Subject: Prior to departure...
Posted by:Vilessa   On: 08/25/00 03:06 PM
Consort of Mallagant

 Servants scurried everywhere like mice running a maze. As squires prepared their knights for the imminent departure to Winterbrook, rumors flew on the breath of whispers. Although preparations remained calm and orderly, the frenzied activity seemed chaotic. Such diversions made an excellent screen for Vilessa.
Excusing herself from Tys, Vile allowed a slight pout to show at another interruption. A lingering touch and a brief smoldering glance let him know she had not forgotten their rendezvous with fate. She could feel those vivid blue eyes caressing her, watching the sway of hip and flash of slender ankles as she slipped away to her room.

Mallagent remained absent as Vilessa stripped out of the constricting gown into something more comfortable. With a slight pop of air, she disappeared...

...And reappeared deep within her familiar lair. Letting the human shape go, her flesh melted and reformed. Mass added to the grotesque lump increasing the size at least 100 fold. If any had watched, the transformation took only moments to complete.

The large reptilian head snaked down over the enormous pile of treasure, reassuring herself that every piece remained exactly where she left it. Scaly lids closed over the burning crimson orbs as Shadowfyre concentrated on the various wards and traps set about this place. None tampered with...good.

Now to find a certain item...

Subject: An evil plot
Posted by:Vilessa   On: 08/25/00 03:11 PM
Consort of Mallagant

Vilessa studied the item before her. Once more in human form, she cast several spells to determine whether someone could detect its unique properties. Nothing. An evil smile curved the full lips. Vile knew that any detection must happen at the instant of activation or not at all. Such a cute little thing, yet so potentially evil it caused a delicious shiver of lust within the lovely female that held it.
No one would ever suspect a child's stuffed toy. The dog-shaped item had large soulful eyes and long floppy ears. It was soft and huggable, and almost made Vile gag except for her knowledge of its hidden danger. A worthless piece of junk compared to the valuable treasures stored here. Created several hundreds of years ago by an old evil hag that hated children, the curse woven into its existence gave it value.

According to her extensive research on this particular object, the curse only affected children. Vilessa was unsure how the witch made it so selective, but such information was lost with the death of the hag. The curse began its work when a child named the toy and stated love for the inanimate thing while squeezing it tightly in a hug. These conditions might never occur, or might even take generations before they were met. An artifact of sorts, the toy was basically indestructible. Those bits of knowledge were what made this particular “treasure” so valuable.

The only time the stuffed dog was vulnerable to normal destruction was during the first day after activation. Unfortunately, to destroy the item would mean the death of the child it first affected, and by then it would be too late. During those first 24 hours, the child would start feeling ill. Flushed skin, slight fever, achy body, and in some cases a rash. Then the fever would hit hard and ravish the poor babe to the point of near death. Any attempt to remove the toy from the child’s presence would cause the child to worsen as well as cry out to return the precious thing. Leaving the toy close by would ease the child’s pain and misery. Miraculously the child would recover after this grueling time.

Then the true evil would start. Each child that the first child came into contact with would be infected. Unlike the first victim, these children would not recover so swiftly. Instead the sickness would enter a new stage. These poor innocent victims would waste away over a period of time, unable to keep any food or water down for long. Death would come slowly and painfully. The first child would become a carrier.

Reflecting on this information, Vilessa frowned momentarily. She knew there was a cure for this nasty little surprise, yet hoped it would take awhile for anyone to find it. Shrugging slightly, Vile also realized the conditions might never be met as well. Tilting her head back, musical laughter echoed about the huge cavern as she grasped the toy in one hand and teleported back to her room in Tannisbury.
 

Subject: An evil plot set in motion
Posted by:Vilessa   On: 08/25/00 03:14 PM
Consort of Mallagant

 Several hours later, Vilessa moved through the maze of hallways towards the courtyard where the army gathered for departure. Under her cloak she clutched the small stuffed dog. Waiting quietly for the chaos of bodies to make an orderly exit, she saw her chance.
No one was looking or watching her where she stood next to Mall. She dropped the small toy and used her foot to nudge it under a watering trough. Chance again would come into play here, but Vile knew the children played in the courtyard. One would find it... One always did.

Once more she looked around her. Good, no one had noticed. A squire stopped before her and Mall with horses. Mounting up, the two rode side by side out of the courtyard and towards their destiny.
 

Subject: R: The Dagger and Return
Posted by:Gynger   On: 09/13/00 06:37 PM

FawnWiz and the children look at each other, their eyes shining with unshed tears, then they look back at me... "That was most interesting, Lady Gynger." said FawnWiz. "I am sorry for your misfortune and truely glad you found your way to us." Seanessy hops down from her chair, comes over to me and gives me a hug, then says... "I'm glad you came here, Lady Gynger." Seanessy's eyes light up at a suggestion from FawnWiz. "Ooooooohhh, yes! ! Anudder Auntie! !" she claps her little hands in delight. "May I call you Auntie Gynger?, cuz I fink you need a good famly an I want to 'dopt you." I smile down at her and give her a big hug... "Nothing would make me happier."

FawnWiz gets up from the table and calls the children over to look at a pretty butterfly. Seanessy walks over with her, Taliesin steps near me and says quietly... My mother died a few years ago from a sickness. My father left today to fight in Winterbook. He warned me that he might not be back... such is a warrior's life." his voice choked up a bit. I touch his arm in sympathy, there might be a lot of orphans by the time the battle was over. "I have to get back to my work. Thankyou for trusting me with your story, Lady Gynger." He bows and leaves. I sit at the table for a few more minutes pondering his words. I hear the children stirring in the next room and go out to be with them.

The next few days are uneventful but very busy. Then it happens. We hear the trumpets announcing the troops return. Everyone is so excited. Taliesin pops his head around the door and in a breathless voice says.... "They're back! !" Then he runs off to find his dad.

"Children, Children!" FawnWiz says excitedly... "The trouble is over and your parents are on their way home! You can all be proud of the terrific job they did to keep us all safe." She looks at the children's happy faces then at me and smiles... "Let's get their faces and hands washed and make them pretty and handsome for when their parents pick them up." Seanessy walks over to FawnWiz and speaks with her. FawnWiz smiles at Seanessy then looks up at all the children... "you all have done wonderfully and I know your parents will be proud of you." She smiles at each of them, then adds... "Now quickly, let's get ready for they'll be arriving soon." Seanessy is so excited, she can't wait any longerand runs out to greet her parents. FawnWiz throws me a helpless look and follows Seanessy out the door. The children finish getting their things together and soon the parents arrive to pick them up. Some children tho, are picked up by a relative or friend with the sad news of the parent's death. In less than an hour, all the children are gone, the room is empty and very quiet.

I walk out of the room and find my way to the courtyard. It is still a bit busy with people, horses, dogs and a few children. The children are rolling a hoop between them (it looks to be about 3 feet tall), a dog is running beside it and then jumping thru it when a command is shouted to it. I laugh in delight and enjoyment at their antics. As I walk towards the stables, I hear a commotion and loud excited voices behind me. I turn around to see the hoop had gotten away from the children and was almost upon me. I move aside but the hoop still grazes me and I push it over onto the ground to stop it. The children come running up to see if I'm okay, I bend down to help them pick it up and notice something under a wwater trough about 20 feet away. They get the hoop up and rolling again and I walk over to see what is under the trough.

I kneel down and look under the water trough to see what appears to be a child's stuffed animal. I pull it out and see that it is a cute dog with large soulful eyes and long floppy ears. It's leather skin is well worn and looks like it is well loved. I walk over to the children and ask... "Does this dog belong to any of you?" They all shake their heads 'No'. I decide to take the stuffed dog back into the room where all the children had been since that would be the sensible place for a parent to come looking for a lost toy. I look down at my dirty skirts and decide to clean up before resuming my walk to the stables.
 
 

Subject: My Walk
Posted by:Gynger On: 09/19/00 11:44 PM

  I walk into the room carrying the stuffed dog and see a sad faced FawnWiz. I set the dog on the table and in a voice filled with concern I ask... "What's wrong, FawnWiz?" She sighs heavily and replies... "I miss the children. I had so much fun taking care of them. Now, I have to go back to an empty house." I thought of the children going home with their parents and then I thought of the children whose parents didn't return. I looked at FawnWiz and said... Have you thought of the orphaned children? Some of them didn't have family to go to. Maybe they would need a home." FawnWiz didn't say anything but she did look thoughtful. She looked at the stuffed dog now sitting on the table. "That is so cute, where did it come from?" "I found it in the courtyard under a water trough. I asked some children if it belonged to them and they said 'No' so I brought it here in case a parent comes looking for it." I answered her. FawnWiz nods her head in agreement and picks up the dog, turning it around and looking at it. "Some child will be missing this and a parent will probably be here tomorrow looking for it." She set the dog gently back onto the table, then looks at me, smiles and teasingly says... "It looks like your skirt needs to meet the washer woman." I grin back at her and agree. "I'm going to clean up a bit and go for a walk. Would you care to join me?" I ask her. "No, I think I"ll go back home now. Thank you for inviting me." She replies... "Thank you for helping me. I'm glad Astalder thought to bring you to me." I smile and say... "I'm glad I was able to help you. I had fun also. I hope we'll meet again soon." I curtsie to her and go to the room that was loaned to me.   As I walk to my room, I think about the squire I hope to see again. Last time I saw him was several months earlier, when I had come to Tannisbury the first time. I was hoping he had found the small package I lost at that time. I walk into my room, close the door behind me and undress on my way to the washstand. I clean myself up then look at my clean clothes. I want to look nice for this meeting but not too nice. I smile at myself as I slip into a sheer light pink chemise with a darker pink bodice over it. I put on a dark green underskirt then a light green overskirt. I then pick up the right side hem of the overskirt and tuck it into my waistband. I brush my long hair and braid the front with pink and green ribbons, leaving the back to hang loose. I open up the box that holds my daggers, choose a plain throwing one, close the box and put the dagger on my belt. "Now" I say to myself, "I'm ready to go out searching again." I walk out of the room and find my way out to the courtyard. I walk to the stables, picking my way around the activity still going on. Finally, I'm at the main stable door.   I step inside and wait until my eyes adjust to the darker interior, then I walk in the direction where I last remembered being. I hear a young familiar voice. I look into the stall where the voice is coming from and see Seanessy helping a tall man take care of a fine looking horse. I start to walk on by when Seanessy looks up and sees me. I smile at her as she says with pride... "This is my Da." and she smiles real big up at the man. I curtsie before him as I realize who he is. He looks at me, smiles briefly and nods. I notice the look of weariness about him and the love in his eyes as he looks down at his daughter. As I walk away I hear Seanessy's voice talking with her father and his lower voiced replies.   I keep walking down to the end where I notice a tack room door open. I peek in and see the squire I have been looking for. He is cleaning and polishing a saddle. I reach for my dagger and throw it into the wall about a foot from his face. I laugh as he looks up and says... "I wondered when you'd come back." Then he smiles and looks at the dagger still vibrating in the wall... "Nice calling card." I walk in and give him a hug... "Hello QuiGon." I grin at him and remove my dagger from the wall. "How have you been since I was last here?" We talk for a bit about the things that have happened to us, then I ask... "Did you pick up a small package that I dropped when I was last here?" "Yes" he replies... "It's in my room. I'll get it when I'm finished here." I sit down on a box and watch him finish his jobs. He extends his arm to me and I place my hand on it, then he escorts me out of the stable and to his room. On our way, I notice a man across the courtyard from us. His bearing proclaims him to be a man of importance but he doesn't look overbearing. I nod in his direction, smile at him and slowly wink. He looks surprised, then nods his head and smiles back. QuiGon and I continue on to his room.
 

Subject: Wanders in...
Posted by:Sabriel On: 09/19/00 12:40 AM

 The air was cool; not cold, not yet. It was that dry sort of cool, u know; the kind that draws the moisture from your skin and fills the air with the scent of change, and of passings.  I stood at the edge of a forest, a falling leaf brushed against my cheek. Before me, I saw a village and a castle. I had been traveling for a while (as the layer of dust and dirt against my clothes portrayed)and I was in need of a place to stay for the night.  Wandering into the village I looked about. I would find no employment here. The people i passed did not seem the type that would hire a freelance sword or sorceress and I was sorely lacking in money.  It was becoming more and more probable that I would once more be spending the night in the forest. I scowled at that thought.  The winged black cat that was my constant companion and guide rubbed it's head against my leg and spoke. "I hope you realize that I don't care if you temporarily must sing for your supper as a bard...but I'm not sleeping in that forest again tonight."  "What's wrong Tabitha? I know u aren't afraid of the dark."  Tabitha delicately licked one of the claws on her right paw. "There are powers there...well there are powers all over this place but the amount of life in the forest makes them espeically high there.... hmmm...you had to take that right path at the fork. Now we're, pennyless, jobless, and lost. Start singing."  I smiled a kind of half smile that did not touch my eyes. After a few seconds the smile was gone and I found myself standing in the middle of the main street with no more direction or purpose than I'd had a moment ago.
 
 

Subject: The Orphanage
Posted by:FawnWiz On: 09/20/00 01:31 AM
Tannisbury Wizardess

 Entering the empty house, FawnWiz thinks over what Lady Gynger had to say about the orphaned children. The Center would be a great place to have an orphanage. All that she knew about those kind of places left a bitter taste in her mouth. She would of course have to speak to the Lord and Lady Tannisbury about opening it and the Mayor also.  One thing for sure, if given permission this orphanage would be like none other. In fact "The Center" was a far better name and "Special Children" better then orphans. Her mind whirled with ideas now that she was sure this was what she wanted to do.

Subject: R: Wanders in...
Posted by:Sabriel On: 09/20/00 11:45 PM
 Unsure of which way I should go, I made my way down the main street of the village and found what appeared to be a street corner near the castle where a lot of people might pass.  Removing my cloak, I placed it on the ground and laid my last coin on it to encourage others to do the same. Tabitha sat a couple of feet away licking the remaining dust from her coat with feline disinterest.  Taking a deep breath, I swallowed what remained of my pride and was struck by the realization of just how desperate I had become. I could taste bile in the back of my throat and a sneer formed on my lips.  When I managed to smile, it was strained and unpleasent.....then I began to sing.  My voice was not as high as many of the girls whose talents have been widely praised through the ages, but it was clear and filled with emotion: of loss and joy, of determination of the most basic sort.......that of survival.

"I lived for life as it was:
I gave my heart with hope and trust,
The fires red and flaming bled,
Turned all they touched to blackened dust.

I lived for life in the past:
I followed a quest that could not last,
The blood red fires whose flames stretched 'nire
Themselves were turned to dark gray ash.

I live now for a life that's all my own:
The fires 'wait me in my sleep,
Each night it is them I seek to beat.
It is them I seek to beat."

Subject: R: R: Wanders in...
Posted by:Felena On: 09/21/00 12:36 AM
Lady of Tannisbury

 Felena emerged from her bath refreshed, and padded into the bedchamber with grim determination. She donned a fresh gown and soft boots, twisted her damp hair into a knot and headed down the hallway. Lives had been lost to defend her homeland, and that, in the very least, warranted a visit from her. She would see that the families who had been effected would be well cared for, and though that could in no way replace their loss, she hoped it would at least be helpful.  She ducked through a side door and headed along the wall into the courtyard where the wall ran near the stables. Rounding the corner, to her surprise, she came upon her squire, still clad in her armor. SilentSong jumped to her feet when she realized Felena stood next to her.

"M-m-milady..." she stammered, trying to hide the fact that she had been weeping. Felena smiled at her young squire. She had fought along side her Knight with not so much as a single complaint, holding all of the horrors of battle within, to be buried deep inside her.  "Please, dear squire...retake your seat. I wish to speak with you a moment." Her squire's eyes went round, and she started to protest...surely she shouldn't sit in the presence of her lady while there was obviously no where for her to do the same. Felena quieted the girl's protests and waited until she was settled. Gently reaching out to her, she pulled SilentSong's helm from her grime streaked face and set it aside, coming to kneel beside her so that their eyes met. "You have seen much for one your age, dear squire," she began in a soothing tone. "Do not ever forget those who went before us, for once that happens, their sacrifice is forgotten along with them." She smiled softly at her squire and continued. "What makes us Knights is what is in our hearts...not just the heroic deeds or blind charges into battle that ballads are written of, but also that which we hold within ourselves. Allow yourself time to grieve, but do not allow it to overwhelm you. For then, it becomes your controller rather than you controlling it. By allowing yourself to feel your sorrow and anger, you deal with it and then are able to put it aside." She paused a moment to see that her squire understood what she had said. "Now...go and allow yourself the luxury of a hot bath. You have more than earned some time for yourself."  SilentSong smiled as she got to her feet and curtsied, "Thank you milady...I will remember what you have said."

Felena nodded her head, and gave her squire a hug before heading along the wall and through the gate to town. She was lost in her own thoughts as she wound her way down the short distance to the town, but as she rounded a corner, a sweet voice broke through. She stopped before the girl to listen to her song.

I lived for life as it was:
I gave my heart with hope and trust,
The fires red and flaming bled,
Turned all they touched to blackened dust.

I lived for life in the past:
I followed a quest that could not last,
The blood red fires whose flames stretched 'nire
Themselves were turned to dark gray ash.

I live now for a life that's all my own:
The fires 'wait me in my sleep,
Each night it is them I seek to beat.
It is them I seek to beat."

Once she had completed her ballad, Felena approached her. "Good day to you, and thank you for your story." It was obvious to her that the girl was empty handed. "My name is Felena. Would you care to break bread with me?" The girl's eyes widened in surprise, a gambit of emotions crossing her face. Felena smiled, reaching down for the girl's cloak and handing her the coin she had placed upon it. "Please join me...I do hate to eat alone." The girl seemed to reach a decision at that, taking her cloak from Felena as they turned to walk toward the Inn at the center of town.

"Making Rounds"
Posted by Erdrick KE  on Sep-30-00, 07:39 AM (PST)

Getting his office and desk all straightened out and the militia was in its The first thing he sees as he leaves the castle and starts across the courtyard toward the town is Quigon and on his arm a lady he had not seen before. She nods in his direction, smiles and slowly winks. This took him quite by surprise. He nods and smiles back as they continue on into the castle. I wonder who that might be and who she is Erdrick thinks to himself as he heads toward the gate and drawbridge.

He sees the Lady Felena walking a bit farther down the road with a girl he has not seen before either and wonders about the apparent influx of strangers in town. He watches as Felena and the stranger seem to be heading off toward the inn and makes a note to be sure to stop in and see how the temporary help is doing. The previous owner disappeared suddenly one night a few weeks back without any notice or trace. All his possessions and belongings were gone as well. It seemed as though he just up and abandoned the inn.

Erdrick checks in on SirOx and he is well. Busy as usual, singing out a rhythm with his hammer, anvil and forge filling orders and repairing goods brought to him that needed his special touch.

Stopping by the shops, especially the flower shop always was a pleasure for him as he chatted with Paula and had a bit of tea with her.

Upon reaching the little house cared for by Fawnwiz, she greets him with warm hugs and much excitement as he tells him of the idea of an Orphanage. He learns a bit about the woman he saw on the arm of QuiGon and her assistance with the children. Pleased with the prospect of not only the wonderful idea of how to take care of the new orphans and Fawn's heart to take on the task but also with new people coming perhaps to find a new home and a place to settle. He leaves Fawn, assuring her he would see to it that a boarding house was made suitable for children so they could move in as soon as possible. The house was not large but would be adequate for now until arrangements could be made to enlarge it and add as many rooms as needed.

Stopping by the inn at the other side of the town, Erdrick entered just as Felena and a small Black-haired girl were finishing a meal. He greets them, bowing deeply and inquires as to the meal.
 

"RE: Making Rounds"
Posted by QuiGon  on Sep-30-00, 09:10 AM (PST)

Simple pleasures. Meat that was cooked well and peppered. Vegetable that were boiled, not cold and raw. Fresh-brewed ale. The merry sound of children. The company of the people in the town. Like so many other things, routine things, you take them for granted until they were lost. Now I treasured the moment and hoped it would once again slip back into my routine.
As Gynger and I walk to the Squires quarters. I see Erdrickke and bow and nod in return. As we walked I notice some of the children looking around for their parents, but not finding them. I am sad for them, for I know how they must feel.
The floors of the castle were a light stained oak, and the walls didn't really have any design. Rich hangings, anonymous portraits of men and woman garbed in armor or fancy dress, and hand-braided carpets adorned each room we passed.
Heavy furnishing were intricately carved, not a surface left untouched. One such chair in the corridor had a back carved in the likeness of a tree, its armrests and legs all leaves and sinuous, winding branches and roots. A red velvet cushion covered the seat.
Leading Gynger into a stone-flagged room where yet another hearth merrly cracked with fire. A solitary wondow looked into the gardon. Sunlight filtered through its upper pane.
I go to the package and pass it to Gynger. "I'm sorry that I didn't return it to you before now, but with the war I didn't have much of a chance."
Gynger took the package gently "Thank you for keeping for me. I wondered where it could have gone."
"May I ask what might be in the package." smiling as I asked.
"I shall open it here if you don't mind."
"Of course I don't mind."