Topics in this digest:
1. [WoD-Vampire] Hors d'oeuvre
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [WEB] Enter Blaze and Markus [JP]
From: Teri Kemerer <vampchick21@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [DL-J] Changing Strategies
From: trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
1
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 11:03:11 -0800
From: "Edward L Murray" <elm.murray@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [WoD-Vampire] Hors d'oeuvre
[Night 8]
The Harley sped through the night like a phantom through the streets
with
little care to danger for in the driver seat was a being with little
care of
life and death. A police scanner picked up movement but it was gone
before
they could register what it was they saw and the scanner was already
clocking other vehicles now.
Jack loved the night and the feeling of the air rushing through his
hair he
made good time and arrived at the New Orleans Library. It was a large
glass
covered building that shined like a beacon in the night. Parking his
bike he
strode in those who looked up at him quickly avoided his gaze. Jack was
very
aware what they saw and his pale complexion would stand out so readily
in
the bright lights of the entrance.
He moved to the librarian and stood there a moment she was engrossed in
reading a novel. Jack wanted to laugh but restrained himself, for it
was a
fictional piece about vampires. He didn't get much chance to read in
the
jungles and from what he saw at the night club the other night it
seemed
some people nearly worshiped the vampire.
She didn't seem to notice him so he tapped gently upon her shoulder and
the
girl nearly jumped out of her seat. Looking up to see Jack, she falls
to the
floor as though something very freighting had popped out of the book to
pay
her a visit. "Oomph, Oh excuse me you gave me a fright there." Pushing
her
glasses up her nose she set back down clicked on her keyboard to bring
up a
computer screen. "Now how can I help you?"
Jack watched her though she was very plain to look at, much like the
stereo
type Liberian, she was a beautiful creature and the veins in her neck
nearly
called to him. Her heart rhythm was strong and beat was almost hypnotic
and
Jack licked his lips making the girl very nervous. "I'm new here and I
need
help in finding a book."
"Ah no problem, you'll want to get a library card and will need to fill
out
this form and have proof of address and a photo card I.D." She pushed
the
form in front of him.
Taken back a little he had not thought about the red tap. "I see."
Thinking
quickly, "Perhaps before I go through all that trouble we can see if
you
have the book here."
"No problem what's the book?" She clicked on the computer bringing up
its
search engine.
Jack handed her a note and watched intently as she typed in the title.
'Recreating Life' by Dr Nersis. She looked back up at the tall pale
figure.
"Um ok I would have never guessed. Hmmm let's see it seems to be
checked
out."
"Could you tell me by whom?" He asked.
"No that is against library policy but I could tell you that it is
overdue,
in fact it is very long overdue indeed." She shook her head.
With great speed Jack was behind her looking at the screen his eyes
scanned
the monitor and all the information he wanted was right there. She was
right
the book was checked out over 5 years ago by a Professor Stein who
lived in
the French quarter.
"Hey how did you get back here so fast, you can't be back here the
library
policy strictly forbids it." She was interrupted as Jack lifted her up
into
his arms and took her lips to his and kissed her deeply and
passionately.
All eyes turned to see what the fuse was and found themselves riveted
to
their chairs as the large man held the small frail Liberian to him.
Very
gently he set her back down dazed and confused. "Thank you Harriet you
have
been a great help. I'll see about getting the rest of the information
you
need for a library card."
Jack leaped the counter and strolled casually out of the library and
the
Harriet came back to her senses and seeing everyone look at her she
couldn't
help but blush furiously.
Sitting back on his bike he didn't leave right away he felt as though
someone was watching him. The professor sounded familiar but he
couldn't
recall exactly who that was. After some time the feeling of being
watched
passed and he started up his bike. It was time to hunt. The feeling of
holding the Liberian and the sound of her heart beat had pushed his
desire
and need for nourishment to a limit; it took all his restraint to not
take
her then and there.
Submitted by
Edward Murray
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 16:07:08 -0500 (EST)
From: Teri Kemerer <vampchick21@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [WEB] Enter Blaze and Markus [JP]
Scene: Night 23
Slicing through the typical congested New York traffic, the driver
of the sleek black limo paid no mind to the curses of irate cab drives
and the rude gestures of rushed bike couriers. The tinted windows
were up, and the occupant in the back noted idly that pedestrians
would attempt to peer through the dark glass in hopes of catching a
glimpse of the celebrity du jour, a thought that made her laugh.
She made the celebrity du jour. And remained slightly in the
background, away from the prying eyes of the common gossip junkie.
Smoothing a perfectly manicured hand over the slick silk of her
outrageous John Galiano gown, Blaze crossed her legs, one foot
peeking out, the diamond encrusted Manolo Blahnik shoes framing her
delicately painted toes. She was unsure of how Markus would handle
this opera, although he'd likely be in his element at the ball
afterwards, what with industry power brokers from far and wide
attending.
To bad the boy would be nothing more than a flavour of the month.
The limo slid in front of the trendy condo where the young male
model lived, and Blaze sighed, picking up a fashion magazine and
flipped
through it while her driver stepped out to collect her boy toy.
The driver knocked lightly on Markus' door, and waited patiently in
front of the peep-hole. Surprisingly, the door opened without the
model's usual shout as to who it was. He blinked his eyes, sure
that he saw Markus' skin tighten slightly around his face, but looking
at him now, he saw only the insufferable grinning fool.
"Is it time at last? Good, good. I have been waiting all week for
this. Lead away."
The driver raised an eyebrow to this, then mentally shrugged. It
wouldn't be the first time one of Miss Winthrop's 'dates' started
the evening on a high.
"Of course sir, right this way."
Back outside, the driver opened the back door to the limo, stepping
back to allow Markus to step in. Markus slid inside, and slowly let
his gaze crawl up Blaze's womanly form. "My now, aren't we a
scrumptious one?" He said with a sly smile.
Blaze dropped her magazine on the opposite seat, turning her head
and looking Markus in the eye with a raise eyebrow. Scrumptious was
not a word she'd ever heard come out of his mouth before. And the
smile...was a tad different.
He wasn't trying that stupid power game, was he? Too many of her
boy toys had attempted to assert their manhood with a powerful woman,
and nothing irritated her more.
"Did you purchase a thesaraus darling?" she purred with a warning
smile on her painted lips. Not that she didn't appreciate the
compliment, but Markus had a place and it was best that he kept to
it.
Hmm, a woman of substance. Interesting. Markus' smile changed to a
more polite one. "No, I've just made some changes in my life
recently. Why, it's almost like I'm a completely different person
underneath this skin." His hand touched his cheek briefly. Oh,
tonight was going to be fun.
Blaze's eyebrow climbed a little higher at Markus' explanation.
Lord, he'd been watching those daytime talk shows. "I wasn't aware
that you felt the need to make life changes darling." she
responded, crossing her legs and smoothing the silk of her dress again
as the limo resumed it's prowl through the congested traffic. "Just
two
weeks ago, you were jumping off the ceiling exclaiming that everything
was just perfect. Did you loose out on a job?"
Well, best to play along. Can't let the cat out of the bag too
soon. "Nothing of importance. I just realized that what I had been
doing
before was just so ... meaningless. I was wasting time doing such
small things without looking at the greater picture." He reached
out and patted her silk covered leg. "But now I have purpose, a new
direction to head in to. And I have to say I feel excited about
it."
"You have been watching daytime television love." Blaze let a
smile crease her lips, holding back a laugh. Instead she reached out,
cupping Markus' chin with her small hand, noting absently that the
skin felt stretched. Had he gone and had a cosmetic procedure done
at his young age? "So tell me darling boy, just what direction are
you referring too?" she asked in her throaty purr as her hand released
his chin to trail down his chest.
Markus paused for a moment, eyeing Blaze with a calculating eye.
"Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm still really in the planning
stages at the moment. But I believe that I'm done having my picture
taken. I just need to see a few more people to see if I can make
things happen."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "If you like, I can
make sure you're in on ... what's the term again ... the 'ground
floor'?"
Blaze's blue eyes narrowed again, a tiny flash of anger flickering
through them. Yes, he WAS attempting a little power play. "Do you
forget lover? I'm not in on the ground floor...I'm the whole damn
building. *I* make things happen....or not happen."
Still, she didn't remove her hand from his. "I am the power behind
the three top grossing films of all time. I am the one that
created 4 top television shows. I am the one that turned around 2
floundering magazines. And, in case you forget, I am the one that
arranged for you to get that very lucrative contract with Calvin Klein
that is allowing you to get the exposure to even think of whatever it
is
you are considering."
How Blaze managed to keep her voice even was an exercise in vaunted
self control. Ignoring the angry sound of a horn honking as her
driver cut off a delivery truck, Blaze allowed herself an indulgent
smile at Markus. "Whomever it is you want to see, I'm going to be
your only bet in getting the appointment."
Markus thought for another moment. Perhaps she would have her uses
after all. He smiled again. "Of course, dear. In fact, I would be
very appreciative if you could introduce me to the host of the gala
tonight. I'm very interested in meeting her."
"If you're a good boy." Blaze responded with a wealth of meaning
in the tone of her voice. She was mightly irritated by Markus at the
moment, and truely starting to wonder at these tiny but significant
changes in the young model.
She hadn't lived over 140 years without learning a thing or two
about human nature.
'Hardly a chance of that.' Markus thought to himself with a grin,
but he remained quiet the rest of the ride to the museum.
The door opened on Blaze's side, and she stepped out with elegant
grace. Markus followed, a bit awkwardly, and straightened up beside
her.
The steps were covered with red carpet, and photographers and reporters
lined each side in hopes of catching a winning photo or sound bite. The
flashing of camera bulbs annoyed Markus, and taking Blaze's arm,
hurried her up the stairs.
<tags to the attendees!>
Submitted by:
Teri Kemerer - Blaze Winthrop
and
Chris Ackney - "Markus"
=====
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/toronto_vampires/
*************************************************************
For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he pass'd,
And the eyes of the sleepers wax'd deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heav'd-and for ever grew still!
The Destruction of Sennacherib
-- George Gordon Byron (1788-1824)
*************************************************************
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 6 Jan 2005 01:57:48 EST
From: trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[DL-J] Changing Strategies
Tara
Morning, Day 1
/snip from Andrew's post "First Blood"/
"I'll not hide" Tara replied.
"I didn't say to hide, I said to conceal yourself. We all know who you
are,
but the only Kataani out there who does is Oga, and he won't get too
close
unless he thinks the battle is almost over and his side victorious."
Tara again gave Hsina a quizzical look.
"Put on a servant's robe and then dirty yourself in the kitchen. The
main
kitchen has only one entrance through the dining hall and is easily
defended, making it an excellent command post. If the Kataani do make
it
inside, just keep your head down and cook something. With your link to
your
queen, you don't need to be an easy target, and you are the one who
lectures
me about leading from behind, so why not practice what you preach?"
/end snip/
Tara stood for a moment and watched the tall warrior as she headed down
toward the battle, sword drawn and ready for action. "Well, obviously
I'm not
very persuasive," she said, and turned back toward the warren. But she
was not,
as Hsina assumed, headed for the dining hall. Instead, she hurried up
to
the highest course of the warren's seawall, where Varaenna was even now
perched
to observe the goings-on below.
[I'm ready to fly when you are!] the queen told her.
*I'm sure you are,* Tara said, uncovering the tripod-mounted telescope
that she kept up here for use in gazing out over the sea on clear days.
*And
you might just get your chance, but not right now. What I do need you
to do
is to have Leviathan's rider join us up here.*
She swung the telescope around so that it pointed north. She squinted,
hoping to see some signs of how things were going for Gus and
Jerram...but all
she could see were clouds of dust and occasional bursts of flame. She
couldn't make out details, not from this distance, and she bit her lip
in
frustration.
[We could fly up there!] Varaenna reminded her.
*And make a big, fat white-silver target of ourselves,* she sighed.
Varaenna looked down along her slender flanks. [I am NOT fat!] she
said, sounding horrified at the very suggestion.
*That's not what I meant and you know it...* Tara began, then turned as
she heard footsteps coming up the narrow stone stairs. She'd have been
startled to see that it was a Kataani, except that having summoned
Rellik she'd
known to expect him.
"Warrenlady," the scholar said, bowing slightly. "Leviathan said you
had need of me?"
'I do," said Tara. "Look down there...and up there, to the North. You
know what this is all about."
"Ambition," Rellik said sourly. "And, of course, the Scepter of
Ythfaru. But those two things are almost synonymous, are they not?"
"They are," Tara agreed. "Rellik, I sent the Scepter to a place of
safekeeping as insurance against a day like this...when we might have
to defend
ourselves against your people. I am now wondering if that was a good
idea after
all."
"So I wondered from the beginning, Warrenlady," Rellik sighed. "Much
has been written about the Scepter, and it is cloaked in myth and
legend. It is
an object of high reverence, and yet when one reads the ancient words
carefully, as I have...and no doubt as the esteemed Oga has as
well...one wonders if
it was truly a gift from Ythfaru. It seems more like a bauble cast into
our
midst by the vile Dorlon, to sow chaos and death as it is doing today."
He
pointed out toward the horizon, where sea and sky met. "The histories
tell us
that what you see down below us has happened before - out there, among
our
people - time and again throughout the history of its existance. It has
been used
before, as you thought to use it, but peace has never been the end
result.
Only more war, more death, and lustings for power that can never be
satisfied."
Tara nodded sadly. "Rellik...is there any way to destroy it? What do
your books and manuscripts say?"
"That by no physical force can the Scepter be destroyed," Rellik said
gravely. "It has been through many wars, struck by countless weapons,
and...well, you saw it yourself, Warrenlady."
"Yes," Tara said. "It looks like it was made yesterday. Not a scratch
on it. So you're saying it cannot be destroyed."
"No, merely that *you* cannot do so," Rellik said.
Tara rolled her eyes. "This is no time for riddles," she told the
scholar. "Can it be destroyed, or can't it?"
"It can," said Rellik, "but by only one means, and that nearly
unthinkable. Were it easier to accomplish, it would have been done long
ago."
"How?" she asked.
"An ancient and complex ritual," Rellik said. "Like all rituals used to
invoke the Scepter's power in other than the more basic ways such as
enhancing
sorcery and mind control, it is full of subtle nuances and virtually
impossible to memorize..."
"So it's written down," Tara pressed, and Rellik nodded agreement. "Do
you have the instructions?"
Rellik hesitated. Finally, he said, "Yes, possibly the only scroll in
existence that records this particular ritual. But you cannot use it."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because only a person who has the blood of the royal line in his or
her
veins can invoke the ritual," said Rellik. "You yourself could hold the
Scepter and perform the ritual flawlessly, and nothing would come of
it."
Tara felt a surge of despair. "Then we would need the Emperor, or
Princess Kiyomi...both of whom are missing. Maybe dead..."
Rellik cleared his throat. "There are others," he said softly. "I,
too, am a distant member of that bloodline, as is my niece Tanami."
Tara's eyes widened. "Then you could do it?"
Rellik sighed. "There is a problem. You see, it is written that
the
person performing the ritual will forfeit his or her life in the
process."
Tara's gaze dropped. "Then of course I couldn't ask..."
Rellik looked downward at the battle raging below. "People are dying
every moment down there," he said. "For one old scholar to sacrifice
his life
in such a cause would be a small price. But you must realize it is not
so
simple...even with such a restriction, some half-blooded princeling
would surely
have taken it upon himself in ages past to rid the world of the Scepter
of
Ythfaru...were there not another barrier to be crossed."
"And that is?" Tara asked.
"Besides the difficulty of invoking the ritual, and the fact that few
even know it exists, there is also the simple fact that the Scepter
exerts a
tremendous influence over its bearer. The greater the person's capacity
to use
the Scepter, the more it exerts itself on that person's will. I have
held it
in my hand, remember, and let it drop to the floor. And that was the
hardest
thing I ever did. I cannot imagine the effort of will that would be
needed to
knowingly destroy it. I doubt I could bring myself to do it, so how
much more
difficult would it be for the Emperor or the Princess?"
"But you do have the scroll?" Tara asked. When Rellik nodded, she said,
"Then I may be asking you for it. I may not be able to use it, but I
like to
keep my options open."
"Yes, Warrenlady," said Rellik. As the Kataani scholar made his way
back
down the stairs, she once again turned her attention to monitoring the
course
of the two battles.
* * * * *
Tanami
/snip from Eddie's post "The Moaning Caves"
Riding upon the back of their dragons Keer began to sing at first his
voice
was so low that neither of his companions first realized what was
happening.
But soon it became evident as the creatures of the sea avoided their
path.
Tanami turned to Keer "What are you doing?"
"I've wove a simple spell that should keep us from being noticed, it
isn't
as powerful as some magic but simple enough for our purpose." Keer then
pointed. "Look there."
Riders and dragons looked, before them was a serious of caves that were
shadowed by a large cliff face. The seaweed and barnacles of the area
seemed
to appear sinister, helped along with the many bones littered on the
rocks
and ocean bed. There were two Kataani sitting on the backs of killer
whales
patrolling the area. Each was equipped with a seashell horn, trident
and
bandolier of daggers. The outfits they wore were not standard guards.
"What do you make of it?" asked Clowie.
"Those are not guards I've heard tell of them but never actually seen
any."
Tanami answered.
"They are the Cortairs or if you rather the hand of the deep. Bloody
Assassins what could they possible by guarding." Keer growled. "Well
ladies
how do you want to handle this if they get a blow on those horns we
will be
swarmed in no time."
/end snip/
Tanami squinted at the cave entrance, which extended both above and
below
the water. *Kethriss, do you think you and the others could get
through
there submerged?*
[I think so,] the seadragon replied. [It's not huge, but if we
fold our
wings and use our tails for propulsion, it should work.]
Tanami leaned over closer so that Keer and Clowie could hear her
more
easily. "Keer, will your spell allow us to slip by those guards if we
stay
quiet and below the surface?"
"I would hope so," he said. "But I cannot guarantee it. I was
not a
sorcerer by trade, you know."
"Then let us chance it," said Tanami. "Keer, you will be in
tactical
command of this part of the operation."
"But you are Wingsecond," he protested. "It is your place to
command."
"But as Corwin has taught me, it is also possible - and in come
cases
desirable - to delegate. You have military training, I do not...and
you will be
the first to know if your spell begins to fail."
"Very well," said Keer, nodding. "Let's go, then."
Moving as quietly as possible, the three seadragons folded their
wings
and moved slowly forward, disrupting the water as little as possible to
avoid
attracting attention. Their riders bent down and flattened themselves
against
the dragons necks to further reduce any possible turbulence.
More than once, the brutal looking guards seemed to glance their
way,
and every time that happened, Tanami was sure they'd been seen. But
Keer's
spell seemed to hold, as something would invariably draw the guards'
attention
elsewhere. Soon they were past the guards and inside narrow tunnel
whose walls
seemed to glow with an eerie greenish light.
"Magic?" Clowie whispered, looking around at the strange
luminescence.
"Phosphorescent algae, I believe," said Keer. He seemed about to
say
more, but suddenly they all heard a low, mournful sound that sounded
like...moaning.
"Perhaps this is why they call them the Moaning Caves?" Tanami
asked.
"Perhaps," Keer agreed. "Do we proceed?"
"We've come this far," said Clowie.
"It is your call," said Tanami.
Keer nodded and then motioned for them to proceed. Once again,
the
dragons slowly began to move forward. They passed through a series of
underwater
caverns, connected by short tunnels, but none of them were in a
straight line
so they could see only a short distance ahead of them. They heard the
moaning
sound again, louder this time.
"What *is* that?" Clowie wanted to know.
"Like whalesong, and yet...not," Tanami said. "The guards rode
orcas,
but I have never heard an orca make such a sound."
Ahead of them, they could see what appeared to be a larger cavern.
They
cautiously entered, and found themselves confronted by what they at
first
thought were long, swaying stems of underwater plants that seemed to
spread
everywhere. Tanami was about to ask whether the dragons could thread
their way
past these obstructions when suddenly the "stems" writhed into life,
coiling
around dragons and riders and pulling them into the cavern. These
weren't plants,
they were tentacles!
"Kraken!" she shouted, feeling almost paralyzed with fear as she
saw the
huge bulk of the body to which the tentacles were attached slowly
rising
beneath them.
(Tag to Eddie and Katie - in addition to the Kraken, will all this
commotion
alert the guards too?)
* * * * *
General Nakamo
Day 1, Early Afternoon
"....and that is all we know, sir," said General Kazaya, commander of
the Ninth Division. The General's eyes faced downward, and to his
right,
General Raiso - commander of the brigade whose middle regiment under
Colonel Tono
had begun the unplanned and ill-fated attack - was still on his knees,
unable to
look at either of them.
"All you know??" snarled General Nakamo, slamming his armored fist down
onto a handy coral outcropping, and snapping it cleanly off. "You are
both
telling me that all you know is NOTHING???"
General Raiso gulped loudly, the gill slits along the side of his neck
opening to expel the water he'd taken in through his mouth. "N-no,
sir...Colonel Tono states that his regiment went into a defensive
formation to repel a
sortie by a group of the landers, and having repelled them, his lead
elements
charged forward to rout them before he could recall them. He felt that,
to
allow an isolated element go forward without support would be to
condemn it to
destruction, so he made the decision to support it with his whole
regiment."
"The regiments on either side, under Colonels Kata and Agiro, seeing
Colonel Tono's regiment engaged, marched forward in support," General
Kazaya
said. "As you know, sir, all our officers are taught to march toward a
developing
battle to bring the maximum numbers against the enemy...although we did
manage to restrain the two regiments to either side of them..."
"Laudable," the commanding general sneered. "One regiment all but
annihilated, while its commander somehow survives, and another with
significant
casualties and with its commander missing along with an entire company
of his
soldiers...AND Counselor Oga!! Have you any other great successes you
would like
to bring to my attention?"
Neither of the subordinate generals spoke, and neither could bring
themselves to meet his gaze. "You are both relieved of your commands!"
he said
brusquely, then turned to an aide. "Colonel Tono is to be arrested and
confined
until I have the chance to interrogate him...personally."
As the two generals were led away, General Nakamo stood lost in
thought. He had no doubt that something very strange was going on, and
that *someone*
in his army knew what it was - maybe several someones. And he intended
to
find out just what it was. He turned to his chief-of-staff, who had
been
standing behind him. "And you, General Ssuma?" he asked. "What are your
thoughts
on all of this?"
"I have already given orders that the diversionary attack on the right
is to be held up until further orders," Ssuma replied. "Colonel Tenga,
commander of the 34th regiment - which you will recall, sir, is posted
at the far
left of our line..."
"Yes, yes, the regiment that was supposed to link up with General
Sentari's brigade when it arrived," Nakamo said, motioning for Ssuma to
go on.
"Sir, Colonel Tenga has sent a messenger to inform us that his scouts
have reported hearing the sounds of a battle to the north of their
positions,"
Ssuma continued. "They also reported seeing dragons flying in that
area."
"And still no sign of Sentari or his brigade?" Nakamo asked. Had
everything gone according to plan, Sentari's troops should have struck
the north
side of the warren defenses at the same time that Colonel Tono's
botched attack
was occurring. When General Ssuma just shook his head, Nakamo sent
orders that
Colonel Tenga was to send scouts northward to ascertain just what had
happened to General Sentari's brigade. Then he turned back to General
Ssuma.
"Anything else?"
"An observation," Ssuma replied. "Regimental commanders are among our
highest casualties in any attack, because they are at the head of their
formations as they advance. Colonel Kata is presumed dead, along with
the entire
leading company of his regiment. Yet Colonel Tono, whose regiment was
the first
to hit the landers defenses, is alive."
"Curious, is it not?" General Nakamo agreed.
"Very curious, sir," General Ssuma said, "especially considering the
fact that his regiment took the highest overall casualties. We have
also been
able to find no one who can corroborate Colonel Tono's account that his
regiment
was responding to an attack by the landers. The major in temporary
command
of Colonel Kata's regiment testifies that the landers were behind their
defensive lines when Tono's regiment began moving forward."
Nakamo raised an eyebrow. "General, do you know what you are
suggesting?"
Ssuma nodded. "I am suggesting the same thing that I believe you were
just thinking. That things here are not all as they appear."
* * * * * *
Tara
Early afternoon
The battle seemed to have been decided in the warren's favor, at
least for
now, Tara thought as she laid down her telescope. It had been close,
though,
and more than once it had looked like it might have gone the other way.
She
began walking down the narrow stairs that led, by means of a series of
switchbacks, down to the green.
[I could fly you down,] Varaenna said.
*That's ok, I need the walk,* she said. "I'm one of the few who
didn't
get much exercise today.*
She was just turning one of the corners of the switchback when she
saw
someone coming up from below. She caught a glimpse of green-tinged
skin out of
the corner of her eye and thought it was Rellik returning...until she
saw the
glint of sunlight on a sword blade. It was on pure instinct...as well
as the
training she'd gotten from Jerram at Ismene - that she was able to
whisk out
her own blade and parry the downward stroke. What she'd thought was the
old
Kataani scholar was a soldier in full battle armor.
Talk about not paying attention on what was going on around her!
she
thought, mentally kicking herself as she saw three more hurrying up
behind the
first. She slowly backed up, step by step, as the sounds of ringing
steel merged
with the enraged howl of the queen on the perch far above. Varaenna
knew she
was in trouble, but couldn't get to her down here. This wasn't looking
good
at all, she decided.
(Tag Arlene and Andrew - I expect that the attack would have happened
after
Corwin and Hsina found that Tara wasn't in the dining hall)
Submitted by:
John
Tara & Varaenna
Tanami & Kethriss
Jasra Warren
Summary:
Day 1, Morning: Tara watches the battle from atop the warren, while
talking
to Rellik about the possibility of destroying the Scepter of Ythfaru
rather
than using it to defend the warren
Tanami goes into the Moaning Caves with Keer and Clowie and their
dragons...but although they evade the guards at the entrance, they
encounter a giant
kraken inside.
Early afternoon: General Nakamo questions his officers, and begins to
suspect that some are acting on their own agendas. He sends scouts to
find out what
has happened to General Sentari's brigade north of the warren.
Tara encounters a group of Kataani soldiers who have entered the
warren, and
finds herself involved in a sword-fight.
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