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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3515167" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p><strong>Chapter Eight: ARUM DRACUNCULUS</strong></p><p></p><p>Rhema’s eyes opened with a start. The brightness of space around her made her squint until only the smallest amount of light was being allowed in. Her vision was incredibly narrow, but after a few second she saw fuzzy movement above her. She allowed her eyelids to part slightly and she was able to make out the face of a woman with blonde hair. The woman was dressed in white robes and had the hood of her cloak lifted above her head.</p><p></p><p>Gradually, Rhema became aware of her surroundings as well as the fact that she was lying upon her back. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Am I dead?”</span></p><p></p><p>The woman standing above her smiled compassionately. <span style="color: Lime">“Yes. But don’t worry about it.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema could her snickering from across the room. The snickering sounded familiar, but her mind wasn’t making connections as quickly as she was accustomed. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“What’s so funny?”</span></p><p></p><p>The voice that she thought she had recognized spoke to her in a quick reply while the white-robed woman applied an annoying pressure to the side of Rhema’s neck. <span style="color: LightBlue">“What a stupid question to ask. ‘Am I dead?’ Don’t you think if you were really dead that you’d know you were dead?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema’s head throbbed. At first she thought it was from the pressure being applied to her neck, but eventually her mind realized that the pain was from trying to think too hard about the logic from the familiar voice. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“I’m not dead?”</span> Rhema’s words were slow in coming and slurred together.</p><p></p><p>The woman standing above her smiled broadly and the familiar voice laughed even harder. This time, the familiar laugh was joined by another familiar chuckle. This new chuckle was feminine in pitch. Eventually the familiar voice spoke to her again. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Rhema, this is Ischarus talking to you. Remember me, your husband?”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema’s head throbbed some more as she recalled her husband’s face to her mind. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Ischarus? Then you’re alive, too? But, if I’m alive, why would this woman lie to me?”</span></p><p></p><p>The woman brought a single finger up to her lips as if to indicate that she needed to be quiet. Ischarus answered Rhema’s questioning. <span style="color: LightBlue">“How else are bedridden people supposed to have fun if they aren’t allowed to poke fun at the person waking up from a deep slumber?”</span></p><p></p><p>The other familiar voice spoke next, forcing Rhema to obey the blonde woman’s suggestion about staying quiet. <span style="color: Orange">“Rhema, do you remember me? I am Charis, and I stood up for you at your wedding as you stood up for me.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled, but Charis didn’t let her speak. <span style="color: Orange">“We were almost killed, Rhema. But if it makes you feel any better, each of us asked if we were dead upon waking up. It seems to be such a natural question and all. No doubt the brightness of the room blinded you from having your eyes shut for so long. The intensity of the brightness does bring to mind the question of the afterlife.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema closed her eyes as if to agree with Charis’ conclusion. Ischarus took over telling this part of the story. <span style="color: LightBlue">“It seems like Ophee got the best of us. I don’t remember any of the details, but the acolytes that have been taking care of us tell me that they found us burned pretty badly. In fact, they even found Master Brandt burned pretty badly. Apparently Ophee got off a spell and none of us saw it coming. It was a whopper of a spell, and the acolytes tell me that it was far beyond her ability to cast. It is likely that she was sent in with the spell in hand.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema’s eyelids clinched even more tightly. She drove the pain out of her mind by a sheer force of willpower. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“The wizard in Eberdeen?”</span> After speaking, Rhema was immediately shushed by the blonde woman. With her eyes closed Rhema couldn’t see the acolyte, but the woman continued to stand over her and perform a visual examination.</p><p></p><p>Charis responded to Rhema’s inquiry. <span style="color: Orange">“As far as we can figure and as far as the acolytes tell us, you’re right. This all seems to have something to do with the wizard in Eberdeen.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus continued to tell the story. <span style="color: LightBlue">“So, it seems like we were set-up and double-crossed. It cannot be any sort of coincidence that when we were looking for Bloodseeker we found Ophee. Then, when we were looking for the Whetting One we found Ophee again. I think we’ve been set-up the whole time by our friend the wizard.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis could tell that Rhema was struggling with not speaking, so she tried to assume the answers to the questions that Charis was trying hard to not ask. <span style="color: Orange">“We don’t know why, if that’s what you are askingin your mind. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would the wizard draw us to himself and then try to destroy us after we were free from his presence? If he wanted us dead, why wait until after we had left and returned home? And what does this all have to do with the villa? It just doesn’t make any sense at all.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema shook her head slowly. Pain shot through her neck, but it was not the pain of injury. Her muscles were stiff from having rested in the same position without movement for so long. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Semeion?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus chuckled. <span style="color: LightBlue">“See, Charis? I told you there would be nothing wrong with her mind.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis smiled, but Rhema could not see the expression with her eyes closed. Instead, Rhema could hear the pain in Chrris’ voice in spite of the smile. <span style="color: Orange">“He’s yet to wake, Rhema. The acolytes were the most worried about you two. Ischarus and I were badly injured but still alive when they found us. They refuse to comment on the condition that they found the two of you in.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus wasn’t about to let Rhema speak before trying to answer her questions. <span style="color: LightBlue">“We just needed some healing, Rhema. We were unconscious and near death. They healed us, and our bodies slept for just over a day. The acolytes say that we slept for so long because our bodies needed to relieve themselves from the stress and shock of the fire and of the healing. Each of our bodies was badly burned. They say that they found my hand fused to the hilt of my sword – and I was one of the least burned.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis continued the story. <span style="color: Orange">“The burns of our flesh were easily enough handled by the magic of this temple, though. Our skin could be repaired. It was the emotional and psychological shock to our system that was traumatic. Our minds shut themselves off to keep out the pain and assume the state of death. But rather than die, Ischarus and I were restored. Our minds had to cope with the suddenness of the healing as well. The shock to the body takes time to wear off.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema spoke quickly, not knowing if the acolyte was going to shush her once more. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“How long?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus motioned to Charis that he would field this question. <span style="color: LightBlue">“How long have you been unconscious? You’ve been resting motionless for the better part of a week. Charis and I were unconscious for a little of it. But you’ve been motionless in that bed for four whole days since Charis and I came to. With any luck,”</span> Ischarus reached a hand out from the side of his bed and embraced Charis’ hand, <span style="color: Lightblue">“Semeion will wake up shortly. Your waking up with your memory intact for the most part is a good sign.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis squeezed Ischarus’ hand in appreciation of the support. <span style="color: Orange">“He’ll make it. The healing magic of this place is strong. I’m just surprised we haven’t seen Brandt.”</span></p><p></p><p>The acolyte had moved away from Charis for some time, but now she chose to enter into the conversation. <span style="color: Lime">“Master Brandt was wounded much like you two. He had to expend a considerable amount of himself to deal with the effects of the flames. Fortunately we were monitoring your situation from the temple in safety. When we became aware of your sudden and dramatic injuries, we came quickly. By the time we got there, Master Brandt was unconscious. Since then, he has been recovering in a separate room. Unlike you all, he does not listen to our orders. He has not listened to our claims for bed rest. The body can be healed easily enough through our magic, but the muscles and nerves need time to adjust and heal.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis looked over to her husband as he lay silently and motionless on the bed. <span style="color: Orange">“Aren’t all wizards stubborn to the core? I thought that was the very definition of what it meant to cast arcane powers.”</span></p><p></p><p>The acolyte smiled. <span style="color: Lime">“Don’t let my master know that I agree with you.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus laughed once more. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Yes, and one day you’ll be just another stubborn wizard in Reah’s service. You know it, so don’t deny it. When you wield that kind of power, you won’t be able to help calling the shots.”</span></p><p></p><p>The acolyte smiled and chose not to reply to Ischarus’ assertion. Instead, she moved across the room and began to do a visual inspection of Semeion. She also decided that it was time to change the subject. <span style="color: Lime">“I believe that the two of you should be able to be removed from bed rest in another day. Now that Rhema is awake and seemingly healthy, she’ll have about five days bed rest to make up before she’ll be cleared. The same will be true for this one.”</span> The acolyte looked over towards Charis and smiled before finishing her though. <span style="color: Lime">“When his mind has finally decided to wake up and put the strain of his healing behind him.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Rhema’s eyes opened with a start. The brightness of space around her made her squint until only the smallest amount of light was being allowed in. Her vision was incredibly narrow, but after a few second she saw fuzzy movement above her. She allowed her eyelids to part slightly and she was able to make out the face of a woman with blonde hair. The woman was dressed in white robes and had the hood of her cloak lifted above her head.</p><p></p><p>Gradually, Rhema became aware of her surroundings as well as the fact that she was lying upon her back. “Am I dead?”</p><p></p><p>The woman standing above her smiled compassionately. “Yes. But don’t worry about it.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema could her snickering from across the room. The snickering sounded familiar, but her mind wasn’t making connections as quickly as she was accustomed. “What’s so funny?”</p><p></p><p>The voice that she thought she had recognized spoke to her in a quick reply while the white-robed woman applied an annoying pressure to the side of Rhema’s neck. “What a stupid question to ask. ‘Am I dead?’ Don’t you think if you were really dead that you’d know you were dead?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema’s head throbbed. At first she thought it was from the pressure being applied to her neck, but eventually her mind realized that the pain was from trying to think too hard about the logic from the familiar voice. “I’m not dead?” Rhema’s words were slow in coming and slurred together.</p><p></p><p>The woman standing above her smiled broadly and the familiar voice laughed even harder. This time, the familiar laugh was joined by another familiar chuckle. This new chuckle was feminine in pitch. Eventually the familiar voice spoke to her again. “Rhema, this is Ischarus talking to you. Remember me, your husband?”</p><p></p><p>Rhema’s head throbbed some more as she recalled her husband’s face to her mind. “Ischarus? Then you’re alive, too? But, if I’m alive, why would this woman lie to me?”</p><p></p><p>The woman brought a single finger up to her lips as if to indicate that she needed to be quiet. Ischarus answered Rhema’s questioning. “How else are bedridden people supposed to have fun if they aren’t allowed to poke fun at the person waking up from a deep slumber?”</p><p></p><p>The other familiar voice spoke next, forcing Rhema to obey the blonde woman’s suggestion about staying quiet. “Rhema, do you remember me? I am Charis, and I stood up for you at your wedding as you stood up for me.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled, but Charis didn’t let her speak. “We were almost killed, Rhema. But if it makes you feel any better, each of us asked if we were dead upon waking up. It seems to be such a natural question and all. No doubt the brightness of the room blinded you from having your eyes shut for so long. The intensity of the brightness does bring to mind the question of the afterlife.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema closed her eyes as if to agree with Charis’ conclusion. Ischarus took over telling this part of the story. “It seems like Ophee got the best of us. I don’t remember any of the details, but the acolytes that have been taking care of us tell me that they found us burned pretty badly. In fact, they even found Master Brandt burned pretty badly. Apparently Ophee got off a spell and none of us saw it coming. It was a whopper of a spell, and the acolytes tell me that it was far beyond her ability to cast. It is likely that she was sent in with the spell in hand.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema’s eyelids clinched even more tightly. She drove the pain out of her mind by a sheer force of willpower. “The wizard in Eberdeen?” After speaking, Rhema was immediately shushed by the blonde woman. With her eyes closed Rhema couldn’t see the acolyte, but the woman continued to stand over her and perform a visual examination.</p><p></p><p>Charis responded to Rhema’s inquiry. “As far as we can figure and as far as the acolytes tell us, you’re right. This all seems to have something to do with the wizard in Eberdeen.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus continued to tell the story. “So, it seems like we were set-up and double-crossed. It cannot be any sort of coincidence that when we were looking for Bloodseeker we found Ophee. Then, when we were looking for the Whetting One we found Ophee again. I think we’ve been set-up the whole time by our friend the wizard.”</p><p></p><p>Charis could tell that Rhema was struggling with not speaking, so she tried to assume the answers to the questions that Charis was trying hard to not ask. “We don’t know why, if that’s what you are askingin your mind. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would the wizard draw us to himself and then try to destroy us after we were free from his presence? If he wanted us dead, why wait until after we had left and returned home? And what does this all have to do with the villa? It just doesn’t make any sense at all.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema shook her head slowly. Pain shot through her neck, but it was not the pain of injury. Her muscles were stiff from having rested in the same position without movement for so long. “Semeion?”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus chuckled. “See, Charis? I told you there would be nothing wrong with her mind.”</p><p></p><p>Charis smiled, but Rhema could not see the expression with her eyes closed. Instead, Rhema could hear the pain in Chrris’ voice in spite of the smile. “He’s yet to wake, Rhema. The acolytes were the most worried about you two. Ischarus and I were badly injured but still alive when they found us. They refuse to comment on the condition that they found the two of you in.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus wasn’t about to let Rhema speak before trying to answer her questions. “We just needed some healing, Rhema. We were unconscious and near death. They healed us, and our bodies slept for just over a day. The acolytes say that we slept for so long because our bodies needed to relieve themselves from the stress and shock of the fire and of the healing. Each of our bodies was badly burned. They say that they found my hand fused to the hilt of my sword – and I was one of the least burned.”</p><p></p><p>Charis continued the story. “The burns of our flesh were easily enough handled by the magic of this temple, though. Our skin could be repaired. It was the emotional and psychological shock to our system that was traumatic. Our minds shut themselves off to keep out the pain and assume the state of death. But rather than die, Ischarus and I were restored. Our minds had to cope with the suddenness of the healing as well. The shock to the body takes time to wear off.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema spoke quickly, not knowing if the acolyte was going to shush her once more. “How long?”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus motioned to Charis that he would field this question. “How long have you been unconscious? You’ve been resting motionless for the better part of a week. Charis and I were unconscious for a little of it. But you’ve been motionless in that bed for four whole days since Charis and I came to. With any luck,” Ischarus reached a hand out from the side of his bed and embraced Charis’ hand, “Semeion will wake up shortly. Your waking up with your memory intact for the most part is a good sign.”</p><p></p><p>Charis squeezed Ischarus’ hand in appreciation of the support. “He’ll make it. The healing magic of this place is strong. I’m just surprised we haven’t seen Brandt.”</p><p></p><p>The acolyte had moved away from Charis for some time, but now she chose to enter into the conversation. “Master Brandt was wounded much like you two. He had to expend a considerable amount of himself to deal with the effects of the flames. Fortunately we were monitoring your situation from the temple in safety. When we became aware of your sudden and dramatic injuries, we came quickly. By the time we got there, Master Brandt was unconscious. Since then, he has been recovering in a separate room. Unlike you all, he does not listen to our orders. He has not listened to our claims for bed rest. The body can be healed easily enough through our magic, but the muscles and nerves need time to adjust and heal.”</p><p></p><p>Charis looked over to her husband as he lay silently and motionless on the bed. “Aren’t all wizards stubborn to the core? I thought that was the very definition of what it meant to cast arcane powers.”</p><p></p><p>The acolyte smiled. “Don’t let my master know that I agree with you.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus laughed once more. “Yes, and one day you’ll be just another stubborn wizard in Reah’s service. You know it, so don’t deny it. When you wield that kind of power, you won’t be able to help calling the shots.”</p><p></p><p>The acolyte smiled and chose not to reply to Ischarus’ assertion. Instead, she moved across the room and began to do a visual inspection of Semeion. She also decided that it was time to change the subject. “I believe that the two of you should be able to be removed from bed rest in another day. Now that Rhema is awake and seemingly healthy, she’ll have about five days bed rest to make up before she’ll be cleared. The same will be true for this one.” The acolyte looked over towards Charis and smiled before finishing her though. “When his mind has finally decided to wake up and put the strain of his healing behind him.”</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3515167, member: 35788"] [B]Chapter Eight: ARUM DRACUNCULUS[/B] Rhema’s eyes opened with a start. The brightness of space around her made her squint until only the smallest amount of light was being allowed in. Her vision was incredibly narrow, but after a few second she saw fuzzy movement above her. She allowed her eyelids to part slightly and she was able to make out the face of a woman with blonde hair. The woman was dressed in white robes and had the hood of her cloak lifted above her head. Gradually, Rhema became aware of her surroundings as well as the fact that she was lying upon her back. [Color=PaleGreen]“Am I dead?”[/Color] The woman standing above her smiled compassionately. [Color=Lime]“Yes. But don’t worry about it.”[/Color] Rhema could her snickering from across the room. The snickering sounded familiar, but her mind wasn’t making connections as quickly as she was accustomed. [Color=PaleGreen]“What’s so funny?”[/Color] The voice that she thought she had recognized spoke to her in a quick reply while the white-robed woman applied an annoying pressure to the side of Rhema’s neck. [Color=LightBlue]“What a stupid question to ask. ‘Am I dead?’ Don’t you think if you were really dead that you’d know you were dead?”[/Color] Rhema’s head throbbed. At first she thought it was from the pressure being applied to her neck, but eventually her mind realized that the pain was from trying to think too hard about the logic from the familiar voice. [Color=PaleGreen]“I’m not dead?”[/Color] Rhema’s words were slow in coming and slurred together. The woman standing above her smiled broadly and the familiar voice laughed even harder. This time, the familiar laugh was joined by another familiar chuckle. This new chuckle was feminine in pitch. Eventually the familiar voice spoke to her again. [Color=LightBlue]“Rhema, this is Ischarus talking to you. Remember me, your husband?”[/Color] Rhema’s head throbbed some more as she recalled her husband’s face to her mind. [Color=PaleGreen]“Ischarus? Then you’re alive, too? But, if I’m alive, why would this woman lie to me?”[/Color] The woman brought a single finger up to her lips as if to indicate that she needed to be quiet. Ischarus answered Rhema’s questioning. [Color=LightBlue]“How else are bedridden people supposed to have fun if they aren’t allowed to poke fun at the person waking up from a deep slumber?”[/Color] The other familiar voice spoke next, forcing Rhema to obey the blonde woman’s suggestion about staying quiet. [Color=Orange]“Rhema, do you remember me? I am Charis, and I stood up for you at your wedding as you stood up for me.”[/Color] Rhema smiled, but Charis didn’t let her speak. [Color=Orange]“We were almost killed, Rhema. But if it makes you feel any better, each of us asked if we were dead upon waking up. It seems to be such a natural question and all. No doubt the brightness of the room blinded you from having your eyes shut for so long. The intensity of the brightness does bring to mind the question of the afterlife.”[/Color] Rhema closed her eyes as if to agree with Charis’ conclusion. Ischarus took over telling this part of the story. [Color=LightBlue]“It seems like Ophee got the best of us. I don’t remember any of the details, but the acolytes that have been taking care of us tell me that they found us burned pretty badly. In fact, they even found Master Brandt burned pretty badly. Apparently Ophee got off a spell and none of us saw it coming. It was a whopper of a spell, and the acolytes tell me that it was far beyond her ability to cast. It is likely that she was sent in with the spell in hand.”[/Color] Rhema’s eyelids clinched even more tightly. She drove the pain out of her mind by a sheer force of willpower. [Color=PaleGreen]“The wizard in Eberdeen?”[/Color] After speaking, Rhema was immediately shushed by the blonde woman. With her eyes closed Rhema couldn’t see the acolyte, but the woman continued to stand over her and perform a visual examination. Charis responded to Rhema’s inquiry. [Color=Orange]“As far as we can figure and as far as the acolytes tell us, you’re right. This all seems to have something to do with the wizard in Eberdeen.”[/Color] Ischarus continued to tell the story. [Color=LightBlue]“So, it seems like we were set-up and double-crossed. It cannot be any sort of coincidence that when we were looking for Bloodseeker we found Ophee. Then, when we were looking for the Whetting One we found Ophee again. I think we’ve been set-up the whole time by our friend the wizard.”[/Color] Charis could tell that Rhema was struggling with not speaking, so she tried to assume the answers to the questions that Charis was trying hard to not ask. [Color=Orange]“We don’t know why, if that’s what you are askingin your mind. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would the wizard draw us to himself and then try to destroy us after we were free from his presence? If he wanted us dead, why wait until after we had left and returned home? And what does this all have to do with the villa? It just doesn’t make any sense at all.”[/Color] Rhema shook her head slowly. Pain shot through her neck, but it was not the pain of injury. Her muscles were stiff from having rested in the same position without movement for so long. [Color=PaleGreen]“Semeion?”[/Color] Ischarus chuckled. [Color=LightBlue]“See, Charis? I told you there would be nothing wrong with her mind.”[/Color] Charis smiled, but Rhema could not see the expression with her eyes closed. Instead, Rhema could hear the pain in Chrris’ voice in spite of the smile. [Color=Orange]“He’s yet to wake, Rhema. The acolytes were the most worried about you two. Ischarus and I were badly injured but still alive when they found us. They refuse to comment on the condition that they found the two of you in.”[/Color] Ischarus wasn’t about to let Rhema speak before trying to answer her questions. [Color=LightBlue]“We just needed some healing, Rhema. We were unconscious and near death. They healed us, and our bodies slept for just over a day. The acolytes say that we slept for so long because our bodies needed to relieve themselves from the stress and shock of the fire and of the healing. Each of our bodies was badly burned. They say that they found my hand fused to the hilt of my sword – and I was one of the least burned.”[/Color] Charis continued the story. [Color=Orange]“The burns of our flesh were easily enough handled by the magic of this temple, though. Our skin could be repaired. It was the emotional and psychological shock to our system that was traumatic. Our minds shut themselves off to keep out the pain and assume the state of death. But rather than die, Ischarus and I were restored. Our minds had to cope with the suddenness of the healing as well. The shock to the body takes time to wear off.”[/Color] Rhema spoke quickly, not knowing if the acolyte was going to shush her once more. [Color=PaleGreen]“How long?”[/Color] Ischarus motioned to Charis that he would field this question. [Color=LightBlue]“How long have you been unconscious? You’ve been resting motionless for the better part of a week. Charis and I were unconscious for a little of it. But you’ve been motionless in that bed for four whole days since Charis and I came to. With any luck,”[/Color] Ischarus reached a hand out from the side of his bed and embraced Charis’ hand, [Color=Lightblue]“Semeion will wake up shortly. Your waking up with your memory intact for the most part is a good sign.”[/Color] Charis squeezed Ischarus’ hand in appreciation of the support. [Color=Orange]“He’ll make it. The healing magic of this place is strong. I’m just surprised we haven’t seen Brandt.”[/Color] The acolyte had moved away from Charis for some time, but now she chose to enter into the conversation. [Color=Lime]“Master Brandt was wounded much like you two. He had to expend a considerable amount of himself to deal with the effects of the flames. Fortunately we were monitoring your situation from the temple in safety. When we became aware of your sudden and dramatic injuries, we came quickly. By the time we got there, Master Brandt was unconscious. Since then, he has been recovering in a separate room. Unlike you all, he does not listen to our orders. He has not listened to our claims for bed rest. The body can be healed easily enough through our magic, but the muscles and nerves need time to adjust and heal.”[/Color] Charis looked over to her husband as he lay silently and motionless on the bed. [Color=Orange]“Aren’t all wizards stubborn to the core? I thought that was the very definition of what it meant to cast arcane powers.”[/Color] The acolyte smiled. [Color=Lime]“Don’t let my master know that I agree with you.”[/Color] Ischarus laughed once more. [Color=LightBlue]“Yes, and one day you’ll be just another stubborn wizard in Reah’s service. You know it, so don’t deny it. When you wield that kind of power, you won’t be able to help calling the shots.”[/Color] The acolyte smiled and chose not to reply to Ischarus’ assertion. Instead, she moved across the room and began to do a visual inspection of Semeion. She also decided that it was time to change the subject. [Color=Lime]“I believe that the two of you should be able to be removed from bed rest in another day. Now that Rhema is awake and seemingly healthy, she’ll have about five days bed rest to make up before she’ll be cleared. The same will be true for this one.”[/Color] The acolyte looked over towards Charis and smiled before finishing her though. [Color=Lime]“When his mind has finally decided to wake up and put the strain of his healing behind him.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Rhema’s eyes opened with a start. The brightness of space around her made her squint until only the smallest amount of light was being allowed in. Her vision was incredibly narrow, but after a few second she saw fuzzy movement above her. She allowed her eyelids to part slightly and she was able to make out the face of a woman with blonde hair. The woman was dressed in white robes and had the hood of her cloak lifted above her head. Gradually, Rhema became aware of her surroundings as well as the fact that she was lying upon her back. “Am I dead?” The woman standing above her smiled compassionately. “Yes. But don’t worry about it.” Rhema could her snickering from across the room. The snickering sounded familiar, but her mind wasn’t making connections as quickly as she was accustomed. “What’s so funny?” The voice that she thought she had recognized spoke to her in a quick reply while the white-robed woman applied an annoying pressure to the side of Rhema’s neck. “What a stupid question to ask. ‘Am I dead?’ Don’t you think if you were really dead that you’d know you were dead?” Rhema’s head throbbed. At first she thought it was from the pressure being applied to her neck, but eventually her mind realized that the pain was from trying to think too hard about the logic from the familiar voice. “I’m not dead?” Rhema’s words were slow in coming and slurred together. The woman standing above her smiled broadly and the familiar voice laughed even harder. This time, the familiar laugh was joined by another familiar chuckle. This new chuckle was feminine in pitch. Eventually the familiar voice spoke to her again. “Rhema, this is Ischarus talking to you. Remember me, your husband?” Rhema’s head throbbed some more as she recalled her husband’s face to her mind. “Ischarus? Then you’re alive, too? But, if I’m alive, why would this woman lie to me?” The woman brought a single finger up to her lips as if to indicate that she needed to be quiet. Ischarus answered Rhema’s questioning. “How else are bedridden people supposed to have fun if they aren’t allowed to poke fun at the person waking up from a deep slumber?” The other familiar voice spoke next, forcing Rhema to obey the blonde woman’s suggestion about staying quiet. “Rhema, do you remember me? I am Charis, and I stood up for you at your wedding as you stood up for me.” Rhema smiled, but Charis didn’t let her speak. “We were almost killed, Rhema. But if it makes you feel any better, each of us asked if we were dead upon waking up. It seems to be such a natural question and all. No doubt the brightness of the room blinded you from having your eyes shut for so long. The intensity of the brightness does bring to mind the question of the afterlife.” Rhema closed her eyes as if to agree with Charis’ conclusion. Ischarus took over telling this part of the story. “It seems like Ophee got the best of us. I don’t remember any of the details, but the acolytes that have been taking care of us tell me that they found us burned pretty badly. In fact, they even found Master Brandt burned pretty badly. Apparently Ophee got off a spell and none of us saw it coming. It was a whopper of a spell, and the acolytes tell me that it was far beyond her ability to cast. It is likely that she was sent in with the spell in hand.” Rhema’s eyelids clinched even more tightly. She drove the pain out of her mind by a sheer force of willpower. “The wizard in Eberdeen?” After speaking, Rhema was immediately shushed by the blonde woman. With her eyes closed Rhema couldn’t see the acolyte, but the woman continued to stand over her and perform a visual examination. Charis responded to Rhema’s inquiry. “As far as we can figure and as far as the acolytes tell us, you’re right. This all seems to have something to do with the wizard in Eberdeen.” Ischarus continued to tell the story. “So, it seems like we were set-up and double-crossed. It cannot be any sort of coincidence that when we were looking for Bloodseeker we found Ophee. Then, when we were looking for the Whetting One we found Ophee again. I think we’ve been set-up the whole time by our friend the wizard.” Charis could tell that Rhema was struggling with not speaking, so she tried to assume the answers to the questions that Charis was trying hard to not ask. “We don’t know why, if that’s what you are askingin your mind. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would the wizard draw us to himself and then try to destroy us after we were free from his presence? If he wanted us dead, why wait until after we had left and returned home? And what does this all have to do with the villa? It just doesn’t make any sense at all.” Rhema shook her head slowly. Pain shot through her neck, but it was not the pain of injury. Her muscles were stiff from having rested in the same position without movement for so long. “Semeion?” Ischarus chuckled. “See, Charis? I told you there would be nothing wrong with her mind.” Charis smiled, but Rhema could not see the expression with her eyes closed. Instead, Rhema could hear the pain in Chrris’ voice in spite of the smile. “He’s yet to wake, Rhema. The acolytes were the most worried about you two. Ischarus and I were badly injured but still alive when they found us. They refuse to comment on the condition that they found the two of you in.” Ischarus wasn’t about to let Rhema speak before trying to answer her questions. “We just needed some healing, Rhema. We were unconscious and near death. They healed us, and our bodies slept for just over a day. The acolytes say that we slept for so long because our bodies needed to relieve themselves from the stress and shock of the fire and of the healing. Each of our bodies was badly burned. They say that they found my hand fused to the hilt of my sword – and I was one of the least burned.” Charis continued the story. “The burns of our flesh were easily enough handled by the magic of this temple, though. Our skin could be repaired. It was the emotional and psychological shock to our system that was traumatic. Our minds shut themselves off to keep out the pain and assume the state of death. But rather than die, Ischarus and I were restored. Our minds had to cope with the suddenness of the healing as well. The shock to the body takes time to wear off.” Rhema spoke quickly, not knowing if the acolyte was going to shush her once more. “How long?” Ischarus motioned to Charis that he would field this question. “How long have you been unconscious? You’ve been resting motionless for the better part of a week. Charis and I were unconscious for a little of it. But you’ve been motionless in that bed for four whole days since Charis and I came to. With any luck,” Ischarus reached a hand out from the side of his bed and embraced Charis’ hand, “Semeion will wake up shortly. Your waking up with your memory intact for the most part is a good sign.” Charis squeezed Ischarus’ hand in appreciation of the support. “He’ll make it. The healing magic of this place is strong. I’m just surprised we haven’t seen Brandt.” The acolyte had moved away from Charis for some time, but now she chose to enter into the conversation. “Master Brandt was wounded much like you two. He had to expend a considerable amount of himself to deal with the effects of the flames. Fortunately we were monitoring your situation from the temple in safety. When we became aware of your sudden and dramatic injuries, we came quickly. By the time we got there, Master Brandt was unconscious. Since then, he has been recovering in a separate room. Unlike you all, he does not listen to our orders. He has not listened to our claims for bed rest. The body can be healed easily enough through our magic, but the muscles and nerves need time to adjust and heal.” Charis looked over to her husband as he lay silently and motionless on the bed. “Aren’t all wizards stubborn to the core? I thought that was the very definition of what it meant to cast arcane powers.” The acolyte smiled. “Don’t let my master know that I agree with you.” Ischarus laughed once more. “Yes, and one day you’ll be just another stubborn wizard in Reah’s service. You know it, so don’t deny it. When you wield that kind of power, you won’t be able to help calling the shots.” The acolyte smiled and chose not to reply to Ischarus’ assertion. Instead, she moved across the room and began to do a visual inspection of Semeion. She also decided that it was time to change the subject. “I believe that the two of you should be able to be removed from bed rest in another day. Now that Rhema is awake and seemingly healthy, she’ll have about five days bed rest to make up before she’ll be cleared. The same will be true for this one.” The acolyte looked over towards Charis and smiled before finishing her though. “When his mind has finally decided to wake up and put the strain of his healing behind him.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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