Submitted by Winmere:

Sighting Lady Dell from a window inside the Chaos Tower, I ran down to greet her. I knew only something of grave importance would bring her to visit PaxLair on such an inhospitable eve and in her condition. Scrambling out the door, I ran headlong into Crimson Dragon, who tried to entice me to join him for some fun. "I have to find the Lady Dell first," I tossed over my shoulder, as I ran in the direction I had seen her heading. With relief, I found her inside the Ladie's Lair.

After I exchanged greetings with her, Rhiannon, and Wrath, Lady Dell asked to speak with me on the patio. Finding a comfortable place to sit, Lady Dell said rather gravely, "I have just come from seeing Olivya and Charity. They are ill."

"Ill?" I asked, perplexed as I took a seat on the opposite bench.

Dell nodded and replied, "I know it seems impossible. Kindred do not get ill, but they are ill." I asked if it was the plague we have heard about. Staring at me intently, Lady Dell asked, "Others have it too? My lady?"

I confirmed that there are rumors of others having unexplained illnesses, but assured Lady Dell that I was not afflicted.

"Remember the party that Hephaestus gave in the tower, and everyone became ill?" I nodded and she continued, "The Prince contracted with some monks to manufacture a plague."

"You think this is similar?" I asked.

"The monks didn't just make a plague for mortals," she explained. "They made one for Kindred as well. Hephaestus mentioned it." We were joined by Wrath of Shadowcove, while Rhiannon bid us all a good night.

Continuing our discussion, I offered a possible solution, "The citizens of PaxLair have suggested we seek out the witches of Cove. I have warned them that this is dangerous. Cove is under orc attack now."

"I know Gam'e and Savon," Lady Dell informed me. "Gam'e Mistress is often in the Britain Library."

"They are two of the witches?" I inquired.

With a nod, Lady Dell added, "Gam'e, Savon, there are a few others. I have only met those two."

"Witches?" asked a puzzled Wrath.

Dell nodded, as I said, "I would like to speak with them. But JeTamme seeks them more than I do."

"When thou do, if thou find them," said Lady Dell solemnly, "tell them that the plague was made by the monks of Kaeghur."

Wrath asked if either of us had been to Shadowcove recently. I shook my head, and Dell replied, "I was looking for Olivya in Shadowcove. It is how I found out she is ill." Looking concerned, Lady Dell added, "Winmere, vampires do not get ill. They are immortal, perfect. If vampires are ill, then the monks succeeded in making a plague that infects vampire, as they did the mortals so many years ago."

"I am here everyday to try to find my lady..." said Wrath wistfully.

"Is that such a bad thing?" Winmere asked Dell with a sigh.

Speaking softly, Lady Dell said, "Olivya is dear to me." I begged her pardon, since I knew of her bond to Olivya and it had simply slipped my mind. At that moment, I would have sacrificed much to see the worry and pain withdrawn from her face, and her mind at ease. "My time is near," added Lady Dell. "I myself cannot... search for a cure. I would reward those who find and cure Olivya."

I nodded my assurance and said, "I will search the Libraries then. I will make that a priority. Only for your sake. Not the vampires."

With a soft smile, Lady Dell replied, "I am ever in they debt."

"Never," I responded. "My heart commands and I do," I smiled. "'Tis simple. The doing is not so simple."

"Ever a creature of passion, Lady Winmere?" asked Dell.

"Aye," I replied, "I suppose my passions rule me."

We spoke for a few minutes more, before she took her leave. I assured her I would do all in my power to help find a cure. As I sat alone on the patio pondering upon what I remembered of the Kaeghur plague, it suddenly dawned upon me that the witches of Cove are not the only witches that might have an answer to this. I remembered one from long ago... yes, she was a witch alright, although I am not sure she called herself such. "I will be searching for 'that' one too," I mumbled harshly.

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