The figure that is apparently Gol'br'in emerges cautiously through the bead curtain into the room. He definitely looks like someone who has lived the greater part of his life in very strange company...if in any company at all.
Seeing him, Kiel'i immediately turns partly away so as not to make eye contact. Bina, however, eyes the mystic warily.
"I suppose I should thank you for your kind help," says Kiel'i flatly.
"You know I didn't help much," retorts Gol'br'in. "How long has Mountain-Eye known about me?"
Kiel'i assumes a prayer stance and then, in Per'anai's voice, replies, "You can't hide yourself as well as your master did. And besides, they call me 'Mountain-Eye' for a reason."
"But you never tried to stop me!"
"And hurt our own cause?" Kiel'i opens eyes which are glowing blue and faces the mystic squarely. "I'm under no obligation to stop you. Even if what you do disgusts me, I still know that it's for the best. For now."
"Fair enough." Gol'br'in bows Hergoth style. "For what it's worth, you've earned my respect."
Kiel'i returns the bow. Then the blue glow fades from her eyes. In her own voice, she says, "I must return now."
"Stay just a little longer," entreats Gol'br'in, stepping closer. "I know you're just as curious as I am. Allow me to do this one thing." He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a stick that has symbols carved on it. "I know you don't approve, but I have no power without this."
"What're you going to do?" demands Bina edgily.
"Just a little test," he replies, holding the stick up sideways in both hands so they can look at it. "I promise no one will be harmed."
Bina throws a bitter glance at Gemma, who says drowsily, "It's alright, Dear Sister. It's my energy to give."
Bina turns back to Gol'br'in and says, "You could at least let her bathe!"
"Of course!" replies Gol'br'in pleasantly. He holds up the stick, and the tip of it starts to glow. "Now, if you'll just put yourselves at ease..." He inclines the stick toward Mon'Fargret, and the glow flickers a bit. "Hmm. This one is aware but has no mastery. Good. That does explain some things." Next he angles the wand toward Lirassa.
"Point that thing somewhere else!" she spits in Yangae.
"You have a device in you that protects you," replies Gol'br'in in that language. "Very good." Next he moves toward Ham, who assumes a threatening stance. The wand changes color. "Sensitive," says Gol'br'in. Then he moves past the Fasion and points the wand at Dabid. Again the color changes. "Sensitive." Ignoring Betham, he moves toward Pru, who backs up to avoid him. The color changes. "Sensitive." He then moves past Widjgleeby and Granite Spear and proceeds straight to Nekshi. "Sensitive."
Not waiting for the mystic, Mey'Luskar actually approaches him. "What about me?"
Gol'br'in pauses, studying her. Then he angles the wand. It doesn't change color, but the glow suddenly increases in intensity. Gol'br'in jumps back as if shocked, his mouth dropping open. The glow decreases again, but not to its original level. Puzzled, Gol'br'in starts to probe around with it, slowly moving backward as he does so. Finally he stops, gestures puzzlement, and lowers the wand. "I can't find the edge. Your spirit..." He glances back at Kiel'i.
"Yes," replies the priestess. "It reaches out in all directions without a clear border."
"What does that mean?" asks Mey'Luskar. Her expression changes. "I was...I was helping you, wasn't I? Just like I helped Bina heal Gemma...?"
No one answers. Gol'br'in, Kiel'i, and Bina just eye her silently. Then Gol'br'in says, "I would very much like to find out about your parents."
"Her father is a mystery," says Kiel'i quickly. "Her mother is a scientist. There's nothing more to tell."
Once again the mystic and the two priestesses study Mey'Luskar quietly while she fidgets and glances around. Then Gemma says, "Hey! What about him?" She points at Zeton.
Gol'br'in approaches Zeton and angles the wand. There is no reaction. "You're immune!" he says, furrowing his brows. "Strange. But you're not really Hergoth...obviously. Either you have some kind of special ability I don't know about, or your kind is not one of the children of the Ancients. That's very interesting...and very good!" He glances at Kiel'i. "Okay, that's enough. I have what I came for."
The priestess acknowledges him with a nod. Then she turns to address to party. Bowing properly, she says, "May the Entity smile on all of you in this dark hour!" Then she gives Bina a last look before vanishing in a swirl of light.
"Now," says Gol'br'in. "You want to get to the Eye of Tann through the tunnels, right? There are some things I need to give you first."
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Gol'br'in goes to the Fasion and mutters something. She gasps with surprise, barks an anxious affirmative, and scampers off.
Next Gol'br'in starts to approach Bina, who crosses her arms, takes a step back, and glares at him icily.
Stopping in his tracks, the mystic mimics the fallen priestess' posture and says, "What's your problem? Didn't you hear? Your own mentor said I was okay! Well, maybe not 'okay,' but..."
"That is my problem," spits Bina venomously.
"No," retorts Gol'br'in, his face and tone suddenly changing from cheerful to menacing, "we both know it's something else. Like it or not, if you wanna beat this thing, you're gonna need my help. And right now I could really use yours."
Bina glances around at the others, her gaze lingering on both Gemma and Mey'Luskar.
"All right," she says. "What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to lend me some of your fire," replies Gol'br'in. "I know you have more now than before your tiara-wearing friend came. And if you don't, you can get it. I'll do the work. Just give me the power."
Bina kicks off a tangible pulse of pure anguish before she steels herself with a sigh. "Very well," she says. "It's not like you haven't done it before."
"I'll only say thank you," retorts Gol'br'in. Then he turns to address the others, saying, "Wait here. I have to prepare." With that, he disappears through the curtain again.
As Gol'br'in leaves, Zeton goes to his computer, returns it to standby mode and then collects his gear, readying himself for the next stage in their rescue mission.
As Zeton starts gathering his gear together, Gemma touches his arm and says in a near whisper, "I think she knows him! Bina, I mean. Gol'br'in, I mean. I mean...I think she knows him!"
Betham, who is standing nearby, turns a troubled gaze her way and adds, "You're not the only one who picked that up! And I for one wouldn't mind knowing more..."
"...and you WON'T!" spits Bina, wheeling around with such a vicious glare that almost everyone takes a step back.
"Sister," says Mey'Luskar quietly, moving to touch her arm, "the old leaves are gone! Come to the now, as the Hergoth say!"
"The old leaves are the now!" hisses the disgraced priestess. "Again! He used me!" She clutches Mey'Luskar's hand and throws a glance at Gemma. "Just like he uses everyone!"
"But...maybe that's why...," stammers Gemma. "I mean...maybe that's...that's how you maybe got your talent! The Vine! The sharing!" She smiles. "Yes...I mean...so Per'anai saved you!"
"Per'anai...threw me back into the fire," retorts Bina. "Maybe on purpose!"
"Um...," hesitates Mey'Luskar as if not sure what to make of the words coming into her mouth, "what does...your Gôth self tell you?"
Bina looks at her with surprise but doesn't say anything, at least not aloud.
"Let's just do what we have to," adds Mey'Luskar.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, Mon'Fargret makes his way over to his fallen comrade and says, "I am sorry, Old Root. I should have checked that area. I foolishly assumed the threats were inside. I..."
His voices catches and he casts his eyes downward.
Dabid is still unconscious, though he's alive and stable.
Hearing Mon'Fargret, Bina releases Mey'Luskar's hand and moves beside him. "None of us knew any of this was going to happen," she says quietly, suppressing her own emotional turmoil. "No one doubts your wisdom here. I'm sure Dabid doesn't, either. Let's do as Mey said and come to the now."
"I just hope now stays now!" snaps Betham. He turns on his heel, precluding any discussion.
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