Subject: [Dagger] [Porc] The mutterings from an enforced coma
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1998 23:40:33 -0400
From: "Jim Davis" <jrdavis@penn.com>
To: <dagrfall@ods.com>

I remember Lady Raven standing over me, chanting words to the wind.  I
passed out, which came as a relief to my mind.  The feel of being submerged
in warm water flooded my senses.  I remembered this feeling... it was
identical to that time I froze to death on the High Ice in Thornwood.  I
realized that in death, I would be given the peace so denied to me.  All my
life, I have done nothing but fight.  First as a commander in training for
the Tamislane armies, then for Kali, then for myself in my attempted
conquest of Tamriel.  I knew that Kali would draw me to her, where I could
finally rest.

Suddenly, the feeling grew cold.  I felt my astral body being yanked back to
my material body.  I began a kicking fit, striking out at anyone who got too
close, all the while trying to tear the dressing off my chest and knock the
gauze that was packed through my chest.  "Can you not see I want to die?!?"
I said in a sharp whisper, my voice not rising above that.  Seeing Catris
standing to my side, the Tamislane dagger in her belt, I lunged at her
(lunged is a strong term.  More like I fell towards her.)

I grabbed the Tamislane dagger's pommel and yanked it from its sheath.
"Allow me to die!  I profane the lady Catris' very being by my presence!" I
said as I turned the shiny silver blade toward me.  As I swung the blade up,
intent on burying it in my skull.  A swift kick flashed across my vision,
knocking the heavily enchanted mithril from my hand.  "No, pulati, you do
not profane my presence," Catris said as she regained her balance, "nor do I
wish you to die.  I am sure the man I loved is still in there somewhere.
The man who saved me from my father.  The man whom I rule beside."  For the
first time since I began my quest, Catris' voice had a commanding tone to
it.

I let the dagger lie, as the crystal paladin grew nervous when I was armed.
"Catris, I do not deserve you.  I am too chaotic.  My life-style changes in
the blink of an eye.  You need something more stable.  I am transferring
Kalisis to you."  I reached out and touched the only bare skin I could
reach, between her pant leg and the top of her shoe.  With that touch, I
made a contingency that when I die, the spells holding Kalisis aloft will
not fail, but will become Catris' magic.

I reached out and pulled myself to Catris, the hole through my chest burning
like fire.  When I reached her, I grasped her hand and pulled myself up,
nearly toppling Catris in the process.  I cupped Catris' face in my hands
and was leaning forward to kiss her when I felt the icy fingers of magicka
enclose me again.  Feeling a sudden wave of weariness, I collapsed against
Catris, pinning her under me as I fell.  The companions began discussion.


~Lord Jemalas Tamislane, Master Dweomerkeeper, Ruler of Kalisis, High Lord
of Thornwood
jrdavis@penn.com
ICQ- 16848203