There are 3 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [DL-W] Form Without Substance
From: John Pepper <trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-J] Let's Play...Keep Away!
From: John Pepper <trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. DLJ: Reversal of Fortune
From: "Andrew" <asiafish@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2005 10:22:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Pepper <trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Form Without Substance
Nerika
Afternoon, Day 16
/snip from Eddie's post "Fire and Water"/
Gob bowed to the stunned Analise as he set upon Nightwind and shouted
your welcome. Then he soared away from the garden as several people
leaped up and shouted at Gob. Sarah could tell that Gob was going to
get in trouble when someone could nail him down but for now looking
back at Gob. He was proud of his heroic effort and she didn't have the
heart to tell him the fire was already out.
/end snip/
Nerika had been standing just off to the side, watching the strange
goings-on. She cautiously stepped up to the dripping Analise.
"Ah...is there anything I can do?" she asked, knowing how lame that
sounded under the circumstances.
"Anything you can do?" Analise demanded, staring dumbfounded at her
pupil. "Anything you can DO??"
Nerika quietly cleared her throat and waited. She suspected that
Analise wanted to tell her that the best thing she could do was to dive
straight into the deepest pits of hell, but her tutor held her temper
in check admirably.
With great dignity, Analise straightened herself up and faced the
crowd, gave a slight bow, and turned to Nerika. "They're all yours,
until I can get myself cleaned up and dried off," she said. "That
may...take awhile."
And with that, Analise stalked off the dais, leaving it conspicuously
empty.
Nerika watched her go, then hurried up to stand on the dais. "And now,
my lords and ladies," she said in a smooth and calm voice, as though
nothing at all had happened, "I would like to perform my own rendition
of 'Lord K'therrin's Victory."
It was a good choice, she thought, the tale of a great lord who became
a dragonrider by chance, and then was faced with the terrible
temptation of using his newfound power and position to aid his
landbound family in their centuries-long feud with another noble house.
It hinted at battles fought, some won and some lost...but in the end,
it proclaimed Lord K'therrin's true victory as his decision to honor
the Contract and hold to his duties as a dragonrider, eschewing his
former title and responsibilities as a landbound lord.
It was a somewhat complex song, containing some difficult and sudden
changes in octave, and a few complex series of subtly intertwining
notes. And, as she had expected, she performed it flawlessly.
And yet...and yet, something was not right. Her handling of the song
was nearly flawless from a technical perspective...she had practiced
this song many times in private, and had been pleased with the outcome.
But now, out here in front of the distinguished guests, she felt she
could somehow hear it as they heard it. And, she realized for the
first time, there was something...missing.
She hadn't missed any notes, or forgotten any words. But when she
compared what she heard issuing from her lips with what she had heard
Analise or Merissa perform, she realized that the perfection of her
delivery was matched by its coldness, its emptiness, its...stiffness.
There was none of the zest or warmth that Analise seemed to put so
effortlessly into her songs. Analise could have missed half a dozen
notes in a song like this, and nobody would have noticed because they'd
still have been enthralled in her music. Nerika, by contrast, did not
seem to be enthralling anyone - even herself. The audience was
listening politely, but that was all.
Was this the "gift" that her father had spoken of...or, rather, its
lack? The song finished and she stared nervously out over the crowd.
Slowly, some of them began to clap, and then more, and soon everyone
was doing so. But she hadn't missed the fact that it hadn't been
immediate or enthusiastic.
She bowed, but even when she straightened up, she kept her eyes
downcast. Was this her future as a performer? Had she only mastered
the forms of her craft, without reaching to the true substance?
[Performing and singing is not everything,] Lyraene reminded her, then
quickly broke the contact as she felt the flush of anger rising in
Nerika and knew she'd said the wrong thing.
*I will not accept that!* Nerika mindshouted at the dragon, who was no
longer listening. *I will not! I...will...NOT!!!*
And with that, she raised her eyes to the crowd, and took a second bow.
If the crowd had been unenthusiastic, then it was her own fault, for
not trying hard enough - not some innate lack of talent! She would
redouble her efforts, at the expense of anything and everything else!
Rising from her bow, she turned and left the stage.
(Tag to anyone who wants to talk to her - or, if someone wants to take
over performing in her place)
* * * * *
Dalmar
The dragonhealer had been standing unnoticed toward the rear of the
crowd as Nerika turned her back and left. Then he caught sight of the
person he'd been looking, and as inconspicuously as possible made his
way in that direction.
"Latnem," he said quietly when he reached the mindhealer's side, "can I
have a word with you?"
Latnem looked a bit surprised to see the dragonhealer, but nodded his
assent and accompanied Dalmar to a more quiet area where they could
talk without being readily overheard. "I won't take much of your
time," Dalmar said, "but I want your opinion. That girl, Nerika...what
do you think of her?"
"She's good," Latnem said noncommittally. "Not in Analise's class,
though, I'd say."
Dalmar nodded. "I agree, but that wasn't what I meant. "Does she
seem...normal...to you?"
"How do you define normal?" Latnem returned. "In a warren such as
this..."
"I get the picture," Dalmar said. "Look, I need to share something
with you...call it a referral, from a healer of one specialty to
another."
"I'm listening," said Latnem, seeming more interested now.
"Nerika's dragon, Lyraene, is deeply troubled," said Dalmar. "She
believes her rider cares nothing for, to the point where she has begun
thinking of herself as useless baggage. Even to the point where she
asked me if it would help her rider if she were to fly into the wastes,
to break their bond."
Latnem's eyebrows rose. "Now, *that* is alarming," Latnem admitted.
"Did you talk her out of it?"
"For now," said Dalmar. "But unless the basic problem between those
two is corrected, it will likely recur. You agree?"
"A possibility, though dragons are your specialty, not mine," said
Latnem.
"Then let's talk about human minds," said Dalmar. "And my question
about Nerika. Her dragon believes that her rider cares about nothing
but her music, and becoming a great bard...nothing, including her own
dragon or he duties here at the warren. Does she sound 'normal' to
you? Or does she sound obsessed?"
Dalmar turned and looked back in the direction that Nerika had gone.
"Call it a referral from one specialist to another, if you want to take
this one on," he said. "You're right, it's not my specialty, and I
could be making incorrect conclusions. I will continue to counsel
Lyraene, but I truly don't believe the problem is within her. And if
it isn't, that means it must be within Nerika herself. Perhaps you
could observe her, and then decide if you think she's in need of your
skills."
Dalmar started to leave, then turned back briefly to face Latnem again.
"I've heard that the Bardic talent is a gift, like mindhealing or
dragon affinity," he said. "If so, perhaps you can tell if it exists
within her. If not, given her present attitude, then I truly fear for
her."
(Tag Morgie, if you want to have Latnem look into Nerika's problem)
Submitted by:
John
Nerika & Lyraene
Dalmar the Dragonhealer
Whiteriver Warren
Summary:
Day 16, afternoon - Nerika steps up to take Analise's place on the
dais. Her performance is technically flawless, but both she and her
listeners know that it lacks the feeling and depth of Analise's
performance. She determines to redouble her efforts to improve, at any
cost.
Day 16, afternoon - Dalmar approaches Latnem, and voices his concern
that Nerika may be obsessed with her music to the point where she could
endanger the bond between herself and her dragon. He asks Latnem if he
is willing to take a "referral."
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2005 20:46:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Pepper <trissana@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-J] Let's Play...Keep Away!
Ansel
Evening, Day 1
Ansel stood near the Emperor, watching as he struggled to open small,
temporary holes in the powerful, invisible barrier that Oga had created
to keep anyone from helping his sister Tara in her battle against the
Kataani sorcerer. However, Toru's magic was very strong as well, and
even if he was hard pressed to counter this construct of Oga's -
something obviously long in preparation, one of many magical weapons
that Oga had had in reserve in case he should need them - he could at
least ensure that *some* help got to Tara through the barrier. Hsina
and Corwin had already made it in, and now Eliase. It didn't occur to
him that he might be better advised to let a better, more accomplished
fighter go next...he had to help the others.
"Now!" Toru said in a strained voice, as his power opened a small,
wavering tear in the barrier. Without thinking, Ansel dove through and
rolled on the floor to get clear of the opening. It closed as soon as
he was through, and he knew that until Toru managed to create another
opening, there would be no other help coming through. He withdrew his
sword from its scabbard, and then blinked in surprise as he realized
that he'd grabbed one of Jerram's wooden practice swords by mistake.
He groaned inwardly, wondering what he was going to do with something
so useless.
Well, if nothing else, perhaps he could draw some of Oga's attention
away from those who had *real* swords, and give them a better chance of
winning. He hurried forward, toward the sounds of battle that drifted
down the long corridor that stretchd before him.
/snip from Rachel's post/
Connecting with his legs Eliase felt like she had hit a steal rod,
but her strength and momentum were enough to knock Oga to the side,
tho not to fully sweep his feet out from under him. The wizard
spun, his gaze glaring at Eliase. "Ah someone who wants to be my
pet." He grinned as his gaze took in the pretty young rider. Eliase
gasped and stumbled back, hoping she'd given Corwin enough time to
come to his feet and do something.
/end snip/
In only a second his eyes took in the scene - his sister Tara,
obviously wounded and bleeding badly from her midsection...Hsina
standing immobile, looking as though she'd been turned into a
statue...Corwin down, holding a bladeless sword hilt in his
hand...Elisa, backing hastily away from the menacing figure of
Counselor Oga, in the center of the chamber. Oga was holding the
Scepter of Ythfaru in one hand, and pointing a finger at Eliase.
Flickering blue flames seemed to wrap themselves around his arm,
concentrating at his outstretched finger into a hard, bluish-white
glare. He knew this must be magic, and also knew that he had only an
instant before that power was flung at Eliase.
He darted at Oga, slashing the all-but-useless practice sword around in
a sweeping two handed blow directed at Oga's neck. He knew the flimsy
wooden blade wouldn't kill the sorcerer, but with luck he distract
him..Oga, for his part, seemed to be ignoring Ansel, and the young
rider had only a brief instant before the blade cracked against Oga's
neck.
The power that had been ready to sure out against Eliase seemed to
backfire, shattering Ansel's wooden blade into countless splinters that
flew everywhere, striking both Ansel and Oga. And the sorcerer,
whether it was from the force of Ansel's unexpectedly successful blow,
or the effect the contact had on the sorcerous nimbus that had been
gathering about him, was knocked backward against the wall. The
Scepter clanged against the wall and seemed to leap from Oga's grasp.
Most of the gathered power was dispersed, but enough remained to send
Ansel flying backward through the air as Oga hurled it at him.
Oga, for his part, was becoming truly angry...once he got his hands on
the Scepter again, there would be no more of this pointless exercise.
As he hurried forward, one hand instinctively moved to check the small
scroll concealed within his robes - the scroll that contained the long
and complex spell that, once channeled and magnified by the Scepter -
would level this Warren and leave only a crater of molten rock where it
- and all its inhabitants - had stood.
But first he had to get the Scepter, which was tumbling through the air
in a high, graceful arc. And as he scrambled to get it, he sensed that
others did as well.
(Tag anyone - who gets the Scepter? Will it be Oga? Corwin? Hsina?
Eliase? Or someone else who maybe just arrived?)
Submitted by:
John
Ansel & Khamorray
Jasra Warren
(Plus Counselor Oga)
Summary:
Evening, Day 1: Ansel gets past the magic barrier with Emperor Toru's
help. Seeing the others in danger, he swings his sword against Oga to
distract him, even though he realizes he has mistakenly picked up a
wooden practice sword. Oga ignores him, but the wooden sword
penetrates the defense he has constructed against metal weapons, and
knocks him backward and sends the scepter flying from his hand. A mad
scramble ensues as others try to grab the Scepter before Oga can get it
again.
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2005 23:48:50 -0700
From: "Andrew" <asiafish@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: DLJ: Reversal of Fortune
Day 1, Evening
Hsina strained with all of her might to break free of whatever spell
was
holding her immobile, but so long as Oga held the scepter, it was no
use.
She watched helplessly as first Corwin and then Eliase were fought off,
then
finally as Ansel came into the barrier and .., suddenly, the scepter
was
airborne. She watched as Oga moved to catch it, running straight for
her
position and she powerless still to stop him.
Once again she reached deep down for any strength that might remain.
Images
flowed rapidly through her mind, of her flight from the ruins of
Assyria,
her long odyssey up the coastal wastes, and finally of her arrival at
Jasra
and how this place and the people in it had radically changed her life.
Oga, from the first day of her arrival, was an obstacle to finding
happiness. He tried to deny her this place she now called home. He
tried
to kill those she now loved. In a rage she screamed a war cry so loud
and
fierce that Oga momentarily looked away from his prize and at the
battered
woman warrior, and realized that she had somehow broken through his
spell.
Oga parried Hsina's sword, but her knee caught him solidly in the
abdomen,
knocking his wind out while also cracking a rib. Strangely his
thoughts
wandered, wondering how this could be given that Kataani were stronger
than
landers and men stronger than women. He recovered quickly and faked a
swipe
with his sword, then delivering the left-handed punch followed by a
quick
jab of his sword, the Kataani blade easily passing between plates and
running completely through her left shoulder.
For an instant he gloated at taking down the mighty Hsina, until he
looked
down and saw that her ancient bronze broadsword had entered his stomach
and
run him through to the hilt. His legs began to buckle, but he did not
fall
for Hsina held him up with her sword like meat on a hook. "You will
tell me
where Tanami is, or I shall make your death a slow and painful one"
Hsina
said with ice in her voice, Oga's sword still protruding from her other
shoulder though she didn't really seem to care.
Oga had one more card to play though. Moving an object was a minor
spell
for one of his power, and so he raised his weak right hand and muttered
the
quick incantation. The scepter flew across the square to land firmly
in
Oga's grasp. Hsina reached with her left hand and grabbed the
scepter's
shaft just above Oga's hand, and the two began to fight for control of
it.
Oga's strength returned with his touch of the scepter, while Hsina's
was
sapped by the Kataani sword in her shoulder, but through sheer force of
will
she did not let go.
With his left hand Oga removed the scroll and began the incantation,
while
he fought with Hsina for control of the scepter. He read the lines of
the
scroll as the scepter grew hot, until ....
<tag - who's next?>
Andrew
Hsina and Keeza of Jasra
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