Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"You are indeed a fox. A fox that can stand up straight, talk and move on two legs. If you want to. Many creatures are similar to yours, they too have ancestors amongst the forest beasts, but you are more intelligent."

Well that was out there. How could the other know how intelligent he was? He felt pretty stupid right now if that counted for anything. Noah was in this new place and was not sure of his sanity at this point. Was this how it started with crazy people? Just one day they snap and the world they knew suddenly becomes this strange one.

"I am a Dragoon, part dragon and part elf. Though, I am more dragon than elf. We are the caretakers of the last Dragons."

"There are... are dragons?" His mouth went dry for a moment. Yes, there was this man before him but even that wasn't completely clicking. He decided that he was crazy, might as well enjoy it right?

"Right now, I'm here as a guide, for you. You are new to this world and I am not, makes sense, doesn't it? Now come, you must be hungry."

"Well... I guess it does..." He said trying to seem like a rational creature. He sighed and ran a furry hand through his hair. "I could eat," Noah admitted after a moment as he moved to follow the other wherever he would go. That was assuming he would be able to follow... he was pretty sure that he couldn't fly even though he was the animal thing.

He ran his hands up and down his sides feeling his fur and the strange sensation of his fur being petted. "Why... Why am I here exactly?" Noah decided to ask.

 

[Wolfsister]

Elmhand and Mia

“What I do not know, however, is how I came to be here and why you are here with me,”

Mia gave a little giggle and crawled along one of his thicker branches and then sat near a bird's nest. She cooed softly and the mother bird was happy to let her play with her children. She smiled as she talked to Elmhand, which she knew would hear her, no matter where she directed her words.

"There was once a Dark Time when war was prevelent," she gestured around, "The land can tell you more and probably more accurately," she hummed a little to a small bird which had perched on an extended finger, "Then the Spirit came and made peace. But... that peace, though long lasting, is starting to break. In fact," she cooed to the baby bird and smiled happily, "It probably has broken already. You," only then did she turn to direct her words at the Ent's 'face' are part of an ancient race that once lived here, though there were long ago banished,"

She looked away from him, trying to collect her thoughts and working out the best way to explain what had happened, though she did not rightly know all the details herself, "The Spirit called to you, called to your realm and those that heard the call were transported here. Back to Illusion Vale. But... seeing as you were banished long ago, your previous forms were not allowed to make the transition, thus, you were transformed to what your soul would have become should you have been originally born here,"

Then she turned back to him once more, a bright smile painted on her face, "And I'm here to help you get aquainted with the Vale. I'm your guide!"

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

Sila's cheeks burned with embarrassment, "You know what I'm talking about!" she said hotly to the chuckling dwarf at her side as they made their way home. Then another thing seemed to catch her ever wandering mind, "Bow? I get a bow?" her eyes were large and round when she looked up at Michael.

Once home, hand in hand, there were many approving and congratulating looks as well as a handful of disapproved ones. Though none made any comments about it, Mike and Sila had clearly been the topic of conversation.

Durbin greeted them with a grin while rubbing his hands together. "The arrangements ave bin made, lad," he was one of the approving looks. Tula too beamed when she saw them and wet shine was evident in her eyes as she hastily made her way to the kitchen to assist with Tula's eve meal.

Though it was not the common work for a queen, Tula paid no mind to any formalities. This was, to her, just an extension of her home and the once again happy presence of her daughter was more than welcoming.

 

[Wolfsister]

Largos/Len/Fara

Len smiled weakly as he gently laid her on the ground, cursing herself once more that even though she had apparently changed, she could still do nothing to help him in her weakened state. She railed against herself and her immobility while she watched through wet eyes as he did not do as she had asked and instead began gathering wood for a small fire. She saw the strain on his face in the light of the moon and stars and silently screamed for him to run, to leave right away, but all she could muster was a weak whisper.

He covered her gently with a few blankets and she was grateful for the respite from the nightly chill and then he disappeared. She stirred weakly then, wanting to call him back and yet still screaming for him to run. She slowly blinked tears out of her eyes as she laid her head back onto the ground and turned her face towards the little fire near her. The fire he had strained to build for her.

She distantly heard the nightly noises that seemed to alien and yet comfortingly familiar to her new aural senses. She sniffed the air, moaning slightly as she realised for the first time that she was famished. She stared at the dancing flames and wished more than anything that he hadn't left her, though she wished as well that he wouldn't come back too soon.

She reached weakly towards his pack that he had discarded on the other side of the fire. But she was too weak and soon she laid back, sighing and resigning herself to waiting until he had returned. She thought that she most likely would have to wait until morning.

She dozed fitfully, occassionally waking in great bouts of pain due to her body still changing and the alieness of it all, then she was just as soon fall into an exhausted slumber. She distantly heard a twig break and her eyes snapped open. Staring around, she swivelled her head from side to side, finding that some of her former strength had returned.

She raised herself up onto her elbows and looked wildly around, her strangely large heart beating in her swelled chest. Then her breathing slowed down as a familar face came within the firelight, along with a friend.

She blinked in confusion as Largos walked towards her with an obviously injured Felinoid in his arms, clearly unconscious. She frowned as he set her down beside the Avian, "What happened?" she asked once she realised that she could speak again.

 

[Wolfsister]

Becca and Kail

Kail's gentle blue light washed over the children and he was relieved to see the peaceful and almost serene expression that came over the poor, dirty faces of the orphans. He bobbed in Becca's wake and clucked disapprovingly to himself.

Then the dryad seemed to single out a particular young girl, whose wound, upon further inspection, seemed rather dire. The earthen woman gestured towards Kail and then towards the little girl and he assumed that she needed some answers from the child.

He floated over, his pulsing blue light bringing a more reinforced calm and serenity now, and asked gently, "What happened to you my dear? How did you get this awful cut?"

The little girl's eyes were wide with fear and apprehension and she was clearly reluctant to speak, "Its alright," he cooed softly, making his light even more welcoming and warm, "We're here to help, I promise. What happened to you?" he asked again.

She quivered in Becca's arms and looked up that woman that seemed to gentle and loving, even though she had not spoken a word. "A... mon...mons...monster..." she shivered again and her eyes rolled up in her head, the memory clearly too much for her as she soon passed out.

Kail clucked again, "Poor child," he spun on the spot and next his voice sounded facing away from Becca as he directed his next question towards the orphanage matron, "What happened to her? And to these children?"

The matron came forwards, her gaunt, thin frame accentuated by a dark circle under her single eye that roved around the room, keeping a lookout on the children under her protection. A look of fearful hope was on her face, "Tis the governor... he... he cut off our weekly feedings.. he claimed that if we could not support ourselves... then we did not deserve... that we were a burden to society..." she looked sadly down and her whisper was fierce as she said, "And a burden to his pocket!"

Then she gestured around her as if in supplication, "But my husband is long gone from this world and these children... I am all they have,"

Kail spun slowly on the spot, digesting the information. His light slowly turned from a light, cheery blue, to a darkened, deep royal blue, but then just as suddenly turned back to its cheerful normalness. "And what happened to the girl?" his voice was just barely above a whisper.

The matron's eye became wide and she began to quiver, the children gathered around her began to cry and sob loudly, "The... Night.. Night.... stalker..." she quailed and then suddenly seemed to notice the commotion around her. She set to, busily trying to cheer up the children and quieten them down.

Kail turned to Becca, "I think you are safe to speak here, Becca."

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

Drak turned and began to lead the way through the forest, away from the small crater like depression that Noah had made apon his entry into the Vale. He walked slowly, allowing the other creature to acclimate to both his new surroundings and the working of his new body. Even though Drak had never been in Noah's predicament, he fancied that he could imagine would it would be like.

"The world is crumbling, Noah. The one pillar apon which it stands, untouched, is beginning to weaken and cracks are appearing in Her power. The Spirit needs help, people like you and me to strengthen the world again, to put it back together," he said, in answer to the previous question and then continued to walk to yet another clearing in which a small two man tent was pitched.

The remains of a fire were blackening the middle of a small ring of stones near the tent's entrance and there was a long line of meat that hung from a nearby tree's overhanging branches. It was just high enough for no predator to be able to reach it.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time," he said over his shoulder and smiled again, "So, I hope you eat meat!"

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael chuckled at her blushing. "Aye, in high school." He said. He looked around at the disapproving faces with a challenging eye, they could say what they liked about him but he would fight any who insulted Sila.

Michael smiled at Durbin's news. "Excellent, I look forward to it." he said, "A grand adventure to be sure."

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"I.. that is... noone trusts anyone. No one can come to a concensus. I mean... we hold Abark above our own aims but... no one will believe us... everyone suspects everyone else. I won't claim that it will be easy for her... but... she is in a unique position of power -"

"She's in a unique position to be abused!" barked the slowly maddening wolf.

"I will have you call that remark back! That you would insult me and my honor in such a base way that -"

It all worked up to a screaming match so quickly that Fay was completely lost. She stayed seated, completely bewildered with the sudden turn of events and the things she was learning, albeit ever so slowy. She didn't like how they spoke as if she was not sitting right there and it was that much more informative, it was like they weren't holding anything back for her sake.

So this was what people were going to expect of her... Could she handle this?

"Enough! It is a bleak day indeed when sister wolf and my wife argue in such a way... Forgive me. Leave them to bicker and we shall discuss more pleasant topics."

Fay jumped when he suddenly shouted. Things were getting too real in this situation here. It was a game somewhat before... now this was serious because others were going to be affected by this.

"My name is Aran. I don't believe that I have had the pleasure to hear yours?"

"Fay..." She said. "Thank you for accepting someone such as myself into your home. From what I've seen I suppose that I... I might not be welcome everywhere I would go if any of your lovely wife's expressions were not just one person's fear." Fay smiled.

"Anyways... Thank you...." She was trying to stay calm now. "Perhaps you can explain all of this a little better to me as I did not see fit to ask Faelin earlier. What exactly is going on with this place? With this world I find myself in?" She asked hoping that this man, as odd as he was to look at, would be able to help her in which the two women proved unable.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Eeth, Van, and Rolyn

"You were sloppy,”

This hit Eeth like a slap in the face, but all he did in response was to continue to grin, but the grin had taken on the aspect of a “WTF?” grin. In other words, it was a stupid grin; a disbelieving grin. Then Van began to jabber, trying to console Eeth, and doing a fairly good job of it, as Eeth turned his attention to the cat.

"Van think Rolyn want give Eeth pain. Want Eeth know what happen when Eeth make mistake in battle, nya?”

“Yes, please tell me, Van, just what mistake did I make that would make Rolyn say I was sloppy? Could it have been the one where I rolled towards him, early in the fight, just to partially block a kick? Or was it something else?” asked Eeth, with a little curious tone. He didn’t think the cat could have kept track of the entire fight.

After the cat answered, Van then asked for Eeth to talk about his world. Eeth shifted slightly to get more comfortable, and then began relating what he could. He kept it positive, talking about the many natural and man-made wonders in the world. He did his best to convey the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, the vastness of the cities, the staggering heights of the tallest skyscrapers. He kept this up until he heard the soft purring of Van that indicated the cat was asleep. As good a bed-time story as any, trying to convey something that is possibly beyond the imagination of anyone in this world, thought Eeth as he got a little more comfortable.

Eeth sat silently for a while, watching the fire snap, crackle and pop. Then Eeth tried to move into his trance-like sleep, but found it rather difficult with the pain. It took some doing, but Eeth finally fell into the trace that replaced sleep for him. Almost at once, the pain subsided. Eeth would sit there with his eyes open, watching the fire as it died, until roused. By then, he would have little to no pain, the many superficial cuts he had would be almost healed, and the numerous bruises would be reduced in size, if not completely gone.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"The world is crumbling, Noah. "

Noah was well aware of this as he traveled out of the stupid crater, and the ground shifted sending him crashing to the ground. He let out an indignant grunt as he hit but pulled himself up quickly enough.

"The one pillar apon which it stands, untouched, is beginning to weaken and cracks are appearing in Her power. The Spirit needs help, people like you and me to strengthen the world again, to put it back together."

Noah was silent for a moment as they came upon a small camp. It was something he would remember from his days camping with his grandfather. He smiled, something this familiar could cancel out some of the damage done by the situation he was currently in. Well... it helped to have something he understood before him. The scent of the wood burning and the sight of a tent was calming.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time. So, I hope you eat meat!"

"I do... Do I want to know what it is that you are planning on cooking?" He asked looking to the meat hanging out of reach. "Elk?" He asked thinking that that would be something that made sense, that was a lot of meat dammit. How much was the other expecting him to eat.

"Did you know that I was going to look like this?" He asked as he suddenly was amazed that he had a tail. "Or were you expecting a human?" Noah was curious. "Do a lot of the humans change like this? When am I going back?" He asked that thought suddenly striking him.

 

[Mantra]

Jay gave a short laugh, which came out more like a snort.

*Okay, but I don't know if I can do this.. I mean...* Jay's thoughts drifted off into silence for a few moments. *I don't think I like being out here anymore like this. How far is it to this place again?*

Jay clopped closer to where Coudron sat. *I am a horse and all, but I don't think I could carry you, not far anyway.*

He pondered, trying to think more like a horse, then it occurred to him. *Can you run Rocky?*

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Elmhand and Mia

Elmhand stood silently as he listened to both Mia and the forest speak to him. Indeed the forest did tell him much about the Dark Times, and then some. It also mentioned that a similar call had been put out and others had answered, but that unfortunate event did more harm then good. The forest also told him that something was moving in amongst the trees; something large, something like himself.

“You are here to guide me? And how will you guide me and to what purpose?” asked Elmhand, speaking rather quickly for an Ent.

 

[PoliteSuccubus]

Danae

"Though I'm sure the horses wouldn't mind something to eat..."

Danae looked at the horses doubtfully. "Do they eat stew?" She asked innocently as they used their big yellow teeth to rip out mouthfuls of grass and chew it.

She sat on the grass, not to near the fire, and wrapped her arms around her knees as the misty figure played with the fire. "I don't feel comfortable sleeping in the water, I mean, what if I change back or something? Or something like a..." She wracked her brain for what ate seals..."A killer whale or shark swam up and ate me." She shuddered delicately.

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael/Sila/Durbin

Durbin also rubbed his hands together and beckoned for Mike to follow him further into his home where they both settled on a comfortable depression filled with cushions. Sila smiled, gave Michael a quick kiss on the cheek, still slightly red faced, and joined the other women in the kitchen. Her entire being seemed to beam with pleasure and glow with an inner warmth that had been sorely lacking before.

Durbin nodded to a sheaf of paper that sat in a small pile in the middle of the depression, the only space that was not covered with plush cushions. Taking a few, he frowned, "Tha be da only way innit, lad. The maps old, but tis all we got," he shook his head in apology and then took a small taper from a fire located just center and at the back of the depression, its flame giving a warming sensation at their backs. He lit his pipe, offered the taper to Mike and then sat there, staring at the map for a little while, puffing away.

Then he stuck a short, stubby finger at the center, "There be where'd ya goin'," he traced an outline of a series of tunnels back to the left bottom corner of the map where slightly faded ink inscribed the location of Guardan Hall, "Tha lad's'd be able ta show yer tha way, dun worry," his deep baritone voice rumbled contentedly through the small eating/living area.

Then he ruffled around with the other leaflets and shook his head, "We'll be givin ya an animal we call a "Bassa"," he leaned in and looked seriously into Mike's eyes, "Nobody's ta know of tha Bassa's existence. Right, lad?" he stared at Mike for a little longer and once sure that the werewolf would keep their best kept secret, continued on, talking around his pipe.

"Bassa's be amazin creatures, boyo. Size of a draught horse, stonger 'n a baby dragon, spikes along its spine an' a face ya wouldn't show yer mam fer fear of giving her an early grave!" He chuckled slightly. "They're also blind as a bat too. Kin't see a ting, but smell... now there's a skill. Also chew rocks fer food, true story laddy,"

Sila's voice suddenly piped up, "If I remember correctly, they can carry almost two tones of material on their backs and can push even more with their tusks. Dwarves use them for tunneling, carting and pounding rocks. Almost got stepped on one once..." she shuddered, "So let me guess, we're gonna use a Bassa to carry our supplies there and back? And seeing as they're suited perfectly for the dark and eat rock, they won't be a problem on however long our trip in the tunnels beneath the Trinias Mountains is going to be? Pretty smart."

There was silence from Durbin, whose pipe hung loosely from his mouth, as well a Tula who was holding a tray of food similar to the one that Sila was currently holding and Shela who was holding steaming pot of stew. All were slack jawed in clearly in awe of the information that Sila had just so succinctly stated.

There was suddenly a slight pop as a log in the fire behind Durbin cracked from the heat and Sila blinked, startled so much so that the tray she was holding flew into the air. Several things happened at once. Sila cried out and tried vainly to keep her footing on the entrance to the depression in the ground where they were to eat, Durbin shouted a warning and scrambled up to assist, Shela's eyes widened and alarm was written clearly on her face as various cooked food stuffs were thrown into the air....

... and Tula simply rolled her eyes, balanced her tray on one arm, held up the other and muttered, "Arcena."

The tray, its contents and the spilling food all seemed to freeze in mid air. A slight bead of sweat formed on her brow as all the others turned to stare at her. "Quickly, I cannot hold every individual grain of food for long!" she snapped, clearly put out slightly.

Sila blinked, 'oh'ed and then scrambled around, arranging the food back onto the tray. Once done, Tula sighed and let her arm drop limply to her side. Sila grinned and presented the tray, placing it onto the clear space in the middle of the cushions with a flourish, "Dinner, gentlemen!" she beamed brilliantly.

The roar of laughter from all around her left her looking sweetly confused.

 

[Wolfsister]

Fay/Faelin/Aran/Celeste

"Fay... Thank you for accepting someone such as myself into your home. From what I've seen I suppose that I... I might not be welcome everywhere I would go if any of your lovely wife's expressions were not just one person's fear."

Aran frowned, looking slightly askance at his wife who had the delicacy to flush, "I do not know why Sister Wolf has not told you yet," he cast a glance towards Faelin too but the large black wolf looked away, avoiding his penetrating gaze.

He settled down a little in his chair that looked a little too small for him, seeing as he was still in a full suit of armor. He shifted his bulk a little and frowned, thinking and appearing to choose his words carefully.

"You see Fay, this tale begins long, long ago. It starts with a single, powerful race whom we called Guardians, though they preferred to call themselves Humans....."

And so it was that Aran proceeded to tell the tale of the history of the Vale. He began with describing, though not in too much detail as it was a long time ago, the social structure in which the eight major races in Illusion Vale had been tiered in. The Humans rising to power early on and taking it apon themselves to control and protect the Vale. The Centaurs kept mostly to themselves and considered themselves answerable to no law but their own, though they respected the rule of the Guardians.

The Elves were far more prolific than they are now and contributed to the main population of the Vale. They, though highly regarded, were considered the second most powerful race. Though the Dragons were mighty, they remained aloof and mysterious. Interactions between them and normal citizens were often things made of legends. Avians were the next race down, so to speak, though they had the same standing as the Elves. It was just that the elves numbered more the the various Avian subspecies did. Dwarves largely remained in their mountains, buried under centuries worth of earth and stone. They too were considered more of a mythical legend and were rarely seen in the general public.

Aran then described the coming of the Dark Kin after long years of peaceful rule under the Guardians. They were a conglomerate of many individuals and race was often not a factor when joining the Dark Kin. They worked to overthrow the Guardians for their own evil agenda but after many years of war, were finally beaten.

Aran shook his head, "This next part is almost hard to believe. It should never have happened...."

Then he went on the tell the tale of how the Guardian's were consumed with their new found power and 'self respect'. They believed that they were gods after dispatching the Dark Kin and soon the peaceful rule of the Vale turned into more of a subjugated tyranny.

Once again the Dark Kin rose, this time comprised of, most often than not, ordinary citizens of the Vale, with the express purpose of overthrowing the Guardians. Though they had the same name as their evil predecessors, the Dark Kin fought for the freedom of the Vale from the newfound tyranny of the formerly peace loving Humans.

This time, with the work of a few special individuals, the Guardians were overthrown. "How this came to be, not even I know the specifics. But the person we now know as The Spirit came to be when she banished the Guardians to another realm. A realm of their own to rule. Then she took the mantle of Goddess and has led the Vale in peace for centuries."

Aran settled back, sipping at a glass of golden liquid that had been set his side by his doting daughter and whetting his lips. Althrough his fantastic tale, both Celeste and Faelin had been silent. Now that he had apparently finished his tale, Faelin turned her large yellow eyes to Fay and nodded, confirming that all he had just said was true.

"Thank you.... Perhaps you can explain all of this a little better to me as I did not see fit to ask Faelin earlier. What exactly is going on with this place? With this world I find myself in?"

Aran chuckled, "I can only tell so much in one sitting, Fay. I am parched and tired, perhaps Faelin can tell you more?" He raised an eyebrow in question towards Faelin and the wolf nodded, finally stirring from her laid back position and sitting up to address Fay.

Her next words described, though it was clear she was reluctant to utter them, how the Vale was slowly crumbling. How its eace was being disturbed and still more frightening, how the protection of the Spirit had waned. She said, sadness clear in her voice, that the Spirit was losing what hold she had on this land and that the land was suffering.

"In desparation, she called to those beings which she knew held the only power that was greater than hers," Faelin looked towards the ground, "This is not the first time the Guardians have been called back from your realm. You are what I would call the Second Wave. The first was an utter failure. Somehow... something went wrong and instead of making the Vale better, the Spirit lost control of most of them and they turned on her, sowing the seeds of discontent and dissent in the land."

She looked away, lost in her thoughts, "The Spirit had no choice. Most of the First Wave were killed. She hunted them down and..." her voice cracked. "Some managed, still to this day, to avoid Her. Which speaks as to just how weak She has become."

Faelin then looked deep into Fay's eyes, "This time though, the Second Wave and more importantly, you, have one thing the first didn't. You have me, you have guides that will help you in this world. You are and never will be alone so long as I live, Fay RavenWing. I swear it," she growled, her eyes shining bright.

 

[Wolfsister]

Eeth and Van

“Yes, please tell me, Van, just what mistake did I make that would make Rolyn say I was sloppy? Could it have been the one where I rolled towards him, early in the fight, just to partially block a kick? Or was it something else?”

Van blinked, screwing up his tiny feline face, apparently thinking and quite hard by the looks of it. Finally, after a long moment of appearing severely constipated, Van uncrossed his eyes and looked at Eeth, shrugging delicately. Of course the cat had followed every blow and catalogued it in his mind, but at the same time he couldn't appear too smart in front of Eeth and more importantly the other elves, seeing as they were now on the look out since their commander had rolled up, asleep.

Van mewed quietly and petted Eeth on the shoulder. He had a sudden urge to lick his head, like he would when comforting a kitten, but held back, sure that Eeth would not have liked the gesture. He mewed again, withdrawing his stroking paw and licking it instead, "Maybe evil elf want Eeth win?" he asked, rather unhelpfully. Of course, he was completely and utterly wrong.

He suspected, but wasn't sure, but still had a strong feeling that Rolyn had wanted more of Eeth. That he had wanted to see more come from the Guardian Elf. Van was sure that Eeth's normal Guardian powers would be muted somewhat due to having to be filtered through an elven body, but still, Eeth should have alot of power within him.

"Maybe Rolyn just being evil?" he grinned, cackling slightly, trying to make Eeth feel at least a little better. He knew the young man had just been hit with a rather nast wet fish, so to speak.

True, Eeth had been brilliant. He had held his own and against as many opponents on his first try as he had been, he would have made any ordinary trainer proud. They would have named him a master on that day and declared that they had no more to teach him, but Van supposed that Rolyn was trying to teach Eeth some other lessons. Lessons that would ordinarily have to be taught.

Then again, thought Van, since when had this situation been ordinary?

The elf began to speak about his realm, about this "Earth" that he lived on and though he did his best to keep awake, after having to heal Eeth, Van was soon fast asleep. Little cute cat whines and snores issued from his mound of blankets all through the night.

All three slept in relative peace. That mainly meant that they weren't awoken in the middle of the night having been found out by the Queen and demanded of their heads.

Rolyn blinked, sprang up, stretched yawned. He looked down at the now awake Eeth and grinned, last night's comment having been wiped from his memory, "So, good sleep?"

Then he put his fingers to his lips and started to creep up towards the mound of blankets that were still issuing small cat snores. He took a decorative horn from his belt, put it to his lips and then blew.

Right into Van's ear.

The indignant yeowl that followed left Rolyn uncharacteristically rolling on the ground laughing his arse off. "Evil!" muttered the now awakened Felinoid. He then began to set about, casting evil looks at Rolyn's direction, and began setting up breakfast for the day.

Suddenly Rolyn stopped. "So, what did you learn? Why do you think you were 'sloppy'?" he suddenly asked, seriousness etched on his concentrating features.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael gratefully accepted the taper and lit his own pipe. He watched and memorized the maps as Durbin pointed out where he was headed. Michael listened to Durbin describe the Bassa and gave his word that he would keep the creature a secret. "Sounds a fascinating a creature." Michael said as Sila piped up.
If I remember correctly, they can carry almost two tones of material on their backs and can push even more with their tusks. Dwarves use them for tunneling, carting and pounding rocks. Almost got stepped on one once. So let me guess, we're gonna use a Bassa to carry our supplies there and back? And seeing as they're suited perfectly for the dark and eat rock, they won't be a problem on however long our trip in the tunnels beneath the Trinias Mountains is going to be? Pretty smart.

The shock in the room was palpable, Michael dropped his pipe and Durbin's hung loosely from his lips. Tula and Shela, also carrying food, stood motionless, stunned by her entirely comprehensible and correct statement.
suddenly the sound of a log cracking the fire was heard in the utter silence, and all hell broke loose. Sila was falling, Shela was shouting, Durbin and Michael yelled and tried to scramble up the incline. Only queenly Tula reacted calmly, raising her arm and muttering a quick spell. Sila quickly arranged all the food back onto the tray and placed it gently before the two dwarf men. Laughter filled the area and Michael gently pulled Sila into his arms and kissed her gently, still laughing.

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

"I do... Do I want to know what it is that you are planning on cooking? Elk?"

Drak looked up from his rummaging around in an ambigiously large pack and raised an eyebrow, "Elk? Oh no, this is a wild boar. Elk are much much larger, Noah. I hunted, killed and prepared it myself this morning." He grinned, "I had a feeling that you were coming today!" The he shrugged, "I plan on something simple. Some meat stew with vegetables, some baked bread that I made in that earth oven over there and some nice strong cheese,"

"Did you know that I was going to look like this? Or were you expecting a human? Do a lot of the humans change like this? When am I going back?"

Drak sighed and began casting around for more fire wood, "You do ask a lot of questions don't you?" Then he shook his head as he began to work the fire into a more sizeable bank of flames, "I did not know what you would be transformed as. I did not expect you to be Human, no. Though, the more common term that history dictates is 'Guardian'. Long ago all Guardians were banished from this realm and so your kind cannot exist here. You were transformed to what you were most likely to be if you had been born here, in the Vale," he sighed again, "Didn't I explain this yet?"

Shaking his head, he began to mutter to himself, his high and mighty demeanor gone as he seemed to go out of his way to make Noah comfortable on a small log near the fire and continued the making of the evening meal. He even handed Noah a small wedge of cheese to 'stave off the hunger until I am done.'

While he was cooking, he set to explaining about the history of the Vale from when the Guardians ruled and the first rising of the Dark Kin. Then the events that happened afterwards leading up to this very moment and when he was done, he plopped a steaming hot bowl of aromatic stew into Noah's hands, handed him a wooden spoon, broke off some bread and sent more cheese the fox-man's way.

"So, any questions?"

He did not, however, explain about the First wave of Guardians that had come before Noah. He didn't think the poor man could digest that piece of information just yet.

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

Coudron gave out a loud rumbling laugh, "Rocky! I like that!" he continued to chortle to himself, taking some time to think about how he should answer the apparent horse. He knew that there had to be something more to him, something extra that made Jay special. He was, after all, a Guardian, but as of yet, nothing extraordinary seemed to present himself.

Well, maybe a knack for being helplessly confused.

"You won't have ta carry me, horsey. Don't worry about that. I can run, I reckon I can out run a runt of a horse like you!" he grinned, taking the barb out of the words and his tone was more than jolly.

"If yer want, I can build yer a shelter for the night. But we'll have to sleep under the stars for at least another week before we get to Vakare. Maybe less if ya keep up with me." He chortled again, thinking himself mighty funny at the moment.

Then he turned serious, gazing into Jay's equine (sp? Sorry, mind block. I think you know what I mean though ) eyes and said softly, "Don't worry too much lad. Remember, I'm here and I'll always be around to help, not to worry." He gave a reassuring nod, "I won't let nothing happen to yer. Me word on it!"

 

[Wolfsister]

Elmhand and Mia

“You are here to guide me? And how will you guide me and to what purpose?”

Mia looked up into the gnarled, grained face that appeared above her and smiled sweetly, "I will guide you where you need to go. If you're asking whether or not I'm evil, I'm not. Just ask them," she waved in a general direction of the trees that surrounded them. She knew something of Ents and also knew that they could speak, in some terms, to all of the woods.

"You're here to help save the Vale. I'm supposed to get you to the Spirit as soon as you arrive, but we are a long way from there and it might take you some time, but if you're up for the journey, we can start now."

Then she frowned, having thought of something she had not previously, "How will you be for sustanence? I don't know what Ents eat, though I know a little about you. How are you going to travel?"

For a guide, she seemed poorly prepared. But truly, how prepared could she have been for someone that she had never met before?

 

[Wolfsister]

Danae and Sishota

Shota laughed, also looking at the horses, "No, I don't think they eat stew." She grinned and cocked her head to the side, "But I can give them the vegetables that I don't use. How about, when noon comes around, you tell me if you want an evening meal. Then I can only prepare when you want it and only enough for you?"

She looked over the water and sighed. Sometimes she envied the water, with its endless beauty and deep, dark, secret depths. But then she realised that she was end up missing the freedom that Air gave her and she knew that she would never want to change who she was.

"I don't believe there are creatures like that around here, though the occasional large fish could have swum up from the Suvin Lake. I think that you would just have to be careful of not disturbing this lakes natural inhabitants. Many beings call this home and if you just stay curteous and out of their way, they should leave you alone."

She smiled, "Better cut down on the fish though," she whispered and grinned, nodding slightly.

Then she gestured to the already erected tent, "Then you can sleep in there again tonight. Before you do, would you like to hear a little more about why you are here? And for what purpose?"

Astonishingly, she had forgotten if she had told Danae the entire story or not. It was just the way she was.

 

[Mantra]

"Don't worry too much lad. Remember, I'm here and I'll always be around to help, not to worry. I won't let nothing happen to yer. Me word on it!"

Jay thought for a moment and finally sighed. The exhaling breath taking some of the tension with it.

*Thanks Rocky.* he finally projected.

He circled around their tiny camp for a moment, declining Coudron's invitation to build a shelter. Jay rather liked looking up at the stars when they peeked out from around the forest canopy.

So Rocky, what was the rest of the story you were going to tell me?* he thought as he folded his legs underneath him as he settled next to the fire.
His mind was still whirling at everything that had happened today, had it really only just been one day? Moreso, his thoughts drifted to ideas and half-remembered dreams as he listened to Coudron's tales.

*Rock? Tell me about the Vale, not all this Guardian stuff and all that, but you know, just something...normal. Where are you from?*

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Noah smiled a little bit at the explanation. "I've never had wild boar before..." He said and had to admit that it sounded pretty good from the way the other was describing supper. He would not be the one to tell the other that it didn't sound good even if it were true. The other seemed to find him amusing from the way he was speaking to him.

"You do ask a lot of questions don't you? I did not know what you would be transformed as. I did not expect you to be Human, no. Though, the more common term that history dictates is 'Guardian'. Long ago all Guardians were banished from this realm and so your kind cannot exist here. You were transformed to what you were most likely to be if you had been born here, in the Vale. Didn't I explain this yet?"

Noah found that, despite the fact that he was in an alien world and had nothing of familiarity around him, he could be calm and relaxed with the man that was helping him. And cheese was one of his comfort foods and this cheese was excellent. He had long since started to feel better, even with the history lesson he didn't feel at all terrified... a little worried? Definitely. But Drak was definitely putting him at ease.

He also couldn't help but note a few thing while he watched the other, he was pretty good looking, he didn't look so evil now, and there was something like butterflies in his stomach. True, he could pick apart the facts and say that the butterflies were due t the fact that he was in some other dimension and that he had been turned into some odd fox creature and was now being served dinner by an elf dragon person who might have been just fattening him up for all he knew.

But deep down Noah knew that this was not the case.

"So, any questions?"

"Just one I think..." He took a big bite of bread and another of cheese. He chewed and then looked at the other. "What's the plan?" He said finally.

 

[Angelus]

Largos/Len/Fara

Largos was so shocked by Len's voice, not in his head but in his ears that he could not answer. He just stood there looking at her and trying to think of something, anything to say. He looked down at the feline woman who he had lay down beside her as he still tried to think of something, anything to say to her. It was then that he rememebered the lizardmen and his blood started to boiling in his veins. He wanted nothing more than to find the two that had gotten away and tear them apart, he was unaware of the animal like growl that had escaped his throat until he saw the look on Len's face.

He knelt down beside her and took deep breaths to calm himself down. He knew that he was going to do no good if he was this angry.

"It was slavers. When I went out to..... feed I saw them abusing this one," he pointed down at Fara. "I knew that I could not let them do that to her so I rescued her after I took care of the slavers. Two of them got away though."

He knew that what he had just told Len would not be a surprise to her but to him he did not think that such a thing would happen in a place like this. This place was far more beautiful than any dream he had ever had and yet there was an underlying darkness he never dreamed existed. He knelt there and looked at Len wondering if this was why he was here, wondering if he was here to try and save a world that had become so diseased that it was falling apart from the inside. It was then that he realized just how great a task lay before him but knew that he could not back down, that he could not stand back and let this place come apart.

He then turned back to look at the fire and threw more logs onto it, watching as the it got steadily bigger. After he was sure it would not go out he turned back to look at Len.

"I think I finally know why I have been brought to this place; why it is this place needs the guardians again. This place has become so corrupted that there is no way it can be healed by itself and needs us to come and try to heal it. But how am I, one person meant to help to heal the Vale when there is so much wrong with it, when it allows things like Talon or those slavers to exist in it. I can only do so much and I know that I will not run away until I have tried to do at least as much as I can to help but I am only one person."

It was then that he heard Fara began to stir and as he moved towards her his eyes shot open and she looked straight at Largos, her eyes growing even wider.

"There is no need to panic Fara, you are safe while you are here. That I promise you."

"How can I take the word of a vampire. I know what your kind does to anyone who is foolish enough to enter the Dark Woods. I know that they are never seen again."

"I am not one of the vampires from the Dark Woods. I am something different. Now please just rest. You are very badly injured and if you move it will drain the little energy that you have left. I would like to have you alive for as long as possible."

"So that you can feed from me."

Largos wanted nothing more than to punch Fara in the face right then and there but he knew that he couldn't; he was here to help her whether she needed it or not.

"I will not feed from you. I am here to help you whether you believe me or not."

When Fara did not answer him Largos looked at her just to see that she was unconscious. He looked back up at Len.

"Is there anyway that I can get rid of this curse of mine? I do not want to have to try and help people that want to kill me."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Elmhand and Mia

“I will guide you where you need to go. If you're asking whether or not I'm evil, I'm not. Just ask them,”

Elmhand indeed did listen to the trees. Although they said she was rather unfamiliar to them, they were sure that she was definitely not evil.

”You're here to help save the Vale. I'm supposed to get you to the Spirit as soon as you arrive, but we are a long way from there and it might take you some time, but if you're up for the journey, we can start now.”

Elmhand would have laughed, if had found it funny; instead, he merely smiled. “I’m here to save the Vale? The trees say that the land is weakening, but what about the citizens? Do they honestly need my help?” he asked. He was a firm believer in letting people sort out their own problems; how else where they to learn? If they really need help, Elmhand wasn’t about to solve the problem for them. What he would do is try to set them on the right path, and do nothing more.

“How will you be for sustenance? I don't know what Ents eat, though I know a little about you. How are you going to travel?"

This did make Elmhand chuckle. “Young Mia,” he began. “How do trees survive, hmm? What do they need to live? And as for me traveling, how does everyone else travel?”

This was an example of what Elmhand would usually do. He wouldn’t provide answers, merely helpful questions that led to the right answer.