Downtime
Retrospectively (1)
Brev
As the five meet for a drink at the "Blazing Rag", Molin & Brasso's current place of employment, the future is discussed, talk of journeying to the legendry Athalau is for the minute put to one side & they decide to head for Thendrum to see if the rumours of Morianna's alliance is true.
Illyra confesses that she knows not what to do about her sister's husband, she is torn between forcing him to abandon his actions for the sake of her sister or becoming involved in whatever ridiculous circus he's involved with, she is sure something is about to happen but has been unable to worm any details out of her sister.
Tharla is aware that there is some tension between Kilite & Illyra & she has tried to talk to both, Kilite had replied that it was a matter between Illyra & himself, however Illyra had, unusually, snapped at Tharla's questions. Assuming one or the other had had their advances turned down, she hoped they would put their differences aside sooner rather than later.
Feeling, but ignoring Tharla's watchful gaze Illyra stares into the shadows beyond the warmth of the fire, her mind drifts to earlier despair suffered as result of her shrunken capabilities both physically & mentally. Casting her mind back she recalls the slow & painful regrowth of her lost limb as well the loss of power suffered when she acquired the ability to cast mind speech. Staring into the flames she remembers the many desperate hours spent agonising her loss. Finally she had succumbed, having agreed to collect a package for Kilite from the market, she enticed the stallholder to the rear of his shop, locking her will onto the young traders mind. After a brief struggle his mind had collapsed against her psycic assault & she had felt the euphoria as her aura of power expanded. Soon however she had sat in silence staring at the tormented face of the trader. As his fleeing soul had screamed at her across the etherealness the horror of what she had done struck her dumb, Illyra knew that she had condemned his innocent soul to the desolation & mercy of Lyesha-Rai, Mistress of lost souls.
Had she been seen, who else new she had come here, quickly she had rifled the body & took the merchants money belt hoping to convince the finder of the dead merchant that his death was caused during a bungled theft. Leaving the stall, finding it hard not to run, Illyra returned to her home, remembering to late that she hadn't collected Kilite's goods. Feigning tiredness she retired to her room to avoid any chance of unwanted conversation.
Later Kilite had returned from prayer & searched out Illyra enquiring after the goods she was to collect on his behalf, her gruff rebuff startled him & assuming illness on Illyra's part he had left her to sleep. As he left Illyra's quarters his quick eye noted the money belt half concealed beneath the sleeping pallet.
Reaching the stall Kilite was surprised to find it closed, speaking to other traders as to where he might find the owner he was shocked to learn of the young traders death, asking more he was told of the murder & apparent theft of the stallholder. Thinking back to his earlier conversation with Illyra & the money belt in her room Kilite was worried, could Illyra, his friend have done this, surely not. For a few coins he discovered the location of the traders home & quickly made his way across the city.
Reaching the building he was greeted at the door by an acolyte of Enmsat, offering his help he was politely but firmly turned away, but not before he learnt that it was the traders young son & not the trader himself who has been attacked. Enquiring further as to why the monks order is in attendance he was advised the boy was not dead but that his mind had collapsed & his soul had flown to Lyesha-Rai. Kilite, calmly, passed on his sorrow at the news & left before the priest could question his interest in the matter.
In turmoil, there could be no question about Illyr's involvement, but why, of that he was determined to find out.
Bursting into Illyra's room, Kilite shook Illyra awake & without ceremony demanded to know if she had been the cause of the boy's damnation, in tears Illyra confessed her culpability, appalled Kilite left her & retired to his room to ponder matters further.
Watching them both, Tharla shrugs the matter aside & grins as Brasso reminds Molin of the events earlier that month. . . . . . .