"I am Nastassia."

She thinks a moment. "I suppose my job is to keep the Shrine of Compassion pristine, though it is not an official position."

"The Shrine of Compassion has been here for many generations, as have all the shrines in Britannia. My great-great-grandmother Ariana made a request in her will that her family line take care of this particular shrine."

"Many of the shrines have fallen into disuse or have been overgrown to the point of being lost. It is sad."

"I am afraid that thou mightest find the other shrines in poor condition. I keep this one... well, nice. And I do it not only to keep alive my great-great-grandmother's tradition, but... for other reasons, too."

"Some people may think it odd that a young person would cling to the old ways so. But it is something that gives me great comfort. It gives me the feeling that there is something in this world that I belong to."

"I... I'd rather not say. Please do not ask."

"Thou dost know the reasons."

"Yes, she was my great-great-grandmother. I understand that she actually met the Avatar and <she|he> made a profound impact on her life.

"It is odd, but thou dost resemble the portraits I have seen of the Avatar."

"Thou dost know of my father? I suppose the townsfolk have been talking again. I wish I had known him. There is something within me that yearns for some news of him. Anything at all."

"My mother. She died horribly, and by her own hand. That is the true reason I pay homage to this Shrine. I hope someday to provide her with the means to rest in peace."

"My father died in the Great Forest there. Some wild animal or something killed him. Art thou perhaps travelling to Yew?"

"Oh, Avatar, I do wish thou wouldst try to find out something about my father. How did he die? What happened? Please! Wilt thou search for the truth and come back and tell me?"

You kiss Nastassia and she moans.

The two of you rush into each other's arms and your mouths meet. You had forgotten how good her lips felt against yours.

You kiss Nastassia's lovely mouth again. She responds.

"No man hath done that as well as thee."

She looks at you with wide eyes.

"Do it again, milord."

You kiss Nastassia yet again. This time your bodies press together tightly, and you know this promises to be more than a fleeting fling with some tavern wench.

You kiss Nastassia and she moans.

Nastassia studies your features.

"Somehow I knew it. It hath been said that thou wouldst return."

You tell Nastassia what you learned from Trellek. She closes her eyes and it seems a great weight has lifted from her shoulders.

The woman raises her arms to the sky and cries out, "Didst thou hear that, mother? Thine husband was only trying to provide for his family! And he died... a hero! He was not a vagabond! Dost thou hear? Thou canst rest thy tortured soul now. Please, mother, forgive him. Do so, so that I can now forgive thee."

She wipes the tears from her face and looks at you.

"I thank thee, Avatar. Thou hast made me very happy. I shall always remember thee."

She kisses you once lightly. "Thank thee, Avatar. Thou hast made me very happy. Shouldst thou become weary of adventuring, I shall be waiting here for thee. Thou art welcome to live and share thy life with me. Go now. Finish the job thou must needs do. But keep me in thy thoughts."

"Goodbye." She kisses you again, and then turns so that she will not see you leave.END

"Goodbye, Avatar."END

"Goodbye, Avatar."END