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[Xeen] Compendium Chapter 16
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"Hmmm," Zephyr rubbed his now bristly chin. "If you think that is 
best, I would agree with you.  To be honest, I have no other ideas.  
Sorry.  I hope it is correct, as my sword is itching to grab some of that 
Xeen Steak it's been hearing about." 
--Joey Christ 1

"Are you *sure* you want to do that, Avatar?!"  came a voice the group
was starting to come to know.  As everyone turned about, they saw Eldarion
standing on the ceiling, looking up (down?) at them.

"Wait a minute....that's not right!"  Eldarion seemed to think for a moment,
then his eyes brightened.  "Ah yes, excuse me!  What I meant to say was...
I am sorry, but you folks seem to have broken one of the minor rules."  

Eldarion opened a scroll, which unrolled down (up?) towards the floor.  The
scroll must have been ten yards long.  "Ah yes, here we are!  Rule forty-six,
sub-paragraph three, item B.  '....and there shall be no...etc. etc., ......
furthermore....etc......and none of the contestents in the game will be
affiliated in any way with the name of Xeen, to include different spellings
of said name....etc.

Eldarion rolled the scroll back up and could see that everyone had confused,
angry looks upon their faces.  "What this means is, the judges have decided 
that two of you have broken the rules in regards to your names.  You see,
Xeen *is* a registered trademark.  Phonetically, so is the beginnings of
the pronounciation of the name.....Xe, or Ze, if you prefer.  Therefore,
*both* Zephilllia and Zephyr are in clear violation, and must go!"

In the blink of an eye, both Zeph and Zephyr met the same fate which Thai 
had.  Both fell through holes which instantaneously opened beneath them,
and which closed again once they passed, leaving no trace.

Eldarion had *also* disappeared once again, without a trace....

                    *          *         *

The two were immediately drenched in warm water, as the water aided in 
propelling them through the smooth tubes they fell through.  For what
seemed like an eternity, they shot through the tubes, twisting in many
different directions.  It would almost be fun, where it not for the
gravity of their predicament.

The two came to an opening in the tube, and were suddenly falling through
air.  With a great splash, they landed in luke warm water.  When they
recovered back to their feet, they found that they were in a dark room,
with warm water coming up about waist deep.  The room was circular in shape,
about ten meters in diameter.  The small amount of light came from the 
ceiling of the room, in which was set the opening of the tube from which
they fell.  The tube dribbled water into the center of the room.  The walls,
which were made of well fitted stones, gleamed with moisture.

"It's an Oubliette."  came a voice they recognised out of the darkness.
There was Thai, sitting on a ledge about a foot wide, which went around 
the oubliette, about a foot above the water line.

"I would get out of the water if I were you....I felt something quite
similar to a tentacle touch me when I first fell in...." she warned them. 
--Johny Enright


Semareth took several moments to allow his jaw to raise to normal
level again. (for future reference, please note that it is one of
those dramatic, masculine jaws <g>)

He frowned.

He scratched his chin.

He looked at the ground where the two 'Z's had disappeared. 

He rubbed his chin again.

Of course, none of this was helping the situation, but his chin felt
much better.

He looked at Jarrad.

"I believe emotions is on the right track, but I do not think love is
really as deadly as gas... unless you are going to drop dead right
now from Thai-withdrawal... perhaps when it says the cruel and wicked
'use' it... hmmm... to play on an emotion? I wager it is the most
destructive emotion. Anger"

He looked at the glowing blue wall before them which emanated a
feeling of peace and harmony (quite sickening really). 

He looked at Jarrad again.

"I don't see an earpiece... care to demonstrate your anger towards
it?"
--Nick Takayama

"I think I just might", Jarrad replied. "Stand back, it woudl be an awful 
shame for you to get hurt axidentally, wouldn't it Zemareth", Jarrad 
mispronounced teh name carefully.

Then stepping back, he drew his sword, and lifted it above his head. His 
muscles rippled as they swung the huge broadsword in an arc, which 
terminated in the middle of one of the cherub's face, shearing through the 
stone, as if it were cheese. With two more swings, he had cut a triangular 
door in the wall and he pushed through it, into the next room.

Beyond was a damp humid room, water droplets running down the walls.

Again, there  was a riddle on the far wall, this time one that Jarrad knew 
easily.

Three lives have I.
Gentle enough to soothe the skin,
Light enough to caress the sky,
Hard enough to crack rocks.

"WATER" Jarrad shouted, getting more than a little fed up with the games 
Eldarion was playing.

"YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND" came the familiar voice, accompanied by mad 
giggling. The gap closed behind the last of the group, and suddenly the 
walls began to ooze water, in an ever increasing flow.

As the floor was rapidly covered, Jarrad quickly started removing his 
chainmail, it would be useless in trying to stay afloat.

As the water rose past his waist, he started emptying one of the spare 
waterbags, and inflating it. 

"Use these to float!" he shouted above the roar of the water rushing in.

Floating, Jarrad's head reached the ceiling, and the water continued to 
rise.

As the water completely covered his head, leaving no air, there was a 
swirl near the bottom, and the whole room spun in a largw whirlpool, as 
the water exited through a large opening in the floor, taking the party 
with them.

Gasping for a breath every now and again, Jarrad maintained consciousness, 
barely. 

Eventually the mad rush ended, with a few momemnts of freefall, before 
Jarrad landed with a huge splash, then had the remaining air knocked out 
of his lungs, by another body, landing on him.

Coming up for air, Jarrad spluttered for a few seconds before seeing Thai 
and the others sitting on a ledge. It didn't matter that his lungs had no 
air, as his throat had developed a large lump at seeing Thai safe, and he 
wouldn't have been able to speak anyway.
--Paul Raj Khangure

Caught off guard Cari had inhaled quite of water from the start. No time 
for prayer. Nothing. Just a dizzying ride down. To land with a hard splash!
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth allowed the flow of the water to carry him along, merely
concentrating on holding his breath. He was not a natural to water,
though, and he finally succumbed, realising too late as he opened his
mouth... bubbles of air escaping into the water around him. Had he
had the breath, he would have cursed.

As it was, he suddenly found himself on his hands and knees in a
small pool of water. He gasped in air loudly, thanking his dead god
that they had escaped the water before he had drowned. He made a
foolish promise to himself never to go near water again... not even
to bathe - then decided against it.

He looked up.
--Nick Takayama

Thai reached over and grasped Jarrad's hand to pull him towards her, 
smiling and relieved to see him and the others. She flipped her [again] 
soaking hair out of her way when he was safe on the edge and then looked 
around at the others to take a head count. Some still bobbed in the 
water, some were crawling onto the ledge.

"As I was saying before the rest of you arrived." she smiled again at 
Jarrad and began helping him wring some of the water from his clothes. 
"This is an oubliette and there is a monster of sorts in here with us in 
the water."
--Phaedra Whitlock

Semareth felt something caress his leg.

"Jarrad, that had better not have been you and your practical
jokes...", he warned. Without waiting for an answer (and as dignified
as possible), he climbed up onto the ledge. It was too small for him
- but as difficult circumstances lead to genius - he made himself
comfortable.
--Nick Takayama

With a small chuckle, Jarrad replied "Certainly not," then added " and I 
wasn't aware you could levitate, Semareth" in reference to the haste with 
which he pulled himself out of the water.
--Paul Raj Khangure

Cari surfaced - choking. Just in time to hear Thai's comments. She spit 
out more water as she watched Semareth get to the ledge. She quickly 
followed his example, though she had a harder time pulling herself up on 
the ledge.
--Cathy Mosley

Thai's voice echoed strangely in the dripping, coldly wet room as she 
continued. "The water never rises or falls more than a few inches so 
there must be an exit or drain in the bottom. That exit," she nodded to 
where the wavering shaft of light streamed from a small hole in the 
ceiling. "is too small for anyone to use as it is."

Her dark eyes fixed on a tiny ripple of movement out of place in the 
water's surface. The water in the center bubbled, fountain-like, and 
then shot into the air like a small geyser in the stone walled chamber. 

Thai tucked her booted feet more securely beneath her, away from the edge 
of the water. "The water seems to be rising. Does anyone still have their 
weapons?"
--Phaedra Whitlock

Checking quickly, Semareth found he had none. Then he paused -- and
shrugged, it _was_ a weapon of sorts... his left arm was still firmly
attached. He wasn't sure whether he should be pleased with that. It
was a biological double-edged sword. 

"Better yet," he replied, "does anyone still have their wits?"
He was serious.
--Nick Takayama

Cari was pleased to find her two daggers still in their sheaths on her 
belt, but the medical bag had been pulled loose from her arm. 

As she watched the still water looking for signs of the monster she saw 
the leather bag floating close to the ledge. The herbs and hard tack 
were well-wrapped against in wax paper against water, and all of it could 
still prove useful. Cari was sorely tempted to "draw" the bag to her, but 
she resisted the temptation and slipped back into the water to grab hold 
of the satchel.
--Cathy Mosley

"Apparently not...." murmured Thai in response to Sem's question.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Semareth frowned as he saw Cari wade back into the mire. 
"Cari", he began, but closed his mouth. He could not 'father' her
forever.
--Nick Takayama

"I don't think that is such a good idea Cari," Jarrad stated, while 
lifting her and her medicine bag out of the water, and back to the ledge.
--Paul Raj Khangure

::Probably not,:: Cari generally broadcast, ::But we'll probably need 
this.:: She poured the water out of the satchel, slung it over her 
shoulder, and pressed herself back against the wall.
--Cathy Mosley

"As for weapons", he added, my sword is never far away. He grinned, aware 
that only Thai knew of it's properties.

"SVAN-XEPTU-SHANTZ" said Jarrad, chanting in an alien language. THe words 
rolled off his tongue, and aroudn teh room, remaining undisotrted by the 
strange shape of the room.

Holding out his hand, Jarrad repeated teh chant. "SVAN-XEPTU-SHANTZ".

There was a small disturbance in the water near the far end, and slowly 
the point of a sword became visible.

Second by second, inch by inch, more of the blade becmae visible, as teh 
sword, surrounded by a faint blue aura, lifted itslef out of the water.

The Pommel became visible, then the hilt. Then the tentacle attached to 
the hilt could be seen.

Slowly the sword moved towards Jarard, dragging the creature holding it 
along.
--Paul Raj Khangure

It was ugly and smelled like rotting jellyfish. It looked very much like 
one too with the gaping holes in its sides and the white, slime and algae 
covered head. The thing wrapped two more tentacles around the sword and 
started to come out of the water. 

Abandoning its hold on the sword the creature flailed about with its 
tentacles. Thai leaned hard right across Jarrad's lap as one slapped the 
wall behind where she'd been sitting. ZAP!

Thai slid into the water as the tentacle dropped downwards. She pulled 
herself along the edge of the ledge away from the stinging tentacles.
Attracted by the movement in the water more tentacles reached for her. 
Thai very much wished for her sword.
--Phaedra Whitlock

She wasn't sure if Thai was trying to distract the creature away from 
them so Jarrad could attack, or if the mage-woman had some attack of her 
own planned. All Cari knew was that without her psi abilities the best 
thing she could do was try to stay out of the way of both fighters and 
tentacles. Though she did try to think if any of the herbs might prove 
useful. Of that, she had her doubts.
--Cathy Mosley

Zephyr found himself on the far end to the other side of Zeph and 
Draca.  He noticed Thai slip into the water and began thinking back 
to when she fell before.  Not being able to reach her, he pulled out 
his sword and let himself slip into the water.  Jarrad hacked at some 
tentacles, as did he to the ones on the far end of Thai.  He helped 
Thai regain her balance, when he felt a shocking on his right foot.
He bit down hard as the pain raced up his leg.
--Joe Christ1

Noticing the way the tentacles moved towards the disturbance in the water, 
Jarrad used his psionics to create a ripple and bubbleing effect on the 
far side of the oubliette, while his sword began to sever tentacles as 
they reached for Thai.
--Pal Raj Khangure

Snaking his sword down to the tentacle beneath him, Zephyr cut 
that one off too.  Soon there were many tentacles floating around him 
and Thai.
--Joe Christ1

Those her two protectors missed Thai did not. A sword made of pure flame 
didn't burn well in water, but with enough effort it sufficed.
--Phaedra Whitlock

The monster seemed to realise after the first few tentacles that this was 
not an ideal place to hunt, and the tentacles vanished underwater, and the 
monster headed towards the other side of the room, as evidenced by the 
surface ripples.

Holding out his hand, Jarrad helped Thai back onto the ledge, and out of 
the creatures way.
--Paul Raj Khangure

Zephyr gave Thai a boost to the ledge, as Jarrad pulled her up.  
Draca and Cari then helped him out, as well.  [if she's here]
--Joe Christ1

Thai plopped onto the ledge in a growing puddle of stagnant water then 
offered Zephyr a hand up [in case Draca isn't].
--Phaedra Whitlock

"So, shall we widen the entrance above, or work on an exit under the 
water?" he asked, once everyone was out of harm's way as well.
--Paul Raj Khangure

"Well," Zephyr began, trying to dry himself again, "unless I'm 
mistaken, I believe that the entrance above is back to the riddle- 
maze.  I doubt that none of us want that.  Have any of the Elves here 
examined the walls in case there is a secret wall, or something?"  He 
resheathed his sword and stood.  "With our luck it'll be on the other 
side of the pool."

Cari poked him in the ribs, "Don't think like that."
--Joey Christ 1

"I don't think the light is coming from the maze. Its fresh air, more or 
less."
--Phaedra Whitlock

Cari knew she had lucky when she had gone in after the satchel, and now 
she prefered not to take further any chances, by pressing  herself 
back against wall. At first she watched the floating crystal, but 
then turned her attention back to the now-still water.

A leprous tentacle shot out from deep in the pool and at its touch 
against her ankles Cari ::cried:: out. 

Her psionic cry was cut short as the electrical charge from the tentacle 
stunned her, and she was drug off the ledge and into the water.
--Cathy Mosley

Surprised by the suddenness of it Thai hesitated a second too long before 
shooting bolts of white light after them. The brightness illuminated the 
murky water from below and there was Cari, clutching the satchel and held 
fast.
--Phaedra Whitlock

This time, Zephyr dove into the water and went under the 
surface.  He had lost sight of her, and the murky water didn't help 
much.  He did, however, notice the jellyfish-like creature and 
wondered as to how it could grow so large.

A dark shadow was suspended before him, and he figured that to 
be Cari.  He freed his sword, and noticed it glowing brightly in his 
hand.  Hmmm that was odd,  but it did allow him to see better.  He 
hacked at the tentacle and noticed several more of them around Cari.

Zephyr dove for the surface, took a breath, and plunged back down, 
angling more towards the beast.  Cari was unmoving and he assumed 
that she was taking in water.  He grabbed her and pulled, wondering 
if he cut enough tentacles to free her.
--Joe Christ 1

Zephyr's efforts brought Cari to the surface.

Cari hadn't lost conciousness completely, though she was close, and managed 
to gasp in a lung full of air before the remaining tentacles jerked her 
back under.
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth had stood in silence as Cari had been sucked under the water
by the tentacles. His hands flew vainly to his side, searching for
his sword. Frustration hit like a raging bullock.
--NIck Takayama

She was disoriented but she fumbled at the dagger sheath with her free 
hand, and managed to pull one of her daggers loose. With desparate but 
weakening efforts she hacked at a tentacle she barely could see in the murky 
water. All her work produced were chunks of dead flesh floating free, but 
there was still a considerable amount of muscle to cut through.

She prayed to Sh'al that Zephyr could find her again or Semareth could 
track her by their link.
--Cathy Mosley

As he stared down into the mire, Semareth cursed all the false gods
in existence. Blood began to seep its way to the surface.

Still cursing, Semareth jumped into the water, his entrance much less
than graceful. He was not on good terms with bodies of water, for he
was not a good swimmer, but he knew how to float - he forgot this
now, and began to sink, his armor weighing him down.

His mind was telling him where Cari must be - an educated guess - and
he began attempting to wade through the water in that direction.
Tentacles grasped onto his arm suddenly, tensing around chainmail and
squeezing. He felt a tingling in his left arm as the jolts fed into
it, but did not feed it directly. Nothing happened. He squeezed onto
the tentacle holding his arm, his obsidian hand crushed through flesh
as if it were soft vegetable matter - lumps of flesh oozing between
his unfeeling fingers. Free again, he set out after Cari, his lungs
half full.

Finally, he found her, wrapped in a close entangle of tentacles,
blobs of flesh floating around her in a seemingly placid red
snowstorm. He floated towards her, and reached out to her with his
good arm. The other arm he readied to crush the limbs that held her.
His lungs were bursting, but still held oxygen.
--Nick Takayama

Her lungs were burning, her world was quickly becoming black, and her 
dagger had fallen from numb fingers, but she 
could still sense, barely, that Semareth had come near. The knowledge was 
something for her to grasp to so she was aware of him pulling at a tentacle.
She tried to strain against the beast's hold, but wasn't sure the thought 
was translating into action.
--Cathy Mosley

Suddenly, a tentacle slammed into his back, sending a shock through
his body and knocking the air from his lungs. He sucked in water.
Urgently, he clawed the chainmail shirt from his back, the struggle
hampered by the murky waters. Free of it finally, he made a short
prayer, and grabbed the nearest tentacle.

Power surged into his body - his mind blanked, and his lungs seemed
to fill with air - he was giddy. The water around him grew warm, and
he felt whole. Then with painful suddenness, he felt a coldness sweep
up his obsidian arm, and began weaaving tendrils through his chest.
He screamed, and with unexpected strength, kicked free of the beast,
directly to the surface. Several moments later, he saw Cari's limp
body rise to the surface next to him... through the link he could
feel the tenuousness of her condition.
--Nick Takayama

As Semareth disappeared under the water, Jarrad watched, trying to think 
of some way to help, short of a futile struggle with the creature in its 
own environment.

The problem with psionics was not their power, but how to apply them in a 
given circumstance. While causing all the water to explode, or 
electrifying the water would probably kill the creature, it wasn't a 
particularly subtle method.

Then Jarrad smiled as a thought came to mind.

Putting out mental feelers, he surrounded the water, then caused it to 
flow up the opposite wall, and remain in the corner.

This left Semareth, Cari, and the monster literally dry, and in an 
environment favourable to the humans.

Letting go of Cari, the creature writhed, trying to get to the water, 
dying without it. This left the way open for the group to kill it quickly.

Once the thing was dead, the group was able to start prying open the stone 
trapdoor, the iron ring a dead giveaway of its purpose.

"Hurry", Jarrad sounded slightly strained, as the water seemed to be 
getting heavier.
--Paul Raj Khangure

Thai slid off the stone ledge to the squishy bottom of the once pool and 
the iron ring. She took a firm hold, closed her eyes and muttered a hasty 
spell, then dug in. "Zephyr, Zeph, help me...."

Biting her lip she pulled upwards, her grasp slipping on the wet iron. 
She hastily wiped her palms off on the borrowed legantors uniform and 
this time they Pulled. The trapdoor opened suddenly and sent her stumbling 
backwards. 

Thai picked herself up and went to help Semareth to his feet. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Semareth accepted Thai's help, clutching his blackened arm to his
chest. His chainmail shirt was lying in the mire to one side, and he
trudged over to it. He felt strangely warm, as if his obsidian arm
was feeding him warmth still from the unique power source that the
beast had presented. Despite his warmth, he shivered.

He turned and thanked Thai, before redressing. The numb feeling did
not recede until he had muttered many a prayer to his dead god.
--Nick Takayama

Thai helped Sem to the trapdoor, stopping only when he bent to retrieve 
his chainmail. Hefting it for him she helped him through, dropping him to 
the tunnel floor below and handing him the chainmail.
--Phaedra Whitlock

Zephyr dropped to the floor below.  He noticed that it was still
a natural-type ground passage.  
--Joey Christ 1

When Zephyr laid Cari on the floor all she could was hack a little - the 
only sign that she was still alive. 
--Cathy Mosley

As he layed Cari to the ground, she began to cough a little, and 
Semareth came rushing over to cradle her head.  He heard Thai call 
him from above, so he left them to.
--Joey Christ 1

Seeing the state Cari was in, Semareth said a quick prayer and bent
down beside her.

She was pale, and still, her pulse was nearly non-existent - but
somehow he knew she was still alive.

He had not the time to wait for Draca or another experienced healer,
so he did what he could. Turning her on her back, and turning her
head to one side, he began pumping her lungs - thankful he had
re-covered his arm.

It was a while before there was any effect. Then his student began
vomiting water on the ground at his feet. He grimaced, but thanked
Sh'al she was alive.

He made her lie down until she could breathe properly. His concerned
face looked down at her, "Are you well enugh to stand?".
--Nick Takayama

Thai turned to help Zephyr and Cari through, then Zeph with Draca. The 
half-dragon had been fairing poorly ever since Xeen had started his 
games. Thai folded the great, golden wings as best she could to fit 
through the trapdoor. Below, Zephyr reached up to catch and lower 
Draca to the dusty floor. 

Zeph went through and then only Thai and Jarrad were left.
--Phaedra Whitlock

     Thai folded up Draca's wings and helped her down the hole, and 
Zephyr caught her from below.  She could stand, but she seemed to be 
getting worse as they came closer and closer to Xeen.  He was hoping 
that that beast didn't lace this entire complex with Dragonsbane.  If 
that was true, he may lace it with Elfsbane, as well.
     He looked over and saw that Semareth was pumping Cari's lungs.  
It seemed that this little dungeon of Xeen's was beginning to take 
its toll on the party.
     The tunnel they were in would be getting pretty dark, when they 
left this hole, so he bent down and grabbed a stick and cast a small 
light spell on it.
--Joey Christ 1

The stick now felt much lighter in his hands... what he was going to
do with it, he was unsure... if only he had a dog around.
--Nick Takayama

In the darkness of the dank tunnel, a flicker of light appeared at 
the one far end.  The light bobbed in the darkness, as it became 
larger as it moved closer.  The light continued to grow and form,
now becoming a huge flaming ball which spanned both the height and
width of the tunnel.

The crackling of the flame could now be heard, and it appeared as
if a small sun was slowly moving towards the group.  Water at the 
floor of the tunnel began to hiss as it turned to steam, and the 
heat from the sun-like object could now be felt.

As it neared, a face could now be seen in the writhing flames.  It
was the fire elemental they had encountered before!

>From the walls reverberated the voice of Xeen......"Dinner is ready,
my friends!  Try not to be late..."

This was of course followed by the giggling they knew all too well.
--Johny Enright

Thai dropped to the floor with a thump and moved aside for Jarrad. Her 
narrowed eyes followed the elemental. More than the wet and the cold and 
the endless walking, Thai hated playing someone elses game. 

The heat penetrated her shielding and forced her to take a step back. 
Then another. Still the elemental came on, herding them somewhere. Thai 
gritted her teeth and held her ground. "I deny you Eldarion. You and your 
games. Do you hear me?"

She glared at the fireball moving closer and vowed that no matter what 
else she did, Eldarion would die. Whether in the past or present made no 
difference. 
--Phaedra Whitlock

Dropping through the trapdoor, Jarrad was preparing to close it, and 
release the water he had been holding up, when the fireball approached and 
made it's announcement.

"You look a little warm Xeen, perhaps I can help with that. And it will 
save you washing for dinner."

Jarrad let go of the water he had been holding up thenm using a 
psionically created tube, guided it straight into the fireball.
--Paul Raj Khangure

Zephyr had felt heat like this before.  It was when he was in 
the mental mind games of Graz'zt, his demonic friend.  Now, here he 
was playing games with another nutball, Xeen.

He called out to Semareth, "Semareth, grab onto Cari!  Jarrad 
may guide this water, but who knows how it'll come down here!  It 
could be torrential!"  He then tried to cradle Draca.  In perfect 
health, she may do well here, but he didn't know how she would do 
now.
--Joey Christ1

Semareth nodded to Zephyr, "Wise man, Zephyr." was his quick reply.

He reached out for Cari, and drew her near. AS an afterthought, the
crouched down, realising that when the water touched the fireball,
the steam produced would surely fry them all. He looked around the
narrow tunnel. It would be like a steam cooker, he realised.

Looking up through the trapdoor, he shouted. 
"Jarrad, you fool, stop what you are doing!!!", he cursed the man in
both languages he knew.

The heat was growing nearer, but he began to feel it less. His recent
tragedies had somehow desensitised him momentarily... it was similar
to the way one went numb shortly after killing your first man.

He stood.

"Somebody grab Thai, we are going wherever we are needed.", he
scowled, and began walking down the tunnel.
--Nick Takayama

She held onto Semareth as he helped her along, and took his cue to hunch 
over to avoid the heat. She found that his sodden cloak afforded her some 
protection.

Cari did what she could to avoid hindering his long strides.
--Cathy Mosley

"Hmmm" said Jarrad testing the heat of the steam. "Just right for shaving, 
after all, it wouldn't do to appear bedraggled at dinner time would it?"

Then hand in hand with Thai, as if this was a gentle stroll through the 
meadows, Jarrad followed Semareth down the tunnel.
--Paul Raj Khangure

>From the comments Semareth had made Cari was starting to get a view of
a society where women had little to say, except maybe the priestesses,
but she knew that her piecemeal views would not serve her well should
she ever travel North with him.  As they walked along she sent,
::Semareth, what should I expect should I travel North with you
someday - besides the disbelief that I want to train as a priestess?
You have said that out world woman are usually servants or courtesans
.though you did indicate that some became priestesses - against their
wills.  If I understand the situation correctly, I would have few
rights.::  She paused, and considered her other question, ::What _is_
the place of the priestesses in your society and what are their
duties to Sh'al?::
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth did not look over.  "I will answer your question, but you
must understand that you would not survive long enough to become
_anything_ in my homeland.", perhaps he was not looking at her in 
order not to see the look on her face when he said that. He continued
regardless, his voice emotionless. "The priestess is arguably the 
second most powerful person in my society. They have the power to 
help, to guide, to cleanse and purify anyone who comes to them. They 
uphold the good teachings of Sh'aljien.". He touched one hand to his 
chest in a ceremonial gesture.

"I know not what else to tell you, perhaps there is too much.". His 
voice sounded distinctly hollow as he finished the last sentence.
--Nick Takayama

This was the second time Semareth had told her she wouldn't survive if 
she went into his home lands, which would be _very_ true if he didn't 
tell her more than that. ::Semareth,:: she sent with no anger in her 
voice, ::I'm not sure what you intended when you first revealed the path 
of Sh'aljien to me, though maybe it is simply your duty to convert who 
you find. But with me you opened a door you can't close - you converted 
someone with magical ability which your people have no place for. And you 
converted someone who isn't going to sit quietly - being just a good 
little follower. You have now told me twice I wouldn't survive - now tell 
me why? I won't, unless I know what I'm facing.:: 

When next she spoke, there was a hint of bitterness in her thoughts, 
::Are you afraid they'll simply 'cleanse' me?::
--Cathy Mosley

"If they do not just 'kill' you." he replied. 
"The priestesses are considered to be the elite, in political and
spiritual areas. I could use my power to have you placed in their
ranks, but the ramifications would be too great for even myself to
live with. You, and I, would undoubtedly die very quickly.", he shook
his head.

"You must content youself first with study, and devotion to the
Church. It takes years of learning and study to even be ready to be
chosen as a priestess' student."

He paused, considering a slightly different train of thought.
"If we go there, which we will not, I would be able to keep you alive
as long as myself. My protection extends _that_ far. How far that is
now, I cannot say."
--Nick Takayama

::I would never ask you to use your power to place me somewhere that I am 
not qualified to be,:: Cari sent, ::I am content with knowing that I have 
years of study and devotion ahead.:: 

It was her turn to pause before adding, ::But as you say, travel there is 
unlikely, and first we have to survive our confrontation with Xeen, but 
if we do, what then are your plans?::
--Cathy Mosley

"If I return home? or if we survive the confrontation with Xeen?", he
queried, uncertain as to what the question was.
--Nick Takayama

::After our  return to Montfort - if we survive Xeen,:: Cari sent, ::Since 
you do not intend to return to your homelands, what are your plans?::
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth paused, and rubbed his chin. "I will return to what I was
doing before... teaching the people of Montfort the ways of Sh'aljien."
In truth, he had not thought of what he would do after this mission.
There was little left for him except routine. His life before
Montfort was not a possibility, and the life in Montfort was a matter
of damage control for the church, and for himself. 
"What are your plans, Cari?"
--Nick Takayama

::There is still a great deal I need to learn,:: she answered, ::And who 
knows what state we'll find Montfort in.:: She paused, ::Before this the 
future always meant the road.:: Since Semareth was in a relatively 
talkative mood she asked something she had wondered about for a while, 
::I do not wish to open old wounds, but I have often wondered what your 
life was like growing up?::
--Cathy Mosley

"My childhood was like any other... besides the circumstances. When
you are born unto the high priestess of the Church there is a great
deal of pandering. I refused this, and concentrated on the arts of
fighting and warfare. It was a while before I found out that all my
sparring partners were told not to hurt me or they would be
killed...", he shook his head at the memory. "I was 13 at the time,
and I told my teacher to disregard those orders or I would have him
killed. He hit me so hard on the head I had a headache for a week,
and my father almost had him destroyed.", he laughed, low and
heartily. It was a rare sound, and it almost grated out of his
throat. "I convinced him otherwise, and my teaching began in earnest.
I was a very bruised boy for another 4 years...", he grinned
sheepishly. "Then I began to win. Of course, now, all of my men - the
templars - all of them are expected to beat their teacher at least
once. Not all of them do... but they try.", he shook his head.
"As when I was growing up, it was the effort that was most rewarding.
Now the templars have a cause, and it is so much more challenging...
but I have left that, and it is not good to talk of."
--Nick Takayama

Cari could picture Semareth as that determined 13 year old, and those 
brief moments of reminescence allowed her to see a less rigid side to him. 
She didn't think she had ever really heard him laugh. Her respect for him 
also rose - for this was a man who had pushed beyond the 
limits set on him. A small smile touched her lips.

She sent, ::I hope my curiousity is not disturbing to 
you. When I was young I read of distant places in some of Leathian's 
books and often wondered what it was like to live in those places - far 
from a farming community. Then in my "travels" ....I got to meet many who
came from those remote places. Fleeing south as I was.....:: She didn't 
say that many of those cities were now dried husks. She continued, ::But 
I still wonder about other lands - ones not touched by the blight that 
covers other parts of this land.::
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth nodded.

"My land has not been subjected to that yet. The countries to the
east and south have all fallen to blight... we know not why.", he
paused. "We are at war with the others, and care not if the fall to
blight."

He shrugged."I passed through many war torn and barren lands on my way to
Montfort. Perhaps one of these was your land."
--Nick Takayama

Cari remembered back to their first meeting, when she was a prisoner and 
he the Grand Inquisitor, and they had discussed the desolation the Church 
of the Redeemer had left behind. ::Perhaps,:: she sent, ::From what I was 
later to learn, my home lands were roughly  where the Church of the 
Redeemer quite first literally appeared:: 

She pushed back black hair that had fallen forward, and sent, ::Perhaps 
...because your people have such a strong believe in Sh'al and are 
warriors the Redeemer found little purchase. ...What are the people of 
your like, Semareth, beyond the priest caste?::
--Cathy Mosley

Idly wondering what ever happened since she used to call him 'Lord
Semareth', he replied.

"There are farmers, artisans, warriors, lords and slaves. All are
devout in their faith, and all do their utmost to aid the country in
it's struggle against our foes."

He paused to think.

"The Redeemer has control of one of our enemies, and they are strong.
It is not the teachings of the Redeemer that we feud over, but the
deeds of the people. They are thieves and carrion, for they grow very
little of their own food, they raid from us, and our neighbours.", he
sighed.

"I do not know how to answer your question exactly... my people are
people of faith and strength."
--Nick Takayama

::And that is probably what has kept them protected from the desolation 
that comes with Redeemer,:: she sent. Cari thought of Proctor Benedict in 
this future when she added, ::It is true - there is little wrong with the 
teachings of the Redeemer, and in this timeframe we have seen them become 
a valid religion. But in our time it is the mind control that is used on 
the  congregation and the later decay of town and city that follows that 
is the evil.::

Remembering Proctor Benedict prompted Cari to ask, ::When Proctor 
Benedict did the ritual of protection for us - what did you think of that?::
--Cathy Mosley

"It is typical.", he replied bluntly, a slight hint of aggression in
his tone.

"But my long use of Sh'alvar prevents it from making as noticable a
difference on me. There will always be those people who think they can
solve all of your problems with magic...", he trailed off.

"I would hope by now you realise the folly in that.", he looked at
her, then slowly continued. "There _are_ mages amongst the priests of
Sh'aljien... ", then he stopped.
--Nick Takayama

::Yes, I do,:: she answered, sounding in her thoughts a bit more like the 
student than she had been. Cari was also trying not to react over-eagerly 
to the hint that Semareth had just dropped, and she had no doubt that it 
was on purpose. Instead she asked, ::Then you would call what Proctor 
Benedict did "magic" as opposed to invoking his diety? There is oft a 
fine line between magic and what is diety given - I remember Leathian 
saying that magic was made up of life force.:: 

She paused then asked, ::How does your Church reconciliate the fact that 
there are mages in the priesthood, and what part do they play in the 
worship of Sh'al?::
--Cathy Mosley

"There have always been mages in the church of Sh'aljien", he began,
"but they do not use their abilities until they have reached the
higher echelons of the priesthood. Even then, they use it with
discretion. It is generally accepted that magic exists, but the use
is only advocated once one has achieved a more complete maturity of
self, and can use magic only as a tool, not as a power over others.",
his silvery eyes searched hers to see if she understood. "Suffice to
say, there are few mages in the church who actually use their
powers... ".
--Nick Takayama

She no longer felt so deeply the guilt she once had about her own 
mis-use, but she did understand far too well how power could be 
twisted, even for the best of reasons. She met his eyes, letting him see 
what he would in their green depths, and asked, ::Have they ever had any 
who started off with natural abilities?:: 

Part of her was determined, and another part dejected; she had little 
choice but to become a priestess if she wanted to continue on in 
Sh'aljien's service, but she wondered if she could restrain her natural 
abilities for the years it would take to even enter that domain. 
--Cathy Mosley

Semareth nodded.

"They, too, must refrain from use of their abilities until they are
permitted and trained." He looked at her a moment,

"I do not even know if they will force you to communicate solely
through writing... certainly mind-speak will be difficult with
Sh'alvar."
--Nick Takayama

There was little use in trying to mask the glimmer of hope in her green 
eyes. Up to now he had sounded like he was endeavoring to dissuade her, 
but his wording sounded more promising. ::I had forgotten the effects of 
that much Sh'alvar would have.:: She shook her head, ::But all of that is 
long way off - a great deal of studying before I can even consider trying 
to apprentice to a priestess.:: She smiled a little and added, ::It would 
also help for me to learn more your language.::

She looked at him, and sent, ::On a slightly different note - I have 
wondered do you have other interests beyond the Church and warfare?:: She 
knew that perhaps it was an ironic question, since she had long since had 
to give up her small pleasures.
--Nnnick Takayama

"None I would like to discuss", he replied.

To be truthful, back in his youth (not so long ago) he had many
interests, not the least of which was poetry. His enigmatic response
came more from a need to be secretive, and to keep Cari distanced. He
could not afford friendship, love or anything near. His own life was
dangerous enough.

He spent several long moments in silence, his stance and his
enigmatic response serving to silence Cari's questions as well.
Finally, he glanced at her.

"You are not what you think. I will say no more," then he lapsed back
into silence.
--Nick Takayama

She felt the walls shut down between them, as she had felt many times
before. Cari had seen others like Semareth - hiding away the brightness 
of their past lifes because the light pained them, because it made
the darkness of their present existence more stark. She had been that
way, and it was only recently that she had been able to look back and
appreciate the beauty of what she once had. For she had lived it and
none could take that away from her. 

Cari scrutinized the tall figure of Semareth with calm green eyes -
not as her mentor but as the young man. She almost asked, "What am I to
you?" But she refrained, because she knew he would have no true answer to
the question. Instead she guietly, gently sent, ::In order for Sh'al to
live again he must find a living heart. You taught me that.:: With those 
words she walked away.
--Cathy Mosley