Dragons and Magic II: The Hunt for DreamWeaver

[Ithica]

Aranel could hear the sound of yells and crushing brush from across the river. She must not have floated down the river as far as she thought. She could hear that the orcs were fast approaching. She watched as the woman that had pulled her from the river made her way over to the group.

The woman who introduced herself as Idrial told her that Tulka couldn't be ridden and asked if she could ride with someone else. She smiled that they had found Tulka and, at the pace he had been running when he left, he must be exhausted. Aranel nodded her head in response to the question. She also noted that the woman seemed to be uneasy but decided that it was probably because of the approaching orcs.

An elf, who's dress identified him as a high elf, gained her attention and said in elven, "Rise quickly, and be strong, for battle has come once again.". Her happiness at hearing her own language spoken to her was short lived but she appropriately greeted him in elven that acknowledged his status. Aranel shakely got to her feet with help and looked pale as she tried to regain her balance.

As the other two gave Ona direction and tried to come up with a battle plan, Aranel listened closely. Perhaps if they were unable to keep the orcs on the otherside of the river she could help. She didn't know if she had enough energy but, perhaps if the orcs couldn't be held off, she could scare them. Aranel waited to see what Ona's response to the other's conversation would be.

 

[Dracona]

Ona glanced between Idrial and O’Bonn as she helped the injured woman stand. She was a bit unsteady at first but seemed not too bad off considering the circumstances.

“Fire I can work with, mold and use it to frighten the Orcs away. But I can do nothing about the smoke.” She looked back down the trail feeling a bit uneasy. The others should have joined them by now, unless they had run into difficulties of their own. “I can confuse the creatures, distract them and send them off for a while in the wrong direction but it won’t last…there are too many of us for me to shield for long. They will return and track us.”

She closed her eyes briefly and felt for the simple minds of the Orcs. The two she had sent to sleep had been woken, but they were still disoriented and drowsy. There were four more with them….and they were in a bad mood. She opened her eyes and looked at her companions.

“Six Orcs….as far as I can tell. If we lure them to the river’s edge the two of you could dispatch them and we can let the river have the bodies.” A quick glance at O’Bonn’s arrow and the cloth bound around the tip burst into flame. “Whatever we do we need to act quickly and get out of this area.”

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn listened to Ona's words with care. He thought for a moment, watching as the tip of his arrow caught fire.

"Then I shall send this arrow behind them, catching the underbrush aflame and draw them to us," he answered. To Idrial, "be ready," he said.

And he released the flaming arrow. It soared high over the river, arcing quickly and gracefully.

The orcs watched curiously through the tree branches as it arced down behind them. The dry grass and withered brush caught fire almost instantly. Fire that would now be Ona's to control. Fire that would, O'Bonn hoped, push the orcs to the river bank and into the waiting arrows he and Idrial had prepared.

 

[Dracona]

Ona watched the flaming arrow arc up and over the river like a cat watching a bird. A slow grin curved her full lips as the silver flecks in her blue within blue eyes began to glow brightly. She knew somehow that she wasn’t much use with conventional weapons, the dagger she carried more of a last resort than anything else, a symbol, but this….oh this she was good at.

Snakes….she thought as the arrow thunked into the underbrush. The small flame branched off in several different directions, consuming the abundant dry tinder. Each separate tendril thickened and took shape writhing and coiling toward the Orcs like serpents of flame. Serpents resembling the tattoos marked upon her arms. Their mouths gaped open and their fangs dripped flames to the ground, flames that grew into more snakes.

Ona chuckled to herself, feeling a strange pleasure as the first of the snakes reached one of the hunkering Orcs. The creature’s beady eyes widened as the snake rose up and struck at the air near a trunk like leg. The Orc crashed backward to escape the flames only to encounter another serpent which coiled around its ankle singeing the hair and skin causing it to howl in surprise and pain.

Smoke rose from the trails the fire ate through the underbrush and although she could not stop it controlling where the flames went kept it to a minimum. Ona’s long braid began to unravel of its own will, her hair rising up in a whirlwind cloud around her face the ends snapping off tiny sparks as her eyes glowed even brighter. She lifted her arms out from her body and began to lose herself in the fire, the snakes she created growing larger some as thick as the trunks of the trees they slithered through. She laughed aloud as her snakes drove the Orcs toward the river, their fear of fire magnified by their own superstitious nature…serpents of the underworld had come for them.

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idiral cursed as the arrow was lit and released, but prepared herself all the same. She was impressed with Ona's ability tho she didnt allow it to distract her from whatching for the Orc's and picking them off along with O'Bonn as they came running twards the river and them.

She also took note of the smoke rising as well as the birds and other animals who were in that same area begin to flee the fire as well. Tho it was not aimed at them it was something that they feared and took flight from all the same. Seeing that there were perhaps one or two Orc's left and knowing O'Bonn could handle them Idrial begain watching the forrest and trees for other signs that they may have drawn more attention than they wanted..

Once the last Orc fell, and Ona had extinguished the fire Idrial turned to the others.. Let us mount and be gone from this place.. I am concerned that the others have not yet joined us, and the smoke may draw more attention our way.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac saw smoke and fire in the woods not too far away. "Good luck brother dwarf." he said before riding off toward the fire.

 

[Mantra]

Borgus, at the Stone

Snarg regained some of his posture once Borgus's initial charge had struck. His lips curled into s snarl and his second, likely his own war chief, prepared to launch himself into battle to defend his chieftain. All around them, the other creatures pounded their weapons against their chests or the stone itself as thier myriad, gutteral voices roared and cheered. Not only in anticipation of a fight, but at the prospect of a 'legitimate' excuse to plunder one of their neighbors.

Borgus suddenly saw stars behind his eyes as pain exploded across the back of his head. It only dazed him a second, but in that time, Snarg had managed to extract himself from under Borgus's boot. Borgus turned to see Moon-Shank crouched in a ready stance, whith his heavy fork inverted in his hands.

"BORGUS!!. . ." Moon Shank looked at Borgus with a cool stare, "What is the meaning of this?"

Borgus froze, maybe he made a mistake, he was unsure. What if all the talk of battle and the cat-man`s speech had made him giddy, he waited for what seemed like an eternity for Moon Shank`s next words. The roars and taunts of the other beasts did not quiet, but Moon-Shank turned and roared back at them before returning his iron gaze to his war chief. With two steps, he closed the distance between them. Moon-Shank was almost a full hand shorter than Borgus, but that did not stop the chieftain from grabbing one of Borgus's horns and tugging his head down to hiss in his ear.

"Shame. Shame!" Moon-Shank growled. "I have brought you to hear the words of the Clans, not invite the clans to our slaughter! Would you see your clan-mates enslaved by the very beast tribes we must rely upon to survive in these times?"

 

[Optimas]

Borgus leaves.

Borgus looked at Moon-Shank, "Hes Smell Of Fear, He looking to tree line."

"I Know," Moon-Shank hissed quietly, "but the others here seem Genuine." He let go of borgus`s horn, and his voice softened. "You are the best chance we have of saving our village, I will get the group to banish you then you will have no bonds to the village, and it will give me some levy with the other clans. Don’t be fooled though war-chief we and this world are in great danger, most of those here want to survive just like us others are snakes that will bite each other and sleep with the enemy."

Borgus straightened pulling himself to his full height his adornments clinking as his braided hair moved. He looked at Moon-Shank and saw pride and sadness in his face, he turned to go but Moon-Shank grabbed his hand placing a small bit of parchment secretly into it. Borgus moved off, a hulking figure into the darkness, the last savoir of the Thaurians.

Moon-shank turned to the group around the stone, he noticed Doorna looking thoughtfully to the tree line, he then turned and their gaze locked. They both gave each other a knowing look. Moon-shank then spoke, "For the disrespect shown at the sacred stone Borgus the war chief of the Thaurian tribe, is banished from the village, now where were we Doona." The cat-man smiled and then continued Borgus could see this from the tree line, he moved in the shadows around the back of the stone where Snarg had been looking, and he waited.

It did not take long till he saw three minotaurian archers moving silently through the undergrowth, they were coming through the area that should have been protected by Snarg and his tribe. Borgus hid behind a tree and let them pass. He slide out of the shadows and caught the last archer by his hair and pulled him back with a jerk. A small blade sliced through the air and smashed into the archers unprotected neck, blood sprayed into the night. Borgus then moved the body onto the floor. He pulled the long bow clear and the quiver, while he did this he noticed a slimy gunge on the end of the arrows. It was the poison of althean frogs, one of the most deadly in all of the land. Borgus calmly pulled two poisoned arrows clear and held the bow up, felt the torque of the bow and notched one of the arrows the other he placed in the floor ready for another shot. He looked down through the gloom and the trees, and could see the silhouetted shadows of the assassins. He pulled back the bow took a deep breath and waited, he had to be sure.

One of the assassins motioned to the other with confirmation of their target this was their last mistake in this world.

Borgus saw the motion and happy with the intentions he loosed an arrow at unnerving speed. In a flash the other arrow flew like death through the still night, both assassins fell to the floor in doomed silence. Borgus picked up the quiver and tied it to his back he holstered his hammer and clutched the bow, he moved back to the first assassin he killed and pulling the dagger clear moved off into the land. He was not sure what to do but he would try and help his tribe as much as he could, he remembered the bit of parchment but thought it could wait. So he moved off into the night and onto his destiny, Borgus of the Thaurian tribe.

 

[Dracona]

Ona could hear the hiss and crackle of the fire, felt the heat inside as her flaming serpents grew. The Orc’s fear was a tangible essence she could almost taste…and she controlled what they feared. Her laughter bubbled up from somewhere dark as her hair snapped in a wild cloud around her shoulders. She barely noticed that O’Bonn and Idrial had dispatched the Orcs. She would release the fire, set it free to race through the winter dry forest. Creatures great and small would run before the primal element of fire, fire under her command.

Such arrogance in one so young….a whispery old voice drifted from her memory and a face creased with laugh and smile lines flashed behind her eyes. Blinding pain shot through both Ona’s head and heart. The fiery serpents began to lose shape and the fire to spread. Ona fought past the pain and tightened her control, shrinking the snakes down to nothing and finally putting out the flames altogether.

"Let us mount and be gone from this place.. I am concerned that the others have not yet joined us, and the smoke may draw more attention our way."

Ona’s shoulders sagged and her hair concealed her expression as she averted her face from the others. Idrial’s words reached her ears as if from a great distance and she turned and walked slowly toward her horse, blinking back tears of shame and sorrow. Who the old woman was Ona didn’t know, but she felt in her heart that in some way she had failed her.

As she swung herself up into the saddle her hand went once again to the pouch containing the strange crystals. Perhaps when she used them she would be able not only to learn to keep her control when a memory surfaced, but perhaps she could control how they surfaced so they didn’t take her by surprise in a battle situation. She lifted her face toward the sky and took a deep cleansing breath. This pain was from her past, it didn’t have bearing on the here and now. She wouldn’t allow it to interfere with their quest or endanger her companions.

She pushed her hair back from her face, absently twisting it once more into a thick braid for travel convenience. She kept her eyes averted from the others as she leaned down for the pony’s reigns and secured them to one of her saddlebags. It seemed to have caught its breath and suffered only minor effects from its terrified flight.

“The woman can ride with me unless she has other wishes.” She said in a flat voice and turned her face toward the path.

 

[Ithica]

Although they didn’t have a lot of time to discuss how to enter into the fight, Aranel noticed that no one seemed to be a trusted leader. She watched closely at the interaction between the three of them to better understand who she was with. They complemented each other well during the fight but the discussion of strategy seemed to be an issue. This was possibly because her new companions hadn’t been together for long.

When the fight started, Aranel made her way towards a clump of trees. She made sure that she had enough cover while maintaining a good view of what was happening. She supported herself by leaning against a nearby tree so she could watch how her companions fought.

From their conversation she deduced that Ona was telepathic and was impressed with her control over fire. Aranel thought that perhaps she could only start a fire from a certain distance seeing how Ona needed the enflamed arrow shot across the river. Ona’s control over fire, while theatrical, was talented and creative. Aranel couldn’t help but wonder who would come out the winner in a fight between the two of them.

O’Bonn and Idiral very efficiently picked off the orcs that ran into the river that she felt no need to join in the fight. Before the fight ended, Aranel called forth a small amount of the river water and directed it into her metal jar. She would have just walked over but thought that might tire her more than using magic. But the effort wore her out more than she thought it would.

Aranel closed the jar and reached into her bag to reassure herself that everything was alright. The ring and the bones were safe but some of her rations were ruined. She looked up and saw the smoke rising up through the trees. She began to worry what else besides the remaining orcs would see it. She was startled by the sound of rustling behind her and moved towards the horses.

She got back to the horses when Ona said that she could ride with her. The girl was cold and acted as if she was hiding something. "I have no objection." She said and continued to watch the girl. Tulka nuzzled her as she walked past him to Ona's horse. With assistance she got on behind the girl and was anxious to leave this place.

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idiral had noticed Ona's face as Ona moved to mount her horse.. and wondred how much of a tole her using her ability had cost her. She promised herself that once they were clear of the area and back with the group that she would speak with Ona and make sure she was alright.

Hearing the elfin woman return from the trees and bushes where she had taken cover Idrial moved to help her mount behind Ona glad that she didnt mind ridding with someone not of her race. It helped to relax something inside of Idrial her self.

Idrial noticed too that she seemed drained as well, but expeceted it as she had been wounded. She still didnt know the elven woman's name but there would be time soon enough to learn it while she recovered. In elven Idrial welcomed her to there group and then turned to mount her own horse, and waited for O'Bonn to do the same, once he was mounted they headed out and went to rejoin the rest of there group, Idrial hoped that they were alright.

 

[AmenRa]

And less than a day into their journey they had picked up another. O'Bonn turned, as his horse trod near Idrial's, to glance at the newcomer mounted behind Ona.

She was Elfkind. O'Bonn studied her closely for a moment, noting her dark blue robe and short hair. He thought she could be a scholar, or perhaps a Daughter of Elonna, the ancient order who devoted their life to the studies of magic and healing.

The High Warrior thought this would be the proper time to formally introduce himself. It was, after all, the polite thing to do.

"Well met," he said to Aranel. "I am O'Bonn, son of M'Rhun, High Warrior of the Great Northern Lands, and I am at your service," he finished with a bow of his head.

 

[Ithica]

Aranel noticed that Idrial had been watching her and was happy that she greeted her in elven. It was a small thing and she took it as an effort to make her feel more welcome. She smiled and nodded to the huntress.

She was feeling tired so Aranel leaned against Ona for support. When they started off, she gave Ona a light squeeze on the shoulder in thanks. Aranel was curious what caused Ona to close herself off from the group when she had previously been very warm. She wanted to reassure the girl that everything would be alright but that would be patronizing seeing how she didn’t know what was wrong.

She was distracted from thinking about the rider in front of her when the high elf introduced him self.

“Aranel Calanor, daughter of Elonna, druid of the Uineeniel Temple.” she answered then continued, “Thank you for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated. I believe I stumbled upon the outskirts of a battle. I only saw one orc but I could hear fighting going on. Were you part of the battle?

Aranel jumped a little when she heard a snap in the brush behind them and wondered if it was the same thing that she had heard during the fight.

 

[Dracona]

Ona turned her head slightly as she listened to the exchange between the two Elves. Her eye caught Aranel’s and she smiled encouragingly. Ona could feel the fatigue coming off of her in waves. She reached for the hand of the elven woman’s uninjured arm and pulled it around her midsection, silently letting her know with a pat on her forearm it was alright to hang on.

They came to the fork in the trail and Ona smiled to see a familiar gray shape standing patiently munching on a tuft of grass. Bardo had a knack for self preservation and had stayed away from the danger zone. The little gray donkey gave a soft snort as they passed him and fell in step behind Ona’s horse. She loosened her grip on the reigns letting her mount follow Idrial’s.

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial had heard Arnel speak her name when she and O'Bonn exchanged introductions and noticed her fatuge as well.. Looking to Ona and O'Bonn both she said. I beleave once we meet up with the others and are a safe distance from here we should find a place to camp, and rest. Our Journy is Five days ride to the south amongst another patch of hilled lands surrounded by marshes. We've still along ways to go and this only our first day. she said remembering the Matriarc's words as they had looked into the pool, and spoken about Dreamweavers tomb and the prophacy.

Idrial heard the snap of twig behind them and cursed herself for not paying better attention as they continued on she watched as the rest of there party emerged from the trees and joined them.. As they travled Idrial told them that once they were out of the area that they would explain what had happend, and wondered once again where they had been.

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn nodded again to Aranel. "I was indeed part of the battle, though a short-lived battle it was, and the kind that is most preferred," he answered her.

"We are a fellowship bound for a task," he told her. "He then turned his head slightly to the side, studying her with a questioning look. "And you are far from the Temple of Uineeniel, Daughter of Elonnah."

O'Bonn regarded Idrial's words, and he agreed with her. Rest would indeed do them all some good. And food. His stomach reminded him it was time to eat.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac cursed himself for snapping the twig, giving away his position. He had left Setanta with Eoghain to guard him not far behind so he could sneak up. Nothing for it he thought to himself and quickly crashed through the bush. He saw signs that people had just passed this way and he whistled hard for Setanta and Eoghain. He saw shapes not far ahead and with a mighty bellow said. "I am Cormac Rua Wolfbrother clan Bladesong. I come to discover the source of the forest fire."

 

[Ithica]

Aranel relaxed as Ona pulled her arm around her waist. When she was settled Aranel turned her attention back to what O’Bonn was saying. She found out a little more about them but it only served to pique her interests further. She listened to Idrial talk of the group’s journey ahead and of the marshes. She was vaguely familiar with the marshes and wondered why they were headed there. Aranel was curious but decided to wait until they stopped for the night before asking questions.

When O’Bonn questioned her about why she was so far from the Temple she said, “Yes. It is three days north from here. I would be happy to explain the reason for my journey but perhaps it is best saved for tonight at camp.” Aranel smiled at him and rested her head against Ona’s back. She closed her eyes and tried to stop the world from spinning but at the sound of the bellow Aranel jumped.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Setanta and Eoghain crashed out of the brush and Cormac used his spear to vault onto Setantas back and trotted toward the group, Eoghain walking next to him. With a loud caw Conchobar landed on his shoulder as he approached the group, most of whom looked to be elves. "Hail elfkin." he said as he got closer

 

[AmenRa]

"Then tonight we shall speak," O'Bonn replied to Aranel.

At the sound of Cormac's shout, O'Bonn pulled hard upon the reigns of his horse, causing the animal's head to snap up sharply. A sharp jerk on the left reign, and the horse spun around. In an instant O'Bonn had his Elfwood bow at the ready, and an arrow was nocked. He held the bow and arrow along his right side, out of sight of the man that had just stepped forth upon the road. After all, Cormac had given his name to them, and O'Bonn recognized the name as belonging to a warrior.

"The source," O'Bonn called back, "lies with the Orcs who are now consumed by it." The Elf removed his helm, and gave Cormac a nod. "I am O’Bonn, son of M’Rhun, and High Warrior of the Great Northern Lands. Greetings to you, Bladesong.”

Although O'Bonn recognized the manner of Cormac's dress as a Riada, and surely a warrior of status among his people, the Elf felt it was not wise to reveal too much about who they were or where their fellowship was headed.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Well met swordbrother." Cormac said. "A shame the battle is finished, I had hoped for some action, since i started this journey I've only gotten in one fight, and it was hardly worthy of my notice." he said looking slightly dejected by this. "This is my spirit wolf, Eoghain." he said pointing to the massive wolf. "This is Setanta, son of the Horse God." he pointed to his horse "and this dour fellow is Conchobar the Elder Raven." he tilted his head toward the bird. "What brings a high elf to these parts? I know little of the elven kingdom but felt sure it was a distance."

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn looked to the wolf, and immediately saw a keen intellect behind his eyes. It reminded O'Bonn of the majai-hi, the Fay hound, that had stayed behind at the Dragon's keep on Red Mountain. He found himself nodding a hello to the wolf, and then to the horse, and lastly to the raven.

"It is true," he answered, "that my father's kingdom lies many, many day's ride from here. We," he gestured to the others, "are pilgrims on a journey of enlightenment."

O'Bonn looked directly at Cormac with his amber eyes. "And if you know of prophecies, then you know our destination."

The evil wrought by DreamWeaver had taken many forms. In truth, the work of a necromancer had attacked O'Bonn and the Fay hound at night in the village of Gilad below Red Mountain. There had been the wolven in the forestsl. There were the shadows that invaded the very halls of the keep where the Dragonkind lived. O'Bonn wondered what forms DreamWeaver's magic had taken and sought mischief in the lands of the Riada.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"We do hold no truck with prophecy among my people, men make their own destiny." Cormac said "So i can not know where you go, but If you are a prince and you are on this quest, it must be a mighty quest indeed. If it is permissible, may i follow? I am in need of mighty quest and so far i have not been successful in finding one."

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial too had spun her horse around to face the new commer her sword drawn. She shethed it when O'Bonn removed his helm and begain speaking with him.

She listened to the exchange between Cormac and O'Bonn finding the ring of truth and honesty in Cormac's words she begain liking him almost imedeatly, but new not to trust to easly as did O'Bonn for he had not as of yet revealed there quest.

Tho they had rescued Aranel twould be unfair to turn him away, they would need all the aid they could get. Idrial moved forward and introduced herself. My name is Idrial.. and I welcome you to our party Cormac, but be warned our quest is not an easy one.

Motioning to Aranel Idrial reminded O'Bonn that they needed to make haste to find camp so that they might rest, and rebandage her wounds. If it is not too much i would ask that we continue our discussion at a later date after we've made camp.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac nodded, "My quest must be a mighty one in order to matter. I thank you. May we have great bloodstained victories together." He said, Setanta trotting up to match the position of the other's horses. "Have you all seen much battle on your quest? I have yet to break a sweat, very disappointing indeed."