The Journey

The eyes looking into the wash basin were harsh and indifferent as the scissors hacked off her silver hair, leaving behind only the small bond braid. Plaiting the hair as she walked Veil gently laid her symbol of peace across the arms of the Maiden statue.

The change had started last night as Cyclone walked away from the Arrow. With each slash of her sword into the flesh of the Deamons and Lizards they hunted, the new Veil stepped closer to her past. This morn with the shearing of her hair the change was complete. With the exception of the ivory prayer dress there was little of the kind Lady Veil her friends and loved ones knew. In her place stood the small warrior from Skara Brea known only as Veil.

She needed to move quickly lest her a'mael come home from his patrol and find her this way. For a moment the Lady returned, as she remembered his surprise earlier in the week. Gathering her pack, she strode out the door and buried the stone moving swiftly through the facet gate. Once there the change became more apparent, a would be thief attacked. "Corp-Por"she chanted even as the poisoned blade flew into her hand. It was over in seconds and she calmly walked away without a backwards glance.

Her arrival was met with fearful looks and the whispered word, Berserker. Grabbing one of them by the front of his robe she barked one word.
"Roku"
The young healer tripped over his own robe in his attempt to lead her to him, and be out of her line of sight.
They were together as she knew they would be.
The form on the bed stirred and opened her eyes long enough to say. "SIM does not attack" A look of pain entered Veil's eyes and was directly replaced.
Chanting the words of guarding taught to her in the glade, she waited until the spell settled before speaking. "No one Mother, and I mean no one comes close to you until you talk to me, and make it clear what you want."

As Veil stood there the figure in the bed looked behind her "You have a visitor." Veil whirled around drawing her weapon and saw the visitor.
"Cyclone?"She said in shock"How did you get in here?"

Cyclone regarded her with a bit of solemness not like the jovial and light spirited man she knew. "That doesnt matter, what does matter is that I will stand with you."
She didnt know the wieght of his words but he did, if he continued on this course it could mean his end. But his time here had changed him in ways, whether for the better or worse he couldnt say.

"Thank you."She replied glad that he was ok after having disappeared like he had.

I should apologize for leaving her like that he thought but pushed it away and instead lifted a hand his two front fingers crossed and the others spread apart. Chanting in a tongue she had never heard before he cast a powerful ward spell on the area. Opening his eyes he regarded her with indecision not knowing if he had made the right choice. "Your friend should be safe for time until you have had your talk."Then Cyclone walked outside to leave them alone to talk as he kept watch for anyone who would try to sneak in.

CyrusBalbanes (7/21/01 2:59:42 am) Disturbing News

Cyrus walked up to Kronae's house and felt something amiss. Other than the feeling he could see the difference the flowers outside her house where dead, the ones she had always taken such good care of. He rushed inside pulling his silver longsword, he wasnt ready for battle having left his armor at his house not expecting any trouble.

As he entered the house he could smell the scent of magic in the air and death. As he walked through the home nothing was amiss really, no over turned furniture or signs of battle, only one spot showed any signs of being disturbed. Cyrus winced as he felt a pain in his heart, she gone he knew this. She had taken care of him for a bit after he had been hurt and was in bed, she would come visit him on occasion with food. And now that he was better he had come to visit her, only to find this. Soon his sorrow turned to anger, whom ever or what ever did this would surely pay. He took a potted flower that she had cared for it hadnt died like the others and he left the building with a sad heart. Looking at the flower which was all that was left to remind him of her.

Later he came to learn of Prosperines fate and he put two and two together. Who ever had got Kronae had got Prosperine too and no doubt this person would come after the other mothers. This time would be different though, he would be waiting and this person would pay for their crimes. Donning his silver plate he left the house strapping on his sword. As he neared the house he felt powerful wards protecting the house and he knew he was at the right place. What or who ever wanted to take the life of another follower of the maiden would have to get past him first, and if it somehow managed to get in without him noticing it, it darn well wasnt getting out without facing his blade.

Velahrcu Naurcam (7/22/01 1:31:21 am) Maidenhome

The door to Maidenhome opened slowly and silently on well-oiled hinges. A tall figure stood silhouetted in the doorway, his long shadow framed in the pool of light that lit the steps and area beyond the entrance of the sandstone structure. Isabella and Olaf, the two guards that stood on the steps to either side of the door, glanced and watched the familiar personage nervously out of the corners of their eyes, as he seemed to hesitate before entering.

Velahrcu stepped inside the SIM embassy after a few moments, and closed the door quietly behind him. His eyes scanned the living quarters of the Emissary quickly, a feeling of unease growing inside him. “Mela?” he queried, his voice low. The room was empty. “Upstairs perhaps?” he thought to himself, his long strides took him across the floor to the stairs. He bounded up the steps to the landing, only to be disappointed. She was not up here either. The elf lord’s gray eyes swept over the roof. He spied something strange, draped across the arms of the Maiden statuette that sat atop the small altar between the two large fountains... hair. Veil’s long silver locks lay in clumps, both on the altar and on the pillows before it. Velahrcu also noted, with no small sense of relief, that there were no black strands among the remains. She had not severed the bond braid. Still, why had she cut her hair? His hand went absently to the matching braid of his own, his mind reaching out to his mate, sensing; his frown only deepened then, she was not being receptive.

All this suggested to Velahrcu that whatever had happened, Veil left in a hurry. A slight frown creased his brow, her behavior of late had become erratic, at times even dispassionate,which was very unlike her. Something was bothering her aside from the deaths of the two Mothers, Kronae and Prosperpine, or Melandrith’s malady. It went deeper than that; he could feel it. And, to make matters worse, she had used the stones.

He immediately started to pace. “Where would she have gone? The Shrines maybe? Or... Felucca...uma. But.. to Sanctuary? Or the tower in the hedge maze again?” he growled, there were so many possibilities. Velahrcu began to busy himself by cleaning the house. The hair he gathered up, neatly packaged in a small pouch, and placed in his pack. Downstairs, he made the bed and folded all the clothes that were strewn about, then stopped, steel-gray eyes narrowing in thought. There was another choice. One of the trine still lived, the Reverend Mother Belladonna. Find her, and he was sure he would find his beloved. He searched his mind, trying to remember past conversations, and where she was. Velahrcu finished cleaning, and after a cursory glance around the room to reassure himself that, at least for now, no one else would sense anything amiss, he left as quietly as he came.

It was the dead of night, Veil watched as the monks readied Mother BellaDonna for the move. Except for the five words she had uttered when Veil arrived, Bella had slept. Staying here had been the right thing for her to do, just being still had slowly healed the pain in her heart. Standing at the door she observed the beautiful means of transport Roku provided, and was pleased

. Smiling for the first time in days, Veil walked out the door past the two standing there, stopping for a moment to speak to Cyrus stating simply, "It was the right thing for the right time"

"I dont know if that consoles me."Cyrus said after Veil disappeared. "It rarely does."The red haired man said then also disappeared."It still doesnt make it right, she should have joined the Maiden on her own time not some time set by another." Cyrus sighed and turned around stalking off in a foul mood, once home he changed out of his plate armor and into bronze chainmail. Heading out to clear the monsters along the northern road to Yew from Vesper as he had done for so long, he hoped it would help clear his own mind as well. He couldnt fight SIM , he was honor bound to protect them but he thought grimly. I wont forget what has transpired at the hands of one under the guise of duty.


	Veil (7/19/01 3:57:48 pm) The Journey The eyes looking into the wash basin were harsh and indifferent as the scissors hacked off her silver hair, leaving behind only the small bond braid. Plaiting the hair as she walked Veil gently laid her symbol of peace across the arms of the Maiden statue. The change had started last night as Cyclone walked away from the Arrow. With each slash of her sword into the flesh of the Deamons and Lizards they hunted, the new Veil stepped closer to her past. This morn with the shearing of her hair the change was complete. With the exception of the ivory prayer dress there was little of the kind Lady Veil her friends and loved ones knew. In her place stood the small warrior from Skara Brea known only as Veil. She needed to move quickly lest her a'mael come home from his patrol and find her this way. For a moment the Lady returned, as she remembered his surprise earlier in the week. Gathering her pack, she strode out the door and buried the stone moving swiftly through the facet gate. Once there the change became more apparent, a would be thief attacked. "Corp-Por"she chanted even as the poisoned blade flew into her hand. It was over in seconds and she calmly walked away without a backwards glance. Her arrival was met with fearful looks and the whispered word, Berserker. Grabbing one of them by the front of his robe she barked one word. "Roku" The young healer tripped over his own robe in his attempt to lead her to him, and be out of her line of sight. They were together as she knew they would be. The form on the bed stirred and opened her eyes long enough to say. "SIM does not attack" A look of pain entered Veil's eyes and was directly replaced. Chanting the words of guarding taught to her in the glade, she waited until the spell settled before speaking. "No one Mother, and I mean no one comes close to you until you talk to me, and make it clear what you want." With her intentions made known she settled into guarding the soul of the woman she would die for. Cyclone (7/20/01 2:45:31 am) Re: the Journey As Veil stood there the figure in the bed looked behind her "You have a visitor." Veil whirled around drawing her weapon and saw the visitor. "Cyclone?"She said in shock"How did you get in here?" Cyclone regarded her with a bit of solemness not like the jovial and light spirited man she knew. "That doesnt matter, what does matter is that I will stand with you." She didnt know the wieght of his words but he did, if he continued on this course it could mean his end. But his time here had changed him in ways, whether for the better or worse he couldnt say. "Thank you."She replied glad that he was ok after having disappeared like he had. I should apologize for leaving her like that he thought but pushed it away and instead lifted a hand his two front fingers crossed and the others spread apart. Chanting in a tongue she had never heard before he cast a powerful ward spell on the area. Opening his eyes he regarded her with indecision not knowing if he had made the right choice. "Your friend should be safe for time until you have had your talk."Then Cyclone walked outside to leave them alone to talk as he kept watch for anyone who would try to sneak in. CyrusBalbanes (7/21/01 2:59:42 am) Disturbing News Cyrus walked up to Kronae's house and felt something amiss. Other than the feeling he could see the difference the flowers outside her house where dead, the ones she had always taken such good care of. He rushed inside pulling his silver longsword, he wasnt ready for battle having left his armor at his house not expecting any trouble. As he entered the house he could smell the scent of magic in the air and death. As he walked through the home nothing was amiss really, no over turned furniture or signs of battle, only one spot showed any signs of being disturbed. Cyrus winced as he felt a pain in his heart, she gone he knew this. She had taken care of him for a bit after he had been hurt and was in bed, she would come visit him on occasion with food. And now that he was better he had come to visit her, only to find this. Soon his sorrow turned to anger, whom ever or what ever did this would surely pay. He took a potted flower that she had cared for it hadnt died like the others and he left the building with a sad heart. Looking at the flower which was all that was left to remind him of her. Later he came to learn of Prosperines fate and he put two and two together. Who ever had got Kronae had got Prosperine too and no doubt this person would come after the other mothers. This time would be different though, he would be waiting and this person would pay for their crimes. Donning his silver plate he left the house strapping on his sword. As he neared the house he felt powerful wards protecting the house and he knew he was at the right place. What or who ever wanted to take the life of another follower of the maiden would have to get past him first, and if it somehow managed to get in without him noticing it, it darn well wasnt getting out without facing his blade. Velahrcu Naurcam (7/22/01 1:31:21 am) Maidenhome The door to Maidenhome opened slowly and silently on well-oiled hinges. A tall figure stood silhouetted in the doorway, his long shadow framed in the pool of light that lit the steps and area beyond the entrance of the sandstone structure. Isabella and Olaf, the two guards that stood on the steps to either side of the door, glanced and watched the familiar personage nervously out of the corners of their eyes, as he seemed to hesitate before entering. Velahrcu stepped inside the SIM embassy after a few moments, and closed the door quietly behind him. His eyes scanned the living quarters of the Emissary quickly, a feeling of unease growing inside him. “Mela?” he queried, his voice low. The room was empty. “Upstairs perhaps?” he thought to himself, his long strides took him across the floor to the stairs. He bounded up the steps to the landing, only to be disappointed. She was not up here either. The elf lord’s gray eyes swept over the roof. He spied something strange, draped across the arms of the Maiden statuette that sat atop the small altar between the two large fountains... hair. Veil’s long silver locks lay in clumps, both on the altar and on the pillows before it. Velahrcu also noted, with no small sense of relief, that there were no black strands among the remains. She had not severed the bond braid. Still, why had she cut her hair? His hand went absently to the matching braid of his own, his mind reaching out to his mate, sensing; his frown only deepened then, she was not being receptive. All this suggested to Velahrcu that whatever had happened, Veil left in a hurry. A slight frown creased his brow, her behavior of late had become erratic, at times even dispassionate,which was very unlike her. Something was bothering her aside from the deaths of the two Mothers, Kronae and Prosperpine, or Melandrith’s malady. It went deeper than that; he could feel it. And, to make matters worse, she had used the stones. He immediately started to pace. “Where would she have gone? The Shrines maybe? Or... Felucca...uma. But.. to Sanctuary? Or the tower in the hedge maze again?” he growled, there were so many possibilities. Velahrcu began to busy himself by cleaning the house. The hair he gathered up, neatly packaged in a small pouch, and placed in his pack. Downstairs, he made the bed and folded all the clothes that were strewn about, then stopped, steel-gray eyes narrowing in thought. There was another choice. One of the trine still lived, the Reverend Mother Belladonna. Find her, and he was sure he would find his beloved. He searched his mind, trying to remember past conversations, and where she was. Velahrcu finished cleaning, and after a cursory glance around the room to reassure himself that, at least for now, no one else would sense anything amiss, he left as quietly as he came. Back on the steps of Maidenhome, Isabella and Olaf exchanged worried looks as they watched Velahrcu disappear into a strangely colored portal. Veil (7/22/01 1:22:28 pm) The move It was the dead of night, Veil watched as the monks readied Mother BellaDonna for the move. Except for the five words she had uttered when Veil arrived, Bella had slept. Staying here had been the right thing for her to do, just being still had slowly healed the pain in her heart. Standing at the door she observed the beautiful means of transport Roku provided, and was pleased . Smiling for the first time in days, Veil walked out the door past the two standing there, stopping for a moment to speak to Cyrus stating simply, "It was the right thing for the right time" Chanting the words of travel she disappeared into the night, Home CyrusBalbanes(7/23/01 2:27:56 am) Frowns "I dont know if that consoles me."Cyrus said after Veil disappeared. "It rarely does."The red haired man said then also disappeared."It still doesnt make it right, she should have joined the Maiden on her own time not some time set by another." Cyrus sighed and turned around stalking off in a foul mood, once home he changed out of his plate armor and into bronze chainmail. Heading out to clear the monsters along the northern road to Yew from Vesper as he had done for so long, he hoped it would help clear his own mind as well. He couldnt fight SIM , he was honor bound to protect them but he thought grimly. I wont forget what has transpired at the hands of one under the guise of duty.
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