A Quest for Humanity

[Jetamio]

Radha watched with baited breath as emotions warred with each other on her brothers face. He seemed to submit to her physically, but his words said otherwise.

"Remis!" she shouted, "Remis, please!"

[Cerissa]

A deadly scowl crosses Cerissa’s face as she watches the scene at the bay. “Self righteous….” Her hand extends out the porthole once more where the ends of a spirit is grabbed before it can fully escape. A glare of instruction is provided and the spirit nods before it is released.

As it nears the bay it slowly takes form, walking above the water and hovering above the sand, the sheer traces of a tall being form more fully as it comes closer. Before them stands a tall female, built well for battle, her long dark hair tied in braids at each side, arms crossed before her chest she holds a feather in one hand and a sachet of spices and herbs in the other, her eyes aglow with the spirits life. Markings, clothing and armor of the Northmen adorn the spirit being as it stands before them.

Cerissa grins at the slave of her claim then whispers to it, “Announce yourself.”

Obediently the spirits lips begin moving, whispers upon whispers exiting in an echo, “I am Anla, of the Ancients.”

Cerissa holds the pendant set within the silver chain around her neck as she states, “Now, speak for me.” While Cerissa’s lips move the spirit being speaks her words, “The daughter of the Stormfollower has broken the rules of the North. None are to interfere with the challenge, in her foolishness she has provided permission to forfeit her own life. Lest one volunteer their life for hers….” The spirits head turns to look around to those gathered, “Are there none who would give their life to save the daughter of their leader?”

Tribesmen begin whispering between them, there were still those few who believed in the old ways and believed this being to be one of their ancestors. They whisper how one of their ancient ways had once shunned those who were like the one now married to their leader. They whisper about the claim by Remis that Stormfollower had killed his own son. And yet none of them step forward as they look towards Stormfollower for answers and explanations.

As the tribe whispers the spirits of the dead continue their dance through the air. A walts of wails mixed with demands for justice cry out into the air. They swoop and spin around the others of their kind, dancing directly and purposely towards the living, trails of their whispered words lingering behind.

Once again the lips of the spirit part as speech spills out echoing within itself, “She must be held responsible for her actions, lest the entire tribe suffer the wrath of the ancients.” The spirit looks towards Stormfollower, “The challenge must proceed after your daughters correction has taken place, as is the way.”

Yellow, reptilian eyes look in the direction of Remis, her thoughts floating into his mind like whispers in the night. “Remis, my darling. Stand before your father and challenge him. Do you not see that even now he betrays you? Stand, Remis. Show him you are not the cowering boy he wants you to return to. Do you want to remain always under HIS rules, as HE sees them, without regard for you? He has chosen his favorite, your sister. Look how they favor her even now as she attacks you. Stand, stand and show him your strength. Show him how you are not as cowardice as he. Look at him hiding within the righteousness to practice his own will without regard for anyone but himself, and his favored child. What has he done for you but cause you pain and hurt?”

Once again Cerissa’s lips move as the spirit speaks looking down towards Radha, then it’s glowing gaze raises towards Jetamio, “You and your people, witch, are not to interfere lest you bring suffering upon your husband and his people. Your foolish daughter has cost her own life for her faithlessness in the old ways. Or do you volunteer your life for hers?”

(( Wow.... Overzealous.... :p ))

[Gilliadson]

Gilliadson's blade glows brightly before him as the lies of the puppet spirit are uttered.

"Her words are not her own but of another!" Gilliadson shouts. "You are the ones who are interfering if you wish to judge this one by laws that are not your own then be judged by them yourselves."

Sineliniel concentrates a few moments and a huge water elemental appears beside the funeral vessel. The elemental raises it's fists and brings them crashing down upon the boat breaking it in two and sending it to the bottom of the ocean.

[Jetamio]

"Remis, look at me..."

Radha lowered her voice so only he could hear her, her face mere inches from his.

"You think her word is true? You think I am the favourite? It was not I who Father took fishing all the time, twas not I whom Father spent every spare moment with. You really believe Mother to be a witch? The woman who birthed us, comforted us, bathed our wounds, loves us? Only you can stop this. If you really are so concerned about the tribe, you need to get rid of your 'friends' there... do you really think they will let the Tribe live after you have beaten Father? They have no reason to be here at all, our people would be an easy target for them with Mother and Father out of the way."

She glanced up briefly at those closing in on her, then looked at her brother again. "They are going to kill me Remis, and only you can stop them. I love you."

With those final words she let him go and stood up to face the others.

[Stormfollower]

Remis reeled within the whirpool of his own emotions. The words of those around him filtered slowly down into the eddies of his mind from the realm of reality. But within the dream world his fathers voice continued as time moved to the beat of a different drummer.

"Remis, you must hear my tale, for your story is the same...

"There was once a very young Dreamer, a Dreamer named Roseroot. Everyone loved her. And she loved everyone. She was very happy in her village. But one day her village was attacked and burned to white ashes by enemy warriors.
"She ran away, out into the desert where she found a cave to live in. The only water she had to drink fell from the sky and pooled in a tiny basin in the stone outside her cave. The only food she could find to fill her empty stomach was a whispy grass that grew in the rocky crevices.
"Hatred ate away at her soul, hatred for the warriors who had hurt her by killing her people. Hatred for Power for not warning her so she could save them. She made herself miserable with hate.
"Many cycles later, a very old man came hobbling by her cave and dipped his hand into her water basin to get a drink. Roseroot ran outside to scream at him.
`Get away from my water! You have no right to drink from my pool!` The old man looked up and squinted his eyes and gasped.
`Why, aren`t you Roseroot, who used to live at Red Canyon Village?`
"`Yes.` she replied. `Who are you?`
"`I am your Spirit Helper!` The old man replied. `Don`t you recognise me?`
"Roseroot frowned, looked at him carefully and said `No I do not. And my Spirit Helper was no Helper at all. He didn`t warn me before the attack on my village came. And he fled afterward and left me alone!` She began to weep bitterly.
"`Hmm,` her Spirit Helper said and heaved a deep sigh. `then I guess you`ll never understand the ways of Power.`
"`What do you mean?` Roseroot demanded.
"The old man spread his arms wide. `Well look around you, young Dreamer. What do you see?`
"`Nothing. I see nothing! This is a terrible place of barren sand and bare rock. I hate it!`
"`Exactly,` said the old man. `Powerwent to very great efforts to drive you out here so you could learn about hatred without being distracted by love, but apparently you`ve spurned the gift...`
"And the old man vanished, as though he`de never been there at all.'
Remis blinked thoughtfully in the dream realm.

"I havent spurned your gift father. I am trying to keep Death before my eyes at all times. But its so hard. And I fail."

"And then you hurt, dont you Remis? You hurt and you hate."

"...Yes"

"You must try harder. Clutch Death to your heart with all your might. Try Remis, You must try harder."

Then Radhas words reached him.

"I love you"
The words melted his madness like ice before a fire. And the fire rekindled in him all his childhood hopes and dreams, all his aspirations and goals for his long life ahead of him came back as if he was that boy again, back in thier fort, alive and free to choose anything. Though now he knew succinctly what that choice must be and he made it with a fullness of heart he had never felt before.
He stood to face the Ancient.

"I will volunteer my life for hers."

[Jetamio]

Radha stepped forwards and took his hand as she stood beside him.

"We were born together...we promised each other we'd die together too. If you go, I will too. I can't be without you again Remis. No matter what you have done, you are still my brother." She clenched his hand a little tighter briefly, then stood tall and proud to await their fate.

A little behind them, Jetamio looked up at Stormfollower with a worried frown, while Tajer watched with avid fascination from the edge of the group. She had no siblings of her own and could not comprehend the love between them strong enough that would make them want to die for each other. Pales were so confusing.

[Stormfollower]

(( @ Tajer))

[Gilliadson]

Myrikel stepped beside her Father.
"Neither of these have to die." Myrikel spoke up. "It appears that Remis has withdrawn his challenge and it seems that love has triumphed here over your hatred, Dark Ones. Begone from this place and do not return."

Sineliniel spoke to Zotreth. "And take your soaked Harlot with you. You will find her floating where the funeral boat was sunk."

Gilliadson added in. "These people are our friends and if you wish to harm any of them then you must get passed us..."

P`Nala and Willanaome also stepped up beside the Shadowbanes.

"And us!" The two Ladies chimed in.

[Cerissa]

A tight hand around her arm yanks her from reveling in the scene on the bay. Her body follows as the hand pulls her arm into a portal the doorway closing just before the boat is smashed in half and sinks to the ocean floor. Darkness parts as the doorway opens back up allowing her to walk out onto the sand a safe distance from the group. A scowl is accompanied by a low hiss as Rixcis holds her shoulders tightly, “Are you alright? The boat was attacked.”

Shrugging him off she mutters, “Yes.” pausing for a moment before turning around watching the scene a distance from her. “You will receive adequate compensation.” He grins nodding moving behind her ready to protect her with his life if needed while the small wizard hops out of the portal. Tiny, blue fingers wrap around the pendant and Cerissa glares in the groups direction.

“You, friends of Stormfollower, are forbidden to interfere.” Anla begins her glowing eyes directed at Gilliadson and his group. Wisps of hair seem to blow in a breeze felt by none other as she turns her head looking towards Remis, “You cannot volunteer that which does not belong to you.”

The glowing eyes of Anla stare directly into Radha’s, “Foolish child of Stormfollower, you have none who would step forward for you. Even your own parents understand the crime you have committed against your own people.” Layers upon layers of mist follower Anla’s arm as she stretches it out pointing the feather towards Radha, “Your life is forfeit.” Her fingers release the feather where it hovers for a moment over her open palm. Transformation of the mystics occurs as the feather hardens into a dagger which quickly shoots across the air piercing into Radha’s heart.

Cerissa’s grin darkens as she watches, her fingers tightly gripping the pendant around her neck. Rixcis places his hand on his blade stepping to Cerissa’s left. “Come back to me my darling.” she whispers her empty hand outstretched pulling at Remis’ soul. “Betrayal suits you well.” Her fingers clench tight into a quick fist pulling Remis’ soul from his human form. A low, growling laugh rumbles from her lips as she places his soul back into the pendant his human “shell” dropping to the ground in a heap of flesh and bone. “They will bury two of their children today.” she states plainly with her head held high.

During this time as it occurred, the four eyes watch silently with the exception of saluting another set of eyes which enter and gaze upon the sphere with interest. Solid red eyes join with the others to proudly observe a hissing whisper forms through razor-sharp teeth, “Does she know yet?”

[Gilliadson]

Gilliadson quickly leaps to Radha and pulls the dagger from her chest. Muttering a quick prayer he lays his hands upon her, closing the wound and channeling life force into her before hers can fade away completely. Myrikel joins her father adding her own Laying of Hands to his to help save her childhood friend.

"You shall not die this day Radha." Myrikel whispers.

P`Nala pushes her will into upon Anla, breaking the connection between the spirit and its puppetmaster. Anla's spirit now free dissipates and returns to the spirit realm.

Sineliniel's giant water elemental hovers toward the beach and prepares to attack the two figures who escaped from the boat.

A bolt of lightning strikes the ground between Zotreth and the Shadowbanes. Willanaome locks eyes with the Knight of Shadow. "The next one will strike true if you do not now leave this place."

[Zotreth Myurden]

The Knight of Shadow looks around at the crowd of people and smiles uncomfortably. He was not quite used to the odds against him being stacked so. Glancing at Gilliadson, he makes a split second decision and takes a hate step toward him and Myrikel. He holds his blade out in front of him, over the bodies of Gilliadson, Myrikel, and Radha.

"Strike me now little leatherfoot. You would not dare risk the life of these three would you?" he says, trying to decide what his next move will be.

[Gilliadson]

Sineliniel's ever-present companion throws a strong gust of wind knocking the Shadow Knight several yards away from the three paladins. Gilliadson and Myrikel quickly jump to their feet, their work completed with Radha, and take defensive stances between the Shadow Knight and the daughter of Stormfollower and Jetamio.

Fluffy takes a position alongside the two paladins with his summoned weapons ready to strike. Sineliniel covers the three in fiery shields.

"Do you really wish to die here this day?" Gilliadson asks.

[Stormfollower]

Stormfollower stood motionless his eyes transfixed apon the body of his son. A single tear welled high in his good eye making it a misty match to his cataracted other. Not even the attack apon his daughter had moved him to notice anything other than his son lying there naked in a crumpled heap on the ground. Is was as if the events that had transpired were too much for Stomfollower and his normal spirit of quick decicive action had flown from him to hide impaled by doubt, fear, and anguish. His face was sorrowful and he did nothing.

[Jetamio]

Radha made not a sound as the blade pierced her heart. Even as her legs buckled under her, she reached out to her brother as he too crumpled to the ground.

She felt hands upon her, their warmth healing her body but doing nothing for her soul. She turned away from their calls, searching for Remis in the hazy world of spirits.

She has taken him

She turned to the familiar voice, spoken by a tall woman with raven black hair, dressed in the full regalia of the Raventear Tribe. She had never seen a Spirit so clear, but she knew that voice. She eyed Cerissa, then the others, finally resting on her own prone body. She was not dead, but she hovered near it...she had to want to live for the Paladins magic to really revive her. There had to be a way to get Remis back, without him she was lost.

She looked at her mother, then at Tajer, and an idea began to form in her head...

[Stormfollower]

Remis felt crushed in the darkness. The evil souls imprissoned with him taunted and attacked him at first..but then grew quiet and retreated from him. Remis turned to see what it was they were afraid of and standing there, in his spirit form, was his father.
`
``Worry not son. I am here with you.``