"Thank you; the suggestions you offer prove merit, although I do not believe even the best warriors of K'eel Doba could last long against the demonic army we are going to face in the Darker Realms.

"But the Finger of R'lous, yes. If only--"

Her words were snipped off in mid-sentence and her eyes widened a bit, brightening as she suddenly froze. For a brief moment she stood as if enthralled, then brought her focus outward once again.

"The Blade-- it is Ragorian," she informed the others. "He speaks, and states he believes he may know where the Finger of R'lous is..."

Turning her attention inward, she strengthened the link she had with the sorcerer by deliberately grasping the hilt of the sword, which she had place in the belt upon her thrimm.

"Tell me, Ragorian," she spoke back to him.

"Where is the Finger of R'lous? I will endure the gravest of perils if it means I have a chance of reuniting with Phalomir again."

--------------------

"Look, I don't like the idea of going to Aelvedaar with all of this...

...but I also know that, against the Master there probably is no one else who can match powers. We don't even have a prayer unless we've got an All user who is very adept in sorcerery as well...who is a master of sorcery.

And, there is only one of those. And did we not recently discuss that there are two sides to every coin? We don't like Aelvedaar's actions...

...but we don't know in the grand scheme of things just why he chose to act as he did. And, that aside...

...I return to my original point. We need a master of sorcery to defeat the Master himself. And, considering Aelvedaar had the Master locked away in that ship...

...I'd surmise that he doesn't want the guy doing whatever it is he's up to. So speaking with Aelvedaar may be our only chance. I do, however, agree that we may need to consider an escape route, should one become necessary...

...and I believe we do need to find the Finger. But first things first...

...we need to get out of here and be on our way."

Shayla paused, cocking her head a bit. "Shall we proceed to Char'lingua?"

--------------------

Panthar sat on the drying ground.

“I mean, look, it was awfully convenient that the Master shows up on the ship that we stole from Korris’ian, and how easy – although painful – it was to inadvertently break him out. And don’t forget those vials of whatever we found in that storage room… or was that just me and Phal? Anyway…”

Panthar raised his palms flat, blood dripping from the open wound on his right hand.

“On one hand, we can’t fight the Master in the Darker Realms with what we have right now. On the other hand, we don’t know if we can ask Aelvy for help without getting fried. One the other hand, that Finger pretty well wiped out a whole demon army when Gray used it. One the other hand, we don’t know where it is and it almost fried Phal when that happened. On the other hand, if the blade knows where it is and we get it, he can help Gray use it. All right, I’m out of hands.”

Panthar looked up.

“Allright, now that I’ve repeated things so someone simple like me can understand them, I vote we find out if the blade knows where the Finger is, get it, and go kick some Darker Realms butt. Even if the blade is trying to trap us for some stupid reason, it’s better than doing nothing. Hey, would it be prudent to maybe send one or two of us to see Aelvy?”

Panthar stopped and cocked his head to Shayla.

“Wait, what’s in Char’linqua?”

[ 08-19-2005 10:43 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Panthar Dantares ]

--------------------

...I'm not sure if that is a good idea. United, we stand strong...

...divided, we may be weaker. Splitting the group may protect members, but then it may do nothing more than delay whatever might go wrong happening to all of us. Although, perhaps only a couple of us should go directly to Aelvedaar, while the others of us wait behind...

...but this can be decided onboard a ship bound for Khar Delba..."

She trailed a moment, then made an addendum, "...unless, of course, the Blade knows where the Finger is and can lead us there. Still, we can always change our course as necessary once onboard."

[ 08-19-2005 10:50 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Shayla Stargazer Petrolu ]

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"Please," she said, holding up a hand.

"I am waiting for Ragorian to reply to me, can you speak more softly so I can concentrate without distraction?"

--------------------

“But why do we need a ship?” he asked quietly. “I mean, we have two All people here who can open a portal. OK, one is really tired and the other is a little nutso from too much time in the temple, but at least one of those problems is curable. How long will it take us to hike down the mountain and get to the spaceport? Compare that to giving Gray some time to rest, not to mention the danger involved in hiking.”

Panthar exhaled slowly.

“By the way,” he said quietly. “Does anyone know just where we are and how far a hike it is?”

--------------------

I remember that the Axis prompted that Sith warrior into taking the Finger from where Graysith left it, to search for my blade, he recounted to himself.

The warrior was in turn felled by ShaRhylla and I, and ShaRhylla took up possession of the Finger for a time.

Then, as I was sent with Kelvandar to possess Salandaar, ShaRhylla was placed under a sleep enchantment by Rykounagin, who, we believe, stole the Finger.

So, it can be assumed that Rykounagin possesses the Finger.

But wait, a part of him spoke up, directing him toward a different set of memories. Did not Rykounagin say that he was in the service of Lord Aelvedaar?

Yes, something about being his Chosen Son. As such, it can be surmised that he stole the Finger to give to Aelvedaar...

Satisfied with his recounting, he spoke to Graysith.

"If my memory serves me, milady, the Finger was stolen from the Temple by that boy Rykounagin."

"However, there is something you should know about the young lad."

"I believe that Rykounagin has entered into the service of Lord Aelvedaar. The boy himself called himself Aelvedaar's "Chosen Son," if that means anything to you? He certainly seemed very loyal to the Dark Lord the last time I saw him."

"So, I can say it would be safe to assume, milady, that Rykounagin stole the Finger for Lord Aelvedaar, and that the object now resides with the Dark Lord of Sorcerers."

Ragorian fell silent a moment to allow Graysith to appreciate this information then spoke again.
"As to how we would accomplish taking the Finger from Aelvedaar, I do not know. I have had several ideas, all of which I would assume to be quite unfeasable or near impossible."

"I would assume you and some of our companions know the Dark Lord far better than I, so I will let you speak to them now. I shall be listening, so if you desire my imput or have any sort of question for me, do not hesitate to ask. I wish to help you in whatever way possible, my Lady Graysith."

As he fell silent, Ragorian was startled to find that he had injected much sincerity into that last statement...

...And more startled to find that he meant it.

Something about Graysith's plight, and her pure, uncomplicated love for Phalomir, had stirred the deep-seated seeds of compassion in him.

For once he felt a desire to help without a need to gain anything for himself.

A very strange feeling, he remarke to himself. But an altogehter pleasant one nonetheless...

Chuckling at his own compassion, Ragorian turned his attention back ot Graysith and their companions...

...Ready to give whatever aid he could to their quest.

--------------------

...it may draw attention to us. At least, that is my opinion...

...and there are others here who may agree or not. As to just where we are...

...we have the coordinates Galen gave us. We also have the coordinates to Prinn'chatka, so if we map it out we should easily be able to calculate just where the spaceport is, or we should be able to get close to it at least."

Pausing at that, Shayla did some quiet mental calculations, using her piloting abilities to help her find the way. Her keen greeny-blue eyes looked skyward for several minutes, her eyes vague.

Then, to finish her calculations off, she stretched out with the Force to sense for sentient life-forms in the direction where she believed Prinn'chatka and the spaceport to be. After the course of several quiet minutes, she spoke up once more, extending an arm, a hand, and a pointer finger in one particular direction.

"My Force senses and the coordinates we have tell me that the spaceport is that way," she explained. "Actually, it is not too far from us...

...but perhaps it is about half a day's walk, the terrain considered. Sooo--"

She trailed a moment, "We'd best be on our way, if this is the method of travel we are going to stick with."

--------------------

We paused, considering our next voicing. "If there was to be any climbing done, we doubt we could complete such actions, or on that note, walk and snow combined, make this journey upon foot. We do not know the Onidorei's capacity for travel in any conditions."

--------------------

Saying nothing futher, Shayla then turned to Jharmeen, wondering if Ragorian had responded, cocking her head as if asking an unspoken, "Anything yet?", her body and her mind all the while ready to get on the move.

--------------------

--but what truly startled her was the brief shimmer of body language Ragorian had sent her way. Just for a moment there, she thought he had... softened somehow, become more...

Human.

But before she could pin a finger on it, that flicker of whatever it was had disappeared. She cleared her throat, turned back to the others, but tightened her grip on the sword which carried Ragorian's spirit.

"Ragorian surmises that Rykounagin has once again taken the Finger of R'lous, and has more than likely turned it over to Lord Aelvedaar, with whom he has... allied himself."

She drew in a breath, then filled in the others with all Ragorian had divulged to her, both fact and theory. She paused a moment after sharing the information, then straightened up.

"The fact that we are still alive leads me to believe that we may yet entertain hope regarding Lord Aelvedaar. For if he truly is the traitor you state, and has possession of the Finger of R'lous, there would be no reason to keep him from destroying us. In fact, in order for him to continue upon the dark path we believe he has chosen to take, he would have to kill us, and the quicker the better.

"Yet we live."

She spread her arms a little from her sides and looked meaningfully at the party. Then she turned to Shayla.

"This Temple lies far from our capitol city," she went on. "I believe what you are sensing is a secondary, more rural spaceport. But there is sure to be ships or at least some kind of transportation there, with which we can easily return to Ch'arlingua to take a ship, and then--"

She trailed into silence with that, pinning the others with a sharp gaze, one heavy with meaning. Then, the alpine winds whipping her hair about her face, she tightened her cloak about herself and began floundering through the snow, heading downslope from the rock around which they were grouped. For no matter what course they all chose, they still needed to get back to lower elevations before the dim little dwarf sun had set.

[ 08-21-2005 01:52 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

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“And then, I think we have little choice. It seems that the two paths before us have now crossed into one. In order to obtain the Finger, we need to visit Aelvedaar. In a way, I am almost beginning to think that maybe there actually is something bigger going on with him. Jharmeen is right, why are we still alive? With the Finger, he could have skewered us easily by now. Heck, maybe even without it. Could it be that there is something bigger and nastier than him that he is getting ready to fight?”

Panthar grimaced.

“Well, I can see him manipulating that kid to get the Finger, but why would have sent an assassin after Phal and Jharmeen? And why would do some of the other things he did?”

Panthar stopped and brushed the dirt from his robes. He turned back to the others who were stirring about.

“Well, folks, we all better start hiking. That is, unless someone either has a ship in their pocket, or a com link to call for one.”

Panthar got a thoughtful look.

“Or, a link with Aelvedaar. To save us the trip, why not bring him here?”

--------------------

But the first steps he took into the cold, powdery snow were enough to prompt him into speech.

"I have my doubts about surprising Lord Aelvedaar with an unexpected visit here, but I-- I have a ship," he said softly, his nostrils curling in distaste as he lifted his robes in an almost dainty manner to step off away from the rock and into the surrounding snow. He took another hesitant step and nearly fell flat on his face. His foot had come down into a slight depression hidden by the smoothing blanket of snow; reflexively he let go of his robes and waved his arms for balance. He only partially succeeded in keeping himself from going completely horizontal, finally ending tilted somewhat to one side, one hand buried in the snow for support.

His nostrils curled even further as he slowly and carefully regained his feet.

"But it is a fighter, and small; we cannot all fit into it. Perhaps some of us may fly to where a larger vessel is docked; by the way, where is the one in which you came to K'eel Doba?"

--------------------

"Ahhh..." he started out, remembering the vessel they arrived in all-too-well. "We arrived here onboard an ancient sith vessel we took from Kori'san. Considering how the warriors received us from that ship...

...I wouldn't recommend trying to go back to it."

Quieting a moment, Erik frowned, then continued with, "Hey, what about that Sith warship we've flown in the past? Might we be able to get back into one of those? After all, several of us know how to fly one, which could give us an advantage later on."

--------------------

Panthar turned to Erik.

"Lessee, we have that warship of Gray's, yeah… except isn’t that in the elseness right now? Then there is the ancient ship thing, but like you said, it’s probably under heavy guard. I’m sure there is something big enough for us all somewhere nearby, though, like in that nearby port."

Panthar looked at Jharmeen, who was looking very tired, then turned back to the Sith.

“Why don’t you take Shayla and Galen with you, they both know how to pilot and cam help kick any butt you might need to kick along the way. In the meantime, we can set up a make-shift camp here. Jharmeen needs to rest, and I've got robes to spare here to make a bed. There are lots of trees around, let’s us gather some wood and Aeylmaar can use some of his magick to make us a fire before you guys go.”

[ 08-21-2005 04:29 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Panthar Dantares ]

--------------------

Oh, ok, Emotional as well.

--something which just kept me silent as those around me began to discuss matters again. So there I sat in the snow, a stunned little lump, trying to switch gears and come up with something worthwhile.

That is, until the stocky form of the Sith Panthar's essence was inhabiting turned and looked me straight in the eye.

Dammit, those eyes were blue.

Like Darra's....

A fresh wave of grief and pain and anger began to war somewhere inside, coming head to head with what common sense and logic it could find and striving to stomp it into oblivion. That heated rush nearly succeeded, but not before the final little red flag began waving for all it was worth, this time in my own direction, which gave me the strength I needed to stop and think.

Albeit coldly.

Too many people here, the evil rush began to whisper, the inherent suggestion carried within a living thing that squirmed and wriggled in my chest.

But maybe later--

I gasped, clambered to my feet and began to dust the cold white stuff from my body.

"Uhh-- yeah."

I gave Panthar a somewhat nervous look, wondering if he had seen my momentary lapse. If he had I sure as Roon's Treasure couldn't tell; he still had that goofy ol earnest look planted on his puss.

Shaking my head, I went on, going to where Terrin had gained his own feet before beginning to move off after my sister.

"He has a good idea; I think Shayla and I should go get a larger ship while you guys make camp here.

"And you stay put here to keep an eye on things, my love." I whispered the last, standing on my tiptoes and pressing my lips to his ear that no one else would hear it.

I let myself back down after giving my husband a little kiss, and turned to the blonde jedi. Suddenly I wanted nothing more than to get as far as I could from Jharmeen, to get myself under wraps and figure out just what the hell was going on with my head.

Not to mention my heart.

"You game?" I asked her, and put my hands on my hips, my stance wide and strong while I waited for the general concensus to what Big Red had offered as a possible solution to our immediate predicament.

[ 08-21-2005 10:22 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

--------------------

--------------------

Or at least, of who she must be thinking of.

As anger threatened to rise again, Terrin turned from those thoughts, and shot Galen a look that read You can count on it, sweetheart.

Then he looked to the others in the group. "I don't think there's much we can do to set up camp, seeing as we have no supplies," he observed, hearing Jasyn distinctively mutter "I HATE the cold!" somewhere behind him as he then fell silent.

All the while he couldn't stop one final errant thought. Get back here soon, Galen, cause the sooner we get going with all this...

...the sooner we can get done and get back to Darra.

[ 08-21-2005 06:29 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Terrin Danner ]

--------------------

Panthar walked back to the temple and scouted the area. The ground was cold and hard, but there was a small grove of pine trees to the left of the temple where a blanket of soft pine needles cushioned his steps. The temple itself blocked most of the cold wind, and there were no immediate threats of rocks falling from overhead.

“Hey, let’s build the fire over here,” he called out, clearing a patch of needles with his foot. He then began to arrange loose stones into a circle, trying to use only his good hand. He then gathered a few small sticks together within the circle and waited for Erik to bring larger pieces.

--------------------

We paused yet again however. "We leave this too you, Lady Graysith."

--------------------

An interesting proposal, and one with several benefits, he mused to himself. This Onidorei creature has interested me for soem time. I would not pass up the chance to learn more of it.

His decision made, Ragorian reached out to Graysith and spoke.

"Perhaps the Onidorei's proposal would be for the best, my Lady. I know that continuous connnection with me can be...taxing. And you are obviously weary."

"And as the being stated, you would not have to worry about him falling under my control. Eighty minds is beyond my capacity to control."

"And I have no real desire..."

Ragorian suddenly paused, considering what he had been about to say. His mind was on the verge of releasing the words "To control, or betray, you or any of our companions."

Considering these for a moment, Ragorian found that they were true.

Again, that flicker of compassion shows itself, he commented amusedly to himself. It is growing stronger. if you do not watch yourself, Ragorian, you'll find that you become one of the "Good Guys."

His chuckle rising in volume throughout his own mind, Ragorian released those curious words, words of honesty, born from compassion, both of which he had not felt or used in some time.

"...to control, or betray, you or any of our companions."

"And I would not mind being able to speak on my own. It must grow tiresome repeating most of what I say to the rest of the group."

"Of course, if you need the aid of me or my powers, I will eagerly return to your hand. But for now, I believe this to be a fine solution."

--------------------

“Jharmeen,” he called over. “Come over here and lie down. Now.”

He walked over to her and took her gently by the arm.

“Please,” he said. “You need your rest. If we’re going to go after Phal, you need to be at one-hundred percent. There’s nothing more we can do until they come back with a bigger ship, anyway. It’s not the best bed in the world, but it should enough to keep you comfortable for a while, and once the fire is going then you should be plenty warm.”

He nodded at the blade.

“I know you don’t want anyone touching that, maybe we can wrap it up next to you?”

--------------------

And yes, it does grow wearisome, constantly repeating Ragorian's words to the others. Something must be done about that; there is always the sharing of bodies, but for that we need to travel to Koris'ian....

Shaking her head at these reveries, she finally decided that she would put her mind to the problem when she was rested and fully alert. Then motioning to Panthar, the Dark Lady allowed him to lead her to the bed he had created for her. For a moment she just stood there, looking down upon it. Then she sank into its relative softness with a sigh.

"Yes," she finally answered Panthar, balancing there on her knees.

"I shall remove this blade and lay it down beside me, for I was serious about what I said before. No other hands shall touch this handle; I have seen and felt what it can do, and it is simply far too dangerous for any other to risk touching it."

"Even with your assurances, my friend; for how well can you truly control yourself and your actions?"

So saying, she removed the blade from her belt and laid it on the robes.

"I trust you will watch over me, that none who might be curious about Ragorian attempts such folly."

With those final words to Panthar she let herself slide down upon his silken robes, curling on her side where she immediately fell into a deep and healing slumber.

[ 08-22-2005 03:53 PM: Message edited 1 time, lastly by Graysith ]

--------------------

And at that, he trailed, catching the look in Terrin's eye. Although Jasyn didn't read it as being reprimanding, he sure did read it as saying Just shut the hell up and do it.

So, with effort, Jasyn unfolded his arms and turned to Matt, his shoulder devil popping up simultaneously to say: Hey, none of these Sith peeps are to be trusted. Best to keep an eye on all of them, eh???

Jasyn shook his head marginally to clear this particular thought, then turned to Aeylmaar. "Allright, fine, I guess we're gonna hike to your ship with you. But then, this all presupposes you actually have some supplies onboard..."

--------------------

He trailed, frowned a moment, then continued with, "Well, since I don't remember when. Cutting wood is going to prove a daunting task...

...so all I can promise are some tree limbs and broken stuff. I guess, unless someone comes up with any other suggestions, this will have to do."

Saying nothing further than that, assuming that if anyone had any suggestions to offer they would speak up quickly, Erik turned and began to head for some trees standing not far from their location.

Hopefully some of the limbs on a few of them have snapped against the cold and will make this job a little easier to deal with...

--------------------