<font color="skyblue">This is the third installment of the Tavern on the Creek Thread.

All are welcome to join. Simply write yourself into the story - but it would be helpful to read at least some of the previous thread to catch up on the details of the plot.

Feel free also to simply stay at the tavern and use it as a place of rest between adventures or as a starting point for your own adventures in the area.

To summarize:

In the original Thread

. A group of goblins led by an iron golem attacked the tavern and were destroyed by a small group of adventurers.

. After healing KayLisa, Neb contracted some form of mind sickness and disappeared into the forest, afraid he was losing his sanity.

. A huge storm has blown into the canyon and KayLisa and Cyril disappeared, riding the winds of the storm.

In the second Thread

. Cyril and KayLisa discovered that not only are they both cursed but that somehow their curses are intertwined with one another.

. A terrible evil from Cyril's home land known as the Devouring Wind attacked those at the tavern.

. Neb returned to the tavern quite mad and intent upon killing KayLisa. His mental powers drew the attention of the Devouring Wind who has invaded his mind and is using him as a host for its power.

. During the storm a powerful being known as the Fay're was released from its ancient imprisonment and now seeks the release of three other powerful beings.

. Those left behind in the tavern are struggling to rebuild and put their lives back in order.

As always, happy adventuring!! :D </font>

[ 10-19-2005, 09:37 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

<font color="skyblue">This is the last post of part II that didn't get in there.......</font>

<font color="teal">CYRIL

He remains beside her, his right arm around her shoulders. With his free hand he gently strokes her hair as he breathes slowly over her. The air in the clearing has begun to move freely again bearing within it the bright sounds of the movement of the water in the stream. He lifts his gaze to the sky, eyes searching the heavens for the Great Nomad, the bright silver star that moves through the darkness, always wandering yet never lost. He has learned much this night, and much of what he has learned troubles him deeply. Much hinges on the choices of these next few days. He glances toward the wolves once more, nodding an invitation to approach. Turning to KayLisa, he smiles at the playful movement of the starlight over her hair. Yes, nothing is certain, but one thing at least has been decided. His lips brush against her hair and he pulls her close to himself.</font>

<font color="skyblue">She smiles, and leans into him, content to merely sit and enjoy the evening under the stars, among the trees. The wolves slowly approach into the clearing, and lay down around them in a circle, resting their heads on their front paws. ~The Alpha female, WinterWind inquires to TAO if she would start a small fire.~

She smiles, and slowly removes Cyril's arms, laughing at his questioning look. "It seems the wolves want a small fire. Not for warmth, merely to watch the flames dancing across the shadows....".

She collects a small pile of wood, and lays a small piece of Lavender on top. Reaching into a pouch, she pulls out a small piece of flint and strikes it above the pile. Soon a tiny flame appears, and she blows gently. As the fire becomes stable, she walks back and sits next to Cyril, her knee touching his, and laughs. "I do not waste my powers on something I can do easily enough".

One of the younger female wolves, her name StarLight, approaches Cyril slowly, and stops a few mere inches from his other knee, and sits her head cocked to the side. She looks for all the world as if she is waiting for him to speak to her, and KayLisa can't help but chuckle as she feels her trying to communicate with Cyril's mind. "I am afraid it will take awhile before he can get used to that, sister", she says laughing to StarLight.

Looking at Cyril, amusement fairly humming behind the glow in her eyes she explains, "This is StarLight. She is trying to send you a message of welcome. She .......~she chokes down another chuckle and continues~....she wants to know if you are made of pure wind?"</font>

[ 03-08-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color=silver>ooc: TAO, what season of the year are we in?</font>

<font color=teal>Now it is his turn to laugh. “No,” he smiles wryly as he moves his recently injured arm, “just the weakness of flesh and bone.” KayLisa’s obvious pleasure is a relief and he turns his mind, for the moment, away from the shadows that linger on the edges of his thoughts. He leans back against the stone, holding her and enjoying the attentiveness of the gathered wolves to the movement of the flames against the night. He glances skyward once more, his eyes finding the Great Nomad as his skin responds to the movement of the fire warmed air across his hands and face. He glances toward the young wolf which has seated itself so close to him. No time like the present, he thinks and loosens the defensive grip he keeps upon the borders of his mind.</font>

<font color="lime">The wolves watch the shadows dance around the clearing memesmerized, their eyes reflecting the light of the fire.
They watch silently, occasionally one yawns, a tail wags, stretching and the like. StarLight is memesmerized too, but by the two-legged sitting next to ~KayLisa's name is not translatable to human, but suffice it to say it means - Fire eyes~ and inches a little closer to him, almost touching his knee with her paw. She is curious about him, and the mysterious smells about him, that hover like the butterflies she has tried to catch.

She tilts her head again, and feels something in his mind move ever so carefully. She glances back at the Alpha wolf, who nods almost in a human manner, and turns back to Cyril.

She sends him a few brief images ~(a wolf cub in a hollowed out log, looking out for the first time upon the stars) (a young wolf, being tended by Fire-eyes) (what she sees when she looks at him)~. She lays down, and waits to see what the two-legged does.</font>

<font color="skyblue">During all of this exchange, KayLisa has motioned silently to the others not to interfere just yet, curious too as to how Cyril will take this intrusion upon his mind. She has felt all of this, as StarLight has opened her mind to her for security in case the "two-legged" reacts badly. ......</font>

<font color=teal>Sight dancing in flame [~his language emphasizes verbs, not nouns~], yes, it is a good name, he thinks glancing at KayLisa. And a name that reveals much, he smiles looking again at the interaction of lupine eyes with the shifting movements of the small fire. He turns his attention again to this wolf named Starlight that has drawn even closer to him. The struggle between curiosity and restraint is written even into the stillness of its manner of looking at him. “StarLight,” he whispers, letting the syllables ride along the heat of the fire to the wolf’s ears. Holding the wolf’s eyes with his own he turns his gaze upward to a small cluster of silver stars high in the northern sky, naming them in his mind as he does so – the Fenrids, the wolves that roam the heavens. He moves his eyes slightly eastward of the constellation to another star, Sehf’rus, the wolf that hunts apart from the pack. He glances again at the other wolves before fixing his gaze once more on this one named StarLight.</font>

[ 03-08-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

<font color="lime">StarLight can feel Fire-eyes chuckling to her, hearing Cyril's response thru her. She follows his gaze to the stars, and is spellbound as she receives his thoughts. She memorizes each star, and the names he gives her for them, and wonders if this star, Sehf’rus is Fire-eyes, and the others her pack......

She wags her tail cautiously, and inches even closer to him. She looks at Fire-eyes, asking a question, then turns to gaze upon the two-legged again. She reaches out and shyly touches her nose to his knee, this small action, sending a flurry of curious questions about the stars, to this one who knows their names. She has always looked up, wondering at the beautiful stars, and finally has found one to answer her questions.

~Kaylisa has been listening to all this, and tries very hard not to look at Cyril, because she knows that she will start laughing~. Starlight sends one very clear message to the two-legged, giving him a name........(Fire-Protector), and quickly takes her nose off his knee, setting a paw there instead.</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: OK already! You don't have to enjoy this quite so much. *LOL*</font>

<font color=teal>He can feel her laughter building within her even as she tries not to display her amusement. Such a curious position in which to find himself – between her restrained laughter and this young wolf’s shy curiosity. He turns to KayLisa and finds himself unable to resist provoking the laughter within her. “I thought the older sister was supposed to keep the younger sister away from the dangerous influence,” he says softly into her ear as he turns her face to ward him. As the laughter begins, he touches the clasp on his cloak drawing the stormy curtain once again over his mind. He smiles and stands apart from her ignoring the other wolves and looking at this one that has given him a name – Stands with flame [what Cyril understood]. “Sehf’rus,” he says quietly and nods his invitation to approach.</font>

[ 03-09-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

OOC:last post for me tonight :D

IC:

<font color="lime">Starlight starts towards FireProtector when she stops, one paw still in the air, and quickly looks over at the Alpha female.......</font> <font color="skyblue">~images flash to KayLisa, and she quickly stands up, all laughter immediately gone, and her eyes flash silver twice~</font>

<font color="lime">The Alpha female lifts her head to the stars, howling twice, and the wolves slip away into the night like silent breaths of wind, disappearing into the trees without a trace.......</font>

<font color="skyblue">She quickly kneels by the fire, her eyes flashing the reflection of flames into the darkness of the forest around them. She turns, looking directly at Cyril, and motions him to her. As he kneels she puts a finger to his lips, and points slowly to the water in the stream. ~the once clear water, reflecting the trees and sky, is now a dull gray color, washed of all reflection~

"Something is about tonight neither of us want to meet yet," she whispers, and quietly puts out the fire. "We should go back to the tavern..............." She grasps his hand, standing.............</font>

<font color=teal>He noted the sudden tension in the wolf and the throwing axe was in his hand as soon as StarLight had begun to turn to the other wolves. No creature or human was moving nearby, of that he was sure. Still the wolves swiftly scattered, disappearing into the trees. Kneeling beside KayLisa, he barely notices the changing cast of the water his eyes attentive for movement and his other senses beginning to scour the wind for signs of movement within and against the air. His other hand now grasps the handle of the dark bladed axe. Questions rise to his mind – How does it move? Upon what senses does it rely? But there is no reason to ask them, no creature stalks them here. Still, there is a threat .....

He returns the night-song to its place beside his pack, accepting her hand and rising. His senses still alert, he says nothing as they walk with a quiet swiftness toward the tavern.</font>

<font color="skyblue">As they near the tavern, she stops while still among the trees hidden. She looks around, making sure the wolves have stationed theirselves to watch, but also to remain hidden from human and inhuman eyes. She makes a quick gesture with a hand, signaling them. ~She feels Starlight send a quick message to Cyril, and smiles. She is glad the young pup has taken to him, because she will teach him much about the wolves and her~. She glances up at the night sky, reading the stars and moon quickly, and starts to step out of the trees, motioning to Cyril...........</font>

<font color=teal>They reach the edge of the trees and he moves away from her as her eyes read the heavens. He closes his eyes and listens – sound is nothing but movement borne along air old Kronus had taught him. He marks the breathing of the wolves and the brushing of their bodies against the undergrowth near the treeline, and smiles briefly noting that StarLight’s breath is almost painfully distinct in his hearing. ~ It will not take long to learn the breathing of each of them. ~ Having marked their movements and positions he listens again for signs of hostile movement and presence. Noting none, he steps out of the trees after KayLisa.</font>

<font color="lime">Screams of frustration ring thru the middle world, as the Fay're travels the ley lines of the earth, searching....ever searching for the keys to release the other three Forsaken, she can feel the urgency of those who would stop this, and knows that the prophecy even now is showing omens.....She frowns, and steps out through a shimmering hole in the air into the Northern Desert.....She looks around, and steps back in.......riding the ley lines...soon....very soon......... the whisper rides upon the winds, carrying to the four corners of the earth, the elemental dragons stirring in their immortal slumber..........then all is quiet...</font>

<font color="skyblue">As they near the tavern, she puts her hand on Cyril's shoulder, and whispers in his ear, "We will not be staying here tonight, the wolves will watch, and let us know if we are needed." She looks him in the eye, "We need only food, wine and bedding...We must go to where the Fay're escaped the wards up by the waterfall, I need to study what happened, and gather the wards....."</font>

<font color=white>THE MOUNTAIN</font>

<font color=skyblue>The recent gathering of wind and storm in this place had left the air here strangely clean even as it had scattered the shallow rooted trees from their tenuous moorings upon the hard stone. Other currents of air now gather here, however, and the storm generated purity flees the air as a desecrating Wind extends the tendrils of its touch along the hilltop. A dark gray fog begins to move outward from the Wind, draining the blue color from the sky around the mountain and enveloping the hilltop in a shroud of stagnant air.</font>

<font color=silver>Yes, it would seem that this is the place. O yes! Here is the very spot where the fool spent his own life in the wind .... Ah! Yes, the taste of it still lingers here and in that taste ..... Yes, it is – there is the name, those bursts of breath by which he sealed her doom in tying her life to his ..... O yes! There is so much to be done, so much before I may savor this fully ..... But for now there is the taste of life and the flavor of name and this delightful promise of a feast to come .....</font>

<font color="skyblue">She goes to check on Maria, and get some food and wine, while she asks Cyril to gather the items they need from their room. She assures the barkeep all is well, and they will return in the morning. She stands by the door waiting, unknowingly gripping her staff tight in one gloved hand, the other holding the leather bag with food and wine. Her eyes start to glow a soft purple silver, and she stares into the darkness outside, listening to the evening breeze encircle itself around the trees and leaves.....</font>

[ 03-09-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color=teal>“Shadowhound worked quickly,” he laughed seeing the wooden case** on the small table. he quickly gathered the few things they would need for the evening, happy not to be spending another night between these narrow walls. He pries the case open and removes a dusk colored bottle, and smiles as he carefully wraps into the center of her bedroll. He joins her at the door, he nods his thanks to Maria as they leave.</font>

<font color=silver>** One wooden case with several carefully packed bottles of elven elderberry wine.</font>

ooc: It just seemed right to let Shadowhound leave in style. :D

<font color="skyblue">Before they set off to the waterfall, she stops him with a kiss on the cheek, and smiles. She takes the food, stuffs it in one of her packs, and then put it and her bedroll on her shoulder. She winks, then grabs his arm, slipping her hand onto his forearm, and starts down the narrow trail behind the tavern, heading for the waterfall, and nice clearing next to it.......</font>

<font color=white>THE MOUNTAIN</font>

<font color=skyblue>Beneath the gray fog the hungry Wind writhes, its movement touching every exposed surface upon the hilltop and pulling even the currents of the surrounding air into its desecrating embrace.</font>

<font color=silver>Soon, O yes, quite soon we shall meet, this outsider woman and I. And such a meeting it shall be! O yes! ..... Ah! But for now I shall simply have to be content with those wonderful syllables of her new name .... Such a glorious imagination he has to name her so boldly – the fool! The splendid fool! ..... And here – here in this place ..... O! This is too delightfully foolish to be true! But it has been done and willingly! ..... Seh’rul, Seh’rul, you are now truly scattered. Yes, no longer simply Exiled, you are now outsider ..... O! Your beautiful defiance, your mad freedom – soon you will be broken and I will be free of you and free to feast as I have never feasted before.</font>

<font color=skyblue>Settling low along the site of the rituals the Dead Air grows thick and caustic, burning even the stone with its touch. Something like laughter floats lazily through the fog and the muted rumble of strangled thunder dully sounds across the hilltop. And in dark places where the air does not move, things begin to stir.</font>

<font color="skyblue">As they walk, she pulls off a glove, and holding her hand palm up, she whispers a word, "lasair" and a small bluish/silver flame appears, floating over her hand, dancing merrily back and forth, helping light the way thru the darkness, chasing the shadows back, the rune in her palm glowing a soft silver as the flame dances..................

Her eyes reflect the flames, and the silver in her hair sparkles in the dancing light, throwing glimmers across her face.......

As her staff hits the ground with each step, the tiny tinkling sound it makes keeps time with the flames dance, and the leaves swirl slightly in their passing, resting softly back on the ground, covering any tracks they leave, as if in accordance with some ancient ritual..........................

Soon, they can hear the soft flowing sounds of the waterfall, dancing and flowing softly over rocks and moss, making its way to the stream below, winding down the mountain in a slow ancient rhythm it has marked for hundreds of years....................

The water has a sad quality to its dance and can be felt by all who come near, as if the area is softly crying for mankind........</font>

<font color="skyblue">As they come to the clearing, she shivers lightly once, and the flame on her hand huddles close to the rune as if afraid....She holds it to her face, and softly breathes on it. To one who doesn't know her, they would think she was comforting the flame, and in truth she is......

She motions Cyril to stand in the tree line, and she slowly walks out into the open, turning holding her hand and the flame high, checking the area. ~she can feel the remnants of the Fay're here, and wards herself from the effects~.

She looks to Cyril, "It is as safe as it will ever be, I think...for now anyway....". She sets down her pack and bedroll softly, and gathers wood for a fire. As she is doing this, she constantly stares at an old stone in the cliff wall next to the waterfall, frowning occasionally.......As the fire starts, she softly kisses the flame in her hand, and it disappears in a small flash.

She starts to walk over to the stone, but hesitates and walks towards the packs instead. ~It can wait for a few moments, I'm sure he can feel the evil traces here, and will have questions.....~

She drags up two nice size logs, and while sitting on one, starts opening packs, looking for food...........</font>

<font color=teal>Even the air here has been tainted and the wind itself moves reluctantly around the stone set into the cliff face. ~ Only one other have I ever known to leave so bitter a taste upon the wind .... ~ He notes the almost nervous movement which repeatedly draws her gaze to the stone and removes his quiver from his shoulder. Carefully, he reaches inside and withdraws a leather cylinder. Holding the cylinder, he approaches her. “Even the air avoids the stone. This bitterness upon the wind – it is the touch of this Fay’re?” Seeing her eyes indicate the affirmative, he unseals the cylinder and withdraws a single stick of whitish grey wood. “This touch of the Fay’re, where would it be most strongly felt? And ....” he pauses a moment, unsure of what she must do here. “..... would it interfere if I were to place an arrow made from this stick where it might come to know that touch?”</font>

<font color="skyblue">She looks up from the pack, her eyes almost completely silver in the firelight. "Yes, the taint you feel is the Fay're.....She came out from that stone, ~she jerks her head in the direction of the ward stone~ and that would be the strongest place, but do not go near it just yet, I have to make sure
she will not come back through this ley line........"

She gazes at him again, and holds up a flask of wine, grimacing......"Not the best or worst I've had, but would you like some before I start something to eat?"</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: Guess i should take the hint, huh?</font> :D

<font color=teal>He sits on the ground and smiles as he takes the flask from her hand. Taking a few swallows of wine, he restoppers the flask and sets it beside him, his smile broadening at the surprise upon her face. “Perhaps, you should check your things again if this wine is not what you would prefer.” He turns away from her then and places a flat stone in from of him. Upon the stone he places the slender stick, two small pouches and a knife.</font>

[ 03-10-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

<font color="skyblue">Suprised, and suspicious, she takes her bedroll, and prepares to roll it out next to his. As she unrolls it, she chuckles, grabbing the bottle. Going back to him, she puts her arms around his neck from behind, and kisses his ear. "The Goddess bless you.......and me too".

Laughing, she sits down and pulls two wooden cups from her pack, and hands him one full of the elderberry wine. She sips slowly, glancing at the rune stone from time to time, and then asks, "What will this arrow do?"...</font>

[ 03-10-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color="lime">The Fay're feels a jump in the ley line she is traveling, and stops......~someone is near an angreal....~. Unfortunately, she cannot go back to where she broke through the wards, or will be trapped again, so she dismisses this intrusion, and continues on, looking for a way to free the others.........</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: For a variation of these arrows see the Lord of the Forums thread.</font>

<font color=teal>His face blushes slightly at her kiss. He accepts the cup from her enjoying her smile even more than the wine. At her question he holds the wood out that she might see it more closely, “It is called whisperwood,” he says softly. “It learns the touch and taste of power and presence and bears this knowing within it as a secret which it will only whisper to the wind through which it flies. It whispers the touch of power to the wind and the wind bears it to the presence that produced the touch.” His eyes narrow in concentration as he runs the knife along the surface of the wood, shaving its outter coating and shaping it into the smooth form of an arrow. Reaching into one of the pouches he withdraws three owl feathers with identical dimensions. “Those of these lands believe it is the eagle, or one of the great magical beasts that is most perfect in flight,” he says. “But they are wrong – none move so perfectly within the winds as the owl, so silent in its flight, so deadly in the surprise of its strike. For a whisper to be heard, the flight must be silent.” Slowly and with great care he notches the end of the arrow to receive the fletchings and, whispering a prayer to the Maker of the Tented Heavens, he begins to prepare the arrow for flight. He pauses then silently weighing the nature of the bolt – weapon or not. He looks long and intensely at KayLisa, his face taking on a grim cast. He returns the second pouch to his pack and from his belt pulls a small leather case that contains five arrowheads. Removing one of these, his face darkens with the same expression of remembered death it had shown earlier. Again, he notches the arrow and, pausing once more to pray, he inserts the golden arrowhead and secures it in place with silver wire. His hands shake as they hold the finished arrow and his eyes fill briefly with tears that he does not shed. Once more he prays, this time to the Stormy Daughter of the Wind, she whose anger cannot be held in check. “This arrowhead,” he says in a voice grown very cold, “will return the bitterness of the touch it receives to that one who has given it.”</font>

<font color=white>ooc: KayLisa must rate -- Cyril didn't even break out the golden arrowheads when he was protecting himself from the Modding Mage. *LMAO*</font>

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

<font color="skyblue">His words go straight to her heart, and she knows now what she must do here...She stands up, and looks down at Cyril her eyes starting to glow an amber/purple with silver flashes, a color he has never seen or a color so powerful before.

She takes off her cloak and lays it by the fire, and stands on it. She begins whispering a chant, and slowly removes clothing with each sentence. Soon she is completely naked, save for the amulet, and a braid of lavender wrapped around the plait of her hair.

She kneels down, reaching into her belt pouches, one at a time, drawing out items. She begins chanting again, and the night becomes still, and the air hangs heavy around the clearing........</font>

[ 03-10-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color="skyblue">"WUNJO, beannaich sibh spiorad......." ~~she pulls out the rune, and stands, throwing her head back to the night sky, the flames of the fire reflecting off her body, the runes carved there glowing brighter and brighter with each word..... ~~ "TALMH, TALMH....beannaich sibh spiorad...." ~~she opens her eyes and looks down at the fire, her eyes now completely white, the glow so bright it drowns out the fire's light, and she turns, throwing the rune at the warding stone........a white flash emanates from the stone, and the rune flys back to her outstretched hand, glowing white and orange. She throws it into the fire, and a brilliant blue flame shoots skyward.......~~

""FHEU, beannaich sibh spiorad........" ~~she reaches down and pulls out the rune, and kneels like a wolf, her eyes instantly changing to silver, and she howls.........~~ "TEINE, TEINE.... beannaich sibh spiorad..." ~~she turns and snarls at the warded stone, and claws the ground........she slams the rune into the claw marks, and silver light runs straight to the warding stone. A blue flash and the light runs back to the rune, turning it blue. She snarls again, and throws this into the fire, and a brilliant yellow flash ascends....~~

""Mise thir sibh am na deoir seo de mo aigne......." ~~she grabs two handfuls of sage/Lady's Mantle, and turns swiftly throwing it at the warding stone, and the stone explodes into thousands of tiny fragments, melting into nothing as they hit the ground, the water, the packs......................~~

She stands, hands on her hips, the power emanating outward from her. Cyril can feel the heat of the power of fire from her even where he sits..........She looks at him, her eyes a constant mixing of molten color, not seeing him, only a swirling of wind where he sits, and she snarls once softly..................she raises her hands above her head, calling forth the fire......

~~Flames dance thru the clearing, over Cyril and the packs, the water and rocks.........It does not burn, but an audible wailing is heard as she cleanses the clearing from the Fay're release and passing..........As the fires disappear, she falls to her knees, and glances around..........~~

"It is done............but at what cost to me?" she whispers aloud. She looks down, and where her hands have hit the ground, it has been burned with fire so hot, the rocks have turned to a glossy black, with 24 runes flowing under the glassy surface. She brings her hands to her face, and moves her hair out of her eyes....."This place is pure again, and warded against her return...She will have no choice now but to face me ...."
~~She looks back at the stricken face of the cliff wall, blackened by fire and magic.~~ She turns and looks at Cyril, her eyes fairly blazing as she says, "There is where you must place your arrow."

She falls onto the cloak, and shivers lightly......the powers she has used this night have not drained her like always before... no.... this time she seems to have drawn in more of the power of fire into herself.......she gazes blankly at the fire, reaching without looking for her cup of wine, and downs it thirstily, and looks around for the bottle, her gaze stopping on Cryil and the look on his face. She wonders what this gathering of power will mean for her.........</font>

[ 03-10-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color=teal>He looks at her a few long moments trying to determine her condition and marveling at the beauty of her movement with the fire. “Sight dancing in flame,” he says softly to her, “your wolves have named you well.” Removing his cloak, he offers it to her before making his way closer to the cliff. The warmth has again left his face and his features have taken on a harsh cast. Standing very still he speaks in his native language asking forgiveness from the Wind who walks where he will for what must now be done. Clutching the stormreaver, he chants very softly and the air near the cliff face grows quiet and its movement stops. ~ It is good that her power has also scattered the creatures of this area. ~ Turning to her, he speaks simply, “Even now the wind was bearing away the traces of her touch, and I will take no chances .....” ~ .... where you are concerned ....., he adds silently. ~ “Few things are taken for granted more than air, yet to be without it for more than a few minutes is to die – 5 minutes, the space between life and death according to the laws of breathing.” The air in front of the cliff has grown absolutely still and even breath will not move here. He steps forward to the stone and places the arrow along its upper surface where it might feel nothing but the touch of the Fay’re. ~ And so it may well be that those whose foolishness brought horror upon my people may yet have something to offer in its undoing .... ~ Not breathing himself, he steps away from the cliff into the open and moving air. He waits a full five minutes, the full span of movement from life to death in the absence of wind before retrieving the arrow and allowing the air near the cliff to move once again. He carefully inserts the arrow into one of the special pockets within his quiver and walks slowly back to the fire to rejoin KayLisa.</font>

<font color=silver>ooc: Cyril is visibly exhausted -- both physically and emotionally after this.</font>

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

<font color="lime">The wolves watch the tavern and surrounding area carefully, watching unseen from the shadows. Starlight sends out a message to Fire-eyes that all is well, and sits watching her area, thinking of the stars and the night...........</font>

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color="skyblue">She motions him to sit next to her, and wraps part of his cloak around him, and sets his head in her lap, stroking his hair......"rest, you are tired.........". She looks into the fire, and her eyes become unfocused as she keeps watch.....</font>

<font color=white>ELSEWHERE – a place where life is lived close to the skies

Kiria’na</font>

<font color=pink>It has spoken much to her, this wind-borne touch whose feel still lingers in her memory. ~ Can it really have been seven years since that night he last held me? Since that night .... ~ Tears still flow with the recollection of his leaving upon the Exiling Winds and there have been many more tears than usual these last days since the touch of his life met her upon the winds. A name came with that touch. A name was spoken by that touch. A name that means ...... “Who can she be this outsider woman?” There is no knowing what and how to feel. There are simply feelings, intense and conflicted, and so she has come here to this place he carried her upon his shoulders long years ago. The touch she felt has spoken much to her, but much of what it has said she does not understand. The flow of tears slows and her hands stroke the feathers of the owl that sits upon her lap.</font>

<font color="skyblue">As she keeps watch, Starlights message breaks in, and she smiles, shaking her head, her eyes coming back into focus. As she continues stroking Cyril's hair, she sends back a message to not come up where they are, to hold fast and wait.....

~making that arrow and placing has taken alot out of him.....~
She is curious about the golden arrow-head, but will not ask about it...

She glances down, and nearly dumps Cryil on the ground. Glowing a soft silver/blue is a new rune carved into her right ankle. She quickly looks up at the stars, whispering "Time creeps closer and closer, another rune appears.......when I have all 24 on my body....." She shudders not wanting to think about that right now......

Laying a hand along Cyril's cheek, she leans down and whispers in his ear, "I probably should get dressed?".......</font>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr><font color=white>TAOWolf posted:
She motions him to sit next to her, and wraps part of his cloak around him, and sets his head in her lap, stroking his hair......"rest, you are tired.........". She looks into the fire, and her eyes become unfocused as she keeps watch.....</font> <hr></blockquote>

<font color=silver>ooc: Wow! I don't think Cyril's ever been that relaxed with anyone.</font> :D

<font color=teal>The memory of that violent afternoon so soon after the death of his wife haunts him like nothing else and the deaths of that afternoon have provided the talon for the arrow’s strike. He rests upon her without even realizing it, simply content to feel the warmth of her body. Strength slowly returns to his own body as he rests, the ring no longer straining to keep pace with the physical damage of the previous weeks – she has done her healing work well, indeed. She touches him and whispers and he stirs with surprise as something of his normal alertness suddenly asserts itself from within his lingering exhaustion, “What? How long have I been like this?” He sits upright, a confused and tired smile on his face as her laughter sounds in his ears. He kisses her lightly on the cheek and whispers, “I think I missed what you were just saying.”</font>

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>TAOWolf posted:

<font color=white>OOC:*taking advantage of him being tired, which means he couldn't fight when she pushed his head into her lap *</font> <hr></blockquote>

ooc: Payback for the stunt with the wine, I take it. *LMAO*

<font color="skyblue">She kisses him back, and laughs softly at him, "What we both need is some of my tea", she reaches down softly stroking the new rune on her ankle.........~and I need to think.........~.....She stands, and looks down at him laughing again.....

"The question I asked was should I get dressed?", "And no, you were not like that long, an hour maybe...." ~she wishes it could have been longer~, "and I'm hungry besides..."

She chuckles at the look on his face, and stands there, waiting for an answer, her eyes fairly twinkling with mischief...</font>

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: TAOWolf ]</p>

<font color=teal>He smiles at the mischievous dancing of light and color within her eyes. There are questions written into her movements, however, even as his own mind begins to return to the disturbing thoughts this night has provoked. The night is far spent, however, and the hour of birdsong is not so far away. “Tea will be fine,” he says and adds with a smile, “as long as it is not so ..... sweet as yesterday’s.” It is his turn now to enjoy the expression upon her face, and, smiling, he continues, “And as for getting dressed, I suppose you should ..... unless, of course, we can find a better way to keep you warm through the few remaining hours of this night......”</font>

[ 03-11-2002: Message edited by: Cyril Darkcloud ]</p>

<font color="skyblue">She makes a face at him, chuckling at his comment about the tea, and bends over to set a pot on the fire to warm water............as it starts to boil, she adds herbs, and comments over her shoulder, "I think I know a better way to keep me warm, but you have too many clothes on yet.....", she laughs at his expression, making another face at him, and pours two cups, bringing them over and standing over him, offering him one..............~Thank you Goddess for bringing me this man~ she whispers to herself, taking a sip of the tea......."Now, as for your clothes......."


She glances at the fire, and raises a hand to it slightly, the flames dying down to a soft glow, and she turns back to Cyril..............</font>

<font color="skyblue">LATER THAT NIGHT..............


~She gently unwraps Cyril's arms, and quietly slips out of the cloaks. She goes to her pack, pulling out a blanket, and drapes it around Cyril, kissing him softly on the cheek. She goes to the fire, and sits close to it, sticking in an ungloved hand, and watches the fire dance across her fingers. She looks up into the night sky, thinking about what to do next................~</font>