A bright silver streak blazes across the heavens..

Swooping down over the Austere Chamber...the Skyborn comes to seek vengenace.

From within the chamber voices can be heard...

'The bishop and the pawns gone...hrm, a tough gambit, Lord.'

'Yet the game is not lost, is it?'

'Not yet, Lord Balgrimnr'

Striding into the Lord of Honor's chamber...Shokai finds Leika and Balgrimnr talking over a game of chess.

'Skyborn? Well met, what business do you have here?'

'I come with a challenge, Balgrimnr....a blood debt.'

Looking up in slight confusion, Balgrimnr stares at the Maran Lord.

'The Star-crowned lies dead. My friend lies dead...slain by your hand Balgrimnr. Again...I call a challenge of blood.'

...so saying, Shokai draws his spear and strikes it against the floor.

Nodding grimly, the Ehern Lord rises and grabs his pike from it's place along the wall..

'If you wish it so, Skyborn, then so be it...'

Looking on in horror, Leika stands.

'My Lord! I ask you, before you meet this challenge...grant me a moment?'

'Aye...if the Skyborn will allow it'

'This is not your battle, Leika.'

Moving to stand between them Leika raises her eyebrow...

'This battle does not involve you, Priestess.'

'But I am involved, Lord Shokai - as would you be. You attack not my Lord, but the mandate of Honor. Embodied both by my Lord - and the
unbreakable blade you still bear.'

'I will not interfere, Lord Shokai, But I ask that you look within and judge your own actions.'

'My actions? I have lost yet another dear friend, Leika...stand aside so this blood debt may be paid.'

Walking closer to Shokai, Leika whispers 'What of the oath you swore the Lady Mystra? Would you split Honor from Light and weaken that vow?'

'Is your quest for the death of Lord Nepenthe, more important than the oath to those who look to you as leader?'

Sensing the truth in her words, the silver arial drops his spear.

'Aye...priestess, you speak with a wisdom far beyond your years.' Kneeling, Shokai looks up at the Ehern Lord.

'I issued this challenge...and so I forfeit it. Will you release me from this challenge?'

Striding forward, Balgrimnr touches the kneeling Maran on the head.

'Aye, Skyborn, you are released from this foolish gambit.'

Still staring at the floor...the Maran Lord nods slowly.

Balgrimnr chuckles softly, 'Rise Maran...we spoke of you before you entered.'

Looking up Shokai fixes his gaze on Balgrimnr, 'Oh?'

'Aye...it seems my priestess wishes to serve us both.'

Striding forward Leika speaks, 'Aye, Lord..as I walked the mortal realms, I felt drawn to your path. Even while I walked that of my Lord.'

'If you will grant it, Lord Shokai...I wish to aid with the fortress you have raised.'

Chuckling to himself, Balgrimnr says 'her life of honor reminds me of you when you were young, Skyborn...'

Searching the grinning face of the Ehern Lord, and the sincere one of his priestes...the Skyborn rises.

'If you wish it, Leika...it is granted.'

Bowing low, Shokai soars off to the Azure Fields...

Chuckling to himself, Balgrimnr ushers Leika back to the chess game...

Wincing at the losing chess game...Leika smiles at her new found post.

<51 Storm Pal> Leika the Priestess of the Ehren Guard

From the pen of:
valguarnera@carrionfields.com">Valguarnera Trisseptia

valguarnera@carrionfields.com