Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"No, Pheldom will not expect that, simply because it would never happen. The city folk are either too scared or too poor. Those that can pay their own way are often greedy enough to be bought into silence."

This was not something new to Fay, it was something that even in the 'real' world happened everyday. With how things were working out here she was all too aware of the fact that this world, for all of it's differences was not that different from the world she had spent her whole life in.

"A sad state of affairs, Ravenwing. But there it is. Although...."

She smiled to see that plotting in those clever eyes.

"...If we could get all of the weak together... and the people that are on their side... Maybe... We could overpower them. The poor outnumber the rich..." She stated plainly.

"Are they afraid?" She asked.

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

"Do... Do you know how I'll be getting back... I promise I won't run off if you tell me... I'm not in a hurry but there are some kids back at home that I love... Not really much else back home but... I'd miss my kids you know?"

A small measure of sadness entered Drak's eyes and he slowly shook his head, taking a deep breath to steady himself before giving his answer. First he asked, "You're married, then?" Somehow, he wasn't sure, but that piece of news seemed to disappoint him. Then he blinked slowly and sighed, "I'm afraid I don't have the answer to that." He held out his hands to forestall comment, "I would tell you, believe me, fox. I would. But the truth is, we're all in unfamiliar territory here and I must admit, I don't know how you will return."

He saw the disappointment in Noah's eyes and gave him a shaky smile, "I'm sure the Spirit knows though," he tried to say reassurringly.

"You don't have kids do you? You don't look near old enough... Not that I know how I found myself married to someone I don't like..."

Some more information from Noah's life leaked through and Drak found himself drinking up all that he could like a man whose thirst could not be quenched. Then he laughed. It was almost musical sound, but there was a rough burr, an edge to it that only his masculine voice could have brought to it.

"Noah, I am old enough to be your grandfather's father, and that's taking into consideration that Fox's have long years," there was a twinkle in his eye and he smiled, shaking his head, "Nay, I have no children." He shrugged, "There just never seemed time for them. But now... Elaidha..." he drifted off and then remained in an uncomfortable silence.

 

[Wolfsister]

Micheal/Sila/Renvir/Slither

"What manner of beast is this?"

Renvir skidded to a halt beside the enraged wolf and his eyes went wide. He uttered a cry of terror and cursed so foully that it would have put a sailor to shame. "I dinna know!" he cried out and bravely braced his feet apart, his mighty axe held before him like a great steel barrier across his chest.

The Slither seemed to 'turn' though there was no true indication of which end was which and faced the newcomers to its den. It seemed to roar, though the sound was barely there, it could be felt in the very bones itself. A creeping, slithering feeling would travel up their spines and Renvir could not help but shudder.

Then they both looked up and saw the unconscious fairy at the same time. She was held within one of the curled tentacles of the beast. It was plain to see the ragged condition of her torn wings and her bright purple hair was matted dark with her own red blood.

The Slither roared again, this time with sound and it was like a thousand gongs being struck at once. It was temporarily put both Renvir and Mike out of balance for their hearing was much more acute than average.

Suddenly, Renvir shouted, "I dinna care what manner beastie this be! We need to kill it!" Then he went in, running head first at the Slither, swinging his mighty axe. Sure, he didn't know what it was or how powerful, he just knew that he had to find out. Even if it meant giving his life away so that the WolfKnight knew how to defeat it.

 

[Wolfsister]

Kat and Rylia

“Rylia, I am curious, what your gain in our little adventure is? Do you get something for delivering me safe and sound to the Spirit, or are you here out of the goodness of your own heart?”

Rylia laughed, a rare sound to come from a creature such as her. "Nay, not the goodness of my heart, demoness. I do stand to gain much from helping you. The incentive that was dangled before my nose was simply too much not to risk it. There is the glory... the fame... and the," she paused, her voice going to barely a whisper, "The freedom..."

Then she shook her head, turning back to the way they were going. She knew that they would reach their destination very very soon and she found herself anticipating it more and more. "And you?" she asked, her voice sounding slightly distracted, "What do you think your purpose is here?"

She listened intently to Kat's reply, her long legs skimming across the ground with deadly efficiency. She had no need to eat, though she felt her stomach was empty. She nodded and grunted when it was required but otherwise just let the other woman talk.

The clouds began to gather and it was evident that a storm was coming in from the sea. The wind picked up and Rylia's white hair was soon whipping her in the face as they forced themselves past the rushing wind. "Not much further," she shouted to the demoness above the sea's stormy noise.

Suddenly, out of the blue there came a dwelling. And then another. And another. Rylia smiled. "We're here," she said and simply kept walking. She was well aware of the fact that these fishermen were simple folk and it was with confidence that she walked to the village center with Kat without fearing harm.

A friendly blue man with gills approached them, holding out a hand of friendship, "Welcome to Fisher's Village! I am called Hale!"

 

[Wolfsister]

Asterion and Lira

The next day dawned not so bright and rather windy. Lira opened her eyes and sighed, gasping with surprise as the painful sensations of the aftermath of the night before washed over her. Her thighs felt delicately bruised, as did the rest of her body. She tasted her lips and felt a thrilling shiver as she tasted her own blood, her lips feeling swollen and deliciously pained.

She wriggled around, feeling the hard packed earth beneath her and looked up, grinning with pleasure at the minotaur sprawled on the bed beside her. She curled up her legs, wincing with remembered pain and raised herself up. The lovingly placed a tender kiss onto the minotaur's horns and smiled, a self satisfied grin plastered on her face as she slowly began to get dressed.

She remembered the last night in vivid detail. His brutality was oddly in tune with the times when he had been almost... tender... with her body. It had been like she was with two men last night. But that didn't bother her. She had gotten what she wanted. She knew that now she needed to be especially careful. Now was the time she had to care whether or not she lived.

She had cared last night, but now she would be worrying for two. She absently patted her stomach and the same self satisfied smile drew across her lips. "You will be my glory," she whispered to her stomach, making sure not to wake the minotaur. Then she looked over at the Shadow Wraith that floated in a dark corner. "Did you enjoy the show?" she asked softly, her eyes glinting with dangerous humour.

She turned around as the large horned beast began to wake, her smile changing to one of pleasure and seductiveness. "What a delicious morning it is, lover." She whispered into his ear as he awoke.

 

[Wolfsister]

Elmhand and Mia

“You are the guide. Whenever you wish to go, I shall follow.”

Mia blinked. And then pouted. And then folded her arms across her chest crossly, frowning. "Fine! I don't want to go anywhere! We'll just stay here!" She huffed and promptly flopped down and sat on his branch. Her eyes were slightly crossed and her frown was rather intense.

Five minutes later she suddenly sighed and rolled her eyes, "You know," she said, turning to Elmhand's weathered, wooden face, "You're annoying. All old people are annoying!" she huffed, but she was looking rather comical, her teeth flashing as she grinned.

"Okay, we can go now. Sorry!" she smiled apologetically up at him. "Umm..." she tapped her chin, thinking, "The Spirit Road is that way." She pointed to the west and smiled.

The Night Stalker walks these woods once more. He is coming, he is hungry. He does not care for trees. He does not care for us; for the Vale. Go, go to Vakare and help us. Save the Vale. Save Vaka Woods.

Mia's eyes went wide. "You... you got the Vaka woods to speak to you?" she whispered, her voice holding much awe. This was not a sound from another tree. This was not a sound from a fellow Ent. Rather, this voice, this sound came from the world around them. It felt ancient, it felt... sacred.

And it also felt scared.

 

[Wolfsister]

Fay and Faelin

"Are they afraid?"

Faelin nodded. "People are always afraid of one thing or another. Though, I have often found that they more afraid of others of their own kind rather than beasts that could tear them apart in the blink of an eye." She cocked her massive, furry head and grinned, "We just need to make them feel safe."

Then she frowned, "However... money could be a problem. I do have a sizeable amount saved. I never had the use for it, but it seemed that that was all people would give me once," her eyes glazed over for a second and she almost looked sad, but then she shook herself and continued talking, "Perhaps we could raise the funds from those that are organising this resistance."

"It can be arranged," came a deep male voice from behind them and Faelin yipped in surprise, whirling around. She suddenly looked away from the door, her manner completely changing as she suddenly became rather shy and lost for words.

Framed in the little archway that led to the back of the shopfront in Abark stood a man dressed completely in black. The cloak hid his features from view, but his voice was deep, gutteral and indefinably... feral. Large yellow glowing eyes could be seen deep within his hood.

"Dorian!" yipped Faelin, suddenly self conscious. She avoided his yellow eyes and looked anywhere but at him. Dorian chuckled, a gloved hand coming from within the cloak to flick something at her feet. It was a large red stone, obviously natural and quite obviously rare.

"Here, thought you might like it,"

Faelin looked down, whined slightly in the back of her throat and gently closed her jaws around the rather large stone. She picked it up, treating it like glass and carried it to Fay's feet. Laying down, she placed the stone between her paws and she whispered so low that it was hard to hear her voice, "Thank you."

Dorian seemed to nod and then he strode towards Fay, his impressive six feet in height towering over her as he held out a gloved hand, "Dorian, at your service. You're quite the talk of the town, or so I hear." He grinned, though the Avian could not see it.

Without realising it, Faelin inched forwards and lay her head gently on one of his metal capped boots. Dorian didn't seem to notice, or at least he didn't acknowledge it.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Eeth in his own mind

While Eeth was not looking at Rolyn, he could still tell somehow that the elf was impressed and surprised. Eeth grinned subtly at the prospect that he had managed to do something that impressed the battle-hardened elf. And then Van was speaking again, telling Eeth to try again, but this time, reach out to the voice, call to it.

Eeth began the process again, still ignoring the dripping water on his head, as the cave faded from view and was replaced by the butte again.

All was quiet as Eeth stood on the butte in northeastern Arizona, exactly as it had been the last time. This time, though, Eeth knew what he looked like. He wasn’t the elf that was sitting on the cave floor. He was the Navajo Indian that had sat down in the lean-to just moments before coming to the Vale.

Eeth stood there, completely silent, listening to the sound of the silent desert around him. And once again, just like last time, a sound reached his ears. It was the whisper again, and yet again, Eeth could not make out the words. This time, Eeth spoke, although in a quiet, respectful voice. “The land speaks. I wish to know what it says.”

It was after he spoke that he realized that he had spoken in the Navajo language without choosing to. No sooner had he realized this then the wind picked up into a light breeze. The words became clearer and Eeth could pick out individual words, but still did not understand what it said. It spoke in a language unknown to him. It sounded graceful, fluid, and mesmerizing. It also sounded like a man was speaking it and that man who was speaking was behind Eeth.

Eeth turned towards the voice and found himself facing an elf. But not just any elf, but his elven form that was sitting on the cave floor back in the Vale.

The Navajo Eeth stared as the Elven Eeth stopped speaking and looked at the person before him. Then the elf spoke again, this time in a sort of greeting. At least, that’s what Eeth thought, seeing as how the elf gave a slight bow. Eeth returned the greeting in the Navajo tongue, and it was the elf’s turn to look slightly confused.

“Who are you?” asked Eeth in the Navajo tongue. The elf’s expression changed from that of slight confusion to that of annoyance. The wind increased, building speed rapidly. In a minute’s time, it was a gale blowing across the desert, whipping up clouds of dust, digging out dry bushes and shrubs. Eeth tried to stand his ground against the onslaught, but it pushed him back inch by inch, until his heels were just over the edge of the butte. Then he fell, the last thing he saw was the look of annoyance on the elf’s dust shrouded face.

Eeth came to in the cave sputtering a string of curses in the Navajo tongue. He looked around, a look of mixed confusion, anger, and surprise on his face. He had just been blown out of his own mind, and he didn’t know why.

 

[Mantra]

Jay

Jay practically pranced as they walked, slightly miffed as Rocky seemed to move even slower out in the open.

*I thought you were in a hurry or something…* he projected, his equine features seeming to grin at the rock-man. Coudron finally relented and nodded with a smile, letting his charge free reign. Jay whooped and bounded off, cantering to start and, as his legs and body flexed, sped along the animal path through the tall grass.

His pace was staggered at first; hesitantly moving forward as Jay felt how his still too new body reacted. He finally just relaxed, letting his instincts take over and letting the feel of the ground, the wind and the joy of running carry him along. Finally, he was off like a shot, running fast and free and loving every moment of it. His mind flickered back to his track meets and previous runs. He willed himself to run faster, feeling his body stretch out, his whole being moving like a proverbial running machine. He turned, his hooves casting dirt clods into the air as he banked around, his body plowing through the tall grass like a boat might plow through the water.

*Nya Nya!* he projected as he zipped back towards and past Coudron. Again he turned and ran, thundering down the same animal path he had just traversed, again buzzing past his stony warden.

*Slowpoke!*

Coudron called out something about staying close, or whatever adults shout before being ignored completely. Jay settled for running in a wide arc, running a wide circle around Coudron as the slower of the two ambled down the path.

Jay felt better than he had in a long time, for once forgetting his distress about his rather bizarre circumstances. He marveled at his own abilities now. The wind roared past his ears, only to be mixed with the rhythmic drumming of his hooves and the pounding of his own heart. Grass zipped by in a blur of green, either folding to one side or being slashed apart by razor sharp hooves. Occasionally creatures like grouse, pheasants or wild hares would take wing or scurry out of the way of the charging horse, their frantic actions only adding fuel to the adrenalin pumping into Jay’s veins. It was a glorious feeling of freedom, of strength, of exhilaration. Urging himself to run faster, it was easy, so easy to loose himself in the feeling of joy, in the rush of speed and the surge of strength he felt as the miles fell away behind him.

Jay thundered across the plains faster than he had ever run before, completely absorbed in the moment. He unconsciously turned again, wheeling around to charge back towards the forest, slashing through the grass as he ran. His long tail trailed out behind him and his jet-black mane of hair whipped about along his neck as Jay’s entire body surged and contracted with its long and powerful strides. Wide nostrils flared and snorted as his lungs worked like huge bellows, pumping and heating the fires in his heart and soul.

It was then that his hooves struck the first sparks as they clipped the ground. Soon the shaggy forelocks of hair around one hoof ignited, setting the entire hoof aflame. In lightning quick succession, the other forelocks and hooves followed suit, igniting and bursting into flames. The tip of his tail followed, striking up and burning like a fuse, a fuse which flashed along the length of his flowing tail and into the long mane of hair. Flames quickly wreathed the horse’s head, giving the animal a glowing halo of sorts. The odd sensation registered somewhere in the back of his mind, told him that this wasn’t natural, but there was no pain, no fear or concerns, even as the fire raced up his neck and seemed to sink into his mind and heart. He only knew that it felt…good.

The horse did not falter as it immolated. In fact, he charged ahead, even faster than before. He bucked once, before throwing his head back and loosing a tremendous bellow, the sound echoing across the plains as a triumphant whinnying sound. He galloped forward once more, twice and then leapt forward in a powerful hurdle and soared into the air above the grass. His feet pounded the empty air leaving a wisp of flames which sputtered and died mere seconds after his feet passed where they would have struck, had their been any solid earth beneath them. Instead he charged through the air, soaring more than thirty feet until he struck the animal path again, tearing the loam and soil as his massive self smashed down on the earth again. Without missing a beat, the flaming horse charged down the path once more, flaming feet skimming only a few scant inches above the dirt and grass as it ran.

Time and distance flashed by in insignificant, fleeting seconds until he became aware of another presence on the path. He slowed, easing back until the little man-thing was near enough to regard closely. His charge halted, becoming a gallop, which in turn slowed to a canter. Heavy hooves touched the earth, hissing and popping as they did so. It was a rock man, an elemental with a rather shocked expression on its face and gaping openly at him as he neared.

His canter eased into a walk and he paced forward cautiously, leaving scorched, U-shaped prints behind him. He tossed his head defiantly, snorting loudly and sending a huff of sooty, black smoke out from each nostril. His eyes narrowed as he regarded the rock man….and remembered, something about him…something…rocky….

The horse stepped forward, lashing its fiery tail from side to side as red, orange and yellow flames whipped wildly about from where a mane should have been and stared down at Caudron and snorted, black smoke puffing from its nostrils. It seemed to be regarding the elemental for a moment.

*…Rocky…* It projected softly.

The flaming horse blinked several times, as its eyes changed from red to blue. The flames wreathing it began to settle, fading in color and intensity, changing from red-orange to yellow, to green to blue and finally fading completely, leaving jet black horse hair it its place. The horse seemed smaller now and even a bit confused. Jay the horse, staggered to one side, then forward a step before falling onto all four knees before Caudron.

*Hey Rock…* Jay thought, bewildered and tired. *What the hell happened?*

 

[MilkManDan007]

Asterion Wakes

When he awoke to the thin beams of sunlight filtering in the cracked window, his mind was still trying to wrap itself around what had happened the night before. He had never quite acted like that previous to meeting Lira. She seemed to bring something out in him, urges deeper and more primal than he had ever felt. It was almost as if she had repressed his conscious mind, lowered his reservations and inhibitions, in order to get what it was that she wanted. No matter what it was she had done, he had his fill of her for now. She could come and go as she pleased as long as she stayed out of his way.

She was standing there, already dressed, but there was something different about her. She held herself differently, and the flicker in her eye that seemed to uncaring as to her own wellbeing was gone, replaced with a new hardness, a protective glare. She tried to mask it with that same seductive smile she had given him before, but he had seen it. She was somehow changed this morning as she turned to face him.

“What a delicious morning it is, lover,” she said, running her hand along one of his horns as he rose. He pushed her hand away from him as he dressed, lashing the axe to his back as he was becoming accustomed to do each morning. He could feel the burning in his muscles from working them the night before. Lira had been quite spirited.

“You can stay by my side as long as you stay useful,” he said to her and he brushed past and headed towards the door. “Just don’t slow me down.”

He turned from her and walked from the hovel, ducking under the low-slung doorframe and stepping into the bright light of morning. He stretched out to his full height, raising his arms above his head as he felt the sinewy masses uncoiling and releasing their tension to the morning air. As he cracked his neck, he wondered if Fell would follow him into the bright sun. There were fewer places for him to hide as the shadows retreated before the sun’s onslaught. He didn’t care, and he could use a day away from Fell.

The soft scents of morning began to waft into his nose as he breathed in the crisp air. The sweet smell of fresh baked cinnamon breads and fruits caused his stomach to rumble. One drawback to having such a large and muscular body was the need to constantly keep it fueled. When he had lived on the streets, he could subsist off of scraps for days at a time, but in this body, he would have to be more careful, more mindful to keep ample supplies of food with him. He began to walk to the town square, hoping to find something tasty to satisfy his hunger.

The village seemed much more alive this morning that he had ever seen it previously. From the road, he could see that all the men were out, preparing their vessels for the day’s fishing. Women sat in their doorways, washing and mending clothing, and children scampered about like antelope on a plain. Those he passed by still looked at him with suspicion, even though he had done his best to win them over, for now. He still had to live amongst them long enough for Daric to finish the armor he had been measure for.

As he thought about his soon to be new armor, the slaughter ahead, and his nocturnal experiences with Lira, he almost failed to notice the small child run out into the street in front of him. The boy, not more than six years old, was wearing a small earthen pot as a helmet and had a thick piece of scrap leather hanging from his chest. In his right hand, he carried a small, wooden sword, probably a hand-crafted toy made by one of the village elders. He stood defiantly in front on the Minotaur and pointed his sword. This youngster fancied himself a warrior. With that attitude, this child could go far in the world. Perhaps he would spare the youngster from the slaughter and take him on as a ward, a boy he could sculpt into a great fighter, and someone who could watch his back during battle.

“You wish to do battle with me, young one?” Asterion said, drawing out his axe and holding it in front of him, twisting the handle slightly to allow the sun to reflect off the sharpened edges. The boy did not budge, but stepped forward and swung his sword at his dark foe. Yes, the will in this one is strong, he will have to be spared and taken. The wooden weapon was easily blocked by the haft of the axe as Asterion stepped back, grinning down at the boy.

He held his axe is a wide grip, giving him more control than power, as the boy advanced on him again. Asterion swung the axe in a slow, wide arc at the boy’s chest level. The youngster turned to face the blade and deftly ducked beneath, stepping into the swing and striking the Minotaur in the shin with his sword. Asterion stepped back again, giving the youth a chance to recover from his attack.

“I see we have a skilled swordsman here,” he said, “but is he a cunning swordsman as well?”

Asterion took his axe and swung again, slightly quicker, and caught the boy in the ribs with the shaft. The blow was enough to move the boy sideways, but far from any force that would cause injury. He pulled the haft towards himself, hooking the boy with the underside of the axe head and dragging him towards the Minotaur.

“What say you now, boy? I have you right where I want you.”

Without missing a beat, the boy swung the sword again, the slight look of panic on his face replaced with that of determination. The overhand blow struck Asterion on the crown of his head, just between his horns. The thick bone resonated lightly at the strike, giving the boy the split second he needed to duck out from under the axe and ready himself again. Even in a situation of peril, the boy kept his head about him and found a way out. A clever warrior indeed.

A crowd began to gather at the spectacle of a young boy and the towering Minotaur battling in the street. Older children shouted their cheers at their compatriot as mothers smiled and whistled each time the boy seemed to outfox the giant. The battle continued for several minutes, leaning in each fighter’s favor at one point or another. Asterion began to back away as the boy charged and his hoof struck a small stone stair. Here is where he would administer the final test to the boy.

He purposely stumbled backwards and fell, landing on his side before rolling to his back and sitting slightly up on his elbows. His axe clattered to the ground, just out of reach. The boy continued to charge.

“Young warrior, I have fallen. Will you grant me mercy and allow me to live?”

The boy’s charge stalled for a split second as he comprehended the words before that look of determination came to his face again. He renewed his charge and drew his sword above his right shoulder in a two-handed grip, leaping at the fallen Minotaur. He showed no mercy as he unleashed an inhuman howl, readying for the kill. The boy had passed. He showed no mercy even though the battle was won. He would make a fine ward.

Asterion reached up quickly and plucked the boy from midair with his great hands. The boy’s eyes went wide and he dropped his sword as he stared into the dark eyes of the Minotaur as he rose. Asterion stared at the boy and asked one simple question.

“What is your name, young warrior?”

The boy faltered, stuttering for a second before coming out with it.

“Diemos, sir, my name is Diemos.”

A great smile creased Asterion’s face as he raised the boy high above his head, showing him off to the crowd. The boy grasped at Asterion’s horns, steadying himself in the beast’s hands as he was thrust to the heavens.

“Ladies and gentlemen, here we have Diemos, the great warrior that felled the mighty Minotaur!”

The crowd cheered and the women smiled at him. They knew he could have easily beaten the boy, but seemed to soften to his presence since he had played along and let the young lad win. He set Diemos down in front of him and knelt down to the boy.

One day, you will make a fine warrior, and I hope to be able to fight alongside you when that day comes.”

Diemos beamed a smile at the Minotaur as his hair was tousled. Asterion stood, gathered his axe, and began to walk once again to the town square as Diemos was mobbed by his friends and showered with praise and compliments. The rest of the journey to the town center was uneventful as the village buzzed around him. The sweet smells grew stronger as he approached, reaching a crescendo as he stepped into the square and saw the bakers and merchants laying out their morning goods.

His mind was suddenly filled with images of the two he had seen in his dreams several nights before. They were much stronger, much more vivid than they had ever been. The woman with the horns and tail walking alongside the woman with spider legs. He could see their mouths moving as they walked, but he couldn’t hear their voices. He dropped to a knee as the images passed, thinking that this must be another of Fell’s portal tricks. He looked back into his shadow, but did not see the pinpricks of light that showed his eyes. He may be in there, hiding, but Asterion could not distinguish his darkness from his shadow’s.

He rose and entered the square, perusing the merchant’s good, purchasing a loaf of bread and some fresh fruits from a wrinkled sprightly woman before settling under a tree to feast.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael howled his challenge and charged, twirling his sword and axe. The Slither lashed out with a tentacle which michael dodged, leaping at the slithers body, hacking with his dual blades. Renvir laid into the creature with all the fury of his dwarven heritage. The Slither roared its bone rattling roar and cast Michael away with a tentacle. He slammed into the wall, sliding to the ground. How can I slay a creature of rock?

 

[Wolfsister]

Eeth and Van

Van watched, uncharacteristically silent as Eeth closed his eyes and began to meditate. His brown eyes peered intensely at the young elf and he watched with an expression of apprehension and curiosity. With a wave of his Sticky, Van silently created an invisible barrier on top of Eeth's head, to block out the dripping water. Just a small aid, but that was all he would give.

Rolyn also watched intensely, remembering his own magical lessons with the cat on the rock. He himself had taken five days of nonstop meditation to make his Magi speak to him.

Suddenly Eeth shook himself out of his deep reverie, he seemed rather alarmed and more than shocked at his ordeal. "So..." murmured Rolyn, "He's made contact already."

Van nodded and suddenly started laughing. "Eeth look funny!" he howled to himself, forced to hold his aching belly, he was laughing that hard.

Then Van righted himself and tried to keep a straight face when he began to lecture Eeth, "Inside all there be spark. Spark of magic. This spark, called Magi." He suddenly giggled, "Van think Eeth just meet Eeth's Magi,"

Rolyn couldn't help but chuckle himself, but he kept it quiet and made sure to stay out of Van's way. Sometimes the teacher was just as important as the student during a lesson and Eeth only had the luxury of being able to learn once.

The cat continued to have a hard time speaking with a straight face as he continued his mini lecture, "This Magi, it part of Eeth, but not. It be its own Eeth. Eeth understand?" He cocked his head and when he only got a bewildered, blank stare in response, he looked over at the older elf and raised a furry eyebrow.

Rolyn sighed and stood up, "What Van's trying so eloquently to say is that your Magi, while it lives inside you, is a completely different entity than you are. You may think of yourself as Eeth O'dok, but your magi will think of himself as someone completely different. How he shows himself to you is usually a good clue as to his nature." He nodded and then sat down once again, leaving Van to explain the rest.

"Eeth's magi have magick. Eeth can only use magic through Eeth's Magi," Van stated and then added hopefully, "Did Magi give Eeth a name?" It would help Eeth to use his magick if he knew something, at least a name, of his Magi.

When Eeth shook his head, Van smiled and settled on his rock once more, "Eeth try again. Now Eeth get name."

 

[DarkPhantomLynx]

Kat and Rylia

Kat eyed the fish creature named Hale warily but smiled sweetly. “I am Kat, and my companion is Rylia. We hoped to find supplies and shelter from the storm in your village.” Kat’s voice was soft and sultry she watched to see if it had any effect on the man at all. Her hand kept moving to push her thick red hair from her face the storm was brewing to be a most fierce one. Yet instead of worrying her it seemed to add to her excitement. She could almost feel the energy from the storm building up in her. She turned to smile at Rylia, and for once it was a real smile not one of sarcasm or spite. “I hope this village holds as much promise for us as I dreamed it would.” Kat’s eyes flash as she looks back at the man. She moves on towards the town looking at the dwellings in the approaching dark. Yes this was the place of her dreams; she could feel the one near she had dreamed of as well.

Coming into the square she saw several people looking out upon their arrival and even heard a few whispers move through the men as they moved about. Her eyes scanned the crowd and caught sight of who she was looking for and froze in her place. Gasping her hand moved to her heart as she stared at him. “Rylia,,,,that is him. He the large Minotaur, that is whom I have dreamed about.” Looking back at her she felt a jolt of excitement and power surge through her. Finally something seemed to be making sense in this strange land. She smiled and looked around at Rylia curious what she thought of this. Kat had wondered what exactly Rylia had meant by her earlier comment of freedom. From what? Whom? Could it be in her mutant state she was forced to commit to a Master or Mistress against her will? Well Rylia she was sure would never tell her. She liked her, but some reason she didn’t feel there was trust there. Not that she had really given the drider any reason to trust her either. But then again, Kat was used to playing her cards close to her chest, trust had always been hard for her to give to anyone.

As Hale walked them through the small crowd his chatter continued at such a rapid speed Kat just shook her head and simply ignored it. Looking about she heard a small scuffle off to her side and turned to see some old wrinkled woman moving towards her. “Evillllll, stop this creature now before she kills us all. Back to the devil she must go!!” the old woman screamed and threw water at Kat. Kat looks at the woman and then starts to laugh as the water hits her merely soaking the gown she wears. “ Was that suppose to kill me old woman?” Kat chuckles and looks around the crowd eyeing the Minotaur over the peoples heads she smiles and nods to him. Turning to look back at Rylia. “Oh yes,,I see good things coming here.” Her smile a bit wicked and her laugh is harsh.

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

Coudron shook his head as he knew that his warning would not be heeded. This horse was indeed young, not just in body, but in mind and spirit also. "I'm too young to be a father figure!" he groaned quietly to himself and then found himself starting to grin and soon laughing uproariously. Of course the prancing horse didn't notice, but Coudron couldn't help but notice the absurdity of his situation.

He was in the middle of tilting his head back to laugh some more when something alerted him to the presence of another magical being. Somewhere close. He looked around, his rocky muscles tensed, his fire barely held in check as he surveyed their surroundings. When nothing presened itself, Coudron relaxed slightly, but only enough to call Jay over.

When the horse didn't immediately return to him, Coudron looked up, searching the grassy plain for any sign of the spirited beast. What he saw instead both scared and shocked him. Somehow, he knew that the creature he was looking at was Jay, but he seemed to exude a raw power that set Coudron's teeth grinding.

His eyes went wide as the firey horse approached, the ground sizzling under its hooves, the flame in its eyes ablaze with barely hidden power. It blinked, breaking the temporary spell of terror that clung deeply to Coudron's shoulders and allowing the elemental to take a deep calming breath. "Jay," he said softly, holding out a hand to both ward off danger and to show that he was a friend.
The horse regarded him with alien eyes, recognition far from their depths. Coudron called Jay's name again, his voice firmer, his confidence returning.

Then, finally, something else sparked in the fire horse's eyes and Coudron saw the recognition he had been searching for. In a blink, the fire was gone. The power emanating from the creature disappeared and Jay was left heaving in the slight breeze, his equine features distorted with bewilderment.

*Hey Rock… What the hell happened?*

"You transformed, Jay. You had flames on your hooves and along your mane. Your tail was pure flame." Whispered Coudron. There was no fear anymore, simply an awe that filled the Elemental's soft voice.

"So, you're not just an ordinary horsey then, eh?" he asked, normalcy replacing the bizaare set of circumstances that had just presented themselves. "Come on, we'll talk about it later. For now, we'll just work on getting to Vakare. Slowly!" He cautioned. He wanted to see how much further Jay could take his transformation. The hint of power he'd seen had just been amazing and Coudron had to admit that he was impressed.

He'd never tell the kid that though. Never in a million years.

 

[Wolfsister]

Kat/Rylia and Asterion/Lira/Fell

The Merging​

Lira nodded quietly, accepting Asterion's word that she would stay by his side. For now she needed protection and she felt sure that she would get it by his side. Just as long as she made herself useful, was it? Oh, she could find many ways of doing that. After all, the night before had already proven her... usefulness.

He walked through the door, his impressive axe strapped across his back. She followed him, somewhat meekly and yet with the same defiant step she'd used on him the night before. She felt a shiver go up her spine as she saw Fell meld into the shadow of the great minotaur. Ahh, now she understood. That was where that foul creature hid during the day.

Outside she looked up, smiling slightly as she noticed the wind, rain and dark, stormy clouds. Fell would have a hard time hiding in Asterion's shadow now! Somehow, that made Lira deliriously happy.

She stepped obediently behind Asterion and suddenly he was being attacked. Her rosy lips smiled thinly as the boy charged, his weapon blunt and useless. His eyes were afire and she silently admired his courage. Being male, it was difficult for him to prove himself to the minotaur and she felt the same urge driving the boy that had driven her last night.

The scuffle lasted but a few moments and she was never truly alarmed for Asterion's safety, though she found herself slightly disappointed when no blood was shed. She loved blood. It was simply... delicious.

They made their way to the village square and her heart skipped a beat. She even heard a faint hiss from beneath her and to the left. She glanced down and saw the Shadow Wraith's eyes glow brightly just once and then fade from view. She looked up and her eyes narrowed.

Hale led newcomers through the square. A drider and a demoness by the look of them.

"Asterion... they seek the same as you do. Though the demoness, she has something.... reserved... about her," she murmured just loud enough for the perusing Minotaur to hear. She saw right through them and instantly took a disliking to the demoness. The drider, she wasn't sure of, but she felt something slimy in her mind and she didn't wish to examine it further.

She clung to Asterion's arm, rather impertantly, and tried to guide him away from them. But the Minotaur was having none of that and she found herself being pulled towards the new comers.

Rylia sighed heavily, wondering just what she had gotten herself into. Yes, she was sure that this was the place and Kat had just confirmed it for her. She looked in the direction Kat had indicated and was almost physically jolted out of her skin. There really was a minotaur. Walking amongst the villagers, a young boy even trailing his wake, and he was coming towards them.

"Perhaps this village will yeild more than we bargain for," she murmured to the demoness next to her, somehow growing slightly closer to her charge. Perhaps it was because Kat was the only familiar thing in this unfamiliar situation. "I do not believe he means harm, but perhaps you should let me handle the introductions?" she whispered further as the minotaur and his entourage came their way.

Lira raised an eyebrow as a guarded look came to the Drider's face. She looked at the demoness and laughed silently to herself. How could the drider not have a guarded demeanor with that one around? She noticed with amusement that Fell still kept himself hidden. "Coward!" she hissed down to them.

They both stepped forwards at the same time. Lira dipped low, not too low, but low enough to be courteous and Rylia inclined her head by the barest degree.

"I am called Lira,"
"I am called Rylia,"

They spoke almost in unison, without pausing they both went on, "This is Asterion/Kat. We're here for some supplies and just passing through."

It was as if it had been scripted. Suddenly both seemed to realise that fact and then both lapsed into silence. Rylia looked at Kat and nudged her forwards, she was interested in how the demoness would handle the man in her dreams and Lira stepped back, keeping a distance from both of them. Trusting that Asterion would know what he was doing.

 

[Dracona]

Janelle wakes...

Waking up had never been one of Janelle’s favorite things. She closed her eyes and fought to keep from it, she wanted to stay asleep. She’d been having the most wonderful dream. Janelle started to stretch and felt a firm body wrapped around hers, she froze. Oh god, not again. She didn’t feel like she’d partied the night before, but then it wouldn’t be the first time she’d woken up with some stranger and not remembered how she got there. The question now was how to extricate herself without waking up her erstwhile bedmate. She turned her head slowly and cracked one eye open, then opened both eyes wide.

Water wavered between her and the face of her companion and she remembered. It hadn’t been a dream. She really was somewhere else, someone else and she had this new friend that she felt so connected to. Instead of trying to slip away Janelle snuggled closer into Hiran’s embrace and studied his features.

He really was handsome in his way. She reached up and lightly stroked her fingertips over his cheek. It wasn’t like touching a human man, there was something different about the way he felt, but he still felt…right. Sure he had seemed grumpy and surly when they met but maybe that was to cover up just how sensitive and gentle he could be. And she had pushed him, tried to crack his cranky shell because it had seemed like a fun thing to do at the time. Her momma had taught her better than that. That wasn’t how you treated a friend. Just look what had almost happened. She’d almost driven him away and probably come close to dying.

Remorse swelled in her heart and she stretched her face up to place a soft kiss on Hiran’s lips…..

 

[DarkPhantomLynx]

Kat and Rylia,Asterion and Lira

Half listening to Rylia and the green woman called Lira speak her eyes are locked on the Minotaur. She feels the power surge the recognition nearly makes her mute. Never had she really thought to come across someone from her dreams. But there he stood; she smiles and takes a step forward after being nudge by Rylia. “ I am Kat, it’s my pleasure to finally meet you face to face. We do hope to find shelter and supplies on our journey to see the Spirit.” Her eyes slide from him to the green woman sizing her up seeing the glimmer of danger and hate in her eyes Kat merely smiles at her. She was the one to watch, much trouble could come from her. Glancing to Rylia she nods and speaks softly. “He is what I expected and yet so much more. I am still shocked to see him.” Turning back to the Minotaur she tosses her long hair back and raises her chin and smiles.

Meeting his gaze she looks beyond him seeing the others of the village gathering and feels a sudden surge of disgust seeing all the eager faces peering at them. Quickly she covers it up with a sickly sweet smile and looks around at them all. “My companion and I have traveled far and are on our way to see the Great Spirit. Is there anywhere in your fair village we might stay during this coming storm? And find some food and supplies for our coming journey?” Seeing the young boy looking around the Minotaur she drops to her knee and looks him in the eye seeing the small sword gripped fiercely in his hand. “Ahh the town hero I suppose?”

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael/Sila/Slither and Renvir

Renvir roared a mighty battlecry and laid about him with his large axe. Where ever he touched however, the blade just seemed to bounce off. Knowing full well that he could hew rock from stone with his axe, he realised that this creature was made of something that he had never encountered before. Something far older than he and far more powerful.

He saw the wolf getting thrown to the ground from the corner of his eye and silently appreciated the wolf's courage. Then a purple flicker caught his vision and he looked up to see a tentacle wrapped Sila. She was unconscious, her hair matted to her head with congealed, thick blood. He winced when realised that Sila was probably better off unconscious for all the wounds she was sporting.

Reaching up, making sure the Slither was preoccupied with Mike for the moment, he tried to pry Sila from the rock monster's grip. "Cursed thing!" he gritted his teeth and tried to force the tentacle to open, hoping that he wouldn't get smacked around in the process. But whatever the danger to him, he knew that Sila was far more important.

"Renvir?" came a soft tinkling voice and his eyes opened wide.
"Sila!" He exclaimed in a soft whisper, "Hang on there kid, I'm ginna git yer out,"

He watched with distress as the fairy's eyes surveyed her predicament and then widened with renewed fear and pain. She began to blindly struggle against her stone bonds and he tried to stop her wriggling, fearing she would injure herself even more. She shook her head, trying not scream, knowing that Mike battled for her life somewhere outside her vision. She could feel him, she could hear him... she wanted so much to reach out and touch him.

"Ah lass, stop it!" growled a frazzled dwarf and she blinked, finally calming down enough to look at him. Then she truly looked around herself and frowned once more, thinking of a way that she could escape her stone prison. Then something came to her, "Renvir, I want you to swing your axe when I say, okay?"

The dwarf gave her a quizzical glance, "It donna work, lass. I've tried."
"Shh! I know what I'm doing!" she hissed, not caring about her current tone.

With a little further wriggling, she managed to get her arms free. Closing her eyes, trying to fight the awareness of pain and throbbing in her head, she slowly began a chant. She clasped her two hands together, as if in prayer and her voice was soft and pleading.

Renvir's eyes widened when he heard a small crackling sound. And then he saw it, the slow creeping of a cold, white substance along the tentacle, its focal point originating from Sila. "Ice!" he muttered to himself, in awe of the raw power that Sila was conjuring. Much less that it was working!

"Now!" cried Sila as the tentacle around her became encased in ice, her little body freezing from the contact temperature. She looked away, squeezing her eyes shut as Renvir heaved and brought his mighty battle axe down upon the frozen stone.

It shattered and suddenly she was free. Unfortunately, the Slither now deigned to notice the dwarf and fairy and sent another tentacle their way. It was so fast that it knocked them both to the ground, sending them skidding to the side of the cavern.

Renvir stood, panting, eyeing the creature that stood before them. "Can yer do it again, lass? Bigger?" he asked softly, urgency filling his voice.
Sila nodded, closing her eyes briefly to shut out a lance of pain down her spine, "Yes, but you must keep it busy... It will take a while. I'm... weak..." she whispered.
"Aye, we'll do it, lass." Renvir nodded and once again bounded into the fray, yelling at the wolfknight by his side to keep the creature busy for Sila to work her magic.

"Please, don't die," she whispered and then closed her eyes once more, clasping her hands together and began to chant.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael rose from the ground and once again launched himself at the slither. he swung hard around him roaring. "You shall not touch her!" he roared as he hacked, blocking tentacles left and right, laying into the beast constantly. "YOUR LIFE IS MINE!"

 

[Wolfsister]

Janelle and Hiran

Hiran murmured softly into her ear and rocked her gently back and forwards in the water. Due to her nature, Janelle had no problem breathing under water and Hiran himself was made of the element. It was perfect and peaceful, yet he found his heart somehow breaking under the illusionary spell that the water cast around them.

Then she stirred, she seemed not to recognise where she was and then seemed to 'discover' his existence all over again. He watched with veiled eyes as she explored the feel of his skin, the water hiding the goosebumps that he could feel shivering up his spine at her touch. And then she leaned up and placed her soft lips on his own.....

Hiran stiffened, his lips compressed and he frowned. His grip on her slackened slightly and he was on the verge of moving away from her presumptuous lips, when suddenly the very feel of her seemed to wrap itself around him. He knew instinctively that this was nothing whatsoever to do with Janelle the Siren. This was Janelle. Sweet, sweet Janelle. And how he ached for her!

His grip on her body suddenly tightened, the force almost brutal, yet he was well aware of her fragile state and so was gentle at the same time. His lips opened and he gently forced his tongue between hers, tasting both the sweet tang of the freshwater around them and the indefinable essence of the woman herself.

He moaned, deep in his throat and then began to kiss her. Soft at first, but he got steadily harder and more passionate, until they were both finding it hard to catch their breath. When he broke away from her, though the kiss had only been a short one, it was as if he had lasted an eternity.

"Janelle!" for the first time, raw emotion threatened to crack his self control and his voice broke slightly, "Janelle... why? Why are you so sweet?" he whispered to her and then held her to him, rocking her back and forth once again, this time the gesture meaning far more than the preservation of her life.

"Don't do that to me again, please Janelle. Just... don't!" he murmured and held her tightly, never intending to let her go.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Elmhand and Mia

"Fine! I don't want to go anywhere! We'll just stay here!"

Elmhand smiled at the water nymph’s antics, and settled in to wait. He had a feeling that she would change her mind. And he was right, for a few minutes later, she sighed and said:

"You know, you're annoying. All old people are annoying! Okay, we can go now. Sorry! Umm...The Spirit Road is that way."

Elmhand nodded and proceeded to pick up his feet. His left foot pulled away from the ground with something akin to the sound of a weed being pulled out of the ground by its roots, only bigger and louder. But before he could set his foot down again, something “other worldly” occurred. A voice rose out of the world around them.

The Night Stalker walks these woods once more. He is coming, he is hungry. He does not care for trees. He does not care for us; for the Vale. Go, go to Vakare and help us. Save the Vale. Save Vaka Woods.

Elmhand stood there, one foot frozen in mid-step, as he processed what he had heard. It obviously did not come from the trees, for Mia heard it to. It did not come from another Ent for the trees spoke of none in the area. Therefore, it came from the land itself. Something about that voice seemed to fill Elmhand’s heart with a resolve he had not known for years; it was a resolve to act. Elmhand knew that he must deal with this Night Stalker himself. The people of the Vale could not do it. Only he.

"You... you got the Vaka woods to speak to you?"

Elmhand did not respond right away. He was still working over what the woods had said to him and what his next step should be. He had already put down his foot with a light crash.

“Which way is it to Vakare, Mia?” asked Elmhand in a stern monotone. When she indicated, he proceeded to walk in that direction. He was silent for a while as he walked, but he eventually spoke.

“It was completely up to the woods to speak; I did not ask it to,” said Elmhand in answer to her question.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Fay could understand why people would be afraid. These were men of power, they could take their children, their freedom, and even their very lives. She had to think of how to inspire people, how to give them the courage to fight that which oppressed them.

"However... money could be a problem. I do have a sizeable amount saved. I never had the use for it, but it seemed that that was all people would give me once. Perhaps we could raise the funds from those that are organising this resistance."

"It can be arranged."

Fay, too, jumped at the unfamiliar voice but she was surprised to see the wolf acting much different than she had ever seen before. She looked to the black clad figure in the door and had to wonder what the hell was going on here? Was he a friend or had he paved the way with a sword. He seemed like a force of the wild, the only thing she could really see in te depths of all of his black clothing were the brilliant yellow eyes.

The scene with the stone was quite literally mind boggling. Her dearest friend in this place was nervous and shy and unsure what to say to this man. She almost got the impression that there was something going on between the two but one could never really be sure of anything in this land.

"Dorian, at your service. You're quite the talk of the town, or so I hear."

"Oh.. Why thank you..." She said taking his gloved hand. She too suddenly felt rather shy with this person she didn't know and couldn't see. She lowered her eyes and watched Faelin rest her head on his boots and looked back up at him. Obviously he could be trusted.

"I am Fay Ravenwing," she said, immediately adopting the name without hesitation, it sounded far more like a name here than her old name did. She was beginning to see that she was shedding much of her old life to take on this new one and for all the untold and told dangers that she was going to meet she was starting to prefer this one. She had a real friend here.

"I have not been in this town long? Why would they talk so much of me? Am I really so important or strange?" She asked looking right into those eyes now. He had piqued her interest with such a statement and it was time she learned what was going on.

"And who exactly are you?"

 

[Dracona]

Janelle and Hiran

Janelle felt Hiran stiffen when she kissed him and expected to be pushed away. Then his arms held her tighter and his kiss became something hungry and almost demanding yet so sweet she nearly cried. She had been kissed before but never like this, never with real emotion and caring. Janelle clung to Hiran’s shoulders, her body molding itself to his as she returned his kisses with more need than she wanted to admit to herself.

When he broke their kiss a soft cry of protest escaped her. She reached for him to bring his lips back to hers but his words sounded in her ears and she went still. She understood now what she was and how she affected others. Was this what Hiran meant when he said not to do it again? Well, she’d done it again. He was kissing her because he couldn’t help kissing her. But it felt so good, so right…she wanted to kiss him more….she wrapped her arms around him, the tears she shed mingling with the water and washing away.

“I’m sor-sorry Hiran…” she sobbed against the side of his neck. Even now with her lips so close to his neck all she wanted was to press them to his skin. “I’m so sorry…I didn’t mean…don’t be angry. Please, please don’t be angry.”

 

[EHawkins]

Becca/Kail/Brand

"She's a Guardian."

Becca looked at Kail for a moment, and then to the big crocodilian guard at the door. Her hands bunched into fists, tense. When she realized that the guard wasn’t going to do anything, she relaxed.

He was waiting for her to explain herself. Becca sighed, irritated at the prospect.

“Yeah …” Becca said, as she jerked a thumb towards Kail. “What he said. I’m a Guardian, or whatever you people call it.”

She almost disappeared into the gloom again, and sat on the hard, filthy floor next to the child. Becca idly stroked hair out of her wan little face and hoped that she would wake up soon.

“Look, I can’t explain it to you, captain. I hardly understand this Guardian thing, myself. All I know is that I’m a stranger in a strange land …”

The child stirred and made frightened noises but she didn’t wake. Becca did her best to try and soothe the girl, but she wasn’t sure if she could hear her.

“ … that Guardians apparently have a bad reputation, and that there’s some creature running around that, according to Kail here, only a Guardian can kill.”

Becca looked up at the captain then. She wasn’t certain whether he believed her or not, and she supposed that she didn’t care. It didn’t change the situation or what she knew she had to do.

“If what Kail says is true, then I can’t leave until the Night stalker is dead. If I’m the only one who can kill it, then I’m responsible for Vakare's safety. One of us is getting buried and it isn’t me. If I can help it …”

 

[MilkManDan007]

The Meeting

The thin rays of sunshine from the early morning had been blotted out by the dark clouds that seemed to be rolling directly over the village. A mist of rain began to fall, coating the merchants and their wares in a slowly building coat of dampness. Even under the tree, a thin layer of moisture, much like the fresh morning dew, began to form on his horns and the ends of the hairs on his body. He reveled in watching the merchants scurry this way and that, covering what they could before the weather had a chance to exact its damages.

Lira had remained in his wake throughout the morning, following just behind him as he made his way through the village. He wondered to himself as he wandered to the town square if he would find a use for her or simply find her distracting and have to part ways with her. For now, she could stay.

As the merchants continued to scurry about, his eyes found a familiar, yet unwelcome, face: Hale. He was already chattering away, no doubt boring whoever he was accompanying with his inane blathering. His eyes settled on the two women he was with and grew wide in disbelief. They were the same two he had seen in his dreams and earlier this very day in the vision. He stood and eyes the pair, making absolutely sure it was them before heading off in their direction.

Lira hung herself on his arm and spoke gently to him, issuing some warning about the demoness and trying to guide him away from the pair. Her lithe body was no match for his own as he walked towards Hale and the newcomers, feeling only the slightest tug on his arm as Lira resisted the advance. She seemed to inherently know of people, to be able to look into them and understand them without even knowing them. Perhaps she would prove useful after all.

She stepped in front of him and faced the half-spider being. Introductions were made in the curtest sense. Kat and Rylia, another pair of souls in this world with more history behind them than met the eye. Perhaps Kat was like him, a transplant from the old world into the new. The guides stepped away, leaving Kat and Asterion to their own introductions.

“I am Kat. It’s my pleasure to finally meet you face to face. We do hope to find shelter and supplies on our journey to see the Spirit.”

To finally meet, he thought as she shot her gaze to Lira. So, she had seen him as well in her dreams. Perhaps their spirits were linked in more ways than he knew, a connection or bond that would have to be explored with time. A false smile came to her lips as she peered around at the gathering crowd of villagers. One strange traveler was a coincidence. Two more strange travelers could spell trouble. Asterion glanced around the crowd quickly, hoping not to see the rising tide of anger they had shown him upon his arrival. She beseeched the town for its kindness and generosity, hoping like he had to win them over until they were no longer useful. She knelt and said a kind word to Diemos. She would win them over better than he had, he thought as she rose again.

“His name is Diemos, and perhaps one day he will make a fine warrior. That is if he can find the proper teacher.”

He eyed the demoness before him. Her fiery red hair was most likely an indication of her true nature. In his time here, he had found more examples of physical appearance matching with a person’s true nature than he could count. The black forms on the island and their evil nature, Fell and his formless dark self, and even himself, mostly feral and bestial, but with a trace of humanity remaining. Her clothes seeming to suspend themselves gracefully on the curves of her body, so gently that it seemed the slightest breeze would leave her bare.

“The people here have been most kind to me,” he said, gesturing towards the gathered crowd. “And I am sure they will be just as kind to another traveler on their way to see the Spirit. They have provided me with a small home that you are more than welcome to stay at until other arrangements can be made.” He turned to her and gestured down the street where the hovel would await. He shooed Diemos away for the moment. The fewer prying eyes and ears the better.

“Come Kat, we have much to discuss about our travels.”