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<blockquote data-quote="Emperor Valerian" data-source="post: 1335804" data-attributes="member: 15043"><p>The party rode without rest for the next day and night, Tess, Elenya, and Lucius healing people’s horses when the wear and tear started becoming too much for the animals. About a day outside of Irulas, the party noted up ahead (as they were charging forward at full gallop) one of the black riders, looking rather stunned as they came over a ridge, looking right at them.</p><p></p><p>His armor was midnight black full-plate, as was his very skin. His eyes, however, were blood red, and he drew a deep crimson longsword from its scabbard as the party approached. Tess, eager for vengeance, lashes out with bow as she charges by, as does Siabrey, Shaun and others. Most of the arrows merely clatter off of his armor, and he snarls as the group rides by, swinging at Lucius and missing.</p><p></p><p>”Ride on!” Tess calls, only to hear Pellaron and Lucius rein up their horses. She spins around, seeing both of them charging the creature again, Lucius calling that they must down it or it will report back which road the group has taken.</p><p></p><p><em>Like they haven’t figured that out already,</em> Tess grumbled as she turned her horse around, Siabrey galloping past her already, Grumki following</p><p></p><p>Lucius and Pellaron both land good blows on the creature before it turns to Lucius, and swings so hard with its sword that it knocks him off of his horse, and sends his bleeding form sprawling to the ground. Siabrey snarls, and with a roar befitting a dragon, charges in and smashes the creature hard enough that <em>it</em> nearly falls off its horse. </p><p></p><p>Grumki lets out a frightening noise, something between a snarl, a growl and a shout, and his warhammer crashes into the creature’s armor, finally knocking the creature off of its mount. Grumki, furious that his little friend was injured, then begins moving in for the kill.</p><p></p><p>Shaun launches as an arrow, as Tess’ voice calls through the air again, in the same crescendo of C and C-minor, and the creature shook violently before its armor and various implements, shaking harmonically from the shound, began cutting it to pieces.</p><p></p><p>As the creature lay in its death throws, Siabrey doesn’t know whether to hit Lucius and kiss him, her mind caught between relief and anger.</p><p></p><p>“Why do you always charge towards the front! They’re after you! Be more careful!” She opted for the kissing route, coupled with lecturing.</p><p></p><p>“I am a noble,” he said rather simply, somewhat muffled by her kisses, “I shall fight.” She broke off her affections... anger route.</p><p></p><p>“Use your brain, Lucius! Heal yourself,” she pointed towards the wounds, and Lucius began to pull out the white healing staff he’d used so much over the past several days.</p><p></p><p><em>I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you... for my sake, Lucius, please don’t be reckless,</em> Siabrey’s mind cried, all of its emotion fed into her eyes.</p><p></p><p>Lucius looked at her for a moment, and caught what she was thinking. His head sunk a little lower, and he gave the briefest of nods... a sign of surrender. He then pointed the staff towards one of his own wounds, and said the command words...</p><p></p><p>Nothing happened.</p><p></p><p>He tried again, and again, nothing happened. Grumki came over and began healing the boy as Tess, in a mix of anger and worry at what she felt were <em>her</em> charges now, called for them to hurry.</p><p></p><p>It was midday the next day when the group galloped towards Irulas... called the Jewel of the Mountains, and one of the largest cities within the Empire. Nearly 130,000 souls lived within its whitewashed walls, from the ancient dwarven city carved into the mountainside to the new human villas and houses sprawled across the plain towards the Inerman River itself.</p><p></p><p>The city guards initially wouldn’t let the group in, until Lucius produced papers as to who he was. Very hurriedly, the gates were opened, and the party trundled inside, a weary Shaun commenting, “Its nice to have nobles as friends.”</p><p></p><p>The party then split... Tess went galloping towards the Wine Glass in, while the rest of the party set about trying to find the Imperial governor’s residence... it was obvious it was among the larger buildings in town... but <em>which</em> large building was beyond them.</p><p></p><p>It takes only a few minutes for Tess to find the Wine Glass Inn, where she found downstairs two people she recognized from her brother’s group, sitting morosely in a corner. They see her, but there are no smiles.</p><p></p><p>“My brother, where is he? Is he hurt? Did he fall? How did you beat us here?” he voice blurted out four questions in the space of a second. One of the men wearily rises, and reaches out to her.</p><p></p><p>“Quin was poisoned during teh fight... we managed to get him away. We killed three horses riding here so fast, but we managed to get him to the Temple of Pelor... he’s there now, healing up. I’m sorry he’s not here to greet you ma’am.”</p><p></p><p>“Him and us two were the only ones left, ma’am,” the other one volunteered.</p><p></p><p>Tess, worried but relieved, nodded. “I deeply thank you... and as I know how mercenaries think, payment for your services will be prompt,” she began, not knowing whether Lucius really had the funds or not... it was 15,000 gold for the group originally.</p><p></p><p>“No matter... I’m giving my extra shares to the dead man’s families,” the other one, whom she remembered was called Hladir, said. “I know I don’t plan on staying here... they say the Governor is acting strange.”</p><p></p><p>“Strange?” Alarm bells went off in Tess’ head. “How so, and for how long?”</p><p></p><p>“Well, from the people I talked to since we got here, they say he doesn’t take messengers, and that he stays in his palace often. Some think he might be sick... he only goes to the rarest of public occassions. Its been this way for six months”</p><p></p><p>“Ah... I see,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady.</p><p></p><p><em>More evil afoot, likely from the Countess!</em> her mind screamed.</p><p></p><p>“I thank you both... for you care of my brother at the least. Should there be any way I can be of service to you, please, let me know.” Tess then bid a somewhat hurried adieu, and went outside. A blunt question of “where is the governor’s palace?” later, and she was on her way to meet the rest of the party.</p><p></p><p>After announcing Lucius’ credentials, and with some rather imposing looks of intimidation from the members of the party, the group bullies their way through the Governor’s Palace into his audience chambers, interrupting a meeting between him and several other important looking officials.</p><p></p><p>The man, rather annoyed, dismisses the other figures, and snarls at the group, “Who are you, to come barging into my chambers, unbidden and unwelcome?” Guards alongside the edge of the room, wearing the red and blue insignia of the Casalad Rangers unit of the Imperial Guard, snap to face the party, their hands on their weapons.</p><p></p><p>“I am Lucius Caladron, Count of Holstean, and these are my retainers,” Lucius annouces, his voice tinged with a slight bit of fury at being so coldly recieved. “We are here regarding the rebellion in the south... namely that we need Imperial troops as soon as possible...”</p><p></p><p>”You are more foolish than I thought, boy,” the old man laughed. “You need Imperial troops to put down an insignificant rebellion? All I heard from messengers from Kulloden was that it only numbered 5,000 at most! Your cousin the Baron can easily give you twice that number! Besides, we must keep our troops here to properly recieve the Princess Zoe, who arrives on the morrow! Now, I am a busy man, young lord, and I can meet with you in two days...”</p><p></p><p>Lucius was fairly near exploding at this point, as the annoyances of poor receptions int he past week rose to the surface. Tess, unable to keep her near-legendary cool, was the first to snap.</p><p></p><p>“Are you aware, sir, of what force is marching north... of what force was upon Kulloden, only five days ago?” The governor looks at her with a condescending frown, but she continued. “According to the Churches of Hieroneous and Tarantor, there might be nearly 100,000 marching north!”</p><p></p><p>The governor’s eyes went wide and then he blinked... with two sets of eyelids. Shaun alone caught this, but wanted to make sure he saw what he saw.</p><p></p><p>“They were right behind us when we left Kulloden! They could be here any day!” Siabrey added, her own fury rising.</p><p></p><p>“There can’t be that many... the Empire needs weeks to form and raise that many troops!” the Governor nervously laughed. “We shall keep our forces here in reserve, and prepare to properly recieve a <em>member of the Imperial family.</em>”</p><p></p><p>“If they come and sack the city, you’ll have nothing to recieve her with!” Tess snarled.</p><p></p><p>“But I must properly recieve a member of the royal...” his voice trailed off. Tess and Siabrey noticed this, and Siabrey, true to her blunt nature, growled, “Are you afraid of the princess?”</p><p></p><p>“No!” the governor answered too quickly, “Why should I be afraid of my cousin’s granddaughter!” Siabrey, Tess and Shaun all saw through his statements, and realized he was shaking in his boots about her, for some reason.</p><p></p><p>The governor’s eyes went a little wide again, and again, Shaun saw the eyes blink with two lids. Siabrey noticed it as well, and the two carefully kept the secret to themselves.</p><p></p><p>“If, perhaps, Your Excellency would sign the levy papers now, and begin the process as soon as possible <em>after</em> Her Majesty’s arrival, I would be greatly assisted,” Lucius proposed, his voice barely civil in tone. “I am sure that should the rebellious armies march to Irulas, and sack the city, Her Majesty would most likely <em>not</em> be pleased you chose to keep your troops here to properly conduct a review!” The governor was slightly taken aback, before his face went red and the argument resumed.</p><p></p><p>As Lucius and the Governor continued their verbal duel, Siabrey and Shaun get Tess’ attention quietly, and tell her what they saw.</p><p></p><p>“I know nothing that has that... ‘double blink,’ as you call it.... except perhaps a doppleganger,” Tess says in a quiet whisper.</p><p></p><p>“A dopple-what?” Siabrey hisses in a confused tone.</p><p></p><p>“A doppleganger. They are creatures that can take the shape of another and assume one’s place in society. I’ve heard stories of them, but I didn’t know they might have existed... let’s keep this quiet... among us.”</p><p></p><p>The governor’s face was filled with annoyance, and further shouts and rumbles echo in the room as the governor loudly protests while Lucius, Tess, Siabrey and even Shaun (mostly Siabrey and Tess) press their point, with numbers, mobilization times, and other pieces of relevant, dangerous information. Finally, the governor relents... more from annoyance and attempting to get the group out of his chambers than seeing their point. To the shock of Tess and Shaun, he rumbles however that per Imperial law, Lucius must command the troops going to put down the revolt. After the proper forms have been signed, Lucius et al bid a very curt adieu, and practically storm out of the chamber.</p><p></p><p>“Nobles are jackasses,” Siabrey blurts out as they crisscross the various reception hallways and corridors of the Palace. She suddenly remembers what her heart’s desire is, and quickly adds, “No offense, Lucius.”</p><p></p><p>“None taken,” he fumes, not at her, but at the governor and the Imperial bureaucracy. “Stupidity unfortunately comes in all ranks of people, though in the nobility it comes in unusually large amounts.”</p><p></p><p>As they break out of the governor’s residence, it is rapidly approaching dusk, and Lucius volunteers the group should find a place to spend the night. </p><p></p><p><em>Not in another inn... that plan failed miserably</em> Tess thought, now sliding more and more into the role of bodyguard her family instinct had instilled in her.</p><p></p><p>“We should go to a Temple,” she said firmly. </p><p></p><p>Remembering what Tess had told them just before they entered the palace, Shaun jumps in, “perhaps the Temple of Pelor?” </p><p></p><p>Tess’ eyes light up a bit, and its agreed upon, Siabrey remarking quietly, “We can also look up information on dopple-whatnots there.”</p><p></p><p>After arriving at the temple, the party is greeted by two acolytes. Tess asks one about an injured rider that arrived some days ago, and he leads her to the Healer’s Wing of the temple, where her brother lay resting. The others ask the acolyte if the Temple has any information on monsters called dopplegangers, and the acolyte, noting especially Lucius’ armor, quickly leads them back to the Temple library.</p><p></p><p>Tess, meanwhile, arrives outside a small door in the immaculate marble and redstone hallway.</p><p></p><p>“If you like, madam, I can accompany you in to see your...”</p><p></p><p>“Brother... he’s my brother.”</p><p></p><p>“Ah,” the priest said, “if you wish privacy, I shall remain out here. Knock when you wish to be let out.” Tess nodded, and the priest opened the door for her.</p><p></p><p>Quin was laying on a bed inside the beautifully decorated room. He had bandages covering most of his upper body, and his armor lay on the floor beside his bed. She noted with great alarm the two large holes that had punctured the front of his breastplate, and the fact that one of his shoulder guards had be sliced in half.</p><p></p><p>“Oh Quin!” she ran forward, giving him as much of a bearhug as his prone position would allow. HE gave her a grin, and said simply, “Keldares don’t die easily, dear, though,” he holds up his arm that corresponds to the shattered shoulder guard, “my new arm feels really odd.”</p><p></p><p>“You lost your arm?!” Tess gasped, and Quin nodded rather weakly. </p><p></p><p>“Yup... I managed to give the blond one two or three good stabs with my sword before her friends stabbed me and she lopped my arm off. Hladir and Bernulouas were scared... I don’t blame them, and they ran, grabbing my horse as they went. First time in my life that I’m happy I experienced cowardice.”</p><p></p><p>The two talked for several hours, Quin confirming that of the original 14, only three came back. His boys had managed to injure Ilia, however, and had taken down two of the black riders, and injure three more before they were trampled underfoot.</p><p></p><p>As one of the acolytes goes searching for the relevant volume in the temple library, another notices Xanadu peeking out of Siabrey’s backpack. Rather curious, he walks slowly up to the cat... who still has the idol with his intelligence right beside him.</p><p></p><p>“Ah... yes, the Pelor Library in Irulas... I’ve wanted to come here so much,” Xanadu said absent mindedly. The priest jumped backwards, as others looked up from their work.</p><p></p><p>“The cat talks?” the priest asked, “how did this magic come about?”</p><p></p><p>“Um... we don’t know,” Siabrey admitted, as the cat leapt out of her backpack and onto the floor. One of the female acolytes disappeared for a second, and reappeared with some cooked meat as Siabrey continued, “he is bound into the form of a cat, while his intelligence and personality are bound into this idol.” Siabrey pulls out the idol, and the priest winces.</p><p></p><p>”That thing gives off rays of evil... was it from a demon?” Shaun and Siabrey relate the story of how the idols were found, and the priests eyes widen as he gingerly picks it up.</p><p></p><p>“Such a thing must be destroyed,” the priest announces after a few moments, and dashes the idol to the ground, and it shatters into three pieces.</p><p></p><p>A bright light flashes around Xanadu, and Shaun and Siabrey narrowly dodge one f the bright rays flashing out from the cat. It seems to grow immensely, enlongating 20 feet in front and behind, before contracting into a lump, which reveals itself to be a naked half-elf, curled up on the temple floor in the fetal position.</p><p></p><p>Without bidding Lucius drapes his cloak over the restored Xanadu, as both Shaun and Siabrey reflect, <em>Why didn’t I think of that?</em> </p><p></p><p>“Thank you, kind priest,” the now half-elf Xanadu say, brushing aside tousles of black hair now showing signs of grey. His face has a few rather stately age lines, but he is neither handsome nor ugly. “And now... onto finding out about this doppleganger, I believe is what you said?”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Emperor Valerian, post: 1335804, member: 15043"] The party rode without rest for the next day and night, Tess, Elenya, and Lucius healing people’s horses when the wear and tear started becoming too much for the animals. About a day outside of Irulas, the party noted up ahead (as they were charging forward at full gallop) one of the black riders, looking rather stunned as they came over a ridge, looking right at them. His armor was midnight black full-plate, as was his very skin. His eyes, however, were blood red, and he drew a deep crimson longsword from its scabbard as the party approached. Tess, eager for vengeance, lashes out with bow as she charges by, as does Siabrey, Shaun and others. Most of the arrows merely clatter off of his armor, and he snarls as the group rides by, swinging at Lucius and missing. ”Ride on!” Tess calls, only to hear Pellaron and Lucius rein up their horses. She spins around, seeing both of them charging the creature again, Lucius calling that they must down it or it will report back which road the group has taken. [i]Like they haven’t figured that out already,[/i] Tess grumbled as she turned her horse around, Siabrey galloping past her already, Grumki following Lucius and Pellaron both land good blows on the creature before it turns to Lucius, and swings so hard with its sword that it knocks him off of his horse, and sends his bleeding form sprawling to the ground. Siabrey snarls, and with a roar befitting a dragon, charges in and smashes the creature hard enough that [i]it[/i] nearly falls off its horse. Grumki lets out a frightening noise, something between a snarl, a growl and a shout, and his warhammer crashes into the creature’s armor, finally knocking the creature off of its mount. Grumki, furious that his little friend was injured, then begins moving in for the kill. Shaun launches as an arrow, as Tess’ voice calls through the air again, in the same crescendo of C and C-minor, and the creature shook violently before its armor and various implements, shaking harmonically from the shound, began cutting it to pieces. As the creature lay in its death throws, Siabrey doesn’t know whether to hit Lucius and kiss him, her mind caught between relief and anger. “Why do you always charge towards the front! They’re after you! Be more careful!” She opted for the kissing route, coupled with lecturing. “I am a noble,” he said rather simply, somewhat muffled by her kisses, “I shall fight.” She broke off her affections... anger route. “Use your brain, Lucius! Heal yourself,” she pointed towards the wounds, and Lucius began to pull out the white healing staff he’d used so much over the past several days. [i]I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you... for my sake, Lucius, please don’t be reckless,[/i] Siabrey’s mind cried, all of its emotion fed into her eyes. Lucius looked at her for a moment, and caught what she was thinking. His head sunk a little lower, and he gave the briefest of nods... a sign of surrender. He then pointed the staff towards one of his own wounds, and said the command words... Nothing happened. He tried again, and again, nothing happened. Grumki came over and began healing the boy as Tess, in a mix of anger and worry at what she felt were [i]her[/i] charges now, called for them to hurry. It was midday the next day when the group galloped towards Irulas... called the Jewel of the Mountains, and one of the largest cities within the Empire. Nearly 130,000 souls lived within its whitewashed walls, from the ancient dwarven city carved into the mountainside to the new human villas and houses sprawled across the plain towards the Inerman River itself. The city guards initially wouldn’t let the group in, until Lucius produced papers as to who he was. Very hurriedly, the gates were opened, and the party trundled inside, a weary Shaun commenting, “Its nice to have nobles as friends.” The party then split... Tess went galloping towards the Wine Glass in, while the rest of the party set about trying to find the Imperial governor’s residence... it was obvious it was among the larger buildings in town... but [i]which[/i] large building was beyond them. It takes only a few minutes for Tess to find the Wine Glass Inn, where she found downstairs two people she recognized from her brother’s group, sitting morosely in a corner. They see her, but there are no smiles. “My brother, where is he? Is he hurt? Did he fall? How did you beat us here?” he voice blurted out four questions in the space of a second. One of the men wearily rises, and reaches out to her. “Quin was poisoned during teh fight... we managed to get him away. We killed three horses riding here so fast, but we managed to get him to the Temple of Pelor... he’s there now, healing up. I’m sorry he’s not here to greet you ma’am.” “Him and us two were the only ones left, ma’am,” the other one volunteered. Tess, worried but relieved, nodded. “I deeply thank you... and as I know how mercenaries think, payment for your services will be prompt,” she began, not knowing whether Lucius really had the funds or not... it was 15,000 gold for the group originally. “No matter... I’m giving my extra shares to the dead man’s families,” the other one, whom she remembered was called Hladir, said. “I know I don’t plan on staying here... they say the Governor is acting strange.” “Strange?” Alarm bells went off in Tess’ head. “How so, and for how long?” “Well, from the people I talked to since we got here, they say he doesn’t take messengers, and that he stays in his palace often. Some think he might be sick... he only goes to the rarest of public occassions. Its been this way for six months” “Ah... I see,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady. [i]More evil afoot, likely from the Countess![/i] her mind screamed. “I thank you both... for you care of my brother at the least. Should there be any way I can be of service to you, please, let me know.” Tess then bid a somewhat hurried adieu, and went outside. A blunt question of “where is the governor’s palace?” later, and she was on her way to meet the rest of the party. After announcing Lucius’ credentials, and with some rather imposing looks of intimidation from the members of the party, the group bullies their way through the Governor’s Palace into his audience chambers, interrupting a meeting between him and several other important looking officials. The man, rather annoyed, dismisses the other figures, and snarls at the group, “Who are you, to come barging into my chambers, unbidden and unwelcome?” Guards alongside the edge of the room, wearing the red and blue insignia of the Casalad Rangers unit of the Imperial Guard, snap to face the party, their hands on their weapons. “I am Lucius Caladron, Count of Holstean, and these are my retainers,” Lucius annouces, his voice tinged with a slight bit of fury at being so coldly recieved. “We are here regarding the rebellion in the south... namely that we need Imperial troops as soon as possible...” ”You are more foolish than I thought, boy,” the old man laughed. “You need Imperial troops to put down an insignificant rebellion? All I heard from messengers from Kulloden was that it only numbered 5,000 at most! Your cousin the Baron can easily give you twice that number! Besides, we must keep our troops here to properly recieve the Princess Zoe, who arrives on the morrow! Now, I am a busy man, young lord, and I can meet with you in two days...” Lucius was fairly near exploding at this point, as the annoyances of poor receptions int he past week rose to the surface. Tess, unable to keep her near-legendary cool, was the first to snap. “Are you aware, sir, of what force is marching north... of what force was upon Kulloden, only five days ago?” The governor looks at her with a condescending frown, but she continued. “According to the Churches of Hieroneous and Tarantor, there might be nearly 100,000 marching north!” The governor’s eyes went wide and then he blinked... with two sets of eyelids. Shaun alone caught this, but wanted to make sure he saw what he saw. “They were right behind us when we left Kulloden! They could be here any day!” Siabrey added, her own fury rising. “There can’t be that many... the Empire needs weeks to form and raise that many troops!” the Governor nervously laughed. “We shall keep our forces here in reserve, and prepare to properly recieve a [i]member of the Imperial family.[/i]” “If they come and sack the city, you’ll have nothing to recieve her with!” Tess snarled. “But I must properly recieve a member of the royal...” his voice trailed off. Tess and Siabrey noticed this, and Siabrey, true to her blunt nature, growled, “Are you afraid of the princess?” “No!” the governor answered too quickly, “Why should I be afraid of my cousin’s granddaughter!” Siabrey, Tess and Shaun all saw through his statements, and realized he was shaking in his boots about her, for some reason. The governor’s eyes went a little wide again, and again, Shaun saw the eyes blink with two lids. Siabrey noticed it as well, and the two carefully kept the secret to themselves. “If, perhaps, Your Excellency would sign the levy papers now, and begin the process as soon as possible [i]after[/i] Her Majesty’s arrival, I would be greatly assisted,” Lucius proposed, his voice barely civil in tone. “I am sure that should the rebellious armies march to Irulas, and sack the city, Her Majesty would most likely [i]not[/i] be pleased you chose to keep your troops here to properly conduct a review!” The governor was slightly taken aback, before his face went red and the argument resumed. As Lucius and the Governor continued their verbal duel, Siabrey and Shaun get Tess’ attention quietly, and tell her what they saw. “I know nothing that has that... ‘double blink,’ as you call it.... except perhaps a doppleganger,” Tess says in a quiet whisper. “A dopple-what?” Siabrey hisses in a confused tone. “A doppleganger. They are creatures that can take the shape of another and assume one’s place in society. I’ve heard stories of them, but I didn’t know they might have existed... let’s keep this quiet... among us.” The governor’s face was filled with annoyance, and further shouts and rumbles echo in the room as the governor loudly protests while Lucius, Tess, Siabrey and even Shaun (mostly Siabrey and Tess) press their point, with numbers, mobilization times, and other pieces of relevant, dangerous information. Finally, the governor relents... more from annoyance and attempting to get the group out of his chambers than seeing their point. To the shock of Tess and Shaun, he rumbles however that per Imperial law, Lucius must command the troops going to put down the revolt. After the proper forms have been signed, Lucius et al bid a very curt adieu, and practically storm out of the chamber. “Nobles are jackasses,” Siabrey blurts out as they crisscross the various reception hallways and corridors of the Palace. She suddenly remembers what her heart’s desire is, and quickly adds, “No offense, Lucius.” “None taken,” he fumes, not at her, but at the governor and the Imperial bureaucracy. “Stupidity unfortunately comes in all ranks of people, though in the nobility it comes in unusually large amounts.” As they break out of the governor’s residence, it is rapidly approaching dusk, and Lucius volunteers the group should find a place to spend the night. [i]Not in another inn... that plan failed miserably[/i] Tess thought, now sliding more and more into the role of bodyguard her family instinct had instilled in her. “We should go to a Temple,” she said firmly. Remembering what Tess had told them just before they entered the palace, Shaun jumps in, “perhaps the Temple of Pelor?” Tess’ eyes light up a bit, and its agreed upon, Siabrey remarking quietly, “We can also look up information on dopple-whatnots there.” After arriving at the temple, the party is greeted by two acolytes. Tess asks one about an injured rider that arrived some days ago, and he leads her to the Healer’s Wing of the temple, where her brother lay resting. The others ask the acolyte if the Temple has any information on monsters called dopplegangers, and the acolyte, noting especially Lucius’ armor, quickly leads them back to the Temple library. Tess, meanwhile, arrives outside a small door in the immaculate marble and redstone hallway. “If you like, madam, I can accompany you in to see your...” “Brother... he’s my brother.” “Ah,” the priest said, “if you wish privacy, I shall remain out here. Knock when you wish to be let out.” Tess nodded, and the priest opened the door for her. Quin was laying on a bed inside the beautifully decorated room. He had bandages covering most of his upper body, and his armor lay on the floor beside his bed. She noted with great alarm the two large holes that had punctured the front of his breastplate, and the fact that one of his shoulder guards had be sliced in half. “Oh Quin!” she ran forward, giving him as much of a bearhug as his prone position would allow. HE gave her a grin, and said simply, “Keldares don’t die easily, dear, though,” he holds up his arm that corresponds to the shattered shoulder guard, “my new arm feels really odd.” “You lost your arm?!” Tess gasped, and Quin nodded rather weakly. “Yup... I managed to give the blond one two or three good stabs with my sword before her friends stabbed me and she lopped my arm off. Hladir and Bernulouas were scared... I don’t blame them, and they ran, grabbing my horse as they went. First time in my life that I’m happy I experienced cowardice.” The two talked for several hours, Quin confirming that of the original 14, only three came back. His boys had managed to injure Ilia, however, and had taken down two of the black riders, and injure three more before they were trampled underfoot. As one of the acolytes goes searching for the relevant volume in the temple library, another notices Xanadu peeking out of Siabrey’s backpack. Rather curious, he walks slowly up to the cat... who still has the idol with his intelligence right beside him. “Ah... yes, the Pelor Library in Irulas... I’ve wanted to come here so much,” Xanadu said absent mindedly. The priest jumped backwards, as others looked up from their work. “The cat talks?” the priest asked, “how did this magic come about?” “Um... we don’t know,” Siabrey admitted, as the cat leapt out of her backpack and onto the floor. One of the female acolytes disappeared for a second, and reappeared with some cooked meat as Siabrey continued, “he is bound into the form of a cat, while his intelligence and personality are bound into this idol.” Siabrey pulls out the idol, and the priest winces. ”That thing gives off rays of evil... was it from a demon?” Shaun and Siabrey relate the story of how the idols were found, and the priests eyes widen as he gingerly picks it up. “Such a thing must be destroyed,” the priest announces after a few moments, and dashes the idol to the ground, and it shatters into three pieces. A bright light flashes around Xanadu, and Shaun and Siabrey narrowly dodge one f the bright rays flashing out from the cat. It seems to grow immensely, enlongating 20 feet in front and behind, before contracting into a lump, which reveals itself to be a naked half-elf, curled up on the temple floor in the fetal position. Without bidding Lucius drapes his cloak over the restored Xanadu, as both Shaun and Siabrey reflect, [i]Why didn’t I think of that?[/i] “Thank you, kind priest,” the now half-elf Xanadu say, brushing aside tousles of black hair now showing signs of grey. His face has a few rather stately age lines, but he is neither handsome nor ugly. “And now... onto finding out about this doppleganger, I believe is what you said?” [/QUOTE]
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