From:
                                                                        3:29
Subject: [Dagger] [Porc] The ladies return from the
void.To: <dagrfall@ods.com>

After reaching the pile of staves, I dug deep into the pile.  I pulled out
two staves, identical in appearance, but opposite in purpose.  I showed them
to Raven, who looked puzzled.  "One of these can restore someone to full
health, no matter how ill, while the other will disintegrate with a touch.
Only Jemalas' divine recognition abilities can say which is which.  50:50
chance.  I am not sure I like those odds."  I looked at the staffs, not
knowing which to use.  Finally, I closed my eyes and dropped the staff in my
right hand.  Kali help me if I am wrong.

We left the bag through the portal that was the opening of the bag.
Taganath had regained his true form, how I do not know and would have to ask
later.  "Taganath, crystal paladin, Would you accept my apologies for
turning you into an amber slime?  You see, I am a bit on edge right now, for
obvious reasons, and I hate dealing with people who are hypocrites."

Fluffing himself up, still cautious of my magic, he said, "Catris, I am not
a hypocrite."  "Yes, you are, crystal boy.  Stop arguing with me or I will
find something worse to turn you into!  I am over four thousand years old
and I think that I should be able to judge someone's character by now.  You
start off telling me that you are virtuous and kind, yet you were ready to
kill an unconscious and dying opponent!  Where is the virtue in that?"

Taganoth started to reply, but was cut short by Lady Raven calling me.  I
ran into the tent and Raven looked up at me and said "M'lady, Jemalas has
taken a turn for the worse.  Something is being denied him, but I cannot say
what.  Pulse, breathing, everything is the same."  I laid my hand on
Jemalas' thinned chest and closed my eyes.  Only one pulsing beat.

One of Jemalas' hearts had stopped and the other would soon follow.  I still
held the staff.  My hand was still on his chest when he sighed, the breath
of life passing from his body.

Tears welled up.  "Jemalas!  You can't die and leave me alone!"  I took a
two handed grip on the staff and swung it overhead, hitting Jemalas' body on
the sternum, screaming "Ariati! (The Sidhe word for activate.)"  Fearing
that it may be the wrong staff, I threw it aside.  I threw myself over his
still warm body and cried bitter tears.  "Who would have thought it would
end like this?  All his works, all the marks he left on peoples' lives..."
My thoughts were tore apart when Jemalas suddenly weazed.  His hearts
started beating again, loud and strong.

I tore away the bandages, watching in wonderment as the wounds healed over
and disappeared.  I took his hand, his wraith thin right hand, and felt as
the density returned, along with the strength.  Lady Raven's spells of
slumber ran off Jemalas like water off a duck's back.  His eyelids
fluttered, and he slowly sat up.  A brilliant purple flash lit up the dim
tent as his weaveglow stopped, turned off by Jemalas' restored will.  The
caked blood and grime melted away, leaving a stinking mess on the floor, but
no trace was left on him.  He sat up, chanting his words of power.

In the space of a few moments, I reddened his face twice.  The first was
with a deep, slow kiss, thankful that he had come back to me.  The second
was with a swift backhand, accompanied by the words "What is this I hear of
an affair with that slut Morgiah?"  Jemalas swooned, avoiding the question.
I kissed his forehead and he woke up, strong as ever.

He took the staff from my hand and touched Lady Raven with the black wood.
He spoke the word "Ariati" and Lady Raven lit up with a yellow aura.  She
grew steady again, her magic restored, as well as her body.  Jemalas, now in
total control of his faculties and purged of his suicidal tendencies, stood
up.  He snapped his fingers, invoking some of his mystical magic that was
restored by the staff.  Soft, black silk pants appeared on him, as did a
purple tunic of similiar cloth.  A pair of knee high black boots appeared,
as did a black formal cloak.  Scorcher and Ghalleva came to his sides,
resting themselves in their sheathes.  Jemalas reached into his pouch and
pulled out an elegant longstaff, carved of jet black diawood and banded with
shiny mithril.

Lady Raven tried to return the staff, but he refused to take it.  "No," he
said through telepathy, "it is your reward for saving me.  Just touch the
victim and say 'Ariati.'  It will heal them much as it did me.  Beware
though; if used more than 50 times a day, or twice a day on the same person,
it will explode."  He left the tent and walked out into the circle of
companions.  I could not see exactly what was going on, but I heard the
sounds of weapons being drawn.

Running out, I feared for the worst.

~Lord Catris Tamislane, Ruler of Kalisis, High Lady of Thornwood
jrdavis@penn.com
ICQ- 16848203