Forgotten Shadows

[Nezz]

((These next sections might technically be posted by Nezz or Laurna, but as is often the case, it's all a collaboration, and none of these posts would be as good without both of us working together on them.))

Airich and Amy stared after Edwin as the younger man stormed out. Neither knew quite what to say. Under the light of the pale blue handfire, Amy saw the color had risen high on Airich's cheeks and felt his mortification.

Airich finally looked from the door to the young Deryni standing beside him. "Do you feel the same way? About the magic?" He was almost afraid of her answer.

"No, that is not how I feel at all," Amy protested. "There is so much that I never guessed at before. I want to learn and experience what this thing is that makes my fingers tingle and lets me truly feel for the first time!"

Airich released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Maybe I let your enthusiasm for the magic overshadow what I felt from Edwin. I wasn't..." He trailed off, at a loss for how to explain himself. Or even if he should. It was true, he had been pushing Edwin and Amy to learn all they could, and it hadn't occurred to him that Edwin didn't know enough to practice magic simply because he didn't want to.

And now, he probably never would.

Airich had been warned of his own arrogance. If he was going to offer true penance, he needed to swallow this dressing-down and allow that Edwin simply wanted a different life for himself that didn't include magic, and had every right to say so.

"I think Edwin has known about being Deryni all his life," Amy said, "but his family has instilled a caution in him that he can not set aside." She walked to the door where Edwin had disappeared and rested her hand on it thoughtfully. "I should not naysay it, for it likely kept his family safe. Much as it must have been for my family to not even pass the secret along. I imagine that only the highborn had the courage to be Deryni of heart as well as blood." Amy glanced at the knight, deliberately avoiding his eyes. Quickly, she turned away and looked at her own hands. 

She was going to follow Edwin. And why shouldn't she? Neither were highborn, as she'd said, and Edwin would need her sympathetic ear. However, Airich refused to act the churl.

"He's a good man, you know," Airich said, looking around. He found a wooden bench that looked stable, and sat cautiously; it felt stable as well.

"Edwin? Well, sure." Amy responded.

"If the two of you formed an attachment to each other and sought to marry, he would take good care of you. I'm sure he has a promising career ahead of him."

Amy cocked her head sideways. "Why would you say that?" she asked, coming to stand before him. It seemed an odd statement.

Airich sat forward, elbows on his knees, weaving his fingers together. Apropos of nothing, he said, "If I say Don't think about green squirrels, you're going to think about green squirrels. But try not to think of them, all right?"

"What?"

"Humor me, please?"

"Very well," she sighed, and sat down on the bench beside him. She thought about the portal they'd found and Elspeth and green squirrels and Edwin and Grecothan tunnels and green squirrels and bottles of old wine and those blasted green squirrels that wouldn't go away...

"Of course, I can not, now, stop thinking about green squirrels," she exclaimed with an exasperated huff.

"I can see that. They're dancing through your mind." Which now literally brought the image of a group of squirrels, dressed in their green squirrelly finest, dancing a lively saltarello.

Airich clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing aloud, whereas Amy let her giggles peal. She was pleased that his turmoil over Edwin's outburst seemed to have dissipated.

"Airich, are you still drunk?" she asked. "Were you holding back some of that magic port?"

"I would never keep port from my friends," he said with a smile, "but I did want to make the point that when you try to not think about something, you often think about it even more. When you're in Rapport with someone, there's a trick to hiding something you don't want them to know."

A gasp of understanding escaped her lips as she made the connection between Airich's seemingly random topics of conversation. "Me and Edwin?"

"Aye." He looked at her, his eyes mild yet mischievous.

"We were just hiding from the people walking by." She looked away, but quickly decided she had nothing to be ashamed of. She sat up taller on the bench and didn't avoid his gaze.

"I know. But I thought I'd show you and Edwin how to tamp down on the thoughts that you don't want to share. Because trying to not think about something usually brings it to the front of your mind. And everyone deserves their privacy."

"After the few rapports I have experienced in the last two days, I would agree that complete openness does have drawbacks." She thought briefly of the men's bathing facilities, but knowing Airich could read that, she quickly directed her thoughts back to the green squirrels. She looked up at the knight a little shyly. He muffled a grin, pretending not to have noticed.

Amy stood and took a step away, intent on hiding her discomfiture. When she felt more in control, she turned back, smoothed her skirts, and leaned casually against a crate. "You have talked about Shields before, but I do not know exactly how those work. I think Edwin should have stayed for this lesson."

"I don't think Edwin needs this lesson as much as you do," Airich said. He stood and sauntered towards her, hands clasped behind his back. She realized with a little thrill that she'd left herself no room to retreat.

At the closeness, Amy gave a teasing grin, "Would you fight him for me?"

"Edwin? No."

"No?" She pouted in mock-distress, then crossed her arms and turned her back on him.

"No. Would you like to know why?"

Her left shoulder lifted in a does-not-matter pose, but she then glanced back, looking for reason.

"Because..." A warm intensity replaced the humor in his eyes. He reached out and placed a cool fingertip on her shoulder, where the neckline touched flesh. "Some day, hopefully soon, I will be healed of my malady." His voice was like warm honey as one hand drew the scarf from her raven hair, freeing it to tumble down in a cascading mass of curls. He brought the tresses to his lips, then moved them aside, revealing the alabaster skin beneath. His finger traced a line down her neck, stopping just inside the neckline of her gown. His touch barely registered on her skin and was all the more exquisite for its delicacy.

He stepped closer, their bodies mere inches apart. "And when I am well, when I come for you..." and now his hands traced down her back to encircle her waist, and his breath warmed her neck. "I won't need to fight Edwin for your favor. Or anyone else." His kiss brushed the back of her neck and moved up towards her ear, a touch that melted her deeper into his arms. As his lips found their destination, he whispered, "Because you will choose me."

[Laurna]

Amy blushed to realize how she reacted to Airich's scandalous touch. She desired more of it, yet his words were brazen to her self-dependence. She turned within his arms. "You sound very sure of yourself, Sir Knight," her voice said, but her mind was screaming: Dear Lord, did he just say When and not If? She knew instantly that he had caught the contradiction, and it only caused a smile to light his face.

I am very sure of myself. He spoke to her mind now, the most intimate of communication where words could not hide or distort truth. And I'm sure that you want me just as much as I want you. His hand lifted her chin. And I want you quite a lot.

Their eyes met, and their minds whirled in a cascade before their lips even touched. Eyes closing, lips parting, she let him kiss her as she had never been kissed before. Body and mind made a dizzying cascade of senses unchained.

She felt herself floating in a cloudless, star-filled sky. Her fingers warped into the softness of his tunic, seeking the toned muscle underneath. His hands drifted to her hips and she gasped and forced herself to wake from this delicious delusional dream.

Putting her will over her desire, she pulled back from him. He was right; she did want him as much as he wanted her, but he needed to know where she stood. "I know all about where babies come from," she said. One brown eyebrow rose in curiosity, but he waited to see what she had to say. "And I also know that I am just a peasant girl, not the kind you bring home to your noble family. But I was raised to believe in love and trust. Just so you know. And I will never allow a child of mine to be stolen from my arms again. You need to know that, too, before I fall madly in love with your blue eyes, your perfect nose, and your lopsided grin." She ran her finger over the bridge of his nose and stopped upon his lips, tracing his mouth. Even as he kissed her fingertips, she hoped for more than the shiver of lust between them.

His voice played in her mind even as his lips once more took hers and caressed them.

I fear it's too late for me to avoid such a fate. I have swam as a fish in the sea of your mind. I have basked in the beauty of your inner self. I have lost myself in the lavender pearlescence of your eyes, and I have fallen deeply in love with you, Amaryllis Aldan. The words surprised him as much as they surprised her, but he didn't seek to take it back or deny that truth.

He pulled back, breathing deeply to compose himself. Surprisingly, he then stepped back.

What's wrong? A fear crossed her mind that she had pushed too far, yet she would not give in if he could not promise her this small future.

Nothing is wrong. Everything is wonderful. You're wonderful. But... And now he switched back to normal Human speech. "Yesterday, I swore before God that I would seek to sin no more." He had so far failed to avoid temptation, but he was determined now to resist the sin itself.

He held her against him and stroked her hair, felt her racing heart. He shared with her his regret. "It's only been a single day. No matter how beautiful it would be, you and I... I cannot turn my back on God, not after He has redeemed me from my sins."

I would never ask that of you.

Amy stepped sideways, away from the crate, and held him at arm's length, his hands warm in hers. She looked at him fully, trying to determine how much of himself he hid behind Shields. Maybe if he taught her that Shield magic, she might start to understand the parts of him that lay hidden. She really did care for him; loved him even, including—she hoped—the parts she could not see.

She felt a soft tingle of the portal underfoot as she shifted her stance, and it somehow steadied her rather than shocked her. "We could run away. Be free of this place, free to be the people we want to be."

[Nezz]

Airich sighed, "I can not run away from myself, I fear."

He could feel Amy's heart aching, wanting him healthy and whole. In her compassion, she did not let go of his hand. But she did not fall back into him for fear of wounding his honor. "Tell me what I can do."

"Wait for me?" He laced his fingers through hers. "I can't... I don't dare give you any promises right now. I can't ask a woman to share her life with me until I've brought peace to my mind. And I don't care if you were born a commoner, yet I fear I don't have the freedom to marry whoever I may. I believe I would be granted permission, but I don't know this for sure."

She looked at him with such tenderness, yet at the same time he felt her fear to hope for better than to be some minor nobleman's mistress. She'd been hurt too many times.

"I want to give you... everything," he said. And he meant it. "All that I have. I would share my world with you. And I want to know everything of your life. I want to meet your son and help you get him back and take care of you both. And, God willing, someday I will. If you can wait for me to become worthy of you."

He felt her heart skip a beat, and the words Yes, I will wait! jumped to the tip of her tongue. His confidence was earnest, even as they both recognized the obstacles their different backgrounds would create. Obstacles that could be overcome. "Mistress Elspeth would have me hold out for everything. But I don't need everything. All I truly need is a room with four walls and a hearth of stone, and a place where I can lay my head and my son in safety. And the freedom to continue working with Elspeth, or... at least help the sick. And I... I want a loving home to raise a full family."

There. She had said it aloud and was not ashamed, as her father had demanded she should be. She looked up into Airich's heavenly eyes and feared he would tell her she was too foolish to have all of that. "Perhaps it might be best if you teach me how to use these Shields, so I can hide my desires behind them."

He looked down at her with those same blue eyes, and said, "Not to hide them from me, I hope. How else could I give you all that you ever wanted?"

A weight dropped from her heart. They leaned in for another kiss, and this time it was with the warmth of understanding instead of the heat of passion. A long kiss that neither willingly ended until both were breathless. And then they laughed at themselves, which did not help either of them breathe easier.

[Marc_du_Temple]

The still-seething scribe crept through the tunnels toward the cellar above, glancing over his shoulder in the dark. Rats scurried amidst the cobwebs, in a rhythm like the flow of a filthy stream. The rhythm changed when a silhouette appeared to block his passage, nocking an arrow and demanding to know if he had any valuables.

Oh, God, Edwin thought. We are compromised by rogues, and it's all my bloody fault for suggesting the place. "Only a crude Mearan knife! I think it's for killing bears or something equally grisly."

"Edwin?" the archer moved close enough to be recognizable. "I thought you were an intruder."

"Bede?!" Edwin was so red with a newfound indignity that he briefly forgot the old one. "You acted like an intruder!"

"Well, I have been often enough. There are advantages to being the first to raise arms, sinfully or not. I apologize, but I must be on my way. Captain Phineas is expecting me in the market soon. It's ... about Gwendolyn."

"About Gwendolyn," Edwin repeated. He began to sweat, despite the cool temperature. "You do not mean to say that she is dead, do you?"

"I would'na think like that, when we dinna know anything except that she has been kidnapped. It would be best for us to think hopefully, especially while the trail is fresh. Are the others coming close behind ye? Any help would be welcome."

"From them?" Edwin spat, much to Bede's surprise. "I doubt they're interested in such matters. When they can tear their eyes from each other they want to leave the city."

"Don't we all," Bede shrugged, unwilling to ask who was eyeing who.

"I don't, for one, and certainly not before concluding this god-forsaken Willimite business."

Bede was befuddled, but he did not care to ask for their motives. "We have na time for dalliances. We have na time for dalliances of any kind right now. Ye keep yer eyes on the prize, and good on ye, Edwin. We'll handle this ourselves."

Edwin tried to concentrate on conjuring his hand-fire. "What about Mistress Elspeth? This may interest her."

"How right ye are. Exactly why we're not tellin' her about it. Once upon a time, I was tasked by her father himself with keeping her safe. She's safer inside than wherever it is we're going."

"And what's got you so invested? You've never even met the woman we're trying to help, have you?"

"You first, while you're leading the way."

"Well, neither of us are knights like our gallant friend, but surely you understand the reasons why I can't let the niece of the dean of my college suffer? It's as multifaceted as a cut jewel: I want a victim to be relieved. I want to show up the dean for scoffing at me. I want to show a misunderstood woman that I understand her, and then have little else to do with her. I want my city to be as it was and I want my life back."

"So did ... do I," Bede agreed. "I truly hope that the lasses stay here longer, and not just to run up their bill with me, but so I could earn that pardon. But that's my selfish reason."

"I don't think it's a sin to want to be more than a vagabond. Not to insult you."

"I am not insulted," Bede replied. "My unselfish reasons are that I was tasked with two noble jobs, for a change, and I intend to see them both through. And a man should never have to justify saving someone weaker than himself, anyway. At the moment, that seems to be Gwyndolyn, regardless of what magic she does or does not know."

Eventually, they reached a safe place to surface, and found the market.

[Nezz]

"Where is everyone else?" Airich asked Muira. He and Amy had returned to the safehouse to discover everyone else missing. Muirea herself sat on one of the cots in the girls' room, a pile of mending on her lap.

"I wish I could tell you," the young Mearan said. "Ai'm bored enough to help with the family's sewing tasks." She waved her finger in the direction of one of the other rooms. "Mistress Elspeth locked herself in the spare room and said ta not bother her unless the house is on fire. And I haven't seen hide nor hair of Bede since he asked me to give him that black eye this morning. Part of his disguise, he says."

"What about Edwin?" Amy asked.

"Have na seen him since he left with you two a few hours ago."

"He hasn't returned?" Amy glanced worriedly at Airich. "He had at least half an hour on us. Do you suppose..."

"I don't," Airich said. "I think it far more likely that he's walking off his pique. I hope he hasn't gone above-ground." He frowned. "I don't know that beyond doubt, though. You could try contacting him if you're concerned. He probably wouldn't bite your head off."

"I don't want to make him angrier," Amy mused. "I'll give him a little longer."

From somewhere in the house, a door slammed, and from where they stood in the attic, they heard a single set of feet running up the stairs before Charlie Duggan burst in, panting.

"Didja hear the news?" the boy asked excitedly.

"We haven't heard any news, trapped up here, ye daft boy," Muirea snapped. "Tell us what's got yer kilt billowed."

"Willimites! Up on Market Way," Charlie exclaimed, "They had old Widow Hartford with 'em, said she was Deryni and that the city needed to be taught a lesson. Widow was hollering how it wasn't proper and those Willimites were doing the work of the devil, just like Bishop Bernard said. But they didn't pay her any mind. And then it was too late!"

"They killed an old woman?" Amy gasped.

"No! Not only did the crowd stop them, but they actually attacked those bastards! Ripped them to shreds, even though they were said to have weapons. Nope, our city folk refused to allow those Willimites to kill an old woman. Especially a woman like Widow Hartfield! Everyone says she takes care of her neighbors and helps anyone down on their luck," Charlie finished, his eyes lit with excitement. "I hope we start seeing a lot more of this."

"That will certainly give the Willimites pause before they attempt anything in public," Airich mused, "or even when trying to recruit new followers."

"I just hope it doesn't make them more vengeful," Amy said.

"Me too," Airich admitted, "But I think the city-folk here are mostly loyal to their Bishop, and he did give them an excellent sermon yesterday."

"Aye, plus Edwin's speeches and the others who speak against the Willimites," Charlie said. "It's about time those villeins learned that the people of Grecotha are not going to bow down before them just because they say so."

***

Elspeth emerged from her workspace a short time later, richer by six small packets hidden in her belt pouch. Her experiment with the powder and candles had gone well and she was pleased with her results.

She returned to her room to find Muirea, Amy, and Airich involved in a thoroughly domestic scene: Muirea was mending a fine gray tunic while Amy sat on the floor, reading aloud from a small book Elspeth hadn't seen before. Airich was seated beside Amy, tying some fine purple threads into a lock of her uncovered hair the width of a kitten's tail. Elspeth eyed this tableau and cleared her throat loudly. Everyone paused in their tasks and looked up.

"What's going on here?" Elspeth asked in a mild voice.

"Mending Master Duggan's tunic," Muirea said, stating the obvious.

"Reading the Healer's Song," Amy stated, also pointing out the mostly self-evident.

"Cording a prayer of Protection,¹" Airich said, answering Elspeth's actual question.

Elspeth thought she detected a change in Amy and Airich's postures toward each other; they seemed more relaxed, with less of the physical tension Elspeth had noted the night before. Almost as if something had been resolved between the two of them. She narrowed her eyes at them suspiciously, but Amy displayed a pleasant calm that wouldn't have been there had she felt she'd displeased Elspeth. And Airich looked markedly guilt-free.

Elspeth shrugged and headed for the stairs. If there was anything she needed to know, Amy would no doubt tell her. In the meantime, let the young people be young people; Elspeth didn't need to ride herd on them every minute of the day.
¹Cording; 2d6+p: 6, 6=Critical success! Pretty and Protective!

[Marc_du_Temple]

[Thanks too Nezz for naming and arming the new NPCs, and for some reformatting]

The two investigators from out of town followed the guard named Quigley from the market to a dingy corner of the city's wall, where the least liked members of Grecotha lived. There, they reconnected with Captain Phineas, his other man and his dog.

Bede bowed quickly, "Captain Phineas, we are here to assist, as promised. What have ye found?"

"Breydan followed the trail to a carpenter's house, just down the street. It is more likely than not that the dean's niece is inside. You see those two men loitering outside? Nobody ever simply hangs out by the house of Adam the Carpenter. Doubtless, there are more inside, and he will not be missing either, before this is over."

"So what would you have us do?" Edwin asked, slowly unsheathing the Mearan dirk. He supposed today was as good a day as any to use it, and steeled his will.

"We are not hesitating, and neither should you, master scribe. If they surrender, it will not be because we asked."

Bede was skeptical of the integrity in the guard captain's warlike declaration, but he would not undermine him in front of his men, nor in front of the yet unbloodied scribe. "If it makes you feel better, Edwin, bear in mind that if given the chance, they would do worse to you. Much, much worse."

...

Englebert and Frank, two Willimites who had followed Eddard de Nore until his death, snickered while they reminisced how they had prevented the guards from catching their comrades and the grimalkin. "You saw the looks on the guards' stupid faces down below? They weren't tougher than a little hot water!" Their laughter was interrupted by the barking of a dog, probably a stray.

"Quiet, you stupid mutt!" Frank shouted.

"I'll cut an ear off if it doesn't shut it," Engelbert said.

An arrow struck Frank's vitals, mortally wounding him.1 Before Engelbert realized his comrade had fallen, the dog raced forward, attaching itself to his leg.2 Phineas and Rauf quickly moved to engage him,3 and the three traded ineffective blows. Edwin was luckier, and thrust deep into Engelbert's shoulder, distracting him from Quigley sneaking up behind.4 Quigley quickly dispatched their outnumbered opponent, cutting his throat neatly.5

All in all, the mess made even Bede grimace as he recovered his arrow. And the men inside must have noticed the scuffle. The five allies stood nervously, ready for more Willimites to rush through the door to back up their fellows.

A lone man with a quarterstaff stepped through the door. He seemed unprepared, for he swung his weapon in a panic6 but Breydan the dog tore into his thigh, ripping through the man's femoral artery and leaving him on the ground there.7

The door slammed shut and locked quickly, but Edwin saw enough:8 Gwendolyn was indeed there. She was in rough shape, with badly shorn hair and bruises on her burnt face, but she was alive. "By the look of things, we are halfway through with these lads, but the ones that are left all have blades," he declared loud enough for everyone to hear above the sound of their own blood pumping through their ears.

Whatever wood the door was made from, it was too thick and strong for Bede to bust open9 with brute strength. The rescuers came together to decide on their next move.

On the inside, there was panic. In no more than a minute, the Willimites had lost half of their number.

"What are we to do, Connor?!" demanded Baz as he guarded the door, cleaver in hand.

Connor kept his spear pointed at the door from a distance, trembling with fear. "We ... we fight on! It's what de Nore would have wanted us to do."

"Damn you both!" cried Adam, pulling Gwendolyn into his grasp with one hand and menacing her with his dagger by the other. "This is my house! I am the master, here! I say we remind them of our strong bargaining position!" But a true master of his domain would have remembered to batten down his windows, and not just his door. Suddenly, an arrow found his dagger and knocked it across the room.((Bede Sharpshoots a dagger. 3d6 5 + 1 + 5))

Meanwhile, the banging on the door, ordered by Captain Phineas, grew louder. ((Rauf bust door 2d6 3 + 6)) Rauf finally succeeded in prying it open yet remembered not to rush. Baz swung at shadows and hit nothing.((Baz swings his cleaver 1d6 1)) This earned a vicious snarl from Breydan the hound. ((Breydan attacks Baz 2d6 4 + 3)) Connor followed with an equally ineffectual shooing motion with his spear. ((Connor spears 1d6 3))

"Oh, for mercy's sake," Captain Phineas wearily chided, moved to pity by their pathetic evil. He bellowed, "Surrender and end this farce."



1 ((Bede shoots Frank 3d6 5 + 1 + 2))
2 ((Breydan bites 2d6 3 + 4))
3 ((Rauf spears 1d6 4))((Phineas Spears 2d6 1 + 3))((Englebert knife attack 2d6 4 + 4))
4 ((Edwin knife attack 3d6 4 + 5 + 2))
5 ((Quigley knife 1d6 5))
6  ((Dan swings his stick 1d6 2))
7 ((Breydan attacks 2d6 5 + 5))
8 ((Edwin perception roll 2d6 2 + 5))
9 ((Bede breaks the door with Strength 3d6 2 + 2 + 2))

[revanne]

While Captain Phineas and his guards rounded up and detained the Willimite miscreants, Edwin and Bede assisted Lady Gwendolyn. The young woman was still dazed and disheveled, her face cut and bruised with eyes swollen shut. As a final humiliation, her captors had shorn her hair to an erratic shortness and mired it with something sticky and smelly. She could not tell who was touching her now, and even with Bede's strong reassuring words, she pulled away from him with a weak fending-off gesture. Uncertain how to reach her, Bede stepped back in disappointment.

It was the scribe's voice, soothing and comforting, that reached past the noble lady's fear. "Lady Gwendolyn, we have you safe. I am a student here at the university, you need not doubt that I am loyal to the true spirit of this university. We are going to take you to the university infirmary, to see the physickar there. We will contact your uncle to come to you there. All right?" Edwin repeated this again before he reached out to touch her. Then he tried, "I am Edwin Scrivener, M'lady. We met in passing last year, though I doubt that you mind of me. With your permission, my lady, I am going to carry you to the infirmary now." She finally seemed to understand, and allowed his arms to bundle her up in her tattered gown and lift her shoulders and knees to his chest. She weighed less than he thought she would. To Bede, he said, "Fetch Elspeth, tell her to meet us there. Tell her she's going to need her medicines."

He alone carried her, escorted by Quigley and one of Captain Phineas' other men who had joined them. It had improved his mood significantly to have been actively involved in this rescue, whereas certain other people had not been there. He thought cynically that perhaps there was not enough glory in a rescue here in the slums of Grecotha and out of the public gaze. He could not quite suppress the hope that the lady would know who it was who had carried her. He certainly hoped that her uncle would know and remember how he had scorned the warning her rescuer had brought. His lips tightened with anger at the memory.

Meanwhile, Bede rushed through the streets and found a different way into the tunnels than the ones he'd taken previously, stopping and listening for followers once he was well into the darkness. After he was convinced he was not being followed, he made his way to the safehouse. 

"Mistress Elspeth!" Bede took the steps three at a time to the attic. "Mistress Amy! They need you at the infirmary!" 

[Laurna]

Four people emerged to hear Bede's news and explanation of the need for a medic. Elspeth searched Bede's expression with concern. "Who is injured, Bede? Edwin is missing..."

"Not Edwin, he was with me. We rescued the dean's niece." Bede motioned them to gather around him quickly, so he only had to explain once. Elspeth was the quickest to put it together, she listened intently on Bede's every word.

 "Do you know what they did to her?" Elspeth asked, "Was anyone else injured in the fray?"

"Mostly bruises and cuts; Lady Gwen's eyes are crusted over from something, I know not what. She was still pretty groggy when Edwin took her away."

"Amy, sounds like I'll need everything, could you fetch my bag?" Amy hurried back into the room while Muirea fussed over Bede, making sure he wasn't hurt, himself.

"Nay, not a mark on me, lass," Bede reassured the red-haired Mearan. "If all the Willimites were as hapless as those fools, we wouldn't have to do a thing to stop them, except wait for them to trip over their own boots."

"Sounds like you might need some of this as well, to put your powders in." Airich offered Elspeth a bottle, half-full, of last night's port. "Do you want additional escort?"

"Seeing as how the Willimites are still looking for us, I think it would be wise if we all went. Safety in numbers," Elspeth said, adjusting her cloak and hood.

Shortly thereafter, they all left through the tunnels, moving carefully to avoid detection, with Airich and Bede in front, Elspeth in the middle, and Amy and Muirea behind; both Deryni casting out to detect if others were near. I can sense no one, Amy sent to Airich as they stood at the door to enter the street. ((Does Amy detect anyone near when they come out of the tunnels.2d6= 3 & 4:  No people)) He nodded in agreement as they came out from yet a different tunnel entrance and led the group to the infirmary building down the street. He and Bede stood watch until the three women were inside.

The infirmary room was much as they had left it days ago. Amy was quick to place her mentor's things on a table and arrange them as she knew Elspeth liked. Meurea grabbed up fresh bedclothes and made up the bed closest to the light of the windows. All was ready when Bede opened the door to admit Edwin and his burden. Muirea gasped at the women's condition. Elspeth only allowed herself a sharp intake of breath before she took charge of the situation.

"Hold this bowl." Elspeth handed a small bowl to Airich, and she placed a pinch of healing salts in the bottom, then poured water over it. Rather than stir it over a flame as she might normally do, she looked up at Airich with a faint smile. "I don't suppose you could warm this for me?" Her eyes implied she did not mean the normal way.

"My pleasure, Mistress," he said with just a small smile as he passed his hand over the bowl. "Warm, not hot," he said when he was done. Elspeth nodded in approval, turned to her patient, talking soothingly to her, as was her normal want. She soaked a clean cloth in the water, squeezed out the excess, then draped the cloth over the woman's encrusted and swollen eyes. Gwendolyn flinched at the touch, but then settled into the bedding, only giving a low moan to express the suffering she still felt from her abduction.

As Amy was used to doing, she reached forward to touch the woman's forehead and feel her pains. Instantly she encountered the world turning upside down, with nausea to match this sudden vertigo. The knight's hand snatched her wrist away and supported Amy until she could tell the ceiling from the floor once more.

"What was that?" Amy gasped.

Airich's shields had been closed tight to her for the seconds that it took Amy to steady her nerves and her stomach. Finally, when she no longer shook, he opened his shields to her. You need to be careful about going in open-shielded like that, he warned her in rapport. This is a big reason why. Then Airich answered her aloud, so others would know too. "They probably gave her—"

"Merasha," the dean's niece gasped the word much harsher than Airich had intended, as though her voice held barely contained pain. "Don't try to heal me."

"It's alright," Elspeth soothed her, "I'm not Deryni, but I can help you. Tell me where it hurts."

"My head still hurts from the merasha. Everything else is just dull aches. If you have any talicil with you, I would forever be in your debt."

"I don't, I've only barely discovered the proper ingredients to making it," Elspeth said. "I haven't attempted making a batch yet."

"Send word to my maids. Tell them to send the powder in the green packets."

"I'll go," Airich volunteered, "I'm not much use here—"

"No, I'll go," Edwin announced and was on his way before anyone could say a word about it. If the dean or his household were going to see anyone's face associated with the rescue of his niece, it would be Edwin's.   

As the young rescuer ran to complete this task, Elspeth and Amy leaned into the work of getting Gwendolyn cleaned up, figuring that would go a long way towards helping the woman's peace of mind. Muirea, Bede, and Airich were chased off to find the wounded lady fresh clothes, which then allowed the two women to fully undress the noble lady and discard her filthy garments. After thoroughly washing her hair and body, they had her neatly wrapped in the bed clothes before any of the others returned.

Edwin returned to the infirmary with three packets of the requested medicine. He found the archer and the knight still loitering outside the infirmary door. The look between them was mixed with gratitude and concern. Bede got the all clear to come enter the infirmary and see that the noble lady was now properly attired. Edwin paced forward in quick-time to present the treasured packets to Elspeth.

The Physicker practically squealed with delight. "Gwendolyn, Edwin has brought me three packets of a pale green color, about the length and width of my fifth finger. Here, I'll let you smell one to see if it's what you wanted..."

Edwin's moment of triumph was interrupted by a much unwanted hand on his shoulder. "Master Scrivener, I require a word with you," Airich said.

[revanne]

Here it comes, Edwin thought, his lordship is going to try to chastise me in front of everyone. Not if I have anything to say about it. "Of course, Sir Knight. I'd been hoping for the opportunity to talk." He turned, taking control of this conversation. He'd guessed this was coming, and he had his arguments and subtle insults prepared, no matter what the noble knight had to say to him. He hoped Amy especially was paying close attention, so she could see that it was not a title that conferred nobility on a man.

Edwin was ready to remind everyone which of them had a true concern for the university and people of Grecotha.

Airich stood before Edwin, hands clasped behind his back. After staring at Edwin for a few more moments, he began. "I was raised the son of an earl in a family that celebrated our Deryniness. Despite my own contradictions, I've always been very aware of the blessings that being Deryni can bring, and of the privilege I've had in being trained so well. In my zeal to pass some of this training on to you and Amy, it never occurred to me that you might not want it." 

When Edwin didn't respond, Airich made him a half-bow. "I offer you my sincerest apologies for overstepping my bounds. My position in life does not give me the right to force you to accept your Deryni heritage. I will respect your wishes on this matter in the future."

Edwin discovered himself to be speechless; to vent his fury against a man who had just offered him a handsome apology would make him seem a mannerless oaf. How was it that Airich always managed to make him feel stupid? But he was not about to slink away with his tail between his legs; son of an earl, Airich might be, but he owed Edwin some answers.

Edwin took a moment to hastily rearrange his thoughts, managing with difficulty to meet Airich's stare. Then he swept the other a deep bow. "I perceive that you are not as you have pretended to be, my Lord. Perhaps had you been more honest with me at the start, in lieu of pretending to be a mere scholar at the same level as your humble servant, I would have better understood your right to instruct me, whether I willed it or no. But your lordship misunderstands me. It is true that I do not really know whether or not it is good to embrace being Deryni, but surely that is the same for you, is it not?" Edwin stared levelly into Airich's eyes. With this accusation at least, he felt that he was on safe ground. 

"No, it is not," Airich replied, tamping down his hackles at being put on the defensive. "It's true I've had cause in recent years to set aside my Deryni half and explore my Human side. But I did so knowing full well what it means to be Deryni. And now that a need is upon us, I've put away any qualms against using my powers, and I've embraced them wholeheartedly in defence of the kingdom, despite the personal cost to my well-being."

"I can accept what you say in that, my Lord." Edwin was struggling to find a way to convey his frustrations. "What I truly do not understand is why, having helped to stir up this hornet's nest, your only concern now seems to be to leave Grecotha and abandon her people and stores of learning to their fate?"

[Nezz]

Airich's eyes narrowed briefly before responding to the implications of Edwin's accusation. "I came to offer you a straightforward apology, and for my trouble, you want me to justify my personal business that has no bearing on anyone. And now you accuse me of such crimes? Very well, I shall answer the charges you lay at my feet."

Airich stood straight, and almost seemed to grow taller as he did so. "I know you're not a military man, but I confess to some surprise that you don't understand the importance of communication during a siege—and make no mistake, Grecotha is under siege.

"I readily admit I felt no small concern when Canon Damian told me that they have no Deryni runners who can use the portals to bring messages to Rhemuth and back, and that they didn't even know where the Grecotha portals were located. My concern grew when he told me that the Bishop has exactly one trained Deryni working on this Willimite issue. One." Airich paused to let Edwin figure out the identity of that one Deryni. "And so yes, I did seek to teach others what I know, and I did search for a portal that I could use to request aid from Rhemuth. And if we can't prevent the worst from happening, I pray that Amy will have learned to use the portal before the city burns to the ground so that she can get herself and Elspeth out of Grecotha, along with the most important records and scrolls."

Airich stepped closer to Edwin now. "And if you think I owe you any explanation of why I was "pretending" to be a researcher when I was, in fact, doing research on my malady, then you will be disappointed." And now Airich took another half step, until the two men all but stood nose to nose. The knight was only an inch or two taller than Edwin, but it was enough. He dropped his voice low so that only Edwin could hear the words clearly. "And for the sake of the friendship I mistakenly thought we had, I will forget that you have now called me lazy and a trickster and a coward in front of people I respect. And if you're not willing to embrace your Deryni side and do whatever it takes to save Grecotha, then spare me your platitudes of love for your city and University, because they're just words. And they mean nothing unless you're willing to back them up with action."

"That is quite enough out of both of you!" Elspeth's voice commanded the room. "If you can't be civil, then get out of my infirmary!"

"Or at least have the decency to speak up so we can hear you better," Bede muttered to Muirea, who giggled.

"No need," Airich stepped back. "I set out to apologize to Master Scrivener in person and before witnesses, and I've done so. I have nothing further to say to him." He came over to where the women worked on their patient, and the coldness in his voice changed to warmth. "Although, I must also apologize to Lady Gwendolyn. We haven't even been introduced and here I am, behaving like a knave in her presence."

"Quite all right," Gwendolyn let out a pained laugh. "It was most entertaining. Helped me forget about the merasha headache for a few minutes. You're welcome to return and argue anytime."

"As my lady commands," Airich responded with a smile, even knowing she couldn't see it. "But for now, I take my leave. The ladies will minister to you, and the gentlemen will stay on guard until your uncle arrives to retrieve you." His eyes rose to meet Elspeth's. "'I'll be at the safehouse, where I can be of more use than I can be here." He touched Amy's mind with a psychic caress. Call if you need me for anything, he told her before walking out the door.

[revanne]

Arx Fidei

The two knights genuflected to the presence lamp hanging to the side of the high altar and then moved to the side chapel where the statue of Saint Jorian stood. Wash and Jamyl bowed respectfully before the statue, for they had both been brought up on the story of the young man who had suffered so terribly for daring to follow his God-given calling as a priest and Deryni. Not all Deryni were called to be priests, but all needed to know themselves as not accursed, and in the light of the news that Trevor had brought—sadly replicated in other parts of the kingdom—it seemed fearfully likely that too many others would suffer as Jorian had.

They stood in silence, both certainly offering the same prayer that the martyred Saint would intercede on behalf of his kindred, then Jamyl allowed his gaze to fall upon a simple stone slab in the floor of the little chapel. On it was inscribed the equally simple words "Of your charity, pray for the soul of Denis Arilan. Kyrie Eleison."

Almost afraid to break the silence, Wash eventually said quietly, "He won the argument then?"

"When did you ever know him not to?" Despite the solemnity of the moment, Jamyl could not suppress a smile as he spoke, a smile which Wash returned. He, too, had lost many an argument with the late bishop. "He left strict instructions that he was to be buried here at the feet of Saint Jorian with no effigy or sign of rank. The King wanted to overrule it as unfitting, but Archbishop Duncan was having none of it. He said he doesn't know how long he has left before he will be meeting Uncle Denis again, and he doesn't want to enter eternity being lectured for disobedience."

"Well, I suppose if anyone knew Bishop Arilan, it would be Uncle Duncan, though in all honesty, I can't really match such humility with my memories of him."

"Nor mine either," agreed Jamyl. "Bishop Duncan wouldn't say very much, but he did say that uncle Denis never understood why he had been saved when Jorian wasn't, and the weight of being chosen by heaven lay heavily on him." He sighed, then touched his fingers to his lips, and then bent down to touch them to the letters which spelt out his uncle's name. "Maybe that weight was part of what made him so impatient with those who he thought were wasting their gifts. But whatever else he was, he was a man of immense courage."

"Uncle Denis, we have such need of your prayers now, both you and Saint Jorian."

[Laurna]

Washburn Morgan knelt at the foot of the grave marker of such a great man, and he reflected on the engraving of the plain stone. "I had witnessed the carving of a bust of the Bishop, a good likeness, being completed in Dhassa, I had thought it was meant for here."

"Was that the bust they added in the new arched alcove in Dhassa's Bishop's Palace entry hall?" Jamyl asked.

"That is the same one. I noticed how prominently it stood there because it was the last of a dozen carvings of past Bishops. When I saw it there, I regretted that I had not returned to this site to give the respects I had missed at the time after his funeral."

"Well, you did have some critical things on your mind at the time," Jamyl pointed out.

"Sadly, true. It was only on my return home that I came to understand how much your great uncle did for me in those last days of his life. Your whole family, in fact. I owe the Arilans much. The only way I can see to repay him and those who have been good to me is to help put an end to this current crisis. After so much pain, things can never go back to the way they were." Wash, too, put his palm flat on the end engraving and made that private vow to the bishop.

Wash stood and looked around the cathedral. It was much as it was four years ago on the day of this great man's funeral, but quieter now, without the crowds, the sweltering heat or the despondent aura. Jamyl and Charity had been here then, but Wash had not known of it. And in turn, it was likely that they had not known that he had been here disguised as another at least until time had past and stories of those days had been told. A very difficult time for Wash, one where his retelling left out many traumatic details. Yet a few details did readily roll off his tongue whenever asked. His discovery of Fiona's love was one bright memory of this place.

"I had hoped Charity would stay behind with Fiona, I was worried that when your wife insisted on joining us here, that my wife would do the same. I don't think I could have stopped her if she insisted. But I am gladdened that the Queen had more persuasive arguments for her to stay in Rhemuth than I could come up with."

"I think if the queen had been as persuasive with my wife as she was with Fiona, she might have stayed in Rhemuth too," Jamyl said, "then again, Arx Fidei Seminary is not but a day's ride from Tri-Arilan, Lady Charity has been here many times with me. This place is not strange to her, and with her concerns for her youngest brother, it seemed a good place for her to be closer to him without falling into danger herself. Nevertheless, I am grateful, as I am sure you are, that Fiona is safe in the Queen's apartments. And not just because she is with child. As I heard it, Kelson and Araxie seemed to think holding your wife would act like ransom to keep you in line." The man laughed at Washburn's expression of dismay. "Don't ever underestimate Kelson. He is very good at convincing his men they want to do exactly what he needs of them."

"I have noticed." Wash smiled as he also added, "and I have not always been that malleable.  Ah, here is your brother-in-law now. Father Trevor, it is good that you have joined us here. Did Uncle Duncan have many orders for you to complete before you left Rhemuth? I was to understand that he was pleased by your visit.  You need to visit him more often. He is getting on in years, and I think he very much enjoys old friends and family near at hand."

Trevor bounded forward, "When I have Airich in hand, then I will be glad to plant my brother at his feet for a very long, deserving sermon. The archbishop is very good at those."  Trevor then came forward and genuflected before the statue of St Jorian saying a full prayer in earnest tones and then followed by a prayer for Denis Arilan. A good moment of silence followed as all three men entreated the heavens for the future that was to come.

At length, Trevor stood. "The time for my contact with my wayward brother is still time away. Why did you want us to meet so early?"

Washburn took the lead. "I would like us to see if Iain Cameron has any information that might be helpful. Especially information about Portal sites in Grecotha. This communication will be outside our normal contact time. So I thought the three of us could see if we can get through to him."

"That would be well," Trevor said in agreement. "The lector here has offered his office for our use, with promises that no one will disturb us. Let me lead the way."

The three men left behind the chapels of the Deryni saints standing in protection of Arx Fidei Cathedral and made their way into the back corridors and offices that Washburn had never used before.

[Jerusha]

This is a collaboration with Laurna and Nezz, and my thanks to both.


The newest member of the Purple Guard took one last look at the mess left on Market Way and turned, strolling towards the edge of the market. The new guy always seemed to get the gruesome tasks, from cutting down de Nore to observing the remains of the Willimites that had attacked Widow Hartford. Uninjured due to the quick actions of the townspeople, she was now almost as vocal as the Bishop in her opinion of the Willimites. Not a bad thing, he supposed.

There were still traces of oil on the cobbles at the entrance to the alleyway down which the Lady Gwendolyn's captors had taken her. Officially, the City Watch would attempt the rescue of the Dean's niece, but the Bishop wanted the Purple Guard to conduct its own investigation. Capt. Hawthorne had sent the new guy to see how he did.

Better to start at the beginning, the guardsman thought. He reached the edge of the market when a familiar "voice" spoke in his head. The guardsman's shields were at the barest translucency, to avoid detection as a Deryni if someone chanced to be looking for one. And given the recent events in Grecotha, the chances of that were high.

Earl Iain, I hope this is not an inconvenient moment, but I need a word with you, sent Baron Washburn Morgan.

Not exactly convenient, Iain Cameron replied dryly. Give me a moment to find a secluded spot.  He slipped into the shaded doorway of a storage shed. What do you need, Lord Washburn? Iain paused as he detected another presence on Wash's end of the connection. And who's that with you?

I am sorry to inconvenience you, Iain, I will try to be brief, if I can. I have Father Trevor O'Flynn with me; at the behest of the king, he is very much involved with extracting a family member from an imminent plight. This family member is in the city of Grecotha, which now is under siege by a rather nasty insurgence of Willimites. One of ours getting in or out of the city by normal means could be bad for one's health. We are looking for other means of transportation. It is a bit discouraging to admit, but none of us knows a direct route. Though we are certain they exist.

Yes, I had heard that Willimite activity in Grecotha had picked up recently. Iain was too skilled in the game to reveal where he was or what he knew. One of the O'Flynns, you say? One who has finished Schola training?  Or a grandchild currently enrolled at the schola? It does make a difference as to their training level.

Neither, I fear. One who gave up schola training several years ago. Trevor is not certain what level the youth can work on.

That is going to be a problem, Iain mind-voiced.

Kelson suggested we ask you about the location of a portal in the Bishop's Palace, preferably one out-of-the-way like in a basement. If we can lead our youth to it, then that might solve our problem without further entanglements.

Mmm, one of the old ones is down there. Yes, I've used the one in the basement a time or two, but a novice would have to move the furniture trappings. I kind of set it up ingeniously; no one but myself has used it in years. It will be difficult to explain in words, but I'll try. Your young man will want to take the tunnel—

"Jimmy!" A voice called out from down the street. 

I must go, Iain interrupted. I will get back to you as soon as I can. 

As he turned to leave the doorway, he spotted something laying in the far corner. Curious, he picked up a book. The cover leather was scraped and dirty, but it looked to be of good quality. He tucked it inside his tunic and hoped that no tiny creatures had decided to take up residence between the pages. He would examine it more closely later.

"Ah, there you are," Philip said as "Jimmy" approached him. "I spotted you heading this way. Thought we could grab some dinner and you can tell me if you have found anything out. The Twisted Noose is just down the street a ways." The Twisted Noose was the tavern frequented by guardsmen and watchmen alike, which meant the food and ale were passable.

"It's been a long day, and it ain't over yet," Jimmy replied. "I could do with a bite and a drink."

"If we're in luck, the proprietor might have some of the good red wine somewhere behind the bar."

Jimmy held up his hand in a fending-off motion. "Not for me! Anything other than ale makes me puke for days. I don't need to forfeit a week's wages while my head is over a piss-pot!"

"Have it your way," Philip replied with a chuckle that did not sound that amused, and led the way to the Twisted Noose.

[Bynw]

(happens anytime in the night, so it maybe out of order)

In the still of the night a man appears on the portal square in the basement levels of the bishop's palace. Quietly he scans about with his Deryni senses to make sure there is no one around and then steps off the portal. Another appears in his place, he too steps off, and third appears. Without a sound the trio leaves through the tunnels to merge into the city.

[Laurna]

The rapport had ended rather abruptly, and Wash knew better than to drop Trevor out of their side of the link as hard-heartedly.  Not that Iain had a choice in the matter, not if he was working a mission as it seemed that he was. Washburn briefly wondered what mission it could be, but with Trevor still in Rapport, he steered his thoughts away from that visitor he had had a week ago.

"What visitor?" Trevor asked curiously as he let himself out of their rapport.

"Never you mind."  Wash said with a laugh. "That was supposed to be behind shields. You children of Chelsie seem to have ways of sneaking into shielded corners when one is not in full defense mode."


"Sorry," Trevor commented. "I have tried very hard, in my work especially, to not invade where not invited. But you were fairly open about it, just now."

"I was indeed. Iain is practically family, as are you, so I was not watching my shields." Washburn brightened and looked up at Jamyl who had been watching by the door. If Jamyl knew what spy mission Iain might be working at, he did not let on.

"Now, as for your brother finding this portal in the basement..." Wash continued, "Do you think you can tell him about it? Then tell him we will get a better description of it as soon as Iain contacts me again?"

"My contact with Airich will likely fall before you hear from Iain, as he sounded occupied." Trevor answered. "Do you think we can convince my I-want-to-be-human baby brother to just up and pop out of Grecotha? He sounded rather entrenched there to me."

"That is where I would use your wife's persuasions." Wash smiled at Jamyl. "Charity is a very persuasive lady, much in the footsteps of her mother. Why don't you enlist her when you contact Airich next, Trevor? I have promised to look in the infirmary to assist in a healing or two. If you need me, gentlemen, that is where you will find me." Wash gave Trevor a shoulder squeeze, trying to assure him that he would not give up this easily on getting Sir Airich out of Grecotha. But at the moment he had no options to attempt but wait.