Fly Sparrow Crazy

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira

Shakira slowly rose to her feet. Her fear was turning to anger, and that was a dangerous thing. She had left her mother house when she was very young and untrained in managing her powers. She hid them away, hoping no one would ever know she was anything other then just an ordinary elf/human half breed. But when her emotions took hold, so did her magic.

She did not know much, and had no idea of the strength of her abilities, but she knew that what ever she had, she would use to protect these new friends. Sonething was about to take place, and she would be ready.

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon stood slightly behind the Barbarian and his... pet... She growled softly, a low rumble in her throat. Whatever this dark character said, she didn't believe... She slowly started to transform...

Cracking her neck, feeling her ears stretch and become pointed, biting her bottom lip to keep from yelling out in pain... And feeling her teeth become longer, shaper... Feeling her nails become longer, turning into sharper, deadlier claws... She left her glasses on, there was still sufficient light to blind her. She felt her shoulders bulge and contract with muscle and a soft groan escaped her. That was the most painful part. She stopped the transformation there, still looking somewhat human, but her behaviour and attitude she knew would become more and more wolfish and vicious.

She thought about leaving. They didn't need her... Or did they? They may be magick, but she knew that anyone could used the help of someone who could see perfectly in the dark when they were traipsing through the city of a night, or the woods and mountains.

Her ears flicked when she heard the dark man mention "Orc land" she gave a low, barely audible rumble. What was he up to? She heard movement to her right and looked over to see the cleric regaining her feet. She moved quickly and quietly over to help, placing what she thought was a comforting hand on the young womans shoulder, forgetting about her claws.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Praxis. You are not well trusted. I do not mean to be forward, or at that to speak for all assembled ... But you need to show us, all of us, why you can be trusted. Why we should help you. I say "we," because I sense that we are all involved, whether we will it or no."

I glance at the others. This is an unusual grouping, but we do have a blend of strengths. I have led adventurers through my woods before, and each time I noticed that the ones that lived meshed together -- strength covering weakness -- and worked together.

I was uncertain if we would mesh. I had the feeling that what Praxis said or did next would determine that.

 

[ShyWetThief]

Praxis glances over each of the people surrounding him and chuckles. With a sudden movement, he pushes his hood back to reveal a youngish, very human looking male. His hair is dark and, although short, very wild looking, and his blue eyes seem to laugh. He pushes his cloak over his shoulders and reaches into a pocket, drawing out a sword.

Very solomn now, he places the sword on the ground, mutters a few words, passes his hand over it and the sword shatters. He crouches down, scoops up the shattered pieces and hands one piece to each member of the group. Even shattered, the broken sword still radiates great magic and power.

"There - this is your assurance. I can mend the weapon, but not without all the pieces. I may not go home without the weapon. In return for your help, I shall pay for all supplies and lodging. You will hold onto the pieces of the sword to assure my," he pauses and almost smirks. "good behavior. Is this agreeable enough?"

While Praxis is distracted so, Sparrow slowly creeps away from him. Her steps are small and gradual enough so that by the time the mage finishes talking, she's standing right next to the barbarian.

"But what do you want my box for?" She really doesn't want to speak to him, but she has to know.

"You mean the box I paid you to steal for me? There is a key inside, or a sort of key. It is essential to what I need to do at the ruins I need travel to. Any other questions?"

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira held the fragment of sword in her hand for only a moment before slipping into a pocket in her cloak. To touch the piece felt sickening, for it was rank and tainted with the blood many. Innocense had been stolen upon that blade. She did not trust this man any further then she could have kicked him. He had the face of an angel, but his heart was dark and cold.

As Sparrow moved closer to her with the box in her hands, Shakira felt something warm touching her breast. Her pendant. It was an heirloom past down to her from her mothers mother, from the eldest daughter to eldest daughter. She knew the shape and weight of it by heart. She knew every line in it's intricate workings, and it was not hard to recognise those same markings on the side of the box Sparrow had aquired. She didn't know what it all ment yet, but she knew it would not be safe for that man to take posession of it.

"If it is trust you seek, you shant have it Praxis, at least not from me, but as a gesture of good faith, you wont mind if Sparrow remains the keep of the key untill we see you to your destination?"

It was as much a statement as a question.

 

[ShyWetThief]

Praxis looks Shakira over, amused. Then he lets his gaze linger on Sparrow. He looks minorly annoyed at first.... then smiles a little. "Very well, the thief shall retain hold on the key, and I shall be guided to the ruin." This too is a statement, not a question.

Sparrow looks more than a little uncertain, knows that she cannot back down. Something about this feels so important. And that coin that she's had forever, kept in the bottom of her boot, has been getting warm .... or is her imagination just fueling her paranoia?

 

[poohlive]

Well, everything seemed settled. At least for the moment. Kaegan brightened his outlook on the coming group and readjusted the pack on his shoulders. They had a long journey ahead of them, and with any luck they could make a few miles before dark.

"Gnolly, put it away. We're not in danger here."

The gnoll gave one final sniff of everything, as if he hated the situation but was powerless against it. He sheathed the double bladed sword on his back and moved to the front.

With no armor, and a lifetime of living in the woods, he easily became point man for any mission Kaegan ran. Soon he was far ahead scouting for what dangers may lurk.

"Good, then I suppose we are off."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Very well then. We're off. Kaegan. Your friend Gnolly ... I will need to work closely with him in scouting out our trail. I know the best routes, but I ... respect his race's talents. Will he ... listen to what I have to say?"

I can feel my blood boil. Orcs and Gnolls rarely get along well, and I feel lingering hatred for Gnolly. It's unreasonable, and ironic since I hate orcs with an equally fierce passion.

We are leaving the city for the woods, then for the rough, mountainous terrain of the Orc-lands. The lingering mistrust I detect in my companions will, I fear, lead us to disaster rather than glory, but Praxis has left us little option.

 

[poohlive]

"Gnolly will respond to ya, uh huh. He knows we're all part of the same party. Gnolly may not like you, but he'll respect my wishes..."

Kaegan gave the little lady a wink, "So long as you don't try to piss him off. We were travelling with a hobbit once, who asked him to learn the finer arts of dual wielding weapons. The gnoll took him out to a clearing far away to train, and ate him with a block of cheese and some bread over a spitfire. We never saw him again, but we smelled him. With a littl barbecue sauce and some seasonings."

Kaegan sighed, settling in line, "You should be ok though. "

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I grin softly, a hint of the feral in my eyes.

"Oh, no I think I will be fine. As long as he doesn't detect my ... orcish side, and go berserk."

 

[poohlive]

"He detected it. He told me about it the moment you came inside. It was thick on you. You may hide it well from the eyes, but not the nose. Gnolly knew. But, like I said, he doesn't do anything without my permission. If I tell him to work with you, he will."

Kaegan pointed up ahead, where every once in a while, the gnoll could be seen aside from one of the bushes, or running across the road.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I smile again.

"I figured that was the case. I could tell what he was as well, as soon as he entered the tavern. While he has you, I have only my own willpower. My blood truely boiled. But if he will work with me ... well, I can think of no one I would rather work with than a creature of the forest."

Glancing to Sparrow with a nod, and Praxis with a severe look, I sprint up ahead to catch up with the Gnoll and see what he has found thus far.

 

[ShyWetThief]

With Shakira and Kaegan in agreement, Praxis looks to the others for their reactions. When he locks eyes with Sparrow, he receives a short submissive nod, almost a bow, before she drops her eyes.

Sparrow has mixed feelings about all of this. It's cool to finally be going on an adventure, but Praxis unnerves her terribly. With so many new friends to walk beside her, though, it shouldn't be so bad.

"Uh... Kaegan? Could I walk with you? I've uh... never left the city before... Well, I have once, but it was with a caravan and we were following the roads ... and I'm a little nervous... Would you mind?" She looks at her friend nervously.

 

[poohlive]

"Of course. That's what I'm here for," Kaegan laughed, big booming laugh that shot his head back. He kept astride with the little one, keeping conversation as they treked down the path leading North outside the city.

"I'll tell you one thing. Most people think adventuring is fun, but most of it isn't. Most of it is just walking. Walking from one place to the other, walking all day, setting up camp at night, and then once the sun rises, walking all day again. All for a good hour or so of fighting monsters once you do get wherever it is you're going. And then, you pack up all the stuff they have to sell, and walk all the way back."

Again, Kaegan could not help but laughing. He was in good spirits now. Everything was coming together, he liked being in a group with people. This would help immensely.

"So, what is your story then? You don't seem to like this Praxis guy very much. Why did you work for him?"

 

[ShyWetThief]

Sparrow looks around at the others as they make their way from town and toward lands she hasn't even seen before.

"Well,..." She pauses, unsure how to explain. "You know that taylor's shop? The one over near main street - I think an elf runs it - do you know the one? They have a matching set of boots and gloves that I really want, but they're pretty expensive. I've been saving what I can, but it's hard, you know? Well, anyway - I heard that Praxis wanted this little bauble that some newcomers had, and that he'd pay well for it, so I swiped it."

She pauses and glances at Praxis uncertainly. "The thing is," she continues, in a more hushed tone. "I think it's really important. I keep having weird dreams, about something big happening - something huge! But I can never remember what happened when I wake up. I think it's important, though, and ... I don't think Praxis should have it ....."

She chewed on her lip a little and nodded, as if to say she was finished speaking. "Do you think we'll have to travel far?"

 

[Moonlight_33]

OOC: Thought we could use a bit more spice.

As the group passed through the city limits, they were unaware of the chaos that was washing through the city behind them. Twelve warriors, clad entirely in red, their faces hidden behind fearsome helmets, slashed and burned their way through the streets, entering every tavern one by one and slaughtering all who were misfortunate enough to be there.

They said nothing, asked no questions, made no demands, yet it was obvious they were seeking out someone or something. All who were able were running for their lives and none stopped to ask their business.

Finally the warriors found the tavern they had been seeking but when they entered they found it empty. The fires still burned high, and the food was still warm, yet there was not a soul in sight. Cursing under his breath, the Captain of the band, known only as “THE REDS” stormed from the tavern, running his blade through an unfortunate drunk that stumbled into the street. Without missing a stride, he motioned to his second in command. “Find me a seer. The key must be found as our Lord commands or our lives will be forfeit. Kill any who stand in your way. I’m returning to camp.”

Captain Dalton left his men to burn, pillage and murder at will. He had no stomach for it now. He cares less about the lives of these pitiful creatures, but for his own life, he cared quite a bit, and he didn’t intend forfeiting it over a key stolen by a little girl.

 

[ShyWetThief]

ooc - spice is nice *grins*

As Captain Dalton leaves the tavern and makes his way through the ruined city, he over hears several terrified citizens speaking of a woman werewolf and an odd mixture of thieves, fighters and rangers. They are said to have left the Dragon's Ass just before the raid, and the were-woman, and her friends, makes an excellent scape goat for the recent attack.



Well outside of the city now, those in the party with a keen sense of smell know that there is something wrong - the scent of flames is on the wind.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Gnolly. What have you found? I can smell fire. The magic ones were right. Gnolly, we need to be very careful. We are pursued from behind. We cannot afford to be attacked now. If caught between two forces, we may be destroyed in detail."

I watch Gnolly carefully. We are apart from the others, in the midst of the forest. If he decides to betray me, now is the time it would happen.

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon stood off to one side, alone and very quiet. Her ears pricked up, picking up every little sound, her sensitive nose picking up every smell. She smelt smoke. They were indeed being followed and their pursuers weren't far away. She sighed and felt a little responsible. She did cause quite a scene in the tavern. She never transforms infront of people for that very reason.

She placed the fragment of sword she was given down her cleavage under her corset, gathing a weird soft of comfort from the edges digging into her skin. She walked quietly over to Sparrow and gently touched her arm.

"Sparrow, we are being followed. I can't tell exactly how close they are, but they are close enough to make me worry. We should find the Barbarians friend and the other lady, the one who walked off with him. We stand a better chance of staying together. I would ask the Barbarian to keep a close eye on that dark character too," she gestured to Praxis. "If we engage in combat, I am not sure how well he can be trusted."

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira remembers a story;

Shakira could feel that they were now the focus of unwanted attentions, but she also felt they were in no immediate danger. The people in the city would slow them down enough for them to get a day or so ahead of them, as long as they didn’t rest too long through the night.

As they walked Shakira found herself walking beside Vell. She had met Clerics before, but this woman had strength and confidence that made her all the more impressive. She could fight to kill, and heal to save life. Like a double-edged sword. Shikira was happy to be with her for she could tell that in battle, she would be a good warrior to have at her side. The spoke little, but she was comforted by the woman’s presence.

As they progressed she began to think a little of her mother but found her thoughts drifting more to her mothers hall and the stories that were told there. She recalled a traveler spending a harsh winter with them and he told the most fantastic stories. One in particular came to mind.

Thousands of years ago, when the lands were divided into seven equal provinces, and seven separate races of people, there was a golden city like no other that had ever existed before, and has never been built since. There was so much gold in the city that when the sun shone a man could be blinded by the brilliance of it. But with wealth came greed, and soon the people in the city wanted more and more gold. The streets were paved with gold blocks and even the horses shoes were made of gold. Soon the only way for them to obtain more gold was to send out raiding parties to steel it from the other provinces. Poverty struck down the other provinces, and with it, sickness. The sickness was soon carried back to the golden city in the blood soaked clothing of the raiders, and the people there began to die.

The Priest in the city, a man by the name of Tubak, thought of more as a devil then a man, told the people that he had been in formed by the gods that the price for the gold was blood and the gods demanded payment. The raiders turned to gathering gold, to gathering people to sacrifice to the gods. So many were slain that the streets ran thick with blood. Tubak told the people that the blood would was the streets clean of the sickness but instead an evil force began to flourish. From the fear and death of the souls that were sent to sacrifice grew a very real and very powerful evil. The more the evil grew, to more blood Tubak demanded. Soon there was almost no one left to bleed.

In their most desperate hour, one representative from each province was sent forth to a secret place of magic where together they devised a way to stop Tubak’s madness and prevent the evil from escaping the city and consuming the entire world. Together they faced the city and a magical battle took place. The battle lasted six days, and at the end of those six days, the city had been banished into another plain of existence, a place where the evil had nothing to feed upon, a place that could not be seen with the naked eye. As with every spell, there is a counter spell so to prevent the reverse of their magic from ever being found the counter spell was split into eight pieces. The six took one piece each, another was entrusted to the lord of a fierce warrior tribe, and the last was given to Treena, Queen of the woodland spirits. It was said that if all eight pieces would reunited at the right time, and the right words were spoken, the golden city would be brought back, and so would the evil that lived there.

As a child that story had given her bad dreams for weeks, and no, as a grown woman, she could feel the residual effects of those dreams.

She told the story to Vell as they walked but before they had a chance to discus it further, the others returned from the forest.

 

[Vixandra]

Vell

I listened as Shakira told her story of a wicked golden city, head tilted thoughtfully. "Greed is one of the most common damning charactericistics of humans, amoung other races. Though coin of any realm is important to live and to help others with, that goes too far."
I ran a hand over the mithral detailing on my armor, a present from a dwarf friend. "Besides, gold's overrated," I said with a laugh.
The others returned and I stood, stretching before grabbing my knapsack, securely belting it on my back. Mace at the ready on my side, skein of holywater on my hip and I was ready for anything. Even dire bears, which are rather tasty, I mused.
I was a bit nervous over the gnoll but it seemed tame enough. And the part orc... might be handy in a fight. Especially if those reports of orcs in the area were true.

Looking at thier faces, though, I frowned slightly, tricolored eyes narrowing. "What's wrong?"

 

[ShyWetThief]

Sparrow listens to Gideon and nods. Yes, they should find the two that have become scouts and warn them ... and she didn't think Praxis should be left unwatched either.

"It's not enough to only have Kaegan watching him, though," she sighs and seems to fret to herself. "Praxis is a mage, and powerful as well, it seems. We all need to be watchful, and we all need to keep him at arms length. If only a few are watching, ... it might be easier for him to divide us... maybe..."

Sparrow frowns, suddenly feeling very childish. She knows what she's scared of, and she thinks it's a valid threat to the group, but her thoughts have suddenly become thick and muddled. She looks up at the night sky, then glances around at the others. Maybe she's tired?

"Hey," she calls to the group. "Uh, how far are we to travel tonight? Just, uh, so we have a bit of a goal, I guess." She blushes at how awkward her thoughts and words have become.

 

[poohlive]

The gnoll took no effort in circling back. He paused long enough for his nose to sniff the acryllic sulphur hanging deep in the air, and knew they were no longer scouting ahead. Ahead of them was clear, nothing but animals and travelers for miles. Behind them, though...

The gnoll paused for a moment, as the human spoke. Well, mostly human. He did not need to see her closely to know she had orc deep inside her. It was like a wet blanket around her, with each sniff he could tell.

In another time, perhaps, he would have fought her here and now, gotten it overwith, but that was not his to decide. Kaegan was the leader, and Kaegan needed her alive.

So, the gnoll gave a brief nod, and followed back to the others.

"There," Kaegan said, as he saw the gnoll emerge, "We are ready now. Are we stopping to confront those behind us, or do we keep going, hope to outrun them?"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I follow the gnoll back to the others, and nodded to Kaegan.

"Your gnoll friend is taciturn, to say the least. As little as I relish the idea, I believe we need to move on. There's little more than death behind us. Ahead of us ... well, Gnolly won't, or can't, tell me. It will be hard for us to work together as scouts that way. What beyond Gnollish does he speak?"

I shift and try to remember what little Orcish I know. It would be enough to communicate basic ideas, if Gnolly understood it as well. Mother, the gods bless her, decided that as little as she liked orcs, I still deserved to have some knowledge of that part of my ancestry.

 

[poohlive]

"You know, that's an interesting question. I never ask such clever questions like that," Kaegan gave the woman a wonderful smile before looking at his gnoll, that had gone as usual to his side, a hand on his weapon.

"Gnolly, how many languages do you speak?"

"Three," The gnoll spoke, his speech gravelly, but his common was understandable, "Common, gnoll, and orc."

"Ahhh, see. I didn't know that," Kaegan gave the lady his empty hands in the air, as if to offer a solution to his problem.

"The lady says you did not speak to her, why is that?"

"Nothing to say. Nothing up ahead except some game to hunt."

Kaegan cocked his head to one side, "Why didn't you tell her that?"

"She wanted to scout ahead with me. If she were compitant in the least, she would have noticed that as well."

Kaegan frowned as the gnoll seemed to smile at his clever answer. He gave the woman a stiff stare, before eyeing the forest around them once more.

"I'm sorry, Gnolly has no manners. When you scout ahead with our friend here, you will tell her what you find out, and what you don't find. Is that clear?"

The gnoll only growled further, as Kaegan made apologies for him.

"I'm still introducing him into the finer points of being nicer to humans. I'm sorry, he's not a very fast learner."