Daytime in the Temple
Since there are no windows, one wouldn't tell at a glance that it's daytime as opposed to nighttime, but those familiar with life there can tell just by the traffic and other more subtle senses. In an area with a bit less hustle and bustle from the faithful going to one of the evening ceremonies, a couple of wolf Guards, one significantly larger than the other, can be found in the company of several cubs and kits, and a female Jupani. The cubs and kits wear the uniforms of the Temple Scouts, and are checking bags and bedrolls, probably preparing for yet another expedition into the "great wilderness" just on the outskirts of the Knight Templar training grounds.

Leeta smiles, finally managing to find the people she is looking for. She walks up to the small group, smiling at the cubs and trying to catch Kray's attention. She doesn't do anything dramatic, just makes sure she gets into his field of vision and waits – hopefully not too long, cubs can be distracting.

And, they are easily distracted, as Kray demonstrates. "Look! It's the Cobalt Lance!" he barks, pointing down the hall. All the cubs – and Nebo – look. He takes this moment to look the other way, kissing the female Jupani in Den Leader's garb on the muzzle. "Be careful, ma'am," he says, grinning. She returns this with a glower, as the kids begin to look back, with "awwws" of disappointment.

Nebo looks disappointed, too. He gets an apologetic shrug from Kray. "My mistake," says the shorter wolf, as he begins to walk away … and then notices Leeta. "Hey! It's our fellow Jupani!"

The Savanite's ears wiggle in her red mane, and she nods enthusiastically at Kray, standing tall and giving a bark accompanied by a salute.

The Den Leader gives Kray another look, quickly hiding a smile with a return to a stern glower as she ushers the cubs and kits off, to meet with a white Vartan woodsman. As the group leaves, the corridor is much more quiet, with just the two wolves and the Savanite for the time being. Nebo smiles, tongue lolling. "Still got your tail?" he asks.

Leeta nods, looking brightly up at Nebo with a few handsigns that probably mean, 'back in my room'. They certainly incorporate a lot of pointing off behind her. She looks between the Titanian and the Jupani, her expression not quite so happy, and takes a note out of her pocket.

Nebo defers to Kray for matters involving reading. The Titanian's skills are demonstrably inferior, after all.

Kray curiously reaches for the note. "What's wrong?"

She holds it out to Kray, written on it are the words: Leeta shall be serving me while I finish my studies off island, she wishes to bid you her farewell.

Kray reads it out loud for Nebo, then frowns. "Well … we'll miss you! And you be careful. There's plenty of trouble to go around, you know."

Nebo sticks out his chest, proclaiming, "She'll be fine!" He furrows a brow. "Gotta be. Promise?"

Leeta nods, her expression saying she will miss them as well. She looks back up at Nebo, making a fist and pounding her chest with a bark!bark! She stands up straight, like a guard, not like a slave. "I promise." She signs.

Nebo grins, satisfied. Kray gives her a comradly clap on the shoulder. "Take good care of him, on your trip, you hear? Now … We'd best be moving along." He gives the cheetah a salute with a smile, and leads Nebo away.

The Savanite salutes as they head away, then turns and runs. She has two other errands, both of them outside the Temple. With her mandolin bouncing against her back she heads for the main gate.

Leeta exits the temple, thankful the guards didn't stop her, and heads for the Scholar's Quarter. She isn't sure of the area, but the street corner she's looking for isn't too hard to find. {Nor was a musician.} She thinks, as she takes out her mandolin and starts to play.

The music is an odd melody, and somewhat unusual. The Savanite stands with her case between her feet, and throws the music out into the intersection. Sunset is starting, and she's at the right place and the right time. The notes are light and lively.

Leeta stops the tune as soon as she senses someone beside her, an old shopkeeper who has come out to hear her music. Carefully she slips the merchant a second note, one carefully coded to ensure certain packages arrive at the Sanctuary of Roses. She plays a few more minutes, giving them time to get back inside, then packs up her mandolin. She sprints again, this time for Nicodemus's Shiny Shoppe.

The fire-haired Savanite comes slowly running up to the storefront, more exhausted than usual. She suspiciously glances at the alleys and windows as she passes them, and goes straight for the Shiny Shoppe's door.

The Vartan figure on the window of The Shiny Shoppe greets Leeta as she arrives, while chitin chimes on the door greet everyone else inside as she enters. Inside the shop, Nicodemus works quietly behind the counter while a black Vartan squints at items on the shelves, ticking them off on a clipboard and grumbling to himself.

Leeta looks around to see if there are other customers, then signs to the Vartan, "Its important." She glances at the back room.

A Savanite with a wrought-leather headband going across her forehead tends to a little cub. The cub's older "sisters" must be out playing. His "mother" has her stringy black hair pulled back, making it a little less easy for him to yank at it, though that doesn't stop him from going for the tail when he has a chance.

Zoltan smiles up at Leeta, then frowns at her signs and nods. He places his clipboard on a shelf and walks toward the curtained room. "I be back in few minutes, Master. Just going to take little break." he squawks to the Cervani/Vartan behind the counter. Zoltan makes a quick 'follow-me' gesture to Jezebel as he walks by.

Jezebel looks up, and picks up the cub, taking him back with her to the back room, despite his struggles and protests.

Leeta follows quickly after, slipping past Nicodemus and trying to keep her panting down to a quiet deep breathing. She joins Zoltan and Jezebel in the back room, her tail twitching in a cub distracting way. The Savanite looks at her older sister, and gives her a small smile.

Jezebel raises her eyebrows, as she takes the cub over and deposits him into a wooden playpen … one which, of course, he's sure to climb out of if left to his own devices, but not so quickly when he's being watched.

Zoltan quietly sits down and refolds his wings so he won't be in danger of sitting on his own feathers. "What brings you to us today?" he signs to Leeta.

"I wish I'd come to play with the cubs, but I haven't." She starts off signing, resting her mandolin case on the table. "I have terrible news."

Jezebel frowns, and finds a seat on a stool, her tail lashing behind her.

The Vartan folds his hands in his lap and waits quietly for more signs from the red-haired Savanite.

Leeta flexes her fingers, wondering where to start. She reaches up and takes the scarf away from her collar. Jezebel and Zoltan may not recognize the colours, but Leeta isn't hiding them anymore. "There was an assassination at the Temple two days ago. A Kavi… and its hard to explain. I never told you whose slave I was."

"The Captain Astromancer was assassinated several months ago. There are… there were three candidates for this position. One of them is Tahir Archelaus, and he is my best friend." Leeta pauses, her fingers working in meaningless signs, "He took a real chance on me, when he had no reason at all to trust me, and the person who was killed two days ago was supposed to be him… The only reason he is still alive is he and one of his brothers had traded places for the day. They were playing a trick on their teachers."

Jezebel gives Leeta a look that searches for definition. It has a good dollop of disbelief in it, among other things.

"But yor friend still alive. Why this a 'terrible thing' then?" Zoltan signs.

Jezebel looks to Zoltan, frowning, and signing, "If he's still a target … and if someone died … I think this is not very good, regardless!"

Zoltan shrinks down a little. "Good point. I being cold." He looks back to Leeta.

Jezebel lets her hands rest, then looks back to Leeta with a "go on" head-nod.

"I told him I would keep him safe… I told you he needed a friend really badly. The candidates are being moved off Rephidim, to someplace safer… " Leeta signs, not really sure where to look, "I'm going with him, I came to say good-bye. We'll be coming back, but… I'm not sure when."

Jezebel signs, "What about YOUR candidacy?" Her expression nears a glower.

"I don't know where we're going, I might be closer to the savan than I am here. I might be back in a month, but… " Fire-Mane looks at her sister, "… it's your birthright. You've been training and wanting it your whole life. I don't want to take something from you, I just wanted to know for sure that… that you cared about something more than power and revenge."

Zoltan pats Third-Eye's shoulder and signs, "We going to miss you. I hope Dag-… er… the Star bring you back to us quickly."

Jezebel lifts an eyebrow. "You used a claim for candidacy as a TEST of my personality?" She looks faintly offended at something.

"No! Yes, I… " Leeta shakes her head, her confusion showing as she tries to organize her thoughts. "I didn't want you to be Priest-Queen, without knowing what you were really like. I don't want to see everything destroyed. I couldn't let that happen, and if I could make a better Queen than you, shouldn't it have been me?"

Jezebel lowers her muzzle, eyes still focused on Leeta. She doesn't sign back, but merely shrugs.

"But you no want to be candidate anymore?" Zoltan signs, breaking the 'silence'.

Jezebel signs, "I don't need competition, of course. But make sure you understand – If you back out, you won't get another chance. Indecision does not impress."

Leeta keeps looking at her sister with a very worried expression. "I'm sorry, I… please don't be mad at me." Her hands drop, and she looks at Zoltan and Jezebel, then she opens her mandolin case.

"I saw Moon-Brow, she came to see me." Leeta lifts out her instrument, setting it carefully aside, and reaching down into the case where she'd managed to wedge in another item. "She gave me this."

Fire-Mane lifts out the Hand of the Ancients.

Jezebel signs, "Moon-Brow? Impossible. She's – " Her eyes go wide at the sight of the artifact.

Zoltan signs, "Not angry… just not want you to make impulsive decision." His ears perk and he crooks his head sideways at the object.

The Hand of the Ancient flares with a crackle of energy that runs along its length … and the rod springs free from Leeta's grasp, shooting across the room, its fingers turning into bony, gnarled claws!

Leeta jumps back, staring at the artifact, making a small bark.

Zoltan stands bolt upright, ready to attack the thing.

Jezebel hasn't a chance to react before the hand – no longer appearing like wood – latches around her throat, drawing blood with its squeezing talons. She flails at it, as a sound of evil laughter fills the room, coming from no discernible source.

Fire-Mane leaps and grabs the Hand, trying to wrench back the fingers.

Zoltan ROARS and grabs at the hand… trying to wedge it free of Third-Eye's throat, he roughly shoves Leeta aside.

The fingers look as if they are but leather stretched on bone, but are surprisingly sturdy, resisting the fire-maned cheetah's attempts to pry them free. … but the Vartan's sheer strength is enough to yank the hand and Jezebel out of place. The hand breaks free, a couple of fingers crumbling in the process, and Jezebel faints as she collapses.

Leeta is shoved aside and just stares at the thing. Her expression total shock.

Zoltan slams the staff on the floor and begins stomping on the pieces with his hooved feet.

Crackles of energy run across the broken artifact, the remaining claws slicing at the air. The laughter continues, unabated … but disappears as the device is reduced to so many bits of broken bone, dust, and fragmented, rotted wood.

Leeta tries to help her sister, holding her up and making sure she breathes.

"Don't… TOUCH… her." Zoltan hisses to Leeta, his ears plastered flat against his head.

"I didn't know! I DIDN'T KNOW!" She signs, backing away from Jezebel, staring at the black bird. "It didn't do that! Believe me."

Jezebel is still alive, but she's bleeding, and she's unconscious.

The cub in the playpen is simply sitting, eyes wide in shock. He hasn't let out a single sound during the entire episode. Tears run down his face from frightened eyes.

Zoltan falls down next to Jezebel and inspects the wounds. "Amenlichtli do this… " he growls to himself. "Master! if you gots medical supplies… get them fast!" he squawks outside.

Nicodemus squawks in alarm, and runs for his supply of bandages. This isn't Darkside, but there are still incidents.

Zoltan shoots a glare at Leeta. "Sweep up pieces from you filthy magic thing and burn them. I not want any of Amenlichtli's magic in my house."

Leeta looks at the crying cub, and the Vartan, her heart sinking. She stays backed away from the enraged bird. "It didn't do that, Zoltan. She didn't say it would do that. It was Moon-Brow I saw!" She then turns and looks for a broom, something to start picking up the pieces with.

The standard cleaning supplies are readily available. Nicodemus rushes back, and sees the fallen Savanite. He's dealt with bloody accidents before, and he hurriedly demonstrates his knowledge of first aid techniques.

Zoltan just holds Jezebel in his arms, worriedly rocking her back and forth. As soon as Nicodemus arrives he walks over to Enos and picks the cub up, doing his best to comfort the poor child.

Enos just melts into Zoltan's feathers, clinging to him and sniffling quietly.

"She going to be alrights?" Zoltan scrawks to Nicodemus.

The fire-haired Savanite sweeps up the pieces, all of them. Her many years as a slave taught her at least how to pick things up properly. She does so, then goes out into the backlot. Looking for someplace to burn them all in, and something to start the fire with.

Zoltan strokes his son's ears, watching Nicodemus worriedly. ( Please be alright… Please. )

Leeta finds a bare spot of gravel, and a few bits of paper and wood scattered about the yard to start a small fire. She sets up the small pile, then glares at it. The pile of sticks looking like a collapsed house, a good analogy for her life right now. "BURN."

The half-Vartan cleans the wounds and finishes bandaging them. To Zoltan, in Vartanspeak, he squawks, "She'll be okay. What happened? Looks like a wild animal attacked her!" He carries the unconscious cheetah over to a bedroll and lays her down.

The pile of sticks burst into flame. Just like that.

Fire-Mane blinks, staring. A second passes, then she dumps the pieces of the artifact into the flames, and steps way back.

Zoltan sinks to the ground, gently so as not to hurt the cub in his arms. "It's a very long story, Master." he scrawks back. "But something is trying to kill Jezebel… or at least scare her very badly. It followed us back from Paradys."

Outside, the pyre builds into a roaring column of flame, far more dramatic than it has any cause to be. The sound is enough to be heard inside. "What is that NOISE?" squawks Nicodemus.

Zoltan's ears flatten again. He gently places Enos in his pen and exits the shop to see for himself.

Nicodemus remains inside with the cub, leaving only Zoltan and Leeta to be outside to observe the column of flame rising from the small pyre of sticks.

Fire-Mane backs up against the house, and just glares at the pyre. {Burn. Burn. Burn. Burn for wrecking my life and making me hate my sister again. Burn till there's nothing left of you..}

Zoltan approaches the column. "Amenlichtli! I going to hunt you down! You hurt my family, I going to find you and kill you for good. I swear on that."

The fire roars in response, then loses its fury and fizzles down quickly into a few flickering sparks, which soon die, letting off snaking tendrils of smoke that writhe as they dance into the air and the sky above.

Something pops in the pile of ashes … and then it is silent.

The Vartan walks up to the ashes and spits into the midst of them. Slowly he turns to look at Leeta.

Leeta growls at the vanishing flames, then waits as the Vartan turns to face her. "I didn't know Zoltan, I was going to ask you both about it… I guess I should leave now."

"Moon-Brow gave it to me. She said it would teach me magic… " Leeta shakes her head, "Something was wrong with her, she hated Third-Eye, and told me that was grandmother's… "

"I hope to Dagh Third-Eye forgive you for this." Zoltan signs in slow deliberate movements. "If she not… then she probably never going to trust anyone again. She let her guard down, and got hurt for it." He looks back at the ashes for a moment. "I want to know exactly where you get that, where I maybe find person that give it to you, and what exactly you was told. I want to know every detail you can remember."

Leeta growls and rakes her fingers along the wall, pounding her hand against it, "I DIDN'T KNOW! I didn't want this! I don't want to lose her!" She snarls, and pants, calming down and starting to sign with numb fingers all the details she can remember, everything. Including her fire, which gave her so much hope, and was the thing she wanted to show to Jezebel tonight.

She finishes her story, then adds, "I wouldn't have brought it if I wasn't going away, but I had no time to just ask. I didn't want to keep secrets. I wanted you to trust me."

Zoltan watches with cold, emotionless eyes. "Amenlichtli tempts with power… looks like you fell for temptation just as easily as you sister did. I not know if I trust you anymore… bringing magic into my shop is offense enough, but when it hurt my best friend? I going to believe you for now… but if I find out that you do this deliberately, you better hide good."

Leeta sinks down, against the hard wall and the cold ground and just gasps. She tries not to cry, she feels all the stiffness coming back across her shoulders, in her neck. She holds her hands up to sign, then doesn't.

"I just wanted to say goodbye because I didn't know when I'd see her again." She makes a small mew, and her hands clench again.

The Vartan leans against the doorway into the shop, peering in now and again with concern in his eyes. "They all like family to me now." he squawks softly. "I not know what I do if something happen to any of them."

Leeta looks up, for all her concentration and fire, she hasn't managed to keep her eyes dry. "I didn't want it. Any of it. Poor Enos looks so afraid. I thought I had killed her Zoltan… please. I don't want her to hate me. I'm sorry, I hurt her and its all my fault. She'll never trust me again, you'll never trust me again… I didn't want that."

The Vartan's violet eyes look back to the smoldering remains of the staff. "Wish I could think of some way to tell what real or not. I got my fears about whole thing, are you sure it was Moon-Brow that gave you that… thing?"

The Savanite looks down at the ground again, her mane hanging down obscuring her face. She looks through the strands, following the Vartan's signs. Leeta shakes her head. "No, I'm not sure of anything. Long-Lope said Moon-Brow wasn't a dancer, and she… seemed so strange. I haven't seen her in years. I thought Third-Eye was Moon-Brow… everyone has changed so much. I wanted it to be Moon-Brow, but I'm not sure."

Zoltan makes a soft growling noise to himself. "I think I know what visited you… but I hope dearly I wrong."

"Did sister show you her mark? Anything that convinced you was her?" the Vartan signs.

"Underneath it all, underneath her fine clothes, and her veils, and her graceful movements, she just seemed… dead." Leeta picks up a handful of stones, and lets them spill out of her hands, one by one till she is holding nothing. She slowly shakes her head. "Her mark was covered, I didn't see it. I wanted to hug her, and she wouldn't let me. I thought I was seeing a ghost… She seemed so wasted, and then she was gone."

Zoltan growls more loudly, the feathers on his neck bristle outward. "Amenlichtli… was her. Had to have been." He angrily kicks the wall behind him with a hooved foot.

( She must have followers in Rephidim to have been able to find a body. But who? Where? ) Zoltan thinks to himself.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry. I didn't have the time to be cautious." Leeta stands, managing to keep looking at the same patch of ground. "I guess I'll go now. I'm sorry I brought this all to you… "

Zoltan signs, "If… when Third-Eye wake up, I tell her what you tell me. Is all I can do, unless you got some way of leaving some token of apology for me to give her." He looks back to the doorway for a moment.

"I have just my mandolin Zoltan. I wouldn't be much use without it, but I'll leave it if it would mean anything to her." Leeta signs.

The door to the shop opens again. Someone walks out into the alleyway.

Zoltan raises his hands to sign something, then stops and glances around at the new arrival.

It's a Savanite, dressed in deep brown robes. For a brief moment to Zoltan, there's something hazy about the newcomer, something that teases his mind to make him want to look the other way, that this just isn't important, but his instincts are too strong, in light of recent events, to subconsciously obey.

It's Twilight-Wing, the Savanite tester of Jezebel. His expression is solemn, and he walks with a purpose, toward Leeta.

Leeta waits, afraid to look up. Afraid who it will be and what she'll see in her eyes. Her hands just slowly clench and unclench as her ears lay pasted against the sides of her head. She forces herself to look up.

She is more relieved than anything else, to see Twilight Wing, and not Jezebel.

Twilight-Wing looks back at Leeta. He signs, "It is time to go, Candidate."

"Where you been?" Zoltan scrawks to Twilight-Wing… momentarily forgetting the fact that he probably doesn't understand Rephidim standard all that well yet.

Leeta looks at the older Savanite, no expression on her face, no signs coming from her hands.

Twilight-Wing pays no attention to Zoltan, meeting Leeta with an unwavering gaze.

Zoltan's fists clench and unclench themselves, to frustrated to sign anything.

Fire-Mane holds his eyes with hers. Tears drying in her muzzle fur and her breath clogging in her nose. She knows what he's asking, and she knows what she's left holding. The same as before, like a safe wide open and full of treasure, and its hers for the taking. It will only cost her a best friend, and her family.

"No." She signs.

Twilight-Wing signs, "You will not be asked again."

The Vartan's fists unclench a bit. ( She really turning it down? For good? )

"My friend needs me… " Fire-Mane slowly replies, and then looks over at the black bird, "… and my sister deserves it. I'll not take everything from her again."

Zoltan sinks down until he's sitting on the stones patheing the alleyway, mindless of the bits of garbage he might be sitting in the middle of. He looks to Twilight-Wing.

Twilight-Wing signs, "If you change your mind later, using the excuse that you did this under emotional duress, that will be no excuse. Our leader must act wisely even when tragedy happens. And I can sense the state of your mind even now."

Leeta just stares at Twilight Wing, as hard as she did into the blaze. Letting his features fill her mind. "It's not worth destroying everyone I love, just to be Queen of the Savan. I conceed."

Twilight-Wing nods, bowing. It's only then that it seems quite so evident what is different about his appearance right now. He seems taller than he ever seemed before. He's taller than Leeta, and taller than Zorah as well. He could look eye to eye with Zoltan.

Leeta starts to growl.

Zoltan squints his eyes at Twilight-Wing and rises up to his feet.

For whatever reason, Zoltan takes a deep breath through his nose, smelling the air around him.

The Savanite's growl gets louder, and her hands start to clench. She shrinks, sinking into a crouch. No skill, no training, just the frustration she keeps inside coming out and focusing on whatever is in front of her.

Twilight-Wing signs, "Farewell, Princess Fire-Mane. Journey well, and serve your master for as long as it is your will to be subject to others. Whenever you decide to claim your heritage, there will still be a place for you among your people, if you are willing to cast aside your shackles."

The Vartan walks up and tries to put a hand on Twilight-Wing's shoulder.

Twilight-Wing turns to regard the Vartan, with a cold look. "You may be on close terms with Third-Vision, but do not assume that I am familiar."

"Where have you been all this time?" Zoltan signs.

Twilight-Wing signs, "I have been observing, and making preparations."

Fire-Mane stares, confused, shaking her head. {I don't have a master.} Not knowing what to trust, nothing is like it seems. Elusive as shadows, never knowing what is real, and what isn't. Just like the things Third-Eye used to torment her with when they were young.

Zoltan scrutinizes the Mind-Mage, his signs are slow as he tries to make them as clear as possible with his hands. "Now what will you do?"

Twilight-Wing signs, "That remains to be seen, and it is not my decision to make. I have one other matter to tend to before I make my final report to the Twelve-Times-Twelve."

The Savanite steps forward and grasps Twilight Wing's wrist and shoulder.

"And that is?" Zoltan signs, returning the cold look of the Mind-Mage.

Twilight-Wing does not answer Zoltan's question, instead giving Leeta a briefly annoyed look. Somehow, he seems slightly shorter than he did a moment ago, but still of considerable height for a Savanite.

Zoltan grabs Twilight-Wing's other wrist. "We were just attacked. Forgive our paranoia, but I demands to know. And what is wrong with you?"

Leeta holds on, closing her eyes and shaking her head. {What's going on! What's Real!} She wills her eyes to just see, and opens them.

Twilight-Wing's ears flick, and his tail lashes, as he, arms held by the Vartan and fire-maned Savanite, looks at each of them, then gives the Procession a perplexed look.

Fire-Mane just stares, trying to remember Twilight-Wing from the first time. He was shorter, she's sure! Her eyes search his features, his clothes. Her fingers hold. Her face clearly shows her confusion as she looks at Zoltan.

Zoltan haul's the Savanite's wrist up into view and lightens his grip enough to allow him to sign. "I never seen a Savanite that I could look eye to eye with. You may be Third-Eye's candidacy judge… but *I* her guardian. Explain what going on… now."

Twilight-Wing looks to Zoltan, then signs, "I am making certain that if a decision is made, there will not be later claimants to the throne arriving later, at a time when the new Empire may be at its weakest. It cannot sustain a division when unity is required."

Zoltan releases Twilight-Wing's wrist. "You found Moon-Brow yet?"

Leeta looks over at the fire where she burnt the artifact, then lets go as Zoltan does.

Twilight-Wing signs, "Third-Vision has done so. But Moon-Brow is currently beyond easy access."

"Where is she?" The red-maned Savanite asks.

Zoltan waits quietly for an answer.

Twilight-Wing looks to Leeta, then signs, "She is currently in the bowels of this sky island, near the seat of power of the place known as Darkside. She is a gardener in what is known as the 'Jade Palace' – or 'Faraon's Dome'. In light of what I have determined of her work, it is unlikely she would be allowed to leave under any circumstances."

"But I saw her. She was in the Temple." Leeta glances at Zoltan, her expression very clearly, 'please believe me'.

"Someone… Amenlichtli probably, gave Fire-Mane a staff under guise of Moon-Brow. Staff just attacked Third-Eye." the hippogryph signs, feeling the feathers on his neck bristle again.

Twilight-Wing looks to Zoltan, as if scrutinizing him, then signs, "She must have a foundation here. I am not surprised. Rephidim is too important to ignore."

Zoltan signs in rapid, angry gestures. "Can you help me find A-men-li-chtli's presence here? I want to wipe monster out for good."

Twilight-Wing signs, "She is aware of my presence here, and has taken ample precautions for me to simply scry her presence. It will take more than magic to root her and her followers out."

Leeta just looks at the staff's remains again, then up at the procession. {Oh Star… help Third-Eye.} The sparkling of the procession gives her some consolation, as does the firmament behind it. Her gaze slowly drifts down to the conversation in front of her.

"But," signs Twilight-Wing, "She cannot be wiped out for good. Not here. She can be crippled, such that she cannot act within your lifetime, perhaps, if all goes well, but only in the heart of Aeztepa can she be truly defeated."

The Vartan clenches his fists again angrily, then relaxes them again to sign further. "I go to heart of Aeztepa then. She posses my children, frighten my family, and almost kill Third-Eye. I not want that to happen again."

The fire-haired Savanite waits. So much has happened she doesn't know what to think. She just watches, hoping Zoltan can find something to help his family, wishing she could somehow. Her hands are limp at her sides.

Twilight-Wing signs, "That will not be easy. Aeztepa is strong with magic, and even those of Rephidim have marked all of it as a 'Forbidden Zone'."

Zoltan sighs. "Something got to be done. Amenlichtli's next attempt at killing Third-Eye might no fail."

Twilight-Wing nods. "All the more reason for matters to be resolved and for her to be taken away from Rephidim as soon as it is prudent."

Zoltan's shoulder slump. Then one little thought begins to nag at him. "You using your powers to make yourself look different? Why you so tall few minutes ago?"

Twilight-Wing eyes Zoltan, then signs, "There are inevitable side-effects to the sorts of magicks I employ. I prefer to redirect them in what I consider acceptable avenues. You are not trained in the ways of magic, so I will not attempt to explain further."

Leeta feels her shoulders and neck clench, and she resists the urge to incline her head. So much she doesn't understand either.

The Vartan snorts, not sure how he should take that, he looks from the mind mage to Leeta, "Can you detect lies?"

Twilight-Wing signs, "It is impossible to tell lies infallibly. Many lies are in part created by the mind forcing itself to believe – at least partially – a falsehood. My rituals for such attempts are fairly lengthy, even more so here."

"Detecting the truth is not the same as observing," the cheetah mage adds.

"I wish I could Zoltan, maybe then I wouldn't have been making all the mistakes I have." Leeta answers.

Zoltan nods at this and stares at Leeta. "I think I believe you." he signs to her, slowly. "You sure not do this to take throne, and if you do this to hurt Third-Eye, was many other ways you could have done so… easier. Pain from this will leave bad taste in my beak for awhile, but I think I believe you now."

Twilight-Wing signs, "If you will pardon me, I would ask leave of you, so that I may see to your sister." He nods to Leeta.

"Would like to talk to you more later." Zoltan signs to Twilight-Wing. "But now, best find out if Third-Eye alrights." He taps his head with a taloned finger, signifying what he means by 'all right'.

"Thank you Zoltan, please tell her I'm sorry." Leeta sighs, and bows to Twilight-Wing, "I apologize for doubting you, and I will not change my mind. Thank you for considering me, but she trusted me enough to let me compete against her, and I trust her enough now that I won't."

Without further ado, Twilight-Wing heads back into the store.

The remaining Savanite looks at the Vartan.

Zoltan sighs and sits back down. "What message should I give Third-Eye from you when she get better?"

"That I love her, that I'm sorry." Leeta remains standing, her posture still showing her distraut. "That I know she'll be great as the Priest-Queen, just… don't want it for the power. I'll help you, in any way I can if you need me."

Zoltan motions for Leeta to come closer to him.

Leeta hesitates, then slowly moves over to the black bird, sinking down to her knees as she reaches him.

The Vartan runs a hand through Leeta's mane… then neatly cuts off a small lock of it. Not enough for anyone to notice it's missing, but enough to serve as a small token. He carefully ties the lock in a knot and twirls it in his fingers while signing with his other hand. "I keep this, so Third-Eye can have something to remember you by. So I can too."

Fire-Mane hugs the Vartan, pressing her head against his shoulder. She pulls back to sign, "Thank you, thank you!" The tension washes out of her, and she smiles.

"No thank me yet." Zoltan signs, wincing a little as Leeta hugs him. "I think Third-Eye going to believe me… *IF* she wake up and she alrights. All I ask is that you be wary of magics from now on. Is always teeth in it somehow… nothing so powerful come cheap."

Leeta nods, remembering it all. "I'll be careful Zoltan. I know now. I just saw my fire… and didn't think. I wanted it so bad the consequences didn't occur to me. I know how Third-Eye must have felt when she first saw her own power. I'll be careful now, I won't let its pretty colours distract me from the danger."

Zoltan pulls himself back up to his feet and tucks away the lock of hair. "We may not be so easy to find again when you come back from you trip. Jezebel and I going to be moving to underside as soon as new shop is ready."

The Savanite rises with the Vartan, a concerned expression on her face. "Well, I'll be easy to find. The Champion or Long-Lope will know where I am. I sent them messages about Third-Eye, to give her a chance. Oh! The cubs, are you still thinking about the Temple Scouts?"

The Vartan nods his head. "Yes, found out that the champion was one that recommended cubs to scouts. There going to be a rally soon that I been invited to. I going to see if I can get private moment with champion and discuss few things… then see about enrolling Pouncer and Taliamelle. Enos too young still." His hands fidget as he considers something. "Would you rather I not mention you name to the champion when I asks her about Cloud-Mark? And should I warn her abouts Necropolis?"

"You should definitely warn her about Necropolis, and… I think it would help if you mentioned my name. She'll be suspicious otherwise, just mention me before you ask about Cloud-Mark, and remember both my names, Fire-Mane and Leeta." The Savanite signs in reply, still not sure if this is the best advice. "Just be careful with her, but I don't think she's interested in your cubs for a bad reason."

"I gots no reason to distrust Champion and Temple Scouts right now. I only want what best for my children, and so far this seem like it the best." Zoltan signs.

"Do you remember Kray? He was the guard with me, who bought the telescope. He's good friends with the Troop Master." Leeta lets a sly smile creep across her muzzle and she gives a knowing-nod to Zoltan, "He's very good friends with her. He'll know when I'm back in Rephidim as well. They're good people Zoltan, those guards. They've never treated me badly and I can't see them mistreating your cubs. The Champion would never let them be hurt, I can't tell you why, but I think she will. It's not something I can sign, I hope you understand."

Zoltan nods. "I understand importance of secrets all too well." He looks back into the shop. "I should go now. Enos probably should no be left alone for too long after this."

Leeta nods slowly, looking at the shop as well. "I'll tell Nicodemus when I'm get back as well, we'll find each other somehow. I have to go also, we're leaving soon tonight. Can I have one last look at the cubs?"

"Just look, I won't wake them, I'll be very silent." The fire-haired Savanite adds.

Zoltan signs, "Pouncer and Taliamelle are out playing, not know when they be back." He opens the door a crack and peeks in. "Enos is asleep. Although would probably be for best if you keep quiet, I let you see him." He opens the door wider and gestures for Leeta to follow him inside.

Leeta follows Zoltan inside, and a few minutes later leaves from the front of the shop. The mandolin is across her back, and sharing the case is a long black feather. Her legs fly her to the Temple, but once she's there her pace slows, and Fire-Mane walks proudly through the gate, just like a Queen.