[Nerindel]

Ghurdan fumed as he got up, he lifted his sword and opened the flaps to see what was going on. He saw a ring of armed men on the edge of the camp. Fastening his sword belt about his waist he strode over to the angry mob. "What is going on here!" he bellowed, push those in front of him out of his way.

One of his crew a swarthy looking man, pushed Yusef forward. Ghurdan drew his sword and held it dangerously close to the mans throat, "Speak quickly! What is your name and what are you doing here!" he commanded. "My name is Yusef al Rahman of the painted sands tribe and I wish to speak with your priestess" the man answered evenly. Ghurdan eyed him suspiciously, he slowly lowered his sword. "Wait here!" he ordered, turning to go to Sevora's tent, "I strongly suggest you don't move" he said turning back and indicating the archers who now had their arrows fixed on him.

Ghurdan took no notice of the two men that saluted him as the entered Sevora's tent, Rahvin glared at him as he entered unbidden, "Sevora" he bowed," One of the heathens is outside wishing an audience" he said shortly. "Then bade him enter, it is not polite to keep our guests waiting" she grinned, unspoken interest gleaming in her dark eyes. Ghurdan nodded curtly and went back to the tribes man. "It seems the priestess is also interest in what brings you to our little camp and has granted you an audience at once." he said disdain dripping from his every word. He dismissed the two men that held Yusef and pushed him roughly forwards toward Sevora's tent.

Sevora now stood Rahvin perched to her right as always. Ghurdan kept his place just behind Yusef, his eyes burning with distrust for the tribes man. Yusef bowed low "My name is Yusef al Rahman of the tribe of the painted sands" he introduced himself to the others, "Well Yusef of the painted sands what brings you to the camp of your enemy" Sevora pointedly asked him. "For many years now the elders have failed to acknowledge the need for change, stubborn and set in their ways, they have oppressed the idea's of our young, I do not hold with these beliefs and see the great lord as the bringer of this much needed change! therefore I offer my services willingly to the great eye" he finished making another sweeping low bow. Ghurdan surpressed a sneer as the man's words filled him with a strong feeling of contempt and loathing.

"And what do you have to offer our Great Lord" Sevora hissed, the same distrust Ghurdan felt reflected in her eyes. "I am the nephew of Ishak bin Ishak, the leader of the painted sands and as such I am in a position to offer much," he grinned with a wicked gleam in his eyes,. 'Ha! there it was!' Ghurdan thought, 'as nephew he would never hold any power, but if the elders were disposed of... a new leader would be needed, smart!' Ghurdan grinned suddenly impressed by the mans way of thinking. As he looked up he saw a smile playing on the lips of the Priestess, Surely she was not yet taken in by this mans words, he had yet to offer anything useful. "Who are your leaders and what are their warriors numbers!" he barked at Yusef drawing seething looks from the others. he already knew the latter and thought to trap the young man into revealing himself as the spy that Ghurdan believed he was.

But he was denied, Yusef merely nodded, as he began to describe the elders and the numbers of warriors each tribe held. Ghurdan did not miss that each time the conversation swayed towards deployment or strategies Yusef became cagey and revealed very little. But as he looked towards Sevora he could see that she seemed satisfied, even pleased by the mans apparent desire to aid them in destroying his kinsmen. "And what is it that you really what!" Ghurdan spat in his ear. "I do not know what you imply but as I said I wish only to serve the eye, it was as Yusef turned to face him that he notice the dark red stone that he palmed in his hand, Ghurdans rage finally took over as he grab the mans wrist holding it up to reveal the stone that matched the one in he sword, the one that was given to him for service render to the all powerful eye! "Where did you get this!" Ghurdan yelled the rage bubbling within, "It is mine Yusef protested, throwing a pleading glance to Sevora. 'So, you think to replace me with this treacherous piece of desert scum I think not!!!' he screamed in his head and he plunged his still drawn knife straight into Yusefs heart, "You shall not have what is rightfully mine!" he seethed as the stunned Yusef fell to the ground, unaware of what had just transpired.

A cold laughter filled Ghurdans mind and his voice echoed it, as he turned to face the livid face of Sevora, Rahvin had instantly drawn his sword and now pointed it a Ghurdans chest, "You don't know" he laughed coldly at her, she made to slap him across the face for his impudence but he grabbed her wrist and prevented her blow from making contact, "He was not worthy his usefulness had ended, he served himself, not the Eye!" he hissed pulling her closer. "Let go, Ghurdan!" Rahvin Threatened pushing his blade onto the sea captains chest so that a small trickle of blood appeared. Ghurdan looked at Rahvin. "I will not be punished for following the dark lords orders." he lied convincingly, calm returning to his voice, he pushed Sevora away and waited for her to order Rahvin to stand down, "we have a battle to prepare for!" he reminded her as she hesitated.

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Durelin's post

"We have a battle to prepare for!"

Who did this man think he was? Yes, he was blessed, but it gave him no right to even touch her. Sevora still stood higher than him, and she...she had been blessed. Her teeth ground as she collected herself, staring at the ground. After a moment, she placed a hand on Rahvin's arm. He took a step back, but did not relax, nor take his hand of his sword hilt. Staring at the ground for a few more moments, Sevora slowly drew in breath, then let it out, finding it a very calming thing. She thought about nothing in particular, but jumped from happy memory to happy memory, stopping at Dristi's punishment. Now she was able to smile. Looking up at Ghurdan, she grinned at him, mocking warmness and kindness, but their was happiness upon her lips if not in her eyes. She was defeated, she knew it well -- Ghurdan was blessed, Jasara was blessed, and she had been abandoned. But, she had just won two battles she had never won before. She had both controlled her rage...and she had accepted defeat. Defeat, of all things! It was something she had never been able to handle, and it had happened to her so few times. Besides, those few times had been so long ago, when she had just begun her life as a priestess to the Eye. And after she was blessed...she felt -- no, she knew that she could never be defeated. Then she was forgotten by her Master. Sevora did not understand it, but she accepted it. And that was an overwhelming victory for any of these people who now stood at least equal to her. They stood equal to her, and she would let them. Perhaps, after a time, she could let them stand above her. Yes, and then, when they thought...

"Indeed we do, my dear," she said almost cheerfully, taking a step toward Ghurdan to stand where he had pulled her only seconds before. "A very bloody battle, which you will enjoy, will you not?" Her hand moved forward to cup his chin in her hand, and Sevora received a pleasing flinch from him. "Please, darling, I wonder if you show more manners than that. You should be courteous toward a woman, should you not? You are quite an intelligent man, Ghurdan, and I know I do not need to instruct you in your etiquette." She paused for a moment, still beaming at him, but did not wait long enough for him to speak before continuing. "Now, after this interruption, we must all get as much sleep as we can. We have a busy day ahead of us. We rise early to give and hear wise counsel." She patted him slightly on the cheek, whispering "Good night," then she turned around and walked slowly back into the other side of her tent. It was divided into a sort of 'study' and sleeping quarters. Sitting on the ground, covered with finely woven rugs, Sevora began humming a tune. She remembered it from her early childhood and thought it might have been a lullaby, of all things. No, now she remembered: it was a song sung at marriages. She would have laughed if she hadn't been deep in thought.

…when they thought she was defeated, broken, ready to follow them humbly, then she would be in a wonderful position. The best position she could ever be in. Manipulation had always been among her greatest and most useful skills. Sevora could make sure they were not even aware of her manipulating; it was one of the ways she had worked her way up in the ranks of the Servants. Ghurdan would be one she would be able to manipulate. All she needed to do was shrewdly tell the High Priest that the man was blessed, and then he would rise in the ranks. She would bear his child if that were what it took to bring the man into her hands, while she remained invisible…low. And this Jasara, she would definitely be brought into the Order, and she would be an excellent one, for the most part. She would rise in the ranks just as Sevora herself did. But would she also be abandoned? For some reason, Sevora could not wish that upon the girl. No, woman. Young, but a woman. Perhaps it was because Jasara was so much like Sevora, in many ways, that the priestess actually liked the young woman. She could hardly be called an acquaintance, but there was a connection, and what Sevora knew of the tribeswoman…she was one to be respected. Perhaps she would not have to manipulate her. She did not wish to, at any rate. Perhaps she could be brought into her confidences, and Sevora could give her advice. Still, it seemed the woman thought much like Sevora. With luck and skill, they would get along well and, with Ghurdan's involuntary aid and perhaps Jasara's voluntary, Sevora would remain powerful. So many 'perhaps.'

Sevora looked up as Rahvin entered the 'bedroom' of the tent, looking down at her, showing as much emotion in his eyes as he ever had. He was concerned. "Why do you worry, Rahvin?"

"I-I just do not understand it, Sevora." The man sounded hesitant. He had never sounded hesitant.

"I do not either, Rahvin, most of it."

"Then why did you sound…happy."

"I have won several victories."

"Against…Ghurdan?" Rahvin filled the name with disgust, and Sevora smiled again.

"Yes. And I have just realized another," she said, almost excitedly, her smile growing. "He has shown me how tightly he holds on to his position. Too tightly, and the more power slips through his fingers because of it." Now Rahvin was smiling too. The man had changed so much in so little time. There was so much she did not understand. Sevora was surprised that realization had not effected her in the least. "Acceptance," she whispered, and Rahvin surprised her by nodding. Suddenly, words flew through her mind, almost too quickly for her to realize them. It was because, at them, her heart skipped a beat. You do not know! At first thought, it made her believe Ghurdan knew she had been…abandoned, but, after thought…she did not know. "You do not know," she said quietly, looking up at Rahvin again. "He said that."

"And you do not, do you?" he said quietly, sounding a bit sad and…was it sympathetic? The man was being compassionate!

"Do not soften at the coming of hardships, Rahvin. You soften."

"Forgive me, Sevora, but I--"

"Worry."

"Yes."

Sevora sighed heavily, then, arranging her bed made of various sheets and blankets, mostly woolen, and she lay down in her blood red robes. Rahvin only sat down, and Sevora could see his shadowed form on the edge of the tent long into the night.

[ August 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]