Portents..

[Noury]

Nouri woke up with his head throbbing and pounding as if the Thorium Brotherhood had taken up residence inside his skull. Going over the the wash basin he dunked his head and shook the excess water out of his hair. He cast a renew on himself to deaden the effects of the hangover. He then thought back to last night.

Nouri needed a drink following that comical infiltration of the Sandfury troll city of Zul Farrak. Well, it would have been comical if wasn’t for the fact of the entire team nearly getting obliterated because of the amateurish actions of the mage, the warlock and the warrior. Only through the extreme efforts of Nouri and the paladin woman present were they able to preserve their mortally wounded teamates and perform a hasty extraction.

Good help is hard to find sometimes.

So it was with enthusiasm that Nouri received the invitation from Teelia to come join her for some drinks in Goldshire. They so rarely got the chance to just hang out together, something Nouri always relished.

When he reigned in Marta in front of the inn, Teelia was already waiting for him. She had doffed her usual roguish attire for a casual pair of blue slacks and a low cut light blue silk shirt. Of course she was barefoot, something she seemed to enjoy whenever she could. The thought casually occurred to Nouri that Tee’s soles must be like cured leather! She ran up to him and wrapped him up in a big hug. “Wes! How are you?”

A quick inhale told Nouri she had started already. He had some catching up to do.

They entered the inn and took over a table near the bar. It was a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere for a change, with nothing to worry about. The two were just able to enjoy each other’s company. Looking back Nouri should have known that fate would always have other plans.

A young warrior arrived and took up the seat across the able from them. Nouri was a little annoyed that their intimate evening had just been intruded upon, but it was a public place and the warrior had every right, so they smiles wryly at each other and welcomed the stranger.

They regretted it in short order. The warrior was one of those people that just go on and on and on. He asked question after question. Nouri politely answered, but Teelia on the other hand took on a look of relief when the squelch of her gnome box presented her an escape.

Nouri was listening to the warrior recount a story of his first adventure to Stormwind while absently listening to Teelia beside him talk into the device. It was Danlyra on the other end.

That immediately caused Nouri to pay closer attention to the conversation.

Danlyra DeFafnyr. Scourge Slayer. Only recently had Nouri and Teelia learned that their colleague was part of a family lineage that included some particularly shocking relatives.

It was indeed that fact that Teelia was discussing with her.

Nouri only partially listened to the warrior going on about his prowess in battling Elwynn Forest wolves. His attention was dominated with trying to catch the conversation Tee was having next to him.

Only now with his head cleared of the alcohol haze did the full implications of that conversation hit home.

“I wish to set up a meeting,” she had told Danlyra. “ With your relatives, particularly the Forsaken one known as Clys.”

She had gone on to explain that in recent days she had actually been helped in dire need by several members of the Forsaken. It was enough that she was re-evaluating her opinion of that faction, that perhaps it was a mistake to equate them to the Scourge. She wanted to learn more, and this “Clys” might be the one that could help her understand.

Nouri had no love for the Forsaken. But still he was never as opposed to them as Teelia had been. He knew they held themselves apart from the Scourge, he simply could not reconcile the fact that they were an abomination of nature. Teelia on the other hand had hunted them with the same zeal she had the Scourge. Yet here she was, looking to actually meet and interact with one.

“Oh Tee!” thought Nouri, “ What are you getting yourself into.”

At that instant Nouri felt the world lurch. He grasped the edges of the little table that held the wash basin to steady himself.

It wasn’t a full fledged “vision” this time. He didn’t collapse completely. Yet there it was in his mind. Like a fleeting ghost of an image.

The faint impression of an elfin face, twisted in undeath. Mousy brown hair hanging in limp strands over sunken cheeks. Hollow pits where the eyes should have been. Nouth agape in a half moon grin, the light glinting off the tips of two small fangs. The image faded to the sound of giggling..

[Teelia]

Teelia sat by the river, scrubbing the bottoms of her feet with a rough stone. She hated to wear shoes or boots, probably the result of not wearing them for nearly five years after escaping Andorhal. Smith, the man who had trained her, had taught her to rub her feet this way to keep callouses down and let her feet remain soft and dainty. She did this every day methodically, and it was often while doing this that she had time to think and reflect on the events of the previous day.

The last night had been strange for Teelia. She had been extremely drunk, and had met with Wesley, who she could still not get used to calling Nouri. They had relaxed and talked for a bit, but that's not what was on her mind.

The Forsaken....

Teelia had in her guild a living relative of the half troll Danlily and the Forsaken rogue Blood Elf known as Clys. While drunk, she had begun the steps to set up a meeting with either Clys, or a representative. This weighed heavily on Teelia's mind, especially after hearing stories of what these people had done to the tainted paladin Lovely.

Teelia was only 19, but since the scourge invasion several years ago, Teelia had always assumed that the Forsaken were a part of the Scourge, and should be treated as such. She had systematically eliminated any forsaken that had crossed her path without a second thought.

This had changed recently. A few months ago, Teelia had been in Tanaris working on her skills, when she had slipped up and been discovered by a large group of pirates. They had her near death, and she would have died, but for an unnamed female forsaken warlock.

This undead warlock had risked her own life, if it had such a thing, to draw some of the pirates off Teelia, saving her life and then helping her to safety once the pirates had been dispatched. When this happened, Teelia had been speechless. She stood there silently as the warlock went her way, blowing a kiss at her.

Surely this was not the actions of a mindless being under the influence of Kel'Thuzad. Teelia put this information aside, thinking that perhaps it was just a freak occurance.

Then, just last week, a similar situation happened. A forsaken went out of their way to help Teelia, and Teelia had spared them as well. Her views on the race were questioned, and she didn't know the answer.

The latest occurance was only three days ago. Teelia responded to a call for help in Darkshore, and massacred an entire group of horde who had been pestering the locals near Auberdine. The last horde member to die was a Forsaken warrior, and before Teelia killed him, he begged for his life.

Begged....For his life.

Teelia pondered how a creature already dead could beg for something he didn't have. She had to have answers to these questions, and by a stroke of luck, Danlyra's family could possibly provide these answers.

Teelia put away her stone and gathered her things. She hoped that the meeting would happen soon...And unlike Lovely, she was prepared for this meeting. She would meet Clys if possible, and learn the truth. If Clys tried anything, Teelia was confident that she could take her out. She hoped that this would not be the case.

It was time for answers....and possibly a new direction for the Scourge Slayers.

[Laron]

Coming up on a river Amadare catches the scent of a human… Sniffing closer it is female… Creeping up she keeps low to the ground peering through the grass, where she sees a human woman sitting on a rock. With a stone in her hand she vigorously scrubs the bottom of her feet? “What in the world is she doing?” The woman starts talking to herself, more mumbling then talking… Curiosity had gotten the better of her feline mind, as she tries to get a better position to ear what thee human is saying while she rubs a rock on her feet. As she takes a step she forgets to look where her paw is placed. *Snap!* Her ears hold back and she hunches to the ground. “Dammit!” she thinks as the Human looks up.

[Teelia]

Teelia vanishes, seemingly into thin air, and makes her way back to Stormwind. "No druid is going to follow me anywhere" she thinks to herself. She makes her way into the city, not noticing the cleansing cloth she left behind in the grass....

[Laron]

Creeping up, Amadare shifts to up write, and picks up the cloth left behind. “She dropped this… I wonder who she is…?” Bringing it to her face she inhales deeply and closes her eyes. Turning slowly in a circle… “There!” The Scent was plain as day. Slinking to the ground she sniffs the wet dirt. Her fine delicate hands grow fur and claws extend then retract. Not wearing shoes, the human was leaving a very easy to follow trail… So easy she starts to think. “Maybe she wants me to follow her…Why else would she have left her wash cloth… Maybe she is in trouble and didn’t want to say…”

[Noury]

The more Nouri researched, the more concerned he became. He could not shake the feeling Teelia, as strong and confident as she is, was walking into something she had drastically underestimated.

This 'Clys Nex'Cruor ' was one who seemingly delighted in domination, in pain and in corruption. She enjoyed seeing the prettier things ruined by her hands.. Pretty, like Teelia. This undead elf had instigated some of the most heinous acts against some of the most innocent of beings, infants even. This was what Teelia wanted to meet?

His research had taken him all over the continents, but it was time to return to Teelia, to keep an eye on her. Nouri was determined that she would not go to this meeting alone. If she suspected that that he might try to stop her, she would never tell him the time and place. He had to be near her, she must not be allowed to go into that unknown alone. Most assuredly this Clys would not be. Where she went, Nouri discovered, her favourite pet Danlily followed nearby. Light knows what would happen!

By asking around he determined she was still in Goldshire. Nouri trotted into town and checked the inn. No Teelia. but a passing lad Nouri asked pointed to a house nearby. Nouri rode up to the house and dismounted. The door was open and Nouri entered. He heard voices upstairs.

Ascending the steps he heard Teelia mention to someone, " And don't tell anyone, this will be our secret."

" Dont tell anyone what?” Asked Nouri.. There was Teelia, and the elf warrior Verloran.

Nouri looked at Teelia and noticed she was rather scantily clad. The elf just stood there grinning. She appeared happy to see Nouri, "Wes! Oh good to see you! " she exclaimed.

Nouri felt an immediate tightening sensation in his chest. His breath became ragged and forced. There was a lump in his throat. Was this jealousy?

“ Don’t tell what?” repeated Nouri. “ What were you two doing up here?” He half dreaded the answer.

“Oh, we’re planning something,” Teelia went on. “ An attack on the Scourge, but it must be secret.” She appeared calm enough, not at all like someone just caught in some indiscretion. Nouri had complete faith in Teelia, she had always been honest with him, even when it dealt with some of the sexual advances she had to cope with over time. She was after all a stunning young woman, and attracted that sort of thing. Yet there she was with a handsome elf warrior, alone in an empty house. They had been upstairs in the bedroom, with her wearing next to nothing. And Nouri smelled alcohol, they had been drinking. The tightness persisted.

“I have to leave, “ Teelia said abruptly. She swiftly kissed Nouri and dashed out of the house in a rush before he could say anything. Did Nouri imagine it or did she wink at Verloran as she ran out?

Nouri studied the elf warrior for a time before speaking. He was tall, handsome and had a look of wisdom about him. He didn’t flinch at Nouri’s gaze, rather returned it with an innocent smile. “ Nouri, it is good to finally meet you,” said Verloran. “ I have heard so much about you.”

“ And you Verloran,” said Nouri. “ Now, tell me about this attack. When and where is this to take place?’

Verloran mentioned the plan. Nouri really only half listened to the tale, his mind racing with a myriad of possible scenes. Images of the elf and Teelia entwined in hot passion in the very bed he saw over the elf’s shoulder in the back room. Them laughing at the thought of Nouri not knowing about their secret tryst. Teelia’s words came back to him, “ Its our secret.” Images of the elf with a melted face after a series of Nouri’s Mind Flays.

Nouri forced that all down. “No, that irrational” he thought. “I cant get distracted. I need to find her and talk to her about this meeting. That’s the real danger right now.”

He and Verloran departed the house. Not before Nouri made one last comment to the elf. “ I hope you will let me know when this attack is to take place. I will want to be there, if only to watch Teelia’s back. I will not see her come to harm, I care for here too much.”

Verloran replied, “ I as well, I would not want to see her hurt either.”

Nouri nodded, and mounted his horse to ride off in search of Teelia. Marta grunted under him as he spurred her a little too forcefully.

[Teelia]

((Dammit I wish I hadn't have been in a hurry to log last night....I missed some good RP!!!! Still, this rocks!))

[Noury]

((Dammit I wish I hadn't have been in a hurry to log last night....I missed some good RP!!!! Still, this rocks!))(( I learned first hand how difficult it can actually be to RP jealousy! hehe.. Verloran played the role perfect as well.. What makes it interesting is I really don't know what went on back there..))

[Verloran]

((Heheh, maybe it's better that way...))

[Teelia]

Teelia sliced the head off another Skeletal Flayer. She had been here in Sorrow Hill for hours, blindly killing all Scourge that she came across. Her mind, however, was not with the scourge. It was stuck on the events of last night.

She had run away when Wesley showed up to the little house she and Verloran were talking in. It was an instinct, and one she regretted. Why could she not tell Wesley the truth, she asked herself. Why hide?

The truth was, she had been speaking with Verloran on a matter of personal trouble, seeking his council as a psychiatrist. It was during this talk that Teelia finally realized that the elf was attracted to her. She didn't know how to react. He had tried nothing...made no moves on her, but it was very obvious. And then when Wesley showed up, Teelia had felt a knot in her stomach. The twisting knot of guilt. Running away had made it worse, because now she was positive that Wesley thought she was having an affair with Verloran.

The truth was much worse. Teelia had changed recently, and she didn't know what to do about it. Her thoughts of the past week were a blur, and as she sliced through several more scourge, she pondered her next course of action.

The forsaken known as Clys was not even on her mind at this point...

[Laron]

Following the trail, Amadare finds herself in Goldshire… Creeping up the stairs of the house, she finds nothing but foot prints in the dust…. “Hmm too late to catch her.” Sniffing the air her senses are filled with the smell of something odd… Male heavy smell of male… The testosterone was so thick in the room she started to feel her own loins react to the smell. “Well I guess she can’t be in too much trouble…” Looking around, there does not seem to be a struggle, and taking one final sniff to see if she smelled any fear. “No I don’t think she was forced to be here with the male, maybe she came up here to…” Giggling to herself, she starts to wish she had gotten here sooner, and maybe taken a peak… Then it hits her at the stair well… “Another male…?” Sniffing the ground again, “Yes a different male…” Giggling out loud and talking to herself now, she snickers. “Maybe she had them both up here…” With a new found respect for the Human, she was determined to find her. “Maybe she can teach me how to get a boy…?” Heading out the door she was back on the trail.

[clys]

Clys sniffed the air as she stood invisibly in a Stormwind street. She was no stranger to the human city. She knew the streets and the backways, the places where shadows always fell. Of course she had to be careful, but it was second nature to her now, and she could slip through the town without much difficulty.

She scanned the moving crowd with her odd shadow-vision, relying on instinct and scent more than on what she saw in this case. She briefly considered restoring herself to full elven form, in order to have the full spectrum of vision, but decided it wasn't necessary at this point. And she didn't want to waste the power, it was so short-lived. She preferred to savor those times when she could walk around in un-marred flesh.

"Soon I won't have to choose my times. Soon, I will be permanently restored," she thought to herself.

The people she sought were not present, which was not unexpected. It had been just a whim to come at all. Perhaps she should post a sentinel. Yes, that would work. A sentinel to watch for her, and pass the information along.

"I wonder what Kittsu is doing? I haven't talked to her in quite a while. She's probably wandered off to amuse herself in the woods or something. I think I shall give her a call."

Clys moved out of the city to a quiet spot, where she could concentrate. She sent forth her thoughts, imagining them moving like waves through the air.

"Come." Her thought went outward.

Deep in the woods, a head turned, furred ears flicking as if listening. Glowing eyes widened, and a smile broke out upon a face.

[Kittsu]

"Take that!" Kittsu giggled as the Murloc keeled over. She never tired of harassing the silly creatures. They were just so funny when they got excited, and even funnier when they died.

"Baroooooooobalaaaa!" came the cry from behind her. She turned to see a whole crowd of the fish-men galloping toward her.

"Oops!" she laughed. "Time to exit, stage left!"

With a wave of her hand she rooted the closest Murloc, and then dove headfirst into the sea. Her body shifted, growing flippers and a wide tail, and she glided off swiftly, too swiftly for the Murlocs to catch up. She snatched a passing Blackmouth in her now-long teeth and gobbled it as she swam.

"Well, that was fun," she thought. "What trouble can I get into now? Hmm.... decisions, decisions."

She came to shore a ways down the beach and shifted her form again, becoming panther-like. She sped into the trees, enjoying the quick rush of wind through her fur. Ahead, she scented the Blackwood camp. They were always good for a little sport. Fading into a shadow, she crept behind a tall tree and looked over the camp.

"If I sneak into the middle there, by the campfire, and then suddenly spring out and rip the throat of that big shaman there... I bet that would rile them up!"

She was just about to put her new plan into action when a sound reached her ears. A sound that wasn't a sound.

"Oh my God!" Kittsu purred inwardly. "Mistress! Yes, I will come right away! I hope you have somthing fun for me to do!"

[Alucian]

((Kittsu's throwing a green tumbleweed at you! DUCK!

Hee hee...looking to be most interesting... ;) ))

[Kittsu]

((It's not a tumbleweed! *stomps foot* It's a green...magic...thingy!))

[Verloran]

((Sorry I wasn't able to post this sooner. My internet's been screwing with me...))

Verloran had lied again, and it didn't feel very good. Not only this, but he lied to a friend. Or, a friend of a friend, who might be considered a friend, rather. The point is, he had lied to Nouri on behalf of Teelia. This was strange in itself, as normally not much would need to be kept from Nouri about Teelia, but there was the whole 'confidentiality' thing, and the fact that the truth would probably hurt Nouri more that the lie.

There was a problem Teelia had come to him with, and it was a very specific problem. It wasn't a problem he had encountered before, and it was strange that it could happen so easily to her, and be a problem. Normally this sort of thing happened and was not problematic, or it just didn't happen at all. It was a problem that could potentially hurt Nouri, which was why she had come to Verloran for help. She didn't want her Wes to be hurt any more than he already had been in his life.

So she told Verloran of her problem, and he offered what he thought was the best possible solution. It wasn't exactly something he wanted to be charged with, but he knew Teelia needed the help. He offered her what he could, gave the best advice he could give, and at the same time suspected that that was not all on her mind. He didn't get the chance to investigate this further, because right then Nouri popped up.

"Remember, it's our secret. Don't tell anyone," Teelia said. Then a voice from below.

"Don't tell anyone what?"

Verloran's first instinct was to look for a place to hide, but he thought that wouldn't exactly be the best course of action. The next best thing? Make something up.

"Nouri!" Verloran said. To the trained eye, he appeared nervous, and was giving the signs people usually give when about to undergo public humilliation. Sweating, rapid breathing, etc. "We were just discussing plans to attack the Scourge. No biggie."

He didn't look convinced. "Why are you up here?"

"Well..." Think, think! "...We needed some privacy. Wouldn't want our information leaking out to potentially untrustworthy sources. That would be a disaster."

Teelia looked rather nervous herself. "I'm happy to see you, Wes. I have to go, though. I'll talk to you both later!"

She made her way for the door, obviously trying to get out of there fast, but not fast enough to raise suspicion.

After she had gone, Nouri gave Verloran a hard stare. "Walk with me," he finally said.

It wasn't really much of a walk. They had just gone downstairs, when Nouri turned around to talk to him again. "What's with all the secrecy? Why did you two meet up here?"

Verloran tried as hard as he could not to bolt for the door. "Well, it's like I said. We wouldn't want our attack plans leaking out. It's hard to know who you can say things around, with all these costumes floating around."

"When were you planning on doing this?"

This had caught the elf off-guard. What was he supposed to say? "Umm... well, we haven't really worked out the details yet. So far it's just a basic outline of what we want to do."

"Hmm... I see..." Again, clearly not convinced.

"But, we did decide where. We're going to strike the Scourge at Silverpine. You know, hit them where it hurts."

"Ahh, Silverpine. That's a good idea. I hope you let me know when you plan to do this. I would want to be there, if only to watch Teelia's back. I wouldn't want any harm to come to her."

"I would have as little harm come to her as you." This last part was probably the most truthful thing he had ever said to Nouri.

After that they bid eachother adieu and went off their seperate ways. Verloran headed off to his room in the Lion's Pride, but not before writing a quick letter to Teela.

Teelia, if Nouri asks, we were planning on attacking the Scourge in Silverpine. I hate being so secretive, especially to him, but I know you don't want to see him hurt. Talk to you tomorrow.
Verloran

He had a long day ahead of him...

[Danyxandra]

Danlyra Willows had told her friend and distant cousin, Eisabeau deFafnyr, that their guild mistress, Teelia had wanted to speak with Kittsu. It worried Eisabeau. Why would Teelia want to talk to Danlyra's sister, Kittsu Willows? Anything anyone talked to Kittsu about inevitably would be repeated to Mistress Clys and it worried Eisabeau. Eisa was the black sheep in the family and the only Alliance supporter since Danlyra was merely neutral. Danlyra's only real enemy was the Scourge.

Eisa fretted. Danlyra setting up a meeting between Kittsu and Lady Teelia could only lead to trouble. Eisabeau thought to contact her half sisters, the twins Danyx and Danz, but decided against it. They wouldn't help, and might even make matters worse.

In the middle of trying to decide what to do, or even if she should do anything, Eisabeau heard Nouri's voice over her com badge asking for a meeting. She had been getting further instruction from the gnomish engineers in Ironforge so it was convenient to meet him there.

He asked about her family tree. He seemed confused by it. Most people were confused by the politics of the Nex-Cruor tree unless they grew up in Silvermoon. Then he asked her about her loyalties. Eisabeau affirmed that she could never do anything outright to betray her family, however, she didn't have to help them or betray her friends to them. Nouri asked if Clys had any weaknesses. Eisabeau had never had much direct contact with Clys but the only obvious weakness she could think of is her love for Danlily. Clys was obsessive in finding immortality for herself and for Danlily so they could spend eternity together.

The interview with Nouri over, she was sure she hadn't really betrayed any secrets that weren't common knowledge and therefore get her in trouble with her family. Still, all this talk of Clys and Teelia wanting to meet with Kittsu and through her Clys, it worried her terribly and vexed her dreams the whole of the night.

[Noury]

Nouri sat next to the lake and watched the ripples the slight breeze was stirring up on the surface. He had meant to fish, but when he arrived he found he hadn’t the stomach. All he wanted to do was sit and think.

It had been an emotional day, full of highs and lows and many revelations.

First there was the soul searching he had done. He even returned to his old friends the troggs for a brief visit. He realized now that was simply a grasping at his old life. That man didn’t exist anymore and Nouri felt nothing but disgust at the prospect of returning to that humble place. It did afford him the time to think. He felt terrible at even harboring the thoughts that Teelia and Verloran might have had a secret affair. It just wasn’t in her nature.

Then the blow came later that day. Nouri was in Feralas working for Feathermoon Hold when he received communications from the paladin Lovely. She had spent a good hour in talk with Teelia. The news she brought was both good and bad.

The good? Teelia was also upset at her reactions to my arrival last night. She confided in Lovely that there was no relationship between her and Verloran, that her running away was due to embarrassment at having been caught receiving therapy.

Which led to the bad news. Teelia was indeed involved with someone. No she didn’t actually come out and say it to Lovely, but the implication was there. Also, she told Lovely that she did suspect Verloran held feelings for her. But no, he wasn’t the one. She was seeing him for psychiatric counsel as this secret relationship was something she didn’t want, yet couldn’t fight. She suspected it of being unnatural.

Then, that evening Teelia and Nouri met. They spent a wonderful time together in northern Feralas adventuring, then he brought her up to the summit of the Colossus. The most peaceful place he knew. Nouri felt sometimes as if he could physically touch the Light from up there.

They sat and talked. She revealed that she had indeed been unfaithful, on three occasions. She had been with a female rogue acquaintance of hers. A Female rogue called Akiel! That was something Nouri hadn’t expected. Yes, she had revealed to him a few days ago about the first indiscretion, which followed a day and night of festivities at the Darkmoon Faire. The incident had disturbed her greatly, as it was completely unlike her. She simply didn’t swing that way. Nouri had written it off to the drink, and rogues being well, roguish, Teelia had been taken advantage of.

This was different though, as the scene had apparently repeated itself. Teelia was obviously a wreck. This was something she categorically stated she didn’t want or wish to do, and yet she seemed powerless to stop.

It was for this reason she has sought out the psychiatric advice of Verloran.

“ I don’t even care about that meeting with Clys anymore. “ said Teelia. “ This is tearing me apart.”

“ That is good.” Nouri said. “ Tee, from all I have learned that forsaken was probably one of the most dangerous one you could have chosen to get mixed up with. “ Teelia nodded.

Although Nouri felt as if his heart had been torn from his chest, he was also strangely relieved that it was a woman and not another man. Perhaps it just wasn’t the same? Regardless, Nouri’s alarm bells were ringing loud and clear. This simply seemed more than a natural inclination of hers, a discovery of an aspect of her sexuality she wasn’t aware of before. No, this smacked of some outside influence.

Teelia herself confirmed that suspicion. But who? She was quick to point out that she didn’t suspect the rogue Akiel. She was simply the object that Teelia had fixated upon, and was all to happy to oblige. Nouri made a mental note to try to locate this rogue and appeal to her, that Teelia was not coming to her willingly. But of course she was, which was the frustration Nouri felt.

Nouri had listened to her entire tale. She emptied her soul there on the Colossus summit. Nouri asked some pointed questions about her activities the days before that first tryst. Nouri felt a growing discomfort. All logic was pointing to Verloran being the most likely suspect! The line was clear. It was he who was with her that day at the Faire. They drank together, Teelia recalled some episodes of blacking out. That could have been the alcohol, but maybe more? Later that day she had her first encounter with the female rogue.

Verloran, who Nouri now knew to have feelings for Teelia, who was also a practicing doctor of the mind. Verloran, who was with her prior to the manifestation of her new impulses, who was also the one counseling her. Motive? Perhaps he felt this would tear us apart? So she would come running to him for solace and comfort? He would then be free to pursue his desires. It all fit. Yet Teelia seemed to be in doubt when he voiced his suspicions.

“ You don’t trust him do you Nouri?” she said.

“ Its not a matter of trust.. its simply logic. The evidence points to him being the most likely candidate, with the most to gain.” Nouri explained.

Still, suspicion wasn’t proof. The man was still one of them, a comrade. Nouri realized he needed to explore all possible leads before ruling them out.

But first, they needed to find out exactly what was wrong, and fix it if possible.

Nouri explained his plan to Teelia. She nodded.

They sat there together in peace for a time, while Nouri made his plans.

After she left he made the call. There were two people he needed to talk to, and one was Verloran. As for the other, he knew who would be able to get a hold of him.

“ Kurohane? I need another favor. How do I contact that man called Conidivh?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

“Tell your mistress the meeting is off.” Nouri told the obviously insane night elf woman before him.

Kittsu was her name. Nouri had heard from Eisabeau that she was Clys and Danlily’s accomplice. She had just a short time ago emerged from the wilderness and entered the town of Goldshire. Nouri was able to locate her by use of a talent he had learned, Mind Vision. By contacting her mind he was able to see her surroundings and pinpoint her location.

“ I don’t know what you are talking about. “ said the druid. “ This is boring. No extcitement here.”

Talking to her was like trying to grasp a greased boar. She flittered from thought to thought. But so long as Nouri got the message across, he was fairly certain it would reach the undead ears of her mistress, regardless of what she said.

“There will be no further contact.” Nouri rode off without waiting for a response..

Now, sitting beside the lake Nouri pondered the whole day’s events. By Kittsu’s appearance it was proof that Clys was stirring. Could it be that she had already worked some evil on Teelia? There was no direct evidence, but Nouri had to add her name to the list of possible suspects.

“I will get the answers Tee, I won’t let you down.” Nouri promised himself.

[Laron]

Stalking her target proved more difficult that she had thought, as she followed the fresh foot steps all the way to Stormwind, and straight to the Griffon master. “I don’t know lady, I see so many people in a day, I couldn’t begin to tell where yer friend went to.” Returning to Goldshire was the only course of action she could think of. “I have to return her cloth to her.” As she strolled through the forest avoiding the wolves, She notices a Human sitting by the lake just sitting there staring at the water. As she starts to dismiss him and continue back to the inn, the wind changes and she catches his scent. “Him! The other male…” Walking up she shift to her up right form and timidly says

“Excuse me Huma… M’Lord. But I was wondering if I could ask you a question?”

Taking another Step closer, she bows and introduces herself.

“I am Amadare Redthorn of The Tears of the Phoenix.”

Raising her head she is met with eyes that look as though they could cut straight through her. Standing in aw, she had never been this close to a human male. He looked familiar as though she had seen him before, and then fear hits her… The Heretic! She says nothing, trying to stop her legs from shaking. She had heard what this Human had done to her guildmate Kyergen, and he was much more experience than she was… Now she was 5 foot from him, yet could not look away from his piercing eyes.

[Noury]

Nouri's thoughts were interrupted by a hesitant female voice from behind him. Turning he saw a young female kaldorei standing just out from the treeline.

"Excuse me Huma .. M'Lord. But I was wondering if I could ask you a question?" She said.

She took another step closer and bowed. " I am Amadare Redthorn of The Tears of the Phoenix."

Redthorn? Tears of the Phoenix? Nouri knew those names well. Laron's people. Indeed this one shared the same name as his old mentor. Examining the woman closely he indeed saw a family resemblence. It was then that he saw her expression. His inspection was obviously making the woman uncomfortable.

He rose slowly and put on his best bow. " Elune bless you child. I am Nouri. I consider your comrade Laron a friend. Any of his clan I would also greet as friend. Please, how may I be of assistance? "

[Kittsu]

Kittsu giggled to herself as Nouri strode off. Well, now, that had worked out just about perfect. She bounded off to Darkshire, where Clys was awaiting word.

Keeping herself hidden, Kittsu stalked quietly up the path that led to the old portal, turning off to the left and then behind a large tree. She could feel Clys there, because of their mental connection, but there was no sight or scent of her.

"What news do you bring, my sweet?" came the husky voice out of nothingness.

"Well, a couple of things," Kittsu replied. "Firstly, see what I have?"

Kittsu held out a small object which was emitting an occasional bit of static noise.

"It's a device that many of the Alliance are using to communicate with. It works across great distances. You just talk into it and anyone with a device like it can hear you."

Clys stepped out of the shadows then, and took the device into her bony hand. She shook it, held it to her ear, and then gave it back.

"Interesting," said Clys. "Not very secure, but I can see the usefulness. Who did you speak with?"

Kittsu laughed gaily.

"Oh! An old friend of ours was listening in. She even recognized my voice. Told me I should go back to the Undercity where I belong!"

Clys chuckled, reaching out to stroke Kittsu's cheek.

"Who? Or dare I ask?"

"Kurohane!" Kittsu exclaimed, doing a small dance of glee.

"You don't say," Clys said, raising an eyebrow. "She's still the same, apparently. Well, it hardly matters at the moment what Kuro is up to. That can't be the news?"

"No, Mistress, but it was fun. No, the news is about that Nouri person. He was listening in, too. And as soon as he heard my name he came running like a scared kitten to find me. I didn't even ask him to. I didn't even tell him where I was. He ran right to me, even used his mind vision to scout me up, as if I wouldn't notice."

"Ah, well now, that is amusing. And what, pray tell, did Mr. Priesty Wiesty have to say?" ask Clys, leaning back against the tree.

"Oh, he was just the funniest man! He was all self-righteous and "May the Light be With You" and all that rubbish, and then he lied straight to my face. He told me to tell you that..."

Kittsu lowered her voice and stood straight, clicking her heels together "Teelia Gazee no longer wishes to meet with your Mistress!"

Kittsu giggled and clapped her hands together. "He's such a bad liar. For all his talk of The Light he has more darkness in him than most. And much less guile."

Clys nodded, and reached out to squeeze Kittsu's shoulder.

"Very good. I assume you sent my message to Teelia, then?" she asked.

"Oh yes, of course," Kittsu replied. "I mailed it right after Nouri-boy stalked off in a huff. What a boring man. He didn't even have any picture books, not even naughty ones."

"Excellent, my dear. As usual, you please me greatly. All right then, we'll wait for the rogue to contact us. Was there anything more?"

Kittsu nodded, her eyes widening with pleasure. "One more thing, and you'll love this part! Guess who Teelia is the guildmaster of?"

"Who?" asked Clys, pulling her mouth sideways in an odd smirk.

"Lovely! Lovely is now serving under Teelia in the Scourgey SlayPeople, or whatever they call themselves."

Clys laughed out loud.

"Scourgey Slaypeople? Good gods, now that is lame. So Lovely is mixxed up in this little crowd of busybodies, is she? Well, that might prove useful. What with all these lines of my family coming out of the woodwork and all... Oh...did you see Danlyra?"

"No, sis wasn't around, but I'll talk to her. She's in the SlayGoobers too. So is Eisabeau. I'll find her soon enough."

Clys nodded.

"All right, keep me informed. I don't much care what all these people do unless it starts to get in the way, but it's best to keep tabs on them, what with all the little connections to us that seem to be cropping up."

"I will keep watch, Mistress. Is it okay if I add a little fun into it?"

Clys waved her hand dismissively.

"Sure, enjoy yourself. Try not to kill anyone that might be useful."

"Oh, I'm not going to kill anyone at all. It's more fun to tease and torture. You know that!" said Kittsu, forgetting herself for a moment and allowing her hand to turn into a paw with rather large claws extending from the fingertips.

Clys chuckled.

"Yes, yes. Speaking of tease and torture, you haven't been to The Room in quite a while. You certainly deserve a session after all your hard work tonight. Shall we?"

"Oh yes, thank you Mistress! I've been sooo bored!"

[Teelia]

((ROFL....Clys, you rock.))

[Teelia]

Teelia sipped some fine wine as she sat in front of the mailbox in Stormwind. Inside was a letter from Kittsu. The letter detailed plans for a meeting, and Teelia smiled as she thought of what might happen. She would finally have her answers, and would be able to judge properly whether or not to treat the Forsaken a bit differently from now on.

Nouri had warned Teelia against this, and normally she would have listened to his advice, but something about her had changed recently. She was more uninhibited, and had no plans to follow his warnings. After all, Teelia knew she was a big girl, and could handle herself. What could possibly go wrong?

The night before had been good for Teelia....She had told NOuri many things, and the two were thinking of ways to fix the situation....Now if she could just find Akiel, her lover....Then everything would be perfect.

Teelia sat down her bottle of wine, and smiled as she watched the busy streets of Stormwind. Then , she vanished into the shadows and began to look for trouble she could get into. In her mind, a sinister voice giggled with glee....

[Laron]

Waiting to hear him speak his Words of Shadow, knowing her time was short, she tries to run but her legs will not function. As he speaks she trembles in pure terror.

“Laron!? Friend…?”

Her glowing eyes blink the tears away as she stares.

“You… you know my… my brother? But you are the… the one called Nouri, are you not? The one in the news…?”

Just as a Gnomish clog had finally clicked into position, Amadare’s look of terror changes to one of total understanding… “Why wouldn’t my Brother know you…” Her vision finally clearing from her tears to see a man standing with his hand out and the kindest smile, waiting for her to join him by the lake. Blushing deeply, she takes another step closer. “I’m sorry… for my actions… I found this by the river and tracked the woman that dropped it, to the Inn and I was wondering if you knew who it belonged to. So I can return it…” Shuffling even more embarrassed. “I found your scent with hers in a room, I thought maybe you knew her…”

[Noury]

Nouri took the cloth that the woman offered. "Laron is your brother? I suspected as much, the name as well as yor face. You have some of his features."

The cloth was a plain linen washcloth. In itself it revealed nothing, but the story the woman told of its discovery left no doubt as to its owner.

" Yes, I know whom this belongs to. I will take it for her if thats Ok."

Nouri thought back to what Amadare had said. "Scent you say? Are you a huntress then? Or perhaps a druid? " Nouri fought for the right words. " Umm.. have you been trailing her long? Have you noticed any other scents seemingly following her besides myself and that other man? "

It was a blind shot, but Nouri had to explore the possibility that this woman might have a missing piece to this puzzle.

[Danyxandra]

((slay goobers? roflmao))

[Teelia]

((slay goobers? roflmao))

((With Lovely in the guild, I'm surprised she didn't call it "The Scourge Layers."

Bwahaha. Ok, shutting up now.))

[Laron]

Giggling slightly, “I hunt but not for sport.” She takes a step closer. “Everyone has a scent, and hers with her not wearing boots, made hers very easy to follow.” Taking a deep breath through her nose. “Your scent was strong in the room… stronger than the other male… But I didn’t smell anyone else, well I didn’t get that close to her to actually tell. She used stealth to evade my prying curiosity.” She notices just how tone his chest is and his arms were as big as her leg. She can’t help but stare at him. Hearing him cough in interruption, she tries to compose herself.

“Soo, you know Laron? Figures, he always seems to be in the middle of some sort of trouble. But You don’t seem like the person they describe you as in the news. And your picture doesn’t do you the least bit of justice. You are much cuiter, than the mug shot they have drawn of you…”

Stopping suddenly, she blushes again. “Oh My God, did I just call him cute to his face…” She thinks as her face starts to turn purple.

[Noury]

Nouri had to forcibly stop himself from smiling at the girl's awkwardness. She was a pretty one, if a little tall and gangly for Nouri's tastes. Still, as a sister of Laron she could be of considerable help. He didn't like putting others in possible danger yet he needed answers, and the more eyes he had poking around the better.

" You shouldn't believe everything you read at face value. Someone writes these things, and they always put their own agend into them."

Nouri clasped his hands together and held them up to Amadare.

" Amadare, I have a favor to ask of you, if you would be willing. That woman you were following, she is my sweetheart. But she is possibly in trouble. Just last evening there was a druid there in Goldshire, another young woman like yourself. Kittsu is her name. She is not a nice person. She may be part of the danger my love is facing. Should you happen to run across her in your travels, I would dearly like to know what she is up to. Where she goes and who she talks to. "

" It might be dangerous, I have to warn you of that. You will need to call upon all your talents in stealth and tracking. If you would rather not involve yourself in this I will understand completely. If you do decide to help me and my lady by doing this, I want you to promise you will escape by the fastest means possible at the first hint you might be in danger. Would you be willing to do this for me? You can send me any information you have by mail or by my private communications. Here is the settings."

Nouri shows her his gnome communicator settings.

" And Amadare, please pass on my regrets and blessings to the priest Kyergen. He is a gentle kind soul and I still pray for forgiveness for the harm I was forced to put upon him."

[Laron]

With some look of confusion Amadare nods. “Your sweetheart? You share… Never mind, not my business… I will keep my ears open for this Druid. If I see her I will let you know…” She looks back at him as she turns eyeing him up and down. “I will let Kyerger know.” She says before she slinks down, shifts to a panther and runs off.

[Noury]

Nouri watched the young druid depart, thinking whistfully how he might just have placed another innocent soul in harms way.

" Light! Why do you test me so? Am I doomed to never have rest or peace? Are all those I love doomed to pain and hardship? Is this my fate, to move from torment to torment? What is thy will? WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?"

His silent plea was answered with the sound of crickets in the Elwynn Forest. Nothing more.

With a sigh Nouri gathered himself up and left the lake. He had a letter to write..

[Verloran]

Verloran was waiting for Teelia in the upper floor of the Gilded Rose. She had told him of his problem, and he had offered to help, and she had accepted. This was what had been discussed earlier the night Nouri had walked in on the two of them talking.

The plan was simple enough. Teelia’s problem was that she was giving in to the physical pleasures of being with another woman, not allowing herself to stop and think rationally. The solution was to strengthen her mind’s hold over her body. Mind over matter, after all. Verloran was going to make sexual advances on her, and she was going to resist, blocking out any pleasure she might feel. The hope was that she would be able to do the same thing when she actually needed to.

After a few minutes of waiting, and some communication over the hearthstone, she had joined him in the inn. She was clad in her usual dress clothing, although lack thereof would better describe it. She gave him a quick hug, and allowed him to lead her into one of the unoccupied rooms.

“Have a seat,” he said, motioning to the bed. She sat down, and he sat next to her. “First thing’s first,” he said as she took a swig of Darkmoon Special Reserve. “Stay sober, at least for the first session.”

“Sorry.” She quickly put her mug away.

“That’s quite alright. Now, you have to establish to yourself that you want to fix this. The first step to healing is admitting you have a problem, you know.”

“What? Why…?” She looked almost disappointed. “Yes… I guess you’re right.”

“Good. Now repeat after me. My name is Teelia.”

“My name is Teelia.”

“I have a problem.”

“I have a… problem.”

“I want to fix this problem.”

“I… want to fix this… problem.” She seemed to be struggling with herself against the words.

“I know I have this problem, and that it needs fixing.”

“I know I have this… problem… and that it needs…” She stopped for a moment.

“Teelia?” She looked down at the floor. “Teelia, this is a problem isn’t it? Something you want help with fixing?”

“Logically, yes…” She looked about ready to cry. “But my body wants it. I’m so confused. I feel so contradicted!” At this, she did begin to cry.

“Come on, don’t cry. I’m going to help you get through this, ok? Listen, it’s like we talked about. I’m going to advance on you, and you’re going to ward me off. It’s really just mind over matter.”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds,” she said, gathering herself.

“But we still have to try. First, though, you need to relax.” He started to rub her shoulders. “Just one more thing, though. Ward me off, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t cause physical harm to certain… areas.”

She laughed at him. “Sure.”

This is where it gets interesting, he thought to himself. He slipped his hand down her shirt and started slowly rubbing her bare back. She appeared to enjoy it, but promptly slapped him across the face.

“Ow!” He rubbed his sore cheek.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you too badly.” She looked concerned.

“No, it’s ok.” He chuckled a little. “That must not have been too hard. I’m going to go for something a bit tougher now.” As he said this he moved his hand toward her thigh.

He placed his hand on the inside of her left thigh. After preparing himself for the slap that didn’t come, he slowly rubbed his hand back and forth. Her skin was smooth, and neatly shaven. It seemed to quiver under his hand. He slowly worked his way up toward her crotch, and all the while she just watched him, a grin playing across her face.

What’s she doing? Gods, I hope this doesn’t end in a way it shouldn’t… He let the tip of his finger slide between her skin and the part of her shirt that went down across her crotch…

*SLAP*

“Ghah!” he tipped backwards from the force of the blow, almost falling off the bed. “That was pretty good…” he said, recovering himself. “Next time, though, don’t wait so long before slapping, or possibly just yelling at, me. You don’t want to wait like that in a real situation. If you wait to long, you might give in to your body’s lust before you have a chance to stop yourself.”

She giggled at him, said something that would later be forgotten, and prepared himself for his next advancement.

This time he decided to place his hand lightly on top of her breasts. After nothing happened, he slipped his hand between the two. Light help me, he thought to himself as he began to rub. Suddenly, a giant bat flew into the room and started attacking them both.

It was a strange sight to see. It was the kind of bat one might find in the undead lands, yet it wasn’t a bat at all. Verloran could tell by its awkward movements that it was someone in a costume. Nevertheless, it bit, clawed, and screeched at the both of them as if it were a real bat. After having its share of nips at the two of them, it flew over to the bed, and started flopping around and hacking, as a cat might hack up a hairball. It was a grotesque thing to see. It finished this macabre ritual, then flopped onto it’s back and begin to lick itself, apparently enjoying every moment of what it was doing.

Finally Teelia led Verloran out of the Gilded Rose, suggesting that they should go somewhere with a bit more privacy. He happily obliged, but to his horror realized that the bat was following them out of the city and into the forest, refusing to let them do their work in peace. Teelia had a solution for this, though. She led the bat west of the city along the mountains, hiding as the bat flew right into a camp of Defias and laughing as they chased it away.

“Follow me,” she whispered to Verloran. She led him along the mountains, jumping every now and then, up a hill, over another jump, a run through some defies, through along a river, until the finally reached… “Thunder Falls. It’s beautiful up here. You ever want a rush? Just jump from up here.” She motioned to the rushing waterfall below, which ended in a few painful looking boulders.

“Heh, I’ll be sure to come up here when I decide to commit suicide.” She laughed at him. Hoping to catch her off guard, so that she would really get a chance to strengthen her will, he began rubbing her shoulders again, only this time it wasn’t just her shoulders. His area of massage went from her neck all the way down to her lower back. She appeared to be enjoying herself, which wasn’t exactly a good sign. Then the question, out of nowhere.

“Verloran….. do you want me?” It had shocked him so that he immediately ceased his rubbing, instead staring off into the void of space where her face was. What was he supposed to say? Yes? Was he supposed to tell her how he truly felt, and risk losing everything he had worked so hard to make with her? Or should he say no, and risk the same thing? Why was she even asking this of him?

It turned out that he didn’t get a chance to say anything. She began rubbing his shoulders, leaning closer to him. He could smell her hair, and oh how it smelled wonderful! He had never noticed it before, nor had he noticed the softness which made up her hands. He had his eyes closed, enjoying this, but inside, he was scolding himself.

Realize what you’re doing! She’s not your lover, she’s your friend! You’re giving in to the exact thing you’ve been trying to teach her against!

Realizing this last bit to be undeniably true (along with everything else, actually), he opened his eyes. It was at that time that Teelia herself cried out in protest to her own actions.

“What… what am I doing?”

((Great RP tonight everyone, I had a blast! I'm goint to let Teelia write the other half... I need to sleep...))

[Noury]

Breakthrough! Nouri had his answer. At least it was the most likely answer. The coincidence was too close to ignore.

Lovely, the paladin was possessed by a demon of lust. Something Nouri never knew. She revealed as much to him in a talk the two had a little while earlier.

The key word being was, that is until a few day ago at the Darkmoon Faire, where she was exorcized of this demon my some unknown mysterious warlock in a colorful tent. Exorcized, the very day Teelia was there with Verloran.

The descriptions of the demon's influence on Lovely were too similar to be a fluke. All evidence pointed to this demon having migrated after being cut loose from its host. Migarated into Teelia!

When Nouri met Teelia later that evening she confirmed this. Indeed she had also learned of the demon through Kurohane and Alucian. They surmised that alcohol also seemed to strengthen the demon and suggested she avoid it.

" We now have an understanding of the problem Tee," said Nouri. " We can work now to rid you of this."

" How?" Teelia looked at him with worry. " Do we find that warlock?"

Nouri shook his head. " No, its obvious the man was a charlatan. I will try to perform the exorcism myself. I have done one before, with Barke. I will need to study a bit though.. I will ask Silanthras, hes one of the wisest priests I know."

Teelia nodded. " He scares me a little, "

" Like I said, I will perform it, not him." Nouri looked at her with concern in his eyes. " Tee, did.. did you see her today? Akiel? " He had to ask, even though the answer would lost likely give him pain.

Teelia looked at her feet. " Yes. She wasn't feeling well .. so we didn't.. well maybe.." she trailed off..

" Teelia, we will get through this. We have an answer now and help is just around the corner. Remember, its not you doing this, its the demon. But if we dont do something it will get worse. "

He wrapped her up in his arms and missed her. He felt her return the kiss, but a small portion of his mind squirmed in the knowledge another had held her in the same passionate embrace.. kissed her as Nouri had, and actually experienced much more than Nouri had ever had.

He had always believed he would be the first. She had waited for him. That may now be gone forever.

Nouri left Teelia there to go find Silanthras. This demon would pay....

[Teelia]

The night had been a long one for Teelia. She had been with Verloran, and he had run a few tests on her to see the extent of her condition. There were a few times when she had almost let him have her. Still, with Verloran's testing, Teelia had been able to stop herself, simply by thinking of Nouri.

So what was different about Verloran, compared with Akiel, Teelia thought. Why could she resist Verloran and not Akiel...?

These questions remained unanswered as Teelia and Verloran answered a call for help from Goldshire. After the horde left the area, the two had met with Kurohane and Alucian, and had gone to the Inn in Stormwind's Old Town.

While in the inn, Kurohane had bought Teelia a large amount of ale and wine. Kuro knew that Teelia could hold her liquor, and the two often would drink together. This time was different. Teelia was in the middle of telling Kurohane about the strange occurances when the sensation hit her. She actually tried to kiss Kurohane, when Alucian stepped in and put a quick stop to it.

Teelia crumbled in the floor, crying. Alucian, Verloran, and Kurohane comforted her, but told her they were pretty sure what the issue was. They told her about Lovely, and about the lust demon. That demon had somehow left Lovely and gone into Teelia, turning her world upside down.

The trio advised Teelia to stay away from liquor for the time being, as that seemed to strengthen the demon's power. She agreed, and went to her home to take a nap.

Later that evening, Teelia met with Nouri near her home in Stormwind. He asked her a few questions, confirming the theory of the demon. Teelia was devastated. She truly loved Nouri, but all week long she had ben having an affair with the female human rogue Akiel. Nouri left to begin working on research for an excorsism, when Akiel herself showed up.

Akiel had been hiding near the street, and had been listening to Teelia and Nouri talk. She was visibly upset at the thought that her lover might not actually be her lover, but the cruel joke of a demon playing with all their minds.

Teelia and Akiel went to her house, where the older rogue sat in a chair, visibly shaken. The two began to discuss the situation, and Teelia, without the influence of the demon, or so she assumed, came to a startling realization. Teelia was in love with Nouri, but at the same time, Akiel was special to her too.

Akiel openly wept, and was weak from the stress of the situation. Teelia had never seen her like this, but it didn't take a Verloran to tell Teelia that this rogue's feelings for her were true. Akiel offered to disappear...even offered hintingly to end her own life to keep Teelia from having to make a decision between the two of them. Teelia had been taken aback by both these suggestions, and with tears in her own eyes, had told Akiel no.

Teelia told Akiel that she was deeply in love with Nouri, and wanted to marry him and be his wife. Yet at the same time, Teelia wanted to be with Akiel too. Akiel had taken her virtue, and had been very self sacrificing for her even before the affair had begun.

Teelia pouted, wanting to figure out a way to keep them both. She questioned herself, wondering at what point she had become like this, and wondering what to do about the situation. She did not want to lose either of them.

While she was thinking of this, Akiel, with tears in her eyes, threw down some flash powder and disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Teelia went to bed weeping openly.

[Noury]

It seemed Silanthras was not a wise as he had hoped. At least not in matters of exorcisms. What he did do however was direct Nouri to the people he now sat across from;

Sir Drustan the Nocturne, Paladin of the Church of the Light, and his companion the Lady Arielia Daystar, Priestess of the Light.

Nouri had met Sir Drustan some time ago casually in Ironforge. They had engaged in a theological discussion that Nouri still looked back upon with a smile. The man was quite insightful. Ever since they have greeted each other on those occasions their paths crossed. The man was a well groomed, tall figure, all dressed in black. Add in his jet black hair and beard one could see why he was called The Nocturne. The lady Arielia on the other hand seemed to glow with the innder radience of her spirit. She was the sun to his moon.


" Now, tell me all you know of this demon," Drustan asked.

Nouri passed on all he knew about the demon from Lovely's account. The two listened intently throughout, pausing at times to ask clarifying questions.

" So who is presently the host?" asked Arielia.

" Her name is Teelia Gazee. A human female." said Nouri

" This teelia, a fellow of yours?" asked Drustan.

" In truth, she is my fiance. So you can appreciate my concern." said Nouri.

" Absolutely." said Drustan. Arielia agreed.

" This demon, who was the original host, do you know?" asked Drustan.
Nouri hesitated. " I was told this in confidence as a priest. If I tell you I hold you to the same vow as this would cause the woman some embarassment should it become knowledge. " They nodded in understanding.

" The host was the paladin Lovely."

" Lovely? I heard she had been acting strangely." said Arielia. Drustan frowned. "I cannot say that I know of her."

Once they were satisfied they had learned all they could from me they rose as one and bowed.

"Nouri, I would like to interview the two of them. Teelia and Lovely. I need to learn as much of this demon as I can. Do you know its name? " Nouri shook his head. " No, perhaps Lovely does. If so she has not revealed it to me."

"Very well. Go now and contact them. We will research this matter and be in touch with you. Walk in the Light." said Drustan. Then he and Arielia departed.

Nouri left to find Teelia, with a new sense of hope. Things would be fine again and he would have his fiance back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He should have known it would not be that easy. His heart still throbbed from the blow it received from Teelia.

She had said she loved this Akiel. It was not simply the demon that drove her. No, in fact she was certain she had fixated upon Akiel as there was always a love blossoming there.

Confusion and turmoil reigned in Nouri. He loved her deeply, and she said she as well returned that love. But now she also loved another.

All Nouri knew at the moment was that she needed the demon gone. She told Teelia about Sir Drustan and his desire to meet with her. Hopefully this would be the start of healing.

It was with a trembling hand he wrote a letter, then sealed it up and inquired the mail address of one Akiel Kane.

[Noury]

The meeting didn't go as smoothly as Nouri had hoped. Firstly there was the fact Akiel surprised him with her appearance. Nouri wasn't prepared. secondly he was in a dark mood, having only just realized something important in what Lovely had said about the demon and what Teelia had confirmed about Akiel. Thirdly they were in the Blasted Lands, one of the most depressing places anywhere.

He stumbled almost from the onset. The woman was stunning! Slight, shorter than he expected and with a gaze that exhuded confidence and sensuality. Of course he made the mistake of mentioning that to her. Only did he tell her she was stunning? Oh no. Nouri told her he expected one more.. masculine.

They sat on a rocky outcropping as Nouri explained about the plan to eliminate the demon. He had spoken to some experienced people who were working on the case, but Nouri had also done his own research.. He had found an old forgotten prayer of exorcism within the bowels of Northshire Abbey. He felt if time was of the essence, he culd perform the ritual himself.

"Was there danger?" Akiel asked. " There is always some risk," answered Nouri. " But if we do nothing, her willpower will weaken more and more. She will take on partner after partner, until eventually the street beggers would suffice! Neither of us want that I imagine."

It was then that the meeting became awkward. As they talked about each one their own feelings towards Teelia. Nouri told Akiel that should Teelia choose her over him after the demon was gone, Nouri would fade into the background. Akiel was angry, stating it would be cruel to make Teelia choose! With that she left.

That was not what Nouri had meant! He would never make Teelia chose, but the fact remained that choose she might.

What Nouri had realized before Akiel arrived was that the demon had weakened Teelia's willpower such that she didnt resist her natural temptations for Akiel. Why Akiel? Because she already harbored feelings for the woman.. Indeed, Teelia had said she loved her.

Why then, had she not made advances to Nouri himself?

[clys]

"So, my dear, how did it go with the Great Gazee, hmm?"

Clys was leaning against the bark of a tall tree, cleaning her ragged nails with the tip of her dagger. It was poisoned, but that didn't seem to bother her.

"It was interesting. Poor thing, she's all worried, like a dove caught in a net, all big eyes and innocence."

Clys smirked slyly at Kittsu.

"Our favorite kind, eh? So, what did she ask, and what did you answer?"

Kittsu squeezed her eyes shut as she brought the memories to mind.

http://computer-man.us/fr/immortalis/teelia1.jpg

"She first wanted to know if the Forsaken were part of the Scourge. So I explained all that about the Lich King and Sylvanus and blah blah. And then I told her that you were not, technically, a Forsaken, but that they had pretty much accepted you and all that stuff. She's all confused about the various kinds of undead. But that's not the important part of the conversation."

Clys wrinkled her nose and nodded to Kittsu to go on.

"The good part was when we got to talking about the demon, the one Lovely used to have and that Teelia is now playing with. Not by her choice, of course, but she is."

"Yes," Clys replied. "I remember that fellow. Quite an amusing creature, really. You know I felt it when he left Lovely, even though I haven't been in contact with her in quite some time. It made enough of a ripple in her background emotions that I noticed it, even without trying."

Kittsu giggled.

"Yes, I know. Teelia was surprised that I knew about the demon. Anyway, it boils down to this. That Nouri priest fellow thinks he can remove the demon, exorcise it, if he knows its name. So I told Teelia that we, well you, could get the name from it, but we'd have to get it into a talkative mood. And that would mean letting it have free reign and satisfying all its perverse desires, until it became happy enough to talk to us. I explained in pretty much detail what would happen to her -- rape, whippings, multiple partners, undead sex. You should have seen her face!"

Kittsu widened her eyes and gestured wildly with her arms, imitating Teelia. "Oh! I can't let all that happen to me!"

Clys chuckled with amusement. "And then?"

Kittsu continued. "So I told her that if she didn't get rid of the demon, it would all happen anyway, and last a lot longer, maybe her whole life. And then she said she might do it, but she'd want Nouri there, and maybe some others. She mentioned Kurohane."

"Gah! And what did you say to that?" asked Clys.

"I just explained that if Nouri or Kurohane or any of her friends were there, they'd never be able to stand by and watch her be abused. They'd stop it, and nothing would get accomplished. She seemed to acknowledge that."

Clys nodded approvingly. "Good thinking, dear one. So, did she go for it, or not?"

"She's thinking about it. She told me to tell you she's interested. If she does agree, what will you do?"

Clys smiled, her small fangs glinting. "Oh, I'll help her of course. It won't be hard to get the demon's name, since I already know it."

Kittsu laughed out loud.

"You do?! Wait. You're not just going to tell her, are you?"

"Oh heck no, that would be no fun at all! I'll tell her, but not until we get to play with her first. Make her pay, be our little plaything for a night or two or three. Is she good looking? Soft? Warm? Lots of good blood in her?"

Kittsu shrugged.

"She's ok. Kind of squatty, and her legs are really chubby. I told her they were nice, though, and she got all blushy."

"Eh, well, I bet she can scream pretty nicely. And she's young and relatively innocent, so it'll be fun to help her...experience new things."

Clys rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

"And afterwards, we tell her the demon's name, she's all grateful to us, and everyone is happy. I like it," said Clys.

"I get first dibbs, OK? Before all the rest? Please?"

Clys patted Kittsu on the shoulder.

"If you like. You can be the warm up act."

Kittsu clapped her hands and bounced happily.

"Oh, this will be sooo much fun! I can't wait!"

"Let me know when she replies," said Clys and disappeared into the forest.

[Noury]

· Two days earlier…*

The dust was starting to irritate Nouri’s sinuses. Some of the scrolls he was sifting through had not been disturbed for ages.

His earlier excursion into the Cathedral library had been fruitless. All those tomes were fresh, well used documents that the Church had adopted as official doctrine. Nouri was familiar with most of them already and the ones he hadn’t seen before dealt mainly with obscure theological essays and musings. Nothing of the radical nature he was looking for.

Hence his presence in Northshire Abbey. The abbey was older than the Cathedral, far older. In its library and storerooms were all manner of ancient texts and rare manuscripts that had not made it to official doctrine or were deemed to controversial for mainstream study. However, being meticulous record keepers, the Church had preserved most of them. Several hours of combing the dusty scrolls and books of the main library resulted in little success. He had found a couple hastily penned prayers of protection against demonic influence, but they were benign and passive in nature. More a preventative measure than anything else. Still Nouri copied them down for later study.

He was about to call it a day when Brother Paxton suggested he check the old wine cellar below the abby proper. There were some documents stored in old wine racks down there that the abbey simply had no room to store in the library proper, or were simply deemed not of significance.

After about 45 minutes of perusing the crumbly, ill preserved parchments Nouri stumbled upon a leather scroll case. Opening it and removing the well bound scroll Nouri sat himself down to read. As he read he felt his pulse quicken. “This is remarkable!” he thought. The document looked to be penned by several hands over an indetermined period of time. Some of the text was in a style and color to be presumed relatively recent, mostly in footnote format as if added later as an update or modification over time. But it was the main contents that intrigued Nouri. For the most part it was faded and almost illegible in parts. Someone looked to have overwritten some of the more dim parts as an attempt at restoration.

This was it! This was what he had been searching for! His heart was beating rapidly now. Beyond all hope and luck he felt the touch of the Holy Light in this obscure forgotten document.

Nouri had been looking for a nugget of gold, yet with the Light’s blessings he had stumbled upon the motherlode..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

* Yesterday *

“TEE! NOO!” cried Nouri. “ You can’t allow that to happen!”

The two sat in an alcove near the Stormwind Gryphon station. She had just revealed to Nouri the details of her meeting with Kittsu.

“ But she said, they can learn the name of the demon this way. “ she said. “ Wes, I don’t want that to happen to me! But I don’t know what else to do.” She was sobbing.

The details of what she told him were outrageous. The things they said they needed to do to get the demon to reveal itself were horrendous. Moreso, Nouri had heard that before, from Lovely.

“Tee, listen to me. They are setting you up. This brand they want to put on you, it is meant to control you from afar. I know, I saw one myself. Lovely has one. “ Nouri said.

“ She told me the exact story you just outlined. They did all that to her, long ago. What did it accomplish? Nothing other than to place her in their power as a puppet and plaything. Tee, that’s what they want to do to you. “

Nouri held her hands. “ Think about it, they would have learned the demon’s name from Lovely back then. They could just tell you it outright. There is no need for them to do that all over again. They are lying.”

Teelia sniffed through her tears. “ But Wes, how else can we learn its name to get rid of it? “

“There is another way..” Nouri said. “ Tee, I found something. Something very old. A ritual prayer, one that was written ages ago. How long I can’t say. But its been modified and added to over time. I can’t be certain, but there is the possibility part of the updates were by Alonsius Faol himself. “

“ Teelia, best part is I don’t need the demon’s name. Its irrelevant. That is a tidbit of knowledge that was lost in time. “

Teelia looked up at Nouri. “ Do you think you can do that?” she asked.

Nouri paused for a moment and looked down at her hopeful face. Truth is, he suspected the power the ritual channeled was considerable. He really didn’t know if he could handle it. But he needed to try, for her sake.

“Yes, I’ve studied it and I think I can do it. It can be done anywhere, but its most effective on sacred ground. We will do this in Northshire Abbey. Tonight.”….

[Noury]

The three arrived at Northshire abbey just as the sun set in the western sky. Nouri obtained access to a small room in the back where they would not be disturbed. A large wooden table dominated the room, on which was set a bronze brazier.

Nouri had his supplies with him. Several sacred candles, a good selection of mana potions and some coals and tinder for the fire he needed to set in the brazier. Teelia had a dose of swiftthistle tea, which she needed to drink just before they started. The energy the tea delivered would help her body through the stresses the ritual would impose on her. The document had not only given the prayer, but had outlined the process explicitly, what the subjects reactions were likely to be and what spells the priest would need to cast. It was for that reason Nouri had the mana potions. He didn’t want to risk losing spiritual power at a delicate moment.

Akiel was with them as support and security. Nouri would need the woman to help to restrain Teelia and keep her in place should the entity take active control of her body.

The premise of the ritual was elegant in its simplicity. Through prayer and invocation the entity would become agitated. Eventually in frustration it would take on a more active presence within the host, whose actual physical body would then become aware of it and react with its immune system. In effect it would recognize it as a disease. At that point a series of Abolishments would force it out of the host. Left untethereed, enraged and weakened, it would be susceptible to a wave of Holy Power from an area heal. It would retreat before that power to the security of the Nether, locked away.

“ Are you ready Teelia?” asked Nouri.

“ Yes, as ready as I’ll ever be. “ she said stoicly.

Nouri nodded. “ Ok, I will need you to lie on the table. Akiel, can you kneel at her feet. You will have to restrain her if she thrashes about. She might even try to flee..” Akiel nodded her understanding and took up position. She smiled reassuringly at Teelia.

Teelia took the tea and lay down, looking up at the ceiling. Nouri began the ritual.

”IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY LIGHT, OUR SALVATION, STRENGTHENED BY THE INTERCESSION OF THE HOPES, BOLSTERED BY THE POWER OF THE CELESTIALS, CHAMPIONED BY THE SPIRIT OF UTHER LIGHTBRINGER WE CONFIDENTLY UNDERTAKE TO REPULSE THE ATTACKS AND DECIETS OF THIS DEMON!”

Nouri lit the fire in the brazier and fanned the flames. He place the brazier 2 feet before Teelia’s head and mounted the table to stand before them, with the brazier at his feet and Teelia prone beyond it. He glanced at Akiel who was facing him, hands pressed down on Teelia’s chest. She had begun to vibrate and squirm. Akiel met Nouri’s gaze and he could see she was putting considerable effort into keeping her down.

” THE LIGHT ARISES, ITS ENEMIES ARE SCATTERED AND THOSE WHO HATE AND LUST FLEE BEFORE IT”

Nouri dropped the sacred candles into the brazier, where they ignited and sent a thick curly smoke into the air.

The demon spoke through Teelia at this time, screaming loudly "Fool! My power is greater than you! You can never destroy me!!!"
” AS SMOKE IS DRIVEN AWAY, SO ARE THEY DRIVEN. AS WAX MELTS BEFORE THE FIRE, SO THE WICKED PERISH AT THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY LIGHT.”

Nouri cast the first Abolish Disease.

Teelia cackled maniacally as she struggled and squirmed. "You will die, Heretic!!!"

” DEMON! WE DRIVE YOU FROM US. WHOEVER YOU MAY BE. UNCLEAN SPIRIT, ALL DARK POWERS, AN INFERNAL INVADERS, ALL WICKED LEGIONS. IN THE NAME AND BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY LIGHT MAY YOU BE SNATCHED AWAY AND DRIVEN FROM THIS WOMAN AND FROM THE WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS UNDER THE LIGHT.”

Another Abolish disease..

Teelia's eyes opened widely as the demon spoke again. "Pitiful priest. This woman doesn't even truly love you! She never loved you! You are a fool!!!"

” MOST CUNNING SPIRIT. YOU SHALL NO MORE DARE TO DECIEVE THE BEINGS OF THIS LAND. THE MOST HOLY LIGHT COMMANDS YOU!! “

Cast abolish disease..

“ THE POWER OF THE HOPES COMMANDS YOU!! “

Cast abolish disease..

“ THE POWER OF THE CELESTIALS COMMANDS YOU!!”

The demon screamed through Teelia again as she shook. "NOOO!!! I will destroy you!!!!"

Cast abolish disease.. Nouri sees the wisp of dark sickly vapour appear hovering in the air above Teelia. Akiel is flushed and sweating from the extreme efforts of holding the thrashing Teelia down. She is weakening. As is Nouri himself. His spirit was almost depleted. He swiftly drank back a mana potion.

” THE SPIRIT OF UTHER LIGHTBRINGER COMMANDS YOU!! “ That was one of the newer footnotes on the parchment. Obviously added by some unknown author decades ago.

” THE POWER OF THE THREE VIRTUES COMMANDS YOU!!”

A scream of pure hatred and defiance reverberated through the Abbey. Nouri absently heard the feet of fleeing acolytes outside in the halls. Akiel’s arms were quivering..

” RETURN TO THE NETHER TO NEVER TORMENT THIS LAND AGAIN! “

Teelia foamed at the mouth and her eyes rolled back in her head as she wailed hysterically.

Summoning up his reserves of spirit, Nouri cast the area heal. His strongest one.

” LEAVE……NOW!!!! “

Holy Light infused the chamber. The screams of the dark entity pierced the skull and sent shocks of pain through Nouri’s spine. Then they faded.. Nouri saw the dark swirling mass sink into itself, growing smaller and denser. Then with an almost audible POP! It disappeared..

Silence filled the room, other than the panting breaths from Akiel and Nouri. He felt his legs grow weak and he swiftly got down from the table. Just in time, as he collapsed on the floor. Beside him Akiel had her back to the wall, looking spent. Teelia lay still on the table.

Rising gingerly, Nouri cast a Renewall spell on her. Her breathing normalized immediately. He had just enough left for another Renewal for Akiel. Then he rested.

“ So, is it over?” Akiel asked in between breaths. “When will we know if it worked?”

As if in reponse Teelia stirred. She sat up slowly and turned to face the two.

“How do you feel Teelia?” asked Nouri.

She shook her head. “ I don’t know. I don’t think I feel it anymore. I feel exhausted. “

“That’s a good sign. The extra life energy of the demon is gone, like a drug withdrawal.”

Slowly she rose and approached Akiel, who got up from her seated position. Here was the moment Nouri had secretly dreaded.

“ Akiel. I do love you. I know that now.” Said Teelia, and she embraced her new lover.

Nouri felt a twinge of sadness. He turned to walk away to leave the two in peace when Teelia stopped him.

“ But I love you as well Nouri. I always have. I..” she looked worn, tired. “ I just don’t know what to do.”

Nouri sighed. “ Do do nothing. Rejoice! Find the happiness, where you can. The Holy Light created the Universe out of the powers of Love and Happiness. We love each other. We two love you Teelia , and you love us. I am content. We have helped the Holy Light in its creation with this love. If that is its will, then so be it!”

The three embraced in a hug, holding on to each other as much out of exhaustion as with emotion.

“ Now, we all need to rest. We can talk more tomorrow. For now. Sleep.”

[clys]

"So, you say the priest managed to expel the demon from Teelia without us, eh?" Clys asked, sounding a trifle bored.

"Yes, Mistress. I could tell from the moment I met him he was a party pooper. Now I won't get to play with her!" Kittsu pouted, folding her arms across her chest and walking to and fro.

"Oh well. She's fat anyway, you said so yourself," replied Clys, turning to go.

"Mistress?" Kittsu ventured.

Clys turned back toward Kittsu. "What? You need something?"

"What was the demon's name, anyway?"

"John Richard," said Clys, shrugging as she left.

[Danyxandra]

Danlily listens to Clys and Kittsu carry on and turns to her bow, "I suppose that everyone thinks things are settled now...but I ask you, Mother, where is the demon now and who will it possess next?"