She entered the compound and went into her own meditorium where she set the seals on the doors and placed a shield around the room to prevent scrying. She pulled out an amulet out and breathed upon it, then spoke to it.

 "Hieronymous, I would speak with you when you have time, if you can, before the caravan leaves."

 She placed the amulet back inside her gown and set about doing some other work that needed to be done. Soon she would be forced back to her husbands chambers when the sleep spell she had placed upon him wore off. She intended to give him a dream of a fairly blissful night that should leave him smiling for a few days.

   Jannor the Hunter, Jannor the Relentless, Jannor the Wolf lifted his head as he saw movement in the shadows, every single fibre of his being focused on the gate of Sadina's compound as he peers into the gloom to see if he has, in fact, spotted the departure of his old acquaintance, Arturus.  He gives the signal, the call of a screech owl, to let his children know to be alert.  He could not see them in the shadows, but he knew his sons were there, awaiting his word.  A cruel wolfish grin spread across his scarred features...

10:15, Today: Jannor (and sons) rolled 20 using 1d20+10. Spot Arturus and petal leaving.
10:18, Today: Jannor rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Hiding in shadows.
10:19, Today: Jannor rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Listening for Arturus.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:25, Mon 21 Apr 2008.

   The tall astrologer regards Sadina for many long minutes, silent as a tomb,  as the night's spirits whispered to him in their strange tongue and he listened.  His dark brown robe he kept pulled close about him, as if he were trying desperately to keep warm.  His amber eyes followed every graceful movement of the chief assassin.  Oh yes he knew who Sadina was, he knew her VERY well indeed.  In fact he knew many of her secrets, or at least he believed he did.  With a woman like Sadina it was very hard to tell.  She guarded her past, her true self most carefully.  Hieronymous respected her for that.  She had survived among the Arnish nobility as much by her sharp wits and canny judgement as by the application of her considerable abilities.  She was a dangerous woman to have as your enemy.  Smiling the cursed mystic thought of Lord Talaric.  Though he was a very powerful man, he had no idea of who he had married this day.  Or did he?  Perhaps he was not the fool Hieronymous supposed him to be.  Only time would tell , for Fate was a cruel and relentless revealer of truths, ugly, painful, and destructive.  The royal astrologer knew first hand the pitiless cold will of fate.
   Stepping forwards, Hieronymous golden gaze shone from beneath his cowl, his face as always shrouded in darkness as he preferred it.  In truth he had only disdain for the light, and avoided it like a plague.  Only a royal command would make him abandon the safety of his beloved gloom.

  "Honoured Lady Sadina.  Why has the Chief of Assassins conjured me hither, I wonder?"  He rasped, his voice barely above a whisper, yet echoing in the empty sanctum.

 She didn't jump like most people would when Hieronymous appeared out of thin air like he was want to do, for she had expected it, and had been braced for it. He was nothing if not reliable for that. She turned and smiled at him, probably as warm as smile as Sidi would have given him, if a bit more womanly than Sidi's.

 "Hello My dear Lord Hieronymous. I am sorry to have had to call you out, but the Curier Arturus has a new slave girl he wishes to train for his business, and I wanted to see if you could place a geas upon her never to reveal any of our secrets. You are more powerful than I am, and only you or Feyda might be strong enough to prevent the Enemy from subsuming the girl. Would you consent to do this for Sidi's and my safety?"

   Biting back the sarcastic reply that sprung so easily to his lips, Hieronymous bowed deeply, something he rarely did out of respect. "Only you and the Empress have ever asked me for such things, Lady Sadina.  You know full well that I cannot refuse one of the royal blood anything, yet still you consider my wishes of import.  I...am grateful for that small mercy."  He straightened up once more, rather awkwardly, not from a lack of grace, but from the unaccustomed emotions that accompanied the gesture.
   Lady Sadina always brought such tumultuous, passionate memories rushing back to the old astrologer.  They had been lovers once, a brief and beautiful moment in the ill-fated man's long and lonely life.  Fair Lady Sadina; the sunlight in her long, lustrous hair, her luminous eyes, her pale, soft skin, so warm against his own, had awoken feelings in Hieronymous that had been so long buried he had forgotten them.  Even now, looking at her, fairer than the starlight, he felt the pangs of desire...and regret.  It seemed even he, Hieronymous, the Gloomweaver, the Star-wise, the Accursed, could still love after all.  Yet he knew he could not give himself to her.
   Their fates were sundered, and he knew that she would continue to grow older, while he was forever trapped in his wretched form, until somehow his own geas would be forgiven and he could finally die.  His memories of her tortured him, all the more, for their beauty and their brevity.  And yet he loved her still.  He pushed his feelings angrily aside.  They were useless to him now.  He could serve her, be of use to her, and that would have to suffice.
   "Bring the girl, petal to me when you are ready, I will weave such a geas that none living now may untangle, you have my word."  He responded quietly.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Wed 23 Apr 2008.

"I believe she is still without, in the garden My Lord Hieronymous."
 She stepped toward him and briefly placed her hand upon his arm, looking up into his eyes, allowing him to see how much she still cared for him; even though their relationship was a tangled and torturous one, she thought he still needed to know that there was one golden thread in the dark cloak of destiny he wore. And who knew, perhaps someday, when his geas was done, and he and she were reborn upon the earth again at the same time, their love would be rewarded, and they could have their chance at happiness.
 Until then, they both had their duties to do for their Goddess, their Family, their Emress and their Country. She smiled sadly and stepped back after giving his arm one last squeeze. She looked away, allowing him...and herself the privacy of their own thoughts at this time.
 "I and very grateful to you Hieronymous. As I am sure Sidi and Feyda are. Know you that I will always be here to help in any way I can."

Arturus opens the gate just enough to allow a body to slip out. It is here that the screech owl calls and he recognizes it as being out of place. He isn't sure what bird it was but it isn't normal. He shoves petal back through the wall and motions her to stay inside and then slowly shuts the gate and slips into the darkness and stops to wait and see. He knows he has a hunter close now to see who it is. His blades fall into his hands.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:06, Thu 24 Apr 2008.

 She cringed against the wall when Arturus shoved her back inside the garden and shut the door. It locked automatically, leaving her inside alone, frightened that someone would kill him! What would happen to her if he was killed? She didn't understand all this creeping around in the dark anyway! She knelt on the ground in the shadows to make as small a target as possible and waited, straining to hear what was going on outside.

10:15, Today: Jannor (and sons) rolled 20 using 1d20+10. Spot Arturus and petal leaving.
10:18, Today: Jannor rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Hiding in shadows.
10:19, Today: Jannor rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Listening for Arturus.

13:18, Today: Arturus rolled 25 using 1d20+7. hide.
13:17, Today: Secret Roll: Arturus rolled 19 using 1d20+6. listen.
13:17, Today: Secret Roll: Arturus rolled 14 using 1d20+6. spot.
13:18, Today: Secret Roll: Arturus rolled 10 using 1d20+1. survival.
13:23, Today: Secret Roll: Arturus rolled 20 using 1d20+7. move silent.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:54, Sun 27 Apr 2008.

      Hieronymous turned from Sadina, her gesture bringing a profound sadness that he did not wish her to see on his face.  Wrapping himself in shadows he looked to Lady Sadina, no longer visible to any living being, but her.  Somehow she always knew when he was there, even when it was not possible for anyone to know.  His voice reached out to her, whispering to her softly.
   "I shall find her then, and weave the spell as you have bidden.  Your humble servant, I remain...my Lady." He replied quietly, then disolved into the night's darkness and was gone.

   Stepping forwards the astrologer hisses to petal. "Slave, come with me, there is something which Lady Sadina requires of you.  Why do you tarry here, quaking at the threshold, and where is your Master?"  Hieronymous' glowing amber eyes gazed intensely into the girl's, narrowing as he saw the fear and anxiety there.  Something was amiss, of that the cunning mystic had no doubt.
   "Praytell what mishap has befallen?  Speak quickly!"

 She squeaked and fell onto her backside as the cloaked man appeard from the darkness to scare the daylights out of her. She groveled at his feet and tried to speak.
 "Uhh...Uhh..there's men out there My Master thought Sir. He bade me stay here while he went to investigate."
 His other words dawned upon her then and she quaked even more. She didn't want to make him mad, but she didn't want to make her Master angry either.
 "Lady Sadina wanted me for something Sir?"

   Reaching down, Hieronymous lifted the slave to her feet with surprising gentleness.  As he gazed at her, a strange look came over the Astrologer, his golden eyes glowed with an intense light, as if he had forgotten where he was, walking in other worlds beyond the sight of lesser mortals.  Yet as swiftly as it came, the awful moment passed and he bowed his head, his words little more than a whisper, yet they carried with eerie clarity to the young Petal.
   "Your new Master has a long and difficult history, Petal.  The wheel of destiny has turned and Arturus must face some old demons.  It is a path he must walk alone, slave.  It is as it must be and none shall aid him in this.  Follow now, I will take you to Lady Sadina.  You are to be bespelled, so that you cannot betray her or your Master.  Come, for the night races onwards, and this must be accomplished before you may depart this place."
   The old mystic turned, without another word, and began to walk back towards the compound, his staff clacking upon the flagstones.  He knew that Petal would follow, for this too, was part of destiny; her destiny that could not be denied.  He had forseen it and it was as it must be.

Arturus sighs internally and realizes he has a more difficult time ahead then planned which wasn't easy already. He pauses and thinks who this could be. He hits on the people from the Inn. It had to be them. They were watching him and he knew that he knew them from somewhere. Nobody local that I can remember.....JANNOR that was the face.Having figured out his puzzle, he now moves on to the dilemma. He comes to a quick decision. "Alright Jannor I know your there. We might as well meet and talk or alot of us gonna get killed even if that is myself you will loose alot too. But more important, all the contracts you have in this place will dry up and you will become hunted here of this I am sure. You wouldn't have come with such a large force unless you knew that I can do what you fear." Arturus moves 2 steps away from the gate and hunkers down so if any missiles come they will fire to where he WAS talking not where he is now.

"Yes Sir. I will go with you Sir. Lady Sadina wants me Sir? Oh, i would never betray my Master Sir, or the Lady Sadina! I thought she didn't like me Sir."

She followed the mage without really thinking about it, or without thinking her Master might not like it.

   Stepping from behind the old cypress, Jannor spreads his hands to show he is currently unarmed.  He had always been deadly accurate with a throwing knife, almost needle think blades that he frequently poisoned.  He had many of these hidden on his person, but it wasn't his intention to use them, not yet at any rate.  He truly hoped it wouldn't come to that.  Oh, he intended to have his revenge on Arturus, but not just now.  His time would come, however, very soon. He peered through the darkness at his former acquaintance and smirked.
   "You always were perceptive, Arturus," he began in his slow carefully paced baritone.  His eyes darted around to make certain that Arturus did not have henchmen of his own.  Although he thought it unlikely, knowing Arturus as he once had, a great deal of time had passed, and things had changed considerably.  A note of amusement crept into his voice as he continued.
   "I'm not surprised you knew I was in Milath.  Interesting situation this eh?  Who would've imagined we would meet this way, after so many long years apart.  Truly we are but pawns of the gods, as the savants say.  Very curious indeed, to find you here, visiting your old friend, perhaps?  Ah, well, you always were the more social of us two.  Fortunately for you, Arturus, I'm in the mood to talk as well, just now."  He whistled twice quickly, sounding exactly like a common nightjar, another of his well practiced bird calls.  He was an excellent mimic, and the skill had saved his life more than once.
  "Easy for now, boys.  Hold steady while your father has a discussion with his dear old friend."  He walked into the street, awaiting Arturus.

Arturus stays in the shadows and doesn't show his hands. He watches the ones he sees and looks for the ones he doesn't see. "Cut the crap Jannor. We are not friends and you botched a job. Now I guess you are blaming me. So if you want to talk get rid of the bully boys.... all of them and I or the lady of the house's men wont kill you. I wasn't being social just business. The lady of the house has moved up quite a bit in social rank and therefore more dangerous. Right now she has need of my services. She would consider very ill favorably a person that would kill me at this juncture.. So why are you here and what do you want to talk about?" After he finishes talking he again takes 2 steps to the side more into the darkness. His blades firmly grasped to dispatch any of Jannor's bully boys he comes across.

   Jannor cocks his head as he hears Arturus reply.  Jannor's former colleague, as he recalls, was always an excellent negotiator and strategist.  Right now, Jannor was certain Arturus was carefully calculating the situation and determining the best angle to play.  He couldn't see all of Jannor's boys and the bounty-hunter knew it well.  'All the better to let him sweat,' thought the Relentless one to himself. He smirked as he silently approved of the situation.  'I have carefully considered this and for once I have the upper hand.  I rather like seeing Arturus off his game.'
   "My, but we are nervous now aren't we?" he taunted as a predatory grin spread across his pocked face, unseen in the darkness.  "Methinks it is you who seems afraid, Arturus.  Now why ever should that be, if, as you say, I 'botched' the job?  Perhaps guilt coils in your gizzard like a viper as you recollect the misfortune of our last encounter together?  As I remember it, you failed to grasp an opportunity to profit from the mission.  And when I wisely sought to do so, you left me to die.  TO DIE ARTURUS, IN SHAME AND IGNOMINY!"  Angrily Jannor's scarred hands balled into fists at the unwelcome memory and he shook with rage.  Now was not the time to let anger cloud his judgement, he knew.  With a herculean effort, he forced himself to swallow his bitterness.  Patience was needed, there would be a time for his revenge.  After a long silent moment he continued in a disturbingly steady and quiet voice.  "No, I have seen how far I may trust one such as you.  I am sure Lady Sadina's guards would defend you, so you have allies should you require them."
   Jannor peered into the starlit darkness, searching for Arturus face.  "I would be a fool then, in truth, to send my own away and leave you with the advantage.  My lads will stay where they are for now.  They understand loyalty far better than you and will await my orders.  I don't want you dead.  Not yet.  I just have some questions   that beg to be answered.  Simply give me the truth and no one will be harmed.  Not you, or your new, and may I add, fetching, slave girl.  Most interesting that is.  You are very much a loner, it is most unusual for you to have acquired a servant, though at least she is a comely girl.  If she knew, as I do, the treachery of her Master, she might consider inserting a knife in your belly one night while you sleep.   I know I would relish the opportunity."
   Suddenly, an idea occured to Jannor, a compromise that would hopefully allow them to talk.  Jannor needed information very much, enough to take the risk.  "At the end of the street are the ruins of an old shrine called FIERA VERITAS, do you know it?  Not much remains but a fountain, a dias, and some crumbling walls.  It is lit by the summer moonlight now, and I shall see to lighting a fire on the old brazier.  We will talk there, if you are bold enough to come.  Just you and I, no men, no darkness between us, save that which you bring in your own black heart.  You will be safe there; you know I would not attack you in a sacred place, even a forgotten one, on my honour.  I ,at least, still respect the old ways.  I will be waiting there, at the end of the street.  I do suggest you come."
   With ears perked and growing anticipation, he awaited Arturus reply.  Bending down to enshroud himself in the shadown of the ancient cypress around him, he listened in the still night.  He gazed up at the cloud darkened moon that seemed to watch silently from above.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Mon 05 May 2008.

Arturus snarled at the crap that he heard."You think I am afraid of you or death? Then you truly don't know me. You did botch the job. Your greed caused you to fail and I told you in no uncertain terms that if you screwed up and let personal issues get in the way you were on your own. Just as I told my new acquisition, she follows orders at least not like you. It is this reason that I will not follow you or meet you. You can't be trusted. You could be a great asset if you ever learned to control yourself. I would even use you again could you prove that. But you respect nothing not even your own family or should I tell your sons what happened to your wife, their mother, at your hands. So either you send your men away now or we are done. Nothing will happen to you if you believe me, I give you my word which has always been good....everywhere." He stops and awaits the reply and the repercussions of his sons that his father did something to their mother. Maybe they already knew but He thought not since it was Jannor's one true shame. She had truly loved the man and all his faults trusted him. He had used her and she paid the ultimate price. He moved his weapons in his hands so that the points were now out. Their blacken blades not showing any light. He felt the air looking for more of the men he knew to be there.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Mon 19 May 2008.

   Jannor's reply exploded from him like seething volcano no longer able to contain its white hot fury.  "DAMN YOU, ARTURUS!  A thousand boils upon your treacherous tongue!  My sons know you for the lying serpent you are and they'll not heed your falsehoods.  How DARE YOU?!  How DARE you bring Jarelia into this you villain!" The enraged Hunter's words split the air, like thunder in the stillness of the night.
   He shook with the force of his anger, as visions of Jarelia came unbidden to his mind.  His heart felt like a stone, stabbed by his dark daggers of painful memory.  He remembered there last argument so well, for it had haunted his dreams ever since.  She was leaving him, she had almost managed to slip away unoticed.  He  had accused her of being in love with Arturus, which she had denied.  Her lies had been more than he could bear.  Unleashed, his wrath had been terrible, and the rest of that day was burned forever into his mind.  A maelstrom of nightmarish moments that tormented him to this day.  Her strangled screams, her frenzied, desperate writhings, her streaming blood, her wide horrified eyes...
    His hands were balled into fists and his eyes squeezed tight as he mercilessly drove the memories deep inside; banished them to the dark recesses of his soul.  It was Arturus who was to blame for Jarelia's death, not he.  His sons could never know the truth  He scanned the shadows, wondering if his children were swayed by Arturus words.  Then with a quick gesture, he signalled them to withdraw.  He would not risk further discussion with Arturus, it would not do for his children to doubt him now.  He would find the information some other way.
   "Very well, Arturus, this parlay is at an end!  Mark me well, however, we are not done, by all the gods, I swear.  It is clear to me that I erred in thinking we might reach an agreement.  It is certain that only blood can settle the score between us.  Not here, however, and not now.  Your time will come soon, and when it does you will regret you ever betrayed Jannor the Relentless!  Sleep lightly Arturus." Jannor growled the last few words and swiftly followed his sons to be lost in the shroud of darkness with a last look towards his nemesis.

Arturus sighs. He knows that didn't go as planned and he had to push back hard since Jannor was a harsh man. He had wanted to talk but the rage blinded him more then Arturus had known it would. He would remember that. He thought about following Jannor and "fixing" things now. Jannor was too good to let alone unfettered or unleashed. He would be a powerful enemy but it was one he knew at least. He would keep just a little more closer the wanted poster of Jannnor for the murder of his wife. He also would let petal know the whereabouts of a certain packet that had the evidence that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jannor was guilty. Including her locket of her 2 sons, with her blood on it and his blade mark. A blade that was very unique and left a unique mark. Any seer would be able to magic the truth with that item.
    He moves back into courtyard to retrieve petal and be on his way.

   Hieronymous strode silently through the gardens, hearing Petal's unsteady footsteps behind him.  He climbed the marble steps automatically, consumed by his own thoughts and the duty he must soon perform.  It troubled him to geas another, knowing only too well how bitter the chains of enchantment could be. Seldom had sorcery wrought anything but misery in the world of humankind, and the price for such otherworldy aid was far greater than any should pay.  Petal's destiny would not be altered, no matter how deep the magicks he conjured this night; her doom would be the same.  Her fate lead far from Arn, into fire and peril.  The Mystic had forseen it the night that Empress Sidi had asked him for her future.
   He walked into Lady Sadina's compound and down through the doors to her private sanctum, where he knew she would be waiting. Raising his head he looked for her, and seeing her, smiling softly as her eyes met his, in that moment he knew.  He would do anything to protect her, her household, or her secrets.  Suddenly nothing else mattered to him but her safety.  He would do this, bind Petal so that the slave would not betray the Lady Sadina, or her Master.  He turned and held his hand out to the slave girl, seeing the fear in her wide eyes, yet noting she did not run.  There was courage in her too.
   He gazed up at Lady Sadina and stepped into the sacred circle.  "We are here, my Lady; we are ready to begin the ritual."

 She turned as she felt Hieronymous enter, giving him a soft smile she hoped would ease his guilt she knew he felt whenever he contemplated geasing anyone. He knew only too well what those felt like, and was cursed to know until he'd fullfilled his own. He'd never told her exactly what it was he must do, and she never asked. She knew if he'd wished her to know, he'd have told her. She nodded to him then turned toward the girl.
 "Welcome My dear. Do you understand why you must do this? If not, I will try to explain it for you. It is not just your life and soul at stake, or your Master's. It is many people's lives at stake, perhaps even the fate of Kingdoms. There are things happening that even Hieronymous and I do not know about. There is great Evil in the world, trying to bring down all good so it's darkness can spread. We work to prevent such an unbalance from happening. You are a very small part of this. You are a small spark of light in the darkness, and we'd not see that spark extinguished."
 She poured a mug of tea laced with herbs that would relax the girl and open her mind to the gentle touch of her mind. She added a dollop of honey to it then handed it to the girl, then waved her to a stool by her work table.
 "Please, have some tea, then sit and relax. If you are willing and relaxed, it will not be so uncomfortable for you. It is only when one resists the touch of the geas that discomfort strikes."

    " Yes Mistress," Petal trembled slightly as she took the cup, fearing that some dreadful poison was within. Lady Sadina did not like her, and had displayed much concern that she would betray them if captured, If the woman wished she could kill a slave with little risk of punishment, other than compensating her master for his lost property.

    Sipping the tea Petal tried to remain calm and do as she was bade and drank the tea, wishing Master was present to protect her. She wanted to throw the tea away and run back to master but she was sure that she would die within ten steps if the Lady wished it.Master please hurry

 "Don't worry girl. If I wanted you dead, you'd never even know I was around, you'd just be dead. I don't normally kill people and make them suffer while I watch them die. If someone has to die, they die as quickly and as painlessly as I can possibly make it. Now, drink the tea and relax. We are doing this to protect your Master as much as to protect you. Any mage trying to get information from you will immediately know he can't, and will leave you alone. You do want to protect your Master don't you?"
 She tried to reassure the girl, to make it easlier for them all. There was nothing worse than trying to geas someone who was frightened and resistant.

   " Of course Mistress Sadina." Petal drank the tea and set the cup down."" Mistress if you wish to geas me..." Petal shut up quickly her knowledge of higher things was not to be dicuseed, perhaps it was the tea, or the dizziness from not having eaten all day, she paused and looked up frightened at the Lady then to the wizard.

   " May I ask that you also geas me never to harm my master, no matter who asks me...I know of spells that can bend the mind,my mistress wished me to know of such things so that I might be able to discern if one of her other slaves was so affected. I am afraid I am...well mistress I am not strong enough to resist them."