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[OoC] Come to think of it, I'm not sure who knows Katerei, either. It's been so long since I did a TS with her. I know Rogan knows her, and Blackfern might, but as the others are relatively new I don't think anyone else does. [BiC]

Seeing Dusk draw his blade, Katerei flinched and instinctively took a step backwards. She drew the dagger from its sheath and held it in front of her. "My name is Katerei. I wish you no harm, but if you keep your weapon drawn, I must insist on keeping mine drawn as well."

Rogan stepped forward and laid his hand on Dusk's arm. "Put your blade away, Dusk. She's a Tavern person, as well, and she's been on some adventures before."

Dusk sheathed his blade, and in turn, so did Katerei. "All right," he said. "Why are you here, then? Do you want to come with us? And why did you come through the water instead of over land, like any normal person?"

"Do I look like a normal person?" Katerei said, subconsciously playing with a lock of blue hair. "The water is so much faster to travel in, and so much more pleasant. At any rate, I might join your quest. Where are you going, and what for?"

The journey and its intention were quickly explained. Katerei nodded, thinking it over. "Well, all right," she said finally. "I've nothing else to do right now, so yes, I'll come. Just a question, though- how can you stand travelling in this?" She looked around in distaste at the sand covering everything.

"We can't," Larc quipped. Everyone laughed.

Nevsiriel strode forward and laid a hand on Katerei's shoulder, smiling warmly. "Well, Katerei, welcome to the group. If you can't stand the sand, there's always the water!"

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Insignificantly Unforgettable

Therru Flame dropped out of the sky with Eroldur, his son. Therru landed gracefully on his feet, but Eroldur fell flat on his face with a sickening thud. The group grimaced. Larc, probably still drunk, began to laugh maniaclly (sp?). Martel slapped him hard, and he began to rummage in his pack for the elements to a healing poultice. Therru Flame looked confused. "Many of you know that I am the Macilnar, Guardian of Death." He stated, "So I went to death with my son, looking for answers. While I was there, I found people from your world, Dusk. Some even knew someone like you. Many people from many worlds are in death. There are many worlds, but one death. Everyone comes from somewhere. I can take exits to any world where people have died, but there was no exit to your world. I did learn what a bomb is. I cannot describe what I heard in terms other than this: A bomb is a mass Death-Strike. It affects all things over a wide area. Everything would be like the sand on this beach. Small, dry and dead. This is not good. But, there is worse news. There has been a shift in the worlds. That exit from death in the sky used to be near my cave, in those mountains over there." He pointed to some mountains deep away on the horizon. "There has been a shift in the worlds. The last time I entered death, I came out fine. That was two days before you arrived, Dusk. Some mass energy shifted the worlds at that time, which might account for you being here."

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"Look, a distraction!" -Fletcher Dostie

The other side was just like what they had saw on the other side. except they hadn't seen the long winding path that went deep into the moutine. Pippin began walking down the parth drawn on by some magical force,she forgot every thing time,food,rest now ment nothing to her, plainly Lyra and Anya felt it too for they were foloing Pippin.They at last reach the center, it was a huge room filled with mist and in the center was a pedelstill, Pippin Lyra and Anya all walked towards the pedelstill they placed there hands on it, and then there was a huge flash and a army of elves aperd from the mist,Pippin felt a pules of energy emit through her, she felt arthuity go through her, she was a high elf, the leader of her army.......

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Yummy! My moldy, crunchy, mouth-watering... *drools* frruuuiitt cakkeee...

"Did you... Did you see him?"
"See who?" Therru asked, sitting down behind the bush with the others.
Dusk shuffled uncomfortably "Chahonin. Did you talk to him?"
Therru was no more enlightened "Was he one of your friends Dusk?"
Dusk shook his head and shuddered "Nevermind, just...Forget it, don't worry."
Eroldur raised his eyebrows and turned away, adressing the now dry Katerei. "I see we have yet another companion. I'm Eroldur, this is Martel, Larc, and my father Therru. I don't believe we've met."
Katerei grinned, her blue hair splayed in the wind. "I'm Katerei, pleased to meet you, all of you." She turned to Dusk now, seeking a more proper introduction "I don't think I've met you either... Uhhh... Dusk." picking the name up from Rogan.
Dusk held out his hand, once again playing the gentlemen. It felt odd. Being so curtious to people he didn't know. "No, I don't think we have."
Katerei gripped Dusk's arm firmly, holding his eyes for a moment.
Blackfern spoke up now, he galnced down the beach. "Introductions can wait, we should get to Kosha before nightfall; Cythera's wilderness is not nearly as friendly at night, as it is at day."
Nevsiriel agreed, and the group began walking again.
Talking was never even thought of, the wind blew away any sound made. Dusk was in another world most of the time, seemingly day dreaming, but still fully aware of the world around him. Katerei walked beside Dusk, Rogan up front and Martel bringing up the rear. In this manner they continued late into the evening.
----------
Kosha approached at about ten. Flames flicked and licked at the walls of the houses, and from the arrow slits of the major house movement could be seen. The city was quiet over all though, a peaceful, contented atmosphere. The adventurers paused and Rogan spoke. His words came out rather odly, disjointed and a little unsure. They were all unused to hearing their voices after so long in silence.
"We can either get some rooms for the night in the Roasted Haunch, or we can ask Myus."
Therru grumbled "Myus is a liar, nothing better then a ruffian. He even-"
"Myus is head of house Comana, and should be treated with respect." Rogan intervened the insults. He knew very well that they were true, but that was no reason to voice them.
"It's your venture Dusk, it's your call."
Dusk thought and spoke boldly "I do not like the sound of this Myus, but I am unable to afford accomodation else where. I suggest we all keep our wits about us tonight, and we'll bed in house Comana."
The others nodded consent.
The arrow slit spoke "Who goes there? I don't need any trouble tonight, we've got enough already."
"We are adventurers, we seek audience with Myus." Dusk glanced over his shoulder, Nevsiriel urged him on, telling him to mention Alaric.
The slit spoke again "Are you the ones looking for the mountain? Alaric said you would probably come this way."
Dusk nodded "Yes, may we see Myus?"
The arrow slit mumbled, and the gaurds raised their wicked looking halberds.

The adventurers piled into the courtyard.
In the middle was a stagnant pool. The bottom was littered scarcly with oboli, none of which had the green growth metal aqquires in water. The bottom, which was about three feet from the surface, was an odd mottly colour, with circles of white where obols had lay. Clearly the pool had been cleaned out recently, a source of substantial income. The rest of the courtyards spacious interior was dominated by several large statues. The statues all possesed enourmus wings with the most intricate carvings Dusk had ever seen, each individual feather was carved from the rock, the bones cleverly masked in stone muscles. It looks as if these creatures could really fly. One reclined over the pool, hands cupped and wings folded, another sat to one side, looking for the heavens. The third was larger then the rest, and stood at the entrance. In it's hand, knuckles whitened by age, a plain sword was clasped. It protudeded outwards at such an angle that it reminded Dusk of an arrow in flight. It was perfectly straight and the angel who clasped it , for indeed they were angels, looked wise and meloncholy (sp?). Dusk pondered over the signifigance of the statues, and followed Rogan to the main hall.

Myus was a smug looking man in his mid thirties. He had brown, simple hair and a dating beard. His eyebrow almost joined across the top of his nose, and he kept a constant grin, pleased with himself. Around him the remains of a large feast lay, at the head of the table the carcass of a fully grown swamp gator, a delcacy for sure. Around the gator baby asps were position strategically. Many were missing, and the carcass was almost empty of meat, but the effect was still grand, and brought all eyes to the man above it. In his hand Myus gripped a bottle of vintage red with fervour. He took a swig from the bottle and belched loudly, wiping his lips on his sleeve. He opened his arms and motioned the table. "Welcome! Welcome friends, to house Comana. Alaric told me to expect you. You've missed the feast though." The last comment he made seemed hardly an apology.
Dusk introduced himself and a few of the others, letting people add comments as they saw fit.
"We seek shelter for the night, and help in our adventure, perhaps supplies." Dusk got straight to business now. He didn't bother to sit down, instead standing oppesite Myus. Myus was a little miffed at his power being so readily removed by a complete stranger.
"Sit down, sit down. No need to be so formal." Dusk obliged, readressing the question.
"Well, shelter is no problem, we have plenty of rooms. I'm sure Alaric will compensate me for that, but supplies may be a different matter."
Dusk held in the urge to a snide remark, saying simply "How so? We will pay."
By now everyone was seated, and Rogan was already helping himself to some wine, offering it liberally amoungst the group.
"Well..." Began Myu.s

[ooc] Ok, I sort of stopped at rather an inconvenient moment, but I have to go. Please feel free to go on with Myus, or simply put everyone to bed. [bic]
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Yesterday we bent our necks to emperors and kings. Today, we kneel only to truth. -Kahil Gibran

[This message has been edited by dusk (edited 12-12-2002).]

"Well..." Myus continued, "Kosha is a fising village, and supplies here are, uh, scarce, being that we are so far from large supply dealers. It really depends on what kind of supplies you will need, and how much you will pay." Myus' eyes glinted. Dusk nodded slowly.

"We need food. And water. Perhaps some rope, packs and a shovel. As for what we would pay, I really do not know. What is your price for such a service?" Myus smiled slyly.

"For a weeks worth of food, water, two ropes, ten packs and a shovel? Around 300 oboli." Dusk was taken aback at this enormous sum. He motioned to the group to gather around, and they began to whisper.

"I have no money." Dusk said shortly to the group. "How much do you think we could pool?"

"I doubt we could pool more than 200." Rogan replied. Therru leaned in and whispered very quietly,

"I know where the storeroom is. I know which crate holds what and I know which are trapped. If you want us to, Eroldur and I could steal what we need in the last hours of the night and run."

Dusk shook his head. "The last thing I need is a bad reputation, even if it is among those who are corrupt. We must either push the offer, or we must turn it down. I have not decided yet, and we should all get some sleep to make better judgement. Goodnight, and meet here first thing in the morning."

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"Look, a distraction!" -Fletcher Dostie

Myus smiled to himself as he watched them turn away and discuss it. If they agreed to pay, that was splendid. If they didn't, then it was no problem of his.

Dusk turned back to face Myus. "We'll tell you our decision in the morning, Myus. Until then, if you would be so kind as to provide some lodging for us...?" He trailed off expectantly.

"Very well." Myus looked slightly amused. He gestured to a servant boy standing off to one side. "Koios will show you to your rooms. Goodnight, travellers, and I do hope you sleep well." Dusk couldn't help but thinking to himself that the last statement did not seem quite truthful.

They bid Myus goodnight and departed, following the boy named Koios outside. He led the party of adventurers back through the courtyard and to a small door in the wall off to one side. Upon unlocking the door, Koios stepped back and they looked in to see a dark corridor with more doors on each side.

Koios took a flint from his pocket and lit the torches on the walls. The flame illuminated a carpeted floor and a few tapestries hanging on the walls. It would have been a fine section, had it been upkept and cleaned. The walls were smudged, the carpet seemed to not have been washed in a long time and the torch brackets were full of ash.

Koios turned to face them. "There should be enough rooms in here for all of you. I'm sorry about the quality," he said apologetically. The young boy looked around at them. "If it was up to me I'd give you better quarters, but Myus doesn't think too highly of you. No offense meant."

"None taken. We don't think too highly of him either." Rogan quipped.

"And nor do I," the servant boy said, shrugging. He lowered his voice. "But I shan't go into that. Even now I ought not to be talking to you. Myus doesn't like me talking to his guests. Calls me a silly little fool, that he does. All the more reason to disobey him behind his back." Koios grinned wryly.

Nevsiriel frowned, but refrained from commenting and changed the subject instead. "Are the doors unlocked?"

Koios made no reply, only nodded. He'd caught the disapproving looks of the travellers when he mentioned disobeying Myus. Waving once, he exited and shut the door behind him.

Lifting a torch from the nearest bracket, Dusk led the way down the hall. Each person chose a room until Katerei and Dusk were the only ones left.

Katerei turned to Dusk, but he noticed that she kept back quite away, as if she was nervous. "About buying supplies from Myus," she said. "His price was quite extravagant, I'll admit to that, but there are ways to get around it. The only things we'd really need are packs and a shovel, I think; perhaps some small quantities of food. Rope can be made from certain types of seaweed- I've done it before. And there's plenty of food to be found from the land. We'd only need enough to last us if we got stuck somewhere."

"And as for water?" Dusk queried.

The blue-skinned girl's eyes flashed and she drew herself up to her full six and a half feet. "Worry not about water when I'm around. My skills in some area may be limited, but undoubtedly I can provide you with water, no matter where we go. Ask not how, for I do not care to explain. And while we've only just met and expectedly you've no reason to trust me, my word ought to be enough for now."

Dusk blinked in surprise. There was definitely something she was hiding, but he didn't inquire further. "All right," he said. "Rogan trusts you, so I will too. Then water is of no concern. I suppose we could make our own rope- is it strong?"

"Yes, assuming you use the right type of seaweed. I'll show you when we leave Kosha, if you like. It's enough to hold a person up."

"Well, it's worth considering. As it stands we wouldn't be able to afford it. We'll see what the others think of your idea tomorrow morning." Dusk ran his hand through his hair and stifled a yawn. "Until then, get some sleep. I'm going to, at any rate. 'Night."

"Goodnight," Katerei murmured. She watched Dusk choose a room and enter, closing the door behind him. Rubbing her arms to fight off the cold of the now-dark hallway, Katerei also chose a room and quickly fell asleep.

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Insignificantly Unforgettable

Dusk fell quickly to sleep, his concious mind relenquishing its control. Dusk shifted, his breathing calm. He dreamed, of places a far. The concious shield no longer in place, his memories unprotected, uncontained.

"Hold still soldier." The man did something in Dusks eyes, the tiny blue light unbearably painful. Dusk attempted to squirm away from it's clutch, but couldn't. His hands and legs were held down, large metal clamps positioning him perfectly in place. "This is gonna hurt. The less you move the quicker it'll be over." The man yanked the tool from his assistants fingers and pushed it into Dusks pupils. The tiny needle went all the way in, scraping the retinal. Dusk screamed. Never before had he felt such immense pain, getting shot in comparison with this was a million times better. The man fiddled around a bit, then removed the tool. Dusk collapsed gasping. He choked on vomit, spewing all over the steel grates. The mans assistant helped Dusk up, and put the mask on, whispering sympathetically. "It always hurts most the first time."

Koios crept past the first few rooms, peeking in the keyholes. Moments later he stood in Dusks room. This man seemed to be the leader, he thought. Dusk shifted and rolled, he moaned and sighed. Koios looked worridly at the unshaven man.

Dusk jumped awake suddenly and took a quick glance and noticed the huddled figure in the corner, it's breath raged and halted. Dusk wasted no time picking the form up. He scrutinized the little person. It was a kid, Koios.
Dusk put him down and sat on his bed "I'm sorry, I just got a bit of a fright."
"Not nearly as big a fright as me," Koios wiped tears from his eyes and took a long gulp of air, controlling his breathing. "I heard Myus speaking, he told me that you were going to pay. For all the supplies I mean. I brought you this." From under his simple tee shirt the slave boy produced a large coil of heavy looking rope.
Dusk smiled, and said "You are very thoughtful, but one in our midst can make rope. We have no need of this."
Koios looked crestfallen, in as cheery a voice as the shaken Dusk could manage he said "Leave it here, under my bed. We might take it after all. Now, you'd best be going. I doubt Myus would be too happy if he caught you stealing from his precious supplies."
Koios giggled and ran lightly out the doorway, he glanced back at Dusk. His eyes shined misheviously in the darkness. "G'night sirs!" He yelled. The little kid skipped off now, ignoring the shouts from the other end of the house.

[edit] deleted large and stupid bit of my post [/edit]
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Yesterday we bent our necks to emperors and kings. Today, we kneel only to truth. -Kahil Gibran

[This message has been edited by dusk (edited 04-09-2003).]

While the rest of the party were turning fitfully in their sleep, plotting devious breaking and entering type crimes and turning their heads through 360 degrees (owls can't move their eyes in their sockets...), Razmalak was busy making a call.
On arriving at Kosha some time after nightfall he made straight for the graveyard. This wasn't for any particularly sinister reason- graveyards just happen to be the best place to make a call.
One of the chief advantages it that any locals seeing lights in the graveyard are a good deal lees likely to investigate...
After a short while searching he came to a decent looking clear patch toward the back of the graveyard between Hank Plank and Mavis Stubblebeck. He fumbled into his robe to produce a small stub of chalk and 5 candles. On the cracked slab that prevented Hank Plank from clawing his way back to the land of the living (should he ever take the fancy) Razmalak drew an inverted pentagram- placing at each of the points of the star a dark green candle. Figgiting with his lighter (a device much akin to the cigerette lighters of Earth, but powered by magic) he managed to get the candles lit and extingish the small fire that caught on his sleeve. Mumbling a few archaic sounding words (made up on the spot and spoken only for effect) he reached once again into his robe and pulled out a small pouch. From it he pulled a pinch of dust and cast it into the pentagram with a cry of "Directus Enquirus!". It exploded in a small flash leaving a glowing red orb hovering a couple feet above the pentagram.
Within the Orb Razmalak could make out the head of a red skinned female, her petite horns acting as a counterpoint to the small curved fangs that jutted out over her perfectly formed lips.
"Yes?" She enquired,
"I'd like to make a reversed charges call to Re'keth the Defiler please," Razmalak replied.
"Just a moment, I'm patching you through."
The orb darkened for a second as the call was sent through, then brightened again as Re'keth (or Keith to his mother) answered.
"Razmalak! Long time no see. What's up mate?"
Re'keth was a couple of years older than Razmalak and quite brilliant at what he liked doing. He was the bane of his tutors at the dark achademy- most of the staff belived he could dominate the world within a month if only he'd put his mind to it and concentrate a bit better in lessons.
As it was he was taking a post graduate course in Advanced Necromancy and Communing with the Damned.
"They still calling you 'The Defiler' then?"
"Yeah. Just can't seem to shake that one off. I was drunk! You'd think they'd get over it!"
"Something like that mate. Anyway, I need some info off you. You still surfing the Apocranet?"
"I try to, just don't get much spare time these days,"
"They still overworking you then?"
"Yeah. So, what're you after?
"Do you know anything about something called a 'bomb'? Only there's this one that's gonna blow up the planet or something..."
"Funny thing, I seem to come across all sorts of stuff on the 'net about bombs. Apparently they go off with quite a bang. I tried to make a couple, but I couldn't get the stuff for it. Ever heard of 'Plutonium'?"
"Nope. Listen, you got any idea how to stop them going off? Only I quite enjoy living an all..."
"That all depends or your trigger mechanism. There's quite a lot I don't understand about them, like all that stuff about tame lightnig or something, but I recon the one you've got is a timer mechanism. I reckon a good statis spell should stop it sending you into the next continent.
Shame you're not to hot on that sort of stuff eh?'
"Yeah yeah. look, I gotta go. There're some people coming waving flaming torches. See you around!"
With that he scooped up the candles, scuffed the pentogram with his foot and scrambled up a nearby yew tree and over the graveyard wall.

___

Az

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"No-one tosses a Dwarf!"- Gimlit, son of Groin
[url="http://"http://onlineprozac.topcities.com"]Feeling down? Don't ask, just click.[/url]

The next morning, the party was moving well along from Kosha. Headed through the mountains, Dusk, with Rogan's help assured the company that they were not going to walk straight into the ruffian encampment. For Ramalazak, following slowly, this was a relief, but for most of the main party, this was a downside. Eroldur's head sharply jerked up. There was a strange man-thing standing above them. With the greatest of ease, he floated down to them and pointed a primitive spear of wood and bone towards them. In his right hand, he held a whip of dirty white threads.

"You will not pass through my lands, city-peasants! Earth-crushers! Life-Fiends!" Many of the group drew weapons.

Eroldur stood calm, and whispered back, "Tell Dusk that he used to live here. I will deal with him. This is common." Eroldur turned to the strange creature. "We are Earth-Friends, Shaman of Kara. We go to stop a spell that will desecrate this earth." The Shaman came close, and struck his stick horizontally on the rock above him. The elves in the group, Dusk, and Katerei (those with sharp senses) saw about fifty archers draw back.

-----

Late that night, Dusk and Eroldur sat around the fire, the rest asleep. "Who is he? Who was he?" Dusk asked Eroldur.

"He is the Shaman of Kara. He has no name." Dusk nodded. "He was a man once, they say. He was stationed at the fort of Toagi. That fort is now the ruffian encampment."

"I never knew it was a fort."

"Most people don't. It was taken by ruffians. They say that the Shaman was great. They say he was a Warrior-Mage. Whatever happened, he lost everything he had, even himself, that night when Toagi was lost. Some want to kill him. They want to put him out of his misery. His misery is why they say the Shaman is alive. That fort was captured nearly a thousand years ago. Look at him, Dusk. The Shaman is no elf."

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"Look, a distraction!" -Fletcher Dostie

The Shaman of Kara had been awake when Dusk and Eroldur had talked. He was still awake. He stood up and walked to the fire. Before him, only a yard or so away, was Nevsiriel, on watch. His eye caught her ear. An elf! The Shaman staggered back as though he had been hit with a club. He fainted and fell into the fire, unharmed.

It was dark. He was running to a large rectangular building filled with cots. The fort of Toagi. With a few moments to spare, he was dressed. His spear on his back, his sword at his side, he was ready. He was a commanding officer, and allowed to the wall. When he saw the five hundred ruffians mounting against their force of thirty men, he knew they were going to die that night. It was already dimming, the ruffians would arrive in a matter of hours. Carrion crows began to circle the fort. The men did not even bother to shoot. They knew their arrows had better targets coming. The crows began to drop like stones. They landed gracefully on their feet. Feet? Elves. In black unform, carrying golden bows of terrible death. An eagle dropped in the same way as the crows. We are the elves of Kara. We have come to drive back these savage beasts.They died! They all died, save for a few. That was the first coming of elves to this land...

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"Look, a distraction!" -Fletcher Dostie

The hawk soared through the sky, high above the ground. It was a pleasure to feel the wind rush through her feathers as she circled lower, scanning the ground for prey. The low clouds promised rain, warning her to take shelter soon, but more urgent was the gnawing hunger. Mice, rabbits, small birds, even ratlizards, normally detested. Anything would be welcome now.
Abruptly the hawk changed course, folding her wings and almost dropping out of the sky at breakneck speed.
***
A shrill, triumphant cry sounded through the night, startling Katerei from her sleep. A falcon? A hawk? Looking for prey at this hour? She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. How very odd. She looked up at the sky. Suddenly she heard the rushing whisper of wind through feather, and spotted the winged form moments later, falling so fast it was little more than a white blur. She held her breath - the hawk was too fast, it would smash into the- its wings flashed open at the last moment. It levelled out a bare inch above the ground, hitting the targetted animal in a cloud of flying fur. Skimming over the grass at fingertip height, it circled back to its stunned prey. Talons extended, it settled down on the ground and finished the creature with a swift blow from its beak.
Katerei blinked, and remembered to breathe. The whole scene had almost happened too swiftly for her, but now that the hawk had settled down, Katerei noted its eerie familiarity. The plumage was silvery-white, unlike that of any other bird on Cythera, and its eyes were amber, almost golden. Most certainly, she knew this supposed bird.
"Moonshadow!" She exclaimed, more than a little surprised.
But what amazed her even more was the hawk's reaction. It shot her a warning look, extending its wings slightly.
"Moonshadow?" Katerei queried softly. There was only one bird like that on Cythera, wasn't there? She got up, approaching the bird carefully. It did not back up, but neither did it change its hostile attitude.
Puzzled, Katerei settled for watching it feed, noticing the small silver ring around it's left leg. Moonshadow, no doubt. But what was she doing here? And more importantly, why was she acting so strangely?
***
Suspiciously, the hawk watched the two-legged creature across the clearing. It had not made another attempt at her prey, but yet there was something disturbing about her. Something that was... she tilted her head sideways, trying to hang on to the thought. It was important, surely, to remember. But remember what? Was it worth trying to remember? She rustled her plumage in annoyance, but now that she was aware of the thought, it would not leave her alone.
Determinedly, she took wing again, seeking shelter from the coming storm in a nearby tree. Not as safe as she would have liked, but the strange creature - creatures, she corrected herself, since there were more than one, though they all seemed to be sleeping - needed watching.

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Ich weiß wohl, ich bin nur ein Träumer, der vielleicht eines Morgens erwacht. Doch ich spotte dem Tag und ich folge dem Stern und ich lass mich entführen in die Nacht...
- Silk & Lute

Lyra and Pippin were mapping out there teretory on a large stone map, just then Anya walked into the room, "Pippin we have all patrols at there posts, and there is a large number of heros heading towards our land" "good work Anya, when the heros walk into to our terrertory, in the night send two groups out to take there weapons and then take them to me" "ok then i shall do that". Anya left the room, "Pippin" said Lyra "yes?" "I have a present for you, a milk white very fluffy cat walked into the room, "fluffs" said Pippin i throught i'd never see you again, "Pippin began to weep happerly "thank you Lyra" "and Pippin we just got another army come through the gate now we got boy elves, the cytherens will not stand a chance" "good soon this land will have oreder.........

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Yummy! My moldy, crunchy, mouth-watering... *drools* frruuuiitt cakkeee...

[ooc] Well, I've been away sailing most of the holidays, and have returned only briefly. I will post while I can. [bic]

Silently a man snuck up in the dark. He moved stealthly. He was quiet, each foot step was carefully planned, the ground was checked cautiously for twigs or dry grass.
The man stole up toward the camp of adventurers. The ashes of the fire were cold, and everyone seemed fast asleep. The man unclipped his oiled sheath and drew out his blade. The word Nightmare was engraved on the hilt, and the blade was blackened with soot.
The man grinned, he never failed, and he only had to kill one now. There was plenty of time for the rest later.
He crouched, and came even closer, spotting the sleeping form of Eroldur he swiped with his blackened blade.
It chinked and bounced off the suit of armour next to Eroldur, who jumped awake and leapt into action.
He had missed! The man despaired, but then realised he could still get away. With a short sharp run into the bushes he was off, running now, head down and panting like crazy.
----------
The whole camp was awake now, murming and shouting. "Where'd they go?"
"Did anyone see his face?"
"Who do you think they work for?"
Eventually the clamar died down and a sensible discussion ensued.
Katerei said "I would have noticed him if he was any ordinary ruffian, but an assasin type like that can only mean one thing-"
"Big, important, powerful groups." Finished Rogan, poking the fire back into life.
"So what'll we do about it?" Dusk asked, slightly worried. He didn't want to put everyone in danger, if it was him they were after...
"We can't do much at all, I'm afraid. Just be more alert when on watch, and keep your weapons close."
The adventurers nodded, and bid their goodnights again. Now two stood on watch. Nevsiriel on one side of the camp, and Dusk on the other.
Although everything was peaceful and quiet, none could sleep. The thought of skirmishes and battles ran through every mind. It wouldn't be long now before they passed by the Ruffian Encampment. It was still a half days march away, but even there it radiated a sense of danger.


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Yesterday we bent our necks to emperors and kings. Today, we kneel only to truth. -Kahil Gibran

Patrol 90 was awakend by a man running into the bushes,faith reach for her bow,in a moment all the patrol were jumping down from the trees and souronding the man, he was very startled, he was holding a black sword with the words nightmare ingraved on it, faith spoke up and said "you have anterd the land of the elves drop your weapon and back away from it"he did as he was told, faith grabed the sword and gave it to a patrol member "give it to Anya, then (she pointed to three other elves) you take him to the dungens", the elves left takeing the man with them.

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Yummy! My moldy, crunchy, mouth-watering... *drools* frruuuiitt cakkeee...

Katerei sat up and looked around. Although nobody was asleep, they all seemed to be lost in thought. Fortunately, she had slept on the outer part of their camp, and neither Dusk nor Nevsiriel were standing near her.

Kicking off her blanket, she crouched down and hiked up her skirts, then silently crawled to the very edge of their camp. Good, no-one had noticed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the full moon hanging in the ebony midnight sky. She smiled as she saw it first through her normal eyes, then it shifted out of focus and back in as her eyes changed to the black wolf eyes.

She padded silently into the trees, ice-blue tail swishing. A full moon...perfect for wolves. She idly wondered where Silvre was then, reflecting absently on her old Amaroq friend.

Katerei lowered her nose to the ground and sniffed it carefully. Dirt, rotting leaves, droppings of small animals. Rabbit and mice tracks. No sign of the assassin- or Moonshadow.

She was looking for either one, for any clue as to what was going on. The assassin had gone for Eroldur, but was he really the target? Or was killing him possibly a decoy to getting someone else? And why was Moonshadow there? Her mind wandered restlessly as she searched the edge of the clearing.

Oddly, there were no prints to be found. In the back of her mind, Katerei noted that it was unlikely for any but an elf to walk so softly. She dismissed that thought, though. The earth was rather hard, and a skilled assassin could pull it off with some small difficulty.

Suddenly another thought struck her. Had Moonshadow played any part in that incident? She had acted very suspiciously earlier that day. Katerei frowned. That was doubtful. She'd grown to like and trust the elf and could hardly imagine her having a part in an assassination.

The whole ordeal was terribly confusing. Nothing was making sense. Desperately, Katerei let her thoughts fade and the wolf instincts take over.

Ears and nose twitching, she scoured every inch of the ground, keeping a wary eye on the other adventurers. Then she found it- the scent of a man heading off into the forest. She sprang into a run, following the smell like a cat hunting a mouse. This had to be it- there hadn't been anyone else near them all day.

All thoughts of finding Moonshadow were forgotten. Under the influence of the wolf, her only focus was on finding- and catching- her prey.

The chase was not in vain. She soon came to a small clearing in the trees where two men were standing. They were speaking in low voices. The ice-blue wolf lay close to the ground, ears swivelling for any other sounds. Nothing.

It never occurred to her how dangerous going in could be. She had found her prey, and that was all that mattered. Gathering all her strength in her haunches, she pulled back her lips in a dog-smile and leaped.

The force of a full-grown wolf barreling into him was enough to knock the man over. Caught by surprise, he was defenseless against the claws ripping his skin and the teeth gouging him. Yet Katerei had not taken into account the second man.

He drew a knife from his belt pouch and lunged forwards, slashing at the wolf. The first swipe missed, hitting only blue fur, but the second left a long gash on her front back haunch. Katerei growled at him, teeth shining in the moonlight. Any trace of normal thought was gone, wiped away by the ferocious instincts of a wild animal.

Snarling, she left her prey and went for the other man, clawing at him furiously. The man knocked her down to the ground and gave her a striking blow with the knife, spattering dark blood everywhere. It had got her across the neck. She collapsed onto her side, howling- one long, high note. The second man sheathed his knife, picked up the bleeding man and carried him off.

The blue wolf lay in the clearing, panting heavily. A pool of blood steadily stained the grass below her, gushing from her neck and hindquarter. In a tree nearby, a hawk watched stolidly, its silvery-white feathering glinting in the light of the full moon.

*

A chill ran down Nevsiriel's spine as she heard a long, piercing cry. She turned to see everyone in the camp sitting upright and looking around. "What was that? Did you see anything?" Dusk called to her from the other side of the campsite.

"Nothing near here," Nevsiriel replied grimly. "I don't know, but it came from that direction." She gestured to the north.

"Hold up," Blackfern said, puzzled. "Where's Katerei?"

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Insignificantly Unforgettable

So intently were they staring northward, that they almost missed the sound of footsteps coming from the West. The elves among them noticed it first, turning to face the new threat; the others took their cue from them and readied their weapons.

A dim shape emerged from the darkness, followed by one that looked rather peculiar. "It's all right," Martel said, "It's Trinias and Lucas. By the stars, what's happened to Flynn?" He rushed forward, catching Flynn's weight as the exhausted Lucas allowed the inert form to slip from his shoulders.

"We were ambushed," Trinias replied, from the spot to which he'd collapsed, utterly spent. "It was so strange. They came out of nowhere, and went straight for Flynn. He was almost dead before we could drive them off, but he's come back from worse. His wounds have healed up all right, but he really should have regained consciousness by now." He halted, panting for breath.

"That's not the half of it," Lucas continued where Trinias had stopped. "Moonshadow changed to bird form to help drive off the attackers, but when Flynn was struck down, she went berserk. She flew off after them, but we haven't seen her since."

"She'll be back, surely," Martel commented. "She can take care of herself well enough."

"Yeah, I'd believe that all right," replied Lucas, "if it wasn't for those blasted rings. I wish the boy had never meddled with magic!"

"Rings?" Dusk queried, bewildered.

"Two magically linked rings, one worn by each. Thing is, it creates a telepathic bond between them when she's in bird form. I'm worried that whatever's knocked Flynn down so hard might be feeding through the link to her."

Heads nodded in understanding, except for Dusk, who still looked a little bewildered. "I'm sorry," he said, shaking his head slightly. "I'm just getting used to the idea of magic and elves, and now you're telling me that telepathy's real too! It's a lot to take in."

"Hey, Trinias," Martel interrupted. "You're a pretty good tracker, can you see where Katerei went?"

"Maybe - if it were daylight," Trinias replied. "Lucas is a better choice, at night."

Seeing that Flynn was being well attended to, Lucas took a quick look around. Those possessing a wider visual range than humans could almost swear that they saw a light emanating from the ex-marine's metal eye, sweeping the ground in rapid, repeated sweeps.

Lucas pointed. "That way. She started out after two men, then the tracks stop and those of a wolf begin." He glanced at Dusk. "If this was anywhere else, I'd swear it was impossible, but I've seen the impossible almost daily, here. Someone stay with Flynn, I'm going after the girl." Without waiting to see their reactions, he set off towards the North, with Trinias hard on his heels.

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I came, I saw, I wrote the travelguide!

The Shaman of Kara sidled up to the body of Flynn, lying there on the ground. Martel began to draw his sword, but Eroldur held him back. The Shaman knelt down and took a long whiff of Flynn's breath. He pondered for a moment and then snorted and barked a quick laugh. He rummaged in a bag and pulled out a stone, a small pouch and a long knife. In the pouch was some mud. He spat on it and mixed it up with the knife. He held up the stone like a prism between the mud and the moon. The mud tingled. He then took out the knife and made a long cut on his forearm. There were many scars of cuts like it. He then rubbed the blood on the stone and placed the mud on Flynn's forehead. He then did the same thing with the stone, holding it between the moon and the mud. This time, a bolt of soft red light shot from the stone to the mud. The mud began to steam, and then it was all over. Flynn's eyes shot open. He had the eyes of an elf. The Shaman of Kura fell down, down, down.

---It was dark. He was running down off the wall to greet the elves. The fort of Toagi. Twenty minutes before the attack. He greeted the elves one by one, amazed at their power. He was a commanding officer. This was his duty. When he saw the five hundred ruffians mounting against their force of one hundred thirty men and elves once more, he knew they were still going to die that night. It was dusk, the ruffians would arrive in a matter of minutes. The elves stood on the wall, in battle lines. They too were trained soldiers, but why, why help us? He was next to the leader, and he turned to him. Those eyes, those beautiful deceptive eyes! They died! They all died, save for a few. That was the first coming of elves to this land...

OOC: Save the TS! Save the TS!
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Do not hurt when holding is enough, do not wound when hurting is enough, do not maim when wounding is enough, do not kill when maiming is enough. The greatest warrior is he who does not need to kill.

[This message has been edited by Mr. Somebody (edited 02-02-2003).]

[ooc] I had given up on this story *embarrassed* but I'd be happy to breath some life back in! [bic]

Dusk took the rapidly moving feet of Trianias and Lucas as a bad omen. The journey had really only just began in earnest, and already they were under attack. But by who? And why? What did they want? Questions without answers paced faster and faster through Dusks mind.
Dusk glanced down at the injured man, a token glance. Dusk didn't know this man and for all he knew he might as well be an enemy. The others seemed to recognise the unconcious form though; that was when it struck him.
The man's eyes were opened, a yellowish green tint ran from his irises to the large, black holes, already adjusted for the night.
Duks yelped and drew the hilt of his sword, pointing it threatenly towards the now very concious man. Flynn saw the hilt and, not wanting to take the chance that it was just a hilt, lay perfectly still and silent.
Martel was facing Dusk now, shoving the hilt out of Flynns face "What the hell are you doing to Flynn?"
Dusk pointed towards Flynn. Nevsireil glanced angrily from Dusk to Flynn, then from Dusk to- Flynns eyes were opened! His breathing deeper and more regular.
"Flynn, can you hear me?"
The group now huddled around, all weapons well and truly put away, sheathed as they should be. Flynn mumbled incoherently, a rasping scraping of wood on gravel. He cleared his throat, but all that emmited for his parched lips was a wheezing cough followed by several short, choking breaths.
"Some one fetch some water!" Cried Rogan.

[ooc] ok, just a starting post. Since I havn't posted in a while my writing is no doubt going to be pretty shoddy, but I hope it'll get better . [bic]


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Yesterday we bent our necks to emperors and kings. Today, we kneel only to truth. -Kahil Gibran

[This message has been edited by dusk (edited 02-09-2003).]

The sound of warning broke through the land of elves, area 31 had been breached becase the team that had been patroling there had just beeen busy dealing with some other prisinors.Pippin was awoke by the elves waning tune, so she quicklygot dressed and went o find Lyra, she found her in the mapping room busily puting littel figers on it,she looked up as Pippin enterd,"hi Pippin did the warning wake you up?" "sure did,it"s really loud so wahts happening?" " well we have a mob of ruffians chasing a smaller group,the smaller group consists of the man they call Dusk, an elf two males and they have brought with them one of the jank elves" "oh well witch way are they heading?" "there heading this way" " well kill the ruffians and leav the others to me"
" yes Pippin>"


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Yummy! My moldy, crunchy, mouth-watering... *drools* frruuuiitt cakkeee...

[This message has been edited by Pippin 3 (edited 02-12-2003).]

Quote

More likely, this would be "What the hell are you doing to Flynn?" Martel and Flynn have not met before, but Martel has met Trinias and Lucas before, trusts them immensely, and just met Dusk. Now, Martel is trusting, and trusts Dusk immensely as well, but when it comes down to Dusk's word or Trinias', Martel would take Trinias. Please correct this. Sorry for the trouble.

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Do not hurt when holding is enough, do not wound when hurting is enough, do not maim when wounding is enough, do not kill when maiming is enough. The greatest warrior is he who does not need to kill.

Quote

Ahh, my apologies. I havn't been writing much lately, and should've picked this up.
Changed now, I think...
Sorry.


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Yesterday we bent our necks to emperors and kings. Today, we kneel only to truth. -Kahil Gibran

Physco chicken turnerd his head from side to side examning the world as he was carried in his carry sack.
Shillawn was a tall bloke brown hair and blue eyes, he was about 21 yeas of age,he owned a pet chicken called physco chicken, phyco chicken was a white and speckeld chicken with a keen sens of danger, when danger or people were nearby phsco chicken would start clucking, first soft and as you nered the danger he would start to get loud.Shillawn's job was an travellar he made money by prefoming with physco chicken.Shillawn was busy walking near a montine range and he could here running water nearby, he began to walk to the spring when phsco chicken began clucking,when shillawn had reached the spring phsco chicken gave his last warning cluck, there was a rustle in the bushes and a young girl appered she was all srached and her clothes were torn and ripped she wore a necklace with a green opal in it just like Shillawns,she looked Shillawn up and down then colappesd in a heap on the ground, Shillawn went over to the girl and picking her up and started heading back to his house.

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(shil-lawn) gurgle

[This message has been edited by Shillawn gurgle (edited 02-13-2003).]

hey save the ts this is a good ts

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Yummy! My moldy, crunchy, mouth-watering... *drools* frruuuiitt cakkeee...