The Son Returns

[Lasius Sedi Jr.]

Fire streaked the dark sky ruining his night vision for a brief moment. There was no end to this constant onslaught; every day and night unceasingly for over a month now. The hordes of creatures had recently become far more bold than he had seen them his entire life, there had been no contact from any of the outlying fortifications for over 3 months previous. For all he knew they were the last living people left. He fervently hoped this was not the case because despite the valiant efforts of the soldiers under his command he knew they would be overrun before the week was through.

His body screamed for rest, he couldn't remember the last time he had slept, but he somehow kept going. The Draconians were the worst, shifting from Dragon to human form at will, slipping through his ranks unnoticed and wreaking havoc from the inside out. He hadn't seen Illiyana all day, but he had to believe she was still alive. A massive silhouette crept into the corner of his vision some sort of scaled behemoth was approaching the west wall. He hadn't seen one of these before, but chances were it was going to crush the wall if he didn't intervene. He dropped his sword and thrust his hands out in front of him chanting softly under his breath, his eyes flashed as he felt power surge from the world around him and he directed it into a hastily erected barrier between the wall and the creature.

The Creature paused and stared for a second at the opalescent barrier before raising both massive fists to begin battering on it. It absorbed the impacts without any apparent effects, but he could feel it straining. Just then a ball of fire streaked across the sky and slammed into the ground just behind him. The detonation threw him forward shattering his concentration. He rolled onto his back in time to catch sight of a Draconian flying over the city. A line of fire streaked from ground to sky as a flaming ballista caught it right through the chest and it tumbled from the sky. He grinned at the damn fine shot, and shook his head to clear the remnants of dizziness from it.

The roaring crash to his right brought his head whipping around and horror painted his features. The Behemoth had torn through the West wall like it was paper, people and mortar flew in all directions, hordes of smaller creatures were pouring into the outer city.

“The West wall is breached! Fall back! Everyone to the inner city now!” His words were amplified with magic throughout the city, and commanders rallied their troops and what few civilians remained alive in a mass retreat for the relative safety of the Inner city walls.

He turned and faced the Behemoth that had breached the walls and got to his feet painfully. Slowly he opened his soul to his element and raised his open hand to the sky. Thunder boomed in over the city, as he threw what little control he had to the wayside. He closed his hand into a fist and Lightning crashed down repeatedly into the scaled creature, his eyes watered at effort but each strike was devastating blowing whole chunks of flesh out of hits hide, scalding it severely and leaving gashing wounds where it didn't blacken.

It wasn't long before the creature buckled to its knees let out a final ground shaking roar and collapsed. Its corpse effectively blocked the massive hole in the wall and slowed the tide of smaller creatures that were flooding the city. Like everything lately it was but a stalling measure, giving his people more time to get into the inner city. He turned and ran for the Inner city gate, dodging and leaping over the bodies of men and women he had ate and drank with earlier in the day. His hearts ached for them but he had learned to care for the living many many years ago.

He cleared the Inner city gates just as a massive Dragon plowed headfirst into the body of the Behemoth knocking it to the side, and the tide of creatures resumed at full. They needed a break, they needed some time to plan... something anything rather than these cut and run tactics. He closed his eyes and drew in more energy from the world around him, he thrust his arms out to either side and another opalescent barrier shimmered into existence around the inner city walls. The surge of attackers stopped as the barrier went up. He was sweating at the effort of raising it but once it was in place he tied off the wards to maintain themselves and moved through the streets towards the shattered ruins of the central Keep which had been nearly destroyed in the initial attack.

He knew the barrier wouldn't hold long, that horde of creatures had their own mages, and dismantling it would be their main objective now. He had thrown it together only hastily, but he was one of the most skilled mages they had left, and it would take them time to break through it. Time enough he hoped to make a plan on how to survive this. His mind raced as he walked, trying desperately to ignore the groans of the injured and dying all around him.

“Lord Lasius!” the out of breath soldier ran up to him and bowed hastily. “We are down to half a garrison at the north, and the east fares little better, Ive heard no news from the South or West M'Lord.”

“The West garrison was completely wiped out, I dont know how the south has faired, I'm going tot he command center now to get an official update, and figure out a way out of this mess Jared, just hold your troops together, we've had enough death today I think.” Lasius Jr. sighed and turned away from the stricken look of the young commander. He knew it was grave, He knew that unless something was done and now they wouldn't see another sunrise.

The Command Center was a mess, tactical maps were scattered everywhere, most discarded now that the city walls had been breached. They had no possibility of holding now, the Inner city walls were weak compared to the outer walls, and with only a few hundred troops left they would be spread thin as it was.

He wished sorely Illiyana was with him right now, but she could be anywhere among the survivors, he refused to think of any other possibility. He was studying a tactical update from the South Garrison Commander, apparently they still had a whole garrison thankfully, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Sairen one of his remaining living sons was standing there when he turned around. His emotional reserve broke and he embraced his son fiercely, simple knowledge that he still had some family left alive made him feel 100 times stronger.

“I'm alright Father, Sol and I were with the South, we held the line, I saw what happened with the West, I'm sorry” His voice was tired, he knew the situation, and also their chances. He returned his father's embrace and clapped him on the shoulder.

“It's time son, we have to leave, we've lost too many, we cant face another wave, you know it as well as I. I felt a remarkable amount of magic energy used about two days ago, extremely far from here somewhere across the great sea as far as I could tell. I dont know what it was, but if there is life over there it cant be much worse than here.” He sighed and knocked the map off the table disgustedly.

“You don't know that dad, it could be full of creatures even more powerful than these...” Sairen started but then shut his mouth, he knew the situation and it didn't sit well with him either way.

“I thought about that Sairen but we dont have any choice left, We need to go now or I wont have enough strength left to open a gateway.” He turned and sighed, it was now or never. “Spread the word Sairen, we leave immediately, I'll open the Gateway here, get enough people to transport the wounded first.”

Sairen nodded and sprinted off, Las watched him go and sighed. His son was right, the power he felt from across the Sea was enormous, and with it was a darker more sinister energy, he had to believe there was hope somewhere in the world, but in his hearts he feared the worst.

He closed his eyes and set about feeling through the currents and eddies of Magical energy that moved through the world. He could still feel a massive energy but it was different now, somehow... more familiar. He smiled at that, maybe it was some long lost cousin.

He began to speak softly under his breath working energies that pulled the last of his strength and strength from every living thing around him. A massive oval portal began to expand in the central portion of the city, when it was big enough to fit ten people through side by side he held it there. People were already arriving He saw Illiyana there briefly and smiled in her direction reassuringly. The wounded went through first, many of whom would likely not survive.

Then the civilians, they few that were left, then the soldiers started through. He counted 14 of his children, and tears formed in his eyes, in the 300 plus years he and Illiyana had been married they had had over 50 children, so many dead. He squeezed his eyes shut and felt a tearing inside. His head whipped around as he watched in horror, the barrier was failing, it was too soon.

“Get through now! Run the barrier is down move it!” The last hundred or so surged through the portal as the first creatures appeared. He could barely stand as he released the grip on the portal it began to collapse as he backed towards it. A ball of fire crashed into his chest throwing him through the portal just as it snapped shut, pain filled him and he didn't have the strength left to fight it off. The wound wasn't serious his armor had absorbed most of it but exhaustion claimed his consciousness. His last sight before passing out was a curiously homely looking inn and a sparkling lake with a gleaming marble city in the distance.

[Illianya Windsong Sedi]

The battle was fierce and she long ago gave up on simply trying healing; there were bodies pressed together like cluttered animals and to turn your guard down one second would mean instant death. Still, in the years she’d been alive if she’d learn anything it was battle tactics, the kind of chaos that drove her husband constantly forward in his life she’d attuned herself to perfectly. A strand of glowing material lay rested between her fingers and with movements that seemed graceful even with her face lathered in sweat she pulled at them, shifting the earth as it crumbled and consumed one of the smaller things, howling rage met her as she heard the calls to retreat; they had pushed forward. She closed her eyes and moved back with the people as fast as she could, knowing now would be the time to attempt to start tending wounds as much as possible, if the onslaught would even lessen.

She reached out, grabbing at one of the older Magus’ that fought, dragging him up to his feet as much as possible so he didn’t get left behind. The strength of this oddly lithe creature was amazing, for behind all that girlish flesh was a body pushed to its racial limits from a constant struggle; and she was everything but a brittle thing. She’d come far from the naive girl she had been when she first met Las Jr, though parts of her still clung to that kind of light she always had about her. Still, even as they moved within the walls they barely had made it within the battle of the lightning and the Dragon; and she smiled as she knew who it was that controlled it, and that part of her heart that wandered at every day they were separated lay to rest easily as she helped the old man up, letting some of the essence of her magic soothe into his old bones. The Magus smiled at her kindly, patting her hand as he tried his best to hobble off.

Her eyes sought out through the survivors and her hope dwindled more at the number of them, and a more personal pain cut through her as she only counted a small handful of her children. So many lost… and every single one had places in her heart beyond a number. Every person she shared a close companionship before they were cut underfoot by the hordes… all of it. The weight of it showed on a face once bright and youthful, it was tired and drained. Still, even as exhausted from battle as she was, as much as she wished to join Lasius in his post, she had a position. Everyone did. She moved amongst then, spreading her energy to those she could, healing those wounded or laying what best comfort she could to the dying. Nobody was a face, they all had names to her, meanings. Lives. Tears welled in her eyes and she lost feeling to most of herself as she numbly moved about, exhaustion wearing heavily at her.

Finally, exhausted beyond her physical powers at the moment she started desperately searching faces, making sure that her children were not amongst the dying; at least the best she could count. She had no idea the discussion going on between son and Father, as her eyes rested on one of the smallest of the group; a child barely of thirteen who sat ruffled looking among the rest of the adults. Illianya rushed over and scooped him up, ignoring his sputtered protests as she pulled him close, and kissed his dirt streaked face. Geran protested adamantly, thinking he was well enough too big to be coddled by his mother but she ignored him before stepping back, as the masses were starting to move through the portal that Lasius had opened, a quick flash of fear showed on her face as she looked up to him, but he was already smiling at her.

She returned his smile but slipped back into the crowd after reassuring Geran to go forward she’d be there soon. She helped those through who needed aid and watched as the others rushed through, pausing only when he screamed for them to start moving. Fear surged at her heart and she almost tried to stay behind, but there was a grip on her shoulder and she felt Daelyla pulling her through, and she half stumbled as she reached out for Las, feeling herself fall…

…and felt herself land on a large patch of grass, half on her rear with her eldest daughter’s hand on her shoulder. There was some kind of grunting and a quick snarl and Illianya half rolled off the girl, hand going to her stomach as she pushed herself up off the girl, half grunting as she rubbed at her eyes. The desire to sleep was overwhelming now they weren’t being assaulted, but as soon as she saw her husband fall out of the portal unconscious she rushed over, kneeling down next to him and reaching out to place her hands against his neck. A strong steady heartbeat, and as she peeled the armor away… no damage, a quick whistle through her teeth before she shook her head and she turned to look at the hundred or so gathered people, wounded, dying… from human to her delicately pointed elf race.

Hooking a piece of pale blonde hair behind her ear she moved to stand, the smell of food coming from the inn making her stomach growl. Nervousness entered her as her hand once more fell across her belly in an unconscious gesture, and she felt her family move closer to her. At least here it seemed peaceful, but many times before she’d felt that illusion. So she took in a deep breath, asked her kids to watch over Lasius Jr and started moving towards what appeared to be the inn, her fingers recurling around the dull looking string around her wrist… just in case.

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

“Who, Malachite? If you don’t mind a three hundred pound or so cat lying on your feet he won’t mind you. Mind the claws though, they leave more than a kissable mark.”

Malkate grinned, noticing the turmoil of thoughts behind his eyes but knowing not to press it. When Lasius wanted to discuss his thoughts he would, and she needn’t worry about what brewed inside that mind of his as long as it didn’t pertain to her. She slipped away from him, easefully with the movements of a dancer and to the fire where the contents boiled, stirring the aroma with a nice mix of blends. Her eyes half closed as she leaned over it, letting the scent fill her nose and grinned at the magically enchanted spoon before she turned to grab two of the wooden carved bowls sitting near the stove. Grabbing a ladle after she balanced out the bowls she carefully spooned two full scoops into each bowl, flowing thick with meats and vegetables and moved to set them on one of the round tables, careful with every step.

It was basic movements, she went through them almost absently as if a ghost of her red-haired human self followed suit. She retrieved a spoon from a small hideaway place as well as a chunk of bread she had in one of the spelled boxes that would preserve it. A kind of butter she mixed herself with honey, and with an armful of items moved back to the table and started to set it out, motioning for him to sit and eat while she cut the bread and spread the butter across it, trying no to show how much she wanted to just tear into it and inhale it; not even for the fact that honey butter was her favorite with this type of thick bread. She disappeared into the kitchen area again after she buttered the bread, only to reemerge once more with two goblets filled with a red wine, offering one to him before she took her seat, violet eyes dancing with laughter.

“So as soon as it stops burning your tongue it’s good to eat, helps if you dip the bread in first… It’s been boiling all day. Beef Stew, of a fresh verity.”

Her lips curved and she moved to dip her own bread into the stew, and managed to take her first bite before there was more than a slight disturbance to make her jerk her head up, her hands curling around an invisible weapon as she felt the portal open and heard the sudden groan and moan of injured. Her violet eyes turned quickly to Lasius, confusion filling them before she shoved the rest of her bite into her mouth and moved cautiously to the window that lay outside of her bedroom, cracking open the wooden shutter to peer outside. The sight had her heart in her throat, and before she realized it, she felt her entire body start to shake, quite like that of a leaf. A small noise escaped her throat before she moved outside, rushing so fast she almost knocked down a swelling Elf woman. She wasn’t trying to be rude to the stuttering woman but she couldn’t help it; she threw her arms around one of the older gentleman, delight etched on her face as much as confusion and fear on his.

“Elder ArchMagus Niyne! It’s me! It’s Malkate!”


Lasius was eating the stew quietly, savoring the flavor and warmth that filled him with each bite when Malkate hopped up and started bolting around like a madwomen. He rose to his feet and followed her outside to star in confusion at the new arrivals. He could make out elves, a race he remembered from over a millenia ago, and if he wasn't mistaken was that.. humans? And some Sedi it appeared, but the way they were dressed tugged at a memory so buried in the depths of his mind he simply couldn't pull it forward right away.

He moved through the wounded and exhausted refugees looking from one to another trying to piece together shattered fragments of a lifetime long since past. Where Malkate saw old friends and her old people, Lasius saw only remnants of something he wasn't half sure he had dreamed from a time he wasn't even sure had existed. How had these people come here, and to what purpose? They were in bad shape, that much was obvious, The real question behind it all was what had done this to them, and how close was it on their heels.

Dammit he had just managed to put Sethia back together, he wasn't ready for another disaster to come crashing down on him. He snagged one of the soldiers rushing past and glanced at his armor ancient memories pulling forward words he hadn't uttered in longer than some prophecies had been written.

“You Defender of Alisandre? How have you come to Terra Centilina? What has happened to your ranks? Talk man what has done this?” He held the shorter human by the Arm in an Iron grip, that try as he might the man could not break.

“M'Lord? I am Commander Jared of the Northern Garrison, of the City of Alisandre, rather I was, before the hordes came, the Draconians and the rest. If Lord Lasius had not made the Gate way when he did the last of our people would have perished. I'm sorry Lord you must release me I have work to be about.” The Soldier tried once more to free his arm and then Looked at las expectantly.

Lasius blinked as one piece of news after another bombarded him. His fingers released their grip from the soldiers arm and he sank numbly to his knees staring blankly out over the Lake lost in a state of utter and total shock.

Illianya was angry, hormonal, and angry. It showed on her face as she felt the calm try and school her mind. A deep breath, a few deep breaths as the woman who had almost knocked her down assaulted one of the older Magus, Illianya blinked. Of all the things she expected, that surely was not one of them. More anger piled on her as another man came out of the place and Illianya took a double take, for even though he had silver in his hair she couldn’t overlook the uncanny resemblance of family in his face. Blinking a few more times she watched as he sank to his knees, his face dumbfounded and surprised.

Curling her fingers into a grip she looked around, before the energy swelled in her and she grabbed Jared about the arm, though definitely not as roughly as before, and started issuing orders to him to give to the soldiers, find rest for the wounded use the woods about as much as possible, then she turned to the others almost stupidly standing about and issued orders that would have easily made her husband proud – as he was out of commission and she was as both tired and exhausted as many of the others she also was made more angry by a mixture of facts; hunger, anxiety, and the desire to only rest her swollen feet. A woman could easily loose a cherub like demeanor in the matter of certain doom. They were out of range of attack, they needed to rest and recuperate as much as possible, they still had no idea what lay in this land.

Ignoring the dark haired woman for the minute Illianya approached Lasius, reaching down to rest her small hand on his shoulder.

“Sir, are you well? I have a request to make of you if possible to have a healer see my husband, he’s over her, he doesn’t appear to be wounded but he’s passed out..”

Las started and looked up at the pregnant elven woman, his eyes focused slightly as he shoved his thoughts to the side. He was pale, and actually sweating, his chest and back were slick with sweat, not from heat, but rather shock, and a bit of fear. He nodded mutely to her and rose to his feet. His eyes scanned the crowd till he caught sight of Malkate. He moved swiftly to her, bare feet crushing the soft grass underneath.

He put his hand on her shoulder and spoke softly into her ear what he said came across in a hollow sounding voice that was filled with shock. “Malkate, the wounded, there are too many of them, I think these are the last survivors we need to save as many as you can, do you still have the Arc of Magick?” He turned and glanced back at the Elven women and gestured to her. “She would like it if you could start with her husband but I suppose its up to you really.”

He glanced across the people milling about trying to establish some sort of order. He should probably get some Sethian Legions down here, set these people up a camp or something. It all rang hollowly in his head, a backdrop to the words that were still haunting him.

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

“Lasius, whats wrong?”

Malkate’s body turned towards him, and her brows pulled downwards as she paused in her conversation with the Magus who was trying to understand who she was. She was trying to explain but Lasius had come up to her, so she excused herself. Her concern was on the man who looked paler than she’d ever seen him and it worried her. Her arms went out to him, to help him balance as she wasn’t so sure he wouldn’t pass out where he was. Her hands would touch him and she’d let her energy seep out of her fingers, and attempt to move into him with more of a refreshing breeze as there was nothing physically wrong with him besides shock of mind and body. Her violet eyes glistened and she knew she’d let these people go if someone had hurt him in some way.

“I will tend to the wounded, I’ll go to this woman’s husband. Come with me.. tell me what’s wrong you look like death..”

She turned, glancing at the now more than very annoyed looking elf woman before the woman turned and marched off, causing Malkate’s lips to curl. She wasn’t sure if she was amused or agitated more, but her eyes followed the rounding form and she watched as she knelt down next to a man in armor. Malkate reached for Lasius’ hand, curling her fingers through his before she took a deep breath.

“So, about that physical training of body hmm?”

She tried to humor him, calling to her the staff of her Defenders, the crystals glowing softly. She saw recognition then in the old man’s eyes, and then confusion as he watched her, but she knew there was work to be done. Now she almost wished she had at the very least trained Lasius in minor healing because she was sure she’d be able to heal them but it would be almost impossible. A soft sigh escaped her at the wistful thinking of the Arc of Life; artifacts be damned she simply wished to have the assistance in healing. Still, she moved towards Lasius Jr, completely ignorant to the relativity of the situation at hand.

Lasius didn't so much as ignore her words as let them pass numbly over him. He walked with her in a kind of blank state, he numbly listened to what she said just putting one foot in front of the other. He followed along after her lost in thought, he mumbled under his breath trying to sort out his thoughts, starting with the least shocking things first, whether or not Malkate could hear him muttering depended entirely on how closely she was paying attention to him.

“Draconians, we wiped them out, how could they have attacked Alisandre, where exactly is Alisandre, its certainly not on this side of the world...” he blinked his thoughts shifting gears again “Alisandre, why here, why now? Wiped out he said, this is all that remains, the whole land scoured clean? It doesn't seem possible, but it has been a long time.” His mind touched the other thing, the one that shocked him tot he core but he couldn't even vocalize it his throat seized up he couldn't speak he just walked along silently now.

His eyes shifted to Malkate and lingered for a moment, so lost in thought was he and locked in vision of his dear sweet love, that he completely missed a rut in the ground, mi-stepped twisted his ankle and fell flat on his face.

Malkate was paying close enough attention that she was more than worried, and her brows drew down. Alisandre should be from another world, why would he think that it was upon this place? Still, she tried to keep him calm, letting her arm rest on him as he walked, until he viciously fell and she couldn’t help the half-snort that echoed from her, causing a few dark looks to go her way. Still, she felt like an odd foot out, trying not to laugh as she moved to pick Lasius up. Of course the tension was as thick enough to cut with a sneeze, but she was trying to keep herself light hearted. The kind of air that suggested something big was going to affect her had her mental alarms going off, but she shoved them aside without much of a second thought to them. There was nothing that could possibly shake her more than what had already transpired not even days ago.

She moved over towards the pregnant elf, ignoring the chattering thought behind her ear if even now she’d ever be able to have children,knowing now wasn’t the best point or time for those thoughts she kept them locked down and tucked away. Instead she paused, kneeling next to the elf woman. She tried to offer a smile but got a kind of agitated look, but she understood partially. She turned, taking in a deep breath and tried not to let the complete and utter shock of how much the boy looked like a mix of Lasius and Sitherack overcome her, instead reaching out her hands to strip away the remaining armor, needing only to touch it and have it reappear next to the man’s body before her hands went over his chest. She closed her eyes, letting herself dive down into that old pattern of magic, pulling from her heart that burning fire.

She infused it only slightly with her element, using it’s nature of speed to enhance herself, letting the magic hit him like a jolt; only painless. It would spread first from his hearts to the rest of his body, and the shock twice over that not only did this man look like Lasius…. He was definitely a Sedi. Luckily for Lasius Jr, she was a trained Magus because otherwise that shock enough might have been enough to throw off her concentration's. She let the energy move through him, enough to heal any body wounds he had suffered, enough to even energize and refresh him enough as if he had a few cups of coffee… but it was a temporary fix he would need to sleep eventually and for a little bit to recuperate. Pulling her hand back Malkate took in a deep breath, before she looked to Illianya, and then to Lasius, silent.

His eyes snapped open as the Magical energy spread its healing touch through out his body. Shock and surprise at the feeling was the first thing to come over him, he sat upright immediately looking for the mage that had healed him, he was about to flay the man or woman alive for wasting precious energy healing his minor wounds in the midst of battle. Abruptly memory flooded over him like a tidal wave, The West wall breaking, the gateway, that last fireball sending him through. He made a mental note to thank that Draconian if he ever saw him again, thank him with cold steel.

His eyes calmed as he spotted his wife, and the odd looking violet eyed woman with her. She must have been his healer, he smiled politely at her and opened his mouth to thank her when his eyes abruptly widened and all color drained from his face in a heartbeat. His eyes locked past the exotic looking violet eyed woman onto the steel gray eyes of the man behind her. Primal memory boiled to the surface, a face not seen for 1700 years, it was slightly different than he remembered but there was no doubt in his mind. He got to his feet slowly and took a single step forward before the pain hit him full force.

Not physical agony, but something much deeper, the repressed emotional pain of abandonment bottled and held inside for century upon century. Tears welled up in his eyes and leaked down his cheeks but his voice didn't waver, his voice was cold and flat, steel slipping over a whetstone was comparable to the tone he spoke in.

“Father...”

He moved faster than he had ever moved in his life, his element lending him speed in time with the raw emotion that powered the strike. His right fist balled slammed forward directly into Lasius' jaw snapping his head around fiercely enough to throw him completely off his feet, and send him sprawling out onto the grass. The Impact was enough to have snapped a human's neck, but then lasius wasn't human.

Lasius watched the man as he stood and there was no doubt in his mind as to who the man before him was. He was trying to find words when the impact hit him like a brick. He saw spots, tasted blood and picked himself up off the ground without so much as a word of complaint. His body had endured far far more than a simple punch to the jaw, he wasn't hurt, he expected more really.

“I suppose I had that one coming, so I'll give it to you for free.” He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully and glanced up at his son his eyes questioning for a moment. “You dont know how how to control it do you?” He shook his head pride filling his voice absurdly in true Sedian fashion. “You have survived, off instinct alone, with no one to teach you and you have handled it on your own... 1 in 10,000 can do that. How remarkable.”

He began to laugh softly under his breath, but it wasn't his normal chuckle, it was unhinged, there was a kind of wild edge to the sound. He twitched slightly and clenched his fists tightly, fingernails digging into his skin and blood dripping down his fingers slowly. He breathed slowly for a moment desperately he sought to clear his mind, The Sage of Light surged in his head battering relentlessly at his weakened mental discipline, but he refused to yield.

Sweat dotted his brow as he exerted control he turned and spoke softly under his breath in a strained tone. “Excuse me I need some time.” He strode off without another word in the direction of the plains without looking back.

[Malkate Rose Sedi]

Malkate looked at the man as he started to come around, and she was about mid motion to turning to Illianya when her eye caught Lasius Jr’s movements. Unfortunately her movements were too slow to intercede, her abilities not that well learned enough and she watched Lasius as he fell back, and anger rushed through her, perfect, sharp, and honed as deadly as any blade and she was moving, not even realizing that she had even stood with Death in her violet eyes before the word hit her like a ton of bricks and she fell back down, not even able to find as she heard the broken of Lasius mind and knew what it meant, after all she had just fought against a Sage that took possession of a broken mind. Too much, too fast, but she couldn’t find the strength to move her legs. She couldn’t even find the will to go after him right now, because her hearts were pumping ice through her.

It wasn’t like he ever lied to her; he never told her… why would he? The question was never brought up and he probably assumed at some point she knew. She didn’t, she had no idea that he had ever had any children, at first glance she thought him some sibling of Lasius, but this… son. He had a son. Grandchildren as well apparently, her mind half registered as she watched Illianya stand and numbly took in the scenes before her. There were wounded that needed tending, there were dying who she could save, but she couldn’t feel the effort it took to move. Her mind screamed at her, those years of discipline but there was something too close like a pain that squeezed around her heart. She’d never been able to give him children, they’d been together for so long… and her mind went to the woman that ended the relationship. Of course…

Shame filled her, raw, unblinking, and she felt her legs move stiffly under her, pushing herself up into a vertical position, felt herself standing, numb. Her hands clenched, and unclenched, and she turned away from Lasius Jr and Illianya at the moment; her mind was trying to register it. Why it was such a pain to her she didn’t know, but Lasius surprise at seeing the boy must have stirred up something beyond shame and she knew that amongst the battles Lasius thought to prepare himself for emotional grounds was not one of them. Her eyes went down to her palm and she realized she was squeezing hard enough to bleed, and realized that she needed to start moving. She could chase after Lasius but she wasn’t sure she could push past her own emotional wound at hearing this news to help him beyond his… and she was needed here.

Numbly, she moved past the couple, silent… save for her saying ‘I’m sorry’ before she moved towards the lines of people. The Arc of Magick came smoothly to palm as she called it from it’s resting place in the inn, and numbly she began moving about the Inn. She’d let him have his peace, she’d let him take the time he would need to fight his Sage and piece together that precarious control he needed. But when it was time, oh when the time came… there would be much discussion. Feeding her blood into the Arc, she pulled it’s raw power to recognize her, and in a way started to try and use the artifact as something more than a simple amplifier for her magic and will, she used it as a kind of a power ability, and using her raw emotions, her training she pulled something reckless, but her emotions were raw and rational is not one of woman’s strong point when the heart is raw.

She took in a deep breath, and placing both hands on the Arc she weaved a shield around those who were wounded and dying, cutting them off from those who were healthy and simply needed rest or a few weeks of simple healing. Once she completed the shield she lifted the Arc into the air, channeling the energy through her as Lasius had once taught her but for a different reasoning. She felt it as her hearts began to beat furiously, felt her body start to ache as blood dripped down from her nose, but she kept feeding it, kept feeding the energy and as she did clouds began overhead but there was no physical lightning, only the glimpses of light as it filled the sphere. She worked the energy, holding the levels as she reached within, drawing out a strand of that violet fire, feeding it upwards and into the spell she wove, and felt one of her hearts stutter in its furious rhythm as she did. In her other hand she gripped the Staff she’d called to her earlier, and raising both in the sky she felt the scream building up into her and let it go but not vocally.

The storm shivered, and the clouds exploded but it was not painful for those contained within; in fact any would say the worst part was the blinding light that flashed than died, and once it did the shield collapsed and Malkate with it, exhausted beyond control from training and her day and emotional wounds, Arc clutched possessively in hand as well as her staff, and to even the most fatally wounded would be completely healed with a full nights rest save a few scars. Blood pumped out of her nose, but her hearts controlled rhythm as the excess energy simply seeped from her. Lasius would have his time and she’d recover from hers… but for now, she rested.

Illianya blinked as Lasius moved faster than she’d ever seen him move, and fear caught at her as she saw the man stumble backwards. Apparently her earlier guess at this man somehow being related was correct, and she inwardly sighed. The last thing Las needed was more to hurt his emotions, and she stood as the dark haired woman fell. Illianya cast a curious glance to the woman as she moved towards her husband, shooing their children off to go find a place to rest while she talked to him. She approached cautiously, not sure how to treat this as she reached out a hand, offering it to him, but understanding if he tried to pull away from her. A few times the discussion of family had come up and Illianya was far from ignorant to how he felt about his father but never pressed it; together they had made their own family and needn’t worry about mistakes of the past. Blonde hair shivered behind her as she tried to comfort him, not sure of any words to say.

Of course, even as her mind was scrambling for something she turned, feeling the magical energies. Rage flew into her as her first thought was that Malkate was going to hurt her people, and she started moving away from Lasius, and watched instead as she felt the magical pull of power, and her eyebrows shot up. She pointed at it and tried to find the words to express her feelings that they should try and stop her, but the Magus worked amazingly fast. Illianya was gathering up the limp string into her fingers when the light exploded, and the woman dropped like a sack of potatoes, leaving herself vulnerable to a bunch of strangers. Illianya hesitated in her footsteps, dropping the string as shock filled her, enough that she actually moved to catch herself on someone before she stumbled, as her eyes didn’t believe what they saw.

Bandages were coming off of people, bloodied soaked things that reeked death but were bright pink scars, eyes half gone completely healed, arms moving from splints, head wounds healed, everything. It was impossible, it had to be. Illianya had powers and had trained them but that….that was amazing. She watched as the Magus that the woman had been talking to earlier rushed after her and turned back to Lasius, trying to take everything that happened in a short time together.

Lasius Jr. stared in disbelief as his father picked himself up off the ground. That the man was still able to stand wasn't nearly as shocking to him as the towards that came from his mouth. Was that pride in his voice? Pride in a son he had abandoned? The outrage of it filled him with rage, then the man started muttering about needing time and just walked off! Walked off again, he was not about to have it, he pulled his hand away from Illiyana and stormed after his father. He didn't look back at the mass healing the woman did, nothing no matter how earth shattering mattered to him more than this moment.

He followed behind his father about 20 feet, his eyes locked on the mans back, he had walked in silence for several minutes and was about to scream at the man when his hearing picked up the soft sounds of muttering. He couldn't quite make it out but it sounded to him like the old fool was muttering to himself. No not muttering, arguing, and answering back at that. Despite all his rage a sliver of concern entered him, the fact that it did made him all the more angry.

“You sorry old fool! You think that arguing with yourself would excuse what you did to me? Insanity isn't an excuse Lasius, nothing is an excuse! 1700 years dammit 1700 years 52 grandchildren, most of whom are dead and never knew you you Daughter! My sister, dead a thousand years gone!” He raged and clouds gathered in his wake, rain began to fall but his father didn't slow, didn't pause, didn't even react to his words, and it made him all the more angry.

“Enough!” He thrust his hand out and a massive Bolt of Lightning smashed into the ground directly in front of his father throwing up dirt and burning chunks of soil in all directions. His fathered stopped and glanced over his shoulder his eyes were filled with tears, the sight stopped Lasius in his tracks and he lowered his hand slowly staring at his father

“Son...I will be back.” He turned and vanished in a brilliant flash of white light took Las Jr.s vision for a moment. When he could see clearly again there was no one to be seen for miles. Lasius Jr. sank to his knees and then sat down silently and stared at the wind that blew the tall grass of the plains to and fro. He was waiting, he would have his answers, one way or another.

[Lasius]

Light flashed in Lasius' chambers in the Keep and he sank to his knees it was all too much and it certainly didn't help that this ridiculous Sage continued to batter against his mind. He ignored the Sages attempts to gain control, it would continue to fail until he lost control of his own mind and went insane. Which he had to admit if this situation got any more stressful was a very likely possibility.

He rose to his feet and walked out onto his balcony watching the pristine marble terraces of Sethia glittering in the fading sunlight. He focused on small things, the sounds of water fountains in the city, the quiet bustle in the streets as the day wound up. Clouds had gathered over Sethia, a natural storm come of its own accord, such a rare thing to see these days he almost laughed as the first raindrops fell.

Thunder rumbled quietly across the sky and he sat listening quietly to the sounds of the storm. His mind was naturally chaotic and so ordering it was something he had a lot of practice at. He pushed the emotional aspects of the situation to the side with extreme difficulty. The Alisandre survivors needed supplies, shelter and protection, He rose from sitting on his deck and dressed in in his customary black Sedian leather battle armor adorned with polished steel backings to the gloves and boots. He didn't bother with a weapons belt as he didn't want to be burdened by any.

The next several hours he spent assembling a small division of 100 Elites and 300 soldiers, Life, Magick, Eire, Earth, and Water Sedi. They gathered food, fresh clothes, minor medical supplies, extra weapons and armor, of Sedian style since they had nothing else to offer, the idea was to get these people back on their feet as quickly as possible.

He gathered the soldiers and supplies in the main courtyard and teleported them back to the Plains where Las Jr. still sat and waited. As they arrived Lasius directed them to start preparing a camp for the refugees and then made his way over to his Son. His thoughts were more ordered now, but there were definite cracks in the calm that was usually present.

“I have brought you men, and supplies, you dont know much about who, or what you are I'm assuming, but these men all have the abilities necessary to build you anything you need and supply your people with whatever you need. I have informed them they are now under your command.” He paused and looked down at his son, the man had become a strong leader of his people, it was a proud thing for Lasius to see, but he didn't know what else to say or do after so long, so he simply left it at that.

[Illianya Windsong Sedi]

Illianya sighed as Jr marched off, but she stopped herself from chasing him. Some battles she understood needed to be fought alone, but she still sent her best thoughts with him. She turned and walking by the twins, she asked Sol to accompany her to the woman who had fainted and asked him to carry her into the Inn and put her in the bed to rest. She looked about the people already moving about and tried to find something to do, but she knew that she would need to rest soon. Exhaustion was overwhelming her and she was starting to get familiar pains across her mid section, and she knew that she shouldn’t deliver now, the baby would survive but she was not quite at the point she’d like to bring a child into this world with. In fact as much as she loved her children, this baby was like most of the others; if Lasius even came near her she seemed to get pregnant, so the surprise came at the most interesting of times.

Still, a mother’s work was never done and she started about the object of making sure that those who needed it managed to find places to try and set up, some even helped themselves into Malkate’s Inn, taking up reserves of food and the things they needed. It wasn’t exactly honest as the person to ask was gone, but Illianya felt justified in the ordering of them to do it. She kept breathing, happy that the pains seemed to ease off a bit, the uncomfortable feelings of it wore away slowly as her children made her sit and rest. For awhile, the people had cheer, and she shared time discussing stories with her children of her people and the Weaver, using the string between her fingers like magic to create illusions in fires that were built, the dancing flames telling fantastical stories that had been passed down for generations. Still, there was a point that the others were getting settled to wait before Illianya got up, impatient and praying that the men were still alive.

She started walking off, leaving behind her the people she’d fought with, died with, laughed with; unsure of what lay out on these fields that were empty and awaiting the hands of those who would work with the earth to produce some kind of fruit from it. Though she needn’t have walked far for she saw Jr sitting there, staring off into the distance and even as she approached him Lasius showed back up and she blinked at the mass behind him, almost tripling their numbers. His words she heard with those delicate elven ears, and she stopped, her lips frowning. Her dress she wore was a large skirt that somehow managed to rest beneath her bulging belly, and a large top that extended so that as her waist expanded back into it’s rounded shape she’d have room. Amazingly enough even after fifty two odd children she still managed to keep her shape with no stretch marks or having a flabby stomach afterwards.

Her feet were covered by leather worked skin, giving up the doeskin slippers she had normally through peaceful times. She missed them now as the pain across her abdomen shot immensely through her back and hips, and she almost collapsed where she was. The once almost uncomfortable pain was rapidly escalating into something more pronounced, and she half cried out as she fell to her knees, her arms going around her abdomen. She tried not to let the scream rip itself from her throat but the pain was almost overbearing and she felt nauseous. Taking in deep breaths, trying to calm herself, she looked back to Lasius Jr and Lasius, trying to find the energy in herself to get through the wave of pain that overrode her senses. She took deep breaths, schooling her mind as she took herself elsewhere, just not thinking concentrating on releasing the actual pain from her body as her uterus constricted, sending up that tense feeling of muscles clenching, pushing.

She felt the pain ease off and tried to make it to her feet again, but even as she came near to Jr and his father, she felt the break and the sudden rush of heat between her legs and she felt her eyes squeeze shut and she half screamed.

“Not now!”

[Lasius Sedi Jr.]

The arrival of his father and the contingent of men with him took Lasius Jr. by surprise, he hadn't really expected the man to return at all, but certainly not with hundreds of men at his back. As his father began issuing orders and then spoke to him he had mixed feelings. As a leader of his people he was grateful to the extreme for the aid he had received from his father, truthfully his people needed the rest and if these soldiers could do the work of setting up a camp for them and keeping watch it would allow the healing process to begin.

On the other hand he couldn't escape the feeling that this was all some elaborate evasion of the truly important topic he wanted to discuss with his father. He was about to respond tot he man when he heard his wife approaching off to the side.

Lasius Jr. turned from his father to take in the sight of his pregnant wife about to drop the baby right there on the plains, He gestured for help from the new arrivals and several men made their way over quickly, he stepped by his wifes side, it wasn't really necessary to explain the situation. He glanced at his father and then back at his wife. He had attended quite a few births in his time and wasn't exactly an amateur at the process, but he was impressed with the speed and efficiency that the three men laid out padded blankets crushing the grass in a large area to give Illiyana a clean place to work.

He watched as a short man who seemed to be in charge of the three stepped forward and knelt besides Illiyana. He placed a hand on her shoulder for a split second and then nodded and glanced up at Las Jr. “She is ready if there is anyone you want notified I suggest you see to it rapidly.”

He then turned to Illiyana. “I can tell you have been through this several times before, but you are also not from here, so our techniques will be different to you, I'll do everything possible to accommodate your wishes. First thing is would you prefer to do this while feeling the pain or not?”

[Lasius]

(Lasius continued in Shadows Fury post in Cyrida)

[Illianya Windsong Sedi]

“Don’t.. don’t touch me!”

Illianya snarled, but she was helpless as the pains overtook her. The Sedian healers rushed her and they were being kind but she didn’t want these people touching her she didn’t know, especially not now. Jr’s emotions overwhelmed her and she didn’t want strangers bringing her child into the world. Her anger rushed over more as she saw the swift exit of the man running once more and she swore silently, hoping that she hadn’t interrupted her husband’s chance to at least work things through now. Another wave hit her and she was unable to answer the man’s question about pain because she was too busy holding everything in her mind, keeping herself steady and as calm as she could be. Just because things were rushing now didn’t mean that time wasn’t on their side.

“Just.. go… I don’t need you. There’s a woman who passed out… go see her. There are others who might need your help. I can do this, I just need… my ladies..”

She looked over at her husband, her eyes half pleading. Elves were fickle and funny creatures, and this many strangers scared her. She didn’t want to birth here, she didn’t want this babe out now it wasn’t full time but with the break of fluids there was no other option. Still, her fingers sought his and she took a deep breath, letting the waves roll across her and every time they did she did not scream or cry out, instead her eyes closed and her hands clenched hard enough to pull the white skin taught across her knuckles, but her face was schooled, showing pain but never breaking as she concentrated through it. Hold onto the image of the rolling waves, keep the idea of ocean in mind as the pain assaulted her. She knew she couldn’t stand, couldn’t make it back to the few women she’d held close to her from the remaining Clans but they could make it to her if this baby would wait.

Complications in birth were common these days, but the pain that took her belly was amazing. After delivering so many children it wasn’t something she had any surprises to, healthy pregnancies to difficult ones, from easy labors to the prolonged ones; each was a unique and new experience in itself. However, it had been quite awhile since she’d had this amount of difficulty, and never with an early birth except when she’d had the twins. Now though, she felt the waves rolling across her and concentrated them, ignoring if the men listened to her or not. She would deliver this baby without a stranger trying to dull her senses or taking away the pain that would come with it. Stubborn, and she knew that her husband would have it no other way. She took in a deep breath, and tilting her head back she tried not to let nausea overwhelm her, though the desire to turn and let loose her stomach was there. Still, she needed to keep it; keep the energy and strength she had to deliver this child.

“Lasius… go… if you need to.”

Her eyes turned to him, clear, understanding. If he needed to chase his father, she’d not hold it against him. He’d been present for every child’s first breath that he could but the child wouldn’t suffer if he had to leave now. She doubted deeply that he would, but she had to let him know it would be ok. Still, she knew something was wrong, the pain was increasing to ungodly amounts that she’d barely be able to speak soon, but there was too much blood for a normal delivery. She hadn’t even noticed until she glanced down, and saw the rivulets staining the blankets that had been there. Panic took her, and she tried to keep her calm good but her hand went instinctively to her belly and she tried to feel the energy of the babe within… welcomed by the familiar buzz she looked over at her husband, and bit down on her lip… he might have no choice. This babe was going to come and soon, if it was going to live its first few breaths.

She turned her gaze forward again, blankly as she started to concentrate, closing her eyes she rolled with the pain again, though her hand was grabbing into whatever it could grab with an almost bone-breaking strength, and she felt the desire to start pushing and so she did. She brought up her legs, reaching out to grab a hold of her thighs she felt the pressure increase as she started to bear down, counting in her head as long as she could before the world moved in a dizzy effect and she had to gasp for breath. So she did, every time the wave of pain hit her, she rolled with it, bearing down with as much strength as she could. It was rapid, but soon she felt the reward as the stretching almost became unbearable, her voice let out a horse cry and buried her face downwards again, almost curling up as she rolled with the last wave of pain and was rewarded by the release of fluids, and a small body rolled out, caught by a pair of loving hands.

The babe was healthy, and let out a scream as soon as it could, covered in fluids it was cold. However, Illianya felt dizzy and lay back as darkness clouded over her mind.