Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Rune Aeterna 8
Rune Aeterna (http://www.asheri.com/forums/index.php)
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-- (http://www.asheri.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=201)
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-21-2002 03:27 PM
New chapter... let the old one get too long...
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-21-2002 03:27 PM
New chapter... let the old one get too long...
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 01-21-2002 09:20 PM
The sun hung low in the sky just over the Hollow Craggs, lighting the sky like a brilliant torch in glorious hues of orange and red. Scarlet was with Adamas leaving Indigo by himself once more. Sighing, he pushed open the door to their room and flopped down on the bed to await her return.
He was very surprised to wake up much later that evening with Scarlet lying on top of him, and even more surprised when he saw it wasn’t Scarlet at all.
It was Reika.
CUE: Indigo. Either I can continue with this or you can. Doesn't matter to me, but if you do, Reika's going to be absolutely shameless.
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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 Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 01-21-2002 11:53 PM
"No rest for the weary..."
Til’Sylvanna woke to the sound of screaming. It took her a long moment to realize that the scream was hers. She was shaking as if chilled to the bone, though her skin was burning to the touch. Total darkness surrounded her… not the comforting moonlight with which she was familiar. Where was she? For one wild moment she was gripped by panic, a new scream threatening to rip its way out of her slender body. She was startled out of her terror filled thoughts as Valerian burst into the tent, sword in hand.
“My Lady,” he said with deep concern in his quiet voice, “are you alright?”
His light jade eyes searched her for any sign of physical hurt. Finding none, he relaxed a little and sheathed his long sword. He watched the elven maid closely, though he found no comfort in the fear that he saw engraved upon her face. She was huddled in the corner, blankets askew, hair in disarray, and quicksilver eyes large and wild. He took a few steps toward her, sitting at the end of her cot, placing a comforting hand upon hers.
“I’m right here, Til,” he said calling her by the familiar few others would have dared to use, “no one can harm you so long as I yet live. We’re camped for the night, I was keeping watch, remember? Your dreams cannot hurt you now, it’s okay.” He hoped that his monologue would give her the time she needed to recover her composure.
“Can’t they?” she said in a voice ragged with anguish. “Would that that were so. I use to believe so, that dreams were but dreams, though I have learned otherwise. “ She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The horrendous images were still there, though fading quickly.
“I am sorry, Valerian. I did not mean to upset you. I had hoped…” she paused and a sad smile played upon her features, “but no, there is no rest for the weary. “
Til’Sylvanna sighed deeply and turned her strange eyes upon her Guardian. “I am not a weak person. It takes a great deal to upset me, and never do I lose my composure. I have always been the perfect Lady. My people love me, as I do them, and within my realm of experience I have never been undone.
“This is different. I do not understand what I See, and I cannot control it. I have only a vague idea where I must go, and who I must find. I am not ashamed to admit that I am frightened.”
Valerian watched her as she spoke, amazed that she was being so open with him. In all the long years that he had served as her Guardian, and even when she fell into dark despair after the loss of her twin, she had never admitted to being afraid. She rarely spoke about her feelings, let alone fear. Til’Sylvanna had always been one to keep her own council, to give great thought to a matter before acting, and was of little speech. She always seemed to prefer to sit back and listen to others, saying little but missing nothing. No one, however, had ever dared to mistake her quiet introspection for indecisive weakness. He knew that she could be as cold as winter, and just as unforgiving… especially to herself. She was an odd and complex creature who still continued to perplex him… perhaps that was what he liked most about her. She always kept him on his feet.
“I wish with all my heart that there were something that I could do,” he said after a long time. “You have told me little about what you have Seen, and I will not presume to understand these strange portents which vex you so. You have always kept your own council. But permit me, as your Guardian, and as your loyal friend, to say this much: You have left the world that you know. The tales of men in your books of lore are far different form those whom you shall encounter out here. Surely there must be some other way to heal you of this burden? I do not mean to sound harsh, my Lady, but it shall become far worse before it becomes better. Soon, and by your order, not even I shall be here to stand beside you. You shall be alone. This is the path you have chosen. “
“Yes,” Til’Sylvanna said in a voice void of emotion, ”it is. There is no other way for me. I have been alone since I lost Til'Silvannis, and nothing can change that… no one can change that. I will go, and perhaps I shall die. So be it. There is no other way for me. My answers lie in the world of Men.”
She got up and left the tent silently. Valerian could do nothing but watch her go, sitting alone in the dark to brood with his thoughts.
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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 Saeth Shen on 01-22-2002 12:41 AM
A Shadow and a Shine
"You fool," Saeth whirled about and his Asha cloak flared in the light of the braziers, "Your reasons for leaving, whatever they may be, shall not escape my eyes so long as I may live, for I have had the misfortune to have been ordered to guide you in the outer realms, if that is where you will find this 'life' that you so seek,"
Neclar looked up at Saeth as a ring of light seemed to circle him from the fire burning in his shadow creeped about his form, "I have no need of your services, Esiai'desh'mirain, return to your duties, and leave me to my will,"
"It is naught that you speak to me in such a way, for I have been given no choice in the matter, and have been ordered to escort you to wherever it is that you may go. It seems that your guardian Linfell thinks that your wonderlust will subside soon after our departure from Evisis," Saeth was unmoving as the heat from the fire warmed his backside.
"Alas, he is a friend, but I am unmoved by his concern for my safety. The world may seem a large place to those that would hide within one wood on one land," Nelcar spoke in a slightly harsh tone.
"It is as I have said before, I have no choice, and in all sooth, I have no opinion in the matter. I shall escort you wherever you may roam, and so long as I live, you shall not fall to any harm," Saeth raised a palm to his chest, "By the honor of the Esiai'desh'mirain, I shall keep you safe as the young prince Linfell has ordered me to do,"
With that Saeth turned again, leaving Nelcar to his thoughts. He gathered El'Desh'ketai and Aedashai, and waited. Waited... to follow this young, fool of an elf wherever he might lead him to.
Cue: Nelcar
OOC: If you wish, Evenstar, you may know of Saeth and Neclaur's departure...
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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 Alexandros Fatali on 01-22-2002 12:58 AM
Alex walked about the camp area where most of the soldiers lived out their free time. He used a cane to stabilize himself, but proudly wore both Indra and Ramuh on his belts. The Redeemer sat within a tent that had beed designated for Alexandros, who had also been named the priest of the Elite Guard.
He strolled quietly for the most part. His strength was returning, as were his senses and his magic, and he couldn't help but think that there was something very wrong. He had no indication of what it was, or even where it was coming from. He was still far too weak to sense such things, but his strength was returning.
He made his way to his tent, where he re-applied the salves that the Dedicated healers had crafted for him, and feasted ravoneously on the food that had been left there by his companions in the Guard. Alex sat and polished the Redeemer, and as he slipped it into it's scabbard, he decided he'd go try to find the last person he remembered before his month of sleep.
Alex casually tossed his cane into a corner, and strapped his blade about his back. He took a deep breath, but stopped sharply when the pain came into his abdomen. He wasn't all healed yet. Shaking his head, he took a look at himself in the large mirror that had been brought for him. Alexandros thought that either Holy Knights get treated really well, or he had made a really good impression on the army. One way or another, he thought, he wished it was the latter.
With that, Alex managed a quick smile, and with a spring in his step, he set out to find Scarlet, and ask her what exactly had happened to him on tha battlefield more than a month ago...
Cue: Scarlet
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May the Creator shield you and light your path...
Posted by Zander Kohen on 01-22-2002 01:33 AM
"Alexandros or not, a Holy Knight would be of great influence to the Balanian government," Caliph replied. "I would like for you and Arkiri to join Orocia, Rifkis and I. We are headed for Balanum where we will attempt to sway their officials towards the rebel cause."
"I can see where my influence might come in handy Zander said, but what makes you think I favor the cause of the resistance?" Zander asked matter of factly. The others, with the exception of Arkiri, looked shocked.
"You do, don't you?" Orocia asked.
"Up till now I've been neutral. The war has been none of my business, so I left well enough alone," Zander said. "If you want me to join you, you'll have to convince me that the rebels are worth it. And if I do chose to help you out, I'll have another companion with me, also. Her name is Tiffarah, and I assure you, her manners far surpass what Arkiri has shown you."
Orocia and Rifkis chuckled while Caliph just smiled and Arkiri looked offended. She already didn't like Tiffarah and she hadn't even met her. Was it because Zander seemed to favor her? Arkiri brushed it aside and decided to continue her game with Orocia, shooting her another glare.
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Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Caliph Wyrdwyrm on 01-22-2002 03:13 AM
Caliph's smile faded just a little, as he took his pistol, laid unthreateningly in his palm, and held it out for Zander's viewing.
"This is Balanum. This is what we do. We are machine makers. A machine can do many things. They can carry people in the air. Or put a bullet through their hearts. Or throw fire into homes." He leaned in to Zander, focusing all his attention on him. "You've been neutral, so far, holy knight. But I assure you, the Empire has not. They have pressed forward, subjugated people, disrupted homes, killed many a young man who's time it was not yet to die. And now these people are about to lay their hands upon the machines."
And Caliph leaned back into his chair, and let some of the fatigue that had been coming over him the past few days seep out -- too much time in the sunlight, he told himself. "You're a good man, Zander. I can't believe that you'd let good people like yourself suffer while you stood by. The question is, then, where will you aid? I'm asking you to follow this ragtag group north." And he took his gaze off and let it slowly make it's way around the room. "And I'm sure that you will make the right decision, whatever it is." And he slipped his gun into it's holster, hidden in the folds of his cloak.
That done, he turned to Orocia. "And I have no right to ask this of you, either, but I want you to stay with me until this is through, too. I'll understand if you don't."
Orocia responded with her usual feistiness. "Of course I'm sticking with you. You really don't think I'd let you run off and have all the fun without me, do you?"
Caliph smiled at that. "Rifkis, I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice."
Rifkis just snorted. "I never thought of going elsewhere, M..."
"It's Caliph. I'm not my father. Everybody would do well to remember that. You're asking the diplomat to come, not the general."
Akiri broke in now. "Oh, and I don't suppose you thought about asking me, huh?"
Caliph sighed, long, and agressively, almost like a growl. "That is totally between you and Zander. Although I'd bet my family crest you wouldn't dare let Zander run off with Tiffarah and leave you behind."
Everybody but her chuckled, while she just stewed. But Caliph brought them back to the topic with a simple wave of his hand. "Now, Zander, if you are with us, meet us here again in five hours. Until then, I'm sure you'll want to gather up Tiffarah, as well as any supplies you might need and any other business you may have to attend to. Am I correct in assuming that this is the inn in which you're staying?"
Zander simply nodded.
"Very well. Tomorrow we'll spend planning, and we'll rest besides that."
Rifkis broke in. "I've given some attention to route that you may not be fully advised upon, Caliph."
Caliph turned to Rifkis. "Oh, now this I want to hear."
"Your house in the Soulwood -- all of the Soulwood, really -- has been covered in the Shadow since you left. And the roads into Balanum are watched; there are only two of them, surrounded by the rocky hills that would do nothing but skyline us."
[Ed. Note -- I made a really, really stupid misreading of the map when I said the Soulwood was under the Shadow. As for what I'll exchange it with, I'm not sure -- Zander, Orocia, and anyone else who cares to try and educate my sorry ---, feel free to drop me a suggestion.]
Caliph thought for a moment. "I think I've misunderestimated you, after all. You're thinking the beach, aren't you, Rifkis?"
Rifkis nodded. "But the lake poses its own problems, as you know -- not least among them being the Shadow again, in the Black Tower."
Caliph tapped his foot on the floor, soaking it all in. "Very well. Rifkis and I will discuss these things. Everyone that intends to join us, return here when you can. Until then, take care of what concerns you have. If this is to be our parting -- I regret it, but fare thee well."
CUE: Zander, Orocia.
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They say confession is good for the soul. But what if you don't have one?
Posted by Kaori Aurora on 01-22-2002 09:05 AM
Dinner - Plan to move on?
OCC: Sorry for taking so long to post, I had thought that Na Pali would want to write about meeting up with us at dinner... but since she haven't, I guess I'll have to, or at least write the starting of the meeting, hopefully Na Pali would continue with this...
IC:
Kaori accompanied Leo back to The Hammer through the streets of the marketplace, the sun setting over the western horizon.
"Did you know that when I went back to The Hammer today, there was a fight going on?" Kaori commented as they exited the marketplace and into the wharfside district, "I was up in my room, but I did hear a lot of commotion. Do you think that is why the bartender has a shotgun under the bar? Because The Hammer is so prone to bar brawls?"
"All bartenders have shotguns under the bar," Leo said drily, "since all bars have bar brawls..."
"Oh," Kaori said, "I didn't know that."
Entering The Hammer, Kaori was pleased to noticed that any previous signs of the disgruntled men that had wanted a fight were gone. Finding an inconspicuous table - meaning one not set against the wall and not in front of the fire, though near enough to still take advantage of the warmth - Kaori and Leo sat down.
"I thought I said we should get a proper meal." Leo commented as they sat.
"You did, and I think that this place has good meals."
Before Leo could comment on Kaori's taste in food, the bartender came up to Kaori's table, carrying two plates of sweet-smelling food with him. "There you go." He said to Kaori, placing the two plates on the table, "I would guess that you would have wanted dinner." He turned to leave.
"Hey wait a second!" Leo directed this at the bartender, "I thought you said that there was no food here!"
The bartender gave Leo a disdainful look, "You asked whether there was any real food here, I was guessing that you wanted lobster meat or something like that. So ofcourse I said no, we don't dare serve such important customers." With a huff, the bartender hurried off to where other customers were waiting to order drinks.
Kaori smiled, "It looks like you've offended the bartender. But really, the food here is really nice, I found that out the first night I was here. Try it, you'll be surprised."
Catching movement from the corner of her eye, Kaori looked up to see a girl coming down the stairs from the sleeping quarters located on the second floor. Overhearing the whispering of two barmaids that were near, Kaori found out that this was the girl that had caused the commotion earlier today. She must be the one who slammed the door of the room next to mine, Kaori thought. Nudging Leo, Kaori motioned her head towards the direction of the girl, "Apparently she's the cause of the near-fight today."
She kept her head down as Leo took a quick glance at the girl, they didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.
"By the way," Kaori continued when Leo turned back to his food, "We would have to leave for Sungan soon, I have business to attend there, as I am sure you do too, and it would not be profitable for either of us to delay here any longer." She stretched her arm, testing to see whether her ribs still hurt, "This wound has taken up too much time as it is."
Cue: Na Pali, or Leo...
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'Tis strange - but true, for truth is always strange; stranger than fiction.'
~ Lord Byron
NightBane
Kodoku no U
Her View
Posted by Tygan deParte on 01-22-2002 12:15 PM
A journey begins...
"aaaaaaaa," Tygan deParte stretched his arms, having just awoke from a good nights sleep. He lays his arm across the bed, "I had a wonderful night." He grins and opens his eyes to find a pillow in his arms.
"Gah, a dream, as if I expected anything else. I'm too honorable for my own good."
Getting out of bed he looks around his room. It was a fairly nice room, all things considered. Though he wasn't quite sure what the name of this inn was. The sign had been broken off when he came here 2 days earlier and it would be insulting to ask to barkeep.
"This place is so boring, I was hoping for some sort of action. I haven't seen any fighting in two days, not even a barfight, I need to get out of Bargra, start a true journey."
Quickly dressing and fixing his hair, using his rapier as a mirror until he was satisfied, he went to the lower rooms to grab some breakfast and to look at the map on the wall, as he had so many times in the last few days.
"If only I knew where I wanted to go," he said with a deep sigh, "This isn't at all what I expected the life of an adventurer to be like."
Plopping down on a seat by the bar he rested his head in his hands.
"What k'in I get ya?" said the gruffy old barkeep, he looked like a large pirate or ruffian, but in truth he was quite kind and caring.
"Something to eat and drink, don't really care what."
"Ahhh, still brooding ove' where t'go are ya?"
"Aye, I just can't decide, I expected more action, less trudging."
The barkeep only laughed, walking off to get some food and drink.
Tygan felt a tap to his back, a fairly rough tap, "S'cuse me! Yer in ma seat!" Thank you lord, he said silently, finally a fight!
"Is that so?" remember something he had heard from a local about a dark man in the woods, Tygan gave an evil grin and stared the man in the eyes, "Do you know who I am?"
"ummm, no," he had a confused look on his face, he was probably still feeling the after affects of hard drinking the night before.
"I am that last drink that knocks you unconcious. I am the reason you fear venturing into taverns alone. It is my name that is whispered by the drunks in the middle of the night and carried by the stench into your nose.
I am the Stool Prowler!"
The drunk was even more confused now, not quite sure how to reply to this. "ummm, errrr, well you can keep the seat."
DAMN! I should have just fought him! *sigh* Ah well, maybe later.
By this time the food had arrived and the barkeep couldn't keep back his laughter.
"You really shouldn't mock the Arboreal Prowler."
"O come on, a man who stalks the woods? I've heard the stories and there is no truth in them."
"Suit yerself lad," he left then to attend to more patrons.
Where to go, where to go, according to this map I really only have two choices, Akaros or Sungan. I just wish something would happen, give me a push in one direction or the other.
Finishing up the meal Tygan looks to the barkeep, "Another great meal my friend," the barkeep grinned in pride, "I think I'll go explore the town again, see if anything happens."
"Doubtfully boy, but goodluck to ye anyways."
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Sekirah Partam on 01-22-2002 12:36 PM
Sekira cursed himself for allowing the girl to borrow so much money from him without any insurance that he would get it back. He strapped his dagger to his leg, planning on creating his own insurance using it's blade.
He'd had enough of her excuses, he wanted his money, and if she wouldn't give it to him, she'd pay with her life. And he strode out of his large and beautiful home.
He was rich enough to be a noble, but they treated him as if he were a commoner. He didn't really belong to either class, and that's the way he liked it. On his own, set apart from everyone else. Much like the girl he was going to 'negotiate' with that evening.
He had taken pity on her when she first came to Helilal, alone, and broke. She wasn't like any other Lunari, but se wasn't like any other race he knew of either. She was on her own, like him, and needed some money to get her going.
She was beautiful, which might have affected how much money he had given her. Indeed, he would have slept with her if she had ever given him the chance, but she hadn't and he wouldn't be like the itiots and drunks that constantly tried to rape her. He had done many evil things, but when it came to women, he wouldn't bed one unless she was willing. Fortunately for him, many were, but not Tiffarah. Not that it would matter; if she wasn't able to pay him back this night, she would pay with her life instead.
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Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Volsung on 01-22-2002 01:09 PM
On the Road again
After sitting in the throne, room for about an hour or so Ollis showed up, “What are you still doing here?”
“Well the truth is I don’t know how to get out of this place,” Said Volsung with a bit of confusion in his voice.
“Well I can help you with that,” said Ollis with a smile on this face. Then Ollis paused upon starting again he had tears in his eyes, “But I’m afraid that the city limits of Akaros is all the further I can take you, after that I have a new job.”
“I understand and I’m glad to hear. That you have something to do because I think its best if I walk alone for while.”
“A person like you never walks alone for very long.”
“That maybe true, but I really don’t know any more. The fact is I don’t know what I’m doing any more all I more is I walk from place to place. DO YOU KNOW that I started this journey hoping to write about people who would otherwise be forgotten. I just don’t feel like I’m doing any good for the world.”
“Well I don’t think your making the world any worse if that makes you feel any better,” Said Ollis trying to cheer Volsung up.
“You know it really doesn’t, but thanks for trying. Now lets get out of here I starting to get hungry.”
“I think that we can find some food around here before we leave.” With that, Ollis lead Volsung to small dinning room adjacent to the kitchen. “This is where the Cooks eat before they start cooking for everyone else, but since in it between meal they are out getting things around for dinner, so the place is ours for a little bit so stay here and I will see what I can find.”
Ollis quickly ran off into kitchen leaving Volsung with his thoughts. After about five minutes, Ollis returned with half a dozen apples. “That looks great,” said Volsung upon seeing apples.
After Eating Ollis lead Volsung out of the city though a tunnel that runs from under the palace to the south side of the lake. “I told you that there were many different ways in and out of the city, so many that I don’t even know them all. That being said I am glad that I had a chance to know you and I wish you the best of luck.”
“Thank you very much, and I hope that I can come this way again sometime. Until then may the creator bless you and keep you are your family safe.” With that, the men shook hands, and flew off in there own directions. Ollis head north back across the lake, and Volsung headed south on the main road to Bargra. “Well I needed to head south. And this will give me time to think about some things.” He thought to himself.
Volsung flew for most of the day not terribly fast after all, he knew that Veritas should be in Sungan for few weeks any way. As night fell Volsung landed, but he was not quite ready to stop yet so walked by his own light.
After a while, Volsung started hearing things in the distance. First very muffled and then Very loud, “I wonder what is going on at this hour these are considered very safe. I guess it would be best to check it out.” Volsung quickly dropped his oara and ran in the dictions in which he thought he heard a noise. Upon come to the site of the screams Volsung found a band of gypsies under attack from thieves, and more over Volsung could now clearly here the yelling.
“We will never give up any of our things to you. We maybe Gypsies, but we can defend ourselves.” With that, the man pulled out a large broom. “Bring it on you cowards of the night.”
About this time Volsung had seen enough, so being the genially nice guy he is he unsheathed The Sword of Fire and being careful not to give into the temptation of sword walked in front of the Thieves. “Why don’t you kids leave you are in way over your heads,” After Volsung said this all was silent, and then to Volsung surprise the Man with Broom spoke up.
“I don’t need your help I have everything under control. I may look old, but I can handle three thieves.”
“Fifteen,” said Volsung wasting no time to make his point.
“I only see three Thieves what are you talking about.”
“There are about dozen other about hundred meters behind them waiting to see if these three need any help. If you don’t believe me maybe this will shed a little light on the subject.” With that Volsung lit up a large fire ball in his left hand then throw it strait up into the air and hit it with the sword in to group of men in the shadows lighting them up for all to see. “Believe me now.” A upon seeing the men in shadows the man said.
“I guess I might need your help after all.” With that, Volsung sprang into action becoming a larger ball of fire welding equally large sword of fire. As soon as thieves seen this that turned tail and ran in the other diction. Volsung followed the thieves for a little bit then after they were a mile or two off he sheathed his sword and when back to the man with the broom.
“Are you and you company ok?”
“Quite. Now what were you doing on this road at this time of night?”
“Strange I was just about to ask you that. Well to be fair I will answer your question first. I Left Akaros this afternoon and I am headed to Sungan. Now can you tell me about yourselves?”
“I am Kyenal of the Milios Tribe. We are gypsies from Nyliam, Asheri. We have come here looking for peaceful place live where will not be persecuted for our way of live.”
“Well in that case I think I will stay with you tonight in case those thieves come back. I mean if you will take me,” Said Volsung now trying to be as kind as be could.
“Yes we will take you, but we will be on the road again at first light and our paths don’t go the same way. Because we are heading to Akaros and then to Ciwa.”
“Thank you,” and with that Kyenal lead Volsung into there camp.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Zander Kohen on 01-22-2002 02:24 PM
Zander walked into the bar where Tiffarah said she'd be waiting for him and strode towards the barkeep.
"Is Tiffarah around here?" he asked over the rowdy bunch of men seated in the bar. Some of them obviously recognized him from earlier for they were hooting and hollering about him being in Tiffarah's room again.
"Nah, she left a half hour ago, said she had to meet someone," the barkeep answered.
He was late and she had left to go meet with someone else. Zander decided he would go find her. It was after dark again and the streets were no place for her.
He felt strange walking arounf in his armor, with his sword strapped to his back, but as the host of shadow mages had proved to him earlier, anything might happen on the streets of Helilal.
Zander started wandering through Helilal's streets and sideroads, looking for any sign of Tiffarah. He had left Arkiri at the inn to look after Malach and their belongings. She hadn't been eager to accept it, but she had finally complied, not wanting him to be angry with her.
His senses were on overload. There were too many people in this city with evil intentions. It would be a relief to be on the open road where he could discern things more easily.
Searching franticly, he felt like he was looking for a needle in a haystack. He thought he might never find her when he finally turned a corner and saw her being held up against a wall by a man in a dark trenchcoat with a large dagger in his hand; held at Tiffarah's throat.
Zander didn't even think before he had his sword in his hand, but the other man was also very swift and was already leaping at him, brandishing his dagger menacingly.
He tried to dodge the man's blow, but he felt the cold steel cut through his right cheek, leaving a gash that bled profusely. Zander countered this, swinging his sword up at the man wildly, catching him in his upper arm, creating a gash of his own. He followed up by throwing a ball of holy light in the man's face, temporarily blinding him.
The man clutched his face with one hand and turned running, feeling his way along the walls with his other hand; his dagger still clutched in it firmly. His trenchcoat billowing out behind him; blood from his arm leaving a trail as he went.
Zander watched him go, then turned to Tiffarah who grimaced when she saw his wound.
"Are you alright?" Zander was reminded of a similar situation earlier that day and wondered if this would become a regular event with her.
"I'm fine," she said, "but you look like hell. That's gonna leave a nasty scar."
Reaching his hand up to his face, he found that the whole right side was covered in blood and he felt it streming down his neck as well. He ripped part of his own shirt and whipped the blood of, then pressed the cloth to his cheek.
"Lets get back to the in where I'm staying and I can get bandaged up," he said.
Tiffarah nodded, "I'm glad you came, he's one of the few men that I couldn't have taken on my own."
"You'll meet more, I'm sure," Zander said and motioned for her to follow him. "You're staying with us tonight, I'm not leaving you alone with him out there somewhere."
Tiffarah didn't protest, she just followed him back to the inn.
Cue: Orocia, Caliph or Sekirah if you want it.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Na Pali Wind on 01-22-2002 02:47 PM
the meeting
OOC: sorry guys...
IC:
Na Pali walked down the stairs into the main room and saw first two people sitting at a table and somehow they sparked her curiosity. She smiled politely and made her way to the bar, her eyes darting back and forth to make sure her assailants hadn't returned for revenge. she leaned against the clean white counter and asked for what was edible here. She was pleasantly surprised at the menue.
"I'll have...uh...the waffles sound pretty good."
The bartender gave her a quizzical look for it was almost midafternoon but complied, giving her a short stack of syrupy waffles and a cup of coffee. She thanked the bartender and made her way towards an empty table, which was ironically near the two who sparked her interest earlier. She smiled politely again and began to eat the waffles thoughtfully. She could hear the two talking in hushed voices and couldn't help but easdrop, being so close.
"So when do you think we should leave for Sungan?" The girl was speaking and the mention of Sungan furthered her interest. Finally after the couple spoke of their plans, Pali spoke up in spite of herself.
"I uh..couldn't help but easedrop on your conversation...but i hear your going to Sungan?"
The boy looked mildly surprised and the girl looked cautious to open up to a complete stranger.
"Why?" said the boy, curious look on his face.
"Because I was going in that direction to deliver something to one of my father's friends."
The boy nodded and continued eating, not even complying with her slight desire to travel with other people, and since these two were heading in that direction she felt that they were the perfect candidates.
Pali made no more conversation and finished her waffles, returning the dishes and paying for the food. Heading outside, she found a man selling some sturdy looking pack mules and rented one. She was to return the mule to a man named Yusul in Sungan. She nodded and led the sleepy but complient mule to The Hammer and tied him off to a post and walked back into the inn to fetch her clothes and other belongings.
In her room, she packed her belongings into a worn old suitcase and hauled it downstairs. She new that she could haul the pack herself but she really didn't feel like it and plus, she had the money. She placed the pack on the horse and was untying the reigns when she saw the two she had talked to in the inn during "lunch" and saw them walking towards her, eyeing the mule thoughtfully.
She nodded her hello and finished tying off her pack. They stopped at the doorway and began to talk. She heard only a bit of their conversation and strained to hear.
"Do you think we should?"
"I don't know why not..."
From there she heard no more.
CUE: Leo...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 01-22-2002 10:03 PM
Valerian awoke to a familiar sound… the sound of Til’Sylvanna singing. He smiled, donned his armor, and packed up their things, ready for the day’s travel. He could see by the soft rose of the sky outside the tent that the new day would soon be born. Odd, he thought, she did not wake me to begin early. Odder still, he had overslept. Oh well, he thought, I must be getting old. (And that was saying something!) Finished packing, he left the tent to make his morning’s greeting and see how his Lady fared.
She was sitting near the fire, which she must have kept burning throughout the night, singing. All about her were flowers of many kinds, flowers she must have picked during the night as she wandered beneath the stars. For a long time he said nothing but was content just to listen to the sound of her lovely voice. She has come a long way, he thought fondly. There was a time when he had despaired of ever hearing her sing again. Even her cousin Prince Linfell had been unable to lift the shadow that had lain heavy upon her heart for so long, and he was much loved by her. But somehow she had found her way back to the land of the living, and had returned to her people.
He walked over to her, noticing that she had breakfast cooking over the fire. She said nothing, but continued to weave the flowers into an intricate laurel. “How does the day find you, Daughter of Talisaryan?” he asked by way of greeting. She smiled, but said nothing. “Your song is lovely, but not one with which I am acquainted. Is it one of yours?”
“No,” she said softly, “it is one taught to me by the dear friend of my noble cousin, Nelcar son of Alaer. Many months ago Linfell brought him to see me… knowing my love of poetry and song. He sang to me of the Mer’dal flowers, and of the long story of the Dawn. I was reminded if it when I saw these flowers. His song was lovely, and sad. Perhaps that is what I liked so well.”
“I remember him. He has not been seen for many turnings of the moon,” Valerian said as he broke his fast. “He has found a strong patron in the son of King Beingor.”
“Perhaps, though I have heard that he is fae and strange in his ways at times.” She smiled wryly, “though I have often heard the same thing whispered about me when others believe I do not take notice.”
Til’Sylvanna finished her laurel and placed it upon her brow. Valerian had to keep from gasping. There could exist in the world no greater beauty, he thought, than this maiden crowned in blossoms. She smiled at him.
“The earth has been kind to me in providing these fine flowers for me to enjoy this day. I will take it as a blessing and believe that our travels shall be pleasant and peaceful.”
Though she seemed happy and undisturbed by the Visions that had robbed her of sleep, the Elwain could detect slight shadows under her silver eyes. Best to get going, he thought, the sooner she was done with this business, the sooner she would be safe at home. He could not bear the thought of her ageless beauty marred by anything. For the first time, he began to grow concerned for Til’Sylvanna’s well being. Her Lady mother had seemed fine for a long time too… before her Visions drove her into despair. That Lady’s heart could not bear to leave fair Hethilin, and so she had faded away, no longer having the will to live.
Blessed Creator, mother of all that is beautiful, please spare her, he prayed. She has suffered so much already…
************************************************** ****
The day passed without event. All day and into nightfall they traveled at a fair pace, stopping only to rest and water the horses.
He worries about me, Til’Sylvanna thought. He believes that I should never have left the Evisis. I wish that I could make him understand… I have no choice! Would that I could never leave home. What fairer place in all the wide world could there be fairer than the silver city of Hethilin, the home of the Elwain? But she could not. It was because she loved that home so passionately that she could not.
Suddenly, she became aware of wrongness in the air… an impending doom. The sun had almost set, and they found themselves in a lightly wooded area. No sound of bird or call of wild thing broke the still of the moment. Her mind screamed for her to act, to flee. An image flashed before her… nine figures, dark clad and armed… waiting in the shadow of the trees. Then she saw herself and Valerian back to back, weapons drawn… where were the horses? Two more figures… Shining… one fair, one in shadow… Elwain? Something pricked her mind… someone she almost recognized… but the image was lost before she could hold onto it.
She stopped her mount and drew her bow. “Val,” she said with a calmness that she certainly did not feel, “we’re in trouble.”
“What,” he said following her lead and drawing his long sword.
Just then two figures appeared out of the night in front of them…
************************************************** ****************************************
Cue: Nelcar and Seath… or anyone else who wants to help a damsel in distress…
__________________
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 01-22-2002 11:45 PM
Sekira fled, blood soaking into his garments and more falling to the ground behind him. His vision was returning to him now, and he relied on his sense of touch less and less.
'Who the hell was that?' he thought. 'Has the wench gotten herself a bodyguard now?' One thing was for sure, whoever he was, he was skilled. In all his years of being a mercanary, there had been few who could best him. 'If only he hadn't blinded me, I might of had him.'
He ducked into an alley where the only light was the moon above him, making his silver hair seem to glow a light blue. He tore off his trenchcoat and flung it to the ground.
Bringing his right hand up to his left bicep, where the bodyguard had made a nasty gash, Sekira concentrated very hard. He wove himself an enchantment that closed up his wound, turning it into an ugly scar. 'Just another to add to the numerous others,' he thought.
He donned his trenchcoat once more and returned to his home, stopping more than once to make sure the man hadn't followed him to finish him off. He assured himself that he would find a way to get his money back or take the girl's life instead. One way or another, he would get around that damned bodyguard.
__________________
Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Caliph Wyrdwyrm on 01-23-2002 03:02 AM
Zander and Tiffarah came through the door, Zander's face blotted with a dark, once red thickness. Caliph was the first to see him.
"Zander, lie down. This must be Tiffarah." He rummaged around in his pack for bandages, found some, and tossed them at Rifkis, who accepted them mutely. He turned around to look at the shocked, now strangely human Akiri. "Akiri, fill a basin with warm water... not too hot, it should be comfortable to the touch." Akiri nodded mutely and went off to fill the basin.
Caliph took Tiffarah aside. "You stay right here... I'll want to talk to you in a minute." He looked at Rifkis. "I don't really want to pull the bandages on him, but we have no choice."
Rifkis nodded. "Either way it will probably scar."
"Yes, but it'll be worse if we let it get infected. It'll open the bleeding back up, but that can't be helped, I'm afraid." Rifkis nodded in agreement, and took the basin from Akiri. The two of them went to work on cleaning the wound out.
Caliph then turned to Tiffarah. "What happened to the assailant?"
"Zander cut him, on the arm. He walked away."
He nodded. "That means he's still alive, probably. I'll be thankful... the two of you probably wouldn't have managed to hide the corpse well enough. It will have to wait until later." He paused. "How did it happen?"
"The man was threatening me, and Zander stepped..."
Caliph cut her off, his voice lacking malice or kindness. "Did you know this man?"
Tiffarah paused for a moment, bewildered, before she came out with the truth. "Yes. I owed him some money. I think he intended to kill me over it."
Caliph turned to Orocia. "You two are about the same size... close enough." He looked over Tiffarah. "And it won't due to have her walking around in these clothes... they've got two kinds of blood in them and none of it's hers."
Orocia nodded, and gestured Caliph aside. He left Tiffarah and went over to her.
"Ok, Caliph, I can go ahead and find her something else to wear. But are you so sure you want them coming with us? We're both plenty hunted already."
Caliph paused, thoughtfully. The knight just might be a liability. It was true. He couldn't brush away her worries. He wouldn't even try.
"We'll worry about that in the morning. For right now, let's just worry about getting them cleaned up. Either way I'd feel bad if we just left them this way."
Orocia nodded. "I hope you're doing the right thing, Caliph." And she waved Tiffarah into the back where the bath was.
Caliph turned to see Rifkis standing behind him. "Quite a girl, Akiri. You'd hardly think it from earlier. She's playing quite the nurse." He smiled, thinly, for show.
Caliph just nodded, returning the light smile. "She's very attatched to him. But we knew that. It's not the contradiction it appears to be. A lot of contradictions are that way." Caliph and Rifkis sat at the table and divided up the last of the pitcher of ale.
"Caliph, I'm pretty sure our schedule has just been moved up a bit."
He mulled over it, looking over the crude maps they'd been making the past few hours. "If Zander's assailant intents to find us, I'm not going to doubt that he will. It may just be best for us to wait him out here, where we at least have the chance to prepare for it."
"We really can't afford to go on without him, you know, Caliph. I'm generally not much for religion -- neither of us are, we're Balanum, we never cared for it. But the world's changed."
Caliph just sighed and took a draught of his ale. "Let me see your gun, Rifkis."
Rifkis, well aware that he was not fully trusted here, dutifully produced his pistol and set it on the table. Caliph didn't pick it up, just looked at it. He recogized the make easily enough.
"We use the same caliber. I take it you brought a store of amunition?"
"Not as much as I wish I had. And no rifle, just the side arm. And nothing to arm the others with, either."
Caliph pushed the gun back at him. "Go ahead and put it away." Rifkis nodded and holstered it. "At this point, we're damned from all sides."
"Now, Caliph, you're forgetting -- we do have one thing on our side."
"And what's that, Major?"
"Nobody's ever walked in with six people and tried to overthrow a government before. So we have the element of suprise."
Caliph chuckled. "So much for thinking my death sentence was lifted."
Rifkis smiled back. "Oh, we're both condemned now. We're just expected to suffer first."
Orocia emerged from the back room. She leaned over behind Caliph and spoke sotto voce. "Looks like our new friend has a couple of scars. This wasn't her first time at something like tonight."
Caliph nodded and tilted his head back up at her. "Probably not the first time Zander's stepped in on her behalf, either, I'd wager." The both of them were interupted by Akiri.
"While all of you have been gabbing away, you've obviously forgotten him. If you care, the wound's clean -- but that won't keep it from infecting."
Caliph reached into his bag and handed her a small jar. "An ointment. It should help it. After this, don't change his bandages. It would just start the bleeding up again." She took the ointment from him and left in a huff.
He looked at both Orocia and Rifkis. "Let's get what rest we can, while the hour is still still." And they parted until morning.
Cue: Orocia, Zander... or anyone else that cares to barge in on us, I don't care
__________________
They say confession is good for the soul. But what if you don't have one?
Posted by Zander Kohen on 01-23-2002 06:26 AM
Zander woke the next morning, the right side of his face trobbing in pain. He put his hand to his face and found that Arkiri had bandaged him well; he made a mental note to thank her for it.
'Now to deal with Tiffarah,' He thought. She had presented them with another problem and Zander wanted to at least understand why.
He dressed himself carefully and went downstairs to ask the barkeep what room they had put her in. The others weren't awake yet and Zander had no intention of starting them off this early, not till he knew what to do with Tiffarah.
On one hand, he didn't want to be a burden to Caliph and his two companions, but he also didn't want to leave Tiffarah knowing that he was out there waiting for a chance to kill her. He would have to figure something out, as usual.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he found that Tiffarah was awake as well, sitting at the bar with her head in her hands. She looked up at him when she heard his footsteps coming toward her. Her gaze was apologetic and Zander could tell she was wondering what to do as well.
"You don't need to be sorry," Zander said. "I got myself into it, you didn't ask me."
"I could swear you can read minds," she said, turning back to the bar and her drink sitting a foot or so away from her. She was looking at it more than drinking it.
"No need to read minds if you can read faces," Zander said. "I would like to know exactly why that man was attacking you though; it's obvious it wasn't for the same reason as the last one."
"No, I owe him some money, quite a bit actually," She admitted. "He took pity on me when I came into town three years ago; said something aboutme being the same as him or something. I didn't care at the time, I was just glad to have the money. I found out that he was a mercenary, and the rest is history. Last night was the first time he had actually threatened me, but I have no doubt he'd try again."
"I'm not going to let that happen," Zander said. "How much do you owe him exactly?"
"A hundred Mels," Tiffarah replied hopelessly. "No one I know has that kind of money to spare."
"No one has a life to spare either, but I'd rather give up the money than let you give up your life in it's place."
"You'd do that for me?" she asked. "You have that kind of money?"
"I wasn't always a wandering Knight, you know. I once made a very good living as a merchant. Of course I'd do that for you."
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Sekirah Partam on 01-23-2002 07:37 AM
Sekirah left before dawn that morning, determined to find Tiffarah. Again he left his lance in favor of his dagger. He preffered the lance, but it was a little to cumbersome in the city, too messy for an assassination.
He had changed into his lether breastplate, grey pants and a new trenchcoat. He would have the other one taken to the tailor later.
He stopped to think for a moment of where he would start. Knowing she wouldn't risk going back to her own room at the tavern where she worked, he decided to check the inns near where he had tried to murder her before.
Two hours and at least ten inns later, he still hadn't found her. He was beginning to think she had hid somewhere else, when he walked through the doors of an inn to find Tiffarah and her bodyguard both standing at the bar in front of him and the man looked unarmed. 'I can take out both of them at once,' he thought to himself.
The rest of the bar was deserted except for the barkeep who was busying himself with cleaning the tables.
Sekirah drew his dagger out of the sheath strapped to his leg, which seemed to draw the man's attention. He spun around and leapt at Sekirah and before he had time to react, the man had slammed hishand into the wall; he dropped his dagger.
'This guy's too strong, I'll never beat him in a fist fight,' Sekirah thought. He stayed against the wall and waited for the man to make his next move.
"Do you want your money or are you going to be stubborn?" the man asked.
He looked young to Sekirah, maybe in his late teens. How the hell had he become so strong?
"She hasn't got my money, I know it" Sekirah hissed. "Unless she's going to pay with her life, she has nothing that interests me."
"I have your money, and I believe you are the one who's life is in question at the moment."
Sekirah couldn't argue with that. "Fine get me my damned money."
"No, you're coming with me when I get it," The man said pulling him off the wall and pushing him toward the stairs. "Tiffarah, stay down here."
He let himself be pushed up the stairs and into one of the rooms where he saw the sword that had given him his scar along with armor and traveling packs.
"Don't even think about going for my sword," the man said behind him.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Sekirah said, honestly for once. He was intrigued by this young man. He didn't seem like a body guard. By the packs, Sekirah guessed he was a traveler of some sort.
The man seemed satisfied with his answer and crossed the room, retrieving a large money pouch from one of the packs. He emptied it out onto the bed. He sure wasn't any ordinary traveler.
"I believe you need a hundred mels?"
Sekirah just nodded and the man began counting out his money. After a few minutes, he grew more comfortable in the man's presence, seeing he wouldn't attack him again; Sekirah leaned up against the wall and waited.
__________________
Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Zander Kohen on 01-23-2002 07:52 AM
Zander counted carefully, keeping one eye on the man leaning up against the wall. He felt no malicios intent from him, at least not anymore, but he still didn't trust him. A few moments later Arkiri burst through the door looking wide awake and eager to see how he was doing.
"Zander! You're awake! How are you..." She stopped short seeing the unfamiliar man not more than 5 feet away from her. "Who's he?"
"That is the man who gave me this cut," Zander explained. "He's here for his money, then he won't bother us again, right?" Zander turned to the man.
He nodded and Zander continued his counting, but Arkiri had other ideas. She walked over to the man and, without hesitation, kicked him sqare in the shins.
"That's for Zander!" she exclamed, giving him the death glare she'd been practicing on Orocia.
"Why you little..." the man began, then seemed to remember that Zander could knock him flat. Zander smiled to himself. Sometimes Arkiri seemed suicidal.
Cue: Caliph or Orocia Have fun, don't really care what you do with my characters, I can work around it.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Tygan deParte on 01-23-2002 11:45 AM
"Greetings sir, do you know where I could find adventure?" The man gave Tygan a strange look as if the boy was crazy.
"Umm no boy, can't say I do."
"ah, well good day to you then." Continuing his search through Bargra, Tygan could only hope that somehow adventure would fall on him. Ah perhaps this person might know.
"S'cuse me ma'am, do you know where I could find adventure?" The reply was a look of insult and a slap to the face, the lady quicky moving on.
"Not that kind!" he shouted after her. Gah, what was the use, this by far is not the best way.
A few hours of trudging through dusty streets went by, constant silent complaints filled Tygan's head as dust collected on his fine clothing. "This will be hell to clean I just know it."
"Are you the man looking for adventure?"
"Well it depends what kind you mean." Please let this be it!
"Well it isn't the kind that lady was thinking of if that's what you mean." He chuckled.
Tygan blushed, yes it trully must have looked stupid for someone to go around asking everyone in the city if they knew where he could find adventure, what has gotten into me?
"hmmm, perhaps you might not be the type I'm looking for, you don't give the appearance of one who is a skilled warrior."
"Do you doubt me sir!?!"
"No no, of course not, I mean all great warriors wander around towns asking commoners to point him out to adventure."
Tygan was prepared to fight this man now for the insults, but the thought passed when he realized how much truth this man's words held. I've never been in a fight, hes right, I'm no true warrior, but I will prove myself!
"You said you knew where I could find adventure, spit it out man!"
He chuckled once again, "Well atleast you have spirit. Ok, I'll tell you where you can find a fight, a real fight. My brother, along with many others over time, was killed by Fiero, or wolfmen if you haven't heard of them. I personally am too poor to pay a man like yourself, but you were looking for adventure, so I figured I'd just point you in the way. You can get your adventure, I can get my revenge. And with all the nobles and other travelers they have killed, you can be sure they have a large amount of treasure somewhere in those woods of theirs."
Fiero! I'm good, but that may be over doing it. No! I can't refuse, I must prove myself! "Thank you sir, I think I will take you on this idea, however treasure isn't my goal, and deffinetly not treasure from slain innocents, I merely go for the adventure. What would be a good way to travel there?"
"You could probably find a ship in Sungan that is traveling to Gania, but I warn you, the fiero are not to be underestimated." With that he walked off.
"What a strange man.....well it's never to late to start I guess, might as well head back to the inn and pack my things." He took a few steps before stopping, looking down at this clothes and equipment. "Wait, these are my things."
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 01-23-2002 02:23 PM
BRRZAAAAAP!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! !
Scarlet’s shriek echoed through streets of Fayre, rattling windows of nearby buildings and causing worrisome mothers to collect their children from the sidewalks back into the security of their homes. Smoke billowed from one of the city's many courtyards specifically used for training. In the very center, two silhouettes belonging to Scarlet and Adamas, could be seen through the haze.
“DAMMIT OLD MAN!!!! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!?!?” Smoke curled up from the ends of her hair and her eyes pulsated with homicidal rage. This combined with the blackish hue of her skin made her look like a demon freshly loosed from the bowels of hell. Adamas expressed his annoyance with his pupil by burying his face in his hand and groaning.
“Scarlet, I told you to dodge it.”
“HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DODGE A BOLT LIKE THAT!!?!?”
Adamas’s eyes narrowed as he summoned another bolt, smaller this time, which struck Scarlet square in the chest, knocking her flat.
“You’re the one who asked me for training Scarlet. As your teacher I deserve more respect.” Scarlet only groaned from her position on the ground. Laughter rang out from the entrance to the courtyard, causing both to look and see Alexandros standing there, looking quite amused at the spectacle. He walked over to where Scarlet lay and helped her to her feet. She immediately threw her arms around his neck as joy from seeing her friend flooded her senses.
“Alex!! Thank the Creator you’re alright!! So much has happened!” Alex nodded and smiled.
“Yes, I know and I want to hear it all.” Turning to Adamas he asked, “Mind if I steal your student for the rest of the evening?” He shrugged nonchalantly, causing Scarlet’s blood to boil once more. Sensing this, Alex began to walk swiftly in the other direction, hoping she would follow, or in the worst case scenario, he would be out of harms way. Fortunately, she chose the former.
Scarlet made a quick stop to clean herself up, then continued to explain to Alex how she and drug him off the battlefield after he had fallen and what had happened after the surrender of Fayre. She talked until the very first stars came out and had covered everything but the news of her sister’s appearance. For some reason she was very hesitant to bring her up around Alex. She was still slightly shaken from their sparring match that afternoon. The look in Reika’s eyes made her shiver every time she thought about it.
“There’s something else you’re not telling me.”
Scarlet lowered her head and mentally reprimanded herself for being so childish. Why should she be reluctant to speak about her own sister? By now they had made it back to the courtyard and were seated at one of the spacious benches.
“About two weeks ago my sister, Reika, was found outside the camp. She had come all the way from Gania to come find me and had come across the Nylian soldiers.” Alex looked up at the stars. A malevolent feeling was growing inside of him. There was something about Reika that signaled a warning within him. He knew Scarlet felt it too, but was intentionally ignoring it.
“You’re troubled by her aren’t you?” Her eyes widened. How could he possibly know? At first she tried to deny it, but in Alex’s presence she found she couldn’t.
“Yes….I am. I don’t know what could’ve happened to her, but she seems so strange now. It frightens me.”
Alex fought to keep his emotions from appearing on his face.
He had a pretty good idea of what happened to Reika…….And what Reika really was...
__________________
"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
Posted by Bara Chinder on 01-23-2002 03:19 PM
A cold wind blew across an up untill now mild day. Bara looked up he had been lying low for a while. travelling through scrubland and woods to keep in cover. as a result he had strayed off course.
As far as he knew he was considerably further west then he had intended, he also knew he was further south than parvini in latidude. He had a bad feeling about this area. He had been here before when he was younger but it seemed more alive then.
He now sat eating an uncomfortable meal and this cold breeze was accompanied by a sweeping dark cloud. Away to the east he could see the foothills of the hollow crags where a spur jutted out into the plains.
A shudder ran down his back, he leapt up and looked around. He felt very un-easy and he wanted to know where he was now and move soon. He ate no more, the wasting around the plains was over, if he could no longer feel comfortable in the open he would go to people to help him find...whatever it was.
A marginally tall hardwood tree stood nearby. Bara scrambled to the top to get a surrounding view. In the distance to the east he could make out a road and in the far distance to the north east a settlement, Parvini he imagined. "I havnt been near it or crossed a road so it must be" Bara thought. Away to the south he could see plumes of smoke rising over a mountain,
"Endaroth? That smoke is very thick to be seen from here."
He climbed down and made his decision. To the road and north to Parvini. He had gathered up soon after and headed off.
A few days later he got the road in his sights. As he approached he noticed somthing odd. "No Traffic at all, I aint seen one cart or caravan. No shipments, from Endaroth," he pondered, "Must be some holiday or sumthing."
There was a copse near the road where he could conceal himself and his camp. Cold food tonight again a fire would be risky.
He set up shop and settled down for the night.
On the road nearby not a sound, as a dark figure padded up the road north bound. It stopped, looked to be listening for a miniute and then walked off breathing through its teeth.
__________________
If pro is the opposite of con, then progress is the opposite of congress.
Posted by Sekirah Partam on 01-23-2002 05:39 PM
Sekira took the bag of Mels that the man, he now knew him as Zander, handed him and was relieved to finally have the money he had loaned back in his hands. Now that he was square, he realized Zander would be an enemy that he would rather not have. He would stand no chance against him in combat and he knew it.
As a gesture of peace, if not friendship, Sekirah offered to take care of Zander's wound that he had caused.
"Here, let me have a look at that cut," He said, taking a step towards Zander.
"I don't think that's such a good idea, Zander," Arkiri squeeled.
Zander raised his hand toward her. "Don't worry Arkiri, he doesn't intend to harm me. But I must ask that you don't remove the bandages... uh..."
"Sekirah, and don't worry, I won't have to remove your bandages."
He stepped towards Zander and put a hand up to his face. He repeated the enchantment he had used on himself the day before and could feel his wound closing up even without touching him. After a few moments, the ball of light between Sekirah's hand and Zander's cheek faded.
"Now you have no need of those bandages," Sekirah said. "You'll have a nasty scar though."
"Thank you," Zander said and pulled of his bandages, revealing the scar that had replaced his gory wound. The scar stretched right through his meshai, splitting it in half.
Now it all made sense to Sekirah. 'No wonder he's so strong,' he thought. He had a sudden pang of remorse for what he had done, something he'd never felt before, but he chose to ignore it.
"Whoever dressed that wound did it well," he said. "It made my job much easier. It gets more complicated if it becomes infected."
Arkiri seemed to glow with pride at his remark and Sekirah almost felt some respect for the little twit. He still felt bitter towards her for kicking him in the shins.
"I must be on my way, Zander," Sekirah said. "I hope the next time we meet will be under better circumstances."
Sekirah turned and left the room, knowing he would see Zander again very soon. He gave Tiffarah a nod as he left and returned home to pack. He would be leaving the moment he was ready.
__________________
Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-23-2002 06:46 PM
As Indigo
Indigo had been totally shocked, and dismayed at finding Reika in his bed. And his pants. He had jumped up and fled the tent, his thoughts jumbled.
Reika knew of his love for Scarlet, and still she tried to seduce him? Indigo didn't understand. And there was something more... the look in her eyes. He had seen that look before. In her...
"Sevron...?" he muttered. He couldn't go to Scarlet, not yet. How could he accuse her sister of something so... hateful. He had to talk to someone who knew something. He needed to speak with Alexandros.
He sought him out, wandering the streets of Fayre, asking the healers who might have last seen Alexandros. They pointed him towards the central district. Indigo knew the way, Scarlet often trained there.
He spied Alexandros on the bench with Scarlet. He hesitated. He didn't know if he could get them apart at the moment, the conversation seemed tense, although Indigo couldn't hear it.
He approached anyway. If nothing else, he'd let Alexandros know he needed to talk alone.
Scarlet looked up from the bench and smiled. "Hi Indy." (Indigo had stopped scowling when she called him that.)
He smiled back and kissed her on the cheek. "Scarlet, I have a message for Alexandros from General Dominic. Would you excuse us?"
Scarlet nodded hesitantly and returned to where Adamas stood, tapping his toes impatiently.
"So, Indigo, what does Victor say?"
"Well, nothing. I had to talk to you in private. It's about..." he looked to see if Scarlet was still within earshot. She wasn't. "Reika. She tried to seduce me last night. And it gets worse. She had this look in her eyes. A look I've seen once before, in the eyes of a sevron woman."
"I don't think it's coincidence. I think Reika... has turned. She reeks of the taint. The question is... how do we protect Scarlet from her, and what is her goal?"
"I don't know, Alex. But I don't want to tell Scarlet what I think about her sister. I think their bond runs deeper that mine with her."
"I think we're going to have to use the direct approach. Unless you can think of a plan in a few moments. Look." Alexandros pointed to the enclosure where Scarlet was. Adamas was nowhere to be seen, but Reika stood with Scarlet, smiling and laughing.
"I can't stand to put this off any longer. I have to tell her." Indigo ran towards the sisters.
"Indigo, wait! Don't be so rash!"
Indigo slowed as he neared them. Reika showed no change of emotions, instead, she merely smiled as he approached.
"Scarlet, we need to talk. Alone."
Cue Scarlet. Indigo is going to spill the beans about Reika's attempted seduction, which of course she'll deny, and pretend to be shocked.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Keiru Ruby on 01-23-2002 07:43 PM
“What is it Indy?” Scarlet was beginning to sense that there was something wrong. Alex followed behind Indigo. As he neared, Reika began to shrink back. Both men felt an icy wave wash over them as they approached.
“Scarlet, I need to talk to you, now.” Reika stood directly behind her sister and glared at Indigo from over her shoulder.
“What can you possibly say to her that you can’t say it in front of me, Indigo?,” she asked. He felt resentment rising within him.
“You know perfectly well what. You tried to seduce me!” Scarlet gaped at him in shock and disbelief. Reika vocalized the doubts running through her mind.
“You can’t possibly believe him Scarlet! You know I would never!”
Scarlet looked at Indigo. Her confusion was painfully obvious as she looked toward Alex who was standing away off. He spoke lowly, never taking his eyes off of Reika who began to tremble under his stare.
“Get away from her Scarlet. She’s a Sevron.” Her eyes widened, not in shock or confusion, but in anger.
“What are you saying Alex!? She’s my sister!! She’s not a servant of Shadow!!!” She watched in growing horror as Alex withdrew one of his pistols and aimed it at Reika.
“I’m not kidding Scarlet. Get out of the way!!” Indigo attempted to grab her wrist, but she wrenched free and stood by her sister’s side.
“No!” To emphasize her point, she threw herself in front of Reika, fanning her arms out protectively. “You’re making a mistake Alex!”
Reika’s mind was racing. She knew her time was short because the Holy Knight could sense her, so she did the only thing left she could get away with, which was what she had longed to do all along. A cruel smile crossed her face as she grabbed Scarlet’s upper arm, digging her talon-like nails into her soft flesh.
“Time to die, Scarlet…”
Everything from that moment on happened in slow motion. Scarlet felt her nails piercing the skin of her back, slowly gouging through her stomach and out the other side. Her ribs cracked and several internal organs burst under the incredible pressure. But she didn't feel the pain in her stomach as much as the pain in her heart. Her sister, her own flesh and blood was doing this to her. She wanted to scream, but all that came forth was a strange gurgling noise. Blood ran in a thin line from the corners of her mouth and down her chin. She now felt her sister pulling her hand free from her middle and pushing her to the ground. Tears now mingled freely with her blood as it began to pour into a sticky pool below her. From far away she heard screaming and the sound of her sister’s laughter.
Why…?
“SCARLET!!!!!!!!!”
Reika….why…?
Time to die, Scarlet…
It isn’t true Reika…you’re not evil…
Time to-
Reika!
Die, Scarlet…….
She closed her eyes as the blood continued to pour from the hole in her stomach. She thought she heard Indigo calling her name, but his voice was so soft she could barely hear it. All that she heard was the mocking laughter ringing in her ears.
Die....
CUE: Indigo, Alex. If she doesn't get immediate medical attention Scarlet's going to die. By now Reika has escaped via portal to the Black Tower.
__________________
"Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife."
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-23-2002 08:58 PM
Start of the new layout.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-23-2002 08:59 PM
A new layout. I think this will work better.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Zander Kohen on 01-23-2002 09:03 PM
Zander Had watched Sekirah go, but his attention was suddenly taken by his senses. He felt the dark evil that had been in Fayre leave abruptly and reappear in the northwest, joining the larger evil that was radiating from that direction. He was relieved to sense the other Holy Knight's strength remaining, and growing. Zander guessed that whatever had been ailing him was healing, but not so relieved when he remembered what Caliph had said about crossing the lake to the northwest as a means of reaching Balanum.
Zander knew that Caliph would be relieved to hear of the situation with Tiffarah being settled. However, he had a feeling that wouldn't be the last he saw of Sekirah.
It wasn't long before they all met in Caliph's room to discuss what the six of them were going to do next. Zander also took the chance to explain about Sekirah.
"I don't like it," Caliph said. "Some mercenaryout there that would gladly kill any one of us if given the excuse."
"He doesn't pose a threat to our cause," Zander said. "Too many of us, only one of him. At most he might try to follow us."
"That's the last thing I want, someone else following us," Caliph said. "We leave as soon as possible, hopefully he won't know we've left. We leave in groups of two each. Zander and Arkiri; Rifkis and Tiffarah; Orocia and I. We leave at separate times and meet a mile out on the road towards Teyr..."
Cue: Caliph or Orocia, if there's anything more you want to add. Any problems and I can edit em.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Volsung on 01-23-2002 09:19 PM
A night with the gypsies
Volsung sat down by the fire and started looking around. “By the look of thing the gypsies had been set up for several hours yet I’d hadn’t noticed the camp when I came upon the scene. Boy these Gypsies are more clever that I thought, in fact I bet Kyenal was just a distraction for the rest to get away, yes very clever. I really should be more careful around here.” Volsung thought to himself as he watched the fire dwindle. Just about that time, Volsung noticed a small shrine that several of the men including Kyenal were knelling around, Volsung didn’t know what to make of this shrine it seemed fairly new and yet it demanded the respect of one of it 1000 years old counter parts.
“Do you need a blanket?” Said a voice, which seemed very far away, Volsung suddenly realized that he had been staring for a good five ten minutes.
“Yes I would love.” The woman handed Volsung the blanket and had turn to walk away when Volsung spoke up again, “Miss could you tell me about that Shrine?”
“Yes I would love too.” With that he woman sat down, and started speaking.
“That shrine is in remembrance of Keimal Detryex. He was the best of us and during the last battle of the last Great War it is said that Keimal fought and died with the Lunis forces so that we could live in Nyliam without fear, but like all things, it did not last forever. You see since the rise of Emperor Aramus VanVehementi Nyliam has once again become unsafe for gypsies and Milios Tribe. We are but he first of what will soon becoming here to find safety from the war. For we cannot go the Gania because of the embargo, and I do not think we would. For are tiered of war so we are going to a place where we will not have to deal with war again in our lifetimes.” Volsung sat in shock for didn’t expect so much from a simple question. Still this was the first he had heard of this Emperor Aramus VanVehementi, and it had peeked his curiosity.
“What can you tell me about the war?” Upon hearing this she drew, closer of Volsung and lowered hear voice.
“We have come here to forget about such things but if you wish to know I will tell you all I can. We have been traveling much of late and had little time to collect information as we should but about a week before we left my tribe got together to disuse what we were going to do and while I can’t tell you everything we talked about I can tell you this. Several members of our tribe which had come up from Farlarn said that the Nyliam Army had taken the city of Fayre, and that they were next planning the take over of the other cities of Lunis. But there was one that said that the army had been defeated and driven From Fayre, but it is hard to get good information from that far away. It was the threat of all of Lunis cities falling that finally swayed us to leave our homeland. The truth is we know much and keep many precise things that if fell in to the side of shadow could harmless all.” Volsung suddenly spoke up.
“Why are you telling me this? I mean I have done little to earn your trust.”
“But you have. The fact is few people would have done what you have done. I can tell you are good soul and you don’t mean to hurt us. I can tell that you have Asherien Blood Flowing through you veins. Farai I think but I’m not sure.”
“Yes how did you know,” said Volsung in surprise to the young woman perception.
“I know a great many things about you Volsung Vesper son of Eros, but the fact is I know little of your future. You see some people are like books you can ship ahead or go back and read the good parts, but others like you I can only see a little bit ahead. It is very hard to explain.”
Volsung suddenly raised his voice and said, “You say that you can see a little bit into my future. What do you see?”
“Lower your voice I do not care for others to hear what I have to say. If you wish to know your future, I will tell you what I can. You will be going into cold where there are things far older than you, but you are drawn to them and nothing can keep you away. You will go their searching and you will find the elements under the control of anther. He is the one you seek.” Volsung pauses for several minutes while he let it all sink in, and then after gathered his thought and searched his memory he spoke up.
“I think I know what you are talking about. Three mouths ago, I was on the island of Geryon. It is the Island north of Gania. Anyway, I was dedicated there and after my dedication, I was trained by a man named Met. As part of that training, I was put into a dark room in the basement of one of the lesser temples. While I was there, I received a vision telling me to seek out the Master of Ice. I had all, but forgotten it until now. I imagine this Master of Ice is the one you see controlling the Elements. But where is the cold?”
“I do not know. I have told you all that I can see.”
“Thank you for all your help.” Then the woman got up and walked into one of the tents that had been set up. After she was gone, Volsung opened up his backpack and dumped contents on the ground to see if anything from his travels could be of any help in finding this place of cold. The pile was made up of a great many things like a sewing kit, a few yard of dark green fabric, a pan, under which Volsung journal and books. This first thing Volsung grabbed was this journal, which he started Reading first looking though the more resent passages and then the older ones. After two or three hours of reading Volsung came to his adventure in Geryon most notably the night, he spent in the basement of the temple. As he read his own account of that night, the memories came back to him the voices, the questions, and the man in red and gold. And it was there in this his journal was the answer the man in reds message, “I am here to tell to meet the Master of Ice in Ice Valley. He has been waiting for you for sometime.” “Ice Valley that is where I need to go. Now where in Aeterna is Ice valley. I don’t know where anything is on the crazy continent.” Volsung was at a lose now after all he knew where he need to go he just didn’t know where Ice Valley was, but it was getting late and Volsung hoped to see the gypsies off in the morning so put the matter to bed for the night. After that Volsung rolled out his sleeping bag and put all of his worldly possessions back into this bag and then he went the sleep.
*********************
The sun was high in the sky when Volsung woke up and the Gypsies were gone. “Damn they left and didn’t wake me, and I really wanted thank that woman again for reminding me about Ice Valley even if don’t know were it is. Guess I will just have to ask in the next town I come too.” After sitting and thinking for a few minutes Volsung crawled out of his sleeping bag, but while he was rolling it up he found a note were his feet had been.
Sorry we had to run but there is much to be done before the rest of the Gypsies come. Take care of yourself, and I look forward to our next meeting until then expect me when you see me.
Kyenal Detryex of the Milios Tribe
“Well I look forward to seeing you again to, but I have been here to long already best to be hitting the road,” said Volsung to himself after he had finished reading the letter.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Saeth Shen on 01-23-2002 09:50 PM
Saeth stopped for a moment and raised a hand for Nelcar to stop his movement. Off ahead of them, a pair of Elwain stood as if they were anticipating an attack of sorts. Both of the Elwain were mounted, one holding aloft a blade, and the other readying a bow. A maiden and a warder, it seemed. Nelcar's eyes peered through the night as sharply as Saeth's own, and they both stood and waited.
Unblinking, Saeth and Nelcar waited no more than a hundred meters away from these Elwain, who turned about on their horses uneasily. It was then that Saeth caught the first glimpse of movement from another position than the Elwain. One large man on horseback, and eight others, all clad in deep armours. The rider's long black cloak swooped out from behind it as it led the others foreward towards the two.
Saeth and Nelcar acted instinctively in protection of their brethern, Saeth drawing Aedashai, and Nelcar drawing Haymenol, acting in a concert of sorts, they charged foreward, drawing their bows, and Saeth crying out, "Flyvin ne'tir rith el'seclavit*,"
With the oath, several of the men turned towards Saeth and Nelcar, but the rider continued onwards to the maiden and the warder. Nocking an arrow, Saeth fired into the men as they rushed towards him and his own ward. Nelcar followed suit, and proved to be a better archer than Saeth had ever anticipated. When Saeth had to draw El'Desh'Ketai, only one of the five that had come at the two Elwain was left standing.
Nelcar continued moving towards the maiden and the warder as Saeth battled the last man, sword to sword. But the man was crude in both his offensive technique and his defensive stance. Saeth had non fatally taken him from the fight with a swift blow to his helmet within less than a minute.
However when he approached Nelcar, who stood no more than twenty meters away from the warder and the maiden, he noticed something very disturbing. Nelcar fired his bow as Saeth could only stand in silent fear. The warder was squaring off with something Saeth had only heard stories about.
The rider was a Vex.
* Loosely "Woe onto those that would attack in the night," An ancient Elwain oath used against the dishonorable.
Cue: Neclar or Evenstar
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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 Shadowspawn on 01-23-2002 10:46 PM
We crawled out of the water... swimming not so bad... sometimes we drown one of our own for fun...
Think we came out west of place men call Synerin... we took a few lives, don't remember how many...
Linerin says we'll be strong again... we don't care. We're strong enough... we kill... maim... hurt... need no help... but Linerin commands, and we obey...
Shadow is strong tonight... no moon to hurt our eyes... we came to a small band of men and women... we ripped them apart... let the blood soak into our hair, skin, scales...
Children die easily... not fight back... fun to kill first, watch adults go crazy... try to attack us... kill a few, maybe, but we still come... too many of us... we don't all die...
One of us was killed by a man with a sword... we ripped him apart... then we ate our own... nothing left to see... we consume blood, flesh, bone... human, animal, self... no difference to us...
Sssssssssss... air full of fear... makes us less angry... still want to kill men, though... we went to the man town, and sat on the hills... but they have bright light... we not attack yet...
Maybe Linerin right... we get stronger... attack men in towns... in beds... sleeping men dream of us, wake and find us real... delicious...
The sun is coming... we hate it more than moon... burns our eyes, skin, too...
We come for men later... kill all...
__________________
"Hssss...grrrr....accccckkkk....shhhlllllllrrrrrrrr.......shhhhhhhaaaaaa.......dooooooooo........haaaaaaaaaa...."
Posted by Caliph Wyrdwyrm on 01-24-2002 12:02 AM
Caliph was about to reply, when there was a knock at the door. His hand on his weapon, he went to the door, and when he saw who it was he let the girl inside.
"Say hello to everybody, Elana." Elana nodded her head, but said nothing. "She's a very shy girl. When she has a choice in it." He lead the girl inside the room.
Rifkis looked at the girl, who was barely sinews on bone, with a paleness that would have stood out had she not been next to Caliph, and rolled his eyes. "Is this another member of the quest?"
"She's heading south, Rifkis. Isn't that right, Elana?" He reached into his bag and handed her some mels, although not a lot. "She wanted money to help her go. I told her I'd be more than glad to pay her, if she'd do me a small favour when she got to Fayre. Recite it for them, Elana; I want to be sure you've got it down."
"When I arrive, I am to seek out a Silverblade named Indigo Grei, or a Holy Night, Alexandros, although the Silverblade is prefered. When I see him, I am to tell him that Caliph and Orocia, as well as several others, a Holy Knight among them, are to reach Balanum by boat across the lake. There, they will plead for help for the resistance." She turned to him to see if he approved.
"Very good. And if anyone else asks?"
"I say nothing, only that you were kind enough to help a poor girl out."
"You may go." Elana left the room like a whisper leaves the air.
"And that's that. In the morning, we set off. Zander first, Rifkis second. Orocia and I will follow."
"At daybreak, Caliph?" Orocia looked worried, although it took a practiced eye to see it.
"Some things are more fearsome than the sun."
__________________
They say confession is good for the soul. But what if you don't have one?
Posted by Palin Freeborn on 01-24-2002 04:29 AM
An adventure begins.......
It was nearing midnight when the two travelers arrived at the Inn of the Seventh Traveler. They had been travelling for several days from Southdale to Gania on foot and were ready for some answers. The woman re-adjusted her belt while the other, a tall, broad man by the name of Ash Galeus, fixed a large axe onto his back. The woman, who was much smaller and petite than he, turned to Ash.
“Were we supposed to meet him here?”
“Yes, he said the Inn of the Seventh Traveler. Now hurry up! I’m still fixing my gear.”
The woman, who was often known as Dierdre Hylia, opened the door and entered, scanning the rowdy scene for any signs of a friendly face. A dark shape moved to her left and as she turned her eyes fell upon the familiar visage of Palin Freeborn. With much effort, the two companions pushed through a mass of drunkards towards the table where he sat. One of the men stood in protest, but tripped over nothing and fell headlong into the bar, where he lay unconscious. His friends continued to play their game of cards, though most of the deck was missing. Dierdre smirked and took her seat across from Palin. Ash followed suit.
“We got your message in Southdale. You said something big is happening. What is going on?” Ash said, a note of urgency in his rough voice.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing is ‘going on’,” Palin replied, his dark eyes reflecting his amusement. Dierdre, however, was not amused. She slammed her fist on the table, knocking over the pint of ale next to Palin, her pale blue eyes flashing with anger
“So that’s what you called us here for? Nothing? Damn it! What the hell are you thinking?” Palin only smiled more.
“I said nothing is ‘going on’. And there isn’t, at least not yet. The guards of this town stumbled upon the Thieves’ Guild a couple of days ago. I’ve been hiding out ever since. I had fun throwing off the guards for a while, but they’re getting close. They’ve already caught most of the members.” Palin’s smile faded. “I want to find out what’s going on and I didn’t want to make a move without you two.”
Ash checked the room to see if anyone had heard their conversation, then turned to Palin and gestured with a large hand.
“What do you plan to do? This is why I told you to stay away from that damn Thieves’ Guild! This is something stupid you’re getting yourself into here, kid. And keep quiet…someone might hear you and report us.” Palin dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand.
“Doesn’t matter here. Too many of these folk don’t even know what they’re saying themselves, more-the-less what we’re discussing. And don’t call me kid. You two are only seven years older than I am anyway.” Dierdre shifted uncomfortably, running a long-fingered hand through tufts of short, curly blonde hair. A short, barking laugh escaped Ash’s lips.
“You make her her jealous,” Ash nodded in Dierdre’s direction, “She still wishes she was twenty. Anyway….won’t you reconsider?”
“No.”
“Heh. Somehow, I knew that. Well, then, we’ll stick with you until you find out or get yourself killed. Well, what’s the plan?” At that moment, the door to the inn opened and a small group of city enforcers entered.
“Don’t look up.” Palin said quickly, his voice a hushed whisper. Ash and Dierdre bowed their heads, knowing to trust Palin’s judgement. “Be quiet and do as I say. I’ll get the guards away from the city walls. After that we leave town for a while until the search dies down. Then we’ll come back and find out what is making these guards so jumpy.”
“How do you plan to get rid of the guards near the city walls?” Palin raised his tankard, signaling the bartender and inn-keep. They nodded. Dierdre grabbed his arm and pulled it down to the table.
“Don’t do that! You’ll draw attention to…” Her statement was cut short when Palin stood. The two companions looked up in surprise at Palin’s tall, lithe form, then gave quick, knowing looks at each other. Dierdre flashed a quick, roguish smile.
“I hate it when he does this!” she yelled, her voice barely audible over the noise.
They ran for the back door. The bartender and inn-keep ducked behind their counter. Palin grabbed the nearest drunken patron and-
“BAR FIGHT!” –threw him onto another table nearby. The other table’s patrons stood immediately and started swinging chairs and throwing tankards. The inn burst into a riot of fighting and yelling. The three companions ran as swiftly as possible from the inn, searching for a place to hide. Other passerby noticed the sounds of fighting and rushed inside to help. After a few minutes of waiting, a number of city guards arrived, swarming the inn to stop the fighting, though most of them were injured as they entered. Ash’s eyes light up under his bushy eyebrows as he smiled.
“If there’s one thing I can say about you, kid, it’s that you sure can start one helluva bar fight!” They turned and crept off silently through the shadows and out the front gate towards the line of trees near Gania.
__________________
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 Zander Kohen on 01-24-2002 06:52 AM
Zander agreed with Caliph. He had felt a great evil coming that seemed to sweep over the land like a dark blanket of death. This new evil disturbed him in a different way, for it wasn't oganized in any way and didn't seem to have any single motive. It was chaotic and it was coming from the very direction that they would be traveling towards.
"Our world has grown much more dangerous, Caliph," Zander said. "I have no doubt that we are no longer safe in our own beds."
Caliph nodded, "I would understand if you or either of your companions were to back out now; the road ahead wil not be by any means easy."
"I'm staying with you," Zander said in a determined tone. "I don't back down so easily and you might have need of me yet."
Tiffarah and Arkiri moved to either side of Zander as if to repeat his words themselves. Arkiri broke the serious mood by shooting a look at Tiffarah.
"If only you were as accurate with your bow as you are with those eyes," Zander said and the others laughed lightly.
*******
At daybreak, Zander had his belongings packed up on Malach's back and was ready to set out with Arkiri. He said a quick goodbye to Tiffarah and the others, promising to meet them a mile down the road. After that, there would be more danger in being separated than being together.
Arkiri took her usual place atop Malach and Zander walked beside the mare, leading her by her reigns. The two of them set off towards Teyr.
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Sekirah Partam on 01-24-2002 07:46 AM
Sekirah packed his belongings onto his proud black steed. The horse was his favorite and he rode it often. He had never named it, he had no reason to.
He took only what he needed and made a quick tour of his home, making sure valuables were locked up and bolted the door as he left. It was already well past daybreak and Sekirah hoped he wasn't too late.
Riding his horse, he made his way back towards the inn where Zander and Tiffarah had been staying, along with that brat who kicked him in the shins. However he could not find them. Only an odd couple of travelers stood outside the inn when he came back out it's doors.
There was a pale man who kept his hood over his head, nearly hiding his face, and a girl, Sekirah guessed she was a gypsy by the way she was dressed, but she looked tougher than most.
He walked up to the pair, hoping they would have some idea of where the Holy Knight had gone. One thing interested him about this Knight other than his strength. He had a righteousness that most men did not posess. Sekirah had never met anyone like that; he thought that kind of person didn't exist. Ever since both his parents and siblings had been killed, he had thought that all men were selfish and cruel, but this Knight seemed to truly care about others more than himself, even those who had attacked him.
"Sorry we're not sure which way he went," the girl said once he had asked them. "He came from Teyr though, so he likely continued south to Fayre."
Thanking them, he mounted his horse again and started of towards Fayre at a gallop. He had no idea how long the knight had been on the road or how fast he had been going, but Sekirah assured himself that he would catch up with the man and follow him from a safe distance, observing him. He wanted to know for sure if Zander was as selfless as he let on. Little did Sekirah know that Zander had gone the opposite direction.
Cue: Orocia or Caliph
__________________
Faith involves hating what you are, sinful.
Posted by Bara Chinder on 01-24-2002 11:40 AM
Bara woke with a start a wind was blowing from the south. He packed up quickly and ate light breakfast.
The uneasyness was still there. He had no clue what it was coming from but he was bothered about it.
After surveying the surroundings he set about planning for his journey. There was a strange smell and feeling from the wind, it confused him.
He set off at a high pace. Maintaining this meant frequent short breaks but he felt it necessary. he needed to get to parvini soon. He would also stay to one side of the road.
As he progressed north he recognised the farmland that surrounded parvini during the day he also passed a small village on the road. He had thought of stopping but the people did not seem very pleased to see him. The closed door treatment to be exact. One man had seen him and dashed into a shop closing the door securly. The people in this area were not friendly to nomads but this man was scared. Bara was taken aback but did not dwell on it. This sort of thing was why he was not a big people person.
On he marched passing on up untill dusk. He rested that night in a small grove by a stream, Pondering the lack of traffic on the road and his intense discomfort.
The next morning he started early. moving as the day before, quickly. Around mid-day he came upon a strang sight a man, armed and wearing light armour, lying dead with his horse lying nearby. The corpse had been ravaged by a blade around his chest the horse had had a deep cut in its neck. Both had been dead, he guessed, a few hours. They were cold but the blood was not yet dry. The mans pack had been rooted through but it did not seem atall like any bandit attack. for one thing there was only one fresh set of footprints and only footprints at that, another was the horse had been killed.
He checked the body for weapons of use, nothing. The discovery had only served to mess him around more.
He moved imediatly, he guessed a day and a half to parvini and he would not waste any more time.
A few hours later he caught somthing up-wind. It sounded like hooves horses on the gallop at a great distance. Bara squatted and touched the ground a faint vibration suggested somthing was coming fast. He moved int the bushes along side the road. Here he could keep moving but conceal himself quickly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Up ahead a figure dressed in a dark brown cloak had heard the same and stood listening. Presently it checked a small quiver by its side and a two blades by Its waist. It started to breath heavily. Then it strolled alond the west side of the road, glancing back as it went.
__________________
If pro is the opposite of con, then progress is the opposite of congress.
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 01-24-2002 12:10 PM
Fall of the Valient...
Til’Sylvanna felt the other Elwain as they approached… blood that calls out to blood. This may not be as bad as I thought, she told to herself, for no man can defeat the Elwain when they are together. She could feel their calm… and it helped her to keep her own.
She called on the Power within her, hoping to Command the men to flee. “An’sasha, tol orien merdi’sen quailser nasa!” 1
They passed her and Valerian entirely, choosing to attack the Elwain behind her. Valerian rained Nerasa* in front of her protectively.
“Go,” he said looking only forward. “I will take who’s left. You must get to safety. I will help those others, and we will find you.”
“But,” she began to protest, not wishing to leave her defenders alone. It galled her to think she would be forced to run by bandits and villains, she who had lived before even their great, great, grandsires were conceived.
“Go,” he said once more, and with a smile. “You can have fun next time. Besides, your Lord father would kill me if I let any harm come to you, and Prince Linfell would be even less merciful.”
“Very well,” she said, putting away her longbow and gathering up her reins. “Please be careful, I would be sorrowed to find that any harm had befallen you, my friend. She gave him a warm smile, and turned to go…
But then something else happened… A great horror took hold of her gentle heart. A force so full of malice and hate that it took her breath away and rendered her immobile. The world around her began to fade… Nooooo, her fleeing mind screamed, but there was nothing that she could do. Down, down, down into dark oblivion she fell… and knew that there was no hope left for her self… for anyone…
The black rider came charging down upon them, shadows clinging to him like a child to its mother. Valerian, First Warden of the Evisis stood calmly before it… ready.
He saw his charge slump in her saddle, the white mare bucking in fear of the horror before her. Til’Sylvanna fell… landing in a motionless heap upon the ground. Oh Creator, no, he thought in panic, this cannot be happening…
He charged the rider, vowing that he would die before he saw her harmed. Though he was cold with fear, his love of his Lady gave him the strength to fight. “Sera galerian yon tel’ dorlen fylen ! Nanna mer kandesel, len Serna Balen tol Elwain!” 2
The two met, the Elwain of light and the rider of dark. As their blades met, Valerian felt a searing ice rip through his body, a pain so deep in nearly undid him. But for her, he fought on. Sword met sword, strike met counterstrike. They were locked in a mortal combat.
The dark thing laughed, a cruel hissing noise. It spoke in the tongue of the elves.
“Pitiful Elwain. Doest thou really think that thou canst best me? Were thee ten times the warrior, still I wouldst slay thee. I am the death of thy kindred… the nightmare thou seekest to forget. He who pierces my flesh shall know only death! Be gone, for my Master wishes his pretty little prize, and is not patient.”
“No,” Valerian said through clenched teeth. ”None shall take her. Thou I may parish, you shall not have her!” He called upon the very last reserves of his strength, and the might of his Fathers. Too quickly for the rider to counter, he struck it a mortal blow to the chest, piercing its dark armor, and shattering his long sword.
A great wailing filled the night, so terrible that all across the land mothers gathered their children to them and old gaffers shivered in fear. The dark rider fell shrieking… dissipating into a dark smoke before hitting the ground.
But, it had been right in one thing at least, to slay it was to be slain. Valerian, servant to the House of Dol’Allymar as his father had been before him, lay fallen upon the cold earth, dying.
The two Elwain arrived then, one coming to his side, the other seeing to the fallen maiden.
Saeth kneeled beside the warden, a sad resignation upon his face. “I am sorry,” he said quietly, “we came as soon as we were able. “ Though there was no wound upon him great enough to be mortal, the Esiai’desh’mirain could see that the warrior was dying.
Valerian smiled, a peace coming into his face, as the light dimmed in his jade eyes. “It is no matter, so long as my Lady is safe. Please, guard her. She is the keeper of a great burden, and her mission must not fail.” He coughed in pain, blood staining his pale cheek. “Guard her, for I have died in honor, serving she whom I loved beyond all things...” his voice began to fade”… I should have told her…” the last word he spoke before his spirit fled its vessel was her name.
1 “By the honor of my Father, you shall come no closer!”
* Literally “mist”
2 “Back you damned creature of the Darkness! You shall find your death by the hand of First Warden of the Elwain!
__________________
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 01-24-2002 12:15 PM
“Gah! Why is there so much walking in traveling?” Tygan complained, as he had so many times that day while traveling to Sungan.
“I should have bought that horse.” He thinks back to when he was heading out from Bargra.
“Greetings young fellow, would you like to buy a horse?”
“A horse? No No my man. I am Tygan deParte, traveler extraordinaire, walking is half the fun!”
“Hah,” back to the present, “Traveler extraordinaire, what am I thinking?” Look at me! Complaining about what I’ve always dreamed of doing, how foolish can I get?
“You there! Traveler!” Tygan woke from his thoughts, finding himself surrounded by thieves.
“Thieves! By my lucky lady, thieves! I was hoping for this,” Tygan’s face was full of joy, as if he was a little boy receiving a present. Finally my chance has come!
“You were hoping to be robbed?”
“Robbed? Not at all my ruffian foe, I was hoping to get a chance to use my blades!”
The leader looked around, he had a band of eight men surrounding this boy, the boy must be either crazy or dumb.
“Whatever you wish boy,” he drew his daggers.
“Wait sir!” one of the men in his band said in a hushed tone, “A group is coming!”
“WHAT!” Both Tygan and the leader shouted at the same time. They looked down the road to see a group of people moving their way.
“Damn!” they both said simultaneously once again, looking oddly at each other.
“Well you have lucked out boy. Move out men!” They all disappeared into the brush of the woods, the leader staying behind for a moment longer.
“Perhaps we will meet again,” then like is fellows, he disappeared into the woods.
NOOOOO! Why me! Why? Tygan screamed in his mind. He looked down the road in anger, moving with haste towards the oncoming group.
“They better be more thieves, or ruffians, or pirates, or something!”
As he neared the group he was still rambling on in his head. “Why when I get to them I’ll teach them a lesson, I’ll pull out my blades and…..”
“Good day Sir Knights! And what a wonderful day at that! A…a….aha…” He gave a nervous laugh. Just my luck!
“Good day sir,” they all gave him a not quite normal look.
“ummm, well, there are some thieves down the road, but I’m sure strong knight..type..people such as yourselves don’t need to worry about that…eh…heh.” O man, I’m making such a fool of myself.
“Thank you for the warning, we’ll keep out guard.”
********************************************
The rest of the day was uneventful, except when night neared it began to rain.
“Great,” Tygan said sarcastically, “Not only do I have no camp equipment, stupidly expecting there to be an Inn, but I have to sleep in the rain!”
He found a tree, which was as good as any, to sleep against. “The ground is muddy!” as if he was expecting it to be dry, “My clothes…..” Well there was no turning back. Slowly and cautiously he sat down, as if he believed that moving slow would make it so that the mud didn’t notice his clothes were there and would let them stay clean. “This is disgusting, I can’t believe I have to suffer these conditions!”
Though it took awhile, he finally drifted off to sleep.
__________________
Can't say you'll lose if you never try.
Can't say you won if you happen to die.
Posted by Keiru Emerald on 01-24-2002 12:42 PM
OOC: As Alex
IC:
Alex pulled the trigger. It was instinctive to him, no more than a twitch and the small explosion propelled the metal projectile towards Reika at breakneck speed. But she had already turned to run, and the bullet struck a shield of blackness that suddenly surrounded her. Alex cursed her and all of her kind, and rushed to Scarlet's aid.
Indigo was the first to reach her, and had ripped his shirt from his body to wrap the gaping wound that she had just sustained. Alex clearly remembered when this exact thing had happened to him, but his was in battle, not a secret attack made by one whom he thought he could trust. Alex kneeled clost to Scarlet and cired out, "Help us! Somebody go find a Healer!"
With that, Alex stripped off his own jacket and added it to Indigo's own blood soaked shirt. Several townsfolk that had witnessed the occurrence had run off towards the Chora tree to fetch Dedicated, but Alex knew that it would take too long, and that Scarlet was already lingering on the brink of death. It was then that Alex felt it. He stood in amazement as he focused his magics through his haze of hurt and pain, staggered, and then fell over completely. The Shadow... It had... it had... amplified? That must be it.. There's no possible way it could have grown that much stronger... Alex recomposed himself, as Indigo yelled in his direction. The words were lost to him, but they brought him back to the ever so urgent situation of Scarlet's wound.
"NO!" Alex screamed at the top of his lungs, and tore the bindings from Scarlet's wounds.
"What are you doing?" Indigo yelled back, but Alex gave no reply.
Alexandros pulled Indra from his belt, and pointed it at Indigo, "Don't move," He spoke sadly.
Indigo froze. But then Alex explained, "I'm going to use your life force to heal her... I read about it in my manual... I'd do it but I'm still far too weak..."
Indigo nodded slowly, then tunned his head and braced for the pain.
Blam!
The bullet entered Indigo's left arm, and tore through the flesh, but left the muscle undamaged. Alex was still a good enough shot. Alex reached for the wound, and wiped Indigo's blood into the wraps that were soaked with Scarlet's blood.
"Drip your blood into the wound!" Alex yelled.
Indigo complied with the order, as it was, and held his arm over the wound, and the blood ran off his fingers into the wound.
Alex reached for the sky, drawing upon the reserves of Mana that had determined Fayre's location over three thousand years ago, he drew from the earth the power to fuel the weave that he was enacting over both Indigo and Scarlet. Indigo immideatly felt the weaves of magic falling upon him, and as the weave progressed, the bands of light became more visible. Alex continued, sweat dripping from his face, and his blood pumping through his veins, desperately trying to remember the weave that he had seen in the manual that Ezra had given him.
Then it was done. Alex shrieked in pain as he released the mana from his body and its power ripped through him. Indigo also cried out as the magic took its effect, drawing his own life out and depositing much of it into Scarlet, whom bolted upright as her wound miracously scabbed over in the front and back of her body. She collapsed into Indigo's bloody arms, and Alex fell to the ground, burned by the Mana that he had overdrawn. Indigo held Scarlet tightly, and Scarlet looked up into Indigo's eyes.
The blood stained ground about them told the tale to those that came near, and the time of the Shadow itself, set in for the evening.
Cue: Scarlet or Indigo
OOC: Indigo, you're supa weak now, as is Scarlet, but you should be able to walk... painfully. Alex will not move form his position, and if you try to move him, he will do anything in his power to stay right where he is, in the pool of all three of our blood.
__________________
-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 Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 01-24-2002 02:43 PM
A dark dream...
As she fell into the darkness, Til’Sylvanna thought to herself… so, this is what dying feels like… I thought it would take longer. A pang of regret washed over her. Now I’ll never be able to warn them… I have failed.
She heard a cruel laughter in the darkness… and felt an evil coming closer. Then she Saw. A great tower…blacker than the darkest night. The place she had to go… she knew now. That was where she would find the source of the evil killing her world. It was also the one place she had to flee from at all costs… Something was waiting… watching… hungering… She screamed as she felt her mind torn asunder.
Her vision changed… a young man sitting beneath a tree in the rain, sleeping… there was a glow around him…
Her brother. Til’Sylvanna found herself there with him, surrounded by mist, but standing on solid ground.
“Til’Silvannis!” she cried, tears falling before she could help it. She fell to her knees, sobs racking her slender body. “How… you’re… I…. I….”
“Hush, now,” he said coming over to her and holding her. “None of that now. I’m here, you’re safe.” His deep blue eyes found hers, holding her in them. “You’re going to be just fine.” He smiled… a cold smile full of nothingness…
“No,” she whispered, “no please! Oh merciful Creator Til I am so sorry. I would give my life to have you back… to give you back what I took! I didn’t mean… please forgive me. Brother, I… it was an accident. Please!” she was shaking in his cold arms. A voice in the back of her mind was screaming for her to run… she pushed it away, not listening.
“Yes,” he said still smiling, “you would wouldn’t you? Silly sister… How can you give me what I can take?” She looked at her twin, confused. She had stopped crying, and a deep cold settled over her.
“You killed me… and now I will return the favor. Isn’t that what you’ve been praying for? Death? Won’t it be nice to leave all that nasty guilt behind and fall into the darkness? Trust me, little sister, it will be better this way…”
“NNNOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo,” Til’Sylvanna screamed, trying desperately to escape the vice-like grip of his arms. His cold laughter filled her soul…
Then everything was black again. Til was gone, but she heard him whisper…” I’ll be back for you… never fear….”
Stars began to shine in her oblivion… and the two moons once more. I know this place, she thought. The red and white stars again…
But something was wrong… the white star was burning with a black flame… enveloping the red star….
Searing pain ripped through her… She screamed once more… feeling her soul being torn apart…. The red star… what was happening? Oh Creator, she cried… let in end… let me die… oh it hurts…. Til’Silvannis, why??
As Nelcar leaned over the fallen maiden, her realized he knew her. She was Linfell’s cousin. The one who was always so sad… the one who liked his songs so well. As he searched her for hurt, she began to scream, face contorted in pain…
Cue: Saeth or 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 Nelcar on 01-24-2002 04:55 PM
Two and Two:
OOC: Cued after "Fall of the Valiant"
Thereupon the turf, amidst the blood and beneath the frigid wind that had followed the dark foes, laid the fallen warrior. The lady near his side screamed as if in pain and spoke his name, calling him Valerian…
Saeth knew Valerian. Although he was not of the Esiai’desh’mirain, he was of a kindred brotherhood, and he was great amongst all warriors, for he was the First Warden, captain of all armies under the High King. He alone had vanquished the powerful servant of Darkness, but soon he was to die. When the warrior had struck the dark creature that bore down upon him, a sinister power of wrath, and a deep fire of hatred had passed unto his spirit, and it had smote him despite his might and valor. Calmly, Saeth helped Valerian take his last breath, and thereafter placed upon the warrior’s chest the shards of the broken sword.
The other elf stooped low, staring at the maiden. Despite her beauty, he was loath to touch her for fear that he would disturb her as she dreamt. Something within him told him that, although she screamed, she was not hurt. Indeed, something profound was taking place. Though he knew not what, he could feel it, for such was the power of his mother, manifest in him.
Quietly, Nelcar spoke to Saeth, “Perhaps I was wont to be hasty when first I met you under my father’s roof. Great skill I see now in you, for, had you not stayed me, I would not have known that such darkness fast approached.” He looked to the warrior, seeing that the shards of the sword had been set upon the warden’s breast, and he knew then that the warrior was dead.
He continued, “Some unforeseen fate brings us now to this maiden, for alas, she is Til’Sylvanna Evenstar, Moon Maiden and White Lady of the Elves, and she is cousin to my beloved Linfell. We must bear her, and quickly, for I feel that this darkness that secretly descends upon us beneath the eaves of Hethilin is not yet quelled. There is a power within her that they seek.”
“But, did they not bypass this maiden and her guardian to seek you and I?” asked Saeth.
Nelcar frowned and then became wrathful. “Do not, Esiai’desh’mirain, think to blame me, nor the Cenacaiison for the tragedies that have taken place. The foe that felled Valerian the Valiant was of the deepest darkness, a creature of pits of despair, and an evil that has not touched ancient Evisis for many an age. And you know this as well as I! Indeed, you are more keen of eye, and I know that you too saw the darkness rein its steed toward the maiden. They came for her…” His voice trailed off.
But Nelcar spoke again quickly. “We must travel east and leave this forest, now sooner than ever I would have wished. Soon the spirit of this fell creature will return, and we will again be pursued. We must make our way to a place of great light, where fires will burn brightly, but we cannot return home. It will be back for her…”
CUE: Saeth and Til
__________________
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 Palin Freeborn on 01-24-2002 05:17 PM
A Premonition of Hell........
Palin, Dierdre, and Ash stopped running when they were well beyond the tree line. Ash, out of breath, collapsed on the turf.
"Dam.....n....Next time, find a.....better, less tiresome plan of escape, kid." Palin began to laugh softly as he sat down on some rather large tree roots.
"Where's the fun in just walking away? Sometimes I almost think you guys would rather live in a solitary shack in the middle of nowhere."
Ash gave a dry cough, then reached for a small canteen at his side. He took a small draught and motioned towards Palin.
"Aye to that."
"Where do we go now?" Diedre finally said after a length of silence. Her patience was waning and Palin noticed that her hand had strayed to the pommel of her sword.
"Alright. There's no need to get irritable. We'll go wherever the wind takes us, though I'd like to cover some more ground tonight. We're still a little too close to the city for my comfort."
Ash looked up and eyed him.
"Define 'my comfort'." Palin looked astounded.
"How could you think that, I, Palin Freeborn, would endanger your very lives?" Dierdre smiled.
"It's easier than you think." She replied.
*******************************************
Their hike through the forest was uneventful. They walked for a half-hour in silence before they decided to stop. Palin dropped his equipment and turned to the others.
"Here should be a good place to camp for the night. I'll go find some firewood. Ash, you have first watch, so get some rest. Dierdre, we need some shelter. Find some cover and set up the beds." Ash dropped his equipment as well.
"I'm not tired. I'll help her. Besides, my axe might come in handy for felling a sapling or something." With that they walked off. Palin turned around and stalked off into the night.
Occasionally he found some dry sticks and branches, but all too often the wood was too green to be of any use. He began to tell a joke, though only he would hear it.
"So a elf and a dwarf walk into a tavern and the bartender turns when he sees them and says 'what.......'" His words trailed off.
Lantern lights were visible through the trees ahead. Quietly, Palin approached to get a better look. It seemed to be a caravan and they were moving quickly along a trail heading south. The horses were obviously tired, but they continued to walk. Wagon handlers were pushing the horses far harder than was normal and a good deal of the wagons were in need of repair.
Palin stepped foward, his footfalls silent even on the leaf-covered terrain. Suddenly, something sharp pricked the back of his neck and he straightened, his heart in his throat.
"You know, you really shouldn't sneak up on people." He said, trying to fight down the urge to do something foolish.
"The same can be said of you, my young friend." The stranger's voice was heavily-accented and silent, giving Palin the impression that this man was not someone to be trifled with.
"Move. Towards the wagons. And no quick movements." They stepped towards the caravan. A number of other men appeared quickly, swords drawn. The stranger let him go.
"Call the Seer." The stranger said as he stepped back. Palin turned towards him. All the men were dressed in brightly colored clothing, except the stranger, who was clothed in black, and all had long dark hair and short beards.
"Why do you prowl in the woods? Why do you spy on our caravan? What are a band of gypsies worth to you?"
Palin realized for the first time who he was dealing with.
"I mean no offense. I was merely curious.' He replied.
"Liar!"The stranger spat at him.
Palin reflexively drew his sword and deftly stroked, cutting the stranger's forearm. The swordsmen pulled in closer.
"You've cut the legendary Gurney Al'nea! You will pay for you insolence with your life!" Gurney swung. Palin spun sideways and parried, using his momentum to strike at the next closest target. A sword point nearly impaled him as he spun to riposte. His movements were quick and fluid, as he struck and parried with incredible speed.
However, he was not fast enough, as a sword slash scored on his shoulder and another on his thigh. Ablaze with fury, Palin swung wildly and freed a knife from his boot. More attacks continued, but with little effect. Gurney attempted to thrust, but was thrown off balance by Palin's quick dodge. But he was tiring, and with the odds against him, Palin would not last for long. He was slowing significantly and their swords were begin to find the mark more and more......
"STOP!" A strong, feminine voice sounded. The swordsmen dropped to their knees. Even Gurney, who was attempting to stand again, stopped and turned. An old woman in fading purple robes stood in the back door of the largest wagon. Her withered hands stretched out and pointed at Palin. "Why have you come? To kill my men? To destroy our caravan?"
"No. I had no idea you were even here. I was just curious about why you were in such a rush. And I'm sorry about the fighting. None of your men are dead, but they'll feel it in the morning. You know, you really should tell them not to sneak up on ....."
"Where we are headed is nowhere you will ever know. But if I were you, I would leave as soon as possible. Keep moving!" She gestured to the wagon men.
"Why? What's going on?" Palin asked urgently. The old woman sighed and stepped down from the wagon. She approached him and held out her hand.
"It is not something I can tell you. You must see for yourself. But be warned! You may find that the visions are too intense for.......hmm.....people of your caliber."
"I am not afraid." He replied.
The old woman stretched out her hand and touched his head. A burst of pain entered Palin's mind and flowed throughout his body. His vision became bright white and then dark black. His mind was filled with images of dark creatures meandering a countryside destroying everything in their path. Like ants they swarmed over cities, forests, and mountains, wreaking havoc as they went, leaving nothing but death in their wake. Palin felt as if his body was dissolving as the visions ended. He dropped to his knees, weeping.
"I warned you." The old woman said. Then she turned and climbed back in her wagon. The last thing Palin heard, as the gypsy caravan left, was the old woman's voice, echoing over and over in his mind.
"I warned you."
Palin stood.
The vile creatures in the vision were coming...
He turned and ran back to the camp.
__________________
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 Keiru Silver on 01-24-2002 06:01 PM
Laying there on the cold ground, unable to move, Indigo had a lot of time to think. He thought about Scarlet, mostly, and the events which brought them together.
He'd often thought that he would die for her. In the weeks where she had been stolen away from her, he told himself that he'd have done anything to get her back. He stared at her, wishing he could put his arm around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. But he lay weak, and trembling. It was uncontrollable. He tried to call her name, but no sound came.
He let his arm drop what small space there was to the ground and saw his vision go hazy.
Why hadn't he tried harder? Why hadn't he passed the test of dedication? He was blessed with the ability to aim a gun. What use was that? The ability to hurt... harm... and kill. Guns could not be used for healing.
It was fortune that Indigo was nearly dead, or at least totally exhausted. Because at that moment, to heal Scarlet, he'd have marched south to the bay, swam across the waters, and shoved open the doors to the temple at Mt. Karovon. In the process, he'd have destroyed himself. But it never came to pass, and the knowledge was never obtained by Indigo.
In time, he came back to reason, though not to strength. He managed to extend his arm to touch Scarlet's hand. She weakly slipped her fingers around his own...
It was sad... the closest embrace they could hope for... yet it reassured them both beyond all else that everything would be fine again. Sad... yet so happy.
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Tygan deParte on 01-24-2002 06:54 PM
“Not only are all my clothes muddy! But this day is as boring as the last!” Tygan lets out a huge sigh, walking down the road like he had been for the last day. “I better make it to Sungan by tonight, I don’t think I’ll last another night by a tree! And I need to clean up, and wash my clothes, and….and….and well lots of stuff that you can’t find out here on this blasted road!”
Knowing the complaining would get him any where, though he truly did enjoy doing it, specially since it was one of the few things he could do on this road, he decided to play his lute a little.
He begins to tune the lute, “hmmm what to play, what to play…….I got it!” It was a simple child’s story, one his mother used to tell him while playing her lute to put him to sleep. Not exactly the best-written story in the world, and it definitely did not play well, but it was one he knew, having heard it all through his younger years. It reminded him of the adventure he wanted.
“There once was a princess from a far away land, a maiden of amazing beauty! A story which you probably think you know, but hah your probably wrong!
One day she found herself kidnapped by a band of evil doers, they held her away so long that help seemed a foreign thing.
But rescued she was, by an unexpected friend. A common man! A man of no great name, a man who was but a simple fighter, but a man of great courage!……..”
“Hah, such stories don’t exist in reality. A common man saving a princess?” He almost fell over laughing, truly this was a child’s story and nothing more. O how I wish it were true though.
“I need to get my mind off adventure, since it shows by far that I will find none here,” he frowned sadly at the thought. Why can’t I just fight something? I’ve been soooo close so many times!
“Perhaps a love song? Yes, hmmm do I remember any?” He played with a couple cords until one came to him.
“Such beauty is, such beauty was, such beauty will always be,
I wonder, how I wonder, that this beauty found its way to me.
How is one so amazing, how is one so true,
How is one so delightful, how is one like you?
And here I sit, and sit I do by this vast ongoing sea,
And wonder, How I wonder, that this beauty found its way to me.”
So he continued throughout the day, resting his fingers from time to time so that he wouldn’t splinter them. Playing any song that he could think of, even taking the time to create his own, for time he had.
But, then it came! A true sight for sore eyes! Civilization!
“YEEEEESSSSS, NO MORE WALKING!!!!!” He shouted at the top of his lungs, but then quickly looked around to make sure no one heard him. How embarrassing that would be.
Hastening his pace, it wasn’t long before he arrived at Sungan.
“Greetings guardsman, how good it is to see you!” He moved up to one of the guards, taking a hold of the mans shoulder, “And I mean truly good to see you! Do you mind if I enter?”
“ummm…..it is day…..the gate are open…” Tygan slapped himself on the forehead. My god I can’t believe I just did that! I must look crazier every second, I really need to get a hold of myself, this is not how an adventurer is supposed to act!
He entered into Sungan, the guards making comments behind his back as he went in, on most occasions he would be angry at this, but he was too happy at being off the road, and knew too well that he deserved such comments.
“Greetings.” “Greetings.” “Greetings.” He continued like this, saying hello to almost everyone he passed as he headed to the docks. I need to figure out which ships are heading out before I find myself an Inn.
Luckily the Harbor Master wasn’t hard to find.
“Greetings sir, might I ask you a few questions?”
“Aye what is it?” The Harbor Master was a gruff looking old man, probably a retired seaman.
“Are there any ships sailing out to Corner tomorrow?”
“Ya……”
“Ok……..which ones?” He had expected the man to just tell him which ones, but what can you expect from a sailor?
“All of ‘em”
“Hmmm, ok, well umm, can you tell me which ships are willing to take passengers?”
“Ya…….”
“…….Which ones?!?” My god this man is becoming annoying!
“All of ‘em”
Taking a deep breath Tygan thought about his next question.
“Ok, how about this, what is the fastest ship, leaving the earliest?”
“Ah, well why didn’t you say so boy? Asking so many obvious questions, sheesh youngins” Grrrrrr! Tygan was about ready to jump the man.
“Well which one?”
“That one,” the Harbor Master pointed to a smaller merchant ship that looked to be built mainly for speed, “It is called the Wave Rider, fastest ship you’ll find here, as far as ones that will carry passengers go.”
Letting out a sigh to calm himself down, “Thank you sir.”
__________________
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 01-24-2002 07:14 PM
The Third Defender
(I guess this is my chance to redeem Leo for the time being. Sorry about my continuity problems, I wrote the last part in a half-sleep stupor.)
"Do you think we should?" Kaori offered. She sat at the foot of her bed, and Leo stood across the room, near the door.
"I don't see why not.." Leo reached back and scratched the back of his head, "Besides, she seems harmless enough. And if she was the victim of that last brawl, I'm sure she'd sympathize, atleast with you."
"But we don't even know her. What kind of person walks up to you out of nowhere?"
"What kind of person picks up a broken body from the street and calls a doctor? But that's beside the point.. how're you faring?"
"Not one-hundred percent." Kaori tested, "But I won't slow anyone down."
"Sure, but can you fight?" Leo didn't wait for a response, "I admit that I had an ulterior motive in helping you. I was thinking we could defend one another. Looking at this place, I'm sure there're alot of bandits on the road leading to the rich trader city of Sungan. We'd need to watch one another's back if we intended to come out swinging. But if I'm the only one doing the defending, we're in worse shape than if we never met."
"Surely you don't mean to leave me behind.." She seemed more miffed at this concept than disappointed.
"Certainly not! I could never leave a damsel in distress.." Kaori rolled her eyes. Leo continued, "I meant only that a third defender, as it were, should be welcomed, especially if you intend to leave immediately."
"Then let's go find her. I think she's in the room next to ours."
Leo turned about and opened the door while Kaori rose with only a mild exclamation for her ribs, "After you." and Leo followed her out.
"Oh! Hello!" It came from the girl in the hall. She had apparently left her room for whatever reason.
"Hello there," greeted Kaori, "We were just looking for you. Would you care to accompany us 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?"
__________________
~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 Palin Freeborn on 01-24-2002 08:31 PM
Ignorance Is Bliss......
Dierdre gave an inquisitive look and asked, "Why were you in such a rush? What happened to you?"
Palin face went blank. There was something he was forgetting, something he couldn't lay his finger on.
"I.......I don't remember."
".....Need to rest Palin. Seriously. You're going quite mad from food and sleep depravation." Ash nodded his head in agreement.
"Poor kid. I heard of this before, but I've never seen it," he said, scratching his beard, "it seems that he's lost so much blood, his brain isn't working properly. He might not recall any short term events. What do you remember, Palin?" Ash leaned in, his eyes begging Palin to remember something.
Palin shook his head, the effort apparent on his face. "I remember the Inn of the Seventh Traveler and the bar fight. I remember that we ran to the forest and......and......that's all. There was something important I needed to tell you, but that's all I know. I can't figure out what it was."
Ash looked at Dierdre and shook his head. They stood up and turned away. Ash was gesturing and speaking rather quietly, though Palin could hear some of what was being said.
"He might be like this for some time and we may need to......" His voice trailed off.
Palin laid back down and closed his eyes, hands behind his head. (oh well,) he thought, (whatever it was, it probably wasn't that important anyway. I need some sleep.)
Ash and Dierdre looked back at him and then faced each other again. Dierdre spoke first.
"I hate to say it, but we need to go back home. I love the kid and all, but if we stay, we're likely to get killed."
Ash nodded in agreement.
"We'll tell him in the morning. I don't like leaving him like this, but he'll get by. The fates smile upon him. Something big happened to him, and I don't think I want to stay to find out. We leave at dawn."
With that, they sat by the fire and watched the horizon until the sun set.
__________________
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 Volsung on 01-24-2002 09:32 PM
Two days one night
Volsung quickly rolled up this bag and took to that air flying with a renewed sense of purpose. He was only a few miles from Bargra. At this point Volsung decide to walk into the city to attract less attention. After landing, Volsung walked quickly hoping to get to the city before nightfall.
When Volsung came to the city the sun was just above the horizon. “Luck is with me tonight,” Volsung thought to himself. “If I had gotten here after dark then the gate would have been shut and would have had to use my magic to get into the city. This way is far safer.” With that, Volsung walked into Bargra. After coming into the city Volsung finally decided to stay in an inn called “The Hammer” After checking in and putting his things in this room he decide to go down to the bar and see if anyone there knew where Ice Valley was.
Volsung had taken off his robes and had put on a blue shirt and some black pants that his mother Eryx had put in his bag before leaving the Islands of the Burning Crescent. “Well I didn’t think I would ever use these but I’m glad mother made me take them.” Volsung said to himself as he dressed. After he finished dressing he when down to the bar to see what he could learn.
There were many interesting people in the bar some were talking about a fight a few nights before. Other people were talking about how this woman almost beat the guy up. But little of this mattered to Volsung he only cared about finding Ice Valley. “I must find this man, I can’t get him out of my head, I know he is important, I just don’t know how yet.” Volsung was thinking this as he walked up to the bar and ordered a scotch.
“One coming up sir,” Said the bartender in a rather cheery voice.
When the bartender came back with his drink Volsung lied down a few Silver Grans and started speaking, “I Have a question for you, can you tell me where Ice Valley is?”
I bartender stared for a little bit and then responded, “Yes, but any fools knows that no one would want to go there.”
Volsung reached across the Bar and picked the man up by the shirt, “Can you tell me where it is?”
“Yes, YES don’t hurt me. It’s about three days walk East South East of here, but you’re a fool if you want to go there.”
Volsung set the man back on the ground, “We are all fools,” And with that, Volsung pulled out a gold Gran and left it on the Bar with his untouched Drink.
As Volsung walked back to his room he started wondering, why he had done that. “It not like he wouldn’t have told he if I didn’t pick him up I just felt the need too very odd. Oh well I can change it now I probably should be a little bit more careful who knows who’s watch.” With that, Volsung got to his door opened it up and lied down in his bed.
Then Volsung woke up just before daybreak and was ready to go, “I need to be moving because today is going to be a long day,” Thought Volsung while was dressing. After Dressing in his green robes Volsung, had a quick bit at the inn and left town just as the sun peaked over the horizon, “I came in as the sun set and I leave as the sun rises. It’s not to often that you spend exactly one night in a town and no more.”
Volsung walked out of the south city gate, and as soon as he could no longer see it or any other people, he took to the skies. Flying as fast as he could manage Volsung took no breaks, he simply keep flying driven only by the deserve to figure out what it was that had been calling to him all the way back to his days on the island Geryon. At the end of this First night Volsung had made it most of the way to Ice Valley and while his mind wished to keep going Volsung body could not. So, Volsung set down and when to sleep in the Soft Grass of the Aitahk Planes, not bothering to set of fire or even unroll his sleeping bag.
__________________
"Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"
Posted by Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 01-24-2002 10:02 PM
A Vow is made...
For a very long time, there was nothing. Neither light nor dark, feeling nor pain. There was only void. It seemed to Til’Sylvanna that a great deal of time must have passed… a lifetime perhaps. She did not remember how she had gotten to this place… wherever this place was. I am lost, she thought. Lost beyond time and space, and I do not know how to get home. Panic did not set in, as she thought it would. Instead, she was just sad.
She felt a soft wind blow across her brow… It was comforting. Slowly she became aware of someone singing… His voice is lovely, she thought. For a long time she was content to simply listen. I know this song… I remember…
And remember she did. All the weight of the evening came crashing down upon her. The dark rider… her Vision… the pain… Til’Silvannis. And suddenly she could feel herself in her body once more. She was lying upon the earth, though she was not cold. Valerian must have covered her with a blanket. How kind of him. He always took such good care of her; she had ought to tell him how much that meant to her. Had it all just been a Dream?
She cleared her mind. I am hurt, she realized. Her head was pounding. Concentrating her will, she felt the pain subside. Next, there was the singing… It is not Val, she thought. I cannot feel him… I CANNOT FEEL HIS PRESENCE…! Panic finally set in.
Nelcar continued his song, hoping that it would bring the sleeping Lady some peace. She was unhurt, save for a bump on her head taken in her fall. Saeth had lent her his cloak to keep out the chill of the night, then left to find her mounts. He sensed her growing awareness, and went to her side.
She moaned and opened her eyes. Til’Sylvanna found herself looking into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. They are like the deepest azure of the sky just before the sun vanishes and the moon awakens, she thought. I know those eyes.
“What…” she whispered weakly. Speech was far harder than she had thought it would be. She tried to sit up, but found his gentle insistence that she not strain herself too hard to resist.
“Lady,” he said in his soft and musical voice,” I must urge you not to strain yourself. Much have you suffered this night and I would not wish you to take greater harm because of haste.” There was a plea for understanding in those beautiful eyes of his… and something more… sorrow.
“Nelcar son of Alare? How came you to be here, and where is my Guardian? Is he well, or has some great evil befallen him?” She was silent for a moment, closing her eyes to the pain she saw in his eyes. “Oh no…” she whispered, tears escaping from behind her eyelashes.
“Valerian, son of Hyperian, First Warden of the Evisis, has taken his last breath, my Lady, slaying the great evil that had come to bear you hence to some dark purpose. His parting thoughts were of you. I am sorry.” Nelcar felt helpless in the face of the anguish he felt from her. She did not move or speak, but her tears fell unending. Being able to do nothing else, he sat beside the maiden, sharing in her sorrow.
After a long while, she had calmed. He helped her to sit up. “I wish to see him.” She said with a quiet resolve. He helped her to stand, and the two made their way to the place where the fallen Elwain lay.
“I have never known a day without him,” she said quietly, lost and childlike, kneeling beside him and brushing an errant strand of his golden hair from his forehead. “ All my life he was at my side. My sworn protector. Why he chose me, I have never quite understood, though I have been ever thankful. When I… when my brother died, I wanted nothing more than to join him. I would have wasted away to nothing if it had not been for him. He saved my life. He never questioned me, but accepted with loyalty and grace. He was my very dearest friend.” At this her voice broke, and she began to cry. She fell over him, covering him in a blanket of her silver/white hair. “Oh Val, what am I going to do without you?” She sobbed as if to break.
“You will go on,” said Saeth kindly, coming into view leading the horses. “That was his last wish. He gave his life that you might live, you must honor that sacrifice.”
Til’Sylvanna looked up at the newcomer, tears still falling. “You are Esiai’desh’mirain? How came you here?”
“He comes as my guide at the behest of my much loved Prince. “ Nelcar explained.
She turned her attention back to her fallen Guardian. All care seemed to have been washed from his face, her tears mingling with his blood. She smoothed the lines from his noble brow. “You were the last,” she whispered, “ and now your father’s line is no more. Rest in peace, my beloved companion, and know that your gift was not in vain.” She took up a piece of his shattered sword and cut deeply into her right palm, her blood flowing crimson upon the ground. “By your sword Eckthilian, and on the honor of my Father’s name I vow: No more tears shall I shed, for you died as you lived, in honor and with love. That I shall not rest until the darkness that has parted us is vanquished from this land, or until we meet again in the fields of beyond. These things I, Til’Sylvanna, called Evenstar by my people, daughter of Talisaryan of the House of Dol’Allymar, Sularion of the Old Blood, do vow in blood. May I be a hundred times damned to oblivion should my vow be broken.”
She stood and turned to her new companions. “We must build a pyre for this noble spirit. I will not see his fair vestige marred.”
“It has begun.”
Cue: Saeth 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 Til'Sylvanna Evenstar on 01-25-2002 06:34 AM
A song for the valiant slain...
The flames of Valerian’s pyre reached far into the night, and all the night seemed to be mourning him. Saeth had warned of alerting the enemy of their whereabouts, but Til’Sylvanna would not hear of it. She just stood and watched her loyal Guardian burn. She had kissed him, ere his pyre was lit, taking one final look upon the countenance she knew so well.
“Mother,” she had asked, “please take the spirit of this valiant soul into your arms. He has fulfilled his vow, and I release him unto your eternal care.”
She stood a ways apart from the others, wishing solitude in her grief. No tears now stained her pale cheek, nor did any bandage bind the deep cut upon her right palm. That, she had vowed to herself, would be the outward reminder of that which she now bore upon her heart.
Nelcar and Saeth looked to her in wonder, for soon she began to sing. Like the very voice of an angel it was, though the sorrow that was so much a part of her could not be kept from it. It pierced their hearts, and they were awed.
“Twilight was shining in the west,
the rose of daylight passed.
On we road through heather glen,
the daylight fading fast.
There we road in peace alone,
upon the woodland way.
Truest friends, we continued on,
And watched the fleeing day.
Valerian of ancient blood
was riding at my side.
He of gentle warrior’s grace,
a wisdom he could not hide.
His hair of gold and eyes of green,
like the deepest forest glade.
But greater still, his noble heart,
Of purest love was made.
All my life he had stood beside,
the keeper of my care.
And even in darkest, blackest night,
I knew that he was there.
A valiant captain, a loyal friend,
elwain of noble birth.
A gentle laugh, of quiet hope,
He was a child of the earth.
Unmatched in arms by any hand,
he was strong, and loyal, and true.
Though storms could rage and fires burn,
his grace they could not undo.
First Warden of the eldest kin,
was noble Valerian made.
He served his House, his King, his land,
and for them down his life he’d have laid.
He stood before dark terror’s sword,
And held his valiance strong.
His final battle shall not be forgot,
in memory, or in song.
Strike met strike, through deadly night,
but still his might did last.
With final stroke he smote his foe,
and unto smoke it passed.
But noble warrior and truest friend
upon the cold earth lain.
For in his stroke to save my life,
proud Guardian was slain.
His spirit gone to golden fields
of peace and beauty, home.
But I am left to mourn his loss,
sorrowed and alone.
Rest in peace, ye golden son,
and know that you are loved.
I will see you evermore,
in the shining stars above.
You’ve earned your sleep, for service true,
and friendship ever strong.
Though here for me the days until
we meet again are long.”
After she had quit her song, Til’Sylvanna was silent.
Cue: Saeth or 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 01-25-2002 08:59 AM
Alex had lain undisturbed in the plaza for a day and a night, not speaking, not moving, not even, it seemed, taking breath. But as the sun rose on the second day, he rose as if he were possessed, and made his way, slowly and staggeringly towards the center of Fayre.
As he passed by the homes and shops of the citizens, there were mutters and talk of the priest whom would not move from his place, and that he had begun moving again. Alex felt no pain, no hunger, only the eternal want for sanctuary.
He made his way to the grand plaza of the Chora Tree, and to the Lunari Cathederal to the Creator. He slowly walked inside of the gigantic building, and made his way before the altar. It was there that he collapsed, and he simply lay there, for there was nothing more that he wanted, and there was nothing more he could do.
OOC: Once again, moving Alex now is even more impossible than it was before, for he is in a place of Holy power. His skin is cold and rough, as stone, and He does not require food, and does not breathe. To all bystanders, he appears dead save for the fact that if someone attempts to move him, he will physically, with preternatural strength, throw them from his place of rest, at which point he will go back to his reverie.
__________________
-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 Keigo on 01-25-2002 01:34 PM
The sun gows down at the horizon, as Keigo stops his jog down the road. he stands near a field close to a city. Keigo pulls a map from his pouch.
"Hmmm, this must be it finally. I though i took the wrong direction before." Keigo mutters to himself as he studies the map with his icy eyes.
He sticks the map back into his pocket and starts walking towards the town, the sun now almost gone, gives the hills and fields outside an eery setting. He speeds his stride in order to reach the town before sundown.
"Finally, in teyr" a sigh of relief gapes from Keigos mouth, he walks past several houses and children stare at him and stop playing as he walks past, he stops and turns his head, six figures or so split up and walk into a pair of inns, a group consisting a few females and males. Keigo turns around and follows the rather strong looking people into the right inn, a rather small one but not poor.
__________________
Anarchy,
Chaos,
Confusion,
Oh My...
-Simon Stark
Posted by Tygan deParte on 01-25-2002 02:11 PM
Tygan thrusts his blades forward for a finishing blow, but to his surprise they were not only deflected, but disarmed!
"How did you....." The large man knocked Tygan to the ground, holding his sword above the boy. The man was a giant by all standards, at least a head taller than Tygan.
"Hah, you thought you could defeat one as great as me? You are a pathetic little boy and that is all you will ever be!" The man swung his sword down in a finishing blow.
"Ahhhhhhhh!!" Tygan suddenly awoke, banging his head against the bed above him and then falling off the bed onto the floor. "uggghhh," he rolled on the floor in pain.
"Just a nightmare, nothing more..." he stood up, placing his covers back on his bed. I'm not just a pathetic little boy!
He was on the Wave Rider, one of the fastest merchant ships on the sea. Two days before he had paid for passage to Corner after entering Sungan. The ship was much noisier than usual, well much more than he had experience the day before.
"What is going on?" he asked a passing sailor.
"We are about to dock at Corner!"
"What! Really?" Finally! I'm getting close now! I know this will be my chance!
Tygan followed the sailor up onto deck, and leaned over the railing. It was true, they were at Corner!
"WOOHOO! Land Ho!" he shouted. How good it would be to be back on sturdy solid land.
When the ship was fully docked Tygan thanked the captain and quickly ran into town. It was no different than any other city, but it was still exciting, this was the furthest Tygan had ever traveled. Across the sea! To a whole new land!
"First things first, time to find a tavern, I need some real food!" The ship's food wasn't really that bad, but it wasn't exactly fulfilling.
********************************************
The tavern he entered was bustling with activity, it seemed like such a new place to him. However, it was like all other taverns in truth, tons of drunks.
"Hey Tapster! What do you got on the menu?" Tygan called to the bartender, as he took a seat by the bar.
"Well we got......" Tygan wasn't listening however, for something else had caught his attention, something he had to stop!
"Let go of me!" the girl exclaimed, slapping the drunk that was pulling her close. She was far from attractive, but none the less she was a lady in need of help.
"I don't shhink sho pretty!" The man must have been drinking all day, for he was about as drunk as you can get.
"One sec," Tygan said to the bartender, "Just hold that thought, I'll be back soon."
He walked over to the table where the two were. "Excuse me sir, but I don't think the lady wants to be with you." Tygan pushed the man back into his seat, and took the girl to the bar where he had been sitting.
"Better?"
"Absolutely!" she grinned at him, "And aren't you a handsome one!" she got close to Tygan, a little too close. Gah! Her perfumes were enough to choke a man. She then put her hand on his leg.
Tygan nearly jumped out of his skin, "Excuse me!" he said in a high pitched tone, falling from his stool while trying to stand up. "eh..heh..I think you are making a mistake. I...I didn't mean to.."
"What? I'm not good enough for you?" she scowled at him.
"N..No it's not that..I...I.."
"What’s going on here!" A new person joined the conversation, well, a couple new people. The one who talked was a very very big man.
"This stuck up little boy thinks he is too good for me!"
"I never said that!" Tygan cried out. Gah, I need to look tougher, I probably do appear to be some kind of sissy rich boy.
"So, my girl isn't good enough for you? Is that it? You think your all high and mighty?"
Ok well this is my chance I guess, " YA! That's right! You want to take this on like men?" Apparently he did.........
********************************************
Tygan sat up, he was sitting outside the tavern which he had just been tossed from.
"Gahhhhh! My clothes! I just cleaned these too!" not only were his clothes dirty, but he had lost his dignity by being thrown from the bar.
"I'll show them!" He stormed through the door, only to be lying in the street once more a few seconds later.
"Perhaps I should just start my trip on the road."
He did what was needed to prepare, buying camp equipment this time, "No more mud naps for me!"
Then when he was about to walk out the gate he stopped, grinning. "Why the hell am I walking?" he looked to his left at stables, "I think I'll ride!"
__________________
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 01-25-2002 03:16 PM
The three walked into the small inn. They had just reached Teyr, Caliph had told them they should split up into two inns not far from each other and meet in a small tavern called The Rusty Nail the next morning. There they would decide how best to cross the lake to Balanum before continuing north toward Synarin.
As Zander, Tiffarah and Arkiri approached the innkeeper a young man strode through the front door of the inn. He was a rough looking boy who couldn't have been more than sixteen, but the scar on his face told Zander that he had experience in battle. He had a leather breastplate and leather gauntlet on his right arm.
Zander turned back to the innkeeper and rented three rooms for the evening and went up stairs to drop his gear off and return to the lobby to meet with Arkiri and Tiffarah.
When he entered the lobby, he found Arkiri there, talking to the young man who had come in behind them. He walked up to the pair hoping Arkiri hadn't revealed anything about their reason for traveling to Balanum.
He was relieved to find that they were simply having a dicussion about his two unique daggers. Zander sensed that one of them was somehow shadow oriented, but found the other to be a pure, holy blade.
Zander stretched out his hand to greet the boy...
Cue: Keigo
__________________
Ask, seek, knock...
Posted by Bara Chinder on 01-25-2002 03:32 PM
A carrige came roaring past. The four horses were at full gallop, and the carrige was bucking around the closest wheel to Bara was shaking dangerously, but the driver was hidden from view and would not be able to see it.
The sight intrigued Bara but it had also served to freak him out. "keep moving," he said to himself. He took off alongside the road keeping close to cover.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The coach driver was shivering and he was staring ahead, "where is everything ... Have they got this far? They cant have." He was running from a village on the road north of endaroth. They had come and his master and his wife, a rich farmer and mayor of the village, had fled. Now the pair were travelling north for help.
He now saw a man standing in the middle of the road. with a hand up. The driver pulled hard on the reins as the horses slowed, the loose wheel came loose. the coach fell on to its exposed axel, Skidding. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF..." shouted a voice from inside the carrige. The driver climbed out and roared,
"What in the name of the creator and the seven ranks are you doing. You should get off the road when traffic comes."
The man dropped his hand and paced towards the driver. He wore a long brown coat with a pack on his back, grey trouses and a wide brimmed grey hat.
The driver shuddered, the man scared him, although he was by no means well built. "Sorry?" he said.
"Y...you should stay off...off the road."
"Im sorry, whos in the back?"
A voice roared again from inside the coach. "What is going on?!? I need to get to saf...get help, im the mayor its my responsibility! Get this coach in order pronto Thach."
"Yes sir, right away."
A moment passed, there was a dull thud. The drivers body hit the ground. His killer strolled up to the carrige. "Where have you come from? Where are you going Mr. Mayor?"
"Who are ...? Telfad and im going for help for same. How dare you..." A short sword rammed through his neck with alarming speed.
The lady screamed, and within seconds he had dragged her out and cut her throat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bara looked on at the man dragging the bodies to the side of the road. The man glanced around caught a glimpse of bara and took a step towards him, a noise startled him and he turne tail. Bara waited a second and took off away from the road.
He would not sleep tonight.
__________________
If pro is the opposite of con, then progress is the opposite of congress.
Posted by Keigo on 01-25-2002 03:42 PM
Keigo looks past the girl. "Hello,...nice to meet you...You seem to have curios companions, but i shall not complain, as none of us want to brawl i hope."
He turns back to the girl and glances at her "Nice to meet you too...oh the daggers, why they're in a special sheath?...one touch and the effect works instantly,....it is wise not to touch the black at all, excuse me for a second" Keigo says as he walks towards the innkeeper, Keigo mutters something foreign and the innkeeper deals with him, Keigo lays 10 gold on the counter and recieves the keys to a room upstairs.
Keigo walks back over to the girl and the holy knight, "You are, so it seems to me, on a quest, right?"
"Why, uhh..." The man answers but is cut off
"Don't talk here, too many ears...let us go upstairs to one of the rooms..." Keigo turns away and pulls his sword sheath from his back, his t-shirt pulls up slightly and several severe wounds and scars uncovere, "Follow me..." keigo walks upstairs and to the end of the corridor, he stops and puts his hand on the wall, then mutters something that sounds like ahmnet khorne and a door opens he quickly walks inside awaiting Zander and his companioins.
CUE: Zander.
__________________
Anarchy,
Chaos,
Confusion,
Oh My...
-Simon Stark
Posted by TheTraveler on 01-25-2002 04:56 PM
Diocletions.. revaltion
Diocletion stepped out of the church library with only one thought in his mind.. sleep. But he still had to copy down a few more pages to finish the last of the books he was assigned to copy.. being a priest isn't so easy! Though things haven't been the same in his church.. rumors of corruption and lies have seemed to be going about behind everyone's backs. It's the church for god's sake what has this world came too? Richard shook his head and thought to himself..
He quickly finished up the pages he had left and walked to his bed hardly beaing able to see straight and ran flat into a wall.. and that's when he heard a noise to his back.. He turned around quickly.. though not as quick as he could if he were fully awake and saw a few figures flash by the hall. He looked closer and heard shrieks and laughs from around the cornor and yelled in a deep voice,"Who's there?" The laughs stopped and he heard a loud schream.. the schream of another priest.. Richard..
Diocletion quickly ran blindly and turned the cornor to see the walls lined with blood.. lines as if a bloody hand had been streaked across it.. this couldn't be good he thought to himself.. He slowly stepped up to Richard's door and saw a puddle of blood flowing out of the doorway. He jumped back as if he had seen a ghost and started to turn green but fought the gag back and put his hand to the bloody doorknob and turned it slowly.. Halfway through the turn he was hit from the back and smacked head first into the door and fell over.. unconscious..
Hours later Diocletion sat up in his own bed and looked around to see the place ransacked and his door totally gone.. He sat up and grabbed his wooden staff and stepped out of his room and felt no movement anywhere near and slowly walked up the hallway checking every room and only finding blood.. signs of violence but no bodies.. something was wrong.. He walked to the front of the church and found all of the stained glass windows shattered and all of the wooden benches shattered except one lone bench in the back..
The priest stepped up and kneeled by the lone bench and kneeled down in prayer asking for an answer.. looking for vengeance.. looking for a sign of who did this.. asking for a... revelation
Posted by Ja'shar An'dune on 01-25-2002 05:16 PM
A traitor in the ranks...
Ja’Shar An’Dune, Vizier to the High King of the Elwain was in high spirits this day. His King was pleased with his excellent service, and truly Ja’Shar had never given his noble Lord cause to be unhappy with him. He sat off to the King’s left, the right being reserved for his son. Next to the Prince Linfell was seated the King’s only brother, Lord Talisaryan. The three had been in conference about small matters when a name caught his attention.
“And how fairs our beloved niece,” asked King Beingor of his brother. “We have missed her beauty here at our table of late. Is she well?”
The Lord did not answer his brother at first, but looked longingly out the window off to his left. He sighed.
“Surely there is no trouble so great that you are loath to speak,” the King said with concern. ‘Has some ill befallen her? We know that she is prone to fits of melancholy, but surly the great Guardian has seen to her safety. What harm could come to her here beneath the fair eves of Hethilin?”
Linfell watched his uncle closely, seeing the swift exchange of emotions pass o’re his fair countenance. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the spirit that belonged to his cousin alone. He opened them quickly, a great dread befalling him. “She does not reside within the Evisis. I cannot find her.” Linfell turned his keen golden eyed upon his uncle. “Where is she?” He asked softly.
Ja’Shar sat forward, turning the whole of his attention upon Talisaryan. “She has gone out unto the land of men to find the meaning to one of her Visions,” the elder Elwain responded. “I knew that she was troubled, though there was naught that I could do to aid her.”
The Vizier stood, his placid demeanor cast aside “Why have you not made known this information before now? Surely something must be done, for we cannot have our sister alone in the chaotic world of men. My good King, what say you to this awful news?” He had become flush, his ice blue eyes flashing.
Linfell’s eyes narrowed. What did Ja’Shar care where Til’Sylvanna made her way? He had never shown much interest in her before, and voiced his thoughts. Ja’Shar sighed and looked pained. “Because if in some tragic event, you and your noble father should be lost to us, my beloved Prince, our sister shall be Queen. There is danger in the world apart from these fair woods, for the men make war upon one another.”
Beingor waved a hand at his flustered councilor. “We have heard these tidings from you before, good Ja’Shar. And we have agreed to think on them. As for our niece, We am sure that she is fine. Valerian will let no harm befall her.”
“Besides,” quoth prince Linfell, “Nelcar, beloved friend of my heart, and Saeth Shen of the Esiai’desh’mirain travel from here. Surely they shall find the two. She could be in no better care. With even my very life I would trust the pair of them.”
“I can but bow to your good trust, noble sirs. Perhaps I am being foolish. If you will be so gracious, I must take my leave.” He bowed to the three of them and exited the council room.
With great haste he made his way to the suite of rooms in the Royal House that were apportioned for his use. He smiled calmly at any who he should pass, but dropped his façade upon reaching his rooms.
“Damn,” he said coldly, a fire burning in his even colder eyes. “The Dark One will not be pleased to hear of this. I should have paid the little bitch closer heed. “
He crossed his room to a great mirror, elaborately worked of ebony. He spoke a word in the Dark Tongue, and the surface of the mirror rippled as if made of water. Very well, he thought as he stepped into it and arriving at the Dark Tower, we shall just have to do things the hard way.
__________________
Beware the winds of change, for they spare noone.
Posted by TheTraveler on 01-25-2002 06:10 PM
Changes...
Diocletion stepped up from his kneeling prayer and looked up at the broken cieling then down at the shard of glass.. blood on the glass.. that's how they got in. He turned around and looked at the pedistel and pictured one of the bishops reading pieces of the holy book and tears formed in his eyes when flashes of their bloody room popped in his head.. who did this?
He looked down in sadness and then slowly pushed himself to keep looking for a survivor and headed back torwards the chambers. As he entered the chamber's hall he passed a mirror and didn't catch his reflection in the mirror as he passed it so he backed up and took a look... and saw nothing. He looked closer leaning only inches from the mirror and saw not a thing in the mirror.. what is going on, he thought, why do i see.. nothing?! He scratched his head and ran hs hand down to his neck and scrathed at it to notice a mark.. a bloody mark.. The priest ran hsi finger to find two wholes.. bite marks of some kind on the left side of his neck and knew what had happened.
The priest schreamed with hatred and wondered how they could have done this to him.. how he had become.. one of them.. He ran down the hall to his chamber and stepped in to find 3 dark figures sitting on his bed.. waiting.. waiting for... him! He slowly backed out the door then heard a voice in his head saying,"Come little one.. we are not here to harm you." Diocletion, in a trance, stepped forward and regained control when he was in arms reach of them and just stood his ground and yelled,"What have you done to me demons? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" They just looked and laughed then said,"We have granted you eternal life.. use it well.. now follow us.. we are to return to the court and begin your journey of vampirism." Diocletion followed.. starting a journey that he may regret.. regret for an eternity..
Posted by Scarlet Rosenblade on 01-25-2002 07:03 PM
Scarlet had slipped into a haze. Even though she had been healed by the efforts of both Indigo and Alex she had been admitted to the hospital ward. In the halls, she heard whispers about a horrible disease that had claimed the lives of four men, all of whom had had relations with the same woman….the one with long black hair and grey eyes…
Indigo barely left her side even though it pained him to see her in an almost catatonic state. It was as if she had lost the will to live. She was silent, emotionless, and unreachable. She looked more like a skillfully made waxwork than a human being. Reika had done more than mortally wound her, she had shattered something so precious and sacred, it could only be attained once in a lifetime.
It had been two days since that night in the courtyard. Two days for Scarlet to think. She grabbed Indigo’s hand and squeezed it gently, rousing him from his sleeping position next to her. He would have smiled to see her doing much better than the previous two days, but something in her eyes kept him from doing so. He didn’t speak, but his expression questioned her thoughts. Her voice was slightly raspy from under use, but her words were clear enough to hear.
“I want to go home, Indy.”
CUE: Indigo. What say ye?
__________________
"When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart to rest, they burn the color of passion."
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-25-2002 09:44 PM
Okay, me and Palin fixed his post, so go ahead and re-read it...
http://www.asheri.f2s.com/forums/sh...=5&pagenumber=5
__________________
Welcome to my world...
Posted by Orocia Agua on 01-25-2002 10:00 PM
Orocia had previously been walking the town as the other two groups left, buying a few extra provisions, such as crackers and jerky, 4 canteens full of water, extra clothing, blankets, bandages and ointments, and matches, and she bought a heavy grey wool hooded cloak for herself. She did quite a bit of haggling, which she had a knack for, to keep as much of her money as she could. She packed these few extras in the saddlebags she bought for her horse. She had her hair up, held by the silver pin whose safely-covered point she had once used to kill. She also bought a cheap, loose white t-shirt that had sleeves low enough to cover her tattoos, some gently used denim work breeches from a sidewalk sale near the residential area, and wool socks. After washing the breeches (she'd heard too many horror stories about seemingly clean clothes), she put on her new outfit, thankful she still had some money left over still. The trip would take a few days and more than likely the extra clothes she bought would come in handy for people sick of their current wear. Or, if for some reason, their clothes were torn, shredded, and rendered useless...
Orocia paused as she looked over her mare, who seemed in good spirits and more than willing to do some roaming. She pinched the stick of the piece of rock candy she was sucking on (which she had also bought enough of for anyone who got a sweet tooth or got sick), and twirled it around in her mouth while she thought, staring into space at her mare.
We're going to be attacked, no doubt. It would be a freak of nature not to be.
Immediately she looked on her body for her weapons: she was wearing her machete, which hung off the left side of her belt. Her pouch, with its money and her folding fan with the hidden butterfly knife in it, was hung on the belt as well, in the front. Her daggers were on each side of the belt. Finally she felt for her hairpin. But still, she did not feel prepared. She had no armor.
Orocia frowned, still staring off into space. Her mare whinnied softly to get her attention, and Orocia absentmindedly stroked and scratched its nose to appease it. She wasn't going to spend anymore money. The hell with the armor. If she gets hurt, so be it. Immediately she thought of the other two ladies on the trip and worried how they would fare in a fight.
Orocia let out a resignated, but irritated sigh. She trusted Caliph, but she didn't feel the group was prepared. She realized that, under the circumstances, they didn't have much of a chance to be properly readied and needed to get out of Helilal fast. Which only showed how much worse the situation really was.
"Oh the hell." She kissed the mare on the nose. "At least it'll be interesting..." She walked over to Caliph's horse to check that it was alright as well, and gave it a scratch behind the ears before she left the stables to meet Caliph back at the inn.
But her mind couldn't get off the riskyness of the trip. Her weapons were more for stealth (excusing maybe the machete), not for combat. She wished she had brought along her brother's butterfly swords. It had been forever since she used them, but at least she would have had them.
Upon turning at the door she ran into a very tall man.
"Oh! I'm sorry sir! Are you alright?" When she looked up she was surprised at his appearance, and who he was. He was elderly, but seemingly still active. His shirt and breeches were extremely well worn, with holes and rips beginning to peek out. His silvery-gray hair and long beard were unkempt and nearly frightening, and framed a face darkened and weathered by the elements, from which out peeked two bright, unusual silver eyes, seeming to be as full of chaos as the rest of the man's appearance. He wore wolf skin boots and carried a staff with him. Orocia was perplexed by this man's appearance. He looked like he had been living away in a cave somewhere far from society.
"Oh, no no no, I'm fiiiinnee!!" He had a silly grin on his face. Suddenly he threw the bag down at Orocia with such amazing force that she nearly fell backwards. "Here ya go!"
"What?!" Orocia had high respect for the elderly, but only to a certain extent. This old man was beginning to feel threatening to her. She eyed him carefully but with respect.
"..Are you sure this is for me?!" She heard coins clinking against metal within the bag.
"Yep! Thought maybe you could use 'em!"
Orocia looked blankly up at the old man. Immediately she thought of what could be in the bag.. No way... "Um, okay. Thank you.." She didn't want to open it in front of him, just in case.... But no way.
"If ya want, I could cook you up a real mean mutton! It's no good to leave on an empty stomach!"
Right away Orocia began to feel a little panicky and wanted to leave. She was praying that this was the first, last, and only encounter she would have with this man. She did not want to bring trouble to her traveling party with some psycho stalker.
"I'm fine, sir!" She started walking away and around him back towards the inn, keeping her eye on him. "Thank you! I have to go now! Byeeee!!!" She walked quickly back to the inn, bag under her arm. She looked ahead of her to make sure didn't bump into anyone else, and when she looked back he was totally out of sight, as if he was never there. She slightly shuddered. She wasn't afraid of him.. just creeped out. He was definitely odd. Just then something below her caught her eye, and she noticed that in the crystal pendant that Rublicant had given her, the thunderstorm seemed to be raging more wildly than it ever did before.
She shook her head and shrug off any weird ideas that might have popped into it. In fifteen minutes her and Caliph would leave. Right now she needed to deal with whatever was in the bag.
Posted by Keiru Silver on 01-25-2002 10:09 PM
As Indigo:
"You want to go home... I guess that's natural..."
Indigo sat up. His wound was not serious, and he was already up and about, albeit bandaged, and he was instructed not to use him arm. It was rare for him to leave Scarlet's side, and he left only when necessary.
"As soon as you're well enough to walk on your own, we'll take the first boat to Gania."
"Indy... thank you... for staying with me."
Indigo lost the words to express how he felt, so he merely nodded and smiled.
"And Indy...?"
"What is it, Scarlet?"
"I'm sorry... for Reika..."
Indigo looked away sharply. "You don't have to apologize for her, Scarlet. I... don't know how to say this... but your sister... I fear she's gone forever. That evil thing has taken her body and mind, but Alexandros told me... he felt her mind. It's consumed. She doesn't want to be freed."
Scarlet made no outward movement, and her eyes showed no sign of registering this last comment. No shocked gasp or heartfelt tear came. However, Indigo couldn't make him repeat the words. He knew she had heard.
He bent over to kiss her forehead.
"Indy... please don't... not right now..."
At this, Indigo felt torn inside. Unsure of what to do or how to react, he withdrew slowly, and slipped out the door...
"How is she?" Adamas asked.
"I... I'm not sure, Master Tribune. She seemed okay for a while, but I think she's still in shock over what happened."
"That is easy to accept. And how are you?"
"I don't know what to feel right now. I want to be there for her, but I think she wants to be alone. She told me... she wants to go home."
Home, she said. Home to Gania. To the king and queen. What will they think of me? When they learn the truth about their daughters, will I even be a part of this anymore? Or will they shut me out? Will I be discarded, a minor character in this story of sisters? He sighed, and slumped against the wall, banging his cast.
"Adamas, have you ever loved someone when they wanted to be alone?"
"Indigo, I'm going to tell you something I don't tell anyone. I enjoy being around you and Scarlet, not just because she's my student. I have never been in love... and seeing you two makes me feel a bit less bitter sometimes. I envy you two," said Adamas.
"Sometimes it hurts so much to lose someone you love... I know Scarlet's going to be okay, but at the moment... It's like it's not her. For a moment in there... I was speaking with Reika's sister, or the Princess of Gania..."
Adamas nodded. "Your love is true, it's easy to see. Have faith. She'll be whole again, in time... for now... Just let her rest."
Indigo nodded glumly. "I guess you're right."
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The time now is 03:32 PM.
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