Taestra Rinn: She awakes in a brief panic, surrounded by the serpentine tendrils of black.
  Eirik Skuring: *He raises his right foot, trying to set himself loose from the tentacles*
  Taestra Rinn: "This is a dream...?"
  Eirik Skuring: I don't know.


  Eirik Skuring: Something's coming.
  Taestra Rinn: "These look to be the same that surrounded young Theodore..." she grunted.

  Taestra Rinn: "Eirik!"




  Eirik Skuring: *And he charges on the Dryad, dealing a few blows on it without success*
  Taestra Rinn: "Hold, First Knight... we're here for a message, not a battle."
  Eirik Skuring: Is this the pacter?
  You have   minute(s) left on your Barbarian Rage cooldown timer.
  The Voice: *After the bold charge from the first knight, the forest surrounds him with corrupted trees, keeping him distant from the creature. It's attention then shifts to Taestra*

  Taestra Rinn: "I do not know..." she replied, frowning softly.  "My lady, are you the one who summoned me here?"

  Eirik Skuring: *He attempts and finds a place to slip from his tree-prison*
  Corrupted Dryad: I am the pacter, "First Knight".
  Taestra Rinn: Her alarmed expression was hidden beneath newly donned steel as Eirik was wrenched back with the ease of a child playing with a toy soldier.
  Eirik Skuring: *He grunts, raising his chin proudly to the Dryd* Hm.
  Taestra Rinn: "Now isn't the time for pride, Eirik..."

  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Perhaps you should ask its name.

  Corrupted Dryad: As always, you mortals come in pairs. Anuia too, did not come alone, and she was corrupted by the companions she called as friends in making a poor decision.

  Eirik Skuring: *He mutters a few words to Taestra*



  Taestra Rinn: She once again sheathes her weaponry, doffing her helm in a shake of her blonde mane.  With a bold step, she strode forward while the vines allowed her to do so.

  Corrupted Dryad: *More tree branches seeem to dip from the canopy. These seem to form behind the Dryad, whipping in the air near her angrily*

  Eirik Skuring: *Narrowing his eyes to the Dryad, he remained with his blade resting against his right shoulder*

  Corrupted Dryad: Do you know why you are here?
  Taestra Rinn: Her steps paused, but she hand her were stretched to either side in a show of peace, as if in this realm she was any threat to this creature.  "I am corrupted by more than just my friends, my lady..." she intoned quietly.  "...as for why I am here - this has to do with Anuia, I assume?"


  Corrupted Dryad: It is. I call you here as I believe you are the holder of the heart. The last person to perhaps be able to reason with her. Soon, I will summon her to the realm of our court for her to make a decision. But I do love my Anuia, as do you.






  Corrupted Dryad: To that end, the Oracle of Pandemonium shall also join us. You do love her, yes?
  Eirik Skuring: *As time passes and words are exchanged, he slightly looses his grip on his sword's handle, while still keeping a suspicious look towards the Dryad*
  Taestra Rinn: "She has given me her heart, as I have yielded mine... she spoke to me a little of this choice, but what is it you wish for me to convey?"
  Taestra Rinn: "I do."





  Corrupted Dryad: Oracle, convey darling Anuia's future.









  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Runs up breathlessly*
  Speedy Messenger Runner: Eirik, it's Harvey. Sometime when you're free can you show me the route to the squids again? I'm trying to memorize the route.
  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Dashes off*
  The message was: Eirik, it's Harvey. Sometime when you're free can you show me the route to the squids again? I'm trying to memorize the route.
  Oracle of Pandemonium: *The oracle studies the Speedy Messenger Runner with fascination*


  Eirik Skuring: Oh. *Is all that he can say towards the Planeswalking Speedy Messenger*
  Taestra Rinn: She awaited the strange creatures words, amber eyes flocused now on the winged-man.






  Oracle of Pandemonium: The first born from her womb shall become of the court, through a gift for freedom, or through wrought of force. Blood was her oath's price, and her blood the first born's, unless gifted, which cycle broken, end of vice.


  Oracle of Pandemonium: *The Kenku speaks lyrically like a humming bird. When it is done it turns to face the corrupted Dryad*





  Eirik Skuring: *He rubs his chin, in thought*


  Taestra Rinn: She drank in the words, silent and considering, glancing once to Eirik with a pensive frown.


  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Does it mean it literally?

  Eirik Skuring: *He leans closer to Taestra, whispering her a few words*

  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] ...a child?
  Corrupted Dryad: Do you understand now why she must be stopped for her own good? A mother can have a second. A third. A fourth. Her payment of the first will end the cycle of children betraying parents before it begins.










  Taestra Rinn: "So unless her firstborn isn't yielded as a gift, this cycle continues?"


  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Runs up breathlessly*
  Speedy Messenger Runner: The silence is defeaning, Lady Rinn.
  Corrupted Dryad: Unless her firstborn is yielded as a gift, the cycle continues.
  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Dashes off*









  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Which cycle is this being referring to?
  Eirik Skuring: *mutter mutter*
  Taestra Rinn: She took a slow breath, trying to gather her wits and calm the tumult of her racing heart.  When she found her center, Taestra spoke, her amber eyes regarding the tall, shadowy figure before her.  "...she is foretold to have children?  And yes, what is this cycle you speak of?"

  Corrupted Dryad: Did she not tell you how she gained her powers, and the sacrifice she did to obtain them?
  Taestra Rinn: "No..." she said, almost apprehensive for the answer.






  Corrupted Dryad: Oh, darling Anuia. So protective of herself and not wanting to tell you. Not trusting you.  I won't be awful and spoil the lovely bloody details. That is hers to tell.
  Pawoo
  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Runs up breathlessly*
  dollarphjil
  Speedy Messenger Runner: If you ain't gonna send back for me I'm gonna throw rocks at your castle till you wake up! -Tina
  Taestra Rinn: "I am no stranger of blood and loss, my lady - do you have a name to which I may know you by?"
  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Dashes off*
  The message was: If you ain't gonna send back for me I'm gonna throw rocks at your castle till you wake up! -Tina

  Corrupted Dryad: Names have power. Power you mortals do not understand.



  Taestra Rinn: "A title, then?"

  Eirik Skuring: *This time he lets out an amused chuckle, before going back to his suspicious expression*

  Corrupted Dryad: I am the Pacter of Blight.
  Eirik Skuring: *He coughs, clearing his throat, grasping his sword with more force*




  Corrupted Dryad: But you should also know mortal, that questions, trades, do not come freely. And so you will answer one of mine.


  Taestra Rinn: "Very well, Mistress of Pacts and Blight, you have conveyed your message, and provoked in me a desire to get answers from she who holds my heart..." she trailed off, staring up at the shadowy visage, awaiting the question.


  Corrupted Dryad: What will you do with what you know, that your partner is doomed to die unless she hands over her child; that she will create it with another person? Oh, I wonder if you will beg her to never create life at all.



  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Runs up breathlessly*
  Speedy Messenger Runner: "Could you lower the drawbridge? Can I make myself at any way useful, also? I'll wait for a reply. Lucatiel"
  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Dashes off*
  The message was: "Could you lower the drawbridge? Can I make myself at any way useful, also? I'll wait for a reply. Lucatiel"

  Eirik Skuring: *He glances from the Speedy to Taestra, sighing*
  Taestra Rinn: She let the silence hang there for a long moment as she considered her words carefully, reflecting on both her feelings and the truth dwelling within her heart.  "...what will I do?  Frankly, I don't know right now.  If she creates a life with another, it will only be a lingering reminder..."


  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] This evil hag is taunting you, Taestra. It's trying to put you against Anuia.



  Taestra Rinn: "...of what she was forced to do to earn her freedom.  It may be a life, but it isn't a life that I imagine I care about... and it isn't to death's domain we would give it, but unto the care of the fey court..."
  Eirik Skuring: *He mutters a few words again to Taestra*








  Taestra Rinn: "So, would I prevent her from making the child to earn her freedom?" she paused, tilting her head to one side.  "No... I am far more pragmatic than that, I think... but I would probably kill the man that yielded that seed, and think naught on the babe once yielded."  She said in a tone of ice.



  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] I hurt it some with my blows. This thing can be felled, it can be beaten. None of this firstborn prophecy is necessary when several inches of metal in this hag's gut does the work just as well.

  Taestra Rinn: "Does that suffice as an answer?"

  Taestra Rinn: She seems to be listening to Eirik, though her voice betrays nothing - a mask of ice with pits of fire for her amber gaze.
  Eirik Skuring: *He speaks in a lower tone once again with taestra, while keeping his full attention on the Dryad*
  Corrupted Dryad: It does suffice. It is now your task to see through, so she may live.


  Taestra Rinn: "I will inform her of what has transpired, and what I think..."
  Eirik Skuring: And my good lady, do pardon me for my sword blows. I took you for one of the denizens of his dreamscape and assumed the worse. *He dips his head* I trust you are not hurt by it?

  Taestra Rinn: [Tell] Can you give me the log of this whole event...?
  Eirik Skuring: [Tell] ye
  Corrupted Dryad: And "what you think". *The dryad laughs, the sound hauntingly beatutiful, with a tinge of coldness* I thought mortals were more pushy then that.



  Corrupted Dryad: It is a dream, so it was not painful. And your aggression was....interesting for me.
  Taestra Rinn: "I leave the push for Sir Eirik, I am more tactically inclined.  I weigh my options, examine the field of battle, and make my strikes more surgically."









  Eirik Skuring: I expected for shadowy beings to swoop down on us, good, it wasn't the case.

  Taestra Rinn: She chuckled lightly, glancing at Eirik.  "Perhaps Eirik can give *you* a child, my lady - and then we can forget this whole ugly business of prophecy and death, hmmm?"

  Eirik Skuring: *He looks the Dryad up and down, and the he shifts his gaze to Taestra, staring at her expressionless*

  Corrupted Dryad: *The dryad laughs once more* If only it were so simple. But perhaps you could ask your lover, my pacted, what she thinks of the idea with him.


  Taestra Rinn: "I would slit his throat," she said without hesitation.

  Corrupted Dryad: There is one more thing, of course. The Court always wants to get what it wants, and we will not wait around forever for Aniui to come around.
  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] This damned is taunting you.
  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] *hag
  Corrupted Dryad: You have only had a taste of nature's wrath in a dream. But if I do not get an oath from my pacted to give up her first blood, or to continue to serve me by the end of your mortal month, the people in your keep will die. All die and perish and suffer needlessly and tragically. Sorrowful deaths addied to her tallie of bloodlust and greed.


  Corrupted Dryad: And then after, if the pacted is still so certain about continuing the cycle, she may visit me, in Pandemonium.
  Corrupted Dryad: And I will weep, as she needlessly dies.


  Taestra Rinn: "So time is running out," her nostrils flared with another slow breath before she turned to Eirik.  "We will do what we must - I will speak with my beloved..."
  Oracle of Pandemonium: So shall it be, for the court never forgets.
  Eirik Skuring: *He raises his chin once again, narrowing his eyes to the Dryad*


  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] I will grab this thing's head and crush into a pulp.
  Taestra Rinn: Her amber eyes turned toward the Kenku, considering it briefly before tilting back up to stare at the shadowy figure.
  Corrupted Dryad: I will give you this opportunity to ask questions before you awaken in one piece...more or less.


  Taestra Rinn: "And will the answers come at a price?"


  Corrupted Dryad: There is always a price. But yours is already to get your beloved to agree. I will generously answer these out of my own kindness.




  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Runs up breathlessly*
  Speedy Messenger Runner: Igogh's at The Tower and lookin' for ya.  Says there's something goin' wrong at Darrowdeep.  Lucatiel's at the gate, and there's loads of dead trees where there wasn't, before.

  Speedy Messenger Runner: *Dashes off*
  The message was: Igogh's at The Tower and lookin' for ya.  Says there's something goin' wrong at Darrowdeep.  Lucatiel's at the gate, and there's loads of dead trees where there wasn't, before.




  Taestra Rinn: "When did you first contact Anuia?  You needn't tell me the details of the pact, but how old was she?"



  Corrupted Dryad: Like many, she was young. Perhaps for you mortals, it may feel like years, but to me, it felt like months ago.

  Corrupted Dryad: A pity she does not wish to stay to her agreement. Her freedom may have eventually been lost, but we are kind, loving lords.

  Corrupted Dryad: It is thus, only fair, her first blood pay the remainder of the price she wishes to shirk out of.
  Taestra Rinn: "What is power when you have no mind to wield it with?" she asked softly.  "Anuia tells me she is slowly going insane - if you love her so much, why allow this to happen?"
  Oracle of Pandemonium: So shall it be, for the Court never forgets.





  Corrupted Dryad: Power from the court into mortal hands is always unpredictable. Not many can handle it for an entire lifetime. Humans thus are the best canidates, but sweet, sweet Aniui has begun to use it less and less...like an addiction, it must be fed, not ignored. She will regain herself when she acknowledges it is of herself, at least partially. Perhaps she is doomed to lose herself in the end...
  Corrupted Dryad: ..But there is no better to lose it for than in service to the court.






  Corrupted Dryad: Her heartless helpers thus do not understand, they hurt, not help. That is why you were summoned. That is why you are asked to save her, or leave her to her doom.







  Taestra Rinn: Her jaw tensed, and it looked like she was biting back words, but Taestra held her cool for the moment.  "Yes... I... the pragmatist," she said with a sardonic smile that never reached her eyes.  "I guess the real question is what will become of this child, if yielded to the court?"
  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Surely to be eaten in some horrible feast.
  Corrupted Dryad: Those raised in Pandemonium become better accustomed to the gift. It will become a proper wielder, and grow to be a strong child.


  Taestra Rinn: "...and what assurances do I have that anything you have said to me is the truth?"
  Corrupted Dryad: In time, it will be introduced as my gift to the Queen, to be her retainer, should he or she perform to expectations.







  Corrupted Dryad: If you wish assurance, then you have only to disobey. Plenty of blood can be spilled to prove we live by our word.

  Oracle of Pandemonium: What is said is to be, as such all the Court speaks is truth.


  Taestra Rinn: She nodded stiffly, turning to Eirik.  "Have anything to contribute, First Knight?"
  Eirik Skuring: How does this Court functions. Are you a vassal to this Queen?




  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] You see, if we end up cutting its head off, I wonder if others wouldn't be sent on our way. It's a path worth pursuing.
  Corrupted Dryad: All are vassals to the queen. I expect it to be too sophisticated to explain to a mere mortal.

  Taestra Rinn: [Whisper] "Have you not realized, Eirik?  This is a dream... what we do here may have resonance of the violence, but lack the true bite of a lasting death if we somehow manage to kill her... which I doubt we can do in my present condition."
  Eirik Skuring: *He seemed about to ask something else, but he decides to shut his mouth*
  Corrupted Dryad: Members are so much more varied than the stuck ups of the other court. The obession with purity does them little.
  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Not now, surely.

  Corrupted Dryad: I suppose you may be witness to the power of such tolerance if little darling Aniui condemns your people to death.
  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] But should it happen elsewhere...





  Oracle of Pandemonium: As it may be, for all choices have consequences.



  Eirik Skuring: You have satisfied my curiosity, in some manner.
  Taestra Rinn: "Perhaps," she uttered in a soft voice barely above a whisper.  "I have had my fill of questions and answers, I will convey the message, Mistress of Pacts and Blight.  It is time we returned to do as you bid."


  Eirik Skuring: Yes, yes, farewell.

  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Damned Hag.


  Eirik Skuring: *He grumbles something*
  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Do you think it listens to everything?


  Corrupted Dryad: Good. May you wake up mostly in one peace.
  Taestra Rinn: [Whisper] "The trees have ears, Eirik."


  Eirik Skuring: [Whisper] Oh shite.