The Sanctuary of the Angels was perhaps the holiest city on Arda, being that its inhabitants consisted mostly of...well, angels. Lynette had been here before, but she still thought the same thing she had thought the first time she was here. She had never seen so many winged people before in one place, not even in the Temple of Life. She had heard from her father before that this was where Aman once rested before the great city made its ascent into the skies. Looking around her, she could believe it. It had been a long time since she had found her way into the city where she could sense no evil aura around her. Although she knew she would probably not find Linea here, she was glad of the break. It was refreshing, in a sense, after all the paladin work she had been doing lately.

She knew she didn't have time to relax, that she should be concentrating on her duties and finding Linea, but she was beginning to feel discouraged as of late. The matter of the letter Linea had sent her was still weighing heavily on her mind. It was obvious that her younger sister didn't wish to be found. All the paladin could do was pray that she would eventually stumble across Linea one day, for the more she searched, the farther away she seemed to get. Leads were now few and far between and the one good lead she had gotten in a while, something about a disturbance in Estolad, had been over by the time she arrived. It was frustrating, and she wasn't sure how much more disappointment she could take.

All she wanted to do was find Linea, apologize, and bring her back if she wanted to come back. Why was it that even doing that was so hard? She ran into people in Arda that she had met before, so why couldn't she ever run into her sister. For three years, they had been continuing this game of cat and mouse, and she was tired of it. She sighed, looking up at the sky and watching an angel child fly over the street. How much longer would it be until she and her sister met again, and under what circumstances?

Meglumar arrived at the sanctuary, dead tired, and curious about something. In Estolad, he did something. Something odd. He was still not sure HOW he did it, and needed answers. Partially because it was so amazing, and partially because it all but killed him. The entire scenario was outright insane, but ending like that was....It was painful yet amazing. Something so helpful was something he had to learn more about and master. If it did that much healing...it could be an invaluable weapon against the undead. He could finally manage to be a paladin worth mentioning in history!

He then saw a familiar pair of eyes, and nearly jumped out of his skin. Her again?! Here of all places?! "YOU!? What are you doing here?! Have you been following me?!" He yelled out in a panic. Did she succumb to the Naiad influence?! Was she that weak of mental power that after one small glance that she would follow him?! Gods, why did he not buy that helm?! Now he was doomed to a life of fear and chaos as this crazy thief followed him, wasn't he?! The angels around stared at him, probably thinking he was crazy from his little outburst.

Oh...wait one moment. No, she had different hair. Thank the gods, he was safe! She just looked like the thief. "Oh..Oh my apologies. You look like someone I met, my deepest apologies! I am very sorry." he said, embarrassed over his little outburst. No doubt he was now feeling nervous over it, what with some people staring at him. He almost wished he could die right now. Well, maybe if he figure out what the hell he did before, he can do so. And, of course, heal any sick people at the same time, so it would not be pathetic.

She had had quite a few things happen to her since beginning her travels through Arda, and thus thought she was prepared for anything that might happen today. Unfortunately, she was not prepared to have someone suddenly start shouting at her. Lynette turned towards the voice in alarm, her hand going unconsciously to the hilt of her sword as she faced the shouting man. He was wearing a mask, appeared to be rather tired, and was shouting at her about her following him or something? Lynette frowned slightly. All these were signs of the mentally ill...or in other words...crazy people.

Slowly back away... she thought, backing away from the shouting man as quickly as she could.

While it was in a paladin's duty to help such people, the first thing she had to do was to see how severely addled this man was. The angels around them also seemed to be getting the same idea, because they were all slowly beginning to back away from the shouting masked man. Lynette was about to think of how to calm the man down when he suddenly apologized, saying that she looked like someone he'd met. She relaxed somewhat. The man wasn't crazy after all, just a little confused. Although the fact that she looked like someone he'd met...could it be? No, she couldn't allow herself to hope that much. Otherwise she would only be disappointed again. He could be talking about anybody in the world.

"No need to apologize, sir," she said, "You startled me for a moment, but no harm done. You look tired. Have you just arrived?"

She had established that the man was not mentally ill, so now onto the next issue. He looked weary, and if possible, she should help him find rest. As it was, she knew of a good inn in the city where he could probably find a room at a good price and get some rest.

Meglumar sighed. Good, nobody thought he was crazy yet. Yet being the key word. The woman asked if he had just arrived, and commented that he looked tired. "Oh...yes, I have and am. I am a wandering paladin, and have just arrived from Estolad, and am trying to figure out something that happened while I was there. Most peculiar. I ran into someone there, one who looked like you, and that person might be....problematic for me." He said, with a slight chuckle. "For a moment, I was afraid I might have a stalker....That would be very unpleasant."

"Anyways, my apologies again. My name is Meglumar, again, wandering paladin. And you are?" He asked, holding his hand out to shake hers, hopefully. Best to try and fix the horrible shouting with politeness, after all. Still, though, she looked too familiar to that thief. It scared him, and he couldn't help but have a feeling of dread by looking at her. He felt compelled to run, but forced himself to stay in place. This one was NOT the one who had seen his face. He was safe. Nothing bad could possibly happen inside the city of angels, right? It was a holy place, and one filled with great knowledge and power!

After all, that was the whole reason he even CAME to this far off place: He wanted to learn about that strange effect. He also wanted to learn more spells and the like while he was here. A paladin was a warrior of the blade, yes, but he was also a warrior of magics, most of which were holy in nature. Sure, they could learn other spells, so long as they were not profane in nature, But he wanted to be a shining beacon to truth, justice, and good. And to do that, he had to learn the most holy things that he could.

Lynette listened as the man spoke. A wandering paladin? In that respect, he was already her brother, at least by the sword. She had spent most of the time since she had taken vows as a paladin wandering as well, looking around for her sister. She frowned a bit when he mentioned that he had seen someone that looked like her. She and Linea looked similar, only that their hair color was different. The family resemblance between them was striking in their appearances, even if it wasn't present in their personalities. Could it be possible that her fellow paladin had encountered her sister? No, she had plenty of time to think about that later. She smiled as he extended his hand towards her, introducing himself as Meglumar.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Meglumar," she said, taking the outstretched hand. "My name is Lynette. I suppose to call myself a wandering paladin as well would be somewhat redundant."

It was always a pleasure to meet fellow paladins, and definitely a relief from the evil people she had been meeting lately. She had to admit, the mask was a little bit strange, but one could never question why people did things. He could have been scarred in battle, or possibly disfigured, and if he was hiding it, there was no point in her asking about it. There was, however, one thing she needed to know. She knew that there was probably no point in asking it, but she felt like she needed to. She needed to know for sure. If it wasn't her sister, it would be better than if it was and she had not bothered to ask.

"I'm sorry to bother you with such a trivial question, but this girl who resembled me...was her hair brown and her eyes blue like mine? Did she have a round birthmark on her right hand?"

A fellow paladin, eh? Very interesting. "A pleasure to meet you, miss Lynette. Please, though, do not call me "Sir." I am no noble, just a warrior for peace, as you are." He said. She then asked about the thief. The hair and eyes matched the description she gave, but the birthmark.....was there one? He thought back. He replayed the whole battle in his mind, before arriving at the point he remembered. She was wearing gloves! he could not tell.

"Actually, that description is pretty much spot on. I could not see a birth mark, as she had gloves on, but otherwise, exactly as you have described. She had an intense hatred for paladins and broke my mask......Not exactly a good thing to do to a half Naiad. I hope she's managed to shake off the effects by now." He said, shaking his head as the horrible event replayed in his mind. "And it was such a nice mask too...." He muttered under his breath.

"Was she wanted for some sort of crime? Or is there any personal reason behind this?" he asked, curious. This girl was so similar to the thief that he was scared somewhat. Could they be siblings? Could the thieves hatred of paladins be a kind of "sibling rivalry" to the extreme? Or was she but a common thief wanted by the law? If that was the case, he screwed up BIG TIME. He SHOULD have apprehended her on the spot! To hell with trying to keep things from getting worse, he may very well have let a hardened criminal go free! This could mean the end of his Paladinhood! He felt nervous now as he realized this. Could he have blown the last 6 years of nonstop training by one simple deed?!

Lynette listened as he corrected her, telling her not to call him 'sir'. She would have to remember that for the future. She always made it a point to be polite to people, but if they did not wish it, she would have to comply with their wishes. After all, she could understand. She didn't particularly like titles being added to her name either.

The moment he confirmed the description she had given him, her heart began pounding faster and faster. She could barely breathe as he spoke. Brown hair, blue eyes, an intense hatred of paladins...it was only natural that she would wear gloves as the birthmark was the only definitive thing about her that she could use to find her. Linea. She was almost sure now that the person Meglumar was describing was none other than her sister Linea.

However, she needed to be sure. She needed to be absolutely sure before she allowed herself to hope again. She had been through too many false leads to take any information without verifying it first. She frowned slightly as he asked if she was wanted for a crime. Linea...wanted for a crime...? Somehow, despite her desire to pretend that her sister did not have those flaws, she knew that it was more than likely.

"This girl...did she use a longsword? One like mine? Was she rather impatient and short-tempered, with a bit of a foul mouth about her? Did she ever mention her name to you?"

If he answered yes to any of those questions, Lynette wasn't sure what she would do. She had come across the first solid lead she had had in a year, and she wasn't intending to let it go now. She needed to find her sister. Finally, it looked like her journey was about to come to an end.

"Yes, yes, and no. She used a long sword, very good with it, but she fought with hate, which made her sloppy. She had a VERY foul mouth, sadly. And as for her name.....I'm sorry to say such a thing never happened. Our meeting was....Interesting." He said, with a small chuckle. "She tried to steal my money, but I was broke. She then tried to steal m sword, and failed. She and I fought for a moment, then she broke my mask, and we were FORCED to stop fighting, For her sakes. Then, as no doubt you've heard, a metal object collided into the town!"

"Some strange lizard...thing hopped out of the metal monstrosity, and she, infuriated at it for almost killing her and destroying the town, proceeded to fight it along side myself, sinc eit needed to be captured and put on trial for destruction of property. We fought it until the strange metal craft exploded. Many people were hurt, but...then...something strange happened. After that, I'm afraid I was....indisposed of, and have no idea what happened to her." He said with a sigh. That event was the only reason he was here now. he HAD to learn about what he did.

"Hmm...let me guess...you are...her sister, correct?" He said, stating what he was thinking on. It was very likely, as they looked very much alike. It would explain the girls dislike of paladins, and would explain why Miss Lynette was asking so many questions about the thief. Yes, that had to be it. So he probably would NOT be stripped of his title for not catching the girl. Thank goodness! Some good is again, finally coming his way, and maybe Miss Lynettes way. She was probably searching for her, or something along those lines!

Linea. It just had to be Linea. Everything that Meglumar was talking about screamed of Linea, as much as it hurt her to admit that her sister was capable of stealing. Linea had often gotten into trouble for incidents of theft around their village when they were younger, so it came as no surprise to her, although it hurt. From the way he described it, it also seemed like her mouth had grown fouler since she had seen her last. She frowned slightly as Meglumar spoke, asking her if she was her sister.

"If you and I are thinking of the same girl, yes, she is my sister," said Lynette, sighing.

She looked away, her blue eyes scanning the town street. Linea's story was never one she liked to talk about. It was a reminder of her biggest failure as a sister and as a person. She wouldn't be too far off if she said that Linea was what she was today because of her. Finally, Lynette sighed, turning back to Meglumar.

"Her name is Linea," she began, her hand moving up to close around the pendant her mother once owned, the pendant Linea once owned, "I suppose I'm responsible for her hatred of paladins. Even as children, Linea was always different from me. I never understood that, so I pushed her away. I hated her for it. I didn't see that she was just trying to get people to notice her, and when no one did, she turned to things that were not altogether good. Instead of noticing her, I ignored her more, and eventually I began...acting hostile towards her. She decided one day that she had had enough and she ran away. I've been looking for her ever since. It's been three years..."

She sighed heavily. Finally, the first word she ever received about Linea in a year, and the first time she had had a chance to talk to someone about her in three years. Somehow, she didn't feel that happy about it. It only confirmed the thoughts she had before, about how Linea Miran was running her life.

"I see..." Meglumar said simply as he heard Lynette tell the story behind the Thief, Linea. It was a sad story, just as he had feared, one of mutual misunderstandings. Truly, a small tragedy. He may have had bad luck, but nothing of this sort had ever happened to HIM. It must have been awful for her, the guilt. Still, though...maybe he could do something to try and relieve her worries, even if only by a little. "It's quite the sad story, to be sure." He said, closing his eyes as he collected his thoughts. He'd need to make one heck of a statement.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, your sister is not ALL bad. She's got quite a bit of good in her too. I've seen some evil people in my travels, and your sister was not one of them. She wasn't the best person, but she was by no means the worst. When she fought the lizard monster, she fought bravely, likely for money, but also likely for the people of the town. She seems spiteful, stubborn, an short tempered, but....I have a feeling you two will meet soon, and that you will meet often."

"I can bet right now that at first, she'll hate you, of that there will likely be no doubt. but she is still your sister, and as you meet her more and more....I bet as she sees your sincere motives to be there for her, to be there for her, to protect her, she will likely become a better person." He said, saying the best thing that could come to mind. "After all, what sort of world would we live in if a family could not love and forgive each other?" He asked rhetorically.

Lynette forced herself to smile at Meglumar's words. She knew that he was saying them for her sake, so it would be rude to not acknowledge that. His words sounded nice, but she was beginning to wonder if she would ever find Linea now. Meglumar may have seen her, but the fact remained that he had no idea what happened to her after that, which meant that she had to start from square one. However, those words comforted her somewhat. Perhaps things would eventually work out. She would not have been a paladin had it not been for her faith, so perhaps now was the best time to keep it. Linea would eventually return to her. She just had to believe in that now.

"I thank you for your words, Sir--I mean, Meglumar," she said, smiling at him although her smile still seemed to be a little discouraged. "I'll keep them in mind."

She suddenly remembered that her fellow paladin was tired. He had probably not had a good chance to rest since the last city he had been to. She knew for herself that traveling on the road was harsh. She was being inconsiderate in holding this conversation out on the street. She wondered if he had had a decent meal to eat while wandering.

"Forgive me, you must be very tired from your travels," she said, "Do you have an inn to stay in? I know of a good one that isn't too expensive. I could show you where it is, if you like."

Assisting the weary was just another of a paladin's long list of duties, at least, so Lynette thought. She couldn't remember half the things on that list. All she knew was that she would do what felt right to her. Doing what was right had to be somewhere on that list, didn't it?

Meglumar frowned behind his mask as he saw his fellow paladin's reaction. She seemed to have mixed reactions to his words, probably doubt with some relief. Well, he tried his best, at any rate, so he couldn't do anything more to help her. She then asked if he had an inn, and offered to show him one. "I appreciate the offer, thank you. But I really need to find some place to investigate magics. You see....well, you are also a paladin, perhaps you know what could explain something that happened in Estolad....When I was there, there was an accident, as I said...."

"The massive metal THING, again, exploded, and many many people were hurt, but......something happened. I made a prayer to the gods, and everyone injured, your sister likely included, was healed of any wounds. I, then, was stricken down, and passed out in immense pain. When I came too, i was told I had a severe wound on my chest, like someone had carved into me with a claymore and an axe. I've never heard of the gods doing anything like this before, and I've not read of any magics that went along those lines. Have you?" He asked, hoping this paladin knew something he did not.

It was a curious sensation, not knowing why you were seriously injured after so many others were instantly healed back to normal. He was relieved, of course, that everyone was fine, but still, not knowing why left him confused, and slightly scared. If it was a magic he had accidentally learned and used, could it be used safely? Would he be able to master it and use it to help people? Or was it just a fluke, a random act from the gods? Either way, he needed to know, and maybe, just maybe, this paladin knew.

She listened as he spoke, inquiring about magic. She had never been much of a mage herself, preferring to rely on her blade, but she knew of many paladins who preferred to combine the power of their blades with the power of the holy arts. In the past, she had been interested in whether or not she could do the same, and so, in the days she spent at the Temple of Life, she would read books written on the holy magic and had conversed with clerics in the past. She listened as he spoke, hoping that she could help him somehow.

The incident he spoke of reminded her of something she had once spoken about with a cleric while resting at the Temple of Life a few months prior. It had been a rather lazy day for her so she had decided to help the clerics with some of the many chores they performed at the Temple. Along the way, a young cleric had spoken to her of a spell that harmed the user while performing acts of great healing to the people around. The spell was aptly named Noble Sacrifice, and because of the adverse effects to the body of the user, it was a spell to be used sparingly, and only when there was dire need of it. She had heard that some were naturally gifted with that talent (or, as some considered it, curse) but others purposely studied it in order to learn how to use it. She was glad to know that her conversations with the clerics at the Temple of Life had done more for her than passing idle time.

"Yes, I have heard of something along those lines," said Lynette, "From what you described to me, I think it's a spell called Noble Sacrifice. It injures the user while performing healing on the people around the user. It's considered one of the healing magics."

Noble...Sacrifice? So that's what is was? He'd never once read of it. Yet somehow he accidentally managed to get it to work. Well, that was rather funny. At least now he had something more than the minor healing arts he learned from his mother....even if it did put him in serious danger. "I see....so that's what it as.....Well, it seems fate has made us meet to answer both of our long standing questions!" He said, with a small laugh. With Lynette's worries over her sister more or less confirmed and Meglumar's questions answered, it seemed fortunate to run into this fellow paladin.

"I can't thank you enough for all the hep you've been. I've found the answer I need in such short time......Where is that Inn you mentioned? I think I'll head there and spend the rest of my time in this glorious place resting. After all, rest and relaxation are not easily found in a Paladin's travelings, eh?" He asked, grateful to FINALLY have enough money to stay at an inn instead of in some woods or the like. A warm, comfy bed...hot meals, good dinks....It was finally time he get the rest he needed!

She smiled a bit as Meglumar noted that it had to be fate that led them to answer their questions. It was probably that. After all, what were the chances that one person would run into both sisters with a short time span in between, especially in places as far apart as Estolad and the Sanctuary of the Angels? Despite the added worry that this news about Linea gave her, Lynette felt somewhat relieved. At least now she knew exactly what Linea was getting up to, instead of wondering. It was a weird feeling, feeling better and worse at the same time.

Linea...I'll find you and bring you back... thought Lynette, her eyes turning skyward for a moment.

She knew now that Linea was alive, that somewhere out there, her sister was looking up at the same sky. That thought gave her some solace, even though it was not much. She was a little bit worried about what Meglumar had told her, simply because if her sister continued to go down that path, she was certain they would meet again, but it would be under circumstances neither of them would like. As a paladin, her duty to do good, to stop evil, was set in stone. If Linea continued to go down that path, she and her sister would no doubt have to cross swords again...and if they did, she did not know if she would have the strength to draw her blade.

Lynette turned to Meglumar as he asked where the inn was. The confrontation with Linea was looming on the horizon, but in the end, she had to do her duty. For now, she would put the eventual battle between her and Linea out of her mind, and focus on helping those that needed her help. She smiled at his comment about paladin's never getting much rest.

"You speak the truth," she said, "Actually, I was just returning to the inn myself. Why don't you accompany me back so I can show you where it is?"

Accompany her to the inn? Ah, so she was probably also staying there. That was good to know! If, for some strange reason, a lunatic broke into the city and tried something evil, which was very likely, considering how his luck was, two paladins could probably take them down! Yes, perfect, perfect! Let's see some undead horde or evil lunatic who may or may not be evil deal with two warriors of goodness! They'd get slaughtered....and since he know knows the true nature of his spell, he could eliminate any undead....granted, he'd be at death's door, but hey, the price one pays for destruction of darkness, right?

"Sounds like a good idea, Miss Lynette." Meglumar said, nodding. "Please, lead the way."

Lynette nodded, leading him through the city streets towards the inn she was staying at. She was also glad to have a fellow paladin at the inn, but not for the reasons that Meglumar was thinking about. She wasn't particularly worried about any evil force breaking in. Unless the entire force of the Concordance decided to attack the Sanctuary, she knew that the angels and archangels living in the Sanctuary could probably handle the threat before she could even get out of the door. It was the one place where she could get some rest, other than the Temple of Life, which she was planning to head to in the morning.

She paused in front of the inn, turning to the half-nymph paladin beside him. While a part of her wanted to ask more questions about her sister, ask for anything that would point her towards Linea, she knew that the paladin needed to rest, and so did she. Besides, he had already given her all the information he could give. She needed to consider other people's needs.

"Here is the inn, Meglumar," she said, "I'll be upstairs if you need anything. Thank you for answering my questions about my sister."

She walked forward, about to enter the inn. Before she stepped through the doors, she realized something. He had asked her to address him informally, and yet he was still calling her 'Miss Lynette'. That would certainly have to be rectified. It didn't seem right referring to someone by their first name and have them add titles to hers, especially since they were the same age. She stopped, turning around to face him.

"By the way, I would prefer it if you'd just call me Lynette," she said.

She turned again, walking back into the inn and up to her room. It had been a long day and she had a lot to think about. Perhaps she would train for a bit, just to clear her mind.

Meglumar followed his fellow paladin, looking at the city. What amazing work this was! It was so extravagant, to his eyes. He was used to the humble surroundings of his families farm, that this wonderland of a place was just awe inspiring, now that he had the time to look around and pay attention. It was so glorious, so shiny, so....amazing! He contained himself, but barely. Even if he had not, though, who would notice, with his mask on? Well, maybe they could tell from his eyes, but they'd have to have been close, and NOBODY was that close.

Lynette then stopped, prompting Meglumar to also stop. She turned and said this was the inn. She then thanked him for helping her get answers about her sister. "T'was no problem at all, Miss Lynette. If you ever have any other questions, I will do my best to answer them." He said, wanting to do his best to help solve the problems of this family. It seemed too wrong to let the two girls to be like this. Linea, the one at Estolad, had so much hate, and likely, sadness, in her, and this Lynette had such immeasurable guilt....

He then saw Lynette turn, and ask that her refer to her simply as "Lynette," then head towards the stairs. "...Very well, Mi......Lynette." He said as she left, forcing himself to not add the miss. He then moved to the counter, and started haggling for a meal and a room. Perhaps not his smartest move. After a few minutes of haggling, he SOMEHOW managed to luck out into a nice price. "Sold." Meglumar said, placing down the gold, and receiving the key to the room. He'd get food later, he needed a nap. He opened the door, and was pleasantly surprised. This Inn was nice. Clean beds! He closed the door, and removed his mask and cloak, locking the door afterwards.

He climbed into the bed, not even caring about anything. Right now, right here...he could sleep at last, in a comfortable place, with no bad luck. Thank the gods.