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[tuo]

Rockeye and Christian teleport back into the temple of Taed. Rockeye releases Christian and bows his head to him. "Though I am a follower of Evil and Lord Nissar, I hold great respect for the Merciful death. If it would satisfy your anger for my earlier transgression I offer my life."

[Devon]

Christian had considered taking the man's life, but he followed Taed's path of Mercy not of Vengeance. "Your life isn't worth taking and you deserve nothing of the mercy of Taed. Get out of my face."

[tuo]

Rockeye flinched slightly at the way Christian spoke the words. "Very well..may your life be free of suffering and your death painless." He bows his head once more and teleports away.

[Kender Bard]

Once Rockeye had gone, a faint mist filled the room Christian was in, coalescing into Thessa once more, the redness of her beginning to fade away. "It is done." She smiled and hovered close to Christian. "I have missed you. But I have watched you as well. You are doing very well here."

[Devon]

Christian's attitude softened as Thessa entered the room. "I've missed you as well. I don't think I'm doing that good though, the temple is still practically empty." He took note of her redness fading away. "Are you able to stay or will you have to go again?"

[Kender Bard]

"I have a little time," Thessa assured him. "But no more than a few hours. I want to warn you of what has transpired... Rajani is the High Priestess of Evil as you have likely figured out. The ritual she performed did great service to Taed, of his more wrathful aspects, and he was pleased. He allowed her and Lord Nissar to come into position an item of his, generally held out of reach of mortals through the veil between the living and the dead. It is a powerful artifact... a book wherein one can decide the deaths of others."

[Devon]

Christian shook his head at the news she delivered to him. "Those monsters with that kind of power, this is a danger to the world itself. What can be done about this Thessa or is that book going to turn these lands into their playground?"

[Kender Bard]

"As I told them, all things work in balances," she assured him. "In truth, the world needs monsters as much as they need heroes. There will be death and terror - but it is not everlasting, and if they rise too high, they will fall all the harder. I assure you that you are safe at least, as are those whom the Forces love and favor."

[Devon]

Christian nodded his head slowly and asked, "So all I can do is sit back and let nature run its course?"

[Kender Bard]

"In regards to this, yes," she said firmly. "Have faith in the decisions of your lord, Christian. He knows what he is doing..." She looked around the temple. "And yes, it is still empty around here. Are you ready to continue the sojourn you started a year ago?"

[Devon]

Christian nodded, "Yes I'm ready to start again. I know this must sound pretty ironic, but we need more life around the temple of Taed. Now that you have helped Nissar, will you be leaving?"

[Kender Bard]

"I have to," she sighed. "This is not my world any more. But don't worry Christian..." She smiled a little and the mist of her being swirled around him like an embrace. "I am always with you, watching."

[Devon]

Christian sighed and savored the embrace. "I know and I will keep working with this temple so you can see grow bigger than before."

[Kender Bard]

"I look forward to that," she replied sincerely, moving so her face hovered close to his. The last of the red mist drained from her, leaving her a smoky, hazy spirit once again. Leaning forward she kissed him softly, sensation achievable for a brief moment. "Farewell, Christian. Perhaps we'll see each other again before you depart from this mortal life."

[Devon]

"Perhaps I look forward to seeing you again," Christian murmured. "Goodbye Thessa."