[IC] The World of Emporium

[SilntAngl5]

Within the World of Dreams: The Central City Library of Rekōdo

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Pasce


The Guild Spirits were silent. They were within the inner catacomb of the library within the Word of Dreams. She had been battling through the last line of defenses designed to protect the Book of Memories. It was easier for her to gain access. She was still Rekōdo's rightful heiress and current ruler, but the Dream World was not privy to the affairs of the waking world's ways of life. It was not so easy to pass because she was a Princess.

Pasce fell to her knees and then her hands. Her body shook and she breathed deeply. Sweat marred her young face. She closed her green eyes and was sick onto the floor. It was an odd feeling, having your mind process being physically ill inside your head as a manner of dealing with what was going on outside the mind. Her soul and her body were disconnected, but she felt the pain her body went through at the hands of Majed ibn Eyad in the city of Mararat. That was hundreds of miles away from where the Library was, but the Dream World had no map location. It was everywhere to those who could access it and nowhere to those who could not. Even disconnected, she could still feel and right now she was hurting. She was on her knees in pain, shivering but mostly silent. It was the soft whimpering that brought them forth. The seven Ancestral Spirits appeared around her in a ring.

~This is not our doing~ Dayena of Astral looked to the others. Concern registered across her face, which was passive. Siochana of Shamaa, wild and strong, looked over at Clow of Taroc.

~No, this is beyond us. Clow?~

He shook his head.

~If her body is not conscious, then what we can see is limited.~

~Speak up, child! You told the High Chronicler he would be taken. By whom?~

But it was another who answered. J'Adonai of Da'Jinn took a step forward and watch the girl struggling on her hands and knees. He watched her very, very carefully.

~She is with Jinai. Or her Second. That I cannot tell, but she is in their custody.~

Clow looked over at the muscled master of Da'Jinn and all its history.

~You are gracious for sharing that, J'Adonai.~ he said gently. ~But how can you know this?~

~Because he recognizes what they are trying to do to the girl.~

Capria of Enchantry was who spoke and there was a deathly tone to her voice. She reached out to hold the hand of the Spirit that stood beside her, who had no known name to the world beyond.

~Brilliant.~

Maginus's founder was given a harsh look by Dayena and Siochana.

~Such a thing cannot be done by one alone. It takes the powers of a great three to Quiet someone!~

~A Second could do it with help. But it would take more than three.~

~Perhaps he seeks to awaken her through pain?~

~If it is Jinai's Second~ J'Adonai offered quietly, reflectively with a thoughtful fist to his mouth ~That would be why he attempts to Quiet her. He is powerful, but he could not do it alone.~

~He should gather others then! If he Quiets the thief then she can no longer take possession over us. We would be free.~

Several of them moved forward.

~Have you no compassion?~ cried Dayena.

~Quieting the girl is out of the question, even if it means our freedom.~

~There are other ways, Arxus.~

The Spirit of Maginus cast the Spirit of Taroc a silent, aggressive look. Clow was not dissuaded. He looked over at Capria and the man whose hand she held.

~We will be returned in our own time. Harming a child is not the answer.~

"Please" and the glowing eyes of the Ancestral Spirits returned to the girl at the center of their circle, of whom they'd nearly forgotten in their bickering. "Please do not argue. I cannot concentrate."

The Spirits looked at one another, then down at the Princess who was still on her hands and knees. Her head was bowed and her green eyes were obscured by wispy curtains of reddish-brown hair. The trembling had worsened and she made soft, quiet noises as she breathed that could be heard by those who cared to listen. J'Adonai watched the Princess carefully. Capria stepped forward, but a hand from Siochana made her stop. The Mistress of Shamaa shook her head. Another test. One more to pass.

~Jinai is aggressive and intelligent~ remarked J'Adonai of Da'Jinn. He had picked a woman, the first woman to be Master of a male-centered culture, because of the traits she possessed. ~This could be dangerous for us all.~

"It is the Second" Pasce gasped when she could manage amid the constant pain. "Majed ibn Eyad. Amulet of Strength. He desires that I awaken. His mistress has... questions."

J'Adonai removed the hand from near his mouth. She was well educated.

~You can leave the World of Dreams at your own choosing. We do not hold you here.~

Pasce shook her head and held her eyes tightly shut. She began to rock backward and forward on her knees. The pain of a single person using the same magik that was used to Quiet was beyond words. She felt pieces of her ability to tap into the world around her, to the core threads of energy that gave life to Emporium, being ripped away. Tiny fragments, like pulling single hairs off a person's head a few at a time.

"I am not done here" she said quickly to keep from crying out as she spoke. "I seek the Book. Your tests are not done. We are not done here, respected Ancestors."

Clow looked down at the tortured Princess. His expression was sad.

~Then you will suffer~ he said gently. His voice was regretful, but the choice was hers. If her resolve was great enough, she would survive this. If not, she could perish and they could be freed in her passing. Pasce was aware of this. They knew what it was she sought and why she sought it. They would not keep her from it, but they would not help her unless they found her worthy to house their entities. There were risks. There were always risks and she was only a child in many ways. No one needed to speak those words to her.

Pasce bowed her head to the marble floor. She curled her elbows to her knees and tucked her head into the dark cavern she'd made. The Ancestral Spirits watched her for a moment and then slowly faded out of appearance. Arxus was first, uncaring. Then went J"Adonai and Siochana, Dayena and Clow. Capria followed, glancing at the man beside her who had been silent the entire time. She afforded his hand a squeeze before disappearing. He stood for a moment, just he and the girl amid the inner halls of the Library.

~I know what it is you seek to do~ he said quietly, watching her. Pasce did not look up, but remained in fetal position on the cool, hard floor. She breathed hard, whimpering. The Spirit waited a respectful minute to see if she would respond. He understood her silence. He knew the pain she was going through.

~There is another who knows of the knowledge you seek within the book~ he said finally as he faded from existence. This time Pasce looked up. Her eyes were steeled, watering in pain, but intent on the nameless Spirit before her.

She had already asked Emit to kidnap the Guild Masters. This information could change that.

"Tell me." It was a voice of a Princess giving a command. The Spirit watched her struggle. There was no emotion on his face save for sympathy in his eyes. Understanding. His eyes, Pasce noticed, were red.

~It hides behind a dark secret. Find the daughter of darkness that was born of the Light.~

It was never easy. A riddle she could not process through. Not in such pain. Pasce bowed her head again, hiding her eyes form the remaining Spirit. Her body spasmed and then resumed its shivering. The red-eyed Spirit watched her and then began to fade.

~Do not give up~ He said quietly, faded and then was gone.

[Qwaring's clone#1]

Alain LeCavalier

Somewhere in Taroc... The Ancestral Home of the LeCavalier Clan

Alain falls silent. Nalia is right. Her doubts. Her fears. They slowly begin to sink in. Darmon and some of the councilors will be a threat to them. And the beasts of the nightmares, Alain hasn't even considered how they would endanger their child.

Alain's attempted cheerfulness is abandoned. His expression is grim. His body seems to feel the weight of this new world of potential tragedies bearing down upon it. Alain looks this way and that way as he turns his own thoughts over and over. How wrong could things get? Alain can easily imagine the horrors that haunt Nalia. The horrors she must have been enduring for some time. How long has she known? How long would she have kept this from Alain if she had not lost her power? Would Alain have ever been told about the child? How can they hide this now? How can they protect themselves if they can't hide? Why must they have to fight or hide? Why can't Alain be with the woman he loves and raise their child? Hasn't he earned that much?

His every question is answered with ever increasing frustration and anger. Alain wishes for the simplicity of warfare. On the battlefield such outrage could be directed into an assault that would present him with definitive solutions.

With Nalia's finals, broken-voiced comment, Alain refocuses on her. He reaches out to her. His right hand rests on her slender shoulder. The hand is gentle yet firm.

"You don't need to tell me. I know," Alain compassionately replies. "I've known every since I first saw you. I can see it in your eyes. You're not a murderer."

[SilntAngl5]

Somewhere in Taroc... The Ancestral Home of the LeCavalier Clan

Nalia.jpg

Nalia of Enchantry


His hand make her freeze and close her eyes. His is the one touch she never shirked from. Even before things became complicated, she would always stiffen or freeze, but she never did anything to remove his hand or her body from his touch. There was always something about the contact that seemed fair and right. As if such warmth were meant to be for her. As much as Darmon had tutored her in honing the darker aspects of her power, Alain had taught her so much more with his gentleness and trust. But what came next she did not expect. She never expected him to have that same untarnished faith in her. She did not move under his touch, but he would see her struggle with something. It was clearly written in her eyes. The struggle to accept what he'd said as truth. To believe. She opened her mouth several times, but words failed her. There was nothing she could say to him that would ever give him a hope of understanding what his words meant to her.

Nalia closed the space between them and embraced him. Her arms wrapped up Alain's back and her hands gripped his shoulders tightly. She had to turn slightly to the side to accommodate their child, but they still fit perfectly together. Her cool cheek rested on his chest and she said nothing so that she might hear the beat of his heart and know it beats for her still. Just as her would always beat for him, and now, for their child. Even if the world forbade their love and kept them apart, she would have their child as a reminder of that love.

But then what would he be left with. Nalia did not know if she was capable of being a good mother. If they could not be together, she could give the child to Alain. He was bred to be a father. It was easily seen in the way he spoke to his people, to the other Guild Masters. There was patience, cleverness and a desire to teach, a desire for others to learn. He would make a wonderful father.

"I love you, Alain." It was something she rarely said aloud to him. She wished, now, that she had said it more. "You must be the most brilliant man in Rekōdo and my cold heart is not deserving of such a man."

He might not see it, but he would heart the small smile in her voice. Why his words could make her smile in the worst of situations was beyond her understanding. It was his way. Nalia could see Alain's growing frustration and easily fell into her accustomed silence. These that they'd discussed were scenarios she had entertained, though giving up his position as Guild Master was not one she expected. Had she the power, she may have kept this from him entirely. She could not rule out doing that. If it would have kept him happy, keep him safe...

"It is a beautiful house" she said quietly, finally after a long silence. her family home, by the lakes in Dayena, would never be rebuilt. It were rumored to be haunted on the darkest of nights, when the moon was new and the clouds blotted out even the stars. She looked up at him, from the embrace they shared. Her eyes were whimsical a moment, thinking on the proposition he had that would never work with things as they were.

"I can imagine how wonderful a place it was when it was full of people."

Hope. She was telling him there was hope for such a future for them. How they would get there, she did not know, but there had to be something for them both to hold on to. This was just as good a thing to hope for as any. Nalia's green eyes caught the shimmer of the shawl's fabric, draped over the back of the couch and something changed.

"Alain" she said softly in that voice that let him know she was going to share a worry with him, or gently tell him he's wrong. "The shawl won't work much longer. It's already very tight. I can barely breathe when I wear it."

The hour for their meeting to end was approaching faster than she wanted it to. That meant returning to Maginus. Darmon will have words to say to her about the Council Meeting. About Kali. She had to protect Kali. She had heard powers strengthened or new ones manifested sometimes during pregnancy. So far, she'd experienced nothing except the odd white light when Kali took her through the shadows. That still hadn't come again, but it was something. It was another small glimmer of hope to hold on to.

"I do not think that what I have to offer our child will be enough to protect him. Not without my power."

She was vulnerable like this, and Alain knew she loathed such a feeling to the depths of her core. There was something about Darmon that caused an unnatural rise of that in Nalia. With everything else, she was silent and strong-willed, an overall formidable woman. But it all seemed to crumble with Darmon. His grip on her, since she was first given to him, was still like a vice. Nalia leaned forward into the strength and protection Alain's presence offered her. Again, it was something she did when Darmon was the topic, as if being closer to Alain would somehow protect her, rather than gut her as would be the true case. Nalia's free presence already infuriated Darmon. To find her as his bitter enemy's lover and with his child would send him over an edge far too deep and dark to return from. He could have her killed for that. And he would if only to throw such power in Alain's face. These were dark thoughts, and it reflected silently in her intense emerald eyes.

"Darmon cannot find out about our child. Not until it can be kept safe from him."

[Tigers]

Branwen

Branwen stood beside Mindoka, it was difficult to contain the swell of pride sometimes. She was not born of these people, but had been adopted within their clan and had taken up the position of Mindoka's second. The pride was fleeting however, because honored would be the more appropriate feeling for what she felt. She bowed her head toward her master and tutor.

"All is ready Master Mindoka, word arrived from Mirian just before your return."



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





Kali


Kali walked the length of long corridor deep in thought. With Nalia away, she was responsible for the safety and protection of her fellow sister's in Caprios. It was perhaps a silent blessing that she wasn't from this world, at least as far as she knew. Kali's capabilities helped her to blend in with the magic users of this world, but it also gave her an advantage, because her skills came from somewhere else. There was a darkness to her, sometimes she inwardly felt the battle of light and dark.

Sometimes she felt as if she were two sides of the same coin and lately the darker part of her seemed to be winning out. As she reinforced the protective wards about Caprios and checked the readiness of the other women her mind wasn't really dwelling upon the recent struggle with her darker nature. Although tied too that darkness, her thoughts were on the physical changes and recent attractions. More specifically, that of her sudden display of pheromones.

That thought lead to the kiss with Persephone and her thoughts of Arion. There was something primal with the later and pursuing any thoughts of him caused her heart to beat within her own ear drums, her pulse to race and her physical appearance to shift. He had held that some look within his eyes that she had seen in Persephone's......hunger, want and desire.

Emporium did not frown upon the love between people, whether it was the love between a man and woman, or one between two people of the same sex. It therefore, did not disturb Kali when she had seen a few of the women of Caprios exchanging touches of affection. And if Kali was attracted to anyone, she had never given any thought or notice until recently. Hester said it was the pheromones, was that why she felt uncontrollable desire around Arion?

Lost in her thoughts, she had not paid any attention to her shadow. Regardless of what Hester had said, Persephone was not about to let this young attractive woman get away so easily. She was not much older than Kali, and even if the girl was a late bloomer in regards to the sexes, far be it from a prude like Hester to keep her from finding out if Kali preferred men or women, or both.

Kali rounded the corner and took the flight of stairs to the top of the building. From there she could look out upon their small parcel of land and beyond. She smiled to herself, it was great to have the eyes of a dragon, to see beyond any man's vision. This was her last round, her last chore to complete for the day and so she remained up here for a while longer. Up here she could let her thoughts drown within the waters below, or be gentle swept away upon the breeze, up here she felt free of the worries of life.

Up here, she thought of Branwen and her heart ached with loss and burned with anger that others would prevent her from seeing the one person that she actually felt gave a damn about her. About her, not her abilities, not what she could give them or offer them, just her. Kali's anger was enough to cause her body to shift slightly as long sharp talons carved a path along the stone wall as she curled her fingers in frustration. Sighing, she pushed away from the wall and headed back down to stairs, hopefully Nalia would be back soon, they had a lot to discuss and it wasn't all going to be pleasant.

Opening the door that lead to the stairs, Kali was suddenly grabbed from behind and forcefully pushed up against a pillar in the hall. The sudden action caused Kali to react and her eyes took on a deadly red glow as they fell upon the form of Persephone. A wicked smile graced the older woman's lips as she gently caressed the side of Kali's face.

"Something you want Persephone?" Kali responded in an irritated voice.

The smile grew from wicked to predatory.

"Just a little a taste, we were so rudely interrupted before."

Hester said that her pheromones would not only affect those around her, but it would affect herself as well. If Kali only knew how to control it. Persephone had given her the occasional look before, but it was nothing like this. Perhaps the pheromones strongly affected those who had an attraction to her, but Kali wouldn't finish that thought as Persephone leaned in to finish the kiss from before. And if those attracted to her were affected strongly, then Kali was affected by the force of passion delivered upon herself. She found her mind completely shut down to all thought and ran purely on the passion driven emotions from Persephone.

Ironic that Kali's saving grace would be the arrival of the one person she despised the most. Had Darmon's arrival not interrupted Persephone's pursuit of Kali, she would have likely managed more than just a passionate kiss from the younger girl. As it was, Nalia's wards set upon Caprios as an early warning of Darmon's arrival alerted every female of his impending presence. The alarm caused an instantaneous reaction from Kali, the passion driven pheromones were extinguished and quickly replaced by irritation. But the transformation was just emotional, physically Kali's eyes became as dark as pitch and the almost devilish appearance returned with a vengeance.

Without saying a word to Persephone, Kali stepped into the shadows and vanished, only to reappear at the place where Darmon only seconds ago appeared. With Nalia gone, Kali had no check on her anger or her tongue.

"What do you want old man?!" Kali growled.

[SilntAngl5]

Capios: The Island of the Enchantry Guild of Rekōdo...



Darmon of Maginus

If Darmon could hear Nalia's warning ward she'd set up, he would have been most displeased. Naturally, Darmon comes in three moods: displeased, more displeased and most displeased. The first thing that would have annoyed him, as he appeared in a swirl of smoke was the sound incoporated into the mental warning. The sound of a dragon's wing in flight as it beat the heavy air. He hated the Dragons of the North. Time after time he'd tried to gain back land from them that he claimed- claimed unsuportedly- belonged to the first men of Emporium that came to the lands now called Rekōdo. He claimed they'd stolen treasures from him, defiled his lands, attacked and raided the outlying Lesser Forts of the Great Hold and the cliff-side towns of Windf'rte by the bay. His last line of defense from a sea invasion by Taroc forces. His half of the gateway out into the Sea of Liar'adon. Had he heard that sound, when he'd arrived, he might not have been able to contain himself. He might have hurt someone. He was already in a foul mood from the events of the Council Meeting.

Smoke curled in on itself, twisting like a snake's body until it formed the thin, tall appearance of a man. The smoke tightened to form features, a nose, strings of silvered hair, skin that was beginning its weathered stage down to the booted toes of a man that was a symbol of the Dark Arts of Emporium. The last thing if formed, was a staff-like cane in the Guild Master's hands, that seemed to swirl and be made of living, smoky darkness fashioned into a twisting dragon at the top. The smoke slowly turned to human, living colors and then was gone altogether. A brightness returned to the room, like a breath of fresh hair and light had been breathed back in it. The gems of the staff's eyes were emerald, like Nalia's. He'd appeared in her room, as it was, a place of certain vulnerability and discomfort for her. The room was spacious, supported by large ionic columns that stretched from ceiling to floor. Her room was simply furnished, but what did furnish her room was elaborate in design. In the first room, separated from the bedroom only by a large archway with thick, dark curtains, were lectus-style side couches, tables and chairs, though they were rarely used and mostly piled with Totems, scrolls and artifacts she pondered over in late nights when she could not sleep. Tables with candelabras, lit, adorned the room. Large mirrors reflected their light oddly somehow making the room seem dimmer without the sun. The floor was marbled and lead to a large, canopied bed. The fabric was sheer, dark and lightly dotted with things that sparkled like stars. Directly across from the bed was a large balcony. Pillars held the archway that lead outside. Dark curtains, opaque but not entirely, fluttered along the floor from their high catches on the archway. The balcony face westward, toward the misty Aisle Bones, Faraking Island, Taroc and the sea beyond. he had always viewed that as a sign of favoritism. It made him mad.

The second thing that would have irritated the Guild Master of Maginus was there being an alarm for his presence when there weren't for any others. There was a chime to indicate an important guest such as a Guild Leader, Their Second or one of the Royal family, but such a thing rarely if ever happened. The fact that Darmon got his own warning and that it was the heavy laden sound of the mythical beasts that brought him more distress and anger than any other on Emporium would have made his blood boil.

Darmon was surprised and slightly aggrieved that Kali came to greet him instead of Nalia. He'd told her to not keep him waiting, but it appeared she would do just that. The agitated state of Nalia's so-called Second was clear at the darkness that shifted into her features.

"You are getting as ill-mouthed as Nalia. Your privilege to live on this little island after her coup does not make you infallible from Maginus" he returned, not making any effort to hide the displeasure in his voice.

"There are things I need to discuss with her and she was told not to keep me waiting. I have little patience for games. Where is she?"

[Qwaring's clone#1]

Verona

The Roundabout Hotel in the Taroc District of Rekōdo City...

Arion's questions draws Verona's attention towards the scarlet haired man. His first question receives a nod followed by a breif reply, "Yes, of course."

She gives the second question a serious moment of thought. Her sharp mind scans over the few reports she has been able to read. The corners of her mouth take a moment to frown before returning to normal.

"There's nothing substantial. Only your trip to the library has brought back anything useful," Verona admits to Arion. "I do hope our luck is about to change." Verona now looks towards Tamara, unsure of what to expect from this mysterious woman.

[Qwaring's clone#1]

Sir George J. Cloney, Dark Knight of Maginus

Far North of Rekōdo City...The Great Hold in Maginus

When Cloney's suiting-up montage music is mentioned it fades as mysteriously as it had appeared. While Charold helps the orange knight rise from the ground, the armored man mutters in a confused tone, "Music? What music?"

Once he is back onto his feet, the clone pats Charold on the back with a gauntlet-sheathed hand and lets out a loud belly laugh. "Dragons don't like music? Oh, Ultra, you have a lot to learn about dragons," Cloney tells the other man in a condescending tone. Cloney then turns his attention towards the horses. His orange mouth bends in confused frustration as he ponders how to best utilize the creature waiting to be his mount. He's hot-wired and successfully flown starships halfway across galaxies, usually into spectacular crashes, but these horse-things seem infinitely more complicated. As the clone cautiously approaches his waiting horse he pulls a plastic audio cassette case out of a pocket hidden beneath his breastplate. The label under the clear case shows a picture of a trio of red dragons playing various musical instuments with their claws and tails. The title on the image is 'The Keep Dragons'. Cloney casually tosses the audio cassette to Charold.

"Dragons love music. In fact, they can hold a successful career in the music industry with record deals, concerts and lots and lots of groupies," Cloney informs Charold, as if he were a mentor instructing a protege. By this time Cloney has reached the side of his horse. The animal nervously eyes the orange man. The orange man carefully ponders the animal, trying to figure out if he should give hot-wiring a horse a second chance.

"Don't worry, Ultra, I'll teach you everything there is to know about dragons. You are my intern after all." Cloney flashes Charold a cheerful smile before returning his attention to the horse. Finally deciding on a course of action, the clone boldly takes hold of the horse's saddle and tries to pull himself up onto the animal. The orange man only makes it far enough to get his feet off of the ground before he is reminded of how heavy his armor is and slides off of the horse's side as he ungracefully falls to the floor. The horse takes a step sideways and away from the clattering of the falling armored clone. Cloney lets out a determined sigh before rolling over onto his hands and knees. With great effort the orange man is able to rise back onto his feet. And with even greater effort he is finally able to climb onto the horse's saddle, he only falls off of the animal three more times.

Once securely seated on the horse, but unintentionally facing backwards once again, Cloney gives Charold a triumphant thumbs up. After much hard work, Cloney has managed to get onto his horse, in his mind this is probably the greatest challenge he'll have to face on this quest.

[Qwaring's clone#1]

Alain LeCavalier

Somewhere in Taroc... The Ancestral Home of the LeCavalier Clan

As Nalia embraces him, Alain wraps his arms around her. In this quiet, tender moment Alain feels that he could give up leadership of Taroc just for this. Eventually, Nalia turns his thoughts to the surrounding house. Alain's dark eyes consider the walls for a moment, recalling the decision to rebuild it in order to honor his grandfather. As if restoring this ancient place would have somehow made up for all the man had endured. Part of Alain wishes he had known what this house was like when it was full of people, but he knows it's unlikely he'll ever know. It would seem such simple pleasures will always be denied to him.

Alain's thoughts are guided back towards Nalia and the troubles she has had to carry. He listens to her words, seeming to absorb her worries into his thoughtful, calm expression. After a few moments of consideration Alain speaks softly to his lover, "We just need to find the princess. Once she's returned to her rightful place we'll have more options." His tone is calm and certain.

[SilntAngl5]

Maidin: The Northern Border City of Shamaa



Mindoka of Shamaa and Adaya of Astral


Relief that one task was managed. The men of Taroc would arrive within two days if they came traditionally on foots as was expected. He could imagine the pathway cut int the tall grass of the Hundred Year Plains by their travels. That had been a useful way to track movements in the days of the Great War. Mindoka stood facing the western horizon, devoid of the sun that was rising in the east. Over the wall hat surrounded the city, he could see the plains rise upward in the swelling hills of Taroc. No soldiers visible yet.

"Well done, Branwen." Truly, he sounded pleased with his Second. He knew, as any good Guild Master knew, that in times of trial the Second of the Master could make or break them. One of the tents set aside was clearly for him, marked with the symbol of Shamaa and not just a clan symbol. He went to it, lifted the flap and went inside. Within the grand tent, the seemingly small space expanded tenfold. Chairs lined with furs around a hearth were set snuggly among rugs and trappings - gifts from the tribesmen to be given to the officers of the Taroc soldiers to welcome them. A large bed laid with blankets and furs for the cool nights was placed in one corner. The tent extended back to two more rooms, one clearly a miniaturized version of the grand tent space that was Mindoka's. And the other room was dark with cushions for meditation and a round basin. Empty. Four pots with symbols marking each of the elements sat in corners around the basin. In the main room, there was a large table with maps spread upon it. Spirits bounded, seen one moment in a trailing ethereal blue, gone the next, moving tokens on a map to show the troops advancement from Mirian to Maidin. And standing before that table was a cloaked figure. Furr-topped boots threaded in crossing stripes of gold could be seen beneath the deep royal-colored cloak. Long, auburn hair wisped up and tied with golden chains and golden threads was dotted with live flowers of lotus from the lake where her temple was. Golden, sundial earrings hung from her sculpted, pale lobes. Her dress, simple and brown like leather, pleated with an equally brown belt adorned her legs, slitted just too far on both sides for riding a horse, which was nowhere to be seen. The top of the dress was of similar material with long sleeves, slitted again to the elbow for riding or hunting. The bodice was tied with leather thread and stopped way too short for what was considered decent for a woman in Shamaa. The woman was looking down at the map of the layouts of Maidin and Mirian and the routes between. She would not touch the ones the Spirits touched.

"I thought you might appreciate this attire more than what is my usual fare. Your women here certainly do dress more simply that in any of the cities of Astral! Some of what they wear is, forgive me, uncivilized according to Astralian standards. I altered it, of course, to better suit my natural needs. Does it suit you, Master Mindoka?"

Adaya turned around so that he might see exactly what she was wearing and how well she'd had it altered. With her turn came a waft of perfume that enticed the nose to inhale. A smell of Jasmine and roses, simple, subtle smells laced with something more sensuous. Astral was known for its potions. It's many kinds of potions. The Second to the Guild MAster of Astral- her twin brother- frowned lightly at seeing Branwen there.

"Oh. I see you've brought your Second with you." Adaya walked the space between the table of maps to the Guild Master himself. She stood a distance that was not quite far enough away and offered him a seductive smile and lilt of her head before turning her large, intense brown eyes on Branwen. She observed the scrawny Second, scrawny compared to her vivacious, full curves, and smiled in one corner of her mouth.

"Pretty little thing" she clucked in mock disapproval. "It's a shame she wasn't from Astral. Even dark Nalia has her own charm by birth. All the people of Astral do."

Or alter themselves so they do. At least that's the fad in the Rekōdo city now.

Mindoka was very tired. He had not slept yet this night and it could very cautiously be seen in the way his shoulder were not quite at their straightest or highest.

"What is it I can help you with, Adaya?"

And the Second of Astral purred as she closed that too-small gap between them. She made sure Mindoka felt every curve as she spoke in a quiet, soft voice to him.

"I thought you might desire some company after that long meeting. Alain is a flirt and Darmon is such a bore."

She shuddered at the thought of withered, old Darmon. Her shivering leached the warmth of Mindoka's powerful frame. Mindoka did not touch her. One of her hands coiled around his neck.

"Your concern for my well-being is appreciated sister, but I have no interest in your company this night."

Adaya piqued a finely manicured, auburn eyebrow at the large Guild Master and then looked sideways at Branwen. She craned herself up on booted tip-toes and brought her lips close to Mindoka's goateed chin, barely brushing them with her ruby-red color.

"Ah. I see. Do you bed your Seconds as well? If you are concerned for her feelings... she can watch. or join us if she is as brave as she looks."

Her suggestions came with a waft of her perfume. Images began to cloud the mind as the nose was tempted to draw the scent in. Images of the fur-clad bed being put to use. Of the auburn-haired Adaya mastering herself atop the powerful Guild Master, riding him as the clouds ride the mountaintops. Of his supple Second naked before him as they united as animals of the for-

Mindoka grabbed Adaya's wrists, clad with her golden bracelets that tinkled as they skidded down her arms. He pushed her back gently with his strong grasp so she was an more acceptable distance away. His nostrils flared with the intoxication of her scent, seeking to drive the smell from his senses. Even grabbing her wrists to dissuade her made his mind desire to grasp her firmly elsewhere. Adaya breathed quickly, rapidly as if she'd run here from Astral. Her cheeks were flush and her tongue licked her lips to moisten them. Slowly. Mindoka's face was hard as his brown eyes bore into her's, unentertained by her sweet smile.

"Does your Master know you are here, Second of Astral?" he asked coldly "Why is it you come uninvited into my tent. Among some of my clans, that is a punishable crime. As a Second and an ambassador of your Province, you should know the protocol of my people."

Adaya pulled her wrists away and smoothed her crumpled dress anally.

"My brother is not my keeper, Mindoka of Shamaa. But he knows of my journey here. My thoughts are with his."

Done fixating in defeat on the pleats of her slitted dress, Adaya's manner calmed some. her voice seemed almost lightly sarcastic, as if bored with the actual purpose of her being here.

"We wished to discuss the movement of Taroc soldiers into your land. Our distance is greater to cross and we are not accustomed to having foreign troops within our borders. I was sent to seek advice and to hear your wise opinion on the matter."

Since her brother is without power and was unwilling to travel here himself. Adaya's eyes shifted to glance at Branwen. Surely she knew of her Master's powerlessness. An unfair advantage for the Second of Astral. Had Branwen not been here to remind him of his morals, he might have had a harder time resisting..

[Tigers]

Kali


The dark ebony color of Kali's horns glistens in the light, just standing in Darmon's presence increases her dark mood. There were plenty of reasons to dislike Darmon, but she had disliked him from the beginning. It was a feeling, one that when she knew the entire truth would explain the feeling of her natural instincts of dislike. If she knew the entire truth, especially concerning Nalia she would not be able to control the darkness within her to consume the very soul of this man.
Darmon's words only cause Kali's lips to curl in amusement to his displeasure.

"Getting? Guess you haven't been paying attention, I've always had this mouth."

Nalia's bedroom, it had not escaped Kali's attention as she emerged from the shadows to greet the ancient crypt keeper. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach, and she could literally smell the fire and brimstone permeate from her own skin as her form shifted to something darker. Kali never asked Nalia if her shadows spoke to her, but Kali's did. In the dark recesses of her mind, they spoke of dark things, dark deeds and right now they positively screamed for a piece of Darmon's soul. Oh how delicious it would taste, if only Kali would give in, it would be so simple, so satisfying, so delicious.

The pitch blackness of her eyes seemed to see right through to a person's soul and currently they were locked on the man she despised with every ounce of her being. 'He is nothing,' the voices whispered. 'Just a tasty morsel, so him what true greatness is...take his soul.'

"She's having tea and crumpets with the Princess, or was she getting her nails done with Jinai of Da'Jinn, I really don't remember. It's really not my thing."

Kali paused long enough to see the ire in Darmon increase and before he could respond to her the smirk fell from her face.

"In other words, it's none of your damn business. She'll get here when she gets here. And guests..." She emphasized with disdain. "Are to wait in the appropriate greeting room, and not in their hosts bed chambers."

Smoke and fire seemed to radiate from the corners of Kali's pitch black eyes, almost daring Darmon to give reason to provoke her.