Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 20:57:11 -0400 From: Christopher Vaughan Subject: INT: Return to the Keep Christian was puzzled by the reaction of the strange woman in the throne room. For some reason she seemed shocked when he said Syrilyn's name. For some reason that troubled him. Enough time for that later, he decided. He had a wedding to prepare for. "Merlin," he shouted as he climbed the winding stairwell to the Shadow Corridor. "Merlin, where the Hell are you? I need to talk with you." A thin stream of gray smoke wafted in from one of the small, thick windows which broke through near the roof of the long, narrow passage. It solidified before him into the visage of a withered, old man. "You bellowed," the ancient mage said with seeming indifference. "Yes, damn your eyes. I need you to find out why the Yce Warriors have started to mass near the Salted Peaks. They haven't been on the move in years." "No doubt they have grown tired of waiting on you to act, o' prince." Christian's eyes narrowed to an angry glare. "Watch you tongue, Merlin. You may not live to grow any younger." "As you will, o'prince. Though I think you would be well-served to have me around in your past." Christian grabbed Merlin's cloak savagely and lifted the old man from the ground. "Raghh! Whatever, just do what I say." "Don't I always, o'prince?" Christian felt his savage rage begin to subside as he looked into the wizards clear eyes. Then, as quickly as it had descended upon him it was gone. He let the old mage down and apologized before going on his way. He ignored Merlin's troubled eyes on his back. "There you are!" Syrilyn ran to him as he entered his room. She threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately. He returned her embrace, but felt a strange nagging at the back of his thoughts. Something wasn't right, but it didn't matter when she was there. When they broke their embrace he stepped back and looked at Syrilyn. Her long, red hair flowed over her shoulders in scarlet rivelets. She smiled with her bright, blue eyes and brushed his cheek. "I missed you," she said. "Affairs of state, darling. I could not get away any sooner." "How was your day, then?" She unfastened his cape and hung it on a stand in the corner. "Fine. Well, except... Just now there was this strange woman. I know I never met her before, but I had the strangest..." "Who?" Christian turned and was surprised to see Syrilyn was aggitated. "I don't know. It must have been deja vu, that's all." He took her in his arms. "Don't be jealous." "I'm not, darling. I know you're always faithful." He hugged her tight, and didn't see the evil glint which came to Syrilyn's eyes. -- _____________________________ Chris Vaughan space.cowboy@worldnet.att.net