The Sword of Truth (Legend of the Seeker) IC

[Marrow]

The sun rose high over the windy mountain peaks of D'Hara where the Peoples Palace was located. It was a warm day and the long line of people coming and leaving the Peoples Palace brewed of liveliness. The market was larger than usual and the entertainment groups were high in numbers. Thinking of it, it wasn't strange since it was only one week before the Grand Tournament, announced two months ago. A message was sent to far a wide across all D'Hara, from the biggest cities to the smallest villages and lonely dark corners of the land. Several Generals were going to compete in a match of life and death. The lone victor of that match shall be crowned the new Lord Rahl, since the last didn't leave an heir to the throne.

The Match by itself was expected to be the greatest thing the Peoples Palace has ever seen, but the festivities accompanying it were equally great. A giant market, more entertainers that one could count and more 'Ja'la dh Jin' teams gathered in one place then ever before. The events lasted the whole week up to the tournament. Children were running through the crowd, between the stands selling sausages and candy, through the legs of stilt walkers who were juggling or breathing fire. Men with Mules offered carrying service to obviously wealthy woman with long hair and pretty dresses. Nova in particular was very excited. Nova was the nickname of a highly seated officer among the Mord'Sith. She had a plan. A plan that would let her rule over D'Hara.

The warmth of the sun had made his way into the Peoples Palace. The sound of high heels clacked through the nicely decorated halls with high glass ceilings with its golden window frames. It was unusually warm inside, but the Mord'Sith didn't mind. Nova walked from her quarters to those of Lord Rahl. Past the fountain where the Chant used to take place and past the Garden of Life. Two soldiers of the first squad were guarding the door "What are you two Dim-wits doing here?" Nova sounded agitated, but inside she smiled, she should have become an actress "This is the door to the chambers of Lord Rahl, so what are you actually guarding?" Nova leaned a little bit forward and tried to intimidate the guards. One of the guards started to stammer, but that was not what Nova wanted. A quick strike to their necks with her agiel disabled the guards. As they fell unconscious, Nova snapped her fingers. Two other Mord'Sith came running and dragged the bodies away. Nova looked around, after she made sure nobody was looking she entered the chambers of Lord Rahl.

The door closed behind the Mord'Sith with a dry click. The room had a large L form with a large four-poster bed in the middle with long red curtains hanging from it, similar to the ones covering the windows. A fragile man with a long filthy grey beard in old rags was trembling in a corner of the room. Another, tall, handsome man made his appearance around the corner, he was stylishly dressed in the red and gold of Lord Rahl. "Mistress" he smiled at Nova. The woman turned to the man in rags "Wizard, did you learn him everything you know?" the old man came crawling to Nova almost in tears "Yes mistress, everything I know, Everything I know" Nova kicked him back to his corner and looked at the other man. she smiled at her mate "Ethan?"
"Yes mistress, I have mastered the magic he was supposed to learn me."
"Good, get rid of him."

As Nova left the room she heard the characteristic whistle of wizardsfire that flew through the air. She closed the thick oak door and heard the man scream from behind it. One more week before Ethan would win the tournament and then she would rule D'Hara through him.

Meanwhile at the other side of the new world...

A small village stirred in their sleep as the sun peeked over the hills. The town woke up slowly, people were coming out of their houses wishing greetings to each other. Tomorrow was the mid-spring festival and everyone was excited. Girls were trying to catch the attention of the young mans passing by, hoping to be asked to the dance. Men smoked their pipe on the porch and women were drinking tea with each other or were talking as they walked through the streets.

Callum Whiteman was strolling through the town. The sunshine warmed his skin and made him drowsy. Just a couple of miles more before he reached his grandfathers house. He offered to help the old man to do some chores. He liked to be around the old man. Although he was a little odd, the small, squat man wit his squawky voice was often the object of mockery, but not o Callum. His grandfather always amused him with his little tricks. Callum knew his grandfather practiced magic. What Callum didn't know was that his Grandfather in fact was a Wizard of the first order. Woman greeted him as he came past and Girls smiled. Men and boys greeted him. Callum smiled. It was his eighteenth birthday today. "Ah, Cal, there thy are!" His grandfather greeted him from the road, "I've got a present for ye!" Cal smiled, It always meant something special when the old man waited for him from the road instead of in the house.

And in the old world...

Two short knocks on the pretty decorated door made Tsukino wake up from his thoughts. "Come in!" he said with his usual bass tone voice. A servant entered the room "General... Tsukino lashed out with a large magic power blast "Ugh! E-Emperor..."
Thats more like it
The man paused before continuing "Emperor, the forces are assembled and ready."
"Good, move out" was all Tsukino answered. Even if his forces mobilized immediately he wouldn't have to stand up for two days and then he would be in the middle of his army. Unlike his grandfather Jagang he would succeed in taking over the world.

OOC

[Ezmeralda]

Ellynara walked along the streets of the People's Palace, her long, wavy blonde hair flowing behind her, her face stoic. It was awfully loud, too loud for her tastes, she'd rather be reading. She knew why it was so loud, of course. A tournament to decide who the next Lord Rahl would be. She wondered if that was really the best way to decide. People could cheat and who knew what kind of person would end up in power....Lord Rahl wouldn't want that. Why would they think this was a good idea? Was some evil person already behind such a suggestion? She sighed and shook her head. She didn't like it one bit, but she supposed it didn't really concern her. So long as she could read her books and learn about her magic, she was happy. She did, however, wonder if this tournament brought any strong wizards or sorceresses to D'hara.

Elly continued on, trying to sense the gift in others. In most people it was too weak to be utilized and a lot of the ones she found with the gift she already knew and had learned from. She of course didn't touch a Mord Sith, and there was quite a few around. She was acquaintances with most of them. That didn't mean they liked her or she liked them. In fact she was pretty sure they didn't like her one bit, but they knew she was smart enough to control her magic.

She snapped out of her trance when she thought she heard a very distant, muffled scream with the aid of her magic. It sounded like a man's, but that was all she could gather. She looked around trying to pinpoint it, but couldn't. As faint as it was, it was probably a ways off. Most likely somewhere people didn't go. The only places like that were Lord Rahl's quarters or areas he had restricted. Then again her magic was diminished here, so who knows where it actually came from. Perhaps her mind was just playing tricks on her.

Ellynara continued on, making her way first towards Lord Rahl's quarters. It was the closest place that was restricted. As she exited a set of stairs she came upon the Mord Sith known as Nova. Not a good woman to run into, especially here. Mord Sith in general were known for cruelty and this one from what she had heard was even more so. "Good morning, Mord Sith." she said, dipping her head and smiling politely. She supposed it wasn't unheard of for Mord Sith to patrol places like this, but she still found it odd to find her here. There was, after all, no Lord Rahl to protect, "How are you today?" she didn't exactly know what to say. What do you say to a Mord Sith?

[Hagazussa]

Ulyssia was one of those who had not stopped doing devotions even if Lord Rhal was dead, the devotions had saved them all, protected them from the dreamwalker's magic and there might be just enough of the old magic left to protect her and...Meeru. Ulyssia glanced at the handsome wizard as her lips uttered the well known words, her forehead touching the floor as she chanted. Meeru was shivering as he knelt, a ever present terror in his dark eyes. Beautiful Meeru who had given her control of his magic willingly to save her life, Meeru who had loved her, loved a Mord-Sith was now afraid to even look at her.
"Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live only to serve. Our lives are yours."
The chant continued, spoken as it had been for as long as Ulyssia could remember, as she chanted the Mod-Sith tried to stretch out a glove covered hand and touch Meeru, entwine her fingers in his, the Wizard did not pull away, he would never have dared but Ulyssia could feel how he tensed, how she expected her to hurt him. Ulyssia closed her eyes as she chanted, she would torture him tonight, she did every day, but perhaps this day she would invite one of her sisters to join her, she would make Meeru cry, make him so scared, so hurt that he would forget where he was and seek her comfort and then when he fell asleep in her arms he would be to tired that he would not twist and moan in his sleep, no he would sleep like death an Ulyssia could pretend he would wake up and kiss her. Some part of Ulyssia knew what she did was madness, she loved this man so she tortured him even worse than she needed to, just to get him to seek comfort, just to watch him sleep in what she could pretend as peace, but the Mord-Sith did not know what else to do.
"Master Rahl guide us. Master Rahl teach us. Master Rahl protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live only to serve. Our lives are yours."
Yes Ulyssia did the devotions even if so many had stopped, not just because she she was afraid of dreamswalkers but because, unless she was this devoted, unless she stayed this loyal, this fanatical what else was there? Why then would she torture the man she loved, and if there was no reason for it, then what about the others, the other magic users who she had hurt, broken and died, if she found out that it was not right, not just, not something done in service to her lord, then Ulyssia knew she would die from shame, and so she chanted.

Not that long later Ulyssia gracefully rose to her feet, Meeru tried to do the same but he was hurt from yesterday and tears glistened in his eyes as the movement stretched healing wounds. Ulyssia gently took her mate by the arm and helped him up and she felt the wizard flinch again. Ulyssia closed her eyes, how how she wished the beautiful magic user would just smile at her again.
"Tonight I will ask Sister Alma to help me punish you Meeru."
Ulyssia purred and she brushed dark hair away from the wall wizard's face. Meeru's eyes watered more and large tears begun to flow down his cheeks. Meeru feared Alma and with good reason, the woman was known for her brutality even among Mord-Sith.
"I think I will let her put her Agiel in your behind and leave it here for a while, or perhaps she will put it in your ear...you remember how that felt do you not Meeru."
Ulyssia said and lovingly touched the wizards left ear. That was it, Meeru started sobbing uncontrollably, the man knew better than to beg, it never worked but he shook with fear and those wise, kind, dark eyes became glossy with teas as he wept. Ulyssia pulled Meeru into her arms and gently stroked his hair.
"Shh my love, shh I will be there the whole time as she punishes you, and once it is done I will hold you, shh do not be afraid Meeru, I am here."
Meeru wept against Ulyssia's shoulder, terrified sobs wrecked his thin frame. Ulyssia smiled, Meeru still came to her for comfort, therefore she would hurt him, and hurt him until he forgot everything save pain and the desperate need for her to hold him.
"Shh Meeru do not cry anymore, it is not evening yet...let us go to the markets and see all the people, perhaps get something to eat at a merchant stall, would you like that my love?"
Ulyssia said in a soothing voice. At first only more sobs came from Meeru then slowly he lifted his head from Ulyssia's should and whimpered.
"Yes...Mistress."
Ulyssia gave a satisfied smile, she stood on her tiptoes so she could kiss the tears away from Meeru's face.
"Good my love, now come along.

Ulyssia was on her way down a corridor past the door to Lord Rhal's quarters which strangely appeared to be unguarded, Ulyssia had to give some guards a few licks of he agiel for that. There had been a scream coming from this corridor not long ago, but screams where nothing new in the People's Palace. Ulyssia continued walking and saw her sister Nova and a sorceress standing in the hallway. Meeru gave a scream of fright and hid behind Ulyssia when he saw Nova, he was terrified of her.
"Behave when you see one of my sisters."
Ulyssia said calmly and she pressed her Agiel into Meeru's side, it was okey that the man was afraid of Nova, but he would show respect. Meeru howled in agony and sank to his knees, tears flooding his eyes again. Ulyssia turned from he mate to address the other Mord-Sith.
"Forgive me my sister from how my pet here reacted to you, he will be punished. Now how are you this fair morning?"
Ulyssia also gave the young sorceress she saw talking with Nova a friendly smile, magic users where normally so afraid of her kind, she might as well try to look friendly.
"And a fair morning to you as well Madam."
Ulyssia said as she smiled.

***

Laretta felt a slight twinge of fear as she saw the People's Palace rise up before her, she was finally there. How would she handle this...offer her services to help the transition of a new Lord Rhal, these people where hosting a tournament what did they need with a diplomat, still her orders where clear, to go and offer the Midland's help as an olive branch.
"Stay close to me Confessor."
Ellian Tanamell her wizard and protector said in a warning tone of voice.
"There is enough here who would like nothing better than to see a Confessor dead, this is a dangerous place Laretta and I will not return to the Wizard's Keep in shame having lost you to some ruffian, nor will I face your mother's ire and tell her of your death."
Laretta looked into the wizard's blue eyes and sigh.
"I will be careful Ellian, do not fret."
There was a whimper to the left of the Confessor and her wizard.
"Is my Mistress in danger here...no...no run away Mistress...run away."
The voice belonged Jina Linkan Laretta's mate.
Why did you bring that wretch along Confessor?"
Ellian said with distaste on his thin lips. Laretta sigh and gave her mate a kind smile which made the man groan with pleasure and stop his pleading.
"I need to get with child Ellian to produce more of my kind, and for that I need Jina, and besides he will be good protection, he would never let anything happen to me."
Jina shook his head and whimpered desperately.
"No never Mistress...never...I will protect you with my life!"
Laretta gave Jina another kind smile but Ellian only shook his head.
"You can not relay on the protection of a man who's mind his not his own Laretta, now let us go, if we are going to enter this viper's nest we might as well do it sooner rather than later!"

Half an hour later Laretta stood talking with a D'Haran guardsman, it felt good to be off her horseback. Laretta's long hair flowed about her as she smiled to the guard who made sure he was more than an arms length away from her.
"Good Sir my name is Laretta Meramar. I am sent from the Mother Confessor to offer my services as a negotiator and a diplomat in this trying time of change for your grand nation. The Midlands cares deeply for our D'Haran neighbors and I am here as a show of that. Could you be so kind as to escort me to someone in charge so I might officially offer my services?"
Laretta smiles kindly as she speaks to the guardsman, behind her both Ellian and Jina was tense, they where expecting trouble, Laretta however was not, even the D'Harans would recognize that they might need a diplomat to smooth out problems, and besides her presence would be a symbol of the new cooperation between D'Hara and the Midlands, there was no way they would attack her or send her away, no there would be no trouble here, not right now at least.

[Hagazussa]

Miridan smiles to his young grandson as the lad slowed his pace to match his stride to that of the old man. Miridan glanced at Callum as the two walked, the child he had cared so much for had become a young man, the old wizard gave a slight sigh, he would be putting a heavy burden on his grandson's young shoulders this day, the gift he would give might as well be seen as a curse. Miridan walked for a while in silence, he could feel and ache in his old bones, was it right to put this on Callum? The road he would put the lad on would not likely lead to a long life, an exiting life yes, a meaningful life definitely but not a long one. Callum would live as a protector of truth, the truth he himself decided, war and death was in his future, but also light and hope.

The two men reached Miridan's small cottage, the house was not large, just a large room that served as both living room and kitchen, and a bedroom in the back, a first order Wizard could have better, the gift he was born with marked him as far more rare and valuable than a noble, but old Miridan had never cared for luxury and his small cottage had everything he needed.
"Why don't you put on some tea for us boy, and then come and sit with me for a while, I have things I want to discuss with you."
The old wizard gave a sly grin as he pointed towards some pots and a canister of tea near the cottage's fire pit.
"You are a man now Callum, and it is time you learn about the fate you where born for."

The old wizard expected his grandson to start the tea as he himself went to the old chest in the back of the room, the old, ornate chest which where always locked. Miridan touched the lock, it was enchanted and would react only to the contact of his Han, the lock sprung open and Miridan opened the chest and took out something from inside, something long and slender and wrapped in fine cloth.
"How is that tea coming boy?"
Miridan asked as he returned to the table, the roll of cloth cradled in his old arms as carefully and reverently as he would have held a swaddled babe. Miridan put the cloth bundle down on the table and there was a slight sadness in his eyes when he said.
"This belong to you now Callum, you have been chosen for it, now you have to device if you will accept that choice."

[Marrow]

Nova was about to leave the wing of the palace where the chambers of Lord Rahl were located as she saw a young sorceress come in through the hallway. Nova's instincts told her to walk the other way but she knew that the sorceress was nothing to be afraid of, especially around here. Nova knew most of the magic users inside the palace but this sorceress in her red outfit she was not familiar with. "Good morning Mord'Sith, how are you today?" That woman had some nerve! Nova tried to smile back as politely as possible. But it didn't came further than a slight movement of one side of the lips. Just as Nova was about to answer the sorceress with quite a sneer, Sister Ulyssia came walking towards them with a whimpering Meeru behind her from the other hall leading to the chambers of Lord Rahl. Why is it so crowded in here all of a sudden Nova thought to herself This is unheard of! She addressed Nova with the proper greeting; "Forgive me my sister from how my pet here reacted to you, he will be punished. Now how are you this fair morning?" Nova answered them both with the same line; "I'm fine, thank you Sorceress... Sister Ulyssia. And what brings you to this part of the beautiful Peoples Palace"

---

As soon as Cal entered the wooden house of his grandfather Miridan he was asked to make some Tea and sit down with him at the table. Miridan sounded serious, he wondered if everything was okay. "How is that tea coming boy?" Cal got really worried now, Grandpa was never this impatient "what is wrong Grampa?" What is my fate that you are talking about?" Cal sat down with the old Miridan who put a long object wrapped in cloth on the table. Cal was just about to thank him for not forgetting his birthday and the present when Miridan took the word; "This belong to you now Callum, you have been chosen for it, now you have to device if you will accept that choice." was what he said with a sad look in his eyes. Callum slowly unwrapped the cloth package. A beautifully decorated sword laid in between of them on the austere wooden table.

[Hagazussa]

Ulyssia smiles to Nova as her hand went to Meeru's head to stroke his dark hair soothingly, the wizards stayed on his knees as he should as his mistress discussed with her sister.
"I am going to visit the main market with Meeru here and this was the quickest route to get thee from where we did our morning devotions."
Ulyssia said when Nova asked her what she was doing in that particular hallway this morning.
"I will be inviting Sister Alma to help with Meeru's punishment, and you know how she is, pets die frequently under her care and she is so fond of putting her Agiel into their orifices."
Ulyssia's gloved hand played with Meeru's left ear as she spoke and the wizard gave a soft, terrified whimper.
"Well anyway I was thinking I would take Meeru out for something fun before our session with Sister Alma, to strengthen him for the ordeal, I do not desire to loose him and he have always enjoyed going to marked so that is where we are going, what about yourself sister? Where are you headed on this fair morning?"
Ulyssia finished her explanation then she added in a friendly voice.
"Oh and how rude of me, I forgot to invite you to take part in the fun Alma and I will be having with Meeru, you are welcome to join us if you like sister."

Meeru had been silent except for a few whimpers as Ulyssia talked with Nova but now he panicked, the wizard half rose to his feet and shook his head.
"No...please Mistress, not her...not her, do not let her punish me, please Mistress!"
Anger flashed in Ulyssia's eyes, this was just not tolerable, Meeru was directly rude to the other Mord-Sith, and after she had already given him a warning, it was fine to be afraid of Nova, but to act up like that, obviously the young wizard needed a lesson in respect. Ulyssia kicked Meeru's feet from under him in one fluid motion and sent the magic user crashing to the floor then she held the whimpering wizard down with one booted foot as she tuned to Nova again.
"It seams my pet could need some more training, he is letting his fear get the better of him, again my apologies such behavior is not acceptable, do you desire to punish him sister or should I?"

***

Miridan smiled as Callum unwrapped the Sword of Truth and sat admiring it, the old wizard put a hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"This is the Sword of Truth my boy, it have been carried by the one known as the Seeker for untold generations. This sword is magic and it will lead the way to truth, though the nature of the truth is the Seeker himself who have to decide. The Sword have chosen you Callum to be the new Seeker, the last wielder of this sword was named Richard Rhal, he was a powerful wizard and a great man, many where saved or damned by his actions."
The old wizard gave a slightly sad smile, but there was also pride in his voice as he continued speaking.
"I offer this sword to you now Callum, for you can be the next Seeker, but know that you can walk away, you can have a normal life, find a wife and have children. The life of a Seeker is a difficult one, there will be war and conflict and there will be blood. Over the generations very few Seekers have lived to become old men. Greatness is in your future if you choose this sword as it have chosen you, however if you begin to step upon this road then you must follow it through, you must fight for truth and justice as you yourself determine it, you might find glory and you might save many lives, but there will be little peace for you boy, other than the peace that comes with truth."
Miridan took the younger man's hand and looked the boy in the eyes.
"As a wizard of the First Order, one gifted with magic and trained at the Wizard's Keep I hope you choose the path of the Seeker my boy for in my old bones I can feel the ache of an ancient evil awakening and the world will need a champion of justice, but as your grandfather, I wish you will refuse it, I want to see you content and happy, and I want to see you safe, however the choice is yours Callum and yours alone, and now have come the time for you to make it. Will you take up the burden of the Sword of Truth or walk away?"

[Ezmeralda]

Ellynara continued to smile, although she was inwardly disgusted at these two. She hated Mord Sith. She supposed for interrogations they were quite handy, but torturing for fun and to show love was just crazy. "Just looking for some quiet, it's very noisy out there. It was giving me a headache." Anyone that knew even the tiniest bit about Ellynara would know she liked things quiet.

Ellynara watched the poor wizard. She wanted to help him, but there wasn't much she could do for him, particularly with two Mord Sith around. It was not love these women showed their mates. It was simple sadistic pleasure, but she supposed that was all they knew. She thought Richard had changed things, but sh supposed people fell back on old ways quickly without leadership. She did wonder how good of a teacher he would be, however. She sensed the gift was fairly potent in him. She frowned at them both, "If you wish to do that, do it later. I do not wish to see or hear it." she didn't care in the least to disguise her distaste from her voice. At the very least it would give him more time away from an Agiel.

[Marrow]

"Well anyway I was thinking I would take Meeru out for something fun before our session with Sister Alma, to strengthen him for the ordeal, I do not desire to loose him and he have always enjoyed going to marked so that is where we are going, what about yourself sister? Where are you headed on this fair morning? Oh and how rude of me, I forgot to invite you to take part in the fun Alma and I will be having with Meeru, you are welcome to join us if you like sister." The woman in red leather was still finishing her sentence as Meeru jumped up begging her not to do that. He was met with a boot on his chest "It seams my pet could need some more training, he is letting his fear get the better of him, again my apologies such behavior is not acceptable, do you desire to punish him sister or should I?" Asked Ulyssia Nova. Nova disdainfully looked at the Wizard "If you wish to keep that filth with you for any longer than today it would not be wise to let me punish him for his deed now, however I would love to join you this evening, but ill be wearing my red uniform instead of my white one if you dont mind" She looked over to the Sorceress who made a comment "Like you have a say in it!" sneered Nova "And if you look for a quiet place, go look somewhere else, off with you!" [b/b] Nova began to get agitated as she turned her attention back to her sister "And where I'm going is none of your business sister!!" Nova left with long strides as she did not wish to talk to the other two woman anymore for they were far to nosy for her taste.

---

Cal listened to his Grandpa with a great disbelief, too surprised to speak as Miridan continiued his ranting. He was given an ultimatum. Will he pick up the sword to save the world and endanger his own life and leave everything he loved and cared for behind. or would he walk away from his fate and let the world fall into despair and ultimately destruction. It seemed to him he did not really had a choice. Cal looked at Miridan with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry Miridan" It was a rare occasion that Cal addressed the wizard with his name "But i feel i can not walk away from my fate and my duty" continued Cal "I will take up the Sword of Truth and the title of Seeker, however I wish there was another way"

[Ezmeralda]

Ellynara watched the woman stomp away. She looked at the Mord Sith that remained and shrugged. "Is she always so angry? I thought Mord Sith were supposed to be fairly level headed...." She didn't wait for an answer, instead she looked to the door Nova seemed to be coming out of. The room of the Lord Rahl. Why was she in there? Ellynara walked over to it and laid her hand on it, she then put her ear to it. She supposed she could let her Han flow into the room, but she had a feeling that wasn't a good idea. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but something did seem odd, Nova's actions certainly being a good indicator of this.

The young sorceress smiled at Ulyssia, "I suppose I will be on my way. Good day to you, Mord Sith." she curtsied and left by the way she came. She wanted to get in that room, but she doubted any Mord Sith or guard would let her in. Despite being the daughter of one of the late Richard Rahl's closest friends.

[Hagazussa]

Ulyssia at first got angry when the sorceress talking with her and Nova had the nerve...the nerve to try to tell them what to do. The young Mord-Sith was of a good mind to teach the magic user some manners, right now the Mord-Sith was the ruling class in D'Hara, but even before that, to have a user of magic, a sorceress act that way before their kind was just unheard of. Ulyssia had to fight not to smile as she imagined hot the insolent sorceress would scream as an Agiel was laid against her flesh, but she was a guest at the People's Palace so Ulyssia supposed that she could not harm her.

Nova glared at Ellynara and at least snapped at the woman however before she turned around and accepted Ulyssia's invitation, the young Mord-Sith had to smile, with the three of them working on Meeru tonight he would definitely need comfort and he would lay in her arms and cry against her chest once it was all done, and then he would sleep an exhausted sleep and his Mistress could just lay there beside him and watch him and pretend nothing had ever happened, that he was still free...that he still loved her. Ulyssia was driven from her fantasies when Nova snapped a reply to her as well and wandered of.
"I did not intend to pry into your affairs sister, I merely tried to be polite."
Ulyssia then added.
"But yes good day to you, I will see you tonight Sister Nova."

Ulyssia notices how Ellynara listens by the door to Lord Rhal's quarters and she is about to comment on it and stop the woman, her beloved leader might be dead but that did not mean his private domain should not be respected however before Nova could open her mouth the sorceress stopped on her own.
"Yes...good day to you Sorceress."
Ulyssia begun as she was wondering what the insolent magic user was up to, then as she was contemplating her eyes went to Meeru.

Ulyssia's mate still lay on the floor, his eyes where so full of fear that they where almost black and he was shivering, large, wet tears flowed down his thin cheeks, for a moment Ulyssia realized what she had just brought on him, hours of torture by three Mord-Sith, two of them feared even among their own kind for their cruelty. When Nova had said she would be wearing her Red uniform that had driven Meeru over the edge and he was so terrified he could barely move and with good reason, he might not survive tonight's session and in the very least he would suffer more pain than anyone should in a lifetime in the span of a few hours. The part of Ulyssia which where a Mord-Sith and the part of her which where the woman who loved the wizard on the floor fought a war inside of her mind, and for once the woman won. Ulyssia gracefully knelt down beside Meeru and touched his shoulder, intending to comfort him, but the slender man only shivered and jerked away. Normally Ulyssia would have punished Meeru for that reaction but this day it just made her sad and she knew that to hurt him more right now would be unwise if she wanted him to stay reasonably sane, he was just to terrified.

Ulyssia wondered for a few seconds what to do then she stood and ran after the sorceress who had vanished down a hallway. As soon as the young Mord-Sith see Ellynara she calls after her.
"Sorceress...I require your services."
Ulyssia expected the magic user to stop, after all she was a Mord -Sith and she was one of the elite guards who ran this city palace right now.
"I have things to do Sorceress and I can not have a whimpering wizard with me as I do it. I need you to watch my pet for me for a few hours, he is well trained and he will not give you have problems, just get him something to eat and keep an eye on him."
Ulyssia gave a slight smile. The reason why she was asking Ellynara to take care of Meeru was that the wizard needed someone who where not a Mord-Sith around him for a few hours, needed someone who he knew would not harm him and perhaps then his insane fear would lessen, the reason Ulyssia told herself she did this for however was off course that she needed someone to keep an eye on this insolent sorceress.
"My pet is still on the floor where I left him by Lord Rhal's quarters. His name is Meeru and he is a wizard, do feel free to ask him use his magic for you if you wish, I let him use it as long as it is not done in a way that displeases me so he is free to do so, or have him provide other services but do keep him with you until I come to claim him."
Ulyssia's eyes where one of cold command, but then something else crept into them, a hint of pleading, she wanted Meeru to stop shaking, and she wanted him strong enough to survive his torture session tonight, and for that he needed another caregiver, if only for a few hours.
"I would not forget it if you do me this favor Sorceress, my pet is very frightened I can not leave him alone right now and I can not have him at my side for my duties."

***

Miridan looked at his grandson with pride in his eyes, the boy put protecting others before his own life there could be no greater joy or sweeter sorrow to have a relative with that sort of integrity.
"Callum Whiteman I was entrusted this sword to give it to the true Seeker when he revealed himself to me, I now name you the Seeker of Truth, take the sword boy, it is yours."
A tear or two flowed down the old wizard's leathery old cheeks, they where both an expression of joy for the bravery and selflessness his grandson expressed but they where also an expression of sadness as this mean Cal had to leave, had to be in danger and had to fight.
"I can not wish for you a peaceful future my boy, for you will have none now, but I can wish you happiness, and I can wish that you find satisfaction in your sacrifice and that when your death is upon you, it is a glorious one received while fighting for your own truth."
Miridan lifted the cloth that the Sword of Truth lay on reverently and held it out towards Callum.
"Claim your heritage my boy, this sword and all the joy, power, duty and sorrow that comes with it are yours now. Fair warning to those living and those dead! The Seeker is named!"