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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3535084" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Brandt nodded with Semeion’s assertion. <span style="color: Lime">“And my guess is that in order to understand why we are going to have to interview Ophee.”</span></p><p></p><p>The acolyte who had been largely serving as the party’s nurse smiled at Brandt’s assertion and likewise replied. <span style="color: Lime">“Well, the good news is that she’s in no better shape than you all. She’s not likely to be very dangerous.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis affirmed the acolyte’s opinion. <span style="color: Orange">“And, if she doesn’t see herself as our enemy, we shouldn’t have too much to worry about. In the same light, though, we should be careful to make sure that we give her no reason to begin considering us as enemies. I think it might be wise if we interview her in a manner that lets her do most of the talking. That way, we’ll be less likely to mess something up with an errant word or two.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt concurred quickly. <span style="color: Lime">“Agreed. Besides, the more she talks the less we’ll have to worry about accidentally feeding her information through our questioning. The greater the ratio of her speech to ours will mean a greater accuracy of response. Since she knows what happened but lacks the memories of the event, she has been able to keep from seeing us as the enemy. The facts suggest to her that some force took over her body and she was no longer consciously in control.”</span></p><p></p><p>There was little else to be said until the party had gone with Brandt to meet with Ophee. Just to be on the safe side, the acolyte that had been serving as the party’s nurse went with them. It was the acolyte’s job to be strong enough to resist Ophee should she suddenly grow aggressive towards the party and Brandt once more.</p><p></p><p>The door to Ophee’s room opened into a brightly painted room. It was clear that her room had been designed with healing in mind. The walls had been dyed a pale yellow, and the effect of the dye was that of enhancing the sunlight as it poured in through the window.</p><p></p><p>Ophee grinned and stretched out her arms as she sat up in bed. She was covered from the waist down with a thin blanket. Her chest and arms were covered with a loose fitting white tunic. <span style="color: Lime">“Friends! Rhema and Charis, please come in. It is good to see you alive after what they have told me. And, Semeion and Ischarus too! They informed me during my healing process that there were grave injuries, injuries not unlike the injuries I was healing from. Although, they told me that while my injuries came from the peril of frostbite and extreme coldness, your injuries came from burning.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis blushed at the greeting. She had prepared herself to display a steely resolve, but Ophee’s warmth melted her resolve. She walked over to Ophee and embraced her before sitting on the bed beside Ophee. <span style="color: Orange">“Ischarus and I were not in as grave of danger as Semeion and Rhema, Ophee. Our wounds have been largely healed for days. But we didn’t want to come and bother you until we were sure that you were ready to see us and that we four could come and visit you together. Actually, Semeion and Rhema just came off of a mandatory bed rest.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee looked to Rhema and Semeion with eyes that reflected sorrow. <span style="color: Lime">“I’m sorry.”</span> She looked like there was more that she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring the words to her lips.</p><p></p><p>Brandt waited for a few seconds of an awkward pause to linger among the seven occupants of the room. Once he had endured the pause long enough, he changed the subject. <span style="color: Lime">“Ophee, we need a bit of help from you. If you could, tell us what you remember about your training back in Eberdeen. We are trying to make sense of what has happened since you all returned from Quehalost. In order to do that, we may need for you to fill in some of the pieces. Since you were alone in Eberdeen for several days, only you can fill in exactly what happened.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee nodded, and she paused for a brief moment to collect her thoughts. <span style="color: Lime">“Well, I suppose one could say that it all began over tea. My master likes to drink tea, and every training session that he starts with me or any of his other informants always begins with tea.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion, Brandt, and Rhema all exchanged knowing looks as Ophee continued. <span style="color: Lime">“Over the next several days he began telling me much about what I told you when I first came back to you at the villa. I was sent to find a woman who betrayed her own people and brought them out of Quehalost.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee’s speech slowed dramatically as the final words came out of her mouth. Her eyes fixed on Charis, who was sitting right beside her. Ophee’s eyes shifted from Charis’ hair to the almost unnoticeable flecks of red contained within the natural coloration of her irises. </p><p></p><p>It was clear that this was not like the other episode in the barn. In the barn, Ophee had lost control unwillingly. Here, Ophee’s concentration had slowed her speech while her mind caught up with the words that she spoke. Her eyes told her what she needed to know. There couldn’t be any more doubt.</p><p></p><p>Charis smiled uneasily as Ophee stopped relaying her story and began to focus in on her. <span style="color: Orange">“What’s wrong, Ophee?</span> </p><p></p><p>Ophee breathed in deeply and slowly shook her head. Her eyelids narrowed as she peered straight into Charis’ face. <span style="color: Lime">“You. It was you all along. My master sent me to find you and told me that I would be able to see the signs if I knew what to look for. You are the duplicitous woman! Tell me, Charis, where are your people? You are clearly from the clan of an evil dragon. I can see your Drakontai heritage now that I know what to look for. So where can I find your people? Didn’t you lead them away and isn’t it true that you didn’t go with them?”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis’ mind raced back to the conversation they had over a week ago at the villa. <span style="color: Orange">“Me? But, you said you were looking for a slaver! I fight against those who enslave others. That’s why I helped bring my people out of Quehalost! My dragon father was enslaving them. I helped free them from their suffering!”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee paused and thought for another moment. <span style="color: Lime">“You simply traded masters over your people. You gave them to a new master in return for your own freedom! Do you deny that your people are no longer visible in the world? I was told that the slaver woman sent her people into an area of diminished visibility. So, if what you say is true, then tell me where I can find your people!”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled. She saw what was happening here. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“So you think that Charis is the woman that you were sent after? Actually, I think you might be right, Ophee.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee was shocked to her Rhema agree with her. For that matter, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion were each shocked at Rhema’s assertion. Semeion began to defend his wife. <span style="color: Plum">“Now, just wait a minute, Rhema.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema took advantage of the look on Ophee’s face. She had made an ally and wouldn’t let Semeion ruin her progress. Rhema spun around on her left heel and raised an accusatory finger toward Semeion. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“No, Semeion. You wait. Don’t get all defensive on me. Get off of your emotional high horse of rising to defend your wife and actually use that logical brain of yours.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion’s mouth hung agape as Rhema turned back to Ophee. Her expression melted into one of compassion as she turned. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“It makes sense to me, Ophee. Didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity was almost a slave herself? Well, Charis did come out of Quehalost like her people. And didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity would betray her own people to get them out of Quehalost? Well, Charis did that, too.”</span></p><p></p><p>The look on Charis’ face was priceless. Charis couldn’t decide whether to be hurt or angry with each of Rhema’s words. Rhema glanced in Charis’ direction long enough to silence her. This needed to be Rhema’s moment. She was the one skilled at manipulating situations. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“I think each of the things your master told you was meant to lead you to Charis. It makes sense, Ophee. Your master wanted your subconscious to be drawn in antagonism to Charis. That way, your mind would believe the lies much easier than without the antagonism.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee suddenly looked confused. <span style="color: Lime">“You’re suggesting that I’ve been played by my master?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion now understood Rhema’s approach and was grateful that she had cut him off. <span style="color: Plum">“The tea, Ophee. My bet is that the tea had a suggestive drug inside. You remember that root we had to bring your master? It turns out that a secretion from the root makes the mind pliable.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Exactly, Ophee. Think about it. We had earned your trust and loyalty. Your master knew that he couldn’t set you against us directly. He had to implant a suggestion and a believable story. Everything you said about Charis is grounded in the truth. But, everything you said about Charis has also had a poor spin upon it.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis smiled cautiously. <span style="color: Orange">“My people have switched their allegiances, Ophee. I can see how it would seem like they went from serving my original dragon father to that of Ausaphaborishan. But their service to Ausaphaborishan was desired, and it is certainly not slavery.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee turned to look at Charis and a single tear fell from her eye. It had been a rollercoaster of emotion so far. <span style="color: Lime">“And what I was told about the slave trade extending in Barghost?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt replied to this newest inquiry. <span style="color: Lime">“Ophee, remember how vehemently I objected to slavery existing in Barghost? Think and remember!”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee nodded as she paused to think. <span style="color: Lime">“It didn’t make sense to me either. But when the words came out of my master’s mouth, they seemed so plausible.”</span></p><p></p><p>A slow grin began on the left portion of Rhema’s lips. In the span of a few seconds the grin had spread across her face and encompassed both halves of her lips. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“That’s why they call it the Voodoo Lily, Ophee. You were brainwashed with it. You were told just enough truth to make the lies seem plausible.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion still didn’t have the answer he sought. He watched as the truth sunk into Ophee’s mind. She had resisted, but the fact that her master had used her and betrayed her loyalty through the use of the drug could not be denied. She had been the one enslaved. Semeion looked on with reserved compassion as Ophee buried her head into her hands and cried. <span style="color: Plum">“We still don’t know why.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee was quickly flanked by Rhema and Charis. They held her in a sturdy hug. No words were shared until Ophee stopped crying. She would need to sob and let the betrayal out.</p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Brandt nodded with Semeion’s assertion. “And my guess is that in order to understand why we are going to have to interview Ophee.”</p><p></p><p>The acolyte who had been largely serving as the party’s nurse smiled at Brandt’s assertion and likewise replied. “Well, the good news is that she’s in no better shape than you all. She’s not likely to be very dangerous.”</p><p></p><p>Charis affirmed the acolyte’s opinion. “And, if she doesn’t see herself as our enemy, we shouldn’t have too much to worry about. In the same light, though, we should be careful to make sure that we give her no reason to begin considering us as enemies. I think it might be wise if we interview her in a manner that lets her do most of the talking. That way, we’ll be less likely to mess something up with an errant word or two.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt concurred quickly. “Agreed. Besides, the more she talks the less we’ll have to worry about accidentally feeding her information through our questioning. The greater the ratio of her speech to ours will mean a greater accuracy of response. Since she knows what happened but lacks the memories of the event, she has been able to keep from seeing us as the enemy. The facts suggest to her that some force took over her body and she was no longer consciously in control.”</p><p></p><p>There was little else to be said until the party had gone with Brandt to meet with Ophee. Just to be on the safe side, the acolyte that had been serving as the party’s nurse went with them. It was the acolyte’s job to be strong enough to resist Ophee should she suddenly grow aggressive towards the party and Brandt once more.</p><p></p><p>The door to Ophee’s room opened into a brightly painted room. It was clear that her room had been designed with healing in mind. The walls had been dyed a pale yellow, and the effect of the dye was that of enhancing the sunlight as it poured in through the window.</p><p></p><p>Ophee grinned and stretched out her arms as she sat up in bed. She was covered from the waist down with a thin blanket. Her chest and arms were covered with a loose fitting white tunic. “Friends! Rhema and Charis, please come in. It is good to see you alive after what they have told me. And, Semeion and Ischarus too! They informed me during my healing process that there were grave injuries, injuries not unlike the injuries I was healing from. Although, they told me that while my injuries came from the peril of frostbite and extreme coldness, your injuries came from burning.”</p><p></p><p>Charis blushed at the greeting. She had prepared herself to display a steely resolve, but Ophee’s warmth melted her resolve. She walked over to Ophee and embraced her before sitting on the bed beside Ophee. “Ischarus and I were not in as grave of danger as Semeion and Rhema, Ophee. Our wounds have been largely healed for days. But we didn’t want to come and bother you until we were sure that you were ready to see us and that we four could come and visit you together. Actually, Semeion and Rhema just came off of a mandatory bed rest.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee looked to Rhema and Semeion with eyes that reflected sorrow. “I’m sorry.” She looked like there was more that she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring the words to her lips.</p><p></p><p>Brandt waited for a few seconds of an awkward pause to linger among the seven occupants of the room. Once he had endured the pause long enough, he changed the subject. “Ophee, we need a bit of help from you. If you could, tell us what you remember about your training back in Eberdeen. We are trying to make sense of what has happened since you all returned from Quehalost. In order to do that, we may need for you to fill in some of the pieces. Since you were alone in Eberdeen for several days, only you can fill in exactly what happened.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee nodded, and she paused for a brief moment to collect her thoughts. “Well, I suppose one could say that it all began over tea. My master likes to drink tea, and every training session that he starts with me or any of his other informants always begins with tea.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion, Brandt, and Rhema all exchanged knowing looks as Ophee continued. “Over the next several days he began telling me much about what I told you when I first came back to you at the villa. I was sent to find a woman who betrayed her own people and brought them out of Quehalost.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee’s speech slowed dramatically as the final words came out of her mouth. Her eyes fixed on Charis, who was sitting right beside her. Ophee’s eyes shifted from Charis’ hair to the almost unnoticeable flecks of red contained within the natural coloration of her irises. </p><p></p><p>It was clear that this was not like the other episode in the barn. In the barn, Ophee had lost control unwillingly. Here, Ophee’s concentration had slowed her speech while her mind caught up with the words that she spoke. Her eyes told her what she needed to know. There couldn’t be any more doubt.</p><p></p><p>Charis smiled uneasily as Ophee stopped relaying her story and began to focus in on her. “What’s wrong, Ophee? </p><p></p><p>Ophee breathed in deeply and slowly shook her head. Her eyelids narrowed as she peered straight into Charis’ face. “You. It was you all along. My master sent me to find you and told me that I would be able to see the signs if I knew what to look for. You are the duplicitous woman! Tell me, Charis, where are your people? You are clearly from the clan of an evil dragon. I can see your Drakontai heritage now that I know what to look for. So where can I find your people? Didn’t you lead them away and isn’t it true that you didn’t go with them?”</p><p></p><p>Charis’ mind raced back to the conversation they had over a week ago at the villa. “Me? But, you said you were looking for a slaver! I fight against those who enslave others. That’s why I helped bring my people out of Quehalost! My dragon father was enslaving them. I helped free them from their suffering!”</p><p></p><p>Ophee paused and thought for another moment. “You simply traded masters over your people. You gave them to a new master in return for your own freedom! Do you deny that your people are no longer visible in the world? I was told that the slaver woman sent her people into an area of diminished visibility. So, if what you say is true, then tell me where I can find your people!”</p><p></p><p>Rhema smiled. She saw what was happening here. “So you think that Charis is the woman that you were sent after? Actually, I think you might be right, Ophee.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee was shocked to her Rhema agree with her. For that matter, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion were each shocked at Rhema’s assertion. Semeion began to defend his wife. “Now, just wait a minute, Rhema.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema took advantage of the look on Ophee’s face. She had made an ally and wouldn’t let Semeion ruin her progress. Rhema spun around on her left heel and raised an accusatory finger toward Semeion. “No, Semeion. You wait. Don’t get all defensive on me. Get off of your emotional high horse of rising to defend your wife and actually use that logical brain of yours.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion’s mouth hung agape as Rhema turned back to Ophee. Her expression melted into one of compassion as she turned. “It makes sense to me, Ophee. Didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity was almost a slave herself? Well, Charis did come out of Quehalost like her people. And didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity would betray her own people to get them out of Quehalost? Well, Charis did that, too.”</p><p></p><p>The look on Charis’ face was priceless. Charis couldn’t decide whether to be hurt or angry with each of Rhema’s words. Rhema glanced in Charis’ direction long enough to silence her. This needed to be Rhema’s moment. She was the one skilled at manipulating situations. “I think each of the things your master told you was meant to lead you to Charis. It makes sense, Ophee. Your master wanted your subconscious to be drawn in antagonism to Charis. That way, your mind would believe the lies much easier than without the antagonism.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee suddenly looked confused. “You’re suggesting that I’ve been played by my master?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion now understood Rhema’s approach and was grateful that she had cut him off. “The tea, Ophee. My bet is that the tea had a suggestive drug inside. You remember that root we had to bring your master? It turns out that a secretion from the root makes the mind pliable.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded. “Exactly, Ophee. Think about it. We had earned your trust and loyalty. Your master knew that he couldn’t set you against us directly. He had to implant a suggestion and a believable story. Everything you said about Charis is grounded in the truth. But, everything you said about Charis has also had a poor spin upon it.”</p><p></p><p>Charis smiled cautiously. “My people have switched their allegiances, Ophee. I can see how it would seem like they went from serving my original dragon father to that of Ausaphaborishan. But their service to Ausaphaborishan was desired, and it is certainly not slavery.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee turned to look at Charis and a single tear fell from her eye. It had been a rollercoaster of emotion so far. “And what I was told about the slave trade extending in Barghost?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt replied to this newest inquiry. “Ophee, remember how vehemently I objected to slavery existing in Barghost? Think and remember!”</p><p></p><p>Ophee nodded as she paused to think. “It didn’t make sense to me either. But when the words came out of my master’s mouth, they seemed so plausible.”</p><p></p><p>A slow grin began on the left portion of Rhema’s lips. In the span of a few seconds the grin had spread across her face and encompassed both halves of her lips. “That’s why they call it the Voodoo Lily, Ophee. You were brainwashed with it. You were told just enough truth to make the lies seem plausible.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion still didn’t have the answer he sought. He watched as the truth sunk into Ophee’s mind. She had resisted, but the fact that her master had used her and betrayed her loyalty through the use of the drug could not be denied. She had been the one enslaved. Semeion looked on with reserved compassion as Ophee buried her head into her hands and cried. “We still don’t know why.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee was quickly flanked by Rhema and Charis. They held her in a sturdy hug. No words were shared until Ophee stopped crying. She would need to sob and let the betrayal out.</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3535084, member: 35788"] Brandt nodded with Semeion’s assertion. [Color=Lime]“And my guess is that in order to understand why we are going to have to interview Ophee.”[/Color] The acolyte who had been largely serving as the party’s nurse smiled at Brandt’s assertion and likewise replied. [Color=Lime]“Well, the good news is that she’s in no better shape than you all. She’s not likely to be very dangerous.”[/Color] Charis affirmed the acolyte’s opinion. [Color=Orange]“And, if she doesn’t see herself as our enemy, we shouldn’t have too much to worry about. In the same light, though, we should be careful to make sure that we give her no reason to begin considering us as enemies. I think it might be wise if we interview her in a manner that lets her do most of the talking. That way, we’ll be less likely to mess something up with an errant word or two.”[/Color] Brandt concurred quickly. [Color=Lime]“Agreed. Besides, the more she talks the less we’ll have to worry about accidentally feeding her information through our questioning. The greater the ratio of her speech to ours will mean a greater accuracy of response. Since she knows what happened but lacks the memories of the event, she has been able to keep from seeing us as the enemy. The facts suggest to her that some force took over her body and she was no longer consciously in control.”[/Color] There was little else to be said until the party had gone with Brandt to meet with Ophee. Just to be on the safe side, the acolyte that had been serving as the party’s nurse went with them. It was the acolyte’s job to be strong enough to resist Ophee should she suddenly grow aggressive towards the party and Brandt once more. The door to Ophee’s room opened into a brightly painted room. It was clear that her room had been designed with healing in mind. The walls had been dyed a pale yellow, and the effect of the dye was that of enhancing the sunlight as it poured in through the window. Ophee grinned and stretched out her arms as she sat up in bed. She was covered from the waist down with a thin blanket. Her chest and arms were covered with a loose fitting white tunic. [Color=Lime]“Friends! Rhema and Charis, please come in. It is good to see you alive after what they have told me. And, Semeion and Ischarus too! They informed me during my healing process that there were grave injuries, injuries not unlike the injuries I was healing from. Although, they told me that while my injuries came from the peril of frostbite and extreme coldness, your injuries came from burning.”[/Color] Charis blushed at the greeting. She had prepared herself to display a steely resolve, but Ophee’s warmth melted her resolve. She walked over to Ophee and embraced her before sitting on the bed beside Ophee. [Color=Orange]“Ischarus and I were not in as grave of danger as Semeion and Rhema, Ophee. Our wounds have been largely healed for days. But we didn’t want to come and bother you until we were sure that you were ready to see us and that we four could come and visit you together. Actually, Semeion and Rhema just came off of a mandatory bed rest.”[/Color] Ophee looked to Rhema and Semeion with eyes that reflected sorrow. [Color=Lime]“I’m sorry.”[/Color] She looked like there was more that she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring the words to her lips. Brandt waited for a few seconds of an awkward pause to linger among the seven occupants of the room. Once he had endured the pause long enough, he changed the subject. [Color=Lime]“Ophee, we need a bit of help from you. If you could, tell us what you remember about your training back in Eberdeen. We are trying to make sense of what has happened since you all returned from Quehalost. In order to do that, we may need for you to fill in some of the pieces. Since you were alone in Eberdeen for several days, only you can fill in exactly what happened.”[/Color] Ophee nodded, and she paused for a brief moment to collect her thoughts. [Color=Lime]“Well, I suppose one could say that it all began over tea. My master likes to drink tea, and every training session that he starts with me or any of his other informants always begins with tea.”[/Color] Semeion, Brandt, and Rhema all exchanged knowing looks as Ophee continued. [Color=Lime]“Over the next several days he began telling me much about what I told you when I first came back to you at the villa. I was sent to find a woman who betrayed her own people and brought them out of Quehalost.”[/Color] Ophee’s speech slowed dramatically as the final words came out of her mouth. Her eyes fixed on Charis, who was sitting right beside her. Ophee’s eyes shifted from Charis’ hair to the almost unnoticeable flecks of red contained within the natural coloration of her irises. It was clear that this was not like the other episode in the barn. In the barn, Ophee had lost control unwillingly. Here, Ophee’s concentration had slowed her speech while her mind caught up with the words that she spoke. Her eyes told her what she needed to know. There couldn’t be any more doubt. Charis smiled uneasily as Ophee stopped relaying her story and began to focus in on her. [Color=Orange]“What’s wrong, Ophee?[/Color] Ophee breathed in deeply and slowly shook her head. Her eyelids narrowed as she peered straight into Charis’ face. [Color=Lime]“You. It was you all along. My master sent me to find you and told me that I would be able to see the signs if I knew what to look for. You are the duplicitous woman! Tell me, Charis, where are your people? You are clearly from the clan of an evil dragon. I can see your Drakontai heritage now that I know what to look for. So where can I find your people? Didn’t you lead them away and isn’t it true that you didn’t go with them?”[/Color] Charis’ mind raced back to the conversation they had over a week ago at the villa. [Color=Orange]“Me? But, you said you were looking for a slaver! I fight against those who enslave others. That’s why I helped bring my people out of Quehalost! My dragon father was enslaving them. I helped free them from their suffering!”[/Color] Ophee paused and thought for another moment. [Color=Lime]“You simply traded masters over your people. You gave them to a new master in return for your own freedom! Do you deny that your people are no longer visible in the world? I was told that the slaver woman sent her people into an area of diminished visibility. So, if what you say is true, then tell me where I can find your people!”[/Color] Rhema smiled. She saw what was happening here. [Color=PaleGreen]“So you think that Charis is the woman that you were sent after? Actually, I think you might be right, Ophee.”[/Color] Ophee was shocked to her Rhema agree with her. For that matter, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion were each shocked at Rhema’s assertion. Semeion began to defend his wife. [Color=Plum]“Now, just wait a minute, Rhema.”[/Color] Rhema took advantage of the look on Ophee’s face. She had made an ally and wouldn’t let Semeion ruin her progress. Rhema spun around on her left heel and raised an accusatory finger toward Semeion. [Color=PaleGreen]“No, Semeion. You wait. Don’t get all defensive on me. Get off of your emotional high horse of rising to defend your wife and actually use that logical brain of yours.”[/Color] Semeion’s mouth hung agape as Rhema turned back to Ophee. Her expression melted into one of compassion as she turned. [Color=PaleGreen]“It makes sense to me, Ophee. Didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity was almost a slave herself? Well, Charis did come out of Quehalost like her people. And didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity would betray her own people to get them out of Quehalost? Well, Charis did that, too.”[/Color] The look on Charis’ face was priceless. Charis couldn’t decide whether to be hurt or angry with each of Rhema’s words. Rhema glanced in Charis’ direction long enough to silence her. This needed to be Rhema’s moment. She was the one skilled at manipulating situations. [Color=PaleGreen]“I think each of the things your master told you was meant to lead you to Charis. It makes sense, Ophee. Your master wanted your subconscious to be drawn in antagonism to Charis. That way, your mind would believe the lies much easier than without the antagonism.”[/Color] Ophee suddenly looked confused. [Color=Lime]“You’re suggesting that I’ve been played by my master?”[/Color] Semeion now understood Rhema’s approach and was grateful that she had cut him off. [Color=Plum]“The tea, Ophee. My bet is that the tea had a suggestive drug inside. You remember that root we had to bring your master? It turns out that a secretion from the root makes the mind pliable.”[/Color] Rhema nodded. [Color=PaleGreen]“Exactly, Ophee. Think about it. We had earned your trust and loyalty. Your master knew that he couldn’t set you against us directly. He had to implant a suggestion and a believable story. Everything you said about Charis is grounded in the truth. But, everything you said about Charis has also had a poor spin upon it.”[/Color] Charis smiled cautiously. [Color=Orange]“My people have switched their allegiances, Ophee. I can see how it would seem like they went from serving my original dragon father to that of Ausaphaborishan. But their service to Ausaphaborishan was desired, and it is certainly not slavery.”[/Color] Ophee turned to look at Charis and a single tear fell from her eye. It had been a rollercoaster of emotion so far. [Color=Lime]“And what I was told about the slave trade extending in Barghost?”[/Color] Brandt replied to this newest inquiry. [Color=Lime]“Ophee, remember how vehemently I objected to slavery existing in Barghost? Think and remember!”[/Color] Ophee nodded as she paused to think. [Color=Lime]“It didn’t make sense to me either. But when the words came out of my master’s mouth, they seemed so plausible.”[/Color] A slow grin began on the left portion of Rhema’s lips. In the span of a few seconds the grin had spread across her face and encompassed both halves of her lips. [Color=PaleGreen]“That’s why they call it the Voodoo Lily, Ophee. You were brainwashed with it. You were told just enough truth to make the lies seem plausible.”[/Color] Semeion still didn’t have the answer he sought. He watched as the truth sunk into Ophee’s mind. She had resisted, but the fact that her master had used her and betrayed her loyalty through the use of the drug could not be denied. She had been the one enslaved. Semeion looked on with reserved compassion as Ophee buried her head into her hands and cried. [Color=Plum]“We still don’t know why.”[/Color] Ophee was quickly flanked by Rhema and Charis. They held her in a sturdy hug. No words were shared until Ophee stopped crying. She would need to sob and let the betrayal out. [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Brandt nodded with Semeion’s assertion. “And my guess is that in order to understand why we are going to have to interview Ophee.” The acolyte who had been largely serving as the party’s nurse smiled at Brandt’s assertion and likewise replied. “Well, the good news is that she’s in no better shape than you all. She’s not likely to be very dangerous.” Charis affirmed the acolyte’s opinion. “And, if she doesn’t see herself as our enemy, we shouldn’t have too much to worry about. In the same light, though, we should be careful to make sure that we give her no reason to begin considering us as enemies. I think it might be wise if we interview her in a manner that lets her do most of the talking. That way, we’ll be less likely to mess something up with an errant word or two.” Brandt concurred quickly. “Agreed. Besides, the more she talks the less we’ll have to worry about accidentally feeding her information through our questioning. The greater the ratio of her speech to ours will mean a greater accuracy of response. Since she knows what happened but lacks the memories of the event, she has been able to keep from seeing us as the enemy. The facts suggest to her that some force took over her body and she was no longer consciously in control.” There was little else to be said until the party had gone with Brandt to meet with Ophee. Just to be on the safe side, the acolyte that had been serving as the party’s nurse went with them. It was the acolyte’s job to be strong enough to resist Ophee should she suddenly grow aggressive towards the party and Brandt once more. The door to Ophee’s room opened into a brightly painted room. It was clear that her room had been designed with healing in mind. The walls had been dyed a pale yellow, and the effect of the dye was that of enhancing the sunlight as it poured in through the window. Ophee grinned and stretched out her arms as she sat up in bed. She was covered from the waist down with a thin blanket. Her chest and arms were covered with a loose fitting white tunic. “Friends! Rhema and Charis, please come in. It is good to see you alive after what they have told me. And, Semeion and Ischarus too! They informed me during my healing process that there were grave injuries, injuries not unlike the injuries I was healing from. Although, they told me that while my injuries came from the peril of frostbite and extreme coldness, your injuries came from burning.” Charis blushed at the greeting. She had prepared herself to display a steely resolve, but Ophee’s warmth melted her resolve. She walked over to Ophee and embraced her before sitting on the bed beside Ophee. “Ischarus and I were not in as grave of danger as Semeion and Rhema, Ophee. Our wounds have been largely healed for days. But we didn’t want to come and bother you until we were sure that you were ready to see us and that we four could come and visit you together. Actually, Semeion and Rhema just came off of a mandatory bed rest.” Ophee looked to Rhema and Semeion with eyes that reflected sorrow. “I’m sorry.” She looked like there was more that she wanted to say, but she couldn’t bring the words to her lips. Brandt waited for a few seconds of an awkward pause to linger among the seven occupants of the room. Once he had endured the pause long enough, he changed the subject. “Ophee, we need a bit of help from you. If you could, tell us what you remember about your training back in Eberdeen. We are trying to make sense of what has happened since you all returned from Quehalost. In order to do that, we may need for you to fill in some of the pieces. Since you were alone in Eberdeen for several days, only you can fill in exactly what happened.” Ophee nodded, and she paused for a brief moment to collect her thoughts. “Well, I suppose one could say that it all began over tea. My master likes to drink tea, and every training session that he starts with me or any of his other informants always begins with tea.” Semeion, Brandt, and Rhema all exchanged knowing looks as Ophee continued. “Over the next several days he began telling me much about what I told you when I first came back to you at the villa. I was sent to find a woman who betrayed her own people and brought them out of Quehalost.” Ophee’s speech slowed dramatically as the final words came out of her mouth. Her eyes fixed on Charis, who was sitting right beside her. Ophee’s eyes shifted from Charis’ hair to the almost unnoticeable flecks of red contained within the natural coloration of her irises. It was clear that this was not like the other episode in the barn. In the barn, Ophee had lost control unwillingly. Here, Ophee’s concentration had slowed her speech while her mind caught up with the words that she spoke. Her eyes told her what she needed to know. There couldn’t be any more doubt. Charis smiled uneasily as Ophee stopped relaying her story and began to focus in on her. “What’s wrong, Ophee? Ophee breathed in deeply and slowly shook her head. Her eyelids narrowed as she peered straight into Charis’ face. “You. It was you all along. My master sent me to find you and told me that I would be able to see the signs if I knew what to look for. You are the duplicitous woman! Tell me, Charis, where are your people? You are clearly from the clan of an evil dragon. I can see your Drakontai heritage now that I know what to look for. So where can I find your people? Didn’t you lead them away and isn’t it true that you didn’t go with them?” Charis’ mind raced back to the conversation they had over a week ago at the villa. “Me? But, you said you were looking for a slaver! I fight against those who enslave others. That’s why I helped bring my people out of Quehalost! My dragon father was enslaving them. I helped free them from their suffering!” Ophee paused and thought for another moment. “You simply traded masters over your people. You gave them to a new master in return for your own freedom! Do you deny that your people are no longer visible in the world? I was told that the slaver woman sent her people into an area of diminished visibility. So, if what you say is true, then tell me where I can find your people!” Rhema smiled. She saw what was happening here. “So you think that Charis is the woman that you were sent after? Actually, I think you might be right, Ophee.” Ophee was shocked to her Rhema agree with her. For that matter, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion were each shocked at Rhema’s assertion. Semeion began to defend his wife. “Now, just wait a minute, Rhema.” Rhema took advantage of the look on Ophee’s face. She had made an ally and wouldn’t let Semeion ruin her progress. Rhema spun around on her left heel and raised an accusatory finger toward Semeion. “No, Semeion. You wait. Don’t get all defensive on me. Get off of your emotional high horse of rising to defend your wife and actually use that logical brain of yours.” Semeion’s mouth hung agape as Rhema turned back to Ophee. Her expression melted into one of compassion as she turned. “It makes sense to me, Ophee. Didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity was almost a slave herself? Well, Charis did come out of Quehalost like her people. And didn’t you say that the woman of duplicity would betray her own people to get them out of Quehalost? Well, Charis did that, too.” The look on Charis’ face was priceless. Charis couldn’t decide whether to be hurt or angry with each of Rhema’s words. Rhema glanced in Charis’ direction long enough to silence her. This needed to be Rhema’s moment. She was the one skilled at manipulating situations. “I think each of the things your master told you was meant to lead you to Charis. It makes sense, Ophee. Your master wanted your subconscious to be drawn in antagonism to Charis. That way, your mind would believe the lies much easier than without the antagonism.” Ophee suddenly looked confused. “You’re suggesting that I’ve been played by my master?” Semeion now understood Rhema’s approach and was grateful that she had cut him off. “The tea, Ophee. My bet is that the tea had a suggestive drug inside. You remember that root we had to bring your master? It turns out that a secretion from the root makes the mind pliable.” Rhema nodded. “Exactly, Ophee. Think about it. We had earned your trust and loyalty. Your master knew that he couldn’t set you against us directly. He had to implant a suggestion and a believable story. Everything you said about Charis is grounded in the truth. But, everything you said about Charis has also had a poor spin upon it.” Charis smiled cautiously. “My people have switched their allegiances, Ophee. I can see how it would seem like they went from serving my original dragon father to that of Ausaphaborishan. But their service to Ausaphaborishan was desired, and it is certainly not slavery.” Ophee turned to look at Charis and a single tear fell from her eye. It had been a rollercoaster of emotion so far. “And what I was told about the slave trade extending in Barghost?” Brandt replied to this newest inquiry. “Ophee, remember how vehemently I objected to slavery existing in Barghost? Think and remember!” Ophee nodded as she paused to think. “It didn’t make sense to me either. But when the words came out of my master’s mouth, they seemed so plausible.” A slow grin began on the left portion of Rhema’s lips. In the span of a few seconds the grin had spread across her face and encompassed both halves of her lips. “That’s why they call it the Voodoo Lily, Ophee. You were brainwashed with it. You were told just enough truth to make the lies seem plausible.” Semeion still didn’t have the answer he sought. He watched as the truth sunk into Ophee’s mind. She had resisted, but the fact that her master had used her and betrayed her loyalty through the use of the drug could not be denied. She had been the one enslaved. Semeion looked on with reserved compassion as Ophee buried her head into her hands and cried. “We still don’t know why.” Ophee was quickly flanked by Rhema and Charis. They held her in a sturdy hug. No words were shared until Ophee stopped crying. She would need to sob and let the betrayal out. [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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