Heroes come in all shapes and sizes (IC)

[Mantra]

Nas

The carnage before them did not bother Nas in the least. he himself had wreaked much worse upon other creatures, most recently the goblins who dated to venture too close to his hill. he did however, note some oddities as they moved into the clearing.

"I did not feel these deaths, their souls did not join the other's in my lady's realm." said the deadman after a moment of review.

"Or they have been masked from you." Nas grumbled. "We have faced demonspawn once before already. We would be foolish to think they have not learned from their defeat."

The dragon watched as the others picked their way through the wreckage. He himself did not at first, his long neck giving him vantage to oversee the whole clearing and watch for anything out of the ordinary. Several of the crows fluttered away, cawing loudly. Nas's head darted forward and with a snap, one less crow was cawing.

"They took nothing." Nas commented. "This was not for plunder, nor any reason other than slaughter.." He bent down, sniffing at one of the corpses. " I fear that our enemy will be ready to move against the swamp towns within the month, probably much sooner." His head turned back towards the way they had come. "We should probably tell them to leave while they can still withdraw to safer lands."

Nas was again ignored, as usual, when the surviving child was discovered. These mammals were too easily distracted.

"If the child survived, then they did not inspect the caravan after the attack. We should check to see if anything valuable or useful remains. "We should destroy the corpses as well."

 

[Iscaa]

Just as Isca was about to comment on the baby, a low humming filled the air and the darkness intensified, followed by a blue light that pushed the swamp mist back. Everyone sucked in their breath looking around. Just as suddenly all went back to normal and they saw Maut coming into the clearing from the opposite end that he had gone.

Even though the women and Zarik heard Maut, they were quickly diverted back to the problem of the baby. Isca looked up at Zarik as he tried to hand her the papoose, shaking her head she quickly uttered,

“No no no no....!” Holding out the little girl at arms length, “I don't know anything about babies and all that goes with them I only wanted to feel her essence nothing else!”

She looked at Zarik who stepped back, then at Megan who had the same look as Zarik, finally Isca cast her eyes on Isloa, smiles as she quickly puts the baby back into her arms. Nefer yeowled her objection, but no one paid her any attention.

With a giant sigh of relief, Isca said,

Isola, you should name the baby since you are now officially elected to take her into your care. Zarkik please give Isola the papoose and blanket.”

Now that this crisis was taken care of Isca added,

“Maybe we should go over to the others and see what information they have come up with.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola thanked Isca and placed the baby into the papoose carrier. She adjusted it and the baby seemed to like it and soon fell asleep. The child was past 6 month in age and could eat soft food and drink water. Isola wish she had breast milk … but that was not an option. She thought about their food supplies and they had cereal and dried vegetables … if she picked some fruit along the way and mashed everything up … the baby would do ok. It would be better if the child had milk too, but that was the best they could do in the middle of a swamp.

Isola smiled at everyone “I like Megan’s idea for a name … Let’s call her …Hope” She said. She went back to the wagon she had found the baby in and got a few items … like some clothing, feeding spoon and dish, and a baby toy.

Meanwhile, Zarik followed Nas’ advice and gathered up the bodies. The others looked through the wagons and found nothing of great use. Although Blin ... he was not sure about ... the half-goblin was a thief/rogue ... and had he found something he might not tell anyone. Nevertheless, Zarik lite the corpses on fire and the group was again ready to head off deeper into the swamp.

“Ok everyone follow Devon to tonight camp site … Maut please do not take too long with these souls …this place has a bad feeling about it” Zarik said. The group departed to clearing without Maut and headed deeper into the swamp. Maut rejoined in a short while. The rest of the trip through the swamp was uneventful with one small exception. The baby started crying about 2 hours after they departed the caravan wreckage. Isola announced that the baby needed a diaper change. She did it quickly … but Zarik turned to Devon and said “We may not travel as fast as we first thought …or as quiet!”

However, they did reach the site for the night camp and set up their tents. Devon had selected an excellent site, a thick stand of trees protected the group from attacks and weather on three sides … a watch would be needed for the exposed side. But any attacker would be fighting at a big disadvantage on that approach. The group had started a very small fire that should not be visible unless someone was almost on them.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"I concur with you Nas, we cannot let them just stay here and being fed upon by all scavengers of the swamp, they deserve some respect."

Devon was standing near the fireplace, his face a study of impassiveness and sadness at the loss of lives,

"I will take care of it once you have left the clearing, gather what we can use and we will be able to carry along with us."

He turned his head to Isola,

"If you at some stage need the child to be carried, I will assist you."

This made Devon chuckle,

"Still folowing the code Maut?"

Maut looked back at Devon,

"Not even death should deter one from your sworn oath."

 

[Mantra]

Nas

Nas regarded the group with more interest than he let on. It was odd to him that these mammals carried on about the dead and the baby. Yes, it was unfortunate that these creatures were exterminated without true justification, but Nas himself had laid low many such caravans and traders himself, although he preferred to extort them rather than kill them outright.

Sure, there might be differences which made Nas's actions more acceptable than these demonkin, but Nas did not mourn these deaths. It was just natural selection at work and he owed them nothing. his suggestion to search and destroy the remains had been out of practicality rather than dignity.

Then there was this baby. Ok, Nas had to admit that leaving the baby alone to die once they had discovered it would have been cruel, and Nas in his heart was not cruel. But why name it? They knew nothing about it except that it was left here; so how could they give it a proper honorific title? Not to mention the foolish idea that while they were marching into certain danger, they would bring a squealing, helpless infant along. Somehow Nas did not think that the demonkind or their undead lackeys would spare a low for the sake of a child.

So Nas watched and waited. When the others moved out, Nas remained behind, watching the deathknight to see what it would do next.

 

[Iscaa]

Things went pretty smoothly once the group had left the caravan and all its horror behind. Except for the one stop to change the diaper of baby Hope, they made pretty good time. Isca let Nefer down as she set up her their tent and once it was done she went over to Megan to talk about setting up a spell around the camp site.

Meanwhile, Nefer had decided to look around, maybe find some tasty tid bit of a mouse. As she was nosing around a small hill, she spied that stinking goblin creature, her ears went straight back, as she crouched with just her eyes looking over the hilltop. She uttered a low menacing growl as she watched Blin skulk about. Backing up, she quickly turned around and shimmied up the nearest tree. Nefer now waited for the unsuspecting Blin to walk underneath her.

Once he was just below she jumped onto his head digging her claws deep into his skull while yeowling at the top of her lungs. The poor Blin tried to get her off while spinning around and yelling blue murder. Finally he blindly ran into the tree and fell on his backside moaning with the fierce cat still attached to his skull.

Isca looked up as soon as she heard that special voice of Nefer's, dropping everything she ran towards the crashing and yelling. When she came upon Blin and Nefer, they were already on the ground, still making a terrible racket. She quickly ran over to the pair and plucked Nefer off of Blin's bloody head. Crying out,

“Oh my sweet Nefer, are you all right luv? Did that nasty Blin hurt you?

Isca looked at Blin with a scowl,

“You better not have hurt my Nefer if you want to live, I warned you what would happen if you so much as touched a hair on her body!”

Nefer took this moment to cry a little, hoping to get more sympathy.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Maut had waited for everybody to leave, he stood a good distance from the pyre, it was sad that Zarik had burned the bodies, but armed skeletons fought just as good as corpses. He glanced at the dragon,

"Curious Nas?"

With a dry chuckle, he raised a hand and dark mist seeped out from the ground, it moved towards the bodies, curling away from the head and circled slowly in a circle around the fire. A thick bank of mist formed around the fire and then rushed in, the flames fought valiantly, but the mist robbed it of oxygen and the fire died down, the mist reached into the bodies and bones, lingered there and then the heap of bodies slowly sunk into the ground, the mist rose again, enveloping all items still in the clearing, it all sunk into the ground until there was nothing left in the clearing. With a soft howling sound the mist rushed towards Maut, seeping into his armor, only to rush out several seconds later and sink back into the ground. Maut looked up at Nas and then moved off after the group.

After camp have been set up Devon offered to take first watch, the way Nefer seemed to know that Blin would eat her if he got the chance was funny, but the ruckus the cat and baby made, really worked on his nerves. It was like sending out a huge beacon saying "We are here!", but what was done was done. When the camp was settled in, Maut stepped closer to Nas,

"Come Nas, let's go do what no Elven healer could do for you."

He moved off into the swamp, a short distance was quite an unpleasant trek through swamp water and mud, then they came upon a small trail and Maut started to follow this trail.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Note: this was jointly written by Deathknight and Milkmaiden38

The night was dark with bits of fog drifting about … obscuring the thin sliver of a moon. The small dirt path was barely visible through the swamp/jungle bush. Ahead could be seen a small clearing and a mud pit. The swamp although dark was alive with sounds of crickets and other nocturnal animals. These noises would greatly diminish with the approach of the dragon and the dead knight.

Moonlight dimly lit the clearing, with a word from Maut, the clearing trembled slightly and an old mud hut raised from the muddy ground, the trees seems to back away, for a few moments nothing happens, then the door of the mud hut flew open and a wizened old man came out, leaning heavily on a walking stick, carved into the shape of a winged snake. His eyes are blue and sparkled, the face taut and his whole frame sinewy, animal pelts covers his body, tribal tattoos cover most of his visible flesh and his hair was white, stood wildly in all directions. He looked human … but there is something different … almost as if he was half undead and half alive.

The old man peered into the darkness … he has the look of a predator that as caught a bird and is about to kill his victim.

“WHO DARES TO DISTRUB ME!” he says quietly but with great force of will behind the words. Maut approached the heap of fur and tattoos … the old man’s dark face turned towards the dead knight … a small smile appeared on the old man’s thin dried up cracked lips.

“Ah Maut … I did not know it was you … and you bring a dragon with you … most unexpected … Please come into my clearing” the old man said warmly as he grabbed some wood from inside his hut … and placed it in the fire circle. There was room around the fire circle for Maut, the old man, and Nas’ large head … the rest of the dragon’s body would be in the clearing and stretch back into the swamp.

“Dragon … could you be so kind as to light the fire” the old man asked as he again went into the hut and returned with a two bowls of food, a rich mixture of meat, grain and herbs. He handed one to Maut. “Even the undead can enjoy this …” he said and gave Maut a grin showing off some of his missing teeth. He also placed a red looking brick near Nas … and chanted a few words … the small brick turned into a slap of blood red meat … the blood still dripping from it …the size of two cows … “It taste better than that shit … the elves fed you …” the old man grinned “Oh yes … I know where you two have been … and I know your name …dragon … or shall I call you …Nas”

Maut unclasps and unbuckles the straps holding his helmet to his breast plate, he lifts the helmet, revealing a pale face, untouched by age, nor the usual rot of decay. In some ways he could still be called handsome, but the complete palor along with the white hair on top of his head gives him the visage of being a ghost. Where his eyes should be, two amber lights glowed steadily, he looked up at Nas, a slight smile touching the pale, dead lips,

"Not a word to the others."

He lifted the bowl and took a sip of the broth....Maut tasted the bowl of food, and relished it. It was rich and well cooked, with unfamiliar but tasty herbs. The old man handed a small clay vessel filled with a cobalt blue, naturally cool, sweet–smelling liquor to Maut. “Some brandy?” he asked.

 

[Mantra]

Nas and Maut

Nas remained, silently observing while the others moved out.

"Curious Nas?" the death knight asked with a dry chuckle.

Nas cocked his head at the knight for just a moment. "Yes." he said plainly, and returned to watching.

The mist seeped out, consumed the remains before weaving itself in and out of the dead man, then dissipated. Nas again had the tingle of magic flitter through his blood and along his spine as the mist did its work. The dragon's forked tongue whisked around the inside of Nas's mouth before his neck bent allowing him to spit into the brush away from the clearing.

"Come Nas, let's go do what no Elven healer could do for you."

'like what?" Nas asked absently. "Hold a conversation with me without trembling like a leaf in high winds?"

Regardless, Nas did follow the death knight through the swamp at to the new clearing. As soon as he saw the old thing todder out and greet the knight, Nas had half a thought of just flaming the whole clearing, hut, old thing and knight together.

"It does not bring a dragon anywhere," Nas grumbled. "rather a dragon chooses to journey in the same direction as it does."

Nas joined the other two in the hut, or at least, as much of him that would fit in the hut did. He sniffed at the slab of meat before his tongue flicked out, touching it briefly. He did not detect anything amiss, save that he was not familiar with the type of creature the slab had come from. In any case, Nas thought it safe to eat.

"You do not know my name." Nas corrected. "I have no name to know, but in the meantime, 'Nas' will suffice for the time being."

When the death knight removed his helmet, Nas had to admit to himself that it did not look as Nas might have expected. The dragon resisted the urge to poke at it, instead leaning close and sniffed at the knight, the snuffling stirring a tuft of Maut's white hair as he did so.

"Not a word to the others." Maut said with a smile.

Feigning disinterest, Nas shrugged, turning back towards the pit and his meat. "You still smell like a dead man." he said, seemingly bored. " And your magics taste like grease."

With a quick huff, Nas exhaled a burst of flame into the pit.

 

[DeathsKnight]

The old man cackled insanely

“Grease … Never heard his magic called that before …but he is a slippery one!”

He said and looked over to Maut again while he stuck his hands out towards the fires … warming them.

“Thank you Nas for the fire ….Ahhh”

He moaned

“Living under the mud can chill you to the bone!”

Maut's mouth pulled into a semblance of a smile, there was no humor in death, only in the folly of beiengs,

"It was your decision to stay here, it's nobody's fault that a swamp arose over your home from your brandy making, which the dwarves of course buy from you."

“Maut … stop being practical, allow an old man his grumblings”

He said as he glanced at the large barrels arranged along one side of the mud hut. Then his eyes returned to Maut as the thin old man looked at the knight appraisingly.

"You drank of the brandy and you knew it to be made by my magic?"

Maut nodded and a flickering of light ran across the old man's eyes,

“You have knowledge of the arts … Maut … but you should consider staying here with me …I could teach you much”

The wrinkled old man suggested, Maut shook his head

“We walk different paths”

“Ah oh well … it would have been fun. But you are not here … for my food and drink. You have come for my healing abilities … you wish me to repair the dragon’s wing”

He stated confidently but waited for confirmation, Maut nodded,

“Yes.”

“To fix the wing I need to use dark magic … and it comes with a price”

The tattooed old man stated ominously. He got up and walked back into the mud hut. He returned with a battered tome, several candles, a steel rod, a bird in a cage, a vial with blood in it, and some nasty smelling mud. The aged yellow pages crinkled between his fingers as he found the right page. His long, thin tattooed fingers ran along the dark red lettering on the page as he read.

“Place your wing here …and do not move it … during the ritual”

The witch doctor arranged the candles near the wing and lite them. Then he chanted a spell. Nas could feel his wing grow cold. The witch doctor painted strange symbols on bandage the elves had put on his wing with the blood from the vial. Nas sensitive nose could tell the blood was from a recently slaughtered goat. Then he reached inside the cage and grabbed the bird. He stretched the bird’s wing out and then broke the bird’s wing at the same spot as Nas’ injured wing. Nas could feel his bones snap together at the same time as the bird’s wing was broken. The bird squawked in pain … flapping around … it’s wing trailing on the ground … broken … as the witch doctor placed it back in the cage.

“Sleep”

he said and the bird slumped over sleeping. He grabbed the metal rod and chanted another spell. The rod disappeared and Nas felt his bones grow stronger.

“I’m almost done …”

The old man whispered as he carefully removed the elven bandages and smeared the stinking mud on the wing. As he concluded this … he blew out the candles and warmth returned to Nas’ wing. The witch doctor used a rag to clean his hands of the mud and walk to Nas’ head.

“It is done … I have repaired your wing bone, you can again move your wing. You may wash the mud away tomorrow morning. However the bone is still very weak … this kind of magic requires a sacrifices … you must give up something of equal value. To fly … the bone must be very strong … capable of carrying many times your body weight or it may break during a swoop … or tight turn. You must make a great sacrifice for that kind of strength.”

The old man was quiet for a while as he thought then his face light up.

“Flying is about freedom … with a repaired wing you will regain your freedom. So what you must give up …the sacrifice you must make … is your freedom!” He smiled his partially toothless smile at Nas.

“It is a sacrifice worse than death itself!” He cackled “You will need to find a mate … a female … a wife! … and nest with her for 100 years!”

The old man smiled with sadistic joy

“Yes … marriage … a living hell for any male!!!! You must get married … with the first female dragon you encounter … woe her … and marry her … the repair of the wing will be as strong as your marriage! If you vow to do this tonight ... your wing will work tomorrow morning as if there were no break." The witch doctor stated and awaited the dragon's answer. Maut on the other hand finished his brandy and food, he rose and looked at the dragon's wing,

"And if he does not find a female in 100 years? He will be eartbound..."

He paused and looked at Nas' great head,

"But the powers to be shows the contrary...Nas you will have to take this deal."

A grin split the dead lips, revealing strong, white teeth,

"The dragon we will encounter is a pretty one, perhaps you will find her easy on the eye and that will soothe over your hell."

 

[Iscaa]

Meanwhile;

Back in the clearing, Isca continued to cuddle and soothe the stricken Nefer ( who kept on looking back towards the wounded Blin, with a gleam in her eye and a sneer on her lips) as Isca carried her back to camp. In no time at all they were back in the camp heading for their tent when Isola asked what had happened, Isca stopped, reporting to Isola and anyone that was near enough to hear,

“There seemed to be a slight confrontation between Nefer and Blin, but all was OK now.” Nefer meowed plaintively decided to jump down and run into the tent Isca had set up. Isca paused shrugged her shoulder before continuing,

“ Nefer will be her sweet sunny self by the morning, she is still just a bit upset right now. As for Blin, who could know ? I am sure he probably provoked the whole thing.”

She wanted to finish her conversation with Megan about a protective spell around the camp so she moved towards the woman. The two of them put their heads together as they walked off discussing how to go about it. Isca related her knowledge on protective spells,

“You know Megan, I am wondering if you have some spell and I do as well, what if we combined the two of them, making for a very potent ward for the camp. What do you think?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Megan and Isca

Megan smiled at Isca “I have a few spells for camp site protection … Mainly they are warning type spells … they can detect heat or movement and send a warning to me or someone else. I can cast a protection spell against magical energy attacks … but that takes a lot of mana and I would need to stay awake the whole time …”

“A combination of spells is a good idea.” Mega said “I’ll do one for movement and you can do one for heat, or noise."

Do you have other protection spells?” She asked.

Before Isca could answer, Zarik's muscle bound hulking form appeared …He was in his golden armor with the two short swords hanging from his belt and a great battle axe slung over his back. Being 7 feet tall … he bent over some to talk to Isca. His bull’s face had a look of determination as the large golden nose ring through his bull nose swung slowly from his breathing.

“Isca, I wish to talk to you in private when you get a chance” The minotaur asked.

 

[Iscaa]

Looking up...way up at the huge Minotaur, Isca paused thinking for a few seconds,

“Megan do you mind if we finish talking in a bit? I don't think this will take very long and it seems that Zarik has something important he needs to discuss with me.”

At Megan's assent Isca smiled as she put her hand lightly on Zarik's huge forearm guiding him forward so they could have some privacy. She saw that no one was around the small fire, (That warm fire would feel good while I listen to what Zarik has to say to me.) Once they had stopped she let go of his arm smiled again bending down to warm her chilled hands while she waited for him to begin.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Zarik and Isca

The big bull walked with the young mage and sit down across the fire from her. Isca smiled and waited for his question. Zarik stared into her eyes, his large bull horns aimed directly towards her. He talked in a low voice so none of the other could hear.

“Isca minotaurs are a blunt race …so I shall come straight to the point. You said something back at the caravan wreckage … I wish to know more about …you said “This child is important, we must guard her with our lives, I feel that she may play a pivotal part in our quest.” … Our quest? Since when have you joined our quest … and what would our quest be?” He asked her ... his eyes searched her eyes … looking for any kind of deception.

 

[Iscaa]

Isca was a little taken aback by Zarik's very direct question. But her eyes didn't waver from his searching gaze. Shifting on her seat she smiled again before quietly informing him,

“ I had heard on my way through Fourwinds that some Heroes were on a quest to overcome some very powerful and wicked demonlords plus there was a rumor of a Mesobulbron?”

She paused again, thinking,

“When I joined your little group, I thought after I had concluded my errand for my friend I could stay on and assist you all in your “Quest”, I gathered the town of Fourwinds itself is in jeopardy. I just thought since I am at loose ends these days that you all could use an extra pair of hands so to speak.”

She leaned in close dark green eyes staring deep into brown eyes adding,

“ Am I wrong?”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Zarik could see no deception in her eyes …He was a bit surprised that she wanted to take on demonlords. Sounded like a quest one should stay away from. However, even with her honesty … his gut told him … there was something she was not telling him. But whatever it was, he did not get the sense it was dangerous to the group.

Zarik nodded “Well … you don’t have everything correct, but you are close. Let me explain as things you hear third hand can become quite distorted. We … Isola, Nas, Deathsknight, Prrip, Bronwyn, and myself defeated a goblin attack on the town of bulkenhold. As a result we needed to see the elves of Idoor forest. From the elves we learned the Kingdom of Palamar was going to be attack by an army of garliks. I know we have been at peace with them for over 100 years. Nevertheless, the elven magic clearly showed an attack. Since the demonlords rule the garliks it is natural to assume they ordered the attack. Anyhow the elven magic also showed the way to defeat the Army. There are two magical items inside Ardel’s tomb … the codex of Ardel and a key called “Heereel KuRuck”. These are needed to save the kingdom and defeat the garlik army. Prrip decided to stay with the elves in Idoor … Bronwyn needed to warn the kingdom of Idoor of the impending attack. The rest of us, our quest, as you call it, is to recover these magic items and get them to the King of Palamar.”

Zarik grunted “I think the demonlords have discovered our plan and have sent things to stop us … Garliks and more recently a group of lifeless souls and a Mesobulbron. We are hoping to defeat … that which has never been defeated before …with the magical items from the tomb. It is not much of a plan … but it is the best idea we have come up with.” Zarik paused

“Are you sure you wish to join this quest?” He asked.

 

[Iscaa]

Isca leaned back now...as she heard the actual history of what the Heroes quest was really about, nodding her head every once in a while. She realized that they were up against formidable foes, but she wasn't about to let that dissuade her. Finally he paused and asked,

“Are you sure you wish to join this quest?”

Without hesitation, Isca answered,

“Zarik, I am positive I wish to join this quest, I think all my learning has been leading up to this moment in time. My mentor told me on his deathbed to seek out a worthy cause and use my talents and knowledge to help those which would be victims of the wicked and powerful. And that is what I intend to do.”

Hearing a mournful cry coming from the direction of her tent, she smiled at Zarik and added,

“If you have no more questions for me, I need to see to my companion Nefer, she was in rather a nasty fight earlier with Blin. But just between you and me, ...if I know her, and believe me I do, she didn't take any hurts, but just likes to play up on my sympathies.”

With that Isca got up chuckling softly and made her way to the tent with the pitiful crying issuing from it.

After about fifteen minutes of soothing Nefer, Isca came back out of her tent and walked the perimeter of the camp, casting a protective spell and well as a motion spell. She felt confident that between her spells and Megan's they would be alright until morning. She could feel Megan's spells and felt confident that they were protected. As she walked back to her tent, she yawned, thinking, ( It will be good to get under those warm blankets and get some much needed rest. I hope Nefer lets me sleep!)

 

[milkmaiden38]

Zarik looked into the fire for a while. Thinking. He was glad Isca and Nefer had joined their quest. She was a bit odd … but then most mages were odd. She was so young … 21 years old … hopefully her youth would not be her undoing. Megan was 33 and Isola …he was not sure …but she must be close to 30. He stood back up and looked around. Megan had completed her warning spells and was back in her tent. He had not seen Blin in a while … only heard him during the altercation with Nefer. Since half-goblins don’t sleep very much, Blin was probably going to search out the areas for possible treasure or food. He also did not see Devon …he was off in the swamp as well … maybe getting more food or possible checking the trail condition for tomorrow’s journey.

Then his eyes fell upon Isola. The baby was not with her … asleep in Isola tent most likely. Isola gazing out into the forest with a worried look on her face, Zarik headed over to her.

“Isola … I’ll stand the first watch … please get some sleep.” He suggested putting his huge arm around her shoulder.

Isola turned and look at him. “I’m worried about him … I hope he is ok”

“Who?” Zarik asked.

“Nas” Isola said.

The Minotaur laughed “You are worried about the ill-tempered, huge, fire breathing dragon?” He asked again for confirmation

Isola looked very seriously into Zarik’s eyes “Yes … he saved my life … I think Maut is taking him to get his wing healed. What if it does not work? A dragon that cannot fly … I think that is a terrible blow for them. They are creatures meant to fly. You may not see it … but it has been hard for him. Walking all this way … putting up with us.”

The big bull got a confused look in his eyes “Putting up with us?”

“Yes” Isola said “look … you need to think like a dragon … we are like ants to him. Crawling around at his feet. He is the biggest most powerful thing in the land …he could squash us … but instead he talks to us and is helping us. I know I have never helped an ant … have you?”

“Ahh No” Zarik said and suddenly he had an urge to look at his hooves for ants.

“Nas is a dragon, they are more solitary creatures … humans, minotaurs are … what do you call them …“herd” animals. We depend on each other … we like to be in groups … we work in teams … a threat to one of the herd is a threat to all of them … these concepts are not as natural for Nas.” Isola said.

“I see what you mean … Once I told him he needed to “trust” the herd … from his facial expressions I think he was only thinking about eating the herd!” Zarik laughed.

Isola wrapped her arm around Zarik’s waist “I’m worried about him … he is kind of an outcast … among dragons … and if he can’t get his wing repaired … he will be really depressed. I want to be here for him when he gets back …You go to sleep … I’ll wait up for him and Maut.” Isola said.

“Ok … wake me up if Devon does not return soon” Zarik said and headed for his tent.

 

[Mantra]

Nas, Maut and the Witch Doctor

Nas did not like this ratty looking, tottering, decrepit old thing at it moved around him. Nas's eyes only narrowed when the discussion turned from dark magic to prices to be paid, but the old thing spoke to the dead man and not to him. That and Nas could not deny that he would greatly preferred to have his wing mended so that he might take to the skies once more, so even though his skepticism grew, Nas remained silent until the old thing was done.

Until the price was told...all with that insane and damnably irritating cackling. At that moment, the old man had done something which no other had done, Nas was rendered speechless.

Eyes wide in stunned disbelief, Nas froze as the old man giggled and sputtered at Nas's disbelief. The death knight too, seemed amused although more silently. The words of the curse rang in his head as the numbness of disbelief slowly wore away, replaced by a damnable cold racing through his veins, chilling his blood as an icy fist of fear gripped his heart. Maut saw a flicker of panic gleam in the dragon's golden eyes and Nas had a sudden impulse to turn and flee, racing back to his hidden, hilltop lair and forget that this whole episode had even taken place. The only thing that prevented this flight, was that the dragon's limbs refused to function.

"I... What?!...No, I... You can't...I..." was all Nas managed to stammer as the old man laughed at him.

There was a wave of heat that flushed through him, starting in his belly and pushing up and through him. A split second of embarrassment only to be replace by anger. Maut, watching Nas as he was saw it first, the flicker of panic was consumed by a spark of anger... then the anger boiled over into rage.

Nas's head shot forward, the witch doctor, either having some suspicion of what might happen or just by dumb luck, lept aside as Nas's razor-sharp teeth snapped together where he had been only a second before.

"You!" Nas snarled. "You dare to entrap ME?"! You dare to enslave ME?!

Nas's head and neck whipped around, tossing Maut and the Witch Doctor to the far side of the hut. Nas's head lashed back the other way, causing the brandy barrels to burst apart as they were crushed between the dragon's skull and the wall of the hut. The mud and wooden wall split under the impact and fell outward.

"ME?!" Nas bellowed, "I am Nas the Terrible! I will show YOU sacrifice! I will show YOU what is Hell!"

Outside, Nas's tail lashed back and forth in agitation. A tree as thick around as the minotaur's arm crackled under a sweeping blow and tumbled down as lesser foliage was slashed as if by a scythe. Inside Nas jerked his head back, but his exodus was stopped as his horns caught in the low doorway. The dragon hissed and jerked backwards. Wooden frames and eaves groaned, then cracked and broke away in splinters as the dragon's head rose up above the hut, a large section of the roof scattering as it did so. For better or worse, the old man's magic had worked; no longer held back by infirmity, the bandages were ripped open as Nas's wings unfolded, casting shadow over what little light remained in the clearing as Nas reared up on his hind legs.

"I will burn you to ash, and scatter your remains across a thousand miles for what you have done!"

 

[DeathsKnight]

The blow from Nas' head sent Maut into the wall, cracking the sturdy construction behind him, the witch doctor was robbed of his breath for a moment after the impact, but continued his insane chuckling. Maut gathered himself and got to his feet, he cuffed the old man with an iron-clad fist,

"Your practical jokes will be the death of you."

"I know!"

The rest of his words was lost in the inane laughter, Maut looked at the dragon as he rose up, the healed wing flared out, perfect in it's new health. Maut stepped out over the rubble and faced Nas, when he spoke, his voice was soothing, like a cool balm over burned flesh,

"Nas...NAS!"

The power intensified, like a balm, it soothed the burn, but did not heal, the effect was to reach through the dragon's anger,

"Nas listen to me, it was just..."

"MY BRANDY!!!"

The witch doctor came rushing out of the hut, staff in hand, indignant to every fibre of his half-undead being, he stopped short of the reared back dragon, staff raised, seemingly ready to strike,

"You ungrateful, unpleasant, half..."

"Merlin."

Maut's voice cut through the old man's tirade,

"You asked for it, do not tease a dragon."

"You played along!"

The accusation was true and Maut could not disagree,

"Yes I did, I was curious as to his reaction."

The old man blew out a puff of smoke from his pursed lips,

"Hot-headed foolhardy lizards! Take him away before I break his wing again"

With that the old man walked back into his hut, mud flowing up out of the ground to fix the broken wall, Maut turned to face Nas.

"Nas, calm yourself. He was just joking, your wing is healed and should be perfect."

 

[Mantra]

Nas and Maut

To say that Nas was angry would have been a great understatement. One might as well say that 'if you stood under a waterfall, you might get a little wet'. Fact was that Nas was very nearly at the point of entering a killing rampage. The sick, twisted little man-thing had struck a deep nerve that even Nas had not realized was there, but in having done so, the dragon was more than ready to obliterate everything around him until he had vented the full might of his rage.

The only thing that prevented this, was a sliver of calming ice, slipping through his blood. Even then, it took a moment before Nas realized that someone was actually standing in front of him, speaking.

Nas dropped back onto all fours, but there was still a tint of red within his golden eyes as they stared down at the little dead knight. Black ribbons of smoke whuffed out from his nostrils with each breath he took. Saliva dribbled from his jaw, the liquid hissing and sputtering as it struck the ground, occasionally sparking into a tiny, guttering flame as it did. A low but menacing glow flickered from within the dragon's maw, testimony to the destruction that was ready to be spewed forth with a mere exhalation.

If it were not for that damnable, soothing chill... followed by the now-familiar aftertaste of grease.

The Deadman...

Nas leaned forward, focusing on the armored figure. It was saying something...

"Nas, calm yourself. He was just joking, your wing is healed and should be perfect."

Nas contemplated that for a few, long seconds. "Joking..." Nas finally rumbled. His neck bent as he inspected his now mended wing. He sniffed at the place where the broken bone and torn membrane had been stitched together. It still smelled like the swamp mud, but not even a scar remained. Nas flexed the wing, stirring up a gust of wind as he did. It felt right at least.

"Then there is no curse? No sacrifice?" Nas asked, his head turning back to look at the death knight.

Upon confirmation, Nas still rattled his wing as second time, as if determining to believe the death knight or not. Finally satisfied, the great wings slowly folded back into place along the dragon's back. Nas's head lowered until the dragon was on level with the knight. Maut had yet to replace his heavy, full helm, so the knight could easily see the twin amber lights reflected in Nas's golden eyes.
There was a deep, low growl from within the dragon's throat. One of his brown lips curled up, revealing long teeth beneath.

"I find your humor as flat and cold as your blood, Deadman." Nas growled.

Nas stepped back and away from Maut, rising back up, but as he did so, there was a deep, inhalation of breath. The dragon's neck and head whipped forward and from above the deathknight, Nas let forth a burst of black smoke from his maw. The plume struck the open doorway of the hut, quickly filling it with the ashy, sulfurous smoke until blackness billowed out from the damaged wall and ceiling. Loud curses were heard within before the entire hut was engulfed in the cloud.

With that, Nas leapt into the air, the massive wings unfolding and pressing downward, carried the dragon away over the swamp, leaving little swirls curling above the smoke cloud like tiny, curling horns behind him.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"IF ONLY IT WAS MY HUMOR!"

He didn't know if the retreating form of the dragon, could hear him, then with a tone wich would have broken a warm heart if there was one to hear the tone and words.

"And my blood is no more, it lies soaked into my ancestral home's ground."

Merlin, the witch doctor came bursting out of the hut, a huge fire ball erupting from the wings on the staff, with his fury vented the old man turned to Maut,

"Yes demons have risen it from the fiery depths and if you have people strong enough to overcome the bindings to it, then it can be banished. Now leave me be, I have roots to gather."

Maut retrieved his helmet from the rubble and slipped it on, he held out his hand and a bag made of dead skin appeared, he tossed it at the old man, who deftly caught it, he peeked inside, grinned and pulled out a quarts stone,

"Always good dealing with yah Maut el Feres."

With a cackle he went into the hut and Maut turned, heading back to camp

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola

Isola waited for the return of Nas, Devon, Maut and Blin. She took the time to practice some of the fighting moves Zarik had been showing her. With both her long daggers out … she silently went through the practice moves.

Zarik had improved her abilities with this type of weapon. He had told her much of the art of dagger fighting lies in feinting to confuse the opponent. Then when the target was off balanced grab their arm, shield, or whatever and then deliver the real blow. The attacks were basically the same as with swords except speed was critical - get your weapon in and out as quickly as possible then move back out of the way of any counter attack. Zarik had praised Isola for her speed and deception; telling her she was a natural. He had added in a very chauvinist way … all women were good at deception. Isola countered that was not true … but what was true was all men were basically gullible!

Zarik had laughed and had agreed adding the corollary that this was particularly true when interacting with a very beautiful woman. Isola thought it had been a nice thing for the bull to say. She was kind of hoping to get in a few private lessons from Devon … but he was not around.

Blin

“That FUCKING cat …” Blin mumbled to himself as he set up another trap. He replayed Isca words in his head “You better not hurt my Nefer if you want to live, I warned you what would happen if you so much as touched a hair on her body!” Ooooh, he was not going to touch a single hair on that little demon cat … oh no …he would not … his little traps would do that for him.

Blin had made the trap look like native traps … perhaps something lizardmen would put out for small game animals. It would look like some kind of terrible accident. The cat would smell the dead mouse … she would be curious …all cats were curious … and then SLAM … no more demon cat. He just needed to make sure he did not giggle in glee when it happened.

He reached down to his waist and fingered one of the flasket tied there. If she figured out he was involved … well … he could throw one of these exploding flasks, he had picked up in fourwinds, much faster than any mage could cast a spell.

Blin finished setting the last trap and headed back to the camp. As he got there … Isola was practicing with her daggers. Her burgundy ponytail, flying about as she spun and thrust with the daggers. Her breasts jiggled delightfully in her leather corset. Everyone else was asleep or not there.

“Prefect!” Blin thought ... no annoying ranger, the bull was asleep. The dragon and the dead guy off … trying to out fuck each other … not literarily … even that sounded gross to Blin … what would that be called “homo-necro-bestiality?” … no they were off being macho or something silly. Now was his time to get some action from the big breasted slut.

Blin straighten his rags … patted down his ugly and now covered in dried-blood hair ... wiped his nose clean … eating the snot of coarse … why waste it … it tasted good. And strode confidently into the camp area and up to Isola.

Blin decided he’d try the pickup line approach. Isola noted his approach and smiled.

“Hi Blin… where have you been?” She asked and then she saw his head and the dried blood. “What happened to you?”

Blin did not want anyone to have anymore suspicions he had set the traps for the cat … so he down played what happened. “Oh it’s nothing …” He said.

Isola pulled her green gem from her leather corset … “Here let me heal you” She said.

Blin was short so his head nestled against Isola massive jugs as she cast the healing spell. The cuts and scratches on his head healed up right away and he felt better. But he really did not want to leave this “fun” spot. So he asked for another healing spell. Isola cast another one …as Blin’s hand wandered to the front of Isola corset and started to rub the spot where one of her nipples would be … gently rubbing it.

“YEH” Isola said quietly pushing him away, looking mad at him.

Blin smiled naughtily and asked “Isola …Was your dad a farmer?”

Isola looked at the goblin in total confusion. Blin finished his pickup line “Cause you sure have great melons!”

“BLIN” She said firmly but quietly again “… I was trying to help you …and you start getting all perverted on me!” She said.

“Perverted! … these are some of my best pick up lines!” He said.

Isola shook her head “They suck!” She commented

Blin glared at her “I don’t think you know what you are talking about … I wanted to screw your brains out, but it appears that someone beat me to it! No half-goblin cock for you tonight!”

Isola tried to ignore his comment and took a deep breath “Blin … I know in the world you grew up … doing something nice for someone was seen as a weakness, but when you are with good people …you might want to try doing something nice …you will be surprised by the results.”

“So if I do something nice … you’ll fuck me?” He asked. Isola grunted “Probably not … but trying doing something nice … and see what happens”

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon came into the clearing, his face shadowed by the hood of his forest cloak, he stepped over to the two and tossed all the traps at Blin's feet,

"You caught a Ranger, hope you don't have any plans of eating me."

Of course he didn't step in one of the traps, but he did notice them as he searched the area around the camp. The tracks told him as to the owner of these traps, he looked down at Blin,

"You do know that if you succeeded I could have told her you're the one who set the trap, your tracks are all over the place."

He looked at Isola,

"You really should get some rest, we have a long day tomorrow."

He half-turned towards the fire and flashed a smile at Isola from under his hood,

"Nice footwork, knife fighting is all about the feet."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Blin and the traps

“FUCKING goody two shoes RANGER…” Blin thought as his hand went to his throwing dagger … but Devon eyes watched him … attacking the ranger head-on was not Blin’s way … backstabbing when he was not watching … or when he was sleeping … that was Blin's way ... Blin slowly pulled out the dagger … “Daggers are good for throwing too” He said to Isola then he slipped the dagger back into its hiding spot, eyeing the ranger as a warning.

Isola looked at the traps and Blin …and to what the ranger just said. “Blin were you trying to kill Nefer?”

Blin smiled like a small boy caught sealing cookies from the cookie jar. “No the ranger is mistaken … I saw the traps placed by lizardmen … but just did not want to remove them and make the lizardmen angry” He explained. Isola did not fall for the terrible explanation.

“Go to bed Blin … think about what I said … about doing nice things” Isola told him.

Blin was pissed and mumbled to himself “fucking ranger …fucking demon cat …” He walked over to the pile of traps … which looked similar to a standard mouse trap, a strong wooden bar held back under the pressure of two flexible swamp bamboo wood pieces. Once triggered the bar would SNAP shut crushing anything in the trap. Blin was soooo mad he KICKED the pile of traps sending them flying into the woods nearby. Unfortunately one of them triggered on Blin’s toe and SNAPPED shut.

“UGHHH” Blin grunted trying to hide from Isola and Devon how bad it hurt. Isola and Devon giggled, as the half-goblin hopped around trying to get the thing off his foot. It was comical.

“Serves you right … for getting so angry!” Isola said, and then she turned to Devon and whispered “I’ll heal his foot in the morning … but he needs to think about what he did!”

The goblin freed his foot and threw the trap into the swamp. He limped to his tent and went to bed.

Then she spoke a little louder “Devon … do you mind practicing with me? There are a few moves Zarik tried to teach me that I’m having trouble with and … Blin is right I still need to learn about throwing daggers” She asked the handsome ranger. She liked the ranger and wanted to get to know him better, but in this situation she actually wanted to learn more about fighting with daggers from the ranger.