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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Laurel" data-source="post: 1806243" data-attributes="member: 17067">From Baroness to MessengerYou step over a low pile of stones, old and forgotten mortar crunching beneath your heals. The sun hangs low in the sky, almost as if unwilling to move far from its shelter in the horizon. It's cold – as cold as it has been since you can to Hyrwl. Your eyes adjust quickly to the shadows of the temple. No work has begun here, today - the Abbess will be along shortly with her volunteers, but for now, this is a place of solitude. You can almost hear the ancient voices, chanting to you from the long-forgotten past. You see him, wrapped in his cloak, huddled against one of the few intact pillars in the ancient basilica. His breath puffs out in white clouds, as he stares out into nothingness. His un-marked eye is bloodshot, red rimmed. He doesn't look up as you approach. L'Aurel's steps falter as she sees more... emotion, more pain then ever before plain on his face. Slowing her steps forward reaching out her hand, but this isn't Arhconus Arrendor... Her hand remains poised over his shoulder hovering, as a weak "Archonus?" escapes. His head jerks toward her, sudden clarity flash in his face. A snarl crosses his lips, and then softens. His face goes dead once more. "L'Aurel," he states flatly. Her concern and sadness can’t be hidden like his, “Have you been here all night?” Her arm still poised outward as if to comfort even though he has moved away. "Since after the attacks," he growls. "I needed to be alone. I'd prefer to remain that way. Good day, L'Aurel," he continues, turning his body fully away from hers. Her tone still soft, “So you’d rather suffer alone. You’ve already given up haven’t you?” "Yes. I would rather not share my suffering. You could not share in it, even if you wished to. But given up? No. I have not, will not give up. My will is all that is left to me." Her arm drops, but keeping her voice gentle, “Friends are there for just that, but it’s still easier to push people out isn’t it? I have said it before, I know I can’t understand what you’ve gone through, what your going through. I’m not here to share your suffering, and I can’t take it away no matter how much I may wish to. I know these things, but you have been given again so much- a second chance… Your sister has returned is that not something to be glad of?” His voice drops, deadened. In the cold morning air, it barely manages to reach you. "I am not Archonus Arendorr. I am not the man you adventured with. I am Archonus Bluestar. I wish him and his new-found sister well. But I have no family, not any more. I am a servant of Death, with naught left to me but my memory." He pauses, as if catching his breath from having spoken for so long. "Naught but memory, and hope." he continues, quietly. She slides just one step around him, but stops at his side, “No, you are not Archonus Arrendor. Choose whatever name you wish to label yourself with, it changes naught the man inside. If you have hope then you have two great allies inside you already. Hope and Will. But what do you hope for?” He looks up at you, eyes burning with anger, and anguish. "My hopes are small, weak. To share them would be to kill them, and I am not willing to give them to my grandfather as well...not yet. They remain mine, and mine alone." Her voice cracks for the first time with emotion held in check, “Hope is all some have, but even a tattered shred of hope can eventually change the world. Yes, they are your hopes and your dreams alone to see come true. And since to speak to even a friend is to tell your grandfather, I am sorry I came- that I invaded. No, no lies. I am sorry but not for that.” He sighs, shaking his head. "Why are you here? You sought me for a reason. What is it?" Stepping back one pace with a mocked bow, “I come as nothing more then a messenger for the Queen, she wishes your presence at a meeting in the throne room.” "I need some time to clean up. You may tell her that I will present myself to her as soon as possible. Apologize for my delay," he says, looking truly concerned for the first time since you began speaking. "Please?" Sad but genuine her lips pull in a slight smile, her voice once more dropping to quieter tones, “I shall… she knows some of what has happened. She will understand. The others, the rest of the circle should still be in the throne room. Do you wish for Mansblade to be brought to you first?” He grimaces to himself. "Yes, please. Bring it to the real Archonus's room, and I will take possession of it, there. It was unwise of me to leave it in the first place." “A lot happened last night no one was thinking strai- Forgive me. I will take it to your room if you wish, Archonus Bluestar. First I shall relay the message to Jaine and then bring the sword to you.” She walks a few paces away then looking over her shoulder to the center of the ruins she utters a quick prayer to a higher messenger, Oberon.</blockquote>

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