From the Journal of Galatyne Knightwyng I had thought to wait until spring to make use of the soil I brought back from that place of Lorelei's death. But after Nindais's effort to obtain it for some part in a ritual to bring Lorelei back, I fear to keep it. I would see her returned to us, but not by the hand of that so-called goddess. And how much more so would Lorelei be bound to her after that? No. She is free, now.
So I took the soil and a seed up into the mountains above Illyr where there are many remote valleys. One in particular has a lake fed by a stream. It was there that I planted the seed with its bit of other-world soil. A few weeks later, I returned, partly just to see make sure I could find the place again since there will be no travel in those parts once the snows fall. Not only did I find it, but already there was a tree. A small sapling to be sure, but there it was. And I know it was the one I planted for it looked nothing like anything else in the surrounding wood… smooth, dark trunk and branches speckled white, almost the reverse of a white birch and leaves a deep, deep green flecked with gold. From the Journal of Lorelei De Tembriel Yet another town has fallen under Chailya's embrace. This time it was a sleepy fishing village on the south coast of Cedar Creek Harbor. Same old story; neighbors turning on each other, brothers killing brothers, families torn apart. One day they’re working in unison for the good of the community and the next they are grabbing any makeshift weapon they can get their hands on to hack the free will out of their companions. I’ve seen entire towns burnt to the ground with hordes of those who have fallen under Chailya's influence wandering off into the distance chanting her praises. Why there hasn’t been more of an uproar has me puzzled. Perhaps most think that it couldn’t possibly happen to them; that there will is too great or their family bonds too strong. They would be mistaken. In a way I feel all of their deaths are on my shoulders. Whether it be death of their bodies or death of their freedom.
From the Journal of Lorelei De Tembriel Yesterday, I was warm and comfortable in a quiet southern town. This morning, I awoke in a northern, frost-covered meadow with no idea where I was or how I had come to be there. Well, I did have one idea. I suppose I was foolish to hope that Nindais was finished with me and that I could just get on with my life. But desperation does that--makes one cling to their desires no matter how unlikely it is for them to come to be. But it had been months since the last such… incident.
Worse than not knowing where I was was not knowing what I did. Did I kill another of Chailya's followers and collect another soul fragment? For a moment, I actually hoped I had, just to move this ordeal to its end. But one look at the rust-brown stains on Elldraxis and I found myself frantically cleaning the blade and whispering, "Please be dirt." I truly do not wish to take lives. But I am so tired of being the pawn… pawn of the nixies' bloodlust and cruel games… pawn of the seelie queen Rozleen… now the pawn of Nindais. by Lorelei De Tembriel Lorelei's early years before meeting the Clan of the Heart.
A storm rumbled in the distance, thrilling the youngster to the core of her being. The storm was exciting. Not only was there rain, but there was all that light and noise, and wind. The wind could be fun, she could ride the currents, letting her wings take her up, until she could no longer draw breath and had to go back down, diving and darting, dodging the updrafts, riding the downdrafts. As she settled to the ground once more, she laughed huskily, she did so love playing in the rain. From the Journal of Galatyne Knightwyng Death visited me again, today… visited the entire clan, actually. I have experienced what I consider to be avatars of life force; in many ways, that is what I feel the faeries to be. I have never particularly thought of death as something that could manifest, but why not? Death is, after all, a part of life. If the active, energetic aspect can manifest, why not the other aspect? I do believe it to be a very rare event, because death is not something we can relate to in these living bodies. Indeed, most people saw Death in different ways. Hoot exclaimed how beautiful she was. Others saw something ugly or familiar or foreign. Perhaps that has more to do with our perspective on life… or with where we are in our lives.
by Keotye Keotye is introduced to the concept of a pre-wedding party for the groom-to-be by the Gruffs; however, they start the party several weeks before the wedding. Thus are new heights of joy... and sorrow... discovered.
From the Journal of Galatyne Knightwyng It’s been two years, to the day, since Falana and Stalzer found me. None of us have spoken to the others of our journeys. I don’t know that there is really much to say. This wasn’t a stepping through a gate to another realm or even a leaving of our bodies to visit another plane of existence. We died… I, in the fight with Rangrel… Falana and Stalzer, trying to find me. Each of us took that path with intent, and I wonder if the walk is different for those who are trying to hang onto life in their last moments. Even now, I can’t find the words to describe my own journey to myself. I feel death always. I think she’s always been there, but, as mortals, we aren’t aware of her imminence. Oh, in our minds, we recognize we will die some day, but we do not know it with our whole being. We live as if death is infinitely far away. Perhaps that allows most people to function. But, I feel death as I feel the sun or wind on my face, and when everything is quiet and I close my eyes, she comes to me and sits by my side.
Race: Faerie Gender: Female Homeland: The fields of lavendar by the sparkling waterfall Profession: Keeper of the unicorns, Princess of Ravenhilt Race: Fawn Gender: Male Homeland: Lavender's Fields Profession: Troublemaker…brewer…guardian of Lavender and her fields… oh yeah and Sovereign of the newly named Kingdom of Meadshire Race: Wood Elf Aliases: Aravis, ‘Vis and (by Firebow only) Nika Age: 387 Summers Homeland: Far northwest wood of Rinde’tara Profession: Independent ranger, Former captain of the border scouts Strengths: Scouting, archery, horsemanship, determination Weaknesses: Sea faring, no magic…and adverse reaction to proximal magic use, stubborn, something of a lone wolf Ideals: Coming from a military-type clan, Aravis believes strongly in structure and chain of command. She has her own clear cut sense of truth winning. This was all upturned when she was falsely accused and convicted of murder. Family: Mother/Aristar Moonwood (deceased); Father/Coriakin Moonwood (currently missing), Half-Brother/Firebow Companions: Naja (my mount), Vir (a kestrel hawk – bond-bird assigned to all captains, ) Zert (a large red fire dragonfly) Allies: Kestrel de Skarlett (a sea captain), Destrae (mage of her clan), Black Bart (via Kestrel), Nikabor (dwarf who is my namesake and who saved my mother’s life and introduced her to my father) Enemies: Mordecai (a lesser demon), Lysorge (the human mage whom Modecai serves and who betrayed her clan during the mage wars with the assistance of her then commanding officer, Tarkaan) |
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