((150 posts woohoo!))


"Crispian, your idle banter is wasted here. We both know the truth, but you'll never have anything beyond shadowy doubt. I have made myself instrumental to the League in ways you don't understand and I am now comfortably entrenched, do what you will. Tobyas has bought me more thn enough time to settle in, and it will always be thus with people who think the world is basically full of good honest people. A move to destory my powerbase will collapse the League and leave many of your friends hunted and alone, not to mention that it would weaken Albion further. It would be your conscience that dealt with the ramifications, for if all goes smoothly I shall have no need to harm what you have built."

She turned her back to him and looked out the window onto the city of Camelot below and it's many spires.

"If you want me to tell you of my alligence, then you already look upon the one who has my devotion. I have already begun to have an effect upon you Crispian, and the trials you faced of late have taught you some measure of wisdom. You won't learn a single thing more than I wish to reveal to you, and you won't expell me either. I will make the League powerful beyond the petty aims you envision." she turned and sat near him on a windowledge, secure in the knowledge that he could not harm her until she did him harm, for thus were the greatest of magics binding him. "If you want to know a little of the mystery of me, Crispian, open that book and we'll both find out something. If you walk away from here you will stumble through the darkness and you are well aware of it. I need no fair hearing, you cannot judge me. Open the tome and we both gain, refuse and I will destroy the diary and we both leave as we entered. What will it be Crispian?"

She paused with her hand hovering over the book. She could dissolve it in an instant and block the path that would reveal more of what Lexi was hiding, or else Crispian could unlock it and Arcalan would rely on her wits to stay ahead of him in this chess-game.

The Darkness Eternal stirred within the Ether. The lone summoning tower trembled as the clouds began to coalesce above it's crumbled spires.


"Op'n tha' Book, open" a wraith-like voice whispered...

Crispian could no longer surpress a chuckle. Arcalan could be so much filled with herself.


"Let's clear some things up, Arcalan. First," he stood, pacing, "I tire of your condescending attitude. Second, your spell," he watched her shocked expression which she quickly hid, "was purged shortly after you set it. Third, I am not intimidated by threats to the League. It has survived and grown from schisms before. In your supreme arrogance, you forgot to learn your history."


He stood apart from her, hands braced on hips, all the pleasantness that normal marked him gone. "I have known of some of your shams from the beginning, when you threatened your way into the League. Now, either you take the offer of an honest partnership, or it is you who lose what is in that Tome. Recall that it is you who wants what is in the tome. Want it enough to send a thief into my chambers. I did not come for it."


He looked at her sternly. "And yes, I can judge you. As your senior as a Seneschal, I can, but wish not to." He smiled a grim smile at her. "My trials taught me more than mere Wisdom, Arcalan. They took me deceit and ruthlessness.


"Now, do you want to strike this deal or not?"

 

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"ou're a fool to think you can purge my magic Crispian. You really are. No mortal man can lift the spell that is upon you, nor even the most holy of men lift it. It has power enough to defy heaven, as Eve defied your God. Had you really been able to lift it you would have tried to strike me down already. No Crispian, you delude yourself into thinking I can be fooled so easily. But I congratulate your pet sorceror on discovering it in the first place."

She stepped defiantly close to him, for her Master had made the earth tremble and the Angels roar in fury when he walked this world. Crispian could not decieve her with his bluffing.

"I will bring the League glory, you will bring it to it's knees. But our aim is the same even if you will fail where I succeed. I agree then Crispian to be a partner in making the League great, and since the spell that entraps you forbids that there be any resolution through conflict, I will seek one through peace. Open the book now and I will accept the hand you offer to me. When it lays open you may stay and learn or depart and see what has already transpired while you stand here."

Standing there in checkmate, the two eyed each other. Arcalan knew Crispian underestimated her greatly, but he could be troublesome nonetheless. A deal would ensure she could move forward with her plan.

He glared at her in rage. "ou are working with some dark force, Arcalan, and that I will not condone. Nor will I just yield up to you whatever you want. Clearly, this book means something to do, or you would not have taken this meeting, on my terms."


He wished he could strike her down at moments like this but something stayed his hand. She was corrupt, he was sure, but more than that he could not prove, yet.


"So, what do *I* gain from this book being opened, Arc?" he asked archly. "What are you giving me, for all that you have. You know full well I can reduce you from the Office you wormed your way into. However, we both know that would make us look petty, and small minded." He held her gaze as unflichingly as if she were an Eldritch he planned to slay.


"State what you think your terms should be."

 

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Even her magics didn't cow Crispian, for he had a soul that blazed forth in certainty and devotion to his cause. He would not back down, and nor would she... perhaps then, they could stirke a deal.

"I propose that you open the diary Crispian, with your key that you guard there. I know you could thwart me in this, but you *are* interested in Apolexia, as am I. I merely want to share what you learn, but if that's not enough..."

she turned and looked out again, what could she offer him? He'd see through empty promises, and she could not swear an oath against her Master. She thought for a moment.

"I'll make donations to the guild funds for crafting" Crispian shook his head, mere gold was not enough for him "And I'll swear not to harm a single member of the League until they raise their hands against me!" she glared. "Will that satisfy you Crispian?" she was furious, she wanted the diary open more than ever, and she was making rash promises. "I'll even.. " she waved her hand in the air "There! Hecathia lies dead now, at the mercy of the godess she served!" Arcalan's voice was almost screaming and she brought it back under control. This steely warrior was getting the better of her! Damn him to hell and deeper, he was playing on her nature to get what he wanted! He knew she'd see dissolving the diary as defeat, and would risk much to "win". He still wanted to know what dark force she had joined in alliance with, but it was unlikely he'd wrest that from her right now. She didn't deny it though, and he was well aware of how demonic powers could use a corrupted soul to gain entry to this world.

Arcalan had clenched her fists unconsciously, she was breathing hard and she was raging at him, determined to read the diary now.

Apolexia got back to the city with the support of Danidar. He left her at the Defender's Guild to walk the rest of the way safely. Apolexia walked down to the guild hall, entering it and finding out what took place just a short while ago. The one whom had caused her much pain was dead. The thief that stole her shields was dead, some of the shields being returned but some sold and lost forever. She looked back to her life and sighed, but she was home once again. Her worries over her Diary lost seemed to fade from her memory, forgetting about it as she saw the ones she loved once again.

Dannindas walked over to the Defender's Hall reporting what had happened, inwardly laughing at this so called Lieutenant. The papers he forged and added to the files no one noticed, for all this idiot knew he was Dandiar Kitar, a 29 year old who after having his family killed by bandits joined the Defender's Guild. He was afraid that the Lieutenant would make a big deal of this all, the last thing he wanted was to attract attention to himself. To his shock, the Lieutenant was furious. "What were you doing scout?! Do you not know your duties?! I should have you hanged for not following orders!!! You know what those orders were did you not?!"


Danni... Dandiar tried to get a word in, "e..." but was cut off.


"SILENCE! I did not ask you a question SCOUT! They couldv'e killed that girl because of you! Sure she has caused us numerous problems and is a pain in the neck..." the Lieutenant said in a more hushed voice before going back to yelling at Dandiar. "gives you NO RIGHT TO TRY AND PLAY HERO!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!!"


"e..."


"I SAID SILENCE!" Rydderac was obviously very upset. Taking a breath he walked over and sat by his desk, pulling out a scroll. "Hm, Dandiar Kitar, joined us two months ago, so far no blips in your record, up for promotion very soon... well, that won't happen now." Rydderac crossed a line through something Dandiar couldn't see. "This is going on your record Dandiar, but because the girl IS safe I will not punish you any further. Though I gurantee you, if she was killed because of you your head would not be attached right now. DISMISSED!"


Dandiar saluted his supervisor, then left his office trying not to laugh. 'That almost went too well...' he thought, when one of the other scouts rushed up to him. "Dandiar, this message came for you from a young female while you were with Rydderac." handing Dandiar the message.


"Thank you kindly." bowing to the female in front of him, offering her a smile before reading the message. So, this Tashtego wants to meet with me. Dandiar smiled, meet me at this courtyard yes yes, I am coming, and he left for the courtyard, bowing to the Armsman as he walked up to him.


"I heard you were looking for me." Dandiar said, looking up to Tashtego.


Tashtego looks to the young man standing afore him. "Are ye Dandiar? The scout who rescued Lady Apolexia?"


"Any other would do the same milord." Dandiar returned, giving a bow.


Tashtego smiled at the younger man. "Aye, we all do what we can, I only wish I would have been given the opportunity ta do what ye had done... but good sir... I wish ta thank ye..." as he looks into his eyes to let him know the import of his words. "Fer what ye have done this day."


Dandiar bowed again. "If you'd like, I can tell you what I know, it might help bring the ring-leader out, since the three I killed were nothing but puppets from what I saw."


"es indeed, is there any information that ye may know of that could aid us in killin these vagabonds..."


"The defenders had told us to be on the lookout for any information on this girl, and when I was scouting the nearby hills..." Danidar leaned into Tashtego. "Bad work really, but as a new recruit, they say it gives us practice for the front..." Then returned to his stance a short distance away. "Anyhow... I came across a group of drunk brigands, their dress was funny, and they were making quite a racket, I could not understand them, they spoke strangely which alerted me immediatly..."


"Did ye know the language?" Tashtego inquired, listening in closely.


Dandiar shaked his head. "No, I would not have paid any attention to a bunch of drunken brigands if I did not hear them talk, for the reports on the missing girl was she was taken by a bunch of foreigners."


"Drunken? this does not sound like the kind o people I had expected ta take sweet Lexi." he said dubily.


"Which is the exact reason I think she might still be in trouble Milord." Dandiar quickly returned.


"How do ye mean good sir?"


"According to the reports, the lass was taken from inside the city, these brigands could not have infiltrated the walls of camelot and taken her away."


"So then there be another that is more skilled..." he thought aloud.


"Does this make sense Milord?" Dandiar asked.


"Aye, this does make sense..." he returned.


"Were ye able ta look through their camp?" Tashtego asked, hoping for clues.


"es Sir, I did, though my main concern was on the young lass you must understand."


"Aye I unnerstan that, but did ye or anyone else go back ta their camp afterwords?"


"Well Sir, after delivering the lass back to safety I reported to my supervisor, he said he would send people to check the camp, last I checked, they found nothing of interest."


"Hmmm...I would like ta check this place meself then if possible."


"I tried talking to the lass, she kept muttering something on our way back to the city, the main reason I think the head of this band is not one that I slew."


"Mutterin somethin? what was it?"


"The lass said, 'Ilara is Hecathia'. Whomever this Ilara be, I feel she is behind this, and I told my supervisor this when I returned."


"Well, Hecathia has been dealt with and executed..." with no sign of remorse in his voice.


Danidar sighed in relief. "That is good news Sir, I shall report that information to my supervisor immediatly, he would be wanting to know that. Might I ask, was she behind it all? He would want to know."


"Not 'all' I think...there is another wrapped up in this affair as well methinks..." he spoke suspiciously. "tho the proof be hard pressed ta be found in the light o day..."


Danidar bowed again. "I shall tell the Lieutenant this, and I shall remain vigilant on any more of these bandits I see sir."


"I thankee fer yer help in this matter good sir." taking his hand in his and shakes it. "I cannae thankee enough, and if there be any other items that spring ta yer mind, please call on me. And if ye need anythin at all, anythin, I shall help ye if I can."


"Actually Sir, I was wondering something..." Dandiar spoke.


"Please, ask away..."


"Sir, I became a scout cause a group of bandits like such burned down my family's home, killing my wife and my young daughter, I see this lass and I do not wish for her to be a victim of such an attack, nor do I want anyone else to suffer. My family is gone, my home burnt to the ground, I seek new family and a new home, and I offer my services to you and your league."


"Then we have much in common you and I friend... much in common..." looking away a little, his past haunting him as he spoke.


"Sir, is something the matter?" Dandiar inquired.


Tashtego ignored the question. "So then, ye wish ta join our happy Guild? I can make that happen right now if ye so desire it... and in fact, it would be an honor ta have ye."


"I wish to offer my services to your guild yes, I feel I have much to offer and will work hard to keep all in it safe, I will not fail my family again..." wiping away a tear.


Tashtego lets his feelings pass before saying anythin else lest he cry. "Someday, we shall talk on this but not now... then it be settled, ye shall join our Guild..." smiling as he spoke. The two shook hands, and Tashtego showed Danidar his new home, third door on the right upstairs Tashtego told him is where he could rest.


Dandiar sat in his new bed, pleased with himself over how well that went. Now he just had to seek one other... Arcalan... though that would not be an easy task. Arcalan would see right through his disguise he was sure of it. He had Apolexia on his side, Tashtego practically calling him a brother, all was going well with his plans. But her... she would not be happy that he had 'fed Ilara to the wolves'. He knew why he had to do it... Ilara was too forceful, and would only cause Arcalan's downfall if she was not put down. But how would he explain this to her? 'Twas a weary day...' he thought to himself. 'She can wait, and I know she has the smarts to not expose me before she had a chance to talk with me...' and with those thoughts, he fell asleep... though he could not help the dream that kept coming to him in the night, the female in blue that he served, crying out in an endless agony...

Crispian considered Arcalan dispassionately as she finally showed some signs of humanity other than her coniving. He could accept the pledge not to harm a member of the League less they strike at her first. That was easy enough to hold her to. He dug in his pouch for the key. She was right. The Mysterious Past of Apolexia was intreguing to him.


"Oh, and I do not expect you to try to usurp any of MY authority within the League. You may be a Seneschal, until Master Toorc can be recovered, but I will not have you lording that over me, or anyone else."


He held her eyes until she nodded curtly. "Very well, I'll play your game of equality," she snapped. She wanted to act as she should be able to, superior to the rest, but if it would keep this one off guard, she would play it his way for now. Let him learn later the folly in that.


"Now, let us see what is in here," he said calmly, fitting key he held into book she held. With a snip, it opened.

 

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Arcalan held her breath, her joy at discovering a secret lit up her face with an almost child-like smile and as she leant over to look she absentmindedly rested a hand on Crispian's shoulder and made little noises of surprise at what she read. The handwriting was terrible, childish drawings of letters more than an elegant hand, but then Lexi had only recently learnt to write. But for all that Arcalan was thrilled by it. She murmered softly as she read:


((Over to Apolexia's voice for the contents of her Diary))