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From: [e-mail] (Lance Dooly)
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Subject: STORY: The Tales of Dark Haven (Chapter 29)
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Date: 26 Sep 1995 09:14:30 -0400
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------- The Tales of Dark Haven ---------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-                                                                            -
- These stories are from an on-going E-mail campaign, and are currently      -
- maintained by Lance Dooly ([e-mail]).  New stories will be  -
- posted in rec.games.frp.archives and are available for anonymous FTP       -
- at tfnet.ils.unc.edu in /pub/dark.                                         -
-                                                                            -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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------------------------ Chapter 29: Alien Encounters ------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The party were looking at the library they discovered, while Silver
went wandering down an unexplored passage alone. The others also decide
to explore the rest of the temple as well, so leave the library
clutching a book they discovered ...

(DM:)
You guys keep hugging right, so you will go into the corridor that is
opposite to the one you first arrived in as seen from the room with
the girl-statue in it. As you advance cautiously, you come upon a
widening of the corridor (slowly broadens out to about 90 feet wide),
leading up to a large double door. The door is of ancient wood,
darkened through age.

You can still make out the designs and carvings on the door, which
once must have been beautiful. On the sides of the broadened corridor
are crafted 'gullies' of sorts, running all along both sides. They are
filled with some substance that begins burning the moment you enter
the corridor. The flames give off a pleasant warmth, and a nice
flickering light. The activation of the fire seems to 'kill' the
magical lighting in this particular corridor.

Though the doors look weakened and you see some wood chips lying on
the floor, they still look as though it may take some force to open
them.  Looking at the large bronze hinges for the double doors, you
see they are quite rusted, and look greenish from the copper in them.
When you get closer, the door reeks of rot and decay.

(Arlon:)
"If 'she' is in there, she did not use the doors.  The air sure has a
bit more flavour here.  Do you notice any traps Falrun?"

(Dithion:)
Dithion looks at the door and smiles.  "Just what I need."  He leans
his club against his side, and rubs his hands together....then he
picks up the club, a huge smile on his face.  He starts to move
forward and freezes in his tracks, he looks over at the group as if
remembering they are there and says, "Anyone mind if I knock at the
door?"

(Falrun:)
"I don't have any objections, Dithion.  Please, be my guest."

(Arlon:)
"Couldn't you just try pushing the doors open or knocking with your
hands before you smash the doors in?"

(Shade:)
A wide grin shines on the drow face "I wouldn't mind if you knock ON
the doors, but if I were the guardian of these rooms I would really
mind if you tried to knock DOWN the doors!"

(DM:)
Arlon tries to change the straightforward way of opening the double
doors and attracting all the attention possible all at the same time
proposed by the club-wielding Dithion, but to no avail....

    * SMACK *

Dithion's heavy club smashes into the decaying doors, and they
crumble.  The parts of the doors where they are held by the bronze
hinges give, and the two doors fall to the floor. A loud ringing and
crumpling sound reverberates through the corridor and the chamber on
the other side of the doors, the ringing from the bronze studs and
bands holding each door in one piece, the crumpling from a mass of
rotting wood disintegrating in large splinters and boards all over the
flagstones on the floor.

(Arlon:)
As Dithion starts to smash the doors, Arlon will back up a few paces.
When the doors start to crash in Arlon will turn away and put his
hands over his ears.  Then he mumbles in elvish - "I must be invisible
again."  His tone is annoyance, only the closest to him could actually
hear him.

(DM:)
Revealed behind is another chamber lit magically. It appears to be a
great hall for ceremonies. Across the chamber you see a double dais
(first one larger tier, and then another higher, smaller, tier) upon
which a marble plain altar sits. Leading to the other end, are two
rows of simple, unadorned white marble pillars (one on the right, one
on the left). Behind the rows of pillars still hang the threads and
rags of what once were magnificent curtains of sorts. Unfortunately,
they are too discoloured to identify what they once depicted. Behind
the shreds of curtain you see doors, two on each side-wall, which
would have been hidden were the curtains still intact. The chamber
itself is octagonal.


            _______________
              /\          /\
             /  \____####____/  \
            /\            /\
           /   \______________/   \
          |    o          o    |        o  = pillar
          #               #
          |    o          o    |        #  = single door
          |               |
          |    o          o    |        ## = double door
          #               #
          |    o          o    |        #### = altar
           \              /
            \             /
             \            /
              \_______##_______/


While the sound still rings around you, and reverberates the walls,
the far left door opens, and a tall being steps through. A tall
female, her complexion is so pale as to be almost translucent. Her
lips appear white.

(DM:)
She has long red hair, reaching to her knees, which sweeps behind her
like a robe. The hair looks as though hours have been spent combing
it, though her dress, a simple white robe of similar type as the rags
worn by the girl-statue, is crinkled as though she just slept in it.
Startling deep grey eyes turn your way, and she seems displeased at
your trespassing.

She sneers in feline-like fury, and sharp teeth like those of a
vampire are revealed.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana's mouth drops open with astonishment, immediately jumping to
the conclusion that the lady is a vampire.  She takes a step back in
fear.

(DM:)
Her eyes flash, and you would swear that for a second a real light
shone. She brings up her right hand, her fingers curled as though
grasping something, and long sharp nails (some 3 inch long) appear as
though out of thin air. For a moment you feel her gathering some
mystical force from her surroundings, and you feel as though the very
air is drawn towards the presence. A globe of black and green
crackling energy forms for a second in her clawed hand.

(Arlon:)
As the female appears Arlon becomes a little tense.  * Oh this is just
perfect timing, I wonder what a lightning bolt will feel like. *

(Keilan:)
Keilan takes a defensive stance as the woman begins her spell, drawing
two knives and tensing ready to spring away.

(Pale Woman:)
Slowly, she seems to realize something, as though through a sleepy
haze.

    "Ach Trachenzherdar."

She says, and uncurls her hand, dissipating the gathered energies.
Suddenly she smiles at you and speaks, in a friendly tone, in the old
common tongue, which some of you understand fully, the others will be
able to guess some, and the translation will be whispered for the rest
by those who fully understand the language.

OOC: "Ach Trachenzherdar" translates as "The Foretold People"

She then starts to speak in a much friendlier tone ...

(Tatiana:)
She prepared to cast a spell but hesitated as the pale red-headed lady
released the gathered energies, then started to talk in a friendly
manner.  Narrowing her eyes in skepticism she watched the vampire
closely.

(Arlon:)
Arlon settles down as she speaks.

(Pale Woman:)
"Hail strangers. What seekest thou in this Holy House? Whence dost
thee come? Pardon my appearance, but I have been in deep slumber for
some time. I am afraid that my reaction to those who wakened me was
not too pleasant, but let us say that they appeared to me as though a
nightmare in my sleep. My deepest apologies for the harm I may have
done unto them. But enough of my talking.  What is thy quest? Tell me
about the stories thine."

(Keilan:)
As she lets the magic dissipate, he stands more loosely again but does
not put away his knives.  When she speaks, he remains silent leaving
the talking to someone else.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana opened and closed her mouth.  She was talkative and wanted to
speak, but wasn't sure if it was wise.

(Pale Woman:)
As she finished speaking, she seems to float, rather than walk, over
to you, getting closer, but remaining some four meters away from
you/the broken doors.  At seeing the destruction of the doors she
frowns slightly, and shakes her head almost imperceptibly in the same
manner a grown-up may shake their head at the needlessly destructive
antics of a small child. The full, now inquisitive, force of her gaze
takes you all in and she studies you all one at a time. She seems to
stare straight through you, scanning the inner selves of each of you,
though her face betrays none of what she finds there. She waits for
you to speak....

(Dithion:)
Dithion frowns at the woman.  He sets his club standing (big end down)
beside him, and opens both hands toward the woman....he seems to
concentrate for a moment, then after a moment of the others speaking,
begins to chant in a low rumbling tone.

(Tatiana:)
"I am called Tatiana Shadowfire, I am honoured to met you." she said
with a reasonable bow. "If you will pardon my manners, How should I
address you?"

She looked to the others to see how they were reacting to her talking
to the vampire lady.

(Arlon:)
When she is done, Arlon will move forward.  He would have liked to be
the first to speak but his beloved got in first - oh well, she always
was quick to speak :)





It now becomes apparent that while Tatiana speaks to her, Dithion is
trying to turn this woman ...

(Dithion:)
Dithion chants words to the effect of "Ye creature of the Darkness
begone! In the name of the God Des the Traveler, I command ye go
hence!"

(Tatiana:)
Her eyes went wide as she saw Dithion trying to turn the alien woman,
and Keilan bristling with arms as if to attack. She shielded her eyes
from the attack and started to edge back down the corridor.

(Pale Woman:)
Not understanding the words at first, she feels Dithion gather the
power of his God around himself. Her eyes close to slits of suspicion,
and for a second her eyes flare green. Unfortunately, the kind words
of Tatiana are almost drowned by the fury sparked from the red haired
woman.

The flash of green from her eyes is so bright all of you blink a bit
to clear your vision.  During the short blindness you heard the woman
speak.

    "Troch'Tan Aszgach!"

When you can see again, Dithion is sprawled some 30 feet backwards in
the corridor. (Meta: 7 hpd from a forceful magical shove and
falling/scraping damage). The woman is surrounded by a hazy cyclone of
blackish mist interspersed with green glowing packets of energy. Power
pulses from the angered being.

(DM:)
With Arlon's spell of Tongues still in effect, he will be able to
understand the new words (Troch'Tan Aszgach). They translate as 'Go
away' (Troch'Tan) and 'Shield' (Aszgach).  You feel that this woman
just has to speak in her magical language and by force of will alone
can cast such 'spells'.

(Dithion:)
Dithion shakes his head and slowly sits up.

(Shade:)
Shade goes to help Dithion back to his feet. "I know it's silly,
Dithion, but ...", he grins even more widely, "... I told you so !"
and he barely forces himself to suppress a laugh.

(Dithion:)
He looks around as if confused, and then slowly gets up leaning
against one wall.  He shakes his head again, and looks forward toward
the group.  He gives a slight frown, followed quickly by a tight
smile, and then we walks forward again to the point he once stood.  He
watches the woman silently...his eyes never leave her.

(Pale Woman:)
"So this is how thee treatest thy hostess! Vile creatures begone from
here! Lest I destroy thee as I did the others! Thou art no better than
thy fore-fathers! Call not upon thy false Gods in this Holy House!"

She shrieks. Her body by now floats some two feet in the air, and both
her hands are clenched fists around black and green globes of magical
crackling energy. Seeing the readiness of Keilan to fight, she looks
directly at him, and speaks suddenly in normal common.

"Little Mortal. Would you test yourself against me? The Great Mages
from your past were unable to defeat us in the end. You think you can
do better?"

(Shade:)
"Are you good enough?" the bard tenses slightly studying carefully the
their female guardian angel/devil.

(Keilan:)
Keilan tosses his knives to the floor after the bitch addresses him.
"You come bearing weapons of your own, fangs and talons, and powers
arcane enough to destroy Great Mages.  I know when I am bested, but
the upper hand does not make you the better."  Keilan crosses his arms
and waits for events to unfold (degenerate).

(Pale Woman:)
At the bitter words of Keilan, the pale woman's gaze is kept directed
at him.

"Ahh. Are we the proud one. Proud but wise. Wise to know when a fight
is lost. Yes, the might makes me no better then you, little mortal,
but then again, a 'better' person is so hard to define. I see you are
a diverse group.  More so than your ancestors."

This with a quick look at all the elves, and especially Shade.

(Shade:)
At the look, the drow makes a slight, polite bow, but says nothing.

(Falrun:)
Up to this point Falrun has stood watching the events in awe.  Never
before has he seen such a wondrous race as this.

As the events seem to take a turn for the worse, he will quickly speak
up.  "Pardon our ignorance, Lady," he says as he bows low, "but we do
not know of any others.  Would you please spare your anger and explain
how it is that we have offended you?"

He will still be keeping an eye on her reaction and will be ready to
run if necessary.

(Pale Woman:)
After her outburst of power and her harsh words to some of the others,
she turns her gaze to Tatiana through the green and black haze.  "Ahh.
A civilized Mortal ye have amongst ye. In answer to thy question, ye
may address me as Saicha S'Zigodd. Pardon my rage, but such is the way
of our folk when we passed through the transformation. But enough
about me. What about you my dear civilized Mortal friend?"

(Tatiana:)
The alien woman regained her control and spoke to her again. Tatiana
hesitated a moment in fear before speaking, and Arlon spoke up.

(Arlon:)
He will speak in old common, I assume that is what she is using.  "Our
apologies for this intrusion and I also regret the destruction of
these fine doors - some of us are a little more hasty in actions than
others."  He will not look or motion to anyone; but continue to look
at Saicha.  "My name is Arlon .. Arlon Solarrisse, I've also been
called the Avenger."  This is the first time Arlon has used his last
name.  "But I suspect you knew that already."

(Tatiana:)
She frowned slightly as she felt the lady had spoken directly to her
and Arlon had interceded.  After all, it was her civility, albeit
because she was ignorant of her companions efforts, that the alien
lady was not destroying them at this very moment.

(Arlon:)
Arlon continues "Our quest.  We have come to seek you, actually.
After the return of two of our comrades from the first encounter with
you, our leaders didn't know what to expect.  We were asked to come
here and find out what your disposition might be toward us.  Oh,
pardon my manners Saicha, I have not introduced the rest of us."
Arlon will mention everyone's name and try to keep the same tone
throughout until he mentions Tatiana, which he will do last "... and
you already know my dear one, Tatiana."

(Tatiana:)
A frown was still evident on her face at being cut off.  But she gave
a small smile back.  This was history in the making and she had been
cut out of it, just when she was the center of it all.  She resigned
herself to watch and see what would happen next as Arlon continued on.

(Arlon:)
"I see from the murals on the pyramid that dealings with people from
our continent in the past was not pleasant; but I assure you Saicha,
we ..." and he motions to all "... do want peace."

(Tatiana:)
While Arlon spoke Tatiana looked around at the gathering of her
friends.

(Saicha:)
"Ahhh aren't we the honeyed tongues now that the balance of power has
been established. Sooo. Arlon Solarisse the Avenger, it is peace you
seek with me? For now you shall have it. A service for a service then.
You can call upon me for some task or aid, if you will do but a simple
thing for me. Outside, the traitorous ones await. They have erected a
magical barrier which I can not penetrate. The field is most likely
staked out by something barbaric, some poles bound with dark powers or
somesuch. You need but wrest one of these poles out of the ground.
That is all I ask of you."

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana nodded her head slowly considering the ramifications of doing
so.  She likened it to making a deal with Devil herself.

"It will be okay," she whispered softly to herself. "She wants
something from us.  We will survive this day at least."

(Saicha:)
"A small task no? After that, you may find me again at this place. I
will have work to do here. As to the book you stole. Keep it and read
it well. The Fates have a great task in store for you and your kind.
The prophecy is being fulfilled as we speak, and the Evil Ones will
make a move against you soon. Beware, for they may come at you under
the guise of friendship, but trusted they cannot be."

(Shade:)
"Wisdom, as you surely know milady, is usually not a trait of my
ancestry" - interjects the drow with a grin - "but curiosity and a deep
streak not to trust anyone are, indeed.  Will you be so kind as to
explain me why we should trust you and destroy a barrier able to keep
your great powers at stake?"

(Saicha:)
As Shade speaks, Saicha spots the book he carries, and speaks in his
direction:

"Read the book well Mortals. In it you will find the foundations for
the days to come. The Ardanarzherdar have been awakened! Total War
will rock the very fundaments of this Continent! The very spheres will
feel the sting of our anger as the Ardanarzherdar rise to do battle
against the False Gods!"

(DM:)
OOC: You understand that
     "Ardanarzherdar" means "The Immortal People/The Immortal Ones"

(Arlon:)
Arlon is a little confused and annoyed at some of the things said; but
he will hold on to these feelings since arguing semantics wouldn't
help.

"You said 'Prophecy' and before you mentioned 'The Foretold Ones',
what is meant by this ..  if I may ask?"

(Saicha:)
"I told you some already. Your forefathers attempted to destroy us.
They failed and we exacted a curse on them, which is now coming into
fruition. Read the book. It will make you understand better."

She speaks impatiently.

(Arlon:)
"About this book. I would have read some of it already; but the lock
on it is more intricate than I have ever seen."

(Saicha:)
At this she sneers at you.

"So your understanding of the technological is less then that of your
forefathers. My my. I hope you and your people will be up to the tasks
that lie before you."

(Arlon:)
Arlon will shrug his shoulders at this: "Sometimes you have to take a
step back before you can move forward again."

(Keilan:)
OOC: And Keilan thought he was out of his league before!

Keilan remains quiet while the strained situation unfolds.  When the
demoness (err, Saicha?) finishes speaking of ancient history, and
technology, and service in her name, Keilan stoops and takes up his
two knives, and replaces them in their sheathes.  Those next to him
(and no doubt the all-powerful Saicha) notice that his hands are
trembling slightly.  Still, he says nothing more to anyone.

(Arlon:)
Now about the pole thing.

"That's interesting, I thought that you had something to do with the
poles; because when a Shaman attacked us with a lightning bolt it was
reflected back at him at the point of the poles.

(Falrun:)
When Falrun hears this, he kind of rolls his eyes and gives a look of
disapproval.  Sideling up to Arlon he whispers, "Don't give away any
information that she may not be aware of!"  He then quickly looks back
at Saicha to see if she gives any reaction to this.

(Saicha:)
She looks at you uncaringly at first. "I know not what you speak off.
Mayhap the barrier works both ways.  The luckier for you."

(Arlon:)
"Uh, I don't mean to be rude and annoying and I hope you will bear
with me ... you spoke of not trusting the ones above even coming in
the guise of friendship; but then shouldn't we, as Shade has so
rightly pointed out, be a little cautious with you as well."

(Saicha:)
When you talk to her of not trusting her, her face screws in a sneer
of anger.

"The Gur Rakhar were once our devoted subjects, but the tribe above
turned on us and sided with your forefathers. We remember such things,
and thus know _they_ cannot be trusted."

(DM:)
OOC: You understand that:
    "Gur Rakhar"     means "Savage Creatures"

(Silver:)
Silver had been gone from the library for some time before the rest of
you emerged, Shade clutching the book, and Dithion knocked oh so
politely on the double doors. You were talking to her, when Silver
arrived in the corridor. She had obviously rushed to get there.

Silver is still in her strange form, still silent, when she arrives.
As she enters the wider part of the corridor, Arlon is still talking ...

(Arlon:)
"We know very little about you - we may be helping a very powerful
evil escape.  We have already found a Demon Lord imprisoned on this
continent, who knows what else is here.  I would like to help; but I
am not sure who I am helping.  My companions may feel differently than
I."

OOC: Fingers are crossed.

(Silver:)
Silver stands still, for a moment dumbstruck at the sight of this
lady. She had not seen the anger in her eyes when she awoke, although
can see the shattered remnants of the double doors.

Silver is astounded at finding Saicha there addressing her friends.
Retrieving a single rosebud from her possessions, she walked slowly
toward Saicha, flower held out as if in homage or friendship. Silver
was smiling gently as she approached.

(Arlon:)
As Silver does what she is doing with Saicha, Arlon will look on
quizzically - *Silver sure is acting strange, I wonder if it is
because of her new form.*

(DM:)
You have a feeling that the woman does not see you in that form, for
she has not reacted to this at all, and the resemblance should have
elicited at least some reaction you think. The Lady Saicha would never
let anyone get close, and see any approach as a hostile move.

(Silver:)
Saicha turned at her approach and looked at Silver. What passed
between them when their eyes met no-one else could see, but Silver
turned very pale, and with wide eyes, moved with faltering steps back
toward Shade. The flower lay discarded on the floor close by the
double doors.

She has not said anything since arriving, out of breath, in this room.

(Saicha:)
Turning her gaze back from Silver to Arlon, she continues.  "As to me
being evil or not, such paltry definitions hold not for us.  We are
the Ardanarzherdar. We are the rightful inhabitants of these lands.
Your gods drove the Ildinarzherdar to us, and we have demanded a
reckoning from them. Your gods agreed, and promised to send us the
tools for the destruction of the Ildinarzherdar. You have arrived."

(DM:)
OOC: You understand that:
        "Ildinarzherdar" means "The Evil People/The Evil Ones"

(Silver:)
Silver listens to Saicha's first response to Arlon, and frowns as if
this is not quite what she expected.

(Arlon:)
As Saicha shows impatience and anger at simple and logical questions,
the awe that Arlon felt is fading quickly.  Then when she talks of
evil having no meaning, Arlon will look on with pity in his eyes.
*Evil can be so subtle in its warpage, even the powerful can be
blinded (and often are it seems).  Anger and hatred are powerful
weapons in its hands.  Kindness must be shown.*

(Saicha:)
"As I said before. To refuse to cooperate will bring only your own
doom, for without my aid, I doubt you could get past the Gur Rakhar.
Also, unless I stop the Faithful, their Jihad cannot be stopped, and
they will raze the place you call Dark Haven to the ground and kill
all in it. Wakening me has awakened others of my kind. The priests of
the Faithful have read the signs, and know that the Ardanarzherdar
will once more need their armies. The Emperor of the Faithful has
already rung out the drums of war, and the Imperial Guards have taken
the field. But without the direction of the Ardanarzherdar, their
anger will be unfocused, and has now fallen upon your kind, as they
remember too the days of old. IF you do not release me, I cannot free
the others, and we cannot take command of our armies. the
Ildinarzherdar have been clever, and used the centuries to set up the
wards around us. If you help me break them, I will stay the advance of
the Faithful, else I will be unable to do so."

Then she looks at you all again without emotion showing.

"Trust me not at your peril. I am your only hope out. The
Ardanarzherdar are the only hope for the survival of your people, the
jaws of death are already closing in upon your folk. If you would not
want the place you call 'Dark Haven' to be wiped off the face of this
continent, you will do as I say."

(Tatiana:)
As the alien woman finished talking and Arlon spoke, Tatiana cringed
with the words Arlon he used.  This wasn't going well at all.  If
things kept up this way they all would be blasted with balls of fire.

She felt like she needed to intervene before the alien woman destroyed
her beloved.

Tatiana cleared her throat slightly and stood up a little prouder, not
so scared as before.  "I think you misunderstand Lady Saicha.  We knew
not of who you are or who you represent.  We come with no deceit in
our hearts, and if you detect any in our voices it is merely our
ignorance that guards our tongues."

(Saicha:)
The pale lady gazes solemnly at Tatiana and speaks.

"I understand full well the actions of a mortal confronted by that
which it cannot comprehend."

(Tatiana:)
She prayed the lady listened to her words and didn't get too upset
with Arlon for his harshness.  They were playing with a power much
stronger than they could handle at this time.

"We truly did come seeking friendship.  The war you had with the
ancients has long been forgotten by us now.  This book is the first we
knew of this ancient war.  The core wars destroyed much of our
knowledge of long ago."

(Saicha:)
"Ahhh. So your own past is also filled with the tragedy of wars eh?
Well, such amazes me not. Those who brought war to us, must have
learned it somewhere, no?"

(Tatiana:)
"That and we also came to retrieve the possessions of our fallen
brethren which awoke you."

(Saicha:)
"What a noble concept. I know not where the Defilers fled, but rest
assured, no bodies nor items of them remain here."

(Tatiana:)
She paused thinking she might have said too much.  She was a little
too trusting at times.  The honey coated threats Saicha spoke warned
her to guard her tongue some though.

"You speak of a prophecy.  Would you share it with us, so we may walk
the path the Fates have laid for us with our eyes open?"

(Saicha:)
"I told you, read the book, and more will be clear, I have no time to
teach you history lessons. The book is a journal by one of your
ancestral mages, captured by one of us when he strayed too close to
this Holy House."

(Arlon:)
Arlon will speak with confidence now - not apologetic as he did
before.

"I know nothing of the gods you speak, for I have not found one I can
follow.  I have seen glimpses however but they do not seem to lead
here."

(Saicha:)
"Whether you follow a God matters not. They simply are. So do we. As
to evil, it is too narrow a definition to cage on such as us. Some of
your Gods may be termed evil, but what of the one you call Tempus. He
is a lord of war, yet you do not say he is evil. We who knew no war
ere your kind came, tend to disagree on that. How dare you think me
evil? How dare YOU judge me on the little you know of me? And even so,
the terms evil nor good could describe us.  We are, and we do. That is
all you need to know. As to my power, of course I am not
'all-powerful'. Such a thing exists not. However, there is no need for
you to cloud your minds with such semantics, as compared with what you
can do, there is nil I cannot counter, and also nil you could do to
stop me if I decided to kill you all."

(Arlon:)
"I will help you; but not for which I can get in return - for what
more I can give you." He is VERY sincere. "What say the rest of you."

(Silver:)
In response to Arlon's question, she will shrug her shoulders, still
saying nothing. Silver does look quite puzzled with the way things are
working out. She listens to what the others might say.

Her left hand will reach out and take Shade's right hand, squeezing it
to give Shade reassurance, just as much to receive it from him.

(Shade:)
Shade will briefly smile a very warm and reassuring smile to Silver.

(Tatiana:)
Tatiana watched the events unfold around her.  She thought they would
all die.  She backed up away from the group as they talked.

OOC: If she can back out of the corridor while everyone is still talking
     she will do that.

(DM:)
As for Tatiana's retreat, I think most of you are too busy paying
attention to the volatile temper and movements of Saicha.

(Tatiana:)
As she stepped out of the corridor, into the statue-room, she sent her
thoughts out to Tuft.  *Tuft* she thought with a quaver of fear in it.
*What are the natives up to?*


As Tatiana moves out of the temple unnoticed by the others, Saicha
continues to talk to the party ....


(Saicha:)
Saicha announces a new proposal:

"The sun is climbing in the sky, it would be wise for you to arrive in
Dark Haven ere noon. Much is happening there you will need to know of,
and I too have much to do. I give you an hour to debate my offer of
aid for aid, and for you to read the book. During that time, do not
cross the threshold of the broken doors, or your death shall be swift
and painful. When the hour is up, I will be back here, and ready to
hear your answer. Yes or no. Do what you will, but disturb nothing
until I get back here."

[If any of you enters the room a bit, a force envelops you, and gently
pushes you back beyond the broken doors]

At that she turns around, her long red hair swirling about her, and
she retreats into the room, as she walks, she disappears from sight,
as though she walked ten miles for every meter, her form somehow
obscured.

(Silver:)
Silver watches her move away, silently. Releasing Shade's hand, Silver
will morph back into her human form.  [OOC: Shapechange (cures 7hpd)]

Eyes narrowed at the point Saicha left them, she says scornfully "Such
utter arrogance ! She may know more and hold more power in her hands
than any one of us, but she has a lot to learn about humility !"

Shaking her head in disgust, she adds to the rest of her friends
"Well, I will aid you in whatever course of action you decide. But I
will not be a party to the decision to free such arrogance from it's
bindings. She may have the power to affect great things, but she does
not show the respect for life which I hold most dear." She has seldom
spoken with such anger in her voice.

With that said, she will move back away a little, sit on the floor,
close her eyes and try to achieve some of her calmness. The tenseness
she shows is due to her anger and frustration.


And now the party have a decision to make. One that will affect all of
Dark Haven ....
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------------------------------ End of Chapter 29 -----------------------------
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*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*'``'*,..,*
Lance Dooly
[e-mail]                         "Not I," said the cat.
Physics/Chemistry/Philosophy   (PCP?!)