Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 20:37:15 -0600
From: Diana/Wenn & Co
(Disclaimer: This is certainly an optional chapter. Sorry it's so long. It was RP'd in WolfKeep. I hope the players involved do not object to having this submitted nor for the license and liberties taken in converting the roleplay into story format. I thought it was relevant with a little snippet added here and there. - Diana/Wenn - )
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Riding along just after dusk, a flash of red sitting atop a flash of white turns down a lane toward what appears to be a sizeable keep. The rider grins to himself in anticipation of opportunities. With any luck, the keep will be full of people who can be unwittingly coaxed into brawls or a skirmish. Such is his talent and he takes so much pleasure in exercising it.
He dismounts just outside the place and finds warding spells in his path. While considering if it may be worth the effort to work his way through them, the rider turns his head sharply, sensing persons approaching. He actually detects several making their way here, though they do not travel together. His grin widens and he decides to play a subtle game while slipping back onto his white stallion. With a thought, the stark white horse and blood red cape of the rider disappear, becoming nothing more than a shadow. Just a thought, a touch, the smallest of nudges to a few of the coming visitors as they pass, will be enough to impress his will on their course.
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Tyralor slips into the great hall of Wolf Keep. For a moment, his eyes glance around curiously, noting the entrance of Lerrad a few moments ahead of him. In a rather annoyed manner, he greets everyone with a quick smile before moving through the welcoming room, tossing an odd shaped backpack off to one side and dusting the snow off his frame. His fingertips and lips are already blue enough as he limps slightly in the direction of the hearth.
Wenndolyne notes Tyralor's half-frozen state and foregoes her greeting to him "Mercy! How long have you been out there?" Tyralor murmurs quietly, through numbed lips "About twenty minutes Wenndolyne, nothing more than that." He lets it go at that for the moment, shivering madly as he wraps his arms around himself, closing his eyes, trying to bask in front of the glowing coals that make up the hearth.
Lerrad moves to his overstuffed chair by the window and settles down, tossing a foot onto the window sill. He loosens his jacket, shivers as a bit of cold slips through the glass beside him then tightens the jacket again."Aye, tis cold out, Wenn."
Wenndolyne rises from her chair with some effort being now eight months pregnant. "You fellows need something hot to drink. Hot buttered rum? Tea? Coffee?" Lerrad stands and crosses to the bar, he can take this chill no more. "I could sure use something... Rum, I think." Tyralor comments softly from the hearth. "It's not suppose to be this cold out Lerrad. Rather, there've been as usual, unpleasant occurrences." Lerrad slips behind the bar. "All about, I'd say." pouring a glass of rum for himself.
Wenndolyne goes to the hearth and steps around Tyralor. "There's a kettle of the buttered rum here, if you prefer it." She ladles herself half a mug full and sets it near her chair. Proceeding to a stack of wool blankets warming near the hearth and pulling one for Tyralor, she lays it over his shoulders before he can protest.
Lerrad nods, pouring another glass of rum. He sips on one glass, making his way toward the hearth and offers the other to Tyr with a slight smile but Tyralor is still busy rubbing his hands together trying to warm them, so Lerrad sets the glass and himself down on the hearth finding it more comfortably warm than the seat by the window. Shortly after finishing his own glass of rum, Lerrad sees that Tyralor has not touched his... and downs it too.
As the last of the rum slips from the glass into Lerrad's throat, Tyralor finally looks up from his hands. "Hmmm...Lerrad, didn't you get me a glass?" his expression is of one who is rather put out. Lerrad lowers the glass to the hearth and shrugs "You...ignored me." To which Tyralor responds "I did not." By now Lerrad 's words slur a bit.."Ssso I drank th' sstuff." Wenn watches the exchange but decides not to interfere and instead, takes up her seat and mug of buttered rum.
Tyralor shrugs slightly, sighing softly, and looks toward the bar. For a moment his lips tighten, turning a stark white to match his face. He shifts his eyes again and settles down near the hearth.
Lerrad belches quietly, then blinks..."Wenn? What's in that rum you drink? I have tried it, tis disgusting, really." She crinkles her nose at her cousin before sipping her own delicious buttered rum. "Tis a secret recipe and if you like it not... drink it not." Lerrad playfully makes a face at Wenn, then smiles, prompting her to grin at his teasing. He then picks up the two empty glasses and stands, crossing to the bar and setting them down...looking for the bottle again, then shrugging.
Tyralor, still a bit annoyed by Lerrad's revoked hospitality, speaks quietly, "Tell me, Lerrad, why one who gathers souls deliberately for a living, such as say, The Morrigan, is welcomed with open arms, no matter how she conducts herself, while another who profits by it meagerly is shunned, accused and treated only to distant glances or occasional comments?"
Lerrad shakes his head, a slight grin forming on his lips at the sound of his words. He approaches Tyralor. "Where have you been, Friend? I've missed your...
"Changing?" his look reveals he is a bit shocked by the embrace, but accepting of it still the same "In what way?" Wenn has been watching and listening to the them with more than idle curiosity. Tyralor's comment though shifts her thoughts to her paperwork. "Things are changing indeed... quickly... and not for the better."
Tyralor half glances to Wenn and smiles thinly, his lips and face having received a token of their original color. "You are likely much more knowledgeable about it than I am." Lerrad looks at Wenn, then back at Tyr's face "You mean...what has been happening? It IS changing indeed."
"I have a library full of papers and missives delivered every day... " Wenn sips her rum and continues quietly, "... they do not carry good news"
Lerrad moves past Tyr, bumping his shoulder as he does and settling into a chair near him and smiling up at him.."Sir..please."
"Please?" regarding Lerrad curiously, a faint grimace touching his lips "Please what, Lerrad?"
"Please, sit." he shrugs, as if the question was clearly apparent.
Wenn is still thinking of the bigger issue they were discussing "I worry not so much about the armies gathering... though that is certainly foreboding enough. Tis the... other news... more indirect harm I hear of that concerns me."
"There are more forces closer at home Wenn..." His voice echoes his words to her softly, "very much closer."
"So I fear... closer and closing" She sips again after a brief shiver.
Tyralor moves reluctantly into the chair next to Lerrad, his eyes surveying the man with his normal impassivity. "It has closed..."
Lerrad eyes Tyralor "What has closed?"
"That which Wenn is so believing is a distant threat."
Wenn swallows hard for his words seem so final, certain.
"Ah." Lerrad nods but rolls his eyes. "And what do YOU know of all of this, eh Tyralor?"
"What does it matter to one like you, Lerrad, who swears no harm will come to him while he is protected by people like Lord Wolf, the soul keeper, and their forces? You hide inside and await the news, much like Wenn. Neither of you two are, nor likely will be, of any importance in the out come of the changes... merely bystanders that've watched and adjusted."
Wenn rises and paces slowly before the fire, hands wringing around her mug.
Lerrad frowns. "Listen, I can take care of me and mine, Tyralor. I would be more concerned about yourself if I were you."
Tyralor laughs softly. "You take care of your own? Lerrad, please. I am serious."
Wenndolyne stops her pacing and looks to Tyralor but her words are for Lerrad "Aye, cousin, he is."
Lerrad turns to look at the man. "Yes..I do. I HAVE a family to look after. Not like the likes of you."
Tyralor sneers disgustedly at Lerrad who turns back around and shakes his head."My own choices in life are personal... as are yours."
"Idiotic choices they are." Lerrad mumbles.
"Your inability to so much as gather yourself together to strike back at those who'd oppose you Lerrad, That is a problem not only your own." Tyralor rises smoothly from his seat, his eyes narrowed. "Tonight is not the best time to test me, child."
Lerrad gives him a warning glance "Please, Tyr..don't do this...don't.. You're being stupid." He takes a calming breath. "Just don't."
Tyralor lips twitch for a moment. Then suddenly, he's had enough of the smug, aristocratic Lerrad and, in his opinion, blatantly arrogant temperament. He draws his hand back and drives it forward towards Lerrad's face. Wenn sees the punch in progress and stops her pacing again to protest, "NO!"
Lerrad twists his head in the strike, looking down at the floor a moment and shaking his head a bit before lunging forward and attacking Tyralor, knocking him to the floor. Tyralor drops lightly onto his back, his eyes glare up at Lerrad, his hands slipping along Lerrad's side, quickly and smoothly driving for purchase, his knees being pulled up underneath him. A moment later, there is a swelling of force, concentrated under Lerrad's midriff, lifting him up and away... the direction of his presumed flight towards the hearth. Wenn jumps, as much as she can, out of the fray.
cloak_ enters the great hall of the keep and noting Lerrad in mid flight, shakes her head. "Did I walk in at a bad time or what?"
Lerrad lands near the hearth and slides toward it on the stone floor, settling next to Wenn. He shakes his head with a blink, then looks at Wenn with a frown..."What? What is happening here?" Her eyes are wide as she looks down to him "I have no notion but I DO wish it would stop!"
LoreMistress enters the keep and must quickly step around cloak_, nearly walking over her diminutive form as they both look up to the brawl in progress while absently brushing off snow and shivering off the cold. They exchange Hellos as a matter of habit more than notice, trying to determine what exactly is going on here.
Lerrad frowns, standing quickly and gathering himself into a fight stance, looking about for his sword. Tyralor rises smoothly to his feet and turns slowly to face Lerrad. His expression is businesslike as he brushes off his clothing, taking a few measured strides in Lerrad's direction. His eyes slowly slide from the floor, upward to regard Lerrad directly again. Cold and impassive, Tyr watches him for a moment then his hands start sliding to his collection of needles.
cloak_ eeks! and Lore notices her Gem Sister standing entirely too close to this action for a woman eight months with child. "Wenn!" cloak_ looks to Wenn then to Tyralor then to Lerrad and gets her usual questioning look on her face. Wenn calls out "Lerrad! Do not cross him!"
LadyElspeth comes sweeping through the door, smiling and stamping her feet and rubbing her hands from the cold as Lerrad frantically looks at the sword by the door, knowing there is no way to get there without passing Tyralor. He glances at Wenn then back to Elspeth. "Elspeth! My sword!"
cloak_ mentally marks another one for timing then turns her attention "Wenn? What the heeellllo is going on?"
LadyElspeth blinks."What?"
Tyralor slips his hands free again, the needles flashing through the air before his hand has returned to an idle position next to his side. His footsteps remained measured, crossing the remaining seven feet separating them without so much as a pause.
LoreMistress shrugs at Els not sure what is happening either. Wenn still seems oblivious to any but the two men fighting "Tyralor..." her voice begs to him "please!" LadyElspeth snatches up Lerrad's sword...not quite sure what she's supposed to do with it. cloak_ makes the connection that Lerrad needs the sword which only Elspeth can put her hands to just now. "Toss it to him, Elle" While Wenn continues to try to talk them out of this, to no avail. "Lerrad... tis his business to... well, just don't!"
Tyralor chuckles faintly at the sound of the blade being moved. He stops in his tracks and pivots partially on his foot. "Elspeth, dearest. It may be wise for you to slip from this place at the moment. I don't believe your arrogant husband is going to be capable of maintaining a smile for a very long time." LoreMistress rolls her eyes thinking here we go again. Lerrad lunges, knocking Tyralor to the floor again with a grunt, then rolls away and looks at Elspeth. "Here, slide it here, Love!"
Wenn keeps backing away, hand rubbing where the now frequent kicking has started up again, perhaps due to her own panic, she hopes.
Elspeth narrows her eyes at Tyralor as she walks over to Lerrad. Mentally she prepares herself, finding the void, drawing energy up from within, causing her fingertips to glow faintly. Elspeth had a few lessons from Aimea and has been experimenting, impatient as she is. Seeing the faint glow, Wenn hisses a caution to her, "Elspeth... no..." But she does not hear it as she hands Lerrad his sword, never turning away from Tyralor. LoreMistress edges over to Wenn as Lerrad and Tyralor measure each other up and whispers, "Wenn, come with me." pointing to the door to the keep.
Tyralor grunts with the impact, dropping to the ground as well. He rolls to the opposing side smoothly and rises steadily to his feet. He notes with almost casual indifference Elspeth's stance, alongside Lerrad. He begins his own weaving of fingers. Delicate and sure of himself he goes through the motions of the spell. Lerrad gasps his blade, balancing it in his hands a bit and staring at Tyralor. "It seem the family O'Donnell is prepared, Boy!"
Wenn is frozen in place, unable to take her eyes from this eminent battle of sword and spells. cloak_ tries to reach Wenn through thought :: Wenn... Wenn.. hello... Earth to Wenn... Go with Lore... :: LoreMistress waves her hand in front of Wenn's eyes and tugs at her arm insistently.
LadyElspeth frowns with effort as she holds the energy at ready, slowly feeding more and more into the focus of her hand. Tyralor cocks his mouth into an assured smile and points in Elspeth's direction. Knowing her power and might may be capable of repelling seen objects and definite attacks, his spell is a silent and efficient one, tiring her mind, designed to send her to sleep quickly and immediately. LoreMistress reaches out and picks up a nearby vase, hurling it at Tyralor, aiming at his hands to break whatever weaving he is doing as Lerrad moves into a fighting stance, holding his sword up and ready to do battle, all manor of scorn in his eyes.
Wenn finally looks to Lore, shaking her head "He cannot..." She looks back to them "Cousin! Els! NO!!" Cloak_ curses her indifference on the fight and tries to help Lore get Wenn to move.
LadyElspeth is already fatigued from effort unfortunately. As she begins to collapse, she loses all control over her experimental power and a searing bolt of energy darts forth from her hand then her fingertips twitch as she falls mutely to the floor.
Upstairs in his room, Kavin_Hunter glances up from a spell book, unable to keep his attention focused, the persistent banging and angry voices making him read the same sentence over and over. Finally he slams the book in disgust and stands, striding across the room and out into the hallway to the stair. He stands upon the stairs and looks over onto the activity in the great hall.
As very little escapes her notice, cloak_ greets him. "Welcome to the party, Kavin." She smirks grimly.
Tyralor takes a quick step back, his eyes sliding to Lore and her interference. He gives her a stony glare for the moment then returns his attentions toward Lerrad, drawing instead of an equal sword, a slim stiletto alone. His smile maintains its level of confidence as he edges forward. Lerrad stares, expressionless at Tyr, concentrating on the point in space that is his heart.
Wenndolyne looks up seeing the motion on the stair "Kavin!! Help!" Kavin_Hunter turns his head sharply, hearing his name again. He grits his teeth, muttering a curse and a reminder to brush up on his stealth. He shrugs marginally and casually starts down the stairs. Seeing his nonchalant descent, cloak_ tries to convey the urgency of the situation, "KAVIN!!!! Move ye rear end down here!!!" then mutters to herself "... durned arrogant..." then launching into a string of into elven curses.
Kavin_Hunter looks indifferently at cloak_, his expression remaining one of the utmost calm as he watches the combatants in the room. He steps his left foot back into a light fighting stance and he concentrates, drawing energy from within. He channels it to the front of his mind and once more, watches them.
Lerrad steps forward so that only a few yards are between them, but does not move his blade."You will die, Assassin. You have insulted me enough." LoreMistress watches Tyralor to see if this will distract him as cloak_ wonders if some starbursts would do any good. Tyralor edges the last few steps in what may appear to be a dead run, the blade making intricate motions immediately drawing in toward Lerrad's left shoulder then moving again with blinding speed to slash towards Lerrad's stomach.
Wenndolyne drops the mug she has been gripping white knuckled and wraps her arms around her belly as Lerrad twists and falls, landing on his back against the hard stone floor. He ignores the slash across his stomach and rolls away into a stand again. cloak_ sighs "Lore... catch Wenn... kay?" Wenn gasps seeing her cousin at the wrong end of Tyralor's expert handling of the stiletto... and prays it has no poison on the tip.
Lerrad circles Tyralor, his blade ready. Lore notices Wenn's actions and stands in front of her, shielding her from Tyralor's view and exposing her back in an attempt to guard her Sister with her life if needed. She whispers, "Wenn are you all right?!" Cloak_ places her hand on Wenn's forehead and casts a Calm spell on her. Wenn shakes her head and hisses in until cloak_'s touch makes her relax slowly there on her knees in a puddle of blue and white fabric.
Kavin_Hunter first gives warning before he reacts, speaking with a calm tone of voice, "This is Wolf Keep. This is not a battlefield. I've been paid to guard here. One chance to stand down." Lerrad glances at Kavin quickly then at Tyralor, not ready to stand down until he does.
LoreMistress glances at cloak_ and hopes the excitement won't cause her Sister to go into labor prematurely. cloak_ senses Lore's concern and offers "Lore.. why do you think I cast Calm on her?" as LoreMistress nods and looks over to Elspeth. She begins to inch her way over to her other fallen Sister. LadyElspeth just, you know, lays on the floor...unconscious. She's good at that.
Kavin_Hunter continues to draw energy from within and rests his hands backwards onto the hilt of his two handed sword. He draws it, the metal ringing in the air as it leaves the scabbard and he holds it into a guarding position in front of himself. His eyes narrow as he watches both combatants. "Now." Lerrad nods, eyeing Tyralor still, "When he lowers his...I shall."
Reassuringly, cloak_ says "Go ahead Lore.. I'll stand guard here." She pulls out her hunting dagger, "Hurry just in case though." Lore nods at cloak_ and moves quickly to her Sister Elspeth's side to drag her away from Tyr and Lerrad.
Tyralor smiles warmly at Lerrad and moves forward again, the stiletto dropping down immediately to drive into Lerrad's thigh as he moves too close for the O'Donnell blade to be used effectively, the thin and short stiletto perfect for the close quarters planned on being used. Kavin_Hunter turns his upper lip into a sneer as Tyralor attacks. He begins focusing the energy gathered from The Way, forming the power into his harbinger; the hawk. Quickly, visible to only him and Tyralor, it crosses the distance, tearing deeply into his mind, seeking only to disable with blinding pain. Lerrad winces with a moan at the pain in his thigh and steps back with a heavy limp. He lowers his blade in front of him.
Wenndolyne leans over, rubbing her rounded belly, no longer certain it is only kicking that takes her breath.
cloak_ looks to Lore, the look on her face quite serious, "Is it like this every night here or is this a special occasion?"
LoreMistress lets out a wry laugh, "It has been too quiet of late, I would say."
cloak_ pats Wenn on the shoulder gently, " Think happy thoughts... I guess... " but Wenn is hissing whispers to herself, to her unborn child, as tears form " .... too soon... too soon..." LoreMistress manages to drag Elspeth over to Wenn and cloak_, only to find Wenn doubled over in pain. "Oh no!"
Tyralor staggers to the side for a moment, his face contorted in pain, his stiletto swinging up broadly with a faint weave, to scratch or mark Lerrad's face, giving him ever more reason to back off. He spins with the motion and then rests lightly on his feet. For a moment he lifts his hand to his head... trying to control the pain. He fails at the gesture, however, he moves forward again despite the pain... lunging for Lerrad's heart.
cloak_ furrows her eyebrows at Lore's concern. " What? WHAT?" Lore thinks quickly if she has read anything that may stop labor that comes on too early. Wenndolyne closes her eyes and searches for something else to think about... something pleasant... something far from here.
Kavin_Hunter tightens his concentration, his weapon lowering as he draws from his reserves, his attention turning completely inwards, to Tyralor's mind. The razor talons of the bird rend and tear at thoughts drifting through as he tries to cease the man's advance. His hands tremble upon the hilt of his sword and he grits his teeth, his brow beading with sweat.
Again cloak_ sends her mental support to Wenn, for lack of any better ideas, ::Think happy thoughts... :: LoreMistress doesn't know what to do and relies on instinct, kneeling down beside her Sister she closes her eyes and whispers to her, "Think on the water lapping on a shore, soft waves gently washing on the bank."
Lerrad leans back against a wall, his injured leg bent and his sword at his side. As he sees Tyralor coming at him, slowed from the pain, he swings his blade upward and deflects Tyr's stiletto... moving forward to knock Tyr down before falling on top of him and wincing in pain.
Wenndolyne breaths deep and releases her plea to fate or timing or whomever in whispers "... not yet..." she gasps "... not now!" LoreMistress extends some of her energy to her Sister picturing waves of calm flowing from her into Wenn. cloak_ eeks in panic, having no idea what's really wrong with Wenn, being a little too young and quickly glances from the fight between Tyr, Lerrad, and Kavin, then to Wenn and Lore, who is wishing Elspeth was awake. Wenn leans into Lore, protesting what she fears "This cannot be... it's too early... and Wolf...."
Tyralor merely winces from the impact, his hands reaching around Lerrad. His mind nearly numbed with pain. He holds the stiletto with both hands, drawing them down towards himself, as one would when plunging a blade through their own chest. The difference is, Lerrad is between the blade and Tyralor's chest.
LoreMistress motions to cloak_ to see if she can get Elspeth awake as Wenn redirects her thoughts of Wolf, away from his absence and to a walk in the garden. She tries to keep her breathing slow and even.
Nodding, cloak_ moves over to Elle and puts her hand on her head to check if she's out because of injury. :: Elle? Elle? ::
Huddled with her, Lore continues to use a soothing voice to coach, "Wenn, breathe slowly, pick a spot and concentrate on it and your breathing." Wenn speaks nonsense connected only by the images in her mind. "Roses... white roses... the maze..." Seeing that Wenn is concentrating and still worried that it may not be enough, LoreMistress goes over to Elspeth and shakes her. "Wake up, I need you Sister! Wake up!" She looks back over her shoulder worriedly to Wenn who sighs softly as the pain starts to subside but still speaks of images she remembers "blue light... fountain..." LadyElspeth opens her eyes groggily..."Hm?" then grimaces and rolls on her side... "I believe..." she swallows in a gulp and chokes out "I believe I'm going to be quite ill." Lore still tries to reach her "Elspeth! It's Wenn!"
Lerrad winces as they impact, then opens his eyes...looking directly into Tyr's. He frowns and swallows.."Tyr? What the hell?" He has pause enough to contemplate the brawl that started over... nothing. "What the hell are we doing?"
Tyralor blinks for a moment at Lerrad's opened eyes. Briefly his mouth drops open. His own hands feel the warmth crossing over them and with a quick jerk they're pulled away. For this moment, even Kavin's mind fails to penetrate Tyralor's singular thought. He gasps out in surprise "I'm Sorry, Lerrad." Swallowing once he starts to push Lerrad off of him.
LadyElspeth presses her lips together and starts to shake her head, then thinks better of the head shaking. "It hurts." Switching places with Lore, cloak_ takes out a few leaves, an unknown herb to Elspeth, and puts them in Els mouth. "Chew hon.. it will help ease the pain.. for now.. " She continues " Wenn needs ye something fierce." Wenn leans back, sitting on her feet, her face relaxing though her eyes are still closed when Lore dashes back to her, oblivious to what has happened in the fighting nearby.
Kavin_Hunter draws in a heavy breath, the tip of his sword scraping against the floor, his hands shaking upon the hilt. A trickle of sweat running down his temple. His head lowers, feeling nothing but the flow of psionic energies through his body as he maintains his attack, his hawk clamping down with sharp beak on a tangible thought. His eyes raise, hearing the words vaguely through ringing ears, trying to make sense of them. At once, he cuts the stream of his power, recoiling as he withdraws and leaning weakly against the wall.
cloak_ pulls Elspeth into a sitting position as Elspeth heaves at something being forced into her mouth. "GACK!" cloak_ smirks with a shrug "Sorry Elle.. but its the only thing that will get you awake." LadyElspeth is pale and sweating in the throes of psionic backlash for which she is ill-prepared and almost completely untrained. She sternly admonishes cloak_"Go... away..." and looks as though she is going to be VERY ill, very soon yet cloak_ persists "C'mon Elle!.. snap outta it!... Wenn NEEDS you... for god's sake woman... get a grip... and help... PLEASE!"
cloak_ kicks her backpack close to her and grabs her empty bag of holding out of her pack.. not knowing where any buckets are and hands the bag to Elspeth who grabs the bag and turns away from everyone... then proceeds to be violently ill into it.
Wenndolyne takes a long slow deep breath, now rubbing her tummy in a slow gentle rhythm, her shoulders relaxing. She sighs, a weak smile crossing her face, still using the images "... the tower... chill air..." Lore brushes Wenn's hair back off her forehead as she listens to her Sister whispering, almost chanting to herself. Wenn rocks herself and hums to drown out all but the soothing images in her mind. Lore's touch is to her a breeze through a tower window.
Lerrad rolls onto his back, his injured knee bent and his stomach bleeding... but all he can do is stare in confusion at Tyralor.
Kavin_Hunter releases the hilt of his sword with his left hand and dangles it loosely from his right, the tip still scraping against the floor. He shakes his head, to clear his mind, having poured much of his energy into that attack. He forces himself to focus, watching Lerrad, before speaking hoarsely, "You.. alright?"
Tyralor moves to his feet, remaining crouched near Lerrad, his hand reaching over and cupping Lerrad's cheek for a moment. His eyes blink once, looking down to Lerrad's stomach, knowing the other side of the wound will only be worse. His head still pounding in pain from the mental lashing he shakes it slowly, and backs off.
Seeing that Lerrad looks to be quietly bleeding to death...Tyr makes good his escape and slips quickly out the keep doors.
Lerrad blinks as if coming out of a dream..."Um..my leg..it is hurt...and my stomach. I..I do not know what happened..I..."
Kavin_Hunter somehow finds the strength to lift the blade and sheath it behind him then pushes off from the wall. He staggers forwards a few steps, trying to recall. He mutters to no one in particular, eyes upon Lerrad, "Get me ginseng.. a strand of spider silk.. sawdust.. and a mandrake root.. "
cloak_, not interested in Elspeth's current activity, looks to Kavin "What, Kavin?" Wenn starts to hear the conversations, despite her light humming and allows herself to slowly return. LoreMistress finds Wenn's breathing has returned more to normal and hopes the contractions have stopped.
Kavin_Hunter sinks to kneel beside the bleeding man, half collapsing, struggling to hang on to what power he still has. He glances over his shoulder, "Ginseng.. Spider Silk. Sawdust.. and a root of Mandrake.. NOW." cloak_ considers his request "Ginseng and the root I can do... sawdust and spider silk are going to be a problem" Wenn says for reasons she is not sure of "Sawdust... in the nursery... shelves Tuck is building."
Lerrad tries to sit up.."I'm fine." Looking about.."Elspeth..I did not see her.." LadyElspeth rises from her curled over position, thrusting the bag of holding at cloak_ and attempts to stand then sinks back to the floor, head in her hands. cloak_ looks at the bag oddly and holding it with two fingers, scrunching her nose she quickly puts it outside, asking on the way "The nursery?"
Kavin_Hunter shakes his head slowly and pushes Lerrad back down, albeit weakly. "Don't make me finish what he started." He again calls out, "Sawdust. I don't know whe--" He pauses and nods as Wenn's words register then continues, "I have some silk leftover in a pouch on the dresser in my room."
Jaede comes into the great hall from the back of the kitchen having been in the henhouse collecting eggs. She sees Lerrad and Wenn, all of them on the floor save cloak_ and her eyes widen as she snaps to and dashes to Kavin's side. "Kavin, mi lossa what can I do? What silk are you talking about?"
Wenn opens her eyes and looks toward cloak_"The nursery... upstairs" Cloak_ isn't quite sure where those rooms are, but is a pretty good guesser and runs up the stairs to go find the things needed. After opening a few doors and searching frantically a few drawers, she finds the silk in Kavin's room then scoops up some sawdust from the nursery floor. Taking out one of her bags of herbs and roots she knows to contain what Kavin was asking for, she runs to the banister. "Jaede! Catch!" Cloak_ puts the healing materials in the pouch with the others and throws it to Jaede.
Jaede dashes to the stairs and manages to catch the pouch cloak_ tosses down, returning to Kavin's side with the items. Kavin_Hunter looks towards her, pressing the heel of a palm to Lerrad's shoulder, ignoring the blood that has already covered his hand. "Silk of spide.." Again he pauses as someone fills in his words for him. He stares down toward Lerrad, accepting the bag of reagents and setting it to the floor.
Lerrad winces, lifting his head. His expression drops when he sees the amount of blood flowing from him and onto the floor around him. He looks at Kavin in shock then lowers his head with a grimace.
LoreMistress continues to brush the hair from Wenn's forehead and whispers for her to breath slowly and evenly as cloak_ slides down the stair rail then crosses to them. "Lore.. is Wenn ok? What went wrong, before?" Wenn smiles weakly to cloak_ and then to Lore "Were in no danger now, Sister. Seems the child has changed its mind and shall wait for the proper time." A dawning expression crosses cloak_'s face as she sort of understands, but doesn't really, while Lore manages a sigh of relief.
Lerrad swallows, beginning to shiver... he speaks in a weak tone.."Tis bad. Kavin..." He smiles weakly "... looks like that fishing trip may need.." He winces "... to be postponed." Kavin_Hunter tugs open the small bag and recalls the words for the spell clearly remembered, despite the ringing in his ears. He takes first the ginseng, holding it beneath his mouth. He gathers saliva in his mouth and spits fully upon it, "Don't speak," He says off-handedly. Jaede watches Kavin curiously to see what he will do and to be of assistance if needed.
LadyElspeth sits on the floor, clutching her head in her hands then struggles to her knees. "Lerrad... where's Lerrad?" LoreMistress looks to her, wondering how she fares.
Kavin_Hunter reaches into the sack, gathering a handful of sawdust, and sprinkles it lightly over the now damp ginseng. Next, he grips the mandrake root, setting it perpendicular to the ginseng and rests it there as he digs for the strand of spider silk he needs.
Wenndolyne is now aware that something is wrong with Lerrad and Kavin is helping though thankfully she cannot see his true condition. "Sawdust. Did he get the sawdust?" Cloak_ nods to Wenn's question "I got it... from where you told me to find it for him."
Kavin_Hunter draws the silk from the sack and drapes it over the gathered components, finally wrapping it lightly around one way and then the other. He tightens it a little, tugging at the one end. He sets these components atop Lerrad's chest and sets the tips of his fingers around them. Lerrad closes his eyes, taking in sharp breaths and clenching his fists. LadyElspeth begins to panic, feeling the mood in the room... and several people with apparent concern over Lerrad. LoreMistress goes over to Elspeth and holds her, "Kavin is seeing to Lerrad. How are you now, Els?"
Kavin makes a quick series of gestures with his right hand, of the T`ri sequence, overtop of the man's chest. Silently, he whispers, "Da`emdu Enonna`tad`uen" At first nothing happens, but then the reagents at once flare up, disappearing into nothingness.
LadyElspeth clutches at Lore "What is it. What's happened? What's wrong with Lerrad?" Her voice is slightly hysterical. Lore rocks Elspeth in her arms trying to shield her from what's happening with Lerrad, hopefully long enough for Kavin to heal him. Cloak_ looks around.. totally befuddled... and looking like a little lost 3 year old.
Kavin_Hunter sits back on his heels and watches as the spell sets to work, nothing further that he can do. A faint glowing hue begins to surround Lerrad, bathing him in warmth. The warmth intensifies, the wounds beginning to close, the flow of blood stopping altogether. Jaede's watching eyes widen.
LadyElspeth bats at Lore."Tell me!" She tries to crawl away, to get to Lerrad and Kavin, but finds she's too exhausted even for that, so settles in Lore's arms weeping and repeating Lerrad's name over and over again. Lore reassures her "Kavin is seeing to his wounds. He will be alright." hoping to herself that is so.
Lerrad opens his eyes, staring up at Kavin and swallowing with a sigh, still feeling the pain, the weakness, but also the feeling that the wounds are closed. He closes his eyes again in exhaustion.
cloak_ stands in the midst of the group, hands on hips, looking from one to the next and back. To no one in particular, she asks, "How did this all start anyways?"
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Energized by even the small havoc he has wreaked on these souls, War throws back his head in an evil laugh and his shadowy form of blood red cape on white steed slips off through the night looking for bigger prey.
E-mail comments and/or corrections to Diana/Wenn & Co