[CHURCH]  COMPENDIUM XIII
MIDNIGHT DISCUSSION


	*****		*****		*****

'Actions not words.' Jarrad had said.

Thai put her scrying equipment in her pack and glanced around
her tower room once more.  Had she missed anything?  No.  She'd never
fully unpacked and had brought little with her to Ifreann anyway.
Magic had always provided everything she needed, until now.  Proctor
John would never let her leave the church, and she'd lose Jarrad if
she stayed.  Ergo, she would have to kill Proctor John.  Losing Jarrad had 
ceased days ago to be an option.

She cast her teleport spell and emerged in the darkness
between two trees.  Through the darkness around her she heard a sword
rasp from its sheath.  The sword of Xeen?  Eldarion had heard her
arrival of course, as she'd known he would.  Her heat trace showed up
remarkably well at the edge of the clearing in the middle of the cool
night.

She had timed it so that only he was on watch at the moment,
what she had to ask was private.

"Don't attack me, please, I only want to talk to you." Slowly
Thai turned around, hands spread wide apart, to face the elf
Eldarion.

"Your words and glamour failed you before Deacon.  Now I'm
armed and you cannot affect me."

Thai smiled slightly.  "I didn't come here to seduce you.  I
came for information.  You claimed to have killed a Darkguard.  I
want to know how."
--Phaedra Whitlock

Eldarion smiled thinly.  "You wish to know how to kill darkguard?  Excuse
me, I would laugh at your little joke, but I do not wish to wake my comrades."
Eldarion brought his sword up till the point rested beneath the chin of the
Deaconess.  "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't thrust my blade deep
into your skull, Deaconess.  You did nought to us but harm.  Why do you
think I would help you?"

The sword of Xeen begins to exude a geenish glow as if in anticipation.
--Johny Enright

Thai lifted her head a notch, refusing to show weakness to this elf.

"I didn't. I admit I dont like you, but how many reasons can I 
have to want information on killing a Dark Guard. As for harm..."

Her eyes narrowed until she was forced to control herself.

Her voice shook. "I didn't come here to fight you."

"I didn't have to come here, and certainly not alone. I harmed 
you not at all, none of you, although I admit I tried to manipulate you 
and was more than ready to see you burn. If I said I regretted that you'd 
laugh, and the only regret I have right now is that you failed. And you 
did fail Eldarion. I watched him disappear and hide while leaving the 
rest of us to fight and die if we weren't good enough. I watched a girl 
hang from a balcony with flames all around her. I watched you run away 
with your friends, leaving the town to burn. I watched myself..."

Thai shivered suddenly and closed her eyes tight to forget.
--Phaedra Whitlock

At first as Thai spoke, Eldarion's attitude was confrontational.  The concept
that she had done him no harm was ludicrous!  Aiding and abetting the enemy,
and turning a blind eye to the suffering he, his sister, and their allies had
to endure was harm enough!  But Thai's later words began to sound like those
of the betrayed, as those of someone who has suddenly realized what her
actions have meant.

*She's tricking you again, Eldarion.  Kill her now!*  The voice was that of
Eldarion's sword, speaking directly into his mind.  It's bloodlust was
obvious.  For the moment, Eldarion resisted the urgings of his weapon.
--Michael Dew

"This was a foolish idea. I was stupid to think I could change."

Thai opened her eyes to look at Eldarion. Tears glistened there 
despite herself. "Before you kill me, tell me one thing."

Honesty and tears roughened her voice as she continued. "You're a 
hero, you and your friends. I never understood you, never understood why 
anyone would sacrifice for anyone else. I'm not a hero and I've done 
things that would have you run me through now if I told you, so why would 
someone say they loved me? Tell me that, please. I don't understand... I 
don't understand..."

Tears fell from her eyes as the Deaconess started sobbing in the 
moonlight.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Eldarion was awe-struck.  As much of a hardened warrior that he was, there
had always been a compassionate side to the elf...a tribute of his status in
the House Elessidel, perhaps.  And it was these two sides that were now
waging a battle for Eldarion's will.  Compassion dictated mercy, while the
warrior side (supported by the sword of Xeen, of course) urged revenge.  This
conflict manifested itself as a long, uncomfortable silence.

He finally was able to wrestle a decision out of his mind.  While he was a
well-trained and skilled fighter, he had always fought against those who
marched unwavering with the forces of evil.  It seemed, however, that the
woman before him might be wavering, and if she could be turned against evil,
so much the better.  And with her closeness to Proctor John, such a subversive
would be immeasurably valuable in the battle against the Dark One.  Also, she
had taken no aggresive action upon arriving (other than finding the location of
their campsite) and appeared to be unarmed.  If she did take an aggressive action,
then his sword of Xeen would feast tonight!

Finally, the elf found a voice.  "Deaconess, you seem troubled, and you speak
incoherently.  I shall give you a moment to explain yourself before I pronounce
sentence for the crimes you have committed against my sister, my friends, and
myself!"  Eldarion continued to hold the sword at Thai's head, but the glow
began to gradually diminish, ever so slightly.
--Michael Dew

While Eldarion thought, Thai had gradually managed to stop her 
tears, but she still felt miserable. She rubbed a last tear trail from her face with 
the back of her hand and sniffed to clear her throat. 

She shook her head. What was the use. Still, she had to. Tears 
started again, but slower.

"Explain myself. Alright. I was raised to be a mage, to get what 
I wanted from those around me, using them if I had to, doing whatever I 
wanted because I had the power and so the right. Yes I know how you hate 
me for saying that."

Thai's tears stopped again as her icy demeanor reasserted itself. 
"I came to this place following my cousin because she'd gotten in trouble 
with the guard and I thought she'd need me. She didn't, but it didn't 
matter because I'd been captured by a group of guardsmen and taken to the 
church.'

Thai's voice started shaking with anger and rage. "Proctor John 
told me I'd burn if I didn't join his cause, and I had no intentions of 
burning Eldarion. I needed a new employer, and I knew he could teach me 
magic. I'm no fool. That morning I met you for the first time. You 
fascinated me because you were an elf, and I hadn't seen many. I'm 
half-elven. You attacked him in the hall, and I saw his wounds heal 
before my eyes. He didn't even move. I followed you outside, you and the 
others were put on the pyre and then rescued, you attacked him with this 
sword and he vanished. Smith started burning the town down, others in the 
crowd started killing anyone next to them. People were dying and it was 
all for you. I saw Jarrad and attacked him because it was my job and I 
caught him, teleported him inside. By then most of the worst was over, 
except for the fire. With help I finally put it out."

"I had a plan to catch the other Refusers and I used it. Jarrad 
was bait. I did it too, only Jarrad escaped."

Thai closed her eyes as if in pain. "He said he loved me."

Tears started to gather again. "He came back when I was poisoned, 
he helped me... He's like you, only he's lying. I know he can't love me, 
but I can't stop thinking... I... He..." 

"I have to kill Proctor John, Eldarion. I know too much about what 
he is to leave the church, but if I don't leave I'll lose Jarrad. I can't... 
can't do that. You said you'd killed a Dark Guard, so I found you. Jarrad 
told me Actions Not Words, and the only way I can prove that I'm not... 
not... what I am, is to kill Proctor John, and to kill him I need to know 
how you did it."

"I know you don't believe me. I almost hope you do kill me, 
because then it won't hurt anymore."

"I'm sorry I hurt you. I don't know why I care but I do. Just... 
don't tell Jarrad. If he wasn't lying, then I want him to remember me the 
way I was at the end. Not like this. Not here. Not like this..."

Thai looked off to the side, thinking of Jarrad and how happy 
she'd been with him. Any moment now and Eldarion would push the sword 
through her skin, rupturing the jugular and killing her. Would Jarrad 
know? She thought he would, like he'd known all along that she loved him.

'I love you Jarrad...'
--Phaedra Whitlock

As Eldarion listened to the words of the Deaconess, he slowly lowered the
sword of Xeen.  When she had finished speaking, he was silent for a long
while before he spoke.  "What you ask...is difficult.  I do *not* trust
you, but I do sense sincerity in your words.  So this advice I will give
you.  Run.   See if this Jarrad will go with you, but irregardless, get
out of this area.  Proctor John is no man of the cloth, which I see you
know.  What you may not know is that he is a being a immense power.  I
would not care to meet with him when he was ready for me.  I took him
fully by surprise the other night.  Also, he is *not* just a Darkguard,
but one of the most powerful amongst them.  Know all of this going in,
for you start a dangerous path this night."

Eldarion turned his back on the Deaconess as a test.  He held the sword
at the ready, knowing it would protect him should she try to attack him
from behind.  "And now, I must bid you a good night."  If she did *not*
attack him, he would know her true worth.  Perhaps he would later regret
it, but he sensed something worthy left in the Deaconess.
--Johny Enright

Thai looked at Eldarion's back and bit her lip.

What he advised was impossible for a multitude of reasons, but 
what was there left she could say to him? Nothing came to mind, and 
without the information he had claimed to possess her attempt would most 
likely fail. She shook her head and let her eyes travel over the still 
sleeping forms of Eldarion's friends, envying him their loyalty and 
companionship. What would her life have been like with such as these 
around her?

A quiet acceptance settled over her. The time for tears was past 
and all that remained was to plan the best she could and pray it was enough.

"I apologize for disturbing your watch Eldarion. Jarrad will not 
leave until Proctor John is gone and so it seems you will have your 
vengeance on me after all. I've known all along what Proctor John truly 
is. That he is one of the more powerful Dark Guards will make me more 
cautious, but if I die at least Jarrad will know that I tried."

She smiled sadly. "I knew you were unlikely to put aside my past 
and accept that you cannot. It will take me some days to find someone 
else with the information I need. If you change your mind between now and 
then, the Baron Therion should be able to find me. As a gesture of 
goodwill towards him, he will be glad to know that his friend was rescued 
several nights ago and is safe, hidden away at the Dragon's Inn where the 
church cannot reach."

"And now with your permission, I would wander a bit before I take
my leave. I have much to ponder and few places in which I can do so safely. 
If you would tell me when your watch is completed I will leave before your 
companions can take offense at my intrusion."

Thai's eyes dropped to the forest floor as she started to turn 
away. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

The green crystal Jarrad had been given had been radiating emotions for 
the past minute, fear, hope, and anguish. Driven almost crazy by worry, 
Jarrad frantically examined the crystal, trying to get some location to 
jaunt to. All he could see was Thai's face, tears glistening in the 
moonlight, somewhere in the forrest.

Not fully understanding the jaunting process yet, Jarrad just reached out 
with his feelings and jaunted. He appeared in darkness in the forrest, 
and could hear soft voices from his left.

Carefully, he made his way towards the voices, and then saw Thai, talking 
to an elf, Eldarion if he remembered correctly. His sword glowing a 
sickly green colour in the moonlight.

Eldarion turned his back on Thai, but his muscles tensed, and he held his 
sword at the ready position. Jarrad promised himself that if Eldarion 
harmed her, he would die for it. But he couldn't step out yet, not if it 
would surprise Eldarion and make him react unexpectedly.

Thai turned away, an expression of quiet acceptance on her face.

Seeing that showing himself now would be unlikely to cause any rash 
moves, Jarrad boadcast to Thai, ::I love you:: Then stepped out from 
behind the tree he was hiding behind. He did not know if Eldarion was 
telepathic, nor cared. His attention was totally on Thai. He was a little 
unsure of himself, having not seen nor spoken to her since she was in the 
throes of her delerium, caused by the poisoning. He hoped she had 
remembered him being there, and the fact that she was talking to 
Eldarion, seemed a good sign.

He started walking towards her, closing the 10 yard gap between them.
--Paul Khangure

Thai completed her turn and looked up to see Jarrad standing 
at the edge of the forest clearing.

Surprise then embaressment swept over her, but she couldn't 
help smiling. For the first time in her life she was happy and content, 
and it was all because of him. His 'I love you' settled into her mind 
and like an idiot all she could think of to say was "I love you" back, 
so she did and meant it with all her heart.

"How long have you been here?" she asked softly, not really 
caring but wanting to hear the sound of his voice. She touched his hands 
with the tips of her fingers in a light caress, wanting him to be real 
and not another dream. 

"I missed you so much..."
--Phaedra Whitlock

All thoughts of the church, Eldarion, the proctor, and the resistance 
vanished. All was well in the world and anything was possible. Jarrad's 
smile radiated pure contentment and his hands entwined with hers. Holding 
her close, Jarrad was silent, words were not needed in the presence of 
love, but the sound of her voice was music.

"I just arrived, I tried to reach you earlier, but your room was warded, 
and it wasn't safe to wait around. The church is not particularly safe at 
the moment." A minute or so later, he returned to Ifreann, and remembered 
that there was another person present.
--Paul Khangure

	"I didn't want anyone just walking into my room anymore." she 
replied slipping an arm around his waist. "I'll fix that when I return."
--Phaedra Whitlock

Eldarion watched as the stranger came into the open.  He steeled himself for
an attack, but none came.  Instead, the stranger seemed not to be aware of
his presence.  Eldarion relaxed a bit.
--Johny Enright

Turning to Eldarion, his left arm  resting comfortably around Thai, Jarrad 
greeted him. "I don't think we have had time to meet properly before. I 
saw you briefly last week at the fireworks, but then you had to leave. I 
am Jarrad" He held his other hand out, wondering whether Eldarion would 
sheath his sword, or refuse the handshake.
--Paul Khangure

	Thai simply rested against Jarrad. She had said everything she had
planned to say and the long day was starting to catch up to her.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Eldarion hesitated a moment, then sheathed his weapon.  He grasped the man's
hand firmly with his own (still with a sense of waryness).  "I am Captain
Eldarion Elessidel.  Well met." he said with a nod.  Upon breaking the hand
shake, Eldarion's hand returned to rest upon the pommel of the sword of Xeen.
--Johny Enright

Thai looked slightly surprised at Eldarion's rank then thought 
better of it. Why not? He deserved it no doubt.

Her gaze followed his hand to the sword of Xeen. The aura of it 
was odd. Certainly evil. 

As the two talked she couldn't help but wonder why, now that it 
was no longer at her throat, Eldarion carried such a thing.

No matter. His secrets were his own.

Her gaze returned to Eldarion's face and she realized suddenly 
that she'd told Eldarion her plans, but not Jarrad.

Later.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Noticing the elf's hesitation, and the way he kept his hand near his 
sword, Jarrad smiled wryly and glanced at the sword. IT was 
understandable though, trusting the church or its associated members was 
considered slightly detrimental to one's health.

"So that is one of the fabled Swords of Xeen?" asked Jarrad. "I hadn't 
heard of them until very recently, and konw next to nothing about them. 
Could you give me a little information? How many are there? How do they 
work? Do you know the location of any others. I have heard that the 
Proctor is a DarkGuard, but know little about them also."

This was a moment of decision. Jarrad wondered which way Eldarion would 
choose. To reveal what knowledge he had hoping it would help in the 
defeat of the church, or to keep quiet so as not to let others know the 
extent or limit of his knowledge. Well whatever the outcome of this eve, 
it was extremely unlikely to have been a waste of time. Jarrad squeezed 
Thai gently.
--Paul Khangure

Eldarion was quickly alarmed when Jarred started speaking of his sword.
He listened to all of his questions, and quickly deduced that these two
were seeking a weapon to use against the head of the church of Montfort. 

He thought carefully on his reply, and drew forth the sword again.  "The
Swords of Xeen are cursed blades, Jarred."  He said, bringing the blade
up so it could be seen better in the moonlight.  Instead of metal, the
blade seemed to be made of a black marble with silver veins.  Both Thai
and Jarred blinked as they saw the veins in the marble twist and move.
Neither could be sure if it was actually the blade or some trick of the
moonlight.  "It is most unwise to seek a curse to be brought upon your-
self."  In a quick fluid motion, Eldarion swiped the sword out and 
resheathed his weapon.

"There were thirteen of the blades in the beginning, carved from the 
black teeth of the dragon-demon Xeen.  There are many aspects to the
curse, as well as benefits given to the owner by the sword.  The worst
aspect of the curse is that each bearer is forced to seek out other
bearers to duel to the death.  If you lose this duel, you get to spend
eternity in torment within the blade of the victor.  This sword I bear
holds the souls of four such losers of duels.  The demonic forces of 
those four other swords are within it as well."

Eldarion's face turned dark and grave.  "I'll tell you this much. The
last bearer whom I defeated was mine very own uncle, father to young
Zeph over there".  He motioned behind him towards the clearing.  "I 
must bear the knowledge of what I've done for the rest of my life.  If
you do love each other, seek not this very same curse.  Though there
may still be eight other swords out there, I do know that the swords
have a much greater affect on the minds of humans than they do with
my kind.  You would soon become the evil you seek to destroy."

Eldarion had hoped his words had disuaded the couple before him. "I
know you wish to end the evil in Montfort.  I would go with you myself
to aid you in your quest, but I have pressing business elsewhere. 
Know that should we succeed in our business, a greater evil than you 
know even with Proctor John shall be destroyed.  I caution you again,
just get on with your lives.  Seek not the Swords of Xeen..."

Eldarion turned and began to walk away.  They heard his final, haunting
words as he stepped out. "...for if you do, then shall we two meet 
again in an unfortunate time."
--Johny Enright

Thai watched Eldarion leave, then tilted her head 
back to look at Jarrad.

"I won't risk losing you. Tomorrow I'll ask my 
mother what can be done and have her identify the amulet 
Proctor John gave me. If anyone will know of a weapon or 
way to Kill a Dark Guard Lord she will."

"Proctor John returns in five days," she said turning 
in Jarrad's arms to face him. "Did you have any plans until then?"

Jarrad shook his head as her hands slid up his chest 
between them.

"Well I do. Would you like to go to my room and 
discuss them?"

Jarrad doubted there would be much talking done in 
her room and as it happened, he was right.
--Phaedra Whitlock

	Standing on the steps of a ruined temple at dawn, 
several time zones west of Montfort, Thai waited until the 
second moon of Ifreann had risen over the distant mountains 
before completing the Gate that led to Crossroads. The world of 
Crossroads was littered with gates and portals linking it to other 
Planes and Worlds, and it was by this gate she had come to 
Ifreann three weeks earlier tracking her wayward cousin.

A light breeze lifted her hair as the spell approached 
its completion. She scribed the last few sigils in the air before 
her and felt the violent, chaotic energies of the Gate matrix whirl 
and wrench at her as she controlled it lest it be controlled by 
someone, or something, else.

The Gateway ceased its cacophony as the matrix 
settled into one clear, pure note, and between the heavy stone 
blocks of the temple wall appeared the Gate. Thai readjusted 
her pack and cloak and stepped through onto a cracked stone 
floor high above sea level. 

A dry fountain dominated the inner court of this set 
of ruins. Once a nobleman's fortress in the mountains of 
eastern Skejan, now it was a cold, lonely haven for mountain 
eagles and travellers.

Thai crossed the windy, rough expanse and descended 
an open stair into the lower court, trailing her hand on the cold, 
weathered stone balustrade to her right. 

She passed through several large chambers to the 
great hall, and out through the graceful arched way where a 
door had once kept the elements from within.

A small shrine, overgrown by time, was set back 
from the path leading away from the fortress. Thai dropped 
the hood of her cloak and briefly prayed to Astarte for 
assistance, then she placed a silver coin in the depression of 
the small alter.

Silently another gate formed, and Thai stepped 
through into the hot, humid air of Shatterfall. The clamor and 
smell of this most ancient of cities was overwhelming, even 
here on the flat roof of her mother's house.

A slight chiming announced her arrival. By the red-
orange sun it was mid-morning.

Two servants emerged from below and bowed low 
before her.

Thai swept past them and into the cooler regions of 
the house. She turned right, towards the front and Arabella's 
study. 

The manse was still decorated in the dark, baroque 
style Arabella favored, but there were a few new pieces on 
display. A pair of huge stone urns and a set of gold 
chainmail, gauntlets and Great Sword hanging on the wall 
between two heavy, dark red tapestries caught Thai's eye, 
glowing with a deep orange-amber sheen to her magesight. 

She shook her head and continued down the hall. To 
her right the hall opened to become a balcony twenty feet 
above the front hall of the house. Twin staircases, one 
curving from each side of the huge room, hugged the walls as 
they descended, curling back as they reached the floor. A 
mural of deities and giants battling graced the vaulted ceiling. 
Light poured in through slits in the dome and when night fell, 
Thai knew that magical lights would appear.

As she continued past the main hall, Thai could hear 
muffled sounds from some of the rooms, whether from man, 
beast or Planar creature she didn't know, but a faint reptilian 
smell under the spicy incense Arabella favored caused Thai to 
shudder slightly, cold despite the heat.

A wizened gargoyle stepped from a room past the 
other stairs, and closed the serpentine carved door quietly 
behind him. 

He too bowed to Thai, and held the door for her as 
she neared him. Thai stepped inside and dropped her cloak 
from her shoulders. The creature took it with him, leaving 
Thai alone with her mother, the Sorceress Arabella of Tarsis.


Hours later Thai stood at the huge crystal globe 
Arabella used for scrying, her fingertips stroking its cool 
surface lazily as fire danced within. 

Arabella had identified the amulet. Thai had known 
it functioned to drain energy from others, but had NOT 
known about the diamond Proctor John had used to spy on 
her.

Now Arabella sat on a huge dark red cushion 
waiting for Thai to explain her other reason for coming.

In concise terms Thai related everything that had 
occurred since she had last reported in, going into depth on 
what she knew of Proctor John and his lord, the Dark One. 

Arabella listened carefully, disturbed by the change 
in her daughter. "I know of no way to kill a Dark Guard Lord 
such as you describe Thai, and Captain Elessidel himself 
failed twice, even with the Sword of Xeen."

"Yes mother, I know that." Thai sighed. "There must 
be a way though. Are you certain you know of none?"

Arabella could think of several, but Jarrad's 
influence had to be stopped.

"There is only one, as the Captain himself told you. 
A single Sword of Xeen may not be enough, but when the 
thirteen swords are one, then it can be used to kill a Dark 
Guard Lord."

"But Eldarion has only slain four, and it would take 
a long time to find the others."

"In the future, all the swords will be one. Go to 
there/then, and you will have your weapon." Arabella's calm 
dark eyes watched Thai turn the idea over in her mind. 
Should Thai succeed, Arabella had no doubts the evil of the 
dragon-demon Xeen that resided in the swords would 
overcome whatever influence any wandering swordsman 
might have over Thai.

If Thai failed, her father would never know that it 
was Arabella who had sent Thai to her death.

Thai nodded her acceptance of the plan, and with 
Arabella's help spent the rest of the afternoon modifying the 
portal spell to take her and several others into the future.

Beneath all the preparations, Jarrad remained with her in 
the back of her mind.
--Phaedra Whitlock