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Winds of ChangeThe Hands of the gods - The Parting"Well made plans be the domain of gods"Aluvian Proverb Moira, with troubled heart and parting glance, slipped out of her room into the empty corridor. Already the hour was later than she had planned. By now the freemen and servants of the Clan Brell would be hard at work preparing for the coming day and any hope of slipping out unnoticed by a door in the kitchens was out of the question. Departing through the Great Hall would be her only option, for it was still early enough in the day that the room would be relatively deserted, or so she hoped. Hurrying quickly down the hallway, she failed to notice the grey-haired figure tucked wrapped in the shadows of a doorway. Upon entering the main hall, Moira breathed a sigh of relief for it was empty save for a young woman who seemed intent upon her study of a spell. Moira strode rapidly toward the large staircases leading to the outside doors, focus fixed firmly before her in an effort to avoid any eye contact that might lead to delay. "Lady Moira?" a young female voice echoed in the chamber. Moira paused and turned to observe the speaker. A look of sharp intelligence softened by innocence and wonder confidently met Moira’s questioning gaze. Surprise gave way to relief that indeed this was a stranger and that with a polite but quick word, she could again be on her way. "I am honored to meet you", the young voice announced with sincerity beyond measure, and with that the woman bowed deeply. "Ah…the honor is mine…my apology…I don’t believe…that I caught your name". The mage straightened and a hint of color brushed her cheeks. "Nanye’hi", she responded a bit quickly. The momentary uneasiness was instantly replaced with youthful confidence. "Aye Lady..I have heard much of the Clan…and you…and have come seeking to join." With a gentle smile Moira responded, "then indeed, you have chosen wisely, and I should think that there would be many who would sponsor you". Nanye’hi’s face tightened into a determined look. "I mean to swear to you Lady…if you will have me". Moira’s stomach churned, ‘but I am only an archer…and there is Rune, or Icedragon, Rufio perhaps….all mages….." Her stammered protests faded before the unwavering challenge of Nanye’hi’s gaze. "I would be honored", Moira said softly, "We will talk more of this, you have my word". Relief and victory danced across Nanye’hi’s youthful cheeks. "Aye Lady, that we will. I thank you for your time", and with that said she bowed deeply. Moira slowly turned and moved unsteadily to the stairs, with a deep breath she gathered herself and quickly departed. Free of the confines of the Clan’s hall, she paused but a moment to activate the magic from items she wore, strength from a finely wrought silver necklace, quickness from a silver bracelet, and lastly fleetness of foot from a pair of velvet slippers. In a moment with the speed of a frightened deer, she was cross the town, headed east towards the Web Maze and its portal to Mayoi. She barely left the last building behind when her thoughts sounded with the echo of Maryn’s tell. "Moira! Do you plan to hunt the Dires?" "Yes" responded her thoughts. Moira cursed her response, the presence of another’s voice she still found to unsettling to respond with anything other than truth. "Good…I will join you….can you meet me in the hall? I need some help before we head out". With the initial surprise gone, Moira found herself able to craft a more guarded response. "I need to run some errands in Mayoi, how ‘bout if I meet you there?" A long pause followed, the silence indicating Maryn’s feelings about the suggestion. Again she cursed, "I am on my way Maryn…", and turned again towards in the direction of the Clan’s home. With the magiks still at work, it took but moments to return the cavernous room she had so recently fled. With a deep breath of relief, she realized that though the day was advancing more quickly than she wished, the great room was still relatively empty. Only Nanye’hi, a few others who were strangers to her, and Maryn filled its space. Maryn, with casual purpose, was taking stock of a number of items he had spread on a table before him. It seemed to Moira that he wished to hold discussion about every single thing he had found. Though she found herself wanting to scream, she responded with comment and advice upon each and every object that Maryn wished to analyze. And with each passing minute, her tension mounted, ‘till it seemed every muscle was as tight as a bow string at full draw. "Lady Moira". Moira turned quickly, the harshness of her planned response melting in a soft smile as she recognized the youthful voice of Bali’Azul. Dear, sweet Bali. "Greetings Bali", she replied softly. His smile was accompanied by a bow, nearly reverent, done with effortless control. Moira steeled herself for the inevitable. "MOIRA!" Kyp Durran’s boisterous greeting echoed throughout the room. One there was one, so was the other, as brothers were these two. And as dissimilar on the outside; the first quiet and purposeful, the second, exuberant and energetic; they were at heart similar, both caring, generous, and eagerly helpful. The future of the Clan was insured with young men of this ilk as its members, not only by their quality of person, but also as both were equally accomplished in the way of the bow, with skill well beyond most of like age. Now stopping by the table was Lynar, and with brief greeting joined the discussion over Maryn’s finds. The hall was now rapidly filling with members of the clan going about their business of the day. Desparately seeking an excuse to leave, Moira spied Merchant crossing the hall and summoned him to her. "I think that Merchant is perhaps more qualified than I for this conversation, and I have much to do in Mayoi". Maryn nodded, "…then I shall meet you there". With brief farewell, Moira sped up the stairs and out, again heading for the Web Maze. Her thoughts twisted her stomach in knots; Nanye’hi’s face floating upon them. "I mean to swear to you Lady", Nanye’hi’s words became a drumbeat to witch Moira’s feet moved. Moira laughed grimly. "Aye, fine patron you have picked girl. Let me show you how it’s done. First we pick a creature well beyond our capability, and preferably one who has friends lurking ‘bout. Then we attack. But no girl! Do not run! That is the smart thing. We stand here until it is so close we can feel it’s breath, and we continue to attack though we do no damage! And when in one blow it takes half your life, still do not run! Perhaps you might do damage with the next blow despite the fact that its next will kill you. That my young Nanye’hi, is how its done…. the dying that is…See, its not permanent, this is a lifestone, where you return, and my….constant…companion". Tears leapt from Moira’s eyes ‘till she could no longer see where her feet ran. Nanye’hi’s face faded to pale and bloodied, then contorted into a hundred aspects of death’s mask. The bile rose in Moira’s throat as she stumbled to the ground retching without control. It was some time later, Moira struggled to her feet and staggered the few meters that separated her from the entrance to the Maze. Once inside, the damp coolness soothed the fever of her thoughts. She took a deep breath, it was time to concentrate. Though the denizens of this place presented little threat to her, one misstep and one could spend hours looking for a way out; and usually to some destination far from that originally intended. The hall to the right, and all rights from there, a few drudges feebly attempted to thwart her passage, but her mood and armor protected her from all but a few nicks inflicted by dull blades. A room lit dull pink came into view, and Moira entered stepping into the bright, near violet shimmering of the portal. |
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