just hanging on....

[Khalika]

She had been unconcious for what seemed like years....but then Sal was never that good at telling time...Not that he never needed to...but now as her body hung broken and battered he wished to see those eyes just once more...Her heart still beats, weak, so very weak. But it beats and so Myrken is safe..For now.....

Strung up like butchered cattle the Gypsy's body cut and bruised beyound imagination dangles upside down from the ring wall. the very wall not weeks past she sought to mar...succeed in doing so. Tonight it is marred once again, stained red where she hangs...Body bare save for underclothes. her feet are bound together tightly with rough rope, arms stretched there entire length are equally bound...blood drips, matting and soaking her hair, from a near fatal head wound, that has left her in this state...it was the last of too many blows...in a fight she knew from the onslaught she could not win, but one she fought all the same...one she never needed to win, only survive.. And in technical terms of life and death. she did...Survive. though how long that survival is..is at the moment a very dark and grey area..

Sals hand drifted to grab a handful of that hair...leaning down to smell it one last time...

"You have saved Myrken....my lovely Manndella, But for what is yet to be seen. Yet for you beauty and you deadly gift...I leave you a tombstone.."

Standing he directs two of his men to place a slate placarde beside her head..upon it....it reads...

" For your lives she has fought....for your safety she has bleed...Do not forget this sacrifice...For Myrken sleeps in peace because of what she has given..."

It is signed "The Citadel"

They are gone soon after..as the sounds of the rotating wall guards can be heard...will they see her in the dark?...One would hopes so, for it is not likly she will last much longer without aid.....


((OOC:if anyone is curious as to how Khal got into such a situation..check out the thread in Foriegn lands..)))

[Khalika]

It had been a full day and night and then some since the Gypsy had been brought to the temple..The clerics had worked endlessly that first night to simply heal the wounds needed to keep her alive. Successful it had tired them greatly, that they spent much of the next day resting to regain their strength. Thankfully though re-enforcements arrived, in the form of the Guardian Morghan. She had heard the gypsy call, and had come as soon she was able. Having Meet with the head of the order, they discussed the Gypsy's present condidtion. More importantly, the extensive damage done to her back...They had also discussed the reason she was in her present state. The fight or at least the rumors that were surfacing, from those who saw the Half-Elf McDougal bring her to the temple, and those that saw the slate plate that was left against the wall..

It had now been moved to rest against a tree near the temple. Word was slowly creeping through town...Starting from those who overheard the Guardian as she Told Daphne-Kyle and the other employees at the waystation. It trickled away after that... that odd game of secret. though the Guardian worries as Dawn lifts on the second day of the womans recovery, as she looks at a few childern and passer byers peer at the Plaque, and over at the temple. a few flowers laid at the base of the tree. Some having asked to see the Gypsy. But the guardian and Clerics have agreed she was not ready for any sort of Visitors, that sentiment was equaled by Daphne. One of a very small number allowed to sit as the Gypsy was keep purposely in a deep slumber...She knew her friend could not bare being Gawked at even if those who came meant well...She also knew that they could not keep her sedated for ever....Soon she would have to be told....Decisions would have to be made...

[Rance]

Maybe they didn't know that she received a visitor. Or maybe they simply knew that he needed to see her. His presence did not remain long; he was nothing more than a shadow in her chamber, a mist of dying winter breath, a patter of tiny feet along elegant floors. At her bedside, there was left a small vase of flowers.

Tulips. His favorite.

I miss you, they said without speaking. I'm praying for you.

And he was.

[Khalika]

The Guardian had returned unannounced...Her conversation with the half-elf was both enlightening and troublesome..especially were it concerned the cleric of this temple. Would they hand Khalika over to the highest payer of gold? She could not believe such a thing...but she must in someway, or else she would have made her return known...Which she did not..

Slipping in quietly...she looked upon the Gypsy, Still laying in peaceful slumber, there was light peering from the head Cleric room and muttled voices could be heard....moving closer she leaned in..listening to what they had to say..it went against her very fibre...but to keep the Gypsy safe, it seems she would have to grey such lines of conduct.

"Has there been any replies from the querries we sent out?"

Innocent enough....

"Not as yet...but the Gypsy has many enemies....I'm sure it will not be long, and the price she will fetch will be great.."

Not so innocent...not even close...

"And the Guardian?...She watches her carefully...."

"She will not know till it is too late....then there will be nothing she will be able to do...Her teachings will not allow her to act with violence..."

all sound was swallowed up in the Guardian throat...a step back...fear very soon over come with anger...they dare under estimate her?!!...But it's quickly followed by a plan of action...another back step, and she was turning quickly towards the front entrance...outside she slipped a soft whistle...in specific tones..a summons...moments later it is answered..

appearing from the darkness, two Vertex come into view...they tower over the petitte Guardian...in quick gestures, she explains that their R'il must be moved imdiately....they need no reason why...they do not care...she is in parrell, and their actions are instant..

Sweeping into the building like wraiths...their long charcol black cloaks flutter silently, one taking point to stand guard before the door, the other moves directly to the alter where she lays...wrapping blankets around her frame he lifts her like she was nothing more then a babe..or small child and in those great arms she almost passes for one....his cloak is then wrapped around them both, and he is gone like a ghost..slipping out the way he came...leaving only the guardian to stand before the now empty area she once laid...It is then that the door open and the head cleric and the one he was speaking to enter to find her...

"What has happened?...Guardian where is she?"

"Out of your reach..."

Her words were cold...eyes looking upon the men she thought once trust worthy, she is learning quickly...that in this land..they are not as easy to come by.

"And if you attempt to seek her out....the consequences will be great... Though it will not be me who will come to you..."

And there now stood the second of the two Vertex...behind her the stouic warrior....it really says it all.....and the clerics simply nod...

"Our business is complete...Blessed Be...and may your deeds be returned three fold.."

With that parting she turns and departs....once outside...she hurries to the dagger..time has suddenly run out..she hopes the Half-elf is ready....

and the Vertex?...They will protect their charge till she calls...