The Prodigal Daughter [Fauna] 27th Sam, TT (Open)

[Fauna Winthrope]

THE UNIVERSITY OF MAGICK

When looking at the University of Magic, one sees a large complex, dominated by the 23 towers throughout. The initial view as the entrance is approached is of a palace, then as one gets nearer a feeling of a church descends upon the viewer, yet one does realises that in fact it is neither.

The entrance, a grand arch, carries twenty Signs, each a show of elaborate craftwork and denoting one of the twenty faculties that teach in the university. A large square lies before this grand University, and students of the occult sit here to talk, eat lunch, and play games with each other; more than one game of chess is currently in progress.

The University of Magics has a great reputation to uphold. For ages unknown this institution has trained students as well as providing scholarly wizards with a hiding place. Although in recent times past the university has seen a quiet period, it is once again getting busy and many students are once more within its walls.

Hall of Ages

Once through the grand gate, visitors often stare at the hall in mute wonder. This place is nothing short of impressive, large and aesthetically pleasing. Ahead, stairs lead to the base levels of each of the twenty three spires, and the rest of this place is like a museum. Paintings, sculptures and such make up the more artful of memoirs, but all sorts of items reminding the wizards of their pasts have been put on display here. More toward the back, space has been reserved for those who wish to study.

Off to one side is a medium sized reception desk with a small counter. A thin man with gray hair sits behind it, and smiles at you as you walk in.

Her dark, purple robe rustled as Fauna moved confidently through the grand-arched entrance of the University of Magick. She had been through the very same gate a dozen or so times and she impassively glanced at the twenty-three spires that glistened under the afternoon domed sky. Her blonde hair was artfully disarrayed and her robe showed more flesh than clothes and unbemused, she strode off silently through the Hall of Ages, ignoring students and the opulent, grand decorations she had seen so many times. She was here for a purpose and it showed by the focused gleam of her cold, blue eyes.

The young, dark sorceress paused and suddenly glanced around her, as if seeing everything for the first time. A small-amused smile washed her flawless face as she stopped and serenely gazed at a painting on the wall. Truth be told, Fauna Winthrope missed the University. Even though there had been some gruesome experiences she had encountered at the campus, it was still her first home, the home of knowledge and power and she could feel such power thrumming through her veins, power that the foolish professors of the University dare not use.

Such a waste. She thought, her brows frowning, turning to look at the familiar Hall of Ages and its vastness. Half-bemused, she remembered as she saw a faint ghost of herself walking with Elvin and Ashtallion on that night when they battled the possessed student. Yes, memories came creeping and it filled Fauna with a sudden loss. She was innocent then, so much life, so much promise, but here she was now, a changed woman, perhaps for the better, perhaps not. She turned once more, half-expecting to recognize some of the students around her, half-expecting to see Ashtallion, Yappet, Allisson or those persons she had met back then, but she didn’t. The University seemed strange to her these days.

She sighed a breath of loss, turning once more and resuming her placid walk. She was carrying nothing, just herself, her dress and a small pouch that contained her meager money. It was like the day she walked out of the University, carrying nothing at all but herself and the gown she had on her back, but she realized now she brought with her everything, it was only her experience and knowledge that mattered most.

Fauna had returned, a prodigal daughter, and she was here for a purpose and with a twirl of her dark dress, she strode towards the receptionist.

“I am here, Learned Sir.” She intoned imperiously towards the wizard that perpetually manned the receptionist desk. “I need no Aetheric Globe of Light to light my path, sir. I am here to see the council. Gather them up for me, if you please.” She remembered him, the same old wizard, the very same person who took a small drop of her blood for her contract. With a small smile, Fauna reached her hand and touched him gently and gave him a very friendly smile.

“I have come home. But I am not sure if I will be welcomed, sir. I have missed this place.”

[Tristam]

The moment that Fauna crossed the threshhold into the Hall of Ages the registrar was aware of it. Instantly, three weaves of sound sped off to Professor Ventalla, Bailiff Horatio Kwyll, and the barracks of the Battlemage guard. The message to each was short and to the point, "Fauna." His hands slid to two magically empowered jewels under his desk. The first sealed the front entrance to the University with a complex series of wards. The second caused two suits of armor in the chamber to flex their metal joints and await further instructions.

All of this was done in the time it took Fauna to cross the Hall and thus Fauna found only the registrar in his usual pose over his scrolls. When Fauna reached out her hand, he withdrew his own not allowing her to touch him.

"You are right to question the welcome you will receive, Miss Winthrope." The registrar said mildly. "Defying the ruling of the University Council is not the best way to earn their goodwill. Perhaps the fact that you have willingly returned to face judgement will count in your favor."

[Fauna Winthrope]

She could feel the weave moving around her, a weave that seemed to be smothering her. Perhaps, it was a woman's intuition, or perhaps an instinct, but Fauna knew that she was in a dangerous grounds. The dark sorceress feared that it would be so. If she had known the reaction of the University by this visit, Fauna Winthrope would have took some escort from the Palace, but, she was not an apprentice now, seeking guidance from those who had taught her, she was here on equal terms, a purpose that perhaps, would benefit not only her, but the University as well.

It was only manners and courtesy that Fauna had to return. The relationship between the University and herslef was vague, vague as a murky water of a swamp and the dark sorceress, Andolin's protege and student wanted to clarify why it was so. It wouldn't be nice to declare war upon the University without any reasons. And she knew, that Andolin would not approve if she was discourteous, he was, the sole of courtesy and civility and Fauna, as his protege woudl learn by his example.

"Defy? Learned One?" Fauna Winthrope frowned at the old wizard. "I was under the impression that I am still under watch by the University? Isn't that why the Lord Domus took special care to watch over me?"

She tittered a small impassionate laughter, the noise echoing around when she saw the receptionist wizard flinched back from her touch.

"And let us not speak of judgement, Learned One. It is the Council's fault that this is happening, but we'll speak of it anon. Are they still up and about or are they still cowering before the Nether that is in their doorstep? This will be a private meeting, am I right, Learned One? I'm pretty sure it will be. A hundred yahrens of secrecy from the students of this University will not change overnight, that I am pretty sure. Do you want me to go ahead? I do know where the Chamber of Council is located, or are you still gathering the Battle-Mage guards who will be escorting me?" It was a gambled guess, but she knew she was right, half-expecting the Hall of Ages to be filled with a dozen or so Battle-Mage guards to do away with her.

And thus, she turned and imperiously, gracefully, serenely walked passed the receptionist, expecting him to catch up with her, drawing the Aetherics and slowly shielding herself with her own version of a Mirror Spell.

[Tristam]

"Ah yes. The Major Domus." The registrar spoke to her retreating back. "It may be of interest to you to know that his jurisdiction ends at the gates to this University. Without, he has the authority to nullify the writ of the University Council and Bailiff. Within, only the Caesar can countermand our laws."

With her sight now open to the Aether, Fauna could see the wards upon every exit from the Hall of Ages. They were strong and intrciate, woven into the very stones themselves. Her mirror spell might save her from the brunt of one of them, but it would be quite a gamble. For the time being the Hall was sealed with the registrar as her jailer and fellow prisoner.

"I can pass along your request to be seen by the Council." The registrar offered. "But unless your reason for summoning them is quite compelling, I can tell you what their answer will be. Namely, that they will not meet with you until you have submitted to examination by Professor Ventalla as stipulated in the judgement handed down by the Council and agreed to by you. So what shall I tell them?" The registrar waved a hand and a scroll unrolled itself and quill leapt into the inkstand.

[Fauna Winthrope]

Now that her Aetheric vision was open, she did see the overwhelming wards and protections that surround her and it left her with a frightening sense of awe that the University could draw great power such as this but not protect the Citadel from the encroaching Nether that was within their doorstep. She gritted her teeth with frustration, slowly whirling around as she examined each wards and protections wih her Aetheric vision, the registar's retortment lost within her fightened amazement.

"Very well." She turned back and regarded the registrar with a venomous look of her cold blue eyes and spat out the words with utter imperious civility. "In these dark times, would be allies should at least be civil with each other. And you can see, Learned One, I am unarmed and alone and the University must see that I am no threat but a loyal ally."

Gracefully, Fauna went back to the desk and stood erect and with all the fomrality she could muster, she looked down at the registrar with emotionless eyes and began speaking with a courtly accent:

"From the Assistant of the Major Domus. Greetings of Peace. The office of the Major Domus would like to seek a request of findings of what plans the University of Magick are theorizing from the encroaching darkness that has grasped the Citadel. The Major Domus, a lay man of Magick and Aetherics, would not be able to grasp the theoretics of the University and so has summoned me as his representative. My word is his."

She paused for more than a flicker.

"Off the record: This student of magick, Fauna Winthrope of Amun Rah, would like to seek an audience with the Council. An audience of respite and amnesty from the charges that was brought down to her. This student will willingly fall under the close scrutiny and examinations of the Learned Professor Ventella, as long as it will just be... examinations. This student of magick, also, wishes to convey her sincerest plea of truce and neutral amicability with the University Campus. She is here to convey that she has surpassed her apprenticeship with sorcery and aetherics and would, in regards with the encroaching darkness that is within the Citadel, willingly give aid, for the shadows cannot win if there is a greater darkness overpowering it. For as much as she is displeased with the University, she is its true and loyal daughter and in times of utter darkness, one must work together."

She stopped and regarded the registrar with an arched look. "Will that be enough?"

[Tristam]

"That is not for me to say, Miss Winthrope." The registrar replied as the twin scrolls of her two messages hopped up into his hands and disappeared with a flash of light. "For my part, I am sorry to hear that you feel that the shadows are where you belong. When you first arrived here, I thought you both a bright lamp and a breath of fresh air."

A few burns later a scroll appeared in the registrar's hands. He unrolled it and read it aloud. "The Council will hear the words of the Major Domus." He announced. "Then they will let you make your appeal which is your right as a student." The registrar gestured with one hand and Fauna saw the ward drop from the archway that leads to the Council chambers. Fauna also saw a pair of battlemages armed with staff and sword respectively waiting to escort her to the chamber.

"Good day, Miss Winthrope." The registrar said simply and turned his attention back to his scrolls.

[Fauna Winthrope]

For the first time in her stay at the Citadel, Fauna was at a lost, his words pierced through her glacial heart. Perhaps, it had been numbed, frozen for so many days that it could neither feel pain or warmth, and here she was, standing before the receptionist again, judged by his simple words and it melted a part of her heart, small, but quite essential nevertheless. Her eyes widened as she stood before the receptionist, her blue eyes softening as they started to brim with unshed tears, glimmering beneath the afternoon light. She did not know what to say, her small, red lips parted in a would-be retort and nothing came.

Good Morrow! Prithee, where could I find some assistance?

She heard a very perky voice, a vision of the past as she whirled and saw a ghost of herself standing before the receptionist, a memory etched in stone. Fauna saw herself brimming with life and zest and she watched with impersonal detachment. She saw how she moved back then, walking through the Hall of Ages and asking assistance from the receptionist, her eyes back then were filled with hope and life, seeing herself smile perkilly before the Learned one.

I am Fauna Winthrope from the court of Amun Rah. With thine permission, learned one, I shall be a wizard-mage.

The dark sorceress stepped back, her heart sick, as if a part of it had been lost to her, seeing a ghost of herself, a ghost of Fauna, full of vivacity, offering her own hand to the receptionist.

I am ready to spill my blood now for my dream. But please be gentle with me, O learned one, for I am but a frail flower against thine might and wisdom.

Slowly, the vision faded before her very eyes, the words for her echoing and lingering around the Hall of Ages until it faded into the looming air. Where did she go? What had happened to her? Fauna had forgotten and lost herself. Who was to blame? Her own self? The University? Fate? She did not know, perhaps, someone, a diety in the heaven was watching and keeping tabs of what had been happening for Fauna could not fathom what had changed her suddenly. Her musings were abruptly cut short when the receptionist declared that the Council approved of her petition. She turned, her blue eyes distracted and regarded the receptionist.

Fauna opened her lips and was about to reply when she paused. What could she say, what excuse could she tell him? There was no excuse, it had to be done, the die had been cast but she was glad that some people remembered the way she was before, her heart glad for just a flicker of that moment. With nothing else much to say, Fauna merely stood before the receptionist and then, out of whim, she curtsied regally before him, a curtsy before a Ceasar and fondly gazed at him with her cold, gleaming eyes before turning with a swish of her purple robe to be escorted by the two Battle-Mages.

She turned back her blonde head at him when he bade her farewell, and then, she suddenly realized that she still did not know his name.

If we ask if you to wound yourself, we'll also give you the means to heal yourself. Give me your hand, miss.

"Wait!"

Her voice imperiously stopped her two escorts as she remembered his words before. Deciding on an impulse, she whirled and ran back to the receptionist, a tear streaming down her flawless cheek and surprisingly, without his permission, she kissed him chastely and suddenly at the cheek and then fled back to her two Battle-Mages with a rustle of her gown, to be escorted to the Council Chamber.

"Thank you, Learned One..." Her arcane whispery voice came ghosting back at him.

[Tristam]

Fauna's cry to wait caused her escort to turn and reach to grab her before she reach the Hall of Ages but a gesture from the registrar stopped them. Unlike before, he accepted her kiss and had she not turned around so quickly Fauna would have seen the pleased smile on his weathered face.

"Be well, Miss Winthrope." His voice ghosted back in farewell.

One of the battlemages led the way while the second one fell in behind her. Fauna could remember the usual sights of a walk through the Univeristy: students in dusty corners with even dustier scrolls, items floating in mid air or bursting into flames as spells were practiced, and always the babble of jargon and scholarship. None of these greeted her as the three of them walked. Fauna had never seen the halls this deserted not even at the deepest mark of Gravetide.

The walk to the Council Chamber was swift. Professors Ventalla, Peckerton and Redgrave stood behind their judges bench on their raised dias and looked down on her at she entered. Peckerton looked nervous but then Peckerton always looked nervous. Ventalla looked down upon her kindly. Even when having to perform magicks in her mind, he was as gentle as the circumstances permitted. Only Redgrave was unreadable. His face was the mask of the scholar that had sited an unusual specimin but needed to remain detached.

"The Envoy from the Major Domus!" The lead battlemage annouced and stepped to the side of the doorway to allow Fauna to enter. Once she had done so, the second battlemage entered and closed the door to the chambers. He then took his place on the other side of the door.

Peckerton looked to his fellow councilors and then back to Fauna. "We w-will hear the words of the M-major D-omus." He pronounced.

[Fauna Winthrope]

The Dark Sorceress walked silently, her flawless, Amunic face frowning at the apparent silence and emptiness of the usual crowded corridors of the Univerisity Campus. Where were the students? What was going on around the campus these previous days that had emptied the usual liveliness of the University? Was there an attack of the Nether here? Wondering, she continued her silent tread, her thoughts deep and curious. Perhpas they evacuated the halls because she was here. But that would be absurd. She was not that kind of threat and the University could snuff out her life in just a wink of an eye and the thought that the Council emptying the halls just for her was difinitely unnerving.

No. It couldn't be. But where are the students and the professors?

It was a private meeting. Fauna had surmised as she walked gracefully into the center of the room, her purple gown rustling as she lifted her blonde head and stood majestically before the Council, befitting her title as the Major Domus' voice. It was merely an excuse, and Fauna knew that the Council knew that as well. But despite the obvious fact, she decided that she had to carry the role, the Major Domus' name was at stake here and she needed to behave accordingly with the protocols and etiquette, knowing that the Lord Azarin would approve if she tiptoed around most carefully.

The Dark Sorceress gave the three Councilors of Magick an imperious nod, turning her blue eyes at Peckerton before beginning, her voice in a cadence of utmost civility:

"The Lord Andolin Azarin, Imperial Major Domus of the Imperial Palace of the Citadel: the center of the Empire of the Seven Isles, home of truth, wisdom and beauty, throne of the departed, august Ceasar, conveys his respectful and amiable greetings to the learned wizards, mages and sorcerers of the University of Magick and its wise Council." She paused and gave the three mages her sincerest smile.

"The august Ceasar is dead."

She began her oratory after a few flickers of dramatic pause, her voice in a high class of theatrics and dramatics. This was an easy task for her, of course, Fauna was an entertainer and theatrics was a feat she could well handle. She hoped that if her oration was done, Lord Azarin could get some backings from the Unversity Campus.

"But I am not here to bury Ceasar, nor to praise him;
For in his death, a light has snuffed out in the Empire.
Although his honor still lives, what can it do against the darkness?
For darkness looms upon us and with no Ceasar,
Darkness will conquer us.
The throne of the empire is empty,
No Ceasar sits upon it.
But what of that prize?
That piece of furniture?
That cold seat?
Upon whom shall the People,
The orphans of the Empire bestow that prize?
To whom shall that piece of ornate furniture descend?
For mistake me not, my learned brothers,
That's all it is,
A chair,
Ungaily and not very comfortable.
Whom will the Orphans of the Empire,
To whom shall they sentence a man to take that throne,
To bear the awful responsibility,
The duties of that chair?
The chores that he will be forced to bear,
Upon this dark hours of the Empire?"

Fauna paused, sniffed dramatically with a small heave of her bosom, lifting a graceful arm to shed away the unshed tears that were brimming upon her blue eyes.

"The West is upon us.
The Nether upon our gates.
Turmoil, riots and chaos surround us.
And with no Ceasar,
Who will light the path,
For those in the darkness still lost?
The light must begin, my friends.
It must start with you,
In this, together, we shall not fail."

Oh, so very lovely! She thought with glee, a tear trickling down her flawless cheek.

[Tristam]

Whatever the Council had expected to hear from Fauna, her oration was clearly not it. Ventalla had a look of concentration on his face as though he was trying to work out a difficult math problem in his head. Peckerton continued to look nervous. Redgrave looked annoyed and he rose to speak.

"That was spoken very well, Envoy, but I would hope that the Major Domus would send more than empty rhetoric and a pretty face to speak it." Redgrave smirked. "Though I quite understand why the two of you so steeped in shadow would call upon us to bring forth the light."

"What does the Major Domus seek here, Envoy?" Redgrave demanded. "Are you here merely to woo us for our vote in the Advisory Council?" He asked simply. "Or are there more substanial things to speak of?"

[Fauna Winthrope]

"Please, My Most Learned Councilor Redgrave." Fauna's face was painted with a mildly theatrical offended look. "Let us be civil, and let us not name names. I see no reasons why the Council and the University of Mages abhor the extent of friendliness when the University itself is teeming with more than the shadows. Was it not in the University that we found a student possessed by a Nether Creature?" She asked, her eyes looking equally and pointingly at Redgrave and then at Peckerton. "I still see the lack of participation and indifference of the the University when it should be its main goal to rid the Tazlure of the Nether creature. And what does it do? It even takes some professors into his wing who tried leeching the very life of his students. What has the University done against the impending Nether upon its doorstep, aside from locking itself in, in such intricasies of wards and protections that perhaps, even the School Mages in World's Mouth seemed to appluad in? I see no actions being taken by the University and all I can see doing the actions is the Lord Domus."

"But let us not point fingers, Councilor Redgrave." She lifted her flawless face again, looking at him with a small, perky smile. "If you only see me as a pretty face, then I am amiss from the reputations that I am hearing from you. I am a true daughter of the University and it shames me to see the indolence of the campus, the place that I was hoping to be proud of."

"Off the record: Point taken that I am a creature of the shadows, but even the shadows are afraid of the greater darkness that looms before us. Is it not the time to join hand in hand to, one and for all, banish the Nether from whence it came? And who can do that without the Ceasar? Tell me, Councilor Redgrave? Do you have someone in mind? Or are we going to resurrect the late Ceasar with Necro-Alchemancy?"

She heaved her bosom deeply, calming herself. "The Major Domus, wishes to work with and ask for the support of the University of Campus to battle the encroaching darkness that is before us. Nothing more, nothing less. It is up to the University of Magick if it wishes to support the Major Domus as the next Ceasar. Personally and off the record, I see no reason why not, for the Lord Azarin is most dependable and there is noone worthier I can see to fill the chair of the Ceasar."

"Or would you all rather want me to be the Ceasari?" She asked them mockingly.

"The Major Domus knows, that without the Ceasar, there is no one with the authority who can ask for help from the University Campus and its battlemages. The Major Domus knows that the University and its stalwart battle-mages..." She spoke the word with enough phoniness. "only answer from the Ceasar, but there is no Ceasar to order the University. Hence, the Lord Azarin is reaching for the University for help and support."

[Tristam]

"Your words would be most stinging Envoy. Indeed I should say they were damning." Redgrave replied evenly. "Fortunately there is little truth in any of them." He concluded.

"You tout your Major Domus as a man of action? That's a joke." Redgrave scoffed. "When he is informed of a Nether Rift beneath the Citadel, informed by a member of this University I might add, what is his reaction? He has a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast and only then does he deign to discuss taking action against the Nether." Redgrave sneered. "Professor Peckerton was at that meeting. I know not where his current misgivings stem from for when he called on us for aid, we answered." Redgrave announced proudly. "Maybe he worries because we did not send Professor Moore, our expert on defensive magics. Well I assure you he would have come if he had not exhausted himself the very night before closing the Rift you were discussing that morning!" Redgrave thundered.

"No Envoy." Redgrave agreed lowly. "Let us not point fingers. I think it is in your best interest. After all in accusing us of being too lax on rooting out the darkness within the University, you argue most eloquently for your own destruction. Do you not?" He asked simply.

Professor Peckerton rose in the small time allowed by Redgrave pausing to breathe and with a hand gesture bid his colleague to be seated which he did reluctantly. "I th-think we all have a g-good grasp on our respective accomplishments." He said mildly. "D-does the Major D-Domus ask for aid in a specific task or d-does he simply doubt our loyalty?" He inquired.

[Fauna Winthrope]

Silence blanketed the Council Chamber as the Dark Sorceress merely stared at Redgrave, throwing daggers look at him. Truth be told, Fauna quite agreed with what Redgrave said, the Major Domus did take the issue quite off-handedly. Didn't she suggest to immediately call upon the learned professors of the University or even seal the Dungeon level of the Citadel Palace? But her suggestions were ignored and it took them a long time to finally see that her way was the best. Of course, she didn't point it out to the Major Domus or to the Imperial Thaumatergist, she was polite and the Lord Azarin and the Imperial Thaumetergist were persons of higher hierarchy than Fauna

"Isn't that a good reason to give support to the Lord Domus?" Fauna Winthroope replied quite evenly, her eyes looking at Redgrave. "It would be far better for the University Campus to help and support the Lord Domus Azarin for he is a learned man, polite, civil and has a scholarly mind." Her voice had gone throbbing soft, polite and almost compelling. "It would benefit the University to support, guide and mold the Lord Domus. Isn't that the sole purpose of the Campus? To guide students? Do not tell me that the University is balking with the University's sole purpose?"

"The Lord Domus needs guidance." She continued her plea. "As a learned man, I know that he will greatly accept the guidance and the support of the University of Magick. That is all he asks: support and guidance, for in these dark times, once could be easily lost among the shadows and who could give the Lord Domus great advice better than the University? The Campus is eternal, perpetual, it would be foolish of the University to decline the plea for help and support coming from such a stalwart, learned man like the Lord Domus."

She paused and regarded the three councilors with throbing voice full of sincerity and persuasion: "In these dark times, Learned Sirs, all should be united under one goal, all should offer and accept for if not, we will all crumble, alone and divided. That is what the Nether wants, for in disunity, it will flourish. Believe you, me, Learned Councilors, I know how the Nether works and it will get the creatures of the Shadows first to aid it." She finished and eyed the Councilor Ventalla, hoping that he would speak his mind. Among the three, it was him that Fauna was almost quite close.

"Will not the Councilor Ventalla speak his mind?"

[Tristam]

Ventalla rested his kindly eyes upon Fauna and nodded. "The Major Domus called upon this University for aid and guidance and we answered. You may assure the Major Domus that whenever his decisions require us to take action, we will do so." Ventalla templed his hands before him.

"Yet it is clear to me that you do not argue so eloquently for the sake of the Major Domus." Ventalla stated. "You ask us to overlook your shadows in the face of overwhelming darkness. You ask us to leave you tainted and beset by dark influences in the hope that taint can be turned against the evils that beset us before it breaks and destroys you."

"Have I read you rightly, Fauna?" Ventalla asked. "Are you asking to return to us without the bounds that are set upon you?"

[Fauna Winthrope]

You got my point precisely, me boyo! Fauna Winthrope exulted within the chambers of her mind, smiling at Councilor Ventalla. Among the three Councilors, it was Professor Ventalla who could easily read her. Perhaps, within the three Councilors, the kind Professor Ventalla was the only one who could understand her, he was the only one who had entered her psyche and gently laid the bounds of her malady.

"The Councilor Ventalla is as wise as they say." The Dark Sorceress nodded gently, she was the petitioner here and it was wise to at least give the air of humility. "The Major Domus' heart is then glad to hear that he could always count on the University of Magick and rest assured that he will always look kindly and amiably at this eternal institution. The Voice of the Major Domus now rests his petition." She curstied regally and then straightened once and heave a deep sigh.

This was the moment she was fearing...

She frowned, looking for the right words and was about to speak when Fauna paused once more and looked at Professor Ventalla, a look of aid and sincere pleading.

"Yes, Professor Ventalla." She lifted her flawless face and courageously looked at the triumverate professors looking down at her. The young sorceress decided to use a different tactic and moved to the point immediately.

"You have read me precisely. You have seen my mind, you know me inside out and you know up to what limits I can do. You see me here again, unafraid, yet fearful as well, for my own sake. I humbly ask the Council to remove the bounds and restrains set upon me."

"I am a true daughter of this institution. The University should not be threatened by what could I become. There is nothing to be feared, in fact, it should be me who should be afraid. The Nether is here, that much I have seen. It will take delight in taking and gathering creatures of the Darkness and the Shadows and I for one would not want to be its creature. I have now passed my sorcerous apprenticeship and without the restraints, I could fully protect myself and perhaps, give more aid to the University against the gathering turmoil and darkness that is upon us."

"What says the Council?" She asked with her meek, throbbing voice.

[Tristam]

The three councilors did not even take time to deliberate. It would seem this was a matter already discussed and decided.

"So my dear Fauna, you find yourself in the invidious position of fearing both the Darkness and the Light." Redgrave commented. "And thus come here because you fear us less than the Nether. Up to that point I cannot fault your logic."

"We wish to trust you Fauna." Ventalla said sincerely. "We have wanted to trust you from the very beginning of this ordeal. We wanted to believe that with our help you could be stronger than the dark thoughts that seek to influence you. The sentence that we gave was the lightest allowed by our University charter. It allowed you the most freedom and least supervision that we could feel comfortable with."

Redgrave cut in. "Your response to this show of good faith was an attempt to ensorcel the escort assigned to you and when that failed you circumvented him by law. These are not the actions of one willing to work with the University as you so claim."

Both councilors looked to Peckerton who in turn looked to Fauna. "What s-say you to this F-fauna? What as-surances can you make that you d-deal in g-good faith?"

[Fauna Winthrope]

Fear? No, they got it all wrong, Fauna decided with a slight frown upon her amunic face as she looked fully at the face of the Councilor Redgrave. Fauna was a practical woman, and fearing the Nether was something to a point of being ludicrous. Heck, she could decide on this onset to ally with the Nether Prince and if she did, she knew that Tazlure would be knee deep in Netheric muck. No, it was not fear that prompted this young dark sorceress to ally with the University and with the forces of light.

It was all for practical reason.

The Nether Prince would not share power. Yes, it would, at first, but then, eventually, all allies of the Nether, all creatures of the shadows that would ally with the Nether would eventually fall under the Prince of the Nether Realm, a slave to their whims and caprices and Fauna Winthrope, for all the promise of Netheric powers would not want to be a slave... again. Was it not why she left Amun Rah? Was it not why she was here at the Citadel, to claim powers for her own, power and dominion, ultimate arcane power and she would not be able to do that with the Nether Creatures. And besides, Nether Creatures were unaesthetical, and Fauna would not want to work with creatures that cannot fathom the notion of taking a regular bath.

With a deep sigh of her bosom, Fauna fully looked at the Councilors. "My learned professors, I applaud you, really, with all of my heart for trying to rescue me from..." She paused, trying to look for the right words to name what was inside her.

"...This malady that had taken over me. But you see, you were all already too late. The cancer had already spread and was malignant before you all intervened. It was already deep inside of my psyche, tainting me, changing me and that cannot be undone. I am it and it is me since before the Council, since before Professor Acantha had an inkling of what it was. And I, for my lack of knowledge, for my innocence, wanted it to happen, wanted the change, wanted the exhilaration of what it was."

She laughed a little, almost to herself. "And I will not apologize for what I have done with Jeremy. It was inevitable, you all must have surmised that it would end like that." Fauna shrugged gracefully. "But I am not here to apologize, Learned Councilors. You all know me better than that. Nor am I here to make excuses. It had to be done, and if the past were to be changed, I will not change it for one flicker."

"I am here, am I not, Learned Councils? Is it not already an act of assurance? An act of good faith? There is no outside law governing this Institute, you may, if in your whim, delete me right this instance, but that, I must say, is an act of folly. This insitution is my home. You can never deny me that. Ever. Not in a million yahrens."

She stopped, letting her words sink in, her dark purple robes rustling as she moved lightly, her blond head gazing at the three figures above. "I am standing before the Council, before you, Professor Ventalla, to remove the bondage placed within me. I say, let it play out. Let, if this be a tragedy, continue. This will be my tragedy, not yours. I am full aware of the implications that this will bring, but it is my burden to carry, not yours. But then, you may wonder, nay, it is logical that this Institution will be the one cleaning up my mess. But it is my mess to make. This University is eternal. I am not. And am I not a true daughter of this University? As its daughter, let me make my own mess, it will give me experience and knowledge far beyond what you have taught me and it is that knowledge that I will share. And that knowledge I will share now, a knowledge of the dark and shadows..."

With imperiousness, Fauna stood proud, as a Dark Sorceress, a creature of the Shadow, her dark purple robe moving and rustling as her amunic face equally regarded the triumverate before her and continued, her voice harsh and ringing.

"The Nether will grow, believe me, it will grow. I can feel it within my very bones. The Churches of the Light have no Champions. They are growing weaker and weaker by the flicker. And as the churches weaken, the Nether will draw the Creatures of the Shadows to itself, all of us creatures of the Shadows, those who hunger for the Nether will be drawn to it, like butterfllies flittering into a web of a spider and we will grow stronger with the Nether by our side. My advice to you, Learned Councillors, is to draw those Creatures of the Shadows together with you before the Nether takes them. Combined, we can easily stop the encroaching darkness."

[Tristam]

Though she could not hear it nor even sense it, the three councilors before her deliberated through a mental weave of Professor Ventalla's.

Her knowledge of the enemy and their ways could prove useful.

How many do we doom to death or worse in her quest for mastery over her powers?

How many do we doom to death if the Nether forces cannot be fought without her skills?

What of the shard of Tarrant's soul within her?

It is the darkest part of him. Whatever higher motives Tarrant or Fauna may have had, this shard revels in carnage. We already know she is not strong enough to hold it back.

Not all of his conspirators were found. Might this be an opportunity for a guide to emerge or perhaps bait to tempt them out?

This is a risky course of action.

The greatest opportunities come from the greatest risk.

And if this gambit fails?

Then we remove the queen from the board.

Redgrave stepped forward to speak after Fauna had stopped. "I will speak plainly Miss Winthrope. Part of the mandate of this University has written by the Ancient Ones and by our agreements with the Caeser is to protect this isle from the forces of dark magic and the Nether. You ask us to risk breaking one oath to fulfill the other. We will accept your offer of help against the Nether. We will ally with you in common cause against the greater evil. But I must warn you not to give us any reason to trigger our first oath. That is the razor's edge on which this agreement will balance."

Ventalla stepped forward next. "The wards within your mind already unravel Miss Winthrope. We will not impose their renewal upon you. But I do beg you to consider allowing them voluntarily. It may be possible to allow you access to your new awareness while allowing you remain," Ventalla paused, "uninfluenced shall we say?"

Peckerton came forward last. "As to your st-status within the University, you m-may feel that you have f-finished your apprent-ticeship but you h-have n-not p-passed your exams. Until you do, you are simply a st-student here. As such, you must fulf-fill your st-student contract and exchange work here for access to Univ-versity training and facilities. Once you p-pass the exam, we can renegotiate."

[Fauna Winthrope]

“Wise decision.” Fauna murmured to herself, hiding her triumphant smile as she bowed and curtsied regally before the Council. If it weren’t for the fact that she wanted to act composed and collected, she would have been gyrating her hips now with exultation.

But the Dark Sorceress detected something more with the council’s decision, something that her dark mind was able to deduce. The University was upon a precipice as well, she concluded, and their decision to ally with the forces of the Shadows was a hint that they were desperate. Ooooh, she purred at the thought, but what was she to do with this sudden epiphany? She needed to think things more, to roll the idea around her psyche, like a connoisseur of wine, tasting and rolling a taste of wine to between tongue to criticize it. With a sigh, the Dark Sorceress compartmentalized the thought, placing it in a separate drawer so she could scrutinize it when she had the time to think things more. Perhaps, she needed Professor Baldeserrato’s impression of it and now was not the time; she needed to focus at the task before her.

“Of course, Professor Redgrave.” The blonde woman replied as she straightened once more. “This pactum is as delicate as a flower yet to bloom. But I must warn you that prejudices will run between two sides, the Wizards of the Light against the Wizards of the Shadows, but if there is one thing that should bind us, it must be logic and respect. As a representative of the Shadows, we will, of course, go by the rules, decorum and protocol of the University when inside the Institution, we are all learned men and women of the Light and Shadows and it is logic and knowledge that will connect us. Let me also assure you, Councilor Redgrave, that if any of the Wizards and Sorcerers of the Shadows and light would breach the pactum that we have set here, the Council is more than free to do anything you wish.”

“I am assuming that this is a truce between Light and Shadow inside this University, am I not?” She asked curiously. “And this Institution will be a neutral ground where Light and Shadow can freely discuss Magicks and Theories with no prejudice whatsoever? Because Learned Councils, we of the Shadows can offer more to the Science and Physics of the Arcane Arts and we need a neutral place where we can freely express our ideas and theories without prejudice and bigotry. I believe this is now the time for a renaissance of the Arcane Arts, a re-birth with no intolerance.”

“But I speak only for myself, a single creature of the Shadows.” Fauna continued with a flawless frown. “We shall see what the others of the Shadow community will say once this pactum will be sent out, discreetly, of course, Learned Councilors.”

With a single nod, she looked appreciatively at Professor Ventalla, letting him know that she will go by with what he wanted. This would be her burden, alone, a war between the Light and Shadows within her and she hoped that she was up to the challenge it would bring. “I pray that you will guide me, Professor Ventalla when I truly need your advice. This will be a hard task for me for there are two opposing sides within me that are at war and I may not be strong enough.” She smiled at him helplessly.

“Exams?” Fauna asked with a small, inquisitive gleam of her blue eyes, looking fully at Professor Peckerton. “There is an exam to pass Apprenticeship? I did not know that.” The Dark Sorceress stepped back hesitantly, unsure if she should continue, but she stepped forward once more, with enough confidence to knock a fly off a wall, lifting her Amunic face high.

“I am ready right now, Professor Peckerton.” She declared, standing proud and tall, her dark purple robes rustling. “Will this be a practicum or a written exam?” Fauna inquired in her small voice, fearful that it would be a written one as per she haven’t had the time to review her notes which was lying dormant inside her trunk in her room of the Lord Domus’ mansion.

"You are going to give me that credit for helping out with the Otto Hopess case, are you not?" Fauna bleated.

[Tristam]

Redgrave mused over what Fauna had said. "Within these walls, shall be neutral ground for discussion," Redgrave emphasized the word, "of all magics. Matters of experimentation and example must still match the guidlines of the Univeristy charter. Also be aware that part of our mandate is to protect the people of Citadel against magical forces when called upon by the Caeser's government or when we detect a threat that needs immediate action. Being part of the neutrality pact will not save a Sorcerer of the Shadows if we are called to act under those provisions." Redgrave pronounced. "You have our to spread word of this to others of your acquaintance. If they will approach us openly as you have, then we shall parley with them."

"I shall be there when you need me, Fauna." Ventalla promised her. and probably a few time when you don't.

Peckerton gave Fauna a thin smile. "If we g-gave you no credit for your M-mage H-unter duties, we w-w-would not be having this discussion." He reminded her. "It is f-fully a practical exam. One c-could memorize the library and st-still not be a mage. It w-wil take time to prepare the exam. Return tomorrow at the second mark of Eveningtide."

Peckerton picked up a gavel. "This session of the C-council is now ended." He pronounced and clapped the gavel on the wood of his podium. A mere flicker after he did so, a scroll appeared in his hand. Fauna easily recognized of the registrar's scrolls. Peckerton unrolled it and read it over. "Fauna, w-would you accompany me? There is about to be a m-meeting I th-think you sh-should attend."

[Fauna Winthrope]

Fauna could only nod once at the words of Professor Redgrave and when the Council was officially ended, the Amunite Sorceress curtsied regally before the the trio, hiding her triumphant smile behind her elegant bow. She will need someone to help her on this, someone far knowledgeable, someone who will guide her. Fauna needed to speak to the malodorous Professor Baldeserrato as soon as possible.

"I'll be here a mark before the exam, Professor Peckerton." She replied, relieved that the exam would be a practicum, yet dreading as well. But Fauna knew she was capable enough, confident enough that she could handle all the spells that would be thrown at her. "And please prepare the meditation room. I will be needing to do my Shia-Rette before the exam." Shia-Rette was a type of meditation/yoga with varying positions. It meant The River: The Old, the Middle and the Young River, each way of movements defining the position and corelation of Energies to the caster, the environment and to the Aetheric Realm.

"Another meeting, Professor?" The Dark Sorceress frowned at the stuttering wizard and then glanced at the two other professors for confirmation. Fauna was a very curious creature so with a slight nod of her head, she imperiously waited for Professor Peckerton to lead her, her dark, purple robe rustling as she moved to follow him.

[Tristam]

"An impromptu m-meeting." Peckerton as he came down from the Council bench. The other two mages look as curious as Fauna. "I have here a note from one B-barrett Th-Threespan." Peckerton informed them. "He also claims to b-be here on b-behalf of the Major Domus and wishing to ally in the f-face of Citadel's enemies."

"Do you know this B-barrett, Fauna?" Peckerton asked as he led her out of the council chambers and into the University.

[Fauna Winthrope]

Fauna gave Peckerton a blank look, as if the name he uttered was an alien word she could not comprehend.

"I..." The Dark Sorceress paused, unsure of what to say. She tried to remember and recollect if she had heard that name before but Fauna couldn't come up with a face. Elaine Bannon, the Blind Bard, was the only person Fauna knew as another assistant of the Major Domus. Perhaps...

"I am not quite sure, Professor Peckerton," Fauna Wintrope replied, frowning her eyes. If this Barret Threespan was here to countermand her presence here as the Envoy of the Major Domus, she better get herself prepaired and ready. "The Lord Azarin is a very illustrious and powerful man. He does have a lot of assistants at his beckoning." She reasoned, yet, quite curious who this Threespan might be.

"Perhaps, I have seen him knocking around the Citadel Palace and haven't met him, Professor." She excused gracefully as she stepped beside the stuttering professor. "We'll see."

"Where are we going, Professor Peckerton?" She asked with a curious look. "Are we going to meet this Threespan person?"

[Tristam]

"We are though he d-does not know it." Peckerton replied. "The registrar noted that he also w-wished to speak to Corbin D-dillon. Barrett was s-sent to speak with Professor M-moore. Corbin is b-bound prentice to him."

Fauna knew, by reputation at least, that Professor Moore was the defensive magic expert in the University. It was also said that he was reclusive to the point of paranoia and was rarely seen outside of his rooms except for classes. Of course, reclusive and seldom seen could describe many professors at the Univeristy. It was the fact that those people said it about Professor Moore that gave it impact.

"I would stay close to me as we ap-proach his rooms." Peckerton advised her. "M-moore has heavily w-warded the approach to his chambers. Better they encounter me and l-let me vouch for you than risk them s-sensing something they would reject."

[Fauna Winthrope]

That's good. Fauna noted to herself, nodding gracefully at the stuttering professor. We have the essence of surprise, she thought. But who was she kidding, why was she all set up for a battle, a battle against someone she doesn't even know? Perhaps, it was the practical part of herself that was readying, a practical part that was jealous of this man. She was just a new assistant of the Major Domus and this Threespan person might have more influence with the Lord Azarin. We shall see...

"It seems that Sir Dillon survived the Catacombs of the Citadel Dungeons." The Dark Sorceress commented with deep interest. "How fares Professor Acantha?" She asked with theatric, innocent, wide eyes. I hope she's dead and dining in the Aether realm this moment! She hoped and prayed that it was so. That bitch!

"The Major Domus doesn't have any news of what had happened to the assault of the Catacombs. Was it successful, Professor Peckerton? I tried my best to advice the Lord Domus that he should contact the University and close the Catacombs immediately, but the Lord Domus is a man to himself..." She trailed off. "The Lady Rioja was most helpful though." Fauna continued, still awed by her as she remembered the noble woman.

"Yes, I think that is a good idea, Professor." Fauna commented dryly, gracefully stepping back with a rustle of her dark, purple robe and letting the stuttering professor take the lead. "Judging from what I heard about Professor Moore, he's more cloistered than a cloistered nun and a paranoid person to boot." But then, who would be the best professor teaching wards and protections but a paranoid creature.