The Bishop Cleric escorted Lexi into the hall. Lexi looked about the hall, Crispian wasn't around thankfully, though her watcher Tashtego was, though she'd prefer Tashtego over Crispian anyday. She turned to Tashtego, the cleric letting go of her finally. "Um, Tash, this man wants to speak with you..." The Bishop rapped his staff into the group, obviously disgruntled by being called just a 'man'. Tash looked over to her quizzicly. "How could she be in trouble right now..." he thought. "She just got back..." though he accompanied the outside, where the bishop wished to speak away from the hall, away from her ears.


Tashtego tried to plead with the bishop repeatedly. "But I've done much progress..." "she's gone through so much..." over and over though the bishop was cold as an icicle. After much talks back and forth he was able to calm the Bishop, and asked him to wait for her apology. The man crossed his arms, knowing of the sister's apologies and how much they really meant, dubious of it.


Tashtego walked up into the hall, finding Lexi and pulling her to the side. Telling her of the Bishop outside and what he expected from her. Lexi turned to walk outside, but was grabbed by the arm and spun around by Tashtego. "First you shall go clean up and make yourself look nice, put on a dress, I promised him that."


The word 'dress' flashed through her head and she shuddered. Last time someone told her to get into a dress was when Rhizzia had taken her to church, and she told Lexi they weren't leaving till she made one. She didn't make one, and spent all night staring at the roof of her room. "But Ta-ash!" she whined, hating the idea of a dress.


"No, I told him that I would have ye cleaned and dressed nice now DO IT!" giving her a glare she knew all too well, the one that said this conversation was over.


"I don't own no dresses though Tash." she said.


"Well then, let's check with your sister shall we?" getting out the backway so the Bishop doesn't see them they headed to the Hammerfel home, finding a dress in Azaeli's drawers. It had a square neckline with long sweeping sleeves, fited to the waist and has a loose black silk belt... along with a glittering embroidery at the hem and neckline elvish in design, a gift from Ayslyn. Tash waited outside, as Lexi struggled to put on the dress. She found a matching haircomb then added it to her hair, and walked out to Tashtego. Tash looked, unable to speak a word, finding Lexi beautiful in the dress, flushing red Lexi said her thanks, pulling on the neckline.


"Like I told you... I'm a little bigger... this dress is kind-of tight... though it is nice..." not wanting Tash to get angry again. The two went back to the guild hall and Tash looked at Lexi sternly before going out to see the bishop, reminding her again to be nice, to which Lexi nodded.


Walking outside, the Bishop was no-where to be found. The two looked around, and then Tash spoke up. "Well with all that waiting he must've returned back o'er at the church." so the two headed for the church.


Apolexia saw the service and wanting to get this over with called out. "BIII-..." her mouth was muffed by Tashtego quickly as a younger female walked up to them, probably no more than twelve years of age. Tashtego whispered in Lexi's ear: "Please fer me sweet Lexi?" then looking to the young lady. "es..is the Bishop in bychance?"


"es yes, that old fogey conducting the ceremony." Lexi spoke, Tash's hand removed from her mouth.


"No Sir Knight, but asked me to leave word for you..." looking quizzicly at Apolexia's crude remark.


Tashtego covered her mouth again. "Word for me? Pray tell what was it young Lady?"


The girl frowned, trying to remember. "That he shall accept the apology in writing, as he has important business to tend to. And that he will see," thinking again. "Miss Hammerfel in one week to see if there is a change."


Tashtego sighed at this. "Very well then fair young Lady, it will be so, I shall drop it here in the morn."


At the sound of writing Lexi started to fight free to say a word, mumbling un-intelligibly. She didn't want to submit a letter... her writing was still poor and she didn't want to see this Bishop knowing that, though Tash held her tight and wouldn't let her speak.


The girl lowered her head then, going to almost a whisper. "Please forgive me for being forward, but is it the Lady Knight he speaks of?"


Tashtego nodded. "es he does lady."


The child nodded. "Then I shall pray for her. It is a grave crime if the rumors are true."


Lexi kicked Tash in the shin, though only causing a clang to sound out as her kick is deflected off his plate leggings, as she desperatly wanted to hear of any news of her sister.


"Was there somethin else fair Lady? rumors? which ones?" he asked.


Tash finally let go of Lexi's mouth and she rushed forward grabbing the girl's robes almost lifting her off the floor. "Where is she?!"


The girl looked frightened. "Please... calm down..." looking over to the altar. "I shouldn't speak of it..."


A tear came down Lexi's cheek. "PLEASE!!!" pleading with the girl, causing a scene as others laughed to themselves watching the three.


The girl looked at her, then nodded. "Please, not here... follow..." Lexi let go, and she led them down to a more secluded part of the church. The girl looked down the hallway, to see if they were alone.


Lexi quickly asked again, "Where is she?"


The girl loked at Lexi pleadingly. "Please, I would get into a world of troule if any found out that I told you, for it is between the Lady and God."


Lexi didn't care, and she cried out way too loudly causing others to look thier way, "WHERE IS MY SISTER?!!"


Tashtego quickly once again covered her mouth, nodding to the girl. "I overheard.. and the lady Hammerfel was always kind to me, and so I am concerned for her..."


Tash whispered into Lexi's ear. "Silence will help your sister more than anything else Lexi... please..."


Lexi nodded, tear running down her cheek and did not say another word. "She was sent to Lyonesse, charged to clear the northern coast of ghostly apparitions there, in payment for... is it true sire? For murder?"


Upon hearing this Lexi tried to run off upon hearing this though was grabbed firmly by Tash and held in place. "There was a battle at the Hall... the captor o her sister showed up and threatened us all, Lady Azaeli was there..."


"She left clad all in black in mourning for her sister.. I thought it was she who the lady had killed..."


"Killed her sister? no in fact here she be all the spicier..." holding Lexi as tight as she can as she struggled to break free."


The girl formed a half-smile and nodded. "Well, I have told more than I should've... excuse me..." curtseying to Tashtego looking once again quizzicly.


"es, thank you." Tash said, not being able to bow but nodded his head, then carried Lexi off back to her home. "Change, now, we ride." he spoke.


Lexi nodded and smiled, quickly running upstairs. She came back in her robe, leaving the dress on the table. "Um... Tash... my armor..."


Tashtego looked at her. "No put something on fer battle..." he spoke as he saw her then stopped as she said it. "Where is it?"


"Um... I gave it to Kolbalt... didnt fit me very well.. and I was going to make a new set but just... um... got... tied up... heh..." she jibed... though being truthful because the armor was no longer fit for her.


"Well, go find some more... tied up huh?"


Lexi flushed red. "es... um... anyhow..."


Tashtego nodded, "Well, we shall buy you some new ones then."


Lexi shook her head. "I CANT! Armor cant be just done in a moment!"


Tashtego looked up on the wall to a set of old armor. "Wear that."


Lexi's heart sunk. "Thas decatory armor! Bronze! Weak!"


"PUT IT ON!" he bellowed, to which caused Lexi to grab the armor and change in it quickly, walking down in the flimsy looking mail. If there was one thing Lexi hates more than anything is second-hand gear not made by her.


"Should we not tell Crispian first Tash?" she suggested. So the two left for the hall.


(( more coming ))

As Tashtego sat in his room in his writin chair by his desk, sitting perfectly still, poised upright, eyes closed, his mind crystal clear o anything but his fair Lady Azaeli, he bore his concentration inward. In his meetin with his fair Lady Azaeli in Lyonesse, he had felt … something … was not quite right. There was something bearin down on her, somethin more than her own thoughts and actions. There was almost a presence about her, something he knew was not hers, fer he knew her Heart very well. It worried Tashtego greatly, this presence, fer times now were becoming mired in speculation and rumors, portents and puzzles. Now was not the time fer Lady Azaeli ta be left alone, or any o the guild fer that matter. There was an enemy, no there were two enemies within the Guild, he knew that much…only, ta prove that was another story all tagether.

He sat there like this fer what seemed almost a half an hour … then, abruptly, the Circle enveloped him. His Heart was ready ta do its work, ta move mountains once again. <Ever since that day he had died and his fair Lady Azaeli had reached inta his Heart ta grab hold o him, his understandin o the Circle became more than he thought he could e’er know, and remain sane at the same time. He had actually witnessed the Circle of All with all o his senses, somethin he had ne’er done before…oh, he had always felt it in so many ways aroun him, but he had ne’er seen it until that day, the day that he had died and Azaeli had lifted him from it. His sister was there … she had embraced him and opened her own Heart ta him, showin him she bore nothing but love fer him. He had always felt like he had failed his family, that he should have been there, should have died with them…but she…she took that feelin that gnawed away at him every hour o every day, and flung it out inta the wind n’er to return ta him. With that feelin gone, and being so close ta the Circle of All in death, his Gift grew in power by magnitudes. Thins held another dimension ta him now…>

As his Heart bore the power o the Circle, his mind searched fer his fair Lady Azaeli…distance held no dimension in this exchange…and he foun her sittin alone in the fields o Lyonesse, afraid and dwellin on thoughts he knew she should not be havin. His Heart extended to her, the presence Tashtego had felt earlier fled from her.

“Tash?”, she cried out, wonderin if she was delirious, or dreamin. Upon speakin, she bit her tongue rememberin her vow, and remained silent throughout the rest o the exchange. The feelin o her very dear friend so close ta her was very unexpected fer this feelin came upon her in an instant, but it was a feelin that she embraced and needed. She could see nothin but the night sky and the stars shinin above, the moon playin with the shadows o the night. But she could feel him, an she could hear him whisperin within her Heart….come home…she broke down in tears understandin what he was tryin ta do.

But, she din unnerstan all o what Tashtego was tryin ta do. The … something … had fled initially, but it came back. It was up ta Tash ta guage the power o this … presence … and guide his fair Lady Azaeli away from it. Azaeli’s thoughts became clear once again as she felt her friend near her, in her Heart, and she caste aside the notions she had been thinking upon … those are not yer thoughts fair Lady … again, whispers in her Heart. Her tears came fresh, and she held tight ta the warmth o Tashtego’s Heart.

Then, without warnin, the presence came full force testin this new shield wrapped aroun what it considered its prey. Imagine if ye will two dimensions collidin with one another… Both suffered in power for it. Tashtego’s Heart dissipated only when he saw that his fair Lady had become very confused, frightened and agitated at what was occurring tho she could not see it, only feel it. His Heart left her, but with a parting whisper in her Heart … come home now, I cannae protect ye out here …be wary o thoughts not yer own …

Exhuasted, Tashtego leaned back against the chair. That had taken much out o him, more than he thought would be required … that presence … it would be a new test. Makin it to his bed, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, thank goodness he had replaced the one Heathyr had put on his bed with gravel in it with a nice soft one.

Fair Lady Azaeli sat there wonderin what had just taken place…”Tash was here” she said ta herself as she held her chest where her own Heart beat. But, then she felt herself slip back inta what she had been feelin as o late … What feelin she would wish to remain in her own Heart had to be her own choice … she knew Tash well enough, and she knew that’s what he was thinkin …

…And so the choice was left ta her…

It was almost a distinct voice within Azaeli's head...


It should have been you...


You let her die... unshrived, now she burns in hell....


You stained the League with blood... you brought shame and pain where none was...


When your father looks into your eyes he will not see you anymore, just the adopted child you murdered....


End it all... fill the hole in your heart... fill it with steel... the blade is so sharp, so very sharp, it wouldn't take a moment... you'd be with Apolexia then....


Heacathia burns in hell beside your sister, and yet you live... what right do you have? It should have been you... not all the tears of a hundred years will quench the fire of hell for a second.... go to her... do it Azi.... take your life... your worthless life....


She'd looked at the blade and felt it's keen edge. Then a force came upon her like the clouds parting and letting through the sunlight. The pit she was in, with it's black and slippery sides dissolved. The power of the Circle, strange tribal gift of Tashtego was upon her, comforting and protecting her with his Heart.


All too quickly it faded, but she knew what he had tried to tell her. This was not her way... these were not her thoughts. The dispair was heavy upon her again, but a tiny speck of hope remained.. must remain...


It SHOULD have been YOU....

/nightly bump cause I cant post what I need to right now =)

Lexi was furious. Crispian was denying her permission to leave the city. She knew to control her anger, but this was her sister, and something snapped in her head.


"NO!" she yelled out to Crispian. "I AM GOING AND YOU CAN NOT STOP ME!!!"


Crispian sighed. He has had enough problems on his hands as of late with the alliance, the guild, this business with Hecathia. "I said no Lexi. Do not make me repeat myself."


Lexi grabbed her cloak and looked to Tash. "Let us go Tash. YOU can't stop me!" She said turning to Crispian.


"Oh I can't?" getting to his feet he walked over and grabbed Lexi by the wrist. "I said no, and since you plan on defying me, I think maybe a night in your room will calm your head."


"NO! I need to see my sister!" she yelled.


Crispian yanked on her arm, dragging her upstairs. Taking her to her room he threw her inside, then locked the door with his keys, walking back downstairs.


Tash could not believe it, but he did not wish to defy his brother Crispian. "I shall go then, tell Lexi I will say lo for her would ya?" he asked Crispian.


Crispian nodded, and Tash left the hall for Cornwall.


Lexi fumed in her room, trying to figure out ways to bash down the door. She had wondered what happened to some of her duskwood, apparently someone had used it to strengthen her door, so nothing was working.


She waited through the night, Tash coming to her early next morn, telling her of Azi's situation and the state she was in. Lexi inwardly cried, though she tried to remain strong for Tash. "She'll be okay... she has a good heart..." she said, then collapsing exhaustedly against the bed. Tash leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, covering her up then walking out into the guild hall.

The blade rested in her lap, glinting against the charcoal of her plated thighs in the morning sun.


"End it all... fill the hole in your heart... fill it with steel... the blade is so sharp, so very sharp, it wouldn't take a moment..."


She ran her naked thumb gently over the blade, watching as it easily sliced her flesh, watching the crimson line form. She stared at the blood, entranced as she fell deeper into despair. Tash had been here, her champion. He had tried to soothe her with lies, saying her sister had been rescued, but she refused to speak to him or believe him. She knew it couldn't be so.. Lexi was dead, and by her own hands. Tash had always tried to protect her, and this time he lied to her to do it..


"ou let her die... unshrived, now she burns in hell....


You stained the League with blood... you brought shame and pain where none was..."


Azaeli raised the tip of the blade to her throat, choking with tears. What she had done was unforgivable, unconsolable. There was no going back. There was nobody left.. they would all hate her...


The beacon of hope sent to her from Tashtego was lost, his visit a forgotten dream, buried in her own despair and wretched misery. She squeezed her eyes closed, shutting out the world. The blade was cold against her throat. Footsteps rushed toward her, but she ignored them. There was no going back now.


"Lady Hammerfel!" A familiar voice cried out in disbelief as Azi felt the sword wrenched from her shaking hands. She opened her eyes to see her squire, Emlae, standing before her, clutching the scimitar that had taken Hecathia's life and that was meant to take her own. "What in the name of all that is Holy--?!" Azi frowned at the interruption and pointed at the path to Cornwall. It was far too dangerous for her out here, and Azaeli's life was not worth it..


"No, I've finally found you and I shall not leave you here!" She stood firm, infuriating Azaeli with her disobediance. Azi pointed to her Knightly spurs, then to Emlae's squire pin, then to the path once more, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring. A pentitent in solitude did not need a squire following her like a shadow, doting on her every need.


"No, Lady. If you wish to demote me you may. I am your friend before I am your squire, and you are in no condition to be left alone. I will stay by your side and watch you fight, but I refuse to leave you." She grasped Azi's sword in her hand as Azi reddened with fury. She hated this girl for caring, especially when Azi was so undeserving.


Resolved that Emlae would not give up, Azi drew her archmace and beckoned a farmer. She swung hard, unleashing her fury, and felt a little better for it..


"Hecathia burns in hell beside your sister, and yet you live... what right do you have? It should have been you... not all the tears of a hundred years will quench the fire of hell for a second.... go to her... do it Azi.... take your life... your worthless life.... "


Despair, regret, darkness envelopped her as the farmer pommeled her relentlessly. She stopped swinging, dropping the mace to her side. As the ghostly form released its final blow, she heard Emlae's scream.


"No!"

Emlae yelled at the farmer, she watched Azaeli drop her Archmace to the ground. She was no match for the farmer, but she had to do something. She tried to taunt the farmer on her... too late... the farmer unleashed his fury on Azaeli, and Azaeli crumpled to the ground. Emlae stood in shock, the farmer swung at her sending her fifteen feet across the dirt, and walked away satisified.


Emlae crumpled in pain... the ghostly effects taking to her. She hobbled over to Azaeli, falling on her knees looking to her. "Lady Hammerfel... please..." she pleaded. Her training in the church had taught her a couple of things. One was the power of healing comes from God. Two was God would not help others that did not wish to help themselves. It was because of this that reserrection sometimes failed, for the person would just give up on life. Emlae cried over Azaeli's body. She had watch her drop her mace. She had given up... "no... please..." she sobbed, bringing azaeli's body up to her chest, stroking her hair.


The Farmer looked over and saw the girl, then walked over to her glad she was still alive. Emlae looked up, too late, as the farmer punched right through her plate chest-piece. Emlae cried out in pain, then the apparition uppercutted her jaw, sending her flying backwards, her body bleeding internally from the blows. She got to her feet, staggered, still holding with her Azaeli's scimitar. The farmer looked over to her, and advanced again. Emlae, seeing no other choice, looked on to Azaeli with a tear in her eyes and fled the scene, not stopping her run till she got to the Yarleys of Cornwall.


The farmers looked to her. "H..or.s.e... le..a.gue... hal..l..." she spoke through her pain, coughing up blood. The yarleys did not argue, getting a horse they gave it instructions, and off Emlae rode. She rode hard, struggling to stay conscious. 'They must know' she thought to herself... keeping herself awake. She saw the city come into view, the guards helping her down, though she shoved them away, almost crawling to the hall.


She shoved the doors open, collapsing into the hall. "Lady... Hamm.er...fel... dea..d.. falle..n... gon.e..." she said, finally falling victim to her wounds collapsing.


Kanna looked on, as did Phalos. Together they helped get the plate off Emlae, though she was bleeding all over. Rhizzia and the old lady Bethsaida walked over, lending thier healing abilities, getting Emlae to her feet. Phalos tried to talk to her. "Who's dead?"


Bethsaida asked, "The wild one?" her nickname for Apolexia.


"No..." still struggling with her breaths, though un-injured, but the pain recent. "Lady Hammerfel... Azaeli... she just gave up on life... she's gone... dead... and I watched her die... I am a failure..."


Phalos looked on with deep concern. "Dead? Where is her body, help me find her."


"Shes gone... and I am a failure..." she said, taking off her cloak, with the squire pin attached to it and threw it on the table, then getting out Azaeli's sword places it down. "I will return to my farmlands in disgrace... I have failed... now excuse me..." she spoke. Phalos tried to stop her, but she would hear nothing of it. Walking out the doors to the hall she made her way back to Ludlow. 'What will father think of me?' she wondered as she made her way there.

As Azaeli dropped to the ground and soul split from body she thought she saw something in a silver-grey world ...beneath the stars and the ...mercury clouds ...a man ... the figure of a man ...who was he that whispered to her ... he smiled to her as she fell down into the dark ... dark.

The bindstone was deserted, thankfully, when Azaeli awoke in the marsh. Even in death she hadn't been comforted, for the moment she fell she remembered her mother. Thoughts of the disappointment she'd feel finding out her daughter had died a coward and a traitor were more than Azi could bear.


Her legs wobbled beneath her as she stepped carefully toward the healer in her dizziness. Something was wrong.. terribly wrong. The man-figure flashed before her again and she shuddered even as she remembered its smile. She had never before lost her will to fight, not even in the darkest moments of her life. Never before had thoughts of self-destruction crossed her mind..


"ou are troubled, my child," the healer said quietly as he prayed over Azi. Tears sprung to her eyes once more as she felt her strength return, but she looked away, refusing herself any comfort. The man frowned. "Forgive me for being forward..but you are Judan's girl are you not? The one who turned from wizardry to the Church?"


Azi swallowed hard. No doubt pappa would find out her condition now. She thought about lying, but decided it best not to add another item to her list of sins. The Almighty worked in mysterious ways, and she took this as an offering of His hand in aid. She nodded slowly, and the healer smiled kindly.


"Is there anything you need?" He asked softly. Azi frowned, and almost refused, but instead raised her hands and made a motion of writing, relieved to be given this gift of hope.


"es, of course," he said softly, ushering her to a tiny room with a desk and parchment. "our father always showed kindness to me, he is a great man. This is the least I can do to repay him.. are you certain you need nothing else?" Azi nodded thankfully and the healer left as she took her seat and wrote hastily. Her hands shook terribly in her haste, making the writing almost illegible.


Dearest Father Tobyas,


I am in grave need of your divine wisdom and guidance. I fear for my own life. Please make haste to Lyonesse.


Yours in need,

Azaeli


She folded the note tightly and said a silent prayer of forgiveness, for though she remained silent, she still communicated when she should not have. Leaving the note in the hands of a courier, and paying him all of the gold she had made on the farmers to be certain it would arrive in a timely fashion, she made her way back to Lyonesse to continue her penance.

Toby slogged up the hill from Lyonesse weary to his bones. Crispian had been possessed by some fervor to rid the land of Pikemen for nearly three days before he had left for Camelot. Toby had stayed afield longer, hoping to learn more on his own. As he neared the small farm where the Yardley's made their trade, he recalled coming here when he was a lad, with the man who had sired him on his mother.


With a bitter swallow, he began to transact business, haggling for every copper the traders gave him. Finally, purse heavy with gold and coin and packs emptied, he readied to head to the station at Cornwall for a bath and some ale. His titian hair was plastered to his head and he longed to clean.


As he sauntered down the road, breivery open and eyes scanning blessed Psalms, a courier assailed him.


"es, what is it?"


"Father, this letter is for you, most urgent I was told." The rider bowed.


Tobyas broke the Seal with his thumb and read the few brief lines. With a distracted nod he gave the man a gold coin, and turned back to the Yardley.s'


"Forgive me, Lord, but sometimes, dirty work needs to be done," he quipped as he tucked book away and headed with speed. After consulting the Yardley's about Azi, for she was hard to miss, he made his cautious way to the farmers.