Winter Wonderland
Shalana Elf

The cold had the needed effect of brining Shalana back to the issue at hand. She didn’t have the time or luxury of worrying about her mother and Jess. They would die if they didn’t find a shelter soon, with the exception of her Nisha and her Nisha’s husband; none of them designed for this weather. Questing she linked with Lunzie and as she burrowed deeper into her snowjacket asked “How much further?” She could for short periods of time provide some protection and warmth. It was dangerous to her physically, but at this point she didn’t see they had a choice. Flashing soul, she created a small shield, which surrounded the group. As the wind buffeted the shield Shalana spoke, “It will only last for brief moments, the disappear for a time, then reappear. It’s the best I can do without endangering all of us.” The look in Iriana Eyes brought a shiver that had nothing to do with the could to Shalana.

Shalana's shield provided enough time for
(Marshane and) Lunzie Istari

Marshane to figure out how far they were from a cave. Just over this hill there is a cave we can stay in. He called out to the group.

Entering the cave, everyone relaxed slightly as they got out of the howling wind. It was a bit warmer in the cave, though not by much.

A loud, echoing howl caught everyone's attention. Her head whipping ot search the depths of the cavern, Lunzie muttered just one word. Wampa.

Just what we needed!
Jaina Jade

"Wampa?!" Jaina freaked out. Of course the powers that be couldn't have given her the ability to keep warm or to telepathically drive away predators, oh no. No, she had to be the one lighting up like a Christmas tree for no apparent reason and with no apparent purpose. Great, just great.

She made her way to Shalana. "Thank you," Jaina whispered. "You're quite the help. We're lucky to have you with our group." Suddenly shy, she ducked to the back of the huddle again. Why did she have to be the living lightsabre lady?

That cave had better be near, and uninhabited. Anything less and Jaina would seriously blow a gasket.

My sentiments exactly
Elyen Elf

Elyen sighed as the howl sounded through the cave. Just his luck.... A shelter, and it's inhabited by a carnivorous monster.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

The figure chuckled to itself as the group
(For Dragon Phoenix) Lunzie Istari

entered the Wampa's cave. "The Wampa should take care of them. But just in case. . ." Narrowing it's eyes, the figure focused on the ice and snow above the cave.

With a goan of protest, the ice gave way and collapsed into a pile thoroughly blocking the entrance to the cave. Standing on the hill across from the cave, the figure laughed evily as it turned away from the cave and headed for it's own shelter, away from the Wampa.

Not again. . .
Flute Istari

Flute looked up at the sound of the Wampa's roar. Looking at Elyen, Flute asked, "Is that a Wampa?"

At Elyen's nod, Flute's eyes grew wide and she whispered, "I've never seen a wampa before. He does sound horribly hungry doesn't he?"

Everyone looked worriedly at Flute and Iriana asked, "He does?"

"Yap. Listen to that. He's going on and on about how hungry he is and that he'll eat anything. Even rocks if they weren't so hard and cold."

Elyen gulped visibly.

"Maybe we should leave?" suggested Jaina

The group turned around to leave just when the ice fell and covered the cave opening.

"Great. Now we're stuck." Elyen grumbled

A loud roar sounded behind the group.

"That doesn't sound too good." someone said

And the wampa appeared and saw the group. With a wicked gleam in its eyes, the wampa stalked the group.

I hate running like this
Elyen Elf

Elyen hated snow. He hated the way it melted, the way it stuck together in clumps. He hated the way it was so darn cold, and the way it numbed his finger tips. Most of all, he hated the way he sank in it.

"Argh!" He cursed snow for the tenth time in the half hour and continued running, lungs burning as the cold air rushed in.

The wampa was gaining. "Lunzie! Is it possible," he panted, "to portal somewhere else on Hoth?"

Portal?
Lunzie Istari

Lunzie glanced at Shalana as they ran through the maze of caves. The Wampa was gaining fast. Who would have guessed that something that large could move that fast?

Añeshia? Do you think you could manage a portal? Jaina! Do you know where you are leading us? Lunzie called up to her friend. Somehow, the vampire-hunter had ended up in the front of the group, so everyone followed her as they ran.

Um. . .No?
Jaina Jade

The redhead groaned as she collided with a dead end. A pile of snow rewarded her by landing on her head. "Take a guess, Lu!" she yelled. "I'm just trying to avoid the hungry sounding beastie! Turn back and try another tunnel."

Jaina's heart tried to crawl up her throat as she ran. "I'm open to suggestions, people! Any weaknesses in this thing to exploit? Any weapons to use on it? Any portals out of this ice cube?!" she screamed. Was the roaring sounding very close, or was it just her immense fear?

NO TITLE
(Iriana) Dragon Phoenix

Iriana was numb and tired. She was tired of running, and she was tired of the angry growling wampa.

*Why am I trapped in here with a wampa? She didn't say anything about ice worlds and roaring monsters.* Iriana took a deep breath, and remembered. *She will take care of me. She'll portal me out of here if anything happens. I am her most loyal servant.*

Lost in her thoughts, she kept running, following after the others.

Portaling wasn't something
Lunzie Istari

Lunzie and 'Shane normally did other than just for themselves. But they were desperate. EVERYONE HOLD HANDS! Yelled Marshane as he and Lunzie started a teleport spell.

As soon as everyone was linked, they found themselves outside again in the wind. The Wampa could be heard, but he couldn't get out through the thick stone walls of the cave. Lunzie spotted a figure down the hill from them a ways.

Lunzie gasped in recognition of the figure and was bombarded with questions.

Are you all right?

What's wrong?

Who is that?

The last as Lunzie pointed shakily to the figure. The group could make out the figure to be Female, resembled a polar bear. As the woman looked up, and realized she'd been spotted, Iriana smiled evily which quickly dissapeared as she realized the others would ask questions if they saw.

The strange woman vanished as she slipped something on her hand. Lunzie collapsed shaking against Marshane. P-please, can we l-leave this p-place? As the group started away from the cave and towards the moutains, Lunzie was supported by Marshane and Jaina. P> As they continued on Lunzie quietly, and slowly slipped farther back in the group till she was walking by herself. All this time she had been thinking about the woman. Ventisca. An old friend of her family. She had dissapeared shortly before Lantri. Realization dawned in Lunzie's green eyes as she figured out where her brother Lantri was.

Slipping quietly away from the others, Lunzie went back to where she had seen Ventisca. The woman was waiting for her in at the base of the hill, out of the wind. So, you remembered afterall. I wasn't sure you would.

You've gotten sloppy old woman. If you'd been paying attention we never would have spotted you.

What makes you think I didn't do that on purpose? Lunzie and Ventisca continued their conversation until they heard Lunzie's name being called. The others had discovered her absence. Eyes narrowed, the two combatants tensed for battle. A Bear against a Tiger. . . .

Trekking
Jaina Jade

The group had traveled for some distance after Lunzie had begun walking without Marshane and Jaina flanking her. It wasn't until the latter cracked a cheap joke and no one snorted in disgust that they noticed an absence.

"Where's Lunzie?" they asked in unison.

Simultaneously, "Sweet Bast!" and "Shala and Kythri!" split the air.

"She's your wife, man!"

"She's your sister! Wait. She didn't tell anyone where she was going?" Heads shook all through the group.

Annoyed with herself, Jaina nearly spat blaster bolts. "Well, when did she leave us and where?"

"Didn't see."

"Sorry."

"How should I know?"

"What an observant group!" Not that Jaina herself could come up with an answer. She swore violently in a language she hoped none present could translate. "Fine. If she needed our help, she would've taken us with. And since we don't know where she is, I -- we -- can't crash her little party with backup. I guess we just stay put." Violently flinging herself into a nearby, unoccupied cave, she motioned the others after her with a sour expression on her face.

After Marshane reluctantly followed the last of the others inside, Jaina allowed herself to worry. "She could've at least told me," she whispered into the heartbreakingly cold air.

Face-Off
(Lunzie and Ventisca) Dragon Phoenix

Ventisca was getting annoyed. She tossed her head, and sneered at the younger woman. "It's time I finished you off myself."

Before Lunzie could move, Ventisca pounced. Tackling Lunzie to the ground, she pinned her with her immense strength.

But Lunzie was not without an advantage with her cat like reflexes. She jerked her hips one way to knock Ventisca off balance, and twisted quickly out from underneath her. Rolling away, she glanced up with wild green eyes to see Ventisca standing straight and tall to her 6'8" height.

As Lunzie leaped up from the ground, Ventisca let out a deafening roar, and reached into her cloak. She withdrew two daggers of the strongest metal, held in each hand. The blades were slender and sharp, with an edge that curved on one side, and was jagged on the other. The handles were made of gold, and sparkled in the Hoth sunlight. Expertly handling them, Ventisca's daring amber eyes made the challenge complete.

Lunzie answered with a snarl, and with the scraping of metal brought out her sword from her back with her right hand. It was a long, slender sword with a dangerous curved blade. Lunzie was an excellent swordfighter, and she felt confident in this fight. Settling into a fighting stance, she waited for Ventisca to make her move.

Ventisca's roar caught the attention of the group that was huddling in the cave. With Lunzie's disappearance, they grew scared and worried, and had raced back, following Lunzie's tracks. Marshane was anxious; he had a special link with Lunzie, and he knew not all was right. Coming upon the face-off between Lunzie and her enemy, they prepared themselves to defend her, but Marshane stopped them. "I know the one she fights. Lunzie is capable of taking care of herself."

Ventisca smiled cruelly at Lunzie, and taunted, "If I die, you never see your brother. If you die, you never see your brother. It's a lose-lose situation, dear." Ventisca was sure of her position, and she was positive she could defeat Lunzie.

Making a sudden rush, she stabbed at her. Lunzie immediately blocked it with a clang of her sword, and swung it around to defend against Venticsa's second attempt with her other dagger. Parting, the two circled each other warily. Ventisca rushed again, and Lunzie forced her to back off just as quickly.

Ventisca reassesed the situation. She remembered watching the young headman's daughter learning to sword fight as a child, and she remembered that the girl had been a quick learner. Ventisca herself had found herself a formidable opponent, but she had only been testing her so far. It was time to get to business.

Ventisca's wings unfurled from underneath her cloak, and she took the air, leaving her cloak laying on the ground. Her thick white fur protected her form the bitter cold and icy wind, so she felt right at home in the freezing air. Lunzie followed her up, spreading her own leathery wings. Ventisca swooped down as Lunzie made a slash at her. MIssing, Venticsa laughed and hovered. Lunzie stayed where she was, and Ventisca attacked her again. This time, Lunzie caught her by surprise as she dodged the blades and whirled around catching her sword on Ventisca's belt. Ventisca turned, but Lunzie beat her wings rapidly and drove the faltering Ventisca to the ground. Using her daggers to hold Lunzie's sword off of her, Ventisca roared into Lunzie's face, at which Lunzie flinched, but strengthened her hold. Lunzie was getting more and more angry, and was starting to lose control of her self, but she knew she had to keep thinking straight.

Seeing that Lunzie was the better combat fighter, Ventisca retreated to her magical powers. A sudden strong gust of wind lifted Lunzie into the air, spinning her around as it climbed the sky. Ventisca flew back into the air, and passing by Lunzie, threw one of her daggers through Lunzie's left wing. Leaving a bleeding hole, Ventisca retrieved her dagger from the sky before it hit the ground, and turned to watch her masterpiece. Lunzie was flailing in the air, and in obvious pain. She could not battle the winds under Ventisca's control, and as they carried her higher into the sky, she grew increasingly frightened.

Finally, Ventisca made a gesture with her hand, and the winds dropped Lunzie. She could not right herself with the damaged wing, and landed on the ground with a sickening crack.

Ventisca alighted next to Lunzie, finding her unconscious and barely breathing. She laughed wickedly, and before Marshane could advance upon her in his rage, she disappeared.

Lunzie landed with a sickening crack
Lunzie Istari

As she lay there unconcious, her body fighting to breath, to remain alive, Ventisca knelt next to her to finish her off no doubt.

Suddenly the cold, curel presence of her enemy was gone, replaced with the warmth of friends.

Marshane, Jaina, and Elyen, who had been headed towards the women stopped, confused. They started searching the nearby area for Ventisca while Shalana and Flute stayed back up on the hill. Iriana ran to the fallen Lunzie.

Making sure her actions were hidden by her cloak, Iriana quickly gave Lunzie an injection of something. As she slipped the needle back into her cloak, the others returned, Shalana and Flute joining them.

Marshane craddled his wife's still form in his arms as they returned to the cave they had found before they realized Lunzie had dissapeared.

As they set up camp in the cave, Marshane and Jaina refused to leave Lunzie. Out of those in the group they knew her the best. Flute was placed near the fire to sleep. Shalana, Iriana, and Elyen gathered what they could to provide fuel for the fire and food for the travelers to eat. No one was especially hungry. Jaina barely touched her meal and 'Shane didn't even look at it.

As Lunzie slipped further into unconciousness, she knew. Iriana was working with Ventisca. The injection Iriana had so covertly given Lunzie was to ensure that the woman would not awaken for some time.

Me worry
JainaJade

After feeling increasingly uncomfortable with Lunzie's absence, the group had gone back to find her. They had arrived in time to see her attacker flee and leave their friend struggling just to stay alive.

The fire's light dimmed in comparison to Jaina's skin, showing the depths of her sorrow. She stretched along the length of Lunzie's body and moaning softly at the damage done. "I was too late," she sobbed next to her adoptive sister's head. "I'm so sorry I was too late." She repeated the words over and over again, gently whisking hair out of Lu's face, alert to any worsening of her breathing habits.

With a sudden jerk she screamed and pulled away, waking Flute and causing Shalana to run over in fear. "It's.... it's not... not Lunz. I... my face...the light..." Gradually, through sniffles and chokes, Jaina managed to partially communicate her fear. In the vampiress' weakened state, she very likely didn't have the magic to shield her from standard vampires' banes -- like the ultraviolet-laden light Jaina's skin emitted when her emotions grew thick. "I can't even look at her without hurting her even more!" she wailed, and dashed off to curl alone with her face against the cave wall.

URG!
Elyen Elf

Elyen cursed as he watched Lunzie fall to the ground.

"Someone get her out of the cold." He spared a glance for Jaina, then picked the limp body up carefully and placed her in Marshane's arms. "You can portal her out, can't you? Bring her someplace safe?"

'Shane stared at Elyen in surprise.
(Marshane) Lunzie Istari

I do not believe that Lunzie would want us to leave her behind. When she awakes, healed, she will want to be with us. If you will keep an eye on her for me a moment my stripe-haird friend, I will be right back. Handing Lunzie back to Elyen, Marshane dissapeared.

A few moments later he returned with a young woman. . .a teenager. Zara Jade. She'd brought with her her two Vornskrs, Kirsty and Kali. "Hi everyone!" she called, the sound of her voice reverberating through the cave.

Shalana looked up from where she had been trying to figure out why Lunzie's wounds were not healing as they should have been. Flute slept on, and Jaina merely curled tighter into her self. Elyen had gone outside to get more firewood and Iriana had gone with him.

Zara went over to where Shalana and Lunzie were, the two Vornskrs went to the warm fire. When Elyen and Iriana returned, Marshane cleared his troat. I think I have an idea for where to go next. . .

Marshane settled back into as comfortable a sitting position as he could get. I know of a planet where the climate is agreeable to all of us, and it will not take much to travel there. But we must not be discovered by the inhabitants, as they will boot us to Earth.

"Earth? Why Earth?" Zara asked.

They're a peculiar, but grand race of beings. Marshane answered. But they remain wary of outsiders. For good reason, too. They consider Earth the greatest punishent.

"Why are they wary of outsiders?" It would disrupt their whole way of living. It would completely blow their minds. They would not be able to function as a society. Outsiders bring them something nearly unknown to them.

"What's that?" Vices. Marshane said solemnly. This race is of such purity, a vice is rarely seen within it. No one knows much about them, as they keep to themselves. They nearly know nothing of greed, envy, hatred, prejudice, sloth, stinginess, whatever it may be. They are the ideal Communist society, that is said to work only on paper.

"They sound like robots."

They're made of flesh. Pure white, almost porcelain like. Including white hair, and eyes that change color with their mood. That's how they tell when one of them is sick.

"Sick?" Crazy. When for some reason or another they cannot control their emotions, and a vice overtakes them. It's been known to happen. Then they send them to Earth for treatment. The atrocities and the greed there are enough to make the Liannelsi turn over a new leaf. They cannot live in such a place, so they pine for their homeplanet, which takes them back at the end of their sentence. It's almost like a brainwash for them.

An interesting part of it is that it is due to these Liannelsi, that the myths of angels remain on Earth. In different parts of that planet, nearly every culture had some sort of angel creature, or an angel myth. When these Liannelsi alighted on Earth, though overwhelmed by the vices they saw, they try to help them. They are very wise, and very compassionate aliens. They go to the humans in dreams, and in person to try and guide them. That's how those myths started. Sometimes theLiannelsi will focus on one person, hence guardian angels, and other times an entire community. In a sense, these ethereal beings the earthlings so deeply rever, are really just fallen angels from a heavenly planet.

Finally finished with his story, Marshane took a deep breath and looked at his wife. We can't leave her here, and we can't take her anywere and leave her. . . Her enemies will find her no matter where she is taken. We must keep her with us so we can protect her.

'Shane tried to relax and sort through his thoughts while the others contemplated what he had just said.

Thinking. . .
Zara Jade

Zara gathered her thoughts.

Lunzie was ill. Really ill.

Marshane was looking very gaunt...Zara didn't blame him.

And Jaina was curled up in a ball.

Deciding to focus on the latter, Zara approached her other aunt and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

Healing and fears. . .
Shalana Elf

Shalana had been listening and watching, knowing that at this moment she needed to understand all that was going on. She laid a protective hand on Flute, thankful that her daughter rested. She was intrigued by Shane's words, and this world he spoke of. Her focus however was towards that of her Nisha.

Slowly she rose and approached Lunzie, catching Shane's eyes as she did. His slight nod was met with her own as she sat down next to Lunzie. Gently she quested, and then laid a hand upon her aunt's arm. The cuts, bruises, the minor injuries disappeared in moments, but when Shalana went deeper Lunzie suddenly moaned, and shuddered, causing Shane to immediately knock Shalana's hand away.

"Our make up is different..." He began harshly out of fear and worry only to be cut off by Shalana.

"That was not the problem." Shalana said as fear crept into her voice "What I sensed was unnatural, more than harm from the fight." Shalana looked around their small camp, refusing to believe what she now felt. "We need to be very careful...very very careful." She whispered as she looked back down at her aunt, determination to protect her glowing from her eyes.

Double talk
(Iriana and) Elyen Elf

Elyen shrugged as he regarded Marshane's words. "Do what you think is most wise. Having never heard of these beings, I cannot say..." He rolled his eyes in a slight attempt to lighten the situation. "They sound like they could get irritating really easily though..."

Preoccupied with Lunzie's fall, the group did not notice Iriana standing off to one side, her back turned to them as she seemingly huddled against the cold.

"It is done, lady." She whispered softly into the cupped palms of her hands, shading the small crystal from the others. A small smile twisted its way onto her lips. Lunzie lies close to death. One wrong touch of healer's brew would trigger the poison into activating, resulting a death... a slow and painful one, just the way the Lady likes it.

Something's wrong
Jaina Jade

Feeling a hand on her shoulder and a voice softly calling her name, Jaina lifted her face to find Zara. She tried to smile. "Niece... hey there, peanut." Frozen tears clung stubbornly to her cheeks, illuminated by the glow emanating from Jaina's skin.

Zara frowned. "What's wrong, aunt." It wasn't a question; something had certainly gotten Jaina into that sad state.

"Lunzie. She can't... she's too weak, can't protect herself. My face, my light, it hurts her. I can't even try to help her!" she howled suddenly. "I just hurt her!"

The Sith leaned closer down to her aunt's face. "Is that it?"

Jaina swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak each word. "Death. There's death here. I can feel it, but it's twisted somehow. Maybe it's the death of an alien creature, the wampa's prey or something. It just feels wrong, even for death. I shouldn't even be able to feel it until something is already dead, though."

"Hold on. Death is here, but nothing's dead yet?"

"Pretty much. The only way I would be able to tell death was coming..." she glanced in Lunzie's direction, shielding the glare with her gloved hands, "... is if the death is -- vampiric."

Yes, death is here
Zara Jade

Zara's eyebrows creased.

"Yes, death is here. I can also feel it. But I cannot center on it. It is...elusive." She folded her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes. Her vornskrs wuffled at her side as they became restless.

"I also sense betrayal, but I do not know how that fits in with it all. I'm a warrior, not a seer."

Sleeping again. . .
Flute Istari

Flute moaned in her sleep. Something was wrong but she can't wake up. Something was holding her in her sleep and Flute did not like it one bit.

Flute tossed and turned and tried unsucessfully to awake but sleep continued holding her in its tight grip.

Protection
Shalana Elf

Shalana was frightened and angry. She knew, her Nisha had to be protected, for it was now apparent someone or something was determined to stop her from finding her brother. With a resolute expression Shalana captured Marshane's eyes. "Let me provide a protective shield for her." Shalana said quietly. "If I encapsule her, I promise you, nothing and no one can reach her, unless I release the spell."

Shalana waited for Marshane to make up his mind. She was worry about her daughter Flute, who seem to sleep unnaturally also. Finally Marshane nodded, and Shalana realsed the breath she had been holding "Thank you." She said as she lightly touch her aunt. "Be well Nisha...no harm will come to ..I swear it."

I a matter of seconds, Lunzie was gently cocooned in an invisiable tube. Marshane blinked as Lunzies body seem to float off the ground. "She will be eaiser to bring with us this way." Shalana murmured as she rose. "Quickly touch the web that covers her." Shalana motioned to Marshane and Elyen. Both men hesitate only briefly before reaching out and touching the living web that protected her aunt.

She smiled at their expressions, the grew serious again. "If any other trys to touch Lunzie the web will now let us know." She meet their eyes as dawning relazation enter them. "You both will feel the person's intention, no matter how hard they try to mask it....the web will always know...always." She trail off as she stared at her aunt who looked so peaceful at that moment. "I need to check on Flute." Shalana whispered and turned away.

Watching
Zara Jade

Zara turned to see Shalana placing a protective web over Lunzie, this caused her to become curious.

Curiousity killed the cat, Zara, she reminded herself.

Walking over she watched as the web seemed to shimmer with life itself. She closed her eyes and reached out with the Force, and realised that yes, the actual web was a more physical form of the Force!

"Incredible..." she whispered, her voice trailing off slightly. Kirsten Chi and Kali Na, being vornskrs, didn't like that web one bit. She petted them and wuffled in their ears something unintelligible (well only to those that don't speak vornskr) and smiled. They had promised not to touch it, because it protected Lunzie...even though they still didn't know her that well.

Zara wondered why her uncle 'Shane had picked her up...she knew nothing of this. She was a Sith, not a magic-user, and if anything she would cause trouble here.

"You're a warrior," Kirsten Chi reminded her, "You fight for your family, protecting them to the last. It is a trait you picked up from the Alpha, methinks." Zara smiled.

"Yes, I am a warrior. But I cannot fight what I cannot see."

Marshane watched
Lunzie Istari

in fascination as Shalana worked her magik. When he and Elyen touched the web he understood. They were Lunzie's protectors, they would know instantly if someone/thing tried to harm her further. Are we in agreement then? Do we move on?

As Lunzie slept, she relived childhood memories. . .memories of herself and her brother. . .

"Now, Lunzie, listen closely or you'll end up turning yourself into a Frabbit or some such creature. Lunzie? Are you listening to me child? Lunzie? Oh dear, she's done it again." DeLila muttered to herself as she headed towards the Ice Gardens. She knew she'd find her energetic and mischievious pupil there. No doubt giving the guards a hard time, with the aid of her brother, Lantri.

As DeLila entered the Gardens she caught a glimpse of black-on-white fur that told Lunzie was there. Looking the other way, the teacher caught sight of the silver fur that gave away Lantri's position. The children were flanking the two confused guards who were attempting to find the siblings.

DeLila carried herself telekinetikaly to a position directly behind Lunzie. Clearing her throat, she gave away not only her own presence but Lunzie's as well. Gasping in surprise, Lunzie spun around in time to recognize her teacher before one of the guards placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. The other guard could be seen wrestling with Lantri.

The two were taken inside to talk to their father, Lord Istari. He was in a pleasant mood as he had just finished finalizing the betrothal arangements with Lords Benden and Telgar. Upon hearing what had just transpired outside, Lord Istari merely sighed and shook his head.

Dismissing the two guards and the disgruntled teacher, he turned to his two children. At just over 100, they were still to young to understand everything that was going on on their small planet. "I don't know whether to laugh at your tricks or scold you for skipping your lessons to play games in the gardens. You are over 100 years old, you need to start growing up, taking responsibility. I'll not leave my holdings to an irresponsible leader.

Lunzie, you've mastered your fighting and weapons leassons, but you are not studying the Magiks enough. Lantri, you've mastered the Magiks, but are not spending enough time practicing your fighting and weapons. Where one of you lacks, the other is strong. That is good, but you must not lack in anything. Someone will find your weakness and try to exploit it to further their gains."

"Yes, but Shedo, how could our weaknesses be exploited if we are always together? Who would want to harm us anyway? Our holdings are at peace, as are the holdings of our neighbors." Spoke Lantri.

As Lord Istari began to answer his son's questions the dream faded. Lunzie was once again in the bleak, darkness of utter unconciousnes.

We move
Elyen Elf

Elyen nodded over Lunzie's prone form and looked around. "We move on now..." The angel-beings might be able to help Lunzie, and maybe Flute as well.

Hugging herself against the cold, Iriana trudged back to the group. Fools, she noted the protection about Lunzie. The shield might protect the woman within from outside elements, but it did nothing to heal the poison working within.

At this stage, nothing less than a full purging can help Lunzie now. A full purging that they could not afford out here in the cold ice. The vampiress was trapped.

And Lantri would remain theirs.

Moving
Zara Jade

Zara started following. Her vornskrs weren't too pleased with all the cold whether but they learnt to adapt.

Again, Zara wondered why her uncle 'Shane had bought her into this. Okay, she was a warrior. So far they didn't really have a warrior. But how can one fight when one doesn't know what one's fighting?

She shook her head and decided to focus on the other thing that was bothering her. The betrayal that she felt. She was never good at seeing, it wasn't her bag, but like all Force-sensitives she could still do it. The betrayal was soft, elusive. Hiding somewhere obvious. But where? She hated things that hid under your nose. They were just out of reach...so close and yet so far.

She kicked some snow and watched the group she was now a part of. They were all very solemn now - Zara herself was worried about her academy. Her students were still all inexperienced with the Force, still easily tempted to the weak side.

What can I do...what can I DO?! Zara's mind was screaming. So many things were going wrong and Zara couldn't do anything. She didn't have enough healing ability to help Lunzie, she didn't have enough clairvoyance to see where Lantri was or where the cause of this illness was. She didn't have enough inner strength to help everyone else through this. She didn't have the compassion to make the others feel better. And she didn't have any humour to lighten everyone's moods.

And what was worse was that she was bottling it all up inside. She needed to scream, to yell, to kick or maim something, but dared not as it might give the others a bad impression.

Somewhere in the back on her mind, she wondered if anyone sensed her feelings of helplessness.

Hibernating
Flute Istari

As soon as the group moved out into the cold again, Flute sank deeper into her sleep.

Only subconsciously aware what was happening, Flute continued sleeping.

Death Comes Soon
(Ventisca) Dragon Phoenix

Ventisca smiled with satisfaction. Iriana had done her best work, and of this Ventisca was extremely proud and smug.

She watched the group in a layer of ice. Her connection with Iriana made it possible for her to spy on the group from a different planet. She saw the protective webbing, and snorted with amusement. "Hah. That won't have any effect whatsoever, you fools."

Clicking her tongue, she listened closely as they made their plans. "Liannelita? Is this your next stop? The Liannelsi won't be very happy..."

She tossed back her head of ivory colored hair, laughing gleefully. "Of course, they'd be even less happy with me..."

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