STORIES
22 - A Curse
2005
Friday night ...
NOLI:
Fin play more?
FIN:
I don't think so, I can’t concentrate.
DAPRIMA:
Worried about Karanthir, babe? Did he have another bad night?
FIN:
Yes. He's been in bed all day. I can't help worrying about him.
NOLI:
Big hug for Fin.
FIN:
Aw thanks Noli.
DAPRIMA:
Why Miss Noli, are trying to steal my man?
NOLI:
Hehehe - that funny ‘Prima.
DAPRIMA:
Babe, why don't you go check on him.
And I’ll get Noli ready for bed.
Later ...
SYRRAH:
Greetings Daprima. I have been waiting for you.
I know you have many questions for me.
DAPRIMA:
I sure do, and it’s time we cleared the air. All the others
came at my invitation, but not you. That makes me wonder - why are
you here? And I can’t read you. So who, exactly, are you?
SYRRAH:
I do not mean to be mysterious. It is true, there are things I
have yet to reveal, but then we all have secrets. Is
there something I am being accused of?
DAPRIMA:
I'm not sure, but you arrived and now Karanthir's sick, and my … insightful ability has been … cloudy. Some people might call this a coincidence but not me. Can you explain it?
SYRRAH:
I can tell you that I am not the cause of your
cloudiness, but perhaps I can help. I am one of the few trained in ...
FIN:
calling from the other room
Daprima come quick! It's Karanthir ...
In Fin and Karanthir’s room ...
FIN:
He won’t wake up! I tried everything.
DAPRIMA:
I sense that he's in a deep trance … and he’s ...
frightened, like he's stuck in a nightmare.
SYRRAH:
May I?
SYRRAH:
It is as you say. Tell me, how did he become a vampire?
FIN:
I don't know. I guess the usual way. What do you mean?
SYRRAH:
I need to know if he has been bitten.
FIN:
I'm not sure. He was prisoner to a sorceress. When he was
rescued, I was warned that he would be changed.
Then she gave me his immortal head. That's it. Why?
SYRRAH:
Your brother does not live as a vampire. He is awake while the
sun is high in the sky. He does not feed. How is this so? I will tell you
- he is not a creature of the night. Yet, he has been cursed.
DAPRIMA:
How do you know this?
SYRRAH:
Among the Elvin nations, I am known as Syrrastanthalah,
from the House of the Third Moon, but I am also a
High Priestess among the Daughters of IlluminatA.
I can sense this curse at work.
FIN:
I knew she looked familiar. You see Daprima, in my realm we
don’t have doctors, we have Healers. The most gifted and
honored are the Daughters of ImmuninatA.
DAPRIMA:
Can you help him?
SYRRAH:
Yes, but first I will need some herbs. Findarato, you are familiar with all the plants of this world? Where can I gather what I need?
FIN:
The Botanical Gardens. I'll take you there now.
DAPRIMA:
I'll stay with Karanthir.
