Heroes come in all shapes and sizes (IC)

[milkmaiden38]

Zarik had silently stood up, the sharping stone now on the ground … and his axe at the ready … he had seen the strange light approaching through the fog. Blin too had noticed the light and slipped into the shadows, a dagger in his hand moving quietly to a flanking position. Isola had her back turned and only notice everyone looking so she turned around in time to see the young woman approaching. Megan had taken a step towards the protective wall, getting a spell ready. But then as the figure got closer she saw who it was and had changed direction moving towards Isca.

Megan whispered to Isca “We aim to make an undetected exit from this town. Please keep your voice down … and turn off the light” Megan explained as she petted Nefer again and the cat rubbed its head against her out stretched hand.

“As for your question … I believe you are most welcome to join us … but I will need to talk to the others … another mage is always helpful. Howver, I warn you … evil stalks us. We believe there is an ambush awaiting us in the swamp. If you chose to join up with another guide I understand” Megan explained.

Zarik had overheard Megan’s whispers and turned to Isola, “Another person going to Ardel’s tomb … what is it ...tourist season? I don’t like this!” He whispered gripping his axe tighter. Isola nodded “Another pretty mage … oh just great!” she said sarcastically.

Blin said nothing … but he did study the new comer and her cat. Blin liked cats … particularly when they were grilled over an open fire! Mmm yummy!

 

[Iscaa]

Isca felt the tension in the Heroes that were surrounding her but relaxed as Megan moved towards her. When the situation was explained she quickly turned her glob off and whispered back, “I would like to join you but of course it depends if the others agree. Hearing the big Minataur's and human's comments she wondered if she would be welcomed.

All of a sudden Nefer reared up fluffing her hair to it's full extent, ears laid back looking towards the shadows on the left. She let out a long low menacing growl. Isca peered into the darkness til she could discern a dark body not too far away. Quickly whispering to Megan, “I think there is something evil lurking over there!” She thrust her hand out in that direction.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Megan looked in the direction that Isca pointed and saw nothing. There was just too little light and the fog was too heavy. But she focused harder using her detection of magic energy and saw the half-goblin cloak. Apparently it had some magical properties she had not noticed before.

“Oh that is just Blin … he is our … thief … for the task we are trying to complete” Megan explained whispering back, not knowing what to actually call the turncoat spy. Blin pulled back the hood to his cloak and step from the shadows, coming closer to Megan and Isca.

“Rogue … I’m a rogue not a thief … and an excellent lover!” he said winking at the Isca with his ugly nose twitching half-goblin face “and I love pussy” he delayed just long enough … and finished with “…cats”

Isola and Zarik had also join Megan and Isca each offering their hands for her to shake.

“Well Met” Zarik said

“Glad to meet you” Isola said and then looked over to the sleeping Nas and pointed with her thumb “He is the really evil one!” she whispered …giggling … thinking the dragon could not hear her.

 

[Mantra]

Nas

Nas finally woke with the morning light making its way through the trees above. His head rose up, letting the dragon sniff the air around him. Ther was the strong smell of humans, lizardlings, dirt , and the must of humidity, but Nas did not make out anything that made his tail twitch. He rose, letting a soft, rumbling growl bubble out as he stretched out, much like a cat would. His long talons dug furrows into the ground and the morning light was blotted out by his one undamaged wing as it opened wide in the cool morning air. He yawned mightily, revealing rows of sword points that were his teeth. The long, forked tongue pressed down in Nas's mouth until the muzzle closed again. Nas looked around, his stretch ending with a great 'wuff' from his nostrils, expelling puffs of smoke as he did.

The dragon rose and began to wander closer to the tiny group of his traveling companions. His joints still ached slightly, especially his damaged wing. While the cold did not bother the beast, the dampness irritated the stiffened and healing muscles of his wing. That alone served to put the dragon into an irritated state. The thought of wandering into the muddy, dirty morass before them did not brighten his mood any.

"So then," Nas began. "Have any of you discovered some great secret that might actually benefit us last night?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

Nas’ left foot landed closest to Isola as the group headed for the main gate. The concubine patted the dragon’s fore leg “Good morning sunshine! We are trying to sneak out of town in this thick fog …so please keep your voice down.” She whispered as the dragon’s head came to her eye level.

“We have two new traveling partners … Blin Bloodknuckle, the half-goblin, he will be assisting us with traps or lock picking needs at the tomb” she stated quietly, pointing to the half-goblin, who continued to try to remain hidden with his warg hide on the outside of his cloak sneaking through the town’s main street. “Additionally he has told us to expect an ambush while we are in the swamp. There is some demon overseer waiting for us, and some lifeless zombies, and we think a Mesobulbron wandering around too. So time to get your game face on … we are going to be kicking some Mesobulbron ass today!”

Zarik was nearby leading the two mules with supplies, he just couldn’t resist saying something to this comment “…or running like hell … most likely” he added under his breath.

“Also joining us is Isca, the mage, and her cat” Isola continued trying not to think about what was waiting for them in the swamp. “They were also on their way to Ardel’s tomb. And we have joined forces for this part of the journey.” Isola concluded. As she finished up explaining, the group arrived at the spot where Maut and Devon were waiting. Isola introduced Isca to Maut and Devon.

“I wonder how this is going to go?” She thought as the dragon, ranger, dead knight, mage and her cat all greet one another.

 

[Iscaa]

Isca nodded her head as Isola introduced her to Maut and then Devon. Nefer eyed them both up tail twitching, she remained calm but alert. Unfortunately Blin walked a little too close to Isca alerting Nefer to potential danger. She immediately launched herself at him landing on his face. Growling and scratching she made a fearsome racket. In total surprise everyone just stood and watched as Blin tried to defend himself.

Isca quickly stepped over and picked Nefer off of Blin's face. Seeing his anger and threatening posture she realized she better get this straightened out on the spot. Stepping back while holding Nefer against her chest with her left arm she cast her right arm out fingers splayed. Looking directly into Blin's eyes she whispered in a deadly voice, You harm one hair on Nefer's body and I will make you regret you were ever born.” Pausing for affect she continued, “How does being eaten by worms from the inside out sound to you?”

 

[SwiftPeter]

Introductions...

"Unpleasant" Blin said finally.

Blin scowled and slipped into a corner where he could examine the hair he snatched when Isaca knelt over him to peel her angry pussy off his face. Her anger lowered her guard just long enough for Blin to trade a single strand for the cat.

Holding it to his nose, he took a long breath and drank her smell in, memorizing it.

Totally worh it.

 

[Mantra]

Nas

Nas smiled at Isola's comments. "Sneak? Really? We have the most unique and eclectic group gathered in the backwater town next to a swamp in probably a century, and you actually think we are going to 'sneak' anywhere?"

Nas offered a chuckle to give his assessment of their chances of stealth.
"Not to mention that if there is to be an ambush, then they are probably watching us now. Then there is the Mesobulbron...Have we anything like a plan to defeat it; or are we just going to stumble towards one of the most deadliest legends ever known and hope for the best?"

His head swiveled towards the newcomers. "I do not trust these creatures. Why should we accept anything that they say as the truth?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Because magick is in the swamp, as is my lady"

Maut's words came suddenly, he turned back to face the group, then looked at the dragon,

"I will vouch for the Ranger, I know his family. As for the other two...I do not trust the half breed at all, but the wizard brings with her a touch of destiny. The future will bring a change due to her."

Maut turned to face the swamp,

"Also we need to go into the swamp you and I Nas who is not his name."

 

[milkmaiden38]

“That went well!” Isola thought with a grimace on her face … Blin still had green blood on his face where the cat had scratched him … Isca was upset petting Nefer to calm her down. The dragon had awakened in a bad mood, and was now dashing everyone hopes … and Maut was being all mythical … at least the ranger still looked all handsome and confident.

Megan jumped into the conversation, “The first part of the plan was to use this heavy fog to slip away from the town. Everyone knows we are here … but they can’t see through this pea-soup fog any better than we can. Our departure time shrouded as it were …the second part …”

Isola cut her off, seeing her chance “...the second part was for our handsome and brave ranger to pick a path through the swamp that our adversary does not expect!” She said smiling at Devon giving him a little wink.

Zarik grunted “That should help ... additionally, to foil an ambush … scouts can be useful” he said and glanced at Blin and Nefer the cat … “although ... should the scouts see the Mesobulbron … I would suggest a rapid and swift tactical retreat”

“We need to avoid any contact with the demons or the Mesobulbron until after we have been to Ardel’s tomb. I think the Elf king was correct … the magic there may be the key to defeating the Mesobulbron.” Zarik concluded.

“Does anyone have any other ideas?” He asked as he looked at Nas, Maut, Devon, Isca and Blin.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Though the plan is tactically sound, the only problem is that the paths that led to the tomb have been overgrown through the years."

He flicked his hood over his head,

"There is two paths remaining, the shorter route will take us six days to cover. The longer route can only be found through various game trails and patches of the old roads themselves. The second route is dangerous and easy to wait oin ambush as it is choked. Our dragonkind will be cramped as well..."

Maut's voice cut in,

"We take the shorter route, there is a place that Nas and I have to visit."

 

[milkmaiden38]

“Ok … let us be off …” Zarik agreed “And if you, Maut and Nas need to make a visit … Although I do not advise it … There is a small advantage in splitting the group as well … as long as the parties are not too far apart … an ambush would hit one but not both. The non-ambushed group can then come to the other group’s rescue.” Zarik stated followed by a clarification “If there is anything left of the first group …that is …”

“We can discuss enhancement as we travel … but let us do that as quietly as possible.” Megan added.

“Sounds like a plan …” Isola agree “Lead the way Devon …I’ll be right behind you”

The group headed off into the thick fog …

 

[Iscaa]

Isca listened to the various comments made while trying to calm the highly agitated Nefer down. In a soothing voice she said, “Now now Nefer luv, you just stay away from that nasty smelly goblin man, and all will be just ducky.” She petted her fine soft fur smiling at her as she slowly relaxed and began to purr.

Looking over to where Blin was sniffing at something she continued, “Don't worry luv, I will protect you at all times.” Hearing the comments about scouts, she looked at Zarik, frowning slightly, before looking down at Nefer, “Do you think your up to doing a bit of scouting for us? We shall see if and when you are needed, won't we?” Hearing Zarik's negative comments she whispered to Nefer, “Boy that Zarik is sure a pessimistic type isn't he?”

Looking at the various members of the group Isca realized that it would take awhile for her and Nefer to be accepted. But that was fine, all she needed was their help and protection til they got to Ardel's tomb, once there it was anyone's guess what the next part of their journey would be like. In the meantime she and Nefer would pull their weight and do what ever it took get to the tower in one piece.

Once the group started to move in the thick fog, Isca made her way towards Megan so she would not have to be near Blin and his perverted glances. Plus she didn't want a repeat of Nefer going after him again.

 

[milkmaiden38]

The fog was getting thicker as they moved deeper into the swamp …people could only see the person in front and behind them. Suddenly Isca saw Zarik's big black bull face appeared out of the fog before hers as he led the two mules with the supplies.

“Isca, Minotaur’s have excellent hearing. I heard your comment about my pessimistic outlook. Our race has a saying about pessimism “Fear leads the herd to take a pessimistic view of things; they magnified their enemies' resources, and minimized their own.” Your comment reminded me of it. I thank you. It was my fear of the Mesoblubron that made me say such things. I will refrain from further comments”

Then Zarik looked at Nefer “we also have a saying for scouts …If you trot ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.” The big bull winked at the cat and slipped back in line with the two mules still in tow.

Isola had taken out her green gem, it dulled in the presents of evil. So she watched it carefully, in case, evil was near. She also watch Devon’s very attractive backside ahead of her. In fact now that she thought about it … she was watching his backside more carefully than the gem! “Ahhh the simple pleasures in life” she thought.

“Devon … Maut said he knew your family … does that mean they are all dead?” Isola asked him in a whisper, clearly fishing for information on Devon background. Maut had been a powerful knight …perhaps Devon family had also been powerful knights!

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon lead the way, his eyes and ears keeping a sharp look-out as they went along, the fog dampened all sound, even the light seemed darker. Isola's question caught him slightly by surprise,

"My parents still live, as does one brother. He did ask me about my grandfather, whom had passed away, so perhaps he had dealings with my family in the past, nobody ever mentioned him though."

He glanced over his shoulder, giving Isola a quick grin,

"But you know how secretive the older people can be, especially when it comes to meeting one such as Maut, superstition and all that."

He deliberately kept his family's status a secret, it usually just brought him grief

 

[Mantra]

Nas

Nas followed as best as he could, but he could not help but notice that with the exception of the dead knight's vouching for the ranger, all of his other comments and queries had been ignored or sidestepped. Nas figured that no one had a suitable answer for him.

"I can make short work of any undergrowth or obstacles." Nas offered. "But doing so would leave a path even a blind mammal could stumble through. As for the Mesobulbron, I can only think of two possibilities. One we try to trick the thing; lure it away or ensnare it somehow. The other is try to overwhelm it; as many different sort of attacks at the same time in hopes that it cannot adjust to them all."

As the day continued, Nas kept to himself whit his thoughts. Yes, the Deadman wanted Nas to go somewhere with it, but wandering into the swamp with the deathknight in tow did not seem like a wondrous afternoon of fun. Nas did not think the knight wanted to fight him, at least not now. But still, Nas was an old creature as well, and trust or forgiveness did not come so frequently to him. He often replayed thoughts, snippets of conversation and visions seen in his mind to ponder and revisit at his leisure. He was doing this very thing when his head and neck suddenly turned about until his golden eyes met with Isca's.

"Why?" Nas asked.

There was a moments hesitation among the group before Nas continued. "You seek the Tomb of Ardel, yes?"

Nas's head cocked to one side as he looked at the new female and her cat.

"Why?"

 

[Iscaa]

While Isca and Nefer walked along with the others, she wondered if they would be able to get to the tower in one piece, even though the heroes were formidable, maybe she would have been better off to go through the swamp alone. She wouldn't attract as much attention that was a fact, she looked around at the various characters frowning.

Suddenly she was confronted by the golden eyes of Nas, bringing her out of her contemplations.

“Why?, Nas asked.

“You seek the Tomb of Ardel, yes?”

“Why?”

When he had his hypnotic gaze on Isac like that, her mind went blank. Nefer feeling her confusion puffed up at Nas and let out a low growl whipping her tail back and forth. The rest of the group had stopped and were now waiting for Isca to explain herself.

Finally after what felt like long minutes, Isca was able to think, ( I had better stick as close to the truth as I can without really giving away anything critical.)

She replied, “I am doing a favor for a close friend, something that was left in the tower that belonged to her ancestors. She wants me to find it for her. That is really all there is to it.” She shrugged her shoulders.

Isca smiled at Nas, hoping her would accept this explanation. Nefer seemed to relax as she watched the huge dragon. She then got it into her head to make friends with him. Jumping off Isca's shoulder she ran up to him and rubbed her tiny body against one of his ol gnarly toe nails, all the while purring!

 

[SwiftPeter]

Blin moved through the fog,allowing it to envelop and conceal him. He could sense the others by how they moved. The heavy footfalls of the knight and the bull, the tentative, careful steps of the mage, the stupid tread of the pack mules behind.

Closing his eyes and listening to the swamp around them, he scanned for any other movement. In a swamp everything skukled and sneaked, but the sound of an approaching hunter had a personality all its own.

Blin doubted any of this party had ever been hunted before. For their sakes, they had better be as powerful as they beleived themselves to be. A regular swamp is dangerous for all but the best-prepared and this one was magical in addition to that.

 

[Mantra]

Nas

The dragon regarded Isca impassively. He was well aware that her answer was more of a non-answer which left more questions than she had replied to...and Nas would not forget that.

But there were other things that needed to be tended to at the moment.

His head pulled away, winding back around to look over the group again.

"If there is a place that we must go, Deadman, then lead the way and I shall follow...I wouldn't want to step on you by accident or anything after all..."

As the two began out, Nas's head slithered back downward, his eyes peering toward where Blin hid.

"Do not think that I have forgotten about you either Little Skulker. My questions for you will come in time..."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Twin sets of amber lights found the hulking form of Nas in the dark mist,

"We have a place to go yes, but we will go there when camp is set up and secured, when Megan can call us using her magick or if the strange magic that Isca wields can do so as well, she can also call for us if the camp is struck by the forces which opposes our journey."

He turned his attention back to their leaders, the nobleman who shuns his status and the concubine who has no master. He made a grunting sound, he hoped that Nas who is not his name, can at some stage receive a better dragonkin name, the beast have shown that he is much more than a terror, in fact, he was a good demonstration of what dragons could be.

 

[milkmaiden38]

It was not yet time for Nas and Maut to separate from the group … probable tonight they would reach the correct spot. In the meantime, they traveled for a few more hours ... then those with sensitive noses detected it first. Nefer and Nas.

Then the rest detected a faint smell of smoke as the group moved forward through the fog, a bit thinner here, the swamp all around them. The path widen in front of them, and opened up to a clearing and that is where they saw it.

A caravan … or what was the remains of one … it was a scene of desolation and deplorable destruction. The caravan’s wagons were all tore apart and broken into pieces. The ground littered with dead bodies … dead horses scattered among the bodies. The stench of death could now be detected from the broken wagons, dead horses, and corpses. A few of the caravan continued to smolder, smoke rose from them, coming from cracks in the tipped over sides of the wagon pieces. Weapons, blood, and bodies were everywhere. A few black birds … were pecking at the bodies. The sound of them squawking at each other, and one of the wagon wheels squeaking was the only noise on the battlefield.

“OH MY” Isola said clutching her green gem, getting ready to cast a healing spell on anyone that had survived, as she rushed forward.

“...they are all dead” Megan said looking at the total carnage and destruction.

Zarik went to the closest body, a lizardman mercenary by the look of his armor and weapons. He picked up the spent crossbow. “They put up a fight … no bolts left …but where are the attacker’s bodies?” He wondered out loud throwing the weapon back down to the ground.

Megan had moved to the opposite side of the clearing … “Maut … come quick … you need to see this … there is a circle here … and everything in it is dead!” She said. She stood next to the body of a dead human … but the body was all desiccated and dried up. It looked 100’s of years old. All around her in about a 30 foot radius everything was dead and dried up. The grass and plants … even the armor seemed rusted and old compared to the other bodies not in the circle.

Meanwhile Isola had made it to the wagons pieces; she was still looking for anyone alive when she heard a faint cry. At first she thought it was one of the birds, but then she knew it sounded different. She ran towards the noise and pulled back a very old looking broken side of a wagon … and found a dead woman … her dried up 100 year old body was curled up around something. Isola pulled the dead woman away from what it was curled around … and there was the crying baby. A baby girl ... still alive! … but she looked very hungry and thirsty. Her gem glowed … as she cast a healing spell on the baby and picked it up.

“There there …” she said. Reaching into her traveling bag she pulled out her blanket and wrapped the baby in it. She also got out her water skin and gave the baby some water. The baby stopped crying as it drank the water.

“I found a baby … its ALIVE” she yelled back at the group.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Maut went over to Megan and surveyed the scene,

"They are testing out their demon, trying to see if it works...which means this Mesulbulbron that we will face is not the same as the one of your legends."

He paused,

"I did not feel these deaths, their souls did not join the other's in my lady's realm."

With a small shake of his head he moved away, pausing at a tree which was on the edge of a circle, one part of it bend, old and withered, he rested his gauntlet against it and life seemed to seep back into the tree, returning it to it's full grown health. He then ventured further into the swamp, out of sight.

Devon inspected the carnage,

"It's a supply caravan...what is it doing here? They never come through the swamps, it is easier around the swamp."

 

[Iscaa]

Isca and Nefer walked through the devastation, looking for some small clue as to what could have done this. Overhearing what Maut just said she had to agree, this was demon work at it's worst. They kept on with their grisly investigation, it was enough to bring the heart and spirit of a person down low. Isca stopped at the edge of the circle beside Maut and Megan, she knew in her bones this was more then just killing, this was old very old evil magic. She felt a shiver go through her body. Nefer mewed in response. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Isola shout;

“I found a baby...it's ALIVE”

Looking up where Isca heard Isola shout from she saw the same kind of evil magic, everything was dead and dried like from long in the past. She quickly changed her mind about speaking to Maut and Megan, something had lived through the devastation and evil. She hurried over to where Isola held the baby,

“Please? May I see the baby?”

When Isola laid the baby girl in her arms, Isca could feel that there was magic in her, strong magic. She looked up at everyone gathering around and remarked,

“This child is important, we must guard her with our lives, I feel that she may play a pivotal part in our quest.”

Nefer moved silently down Isca's shoulder and sniffed at the baby girl. Finally lifting her paw she gently touched her cheek. When the wee thing looked at her, Nefer burst into loud purring. Isca looked up and smiled at everyone that had gathered around.

“Looks like we have a new member of the troupe.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola looked at the baby in her arms; it was dirty, hungry, and very tried. But it was the cutest thing she had ever seen. Isola could not have children, something about how the gods had put her together. She was built for sex, she liked sex … but she had never been able to conceive a child. Now one arrived to her in her arms in the odds of places, in the middle of a swamp, among a destroyed caravan, surrounded by death, it was a hard to understand. Some of the others came over. Isola handed the baby over to Isca when she asked for her.

“This child is important, we must guard her with our lives, I feel that she may play a pivotal part in our quest.”

Nefer touched the baby and burst into loud purring.

“Looks like we have a new member of the troupe.” Isca said

“Isca … I think we need to name her …” Isola said. She looked around the caravan at all the destruction and death … “We could call her … lucky? Or maybe Cara … after Caravan?” Isola suggested

Megan had now joined the group looking at the baby. She was totally focused on the child … trying to see the magic word that was the child. After a minute she said “I think we might want to name her …hope … for somehow she survived this attack … and that should give us some hope.” She said.

Zarik walked over to the group, the mules now carried additional weapons acquired from the wreckage of the caravan. He had overheard the women talking … and was particular interested in Isca use of the words “our quest”. The young mage knew more than she was telling. But he was not going to make an issue of it here, maybe at the camp tonight.

“We need to continue moving to get to our camping spot for the night. You can discuss the child’s name while we travel” Zarik said firmly. Then a naughty smile appeared on his face as he said “… I kind of like … Zarika … she does seem to have my eyes” he joked.

Isola lightly punched Zarik in the shoulder “Hopefully, she does not have your bad sense of humor!” She turned to Isca “Isca … you can choose the name …just don’t call her …Nefer-Two!” She joked. Nefer looked at Isola with her ears back!

Zarik was folding a blanket around a small wooden board from the wreckage, turning them into a papoose like child carrier. “Here so you can carry the child more easily” he said handing it to Isca.

 

[DeathsKnight]

All of a sudden the darkness seemed to intensify, gathering in around them, a low humming filled the air, the temperature dropped severely and with a light blue flash the swamp mist drew back, the darkness seeping away like it never was and the temperature returned to normal. Maut came walking from across the clearing, a totally different direction than the one he had left.

"We will reach the first camping spot without interferance. No souls was released here in the attack, I will catch up, these souls deserve to rest after facing that abomination."

He looked at Devon,

"A powerful magick led the caraan here, they believed that they were following the usual route. It seems like Blin's demon is a master at illusions as well, or he has one in his group that can do so."