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October 4, 2004 |
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Low Hollow, Avalon...
This oval depression in the floor of the valley, perhaps fifty yards in length total, drops only a foot or so below the ground around it at its deepest. At the east end of the depression rises a towering tree that might be an oak, or something that is very close to it, save that it is never bare of leaves, and none ever seem to fall from it. The arching branches partly overhang the tracery of silver lines that form a design fused into the very ground itself, a rounded, almost circular pathway of lines and curves. The snow has retreated into stubborn pockets of frosty white and wildflowers clamber up against the roots of the tree. The area of the Pattern, however, is bare. Westward, the expanse of the valley stretches on for more than half a mile; to the east, the walls of the mountain close in quickly, rising up toward a narrow pass. On each flank of the valley the high rock walls tower, the northern narrowing into a high, windswept peak capped with snow. The sky above is gloomy, grey clouds hanging low and layered so thick the sun is almost invisible.
You make your way down to the low hollow where rests Avalon's great Pattern. There, in the distance, under the mighty tree that seems to guard the construct is a figure. The individual appears to be on its knees and hunched over. Shoulder length auburn hair suggests the form is female. She rocks back and forth, silently.
She moves in from the meadow, her feet covered in only the flipflops and her hair put up in a long tail. She spots the creature and takes a deep breath. She moves forward, "Are you ok?" she calls out still a good distance on the other side of the patterm but walking still. She makes a note to keep the design between her and the figure.
At the sound of Adriana's voice a flash of light explodes from the auburn haired woman's form and a shrill scream gushes from her lips. The silent stillness of the valley is broken amidst the sound. There, above the lady, a burning fire. Billiant shades of bright orange and crimson red take shape in the form of a great bird, like phoenix rising from the ashes.
Adriana's eyes get wide, she takes a few steps back. Her comfort of the Pattern fades quickly as a flying creature shows up. She then bends her knees a little and looks up at the creature.
The strange creature looms high in the night air causing any who would look upon it to tilt their heads back upon their necks. It's fiery wings fluttering gently over-head. There is a peace about this thing and an intelligence in it's crimson eyes.
On the ground, the lady remains on her knees with her back to Adriana such that her face is not visiable. In the space of a moment there is another flash of blue, white light from the insignificant form of the woman followed by another screech.
Adriana calls out, again eyes glaring at the pheonix. "Who are you? What are you doing in my home?" she keeps the pattern between the whole group and her.
A second creature appears above the form on the ground. This one smaller, meeker in contrast to the flaming bird that looms overhead. Her feathery wings are an ashen blue and her naked skin a sickly grey. Her eyes are full of dark nimbus and her fingers resemble long claws. The fallen seraphim dives at the Phoenix, claws outstretched and meaning to attack.
On the ground the woman yells to this second creature, "Pestilence, No!"
Adriana gasps, and starts for the woman on the ground. She peeks at her staying a few yards away. "Do you need a medic or something, some of the guards?"
Above, the two beings confront one another in a clash of brilliances and spectacular light as Adriana starts towarrd the woman on the ground.
The woman lifts her gaze now and extends a pleading hand to Adriana. There is torment in her visage and her green eyes. She mouths an almost inaudible, "... help me."
Adriana offers her hand to the woman and calls for the castle. "Guards! We need help!" her voice echoes through the meadow to the guards of the castle who are on patroll. They begin to run over.
As the women clasp hands a wave of energies pass through the unknown lady to Adriana - like a sudden discharge of electricity. The lady is tossed backward by the force, landing several yards away. Above, the creatures vanish as if they never existed.
Adriana's hair floats into the air and she is thrown back into the incomming guards. The one guard there falls down as he catches Adriana.
"Adriana are you alright?" ask the guard, she starts to stand and falls over.. Her head in shambles but she starts to crawl towards Yosannah, "Hey..." she mumbles something else incoherently.
The strange woman lies still, her back to the ground and her head tilted sideways. Her eyes are closed though a soft moan escapes her lips.
Adriana crawls forward further, stumbling once or twice and falling to her chest on the way down she gives a grunt. The guard is dazed on the ground.
A second guard arrives in a hurried rush. His gaze scans the area in an effort to ascertain what has transpired, "What...perhaps we should inform the Empress."
Adriana starts to stumble forward again, she calls back. "Get Bridget!" she falls again trying desperatly to get to Yosannah.
There is a small group of guards on hand now. Two pepare to dispatch but pause as the stranger's eyes open.
"What..." The lady sits up and shakes her head. "What happened..."
The Captain quickly withdraws his sword and motions for a pair of guards to the woman. They quickly move to her and drag her to her feet.
Adriana calls at the guards, "Be gentle with her!" she orders, the captain nods and they try to be a bit more gentle. She falls over to her back, shirt all dirty now as she grunts. "If you hurt her I will tell Corwin."
Another guard offers his assistance to Adriana.
She moves with gentle grace that is harmonized in both her stealthy stride and alluring appearance. Softly curled locks fall like spilled silken liquid just below her statuesque shoulders, naturally blonde save for the long rose tinted bangs that frame an angelic face, accentuating a frail jawbone and slim lips. The tender swell of her under lip is plump with a flushed and freshly pained pout. A smooth sand-washed tan coats her pristine silhouette, bringing out a pair of remarkable eyes that vary with mood and light from the azure hue of fathomless oceans to the pallid blue of cloudy morning skies. Slender hips fall into strong languid legs, basing a beautifully toned torso. Though lacking the agile strength of her lower limbs her arms are both supple and lithe.
A of khaki cargo pants are tight where they fasten just below her hips, and over her butt. From there they get baggy and have several pockets able to carry several small items. She wears a pair of blue and white sneakers that have been laced up tight. Just above her belly button, and showing plenty of mid-drift, is a white t-shirt with a square neckline. Her hair is pushed back and held down by a blue and white trucker hat, most likely turned backwards to better hold her hair.
Her hair is up, blonde hair pulled back and tied with a tie. The rose tinted bangs falling to frame her face. (No hat) - Her lips are painted with a vanilla lipgloss, almost like icing.
Adriana waves the guard off and puts her arms over her head, laying on the ground. She squints and forces herself up, "Who are you?" she asks to Yosannah, "Do you need any help?
The Captain offers a knowing nod at Adriana's command though his sword remains fixed on the woman and is held poised at her chest.
The lady jerks her arm slightly from one of the guards in mild defiance. The effort is futile, however, given the man's obvious size over her. She offers to Adriana, "I am Yosannah. I am a sorceress. And friend to Corwin's son, Merlin. And your Empress the Lady Bridget."
"Sorceress?" The Captain spats in disbelief. To Adriana he suggests, "Look at her. A trespasser and a thief is more like it."
Adriana nods, "I am Adriana, grandaughter of Corwin and new around here." she leans into the tree and asks. "Shut up." to the guard, "Who was the pheonix and the angel?"
The Captain seems ready to comment but thinks better on it and closes his mouth.
"The Pheonix. You saw it?" Yosannah is obviously perplexed by this development. She looks at the group of men about them and then back to Adriana, curious.
The guards, for their part, raise brows and narrow their gazes upon the women. Obviously, they have no idea of what the ladies speak.
Adriana nods, "Ofcourse I did, it was huge and red.. and fire . . made." she looks conserned, "What was it, and why did that angel thing attack it?" she looks around, "Nobody else saw that?!"
The guards begin to pass gazes amongst themselves, uncertain.
"Lady," the Captain shakes his head and offers, his burly voice deep and troubled, "Angels? Pheonix? I... we know not of what you speak. Are you well? Let us accompany you to the castle. We can detain the prisoner until the Empress has an opportunity to address her fate."
Adriana looks to the guard, "Aren't you the same guard that walked in on me the other day?" he squints at him and then turns back to Yosannah, "Yes I saw that. What was it."
"I..." Yosannah lets her voice trail off. She shakes her head, clearly not wanting to speak for the time being. "Do what you will with me this night. I am weary as it is."
The Captain nods and suggests to Adriana, "You see, Lady. The best way to cure a tight lip is a night of confinement."
Adriana turns to the Captain, "Thank you, I understand your position and when I ask you for it you can give it to me." she looks to Yosannah, "Put her in my room, put two guards outside. We wont have her spending any time in the dungeon, she isn't a common thief is she knows even Merlin's name. He hasn't been to Avalon in about your whole lifetime." she turns to Yosannah, "Is that alright with you, or would you like your own room?"
Yosannah murmers, tired, "... whatever you wish, Lady."