Rephidim Temple
Of the sights to be seen in the city of Rephidim, one of the most impressive (if not THE most impressive) would be the legendary Temple. More so than any palace or castle or fortress to be found on the surface, the Temple is an embodiment of ancient and almost timeless authority. Yet, it is also an embodiment of corruption, for anyone who knows any of the truth, andthe state of disrepair of so much of the Temple is a standing testament to this. Nonetheless, Templars and Inquisitors and Auditors and Priests make their way through its gleaming corridors, tending to daily business and personal agendas. Like it or not, here can be found the driving force behind Rephidim … and much of Sinai at large.

It has been a busy week for the Savanite slave, Fire-Mane. She has met her sister, an event which caused long buried nightmares from her past to rear their heads. And Tahir has been through much as well. The human seemed troubled by something… the words he murmured in his sleep became shouts of rage and anger. And when he awoke, he seemed as though someone had sucked the life out of him. The human mechanically would do his work,and them crumple up into a ball to sleep.

The technopriests took Tahir away for one night, and when he returned he seemed as fine as ever, although slightly changed. tonight he sits quietly at his desk while Leeta plays the mandolin for him.

She is trying to concentrate on her music, and organize her thoughts. So much has happened recently she feels like she is being dragged along, and about to drown. Her music reflects this, try as she might, she can't stop to melody racing off into dischordant tones. The mandolin expresses Leeta's state a little more than she would wish.

Tahir winces as a sour note jolts his concentration, he turns around in his chair. "This is the strangest tune I've heard you play, Leeta."

"I'm sorry Tahir, I can't get focused. Too many things are worrying me." The Savanite signs over the strings. Tahir, Third-Eye, Caesar's secrets, and the raw moments where she feels she's about to die. She wants to just play, and she can't even manage that now.

"Such as?" the human asks, turning around in his chair to face Leeta.

All the things flood to her hands, but it is the most important one she asks, "Is there… something wrong master? Your nightmares were getting worse, waking me up all the time. I wasn't around to help you in the day alot, and when I was, you were off with the Technopriests. And now… something's changed Tahir, what did they say to you?"

The human drapes his arms over the top of the chair and rests his chin there. "I was remembering things, remembering who Tahir was. The technopriests simply explained things to me and I came to understand myself a bit more."

"But you are Tahir, what else is there to know? What were you remembering?" The firehaired Savanite signs, the first question suddenly taking on a deeper significance in another area of her thoughts.

"You do not know who Tahir was. Yes… I am him, but I am not him anymore." the human says. "But my problems have been resolved – you still seemed troubled."

"It's everything Tahir. All these things I have to do, its so nerve-wracking. Each time I'm out alone I'm afraid someone is going to recognize me, or recognize I'm yours, or I'll make a mistake and someone will die. I'm trying to be brave, but I don't think I have a choice. I have to be. The guards are helping, but sometimes I wish I could just get rid of it all." Leeta's hands flurry, "Thats not the worst of it, I told you about my sister, the one I said was dead. She's not, and I don't know what to do."

Tahir raises his head. "How do you know this?"

"Because she's here! She's in Rephidim, and I don't know why. I thought she was dead, I thought she wouldn't threaten me anymore. You don't know what she did, I wanted to forget it." Leeta shakes her head, whipping her mane around, clenching a fist, "and I don't even know whats true anymore."

Tahir almost seems to smile, but catches himself. "I'm sorry, but I was saying those exact words myself not two days ago. Please… tell me what happened."

The Savanite looks down at her mandolin, "I met her, and she wasn't herself. I mean, she was, she was Third-Eye, but she wasn't. Tahir, I haven't seen her since I was your age, and she was vile then. Everything I've heard about her since, told me she hadn't changed, but… that wasn't what I saw."

"It all made sense, she was evil and that was it."Leeta finishes.

The human remains where he in in his chair. "And what did she do to you that was so evil?"

The fire-haired Savanite stares at the human across the bed, spreading her hands wide. "Everything Tahir, Everything! She was mean and cruel, she would use her magic to terrorize us. She used to be nice, but she disappeared, when she came back, she hated everyone. Momma didn't want her learning magic, but she wouldn't listen… and she made Granma teach her… and then, she killed Granma!"

"Then she fought Momma, to be shamaness, and won, and we were all banished from the tribe… then the slavers came, and caught us. It was her fault Tahir, every lash, every beating I ever got was her fault. She threw us all away to get herself power." Leeta's muzzle curls back in a snarl, "then she was gone, I thought everything settled down. I told you about my mother being kidnapped by the rebel slaves, and my little sister, being killed. I didn't tell you who did it."

"I think I can wager a guess… " Tahir says, frowning. "But you said she was dead?"

"It was her, Tahir. It was my older sister Third-Eye. She stole things from the temple, she led the slave rebellion, and she got my mother and sister killed… along with herself, at the City of Hands when it was destroyed. Thats what I was told, that was easy to believe, that made sense, that was the Third-Eye in my mind. But she's not dead, she's back, I don't know whats true anymore." Leeta looks at her hands.

The candidate rubs his chin. "Why do you doubt your truth now?"

"Because it wasn't her." She looks up, tears forming in her eyes, "She was in the store, when I went with Kray. She recognized me, but she was crying. I thought she was Moon-Brow. I wanted her to be Moon-Brow. I couldn't understand why she was crying… "Third Eye's tear from under her headband returns to Leeta's mind, "… I wanted her to be Moon-Brow… because… because… I wanted her back Tahir, she was so scarred… "

The human nods. "What happened when you encountered one another? Were you threatened?"

Leeta's ears flick in an involuntary giggle. "She ran away Tahir, she ran away. I was so afraid of her, I was trying to get away, get out, but she did first. She ran away… It's not making sense like this Tahir, I should tell you from the beginning." The Savanite sniffs, and starts over, describing every event that happened in the Shiny Shop. She wipes at her eyes as she finishes, "Now I don't know what to believe."

"So what are your plans now? Will you turn your sister in? "The human's tone suggests one of suprise as well.

"I don't know Tahir. Before, yes, easily. I'd never let the Third-Eye in my mind go free, but she wasn't what I imagined. She wasn't the spectre I've had following me ever since I've been a slave. Or maybe she is, maybe it's all some kind of cruel trick, to take away everything I have, to get at you. I just don't KNOW!" Leeta slams her hands down on the bed, "The Champion was wrong about Moffat, maybe Zorah and Blasek are wrong about Third-Eye, maybe the Vartan is lying, maybe everyone is lying, maybe no one knows. I don't Tahir, I don't know what to think, there's so much I can lose if I decide wrong."

"A mystery is a dangerous thing." Tahir says softly. "Your sister has either turned over a new leaf, or she has become so deceptive that even you are fooled. Her methods seem to have changed if it is a desception though, from what I understand from you, she used fear and power to bully you… now she is trying to use pity?"

"Yes, she'd use that to get her way… she was so cruel… but pity would work Tahir. When I thought she was Moon-Brow, I wanted her back, so badly, I wanted my sister back… " The Savanite looks at her fingers again, flicking them randomly, "When I saw she was Third-Eye… I… I was terrified, but I still wanted my sister. Would she know that beforehand? Does she know what I'm like, would she know to use that against me? I don't want to lose her if she has changed, but I can't trust her if she hasn't. Can people change Tahir, can people be bad and turn good? Is it just the other way, if Moffat walked in and said he reformed, would it be safe to give him back the blackmail?"

Tahir looks down at the ground for a good long moment, then rises from his seat and lies in his bed, looking up through the skylight. "Would you like me to tell you what Tahir Archelaus was like, Leeta? It may help to answer your question… "

Leeta turns, sitting so she can watch the young human, and nods slowly.

"Tahir was a diplomat for the Expedition. He became a diplomat because his mother made him attend the academy, and it was the easiest course he found he could take. He married a woman who domineered his life, and joined up with the Expedition to get away. He spent most of his time huddled up in a corner, reading books and envying the adventures of the characters inside of them." The human says slowly. "He was afraid to speak up for himself, he never took responsibility for his own problems, and he never stood up for himself." He sits up and faces Leeta. "Does that seem like who I am?"

The Savanite shakes her head, "No Tahir, you read books a lot, but its because you have to. You take risks that worry the guards and I, and… well, it just doesn't sound like you. The person you describe wouldn't rescue a dangerous slave, wouldn't try to stop an assassination… it's notyou."

"Tahir came to Sinai when the Expediton crashed. It was assumed that he and everyone else would be trapped here forever. Then the mutiny came… one man overthrew us all and escaped through a gate. Leaving the rest of here, trapped forever. I'm sure Tahir died cursing his name." the human says. "To be trapped on an unfamiliar world, away from your family and friends all because of one man, Henry Cannan."

Leeta nods, able to understand those feelings all to easily.

Tahir looks up through the skylight again. "There has never been a Tahir Archelaus as an Astromancer before… or even a candidate. He was much too shy, and not very brazen. He would not have been suitale for the job. Then his memory tape was damaged… "

Leeta blinks, a confused look crossing her face, "Memory tape?"

"Yes… the memories of the crew were put on file. Including mine." He says. "But when they were damaged, another had to be integrated in to suppliment it. That is why I've been having my dreams, my mind was trying to work itself out."

"What were you trying to work out, whose memories did they use?" The red maned Savanite signs, still trying to comprehend it all.

Tahir looks directly into Leeta's eyes. "They used the memories of an engineer, a man who loved technology and machines."

"An engineer by the name of Henry Cannan." He adds.

Leeta stares back, unblinking, holding Tahir's gaze and not knowing what to sign. She reaches out, and gives his hand a squeeze.

"So… you despise yourself?" She finally manages.

The human chuckles and pats Leeta's hand. "Quite the opposite. I understand Henry now, the memories I have were from before the mutiny… but now I know why he did what he did. Tahir just did not like having his new perspective… and did not like admiting that he was a better person because of Cannan."

Leeta looks down at the bed, her mandolin, and back to Tahir, "Why did he leave everyone behind Tahir, why didn't he try to save them?" Her real question isn't the one she signs, but {Why did Third-Eye abandon us for power, why didn't she try to save us.}

"Because his way had risks, more than likely. We did not know where the gate led… he could have been leading us to our deaths." Tahir rolls over onto his side. "For all I know, the gate might have led into the heart of a sun, or the vacume of space, or in the middle of a mountain. But Henry loved his machines and did not wish to part with them. remaining here would have meant he would have to adapt to a life without them. He prefered to die… or fight to get what he wanted instead of living the life the rest of us had relegated ourselves to."

Tahir says, "Henry Cannan chose to risk death, or a harsher existence, in exchange for the chance at a better life. Part of me wishes I could have gone with him now… "

Leeta looks down and smiles, "I'm glad you're here Tahir, and… even if you had gone, you would be still here, wouldn't you? Its so confusing all the things you say, between you and the Vartan I feel like my head is going to pop off. You are a good person… and I guess understanding someone you hate, is very hard… "

"Imagine understanding that someone you hate is inside of your head." Tahir says. "The technopriests helped me come to terms with it, and I do not hate Cannan anymore. I feel that he was brash, but he was a brash man."

"And that brashness is inside of me now." The human traces the lines on the palm of his hand. "Tahir Archelaus would not have rescued you… but Henry Cannan would have done so in an eyeblink."

Tahir holds out his palm. "The man I hated… the man whom I cursed until the day I died and blamed every misery that ever happened to me, saved my best friend."

Leeta clasps Tahir's hand in both her own, squeezing. She releases one to sign, but still holds onto her friend, "Thank you Tahir, for everything." Her ears wiggle, "It took two people to make you great, and make you something neither was before. Maybe they will let you make a new tape when you become the Astromancer, and then you'll always remember the Savanite who kept bringing you her problems."

"So what will you do now?" Tahir asks.

"I don't know Tahir, what will the Temple do to my sister if she is caught?" The fire-haired Savanite signs.

The human sits up and rests his chin on his drawn up knees. "Your sister is a Savanite mage, is she not? If this is so, and if I understand things correctly… she will be put to death… the Vartan will probably be put to death as well for aiding with her."

"Odd that a Vartan would help her," Tahir murmers to himself. "From what I've read about them, they despise magic use in every way shape and form."

"Why is being a Savanite mage deserving of death Tahir? Doesn't someone's actions deserve punishment, not what they are?" Leeta signs, "I did not understand the Vartan either. He looked so fearsome, I thought he had scarred her up at first with his talons, but… he did not treat her like a normal slave."

Tahir gestures with one hand. "Your people are slaves… do you realize how fearful it would be for a slave master to realize that his slave could incinerate him with a flame spell, or control the minds of others, or give them screaming nightmares? In all the books that I've read, Savanites have been viewed as intelligent animals… but still animals. It would go against the history books, against society… it would be a fearsome thing indeed if people knew of the existance of even one Savanite mage."

Leeta bows her head, "I'm sorry Tahir, I was starting to forget it all, that should have been obvious. It is just… wrong. The books are wrong Tahir. I'm afraid… the Vartan spoke of a Savanite empire being restored. What will that mean, here, for me? For the other slaves? When the wild Savanites prove we aren't animals."

Tahir shakes his head. "Change is never easy, they must make the decision Cannan did. Do you accept things as they are… accept your lot in life as a slave, or risk war to gain your freedon?"

"I don't want to be a slave. I want to be here, as your friend, not as your pet. I don't want to be afraid I'll be beaten if I bump someone in the hallway, or if I drop a glass, it's not right." Fire-Mane stares into Tahir's eyes, "But I don't want to lose you, I don't want people to die, simply so I can say I'm not a slave anymore. Is a little suffering something to trade for a lot of death? I don't want to see everything destroyed. I guess that's not very brave is it? Cannan wouldn't be pleased with me, I'd rather stay a slave than burn everything I love."

Tahir's eyes darken, "What of the lives of your children, should you ever have any? Would you risk death so that they may live free? Tahir stayed behind because he did not miss his wife… but Cannan had someone he loved dearly."

The human wipes at his eye with a sleeve and looks away for a moment.

Leeta's hands clench slowly into a "Yes," and then she drops them into her lap.

"So what do you intend to do to determine Third-Eye's intentions?" Tahir says, his tone of voice suggesting that he's saying this more to change the subject than anything else.

"I thought, a test, something. To see what she would be willing to risk, and give up, just to prove she was being sincere." The Savanite shrugs, sighing, "She always wanted her way, all the things I remember, and people told me, said she was still willing to risk other people for her own private goals. She would never let herself be weak, or equal. I thought I should find some way to see if she was willing to place herself in as much danger, as I would be in by associating with her."

Tahir nods. "Have you anything specific in mind yet?"

"The Vartan said they would do anything. I thought having them come to the temple and be arrested for their crimes, but I don't think now that would work. We would not be able to save her if she was, and I'm not even sure if the things she would be punished for are things she deserves to be punished for. She is, as you said, possibly trying to change things for the better." Leeta smoothes her hands across her robe.

"She would never leave here alive, innocent or not." The human says, nodding. "And… people would question your own involvement in her. If it was known that your sister was a mage, you and your entire family would be in great peril."

Leeta nods, sadly, looking at her hands. "It's just not right, even if I turned her in I would fall with her, and take you and everyone else with me. It's not right… I could still tell her that would happen, but just pretend it all. One of the guards I know could dress up as an inquisitor… " Her ears wiggle at the thought of Nebo in Moffat's robes, "… I don't know if that would work either though."

"Where would you arrange for this meeting to take place, and more importantly… how?" Tahir rubs his nose.

"She would not come to the Temple, if she thought she was going to be arrested, but I don't know if anyone would just recognize her. She's not like me, easy to spot, her third eye can be covered and then she looks just like any other slave. There are a bunch of empty rooms in parts of the Inquisition's area, I thought one of those could be used. If she was met by guards, she could probably be taken directly there." Leeta's tail curls and uncurls on the bed, "To tell her, I'd just leave a note at the Shinyshop."

The human's brow furroes. "And you will be there as well, along with the guards?"

"When she was met? No, that would be suspicious, that something wasn't right." The Savanite looks pensively at the wall for a moment. "The guards could recognize the Vartan, and just take the both of them. He used to work in the temple. He probably has a record around somewhere, and there aren't many black Vartans."

"Leeta… I think I need to put some things into a different perspective for you." Tahir says, resting his chin in a cupped hand. "The technopriests still have you under scrutiny, they don't trust you fully… and from what they told me a couple of days ago… I believe that they know of your recent dealings with the guardsmen."

"They… they do?" Her eyes widen, "Are they going to take me away? Am I going to be punished?"

"No… no… I didn't want this" Leeta pounds her hands on the bed.

Tahir jumps and grabs Leeta's hands. "It's alright. They are simply worried about my well being… they would have taken you away already if they thought you were dangerous to me."

The Savanite pants, trying to slow her breathing. Her hands trying to form, "I am, they will, it just a matter of time." Tahir holds her too tightly, and they can't, and she manages calm down.

"They are simply suspiscious. It is their job to be such." Tahir says, slowly releasing the slave's hands. "But you must be cautious… the less you involve the guards and myself in what you do, the better. I am sure that the guardsmen are also being watched right now as well, with the war going on and all."

Leeta nods, calm now, letting her hands form, "I will, I'll change what I'm doing, but… I can't do the speaking. I'll have to… I don't know. I'll be careful Tahir, I will."

"Maybe the guards know someone I can trust who won't be watched… maybe I can try trusting my sister with someone else's lives and not my own first… I don't know… " The Savanite shakes her head again, letting her red mane fly around.

"You must also watch your own actions. I have been making excuses for your errands for Moffat's list, and the Techopriests don't seem too concerned about it – but they reminded me of something that I had almost forgotten." The human looks down at his feet.

"Yes Tahir?" Leeta waits, watching.

The candidate looks at the door. "That despite my importance, I have two brothers… and if I become more troublesome than I am worth, I am disposable. Another Tahir can be made and I can be thrown away."

Leeta signs, "No, No! Please no! I don't want to lose you Tahir, I'll do anything. I'll stop, I'll… I'll… I'm supposed to help you Tahir, and all I'm doing is destroying you."

"Calm yourself." Tahir says. "There is no danger of that happening just yet. It was told to me to help me put my position into perspective. When I feared that the 'monster' inside of my head might cause me to destroy the temple."

The human pats Leeta's hand. "Just that as you are my friend, I feel you should know this about me, if only to give me a nudge when I might be faltering."

The Savanite sniffs, her eyes starting to water but she holds it back, "Can you control it, your monster is Henry Cannan? They told you this to comfort you? They can't just make another Tahir, it won't be you."

Leeta nods, "I'll watch, I'll nudge, I'll hold you up and no one else will know."

"Henry was not a monster… but before I resolved it in my head, I viewed him as such. Hence my nightmares." He offers the Savanite his handkerchief. "If I become a burden to the temple… if I break its laws and disobey what it teaches me, then I will be removed. My replacement will be taught differently. It will not be me, but it will not be intended to be exactly like me. But have no fear… things must get quite dire for that to happen. I must guard myself though, and we will both be tested."

Leeta wipes at her face with the handkerchief, pressing the tears out of her fur and cleaning around her eyes. She folds the cloth, then signs, "I'll be wary, and ready. Should I try to disguise myself, when I'm on an errand… there didn't seem much point to trying before, it would just make it obvious I was hiding something."

Tahir shakes his head. "No, they already know that you come and go. If they catch you in a disguise it will only make them more suspiscious. They have not told me to order you to cease what you are doing, so I think things will be alright for now."

"I guess they're happy I'm not around all the time. You can tell them I'm off buying you candy or something, and that I'm not very good at it." The Savanite looks over at her bureau where she hides the folders she stole from Moffat, "The Temple needs to change Tahir, if it's letting things like that happen… "

Fire-Mane looks back at Tahir, and her eyes say the rest.

"The temple is changing." Tahir says. "But there is a war going on right now. There are bigger concerns right now beyond temple reform."

"Everything takes time, even though it seems to be happening so fast. I hope I'm around to see it." The Savanite brushes back her mane, "Thank you Tahir, again. You've straightened things outfor me once more. I'll see what I can get the guards, or my sister to do, or I'll figure something else out. Tomorrow. Tonight though, I think I can play something for you that doesn't sound horrible."

Tahir moves back to his chair. "But of course, just keep in mind what I've said." He climbs up and tries to locate the spot in the large tome that he left off at.

The Savanite smiles, and nods, taking up her mandolin and starting to play. Her music is still a little wandering, and confused, but the notes make sense. While the song doesn't seem to know where it's going, it seems relaxed with how it's getting there; the overall feeling is that while the fading notes aren't so great, the ones that are happening are all right, and the ones that come may be better.