Bermuda Holiday Session 17

Princess Guard - The New Era 2017/23/03 	 Charm Titan Pulsar Lia Harlequin Wolf 40

Revelations
Palanir seems in no great rush to proceed. "Have you given any thought to my proposal, Princess?" he asks Charm. "I realise you have heard many bad things said about me. One thing I hope you have not heard, or if you have it is I assure you false, is that I have not kept my word when given."

Charm asks Palanir about the Oath of Fealty he made to her grandfather, the King.

Palanir answers, "The weakling king I poisoned was not the strong king I swore to." But he looks embarrassed and turns away from Charm. "Given you humans have such short lives I'm surprised you seem to have so little sense of urgency." he adds in a testy tone.

Pulsar has the good mind to stay out of the political conversation at hand. He's a protector, a civic minded citizen and hero, but that's all. He's not politically minded in the least - especially when it comes to the ups, downs and whatnot of royalty.

Titan raises a brow, "I'm immortal, as far as I can tell, Warmaster. I'm afraid you'll have to put up with my presence a very long time." He smiles. "Perhaps we should be going?" After Titan's comment Palanir mutters something to himself in the elven tongue.

Charm had been about to continue to argue, but Titan's intervention reminds her that to do so is not currently helpful.

Lia nods toward Titan. "I have no idea for how long I shall live, but there's no point in lingering here."

Returning the way you came, out past the two dwarven centurions and into the initial cave you find the Prets that had been clustered against Harlequin's barrier have flown off. The way is clear to emerge from the cave on the slope of the volcano. Those such as Charm who can sense Fae ways can sense the potential way Palanir commented on.

Titan ties his hair back again as he heads out toward the 'path' outside. "True enough."

As another Immortal Man, Pulsar feels no need to chime in and give the wily Palanir an idea of their number or power. After all, this man is an enemy to the people he now calls his teammates. So he remains vigilant, eyes on Palanir, deciding if his team doesn't trust him then he would do all he can to keep himself from trusting him further. So he crosses his arms and watches - floating silently.

Palanir stops. "If you think this through I believe you do not want me to open a way to the gray elf stronghold at this time, based on what I know of you. Give it some thought."

Palanir sits on a boulder, crosses his arms, and looks toward you all with a smirk. The 'I've thought of something you haven't' kind of smirk.

The little baby dragon has kept very close to Wolf the whole time.

Titan raises a brow, "I see. And why is that? And what would you suggest as an alternate action?"

Palanir's smirk becomes more obvious, "Oh. Are you sure you'd believe me if I told you?" he asks.

Wolf makes sure to unobtrusively shield the dragon from those it considers to be the "scary people."

Titan sighs, making it clear to not bother using the Warmaster's title. He walks up to the Fae and looks directly at him, "Palanir. You are acting like a child. Try acting like someone of your station. I will ask again. Why is that? And what would you suggest as an alternate action?"

Titan's voice is flat. Like he just...stated a fact.

Pulsar nods as Titan shows Palanir why he's the leader of this team. He has been nothing but impressed with the elder hero since he met him and joined the team shortly thereafter.

Wolf tilts his shaggy angular head to one side, wondering what game Palanir is playing, and if it is indeed needful to play it. ..

I have now saved Thy life -- and twice: from magic, and from fire. A Life-Boon doth Thee owe in truth Why risk Thee Titan's ire?

Palanir stands and his right hand crosses to rest on the hilt of the sword at his left side. He starts to speak... and then stops with a word on the tip of his tongue. A deep breath. Then he shrugs, "You're right. It is foolish to let myself be affected by your opinion of me. What I do is done for the ultimate benefit of my kind. I should not expect you to understand that." He gestures toward the baby dragon, "If I open a way for you all to the gray Fae stronghold either you abandon that creature or it will be attacked. Take it back to your great vessel and leave it there."

Charm nods. "He's right, of course."

Wolf nods, understanding. He licks his nose thoughtfully, wondering how a dragon will be received by the passengers and crew. His whiskers twitch as he looks over to Titan.

Titan nods slowly, "That is a good suggestion...Warmaster." He looks to the others. "Harlequin, can you open a gate to return the dragon to the ship? The kids can probably look after him."

Titan says as an aside to Palanir, "And if you wish to discuss what my feelings are in regards to you, I'll be happy to do so later. Perhaps over a cup of coffee or something."

Lia hrms. "Are the kids also Fae? If so, the Dragon might have a problem with them, like it does with Charm and the Warmaster there."

Titan shakes his head, "Not as far as I'm aware."

Harlequin nods, "I can certainly do that, Titan. Lia, the children are human. I doubt the dragonet will have a problem. I may have a problem with the children. Particularly Leonid. Wolf, will you wish to keep the dragon when we return to Earth?"

Wolf think that's for the dragon to decide. He looks over to it and opens his mind to the creature, trying to share what they know and learn what it thinks.

Pulsar looks to Wolf and shakes his head. He looks excited.

Wolf explains that the dragon will want to follow him around, so, he should remain where everyone wants the dragon to be. Then, there will be minimal difficulties.

Wolf carefully explains "imprinting" to the non-animals of the team:

As ducks will follow Mother's lead, so this small dragon, too. It's preference is to stand near me, Fae company eschew.

Harlequin opens a gate to the cruise liner and states he'll be back as soon as he has settled the dragon down with the kids. He asks if anything is wanted from the liner as he is making the trip.

Titan shakes his head, and even though he is sans shirt after his run-in with the Prets earlier, he says, "I don't need anything. Anyone else?"

Charm shakes her head, if just because further delays seem a bad idea.

"Perhaps a chocolate bar, but that'd be the only thing I need." Lia answers.

Harlequin reaches into his messenger bag and pulls a candy bar out for Lia, "I always carry some, Lia. Essential exploring tool."

Lia giggles, and takes it, and pockets it somewhere in her sweater. "Thanks." She smiles.

Pulsar peeps through the portal but doesn't follow. He decides to stay with their guest - intangible at the moment, but ever-present and keeping his eye on the Warmaster.

Harlequin returns after a while. He looks hassled.

Palanir opens the way-path and looks at Titan, "Would you like me to lead or bring up the rear?"

Pulsar looks to Titan at Palanir's question. He's decided he'll be taking whatever position it is the Elven Warmaster is given so he can keep an eye on him himself and leave Titan and the others to do what they know must be done. He's so far out of his element it seems the best way to help at present.

Titan tilts his head, considering. "It makes sense for you to take the lead, though I'll walk beside you, if that's okay with you." Palanir nods, "I have no objection to that." Taking the lead beside Titan he walks into the way path.

Titan nods and walks with Palanir through the way that's been opened up.

Charm follows not far behind, realising that the Second Sight of someone other than Palanir may be useful.

Lia trails behind Charm, keeping her own magic senses ready for... whatever they might pick up.

Harlequin follows up last.

Palanir is either an incredible actor or as surprised as you are at where the way deposits you all. Inside a huge room that is clearly a library, with shelves extending from floor to ceiling stacked with thousands upon thousands of books. The decor is unquestionably elven although you see a few earth human items laid on some of the tables and desks in the room.

A large window in one wall shows a seared and desolate landscape with just traces of green visible here and there amid vast expanses of ash. The viewpoint is at least a mile above ground level.

Standing in the library with a tray of drinks in his hands, almost as if expecting visitors, is a goblin dressed in an old fashioned servants' outfit. The goblin is strange in appearance for those who are acquainted with the goblins of current times. This goblin is taller, has a face indicating a strong character, and almost noble in his looks. There's none of bluster or cringing that seems so typical of modern day goblins.

"Welcome Home, Lord Harlequin." the goblin says. "Lord Morrolan will be arriving at the hour of dusk. There is time to freshen up if you wish. Hot baths have been run and there is a change of clothing in the rooms prepared for your guests."

Titan raises a brow, looking back at Harlequin, hoping he has some kind of explanation.

Lia blinks too. "Uh..." She says, without quite following up

Palanir turns to Titan stood beside him and shakes his head. "Not my doing." he says.

Charm looks back at Harlequin with a raised eyebrow.

Titan voices what most of the group is likely thinking, "Where are we exactly?"

Hearing that this is not where they were expected, Pulsar becomes solid again, drifting even closer to Palanir making it clear that until the others believe him, he doesn't and won't.

Sasha nods to the goblin. "Thank you, Gethan." He then looks to the others. "Well, I am not certain how but we have ended up in Castle Black. It is a, hmm, floating castle given to me by Sethra Lavode. Lord Morrolan is her husband."

Titan nods slowly. "I...see. Can we still gather enough way-walkeriffic type people to get those people out of the waytrap location?"

Wolf looks about, taking everything in, intensely curious re: all the strange sights and smells

Sasha gestures around. "This is the library. And I would imagine Lord Morrolan may be able to help. He's quite a skilled sorcerer." He gestures to the window. "I fear that the living population of this world numbers in the low double digits. Probably not more then 20 including ourselves. This was once the Fae homeworld."

Palanir goes over to the window. "I... don't understand." he says. "It looks like one of the Lost Worlds but it cannot be. There is Mana here. I can feel it. Princess, can you feel it?"

Wolf gulps, imagining a whole world with only 20 people on it. He looks down at his paws, sadly, for a moment.

Charm says, "The first home - this is it? But did so few survive?"

Lia looks around, then looks to Palanir. "I can also feel it. Lots of ambient magic is here." Lia flutters around, looking and taking the magic in. She doesn't seem to quite take in (or perhaps care about) the great loss of life that occurred here.

Titan nods to Harlequin, "I'm assuming they basically evacuated at some point?"

Charm says, "Long, long ago. Before the Fae even first walked on your world."

Gethan interjects politely, "The numbers of the gray ones here is unknown. And a few of the dragons have clung to survival."

Sasha goes over to take a drink from the tray Gethan holds. "If you could prepare dinner, Gethan, I am certain our guests would appreciate it." He then takes the unusual action of reaching up and removing his mask, revealing the young face beneath.

"Ablewoman Charm and Warmaster Palanir can better answer your questions, Titan. I know little about the ancient times." He then smiles, "Or Gethan. And most certainly Lord Morrolan can when he arrives." His gaze turns to Gethan. "Will his wife be joining us, Gethan?" Gethan circulates with the drinks, "I believe the intent is for your guests to meet Lord Morrolan here first, and then meet the Queen and Lady Sethra in the Throne Room at Dragon Mountain afterwards, my Lord." He bows out to start serving dinner in the dining hall.

Titan chuckles, "I guess...I should have asked you to get me another shirt from the ship. I'm going to be underdressed."

Sasha looks to Gethan. "Can you provide Titan with a new shirt, Gethan? I'm certain somewhere here there must be one, yes?"

Sasha then looks over to Palanir and Charm. "I am not familiar with Ways, but could one be re-directed by a powerful and skilled enough sorcerer? If so, I would imagine that Lord Morrolan or Sethra Lavode wishes to speak with us. And so..." He gestures at the surrounding castle.

Gethan nods, "Each of your guests," he pauses, "ah, except for the guest with fur, has a change of clothing in the room prepared for them, my Lord."

Wolf wags a bit, thinking he'll have a bit of time to run around and explore while everyone else changes!

Gethan asks Titan if Titan wishes to go to the room to change or if Gethan should bring a shirt to the library?"

Sasha looks around. "I know this is all very odd, but it's best to just, hmm, roll with the punches. I think we should stay for dinner, speak with Lord Morrolan and find out what he desires. I am certain we can then get back to returning everyone to Earth." He looks over at Titan. "But the decision is yours, Titan. You are the team leader. "

Lia hmms. She's both curious that someone made clothes in her size, and that she's expected to wear them. Lia then wonders, "If this is your place, does that mean you can transport between here and earth?"

Sasha looks over at Lia. "Yes, Lia I can. I am not here often as I have responsibilities on Earth. But Queen Lavode has given dominion over Castle Black to me so I come here to oversee my duties, few as they are."

Wolf pads around the library, carefully *sniffing* things that are ?thousands? of years old. ..

"Why can't you just open a gate here and warp us to earth?" Lia asks, shrugging a little. She then sighs, "I'm sure couldn't be /that/ easy though."

Charm says, "There's the matter of the crew and passengers of the ship."

Sasha murmurs, "I can. But then I might have to fight Lord Morrolan. While he is not my liege lord, I respect him enough to believe he has a good reason for, hmm, shanghai-ing us."

Lia nods a little. "Fair points." She then goes quiet, shrugging a little.

Titan nods to Sasha, "I'm going to defer to your judgement here. You know Lord Morrolan better than I do."

After everyone has a chance to freshen up a fine repast is served up in the dining hall. Then back to the library for after dinner drinks. It's at that time that Lord Morrolan arrives. You've seen him before, on one or more occasions, most notably during the dragon hunt incident.

"Good evening to you all. Lord Harlequin, a pleasure as always. Princess," the Fae Lord smiles, "our relationship is closer than I realised on our first meeting. Warmaster. Noted members of the Princesses' Guard." He bows. "First I would like to extend an assurance that your people on the great ship are safe. They have been returned to your Earth. That was why I was not here to greet you on your arrival. I was attending to that task."

Palanir blurts out, "On your own?!"

Sasha bows to Lord Morrolan. "Thank you, Lord Morrolan. Does that include the refugees on the island?" He then looks over at Palanir. "I did say he was a powerful sorcerer, War Master."

Charm greets Lord Harrolan in the ancient languages, as best she can.

Wolf watches the mental gears turning in Palanir's head, as he realizes he's been upstaged. Wolf twitches his whiskers thoughtfully and observes carefully.

Lord Morrolan nods, "It does, Lord Harlequin. They proved more of a challenge. Some wished to be returned to their own time. An interesting task."

Lia bows and greets him as well, smiling. But she doesn't speak-she'll let the other more knowledgeable people do that.

Lord Morrolan returns Charm's greeting in fluent ancient Fae, spoken as if born to it. Which, of course, he was.

Titan raises a brow. He bows a bit, and says, "Thank you for doing so."

Sasha chuckles. "Did you return a pirate riding a sea serpent to his own time or his mounts?"

Lord Morrolan, "It was my.. our.. duty to do so. We were, after all, those who originally set up the way-traps. We would have done so sooner but we could not until after you disabled the trap."

Lord Morrolan speaks again, "The Queen awaits. Are you ready, Lords, Ladies, Gentlemen?"

Wolf nods his fuzzy head, understanding. Still, he is quite impressed by the wherewithal possessed by the 20 or so remaining inhabitants to monitor -- and _care_ about -- events on other worlds!

Sasha drains his drink, stands up then shoots his cuffs. "Of course, my Lord Morrolan. One does not make the Queen wait." A faint smile touches his lips.

Charm is still lost in wonder at places and people old enough that the songs about them are largely forgotten. She is not used to feeling so outclassed.

Pulsar rejoins the others, wearing his 'dressed-up' attire provided by the goblin butler. He can't believe just how powerful this Lord Morrolan is, having done what they endeavored to do as a team by himself, no doubt in less time than it would have taken them as well.

He's dumbstruck when Morrolan's only real challenge proved to be traversing time itself. He's grateful he doesn't need food or water or he would have choked on his meal.

Titan is mostly quiet, perhaps uncharacteristically for him. He knows well enough that the way he's deal with Fae nobility in the past hasn't always worked out well.

Wolf is intensely curious about everything they pass on the way to dinner, peering at this and *sniffing* at that. He's also, of course, intensely curious -about- dinner itself. . . but that's totally normal.

The scene changes. You are all suddenly in a forest glade. There's a aura of stability and destiny that's almost tangible. In the center of the glade is an ancient tree, ancient beyond ancient even by Fae standards. The trunk of the tree has grown, it seems naturally, into a wooden throne. The Fae present, and those with a knowledge of Fae history, will recognise it as the Great Throne. The Throne of the united Fae in the years before the dragon wars. Seated on the throne is a imposing female Fae. Standing on the left of the throne is a middle aged female Fae vampire. Lord Morrolan takes his place to the right of the throne, "Allow me to introduce my wife, the Lady Sethra Lavode, and my daughter, Queen Alicia Lavode." he says.

Sasha bows deeply to Lady Sethra Lavode then bows equally deeply to Queen Alicia Lavode. He does not, however, kneel to either of them.

Charm curtseys humbly before the queen. Palanir is in a state he's never experienced before. Dumb-stuck. He's just looking back and forth at the legends in front of him.

Lia too bows to the Lady and the Queen. She's not too sure who these people are, but she's definitely sure they're very important and very powerful.

Wolf *blinks* at the sudden change of scenery and wags with pure joy. Dinner in the forest! Yay!

Sasha murmurs softly to the Princess Guard. "Lady Sethra Lavode was the Queen of the Fae when the Last War against the Dragons occured. There are mountains on Earth younger than she. Queen Alicia Lavaode is the child of Lady Sethra and Lord Morrolan and by right of blood Queen of all the Fae."

Titan bows as well to the Lady and Queen.

Pulsar bows and keeps his head low, but his eyes remain on the dumbstruck War-Master and not the Legends he's been struck dumb by.

He follows Titan's lead and remains quiet.

Wolf closes his eyes and inhales deeply of the scents of the ancient forest. He holds perfectly still for a long moment, listening, breathing,. . . just experiencing and feeling the age of forest. When he does eventually reopen his eyes, he instinctively looks about for rabbits, purely out of professional habit.

Queen Alicia speaks, "Momentous events are in motion. Mana has returned to the Lost Realms. In a manner we do not fully understand. Lord Harlequin can, I believe, shed some light upon that. The lost ways will be opening. With or without our assistance those ways will be re-discovered. I would not see the Fae in conflict, either internally within its disparate branches," She looks meaningfully at Palanir, "or between them." Lord Morrolan casts a spell, which the mages sensitive to such things will be aware of. A dozen Gray Fae appear in the glade. They seem confused and surprised.

Titan smiles slightly to himself as he thinks he can see where this it going.

Sasha watches and listens. Or so one assumes given that at some point in his bows, his mask found it's way back onto his face.

Queen Alicia speaks to the gray Fae. "It is time for you to know the truth." The glade changes. Everyone is aware what they are seeing and hearing and smelling, etc, is glamour, but it is very real for that...

The viewpoint commences high above a extremely large valley nestled between a pair of mountain ridge-lines. A major battle is raging in full fury at the head of the valley. Dozens of great dragons are swooping and banking above a giant way-path. Holding the dragons back from the way-path as best they can are elves, dwarves and their automations, goblins, giants, and several other species which are now unknown.

A near dozen dragons sprawl in recent death around the perimeter of the battle zone. Those defending the way-path are the Masters' of their crafts, great mages, mighty warriors, healers, the elite of the Great Alliance. Hurrying as fast as they can toward the safety of the way are bands of refugees, mostly women and children carrying bundles containing everything they now possess in existence. Men capable of fighting are conspicuous by their absence. Many of them have already fallen to the dragons in the battles to this point.

It's quickly clear that the defenders are being whittled down. The dragons are gradually but steadily making progress toward the way-path. In the fore-front of the defense are two figures you have seen recently, Lady Sethra Lavode and Lord Morrolan. Most of the refuges have reached safety however. Only one group remain, some distance from the way-path, when the dragons break through the last defenses. Lady Sethra Lavode throws herself into the path of the first dragon to divert it at the last moment before it can pass through the way. Although she succeeds she is disembowelled in the effort. Lord Morrolan slashes at the way with his dark pulsing sword. The way is rent and collapses in on itself, melting the blade of the sword and hurling Lord Morrolan to an unknown destination in the backlash of energy.

Charm stares at the scene. Songs are one thing, but they're nothing like seeing it. And the survivors of those darkest days tend not to sing songs of them.

Queen Alicia speaks over the glamour. "You of this realm believed you were abandoned, deliberately left behind. Know that is not true. The defenders stood to the last. They died where they stood instead of abandoning you."

Sasha watches the scene unfold, his shaded gaze taking everything in.

Titan. o O (Died? She's right there. Is this where she says 'I got better?')

<> mentally muses Harlequin.

Lia blinks a little, and seems quite a bit amazed herself. She's not sure what to make of any of this, really. Pulsar gasps at the glamour taking him away to somewhere long ago and far away. He is moved by the Lord and Lady's sacrifice, but part of him is eager to know more- to see more of what happened. He's the new guy afterall - so he feels like he's suddenly being gifted with a prequel to a story he's just begun. It will be days before he realizes how detached that line of thinking is, and it will likely be many more before he muddles his way back to a more humane approach. His new physical form is great in many ways, but beyond the way it looks there is nothing human about it anymore. Its a constant companion, no matter how far from home he goes, his fear of his own inhumanity follows and more worrisome is the thought that that may be the only thing that keeps him from loosing his humanity at all. He falls back into the spectacle - banishing that line of thinking from his mind.

"The enmity between you and those who escaped to the Twilit Worlds will not die overnight..." Queen Alicia says over the frenzied confused muttering of the Gray Fae. "Perhaps if my parents had been able to speak with you. But it took my father, Lord Morrolan, a thousand years to find his way back to this realm, and another seventeen hundred to find my mother. Too late to revive her. He could only bind her soul to her body in undeath. Likewise, those who escaped to the Twilit Worlds were the young, the students and pupils of the Masters who died. So much Lore was lost, and they turned away from change, seeking safety in stasis. I charge both sides, should the Princess Guard accept the duty, to seek guidance from those who have embraced change," She looks at Titan, "are free of ancient prejudices," Now she looks at Charm, "and have a different and independent viewpoint. Her gaze passes over the humans in the room.

Titan always feels a little awkward when he gets called out like this by the Fae nobility. One would think he'd be used to it by this point. But some some reason, he never quite has up to this point.

Sasha bows his head in acknowledgment of Queen Alicia's point but does not speak.

Lia hrms, and nods a little. She's still not 100% sure what's going on here, but she's nodding and paying attention as though she does.

Charm listens in awe to the wisdom of the High Queen.

Queen Alicia stands and descends from the throne. She goes over to Charm, "Dear cousin, well met. I would very much like to visit Undermoon soon." She smiles, "Do you realise there's not a single dressmaker on this entire realm?" It's as if she's left formality behind when she stepped down from the throne.

Sasha looks over at Palanir then to the grey elves and back to Palanir. He steps over to him and murmurs, "So, War Master, think you can wage peace as well?" His tone is light but not humorous.

Pulsar looks bewilderedly, but would never spur more responsibility. He is civic-minded afterall.

Titan raises a brow and looks toward Palanir. The doubt is pretty obvious on his face. Palanir is still pretty stunned. "I'll need time to.. this is... This... changes everything." he says.

Charm curtseys again. "Most high cousin, I would see you visit as well. But the realm is in unrest - which is why I wear this disguise." . o O (Which everyone seems to be seeing through now.) "I hope our dressmakers are not too conservative for your taste. But I hope that in the arts, at least, we have not been too static."

After a moment Palanir seems to 'pull himself' together. He straightens up and looks at Harlequin, "No. No. This changes nothing. There is only room for one vision of our future to prevail and I will strive to make it mine."

Sasha nods to the former Duke. "As you say, War Master." He then adds, "The High Queen is young but she has immense power and knowledge at hand in her parents as well by her own hand. And a desire to see change and peace come to the Fae. Be careful, War Master, in your desire that you do not get in her, in their way." He then bows to Palanir and goes back towards the PG.

Charm says, "Truly. Master Warleader? You said that Undermoon needed change. The High Queen says the same - but you hold to your vision, and reject hers. Are you sure of your own motives? Are you not honest even to yourself?"

Pulsar doesn't like the sound of that, and he's unsure why he's surprised. The man's title is clearly 'War-Master' for a reason, and he's clearly not one for shirking his duty any more than Pulsar is. He's just quite a bit less flexible than the Holographic Hero.

He wonders what the Guard will make of that now, nodding in agreement with Sasha's analysis. He seems to know the ins and outs of the high court quite well.

As another voice rings out (Charm's) he's gladdened by the response. His team chooses peace - and to do the hard things because they must be done, not because they can be.

Titan takes a deep breath. "Palanir, it's pretty clear that you don't really have the interest of your people's welfare at heart. You're interested in merely your own ambition. Your response was the least surprising thing I have heard in the last six hours." Palanir ignores Charm and Titan's comments. Turning to the Queen he asks permission to be excused. Given such, he departs. The Gray Fae do likewise.

Titan waits until they leave before he adds, "He'll make sure that the Grey Fae don't mention to their kind about what really happened. Or that those of Undermoon are willing to help. And he'll kill if necessary to keep them quiet."

Charm says, "It seems he *is* everything I was told he was. And he knows, somehow, who I am. This is not good."

Wolf watches the Glamour-infused visions. He listens to the Tale of sacrifice and loss, and observes the Queen's demonstrable wisdom that was gained thereby. He settles down with his shaggy muzzle atop his forepaws and observes the marked contrast between Palanir's pride and the Queen's wisdom. He *whuffs* out a soft sigh, and looks up to the ancient trees. . . trees who have seen the millennia pass, and who understand sacrifice, loss, and wisdom very well indeed. He closes his eyes, holds perfectly still, and Sends:

Aye, ev'ry anguish birthes wise tales, as all who've felt such know. Hard trials forge our hearts within: though sufferings we grow.

And in the wake of passing storms, swift shafts of light do fly, To shine on broken limbs upraised to greet the breaking sky.

Beneath grey clouds the trees may bow, against fierce winds they strain, But in the end, they -thank- the storms. . . that sent their deep roots rain.