The Change

[valn99]

Disclaimer: I'm not a writer and this is not my native language. But since PensivesWetness asked so nicely, here's a little IC story for that post:
http://www.alandfaraway.org/phpbbforum/ ... p?p=278116

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JenWa gazed with relief as the lights of Emerald Springs came in view. The sun had dipped below the trees and soon darkness would envelop the Forest of Cormanthor. Even a boat in the middle of the Ashaba river would not be a safe place against the drow hunting parties.

She walked slowly, leaning heavily on her red-glowing staff, desperately trying to fight back the nausea and keep her balance.

She smiled as a protective arm envelopped her and guided her gently to a distant tower.

[Jen] *smiles weakly* [e] How did you know I was coming, Alaelsar?
[Al] ::grins:: [e] I think the whole village heard you cursing from a league away, love.

[Jen] *grumbles* [e] I think the dwarves may be right about boats...
[Al] ::looks over her with concern:: [e] How are you feeling?

[Jen] *chuckles a bit* [e] Not quite as bad as I look.

The two walked in silence, until they reached the bottom of a small hill. Jen nodded toward a sign below a small tower: "Alaelsar Dethlansil's Tower."

[Jen] *grins* [e] Your sign is still broken, love.
[Al] ::mutters and nods, helping her up the hill and to the door::

Jen gazed at the tower. She had never spent that much time there. Despite her comment, it was still more his tower than theirs. Yet she knew this is where she would be spending the next few months. He would take care of her. Or at least, he would do his best, despite his other obligations to the Springs. She wondered if there was much he, or anyone else for that matter, could do.

[Jen] *lost in her thoughts* [w,e] It will only get worse, you know...
[Al] ::furrow brows:: [e] Why do you say that, Jen?

[Jen] *blinks and looks at Al* [e] Oh, just what he said to me, a few months ago. Elminster, I mean. Even the Staff of Daerus cannot help me with this.

She looked at the magic staff, its red-glowing tip shining faintly in the darkness. It had been crafted long ago by the Archmage Daerus Krelfar, as a weapon for his exploration of the Elemental Plane of Fire. The Staff's cold powers had been keeping Jen's fire magic in check, ever since that fireballing incident.

But this was different. As a sorceress, magic was flowing through her veins, mingling with her blood. There was... something... new... happening to her. A Change. She did not know what it was, but she knew it would be... painful.

Magic had its cost. Elminster had said it...

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[PensivesWetness]

At the alter, wanting (8Oct05 3:17 AM Local)

The hin reached the safety of the dale, finally, after a wind mill of travel, from far off Ashabenford, in the cool eve. She slipped away from the coaster carriage, thankingn the driver and soft-padded towards home for rest. She read the notes upon entering the Whitestar Headquarters, deployment to the Coaster Fort, it said. "duty calls, at all hours and all bells", the hin thought bemused. "Tommorrow", her thoughts felt. she would travel south tommorrow.

She went upstairs, entered the barracks room, so empty of late, with members deployed far away, or tending personal affairs, leaving very few active members on hand. She sadly murmured to herself, these ill times as she opened the chest and pulled out three bags to place her gifts in. The hin couldn't help but smile as she looked over the gifts, bought back in Selgaunt, on a whim of love.

A fan for Arien, another for Lereth. a Gi for Evendur. light clothing, shaped like the oriental armor she saw the local Kozakurans wore for Nicha, with a matching wide brimmed hat. And a kimono for JenWa, fiery red like her beloved friend.

Millia searched out over then next few weeks high and low to give these gifts to those she loved, taking great pride and joy in the act as she presented them. but went she got to looking for JenWa finally, she recieved only questioning looks, unanswered answers, and a well of confusion, as the hin began to cry when she could not locate her friend. The hot tears of disappointment coupled with sorrow and the feeling of missing, makes not a hin happy, as she sat on the front door still of the Whitestar Head Quarters, watching the setting sun in a break in the clouds of a, otherwise, stormy day...