Chasing Temptation [Methos & Caeli]
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Caeli on 16-03-2008, 01:33:27</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 01:33:27</strong>
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				It was a rare thing to see Kristianna hesitating at the threshold of doing anything, let alone doing something as simple as knocking a door. But there she was standing - well, staring at might perhaps be more accurate - in front of a large, intimidating looking pair of iron-oak doors, the well-sanded grains of honey-and-gold brown wood staring rather impassively back at her. Not difficult to do, considering that the door wasn't actually alive in any real sense. It would have been pathetic if the water mage hadn't found her situation so dreadful... being forced to pick up her life and move hundreds of miles away to the country of Livenay, to get herself a stuff old teacher who would limit her creativity with her wielding of magic, who wouldn't understand why a young woman had a life beyond her magic, no matter how important she herself believed it was.<br><br>Kristianna Theiras could honestly say, from experience, that old teachers (except Master Mage Davalan) rarely understood the younger generation. But her old Master had been teaching for decades. This man - whoever he was - had not had a single student. Ever. Being that he was probably as old as Davalan was, that was a surprise... but regardless, Kris didn’t want a new teacher, let alone a fusty old man who would probably force her to do her spells <em>his</em> way and insist that she was doing everything wrong.<br><br><em>Why me?</em><br><br>The street from which she'd entered this alley was loud with the sounds of horse hooves, wagon wheels, and the usual loud hum of chatter of large trade cities. Convenient, that the doorway was constructed off to the side - Kristianna didn't have to worry about her horse blocking the traffic behind her, and at least here she had enough quiet to think. Her options were pretty limited at this point though: Havernon's witch-hunting was escalating, such that a lone mage traveling alone was no longer safe in towns or cities (the locals might turn you in to 'save their souls’), but she wouldn't be able to make her way alone in a large city. She could certainly try - become a free-lance sorceress, anyway - but her youth and striking looks did not make her prospects look any better than simply accepting tutelage under this new instructor of hers. Any potential employer would almost certainly expect "fringe benefits" besides the services she was rendering.<br><br>She really wanted to scream. Or hit something.<br><br>"Well, Helios, what do you think I should do?" Kris asked conversationally, stalling a bit as she turned to the gray horse standing patiently in the alley with her. She shifted unconsciously in her robes - cut simply, but in a way that flattered her lean body. They clung to her athletic figure and allowed her a great deal of movement, but even though she was dressed in breeches and boots underneath them, nobody would mistake her for a man, even if they didn't look at her pretty face. Her lips flattened as her chin came up - she stiffened her shoulders in determination and knocked three times on the door. Loudly.<br><br><em>... Why is nobody answering?</em><br><br>When, after a few minutes, nothing happened, she felt like kicking the door, but resisted only because it would give her teacher a bad first impression of her. Kris ran a hand through her dark hair, trying not to grip it too tightly lest she accidentally pull out a handful in her irritation, and shut her eyes briefly, releasing a breath. "Who does this man think he <em>is</em>? Maybe I'm arriving a week or so earlier than expected, but he can't possibly be engaged in anything SO important he can't even answer the door!" She remarked scathingly to herself, blue-gray eyes darkening in annoyance. She knocked (well, pounded) the door again, and had the satisfaction of hearing footsteps from behind the door approaching quickly.<br><br>The quickness of the response didn't surprise Kris - but the tall, voluptuous woman in the doorway certainly did. Kris blinked, as much out of admiration for the woman's anatomy (her own body was more lithe than curvy) as out of surprise. The woman, to her credit, looked properly irritated, with hair and clothing mussed in very obvious ways.<br><br>"May I help you, girl?" She asked impatiently, with a fake smile plastered to her face.<br><br>The mage merely smiled pleasantly, doing her best not to growl out her answer. "I'm here to see the Master Mage. I have important business with him."<br><br>The woman looked down her nose at the girl, clearly not recognizing Kris for a mage. "I apologize. He is currently indisposed and will see you at another time." And without a word, the door was promptly slammed in her face.<br><br><br><br>Inside, the beautiful courtesan, Celeste, yawned as she ran a slim hand through her mane of luscious, silky golden-brown hair. She had only been here for a week – the master mage couldn’t yet be tired of her. He’d seemed rather pleased with her... it was annoying, how random prostitutes thought they could just come up to his front doorstep and ask to see him. And this latest one was hardly even worth a second look - she was nowhere near as beautiful as <em>her</em>, after all.<br><br>“Just some stray child who got lost,” Celeste purred as she climbed back into the bed, straddling the much sought-after bachelor’s waist and leaning down to press a hot kiss to his neck.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 03:44:39</strong>
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				The wizard of the tower was indeed rather indisposed. Although had anyone asked he would have given them a soulful look where his dark eyes would have seemed to stare a thousand miles away and stated “My doings are beyond your comprehension.” Given that he was acknowledged as one of the most powerful magi to walk the face of the earth, naturally it would be presumed he was busy pouring over ancient tomes in dead languages or engaged in some arcane ritual that required an unearthly level of concentration to conjure up horrors and powers that others could only dream of. Although those that were better informed could likely infer that at least half the time it was the wizard acting overly mysterious and in truth he was doing nothing more mysterious than bedding one of his many admirers. His reputation for going through women was almost as prolific as his reputation in the magical arts.<br><br>The wizard was aware of the troubles that had occurred in neighboring lands, where users of magic were persecuted and religious fervor had been stirred up that set ordinary villagers out to slay anyone who read so much as a book which wasn’t the tome of their particular god. The ignorance of it all was irksome but of no particular nuisance to him. His tower was a stronghold that none could enter without experiencing magical horrors that would discourage even the most aggressive of spirits should its defenses be thrown into action and that was of course before the mage himself deigned to be involved.<br><br>He’d received a letter from an old colleague of his mentioning something about sending one of his apprentices to study with him. He’d muttered darkly and incinerated the letter, although his old friend had had the gall to remind him that he’d ‘assisted him with banishing a fire elemental he’d accidentally set loose upon the city’ and was calling in the favor. Really, he would have recaptured the fire elemental himself given half a chance although admittedly the destruction in the meantime would likely have been rather substantial. Thus with a rather grudging look he’d muttered ‘fine’ as he anticipated that he’d find himself burdened with this unwanted apprentice one way or another.<br><br>This apprentice wasn’t expected for some time thus the wizard was content to life his life – and the life the wizard Gilandor led was indeed a rather fantastic one. For a few services rendered to the King he had been appointed the Royal Wizard and received a rather hefty pension to compensate him for the assistance he provided against the enemies of the Crown be they magical or otherwise. Hence his position was rather secure, aside from his research he had his entertainments to engage him.<br><br>Gilandor was a rather striking man. He stood six feet in height and his form had a rather easy grace to it. His shoulders were of an average breadth and his body was rather fit and trim. The wizard was no warrior but his body was maintained if for no other reason than some of the tasks he set himself required phenomenal endurance. His features were rather handsome, given that they were angular and strong. His jawline was prominent and his chin cleft, while intense and intelligent eyes gazed out at the world about him. His visage was framed by raven hued locks that were rather closely cropped. He lacked the flowing beard than many of his profession adopted, although a goatee with a ‘royale’ that graced the bottom of his lip. He cut a rather dashing figure and his garb was usually robes of black with silvery trim and ornamentation, with bolts of lightning rising up the sleeves of the robe and winding around like coiled snakes.<br><br>The wizard never bothered to even go to the door, there were servants for that although apparently they weren’t particularly quick about it so to his annoyance Celeste had gone to check whom was at the door. His eyes had followed the blonde haired woman as she headed to the door, his gaze seeming to follow the gentle sway of her hips with a smile gracing his lips. He’d propped his elbow up upon a pillow as for the moment he was clad in not a stitch of thread and only a silken sheet covered his form. He waited with some impatience for the courtesan to return to him. When she returned he smiled to her and inquired “Mmm and who was that Celeste?” <br><br>He’d nod slightly as it was revealed that it was no more than some lost child, his eyes strayed over the courtesan’s voluptuous form. A hungry look crossing his features as she lowered herself down atop of him and his hand rose to come to rest upon her waist. His hand drifted upwards along the woman’s side in a rather smooth caress, straying along that hourglass shape as he delighted in the softness of her form. As those lips pressed to his neck, his head tilted to let his own press to the woman’s mouth. He’d kiss her rather deeply as he let his other hand slide to the laces of the gown she’d slipped on and began to undo them once more, evidently desirous of parting her with it once more.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 10:48:44</strong>
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				Left staring in sheer disbelief at the double iron-oak doors, Kris wasn't quite sure what she was more in the mood for - blowing something to bits, or simply turning around and heading back to Havernon. Just <em>what</em> kind of help was this new master of hers employing? No mage worth his salt - or even the hired help of a mage, for that matter - would be able to miss the clear signs that Kris was a mage.<br><br>Firstly, she looked nothing like a world-weary traveler. Her robes, although they weren't clear indications of her mage's status, were definitely not standard traveling gear. A mere glance could tell anyone that the material her simple mage's robe was woven with finer and more durable material than most normal clothes; plus, magical spells woven into the fabric itself kept it cleaner than any traveler could hope to accomplish.<br><br>Secondly, Kris wore her jewelry openly. Though most people wouldn't be able to tell, those who knew would know immediately that the silver bracelet curled around part of her upper left arm belonged to a Master-level mage. A pair of silver rings on her right hand showed her affiliation - one, with Davalan's seal worked into the onyx, and the second with Kristianna's own emblem engraved into her focus stone, lapis lazuli.<br><br>And third - well, she was expected, for crying out loud! And would most people slam the door in the faces of a guest or a visitor?<br><br>After calming herself sufficiently to ensure that she wouldn't ice up the door and break it into little pieces, Kris pulled a small packet from her boots and began tooling with the lock on the door. A dozen seconds later, she heard click, and shoved open the door, to the complete surprise of several servants who had come downstairs to begin their chores.<br><br>"Ah, miss, you can't come in here-"<br><br>"It's a Master Mage!"<br><br>"Lady-mage, Master Gilandor is currently indisposed and can't see you-"<br><br>Kris shot them a glare. "If your Master is indisposed, you aren't going to make me wait outside until he <em>is</em> disposed, are you?" She asked in a chilly voice, sending the small group into quivering silence. "As I thought. Now, would one of you please take care of my horse Helios - it's been a long ride and he needs his rest." The water mage yawned and promptly dropped all the saddlebags and packs she had unlashed from Helios's saddle onto the wooden floor. The servants followed nervously as she wandered into the guest parlor off the front hall, unsure of how the should greet their guest while their master was upstairs indulging in his early morning breakfast.<br><br>Wearily, Kris brushed back some stray locks from her wavy black hair, pulling them so they fell behind her shoulders. "As the woman who slammed the door in my face so aptly informed me, Master Gilandor is currently indisposed. However, I lack the adequate funds nor patience to try and find an inn to take in a foreign mage. I'm tired, I'm hungry, and Helios needs a good brushing and meal. If he is too busy to come greet his student, then I will simply wait here until he is free." Kris moaned in exhaustion as she collapsed onto a divan, careful to keep her boots off the fine material. "I'm sorry I'm not following proper procedures, but you have to give me a break..." She sighed, resting one arm on her stomach and letting the other dangle off the divan as she drifted into sleep.<br><br>The servants tried to hide their smiles - they could already tell that this vivacious, spirited young woman would be seen as immediate competition by Celeste, the master's latest whore.<br><br><br><br>After waiting outside Gilandor's door for twenty minutes, the butler decided that it would be in his best interests to interrupt, even though Celeste was moaning and crying out eagerly. He knocked, prying inwardly for his safety, before entering, his face comically blank as he bowed towards the bed, where Celeste was currently on all fours, screaming as Master Mage Gilandor pounded into her from behind.<br><br>"Master Gilandor, I thought it prudent to inform you that you have an important guest downstairs. A <em>very</em> important guest, who hails from Havernon," he emphasized, his face completely expressionless. "I put the mage in the guest parlor, but it has already been over an hour..."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 11:53:01</strong>
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				Gilandor had been rather indisposed, although it was doubtful that his guest would have been terribly pleased to learn that by indisposed it had been meant that he was dallying with his latest whore. Although she was a very fine whore, and he’d ruefully note a pricy one at that. He was rather relishing his indisposition as one of his servants had the gall to push through the door and state he had some sort of visitor. He nodded slightly and waved the servant off. Having heard that someone was waiting for him, looking down at the golden haired woman he was penetrating he muttered “They’ll wait longer.” Thus it would be another hour before the wizard managed to part himself from his tart and cease his amusements for a time.<br><br>Drawing himself out of his bed, his fingers were run through his hair which even with their application remained rather mused. Given that he was told he had some sort of semi-important visitor he sighed and went about collecting the various tokens of power that he customarily wore. His black silken robes, with its silvery trim and symbols, were pulled onto his fit form, sliding over his form and giving him a slightly ominous look. An amulet was pulled about his neck, its large golden form displayed various magical wards and symbols on its surface worked in jewels and precious stones. An arm band of pure platinum rested upon his forearm designating his particularly lofty stature within the magical community. While a number or rings would be slide upon his fingers, some glimmering with otherworldly light within the stones upon them. A platinum ring bore his sigil three crossed bolts of lighting. His hand outstretched and his fingers wriggled slightly and he found the wooden form of his black oaken staff in his hand. The staff itself was a masterfully crafted piece, its length was smooth but silvery runes were traced along its length and gave off a faintly blue glow. The top of the staff was worked in the form of a dragon’s head in gold, with gems forming the dragon’s features.<br><br>Looking very much the part of a high mage, he made his way towards the door of his chamber, turning to cast a rather lingering look on the form of his courtesan as she was left rather lewdly sprawled upon his bed.&nbsp; He’d silently curse whomever had the gall to interrupt him and made his way out into the hallway, although he paused to dispatch a servant to fetch him some water immediately. The wizard found himself strangely parched although upon reflection it was little wonder that he was thirsty. The servant returned with a rather large chalice of water which was consumed rather shortly and thereafter the servant was sent for more. That of course was drunk as well. Having sated his thirst he asked “So who was it worth interrupting me to insist that I get around to seeing?” The wizard seemed slightly annoyed that he’d been interrupted for any reason short of some sort of national emergency – in truth he’d likely have asked the king whether an invasion by a horde of demons couldn’t wait but that wasn’t the point.<br><br>The servant rather tentatively stated that it was some foreign mage that had insisted upon seeing him. They had told her that he was indisposed and to come back later, however, she had insisted on waiting here for him and said something about being too poor to go find an inn that would tolerate a foreign mage. The servant also seemed to recall that she had said she was his student. The wizard responded “She?” He lofted a brow as if nothing else the fact the visitor was female was somewhat promising. After all at worst it gave him something new to look at, at best another girl to take to his bed. Although he seemed to muse over the description of foreign, poor mage who was seeking him out and calling herself his student. He groaned slightly “Oh gods its that wretched student that Davalan is sticking me with. He seemed so eager to be rid of her that she’s likely scaly, furred and incapable of casting any spells save to do laundry.” <br><br>He muttered darkly as he made his way down the hallway to the parlor where he’d been told the girl had been left. Hence he soon drew upon the doorway of the room, his darkly clad figure filling the doorway as his eyes gazed within. He spied the sleeping form of a woman curled up upon the divan and his eyes slide over her in a rather casual appraisal. He strode into the room and his tall form would loom over her, his fingers lightly drifting along the woman’s pretty face and lightly toying with a lock of her dark hair. He smiled faintly as he muttered “At least she’s a pretty nuisance.” He remarked then stepping back he raised the staff in his hand and brought it crashing down towards the ground eliciting a peel of thunder to sound through the room, evidently intending to startle the woman and rouse her from her slumber. Of course if she didn’t the action was likely to be repeated..<br><br>In any case he gazed down at the woman and stated “And who are you that shows up at my doorstep and demands entry? I am the Archmage Gilandor – you don’t just show up at my blasted doorstep and ask if you can come for tea, or whether I might have a guest room available.” He stated with a measure of haunty indignation. “Well girl explain yourself immediately, before I decide to transport you to a rather unpleasant plane of existence – perhaps the elemental plane of fire for being so presumptuous as to show up uninvited and unannounced.”<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 00:56:07</strong>
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				Having traveled uneasily for the past few weeks, Kris woke when she heard his footsteps sounding down the hall. She ignored the touch and the remark (even though she wanted to growl that she wasn't a nuisance), and 'woke' herself when she heard the peal of thunder. However, she was as surprised as the archmage to find somebody unexpected as her new teacher. He was nowhere as old as Davalan had let on - in fact, he was rather young for such a powerful mage, and certainly as handsome as any man in his prime years. Kris took her time getting to her feet, apparently unmoved by the fact that he had several inches advantage in height and had a ridiculous amount of jewelry on his body. Granted, most mages were expected to wear the junk when they were in court, but...<br><br>"Archmage Gilandor, good morning. I bring safe tidings from Arcane Master Davalan of Havernon - he bade me to convey this missive to you," she replied blandly, reaching into a pouch hanging off one of her belts to bring out a magically-sealed envelope. Kris briefly touched Davalan's emblem to one of her rings to unseal it, then handed it to Gilandor with a bow. "The situation in Havernon has worsened immensely since he last contacted you - it is no longer safe for mages to travel even singly, and even in the capital there is evidence of anti-magic sentiment." She continued to recite the contents of the letter, exactly as Davalan dictated to her - conditions in the capital, how Davalan would be removing the remaining students in his school into the palace. However, there were several extra lines at the bottom of th letter that Davalan had written specifically for Gilandor, about his new student.<br><br><em>Oh, I know you don't want a student - you'd rather dally with your whores than teach some brat. But Kris isn't just any mage - she's a direct descendant of the desert nomads farther south of Havernon, one of the few who possess magic... and you know how powerful those children can get.<br><br>And, she is rather attractive, in a striking way, which I know you should somewhat appreciate. Still, lad, try to keep yourself from chasing after her - she's already got a lover, one of my other graduated students. Kris has nowhere near your experience, so try to do the honorable thing for once and leave her untouched. She is your student, after all.</em><br><br>After she finished, Kris bowed again. "I am Arcane Master Davalan's student, Kristianna Theiras. I apologize for coming in uninvited, of course, but one of your servants slammed the door in my face this morning when I asked to see you. I ran out of money about a week ago, and most of my supplies have been lacking for longer than that. I understand that it was relatively early," she said politely (though, in Kris' mind, ten in the morning could hardly be considered early), "But Davalan assured me that you would take me - something about a favor that you owed him."<br><br>Finished with her speech, Kris took a slight breath and put a smile on her face. "I know you don't want a student - but Master Davalan did say that his main goal was to get me out of Havernon. If you don't wish to teach me, I would be grateful if you could simply provide room and board for me, long enough that I can contact some friends of my own here and find another place to stay." 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 06:00:29</strong>
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				Gilandor had indeed made a point of receiving her rather formally. This was his tower, and someone was arriving and making claims upon his time! An irksome thing, thus he had arrived in all his splendor. He watched Kristianna slowly seem to rise from the couch and make her way to her feet. Although the look she gave him seemed to suggest that she had expected someone else entirely. He was indeed rather young for one of his power and knowledge, having shown an unusual and to some disturbing aptitude at rather youthful ages. His relative youth, good looks and his habit of being somewhat flamboyant set him apart from most of his peers. His eyes casually roved over her as she rose and began to speak, although in a manner rather more familiar than someone simply scrutinizing a visitor, indeed, it was rather clearly the look of a man taking a good long look at a woman before him who he happened to find attractive.<br><br>His viewing pleasure was rather interrupted when she began speaking. He observed a letter being presented to him and he took it from her. “Yes, he did mention in another letter he wished to foist a student of his off upon me. He really didn’t allow for the possibility of my refusal – he simply wrote he would be sending a student to me. Rather presumptuous of the old fellow. We’ll lets see what he has to tell me this time around.” He listened to her recite the contents of the letter rather patiently, his eyes glancing down at the text as he seemed to read the writing in the hand of his old master as she spoke. He observed that she stopped before the text did although he’d make no mention of that. “Ah the situation has gotten that out of hand eh? I always told Davalan that it was a mistake never to do anything to crack down on those zealots before they could fester. Much like a nest of termites if you leave them be, they shall eat you out of house and home. Of course he always was a light touch, afraid of what magic could be used to do and how its use would be perceived.” He smiled as he looked at Kristianna and noted “You’ll find I have far fewer moral quandaries on those fronts. After all if these religiously minded fools want to believe that every thing we work is evil sorcery – I know a few things to put the fear of god into them.”<br><br>He shook his head slightly as he noted “Although if things are that bad, it’s a wonder he doesn’t cross the border with all his students himself. Of course he can be a stubborn old fool.” Although he seemed to refer to his former master as a ‘stubborn old fool’ with a certain fondness as though he didn’t necessarily deem that to be a bad trait. He read the remainder of the letter, and smirked as he seemed to consider what it stated. He looked up from the letter and thereafter remarked “Davalan seems to think rather highly of you.” He idly noted “He seems to think you couldn’t do without a skillful teacher.” Well Davalan hadn’t preciously said that, but such was what Gilandor inferred from the fact he hadn’t simply told the woman to flee and make her own way in the world. Evidently, however, much power Davalan thought she was capable of amassing eventually he didn’t entirely trust her to wander off on her own.<br><br>He’d peer at the letter briefly wondering if his old master was playing some rather clever game of reverse psychology with him – tell him not to try to bed the girl, so he will and consequently keep her around like the old mage wanted. Strangely he could almost see that as being the sole reason the paragraph was inserted into the letter, given that his former master knew him well enough to know that any such prude chastisement was going to be entirely disregarded in favour of seeking his own pleasures. Some wizards chose to live a monkish existence – Gilandor had never been one of them.<br><br>“One of my servants slammed my door in your face? Hmm…oh you must be the lost child that Celeste was referring to. Hmm well not so much a child.” He sounded slightly amused as he noted “Ah women, you can all be rather territorial creatures, I rather imagine she simply didn’t want a young woman coming here to try to see me for any reason.” Indeed he seemed to grin faintly at that particular realization “Aww, that means she thinks your pretty if she doesn’t want you around.” Thereafter, he seemed to backtrack slightly as he coughed and noted “Celeste isn’t my servant, she would more accurately be called my current ….‘amusement’.”<br><br>He nodded slightly as the woman explained that she’d run out of money as well as supplies and heard her reiterate that Davalan had promised he’d take her in. Thereafter she offered to be out of his hair if he didn’t want her if she gave her awhile to stay here and she’d arrange to go elsewhere. He gazed at her for a rather long moment and stated “You may stay.” Thereafter, he added almost offhandedly “You might even learn something.” He sighed as though terribly burdened by the whole thing “After all sadly Davalan is right, there really isn’t anywhere else reasonably close to send you. Most of the other mages with traveling distances are hacks, insane or entirely hermetic.” He waved his hand slightly and a large leather sac materialized his hand, he tossed it to her as he noted “Here – I can’t have you wandering about the city like a pauper and calling yourself my student. It would be bad for my image.” The sac of course had the rather familiar clink of coins in it. Thereafter, he noted “Speak to the servants of whatever supplies you might require – as for your studies go read the tome of Erthron. It is foundational to the use of lightning. When you’ve finished reading it come see me. We’ll see if your capable of learning anything at that point.” <br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>19-03-2008, 09:14:13</strong>
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				"Lost child?" Kris muttered to herself in disgust. Of course, that must have been what she appeared like. If you ignored the fact that she'd had a horse behind her, was wearing a mage's attire and jewelry, and looked more like a traveler than a child, she supposed you could come to that conclusion somehow.<br><br>Perhaps an idiot might, anyway.<br><br>When he tossed her the sac and told her why he was giving it to her, Kris wanted to hurl it back into his face. As it was, she merely tossed it at his feet, mildly irritated at his assumption that she was literally without coin. No traveler was stupid enough to carry his entire fortune with him when he traveled, especially if he was traveling alone. Even magic was hardly a safeguard against those bandits and rogues who hoped to get lucky by robbing an ignorant, naive traveler.<br><br>"No need, Master Gilandor," Kris said with an ironic smile. "I am hardly a poor mage who needs the help of her master to keep herself clothed." She picked up her bags with a slight grunt, though surprisingly, the feat was easily accomplished. Clearly, Kris wasn't as frail and delicate as her figure might have someone believe. "I may not have money on my person, but I assure you, I have certain trusted acquaintances here whom I can call in debts from." Sibral, a thief-turned-merchant whom she'd saved several years back, had promised to keep her "account" in balance for her. Though, he wouldn't be back in the city for another two weeks... that was expected, given his trade and her expected arrival date, which should have been one week later than she had arrived today.<br><br>"I've read all the fundamental works of the five elemental masters - Erthron, Taisa, Maveriks, Oeduin, and Cormac. But Master Gilandor, I am a water mage, not a lightning wielder - as useful as reading Erthron's tome would be, it would only tell me that any lightning mage who was my equal could easily defeat me with his elemental advantage." She smiled and shrugged, nodding at the servant to indicate that he should lead the way to her room. "I'll go to my room and change into attire suitably gaudy for your image, but you'll have to forgive me. I have business to take care of in the city today, so I won't be back until later tonight. " Kris bowed deeply before following the servant deeper into the house. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>20-03-2008, 07:29:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The Archmage looked rather irritated as the girl tossed the sack of gold back to him. After all the girl had barged in crying poor and desperately needing a roof over her head as she couldn’t afford an Inn, however, now evidently she was too good for his money? Some part of the mage simply muttered darkly that women were the most indecipherable of mysteries and that magic by comparison was easy to figure out. After all there tended to be some logic to magic, females on the other hand could seem to defy it entirely.<br><br>Gilandor gazed at her and stated “Davalan sent you too me to learn something.” Thereafter, he noted “Do not presume to know the extent of an exercise, until you’ve completed it. Your answer alone seems to betray whatever confidence the old man had in you. You read a text – good for you. Learning what’s written in a book is always useful, however, if all you draw from it is exactly what’s written and accept all its conclusions then you’ll always be a mediocre mage no better than the spell books you acquire. A *great* mage reads the text, learns what is in the book, analyzes the principles at work, discovers where the original author was deficient or what had not been anticipated by the author in light of more recent developments.” He gazed at the Kristianna “If you read the book and simply accepted that the statement that a water mage is easily bested by one mastering lightning and could conceive of no counters that could either be adapted or created for the material presented well..then we have more work to do than the old man let on.” <br><br>He smirked slightly as he looked at her “Oh if you intend to change strictly for my benefit make sure its something low cut and shows a bit of leg as well.” He noted with a chuckle parting his lips. As the woman bowed and headed to the city to take care of some business, he departed from the parlor. The wizard headed back to his chambers and his private library as indeed he soon shifted into more casual garb, given that he didn’t feel any particular need to keep up any sort of grandiose appearance in private. He’d find a book he’d been perusing a few days past and fall into reading it, and while he did so he looked up to find Celeste slipping up behind him to begin to massage his shoulders. He lofted a brow to her as he inquired “A lost child eh?” He inquired and the mockingly innocent look he got in response caused him to chuckle softly as he felt her fingers digging into the muscles of his shoulders and his back.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>23-03-2008, 16:12:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kris turned around at his condescending remarks, which made her want to laugh, but she merely smiled, shrugging as if she had heard all his criticism before. "Of course there is more to learn from books, Master Gilandor. But you can hardly expect me to be a willing student after I haven't touched a tome in weeks." She bowed again, saluting in an exaggerated manner. "I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment to you. But did you really think that I believed I was inferior in any way to a lightning mage my equal in power?" She said in light voice, before turning around and continuing up the stairs. No, she'd dismissed much of the tome as rubbish when she had first read it, under Davalan's direction; at his insistence, she'd gone through the entire book (as well as the fellows that it accompanied), chapter by chapter, analyzing its bias and determining strengths and weaknesses. It was one of the lengthier, stricter exercises Davalan had required of her; one, he told her later, that he usually only required of his best.<br><br>It was rather humorous to think that Gilandor believed her to be student of Davalan's, and yet think that he hadn't taught her such a basic rule of reading any scholarly text, especially those written by and for mages. It was quite humbling to see someone have such a low opinion of her - not that Kris minded all too much. She knew best what her limits were, and what her deficiencies as a mage were. Still, if Gilandor thought that he knew all there was to teaching a student without even first asking what the student already knew, her opinion of him was probably rather too high.<br><br><em>Reread Erthron's tome, indeed! I could probably rewrite the entire set of papers I wrote for Davalan concerning the tomes of the Elemental Masters,</em> Kris thought wryly, shaking her head as she stripped off her dusty traveling gear and pulled on fresh clothes pulled out of her saddlebags.<br><br>She changed into one of her casual sets of robes. Her usual attire of a blouse, breeches, and a close-fitting mage's robe, while not the low-cut and revealing garments Gilandor had requested, fit her very well, showing the lean lines of her body to advantage. She grabbed a clean black cloak from her belongings and, swinging it around her shoulders, left Gilandor's home, making her way to the center of the capital city to meet with some old acquaintances.<br><br><br><br>The moon was high in the sky when Kris finally let herself into the building via the servants' entrance. The scent of alcohol clung to her clothes, though Kris herself was completely sober, not having partaken in any of the alcohol her friends from the City Guard and Livenay Royal Knights had insisted on having at dinner that night. Still, it was good seeing a familiar face again: after Havernon's civil conflicts began, Sir Jaxom, Havernon's former second-in-command of royal guards, had picked up his entire life and come to Livenay. He was now the captain of a platoon of city guards in Livenay's capital. He and Kris had been lovers before she had been seduced by one of Davalan's former students, come to visit his old master for a few months; she had been easily caught and captured, for all that she tried to brush off his merciless teasing and experienced touch. Jaxom had, since then, become a trusted confidante, though he was easily fifteen years her senior.<br><br><em>Still, keeping me out this late, especially after making me spar with some of your guards... that was really too harsh, Jaxom,</em> Kris thought to herself with a nostalgic smile. It would be nice if Tigall, who was due to pass through Livenay in a few weeks, could come to visit her - it had been almost two years since she'd last seen him. And what with the kind of 'activities' that Gilandor indulged himself in, Kris was sure he wouldn't even notice if Tigall dropped by to see her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>24-03-2008, 22:35:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Archmage was rather annoyed with his rather unasked for student. After all, he gave her something to do to keep her out of his hair, received a simplistic answer and having upbraided her for that was in turn informed she had done exactly what he had suggested. He scowled slightly given that he had had no desire to be taking on any students, he happily left that sort of non-sense to Davalan. He contented himself with his explorations into the nature and applications of magic. He muttered darkly “I swear I’ll set Davalan’s beard on fire for foisting this girl upon me. How the hell should I know what he taught her or didn’t teach her?” <br><br>Gilandor rather shortly thereafter found himself summoned to the palace. Thus his agitation was forcibly subdued as he headed across the city with all due haste. His lips parted to mutter “What now?” As he gazed down at the scroll the messenger had handed to him. His horse carried him through the winding streets of the city, and soon the the palace itself. His horse was left in the care of the stable hands as he soon found himself escorted into a room where both the King and the Lord Chamberlain waited. He bowed slightly, his tall form inclining as he lofted a brow “Your majesty, Lord Chamberlain.. how can I be of service?” <br><br>Soon it was related to him that merchants returning from the south were bringing word of rumors of blighted lands in south and strange creatures appearing in the night and terrorizing villagers. As yet, there had been no reports of these problems crossing the border but merchants had been attacked and the proximity to the land was worrisome. Naturally enough neither King nor Chamberlain were exactly sure what should be done. Gilandor gathered the conversation had evolved from listening to their spies among the merchants, talking amongst themselves and thereafter flowed to ‘uh let’s ask the wizard to do something about it’.&nbsp; He nodded sagely as he assured them both that he would look into the matter and seek out some means of acting against it. What exactly ‘it’ was as yet, remained uncertain to him.<br><br>Seized of a problem the wizard soon departed their company, returning to his tower rather swiftly. He entered through the front door, moving through the hallway as he seemed to mutter “Sorcerer’s sand.. .where did I leave that.” His head was down and he wasn’t particularly looking where he was going as his mind seemed to turn over the problem set before him, the turning of gears almost visible as he made his way through the hallway that lead through the servants quarters and towards one of his storage rooms.<br><br>He really didn’t see Kristianna slipping in through the door for the servants, and seemed rather fixated on his own thoughts that he all but bowled her over. He seemed to blink and pause at the last minute, peering at her “What are you doing here?” As though rather surprised to see her, he garb was noted as was the smell of alcohol upon her. However, he stated “Never mind that, come along I’ve got something to do so you might as well follow along. What do you know about scrying?” He asked her as he beckoned her to follow, without really pausing to let her answer him properly he headed towards the storage room in question as he opened the door and seemed let his fingers trail over a number of barrels “Ah here we are.” He cracked it open and dug a scoop into the barrel within, pouring it into a sack before sealing the barrel once more.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>22-04-2008, 00:35:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Although she was surprised to see the Archmage standing in the hall, Kris didn't let the emotion show. <em>Scrying?</em> She wondered what the older mage needed to scry for; since she had been out the whole day, and had not been informed by Davalan about his former student's connections with Livenaian royalty, Kris had no idea that her new master's task had been given to him by the king and his chamberlain.<br><br>Curious, she followed him, her footsteps soft and silent on the stone floors as she was led to a nondescript door deep inside the building. Once inside, she realized where he had taken her; all magical storerooms had the distinct smell of herbs and various magical necessities. And though everything inside was magically shielded and protected to prevent accidents and theft, the presence and aura of magic was quite palpable to a mage as sensitive to magic as Kris was.<br><br>"Master Davalan only ever taught me the most basics of scrying through magical circles, though I have very extensive knowledge with reflection-grounded scrying," Kris answered when they finally stopped in the storeroom. She watched him walk past the line of barrels; he seemed to know exactly what he was looking for, even though from what she could see in the darkness, none of the barrels were labeled in any way. Davalan's scrying knowledge was quite extensive, since his magical 'reach' was quite impressive; she had been taught the basics of scrying by creating a circle with any number of materials, including herbs, sand, string, and pure magic. The material enhanced the mage's ability to search for certain things; of course, each individual mage's elemental affinity also played a significant role in what materials they excelled with.<br><br>In Kris's case, scrying with most reflective surfaces came easily to her; she could scry without drawing magical circles as long as there was a natural pool of water nearby, or even a mirrored surface. As her studies had progressed in the past few years, she had improved in that aspect in leaps and bounds. Still, even she knew she could stand to learn more with basic scrying circles.<br><br>"What do you need to scry for, Master Gilandor?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>22-05-2008, 08:20:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gilandor gazed at Kris as she seemed to look at him rather quizzically. He arched a brow to her although he offered no further explanation to her but remained rather focused upon his more immediate mission and soon a sack of sorcerer’s sand was held in his hand. Only once he turned away from the barrel he finished closing did he turn back towards Kristianna, “What am I looking for? Ah that’s the rather tricky part of this particular task. I’m looking for some sort of malevolent magic. No one was able to tell me exactly what it is. However, with this sort of thing that’s not particularly unusual – rather its a lot like a sick person coming to a healer and saying they’re sick. They haven’t a bloody clue why or what the problem is just that there is a problem.”<br><br>He paused a moment before starting towards the door, his hand raised beckoning for her to follow. “In any case there are reports from the south that there is some sort of blight upon their land, and that some sort of monsters are harassing merchants. The why, the how or what of it is rather hazy. Hence for the moment, I’m not really looking for something in particular – the needle in the haystack. We need to examine the hay and look for some part of it that’s out of place and then see if we can narrow things down.”<br><br>Gilandor offered that brief description of what needed to be done and thereafter nodded slightly as though to acknowledge her statement regarding her abilities. “Reflective surfaces are good, but mostly good when you know who or what you want to see. If you have a focused and narrow objective, they’re less useful the broader and less defined the thing you’re searching for.” He idly noted “I’m sure Davalan explained that to you. In any case we are seeking out magic in some way associated with land – hence we have sorcerer’s sand to form our circle.”<br><br>He offered her a rather crooked smile as he noted “Now the fun part will be that whatever I’m looking for is undoubtedly being hidden by some sort of spell as well as warded. After all, generally you can’t be the cause of something significant enough to cause such a stir without having a few skills. Now I’m rather good at this, on the other hand I’m not going to dismiss the possibility that someone else is better. So if nothing else you being here is useful to me as you’ll know to run and fetch a healer if something goes terribly wrong.”<br><br>He continued moving down the hallway and soon reached the foot of the staircase. There he began to ascend the stairs as he noted “Now I’m going to create the scrying circle and around it I’m going to incorporate some sigils to attempt to hide the fact I’m scrying and shield any attacks resulting from wards that might be tripped. Now if you haven’t done that, come take a look and pay attention. You might learn something.” <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Caeli</strong> on <strong>02-06-2008, 13:22:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She rolled her eyes through his explanation - it wasn't as if Davalan hadn't already explained the weaknesses and strengths of her own particular stripe of skills - but remained silent as she followed him out of the room, down the hallway, and down the stairs. She hadn't known that he was asked personal favors by the king - though, given a mage of his ability and fame, that particular tidbit of information wasn't completely surprising. Besides, if someone as skilled as Master Davalan had had him as a past student, it was definitely something that made him stand out from the typical crowd of mages. Davalan rarely took apprentices; since Gilandor, Kris and Tigall had been his only students.<br><br>Still, saying that she was rather useless to him... wasn't that a bit much?<br><br><em>But remember... you can't really say anything, can you? After all, you all but admitted that your skill with earth-scrying is about as strong as a tree against a forest fire. You probably could stand to learn something from this man, Kris,</em> that annoying mind of hers whispered insistently. So, like a good student, Kris nodded her acknowledgment of her 'assignment' as they entered yet another room in his tower. Once the door was closed securely and Gilandor had created his circle (Kris watching carefully all the while), Kris took a seat just outside of the circle, settling into the oft-used and comfortable position, sitting cross-legged on the ground.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Chasing Temptation [Methos &amp; Caeli]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>01-09-2008, 09:20:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Gilandor watched as Kris sat down cross legged to the side watching him. He’d formed the circle with sorcerer’s sand and along its edges he’d traced rather carefully a number of ruins to deflect any adverse detection. He thereafter stepped into the center of the circle and his arms reached out in different directions as his lips began to move in a rather intricate incantation. Gilandor’s hand slowly began to pull together in front of him as his eyes gazed upwards towards the heavens. He seemed to pull upon the air and soon around him almost like a painting appearing out of nowhere the form of hills and countryside would span across the room. His hand extended in one direction and the world seemed to move before him letting him spy across it. He maneuvered his vantage point with the manipulations of his hands seeming to drift his attention one way and then the other.<br><br>His head briefly turned towards Kris as he said “You can’t get an image this clear or large from a reflective surface. Here I’m reaching through the earth and then ripping the image of everything upwards from it and using it as a map to view.” His hand pressed downwards and it seemed to draw closer to the ground so that the still form of animals and individual trees could be seen. However, he pulled it back to higher in the air as he found what looked to be a town. “There, that’s the border of the Livenay kingdom there. Now I need to find what exactly it is that’s out of place beyond this.”&nbsp; His hands stretched ahead of him as the world seemed to fly ahead for him to scrutinize. He seemed to overlook forests and fields and rolling hills to the south. Nothing immediately seemed to spring into view. <br><br>His brow furrowed as he seemed rather absorbed in concentrating upon what he was doing. He seemed to scrutinizing a range of mountains further to the south. “Here..something doesn’t look quite right.” By something he rather meant the pockmarked slopes of the mountains where patches of trees seemed to be missing. He drew the image closed so he looked down at it and indeed there seemed to be some sort of blackness or rot that was spreading over the trees and other vegetation. “This looks like it has something to do with what we were looking for.” Thereafter, he seemed to back away from the trees in his gaze and moved to begin looking at the mountains themselves and he seemed to find some ruins upon one of them. “Ruins in the mountains of Eld?” He stated curiously “What was there..and what’s there now.” He seemed to be scrutinizing the mountains rather thoroughly and thereafter he attempted to find some sort of evidence of settlement upon the mountains. He did eventually find a path leading into one of the mountains. However, he raised his hand to attempt to pull up an image from within and his mouth seemed to work rather wordlessly as he was sent stumbling back out of the circle and the spell fizzled as all the protective runes seemed to trigger. Even so he stumbled and slumped against the wall as he groaned softly. “Okay..that’s bad.”<br><br>The archmage raised his hands to his head as he rubbed his temples. “Oh my aching head.” He said before he seemed to pick himself up slightly. “Well that told me rather a lot, although I don’t think any of it is good news.” Gilandor stumbled over across the room to a chair as the sand that had been used in the circle seemed to be dissolving into nothing. He all but collapsed into the chair as he gestured to her “Send someone for wine.” His voice croaked slightly as he spoke.<br>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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