give him so much more than I can." Sanria stood again.
"Between a rock and a hard place it seems. Though you're not blaming him I would hope. Things have been just as...confusing for him I suppose."
"I cannot change what he did, but it is not solely my reason for leaving." San- ria paused. She looked at Throm, her eyes narrowed. "Why am I telling you all this, you don't care."
"You're right," Throm said, motioning to the room. "He just crashed in here, nearly killed Kaliadra and I'm not the least bit curious."
If he was curious, then Sanria would let him have it. What did *she* care?
"You're curious?" Sanria began. "I didn't love him, I couldn't. I tried and I couldn't. Still he kept with me and couldn't see how unhappy I was. And I wouldn't let myself... leave."
"Blind rage, blind love. Perhaps I shall craft a set of glasses?" Throm said.
Sanria let out a sigh and put a hand to her eyes, pressing on them. The pain somehow brought her back to the present. "Oh Throm, please..." With a sigh she dropped her hand and looked plainly at the projection before her. "He finally slept with Arlenia. Got her pregnant, and it's now... the end of Colin and I. I told him what Kaliadra did and..."
"Perhaps you two just need a cool down?"
"No. This is it, Throm," Sanria looked down at Colin, speaking softly. "I stayed in the marriage but I can't do it any longer."
"I guess you'll have to become that cat lady after all," Throm said with a small smile, and the memory of a long gone conversation drifted back into Sanria's mind - she would be the cat lady, Throm would be the cat...
"He wasn't the one I loved..." She stared at the projection for a long moment. Things had changed so much. Before her heart had the chance to react, she looked down to Colin. "Anyway."
"I'm sorry to hear about your child. Again and so soon. Not fair," Throm said.
"... yes. Things happen for a reason, however. In this instance..." Sanria couldn't finish the sentiment. How could she have relief with the fact that she wasn't carrying Colin's child anymore? Shame washed over her for a moment.
"Even the terrible things I suppose," Throm said.
"I'll get him back to the cavern. I'm sorry he broke your couch. I'll get you a new one. And new doors... apparently."
Throm offered to keep Colin at the manor, an idea Sanria felt was foolish. Were Colin to wake up in Throm's home, who was to say what he'd do. She would take him home. "I don't believe this is your problem," Sanria said. Then, a thought occured to her. "Why did you bring me back to this? Remus told me you hired him to bring me... not the necklace." She watched Throm as he uncharacteristically looked about his room, as though thinking.
"If life were as easy as running from your problems, we'd all be the happier for it."
"To teach me a lesson?" Incomprehensible.
"No. I will be teaching no more lessons," Throm said.
"The truth is simply..." Throm paused. "You were taken against your will...I protested in the only way I knew how."
"I just wish Remus would have listened to me." Sanria said it more as a commentary, not expecting any answer. Certainly not expecting:
"And that is why I sent him and not someone else. Someone who would have listened might have faltered in their task."
Sanria didn't know what to think. Why would he want someone not to listen to her? "I didn't want to come back here, Throm. And...," Sanria paused to look down at Colin. "Had I not he might still be okay. Better him think me lost than..."
"I somehow doubt that greatly."
"All I have right now is Orn. I told Remus I'd stay here two weeks so he wouldn't kill Colin." Sanria looked to Throm. "At the end of that time, I'll be contacting those two priests you sent. I think Orn and I might be happier where I was when I was found."
"If you were meant to reside away from the Prime Material, you would have been created there," Throm said with a matter-of-fact tone. It stopped her for a moment - certainly he wasn't telling her no. Why did it matter to him what she did?
"I don't believe it should concern you... outside of you making available my ability to go back if I choose. I was promised that choice," she finally said.
"You are right it's not. And you shall have the choice, I'll see to it myself if need be."
"Thank you."
With another apology for Colin's distruction, Sanria took her leave. She thought briefly for a moment of her cat lady status - she would need a cat... then shook her head. That was a long time ago. Beside that, if she were returning to Velentham with Orn, she wouldn't be alone ever again.
She didn't know how long she'd been sitting there, soaking Orn's head as she rocked slowly back and forth, over and over. It just came as a surprise when Throm's voice entered her thoughts, "I seem to have acquired some of your property at my home." The necklace?
"Proper...Colin."
Sanria got up and put a spell over Orn to keep him sleeping for a much longer period of time. She wove her spell and ended up in Throm's living room. The couch lay shattered on the floor, beside Colin who also lay on the floor out cold. Above it all stood the smoky projection of Throm. "Hell... I didn't know he was coming. I'm sorry."
"I'm not worried about that. I'm just going to have one hell of a time trying to carry him to his room is all."
"I'll transport him back to the cavern. He's none of your concern, anyhow."
"Are you certain that's the safest idea?" Throm asked.
"I don't believe he'd hurt me or Orn."
"Neither do I to be frank. But he seems pretty worked up."
"Well, it was bound to happen whether he slept with that girl or not," Sanria said with surprisingly little emotion.
She knew that it would have eventually happened. No one can stay in a loveless relationship and even the most faithful in those circumstances could falter. Sanria sat down beside Colin and moved some of his disheveled hair from his face. "He doesn't see just how much that girl loves him and how she could give him so much more than I can." Sanria stood again.
"Between a rock and a hard place it seems. Though you're not blaming him I would hope. Things have been just as...confusing for him I suppose."
"I cannot change what he did, but it is not solely my reason for leaving." San- ria paused. She looked at Throm, her eyes narrowed. "Why am I telling you all this, you don't care."
"You're right," Throm said, motioning to the room. "He just crashed in here, nearly killed Kaliadra and I'm not the least bit curious."
If he was curious, then Sanria would let him have it. What did *she* care?
"You're curious?" Sanria began. "I didn't love him, I couldn't. I tried and I couldn't. Still he kept with me and couldn't see how unhappy I was. And I wouldn't let myself... leave."
"Blind rage, blind love. Perhaps I shall craft a set of glasses?" Throm said.
Sanria let out a sigh and put a hand to her eyes, pressing on them. The pain somehow brought her back to the present. "Oh Throm, please..." With a sigh she dropped her hand and looked plainly at the projection before her. "He finally slept with Arlenia. Got her pregnant, and it's now... the end of Colin and I. I told him what Kaliadra did and..."
"Perhaps you two just need a cool down?"
"No. This is it, Throm," Sanria looked down at Colin, speaking softly. "I stayed in the marriage but I can't do it any longer."
"I guess you'll have to become that cat lady after all," Throm said with a small smile, and the memory of a long gone conversation drifted back into Sanria's mind - she would be the cat lady, Throm would be the cat...
"He wasn't the one I loved..." She stared at the projection for a long moment. Things had changed so much. Before her heart had the chance to react, she looked down to Colin. "Anyway."
"I'm sorry to hear about your child. Again and so soon. Not fair," Throm said.
"... yes. Things happen for a reason, however. In this instance..." Sanria couldn't finish the sentiment. How could she have relief with the fact that she wasn't carrying Colin's child anymore? Shame washed over her for a moment.
"Even the terrible things I suppose," Throm said.
"I'll get him back to the cavern. I'm sorry he broke your couch. I'll get you a new one. And new doors... apparently."
Throm offered to keep Colin at the manor, an idea Sanria felt was foolish. Were Colin to wake up in Throm's home, who was to say what he'd do. She would take him home. "I don't believe this is your problem," Sanria said. Then, a thought occured to her. "Why did you bring me back to this? Remus told me you hired him to bring me... not the necklace." She watched Throm as he uncharacteristically looked about his room, as though thinking.
"If life were as easy as running from your problems, we'd all be the happier for it."
"To teach me a lesson?" Incomprehensible.
"No. I will be teaching no more lessons," Throm said.
"The truth is simply..." Throm paused. "You were taken against your will...I protested in the only way I knew how."
"I just wish Remus would have listened to me." Sanria said it more as a commentary, not expecting any answer. Certainly not expecting:
"And that is why I sent him and not someone else. Someone who would have listened might have faltered in their task."
Sanria didn't know what to think. Why would he want someone not to listen to her? "I didn't want to come back here, Throm. And...," Sanria paused to look down at Colin. "Had I not he might still be okay. Better him think me lost than..."
"I somehow doubt that greatly."
"All I have right now is Orn. I told Remus I'd stay here two weeks so he wouldn't kill Colin." Sanria looked to Throm. "At the end of that time, I'll be contacting those two priests you sent. I think Orn and I might be happier where I was when I was found."
"If you were meant to reside away from the Prime Material, you would have been created there," Throm said with a matter-of-fact tone. It stopped her for a moment - certainly he wasn't telling her no. Why did it matter to him what she did?
"I don't believe it should concern you... outside of you making available my ability to go back if I choose. I was promised that choice," she finally said.
"You are right it's not. And you shall have the choice, I'll see to it myself if need be."
"Thank you."
With another apology for Colin's distruction, Sanria took her leave. She thought briefly for a moment of her cat lady status - she would need a cat... then shook her head. That was a long time ago. Beside that, if she were returning to Velentham with Orn, she wouldn't be alone ever again.
On The Road Again... (Part I-II)
"Full honesty is a fool's trait...and what a fool I've been. I should not been so open with her..."
Throm walked swiftly down the open corridor of his home, shaking his head. A sudden flutter of wind caused his cloak to billow out, caught in the wind's grasp. He stoppedhard at the sound of a voice speaking out quietly. "I don't believe I've yet to see you this worked up..."
Turning just his head, Throm couldn't see the speaker though knew at once, whose person the voice belonged to. Throm called out over his shoulder still not moving from where he stood. "I had not not expected a welcome home party..."
Slipping down from upon the ledge he had been sitting upon, Lithanus appeared from behind a support column, leaning a tattooed arm upon it. "Troubles with the lady friend father?"
Scowling, Throm finally turned around, crossing his arms over his chest. At first he considered telling Lithanus nothing of recent events save the taking back of the stolen cells up north. Then sighing he gave a small shrug. "Lady friend no more I'm afraid. We've parted ways...I'm afraid I decided to impart some of the truth upon her, maybe too much I'm afraid."
Lithanus' spiked hair of stark white color ruffled as he shook his head. "The truth will serve no purpose outside of our own kind father, we have been raised this way...we know this."
Looking upon the young man with eyes that revealed just a hint of sadness, this time it was Throm who shook his head."No Lithanus, YOU have been raised this way...and for that I am sorry. I am too far removed from our people to believe this now. And speaking of our people, I suppose they will wish for my retrieval to the Valley soon?"
A ghost of a smile played upon the younger man's face displaying subtly that he had not missed the obvious change of topic within their conversation. "The Council has determined that for the moment your...removal would raise questions. Questions that aren't worth answering. I think that if the cells were returned, then you might...for the moment have little to worry about as far as that is concerned."
Reaching into his cloak, Throm pulled out a large canister and tossed it to Lithanus who caught it and held it up to the light, examining it carefully with an expression akin to awe.
"So much trouble for a few drops of the Old Foe. It is rare that I have a chance to see any of the legacy artifacts this close."
Lithanus suddenly cast his glance downwards from the canister, looking at Throm with an annoyed expression. "And what is it you're still doing here? Why aren't you following her up north yet?"
Throm unfolded his arms from across his chest, a look of annoyance casting itself over his own features. The sudden conversation had caught him off guard, however he remembered now the company Sanria had travelled north with. He remembered the person responsible for such company. "Let's talk about our friend and the armor you paired him with."
A look of mock surprise lit Lithanus' face as he spoke in in equal tones of exaggeration. "You're not seriously considering letting her go up there alone with him on the loose are you?"
Now Throm had to stem the feelings of annoyance as they were very swiftly becoming that of full fledged anger. "Thanks to you I may well have to. However she's not alone, Thasmudyan is currently joined with your loose cannon."
Lithanus smirked slightly and shrugged though he took a step back at sight of the look in his father's eyes. "So that's two people you are leaving to the Armor of Escalore...I guess you are more trusting than I am."
His face growing as cold and featureless as stone, Throm glared at his son as he let what seemed like ages of silence pass between the two. Finally, he pointed his finger directly at his white haired antagonizer, breaking the silence. "I'll not be played a fool Lithanus. I'll deal with you when I get back."
Carefully concealing the fact that some part of him was glad to have a reason to go north after her, Throm dissolved into nothingness, his spell casting him back to Torregiano. Lithanus' words fell upon deaf ears. "You'll thank me later old man..." He chuckled to himself, brushing back a wild strand of his hair. "...and might even admit that I know what the hell I'm doing."
"Throm... wh... what are you doing here?"
The fact that he had startled Sanria coupled with the red which shown upon her face, made Throm nearly regret coming. He had upset her further, something he certainly had not wished to do. Suddenly his mind kicked into notions which he usually left unthought. -Who cares. I too am upset- Pushing such thoughts aside, he gave an emotionless nod. "Going north..."
Sanria looked to the ground shaking her head. As if a knife had been taken to his insides, Throm felt a dull hollow sting in his chest. Steeling his resolve, he replied without missing a beat. "Someone has to bring Remus in..."
The rest of his words were cut short as an airship flew low over the Port on it's way to dock. Again his cold response was met with an equally cold demeanor. "I'll bring him back here and you can take him."
Shaking his head solidly, he couldn't help but wonder why it was she was so eager for him not to be around. "No dice..."
The two danced around the subject for long minutes, each firing back reasons why the other should or shouldn't be present for the duration of the journey. The argument continued inside of Sanria's airship, neither side seeming to get through to the other.
Eventually it was brought to light that Sanria indeed as able to feel the very emotions of Thasmudyan as she had recently been healed with his life essence. The thought of the two of them in the same place while she could feel such things apparently wasn't very comfortable for her. Again thoughts rampaged through Throm's head.
-I can't blame her. I wouldn't take comfort in such a situation. In fact, I probably wouldn't have even let me on board the ship.-
He had to admire her honesty, and her determination at that. Yet the two found themselves once again plunged into arguments. Finally it seemed they had both tired of going back and forth. The conversation took tones of less aggressive nature. Once again Throm felt himself compelled to honesty as Sanria asked the inevitable question that he knew must come.
"Let me guess... you love me enough to let me walk right out of your life?" She smiled slighty, and Throm suddenly realized just how difficult a question it was to answer. -It used to be an easy answer...when did it become not-
"If you deemed it best for yourself yes...I would put you above my own wants." Judging by the expression on Sanria's face, Throm realized that this was not the answer she had been expecting.
"You realize that it leaves me thinking you want for nothing... including me?" She stood, walking nearer to him. Was she angry? He couldn't tell. He shook his head as she continued. "I'd love to think, for a moment, that you would trust me enough to show me your own feelings - not those you use to deflect what is beneath."
For a moment, frustration set upon Throm and he wanted to simply spell out what it was he meant, be it for better or worse. Calming himself, he found his words once again. "You are wrong in this sense Sanria. I want many things...including you. However I can't place my wants above those or yours...such would be the essence of selfishness."
Again, he realized that perhaps this was not the answer Sanria had been looking for as she crossed her arms across her chest. Looking at him she spoke quietly. "Then I am selfish?"
Again Throm shook his head. "No...it's just me being me. I think you coined it the protector in me."
The Sanria finally guided the ship out of Port Torregiano, setting to a hover just above the city beacon. She turned in her seat to face Throm. "You don't believe that simply gathering force here to take him down is a better plan?"
Shrugging, he realized he was tired of the charade, perhaps the vision of him wearing himself on his sleeve would never be realistic, but it occured to him that perhaps he hadn't been completely in the right in regards to thinking honesty was foolish at all times.
"I'm not leaving you. Not because I don't think you can take care of yourself, but because I'll be worried to no end while you are away." Shrugging, he strapped the in flight harness about his torso. "And that....is why I am here."
Throm walked swiftly down the open corridor of his home, shaking his head. A sudden flutter of wind caused his cloak to billow out, caught in the wind's grasp. He stoppedhard at the sound of a voice speaking out quietly. "I don't believe I've yet to see you this worked up..."
Turning just his head, Throm couldn't see the speaker though knew at once, whose person the voice belonged to. Throm called out over his shoulder still not moving from where he stood. "I had not not expected a welcome home party..."
Slipping down from upon the ledge he had been sitting upon, Lithanus appeared from behind a support column, leaning a tattooed arm upon it. "Troubles with the lady friend father?"
Scowling, Throm finally turned around, crossing his arms over his chest. At first he considered telling Lithanus nothing of recent events save the taking back of the stolen cells up north. Then sighing he gave a small shrug. "Lady friend no more I'm afraid. We've parted ways...I'm afraid I decided to impart some of the truth upon her, maybe too much I'm afraid."
Lithanus' spiked hair of stark white color ruffled as he shook his head. "The truth will serve no purpose outside of our own kind father, we have been raised this way...we know this."
Looking upon the young man with eyes that revealed just a hint of sadness, this time it was Throm who shook his head."No Lithanus, YOU have been raised this way...and for that I am sorry. I am too far removed from our people to believe this now. And speaking of our people, I suppose they will wish for my retrieval to the Valley soon?"
A ghost of a smile played upon the younger man's face displaying subtly that he had not missed the obvious change of topic within their conversation. "The Council has determined that for the moment your...removal would raise questions. Questions that aren't worth answering. I think that if the cells were returned, then you might...for the moment have little to worry about as far as that is concerned."
Reaching into his cloak, Throm pulled out a large canister and tossed it to Lithanus who caught it and held it up to the light, examining it carefully with an expression akin to awe.
"So much trouble for a few drops of the Old Foe. It is rare that I have a chance to see any of the legacy artifacts this close."
Lithanus suddenly cast his glance downwards from the canister, looking at Throm with an annoyed expression. "And what is it you're still doing here? Why aren't you following her up north yet?"
Throm unfolded his arms from across his chest, a look of annoyance casting itself over his own features. The sudden conversation had caught him off guard, however he remembered now the company Sanria had travelled north with. He remembered the person responsible for such company. "Let's talk about our friend and the armor you paired him with."
A look of mock surprise lit Lithanus' face as he spoke in in equal tones of exaggeration. "You're not seriously considering letting her go up there alone with him on the loose are you?"
Now Throm had to stem the feelings of annoyance as they were very swiftly becoming that of full fledged anger. "Thanks to you I may well have to. However she's not alone, Thasmudyan is currently joined with your loose cannon."
Lithanus smirked slightly and shrugged though he took a step back at sight of the look in his father's eyes. "So that's two people you are leaving to the Armor of Escalore...I guess you are more trusting than I am."
His face growing as cold and featureless as stone, Throm glared at his son as he let what seemed like ages of silence pass between the two. Finally, he pointed his finger directly at his white haired antagonizer, breaking the silence. "I'll not be played a fool Lithanus. I'll deal with you when I get back."
Carefully concealing the fact that some part of him was glad to have a reason to go north after her, Throm dissolved into nothingness, his spell casting him back to Torregiano. Lithanus' words fell upon deaf ears. "You'll thank me later old man..." He chuckled to himself, brushing back a wild strand of his hair. "...and might even admit that I know what the hell I'm doing."
"Throm... wh... what are you doing here?"
The fact that he had startled Sanria coupled with the red which shown upon her face, made Throm nearly regret coming. He had upset her further, something he certainly had not wished to do. Suddenly his mind kicked into notions which he usually left unthought. -Who cares. I too am upset- Pushing such thoughts aside, he gave an emotionless nod. "Going north..."
Sanria looked to the ground shaking her head. As if a knife had been taken to his insides, Throm felt a dull hollow sting in his chest. Steeling his resolve, he replied without missing a beat. "Someone has to bring Remus in..."
The rest of his words were cut short as an airship flew low over the Port on it's way to dock. Again his cold response was met with an equally cold demeanor. "I'll bring him back here and you can take him."
Shaking his head solidly, he couldn't help but wonder why it was she was so eager for him not to be around. "No dice..."
The two danced around the subject for long minutes, each firing back reasons why the other should or shouldn't be present for the duration of the journey. The argument continued inside of Sanria's airship, neither side seeming to get through to the other.
Eventually it was brought to light that Sanria indeed as able to feel the very emotions of Thasmudyan as she had recently been healed with his life essence. The thought of the two of them in the same place while she could feel such things apparently wasn't very comfortable for her. Again thoughts rampaged through Throm's head.
-I can't blame her. I wouldn't take comfort in such a situation. In fact, I probably wouldn't have even let me on board the ship.-
He had to admire her honesty, and her determination at that. Yet the two found themselves once again plunged into arguments. Finally it seemed they had both tired of going back and forth. The conversation took tones of less aggressive nature. Once again Throm felt himself compelled to honesty as Sanria asked the inevitable question that he knew must come.
"Let me guess... you love me enough to let me walk right out of your life?" She smiled slighty, and Throm suddenly realized just how difficult a question it was to answer. -It used to be an easy answer...when did it become not-
"If you deemed it best for yourself yes...I would put you above my own wants." Judging by the expression on Sanria's face, Throm realized that this was not the answer she had been expecting.
"You realize that it leaves me thinking you want for nothing... including me?" She stood, walking nearer to him. Was she angry? He couldn't tell. He shook his head as she continued. "I'd love to think, for a moment, that you would trust me enough to show me your own feelings - not those you use to deflect what is beneath."
For a moment, frustration set upon Throm and he wanted to simply spell out what it was he meant, be it for better or worse. Calming himself, he found his words once again. "You are wrong in this sense Sanria. I want many things...including you. However I can't place my wants above those or yours...such would be the essence of selfishness."
Again, he realized that perhaps this was not the answer Sanria had been looking for as she crossed her arms across her chest. Looking at him she spoke quietly. "Then I am selfish?"
Again Throm shook his head. "No...it's just me being me. I think you coined it the protector in me."
The Sanria finally guided the ship out of Port Torregiano, setting to a hover just above the city beacon. She turned in her seat to face Throm. "You don't believe that simply gathering force here to take him down is a better plan?"
Shrugging, he realized he was tired of the charade, perhaps the vision of him wearing himself on his sleeve would never be realistic, but it occured to him that perhaps he hadn't been completely in the right in regards to thinking honesty was foolish at all times.
"I'm not leaving you. Not because I don't think you can take care of yourself, but because I'll be worried to no end while you are away." Shrugging, he strapped the in flight harness about his torso. "And that....is why I am here."
In The Mind
Sanria walked away from Throm, leaving him at the gates of the land where he was beginning to build a new house. She cursed herself inwardly - she had lied to him and she detested telling lies, but what else could she do? She had found out from him that Emalia was pregnant, and if Emalia was pregnant, she had no doubt that Thasmudyan knew. She was beyond infuriated with both of them, but that really didn't matter. She just knew two things. One - Thasmudyan and Remus were still in the north, and Two - she wouldn't be able to bear bringing Throm with her to save them.
The beratings began as she marched back toward the airship tarmack. Breaking up with Throm to save her ex-husband... 'though,' she mused, 'there wasn't really a break-up when all we were was just... well, friends.' It seemed in any case, that Throm's life simply wasn't going to allow for her to be in it other than extraneously. 'Horse crap and you know it old woman,' she told herself. She shook her head to her voice inside. "No," she spoke aloud,"I will keep telling myself such a thing because it makes this all easier." The fact was that she was actually upset with Thasmudyan. If he would have just let her die in the snow, she'd not be in the situation of having to keep he and Throm seperate for nothing more than hiding her own feelings. "I'm too old for all this anyway."
Her mind went to Emalia and her pregnancy. A baby she would probably not see if the present was any indication. Who was the mystery man who had knocked up her daughter? She didn't even know. She was going to be a grandmother, and that, too, made her feel ancient.
She arrived at the tarmack and went up into one of the control towers. It took a bit of convincing, but finally the tower allowed her a moment to make contact with the Weave. "Skive - Come in, Skive?"
"Madame Sanria, I read."
"Good. Have you had any luck?"
"No m'am."
"I'm sorry, but I need you to come back for me."
"Madame?"
"Just... sub-ether back here to Torregiano and get me. We'll quickly refuel and get back north."
"Just you?"
"Yes, just me."
"What about the gentleman-"
"Skive, please. Hurry. I'll be at the fuel pump."
"Aye, captain."
Sanria exited the tower, shaking her head. Her stomach was in knots. After all the trouble of finding Throm, begging him to take her with him on his travels, she left him. 'You make absolutely no sense you stupid old fool,' she chastised inwardly. 'You throw away everything at the drop of a hat.' "Well he didn't object to my going, did he?" she muttered aloud. 'Foolish, foolish woman. Now, you're not only stupid, you're alone.' Only the explosive sound of teleportation engines drowned out any further inner dialogue. Her ship descended, and was docked for fueling. She avoided looking at Skive, feeling that to do so, would risk the entire realms knowing just how foolish she really could be. She simply stood with a hand on the hull of her ship, her face growing more red as she tried not to dwell on the fact that Throm did, indeed, know her... hiding in her house... she fooled no one and she knew it.
The beratings began as she marched back toward the airship tarmack. Breaking up with Throm to save her ex-husband... 'though,' she mused, 'there wasn't really a break-up when all we were was just... well, friends.' It seemed in any case, that Throm's life simply wasn't going to allow for her to be in it other than extraneously. 'Horse crap and you know it old woman,' she told herself. She shook her head to her voice inside. "No," she spoke aloud,"I will keep telling myself such a thing because it makes this all easier." The fact was that she was actually upset with Thasmudyan. If he would have just let her die in the snow, she'd not be in the situation of having to keep he and Throm seperate for nothing more than hiding her own feelings. "I'm too old for all this anyway."
Her mind went to Emalia and her pregnancy. A baby she would probably not see if the present was any indication. Who was the mystery man who had knocked up her daughter? She didn't even know. She was going to be a grandmother, and that, too, made her feel ancient.
She arrived at the tarmack and went up into one of the control towers. It took a bit of convincing, but finally the tower allowed her a moment to make contact with the Weave. "Skive - Come in, Skive?"
"Madame Sanria, I read."
"Good. Have you had any luck?"
"No m'am."
"I'm sorry, but I need you to come back for me."
"Madame?"
"Just... sub-ether back here to Torregiano and get me. We'll quickly refuel and get back north."
"Just you?"
"Yes, just me."
"What about the gentleman-"
"Skive, please. Hurry. I'll be at the fuel pump."
"Aye, captain."
Sanria exited the tower, shaking her head. Her stomach was in knots. After all the trouble of finding Throm, begging him to take her with him on his travels, she left him. 'You make absolutely no sense you stupid old fool,' she chastised inwardly. 'You throw away everything at the drop of a hat.' "Well he didn't object to my going, did he?" she muttered aloud. 'Foolish, foolish woman. Now, you're not only stupid, you're alone.' Only the explosive sound of teleportation engines drowned out any further inner dialogue. Her ship descended, and was docked for fueling. She avoided looking at Skive, feeling that to do so, would risk the entire realms knowing just how foolish she really could be. She simply stood with a hand on the hull of her ship, her face growing more red as she tried not to dwell on the fact that Throm did, indeed, know her... hiding in her house... she fooled no one and she knew it.
Avoidance
Sanria closed the door behind her, having left Thasmudyan resting in her bed. He had saved her from the wound inflicted on her by the Minotaurs and for that she was grateful, but just like long ago, now she could feel his emotions just as he could feel hers. She entered into the elevator and slowly descended to the helm. This could prove to be nearly intolerable. She still did have feelings for him, and now, she could feel that the same was true of him - though oddly muted.
This, she thought, would not do. She sat for a long while in the captain's chair, mulling over her thoughts before calling to Skive.
"Skive," Sanria said, staring at the very sleepy gnome, "I am going to do something incredibly stupid and I know this."
"Captain, if you're planning on going anywhere-"
"I have to Skive. I'm not going to be able to be around our guest for... certain reasons."
Skive gave a low sigh, forcing Sanria to come clean. "Alright, alright. I can feel what he feels and he can feel what I feel. Honestly, it's so juvenile and just ridiculous, but I want no more confusion, see?"
"Captain," Skive said, suddenly yawning, "You need to have someone with you. These mountains are dangerous."
"Don't I know it," Sanria muttered. "I have spells in my arsenal. Besides, the tower is south of here, it has to be the place, we passed right over it."
"And what then will you do once you arrive?"
Sanria stared at Skive, her mouth twisted in a thoughtful, worried glance. "Well.. I.."
"Don't you see, Captain, this is a foolish move? You're just going to get yourself in trouble."
"I might be able to sneak in undetected and, find out where he is, and then perhaps come back and let the others know what I've found."
Skive groaned and put his small head into his hand, shaking it. "Captain, I've served under a lot of pilots, but you have got to be the... you take the cake, Madame."
"I think if I just go and find Throm on my own, as I had planned... well, almost as I had planned, as I had planned in the event that Remus didn't come with me-"
Skive interrupted with a sigh and a roll of his eyes.
"Well, I was going to do this alone anyway. So... that's what I'm going to do. They'll be fine and I'll leave the ship in your charge. Take them where they wish to go. That's an order. And... if they ask where I went... ah... tell them... tell them I'll be back."
"Captain..."
Sanria stood up, grabbing the heavy cloak that Thasmudyan had lent to her from the hook by the hatch. She swung it around her shoulders and held a finger up to her lips. "Skive, I'll be fine."
With her destination clearly in mind, Sanria began to chant several words. Her spells interwove with one another, and she became invisible even as her body began to evaporate into thin air. She hoped that Thasmudyan wouldn't feel anything - not her feelings, not her magic. Then she suddenly hoped she wouldn't drop herself into a snowdrift.
Finally, the bite of the arctic wind upon her, Sanria opened her eyes to see a tower of massive size before her. Behind her, mere inches, was a towering wall. 'Well,' she thought, 'At least I didn't end up *in* the wall.'
This, she thought, would not do. She sat for a long while in the captain's chair, mulling over her thoughts before calling to Skive.
"Skive," Sanria said, staring at the very sleepy gnome, "I am going to do something incredibly stupid and I know this."
"Captain, if you're planning on going anywhere-"
"I have to Skive. I'm not going to be able to be around our guest for... certain reasons."
Skive gave a low sigh, forcing Sanria to come clean. "Alright, alright. I can feel what he feels and he can feel what I feel. Honestly, it's so juvenile and just ridiculous, but I want no more confusion, see?"
"Captain," Skive said, suddenly yawning, "You need to have someone with you. These mountains are dangerous."
"Don't I know it," Sanria muttered. "I have spells in my arsenal. Besides, the tower is south of here, it has to be the place, we passed right over it."
"And what then will you do once you arrive?"
Sanria stared at Skive, her mouth twisted in a thoughtful, worried glance. "Well.. I.."
"Don't you see, Captain, this is a foolish move? You're just going to get yourself in trouble."
"I might be able to sneak in undetected and, find out where he is, and then perhaps come back and let the others know what I've found."
Skive groaned and put his small head into his hand, shaking it. "Captain, I've served under a lot of pilots, but you have got to be the... you take the cake, Madame."
"I think if I just go and find Throm on my own, as I had planned... well, almost as I had planned, as I had planned in the event that Remus didn't come with me-"
Skive interrupted with a sigh and a roll of his eyes.
"Well, I was going to do this alone anyway. So... that's what I'm going to do. They'll be fine and I'll leave the ship in your charge. Take them where they wish to go. That's an order. And... if they ask where I went... ah... tell them... tell them I'll be back."
"Captain..."
Sanria stood up, grabbing the heavy cloak that Thasmudyan had lent to her from the hook by the hatch. She swung it around her shoulders and held a finger up to her lips. "Skive, I'll be fine."
With her destination clearly in mind, Sanria began to chant several words. Her spells interwove with one another, and she became invisible even as her body began to evaporate into thin air. She hoped that Thasmudyan wouldn't feel anything - not her feelings, not her magic. Then she suddenly hoped she wouldn't drop herself into a snowdrift.
Finally, the bite of the arctic wind upon her, Sanria opened her eyes to see a tower of massive size before her. Behind her, mere inches, was a towering wall. 'Well,' she thought, 'At least I didn't end up *in* the wall.'
Ice Cold Carnage
My first night aboard this ship was unnerving. What with steps of little feet roaming about the room in preparations for the next day's departure, sleep was far from coming. The enchantments of Escalore would keep me awake for days on end, this I knew...this night I would exercise such a right. Perhaps I might have been a little less unnerving to the gnomes party to the night preparation crew, had I not spent the whole night sitting upon the edge of the bed with my helm on. However being in a new environment I wasn't yet ready to give up the only set of eyes I had just yet.
The dawn had come much faster than I had calculated, and it wasn't long before my hostess carefully entered the room first checking to make sure that clothes were not in short supply upon myself. Chuckling privately at the irony of the statement, I had bid my day to begin. I knew not much of my benefactor Sanria except for the fact that she was heading into territories which had caused her trouble in the past. Quiet and contemplative, she didn't seem to keep much in the way of conversation, leading me to believe that she was more inclined to a thoughtful nature. After naught but a short while, we finally gained the last member of our crew a man by the name of Thasmudyan. A man of frail build, and reserved nature, I found Thasmudyan to be an enigma, though later I would find him a force to be reckoned with. Recounting our voyage to the barren, frigid, and icy wastelands of the north, I remember only the speed at which the vessel owned by Sanria traveled. A journey that might take a conventional ship from days to weeks, took less than a day. Despite the sudden changes that recently have occurred within my life, I still could not help but to marvel at the short duration of our flight. My companions were quiet for most of the journey, but as we approached the territories of Mahn'Tor, we began scouting the ground far below for signs of our target. Finally the shape of a slightly battered, ship appeared as a speck within a field of white. And so it was that we set down a short distance from the derelict vessel in hopes that perhaps the journey upon which we'd found ourselves thrown into had come to a quick resolution. Such a fate was not destined for us however. After a short landing upon Throm's ship we were able to determine that the vessel was devoid of life thanks to the odd abilities which Thasmudyan had began to reveal. Though these findings put the Lady Sanria to worry, I found them to be comforting indeed. Though I have had my differences with our quarry, I had my own private fears that we may well be stumbling into a tomb and would find nothing save a corpse. I am frustrated a bit to say that we did not get far into our travels before we were ambushed by a pack of local minotaur hunters who thought to have stumbled upon a unwitting group of would be slaves. Though we were outnumbered, the hunting party was a group of unorganized ragdolls in comparison to our party. As the red eye haze of battle took hold of me, I found myself wishing nothing more than to use the group of dull witted beasts as examples by cutting down each and every one. A word or two from Thasmudyan disagreed with my notions at this. I normally may have paid no heed to such disagreements and cut apart our attackers, but for a life threatening injury dealt to Sanria in the course of battle.
Gaining that our target may be near an old reactor tower from one of the minotaurs, who was more than eager to crack in exchange for his life our battle was over. Once a safe haven had been established in our former battlegrounds Thasmudyan at once tended to the wound of Sanria, displaying once again his curious abilities. I was relieved to have him as part of the team (a word foreign to myself now for quite some time) as I was little use in the way of tending to wounds in either magical or conventional means. The magic weakened both of them considerably, and though we had made little in the way of foot travel, it was decided to set camp for the night. Electing to stand guard outside the airship, I once again would use Escalore's magic to maintain my vigilance throughout the night.
Little did I know at the time that it was to be this night that those which my comrades might consider enemies would call upon me in peace.
The dawn had come much faster than I had calculated, and it wasn't long before my hostess carefully entered the room first checking to make sure that clothes were not in short supply upon myself. Chuckling privately at the irony of the statement, I had bid my day to begin. I knew not much of my benefactor Sanria except for the fact that she was heading into territories which had caused her trouble in the past. Quiet and contemplative, she didn't seem to keep much in the way of conversation, leading me to believe that she was more inclined to a thoughtful nature. After naught but a short while, we finally gained the last member of our crew a man by the name of Thasmudyan. A man of frail build, and reserved nature, I found Thasmudyan to be an enigma, though later I would find him a force to be reckoned with. Recounting our voyage to the barren, frigid, and icy wastelands of the north, I remember only the speed at which the vessel owned by Sanria traveled. A journey that might take a conventional ship from days to weeks, took less than a day. Despite the sudden changes that recently have occurred within my life, I still could not help but to marvel at the short duration of our flight. My companions were quiet for most of the journey, but as we approached the territories of Mahn'Tor, we began scouting the ground far below for signs of our target. Finally the shape of a slightly battered, ship appeared as a speck within a field of white. And so it was that we set down a short distance from the derelict vessel in hopes that perhaps the journey upon which we'd found ourselves thrown into had come to a quick resolution. Such a fate was not destined for us however. After a short landing upon Throm's ship we were able to determine that the vessel was devoid of life thanks to the odd abilities which Thasmudyan had began to reveal. Though these findings put the Lady Sanria to worry, I found them to be comforting indeed. Though I have had my differences with our quarry, I had my own private fears that we may well be stumbling into a tomb and would find nothing save a corpse. I am frustrated a bit to say that we did not get far into our travels before we were ambushed by a pack of local minotaur hunters who thought to have stumbled upon a unwitting group of would be slaves. Though we were outnumbered, the hunting party was a group of unorganized ragdolls in comparison to our party. As the red eye haze of battle took hold of me, I found myself wishing nothing more than to use the group of dull witted beasts as examples by cutting down each and every one. A word or two from Thasmudyan disagreed with my notions at this. I normally may have paid no heed to such disagreements and cut apart our attackers, but for a life threatening injury dealt to Sanria in the course of battle.
Gaining that our target may be near an old reactor tower from one of the minotaurs, who was more than eager to crack in exchange for his life our battle was over. Once a safe haven had been established in our former battlegrounds Thasmudyan at once tended to the wound of Sanria, displaying once again his curious abilities. I was relieved to have him as part of the team (a word foreign to myself now for quite some time) as I was little use in the way of tending to wounds in either magical or conventional means. The magic weakened both of them considerably, and though we had made little in the way of foot travel, it was decided to set camp for the night. Electing to stand guard outside the airship, I once again would use Escalore's magic to maintain my vigilance throughout the night.
Little did I know at the time that it was to be this night that those which my comrades might consider enemies would call upon me in peace.
Sub-ether Jump
The day broke and Sanria found herself making preparations. It didn't need to be seen whether Remus had left. It appeared from the very way he spoke he was a man of his word. So, she had packed several robes (none that would aid against the cold, for, like her daughter, preparation was not the strongest of her suits), and sat at her table drawing up maps and hits of food. She was so engrossed in her worthless activity that she failed to hear Tarran before the boy spoke - and that nearly sent her leaping from her skin.
Sanria was accustomed to her son simply coming and going as he pleased. She thought of him more and more like a tom cat - wandering at will, staying where the staying was good, and always returning home with the intention of filling up the rest of his stomach when the canary wasn't enough. This, however, was different. Tarran still spoke with his step-father on occassion, and it didn't sit well with Sanria to have him know about Throm, yet. Still, it didn't take much for Tarran's questions to bring out the truth about her trip - nor to prove to her son as she left the house forgetting all her notes - that she was very ill prepared.
The night she spoke with Remus she had sent out a call to her gnome crew. As she stepped onto the ship, they were already present - calibrating the engines, fueling, and making ready for the short, sub-ether jump to Torregiano. She stepped aboard, greeting the first mate with a clap on his tiny shoulder. "Are we all set to go, Skive?"
"Indeed. I'll call all to positions and you can give the orders."
Skive pulled out a step-ladder as Sanria took her seat in the Captain's chair. He pulled down an instrument that looked like a cone attached to a tube. "All hands to stations - prepare for sub-ether jump."
"Thank you, Skive," Sanria said as she checked over the console. All gauges were within appropriate limits and she flipped the switches on her chair to begin warming up the engines. "Calibrations."
"Calibrations?" Skive called into the cone.
"Point zero seven one. Within limits. Ready," returned the tinny voice.
"Alright, places for teleport to Torregiano."
"Places!"
Skive had only enough time to seat himself before Sanria placed the coordinates and sent the ship into a burst of white light. In a matter of seconds, the ship sat at the Torregiano beacon. Sanria piloted the ship down to the tarmack and worried about the heavy traffic and the "NO PARKING" signs. She drove the ship to the south-west tower. Several of the gnome crew lept out to secure the ship as did Sanria, though more for breakfast than anything.
Once she had eaten, she returned to the ship to wait for Remus. She had heard nothing from him yet, but to contact him through the crystal might have proved bad for him. Attempting to get hidden armor might be a sight more difficult with a noisy crystal requesting your location.
So the day passed and Sanria took her evening meal with the crew in the galley. She had a deep respect for the gnomes - though they all looked like children playing dress-up - they were brilliant and fearless. Skive saluted briefly as she left the galley and went to her quarters. Perhaps tomorrow she would again go into the city and buy supplies. Thus the night passed into the dawn of the next day.
"Captain."
Sanria rose from her bed, her body sluggish, her eyes full of sleep. "Yes? Enter."
Tedge, one of the hands, walked into the room. His voice was small and high-pitched, but he still managed an air of serious urgency. "First Mate Skive, he's having it out with the dock workers. We weren't s'posed to be overnight."
"Thank you, I'm on my way."
It was a sight, a being barely three feet tall toe-to-toe with a man nearly seven. The worker was very skinny, with a blaze of red hair and a moustache to match. He spoke rapidly and with the irritated manner of one who has seen the rules broken before.
"I don't care what you meant to do. This is temporary parking only and you will have to pay up."
"Maybe if you had a sign bigger than me saying that, we'd pay."
"Look bud, you're lucky I don't punt you offa here."
"Punt me? You giant ogre. You smell like piss from down here. I don't care how much you threaten-"
"Skive, I heard we have a problem."
"Aye, Captain."
"Captain?" the dock hand chimed incredulously. "You pilot of this vessel?"
"Captain, yes," Sanria corrected.
"Whatever. Look. There's the sign. That's a 200 platinum offence. Plus interest with your lap dog yappin' at me. You don't fork over 250, you're getting towed."
"You swine..." Skive growled.
"It's alright. We broke the rules." Sanria turned her attention to the tall man.
"What say you 225? That way, I don't have to mention to anyone about corruption up here."
"230."
"Fair enough." Sanria pulled out a slip of paper, writing the figure onto it. "You can lock the ship to the dock until I return. I don't carry that much on me."
"I'll just keep my eyes open," the man muttered, taking the slip of paper.
"Skive, I'm off to breakfast."
"Aye."
"Watch the ship."
Sanria walked the gangplank, turning her back on the nodding gnome who appeared unfinished with the giant redhead. It wasn't far to the Sunflower Cafe, and Sanria was excited to again enjoy their breakfast special.
Her order arrived and eagerly she ate. She had almost finished when a face appeared that nearly made her drop her fork. She couldn't get the waiter's attention quick enough, nor could she turn away fast enough. Her stomach was knotted immediately, and it froze as soon as she heard the words, "Hello, Sanria."
Steeling herself, she turned back around and looked up into Thasmudyan's face. Of all the times he could have chosen to appear - it had to be when she was - again - in doubt. With a slight nod, she answered simply: "Hello."
Sanria was accustomed to her son simply coming and going as he pleased. She thought of him more and more like a tom cat - wandering at will, staying where the staying was good, and always returning home with the intention of filling up the rest of his stomach when the canary wasn't enough. This, however, was different. Tarran still spoke with his step-father on occassion, and it didn't sit well with Sanria to have him know about Throm, yet. Still, it didn't take much for Tarran's questions to bring out the truth about her trip - nor to prove to her son as she left the house forgetting all her notes - that she was very ill prepared.
The night she spoke with Remus she had sent out a call to her gnome crew. As she stepped onto the ship, they were already present - calibrating the engines, fueling, and making ready for the short, sub-ether jump to Torregiano. She stepped aboard, greeting the first mate with a clap on his tiny shoulder. "Are we all set to go, Skive?"
"Indeed. I'll call all to positions and you can give the orders."
Skive pulled out a step-ladder as Sanria took her seat in the Captain's chair. He pulled down an instrument that looked like a cone attached to a tube. "All hands to stations - prepare for sub-ether jump."
"Thank you, Skive," Sanria said as she checked over the console. All gauges were within appropriate limits and she flipped the switches on her chair to begin warming up the engines. "Calibrations."
"Calibrations?" Skive called into the cone.
"Point zero seven one. Within limits. Ready," returned the tinny voice.
"Alright, places for teleport to Torregiano."
"Places!"
Skive had only enough time to seat himself before Sanria placed the coordinates and sent the ship into a burst of white light. In a matter of seconds, the ship sat at the Torregiano beacon. Sanria piloted the ship down to the tarmack and worried about the heavy traffic and the "NO PARKING" signs. She drove the ship to the south-west tower. Several of the gnome crew lept out to secure the ship as did Sanria, though more for breakfast than anything.
Once she had eaten, she returned to the ship to wait for Remus. She had heard nothing from him yet, but to contact him through the crystal might have proved bad for him. Attempting to get hidden armor might be a sight more difficult with a noisy crystal requesting your location.
So the day passed and Sanria took her evening meal with the crew in the galley. She had a deep respect for the gnomes - though they all looked like children playing dress-up - they were brilliant and fearless. Skive saluted briefly as she left the galley and went to her quarters. Perhaps tomorrow she would again go into the city and buy supplies. Thus the night passed into the dawn of the next day.
"Captain."
Sanria rose from her bed, her body sluggish, her eyes full of sleep. "Yes? Enter."
Tedge, one of the hands, walked into the room. His voice was small and high-pitched, but he still managed an air of serious urgency. "First Mate Skive, he's having it out with the dock workers. We weren't s'posed to be overnight."
"Thank you, I'm on my way."
It was a sight, a being barely three feet tall toe-to-toe with a man nearly seven. The worker was very skinny, with a blaze of red hair and a moustache to match. He spoke rapidly and with the irritated manner of one who has seen the rules broken before.
"I don't care what you meant to do. This is temporary parking only and you will have to pay up."
"Maybe if you had a sign bigger than me saying that, we'd pay."
"Look bud, you're lucky I don't punt you offa here."
"Punt me? You giant ogre. You smell like piss from down here. I don't care how much you threaten-"
"Skive, I heard we have a problem."
"Aye, Captain."
"Captain?" the dock hand chimed incredulously. "You pilot of this vessel?"
"Captain, yes," Sanria corrected.
"Whatever. Look. There's the sign. That's a 200 platinum offence. Plus interest with your lap dog yappin' at me. You don't fork over 250, you're getting towed."
"You swine..." Skive growled.
"It's alright. We broke the rules." Sanria turned her attention to the tall man.
"What say you 225? That way, I don't have to mention to anyone about corruption up here."
"230."
"Fair enough." Sanria pulled out a slip of paper, writing the figure onto it. "You can lock the ship to the dock until I return. I don't carry that much on me."
"I'll just keep my eyes open," the man muttered, taking the slip of paper.
"Skive, I'm off to breakfast."
"Aye."
"Watch the ship."
Sanria walked the gangplank, turning her back on the nodding gnome who appeared unfinished with the giant redhead. It wasn't far to the Sunflower Cafe, and Sanria was excited to again enjoy their breakfast special.
Her order arrived and eagerly she ate. She had almost finished when a face appeared that nearly made her drop her fork. She couldn't get the waiter's attention quick enough, nor could she turn away fast enough. Her stomach was knotted immediately, and it froze as soon as she heard the words, "Hello, Sanria."
Steeling herself, she turned back around and looked up into Thasmudyan's face. Of all the times he could have chosen to appear - it had to be when she was - again - in doubt. With a slight nod, she answered simply: "Hello."
Prison Break
Sanria rose from the boulder after drifting off to a quiet sleep. The birds twittered and chattered on the branches above her, and even with all her connections to the beauty of nature around her, Sanria found a near miss by her head - left by the chirping bombers above. She ran a hand through her hair and decided to waste no more time. "Defero ad gentiliatis o caeles - com incolumitas, celeritas, et mea gratia aeternus." In a twisting column of mist, a black door grew from the ground. Through this, Sanria stepped, and ended in her clan hall. For one in a clan which knows so much, the location of the Paxian jail was a snippet for which she required a map.
Sanria traversed the hall with a look of consternated contemplation, a diametrically opposite pair of emotions, in order to pass her fellow clan members without fear of interruption. In a clan where knowledge is revered, seldom is one bothered when such a look is on ones face. She reached the quiet Anthenaeum and the many tomes which held both ancient and modern maps. It was to her benefit she had asked none where the jail was - her face was red enough knowing it was a short stroll from Market Square. With a few passing nods, Sanria reached the magical passage which gave her access to Market Square. Within moments, she stood before a marble building. It chilled her to be in such a pristine place, and unnerved her a bit more to see the various insignias worn by the guards. Order of Justice.
Passing through the upright and massive girth of the pillars, a door with a brass plaque caught her eye: "Jail." It never seemed to do for any OOJ officer to waste time being superfluous. At the base of the narrow stairwell, the smell of piss and sour milk set up camp within her nostrils. It was dank, it was dark, and the guard looked both irritated, and glad to see her. "Excuse me, where can I find Remus?"
"No visitors." The guard was a large man, who, upon the interruption, stood up - hitching up his pants and sticking out his chest.
"It has been quite some time since I have heard a voice of the fairer sex," a voice called.
"Please... only a moment..."
With a simple nod, Sanria was granted access to the prisoner, and upon reaching him she couldn't contain her dismay. Remus' eyes were bandaged completely over. Indeed, he was rather large man - though rather rough for wear. "Oh this won't do... you can't see?"
"I see that you were gasping in surprise dear lady."
"Lithanus didn't tell me this... it just won't do."
"Lithanus... Lithanus sent you?"
"Yes," Sanria sighed, her head now against the bars of the cell. "Throm is missing."
"Hmm, I should have killed the little bugger when I had the chance. Throm??"
Sanria elaborated on her very, very, very limited amount of knowledge the fact that Throm had left her side and not told her where he was heading. Now, he could be in danger. As they spoke, more information appeared to drop from the sky - as though the man who Remus knew, the father Lithanus knew, and the man Sanria knew – were in fact, three different people altogether. Here, from Remus, she discovered Throm had once been a scout and had had dealings in Vector.
None-the-less, she would not allow her personal worries and misgivings intrude upon what she felt was at the very least, her duty to a dear friend. She did loved Throm and she would absolutely see to his wellbeing. With this in mind, and a polite request for Remus never to mention a thing to Throm, Sanria set about to seduce the guard into an immediate cup of tea.
Reluctantly, the guard rose and Sanria escorted him to the street. "Oh, my dear, I have forgotten my pack. Please... wait here and don't leave," her voice lowered and she leaned in with eyes in full 'come hither' status. "I really do want that cup of tea." Sanria's feet then flew to the desk, the keys, and Remus' cell.
"What's the escape plan?" Sanria gasped and her eyes widened in alarm. This was one part of using feminine wiles that had been excluded. "Your silence says it all. Run!" As though granted by the Gods, the two fled the hall, dodging guards - even the disbelieving face that had been duped into allowing a prison break.
Not in a long time had Sanria really run to the point of exhaustion, but she found her feet flying and her chest threatening to collapse. She was doubly astounded at the fact that a blind man was running through the streets - leading her. She had no idea where they were going until the towers of the uth Bannon mannor came into view. "I've imagined this rout a million times over... not running the entire way mind you but I'll take what I can get."
Grinning, Remus tried the gates. "Details details details." "If you trust me," Sanria spoke between returning breaths, "you can accompany me to my home.""You just sprung me from jail... I have to trust you lady."
After slipping through the streets and the wood, both Remus and Sanria slipped behind the falls and beyond the threshold of her house. Initially, she led him to a bedroom in the upper half, but with the din of water from the falls, she escorted him to the bowels of the cavernous house.
It was here in Sanria's small study the two spoke and Sanria found out more about Throm than she had known from both the man himself and his son combined. Her discussions in the past day had left her wondering exactly what was going on. Her love that had grown for Throm was the motivating force for ensuring his complete safety. Her fear of change, of absence, of what seemed to be anything that involved truly living, was what left her undecided and worried.
Remus was offered the old master suite, and the story of why it was decorated in green and blue and silks and satins, and the two parted for the night. The following day, she would meet him in Torregiano - after he had acquired a very promising set of armor -and they would follow Ferin north in the hopes of discovering the root of Throm's travel.
Sanria traversed the hall with a look of consternated contemplation, a diametrically opposite pair of emotions, in order to pass her fellow clan members without fear of interruption. In a clan where knowledge is revered, seldom is one bothered when such a look is on ones face. She reached the quiet Anthenaeum and the many tomes which held both ancient and modern maps. It was to her benefit she had asked none where the jail was - her face was red enough knowing it was a short stroll from Market Square. With a few passing nods, Sanria reached the magical passage which gave her access to Market Square. Within moments, she stood before a marble building. It chilled her to be in such a pristine place, and unnerved her a bit more to see the various insignias worn by the guards. Order of Justice.
Passing through the upright and massive girth of the pillars, a door with a brass plaque caught her eye: "Jail." It never seemed to do for any OOJ officer to waste time being superfluous. At the base of the narrow stairwell, the smell of piss and sour milk set up camp within her nostrils. It was dank, it was dark, and the guard looked both irritated, and glad to see her. "Excuse me, where can I find Remus?"
"No visitors." The guard was a large man, who, upon the interruption, stood up - hitching up his pants and sticking out his chest.
"It has been quite some time since I have heard a voice of the fairer sex," a voice called.
"Please... only a moment..."
With a simple nod, Sanria was granted access to the prisoner, and upon reaching him she couldn't contain her dismay. Remus' eyes were bandaged completely over. Indeed, he was rather large man - though rather rough for wear. "Oh this won't do... you can't see?"
"I see that you were gasping in surprise dear lady."
"Lithanus didn't tell me this... it just won't do."
"Lithanus... Lithanus sent you?"
"Yes," Sanria sighed, her head now against the bars of the cell. "Throm is missing."
"Hmm, I should have killed the little bugger when I had the chance. Throm??"
Sanria elaborated on her very, very, very limited amount of knowledge the fact that Throm had left her side and not told her where he was heading. Now, he could be in danger. As they spoke, more information appeared to drop from the sky - as though the man who Remus knew, the father Lithanus knew, and the man Sanria knew – were in fact, three different people altogether. Here, from Remus, she discovered Throm had once been a scout and had had dealings in Vector.
None-the-less, she would not allow her personal worries and misgivings intrude upon what she felt was at the very least, her duty to a dear friend. She did loved Throm and she would absolutely see to his wellbeing. With this in mind, and a polite request for Remus never to mention a thing to Throm, Sanria set about to seduce the guard into an immediate cup of tea.
Reluctantly, the guard rose and Sanria escorted him to the street. "Oh, my dear, I have forgotten my pack. Please... wait here and don't leave," her voice lowered and she leaned in with eyes in full 'come hither' status. "I really do want that cup of tea." Sanria's feet then flew to the desk, the keys, and Remus' cell.
"What's the escape plan?" Sanria gasped and her eyes widened in alarm. This was one part of using feminine wiles that had been excluded. "Your silence says it all. Run!" As though granted by the Gods, the two fled the hall, dodging guards - even the disbelieving face that had been duped into allowing a prison break.
Not in a long time had Sanria really run to the point of exhaustion, but she found her feet flying and her chest threatening to collapse. She was doubly astounded at the fact that a blind man was running through the streets - leading her. She had no idea where they were going until the towers of the uth Bannon mannor came into view. "I've imagined this rout a million times over... not running the entire way mind you but I'll take what I can get."
Grinning, Remus tried the gates. "Details details details." "If you trust me," Sanria spoke between returning breaths, "you can accompany me to my home.""You just sprung me from jail... I have to trust you lady."
After slipping through the streets and the wood, both Remus and Sanria slipped behind the falls and beyond the threshold of her house. Initially, she led him to a bedroom in the upper half, but with the din of water from the falls, she escorted him to the bowels of the cavernous house.
It was here in Sanria's small study the two spoke and Sanria found out more about Throm than she had known from both the man himself and his son combined. Her discussions in the past day had left her wondering exactly what was going on. Her love that had grown for Throm was the motivating force for ensuring his complete safety. Her fear of change, of absence, of what seemed to be anything that involved truly living, was what left her undecided and worried.
Remus was offered the old master suite, and the story of why it was decorated in green and blue and silks and satins, and the two parted for the night. The following day, she would meet him in Torregiano - after he had acquired a very promising set of armor -and they would follow Ferin north in the hopes of discovering the root of Throm's travel.
To the future
Sanria walked through the woods of Haon Dor, listening to the crunch of dirt, sticks, and leaves her feet created with each step. Through her aging mind came flooding years of information and misinformation, good choices and bad. In her life after leaving the grove, she had several exceptional years of bliss and joy... those spent with Thasmudyan. After the seeming lifetime of misery after his death, and return, and "death" - she had found almost by accident someone she felt she could spend the rest of her life with. Now, her thoughts on this were much less steady than her feet passing along the ground. She sat down on a boulder that jutted from the base of a tree and put her head into her hand.
The trip to Paradise Island with Throm was now in the past. When she had risen to find herself alone, she automatically assumed he was perhaps on the island somewhere. After waiting the day, she realized he wasn't. She had gone home without a word from him, but it didn't cause any fear or doubts as it would have years before. Her assumption was that his duties had taken him and he would return soon. Soon she had spoken to Lithanus, a meeting that in her mind, didn't go as well as it could have. Then, she met with him again today.
The boy seemed nonchalant about his father being gone. A fact which irritated Sanria to no end. Lithanus had better things to do than find his father – this after finding out that he had "lost" him. Many other things came to the fore, making Sanria wish she had never left her home in the first place. She simply couldn't understand what deed she had committed to make the realms choose her for punishment again and again. Just when her grasp on life had seemed to solidify, life slipped away in a haze or doubt and teasing despair.
Her body slipped a bit from the boulder, jerking Sanria back to the present. Birds sang and around her could be heard the scampering of small animals. Here was here home and all she wished was at that instant to sink into it and not have to return, but thoughts such as these, she knew, did nothing to help her. She would have to locate this Paxian jail and speak to the Remus, Nathaniel man who apparently would lend a hand since it was for the benefit of Throm.
First, however, she would do something she'd not done in a long time. Licking her lips, she rolled up her sleeve and placed a hand on the trunk of the tree at her side. A warm conduit flowed from her palms and onto the bark, slowly seeping into the tree itself. Her mind flooded with images of densely packed wood as she spoke her question: "Is Throm safe?" The swirling warmth which held her consciousness gradually elevated through the trunk, out to the branches, and into the leaves. She was at this instant, one with the entire forest, and any other living tree that touched it. Her mind traveled from tree to tree, from leaf to leaf, joining with the ancient knowledge of the wood - the irritations ofbeing gnawed by squirrels, the sorrow of being half consumed by fire, even the loss of a dear friend to a woodsman's axe- all these joined with her question and swelled to seek more information. She had only a fleeting answer in the form of irritation at the disruption of the quiet of the forest by an airship heading north. She reached beyond the woods for a moment and by sheer connection of life to life, soul to soul, she knew it was he. Her mind raced back in a manner of seconds through all the leaves and branches of interconnected forests and she wrapped her arms suddenly about the trunk of the tree at her side. Tears coursed down her face as she offered a thanks and attempted to separate her own feelings from those she had acquired in the pursuit of knowledge.
For several minutes, she couldn't move, and Sanria found herself simply dwelling on how she would track Throm. She wanted to start right away, but knowing the ruthless nature of the northern lands, this Remus fellow might be very helpful indeed. From her pack, she took a small whistle, and pierced the air with its song. In response to the high trill, a falcon's call could be heard. Snow-white from tip to tail, Ferin perched above her and cocked his head. "Friend, you will find what you need to know in the thoughts I will send you. Go to him, and be certain you keep watch for my own benefit."
Sanria closed her eyes, linking with the falcon - speaking with him telepathically in a very slow manner, giving to him all she knew from the discourse with the trees. With a long call followed by a few sharp clicks, Ferin flew from his mistress and into the sky beyond. When she had rested fully, she would seek a companion. For now, she lay wondering what she would do when she would meet once more with Throm - the rest of her life hinged on a choice and she was deathly afraid to make it.
The trip to Paradise Island with Throm was now in the past. When she had risen to find herself alone, she automatically assumed he was perhaps on the island somewhere. After waiting the day, she realized he wasn't. She had gone home without a word from him, but it didn't cause any fear or doubts as it would have years before. Her assumption was that his duties had taken him and he would return soon. Soon she had spoken to Lithanus, a meeting that in her mind, didn't go as well as it could have. Then, she met with him again today.
The boy seemed nonchalant about his father being gone. A fact which irritated Sanria to no end. Lithanus had better things to do than find his father – this after finding out that he had "lost" him. Many other things came to the fore, making Sanria wish she had never left her home in the first place. She simply couldn't understand what deed she had committed to make the realms choose her for punishment again and again. Just when her grasp on life had seemed to solidify, life slipped away in a haze or doubt and teasing despair.
Her body slipped a bit from the boulder, jerking Sanria back to the present. Birds sang and around her could be heard the scampering of small animals. Here was here home and all she wished was at that instant to sink into it and not have to return, but thoughts such as these, she knew, did nothing to help her. She would have to locate this Paxian jail and speak to the Remus, Nathaniel man who apparently would lend a hand since it was for the benefit of Throm.
First, however, she would do something she'd not done in a long time. Licking her lips, she rolled up her sleeve and placed a hand on the trunk of the tree at her side. A warm conduit flowed from her palms and onto the bark, slowly seeping into the tree itself. Her mind flooded with images of densely packed wood as she spoke her question: "Is Throm safe?" The swirling warmth which held her consciousness gradually elevated through the trunk, out to the branches, and into the leaves. She was at this instant, one with the entire forest, and any other living tree that touched it. Her mind traveled from tree to tree, from leaf to leaf, joining with the ancient knowledge of the wood - the irritations ofbeing gnawed by squirrels, the sorrow of being half consumed by fire, even the loss of a dear friend to a woodsman's axe- all these joined with her question and swelled to seek more information. She had only a fleeting answer in the form of irritation at the disruption of the quiet of the forest by an airship heading north. She reached beyond the woods for a moment and by sheer connection of life to life, soul to soul, she knew it was he. Her mind raced back in a manner of seconds through all the leaves and branches of interconnected forests and she wrapped her arms suddenly about the trunk of the tree at her side. Tears coursed down her face as she offered a thanks and attempted to separate her own feelings from those she had acquired in the pursuit of knowledge.
For several minutes, she couldn't move, and Sanria found herself simply dwelling on how she would track Throm. She wanted to start right away, but knowing the ruthless nature of the northern lands, this Remus fellow might be very helpful indeed. From her pack, she took a small whistle, and pierced the air with its song. In response to the high trill, a falcon's call could be heard. Snow-white from tip to tail, Ferin perched above her and cocked his head. "Friend, you will find what you need to know in the thoughts I will send you. Go to him, and be certain you keep watch for my own benefit."
Sanria closed her eyes, linking with the falcon - speaking with him telepathically in a very slow manner, giving to him all she knew from the discourse with the trees. With a long call followed by a few sharp clicks, Ferin flew from his mistress and into the sky beyond. When she had rested fully, she would seek a companion. For now, she lay wondering what she would do when she would meet once more with Throm - the rest of her life hinged on a choice and she was deathly afraid to make it.
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