A Time for Everything......

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Moma Nipsy seemed to be contiplating her words. She stood there thinking momentarily, her eyes looking the woman over.

For what seemed forever she was silent. Then she spoke, "Child, you do know what you ask could cause you great harm. You can't be thinking it is a simple procedure."

She knew herself what it was like to be barren. Not once had she been able to bring a child to this world. It was torment on the soul.

"You will never be able to have children, with or without this man." She spoke, her voice full of compassion. "But I fear, you can not have this man's child."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

"I .. umm Heard that there are herbs I can give him to make him.. Well you know?" I blushed bright red at the thought but I was desperate to find a solution to my problem.
"Can't I give him something that he will not be wanting.. carnal knowledge..??" A lady wasn't supposed to speak of these things, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

 

[Zircon]

Cax

Cax closed his eyes tighter and relaxed his breathing. To the world he appeared to be asleep, complete with snoring even. His sharp years picked up on the new stranger’s predicament. He had not known anything about the nobles except what he had heard from his father about the Elven Court. The Lesser Folks Courts seemed to be full of intrigued and cruelty.

To Cax’s knowledge, there was one herb which could make her barren, a little lopped-sided white flower called Ghostwind, or Llelthranth in Elven. But of course, there was always the normal poisons. She wanted something for the Lord. In Cax’s opinion, a straight knife through the belly would suffice.

Cax turned to the other side and wrapped his cloak tighter around him.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina

The horse, whom Devina had never bothered to name, wandered through the camp, chomping on grass, meeting other horses. Sometimes he'd be asked a question, would he like something to eat, drink, a place to rest? He politely declined all. These were simple people, and they immediately recognized by his clothes what he was. A warrior wizard. Rare, his kind usually served one of the kingdoms, advising generals and kings on the movements of any enemy with magic. Devina, like most full wizards, found politics a petty matter in life, and so continued on his quest of hatred.

Now, though, he was calm, at peace. These people meant him no harm, so he had no reason to harm them. He let the horse do as it pleased. With a clue as to where his target was, he was left to follow the animal as it went about it's life. It was a well-trained creature though, keeping to the roads and towns, and not simply eating all day in the same pasture.

His eyes closed, he heard the sounds of snoring grow as the horse made it's way towards someone sleeping. Devina was lost in his own thoughts as the horse nuzzled the person, attracted to him for a reason only the animal could see or understand, but which Devina could care less for.

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Moma Nipsy looked at the woman. She wanted to make the man inpotent. That would be a good thing from what she saw, but she was unsure of how to do that short of a surgical fashion.

"I guess I would have to do some research, for as of the moment, I know of no herb. Though I will search it out for you M'Lady."

She sat, "What will you do til then?" This question was peaking her mind. For if she did have intimate encounters with this man, surly his spawn she would have.

 

[Merelan]

Keina:
The babe stirred and woke her. At first confused anddisoriented.
Ah yes. Earth. This was her child.
Then a spark in her mind and she opened it to her Goddess.
A flow streamed through her, telling her what she must do. never how. For that mattered not. But the facts were simple.
And she had to pee.


Quetly she tried getting up, but she ached. No. She hurt. Sharp pains as if someone had torn at her. And a cramping. Stifling the cry she clung to the baby. Moaning as she forced herself to a sitting position. The need was growing urgent. What was that woman's name? And her man, surely he wasn't far. Yet. She didn't know hiw name.

"Help." Her voice weak, her throat dry, and she didn't want to wake the child.
"Please. Somone."

 

[Merelan]

Garder:
Watching the visitor as he slipped into slumber, pulling his cloak about him. Exhausted from travel no doubt.
Then he saw Moma and the woman talking off to the side, and yet another stranger appear. Wandering with his horse.
Garder retreived the young ladies horse, for lady she was. Probably wanting a love spell no doubt, or her fortune told. Lovingly he ran his hand down its side. A beauty, though hard run today.

"Well my beauty, I can spare some food for you, if you don't mind rough rations. But I suspect you want water more then not. Come. " leading it off to the side. aking sure it was tied, but could reach water and oats.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

"I do not know Ma'am what I will do. I am not useful for much.. perhaps I can postpone the wedding? Or I can hide out somewhere until after you find me something to render him useless? I do know I will not let that man paw at me! He is cruel in the most sinful of ways.. The things he said to me were horrible!" I sat for a moment and then heard someone call out.
"Someone's hurt?!" I rose from the tent and walked outside following the noises and whimpering.

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Moma Nipsy was walking about the campsite watching the stars and looking for any living herbs when cries rang out in the night. "I am coming child." She called before going to the tent where Keina lay.

"Why the fuss child? Do you need something other than your rest?"

 

[Merelan]

Keina

I felt the blush rising as she spoke. And sensed someone else in the tent also.

'I need, I need to, to.." What was the word? It floated beyond reach.

But a chuckle and a firm hand on her arm, this Moma knew what it was she needed.

"Please, help me."

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Moma Nipsy took the babe from Keina's arms and handed him to the new woman. "Here, watch after this one while I help her." She knew there was nothing to fear from this woman, she seemed loving enough.

Helping Keina up, she helped her to do her business. "Keina, you don't seem yourself." She question, knowing in her heart that this woman wasn't Keina. How could she tell her she knew though.

"Is there anything I can do?"

 

[Merelan]

Keina

As soon as she had handed him the baby, my baby, I knew. That minute it was all clear. Raising my eyes though I could not see I smiled.

"Is he not precious? What color are his eyes? his skin feels soft and warm. My precious." Going to relieve myself, hurting, groaning at the pain. Unfair Goddess. To subject me to the aftermath, and not the sweet pleasure of childbirth.

Moma helped me back.

"It is her isn't it Goddess." Sensing the strange woman in the corner, cuddling my child. "Moma knows doesn't she. Moma knows the secrets she needs, she musn't have his children Moma. Even if you have to kill him. She musn't ever bear his fruit. They would rise up and destroy the balance of nature, for eternity. She had heard the lady gasp at her words.

"Cax knows where to find the herb you need. Moma must prepare it under the dark moon, with blessings. Devina bears the remnants of a rag that touched purity. You must burn it in the fire that brews the potion. Please. He will know you are here, and know what we do. Can you not feel his eyes even now?" Knowing what I said would make no sense, but there was no time. They must brew it this night and she must drink it, only then would the evil leave her alone. For a time. And time was what they needed, to find the warrior sent to protect her.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

I sat down on the tent floor as soon as Moma Nipsy handed me the babe. He was so tiny, so awesome. I held him gently at looked down at his small cherub face. Smiling, I felt a little heart broken that I might not ever have my own.
I heard a voice and glanced up, the woman was speaking to me.
whispering I answered her, "He.. He has beautiful thick dark hair, and deep blue eyes. Cute little round face and perfect lips and nose." I glanced down at his hands and smiled going on, "He has small hands now, but they are a man's hands."

I fell quiet no longer wishing to talk much about the babe, I just held him as carefully as possible to make sure he was unhurt. They went out and came back. I stood and held the baby out to Moma to settle him back down into the bed with his own mother. Smiling, I agreed with her, "He is precious." I walked outside and over to a tree. Sitting beneath it, I tried to get my bearings down and just what I would do now? I had a dozen days or so before the full Moon. Her words scared me, was he watching me? Did he know what I was up to?


I curled up as best as I could, feeling the cold sink into my body. Not from the night air, but from the dread that came over me when thinking about this Lord I was to marry. I feet felt frozen, my heart hammered in my chest and sweat dripped from my temple. I wanted to shout out to the heavens "Why me?!" What did I do to deserve this? Not that god was vengeful but what twisted fate had brought me to this point?

I still felt shakey from the blind woman's words. Unbalance nature? What kind of monster would I give birth to if I found no way out? The blind woman told me I needed to drink something and tonight to keep from having children, this caused my heart to lurch painfully in my breast. What use as a woman would I be to any man if I could not have children? I had to think of something, anything that could help me without rendering me worthless.

Standing I began to walk, in circles around the camp. Keeping close enough to be heard if I yelled out, yet unable to sit still as all these horrible thoughts kept racing through my mind. Someone had to have an answer for me?

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

His head sprang up, and his eyes focused on the tent where he had heard the cries of a newborn babe before. He knew many spells, if simple, and one of the first he had learned was the ability to know when one's own name was spoken in a twenty yard radius. He had found it to be extremely useful, and used it almost all of the time.

He frowned. He didn't know anyone here. He gave the horse gentle nudges, moving it as he watched the tent. He didn't know how his name had been used, maybe someone knew about his target? But to know his name, maybe they worked for him. He glanced about. No, these were simple people. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

He shook himself. It had been a woman's voice, he could tell that much. He got off the horse, which moved out to the edge of the little settlement. It might have just been his imagination, a slur of the word 'divination', of even a flux of magic. No need to get worried over something that could be so small, but best to be prepared....

 

[Merelan]

Moma sat there silent. I could feel her.

"Please I am blind, I need your help. You have to do this thing tonight. Please." Reachign out to her with my free hand, the baby stirring, whimpering a bit.
"Can't you feel him watching. Tring to disrupt us even now? Moma, I know you are confused, and I can explain a bit later. But now, right now I need you to do this thing. That is why thyey were drawn here, though they think otherwise."

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Moma Nipsy sat silent listening to the woman in Keina's body plea to her. She wasn't sure exactly what she meant for her to do, but knew that she must try the best she could to help her. She seemed important if she could take over someone such as she had. The gods were using her.

"Child, what must we do? Please speak slow and calm or I can not understand your intentions."

 

[Merelan]

I stopped and calmed myself down, she would listen. Praying silently to the Goddess to help me.
"You know, don't you? Keina died. Her soul is at peace now. But there is evil about. Pure evil. Nature has a balance, without good, without evil neither can exist. But it is such a fine balance, that is easily disrupted. The great one has waited for centuries for this time. Never has it been so close. If she bears his child, the world, all the worlds, not just here, are lost. Forever. Once he gains control he will not reliquish it. He has guided her father's family for eons, to produce her. She is the focus now." Having a hard time breathing suddenly. The child I held cried out and started crying.

"Oh Goddess, please guide me. He even now approaches. The man she is to marry is his tool. An evilness will be bred in her children that will destroy forever the beauty. You must, must right now, go to Devina and Cax. Cax knows which root to choose, if he opens his heart, and he must pick it. Devina holds a rag he has cherished. One that wiped his young sister's face as she lay dying. Her goodness, her puirty is instilled in it. You must use it in the fire that you start to brew the tea. Please Moma, I cannot hold him off for long. Even now Garder is off to distract him, though he doesn't know why he walks the woods right now." I did not tell her that he would die in doing so, and this child, sweet innoccent, may be offered up before the night is through.

"Never before have your talents been needed so. For it will make her ill, violently, and the war will be within her for awhile. You have to help her stay here, and not give in. She is a strong girl, but a girl none the less."

"Please Moma, for the child hold here, for the Keina that died who was like a daughter to you. For all the beauty you have seen. Do this thing."

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Taking the babe from the woman's arms Moma Nipsy held him close. It hurt to think that soon he would be gone if nothing was done. She had already lost Keina, the only family she had ever really known. Now too, it seemed that Garder was going to be gone. This child would not leave. She wouldn't bare it.

"Very well dear. Please help me save the child. He is all I have left if Garder is gone."

She walks out, tears streaming down her face. "Cax, please wake up. I have something that needs your attention." Her free hand reached out for him, before the baby started to squall once again. She reached out sticking a finger in the babe's mouth to keep him from crying. "Cax, please follow me to the tent. We must hurry. Devina, please you come too. We must hurry and your help is also needed."

She walked towards the tent that held the body of Keina and the woman that now possessed her, hoping all the while that she would be followed by the elf and Devina.

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He frowned, and immediately drew his sword. If there was one thing he didn't like, it was strangers who knew his name. Especially bossy ones. Keeping his blade drawn and by his side, he followed. There was no way even a group of these people could defeat him. Best to see what was going on.

 

[Merelan]

I could feel Devina's presence even as he entered the tent. His power was strong and he knew it. This was the man who would protect us all.
Sitting up as best I could I turned my face to them, hoping to catch a feel for Cax. Was he still here, or had he slipped off, or been led off?
"Moma, the evil one's men are not far from here, a bit to the North. Devina, please. Forgive me for using your name. it is not proper, but there isn't time for that. You are all that protects us now. Garder is gone."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Lady Katrina

I heard her words, they flitted across the area and right to my ears.
"The evil one's men approach, and Garder is dead." I felt trembles up and down my back.

They had come. Came for me. I looked around quickly in all directons, trying to see into the dark. My heart hammering as I jumped up and ran back to the tent.

"He's here? Where? I must hide!" I whispered as quietly as I could. I heard the babe cry and felt my heart lurch.

"I will lead them away from here.. I can not be responcible for a baby's death!" I stood hovering at the edge of the tent, wondering where that smelly beast of burden was tethered so I could get out of here?


"No harm will come to anyone here if I'm gone. They dont care about you, only want me. So if I run for it, they will chase and leave you be to move camp.. Moma what do you think?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Devina Silas

He stared at the woman in the bed. She was blind, he could tell. But she apologized for using his name, and that was unsettling. His teacher had often told him that there was a power in names, and he knew the truth of that. He snorted, and glanced around.

"Evil men, hmm? How many? Where? And most importantly, what's the pay?" He didn't always mean money. He'd gotten his horse from an earlier job. Sometimes he did small things for food and shelter. Sometimes he did it to get a whiff of who he was after.

And sometimes, he did it for a pretty lass. But now was not one of those times. The hairs on the back of his neck were up, and he was watching the people around himself, ears perked. Fighting was simple when compared to the calm before the storm. And this, he knew, was a very big storm.

 

[nightray]

Dark Master

I move through the trees my mind out ahead of me looking for my bride my rage was building with every second that she was gong. Many of my best men are now in the dungeon below my dark keep screaming for forgiveness as my torturers practice what I tot them. I must have her back and soon for she is the one that will bear my child in to this world and through him I shall bring ever lasting darkness.

One of my personal body grads comes riding out of the darkness like he was part of it. He rids up to me saying “I fond where she must be my lord but I can't enter to be sheer there is some sort of warding arund the camp.” I scowl my rage showing briefly in my eyes witch seem to shift to a view of the very pit of hell.

I say “Bring me to this camp.”

The gourd bows in his saddle and rides in to the darkness once agene but this time he stays visible so as to lead the way. I fall in to a brooding trying to think of how the wench got out of my keep unknotest and then evaded my tracers.

My mount shifts under me growing restless with my growing anger for this beast is attuned to me it is more then a normal hours this thing came form the dark moutons of blood. It has needle sharp teeth that are hollow so it can inject poison in to its pray, in steed of hooves it has dagger like claws and it moves with the fluidity of a cat its eyes glow red in the darkness eager for a fight.

I look up as we come near a clearing we remain back out of the cercal of light form the fire so as not to draw attention to use. My mind move out probing gently I growl as I feel a ring of protection so we can’t enter but it’s not good enough to keep my mined out. I find a crack and my mined flows in probing the minds with in gently not reveling my presents.

I smile broadly as I find her mind she’s in the tent with others my smile falters slightly as I feel a familiar mind with in Devina Silas. I shake my head thinking so the annoying little nat is in there as well. I sneer in contempt but I’m still careful knowing better then to underestimate my enemies.

I look at my six gourds saying “in cercal the camp don’t let any one in or out with out me knowing about it.” They all bow and move off in to her darkness seeming to blend in with it perfectly. I look at the camp keeping my mind with hers waiting for her to go off by her self sow I may call her to me.

My mind weaves a web as fine as a spiders wed placing the strands gently on the serfs of her mind giving her the impulse to walk out side where I can do more with out any one noticing.

 

[Merelan]

Keina:

in her mind he felt the evil start. No, you will not take her this night. Flooding his with thoughts of spring, fresh flowers, dewy grass, birdsong. High twittering birdsong. Distracting him.
"Devina, help. He has us in a web. You know him, he seeks her, and you both. You have fought him all your life. Now, it is time to kill the body he is using. he will find another, but not this night. We have to have time."
"Lady, take the baby. his purity will help ward him off. Hold him, cuddle him. you cannot leave this camp, so be of use."
Falling back on the bed, my own mind fighting off the dark images he was sending me. But i kept up the barrage of sweetness and light, the images may even drive the man's human mind mad, if it was not already.

 

[ARaynes]

Moma Nipsy

Moma Nipsy reluctantly handed the baby to the Lady, "Take care of him well. He's all I got left."

Turning back to Keina, "What do I need to do?"