Dragons and Magic II: The Hunt for DreamWeaver

[Mantra]

Idrial and Co.

The swamp trek was a miserable experience. Each of them were soaked to the bone, filthy and tired with the rough march. Of the lot of them, Gar seemed the worse off, even without his heavy armor, which he had been loathe to take off, the muck weighed down and matted his fur, making him look like a floundering sheepdog.
Their journey was blissfully uneventful for the most part as a fight in such conditions would be difficult at best. The swamp itself seemed forlorn and errie. While some of this was natural, it was a swamp after all, it was strangely silent and still. Only Cormac's constant and faithful raven and wolf companions were the only animals present. However, other creatures still remained, insects were ever plentiful and oddly enough, they soon learned that snakes still lived in the swamp as well. The only good luck seemed to be that the snakes were not particuarilly agressive and if given a wide birth, had no interest in the passing group.

Night was even worse. As the sun faded and the moon came out, the swamp was cast into a wild, strange and bizarre mass of shadows and shapes. The mosquitoes were even more agressive and the wet made a fire nigh impossible.

Yet O'Bonn, with his ever keen eyes, spotted a faint, distant yellow light just ahead....

 

[rengadeirishman]

the trek so far had been anything but exciting, and Cormac had grown weary when finally he found a camping spot that would accomadate them, although a bit tightly.
"We should camp here, its relatively dry and big enough for all of us, though it will be a bit snug." He said, with an almost invisible smirk toward Idrial and O'Bonn. He did not know how such things were among Elves, but were they his people the signs they displayed would be clear as day as toward their affection.

 

[wolfknight20]

Nightwing decided to try his luck as a hierd sword for it was a thing he had least some pratice with. so he haded to the towun as quickly as posible once there he asked the way to the guildhouse there he was told to awit his turn be for the guild councle to be judged as to where he could be used

WANTED:

Hunters, mercenaries and sell-swords.

Bounties offered for the removal of beast monsters, plaguing settlements. Inquiries may be made at the Trade of Blades guildhouse in Trennau.

-Signed: The Lord Mayor of Trennau

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial was glad that Cormac had indeed been able to find a place for them to rest for a bit, the surroundings and wood was indeed to wet for a fire so they would all need to keep close to stay warm. Tho she noticed Comac's expression when O'Bonn took her hand she could not force herself to let him go, they may not have much of a chance at a life together at presnt but for now they could share at least this, and if they survived and succeeded in laying Dream weaver to rest once more, and Rhys was safe... but who knew what the future might bring. Looking to Cormic she said.. My Thanks you have lead us through the swamps well..

Looking up at O'Bonn she smiled and said..You can see farther with your sight than i am able with mine, would you scan the area and let us know if you see anything, I am going to check on the others.. She let his hand go slowly and turned to see how Gar, and Valathe faired. Tho Gar's wet fur smelled and he looked much like a wet dog she also noticed something differnet about him. almost as tho he were ready to pounce.. Gar do you smell or hear something were not aware of?

Idrial asked her hand on her sword hilt as she looked around, only to hear Gar Growl and Lunge twards her as Valathe drew her own blade and Yelled for them all to watch out!! knocking Idrial back giving her time to clear her blade from its sheath and stand ready. Striking Gar across the forarm causing him to fall back a moment before reading to attack again.

Tho Gar had no armor or wepons he was still dangerious and a chill went up her spine a he watched them all she could see in his eyes that it was no longer Gar in controll but a very large and hungry wearwolf.

Thinking quickly Idrial Cut the rope from around her waist so that she could manover with out draggig the others with her and knowing there wasnt much room to move made this all the more difficult.

 

[Wolfsister]

"You... I know you... I know you! I know what you want! I know what you want! I'll kill ya! I'LL KILL YA!!"

Tiana screamed. She waved the fire poker towards him, but her little arms failed her and the poker soon dropped from fearful, nerveless fingers. Her dark eyes were wide with fear, her breathing forced between clenched teeth. Her heart beat wildly in her own ears, the blood rushing in her veins both invigorating and making her faint at the same time. She screamed again, tugging at Tyler's sleeve, urging him to back up and out the door to their backs.

For some reason, he would not budge and it was left to her to think of a way out of this mess. She knew that with the goods that were currently in their pockets, their little hands would not survive the chopping block this time. Hungry children in this city could only go so far before the town guar decided to stop looking the other way. Inwardly, she knew that that line had been breached the moment they had made this man their mark.

Tiana opened her mouth to scream once more, the distant sound of footprints coming up the stairs in a hurry echoing hopelessly in her ears. She had no way of knowing if salvation lay with her and Tyler or for Alfonzo. She didn't know if she could trust those that pounded up the stairs.

She remembered the kindly innkeeper that occasionally gave them kitchen scraps when he could spare them. She remembered his plump, chef wife and how she had once chased off a hungry hoard in order to allow Tiana repreive enough to eat. She remembered the kindly old man that had 'accidently' left a sweetroll on the gutter as she was shadowing him. He was a regular here.

She closed her eyes and hoped that they were the ones that had come.

Opening her eyes, her dark orbs suddenly clear with purpose and without fear, picked up the fire poker, reversed it towards herself and split her legs open. Acting fast, she slammed the bulbous, metal handle between her legs, hard enough to make her cry out slightly and bleed. She hurled the poker away, grabbed at her filthly clothing and ripping it, doing the same to Tyler's clothing.

She wrapped her arms around the older boy just as the door came crashing open. She had no need to fake tears, as they were already flowing freely down her cheeks. Allowing her legs to splay slightly, she cried out, "Please Master, we won't try to escape again, we promise!!"

Whispereing fiercely into Tyler's ear, she hissed, "You're mute!"

She continued to cry out loudly as an inner voice, as many inner voices, cried out with her. This time with joy and sadistic pleasure. "What a clever, clever little girl you are!"

 

[wolfknight20]

The giuld master returned after meeting with Nightwing and finding out about some of his more asiptible qualifications decide it might be wise to send him either to the towun gards or to a swamp near the towun that had been having problems with things attacking the out lying villedges or may be even out as a bounty hunter he had yet to decide

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac heard the yell behind him and immediately his sword was out. He turned to see Gar lunging at Idrial and immediately slashed throught the rope tying him to the others.

"Fell beast!" he roared joining Idrial, he yanked a long knife from his belt and grasped it in his left hand, lowering himself into a fighting stance.

"Shall i kill him then?"

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial didnt take her eyes from Gar as she awncerd Cormac's question knowing that he was at her side. I fear we will not have a choice but to do so.. should we subdue him we take the chance of losing lives and perhaps becoming infected with the curse ourselves.. Signaling for them to spred out as much as they were able she motioned for them to try and surround Gar giving him no chance to attack them all at once, this way when he lunged at one others could attack.

She watched as Gar lunged for Valathe and moved forward to strike with her own blade as Valathe use her sword to block and dodge Gars attack knowing that the others would move to strike when the chance presented its self. Gar quickly revirsed corse and changed from attacking Valathe back twards Idrial and Cormac as there blades bit into his flesh, roaring his rage at them all continuing to attack whom ever was closest with in his sight nothing but instinct guidng him..

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn turned from where he had questioned the distant appearance of yellow light filtering through the mist to see a battle before him.

The High Warrior stood his position and nocked an arrow into his bow string. He drew the bow, sighting along the arrow, carefully looking for an opening between Cormac and Idrial. He saw one, and he released. The arrow cut the thick air, passing between the two warriors to sink deeply into Gar's flesh with a loud thud.

As the werewolf howled in pain and fury, O'Bonn drew his bow again.

 

[rengadeirishman]

As Gar reared back in pain and fury cormac saw his opening, and drove his knife into the wolf's chest, he quickly swept his sword in a wide arc in an attempt to remove its head.

 

[AmenRa]

Down the sight of his arrow, O'Bonn watched the mighty Cormac plunge his short blade into the creature's chest. Cormac began to swing his sword, and O'Bonn watched the werewolf began to thrash and claw.

O'Bonn loosed another arrow, its flight straight and true. It caught one of the beast's flailing limbs and pinned it to a tree trunk.

And now Cormac's sword could strike true...

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial and Valathe moved as one to join Cormac as one of Gar's arms were pinned to the tree, Valathe placing herself between Cormac and Gar's free arm blocking his claws from biteing into Cromac's flesh as Idrial brought her blade down removing the arm itself.

Idiral backed away as she removed her blade, her breathing hard she waited to see if he would continue the fight and after a few moments new he would not. Gar had passed from this world to the next. Tis finnished he is no more.... Is everyone alright?? She asked her eyes seeking O'Bonn's she reasured him with her eyes that she was alright, and looked to the others.

Idrial hated that it had been necessary to take his life but there had not been any other choice, she said a silent prayer for Gar's soul to the gods and looking to Valathe bid her thanks for the warning she had given them.

 

[Dracona]

The attack and frenzied fight had happened so fast that Ona had barely had time to register what was really happening. Her mind could not grasp the fact that one of their companions was suddenly the enemy. Without a real weapon, and in such close quarters that using her talents would be dangerous to the others, she was barely more than a distraction for the out of control werewolf.

She stood looking sadly on their fallen comrade. There were no meaningful words she knew to say, no deities she could pray to for his spirit. In the silent aftermath of the fight she wondered, were they the only ones who would know of Gar's passing? Were they the only ones who would mourn him? For that matter who would there be to mourn her if she fell?

"What do we do now?" she whispered softly into the silence.

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn moved to where his companions stood. He looked down upon the body of the beast, once a traveling companion called Gar. His blood now soaked into the depth of the swamp, returning to earth, water, and air.

O'Bonn looked to Cormac and bowed his head deeply, crossing his right fist across his heart in a salute of the army of the Great Northern Land.

"There is light ahead of us," he told them. "Of what it is, I do not know."

And then O'Bonn's elven ears heard an almost quiet whisper from Ona. He moved to her and lifted her chin so her eyes would meet his. "We continue on," he said to her. "The strength within you must now come forth, and you must harden yourself against such as this".

O'Bonn turned to Cormac and Idrial once again. "If you have no objections, I will lead now. Mighty Cormac deserves a rest." Before moving ahead, he took one last look at Gar's body, sinking into the mud. "We've no time for a burial," he said to no one in particular, "and worms must eat as well."

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac knelt by Gar's body. "he seemed a nice lad." he said. He drew his knife and slashed across his palm. Using his blood he painted several runes onto the body. "The gods will recieve him honourably now." He rose and wrapped a rag around his hand. "It would be best if i took point again friend O'bonn, that way you could cover me with your bow from behind. I have no bow, nor any great skill in archery."

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial placed a comforting hand on Ona's sholder and spoke honestly to her. O'Bonn is correct.. we know not what lies ahead of us, but must continue on for to stop now would not only be to fail but it would mean those who have fallen's lives ment nothing.. She knew her words wernt much comfort, and watched as Cormac cut his arm and places some runes upon Gars body before the swamp claimed him, and nodded her approvel, of his act.

After making sure Valathe was alright she moved to join O'Bonn and Cormac's discussion. I am able to use a bow if that is your worrie Cormac, tho i trust your abilitys and thank you for your quick action, we are some distnce from the light O'Bonn speaks of as i cannot myself see it yet, I would let you both lead as O'Bonn can guide and i think it best we keep our wepons at hand as we know not what we shall find.

Idril trusted them both , sheathing her sword she drew her bow and notched an arrow. Seeing that Valathe readied her own sword and the others were prepaired she motioned for Cormac and O'Bonn to lead.

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn nodded his head to the brave Cormac.

"Lead on," he said, "and I will be at your back."

 

[Mantra]

Khan

Khan and the Moon elves talked for long hours. MOstly, they compared notes as it was, about the Mori and the Red Mountain. Oddly enough, the elves were under the impression that he was one of the strange 'dragon men' that lived on the mountain and served the Dragon Queen that ruled there. To that end, Queen Doon seemed most interested on the happenings and details about the dragon habitation which Khan was only partly forthcoming. One reason was his own loyalty to the Mori but also because he himself really didn't know much. There were many rumors and stories about the dweling, and Khan himself had never been there. He also got the feeling that the dragons and the Moon Elves did not cross paths much, if at all, and seemed both curious and disapointed that there was not some grand dragon-related reason for Khan's journey to her kingdom.

Talk later turned towards Khan's hope of finding a cure for his curse and his own quest to learn form the sages among the Moon Elves. This had the imediate effect of causing an uncomfortable and grief filled silence from his hosts.

"Perhaps my father-" Doon began, stopping for a deep breath before continuing. "He might have been able to help you, for he was our greatest sage as well as our sovren, but he .. he has taken the journey, as so many of my people have in these past few weeks."

She motioned to those few who stood vigilence around her. "Alas, for this is all that remains of my people, of my queendom. At least, all that have been restored to me since the fall of our ancestral home."
"Still, we pray to the stars that there are still more of my kin hiding among the wilderness and unspoiled by the dead-walkers. We fight to restore the few that may still be hiding..."

Her features hardened for a moment. "And we fight to avenge the fallen."

 

[Mantra]

Tiana

"Please Master, we won't try to escape again, we promise!!"
Tiana gasped but her final cry was nearly choked off as Alfonzo's meaty hands clamped around her neck.

Still hissing his dire threat like a mantra, Alfonzo practically lifted Tiana off the floor in his rage. Stars danced behind her eyes as her blood pounded in her head, but her ploy and screams did have the effect she had hoped for. Not long afterwards, the door opened again admitting the elderly woman, Mara, into the room. Even in the thin light her face blanched at the sight of one of her partons strangling a young woman in his room.

"Ye Gods! Mr. Beaumon, that's enough! Stop! Stop it! She is far too young for you!"

Mara, either out of concern for Tiana or fear for the reputaion of the establishment, ran forward and seized one of Alfonzo's heavy arms. Tyler also, was trying to yank the much larger man off of Tiana. The scuffle soon became a serious brawl as the trio battled for Tiana's life. Alfonzo was being dragged backwards and finally released one of his hands to deal with his other attackers, even as Tiana began to thrash and kick at the enraged man.
Literally kicking Tyler away, his free hand shoved at Mara all while the battle literally dragged Tiana about in his grip. Something broke underfoot as they managed to shove Alfonzo into one of the corners or the bedroom, but Tiana was likewise pinned into the same corner. With a snarl and shove, Mara went sprawling backwards and his free hand flashed across Tiana's face in a massive open handed slap.

Then Alfonzo dropped her and staggered forward, his beefy face plopping nearly into her bosom. The two stood silent and frozen together for long seconds, then Alfonzo collapsed forward, his face hitting the wall and sliding down towards the floor in a ruined heap as a jet of blood spurted, warm and sticky, across Tiana's blouse. The heavy, swarthy man lay crumpled at Tiana's feet, Tyler's tiny homemead shiv protruding from the back of Alfonzo's neck.

The heavy silence remained among the three survivors for nearly a minute before Tyler's tiny, squeaking voice broke it.

"He...he was gonna ... kill you..."

The whisper seemed to break Mara from her own stupor as well. "Gods oh Gods!" she bleated. "I..He..You... Go! Just GO! Get out of here!"

And Mara turned and fled the room.

 

[Mantra]

Idrial and Co.

Gar had been vanquished and claimed by the swamp in short order. Now the tiny band moved forward cautiously towards the flittering light in the distance. Every now and then, one of the members of the group caught a glimpse of the light as it flickered through the trees. Yet even with Cormac and O'Bonn leading the way, the flicker seemed always just out of reach.

Then it happened.

Both O'Bonn and Cormac stumbled. Actually, dragged down was a better word for it. Cold, lifeless hands grabbed at each of the leading warriors pulling them off balance and attempted to hold them under the murky, dirty water of the swamp.

In the meantime, more lifeless faces, emerged from the muck, rising eerilly and silently to confront the remaining ladies. Dead arms reached forward as the shamblers closed in.

 

[Mantra]

Draken

Draken had made it to the city of Trennau easilly enough and had even found a healer to take care of his damaged hip and broken wrist. It had cost him a bit of gold and he still ached, but overall his injuries were healed. Killing the healer had crossed his mind, but in a city full of humans, he already stood out and felt many eyes looking him over. Adding a reason for the guard to look for him would be an unwelcome nusance.

Besides, he was still wondering what he was meant to do now.

He walked about, looking the city over and mulling over his next choice, when he heard a rasp from one of the structures near him.

"Ji zhal ol tlu. Nindyn nindel ph' yibin lu' nauxxizz zhal tlu slain a nindyn nindel ph' stronger."

Draken turned to see a middle aged and balding human standing in the entryway of a shop. The man looked intently at Draken, then shuffled back into his shop.

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial cursed as O'Bonn and Cormac were drug under the swampy water but was unable to help them as more hands came foreward to try and drag her and Valathe down as well, she droped her bow knowing that in the close corters it was no good to her, and quickly drew her sword moving so that her back was to Valathes, and Ona's.

They fought slowly making there way twards where O'Bonn and Cormac sank hoping to clear enough of the bodys off that they could make it back to them. Idrial prayed that they would reach them in time to help them and that they would be alright.

Valathe kept her back to Idrial's, and Ona's as they fought all of them covered in the muck of the swamp as they battled the undead, she too hoped that O'Bonn and Cormac would be alright but kept her focus on the battle around them for dead they could help no one, but how did you kill what was already dead. Then Idrial and Valathe both remembered Ona's ability and asked at the same time.. Ona Can you use your ability here?? can you burn them???

 

[Wolfsister]

"I..He..You... Go! Just GO! Get out of here!"


Tiana was breathing heavy, her wide eyes unable to move away from the massive dead body near her. She shifted her legs in sudden revulsion as a strange spasm rocked the body and shifted his hand onto her shin. She stared, looking first at Alfonzo and then at the tiny dagger and then at Tyler. Mara was forgotten as she tried to jumble all the different thoughts into some semblence of order.

Her throat was constricted; burning as she knew it would be. She had been strangled before and she hadn't exactly expected to stop the swarthy man from doing it, she had just prayed that she would hold on for as long as it took for someone to come to her rescue. Sometimes, being a young woman was both a burden and a blessing.

She gasped for breath, her fingers twitching nerveless as the shock settled in. Then suddenly, she was up and moving. She scrambled backwards as best she could against the hard wooden planking and skittled sideways, crabbing away from the lifeless body.

Without a word, she tugged at Tyler's hand and then she too fled down the stairs. She didn't see any sign of the kind Mara, even as she fled back through the kitchen to avoid going through the front door. She didn't look back to see if Tyler was following, the fear etched deeply into her mind as she flew blindly down an alleyway, not even caring where she went.

It was just like before... she had to get out of here.... she had to run.... she just had to keep running...

 

[Bladesman]

"Ji zhal ol tlu. Nindyn nindel ph' yibin lu' nauxxizz zhal tlu slain a nindyn nindel ph' stronger." A hidden dagger dropped into his hand but remained hidden from sight. He slipped quietly into the shop behind the man and waited till the man had turned around. "How do you know that phrase?" Draken's eyes were darting around the room looking for traps and hidden doors.

 

[AmenRa]

The High Warrior O'Bonn felt the cold hands of the dead grip him and drag him down. He felt the stagnant water close in around him, and he looked into lifeless eyes that tried to look into him as well.

As he struggled in the dead's hands, he felt a warmth come to his side, his left side, where hung the scabbard of the scimitar with the inward curve. It was the sword given to him by dragon and of dragon, and now Talon wished to be free so that it may carve flesh. Even if such flesh was already dead.

O'Bonn broke loose a hand, uttering silent curses upon the creature that had held him, and then he fought against murk and madness to unsheathe the blade.

He did not know how many he had cut into. The blade seemed to move on its own, directing his hands with where to slice and arc. Finally he was able to stand, and breathe again the tepid air of the swamp. He turned to Cormac, who too had been taken by the creatures of the dead. And there were still some yet to fall upon them.