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| [Introduction]
The world of Sanctuary is a exciting and mysterious place. A young woman named Cassanndra traveled from her village in the countryside to the large city of Cathair Mynoc in order to study healing arts. She used to live in a stable, while studying and saving money, until one day, when she met a man... Keyser was not of that world. Upon learning the destruction of his world was imminent, he fell through a gateway portal, and ended up in Sanctuary. A swordsman, he quickly earned enough money hunting evil creatures to buy a small home in Cathair Mynoc. One day, he bumped into this woman at the bank.... The couple spent all their time together, and went on many hunting trips. Keyser was a blacksmith and Cassanndra was a seamstress. They were blessed to have a generous benefactor who bought their items, enabling them to purchase a large house in Lower Mynoc. Although their house faced the swamp, they loved living in that house, even having a large bath installed. Eventually, the friends ultimately became lovers and married. However, their happiness was not meant to last. Keyser grew reckless and went hunting one day. He was critically injured, and his compatriots were killed. Cassanndra found him, lying comatose, in the woods. With the help of friends, she brought him home, and he spent many, many weeks recovering. This is their continuing story.... |
| The sun shone weakly in the bedroom of Keyser and Cassanndra's home in the wake of the floods that destroyed many crops. As Cassanndra went about her morning rituals of bathing and preparing a light breakfast, she heard a soft groan and a stirring from the bedroom. Ascending the stairs, the noises grew more distinct, and she could see the form of her husband trying to sit up in bed, then collapsing against the sheets. "Keyser!" she said, rushing into the room. He lay silent on the bed, as if the exertion to sit had exhausted him. "You need to rest. Your wound is not fully healed." She took a basin of water from the side table and began to bathe his sweaty face. The wounds he had received from the firbolg attack had gotten infected, and she had wondered many times if he would survive. She gently unwound the bandages to see an angry red weal on his gut. She breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like the infection was gone. "Looks like you're finally on the mend, and just in time, too," she continued talking soothingly to him, not knowing if he could hear her. She told him of the flooding and how the crops had been destroyed. "Now, if you'd only regain consciousness..." Cassanndra sighed, putting the basin back on the table. Keyser seemed to relax again. She patted his hand, and he grabbed her wrist. "Cass..." he rasped, as her face came into focus. Her stories of the floods echoed in his semi-conscious mind as he fought to clear his head. "Help me sit..." his voice was a mere whisper as she felt him try to pull himself up again. With great effort, she helped him to prop himself against the headboard of their large canopy bed. The effort to sit fatigued him, but he flashed a weak yet satisfied smile. "Keyser, darling! You've come back to me!" Cassanndra wiped away a tear that streaked down her face. "It has been so long.... But you must rest. Do not exhaust yourself by sitting up! So much has happened since you were asleep. Silly man. What were you thinking, going up against those firbolgs!? What better way to commit suicide?" She shrugged and walked over to the window. "Sometimes I think it would have been better if you had died." Her words rang bitterly throughout the room. Her squared shoulders cast hard shadows on the wall. He blinked, lowering his gaze. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, trying to muster the energy to say more. "Sorry!?" She turned around to face him. "All you have to say is sorry? Do you know what it is like to sit there, day after day, wondering if you will live or die? Do you know what it's like to try to keep busy so I didn't have to think about you laying there hovering near death? ---Every day, Keyser, every single day has been an eternity." She walked slowly toward his sickbed, her face softening. "I almost gave up all hope," she gulped back a sob. "There is much to tell you." Keyser listened to Cass as she told him of her dreams and odd visions, apologizing profusely for his foolish excursion to the firbolg city which nearly cost him his life. "Cass... I'm so sorry you had to endure this alone." He struggled to speak as his mouth felt dry, "I swear, I will never do this to you again... ever..." They sat, discussing the visions she had seen, Keyser seemed to be mulling something over in his mind. "How strange..." he mused, as he sat thinking. "What's strange?" she asked. Cassanndra walked over to the bedside, and fluffed the blankets. The rain of the past few days had finally ceased, but it was still chilly in the room. "Don't be wearing yourself out, love." |
| Cassanndra blanched at the mention of Yrsa's name. "But how...?" She sat down in the chair beside the bed, taking some deep breaths. "Yrsa is a god from another world. There are rumours that this world of Sanctuary will be destroyed." She got up and went to the wardrobe. After rummaging around for a moment, she pulled out a white cloak, made of raven feathers. "Look at this cloak. Yrsa appeared in Aman'ualie and left these behind. Some of our people erected a statue there in her honor. Recently, I made a pilgrimage to the altar, and signed my name in Her book." "Her book?" Keyser questioned. She passed him the cloak so he could examine it more closely. "Yes, Her book. It is titled 'The Talon Circle.' When you are fully rested, I should take you there to see it. It was such a long exhausting journey. The snows were bitterly cold." "I can imagine they were. What do you mean, Sanctuary will be destroyed?" She sighed. "It's already begun. A while back, there were floods, and now the farmers have lost their crops. I myself heard Yrsa speaking of the imminent destruction, and just last week, another golden god, Athlendyr, brought food from their world to aid the people here." His eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously?" "Would I lie?" She smiled at him. Sometimes men were like innocent babes. "I'm glad you're coming around, because I often wondered if I should just give up. Tell me more of your visions." She grasped his hand as he continued his story. |
| As Cassanndra went down the stairs to the kitchen, she thought about what Keyser had told her regarding the mysterious enchantress. She had heard of such creatures. Shuddering, she fixed a bowl of broth and grabbed a bottle of ale. The tray was heavy and she carefully brought it back up the stairs. "Just a little bit of broth. Hopefully you can feed yourself this time." She smiled as he tried to sit up again. "Or maybe I'll just feed it to you. Don't hurt yourself." After propping up the pillows for his head, she sat down again in the bedside chair, and began to feed him. Slowly she spooned the hot broth into his mouth. He grinned when he saw the ale. "How did you know I was thirsty?" "I just figured you would be, after all these months on broth and water." She sighed. "It will take a long time to get you back into fighting shape, once your wound is fully healed. I wonder how much time is left here in this world." "Ugh. This tastes nasty." "Well sorry! I do not have the cooking skills to be an expert chef. I barely can cook anything as it is. Eat it or starve. Makes no matter to me." She continued to feed him. "Maybe you can be on solid food again soon. It depends on how your wound is." After the last bit of broth was gone, Cassanndra opened the ale and gently tipped the bottle toward his mouth. Some dribbled down the side on his cheek. "Dammit!" he roared. Cassanndra backed away. "Sorry." "No, I am. I feel helpless, and I hate being helpless like this. I feel like a damn baby." "You'll get better soon. Would you like to try holding it yourself?" She handed him the bottle and at last, he was able to drink properly. "Mmmm. Tastes good." "I'm sure it does...." she trailed off, a thoughtful look on her face. "What do you think the enchantress meant about your home was elsewhere?" "I thought she meant here, once I came here and found you." He smiled at her, setting the bottle down carefully on the bedside table. "I see." "But perhaps that is not what she meant. I don't know. It's all very confusing. I hope I feel better than this tomorrow. I'd like to look outside at least." "Let me look at the wound again." Cassanndra unwound the bandages, and saw that a shiny pink scar had formed. The area looked fragile, though. She put more healing salve on the damage and applied fresh bandages. "You should rest." He nodded. "Oh, I meant to ask you. What of Dario and Adara?" She sighed. "They did not return. I do not know what happened to them. Perhaps they escaped and returned to their own homes." He winced, as pain shot through his abdomen. "Damn!" "Are you all right?" "I'll be all right. I tend to be a machine, remember?" Cassanndra nodded as she pulled the blankets around his body. "Sleep well, my dearest. Even machines need to rest occasionally--and you deserve it." Cassanndra snuffed the candles and picked up the tray. Her heart felt light as she walked back to the kitchen. "He's going to make it!" she thought to herself. *** Dawn came bright and early. Cassanndra awoke with the rooster crow. She got dressed and wandered into the kitchen to make breakfast. She made some scrambled eggs and toast. She poured two cups of coffee and set it all on the tray. "Good morning!" she said cheerily, entering the sickroom with the laden tray. "Good morning, love," Keyser said. His face seemed very ashen. "You don't look so good," Cassanndra said, setting the tray on the table. "Look, I made you eggs and toast." He smiled weakly. "Looks good." "What's wrong?" "Just bad dreams..." |
| Cassanndra returned his passionate kiss, the desire burning within her. It had been so long since they had been intimate and her body ached for his touch. She decided to join him. "Move over." She quickly undressed and stepped into the bath's inviting warmth. Taking up the washcloth, she sat down beside him. Keyser turned his back toward her and she washed his back, making smooth slow circles with the cloth, up and down and around his scarred torso. She was careful of the wound, it having only freshly healed. "Mmmm, that feels good," Keyser said, leaning toward her hands. "You like that? I've had much practice, since I spent many a hour giving you a spongebath. I imagine you'll be glad when you can wash yourself again. Now for the front." Keyser turned around, and she washed his neck and arms. He pulled her toward him, holding her close. "It has been a long time, my love," he said, whispering in her ear while idly toying with her hardened nipple. "Too long." Cassanndra's voice caught in her throat. She had wished for this day and now that it was actually here, she felt like it was their first time being intimate together. She dropped the cloth, and touched his cheek in a gentle caress. He embraced her in a passionate kiss, entwining their tongues, running his hands along her back. She shivered, returning the kiss, holding onto him as if for dear life. "Tell me what you want me to do," he said, huskily. Cassanndra drew back. "Are you sure you'll be all right?" Her look of concern made them both pause a moment. "I'm always all right. I had dreams of you while I was ill. I want to be with you, now and for always." He looked earnestly into her eyes, and she felt she would drown in his gaze. She smiled. "I love you, Keyser." He pulled her on top of him. |
| Cassanndra continued to rock her hips slowly back and forth, teasing him with every stroke. Keyser groaned in pleasure. "Mmmmm..." Cassanndra said. "You like that?" She leaned forward to nibble his earlobe, her hot breath in his ear. "You know I do." He rolled her nipples between his fingertips, pulling lightly on them. She drew a sharp breath and moaned loudly. "Yesssssssss..... Make love to me, my sweet," she sighed. Keyser reached down to pull her hips back and forth as she thrusted against him. He felt a slight pain in his wounded stomach, but ignored it. It had been too long. The warm water churned around the couple as they made love. Keyser brought his hand down to tease her clit as she writhed harder. Cassanndra moaned his name as he caressed her. She gripped him tightly between her thighs as she clawed his back in excitement. He groaned as a shiver coursed through him. He nipped lightly at her neck, holding her close to him. "Harder," she commanded. He complied, using his teeth to gently bite her shoulder and neck. "Harder, I said." This time, he bit harder, leaving red marks. "Mmmmm...." she moaned as a shudder ran through her body. |
| "I love you so much, Keyser," Cassanndra said, trying to catch her breath. "I was so afraid that you would die on me." "Me? I'm like a bad penny: I always turn up." He was also trying to catch his breath. "Mmmmm... That felt so good..." He winced, though, as another pain stabbed through his wound. "Are you all right?" Cassanndra moved to sit beside him, lifting his arm to look at the wound. "Never better," he tried to reassure her. "Perhaps I did overdo it a bit, but it was all worth it." He smiled at her, and she stopped fussing over him. "If you say so." She splashed water on her body, picking up the washcloth again and washing down the marks he had left. She shivered deliciously. "I'm definitely looking forward to your full and complete recovery," she said, turning her attention to his claw-marks. "Ooooh, sorry," she apologized. "Hm...? What for? You know I like it." He grinned, pulling her into another embrace. The two lovers kissed gently. "I'm sorry that you had to take care of me all this time," he said, holding her in his arms. "That's all part of being a good help-mate," she replied, lazily trailing a finger through the water. "It's the least I could do, afer all you've done for me." Keyser looked thoughtful for a moment. "You are wonderful, Cassanndra. I'm a lucky man to have you in my life." "No, Keyser," she said, "I'm the lucky woman to have you in my life." |
| "I can imagine," she said, resting comfortably beside him. "Whatever the case may be, I'm glad you are finally back among the living. I know we can face anything, as long as we have each other." Keyser smiled. "It was terrifying, yes, to pass through those portals into entirely different worlds, but I was able to adapt quickly. I'm sure that you and I will be able to do the same, if we are forced into leaving this world." He sighed. "What's wrong?" "Oh, I just thought I'd finally found a home, and now it seems that this world is coming to an end as well." She made a face. "Perhaps Gaia will return to the world and help it to recover." "Perhaps." The water grew cool as they lounged in the bath. Finally, Cassanndra got up. She took a towel and dried herself; then she helped Keyser out of the tub and dried him off. The wound looked much better, but he was very weak. She supported him as she helped him back to the bed. He sat down, and winced, holding his side. "Sorry, m'dear," he apologized. "No need to be sorry." She smiled and went over to the armoire for some clean clothing. She took out a purple shift and put it on. Then she found some trousers for Keyser and brought them to where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Here, put these on." He put on the pants. "Damn, that was exhausting," he muttered. "Yes, you'd better lie down. Perhaps you can tell me a story of some of those other worlds. Then I'll fix us some lunch. Maybe this afternoon I'll go into town and see if there are any more rumours floating about." He nodded. "Maybe a nap first, though, my love." He blinked several times, trying to focus on her. "Oh of course! I'll run the errands this morning and when I return, we'll eat and you can tell me stories. I've missed them so much." Keyser yawned, and lay back against the pillows. "All right. Be careful out there." Cassanndra tucked the blanket in around his body and heard a light snore. "Poor baby." She left the room quietly, leaving Keyser to his restless dreams. |
| Cassanndra giggled slightly. "I cannot even imagine! It sounds quite disgusting." "Oh, it was." Keyser made a face, remembering. "How are you feeling now?" she asked. He smiled. "Quite a lot better. I was more tired than anything." "As if you haven't had enough sleep for the past six months," she chided. After putting aside the tray of food, she moved to sit next to him on the bed. He put his arm around her, and she leaned against him gently. "Aye, but it wasn't restful sleep. More like restless sleep. I thought I heard you talking to me from time to time." She nodded. "I often spoke to you. I hoped you would hear me and come back to me." Tracing a pattern on the quilt, she sighed. "Food grows scarce in Mynoc. I had to travel even further afield than usual. Even the special food storehouse in the castle is no longer as full as it was. More people stray into the city every day, in search of food." "It will all work out, my love, you'll see." He kissed the top of her head. However, Keyser grew troubled at this news. "You must concentrate on regaining your strength," Cassanndra said, seeming to read his mind. "That's exactly what I was thinking. If we are to pass through to another land, we need to be as prepared as possible." He caressed her hand reassuringly. She looked at him. "So you think it will come to that?" "Probably." "Tell me another story, one where you had to leave that world for a new world." |
| "It must have hurt, to lose your friend like that." Keyser looked thoughtful, as they cuddled together on the bed. A light breeze rustled the curtains. Birds were singing and it was a lovely sunny spring day. "Yes, it was painful to lose a friend--especially in that manner. But as you know, some of the things we did are best left in the past, and Xerxes probably got what he deserved in the end." He sighed. "Another difficult lesson learned." "So then what happened?" "Ah, my love, I'll finish the story in a moment. How about we sit on the balcony?" "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess in all the excitement of your recovery, I forgot to tell you: I sold the Summer House." Cassanndra's gaze flitted toward the window. "You did? Why?" Keyser asked. "A man wanted to buy it, so I sold it. I didn't know when--or if--you were going to awaken, and if this world is going to be lost soon, what could keeping it for us matter?" A small tear formed in the corner of her eye. Keyser saw it and wiped it away. "My love, I'm sorry you had to go through this without me." He took her hands in his and gazed into her eyes. "Cassanndra, you're not alone anymore. I'm with you now. As soon as I'm fully recovered, you won't have to worry about my safety. As long as we're together, everything will be all right." She smiled shyly. "I was never alone. I knew you would come back to me. When I went on my journey to Aman'ualie, I saw that you and I were together forever, here in this world, and in the next." Keyser smiled. "Well, how about we sit out on the steps then? I need some fresh air." Cassanndra disentangled herself and stood up. Then she helped him to stand, and then slowly descended the staircase. "Good to see you up and about, sir!" Holly remarked, as they walked through the dining room. "I hear you took good care of me, Holly. Thank you," Keyser said. Holly, the guard, blushed. "Tweren't nothin' sir. You were always there for me in a pinch. 'Twas the least I could do." Walking outside, Keyser took a deep breath. "Ah, it's good to be up and around again." "Well, you don't want to overdo it." Cassanndra hovered over him, anxiously holding his elbow. "I see we have some new neighbors." He motioned to the banners on the house next door. "Yes, many people have moved away, and others have moved in. Seems like everyone we used to know moved to Thystorin or Innis Muir or Tir Miann." "I see." The two sat down on the stone steps, and Keyser continued his story.... |
| "Pioneers, huh? I can hardly imagine you as a pioneer." Cassanndra giggled lightly. She caressed his back gently while he sat in thought. "Tough times?" "Yeah, times were a little difficult. But as always, I made my way, smithing and adventuring..." He smiled as her soft hands massaged him. Very few people seemed out and about as the couple sat on their front steps. It was a quiet spring day, in spite of the strange happenings of recent months. "Just as we shall make our way again," he continued, "if it comes to that." She nodded. "Yes, we will. I have no doubt about that. We make a good team." Gazing into her eyes, he caressed her face. "That we do, my love." He kissed her softly, all the while not breaking the gaze. She smiled. "So tell me more about the new land you found yourself in, o pioneer." |
| Cassanndra sighed, thinking that this was all very interesting. She wondered how she could tell him what happened to her... "I need to tell you something," she began. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything." His concerned look implored her to continue. "When I went on my singular pilgrimage to Aman'ualie, I visited the statue of Yrsa, the mysterious goddess of the other realm. I seemed to fall into a deep trance as I stood in front of the statue." She held tightly to his hand, almost afraid to continue. "Go on." Keyser smiled reassuringly. "It was like a dream, but it was no dream. I saw a household of three sisters and a brother. They were all arguing over some flight of fancy, while their adoring elderly parents looked on. Suddenly, I was in the body of the eldest. She even had the same name as I--Cassanndra. Her features and coloring were similar as well. I heard myself speak, and laughing at the silly disagreement." "How strange..." Keyser mused. "These people were my family, Keyser. Not a dream. I was there. I was that woman." She stared into the distance, remembering. "So what makes you look so sad, my love?" "You weren't there," Cassanndra said softly. "Oh, come on now. You think I'd not follow you into the next life?" He tried to make light of her words, but she did not smile. "I don't know if it was a next life or a past life or what. All I know is that I was that woman. I saw a symbol of Yrsa set in an altar in that happy home. It has to be what is coming... I was granted a boon by Yrsa herself." "It would seem so." The couple fell silent for a moment. Cassanndra sighed. "But although I was happy, I felt a deep ache that the family could not fulfill. As I watched the family laugh and joke with each other over the dinnertime meal, I felt my, or the woman's pain, and just as I recognized it, I was sent back into my own body. Shivering in the cold, I shook my head a few times to clear my thoughts. When no more visions came, I headed for home. I guess I had my answer." Leaning against him, mindful of his wound, she felt his warmth. "You are so real to me right now. I feel as if everything is slipping away, and I don't want to lose you. I've lost so much..." "But you obviously will have much to gain." Keyser kissed the top of her head. "Do not worry, my love, if this world disappears, I will find you again. Can't you feel that our spirits will always find each other?" Cassanndra snorted. "Real life is not like the fairy stories we were told as children, Keyser. Real life is hard and ugly and cold." She stood up then, and walked away. Keyser got up, wincing, and followed her. When he reached her, he embraced her lovingly. "Real life can sometimes be like the fairy stories, Cass. All you have to do is believe." |
| "Ragnar? Whatever do you mean?" "His death must be avenged. I cannot let a friend go into that good night crying out for justice. I'm going to go visit his gravesite, to pay my respects once again." "I see. And then?" "And then I will hunt down the bastard who killed him." “I do not want you going after this assassin, murderer, whoever!” Cass yelled at him. “It is not your fight!” Her face was white with anger as she gazed at him. He stared back, leaning lightly on his cane for support. Although he was fairly well-healed, he still needed a cane to walk with. “Cass,” he said, quietly, “You know I never back away when a friend requires my help. Never.” “You did once!” “Yes,” he admitted, “I did, and I have learned from my errors. A man is beseeching me from his grave! I will NOT turn back. I will not turn back ever again.” His clenched his jaw in fierce determination. “I love you, but I have to do this.” “I understand your loyalty, but it will possibly get you killed. Then what? What have I nursed you back to health, been your helpmeet in every way, and loved you for!?” He saw how her eyes glittered, and he knew he’d pushed her away. “I will be alone—alone at the end of days!” “I’m like a bad penny; I always turn up.” He tried to assuage her fears, but she did not relax. “I won’t be here.” The words cut him to the bone, and he gritted his teeth. “Cass, I love you. I’ll be there for you always, in this world and the next. Trust me.” “You said that once before, and went to hunt Firbolgs!” “I admit, that was stupid of me to do. But this is different. This assassin has to be stopped, before he kills again. Ragnar’s death must be avenged. I owe it to him as my friend.” He turned and walked toward the doorway. Cass saw how his mind was made up. “Fine.” She sighed. “You do what you have to do.” Sitting heavily in a dining room chair, she stared dully at the tabletop. “You know I’ll wait as long as it takes. Just promise you’ll come back to me.” She looked up at him then, where he stood framed in the doorway, his hand on the knob. The bitterness was gone, and now all that remained was the look of sadness. He had seen it before, and wished with all his heart that it could be different. “I’m sorry, my love. I have to do this. I have to.” He opened the door and sunshine spilled across the floor. “Just remember I love you.” His voice caught. “I love you, Cassanndra—always.” Silent tears wet her cheeks. She said nothing, but continued to twist her wedding ring in her hands. |
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