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[NightShade]

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Bubbling steaming rising from the black cauldron the mixture was complete. Taking a vial of the deadly brew she poured a small drop atop the deep red of the nightshade plant she had created. It hardened, turning almost metallic in nature. With gloved hands she picked it up and wrapped it in a velvet bag placing it in her pack.

She was without weapon and she knew that Willow still possessed her Kryss. Yet her heart told her it was time, that she and her old friend part ways. So she had found, hidden deep in the back of his spell book, a map. A map to a family treasure, a family heirloom. Madelain Vail's Kryss. One of the original poisoners in the Gryfith family history, at one time had possessed a Kryss given to her by Lord Gryfith as a wedding present. It was renowned, it had many secrets and shade wished more than anything to possess them.

Yet, the kryss would decide whether her hand it belonged in...

This location you could not arrive at by magic. She new this was purposeful, yet it made the journey no less long, yet some things must be earned. Arriving exhausted atop the tall hill, she was happy to see twin headstones, a sense of connection flooding her as she stared upon the crumbling ancients of her families graves. Two stone Mockingbirds adorning the headstones mocking the world, a symbol of the Gryfiths.

She knelt in front of Madelains grave and rubbing her fingers across the lettering, she paused as she heard a soft whisper in her ear. Looking up she viewed her grandmother Eva floating before her. You seek my mothers blade? Eva nodded, I expected such. I myself was a mage and never learned to weild it but you, Shade are much like my mother, and the blade will know your hand....

The ground shook and a weapon, with hilt carved of bone and steel arrised from the ground a green beam of light encircling it. She reached out to touch it but she was forestalled.

Imbue it with your symbol, I know you carry it in your pack..but one request I ask of you. Shade tilted her head staring at the ghostly form of her grandmother. Willows trial has begun, she takes it lightly and until now it has been light...The time has come for her to hold the Toymaker as her own. A gift of Love from your husband unto you, it resembles my mothers kryss, in tune with it...

Shade nodded. I thought as much...

Evas form grew faint but her last words rung clear. Never forget Shade, your sword, Vail of the Toymaker is marked by Nightshade. Willows weapon, The Toymaker must be marked by willow wood. This is most important, in time you will know why...

And so it was done...
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Something is Wrong, I can still feel Existence...

[Willow Smythe]

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The Umbrans lined up and watched the Warmaster. Their training had been most unusual. Willow was finding more and more opportunity to use her mother's Kryss. The weapon that plagued her for so long now moved and functioned as a part of her body.
Willow attributed this only to her increase of knowledge of weapons in general. She learned her lesson last time, when she originally captured the blade. Then it was a substitute to her own. Now, she almost regretting giving it back to it's rightful owner.
As the Umbrans were dismissed Willow walked to Myr with the Kryss held out. He watched her advance on him carefully.
"Warmaster, I think it's time for mother's steel to return to her, " He studied her for a moment, considering.
"Why don't you hold it for a while longer Warlord,"
Willow looked at him. Inside she was surprisingly ecstatic. She sheathed it and nodded.
"Alright then, once mother is ready for it, just send word and it is hers."
Willow made her way to the barracks. She got no farther than the first step when she received the wisp from her mother.
"Willow, meet me by your tree" Willow smiled. Turning on her heel she headed back to the heart of Umbra. She loved the tree in front of the Sepulcher. It was even named her tree by the Matriarch. She would love to climb and jump out at unsuspecting intruders as well as a few Umbrans from it. So many childhood memories with that tree from the roots to the outer branches.
Willow smiled at her willow tree. It was a moment or two before she realized her mother was leaning against it.

"Hello Willow M'dear"
"Hello mother."


"The time has come Willow, may I have the Toy Maker?" She held her hand out for the kryss. Reluctantly Willow obliged and removed it from around her waist and reminded herself that she did have quite an exquisite one of her own waiting at home. She handed the blade to Nightshade. Smiling Shade took it and immediately turned toward the willow tree
Nightshade glanced down at her weapon and said softly,
"You have moved on and chosen another, our paths are now separate" She said aloud as she nodded. Willow stood there trying to convince herself that her wasn't talking to the kryss. "Willow, are you aware the the weapon chooses it's wielder, at least the good ones?"
Still slightly confused she shook her head. Nightshade grinned and said, "I am no longer the rightful weilder of this fine weapon. It has chosen another hand to rest in" Then the most curious thing, Nightshade removed a strip of the tree from the trunk. Willow watched as Shade infused the wood strip around the kryss.

Willow's heart skipped a beat. Why that was, she was uncertain. Her past with this kryss was tumultuous. Her first time wielding this blade she destroyed it almost beyong compare with her carelessness. It was years before her mother would even let her glance upon the blade. After that. she studied different weapons and their proper uses. Willow herself bagan to wield an altered kryss almost forsaking her own trademark, katanas. She doubted if anyone in Umbra would remember she fought with such. Willow never thought she would actually handle the blade ever again until her mother dropped it in the temple where Willow retrieved it.
Willow thought her fortunes with the weapon remained the same when her grandfather easily passed by her in the wedding confusion. Deep down she felt partly responsible for the injuries Umbra took on that day.
She continued to train with her mother's kryss. Her past failures made her more determined. Until recently, she walked with two blades hanging from her waist. When she drew a weapon, she drew the Toymaker. Willow decided to work with only the Toymaker on her person.

Nightshade watched cascade of Willow's emotions play on her face."This blade is now yours Willow, it has chosen you" Willow defiantly shook her head, "No this is your blade. You ARE the Toymaker."
"Willow, my daughter, there is more than one toymaker. A new blade has chosen me. My new weapon's hilt is Imbued with Nightshade. This blade is now imbued with willow wood, from the tree you hold dear, it is now yours. There is another in this series, which my father wields. He has come back, by Lord Barl's hand"
She held the Toymaker out for her daughter. Slowly Willow grasped it and stared in awe.
"Hold your blade out" Willow, complied as Nightshade touched the tips of the blades. Upon contact a sound resonated through the air similar to that of a tuning fork. Before the sound faded the green light shot up into the air and surrounded the two women.
"This is yours now Willow but when time comes for another to inherit, you must pass it on"
"Of course." Willow nodded in agreement with Nightshade. Then Willow watched her mother's eyes move slightly to look over her shoulder. She followed her gaze to the Warmaster and Sagemaster of Umbra. Willow raised her eyebrows, she was wondered for how long they had an audience. The green haired females smiled and beckoned the two over to join them with wide mischevious grins on their faces. For everyone knew, when these two could be found trouble was never far to follow.
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Malorn ‎(12:14 AM):
I'm an idiot