((I loved the chatter so I'm posting it here for myself mainly :) It'll tell you something of Victavius I guess, and the prelude will tell you a bit of what happened to Mandisa recently, but otherwise it's just a load of fun for me :D))

Serpent's head inn was full, yet again. It must be the time. She kept feeling like she must go there every other evening at least,  a hunch, no more. Something of the right time right place kind. Plus she had work to do, and the elusive mage was most likely to show up here. It was good time to come up with that letter of blackmail supposedly written by Thorious. Neverlin's help would be nice, she never wrote as well as him, plus he is a man after all, the letter should be written by a man.

It was midday, yet still she felt chilly, unaccustomed to the gentle sun of the Northern lands. Or maybe these were the recent changes in her body, due to almost constant use of Xotli's powers. Going back wasn't easy. Her guise as a priestess made her forget, no wonder - humans forget easily. The body forgot, and although the pain was gone from the arms and back, the memory of it still lingered: training without a day's rest with that sword wasn't easy.

The Serpent's Head buzzed with talk, and at the main table a large group could be seen, including priestess Mandisa and Fenixx, the herald. Mandisa was leaning close to him to listen to his whispers, when a pause at the main table permitted it.

The Herald must have divulged something that held great value for the woman for her eyes flashed with living fire for an instant, she grasped her wine goblet hard and took the final sips of drink from it. She then put it down, pondering, leaning in again to whisper something back, smirking evilly, and listening to the reply.

...

'So, my dear, have you brought the items?' Mandisa turned to a young woman sitting to the right of her, Khama-Srim. Her and Fenixx weren't talking anymore, but a malfigured form could be seen where a wine goblet was, the mass of gold melted and burnt deep into the wood of the table.

"Wisdom confers power, and power confers right."

Her cloack was covered with the dust of the road, hood concealing the tired visage. Mounting the tall stone steps leading to the front door of a mansion, she picked up and let fall a knob shaped as a serpent's head three times. For a minute nothing could be heard. Then shuffling footsteps approaching, very slowly, indicated that someone was coming, someone old. Fumbling with the lock could be heard, then whisper, and the door opened with a creek. A wrinkled face peered out.

'Yees?'

'Greetings my dear Em'

The old lady peered under the hood, her face wrinkling even more in disbelief.

'Lady.. my child is that you?' Her voice was faint and shaky, many years have passed.

...

((

When I returned to the brotherhood I had serious doubts about whether I should. Seems like I shouldn't have.

I sincerely apologize to all the guildies. I know not what you came to see in me, but the situation is a simple one. I cannot be in the guild for certain personal reasons simply because.

I do not want to say more. Just think of it this way: Mandisa isn't right for this guild. She can't roleplay a true stygian effectively, it's not much fun for her.

But this guild - I cannot, do not want to handle.

I know I'm being an asshole  leaving again. A big one at that. But staying at the expense of my happiness - I can't do that. I am going to do what I think is right. And I will not listen to any arguments in favour of me being in that guild, simply because I'm a wrong person for it.

November 25th,

The black horse snorted and pranced as Mandisa pulled on the reigns to hard, stoppig just in time not to collide with the inn's wall. She was on her way up north when Dute, a warrior of the order, happened to catch up with her on his stallion.
'Greetings my lady!'
'Greetings warrior of the order..'
'Why, did you not go to the meeting?'
'Meeting?'
'Yes, the High Priest is having a meeting with lord Amunsol..'
She turned her horse around and hit her heels hard on its sides, face contorted with rage. 'Is this then how you are going to play this, my 'love'? A puppet to cuddle by the fire? If you ever fooled yourself into believing I will follow blindly and watch you do what you do.. without knowing the reason behind it - you are wrong.'
The horse raced as memories swam before her mind:

Her travels to the north were fruitless. There was none she could find to question or torture the information out of. The Mitra magics yet kept eating at her own powers, preventing her from calling on self-healing as effectively. At the end she just decided to give up. Why after all wasn't anyone skilled enough at arcane arts able to help? It was worth a shot.

Khemi greeted with the usual noise and stench coming from the market. She rode to the traders as the wind swirled it seemed right into her ear, bringing a voice. She pulled on the strings a bit too hard, causing the horse to rear.
'Meet me in the Purple Carp now.. to discuss Stygia'

The trade wasn't going well that evening. It never seemed to go well, especially with gems. The world of beggars and hungry dogs. There was more coin to be earned by selling food than jewelry.
Mandisa exited the Trader's post in an annoyed mood. For her it hasn't been too bad. She managed to get quite a bit from this, but it mattered not for it all went to the High Priest. She gave him gold, and he seemed to make it disappear. There was no point in asking where he spent it for it would be the same reply:
'Do you not trust I do Set's will?'
Well she saw better ways of doing Set's will lately. She shook her head - thinking about that made it hurt.
There was usually nothing interesting or noone special on the plaza in front of the river. Not this evening though. She couldn't believe her eyes. She hasn't seen him in ages.
'Lord Amunsol! What a.. pleasant surprise.' Mandisa bowed to gree the leader of the Order.

She stretched her legs out and the setting sun reflected off the smooth skin. The waters splashed gently against the stone walls of the docks, the shouts of the trader's were dying out.

She didn't even feel like making the journey back to Sepermeru. The tiredness was all-consuming. And why? Surely not because of that small journey to tackle another frost-covered ape. No it was something else.

The priestess took out a leather bound book from her bag, an ink bottle and a quill. She put an inkbottle right there next to herself, not disturbed by any as she was sitting so close to the water. Her eyes grew thoughtful, thinking, trying to sort out what has happened. She finally dipped her quill and started writing..

Excerpts:

The night wind rustled through the low bushes and palm trees of Sepermeru, and only few lights were visible - one of them in a small window adorning the corner of the inner yard of the main temple. If one came very very close, a scratching of a quill on parchment could be heard. Eventually it stopped, and moments later the light trembled and died. A door could be heard opening with a creak somewhere inside, rustle, a bump, then the sound of that same door being swung shut, and measured paces along the stone corridor leading to the yard. A woman emerged, carrying three cages each containing a bird. The moment she left the cover of the temple, she opened the cages, one by one, and sent the birds into the sky, whispering to them slightly.

 That done, the woman sprang swiftly onto a horse standing nearby, made a few circles across the yard, the beat of hooves echoing, and being satsified with absense of any observers, exited through the arched gate.

((this is a sneak preview of sorts. Neverlin is the master of the pen and he will write up truly amazing accounts of all that happened. However I thought it would be nice to put this up so that people can read and see how great we are! j/k

 For those who don't want to spoil the surprise and read all in sequence, don't read what's below. What is below is the actual copy of our say's when we rp'ed Kemena meeting her mother. The background story is:

 As you remember, Neverlin conducted an experiment on Kemena (read his earlier post in rp haven), creating a connection into her mind. He presented himself as her mother, who she knew not was dead or alive. Neverlin further conducted a ritual on Mandisa, with Inoxia's and Terralia's help, and now Mandisa is able to summon the appearance of Kemena's mother.. that's the rough explanation.

October 27th

((letter from Satetka is in the comment to Mandisa's previous blog entry)) 

Month of October, day 20th

Warning: this is (ooc + ic) divided by 2

Mandisa's Diary

Day 19th of month October

((Comments are welcome, these are guidelines I think help making rp realistic and fun for all involved, but you may disagree of course :))

Some ranting first:

In the last couple of weeks we had some great events, but for me it has been largely spoiled by ooc drama.I therefore write to you as a person who loves roleplaying, and hopes that you love it too. I write OOC, for many of you know Mandisa is a beatch :)

Mandisa was staring at the yellowish page without seeing. Her mind was far away from what the tome related.. Suddenly she gave a jerk, realizing she wasn't reading, and slammed the book shut.
 By Set! Why has it been bothering her so much? They had to leave, the meeting of her brethren was very important, especially during these troubled times. When their city was lost..

((night of Sep. 28th))

 We hurried to the aid of our young, who were being assaulted by Invicties. Eglophians first, then the Field of the Dead. Blacktyde led the way, Inoxia and I followed.
 Lilithia lay in a shallow stream on the border of the Haunted Forest. Having tended to her wounds, we regrouped on the hill, Inoxia scouting in search for Aurelius - the offender. The fool sprang out at us himself however. It did not take long to knock the wind out of him and send his mind into darkness.
 'Lord Blacktyde, what would like to do with this wretch?' - I asked, smirking.
 'Cut his head off...'
 'Wait, he might be of some use.'
 We tied him up and took his weapons. I brought the cur to consciousness.
 'Who are you?!'
 'Where is Kem.. Kemena?'
 I laughed. Kemena was the one kidnapped the day before. Why would that be his first question, though?

The following is the account of Brotherhood's actions in their aiding the most dear ally Nox Eternus, as recorded by Mandisa, the priestess of Set.
 ((took place on Friday night, Sep.26th))

'Halt!'
 The cry echoed from the surrounding walls. Two women stopped, finding themselves surrounded. Kemena tried to run for it, but - 'Cobra Stare!'. Her feet rooted to the ground, she swayed around dizzily. Yes, it is hard to resist that gaze..
 I snapped out of my reverie when Sontlux shouted the order to get the emblem. Emblem? Everything was happening so fast, I haven't even had a chance to get a good look at it. The path to the boats was clear and we took off. The plan was to take the woman to the island of the dead, Pashtun. No doubt Lord Neverlin had only to snap his fingers and the countless dead would bend their will to his, protecting the captives from any attempt of rescue.