Allura mentally responds from the kitchen where she had been talking to Djuhah.
:I'm here, Tristan. Come to the kitchen. Did you sleep badly? I'll be glad to provide a healing spell if you need it.::::No. No healing magic. I'm just sore like I've, I don't know. I can't describe it.:::
Rubbing his hands and forearms, Tristan walks into the kitchen and Allura almost doesn't recognize him. He looks almost six months older and barely fits his current wardrobe.
"My goodness! You're growing even faster than Arielle and LK! No wonder you're sore. We'd better get some food for you. You must be starving."
She gets him set down at a table with a heaping plate of food.
|
Allura mentally responds from the kitchen where she had been talking to Djuhah.
:I'm here, Tristan. Come to the kitchen. Did you sleep badly? I'll be glad to provide a healing spell if you need it.::::No. No healing magic. I'm just sore like I've, I don't know. I can't describe it.:::
Rubbing his hands and forearms, Tristan walks into the kitchen and Allura almost doesn't recognize him. He looks almost six months older and barely fits his current wardrobe.
Several hours after Devlyn leaves, Allura's crystal/link activates.
*Well, I think I just spotted the Company of the Ebony Harlot, and they appear to be in league with the weapons dealer here known as the Spirit of Vengeance. I just spotted four...beings...entering his warehouse in the Bazaar:*
*The first figure was an armored woman. She was carrying a heavy shield and had a large obsidian-colored spear slung on her back.*
*The second figure was a heavily armored male, with a spiked mace slung at his side and a heavy shield strapped to his back with the symbol of Beshaba emblazoned on it. I'm guessing that's the priest Ogiva told us about.*
*The third figure may have been an outsider. The back of his hands were covered in runes and symbols, and he was carrying a coiled bladed chain. I caught the stench of brimstone off of him - he may be a kyton, or chain-devil. I've had the displeasure of running into one of them before, and they're none too fun to deal with in melee.*
*The fourth figure was literally draped in a canvas and I couldn't make out any features at all, other than it was large and bulky. The silhouette wasn't reminiscent of one of the minotaurs we encountered the other day, but it might be a humanoid construct.*
*I'm checking the outside of this place to see how much grief we'd get if we have to bust into it. If I can find out anything else, I'll let you know.*
*Oh, and since I forgot to, have a pancake for me,* he says with a chuckle. *I'll check back in a bit, love.*
"My goodness! You're growing even faster than Arielle and LK! No wonder you're sore. We'd better get some food for you. You must be starving."
She gets him set down at a table with a heaping plate of food.
:::"What's wrong with me? Why am I growing? Cloths don't fit anymore. I don't feel good. I been feeling like this ever since I touch that gemstone and discovered ghosts. I feel power in my hands and why can't people just leave me alone!:::
Allura can hear his resentment and building anger, jumbled in a pool of frustration. In fact, Tristan seems to be sending his thoughts in every direction. The nestlings feel his anger and squawk loudly. Soon everyone in the Eyrie will know his mood.
:::"What's wrong with me? Why am I growing? Cloths don't fit anymore. I don't feel good. I been feeling like this ever since I touch that gemstone and discovered ghosts. I feel power in my hands and why can't people just leave me alone!:::Allura can hear his resentment and building anger, jumbled in a pool of frustration. In fact, Tristan seems to be sending his thoughts in every direction. The nestlings feel his anger and squawk loudly. Soon everyone in the Eyrie will know his mood.
Ch'ack Hammer wakes from his dreams in a cold sweat, as some strange outside power stirs beneath his skin and deep within his mind.
:::"What's wrong with me? Why am I growing? Cloths don't fit anymore. I don't feel good. I been feeling like this ever since I touch that gemstone and discovered ghosts. I feel power in my hands and why can't people just leave me alone!:::
Allura can hear his resentment and building anger, jumbled in a pool of frustration. In fact, Tristan seems to be sending his thoughts in every direction. The nestlings feel his anger and squawk loudly. Soon everyone in the Eyrie will know his mood.
Sky puts as many shields on as many nestslings as he can, trying keep Tristan's emotions from them.
Kiba falters while practicing with his earthbreaker, slamming the floor instead of the practice dummy. He sends his thoughts back at Tristan.
:Calm down little one. Do you really wish to be alone? You are changing, adapting to your new power, and you need to learn control. I do not know anything about how to deal with seeing ghosts, but controlling power new I can help you with. For years I had no idea a wolf dwelled within me, and when I shifted for the first time, it resulted in a chain of events that caused me grief I could not deal with for years. Because I had no control. For the span of three years, the wolf controlled me. For the span of three years, all I could do was watch from inside, a prisoner in my own body. Come to the sparring area if you want my help, but calm down first, you're upsetting the nestlings.:
"Spirits. I hear the spirits calling. I remember the unintentional madness they cause, but don't remember how to block the voices." He cradles his head and looks around in a panic... He is alone. He spoke to no one.
:Calm down little one. Do you really wish to be alone? You are changing, adapting to your new power, and you need to learn control. I do not know anything about how to deal with seeing ghosts, but controlling power new I can help you with. For years I had no idea a wolf dwelled within me, and when I shifted for the first time, it resulted in a chain of events that caused me grief I could not deal with for years. Because I had no control. For the span of three years, the wolf controlled me. For the span of three years, all I could do was watch from inside, a prisoner in my own body. Come to the sparring area if you want my help, but calm down first, you're upsetting the nestlings.:
Tristan turns and looks at Kiba, then shakes his head.
:::I'm sorry. I'm getting all these thoughts and feelings in my head. It's running through me like a river. I see symbols and words but they make no sense. I can concentrate, but it hurts. I'll try.:::
"My goodness! You're growing even faster than Arielle and LK! No wonder you're sore. We'd better get some food for you. You must be starving."
She gets him set down at a table with a heaping plate of food.:::"What's wrong with me? Why am I growing? Cloths don't fit anymore. I don't feel good. I been feeling like this ever since I touch that gemstone and discovered ghosts. I feel power in my hands and why can't people just leave me alone!:::
Allura can hear his resentment and building anger, jumbled in a pool of frustration. In fact, Tristan seems to be sending his thoughts in every direction. The nestlings feel his anger and squawk loudly. Soon everyone in the Eyrie will know his mood.
Meanwhile, Jay Frogskin and the Mask are arguing again.
:The Foreseer is our only hope. Nothing can hide from it:"No. It would do untold damage. It--oh no...what's the matter?" Frogskin asks, alarmed, as the angry emotions of Tristan touch him. He looks up to the ceiling of the cave. "What could that be?"
The Mask takes advantage of Frogskin's distracted state, and attempts to gain control.
"What? No! Don't! It--" The raven closes his eyes, and sighs. When its eyes open, they glow deep crimson.
Tristan turns and looks at Kiba, then shakes his head.
:::I'm sorry. I'm getting all these thoughts and feelings in my head. It's running through me like a river. I see symbols and words but they make no sense. I can concentrate, but it hurts. I'll try.:::
:Mental discipline can be tricky when you first come into your powers. But you can do it. And we are here to help you.:
*leaves note on door outside of their room*
I hear spirit voices across the Veil. I don't know if this is my doing or not. I remember how to make the wards. I'll be back as soon as I gather the ingredients.
Ch'ack
:Mental discipline can be tricky when you first come into your powers. But you can do it. And we are here to help you.:
Tristan turns and looks at Kiba, then shakes his head.
:::I'm sorry. I'm getting all these thoughts and feelings in my head. It's running through me like a river. I see symbols and words but they make no sense. I can concentrate, but it hurts. I'll try.:::
He stops and concentrates for a brief moment. He turns and looks at Allura and Kiba.
:::I think, I think I can do something. A thought, a memory from an ancestor. It's showing me something. Mist and fog. I don't understand...:::
:::They want me to go outside and throw my hands out away from the Eyrie.:::
He moves away and heads for the clearest opening away from the Eyrie.
:Sky? Tristan's doing something with spirits, you may want to get down here in case something goes wrong or someone tries to interfere.:
:... Fine. I'll be down once I finish shielding this last nestling, I don't want people sharinf emotions like that.:
Once he finishes, Sky floats down and stands about 35ft behind Tristan, waiting and hoping he was only there as a precaution.
:Sky? Tristan's doing something with spirits, you may want to get down here in case something goes wrong or someone tries to interfere.:
:... Fine. I'll be down once I finish shielding this last nestling, I don't want people sharinf emotions like that.:
Once he finishes, Sky floats down and stands about 35ft behind Tristan, waiting and hoping he was only there as a precaution.
Blodwen groaned, the headache from too many emotions and inadequate shielding almost unbearable. It looked like she was in for a few more hours of practice. She grimaced. Telepathy was the most difficult thing for her, even worse than shaping. Maybe she should ask Allura for help. Later, obviously. Allura was busy helping Tristan right now.
The great white dragon flies far overhead. As he attempts to enter the Eyrie, however, he encounters a barricade. He sighs, and looks around for a Starhawk or some other inhabitant.
Ch'ack arrives via the omniportal
The great white dragon flies far overhead. As he attempts to enter the Eyrie, however, he encounters a barricade. He sighs, and looks around for a Starhawk or some other inhabitant.
A phantom wind brings a scent to Lk, like one he once semlled in the forest, but with an unnatural chill to it. Almost like ice that never melted... He glances up at the Eyrie's opening to the air above.
"Dragon..."
He begins to swiftly climb up towards the opening, wondering why a dragon would choose to be so close to a place guarded by a deity...
The great white dragon flies far overhead. As he attempts to enter the Eyrie, however, he encounters a barricade. He sighs, and looks around for a Starhawk or some other inhabitant.A phantom wind brings a scent to Lk, like one he once semlled in the forest, but with an unnatural chill to it. Almost like ice that never melted... He glances up at the Eyrie's opening to the air above.
"Dragon..."
He begins to swiftly climb up towards the opening, wondering why a dragon would choose to be so close to a place guarded by a deity...
"You there! Boy! I must speak with the Goddess! I require entry, and the wards forbid that."
The raven listens, hearing the dragon's voice. "Oh dear..." It mutters. "This could prove troublesome."
"You there! Boy! I must speak with the Goddess! I require entry, and the wards forbid that."
Lk stares at the dragon for a moment then leaps down to the ground level and begins to run through the Eyrie in search of Lynora-Jill or Arielle.
"You there! Boy! I must speak with the Goddess! I require entry, and the wards forbid that."The great white dragon flies far overhead. As he attempts to enter the Eyrie, however, he encounters a barricade. He sighs, and looks around for a Starhawk or some other inhabitant.A phantom wind brings a scent to Lk, like one he once semlled in the forest, but with an unnatural chill to it. Almost like ice that never melted... He glances up at the Eyrie's opening to the air above.
"Dragon..."
He begins to swiftly climb up towards the opening, wondering why a dragon would choose to be so close to a place guarded by a deity...
The wind swirls in strange patterns, finally coalescing into the form of Lynora-Jill.
"The only way that the wards would prevent you from entering the Eyrie is if you meant harm to someone here. This is not a particularly auspicious beginning to our conversation as it does tend to make me somewhat wary of trusting you. But since you are here and I am here, then speak your piece," she said calmly.
:Sky? Tristan's doing something with spirits, you may want to get down here in case something goes wrong or someone tries to interfere.:
:... Fine. I'll be down once I finish shielding this last nestling, I don't want people sharinf emotions like that.:
Once he finishes, Sky floats down and stands about 35ft behind Tristan, waiting and hoping he was only there as a precaution.
Reaching deep into his ancestral blood, Tristan seems to clasp something with between his fingers. As the essence of ethereal planes flows around his fingers like a fog, Tristan concentrates deeper, harder, more focused. Opening his hands, he gestures with the raw essence allowing his mind to focus an undesired effect.
Tristan opens his eyes.
:::I did it!:::
He says then he looses his concentration. The raw ethereal essence solidifies into slender metallic blades and flings itself from his fingers into the opposite face of the Eyrie. with a long shriek, the blades embed themselves into the clifface. The sudden release of magical energy sends Tristan falling backwards on his posterior.
:::OW!:::
There is a sharp wave of pain, follow by the surprising excitement of discovery.
::Did I do that?!:::
"You there! Boy! I must speak with the Goddess! I require entry, and the wards forbid that."The great white dragon flies far overhead. As he attempts to enter the Eyrie, however, he encounters a barricade. He sighs, and looks around for a Starhawk or some other inhabitant.A phantom wind brings a scent to Lk, like one he once semlled in the forest, but with an unnatural chill to it. Almost like ice that never melted... He glances up at the Eyrie's opening to the air above.
"Dragon..."
He begins to swiftly climb up towards the opening, wondering why a dragon would choose to be so close to a place guarded by a deity...
The wind swirls in strange patterns, finally coalescing into the form of Lynora-Jill.
"The only way that the wards would prevent you from entering the Eyrie is if you meant harm to someone here. This is not a particularly auspicious beginning to our conversation as it does tend to make me somewhat wary of trusting you. But since you are here and I am here, then speak your piece," she said calmly.
"What? Impossible. I have very few enemies, most of which dead. I only know of one who is active, and I doubt he is here. Is the Mask here? He has done me significant harm, and I would indeed be quite willing to return the favor.
"However, that is neither here nor there. I require entry into your Eyrie. I have been experiencing a bit of trouble with a common enemy, and would like to temporarily gain a place to rest while I...prepare for my revenge."
"What? Impossible. I have very few enemies, most of which dead. I only know of one who is active, and I doubt he is here. Is the Mask here? He has done me significant harm, and I would indeed be quite willing to return the favor.
"However, that is neither here nor there. I require entry into your Eyrie. I have been experiencing a bit of trouble with a common enemy, and would like to temporarily gain a place to rest while I...prepare for my revenge."
"The Mask is here, or at least a piece of him. He is...not exactly a friend, but he has been at least at times an ally. The sort I prefer to keep where I can see him," she added drily. "I can understand that you may have animosity towards him, but this is a place of peace. Unless you can set that aside, you may not enter the Eyrie. However," she added, holding up a hand to forestall any forthcoming objection, "there is a place up there above the Eyrie," she pointed towards the top of the mountain. "A sanctuary of sorts. The wards are as strong, but the conditions of them worded differently. Only those with my express permission may enter there. You may rest there if you wish."
Reaching deep into his ancestral blood, Tristan seems to clasp something with between his fingers. As the essence of ethereal planes flows around his fingers like a fog, Tristan concentrates deeper, harder, more focused. Opening his hands, he gestures with the raw essence allowing his mind to focus an undesired effect.
Tristan opens his eyes.
:::I did it!:::
He says then he looses his concentration. The raw ethereal essence solidifies into slender metallic blades and flings itself from his fingers into the opposite face of the Eyrie. with a long shriek, the blades embed themselves into the clifface. The sudden release of magical energy sends Tristan falling backwards on his posterior.
:::OW!:::
There is a sharp wave of pain, follow by the surprising excitement of discovery.
::Did I do that?!:::
Sky smiles and helps Tristan to his feet.
:Yes. Looks like the children of the Eyrie are more talented than any could have guessed. Congratulations on this discovery, but try to practice where you can't hurt someone okay? We don't need the wards sending you on an extraplanar vacation, now do we? At least, not unwillingly, a trip to the Elemental Plane of Air could nice.:
Sky smiles and helps Tristan to his feet.
Looking at his fingers he soon looks at Sky. :::I can't wait to do that again and tell Kiba and Arielle.:::
:Yes. Looks like the children of the Eyrie are more talented than any could have guessed. Congratulations on this discovery, but try to practice where you can't hurt someone okay? We don't need the wards sending you on an extraplanar vacation, now do we? At least, not unwillingly, a trip to the Elemental Plane of Air could nice.:
:::Not funnny,::: He frowns. :::I don't have my wings. Maybe someday.:::
:::Come on a feel something big near the Eyrie. Let's go find the others!:::
Arielle was trying to be patient. This shouldn't be so hard. It was just a sprout. Sprouts talked fast. But they didn't have much to say. Still, she needed to practice or she'd never learn how to talk to plants properly.
"The Mask is here, or at least a piece of him. He is...not exactly a friend, but he has been at least at times an ally. The sort I prefer to keep where I can see him," she added drily. "I can understand that you may have animosity towards him, but this is a place of peace. Unless you can set that aside, you may not enter the Eyrie. However," she added, holding up a hand to forestall any forthcoming objection, "there is a place up there above the Eyrie," she pointed towards the top of the mountain. "A sanctuary of sorts. The wards are as strong, but the conditions of them worded differently. Only those with my express permission may enter there. You may rest there if you wish.""What? Impossible. I have very few enemies, most of which dead. I only know of one who is active, and I doubt he is here. Is the Mask here? He has done me significant harm, and I would indeed be quite willing to return the favor.
"However, that is neither here nor there. I require entry into your Eyrie. I have been experiencing a bit of trouble with a common enemy, and would like to temporarily gain a place to rest while I...prepare for my revenge."
The great wyrm hisses. "I cannot 'set it aside', child. He enslaved me, and forced me to guard that which destroys, the instrument of chaos, the hateful musician. When he was freed, I was very nearly destroyed. The Mask knew I could not stand against it, but it sent me there nonetheless, to delay it. I will never put my hatred aside.
"However, I will take up your offer. I need to rest, and the Servants will not stop searching until I have been disposed of. I thank you." The dragon nods, coldly."But I give you advice: The Mask is never your ally. He fights for law, but believe me: He is every bit your enemy. You should not permit him in your Eyrie."
:::Not funnny,::: He frowns. :::I don't have my wings. Maybe someday.:::
:::Come on a feel something big near the Eyrie. Let's go find the others!:::
The children of the Eyrie sure are full of surprisse.
:Let's hurry, and hope it is just a giant piece of candy Djuhah made for Arielle!:
Lk had managed to find Arielle, but she was talking to plants and he didn't want to interrupt her. Pausing to catch his breath, he looks up to see if the dragon is still, and spies LJ.
"Oh come on. I just did all that for nothing?"
He goes to the Hole in search of iced tea or something equally sweet and cold.
The great wyrm hisses. "I cannot 'set it aside', child. He enslaved me, and forced me to guard that which destroys, the instrument of chaos, the hateful musician. When he was freed, I was very nearly destroyed. The Mask knew I could not stand against it, but it sent me there nonetheless, to delay it. I will never put my hatred aside.
"However, I will take up your offer. I need to rest, and the Servants will not stop searching until I have been disposed of. I thank you." The dragon nods, coldly.
"But I give you advice: The Mask is never your ally. He fights for law, but believe me: He is every bit your enemy. You should not permit him in your Eyrie."
"You were guarding..." her eyes widen with surprise. "You have my sincere gratitude then for even trying."
She handed him a feather. "You may use this to call on me in time of need.""Oh, and you shouldn't call me child. I'm older than you. And I've faced worse than the Mask before this. As I said, I prefer to keep him where I can see him. I am well aware that he has changed sides before."
Tristan gives chase, but after a brief while he finds Arielle talking to her vinyards. He's about to say something via mindspeech when he notices the great white wyrm.
:::WOW!::: :::A Dragon:::
His mind speech is loud enough for the dragon to hear. He stands in awe, starstruck, in the presence of the great dragon.
Tristan gives chase, but after a brief while he finds Arielle talking to her vinyards. He's about to say something via mindspeech when he notices the great white wyrm.
:::WOW!::: :::A Dragon:::
His mind speech is loud enough for the dragon to hear. He stands in awe, starstruck, in the presence of the great dragon.
"Huh? Another one?" Arielle shivered a little as she remembered the last dragon she had seen. She looked up and saw a white dragon talking to her mother. She relaxed a little.
"Oh. It's a white dragon. Okay."
Tristan gives chase, but after a brief while he finds Arielle talking to her vinyards. He's about to say something via mindspeech when he notices the great white wyrm.
:::WOW!::: :::A Dragon:::
His mind speech is loud enough for the dragon to hear. He stands in awe, starstruck, in the presence of the great dragon.
"Huh? Another one?" Arielle shivered a little as she remembered the last dragon she had seen. She looked up and saw a white dragon talking to her mother. She relaxed a little.
"Oh. It's a white dragon. Okay."
:::I've never seen a dragon so close...:::: His thoughts trail off.
:::I've never seen a dragon so close...:::: His thoughts trail off.Tristan gives chase, but after a brief while he finds Arielle talking to her vinyards. He's about to say something via mindspeech when he notices the great white wyrm.
:::WOW!::: :::A Dragon:::
His mind speech is loud enough for the dragon to hear. He stands in awe, starstruck, in the presence of the great dragon.
"Huh? Another one?" Arielle shivered a little as she remembered the last dragon she had seen. She looked up and saw a white dragon talking to her mother. She relaxed a little.
"Oh. It's a white dragon. Okay."
Sky tenses, his body trying to shift out of instinct. One hand goes to his bow, in case things go badly.
"Pray you see chromatics from farther away should you ever see another."
The great wyrm hisses. "I cannot 'set it aside', child. He enslaved me, and forced me to guard that which destroys, the instrument of chaos, the hateful musician. When he was freed, I was very nearly destroyed. The Mask knew I could not stand against it, but it sent me there nonetheless, to delay it. I will never put my hatred aside.
"However, I will take up your offer. I need to rest, and the Servants will not stop searching until I have been disposed of. I thank you." The dragon nods, coldly.
"But I give you advice: The Mask is never your ally. He fights for law, but believe me: He is every bit your enemy. You should not permit him in your Eyrie.""You were guarding..." her eyes widen with surprise. "You have my sincere gratitude then for even trying."
She handed him a feather. "You may use this to call on me in time of need."
"Oh, and you shouldn't call me child. I'm older than you. And I've faced worse than the Mask before this. As I said, I prefer to keep him where I can see him. I am well aware that he has changed sides before."
"Thank you. But I am fairly certain you are younger than me. At least, the Goddess before me is. Of your original self...little remains. I judge by mindset, you see, and yours isn't as it used to be. Indeed, you are very young.
"I am sorry. I am what you would call an eccentric, though I have another name for it. I must go now." The dragon flies up, to the Sanctuary.
:::I've never seen a dragon so close...:::: His thoughts trail off.
Sky tenses, his body trying to shift out of instinct. One hand goes to his bow, in case things go badly.
"Pray you see chromatics from farther away should you ever see another."
"I don't know, Mr. Sky. They seem to get along with my mom okay."
"Thank you. But I am fairly certain you are younger than me. At least, the Goddess before me is. Of your original self...little remains. I judge by mindset, you see, and yours isn't as it used to be. Indeed, you are very young.
"I am sorry. I am what you would call an eccentric, though I have another name for it. I must go now." The dragon flies up, to the Sanctuary.
She sighed. The dragon was in many ways right. She had been through so many transformations. Finding where she began was turning into an impossible quest. She flew back towards the Eyrie.
"Sky, I'm letting the dragon use the Sanctuary for a bit. So you and LK and anyone else I've given permission to use the place should consider that permission suspended until the dragon leaves. There aren't any safeguards in there keeping him from attacking anyone who approaches him."
She gave Arielle a quick hug before heading back to her room.
She walked into her room feeling dejected and sat down on the bed. So, phenomenal cosmic power was not really all it was cracked up to be. Granted she'd learned the whole deity thing from a tree so that probably skewed her education more than a little, but it seemed like she should be able to find some way around all this. Some way to find out the truth about her past. But there wasn't and she just had to accept that and stop feeling sorry for herself.
She walked into her room feeling dejected and sat down on the bed. So, phenomenal cosmic power was not really all it was cracked up to be. Granted she'd learned the whole deity thing from a tree so that probably skewed her education more than a little, but it seemed like she should be able to find some way around all this. Some way to find out the truth about her past. But there wasn't and she just had to accept that and stop feeling sorry for herself.
Ch'ack enters the room to find Lyn seated at the end of their bed. He smiles.
"So your search of the Green wasn't as you expected?"
He places an earthenware jar on the seating area table. It pulses with power, both yound and old.
"They rarely are. Often you don't realize what you found until long after you find it."
He smiles again. Slowly he opens his shirt to reveal a blue tattoo on his chest; and infinity symbol bisected by three lines, centered over his heart.
"The spirit world is vast; containing the past, present and future. How many lifetimes must you search for someone to give you answers you already know?"
He tilts his head and pauses, "My father, and his father before him, were taught the ways of the spirit realm. How to search them, how to fight in them, how to hide in them, but never how to live in them. Living beings are not meant to do that. Search too long there for answers and one becomes lost. Mad."
"By the way, Leo and Aquila say 'hello'" He smiles widely as he adds that.
Sky tenses, his body trying to shift out of instinct. One hand goes to his bow, in case things go badly.
"Pray you see chromatics from farther away should you ever see another."
:::Are they really that powerful? I'be heard stories about that.:::
She walked into her room feeling dejected and sat down on the bed. So, phenomenal cosmic power was not really all it was cracked up to be. Granted she'd learned the whole deity thing from a tree so that probably skewed her education more than a little, but it seemed like she should be able to find some way around all this. Some way to find out the truth about her past. But there wasn't and she just had to accept that and stop feeling sorry for herself.Ch'ack enters the room to find Lyn seated at the end of their bed. He smiles.
"So your search of the Green wasn't as you expected?"
He places an earthenware jar on the seating area table. It pulses with power, both yound and old.
"They rarely are. Often you don't realize what you found until long after you find it."
He smiles again. Slowly he opens his shirt to reveal a blue tattoo on his chest; and infinity symbol bisected by three lines, centered over his heart.
"The spirit world is vast; containing the past, present and future. How many lifetimes must you search for someone to give you answers you already know?"
He tilts his head and pauses, "My father, and his father before him, were taught the ways of the spirit realm. How to search them, how to fight in them, how to hide in them, but never how to live in them. Living beings are not meant to do that. Search too long there for answers and one becomes lost. Mad."
"By the way, Leo and Aquila say 'hello'" He smiles widely as he adds that.
"What?..." She looks up at him her eyes wide with surprise. "How long have you been so wise?" she said with a slow smile.
She reached out a tentative hand to gently trace the symbol on his chest. "What does it mean?""And I'm not entirely a living being. I'm not sure what I am. That's the hardest part. I thought it would be easier to know the answer to that if I knew where I was from. But I'll never be able to find out the truth. I've been transformed too many times. I'm too far from whoever I started as. I found answers about something. Just not the questions I went there for."
"Leo and Aquila are well then?" she adds with an answering smile.
"You are very much a living being. More so than most that think they are."
Tracing the infinity symbol, he says, "This symbol represents past, present, and future. At least for me. Each person, including you has a symbol that connects you, anchors you to the life you're living right now. The symbol guards you, but also opens your senses. I see many forms within you now. They are really shadows of each other, more alike than different. Mirrors, if you will."
"Other symbols flow in and out of our lives, our senses. Their shapes, colors, and frequency have different meanings. Some heal, others hurt. Those that flash when magic is used are but a small fraction of them. They are alive."
"Using runes, spirits gain power over the living if they are found to be 'unanchored'. This happened to me. I have been adrift upon the Seas of Time for a long time, my love. Anger, fear, failure pushed me to madness. And beyond. The only way my mind could cope was to block off parts. You see, we are two kindred spirits."
He shifts, and looks down at his chest. The spears allow me to cross beyond the barriers. This magic was taught to me a long time ago. Back when flesh was all I knew."
"Do you wish to know your answers so badly that you would risk losing who you are right now?"
"Dreams are the attempts of the body to touch their spirits, shedding their anchor. Dreams can be deadly. As can doubts."
"Spirit Warriors adorn themselves with many symbols when they go Dreaming because of the danger. If we don't our powers can be used against the ones we love."
he hesitates
"I think that I drew the Shadows to my land. Somehow I failed to ward myself well enough."
As he speaks this last part, Leo manifests and sits beside him.
"Our friends are quite well. See?"
As Lyn digests his ramblings, Ch'ack walks over to the table, leaving Leo sitting by the bed. He gazes back at her, looking deep within her face. He picks up the jar and walks back to sit beside her. Opening it, he dabs a finger in, then looks up again to he faced to see her reaction but also to stare deep within her eyes. He traces two symbols onto her cheeks; a spiral on one and a lightning bolt on the other. As he does so, he whispers words in a foreign toungue. The woad is cool at first but flares a moment, as it disappears beneath her skin.
"It seems that your wards are needed deep within. It doesn't surprise me. I have more than the one marking. The others are hidden as well."
"What do you sense?"
"Fear not. The Sight will fade in a few minutes. It took me years to learn it, centuries to forget it, and dying to remember it again."
As Lyn digests his ramblings, Ch'ack walks over to the table, leaving Leo sitting by the bed. He gazes back at her, looking deep within her face. He picks up the jar and walks back to sit beside her. Opening it, he dabs a finger in, then looks up again to he faced to see her reaction but also to stare deep within her eyes. He traces two symbols onto her cheeks; a spiral on one and a lightning bolt on the other. As he does so, he whispers words in a foreign toungue. The woad is cool at first but flares a moment, as it disappears beneath her skin.
"It seems that your wards are needed deep within. It doesn't surprise me. I have more than the one marking. The others are hidden as well."
"What do you sense?"
"Fear not. The Sight will fade in a few minutes. It took me years to learn it, centuries to forget it, and dying to remember it again."
"Leo looks so much more real!" she said with a surprised smile. "And you...There are shadows around you, and glowing symbols on you."
"There is so much that I don't understand. But I would not risk losing you, or our daughter. I do not want to throw away my life now. It's just...I am like a star born from the death of another star, and I am curious about who I used to be. But the past isn't worth sacrificing the present and the future for."
She looked up at him, her gaze locked on his. "I should have realized there was more to you than first appeared, my love. Only, please, no more dying. I do not think I could bear it again."
"I'll do my best", he adds with a grimace. "Besides, I'm not done learning to be me again yet."
With that he gives her a long kiss.
"I'll do my best", he adds with a grimace. "Besides, I'm not done learning to be me again yet."
With that he gives her a long kiss.
She kisses him back, her feelings of sadness running away like shadows from sunlight.
"Well, if that's part of the process than I'm in favor," she said with an impish grin.
"I'll do my best", he adds with a grimace. "Besides, I'm not done learning to be me again yet."
With that he gives her a long kiss.
She kisses him back, her feelings of sadness running away like shadows from sunlight.
"Well, if that's part of the process than I'm in favor," she said with an impish grin.
returning her grin, "It could be a very long process. A very taxing one. Something to make you feel very much alive. Whatever could it be?"