Siffli returns with guards and you are escorted to a large room. There are several people present to whom you are introduced.

Strigid you already know.

The others are Cro-Chuff, a tall man dressed entirely in black, leader of the Corvidians. To his left sits a slender woman with startling golden eyes. This is Ehglette, leader of the Falconians. She wears a robe of russet flecked with a gold that matches her eyes. The third seated member, also a woman and much fatter than any Avelyssian you had yet seen, wears a frumpy brown robe. Her very bushy eyebrows give her a permanently surprised expression. Siffli introduces her by her title, senior archivist, without indication of name or house.

Four grey-garbed individuals wait restlessly at the back. They are referred to only as being Motacillians, from a neutral colony.

Strigid says. "You have a choice. You may insist that we ask questions or we can use these."

The four at the back hold up what look like thin silver diadems.

"These will tell us all we need to know."

Eghlette glares at you. "I don't have time to waste for the slow method. If they are blameless there is enough to tell them without wasting it unnecessarily. Put on the crowns, whether they will or no."

Strigid looks at the four of you. "You have the choice."

Lurel is furious.

"So that's the thanks we're getting, after we were brought here to do your task," he snaps. "Am I to understand that we are now on trial, after risking our lives to help you? Fine then. Ask your questions."

He glares at them. "It's this kind of suspicion that's tearing Zorlon apart. You're playing right into the hands of those whose alien magic we've just risked our lives to stop."


He crosses his arms, and waits, giving Siffli his most icy stare.

Siffli says:

"If you are innocent, we will explain to you where the problem lies and I think you will understand the reason for our concern. I suggest you use the diadems they are very much quicker than a protracted series of questions. They will hurt briefly but do no lasting harm. I will pledge on my honour that if you are innocent - and both I and Strigid believe you are - you will be released immediately."

"Innocent of what?" Lurel replies icily.

"I would opt for questions---and answers. It seems that you want to know certain things. We ask that, in return, you explain what is going on, and why."

We will tell you nothing until we are sure you can be trusted. If you insist on being questioned you are in for a long session.

We will need detailed information about your background, why you are together, why you came here. And we will start with your childhood.

Is no one willing to try the diadem to prove it's efficacy. One will show the rest of you that it is safe.

Lurel looks at them angrily.

"Trust works both ways. What reason do we have to trust your assurances, especially after the way you have treated us? You brought us here for a purpose of your own, you threatened us, you sent us into danger. And still we carried out the task that you needed to be done. And then you imprisoned us. Now you claim that these... things..." - he looks at the diadems with unconcealed disgust - "are safe. Maybe they are safe for you. How do you know they are safe for us, though? I think you couldn't care less if these things hurt us, and interfered with our minds - such has been your attitude towards us from the beginning."

He looks at Siffli accusingly.

"In the throne room, in the maze, you didn't lift a finger to help us. You let a child risk his life for your purpose. I do not trust you enough to allow one of those devices to be used on me."

Strigid does not let Siffli speak.

"Then please begin. We require a detailed analysis of your life from your first recollection until you arrived here. You may be the first to speak. Should you not be prepared to do this we will lock you in the room where you were before until you are ready to do so. The room is impervious to magic of any kind and not even the child will be able to squeeze through.

And whilst it is true that you appeared to undertake a task for us it is what it led to that makes us unsure whether it was your plan from the start. We thought you were helping us. But we may have been the fools. If Siffli had not snatched that - key from you...."

Ford glares at Siffli and their prosecutors.

"You're just as bad as Dayone!!"

His grip on his sheath is so hard it looks almost painful.

"I only hope you have a very good reason for delaying us," Lurel says coldly. "I can only hope that this is part of our quest - if it is not, then this.. this nonsense may well put all of Zorlon into great danger. Or perhaps you are part of the danger. I do not know whether you will even understand what we are saying - it would be hard for anyone who does not know us to believe what we have been through. But it seems that you give us no choice."

He begins to speak of Tagfier, and his training as a wizard there, and briefly sketches out the series of events that brought the group together and led them to Levdia.

All the while he keeps his accusing glance focused on Siffli.

'You know what risks we took in that maze. You used us, and this is the thanks we get.'

Cro-chuff groans. "This will take hours."

Before Lurel knows what is happening a diadem shoots across the room and lands on his head.

He feels a sharp sting as a nettle might. Then he is fine.

Siffli has been sitting with the small white device she had used to reach Xetcherin floating above her head.

Now a rich russet-brown device of a similar shape appears above Strigid.

Cro-chuff grunts. "Perhaps you see we were not lying to you. And I suggest you hold back your anger until you understand the significance of what took place in that tomb. If when you know the truth you are still angry then I will hear you then."

"Very well, do me next. But I think you owe us an apology for telling us we had a choice."

"Hey!!"

Ford turns to Lurel.

"Are you alright?"

Lisette has the same sensation as Lurel as does Midge. After the first time A blood red device appears above the archivist. After Midge Cro-chuff sighs and a black device appears over his head. Ehglette sniffs.

"I am not so easily convinced. It only takes one!"

She looks at Ford. "Are you willing?"

"I want to hear from the others first. As was said, these devices could be dangerous to humans. But, I doubt you really care if I want to or not, why not just throw one at me regardless?"

Ford stares at Ehglette.

Lisette tries to calm Ford. "I'm still alright. It hurts a bit, but it's transient."

"They don't give us a choice anyway," Lurel says angrily. "As far as I can tell I'm all right - so far. Who knows those things are doing to us?"

Ford sighs.

"Fine, put one on me, if it'll get this over and done with quicker."

Ford is not given the choice. He hardly feels a thing. After a pause a gold device appears over Eghlette's head.

She says "We will let Siffli give you the details."

You are left alone with Siffli who seems faintly embarrassed.

"Let me compose myself and I will tell you our story."

OOC> I have been on this computer course all day so I have been a bit tied up. I will append the story which is longish. Take the weekend to read it!

OOC> Sorry for the double post but its a bit exceptional.

Siffli's Story

Thousands of years ago my forebears were humans. We lived cheerfully in a huge city called Uxenitza in the middle of Jourtres. It was a wonderful life until a sorcerer of great ability and great evil arrived. He experimented with the black arts seeking eternal life, wealth, power and control. It was the last of these he most wanted.

One of his many obscene interests was in combining the attributes of men and beasts. He sought at once to make human beings subservient but more agile, stronger, capable of flight and other advantages that would enable him to seek out and best the most stubborn of adversaries.

One snake boy called Tikaltím was a true perversion of nature. To create him the sorcerer slew thousands. They willingly gave their lives believing that they were saving the city from drought. There never was a drought. He needed their souls. Uxenitza meant white citadel. At times it glowed red with sacrificial blood. Well, so I was told. I have never been there.

The Avelyssians were the humans that could fly. But he made a mistake. We were to be his alien army. You cannot make an army of those who do not want to fight.

The rest of the world knew nothing. Anyone entering Uxenitza became a sacrifice. As none returned from making the trip it became known as making a journey to nowhere.

There is no one left alive there now. My ancestors destroyed those who remained rather than allow the perversion to continue. We have never returned, though in theory we can. What we need we now we find on the shores of Levdia.

The sorcerer made his army so great he lost the ability to control it. One day it turned against him. With his huge magical powers, he killed thousands, perhaps millions until he was finally undone by one of his failures. This Avelyssian was too small and too heavy to fly. She walked beneath the aerial skirmishing and escaped detection. She stabbed the sorcerer in the back.

This was our archivist. It is why she holds a key.

Apart from her and the snake boy his inventions were short-lived. We have about the same time as you. And apart from us, all his creations were sterile.

Sadly the sorcerer did not die. We think he cannot because he has made some terrible pact with death. In the end we used the devices he created to cage us on him. We call him 'the keeper' as a grim irony. He is the kept. Once a year we parade him to the assembled populace.

In order to ensure no fool thought to let him escape the key we made was magical. It does not exist unless the five members of the committee each gives their piece to be assembled. The five disappear to be replaced with one. What you found in Mara's tomb was the one key.

How this can be I do not know but we believe you were sent here to find it. Until we tested you we thought perhaps you might know of it and have come to release him. He is no different from those thousands of years ago. To release him would be to destroy us all. We now know you had never heard of the key. Yet we are more convinced than ever that you were meant to find it.

I think we must find out why.

The man's name is Shaura. It sounds harmless, doesn't it?

OOC> back Monday everyone

Ford blinks.

"Hmm... well, I suppose that kind of justifies all this. But you didn't have to be so nasty about it, especially after we did you such a favour. We could have died in that maze!"

"You are from the same dimension as me?". Lisette tries to recall any mention of Uxenitza. "Perhaps those experiments are part of why Jourtres is so brutal now. You are sure Shaura cannot be killed for his crimes?"

Siffli seems contrite. "Our links to Jourtres are so far back you can hardly say we are from there. We originated there. If my distant ancestors did what they said, Uxenitza is long since overgrown and forgotten. But there are two things of more importance to consider. If the key to the keeper is meant for you, you should see him. Tell me when you wish to do so. The second is about that piece of armour you went to fetch, Lurel. Why was it so important?"

"In the Castle of Storms, we found an assortment of items.. one from each dimension. We didn't know where the armour piece was from.. nobody knew anything of Avelyssia. But in each case, the absence of the item caused problems for the dimension it came from. Those items have to be replaced. Tell me - can you think of any change in Avelyssia which began when Mara's tomb was disturbed?" Lurel explains.

"And as for the Keeper - a dream told me about him. And I've learnt to listen to dreams. So I think we should go and see this Keeper - but perhaps we could eat and rest first?"

Siffli agrees. "Yes, yes. If you think there is no urgency I will take you to the sleeping chamber and arrange for food. You eat fruit and nuts if I recall not our usual sustenance."

She pauses. "My father is no better - I wish I knew what ails him. It's as if he was affected by magic. As for anything changing... I suppose that key. Ehglette and Cro-Chuff in the same room! That has not happened for some time. Perhaps there is the chance of a rapprochement. It is too early to say. Now would you eat then sleep or sleep then eat?"

Ford lets out a sigh of relief at things calming down.

"Thanks, Siffli. I sleep easier if I go to bed on a full stomach, personally..."

He grins slightly. The grin soon fades, however.

"But... are we seriously going to see this 'Keeper' guy? Are you sure he isn't still dangerous? I don't think I'd want to end up fighting an immortal sorceror."

"I should think they would have him imprisoned far more strongly than they did us, and there was no way we could have gotten out. Besides, they parade him in front of everyone once a year. We should be fine as long as that keyring is nowhere near."

Lisette feels her stomach rumble for the first time since the meal in the maze.
"As for a meal, I agree with Ford."

Siffli assembles your meal by telekinesis. It is a little strange to see the nuts and berries settling on plates in front of you one by one. She also floats over a large open bowl full of water and several goblets.

"Does the child need special food?" she asks.

In answer to Ford's question she says. "The Keeper is held here by more than a cage. His mind is held by wards in Avelyssia. Were he to try to leave, the pain would drive him insane. But that would not stop fools believing he can be more use free of the immediate prison."

She pauses to assemble a scrumptious selection of pine cones for you.

"I am afraid you will not enjoy your meeting with Shaura. He delights in telling anyone who will listen exactly how he will deal with us when he is free. It is unpleasant, nauseating to listen to. The other key-holders are willing to speak with you too at any time if you feel it will help."

The assembling ends. Most of what is in front of you is comestible although you would probably be better off avoiding the yew berries and laburnum seeds.

"Tell me when you would rest."

"Thank you for preparing this for us, Siffli."
Lisette takes a selection of food, picking out the yew berries (I know what they look like, but what's a lebensraum seed?) and checking for anything brightly colored that she doesn't know to be edible. She starts opening a pine cone, and eating the seeds of the gymnosperm.

OOC: Fruits and nuts...what is this, California?

Lurel picks out the things he knows to be edible, and eats them.

In between bites of food, he asks: "Has anyone ever tried to free this Keeper?"

Ford picks out whatever edible foods he can, along with a couple of pinecones - he'd never really thought of eating them before.

I'm going to be pulling splinters out of my tongue for the next 3 days...

Siffli smiles as you tuck in. "There have been attempts to free him. Fledglings from various colonies seem to think it would be fun to have him as their leader. Young people never listen to advice! Some of them see it as a dare. I think the trip to the haunted cathedral is enough of a dare. I did that one myself."

OOC> - laburnum 'a small poisonous papilionaceous tree or shrub, a native of the Alps, bearing slim seed-pods and hanging clusters of yellow flowers'.

Lurel nods thoughtfully.

"I'm sure there is a reason why we need to see the Keeper - even if I don't know what it is yet. But first - some rest would be nice. It seems so long since I last slept!"

When you have finished your meal you are conducted again the the floating beds made up of all kinds of jetsam. Lurel's sleep is not disturbed. Ford however hears a voice in his head. It sounds like the dog Laca.

"You have done Mara a great service. I would repay you. I tell you something you should not know. Shaura is not the only human in Avelyssia. One remains well hidden, though perhaps not well hidden enough. It will help to follow that trail when you have seen the Keeper. The Avelyssians do not know but do not fail to query any odd remarks you hear. And now I can finally leave this plane. Farewell, human, may luck go with you."

When you all awaken Siffli leads you to breakfast - the same kind of meal as before.

She looks at the group expectantly.

Lurel finishes his breakfast quickly. He wipes his mouth, and nods to Siffli.

"We'll go just as soon as everyone is ready. And I was wondering - could we possibly fill up our waterbottles and stock up on supplies? After all that's happened, I'd like to be prepared."

Ford slowly gets up from his bed, a little disorientated by Laca's message. He decides to not mention it right now, especially since the Avelyssians don't know. He sits down at the breakfast table and does his best to eat some food... even though eating it the first time was bad enough.

"So... how are we going to get to this Keeper?"

"I would assume that our, um, kind but suspicious hosts will provide transportation."

Lisette is still somewhat vexed at the treatment the group recieved.

Siffli conducts you into one of the cathedrals where there are many small circular stalls set out. As far as you can see it is a variety of foods that would be popular with birds from seeds to larger fruits, insects, strange wriggling things, frogs and snakes and small mammals.

She says: "I will authorise the purchase of whatever food you choose. If you give me your water bottles I will fill them."

She seems to be making a great effort to re-ingratiate herself.

Once she has the water bottles she leaves you to buy what you need.

Lurel looks at the others. "Will fruit and nuts do, or does anyone feel like having frogs, worms and flies for lunch?" he asks with a grin, and walks towards a stall selling fruit.

He looks at the wares on display, and chooses those he thinks east likely to have harmful effects on them.

"I'll be fine with fruits and nuts. Just try to avoid anything that oozes or glows."

Ford grins.

"I could do with some meat. Do they have rabbits or something similar?" Lisette looks for a Falconian vendor. "Corn would be good too."

(Would meat be cooked, or would I have to cook it?)

There are rabbits. The vendor is happy to kill one for you. Cooking is a use to which fire magic may be put. Siffli is ready to take you wherever you want to go. As Lurel had requested the keeper that is where it will be.

The ride is again in the silent black gondolas that float through the air.

Siffli says: "I don't think there is anything more I can tell you about the Keeper. But if there are questions please feel free to ask them. About Avelyssia, my father, the council, whatever."

You float by a huge 'cathedral' it looks no more welcoming than any of the others. Siffli tells you it is the Theatre.

"What is the reason for the current hostilities between (Houses/Clans/Families)? While we were on the beach, we saw a battle, why the senseless violence?"

Lurel nods. "I was wondering the same thing. And not just on the beach.. when we were taken to see you, we witnessed some ... conflict."

He interrupts himself as Siffli points out the theatre.

"Theatre? That sounds interesting. What kind of plays are performed there?"

"Because my father is not at present able to excercise control through the council the tensions that are always simmering came to a head. But it does seem for the moment that the hostilities are at an end. The discovery of the key has united everyone. We all know the disaster it would be for Avelyssia if the man escaped. It is terrible to say this but it would have been easier had my father died. I could take charge of the council. I don't want it but anything has to be better than watching them stand by uselessly. Still, that is Avelyssia's problem. I cannot see how you could help unless you discover why my father fell ill so strangely."

She shivers but brightens up as Lurel mentions the Theatre.

"Each cathedral has a special function. Well, except for the haunted one of course. Most are fairly routine - school, jail, court, market - but the theatre is very creative. We rehearse many songs and regularly perform choruses and solos. I am sure you could attend a performance if you wish. Dawn is a good time to hear us all together. The Alaudian family often perform during the day and the Luscinians in the evening. Just tell me where you would like to go. We have no secrets from you now."

This sounds almost believable.

Lurel sighs. "It would be nice, I think, to relax and listen to your music. But first we should speak to the Keeper. I don't have a very good feeling about this... I don't think I could enjoy music while this encounter is hanging over us."

As there are no further questions Siffli falls silent.

The Cathedral in which the Keeper is kept cannot be entered without a pass. These have been arranged. Inside there are many more check points. However each seems to assume one of the others has paid proper attention to what they were doing. You get the impression that it is easier to get in than they think.

At the end Siffli leaves you to meet Shaura alone.

"I cannot face more of his taunts," she tells you.

You are ushered into a medium sized room, not uncomfortably furnished. A small man in a dark blue robe looks up at you over half-moon spectacles. He seems a little surprised to see you.

"Visitors? This is unusual. What can I do for you?"

"You are.. the Keeper?" Lurel asks, unable to keep the surprise out of his voice. "You don't look anything like I had expected you to look...."

He attempts to use his empathy skill on the man.

Lurel's empathy skills indicates that the man has no feelings whatsoever.

The man smiles "I am Shaura and you are...?"

Lurel cannot explain why, but he is reluctant to give his name to this man.

'How can he have no feelings whatsoever... no regret, no hatred for those who imprison him, no guilt for those murders he committed?'

"We are just some travellers, trying to find our way," he replies. "I am curious - why did you create the Avelyssians... and those others?"