A Hunting We Will Go (Morvale)

[Annalisa Marin]

84th of Fall, 513 AV

Anna sat hunched over her workplace in the 3rd level of the Gug Adjak, her brush working out the designs of a basic scroll sigil. Two blank pieces of parchment sat close at hand, they would also become scrolls. She had been coming back here more and more often as of late, preparing for her trip to the Heartlands by building up an arsenal of Glyphed scrolls. They would certainly increase her casting potential, allowing for more spells to be used than normally would have been possible for any wizard. Any tip in her favor was something she'd take.

The first Glyph was drawn easily, the ink moving swiftly over the parchment as it crafted the outline of her Focus Glyph. The stylized inverted triangle was the most natural Glyph for her, coming easily and swiftly. The strokes of her brush were confident and controlled, never wavering for a chime. Barely a glance over was afforded towards the Focus as her brush moved onto the Barrier that would surround the inverted triangle.

The strokes here were more controlled and careful, each rune approached with precision and not the haste seen afforded to the Focus. This one took her longer to complete, but Anna wanted to make certain that no errors were evident in its creation. Walking around with a poorly drawn scroll was just asking for trouble, among other things. Once she managed to finish up the Barrier the apprentice started on the Trigger.

A series of Glyphs were drawn leading up to the upper right hand corner of her parchment, which then led into another larger series of Glyphs. She opted for a verbal trigger this time, a phrase rather than a single word. Anna idly scrawled her usual warning beneath the Trigger in common, what it contained and proper use procedure being the imparted information. The key words were written beneath that.

The Trigger phrase is "Rhysol is the Lord of Lies"

Not exactly the most creative, but few people went around actually saying that exact sequence of words. Well, no one except for people like her who were favored by the Lord of Lies. In any event a careful look over told her that the scroll was completed and could be primed at any time, which would be done after her other two were completed. So she simply set that aside and started on another scroll sigil.

Petch Daren for forcing her hand in this matter, it was his fault she needed to do this in the first place. Travelling to the most dangerous place in all of Sahova, to confront the most powerful combat wizard so that she might gain the favor of Lector Qiao was certainly a tall order. Even with her considerable talents the odds were very much against, even her arsenal of scrolls were only going to work until a point. She needed allies, and quite badly.

Anna finished the Focus easily enough and started on the Barrier, her thoughts drifting to her potential contacts. Kouri was one, a potent one at that considering that she was already dead. A bit unstable, but instability could be useful later down the line. Adora was a possibility, however Anna had not seen or heard from her since the Judgment. It was possible she had failed. So her options were a nearly insane ghost child, and a sub par reimancer that might have been exiled. Fantastic.

The apprentice placed the finishing touches on her Barrier, pausing in her thoughts to draw out the Trigger. Beneath this one she scrawled similar words in common, changing up the wording slightly.

The Trigger phrase is Rhysol is the Master of Chaos.

The apprentice appraised her work, nodded and set it off to the side. Idly she worked out soreness in her shoulders and neck, she'd spent over thirty chimes on just those two scrolls. Being hunched over like that tended to wear on one's shoulders. She took the last piece of parchment, scrawling her Focus Glyph as she was lost in thought again.

Her little 'incident' at the Tear of Uldr was still very fresh in her mind, to the point where she was of half a mind to avoid the Caverns altogether. However that was not the answer, she was marked by Rhysol, a greater god than their pitiful Lord of Undeath. She would simply treat them as any other faction, an organization she could possibly manipulate. Rhysol was her master, there was no other before him.

Anna was on the Barrier by this point, her focus more on this than it had been on drawing the Focus rune. Her thoughts were still allowed to drift as she created each individual glyph, towards that voice that had spoken to her. In all likelihood if it hadn't said something, Maduro would have carved her up. In that case it couldn't have been Uldr, wouldn't want her to die so that he could bring her back as one of his monsters? So what had saved her? More importantly, why?

Anna reached the Trigger and paused, deliberately drawing the next trigger slowly. She wrote the words below, the Trigger phrase in common being written with much more confidence with a kind of self assurance.

The Trigger phrase is, there is no other before Rhysol.

It seemed fitting, each one was a short prayer to her god. With luck, Anna would be spreading chaos and destruction with the items. The wizard stood slowly, arraying the scrolls out before her so that they would receive her magic. She rolled her shoulders, getting ready for a bit of casting that would hopefully take some of her edge off.

She raised both of her hands out before her, willing Djed to gather under the palms of both of her hands. Anna willed it upwards, the translucent liquid known as res forming easily and naturally though hardly with the speed of Master Maelstrom. She willed the res to cut off generation after a few ticks, res now sheathing her hands.

She willed the substance up from her palms and willed them to form two balls of shifting liquid, sighing slight as a slight tingle of pleasure worked its way down her spine. She aimed them over two of the scrolls, willing the outer layer to ignite. With that she drew them up into the air with a slight raising of her hands and moved them down towards the Focus at the center of their respective scrolls, gesturing with her hand moving down quickly.

The balls of flame were absorbed into the Glyphs, priming them with magic. Anna had something special in mind for the last one, res coming out of her mouth in a gaseous form. She willed the mist of res to gather above the last scroll, moving back slightly herself and brought it down quickly in and arc. She willed the air to gather around it and ignite, the res crackling malevolently before arcing down into the Glyph. The small lightning bolt was absorbed, priming her last scroll.

Anna looked at each in satisfaction, the Djed expenditure taking the edge off. She carefully placed each one in a leather scroll case, rolling them up which utmost caution. In the end she was left with three scroll cases with rather deadly spells contained within. Today was shaping up to be fairly productive. She gathered them up and filed them away, prepared leave the Common Labs so she could store these away some where.

[Morvale Barrows]

A somber soulless creature emerged from the dreary gloom of the hallway taking a seat at another work bench. A shadow of his former self gifted by the touch of Uldr the shepard of the immortals, his white dress shirt was as grim as he was. Tattered and plastered with blood, a gaping hole revealed a horrendous scar that zipped across it with one circle below and for above. The revelation of the miracle of undeath, he did not need to breath did not need to eat although still amongst the living if he could be called that his position in the natural cycle of life and death was blurred. His eyes were sanguine that contrasted his paled skin and hair, his left hand was different then his right a spikey mess of thorny bones while his head adorned but two lumps just above his temples.

A he had now but a handful of chips in his hand, all that was left now of an oh so very different past. He was going to try and create something like a necklace from them, the woman across from him was so absorbed in her glyphs she hadnt even taken notice of him. She worked tirelessly over her project, she seemed better fed then most it gave the impression of importance. But there was a captivating look upon her features as her inks dashed across parchments ever so carefully. He could smell it and taste it in the air, but was it hatred?

It mattered not as he continued back to his project, putting the chips into some form of organization as he wished to string them together. Biggest piece in the middle working from left to right going largest to smallest until the order was visually appealing.

But then it happened it sounded like a crack of thunder had lashed out in the room, with a pyro clastic burst that's boom resonates within the confines of the room. It caused him to remove himself from his work bench and loom over her project. No breath to give him away, as his gaze lurked across her scrolls.

He wasn't afraid that she may turn around, things had changed since he'd forgone the frailty of a pulser. They were afraid of him, unsettled and cowering it was to easy like taking sweets from a child. Who would talk back to an undead they were unfamiliar with? Imaginations ran wild with who or what he could be, was he a master? A second tier wizard?

As Annalisa collected her things and put them in cases she would be face to face as she turned around.

"So Rhysol is it? What makes him so special?
Why him above all others?
Are we not all lords of deception?
What makes him the chaos master when we all are practitioners of it in its purest form?
Is this not the game we already play?"

Every sentence ever so dangerously close to activating the scrolls she had created. So what if a typhoon of magic blew through the room and killed everyone. Death was not the same for him, Dira could not clutch his soul back to the nether for it was no longer his to give. He could die a thousand times and return a thousand more.

[Annalisa Marin]

As the apprentice turned from her workplace she found herself face to face with a rather interesting sight. A... man for lack of a better word loomed over her, looking at her with a strange look in those eyes of his. Immediately the tall woman sent a few cursory glances over him, sizing him up for a potential threat as well as what exactly he was. He certainly was no Pulser, not anymore at any rate from what she could note. Not gentle rise and fall of his chest indicated that his lungs were in use, yet he seemed to lack the usual appearance of the frail Nuit she had met. He looked slightly more bestial than he did human. What the petch was he?

When he spoke a slight trace of fear shot through her heart, silenced by the fact that he had likely only read her scroll's trigger phrases. He didn't realize the truth, if he did then he would have thought twice of approaching her. She could easily explain away the words on the scrolls with lies and leave it at that, nothing too difficult. Being known openly as a Chaon was something she wanted to avoid, it was her secret weapon against those who opposed or displeased her.

Her grey eyes locked upon his, a slight look of displeasure upon her face as she did indeed realize how very close he had been to activating the trigger phrases of her scrolls. Either he was not afraid of possibly dying again, or was an utter fool with barely any knowledge of the Arcane. Either way she made her displeasure quite visible. Anna crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned against the workplace with frown on her face.

"I trust you are aware that speaking the exact words you saw on those scrolls is rather unwise. Being blown to bloody chunks might appeal to you, I however rather like living thank you very much." The wizard said, arching an eyebrow ever so slightly.

Something about this man made her feel slightly uneasy, however she crushed the impulse to simply leave. She was a Chaon, chosen by one of the most powerful of gods to bear his blessing. She was not going to hide away like some frightened rabbit because some undead filth tried to intimidate her. Not only that but she was also the apprentice Amaryllis, a position that held some weight and gave her some room to maneuver.

She made certain to shift her hand subtly, displaying the bronze apprentice ring for the undead man to look upon. Even if he didn't know of her master the odds were likely that he'd understand that damaging her would incur someone's ire. Anna was not weak, nor was she just any fool of a pulser that was easily intimidated.

"As for Rhysol, my family was originally from Ravok. When they moved to Zeltiva my father was raised on the faith. In turn it was passed down to me, I haven't sought to change it so I revere him for what he is. That, and how many people do you know that go around saying those exact words on Sahova of all places? Seems like a good Trigger phrase to me." The tall woman said with a shrug, as though the information was trivial.

The lie was well crafted, no specifics to muddy up things and the part about Trigger phrases made perfect sense just logically speaking. Anna was confident that the man wouldn't be able to dig much deeper into it than that, if she did then it would be time to break out a few curses to deal with him. Anna figured she'd be doing Dira a favor by ridding the world of another undead anyway.

Her expression changed from annoyed and displeased to a blank look, one that indicated a neutrality in regards to the man before her. This change in mood would be met by a change in subject very quickly, as getting into a debate on religion without knowing who this man was would be inadvisable. As much fun as it would be to preach the glory of Rhysol loud and clear, it would reveal a little too much about her character.

"Now then, I don't suppose you mind explaining who you are and why you are impeding my path? You are certainly no Nuit, but neither are you a Pulser." Anna inquired.

If nothing else she'd gain a little more information about another denizen of the Citadel, revealing another piece in the eternal game of Sahovan politics. Perhaps this might lead to something more if she was fortunate, but the apprentice was cautious about getting her hopes up too much. Allies were necessary, but enemies could be just around the corner as well.

[Morvale Barrows]

Annalisa seemed bothered by his words, her fluttering glances did not go unnoticed but he was indifferent as she leaned back and crossed her arms. There was some in the way she moved, and how her grey eyes fell upon his. There was a look of displeasure smeared across her features as he spoke, letting his words dance upon a razors edge.

It was true, what did Morvale know of Rhysol? He only knew that he was the god of chaos and lies. Recently aquired knowledge within the span of a tick or two, but why should he care? The god of chaos was an incomplete one, the master of ruin yet without order he ceased to exist. It was amusing to think that chaos and order while hating each other relied upon one another for survival. But the thought hadnt lingered long, it was the idea of hate that let his mind wander adrift.

"Perhaps for you maybe, but I admire your courage.
Most would have run off by now, but you stand your ground. There's fire in your soul, and you've amassed a small arsenal. I can only imagine the danger you must be facing."

It was then that she shifted her hand, her attempt to feign power and prestige when she was just bottom rung apprentice. It was subtle but Morvale was indifferent, he didn't care for those rings. Those that had the luxury to be selected had this pre-conceived notion that the position was left open for them since the valterian. That others like her had come and gone no more then dust in the wind while that little exquisite bronze ring carried itself through history being passed from hand to hand. It was a marvelous relic, the story's it could tell. But like all wizards they clamored for more like pigs in a troph, never taking time to appreciate what they were given. He himself was given only the promise of something like that, Riyanna would pay.

"That's a nice ring, you should treasure it.
In fact I remember an apprentice with a ring just like that, I'd give you a name but you'll have to forgive me I tend to loose track of new faces. They come and go, but maybe you will be different. Different then the countless that thought they'd be different before you."

Morvale paused briefly, his attitude and deamonor never fluctuated still indifferent. It was just a game to him he liked to feign being older then he was. He was no longer a rat in a cage clamoring for life. His hate had set him free, so what if she was some masters pet? Could they do any worse to him then what he'd experienced on his judgement? The thought of any torments they could afflict upon his material shell were laughable, this woman just didn't get it.

Morvale was no better equipped then she to see through her well crafted lie, it made sense to him. The dots seemed to connect in ways that that fit perfectly natural. But that was the nature of twisting lies into the truth, it was hard to decode unless the someone knew the other.

"It's a pity, he sounds like a powerful god. Do you ever lay in your bed looking at the ceiling wondering if one day he will come for you? As you grow older and your body slowly wastes away, do you think he will save you? A joyous thing it would be to pray to your god as civilizations come and go. Time would be your weapon as you could wait until your enemies hourglass empties, and as he lay on his death bed you could slowly take those closet to them before visiting them one last time before old age ushers the end."

He paused briefly, he was lying again about his age. But it was hard not to know the truth most never met him.

"I was merely curious, it was a powerful display.
Your talented and like any artist I merely wished to observe your work, the way you move your brush. How you swirl your lines, and how your final picture emerged. "

Morvale then stepped back to allow Annalisa the freedom to go and do as she pleased.
He dismissed her question when she asked him about what he was, the fact was she already knew and answering her question because it was an impertinent waste of his time.

"Your free to go whenever you wish, ill just go back to working on my project. It wasn't my intention to keep you against your will."

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna was now, by this point, barely holding back the growing and broiling desire to curse this fool. He dared to speak down to her? It would take but a thought from her and she could flood his lungs with molten lava, crush him like an insect under a boulder, or burst his head like a zit with a bit of lightning. Undeath allowed for many things, but even they were able to be sent to Dira's embrace with enough creative force. She skillfully held back the anger though, not giving any outward indication of her true thoughts.

Instead she simply smiled disarmingly, her grey eyes flashing with a slightly chaotic light. She examined the ring shrugging slightly at his words, chuckling with amusement. He was right in a way, the thing was that her path was already being paved. Soon enough, on the twentieth of winter the bronze would become silver and Apprentice Annalisa Marin would be Wizard Annalisa Marin. Nothing was going to stand in her way, anything that did would be removed by force if necessary. Her ambition was more than that of some doe eyed fool, it was that of one who's fate was for something greater than those around her.

Anna simply waited until he was through, a slight chuckle escaping her as he actually moved out of her path. His words denoted age but that hardly mattered to her, she was different from other apprentices. How many had faced a god? How many had survived overgiving with their mind intact? How many had faced down the force of the Citadel's Master of Reimancy and lived to tell of it? She wasn't just different, she was better than everyone else who held a bronze ring around their fingers. Probably a fair few who had silver as well.

So she simply dismissed his rhetoric, ravings of a fool, nothing more. She did appreciate the complement of her abilities though, that alone probably saved him from a curse that would steal his eyes and another that would take his ears. Having to hold back from using Rhysol's power annoyed her but she did hold back, at least for now. This man might indeed serve to amuse her yet.

She couldn't afford to be stupid about this though, she had to bide her time of course and understand her prey. She needed to act out her part well, that of the prideful pulser that was no different from the others. Let him think he knew her, the fact of the matter was that he likely had already done that. Really, that made her manipulations far, far more easy. It was all an act though, on the inside every implication was examined and every possibility was explored.

His lack of interest in the rings seemed to indicate something more than mere indifference, exactly what was not certain. That was an avenue she made a note to explore, once she gained a name she would take it up with Amaryllis. The Nuit knew who was who in the Citadel and beyond, if this individual had any worth she would know.

Next she examined his compliment, it denoted lack of knowledge regarding her magic. 'Powerful display' was hardly accurate, the spells and scrolls had been basic. Shown to the panel of Judges during the Judgment one would probably be laughed out of Sahova. However, she would operate under the assumption that he understood at least the basics of Glyphing, at least until proven otherwise.

As for his age, Anna had an excellent way of finding that out. The Ancient Tongue. If he were indeed as old as he was indicating he would know it to a fluent degree most likely, like every other undead here. Anything below that and his indication would be worth less in her eyes.

Smile still on her face she mocked a look of gratitude at being 'permitted' to leave, instead allowing interest to take hold of her. She made very certain to think over her words before hand, making very certain her inflection was correct.

"Interesting, just what might you be working on? Something more important than my scrolls?" Her inflection halting, but competent and understandable.

Now she would start to unravel this mystery before her, piece by piece and thread by thread.

[Morvale Barrows]

Morvale halted for a moment, Nader Canoch it was a third language to him. One he used more often since his arrival on the island, he had found a particular usefulness with it when he created maledicted items. But why bother to play her game? She was trying to denote his age by how fluently he spoke it. Why not throw her for a loop, one part I understand what your asking and another part I see what your trying to do.

"Probably, scrolls are only useful once."

There was no Nader Canoch spoken, however he quickly thwarted her attempt to assess him. This woman reminded him of his time in the university however brief it was, when he confided in someone who figured out his secret that he was a mixed blood it had ultimately ended in disaster as it had shut doors and forced his hand, he had come to the island to avoid the wave guards gallows. When the tall woman stated her faith as being aligned to The Lord Of Lies, it sort of put a hamper on her trustability although she was cunning he'd give her that.

In fact this woman probably hadn't realized yet that he had unearthed part of her background, he now knew she was a reimancer, that she was also competent with glyphs, that her faith revolved around Rhysol, and he had not one, not two but three spell triggers. The ticking time bombs that the woman most likely would stash in her four by four cubicle the very room she slept in. Or just for the fun of it ignite the fuse to each scroll and watch the fireworks, what was another death to him? He could just chalk it up to his umpteenth time averting Diras grasp this season.

My work, is actually done here.

His left hand went to his pocket as his fingers fidgeted out this curious little charm the
Roza Kasai Bracelet this maledicted bracelet made from Sahovan monster dog's teeth has the effect of dampening the feeling of hope of a person who wears it, replacing it with despair. The feeling is only slight and a truly positive person would not be affected. It works best in crushing a person who only has a small sliver of hope.

It's a powerful combat tool, although it's negative effects are slight. You have to wear it for the item to charge itself, it ellicits fear and hopelessness to your enemies in crucial moments of combat. I was hoping for more but this has failed me.

You can have it if you'd like, try it on tell me what you think

Morvale seemed genuine about letting it go, it was just another failed Legacy item in his possession. The only catch was there was no combat enhancement, although the immediately felt effects would suggest otherwise.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna lifted an eyebrow at his response in common, knowing that it meant one of two things and one was more likely than the other. Either he was indeed a fluent speaker and simply wanted to toss back that he had seen her ploy. Then again the better action there would simply have been to dazzle Anna with his command of the Ancient Tongue. No, more likely he was simply covering up his lack of fluency, which cast some doubt over his age. Sure he was undead, but Anna had her doubts now as to him being as ancient or old as he seemed to indicate. This being that case Anna was therefore willing to bet he was simply trying to throw his weight around, to mess with her. Unfortunately for him, he had chosen the wrong apprentice to try this on.

The apprentice had grown tired of not allowing herself to indulge in Rhysol's blessings. However she needed to be careful about this whole thing, something that was trivial and would be easily forgotten as an action. Miscellaneous, it wasn't like anyone could trace the curse back to her, they were impossible to detect and even harder to know exactly what befell them until it was too late.

Anna raised an eyebrow as he handed her the object, its uses sounding intriguing. However she was very leery about trying on, perhaps trying it out on a prisoner in the Dungeons first would be a better idea. Wearing magical items offered by perfect strangers was certainly not her idea of a smart move. Still its offering to her afforded her the chance she needed to lay a curse upon him, through touch.

The apprentice grasped the bracelet and took it as offered, her index finger brushing against his hand briefly. Through the nearly instantaneous and likely barely registered contact the Chaon planted the seed of corruption, the insidious curse of the Lord of Lies. The undead wouldn't notice anything odd for the first few days, however after that he would find that his sight would be robbed from him entirely. The curse would last for a week, vanishing after that unless Anna was present to compound upon it.

She turned over the item in her hands, it looked to be made from the teeth of some monster. Vaguely Anna recalled having heard rumors of some form of magic that used the parts of deceased creatures as its fuel. The name escaped her exactly, however it seemed vaguely useful. She intended to try this thing out the moment she entered the Dungeons. Perhaps this man might be able to further assist her, Anna thought it over. Killing things was easy for her, a powerful reimancer like her could kill just about anything or anyone. Perhaps she might be able to come to some kind arrangement with him.

"Interesting item, I've heard of a discipline that uses the bones of the dead to craft items however I can't exactly remember what it is called." She commented, storing it away.

She then pulled out the three scrollcases and set them down on the table nearest to him, giving him a look of slight amusement. Yes, it was indeed very possible that she might want to come to some arrangement with him.

"You can take those then, I'd feel rather like I was robbing you if I didn't give you something for your trouble. In fact I might very well be able to give you a few more glyphed baubles, more potent than those silly little scrolls." The Chaon offered, making the offer but clearly indicating that something for something was needed.

It was rather like she was a merchant hawking her wares if she thought about it carefully enough. Rather, it was like she was trying to work out a deal from the man before her. She looked like she realized something, a moment later, smacking her forehead.

"Gah! I can't believe I'm discussing business with someone who doesn't even know my name. I am Annalisa Marin, sir, Apprentice to Chief Embalmer Amaryllis. Might I know the pleasure of your name?" She said, offering a highly exaggerated bow that looked more like it belonged on a stage play rather than in public.

[Morvale Barrows]

As the item exchanged hands Anna had gracefully planted her seed of corruption within him. Although he had no inclination as to what had happened, perhaps it was not the smartest move to give into temptation and curse someone who knew her faith as that seed would blossom into something terrible and ugly. And although he hadn't the faintest idea of what happened to him, he was but one book away from enlightenment in the library. What if Morvale had taken an interest in her faith while researching the origins of his own pantheon and stumbled upon this? What if he like she reported to someone of higher authority each day about his findings? What if that person knew more then he. Or what if he inquired to his peers and that information stumbled into the wrong hands? What if he already knew about Rhysol? What if he already knew what a chaon was?

Had she thought this mindless self indulgence fully through?

But a lot could happen in a weeks time to avert his attention, perhaps it was in her best interest to pray that it would or perhaps in a weeks time this stranger that she knew nothing about would be looking for answers or already had them. This affliction could become a boon, but it was left in fates hands now.

It was that moment of self reflection that forever present what if that should horrify her, when she had time to collect herself and ponder upon what she had done. Would she spend sleepless nights or unravel into madness over this perpetual nightmare she created for herself? Maybe it was she who cursed herself, as what if hung In the balance.

He was already suspicious of her, this feeling strengthened by her affiliation to a god thats faith preached of lies and betrayal. Her attitude had changed towards him dramatically as she pocketed the item, he took a moment to consider her offer while ignoring her question about Malediction. If she'd heard of the art and forgotten the name already, was it really worth his time and effort to waste it on deaf ears? She clearly displayed a lack of respect for the craft until now, was it his responsibility to reinform her?

More time had passed, as he contemplated what the woman was trying to sell him. He'd drawn his conclusion based upon her faith, her sudden change in demeanor and how she informed him of how dangerous those spell scrolls were. The reality was as she hawked his wares at him, she gave him the impression of a snake oil salesmen. The fact was he knew the triggers to activate those scrolls and he felt these were being passed on him, did she also dabble in the thought of exploiting this?

"So I offer you a treasure and this is how you intend to repay my generosity?
I'm sure ill sleep soundly knowing that I've got a barrel of black powder under my bed?
Do you take me for a fool mortal?
Do you think I've managed to survive this long by mere chance?

Annalisa was it? Should I report your attempt on my well being to Amaryllis superiors? I'm sure she'd be delighted by the pressure I can sway to have you cast out.

How dare you ask for my name after such a sleight against me, I am among my own here. I dont need a petty ring to feel safe within these walls. Despite you being the chief embalmers pet you are a but a guest here."

Morvale had just been given this information, the intent to express his dissatisfaction. Although her offer might have been genuine, there was enough going on to make him think otherwise. The hatred within him broke free, audible in his words. And although he held no true power or support, Annalisa did not know this.

[Annalisa Marin]

Anna was rather displeased with each word spoken by this man, her pride recoiling and writhing like a wounded serpent. Her grey eyes were fit to narrow into a glare and the once tiny urge in her mind, the simple desire to cast decided to seize upon this moment. He dared to think she was gutless enough to use mere toys such as scrolls to end him? If she were really trying to end him she'd summon a firestorm, drown him in lava, blow him to pieces with lightning. She was no assassin needing to fear reprisal, she was Annalisa Marin. Powerful enough to go blow to blow with Roknus Maelstrom, she should-

She should stop letting her mind wander. Right now. Too many things unknown about this man to try anything. At least for the moment, the curse would have to be enough suffering for him. Instead of planning to murder him it might simply be best to salvage the situation. She needed to think logically here.

She went over his words, carefully considering them. Under the circumstances perhaps indeed one might perceive the offering of scrolls to be a threat. She had admitted to worshipping Rhysol after all. Though, if it was simply due to her knowing the trigger phrases as well there was a method Anna could employ to simple forget what they were. Amaryllis had taught her a method to alter her understanding of a particular event, replacing it with something else. Technically it was her tool against Daren but why wouldn't it work here as well? If she simply forgot the trigger phrase that took any threat she might offer out of the equation.

His mention of causing pressure against Amaryllis did actually send a slight trace of fear through her, it was not visible though and Anna contemplated its meaning. He had admitted to not needing a ring, that his undeath alone was enough. That actually served to raise an eyebrow, not having a ring wasn't just a status symbol as it allowed one to go places that visitors were not permitted. Namely any place that was not the Quarters, the first five floors of the Gug Andjak, and the Courtyard. It was rather necessary for anyone who owned a ring to wear it at all times.

First things first though, to deal with the trigger phrase issue. The tall woman said nothing at first, simply sitting cross-legged upon the floor and closing her eyes. A meditative position.

"I suppose that is rather unfair of me to offer scrolls when I know the trigger phrase. So allow me to eliminate that factor from the equation. I possess a rather advanced meditative technique that allows me to... well, lets simply leave it at it will only make you the one to know the trigger phrases." The apprentice said, her tone rather hushed.

It was rather possible that Morvale still might not believe her, but there wasn't much she could do about that. This was about the display as much as the action, adopting this position was also meant to make her seem less threatening. She wasn't trying to kill him, she was trying to work out a deal that might very well benefit both parties. If she needed to make herself a little less dominant looking than that was the price she had to pay.

Anna's breathing started to cycle, deep breaths taken in through her nose and out through her mouth. She attempted to clear her mind, trying to block out the sounds of the Common Labs and isolate the memory needed. It took a few chimes but she managed to find the memories. Once there she thought on an alteration, deciding to change up her recollection of the trigger phrases. Where once they were prayers to Rhysol now they were simply monosyllable words, 'seagull' 'serendipity' and 'extracurricular'. In her mind that was exactly what she had written down, nothing more nothing less. She would still know that she had changed her perspective and why, but she wouldn't be able to recall the trigger phrases. That was the point.

She opened her eyes and stood slowly, picking up one of the scrollcases. A slight thrill of fear did shoot through her as she thought of what she was going to do next, and it showed rather visibly. Even though she knew why she had changed the memory the new triggers were the real triggers in her mind. Still this needed to be convincing.

"Seagull. Serendipity. Extracurricular." Anna visibly flinched at each word, still speaking them as her logical mind assured her that it was alright.

She let out a sigh of relief and placed the scroll back where she had placed it, her gaze turning to the man once more. That had been... a little nerve wracking, rather like holding a dull knife to ones own throat, knowing its dull but still having that bit of fear that it might kill them anyway.

"As far as I know, in my memory anyway, those are the trigger phrases. Obviously they aren't real since I'm not dead so you are the only one with the real ones. If it makes you feel more comfortable I can do that each time I might gift you a scroll, simply to show my good intentions and desire to come to an arrangement." She offered.

It was a genuine offer, Anna was far more interested in his trinkets than she was in trying to horribly murder him with scrolls. Next however she allowed herself a slight chuckle.

"Ah, sir. I don't mean to sound rude, as I'm certain that this is something you are aware of, but rings aren't just status symbols. Without them the wards around places other than the Courtyard, the first five floors of this very building, or the Quarters prevent others from travelling into them. You could also get past them with an escort possibly." She stated with a raised eyebrow.

She wasn't calling him out, rather giving him a more gentle reminder than most would that the rings were rather vital to living in the Citadel. Without it a person really couldn't do all that much. Anna herself had only been allowed into the Palsa Hydrasa before her apprenticeship because Daren had been with her. Without his escort she didn't doubt that the wards would have prevented her from entering, even with his help they had tugged at her. Perhaps his was hidden away someplace for whatever reason, as far as Anna knew he could have a way around the wards. Undead or not, technically speaking without it he was more a visitor than she.

[Morvale Barrows]

Morvale was an empty shell of his former self, something within him a void that could never be filled by what had been exchanged. It was not her agony that he desired, but that look in her eyes. Her hate emanated like a fiery aura as she was just inches from lashing out at him like a viper, the shear intensity of those all to brief but nevertheless beautiful moments were enthralling. It was an awe inspiring sight, like a majestic masterpiece of her swirling emotions as her mind ran rampant with hatred for this man. Like a child enamored by a roaring fire his hand gently lifted as if he wished to touch this oasis that was reflected behind her gaze.

There was a waiting there for the climax to the story, the woman shut it off. The the bubbling cauldron of violently turbulent emotions grew cold and with it his look of admiration grew dim.

He had to ask

"Wh...wh...why did you stop?"

His tone had changed dramatically he was perplexed confused utterly smitten by her screeching stop. Indeed, he cared not about the scrolls anymore but rather the potential he saw in this woman.

She was persistent in trying to strike a bargain, she even went so far as to explain a curious technique about meditative trances but it was instantly dismissed the whole idea of how it worked was comical. Morvale could also close his eyes, and utter words pretending to act as if waiting to be blown to smithereens. And while that method might have been legitimately authentic, there was just something unbelievable about it. There was no proof no guarantee nothing substantial for him to draw a conclusion upon. Something all to easy to pretend, Morvale did not want to take a risk on the possibility of being dooped on make believe. But in her moment of almost striking him down she had in fact opened a door way, there was something that he wanted from her.

"I can see that perhaps I've misjudged you, pardon my brash behavior. I can't say that I feel any better about those scrolls, would you believe me if I closed my eyes breathed calmly and then said egg, chicken, rooster? Have I now forgotten those triggers?

However

If you do me but one favor, ill shall do three of my choosing for you. For each scroll I turn down.

What I want from you is to hate with purpose, let it fuel your mind body and spirit. It's all I ask, if you give me your word on this I shall consider my gift repayed, I shall outfit you with another item and I shall assist you in one task on the premise it does not interfere with my own ambitions."

Morvales attitude had completely changed up until the tall woman began to talk again, she insisted that rings were important on the island. Giving him a long in depth speech as if she had thoroughly prepared it. And for a moment Morvale had this look of surprise on his face, he seemed confused and uncertain of what to do. Like she had seen through his deception, his hands seemed to shake letting her savor the moment of imminent victory over him. He wanted her to be reeled in, like he had when he was just inches from feeling like he was about to slay Gresshal. Until robbing her of it, as quickly as he had let it build up.

A snark snicker then escaped his lips as his thumb and index finger squeezed his temple, he looked around as if he had an audience. "By the gods, did that just happen?" He stated sarcastically. "Did I just get lectured?"he openly mocked.

Perhaps your deaf, or you only hear what you want. If I recall I said I did not need a petty ring to feel safe. I do recall you flashing yours around like it was some kind of security blanket, like it made you special. Please go to the testing grounds and try that stunt on a monster see how far you get, I'm sure your place on the chief embalmers lap will surely dissuade there attempts upon you. Better yet try your pathetic bronze ring on a master I'm sure they will be sent trembling in there robs.

He flashed her a smug shyk eating grin, as he attempted to grip that chord within her to make her angry to make her hate.