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Subject: [Lycandra] Chapter 5
Date: 29 Apr 1995 18:17:32 -0400
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   Synopsis: Placed under a curse of timespace by a jealous
wizard, Lycandra seeks a way to free herself and her
lover from the spell.  The sage Barzha has promised to
introduce her to his master, another wizard, who may be
able to help.

-------------

            Chapter 5

   Thanks to the wind, cold, and rain, the journey to the house
of Barzha's master seemed even longer than it actually was.
They went on foot, at least an hour from the village Lycandra
reckoned, until Barzha turned down a narrow path off the road.

   This was thickly wooded country, and Lycandra could swear that
as they walked along the path, the trees in front of them raised
and parted to let them pass, and then closed back in tangles
after them.  

   Barzha seemed pretty spry for one who appeared of later years,
Lycandra thought.  She wondered how old he was really, and
whether his association with his wizard master had hastened
his aging or slowed it.  One could never tell with wizards.

   Wizards.

   How she hated them.  The anger smouldered in her heart.  She
could no longer tell where her own feelings on the subject left
off, and where those of her lover began.  "If only they had
but one throat," she found herself whispering between clenched
teeth, "I would gladly tear it out!"

   They suddenly came upon a tall, narrow stone tower, jutting
from the side of a small, square stone building of what appeared
to be two floors.  The walls all seemed blank, but Barzha
went straight up to one, mumbled a word under his breath, and
a doorway appeared.

   They quickly entered to get out of the weather.  Lycandra
found herself standing in a hall that appeared to be much bigger
than the structure outside would indicate.  It was sparsely decorated,
with only a faded tapestry or two along the walls, and even more
sparsely furnished, with only a few sticks here and there.  Barzha quickly

strode to an immense fireplace and stoked the small flames there, then
threw on some more wood over the exposed coals.  He told Lycandra
he would tell her tale to his master and return shortly.

   Lycandra shook out her cloak and made herself as comfortable
as she could near the fire.  There were several intricately carved
chairs around a simple trestle table nearby.  Lycandra pulled two
near to the fire, arranged her cloak over one, and sat and shivered
in the other.

   She shivered more from her apprehension than the cold and wet.
She could feel her lover behind her eyes, eager, desperate to
come out to occupy her space.  But this would not do, not now,
not yet.  Lycandra knew that not only would her lover's horrid,
cursed appearance be likely to frighten or at least unnerve
her host, her temper these days was quite short.  If there
was any hope here, it would be best to get the facts before
resorting to any violence.  

   If she could hold back that long.  The last several months had been
especially wearisome.  The curse was becoming ever more difficult
to bear.  In time, she would lose all sense of identity, fall into the
blackness of oblivion, her soul forfeit.  She couldn't let them win.
She would destroy them before letting them win.  But was that
Lycandra or her lover voicing that opinion?  She didn't know anymore.

   After a time, Barzha returned, a spring in his step and a smile
on his aging face.  "He will consider your case," Barzha said
with satisfaction in his voice.  "I knew he would."

   Barzha escorted Lycandra to what she thought was the
tower section of the dwelling.  It made sense, she thought.
Wizards never strayed far from their lairs without great reason.

   "And they had best keep to themselves," Lycandra heard the
thought in her head, "if they wish to keep their skins."

-----

Lysette DuBois
LysetteDB@aol.com