Redemption(Closed RP)

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa smiled for a moment.

"Lady Elestirne-dono, I have no objections if Authnor-sama join us. He already knows of what I wish to talk to you about and I believe it will help put him at ease. If you will allow it."

Tsukasa glanced over to Authnor.

"As for being able to help with the ritual; it would be a great honor to help in anyway possible. I believe that the well behind the inn would be a private enough spot for us to talk."

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne's silver gaze held Tsukasa for a long moment before flickering to Authnor as she wondered just what the samurai wanted to speak about with her that he had already discussed with Authnor, and whether this had been one of the things that they had spoken on last night. Next she glanced to Olore. The eldritch being's starry blue eyes twinkled with a knowing glint and he tossed his mane. So. He knew of it too. Possibly he had listened in on them last night. Reassured, she turned her gaze back to the samurai. "Very well," she said after a moment. Turning to Tigron, she politely excused herself and then nodded to Tsukasa, one hand on Olore's neck. "I would like to hear what you would have to say, since Olore and Authnor seem already to know."

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa walked silently beside Lady Elestirne for a moment.

"Authnor-sama and I had the most interesting coversation last night about many of great things. Durning our talk, I have been enlighten on some aspects of the elven culture. I have a request of you that may seem a bit strange. I honorable request a chance to accompany you back to your homeland and learn more about your race."

He study Lady Elestirne to see what her reaction would be.

[Lady Elestirne]

At the samurai's words, Elestirne again cast a glance to Authnor. The elven knight stayed carefully expressionless but she thought he seemed faintly chagrined, or even humbled. She might have to ask him later just what he and Tsukasa spoke about. Part of it likely had to do with the ritual and her. She had not missed the looks they had been giving her and she knew still he did not like the idea and saw only the lich, not the victim... Perhaps Tsukasa had helped Authnor to look at the situation in a different way. The knight did tend to be rigid in his view of good and evil, though he had begun to be more accepting of the shades of grey involved in every situation.

She returned her attention and gaze to Tsukasa just as the samurai delivered his request. It surprised her enough that she came to a halt. For a long moment she stood unmoving, her expression unreadable.

"You ask something that is not often done," the elven queen said at last, slowly. "In the two and a half decades that have passed since I first took the throne and crown, only a handful of men have been allowed in the realm. Perhaps only four or five. Storm is one so privileged. Before I took the throne, none had seen or set foot inside the realm for millennia." Her eyes darkened briefly, but she shook her head faintly and the moment passed. She looked at Tsukasa searchingly. "If I grant this...it will be because I feel you have proven yourself worthy of the privilege-and the trust. And perhaps you have. But it is not a thing to ask lightly.” Her expression became thoughtful and it was another long moment before she spoke again. “I would know why you ask this and if there is some reason more than what you have said. If you simply wish to learn about elves…Mittelmarch has elves. We of Artanor are…different from most elves… It is a long way to my realm Tsukasa, even with aid of the mists, and we would likely leave as soon as I recover from the ritual. I am beginning to feel it is time my elves and I head home. We have done enough here, I have done enough. Mittelmarch’s need for us is past now and so our time to be here is past. Do you have any other reason to ask this Tsukasa? And I must wonder how long you would plan to stay with us.” Elestirne held the samurai’s gaze firmly,waiting.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa thought for a moment.

"Yes there are other elves in Mittelmarch, and even though they are similar to your elves, I have not have the honor of interacting with them the same way I have with the elves of your land. The elves of your land remind me a lot of the people of my homeland. You share a very similar spirit with those who consider themselves samurai. That is something that interest me greatly. I believe that I can learn a lot from your people and possible maybe they can learn some things from me."

Tsukasa glances over to Authnor to see what his reaction would be to his last statement.

"As for the length of time that I would stay, that would be up to you, Lady Elestrine-dono. I wish not to be a burden upon you or any of your citizens."

Tsukasa bowed and waited for her response.

[Lady Elestirne]

Another glance to Authnor, Elestirne noticed with keen interest. Whatever the two had spoken of last night must have been of great interest, or at least had an effect upon Tsukasa. And his words about learning from him and him learning a lot from them…Elestirne’s expression turned thoughtful; considering. She had learned something from every mortal she had allowed into the realm. There was always something to learn in this wide, ever-changing world. And it was good for her people to see and directly interact with mortals, to see that they were people who lived and loved and thought; that not all of them were greedy, power-hungry, selfish or evil as many stories told. The faintest of smiles touched the elven-queen’s face. Each mortal was highly individual, as was each elf. Time some of the more xenophobic of her people realize and accept that. And there was no doubt that Tsukasa would learn and see much in his time with them.

It would be interesting to have a true samurai visit-she had been intrigued with some of the similarities she had noticed between this particular mortal culture and her own ever since first visiting the Shogunate. The love of beauty and art, the deep sense of honor, courtesy and loyalty…they were wholly unlike other mortal cultures… What was the word? Foreign? Yes, it would be most interesting to have one of this foreign, intriguing culture visit for a time. She would be sure to have any information learned put down to parchment and added to the library’s resources on mortals and their cultures and ways, as had become her habit for anything new she or her elves learned about mortals in their travels. And Tsukasa had more than proven himself to be of both good heart and good intent. Elestirne nodded slightly to herself. Yes, she would grant this. He had earned it by his actions. Though…perhaps there was another reason he asked, other than simply a desire to explore and learn about her people and their culture… She had a suspicion what it could be but decided not to raise it.

“I shall grant your request Tsukasa,” she said at last. “You are welcome to accompany us back to Artanor when we depart if you still desire to. I admit I have been intrigued by those that call themselves samurai ever since first visiting Lord Tatsumura’s Shogunate.” Briefly, a hint of deep sorrow and pain ghosted across her face. “I welcome the opportunity to learn more about the people and culture. And you no doubt will learn much about my people and our culture, and of elves in general likely. But I should forewarn you that much of what you see or observe in our society is likely to be very different from the way things are here in Mittelmarch, or even your homeland. Certain things you will not see at all, for they have no place in our way of life and culture.”

She appraised him searchingly. “We can speak on it more later perhaps. Now is not the proper time. But as for the length of your stay…it is yours to choose. If you come as a guest, you depart as a guest and thus we have no right to hold you if you wish to depart. But I am not likely to return to Mittelmarch unless they have need of me, so you will need to find your own way back to this land when you decide to. You would not be a burden-neither to me nor to my people-as long as you are respectful and polite. But most of my people speak only our tongue, so you would likely need a translator and possibly a guide if you decide to explore on your own. Once I return to my realm I will have duties that will take up my time-Authnor as well-so we will not always be available to help you.”

Her expression and tone suddenly turned grim and solemn. “I lay a condition upon the privilege of accompanying us back to my realm however. And I have asked this of all who have been allowed to pass the wards that surround and protect the realm. Even Storm. If you come back with us, if you pass the wards and stay with us, you must agree never to reveal the location of the realm, or the way there-save with permission or at extreme need-and you must agree never to bring harm, strife or evil to the realm, it people or its monarch.” Elestirne’s silver gaze had grown piercingly bright, focused intently on Tsukasa. “I realize what I ask may seem strange to you but I am firm on it.” She watched the warrior, wondering how he would react. Besides her, Authnor had grown watchful and attentive, the elven knight equally curious to see Tsukasa’s reaction and answer.

[Giggles "Adguin"]

"You know," a grunt escaped from the lich. "I was having some fun killing the time by torturing you. Now however. I think we both know what happens next."

I turned my back to the thing in disgust. A few steps later he was in front of me again.

"You can't avoid me"

I quickened my pace to the left. He was there again.

"Don't you get it? Even though twilight is setting for us it won't be finished until a millennia or more has passed! You are stuck here with me. And even if you can bare your own sins, can you bare to see me for that entire time!"

The lich staggered a little.

"I may be weak but I can't die! Hell, neither can you! I will gain power again and you will falter. I have patience, it's all I have left! What do you have!?"

I stared at the vile thing for a long while. "I have hope... It may flatter, it may seem impossible to hold on to. But in the end it will prevail!"

At those words both just glared at each other.

[Tsukasa]

Tsukasa smiled for a moment. He than gave his answer to Lady Elestirne.

"Your condition is both fair and just. You do risk a lot to bring me to your lands. It would be both unreasonable for me to ask something like this from you and not expect to have you do the same to me. I am willing to accept your condition. I would like to discuss this more at a later time."

Tsukasa bowed to both Lady Elestirne and Authnor.

[Lady Elestirne]

"Perhaps more than you understand," Elestirne said carefully, after weighing Tsukasa's words. "But perhaps you will have the opportunity to after seeing my realm and people. We can speak of it later however. As I said, now is not the time. Perhaps after the ritual." Once again an unmistakable shadow clouded the elf-queen's fair features. She met Tsukasa's gaze directly before dipping her head a little at his words. "I am glad for your sake that you accept the condition, even if you may not understand it. We will indeed talk more later. For now...we should begin preparing and gathering materials for the ritual. I need to talk to Tigron more about his part in this, contemplate the spells that will be used and cleanse myself. The rest of the day until this evening is yours to spend as you will, both of you, as long as you come to the glade at the appointed time." Once more the elven-queen dipped her head to Tsukasa slightly, then to Authnor as well. "I shall see you both then." With that, she moved off leaving the two alone.

Authnor watched her until she was out of sight, noticing her weariness, pain, and uneasiness even if she had sought to hide it, then turned to Tsukasa, his face faintly troubled. "For my part, I too, am glad that you have accepted the condition, and that she has graciously granted your request. I look forward to learning more of your people and culture, as long as you are willing to tell of them. But we have more pressing things to attend to presently. No constraints are laid on you, but I must gather those I have selected and speak to them concerning this evening and their role in it, and gather that which can be gathered to help prepare the site for my lady. If you should need or wish to speak with me, find me." The knight offered a small, short bow and dip of the head. "Until this eve Tsukasa."


Several hours later…


Authnor stood uncertainly after returning from placing the dozen elves he had selected in various places in a rough circle about the glade. If anything evil approached they would know about it. He glanced uneasily to Elestirne. The queen was standing a short way off, talking to Tigron and Olore in a low voice. All was nearly ready. The salt ring was drawn, but not completed, and a smaller ring of fire was burning in nearly the exact center of it. The bowl of kinblood, the jeweled dagger containing the trapped soul and a silver pitcher all stood ready near the fire. As did, surprisingly, what looked like some simple clothes. The knight dismissed that curiosity with a shake of his head and focused on his queen.

She was clad only in a flowing silvery gown, barefoot and with her long hair loose and unbound. Her broken arm and shattered hand had been removed from both splint and sling, despite vehement protests, as had some of the bandaging on her cracked ribs and the gash in her side. Her crown, necklace and swords she had all removed and placed near Olore. The silvery starmark on her forehead glinted faintly. To his concerned gaze she seemed gaunt and pale. Weariness and pain seemed to drape her like a cloak, shadowed her eyes, but she held herself tall and straight. He found himself wondering if she had rested at all and what sort of toll this would have on her. Despite the knowledge that she could not die or be killed-was forbidden from it-and her assurances he remained uneasy. He caught and shared a glance with Tsukasa, sensing the man shared his concerns.

It was then that the queen approached him and he took his gaze from Tsukasa to focus on her. She came to a halt a few feet away and seemed to regard him critically with her piercing gaze. Her expression was hard to read but she seemed at once worried and gravely solemn. Her gaze released him to slide to Tsukasa and a small bit of thoughtfulness touched the worried cast of her features. “I have words for both of you,” she said. “In case you have forgotten what I said this morning , it shall be death to cross the salt ring after it is joined and the ritual begun. That is to be taken literally. Any other living thing in the circle while the ritual is in progress will confuse the soul. Or draw the lich-remnant to you in hopes of having a new host. At the very least. Therefore you must not cross the circle after it is joined. Not for any reason, or perceived danger to me. It is not worth your lives and I do not want your blood on my hands, or the deaths of innocents on my soul.”

Her silver gaze caught and held Authnor specifically, intensely bright. Unable to meet it, Authnor looked away uneasily, but she trapped him with it again. “Not for any reason, you must understand. So no Authnor, you may not guard and watch me personally as I do this. As you no doubt were hoping.” Her tone softened. “You both know my curse. I am in no true danger from this. Look to yourselves. Whatever undead yet remain might be drawn to this place when the lich-remnant is drawn out of the jewel.” She surveyed both with a faintly raised eyebrow, waiting. Authnor started to protest, but glanced to Tsukasa; wanting to see his reaction to this.

Before either could say anything, Olore intervened. There will be time for talk after. The sooner this is done, the sooner it is over. Elestirne nodded and turned from the two to cross into the ring. "Keep them at a safe distance my friend, until you know it is safe." The silver stallion nodded.

[Lady Elestirne]

Uneasily Authnor watched as his queen closed the salt circle carefully, then turned and slowly walked to the fire ring, where the kinblood, dagger and pitcher waited. Taking the silver pitcher gingerly with her right hand she filled it from the spring and slowly and carefully raised it above her head and upended it. The water sparkled as it cascaded out but did not touch her, only outlining her form like a sparkling mantle. She made a small gesture, her lips moving in a quiet chant. Water spiraled up from the spring and descended on the fire in a soft mist. Immediately, thick steam rose up with a hiss, the coals glowing.

Elestirne placed the bowl and dagger on the coals and immediently began another chant. The salt-ring, the area within and Elestirne herself-including her starmark-all began to glow softly. The glow brightened and as the chant continued it occurred to Authnor that it had become commanding. As he watched it seemed to him that a shadow was drawn ever so slowly out of the dagger’s jewel. He could feel the taint of its evil even through the protective circle. He tensed, watching. The lich-remnant seemed to seek an escape but could not circumfrent the circle.

With a bone-chilling howl, it turned on the chanting elven-queen. Authnor heard scattered bits of fighting along the unseen circle of elves surrounding the glade but it was Elestirne’s shrill scream of pain that moved him. Furiously, he drew his sword and started forward without thinking. Before he got two steps a stunning blow knocked him sprawling.

Recovering quickly, the knight scrambled to his knees, clutching for his sword, and looked up with a snarl. He found Olore facing him, eyes glowing and ears flat against his skull. Authnor eyed him warily. It will be death for you or any other to cross the circle, the stallion reminded pointedly. Hold Authnor Knight-Protector. You cannot serve your queen dead. With a second wordless snarl, Authnor retrieved and sheathed his sword, then picked himself up. Fuming, he did not try to move for the circle again but stood seething.

A second scream-more of a wail-sounded but to his relief it did not have Elestirne’s voice. Authnor looked past the blocking Olore to see the lich-remnant-apparently repelled by Elestirne’s purity-wavering and flickering. The queen was still chanting- if raggedly and weakly-and there was unmistakable power and command in it. The remnant flickered some more, then disappeared. Elestirne, Authnor was alarmed to see, seemed pale and unsteady; swaying slightly with bowed head and ragged breathing. Almost Authnor started towards her again but a glance at Olore made him think twice.

Slowly a melody rose up, becoming a soft song. The gentle glow of the ring seemed to brighten and the song grew louder. It was in the wood elven tongue, which Authnor could not speak, but somehow he understood that it was a request for new life, a plea for a second chance, to restore something that had been unfairly taken. The song shifted to a chant, became an invoking, a calling, and the soft glow intensified suddenly. Authnor caught a glimpse of Elestirne, standing tall and straight once more, if with effort; her loose hair swirling around her form like a river of star-dusted midnight though there was no wind. She stood with eyes closed and both arms raised to the heavens-the knight could only imagine the pain that was causing her-with palms facing outwards, as of a priestess making an offering. The glow in the circle brightened and the starmark flared on her forehead. The song swelled. Before the light grew too bright Authnor thought he saw something luminous drawn out of the gem. Blood rose out of the bowl to spiral around it, along with bits of dust, air, water and fire. It then seemed to coalesce into a form but the glow was now too bright to see and he could not be sure of what he had thought he had seen. Elestirne cried out once and then there was sudden silence. Slowly, the glow dimmed and vanished.

Once he could see again, Authnor leveled a angry look to Olore. The silver stallion answered nothing to Authnor’s unspoken challenge and raised no protest, so the knight rudely pushed past him; charging across the ring into the circle with his sword drawn. It was eerily silent within, the area dim and hazy. Magic lay thick in the air still. After a moment, Authnor spotted Elestirne and rushed to her. She had collapsed to her knees with head bowed and hands limp in her lap, long hair hiding her face and pooling on the ground. On the other side of the fire another form was stirring but Authnor thought only for his queen. He touched her shoulder lightly and was immensely relieved when there was a weak shudder in answer. She stirred listlessly as he attempted, very gently, to move her, and shook her head with effort. “No… Leave me. Don't worry about me. See to the other...”

Authnor stopped trying to raise her to her feet, but did not move away;staying right at her side and warily watching the other form that was stirring on the other side of the dead fire. It looked human...but he wasn't willing to let his guard down.

[Lady Elestirne]

Elestirne stirred a little, painfully, as awareness came back to her. Her vision was doubled and blurred so she did not move, staying as she had crumpled at the ritual’s close; on her knees with head bowed and hands limp in her lap. Her injuries and the gash seared her like fire but she tried to push the pain away. She knelt quietly, allowing her mind to replay the ritual. Drawing the lich-remnant out had been a little more difficult than she had thought, but it had come, and then attacked once it realized it could not escape the circle. She had repelled it thanks to Olore and her own secret lineage, and it had been banished and weakened to the point where it was no more threat. Fighting with it had taken its toll on her energy though. It might have been easier if the still trapped soul hadn’t decided to try to help and distract both the lich and her. Perhaps it had been an unconscious reaction though. The soul had instinctively latched on to her in the inn when she had interceded between the two to stabilize the dagger’s magic. Maybe it had thought her in danger and desired to protect and help. In any case, the lich-remnant had been firmly dealt with and she had proceeded immediately to the ‘true’ part of the ritual; drawing out, purifying, and redeeming the lost soul, appealing to the gods to restore life unfairly taken and allow a second chance .

Slowly, she had shaped the magic; drawing the soul out and, after purifying it, calling the kinblood and bits of the four elements to join with it and allow what would be, be. Faintly, the invocation she had used came back to her; the words ringing with power and magic. By life of water and quickening of fire. By breath of air, strength of earth and bond of blood, take your natural form. Return to the life you were reft of, and live again. May evil nevermore have power over or taint you. Banish the night of your past, and look towards the dawn of your future. Be reborn. Be Adguin Laingul! The light and magic had flared then, and all strength had fled her. Her vision had turned white and she had only half-seen a human form coalescing out of the blood and elements as she had collapsed weakly to her knees.

Dimly now, she was aware of someone kneeling at her side, touching her shoulder, then gently trying to raise her to her feet. She knew it had to be Authnor and stirred weakly, shaking her head with effort. “No… Leave me. Don’t worry about me. See to the other…” The knight stopped trying to raise her, but she sensed him still at her side. She raised her head alittle, her vision clearing, and saw the knight staring warily across the dead fire at the form stirring there,sword drawn. "Be at peace Authnor," she murmured softly. "There is no threat. It is the reborn."

Feeling Olore's soothing, familiar presence approaching she reached out her right hand and connected with a muscled neck as the silver stallion folded his legs to lay besides her;her swords,crown and necklace appearing in her lap an instant later by his magic. Arkwardly, she drew the necklace over her head,the pendant settling instantly in the hollow of her throat,then replaced the crown before any of the elves Authnor had posted around the glade came up and saw her starmark. She wasn't ready for the questions that would result if they saw it.

[Page Tigron Ciryandil]

tigron stood behind the elves, shocked into silence as the ritual had been done. As the barrier dissipated, he immediately sensed his brothers presence and then he saw his body. He rushed to his brothers side, paying no heed to lack of clothing on the body. Tigron kneels down by his brothers renewed form, "My Brother, Giggles, are you free, finally, from the evil of the lich?"

This is Giggles posting as we work this story in one post.

"My brother...." Giggles says as he burst into tears of gratitude and then horror as he gathered his brother into a big hug.
"He's still here...in my mind...he's not gone.... I'm afraid of his return..."


Tigron replies, "you know he can be beaten, especially now he has been weaken by myself and by lady elestirne's magic. She was thourough in taking out the source of its power. Survive this and I will help you awaken the spirit cat power our family alone carries. You Giggles and I are the only living in our bloodline. I know you can beat this...."

Giggles smiles at his elder brother's words.
"No, my brother.... I'm not Giggles anymore. I'm Adguin Laingul now, and I owe it all to the one the Lich hated the most." he says as he motions to Elestrine
Upon speaking his new name he felt the voice in his head weaken and found himself being drawn into his mind. "So you won't go away ever, but you have no power. So what are you going to do?"
The Lich stared at him hard and puts his skeletal fist up in a pathetic way. He felt a great pain as Adguin Laingul back handed him across the face. "You are no threat to me now. You will never be able to call upon the reaming forces you have made. You will never harm me or try to destroy me, or I will banish you to a cage within my own mind. You are done. You will have to get used to me being in control for the rest of my new life."
The Lich didn't rise but swore in his own mind that when he could he would find a way to freedom.
As he came back to his senses he looked at Elestrane, and went over to her and knelt. "Thank you, thank you so much..." he burst into tears as he finished.

[Page Tigron Ciryandil]

Tigron approached elestirne as well, taking a knee before a humble apology left his mouth "Lady Elestirne, I thank you for this, a debt I'm not sure I'll be able to repay." He then moves his body to face Authnor, still kneeling, "I apologize to you as well. I only hope us to be able to move past this and one day allow me to call you friend."

[Lady Elestirne]

Authnor was only half-aware of Tigron rushing to the human form stirring on the other side of the fire, and of Tsukasa and the elves-some bloodied-crossing the ring as well. His attention was focused solely on his queen. She was still refusing his efforts to lift her so he settled for crouching at her side. Noticing the reborn approaching fast-and naked as a newborn babe-the warrior swiftly slid in front of Elestirne defensively as the reborn reached them and went to his knees, weeping. Authnor put a hand to his sword-hilt gaurdedly, casting Tigron a dark look as the man came up behind his brother. Behind him, the warrior sensed Olore getting up and edged warily to the side at the stallion's snort, hand still warily on hilt. He looked hard at both Tigron and the reborn as Tigron also knelt and spoke, before turning his attention back to the queen. What he could see of her face through the veil of hair was drawn with pain and weariness. He turned his gaze back on Tigron as the man addressed him.

"It is not my habit to give my respect or friendship to those that have not earned it," Authnor said coolly. "What you hope for depends heavily on your actions. But I see now your dedication to your brother and Tsukasa has helped me to see things in a different light. I see also that, whatever he once was, he is now a man. But the fact remains that it seems to have cost my queen dearly to work this rebirth for him." He felt something silky brush his arm and looked down. Elestirne had at last lifted her head, and her long hair had cascaded back. She looked at him, then took in Tigron and the reborn.

"Restoring a life unjustly taken incurs no debt,"she said quietly,answering the man. "It is the proper righting of balanceand the sanctity of nature. Thank the gods Tigron, for allowing your brother to be restored. It is they that hold the power of the gift of life, not I." Her melodic voice was weary and pained. "I am merely responsible for freeing him of taint and evil so that he could be restored to what he was. And I do not understand why you say the lich hated me most." She looked at the reborn now,faintly stern. "You should not have tried to help me Adguin. But what is done is done. And I have willingly paid the price demanded."

"What price?" Authnor became at once heavily suspicious and concerned.

Elestirne looked at him steadily. "What healing has occured to my injuries has been revoked. Reversed. They are as they were the day they were recieved, with the exception of the gash. The ritual required the caster to give something as well. A sacrifice of sorts in return for the gift being asked. I chose to give the energy at work healing my wounds. They can wait to be healed. Adguin could not wait to be helped." The elven-queen drew in a shallow, pained breath. "My price is small for what was granted. Now we must decide what to do next."