[u]Phrenesis[/u]

[b] "I expect my reward immediately, and it ought to be generously given seeing as how I took such a beating in order to acquire this pretty bauble."[/b]

Phrenesis stood gazing at the ianua stones, turning them in her hands and grinning at the familiar feel of the uncut polished stones. It had been far too long since they had last been in his possession, lost in one of his ‘rare’ defeats what must have been hundreds of years ago now, if not more. Satisfied Phrenesis looked up and gazed out across the cliffs of Tariq, the surrounding countryside extending for miles from their lofty vantage point, considering briefly the ease of which she would be able to travel at the simple touch of the stones and what it meant. 

The young girl flicked her gaze to Bromelian and nodded slowly. She supposed he had done what was instructed, betrayed his old cousin and brought her something of almost immeasurable value. It had been easy considering the elf’s hatred of fae, to use the current events to manipulate him into her service. 

“Yes I suppose I do owe you quite a bit” she replied softly as she removed the small satchel from her back and reached into it. Brushing aside numerous items she found what she was searching for and pulled out a solid gold bracelet. The metalwork was intricate, the band made from intertwined lengths of metal shaped into various swirling patterns that combined to form a serpents head along the band. 

“Here you are” she announced grinning brightly as she passed it over to the eager hands of Bromelian who gazed at it. “Wear this and you shall have all the power I promised” she explained “It is of no use to me”.

The elf quickly slipped his thin wrist into the bracelet, his eyes practically popping from the anticipation. A few moments of silence passed before the elf gazed once more at Phrenesis, a questioning look beginning to spread across his face before he started to ask “What is suppo...” before suddenly his breath was cut short and a very alarmed expression shot across his face. Gasping and spluttering for air he began to frantically pull at the band, his efforts futile as he began to be crushed by some invisible colossal serpent. As the elf fell to his knees Phrenesis took a step forwards and keeping eye contact with Bromelian she removed the band, however the invisible assault did not cease and his eyes seemed only to beg before they began to bulge and roll into his head. Giggling slightly Phrenesis pulled him into an embrace, gently caressing the side of his face before she pushed aggressively, sending the elf plummeting backwards over the cliff edge. 

Phrenesis stepped forwards again and with interest watched as the body tumbled downwards before smashing into the side of the cliff, bouncing and flailing broken through the air before at the last moment it plunged into the swirling depths of the Nimue river. 

Sighing fondly Phrenesis turned and slipped the bracelet back into her bag before picking it up and with the familiar spring in her step she made her way towards where she would be able to catch her airship to Eira where she would wait for Sparrot. She had also decided that she wanted to meet this Laakari Monstrator, after all he was apparently a renowned master alchemist and inventor – with knowledge in many topics. Besides if he had somehow ended up with the ianua stones who knew what other baubles he may have acquired during his lifetime. 

[u]Sparrot[/u]

Sparrot flew high through the air, gliding on the warm eddies that swirled all around him as he headed towards where he felt his love. The ground was little more than a speck as the bird continued to climb, eager to pass on the divine message he had been given. After what felt like a lifetime of excitement to the bird he was finally close, wondering how his love could be so high in the sky before he finally spotted a dot of colour splashed against the endless swirling fields of white clouds. Closing the distance Sparrot soon recognised it as one of those bizarre airships that those land-stuck creatures used to fly, after all Sparrot could hardly blame them – he could think of nothing worse than being stuck plodding slowly on those silly little leg things they had. 

Soon Sparrot spotted his love, still within that mundane girl he had taken some time ago. As he soared down his little mind briefly pondered all of the ‘hosts’ his love had used throughout the ages, some lasting only minutes, others for sometimes years at a time. His love ensured that when he was done they never lived, aside from the very rarest of exceptions – though they were truly far and in between. Suddenly Sparrot wondered what was becoming of that mundane girl, forced to watch all of his love’s glorious actions. Jealousy briefly filled the bird as he remembered the warm and immense feeling of happiness when his love was with him, controlling his very actions and being one with him in every way. 

Cawing to announce his presence Sparrot landed on the bow of the airship, his love stood at the very tip and gazing out into the swirling skys. As she saw him a happy smile covered Phrenesis’s face and she reached out and stroked Sparrot, the pair enjoying a brief moment together after the considerable break apart they’d had. 

“What news my little one?” asked Phrenesis softly as she continued to caress him.

“ Much news” squawked Sparrot “so much news, so much dues.” He hopped around excitedly, barley finding the words to express what he was trying to. 

“The city of old, high up the stone that reaches the sky. It was there it was!” he cawed “You must be told! A message for you my love!” 

Phrenesis suddenly became very interested in what his companion was squawking about. “Be calm” she said as he frantically hopped to and fro.

Suddenly Sparrot stopped and froze for a moment before in a voice and tone that was most unlike his own the bird said “Phrenesis, he who was once whole and shall never be. He who will turn the world back to once what it was, to unify the planes and return the order to pure chaos once more. A human walks the world of Emanseria, he is the key. Bring him to the temple of the ten and he can take that which you have always desired.”

Suddenly Phrenesis remembered oh so much, his mind swirling at the countless memories that assailed him. Moments later it was all gone again, beyond his recollection with only one lingering memory. The gemstone of Ulrick, it would need to be his. It had all been so close, the memories had been right there, the reason it was so important was at the forefront of his thoughts. But of course it was gone now, but at least the gemstone of Ulrick was in his head. 

“Oh you wonderful little bird” she cooed, the familiar glint returning to Sparrot’s eyes as he returned to his normal self. Suddenly Phrenesis was filled with an almost guilty feeling, her hand withdrawing from Sparrot. 

Taking a step back Phrenesis hesitated for a moment before saying “We have a new companion”. Sparrot cocked his head, a musical squawk escaping him like an eroteme hanging in the air. As if on cue the black cat came stalking into view, almost as if it had been sat waiting for its moment. Sparrot glared as the feline made its way towards his love and meandered and rubbed itself against his love’s leg. 

“He has no name” said Phrenesis “but he has become most useful recently.” Sparrot’s glare deepened and Phrenesis laughed softly. “Do not worry my [i]love[/i]” she murmured, Sparrot taking particular note at the choice of words. 

The wheels in Sparrots mind turned slowly, was he to accept this? Why of all things a cat, he wondered. It made him think of that vile gypsy his love was so obsessed with, the one that could turn into a cat – though hers was a small brown tabby – he remembered clearly. Of course he would not protest, he knew that he was around before this feline intruder, and he would be around after it had lived out its usefulness as well. 

The trio stood at the bow of the airship as it sailed through the skies, the crew oblivious to the doom that the strange looking mundane girl was planning on bringing with her odd animal companions.