Firiona Vie Everquest

"What good would it have done you to Turn you in a dream? You would wake up still mortal and know it!" She poked him in the chest for emphasis. "Perhap if you had studied the creature you so want to be, you would know what we can do! I am not alive, I am not dead, I am neither and you cannot control a body that follows neither boundary!" She backed off and folded her arms over her chest and glowered at him imperiously.

"Now apologize to me, and I may yet still grant your desire!"

Remis looked up at her with his one good eye. His other eye had began to give him pain as it was not healing properly beneath the eye patch in the dank conditions beneath the city streets. He unconsciously raised a hand to scratch at the hideous wound. In the dim light a brief flash of the festering hole where he had torn his own eye out was briefly visible.

"Forgive me, your highness " He mocked her overbearing manner. "I implore the queen of dead things accept the mistakes of the unworthy living thing before her as errors born of its frailty. When you said you could not dream I mistook that as fact." His eye flinched a little as if in a presumption of a blow.

"My desire for this gift you clutch so stringently to yourselves does not outweigh my conflicting desire for death. And I will gladly accept the power from either. Though if either came from you the gift would be much sweeter."

"I do not dream my own dreams, nor can I manipulate dreams as you do. I can simply walk into others dreams, but I have full control over my own actions in said dream. Even your sister's gift is stronger than mine."

She eyed him scrutinizingly, and if his hideous wound bothered her at all there was no sign on her face. "You should probably get that seen to you know, before it rots that marvellous brain of yours."

Mujbura looked up at her friend with curious worry. This man of strength she knew seemed saddened to the point of weakness and it was now he decided to profess to her of his worry. Family, the only she knew being there in Halas she understood the close ties bound there. Her own heart grew weary and sad at the sight of this mighty man appearing so exhausted from despair.

Slipping her fingers around his large hand she places the other on his chest above his heart, she smiled warmly, the gentle touch of The Mothers comfort entering his body through her hand over his heart. Only a portion of a Druids comfort was she given through this gift, but the love of a dear friend lay deeper still. Her amber colored eyes gaze up at him, "My brother, please allow me the honor to assist you with your family. For, is that not what we are but family also. Your pain resides within my heart, and I shall not feel right except to go help you with your son for who I am also related through our ties."

Stormfollower closed his eyes and looked into the past. He remembered the days of mirth and happiness with his son and family. Things had been so idyllic back then, no problems that a small bandage or a quick hug and consoling word couldn`t cure. But something had happened to turn his son into something dark and sinister. All his hopes and dreams had been erased in a moment, a chance encounter with a stranger whom he trusted and his impressionable mind was forever marred. How could all his teachings and formative experiences be overshadowed so easily? Had they not given him every defense against any invasions of an evil nature.

Now the shamans mind flashed to his encounter with Remis that fateful night in Qeynos. He had not seen him since his initiation into shamanism, the profession he thought he was to follow. The boys mannerisms were different than he remembered and he did not greet him with the protocol demanded when seeing an elder shaman, even if he was your father. Yet could this not be attributed to the rebellious whims of adolescence? He gave him a scolding glance and decided to leave it at that. Other things would peek his suspicions that day too. As they walked together through the streets catching up on their time apart, Remis had made a thoughtless remark about a homeless beggar even as Stormfollower gave the man food from his pack. He had scoffed at the fishermen bringing in their mornings catch after his father had mentioned how early their labors must have began. And all the while he ogled nearly every passing female with inappropriate glances. He would need to have a long talk with Remis on their upcoming trip. Had he only foreseen that the trip would be under the direct control of Remis and the nightmare he controlled would lead to Stormfollowers discovery of his sons deadly desires towards him and his clan he might have done something then and there.

As his mind slipped back into the present he shook his head as if the terrible truth could be thrown off with this action.

"Mujbura. You honour us greatly with your offer to help with Remis. It will take such honour to bring him to peace, if such a peace is even possible. Let us go now to Qeynos without delay. My son cannot be left a moment longer to moil his evil plan to fruition"

They arrived in the city with the speed of thought and all the streets were a bustle with terrible rumors. The town soon crier confirmed the atrocity.

"Hear ye! Hear ye! Baker slain on Elm street as she slept! Vampires loose in Qeynos!"

She watched the man reminence, for the single, short moment he allowed himself her eyes never left his. If it were not for The Mothers gift flowing into him, surely the pain shown on his face would have flowed back through that same touch and into her. And, for this she was grateful and saddened at the same moment.

She pulls her hand away from his heart as he looks down at her, his words flowing into the places within her heart in turmoil over this great man. She gazes up at him with love in her eyes, her voice soft as Tunare’s touch of upon the fragile willows, “Of course, my brother.”

Their journey to Qeynos quick and uneventful they are unaware of the many eyes watching them, following them, preying upon them. As they enter the city Mujbura looks up at Stormfollower curiously as the town crier begins shouting. Vampires…. Vampires…? Did they even exist beyond their castle? She was too naïve to believe they would make it from their castle and cross the Faydark. Surely the many sentries provided by the collaborative efforts of the Feir’Dal and Koada’Dal would be able to secure the borders.

She peeks up a smile that she had hoped hid her worry as she wraps her tiny fingers around his large hand and squeezes it softly, reassuring him that she is by his side no matter the foe, even his own son.

Gilliadson and Myrikel rode up to the Shaman and his companion.

"Welcome back friend! I hope your journey was fruitful." Gilliadson said as he and his daughter dismounted and dismissed their Holy Steeds. "We have received word from our contact in the aqueducts. It appears that your son has met up with one of the Sanguine. Your wife was there as well. P`Nala will be along soon." Gilliadson bowed toward Stormfollower's companion. "Greetings M'lady, Gilliadson Shadowbane of the Commonlands at your service and this is my daughter, Myrikel." The knight waved his hand toward the young lady Half-Elf who rode up with him. Myrikel bowed politely.

A tingle in her very essence let her know the shaman was near...presuming it was he who still carried her bloodstained orb. She was surprised at the clarity of the bond so close, she could almost hear his thoughts, certainly his feelings. The death of the baker disturbed her. The tomb was still sealed, she had not left. There was no blood on her or her clothes. Never before had someone she killed in a dream also die in the waking world. What perverse influence did this man have on her own abilities?

A heavy feeling set upon her. Stormfollower would be sure to blame her for the death. She knew there were companions but she did not know how many or who they were. She looked at Remis with a steady gaze.

"Your father comes. It is now or never Remis. Are you sure this is what you want?"

Releasing Stormfollowers hand Mujbura attempted a nearly civil curtsey, rocking a bit on the rise she peeks up a shy smile and shrugs knowing she may never get the hang of all this propriety. Following Gilliadsons’ lead, though definitely not as graceful or refined, she states proudly, “Mujbura McMarrin, of Halas.” Glancing up at Stormfollower then back towards Gilliadson her shy smile lightens her embarrassed expression, “Well met.”

Turning towards Myrikel she clumsily attempts the same previous curtsey, “Well met.” sighing as her less than graceful performance made her appear more awkward than a polar bear in Cindl’s shop. “My apologies.” she whispers out before biting her lower lip softly in her embarrassment.

Gilliadson notices the lady's discomfort...

"Please, my dear be at ease, we are all friends set upon a common goal. Our other companions should be along shortly, and our contact is awaiting instructions at the entrance to the aqueducts since she is not welcome here in this city. If there are Vampires about then it is good that Myrikel and I are here. Will Radha be joining us as well?"

At that moment, a High Elf Lady in Sapphire blue robes rode up followed by an Air Elemental and a Dark Elf Lady in Violet robes.

Her shoulders shrug once more as she continues her uncomfortable, embarassed smile towards Gilliadson and his daughter. She looks over her shoulder as additional members of searchers join into the group. Her eyes raise to Stormfollowers lifting her brows worriedly. She stays by his side, determined to be there however he may have need of her.

"I am here." the young Paladin answers after hearing the tail end of Gilliadson's question. She slipped nimbly off the white stallion, straightened her armor then looked expectantly at the gathered group.

"Mother cannot come this time, she is...taking care of something." She did not want to alarm her father, and she knew Jetamio was perfectly capable of her task. Radha however was looking grim, as though she already knew what the outcome would be, but she was also determined. Evil must be destroyed, even if it was in the form of her beloved brother. "What are we waiting for?"

"Thank you all for keeping watch. The journey was most enlightening, and on the way I found an old friend!" He smiles at Mujbura for a second then continues "She has come to help. I have also, by magical means provided by Tajer, gleaned the location of both her and my son. But by the news in town today we may be too late." He gestures for the group to begin walingk and leads them in the direction of the towns aqueduct and sewer system.

A narrow walkway divides two pools and he gestures to the one on the left. "We will enter here as a group and stick to the main watercourse it is not far until we will encounter the secret tomb Remis has shut them inside. Quickly now there is no time to waste!" He dives in and swims down through the narrow entrance to the sub-city water works followed closely by his friends.

Deep within the crypt Remis stares intently at Tajer, this was it he thought. She either meant to kill him or she was actually going to grant him the thin that would hurt his father the most...his son a Sanguine and he within earshot. His mouth went suddenly dry and he could barely form the words. They came out as hoarse whisper. He was unable to conceal a tremor of fear in them.

"Do it! I sense him too." It was unclear whether it was his father or the prospect of Tajers next actions that caused his fear.

Gilliadson and company followed Stormfollower into the aqueduct.

A Dark Elf Sword-maiden was awaiting their arrival.

"Greetings Sister." Said the Violet-Robed Dark Elf.

The Sword-maiden nodded as she replied. "Vendui P`Nala. I am sorry that I could not get him separated from his company. Your wife was here, Master Stormfollower. She had apparently infused your son with some power of hers. Lady Jetamio seemed to be in some discomfort because of her pregnancy and she ported away after her encounter. I thought it best to report the tale to you before taking any further action."

D`Narr related to the party all she had seen and heard of the prior event.

Mujbura peeks up a warm smile towards Stormfollower as he introduces her to the rest of the crew, her shy smile presented to the others. She whispers a soft prayer to The Mother for the group to have the gift of speed then hesitates at the edge of the water. “Water.” she thought, “Why does it always have to be under water? Even a child of nature can have a dislike of water, right…?” As much as Nasorin had tried to get her to enjoy the water, it was always a nuisance and caused such displeasure, with the exception of their jumps off tall bridges and cliffs. Her smile of the fond memories were pushed aside as she stare at the waters surface.

Her gear had provided her the gift to require only the oxygen contained within the water, but it still didn’t keep her from getting wet. She looks over at the others as they dive in with much less reluctance than her. Biting her lower lip she shrugs diving in to follow behind them.