<font color="gold">Dalben

"I am known as Dalben to all... Sorsha." ~ His smile widens as he notes her eyes dilate at the mention of her name. Reluctantly, his right hand rises to pluck the pipe out of his mouth and he exhales slowly ~ "As I have said, I have been waiting for you."

Turning to the children, he suddenly assumes a sterner expression ~ "Go back home, now. And no wandering off elsewhere." ~ The tone of his voice leaves no room for disobedience; they scamper off towards their infuriated mother.

Gazing at the wiry girl in front of him, he resumes his speech ~ "I received a letter some months ago, from one of my disciples... Justin." ~ This time, the involuntary gasp from the girl startles him a little ~ "Yes, did you not know that he was trained in the magical arts?... Surely Philip would have dropped some hints as well." ~ As he pronounces the other name, a look of distaste crosses his face. </font>

<font color="yellow">Damien

He looks up as Raymond walks towards him ~ "Are you ready, my friend? Because if you are, I should like you to lead the way... I am not too familiar with this area, and any help you can offer will be most appreciated."</font>

<font color="silver">Sorsha

"N..no, Justin never said a word about you, much less magic." ~ A sharp pain shoots through her heart ~ "I guess he didn't quite trust me." ~ The light in her eyes flickers, and a tear rolls down her cheek... before long, she is crouched on the ground, overwhelmed by heartwrenching sobs.

When the storm is finally over, she looks up at Dalben wearily ~ "Philip had no reason to tell me anything; I betrayed him." ~ Sighing, she murmurs to herself ~ "What sort of ward goes running off with the first man she lays her eyes on?... Except me, of course..."</font>

<font color="white">Raymond

"Huh?...Oh..er...sure..Let's go." </font>

<font color="silver">On the way back out...Raymond and Damien walk past the village square again, and see that the lady was still in conversation with Dalben. </font>

<font color="white">"Who is that, I am wondering. I mean, besides you, she is the only one in town that I do not know. Have you seen her before? That's a nice dog she has with her."</font>

<font color="gold"<Dalben

He shakes his head gently at her, a tinge of mild reproof in his voice ~ "Malign not one loved you more than life itself." ~ Getting up, he stretches himself before addressing her once more ~ "Come... this is not the right place to talk. We shall have a good chat in my humble abode." ~ Again, that decisive tone which brooked no argument from others.

With that, he gestures towards a greyish house with his staff. Together, they make their way into his quarters.</font>

<font color="yellow">Damien

"I'm not sure, either... she seems to be in some distress..." ~ As he speaks, they see the old man suddenly take off for what appears to his home, the girl following him. ~ "Who's that guy, anyway?"

Shrugging, he turns back to Raymond ~ "Do you want to hang around finding out more about her, or shall we go on our own way?"</font>

(ooc: Lunch; back in 1 hour... if you'll still be here :D )

OOC>>>Sorry...out for the night. Not feeling well...
~bessitos~

(ooc: Sorry to hear that :( Hope you feel better tomorrow.)

<font color="silver">Sorsha

Seated now in the cushioned armchair, she feels her defences slowly receding ~ How snug and cosy this place is... ~ Her gaze sweeps across the well-furnished room ~ He must be extremely wealthy...

His soothing voice floats into her ears ~ <font color="gold">"What you see, my dear, could be a reality or an illusion. The same applies to life."</font> ~ Distracted, she tilts her head to perceive his fatherly expression ~ <font color="gold">"Come... as promised, we shall have a good talk now."</font>

In a daze, she nods, giving him her characteristic childish smile ~ "Of course..." ~ Her muscles begin to relax and she breathes more easily ~ "Please... tell me more about Justin. And Philip, if you know anything about him."

Puka creeps over, halting at her feet. Taking a sniff at her boots, his nose wrinkles and he turns away in disgust. At Dalben's kindly chuckle, he trots over to him and begins his usual panting and tail-wagging. The old mage's eyes crease with amusement, and he bends down to pick up the pup.

As the three settle down in their respective comfortable positions, the air grows warm from the gentle fire and bond forming between themselves.</font>

<font color="gold">Dalben

Stroking his thick white beard, he stares pensively at the crackling fire before he begins recounting the tale of his favourite disciple.

"Justin was rather an outcast amongst his people... the elves, I mean. Born to an elven father and human mother, he inherited those pointed ears and delicate features common to elvenfolk; complete with green eyes and black hair." ~ His eyes narrow ~ "But that was not enough for some... his blood was tainted, and so he would forever be a monstrosity."

For a while, the silence in the room is interrupted only by the flames of the fire licking the fireplace greedily ~ "And so, he travelled about, his charm being his greatest asset. You already know how much he loved to sing..." ~ He pauses, as he sees Sorsha's eyes turning misty ~ "... we met at a tavern one day, I forget where... and I was most impressed by the way he carried himself and his keen interest in magic. And so, I taught him a little of spellcasting."

Suddenly choking, he begins to cough furiously before continuing ~ "He could never learn as much as my average mageling disciple. But all the same, he was my favourite... the bard of all time." ~ Smiling at the memory, he turns to Sorsha ~ "He left after a while, being the restless fellow that he was. And I suspect he met you soon after, for I never heard from him for months after he had gone."</font>

<font color="silver">Sorsha

Cheeks slightly pink, she replies ~ "I… I think so. He mentioned that he had just left a dear fatherly character's home." ~ A sudden thought hits her ~ "So he was here, then? At this very house?" ~ Seeing Dalben's affirmative nod, she peers around the room as if viewing it in a new light ~ "I can understand why he seemed rather sad to leave it… I mean, here."

Sensing Dalben's eyes resting on her steadily, she speaks on hurriedly ~ "We met one day, near the river… Philip's wife had sent me to get some water from it… she didn't quite like me." ~ Her slight frame trembles ~ "She seemed jealous of me, of how Philip always protected me." ~ Her left hand raises to support her chin on the arm-rest ~ "Anyway, Justin was strolling along the woods and we sort of bumped into each other." ~ For a brief moment, a sad smile touches her pale lips ~ What happy days those were…

As another violent cough interrupts her train of thoughts, she looks up guiltily at Dalben ~ "Sorry." ~ Her cheeks flush ~ "… to continue, we met everyday after that, and Philip got wind of the news. He… he tried to lock me up, while his wife pressed for him to release me since I clearly cared not a whit for his attempts to shelter me." ~ Closing her eyes tightly, she shakes her head ~ "I let Philip down… I escaped one night, through the window… Justin was there to assist me."

<font color="gold">"And so, you were on the run for the many subsequent months?"</font> ~ Dalben's kindly voice floats across the room to her ~ <font color="gold">"He mentioned of the hardships you went through… poverty, ridicule, assaults… he kept all problems to himself as well as he could, for he did not wish to worry you unduly... the last note informed me that he was dying of a lethal poison, from an unknown enemy."</font> ~ His clenched fists pound against the arm-rest indignantly ~ <font color="gold">"If I ever find out who did this…"</font>

Another sigh escapes her ~ "Nothing can bring him back; it matters not whether his murderer is punished." ~ Resignedly, she gazes into the fire watching the sparks dancing.<font>