[Larry_OHF]

Larry heard the dark language come from the supposed baelnorn's mouth, and shuddered...for he'd only heard it muttered by the Mage before. He knew the language, too...but hated using them. But the Baelnorn did not use it for malice, rather for chastisement.

Then had come the inner voice, an echo of a thought, ringing in his ears and mocking his misery, proving him the fault at why Mistral not only lay here now, but also why she could not rise again. It weakened his knees and he had fallen before the baelnorn worked his magic to rebuke the emotions. The voice that mocked was silenced, and Larry felt nothing but his own heart's heavy weight again.

He stood on trmebling legs, and took the cup as was commanded of him. He drank deeply, hoping that he could regain his focus, dry his eyes, and think of what had gone wrong so he could try the spell again before the candle...the candle!

Larry looked and beheld, the candle had melted completely away.

Just then, before his anguish could drown him, Myron said, “It is time you grew up, boy. And time to stop chasing after shadows. Boys are given to such things, but a boy cannot endure what you must now face and a boy will see his story end here before this empty grave.”

"Are you telling me that I never had a chance, and that Mistral is truly gone, never to be raised? Why is this, when all my studies and equations proved this spell I attempted at 100% success rate? I failed in nothing for preparation, I did everything just as it was to be done...and still she does not hear my call! What witchery keeps her locked away? Do you know this answer? Tell me if you do!"

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Anarrima

Ana was glad to see that they were now safe, although each was tired and spent on resources. Tao lay asleep, her body trying to regain its strength after such an evil assault of some strange power that Ana did not understand. She looked to Tao for wounds that needed healing, and found them. She concentrated her prayers towards healing the wolf-lady, but first, the blade had to be removed. She said her prayers and yanked the blade from its spot, quickly placing her hands over the wounds and calling forth the magical energies to heal instantly those places.

Anarrima casts: Cure Serious Wounds

This was enough to stop the bleeding and save vital organs, but more healing would be required. However, Anarrima had not the ability to do more.

"That's it. I can no longer help this lady for my powers of healing are spent. My goddess commands me rest before she trust me with any more of her graces. Vincent, if you indeed can carry her a ways, we shall be rid of this swamp and find refuge in the forest to the West. Let us go before night falls."

Vincent hoisted Tao into his arms and the four made their way West, walking for nearly an hour before they decided that they had made it far enough away and felt that their forest site was adequate for a campground.

Vincent lay Tao onto a spread blanket and Ana watched over her while the two men gathered dry wood for a fire and foliaged for food.

Anarrima meanwhile began to ponder over this adventure, trying to discern her goddesses will. She had been sent to yonder castle, with Yevaud following behind, and the two of them had found themselves in danger from the moment they arrived. It had ended now, with the loss of one human life and the safety of both Vincent and Tao. She hated that she had failed the one that fell, but rejoiced that she and Yevaud were able to be there for the other two who now rested at this campground with them.

What lay ahead? Where was she and Yevaud to take their aventure now? Where would Vincent go from here? What of Tao? What part did she have to play in the future?

These things were asked, but no response was given from the forest as night approached and while some animals quieted for the night, others were beginning to stir. However, an elf had no fear of anything within the forest. In fact, she rejoiced when she heard the cry of the first wolf...for she knew that they were Tao's friends, coming to see to her well-being. They would be here soon.

[ 07-29-2006, 11:31 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]