Sanria closed the book and stared at the cover. She sighed heavily and reach- ed out with her mind, "Enmach? Could I speak with you?"
The silvery woman appeared in a moment and gave a small bow. "As you wish."
"Could I ask for your advice?"
"Regarding?"
Here, Sanria hesitated. With a deep breath, she told Enmach everything, and with a saintly patience, the silvery woman listened. At last, when the situa- tion had been relayed, Enmach nodded. "So you have balance when you are here, and chaos when you are at home. If you choose to stay here, you pull apart a family. If you choose to stay there, you are stifled. Why not bring your family here?"
"But... I don't think Colin would be okay. If I leave, he could very well hurt somebody, and I promised him that I wouldn't leave until he was healed."
"I see," Enmach replied thoughtfully. "Have you ever considered you worry too much? That if you weren't so wrapped up in speeding decisions along with regard to Colin, that he would... relax?"
Sanria leaned back with a frown. This consideration had, indeed, escaped her. "No," she replied, "but that doesn't make everything okay. He's scared in a way I've never seen before. Desperate, too. I try to avoid him, hoping that the distance will solve things, but it only-"
"Makes things worse. Tell me," Enmach began, "do you want to be with this other man?"
"We've said we're not marrying again if that's what you mean."
"And you're not interested in being with Colin any longer?"
"Not unless he gets that stuff out of him."
"And then?"
Sanria sighed deeply and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know, truly. He killed someone who was sick. He knew he might. How do I let go of that?"
"Was it this, substance, that caused him to lose his mind?"
"Yes."
"Which would make him sick also as this other woman was?"
"Yes," Sanria answered with a whisper.
"Then, I expect you have deeper thinking to do regarding your motivations. If I could be bold, you don't seem to have a good reason for staying away other than you feel stifled, but if Colin is healed and you seek nothing from this other man..." Enmach paused as Sanria sank a bit into her chair. "It isn't the advice you wanted to hear, is it?"
Sanria looked up with a small smile. She shook her head slowly, unable to speak. "Then," Enmach said, "I will merely advise that you look deeply into yourself, choose with careful, thoughtful consideration, and make a choice that will enable you to continue your work here as a leader, and there as a family member. Provided you take your time, things will work out."
"Thank you," Sanria managed as Enmach vanished once more.
Seeking Balance
Sanria sat in her office and let out a long exhale. The Rilmani had been very gracious to put her up in such a nice place. All her books were here, as were some of theirs. New things to read, new agendas to discuss, but this day found her pensive. Her days had been spent here within the halls of the newly formed Keepers of Balance. She had conducted interviews and met wonderful new people. The troubles that clouded her thoughts were not here. They were at home.
In the span of a mere couple of weeks, Sanria had watched Thasmudyan attempt to heal Colin and nearly kill him. Consequently, in giving Colin CPR, she had lost the baby she was carrying. When Colin woke from his coma, he was devasta- ted, but not so much as when he found out she had gotten back together with Thasmudyan. Then... Thasmudyan had disappeared again. Without him there to anchor her decisions, Colin had grown intense in his pressure. It was as if a desperation had settled over him, and he had no plans in letting go.
Sanria had finally told Colin of her new venture with the Keepers of Balance, and it immediately sent him into waves of panic. "It's too much," and "Don't you think you should be here with your family?" and "You need to balance things here." She had anticipated such resistance, just not with the intensity that Colin had shown. She discussed the possibility of moving out, staying at the castle and sharing the custody of their children in that way, but the bristling of desperation she saw come over Colin's face stalled her from acting on it.
Now, Sanria sat in her office, letting out another sigh. This place was the only freedom she had to be herself, to devote some time to study, without the shadow of Colin following her. Though she told him she wasn't a prisoner in her home, it wasn't the truth.
Sanria got up and walked to her bookshelf, selecting "The Outlands: A retrospective," and returned to her desk. She opened it and began to read, putting a hand on her stomach. For, through being healed by Thasmudyan, Leandra misplacing her Pennyroyal tea, and pressured by Colin, things were almost back to where they had begun. If she didn't do something soon, Sanria also knew that she would be back there as well. She was trying to stick to her principles, but the pressure was growing too much to bear, and Sanria was beginning to cave.
In the span of a mere couple of weeks, Sanria had watched Thasmudyan attempt to heal Colin and nearly kill him. Consequently, in giving Colin CPR, she had lost the baby she was carrying. When Colin woke from his coma, he was devasta- ted, but not so much as when he found out she had gotten back together with Thasmudyan. Then... Thasmudyan had disappeared again. Without him there to anchor her decisions, Colin had grown intense in his pressure. It was as if a desperation had settled over him, and he had no plans in letting go.
Sanria had finally told Colin of her new venture with the Keepers of Balance, and it immediately sent him into waves of panic. "It's too much," and "Don't you think you should be here with your family?" and "You need to balance things here." She had anticipated such resistance, just not with the intensity that Colin had shown. She discussed the possibility of moving out, staying at the castle and sharing the custody of their children in that way, but the bristling of desperation she saw come over Colin's face stalled her from acting on it.
Now, Sanria sat in her office, letting out another sigh. This place was the only freedom she had to be herself, to devote some time to study, without the shadow of Colin following her. Though she told him she wasn't a prisoner in her home, it wasn't the truth.
Sanria got up and walked to her bookshelf, selecting "The Outlands: A retrospective," and returned to her desk. She opened it and began to read, putting a hand on her stomach. For, through being healed by Thasmudyan, Leandra misplacing her Pennyroyal tea, and pressured by Colin, things were almost back to where they had begun. If she didn't do something soon, Sanria also knew that she would be back there as well. She was trying to stick to her principles, but the pressure was growing too much to bear, and Sanria was beginning to cave.
Journey to The Island
*feeling vibration on the floor*
*feeling vibration on the floor*
Demosthenes realized that something is not right, he started to get up from his evening nap to check what he felt something since he has his disadvantage of not being able to hear. He has raised his awareness what was surround him.
He noticed something moving outside of window by mantle. Begans to walk over to investigate something that he had a glimpse what he saw through the window. Indeed, it was Vorcet, I invited him in and wondering why he showed up unexpected but brushed it off as Demosthenes was glad to see him since it has been a while and, also in hoping that Vorcet would explain what he is doing here.
"Sorry for showing up unannounced", said Vorcet. "No, no need to apologize, it is always good to see you, my old friend...what brings you in the town?"
"I have a news to tell you about our discovery, this woman, name Sanria who discovered something and we happened saw each other and she shared this to me and this person name Kineada" said Vorcet.
Demosthenes seems a bit dazed, "What is it? What are you talking about?"
"It is about balance that we both have looked for so long time", Vorcet took his time to breath, "I know its such a short notice, but if you please come with me to Hoan Dor forest and I will explain more on the way." Vorcet smiled, "You will be in for surprised. this is what we both have always hoped for."
Demosthenes paused, "Now, this is very short notice but I am willing to go with you." Demosthenes got everything packed up while wondering what he is in for. Both were ready to leave out the door and start the journey to our hope begins.
After a long journey, both has arrived at Hoan Dor Forest but Demosthenes noticed something that the light is a little off. Vorcet nudged Demosthenes and pointed upward, and Demosthenes looked up and his eyes widen and was in astonishment. Demosthenes said, "Is that a land mass floating up in the sky?"
"Indeed", nodded Vorcet, "We are here now, we have to go up there". Vorcet utters the words, 'yrl' as he casted on Demosthenes and his feet has begin to rise.
"Now, lets fly toward the 'floating island' as they called it for now", Vorcet grinned, "you'll meet two people that we were in this together"
Both flew off the ground toward to the island and landed on the island, and it opened Demosthenes's eyes and realized how beautiful the view was at the edge of the island. They begin to walk through the island.
Their journey has come to the end soon. Demosthenes cant help but wonder what he is in for as Vorcet mentioned that there are hopes for us.
"Look Demosthenes, they need you, and I think you would be a great fit for Keepers of Balance that I have been telling you about" said Vorcet. "You need to meet Sanria and Kineada and when you see them, tell them that I sent for you, and remember what I said all the details about the Keepers of Balance. It is a perfect opportunity for you that we both had hoped for" as Vorcet tried to encourage Demosthenes. Vorcet pointed at the path toward to the Castle, "this is where you will find your opportunity to be one of us."
Demosthenes nodded in agreement, "I will meet them and I hope this will be a good future for us" Demosthenes walked toward the path that points to the Castle.....
*feeling vibration on the floor*
Demosthenes realized that something is not right, he started to get up from his evening nap to check what he felt something since he has his disadvantage of not being able to hear. He has raised his awareness what was surround him.
He noticed something moving outside of window by mantle. Begans to walk over to investigate something that he had a glimpse what he saw through the window. Indeed, it was Vorcet, I invited him in and wondering why he showed up unexpected but brushed it off as Demosthenes was glad to see him since it has been a while and, also in hoping that Vorcet would explain what he is doing here.
"Sorry for showing up unannounced", said Vorcet. "No, no need to apologize, it is always good to see you, my old friend...what brings you in the town?"
"I have a news to tell you about our discovery, this woman, name Sanria who discovered something and we happened saw each other and she shared this to me and this person name Kineada" said Vorcet.
Demosthenes seems a bit dazed, "What is it? What are you talking about?"
"It is about balance that we both have looked for so long time", Vorcet took his time to breath, "I know its such a short notice, but if you please come with me to Hoan Dor forest and I will explain more on the way." Vorcet smiled, "You will be in for surprised. this is what we both have always hoped for."
Demosthenes paused, "Now, this is very short notice but I am willing to go with you." Demosthenes got everything packed up while wondering what he is in for. Both were ready to leave out the door and start the journey to our hope begins.
After a long journey, both has arrived at Hoan Dor Forest but Demosthenes noticed something that the light is a little off. Vorcet nudged Demosthenes and pointed upward, and Demosthenes looked up and his eyes widen and was in astonishment. Demosthenes said, "Is that a land mass floating up in the sky?"
"Indeed", nodded Vorcet, "We are here now, we have to go up there". Vorcet utters the words, 'yrl' as he casted on Demosthenes and his feet has begin to rise.
"Now, lets fly toward the 'floating island' as they called it for now", Vorcet grinned, "you'll meet two people that we were in this together"
Both flew off the ground toward to the island and landed on the island, and it opened Demosthenes's eyes and realized how beautiful the view was at the edge of the island. They begin to walk through the island.
Their journey has come to the end soon. Demosthenes cant help but wonder what he is in for as Vorcet mentioned that there are hopes for us.
"Look Demosthenes, they need you, and I think you would be a great fit for Keepers of Balance that I have been telling you about" said Vorcet. "You need to meet Sanria and Kineada and when you see them, tell them that I sent for you, and remember what I said all the details about the Keepers of Balance. It is a perfect opportunity for you that we both had hoped for" as Vorcet tried to encourage Demosthenes. Vorcet pointed at the path toward to the Castle, "this is where you will find your opportunity to be one of us."
Demosthenes nodded in agreement, "I will meet them and I hope this will be a good future for us" Demosthenes walked toward the path that points to the Castle.....
An Announcement, Of Sorts
With a grunt, Kineada wrenched his katana free of the corpse it had just laid to rest. Wrinkling his nose, he looked about for something to wipe the bloody remains of the foul creature just slain from the blade.
Powerful magicks had been consumed in order to accomplish killing the beast Tchazzar and her guardians, not to mention the foul Tielmon before that, but by his estimation it was an expenditure of energies well worth it. Besides, if...no...WHEN the Gods returned, he was fairly certain he could sweet-talk Sune into replacing some of the trinkets whose magic he had used up in order to defeat these creatures on his own. It was also the last time he intended to use magic as a crutch...it was time to re-develop his swordsman skills, hence, his desire to form the Order of the Sword within the larger scope of the Keepers of Balance.
After casting a dweomer on the giant corpses to preserve them, Kineada started rummaging through his bag for the various spell components he would need to teleport them all to his destination.
"We need to announce our presence," Sanria had said to him, or some wording to that affect. Of course, with all the work she and Vorcet were doing to prepare the Keeper's Hall, it fell upon Kineada to figure out some sort of suitable 'announcement' for the denizens of the Realms that the Keepers of Balance were now accepting into their fold beings of a like mind.
"Well, if this doesn't get their attention," Kineada muttered to himself, "I have no idea what will..."
Market Square was soon to have a few more inhabitants, albiet lifeless ones, courtesy of the Keepers of Balance.
Powerful magicks had been consumed in order to accomplish killing the beast Tchazzar and her guardians, not to mention the foul Tielmon before that, but by his estimation it was an expenditure of energies well worth it. Besides, if...no...WHEN the Gods returned, he was fairly certain he could sweet-talk Sune into replacing some of the trinkets whose magic he had used up in order to defeat these creatures on his own. It was also the last time he intended to use magic as a crutch...it was time to re-develop his swordsman skills, hence, his desire to form the Order of the Sword within the larger scope of the Keepers of Balance.
After casting a dweomer on the giant corpses to preserve them, Kineada started rummaging through his bag for the various spell components he would need to teleport them all to his destination.
"We need to announce our presence," Sanria had said to him, or some wording to that affect. Of course, with all the work she and Vorcet were doing to prepare the Keeper's Hall, it fell upon Kineada to figure out some sort of suitable 'announcement' for the denizens of the Realms that the Keepers of Balance were now accepting into their fold beings of a like mind.
"Well, if this doesn't get their attention," Kineada muttered to himself, "I have no idea what will..."
Market Square was soon to have a few more inhabitants, albiet lifeless ones, courtesy of the Keepers of Balance.
Bloody sorrow for a RadiantHeart III
The air in the small cabin grew cold and still, a stark contrast to the heat previously felt indoors. Narveen screamed and tried to run, coming to a screeching halt as Maya's calm quiet voice entered her head. "He is bleeding, one more step I'll cut his throat, and the throats of your children. I advise you to come back here please.. " Gerald thinking he could reason with the woman, encouraged Narveen to return, after all he negotiated with insane people every day, it was one of his biggest tasks as a Guard for the Radiant Heart. "It's ok Narveen, remember, the lady just wanted to leave a message, Thats a dear, Everything will be ok, if we just do as she asks". Gerald was frantically contemplating why he could not defy her, he was a guard, her just a small frail woman, she must be a sorcerer! "Now, as I suggested, Nail her to the floor please" Maya stated simply, not offering room for negotiation, His eyes burning, blinding him momentarily with his building tears, Gerald knelt down alongside his kneeling wife, who was now placing her hands and knees on the floor. "I'll do it as quickly as possible Narveen, just be strong and think of your children, of your loves and dreams, pray Narveen, it will be over soon, and the healers will aid you" He whispered desperately in her ear, Thinking of the children and what this mad woman had threatened, Gerald took hold of the spike, and with the offered mallet, drove the spike into the fleshy spot behind the back of Narveens knee, and into the wooden floor. She screamed, the scream was a strangling gurgle, almost a wail, it sounded like one of the horns coming from the ships out at sea. A piece of him died inside. Another nail was driven into his hands. After a pain staking few minutes, sobbing quietly, and broken, nailed like a disfigured statue, Narveen was pinned to the floor. Still another nail extended, he looked up questioningly. "Your turn Gerald. " The woman wasnt smiling, her eyes were also emotionless, she moved now to position her blade at Narveens throat, and waited as patiently as one could. "Oh the gods Please you dont have to do this... Please, What do you want? You can have everything we have, just please spare my family? " Digging the point of her blade in deep enough to draw blood on Narveens throat, Maya just waited, saying nothing else, as with as much willpower as possible, Gerald nailed his hand to the floor, before Maya finally drove the final three nails home herself. "I think this should be a family affair.... Wait here.. " A sneering chuckle of amusement "while I go and get the children. "
Bloody Sorrow from a RadiantHeart II
Maya stood looking down from the ledge that ran the walls of the building just below the roof, she had been sitting here for hours, her patience unwavering, the blood had stopped circulating through her legs hours ago but still she waited and would continue to wait for hours more yet. She pondered if these particular tasks were left for her because of her tolerence for flitting by time or if it was because of her abilities, she didn't know, if it meant she was allowed to have her freedom, her peace, her time as shehe chose it, mostly, then she didnt want to know. Maya enjoyed death, what it presented, what it meant to her and that was reward enough. It had been only 5 hours, since the guard her and her halfling friend disposed of had been found, leaving her somewhat dissapointed she couldnt see the reaction their masterpiece had caused, however she was sure in due time, she would. At that moment in her thought, a trumpet split the air as below her, foot soldiers began leaving the compound in formation heading in to town, opening the window with as much quiet as s he could muster Maya dissapeared from the buildings ledge inside the building itself. Here she would wait out the day in solace, for tonight, she would be doing one for herself, tonight she was going to savour the death she caused, harness that passion, she was going to continue with her work, and if that tattered group of do gooders didn't get the message a few hours ago, They will this time.
The light extinguished and the door closed, both Naveen and her husband leant briefly against the wall, smiling to one another, their kids soon to slumber from just being tucked in, they held hands and left the hall to retire into the living area. "Tea love? " he asked as she flopped bodily into the frayed chair and nodded, fixing her a cup he handed it to her, and went to make sure the cabbins small door was bolted over before they retired, as he approached the door, his own tea cup fell to the floor with a shatter, and he leant to the coat rack reaching for his sword to release it from his scabbard, but he never had the time to grab it, inside the door was a woman, her hair scraggly and brown, her barely covered skin pale in the moonlight and he was powerless to move. A blade appearing at his throat, held tightly in her hand, pressed to his throat, urging him back into the living room. "Who are you, and what do you want with us?" The husband asked as the woman stopped ushering him back. "Who I am does not matter, Who you are Gerald does, who you work for Gerald, does, all you need know is I'm here to leave a message" the woman hissed. "Now, take these here Gerald, thats a man, don't falter now Gerald, or I'm going to kill your wif e....... Good Man Gerald.. " Maya smiled and handed him 4 large mining cart rail spikes from her cloak pocket. "Now Gerald, instruct your wife to kneel down here please, your going to nail her to the floor.... "
The light extinguished and the door closed, both Naveen and her husband leant briefly against the wall, smiling to one another, their kids soon to slumber from just being tucked in, they held hands and left the hall to retire into the living area. "Tea love? " he asked as she flopped bodily into the frayed chair and nodded, fixing her a cup he handed it to her, and went to make sure the cabbins small door was bolted over before they retired, as he approached the door, his own tea cup fell to the floor with a shatter, and he leant to the coat rack reaching for his sword to release it from his scabbard, but he never had the time to grab it, inside the door was a woman, her hair scraggly and brown, her barely covered skin pale in the moonlight and he was powerless to move. A blade appearing at his throat, held tightly in her hand, pressed to his throat, urging him back into the living room. "Who are you, and what do you want with us?" The husband asked as the woman stopped ushering him back. "Who I am does not matter, Who you are Gerald does, who you work for Gerald, does, all you need know is I'm here to leave a message" the woman hissed. "Now, take these here Gerald, thats a man, don't falter now Gerald, or I'm going to kill your wif e....... Good Man Gerald.. " Maya smiled and handed him 4 large mining cart rail spikes from her cloak pocket. "Now Gerald, instruct your wife to kneel down here please, your going to nail her to the floor.... "
The Fountain runs Red
The day was warm, it was going to be unusually stiffling. If there was anything Abraxus hated more then anything it was feeling stifled. Ah the birds are singing, the paperboy is calling out his news, its a horrible sound.. A happy market place, laughing children, the world doing its thing in rotation. An ear splitting scream? No... I'm hearing things. No there it is again. That sound I can appreciate, cherrish, that sound is like a golden harp playing out its last serenade.. Perfect and beautiful. Before Abraxus even knew it, she was running, picking her way deftly through the chorus of astounded market goers, travelling the mere few hundred feet to her destination The commotion was endless, vendors were slamming closed doors and boxes on the wares, the towns Militia was flooding the area, and amid it all that scream, piercing, oblittering its way into all calm sensibilities. A woman clutched her head in her hands, her clothes dirty from the dust floating its way around the market place, and she was histerical, following her gaze and anguish Abraxus couldn't help but smile, there strung up against the fountain for the world to see a harsh glimmer in the light, as soon as the glare passed Abraxus was able to see, her heart stopping a moment pure appreciation at the devotion taken, was shredded chainmail, soaked in blood, the mutilated corpse of a Radiant Heart Guard, turning on her heel she exited the town center to return home, eagerly interested in what this might mean for her.
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