Topic: Briarius' Sabbatical

Briarius · Date: 2007-06-27 16:59 EST

The portal on Exodii shimmered to life as a lone figure came through. The person (it was difficult to tell if it were a man or a woman) only carried a walking stick and a backpack. Upon entering Exodii, the person was scanned. Scanners indicated that the man had no weapons on him and had no magick to wield. He seemed like just another vagabond or nomad. After a few questions about what business he had, he was not deemed a threat.

The Headmaster made his way towards the city gates and as he walked past the divinity statues, he stopped at one. He gazed up at the the statue of Sharilis, Goddess of Magick. A small sigh could be heard as he continued his journey out the southern gates of the city.

Shauri · Date: 2007-06-28 17:38 EST

For a brief moment, an emerald hue sparked in the statue's eyes. He could feel it, Sharalis would be watching over him, wether he wanted her to or not.

Briarius · Date: 2007-07-09 15:31 EST

The Headmaster walked a long time heading for the small sea east of the city. Night fell as he approached the Elven City on the sea's shore. He made his way south, avoiding the city, along the sea's shore. After walking well into the night, he bed down in a secluded area near the sea. The elven ghostlights still visible on the horizon. He foraged for some roots and whatnot and built a fire. After the fire was nice and hot, he put a pot of water, roots, and some ingredients he brought from the Academy. After about an hour, the soup was ready. He ate the bland, but nourishing soup as he stared into the lights on the horizon and the stars above him.

Shauri · Date: 2007-07-13 15:55 EST

As he stared up into the sky at the stars, he would notice just a few clouds forming in the southwestern sky, heading towards the northeast. It was possible it might rain on him sometime during the course of the night. It was also possible it wouldn't. Directly up above, the sky was clear and for a moment so brief it looked like a cluster of stars in the shape of an eye, all seemed to wink in tandem making it look like the eye shape actually winked. After that, it was random intervals blinking and the eye shape seemed to be lost. A pack of wolves was heard in the distance a few miles away, and a night owl hooted in the trees nearby. It was just another peaceful night along the shores to the Sea of Life.

Briarius · Date: 2007-07-23 07:58 EST

The Headmaster thought for an hour or so more and then began to meditate. He knew he would be crossing through the anti-magick area tomorrow. Just as the light of day was beginning to spill over the horizon, the Headmaster packed his belongings (which only amounted to clothes for his return to the Academy and a blanket as he only had one day's worth of rations and no tent) and began to move. He didn't need to discharge any magicks this morning as he did not focus on his study long enough. It was the beginning to another powerless day for the Headmaster. He absently felt for the small dagger at his belt and clutched the stout wooden walking stick he had as they were the only defense he had in this strange land.
It wasn't long before he reached the anti_magick area. It almost smelled of death to the Headmaster, but he passed into it. He was out again in no time as it was very thin where he was passing. After about half a day of travel, he spotted a small hut on the sea's shore. There was a fishing boat tied near the shore. He went due south for an hour or so and then found a clearing to camp in. Tomorrow, he would allow himself one spell and only one spell. Hunger ripped at him and he pushed it aside.

Shauri · Date: 2007-07-23 18:49 EST

Mountainous region seemed to turn into foothills and taper off to grass lands as the river and the anti magic zone fell together, seeming to flow east dumping out into the sea. By the time Briarius came to the place where the hut sat along the shore, there were lush forests visible in the distance to the south and southeast.

It was on the edge of this forest where he made camp. As he looked around, he would see deer trails leading into the forest, and a heard of antelope grazed the grasslands north along the forest while the sun began to set. In the distance, a lion chased down one of the antelope. The great cat would eat well tonight.

Along the deer trails near the camp, strawberry plants dotted along the sides and several bushes of boysenberries held their fruits ripe not far from the path. Sparsely strewn were a few apple trees, though the fruits were not yet ripe. Grandma's pies would welcome these. There was one old tree not too far away, perhaps a mere thirty yards from the Headmaster's camp. The tree had obviously seen better days and was otherwise dying save for the buzz of bees coming from the hollow within. It was sure to hold a mass of honey.

Something else was in the forests besides the birds, bees, antelope, deer, lions and the sound of the wind through the leaves ... distantly, there was the sound of laughter coming from within the trees. Someone else, more like two or three were in the forest not too far away.

Briarius · Date: 2007-07-29 23:12 EST

The Headmaster gathered up some of the fruit to make a meager fruit salad to quell the hunger. As he ate the fruit, he heard the voices. He put on his cloak and moved silently into the woods. He followed the noise to it's source.

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-02 21:47 EST

The deer trail forked, one leading westward along the treeline and the other went deeper into the forest. The voices came from the latter direction. This trail led on and quickly the ground became hilly, leading down and to a more sparsely forested area, more of a glen with a small pond at the bottom. A brook meandered from the other side of the glen, feeding the pond.

Splashing noises were heard as three females were bathing. Their bronzed tones and coppery hair glistened in the setting sun. Upon closer inspection, it became clear they were wood elves. Their deerskin clothing were set upon the shore near where the brook fed into the pond. With as quiet as Briarius was, they didn't notice him right away. The three were busy splashing each other and playing some sort of tag that kept score.

However, the one hidden in the trees had noticed the movement approaching and held bow up slowly pulling back on the string as the tension caused a slight creek. It was cocked and ready, aim upon Briarius as the headmaster was being watched very closely for any signs of agression or foulness.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-07 21:50 EST

Upon seeing the women, the Headmaster averted his eyes. Moving slowly, he moved away, not wanting to disturb the young women.

The Headmaster simply walked away from the scene. It was not his place.

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-08 18:14 EST

The creek of the bow indicated the reversal of tension upon the string, though the gaze remained on the headmaster until he was out of sight. Several minutes later as Briarius was meandering on his way through the forest, he noticed the shadow of a tree seemed to move oddly and out stepped a figure, presumably male. The figure wore leather pants, soft leather boots, and a cloak with a hood covering the facial features. A long composite bow was slung over the shoulder and a quiver of arrows was readily handy. The figure didn't seem to be threatening, rather stood there casually leaning against the tree just stepped from.

"These paths are rarely traveled by anyone. They are under our protection. I must ask... why do you travel them?"

The voice was definitely feminine though it carried with it a flare of authority in sable tones of velvet.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-08 22:58 EST

"I am but a simple pilgrim trying to find my way."

The Headmaster bowed.

"I am Briarius and I do not wish to intrude upon your lands. I was merely passing through."

He removed his hood and pulled back his cloak to show he was not carrying any weapons nor was he hiding anything.

"I was going to make camp near the shore and use my magicks to make a duplicate of the boat moored there so that I may make my way to the island in the Sea of Life."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-09 17:25 EST

A soft laugh escaped.

"The Island? there are several out there, though... if you speak of the big one, some call it The Hammer, you'll need a bigger boat if you hope to make it across the sea. I presume you speak of the boat moored directly north by the cottage? When storms brew, and they do unexpectedly, anything smaller then a ship gets swallowed whole. You will not make it alive in that thing. In exchange for the kind consideration you showed to the daughters of our leader.. I can help you gain passage that way."

The hood was removed revealing deep emerald hues, bronze toned skin, features of a wood elf marked with traditional tattoos, small spirals round the edge of her face, across her forehead and down partway of her nose. The swirls growing larger down around her neck. Her face was of a harsh beauty, one that had seen battles in her life. Her hair was long, dark coppery locks pulled back into a french braid. A gracious bow of her head was given, acknowledging his introduction.

"I am Jalektarnylith, First daughter of Harlnor who is the Personal guard of Chief Chetchenheth, the leader of our people. We are the Wood elves who rule the northern part of this great forest. I am one of the personal guards to his daughters. Our people trade often with the city to the south. There are ships that leave from there to travel to other cities. Perhaps one of them will take you there. But that boat on the shore... You'll die. I can escort you to the city and introduce you to the people we trade with. If you can wait a day or two... we were going there anyway, Briarius."

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-09 19:10 EST

This was definitely a test of his resolve. He could easily use his magicks to protect him, but he said he would make this journey without them. By accepting this offer, he also did not need to allow himself one spell the next day.

The Headmaster nodded.

"Your hospitality humbles me Lady Jalektarnylith. It would be rude and improper for me to refuse."

The Headmaster smiled a bit.

"My humble talents are at your disposal."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-09 21:53 EST

"You may call me Jalek."

She returned the smile then pointed down a barely visible path, one just recently made.

"The path is this way."

The path lead through the forest and brought them among some of the largest trees for miles. The trees were a deep dark purple, the leaves almost big enough to use as blankets and the trunks were as wide as two or three wagons end to end. About a mile or so from where they'd been, Jalek came to a stop.

"The way is here..."

She pointed to a dark outline of vines running in a spiral up and around the tree. The vines seemed to form a stairway up. Their homes were literally in the trees and so well crafted, even knowing it was difficult to make out that they were homes atop, around and in it.

The steps went up thirty feet to a natural opening where inside was like a living room with stairs leading both up and down. There was a bed along the side, a table and a few chairs.

"You may sleep here tonight. Do you have any questions?"

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-09 21:55 EST

"Is there anything I can do to repay this hospitality?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-09 22:00 EST

"Repay? No. There is no need. You were travelling alone and showed courtesy. I figure it is we who wish to thank you."

She smiled, but she had her motive, if only to keep the potential enemy closer until she determined without doubt that he was no longer that threat. No one travelled alone and usually not in their lands. It was rare that anyone did so. She would keep an eye on him. And if he was harmless, then she would've saved him from harm. The woods could be quite cruel at knight.That was her logic.

"Are you hungry? I should like to hear more about you while we eat..."

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-09 22:30 EST

"I could eat if you have food to spare."

He was not going to impose, but he also wasn't going to be rude. He knew he was being sized up for something, but he wasn't certain of the purpose. Years of being a diplomat taught him how to read people.

"As far as hearing about me, I am but a pilgrim who is seeking something in his life."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-11 11:28 EST

Jalek tilted her head slightly, looking at him differently. Then she moved over by the stairs and pulled gently on a rope several times. There was no sound but it signaled something in the way and rhythm of how it was pulled. Turning round, she motioned to the chairs around the small table and moved to sit in one herself.

"A quest of enlightenment? Somehow I do not believe you are just a simple pilgrim... I have yet to meet one who was."

Her smile seemed to warm.

"I will tell a little of me. I was born in this tree, way atop is where my family lives. I have lived here all my life as have my family for thousands of years. Even through the Apocalypse ... There was a great change in the lands that occurred when I was younger. I'm sure you might remember it?"

There she paused, gauging his reaction.

"We don't know much about it except that the gods tore apart the lands and rearranged them unexpectedly. Nothing was foretold or interpreted as such. The sea just north of us wasn't always there, or perhaps our forest wasn't always here. We still seek wisdom on why it happened though we have mostly focused on what things are now. Our forests have actually been dwindled to almost half by this change. We know strange and great magics are to the northwest but we are unfamiliar to the people. Strange things have been happening there that we don't understand.... Things of metal and unnatural materials that move and speak, fly and wield their own strange magic."

She paused as a girl came down the steps carrying a tray of bread, fruits and vegetables and a few different spreads for each. She set the tray on the table along with a pitcher of apple juice and mugs.

"Thank you Elyana."

The girl nodded, looked curiously at Briarius and then darted back up the stairs. Jalek motioned Briarius to eat and then poured them both some juice.

"The southern city actually used to be much further from us. Our people have always traded with them. But they used to be north and now they are southeast and by a body of water that is now called the Sea of Life. They sent ships out and some trades have been established over the years with some of the eastern paths. They, like us, seem to be at a loss for what happened to the lands. So you see, we are all pilgrims trying to find our ways... and something in our lives. I have told you much of myself and our people. You are not of an elven race that I have ever seen. Surely there is more to you then a simple pilgrim?"

Taking a piece of bread, she placed some of the creamy spread on it and took a bite, chewing slowly while she watched Briarius.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-11 12:07 EST

Reaching back into the recesses of his memories, Briarius looked for the proper diplomacy. He then nodded to his host and drank some of the juice and broke himself a piece of bread that was slightly smaller than hers.

"Much has happened to your world...and you are very astute. I am not an elf of these lands, nor am I an elf by birth. Due to many life circumstances, I went from half-elven archmage to an elven sorcerer. I have traveled far and lost much. I am here to see if I cannot find something more to myself.

The new magick to the north is known as science. It takes the wonder and mystery of the old ways and explains them in a way everyone can understand. Thus it uses the fundamentals of the natural order and not of the arcane or divine. It cannot be affected in the same manner as traditional magicks, but is wondrous none the less. If you wish me to introduce your people to the northerners, I would be willing to do so."

The Headmaster ate some bread and smiled in appreciation for the food.

"To be honest, I am not, nor are my life's events, simple. That is what I felt was clouding my way. I reduced everything I could away to find something of myself. I even have denied myself of most of my own magicks for this time. I wanted to clear these conveniences away and see what would happen. I suppose that I felt a certain degree of safety here in Exodii..."

He let that thought stop before it came to fruition. No need frightening these people with talk of being related to the divine royal family of the north or being once married to one of the world's goddesses.

"...because it is more serene than the bustling RhyDin that I am used to."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-12 22:01 EST

"Exodii... RhyDin... these are names unfamiliar to us. Though your explanation of this... science explains much. We wondered why magic seemed to stop when traveling that way. It is why we never went up there all the way. We knew others were that way, but no matter what route we took, we all felt our magic ... die. That is, until we turned around and came home. We took that as a sign to stay away."

She moved the tray of food closer to him.

"Is this why they have developed this.. science, because of the lack of magic? I think we would be interested to meet these people, after your quest is completed, of course. To deny yourself of magic... this must be important to you to find something of yourself. This reminds me of something my grandfather used to tell me... in all things, moderation. You may just find more then you expected."

She smiled fondly.

"So where are you from? This RhyDin you spoke of? or Exodii? You confuse me for these are the lands of Secak...."

Part of her believed this, and part did not. For her, it was hard to tell what was what anymore. She remembered the sky from her childhood with a glow, not points of light from above. Things were different, that much she knew. She just didn't understand the why.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-13 08:50 EST

He took the hint and ate some more of the food.

"Exodii is a large city-state inside that ring of dead magick. I assure you that it is merely a ring. If you were to press through, your magick would return. RhyDin is a large city-state that exists on another planet. There are magickal gateways linking the two.

As far as denying myself of my magicks, I wanted to prove that I am not dependent upon them. To prove that this old elf could make his way without major sorcery or any sorcery if possible.

I originally come from a land that no longer exists. It is dead and gone."

He ended the last statement with a distinct sense of finality.

"Are you certain there is nothing I can do to repay this hospitality?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-13 19:35 EST

Jalek leaned forward, resting an arm upon the table while her other hand plucked a colassal sized grape from the bunch. She rolled it round between her fingers for a moment before dipping it into the sweet creamy spread and plopping the morsel into her mouth. It was obvious she was partial to it as she savoured the flavor while listening to him. She would've asked more of his home, but she took the hint of finality to mean he didn't wish to speak of it. She was respectufully silent a moment instead.

Her gaze briefly glanced across the room as if something down the stairs caught her attention, though there was no movement, no noise, nothing that would indicate a reason. Her head tilted ever so slightly as if she were thinking, or listening. The later is what occured, hearing the voice of her leader in her mind as he was listening and communicating to her by magical means. Others were also guaging Briarius by other magical means. Her gaze returned to Briarius.

"Our leader will be pleased to recieve this information you've given. He will also be thankful for your help to introduce us to the northern people of.. Exodii. I suppose in that, it can be a sense of repayment for you if that is what you desire to do? Payment is not necessary, though. We will help you to the southern city, a place called Tanarix, were we can introduce you to those who can provide you passage across the sea. Perhaps you would be interested in a travelling companion on your quest?"

Yes, she was offering to go with him the entire way. It was not offered lightly, but was obvious by the strong determination and compelling intensity in her gaze. There was something else there, too.. a deep curiosity and a discomfort for lack of knowing... the question blurted before she could stop herself.

"By the way, what's a planet?"

She just didn't know what one was. She didn't know what the Sun was called, or the stars and moons... they were called something else to her.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-14 07:26 EST

The Headmaster looked to her in puzzlement. He felt the scrying and began to grow paranoid. Why would she want to go with him this whole way? Afraid he could not take care of himself? Afraid his purposes were more sinister? Or was there something else?

His quickly darkening disposition gave way to academic amusement when she asked her question. He smirked a bit.

"The lands of Secak that you know along with more land comprise the planet of Secak. The fascinating part, for me, in this is that the native of Exodii and your people, both call the planet Secak even though you are completely isolated from one another."

The Headmaster paused.

"Tell me more about your people...about how the world was created and the gods that you serve."

The Headmaster realized all at once that he may be about to ruin the culture by revealing too much learning. He listened for her explanation of the world first. Before she began, he did add one small piece of information.

"Among most people in other cultures, it is considered rude to use magicks on someone without permission. I understand your diviners are merely assessing my nature, but it was just a lesson for when you meet the northerners."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-15 18:18 EST

The mild confusion with a blanket of curiousity was prounounced even more in Jalek as Briarius seemed to try and explain the part about planets. She didn't call the planet Secak, she said the lands were Secak and she was confused because he was so confusing and not really explaining what a planet was... In other words, the dumbfounded expression was there the whole time. She was about to open her mouth and speak when he interrupted her from answering his question.

The Headmaster realized all at once that he may be about to ruin the culture by revealing too much learning. He listened for her explanation of the world first. Before she began, he did add one small piece of information.

"Among most people in other cultures, it is considered rude to use magicks on someone without permission. I understand your diviners are merely assessing my nature, but it was just a lesson for when you meet the northerners."

This really dumbfounded her. Between that and what the leader was speeling off about in her mind, she looked like she was about to face a major world war or something. Her gaze darted to glare at the steps.

"Okay.. Okay.. Okay! Enough! Uncle Chet, would you please come up here. This isn't working."

But then those dark eyes shifted on Briarius, gone was the dumbfoundedness replaced by a harsh, cold expression. Her voice was firm.

"Nobody was putting any magic on you. How dare you accuse us of doing such a thing. You assume too much. They were merely assessing things through our Godess, which wasn't any of your concern. We have every right and need no permission from anyone to commune with her. And it's rude to ask a question and then interrupt the speaker, especially before they've had time to breathe. I'm told that OUr Goddess also says you misrepresent most people of other cultures.... including the Northerners for you are not even of their city, Exodii. Can you deny that?"

She stood at that point as a short and frail figure came up the steps, proceeded and followed by two guards. The figure was wearing elegant robes adorned in gold and mithril. A simple crown laurel and emeralds lay atop his black hair. His skin wasn't bronzed but a pale version of the color. He seemed gaunt and sickly, as if he'd been sick all his life. His eyes were a light blue, like ice and just as piercing.

Jalek knelt part way with a bow of her head, then stood back up indicating with a sweep of her hand thier leader.

"May I present Chief Chetchenheth. Chief, this is Briarius... a travelor from another place called ... "

"RhyDin, Yes I gathered. You've done well, Jalek. We'll have to practice more for next time." Chet's features were not amused, nor did they seem angered, but his eyes were peircing and his voice controlled. "So you are not of this Exodii. I will assume you know someone.. someone important there. Your business is your own and you may stay the night. Tomorrow, Jalek will escort you to the city and deliver a letter of introduction for you that will help you get passage on a ship. Then she will return here. You.. we will wish luck on your ... much needed sojourn. Paranoia and diplomacy rarely go well together. We thank you for your information and will press on by our own means to the north. Any questions?"

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-16 10:08 EST

Briarius bowed respectfully and sincerely. In fact, all of his words seemed very sincere and calm.

"Your Grace, I did not mean to cause bad blood. I am a scholar by trade and sometimes my dry academic aloofness overrides my diplomatic abilities. I am not of Exodii City nor did I ever claim to be. I do have relations there. In no way are my actions reflective upon them. I do not represent them nor do my actions mean anything from them. I would like to humbly apologize to you and the Lady Jalektarnylith for I did not mean to cause any harm. I have the gift of sensing magicks and when you commune with Your Most benevolent goddess, it appears to me as if magicks are being used. I did not mean to accuse, merely to inform. I am a teacher, not a fighter.

As to my relations in Exodii City, I am related by marriage to Sha'uri of the Woodshadow Clan. Sha'uri is the daughter of my ex-wife Sharilis, and Pyriathin. I was Sharilis' first husband.

Again, I apologize for my impudent behavior and wish to atone for my crimes against your people."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-16 17:17 EST

Jalek looked exceptionally disappointed, though that somber expression wasn't for Briarius. She was looking at her uncle, who held up his hand gently to quell any comment from her lips.

The Chief's gaze was on Briarius as he studied the Headmaster with those peircing blue eyes. He seemed surprised of the names spoken and satisfied of something else and nodded.

"Crimes? You have committed no crime. I see, though, that you speak truthfully. You are also the second person that has mentioned these Woodshadows... Again, I thank you for your information. Your explanation is also appreciated. We will endeavor to contact these Woodshadows if you are willing to write up a letter of recommendation? Just as we will write one for you..."

Obviously, the Chief was Chief for a very good reason. He knew Diplomacy and its games. His gaze shifted to Jalek and his gaze softened. Hers seemed to plead. His softened more and he sighed.

"Very well. If he so wishes it, I will allow it. Briarius, would you be willing to have a travelling companion? Jalek has a quest as well. It is one that I was hoping would wait but... If you feel it would be all right with you, she would like to journey with you on your quest."

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-16 17:44 EST

The Headmaster nodded in acknowledgment to the letter.

"I would most assuredly pen such a letter, Your Grace.

Would you please tell me the nature of her quest?

Additionally, I cannot help but note that you may not enjoy optimal health. Would you allow me to attempt to heal whatever sickness ails you?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-17 22:23 EST

Jalek beamed with a smile, but kept to her place. The chief smiled gently to Briarius.

"Sickness... if it were only that easy. No, my ailment is a curse that cannot be so easily broken. They have tried, others have tried, but it seems locked to follow a course. I would not trouble you with such things right now. It would be best to let the curse alone. As for her quest, that is something for her to reveal at the right time, and I trust her instincts. I truly am not allowed to say more then this, and hope you will accept that. Will you allow her to go with you?"

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-19 00:34 EST

"I understand and respect the ways of your people. I will welcome the accompaniment."

The Chief had no idea that at the mentioning of curse, it awoke the academic curiosity in the Headmaster.

"A curse you say? How long ago was this curse placed...and by whom?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-21 15:31 EST

The Chief merely smiled.
"Perhaps for another time.. now, though, I think rest is in order. You have a long journey ahead of you. I will bid you a fair night."
The Chief bowed his head respectfully and then made his way up the stairs...

Jalek watched her uncle depart, then shifted her sad gaze back to Briarius, though she tried to put back the smile she'd had only moments before.

"He's right. It'll be a long journey for the next couple of days. We'll be walking from sun up to sunset both days to get there. Although, we could teleport there if you wish."

Somehow she didn't seem to keen on that idea, though she tried to hide that, too, out of politeness.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-21 15:35 EST

The Headmaster realized he may have been stepping out of bounds inquiring so fervently about he curse when he had realized what was said.

"Teleporting would be easy, but it would violate the self-imposed limitations I have placed on myself. Walking would be fine."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-21 15:50 EST

She sighed quietly, though it was apparently one of relief.

"Then I will leave you to rest. No one will bother you here. I will be up on the next level should you need anything. Otherwise I will meet you here in the morning before dawn. Is there anything you might need before then?"

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-21 15:53 EST

Briarius shook his head.

"No...you have already given me too much. How many hours until we leave?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-21 16:04 EST

A brief pause while she thought about this. Time was something hardly thought about. She hardly ever paid attention to it, though

"I'm not sure what time it is, though the sun is settling. Ever since the change it has been difficult to know the exact time by this. It changes with the seasons. The clocks are upstairs. I'm guessing it's around eight now and will probably rise after six. So... maybe another eight hours, nine at most. I will let you know if my guessing is off by too much."

She stood and made her way to the steps.

"A fair evening to you, Brairius."

She gave him a warm smile before she ascended the steps....

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-21 16:09 EST

The rested, knowing that his powers would return to him by morning. He made mental plans for that as he took in his surroundings. He looked around taking stock of everything. He wasn't nearly ready for meditation yet.

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-21 17:14 EST

Bri would notice a small table to the side and fresh water and a basin for washing. A towel for drying hung along the wall from one of the small natural branches.

Outside, should he venture there, he would notice the elven city easier at night, with the lights glowing from the branches like starlights. It was a beautiful, natural environment.

Eight and a half hours later, Jalek was coming down the stairs with another tray of food and some tea. She was careful to come slowly so Bri would hear her and warn her should she be walking down at the wrong time.

"Good morning. I hope you rested well? I brought some breakfast for us and have packed some elven hard tac for the journey ... my grandmother's recipe, sweet and spicy. It's not a harsh spice, though. It's very good. I also brought the normal one in case you don't like my grandmother's. Some people don't and that's okay. We can leave after breakfast..."

And leave they did....

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-21 19:53 EST

Briarius would wash and meditate. When he awoke, he had just enough time to flush his magicks into the forest. His powers bolstering nature's course.

"I am certain all is well with any food that is brought."

He ate in quiet observation. When breakfast was over, they left.

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-22 18:34 EST

Jalek was used to walking for long hours at a brisk rate. She walked with purpose and not in a meandering pace. Realizing she might be more used to it then Briairus, she watched him for signs of needing to slow and did for a time or even just stopped to rest. Though she did push the movement for as much as she could without making him sick or too uncomfortable. It wasn't until closer to noon before she brought up the subject after they'd stopped beside a stream to eat.

"I hope you'll forgive my uncle. He really isn't supposed to talk about his curse, which is part of the curse. Therefore the rest of us know little. The Gods, they do not seem to give any information on this either. It is almost as if it's not a curse, yet my uncle swears to it that it is. He has never been found to lie. We have thought maybe it is not a curse but some sort of disease or abnormal condition, but we can't seem to prove that either. Magical means produce no answers, we have tried many ways and by those exceptionally gifted. So we trust that our leader will be able to deal with it."

She held out one of each type of hard tac, giving him the choice.
"Spicey? or Not?"

She kept the one he left behind and began to eat the somewhat hard but tastey bread.

"Tell me something if you will. What is so special about that island? Why there...."

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-22 20:43 EST

The Headmaster kept up. Although he was not used to the pace, he would not show it.

When they sat, he politely took the non-spiced bread as he knew the spices were her favorite.

"Curses are personal. They have to be to be as potent as they are. If anyone was rude, it was I for prying."

He smiled a bit when she asked about the island.

"I saw it on a map."

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-23 15:26 EST

It was an answer she hadn't expected to come from him and seemed so whimsically innocent. She laughed a bit.

"You didn't strike me as the type to make decisions that way. It's almost like flipping a coin, roll of the dice, tossing a piece of hay into the wind and following whatever direction it takes. We shall see which way the wind blows then."

The pace was taken up again as they left, walking until it was dark. She gathered some wood and built a fire, taking watch through the night to let him sleep. The journey was without incident, except for the downpour of rain during the last few hours of their journey, brewing into a regular storm by then. Lightning streaked across the sky and thunder rolled in its wake.

They were drenched by the time they arrived. However, the Guard at the gates wouldn't let them pass without the usual questions.

"Ye 'ave 't answer me questions first!"
The guard called down from the closed gates. It was after dark, technically, and they always closed the gates at night.
"Who are ye? What's yer business 'ere? How long d'ye plan 't stay? Hurry up now, it's rainin cat's 'n dogs!!"

"Damnit Harry! It's me, Jalek! You know me! And this is my companion, Briarius! We're here to book passage on a ship! Now open it up before we get struck by lightning!"

"Right Luv!" He turned to the gatekeeper. "Open the bloody gates mate! There's a pretty lass all soaked an hot tempered! An be quick a'bout it lest she be singin 't the angels! She got a companion ye know, too. Move it!" The gates were opened swiftly.

She led Briarius through and picked up the pace as the lighting seemed to crack louder and faster in the sky. The wind grew stronger from off the lake. It would be a long hard night.

They went a few blocks and came to the Inn, The Bawdy Dugan. The door was opened for them as they approached and then shut behind them hard as they came in. Two burly looking men were keeping watch on the door. They both gave a smile and a fair hello.

Jalek continued in and to the front counter where an elderly woman was behind it giving some shot glasses a good old fashioned spit shine. She was human and seemed to be in her nineties. She didn't look up, but smiled.

"Ah.. Jalek! Darlin' where'd ye been? I got yer room all saved, nice an warm an dry. Yer message didn't say two.." pale blue eyes gazed up from the glass taking stock of Jalek's companion.

"My mistake, Martha. I was in a hurry as it started to rain. I wasn't thinking." Jalek had sent a message ahead when they had stopped to take a break.

"That's all right, hun. I got ye a big room. There's room to partition it off and set up another bed. That is.. if ye be needin it?" the old woman smiled mirthfully, sending a wink to Briarius. Then leaned closer to Jalek, whispering but in that loud sort of way the elderly do. "He's a cute one. A bit pale though, might be a keeper, eh?" The woman laughed and tossed Jalek a key.

Jalek caught it with a smirk.

"Now Martha... you know we'll need it."

This turned to an apologetic grin for Bri as she turned round and shrugged, then motioned him to follow. The room was big with a bed at one end, a fireplace in the middle and a bathroom to the side complete with a huge tub. Towels were on a shelf and a couple of complimentary bathrobes were hanging from the wall. The whole Inn was simple, but clean and elegant with its amenities. Most rooms wouldn't have the bathtub, but being of royal lineage brought Jalek certain privileges.

"Make yourself comfortable, Briarius. There's a bath and a robe to wear while your clothes dry. I'll get you a fire started and then I have something to do. We can meet downstairs for dinner in about an hour. I'm sure then they will add the other bed while we dine."

She started the fire in the fireplace, strung up a clothes line and then left Bri to his own means...

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-27 20:55 EST

The Headmaster said simply before she left.

"I have no need for a bed. Please do not trouble the innkeeper."

With that, he allowed her to go about her business and headed to the bath.

It seemed like an eternity since Briarius had a bath and he enjoyed the water. He relaxed to the point of being almost comatose while in the bath. After quite some time, he rose from the bath and dried himself. After that, with no indication of modesty, he hung his traveling clothes up. He enjoyed the warmth radiating from the fire for a bit and then dressed in his Ravensheart Academy clothing. It had been quite some time since he wore these clothes and they felt more comfortable that one would image a school uniform to be.

He walked down a bit before the hour had passed. He looked a different man and everyone noticed. When he entered, he was a simple traveler. Now, he was the well-kept Headmaster of a prestigious school.

He waited at the bar for Jalek to return.

Shauri · Date: 2007-08-30 18:08 EST

By the time Briarius arrived to the bar, the rain outside had subsided. Only a distant rumble of thunder was heard mixed in with the gentle patter of the rain outside. It was no longer raining buckets of water with winds of gale force.

Outside, though, it almost seemed as if a tornado had passed close through town. Small debris seemed everywhere with some buildings missing a few roof tiles and an occasional board from the side or a door off a frame. Tree twigs were everywhere and a line of trees were newly twisted all in the same direction... pointing to where the storm blew towards, heading south east along the shoreline. Other then that, there was no major damage. It would all be light clean up, but there was a lot of it. It would take a few days to clean up.

Inside the Inn, three people walked in together, brushing off the rain from their short journey. They were cloaked and the hoods not yet removed. One was a woman, by the dress she wore. She moved to the desk and then was pointed towards the bar. She and the two men with her headed that direction... right to Briarius.

As she arrived, the hood was pulled back and a brilliant smile was flashed at Briarius. Apparently, Jalek had taken a bath, too, with change of clothes, pretty but casual dress of dark greens and her hair loosely pulled up.

"I went on a walkabout and guess what I found?"

Her gaze shifted to either side of her, pointedly to the men on either side.

They removed their hoods, revealing one half elf and one gold elf. Both males had eyes the same color and as green as the sea. Their hair was the color of spun gold. Though the two males looked comparably the same age and perhaps could've been brothers, it was pointed out quickly they were not.

"Briarius, I'd like you to meet Captain Tithran Belithrandil otherwise known as Cap'n Bel, and his son and first mate, Tin?n."

The two gave Briarius a bow and the Captain spoke up.
"Jalek tells me ye seek passage to the Island known as The Hammer. We sail close to her now an then, traveling east along the coast an up that way. We leave in the morn. Do ye have coin to pay for it or are ye willing to work yer passage?"

The Captain sized him up, unsure Briarius would be the kind to work the price of his passage but was willing to accept that he possibly could. Either way, he was willing to work out the price of passage.

A table was gotten for the four, dinner was brought as ordered and after the meal progressed fairly, the Captain pulled out a map, pointing to the route along the shore to the next river over where a town was starting and not yet placed on any map.

"They've yet to name her but they've been there going on a year now. It's got a lot of potential. I should update my map though." The Captain replied as he pointed to it.

The map didn't have very much of the *known* lands of the Woodshadows, just the shoreline, but it did have much of the lands from the city they were in and eastward and north around the lake.

There were two stops along the dotted small islands just east of there. The trip would take them due north up to a place very near the head of the hammer where a city was located due east of that land mark. The Island really looked like a hammer with part of the handle submerged.

"Aye, It's a mystery how it sank but then the whole of this realm is a mystery. In the east, they say the gods fought o'er the lands and destroyed the pocket protecting 'em. They split 'em up between them and a new mother took the place of Meiliki."

Jalek shot the captain a glare and he was quick to reply.

"Oh, not that Meiliki isn't still goddess o'er some lands, now... just sayin what they said last time I was in the east, M'Lady. No disrespect meant. They speak of a new one named D'Shar or something. They say many of the old gods have been replaced."

Jalek didn't look like she knew what to think of that, though her brows met in a frown.

"What of ye, Briarius." Tin?n indicated the headmaster with the pointing of his chin. "What say ye to the Change in all it's glory, eh?" The younger Bel's keen gaze seemed to be gauging Briarius.

Briarius · Date: 2007-08-31 16:14 EST

The Headmaster was reserved. Should he correct the Captain and reveal what he knew of the new gods...and how he was tied to them, or should he just remain quiet and pay for passage.

"Change is inevitable. It happens to everyone and everything. Perhaps, I can pay for my passage and work for it as well by updating portions of your map that are inaccurate."

The Headmaster gestured to the mostly blank space to the west. Other than that, he was going to remain quiet for now.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-01 09:34 EST

Tin?n nodded, agreeing that change was inevitable and happened to everything, but he could tell Briarius was reserved and interpreted that to mean the Headmaster knew or thought much more then he was saying. The offer to update maps drew an indignant expression from the younger Bel while the older one belayed any comment by speaking up himself.

Tithran was cautiously intrigued.
"Ye've been to the west?"

Jalek quickly explained.
"He came from there, Cap'n Bel. He crossed through the barrier .. on foot."

Tithran raised a brow, almost disbelieving.
"We crossed twice, going in and coming out. Both times the storms came swiftly and were so intense we nearly sank. It was fortunate that the barrier finally subsided, allowing us to use our magic to protect the ship. We were then followed by strange flying metal Golems as we moved along the coast, mapping what we could. We never went ashore, in fact we stayed a few miles away from it ..... we were afraid of triggering their wrath. It seemed we found the general area of their lair, though. Right around here. It seemed to be a focal point."

He pointed to an area which included Halexville. The Elven city was camouflaged by its natural surroundings and wouldn't be noticed until one was close or in it, save for the air traffic caused by shuttle crafts and droids flying in thereabouts.

Jalek spoke up.
"I don't think the people there are as we have feared. So you will allow him to pay passage by updating your map with what he knows?"

"Aye.." it was a slow thoughtful nod the Captain gave, but an agreement nonetheless. His gaze shifted to Jalek as a smile spread. "And ye, m'lady.. ye'll pay with the usual fee?"

"Always." The word smoothly purred from her.

"We should return. It's getting late and the morning comes early. We leave promptly at the crack of dawn." Tin?n reminded his father.

Tithran then rolled up the map, placed it back into the scroll case and rose to stand with his son. The two bid their farewell and returned back to the ship.

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-05 22:38 EST

The Headmaster took in all of the information. After the two sailors left, he spoke.

"Hmph...to think that even the great society to the west doesn't know of the world just beyond the barrier."

He said this with righteous indignation...as if he was more satisfied with his life and Exodii now that he knew that the technological society had it's flaws.

"Perhaps we should rest as well?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-06 16:24 EST

"Probably a good idea. We won't get another good chance for a few weeks, or might not. Never know what'll happen on the sea. so, I suggest you try to rest up as much as you can now."

She lead the way up to the room, which had been divided anyway with two beds and a partition. She bid him a good night and went to the other side, remaining quiet in her meditations until an hour before dawn.

The next morning they went down to the ship. They boarded and were shown their small, very small, rooms. The ship was loaded. Three masts full of sails were lowered and the wind filled them as they sailed away.

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-06 16:29 EST

He stayed quietly in meditation and in the morning, dispelled all of his powers to the local area.

As they sailed away, the Headmaster thought on his journey thus far. Although this was a good journey, he looked forward to returning to his home. Home...it was a long time since he could call some place home.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-08 15:50 EST

The voyage for Briarius would seem even longer for it was just beginning. They set sail and stopped at a few small islands along the way, never longer then a day between. After almost two weeks, they moved north for the longest part of the journey ......... weeks later brought them in range to see the lands of the Hammer.

"Land Ho!"

Came the call from the look out above.

"Helmsman! take 'er east round the isle! Storm's brewing again. We'll have to hurry or be blown off course. Jalek!!"

Jalek came out of the captain's quarters, a place she spent more and more time in lately. She finished putting her hair into a ponytail after buttoning the last one on her shirt. Up into the sails she went, climbing adeptly to take a look herself. Then she called down.

"Capt'n! It's a Witches Brew!"

Captain Bel cursed harshly in his native tongue and headed to his room.......

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-10 10:32 EST

Briarius was making the final touches on the map he was making, which was a copy of the map Captain Bel would receive. Mistress Sha'uri would be most interested, he was certain, in the map of the east. He only hoped that the diplomatic relations he planned on establishing would be good for all parties involved.

Then the storm hit.

The Headmaster raced to the deck. Chaos was all around him. He saw Jalek atop the main sail. He hadn't had a chance this morning to dispel his powers as he was told that they would arrive around high sun and he wanted to get the maps finished. He hurried to the Captain's Quarters and pounded on the door. He planned on thrusting the map into the captain's hands and accepting any orders to keep everyone and everything safe.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-11 15:04 EST

Jalek didn't notice Briarius down below as she was too busy keeping an eye on the storm, helping to direct the helmsman.

The wind was strong and had picked up considerably in a short time. Clouds had already moved in to block the sun and the raindrops were already beginning to pelt the deck with huge blobs of dark wet splotchy trails. In the east the sun was shining and clear skies. To the west the skies were black lined by dark smokey gray and green hues. A few small waterspouts were seen in the distance gliding over choppy waters which had waves upon their waves. The rise and fall of the sea was already churning beneath them.

The men moved swiftly across the deck tying anything down that moved, collecting livestock to transfer below. Tin?n was at the helm barking orders and steering the ship back round towards the south, an attempt to move the ship out of the storms path by the quickest route. It didn't look promising.

In the Captains quarters, Captain Bel's door was locked and chanting words were heard on the other side of the door yet the Captain would not open the door. It was hard to tell exactly what the words were, but they were being spoken in the flavor of a spell or prayer. It was slow but powerful magic brewing in the air, an attempt to control the weather... If only there were time.

Jalek's voice screamed above the wind. "Tin?n!!!! Tidal wave due west! There's no time! Tidal Wave Is Coming!!! Hold Tight!!" She then took hold of a line and swung down to the deck.

Tin?n swiftly turned the wheel, still barking off orders while he attempted to turn the ship some more and run her right into the wave. One crewman tied the first mate to the helm while the rest scattered for cover and whatever semblance of safety they could. Jalek then cut the sails as the ship lined up. Then she ran for cover. It would be all they had time to do as the wall of water came at them swiftly.

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-11 15:32 EST

A vow was one thing, but a vow that may mean the deaths of so many was another. The Headmaster immediately unleashed some of his powers to summon a 40' tall Water Elemental. The tidal wave fell apart under the water creature's control.

Although the din of the storm was loud, it was if the Headmaster's voice rang through the chaos.
"Thank you, old friend, perhaps you could hold this ship steady for me?"

The huge wave nodded in agreement and the ship was held as if it were in the calmest of waters.

Next, the Headmaster released more of his energy and the crew all immediately were more alert, strong, fast, and stalwart than they ever had felt.

Briarius then flew upward looking upon he storm. A Witch's Brew... Folktales told that a mage who overused his energy would feel the wrath of the storm, but that was a superstition...wasn't it?

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-11 16:04 EST

If it wasn't superstition, Briarius was about to find out.

Jalek was braced, all ready for the upside down ride into murky depths. She had wedged herself beneath a stairway and closed her eyes in anticipation of the inevitable. But it didn't come....

She, like others, heard Briarius calling through the storm and they became curious as the upside down topsy turvey impact never came. Jalek tried to move quickly out from the stairs only to bust up one of the main supports of a step while trying to get out. Then she collapsed that step as she tried to run up it because it was already broken inside and she forgot about it in her rush. She let out a scream as her shin was all scrapped up while she stumbled.

There were other similar expressions of surprise as some of the crew ran into walls... or through them... not prepared to handle the newfound strength and speed they now possessed.

Tin?n, in his surprise, ripped the entire helm right out of the floor in trying to move. It was like breaking a twig. He snapped the ropes from off of him as if they were merely string.

The captain remained in his quarters, still consumed by the chanting, though already the signs were beginning that the storm was subsiding. The wave had passed but the rain and wind were still there.

Jalek finally made it up the stairs and peered out of the doorway...

"What in ball blazes?"

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-11 16:08 EST

A few simple mending spells repaired the broken parts of the ship. The Headmaster flew around making these repairs. A gurgling voice came from below signaling that the elemental was returning home. The Headmaster hoped that gave the Captain enough time to complete his spell and that the crew was adjusted to the new abilities. Magick flowed through Briarius' entire being. That is what he was...a sorcerer. He prepared another burst of power for when the storm came back in full force.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-12 21:50 EST

Tin?n was the first to get his wits about himself. After the initial damage he caused to the helm, he realized what had happened even before their passenger arrived to help mend the helm back in place. He held the heavy object while Briarius mended it.

"Look alive men! A gentle touch ye'll need on our fair ship. She's a frail thing in our hands for a bit! An 'ave a load 'o respect fer yer speed. It's got its reprocussions! Heave ho men! Get those sails up once again!"

Jalek eased herself back into motion, giving a few moments to get used to herself. Like the others, she was back in motion in no time, helping to put those sails back up again.

As the ship went back into the water upon the elemental's departure, the seas once again tossed them around, though nothing like before. The winds were still strong and the waters choppy, but the chanting the Captain held fast to was lessening the storm steadily as they went. Twenty minutes later, the rains were less intense adn the winds not as biting. The crew rode out the storm for the next several hours and managed to keep within ten miles of the island and not knocked off course.

By evening, the rains had stopped and the sky cleared, leaving the sunset a deep crimson red with purple shadows upon an indigo sky. The sun itself was a brilliant burnt orange and the moon of Mardra twinkled a emerald in the western sky while Zed flickered sapphire behind it.

The captain had finally come out of his quarters only an hour prior. The crew were set about the task of cleaning up, repair and reassure the livestock. Then Captain Bel found Briarius.

"I'd like 't thank ye fer what ye did. I'm sure we'd've had a harder time if ye did nae help. It's gettin late, though. But we're here as we've promised. Will ye be stayin one more night aboard ship or will ye be leaving fer shore this night?"

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-13 08:44 EST

"I agreed to accompany Lady Jalektarnylith on her quest. If she has no further use for me, then I will continue my own. I would not wish to trouble or impose upon anyone any long than necessary."

The Headmaster produced two parchments. One was a map which he handed to Captain Bel.

"The map as we agreed and..."

He handed the Captain the other parchment.

"...a letter of personal marque from myself, noting my affiliations to the ruling family of Exodii...and the divinity. The elves of Halexville should allow you better passage with it."

He then produced 2 small rubies.

"These are calling gems. You may call upon my aid with them. Concentrate on me while holding one and I will be alerted to your need."

He handed one to the Captain, and one to his son.

"Lady Jalektarnylith, will you be requiring my accompaniment or should I prepare parting gifts to you as well?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-13 16:03 EST

"I agreed to accompany Lady Jalektarnylith on her quest. If she has no further use for me, then I will continue my own. I would not wish to trouble or impose upon anyone any long than necessary."

Jalek couldn't believe her ears. She just stared at Briarius. Was he so confused? Wasn't she accompanying him? It could've been written on her forehead and in the way her gaze just...stared, unblinking.

Tithran hid a grin as he accepted the parchments. "Thank ye kindly. I'll be sure 't use 'em next time round." His gaze went to his son. "Tin?n, if all goes well, I might just 'ave yer own ship built instead. Looks like our routes have just expanded."

Tin?n nodded an agreement while he took the ruby handed to him. His gaze shifted between his father, Jalek and coming to rest on Briarius for several moments before he spoke. "Divinity, eh? There's been tale of such things, how the gods themselves occasionally walk the lands. More so now since the change. Call on ye, eh? Tell me, Briarius... are ye one 'o them gods?" His smile was playful and teasing.

"Tin?n! Stop teasing!", Jalek shot him a look, playfully threatening him, to which he just smiled all the more until his father lightly thwacked the back of his head, muttering something about kids.

"Lady Jalektarnylith, will you be requiring my accompaniment or should I prepare parting gifts to you as well?"

Maybe he was trying to get rid of her in a polite way. She thought that must be it. She thought he was embarrassed by a female accompanying him and so he would make it seem as if it was the opposite of what it was. Wasn't it? Weren't men all alike?

"Well.." she was uncomfortable and was still trying to figure out what he was doing. She could always teleport home, right? "Yes, I thought .. I thought that's why we were here?... we were both getting off at the island. Did I misunderstand? I assumed we were going the same way."

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-13 23:07 EST

"I agreed to have you accompany me along on my quest as long as it suited the purposes of your quest. I know not the nature of your quest, so I know not if I am assuming wrong or not. Hence the question. Best to ask than to assume. Would you prefer to stay here one night longer of travel immediately?"

The Headmaster was genuine. No hidden motives or agendas. It was odd to meet him and even stranger to be in his presence.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-14 17:05 EST

"'Oh! Well, no harm.. I'm with you. So whatever you prefer is fine. Although, I don't know what to expect in there."

Jalek nodded to the island.

"I've never been. So, maybe one more night here might be wise for rest. Unless you want the solid ground beneath you. It's still some light left. We'd have time to get to shore and then set up camp. What ever you want to do is fine. You lead, I follow."

The choice was his to deliver.

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-16 22:11 EST

"Then perhaps one last night with friends."

The Headmaster smiled and looked at the captain.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-17 20:38 EST

The Captain had on his best poker face.
"Hey, whate'er ye two want's fine with me. I'm just the transport."
He shrugged and turned away, barking orders for deck swabbing... or something.

Tin?n grinned. "Good! I snagged a few good sized Salmon during th' storm. Thing's 're almost as big as me! They'll make up some fine steaks for dinner. I'll cook up my specialty!" Then he was off heading for the kitchen to carve up and cook dinner for the crew.

Jelek watched the two go before she glanced back to Bri with a little pinkish hue in her cheeks.
"So! I guess it'll just be you and me tomorrow.. on that island.. all alone.." her gaze became wary as she glanced towards land and back to Briarius.
"Maybe I should try scrying again.... I've been trying to scry anything on that island but for some reason the whole place is void. I've been using the Captain's crystal ball. I know it works cause I..." she paused, blushed some more and diverted her gaze. "Well, it works. It's just not getting anything there. Even the Captain tried and he's been there once. Something is there blocking the use. I guess we'll just have to wing it then. We should go pack."

Dinner was served and the moderately spicy lemony salmon cooked over a smokey, hickory fire and served with a jasmine rice and stir fried veggies. For desert a blueberry cake topped with a light sugary drizzle. It was a meal fit for a king considering their usual. The first mate had outdone himself. The night was pleasant and the waters calm. The men got out their instruments and played music, sang and drank up a very small keg of beer, enough that they would be merry, but not enough to cause them more then a mild hangover... all in celebration of living yet another day upon the fresh water sea.

In the morning the two set out for the island.

The Captain agreed to come back in no less then a week and at most two weeks, meeting them here where they were dropped off. Magical messages would be sent between. They said their farewells and the two were given a dingy to use to get to shore. The ship waited until Jalek and Bri made it there safely before their sails were set and the gentle wind slowly took them away...

Jalek dragged the dingy far up onto the shore and into the tree line where she took out the supplies, flipped it over them, and tied it to a tree. Then she used some of the fallen branches and leaves to give it some camouflage.

"We can use this as a base for now. The boat is just big enough that we can use it for shelter if need be. We should explore a bit, though I think we should stay together. Three ways to go... Up the shore... down the shore or straight into the island. Choose your fate wisely.. for mine is interlinked."

She grinned and gave an open gesture for him to choose direction.

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-18 21:54 EST

The Headmaster was dressed for survival this morning. Much less modest than his typical clothes allowed, but much more comfortable. He picked up a feather on the shore and spoke quietly to himself, "D'Shara, please give me some guidance."
He then tossed the feather to the winds.

Earth tones was her flavor of the day, typical garb of an adventurer on warm summer days. His words were not the answer she expected and in fact she remembered the name, or perhaps one that was similar. Her brow rose slightly, though her eyes shifted their gaze around. The feather caught her attention, though, as it started to float down but against the wind, heading directly in towards the island instead of down along the shoreline. Jalek blinked.
"I guess someone was listening?"
A soft grin crossed her lips.

"I would hope so. She was my wife after all."
He made some final preparations and checked himself. He had not dispersed his magicks that day, but would refrain from using them if he could

"Then I will hope you parted on good terms..."
She let that one rest as she, too, prepared for the walk by finding a couple of walking sticks and handed him one. Then she grabbed the fresh waterskin and a prepared backpack slinging them both over her shoulders.
"I'll lead, unless you want to?"

"Ladies first"
He took the walking stick and followed her into the overgrowth.

It was a dense jungle, fortunately he had obtained a large sickle and she had a longsword from the ship. The pair hacked away a path into the jungle until they eventually ran into a stream that ran deep into the island.

She stayed ahead, always watching and searching the ground and trees, the bushes for anything hidden, like traps or some beast that might jump out at them. When they came to the stream, they paused to drink. It was then she noticed the stream was part of a structure. The bottom of the stream was made of stone, though moss and dirt covered most of it, part of it showed through as it were part of an aqueduct.
"Briarius? Look..."

A pyramid type building rose into the heavens before them. The Headmaster looked around and noted more pyramids. Atop every one, there was a different symbol.

"He never said he came across this...." she followed his line of gaze up along the duct through the trees and to all the pyramids, though they were mostly covered with the overgrowth of jungle, except for the symbols they held.
"What are they?"
she couldn't read them.

"Altars..."

"What are these symbols?"

The Headmaster moved forward while speaking.
"Symbols of Gods"
A few then were recognizable to Jalek

"Are they all Gods of Wars? of Chaos? Of fighting? I recognize a few, they are the old gods.. some are thought gone and some not. What does it mean?"

"This was a religious center for a group of native people."
The Headmaster reached the base of one of the pyramids

Jalek began looking harder for traps or signs of recent passing, besides them. "I wonder who the people wer-Careful! That steps looks loose... they don't seem too stable."

"From the way they are arranged and the markings, I would surmise this was a theocracy. Perhaps even the first people of the world. There should be an entrance to the inside somewhere."

By the way this is positioned, I'd guess around to that side.." she pointed to the one side where the path was leading.

"You wouldn't happen to have a lunar or solar calendar with you?"

She half grinned, looked over herself, made a half attempt at opening the pack and then shrugged. "Nope, sorry, I'm fresh out of calendars."
Well, it wasn't like she thought she'd need one. "What did you need one for?"

"You wouldn't happen to know the position of the two moons and the sun on this day would you?"

"No, I don't. I wasn't paying attention. It seems like one of them just had a full moon, though. In the last few days. I remember it was round."

"This is ridiculous!"

Briarius found a large patch of dirt and began drawing in it with his walking stick. After some time, he looked at it and smiled.

"Just as I thought. The moons and sun are in near alignment. In the next several hours or maybe even tomorrow, there should be a total eclipse of the sun. The alignment is a portended event as per the markings. It is at this time that these pyramids become visible. Some great event to happen when the eclipse happens."

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-19 17:10 EST

"That would explain why Captain Bel never mentioned these..."

She wasn't smiling, though. Jalek's features were actually worried.

"Briarius? My part of the quest is about to get .... dangerous. We have a choice here. We can contact Captain Bel and he's close enough he wouldn't have a problem swinging back to here to pick you up before nightfall. Or.. we tough it out."

She moved a few paces away and pulled out a talisman she'd been wearing beneath her shirt. Part of it was Crescent shaped made of platinum and wrapped round a diamond shaped made of gold. These were set into mithril. Across the tops of these was a spray of emerald chips giving it all a shimmering green glow. Oddly, though, it also shimmered red.

"I've never seen it glow red like that. I must find the source, the point of convergence. It's my quest to destroy it."

It was also the cure to the curse, but she couldn't say that. She only knew that certain circumstances would fall into place to bring her here and only then would she know what to do. It was only now that she knew what to look for....

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-19 17:57 EST

"You followed me this far and if I inferred correctly, your uncle wanted you to have a companion. I will stay."

The Headmaster picked up a soft and chalky rock.

"I suppose I can spend some time translating what these markings mean so that we know what we're going to be dealing with."

He began marking the walls with the rock. His translations came quickly and by the time for dinner, he was done. He had also updated his star chart in the dirt.

He trusted Jalek to secure the area and get dinner ready. She was much better at that than he was. As they sat down with dinner, he revealed his findings.

"Apparently every era, there is a beginning and an end. The pyramids were unclear how long 'an era' was. At the end of every era, these pyramids appear and house the power of the Gods for the Gods become mortal between eras. They can be destroyed or even changed at this time.

Tonight at midnight, this era ends. These pyramids will fill with the power of the Gods of Exodii. Some of them will appear here to either attempt to destroy the others or guard against those who would commit this sacrilege. From what I remember of history here, I would guess we need not worry of mortal threats. No people remember this site. We do need to worry about said divinities and their agents.

At daybreak tomorrow, there will be a total eclipse of the sun, marking the beginning of the era. The Gods regain their powers at this point and life continues.

We have six hours to decide if we want to be here for this."

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-21 22:10 EST

While he was busy with deciphering... she did secure the area and left for about an hour or so to look around and gather up some food from the land instead of using what was in their packs. It was hard to say just how long they would be here.

Jalek also went up to the top of the pyramid. What she found up there were more answers.

"I think I know where they converge to appear."

She sat down beside Briarius and began to eat some of the fruit she'd foraged, handing him a piece of it to share. It was all so confusing, yet some of what Briarius told her made sense.

"I went to the top of this pyramid and looked around, found more symbols of gods up there. They all had a commonality to them from what I could tell: Fighting, war, chaos and other similarities which all seemed to be violent and/or destructive in some way. I also found another pyramid on the other island North of here. The way they were positioned seemed to point between them. I would hazard a guess that it, too, bears symbols but perhaps those of passive and peaceful seeking gods."

"When I took out my talisman, it had a dark line running through it, which would phase out when I shifted directions even slightly. I realized it was pointing directly between the two islands to the sunken land between them. I had clear sight of it. There was something down there in the water besides a sand bar. It was a structure of some sort. I think when the tide deepens tonight.... and I think that might be midnight... it'll reveal the structure in the water."

Tides on Exodii sometimes had a two step cycle because of the two moons, depending on how far apart the moons were in their trek across the sky. One would pull the tide in so far and then the other would pull further when it came around if it was close enough in the cycle. There were times when the moons were so close that it seemed to be one step in the tide but the tide would come in further then at any other time and stay in... or out... extra long.

"Whatever is down there, I have to destroy the structure before they come through or as soon as possible. It's possible that if our lands have changed so much that this could effect this marking of Era's profoundly... assuming that this Era's changing hasn't happened since before the Change. What if these Gods or champions or whatever... what if they aren't without their powers because of the Change? What if something is different enough that it affects this profoundly and the repercussions of it are more then they should be.... What if it changes everything even existence?"

It was as close to saying why she had to destroy it without saying it was connected to the curse.

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-24 15:37 EST

"Then we should rest and prepare. We will leave for the convergence point an hour before midnight. That should give us time."

With that, the Headmaster walked off a bit and sat down preparing to meditate.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-25 15:56 EST

Time moved on. Jalek couldn't rest, meditation never came to her and she began to pace. Fearing she would disturb Briarius too much, she moved again to the top of the pyramid. It would do no good for her to be there near him.

She knew she would need him and he was key in this, even to the point of forfeiting her own life. She'd dreamt the vision a thousand times. She had never been sure of the face, but the eyes... they did give it away.... and the voice. Briarius was the one. The fact that they were here facing something no one expected, it was the clue that was fulfilled. There was only one other in question. The portal had to be destroyed... but how?

"If only I knew... Dear Lady, how? I pray that you help me. Send your champion... At least, I beg.. please send me another clue?"

It would not come to her now, though she waited while sharpening her sword. The memory of the vision was clear, but the answer to what caused the explosion simply eluded her. Jalek felt defeated in this.

With a heavy sigh, she pulled out the eye glass and peered through the end. She could see the waves rushing over the giant sand bar, one way.... then the other, sometimes meeting in the middle to crash into one another, water spraying upwards and out. It couldn't have been too deep...

The glass was moved and turned in a southerly direction. There it was... She could barely make out the ship on its trek to the east. She sent a magical message, simply telling them to make haste away for she could see a deadlier storm brewing that might come their way. In a way, it wasn't a lie. At least it would take them from harms way should anything here go awry.

Jalek put away the glass as she stood to her feet. The sun was setting and it wouldn't be long before it was time. She made her way back down to Briarius, never noticing the warmth the amulet was slowly developing. By the time she got there, it was glowing faintly with a soft blue light. She never noticed the clue.....

"Briarius? It's time.."

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-25 19:22 EST

The Headmaster spoke without opening his eyes.

"I know. I was contemplating our course of action."

He opened his eyes and stood. He silently walked towards the sandbar.

When they arrived, he assessed the situation. He looked at his surroundings and estimated what the potential battlefield would look like in a short time. That is when the pair noted the creatures that came from the jungle around them.

Some were lovely and delicate and some were feral and stalwart, but all glowed with a divine presence. The fair ones circled the emerging sandbar and the feral ones attacked and tried to push through. Briarius held back.

"We should save our fight for the stronger agents."

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-28 16:57 EST

Jalek nodded in agreement, although it didn't appear these agents were giving the two much notice. It was easy for her to feel as insignificant as an ant.

By the time they arrived, the tide was still going out. The water moved swiftly, draining from the land to leave it as dry as a desert. The divine agents came from both islands as it formed into one. The circle was big and spread out, but grew smaller as they made their way in towards the center.

There was a large stone platform structure in the center that stood about ten feet off the ground, one hundred yards diameter and cylindrical in shape. Five widely stepped stairs descended from the platform in a wide semi circular arc away from the platform and ending about twenty yards away. Beneath the stair steps the ground was covered in a fog, hiding whatever was beneath it. It was apparent that those making it that far were conscientiously avoiding the foggy area and moving up the stairs to the platform. This is what they were striving to get to....

"Looks like practice fodder... I think the real fight is up there."

Lightning struck somewhere on the platform followed by an infernal wave that spread across and spilled over the edges of the platform like a waterfall of flame. The first few that had just barely made it there were incinerated. Still, the others moved on...

"Holy... Divine... horror." She didn't say anything else, though she was obviously scared and uncertain she would be anything but someone's burnt appetizer. "How do we confront that?"

More divine creatures came from the jungle and began to fight their way to ascend the steps.

There was a figure coming from the other island who, although didn't look blatantly familiar, would seem familiar to Briarius. Maybe it was the stubborn jaw line or the line of her graceful yet strong lythe form that seemed most familiar and perhaps from a distance might've looked like Sha'uri except for the fiery red hair and emerald hues.

Her chain mail armor was not like Sha'uri's, made of some strange dark blue metal instead of dragon hide. She even walked like Sha'uri but with a bit of a tougher swagger. The woman stood 6'5" and carried a great sword marked with runes. The same runes seemed to be tattooed upon her skin and they glowed with emerald fire along her hairline, descending down along her neck.

Whoever she was breathed magic in every pore of her essence and she walked through the crowd of divine fodder, shoving them aside as she strode on and through those flames. The hot tendrils swooned in around her, licking her form harmlessly. She disappeared from sight as she continued on.

A feral shriek resounded from the top. At first it sounded like the rumble of thunder until words finally formed.
"No! You don't exist! Begone!! You can not pass!!"

Jalek knew what she had to do, the vision of the top of the platform came to her, the circle in the center which held the large black stone that resembled a diamond .....
"That's it! That's what I've got to destroy. They're coming in from the pyramids and they all want to claim it! That's the object. If I destroy it, it will stop it. It will end. I know how to destroy it! Just get me up there to the black stone! We have to hurry!!"

Briarius · Date: 2007-09-28 18:42 EST

Briarius looked stunned at the appearance of the avatar of his ex-wife. He then smiled as she gave him the answer to Jalek's question.

"We go through the front."

He looked Jalek in the eye and his own bright blue eyes were filled with purpose.

"Mistress, I need you to be brave. Believe nothing you see. Your senses will lie to you in the face of divinity. The fires are harmless to those that see through the trickery...fatal if you have any doubt they are false. It is a test."

To prove his point, the Headmaster walked directly into the flames and they licked around him and although he wore very little protection, his skin did not burn.

"Do not let your senses lie to you."

With that, Briarius walked towards the center and there was another challenge for those who made it this far. Demonic creatures who wore the visages of long dead friends and family lurked, hissing the failures of those who gazed upon them.

Shauri · Date: 2007-09-29 09:09 EST

"Mistress, I need you to be brave. Believe nothing you see. Your senses will lie to you in the face of divinity. The fires are harmless to those that see through the trickery...fatal if you have any doubt they are false. It is a test."

How true that was... but only at first.

Gaining the top of the platform was the easy part. The fire seemed to roll across everything atop the platform, spilling forth from the center where a dais was raised and held a diamond shaped black stone about the size of a football, flames spilling forth and rolling down from it.

It was like a river about three feet deep and they could see the colors of the flames changed as it progressed from the black stone: Black flames to dark green, to dark blue shifting to dark purple then dark red, fading to brownish burnt orange and then putrid dark yellow and finally forest green that faded into deep blue... the progression went through the spectrum lightening in tones as it progressed from the center. All in all, about three sets they would progress through to get to the center.

While effects towards the outer edges held a more illusionary quality, they would soon feel the realness the inner circles had. It was like a twisted version of Prismatic spells and the strength of it progressed with each layer of color. It was unlike anything Briarius had ever known before.

Jalek understood Briari's warning and passed through that first layer unharmed. The illusion of past family and friends held Jalek for a moment, though, seeing her little sister who begged her to stay with her.

"Don't leave me Jalek! Please! I'm scared... they'll find me! Please! I can't move my legs! They'll eat me!"

"Teila!"
A coarse whisper escaped Jalek. She had buried her twin that day.

They were young and Jalek didn't have the strength to carry her sister even though she had always been the strongest. The journey was too far to make and stay ahead of the pursuit that followed them. She should've listened to her. Teila was far wiser. By the time she had gotten help, Teila was dead. Her brain had been sucked dry and her body left to rot. It was a long time ago.

Jalek's visage grew harsh and her voice grated through her clenched teeth. "No! I buried you long ago!"

Jalek watched the figure of her sister fizzle away and her vision was cleared.

She could see the red haired warrior up ahead of them, passing through the strange flames and fighting off strange creatures who also were moving ahead. Some of them seemed to be getting burned by the flames as they entered a shift in color, or melting from them. Some sparked electricity and others just simply disintegrated into a pile of ash. Still, in all this they attacked each other. Apparently it wasn't just the magic that needed to be contended with.

The red haired avatar like woman was an exceptional fighter, unlike anything Jalek had ever seen, or Briarius for that matter. While it held a hint of Sha'uri's style, or even Sharilis' as he remembered her, there was something different about her still. It was hard to tell what that was in the chaos of battle. Perhaps something in the visage or the demeanor of her... almost like ecstasy in every killing blow. She'd even go out of her way a little just to cut one down. There was a definite path of bodies in her wake and the others were starting to steer away from her.

Jalek's glowing sword was up in an instant and moving with swiftness towards Briari's head, connecting with and severing the tentacle that would never make it into the back of his head, or any other ever again. The illithid gurgled and Jalek's sword circled round and came in again, severing its head clean from its body.
"I don't think that was an illusion. Let's move on ..."

Jalek made to move on, but as she entered the second set of colors she found the flames causing her pain and she stepped back from them, dropping her sword. Her skin was starting to melt from the noxious green flames. There were minor chemical burns on her face and hands. It was no illusion.

She took a few moments to heal herself and place a few wards upon her to protect from fire, acid, electricity and cold. Then she picked up her sword again, hoping the protections would be enough. It seemed to be enough as she pressed on into the next set...

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-02 16:19 EST

The Headmaster didn't miss a beat and warded Jalek with protections from infernal and celestial forces. He also warded her against harmful magick. He then raised all those wards upon himself. He moved through, watching the avatar and Jalek. He would refrain from too many offensive spells until either seemed in danger.

As he passed through the corpses, some began to animate and claw at him. He only sighed and hoped that his own Necromancy would turn the tides.

He raised many powerful incantations, his voiced seemed icy and black like Death's. The fallen corpses then rose and formed two lines which he passed between as they fought off outside forces. His corpse gauntlet would begin to advance faster than him, eventually catching up to the avatar. As she fell a foul infernal, it rose again to join one of the two lines of undead that protect all that the Headmaster signified.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-03 16:45 EST

Even the third set of flames held something in them that caused the Avatar to pause.The green glow of her tattoos turned to an olive golden green before she continued on in the quest. Few were entering into this third area and none so far had made it to the top of the dias.

There was only one other in that area. It was huge, a hideous creature with many arms and tails. It was like big ball of arms and barbed tails that lashed out at its victims with various elements, hooked them with the barbed tail, reeled them in, ripped them apart with the claws at the ends of the arms and then stuffed them into its tiny maw that looked more like that of an octopus.

The Avatar had been slowed enough that before she pressed on closer to this last target, she glanced back to Briarius and Jalek. Her features were easily seen and there was something in her visage... a lust for battle, for the fight and at the same time a look of sacrifice... something Briarius would recognize and finally put together in that moment. She looked like Triv, too. This was Sha'uri and Triv's unborn daughter. She would give them time to destroy it.

"You don't exist! You will never exist!! I will destroy you first!!!" It was the unnamed monster, it's barbed tails flicked at the Avatar sending streaks of green and blue electricity. The effect was minimal to the Avatar, but effective nontheless.

"So shall it be, then neither will you! Die vermin! Let's be done with it!" It was the only words the Avatar ever spoke.

The Avatar cut off several of the barbs before too many of them came in at the same time. The creature was solely attacking her at the exclusion of everyone else, which left a path straight for the dias. It was slowly winning over the Avatar, but it seemed that's what she wanted. She struggled against all those arms trying to pull her apart and for a while she was winning. It had brought itself wrapped around her. And then her whole body began to glow and pulse with radiated light so hot it melted the arms and barbed tails of the monster, rendering it defenseless. She screamed with both pain and relief. Her body continued to brighten, enveloping the monster. Then suddenly the light went out and both the Avatar and the monster were merely shadows of soot on the ground. There was nothing left.

Jalek wasted no time, moving for the dais with her sword. She was going to use it except for the black flame rising out of the stone seemed to disintegrate the sword as she tried to hit the stone with it. She was momentarily shocked, gazing around for answers when she felt the pulse around her neck grow much warmer as it suddenly began to shift colors. It's light began to brighten. Jalek finally knew as she pulled it from her neck, looking to the spot where the Avatar had once been.

Now though, there were thousands of other avatars moving in from all around. The Unnamed one had been keeping them at bay, but it was gone now. As she lifted up the amulet to smash into the stone, the amulet began to grow heavy... so heavy... she struggled to get it up and was beginning to lose that battle.

"Briairus! Help me .... smash it... into .. the .. top!"

Indeed, there was a hole in the top of the stone....

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-04 19:46 EST

"No!"

The Headmaster screamed as the Avatar vanished.

As soon as he regained his wits, he ran forward and cast the enchantment to give Jalek superhuman strength. Hoping this would be enough to help her, he then poured the his most powerful energies into creating a ring of forbiddance 15' from the black gem. Even the Gods would have a tough time getting through it.

He then turned and physically helped Jalek put her amulet into the black gem.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-05 17:02 EST

The forbiddence was working. The avatars turned on each other instead of trying to press any closer to the dais.

Even with her strength increased and Bri's help, it was still becoming increasingly more difficult to move. Although they were able to bring it above the stone and she was able to line it up.

"Let go!"

As the amulet was released, it dropped in with a mega force of gravity. Sparks flew. Jalek turned and jumped away from the dais, grabbing Bri to take him with her as an explosion of hot white light spread out. Silence fell instead of the expected boom. Their eyes were messed up from the bright light.

"Briarius... okay?"

Jalek was too breathless to speak much and disoriented for a few moments while her breath came back and her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Gone were the avatars, the stone, the dias, the platform, the pyramids... they were all gone as if they'd never been there. Jalek and Bri were laying in the moist sand. The tide was still out and the stars and moons seemed to indicate only a few hours had passed.

"I'm not sure but I think we just won."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-05 17:20 EST

Briarius woke. He simply lay there, his eyes looking to the heavens. He was uncertain as to what exactly had happened. His bright blue eyes just looked blankly upward.

His senses returned and he heard Jalek speaking to him.

"Well...everything still seems here."

He assessed himself and his surroundings. His clothes were torn and he could still sense the fading magick, but there was nothing else.

"Are you well Mis...Jalek?"

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-05 17:39 EST

Jalek first looked over herself. Other then her shoulder hurting after landing awkwardly on it, she was okay. Like Bri, her clothes were torn. One pantleg was torn almost completely off several inches above her knee. It was literally hanging on by a thread. There was a gash in her leg which was caused when the pants were torn. It wasn't deep, but it was bleeding a little.

"I'm okay."

She picked up her torn pants between her fingers and grinned.

"These, however, are not."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-05 17:51 EST

The Headmaster stood and realized his body and vestments were in worse shape. He grimaced and nearly fell. He regained his composure and as much of his dignity and modesty as possible. He offered his hand to help Jalek up. They looked around and everything was calm.

"Perhaps we should make it back to camp."

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-05 18:19 EST

There was no averting her gaze as he stood. She managed to shift her gaze to the sand, grinning. She only brought it back as the hand was offered, standing with his help to look around. Nothing was noticed as she gave the surroundings a keen gaze. No movements, no threats, not even a fish jumping in the water.

"We should.." she allowed her gaze to come back to his. "We might even be able to contact the ship and have them come back. Or... not. There is the other island. And, I'm a fair hand with a fire and a mending spell..."

She grinned and manuevered her good arm around his waist to support him, or herself. It was both. She had noticed he almost fell and was feeling a bit weak in the knees herself .... or maybe it was the moist sand being slightly unsturdy beneath her feet. More like muck.

"Not so good with cooking, but I can catch a fair dinner... and I can tie one mean bandage. I don't know about you, but I could use a real vacation. Especially after that. Good thing I stole the Captain's whiskey. He'll never miss it. So, why don't you help me hobble back."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-06 08:32 EST

"Now that I think of it, perhaps we should make a new camp on the other island. I think I would feel safer there. That whole Gods of Oppression, Chaos, and War island doesn't sit well with me right now. I'll have a spirit bring our things. He summoned his magicks again, realizing that they were as fresh as they were before the battle. Jalek too would note that her arcane and divine abilities were intact and not expended. The Headmaster then got a confused look on his face.

"Our things...are not there?"

It was then that the phantom of an explorer with a broken leg appeared. His voice a hiss.

"There is no sign of an encampment where you asked me to look.

"Interesting. Thank you for your service, my friend. Now, where is this sinkhole?"

The spirit went to the opposite shore and pointed to the water just off the natural path. Briarius walked over and displaced the water with his magicks. Sure enough, there was a hidden sinkhole of which contained the remains of a corpse. Briarius lifted the remains out and the corpse's leg was broken in the same place as the spirit's. The spirit looked as if it were about to cry. The Headmaster went inland a bit, displaced some earth and lowered the corpse in. As Briarius was covering the new grave back up, the spirit flew in. As the Headmaster finished and put a small marker of stone on the grave, the spirit rose from the grave with the leather pack the corpse was wearing.

"Thank you. I can finally rest. Take my journal. It will help you on the island. Don't forget to mark that sinkhole."

With that, the spirit looked upwards and a phantom soul dragon waited for him. The spirit mounted the dragon and the dragon took the spirit to his afterlife.

The Headmaster looked at the dragon and wondered if this one was Sha'uri. Without his connection to her, which he severed temporarily, he couldn't be sure. It looked like her but the eyes were not as intense as her gaze usually held and he questioned if it was her. Either way, he whispered just in case.

"I will be back soon Mistress Sha'uri."

He wondered if this one wasn't her, if she would know to tell Sha'uri that he was here. Regardless, he went back to Jalek, and they walked leaning on one another to the other island.

They approached a fire and before they made it into the view of the encampment, a silver panther blocked their path as if waiting on them. Briarius felt something familiar about the panther and that he could trust her. She padded over to them and began to nuzzle on Briarius. She purred and gently began to push the pair towards the fire. It was obviously made for them.

When they made it to the clearing, they had noted their camp and belongings were here and there was food on the fire. The pair also noted more than one silver panther which seemed to be guarding the camp.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-06 13:45 EST

The Soul Dragon seemed to nod to Briarius as if it had some understanding. It said nothing as it carried on with the appointed task.

Jalek and Briarius moved to sit by the fire. She didn't know what to make of the panthers, though she felt at peace around them. She helped Briarius to sit and got him a blanket in trade for his clothes.

"I'll mend them when I do mine."

Then she got him some food and water and did the same for herself, sitting down to cover herself with a blanket so she could mend their clothes and eat. Once his clothes were mended, she aimed for his head and tossed them over the fire to were he sat across from her. She mended hers, put a healing salve around her leg, then put her clothes back on under the blanket. She settled down to eat her food. She was oddly silent, though, just thinking to herself.

The panther who greeted them, was larger then the rest and had a slightly blue cast to it's brilliant silver coat. She waited along the side while they got settled then layed down by the fire with them.

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-07 00:02 EST

The Headmaster too was silent. He ate and drank and eventually put his clothes back on. He then laid down and proceeded to go to sleep. True and good sleep.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-08 21:22 EST

The soft sultry voice penetrated his sleep, plunging Briarius further into sleep, into a dream.

"Ya chose 'th right island, Bri."

The face of Sharilis came into view as he turned his head to see her. She was right there, alive.. flesh and blood. Hazel green hues twinkled with mirth and a brilliant smile marked by two dimples, one to either side. The angelic face was framed by silvery hair with a tint of blue... just like the panther that had laid down near him... except that she was there instead of that panther. She got up and moved closer to sit beside him where he lay.

"Ye had me a bit worried, Luv. I thought ye were gonna venture back the way ye came. T'would nae be a good thing ... nae a good thing at all. It's been so long..."

She'd missed him terribly and he could feel that in the touch of her hand that came to stroke his cheek.

"Shh...it'll be all righ, Bri... it'll be all righ. Ye've come a long way an ye've a long way 't go yet. But I've faith in ye. Ye must 'ave faith in yerself. Cause it's just beginnin... it's only the start. I ne'er stopped lovin ye..."

She leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"It's time, Bri... time fer yer Change..."

Her lips trailed little kisses along his hairline, down to his cheek, a fair moment to his lips and then to his ear... Then suddenly pain shot through his earlobe. Had she bit it?

The next moment found Bri awake, the panther gone and Jalek on the other side still sound asleep. It was morning and Bri's right ear was stinging. There was a little blood and oddly an earring in his ear now.... the blood having come from that. He felt something, though.. a divine connection he'd never known before.

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-08 21:29 EST

The Headmaster woke with a start. He gingerly touched his new adornment. Something was different...he couldn't place it. It was morning and Jalek was waking. He summoned a phantom mirror and looked at the earring. It was simple, but made of no metal that he could readily identify. It seemed like platinum, but too iridescent.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-09 17:14 EST

Jalek woke with a start. Her tongue felt like it was barbed. She held her mouth open as she sat up and brought her fingers to her tongue to feel it gingerly. Something metal was pierced through it.

"Uhh! my tongue."

It was difficult to form those words as her gaze went to meet Bri's. She could see him looking at himself in the mirror. She scrambled over and showed him her tongue. It had a stud pierced in it made of the same irridescent metal, tiny lines of color shifted along it but was only visible when close up.

"Wha you do to me? I tought it wass a dream you bit me. You do this? My fodder's gonna kill me!"

Apparently, she'd had a similar dream but of him. She used his mirror to look at her tongue. There was some kind of writing on the stud but it was too small to see clearly. She looked at his earring, noticing it too had some writing as well. It all became clear to her.

"The stone... We broke it together. We're linked."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-10 07:18 EST

He noted her intent study and magnified the image in the mirror to read it.

"Stick out your tongue to the mirror."

The Headmaster bore a little apprehension to this. He didn't what was going on...and he hated that.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-10 14:26 EST

Jalek turned the stud this way then that while she stuck out her tongue again and looked in the mirror. It was still very tiny but she could make out the markings a little clearer. She cast a read spell and cursed silently.

"Immune to language and read spells.... figures."

She muttered and went back to studying it. She was silent for some time. Then she pulled her tongue back into her mouth.

"I'm only vaguely familiar with the language. It' very old, not elven but celestial... I think it might be Solar dialect but I can't be certain. And it was purposefully done so you can read it in a mirror. Of that I'm certain. Both our names are there and clearly read in the mirror. There's something about sharing or binding in it, too. I think both. There's more but I don't know what it is. And if you didnt' gather, spell use will get you nowhere. How's your celestial? You've got writing on yours, too."

She leaned closer to take a better look at Bri's earring.

"Yep, our names are there, too.. I can see it already."

She handed Bri the mirror so he could take a crack at it for it was up to him to finish it if he could. She waited to let him look at her tongue if he felt the need. Although she did cast a quick and silent cantrip to get rid of the dragon breath...

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-10 16:01 EST

It may have been years ago, but Briarius did remember Celestial. In fact, the Headmaster took mental note that he still remembered all of the languages he learned which were more than any in the known worlds could cataloge.

"I can make it out...and it's definitely native."

He studied the adornments carefully.

"It seems that we are the guardians of the adornments. They hold power, but they use the word for creation instead of power. It also says that we are bound by duty and time to each other. There is also symbols for the Circle there...and time..."

Briarius looked truly puzzled. He could read the words, but they seemed not to make sense in the syntax.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-12 16:16 EST

Jalek moved to be on his right side and stuck her tongue out again, using the mirror so that he could use it, too. She could see what he was talking about. While her tongue was out, her gaze caught with his and suddenly she just started to chuckle quietly at how they were looking. She was rediculous with her tongue sticking out and he looked like he was preening like a girl over an earring. She pulled her tongue back in.

"Aren't we a pair?"

Even though she saw amusement, she still felt like crying. In fact, her eyes did fill with a mist of tears. She shifted to sit down more comfortably and gave up looking in the mirror.

"I only hope that this took the curse away. If it means packing my things and being with you, well, then... so be it. I don't know what it means. I don't know what we're supposed to do.. I don't know a lot. But we are bound. What if we're bound to stay here? Does it say anything about that? I don't understand this power... this .. I feel .... something that I can't descibe. I want to say a constant connection like the connection to a god but different because it is this power, this creation. It's you and I."

She wanted to ask him what they were, if they were supposed to be gods or which god were they now serving... but the words wouldn't pass her lips. Jalek had a few tears trickle down her cheeks while she'd been carefully trying to talk. It would take her a little bit to get used to a stud stuck to her tongue. It would take her longer to get used to the meaning and power of that jewelry. Although, she wasn't bothered about being bound to him, she kinda looked forward to it.

"Am I to come with you? Maybe we should try to go back to my home. I want to see for myself that the curse is broken..."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-12 16:21 EST

The Headmaster began a teleportation spell when he remembered the acute aversion Jalek seemed to have to them. He let the spell fizzle and then began a spell that would open a portal so they could enter the nearest tree and exit near Jalek's hime. The tree nearest to the clearing glowed black.

"Pass through the tree and we will be at your home."

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-12 20:00 EST

Jalek wiped her tears, helped gather their things and moved to step through the portal. She paused next to him before she did go in. Setting her pack back down, she fiddled with a ring on her right ring finger.

"I want to thank you, Briarius. You've done so much for us and I.. I would be honored if you'd accept this. I was going to wait until we parted ways, but I get the feeling now would be better. Our Chief will no doubt want every detail but I think there are some things best left unspoken..."

She played with the stud in her tongue, feeling it with her teeth. She handed Bri the ring. It was made of mithril and etched with an elven design, one most would consider for a male. While it fit her ring finger, it was more likely designed for a pinky.

"It was given to me by my great, great grandfather. He told me he got it from a woman whom he helped in a profound way. He never said what that something was, but he told me that when the time came I would know who to give this to after they helped me in a profound way. May you someday pass this on in the same manner."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-13 07:59 EST

The Headmaster accepted the ring and placed it on his left pinky. He noted the etchings and realized they were elven runes.

"Thank you, but your home awaits..."

The Headmaster gestured to the tree.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-13 16:27 EST

Jalek nodded and stepped through, waiting for him on the other side.... She didn't even look to see exactly where they were stepping through to, she simply went through and turned around to wait.

Meanwhile, the Chief turned around at the sound of footsteps behind him. His gaze widened at the sight of the portal and even more so as the figures came through. It was obvious the curse had been lifted. He looked years younger and the paleness of his skin was gone. It was like night and day. His smile turned to a mischevious grin as Jalek seemed to not notice him. He began to sneak up behind her....

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-13 17:15 EST

The Headmaster stepped through and noticed the mirth. He prepared some magicks just in case. He didn't want Jalek to knock the poor man unconscious.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-14 15:31 EST

Jalek wouldn't get a chance to knock anyone unconscious. The Chief picked Jalek up in a big 'ol bear hug and swung her around and away from the portal. She screamed and He was laughing before he set her down so she would recognize his voice.

"It's gone! The curse is gone! WELCOME HOME!" He set her down and spun her around, then posed as if showing himself off.

"Uncle Chet!" she was so relieved, she hoped into his arms and hugged him. "It worked!" Jalek then let go and stepped back by Briarius. "Thanks to Briarius."

Chet looked between the two and oddly tilted his head, catching sight of the earring in Briarius ear. But that was only briefly as the ring he now wore on his hand most definitely caught his attention. He looked to Jalek's hand to confirm it then back to Briarius.

"My thanks and I am ever indebted to you." the Chief bowed to Bri.

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-14 16:07 EST

"Please..."

The Headmaster held up his hands.

"...there is no need for that. The fact the will of the Greater Good is served and that happiness is restored are accolades enough for me. I am glad to see that the curse is broken and that you may return to life."

He smiled.

"...and speaking of returns. I believe my students and staff are awaiting mine. I should return to my home as well."

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-14 16:30 EST

Jalek looked a bit wide eyed as she watched her uncle. She smiled gently and moved to be beside him.

"So soon? But you've only arrived." Yet he could see Briarius really wanted to get back. "I understand. Our home is your home. May your travels bring you back again one day that I might somehow repay the kindness you've shown us." The Chief inclined his head graciously and stepped aside. "I will leave you two alone then. Fare well, Briarius."
Chet left them alone and headed up the steps of the tree.

They were outside by the tree that they had slept in before. Jalek watched her uncle go a moment and then turned to Briarius. She was uncertain of what she should do and couldn't voice her thoughts. She simply looked to the headmaster to decide if she stayed or went with him. She was still fearful of too far a separation. It was something she couldn't explain.

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-14 16:55 EST

The Headmaster produced a ruby much like the one he gave Captain Bel and his son, but this one was larger and seemed to radiate more magick.

"This is a Mosa Ruby. It is much like the calling gems, but actually opens a gate to the person it is attuned to. If you ever have need for me, please call upon me. There is room for you at Ravensheart Academy if you choose to leave your people. I do leave that choice to you. Your people have a heroine and maybe you should stay with them for a time to establish all the good we started. Lady Jalektarnylith, it was an honor and pleasure having you with me."

The Headmaster smiled warmly at her and hugged her. After that, he turned to leave.

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-14 17:15 EST

It was as Jalek feared. He was leaving. Her fingers lifted to take the Mosa Ruby into her hand, a sadness in her gaze at first until she saw the warmth in his eyes. It was surprisingly contageous and it caught within her own gaze. She hugged him close and started to watch him go but something spurred her on.

"Briarius, wait.." she closed the distance and seemed she was going to do something else, but stopped and merely laid a hand on his arm. "The door's always open this way, too."

He was right. She knew she needed to stay and it was going to be all right.

"Third tier up.. " she glanced up to a third balcony up in the tree.

"I'll see you again."

Briarius · Date: 2007-10-14 17:55 EST

The Headmaster nodded and walked out. He cast a simple spell that readorned him in his good clothes and then teleported back just outside the anti-magick field and then passed through. Once on the otehr side, he teleported just outside Exodii City. He strolled back in through the gates and headed to the portal back to RhyDin. He approached the portal and the guard asked for his identity.

"Briarius Ravensheart, Headmaster of the Ravensheart Academy."

Shauri · Date: 2007-10-14 18:08 EST

Jalek watched him go before she went back to her family, her life....

The guard at the gate in Exodii nclinded his head with a bow.

"Well met, Headmaster. Come back again soon."

The guard smiled and let Briarius on his way through the portal back to RhyDin. It was only after the headmaster went through that the guard realized... he just let Sha'uri's sort of step father through. He turned to the other guard.

"Call dispatch. Send a messenger through the portal at the school. I believe that one is still working. Inform the Headmaster Briarius that Sha'uri and Lyndra are at the Citadel infermary. Let the infirmary know the Headmaster has returned...."

The other nodded and was on his way to have the message delivered.

Topic: Briarius' Sabbatical

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