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* Ilarion steps out of his coach, looking around at Ellesmere. <Ilarion> ::straightening his tunic, he heads up the walk and knocks on the door:: * Temire calls from inside the house, "Just a second." * Temire opens the door after a moment dressed in her usual shirt and breeches. "Roni!" Mira smiles brightly at him. * Ilarion bows, holding out a single rose, dark purple with white petals inside. * Temire smiles even brighter, taking the rose and closing her eyes as she smells it. <Ilarion> Good afternoon, my dear. How are you? * Temire returns to her senses after a moment, "Better now that you're here. Do you want to come in?" <Ilarion> ::smiling:: Thank you, certainly. * Temire leads Roni into the living room, closing the door behind him, "Can I get you anything Roni?" * Ilarion watches her. "I'm fine, thanks." He grins at her like a little boy, then reaches into his pocket, pulling out a pair of tickets. "I have something for you." * Temire smiles taking the tickets and looking at them. <Ilarion> ::the tickets, engraved, are invitations to tour Lord Welarn's new maze and gardens:: * Temire looks shocked at the tickets for a moment, then smiles at Roni, "When did you want to go?" <Ilarion> ::smiles:: Whenever you have time, my dear. I thought you might like to run the maze. It's supposed to be very complicated. * Temire hugs Roni, "I have all the time in the world. But if I'm going to a lord's estate I should probably wear something appropriate." Smiles at Roni. <Ilarion> ::touches her cheek, then leers in an obvious joking manner:: Can I watch? * Temire chuckles and playfully swats Roni's arm, "Maybe if you're good." * Temire smiles at Roni, "Do you want to go now?" * Ilarion smiles. "Whenever you're ready, my dear. Ilya's got a few of her little friends over at the house, and," He rolls his eyes, "I can only deal with so many little girls all at once." * Temire giggles, holding her hair up in faux pigtails, "Are you sure? I bet I'd fit right in." * Ilarion groans, grabbing her hand and pulling her into his lap. "Yeah, I bet you would." He kisses the side of her neck, then stands her back up. "Go change, my dear." * Temire smiles, blushing faintly. "I'll be down in a bit." * Ilarion nods, leaning back into the chair. * Temire runs up the stairs to her room, quickly changing her clothes. * Ilarion pulls a small notebook out of his pocket and thinks, chewing on the end of a pencil, while he jots a few notes. * Temire comes down the stairs a few minutes later, white slippers on her feet, a white skirt with petticoats and a black blouse, the off the shoulder neckline trimmed in white ruffles. Her hair is loose, the white lock trailing down the side of her face while the rest is swept back over her shoulders. * Ilarion stands up, tucking his notebook back into his vest. He smiles. "You look lovely, my dear." * Temire blushes faintly, and looks at the floor, "Thank you." <Ilarion> ::offers her his arm:: Are you ready? * Temire smiles and kisses Roni's cheek, "Now I'm ready." Takes Roni's arm. * Temire looks at Roni as he leads her out of Ellesmere, "So what were you working on?" * Ilarion leads her out to his carriage, helping her in, then sitting across from her. <Ilarion> Hm? Oh, just some character notes. * Temire grins mischievously, "For my book or another?" <Ilarion> ::smiles:: Another... I'm having some trouble with motivation... I can't figure out why a character would do something I want him to do. And so, he's not doing it. * Temire shakes her head, "I can't imagine. I'd have thought you just told the character, 'Do this,' and they did it." <Ilarion> ::laughs:: Sometimes, my dear, my characters seem to have a life of their own. They're always wandering off and doing their own thing. * Temire shakes her head, "I have enough trouble dealing with real people. I can't imagine having to deal with people I created not doing what I want them to." <Ilarion> ::nods, looking rueful:: Art reflects life reflects art. * Temire looks at Roni in confusion. <Ilarion> ::pats her hand:: Don't worry. I'm not sure I understand myself these days. I certainly don't expect you to. * Temire looks mock offended, "Are you saying I'm stupid?" <Ilarion> ::blinks:: No. * Temire smiles brightly, "Good!" * Temire sits back in her seat, giggling softly, "So how did you get these tickets anyway?" <Ilarion> ::smiles:: Trade secret, my dear... * Temire humphs and sticks her tongue out at Roni. <Ilarion> ::grins:: Is that a suggestion or a compliment, my dear? * Temire smiles, "You can take it however you like." * Ilarion leans over and gives her a quick kiss on the mouth, then leans back again. * Temire grabs Roni and pulls him to her, kissing him properly before letting him go. * Temire sits back and smiles, "Much better." <Ilarion> ::grins:: Careful, my dear... ::brushes his tunic out:: We'll look all mussed. * Temire grins, "Like anyone would notice with all the couples coming out of the maze." <Ilarion> ::looking out the window briefly:: So, how have you been, these last few days? * Temire studies Roni for a moment, then looks out the window herself, "Alright. Keeping busy with study and practice. Missing the feel of being in your arms at night. Trying to forget." <Ilarion> ::sighs:: Yeah, something like that, I imagine/ * Temire looks at Roni curiously. <Ilarion> ::smiles:: Nothing, dear... ::the coach pulls to a stop:: Shall we? * Temire nods, "Certainly." * Ilarion steps out onto the crushed gravel drive, then offers Temire his arm. * Temire takes Roni's arm, stepping down out of the coach before looking around her. <Ilarion> ::the manor house, dark and ornate, looms in the background. A colorful garden of winter blooming flowers, skirts the front lawn. Several young men and woman are walking to and from the back of the house.:: * Temire smiles, taking Roni's arm, "Lead the way love." * Ilarion tucks his hand over her arm, leading her around the back of the house to a giant hedge-maze. * Temire leans against Roni, her eyes wide as she takes in the magnificence of the garden and the maze. * Ilarion leads the way to the entrance of the maze, a tall dark green hedge, perhaps eight feet. "Well, shall we?" * Temire smiles, "It would be a wasted trip if we didn't." Steps into the maze with Roni. * Ilarion takes a deep breath, then steps into the maze, smiling down at Temire. * Temire smiles, "So do we want to follow the right or the left hand wall? Or shall we just pick the most inviting path and see where we end up?" <Ilarion> ::shrugging:: You pick... ::he looks down the passage, one fork heading straight, another turning to the right. <Ilarion> :: * Temire smiles, "Let's just see what looks interesting. We can worry about getting back out later." * Ilarion takes her hand, then pulls her down the right fork, then takes the most immediate left. "All right... let's see." * Temire giggles. * Ilarion pauses at the intersection, hearing someone curse up ahead. "Left or straight?" * Temire smiles, "Left." * Ilarion leads the way down the left hand passage to a small shadowy corner, a dead end. A small park bench is set into a hedge arbor, with grape vines hanging in concealing curtains over the alcove. * Ilarion raises an eyebrow at Temire. "Hmmmm... guess not." * Temire smiles, "It's a lovely spot all the same. Shall we try the other way?" * Ilarion backs out, pulling her along with him, then takes the other fork. A few turns and small wrong turns, they end up at a major intersection, three paths leading out. In the small cleared space is a marble and silver water fountain. Near one corner, a few tables are spread out with sandwiches, punch, and cake. * Temire smiles, "The first hurdle cleared?" <Ilarion> ::smiles:: It would appear that way. Are you hungry? We can eat by the fountain. * Temire smiles, "Some punch and cake might be nice." * Ilarion gets some snacks, bringing them over to the fountain. A well-dressed couple in matching blue, come out from the left hand branch. "Not that way, mates," the gentleman says, before leading his lady down the straight path. * Temire takes a glass from Roni and smiles, "We could always wait here to see if they come back again." * Temire sips her tea and nibbles on the cake. <Ilarion> ::nodding:: That might be a plan, my dear. ::looks into the fountain, the bottom of which is sprinkled with copper and silver coins. Roni reaches into his pocket, handing Mira a silver coin:: Make a wish? * Temire closes her eyes for a moment, then tosses the coin into the fountain. * Ilarion grins, taking another coin. He pauses, then tosses the coin in the fountain. * Temire smiles at Roni, "It may be a plan, but I'd much rather find my way through the maze with you." * Ilarion finishes his cake, and swallows his punch. "All right. Let's take the right fork, then?" * Temire finishes her snack and takes Roni's arm, "Most certainly." <Ilarion> ::laughing, Roni pulls her down the right hand fork:: * Temire giggles, skipping a few steps down the path. * Ilarion looks around. Several small flowerbeds line the path, brightly colored tulips opening in the warming weather. * Temire smiles, "This is lovely." <Ilarion> ::the path forks again, a T intersection:: So, right or left? <Temire> Right. * Ilarion takes the right fork, leading through several passages. The path here is covered, lilac bushes woven overhead with thick, fragrant blossoms hanging down.:: * Temire closes her eyes, leaning against Roni and inhaling deeply. * Temire opens her eyes and smiles mischievously at Roni. <Ilarion> ::grins:: Yes, dear? * Temire smiles, "Wondering what you'd do if I ran off into this maze." <Ilarion> ::snickers:: Probably lose you, knowing my luck. * Temire kisses Roni's cheek, "And that's why I'm not going to. As fun as it would be to have you chase me, I'm enjoying being with you too much to risk the two of us getting separated and then lost." <Ilarion> ::leaning close to her, whispering:: We can always come back later... when there are less people... * Temire closes her eyes and sighs, "That sounds nice." * Ilarion selects a right fork and ends up in another dead end, this one with several white marble statues in graceful, slightly seductive poses. * Temire smiles, "And finding places like this is why I wanted to take a random path through the maze." <Ilarion> ::laughs:: It's very pretty... * Ilarion stands slightly behind Temire, kissing her neck lightly. * Temire sighs, tilting her head. * Ilarion grins, then heads back to the intersection, taking the left fork, his fingers closed lightly over Temire's hand. * Temire blinks at Roni for a few moments, following him without paying attention to where she's going. <Ilarion> ::the left fork also ends in a dead end, this time with a small cushioned bench under a dome of white, covered with lilac bushes:: Come here... ::Roni pulls her under the cover of the bushes:: * Temire giggles, "Yes Roni." * Ilarion lets the lilacs fall around them, enclosing them in a small, dark, fragrant space. Kneeling on the cushion, he pulls Temire down to him, gently kissing her mouth. * Temire sighs into the kiss, sitting on the bench next to Roni, her arms wrapping lightly around his shoulders and neck. * Ilarion kisses her passionately, then jumps as another young man pulls the lilacs back. "Oh, sorry!" The young man blushes, dropping the lilacs. A young lady titters outside the small enclosure. * Temire glances at the lilacs then looks back at Roni, pulling him in for another passionate kiss her fingers intwined in his hair. <Ilarion> ::grinning around the kiss, Roni runs his hands over her back lightly:: Come on, love... other people want their privacy. * Temire smiles, "Oh, alright." <Ilarion> ::leading her out, he heads back to the intersection for a third time, taking the straight path:: Let's see, maybe they were right after all... * Temire giggles, "Maybe there's a secret path. Pull on the proper branch to reveal the trap bush." <Ilarion> ::raises his eyebrow:: I hope not. * Temire smiles, "Well it would certainly make the maze complicated." <Ilarion> Aye, very complicated. I'm sure I'd be totally lost, then. * Temire smiles, "Would that be such a terrible thing if I was with you?" <Ilarion> ::laughs:: Perhaps not, my dear, but I'm sure we'd get bored, eventually... ::leans over and gives her a quick kiss:: * Temire blinks in mock surprise, "You really think so?" <Ilarion> ::laughs:: Probably... <Temire> Oh. Then lets find the way out. I don't want to get bored of you. * Ilarion leads her down the straight path, ending at another four way intersection. This open area contains several couples, all sitting and chatting while a quartet of talented musicians play off to one side. * Temire smiles and whispers to Roni, "Think we're supposed to wait for some signal?" * Ilarion shrugs. "Probably a good sign, though." * Temire nods, pulling Roni towards some empty seats, "Let rest for a bit." * Ilarion sits down, turning half in his chair to look around. * Temire sits, leaning against Roni and enjoying the music. <Ilarion> ::a giggling young lady comes up to them.:: You're him, aren't you? * Temire looks up at the woman, and then at Roni. * Ilarion raises an eyebrow. "That all depends, miss, on who 'him' is." <Young Lady> Him, that writer... ::she blushes:: I have all your books... * Temire smiles, patting Roni's arm. * Ilarion smiles. "Yes, miss. I'm glad you like them... " <Young Lady> Could... ::twisting her foot on the crushed gravel of the path:: Could I get your autograph, please? * Ilarion colors slightly, looking pleased. "Sure." He reaches into his pocket, pulling out the pad of paper and his well-chewed pencil. "What's your name?" * Ilarion chats with the young lady a while longer, while he makes out an autograph for her and tears it out of his notebook. She squeals, then runs back to her friends, a small group of girls around Temire's age. They all burst into giggles as she rejoins them. * Temire smiles at the scene, "I'll ask for my autograph later." * Ilarion smiles at her. "You have my heart, what do you need my signature for?" * Temire grins, putting a finger to Roni's lips, "This is the autograph I had in mind." <Ilarion> ::raises an eyebrow at her:: Oh, well... ::standing up, he holds a hand out to her:: Right, left or straight? * Temire takes Roni's hand, standing and thinking for several moments, "Straight." * Ilarion leads her down the straight path, a trail of girlish laughter floating after them. Ilarion colors, looking at the ground. * Temire pats Roni's arm, "Wishing you were back with Ilya?" <Ilarion> ::looking up at her:: I always feel so weird, when people recognize me. It's nothing... * Temire smiles at Roni, "Alright." <Ilarion> ::continuing down the straight path, they take a few forks, all dead ends. <Ilarion> :: * Temire giggles as they find themselves in another dead end. A simple fountain decorating the area. * Ilarion grins at her, then continues down the straight path, surprised as they see a few other couples. A moment later, they are outside the maze, on the far side. * Temire blinks and looks around her, "That was...anticlimactic." <Ilarion> ::grins:: Well, I guess we guessed better than some others. ::looks back at the maze:: * Temire smiles and kisses Roni's cheek, "Let's try it again some time." <Ilarion> ::nodding:: That sounds good... I'll ask when we can have a private run. * Temire smiles, "Oh? What would we ever do all alone in there?" <Ilarion> ::gives her a long, longing look:: I think we could think of something. * Temire kisses her finger tips then puts them to Roni's lips and whispers, "Soon." <Ilarion> ::kissing her fingers:: I'll count each moment... ::offers her his arm:: Ilya's little friends should be going home. Would you like to drop by and say hello? * Temire takes Roni's arm and smiles, "Very much so. You'd better be careful. She's such a darling girl I might have to steal her form you." * Ilarion takes her back to the carriage and they head over to the ugly purple house. Roni sighs, rubbing at his temples. * Temire looks at Roni with concern, "Something wrong love?" <Ilarion> ::blinking a few times:: I don't know... something... ::raps on the top of the carriage:: Hurry, would you? * Temire takes Roni's hand looking even more concerned. <Ilarion> ::the driver, a bit startled, clucks the horses into a trot:: <Ilarion> ::a few minutes later they pull up to the house, the door is open and the house looks quiet, almost deceptively peaceful:: * Temire looks even more concerned opening the carriage door and hopping out the moment the carriage stops, looking around carefully as she slowly walks towards the door. * Ilarion heads up the walkway, his bootheels ringing on the slate. <Ilarion> Sallah? Ilya-pumpkin? ::he calls out:: * Temire follows Ilarion looking around skittishly. <Ilarion> ::urgently:: Ilya!? * Ilarion heads into the house, calling for his daughter as he does a sweep of the house. Several toys are scattered through the living room, along with several plates covered with cake crumbs. * Temire follows Roni growing more and more concerned. * Ilarion stops dead in the kitchen, his face paling. He draws a deep breath, closing his eyes. On the floor, a puddle of blood and water surrounding her, shards of glass across the room, is Sallah, her eyes closed. * Temire gasps, then after a moment approaches Sallah carefully checking for a pulse, her white slippers and skirts staining in the blood. * Temire sighs in relief, "She's alive Roni. Get me some bandages." Lifts Sallah up and heads towards the backroom where Sallah sleeps. * Ilarion utters some small sound, his face a mask of fear. "Ilya!" He dashes from the room, searching the house, his calls growing more frantic. * Temire deposits Sallah on her bed then goes to find Roni, grabbing ahold of his tunic and forcing him to look into her eyes, "Roni, calm down!" * Ilarion gasps, meeting her eyes, his own covered with terror. "She's not here, Mira..." * Temire speaks in a voice barely above a whisper, "I know Roni. And we'll find her, I promise. But we have to take care of Sallah first. She might be able to tell us who did this." * Ilarion nods, swallowing his tears. "All right." * Temire nods, "Are there any bandages in the house?" <Ilarion> ::shrugs, heading into Sallah's room:: I can... I can heal her. Probably... * Temire pulls Roni back, "Not in that state you can't." Forces Roni into a chair, "Now calm down. Find your focus like you've been taught." * Ilarion tries to compose himself, breaking down once to cry like a broken-hearted child. "My child, Mira... someone took her." * Temire hugs Roni, stroking his hair and patting his back, "I know Roni. We'll find her. I love her too and I'm not going to let anything happen to her." * Ilarion swallows, brushing at his eyes impatiently. He takes several deep breaths, calming. He closes his eyes, his tremors subsiding. * Temire nods, lightly massaging Roni's shoulders, watching his breathing, "That's right. Calm, at peace." <Ilarion> ::nodding:: I'm all right. I'll help Sallah. Look around, see what you can find. * Temire nods, walking off to inspect the house as thoroughly as she can. * Ilarion enters Sallah's room, turning her over to reveal a sticky knife wound across her lower back. Roni flinches in sympathy, then lays his hands over the gory gash, willing the wound shut. * Temire opens a closet to find three of Ilya's playmates tied up and gagged. * Ilarion utters a strangled cry, breaking into a sweat as the healing flows out of him, closing the knife wound. Coughing, Sallah opens her pale blue eyes. * Temire steps into the closet, picking the girls up and carrying them out of the closet before untying them, talking soothingly to them as she does so, "It's alright dears. It's going to be alright now." * Temire looks up towards the kitchen, but returns her attention to trying to calm the girls who are now clinging to her and crying, "Shh...It's alright. They're gone now. They won't be back. Shh...It's alright now." <Ilarion> ::Sallah looks at Roni, then away:: Master Quilisian... they took 'er. I could na stop them. * Temire holds the girls close to her, "What happened?" <Ilarion> ::a grubby little girl, with a chocolate smear on one cheek:: Bad mens came. * Temire nods, "What did the bad men do?" <Girl> ::shuddering:: Stuck a knife in Missy Sallah. ::she starts crying again, sticking her thumb into her mouth:: * Temire hugs all the girls, "It's alright. Sallah's going to be alright. Did the bad mean say anything?" <Girl> ::taking her thumb out of her mouth:: They grabbed Illie... she was screamin'. * Temire nods, "What did the bad men look like?" <Girl> Big mens. ::she looks at her playmates, one of whom puts her hand over one eye:: <Temire> One of them had an eye patch? <Girl> ::nodding:: An' anuffer one was had a hook here.. ::she holds up her hand:: He tole Illie he'd stick her, if she didn' come. ::starts crying again:: * Temire hugs the girls tighter, "It's alright. Ilya will be alright." <Sallah> ::coming into the room, her wounds healed:: Miss? * Temire turns to Sallah, smiling in relief, "I'm glad you're alright Sallah. Can you tell us anything about what happened?" <Ilarion> ::shaking her head:: They took Little Miss... ::she wipes her eyes:: But the Master, he's... I couldn't wake him... * Temire nods, "It's alright Sallah. He probably just over did himself. Where they sailors?" <Sallah> ::nodding:: I think... ::wringing her hands:: I should take th' girls back to their parents. I couldn' do anythin'. * Temire nods, "In a moment. Did they say anything Sallah. I could spend a week searching the ships and docks and still not find her, even if that's where they took her." <Sallah> ::shaking her head, her eyes dim:: I... don' know... I... ::she opens her eyes wide suddenly:: Oh, Miss! Said tha' her mum would be waitin' for her. * Temire goes rigid, giving Sallah a curt nod as she stands up, "Sallah, take the girls with you and go to the Dragons. Speak to Lieutenant Lucien Plose if you can, but any of them will do. Tell them what happened and to hold all ships travelling to or from Sembia. I'll see what I can do for Ilarion and then head down there myself." * Sallah nods, kneeling down to embrace the girls. * Temire heads back to Sallah's room to check on Roni. * Ilarion is laying on the floor, curled up on one side, his face and chest dripping with sweat. * Temire brushes Roni's cheek and forehead, "Shh...Relax Roni...It's alright, just relax. You need to rest..." * Ilarion cries out, clinging to her, his grip painful in its urgency. "Oh, Mira..." * Temire ignores the pain, "Shh...It's alright Roni. Everything's going to be alright. I know where they're taking her. Just relax..." Lightly rubs his back. <Ilarion> ::sobbing, he clutches Mira around the waist, burying his head in her lap:: Where... * Temire spits, "That bitch Kauriss." <Ilarion> What? ::looks up, his eyes filled with anguish:: Why... * Temire wipes some tears from Roni's face, "Shh...I don't know Roni. I'm going to go and ask her though, and then I'm going to bring Ilya back here. We're her family now and I won't let that bitch have her." <Ilarion> ::swallowing hard:: I'm going with you... we have to get her back, Mira... I... ::his mouth trembles:: * Temire wipes the tears from Roni's other cheek, looking seriously into his eyes, "Roni, I know you want to come, but you can barely stand. I've seen how much healing drains you when you're not distraught. I don't want to have to tell Ilya why her mother had her father stabbed." <Ilarion> ::gripping Mira's arms firmly:: This is my daughter, Temire. I'm not going to stay here... this is *my* child. * Temire sighs, lowering her head, "I know Roni...That's why I'll let you come even though you'll slow me down and I'll have to protect you and Ilya." <Ilarion> ::shaking his head:: I can't stay here and sit on my hands, Mira. * Temire takes a deep breath, raising her head and looking into Roni's eyes. "Get whatever weapons you feel comfortable with and whatever you need to track Ilya. And then eat something. I'm going to get my sword and some spell components and I'll be back in a few minutes and together we'll hunt that bitch down." <Ilarion> ::blinks at her:: Track her? Ilya? * Temire nods, "You didn't know. She's a psionic." * Ilarion looks startled. "No, I didn't... " He swallows again, wiping his eyes. "Thank you, Mira." * Temire smiles, "Thank me after we've got Ilya safely home and put to bed." * Ilarion pulls Temire into his arms for a rough embrace, then releases her to head towards the kitchens. * Temire stands, taking a shuddering breath before closing her eyes and fading out of sight. |
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