Lunzie's History

This is hopefully where I'll be able to work on and write Lunzie's backstory... I know Ree's wants to know what happened ... and well, so would I.

*waves shyly* I wanna know, too!

Niagara was a peaceful planet, a little cold maybe, but what do you expect from an ice planet? The people of Niagara were well adapted for the climate. They had evolved into gargoyle-like forms, some more humanoid than others, and some more animalistic. Such was the world of Niagara when six children were born.

These were no ordinary children; they were the twin children of the lords of Niagara. They were Fiolla and Furlo Telgar, Marshane and Moreta Benden, and Lunzie and Lantri Istari. As is the same with all children on Niagara these six were taught the same things as most of us, with the addition of fighting, both with and without weapons, and their inherent Magiks.

This is Lunzie’s story. It’s not always happy; but then, if it was, it wouldn’t make a good story would it? The story begins on a small woodland world called Berelath. Here Lunzie has made herself a home and found friends to brighten her life. Lunzie is cleaning up her small house after a night of drinking and fun with her best friend and adopted sister, Jaina Jade when she gets a call from her father on Niagara.

~~~~

Lunzie’s ears pricked at the sound of a soft chime coming from upstairs. She ran up to her study and pressed the connect button on her visual-audio transmitter. “Lunzie? Lunzie are you there?” There’s a slight pause before she manages to find her voice to reply.

“Father - Shedo . . . is everything alright? What has happened?”

“Everything is fine dear. However, I request your presence. Lantri has returned.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She stuttered as she disconnected.

Lunzie quickly arranged for Jaina to watch her place and made off for Niagara as quickly as her spaceship would take her.

~~~~

During the weeklong trip, Lunzie’s mind flashed through happier times, times when she still lived at home. One memory that stuck in her mind was when she was just past her hundredth birthday . . .

"Now Lunzie, listen closely or you'll end up turning yourself into a frabbit or some such creature. Ah . . . Lunzie? Are you listening to me child? Lunzie? Oh dear, she's done it again." DeLila muttered to herself as she headed towards the Ice Gardens. She knew she'd find her energetic and mischievous pupil there. No doubt giving the guards a hard time, with the aid of her brother, Lantri.

As DeLila entered the Gardens, she caught a glimpse of black-on-white fur that told Lunzie was there. Looking the other way, the teacher caught sight of the silver fur that gave away Lantri's position. The children were flanking the two confused guards who were attempting to find the siblings.

DeLila carried herself telekinetically to a position directly behind Lunzie. Clearing her throat, she gave away not only her presence, but Lunzie's as well. Gasping in surprise, Lunzie spun around in time to recognize her teacher before one of the guards placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. The other guard could be seen wrestling with Lantri.

The two were taken inside to talk to their father, Lord Istari. He was in a pleasant mood as he had just finished finalizing the betrothal arrangements with Lords Benden and Telgar. Upon hearing what had just transpired outside, Lord Istari merely sighed and shook his head.

Dismissing the two guards and the disgruntled teacher, he turned to his two children. At just over one hundred, they were still too young to understand everything that was going on on their small planet. "I don't know whether to laugh at your tricks or scold you for skipping your lessons to play games in the Gardens. You are just over one hundred years old; you need to start growing up, taking responsibility. I'll not leave my holdings to an irresponsible leader.

"Lunzie, you've mastered your fighting and weapons lessons, but you are not studying the Magiks enough. Lantri, you've mastered the Magiks, but are not spending enough time practicing your fighting and weapons. Where one of you lacks, the other is strong. That is good, but you must not lack in anything. Someone will find your weakness and try to exploit it to further their gains."

"Yes, but Shedo, how could our weaknesses be exploited if we are always together? Who would want to harm us anyway? Our holdings are at peace, as are the holdings of our neighbors." Spoke Lantri.

“Who would want to harm us . . . If only we had paid more attention to what Shedo told us, neh, my brother? But you are back now, and that is what is important. You are back, and I can return home with a light heart.” Lunzie whispered to herself as she began her descent to the planet surface. She was happy to be home, and to be able to see her husband and father again, but most of all, she wanted to see her brother.

~~~~

As soon as she stepped out of her ship, Lunzie was whisked away by servants to ready her for the evening meal. They ignored all protests that all she wanted to do was see her family. Soon enough she was told, soon enough. Something didn’t seem right, but Lunzie had not been to Niagara in over 500 years and things will change in that amount of time. Lunzie was taken to her rooms and met by Ciala, her old mentor. Ciala took charge of Lunzie and sent the others away as the two entered the rooms. “Quickly now, Lu, musn’t be late to dinner . . . that wouldn’t do at all.” Ciala started in on Lunzie as she quickly, but thoroughly helped her bathe and dress before shepherding the much confused woman through the maze of corridors to the dinning hall before Lunzie could catch her breath enough to ask questions of her own.

Finally managing to inhale deeply enough to ask a question, Lunzie promptly exhaled it as she entered the dinning hall. This was, of course, aided by the fact that she had just been grabbed up into a bear hug by her long-time friend and husband, Marshane. She managed to gasp out something that sounded like a repeat of his “Missed you so much!” Marshane reluctantly set Lunzie back down on her feet, apologizing quietly and insisting that she would have to tell him about her life off Niagara. Lunzie agreed and took a deep breath before approaching her father and brother who sat at the table watching with amusement.

“Well, nice to know that my family will defend me next time I’m accosted in the dinning hall.” She glared at her father and brother for a second before shaking her head and practically launching herself at Lantri. He stiffly returned her hug and narrowed his eyes as Lunzie happily embraced their father.

After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms, there would be much to be done tomorrow. Lunzie and Marshane prepared for bed and sat talking far into the night.

"Shane, what's been going on? Something's wrong. Something about 'Tri and Shedo. I don't know what it is, but... It's just not right. What's happened since I was last home?"

"Ah, 'Zie, why don't we just wait until tomorrow to talk about this? Why don't you tell me what you've been doing instead? We hardly get to talk, much less see each other." He was clearly stalling. Lantri was a topic he didn't want to discuss. So, naturally, Lunzie pushed.

"Shane. Don't change the subject. You only do that when you don't want to talk about something, and that generally means we should talk about it." She stared at him pointedly, not going to let him talk his way out of it.

Marshane sighed and closed his eyes taking a deep breath. "Everything was fine, things going just as they always have. And then, he just appeared one day. Wandering around the Ice Gardens."

"You mean 'Tri?"

He nodded. "Yeah. It was like he didn't know who he was, or where he was. He's obviously figured that out by now. But...He's so distant now, not at all like he was when we were younger. He seems...older? I don't know how to explain it 'Zie. But I do know that I wouldn't trust him if I were you. I don't know who that really is, but that's not 'Tri."

The two continued talking while in another part of the castle a dark figure was communicating with a darker figure through the same type of transmitting device Lunzie had used to talk to her father earlier that week.

"She just arrived today. I can begin anytime now. No one suspects a thing. They're all to happy to have me back. They're pathetic."

"Good. As soon as you have control of House Istari we can continue with our plans. Be careful. Don't get caught. The old man might do something stupid if he thinks something's going on."