Within natural caverns
| The cave is smooth and refined, carved by water at some time
| in the past. Its grey color isn't very cheery and the footprints
| on the floor seem to indicate that this tunnel is well traveled.
| Every sound you make echoes too long to be comfortable, and
o-o-@ | even when still the air seems to hold some kind of constant
| | noise.
~-~ |
| |
~ |
---------+

[Exits: south west]
A string of sausages is here.
An apple crumble is here.

You say '..this is not looking good at all.'

You tell Cedowyl 'May I ask the reason for that?'

You tap your foot up and down, clearly ticked.

Cedowyl tells you 'Hail, Cyprian. Aye, he slayed me and has it coming.'

You tell Cedowyl 'Slay me in her place if you want to satisfy a vendetta.'

Cedowyl tells you 'I will not, friend.'

Cedowyl tells you 'I seek revenge, and, she is evil.'

Ulsa tells you 'They all want blood.'

You tell Ulsa 'Stop this at once.'

You tell Ulsa 'That's for Cedowyl.'

You tell Ulsa 'Disregard it.'

Cyprian clenches a fist.


===========<T R A V E L>=========


North Square
B-+-* | You are at the North Square of Seringale. It is peaceful
| | | and quiet here. The square is a large opening space surrounded
S-+ *-o| by grand buildings made by fanciful stonework. You see
| | the Main Street to the north and the south and the North
+-+-@-+-+| Road to the east and the west. A small tuft of grass
| | || pokes up defiantly in the middle of the square. A set
S-+ F +| of dents shaped curiously like one's rear end has been
| || well-worn into the paving stones here.
+-S-+-F +|
---------+

[Exits: north east south west]
A brass finger post stands here.
The Herald Bulletin Board gleams majestically in the middle of the square.

Samus walks in.
A human mercenary walks in.

Samus walks south.
A human mercenary walks south.

You tell Thamu 'Is Cedowyl in league with you? And you him?'

Someone tells you 'She also invaded the Justice cabal.'

Thamu tells you 'What?!'

Thamu tells you 'Define what you mean.'

You tell Thamu 'Isn't he in Justice?'

Thamu tells you 'Well of course!'

You tell Thamu 'Are you superior to him?'

Ulsa tells you 'I'm just slowly losing faith in men who are supposed to be righteous.'


======<T R A V E L>=========


Beside a large bar
S-F-F | You are by the bar of this inn. There is a lengthy polished
| | | oak counter against one side of the room. A rack above it
* *-* | is laden with various pitchers and glasses, and behind the
| | | | bar is a giant keg of some dark ale. A bartender is here
*>@-o | to serve drinks to all patrons of the inn. To the north
| is the entrance to the stage, and to the east you see a
| fancy-looking dining room. There is a bin for returning
| used mugs and glasses to the west. A sign on the wall
| depicts the winning hands of Whirlwind Poker.
---------+

[Exits: north east]
A tankard shaped like a lady beggar displays a bosom slot for tips.
A polished bar is here, with a row of brass taps at one end of it.
Soft velvet cloth has been draped over this mahogany table.
(Charmed) A venomous king cobra is here, ready to strike.
Ulsa is resting here.
Jaloro the half-elf mans the poker table in colourful clothes.

You say 'It's no wonder.'

You tap your foot up and down, clearly ticked.

Thamu tells you 'I have a higher rank than him, yes.'

You tell Thamu 'What's this about his claim that Ulsa invaded your cabal?'

You say 'He won't slay me in your place.'

Thamu tells you 'I don't know.'

Thamu tells you 'Not sure I have heard about it or if I did I don't remember which is possible.'

You tell Thamu 'Neither do I, but do you know what it means to pine in desperation?'

You tell Thamu 'I'm sure you do. Imagine your creator, and what they might mean to you.'

You tell Thamu 'Pleasing them is utmost in your heart, or what little there is of it, isn't it.'

Thamu tells you 'Something like that.'

Ulsa tells you 'I knew it, even corruption on their part has reached Cedowyl.'

You tell Thamu 'What if you were hunted while you were in the middle of trying to do just that?'

Beside a large bar
S-*-F | You are by the bar of this inn. There is a lengthy polished
| | | oak counter against one side of the room. A rack above it
F *-* | is laden with various pitchers and glasses, and behind the
| | | | bar is a giant keg of some dark ale. A bartender is here
*>@-o | to serve drinks to all patrons of the inn. To the north
| is the entrance to the stage, and to the east you see a
| fancy-looking dining room. There is a bin for returning
| used mugs and glasses to the west. A sign on the wall
| depicts the winning hands of Whirlwind Poker.
---------+

[Exits: north east]
A tankard shaped like a lady beggar displays a bosom slot for tips.
A polished bar is here, with a row of brass taps at one end of it.
Soft velvet cloth has been draped over this mahogany table.
(Charmed) A venomous king cobra is here, ready to strike.
Ulsa is resting here.
Jaloro the half-elf mans the poker table in colourful clothes.

You say 'It's more a disconnect, than anything.'

Ulsa says 'There is blood shadowing the Light, Cyprian.'

You say 'Then THEY are not the light!'

Take it easy now! count to ten, very slowly.

You say 'Don't let the mistakes of mortals cloud what you are striving so hard to touch!'

You say 'If they want blood, let them want blood.'

Thamu tells you 'Wait, what was I in the middle of doing?'

Ulsa says 'I cannot kneel before corruption, not when I've been bettering myself this entire time.'

You tell Thamu 'Nothing. I'm saying Ulsa is in the middle of doing so many things in the name of turning her heart, and all the while hands crying for her blood continually obstruct her.'

You tell Thamu 'It has nothing to do with you, of course. I see that.'

Thamu tells you 'That happens I guess. Example would be as follows.'

Thamu tells you 'If I track mud in the room, I have to clean it up, even if I never do it again.'
You say 'You are not kneeling to them when you disarm to be struck to be cleansed.'

Thamu tells you 'That was one of my earlier lessons.'

Ulsa says 'Cleansed of what!?'

Ulsa says 'That's what I'm not understand!'

Ulsa says 'Understanding, rather..'

You say 'You're fighting a tradition sanctioned by the Heavens, in mortal hands to execute it, you'll see potential for imperfection.'

You say 'Though we sprout wings in the presence of them all, not a one of them will see past an anathema put on either you or me.'

You say 'Angelic wings...if you want to miss my point.'

You say 'Keep an eye out. Run if you have to.'

You peer around yourself intently.

Cedowyl tells you 'Ulsa is claiming you are her...advisor? I am confused.'

Ulsa says 'I will run.'

You tell Cedowyl 'I am. It was not intended that way, but that's what she calls me. And I won't refuse it. Because I'm trying to help her along in turning from evil.'

You tell Cedowyl 'This is an effort she has been undergoing for a long time.'

You tell Cedowyl 'And left and right, those to whom she should be able to look to as examples..'

You tell Cedowyl 'Want to slit her throat left and right.'

You tell Cedowyl 'So she is in a great amount of confusion and grief.'

You say 'I'm speaking to him right now.'

Cedowyl walks in.
A short-maned lion walks in.

Cedowyl sits down and rests.

Cedowyl says 'Destrian.'

Cedowyl spits in utter disgust!

Cedowyl says 'The mad.'

Cedowyl says 'I am a Lawman first and foremost.'

Cedowyl says 'A Lightwalker, second.'

Ulsa shakes her head.

Cyprian relaxes his posture.

Ulsa sighs.

Cedowyl says 'And a warm-blooded man of honor whose honor was slit by your dagger.'

Cedowyl shrugs helplessly.

Cedowyl says 'Don't let my revenge taint your idea of Good. Good has...nothing to do with it.'

Ulsa says 'You harbor anger, half-elf.'

Cedowyl says 'And revenge.'

Ulsa says 'One of the Light would not want such things.'

Cedowyl says 'Such is the product of being murdered.'

Cyprian takes a few steps back, and observes you both, attentively.

Cedowyl says 'For no reason.'

Ulsa says 'Even I never sought revenge cold heartedly.'

Ulsa says 'There's something going on and I'm going to get to the bottom of it.'

Cedowyl looks at Ulsa.

Cedowyl looks at you.

Cedowyl raises an eyebrow at you.

You shake your head.

You say 'This is where we differ.'

Cedowyl says 'On murder?'

You say 'No. The amiss that she refers to. There may be, there may not be.'

Cedowyl says 'Ah.'

You say 'It is a concern, but nowhere near the level of priority in my mind as is Ulsa, as a whole.'

Cedowyl says 'Which one of you holds the locusts?'

You say 'We aren't seeing eye-to-eye, there, you might say.'
Ulsa says 'There is only one way I'll find out.'

Cedowyl says 'Ash is getting everywhere!'

Cedowyl mutters something quietly to himself.

Cedowyl stands up.

Ulsa says 'I will stride to become a Noble and find out where this corruption is going.'

Cedowyl closes his eyes momentarily.

You say 'I'll help Vikka clean it up.'
Vikka tells you 'On my way, dear.'

Vikka the serving girl walks in.

You nod at Vikka the serving girl.

Cedowyl says 'A Noble?'
You say 'A bit later.'

Cedowyl smiles happily.

Cedowyl says 'Ulsa.'

Cedowyl says 'You are Anathema.'

Cedowyl says 'They will not let you be one of their elites.'

Cedowyl says 'You are also Evil.'

Vikka the serving girl walks east.

Cedowyl says 'So your first step will need to be a Religious transformation.'

Cedowyl says 'Or so I've heard.'

Ulsa says 'I'll have to talk with Vanisse about it.'

You say 'That's what she's been trying to see to. But these other secondary issues keep clouding the path that's supposed to pristine and clear as gold.'

Cedowyl peers intently at Ulsa.

Cedowyl says to Ulsa 'You are an odd duck.'

Cedowyl chuckles politely.

Cedowyl mutters something quietly to himself.

Ulsa frowns.

<PATRON> Grewin gossips: 'I am taking my leave.'

Cedowyl kicks the ash about.

<PATRON> Ulsa gossips: 'Bye friend!'

<PATRON> Grewin gossips: 'Fair travels Ulsa.'

You say 'You cannot sit there, and tell me that one trying to unlearn evil would not be thrown awry from poor examples demonstrated by those who are recognized by the heavens as good-hearted.'

Cedowyl sits down and thinks deeply.

Cedowyl says 'I suppose it all depends on who is observing and how is acting.'

Cedowyl says 'Destrian, for example, is not a good example.'

You nod.

Cedowyl says 'He was never meant for the Knights.'

You say 'Unfortunately he was the majority of her encounter.'

Cedowyl says 'And I know this, for I've spoken to the Knights about him. I consider the Knights friends and allies.'

Cedowyl says 'Ah yes, I can see how that would be unsettling.'

Cedowyl says 'Additionally...'

Cedowyl says 'When it comes to her and I...'

Cedowyl says to Ulsa 'You and I...'

Cedowyl says 'Look at it from my perspective, as a Lightwalker.'

Cedowyl says 'I was murdered, for no reason.'

Cedowyl says 'Or at least none that I know of.'

Cedowyl says 'So how can I not seek to avenging my death? '

Ulsa says 'Why is it so hard for one of the Light to forgive?'

Cedowyl says 'Especially from one who is Evil?'

You say 'Because I speak on her behalf that she is not.'

Cedowyl says 'Forgive a Darkwalker?'

Cyprian steps decisively forward.

Ulsa says 'A true heart of the Light would forgive all regardless of how they were born.'

Cedowyl waves the smoke away.

Cyprian puts a quieting hand politely up toward Ulsa.

Ulsa says 'I'm speaking from the heart, the heart I was supposed to be born with.'

You say to Cedowyl 'I don't discount your need to settle righteous scales, but I would as that you'd please exact them on someone who is not confused.'

You say to Cedowyl 'Namely, myself.'

Cedowyl mutters something quietly to himself.

Cedowyl says 'Let us continue this conversation again.'

You say 'Would ask, I meant to say.'

Cedowyl says 'For now...'

Cedowyl says to Ulsa 'For now I promise, I will not attack you out of the blue again.'

Cedowyl says 'You will have fair warning.'

Cedowyl stretches luxuriously. Kinda makes you want to doesn't it?

You say 'Thank you, Cedowyl.'

Cedowyl bows before you.

You nudge her.

Ulsa says 'I'm going to pray for you, Cedowyl.'

You tell Ulsa 'Thank him, too.'

Ulsa stands up.

Cedowyl mutters something quietly to himself.

Ulsa hugs Cedowyl.

Cedowyl shudders at the horror and represses tears.

Cedowyl walks north.
A short-maned lion walks north.

You roll your eyes in disgust.

Ulsa frowns.

Ulsa sits down and rests.

You say 'Some have limited sight.'

You say 'Don't let it bother you.'

Ulsa wipes away a tear.

You pat Ulsa on her head.

Ulsa says 'I'm trying so hard here!'

You say 'You are. That's why I'm trying to step in where I can. But where this anathema is concerned...I cannot take that burden from you.'

You say 'It's something you have to see to yourself. Decide to, for yourself.'

You say 'And if you'll hear anything from me, I tell you that going willingly and disarming to whatever knight will make things a lot easier for you.'

Ulsa says 'I'm trying to see it not as a burden for me, but a burden on them.'

You say 'It's not about giving in, either.'

You say 'I suppose that's an alternate way of seeing it.'

You say 'So let them unshoulder it.'

You say 'If you care that much for them.'

You say 'We don't have to like it. But it's the only path viable for you.'

Ulsa says 'You can't say that! You don't know that something fishy is going on!'

You frown disapprovingly.

You say 'It could be. But the matter that's more relevant right now is clearing you of the anatheme.'

Yuck, try to cover your mouth next time!

You say 'Anathema.'

You say 'And a pardon won't come.'

You say 'I've already tried negotiating one.'

Ulsa says 'It's blood and only blood they want.'

You say 'Blood is blood. It spills and congeals. What about your soul.'

You peer intently at Ulsa.

Ulsa says 'If I felt to be in the wrong, I would of been on one knee already.'

You say 'That's the point. Humility. Grace. They aren't the strongest of traits..'

You say 'But they are very appropriate where cunning may call for them.'

You say 'Even the gentle can be wise.'

You say 'You're gentle. And you're wise.'

You say 'So show us.'

You say 'That's what they're giving you the opportunity to do. Inadvertently or not.'

You say 'You win.'

You say 'Run, and they win.'

You shake your head.

You say 'I really do dislike preaching like this...'

You bury your face in your palm with a sigh.

Ulsa says 'My heart is starting to hurt, maybe I need to rest.'

You say 'I won't stop you. Your choices are your own to make. but I'll be damned if I lose you beause I never said enough.'

You say 'Rest as you must.'

Ulsa says 'Help me down please, I'm hurting.'

Ulsa extends a hand.

Cyprian slings his hand down fluidly and grasps yours.

Ulsa stretches out.

Cyprian inches you upward with a few tugs.

Ulsa thanks you heartily.

You say 'And by lose you, I mean a sister in faith, or even if just in path.'

Ulsa wipes away a tear.

You say 'Darkness is a debt you can't satisfy.'

You say 'Even in the earth.'

Ulsa says 'Please, no more, I can't handle anymore.'

Ulsa wipes away a tear.

Cyprian nods sagely.

You say 'I'll leave you to yourself.'
Ulsa goes to sleep under a polished bar.
The Western Common Room
| You are next to a large fireplace in the common room. This
| is the place where most of the patrons of the inn gather
S-*-F | to rest from their tedious travels. This is also the place
| | | where various artists can perform their trade. You see a
* @-* | few tables around the fireplace and a small open area as
| | | | a stage. You see the common extend to the west and east.
*>*-o | To the south you can just make out the main stage.
|
|
---------+

[Exits: north east south]
Some very comfortable looking sofas have been placed around the room.
A sparkling new bookcase covered in carved portraits rests here containing the Serin Mystiques: Volume 3.
An untidy bookcase with a sign reading 'Serin Mystiques: Volume two' is propped up against a wall.
A neat bookcase with a sign reading 'Serin Mystiques: Volume one' rests against a wall.
Vikka, the serving girl of the tavern, stands waiting for a customer.