"Where Angels Dare"

[*Pashan01]

* Kelth wandered the rainy Hive Ward...after glancing up to the darkened skybox, he returned his glance in front of him, just in time to notice a dark clothed winged creature taking a turn into an alleyway, followed by three hoodlums*

*Kelth's feline hazels widened and he took the the roofs, crawling over them, keeping his gaze upon the four*

*Watching closely...he recognised the person he had hoped to see...his beloved wife...Naya'il...though his stomach squeezed together and nearly made him vomit as he watched her put herself on display for the males...invoking more rage than already was coursing through him already*

*As the scene unfolded, causing him to blink in disbelief...he had to sort out his mind for a moment as the third culprit disarmed his wife...making a go to finish what was started*

*Kelth gritted his  teeth and his eyes became filled with fury, having him come down from the roofs and walk up behind  the third...*

*The third one glanced over his shoulder as the "fourth" slowly arrived*

" Ahh...steppin' up ta the plate eh? wait yer turn...all yers when I am done! Hah!"

*His wicked grin forming as he returned to glance at Naya'il*

* The "fourth" reached over his right shoulder, and the sound of singing steel was heard as he unsheathed a beast of a sword, humming with dark red and white runes lighting up the alley...covered by a mystical aura of dread. The "fourth" proceeded to grab the third by his shoulder and pulled him back, making him turn slightly*

" HEY! I told ya's ta wait yer tu..."  * The eerie sound of crushing bones, pierced flesh and blood splattering the cobblestone was to be heard, along with a pained moan*

* The "fourth" leaned in closer to the third* 

I think I find myself already quite sated with the penetration of your body...you make a very good fit for the length of it...my man... *As he made effort to shove the blade further through up to the hilt*

See? slides in real easy...

* The third groaned and streams of blood started to run down both his stomach, back and from his mouth*

* The "fourth" withdrew the large blade in one swift pull, splattering more blood upon the floor, watching the third slump to the ground, followed by a single yelp as he spun the blade and finished off the crying one on the floor by stabbing the serrated tip into his heart*

*The dark clothed man pulled the blade out from the corpse and glanced up at the winged woman in front of him...*

*****************

Naya had used the time to unfasten her cold iron scythe, the second one she kept strapped to her back and she faced the 'fourth' now properly armed, defensive stance.

"Couldn't wait hm?" she spat out in disgust "..so keen to try to have your turn...bring it on..." she sneered

"I've nothing more to lose...question is....what are you prepared to lose?"

Her meaning hinted at the visible vicious wounds she had made to throat and groin of the first two. The voice had touched at her but she was not of clear thinking at this point, enraged as she was and she could only make out the outline of the fourth, a huge hulking figure cloaked, his features, what were visible from her position, in shadow, his back to her light.

With another loud cry, no further hesitation or question, she raised scythe and swung it with a hefty swing toward him, aiming for torso, her objective to attack before he had chance to respond

[*Pashan01]

* As the scythe came thundering down, the dark clothed man grabbed the huge sword with both hands and used it to block her strike, the sound of steel clashing on steel as the two of them were locked together, his left arm began to tremble as his right moved to bring down his cowl, followed by pulling back his hood, resuming the two-handed grip after*

* Feline like hazels regarded the woman he loved so dearly, sorrow and pain had filled  them, and the hold of his weapon became weak...letting her scythe slowly come nearer*

Ye got all rooight in tha multiverse tae do this...Naya'il...I nae am worthy o'yer love...nor tae be yer 'usband...

*His sword fell to the ground, as he did on his knees, hanging his head*

*************
Realisation..she had drawn weapon in anger against her husband unknowingly and at sight of his face, his eyes, hearing now the stronger form of his accent, her fury left her, her left hand loosened grip of scythe and her right lowered it limply, its metal blade scraping against the cobblestone. She searched his eyes, roamed over his face, took account of his own ragged features, new clothing and bearing...and shook her head trying to assimilate it all.

"Not here....not now" her voice was edgy, broken, trembling as her anger withered and she looked for a moment to the mess of murder they had left in the street then back at him. Her lefthand reached for his shoulder, gripping it firmly, sliding up to his chin, fingers caressing tentatively to raise his head and look at her fully.

"Let's go find a retreat..." he would note she did not say home "..we need to ...talk...things have...changed" she looked him directly in the eyes, saw his sorrow, pain as he would see hers.

She removed her hand and stepped away, bent to pick up her fallen scythe, fastening both to her back and stepped over one of the bodies to head away from that street, waiting for him to join her.

*****************

* As she guided his chin up to face her, ahearing her words, he nodded slowly, reaching out to grab the blade he dropped, that touch of hers at least meant there was still foundation...and his heart found new strength to at least pick himself up and follow her, flipping his hood back on*

*As he joined at her side, he followed to where she would lead him, remaining silent as they walked, leaving the massacre behind*

[*Pashan01]

I was hurt more than I was angry against him, my anger had been spent upon those hoodlums, a provocation and an act of revenge to seal an older wound. I was hurt for his leaving me at the time of my greatest need, at a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

He had thought me safe and in good hands, better hands?. Technically yes, emotionally, no...the barest of acquaintance, tiefling all three, trusted by him, hardly known by me and infirmary males tending to the intimacy of my miscarriage. Yet the three had helped, despite that and I saw, even in my delirious state, a little of their heart and kindness behind their race, one so usually in conflict with my own...I shall take the time with each. In the circumstances of my current living quarters, sharing with two of them, it will be.....inevitable.

But I feel stronger in an odd way because of it....despite losing favour... a gift received upon birth now spurned and lost by my wilful act of misuse and murder...I look to my love, I look to myself, I will look to forge stronger bonds with those who follow that same path and are loyal.

A change is upon us all and we will grow and learn. I will have my vengeance. This I so swear.

I have tasks ahead of me..... many....so many....retraining without dependency upon the divine light.....furthering my friendship and garnering support of those others, our comrades, Kelth's trusted.....sorting through the remnants of that old life....I need to see Piri as matter of urgency...but for now, just for this night, let me hold him, show him I forgive him and ensure this bond, above all others, first and foremost, remains strong and intact.

[*Pashan01]

The notes floating around the market calling for Kelth and my crucifiction are old ones, I am sure of it, however there are many who would try to take the opportunity and make money from our capture. I recognise, finally, that it is time to go into hiding, properly to minimise the danger to these, our friends, if not for ourselves. There is work to be done, Marius and his supporters will not get away with this.

So this is war. And in times of war, things have to be done that are less than pleasant. We apply ourselves to the killing in the planes without dealing with the mess of it afterwards. But this was in our safehouse, we either had to move or deal with it. At least a score of khaasta corpses piled up in the room. Luckily the note we found upon the leader suggested a lucky find, knowledge of the location was still safe...for now, though it was a close call. I recommended we scout another in case of need for another swift move.

And then I took up that mop and bucket, after blunting my scythe to slice up khaasta limb, aided Mir to place the bits to a holding bag....then drank tea with them both. No wonder I saw vision of my former self pleading with me to remember and turn back to the light. Once I realised that Mir and Mashanie could not also see this image, I refused to succumb to my own mind toying with me....I refuse to fall into madness, I am stronger willed than that. I cursed it and turned my back on it. My conscience and former self is gone, what I am now I have yet to figure out, I still feel empty and the anger rises in me quickly....I push away too thoughts of my father...for now, I do not want to deal with that. The blood upon the floor of the safehouse will need a further scrub, I didn't get it all out.

Disguise is difficult and I followed their advice by finding new armour to wear and heavy helm to hide my hair....I find it rather awkward to wear and find myself short of breath with the visor closed...if I ever get time I will sort out a hood.....it is particularly difficult to disguise a pair of wings and there are few with celestial wings about Sigil, though mine are changing already, slowly, no longer so white and pristine....I should have expected that. Another thing to sort with Piri, when I get my hands upon her.

I spent time with Mir and Mashanie while Kelth was out, getting more acquainted and used to their humour. It will be odd sharing with them in such close quarters, there is a little privacy with them in the basement, Kelth and I have taken the small bedroom up the stair, but the walls are not thick. However, I rather like their honest and direct ways. I think we will fair well together and put aside the racial differences....we have to.

After the mess was cleared I proposed trip to the Abyss, I needed to practice, retrain and relearn....sort out what I am capable of...and we needed to dump and burn the Khaasta remains in the lava pools. I left them then to hunt out Piri, without success, returning to the safehouse to be thrown into yet another situation. Kelth had returned and was anxious for us to follow trail of a soulstealer. We swiftly made ready to move out while the 'scent was fresh' in one of the many hive abandonned taverns.

They have taken new names, Mir's and, Masha's, I found a little peculiar... I hope I can remember them. So I hurriedly thought of an appropriate one for myself as we moved out..something...'fitting' how I now felt. I made note of Liliara's new name being told that she is also helping our cause. When she caught up with us in the entrance to the tavern, I was somewhat pleased to see her, and her gauntletted hand to my arm, had me touching her own in mutual support of what had been and what we were about to get into, it was a little piece of comfort and understanding I think...it helped. Kelth was leading us to danger, but we put our trust in him and he in us, a mouthed word of love and encouragement in my direction and he moved us in, Mir and Mashanie searching for trap, Liliara and myself trying to keep our plated footfall light upon the wood floor.

Another entered from behind, just as we were about to enter the main room and nearly took blade until the others managed to hush him and find out we had commonality in being there...he was bounty hunter after the head of a githyanki. I didn't know him.

I didn't say alot during what turned out to be a nasty battle...on account of that horrid helm and my difficulty in breathing and for being furious at being caught out right at the beginning with a spell from that...bitch yes.. bitch Shadowsworn..let me say that word without hesitation....that struck me still that I couldn't move for what seemed like hours, but only minutes, leaving the others to fight a hard battle against various thugs and demonic creatures. The woman and her Shell managed to get away but the battle raged on until the thugs ran off. I took my fury out on afew following them out of the tavern, sliced afew more until they scattered and finally my rage abated.

I didn't return, the others had it in hand. I have to find Piri....tis becoming urgent....not only for myself but for the others...we need to bring her into our fold and persuade her to our group before....well we just do....traps and wards for protecting the safehouse, potions, spells, help with disguise and gearing up our group to a full fighting force...and something else...something else I need most urgently.

[*Pashan01]

"Oh ooh....I'm in trouble with angel-face now...scared the beejeebers out of me Tix...got her a weird helmet 'pon her head...an acted annoyed an peed orf wi me fer not bein around for her. Eeeewwwwww...I dun told her I was sorry fer her loss n all...but she waved at me an started talkin o things she an some friends o hers needed from me, like I owed her help, like was my duty or someat.....givin me a guilt trip...bit demandin she were...she was tryin'....might ha worked, might not have...."

Piri sniffed, tilting up her pert nose and paused from her babbling to her cousin. They were seated in the Civic Festhall, finishing their game of playing 'dare or forfeit', the forfeit being to stick a toe into the Styx water...neither had lost a dare so far.

"Tix? Mind if I dun join you in boppin' frostie noggin now? I should go find my ole boss, mister Karath....special craftin to be doin...kinda fun...only I ain too sure how...needs ta spend time discussin an playin wi sum metals n spellies, go read a book or two. Ye be alright on yer own?"

After Tixie nodded, Piri jumped up, taking flight, her tiny wings fluttering rapidly.

"Somethin real nasty in a scythe she be askin fer...I'm thinkin' a combination of pixie and githzerai craftin might...just....do the trick.....huh? wasat?...myeah...she wants it to make her foe bleed...real badly...heh...toodles fer now Tix!" and Piri scooted off.

[*Pashan01]

The wings are going to be a problem...another thing to task Piri with...perhaps that is the secret...keep her occupied, keep her mind focused upon her field of excellence, make it a game even...and she won't have time to cause trouble.

I managed to get a quiet moment with Kelth, away from the house and sorted many of the numerous questions I had burning in my mind about this new activity. How to hide?....when should I hide?.... what of the risk of those old notes? Who else is living in the house?....that last because I'd seen more gear about, heard more voice at night below as I was tucked to our bed.

Who else Kelth?..sharing our safehouse...who else knows?. I had just gotten used to the idea that Mir and Mashanie were living below when he admitted there were two others....Liliara and 'Stas'. Kelth's view of the house is quite different to mine....we will be living on top of each other, a little bit of personal space to sleep but sharing the living and the simple wash area...but a basin and bowl. I just have to grin and bear it, living with these others, still strangers to a degree. I admit to having gotten used to that large bath of our Inn room, spacious living quarter and just the two of us. A lifetime prior to that, my upbringing, such as it was, allowed me my own personal space in the farmhouse of my step-father.

Change is hard but necessary. I feel I have been thrust into this awkward situation without much choice. I understand the reasons and would not dream of pushing the others away as their need....our joint need....at this time calls for this situation....however, it is not going to be easy to deal with. I do like my personal space...for various reasons. I owe Marius and his cohorts for this as well.

Not wanting to return to the house immediately that eve given these feelings, I made point to entice Kelth longer to remain outside with me, leading instead of being led as this too was due for change....there, with the views of Sigil all about, open and free from the constraints of our safehouse.

[*Pashan01]

A cupful 'o tar, a handful 'o starflower,
Bring to the boil, to make it full power,
Whisk in some lady's tear an' a pinch 'o spiced puff,
Simmer 'n leave, til the blend's reduced enuff.

Blow 'pon it three times then let it to rest,
Cover, sose the fumes dun lose th'r best,
Tickle it all wi' pixie dust fer show,
Pour to 'lil bottles an' its ready to go!

"Tha was easy enough...lastin' time....a few hours heh...jes a bleedin' shame I couldna persuade her ta pink...better than a spellie this one Tix when not dealin' wi' ninanimate parts.....still ain' got that magick to last well.....potions more controllable fer this."

Piri stirred the small cauldron with a bone wand, followed her own recipe as per the pixie song, sprinkled and tossed in a flutter of her dust, hovering over and shaking wings out that allowed some of the dust to fall into the boiling liquid. She was soon lifting the bowl, pouring its contents into a number of potion bottles.

"...should go straight to where's wanted....else she'll end up wi green face heh....tha'd be kinda funny...buuuut...dun think I wanna be hangin' around after to see it...might end up wi a slice 'o scythe to me bum!"

[*Pashan01]

I never thought this would be easy...but I didn't have a clue how hard the challenge would be that I would face.

I wonder whether I would have had the same courage and conviction to do such a thing a month ago, governed by a god's vision of what is good and merciful as I was? But when that dark creature attached to Mashanie taunted me, the fury came forth again and my view of mercy was to do all in my power to release a new found friend from his curse...a fiend bound by another friend....how ..ironic...but the former was worth saving...forgiving and doing this dark deed for the greater good.

I near shouted out my offer, could tolerate no more of its hold upon him, seeing all their pain. I barely held back as I awaited their response so acute was the rage boiling with in me. Kelth, unsure at first not knowing what this would do to the man's soul, prevented me with a word. Mashanie, desperate for me to act, pleading... until the command came clear and swift and my hand and body moved in unison, to bring down my scythe, smashing table out the way, casting an incantation to make my blade true to take a sure path, splitting one from the other and cleaving into the body of this fiend, now my brother-in-arms, his life blood pouring out before my eyes at the wound I had created, to fall foul of my weapon, his body slumping to the floor, dead...

Out of the corner of my eye I had seen Kelth's form blur and shift from my vision and by the time the 'red' began to clear from my eyes, also dripping from my scythe, the dark creature was also gone....a few moments later saw my love return...I guessed he had somehow dealt with the shadow fiend.

The offer was also to bring him back, revive. I was not without that ability, despite spurning Pelor's favour, I'd known I still had it as an inherent part of my being left, just enough...and I hurried to kneel, touched, covered Mashanie with that aura, saw his lifeblood return, his body take breath once more, his wounds...sealing, healing. But as much as I could do, I wasn't sure it would be enough not to leave deeper wound. I told Mir to take my place and hold him, support him and I moved back as each couple moved to comfort their respective partner. I was left with a deep and strong craving hunger, once the frenzy had eased...something Kelth had to take the brunt of, later that night.

[*Pashan01]

The little scamp can actually brew something that works other than her so-called love potions...the colour change took effect...and her attempts at crafting are not bad...provided one can persuade her not to colour them pink...although she tends to underestimate the size of a normal person's head and foot...I've to get afew items refitted.

After so much happening lately, it was an time to take stock and review what was known or suspected and talk plans of action, protection, talk of making a meeting with an old Anarchist...and there was dinner to be cooked. A proposed fishing trip was not to be until Mir can travel again. There was a little jovial play and tease about who was to do the cooking, Mir and I definately seeking that the males should perform this act or face starvation...I guess she is as bad as I in that department...but the threats and play came to nought as we ended up forgoing food to drink and make toast with some bottles of firewine.

I don't remember making it to my bed...but I don't think I disgraced myself...for my first time drunk.

[*Pashan01]

A fearful headache on account of the previous night's drinking, a spurious attempt at remedy proposed by Muriel known as Hair of the Dog going awry, the shock of seeing Kaite again out of the blue talking with my friends and an assumption made of Kelth, hearing a snickering word from Mir about 'awkward moments', that he had divulged something to them I was as yet, unwilling to have known.....and I was in foul foul mood, lashing out or ignoring, a fierce temper had me smashing the dog hair that was another glass of firewine into the beetle cage as I led Kaite away to talk.

I was curt at first but her smile and way soon calmed me. Ah...Kaite, precious gem behind scruffy disguise. Awkward yes, but...I'd rather that than not see you again....you are special to me, helped me a long time ago overcome something that laid path for what I have now with Kelth. I held her, enfolded her in an embrace of wing and arm and placed gentle kiss to her neck to receive one in return. The temptation for more, a memory of what had been lingered...but things had changed, time had passed. I am married, in love and loyal and now with a mission.....there would be no more 'escapades' of that nature.

We parted and I searched hurriedly for Kelth first, I had a lot of apologising to do. I managed to get time with Mir the next day too. I think we came to good understanding and cleared the air...

While Kelth is gone, he tasked me to take charge..but no one can replace him, I do not have the way with people that he does. Mir and Mashanie will help, together we will hold fort. Talks that eve about other particular friends and acquaintances had me promising Kelth I would seek them out and see if I could ease situation there too, during his absence. Mir has an uncanny way of seeing what people are about, I can learn from her....we all listened as she revealed what she felt of that particular friend and her feelings. We all paid heed.

As Mir and Kelth talked of the impending trip and what might be needed for a ritual, I grew quieter as the eve grew dark and the time of his leaving drew ever closer. Teasing talk of family and children and prowess had me growing more melancholy as well. Eventually, I pulled him away from the other two, to spend the last few hours before the morn came, giving him good memories and clear reminder of a reason to return safely.