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Derisive laughter and loud arguments over doctrine settled into a hush as the woman stepped into the room. Ceremonial guards and acolytes looked at each other uncomfortably, and only the leader seemed comfortable, even eager, to greet this particular challenger. The woman was as feral and animalistic as she was their last encounter, but moreso with the power of the grove coursing through her. She gazed at the sorceress with hungry eyes.
"Well, what have we here?"
"You know damn well what you have here."
"Such language in such a sacred place. I should kill you where you stand for such blasphemy."
"You speak to me of blasphemy? You have invaded this place with your foul presence."
Faldorn tilted her head haughtily. "A subject you know much about as sure as I know much about you. Don't think I can't smell the source of your unholy power, Raven."
"I am at peace with myself and the source of my power. I do not regret the choices I have made."
"You left the true path because you couldn't handle your past. You will learn that there are concequences for your mistakes."
"I have made no mistakes! Leaving the grove was the correct decision." Raven raised her voice, commanding the attention of the druids around her. "Look at yourselves! Do you have any idea what you have done to the town of Trademeet? What you've done to the images of druids across Amn? Do you have any idea what must be done to repair this? This is not the way of the druid!"
Faldorn sniffed. "You are in no place to comment on the way of the druid. When you leave our ranks, you abandon the right to question our actions. You said so yourself, long ago. Or have you forgotten?"
"I forget nothing. You are the one who has forgotten, Faldorn. You have drained the strength of the grove."
"I have taken nothing. The Mother feeds me that I might fight for her."
"No, Faldorn. Your power was stolen, and I am here to ensure that it is properly returned."
Faldorn looked around. The druids were now whispering among themselves, some of them even looking hopeful at the prospect of Faldorn's ruin.
"Silence! I am the leader of this grove! Are you going to listen to this woman? She is not one of us!"
"I am no longer among your number because of you, Faldorn."
"Really? I thought you had left us because of your tainted blood."
"Blood is something we cannot help. We simply make of it what we can."
Faldorn looked at the other members of the grove, who were nodding. "This woman is descended from a troll shaman."
Raven merely laughed. "Too distant to make a major difference in anything, Faldorn. But enough to grant me fascinating power."
"I refuse to listen to you any longer. Guards, remove this woman and return her to the earth!"
"You will do no such thing!" The sorceress used a cantrip to amplify her voice and create an interesting play of light around her. "You are subject to the traditions of old, and you will not remain here another day! I have come to issue a challenge!"
Faldorn laughed. "You cannot challenge me! You leave the grove, you relinquish your rights!"
"I, however, remain in the grove." Cernd stepped into the light. "Faldorn, your reign here has ended. I declare you an unfit ruler and issue a challenge, as is my right!"
"SO BE IT! You may fight, but you will fall! Fate demands it!"
"Actually," Raven began, "He is destined to win this fight. Just try casting 'Control-Why' on him. It won't work. The fight is as scripted as 'A Comedy of Terrors.'"
"Damn!" A look of dread crossed Faldorn's face, followed by a flicker of hope. "Am I Improved? We all know I have a 50/50 chance of winning if that's the case."
"Doesn't matter," said Raven. "I can warp the time-space continuum to put me right before the fight, and I'll do it until he wins."
Cernd looked around, incredibly confused. "What on earth are you talking about?"
"It doesn't matter," said Raven, "Just get into the pit."
Within minutes, it was over. Raven went back to Trademeet and announced the liberation of the town from the yoke of the genies and Shadow Druids. She contemplated how amazingly talented the diviner/transmuter sculptor was. How else would he know what Mara, Sandra, Esmerelda, and Lilith looked like? Furthermore, why was she not at the center? Mara hadn't lifted a finger on this quest. Not that she was bitter or anything. With a yawn, she headed back to the Druid Grove for a much-needed rest.
[ 12-03-2006, 07:13 PM: Message edited by: Illumina Drathiran'ar ]
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