Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Rune Aeterna 10
Rune Aeterna (http://www.asheri.com/forums/index.php)
- (http://www.asheri.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=15)
-- (http://www.asheri.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=264)
Posted by Keiru Emerald on 02-01-2002 02:33 AM
Wow, the big ten. Let's keep up the great work everyone!
__________________
-You say you want a revolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
Posted by Keiru Emerald on 02-01-2002 02:34 AM
And the big ten strikes again. Like I said in Asheri, keep up the good work, you humans, and you crazy Elwain.
__________________
-You say you want a revolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
Posted by Aramus VanVehementi on 02-01-2002 04:15 AM
Linerin's visit
The same familiar darkness consumed Aramus as he paced nervously back and forth amidst his files and reports. The documents in accompaniment with his many volumes from the academy years had been organized over time to form a labyrinth of the Nylian written language. To the emperor's servant cast, it appeared to be a symbol of their master's rapidly declining state. He was trapped within his own dungeon, forced with a pale disposition to witness the slow decline of his empire. Fortunately for the former count, at least one loyal servant remained optimistic. Gregorynn, now the Imperial bodyguard, casually made his way through the paper walls to console his friend.
"Still not sleeping?"
"I lack the time and the peace to afford such luxuries. I have conquered this paper laden hell for now, but surely as the sun shall rise, upon its crest above that horizon," Aramus made a limp gesture towards the eastern window, "more of their brethren shall arrive and be scattered across my perfectly clean desk."
Gregorynn stood and observed the skeleton that had once been the proud Aramus VanVehementi. As he did so, he questioned himself as to which element of the emperor's health was deteriorating the swiftest, be it physical or mental. The bags under his eyes had nearly doubled over the last two days and he now lacked the energy, or perhaps the will to properly close his mouth for his jaw now was left agape. Gregorynn sat in that same silence which composed his late conversations with the emperor. Today would be different, for upon this day he had the news which Aramus had been so desperate to hear.
"We have received word from Linerin, Aramus."
Gregorynn was patient as his friend slowly turned his head to face him. He was pleased to see an eyebrow arch in a sentient manner. At least now he knew that he was reaching Aramus. With such reassurance, Gregorynn continued.
"The cloaked rider still beckons at the manor gates in anticipation of your response. What word shall I send?"
Again the silence rang noisily in his ears. Had the emperor lost lucidity again? Happily though, the glaze left Aramus' eyes once more as his lips parted.
"I wish to meet…. Here, at tomorrow's last rays of light."
"Why so late?"
"For I must now rest. I can't very well meet an ally in this condition now can I?" A half smile almost painfully crossed the well worn man's face. Gregorynn could not help but laugh. This was the first sign of any life to radiate from Aramus. Perhaps this was to be the first step in his recovery.
"I shall send the word now. Do be prompt in your pursuit of the bed chambers this evening old friend. Speed well off to peaceful slumber."
"Slumber is the only chance I've had at peace as of late Gregorynn. Until now, even it has eluded me. I'm happy to report that your tidings have changed the fates that be." Aramus spoke in heavily winded words. He struggled to keep breath within his body while he conversed.
"Good night Aramus. Sleep well."
"I shall old friend. The same to you."
The two men exited the dank archive together and parted company as Aramus turned down the great hall to seek the lavish comforts of his mattress, and Gregorynn continued onward to relay the emperor's will to Linerin's rider.
It was as though a miracle had taken place. Gregorynn stood dumbfounded as he watched Emperor VanVehementi stride confidently toward him. He had slept all through both the previous evening and nearly all of the day. The heavy, purple sags under his eyes were now all but a memory. Aramus still remained pale - more so than usual - and lacked the greater portion of his strength, but the evening's meal had restored much of his energy. His frame also shown signs of rounding out. His facial features had been restored from their previously corpse-like appearance.
Gregorynn, following the code of his duties, escorted the emperor from the dining hall of the Imperial Mansion within New Dargent to the main audience chamber. While en route Aramus was brought up to speed.
"Reports from Sarrofey's men on the northern wall inform us that Linerin is in the city. He will be here at any moment."
"Excellent. Perhaps this sunset shall lead to the dawn of a new day after all."
"Had you any doubts?"
"…"
"How did you sleep?"
"I haven't slept like that in ages. It was almost as though I was a child in my mother's arms once more."
"Your Imperial Highness, your guest has arrived." A foot soldier in full military dress parted the curtain obstructing entrance into the auditorium. Within its spacious enclosing were many more soldiers, and most importantly of all, in the midst of several darkly clad figures was Linerin himself.
"Words cannot express the relief I feel to see you good sir."
"Why Emperor VanVehementi, what could you mean?" Linerin feigned his interest very well. No one suspected.
"I've received reports, too many to list, of your soldiers taking cities and causing much destruction."
"Well… it was my understanding that you had requested my help. Granted I offered my services but you did not seem hesitant so accept. I do these things for the benefit of your empire my liege."
"Benefit is the furthest thing from what you have brought me, mysterious one. I do appreciate your infinitely valuable assistance at the Battle of Fayre, but these latest innuendo's were by no means solicited, or authorized for that matter, by me."
"I meant only for your best interests Lord Aramus. I did not foresee my actions upsetting you so. Please tell me how to rectify this situation and repair our union, and I will make it so."
"Now, now, Linerin. No one said anything about our alliance being in turmoil. I merely wish to express that your past actions have helped me immensely, but for the sake of my empire and its people, I would greatly appreciate it if I were to consulted before towns are pillaged. I can't very well be seen as a recognizable and trustworthy leader if I allow my citizenry to be murderously slaughtered in my streets. Please, if you do so wish to take more territory for my beloved empire, at least allow contingents of my men to ride in the forefront, and do please keep the loss of life minimal. I can't tax the dead."
Both men laughed a sinisterly haunting laugh. It echoed eerily all about the chamber.
"If that is all you require my Emperor, then consider your bidding done. I will immediately pull my armies from your cities. Is there anything else that you wish of me?"
"Perhaps one thing."
"Ask me and it shall be done." Linerin was especially theatrical now.
"Tell me now Dark Lord. You have helped my empire well beyond my thanks. What service is it exactly that I have been honored to grant you in compensation? Surely your military is not working for free!" Now Aramus believed himself to be quite the actor.
"You have already aided me considerably. You see, as well as being an influential busy body, I am a bit of a collector of the arcane. I have been seeking some very rare and precious artifacts that only recently, due to circumstances provided me by your invasion campaigns, have I been able to attain."
"I am pleased that I could have been at least of some service to you, yet I am indebted far more to you than that. Certainly my imperial assets may benefit you more. Perhaps you would like a devotion of my men to assist you in your endeavors? What exactly are these artifacts that you seek so passionately?"
"I unfortunately have run out of time. I would love to elaborate more, alas, my attentions are required elsewhere in the world at this juncture. I am most appreciative of your offer though. I will remain in contact and divulge more information when the timing is appropriate. Until then I must take my leave. Before doing so, however, I can assure you that by the last glimmer of twilight this evening, your cities will be free. Only a small occupational garrison will remain behind until your men arrive to relieve it. Strictly for safety's sake of course!"
"Indeed Linerin. I thank you for the promptness of your reply. I only hope that I may soon assist you in your pursuits."
"I'm confident that you will do just that. I will be in contact with you when that time arrives. Until then, may the creator protect you. Long live Aramus I." Linerin nearly burst to laughter as he made his exit. All of his discipline was required to maintain his composure. Aramus was becoming a nuisance indeed. Alas, he may yet have some use left.
Aramus watched from his window as his mysterious guest made for the North Wall. How did he know to seek him? Aramus had no formal way of reaching Linerin, yet he seemed to answer his beckon call. These were queries for another time however, as the sleep that Aramus had been cheating himself of was now making its beckon call. He would sleep for the next day before awakening stronger and prouder still. The Nylian Empire had caught the first breeze of its second wind.
CUE: Linerin
__________________
"Unlike my fool of a father, I don't just talk of ambition... I realize it!"
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-01-2002 09:00 AM
They had cleared out much of the mansion and now stood outside of the door that leads to Jek’s study.
“So, how many did you kill?” Tygan asked.
“11, 12 if you count the door man.”
“12! Gah, I only got 10. That puts you one up in all. I’ll fix that soon!”
“You planning on a kill in this room?”
“Not if it can be avoided.” They both looked at the door and took a deep breath.
“Well here goes nothing!” They charged through the door, but stopped in surprise. The room was empty of people, the only thing different was a not on the desk. Tygan walked over and picked it up. Reading it aloud so Palin could hear.
Dear son,
Sorry I couldn’t stay, but had business to attend to. Don’t worry about the house, it’s no big deal.
“Worry about the house?” Tygan had no clue what this meant.
Palin however had been looking around and when he looked back out into the hall he ad seen smoke coming up from the stairs.
“Ummm, Tygan, hate to break the moment, but we have a problem.”
“More brigands?”
“No, that wouldn’t be a problem, but ummm, the house is on fire.”
“On fire! This can’t be how a father is supposed to act, your father wasn’t like this was he?”
“Not even close, but your father is just trying to help you.”
“Help me? By burning me alive?”
“No no, he wants you to use your head, come up with an ingenious escape!”
“I take it you have one?”
“Of course, we break that window and jump.” Palin grinned.
“O, great, how ingenious! I mean it is only two stories!”
“It is that or fire!”
“Good point….”
They ran over to the window. Palin smashed it with the hilt of his blade, but quickly ducked as an arrow flew through.
“A two story fall with a bunch of bloody thirsty brigands at the bottom, now what is better?” Tygan questioned sarcastically.
“Quiet, I’ll think of something!”
“No need, I’ve already got a plan.”
Tygan pulled the arrow out of the wall and took a bow that was mantled on the wall. He then pulled some rope out of his pack, tying one end to a column in the room, and the other to the other.
“We’ll shoot this into another house and glide across.”
“Will it hold?”
“Does it matter, it will be the same as jumping if it doesn’t.”
Tygan fired the arrow out of the window and moved back against the wall so that none of the brigand’s arrows would be able to hit him.
“What is your plan for stopping them from shooting us?”
“We throw a statue out at them, then we both jump out at the same time, me first and you second. One target is better than two, so we stay close.”
“Why am I second?” Palin raised his eyebrows.
“Well you’re a smaller target.”
“I don’t get the logic, if they miss me, they will hit you.”
“There isn’t much chance of that.”
“Isn’t much chance of hitting, or isn’t much chance of missing me?”
“O, shut up, just throw the statues and jump!”
*********************************************
The plan worked like a charm, except that when they were almost to the other house the arrow broke on them.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-01-2002 01:51 PM
Where to go from here...
Waking came slowly to Til’Sylvanna. She hovered on the edge of consciousness for a long time just listening to her companions, though they were too far away sounding for her to make out what was being said. It was comforting… though it seemed that there was a new voice. One with which she was not familiar.
“We must return to the Evisis,” said Saeth quietly. “This is no place for her and now I must do whatever I can to see her safe. We do not belong in the affairs of the Humans. Now you know why, and she has to suffer for it.” He was glaring at Nelcar who adamantly refused to return.
“I do not consent. She would not wish it. Great is her mission, and I know that she would not see it fail. And do not think to blame me, Saeth Shen, for the evil that has befallen her. For I too am burdened to see her suffering. I, at least cannot return. I will not. Besides, she is in absolutely no condition to travel, it would kill her.”
“I would have to agree,” spoke Finrandel quietly. “She has suffered a great hurt of body and soul. Perhaps, rather than arguing, you should tend to her first and see what it is that she wishes.” His soft recriminations brought the two out of their dispute.
“Very well. For now we wait.” Saeth left the grove of trees in which they had been sheltering outside the city. Nelcar sighed and quietly walked over to Til’Sylvanna.
She was deathly pale, her beautiful, long silver/white hair tangled and dirty. A dark purple bruise marred her left cheek, and many angry red welts lined her frail arms. But worst were her wrists. Two livid red burns scarred her, even now they bled. He had bound them as best he could, but he knew they were there. His deep blue eyes clouded, and he could feel his heart breaking of sorrow…
“I am so sorry,” he whispered in anguish. “I could not keep you safe. I should never have left your side, and now you have suffered so much. Please, Til’Sylvanna, please wake up. I can hardly stand to see you this way. I would give my life to make right what has been done.” A single tear fell and traced a glittering path down his fair cheek. He reached out to stroke her hair, when her eyes opened.
“Do not touch me.” She said emotionlessly. He was taken a back, but acquiesced to her command.
He had thought that the burns upon her wrists had been the worst damage done her. He had been wrong. He clouded silver eyes held nothing but pain, and an anguish so deep he thought he would be consumed by it. “I am sorry,” he said, “I…”
She closed her eyes again and sighed. “It is not you,” she whispered, “the darkness lies within me. Please, do not touch me.” Tears fell from her closed eyes.
For a long time they staid thus, he never leaving her side and she never moving. As the sun began to set, the first since her rescue, she spoke.
“I have found the Dolensirion, and he found me in the darkness. He and the red star both. They will come here, I think, and we must be here for them. I cannot be whole without them.”
Nelcar regarded her for a long time, strange emotions flooding him. Who was Dolensirion? What had he to do with her? Mostly he felt a pang of jealousy that she spoke of someone else finding her who was not himself. Then she continued in her quiet voice.
“But I never gave up hope that you would come. Almost… “ And she broke off. “Almost I did, but in the end I did not. I knew that you would come.” She sighed and opened her eyes. He was relived to see some of the pain had gone out of them… but there was some there that would never be. That saddened him. “I am weary beyond belief, and sick within my soul, but I have not fallen into shadow. It was a very near thing. And though I have seen the very worst that is in people, still I cannot hate them. I was foolish to believe that, by sheer virtue of the fact that I was a servant of the light, I would be safe from the evils within people. I have learned otherwise. Men are not like us. Still, I do know that there are those who honor what is good and just, for in my darkness they were there. I will not allow that which is foul to stray me from my purpose.” She was quiet for a long time, all that talking seeming to have exhausted her. Soon she fell back to sleep.
Nelcar did not leave her side.
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Finrandel on 02-01-2002 04:07 PM
Finrandel followed Saeth out of the small grove in which the four Elwain had stopped. The bond between Til'Sylvanna and Nelcar was strong and Finrandel could easily sense it. He wished to leave them to their peace for a moment.
Saeth continued walking, his frustration eveident. His pace was quick, and he soon became lost in his own thoughts. "Almost..."
Finrandel, arriving just at this moment, overheard the word slip from Saeth's tongue. "What of do you speak, friend?"
Saeth whipped around, caught off-guard. Again he cursed himself in his mind, but was glad to see the elf was not some beast of the wood. Saeth looked the Elwain in the eyes, never giving an inch, and then he let out a small sigh, "You are all too young to understand."
Finrandel nodded, allowing the warrior his privacy. They all had secrets they wished hidden. "Very well. You are a capable warrior, it is no doubt why I have heard your name spoken often by others skilled with swords. Would you care to spar?"
Saeth perked up a bit, knowing that this young Elf was unaware of his age, his skill, or his history. Nonetheless, he consented, speaking softly in the tongue of his homeland, "If you challange me, I shall accept, but know that I was once known as El'Gel'galam (1), and though you may not know of my past, that should suffice to explain much."
"Yes, I have heard many stories involving your name. I know much of your prowess. I myself have some amount of skill, but I use this opportunity to learn rather that show off. I am sure there is much you could show me." Finrandel drew both blades, holding them at his sides, and bowed deeply.
Saeth drew El'Desh'Ketai from its honey leather sheath and took one of the strangest stances Finrandel had ever seen. Saeth was crouched low with both hands on the blade, which was poised above his head and dropped ahead of him, making him seem like some sort of snake poised to strike. Finrandel noted to ask him where he had learned that form sometime later. Saeth spoke in his deep Elwain voice, "Let's have it then. Come!"
Finrandel approached cautiosly, not knowing what to expect from this unique style. Although he did not let it show, he was both impressed and taken aback. "So, why are you travelling with Nelcar and the maiden, anyway? Are they lovers?" He thrust forth his lead sword, Narrofeyl, awaiting Saeth's defense.
Sweeping Finrandel's strike aside, and dropping back down into his low stance, he simply replied, "I know not, nor do I care. To the best of my knowledge, they barely know each other. My only concern is their safety." The two Elwain circled each other for a bit, before unsuspectingly Saeth flew towards Finrandel with a calm and collected fury of blows in the form known as "The Lightning Flowing Down the Mountain." Though it was an extremely old form, Finrandel knew the parries for it. Both of the warriors began to glisten slightly with sweat, and for the first time, Finrandel saw a smile break across Saeth's face.
Finrandel's heart lifted, and he pressed harder. With a deft parry and sweep of Narrofeyl, he seemed to have gained the advantage. "You are the warder of our companions, correct? What is it that keeps you tied to them?" Saeth seemed to be off guard, his weight placed inappropriately far back. He took a one handed swing toward the back of Finrandel's legs, the blade flying wildly. Finrandel nimbly leapt over the blade, completely unprepared for Saeth's next move. An arm followed the blade, grabbing the back of Finrandel's shirt and neatly planting him face-first upon the soil.
Saeth stepped back, holding his blade in one hand, and driving the tip into the soil as to let his younger opponent recompose himself, "It is old honor that binds me to the lady, and an old promise between friends. As for the loremaster, as he fancies himself, it is royal command."
Finrandel got himself up out of the dust and brushed himself off lightly before taking on one of the newer stances that Saeth knew all too intimately, "The Lily and the Rose." Another smile cracked his lips, for when he had first encountered this technique he had developed his own counterattack, and so far it had not failed. The young elf noticed Saeth's smile, and quietly cursed himself on his choice, but proceeded anyway. Moments later, he was once again in the dirt. Picking himself back up, he glanced at Saeth. "Impressive, very. I now know why your name is revered when Warders are spoken of."
Saeth nodded and his smile vanished. "Shall we continue, or have you had enough for now?" The pain that he felt through the bond with the White Lady was distracting, to say the least. Saeth knew that he was not performing to the best of his abilities, however he wished not to harm Finrandel. Perhaps it was for the best, Saeth mused.
Finrandel nodded in reply. "That should suffice, for now. But I would like to make a daily practice of this, if you had no mind against such. What say you, friend?" Finrandel extended a hand to Saeth, which was quickly accepted. Finrandel smiled, the deep pools of his eyes seeming to blend with the clear sky above them. "Shall we look upon your wards, then?"
(1) Roughly, "Warder of the Histories," a highly respected title among the Esiai'desh'mirain. Currently the only one within their ranks who wears this title is Saeth.
__________________
"I am Finrandel, son of Linoldan and Eswenore, child of the Evening Sky, and wielder of ancient powers given to my kind from the Gods themselves. I suggest you think twice before drawing your blade."
Posted by Zander Kohen on 02-01-2002 04:53 PM
Arkiri busied herself with talking to Keigo about everything and nothing at all. Mostly about what she wanted to do with her life once she grew up a bit. She couldn't decide between a champion archer or a healer of some sort.
"I probably couldn't ever be a champion archer though," she said, semi dissappointed. "Guess that only leaves one choice."
"Hey, don't sell yourself short," Keigo said. "You just need some more practice, and who says you can't do both?"
Arkiri smiled at the thought. Perhaps she could do both...
*******
Zander now stood where he had found Tiffarah that morning. He has alone now, his dark purple cape billowing in the breeze. The near-full moon shone down on the land from above the Hollow Craigs in the far east.
He watched as the Soulwood passed slowly below him. It would not be long before they reached Balanum now, but that is not what occupied Zander's mind that night. His thoughts were of Tiffarah, the beautiful half-elf girl who's name reflected her appearance.
Why did he have feelings for her? Was it just because she was part elf? He didn't know, but he knew there was no turning back now. He could no longer deny his feelings for her, but he didn't want to be hastey either. There was also the question of what would happen in Balanum. Would his emotions cloud his judge ment? And finally was this world so dangerous that he couldn't risk loving someone for fear that they might die and leave him even more scarred than before?
Realizing this thought was utterly selfish, Zander mentally rebuked himself for it. "There is no point to living if it is not to love," he remembered his father had said. This old saying seemed to make his decision for him. He would love and protect Tiffarah through any and all trials. Even if he died trying, he would have lived a life of love and honor and by the Creator, he would put up a good fight before he went.
His mind set, he headed below deck to Tiffarah's room where he hoped she would be waiting.
*******
Tiffarah's own mind reeled, as she lay on her comfortable bed, though not with indecision like Zander's had. She was elated and flushed as she had not been before in her life. She lay there daydreaming of what exciting event might take place between she and her Holy Knight next.
Still, she knew that everything would not go as perfectly as she might hope for. The world was dark and dangerous; more so than it ever had been. She would need his protection as well as a means of protecting herself. As of now, she only had her dagger and her bare hands. They would be of little effect on any great number of the shadowspawn that she had heard so many of the crew telling tales about. She felt confident though, that near Zander's side, everything would be alright.
She heard a knock at her door, interrupting her daydreams, and juped up to get it, hopeful it was Zander.
OOC: No one do anything with any of my characters yet. There's a bit more development that I will finish up later tonight. Namely whoever it is that's knocking at her door.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Volsung on 02-01-2002 06:19 PM
the opening of the letter
Volsung Knocked on Sayomara’s Door. “Who goes there?” Asked the old man in sleepy Voice
“It’s me can I come in,” called Volsung from the other side of the door.
“Fine give me a minute I thought that you were going to give a old man a chance rest but you young kids…” Sayomara voice tailed off as he walked towards the door. Sayomara open the door and Volsung walked in and Sat down, “So what to you want kid?”
“I was wondering why you have been helping and following me.” Asked Volsung
“I’m not Quite ready to tell you that, but don’t worry about me I assure you that I’m on the up and up. Now why don’t we look at that letter from the King of Gania.”
“Yes I almost forgot about that…but I don’ t think you should see it. It is mean for me alone.”
“Oh you know that I will get it out of you one way, or anther. So, why don’t you just open it and show me now rather than me prying it out of you over the next few days.” Said Sayomara in an almost cheerful tone
“Fine, but I left it in my robes give a minute,” with that Volsung got up and walked out the door, only return a few minute later with letter in hand. “Now do you promises not to tell any one about what you are about to hear.”
“Yes, yes, I promises now come on before your as old as I am.”
“Don’t rush me.” Volsung broke the seal and pulled out the letter.”
Dear Volsung Vesper,
As a member of the Gania Royal Guard, I King Eremon charges you and your sister to a very important mission. You are here by ordered to go into Nyliam gather information by whatever means you deem necessary. To that end, you will go into the port city of Pontifar and travel south though all of Nyliam, While your Sister will take the Secunda Falia along the coast, and learn all that she can there.
Then you are in Nyliam never mention the name of Gania in the open, I fear there are great many spies about and you will be going into the heart of their empire. Trust no one unless you have a reason too. I hope the best for you. When you are done meet Veritas in Kenobious, and come back to Gania and report.
I know I’m asking a lot of you and your sister but I feel that you well suited for this mission. May the creator be with you and I hope to see you in a few mouths.
King Eremon of Gania
December 27, 1329 AL
Volsung and Sayomara sat silent for a few minutes thinking. After the long pause, Volsung spoke up. “So that is why I wasn’t supposed to open this letter until I was out to sea. This is all starting to make sense now; the spies the King of Akaros was afraid of are 'Nyniam spies', that is also why he didn’t what me to be seen entering the castle. This way they won’t know to look for someone like myself. Very clever and I bet Veritas received a letter as well that is why she is heading to Noit as we speak. He must have divided up the orders so that way not everything would fall apart if we were compromised.”
“So the Question is now what orders did Veritas get.”
“Yes that is a very good question. And a question that may have to wait until after are stop in Noit.”
“Why do you say that?”
“We will be in Noit in a few hours, and I think that if She was coming she would be here by now. So, I see we get some rest and we then after we leave Noit we can talk about his some more hopefully with Veritas.”
“That sounds like a good idea and since this is MY ROOM I think that it is time for you to leave. I will see you later,” and with a mighty shove Volsung was in the corridor watching the door slam in has face.
“Crazy old man one of these day…” Volsung didn’t finish the sentence as he walked back to his cabin. “I guess I better rest because his may my only chance to see Noit. If this mission is as dangerous as it sounds. But best not to think about that right now I think I’m just going to sleep.” So, Volsung laid on the bed and fell a sleep on the spot.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Lyght Smith on 02-01-2002 09:21 PM
The people at the Tabernacle had been Very nice to Lyght and Betty. It was a nice to place to be. The constant sound of the waterfalls made Lyght forget about the Wolves and the lost of his family for a little bit. Lyght had even spent a little time talking to one of the Dedicated water mages about the important’s of controlling your mind with Ki magic. “Any human has the potential to become Dedicated, but to become Greats you also have great control over your mind.”
“Ha what do they know? My anger is what keeps me going, if I didn’t have this hatred for the Wolves I would be weeping somewhere, but instead I’m out trying to find a solution to this problem.” Lyght thought as he sat out one of the balcony. “I had hope that these people could help me, but all I found here was new age mumbo gumbo. I can’t stay here any longer I need to go somewhere I can find answers to my problem.” Lyght stood up and walked down to the room where Betty was sleeping. Then he Gently petted her until she woke up. “Hey girl I think its time to go.” The ox nodded its head and got up off the straw. Lyght tied a rope loosely around her neck. And then walked down some stairs to the Main entrance. When Lyght and Betty were in sight of the door, a man standing by the door came up to talk to Lyght.
“Leaving so soon sir?”
“Yes, I don’t think I’m going to find what I’m looking for here.”
“Are you sure, maybe you just don’t know what your looking for,” said the man as Lyght tried to walk around him.
“I know what I’m looking for. Now get out of my way.” And with that, Lyght gave the man a push that landed him in the water. “So people just know how to get out of the way, don’t they Betty.” Lyght Petted Betty as the walk back up the walk way they had just walked down the day before.
After leaving the tabernacle, Lyght and Betty headed southeast to Gania a place where Lyght had not been once since he was child. He didn’t really know what to expect. Nonetheless, this seemed like the next place to look for answers to the wolf problem.
The pair walked into the about three in the afternoon and the streets were fairly busy. It seemed to scare Lyght more than Betty. Lyght gripped his pitchfork tightly as they walked thought the streets not knowing what to expect.
__________________
I just can't help but fell greater powers are involed here.
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 02-01-2002 09:43 PM
Another harrowing escape......
The rope snapped and they fell; Tygan through a second-story window and Palin onto the windowsill. He hung there, arrows sticking into the house's wall around him. Tygan re-appeared seconds later, his hand held out to pull Palin into the house. Palin grasped for the outstretched hand and lifted himself inside, yelping with pain. Tygan looked at Palin, his gaze searching for any injuries.
"What's wrong with you?" He said. Palin checked his pants, his fingers probing a long slash in the fabric.
"Something jumped up and bit me in the arse!" He held his fingers out to show blood to Tygan. But before he could answer, a scream let loose from the other side of the room.
A pretty woman, clothed only in loose sheets, sat upon her bed, a fearful look on her face. Tygan dropped Palin's hand and turned to the woman.
"Why, hello beautiful!" Palin grabbed Tygan from behind.
"We have to go! They're......." A loud crash signaled that the brigands had broken through the door and were coming for them. Tygan, meanwhile, had gone back to talking with the young lady.
"So........." The brigands burst into the room. Tygan whipped about and kicked a stool up, knocking out a pair of the men.
"So, as I was saying," he swung, slicing open another brigand, "would you like to meet somewhere sometime? I know this great little place outside of Southdale......" Tygan grunted with the impact of a sword hilt hitting his jaw. Palin jumped back, his boot knife slicing through the air and landing in one of the men's chest. Unfortunately, his misjudged his jump and landed on an expensive table, breaking it in two.
"Uuuuugh......," he groaned, his face heavy with pain. "I'm getting to old for this sh...." His face met with another heavy blow. Tygan, his rapier strikes like lightning, stood dancing in and out of sword swings near the woman's bed.
"Get up Palin! You'll make me look bad in front of our attractive friend!" The lady fluttered her eyelashes, blushing at Tygan's comments. She loosened the grip on the sheets slightly, revealing a good deal of cleavage.
"I think I'll take you up on that Southdale offer, my young friend......." Tygan stopped fighting, his feet suddenly becoming tangle in the mass of unconcious bodies on the floor. He blushed and grinned, a look of surprise and stupidity on his face.
"I, I......I......." Palin yanked him backward, saving him from a painful stabbing by the last remaining brigand.
"Come on, loverboy. You can drool on yourself later. Goodbye ma'am. It was very nice to meet you...," the woman dropped the sheets, "....r breasts........ Goodbye now!" Palin ran out with eyes shut, Tygan in tow.
"Wait, go back! I think I've figured out what to say!" Palin looked at him, a doubtful glance on his face.
"I do! I just didn't say anything because I didn't want you to feel like I was so much better with women! I did that for you!" Palin rolled his eyes. Tygan sheathed his sword, picking up speed as they ran down the street.
"By the way, I got seven. You?" Palin gasped in pain, holding his behind.
"I lost. Spent too much time checking on you."
"Right. You're just envious because she was hitting on me!"
"No. I was busy lamenting because I got shot in the ass!"
A chorus of yells behind them told the duo that more of the brigands had found them. They exhaled deeply and ran faster down the street, arrows hailing around them in a deadly rain. Tygan grabbed Palin.
"Hurry! Behind the cow!"
Cue: Tygan or Lyght
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Palin Freeborn
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-01-2002 10:54 PM
A new friend and his cow.......
Palin and Tygan jumped behind the cow, using it as a shelter against the arrows.
“What the hell is a cow doing in the city?” Tygan asked, making quick glances over it to check on the brigands.
“Making a barricade for us, who cares!”
Arrows flew around them, none hit them or the cow though, these brigands weren’t exactly great marksmen.
“Betty come quick!” They both looked to see an older man calling to the cow, he looked like a farmer, which he probably was, traveling with a cow and all.
“Our barricade is running away!” Tygan shouted.
“Quick follow it!” They kept low staying right beside the cow, more arrows pouring down around them. Suddenly they both found themselves thrown into the air and against a wall. It was the old farmer man.
“Stop endangering my ox, can’t even stand up for yourselves! Lets show them how to fight Betty!” The farmer and the cow charged into all the bandits, taking them by surprise. Soon all the bandits were dead.
“That is one hell of a cow,” Palin whispered to Tygan.
“O, hell, he’s coming back!” The man walked right up to them, Betty at his side. He glared as if ready to throw them around some more.
“Can’t you two stick up for yourselves! Endangering my Betty!”
“Sorry, we didn’t know it was yours, it was a cow in the road, made for good shelter”
“It is an ox damn it!” He shouted at them, he apparently was losing his temper.
“Now now my dear fellow, it was all just a misunderstanding,” Palin stood up and put his arm around the man’s shoulder, “I think you, we, deserve a good round of drinks, what do you say?”
“Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt.” He sighed, he wasn’t really in the mood to hurt these two, they were only kids after all.
“So it’s decided,” Tygan stood up, “I know this great place called the Seventh Traveler, really excellent brew.” He grinned at Palin.
*********************************************
They walked up to the Seventh Traveler, but Tygan stopped at the door.
“Your not bringing the cow in are you?”
“It is an ox! And her name is Betty! And…..no I guess not,” he turned to Betty, “Wait out here Betty, I won’t be long.”
They walked in and found themselves a table. Tygan went up to the bar, “Bartender, three ales please, and make one of them your hardest.”
He walked to the table and set all the mugs in front of them.
“Well I don’t think we’ve introduced ourselves yet. I am Tygan deParte, Traveler extraordinaire. My companion here is Palin, just Palin.” He grinned at Palin, “And yourself?”
“I am Lyght Smith.”
“Well it is a pleasure to meet you,” Tygan took a sip of his ale.
“And you,” Lyght picked up his mug and downed the whole thing. Tygan and Palin both looked at him in awe, their eyes wide.
“What is it? I was thirsty!” he said in his defense, thinking that perhaps his manners had been crude.
“Oh…umm...nothing,” they both shook their heads and drank their ale as if nothing had happened.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-01-2002 11:18 PM
The Journal
Deep within the Balanum Shield Range lay a house. It was not an odd house by Balanian standards, but an outsider may find it so. A small windmill sat outside, turning listlessly and unmanned. An onlooker would call this scenery "peaceful." This is just as well, as the scenic pictorial only hid the turmoil in a man's heart.
Disheveled and reduced, a man emerged from a hidden basement. This man appeared as aged beyond mortal years, and this among others too hid the truth. The man was a mere twenty-five years of age. Despite his condition, this man looked about and smiled a yellow smile of triumph.
"It is finished!" said he to no one in particular.
He ran a hand through his wiry Balanian black hair, smoothing it behind his ears, and searched actively in the room he had emerged into.
"My journal! My journal! Where is it?" He glared at a manservant who had passed into the room. The man assaulted the servingman, all but tackling him to the ground, "You! Where's my journal!?"
"Th-th-there, Master, on the bookshelf..." he barely managed to sputter out.
The Master turned about, and inspected the bookshelf, keeping hold on the manservant's collar. Sure enough, the aged red book sat on the middle shelf of the bookshelf and a little off to the left.
"Next time, leave it on the table..." and the Master thrust his underling away, suddenly disgusted with him. He walked over and retreived his journal, flipping to the first page...
______________
I am a man today. Today marks my twentieth birthday, and I have seen my rite of passage. For prosperity, I will show you.
Father died today. I had never expected him to die, and it's all my fault. He didn't know. He just didn't know. Father asked me to continue on in his stead, and to remember him and mother.
Creator rest her soul.
I'll never forget this day, and I will respect my father's wishes. They must be carried out...
_____________
The master closed his journal, set it on his table, and set about readying himself for his first sleep in a week.
"It will be done..."
_____________
To the Keirus: I request that one or more of you contact me on this character, Leo, and my plans for the future.
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Intelligent, soft-spoken, and aggreeable.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. -- George Bernard Shaw
Posted by Zander Kohen on 02-01-2002 11:30 PM
OOC: Sorry about the double post, but I'll be gone all weekend and I wanted to finish this up so others could continue with the storyline. Once I finish this post, Caliph and Orocia have complete control over my Characters until I return. Keigo, You can take Arkiri if you wish.
IC: Arkiri, who had just left Keigo's room after he refused to let her treat his wounds further, stood on the other side of the door when Tiffarah opened it.
Tiffarah's look of excited expectation dimmed a bit when she saw the girl standing there instead of Zander. Still, she invited Arkiri in, somewhat curious as to her reason for coming, let alone knocking, (not a common occurrance with Arkiri).
The girl stepped past Tiffarah as she shut the door. They turned to face each other, both unsure of what the other was going to do or say.
"I came here to say I'm sorry," Arkiri said, bowing her head to avoid Tiffarah's eyes.
"Geez, everyone has been trying to apologize to me lately!" Tiffarah said, letting out a small laugh. Her lighthearted tone seemed to make Arkiri a bit more comfortable about what she was going to reveal.
"Well, I've been getting between you and Zander on purpose," arkiri blurted out, not sure she would have the strength to repeat it if Tiffarah had asked. Tiffarah looked more than a little stunned at her words.
"You were doing that on purpose?" she asked. "Why?"
"Because I had feelings for him, but now I see that it couldn't be, and you two really seem to like each other," Arkiri explained. "I don't want to get in the way of that anymore; I was childish."
Tiffarah couldn't help but think of how cute it was that she had feelings for Zander. However she didn't mention it.
"I think I love him," she admitted for the first time. "But it's so complicated."
At that moment, Zander strolled through the door, expecting to find Tiffarah alone. He was more than surprised to find Arkiri there as well, chatting in a friendly manner no less.
Arkiri quickly excused herself, leaving Zander and Tiffarah alone again. Their eyes caught and it seemed that at that moment their hearts intwined, they both knew what was coming.
"Zander, I..." she was cut of by his lips pressing against hers.
"You don't need to say it, I already know," he said after pulling away from her slightly. Indeed, he could feel the purest love eminating from her heart, he only hoped he could live up to it himself.
They spent that night in each other's arms. Zander realized, it was now that he would be fulfilling his oath to protect those he loved, not when he had become a Holy Knight. Even that meant next to nothing without love. He would never be far from Tiffarah's side again.
Note: Zander and Tiffarah quite litteraly slept together. They did not make love that night.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Na Pali Wind on 02-01-2002 11:49 PM
From Bargra to Sungan
"Sure!"
"I appologize for my rudeness earlier," Leo piped up, "I was mulling the concept over in my mind. How soon will you be ready?"
"Well I'm ready now if thats alright...you two can pack up anything and put it on the mule tied to the post in front while I look for some food for the 2 day trip to Sungan."
Kaori and Leo walked into their rooms and hauled out their stuff, Kaori looking a bit sore, which made Pali wonder a bit. Shrugging it off she made her way downstairs and walked outside with her companions following behind her. The luggage was tied to the obsinate mule and food was packed as well.
Leaving Bargra's gates behind them about midday, the three began the trip. The traveling was uneventfull and rather dull, only seeing one fellow traveler walking the other directing hauling a horse drawn cart, which made the three horseless travelors lust for some means of easier travel.
When evening creeped up the company reached the edge of the Thole canyon; camping on a grassy knoll along the roadway but enough off of it that they were not easy to spot. Settling in, Leo was voted as first watch followed by Na Pali.
The next morning after a peacefull night Kaori and Na Pali fixed a hearty breakfast while Leo scouted a good means of getting across the canyon. The bridge had been destroyed by some means so there had to be time taken from their trip to go to the Thole and walk around it.
When the detour was finished and they returned to the main road the real action began. They passed a rather suspicious grove of old oak trees, the stillness sending shivers up her spine. The feeling of being watched with thick in the air. The ominous feeling was added to by the lack of singing birds.
"Be ready for anything. I don't like the looks of those trees." Stated Kaori"
"Yeah...the feeling sends shivers up your spine." Agreed Na Pali
As they passed the trees Leo felt a rock hit his heel, causing him to wheel around and see a band of about 5 bandits standing armed to the teeth standing with evil grins on their faces.
Kaori and Na Pali turned as Leo did and started with fear. Na Pali unsheathed her sword and held it in her right hand, causing her blue fire to flicker up and down the blade. Leo unsheated his blade as well, Kaori gripping her staff with the memories of her last encounter fresh in her mind.
"Gimme ya's money!"
"No...Learn to speak you filthy wretches." Na Pali had to admit her "threat" was far from threatening but that was all that came to mind. Leo and Kaori didn't seem to notice but the bandits did. Drawing their scimitars they gave the three a rotton-tooth grin, beginning their attack."
Leo, who was first to react, stabbing at the nearest man, who was mimicked by kaori. Neither succeeded in hitting their targets but made the bandits begin to think that even though they were outnumbered, the three were more than they bargain for, especially since they were facing a girl with blue fire sparking from her fingertips and curling around the blade. They were especially afraid of the young boy who seemed an expert with his blade. They felt that way also to Kaori, holding her staff with a death grip.
Leo lunged forward at one caught off guard and sliced a deep gash in the man's side, who doubled over in pain.
The first man made an attack on leo, cutting him on the arm. Kaori gave a small yelp and lunged at him, sending the butt end of her staff in the man's side.
While her companions were occupied with the two she flipped over one and stabbed him in the back and opened her palm to the man behind her, killing him.
Leo rolled on the ground and flipped up on his feet and plunged his sliverish blade into a man's chest, killing him.
Kaori swung her staff and hits one of them on the head.
In the meelee, the death count was made: 3 dead and 2 injured; leaving two more standing to defend themself, fear etched on their expressions.
after stabbing the man in the chest, one of the remaining two stabbed his sword ito his side, making him double over on the ground.
Na Pali and Kaori let out a cry and Kaori killed Leo's assailant while Na Pali finished off the last one and ran to Leo's side.
Leo lay sprawled out on the ground, a gaping wound on his side, blood forming a puddle on the ground.
Na Pali calmed down and put her palms out over the wound. Her hands glowed a soft radient white light and watched as the muscle began to weave back together, the blood vessels coming together and forming a solid bond, sealing the flow of blood. The wound was brought together and sewn shut with unforseen magic.
The process was slow and tedious but effective. Kaori and Leo were astonished but tried to appear as though they new it all along.
"Eh...I guess I should have told you that I have that ability."
Na Pali stood up and the glowing ceased. She extended her hand to Leo, still sprawled out on the ground, the pain in his side evident but subsided. Leo took her hand and was lifted up onto his feet.
Unfortunatly, during the attack the mule was frightened off with their belongings and food.
"Oh man...just our luck." said Leo with disgust.
Thankfully the mule's reigns had caught on a lowlying branch of an oak tree. With their stuff recovered they reached Sungan by evening.
CUE: Leo or Kaori
__________________
Love is an ocean as deep as the sky;
We gotta keep our arms open, or we are never gonna fly.
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-02-2002 01:58 PM
A walk in the Moonlight
Til’Sylvanna woke as the moon was setting. The night was still in the grove of trees in which they sheltered. Nelcar slept at her side, moonlight bathing his sad face. I have done that, she thought as she stood up, careful not to disturb him. He is sad because of me. It seems to be my fate in life to hurt those I love most. She sighed and moved to touch a lock of his wayward raven dark hair, restraining at the last moment. She could not. Not ever… not after… Once more she sighed and walked silently away.
Closing her eyes, she felt for him… She knew she would find him. Walking to a large rowan tree, she passed another sleeping Elwain. He was fair of hair and unfamiliar to her. That must have been the unknown voice. she thought as she walked past him. Standing at the foot of the great tree she whispered, “Please come down. I don’t want to be alone.”
Saeth Shen dropped from where he had been keeping watch, land landed silently at her bare feet. His wise eyes were full of compassion, and of a shared pain. The Lady reached out and took his hand, despite his effort to keep it from her. She pushed back his sleeve to find angry red marks like her own upon his wrists.
“Why did you not tell me?” She asked quietly, though with no hint of any accusation.
“I did not feel I had to, and you did not ask.”
“Why? Why choose the Nish’talle’A’diran?”
He looked away from her for a moment and out into the night. In the distance the lights of Gania shone bright and reflected from his eyes. “Because of the honor I hold for Valerian, and for you. You are not like anyone else, not even among the Elwain. I honor that.” His face was still of emotion, but she could see that there was turmoil within him.
“I am glad,” she said looking also out into the starlit evening. “I am honored to have one such as you at my side. It will make my way easier to bear. Will you walk a bit with me? We will not go far, but I do not wish to wake the others.” He nodded.
For a while they walked in silence, but soon she broke it. “You know what happened,” she said very quietly. “I know that you must. No matter what happens to me, I must ask that you never tell anyone what you know. Never.”
He frowned. “Do you love Nelcar,” he said without preamble.
Somehow she was not surprised by his question. “I had thought I was beginning to. Now, it does not matter. I am not the same, and can never be. I will not allow him to touch one such as I have become. I am unclean, he deserves better. It will be better this way… This is the only way.” Though she held her head high, she could not hide the breaking of her heart from him.
Saeth said nothing for a very long time. Finally he spoke, choosing his words carefully. “I have lived my life alone. All that I am, I am for the Elwain. Though I will not presume to advise you as to your best course of action, keep this in mind. All the ages of the world are a vary long time to be alone. Perhaps you should let him choose as his heart wills.”
She considered his words. “Perhaps so, but I cannot. There are things which, once broken, can never be mended. Much time must pass ere I can even consider love. The hurt is still too near.”
Saeth stopped for a moment and held her in his powerful eyes. Tears fell from her own. “ Just remember that you are not alone, Til’Sylvanna. I am not Valerian and would never think to take his honored place, but I may understand more of your pain than you think.”
She leaned against him, tears still falling, her whole body shaking from the power of her bottled up emotions. All the pain, hurt, shame, and fear of the last few days came tumbling out. For a very long while they stayed thus, her crying, him just holding her as a father would a daughter.
Finally, she had nothing left. She had no tears left to cry. She took a shaky breath and composed herself. “Thank you,” she whispered with a weak smile. “Thank you for everything.”
They began the walk back to their sleeping friends, she asking about the new Elwain, him explaining Finrandel’s help in her rescue. Once back, she searched her pack she kept her things in, finding a change of garb.
“I am going down to the pond we saw along the way to wash off the filth of my captivity. I will feel much better then.”
He smiled and returned to his watchful post in the tree. “ I will be right here should you need me.”
She turned to him as she began to leave. “I know… thank you. Always, thank you.”
CUE: Nelcar, Finrandel, Saeth.
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 02-02-2002 02:15 PM
Scarlet had seen Indigo fall into some sort of trance as they strolled around the perimeter of the ship. A few moments later he shook his head vigorously then spoke.
“Scarlet…We have to talk in private. Now.”
If he hadn’t looked so serious at that moment she would have been highly irritated at him giving her orders, but she complied without disdain.
He led her back into their cabin and sat on the bed looking extremely worried. Scarlet sat next to him and gently took his hand.
“It’s her, isn’t it? You felt something I didn’t.” Indigo shook his head and leaned in to her.
“I didn’t just feel it. I saw it. I had a vision of her lying in a cell.... She’s been hurt very badly.” As he spoke Scarlet began to feel a pain well up within her. Not a physical pain, but agonizing the same. It was a pain that only women could empathize with. She looked at Indigo with tears standing in her eyes.
“We can’t wait any longer Indigo. We have to get to Gania as soon as possible and find her.”
“How do you know that’s where she is?” Scarlet stared at her feet, and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I just know.” Tears fell to the hardwood floor below. She felt Indigo’s hand brush them away and he lifted her chin to meet her mouth with his own.
“Indigo?”
“Yes?”
“When we get back to Gania, will you take me to see your family?” Indigo was somewhat surprised that she would ask about his family at a time like this. But he gave her a firm hug and kissed her forehead.
“Of course.”
As she smiled a devious spark suddenly jumped into Scarlet’s eyes and before Indigo had time to react she swung around behind him nipping his neck playfully and running her hands under his shirt. He was taken by surprise, but found he rather enjoyed having her tease him. Catching on to her playfulness he brought his hands behind his back and began to tickle her sides. She laughed hysterically and rolled onto her back, trying to escape Indigo’s reach. It was no use. He tickled her until the corners of her eyes were damp with tears and her breath came in ragged gasps broken by a series of giggles. He smiled down from his vantage point on top of her, then lowered his head to kiss her neck. He felt her hands running across his back and smiled.
The young couple would not emerge from their cabin for another three hours.
__________________
"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-02-2002 04:38 PM
The flight of the Pink Terror
“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!” Carla’s arms flailed wildly as she tripped over an unattended basket, sending its contents spilling over the muddy street and right in the path of an oncoming carriage. The owner could only watch helplessly as several horses ran over the rare and very expensive tapestries he had just purchased. He fell to his knees and began to cry. Meanwhile, several people nearby were hit repeatedly with Carla’s parasol as she attempted to steady herself, but alas gravity betrayed her and she fell backwards, not before reaching for what she believed was a rail.
There was a terrible ripping noise as the skirt tore from the body of a woman who had just turned her back to peer into a shop. Feeling the sudden draft, she looked back and was horrified to see her skirt around her ankles and an attentive audience of men gaping at her exposed lower half. She shrieked and turned to run inside, but Carla had not yet released her grip on the skirt so she made it no more than two steps before she stumbled over the folds of fabric and into the doorway of the shop. Some men laughed and whistled at the spectacle, but those, including the distressed owner of the tapestries, who had received blows from a certain pink parasol turned their attention to the cause of it all.
Carla looked at the ring of people surrounding her and gulped. Rising slowly, she brushed off her dusty dress and daintily perched the parasol over her right shoulder. She laughed nervously and took a small step toward her only exit. The shop doorway.
“Aheh….heh…. Oops.”
A man who had received the cruelest blow a man can get cracked his knuckles and glared flaming daggers at the pink terror. Needing no other cue, Carla turned and ran into the shop, and into the lady who she had just de-skirted. Her voice came out in a growl.
“You…”
Merciful Creator protect me!!, she thought as she turned and broke through the circle of angry shoppers. From behind her she could hear furious shouts and what sounded like a stampede of ogres chasing after her through the streets of Gania. Luckily, she was small enough to dart her way through the narrow streets, sometimes knocking over fruit stands and once plowing right into an enormous cage full of carrier pigeons which broke open, releasing them over the crowd. The air was soon full of flying projectiles which people tried desperately to avoid, but to no avail. Almost everyone who went to market that day returned home splattered with pigeon doo.
Leaving behind a trail of destruction, Carla rounded a corner and ran right into a group of men carrying several large bags running around the same corner from the opposite side. She being of lesser mass, was of course knocked to the ground but not before tripping up the others who fell like dominos. The bags they had been carrying burst upon impact and a river of gold grans rolled into the street. The leader of the group of thieves groaned and rubbed his head, then saw the people swarming over the money in the street.
“SHIT!!” He looked around furiously for the person responsible for the blundered robbery and saw the girl dressed in pink lying in the center of the chaos. The other men were trying to reclaim what they could of the stolen money, but it was too late. Like a flock of buzzards the crowd had picked the streets clean of the grans. Furious, the three other thieves also turned to Carla and brought out their knives.
“You little idiot!! Look at what you’ve done!” Feeling quite angry at being knocked down then insulted, Carla retorted.
“Who are you calling an idiot!? You’re the thieves who just got robbed!!”
In retrospect, Carla realized that that may not have been the best thing to say, but the damage was done and she was now running, occasionally tripping, for her life.
Why me??, she thought remorsefully as she tripped over a cane belonging to an elderly gentleman, knocking him sideways into a pillow display and her head first into a young man who had just appeared out of a tavern doorway.
CUE: Tygan deParte
__________________
So what if I'm a girl?! I could kick your- Oh!! Ack!! Pardon me!!! CRASH!!!!!!!!!! BLAM!!! OWW!!! AAAAAAAAIIIIIEEE!!!!
Posted by Bara Chinder on 02-02-2002 04:51 PM
The moment of madness
A strong sun came cascading through the poorly made window shade. Bara Chinder sat up in his bed. The room was grubby and dingy. There was a wash room down the hall so Bara dragged his sore head and self up and decided to bathe.
Bathing was a pleasure Bara allowed himself when he had the money. On returning to his room he noticed the note.
On reading it he was consumed with thought.
What master? Kill who? How did I get this?
He was feeling very rough so he went down for the hair of the dog.
As he sat at the bar the tender walked up to him.
"Man came in here looking for you a while ago. Says to say if you want the work be outside the Stone masons at six." he said. "And me and grub want you out tonight." he added slightly nervously.
'What have I done now?' Bara thought but decided not to ask. "O.K." he said, "Time?"
"Half four, about." the man replied.
Bara stood up and walked up stairs to get his stuff. A few minutes later he was outside.
Bara was wandering and he saw a small corale. Outside he saw the capallan he had met in the bar the day before. Conchiur was standing outside doing a deal with a tall man dressed in red. Bara stood and watched for a while. After a few minutes and when the deal was done Conchuir spotted him he waved.
"Any thoughts friend?" He called.
Bara strolled over to him. "Bara, and no."Your people should know all about it all anyway."
"Probably, but I think we may need to call the muster horns. Im not alone with my opinions either."
"Well will your fellow belivers not travel?"
"Ah Bara are you that disgruntled? You still sit with other nomads, croisbui and all."
"That not your business. I'll do what I want." said Bara turning away.
"I know you are still loyal. You still wear the lamh dearag well. Don't walk away friend, I know you will come to."
Bara was half listening as he walked away.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At six he was standing outside the stone masons. The mason himself was looking rather suspiciously at him.
Bara was looking around when somthing was stuck into his back.
"If you want the work walk over to that alley" a voice hissed.
Bara's better jugment resisted the temptation to turn with dagger drawn. Once in the alley he leaned against the wall. On the far side of the alley afigure in a wide brimmed hat approached. Bara's hand reached for his dagger.
"Im a good shot with this bow so dont try it nomad." He said cool as ice.
The killer approached. " have a need to dispose of someone." He whispered, "and I-."
"Dont ever stick any thing into my back again" Chinder interrupted. He could for the first time see the mans face .
He had a cold grey hue to his skin. He looked like a lunisian but bara was not sure. His eyes were cold but deep...very deep. Bara shook himself. "Understand?"
A fist caught Baras solarplexus. He reeled but the punch had been meant to shock not hurt.
" You understand this. Two lanes down there is a brothel. It has a large red wood door. You cant miss it. A couple, Man and woman Very important. They have some sort of fetish involving whores. Kill them both and anyone who comes out with them. They'll be in about 10. wait for them to come out."
Baras religion didnt come into it any more. The money would be good. He Nodded.
"I'll meet you after. Here." said the killer.
Bara backed away and turned around. He felt somthing was wrong. He was trusting a heartless murderer. He'd done worse though. "He has red hair and wears a purple jacket."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bara stood in the dark of an alley beside the door to the whore house. Presently a man came out of the door.
Red hair, Purple coat.
He was accompanied by a rather ugly woman. Bara stepped into his path.
A Strange wave came over Bara. It felt darker. but He could see better. He felt the dagger in his hand cradled by his side inside his coat.
A rage came over Bara. His hatred and shame welled up. A shadow obscure his thoughts.
Bara thrust forward with his knife. It plunged deep into the mans waist. He dragged the the knife out side ways.
The man gasped, he felt a warm mass fell out o the gash. The woman started to scream. Bara punched her in the face, hard , as the mans disembowled body fell sideways. she fell backward. Bara raised the knife.
Wicked thoughts raced through Baras mind. He grabbed her breast and stabbed her throught the throat.
"We are too late," A fimiliar voice Lamented dramatically, " Get him he killed the head of the guild!" A group of men ran at Bara.
Baras sense came screaming painfully back into his head. What had he done? What came over him? He took off the other way.
Two men came into his way. Bara was at full sprint he stepped up a box to one side and sprug passed the first. The second caught a full force blow from Baras staff as he fumbled with his sword.
Bara sprinted from lane to lane,street to street. He ran and ran. Untill He could run no more so he ducked into a large door. He fell to the floor. His mind was a mess. He felt somthing Horrible in the lane, and it was calling him.
He lay on the floor.
Outside there was a whisper. "Come out laimh daerag. I had to use you, but you survived. Lord Gheral could use your skills. Come out of that vile place." Bara crawled up further into the building.
A voice came from inside the building. "Even such as you can come back to the creator, son. Come this way." Bara stood and walked to wards the alter.
"I can't....but....the darkness..." Bara rambled.
"You can."
Bara fell again. The strain on his mind was even greater now. Two cleargymen picked him up and carried him to a room. His mind was a mess of right and wrong. acts of evil or good.
There was a war in his soul.
He blacked out.
OOC: Sorry about the length of the post but Im trying to catch up with world events. If you sped through it, try to go over again. Its a really important post.
__________________
If pro is the opposite of con, then progress is the opposite of congress.
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-02-2002 05:07 PM
Tygan walked out of the tavern, stretching his arms. These last days have been insane! Adventure isn’t what I expected, but it sure is fun!
“oof,” he stumbled back a little and looked down. A girl in pink had ran right into him. “Slow down lass, you could get hurt running through the city like that. As he spoke the thieves had caught up and one of them took hold of her.
“I apologize sir, I’m this girls father,” he looked at the girl with pure anger, “You know how it is when kids get loose in the city, anything could happen!”
Tygan found it hard to believe this man, I mean this girls clothing was worth more than all the items these men carried, “O definitely,” Tygan smiled, “If you don’t mind me asking, which of these lovely gentlemen,” he motioned his hand to the rest of the thieves, “is your wife?”
“What! How dare you!” The men pulled out their daggers.
“Do you often travel armed with your daughter?” Tygan grinned at the man.
“You die!” the man pushed the girl back to one of his comrades, but she tripped and her parasol hit the man in the groin, causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
“I wonder, how did you buy her such a nice dress with a vocabulary such as that?”
“Graa!” The man charged in, swinging his dagger with little skill. Tygan parried it off with his rapier and yawned with his other hand.
“Help me boys!” Three more came in, swinging their weapons at Tygan.
This isn’t looking good, even though they have no skill with their weapons, three against one is bad odds.
He made his way to the girl while hold the men’s attacks off, then quickly he thrust his dagger into one’s side and kicked another in the stomach.
“Come on, lets get out of here!” Tygan said to the girl, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet as they started to run.
“Thanks!” she said happily, but then changed her tone, “But I could have handled them!”
Tygan sighed, “O yes, of course, but a helping hand never hurts.” There was no use arguing with her.
“You don’t believe me!” She hit him with her parasol.
Tygan sighed again, why me? “Come on, this isn’t the time!” But he suddenly stopped.
“Why are we stopping?! They are chasing us!” she shouted, but she stopped when she saw what he had seen. A huge ox ran past them, right into the band of thieves. It swung it’s horns around knocking the men here and there.
“I love that cow.”
“It’s an Ox damn it!” Tygan looked up to see Lyght, once again armed with his pitchfork.
Tygan laughed, “Ok ok, it is an ox!”
“It’s not just an Ox, it is Betty!”
“Ok I get the point!”
Lyght looked down at Carla, “Who is your new friend?”
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-02-2002 06:31 PM
Carla stared from the farmer with the cow back to the man who had saved her, scrutinizing both with a critical eye. She knew she owed them an explanation, but she wasn’t stupid enough to tell them the entire truth. If she told them where she really came from they may take her back there. Taking a deep breath in, she shouldered her parasol and dipped into a small curtsy.
“My name is Carla……uh….Tylania.” Both men raised one eyebrow at this. She continued, thinking quickly and fabricating a wild story.
“I’ve never known my parents. I was abandoned at a shabby orphanage where the owners treated all of the children horribly, myself included. We were forced to work like slaves, only we weren’t treated as well.” She spoke with a quavering voice now, meanwhile admiring her own thespian skills as the two men listened intently.
“I just couldn’t take it anymore! I ran away and I never want to go back!” She broke down into hysterical sobs, perhaps overdoing it a bit. Several people were shooting dirty looks at Lyght and Tygan. He looked over to his friend with the cow and was appalled to see him sniffling softly.
"Come on you poor thing, lets get you inside, I'll get you some food." Carla allowed herself to be escorted inside the tavern, leaving Tygan looking dumbfounded in the street. He shook his head in disgust, hardly believing that Lyght could’ve fallen for such a shoddy lie. The girl was obviously well bred. He could tell by her clothes and her manners. Sighing, he raised his hands in defeat and followed them inside.
As Lyght led Carla to a booth she tripped over an upraised floorboard and accidentally smacked the rear of a barmaid with her parasol. Unfortunately for Tygan the bar wench hadn’t seen her perpetrator and assumed that the young man had tried to make a pass at her.
"How dare you!"
"N..No it wa-" She slapped him fiercely, causing him to fall back against a table full of men who were gambling, destroying their game and their attitudes. One of them rose from his seat and stared hard at Tygan, swaying slightly.
“Shhhhaay….You wanna fight, tough guy?” Tygan noted his drunken state with mild disgust and brandished his rapier. Lyght approached him from behind and turned Tygan to face him. His eyes blazed with parental fury as he grabbed the front of his shirt.
“How dare you hit on barmaids in the presence of a child!!! Have you no SHAME!!!!??”
“But I-“
“Hey!! Who the hell are you?” Lyght looked past Tygan at the drunkard and growled.
“Watch your mouth with a child present!!,” he bellowed, making a sweeping motion toward Carla, who stood nervously in the center of the room.
“You can’t talk to me that way…,” the drunk slurred, getting ready to throw a punch. Tygan silently prayed to the Creator.
Suddenly, a flash of pink cut across their field of view and struck the drunk man squarely in the chest. He toppled backward into another patron sitting on a stool at the bar who in turn fell sideways into the man next to him and so on until all the stools had been rid of their occupants. The bar came to a silent standstill and a tiny voice carried across the room.
“Oops.”
Carla stood wide-eyed and flustered in front of the two men, gripping her parasol tightly. Astonished, Lyght released his grip on Tygan who in turn grabbed Carla’s hand and bustled her up the stairs into the room, with Lyght on his heels.
Meanwhile, the patrons wondered just what the hell had happened.
CUE: Tygan, Lyght, and if you care to join us, Palin.
__________________
So what if I'm a girl?! I could kick your- Oh!! Ack!! Pardon me!!! CRASH!!!!!!!!!! BLAM!!! OWW!!! AAAAAAAAIIIIIEEE!!!!
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-02-2002 07:03 PM
The Plans
(OOC: Ooh, look at all the amorous goings on. Poor Leo.)
IC:
The Master woke from his sleep with a start in a cold sweat, short of breath. He muttered audibly, "Terrors.."
Just as a child retreats to his favorite toy or trinket, so the master came to his Journal. He sat up in his bed with it in his lap, and set about reading the words he had writ those five long years ago.
_____________
It has been three months of my father's death. He was right. Grandfather's prints were right where father said they would be. Who would think an entire labratory would be under this quaint little house?
I found the contraptions Grandfather started all those years ago, and these are they. The battle tank, the mole, and the invincible golem.. With these, I shall be invincible!
My associate paid a visit to Balanum today, and brought back some men to help our cause. These are reasonably bright men, but none of them bright enough to question my means. These are the kind of men to lead. Grease monkeys, they are. Merely grease monkeys.
I shall avenge my father's father. And Mother, too. She will have her sweet vengence. I will avenge Father's death, too.. they did this, all of it. I will get them, get them all.. I shall rule first this tiny province, and move on to attain my means and my vengence.
_____________
The master grinned his yellow grin, closed his book, and laid back down onto his comfortable, consoling bed.
"Vengence...."
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Intelligent, soft-spoken, and aggreeable.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. -- George Bernard Shaw
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-02-2002 08:07 PM
The Arrival or The Boy
Security was lax at daytime, so entry to the city was quite easily obtained. Na Pali saw to the condition of the pack mule and their provisions while Kaori handled their lodgings. After everyone had paid their share, Leo separated from the pair, saying he'd like to see some of the more boring sights Sungan had to offer.
Well, I'm here, thought he as he wandered the streets, What now? Leo checked his pouch briefly. The situation of money lingered on his mind, I wonder if I've got enough to lease a studio...
Leo happened to be in either a residential or artistic district of Sungan, as if anyone could tell. He chuckled idly at the lax security and the innate quaintness of this city.
Even with the people on their harder times, these were happy days. Leo grinned. He mentally embraced the poor sods who had attempted to bar his path. Leo felt he knew these people better, their sorrows and woes, and forgave them.
By now, Leo had found himself near the docks, and looked into the far-off horizon. Just seeing so far made Leo feel so free, so far away from the constricting fog of Noit. Here, at the end of a deserted pier, staring off into the boundless seas, Leo began to think of his past.
_____________
"Leo!" he remembered the agitated sound of Rose's voice every morning "Breakfast!" Leo's favorite, and a rarity around this household, was potatoes and eggs. This was a simple and cheap dish to prepare, but the sow-matron, Rose, thought it very bland, so this meal weny missing from everyday breakfast.
Mentally, Leo retraced the trip downstairs into the common kitchen and dining room. He remembered which boards creaked under how much pressure and how loudly. He always skipped the thirteenth step up and down, and spent extra time on the seventh ones.
Leo's orphanage was usually full-between ten and twenty, higher during wintertime. He remembered the orphanage's capacity was exceeded at the time he had "aged out." Leo thought of the children he knew longest and fondest.
He remembered Benny, who was adopted around six years past. They came into the orphanage at about the same time. Leo was three that year, and Benny was two. They forever got in trouble together, playing hunting and wargames, as well as pilfering the store-house on occaision. When people reffered to them, they did so as if they had collectively one name- Bennyandleo or Leoandbenny. They shared problems, which were abundant, and their triumphs few, and Leo felt he could tell Benny anything and vice versa.
When time came that Benny was adopted, Leo was torn asunder. He was happy for his dear friend, and at the same time upset that he was leaving and jealous that he left first.
One rainy evening after Benny was adopted and that same year came a knock at the door. Leo had seen this scene before many times, but it was the first time he had seen men carrying in a newborn. These were no ordinary men, so he guessed this baby was extraordinary too.
"A kid had this sun-of-a-gun onboard our ship," the spokesman for these men began, "And we want him to have a good home. Could you look after him?" After a long pause, the spokesman pleaded, "Please?"
Matron Bella, who was, unknown to Leo at the time, Leo's Aunt, spoke up, "Well, there's always room for one-"
"Now you can't be sayin' that every time some degenerate comes in with a kid an' a sob story! Besides, it's an infant. Who's gonna nurse it?" This was Rose.
"Oh, the maid! Poor thing, she lost her child not more than a week ago. Maybe she could nurse him?" Bella offered.
"Oh, fine. We'll take it. But it's your responsibility." This again was Rose, in one of her generous moments.
"If I recorded all the names of the children you said were 'my responsibility,' Rose, they'd all be mine and you'd be out of a job."- Bella, in one of her equally rare derisive moments.
"Oh, thank you ladies," the man began, before handing the newborn off to Bella, descisively. He turned about to his companions, "Come on, lads, or the Cap'n'll have our hides and use'm as sails for bein' so late!"
And this was how Leo was introduced to Raven. He kept the name, but he had no last to speak of, similar to Leo and many of the others. Naturally, this was quite common. Leo noted a difference in the children supplied with last names: they were sadder, because they knew the names of the parents that didn't want them, or whose ill had befallen them. The ones without were blissfully ignorant.
Leo grew up with Raven at his side, like a little brother to him. He taught the boy afew tricks of the trade, like how to sneak about the orphanage without being heard, and what foods would go un-noticed if stolen and when and how to pilfer them. He also taught him what to say to which matron and how to look innocent or guilty and when to look which. In this manner Leo had become Raven's older brother, although the boy did not become a miniature Leo.
Raven was a bit of a scamp from Leo's tutelage or perhaps some predisposition, but he had a strong sense of right and wrong. Leo remembered a time when the courier smiled briefly at some mischief Raven had planned, and lit up the rest of Raven's day. Outside of the random acts of kindness and Leo's tutelage, all Raven knew was his hardship, and this made pleasing him all the easier. Leo woke from his memory and looked about himself.
_____________
He saw a black haired boy with familiar two-toned eyes standing on the same pier as Leo. He wore loose-fitting clothing, as if his parents had expected this well-toned little boy to become overfed. Leo inpected him a bit more, and it hit Leo why he was so familiar.
"Raven! Hey, buddy! Is that you, Raven?"
Cue: Orocia. Hey, he's your kid. Did I introduce him properly?
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Intelligent, soft-spoken, and aggreeable.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. -- George Bernard Shaw
Posted by Orocia Agua on 02-02-2002 11:26 PM
And you think you've seen long posts from me before??
OOC: >whew!< Okay, brace yourselves people. The following occurred after Keigo's brawl and before the group boarded the Seamus. This is suupaa looong, and not too terribly important save for character development/relationships ----feel free to skim through, if you wish. But don't totally dismiss it, otherwise, I wouldn't have posted it.
IC:
"...I'll be there in a bit, need to do somethin'." Orocia watched as Keigo ran off into the crowd.
Orocia flashed a look to Zander, then to Caliph. "Don't make me have to play 'Momma'.." Keigo's reckless behavior was beginning to unnerve her. She didn't need some young buck trying to prove his manhood running off, doing something stupid, and ruining everything.
"Try and give him more of a chance, Orocia, he might prove useful.." Zander answered as they walked inside the inn.
"We're not here picking up every vagrant tramp that we meet on the road!" Orocia kept her voice down, but her worry, quickly turning into anger, was very apparrent. She had the small drawstring bag that weird old man had given her back in Helilal slung over her shoulder, with her new cloak wrapped around her brother's butterfly swords inside. She didn't like flashing big weapons out in public-- they drew attention. But her grip around the string handles was so tight from her irritation that her knuckles were turning white.
She felt a hand on her other shoulder. It was Caliph's. He could feel the tension in her shoulders-- the muscles there felt like rock. She looked at him, showing her irritation in her frown. "Don't get too worked up. I need you to keep a clear head." Orocia nodded back, but his words couldn't swipe away that frown. Her brows were so knotted it would take a sailor like her to undo them. Even Arkiri couldn't match her frown to Orocia's-- in fact, Arkiri decided to keep her distance just because of Orocia's frown. She was afraid Orocia might take out some of that irritation on her, and she didn't want to see in what form it would be.
Caliph still had his hand on her shoulder, "We're going to stay in separate inns again. I'll be with Rifkis and you'll be with Tiffarah." He looked up to Zander,"You and Arkiri will stay here?"
"Yes." Arkiri stood a little behind Zander, to try and stay out of Orocia's glare.
"Good. Alright, let's split up. We'll meet back here later in the evening." Rifkis went out ahead, but Caliph stayed for a moment and turned back to Orocia,"Take a walk or something, like you did back in Helilal." He tried to squeeze her shoulder but it was so tense it wouldn't give.
"I think I'd rather kick ass in a bar fight." She watched as Caliph stopped again at the doorway, and gave her a disapproving look. She answered back,"Don't worry, most people are too drunk to really care." Finally, a grin broke on her face. Caliph shook his head as he left, answering back,"I'll trust you not to get in trouble.."
Orocia sighed. Tiffarah stood before her with a concerned look. She seemed really nice, and Orocia wanted to speak with her and get to know her. Looked like they would have the chance now.
She looked up at Tiffarah, "Don't worry. I'll be fine.." In the back of her mind, she thought back to Caliph's mention of her 'walk' back in Helilal. She wasn't sure what exactly he might have been referring to.. He seemed to know everything that went on. But it didn't bother her for the moment. That boy Keigo was her main concern for now.
Tiffarah turned to Zander,"I'll see you in a little bit, Zander." She smiled at him warmly, and received both a smile from Zander and a jealous scowl from Arkiri. Arkiri still had Tiffarah to glare at, if she couldn't squeeze in a nasty face for Orocia.
The two young women left the bar and started to chat as they walked the streets of Synarin.
"How old are you again?" Orocia asked Tiffarah.
"18. And you?" Tiffarah smiled at Orocia.
"Almost 20, in about a month."
Tiffarah looked blankly at Orocia. "You're almost 20? ...." Tiffarah couldn't believe Orocia wasn't much older than she was. She seemed so much older. Granted, she looked like a younger 20-something, but Orocia really seemed to have concerns and burdens of that of someone far older, and in turn acted much more maturely.
"What, I don't act my age?" Orocia understood Tiffarah's expression, who answered her with a shake of the head, 'no.' "Yeah..." Orocia continued, "..I kinda skipped childhood." She was looking down, a little sad, but smiled again as she looked up to Tiffarah. "So how was your life?" Orocia wouldn't mind listening to Tiffarah's story, but she wasn't going to tell Tiffarah much about her own life. Caliph would be the lone soul who knew anything about that horror story.
"...Not so great." Tiffarah continued on and told Orocia a short summary of her story. Orocia found herself to be liking Tiffarah and respecting her. They seemed to share a few things in common, such as having to make it out in the world with no one caring to help.
The pair hadn't walked for long, getting an inn near where Zander and Arkiri were staying; Orocia flashed a knowing look towards Tiffarah, for it was she who suggested they be close by to Zander, and Tiffarah could only answer Orocia's look with a smile, blush, and laugh. On an entirely different note, Orocia mused to herself, as they walked inside, that for a town that was known for its festivals and charming people, Synarin seemed eerily quiet. Perhaps something happened that her group didn't know about? She wished it wasn't so.. This was her birthtown, and she wanted to see it for what it truly was, and perhaps gain some insights... But she knew they weren't staying here for long. It saddened her, but she put those thoughts out of her mind and focused on the situation at hand.
It was a small, warm place, run by an elder lady who seemed to be the authority figure of the gyspy family that ran it. A grandson of hers showed Tiffarah to the room the two would share for the night, while Orocia payed.
The small, frail but strong elderwoman looked up at Orocia with a smile, but Orocia noticed something odd in her eyes. A small shiver ran down her back. She dismissed it for the meantime, from her habit of keeping respectful towards elders, no matter how strange they seemed or acted. "How much for one night, ma'am?"
"Just one gold, my child."
Orocia looked at the woman with happy surprise. "Wow. That's a bargain!" She pulled out a dralar mel, and slid it across the counter to the woman's hand with a wink, "...keep the change." Orocia felt more than nervous carrying the extra money Madam Al'Teyr had sent her, and wanted to lighten the load quickly.
The elderwoman's face lighted up with sincere gratitude,"You are too gracious. Thank You."
"No problem," Orocia stepped back from the counter and turned back towards the entrance, meaning to leave until Tiffarah stopped her. "Where are you going, Orocia? It's starting to get dark, shouldn't we be heading back to where Zander is staying at for that meeting?"
"Don't worry about it, unpack and get comfy, I'll only take 15 minutes. We won't keep the others waiting too long." Orocia was about to start out until a teasing thought stopped her,"...Geez, you're really dying to get back to Zander, aren't you?"
Tiffarah dismissed the question with a smirk. She was still curious and concerned for Orocia,"But where are you going?"
"Out for a walk." And Orocia hurriedly left. A certain someone hadn't come back.
The sun had only begun to set, and Orocia quickly found her target. She had taken notice of what direction he had left, and she was glad that her time with Tiffarah was short, for she found him in the middle of an arena, which she could tell was used for betting on fights, of men, dogs, and gamecocks. She spotted some of the empty cages.
She already saw the men he had beaten. She was getting furious.. Idiot.... Who do you think you are to go off like that? And to brew up trouble?! ...... She couldn't contain her anger any longer, and poor Keigo was going to be her victim:
"You dumb ass."
Keigo spun right around with a look of shock on his face. "Orocia? What are you doing here?!"
She stepped slowly, ominously inside the arena. Bitterly, she spoke,"....'Playing Momma'." She continued her slow advance on him. There was nowhere for him to go except past her.
Caliph's humorous words raced for a swift moment through her head, Looks like you might have another kid to take care of, Orocia. And Keigo's response, which he repeated to her again in the arena now, "I can take care of myself!"
Orocia stopped at arm's length, directly in front of Keigo. She smiled, quite evilly, and gave out a short, mocking laugh. "I can see that. What I am concerned with is how your little antics will get the rest of us in trouble."
Again, Keigo replied, as he did once before,"Don't worry, I won't get in the way."
Mockingly, she cocked her head and smiled, softly musing aloud, "Look at the little cockerel, prancing about, showing off his prowess, impressing the hens, crowing to the world to announce his might, wanting his rightly deserved attention as a good fighter, only to be rid of his head by the scythe of the farmer, who just happened to notice a good meal."
Out of nowhere Keigo saw Orocia's hands pull him by the collar of his shirt. He was so thrown off by what she said that he didn't notice what happened till he was hanging in the air, staring the Tiger in the eye. Although that was what Orocia intended: it was the oldest trick in the book-- throw your opponent off guard so that you can land the first attack. But now she meant to teach him a lesson.
"Do you understand the moral of that story, little boy?" She pressed her face against his, so that he was unable to escape the hold of her eyes. Eerily, he didn't hear a whisper of her breath-- she was as silent as death. He tried to answer but was too shocked at what was happening to formulate any sort of intelligible reply.
Orocia didn't care to wait, as she threw him down behind her and pushed him off balance, making him stumble back, still in shock. "It means, that if you keep running around trying to pick fights, SOMEONE is gonna notice! And I don't think you WANT that!!"
In a flash she had charged and crashed him against the wall by the entrance. Again, she grabbed him by the collar, jerked him up and banged him against the wall. Her grip was fierce, her eyes were dark, the muscles in her arms rippled, and with every word she wanted drilled into him, she shook and slammed him against the wall:
"Un -LESS!- you're -SO!- ---COCKY!!--- that you -THINK!- you -HAVE!- enough ---BALLS!!--- to get away with --RUNNING!, --AROUND!, --WITHOUT!- a ---HEAD!!!!!!"
A few moments passed where Orocia simply held Keigo up, stabbing her glare into his eyes, which were wincing from pain. She wanted to make sure her words were sinking in.
Finally, she broke her own eery silence, and spoke, quietly, in an awkward conversational tone, but looking intently into his eyes. "This is an arena where men bet on fighters. I would like to know, what exactly you were putting up for wager." Her voice was quiet and calm, and would have felt peaceful if the calm of her voice wasn't so odd in itself, with no hint at all of her previous yelling.
"Augh...." Keigo's head was tilted languidly off his neck. It was much too heavy a burden for a whiplashed neck like his. Orocia was patient, never loosening the lock of her glare. "I.... " Keigo sighed. He braced himself, there was no use in lying now, "...I betted on you and the other girls..." he lifted his hand up and opened it to show the wolf pendant, "..for this."
Orocia looked at him incredulously and released her grip of his collar, letting him slide down the wall back on his feet. Keigo was used to being shoved around and threatened, but not ever by a girl, and he doubted many ladies shoved men around like Orocia could. He stood strong but humbly in his place before her, rubbing the pain out of his neck and back, wondering what she would do next.
"........" Orocia did not even attempt to say anything else. One, she couldn't believe how stupid he was for actually betting Arkiri, Tiffarah, and HER, of all people, HER, as a prize. And boy, wouldn't Zander like to know how his two companions could have been stalked and raped by lowly thieves, because they were used in a bet, for a simple pendant. Two, she knew she needed to stop. He got the point, and she was sick and tired of seeing his face.
BAM!!! The wood paneling beside Keigo's face splintered slightly around where Orocia's fist landed. She kept her fist there for a moment before bringing it back. Keigo kept a straight face; it was another threat, but he knew it was valid. Orocia turned around and took a breath, wiping the blood off her knuckles; she was too mad to feel the pain. It was well into the evening. But she needed to bring this to the attention of Caliph and Zander.
She crossed her arms and turned her face to Keigo, "How are you feeling?"
"Like crap."
"Good." She walked out of the arena,"You know where to follow me to."
The group met up at the inn, as expected, and discussed for a short time their travel across the lake. Caliph told the others what he learned about a Shadowspawn attack west of Synarin. The mood was somber, as all realized how dangerous the trip would be. After maybe no more than 10 minutes, the group dismissed, save for Orocia, Caliph, Zander, and Keigo. Tiffarah and Arkiri were still around, but they were eating dinner nearby, curious as to what was being discussed, Arkiri miraculously too interested to care about giving Tiffarah her death glare.
After Orocia explained what Keigo did, both Caliph and Zander delivered their ultimatum to him, Zander a bit more heatedly. Keigo's cocky attitude was more of a threat to Caliph and Orocia-- they didn't need the attention he would bring, but that point was not addressed specifically to him. It took less than 3 minutes to get the point across to Keigo, but now poor Keigo was left wondering and second guessing as to what would be his last straw. As for Orocia, she got the stress relief she needed, and had no regrets taking it out on Keigo, because she knew she had cut his gamecock spurs off for now; but she didn't want any more bad feelings to sour between them.
Back with Tiffarah at their inn, she chuckled lightly thinking about Keigo. He was way too cocky for his own good, but there must be a reason driving it. She hoped she could approach Keigo soon and smooth out all the ruffled feathers.
OOC: WOO! Now to get back in the swing of things!
Posted by Volsung on 02-03-2002 03:01 AM
Volsung last stop in Gran Adageros
Volsung woke up to the sound of the fog bells. “We are approaching Noit.” Volsung though as he rolled off the bed and started dressing. “Well this it the only city in Gran Adageros that I have not seen I hope it as nice as it sounds. Fog, fog, and more fog it should be great,” Volsung chuckled to himself. When Volsung was finished Dressing he hurry up to the deck like a child running up to a candy store to see the Fog banks around the island before they were in them.
“The Fog is quite thick today Sir are you sure you don’t want to wait for the sun to burn a little of it off.” Asked first officer to Veritas
“No I will not delay my ship any longer I plan to land in Noit today one way or anther,” said Veritas in a very stern Voice.
“Yes Captain,” and with that the First officer started yelling out orders to land the Ship.
About this time Volsung got up to where Veritas was standing, “What is going on Sis?”
“We are having some Problems with the fog, but I think we can land.” Just then, a call came up.
“Moving into the fog sir, and I believe I can see the docks,” Yelled the Watchman.
“I wish I could burn his fog off. But body is still recovering from my trip into ice Valley.”
“It’s ok, I think we can do this without, magic…”
Sayomara Interrupted from behind, “Why do that, when fog is such a simple thing to control.” Then Sayomara took flight, and the fog seemed to clear behind. He processed in the same manner until the path was clear all the way to the dock. Then he turned around and came back to the ship. “Now isn’t that better.”
“Yes, but why did you do this?” Asked Veritas
“Because it has been a while since I have had the chance to help someone,” Said Sayomara, then Sayomara waked back to his cabin
“Hey it works for me.” Then she yelled to the whole Crew. “All hands prepare to Dock.”
In matter of minutes, the ship had docked and was tying down. “Don’t tie her down to tight we aren’t stay the night unless we have to. I want everyone to get busy checking that we are full stocked. If we are not go out and get what we need, understand.”
“Yes Sir,” Yelled the Crew in responds.”
Then Veritas turned to the first officer; “I’m leaving you in charge of checking and restocking the ship. Volsung your with me.”
“I will make sure everything is ready,” Said the First officer.
“If you get done before I get back let the crew rest something tells me that it might be while before they get anther.” Then she turned to Volsung, “Let get going we have to pick up a few things ourselves.
The Pair Walked into the Fog covered town, then Volsung spoke up to ask a question, “So what are we here to pick up?”
“Two People, One was that Magi we meet outside of Southdale, The other is John the Royal Guard from Gania.”
“ I remember them, but why are they coming with us?”
“I don’t know, the letter didn’t say I was hoping they could tell us. In any case they are at the Free Port Inn & Bar.”
“And where is that?”
“Somewhere around here, I think. The letter said that it was somewhere near the Docks.” Volsung sighed and the two continued on for about to hours until they found what they had been looking for. “Thank the Creator Lets see if we can find these two hoodlums.” Volsung took the lead and Walked up to the Bar.
“So is there anyone here named John waiting for a ride?”
“The bartender Pointed table in the back and said, “Yah he has been here with his friend for about two weeks.”
“Thanks,” Volsung left a tip on the bar and then Volsung and Veritas walked to the table in the back where the bartender had pointed. “Hello John,” then he tuned to the other man I don’t think you ever told us your name.”
The man stayed sitting, “That was my intention, but since we are to be working together you can call me Nascent.”
The other two looked up at the Magi, “You never told me your name was Nascent I thought you were Bill.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but Nascent is My Magi Name. I will not tell anyone my real name, but now is not the time to talk about this. We should get out to sea there are a great many Terran magic users around here and I don’t trust any of them.”
“I agree with him, Lets get back the ship and then we are out to see we can talk about everything.” Said Veritas and the rest nodded. John and Nascent got up and left some money on the table with a note then the group walked out. Everyone walked quickly with Veritas in the led for she found it a lot easier getting back to the ship than it had been finding the Free port. About a half hour after leaving the inn, the group made it back to the ship. “Are we read to leave?” Asked Veritas to the First officer
“Yes sir everything is fully stocked and the ship has been made read to sail.”
“Then by all means cast off ties and set a course to Asheri.”
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Nelcar on 02-03-2002 04:41 AM
Sleeplessness...
Nelcar had been awake when Til'Sylvanna left his side. More than once, he had thought to speak to her as she slept. Perhaps, he though, there might be some deep, soulful song to sing to her while she rested, thereupon the ground. She had been so near him, and he had held his breath so that he might feel her soft heartbeat, like the slightest tremor, run and disappear into the earth beneath her. And now, she was gone, and he could sense that her soul was with her, now far, far away.
And Nelcar had remained awake when Saeth had asked her a question that he would never have been able to ask. 'Do you love Nelcar?' Saeth had asked.
And again, Nelcar had been awake when she responded to her warder's question, though, perhaps, his heart cried out at that moment. 'I had thought I was beginning to. Now, it does not matter,' she had said to the ranger that had questioned her. If only, at that moment, his heart had not quailed within him, so that he might have heard all that she said to her warder, then, perhaps, he would have suffered the lesser part of anguish that he now felt.
And so, now alone, yet still awake, he continued to feign sleep, though his heart and spirit were restless and his thoughts were consumed by turmoils, some dangerously significant, some petty. Always, he had been blessed with foresight to prepare him for the many fates that had found him thus far, and often he had found himself dreadfully prepared and keenly aware of what the consequences of such fates would be. But such had not been the case when he met the Lady Evenstar. No foresight had warned him that he would meet such a woman just as he was about to forsake his homeland, and nothing had prepared him for the love he knew he felt for her. And, most of all, never would he have thought that such a thing could so quickly and so easily lead him astray, so far from the course he had, not long ago, set for himself to follow. He was ill with unease. So there he laid, a great irony set upon his being; so still and silent he remained, yet his thoughts reeled.
When, finally, he could take no more, he thought to find her and speak with her, though he knew not yet what he would try to say. He had heard Til'Sylvanna tell Saeth Shen that she would be by the pond, and he stood to look for the waters where he might find her. He did not know whether or not Saeth saw him as he left his bed, but if the ranger had seen him, he had said nothing.
Long he wandered, not yet ready to find what he was looking for. Certainly, he could have quickly made his way to the banks of the pond and looked upon its crystalline waters, but he was not yet ready to find her there. But, after he had wandered for a while, trailing the far off song of a nightengale, he returned to his bed, though he did not intend to sleep. Carefully he lifted, from aside his small pillow, the Cenacaiison, its roots still wrapped and well tended. And in his arms, he bore it with him to the banks of the small pond.
Such was his temperment at that moment that he willingly chose to ignore the courtesies of modesty, and he made is way to the banks of the pond, until the very waters covered his feet. There he stood, and he thought to call out to her, hoping that she would be startled, though he knew not why he was compelled to frighten her.
At last, he did, and, in the night, he called out aloud, "Til'Sylvanna, Lady Evenstar, Moon Maiden of the Elwain and not the least of the Sularion, hear me please, yet hear me now."
There, in the center of the small pond, she tread, and she turned lithly when she heard his voice. The stars above shined in the pond, mirrored by the glasslike waters, and Til'Sylvanna shone like the stars mirrored all about her. At that moment, and for but that moment only, Neclaur, looked to the skys above, thinking that he might see her there, thinking that, perhaps, the lady in the pond was just another celestial reflection of a great light from afar. But certainly, he knew that she was there, and he knew that he would speak with her.
Nelcar continued to wade toward her until his knees were now bathed in the cool waters. Then, he spoke to her once more. "I come to you now to speak to you, for I could bear no longer to lie there alone. Indeed, I was awake when you left me, for I could not sleep knowing that you were pained. I am not a warrior and could never defend you as might Saeth with his sword or Finrandel with the power of Nish'talle A'diran, but could I defend you with what power I might have to contend amongst the mighty of this world, then perhaps wisdom might serve as my better weapon. Poisoned waters will not forever remain deadly, for the black ichors that fouled them will soon be carried away by the new rain, fallen from the stars. And the barren field will not forever remain fruitless, for, should the tiller remain patient, the earth may yet be bountiful. So too it is with the soul, for the power of Creation ever burns within us all, and never shall the same flame burn twice. In the end, all evil shall be burned away, and from its ashes, a new light will shine."
While she had slept near Nelcar, he had thought deeply, and he knew, or supposed he knew, what might have befallen her during her captivity. But, as was his character, Nelcar supposed he knew many things, though, more often than not, he knew little of what he supposed.
After a short silence, she replied, though her voice was quiet, for she did not call out, as had Nelcar. Nelcar wished that he could see her face, but he could not, despite its radience. "If, kinsman, you now bear with me my secret, then bear too with me all my grief and know that the pain is yet too new to be nurtured with wisdom, nor even compassion. Yet, please be thanked by my heart that will not permit me leave you without deserved love."
Then, Nelcar called out again, his voice rising in the night, though the peace of the darkness was not disturbed. "And awake I was when you spoke to your warder. And now I say that, if love does not matter any more Til'Sylvanna, then I neither deserve it or want it, for what else would matter in this world, if not for love? But love is not always akin to compassion and adoration, for both of these I shall ever hold unto you. But, no more shall I say, for I am loath to speak unless protected by thoughtfullness, and in my heart, I am, often, not thoughtful."
He continued, though he turned from the banks. He could feel the warmth of his spirit within him, though like breathing, it was often ignored unless he chose to concentrate and think of its warmth. (His parents were right to have named him Firesong). "I am wise Til'Sylvanna, though no wiser than the rest of our blessed people, yet no secret shall forever remain hidden from me. Although I do not understand the nature of your power, I know enough to be certain that you are in danger. Your strength is greatest when you sleep and, because of this, I can only suppose that you and I do not dream alike, nor would I ever fully understand how it is you dream. Alas, however, I do think that you know how I and, more so, what I dream of. I need not an explanation, but should I speak the truth, then know that things born of Shadow, things that might await in our nightmares, these things may seek dominion over you and your power. When first we were attacked while leaving blessed Hethilin, I supposed that the dark spirit who came upon us and felled Valerian came for you and you alone, and now, I believe I am right, more than ever. Should this be the case, then no wisdom nor power in this forest will ever deliver you fully from your fate."
He stooped to the ground, not far from the pond, and there he planted the Cenacaiison.
"I had thought to keep this with me, but I know now that light will forever shine here upon the waters of this pond. For I feel within me, though you will not believe me, that you have consecrated, if but for the very least in my heart alone, these waters. And here I will remain if you return to Evisis, though again I might follow if you return with me to Gania. Regardless of whether or not you follow the path that has been laid before you, I have much to learn elsewhere, and, I am not a stranger to traveling alone. Though, as I said before, if you should choose to travel with me, then we might yet still profit of one another's wisdom and companionship."
At that, he turned quickly, leaving her no time to reply, and he left the pond. He did not wish to hear what she might have to say, for he feared that his resolve would quickly melt away, and his true feelings would then be exposed to her, and indeed, to himself.
CUE: Til', Saeth, Finrandel
__________________
Tend to the litany,
and bare it with your wisdom.
Then, with wisdom more, bear it,
and litigate that which has now become your Law.
Posted by Lyght Smith on 02-03-2002 05:11 AM
This is going to be a long night right betty, "Moo"
Lyght stopped about half way up the stairs to pull out his pitchfork. When the two People seen the pitchfork they stopped in there tracks. “I suggest you stop NOW!!!” The men almost fell backwards at the sound of Lyght’s Voice.
“Please don’t hurt us, it was all just a big misunderstanding.” Said the man in front who was almost to the point of crying
“It had better been, Now go back to your drinks, and here have one on me.” Then Lyght throw a sliver Gran, but the men were some afraid of the farmer that when they seen him throwing something they both ran back down the stairs. “Good riddance, bunch of low lives.” Lyght thought as he walked up the stairs.
At the top of the stairs, he found Tygan chatting with Carla. “What are you doing; filling her head with other crap I bet!”
“No, no I was just asking her some questions.” Said Tygan is a cowering voice.
“Is this true, Carla?” Asked Lyght suddenly changing his tone of voice from Wrath of god to sweet and caring.
“Yes he was asking me what I remember about my family,” answered the girl in sweet innocent Voice.
“Ok, I guess I have been a little hard on you Tygan, but try to be more careful in the future.”
“Yes I promise not to touch any more woman in the but while impressionable young girls are around,” said Tygan with a grin on his face.
“Your pushing it.” about his time Carla heard the footsteps of someone coming up the stairs.
“Sir, Someone is coming,” said Carla pulling on Lyght coat. Then both Lyght and Tygan turned toward the stairs and pulled out there weapons.
“Get behind us Carla. The two of us can take care whatever it is.” The footsteps were getting louder and louder. Both Lyght and Tygan started sweating profusely, as they gripped there weapons more tightly with every passing moment. Then a man popped his head up
“Ahh,” Palin screamed, “What the Hell is going no here? I thought we had this settled it not a cow it’s a Ox.” Lyght and Tygan both dropped their weapons, and breathed a sigh of relief, “Why did you guy just leave me at the bar? I mean first you (pointing to Tygan) go out for so air then Farmer Lyght here suddenly get up from the table and run out the door leaving me there to pick up the tab. So, when I finally did get out of the bar you were both long gone.” So I have been going around asking about a man with a pitchfork and a cow, and that lend me here.” Said Palin
“I’m sorry but I kind of forgot about you,” Said Tygan.
“I would like to know how you forgot about the guy who you have been fighting with for the last few days!”
“Hey I’m sorry, it was an honest mistake.”
“I’m sure it was. I mean I understand the farmer just forgetting about me, but…”
Lyght suddenly spoke up, “Do you two always flight like old women.” Tygan and Palin stopped died at he Farmer comment, and then he continued. “That’s better now do you guys have a place to stay tonight. The men shook there heads, “I see, well I’m going to ask the Bartender If we can just stay here tonight and then we can figure out the rest tomorrow. You two watch Carla, and try not to fight as more. Its not good when a 15 year old girl acts better than two grown men.” Then Lyght took off his overcoat. “Here honey you can use his as pillow, and I’m sorry we don’t have better place to sleep tonight.”
“Its ok, but I do have one question. Who are you?” I mean you know who I am. So isn’t it right that I know who you all are.”
“Of course your Right. I’m Lyght Smith, but you can call me Uncle Lyght. The man with Blue hat Is Tygan DeParte, and the other guy with the black hair is Palin Freeborn.”
“Nice to meet you all…” but the Girl fell asleep before she could finish the sentence.
“I will take care of the room and you two can get ready for bed.” Then the Farmer walked down the steps leaving Palin and Tygan to talk about Carla.
Cue: Carla, Tygan, or Palin
__________________
I just can't help but fell greater powers are involed here.
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 02-03-2002 11:10 AM
She sat by the lake on the rock that she once loved thinking of memories of the past with her father and the fun games they used to play. She stared at the ripples in the water and saw her mothers face the eyes which she always wanted to have her hair that was the exact resemblance to her own and her nature to find out why everything was done the way it was done, but soon she got tired of memories. She wanted knowledge again. Plus she wanted to know what happen to her parents the day they died. She quckly got up and ran away from the lake stop by whats left of her home just a square line on the ground marking how big it was. Soon tears began to fall and she tried to hold them back but the pain was too strong. She wipes heer eyes softly and began to run again.
She stopped by a stable. While looking about she hid behind the door and as the tender came out she rushed inside silently as she could. She stopped right behid the door and ask "which one of u would like to become my horse?" all of them was silent except one who stomped wildly as if it were never trained. She was as black as night and had shiny hair which glowed with the sun. Cybele walked slowly toward the horse and jumped over the wooden cage the horse had been place in. she petted the horse sofly and wisped to her "thank u for your help in advance." The horse nodded and jumped in responce. She quickly got on to the horse. "Ok lets go! Yah!" The horse knocked down the cage and galloped to the back door. "whoa! i forgot something." she jumped off the horse an place a bag of gold on the place where the horse had pooped. "hope he finds it" she said with a smile as she jumped back on the horse.
"Ok now we can go Yah!!" and the horse knocked the door down and they rode off together.
__________________
i must know everything about everything!!
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 02-03-2002 12:37 PM
She rode a long time passing old houses and dirty inns until she came across a burned down house. She jumped off the horse and climbed up a tree to look at it from another angle
"Well well well, look at what we have here." she said as she stared at the ruined home.
What was left was dead bodies and a woman getting dressed.
"What happened here??" she asked herself"this dosnt seem logical. One woman defeating a whole bunch of bandits. Nope someone else was here"
She jumped down from the tree back on to the horse and rode down to the sceene. She stoped in front of the the lady who had wrapped a sheet around her and wore it as if it were a dress.
"what happend here?" Cybele asked
"O this amazing thing happened."
"If it involved guys it wouldn't be that amazing." Cybele replied
"Ok......anyway these two guys came through the window in the room was in and they were chased by some other men and they fought them off and exscaped through the door and the place was on fire so they had to get out fast. plus one of them was pretty cute so i just had to flirt with him." the lady said
"uh huh right....... figures...." Cybele said as she shook her head "Ok.......Do you know where they went"
"Actually no i didn't see them after they jumped out of the window."
"Ok then there probably not very far not after a big brawl like this. By any chance do u know why the house was burned?"
"Nope sorry."
"Thats alright all will come in due time. Farwell my only witness." Cybele said as she waved goodbye
She jumped back on the horse. "looks like we found out first investigation. Lets find out more shall we. yah!"
and the rode down the road to stop at an inn.
__________________
i must know everything about everything!!
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-03-2002 03:32 PM
Tygan and Palin stood in the room while Lyght was downstairs paying. Both were attempting to be quiet since Carla was sleeping.
“I still can't believe you would fight without me!” Palin whispered in a shocked voice, as if he was truly hurt by the thought.
“O shut up and sit down. I’ll tell you what happened!”
“No I’d rather just sta..” Tygan pushed Palin into a seat, “AHHHHH!” He hopped out and jumped around in pain, making noises and curses.
“Shhh, she is sleeping! What the heck is the matter with you!?”
“I was shot in the ass! Remember?” he said through a clenched jaw.
Tygan put is hand over his mouth, trying to hide both his smile and hold in his laughter.
“It’s not funny!”
Just then Lyght burst into the room, “What are you two doing!? What was that noise!?”
Both looked to him in surprise, “Shhh!” Lyght remembered that Carla was sleeping and gave an apologetic look.
“I was trying to tell Palin who she is.”
“O, well in that case,” Lyght turned to Palin, “She is an orphan, from a terrible terrible orphanage, they treated her so harshly,” he sniffled, “She was so scared! She had to run away,” he was now on the brink of tears. Tygan just rolled his eyes and sighed.
Palin looked to Tygan oddly, “O, yes, it is true…” Tygan said with little enthusiasm.
This didn’t make Lyght very happy, he grabbed Tygan’s shoulder and spun him so they were face to face, “Have you no heart!” he said in a low and harsh tone, “This girl has gone through something terrible! We should take care of her, she can’t survive on her own!”
Tygan tried to look serious, he didn’t want to share his doubts, it would only anger Lyght more than he already was, “Of course Lyght, I understand what you mean!”
“So, do I!” piped Palin. They would talk to her in the morning to see if she wished to join them.
Tygan wishing to get off the subject decided to bring up a more important need, “Where are we going to head next?”
They all sat there, trying to think of something to say, none of them had really thought on the subject. Lyght wanted to get revenge on the wolves, but he didn’t want to take these kids into it, he didn’t want to lose anyone else.
“I think we need to get Lyght a real weapon,” Palin said.
“I have a real weapon!”
“No, you have a hay poker, I mean something fight worthy!”
“Like what?”
“How about a halberd?” Tygan chipped in.
“A halberd?” Lyght questioned.
“Ya, you know, a pole with an axe like head piece.”
“I know what it is! I just never really thought of getting a real weapon….” He replied almost sadly, thinking perhaps he had been a fool going out into the world with his mighty pitchfork, “Then we go to Xellos?”
“Xellos?” Both Tygan and Palin asked.
“Well of course, it is the best place for weapons, and it is only a days walk away!”
Tygan shrugged, “Sure why not, but for now lets get some sleep. I’ve been shot at, almost burned alive, stabbed at more times than I can count, and tossed around by this crazy farmer,” motioning to Lyght, “I am more than a little tired!”
“You were shot at? I was shot!”
Tygan and Lyght laughed as Palin glared at them both.
“It’s not funny!”
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Leo Saotome on 02-03-2002 09:12 PM
The Trio
The Master awoke from his sleep with the gentle voice of his maid..
"Master? The sun has been up for hours now. Would you like me to reschedule the meeting you had planned?"
The master was too groggy to be cross with her. For that matter, he was feeling amorous, "No. Come here and help me dress."
Which is what she did, after for their short quarter-hour of bedplay.
The master went to his office, reading his journal to pass the time.
_____________
Four years. Four long years it has been. My machines are now near completion.
The mole is a deadly siege vehicle, capable of leveling buildings and toppling walls. No watch tower will go untouched, and all I need it one hole in those city walls.. This vehicle rolls on treads with a drill-nose adorning its front.
The tank is of similar design, though in the stead of a drill-nose there is a rotating turret atop it. A cannon adorns this turret, and runs on a similar theory as the Balanum rifles. Although, instead of a mere large shot is a canister of explosive gun powder.
My golem is of human-like design, fifteen scale. In the place of hands, however, are a twin-edged blade and a shorter flame-cannon.
These I am very proud in, but I am not so proud that I cannot see weakness in my grandfather's brain-children.
The mole's weapon needs very tedious care, and after a short while of rampage its rotary axle will clog and jam. I am afraid the steam-powered engine will continue to run the drill and cause an internal explosion.
Also, the tank's long cannon seems to serve as a lightning rod, and its metallic treads as grounding. One well-placed electric shock will render the pilot unconscious and perhaps ignite the canisters inside.
I will not pilot the mole or the tank for these reasons. The golem is lined with an unconductive metal along the inside, so an electric shock shall only add to my golem's fury. However, because of the weapons added my golem has a heavy upper body. The added stress weakens the knee-joints of the golem such that an accurate shot from a rifle or high-powered handgun will render my golem inoperable. However, thanks to my provisions, there is no added danger to the pilot (myself).
I should remedy these mistakes, but I am out of the resources required. For these reasons I must make a quick strike on the city Balanum and use resources there to remedy my grandfather's lack of foresight. The weather must be clear, as well. My associate will pilot the tank for his markmanship, and we will have the head of my grease monkeys pilot the mole.
I estimate the completion will take one more year..
_____________
The master looked up from his journal as a knock came to the door of his office.
"Come in..."
__________________
~Leo Saotome
Intelligent, soft-spoken, and aggreeable.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. -- George Bernard Shaw
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-03-2002 10:08 PM
"Tell me..."
"Nelcar!"
The voice rang not in his ears, but in his mind. Comprehension eluded him and he was made uncertain. How could this be? Such a thing had not ever been heard of? How was it that she could be in his mind? He was amazed, and even a little frightened. He stood where he was, going no further.
"Do you in your wisdom, Nelcar son of Alaer, think yourself above reproach? Think you that you are so wise that you know so well my heart? Beware, you have said something very foolish." Still her voice was in his mind, and it was like a burning fire. She continued to come nearer, water glimmering about her like the very diamonds of the earth and the stars of the heavens. Soon she would be leaving the cover of the pond, naked for all the night to dear witness.
Once more she spoke in his mind and her voice was fire and ice. "I loved you the moment when first I saw you. Linfell spoke of you with such care, and I knew I had to know this soul for whom he had such admiration. When first I saw you that day and heard the sound of your song, I was lost to any other. In your deep blue eyes I was drown and from whence I could never be delivered. For the first time since I had lost my brother, I thought that I could love. You shared a pain with me, a passion, and a knowledge. Ever from that moment I belonged to no other."
As she drew out of the water, she made no effort to cover herself, moonlight glinting with the water shining on her body making her seem to burn with night's fire. He silver eyes burned with the power of her furry, for his words had cut her deeply. "What would you have me say? To tell you how I feel? To make me lay bear my soul for you to approve or disapprove as you would!?"
He did not turn, for he knew that her face would wield too great a power over his heart, but he stopped, and softly, he spoke to her.
"No, I am not beyond reproach. Beyond all sense and wit, perhaps, but not beyond reproach. Nor do I consider myself wise. Were I wise, then, indeed I would never have brought you to Gania and led you along a fate that was, perhaps, not yours to share with me.”
This time she yelled for him to hear with his outward senses. "I CHOSE MY PATH!!! Do not think to take blame for what was not thine to bear!!! Gania was MY choice!"
She was almost to him now. He could feel the burning of the great power that was within her... a fire that could destroy if left unchecked.
"And yes!" he cried. I would have you tell me what your heart may feel. For I cannot pierce you soul, though I know you can see through me. You could see through me when we slept and, perhaps, you walked amidst my dreams, yet still, you left me, and you declared your heart to Saeth. How can you speak of love now, so readily, when, before you bathed within the pond, you chose to forsake what might have been between us? This I do not understand."
She stopped, cold coming from her, the silence thick. "Give my your hands," she said in a whisper.
"You speak of the fate you would bear with me. You speak as if you had any idea what lies within my soul. I ask you, Nelcar, have you the strength of will to really See? I can show you, but the Seeing may well destroy you. Choose, or leave my to my sorrow."
He watched her for a moment, unsure what it was that she would do in this fae temper that had hold of her. Never had he seen such strong emotion in she who had always seemed calm and serene.
"I would look to see what you would show me, but do not think that my soul is unprepared for the task. If at all, watch closely your spirit." And he turned to her and took her by her extended hands.
Her eyes blazed in the silver of the moon, and she took hold of him, her hands becoming like a vice.
At first he felt his mind reel under the impact of her roughly taking control of him. Suddenly her felt the weight of her 750 years of life come crashing down upon him... his inner-self was lost under the power of her, and screamed in pain for the loss he felt of his mind.
The loss of her mother... her brother and their close bond... her slaying of him and the near madness which had almost killed her... he thought his heart would break from it. Next he saw her dreams... horror and pain of the Visions from which she could not escape... A darkness that threatened to consume her, and thus him. A fear to even sleep at night, a wish to run and hide. And then Linfell, laughing and smiling... bringing her light when all she wanted to do was die... Valerian... ever there... kind and loyal... Her father, sad but much loved...
Visions again... a red star and a blue... the face of a red-haired woman and a strong bond, one that surpassed all time and distance. A young human man with an easy smile, and hidden power. He had saved her in that dark prison... a bond forged there as well. A shared fate.
Next he saw himself through her eyes... her love and adoration... respect and wonder... he was deeply touched to see how she really saw him, and the trust she must have to show him her innermost thoughts. There he found her love and acceptance...
The Vex... a darkness trying to consume her... The nightmare with her brother trying to bring her into the Shadow… a searing pain ripped through his body, as it had hers when she had felt the pain of the red star.
Next was pain... he thought it would rend his mind asunder! Cold Iron... oh Creator the pain!!!!! And a man... claw-like hands upon her pale skin... he felt the horror, shame, pain, and self revulsion she felt... a spiral into darkness from which there seemed to be no end...
Then there was a witness... the heart of her... Til’Sylvanna as she really was, a figure bathed in white. He met her there, in that place of gray mist...
"Welcome to my world," she said quietly. "Herein lies the heart of my power. That which the enemy seeks is here. Here lie the answers to your questions about me, what it is I seek to do, and from what I run." She did not look at him, but out into the grayness.
"Where are we, and are we truly together?" asked Neclaur.
"This is the Realm of Dreams. Why I can come here, I do not know. I have only of late been able to come here as I will. Now do you understand? I did not want you to have to See this, or the pain of my memories... I did not want you to suffer as I have... I wanted to save you. Save you from the Shadow from which I cannot escape. The fate that I cannot deny"
"But I see nothing in this void. Nothing but you, although that would be enough."
She took a step toward him... he noticed that even here, the livid red burns did not fade from her arms.
"Then I will show you..."
She closed her eyes and all the light around her seemed to burn... he found himself looking upon their campsite. Saeth in the great rowan tree, Finrandel yet sleeping... "This is not even the beginning... There is not a place in all the world that I cannot go from here. Here is the stuff of dreams. Here, there is nothing that can long be unknown to me. Nothing." She smiled grimly as his eyes narrowed." Once more they were in the gray mist. She held out her hands and the mist seemed to condense around them...
Nelcar looked to her wrists. "Do you feel pain here as well?"
Her smile faded a little... "Yes... even here I hurt... though in time it will heal."
"Do not fear, I have never gone into the dreams of one who did not wish it. Never yours, though you accused me otherwise."
He thought to speak, though he remained silent for the moment, although he yearned to say something. "This is the power that would be possessed by those who would hold dominion over others."
"Yes, for one of evil, this power would be prized above all things. From where we stand, the fate of the world could be changed, should one wish to do so."
But still, despite her presence and despite the tranquil grayness all about him, his temper thwarted his words. "Still, all this changes nothing, although now I may better be able to understand why it is that you shall never love me."
He paused, and then said once more with coldness and hurt that he could not hide from her.
"For, what place have I in all that you might see? "
She screamed, a sound which filled all of his being and echoed in the dreams of many sleepers that night. "I DO LOVE YOU, YOU FOOL!!!"
Once again she burned, white fire wreathing her body in that place.
A tear fell freely from his cheek. He was losing.
"Did you not See what I have become?!?! I am not pure!!! I have been sullied!!! Uncouth hands have had me, and I am shamed!!!! Is THAT enough for you?" She turned from him.
"But you are pure!" he pleaded. Say you that I have no wisdom? Say you that I have not the spirit to withstand the sorrows of the world? Think you that I would falter here after what I have seen in you and in myself?"
"No and never. For I see differently what you would think tainted. There is sorrow here only if you look for it and keep it, and, although I cannot pierce this gray horizon, I can feel all the hidden wonder about me. You question purity? There is nothing more pure. And, no wisdom I claim to have guided me to such exclamations. I have but need of my eyes and my heart. Yet, why cannot you see the same? Have you not your own eyes and your own heart to bear you and guide you, that you might see what is so obvious to me, yet hidden from you?"
"Til'Sylvanna Evenstar. Never again shall I come here with you, for this is not my realm, nor shall it ever be. But, if you cannot see what lies beneath the veil that you have cast upon this world, then, perhaps, you shall be guided by the broken stillness.”
And, at that moment, Nelcar began to sing, filling the silence with his heart and his voice. He knew not why he did so, but he could do nothing more. It was his defense in this world that he did not understand. And so, there and for the first time, he sang of his love of The Evenstar, Moon Maiden of the Elwain, and all was, for a while, well and peaceful.
When he began to sing, the white fire, which had wreathed her, vanished and she fell upon her knees. All the sorrow and anger and pain and shame of her life met with the love, and hope, and power she had found. These things warred in her until she thought she could take it no longer...
His song enfolded her and bore her far away from herself, took her away from all things, and she found stillness… and at last, peace.
Finally, from her place fallen at his feet, she looked up at him, silver eyes full of unshed tears... "Tell me how you feel. Tell me that you love me."
"I do," he said softly.
"Please return with me. Let us go back Til'Sylvanna. We have had enough of this...you have had enough."
"Not until you say the words... I must hear them."
"I love you," he said at last. He should not have looked sorrowful, yet his eyes filled with tears.
And with that they were enfolded with heavenly white light, soft and warm. As they left, he abandoned from within him a great part of his power, and he knew that, thereafter, his voice would never leave her there alone. He opened his eyes to find himself back within his body once more. Til'Sylvanna lay upon the earth, eyes yet closed, body cold.
When she felt his hand upon her still form, her eyes opened. She reached up and touched his cheek. He smiled as he felt her soft hand upon his face, and finally, after the last of his temper has been stayed, he reached for her wrists and gently kissed them.
There in the starlit night, they were healed, and would hurt her no more. He lifted her up and boar her to where her clean cloths lay, turning so that she could dress. He looked out into the night and could not help but smile.
In the near distance he heard the sound of hooves, and of someone riding at a great speed. Keen sight he had, a gift of his father, and soon he saw a sight which turned his blood to ice in his vanes.
The Vex. It had found her.
CUE: Saeth, Finrandel, Nelcar
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Orocia Agua on 02-04-2002 12:58 AM
Super Wal*Mart Economy Size Post #2
OOC:
EDIT by KE: we corrected the post order here, so I removed the part about it being in the wrong order..
Sorry if the quality ain't all good, I was hurrying myself with this-- don't like to keep y'all waiting! *notices her country grammar* oO;
IC:
After first boarding the Seamus, Orocia simply wanted to go to her cabin, and plop on the bed, and just lay there. She hadn't remembered actually feeling herself breath in a while, and when that happened, she made herself leave the real world, to literally "take a breather." She laid on the bed, and the only thought she had before she zoned out, staring upwards at the ceiling, was that she never had a bed like this on any ship. Nope, just a hammock... only on land, and only with the rich, did she ever have a bed like this... but she succesfully blanked out her mind, listening to the soft whir of the engines, before her mind ventured into dark territory.
After some time, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in." It was Caliph. He closed the door slightly, and stayed standing in the doorway.
"Your friend Scarlet is here. And so is Alex." Caliph made sure not to mention Alex's condition yet.
Those names stirred her heart, but tonight was not the night. She sat up, respectfully, and looked at Caliph. "I'll see them soon enough. But I need tonight for me... I need some quiet."
Caliph nodded understandingly. "Just a friendly reminder."
Orocia smiled. "Thanks, I appreciate it, Caliph." She noticed him being a little bit friendlier.
Caliph turned to leave, and shut the door softly, "Good Night, Orocia."
" 'Night, Caliph."
Caliph's entry was the jolt she needed to get back to the real world. She reflected on what the elderwoman of the inn she and Tiffarah had stayed at in Synarin told her:
Not being able to sleep that night, Orocia left Tiffarah in her sleep, and went to the lounge where she found the elderwoman waiting peacefully. The shiver Orocia felt earlier that day occupied her thoughts, and she knew that this woman was the cause, for some reason. The only way to find out was to ask. Orocia took a seat, facing the woman, not knowing what to say or expect.
"You are very troubled..."
Orocia looked at the woman with skepticism, "Yes, but everyone has their troubles. I'm no different."
The woman smiled, "But a sailor like you should be able to tie up all those loose ends."
"What do you want, madam?" This woman's words were beginning to unnerve her.
"Only for you to realize that is the question you should be asking yourself." The woman sat up and leaned forward. "There is a clash of interests dividing your heart, above all the other breaks and tears it has recieved in your twenty years; and now you have a choice. Either become a great healer or a great killer."
Orocia's face went blank with surprise. "A healer? Like a doctor?"
"Possibly. But not only the living need healing. You have lived a life full of hardship, yet you have overcome. Your aura...it burns like one of your tattoos. There is crimson for the blood, the passion, the deep emotions you have come to understand. And the mysterious blue of the ocean's deep: you can understand and empathize with a person's dark side. You understand and do not fear death."
A frown crept on to Orocia's face, "Go on."
"Well, if you decide to heal, I think you can become very admirable among the roaming spirits of Aeterna. They can be useful, sometimes."
"Thanks, but I don't think I want to be a spook magnet. I've already attracted a vampire."
The elderwoman arched an eyebrow at this. She did not read anything in particular about any vampires while seeing in Orocia's mind. "Well, then, the other choice you have is to become a killer. You're already guilty of murder, and you have quite an ability to empty yourself of emotions, although lately the guilt you've managed to escape for all these years has finally caught you. But... if you let yourself fall into the darkness, I see no way of anyone stopping you."
Orocia sat up straight, "But I'm not cold-hearted."
The woman looked at Orocia with a knowing eye, "You can be, you have been, and you can be fully devoid of any warm emotions if you want. As I said before, your heart burns in two colors. You can be both warm and cold, and amazingly you're inviting in either. As a child loves to play in the sun, she also loves to dream in the dark."
Her frown growing deeper, Orocia spoke, "I've lived my entire life with one foot in the day and the other in the night. Why must I choose now? Why can't I be both?"
The woman took a good look at Orocia. "Perhaps you can... but I want to say that those two sides will always battle each other to win over your heart. You won't find the peace you are looking for if you choose both."
Orocia stood up; she had heard enough. "I think I'll take your earlier advice, madam: I'll just tie up my loose ends. I've been neglecting to do so, and now I find myself running out of rope." She winked at the woman as she turned back towards the room,"That's all I need to do."
"But before you go," the elderwoman spoke out,".....your son is in Sungan."
This stopped Orocia in her tracks. She turned back and looked intently at the woman; she felt angry, but she didn't want to reject this new information...
The elderwoman naturally picked up on this,"I did not mean to disrespect you. I only felt that you wanted to know."
The next day on the Seamus, Orocia spent most of the day walking around, admiring the magnificent ship, and speaking with her crew. She had also visited Alexandros. At first, she thought him dead the first time she walked in and saw Zander kneeling by him. Zander failed miserably at assuring her he was alive by saying he was "in a better place." But before Orocia could start crying, Zander managed to confuse her in trying to explain what was wrong with him. Glad that at least she wasn't crying, he left her alone with him, hoping that would reassure her he was still alive. All she needed was to hear his heartbeat, which she did by gently placing her ear to his chest. The coldness of his skin worried her a little, but his strong heartbeat slowly washed that worry away. She stayed in that position for awhile before sitting up and saying a few things to him. At most, they were gentle teases, like,"Tell me what it's like when you get back." But there was so much more she wanted to say. Before she left, she brushed his hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead, "...Come back soon." She would visit him again tomorrow.
The day after, she learned of what happened with Keigo from one of the crewmembers and ran to see him first thing, hoping that what she had done in Synarin was not the cause; but she found him in good hands with Arkiri. Keigo was tense at first when he saw her, and got concerned when she asked Arkiri to leave for a moment.
"I don't see why I need to leave, anything you have to say to him you can say in front of me." Arkiri flashed a rather nasty glare.
Orocia glared a dark look back down to Arkiri. But it was Keigo who finally got her to leave. "Arkiri, I'm a little thirsty, can you bring me some water?" Immediately, Arkiri left. Orocia smiled down at Keigo. "How are you feeling?" She added a smirk at the end of her question.
"Like crap." He was wary of what Orocia might do to him today, but felt she meant no harm.
"I'm sorry," Orocia sat down on the seat next to Keigo's bed. Keigo laughed a little, "I was expecting you to say 'Good.' "
"Well, that's what I came here for. I want you to know I can be a really nice person, but if necessary I'll get mean."
"I understand... Mom." Keigo smiled teasingly at Orocia.
"I am not your or Arkiri's mother!" Orocia stood up, giving an irritated sigh. "I'm hoping I drilled it into you enough, Keigo, not to run off like that again, without telling the rest of us what you're really up to first." But her irritation melted away as she looked at some of Keigo's bandages, "...Anyways, how'd this happen? It wasn't because of me, was it?"
Keigo could tell she was genuinely concerned,"Nah, you didn't rustle me up that hard, but I'm sure you can. Actually, I'm not sure why this happened..."
Orocia shook her head in wonder at Keigo's injury, "...I hope ya get better."
"I'm feeling much better already. Thanks, Orocia." She smiled back at him as she left, letting Arkiri in to fuss over him.
Almost instantly she ran into Scarlet, who was walking down the hallway with Indigo. Both stopped and stared at each other not knowing what to say.
"Scarlet, I'll go on ahead." Indigo gave a friendly smile to Orocia as he left the two friends alone. Still, neither of the girls spoke; instead, they attacked each other with fierce hugs and laughter.
"By the Creator! I thought I'd never see you again!!" The friends couldn't stop laughing and smiling at each other, but Scarlet broke the moment, "Have you seen Alexandros yet?"
"Yes. I hope he comes back soon."
Scarlet put her hands on Orocia's shoulders, "He will. Are you going to see him today?"
"Yes, but now that you're here, I--"
Scarlet put a finger to Orocia's lips. "He's more important. Go see him first."
"But Scarlet!!"
"It's okay, I'm sure we'll have more time to catch up on everything." Scarlet took Orocia's hand,"I'll take you there."
Once arrived, Scarlet gave Orocia one last hug. "I know you want to talk, and so do I; I miss you. But he's more important right now." With one last squeeze, she added,"I promise we'll meet again, and I promise we'll catch up on all the time we've lost." She kissed her friend on the cheek goodbye and ran back to catch up with Indigo.
Orocia smiled as she watched her friend leave, despite feeling a little sad that she didn't get to spend much time with Scarlet. But she focused herself on seeing Alex now. She opened the door to the prayer room, and as expected, found Zander kneeling beside Alexandros. He took his cue and got up to leave, smiling back at Orocia as he left.
She sat beside Alexandros on his bed, petting his hair.
"You know, the only reason I'm in this prayer room is because of you..." She looked down at his face, tracing his contours with her fingertips. "Creator knows I don't even walk by churches. I'm afraid I might get hit by lightning.."
She leaned forward on him, her face just a breath away from his, and touched the meshai on his face. He could feel his heartbeat against her chest. Blushing a little, she shook her head at herself. "How funny... I didn't want to admit it before, but..."
Suddenly his eyes blinked open. She stopped her sentence cold, and froze, watching his eyes. They looked oddly different from what she remembered; they were now a bright grey with gold flecks that seemed to dance about.
He furrowed his brows a little as his eyes adjusted,"....Orocia?" He felt a little dizzy and disoriented, and sleepy, like after one sleeps for too long, and he thought perhaps he was dreaming, although from the looks of it, it seemed like a really nice dream.
Whatever Orocia meant to say was stuck at her throat as she found herself in a compromising position. How would she explain this one?
Alex, still blinking and adjusting his eyesight, smiled at her,"Orocia? What are you doing on top of me?" His grin broke into a laugh as he noticed her cheeks blush into a deep crimson. Slowly, he sat up; but Orocia was back sitting straight in a flash, as if nothing happened.
Blushing still, and not wanting to look anymore foolish, she made herself talk, "...Alex?"
Taking a deep breath and stretching, while curiously eyeing Orocia, he caught her mistake. "Didn't I tell you not to call me Alex?"
Her blush began to fade as she busted out laughing and hugged Alex tight.
OOC: WOO! I CAUGHT UP! *screams TRL style* WOO!! JOIN THE NAVY!!
Posted by Saeth Shen on 02-04-2002 12:59 AM
The Shadow and the Shining Shadow
"Til'Sylvanna," Nelcar said with gread dread in his voice. How could he have found her only to risk losing her? "Call out to Saeth, and hurry. The Vex has returned."
She, having just finished dressing, closed her silver eyes and called out into his mind. "My Guardian," she called, "We are in danger. The Vex approaches. Please hurry!"
Saeth was already on the ground and running. "Mistress, Young Nelcar, Finrandel, the fiend besets us, Run!"
The young Finrandel ran after Saeth, preparing his weapons as he ran. They took off in the direction that his wards could feel the darkness approaching from at a full sprint, never looking back, Saeth unknowing of Finrandels presence only a few steps behind, assuming that his command would be obeyed.
Til'Sylvanna moaned, for she was nearly exhausted from so much time in the Dreaming, and from having taken Nelcar there. Still, child of a warrior father, she stood at ready, defencive kata at the ready.
The Vex rode atop a black horse, and it came upon them like the very night wind itself, a shadow in the deeper night. Saeth could see it bearing down towards Finrandel, who was now beside the elder Elwain. It had drawn its dark sword from the dark forges, and held it above its grey, corrupted head. Nerrofeyl flashed above Finrandel as he held his footing, Tolorin close behind. Finrandel began to worry, for never had he faced such a foe
Saeth calmly drew El'Desh'Ketai, and turned to Finrandel, "Take the others to safety, I bid you, and If I am to fall here, protect the maiden with your life,"
Til felt, more than saw, the arrival of the other Elwain, as they stood ahead of her and Nelcar, and hope burned within her, "I do not wish to leave your side here." Nelcar looked to Til, who looked back with the light in her eyes.
"Beware" she called into their minds, "Do not pierce it for to do so will be your death!" Finrandel was taken a back by the communication, for he had never heard of one who could speak within the minds of others.
"GO!" Saeth yelled, and shoved the younger Elwain roughly. There was obvious pain in his eyes from doing so, but Finrandel also saw wisdom in those eyes. Finrandel paused for but a heartbeat, then turn and ran towards the others
Saeth charged foreward to meet the fiend as far away from his wards as possible, and then in what seemed an instant, it was upon him.
Nelcar stood before her protectivly. It would have to slay him if it wished her. Finrandel was coming back towards them, they saw, and he spoke with an empty voice, "Follow me,"
"But we cannot leave him to die!" Til yelled, Neclar trying to lead her away with Finrandel.
"He is a formidable warrior in his own right," Finrandel spoke sadly but forcefully, "And he is a warder... he knows best. Now come!" There was a great terror in her eyes as Finrandel spoke, for this thing had haunted her long and taken one whom she had much loved.
Saeth raised his blade to fend off the fiend's first strike, and was nearly knocked from his feet from the strength of the blow. He turned to meet his foe, fear in his eyes, but the strongest, most resolute will in his heart. Til'Sylvanna could feel all of this through the bond, as well as the fact that the first blow of the fight had shattered his left wrist. He stood resolute, however. So long as he lived, there would be no harm come upon his charge. The creature came again, and instead of blocking, Saeth hurled himself headlong into the rider of the horse, and found himself rolling on the ground.
As Finrandel went to lay a hand on her, she hissed and stood back. "No. I will not let him die too! I will leave if hope is lost, but it is not so yet!"
Suddenly, an idea came to her, for much had she been in prayer to the Creator for aid. Finrandel sighed, then with uncanny speed, he took off towards the warrior. "Sing," she called onto Nelcar,"Sing of all that is Holy and good! Sing of the Light and of grace banashing the Shadow!"
Finrandel was at Saeth's side, by some miracle of his magics. "They're not leaving, so I am not."
The creature was upon the ground, and rose slowly and eeirily to meet Finrandel's gaze. A spike of pain shot through the bond as Saeth pushed himself up with his left hand. Til screamed and fell to the ground, reeling in his pain. Weapons high, Finrandel prepared for a strike, his Elwain teachings at the forefront of his mind. Saeth dropped into a defensive stance, not knowing of what style these fiends were trained. As Finrandel struck, Saeth also charged in, The younger Elwain striking low, and Saeth heaving his blade high.
Gathering all her will, The White Lady gave unto him her light... and her Sight. "See that which is hidden form the eyes of the wakeing. Find the stone of its heart." And in their minds, both Saeth and Finrandel could see as if another world... and a dark red glow about the Vex' chest. Neclar sang with light from his soul, but worry was in his mind, he knew time was short.
The creature swung directly at Finrandel, and for a moment it seemed as if he were not gonig to dodge. The vexes blade misssed Finrandel by a mere hair's width as he disappeared from where he was and appeared only inches to the right. He struck at the creature's legs. As Saeth's blade came at the creature's head, it simply raised a heavily armored gauntlet and met the blade with preternatural strength. Finrandel assailed the creature, momentarily distracted by Saeth and as the Esiai'desh'mirain's blade fell, so did Finrandel strike the being.
All the while Nelcar stood at Til's side, holding her and singing. Such was the power of his song that it gave strength to his kindred and power against the fell creature of Shadow.
The Vex laughed its cold laugh "Come little Elwain. See thy death as thy brother did. You cannot hope to win."
Saeth could feel the burning of Til'Sylvanna's power... but as all fires, it would soon be spent. She was tired beyond measure and soon she would not be able to even run. Sensing her weakness through the bond, Saeth did only what he knew he must. Jumping towards the beast, he raised his voice into an old war cry lost to all but himself and two dead Elwain. He was pierced through the left arm by the creature's parrying dagger, and as he pushed himself foreward onto the blade, he slammed his fist into the fiend's noseless face.
"Saeth!" shouted Finrandel, taken aback by the Elwain's sudden leap.
"Die!" Saeth cried in Elwain, as he repeatedly rammed his right hand into the face of the creature. In the confusion of the unconventional assult, Finrandel was able to catch the creature's blade in a trap and flung it very near Saeth's own weapon.
"The heart Unseen" Til cried out to Saeth. "Shatter the heart of stone!"and as she spoke, Nelcar sang, and through his song, lent strength to his companions.
Finrandel brought Narrofeyl back, and then, careful of Saeth, brought it down upon the creature's arm, sinking his blade deep, and feeling the warmth go out of his body as he struck the creature. A shock of pain soon joined the chill, and He fell to his knees, such pain previously unknown to him. Narrofeyl remained clenched in his fist, but his hands took on a pale blueish hue. Seeing Finrandel fall, and thinking of Valerian, Saeth screamed as he had in the days of old. As pleased as he would be to join his friends, he knew he must defend this girl. Drawing an arrow from his quiver with his broken left hand, he jammed it into the creature's throat, but unlike the silver steel of the blades both he and Finrandel used, the shaft of the arrow was made of the lively heartwood of the Evisis, and the poision of the creature could not touch it.
In her mind Til'Sylvanna prayed to the Creator for strength. Pleading for the lives of her brothers.
"Die" Saeth cried again and again, in the battle rage that had seemed to have taken him, all that the White lady felt from him was a great sense of honor, and the tingling pains of his left hand. He ripped the heartwood arrow from the creature and jammed it into its face.
The creature fell back, fligning Saeth to the side, who fell to the ground, and in a stroke of good luck, landed on his right arm. His left arm was no longer there as far as he was concerned. he could not feel or move it, so it was not there. Drawing another arrow from his quiver he rushed to meet the creature once again.
"Don't leave me!!!" she cried into his mind, "Please... do not fall I cannot bare it!" and onto him she gave the last of her strength, as blinding silver light surrounding him. She fell back upon the earth, a deep unconsiousness upon her. She had done all that she could.
Finrandel gazed at the scene before him, his mind and body numb, and it was the war cry of lost brethern once again, as Saeth erupted in the blinding light of the Elwain maiden, and rushed towards the Vex. The creature rose from the ground, pulling the arrow from it's cheek, and tossing it aside, it made a run for it's weapon.
"Finrandel! Blade!" Saeth cried out, still running towards the creature, the light sparking in rainbow motes behgind him..
Finrandel, near-unconscious, understood the being's intent and waved his arm, and the creature's blade sank into the soil about it, blade first. Then Saeth was upon the creature, driving it to the ground with his knee, he knocked off the helmet of the fiend with a fury of the Guardian Legend, and drove the arrow through the neck of the creature and into the ground. A flash of light erupted from the wound, and Saeth was thrown backwards as the creature exploded in a forceful display of blood and gore.
Nelcar looked about as his song faded into the night. saeth was rising from the ground, but gripped his arm as if it were chilled. Finrandel lay upon the ground, unmoving except for his taking of breath. Til lay peacefully, exhaused, and to Nelcar's amusement, snoring a bit. With Saeth's help, Nelcar dragged Finrandel back to their camp, where he saw the extent of the damage done. Saeth's arm was black and swollen as if poisioned, and so silently did the Elwain bare it that he did not know of it until they were within the firelight. Finrandel as well was discoloerd, his whole body having taken on a bluish hue. Nelcar quickly set to work creating the remedies of the wood that he did know, and taking Saeth's advice to the herbalism very seriously. An hour passed, and Til awakened. Unfortunately, Saeth had fallen unconcious from the wound, and the tendrils of darkness within his body were spreading.
Cue: Til, Fin, and Nel.
OOC: Yeah, I'm all fucked up, and so is Finrandel, but his will pass with time. I need help, or I'm toast.
PS: Credit for this post goes to myself, Finrandel and Til'Sylvanna, we wrote it all together on MSN.. Try it out sometime.. It's fun.. The only not fun part is editing it when you're done..
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By the honor of my Father, the love of my Mother, and the pride of the Esiai'desh'mirain, you shall not harm my charge...
Posted by Keiru Silver on 02-04-2002 02:08 AM
The Seamus docked in its private space, a mile or so west of the capital building. Everyone gathered on the deck, ready to get a better look at Balanum. Everyone was given their weapons and a hearty pat on the back from the captain. Everyone except Scarlet, Indigo, Alex, and Adamas. Indigo was going to see Scarlet home to the king and queen. Indigo had not had the chance to question Alex's intentions, but assumed he would be going to Gran Adageros with them, but as everyone else was turning to leave, he moved with them. Adamas was not about, and he had not been heard from all day.
Indigo turned to Alex as he was walking towards the ramp. "Have you seen Master Tribune? He didn't fall over the rail, did he?" he joked.
"Ha ha. Even if he had, he of all people probably wouldn't be in much danger. If he can carry you and her from the ground to the deck in your half dead states, he can fly himself just fine!"
Indigo laughed. "True. Regardless... he's not here." Alex merely nodded in agreement.
The captain stepped forward towards the departing group. "You're a strange crew to travel with, friends. I've never seen so many strange goings on. It's a bit more exciting than ferrying around officials on state business! You're good people, and you'll do well."
Caliph turned to face him. "I doubt that good people are any different to the Shadowspawn, but thank you." He bowed respectfully. "Yours is truly a magnificent ship. Fare thee well."
The captain nodded. "Indeed."
"Indigo, Scarlet, best of luck. If this all clears up, and you're still intact, we'll see about meeting up. Until then, take care of yourselves."
"Wait!" Adamas rounded the corner just before Caliph set foot on the ramp. "Master Wyrdwyrm, if you have a moment?" He approached Caliph and handed him a couple of letters. Caliph shot him a questioning look.
"What are these?"
"Papers. You can look over them if you wish. I thought it might make it easier for you. It seems you have a lot on your mind, and it's not in me to pry without reason. I figured you might have other matters to attend to here, so I took the liberty of preparing a few arguments for you on Lunis' behalf. Some of my best work, I don't mind saying. It's quite convincing," Adamas said.
"Thank you, ambassador," Caliph replied. Adamas opened his mouth to protest the title. "...Formal or not." Caliph smiled. Adamas shut his mouth and grinned uncharacteristically.
"I guess so. As much as yourself." It was Caliph's turn to protest. He didn't, though.
Scarlet and Orocia said their tearful goodbyes. After a brief talk between Alexandros and Zander, as they waited for Orocia, they left the ship together, Alexandros eying Orocia with a smile as she walked ahead of him. The rest of the group gave a respectful nod. The trip had been short, and Indigo and Scarlet hadn't the chance to get to know them all. With the dreams and all.
...The dreams.
Indigo was in high spirits, but something inside nagged at him. Every night for the last three days, he'd had a dream... Gania was right between Evisis and his home is Xellos. Dolensirion was a decidedly Elwain name, as was Astaldocristion. What they meant, he had no idea. He made up his mind as he watched the band of travellers dismount into Balanum Proper. While Scarlet was busy with her parents, he'd pay a visit to Evisis. Besides, he had a friend to meet on the Wolf Trail.
Gahr, I'm coming back. I took longer than I thought, but I have tons of adventures to tell you about...And a few are still happening...
OOC: For those of you who weren't around, Gahr is the name of the Demi-wolf befriended by Indigo in Chapter 1. Indigo promised to return after dedication and tell him about his adventures...
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Caliph Wyrdwyrm on 02-04-2002 06:07 AM
God's in his heaven...
...all's right with the world.
Today, just for a moment, maybe it did seem that way. Caliph knew the illusion wouldn't last long, but he would treasure it while it did. Indigo and Scarlet were returning to Gran Andragos, which was home for Scarlet, and close enough for Indigo, he though. Orocia and Alexandros had been reunited. And he was back, in Balanum, where his heart had been all the years everybody wondered why he never seemed to have one.
Zander and the people he'd attracted to him like magnets -- or the ones that had stuck, anyways; there was the matter of the one they hadn't picked up as a stray -- didn't quite seem to fit, though. All that had happened for them was another leg of some journey, and Caliph didn't know what it was, and he didn't think Xander knew, either. And if he didn't, none of the others would. He was their center. And perhaps the center would find his center among the mountains and between the waters.
Master Wyrdwyrm, Adamus? Quite a strange thing. Ambassador? Whose? Somebody had signed a sheet of paper and now he wasn't the same man to any of these people, was he? But he didn't know who he was supposed t...
"Well, Caliph, we answered the how. Now the what, I think." Leave it to Rifkis to interupt his reverie. They hadn't had much of a chance to speak while on the Seamus; Caliph had been reading scroll after scroll, and Rifkis had been writing letters and sending pigeons off. Now they could finally discuss what they were doing in Balanum. He felt guilty doing this without the rest of them, but he didn't know the questions to ask.
"The die has been cast, Rifkis." Caliph felt more secure, now that his weapons had been returned to him. That was the one part about being on the Seamus that had kept him firmly grounded in unease. But he thought the relief would not last him long. "We have two matters to deal with. One is the Empire. The other is the Shadowspawn."
Rifkis chuckled, gamely, yet only thinly veiling the worry behind it. "Oh, and you think the others haven't thought of this?"
"Alexandros is one thing we have -- he comes from the front of both those battles. I think his account needs to be heard. We also have those scrolls from Adamus, which I think should greatly add to what we are able to inform the council about."
Rifkis nodded. "We can inform them all day, Caliph, but I know you well enough to know that you are not going to leave it at that. You're not some town crier."
But neither do I represent anyone... Certainly nobody with the Lunis cause had named him diplomat. He was undertaking the roll wholly on his own. But it wouldn't do to keep them in the dark, would it? "We need to contact General Dominic, see what he plans, and then we can measure what support Balanum can grant, and what the council can stomach."
Rifkis nodded. "There is more than one council near, Caliph."
Caliph looked at him. "You know I tire of riddles."
"No riddle. The ten that remained of the Council in Fayre came here when VanVehementi's troops took the city."
Caliph mused. "And what of them now?"
"I do not know. It is something we will have to resolve. But ten is far from their full number. They may not have the number for a vote."
"Very well. It shall be looked into in time. But they're all men like us, Rifkis -- men of statecraft. We and they know the conduct of a war. We may have to quiff and quabble over the matter but it's all transacted in a world we understand."
"But not the Shadowspawn."
Caliph affixed his eyes on Alexandros and Zander, the two strangers who were in many ways as close as brothers. He had once thought he was fortunate to have the company of just one, but now he wondered if two would be enough.
"Yes, Rifkis, and whatever they forebear. That will take an entirely different sort of thinking."
The two both thought about this silently, for there was only enough that either of them knew to talk with themselves. Then Caliph looked up suddenly.
"Where are we going, Rifkis?"
"Oh, you were with Adamus then. We're making for Alexandros's house. They will be lodging there."
Caliph let this soak in. "They."
"Well... right now, they think us, I'm sure. Of course, not I. My lodgings still stand. But they think you're staying with them, yes."
"By what demon's handwork have you arranged otherwise?"
Rifkis looked guilty, now, and flush. "You may indeed call her a demon, but surely after all these years..."
"She'll be there, won't she, waiting for us both. How theatrical. Welcoming her brother home."
Rifkis cleared his throat. "It's not for me to say any more, Caliph. All I ask is that you listen to her once." And he all of a sudden remembered a pressing matter wherein he had to pretend to be interested to listening to Akiri, or Tiffarah, or Keigo, or anyone else, and hurried off.
Alara would be there.
When a would-have-been assasin met the survivor of the bullet, Caliph thought that would be awkward -- not even back an hour and the courtly understatement already, oh? When a man saw his sister for the first time in many years, he thought it would be either cold or tender -- but oh, not tender here. But if you had spilt the blood of your blood, and chanced to meet again -- Caliph was afraid, now, of everything.
He thought of quickening his pace a bit to catch up with the rest of them, but right now he felt to unclean to be with any of them.
Murderer.
No. But not because he hadn't tried.
He could turn a corner, be off and gone, lost to all of them, and back into the woods, where he felt he belonged. Not here, not where people thought they could count on him for anything. Because he looked ahead, and saw that they did. Zander and Orocia especially, had followed him to Balanum. The weight of the scrolls Adamus had prepared was heavy on him, as though they weighed not of the paper but of the trust, of Adamus and those who he'd prepared them for, the warriors in the south.
But he didn't run away; didn't run forward, either, just kept following in silence.
Rifkis, further up, was silent, too, sandwiched with the rest of them. He noticed Caliph's demeanor, now, and he knew that in seconds one of them might notice it. Alexandros, of all of them, was the one.
"He's troubled."
The three younger ones carried on mostly oblivious, but Rifkis saw Orocia and Zander's heads turn to look, and knew what kind of shame that must have put in Caliph's head, and he bid them look away with his voice.
"This is probably the hardest part, for him. He'll do fine."
Rifkis, when did you learn to lie?
He'd had very good teachers.
************************
When they reached Alexandros's house, she was there, two horsecarts in waiting. Rifkis knew her first, and by the look on Orocia's face, he could tell she knew enough to guess. The others could do little more than guess, he thought -- though who knew what a Holy Knight could do?
And Caliph, behind them all, didn't even have to see her to know she was there.
Unlike her brother, her skin was fair, not pale, but their features were similar enough for one who knew to look, or maybe to make one look. She was slender by too much, as though ill, and her eyes were tired. Caliph stopped short, not close enough for an embrace but not far enough to need a carrier pidgeon, not quite.
"I haven't been there in years, Caliph. I can't bear the place anymore. Too many memories. And I know you blame me for more than a few of them, but that doesn't stop me regretting, sometimes. The grounds have been kept up, although you won't find much of a staff -- you gave me such short notice. Or rather, Rifkis did. I'm sure you would have rather stayed in the street than ask."
Caliph looked at her, forcing himself not to look away. "Alara, I'm sorry."
She considered this and nodded. "And so am I. The family plot is where it always was. Flowers are in the hall. When you make out an inscription, it will be added. I didn't think it right for me to. It's not much. But it's all that I could do for her."
Caliph went paler, damned if he couldn't. "Thank you."
"Don't be a stranger, brother." She stepped backwards into the cart and the driver took off, leaving Caliph with the rest of them.
More than a few of them had heard more than he'd ever care for them to, as well.
He turned to look at them. "It appears I have a house." Apparently he would have to practice his extemporanious some more. He tried again. "I'm afraid I'll have to part company with you for the moment. All of you are invited for an early supper, although I'm not sure I can promise much of a bill of fare."
CUE: Zander, Orocia, or Alexandros. He and Rifkis will leave on the cart that's left in short order. You of course will have your own business leading up to this point.
The introductory quote is from Robert Browning. I know Derek recognizes it.
__________________
They say confession is good for the soul. But what if you don't have one?
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 02-04-2002 01:20 PM
Ambush at Summer Pass!
The small party moved quickly over the plains, on their way from Gania to Xellos. Palin was running, enjoying the wind in his face. Lyght traveled at length behind him, Carla sitting side-saddle on his ox Betty. Tygan stood farthest behind, slowly plodding and scuffing his feet against the ground.
"Why the hell do we have to walk?" He yelled, causing Lyght to turn and look at him.
"Watch your language in front of the young lady!" Carla looked up and smiled, though she somewhat wished that Lyght wasn't so protective.
"It's okay. I think I would feel the same if I had to walk." She said, brushing strands of loose hair from her eyes. Tygan returned to scuffing his feet, but stopped to clean off his boots, cursing all the while. Palin, meanwhile, had taken to lying down in the high grasses of the plains.
"I love travelling. Really gets you in tune with nature, you know?" Palin broke off a grass blade and started chewing on it habitually. He fell back and walked with the others. Lyght checked to see if Carla was still sitting correctly on Betty, then looked far ahead, his eyes skirting the horizon.
"We'll make it to Xellos early if we hurry. We're making good time." Palin nodded in agreement.
"And when we get there, maybe I'll find my old friend, Cyrus Rolheir. He'll give us a good deal on that halberd." Tygan caught up and huffed, his face full of disappointment.
"Does anybody have anything to drink? I'm parched." Palin handed Tygan a small flask. Tygan drank freely and belched.
"That's the good stuff........" Lyght turned again to reprimand him, but Carla fell over backwards, her skirt pulling over her head.
Tygan laughed out loud, but cupped his hand over his mouth at Lyght's baleful stare. Palin helped pick her up, smiling all the while.
"Very nice....uh.....bloomers you got there." But before Carla could reply, Lyght backhanded him from behind.
"Watch yourself, boy. I like you, but I'll see that you get your comeuppance if you don't keep your distance!" Palin stood again, rubbing the back of his head. He flashed a quick smile at Carla, then rolled out of the way of Lyght's swinging hand.
*********************************************
It was another hour before they reached the Summer Pass. It wasn't too long a walk, but the high, craggy walls often were a good place for bandits or other creatures to hide. Quiet engulfed them like a flood. Palin and Tygan instinctively drew their swords, the ringing of their blades echoing as one throughout the pass.
Lyght pulled Betty to a stop and Carla opened her parasol to sheild the sun from her eyes.
"Something's not right......" Tygan said, his fingers flexing over the hilt of his rapier.
"I know......" Lyght replied.
All of a sudden, Palin leapt back and a dirty human man swung at air, nearly missing Palin's head. All over the pass, gruff-looking men were emerging from canyon walls, swords glinting in the sun. There were almost too many to count...........
"This is very bad!" Palin exclaimed, his sword ready to swing.
Carla whimpered slightly as the men closed in on their party.
Cue:Tygan, Carla, or Lyght
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Palin Freeborn
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-04-2002 01:22 PM
The Healing of Saeth Shen
As the White Lady awoke, a great pain assaulted her arm, and a coldness therein spread throughout her body. Oh no, she thought Saeth is in grave danger! She could feel his life slowly ebbing through the bond they shared, and knew that they had precious little time. She sat up, a little dizzy yet from all of her exertions. Near at hand lay Finrandel. His form was still, and he was chilled to the touch. Dark blue circles lay beneath his closed eyes, and blue were his lips. Nelcar was also near, seeming to be working on a remedy of some kind for the Esiai'desh'mirain.
Kneeling at Finrandel's side, she placed her hands upon him. She could feel the shock yet in him, but his life was yet his own. He would live and return to them as soon as he had fought off his own demons. Without leaving herself once more exhausted, there was little that she could do for him. She prayed for the Creator to grant the Elwain her strength, and to help him return once more to the light of the waking world. As she did so, she whispered in his mind softly, "Forsake ye the paths of cold shadow, son of the Elwain. Return to the light of thy brethren. I, Til'Sylvanna the Evenstar call you. Heed my call, and return.' Satisfied that he would be soon well, she went to Nelcar's side to see what aid she might offer.
He sat at Saeth Shen's side. Upon seeing her brave Guardian, she gasped and fell to her knees. He was without color. All the life, which had once illuminated his being, seemed to have gone out of him, and only by the dangerously infrequent rising of his chest, could she know him to be yet living. Nelcar had ripped open Saeth's shirt so that he could better tend the fallen elwain's foul hurt. He was mixing a salve, but by the look on his face, he seemed to hold little hope that it would work. He only looked to her briefly, all the sorrow in his eyes too much for her to bear.
Knowing nothing of herb lore, there was little she could hope to help. If she were to find him in the realm of Dreams, perhaps she could keep his soul from fleeing, but that would do no good if his body no longer lived to house it. So, she did the only thing that she could, she prayed.
She prayed as she never had before, with no thought of anything but the mercy of the Mother. She pleaded that so noble a soul should not fall, for much was the good in the world that he could yet do. She pleaded that she could not hope to see the Shadow fall if he was not there at her side. And she pleaded that surly the Creator could see the beauty and honor in the soul which lay beset by darkness. Surly, she could see that he was worthy of mercy and of life.
Tears fell from her closed eyes, for even as she prayed she could feel him slipping away. There are some battles that even the very strong cannot win alone. Suddenly, knowledge was imparted unto her, not the least of the Sularion, and she was given hope. To Nelcar she turned and said,
"Bring unto me but the smallest part of the cenacaiison, for in it lies the power of the Creator and her first dawn. Clean water also must we have, and make haste." She rose and went to her things which lay near her white horse tethered on the other side of the copse of trees. She took out one of her long daggers, and made her way back to the side of Saeth, where Nelcar had placed a small bowl of clean water and but the tiniest sprig of the golden fern. Such was the plant's holy power that not much was needed. Next she took her knife and cut her arm slightly, only enough to make a few drops of her blood fall into the water. She looked to Nelcar and placed a gentle finger to his cheek, gathering the single tear which there was shining, shed for the plight of the great warrior who lay dying. Finally she added a single long strand of her silver/white hair.
Nelcar watched her silently, seeming to realize that some greater power was working through her. She took the mixture and began to bathe his wound in it. "Blood of mine mixed with blood of thine, my strength to aid in this thy weakness. A tear shed for love, for honor, and friendship; heed its call and return. From the first dawn?s grace, and the mercy of the Mother, feel the light within thee and return. Banish the shadow here, with blood and light, and tear. Return." She repeated the litany over and over as she bathed his wound, granting unto him the greater portion of her strength.
Nelcar began to sing, and great was the power of his voice to find the spirit of Saeth Shen and lead it back to the world of light. Long did he sing, and great was its power, so at last the dark stains upon the Guardian began to fade, and warmth returned to his body. When both Til'Sylvanna and Nelcar were satisfied that he would be well in time, they rested from the great labor of his healing. Both were very weary, but glad that their friend would survive.
Nelcar covered Saeth with a blanket, and Til'Sylvanna kissed the now peacefully resting warder upon his brow. Then she and Nelcar went over to their sleeping things and also rested, just as dawn's first gold began to creep into the world. She curled up into his strong arms, and within moments both were sleeping peacefully, for they knew no more evil would find them that day.
Cue: You crazy Elwain cats... show me what 'cha got! *grin*
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Keiru Silver on 02-04-2002 02:56 PM
OOC: Indeed I do, sir. "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world." Browning, of course. And NERV...
As Indigo:
A loud crash woke Indigo and Scarlet from their sleep. Indigo looked about the cabin furiously. The first night in a long time he hadn't been troubled by dreams, and now it seemed that the Creator herself was trying to prevent him a good night's rest. Scarlet looked at him, sitting up in bed.
"Indy, what was that?" she asked. Her hair was in disarray, covering most of her face, but Indigo could make out an expression of panic, even in the dark.
"I'll go check it out," he said. He almost followed it up with 'stay here,' but Scarlet didn't like being ordered around. "I'll be right back," said Indigo instead. He pulled on his breeches and tunic. Since Salamander was being kept in the first mate's quarters, he went unarmed to the door. Pulling it open, he saw several crewmen running down the hall. He grabbed one by the shirt.
"What's going on?" he demanded, trying hard not to sound as if he just woke up.
The crewmate shook free. Fear was in his eyes. "Spawn! Below decks!" he cried, and took off down the hall. Indigo darted back into the room and pulled the door shut.
"Scarlet, get dressed. There's a Shadowspawn on the Seamus." He had no qualms about ordering her about for the purposes of keeping her safe. He flung open the door to the hallway. Another crewman ran by. Again seizing the wayward sailor by his shirt, he pulled him aside.
"Where is it?" This crew member was obviously more steeled towards the event.
"Lowest level. I don't know when or where it got onboard, but it's nasty. It's not causing any damage itself, but..."
"But what?"
"It's breeding. Here's the key to my cabin. Your weapons are in the unlocked chest near the closet. If it's locked, the key is in the dresser." He cast a wayward glance down the hall. "I'm going down to defend the ship. I have to go."
Indigo released him, not realizing he had been holding his shirt with a white knuckled grip. Again darting back into his room, he cursed.
"What's going on?" Scarlet asked. She was already dressed, and her hair pulled back by a ribbon. Indigo shook his head.
"It's below decks. Bottom level. First mate gave me the key to his room. We need to go get our weapons. If you're up to it. How's the wound?"
"It's fine. Let's go." They exited their cabin and gasped.
"Blood and ashes!" Indigo cried. The first mate lay dead on the ground not more that 20 paces from their door. Blood smeared the walls where he was slumped down. Indigo gritted his teeth. "It's here... RUN!" There was no need to grab Scarlet's wrist this time.
It dropped down from the rafters in front of them, talons dripping, crooked maw spread wide. It gave a stomach churning cry and drew itself up to its full height. Scarlet and Indigo skidded to a stop and turned to go the other way. The second one came out of the shadows, as if it were borne of them. It was taller than the first, but less muscled, if that could be said of the creatures.
The first one leapt forward, catching Indigo's shoulder and preventing them from reaching the door to their cabin again. There was less than 15 paces between the two of them now. They screamed in delight at their trapped prey. Indigo drew into himself and searched for the flame. As if sensing his intent, the heavier spawn hurled itself at him, knocking the wind out of him. His vision blurred, and he lost the flame. In a rush of adrenaline, he grabbed the closer creature by its neck, and hurled it towards the other.
"Come on, Scarlet!" he yelled. With both spawn on one side, they hurried down the corridor, not risking a look back. They could hear the creatures' lopsided gaits behind them, close behind. Indigo and Scarlet rounded the corner and headed for the stairs. The gate to the stairwell could be barred with a door iron in such events. In the narrow hall, the lover's agility was more of an advantage than size and strength.
They reached the stairwell and slammed the door shut, quickly lifting the heavy iron bar to place in the slots on either side. No sooner had they finished than the beasts reached the door and began to beat on it heavily.
Indigo did some quick thinking. "We were on the third level from the ground. If we go up the stairs, we'll be one flight from the first mate's room, and two from the deck. The engine room takes up the bottom three floors, but it's only accessible from the fourth. The ship shouldn't be in danger of crashing unless it punches a hole in the hull."
"So we're safe?" Scarlet asked, panting.
"I said we're safe as long as it doesn't punch a hole in the hull. I didn't say it wouldn't. Let's go." They hurried up the stairs. There were several people running about on this floor, most panicking. "This way," Indigo directed. Even if they were to hope for the best on the deck, they would still want their weapons. But could they afford to let it roam the lower decks?
The first mate's room was locked. Indigo fished the key out of his pocket and crammed it into the lock hastily, looking over his shoulder. The key snapped off in the lock. He cursed loudly. "Stand back." He hurled himself at the door, but it didn't budge.
Scarlet stepped forward and put her palm to the door. Electrical energy sparked the air, and the handle turned. The door swung inward. "Adamas taught me that. Some metal objects can be manipulated with electricity. He said it had something to do with magnetism." Inside the chamber, Indigo found the chest. However, contrary to the first mate's word, it was locked. He ran to the dresser and flung open the drawers. They were full of clothes. He flung them aside deperately, searching.
"Scarlet, can you try to open that?" She crouched near the chest. Meanwhile, Indigo continued to search for the key. The first drawer was full of shirts, the second, socks. The third held undergarments and the much sought after key. "Nevermind, I got it."
Careful to not repeat his earlier mistake, he inserted the key. The chest opened, revealing a few miscellaneous weapons, Salamander and Scarlet's katana. Indigo grabbed Salamander and put it in the holster, then grabbed the replacement chambers and ammo.
"Indigo! Scarlet!"
Adamas stood in the doorway, a bright talisman around his neck. Indigo reached into the chest and pulled out what he realized was Adamas' thin bladed sword. He tossed it, but Adamas made no motion to catch it. Instead, the sword merely slowed to a halt next to his side.
"Adamas, what should we do?" Scarlet asked.
"They're trying to enter the engine room. Someone has to go down below decks and hold them off until we reach Gania. We're going to land near Southdale. ...If we make it that far."
"A few crewmen are coming with us. But it's still just six of use against who knows how many. For the first time, Indigo noticed the men behing Adamas. A broad shouldered man with a round face, hefting a large mace. A skinny fellow in a cloak. A man of strong build with a lance at his side. "Tyras, Meck, and Zieb."
There was no other choice. Scarlet nodded. They were going back down.
From now on, all of Scarlet, Indigo, and Adamas' posts will be taking place in Gran Adageros.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Zander Kohen on 02-04-2002 03:17 PM
OOC: For the sake of the story, I'm posting this as taking place the day after Orocia wakes Alex, but before we leave the Seamus.
Zander woke the next morning, the feeling of Tiffarah's soft skin reiminding him of the night before. Even though they hadn't made love, their lives would never be the same. Perhaps they had been too hasty, but there was no question in his mind that he loved her and his blade would be sworn to protect her.
He leaned into her and kissed her forehead, making her eyes flicker open lazily. She smiled as she realized that he was really there with her and it hadn't been another of her daydreams.
"I'm going to get up and pray with Alexandros, I'll be back in a few minutes," he said softly. "We should be landing in Balanum today."
She just nodded, gave him a kiss and watched as he dressed and left the room. Soon she was fast asleep once more.
Turning down the corridor to the prayer room, Zander felt himself gradually more and more aware of himself and his surroundings. The hazy half-sleep of the morning was finally wearing off and his senses grew more attuned. He could not feel the presence of the Holy Knight coming from the prayer room and when he entered, he found this to be true.
He knelt for a few moments in prayer, regardless of Alex's absense, then got up to find where Alexandros might be. He never had the chance, though, for that moment the Seamus began her decent into Balanum and Zander rushed back to his room to gather his belongings and strap on his armor before they landed.
*******
Several minutes later, Zander and Tiffarah stood on the deck of the Seamus with the others gathered around them. Caliph, Indigo and Scarlet were there as well and Arkiri was still fussing over Keigo. She seemed to have really taken to him. Zander was just relieved that he and Tiffarah could be alone more often.
Once Orocia caught sight of them, she made her way to the couple with Alex following close behind. She introduced both of them to Alex and Zander was a little surprised at the stature of the older knight. He was much shorter, but made up for it with his presence.
Any further aquaintance was cut short when the Captain shouted, "Everyone take hold of something solid! We're about to land!" On cue everyone found something to hold on to, prefferably something that was anchored down.
*******
After a somewhat bumpy landing and a few goodbies between Caliph, Alex, a red headed man named Adamus and the fire-and-ice couple, still headed for Gania, the group started their way off the Seamus. Zander walked next to the shorter Holy Knight, hoping they would get to know each other much better.
"So, what are you? 1312? 1311?" Alex made the simple offhanded comment, laughing a little, the sun glinting off the meshai upon his face.
"No, 1314," Zander replied. "I've only just begun. I still have much to learn." The two continued down the ramp and Zander let the rest of the world fade around him as he talked to another Holy Knight for the first time. "What about yourself? How long since you were in the Crystaline temple?"
Alexandros smiled. Zander was so much younger than he was, and from his voice, not even from Asheri, but he had passed the tests, and was his brother, "It seems like forever, but It couldn't have been more than four months ago. Between three and four, I'd say. And I'm 1313," Alex smiled and patted the younger man on the back.
"Then we may have more in common than I thought," Zander was growing more comfortable with the man who he had just met. "I tried to find you after I had been dedicated, I felt that you were gravely wounded. May I ask how? Did it have something to do with the Shadow I felt from that area?"
Alex grimaced and felt the still slightly scabbed wound in his stomach, "No, I faught with the resistance when they were attacked by the Imperialists. I was wounded in battle, and it was Scarlet who saved me, well, we saved each other," Alexandros looked ahead towards Orocia once again, who was talking with Tiffarah, his head turned slightly, and when Zander noticed, He flushed a bit.
A knowing smile spread across Zander's face. Alex's actions had betrayed him, but Zander chose not to confront the subject directly.
"They seem to be getting along well," he said, gesturing towards the two young women. "They have a lot in common, much like you and I."
Alexandros nodded, and changed his grip on the Redeemer. Since it's infusion, it had become too large for its scabbard, so Alexandros had to carry it until he had a new one made, which, if he had any say in it would be as soon as he saw Micheal.
"Orocia and Tiffarah?" Alex laughed, "So Tif's a lion too?" Alexandros looked over towards Tiffarah, but his eyes continued to betray him to Zander. "Praise be to Her that we aren't celibate, nay?" Alex said in a hushed voice and when they had both stopped laughing, they both mouthed silent prayers.
"Why would she put such beauty on this world only to tell us not to enjoy it?" Zander joked and they both broke into another hearty chuckle. "Tell me, brother, how much have you missed while in your reverie? I'm sure there has been much happening that you don't yet know about."
"Well, Velesei told me that I've been gone for about two weeks, so what's happened in the world in the past two weeks, other than the forces of shadow attacking Fayre?" Alex sighed and rubbed one of his arms that was still a little sore from an ariel battle with a Wyrmling, "But I've learned much of our order from days past, and there are many tricks I could teach you of our magic as well. Things that Velesei and Averil taught me, magical weaves that have been lost to us for milennia. They're very useful both in life and in battle."
Zander nodded. "I would like that very much. It is a great gift you have been given, I would be honored to learn even a small portion of it." Zander was in awe of this man. He had traveled to a heavenly plain and back with knowledge that no one else knew. "I know little of what happened in Fayre, other than what some of the crew has passed to me. Little else of relevance has happened, except for events in my own journey. Like meeting Tiffarah and the man who gave me the scar through my meshai." He ran his finger across the scar, remembering how Sekirah had almost killed Tiffarah.
"I met Caliph and Orocia in Helilal," He continued. "They had heard about me being in the city and thought I might be you. Once they found me, they realized their error, but asked me to join them in their cause here in Balanum. That about wraps it all up."
Alex nodded. Sometime he'd tell Zander of all his journeys before he had become a Holy Knight. But there were other things on him mind, other people. Namely Micheal Razorbow, and Orocia Agua. However, he spoke, "I invite you, Zander, as I will everyone here, save for Caliph, who will likely return to his estates, to stay in my home here in Balanum. It is not large, but we can find space for everyone."
Alex smiled and searched his belongings for his keys, and when he found them, he tossed them in the air and caught them again, He laughed, "Last time I came home, Micheal was unhappy with me. He said I was going to get myself killed hunting demons. I can't wait to see what he thinks this time..."
Zander cocked an eyebrow at his statement. "How can I refuse such an invitation? Of course we'll stay, if only to satisfy my own curiosity. Let me discuss it with the others first, but I'm sure they'll agree."
With that, the pair, and the others, save Caliph and Rifkis, who accompanied them to the door, but said he'd be back, made Alex's dusty house into a home. It was a two story house in the Balan style, and was complete with running water, something that amazed everyone. Alexandros couldn't help but laugh. He had been away for so long, it even amazed him when he turned it on. They set up beds through the house and Alexandros gave Zander and Tiffarah the guest bedroom. Keigo, and Ariki were given cots in the den, and Alex gave his own bed to Orocia, "For being mean to her in the past"
Alex himself lounged on the couch, as Zander and Tiffarah were laughing in the guest bedroom. Tomorrow, he'd have to see about buying foodstuffs, and then, seeing Micheal.
Cue: Alex, Keigo, Caliph, Orocia.
P.S. Part of the credit for this post goes to Alex; he and I were up late last night PRing it on MSN.
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Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Gtrock'mar Granite Maul on 02-04-2002 04:02 PM
The Hunt Begins
Snow whipped and whirled within the highest peaks of the Jade Range. Such weather was common at these altitudes, where the air was ever frigid and Nature exerted it's force of will with a cold, heavy hand. Few creatures dared brave the higher peaks, for the climate was dangerous to those unprepared. Only beasts designed for such winds and storms dared carve out a life for itself among these peaks.
And yet, Gtrock'mar Granite Maul found solace in the wintry blizzards. Such separation from his kind was a relief, knowing he would never have to face them again. His cave was warm, protected, and rarely did a stray animal manage to make it's way in. There was even a crack in the ceiling that allowed smoke from a fire to escape. Gtrock'mar was content.
He gathered the items he would need on his journey to the lower vales of the Jade Range. Hunting was easier there, especially during this season, when the Mountain Elks roamed freely in herds. The hunt itself would probably only last a few days, but Gtrock'mar knew well the dangers of the blizzard. He brought enough supplies to be gone for over a week. He slung his maul across his back, laced up his prized boots, and began out of his cave. The small ledge leading away from his dwelling was a danger in its own right, but Gtrock'mar knew it well enough to walk with his eyes closed. The weather had let up slightly, and Gtrock'mar viewed the mountains as best he could. White tips stood out against a grey background, the sun brightening the sky whenever it peeked from behind the clouds.
Barely hours into the journey, Nature decided to complicate Gtrock'mar's efforts. The wind picked up, screaming between the peaks, blowing snow all about. The crystalline meteors of water fell from the sky, large flakes that landed heavily on the ground. Gtrock'mar could see but ten feet in front of him, his footsteps crunching loudly in the layers of snow that were quickly accumulating.
The blowing wind was suddenly cut with a cry, and inhuman, bellowing roar that signaled poor luck for the ogre. It was distinctly the call of a Troll Yeti, a fearsome creature that Gtrock'mar did not wish to see on this day. he kept walking, his eyes and ears prepared for what lay near him. the snow around him lay in large drift piles, blocking much of his view. One drift in particular lay right before him, and Gtrock'mar knew that it was no mere drift.
The creature stood, seeing its prey had arrived. Even with it's hunchbacked posture, it stood nearly two ogres tall, roughly twenty hands high. Gleaming white fur covered its entire body, masking it in its wintry homes. Its head, even when fully standing, was hunched forward so far its shoulders nearly rose higher than the top of its furred skull. Steam billowed forth from its open maw, revealing dirty, broken, and yet dangerously sharp teeth. Gtrock'mar gripped Dul'rak Kith tight, the bitter cold biting into the unprotected knuckles on his right hand.
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 02-04-2002 05:00 PM
She had been sleepin in the nearby tree next to in inn for the night and woke up hearing an ox from way along the way. She jumped down and went into the in. She stopped hesently due to the people there but soo started walking again to the bar.
"Have you seen any characters around here, two guys to be exact."
"Um........yea i've seen tons of guys just like you say there called junkards." he said
She pulled out her dagger and pulled at the mand collar forcing the daggers point to his throat.
"Hey whats your problem??" yelled a big man at the end of the bar
"One that dosent have any concern of yours." she said with a smile.
Then she truned back to the bartender
"Now i'll ask you once aga......"
"Hey dont talk that way to me!!" the big man interuped as he grabbed a chair.
He tossed it at her with great force and she dogged it with great ease but then slipped and fell on the floor. The man soon came at her but she kicked him in the crotch and fliped to get her back up to standing. She did a spinning back kick to knock him upside the jaw and he soon was out cold. Most of the people left due to the fight.
"Alright! Alright! I'll tell you everything you need to know ok??"
"Thank you. I very much appreciate it." she said with an bright smile "Now tell me about the two guys."
"Yea they were here yesterday causing a whole bunch of trouble."he said
"I knew they were up to no good." she thought "Ok....do you know where they were going to??"
"Um......yea I overheard them in a conversation talking about going to Xellos."
"And where is that may i ask??"
"Um......i think its...."
"Nevermind i'll just follow.......wait was there something they had with them that made prints so i can follow??"
"Nope they didn't have anything. But the freinds they had made looked like the old one had a cow or something."
"Great! I can use the cow's foot prints to follow them!!"
She started twards the door
"Yea whoopy doo....." he said "whats so good about these guys??"
"One of thems my cousin and i have to send them an urgent message from my father."
"Well you best hurry up then!"
"I know i will!" she said as she walked out the door
"Stupid punk......." he murmured
"i heard that!" she yelled from outside
She ran to the horse and jumped on.
"Sorry about that but i have to get to xellos before our suspects get away." she said to the horse "Ok lets go yah!"
The horse jumped up and galloped away toward the cow's foot prints. Soon they were on their way but the wind soon would pick up a little and blow the prints away. Plus the horse was breathing hard and look exausted from the trip so far so they stopped to rest. As she layed there in the grass she heard sounds of a camotion in the distance. She looked up and say three guys two young one old and a little girl sitting on a cow.
"Wait this could be the duo i've been looking for!" she though "but who are those people with them."
She then noticed a couple of men surrounding them.
"Ut oh looks like there in trouble...i guess there started something again with some travelers...."
They began to draw their swords and the so called travelers would not stop and move.
"Ok now there appears to be something wrong!" She said as she drew her sword "Horse stay here please. I have to protect my suspects to solve the crime."
The horse nodded.
"Thank you. And wish me luck."
She rushed to the sceene and thrusted her sword into a travelers back. then she jumped up and split her legs to kick two guys upside the head knocking them down.
cue: Tygan, Palin, Lyght, Carla
__________________
i must know everything about everything!!
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-04-2002 05:24 PM
Just when things had appeared hopeless for the travelers, a young woman appeared and quickly disposed of the smelly, would be thieves. However there were more than the three that now lay passed out on the grass and they descended quickly on the smaller group.
The woman that had appeared to save them, along with Palin and Tygan (who were secretly overjoyed at the opportunity for a battle) busied themselves by striking, kicking, and stabbing their attackers. Lyght daintly picked up Carla from her position atop Betty and stood in a defensive stance in front of her. She noticed that Palin became extremely ancy whenever a weapon would get too close to his rear. During the commotion, one of her shoelaces had come untied and as she peered around one of Lyght’s legs to get a better view of the melee she tripped, causing Lyght to stumble forward and the points of his pitchfork to burrow themselves into Betty’s rump.
A high-pitched bellow emitted from the ox and she bolted forward into the thick of the battle, horns brandished high knocking and goring the attackers as she did so. In no time, the ground was littered with bodies, save those of Tygan, Palin and their rescuer who had the good sense to get out of Betty’s way. Off in the distance the ox stood by a tree huffing and glaring at Lyght who in turn hid his pitchfork sheepishly behind his back. He muttered something about it being an accident and trotted off to retrieve the wayward ox.
Meanwhile, all three remaining heads turned to face the newcomer.
CUE: Cybele, Palin, Lyght, or Tygan.
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So what if I'm a girl?! I could kick your- Oh!! Ack!! Pardon me!!! CRASH!!!!!!!!!! BLAM!!! OWW!!! AAAAAAAAIIIIIEEE!!!!
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 02-04-2002 09:23 PM
The Waterfall
OOC: For any of you who have been following my story, note that it is now going to change. Everything that has happened to the Arboreal Prowler since he fought that demon in the Temple in the Evisis Woods, has now been deleted by me. All that stuff about Krol and the Shadow Sword never happened. So, now the Prowler does not appear in chapters 8 and 9. Keep in mind this was entirely my decision. The next part of my story begins with this post, and takes place two weeks after the battle in the Evisis Temple (I'm not sure if it's been exactly two weeks, but it doesn't have to be exact). So now, the last post that I made was that thing where the Prowler dropped that black rose into the ocean. BTW, the Prowler was already in the Evisis Woods when that law was declared that Nonelwain would be shot upon entering the Evisis Woods. He has always been on pretty good terms with the elves, and they would have a lot of difficulty catching him in the forest anyway. However, if you elves want to attack me, then PM me. It would make for an interesting part of my story.
IC: The waterfall crashed into the pool as the Arboreal Prowler looked off into the woods. He couldn't see much. He thought he saw a demi-wolf in the distance, but soon dismissed this thought. It would have been traveling in a pack, in which case he would have been attacked and killed by now.
It had been two weeks since the battle in the Temple. After he had killed the demon, he carried Ilona out of the Temple and rushed her to a healer that lived nearby. The healer, Vatiana, was an old woman who lived near Forestre. It took several hours to take care of Ilona's wound, and then several days for her to come out of critical condition. The Prowler thanked Vatiana for her help, but he wasn't obligated to pay her any money. He had saved her life from the Fiero once, so she owed him a favor.
Though it had been a year since they first met, the Arboreal Prowler and Ilona (whose real name was Octavia) were still being tracked by men like Camieron. She was still one of the most beautiful girls in Gania, and many men sought her hand in marriage. There were at least ten of them, each one an aristocrat with a squad of cronies at their disposal. Also, Octavia's family was trying to get their daughter back.
Now that Ilona had been wounded, they were very vulnerable, so the Prowler took Ilona and fled into the Evisis Woods with her. He could keep her safe there.
As he looked at the waterfall, he remembered how he had made love to his young elven wife under it. He remembered how, a few weeks later, she was brutally murdered by the Fiero. He remembered how, a little more than a year ago, he had made love to her reincarnation under the same waterfall.
Their romance was not the only one that this waterfall had conceived. Hundreds of years ago, two famous elves met under this waterfall and made love. Their story would become one of the greatest romances ever to be told. Since then, many other elves, and even Fiero, had begun their romances under this waterfall. It seemed as though it must be a holy place, to always inspire such love.
It was a beautiful place. There was a multitude of splendid vegetation. Green fern leaves, which did not grow anywhere else in the Evisis Woods, was found all around this pool of water. Magnificent fish and other wildlife inhabited the pool, fish of many colors. They added much beauty to this place. Around the pool, there was sand. It was like a beach, and at night the stars would come out and beam their light through the opening in the trees. The opening was large enough so that one could see most of the sky. At night, this place was more peaceful and beautiful than any other place on Aeterna, at least in the Prowler's eye. He had traveled the whole world, and had never seen anything so beautiful as this pool of water at night. And at night, the water had the clearest, deepest blue color. With the clear, blue water, the splendidly colored fish, the beautiful, bright green vegetation, the soft, white sand, and the waterfall crashing over the tall rocks with a melody and rhythm that was almost a lullaby or a love ballad, and the black sky full of brilliant, shining stars, this pool of water, this amazingly beautiful place in the Evisis Woods, was like something right out of a fantastic dream. Nothing could compare to the beauty of this place.
He looked over at Ilona. She lying near the fire, staring into it with a blank stare on her face. She did not move at all, even to blink. She had been this way ever since she was wounded in the Temple.
Ever since the black rose.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing into the forest alone. It is my name that is whispered by the leaves in the middle of the night and carried by the wind to your ears.
I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Halar on 02-04-2002 09:39 PM
The Fiero Plan an Attack
Halar walked through the darkness of the Evisis Woods, sniffing out the way back to his pack. He made sure to stay out of sight from the fire that was burning near the waterfall.
He found his comrades. "He is here," he howled softly. "We should not attack now. He is watching for us. We shall attack tomorrow."
Carlea spoke up. "But he is vigilant every night. It does not matter when we attack; he will always see him coming. We might as well take him when he is in that clearing, where there is no way to escape."
"Carlea," he barked back. "I have been hunting this man for nearly twenty years!"
"And so far you haven't had all that much success," she quickly added, not missing a beat.
"Carlea," he barked again, "I am the leader of the Black Wolves. You will follow my orders, or face the White Wolves."
"Yes sir," she replied, in a sarcastic, and somewhat seductive, voice. "Let us return to camp for now, then. We should rest if we wish to kill the Arboreal Prowler. He is very difficult to catch in the woods."
"My love," he howled, grinning, "tomorrow, we shall kill him together. But for now, come!" They all ran off into the woods.
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I am Halar. When you hear me howling, be afraid.
Posted by Keiru Emerald on 02-04-2002 11:34 PM
Alexandros lounged in his front room wiping down all of his old weaponry while most of the others busied themselves out of either simply wanting to be helpful, or wanting to repay Alexandros for his genorisity in letting them share his domicile. Ariki was dusting, and Tiffarah had left with Zander to gather foodstuffs and the like from the market. Orocia was also busy, but she sat in the room with Alexandros and was crocheting what seemed to be an afgan with some yarn that she had either brought with her, or had briefly run out to get. Keigo had left to explore the city.
The group of all of them went to Caliph's for dinner that night, much to Ariki's despair, becasue "Alexandros' house was so dusty, and she wasn't done cleaning it yet,". However, even on short notice, with the help of Rifkis, Caliph had been able to procure the services of a cook and several servants to asist him, and the dinner was splendid Balanian fare. As the dinner dispersed, Zander and Tiffarah went towards the north of the city, where Alexandros and Caliph had both mentioned the great view of the Balanum's Shield Mountains. Ariki and Keigo also left together, running and walking off towards the Bazzar. It left Alexandros and Orocia alone, standing at the steps of Caliph's estate.
"Thank you very much for the dinner, Master Wrydwyrm," Alex bowed low, "If you need my assistance in any capicity, call on me in my home,"
"Just Caliph, please... I will be sure to," Caliph replied, "though I hope the Consul will be easy to persuade, things in life are rarely easy,"
Orocia also said goodbye to the master of the Wyrdwyrm estates, and the two left the dinner with comfortably full stomachs. They made their way back through the city from the garden ward, where Caliph's manor was, to the market ward, where Alexandros' home was. the city itself was wonderous, and even Alex did not recognize all of the structures that abounded. Balanum was constantly changing, and Orocia asked Alexandros many questions about the city as they made their way back to his home. Most of them Alexandros explained at length, or until Orocia began to look bored with the subject. They eventually made their way back to Alexandros' home, and another question jumped to Orocia's lips.
"Who's the girl in the painting upstairs?" She asked, and immideately blushed slightly, but in the darkness before they had lit any of the lamps in Alex's house, it went unnoticed.
Alex sighed, was he losing ground without making any? Well then again, he was adopted, and she wasn't really his sister... He shook his head at his worry, "That is a painting of my sister, Kristal. She died in an explosion at the steam power research plant nearly five years ago," Alex stopped for a moment as a wave of emotion passed over him and a lamplight flared to light. He wiped at his eyes and continued, "She was a genius with those engines. She redesigned the pumps for the water facility, but never got to see them. Kristal was a kind soul that only wanted to make the world a better place,"
Orocia stepped in close to him and hugged him, whispering to him that she was sorry for asking, and he wrapped his arms around her and embraced her lightly as he layed his head on her shoulder, "I don't know why it happened, but everything happens for a reason. It was just her time, "Alex broke off and wept for a moment, burying his face in Orocia's shoulder, "At least I know for certain that she is in good hands..."
Orocia was taken aback by this, for Alex had never before mentioned his sister Kristal to anyone in his travels, and he had never broken down like this before either, to Orocia's knowledge. She felt suddenly very close to him and his hurt, but for having lost her own brother, although not to death. She did the best she could to console him, and in a matter of minutes they were side by side on one of the couches as he was explaining through his laughter about how they used to shoot potatos out of long pipe with gunpower when they were children. Suddenly, unexpectedly to Alex, Orocia rose and excused herself for a moment, and left him to light the rest of the lamps in the lower half of the house, which he calmly did in his contemplative silence.
Alex sat back down on one of the couches and wiped his eyes with a kerchief that Orocia had pulled from somewhere on her person, and as he did he noticed the smell of it, for it was full of her scent. He laughed a bit to himself, and took a deeper smell, smiling to himself. She had left him alone for a moment to use the restroom upstairs for some reason, and he folded the kerchief up and placed it upon his lap. Lounging a bit, he jumped up as he realized he had almost forgotten about his stash of Lunari wines, inside the panling under the staircase.
He sprung up and got a bottle of the 1275 vintage (a good year for Balanum, an even better year for Lunari wine), and rushed to the kitchen to grab a pair of glasses for them. He also grabbed the wooden box of the fine Nylian cigarettes that he had imported from Karakai, nearly two years ago. He smelled them, and they were still fresh, but the water reserve in the humidifier was dangerously low, so he refilled it and made his way with the aforesaid items back out to the living room. He poured two glasses, and set them on one of the tables, leaving the bottle in the center. The box he sat on an end table near him, deciding not to have one unless Orocia also was to have one.
He thought about just moments ago, and though he had been once again hurt by the death of his sister that had haunted him in the years after her death, he found his thoughts falling to of course, the woman that had taken him into her arms. He laughed, rather than scowled this time when he thought of the fact that she was barely shorter than he was, and chuckled as he thought of earlier that day and the conversation he had with Zander.
He recalled his words, "Why would she put such beauty on this world only to tell us not to enjoy it?" and as he did, a flurry of other words came as if out of a dream, things that he had heard, but had not heard.
"I don't even walk by churches," ... "The only reason....because of you," and the most complete one, that he remembered ever so slightly becasue it rang in his ears before he had the strength to open his eyes, "How funny... I didn't want to admit it before, but..."
They were all Orocia's voice, and though he could not piece together any discernable meaning out of them, other than the fact that she had come of her own free will to see him, and that brought warmth to his heart.
He thought again about the difference in their ages. She was at least six or seven years younger than he was, if not more, but she sure didn't act it at times, she acted much older, at times, at least. She was a willful woman, whose maturity at such a young age was quite astounding. Alex was proud of the fact that he often acted younger than his age, and that was perhaps becasue of his rogueish lifestyle before he had become a Holy Knight. That was something else that concerned him. Orocia had seemed particularly distant from him after he had become one of the Heavenly Brethern, and it was partly out of those feelings he was getting from her that he decided to leave her company in the first place. But ever since he had left he had longed to see her again. He was more than astounded to wake aboard the Seamus with her very nearly laying atop of him, and it took several glasses of wine to get that incident out of his head that first day. Strangely, this was just one day later, and having been with her and being able to see her only made his affection towards her grow within him, but he was tortured by his own doubts within, and he only hoped that she felt the same way about him that he felt of her.
Cue: Orocia... What'cha doing up there?
OOC: I'd like to give Orocia the chance to post before anyone else comes home, if that's alright...
__________________
-You say you want a revolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
Posted by Lyght Smith on 02-05-2002 12:18 AM
Palin, Carla, and Tygan all stood staring at the mysterious woman. Tygan took off his blue hat and was the first to Speak, “Thank you Miss for jumping into the fight on our behalf.”
“Oh I was just on my way to Xellos when I seen you getting attacked by those thieve. And I just couldn’t stand by and watch you all get kill so I jumped into the fight.”
Then Palin broke into the conversation, “As Tygan I am very thankful for your help with those bandits, but what business brings to Xellos?”
The woman heisted for a moment she had planed on being a little more forward, but she had their trust now and why should she waste it, “I am Weapons merchant From Gania. My busyness has been very busy of late but my inventory is getting low and the people I do busy with will only deal with me face to face so now you see why I have to go to Xellos.”
“It sounds very sensible miss I sorry it I came off as a bit rude,” Said Palin with a little bit of humbleness in his voice.
“Its ok, if I were you I would be suspicious on these roads. I mean they’re filled with all types strange people.” Said Cybele
“Your right Miss,” said Lyght coming up from behind, “And I think that you should come with us to Xellos. I mean this road is a lot Safer with six rather than five.”
“Five? I only count four… Oh you mean the Cow.” Said Cybele
“It’s a Ox,” said Carla speaking up for the first time since before the battle, “And She my Friend so get it right.”
“Sorry Sweetie I didn’t see you down there, and didn’t realize that there different.” Said Cybele
“Well they are. If I have learned nothing else in the last day, it is that Betty Is an Ox, but I love her to. I mean who wouldn’t love something that saved your live 3 time is two day.” Said Tygan
“Quite right Tygan. In any case, we should get moving before some other thieves come along. And I would prefer to get to Xellos before that. Not to mention that sun is getting closer to the horizon.” The rest of the group Nodded and they headed out. Carla took back her set on Betty, while Cybele rode her horse along side Tygan, Where they had a long conversation, which ended up mostly being about Tygans actives since he had come into Gania.
The Rest of the trip went with out incident, the party ended up getting into town just after sunset, but with light fading fast no one knew where any to the inns were. Then Cybele spoke up. “I think I can help you’ll. There is a little inn with stable A few blocks to the south of here I think if we hurry we can still get a room there.”
“Sounds go to me I know I don’t feel like sleeping on the street of Xellos, Just think of what of what this stone would do to my clothes”
“Well we would hate if any thing were to happen to your clothes Tygan so would you please lead the way miss.” Said Palin
“I would love to,” and the party hurried after her though the streets to until they came to the Inn, when they got there Lyght and Cybele when into the inn to get a set of rooms and a stable. After a few minutes, the pair came out.
“We have two rooms and a stable, so Palin and Tygan why don’t you two take all our stuff up and help Miss Cybele too while your at it. I’m going to take Betty back to the stable.” Then Lyght paused for a moment, “Umm, Miss Cybele could you Watch Carla while I take Betty back?”
“Sure I would love to, if it ok with Carla.”
“Well honey, what do you think?” Asked Lyght in his kind warm voice
“Sure I guess,” Said Carla in a shaky, voice.
Then Lyght walked back to the stable, leaving Carla and Cybele to talk. “So what is your name Lady?”
“Well, most of my friend call me, Cybele Ariadne, and what do they call you little girl?”
“I’m Carla Tylania, You seem like a you could be a nice person.”
“And what do you mean by ‘could be a nice person’ I want to know now.” About this time, Lyght came walking back, effetely stopping the conversation.
“Well Ladies, are you ready to go in.” The women nodded then Lyght spoke up again, “Oh, one more thing Cybele would you be willing to let Carla sleep with you tonight so I don’t have to spend most of the night backhanding Palin and Tygan.”
“Sure I would love,” Said Cybele. Of course Carla gave out a look like she be sent to a prison camp, but she decided not to voice her opinion, and, that is how the evening ended For Palin, Tygan, Lyght, Betty, Carla, and Cybele.
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I just can't help but fell greater powers are involed here.
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-05-2002 01:52 AM
A day of peace
For the very first time in her life, Til’Sylvanna felt whole. No longer was there the great void where Til’Silvannis had been; nor where she had pushed away all who cared about her. In this moment in time, she was happy. She could feel Nelcar’s arms around her, his warm breath dancing across her neck. She could feel the beating of his heart in time with her own. She was whole.
How could I have been willing to turn this aside? She wondered. For self-indulgent pity and self-loathing? He was right to have been angry with me, for I was acting like a child. She smiled to herself, nestling closer to him.
Long she slept in peace, neither dreaming, nor thinking. Just resting. It had been a long time since she had done so.
She woke when the sun was nearing noon, though the others yet slept. Rather than getting up, she stayed in Nelcar’s arms and decided to walk the Dreaming for a while. She closed her eyes and willed herself to the place that was becoming increasingly easier to access.
Here she practiced her katas, the flowing martial arts movements known only to the Elwain. She meditated and practiced going to different locations that she had been or seen in books. The White Lady also spent a long time in prayer to the Creator, thanking her for the life of Saeth Shen, and asking for guidance.
Finally she returned to the waking world, feeling strengthened and well prepared for whatever may lie before them. She lay there, not yet opening her eyes, feeling for the spirit belonging to Nelcar. He was also awake. She rolled over so that she could look him in the eyes.
“I loose myself in those eyes,” she said tenderly as she wrapped her arms around his waste, his about her shoulders.
“No,” he said with a soft smile, “you find yourself.” He leaned forward and kissed her, the first time he had ever done so.
She smiled and closed her eyes. “I want to stay like this forever.”
“Okay,” he whispered. They lay like that for most of the day, until they heard one of the others awake.
Cue: my fellows
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-05-2002 02:39 PM
Tygan relaxed in his bed, lying on his back, his head resting in the palms of his hands.
“Another crazy day,” he said to himself, “More fighting and another person joined us.”
“Cybele,” he glared, “I don’t trust her, she is up to something and I don’t like. I’ll just have to pretend to be nice I guess.”
“Then there is Carla, she is also telling us some lies, I’ll talk to her tomorrow. I don’t want to be too harsh though, she is a nice girl, what can I say, I’m kind of fond of her, even if she is a little clumsy,” he laughed silently, but quickly dismissed the thought, “The hell am I saying? I can’t be fond of anyone, not since I know the truth, my own father is my enemy!”
He sighed, his thoughts trailing off, “I was such a mess on that journey, I must be getting out of shape. I normally could do that without breaking a sweat. Then I even had the ignorance to belch! I haven’t done that since I was six, the thought disgusts me! I must be getting it from hanging out with people like Palin.” He grinned, “Yes I must be, Palin is far from having manners.”
“You ok Tygan?” It was Palin.
“Ya, I’m fine.”
“What do you think of that Cybele?”
“I don’t know.” He didn’t want to tell his real thoughts yet.
“Hah, I bet you don’t know! I know you like her.”
Tygan’s eyes darkened, “Don’t fool yourself! I don’t trust her! Is that what you wanted to hear?”
“Hey, I’m sorry man, didn’t mean to make you mad.”
“I…I’m sorry, just have a lot on my mind.” I’m getting mad at my friends? What is the matter with me?
“I know what you mean. Let’s just get some sleep, save your worries for tomorrow.”
Tygan sighed once again. “Tomorrow is what I’m worried about,” he said silently.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Zander Kohen on 02-05-2002 03:14 PM
Zander and Tiffarah walked lazily through the noth ward of the city that evening, his arm around her waist. The north ward was dedicated to the docks and seafaring men who stayed in the small inns that lined the docks. It seemed like so long since Zander had slept in one such inn, but it had only been a few months.
So much had happened, and now he was back in this technological marvel known as Balanum and he was with a woman that he loved. The only woman he had loved since Amalia had died. Indeed, he didn't think it was possible for him to love anyone that way again; yet here she was, a girl he hardly knew.
He took in a deep breath, the salty air filling his lungs. They stopped for a moment, the moonlight gleaming off the waves as they gently rolled into the docks.
"Do you think we jumped into this too soon?" Tiffarah asked out of nowhere.
"I don't know Tif," Zander said, turning to face her. "I don't think it's ever too soon for love, but you have to be sure it's not just heated passion."
"I know what you mean," She said. "We've only known each other for a little over a week, yet I would trust you with my life. No I would give you my life."
"You don't have to do that, I've sworn to protect you, not own you."
"I want to Zander; you've given me so much. I owe my life to you already, is it so bad that I want to give it to you, along with my love?"
"No, I suppose not, but only if you'll take mine."
There was a long pause and neither of them spoke; they just stared out across the waves as if the seas might carry the answers to all of their questions into the shore along with the tide.
"What will we do when we're done here?" She asked, still staring out at the waters.
"I suppose we'll go back to Alex's house," Zander answered, not sure what it had to do with anything.
"No I mean, what will we do once were done here in balanum?" she explained. "Where will we go? What's the next leg of your journey?"
Zander smiled, "Where I go is wherever life takes me, for life is my journey. It has a starting point and a destination, (birth and death) and who knows what journey there may be after that? As for where we'll go, I'm not really sure. I would like to go back to Xellos. It is dangerous here in Asheri, with all the shadowspawn and the war; perhaps my birthtown will be safer."
"What about the others?"
He thought for a moment. Surely not all of them would accompany him to Xellos, and he would be sad to see many of them leave his company, especially his new brother Alexandros. Still he couldn't knowingly place Tiffarah in the path of danger; he didn't want to lose her like he had Amalia, not if he could help it.
"They can go their own way," He said at last. "I'm pretty sure Arkiri will want to stay with Keigo now, whether he comes with us or not, but I don't know about Orocia, Alex or Caliph. They may have their own business to attend to, but don't worry, we won't be leaving their company for some time; Alex has promised to teach me some of what he learned while in his reverie."
Tiffarah was glad to hear this, she was not eager to leave the friendship she had forged with Orocia. Not that she didn't want to go to Xellos with Zander, but she knew he was overreacting a bit on how much she needed to be protected.
They stood there for a while longer before heading into the market ward to look around; they didn't yet want to return to Alexandros' home.
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Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Halar on 02-05-2002 05:27 PM
He will be killed easily
The sun came up in the Evisis Woods. Halar woke up next to his wife, Carlea. She had already been awake, and was looking at him.
"Halar," she said, in an animal, but feminine, voice, "are we ready to fight the Arboreal Prowler?"
Halar laughed. "Darling, he's only one man! We'll tear him to pieces within seconds! The man can hardly fight."
"That's not what concerns me," she said. "If he can hide so easily, even from us, and move so quickly in the forest, how can we even catch him to kill him?"
"Carlea, don't worry," he said, running his furry hand along her face. They were now in their more humanoid form. "He is in a clearing in the woods. We will surround him, and he'll have no escape. He will be easily killed. Besides, I am strong enough to rip any man apart within seconds by myself."
"You're just so strong, aren't you?" she said, mockingly and with a smirk. Then she let out an especially friendly (and inviting) growl, and they made love.
That night, a fog rolled in, and Halar came tearing through it, running toward the Prowler's camp. He stopped about a mile away, turned around, and let out a loud, bloodthirsty howl. The rest of the Black Wolves came through the fog to meet him, including Carlea. She was lustful, but now for blood.
They were in their full wolf form. Halar let out another howl meaning, "Tonight he dies!" Then he turned back around and they ran toward where the Arboreal Prowler had set camp.
__________________
I am Halar. When you hear me howling, be afraid.
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 02-05-2002 05:47 PM
The Rose
Once again the Arboreal Prowler stood, leaning against a tree, and looking off into the woods. He was watchful, for something wasn't right. There was evil in the air tonight.
He had the fire burning low and dim, not wanting to attract the wolves. If the Fiero attacked him, he would be completely vulnerable with Ilona.
He looked over at her. She was sitting on a log, staring into the fire. She had a blank look on her face again. Ever since she had been hypnotized by the demon, she had hardly said anything. The words she had spoken were either senseless mumbling, or simple responses to questions.
She was no longer Ilona. She had almost fully healed from her wounds, but inside, she was dead. It was as if the demon had taken her soul.
The Prowler wanted it back. After taking Ilona to the healer, he had rode as quickly as he could to the cliffs overlooking the sea. He had to reach it before night fell. He reached the cliffs just a few hours before dawn, around midnight. The sky was black, and a few seagulls flew above the waves, which crashed against the rocks with a soothing sound.
He dropped a black rose into the water after soaking it with his blood. The blood stained the rose, but only being soaked in the ocean could make the blood color it red. Once the rose became red, Ilona would return to him. At least, that was his only hope.
That was a couple of weeks ago. He would need to find the rose by traveling to the seacoast somewhere down south. The currents would undoubtedly carry it there.
Once he found the rose, colored red, he would have Ilona back, and they would love again. He would once again caress her under the waterfall.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a wolf howling. He spoke Fiero fluently, and the howl carried a dark meaning. He could have sworn it said, "He dies tonight."
He packed up his equipment, and loaded it onto his horse, whose name was Night Mare. He was about to get Ilona on the horse when he heard a pack of wolves running through the woods toward him.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing into the forest alone. It is my name that is whispered by the leaves in the middle of the night and carried by the wind to your ears.
I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 02-05-2002 05:59 PM
Dreamscapes of the past..........
Palin walked away from Tygan's room, silence engulfing his mind. He had heard some of Tygan's self-commentary and he was quite hurt to hear that his new friend didn't trust him. He was also a bit startled by Tygan’s quick temper about his joke concerning Cybele. Tygan wasn’t usually so tense, but then again, who wouldn’t be if their father tried to kill them?
To tell the truth, he was worried as well. Cybele was not what she appeared to be and her motives were otherwise driven by something malicious. He would have to watch his back.
The other enigma was Carla. She was rather young to be walking about a town like Gania alone, especially when she was so clumsy. He had to admit that she wasn’t too young to be attractive, but the whole situation in which he had commented on her bloomers was kind of creepy. He wasn’t sure what had caused it, but he had said it without thinking.
His head still stung where Lyght had hit him and he was careful to lay down slowly when he went to bed. He would have to amend his manners if he hoped to survive Lyght's protection.
But whatever was going to happen with Cybele and Carla wasn’t going to happen tonight. So Palin rolled over and went to sleep, leaving his thoughts on the subject to wait until tomorrow.
(There was something wrong, something amiss. Visions of blackness engulfed his mind. He saw fire and steel rend landscapes. What did it all mean? He could not remember and the scenes of darkness in his mind were too vague. He saw his friends and acquaintances consumed. Then one thing that appeared clearly before him threatened to drive him mad.)
(He saw his parents.)
(They were standing before him, real and vivid, his father smiling and his mother waving. They spoke, but in words he could not hear. He ran to them and reached, but he could not come any closer. They always remained the same distance away.)
(Palin glimpsed one last time and his mother mouthed words to him that he could barely make out. But he broke into tears as he found the meaning in their faces.)
(“We love you……….”)
Palin awoke suddenly, screaming. He realized, at length, where he was and stopped. He found that he had been crying in his sleep. The dreams were too obscure to mean anything, but the vision of his parents was too real to be a part of them.
He wondered, silently, what had provoked the visions and drifted softly back to sleep, hoping to get more rest before the coming day.
Cue: Whoever’s writing the next post in our party. Contact me to talk about it.
__________________
Being a hero is not some title to obtain or a term to be used lightly. It is a matter of essence and is reserved for those with only heart and soul guiding their actions.
Palin Freeborn
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 02-05-2002 07:05 PM
Attack in the Evisis Woods
The first wolf he saw was unusually large. It was a Black Wolf, he could tell. It's eyes seemed to grow red in the moonlight. The Arboreal Prowler recognized this wolf. He had seen it many times before. It haunted his dreams.
It ran at him with incredible speed, and leaped at him. It knocked him down, and started clawing at him and tried to bite him. The Prowler managed to get his hand on one of his machetes, and stabbed the wolf. It let out a whimper and jumped off of him.
The Prowler shakily stood up. He had been scratched up badly, but nothing serious. The wolf that had attacked him was now standing before him, and did not seem to be much affected by the stab wound. He must not have hit any major organs.
The wolf was now accompanied by nine others. The Prowler could tell that these were the Black Wolves. No man would stand a chance against all ten of them. He had to think quickly, before they tore him to pieces.
He spun around and smacked Night Mare on the ass. The horse ran off into the woods with the Prowler's equipment. The wolves stayed. The Prowler ran over to Ilona, and the wolves came at him. He managed to grab her and climb into the trees before they could hurt him.
Just like he had done a year ago when he rescued Ilona from the wolves, he once again carried her through the treetops with amazing speed. As if by a miracle, he had escaped the wolves. Once he got out of the Evisis Woods, though, he would need to run as fast as he could.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing into the forest alone. It is my name that is whispered by the leaves in the middle of the night and carried by the wind to your ears.
I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Orocia Agua on 02-06-2002 12:36 AM
OOC: Expletives, people. But good shtuff.
IC:
Leaning against the wall, she stared up at the ceiling, at the light flickering in the lamps...
Sliding her back down against the wall, bringing her hands up to cradle her head, looking down at the floor as finally she was sitting back against the wall, elbows on her knees, still looking down.
She tried not to cry.
Blessed Mother, why do I feel this way? I'm not worthy of him!
And his sister.. it only reminded her of her brother..
"BITCH!!" SLAP!
"DON'T YOU CALL ME A BITCH!" She staggered back against the blow of his backhand, feeling for a wall. Tears were streaming down her face. The man she had just slept with, Ron Clardock, and killed, was one of Claude's biggest competitors; Orocia was asked to kill him by Claude because he had heard rumors that he was in dealings with Keirhak Browning, a man Claude considered a worthy business partner, and Claude did not want Clardock to get the upper hand against him among the business world of Southdale. Rio, on the other hand, was a broker for Claude, and Rio was sent to negotiate a deal with the now murdered Clardock. Claude was planning that once Clardock was murdered, Orocia, who was seeing him on the side, would be heir to some of his assets, and in twisting the law Claude would be able to claim more of Clardock's assets to add to his deal to entice Browning. Of course, Rio was innocent of knowing any of these clandestine plots.
"You dirty WHORE! I can't believe you're my SISTER! How could you dare do this shit behind my back?! You disgusting whore, you're a disgrace to me!!" He grabbed her by her hair and threw her down to his feet and kicked her ribs and stomach repeatedly.
She cried out in pain at each kick, between her sobs, trying desperately to protect her unborn child, a fact unknown to Rio. She wondered why she was protecting it.. she knew she wouldn't want it, might as well let him kick at it and kill it...
He pulled her up roughly by the shoulders, shaking her,"How long has your fucking been going on now?! HUH?!? TELL ME!!!"
She wasn't going to take this punishment any longer; finally, she broke an arm away and threw an elbow to his nose, effectively pushing him back and drawing blood. "Damn it, Rio!! If I didn't do this, we'd be beggars on the streets right now, no clothes, no food, no money, no shelter!! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"Augh, shit! BITCH!" He stood back, facing down at the ground, holding his nose. He looked up at her with a fierce look in his eyes,"Being a beggar is more respectable than being a whore. I am not going to live off your sex money, Orocia."
"IDIOT!" She grabbed a nearby chair and crashed it down on him, felling him to the floor. "You stupid idiot! We have the best life right now! We're living in a mansion!! You have a respectable job, no thanks to me!! Why does it matter that I'm fucking your boss?! If it weren't for me, you'd never be where you were today!!"
"Orocia, he's a married man! I am not going to be a part of this!!" He staggered back up.
"Oh the fuck with that! You slept with one of his client's wives!! I wouldn't be surprised if there were more!"
At mention of this, Rio punished his sister with a left hook. She was down on the floor again with a nasty bruise spreading fast across her cheek and eye. He picked her up again,"Don't you EVER accuse me of anything like that again!! I have NEVER and WILL NEVER drop down to your level!!"
Orocia grabbed hold of his ear and managed to bash his head against a nearby wall,"FINE! Let me see you do better without me! The only reason you'll be successful is because I brought you this far, Rio! It's because of ME!" The two finally were at a safe distance from each other, staring each other down.
He walked slowly up to her,"I can't believe we're of the same blood." Stopping directly in front of her, he spat in her face. "I break our bloodties now. Goodbye, Orocia. If I see you ever again..."
But he was stopped mid-sentence by a hard slap from the right by Orocia, tears stinging her bloodstained and bruised face. Rio was not much better, with a bloody and bruised nose, cuts on his face, a hurt back, and possibly a cracked rib. The two stared each other down again. The tears stood in Rio's eyes as he backed away, turning over a nearby table in fury as he left. He would later change his last name, adding an 's' at the end, so that he would be known as Rio Aguas; a more tangible symbol of his break with his sister.
Orocia had gone back to Claude, crying and limping back, only for him to turn her away and kick her out, after Orocia had refused his order of killing her brother, the lone witness of the crime. She found herself walking the streets, watching her back because she knew he probably had sent someone else to kill her, until she had her baby.*
....
Orocia found herself shuddering with sobs in the bathroom. And then she realized that poor Alexandros was downstairs, waiting. But how could she go down now? She didn't want him to know she was crying-- she turned on the water at the sink and began to wash off her tears. More thoughts ran through her mind:
How funny... I didn't want to admit it before, but...
"I think I'm falling in love with you, Alex." She whispered to herself. "And Creator knows that trash like me doesn't deserve you, a Holy Knight, of all people..."
Alexandros, how could you love me, knowing who I was?
I can't even walk by churches...
She remembered one time, not long after she broke ties with her brother, of walking into a church. She received the dirtiest look from a nun, but she pushed herself to go to confession. She had to tell someone..
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."
But she could not list all of the men she had killed... And that poor, bastard baby. And herself... Her trashy whore murderer self.. She was kneeling there, sobbing uncontrollably, the priest pleading her to calm down and confide in him, believe in Her Goodness and Love, but ultimately she ran out of the confession booth, getting another dirty look from the nun as she left, crying as she ran out into the street..
Alex, don't feel anything for me... I'd just bring you trouble. ...I don't even know how many people are out to kill me... Don't break your heart over my death, whenever it comes, Alex....
But she couldn't deny her feelings for him. But she didn't deserve him. And he didn't need the trouble and shame she'd bring.
"Orocia?"
It was Alexandros.
CUE: Alex! She'll pretend she's fine, of course.. Her tears will be gone, but her eyes will still be wet, and her face flushed, and she'll make up an excuse or something.. *devilish grin*
*And Leo, was your orphanage in Southdale?
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-06-2002 12:38 AM
Waiting
Til'Sylvanna heard the soft curse muttered by Nelcar and smiled. "Well, Love, time to tend the fallen. You didn't think we would really be allowed all day to our self-indulgence, did you?" She smiled again as he raised a delicate eyebrow and ruffled her hair.
"No, I suppose not, but I would have liked to," he grinned as he got up. She followed suit.
She walked over to Finrandel, he about whom she knew so little, while Nelcar went about checking on Saeth.
She knelt over the newly awakened Elwain, concern in her kind silver eyes. "How do you feel?" She asked.
His eyes fluttered open. They were clouded and farseeing.
"Cold... very cold. I am chilled t-to the bone." He managed to mutter, his eyes staring forward into oblivion.
She put a hand to his forehead and felt that indeed he was yet chilled. The White Lady went and gathered her and Nelcar's blankets and covered him. She looked into his eyes and held him in hers, hoping to divine a way to aid him. She knew so little about the enemy which they had faced, and even less how to combat the evil it had caused in her kindred.
“Tell me what you see," she said quietly, hoping talking would help him. All her strong will she bent upon him, lending her strength to his healing.
Finrandel paused shivering for but a moment, his eyes still staring past Til'Sylvanna. "It is... dark, cold... I-I see a hand reaching forth..." His lips began to quake, and a tear ran from the deep blue pool of his eye. The cold overtook him in a fit of shivering.
Her heart went out to the suffering of Finrandel, for great indeed was his anguish and it pained her to see it. With all her heart she wished for a way to heal him of it.
"No," she said softly in a voice of Command, all the great power of the elwain behind it," you cannot be harmed. I have brought you back into the light, and here the cold and Shadow cannot have you. Listen to the sound of my voice and follow..." Her eyes did not leave his. "You are a child of the Elwain, first children of the Dawn. Cast off the cold and dark, return to those who are your kindred.”
Finrandel's body slowed its erratic movements, and he spoke again of his visions. "The dark rider... st-still haunts m-me. I wish him to g-go..."
There was great kindness in her voice and she placed a warm hand upon his brow. "The dark rider is banished by the hand of Saeth Shen. You are in my keeping now. I bid you let go your fear, for here it cannot harm you."
His breathing slowed, but was steady. His eyes yet remained focused in the distance, some unknown terror still haunting his mind.
She bent forward and kissed him lightly upon his cold cheek. Greatly did she wish to enter his mind and see for herself what ailed him, but her heart misgave her. It felt too much like invasion of privacy than healing. She knew she had no right, even to heal him, to enter his mind unbidden. Such thoughts could only lead to trouble.
Thus he fell back into unconsciousness, to recover, but only with time would he heal completely
Softly she began to sing, and though not so powerful as Nelcar, she was able to sooth him. Seeing that he was once again resting, she left his side with a prayer to the Creator for his healing.
Til’Sylvanna then went to see how Saeth faired. Nelcar yet knelt at the great warrior’s side, head bowed. She could see that the Esiai’desh’mirain slept a deep sleep, and it would be long ere he woke again. A great battle he fought within his mind, though the battle for his life was won. After a long time Nelcar rose and they walked a little way out of the trees to talk.
She could see that the stress of the last few days lay heavily upon his spirit. They sat upon the soft green grass, not speaking but just being together. She drew her knees up and rested her chin upon them, looking out into the late afternoon sun.
“Will he ever awaken?” She asked of him after a long time.
Nelcar just looked out into the golden fields before them. “I hope so. I really hope so.”
CUE: Saeth, Finrandel, Nelcar
**Fin and I RP’d this one on IM. Such a great way to work on a post.
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Sekirah Partam on 02-06-2002 09:57 AM
The sun hung low on the horizon when Sekirah rode into Balanum that day. He has seen the Seamus pass over his head and toward the city earlier that morning, but it took him most of the day to reach the industrial city.
Security had been tight ever since the shadowspawn attack, but Sekirah was allowed entrance when they saw the horse that he rode. It was clearly one of General Dominic's steeds and they assumed he was a thief at first, but once he explained how he had aquired such an animal, they let him through.
'Funny,' he thought, 'they have such respect for Dominic though Balanum remains neutral.'
Sekirah rode through the narrow streets as the city grew dark. Very little amazed him about Balanum any more. It had been such a short time since he was last there that the technology was of little marvel to him. Instead, he sought out a Church and an inn for him to spend the night.
He had no clue that the passengers aboard the Seamus earlier that day were the same that he was seeking. He assumed that they had reached Balanum much earlier than he and likely moved on. To where, he knew not, but he thought he would never see them again, so he turned his attention to the Sacred Grove.
Hopefully he would find what he was looking for there. Maybe the great weight of guilt in his heart would be lifted. Right now he seemed to be running from the guilt his past brought upon him, like he was being hunted by it. He knew that one day, if he didn't find a way to release it, his past, and the guilt that came with it, would consume him.
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Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-06-2002 02:15 PM
Visions...
They sat quietly together for most of the evening, keeping watch over their friends, hoping. It was hard, for in Evisis malady is all but unknown. Though patience is a virtue of the elves, sometimes it wears even upon them. Thus did Til’Sylvanna and Nelcar watch the sun set and the stars bloom in the dark velvet of the evening sky.
She leaned against him, laying her head upon his strong shoulder. She closed her eyes… drifting off into a soft sleep though she had not meant to.
A Vision came to her then.
The great vastness of the ocean… dark and rolling in the storm which raged about it. A small boat. She hoped that little craft would find safe harborage.
Then she saw once more the Dark Tower… that which she greatly feared. He was still there… waiting, hungering, searching. “Welcome home,” a cruel voice whispered. She shivered.
Her vision shifted and she was in Gania once more. This time at the grand palace of the King and Queen Rosenblade. Why? Then she saw the red star and the blue star as well, standing side by side. They looked out over a great battlement, seeing a great shadow in the distance. Til’Sylvanna saw herself at their side, silver/white hair blowing in the wind. What were they looking at?
She Saw a battle… twisted Shadowspawn ravaging the towns and villages of Gania. The red star with sword in one hand, lightning in her other. Nelcar with his bow, Saeth with his sward and fighting. Finrandel was there… beset by foes. The blue one… he was wading through foes trying to get to something… what? And in the distance… on a hilltop… upon a great black steed… was her. Til’Sylvanna saw herself garbed all in black… her long hair wildly blowing in the fetid wind. A… oh Creator, noooo… there was a sword in her hand. She was laughing… watching her friends fight… commanding the spawn attacking them. Who could this be?
All faded into gray… then she saw herself again. Laying on the floor of some dark room, motionless… Nelcar was there… what was going on?
Then she saw Linfell… surrounded by humans in the woods. He was alone against them…
A man with strange marks upon his face… pale hair and noble of face. He turned his face to the Heavens and a radiant white light flooded him. An angel… the light of the Creator in him. Without him they would fall…
A sword… glowing with power… a race against time… The world in chaos…
But just as she began to feel that things were hopeless, a soft white light engulfed her. She knew that as long as those of good stayed true to one another, the Shadow could never defeat them wholly. Love was the strongest bond of all, and with it they would heal the world...
She awoke to find that Nelcar had carried her to the bed he had made for her. She smiled and fell back into an untroubled sleep.
Cue: Saeth, Fin, and Nelcar.
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Keiru Emerald on 02-06-2002 02:28 PM
The Light and the Lily
Alexandros knocked on the door of the bathroom, calling from much closer this time. Orocia's heart jumped and then fell back, dragged down by her past guilt.
Orocia spoke meekly "Come in, Alex,"
He opened the door to see her standing there in a blue blouse and baggy sailors pants. Her eyes were wet and she was a bit red in the face. Alex moved slowly towards her, and as he did her gaze went from looking at him to looking at the floor. He moved behind her, and clasped her arms with his hands. They stood for a few moments there, and then as if through some clairivoyance, Alexandros spoke.
"Orocia?" He paused for a moment, and before she could speak, he continued, "You may have done some things in the past that you regret. I know I have. But you can learn to live with these things. I don't know what's wrong, becasue as the old Lunari addage goes, it is not prudent to scry upon those you," another long pause followed, but Orocia had heard the saying during her stay in Lunis.
She turned around and raised one of her hands to Alexandros' face, "upon those you love,". She broke into tears, and nearly fell into Alexandros' arms. He held her for a long time, gently stroking her hair as he could feel her tears penetrating the fabric of his white suitcoat. She pulled back slightly after a bit, not wanting to let her feelings betray her, but by the look in Alexandros' eye, she knew that they already had.
She backed away and up against the wall, and slowly slid down the wall so that she sat upon the hardwood floor. Alexandros, knowing better than to pry with his magics, simply waited for a moment, and then sat in front of her. Her teary eyes were filled with a termoil of emotion. Alex could feel love, despair, hate and hope, all within her gaze, but he did not know where each of those applied. He did the best he could to fill his own with love and understanding.
Orocia let out a short laugh, "This can't happen. I.. I.. I don't deserve someone like you..."
Alex made no motion, other than a small grimace. This wasn't what he was expecting. Yet he replied quickly, "Why is it that you would say such a thing? It is not our choice to choose who we love, nor is love something to be thrown off like a cheap blanket. Love is something to be cherished for all that it is, for there is noting in this world worth fighting for more than love. Up to this point I have been fighting against the shadow for you, Orocia, and for Indy and Scarlet, for Victor and Caliph and for al the people of Asheri, and for their love. But now I fight for something closer to me. I fight for my own love, and I fight for yours," Alexandros closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
Orocia looked up at him with a slight smile, and she looked almost hurt, "But how can someone like you even love someone like me,"
Alex shook his head and laughed, "Becasue of who you are. You're hard as nails, you're intelligent, witty, stubborn as an ox, beautiful, oh so beautiful, and blessed with a Tiger's spirit and a Human's heart. I admit I know nothing of your past. Honestly, I'd like to know, but if you do not see it fit to tell me, I shall not press the matter. All I wish from you is your love in return for mine,"
Then unexpectedly, Orocia launched herself from the wall and caught Alex in a tackle, sending them both sprawing across the bathroom. When they had stopped rolling, they were in a position very similar to when Alex had awakened only two days ago. Orocia peered down at him from her vantage point atop of him and teased.
"You know, I could kill you if I wanted to..."
"I know that you could. We're both killers, Orocia," Alex smiled up at her, "But as I see it, we both only kill when it's needed. Your soul is light and dark, but light can never be quenched by darkness. With time, you will be whole. Plus, I don't think you really want to kill me..."
"No," They both laughed, "But I could use a drink, I think," Orocia trailed off, and Alex helped her to her feet.
Alex led her down the stairs and they sat together upon Alex's favorite couch. He handed a glass of the wine to Orocia, and took his for himself. They sat there for a few moments, quietly sipping their wine, when Orocia's eyes met Alexandros' and the pair simply sat and gazed. Time seemed to freeze for Orocia as she could see the tiny gold flecks scintillating in his eyes, and for him, the way that the lamplight reflected the shade of aquamarine into his sight was spectacular.
Alex moved a bit closer to Orocia and touched her face with his calm right hand, she looked up at him, and a single tear fell onto his fingers. She looked up again, and gently took his hand into hers, and leaned foreward. Alex leaned in and they kissed. A flood of relief came through both of them as for but a moment all of their self doubting and past crimes were gone, lost to the glory of the moment. Alex broke the flood of ecstacy and embraced her as her arms flew about him, and they lay on the couch for some time, not speaking, Orocia's head laid upon Alex's chest listening to his heartbeat.
Alex spoke softly as he caressed Orocia's cheekbones, she turned her head to look at him when he spoke, and smiled as his soft words were accepted into her soul, "Orocia, no matter what you've done in the past, no matter what you will do in the future, I only want to be able to be with you,"
She took his hand softly and kissed one of his scarred knuckles, peering up at him, she should have realized that though Alex was a Holy Kinght, he saw the best in people no matter who they were, or are. She laughed inwardly as she asked herself why she couldn't see that Alex would have accepted her one way or another, then with a flirtatious smile, she replied, "I wouldn't send you away for anything,"
He kissed her forehead lightly and picked up his glass of wine, "To us then, to us," Alex spoke softly, and they both smiled at each other. Their glasses clanked together lightly and they drained their glasses.
The next couple of hours saw three bottles of wine and conversation of all sorts. The two shared kisses and embraces, and the simple pleasure of the company of one whom is endeared to you. They lounged as they had been, upon the couch, Orocia laying atop of Alex, listening to his heartbeat as they talked. They spoke of Alexandros' journeys all over Asheri, and of Orocia's time as a sailor. They spoke about the little things they had noticed about each other the night Alexandros had come crashing through the glass ceiling at the Fenstril manor, as well. Alexandros told her as much as he could remember about the heavenly plain and about how he could feel what was about his body, and about the strangeness of it.
Soon, Orocia began dozing lightly upon Alex's chest, and Alex barely had the coordination to pour another glass of wine for himself. He drank it slowly, falling farther into drunkeness, and feeling the warmth of the wine seethe through his body. But the warmth of the wine could not replace the warmth of his heart, as he placed the glass back upon the table, kissed the sleeping Orocia's forehead, covered the two of them with a Balan afghan, and fell to slumber himself.
Cue: Orocia, and the rest of the gang...
OOC: *scowls* So was this some sort of test or something, Orocia? Yes, I can write seductive romantic stuff as well as any other writer, and as a matter of fact, I enjoy it. *smile* I figured that Orocia would surrender to her emotion for Alex, becasue of the fact that she had no idea that Alex had feelings for her as well, and becasue she truely does want to be with him, but this should lead to some interesting conversation/confession (if you want) in the future, about Orocia's past and her self doubts. Also I took the liberty of having her reconsile her doubt about him being too good for her, I hope that's okay..
Ugh.. Long post.. Tired.. Sleep...
__________________
-You say you want a revolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-06-2002 03:40 PM
“GRAAAAAA!” Palin charged forward with his blade, aiming straight for Tygan’s gut. However, this had been expected and Tygan dodged to the side.
“Ahah, you are getting slow and foolish in your old age!”
“Old? We’re the same age!” Palin glared. He charged forth once again, this was also dodged, but then Palin did a 180-degree spin to bring his sword up from behind. Tygan rolled forward, keeping his blades to his back for defense.
“Are you trying to take my head off?”
“Well it would be an improvement.”
“You are one to talk!” They both stood there for a bit, breathing heavily.
“So, do you give up?” Palin grinned.
“Give up? I do say, one more charge by you, and the fight is over!”
“Hah, I’ll believe it when I see it!” Palin put his blade in front of him, charging forth once more.
Soon as he was close he lifted his blade for a down swing, Tygan rolled to the side, and the door opened where he had been standing.
“ahhh!” Light put up his pitchfork just in time to catch Palin’s sword.
“What the hell are you doing boy?! You could have hurt someone!” Lyght glared, storming the rest of the way into the room. “Don’t you have any senses, what if someone else had opened that door?”
“eh..heh…sorry…” Palin looked down. O hell!
Tygan laughed as he watched Lyght yell at Palin, this was definitely a mistake. Lyght turned toward him, still glaring, “And you! Your no better, fighting here in the back room of an Inn, you two making a ton of noise and clattering, and god knows what other sounds!”
“Sorry Lyght….” Tygan brushed his hair back with his hands, something he did often when he was embarrassed for his behavior.
Cybele walked into the room and stood beside Lyght. Lyght spoke up once again, “Anyways, I think now would be a good time for weapon shopping!”
Palin, hoping to get on Lyght’s good side again, “Ah yes, good plan, my friend should be able to get us an excellent deal!”
“Yes, and you can take Cybele,” Tygan said, Cybele’s eyes widened slightly, but she quickly recomposed herself, “She is a ‘weapon’ merchant, so she should be able to find you a good weapon, perhaps she can even buy her supplies.” He grinned at her.
“Good point, then it is settled,” Lyght began to walk out the door, but stopped, “Wait, what about you?”
Tygan was hoping he wouldn’t ask that, “I…I’ll be staying here with Betty and Carla.” He hoped that by saying Betty’s name first, Lyght wouldn’t have any suspicions.
“Hmmm, very well, but if I catch you near the girl……!” He didn’t need to say anymore.
When they had all gone, Tygan stood inside the inn alone, releasing a very large sigh, “I guess it is now or never,” he really did not want to do this.
He walked up the stairs to Carla’s room and knocked on the door.
“One second!” He heard some stumbling, then a small crash. I hope the innkeeper won’t charge us for whatever that was.
The door opened and she popped her head out, “O, hello Tygan!” She smiled and opened the door the rest of the way. “What do you need?”
“I wanted to ask you some questions.”
“About what?”
“I wanted to ask you about…” he paused, this was going to be hard to do. He looked at her, she was very attractive, which made it even harder, he almost wished she were younger so that he wouldn’t feel this kind of attraction to her. Noticing that he had paused for a little too long he shook his head, “I ummm…….wanted to ask you why you are so attrac...I mean about your past and where your from!"
“I already told you about that,” she smiled, but was kind of wondering what he had at said first by mistake.
“No, I mean your real past…..”
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 02-06-2002 03:56 PM
Forestre
The Arboreal Prowler rode into Forestre at about noon. He had found his horse, Night Mare, waiting for him right outside the Evisis Woods, and made for the road as fast as he could.
He had not been followed by the Fiero, and so he had a leisurely trip to Forestre. He was hungry by the time he entered the city; he hadn't eaten since last night. He went into his favorite tavern.
The innkeeper was having a quiet conversation with a highwayman when the Prowler walked in. He ordered a large meat sandwich, with ham, beef, sausage, lettuce, tomato, pickles, olives, and several spices. This tavern made good sandwiches. He also ordered a bowl of soup for Ilona. Then he took a seat at the table in the corner of the tavern, helping Ilona into a chair.
As they waited for their food, he looked at her intently. She did nothing but stare at the wall behind him. The Prowler could see that there was no longer anything behind her eyes. She was a shell.
He couldn't help but feel depressed by her condition. She now needed to be guided in every task, and she wouldn't talk to anyone. She was no longer the passionate, lively, deep woman that he had known and traveled with for a year. The rose had to be able to change this.
When the demon hypnotized them, they had thought they were back in their village in the Evisis Woods, 16 years earlier. The Prowler walked outside, into the night. He heard screaming and howling, and saw the wolf running toward Ilona. He could see its shape in the moonlight, and its teeth glistened. The Prowler tried to reach Ilona before the wolf did, but he failed. He saw the wolf jump up and bite her in the neck.
The wolf took Ilona.
Now he needed something to cling onto; some hope or dream. That finding the black rose would bring Ilona back to him.
It was his only hope.
__________________
I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing into the forest alone. It is my name that is whispered by the leaves in the middle of the night and carried by the wind to your ears.
I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-06-2002 05:13 PM
“I already told you about that.”
“No, I mean your real past…..”
Carla tripped at this and went tumbling toward Tygan. But by now he was accustomed to her clumsiness and caught her before she crashed into the wall. There was a brief moment where their eyes met but was broken by a sneeze from Carla. Standing now, she turned away from Tygan.
“There’s nothing to know. I’m an orphan and I’ve set out on my own now.”
“That’s a lie. Your clothes and manners are too nice for you to come from some orphanage. Why are you running away from home?” She wheeled on him angrily and would’ve yelled in his face except that there happened to be an upraised floorboard which caught her foot and sent her sprawling across the rough floor. A sharp pain from her left forearm told her she had large splinter in it before she even looked. Tears stood in her eyes not only from the splinter but also from the subject that Tygan had brought up. What she had said about being an orphan was true, at least in her mind anyway. She sniffled softly and busied herself by trying to remove the enormous splinter in her arm. Two hands halted her efforts and she looked up to see Tygan crouched next to her, concentrating on removing the splinter himself. It came out smoothly for him and Carla was surprised to feel only a slight twinge when it did. She looked up at Tygan gratefully, but then looked down again when she saw the stern look in his eyes. Sighing heavily, she spoke.
“I’m an orphan in the sense that I don’t have a real family. My parents and siblings were ashamed of me because I’m so clumsy. They locked me in my room constantly and never treated me like I was a member of the family. Finally, they sent me to an awful all girls’ edicate school so they wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore. All of the girls made fun of me and the teachers scolded me because I couldn’t get anything right. I finally ran away from there a few days ago and that’s when I met you.” She was crying now and hugging her knees to her chest. She didn’t know why she was being so open with Tygan, but now that she had started she felt she couldn’t stop.
“I didn’t want to tell you because I thought you’d make me go back. I don’t want to go back to where I’m not wanted.” She felt his arm close around her shoulder and hug her gently.
“I won’t make you go back. But Lyght may, so let’s keep this from him for now, alright?”
“Thank you, Tygan….” Their eyes met again, and this time nothing came between them, even when he lowered his head to kiss her…..
…..Until Lyght came through the door.
“I almost forgot!! Did you need anything Car-……..” He froze and gaped at the scene before him. The overturned tables, the broken vase, tears still present on Carla’s face and her rumpled clothing didn’t help shed Tygan in a good light.
Shit, Tygan thought. His future suddenly became black as Lyght began to swell in anger.
“……….”
All three blinked for a few eternal seconds before Lyght brought his pitchfork through the floor between Tygan’s legs. Angry fire blazed in his eyes as he continued to chase Tygan around the inn and through the streets of Xellos stabbing at him with his pitchfork and accusing him of taking advantage of an innocent girl.
Several hours later, Lyght returned looking exhausted, but satisfied. Concerned for Tygan’s well-being, Carla asked what had happened. Lyght answered between breaths.
“Out ran me…….had to call Betty….won’t hurt you anymore..”
Outside in the courtyard passers by couldn’t help but gawk at the spectacle. A large cow was glaring up into a tree at a young man who clung to a branch for dear life.
“LYGHT!!!! CALL OFF YOUR DAMNED COW!!!!!” Lyght glared out the window and roared back.
“SHE’S AN OX DAMMIT AND YOU DESERVE IT YOU PERVERT!!!!!!”
CUE: Palin, Lyght, Tygan or Cybele.
__________________
So what if I'm a girl?! I could kick your- Oh!! Ack!! Pardon me!!! CRASH!!!!!!!!!! BLAM!!! OWW!!! AAAAAAAAIIIIIEEE!!!!
Posted by Cedric Renfield on 02-06-2002 06:40 PM
The boy before him repeated the 8th chapter of the Asherian Gospel for about the hundredth time and looked hopefully at Cedric once he had finished. Cedric stood an inch or two shorter than the young man who had just become a priest at Cedric's small chapel in Balanum.
Cedric wore a stern look on his face and the young man's hopes plumetted. He had hoped to earn the respect of the older priest.
"You missed the 84th verse," he said in a gruff voice. Then his face broke into a sly smile. "By only one word. Very well done lad! Very well done!" He laughed heartily at the boy. "Now go get those robes off and get ready for supper!"
The young man bowed and started off toward a door on the left side of the wall behind the altar.
"Without running!" The young priest slowwed his stepps. Cedric laughed once more, "Ahh, youth. So much energy and they soak up knowledge like dry earth does water."
He ran his hand through his greying hair, the only feature that hinted at his own age. He was about to turn and go change out of his robes as well when the doors to his chapel creaked open. He looked up to find a tall man standing at the door. He had long silver hair and a long black coat to go with it; not exactly the sort of fellow Cedric expected to see in his church.
"Services are held each morning after sunrise, my friend," Cedric said, "but if it is someone's company you seek, I'd be glad to offer it."
"I just wanted to be in the house of the Creator for a few moments," the man said walking toward the priest.
"The creator dwells everywhere in Aeterna, not just this little shack," Cedric responded with a chuckle. "Most just dont see her till they look in here."
"Well, this seemed like the proper place to go to get away from the rest of the world."
"Ahh, running are you?" Cedric asked. "You're sooner to trip and have it catch you here than to escape from it. I see the look of a guilty man in your eyes. Tell me, what weighs so heavily on your heart?"
"You guess correctly," the man said, averting his eyes, choosing to focus them on the meshai embroidered on the priest's robes rather than into his eyes. "But my guilt is of no consequence to you, I only wish to rest here and pray."
"Nonsense lad!" Cedric exclaimed. "You'll never escape it until you turn and face it. Only in confessing it to others do you gain any peace."
"What would you know of unreconciled sins, priest?"
"More than you know," Cedric laughed. "Not even priests are immune to temptation."
"Certainly not as terrible as what haunts me," the man turned away.
"Try me," Cedric stated simply and leaned against the back of a pew.
"I was a killer for hire," the man said, discusted with himself. "I used to murder men for money. I would do virtually anything for money. I would even take advantage of women who wanted my money..." he trailed off, not willing to say more.
Cedric nodded. "Some very serious things you've done, but let me ask you this." He paused and waited for the man to nod his agreement. "What is the difference between being hired to kill as a soldier and being hired as a mercenary? With or without a righteous cause, men are killing each other for money. Some men even join one countrie's military not knowing that it's cause isn't noble. What makes you any different? You killed for money, and now you feel remorse; only Natural.
"I have taken advantage of the sexual freedom allowed to priests myself and engaged in much... eh... filandering in my years. I'm still single too... a lot of good it all did me, eh?"
"But I killed innocent people," the man contested.
"Can you honestly tell me that you believe anyone, other than a small child, is totally innocent? We all deserve death. It is by the Creator's grace that we still live, nothing more or less. Ultimately, you just served as a tool to bring them to their end and now they are with Her forevermore. You would have guilt for giving them eternal happiness?"
"But they still had life to live.." the man started, but was cut off.
"If they had, they would have lived. Sure, it is not right to kill a man, but it was their time, and if you hadn't done it, someone else would have. The Creator will forgive you for it, you need to forgive yourself. The only thing that can keep you from her forever is turning to embrace the shadow." Cedric tried to explain to him. "Now come and have supper with me, you look weary from travel and I always enjoy a good tale of adventure." The man opened his mouth to decline, but Cedric wouldn't hear of it. "Not a word. You haven't experienced anything till you've tasted my cooking. I just hope you don't have a weak stomach." Cedric laughed heartily.
The two of them walked together back to the door and Cedric hoped that this man might bring him his chance to get out of his chapel for a while and see the world. He certainly good use a good spiritual advisor.
__________________
Life's too short to spend it couped up in a Church.
Posted by Cybele Ariadne on 02-06-2002 08:07 PM
A day on the town
She stood their at the door. Watching Tygan and Lyght yell at each other for a reason she knew not of. Still things were going through her mind like shooting stars. She could not see how to deal with the problem she was about to face.
“How am I supposed to keep this up??” She thought “I know at least one of them, if not all, know that I’m not telling the truth.”
She knew that her alibi for saving them was preposterous, but she had to leave it at that for now.
“I need to get out of here and think.” she said. “I’ll just let them solve this themselves. They seem like good civilized men. Or at least one of them do.”
She began to think about Tygan, but stopped as soon as she began. She knew she shouldn’t think of any suspects in the crime. It was too uncivilized and plus if he was guilty he might get away. She didn’t wont to be ten feet near anyone she meet now. She just wanted to be on her own and check things out. Plus she could find ideas to back her plan up.
She began to sneak away from her party and walk silently away from the crowd.
“Now, where’s the nearest inn……..besides the one I just left from.”
She looked around till she saw and inn that was much dirtier than the last. She open the doors and went inside. What she saw was the man she had knocked down before in the inn by the house. She knew immediately that she should leave before anything happened. She walked back silently but made a chair fall over on her way out.
“Hey I remember you!!” the man yelled as he turned around to see her
“Likewise. But I really have to go now so…..See ya!” she yelled as she ran out the door
“O no you dont!!” He yelled as he ran after her out the door
But just as he came out the streets were filled with people, and she soon could not be found among them.
He pushed people around searching for her within the crowd, but she was already gone.
“I’ll get you next time punk.” he mumbled
“Yea …….right…..” she whispered
She hid in an alley very close to the inn and did not came out until the man was back inside.
“Its sad really I don’t even know the mans name.” she said “And he flirts with me way too much now.”
She knew she wasn’t that funny but It didn’t matter. She walked down the street to look around. She saw tons of food and clothing but no weapons. Then she looked to her right and saw a whole ally full of weapons. She began to look around and saw tons of swords, axes, shields and polearms and many more stuff to play with.
“My god.. It’s Christmas for men.” She said as she made a look of surprise
She began to pick up a few swords and twirl them around.
“Hey don’t play with that.” said an old man about his 50’s
“O……I’m sorry. Look I’m putting it down now…..” she said as she placed the sword down
She began to walk backwards away from the alley and bumped into someone from behind. The person grabbed her and placed a knife to her neck.
“You wont get away this time.” the person said
“How did you find me? Again…….” she asked
“Cause I followed you, from the time I went back in the inn to the time I found you here.”
“Nice job.”
“Thanks …….wait shut you mouth!”
“Heh, I guess its time to show you real hard work.”
“What?”
She lifted up her leg and kicked him upside the head. Making him fall backwards. She gave him a hard kick in the crotch and one to the ribs. She placed her foot on his face and pressed down hard. Then lifted it up and stepped on him knocking him out cold once again.
“Woo! I call that a real work out!!” she yelled “Wow, I think I’m getting hungry. I guess its time for me to go back to the inn. Plus I need to get out of here before he wakes up.”
She turn around and ran in the direction she came from not looking back to tell if he was down or had gotten up again.
__________________
i must know everything about everything!!
Posted by Sekirah Partam on 02-06-2002 08:15 PM
"You're differen't from most priests, I think," Sekirah said, following the older man down a narrow corridor.
"Am I?" he asked. "How many priests do you know."
Sekirah admitted that he was the first. He had never even been in a church before now. The priest was right, it felt no different than anywhere else in the world. The Creator's presence had as little effect on him here as it did anywhere else.
They entered a small dining area and the priest offered him a seat and excused himself to go change. When he returned, he was out of his robes and into something more like what Sekirah would find comfortable.
While the Priest was cooking, Sekirah told him of his journey from Helilal, the attack in Fayre and the angelic figure he had seen. He also learned the priest's name, Cedric, andbefore long they were eating and laughing like friends who hadn't seen each other in years.
"Why do you stay here in this church all the time, Cedric?" Sekirah asked. "Why not go out and see the world for yourself?"
"I would have long ago if there had been anyone to look after the place while I was gone. Now a young boy is here that will likely take my place when I grow too old to run this chapel. Perhaps I will finally be able to travel for a time."
"You should, you've wasted too much of your life withering away in here," Sekirah laughed. This night he had laughed more than he had in all his life. "Why not come with me? You might even be interested in the place I'm going."
"Where is your destination?" Cedric looked highly interested now. "If it's exciting enough, I might just take you up on that offer."
"How does the Sacred Grove sound to you?"
__________________
Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Keiru Silver on 02-06-2002 11:09 PM
Victor Dominic arrived outside the gates of New Dargent. The other arriving caravans from Nyliam all shied away from him and his strange cargo.
The cage containing the captured shadowspawn, rattled and shook, and it took two soldiers to hold it down.
The merchants and traders saw the uniforms of the Nylinus Alliance and realized that the soldiers were fighting for Lunis. A fight broke out, and General Dominic jumped down from the carriage and broke it up. After that, no one dared come near them.
Victor's eyes were like ice. He walked to the porter's shack. "Open the gates."
"Who goes there?" the Nylian soldier replied.
"General Dominic of the Lunis Armed Forces. Open the gate!"
"You're joking. The city of New Dargent is under imperial rule. Why would I let you in?"
"I'm here for an audience with the Emperor, VanVehementi."
"The emperor is not in New Dargent. Turn back and go home. We will come for you later."
Victor slammed his palm against the wall next to the iron barred window. "Open the gate," he demanded, seething. Frost began to emanate from his palm, warping the wood, and creeping into the small chamber where the Nylian soldier sat.
"I have my orders," the soldier said, unintimidated.
"Creator help me, I'll open the cage and leave it here if you don't let me inside this city right now."
"Cage? What cage?" the soldier demanded.
Victor motioned to the two waiting soldiers. They led the horses closer to the gate, and pulled back the sheet on one side.
"Shadow's hand! What manner of creature is this?" he screamed.
"A present for Aramus." Victor's lips parted in the thinnest of smiles. "Open the gate."
The soldiers let the sheet drop, covering the spawn's cage as they heard the sound of gears grinding. The porter's face was as pale as a ghost.
Cue: Aramus. I'm waiting.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 02-07-2002 01:06 AM
Reliving the Past...
Til'Sylvanna slept all that night. In the morning she woke as the first pale golden rays of the sun danced upon her face, and went to see how Nelcar faired. He smiled and yawned, giving her a kiss. She said that she would keep watch while he got some rest.
“Are you sure you will be alright alone?” He asked with concern in his deep blue eyes.
“Yes,” she said. “Anyway, I can always wake you if I need to.” He nodded and let her tuck him into the covers.
As soon as he was settled in, she went to Saeth's side. He was so pale and cold. She could hardly see any of the Elwain she knew in the still form before her. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his normally beautiful raven hair was matted and wild.
As she approached him he stirred, and called out, "Valerian! Protect the Queen!"
She stopped for a moment, perplexed.
He continued rambling "No! My liege!"
The Queen? What was he talking about, she wondered.
"I shall fall before you can lay your hands upon her, you human filth!"
"Valerian, stay thy course! Back! Back!"
He was thrashing in his covers, and she could not think of how to help him. She took his chilled hand in hers and held it, knowing that only he could fight the darkness of his past. All she could do was be there beside him so that he need not be alone.
"Be gone filth, you shall not lay your hands upon the Elwain Queen! Valerian! Quickly, into the woods!"
A tear fell from her eye... the Queen, her aunt. Dead before she had been born.
A grunt of pain came from Saeth, and a cry... "NO! Valerian save the Queen! I shall fight them here and try to hold them!"
She tried to smooth his raven dark hair from his sweaty brow... Oh Saeth, she thought sadly. I am so sorry...
Several grunts of pain followed, and more cries of pain. Saeth curled into a ball upon his bedroll.
Valerian had never told her what had happened... she had known better than to ask. She lay down beside him, gathering the Warder in her arms. She could feel his heart pounding, and all his suffering assaulted her through their magical bond.
He was breathing heavily, and blood began to run from his mouth... ”Valerian, go, go! No, don't come for me!!"
She gasped at the sight of the blood, and whipped it with the edge of her sleeve. More tears fell for Saeth, whom she so respected. Tears for his deep sorrow. Tears for her Valerian.
"My liege! What have I done?! Alas I have failed!!!"
All she could do was hold him, tears she knew he could not shed himself she shed for him.
He burst into past tears, and he seemed overwhelmed by emotion. He stood suddenly, violently throwing off Til'Sylvanna, and reaching for his blade that was not in his scabbard
"Oh Saeth Shen", she whispered... as she fell to the ground. She looked up at him, unsure of what to do. A wildness was upon him; she could feel it in him.
"You wretch! I shall slay all of you for the dishonor you have caused!"
“NO,” she screamed... “It's me!! Til’Sylvanna!”
He began moving through the forms that he practiced so long ago as if he were in battle against many opponents.
"Hear me," she called in a voice of Command. "Peace, Warden of the Elwain. Let the sins of the past fade. Return to yourself... please. I need you. " In a more broken voice. "Please, I really need you with me now. I can't do this without you Saeth." All she could do was look up at him. Her gentle heart ached for his pain.
He paused for a moment, and then flew to Til'Sylvanna's side, bowing at her feet, "My liege! You've returned, after so many years! We all thought you dead!"
"Please..." she whispered. “Come back to me…”
She shook her head, Silver hair hiding her face from him. The joy on his face at the thought that she was her aunt was more than she could take. How could she tell him? It would break him all over again...
"What happened? Valerian and I have failed you. We shall live in dishonor forever after..."
Then it came to her...
"No, honored warrior," she said, "You have not failed me, nor your kin. You served well your brothers, and me most of all. I have never blamed you, as you have blamed yourself. Not even the very wise can see all paths.”
"Alas, but I have, I failed as your Warder, and even now, Brave Valerian has fallen to protect your niece and thus regained his honor, but I am still dishonored."
"Find peace and honor in forgiveness..."
"There is no forgiveness for such a dishonor, M’Lady"
Her soft voice shook, " One need not die to have honor. Live and serve, for in that is greatest honor born."
"Nay, for I have failed in my capacity as your warder… I have failed you and I have failed the Elwain, I am shamed..."
Finally Til'Sylvanna could take it no more. She slapped him as hard as she could, tears streaming down her pale cheek.
Saeth fell to the ground and his back arched unnaturally... He lurched up slightly, and through hazy eyes, "Til?"
"You are NOT dishonored!" She cried as she went to his side. "You saved my life, Saeth! Creator, can't you see that? I would have died without you! In that dark hole... all alone! You found me when no one else could have. You saved my life!"
Shock and sorrow passed through the bond to Til’Sylvanna, and he took her embrace as a father would a daughter
She cried into his shoulder... for herself, but mostly for him. "Please don't leave me, " she whispered. "Don't be so anxious to die. I need you with me. Valerian is gone... and I need you. Without you, who shall protect me?"
Saeth remained silent, all the while sorrow and dishonor passing through the bond, then, suddenly, his legs gave out and he fell onto Til’Sylvanna, who as gently as she could lay him onto the ground
"I can't give you the absolution you seek, I can only tell you that I see in you the greatest that is in our kind." She looked deeply into his sorrowed gray eyes.
"Val is gone... he has been honored in death,"
"And you shall be in life. Death is not the only way to honor... it is merely an end. " After a while she added, "Linfell never blamed you, Saeth. Never. If he had, he never would have trusted you with the life of Nelcar."
Saeth did not reply, but lie in his weakened state upon the ground, and fell back into slumber shortly thereafter…
She stayed here all day long... never leaving his side. She would have given anything to tell him how she felt, but knew very well that only he could find his own absolution. Only she could know how it felt to be him... for she too had fallen once.
The bond passed a peaceful slumber through the bond… Til’Sylvanna could sense green fields and large trees...
Home... she thought. It feels like home.
She knew that he would not soon awake, and so settled back down. The red star and blue would soon arrive... She and her brave companions had to be rested for the very long path before them. She briefly remembered her dark Vision… and the glimpse she had seen of Linfell. They were running out of time.
Cue: Nelcar, Finrandel.
**Credit for this post is also due to Saeth. We write it together. **
__________________
Alone? We are never alone, so long as the stars yet shine in the Heavens, Darkness can never harm the true of heart.
Posted by Keigo on 02-07-2002 09:41 AM
As Keigo and Arkiri reached the Bazaar, Arkiri tore Keigo from stand to stand, showing him objects of none of his interest. As they had finally reached a arms and objects stand Keigo was violently spun from his interest as Arkiri pulled him over to a jewelery stand. She picked up several medallions and gems eyeing them carefully, and bugging Keigo with each single one. After fifteen minutes she finally turned to Keigo again...
..."Wow, hey! Look at this one it's soooo beautiful." Arkiri said as Keigo turned to listen.
"And?..."Keigo simply replied.
"AND!? You're so rude, and mean on top of that! What do you think of it?" Arkiri fussed, spinning Keigo around again as he was attempting to walk away to a different stand.
"Sorry, I was expecting an answer on that one...and jewelery,...not my thing." Keigo said.
"Well, I guess I overreacted...sorry Keigo," Arkiri said and lowered her head, "Well, can...can you maybe..."
"Maybe what? Buy it?" Keigo said and snatched the shining red gem from Arkiris hand, she lowered her head even more, and let off a sad sigh. "Sir, how much for this gem?" Keigo said quietly as he leaned to the shopkeeper.
"How much...hmmm, you gettin a present for ya girl, ey, hehe, well you two seem pretty young, and I don't wanna spoil anything, I'd say 15 gold" The shopkeeper answered and grinned.
"And the gold/silver necklace over there?" Keigo continued, "For free lad!" The shopkeeper winked, as Keigo placed the money on the table. The shopkeeper quickly put the necklace through the small hole in the gem and gave it to Keigo, "Here ya go, have fun!" he said but Keigo merely replied "Uhh, right..." and the shopkeeper chuckled and turned to the next customer.
Keigo walked over to Arkiri and put his hand to her chin, in order to raise her head, "Here you go..." Keigo said as he hung the necklace with the gem around her neck gently, then he smiled slightly and. Arkiris sad face turned into a look of surprise as he placed the gem around her neck.
"Awww, thank you soooo much Keigo!" Arkiri grinned as she jumped to hug him, Keigo slightly released her grip and pushed her back a tiny bit "glad you like it..." Keigo said and looked at Arkiri "Better be it, I'm almost broke, I spent most my money the day before I met you guys..." ’spent’ Keigo thought and chuckled.
"Thank you, Keigo, you're not as bad as I though." Arkiri said."...thanks..." Keigo replied but didn't look surprised "I don't have many friends who ever thank me...or even like me, so, basically, I don't have friends...and I don't need any anyway." Keigo continued but was abruptly answered by Arkiri.
"Don't say that! Zander thinks you're a nice guy."
"Yeah right, he's a holy knight, what does a holy knight want with an ex-thief as a friend, who carries a black dagger? Keigo exclaimed.
"Well, EX-thief, and besides Oricia thinks you're ok, and I do too, and you haven't talked to anyone else you stubborn boy!" Arkiri said.
"Ok ok, I get it..." Keigo replied, "What should we do now?" He added.
"Let's go find Zander so I can show him what you got me!" Arkiri demanded happily. "Oh, Arkiri, one thing...it's getting late and too many thiefes are out, better tuck the gem in your pocket." Keigo advised and looked toward the direction of the market, "If you want to find Zander...i think he might be at te market, I kinda have the feeling he's there...don't ask." Keigo said and started walking, Arkiri up next to him. "Let's take a shortcut through the alley." Arkiri suggested, and Keigos reply was positive.
As the reached the middle of the alley a figure appeared at the end and started pacing towards them. "Might wanna turn around..." Keigo said but saw a second, larger figure approaching them from there. "Aww man...do you guys seriously go out here for pain!?" Keigo said already running at the larger man. The larger mans reaction was a deep laugh, his second was pulling a sword, his last actions were swinging it at Keigo. Keigo swiftly ducked under the first swing and evaded the next that came down on him, by hopping to the right. Keigo spinned and landed a kick in the mans thigh, the man didn't seem to be annoyed and punched at Keigo, this was a mistake. Keigo ducked and caught the mans wrist, then jumped up thrusting his right knee into his elbow, a crack sounded and the big man collapsed to the floor whimpering over his arm. Keigo turned and saw that Arkiri had turned her back to the other man, "DUCK!" Keigo shouted and Arkiri reacted just in time, the mans punch had just missed her, Keigo ran towards Arkiri and got there in time, he caught off the mans hand that was soaring down at Arkiri, he flipped him over Arkiri and smashed him onto the ground. "Don't hit women, how low does a man have to sink?" Keigo said disgusted and kicked the man, the man whinced but rolled to the side and pushed himself up again.
The bandit had pulled a dagger and was about to jump at Keigo but shouted out in pain as Arkiri kicked him right between the legs, Keigo started laughing and almost forgot he was in a fight, he realised in time as the man staggered up and charged Arkiri in rage. "Wrong direction!" Keigo shouted and grabbed the man by the back of the shirt and slammed him over into a wall, the man made a loud thump as he hit the ground, "Let's go, before these nutshells wake up again...and, nice kick Arkiri." Keigo said and continued down the alley.
They reached the market and saw Zander and Tiffarah right out of the crowd.
Cue: Zander
__________________
Anarchy,
Chaos,
Confusion,
Oh My...
-Simon Stark
Posted by Zander Kohen on 02-07-2002 11:14 AM
The young pair hurried up to Zander and Tiffarah, Arkiri pulling a red gem out of her pocket to show him. She held it up to show him, smiling with pride.
"Keigo got it for me!" she exclaimed. "Wasn't that sweet of him?" Realizing she had just called him 'sweet' her cheeks turned a little pink.
"Eh, it was nothin," Keigo said. Tiffarah and Zander saw the tension and Zander decided to change the subject.
"It's lovely Arkiri," Zander said. "Put it away for now, Tif and I have to go find her a bit more of a weapon than just her bare hands and her dagger. You're more than welcome to come along."
The four of them strolled through the market place, looking for a weapons shop. They were few and far between. Most of the shops were selling various inventions that the Balanians prided themselves upon, but at last, they found a good weapon shop and began browsing through the blades and polearms that lined it's walls.
Arkiri found a barrel full of arrows without tips lashed onto them and picked out four more for herself along with some arrowheads that were fasioned with rasorblades coming off the tips. Zander said he'd buy them for her, but only if she promised not to use them till she got better with her bow.
At last, Tiffarah caught her eyes on a pair of Tiger claws that strapped onto herhand and had three, long sharp blades extending from the knuckles. She tried it on and seemed satisfied with them. 'They'll go perfectly with my fingerless gloves,' she thought as she took them off and brought them to the counter.
Zander paid for Arkiri's arrows and Tiff's tiger claws, (a grand total of 17 gold mels) and left the market ward to return to Alex's house. Zander was amazed he had remembered his way back, but before long, they were standing outside the holy knight's door.
Not knowing what might have happened between Alex and Orocia, Zander decided they shoudl stay quiet and get to their designated sleeping areas as soon as they got inside. He'd let Alex have his time with Orocia, Creator knows, he deserved it.
A few minutes later, Zander and Tiffarah were once again in bed together. They decided they shouldn't take it too fast by making love, but it was enough just to feel each other so near. Zander had has arm around her waist and they fell asleep, not unlike Alex and Orocia downstairs.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Cedric Renfield on 02-07-2002 12:25 PM
Cedric about leapt from his seat upon hearing Sekirah's words. "The Sacred Grove? Why, I've been fixing to go there for years, but I never got the chance!" It was almost too good to be true for the priest. Not only would he get his adventure, but he'd be traveling to a holy place; both of his interests would be satisfied.
At that moment, the young man who had been reciting scripture earlier walked into the room and reluctantly served himself a plate of Cedric's mush, making a face at it like it was toxic. He quietly sat himself down at the table with the two men.
"Ahh! Alkesh, my boy!" Cedric exclaimed, clapping the young priest on the back. "You'll be cooking for yourself for a time; I'm going on my first adventure," He laughed. Alkesh smiled at the thought of eating something other than Cedric's pungent brew. "Don't look so happy about it, you've gotta take care of the place!" Alkesh's smile faded.
Sekirah had been able to stomach Cedric's stew, but just barely. He reminded himself to make sure either he cooked, or they ate at a tavern. Cedric's cooking tasted like Sekirah's feet smelled after a long day trudging through a swamp.
Once the three had finished their 'supper', Cedric invited Sekirah to stay in the guest quarters and suggested that they leave in the morning. Sekirah accepted and found himself sleeping in a comfortable bed within a few minutes.
*******
The next morning, Cedric woke Sekirah with a loud knock at his door.
"Wake yourself, Sekirah! It is dawn and I am eager to set out into the world!"
Sekirah rolled over lazily, not used to waking at such an early hour and having ridden day and night for the last several days.
"The road will wait old man!" he groaned.
"Aye, but I will not," Cedric laughed. "Now haul yourself out here, you lazy bum!"
Sekirah had killed men for less than that, but now he kept even his tongue still ass he reluctantly got out of bed and dressed. He at last pulled his bootd on and srtaightened his mangled mess of silver hair, then turned toward the door.
When he stepped out, Sekirah, was met by Cedric, dressed as he had been at supper, but he had an impressive bow shouldered and a hunting knife at his belt. He also had a knapsack with a built in quiver and was leaning against the wall impatiently.
"Our horses are tied up and waiting for us outside," Cedric said. "You need anything else before we go?"
"Yeah, a couple hours more sleep, you crazy old coot." They both laughed at that and made their way out of the church, Cedric bidding the young Alkesh farewell as they went.
'Adventure at last,' Cedric thought. 'Sure took me long enough.'
__________________
Life's too short to spend it couped up in a Church.
Posted by Keiru Emerald on 02-07-2002 03:26 PM
Holy Knights... In the Kitchen?
Alexandros woke the next morning with a warmth that he had not felt in years. Orocia was dozing still on his chest, and it was no small work to wriggle his way out from under her without waking her. However, after about five minutes, Alex fell lightly to the floor, and rose and dusted himself off. He made his way out of the fromt of the house and picked a pink flower of the normal variety from a flowerbed, and went back into his home and laid it upon Orocia's breast.
He smiled down on her, as he watched her sleep. It was yet early, but Alex almost never slept late, lest it was nessecary. As he looked up, He saw Zander looking over the couch at him, and he stood and motioned him to follow to the kitchen.
When they had both entered, Alex turned, smiled and asked simply, "So what do women like for breakfast?"
Zander laughed lightly, "Besides a kiss, you mean? I'm not sure, this is something we'll have to experiment with," Alex smirked lightly and laughed, but Zander continued, "What will we try first?"
Alexandros stoked the stove and removed a loaf of bread from the pantry. "Well, we've got eggs, bacon, bread, butter, some jam, and I could whip up some batter for the iron or for flatcakes if we want..."
"Sounds like a plan to me. I'll make some toast for them as well. What do you have to drink around here?" Zander scoured the kitchen for some sort of beverage. Most of Alex's kitchen was bare and he fumbled about with the cupboards.
"Wine and water, but I could run down the street and get some fresh milk, or some grape juice," Alex broke out a frying pan and tossed a lump of butter in it as he got a wooden box of eggs out of the ice box.
"That might be better," Zander said, "I'm sure you two had more than enough to drink last night" Zander grinned widely. He pulled out a frying pan of his own and set about buttering up the bread to make some toast. "I hope we left the two of you alone long enough."
Alex shrugged, "Yeah, wine might not be the best idea," His stomach rumbled a bit from the ever so slight hangover he had, but he began to fry the eggs in the pan, and they filled the kitchen with the aroma of morning, "When I'm done with these I'll go run and get some milk and grape juice,"
The buttered bread crackled as Zander laid it on the frying pan. He hadn't cooked in a long time; not since he was with Amalia... Zander pushed the sorrowful thoughts from his mind and turned to Alex. "How do they manage to get us to do this? Somehow, they can get us to do things we normally wouldn't even dream of."
"It's best not to think about how they get us to do it, and just do it, knowing that their love will be there for us when we get back," Alex was well read in works of love, and tried to act like he knew what he was talking about with the subject. in all reality, he had never had a lasting relationship, but he had always put it down to his past, and now that it was at least partially resolved, he hoped Orocia had accepted him for who and what he was. The eggs crackled and Alex flipped them onto a platter and cracked open several more to continue making the batch.
"True enough, and they give us more than enough in return," Zander said, spreading jam on the first few pieces of toast. "I hope we pass this test; you know they'll be judging our cooking. In some ways, this is more difficult than fighting ten grown men."
Alex thought of the truth in that statement, and laughed, "Even if we were horrible cooks, I'm not so sure that they'd hold it against us, at least, not that much"
He flipped the second batch of eggs onto the platter and excused himself, "I'll be right back, no more than five minutes, it's just right down the street,"
Zander finished up the toast and started on the bacon while Alex was gone, and as Alex was entering, he was arranging all of the food on plates. Alex sat two bottles of grape juice and a large bottle of milk on the table, and took one of the bottles of joice, a glass, and the plate for Orocia as Zander took the plate he had prepared for Tiffarah as well as a glass and the other bottle of juice.
Thay eyed each other smiled and almost on cue, "Best of luck," came form Alex, and "Here goes," came from Zander. They laughed again, and Zander made his way upstairs.
Alex sat next to Orocia, and caressed her face gently, "Wake up, Lily White, I've made you breakfast," Her eyes fluttered open at the mention of 'lily' and she smiled at the sight of Alex. Nobody had ever cooked her breakfast, at least, not for free, nor had anyone ever brought it to her in bed before. She grinned and hugged Alex, and then sat back and enjoyed the meal,
Cue: Orocia, well are we at least decent cooks?
OOC Keigo and Arkiri, your breakfast is on the table..
__________________
-You say you want a revolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution, Well you know, We all want to change the world
Posted by Carla Blanche on 02-07-2002 06:19 PM
It was around dusk when Betty finally decided to give up on Tygan and returned to her stable. Cautiously, he descended from the limbs of the tree and made his way back into the tavern. He entered noiselessly for fear that Lyght may be lurking somewhere nearby and slowly made his way to where Palin and Carla sat with their backs toward him. As he neared he heard Palin questioning Carla about what had happened and her hesitant replies.
“Something must’ve happened that made Lyght go off like that. What did he do?” Carla sat flushed and trembling as she scoured her mind to come up with a cover story. She feared that if she told Palin what had really happened she may end up being forced to tell her past to him too and that he may in turn tell Lyght. She trusted noone besides Tygan with that secret. A funny fluttering sensation arose in her stomach when she thought back to how he looked in the room. She wasn’t sure what would have happened if Lyght hadn’t walked in on them, but she was a little relieved that he did. All of these feelings were new to her and she hadn’t a clue on how to deal with them.
“Uh….still with me Carla?” Palin waved a hand in front of her face, bringing her out of her thoughts. Before she allowed herself to think on it anymore she blurted out,
“Tygan came to my room this morning and tried to kiss me when Lyght walked in. That’s all.”
"What! Tried to kiss you! Why that....." Palin moved closer, "Listen Carla, I'm here to protect you, you don't need to worry about him."
Tygan had heard enough. He wheeled around angrily, not caring if he made any noise now or not. So that’s the game she wanted to play was it? He felt like a fool for letting his heart be taken by a two-faced liar.
The night was calm and inviting, and he allowed himself to be swallowed in it.
CUE: Tygan
__________________
So what if I'm a girl?! I could kick your- Oh!! Ack!! Pardon me!!! CRASH!!!!!!!!!! BLAM!!! OWW!!! AAAAAAAAIIIIIEEE!!!!
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-07-2002 07:15 PM
Tygan sat on the beach, staring out over the water, the city of Xellos to his back. He had walked here, well more like stormed here, after overhearing Palin and Carla. He came here to get away from his friends, and everyone else while he was at it.
He tossed a rock into the water, “I can’t believe this!” His whole body was tense with aggravation, more at him self than anyone else.
“Was I just fooling myself into believing she had feelings for me? Did I actually come onto her like some kind of barbarian?” His vision was blurry with tears, making him all the more glad that no one else was around.
He found this so hard to believe, normally he would panic when it came to something physical. However, he hadn’t felt any panic this time, it had all felt so…so right. Though he couldn’t deny the plain facts, he had overheard her saying that he had come in and tried to kiss her, there wasn’t the slightest hint of love for him in her voice.
He threw another rock into the water, watching it splash into the waves, “They will never trust me again,” he sighed.
He fell back into the sand, staring up into the stars, “I can’t go back, they will shun me, heck they may even attack me!”
Such thoughts continued to swarm in his mind, until he drifted off to sleep.
His sleep was filled with dreams. He dreamt of Carla’s smile, her eyes, her beauty. He dreamt of her dancing, sometimes dancing with him. He even dreamt of protecting her against unimaginable foes.
These dreams soon changed for the worse. He dreamt of Carla changing, changing into a viper. The viper had 2 faces, and continued to grow, then it poised for an attack, venom dripping from its fangs. Then, it attacked!
“Ahhhhhh!” Tygan woke from his dreams, his body damp with sweat. He fell back onto the sand again, his breath coming out heavily, “It was just a nightmare……..”
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Claudia Stromguard on 02-07-2002 07:48 PM
Claudia peered off of her balcony within Dargent keep. She could see a group of men being led through the city under heavy escort, with a large cage being pushed with them. Inwardly she sighed, as this was the General of the Lunari, she thought, and with a gentle breeze at her back, she lifted herself into the air to go and introduce herself.
She, as a Summoner, glided through the air effortlessly with her Air magics, coming to land just before the guard that was escorting the General and his men. Claudia herself had no formal ambassadorial training, but from being raised in such a strict acedemic environment, she had a good grasp of clandestine politics and from her noble heritage, a decent concept of the way that royal houses vied for power. She assumed two rival, warring factions would be no different.
She watched the men pass, and saw the man that she thought to be the General. He was much younger than she had expected, and tall, with quite a broad torso. He looked almost Nylian, if it weren't for his pointed ears and the aura of magic that radiated off of him. She shrugged it off, and decided to make her way to the audience hall. She didn't want to miss the audience with the Emperor. He would entertain this man's foolish speech, then dismiss him as a servant, sending him back to his ruined capitol.
She laughed inwardly as she thought about all of it, and girlishly made her way to the Keep.
Cue: Aramus
__________________
The power of an army is insignifigant in comparison to the power of the will...
Posted by Eloise Rane on 02-07-2002 09:13 PM
Finally............
The Rane Estate was located on the North outskirts of Balanum, a small, refined district renowned for housing some of Balanum's most prosperous. Homes there combined a polished design with the efficiency that had come to be the Balanian trademark. The vicinity was un-commonly well-kept. Towering trees and fresh foliage lined the roads, which, for the most part, appeared unsoiled despite passage among them. Almost everything suggested formality, luxury, and a structured orderliness.
A small open section of landscape in the center of the supposed paradise was the one exception. It was a poor excuse for a park, but did the job well enough, all that needed to be done was to fill in the empty space.
The posh environment being extremely restraining on a young child’s imagination, the “park” served as a perfect output for their energy. They wanted to rebel against the atmosphere in which they were growing up, as most children do, and so with four wooden posts, and some simple rope, they fashioned a large combat ring and later filled it with sand when old enough to make the trek to get it. The “Sintaran tournaments”, named for the group they called themselves, where held every nine days, but every other day they practiced dueling it out until hearts, souls, and bodies were drained. It wasn’t more than child’s play, but as nine and ten-year-olds, they regarded it with the utmost importance. Mostly it was a no-arms contest, but as they reached adolescence they sometimes added staffs, shields, and later swords to their tactics, all the time while developing a unique strategy all their own. Everything since the creation of the ring, was, of course, met with expected disapproval from the neighbouring residents.
This was a good number of years before, however, and the ring presently contained two zealous young women, one of them Eloise, and these were the sweet memories she was musing in as she took a swift fist to her left jaw, rendering her face first in the sand without knowing what hit her.
She pushed herself up, a bit disoriented at first, spitting out grains of sand. Bree wasn’t exactly the best fighter, and Eloise should have averted the swing with no trouble. She shook her head and smirked, scolding herself for not paying attention. A small chuckle came from her opponent behind.
You little roach.........
Eloise sprang to her feet and retaliated with an elbow to her stomach. It was an impulsive act, and when Bree heaved over and sank to her knees for a second, Eloise feared she had gone too far, but Bree quickly recomposed herself. She wasn’t hurt, but they were both exhausted, breathing heavily and wiping sweat from their brows. That marked the end of this one. For a moment they just stood staring at each other from opposite sides of the ring while their strength regenerated.
Bree Yaren, Eloise’s closest friend, wasn’t a member of the beloved “Sintara” from Eloise’s childhood days. The group of nine vivacious children had slowly disbanded some years ago, some moving away, some simply sliding into the stiff, regulated lifestyle they had all once sought to escape from. Eloise was the one remaining member to exercise her athletic passions in the once famed ring, and the thought evoked a deep feeling of sadness within her. Bree wasn’t even of this suburb; her family owned the Yaren Tavern, southward, in the very heart of Balanum where making it was tough. Her athletic experience wasn’t that of Eloise’s; the tactics she employed in the ring were mainly just street smarts. Also, she was a tough girl, but didn’t share Eloise’s passion for combat as a pastime, and Eloise often had to torment the poor girl to make the trip up to the park for a bout.
They gathered their belongings and walked toward the road together.
“Slow business today?” It wasn’t often Bree could get away during the day.
She shook her head, looking at the ground. “Nope, not these days......... Dad switched with me, I’m tending tonight.” She groaned at the thought.
They stopped at the edge of the road, and Bree turned to face her. “Drop by later tonight though, will you? I’d just hate to soak up all that beautiful ambience by myself.” This was her way of poking fun at Eloise’s upbringing.
Eloise thought back to the last time Bree worked the night shift. “Fine... if you keep out of trouble."
Bree smiled a guilty smile, and they went their separate ways.
OOC: Thank you to Keirus Emerald and Silver for trying to help...... I spoke to my network administrator, and I had to switch from Netscape to Explorer.
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NETSCAPE SUCKS!
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 02-07-2002 11:38 PM
OOC: Alex, Orocia, Keigo, and Zander get breakfast, we get shadowspawn? You guys can go to hell! (From Indigo and Scarlet)
IC:
Scarlet’s senses were heightened to an almost inhuman peak. She could faintly hear the irregular rhythm of the heartbeats around her, including her own. She gripped her katana tightly and stepped in front of Indigo. She felt him grip her shoulder to pull her back but she tore from his reach.
“Scarlet! Stay back where it’s safe!” She didn’t turn around but he didn’t need to see her face to know that she was angry.
“Don’t tell me what to do Indigo. Believe it or not I can do more than just open doors with my magic! You’d be safer to not get in my way.” She turned then to face the other men, giving them all a steely stare.
“Let’s go.”
Scarlet led them down the winding shafts of the ship until they were deep within in the lower levels. Machinery clanged all around them, making them jump upon occasion, but there was no sign of the Spawn. Liquid dripped from the ceiling onto Scarlet’s shoulder. Cringing, she wiped it off with the tips of her fingers to see what it was. Expecting the worst, she nearly laughed out loud when she saw it was only condensation from the pipes above. Her foot suddenly slid from under her causing her to fall to her knees on the steel floor. A strangled cry issued forth from her vocal chords when she saw it hadn’t been water she encountered this time.
The entire floor before them was nothing more than a great pool of blood.
One of the furnaces cast a dim red glow on the opposite wall. In the middle of it they saw the shadow of something enormous, slowly rounding the corner toward them. A muted expression of horror crossed each of their faces as the spawn came into view. It was hideously proportioned with great heavily muscled arms and equally powerful looking legs. Sharp claws added to its intimidating presence and all six fought the urge to turn and run. Silent terror filled the air, and the spawn seemed to sense it for it laughed in an eerily human fashion and took slow and deliberate steps toward the fresh meat. Scarlet felt herself becoming hypnotized as it drew nearer. She shook her head violently, breaking her trance and turned to the others. Horrified, she saw that they too stood transfixed in their positions, unable to move.
The spawn lunged toward Indigo suddenly and Scarlet reacted before fear could take over. Bringing her arms out in front of her, she roared in a voice like thunder,
“RAIDEN KAGO!!!!!”
A massive lightning bolt struck the beast squarely in the chest, knocking it back several feet. It growled furiously. The men were suddenly able to move and they all moved into various attack poses. The spawn lunged again, this time for Adamas who managed to weave a charm to fling the monstrosity back into the wall. It screamed in pain and even its primitive mind was able to work out that it had to avoid the woman and this man. It spied one of the other men straggling behind the group and pounced, digging its already bloodstained claws into his torso. The man screamed before the spawn bit off half his head, silencing him forever. A second man thrust his spear into its side before one swipe of its claws disemboweled him. Scarlet screamed to Adamas.
“Quick!! Freeze it while we can!” Both she and Adamas combined their strength and temporarily rendered the spawn immobile. Scarlet shouted over to Indigo and the last of the three men who had joined them.
“Find something to contain it!! Hurry!!!!!” Even under the incredible pressure the spawn was able to inch forward very slowly. Moving at a desperate speed, Indigo and Meck had managed to find a large cage meant for housing the pets of guests aboard the Seamus. The steel bars would serve to hold the spawn. Exerting the last of their strength, the two men managed to drop the cage over the beast and turn it so it was scooped inside. Once the door had been securely locked both Adamas and Scarlet released their hold over the spawn and fell to the floor breathing heavily. It rattled the bars and screamed in an animal fury, but it was now no longer a threat.
Indigo ran to Scarlet’s side and wrapped her in a tight embrace, kissing her all over her brow. She smiled up at him and fell limp in his arms.
“You were amazing Scarlet….”
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"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
Posted by Cedric Renfield on 02-08-2002 11:47 AM
Cedric and Sekirah emerged from the church out to where their two steeds stood roped. Next to the fine horse that Sekirah had been given by the Lunari resistance was an old mule, heavily laiden with Cedrics belongings.
"You're riding that?" Sekirah asked when he saw the moth eaten donkey. "You'll be lucky if it can make it through the pass!"
"Have faith my young friend!" Cedric assured him, walking over and petting his mount. "He may not be equal to your Lunari starbred, but he's still got some strength left in him, and a strong sense of adventure."
Sekirah shook his head hopelessly and mounted his horse, patting it's well groomed silver/grey hide. The horse shifted under him as if to state that it was eager to be on the road as well.
The two set of with that, neither looking back at the small chapel that Cedric had left in young Alkesh's hands. Their past no longer mattered, only the open road and whatever may lie thereupon.
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Life's too short to spend it couped up in a Church.
Posted by Lyght Smith on 02-08-2002 02:55 PM
Lyght walked off leaving Tygan in the Tree. “I need to some time to Myself, I will be back when I get back.” With that, Lyght walked out into the City.
Lyght walked without any diction for about a half hour, thinking about everything that had happen over the Last Mouth. First, the Death of his family at the hands of the Fiero Wolves then his trip the Water Tabernacle. Then he ran into Tygan and Palin or more to the point they ran into him, but because of them, he ran into Carla. And Carla…” Lyght stop For Moment Tears started coming to his eyes. “Damn it she’s reminds me so much of my children. I just cannot let anything happen to her. I can’t, I won’t let it any thing happen to her NOT LIKE MY FAMILY. I must protect her at all cost. I just won’t let anther innocent get hurt.” Lyght paused any to wipe the Tear from his eyes. Its not like I don’t Like Tygan and Palin but I know my wife would have never let me get away with any of that crap around our kids.” Lyght gave out a bit of a chuckle at the thought of family. He had not thought about his wife since left for Forestre. Lyght sighed and sat down next to a near building not moving for about an hour, and then Lyght saw Cybele walking down the Street.
“Hey Cybele I have a Question for you,” Yelled Lyght as he rushed to catch up with the young woman.
Upon hearing, Lyght Cybele stopped and Waited for him to Catch up. “Hello Lyght what do you need?”
Lyght Stopped to catch his breath, when he did this is what he said, “Well not to seem rude, or any thing, but I would like to know what you’re really up to?
Cybele paused for a second; of all the people in the group, she hadn’t expected Lyght to so forward, “I’m a weapons merchant I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Lyght was by no means satisfied by this answer, so he kept asking questions, “You don’t have anything to fear from me I just what to know the truth.”
“I’m telling the truth what is your problem.”
“Fine then I have anther Question for you. What have you been doing all day?” Asked Lyght
“I have been looking around for weapons, I mean I am a weapons merchant after all.” Cybele didn’t care to be integrated she was the one who was doing the investigation after all, but she thought better telling Lyght to Fuck off.
“Ok, ok I yelled, but can you to take to that store where you were at?”
“Why do you want to go where I have been?”
“Well,” Said Lyght changing his tone of voice, “I would really like to get a Halberd to replace his Pitchfork.”
Cybele was a Little Puzzled, but she was happy that Lyght was off the Subject of why she was with the Group, “Sure I think it was that way (thinking for a moment then pointing to the north).”
“That’s odd because I would think that you would know the location of people that you HAD to do face to face busyness with.”
Cybele Stirred for a moment and then started cursing, “Damn it, fine I will tell you since you got going to give this up.” Lyght Smiled but didn’t say anything. “Your right I’m not a weapons merchant I really a Investigator. I was hired to look in to why a house Brunt down, and find out who did it.”
“Ok so what does that have to do with us?”
“Well your friends Tygan and Palin were seen, by a witness exiting the House, and I believe that Tygan may have been the one who started the fire.”
Lyght stood and thought for a moment, “Well Tygan does need to learn to be responsible for his actions, so I’ll do all I can to keep them from getting in your way, and if you like I will keep you in our company as long as you need.”
“Thank you for being so understanding, but please don’t tell the others about this for the time being. Ok?”
“Sure, Now do you want to help me find a Halberd?”
“Sure, I’m ready for something different.” The rest of day when quickly, but Cybele found Lyght a Balanum Made Halberd that screws apart. After that, the pair went back to inn to see how things were going.
OCC: Keiru Emerald OKed the Balanum made Halberd, and Thanks to Cybele for helping me out on this one.
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I just can't help but fell greater powers are involed here.
Posted by Keigo on 02-08-2002 03:19 PM
Keigo entered the house quietly and walked towards the kitchen. He smelt the food and immedeatly walked into the kitchen. He said nothing but sat down at his place and leaned back with his chair. "Why you guys so excited?" Keigo said and saw them tapping their feet unpatiently, "Oh...nevermind..."Keigo continued and stared out the window. He waited but got unpatient himself, he got up and turned but bumped into Arkiri, who greeted him with a satisfied smile, holding up her gem. "Morning..." Keigo replied without expression.
"How come you weren't in the den? Do you even sleep at all?" Arkiri wondered, but recieved a simple reply.
"Sometimes... and, I was outside."
"You're funny!" Arkiri exclaimed
"... ...yeah...ok..." Keigo replied and sat back down, seeing it useless to leave now because Arkiri would just keep him back.
"You really sleep rarely, how come?" Zander asked
"Probably a trauma...I lost my parents early in my life, 4 years ago, a rarely slept from then on..." Keigo replied and put a hand to his head "I went away from Adageros then, I remember I had a sister, and that's pretty much all, I changed after that, I fight to keep the memories away, but not even that works!" Keigo said, "But I don't want to continue, I've lost too much, and I try to forget, I've given up almost all my hope to find my little sister, she would be the only thing I have, right now...I have nothing. Please let us change the subject." Keigo continued and then put his elbows down on the table and rested his head on his fists.
"Sorry for bringing up the topic." Zander apologized
"Not your fault...nevermind." Keigo replied
"Don't give up yet." Alex said and looked over at Keigo, "You can still find her."
"I can try..."
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Anarchy,
Chaos,
Confusion,
Oh My...
-Simon Stark
Posted by Bara Chinder on 02-08-2002 05:15 PM
Bara woke with a start. His sleep had been marred with nightmares. He was running from somthing and standing withit in battle the next. It was dark and faceless.
He awoke to see a priest standing over him.
"How do you feel?"
"Not well, drained. Who are you?" Bara replied.
"I am selta, Im a man of the creator and Im not surprised your drained. You have been torn between the creator and the shadow for some time. You had the look of one in the grips of the shadow. Somthing in you fought her though. Did you embrace the creator before?"
"Not really. My parents did, but not me. I was raised with it but when I left home I had little intrest in it all." Bara explained. He was unusually conversative today.
"Well...I would then be inclined to think that she has an intrest in you!" The priest exclaimed.
"Yeah...right." replied Bara with a cynisism of levels of flatness as yet previously unknown to the world.
"Dont be so quick. The ways of the creator are unknown to us all. She would hold you to her and forgive your sins, even the most horrific. She may have meant this to happen for years."
The unliklyhood of this was lost on Bara. But it played into his long standing feeling of a greater scheme of things. His ears pricked up.
"Do you think she meant greater things for me? Like a fate?"
"Not fate, whos to say? But come now, If you wsh to embrace her I can teach you of her glory."
The priests clumsy hard sell did nothing to sway Bara, but his intrest was already aroused.
Bara walked into the chapel room to hear more of the creator. For no other reason than to find some new way to go.
He would sit and listen for hours.
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If pro is the opposite of con, then progress is the opposite of congress.
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-08-2002 06:42 PM
Tygan had spent that night and most of the next day at the beach: pacing, sitting and thinking, or sometimes swimming, just to pass the time.
“I can’t just stay here forever,” his stomach growled.
He looked to the city, “I might as well go back, get my stuff, and be on my way……” He took a deep breath and then walked to the city.
“I wonder if they were worried about me, or if they were happy I was gone…..probably happy.” He looked at the ground as he walked, kicking stones as he went.
*********************************************
He walked up to the inn door and paused, “Please don’t let there be anyone around!”
He walked in, “Tygan!” O hell!
He looked up to see Palin, “Where have you been? I’ve been worried!”
“I’ll bet you have.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he walked to the stairs and began his ascent.
“Hey! Where are you going?”
“To get my stuff.”
“Are we leaving? It is kind of late to travel.”
“We? No, but ‘I’ am.” Palin stood there, unsure of what to say, Tygan went the rest of the way up the stairs and into his room.
Lyght was inside the room. Shit, I can’t get out of here without running into everyone can I?
“Tygan! The nerve you have…..” he stopped when he saw Tygan packing his stuff though.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving.”
Lyght paused, had he been too harsh to the boy? “Tygan……I’m sorry if I was too hard on you.”
“It is ok Lyght, you did what was right, I blame myself, not you.”
*********************************************
In the next room over Carla heard Tygan, though she couldn’t make out his words, she knew it was him.
“I wonder if I should talk to him…..” she wanted too, but was still unsure of what she would say, “I’ll talk to him in the morning…..”
*********************************************
“Are you sure about this?”
“I don’t know for sure what happened back in that room, I thought….I thought there was something between us, I know you don’t like to hear that, but afterwards, I overheard something, and I guess I was wrong. I don’t belong here, none of you can trust me anymore.” A wave of sadness hit him when he thought back to the previous day and his time with Carla, “I have to go now, I’m sorry….” He turned his back to Lyght and walked out of the room, stopping in front of Carla’s door. Should I say goodbye? He almost knocked on the door, but changed his mind, she felt nothing for him, it would only cause more trouble.
*********************************************
He went back downstairs, buying a small amount of food for the trip.
“Are you actually leaving?” Palin asked. He couldn’t believe Tygan would just leave, even with the recent events.
“Yes, I’m sorry.” He turned to Palin, “Keep her safe, you are my dearest friend.” With that he turned and walked to the door. With his natural luck he had to run into the last member.
“Hello Tygan!” Cybele said in a happy tone. She had come in as he opened the door. “Where have you been?”
He walked right past her without a reply, not exactly in the mood to say it all again.
And so began his trip back to Gania……alone.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Arboreal Prowler on 02-09-2002 10:38 AM
In the morning, the Arboreal Prowler walked out into the tavern. He went outside to the stable and fed Night Mare, who was pleased to see his master.
When the Prowler went back inside, there were ten men standing near the door. The Prowler hadn't seen them there before. One of them approached him.
"Are you the one they call the Arboreal Prowler?" he asked with a menacing scowl on his face. He had a scar running down his right cheek, and another one across his forehead. An eyepatch covered the empty socket that had once held an eyeball. The man wore a pair of brown pants, and a black vest.
"Who wants to know?" replied the Prowler.
"There's a price on your head, sir," the man replied, and drew a long sword. The rest of the men followed suit, brandishing various weapons. "And we could use some money." The Prowler drew the Shadow Sword, and the leader attacked him.
They fought for several minutes, while the rest of the men stood back. The Prowler didn't want to kill this man. He was just trying to defend against him, and was having a tough time with it.
Finally, the man knocked the Shadow Sword out of the Prowler's hands, and pinned him to the wall. "You're mine, boy," he said. But before the man could kill Prowler, twenty constables walked into the tavern.
"Hold it right there!" said one of the constables. They broke up the conflict, and arrested the man who had attacked the Prowler. The innkeeper told them what had happened, and the Prowler was allowed to go.
The Arboreal Prowler helped Ilona get out of bed, dressed her, and they left Forestre. Her family wanted her back, and so did her suitors. The Prowler wondered how long they would pursue him.
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I am the reason you are afraid of the dark. I am the reason you fear venturing into the forest alone. It is my name that is whispered by the leaves in the middle of the night and carried by the wind to your ears.
I am the Arboreal Prowler.
Posted by Tygan deParte on 02-09-2002 01:17 PM
Tygan entered the city of Gania around midday the next day. He wandered around the city with no real goal for most of the day.
“What am I going to do with myself?” He looked up to the sky, “Why did I leave?”
“Gaaah!” he tripped and fell to the ground, looking around to make sure no one saw him. He quickly got up and dusted himself off, “What the hell did I just…….” His eyes widened, it was his fathers burned down mansion, and he had tripped over a fallen piece of it. “This is where it all started,” he thought back to when Palin and he had raided the place, and then had been forced to jump out the window due to the fire.
He looked to the house across the street, “That’s where we entered the house with that lady,” he laughed, remembering what Palin had said to her. He also remembered how he had panicked when she had made the move on him, “I never panicked with Carla….” He looked up at the window again, but then a thought hit him. O shit! I better get out of here before she sees me!
He wasn’t sure if it was coincidence or if he was just unconsciously sending himself to these places, but he found himself in front of the tavern where Palin, Lyght, and he had went to drink after using Lyght’s ox for a barricade.
“I had walked out this door, that is when I met Carla, she had come running around the corner and ran right into…..oufff” He looked down to see that a small child had ran into him. As if the situation wasn’t already painful enough, he had to be clearly reminded of how he met Carla.
“Sorry mister!” The kid ran off, his friends close behind, they were probably playing some kind of tag game.
He walked inside the tavern, going up to the bar.
“Hey boy, I see your back,” the bartender smiled and walked up to him, “What can I get for you?”
“I’ll take one of your hardest.”
“Ah, not a water this time?” he grinned.
“No, need something strong.”
The bartender gave him a curious eye, “What’s wrong lad? I know a sad face when I see one.”
Well he is as good as the next ear, “I broke my groups trust. I….I tried to kiss Carla, you know the one in the pink.”
“Ah, yes the clumsy one.”
“Ya that’s the one. Anyways, I thought there was something between us, you know? Well, Lyght, the farmer with the ox, caught me in the act. One thing led to another, by the time I got back to the inn, I heard Carla talking to Palin. Well when he asked what happened, she said I tried to kiss her, as if she had no feeling for me and as if I just came onto her!”
“Ah, women….you can never understand them.”
“You’re telling me!”
“But, did you ever think that maybe she just wasn’t sure of her feelings, and didn’t want to share them with someone else yet?”
Tygan sat dumbfounded, staring at the bartender. How could I have been so stupid!?
“Ah, my boy, you see, perhaps she does have feelings for you. Still want that drink?”
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Merelania Hitoshinen on 02-09-2002 02:07 PM
The journey begins?
Merelania stared out at the horizon for a few seconds and took a minute to turn and looked back at the old knotted tree in front of her abandoned home. She let out a soft sigh, heavy with mourn and grief, her thoughts rambling through her mind. She slung her pack over her shoulder, her daggers in her boot's sheath, and began to hum. She whispered inaudible words of prayer and walked on, her feet leading the way. She didn't believe it, but she was leaving where she'd lived her whole life.
She strolled on, her thoughts lifting slightly as she thought of what she could do with a magical power like her grandfather's. She began to dream of herself as she traveled on, imagining herself as a powerful mage, summoning creatures and casting spells against monsters and such. She wanted to be like him yet she then began to think of her father. She wanted to be like him as well, a great wandering warrior with extreme agility and endurance.
But her mother, she wanted to be most like her, her wonderful beauty of extreme extravagance and grace. She envied her mother's talents, as in her harp playing talents, in which she could play a melody that would lull an ugly, horrifying ogre to sleep. She wished to have a match to her singing talent, but she was getting close.
Before she knew it, she was out of the Evisis Wood, her stomach begging of distraught hunger. She sat down on the path and pulled out a parcel of food from her pack and ate it, also pulling out her vial and taking a sip of the minty drink, slightly refreshing and rejuvenating. When her stomach calmed, she started off again, following what seemed to be a trail.
It began to grow darker, the sun setting slowly through the sight of the trees and she gean to grow weary. "Where am I?" she thought to herself. She kept her eyes alert and took another swig of the vial, the mint drink keeping her awake and attentitve to her surroundings. She started into a light jog, following the sinking sun, seeing that it beagn to sink faster then before. Then she started into a run, having quite a feeling of fear in the darkening wood.
Then she heard it. A deep howl of moonlight servitude pierced through her ears, and she stopped dead in her tracks. She pulled out her daggers, willing to attack anything which attacked her first and started running again, this time faster then she thought she could, as if she was floating off the ground at an incredible speed, adrenaline rushing through her veins. But it was not enough, a fiero pounced out in front of her, making her stop quick. It snarled with an angry growl and howled to get other's attentions to come for a very satisfying meal. She stood, holding out her daggers in defense to the beast, it's fangs protruding from it's mouth, stepping back to pounce at her. Thoughts raced through her mind as she stood in horror and knew that she could never survive a pack of them, let only get away without a scratch with one. She then wished she had been much more attentive to her father's studies...
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~When we do things out of great love, rather than great expectation, more comes back to us than we could have ever imagined.~
~The desire to know is not necessarily wrong but remember that if you're not careful one mistake and you'll create monsters worse than imaginable.~
The time now is 05:07 PM.
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