NEW! Sword of Truth Roleplay! SLOWLY BEING UPDATED!

[WEEB_QUEEN]

Amara kept her steady, unwavering gaze upon Zedd as he circled the original of the clones, studying him from head to toe. Amara could tell, he was not just studying him with his eyes, but with his gift. Amara saw within her great-grandfather's eyes, the magic of his gift, dancing within him. She then watched him as he flicked his wrist in the air, as if to dismiss the distraction and spoke. Turning his attention upon her brother, he stepped up to him. Placing his bony knuckles on th table, he leaned forward so that only she and her brother could hear him. Amara leaned closer to hear what he had to say. Listening silently, Amara was stunned by what she heard.
" Y-You've seen it?,"she whispered quietly before falling silent to listen to the rest of her great-grandfather's words. Then Amara heard a most dreaded word slip from her great-grandfather's lips. "Chimes." He leaned even closer, to block out those that may overhear his words. Amara noticed the way his eyes narrowed, making him very much like the First Wizard. His facial expressions took on that of one with man years of knowledge. The sudden seriousness of what he was about to say, Amara feared to be the most terrible of news. Amara stood, stunned after the last sentence was spoken, allowing her mind to soak in what had just been said. Amara could not believe it. Her great-grandfather could see the magic unleased two years ago, the deadly magic that had killed her mother & father.
Tears welled in Amara's emerald orbs as she studied her great-grandfather's features. " This is......truly so?,"she whispered, a small tear escaping her eye to roll down her right cheek. She quickly recomposed herself, remembering they were not alone in this room. Her facial expression hardened, becoming more serious, yet the sorrow still played in her eyes. The inevitable mask of the Mother Confessor overcame her features as she looked up to gaze over at Darken. Somehow, she knew he to had the right to know about this, after all, that same deadly magic had killed his mother and father as well. Amara would not be questioned. She lifted a hand and signaled Darken to approach the table. As she awaited him, she gave her elder brother and great-grandfather both a look that said she would not have them questioning nor stopping her orders. She hoped they to understood that Darken among others, had a right to hear this.  

[Calintz the Doppelganger]

Calintz stood and watched the three talk amount themselves, as he petted Shadow’s head. He figured it would be a good time to take the clones back in. He held up the same hand sign as before, but reversed this time. The seven clones stood together facing him and the hand sign, and then the clones just disappeared. He sighed, it was always easier to take the clone in, then to let them out. He looked back up and was surprised to see sadness in the Mother Confessor face, but a second later her face hardened and serious. He thought he still seen some sadness in her eyes, but he couldn’t be sure. A few moments later, she waved her hand in Darken’s direction for him to come forward and join the three.

Calintz thought he would return to his room, but he remembered he was a prisoner for the moment when he looked and seen the Mord-Sith keeping a careful watch on him. He sighed again, and stood waiting to see what would happen next in the room. While he waited he reached up and rubbed the Night Owl’s head again out of habit.  

[Galapagos James]

Darken watched the exchange that happened between the First Wizard, Lord Rahl, and Mother Confessor with half his attention, the foremost part still upon the Baka Tau Mana. He had just about decided to have the man escorted to a room when Amara motioned for him.

He walked up to the dais on which the Lord Rahl and his family stood, and saluted fist to heart for Amara. "You wanted me, Mother Confessor?"  

[WEEB_QUEEN]

Amara nodded solemnly after Darken had approached her and had clapped a fist to his heart. She glanced briefly at Nora, and then Calintz before returning her gaze to Darken. She smiled sympathetically as tears brimmed in her eyes, but she did her best to keep them at bay. She took a purging breath as she gave her brother a soft look and then turned to her great-grandfather and lifted a hand, indicating Darken.
" Please, Zedd, tell Darken...explain to him what you have just explained to us, he has the right to know,"Amara spoke in a gentle, silken voice, laced with authority. This was not something that should be kept from Darken. Amara knew in her heart that it was the right thing to do by allowing him to hear what was said to she and her brother. Surely, her father or mother might have done the same thing.
Amara fell silent as she waited for Zedd to explain. She thought it best if Darken hear such things about magic from the First Wizard himself.
For comfort and reassurance, Amara laid a firm hand upon Darken's arm as she waited for him to hear what was to be said.
 

[First Wizard Zorander]

Zedd nodded at Amara's words. Darken was so close to her and her brother that he was almost family. He motioned for Darken to come closer, as not to be overheard. The big D'Haran hulked closer and leaned in to better hear.

"I know how much you don't like magic and your little knowledge of it. i will try explain this as best as i can. You see, through magic, I was able to get to a place within my gift that could allow me to see the world of magic like no one else could. From in there, I saw what Richard used to see in magic. . . symbols. After searching around with this new understanding, I stumbled across what I believe to be thae magic that vanquished all those on that terrible day. I could see first hand, the spell-form of it and how it was linked to key targets.

Zedd sighed as he recalled the complexity of the spell-form he saw. There was no way he could explain it all to them right now, not here. Even for the First Wizard himself, he found it very difficult to understand how it all fit together. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was far more complex than ever the Chainfire spell had been, but somewhat less powerful. Yes, it killed it's targets, but in a very round-about, carefully calculated, and unrealistically complex way. Atleast it didn't unravel the world of life like the Chainfire spell would have.

"Try to picture shooting an arrow. You are standing on one side of the forest and your target is on the other. Now you could try to shoot over the trees and drop it down on the enemy. They could see it coming and could easily dodge it, the arrow hit the ground and would have been a complete failure. Rather, you calculate every tree, shrub, and rock in your direct path to your target, who fears nothing coming through the trees cause they don't think anything will come through from there. But, using your precise calculations including everything from wind to tree texture, you fire and the arrow hits the target on the other side. Impossible for the average person or even a wizard, but not for a powerful wizard with all the time in the world. Someone who can take all the calculations down perfectly without worry of being found, and with the aide of powerful magic, could pull it off. One in a million chance. That's similar to how the spell killed Richard and the others."

Zedd watched as everyone stared at him trying to understand how such a thing was possible. At first, it was imposible for even him to believe. If he hadn't seen it for himself and saw how impossible complicated the spell had been, he never would have thought that arrow could have made it half-way. That spell had made the full distance, and done the deed.  

[Galapagos James]

Darken nodded slowly at appropriate moments, showing he understood, as well as the ungifted could, what he was being told. For a minute, Darken was silent after hearing the news, carefully mulling over his thoughts before he spoke.

"Do you think then, having seen this, you can work backwards to find who shot the arrow, being able to see the calculations used to get the arrow to it's target?"

Darken had no idea why he had been brought into this conversation, and fidgeted a little, akward in this discussion about magic. Darken was the steel against steel, and this conversation was definitely outside his area of expertise. He felt as out of his element as a fish must when pulled free of the water and thrust on the deck of a boat.

He gave a half-turn, motioning to the guards at the door. "See the Baka Tau Mana to one of the blue rooms," he told them, carefully choosing rooms a good distance from any of importance, while also being close to numerous patrol intersections. There would be now danger of the man getting out of sight while there.

He turned back to the others, wondering what they had required of him to bring him into the conversation.  

[Calintz the Doppelganger]

Calintz waited for the guards at the doors to get to him, before turning around and following two that stepped in front of him to lead the way. Calintz sighed, he didn’t understand way they wanted a heavy guard watch on him. He meant no harm to the Rahl family, he was sent to protect not kill. He supposed there was no way for them to know that, so he just went along with things. At least he wasn’t tied anymore, that was a plus.
Calintz looked at his companion just as they reached the doors and said, “Go.” Shadow spread his wings and flew out of one of the windows. He watched as two of soldiers tried to catch the Night Owl. “I don’t want him locked in a room with me. He needs to be free to fly outside, beside he likes to catch his own food.” Calintz started walking away as the guards looked at each other. He didn’t need them to lead, because he already knew where the blue rooms were. The one he had paid for the night before, was a blue room.
Calintz looked back once, and seen Darken and the Mord-Sith both watching him leave. He sighed, he knew both would never likely trust him. But then again nothing was ever easy, and trust was not something you could earn in a day.  

[[.Notebook_Paper.]]

Humor danced in Nora's eyes when the First Wizard made his entrance, but not until after she got over being startled by it. Reflexively she had dropped into an offensive stance, her knees bent just slightly so she could spring at the first sign of malevolence. But almost as soon as she turned her head an amused smile broke out over her features and she relaxed. Zedd was here and no matter what bad news came with the look he was half way through giving Lophus she knew matters would be well in hand.

Nora stood straight and attentive once again when the two siblings and Zedd emersed themselves in conversation. She walked with a definitive gait to put herself between the Dopplegangers and those with their heads bent in conversation, allowing half to be closer to Darken and the guards under his command, taking half for herself. From what she had observed she did not expect the Calintz's to strike, so her presence was more pretense than anything. Indeed as she came to a stop she turned to the nearest of the clones and gave him a wicked but friendly smile before returning to a facade of non-chalance. She might have seemed inattentive, but should one false move be made she would strike.

She looked around in different directions, but caught a look of the Mother Confessor that went straight to her heart. Her eyes darkened the slightest bit when she turned away, the leather on her hand creaking when she squeezed her Agiel, the slightest facial tick interrupting her cool composure like a small ripple in a pond before it disappeared a moment later. It was hard to be respectful enough to keep her ears closed when a tear fell from her charge's eye.

But she did. When Darken was called over by Amara and the clones disappeared she took to walking almost idly about the room and keeping the man of the Baka Tau Mana and his bird in her sights. She stopped at the order to have the man taken to his room, then walked purposefully to the doors, opening one, taking a quick gander the hall and turning her blue eyes on the Baka Tau Mana.

"Alright, you heard him." She nodded to the guards. Darken's order would be enforced and she would be sure of it.

When finally they passed Nora caught Darken's eye and melted into the hall, the gaze a silent assurance that she would watch the door.

Edit:

When Calintz made his own way to the door Nora, who had had no reason to mistrust the man so far as he had complied with most of his requests ((The incident of having nine copies of himself forgotten)), narrowed her eyes.

"I don't think you understand." She stopped him at the door with a vice grip on his upper arm as the guards caught up. "They aren't there to lead you. They're here to watch and make sure you actually go to the room." As the guards made it to the man she let go and offered him a cheeky smirk. "You understand, right? It's something you'll have to be used to for a while."

When finally they passed Nora caught Darken's eye and melted into the hall, the gaze a silent assurance that she would watch the door.  

[Calintz the Doppelganger]

Calintz looked at the Mord-Sith as she grabbed his shoulder. After he heard what she said, he gave her a friendly grin and waited for the guards. “I understand, I didn’t need them to lead anyway. I was sure they’d follow me anyway and make sure I went to the room.” He walked with the heavy watch, he would be happy to lay down and get some sleep.

He looked back and seen the Mord-Sith following in the shadows. He was well aware that she had come to make sure he went to the room and stayed there. He figured that she figured a few guards weren’t enough to watch a gifted person. He wonder for a moment if she thought if he used his magic she could capture it. He had heard Mord-Sith could capture the magic of a gifted person, but only if the gifted used their gift on the Mord-Sith. A Doppelganger's magic wasn't used on someone, it was used on the Doppelganger himself.

Calintz didn't really care, he just wanted something to eat and then some rest.  

[WEEB_QUEEN]

Amara silently listened to the explanation Zedd provided for Darken, watching Darken to be sure he understood. Amara understood completly, the explanation was simple enough, after all, she had studied magic most of her life, as had her brother. But that did not mean she knew everything about magic. This whole thing confused and worried her both. From what she understood, this magic was not as deadly as the Chainfire spell had been, unravling the world of life like a ball of yarn, instead it had been cast, the magic had done it's grim deed, and then seemingly vanished.
At least now they knew the answer to most of their questions about the magic that had killed their loved ones. Silent, boiling anger and frustration welled itself deep inside Amara, just waiting to be unleased. She wanted whoever had cast such a spell found, and killed, that was, if they were even still alive. Amara wondered silently to herself if there would be a way to use the knowledge Zedd had provided to trace the magic back to the one who had created the spell form.
Amara did not doubt there was a way to do so. After all, her father had done amazing and unthinkable things with magic no one had ever dreamed possible, not even the First Wizard himself.
After a moment when Zedd's explanation was done, Amara's calm gazed locked onto Darken after he had asked his question of Zedd.
She calmly stepped up next to him, and placed a gentle hand upon his cheek.
" I know you are the steel against steel,"she began in a soft voice, " And I realize you do not much like magic, but I wanted you to hear this...because...well...you deserve to know how your mother and father died, just as ours did, I called you over, for that purpose,"Amara's hand trembled as she removed it from the burly man's arm. She knew Darken must feel like a fish out of water, out of it's element, but she wanted him to understand just how they died, since for two years, none of them had known the cause of the deadly magic that had taken their loved ones from them. A look of sympathy overcame her features as she watched him still.

She then merely watched as Darken gave orders to have the Baka Tau Mana escorted to his quarters for the time being.

For a moment, Amara's emerald gaze flickered to Nora, giving the woman a reassuring smile as she helped to see Calintz out. She supressed a small smile as she watched Nora. The woman was so predictable in her actions sometimes. There were times however, when she was quite unpredictable. She dearly hoped her dear Mord-Sith wasn't frightening Calintz to much, but by the appearance of things, it did not seem that way.
On their way out, Amara paused to call out orders.

" He is not to be harmed,"Amara reminded them, " And see to it that he is given a comfortable room, and that he is fed as well, and if he should need anything, please see to it that he gets it, remember, he is our guest," Amara gave the guards a stern glance before turning back to the matter at hand.
 

[[.Notebook_Paper.]]

((Just to clear things up, Nora is just outside the door, not following Calintz. She's there to guard just so the four inside can speak openly and not have to worry about her hearing or about any trouble coming through the door. Apologies if I did not make that clear.

Edit:

Oh, and if we don't get Nathan in, say, a week may I play him? =^.^= ))  

[Calintz the Doppelganger]

Calintz and the heavy watch formed of now ten guards, some had been picked up on the way. He was put into a nice room and was told a hot meal was on its way. The room was nice, but he knew there was guards just outside the door and the room they had picked for him didn’t have a window. He figured it was to make the door the only way in or out. He was glad he had sent Shadow away, the owl was sure not to be happy if he wasn’t allowed to hunt his own food.

Calintz sat in a chair with a table, to wait for his meal. He let his mind drift from thought to thought. He wonder if the would let him practice with his swords in the morning. He didn’t think they would give him weapons, so he wondered if they would let him practice with wooden swords. He thought he’d ask if they’d like him to teach their swordsmen how to use their swords better. He had seen the way they used theirs swords and he was disappointed. He could teach them how to use their swords better by sparing with them or showing them.

Calintz thoughts drifted to the Mord-Sith’s ability. He had heard they could capture a gifted person’s magic, but only if the gifted person attacked them with the gift. Could a Mord-Sith capture a Doppelganger’s magic? He didn’t think it was possible, because a Doppelganger’s magic isn’t used to attack. The Doppelganger used the magic on himself, not on another. A clone was created by magic, but it didn’t use magic to attack, the clone used a sword made of steel. He thought a moment on the soldier named Darken, was he a Mord-Sith or just a soldier who carried the same weapon as the Mord-Sith?

Calintz came out of his thoughts as the door was opened. He looked up and seen it was a woman, she pushed a cart forward and then turned and left, closing the door behind her. He looked at the cart, seeing steam come from is. He walked over and picked what was on the cart up and walked back to the table, it was his hot meal. Bread, cheese, freshly cooked meat, and a glass of ale, he sat it on the table before sitting in the chair. He then began to eat his meal, he would go to sleep after this.  

[Galapagos James]

Darken turned, and looked at Amara once the guards had left with Calintz. His features softened, knowing everyone in the room and trusting them. He shook his head. "I know you mean well, Mother Confessor, but this is not needed. I know everything I need to know about my parents death: They died while serving the Lord Rahl. Since I know that our current Lord Rahl shall not allow the murder of his own parents to go unavenged, I am free of all but the most basic of obligations: I must protect the Lord Rahl."

He nodded to himself, quite happy in what should be the main focus of his life. But it wasn't. He was a failure in this respect, he knew. Still, it was a major focus of his life, and one he used more and more to define himself as he tried to drown out his failings. "Who killed them, the specifics of how they died; those are unimportant. I thank you for thinking of me, but it is not necessary. They died as they lived: In loyal service to House Rahl. Nothing more can be asked of any D'haran, and nothing is more honorable."  

[First Wizard Zorander]

Zedd sighed as he pondered a bit over the question. How should he explain this? Every person's gift is ever so slightly different, like their DNA. It's all basically the same, but it's 'shaped' slightly different. "Every spell cast leaves the tiniest bit of themselves in the spell. But unfortunately, the ability to trace a spell is far beyond even my skill. I doubt even the wizards of Old knew how to do it. No one alive today would be able to trace the magic back to it's maker. Besides, the spell that killed Richard and the others was cast a while ago now. I saw the spell that was once cast, but it no longer exists, therefore it is no longer 'alive' and that the trace left in the spell is gone aswell. Years later, the man that fired that arrow is long gone and no remnants remain.

They all turned as a soldier came in through the open doorway. It was a messenger that Zedd had never seen before, but bore the red letter 'R' for the House of Rahl. This could only mean news from D'Hara.

The soldier strode up to Lophus and handed him the message. Everyone gathered around to read it.

To Lophus, Amara, & Zedd,
The most alarming thing to happen these past couple years since the deaths of Richard, Kahlan, and the others. A small town on the southern tip of D'Hara was attacked. The town was burned to the ground by phantom soldiers. The inhabitants were killed to a man. Fortunately, one of five Boundary Wardens that i had placed there escaped. He reported directly to me and reported everything that happened. Clearly, this was supposed to be a stealthy attack that we never would have known about because the town is miles from any other civilization. We don't have any idea who the attack came from or anything about them at all. We learned one thing; these were excellently trained soldiers that were precise, quick, and ruthless. I will keep you informed.

P.S. I sent the Boundary Warden to you bearing this message. He is the Head Boundary Warden. He knew Chase.

Nathan

Zedd stood stunned. He shared a look with Amara before going off to the far wall and looking out the window into the distance.  

[WEEB_QUEEN]

Amara listened carefully to Darken's words, noticing the softness that had melded into his features as he glanced around the room at the people he trusted most. Amara nodded silently and solemnly when he finished speaking, giving him a soft smile that spoke more than words could ever explain. As she turned to face Zedd, a gentle look of understanding overcame her features as she regarded Darken a moment longer, her emerald gaze lingering upon his face. The smile vanished swiftly as she gave her full attention over to Zedd as he spoke. When he finished speaking, she let out a low breath, pinching the bridge of her nose as she went around the desk and slumped down into her chair.
She suddenly felt weary, and hopeless, and it clearly showed within her eyes. Hanging her head, Amara whispered a silent prayer to the good spirits to watch over her Mother and Father.
Suddenly, her head came upon as a soldier came in through the tall double doors. He appeared to be a messenger, and bored the crimson letter ' R' for the House of Rahl.
This meant only one thing. News from D'Hara. Amara rose from her chair and came around the desk in one swift fluid movement.
The soldies strode straight up to her brother an handed him a folded piece of paper. Amara placed her self at her brother's side, leaning close to read the message.

After reading the message, Amara staggered back a few paces. Her hands trembled, as she draped an arm across her stomach.

" Dear Spirits,"she whispered softly. She noted Zedd, who stood stunned by the grim news as well. He shared a look with her before going to the far wall and looking out the window, out into the distance.
Tears welled in her eyes as she imagined within her mind, the countless bodies of men, women, and children, laying in pools of their own crimson blood upon the earth. Amara had to choke back a sob as she strode over to her great-grandfather at the window and placed a hand upon his shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze as a tear rolled down her cheek, which she was swift to wipe away.
She was the Mother Confessor, she MUST pull herself together.
Taking a purging breath, she strode back over to her brother to stand at his side with a firm hand upon his arm.

" What should our next course of action be?,"she spoke in a voice brittle with anguish as she allowed the calm mask of the Mother Confessor to overcome her once more.