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[Xeen] Compendium Chapter 13
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Amaranth yelped in surprise as Semareth lifted her from the
ground and dashed away from the last, flailing remains of the
worm.  Hell, Zeph's other Legentors were never going to let her
live this one down -- swept up into his arms and carried from the
field of battle like a helpless baby.  It almost would have been
better to have gone down the worm's gullet along with her horse.

Well, maybe *that* was going a bit too far.
--Rebecca Ward

Semareth stopped as he reached the shelter where Thai and Jarrad were. It 
was then that he looked down at the woman in his arms, his silver eyes 
looking with hope that she was not hurt.

She was not dead, that much was for sure. He could feel her chest rising 
and falling against his, but he dared not place her down until he was 
sure that no damage was done to her legs.
--Nick Takayama

In the slow journey from darkness to light, Jarrad opened his eyes to a 
sight he never would have expected. That was almost an expression of 
tenderness in Semareth's eyes.
--Paul Khangure

Amaranth kicked -- or tried to.  "Put me down, you fool!" she
hissed, knowing that once the frenzy of battle had cooled, they
would soon be surrounded by the other members of the party.
Unfortunately, Semareth was not cooperating with her efforts to
save at least some of her dignity.  In fact, she had to admit, as
she looked into those lovely silver eyes, dignity might be
overrated.

Her kicks, already hampered by the folds of his cloak, stopped.
"My goodness," she murmured, only now noticing the pain from her
burns.  "You *are* a pretty one, aren't you?"
--Rebecca Ward

Seeing Jarrad was okay, just exhausted, Thai quickly stood and joined 
Semareth. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

::Corporal, are you hurt?::

The elf woman looked decidely unhurt and much too comfortable in Sem's 
arms for Thai to tolerate without a twinge of jealousy. That Thai had 
chosen Jarrad over the High Inquisitor had not changed her liking for Sem. 
Thai always had and always would be protective of his interests, and this 
chainmailed kitten in heat was NOT liable to win Thai's liking. They were 
too much alike.
--Phaedra Whitlock

She almost didn't hear Thai Silverrun's question, but a certain
undercurrent of tension cut through the pain from her legs and
the tickle of amusement she felt from Semareth's surprised
expression.  It was a note Amaranth had heard before, the tone of
jealousy, and one Amaranth would have expected to come from the
girl Cari -- surely not Thai, with her lover lying only half-
conscious on the ground behind her.

Amaranth had no idea whether Semareth was reading the veiled
emotions correctly; there was no doubt from the look on Jarrad's
still dazed face that *he* did.  Before Amaranth's better half
could stop herself, she curled one hand around Semareth's neck
and pulled his mouth down to her own.
--Rebecca Ward

Semareth stood stunned momentarily as the elf's soft lips first touched 
his. It did not take long, however, before he found himself returning the 
kiss gently, appreciating the warmth of the woman in his arms. When the 
moment ended, he was speechless.
--Nick Takayama

Jarrad summoned enough energy for a hoarse chuckle, both at the unspoken 
thought of Amaranths, and the expression on Sem's face, after the 
unexpected kiss. Simply priceless.
--Paul Khangure

It was a long kiss, and Amaranth was pleased to note, not a
chaste one.  Well worth any teasing from the other Legentors by
itself, even if the glare from Thai Silverrun, and the semi-
conscious grin from Jarrad, hadn't provided an extra reward.

Unfortunately, the burns on her lower legs prevented any follow-
up.  Amaranth knew they weren't too serious, but the pain was
starting to build.  "Not hurt too badly, I wager," she finally
responded to Thai's question, "though I believe I'll need some
salve."  This time, she managed to stop herself before adding,
'maybe Semareth could help with applying it.'  But Thai's frown
told her the other woman had heard the thought as clearly as if
it had been spoken aloud.
--Rebecca Ward

Thai watched Amaranth's 'gesture' and was forcibly reminded of the 
effects of combat on some people's emotional states. Barricading her 
thoughts for later, when they were back in Montfort, Thai handed Sem a 
small pouch of burn cream. Using fire as much as she did Thai was never 
without. 

Turning her back on the two Thai knelt by Jarrad's side. Taking his hand 
between hers she kissed his palm lightly and smiled. Sem could never 
replace what Jarrad meant to her. ::I can help you regain your strength if 
you feel you need it. If not, let's get you up and onto a horse before 
something comes to investigate the disturbance.::
--Phaedra Whitlock

"I don't think I'll try that one again for a while." said Jarrad, his 
tone a little deeper and huskier due to an extremely dry throat.

With Thai's assistance, he drank deeply from one of the water bottles, 
and leverd himself up into a sitting position.
--Paul Khangure

Thai helped Jarrad sit up and then held him still for a moment. 
Admiration and adoration lit her dark eyes as she gazed into his.
::You were wonderful.:: She leaned forward the few inches separating 
them to kiss him lingeringly, then withdrew and helped him get to his 
feet. 

It was more than time to leave.
--Phaedra Whitlock

While the battle had been going on Cari had managed to tie her
horse to a dead tree and pulled the medical supplies free. She
worked her way forward, ready for when the supplies might be
needed.

She wasn't sure how badly hurt anyone was when she was able to
see Thai leave Jarrad's side and go to where Semareth and
Amaranth lay, so she hurried over. Just in time for her to see
Amaranth pull Semareth's head down to her.

Cari's green eyes were noncommittal as she pulled out the salve
and handed it down to Amaranth. The acolyte forced down any
rising of jealousy; reminding herself that there was no time for
such emotions. She wondered if this hot-blooded Legentor only
lived for the moment, having given up all hope on a future.  It
was a interesting scene she had come upon, also having noted
Thai's protectiveness. Had the ex-Deaconess not truly decided
between Jarrad and Semareth? Under other circumstances Cari might
have worried, but she had to give the woman credit - she was
focused on this quest.
--Cathy Mosley

Amaranth merely grinned as Semareth set her down, and started
unwrapping his cloak from around her legs.  "Your misfortune,"
she said in a low voice, "to have three women gazing adoringly at
you at such a time as this."  For she hadn't missed Cari's
reaction either -- though the girl's expression had given her
second thoughts.  Teasing Thai Silverrun was one thing -- the
woman almost deserved it, bristling with jealousy while Jarrad
lay untended in the mud behind her.

But the relationship between Semareth and Cari was something
different from, and more, than that between Semareth and Thai.
Even with Thai's return sally with Jarrad.  As she pulled the
charred edges of her trousers away from her shins, Amaranth spoke
again, this time less lightly, to Cari.  "My apologies to you."
Wondering whether Semareth had any inkling why such an apology to
his acolyte was necessary.  Cari just looked at her with those
dark eyes, and Amaranth could not find the words to say what
needed to be said.

"You have what I don't," she added finally, feeling the
inadequacy.  She started applying the salve (an abundance of it,
from Thai and Cari both), glad to note that the pain fell to a
dull ache; only one long stripe down the back of her right calf
showed serious burning beyond severe blistering.  She could
not help but flinch as she picked the edges of burnt cloth from
the blackened skin.  "You have time."  In that, she tried to
encompass the slow winding down of her own world, and the sure
ending she saw for herself.  The things that made one kiss from a
handsome stranger -- at least momentarily -- the most important
thing in the world.

Snapping shut the salve, she tossed it back to Cari, snorting in
impatience at her own thoughts.  -Gods,- she thought to herself
with a hint of disgust, -now I'm really getting maudlin.-  If she
had time, she could probably write her own hideous ballad.
--Rebecca Ward

Before Cari had intended not to indicate she understood the Legentor's 
apology, but now she looked surprised. The idea that she had time was 
new to her; since coming to Montfort she had considered herself living 
on borrowed time. But in relationship to Amaranth, who saw her world 
inevitably dying, she did have time; that was why they were on this 
quest - to bring back some hope for Montfort.

At least Amaranth allowed herself to enjoy the small, bright things of 
life. She sent, amazing herself for admitting the truth of her feelings 
for Semareth, ::It would be wrong of me to begrudge you your moment.:: 
--Cathy Mosley

Snapping shut the salve, Amaranth tossed it back to Cari, snorting in
impatience at her own thoughts.  -Gods,- she thought to herself
with a hint of disgust, -now I'm really getting maudlin.-  If she
had time, she could probably write her own hideous ballad.
--Rebecca Ward

Cari caught the salve and gave Amaranth a brief smile as she went back to 
her horse.
--Cathy Mosley

Laying Amaranth down slowly, Semareth noted a faint buzz to the air, as 
he felt around mind-speak. It was obviously private, and he could feel it 
emanating from the women around him. He didn't even want to guess what it 
was they were saying, nor did he wish to attempt to decipher Amaranth's 
comments to Cari a few moments ago. He knew he would never understand 
women, but had learned to enjoy the moments... he subtly licked his lips, 
savouring this moment. He noticed a rather amused look on Jarrad's face, 
and responded with a shrug... he only did what any other man would have.

He grimaced slightly as Amaranth revealed the burns on her legs, but 
quickly suppressed it - knowing that she might mistake his empathy for 
disgust (as women were wont). He gathered his soiled cloak up from the 
ground - he would replace it with a spare from his saddle bags - as soon 
as he found his horse.
--Nick Takayama

Cari sent to Thai, ::Are there others injured?::
--Cathy Mosley

::Jarrad is fine, Semareth appears to have escaped the fires without 
injury but you should check to make certain. Amaranth seems to be 
recovering and noone else was injured but Amaranth's horse.::

The loss of the horse, even an unexceptional riding horse as it had been, 
bothered Thai as much as a person's death would to anyone else.
--Phaedra Whitlock

::I'll check with him,:: Cari sent matter-of-factly, ::Though he doesn't 
appear injured.:: She added in the privacy of her thoughts, ++Thank you 
Sh'aljien - for all of their survival. And bless the passing of the horse.++
She didn't know how Sh'al felt about the souls of animals, but the equine 
had served them well.
--Cathy Mosley

Cari thought about offering her horse to Amaranth, since her own riding 
skills were greatly lacking. And she was light enough to ride double with 
someone, but she hesitated - her buttocks protested the concept of riding 
a top the most active part of the horse. She decided to save the idea 
till it became apparent there was no other way.

In the meantime she went over to Semareth, and sent, ::Semareth, did you 
take any injuries?:: Her mental voice was clear and firm, indicating she 
would not accept a flippant denial if he was in actuality wounded. Her 
deep green eyes showed nothing of her emotions, but as she studied him 
for damage she also observed his expression.
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth shifted his gaze from Amaranth's legs to Cari's worried face, 
and realised he had not had opportunity to check himself.

He looked down now, and with a perfunctory glance saw only mud-covered 
clothing. He nearly laughed at the pitfulness of his misfortune compared 
to that of the others. It was as if his dead god was still looking after 
him, or at least he had been adopted by another.

"I'm fine, Cari. Yourself?", he asked, half-whimsically, still somewhat 
reeling from the suddenness of the fading moment of passion.
--Nick Takayama

She continued to study him from head to toe before answering. She was 
relieved to see that outside of being muddied Semareth appeared to be in 
one piece. As for his mental state . .., she would called that 
half-drugged. Was that what happened when you let your barriers down and 
let life come in? She decided not ponder that right now and sent, ::I'm 
in one piece. And outside of the horse everyone seems to be in one piece 
...physically.:: With that oblique comment she went back to her horse.
--Cathy Mosley

Since she had chosen to avoid using magic; especially draconic 
magic, the healer had been required to land far enough from the party 
that she arrived just as Amaranth's 'treatment' was beginning.  She could 
tell that the Legentor was basically unhurt, and chose not to offer her 
services - the moderate burn on Amaranth's leg could wait.

Turning to Jarrad, who (while conscious and apparently enjoying 
the scene before him) was still somewhat disoriented as a result of his 
exertions, she sent a private message.  *There _were_ alternatives to 
draining yourself to that extent.  Do you require a recharge, so that you 
may function somewhat normally should we need a skilled psionicist?  My 
skills along that vein are by no means a match for yours...  By the 
Ancients!  Whatever possessed you to try something so risky?  Between you 
and your love, we might as well have put up a sign...*
--Margaret Tayti

::A sign compared to death?:: replied Jarrad. Xeen would be expecting 
some sort of confrontation with the worm anyway ... and I expect my 
psionics would be unnoticeable, given they do not affect the balance of 
magic in the world.::
--Paul Khangure

While she waited for the next decision to be made, her mismatched 
eyes never left the heavens, and she kept careful feelers of her 
life-sense out...  Things seemed far too quiet, and this 'trap' too 
easily sprung...
--Margaret Tayti

Amaranth took the other container of salve from Semareth, with only a
small smile at his veiled expression.  "*You* I won't apologize
to."  Then Amaranth considered Thai and Jarrad with narrowed
eyes.  She had a sinking feeling she had done the other woman an
injustice, but she lacked the social graces needed to smooth over
the insult.  She shifted uncomfortably for several moments,
avoiding Zeph's glare.

-There's nothing but to do it,- she told herself,
straightening her shoulders.  Gripping the salve like a life-
line, she stalked over to where Thai sat with Jarrad.  The woman
raised her eyes, her expression cold.  Under that remote gaze,
Amaranth almost found it impossible to choke out what had to be
said.  She held out the salve, twitching impatiently when Thai
didn't take it right away.  "I ..."  -If only I'd learn to think
a little before jumping to conclusions,- she thought, angry with
herself.

Jarrad's knowing look -- seeing her gagging on the apology
-- only infuriated her more.  His fingers, intertwined with
Thai's, bespoke a certainty in their relationship she envied.
--Rebecca Ward

Understanding what she thought, Jarrad was reminded of an earlier 
incident, what seemd so long ago, but would have only been a week or so.
::You two are similar in more way's than one:: Jarrad sent privately to 
Thai, accompanying it with an image of a distressed and confused 
deaconess, conferring with Eldarion.
--Paul Khangure

Thai thought about that. ::So this is what you felt like then,:: she sent 
thinking of the Eldarion scene from his viewpoint. ::I'm sorry, I didn't 
think.::
--Phaedra Whitlock

A feeling of puzzlement traversed the link, before Jarrad sent, ::Not 
that ... I was thinking of the apologies that had to be made, and the 
complete helplessness in the face of PJ. Situations tend to repeat 
themselves with different people ... ::
--Paul Khangure

Thai sighed inwardly and reached out to take the vial from Amaranth. 
::Would you like to use my horse?:: she said in a halfway friendly 
tone to make up for her earlier coldness.

::I'm glad you weren't hurt by the fires I created Amaranth.::
--Phaedra Whitlock

Amaranth stood for a moment, frowning, fighting off the urge to scratch
her already itching burns.  "You're more gracious than I am," she said
finally, deciding Thai's efforts at a truce deserved more than her
usual flippancy.  "You merit more respect than I have given you."
*That* almost choked her, but she managed to get it out.  "It is
time to move on," she added, looking around at the rest of the party.
--Rebecca Ward

Semareth looked at Cari silently as she walked back to her horse, wondering 
idly what could be so uncomfortable here that she would choose the 
discomfort of her horse instead. 

He took the opportunity to return to the site of the worm's death to 
retrieve both his sword and his horse. Both, thankfully, were in one 
piece. This prompted him to wonder what Cari had meant by her last 
comment. He decided to blame it on the conversation the women had shared.

On his way back, he stopped of to see how Amaranth was doing, then led 
his horse near to Cari's. 
--Nick Takayama

While Cari put the medical supplies away in her saddle packs she tried to 
quiet her racing thoughts by reciting the mantra for guidance; the one
Semareth had taught her while at Thai's strange tower. But she could also 
picture Semareth sitting on the a bench in front of her teaching her the 
mantra, which did nothing for settling her thoughts.

Her horse nickered and shifted to welcome a companion, and Cari turned to 
see who was coming over. It was Semareth, leading his horse.

She started to send, ::Is there something I...:: But the discussion she 
had had with Amaranth about time came back to her mind. Maybe compared to 
the Legentor she had time, but in the end both mortals and gods fell to 
the shears of the Fates, who decided the length of the thread. Cari knew 
that she would never be one to steal a kiss, but she could at least offer 
a bit of honesty. She tied off the packs and turned to Semareth.

::Jealously is a cruel emotion,:: she sent, ::It begrudges even the 
littlest of joys, which may be some of the most precious.:: She started 
to duck her head so Semareth couldn't look into her eyes, which would 
have made the next words hard, but she made herself make contact. ::I do 
care .. . .,:: she finally sent, ::But I don't in truth know what that 
completely entails. All I know is that I wanted to say that before we 
rode further into this battle.:: A small, honest smile touched her lips, 
and she added, ::And if I care, how can I begrudge you being dazzled by a 
bright piece of life?::
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth stopped sorting through his saddle bags as she spoke, and 
looked down at her. He was beginning to suspect that the little bit 
of Eldarion left was getting revenge for their original "meeting" 
involving a 2x4 by casting a charm on all the women. Or perhaps it 
was a full moon?

He raised an eyebrow, and sought to at least assuage some of her 
concerns. "All I know is I'm not about to take wife of a woman simply 
because she shows a bit of backbone and acts up for herself.".
--Nick Takayama

Cari's smile broadened, and she sent, ::I don't think she's looking for 
quite that committment either.:: For a moment her expression grew 
serious. She sent, ::Nor Semareth do you have to worry that I will lose 
my head in emotion. .. not while we fight towards our objective.:: 

Though her expression showed little, her eyes gentled. ::Caring comes on 
many levels, and perhaps,if Sh'aljien wills, there will be survival and 
time to let those other levels be recognized.::
--Cathy Mosley

During the furore -from the instant Amaranth's horse had left the 
mud covered trail to the scout's unbelievable courtesy towards 
Thai, Zeph did naught but sit upon her great steed and watch the 
events unfold. "To ask a mage not to use their magic is like asking 
a child not to pick at *it*," thought Zeph in disgust. "Why did we 
not simply hail Xeen to help us from the rain."

It was for these thoughts that what happened next did not utterly 
surprise her. It merely made her skin crawl as it did with each 
confrontation with the demon. 
--Dave Smart  

Amaranth suddenly had a strange look upon her face.  She put up her hands,
and began to shake them to and fro.  An obviousely forced grin came to
her face, and though her legs were injured, she began an impromptu dance.

It was more of a jig really.  To everyone's astonished looks, she also
began to sing in time to the jig.  
--Johny Enright

Thai stared in amazement, then her eyes widened as she made haste to back 
away from the woman. Her eyes darted in all directions in case this was 
some kind of twisted diversion, but it was simply twisted.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Semareth looked over from his conversation with Cari as Amaranth 
began to sing. A quizzical look formed on his face. The woman had 
truly gone mad... no, he could feel the magic buiding up around her.
--Nick Takayama
	
       "There once was a swagman camped by a billabong,
        Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
        And he sang as he sat and watched his ol' billy boil,
        "You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me."
 
       "Waltzin' Matilda, Matilda, m'daaarlin,
        You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me;
        And he sang as he sat and watched his ol' billy boil,
        You'd better come a-waltzin' Matilda with me."
        
        Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong,
        Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee;
        And he sang as he shoved the jumbuck in his tuckerbag,
        "You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me."

       "Waltzin' Matilda, Matilda, m'daaarlin,
        You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me;
        And he sang as he shoved the jumbuck in his tuckerbag,
        You'd better come a-waltzin' Matilda with me."
        
        Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred.
        Down came the troopers -- one, two, three; 
        "Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?"
        You'd better come a-waltzin' Matilda with me."

        "Waltzin' Matilda, Matilda, m'daaarlin,
        You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me;
        "Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?"
        You'd better come a-waltzin' Matilda with me."

        Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
        "You'll never catch me alive," said he;
        And his ghost may be heard as you pass by his billabong,
        You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me.

        "Waltzin' Matilda, Matilda, m'daaarlin,
        You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me;
        And his ghost may be heard as you pass by his billabong,
        You'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me."
        
As the song ended, Amaranth stopped dancing, and began to bow to everyone.
Sounds of mass applause came from the very air itself, as though thousands
of invisible people were all around, praising Amaranth on her performance.

Tears could be seen streaming down Amaranth's face as she bowed and curtsied.
With her final bow, she let out a sound as if the beginnings of a scream, and
her body fell to the ground with a disgusting 'whomp'...a pile of flesh, her 
body's supporting structure...every single bone in her body, having 
disintigrated instantaneously.
--Johny Enright

Shock registered on his face as Amaranth collapsed in a bloody heap. 
He had jokingly mused about the idea of Eld-Xeen taunting him 
intentionally, and a sickening feeling in his gut told him it was 
more true than he would wish.
--Nick Takayama

An insane cavalcade of laughter filled the air.  "Ah, what lovely toys you
make.  But enough frivolities.  I am looking forward to meeting all of you.
Please, come and dine with me....I think we will find each others company
mutually....amusing.  Ah, my dear cousin Zeph......"

Zephillia suddenly felt a stinging slap across her face, the force of which
bowled her onto the ground.  "....TAG!   You're it....."

The insane laughter continued, slowly abateing until it was gone entirely.
--Johny Enright

Thai loked at Jarrad, then Zeph, temporarily speechless. Next she slid 
back to Amaranth's body to see if she was dead or still alive. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Amaranth's weird singing had drawn her attention, and Cari's heart filled 
with horror as the flesh that had once been the Legentor fell to the 
ground in a gruesome mound. 

Slowly, as the shock wore off, anger replaced the horror. Cari turned 
away from the sight; not because of a quailing stomach, but because she 
prefered to honor Amaranth by remembering her as she was, a warrior of 
spirit. 

Cari came to stand by Semareth, and though her anger was near the surface 
she managed to quietly send, ::At least her fire enlightened many of us 
before it was destroyed.:: She knew she did not need to add that no 
warrior should fall to such a useless death.
--Cathy Mosley

Sem felt the warm flush of anger spread throughout his body as the 
laughter faded to nothing. He lifted on clenched fist into the air in 
defiance, and growled a curse.

He dared not look at Amaranth's 'body', nor at Cari beside him. But 
he muttered at the sky in his rage, his teeth gritted tightly 
together. "You will find out what dangerous toys you play with, 
Eldarion. You will find out the hard way... Children who play with 
fire get burnt, and you are going to fry in [hell] for what you have 
done."
--Nick Takayama

Draca was nearly overwhelmed with indignation at the callous 
treatment Amaranth had received at Xeen's hand.  It went against 
_everything_ she had ever learned about the sanctity of life and the 
right bestowed upon each living thing to follow its path until its time 
of passing was reached.  She shuddered as she shared the pain and 
intensity of the scout's passing, for its cruelty was unlike anything she 
had yet encountered.

When Thai ran to Amaranth's side, attempting to help her if 
possible, the healer's whispered "Therre'ss no need..." went unheard in 
the commotion...  She resisted the urge to assist with the funeral, 
wishing to keep her skills and training an unknown quantity - it wouldn't 
pay to have Xeen aware that she had been trained by one of those who had 
been his nemesis... nor that the Wise One could possibly use her as a 
casting conduit.
--Margaret Tayti

Zeph regained her footing in a flash. The pain that swelled across 
her cheek was only surpassed by her pride. "CURSE HIM!" she 
growled. Fuming, red-faced and practically blind with rage, she 
nearly fell over the boneless corpse that used to be a young, 
vibrant and beautiful, lead scout. Now simply a pile of flesh. 
Looking down, her anger slipped away like the dew off her cloak, 
replaced by the usual ache that accompanied the loss of one under 
*her* command. Why could she not get used to this part. So many 
have died in the past that it should have become old hat by now. 
But it hadn't. It felt no less painful than the loss of Legolas 
before, and Tobius and Grimi before him and so on and so on...

In order for her to regain her self control, she looked at Thai 
with a blaze in her lone eye and asked her to prepare yet another 
fire -no sense in holding the spells back now. "I want her body 
burnt to ashes immediately. Can you meet my request?" Zeph could 
have handled the necessary magics to accomplish this task, but she 
had other matter to concern herself with and besides, the man 
Jarrad seemed to be back on his two feet.
--Dave Smart

Thai stared blankly up at Zeph, not recognizing her for a moment 
through a veil of tears. She opened her mouth as if to speak but of 
course made no sound. She swallowed and continued, ::Yes, I can do 
that... I'm sorry Zeph, I didn't think... I didn't want anyone to die... 
I'm so sorry...::

She brushed a slim hand across her eyes leaving a black mark on her 
forehead from the fires. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Amaranth's body was removed from the path and placed atop a large 
flat bolder that was void of any vegetation or nearby shruberry. 
There the cleansing would be performed for her body had been 
defiled by the touch of Xeen.
--Dave Smart

Thai stood well apart from the others while the Legantors made their 
preparations. At the end she'd managed to put aside her jealousy and 
seen the woman as perhaps a friend. Amaranth's subsequent death had 
horrified and hurt her badly. 

When the pyre was ready Thai silently returned. Without any of the 
flamboyant gestures she normally used she lit the pyre. She stared at 
the limp body being immolated as if to purge herself of some weakness 
inside her. 

The first one had died because of her. The next time she would be ready, 
and somewhere, Xeen would pay.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Thai looked distressingly brittle as she looked over their small group. 
The tension she'd been under since taking on this adventure was starting 
to get to her. With each mistake her balance was thrown off more and the 
death of the horse had not helped her. 

Realising how close she was to losing it, Thai smiled and threw 
a joke into the crystal network. ::Love, promise me when this is all 
over you'll take me back to the volcano. Some situations should not be 
repeated, but then again there are some that should.::

Everything would work out, it had to. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Using the refernece, Jarrad sent a picture back to her, a reminder. He 
was using it to cling to sanity. Not to rage and do something foolish. 
The thought of Amaranth ... rage rose in his body, and he channelled it, 
replenishing reserves, vowing that Xeen would pay.
--Paul Khangure

After the makeshift funeral Thai mounted up and shook out her reins. 
::We've come this far, we might as well continue. Which way?::

"We've diffused one trap. It is safer to continue this path than 
another which will probably have a worse trap." said Jarrad from his 
own horse. He was clearly in a foul mood but Thai quite understood. 

Both wanted to get this over with, but not by stumbling blindly into 
Xeen's next trap.

::Then Draca, scout ahead please, and watch the ground for irregularities 
as much as you can. Sense for wrongness or life or anything that might 
serve as a warning.:: Thai did not care if Draca used a forked stick, so 
long as there were no more surprises.

Draca launched herself and the party followed her. Soon the half dragon was 
lost to sight somewhere ahead of them, scouting once more. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Nodding, Draca took to the air, caught a thermal, and soon 
vanished from sight...

Not long after, Thai received a report.  *There seems to be an 
odd 'pulse' to the path around the next bend.  I can't say for certain 
whether it's 'life' per se, but the area feels more recently disturbed 
than the path before our prior encounter... There seems to be little 
chance to avoid it, for the region to either side is solid deadwood 
thicket.  I am unwilling to probe further.. for several reasons.  I'll 
circle wider if you wish me to continue searching for a path.
--Margaret Tayti

Semareth sat astride his mount with a look of grim determination on his 
face. There was little doubt Eldarion was mad, or totally possessed, and 
it had come onto them to destroy him.

He looked at Jarrad as he rode past, "Do you think Xeen is afraid to 
die?", he asked. The look on his face was serious.
--Nick Takayama

Cari rode near Semareth and overheard the question he had asked Jarrad. 
To herself she wondered, ++Or is he too mad to recognize Death when it 
comes for him?++ She just hoped that Eldarion/Xeen wasn't too mad to die. 
She did know that her thoughts were taking weird philosophical bents. She 
had seen people die of both wounds and disease, but Amaranth's death 
seemed to be representative of the cruelly twisted world they found 
themselves in. 

She rode with some more confidence. She had also taken the time to adjust 
both tunic and chainmail so that they lay more comfortably.

She  looked at her companions and knew that they were all lost in dark 
thoughts. As her gaze passed Strawberry she wondered how that gentle soul 
was dealing with what had happened. 

When the group began to move forward in earnest she urged her horse forward.
--Cathy Mosley

The quip on the tip of Jarrad's tongue, died, as he saw the look on 
Semareth's face.

"I don't think we have anyway of knowing. For all we know, he could be 
wanting to die, or so certain he is immortal, the thought of death never 
crossed his mind." Replied Jarrad.
--Paul Khangure

Semareth frowned at the answer. "It seems almost as if he is challenging 
us to kill him... just to see if it can be done.", he flicked the reins 
slightly to keep his horse moving. He had long gone past noticing the 
rain as it beat down on his hood.
--Nick Takayama

"Mmm", murmurred Jarrad nodding in assent. "I like challenges. You?" 
Jarrad sked Semareth.
--Paul Khangure

Semareth tilted his head as if thinking about this whimsical statement. 
Finally he nodded, "I do like challenges... I do not favour our chances 
on this one, however.".
--Nick Takayama

"Odds are there to be tweaked if not beaten outright", replied Jarrad, a 
grin appearing on his face momentarily. "I don't favour our odds, but 
million to one chances have been proven to happen nine out of ten times".
--Paul Khangure

He looked at Jarrad, his silvery eyes unwavering. "It is not well for you 
to have one so dear on this journey with you," he inclined his head 
towards Thai, "I do not doubt that your priorities will be compromised 
should she be endangered, nor do I doubt that Xeen has foreseen this.". 
He dropped his gaze, as if saddened.
--Nick Takayama

"I could not, would not, leave her in Montfort with PJ hunting her." 
replied Jarrad. "With the spread of the church, we couldn't have fled for 
long. This was the only solution, or attempt at one."

Jarrad paused for a while, letting the melodius sound of the rain play 
unnacompanied.

"What happens will happen", He added, philosphically.
--Paul Khangure

At this, Semareth nodded. Indeed, what happens...

"You used to be the leader of an army, correct?", he began, as if out of 
nowhere.

"Then you are used to being in command... does it not chafe at you that 
this journey is being guided by someone else? For surely, Xeen must be 
responsible for the bulk of our mishaps.". He face forward again as if 
not expecting a response, merely having offered the thought for 
contemplation.
--Nick Takayama

Jarrad paused before replying, then  was about to answer, when the party 
moved around a bend in the road, coming face to face with the elementals.
--Paul Khangure

As the group came around the bend, they saw that which Draca had mentioned
earlier.  There ahead of them, was a fork in the road.  The right hand road
seemed to move up, while the left moved down.  Both roads disappeared into
a cloudy mist.  But that was not what was strange.  What was strange were
the two elementals, one of air, and one of earth which seemed to be guarding
the fork.

The elementals neither approached, nor seemed threatening to the group, so
they continued on.  Each prepared, should the elementals do anything
threatening, but it was either go ahead, or head back the way they came.
When they were within a dozen yards, they stopped to take measured of the
imposing forces of nature in front of them.  They looked, but they could
neither easily scale the cliff to the right, nor go around to the left,
as that side of the road dropped hundreds of yards below, into some more
of the strange mist.

As they stood there in silence, confering in whisper, they were startled
by the booming voice of the earth elemental on the right.  "DOWN ONE OF
THESE PATHS LIES THAT WHICH YOU SEEK, DOWN THE OTHER LIES YOUR ETERNAL
DOOM!  WE WILL TELL YOU WHICH PATH IS WHICH, BUT ONE OF US WILL ALWAYS
SPEAK TRUE, WHILE THE OTHER WILL ALWAYS SPEAK FALSE.  YOU MAY ASK ONLY
ONE OF US ONE QUESTION, TO AID YOU ON YOUR WAY.  THUS WAS THE CHARGE LAID
UPON US BY THE ALMIGHTY XEEN!"

Then in a load, whispy voice, the air elemental continued  "CHOOSE NOW,
WHICH OF US YOU WILL ASK, AND WHAT QUESTION YOU WILL ASK....."

The elementals stood thereafter in silence.
--Johny Enright

Zeph froze. This was unbelievable. Another dilemma and they had not 
yet broken off for lunch. "Mercy Brother Benedict," she prayed 
within. "Please give me my strength!"

The group came to a full halt and rested silently, waiting for 
someone to answer the riddle of the elementals for the sake of the 
campaign and the company. Who was ready to place the full weight of 
the situation upon their own shoulders. The silence became dreadful  
--weighted down like a wet towel, until finally something -someone 
stirred, and came to the front of the group. All were surprised to 
see that it was Strawberry. Strawberry most of all.

In a voice strong and unwavering he spoke. "I will speak to you," 
he said facing the elemental that had addressed them. (the one on 
the right -is it an air or earth elemental?) "My question to you is 
simple and commands an exact and true response. Which of these two 
paths which you stand before, is the path that leads to which we 
seek?"

Everyone, Zeph most of all, stood by aghast. How could he blurt 
*it* out without summoning our council first! ::Thai, 
Jarrad...anybody!:: Zeph asked via the crystal sounding a bit 
panicky. ::Does anyone know which is the liar amongst the pair of 
elementals?::

Except for the steady tapping of the light rain upon cloak, hoarse 
and mud, the scene took on that maudlin silence once more, as all 
waited for the elementals' response.
--Dave Smart

::Yes:: replied Jarrad. ::I know how to find out easily::
--Paul Khangure
  
Thai stared straight at the elementals, fingering her spell components 
and not certain if the cold chill down her back was from fear or the rain.
::I'm afraid its too late now Zeph. He was supposed to ask which the OTHER 
elemental would say was the safe path. Whichever path the elemental said 
would be the wrong one because either he would be lying or his companion 
would.::

Thai started backing her horse up. ::Zeph, get your people off this ledge. 
With a cliff on one side and a dropoff on the other, those two can kill 
us in the time it takes to summon a summer breeze or earthshock. 
Everyone, get back!::
--Phaedra Whitlock

A cavalcade of laughter filled the air, as the group was once again 
visited by an invisible audience.  The earth elemental grinned, showing 
a maw filled with teeth that could only be either quartz or diamond.
With a grinding sound, he motioned to the path behind him, the path which 
rose, with a giant paw of earth.  "This path shall take you to that which
you desire.  The other would lead you to certain doom!  Our charge here 
is done, the rite complete."

With that, the air elemental dissipated, and the earth elemental sank 
into the very ground itself, until there was nothing left behind to show
they had actually been there.  But the laughter continued on.  Quickly,
the mist which had obscured the destinations of the paths was blown
away, revealing that both paths continued to seperate, then moved back
towards each other to join together again nearly two hundred yards ahead.

As the members of the group looked at each other incredulously, there
in the fork in the road appeared an elf in a full Legentor uniform.  It
was Eldarion!  The elf smiled and crossed his arms.  "Get it!  That which
you desire *is* your certain doom!  "Hah..hah..hah..hah..haaaah!!!"
--Johny Enright

Picking up Strawberry's mistaken question, and thinking quickly, Jarrad 
said, in a tone that carried only to the group,

"Just wait a second! Since the Earth elemental said that path, then 
disappeared, it means he was telling the truth about what Xeen had  
commanded it to do. It was telling the truth about only asking one 
question, and hence the path it chose is guaranteed to be the true path 
to what we seek, as it is the elemental which must tell the truth. 
Beware an illusion or wraith appearing like Eldarion.

Draca, can you sense true life there, life you recognise as either elf or 
dragon. My senses tell me there is nothing there, and that it is only an 
illusion.
--Paul Khangure

<Draca would sense no life, whatsoever.  Just a faint magical charge, with
the taint of ozone in the air>
--Johny Enright

How like it to taunt us into a mad rush"

Then in psionics, ::Fancy taunting it back?::

A grin spread across Jarrad's face.

"Xeen or Eldarion, whichever you are. DO you mean to waste our time with 
riddles a 4 year old knows?" Jarrad questioned in a scornful tone.
"With all your centuries of knowledge as Xeen, is that the best you can do?
Send us your best riddles, Xeen. Let us set the stakes and riddle it out. 
You think you could possibly lose?" Then directed at the group "I think 
he is afraid he might lose"
--Paul Raj Khangure

Eldarion smirked.  "Another riddle then....and if you get this one right,
I shall allow you to move to the next level, where you can compete for
great cash rewards and other prizes!  Tell them Johny......" But before
the invisible 'announcer' could describe the rewards they could win, he
was interrupted by Thai.
--Johny Enright

Thai saw red and knew she was not alone. Unfortunately Thai had an idea.

::Enough petty games Eldarion. There is nothing you can send against us 
we cannot destroy so send us a challenge.::
--Phaedra Whitlock

Eldarion brought his hands up to his chest and began to stagger.  "You
did not *like* my little joke?  You wound me terribly!"

The voices in the air began to boo and hiss at the group.  Eldarion
continued staggering until he reached the side of the road which was
bordered by a cliff wall.  He took a few steps onto the wall, and was
suddenly perpendicular to the group.  "You are not upset with me, are
you Deaconess Thai?  I must say that I would be quite put out if you
upset with me.  If you cannot keep a civil tongue, perhaps we will
continue our conversation...."

In a flash the group was seemingly floating in a freezing, dark void.
There were stars all about, and the very air in their lungs was sucked
out into the vacuum around them.  "...out here."  Eldarion finished,
obviously able to continue speaking in the vacuum of the void.

As quickly as they had appeared in the void, they were back on the road,
looking at the strange sight of Eldarion standing on the sheer verticle
cliff side beside them.  Their skin was still freezing from the cold of
the void, and was mottled red in places, as if by a rash.  Eldarion
seemed to no longer notice them, as he was deep in conversation with
himself.  "We musn't kill them yet....where's the fun in that?  But they
did not like our joke!  *I* didn't like your joke either...  You have *no*
sense of humor!  Yes I do!"  Each sentence spoken by a different voice,
both young and old, male and female.  Finally, Eldarion seemed to shake
his head, and the voices were gone.  He looked back towards the group,
and teary-eyed, muttered "Where is fancy bread, in the heart or in the
head?"

Zephillia had had enough. "Is *that* supposed to be our next riddle?!"

Eldarion closed his eyes, and opened them again looking at Zephillia.
He started, as if he had just notices the red-haired elven beauty.
"My *dear* cousin Zeph!  How good to see you well and hearty.  Well,
except for the eye, of course. <grin> But look at you...thick in the
company of the Deaconess and High Inquisitor of the *real* Church of
the Redeemer.  What would Elana say if she saw the company you now
keep?  For shame!  Now, away with you, and don't let me catch you in
such company again, or you will get *such* a spanking!"

Eldarion pointed his finger at Zephillia and shook it a couple of times,
as if to chastise her.  Zephillia was suddenly flung straight up into
the air, higher and higher until she was but a pin prick to the group.
She suddenly slowed, came to a stop, and began to fall....

Eldarion smiled once again, and walked forward.  "Well then, let's get on
with this, shall we?"  Eldarion looked straight at Jarrad.  "Riddle me 
this....and you will get the chance to have dinner with me and compete
for that which you seek.  What have I got in my pocket?"

The laughter flowed from the air again, as if hundreds of unseen spirits
were laughing at the genius of Eldarion's latest riddle.
--Johny Enright

Semareth had not moved on his horse during the entire time from meeting 
the elementals until this moment, and he did not change this. The ease 
with which Xeen had imposed illusion on them, including the nonsense idea 
of there being no ground only stars, was disconcerting. The others had so 
far concentrated on aggravating their opponent, and testing him out.

At this moment, Semareth was willing to wager the correct answer would be 
"an impossibly big ego". He frowned at this (not?)illusion of Eldarion, 
and wondered how long it would take before the others used their powers 
to try to ascertain the answer for themselves.

He had read a book once in which this riddle was asked, and the answer 
had been an item which the person had been looking for. He did not like 
the idea of Xeen carrying the Sword around in his pocket, so he decided 
to quote a side-comment.

"That isn't really a riddle.", he interjected calmly. If everyone else 
insisted in aggravating the 'man', he chose to stay passive.
--Nick Takayama

Making a slight adjustment to the universe locally, Zephilia's fall was 
slowed then stoped by Jarrad's telekinesis. He lowered her to the ground.

"Next he is going to offer us three guesses", said Jarrad to the group.
Wondering if Semareth had read the same books he had read.

What was much more interesting than an old riddle from a book, was the 
fact that in his full Legentor armor, Eldarion had no pockets at all.

Surveying the legentors within the group, Jarrad noticed that none of 
them had pockets built into their armour either.

"Which pocket do you suppose he means?" Jarrad asked the group. "He doesn't 
have any pockets.

Or, given that that is an illusion, the answer could be 'anything and 
nothing'".
--Paul Khangure

Thai hated to mention the answer obvious to her. Surely neither Eldarion 
or Xeen would make such a comment. ::Jarrad, have you ever heard the 
joke about a dagger in your pocket?:: 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Eldarion smiled at Jarrad, but instead of the even white teeth of an elf,
each of his teeth came to a sharp point.  "Why Jarrad, of course I have 
pockets!  Right here in my cloak.  The answer is simple really.  What has 
Eldarion always kept in his pocket?  His pocket-dragon, of course!"  So 
saying, Eldarion pulls out a pocket-dragon from his cloak with a flourish,
much like a stage magician would.  "Say hello to Dardt..." he told the 
group, and the pocket-dragon launched itself high into the air.  

As the group tore their eyes from Dardt back to Eldarion, he was nowhere
to be found.  He had disappeared from the cliff wall, but his voice was
still there.  "Survive *this* riddle, and you may continue on down this
path straight to my buffet!  I *do* so hope you will survive, as I *am* 
enjoying your company greatly!"

Up in the sky, the pocket-dragon was no longer small, and as each second 
went by  it seemed to double in size as it soared.....
--Johny Enright