"Of course.  This way."  Shaendra leads James out of the tent, pausing only to assure Cyan and Banglen-Yp, "I shall return shortly."

Crrurr'nokp thanks James as the man leaves, then returns his attention to reporting on his journey here, "There is something further you should know, Cyan.  The enemy are more numerous than Jonnee Kay had thought.  The army has encountered them in smaller numbers than he predicted, but far more often.  It appears that they are in far more places than we expected.  Jonnee Kay says to tell you that the enemy have spread themselves too thin.  He believes it is because they are searching for something, or somebody.  Most likely you."

The brintizzi takes a deep breath before continuing, "He says that there is hope though.  The new crystal weapons have proven very effective, and we have made new allies who fight the enemy now in their own worlds.  Many of them die, of course, but in doing so they also slow the enemy."

"Jonnee Kay believes that no world will remain entirely untouched in this war."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:40, Tue 13 Mar 2012.

One of the hydra-mind offers up the brintizzi's route to the bridging, displaying the Myriad Worlds and the shimmering thread running through them to where the group now rests.  Another continues to survey their surroundings, searching for threats.  A third peers directly into the Underflow, keeping watch as well.  The remainder focus on James, rapt and fascinated.

And Cyan watches, her eyes wheeling through their colours as the stars turn above.

Reaching out, she catches James' shoulders as he sags.  "Well done, James, well done, indeed.  I have never seen the like."  Healing magics and powers are a rare thing in the Myriad Worlds.  Long ago, before his mind had begun to heal, Berd had once tried to explain to her the concept of Entropy, and despite his near-incoherence after a short time Cyan got the gist.  Things break.

That James can go against this flow is astounding.  That he has taken his control over Amber's Grand Pattern and made it into a poultice for an injured body is nothing short of miraculous.

She laughs quietly at his quip regarding the dance, and surrenders him to Shaendra's care.  "Of course, James.  I will check in on you later.  Berd?"  The drake chirps an affirmative, and one of his minds peels off to keep an eye on the scion of Amber.  The others begin assimulating the process James used, seeking methods for assistance.  A discussion springs up - with effort, Berd could separate himself from his preconceptions sufficiently to create an 'argument', but there is no point now - regarding the use of unaspected energy from the Underflow, and its potential to bolster James and his attempts.

Certainly worth looking into.

Cyan turns grim as Crrurr'nokp continues, nodding her head, her emerald eyes downcast.  "I thought Jonnee understood the extent of the Seraphim's power.  I should have spelled it out.  I should have..."  Many things.  She shakes off the grim feelings.  "War is everywhere.  New allies, though?  Has he spoken with the crystal spiders?"

She considers.  "Spreading too thin is one of the most critical errors a General can make.  No communcation.  No focus.  Fragmentation.  The capacity to be defeated in detail.  For all their intelligence, the Seraphim have never displayed a strong grasp of strategy."

Her lips quirk in a bitter smile.  "They have never needed it.  Their power, when brought to bear, is nigh-absolute."

"But the crystal weapons...good.  And if such exist, I am certain that more devices will be found or unearthed during this war.  I only hope I can end it soon.  Jonnee Kay may soon see a large change in the Seraphim's movements.  I need to get word back to him."

She ponders her palanqueti.  "Not through you, Crrurr'nokp.  You have done enough with this.  I can contact him swiftly if need be, but he has no means to do the same for myself.  You have done splendidly, splendidly.  And now...now I must warn Shaendra."

Closing her eyes, Cyan makes fists with her fingers.  "Lord of the West curse it, we may have brought this war to her world."

"Yes, Jonnee Kay was aware of the strength of the enemy.  But now they have divided that strength.  He believes it is because they want to search and conquer as many worlds as possible, as quickly as possible."

Crrurr'nokp hisses suddenly, "Victory!  We shall defeat them because of this.  They send smaller forces to many more worlds, but because these forces are weaker than those they used before they adopted this stratagy, the people who live in those worlds now have a better chance of defeating them."

He stretches out a hand in a gesture which encompasses Cyan, Berd and Banglen-Yp, "Your existence forces them to hurry, and they make hatchling mistakes.  When my people hunt the thunder beasts, we do not attack the whole herd at once.  We try to single out one beast, divide it from the others, and attack it in force.  Then we single out another.  And another."

"These Archons, they attack the whole herd, and risk being trampled.  We have seen worlds where their smaller armies fell to defenders who know their own worlds, and who now have the advantage of numbers.  Even an Archon cannot survive when outnumbered dozens to one by people who gain strength from desparation."

James follows Shaendra out of the tent.  He's looking forward to a good sleep (long would also be nice, but seems less likely).  He's tired enough not to be too picky about his bed but he has confidence in Shaendra's hospitality.

Fragmentation versus concentration - elementary strategy, but one oft-used and terribly effective.  Jonnee Kay cannot win the war this way, for they must discover and end the Archons' true plan; Cyan knows it cannot simply be to conquer, for Harbonah has evinced a desire to return everything to nothing.  But Jonnee can certainly stymie and defeat the Archon forces like this.

For a moment, she wonders if that is Harbonah's strategy: keep them running and fighting, while the real threat is put in place.

Hopefully not.  Were it so, he would need multiple plans in operation, even now.  How many of his endgames would they have to defeat to find the true one?  Better to stick to her idea.

She glances away, after James, and lets out a sigh.

Back to Crrurr'nokp.  "Fine news indeed.  We can continue to harass the Seraphim, crushing their smaller forces or leaving them to be destroyed by the inhabitants they foolishly awaken to war."  She grimaces.  "It amazes me the Seraphim can mount this kind of offensive accross such a vast theatre...but we know their power and their number."

"Still, a critical mistake."

"There is hope, Crrurr'nokp, as you say.  Hope of victory."  With a smile, she pats him on his armored shoulder.  "How long will it take before you are ready to travel?  Safely?" she clarifies, knowing full-well how the brintizzi think.

"There are many of them, and they can move very quickly.  Faster than us, even."

The brintizzi grins, displaying a mouthful of vicious teeth.  His kind seldom have to admit that anybody can move faster than they can.  "That is how they can spread so rapidly.  Even so, Jonnee Kay says that there are so many worlds that if the Archons sent only one of their kind to each, they would still only occupy a fraction of them.  They must keep moving from world to world if they want to spread their control.  Every world that resists slows that movement."

Crrurr'nokp pushes himself up off the bed and stands, unsteady only for a moment, "There is a saying among we brintizzi - 'run as fast as you will, and still you can be in only one place.'  A thousand Archons forced to fight for a ten-day on one world means a thousand less to trouble other worlds for that time."

He blurs then, and is suddenly standing behind Cyan.  "With food and time for churrestcha-kee... you would say meditation, which is near enough, I will be ready tomorrow.  James has healed me well."

It's always shocking to her how quickly the brintizzi move.  Her reflexes can cope...somewhat.  But she can't physically keep up.  Cyan shakes her head, bemused.  "If this is 'almost' healed, Crrurr'nokp...as always, your people are most impressive indeed."

She taps a finger against her lips.  "Wise words, wise words indeed."  The bard slowly nods.  "Bogged down here and there, and their blitz across the Myriad Worlds begins to stagnate.  If they are held down on five worlds, then that is four groups that cannot come to the aid of another to help pacify a world.  And if they choose to disengage, the worlds they have attack will have time to rearm and prepare strategies against them."

Her lips thin.  "Were this a war of conquest, they would be doomed to fail.  But it is not.  We still must discern their plans and counter them."  Now her mouth twitches into a smile beneath her hard, emerald eyes.  "But still they make critical mistakes, open their throats to their enemies, fail at elementary strategy.  Overwhelming power is sufficient when battling one foe; it has made them complacent, I suspect.  And it will not suffice against the infinite."

She cocks an eyebrow.  "Churrestcha-kee?  Pray tell, what is different between it and meditation?"  Curiousity will ever be a part of Cyan, even now.

I must request Fangmir from James, she considers.  Practice with the unfamiliar sword will be necessary.  Perhaps she can egg its owner into a spar.

A spar to replace the one they twice missed; once aboard a ship and once in a rainstorm, when blades crossed for real.

The brintizzi returns to the bed and sits down.  For a moment his attention seems distracted by a hole in the blanket, a neat, straight-edged cut.  Then he produces an odd croaking sound before laying a hand over the hole, hiding it.  "As Johnee Kay explained it to me, meditation is calming the mind and body to calm the spirit.  My people have a similar concept, but the means of achieving it are different."  Crrurr'nokp closes his eye and breathes out, long and slow...

There is a movement.  A small cluster of razor-edged scales on his chest lifts.  The area of raised scales spreads, while those in the centre lay flat again.  A ripple moves outwards, across his torso and onto his head, arms and legs.  In some places, especially around joints, the scales lift and vicious barbs and spines are revealed, emerging just for a moment before returning to their hiding places.  The ripple reaches all the extremities of his body at once and begins to move back to the centre...

Crrurr'nokp opens his eye and smiles, "That is churrestcha-kee.  Or a part of it.  Normally it would continue for much longer."

James finds himself in a large tent, where numerous makeshift beds laid out.    They are no more than straw-filled mattresses laid on simple wooded vrames and covered by blankets.  Even though there are a lot of beds, there are few people sleeping in them at the moment.  In the moments before he drifts away to sleep, James notices that there seems to be a slow, steady trickle of people in and out of the tent.  All of them are being very quiet as they move about...

The duck suddenly looks at him, removes the pipe from its beak and exhales a cloud of smoke.  "Before you ask, yes you are dreaming now."

Interesting.  A form of body-control exercises, along with a mental component, no doubt.  Cyan then smiles at her own foolishness.  Of course those would be aspects to it, but it's quite likely a great deal more, including things her own mind cannot comprehend.

So very like her kind to reduce everything to simplistic terms they can understand.

"Impressive," she admits, "the little of which I can see.  Certainly there would be much more to it."  The bard slowly nods, her ruby eyes shining in the dimmer light.  "Was there more, Crrurr'nokp?  If not, I shall leave you to your healing, and consider what you have told me."  Reaching down, she grips his forearm - carefully, to avoid any startlement or insult.  "You have done us a great service; a brave one, as well."

James sits up in bed.  In place of a straw-filled mattress, James is on a small, single bed.  The doona, tossed back, shows a black stallion rampant on a gold shield and a crimson field.  The tent has become a small bedroom, with stencilled shapes of suns, moons and clouds on the walls and the the suggestion of soft toys silhouetted in the dim half-light.

"Professor Duckulus?!  I must have really overdone it.  I haven't dreamed you in, what, over forty years?" James hunches closer and continues in a conspiratorial whisper, "Has the Frantabulous Beast returned?"

Crrurr'nokp sits silently for a moment.  Then, "No.  I have told you all I can remember.  If I recall anything more, I will seek you out.  While I have this," he holds up his hand, displaying the crystal, "you will be easy to find."

"For now, I need only rest and food."

The duck moves closer to James, and it starts to change.  Its head starts to distort, as a spot between its eyes starts to extend, becoming a single, projecting spiral of horn.  Its legs stretch, while its wings fold downwards, becoming two more legs, tipped with delicate hooves.  Still duck-sized,  feathered, and with a distinctly Anatidaen look to its face, the creature asks, "Do you recognise me now, James?"

"Good, then."  Cyan nods her head, a smile brightening her face.  "I think we can be assured our hosts will overfeed you...rest, then, would be best."  She pushes herself to her feet, wincing slightly.  In the last year, her knees have begun to ache after lengthly travelling, a new thing.

"We will speak again before you or I leave, Crrurr'nokp."

Taking her leave of the brintizzi, Cyan exits and views the gathering place again.  Closing her topaz eyes, she takes a deep breath; when she opens them again, they have shifted to amethyst.  "Well and good," she murmurs.  Berd stirs on her shoulder, grumbling quietly, and she pats his head.  "Sleep now, father.  I will require your assistance, ere long."

An inquiry or two places James, and Cyan paces toward the tent, calling the Archons to her as she walks.  "I would have your impressions, Archons of the nephillim and sencathi, of this world and its peoples."  Her smile, while real, has a melancholy turn to it.  "I would know more of your thoughts and emotions, if it is not an imposition."

The smile brightens for a moment.  "And your impressions of our fellow traveller, Banglen-Yp.  A curious creature she is, no?"

The bard seats herself beside James' tent, glancing around for evidence of Banglen-Yp's presence.  One never knows, and it's often amusing to try to discern what form she or her other selves have taken now.  It's a touch easier for Cyan to comprehend the idea of one creature being a multitude, due to Berd's curiously split consciousness.  She can't grasp how it must be, but certainly her understanding of the generalities has grown.

Reaching into her pack - provided by Berd - she draws out her sketchbook, fountain pens, and inks.  And there, bright sunlight gleaming in Cyan's rusty hair as she listens to her companions, the bard's hands begin their work.

There is only one Banglen-Yp present, as far as Cyan can tell, and she currently kneels close to the bard, holding the kitten she has adopted in one hand.  The animal struggles, wanting to be put down, so the woman places it on the ground.  She plucks a hair from her head, and watches as it becomes a little shorter and thicker, one end swelling and spreading to become a feather-like structure.

String and feather, the natural prey of felines everywhere.

With the kitten thus distracted, the odd shapeshifter tilts her head towards Cyan, and is about to answer, but one of the danioti speaks first, + THEY ARE ILL-PREPARED, SHOULD WAR COME HERE... + only to be interrupted by the herenthi, Barkiel, + BUT THEY ARE FOREWARNED NOW, AND WILL, DOUBTLESS BE BETTER PREPARED. +  Another Archon, Shalgiel the sencathi, rebukes them, + THAT WAS NOT THE QUESTION.  THE QUESTION WAS REGARDING OUR IMPRESSIONS OF THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES, NOT THE STATE OF THEIR ARMIES.  OUR IMPRESSION IS THAT THEY LEAD SIMPLE LIVES, AND HAVE SEEN LITTLE OF HORROR AND WAR.  WITNESS HOW THEY TREAT STRANGERS, EVEN THOSE WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM THEMSELVES.  THEY HAVE NOT LEARNED TO FEAR THAT WHICH IS ALIEN. +

The transformation does not complete, seemingly frozen midway between duck and unicorn, but still the oddly chimerical creature speaks to James.  "I am grateful to you, James.  Your healing made me stronger, more able to resist those who have invaded my realm.  Further, it enabled me to reach out to you, even across the distances that separate us.  To send you a warning.  Beware James, for you travel with one who would betray all that you hold dear."

Cyan smiles as the various Archons make their points.  "Such different thoughts," she murmurs, pen dancing over the paper.  "And yet, you are all correct from your own perspective."  Her smile broadens, and she looks up at her companions.  "A danioti sees in terms of defense; is this not so, Nariel, Staosha and Suriel?  And yet, perhaps each of you might have found something different to note.  Barkiel finds an opposite point.  Shalgiel turns the question to another point of view.  No doubt Rabacyel would have their own thoughts on the matter as well."

She nods her head.  "All different, and yet...you battle not over these differences.  They give what?  Enjoyment to discuss?  A potential glimpse into other perspectives?  The capacity to understand others, which comes with a wealth of opportunity..."  A sigh follows, and she puts down her drawing for a moment.  "Your brethren, the Seraphim...they have not grasped this."  Cyan rolls her eyes.  "This is not a flaw of the Archons.  Many people of all races do not. That you can deal with this differently than the Seraphim gives me a great hope that they, too, will gain the wisdom and forebearance you have grasped."

Her amber eyes return to the drawing for a moment, and she studies it - a man and woman, dancing within a rain of floating petals.  More detail must be added.  And colours.

"Perhaps I speak of that which I do not understand, of course," she finally continues.  "Foolish of me to reduce the complexities of others to such simple terms...my apologies if I have given offense, noble nephillim and sencathi."

Now her eyes flick to Banglen-Yp, still playing with her 'kitten'.  "But what of another perspective?  Banglen-Yp, your feelings on the matter of these people; would you share them?"

James straightens abruptly.  "Yes, I recognise you.  You look a little odd but the horn's a dead giveaway."  James grins, although his mood is serious, "I'm sorry, I'm sure you've a better reason for...this, than my poor jokes."

James listens, then sighs heavily.  "Yep, that qualifies.  You'll forgive me if I wish you were Professor Duckulus, or brought better news.  Can you tell me anything about this soon-to-be traitor?"

OOC: I take it James has some sense, through the connection, that confirms this is the Unicorn??

"My thoughts are like those of this one."  Banglen-Yp indicates the Archon, Shalgiel, and her voice takes on an unusual (for her) gravity, "With the addition that these people knew little about the war before we arrived.  They know a little more now.  The lizard-man with the strange name can teach them even more before he leaves.  Their sudden appearance surprised our Wheels.  If more Wheels come, they can surprise them too."

"They live their lives in peace, but that does not mean that they lack the will, and the ability, to defend themselves."

The Uniduck, or possibly Duckicorn, depending on your perspective, shakes its head, "I can tell you little.  As you healed me, I saw  visions of your future.  They were confused and jumbled, and it took me a time to unravel them.  I saw you atop a mountain, surrounded by wheels of fire, which jeered and taunted you.  A woman with hair the colour of flame stood at your left hand, and a sword was in her hand, and its edges burned.  You spoke to her, and your words were of the betrayal and treachery of a travelling companion."

Cyan stills her pen as Banglen-Yp speaks, listening to her carefully.  And she nods.  "Yes.  There are times when a peaceful people remain a people capable of defending themselves."  The pen begins to move again.  "Sometimes those who have everything are cognizent of having everything to lose.  Sometimes a people is peaceful because they understand war, and have risen past the need for it...yet it remains a part of their capacities.  These people are strong.  They have power."

She stares through the papers.  "If the Seraphim come," Cyan whispers, "I think they will fight."

Her amethyst eyes focus on the page before her, and the pen picks up its pace.  "One hopes they will not find it necessary," she admits.  "If any of your wish to speak," Cyan continues, addressing the Archons around her, "I find myself curious as to why you joined the nephillim.  I would know you, know your reasons."

For a moment, she closes her eyes, breathing in deeply.  "They give me hope."

Shalgiel sweeps close by, small and glittering like a snowflake, + WE EXISTED BEFORE THE SERAPHIM, AND THE NEPHELIM, AND ALL THE OTHER FACTIONS.  HARBONAH IS WRONG - OUR KIND WERE DESTROYED OR EXILED, AND EXPUNGED FROM HISTORY FOR SAYING THIS, BUT IT IS STILL TRUE.  HARBONAH.  IS.  WRONG.  ONLY THE NEPHELIM COME CLOSE TO MATCHING HARBONAH'S STRENGTH, SO WE STAND WITH THEM. +

Other Archons add their voices, agreeing that Harbonah's plan is wrong.  Several explain how associating with humans, and other creatures of the myriad worlds, has taught them things that other Archons have not learned - about art, and music, and the pleasure to be found in simply moving  in rhythmic patterns in concert with others.

These Archons have learned why humans do certain things.  Rabacyel, the eshurianti, reveals that only recently did it become aware of the human need for food - until then it had not understood the removal of one form of grass from an area, only to replace it with another.  That realisation had brought a growing understanding of a lot of seemingly inexplicable activities.

The three danioti are the most vocal in their scorn for Harbonah, sure that when he falls, he will be alone, all of his allies having moved on to follow their own paths.  They, meanwhile, have learned from humans the worth of allies who can be trusted.  Allies whose goals do not shift constantly to suit themselves.  This has long been the way of the Archons - to join forces one day, and then to turn against each other when you no longer have a common objective.  For these three danioti, though, the lack of a word for friend in their own language has become a nagging reminder of the hateful spirits of many of the race.

And a thing which might be troubling, or it might be good news - not all of the Seraphim follow Harbonah.  There are other, smaller groups who still call themselves Seraphim, but whose overall schemes touch only tangentially on Harbonah's own.  While they want to eradicate all non-Archon life, they will do so for their own reasons, not for Harbonah's grand plan.

The woman is probably Cyan, the sword Gurthang.  Which is odd, because she just gave it to me.  Still, who can say what might happen?  Thank you for the warning, I will speak to those I trust and see what can be done.

A pause.

You saw visions of my future? A shared memory  No.  Never mind,  Some things it is better not to know.

Cyan puts down her quill as the Archons speak, choosing instead to study them, to put their words to their beings and strive to better understand these new friends.  Shalgiel's reasoning goes beyond logic, as befits its wise age - it knows right and wrong, and is willing to defend the right.  The other Archons feel similarly, but aslo speak of moments of illumination that led them to the decision.  Art, music, creation - all have struck sparks within their hearts.  Knowledge, too, has granted understanding, and with that has come empathy.

And the danioti...theirs is the saddest story, that they labored so long alone, and only with the study of others found relief from that void.  They learned to trust.  And in trusting, found other, like-minded Archons.

Cyan wipes her opalescent eyes, nodding her head.  "I would name you all friends to me, if you would agree.  I have learned so much from you - all of you - and am gratified, yes, gratified by your companionship."  She cannot help but smile.  "I count myself fortunate."

I have been blessed on this quest with many friends.  And now, these.  Such luck, I never would have considered.

Her eyes fall upon Berd, and she slowly nods her head.  "Berd found much the same with an Archon of the herenethi," she notes.  "In understanding art, it grew...and began to crave what it now began to feel.  To care for such things.  And through them, begin to understand the care of others.  It turned against Harbonah, much as you have."

She shakes her head.  "Lords of the West!  I have no right to feel so, but I am proud of you people.  Such strength and perception, to break free from a mode of thinking that has existed for eons.  To turn against it.  I am humbled by your strength, your wisdom, your perception."

Easy for her to battle Harbonah, being of those who would die.  Much harder for these, throwing in their lot against the odds and against their own society's pressures and beliefs.

Settling back, the bard takes up her quill again, changing inks.  "So there are factions, even, among the Seraphim.  Splinter groups, as it were.  Hardly surprising," she murmurs.  "How we will deal with them...perhaps their spies among Harbonah's people -" for their will be spies, she knows it "- will alert them to our plan and they, too, will come.  Else we will have to deal with them afterward.  Harbonah and his people are the priority.  They are too close to success."

Someone, in any case, will have to deal with them afterward.  Cyan feels it likely it will be beyond her capacity.

"The images were confused James.  I was not entirely myself." the creature says, looking down at its hooves, webbed feet and feathers, then skaking its head, "Though not quite in the same way that I am not currently myself.  What I have told you is what I have managed to piece together.  If further realisations and revelations occur, I shall attempt to contact you again.  At least I shall if they pertain to what I have already told you.  Your reluctance to know more is unlike others I have dealt with."

The air above the Unicorn's avatar grows dark, as if some ominous shape were looming there, just beyond James' perception.  "Ah...  I believe it might almost be time for me to leave... "

+ HAVE YOU NOT HEARD?  AMONG THE ARCHONS THERE ARE AS MANY FACTIONS AS THERE ARE ARCHONS, PLUS ONE. + one of the danioti says, humming quietly, + WE THOUGHT ALL KNEW THIS. +

Barkiel adds, perhaps a little more constructively, + DEALING WITH THE FACTIONS IS EASY ENOUGH.  FOR MOST SERAPHIM, THEIR GOALS CURRENTLY ALIGN CLOSELY ENOUGH WITH HARBONNAH'S OWN THAT THEY CAN BE CONSIDERED LOYAL TO HIM. +

+ THE PROBLEMS MAY START AFTER HARBONNAH FALLS.  UNLESS YOU CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW UNIFYING MOTIVE, THEY ARE LIKELY TO GO THEIR OWN WAYS.  I WOULD SUGGEST POWER.  OFFER THEM DOMINION OVER OTHERS, BUT TELL THEM THEY WILL NEED TO RETAIN IT THEMSELVES.  THAT MAY ENCOURAGE GROUPS TO WORK TOGETHER, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH. +

Cyan chuckles quietly at the danioti's comment.  "Well put, well put."  It's a problem, but not an unsurmountable one, and something her plan will hopefully deal with...in part.  Assuming she can make it work.  Obviously there will be hold-outs, but Archons are territorial creatures with little sympathy for those who cross their lines.

If the majority believe the universe worth keeping, the odds of those wishing its destruction succeeding drop dramatically.

"Your suggestion is wise, Barkiel," she considers.  Her pen comes up and thoughtfully taps against her chin, the quill leaving small green marks on her tanned skin.  "If there are those who will not listen, if there are those who insist on continuing the battle, their disorganization and competition will prove an effective stopgap measure for the short term.  Long-term?  Indeed, encouraging them to cooperate will be the best possible solution."

Her lips twitch in a grim smile.  "Competition, jockeying for power, and backstabbing will reduce their efficiency severely."

The quill-tip goes back to the paper, scratching and scraping out an image.  Berd opens a bleary eye, studies it, huffs a small cloud of rainbow smoke, then falls back asleep.  Cyan absently waves away the fumes.  "I hope that sufficient numbers of Seraphim will...how to put this?  Grow?  Understand?  Change?  I hope to provide a catalyst for this growth, enable a spurt of what might have otherwise taken milennia to achieve."  She taps her forehead, then realizes such a motion would have no bearing on the Archons.  "A growth within, mind.  In thought, and outlook."

She sighs, leaning her head back against the rough bark of the tree.  "A slim hope that all would change - so slim one cannot see it if it turns sideways.  And yet, a straight battle aganist the Seraphim is nigh-impossible.  But if we can convince even a third of them to see the worth of the universe, that force added to our own might very well carry the victory."

Her pen goes back to the paper.  "I hope to do better than a third.  The more who change, the better our chances...and the more of your people who will survive this clash."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:45, Mon 30 Apr 2012.

"It's time for me to go, James." the strange hybrid form adopted by the Unicorn starts to change, to unravel.  Strands of light are pulled from it, twisting and turning and extending outward until James realises that he's standing on familiar territory.  Around him the Pattern reaches out into darkness, burning with all the colours of the rainbow.  "Take care, James.  The fate of much that you know and love is tied to your own."

As Cyan, accompanied by a Banglen-Yp, Berd and the Archons sits discussing plans and prospects, there is a quiet cough.  Shaendra has returned from whatever errand drew her away.  "The hour is growing late."  She gestures towards the dark, star-filled sky, visible only in patches through gaps in the canopy, "I would suggest that you rest.  It seems that you have an arduous journey ahead of you, culminating in a task which is no less so.  You may use this tent, which serves as a communal barracks of sorts."

"You are safe here, in this camp.  My people will guard you."

James notes the shadow with concern.  The Unicorn is a creature of power but it may still be weakened from its injuries or vulnerable in this dreamscape.  It's importance as a talsiman of Amber is hard to overstate and James would not have it take unnecessary risks.

"Goodbye, then.  Thanks for the warning.  I'll be careful.  You take care, too.  Amber isn't out of the woods yet."

James watches as the Uniduck unravels in a pattern of light, into the Pattern.  It's disorienting for a moment.  To be in the centre of the Pattern, while asleep?  The possibilities were intriguing - and highly dangerous.  It is tempting to experiment but who knows where one's mind might end up.

Out of an abundance of caution, James makes a point of willing himself back to his camp bed on Shaendra's world, before allowing sleep to overtake him once more.

"Ah, my thanks Shaendra!"  Setting aside the artwork, Cyan rises and bows, dusting herself off.  She grimaces.  "I oft forget to sleep these days, and it leaves me cranky.  I would not wish that upon my travelling companions...not at all.  They will thank you as well."  That said with a quick smile, the starlight catching in her amethyst eyes.

She bows.  "I will take your kind offer - not the first, indeed! - and go to my rest."

She trusts the woman and her people.  But even so, they are not familiar with what may come, and before turning in, Cyan will assure the Archons that it will be necessary to continue the watch.

Berd remains asleep, garnering whatever rest he can find.  His depleted energies have begun to return, and soon he will be prepared for whatever might come.

For her part, Cyan crawls quietly into the tent, settling the small dragon into a place on her bedroll.  She stares through the darkness around herself, observing the still, silent forms, anonymous in the gloom.  A wry smile twists her lips and she shakes her head once before hunkering down next to the drake and closing her eyes.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:05, Mon 07 May 2012.