Log Date: 4/15/96
Log Cast (in order of appearance): Rayek, Ekuar, Tilia
Log Intro: After setting out from Lostholt, the small party consisting of
  Rayek, Ekuar, Ember, Minx, and the Preserver Petalwing is at last drawing
  near the Palace. Much of the travel time has gone slowly, as Rayek allows
  for the land-bound elves and the ancient Ekuar, but also because of
  Minx's distrustful reactions to the erstwhile master of the Palace.
  But now....

----------
After days of travel, the terrain has finally yielded over to the familiar 
  pass through the mountains where the Palace last landed. With Minx and Ember 
  lagging behind -- perhaps because Ember's daughter is trying to talk her 
  mother out of this trip -- Rayek surges ahead, the call of the High Ones' 
  home drawing him unerringly. He floats up over the edge of the pass, and 
  hovers there, just gazing at the Palace.

Ekuar pauses in his steady shuffle, propping his staff against his body and 
  patting at his damp forehead. He squints up in Rayek's direction, his mind 
  calling with a strength his tired voice probably would not be able to 
  manage. ** Brownskin... How does it look, eh? ** His mental voice seems to 
  tingle around the edges with anticipation, sighting home after such a long 
  and wearying journey.

Rayek lands, and simply gazes up at it, eyes full. He is not quite sure why he 
  is so relieved to see the place; did he expect it to be raided by humans? 
  Filled with other elves? But there is no one in sight, and he sends, ** 
  It... does not look different... **

Ekuar straightens his thin frame and seizes his staff again, his energy 
  renewed by the nearness of the goal. He moves, lopsided but with purpose, 
  across the rest of the pass, heading straight for Rayek and the Palace. ** 
  It will be good to get inside, my, yes! In out of the heat. How does it feel 
  to be home, dear one? **

Rayek almost smiles at that. Home. Eagerly, he moves to grab Ekuar up, and 
  float him closer to the Palace doors.

You lift Ekuar into your arms, his ancient body feather-light.

Ekuar looks at you for a moment.

Palace(#500Jae)
You see before you a tall stone structure, taller by far than any elf or human 
  or troll. There is something odd about its appearance -- it almost seems to 
  blend in with its surroundings, at least if you are not close to it. But the 
  closer you get, the more it seems to *tug* at you, and show to you its 
  battered towers and spires. The nearest wall sports a long, winding ripple 
  that might once have been a mighty crack, and the nearest visible entryway, 
  a doorway at least as tall as two elves, sports a pair of heavy, ornate 
  doors.
Contents:
Battered Tent
Nightshade
Obvious exits:
Doorway  

You approach the huge battered stone structure.

Ekuar approaches the huge stone structure.

You lower Ekuar, carefully.

Rayek blinks a bit at the signs of recent habitation, as he draws near.

Ekuar laughs with uncomplicated delight as he is taken into the air. ** I 
  wonder where everyone is! I suppose they haven't heard us coming yet, you 
  fly so silently, hm? **

Rayek blinks, once. Others at the Palace... he frowns a bit, and supposes he 
  should not be surprised. There were others when they left, after all. But he 
  pauses, as he draws near the doors... and stops, startled. "The doors..."

Ekuar's lucent eyes widen in wonder and curiosity, and he moves forward to 
  peer at the doors. "Eh!" he breathes, his face creasing in a fond smile. 
  "Look at this! Sealed as nice as you please. Ah, me. Some rockshaper has 
  been looking after you, pretty Palace." The old one seems to be murmuring 
  this last bit to the grand structure itself, his voice gently chuckling, as 
  he might address a close relative or dear friend.

Rayek scowls absently to himself. "The... others." He blinks, then scowls a 
  little more, for some reason. "There... _were_ others here..." His voice 
  sounds strangely uncertain.

Ekuar tucks his staff against his body and reaches out to pat lovingly at the 
  smooth, sealed stone of the gigantic doorway. He bobs his head in 
  confirmation. "Yes, my boy. Yes indeed. Let me see, let me see..." He 
  absently strokes and pats the stone as he thinks back over the years since 
  he took his pupil on their long walk. "Ehm. Hm. There was the pretty Glider, 
  do you remember? The one who fetched you when you were so sick in the 
  jungle?"

Rayek murmurs, "Ktai."

Ekuar ahs! "Yes, yes! That's her. And... the little maiden, the Wolfrider, do 
  you recall? She was just learning the ways of shaping stone." He regards the 
  doorway happily. "It must have been her, closing up the doors like this! I 
  asked her to look after the Palace for me, and the dear lass must have taken 
  the job quite to heart. Bless her, so she did."

Rayek frowns. "Why seal it..." He touches the smooth stone, himself, then 
  casts a glance back over his shoulder, in the direction Ember and Minx 
  _should_ be following, at least...

Ekuar gives an amiable shrug with his good shoulder. "Who knows, Brownskin, 
  who knows? The lass must have had her reasons. I'm glad to see the place was 
  cared for." His ancient eyes twinkle, and he leans a bit toward Rayek. 
  "Shall I open it for you, eh? For the grand return?"

Battered Tent shakes with a start, then stops.

Battered Tent
This is a, yes, battered tent. It's small and sits right up against the wall 
  of the Palace, in the lee of the wind. It seems to have been there for well 
  over a turn.
Carrying:
Tilia

Rayek nods, frowning to himself, but not without another frown at the tent. 
  "Yes, Ekuar... open it..."

Battered Tent utters a small but loud voice, "I know you're out there!"

Rayek jerks. And freezes, then, eyeing the tent.

Ekuar didn't even notice the battered tent until the voice came from within, 
  all of his attention previously riveted on his beloved home. He turns, 
  blinking vaguely, one hand still touching the stone doorway lightly. "Eh?"

Rayek calls, firmly, "Come out then."

Battered Tent figures now isn't a good time to induce RP and decides to sleep 
  the tently sleep instead.

Rayek stares at the tent for a long while, recognizing the voice from within.

Ekuar looks from the tent to Rayek, not quite placing the voice himself... but 
  also not very inclined to ask about it, judging from the look on Rayek's 
  face. When no one emerges from the battered tent, the old elf turns back to 
  the Palace doors, his smile returning.
Ekuar could undoubtedly reshape the doorway from where he stands, or even from 
  a distance. But the old rockshaper does not see this as a mundane task. He 
  lays his staff carefully aside and steps slowly up to the doors, resting his 
  spare body entirely against the smooth stone in a lover's embrace. His head 
  turns to one side, his weathered cheek pressed against the cool surface. 
  Gentle dark eyes slip closed... and the featureless slab begins to _change_. 
  To flow.

Rayek watches the tent for a time, eyes narrowed. But when it remains quiet, 
  and when Ekuar's power flares into life, he cannot help but turn his 
  attention to the shaping at hand.

Ekuar gives a low murmuring sigh as the stone ripples and shifts to his will. 
  He is in deep communion with the material of his race's ancestral home... to 
  merely peel away a rock face is not so much, but the firstborn also seems to 
  be using this as an opportunity to share with the Palace. To greet it, 
  spirit to spirit. Slowly, easily, with a warming sparkle of magic filling 
  the air, the sealing stone drifts and sinks down into the earth from which 
  it was drawn. The doors are again revealed, familiar and lovely in their 
  ornamentation. From where he stands, resting against the exposed doorway, 
  Ekuar smiles. His eyes flicker open, and they glow with the contentment and 
  rightness he feels, savoring his brief link with the powerful old stone.

[Log Date: April 17, 1996
 Log Intro: Once into the Palace, Ekuar toddles off contentedly to check on
 the state of Rayek's and his chamber, and to assure himself that all is
 well with the ancient stone of the High Ones' original home. Rayek, while
 immensely troubled by the presence of Tilia out in the tent -- and just
 waiting for her to show herself -- slips through the Palace's halls
 to perform his own inspection. As he comes back into the main entry
 hall, however, he finds another elf who has returned to the Palace....]

Ktai is sitting quietly, her eyes closed... just kind of leaning against the 
  wall. She looks a bit paler than usual.

Rayek, floating down from his inspection of the upper levels of the Palace, 
  freezes at the sight of the figure below, and eyes her warily.

The pale glider-elf looks exhausted... or drained... as if something has taxed 
  her severely... but she makes no sound... no movement.
Rayek lands, then, after a few moments, and strides closer.

Very still, that pale one.

He who once called himself the master of this place simply stares, for a long 
  while, at the quiet figure. So, he thinks, Ktai too, is here, along with 
  Tilia; he supposes he cannot be surprised.

Rayek's gaze flickers as he watches the taller elf. To say, or send something? 
  It has been years, after all, since he has seen this one; something, at any 
  rate, at last compels him to send, wordlessly, a simple announcement of his 
  presence.

Still she has not moved.

Rayek frowns at the lack of response, and tries once more, clearly: ** Ktai. **

Dark eyes slowly open, and a veil flickers thinly behind. She smiles faintly 
  yet softly, nodding just a bit before closing her eyes. A whispery soft send 
  tingles slightly... almost too intangible. ** Rayek. **

Rayek steps up to you. Amber eyes narrow; black brows draw slightly together 
  over the bridge of his brown nose. ** Ekuar and I have returned, ** he 
  informs you, with a bit of that sharp edge which typically marks his sendings.

Quite faintly, her answer is soft. ** I am glad. ** Still, she remains as she 
  was, eyes closed, leaning against the wall...

Rayek's frown deepens. He does not ask if you are well; that much is quite 
  obvious. His glance flicks up and down, looking for signs as to why. 
  Gauntness? Shadows about the eyes? Strange tuggings at his sense of magic?

There is almost nothing coming from the pale glider. She looks unwell, but it 
  seems she should be well. But where with most elves, there is at least a 
  sense of magic, this elf seems to have no feel of it... as if she has 
  allowed it to be used in one burst, then let it fade away...

Rayek's frown remains. As his own magic-senses, drowsy after their years-long 
  rest, still are stretching their way back into life with the Palace's fire 
  coaxing them, he can only sense for now that something is fundamentally 
  missing. But it's not an unfamiliar feeling, and to find it here and now 
  makes him shift from frown to scowl. "Great Sun," he mutters. Will she stay 
  this way? To judge the extent of your awareness, he tries speech. "Ktai. Do 
  you require aid?"

Again, the whispery soft sending lightly brushes your mind. ** I don't think 
  you can... **

To himself, Rayek nods; she hears speech, then. Eyes still narrowed, tone 
  almost clinical though with a slight husky burr that hints at underlying 
  concern, he demands, ** Is your mind clear? Do you know where you are? **

The soft sending falters a bit, then recovers. ** My mind is as clear as it -
  can- be... and I am resting in the Palace... **

Rayek takes all this in, thoughts racing briskly. ** Do you need a healer? **

The send shifts, almost too weak to be sensed. ** I don't... don't think a 
  Healer could help... **

Rayek's sending turns firmer. ** Your magic is gone. I can sense it. What else 
  is wrong? **

She coughs slightly, trying to hide it, but failing. It is the first movement 
  you have seen. ** I hurt. It will pass. **

Rayek's eyes glimmer a bit, just a bit. He crouches before you then, studying 
  your face. ** It will pass more quickly if I call a healer here. ** He 
  avoids, at least for now, considering _which_ healer.

** No... no healers... it will pass or it will not. **

Rayek's scowl wavers, at that; his gaze goes troubled. But the truth of the 
  sending is clear, for all its weakness. He nods, once, and whether the 
  refusal relieves him -- he has Cutter's daughter and grand-daughter here, 
  after all; Cutter would doubtless refuse him a healer, particularly Leetah 
  -- he does not say. ** As you wish, then.... **
Rayek trails off, uncharacteristically awkward, before adding, ** On the floor 
  is not a proper place to rest. **

Ktai coughs slightly, a weak sound in the silence of her sendings. For an 
  instant, she winces, as if that act alone hurt her, then she eases, her face 
  relaxing.
** It was .... where I stopped. **
Ktai finally makes a move, opening her eyes slowly, and leaning forward, away 
  from the wall. She stands slowly and unsteadily, then decides to wait until 
  the world settles down before she tries to move more.
Ktai wavers, then, obviously to her own pain, drifts to the floor like a feather
  falling. A vague shake of her head, and she whispers faintly aloud: "No... 
  the floor is fine..."
The pale elf leans against the wall, closing her eyes and resting again.

Rayek frowns as Ktai slumps down again, and steps closer to the prone Glider. 
  ** Ktai. Listen. I shall float you to a place where you can rest properly, 
  if you wish. **

Ktai weakly shakes her head. ** <Quiet> No... this is nice... right here... 
  it's cool... shady... <her send begins to trail a bit> **

Ekuar has arrived.

Tilia steps in from outside.
Tilia moves away from the huge stone structure nearby.
Tilia has arrived.

Rayek mutters an oath. Still crouched by the tall elf's limp form, he 
  stretches forth his brown hands a little, and calls up his power. It flows 
  readily here in the Palace; his fingers glow. He focuses on Ktai, then, just 
  a bit, to see if the glimmer will somehow harm her....

Ekuar hobbles lightly in from the side corridor, humming to himself. He 
  pauses, taking in Rayek and Ktai, a bit befuddled.

Tilia appears swiftly into the huge doorway and shouts smally, but with force, 
  "Leave my Palace alone!"

Ktai only sighs softly, convincing herself to open one eye to regard Rayek. ** 
  Is it that important to you that no-one rest on the Palace floor? **

Ekuar looks over at Tilia, startled.

The dark eye closes at the sound of that voice. High Ones, she's heard that 
  voice far too much for her liking.

Rayek blinks, gaze snapping up. He frowns, then, as carefully as he can, 
  releases his magic's hold on Ktai's body.

Tilia points the tip of a dagger at Rayek, eyes ablaze (most figuratively) and 
  snaps, "Out."

Ekuar's mild eyes widen at this, and he takes one lopsided step further 
  forward. "Eh... GoBack maiden, what's the matter, hm?"

Rayek stands up, making his leather cloak swish slightly about his frame. His 
  eyes flick from Tilia's face to the blade and back again, and he says 
  brusquely, "I see you've returned to the rest of your tribe's strategies for 
  dealing with those you do not like."

Tilia points the dagger tip at Ekuar threateningly, "Stay out of this." She 
  points the tip again to Rayek, settling from her manic state to a greater, 
  sturdier hate.
Tilia says "You abandoned this place. You have no place here. Leave."

The pale elf sighs. ** Oh, Tilia... just rest it, will you? ** Her send is 
  tired and soft, but loud enough so that she isn't forced to repeat herself.

Ekuar doesn't seem frightened by the dagger... is he too old and muddled, or 
  too wise? "My dear," he says reasonably. "Be easy. The Palace belongs to all 
  of us... whether we're journeying or whether we're here."

Rayek's eyes narrow, and he takes a few strides away from the prone Ktai. If 
  Tilia plans to charge him, he does not wish that elf in the way... Then, at 
  Tilia's order, he smirks a little -- though less than he might have, once. 
  "You are starting," he tells Tilia, "to sound remarkably like me. Do you 
  plan to thrust that through my throat, as Kahvi and her warriors wished to 
  do with their spears?"

Tilia ignores the others, for now, eyes dark beneath her bangs and knifetip 
  still and steady toward Rayek.

Ktai
        Black hair, once worn long and full, has been caught up and twisted 
  into a bun at the nape of a long and slender neck. It might be possible that 
  a streak of white is evident in the blackness of her hair, but it may be 
  your imagination. Eyes as black as her hair, and as deep as the Night glance 
  your way, then flicker back after a moment. For an elf, this one is tall, 
  and rather thin - almost gaunt. Tired, this elf looks... and quiet in both 
  send and speech.
         Her clothing looks rather warm for her chosen surroundings, as her 
  yellow silk blouse and pants are covered by a tan soft leather jerkin and 
  held at the waist by a beaten gold belt. Fur rises over the shoulders, 
  providing warmth, and the leather of her boots exactly matches her jerkin, 
  complete with fur cuffs.
        After a moment, you realise this one is a Glider-elf... but something 
  - her wildness, perhaps - gives one pause enough to wonder if she still 
  calls relation to any within the Mountain.
Carrying:
Pouch
Cotton bag
Leather Pouch

** Please... no bloodshed. I don't think I could stand that now... ** Ktai's 
  send is softer, fainter... carrying with it an 'ill' feeling.

"I would rather," comments the smallest, "walk barefoot over the tundra than 
  to spill your blood, but if you do not leave this place in peace then you 
  will leave it in defense."

Ekuar, in true form, moves a few shuffling paces to stand between the GoBack 
  and Rayek. Cocking his head gently to one side, he says, "Warrior... 
  Brownskin did not abandon our Home. Eh? He wasn't well... I took him away." 
  A shrug of the thin shoulder. "If you'll lay blame anywhere, give it to me."

At that, two dark eyes open, and the pale sitting elf looks over. Her voice is 
  light and whispery from lack of use or strength. "Please... I wish you'd 
  stop this..."

Tilia sidles to the side, until Rayek becomes clear in view again.

Rayek's amber gaze shifts to Ekuar long enough to direct his next words to the 
  ancient elf, before the airwalker eyes Tilia again. "Well, then. If the 
  Palace has a new Master, I shall see that the Go-backs are duly informed. 
  Especially Lursa, to whom I made the promise of the Palace's return. You may 
  explain yourself to your tribesmates, Tilia."
Rayek, with that, archly turns to Ekuar, evidently dismissing the dagger 
  pointed at him as any kind of threat.

Tilia turns her head to the side and spits onto the floor. "What would they 
  know. Do you know what they would do with the Palace? Look at it. Lounge in 
  it. It would only be a trophy to them. A trophy!" Certainly if she was 
  reserved even in her anger, the thought loostens that constraint.

Ekuar moves closer to Rayek, leaning heavily on his staff, looking up into the 
  dark, angular face. He, too, seems to let Tilia slip from his attention, at 
  least for the moment.
Ekuar locksends ** Poor little GoBack. So much anger within her! **

Rayek, moving to Ekuar to send privately to him, says sardonically, "And you 
  plan to do exactly what with it, that you must drive me off at knifepoint?" 
  He looks at Ekuar, though, as he says this.

Ktai closes her eyes with a soft sigh. Magic senses flare for a moment, then 
  settle.

You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek's answering sending is curt. ** I... am not 
  surprised. I am more worried for Ktai, my teacher. She is... hurt, somehow. 
  **

And the reaction from the Goback is just as predictable. "Leave!" she screams, 
  both fists clenched.

Ekuar props his staff against his side, smoothly and almost unconsciously, so 
  that one gaunt hand can reach out and brush against Rayek's sleeve, large 
  old eyes still scanning his face.
Ekuar locksends ** Does she know what's wrong? Can we fetch a healer? **

Rayek, at last, looks back to Tilia. ** Fine, ** he sends, flatly, irritated. 
  ** Take the Palace and leave this world with it, if you desire it so 
  passionately. If you believe you can fly it on your own, and if you care to 
  bear the hatred and revilement of the rest of the elves of this world, who 
  will curse you for stealing the one prize that truly belongs to us all! **

Ktai sighs, opening her eyes slowly. ** Will we all squabble over nothing at 
  all? We'll all eventually end up in the Palace one way or another... why 
  make it any sooner than we have to? **

Tilia points the dagger strictly at Rayek again, peering into his eyes. "You 
  could never fly it alone." She hisses, a dark voice. "It was me. You used 
  me. You've always used me. How does it /feel/ to be used." She points 
  straight toward the doors without looking. "Get out. Others I don't mind. 
  Others I can trust. Not you. You've given up your right. Get out."

Ekuar props his staff against his side, smoothly, almost unconsciously, so 
  that his one gaunt hand can reach out and brush lightly against Rayek's 
  sleeve, large old eyes still scanning the tall elf's face.
Ekuar locksends ** Does Ktai know what ails her? Will she have a healer 
  brought? **

** Where would he go Tilia? ** The send is growing... something is almost 
  forcing Ktai to have some strength in her.

Tilia snaps deep bitterness to Ktai, "I seem to remember a nice place in the 
  mountains that he ran to once before."
Tilia says "Let him run again. Let him crawl. Let him see what he does to 
  others for himself."

Ekuar turns his bare head slightly, glancing softly at Tilia. "He didn't run, 
  remember, my dear. Eh-- I took him, and not of his own will. Your anger 
  is... misdirected." The ancient voice is gentle, steady.

Tilia yells again, but not quite the same. Something else is in the sound. "He 
  lied to me! He always lies to me! He always uses me!"

Ekuar offers the warrior a smile, genuine and respectful, almost paternal. 
  "Please... let there be peace here. We have the chance to make it different, 
  now. No more lying, no more conflict. Hm, child?"

Tilia settles again, catching her breath into slow and deliberate hunter's 
  timing. "No," she hisses, making again sure she watches Rayek. "Not again. 
  Not again, and again, and again. There has been no change. There will be no 
  change. I won't let him do this to anyone who comes here. I will be his 
  last."

Rayek listens to all of this, arms crossed over his leather-clad chest, gaze 
  slitted and smoldering. "Ah, so I am only permitted to leave the Palace when 
  it suits your will, Tilia? If I return to that northern valley, how long 
  will it be before you send to demand I return?"

Icily, the answer, "Never."
Tilia crosses her arms in a similar motion, knife hand carefully atop her 
  other arm.

Ekuar shakes his head slightly, sadly. "Warrior... this is our Home. Yours, 
  and mine, and his. Eh? No one should choose who stays, who leaves. It solves 
  nothing."

Tilia says "You would have him send it to people who would horde it like 
  greedy children. You obviously know nothing about this place. Stay out of 
  it."

Rayek's lean mouth twists slightly. ** Very well, then. Evidently the time 
  spent attempting to restore me as a fit guardian for this place has gone to 
  naught. A pity that I shall not have the opportunity to repay the kindness 
  of Ekuar and Ember. ** Mockingly, he turns, striding out, cloak billowing 
  behind him. ** I cede the guardianship of the Palace to you, Tilia. High 
  Ones grant it is a less bitter guardianship for you than it has been for me. 
  **

You step out through the doorway, leaving the entry hall behind.
Palace(#500Jae)
You see before you a tall stone structure, taller by far than any elf or human 
  or troll. There is something odd about its appearance -- it almost seems to 
  blend in with its surroundings, at least if you are not close to it. But the 
  closer you get, the more it seems to *tug* at you, and show to you its 
  battered towers and spires. The nearest wall sports a long, winding ripple 
  that might once have been a mighty crack, and the nearest visible entryway, 
  a doorway at least as tall as two elves, sports a pair of heavy, ornate 
  doors.
Contents:
Battered Tent
Obvious exits:
Doorway  
You approach the huge battered stone structure.

You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek touches your mind quickly as he goes. ** I will 
  not be far. **

You move away from the huge stone structure, stepping around the rubble that 
  litters its immediate vicinity.
Wide Pass Through World's Spine Mountains
This wide pass is nearly an entire days' ride from one side to the other, from 
  what you can tell. The sun is still hard and heavy here, but the looming 
  presence of the mountains to either side seem to lessen the drain of the 
  barren waste.
Contents:
Palace(#500Jae)
Obvious exits:
Northwest<NW>  South<S>  

You sense in a locksend, Ekuar touches you gratefully. ** The time wasn't 
  wasted, dear one... Never that. **

You locksend to Ekuar, Rayek sends back something like a half-smile. ** Tilia 
  does not wish this explained. It will... not serve if I anger her, for now. 
  I shall camp without, in range of sending, and hunt for you. **

You sense in a locksend, Ekuar sends curiously, ** Brownskin... will we really 
  leave here? **

You locksend ** <grimly> I shall... have to consider that. ** to Ekuar.

Ktai locksends ** <A quiet hesitant questioning... not strong enough to carry 
  words, of even feeling... just a soft - presence, wondering> **

You locksend to Ktai, Rayek sends back readily. He hasn't gone far; if you are 
  alert enough to tell, the sending suggests he is not more than a short glide 
  away from the Palace.

Ktai locksends ** <An acceptance... but slight doubt. Strength is far from 
  her... could she find enough to move...?> **

You locksend ** <quietly> I still think you should let me summon a healer. ** 
  to Ktai.

Ktai locksends ** <Stubbornness feeds strength. She's thinking about heading 
  outside.> **

You locksend to Ktai, Rayek, after a moment, sends back an offer of 
  assistance. He will not enter the Palace, at the moment, but he will meet 
  you outside it if you wish.

Near the Palace, Ktai carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace 
  and joins you.
Near the Palace, Ktai has arrived.

Palace(#500Jae)
Contents:
Ktai
Battered Tent
Obvious exits:
Doorway  
You approach the huge battered stone structure.

Rayek steps around a rock, one black eyebrow up.

Ktai clings to the doorway, standing flat on the stone.

Rayek approaches, though not without a glance around you.

Ktai sends openly ** So ... angry... she doesn't ... listen... **

Rayek's mouth quirks slightly. He joins you, sending wordless and sardonic 
  assent.

Ktai slowly slides down the doorjamb, nearly sitting before she tries to 
  recover.

Rayek looks down at you gravely. ** Do you need help? ** The send's still 
  brusque, as most sends from the airwalker are. But his gaze has gentled a 
  trifle since the argument with the Go-Back.

She doesn't want to trouble you - that much you can sense... but she knows she 
  is in trouble, desperate trouble...
Ktai stands, but by the looks of things, she's using the sturdiness of the 
  Palace to help herself with a hand-over-hand 'pulling up'.

Rayek watches you rise, then offers an hand. ** A healer, ** he repeats. ** 
  The closest ones are in Sorrow's End. **

Ktai shakes her head, but accepts the offered hand hesitantly. ** <Quiet... a 
  feeling of 'you-shouldn't-go-too-far-from-here'.> **

Rayek smirks slightly -- there appear to be differeing opinions on that matter 
  -- but sends, ** I shan't leave Ekuar. But I could ask Ember and Minx if 
  they would bring a healer here. **

Ktai shakes her head. No... she's depended on so many already... she should 
  go... leave... her send indicates so, without saying a word.

** You sound, ** Rayek sends dryly, ** remarkably like me. **

Ktai flushes suddenly, deep and bright pink in colour.
After a moment, words come to her. ** Is that so bad...? **

Rayek watches this, levelly, perhaps wearily -- this welcome back to the one 
  place he feels he can call home has not surprised him, but the tightening at 
  the corners of his eyes and mouth suggests it may well be a burden. But if 
  it is, it's one he hasn't chosen to put down yet, for he sends, ** You tell 
  me, tall one. Are you truly as in pain as you seem? The last time _I_ 
  staggered as you do, they sat on me in Sorrow's End for a full year. **

Ktai smiles, though faintly. ** I am weak... and did not know how - heavily I 
  depended on my magic... **
Her send continues, quiet. ** ...and how glad I was to see you well. **
Dark eyes hesitantly look to you, then close as she wavers slightly. A thin 
  magic-feeling, and she steadies, reopening her eyes.

Rayek's own eyes flicker a little; one corner of his mouth twists in something 
  that might be a smile. ** Thank you. ** It's short, but not unkind.

Ktai nods quietly, indicating she would like to sit on the stone.

Rayek helps you down, carefully, then. He doesn't sit, not yet; one brown hand 
  lingers on the ancient rock beside him.

Ktai sighs softly. ** Have you ever tried something so dangerous... that the 
  cost of failure could have been your life? **

Rayek's glance travels farther up the Palace, and he is silent a moment or 
  two. Finally, looking back down, he sends, ** Yes. **

Black eyes look up at you, and her right hand absently undoes the bun, letting 
  her hair fall loose. There are strands of silver mixed in the black... 
  silver that you don't remember having been there before.
She nods, sending nothing but a feeling of - kinship... and a shyer emotion, 
  hiding but evident within her weariness.

Rayek's eyes go slightly more gentle. He grants that sensed feeling the 
  dignity of privacy; at most, a bit of a nod. Now, at last, he sinks 
  gracefully down to sit beside you, one leg crooked up, and his arm draped 
  across his leather-clad knee.

The odd feeling that Ktai might lean against you flits by, but she doesn't 
  move, merely sits there quietly, trying to retain what strength she has 
  left... trying to reagin herself as she twines one hand within her hair.

Rayek sends at last, quietly, ** Do you wish... to share what occurred? **

Ktai sighs softly. ** My... daughter... was in trouble... I tried to help... 
  tried to go astral... I nearly ... killed myself... **

Rayek quirks an eyebrow at the word 'astral' -- then ahs. ** You tried to go 
  out. **

Ktai nods slowly. ** In all my years... I had never tried before... and my old 
  mental walls slammed up ... preventing me from being hurt... but they block 
  my abilities out... I can't lower the walls... not yet... not alone... and 
  so I wait... **

Rayek studies you consideringly for a time, then sends, ** When the Palace 
  crashed, I could not slow its descent. **

Ktai closes her eyes. She could probably feel the impact if she thought about 
  it... feel the crystal shatter... she knows how it feels... now...
When she opens her eyes, she looks to you. ** Scary... ** Then she looks away, 
  to her feet, to the stone... the sand...
Ktai sighs softly, her hand somehow catching up a silvery streak of hair. She 
  looks at it as if to ask how that happened.
Ktai shakes her head, still looking at the silver hair... but not truly 
  looking at it...
Ktai sighs, and swats the silvery strand away. No use in wondering.... it's 
  there, accept it. /You're growing old, Ktai.../

[Log Date: 4/23/96
 Log Intro: After Rayek storms out of the Palace, Ekuar and Tilia
 remain within, discussing the airwalker and the Palace....]

[NOTE from Ekuar's player, who logged this portion: There's a missing part 
  between when Rayek leaves and when this log begins... my server dumped me 
  before I could get that part properly logged.]

Tilia says "If you want to go, that's your choice. Not mine."

Ekuar shakes his head slightly, wistfully. "Wherever Brownskin goes, I
  follow." He looks up and around at the beloved and familiar Palace. "And
  how long, child, before you decide to chase someone else away? Someone else
  who doesn't agree with your vision of how this place ought to be used. Eh?"
  His voice is regretful.

Tilia says "No one else. Only him."

You sense in a locksend, Rayek sends back something like a half-smile. **
  Tilia does not wish this explained. It will... not serve if I anger her,
  for now. I shall camp without, in range of sending, and hunt for you. **

Tilia looks down to resheath her dagger, then sits on the floor by the doorway.

You locksend to Rayek, Ekuar sends curiously, ** Brownskin... will we
  really leave here? **

Tilia says "He's looking for a cave. He may need your help."

Rayek locksends ** <grimly> I shall... have to consider that. **

Tilia looks down at a hand and adds, softly, "There's one toward sunset."

Ekuar leans comfortably on his staff, looking down at the GoBack gently.
  "He's all right. Eh, indeed." He pauses, and asks wonderingly, "Can you
  tell me... why all this hatred? Why are you trying to do this?"

Tilia takes a deep breath, pursing her lips as she regains some composure.
  "He has no right here. He lies, he decieves, he uses, he causes pain to his
  own end. The Palace can be used, and I deeply fear the kinds of things he
  would use it for."
As she looks up, her face hard, but eyes, wide and clear, reflect her fear,
  her sadness before she pulls it back again.
Tilia says "The Palace needs someone who can be trusted."

Ekuar says quietly, "You know... you're wrong when you say nothing has
  changed.  He has changed. I ought to know, eh? The long walk I took him on
  did some real good." He regards the warrior kindly. "We came back because
  he needed to keep his promise. To fulfill his trust. You're jumping to
  conclusions."

Tilia says bluntly, "I don't believe you."
Tilia says "There is no honour in giving the Palace to the Gobacks. No one
  owns it. It will remain this  way."

Ekuar gives a lopsided shrug. "Eh! Well, my dear, I can't help that. Shall
  I send it to you?" His voice is still gentle. "All I know is, it's true.
  And you might do more harm than he ever could, if you continue as you are."
  He smiles. "You' re right, no one owns it. And no one ever will. Not even
  you. What does it matter where the Palace rests, who lives in it? It
  remains free."

Tilia says "You don't know"
Contempt creeps into her voice.  "You don't know the Gobacks. You don't
  know Kahvi, or Vikra. You don't know Lursa, or Krev. You don't know what
  they think, what they say, how they act."
Tilia says "You never were a Goback. I would trust Rayek with the Palace
  before I would trust them."

Ekuar clicks his tongue. "Oh, maiden. I -do- know. Perhaps better than
  most." He stretches out his single hand, and gnarled fingers glow with
  energy. "I lived in the Lodge for quite a time... Eh! I have a GoBack
  daughter, did you know that?  Fierce and sharp." His eyes mist,
  nostalgically. "And I know the very heart of the Palace. It will survive,
  no matter who lives in it. Listen to me, hm? Trust. No one can harm this
  place, except by using it as a reason for hatred, as you are doing."

Tilia shakes her head after a moment. "No. No you don't. You know the
  stones, you know the shape, but the heart..." She looks away, setting her
  jaw.

The glow surrounding Ekuar's hand deepens, turns richer, fiery like a
  reddened candleflame. "Shaping isn't just about the rock, warrior. It's
  about spirit, mine and the Palace's, intertwined. Like soulmates, learning
  one another, trusting one another. I know... eh... the heart, indeed."

Tilia says in a near mymble, starting to pull herself into herself. "I've
  been the heart," she mumbles.

Ekuar nods sympathetically. "Yes... But you aren't, anymore. You need to
  share it with us. All of us. You need to know that the Palace will survive,
  wherever it  rests."

Tilia shakes her head.
Tilia says, quieter, "You don't understand."

Ekuar sighs, softly. "Perhaps I don't. Eh... I wish you could explain it to
  me."  A pause, and then gently, wryly, "-Without- using your dagger."

Tilia looks down at her hand and throws the dagger out into the room.

Ekuar says slowly, feeling his way, "You don't want the Palace taken to the
  GoBacks. But... since few of them have magic, and therefore couldn't tinker
  with the, eh, Scroll, or fly the Palace anywhere... what harm could be
  done, hm?"

Tilia says quietly, "Not to the Palace. To everyone else."

Ekuar puzzles over this. "Harm done to everyone else... by whom? And how?"

The Goback seems to come to a conclusion. "Why don't we just give it to the
  Gliders."

Ekuar says mildly, "You said so yourself... the Palace doesn't belong to
  anyone. Hm? Not a person, not a tribe. It rests where it rests, but keeps
  its heart within itself. The soul of our ancestral birthplace." He shifts
  his weight carefully off the wooden leg, easing his stance.

Tilia nods gently. "Winnowill will much appreciate this. She will not abuse
  it. Everyone will be safe. Everyone  will benifit, no matter where it is."

Ekuar's thin lips quirk in a smile. "Ah, no, my dear. There I can't agree
  with you. The GoBacks haven't the magic to tinker with the Palace's
  workings... But Winnowill does, as you know very well."

Tilia says "The Gobacks would have the strength to keep others away from
  the Palace. Except Trolls. And they would."

Ktai blinks. Fell asleep? Perhaps... but unlikely. Her eyes regain focus,
  and she peers about.

You say "Other elves? Why?"

Tilia sits against the wall, half curled in upon herself. Her dagger lies
  some distance from her, discarded haphazardly.
Tilia says "They're Gobacks."

Ktai frowns mutely, looking to Ekuar in question.

Ekuar looks with gentle reproof at Tilia. "Oh, child. That's no answer.
  They were very kind to me, when I lived among them... and there are others
  who visit them, befriend them. They're elves, like us. You're talking of
  them as if they were monsters. Eh?"

You locksend to Ktai, Ekuar briefly touches your mind with his own,
  concerned. ** Are you all right, pretty one? Brownskin was worried... you
  seem ill. **

Ktai locksends ** <Hazy feeling of - illness... but an illness unknown...
  magical in nature, it saps deeply at her.>  **

Tilia mutters quietly, "They can be."

Ekuar lifts his pale brows. "You've decided where the Palace can and cannot
  be, just because of your opinion of the GoBacks?" A sad shake of the head.
  "Oh, please, take a step back, my dear. Think it over. Hm? Your anger
  speaks hastily, without reason, without purpose."
Ekuar looks intently, sorrowfully, at the small warrior.

Tilia looks up, intent. "And you? If Gobacks had your weak will, they'd all
  be dead."

A whispery send: ** She sounds like me against the Gliders... so angry I
  couldn't see beyond my nose... **

A wise, knowing smile flickers across Ekuar's gaunt face. "My will... Well,
  that's another tale, child, and a long one. I think perhaps you're using
  your strong  will for the wrong reasons, at the wrong time. Burning
  yourself up with anger, when you needn't."

Ktai stands slowly, and not without nearly clinging to the wall.

You locksend to Ktai, Ekuar sends, concerned, ** Rest, lovely one. We'll
  get you a healer soon, eh? **

Ktai locksends ** <hazy> No... no healers... **

Tilia says "This is not anger. I do not hate Gobacks. Only Him."

Ktai steps slowly towards the door to outside, her feet keeping constant
  contact with the floor.
Ktai pauses,  wavering. "But he is not a GoBack."

Tilia says "I know."

Ekuar tips his head. "Then-- eh-- I truly don't understand. Why won't you
  let the Palace go to the GoBack land, as they asked?"

Ktai shrugs, drifting out slowly.

Tilia says "It does not belong there."

Ekuar replies reasonably, "Who is to say where it belongs? Properly
  speaking, it never belonged on this world at all. One place is much the
  same as another, in  many ways."

Before she slips through the doors, she send-whispers. ** It does not
  belong near Winnowill, either. **
Ktai steps through the doorway outside.
Ktai approaches the huge stone structure.
Ktai has left.

Tilia says "Then here is just fine."

You say "When Rayek and I returned to fulfill our promise, you want to stop
  us?  To make sure we can't be trustworthy in our sworn word? Why, child,
  please tell  me?"

Ekuar leans heavily on his staff, eyes imploring.

Tilia turns away again, staring at a place across the hall.

Ekuar nearly whispers, "You haven't explained it to me. Eh-- you speak in
  riddles. Please..."

Eventually she says, "Rayek is untrustworthy. He lies. He abuses. He does
  not think of others. He thinks only of himself. His plans. His goals. His
  ideals. You don't believe me. You never were harmed by him, were you.
  Tilia says "You never had him chase you down. Never had him throw you into
  trees."
Tilia says "You never had him force you to ..."

Ekuar shakes his head slightly. "I have been harmed... and I have harmed
  him. We forgive each other. You are holding grudges tight within yourself,
  warrior. And  you're making decisions from those grudges, without realizing
  that Rayek has indeed changed. That's why we came back." His eyes shine,
  proud of his student. "Back to keep our promise. Thinking of others."

Tilia says "No. To finish a selfish promise. If he has changed, I would know."

Ekuar shrugs lopsidedly. "Selfish promise? Perhaps I disagree... But in any
  case, my dear, it's a promise, made and sworn. If Brownskin had not
  changed, he might decide to forsake his promise easily. But he has changed,
  and he wants to keep his word." He peers at Tilia, curiously. "Tell me why
  you want to make us break our word, eh? Just because you hate Rayek?"

For a time, silence. Then, "No."

Softly, without blame or guile, an honest and wondering inquiry: "Why, then?"

"It... doesn't belong there." Something in her voice is uncertain, an edge
  of loss.

Ekuar carefully lowers himself down onto his single knee, large, gentle
  eyes fixed on Tilia's small form. "Why not?" he coaxes.

Tilia tenses, straightening, but not looking away.
Tilia says "Does it matter?" The old form of her tiny but intense self
  comes back naturally. "If you want to take it anywhere, by all means
  /try/."

Ekuar lays down his staff slowly, then spreads his hand, palm up. "It does
  matter. Please... I don't want to see you burn with such hate. I want there
  to be peace. Eh... child. I want to know why you feel you must do this."

"Which," she waves a hand around randomly, illustrating something, "'this'?"

"Threaten Rayek with your dagger," the elder replies, simply, softly. "Try
  to banish him. Keep us from fulfilling our trust, our promise. It's all the
  same thing, and you haven't yet told me... why?"

Tilia says "I have. Many times. You think it's something more, hm? You
  think that ... that turns of being abused, used, looked down upon, harmed
  ... yes, this has made me realize some things about him. Watching him with
  me. Watching him with others. I feel so sorry for Leetah, who works so hard
  to keep him happy when all he wants is to be happy."

"I do think it's something more," Ekuar says quietly. "I asked you if it
  was just your hatred for Rayek, and you said no, eh? You said it 'doesn't
  belong there'. I can't understand what you mean by it unless you tell me."
  He rests his hand on his good leg, puzzling. "-Is- it simply Brownskin?" he
  asks, at last. "Is it simply the past conflicts you have had between you?
  Your anger at him makes this decision?"

Tilia says "My anger makes me throw him out. My knowlege keeps the Palace
  here."

Ekuar strokes one thin finger across his pale chin. "Your knowledge... What
  knowledge? I think this is where I get lost, warrior." A wry smile. "This
  old mind can't always keep up, I'm afraid."

Tilia sneers easily. "Don't patronize me."

Ekuar props his elbow on his leg, his delicate jaw on his hand,
  thoughtfully. "Eh! No offense, no offense, indeed. Won't you tell me what
  'knowledge' it is that makes you keep me from the promise?"

Tilia clears her throat a bit. "I... I don't know."

Ekuar considers this, and nods, his face alight with genuine sympathy for
  the fierce GoBack. "Is there any way I can help you, eh, to find out?"
  There is no undercurrent to his offer... patience, concern are in his
  voice.

Tilia lowers her head a bit. "I ... don't know."

Ekuar nods again, gently. He lets silence rest upon the air for a moment,
  and finally says, "Please... tell me if you think of any way I can help. I
  won't be far. Hm? I -do- want to help you, warrior." His hand, so
  frail-seeming yet so full of hidden power, reaches out just a scant bit
  toward Tilia. He does not touch her, or corner her, but the brief gesture
  speaks volumes about his sincere worry on her behalf.

Tilia says quietly, "If I want to find you, I will." She says these words
  with remourse, still inwardly concerned, shouldered with some great
  responsibility that has only recently begun to shed light.

Ekuar's smile touches his mouth, his eyes, gentle and understanding. Again,
  he nods, and begins the careful process of retrieving his staff and
  levering himself up one-sided from the ground.
  Ekuar lets his gaze linger for a moment more on Tilia. Then he turns,
  leaning on his staff, and limps steadily for the doorway, eyes misty with
  thought.

[End log.]