Fly Sparrow Crazy

[shadowoftheheart]

I grin.

"Sounds to me like he's living up nicely to humanity's standards. Taciturn, rude, and sarcastic. Gnolly, when I ask for information, it isn't because I don't know: it is in case I don't know. If you want to view me as inept in the woods, ranger that I am, you certainly can, but I would like to be able to cooperate with you."

Then, in Orcish: "If we work together, we will live. If not, we will die."

I take a drink from my canteen. Orcish has never been agreeable to me, however strongly that side of my ancestry informs my actions. Perhaps, I dislike it because I know how strongly orcish I am. More than I care for at times. Even my mother at times called me her little orclet when I was a child.

I said a quick prayer to the goddes of the wood, asking that she keep me from evil. This was a common prayer. As a ranger, I had to keep from giving in too much to my baser instincts.

 

[poohlive]

"My thoughts exactly. Gnolly, when Amanda asks you a question, you answer it. You do what she tells you. She is very good at rangering, and you are very good at scouting. Between the two of you, no one can sneak up on us. Now, be good, Gnolly. You understand?"

The gnoll just nodded his head, a small shake as his ears twitched with anger. With a forward push, Matteo went right up to the girl, his razor sharp teeth inches from her tender neck.

"Does anyone else know?" A gutteral orcish, "You ever going to tell them you're a halfbreed? Maybe they can't all see it, but I can. You reak of your heritage. Will they know? Will you even acknowledge it yourself?"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I grin, unafraid of Gnolly.

In Orcish: "The other's don't know. No need to tell them til now. I welcome the challenge, my friend."

I turn to the others.

"Gnolly has asked a price for his cooperation. I accept his demands. I am half-orcish. I do not look it, except for my Eyes. Gnolly believes I am hiding from my heritage. I would respond by asking if any of you would embrace proudly the heritage of your mother's rapist? No, the blood-heritage is painful enough. My eyes remind me every time I see my reflection that my father, whom I have never met, is a monster. The boiling of my blood in battle reminds me that I am often but a heartbeat away from being a monster myself. If anyone has questions, ask them now. If not, I suggest we move before the trail our Gnollish friend scouted becomes cold."

Despite myself, my eyes now glint with a feral anger, and I am barely supressing a snarl.

 

[ShyWetThief]

Sparrow watches this interaction with quiet confusion. She had known Kaegan and Gnolly for sometime now and had never known the small creature to speak that much.

It took a moment or two for her to pull herself together enough to speak. "Um... Cold isn't good...." she begins sluggishly and then pauses. Her eyes droop and her words slur slightly, as if she is fatigued beyond measure. "We should keep moving... We can sort this out in the morning ..."

She takes a few steps then, stops, and turns back to face her new crowd of friends. "Can pick your friends, can pick your foes, ... can't pick your family..." It isn't quite what she wants to say, but it's as close as she can come, feeling as tired as she does.

Off to the side of the group, listening to words of logic and excitement, stands Praxis. His hood is still thrown back and he has a smile that looks half smug and half amused. He also seems to be paying special attention to Sparrow. He has no verbal reply for the half-orc ranger, but the glance he does spare for her seems uncharacteristicly sympathetic.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Captain Dalton of the REDS

It was almost sunset before the REDS returned from decimating the city. There was little of anything left to be called a city now. Their kind had always ruled with fear, and they were reputed to be as heartless as they were brutal.

Captain Dalton stood in the clearing near their encampment, looking towards the smoldering remains of yet another human stronghold. He wondered from time to time if the slaughter of these people was necessary, but he was a soldier and a good soldier carried out his orders to the letter. His Lord despised all human kind, and most other kinds as well, and would not give a second thought to eradicating them all like vermin.

If it was ever discovered that human blood ran through Captain Dalton’s veins, his blood would be drained and his flesh fed to the hounds. It was a secret his family had hidden well.

His second in command returned with a rather grim look on his face. “We found several seers Sir, only problem is, Taka’s squad hacked em all ta bits before I could acquire one for ya. There are fresh tracks leading away from the city towards the forest. Looks like it might be da ones ya looking for Sir. Shall we go after em?”

Dalton sighed heavily. How much trouble could one little box cause? Did that stupid little thief even have a clue what she was getting into to? The trinket had been entrusted to the high Lord of his fathers people many generations and he swore on the blood of his linage to protect it and never let it fall into the hands of men. The honor of the Royal, and the very lives of the royal family depended on the return of that box. His father carried royal blood, and thus, so did he.

“Give the men a few hours rest. We break camp and leave as soon as the moon is high.” He knew a group of that size would be easy to track, and besides, he was tired and more then a little needy of a strong drink.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira

Shakira looked at Sparrow with a look of understanding. “Sometimes there is a big difference between those who gave you life, and those who are family. My lineage is nothing but lies. Family doesn’t lie.”

She made her statement then followed Sparrow into the trees. Her thoughts were heavy, and in the back of her mind she should still see the dreams that tormented her as a child. A dream about a golden city with streets that ran with blood and walls that screamed in agony.

 

[Vixandra]

Vell

I looked to the ranger with a shrug. "So you're half-orc. I've got tricolored eyes, surely as odd as your own. Only one I've ever heard of with similar eyes was burned at the stake for being a witch. Not a nice way to hear on one's great grandmother's death. Still, half orc, half harpy, half displacer beast, makes me little mind. Your heart's in the right place and if you're unleashed on the battle feild, make up for it by helping to heal the wounded and the land afterward."

I touched a hand to the silver symbol of Saint Cuthburt that covered my entire left breast. "I know my lord places more value in one's actions then one's linage. How can I do anything different?"

With that, I turned and followed Shakira and Sparrow. I sent a quick prayer to my god of battle and vengeance. I felt a warm wash as my magic tingled through me, Destruction on my right and Protection on my left.

 

[poohlive]

Matteo gave off a sinister sneer, which would have resembled a smile if one could honestly think showing razor sharp teeth a smile. He then fell back in line with his master, Kaegan.

She could not accept herself, not as she truly was. He knew enough of orc cultures to know most half breeds were the process of forced sex. Even sex in Orc culture itself was never considered much more than just rape. The men took the women when they wanted it, it was only a coincidence every so often if the women went willingly.

Kaegan, had no such thoughts however. Indeed, he had to wipe away a tear as he walked over and hugged the tall woman.

"I'm sorry. To be honest, I never knew my parents much either. Believe me, I feel for you. Please, if you ever need someone to talk to, or a shoulder to cry on, I am here."

The gnoll sneezed very loudly.

"And I'll make sure Gnolly behaves. It's the least I can do."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I returned Kaegan's hug warmly, feeling justified by the reactions of the others.

Saying nothing else to anyone, even to Kaegan's offer of support and comfort, I turn and follow the others.

Now that my lineage is revealed, I can focus my thoughts on more important matters, like remembering the best path through the woods to the northern part of the orcish lands. I knew, by reputation, the ruin of which he spoke. An ancient city that was rumored to have been built by an ancient race of beings that had destroyed themselves in savagery, and had degraded into the orcs of today. It was a myth, and not one told except in connection with the ruin. She doubted it's truth.

Regardless, it would be a difficult and dangerous passage, and they would meet far more orcs than she ever hoped to see again.

 

[ShyWetThief]

fast forwarding! (only a little)

And so the group begins their adventure.

The moon has passed high overhead and is low in the sky again before they stop to rest. A sense of urgency and caution spurred them in their travels, and when their scouts calculate the wheels walked, all are surprised at the distance.

The trail has been smooth so far, and the going easy for all except Sparrow. She stumbled and fell frequently in the dark, and couldn't seem to shake her fatigue. The others have been kind and helpful to her, but as everyone settles down for the night, Praxis motions to her sleeping form.

"The child isn't suited for this," He glances at each person in the group, even at the Gnoll, and shrugs to himself. "I have elixers that could help, but I doubt that she'd take them... If she continues like this, though, we'll be leaving her body behind for the monsters that follow us."

 

[Vixandra]

Velldandi Ste Cuthe

"That's rather inhuman," I said with a raised eyebrow. "Still, perhaps a mage as great as yourself could conjure her a steed?"

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira gave him a suspicious look.

“Perhaps it is not a steed she requires, but an antidote. How is it that she is strong and well enough to swipe the box from under to noses of who ever it was she swiped it from, yet she is not strong enough to sustain half a days travel? Seems a little odd to me. But I don’t suppose you would know anything about that, now would you Mage?”

There was so many things about this man that made the hair stand up on the back of her neck. There was more to Sparrow’s weakness then just fatigue, and the more she thought about it, the more sure of it she was.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Praxis, the first Rule you must know, is that under my guidance none are left behind. I will burthen myself with her unconscious body before leaving her to a grisly fate as you suggest."

I glance around at the Faces, seeing them clearly in the dark. I can see also, roaming around the camp at a distance, a wolf. It paces slowly, watching us and taking our Measure. No, Sparrow will not be left defenseless with such, and far far worse, on the trail both behind and before us.

"A steed, an elixir, an antidote, whatever is needful. We do it tonight. Tomorrow, she keeps up with us even if it means we slow our pace."

 

[poohlive]

The gnoll rolled over in his sleep, and thought no more of the subject. A woman falling behind. The gnoll's had a way of dealing with slackers. They were usually turned into food, so the others could keep up their strength. No need to pretend their ways. Only the strongest survived.

Everyone else just became snack food along the way.

Matteo's dark eyes swirled with hunger as he looked at the weak theif. Yes, she would be delicious. Roasted over a fire with mixed seasonings and maybe some almonds. No... no, stuff her with bread and garlic, bake with a light gravy. A feast for everyone else.

The gnoll licked his lips as he drifted off to sleep, thoughts of delicious human recipes rolling through his head.



Kaegan only pouted at the fire's edge, as he sat next to Sparrow.

"She'll be ok," He said, his large and scarred hand coming out to move the hairs from her face. She did look very pretty in the pale light, the fire dancing on her skin.

"It's just her first day. Everyone's first day is hard. Give her a few days, and she'll be ok. Even I didn't do well my first day. I was with a group of adventurers. This was before I found Gnolly. We had a halfling in the group, and he always shoot his crossbow into combat. The problem was, he's not very good. So, here I am fighting this goblin, and a crossbow bolt goes right into my ass. Well, I yelped, turned around right there... stopped fighting the goblin, and grabbed the crossbow from the guy. Threw it out of his hands.

"Well, don't you know it, the little guy goes and fixes it, and then the next day we are fighting another group of goblins, and another crossbow bolt right into my other cheek. That time I didn't stop, I kept fighting the goblins, and when it was all said and done, I kindly went up to the halfling, and chopped him in two."

Kaegan laughed heartily, still rubbing his sore behind. It hurt every time he told his story.

 

[ShyWetThief]

Praxis raises an eyebrow, surprised at the concern shown by these strangers thrown together by fate.

"Very well," he murmurs. "I have an elixer I can offer her in the morning. Whether she takes it or not is her own doing." He pauses and glances at the women. "I'm not sure how familiar you are with magic, ladies, but summoning a living thing demands far more energy and sacrifice than brewing a potion and I have greater things to save my energy for."

He sighs, as if perplexed at their feelings for the young rogue, and moves asside to meditate. Although he never seems to fall asleep, he remains motionless throughout the rest of the night. Sparrow, meanwhile, moans and stirs uneasily in her sleep. She is quiet for the most part, though, and sleeps until dawn.

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon emerged from the shadows, a light splattering of blood on her lips, which she hastily wiped off when she approached the clearing. She had promised she wouldn't feed on the party, but she did need to feed. She had hung behind on the journey, keeping to herself, not sure how well the rest would cope because of what she was, even though they knew. She knew people were uncomfortable around her.

She watched Sparrow on the ground, sensing that she was weak. She bent down next to the girl and patted her head. She turned to the others. "If she is still weary in the morning, she can ride on me." She stood. "I don't know if back in the tavern you all actually realised how large I am. I am more then large enough for a small thing such as her to ride on me until we get horses."

She went and sat next to the Gnoll, not too close, but close enough to someone. She felt a small kinship with him. She didn't know why. Maybe it was just they were both dangerous creatures that avoided humans and didn't quite know how to act around them. regardless, she knew the Gnoll wouldn't hurt her. He probably didn't even know she exised.

Gideon picked up a small stick and began to draw patterns in the dirt, speaking without looking up. "I will stand watch if you like, if the rest of you wish to sleep."

 

[Vixandra]

Velldandi Ste Cuthe

I stiffled a chuckle over the how familiar with magic comment but said nothing. Just a cleric, I thought, I don't use magic at all, nope, not in the least.

Settling down on my bedroll, I gazed up at the sky above, barely visable but there, always present. It was a comfort, a constant in a world where such things are rare.
"Wake me for second or third watch, Gideon, its not fair that you be the only one doing it," I said before snuggling in and closing my eyes. My lips moved in soundless prayers for a few moments before I released my last grip on conciousness and slept.

 

[GideonRose]

Gideon nodded mutely, sighing and standing, wandering slowly around the group, her keen ears listening for any sound.

She sniffed at the ear. They were still being pursued, but the scent was faint. She hoped they wouldn't catch up with them while the rest slept. She knew all too well how hard it is to wake someone and rouse them to fight when they are in a deep sleep.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

I tried for a time, but couldn't sleep. With a sigh, I sat up, and scanned the surrounding forest. The wolves were gone ... or were they? The wolf-woman was standing watch over them. There might have been a connection there.

Well, I for one trusted her. I'd been in the Forest long enough to know that Wolves, while they did indeed prey on the weak and straggling, were also loyal to their packs. If she was running with us now, we were her pack. She wouldn't betray us.

I stood, and walked over beside her.

"How goes it?" My voice was quiet, so as not to wake the others. They needed as much sleep as they could get, especially little Sparrow.

 

[GideonRose]

She looked up at the woman. "As well as can be expected in the current circumstances." She looked up at the sky and scanned the surrounding forest. "The wolves are hunting tonight."

She looked at the dying embers of the fire. She sighed. She had rememebered what it was like to be a part of a pack. It was horrible, but they were family. She didn't like being alone, but she didn't have much choice in the matter.

She turned back to the woman. "And how are you?"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Unable to sleep. Worried for Sparrow. Concerned about ... the wolves."

I glance away from her for one moment, scanning the horizon.

"If it matters, I know what it's like to be different, suspected, and disliked. My mother was forced to leave the woodland village where she grew up because she bore me."

I shrug.

"If you need it, sleep."

 

[ShyWetThief]

i cry pardon, forgive my impatience

Those who take turns at watch that night notice, again, that Praxis never seems to sleep. He stays off to one side for the most part, sometimes looking up to the sky, as if imploring someone or something, and sometimes his gaze falls on Sparrow. When he is watching the girl, the look his face holds is odd, as if he at once regrets and relishes something he must do.

Dawn of the next morning comes soon enough, though, and with it, the urgency to keep moving. Sparrow wakes up tired, blinking at her surroundings, but voices no complaints. Praxis also rises wordlessly.

Praxis moves toward Sparrow gracefully and, without a word, holds a vial out for her to take. Sparrow recoils from him, startled. She is so eager to get away from him, that she nearly puts her hand into the ashes of the fire. She still looks very groggy and hasn't uttered anything more than a soft yelp of surprise.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Shakira

Shakira moved quickly to stand between Praxis and Sparrow, holding out her hand for the vile.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to tend my new friend this morning.”

Praxis handed her the vile with a shrug. “What ever you like.”

The vile felt cool in Shakira’s hand, almost chilled. She lifted it to her nose and smelled the contents without breathing the aroma too deeply. She had been taught to detect poison at an early age, but detected none here. There was magic in it, but she could find no malice. The potion had not been made to do harm as far as she could tell.

She handed the vile to Vell, after all, she was a healer and if anyone would know a bad brew it would be her.

“Perhaps our healer could attend our little Sparrow better then I, what say you, Cleric? Perhaps a few of your prayers would not hurt as well. Her life glow isn’t too bright this morning.”

Shakira did not hide her contempt for Praxis. This man, his purpose, and her calling was all interfering with her plans for her future. She didn’t like not being in control of her own fate.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Dalton

No sooner had the moon reached it’s peak and Captain Dalton and his men was ready to move. They were trained well and could march at a trot for days without rest if the need raised, and still fight a good fight at the end of it. Dalton had no love for battle even though he was extremely good at it. He’d never lost a fight. But then, he never got into a fight without being sure he could win in the first place. This mission though was no fight. It was little more then an errand to recover a stolen trinket. He wanted this deed done, for then he had more important matters to attend to. He’d been granted a wife of mixed magic blood. Her father, a wizard, had a blood debt to his people and this woman was the price they demanded. All he had to do, once he returned home with the trinket, was find her.

They reached the edge of the woods and picked up the group’s trail with ease. That many people traveling together in thick country like this would leave a trail even a child could follow. This was going to be easier then he thought.

With a nod, he motioned the men forward. The dull glow of dawn creeping over the horizon.

 

[poohlive]

Kaegan looked at the vial, and let just a little spill onto his finger. He sniffed it, let his tongue come out, and licked the small amount that had dribbled down his finger. After a moment, Kaegan shrugged his shoulders.

"It's fine. Don't know what it does, but it's not supposed to kill ya."

The gnoll had returned from scouting ahead. He shook his head. Nothing was up there except for breakfast. He had to lick his lips, a rabbit had done more than well for the gnoll's appetite.

The gnoll had not looked behind them though, just a few yards behind, and he might have had the chance to see that someone else was coming. At the moment, he was looking on ahead.

"Well," Kaegan saig, getting his knapsack together, his axe leaning on his shoulder, "Are we ready to go then?"