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		<title>Lamia: Created page with &quot;&lt;pre&gt;                              TABLE OF CONTENTS                             A Note from the Editor                                 PLAYER NEWS...&quot;</title>
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		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Created page with &amp;quot;&amp;lt;pre&amp;gt;                              TABLE OF CONTENTS                             A Note from the Editor                                 PLAYER NEWS...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New page&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;pre&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
                             TABLE OF CONTENTS&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                           A Note from the Editor&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                               PLAYER NEWS&lt;br /&gt;
                             The Pkill Front&lt;br /&gt;
                                Clan News&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                            PLAYER SUBMISSIONS&lt;br /&gt;
                             A Knightly Song&lt;br /&gt;
                            Silly Little Cards&lt;br /&gt;
                             A Husband's Return&lt;br /&gt;
                             A Father's Advice&lt;br /&gt;
                                Untitled&lt;br /&gt;
                          A Long-Delayed Reunion&lt;br /&gt;
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                           A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I just want to start off by saying that, as an immortal, I see some of the &lt;br /&gt;
most hilarious stuff. Your clan chats? Yeah. I can see those (if I so choose) &lt;br /&gt;
and you guys are ridiculously amusing at times. But not only can I see you &lt;br /&gt;
chat on your clan channels, I get to see who clans befriend or who befriends &lt;br /&gt;
a clan. So, imagine my surprise and amusement when I see a Knight befriending &lt;br /&gt;
the Anti-Paladins. I'm pretty sure I nearly died from laughter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Thanks for that, guys. You're great.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Now, onto more pressing matters! In this LT you'll find a few stories, a poem,&lt;br /&gt;
and the XP and PK achievements. Enjoy, kids. And be sure to send me any &lt;br /&gt;
submissions you have! Lamia@legendmud.org is where you should send them. Just &lt;br /&gt;
put 'LT' or 'Legendary Times' as the subject.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And no, I haven't forgotten about your golden apples. Just hold onto them and &lt;br /&gt;
at next reboot I should be able to give out prizes accordingly! (Remember, you&lt;br /&gt;
need 10 apples to receive your prize!)&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
-Lamia.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
___                                                                      ___&lt;br /&gt;
\  |--------------------------------------------------------------------|  /&lt;br /&gt;
/__|                            Player News                             |__\&lt;br /&gt;
   '--------------------------------------------------------------------'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                              THE PKILL FRONT&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
You've been pretty active over the past two weeks! These numbers reflect the&lt;br /&gt;
PK activity from May 24, 2012 through June 3, 2012.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Our top PKer was Reddeath who had 10 wins!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The remaining top pkillers (to round out the top 5) were:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Lumpy and Zoroaster, both with 9 wins.&lt;br /&gt;
Kavyne with 7 wins.&lt;br /&gt;
Ladyr and Maile with 6 wins.&lt;br /&gt;
And Kvothe and Z'in'ar with 5 wins.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Great job, guys. Keep killing and get those numbers up there!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
And a great job to the other pkillers, both with and without wins.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
-Lamia &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                                 CLAN NEWS&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Third Circle clan was disbanded by Reaver&lt;br /&gt;
Templars of Light was formed by Z'in'ar&lt;br /&gt;
Templars of Spinach was formed by Popoculus&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
               ______________________&lt;br /&gt;
             /                       \&lt;br /&gt;
         o O | Wonder what folks are  |&lt;br /&gt;
   `\|||/    |doing over at LegendMUD?|&lt;br /&gt;
   (o o)     \_______________________/&lt;br /&gt;
ooO_(_)_Ooo________________________________________________________________&lt;br /&gt;
_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|___&lt;br /&gt;
__|_____|_____|_____|_____|__PLAYER SUBMISSIONS___|_____|_____|_____|_____|&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A Knightly Song&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This song is written&lt;br /&gt;
for three stinky Knights;&lt;br /&gt;
'Men' with no honor,&lt;br /&gt;
brown stains on their tights.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Fair Ladyr, the mage,&lt;br /&gt;
is a twitchy sort;&lt;br /&gt;
he'll run far and fast&lt;br /&gt;
he's not a good sport.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Ser Kavyne the wise&lt;br /&gt;
lacks sytle or flair;&lt;br /&gt;
somehow he inspires&lt;br /&gt;
with a head full of air.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Brave Styx is the master&lt;br /&gt;
of his motley peers;&lt;br /&gt;
yet his armor smells strong&lt;br /&gt;
of urine and tears.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
These Knights I salute,&lt;br /&gt;
my compliments, good sirs!&lt;br /&gt;
If only you knew that&lt;br /&gt;
a real Knight has spurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Silly Little Cards&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Albina stared at the deck of cards in her hands. She hated Tarot. It did not &lt;br /&gt;
grant the Sight to anybody; it merely allowed one to potentially think outside&lt;br /&gt;
the proverbial box. She was running out of options, however. Her son had &lt;br /&gt;
nearly died again, Lethe’s attack bold and an attempt to break their spirits. &lt;br /&gt;
Lethe was a monster and she still felt like a fool for believing that some &lt;br /&gt;
part of him remained all those months ago.&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
'The Seven of Swords,' she said, glancing at the card she flipped onto the &lt;br /&gt;
grass of her grove. The deck Albina had procured was blunt when it came to &lt;br /&gt;
symbolism. The full moon shone over the man on this card who sat on the &lt;br /&gt;
ground, a dunce cap sitting on his lap. 'Caden. Insufficient planning? Poor &lt;br /&gt;
choices.' The goddess grumbled under her breath. 'Stupid card, he didn't know.&lt;br /&gt;
And where is the future? You show me only the past with this.' She turned the &lt;br /&gt;
next card, placing it next to the Seven of Swords. The Empress. Twelve stars &lt;br /&gt;
on her brow, her belly large with child. She rolled her eyes. 'We know he's &lt;br /&gt;
unselfish. The boy is fighting his own father.' Sneering, Albina took the two&lt;br /&gt;
cards and cast them aside.&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
'Perhaps I'll fare better with Jaina,' she said, shifting slightly as she &lt;br /&gt;
flipped a card over. This was the Eight of Swords, a woman blinded, a sword in&lt;br /&gt;
each hand, the moon above her, much like Caden's card. 'Inability to look &lt;br /&gt;
beyond the present... not surprising. She's her mother's child, through and &lt;br /&gt;
through.' Another card, the Fool, though inverted. 'Foolish actions and &lt;br /&gt;
naivety. We'll have to watch her, then.' Albina gathered Jaina's cards and set&lt;br /&gt;
them aside, more gentle than she did Caden's.&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
The next cards she turned together. The Page of Wands, a man holding a staff &lt;br /&gt;
and rose, and the Sun, inverted. 'Immediate action and disharmony? I believe &lt;br /&gt;
you just informed me of Razael Valentine's death, only a month too late.' She &lt;br /&gt;
cast these cards aside, just as she did Caden's. 'Useless old news.'  Albina &lt;br /&gt;
stared at the deck for a moment, her brow furrowed. 'I see,' she said after a &lt;br /&gt;
moment. 'I cannot look into Razael's fate because it has been decided by Him. &lt;br /&gt;
I certainly hope You don't hinder me further.'&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
Sighing, she turned two cards. The World and the Page of Pentacles, both &lt;br /&gt;
inverted. 'Nadia,' she said lightly. 'Unrealistic, illogical, insecure, and &lt;br /&gt;
imperfect.' Albina laughed softly. 'You don't even try, do you cards?' She set&lt;br /&gt;
these next to Jaina's before turning two others. 'The King of Swords and... &lt;br /&gt;
and Temperance? Who...' Albina frowned and closed her eyes, searching for &lt;br /&gt;
something. 'Cooperation, logic, observation... These cards are also Nadia's, &lt;br /&gt;
but... but why?' Setting the deck on the ground, Albina carefully picked up &lt;br /&gt;
the two cards, her odd turquoise and violet eyes narrowed. 'What's happening &lt;br /&gt;
to you, Nadia Valentine?' She set these aside, atop Nadia's other pair. After &lt;br /&gt;
a moment she picked up her deck of tarot cards again.&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
'Perhaps you aren't entirely useless,' she said to the cards, a finger tracing&lt;br /&gt;
the design on the back of the top card. 'Let's see what you See for myself. &lt;br /&gt;
And for Lethe, though you should See nothing.' The Star and the Ten of &lt;br /&gt;
Pentacles were for Albina, though both were inverted. She laughed heartily as &lt;br /&gt;
she saw the Star. 'Yes,' she said, her tone still full of mirth. 'I am quite &lt;br /&gt;
desperate, dear cards. A loss of wealth, though. Hm. Perhaps this is the loss &lt;br /&gt;
of Sight for so many now. Thank you, Razael Valentine. That was so very &lt;br /&gt;
helpful.' She left hers on the ground, flipping two more and setting them over&lt;br /&gt;
hers. The Five of Swords and an inverted Justice. Albina's breath caught in &lt;br /&gt;
her throat, her eyes wide as she stared at the two cards.&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
'Oh, Lethe,' she whispered, her voice breaking as her fingers brushed over the&lt;br /&gt;
image of a blue rose settled in a pool of blood. 'Defeat. For your bitter, &lt;br /&gt;
hateful actions.' Albina swallowed, trying to steady her breathing and calm &lt;br /&gt;
her nerves. 'I knew,' she said softly. 'I did not have to See to know, but &lt;br /&gt;
this is... final. So final, coming from these silly cards.' Moving quickly, &lt;br /&gt;
she gathered the cards. Sets she had cast aside were quickly shuffled into the&lt;br /&gt;
unshown cards as Albina worked, silent as tears fell down her cheeks. After &lt;br /&gt;
several moments of shuffling, she turned two more cards, focusing every &lt;br /&gt;
thought, every ounce of her being on Caden. The Seven of Swords and the &lt;br /&gt;
Empress were drawn yet again. 'Pray their love is enough, Caden,' she said as &lt;br /&gt;
she stood, leaving both cards and the tarot deck on the ground. Albina turned &lt;br /&gt;
and made her way towards a path, leaving her grove. 'I cannot See how love &lt;br /&gt;
will save you all, though.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A Husband's Return&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia approached Razael slowly, eyeing the man warily. She'd seen him die. &lt;br /&gt;
She watched as Lethe struck him down, as Jaina checked him desperately for any&lt;br /&gt;
sign of life, and she'd watched Caden carry his lifeless body inside their &lt;br /&gt;
home. Yet here he was, standing before her. He couldn't be real. Razael was &lt;br /&gt;
dead; this had to be some sort of trick! Yet as she drew closer, Nadia &lt;br /&gt;
couldn't help herself. She raised a hand as though to caress him, her fingers &lt;br /&gt;
dancing close to his skin, yet never daring to touch.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm real, Nadia,' Razael said, looking around the residence with a light &lt;br /&gt;
smile. That was all the witch needed. She threw herself at Razael, clutching &lt;br /&gt;
his impeccable suit jacket.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Oh God,' she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked up at &lt;br /&gt;
Razael. 'Thank you.' Razael hugged her close, gently shooshing her. His eyes, &lt;br /&gt;
now a vibrant blue, glowed faintly. 'You're... you're staying, right?' she &lt;br /&gt;
asked him quietly. 'This isn't just until everything is... done.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The man sighed. 'It's a little more complicated now.' Nadia sniffled a bit and&lt;br /&gt;
smiled wryly.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Of course it is,' she said quietly, reaching up to brush a bit of hair out of&lt;br /&gt;
Razael's face. 'What're the stipulations?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Well,' Razael said. 'I'm not exactly human anymore.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia smirked. 'I could sort of tell.' It was then that Razael pointed to a &lt;br /&gt;
wall behind the pair, where the sunlight cast his shadow.  Huge wings &lt;br /&gt;
stretched out from his back in his shadow. Peeking around him, Nadia's &lt;br /&gt;
honey-colored eyes widened a bit. 'I... see.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Truthfully, my true form would kill you and everyone else within miles,' &lt;br /&gt;
Razael said. The witch only nodded, touching Razael here and there. 'So, &lt;br /&gt;
again, is this permanent or until things... settle down?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'It's permanent,' Razael told her. 'A reward, an acknowledgement of two &lt;br /&gt;
centuries of service, but also... a request.' Nadia looked at him curiously, &lt;br /&gt;
still clutching his jacket. 'I don't want to get into the details of things &lt;br /&gt;
that go on in Higher places, but suffice it to say that the proper people &lt;br /&gt;
felt that a human serving as an Archangel could add some perspective.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She nodded. 'Thank you,' she said. 'I... Your timing, I don't now if it was &lt;br /&gt;
coincidence - I'm assuming not - or what, but thank you. For Caden.' Razael &lt;br /&gt;
nodded.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm not here to kill Lethe,' the Saint said. 'It's not my place, nor my &lt;br /&gt;
desire.' Nadia could only nod again, her breath catching. 'But I am here to &lt;br /&gt;
tip the scales a bit. For far too long the powers of Hell have had a firm grip&lt;br /&gt;
on this world.' Another nod, the woman still remaining close to Raz. 'As a &lt;br /&gt;
result, I've been given a sort of... freedom, where this world is concerned.' &lt;br /&gt;
He chuckled softly. 'You might say that I'm not operating under any kind of &lt;br /&gt;
orders other than a general suggestion to &amp;quot;do some good&amp;quot;.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Well,' Nadia began, pondering her words for a moment. 'A little goes a long &lt;br /&gt;
way. Anything to... extravagant and there'd be suspicion and, well, you know &lt;br /&gt;
how the mind works.' She shrugged. 'Speaking of the mind...' Nadia trailed &lt;br /&gt;
off, biting her lower lip. 'There's nothing... nothing of Lethe really left &lt;br /&gt;
in... the... is there?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'That thing is Lethe,' Raz told the witch. 'But it is NOT Lethe Aurion.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia nodded, still biting her lip. 'I... Row said we had to kill him, and &lt;br /&gt;
Raz, I couldn't... he wouldn't have... you.' Her voice broke. 'Lethe wouldn't &lt;br /&gt;
and I just...' She leaned against him, her words trailing off.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Saint Raz sighed. 'Rowane is right. He will have to die, but the man that you &lt;br /&gt;
knew and loved is already gone, Nadia.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She took a deep breath. 'Alright,' she whispered. 'It was plaguing my mind. He&lt;br /&gt;
killed you, destroyed cities, but he couldn't be him.' She stayed where she &lt;br /&gt;
was, leaning against Raz still, her head now resting against his chest.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'It is his memories, his skills, his horrible knowledge that far outstrips &lt;br /&gt;
virtually anyone,' Razael said. 'But it is not his humanity. Despite his best &lt;br /&gt;
effort, Lethe was never really able to let go of that part of him, and as far &lt;br /&gt;
as I'm concerned, he died a hero.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia took a deep, shaking breath, nodding against Raz. 'Thank you,' she &lt;br /&gt;
whispered.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After a moment Razael grabbed Nadia's shoulders and gently created a bit of &lt;br /&gt;
space between them. 'I have something else for you as well.' The witch looked &lt;br /&gt;
at him questioningly, fidgeting as she adjusted to standing on her own. It was&lt;br /&gt;
then that Razael reached out and placed a hand on her forehead. 'You have made&lt;br /&gt;
mistakes, Nadia Valentine,' he said quietly, closing his eyes. 'But you do not&lt;br /&gt;
belong in Hell. I offer you absolution.' His hand grew warm against her flesh &lt;br /&gt;
and suddenly that same warmth filled her, warmth unlike anything she'd ever &lt;br /&gt;
felt. It was pure. Endless. Without fault.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia closed her eyes, crying fully now. 'Raz, I...' She let loose a broken &lt;br /&gt;
sob, fidgeting with her gloves as she looked at him. 'Thank you.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I know, perhaps better than anyone, who you are,' Razael said ''Evil' isn't &lt;br /&gt;
in your playbook. Maybe a little misguided at times.' Razael opened his eyes,&lt;br /&gt;
smiling at the witch as his hand dropped to his side. 'But not evil.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia took Raz's hand in hers, staring at him for a long moment. She bit her &lt;br /&gt;
lip and opened her mouth, as though she had something to say. After a short &lt;br /&gt;
bit, she settled for saying nothing and lifted his hand to her lips, kissing &lt;br /&gt;
it. Razael watched her during her struggle, quiet all the while.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I wish I could still be your husband, Nadia. But we know how that would turn &lt;br /&gt;
out.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I know,' she replied, barely audible. 'You're here, though. That's more than &lt;br /&gt;
I could ask for, even desire.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Razael nodded and said, 'And part of this new job of mine means that I'll &lt;br /&gt;
never go away, also.' A moment passed. 'I was watching the whole time, you &lt;br /&gt;
know. Every minute, I never left you. You have done... remarkably well, Nadia.&lt;br /&gt;
You're stronger than you know.' Nadia bit her lip again. 'And that Caden... &lt;br /&gt;
our daughter really found a good one.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The witch chuckled. 'She did. He's the only person she'd talk to, after it &lt;br /&gt;
happened. Civily, I mean. But you saw, as you said.' Nadia sighed. 'I don't &lt;br /&gt;
know how to help her,' she said to Razael.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Perhaps I should go and see her,' Razael said. 'It was alread on my list, &lt;br /&gt;
but...' He trailed off, Nadia nodding in agreement. 'One more thing, before &lt;br /&gt;
I leave.' Razael crouched down, pressing his hand to the earth. Glowing, &lt;br /&gt;
angelic runes spread out from his fingertips, and suddenly the air was warm &lt;br /&gt;
and sweet-smelling. After a moment he nodded softly, and everything faded, &lt;br /&gt;
back to normal in a blink. Standing, he said, 'You now live on sacred ground. &lt;br /&gt;
You know,' he said, looking at Nadia. 'Just in case.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nadia laughed softly, smiling at him a bit lopsidedly. 'Tricky bastard.' &lt;br /&gt;
Razael merely kissed her forehead.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Everything works out, Nadia. Remember that.' She smiled at him.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I will, Raz,' she replied.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Gotta go,' he said to her. 'Things to do. But you'll see me again soon.' She &lt;br /&gt;
nodded and watched as he walked into their home, seeking out their daughter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A Father's Advice&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'You've grown up,' Razael said, looking at Jaina. The young woman had locked &lt;br /&gt;
herself on the balcony, spending her time looking over Lima as she stayed &lt;br /&gt;
curled up on a couch.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Well,' she said shortly, 'There were quite a few life changing events in the &lt;br /&gt;
span of about four hours.' Jaina looked up to Razael then down at an open &lt;br /&gt;
space on the couch. Razael took the hint and settled in next to his daughter. &lt;br /&gt;
'Please don't leave,' she said quietly. 'You died, and then Caden has to fight&lt;br /&gt;
Lethe. Please don't go away.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Raz looked at Jaina, subdued. 'So you want me to sit here on the couch with &lt;br /&gt;
you forever?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm asking you to stay her, on Earth, until I'm old and senile,' Jaina &lt;br /&gt;
replied. 'At the very least.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A chuckle escaped Razael. 'Do you know what I am, Jaina?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I was there,' she said. 'I saw. I know you probably have things to do around,&lt;br /&gt;
well, everywhere, but don't go away forever. That was the happiest and saddest&lt;br /&gt;
day of my life.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Well,' Razael began. 'I can't really... be a part of the family anymore.' &lt;br /&gt;
Jaina looked at her lap. 'My existence is a lot bigger than that, now. But I &lt;br /&gt;
am free to come and go as I want for as long as I deem necessary. I'm not &lt;br /&gt;
operating under orders.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm not so selfish that I want you sitting on this couch every day with me,' &lt;br /&gt;
Jaina said quietly, still not looking at her father. 'No. I just want the &lt;br /&gt;
opportunity to see you. The option. The chance.' Her voice broke slightly. &lt;br /&gt;
'I couldn't do that when you were dead.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Razael chuckled again. 'Well, I still am dead, technically.' Gently, he &lt;br /&gt;
squeezed Jaina's knee. 'You're my daughter, Do you really think I'd ever leave&lt;br /&gt;
you, regardless of if we can talk or not?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jaina laughed shortly, the sound bitter. 'No, but I quite like getting &lt;br /&gt;
responses.' She finally looked at Razael, her eyebrows furrowed. 'How many &lt;br /&gt;
more times are you and mom going to leave for good before it ends? How many &lt;br /&gt;
close calls will Caden have before he actually dies?' Her voice broke again. &lt;br /&gt;
'And all I can do is sit here and wonder, as I'm a liability. I'd get in the &lt;br /&gt;
way.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Jaina, you are my daughter,' Razael replied. 'And therefore possessing much &lt;br /&gt;
greater wisdom than those statements relate.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The young woman looked away once again. 'True, but that's how it feels at &lt;br /&gt;
time. Utterly hopeless.' She laughed that bitter laugh. 'Then again, I suppose&lt;br /&gt;
it's not if you're here.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'And here we are, you've solved your own problem,' Razael said with a soft &lt;br /&gt;
chuckle. 'Let me ask you something. If Caden were alone, who do you think he &lt;br /&gt;
would be?' He was silent for a few seconds before adding, 'No, don't answer &lt;br /&gt;
that. If Lethe had been alone, had never met Nadia, Naeva, Seraphina, or &lt;br /&gt;
Albina, who do you think he would have been?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'A lost soul,' Jaina said lightly. 'Wandering still.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'And Caden?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Caden is Lethe, but something more,' Jaina said, glancing at Raz. 'At least, &lt;br /&gt;
from the stories I've heard from mom. Caden has always had us around.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'But try to imagine him if he didn't,' Razael said.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jaina frowned. 'It'd be easy to give up, to not care,' she answered. 'To &lt;br /&gt;
wander aimlessly, becoming more jaded as time passed.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'And if he were like that, would he be capable of being the man the world &lt;br /&gt;
needs him to be?' Razael asked.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'No, he wouldn't,' she said quietly. 'I see what you're saying, but that &lt;br /&gt;
feeling remains. I see him nearly dying multiple times and one day he may die &lt;br /&gt;
and I'll be here, knowing I wasn't there to keep him alive.' Jaina's jaw &lt;br /&gt;
clenched slightly as she turned her gaze over the city. 'I love him. I know &lt;br /&gt;
these are things that need to be done. But I don't have to like them.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'One of the first lessons I taught you as a healer, Jaina, is that you can &lt;br /&gt;
never save everyone,' Razael said. 'And you can save the ones you want to even&lt;br /&gt;
less.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I know,' she said quietly, her tone matter-of-fact. 'I'm sorry. I don't know &lt;br /&gt;
how mom put up with things like this for so long.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'She went crazy a few times,' Raz said. 'But everyone has to go a little crazy&lt;br /&gt;
every once and awhile. You're young. You'll learn. And the secret is that it &lt;br /&gt;
never gets easy.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I suppose I shouldn't have ever expected it to always be picnics and flower &lt;br /&gt;
bouquets,' Jaina said to Razael. 'Did... did she really go crazy? I always &lt;br /&gt;
thought they were just stories people told. You know, to tell stories.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Jaina, she was a MISTRESS of HELL.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The woman smirked. 'Alright, stupid question. I just never knew how insane she&lt;br /&gt;
was, I guess.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A moment of silence passed between the pair. 'I've been watching, you know. &lt;br /&gt;
Since I died,' Razael said. 'You're just like her.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm not sure how I feel about that,' Jaina said without missing a beat.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Razael laughed. 'Everything works out, Jaina. That's why I'm here. To remind &lt;br /&gt;
you of that.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'And to tell me that I'm like mom,' Jaina retorted, giving Razael a sly, &lt;br /&gt;
teasing glance. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'll always be here,' Razael said after a moment. 'And when the time comes, &lt;br /&gt;
I'll hold your hand and take you to the next part of your journey.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jaina nodded. 'Sounds good,' she said, glancing at Raz again. 'So like, are &lt;br /&gt;
you allowed to bitchslap people? Just asking, as Albina tried to keep me from &lt;br /&gt;
coming back here. She's rambling on and I think SHE'S going a bit crazy.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Not my jurisdiction,' Razael said with a chuckle. 'Little g, I work for the &lt;br /&gt;
big G.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'C'est la vie,' Jaina said with a sigh.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'However,' Razael said, 'I think you should probably talk to the people that &lt;br /&gt;
you've gone a little crazy on in these last few weeks.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I will apologise for snipping,' Jaina said. 'I will never apologise for being&lt;br /&gt;
sad or frustrated.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'It's not wrong to feel sad, and you know that. But it is wrong to treat &lt;br /&gt;
people who care about you poorly.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I know,' Jaina said. 'Which is why I'll apologise.' They lapsed into a &lt;br /&gt;
comfortable silence. 'Where do I start?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Where do you think you should start?' Raz replied.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Jaina shifted a bit, biting her lower lip. 'Instinct says to find Caden. I'm &lt;br /&gt;
sure that's the worst decision, however.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'He's a little tied up right now,' Razael said. 'But he'll be back soon, I &lt;br /&gt;
imagine. You won't need to find him. He loves you, so he'll always come back.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Nodding, Jaina shifted again. 'I guess I just... stay here.' She shrugged. &lt;br /&gt;
'Help where I can.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'You will continue to be the amazing young woman you are,' Razael answered for&lt;br /&gt;
her. 'You're skilled in medicine, Jaina, and there's an empty clinic in town &lt;br /&gt;
that could use some servicing. Your name may now be Aurion, but you'll always &lt;br /&gt;
be a Valentine.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'd nearly forgotten about the clinic, with everything that happened,' Jaina &lt;br /&gt;
said, blushing faintly. 'I suppose I should be ashamed about that.' She &lt;br /&gt;
laughed softly. 'Well,' she said, looking at Razael. 'There's my answer. The &lt;br /&gt;
clinic.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Untitled&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Where is your beau, Israella?' Albina asked, looking around Israella's home &lt;br /&gt;
with disdain. 'Your little godling?' Israella laughed and moved a few books &lt;br /&gt;
from the sofa to a nearby table.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Evan has been out and about,' she said lightly, sitting on the cleared couch.&lt;br /&gt;
'While I do miss him, he has his own life. I enjoy myself when around him, but&lt;br /&gt;
no... what your tone suggests, dear grandmother, is not reality.' Albina &lt;br /&gt;
snorted, taking a seat at the opposite end of the couch, as far from Israella &lt;br /&gt;
as she could be without standing any longer.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The Goddess looked at Rae pointedly. 'You had a gift, you know, and you gave &lt;br /&gt;
it up to the spawn of the very beings who drove your anc--' Israella held up a&lt;br /&gt;
hand, silencing Albina.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'If you're going to go on a hate-filled rant about the Greeks, take it &lt;br /&gt;
elsewhere,' she said, looking at the pale-eyed goddess warily. 'I have no &lt;br /&gt;
quarrels with them, nor do I care very much for you.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Albina rolled her eyes. 'I made a mistake,' she said simply. 'The things one &lt;br /&gt;
does for love.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was Rae's turn to snort. 'Oh, yes, love. Hiding children from their &lt;br /&gt;
parents, using them for nefarious means. You're a real saint, aren't you &lt;br /&gt;
grandmother?' The young woman stood and walked away, across the room to a &lt;br /&gt;
window. 'If you bring no joy to me, leave. No sweet news, no promise of &lt;br /&gt;
spring.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'You're terrible at metaphors,' Albina said. 'It must be from your father.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Rae turned and leaned against the wall. 'I have no father,' she said with a &lt;br /&gt;
shrug, her arms crossed over her belly. 'And no mother. I exist thanks to &lt;br /&gt;
broken magic. ...or the grace of God.' She smirked, watching as Albina's fair &lt;br /&gt;
skin flushed a bright crimson.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Do not-'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Shut up, you hag,' Rae said, pointing towards the door. 'We're not blind &lt;br /&gt;
without you. I'm not, the Valentines aren't, nor are the Aurions.' Israella &lt;br /&gt;
laughed at Albina's surprised expression. 'Oh, yes, I know. Whispers reach me,&lt;br /&gt;
even here. Then again, a wicked being and destruction wherever those families &lt;br /&gt;
are? It doesn't take a scientist, or an oracle, to know what's going on. The &lt;br /&gt;
silence is over and the battle rages now.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Israella pushed herself from the wall and walked towards Albina. 'And I want &lt;br /&gt;
nothing to do with it. Evan and I cleaned up the mess Nadia left in Salem. I &lt;br /&gt;
wish no harm to her and her family, yet I want nothing to do with them,' she &lt;br /&gt;
said in a cold tone. 'Now get out, grandmother.' She took a step back, still &lt;br /&gt;
staring at Albina. 'And don't come back unless you're here to apologise and &lt;br /&gt;
right your wrongs.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Albina stared at the young woman for a moment before standing. 'A curse on &lt;br /&gt;
you, Israella Itani. A curse o--'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'OUT!' the woman yelled, grabbing Albina's arm and dragging her. 'I do not &lt;br /&gt;
care that you are an undying goddess, I do not care that you are my &lt;br /&gt;
grandmother. You are terrible and I want you GONE.' She pushed Albina out the &lt;br /&gt;
door, standing in the doorway to glare at the goddess. 'Leave and do not come &lt;br /&gt;
back. I banish you from my homes and I banish you from this island. Step foot &lt;br /&gt;
on these lands for any reason and you will have a very angry witch to deal &lt;br /&gt;
with, a witch who does not fear you.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Silent and flushed, the goddess stared at Rae for a moment before turning and&lt;br /&gt;
leaving without another word.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A Long-Delayed Reunion&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'She's in the flower garden,' Setheus said off-handedly, not bothering to look&lt;br /&gt;
at Alayne as she entered the villa. 'I've told her that you'll be visiting&lt;br /&gt;
today, though I'm still not sure how she'll handle it. You've been dead for&lt;br /&gt;
the past two years.' Alayne stared at Seth, who still hadn't looked away from&lt;br /&gt;
his newspaper.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'So, are you always a jerk, or is this just how you treat the girls you have&lt;br /&gt;
crushes on.' She smirked as he finally responded, carefully folding his paper&lt;br /&gt;
and setting it aside. Slowly, he stood and moved towards her, his blue eyes&lt;br /&gt;
gleaming wickedly. Alayne's breath caught as he moved towards her with such&lt;br /&gt;
predatory grace.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He stopped maybe an inch or two from her form, an arm wrapping around her, his&lt;br /&gt;
right hand settling on her lower back. 'Your daughter is playing in the garden&lt;br /&gt;
if you wish to see her,' he said silkily. 'If you're here to bait me, just say&lt;br /&gt;
so, little ghost. There are other games we could play than this one.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
They stared at each other for a moment before Seth started to laugh. 'My God,&lt;br /&gt;
ghost. You seemed like you wanted to either jump my bones or run away&lt;br /&gt;
screaming.' He took a step back, narrowly avoiding a punch to the chest from&lt;br /&gt;
the flustered redhead.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'So you're a jerk,' she said lightly, teasing. 'Let's hope your mannerisms&lt;br /&gt;
haven't rubbed off on her too much. I'd quite like to have a little princess,&lt;br /&gt;
not a sarcastic street-rat.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Oh, you've a sarcastic little princess,' Seth replied, moving back to his&lt;br /&gt;
seat. 'Now go catch up with her. She's been pestering me for the past week.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alayne sputtered, though she didn't say anything else to the man before&lt;br /&gt;
stalking out of the room, through the house, and out a side door into the&lt;br /&gt;
garden. What met her was not the sight she expected. First there was a&lt;br /&gt;
definite flurry of motion and then a mane of redhair blinded Alayne. 'Mummy!'&lt;br /&gt;
a little girl's voice cried. 'Thanks for coming back!'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Laughing, Alayne hugged the little girl close to her. Glancing around, she saw&lt;br /&gt;
that her daughter had been balanced on the fence, waiting for her to come&lt;br /&gt;
through the doorway. 'You're welcome, Alessa,' Alayne said fondly, still not&lt;br /&gt;
letting go of the six-year old. 'I'm sorry I was gone for so long. I had&lt;br /&gt;
important Knight things to do.' This earned a gasp from her daughter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Seth said that bad guys kidnapped you!'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alayne nodded, finally setting the little girl down. 'They did, but I escaped,&lt;br /&gt;
with the help of a very nice man--'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Good!' Alessa said, interrupting Alayne. 'Now I can show you all of the&lt;br /&gt;
things I've been doing since daddy and Seth found me and Eilian.' Without&lt;br /&gt;
waiting for a reply from her mother, Alessa grabbed the woman's hand and&lt;br /&gt;
dragged her further into the garden.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Alright,' she laughed, watching the tiny redhead bop around, explaining why&lt;br /&gt;
certain flowers were certain colors - 'Mummy, I can make things change!' - and&lt;br /&gt;
what she planned on doing with certain patches of grass. She listened to her&lt;br /&gt;
daughter babble on for ages, occasionally asking about things that had&lt;br /&gt;
happened over the past couple years. Alessa had to struggle with the questions&lt;br /&gt;
sometimes, as two years was an eternity for one her age, yet Alayne was always&lt;br /&gt;
satisfied with the answers.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Setheus wandered outside sometime near dusk, lighting a few outdoor lanterns&lt;br /&gt;
before setting out a picnic basket for the pair. Alessa had insisted that&lt;br /&gt;
Alayne sit while she prepared everything, which, in reality, consisted of&lt;br /&gt;
picking out a sandwich and handing it to her mother.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Soon the child was yawning, full of food and exhausted from her excitement.&lt;br /&gt;
Alayne scooped her up and carried her inside. Seth tried to fuss, insisting&lt;br /&gt;
that Alessa needed a bath as she was covered head to toe in dirt, but he was&lt;br /&gt;
quickly silenced with a glare from Alayne. 'You can wash the sheets tomorrow.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Without another word, Seth disappeared, leaving Alayne to tuck her daughter&lt;br /&gt;
in, as well as curl up next to her. Yes, Alayne thought as she drifted off to&lt;br /&gt;
sleep next to her oldest child. The wait was certainly worth it.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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The Legendary Times is published by the immortals of LegendMUD. Please send&lt;br /&gt;
replies, additions, or corrections to our address at lt@legendmud.org for&lt;br /&gt;
inclusion in the next edition. All subscription options are now handled at&lt;br /&gt;
this url: http://www.legendmud.org/lists/listinfo/legendarytimes For RP&lt;br /&gt;
submissions, copyright ownership remains with the author. We do reserve the&lt;br /&gt;
right to moderate the forum and edit or reject any submission.&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;/pre&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Lamia</name></author>
	</entry>
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