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* Whisper Leaf enters the council room of the fortress of Byal Haff Tir, having just returned from speaking with Logos. Her clothes are as travel worn as the last time the party saw her, and her face seems both uneasy and relieved. <Bai> ::Bai, Atami, and Dokin all look up from their plans as Whisper Leaf enters. Bai is the first to speak:: What was Logos's response? * Whisper Leaf exhales loudly before answering, "He'll help us." * Jaret smiles. "Well well well. The coalition of the sane grows ever larger. Although, really, after seeing what Yb did to those orcs, I have to wonder how much use a frontal assault is going to be." * Bai looks back at the maps on the table, "As far as stopping Yb, completely useless. But it should hopefully be able to hold her in place for a few moments. Hopefully it will be long enough. And now that we have Logos's aid, hopefully we'll be able to attract her to the right place." * Zoya is not at the table with the maps, but instead sitting in a corner, her feet propped up on a bench. She is using a tiny knife to carve a piece of wood so dark it is nearly black. The shavings are collecting in the folds of her robe. <Zoya> And what place is the right place? * Tyl has been ignoring almost all of the conversation and is sitting cross-legged on the floor. Her eyes are closed and her face is almost completely emotionless as she restores the strength of her mind. <Dokin> The Desert of Richa. Little to nothing lives there, and the entire area is riddled with tunnels. Perfect for hiding the bulk of our forces. In addition once we've got her pinned down we can collapse the tunnels underneath her. <Zoya> ::glances up, an eyebrow raised:: She's insane, not stupid. Don't you think she'll anticipate you? <Tyl> ::without opening her eyes or altering her expression:: She's not insane. * Bai shrugs, "It's possible, but I don't have any reason to believe Yb's heard of the place. She could probably figure out that there are tunnels underneath the ground, and even that we've got people in them. I'm betting that if we throw all of Logos's forces at her, along with the bulk of Atami and Dokin's forces that she'll be too distracted to notice." * Whisper Leaf looks questioningly at Tyl, "What would you say she is then?" <Jaret> What makes you say that, Tyl'gainia? <Zoya> ::nods to Tyl in acknowledgment:: True. Yb herself is frighteningly sane. The thing that controls her, though... ::shrugs:: * Whisper Leaf looks curiously at Zoya, "I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to sanity as something frightening." <Tyl> ::opening her eyes:: Her actions are not those directed by an unhinged mind. Her destruction, while inhuman, is too widespread to be accidental. Plus, she acts always for her own preservation. The insane don't even notice if you try to hurt them. I've worked in asylums before, attempting to use empathy to lead them back to reality. Yb may be many things, but she's not insane. <Zoya> ::looks at Whisper Leaf sadly:: It is if you consider that Yb is alive and aware inside of a force that she can not control, it is terrifying. It would be better for her if she were insane, truly. I saw her break its control, once... She wept and begged me for help. ::she goes back to her carving, stone-faced:: That's why I'm here - to free her, if only by granting her the peace of the grave. * Whisper Leaf looks sad and nods, "I did not know that." Looks curiously at Bai but says nothing. * Tyl unfolds herself from the floor and stretches her back. * Bai looks around, "Are there any other questions or concerns or are we agreed on the plan?" <Tyl> ::shrugs:: You're in charge, blackie. I'm hoping you know what you're doing, but I'm just a foot soldier. <Jaret> Plenty of concerns, but there's little that can be done to address them, I suppose. I hope it all works is all. * Zoya tucks her carving into her sleeve, and carefully gathers up the shavings and saves them, too. "Erdian guide my hand... I'm as ready as I can be." * Bai nods once, "Very well. Remember, the moment I use the Staff Yb will know it's there, so we have to make certain that I don't act until we're ready. Tyl, Zoya, Jaret, I'll let the three of you decide whether you want to go with the main force, wait with me, work with the engineers, or stay here." * Jaret looks to Zoya and Tyl, and then back to Bai. "Where would we do the most good?" * Bai turns to Atami and Dokin, "Make certain your mages are ready to open the gates as soon as I let the arrow fly. We're all going to have to get out of there quickly whether or not this works." * Bai surveys the three, "Zoya and Tyl could probably contribute constructively to the engineers, or to ensure that I'm not attacked. As for you Jaret, you'll do the most good making certain I can take the shot at Yb undisturbed." <Zoya> I'd hate to get separated at this point. Let's stay together, with you. * Jaret nods. "It sounds best if we three stay with you, then, Bai." * Bai nods and picks up the scabbard to his katana. He waves his hand over it and suddenly gold writing appears on the surface. "Tyl, could you hold onto this. It has the rest of my plans in case everything goes wrong out there." <Tyl> ::raises her eyebrows:: All right. ::she examines the scabbard for a long moment:: * Tyl shrugs and opens her bag, sliding the scabbard in a few inches at a time. * Bai looks around, seeing that everyone is ready he turns towards the door, "Very well then." * Tyl mutters to Zoya. "When we get home, I'm going to rip the helm out of that Illithid vessel and pop it on whatever's convenient. I'm not Michelle, I don't need luxury... and then I'm going to go far, far away and forget that all of this ever happened." * Zoya grins to Tyl. "I've half a mind to go with you." <Tyl> ::snorts:: Half a mind's more than Jelarthna has... * Jaret grins. <Bai> ::Using the Staff of Order, as well as the mages that Atami and Dokin brought with them a series of gates are opened, allowing the army to march from Byal Haff Tir to a trackless desert. The sun shines down mercilessly and the strange sand glitters like diamonds. Dokin quickly points out the nearest entrances to the tunnel complex and he and Atami begin arranging their forces in a wide circle around the area.:: <Whisper Leaf> ::Whisper Leaf departs. Shortly after Atami and Dokin begin arranging their forces another, and much large portal appears in the center of the region. A wide variety of golems, as well as a strange assortment of polyhedra pass through the portal, arraigning themselves in precise military fashion as they exit the portal.:: <Jaret> I'm guessing those are Logos's forces. How... peculiar. * Tyl raises her eyebrows at their reinforcements. * Zoya eyes the golems and polyhedra curiously. * Bai heads over to the latest arrivals who bow in obeisance before him. After a short and silent exchange Bai returns to the party, leading them towards a tall rock outcropping, overlooking what will hopefully be the field of battle. * Tyl raises her eyebrows even higher. <Tyl> When did Bai become King of the World? <Jaret> I'd guess that staff has a certain holy relic element to it for the forces of law and order. Just a hunch, though. <Tyl> ::in an undertone:: You know, he's not really Bai anymore... <Jaret> I don't know. I know he's changed, but... I can't think he's just gone. <Tyl> ::shakes her head, looking dubious:: He's no more Bai than Yb is the elven princess that Bai fell in love with so long ago. He may be able to come back, but what he is now? I don't know... <Zoya> ::matching Tyl's tone:: I don't think he's been Bai for years, ever since his thankless gods laid on him the task of watching and containing Yb. But yes, he's changed much more now. If he survives this, perhaps he will have the will and the strength to lay down the Staff of Law. <Tyl> ::reaches into her pouch and pulls out a pair of rings. She slips one on each hand:: I don't like it. And I don't trust it. <Jaret> Steady on. For ill or better, things should be decided soon. * Zoya puts a ring on her own hand, and pulls a trio of wands from her sleeve, tucking them into her belt like daggers. <Tyl> ::laughs a bit bitterly:: Forgive me, Jaret. I'm getting Lisly in my old age. * Bai stops at the top of the rock outcropping, seeming the survey the area. The last of the dwarves and humans have hidden themselves in the entrances to the tunnels, while Logos's forces have arranged themselves in a tighter circle at the center of the area. Bai raises the Staff and waves once to them and they begin casting a spell, tendrils of black power creeping out from the spell casters and entwining them. <Tyl> ::darkly:: I'm going to laugh my ass off if she doesn't show up and goes off to sink another continent instead. * Zoya bends and scoops up a handful of the sparkling sand, watching as it spills between her thin fingers. "I suppose we could send her an invitation." <Bai> ::The tendrils spread until every being is linked in a solid ring of black power. The ring suddenly contracts, blasting up into the sky as a pillar of raw power as it reaches the center. A moment later the ring contracts again and a second blast falls the first.:: <Jaret> I think that's what Bai's doing right now, Zoya. * Tyl twists the gem on one of her rings and floats up from the ground about four inches. <NPC> ::On closer examination the sand in Zoya's hand appears in fact to consist of tiny individual gemstones:: * Jaret looks around. "I'm more concerned about one of the opportunistic idiot deities that plague that planet thinking this is the perfect chance to foul things up even more." <Tyl> ::disgustedly:: It wouldn't surprise me. I'm rapidly losing sympathy for these people. <Jaret> The people are fine... they've just had the misfortune to have some abysmal gods inhabiting the world they were born on. * Zoya smiles and lets the last of the sand fall from her fingers. She fishes out her silk scarf and pulls it over her head, tying it over her face so only her eyes remain uncovered. <Tyl> ::shakes her head:: Have you heard about the idiocy that *started* all this? About Bai and the elves? Trust me, some of these people really deserve Yb and all that goes with her. <Jaret> I've heard some of it, here and there. I'm not doing it for the undeserving, though. I'm doing it for the rest. The rest, and the hope that the undeserving will become otherwise, given a chance. <NPC> ::As the twelfth pillar vanishes into the sky an explosion erupts in the center of the ring. The sand and smoke clear just enough for Yb's form to be visible before the next ring of power slams into her, eliciting a piercing scream that leaves the ears ringing and seems to numb the mind:: <Zoya> ::murmuring:: Here we go... * Jaret shudders, and holds a hand out for balance as his knees buckle. <Tyl> ::sighs:: Yeah, she's insane, all right. Sure. ::holds out a hand to help steady Jaret:: * Jaret straightened. "Thank you, I'm fine. Just... overwhelmed, for a bit." <NPC> ::A battle cry sounds and the human and dwarf forces charge out of the tunnels towards Yb, those with ranged weapons opening fire the moment they're within range.:: <NPC> ::Logos's golems begin to converge on Yb, while the polyhedra maintain the ring of power, sending another pulse at Yb, this time however it appears to have no affect upon her.:: * Jaret draws his rapier. "I'm not sure what I'm getting ready for, but I had best get ready for it, regardless." * Zoya watches the charging mortals, her grey eyes sad. "Brave and desperate warriors... Rest in peace." <NPC> ::A cry of surprise goes up from the human and dwarf army as a force composed of what appears to be tribesmen and animals suddenly attack from behind, revealing themselves to have encircled the human and dwarf army even as that army encircles Yb.:: <Zoya> ::sighs:: I *told* you she would anticipate... * Tyl whips around to stare at these new enemies. * Jaret reflexively checks behind the group. <NPC> ::The first wave of humans and dwarfs reaches Logos's forces, while the missile troops and the second wave turn to deal with the surprise attack:: <NPC> ::A shock wave radiates outward from Yb, picking up the golems like rag dolls and hurling them into the remainder of Logos's forces, casting them and the humans and dwarves who joined them into disarray.:: <NPC> ::A strange green smoke begins to rise up out of the ground. It has an acrid smell, and causes the eyes to water:: * Zoya raises her hands, chanting resonantly, and behind the attacking tribesmen hordes, there is a peculiar shimmer. Thousands of insects, glittering with sand-grain gems, surge up out of the earth. Armed with pincers and poisonous stingers, they attack the tribesmen and animals with mindless mercilessness. * Jaret has acquired a square of cloth in his time at Byal Haff Tir, and quickly wraps it around his nose and mouth, rakishly tying it off behind his head. * Tyl concentrates, a sheen of sweat breaking out over her forehead. With one hand, she directs a stiff breeze towards the green smoke, hopefully pushing it out of the army's way. <NPC> ::Palyres appears behind Tyl, stabbing her with a vicious looking dagger... Only to miss by a good foot, a look of surprise on his face.:: * Tyl turns instantly, her breeze dying out behind her. "You!" Her face is twisted in sudden rage and she can't seem to come up with an insult vile enough. <NPC> ::The second wave of humans and dwarves is pressed backwards towards Yb, the remainder of the forces being trapped in the tunnels by the tribesmen and animals, despite a large portion of the tribesmen and animals turning to fight Zoya's insects.:: * Jaret laughs with furious joy as he leaps to engage Palyres. "Filth! Backstabbing donkey! Draw and have at, or fumble like a belching ogre through the last minutes of your miserable, wasted life!" * Zoya gives Palyres a withering glare. "You *are* as stupid as you look." <NPC> ::A group of tribesmen wielding what appear to be stone and wooden weapons charge up the outcropping towards the party. Leading the tribesmen is a man approximately seven feet tall with a great sword in one hand, and a short sword in the other. The look of battle fury in his eyes quite possibly surpassing anything the party has seen, even from Lisl.:: <NPC> ::Palyres drops his dagger and quickly draws his twin rapiers, attack Jaret with a series of lightning fast thrusts.:: * Zoya pulls a wand from her belt and points it at the tribesmen. A barked command raises a wall of ice three feet thick and fifteen feet high, cutting off the path up the outcropping. * Tyl looks unimpressed with the charging primitives, closes her eyes for a moment, and appears to seep into her shadow until there's nothing left of her but the shadow. The sword she draws looks real enough, however. * Bai ignores the chaos erupting around him, his eyes locked on Yb's form, the Staff of Order in his left hand, and a delicately carved arrow with a black, crystalline arrowhead in his right. * Tyl slinks forward, her body moving like a patch of liquid blackness. She circumvents the ice wall and moves easily into the crowd of primitives. She opens wide, shadowy arms as if to embrace the leader and dissolves into him as he crashes through her shadowy form. <NPC> ::The humans and dwarves of the first wave begin coughing and choking as the smoke Tyl had been holding at bay is suddenly released into their midst.:: <NPC> ::Palyres continues to attack Jaret, his attack patterns becoming more complex as he tries to slip past Jaret's defense:: * Bai continues to watch the battle below, whispering softly, "Do it now." * Zoya laughs and spreads her arms. Her narrow face elongates. An obsidian spike bursts through her back. Another, and another. Her teeth sharpen and grow in her stretching face to the length of a man's finger, cruelly curved. Sandy-brown scales cover her exposed skin, and as her robes flutter in the wind they become a pair of long, batlike wings and a tail tipped with a dozen of the angry obsidian spikes. * Zoya grows, twice her normal size, thrice... She leaps off the outcropping and rises again an instant later: a sand-dragon with a hundred-foot wingspan, grinning fiercely as she surveys the attackers. Only the silver-grey eyes and a faintly purplish tinge to the scales behind her left ear recall Zoya. * Jaret barely bats the attacks aside, encouraging Palyres to overextend himself. He screams out at the top of his lungs, "Gods of this sphere, hear me! If you do not support Palyres in his actions here, see to it that he does not act with your blessing! Strip his sainthood from him, and leave him to act as a man, a mortal man, with all that implies and allows!" <NPC> ::Realizing they don't have time for another cooperative attack, those of Logos's forces who can attack Yb, either physically, or with spells, throwing themselves at her with unimaginable single mindedness. They're met with a wash of power that breaks over them like a wave, many simply vanishing in its wake.:: <NPC> ::A half elven woman at the back of the group of tribesmen turns to face the sand dragon that has appeared, casting a spell of her own, and throwing it up into the sky where with a flash of light, storm clouds suddenly appear, a torrential down pour covering the area an instant later.:: * Tyl screams with rage and agony as her mind and body are forcibly expelled from the leader's. She is flung over thirty feet away and bounces a few times on the sand before sprawling to a stop. Blood is oozing slowly from several abrasions along her skin and leaking from around her eyes. * Tyl shakes her head to clear it and attempts to get to her feet before the screaming hordes descend on her. <NPC> ::The last of Logos's forces throw themselves at Yb, vanishing in flashes of black light.:: <NPC> ::The humans and dwarves stop trying to fight their way out of tunnels as the downpour commences, instead retreating in an attempt to seek shelter and set up a defense.:: * Bai tenses, crossing the arrow and the Staff. * Zoya snarls, her voice eerie and deep issuing from the dragon's throat. The massive jaws open. What blasts from them is neither fire nor ice nor lightning, but a searingly hot desert wind. As it meets the rain-soaked ground under the tribesmen and their sorceress, it turns into a cruel steam, cooking them. <Zoya> ::The currents also lift the desert sand into the whirlwind. The tiny gems are razor-sharp and more deadly at this speed than a hundred knives.:: * Jaret continues to barely deflect Palyres's attacks, a couple of the thrusts he barely gets out of the way of, leaving rents in his jacket. "Mute as a mouse now that the chips are down? Self-interested fool, your name could have been sung as one of the greatest heroes ever to walk among men. Instead you'll be known as one of the most spineless cowards." * Jaret tries an attack of his own, but is still primarily in a defensive posture, keeping Palyres from Bai. <NPC> ::As Zoya's attack clears the tribesmen's leader is revealed, unharmed, and promptly charges Zoya with a bloodthirsty cry. The sorceress is sorely wounded, but still standing grimly. She reaches an arm towards the sky and clenches her fist, a bolt of lightning slamming out of the clouds towards Zoya.:: <NPC> ::Palyres parries Jaret's attack, jumping back away from Jaret, and studying him intently.:: <NPC> ::As the last of Logos's forces attack Yb she appears to cry out in pain. Whatever sound she may have made is drowned out however by the thunder of a half dozen lightning bolts slamming into the ground and those surrounding Yb. One bolt strikes Yb herself, but leaves no noticeable effect. Another strikes Bai, knocking him to the ground in a smoking heap.:: * Tyl swears in several languages all at once and a shimmering doorway opens behind her. A similar one opens next to Bai's inert form and she steps through, crossing to Bai's side in an instant. The portal slams shut behind her. "Bai, you..." She trails off into more incomprehensible curses as she kneels near the prone man. <NPC> ::Everything around the battlefield suddenly turns pitch black, even the flash of lightning or a spell doing no more than to reveal itself in the darkness, but providing no illumination.:: * Bai shakily rises to his feet, "Save your strength Tyl'gainia... You need to survive this battle even if the rest of us perish." * Zoya wings higher to avoid the tribesman. "Ah, another of the Six... and far more of an idiot than even poor Demondinmer." The lightning directed toward her she deflects with a ripple of obsidian spikes. <Zoya> ::Her eyes sparkle with anger as Bai falls, and she glares at the sorceress.:: That was not wise. ::She dives steeply from her height, pulling up at the last moment to plough into the woman. She does not bother with teeth or claws, relying on her sheer mass and speed to knock the sorceress from the outcropping to fall to the hard rock below.:: * Jaret advances on Palyres, getting about a step closer than what is considered 'normal' range, and tries to match Palyres's movements, both backwards and forwards. He continues to mostly stay on the defensive, hissing imprecations under his breath to Palyres. "When it's gone from you, do you think you'll even notice at first, or will it be like losing a limb?" * Jaret continues his defensive tactics, the one attack he allows is complex, a thrust, a feint of disengage once Palyres parries, followed by a second attack. <NPC> ::The tribesmen leader cries out as Zoya reduces the sorceress to a bloody smear, a red haze emanating from his body to form a giant, ghostly image of him on the scale of the sand dragon. He then attacks Zoya with his blades which have grown with him.:: <NPC> ::Palyres retreats before Jaret's offensive, taking several minor cuts from attacks he is unable to completely parry. As he retreats Palyres begins mumbling something to himself.:: <Tyl> Don't be stupid, Bai. Are you hurt? ::she starts digging around in her bag again:: <Bai> Yes, I am injured, but I'll live. <Tyl> ::dryly:: How reassuring. * Zoya drives upward, sandy wings beating furiously as she tries to go high enough to exit the area of the darkness. The tribal leader manages to tag her with one blade, opening an ugly wound along her side. She shrieks in pain and anger, but continues to drive upward. Blood as hot as a desert wind drips from her wound to fall on the tribesman's face and blade and smoke corrosively. <Bai> ::Palyres finishes casting his spell, splitting into six copies of himself, all of which attack Jaret at once:: <Bai> ::Atami and Dokin appear on either side of Yb, their power dispelling the darkness as they charge Yb.:: <Tyl> ::glances at Bai:: Are you waiting for an engraved invitation or what? ::she shakes her head and concentrates:: I hope that fortress is still here when we get done with this. <Bai> ::The tribesman Zoya bled on, cries out, collapsing to the ground next to the smear of the former sorceress.:: * Jaret shifts to a defensive stance, several of his parries passing through Palyres's rapiers, Palyres scores two deep wounds, one to Jaret's right leg, the other to his left side. When he does engage the true Palyres, he doesn't press the attack, but does attempt to disarm one of Palyres's rapiers. "Be there six of you or sixty, Palyres, it doesn't matter. On this day, you will fall." <Zoya> ::As the darkness disappears, Zoya spins on the wing, astonishingly agile for such a large dragon for those who have not often seen a dragon in flight. She beelines toward the main battlefield, staying high to leave Bai plenty of room to shoot. She uses her breath to stir up another dust-devil, the hot gemstone sand shredding clothing and skin ten times worse than normal sand.:: <Bai> ::As Atami and Dokin reach Yb the entire area surrounding the three of them is encased in shimmering light, making it impossible to see within:: <Bai> ::The tribesmen scatter as Zoya's attack begins to tear through their ranks:: * Tyl reaches down and picks up a handful of rocks. With an angry snort, she hurls them, one at a time, at the Palyres copies. They speed towards the copies with deadly accuracy, faster than anyone could have possibly thrown them. <Bai> ::The copies of Palyres vanish as they are struck, Tyl's stone striking the illusions at the same time that Jaret disarms the original of one of his rapiers. Palyres hurriedly pulls a dagger like the one he attempted to stab Tyl with, assuming a defensive posture:: <Jaret> Ah, Tyl, your kindness is duly appreciated. And now, Palyres, back to where we left off. Allow me to demonstrate an interesting style I learned from an elven friend of mine. ::Jaret's attacks take an on almost languorous quality, the paths of attack seeming to almost be guided by Palyres's parries and deflections.:: * Zoya swoops over the tribesmen, hoping to free some of Logos' creatures to fight Yb. Her draconic tones chant a spell, and another nearby outcropping sags and then suddenly liquefies, burying dozens of tribesmen in steaming mud. <Tyl> ::grins:: Least I could do, Jaret. Bad enough looking at *one* of him... <Bai> ::sounds of battle emerge from the light surrounding Atami, Dokin and Yb. Atami and Dokin's forces hesitantly emerge from the tunnels as Zoya clears the entrances, but don't seem to know who to fight anymore. The tribesmen flee from Zoya, but seem unwilling to leave the battle.:: * Tyl pulls out Bluestar's sword and drops into a combat stance, her violet eyes alert to any attack. "Can you see her?" <Bai> ::Palyres retreats before Jaret's attack, fear appearing on his face as he clumsily attempts to defend himself. The number of cuts that appear on his body speaking to his limited success.:: <Bai> Yes. * Jaret doesn't appear to be pressing his attack so much as ambling forward, his strikes continuing to come leisurely, appearing to have almost no effort behind them at all. The blood from the wounds continue to flow, and aside from perhaps a slight lightening of his complexion, Jaret doesn't seem to be paying them any mind. "Careful, Palyres. Watch your footing. Many loose rocks here. You don't want to slip." * Zoya continues to attack tribesmen. The few who flee the field, she leaves alone. Those who insist on standing their ground die, messily, in great numbers. Zoya lets out a draconic cry of fierce joy as she harries one group. They attack her bravely, but most bounce off her shimmering scales. The few that get through seem little more than nuisances. One hero manages to puncture her wing, and dies for his effort. <Bai> ::The characteristic sound of a fireball exploding emerges from the Atami and Dokin's battle with Yb. A moment later the sound is forgotten as the entire area shakes, knocking people off their feet, and kicking the crystalline sand into the air.:: <Bai> ::There is a moment of silence, and then the ground around Yb explodes upward in a geyser of stone and sand. Standing out against the debris, the shattered remains of what appears to be a statue carved from gemstones and the burning remains of a twisted tree can be seen flying from the site of the blast.:: * Bai lays his arrow across the Staff of Order as if he was nocking an arrow on a bow, then pulls the arrow back, the Staff bending in his hands as he takes aim into the flying debris. * Bai lets the arrow fly, shooting up to strike some invisible target in the sky. For a moment, two Yb's can be seen, both dressed in white gowns. One shines brighter than the Sun. The other's dress is slowly turning red, beginning where an arrow is lodged in her breast. <Tyl> ::mutters under her breath:: Dear Mystra, Lathander, and Mask, let him have hit the right one... <Bai> ::The next moment the Jaret, Tyl and Zoya find themselves in the temple of Shadra. Whisper Leaf and Shadra turn to look at them, a tapestry in front of the two showing the ongoing battle. Between the party and the deities Yb lies on the floor, the arrow in her chest snapping in half as she apparently fell face down on the floor.:: * Jaret looks around, and then at the tapestry. "Where's Bai? Where's Palyres?" <Tyl> ::sighs:: I knew I should have put up a space anchor. Who jerked us around? * Zoya shrieks in surprise and wheels once over the auditorium, her voice echoing, then glides to a stop on the stage. She resumes her human shape as she does. Her clothes are rent, a terrible cut slicing her side open all the way down to the thigh. She clutches one arm to her chest as she limps toward the others. "Why are we here?" <Whisper Leaf> ::Shadra points at the tapestry and speaks in her strangely unidentifiable voice:: Bai believes he has achieved his heart's aim and saved Yb. Now he goes to fulfill his duty and defeat Chaos. As for my son, he was not included in the protection Bai cast upon you. If he does not leave the battle on his own, he will almost certainly die. <Whisper leaf> ::Valkyrie appears at the temple entrance:: May I enter Shadra? I would witness as much of this as I can before performing my duty. <Jaret> He believes he has... has he? <Jaret> And why are we here? Can we not help him anymore? * Whisper leaf turns to Zoya, "Bai probably thought his was the only safe place he could send you. His personal honor demands that he fight Chaos, but it love dictated that he save Yb first." Looks at Yb with concern. "He apparently thought that she would be saved once she arrived here." * Zoya kneels painfully beside the fallen Yb and rolls her gently onto her back. "Poor child..." She looks up at Whisper Leaf. "Can't you do anything?" <Jaret> Well? Can you save her? * Tyl drops to the other side of Yb and puts one hand on the elf's wrist. <Whisper leaf> ::Shadra motions for Valkyrie to approach. As Valkyrie mounts the stage she answers Jaret's question.:: There are only three beings who can even enter that area until the battle's over. Absalom, Logos, and Archon. Logos and Archon won't go because they're cowards. Absalom won't go because if he dies then all his worshippers will lose his protection. An opportunity Archon is no doubt prepared to seize. * Whisper leaf shakes her head, tears in her eyes, "I have no power to heal so terrible a wound. None of us do unless..." Looks to Valkyrie. <Whisper leaf> ::Valkyrie shakes her head:: I can not. My duty is to bring death, not prevent it. ::Valkyrie turns to watch the battle in the tapestry:: <Tyl> ::looks up at Whisper Leaf with disgust:: Oh, what a shock. ::she digs through her bag and pulls out two heavily jeweled bracelets and slides them on:: Someone's going to owe me a lot of money... * Zoya cups her hands around the arrow that she helps Bai to build, and whispers to it. Slowly, the arrow shrinks and dissolves into smoke in Zoya's hands. As it disappears, she looks up at Tyl. "Tell me what you need." <Tyl> ::gives Zoya a long, serious look:: Tell Bluestar I'm sorry, if this doesn't work. ::she puts both hands over Yb's wound and closes her eyes:: * Jaret looks around at all those present. "Please, if any of you can do anything for Bai, either aiding him in his battle or saving Yb's life, I beseech you, do not hesitate." <Zoya> ::shakily:: Chaos is still ascendant here. I can tap enormous power, until that battle is decided. I can feed you. <Whisper leaf> ::As Tyl begins to heal Yb, the battle in the tapestry appears to approach some sort of climax. Giant white grass whips across the tapestry, seeming to tear at a sphere of absolute darkness, slowly diminishing it.:: * Tyl strains with the difficulty of healing, her own skin breaking open in mirroring wounds to Yb's. She groans with agony as blood spurts from a rent in her chest as the same wound slowly closes in Yb's body. When the slender elven woman takes a deep breath, Tyl slumps away. "Zoya..." Her voice is barely audible. "Don't let anyone touch me until I wake..." She collapses, unconscious, next to Yb. <Whisper leaf> ::As the sphere continues to shrink under the grass's assault a flash of blue appears in the sphere, echoed a moment later in the grass:: <Jaret> What was that? What am I seeing? * Zoya winces in sympathy as Yb's wounds open on Tyl, but doesn't touch her. She remains kneeling, blood slowly pooling at her injured side, waiting for her friend and Bai's beloved to awaken. Her eyes are steel as she looks up at the tapestry. <Whisper leaf> ::The scene in the tapestry seems unchanged for a moment, and then erupts in an explosion of multicolored butterflies. When the butterflies finely clear away the sight that is revealed in unrecognizable as the desert where Yb was ambushed, the entire area seemingly reshaped by a madman with no regard for the physics or artistry.:: <Zoya> ::murmuring:: Blessed Erdian... * Jaret absently slides his swords home. "Where are they?" <Whisper leaf> ::In the center of the scene the blasted remains of what might once have been a body can be seen. Shadra bows her head as Whisper Leaf begins silently crying. After a moment Valkyrie speaks:: I must do my duty now. Any who would be with Bai in his last moments may accompany me. ::With that pronouncement Valkyrie extends a hand into the tapestry and steps through it, appearing in the depicted scene.:: * Jaret follows Valkyrie through the tapestry. * Zoya looks at Tyl, then sighs and levers herself to her feet. She looks at Whisper leaf and points at Tyl. "No one touches her. No. One." Without waiting for acknowledgement, she picks up Tyl's bag and follows Jaret, rummaging in the bag as she goes. * Zoya retrieves a potion from the bag, pulls the cork out with her teeth, and chugs it down in three mighty swallows. She makes a face, but the wound in her side closes. <Valkyrie> ::Whisper Leaf stops Zoya before she enters the tapestry:: Valkyrie means to take Bai's life. I don't think Yb would want her life, at the price of Bai's. * Valkyrie stands over Bai's remains, then looks to Jaret, "Do you have anything you wish to say before I take his life?" <Zoya> ::gives Whisper Leaf a steely look:: You take care of them ::she waves at Tyl and Yb:: and let me take care of Bai. <Zoya> ::steps through the tapestry:: * Jaret blinks at Valkyrie. "Yes, I do. It goes something like, 'I have a pouch full of healing potions I'm going to start pouring down his throat, or the nearest approximation thereof, and if you try to take his life, I'm going to have to reconsider my personal philosophy regarding striking a woman. Pray, don't force me to such a crisis." * Jaret reaches into his pouch, finds a healing potion, pulls the cork out, and starts looking for a mouth, throat, esophagus, or stomach to pour it into. * Valkyrie places her spear to protect Bai's body from Jaret, "I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that." * Zoya steps next to Jaret. "Why not?" * Jaret puts his hand on his sword. "As the lady says, why?" <Valkyrie> Because this is the end of his life. He has fought bravely and defeated Chaos. Now it is time for him to join his ancestors. Do not interfere. For his sake, I have no desire to harm you. * Zoya crouches to touch the ground. She plucks a few peculiar stems of grass and rubs them between her fingers for a moment before dropping them. She touches her fingertips to the ground again, and the butt of Valkyrie's spear suddenly sprouts roots and fastens itself to the ground. <Jaret> What about Yb? He saved her, and now *I'd* like to save him. I'd think you'd rather save lives than take then. Then again, this whole planet has been nothing but a slaughterhouse since we've arrived. <Zoya> ::gently:: We don't want to hurt you, either. There has been too much death. Too much destruction. Let us take Bai and go. All the others who died here, those are yours. * Valkyrie looks at Zoya with interest for a moment, before waving a hand negligently at Zoya and drawing her long sword to face Jaret with a questioning look. <Jaret> Simply answer this. Which do you choose: Life, or death? * Zoya coughs and gasps as she is knocked back several feet by Valkyrie's wave. She rolls with the concussion, snarling. * Valkyrie shakes her head, unsling her shield from her back, "No. Bai was a saint and soldier of this world. He resided in yours for a time, but this is his true home." To Jaret, "Duty." * Jaret speaks up. "Bai. Yb lives. Tyl has saved her life." * Jaret looks at the large red splotches on his clothes and drinks the open potion before drawing his swords. "Is there any chance you would put the question to Bai, and let him choose life or death?" * Zoya pulls up to her knees, clutching at her not-quite-healed side. She pants for breath, then puts her hands back on the peculiar grass, talking to it quietly. * Valkyrie shakes her head, "I can not. That was a lesson he was forced to teach me at great pain to us both." <Zoya> ::looks up at the sky:: Gods of this world! I know you're listening! Palyres demanded you strip Bai of his Sainthood, and you granted his request even though it might have meant defeat by Chaos. Now I ask that you listen to me, oh Powers! Strip Bai of his ties to this world, that his soul may not be claimed by you! <Jaret> Bai was stripped of his sainthood for doing his job. I think you have things backwards. Do you persist? * Valkyrie nods, tears in her eyes, "Yes. I will not betray my teacher by abandoning his teachings." <Jaret> And that teaching is? * Zoya searches the sky as if waiting for an answer, then sighs and goes back to talking to the grass. <Valkyrie> What it means to be a soldier and a warrior. When it is time to take a soldier or a warrior's life, and when they should be spared. <Jaret> Then why did he save Yb's life? That has nothing to do with duty. You've forgotten about love. The love of Bai's life lies alive back in that temple. Why not reunite them? Why not give him happiness, after all this struggle and strife? * Valkyrie shakes her head, "That is not my place. My duty is to provide the world with heroes to inspire them, and tragedies to forewarn them." <Zoya> ::As Valkyrie and Jaret argue, the grass under Zoya's fingertips ripples. Bai's charred body inches almost imperceptibly toward Zoya:: * Valkyrie lowers her sword point to the ground, igniting the grass into a firestorm that sweeps through the area. A moment later she attacks Jaret in a flurry of sword blows, ignoring the inferno surrounding her. * Jaret staggers backwards, on fire, coughing in the smoke from the grass fire, desperately parrying blows that come in lightning fast and thunderously strong. * Zoya spits out a spell of protection and stands. An instant later, another spell crosses her lips and a reddish wave spills from her fingers to coat Jaret. <Valkyrie> ::The spell coating Jaret winks out of existence and Valkyrie throws a leg sweep into her attacks. At the same moment a shimmering wall surrounds Zoya.:: * Jaret gets half a clean breath before the protective spell is stripped from him, and barely manages to hop over the kick, striking down at the leg, Valkyrie's sword cutting deep into his arm as he opens himself up to attack. <Zoya> I can't believe we're having to do this. ::she pulls another healing potion out of Tyl's bag and rests it on her palm. Drawing on the still-powerful chaos magic in the area, she turns to face Bai, but focuses intently on the bottle.:: <Valkyrie> ::Jaret's sword glances harmlessly off of Valkyrie's leg. Ignoring Jaret for a moment, she plunges her sword into the ground and draws a dagger, throwing it at Zoya, the dagger passing through the wall surrounding Zoya as if it didn't exist.:: <Valkyrie> ::Back at the temple Whisper Leaf turns away from the scene in the tapestry and walks over to Yb and Tyl. She considers for a moment, then attempts to wake Yb.:: * Zoya hisses in pain and drops the bottle as Valkyrie's dagger punctures Zoya's already-broken arm. <Jaret> ::ignored, Jaret squints through tearing eyes and swings a harder attack at Valkyrie:: * Tyl stirs a little in her healing state, groaning. She opens one eye. "Dri'antha." She swears in elven and peers at the tapestry. "What a benighted and obscene place this is. Yb, are you awake?" <Valkyrie> ::Jaret's sword strikes Valkyrie cleaning, but rebounds off her flesh as if he'd struck a boulder with a green branch. Valkyrie turns back to Jaret, swinging hard in an attempt to knock his sword from his hand.:: <Valkyrie> ::Yb stirs and looks around:: Where am I? Where's Bai? * Zoya gives Valkyrie a positively evil look, then drops to her knees. She snaps a short spell and a second shimmering wall appears around her, inside Valkyrie's. Thus protected, Valkyrie's dagger still stuck in her arm, she closes her eyes and prays. <Tyl> You're on the most god-forsaken, uncaring planet in all the spheres. I think you call it home. ::she points at the tapestry:: Bai is out there, working very hard on dying for you. <Valkyrie> ::Whisper Leaf points to the tapestry:: They battle for Bai's life. Valkyrie must take his life. In order for him to be saved, she must be defeated. * Jaret doesn't lose the sword, but is knocked badly out of position by hanging onto it. <Valkyrie> ::Valkyrie uses the opportunity to strike at Jaret's leg, attempting to incapacitate him.:: * Jaret gets his off-hand sword down in time to prevent the leg from being cut off, but Valkyrie's blow cuts deep and knocks him to the ground. <Valkyrie> ::Yb stands shakily, leaning heavily on Whisper Leaf to maintain her balance.:: * Zoya reaches into Tyl's bag and pulls out another bottle. She begins casting again, focusing this time on Jaret. * Tyl continues to swear in elvish and hauls herself painfully to her feet. "I hate this place. I absolutely hate it. You all deserve to die a hundred deaths, each more painful and degrading than the last." <Valkyrie> ::Valkyrie watches Jaret fall, then turns back to Bai's remains, kneeling on the ground beside them.:: * Zoya grins as the liquid inside the bottle teleports itself into Jaret's stomach. <Valkyrie> ::Whisper Leaf looks to Yb and Tyl:: Step through the tapestry and you can redeem us all. <Tyl> ::shoots a look of pure hatred at Whisper Leaf:: Nothing can redeem you. All I can hope is to save my friends. <Valkyrie> ::Yb nods, then slowly stumbles to the tapestry, half falling through it in her attempt to step through.:: * Tyl takes Yb's elbow and helps her balance. "I really hope this isn't the second stupidest thing I've done this week." * Zoya rummages in her sleeve, and comes up with another bottle. She begins whispering to this one while watching Valkyrie. * Jaret shudders as something incredibly and profoundly unnatural happens to him, and some of his wounds creep closed, and the blood flow slows to a trickle. "Get away from him you ungrateful wretch!" He rears back and throws the elven long sword overhand at Valkyrie's head. <Valkyrie> Valkyrie looks up as Yb and Tyl appear. Hope appearing on her face, even as she assumes a combative stance once more. * Zoya succeeds in teleporting the cursed poison in her vial into Valkyrie. * Valkyrie parries the sword away, then gasps as Zoya's spell succeeds. * Tyl staggers in the ruin of the landscape, looking haggard and beyond the pale of mere exhaustion. "Touch him not!" She speaks the words of her command, closing her eyes and concentrating on making Bai's near-dead form as revolting and terrifying as possible to the godling-bitch. <Valkyrie> Yb glares at Valkyrie, and the ground beneath her feet begins to shift, causing Valkyrie to stumble. * Jaret summons his long knife to his off-hand and advances on Valkyrie. "We have business yet unfinished. And when all is said and done, remember that this is of your choosing." * Zoya looks up as Tyl shouts her command, her eyes lighting with hope. * Valkyrie begins floating a few inches off the ground and regains her balance before meeting Jaret with a fresh series of attacks. <Valkyrie> ::Yb begins muttering under her breath, her eyes never leaving Valkyrie:: * Jaret shudders back under the attacks, but seems to be able to keep pace with them this time around. * Zoya gestures, and Jaret's elven sword lifts from the ground where Valkyrie had knocked it and levitates hesitantly at about waist-height. Slowly, skittering away from Valkyrie's possible reach, it inches toward Jaret. <Valkyrie> ::Valkyrie pauses in her attack, stepping back and adopting a defensive posture behind her shield. She's breathing hard and sweating profusely:: * Jaret doesn't engage in the verbal sparring he enjoyed with Palyres, instead he ritually begins testing the extents of Valkyrie's defenses. * Zoya hangs Jaret's sword in mid-air where he can grab it if he gets a chance, then looks over at Yb. "Forget her! Get Bai! Once he's healed, she has no reason to fight!" * Valkyrie blocks Jaret's attacks with her shield, but seems reluctant to use her sword, holding it gingerly. <Valkyrie> ::Yb shakes her head and Zoya's words, then rushes to Bai's side.:: * Tyl finds a nice comfortable place on the ruined ground to sit down. * Jaret reaches back, banishes his long knife, grasps the long sword, and begins a two-pronged attack on Valkyrie. <Valkyrie> ::Valkyrie sees Yb rush to Bai's side and turns to strike at Yb, only to be struck down by Jaret as she turns her back on him:: * Zoya pauses a moment to yank Valkyrie's dagger from her forearm with a clenched-teeth scream. <Valkyrie> ::Yb leans down encased in a soft white aurora and kisses Bai. The light spreads through Bai's remains and his body begins to piece itself back together.:: * Jaret stops his attacks and stands quiet, swords held point down. <Valkyrie> ::Seeing Bai's healing body Yb rests her head on the ground and begins to cry:: <Valkyrie> ::Shadra, Whisper Leaf, Eng'lvail, a man of indeterminate age dressed in loose robes, and a dwarf dressed in armour and carrying a giant sword appear, and gaze upon the scene. After a moment, the man steps forward and bows:: I thank you for your service to our world. I know you are angry with us but would you do us the honor of accepting our hospitality while you and Bai recover from this battle? * Zoya climbs to her feet, cradling her injured arm against her midriff. She grabs Tyl's bag and drops it at the elf's feet. "Sorry. I think I've used up all your healing potions." * Jaret sheathes his swords. "It certainly would be better than the alternative, I assume." <Valkyrie> ::The man gestures to Zoya's arm:: Would you permit me to heal your injuries? <Tyl> ::shrugs:: I think at least the gods of *our* world will be willing to make more. ::she reaches for her bag and pulls it back around her waist:: <Zoya> ::raises an eyebrow at the man:: Who are you? <Valkyrie> ::The man looks to Jaret:: If you wish I will open a portal to your world. You have done much that we could not or would not do. I am in your debt. * Jaret shakes his head. "I'm not done accompanying Bai. I'll stay a while longer." <Valkyrie> ::to Zoya:: I am Absalom. ::gestures to the dwarf:: This is Ofenphren. I believe you already know Eng'lvail, Whisper Leaf, and Shadra. <Jaret> Ofenphren..... ::he bows to the dwarf:: I am sorry about your daughter. I did everything I could to avoid it. * Zoya considers for a moment, then extends her arm for healing. <Valkyrie> ::Ofenphren steps over to Valkyrie, and lifts her up in his arms:: She'll be alright. Bai broke her of Palyres's hubris so the fact that you defeated her won't break her spirit. As for her wounds, it takes more than that to kill her, though it will be a while before she's ready to fight someone of your skill again. And even if you had killed her, I understand. I've made the same decision more times than I can count. <Valkyrie> ::The man reaches out, laying his hand on Zoya's wound. When he removes it the wound has vanished and the bone has been set and healed.:: <Jaret> Well... I'm glad to hear that she'll live, then. I suppose. If no one has any particular attachment to this newly misshapen wasteland, could we perhaps retire to more comfortable surroundings? * Zoya prods gingerly at her arm, then nods once to Absalom. <Valkyrie> ::Shadra gestures and a portal opens, revealing what appears to be some kind of cross between a temple, an art gallery, and a palace. Eng'lvail goes, and gather's Yb up in his arms, while Absalom carefully lifts Bai. Whisper Leaf turns to Tyl:: Need a hand? * Tyl gets to her feet grimly. "Not from you." * Zoya offers Tyl the support of her newly-healed arm. <Valkyrie> ::Whisper Leaf leads the way through the portal:: * Jaret gets on Tyl's other side. <Tyl> ::glowering absently at Ofenphren's back:: His little forgiveness speech explains a lot of what the hell is *wrong* with this place. I really hate it here. ::she leans heavily on her friends:: No, Bai, I won't stand up in your wedding, no I won't get you a present. I'm never *ever* doing anything for him ever again. * Zoya gives Tyl a grim smile. "Now, now. We'll get you home and get your fingers regenerated, and pack you off to slaughter a few thousand illithid, and you'll feel much better." <Tyl> ::snorts:: Please tell me that this is very uncommon, and I won't have to deal with too many worlds like this while I try and track Jelarthna down. <Zoya> If it makes you feel better, it's the first god-war *I've* ever participated in. <Jaret> Me, too. At least, I think. There's that grudge with Vhaeraun, but that's not a war, that's just a severe case of personal loathing. <Tyl> I want a bath, three days of sleep, and a vacation. Do you suppose that's going to be too much to ask, or what? <Jaret> I think they should find sufficient resources with which to fulfill your desires. <Zoya> Probably. How do you feel about a swim in a river, a good nap, and a pleasant walk to the next place we get into horrendous trouble? * Tyl gives Zoya a look that's more grey than black, probably as a result of her exhaustion. <Jaret> Now now, ladies. Let's step through the nice glowing portal and see what the deities have conjured up for us. <Valkyrie> ::The portal closes as the last of the group steps through. Ofenphren takes his leave of Shadra, Valkyrie still in his arms. Absalom follows a servant, taking Bai with him, while Eng'lvail and Whisper Leaf follow another servant with Yb. Shadra turns to the party:: If you would follow me, I will take you to rooms where you can bath, eat and rest. * Tyl walks through the portal. <Jaret> Please, lead on. * Zoya does not speak to Shadra, but follows her. <Valkyrie> ::Shadra leads the party through several halls and courtyards, all decorated with beautiful sculptures, magnificent paints, and exquisite music. Finally she stops in a luxuriously appointed suite of rooms, possessing every imaginable convenience.:: Can I get you anything? * Jaret looks around. "Oh... no... this looks like it should do nicely." <Zoya> Guide Bai here, as soon as he is well enough, please. ::she turns and gestures toward the bath:: After you, Tyl. * Tyl pays little attention to anyone else and heads for the bath, a slightly dreamy expression on her face as she starts shedding her clothing. * Shadra bows, "Then I will leave you. If you need anything, simply ring the bell" Gestures to a small silver bell sitting on a table. * Jaret politely turns his back on Tyl. "I think I'll explore the amenities offered on the gentlemen's side of our suite. Ladies, I will find you later." <Valkyrie> ::Shadra exits the suite, closing the door behind her:: * Zoya watches Shadra leave, obviously debates locking the door behind her, then shrugs and follows Tyl into the bathroom. * Jaret exits the entry room, and goes in search of his own bath, quietly downing several healing potions as soon as he's out of sight. <Tyl> ::steps into the water, hissing as the heat stings her myriad scrapes and bruises. "Is there anything to eat out there?" * Zoya pauses at the door, looks back over her shoulder, and grabs a bowl of fruit. She sets it by Tyl's tub before shedding her clothes and easing into a second tub. <Tyl> ::takes a bunch of grapes and eats them:: Too bad Jaret didn't stay... there's nothing quite so decadent about being fed grapes. * Jaret finds his bath, and lays out a replacement, not-bled-in set of finery out of his bottomless pack before stripping himself of his ruined outfit and submerging in the tub. <Zoya> ::smirks:: I was about to remind you that you're married, but somehow I doubt that would stop Jaret, really... * Jaret resurfaces and mumbles. "I should have asked for Palyres's head on a platter, with an apple in his mouth." <Valkyrie> ::A short time later a tentative knock is heard at the door:: It's Yb, can I come in? <Zoya> Come in! Ladies to the left! * Tyl shrugs. "As long as you're not expecting me to get out of the bath." * Jaret is soaking in somewhat pink water and starts out of an almost-asleep state at Yb's knock. "Yes, please, come in. I'll join you in a moment." * Zoya - having actually washed instead of just soaking - sits up on the side of the tub and pokes around in a nearby cabinet until she finds bandages. She starts wrapping her mostly-healed side as Yb comes in. * Yb enters and steers herself into the bath with Tyl and Zoya, sitting on a stool where she can face the both of them. She's changed out of her blood stained white gown and is now wearing a simple sky blue dress. She has something of a shocked expression on her face, but bows deeply to the two, "Thank you for everything you've done for Bai and I." * Yb notices Zoya's wound, "Would you like me to heal that Zoya? Tyl, do you have any injuries that need healing?" * Tyl inspects herself before eating another grape. "I think I'll mend. I have a good friend who's a cleric of Mystra. I think I'll ask him to regrow my fingers, when we get home." <Zoya> ::looks down at her side:: No... It's mostly healed anyway. I need the scar for a reminder. ::gives Yb a quizzical look:: Why can you heal? I thought you were cured of godhood? * Zoya finishes with her bandage and grabs a thick robe from a bar by the fire. It's too short but more than big enough around. She eyes the bubbles in Tyl's bath, and calls, "It's safe now, Jaret!" She perches on another stool to comb out her hair. * Jaret hoists himself out of the bath, towels himself from wet to damp, throws a robe on, knotting it shut, and heads towards the ladies's side. He knocks on the outside of the doorway. "Ladies? Is it safe for a gentleman to enter?" <Tyl> ::mutters:: *Safe*? I'm *safe*? How insulting. <Zoya> ::smiles at Tyl:: No. You're dangerous. Your bubbles are safe. * Jaret enters. "It's simply an expression, Tyl'Gainia. Don't fret. Here. Have a grape." <Yb> ::Yb's expression is difficult to read:: I have and I haven't. I'm no longer Chaos. But I'm the only person who's ever been Chaos and then stopped being Chaos. Absalom says that it's left a mark on me. I'm now the Saint of Chaos. And no one can remove it from me except for Chaos. <Zoya> Mm. Stay away from that guy. He's crazy. * Tyl grins evilly at Jaret and leans her head forward to take the grape. * Jaret feeds Tyl a grape. "Well. That is something. How do you feel?" <Tyl> Like the end results of one of Zoya's experiments, but I think I'll live. <Zoya> I ought to be insulted by that. <Zoya> ::looks at Yb:: I'm sorry it took us so long. * Jaret nods. "That's a relief. And you, Yb? How are you faring?" <Yb> I'm not sure... I... Until Chaos is incarnated again, I'm effectively the God of Chaos, even if I don't have the full power of Chaos... It's not like I grew up thinking that I'd be possessed by a god and that when I was saved from the god I'd become the god's servant. <Zoya> ::snorts:: That sounds vaguely familiar... <Tyl> ::takes another grape from Jaret:: Really? Sounds like every little girl's dream. * Yb shakes her head, "It's alright Zoya. I know all of you did your best. And honestly, you did far more than you had to. I... I did a lot of awful things to all of you... Why did you..." <Jaret> Because it was the right thing to do, and no one besides Bai was going to do it. <Zoya> ::half-smiles:: Why? Because just once, you found the will to leave that damned staff behind, long enough to beg for help. After that, no matter *how* infuriating you were... ::shrugs:: I could never quite forget that it wasn't *you*. * Yb smiles shyly, "Thank you all. I'm in your debt. Both for my life and for Bai's." * Tyl scrubs her face briefly. "I'm afraid I don't have a noble motive, Yb. At first I did it because Bai is my friend, and then I did it because the other gods around here are even more annoying than you were. You might say I did it from spite." <Zoya> ::separates out her purple lock of hair and starts braiding it:: Don't take on more debt than you owe. Bai can owe us for his own damn life. ::grins:: * Yb smiles mischievously at Tyl, "Does that mean I shouldn't stop by and give you rewards once they all figure out what they want to bestow upon you?" <Tyl> ::perfectly seriously:: I wouldn't take a gift, not from them... * Yb shakes her head, "Bai's going to have a whole new set of problems to deal with for a while. In my case it's the same problem I've had for years. I'm just finally in control." * Yb blinks in surprise, then nods sadly, "Shadra feared you might feel that way... I'm sorry my world's made such a poor impression on you." <Zoya> ::nods:: I would never have chosen to be a mage. I wanted to be a sailor. You'll be all right. * Tyl holds one wet hand out to Yb (the one with all the fingers on it). "You're my friend, if you'll claim me. Bai is my friend. The rest of these gods and saints... can all go to the Abyss." * Yb takes Tyl's hand, "I'd gladly accept your friendship Tyl. I was afraid you'd hold the fact that I once pursued Jelarthna against me." <Tyl> ::snickers:: Who didn't you chase after, dearheart? The ones you should really say "sorry" to are Gloss and Vallel. I think you terrified several years off that boy's life. <Zoya> ::chuckles, then looks serious:: Does that mean Bai will be staying here? With you? * Yb blushes and nods, "I know. I wish I could remember what I actually did to them, and what I imagined doing to them. My memories ever since acquiring the staff are... uncertain." <Jaret> There are other things that need to be addressed. Than Weisstoko, for one. * Yb sighs, "I don't know. I... I may not be able to leave. At least not for extended periods of time. Bai... When he wakes up Bai will probably have to decide if he's willing to be the new god of humans. If he refuses, then he'll probably have to leave." <Zoya> ::nods:: Our hearth will always be open to him.. * Yb shudders, "I... I don't know what I can do about Than Weisstoko now. Or any of the other..." * Jaret nods. "I didn't expect you could, but I'll admit to hoping it." <Tyl> I suggest not playing by the rules around here. Your peers aren't the most honorable people. * Yb smiles, "I'm the Saint of Chaos. I don't have any rules to play by." Blushes, "But I already know one rule that I'm thinking of talking someone else into breaking." <Tyl> ::grins:: Good girl. |
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