Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[Wolfsister]

Fay and Faelin

Aran's home wasn't a small place, neither was it large, but it was comfortable, dry and home to a friendly family. Celeste made another appearance at the dinner table, politely making conversation with both Fay and Faelin. It seemed that Aran had managed to sort her out, somewhat. She was quiet though, when clearing the table and soon disappeared again afterwards. Aran and the wolf just exchanged a look and decided to leave her alone for now.

The cloaked man was not seen again, though Fay would occassionally hear his muffled voice in another room or see the end of his cloak trailing past the bend. He did not attend supper and they did not see him for the rest of the night. Faelin felt quite disappointed by that fact, but she kept it to herself.

When they eventually retired back to their own room, a guest room that had been lent to them, Faeling stretched out at the bottom of the bed, not having realised until now just how late it had gotten into the night. "Tomorrow, things will make more sense. For now, I suggest that we rest and think of more pleasant things."

She looked at Fay, "Did you have a mate, back where you are from?" her voice light with curiosity.

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

"My world... I just felt like there wasn't much or a reason to live anymore... I loved my kids... with my whole heart... But there were just things that made me want to veer into oncoming traffic and end it all..."

Drak looked over at the foxman at his side and shook his head sadly, just realising how tortured a soul this man was. He reached up with a gauntletted hand and gently patted the furr on his shoulder, "Don't worry. I'm sure your children are just fine. I am sorry to hear that you did not relish your world as I relish my own." He smiled gently though, taking the sting from his words.

"When I was but a youngling, we were taught how to fly with the Dragons. We soared on the winds with magnificent beasts, golds, reds and greens flashing through the air. But, for a child that had small wings... it was hard," he looked down at the ground, his wings shifting open and closed in nervousness.

"Eliadha helped me to grow... but I hated her for it for so long. I hated that I needed help... that I could not... fly..." he sighed. "We may have hardships in our lives, but never once have I ever thought it was so bad that I had to end it." It was supposed to be words of encouragment, of advice but Drakalin wasn't sure how the other would take it. And he suddenly realised he cared very much what the other man's reaction to his words would be.

 

[Wolfsister]

Becca/Kail/Brand/Mia and Elmhand

“Let’s hunt down the bastard before it kills anyone else …”

Brand nodded grimly and followed, one step behind the woman that had transformed into more than he ever thought a Dryad could be. He marvelled at her straight, grained back; her writhing tendrils of hair and the hardened bark that was even now crawling up her body to protect her in a way that that dress could not. For a moment, he felt awed and just a little envious of her abilities.

Then Kail sailed past his head and quietly said a word into Becca's ear. "The NightStalker is an expert in combat. It uses mainly magic at long distance, not allowing its opponent anywhere near. But should you get in close, its claws and teeth are vicious and very very fast."

Brand caught up, striding beside her, his armor clinking slightly as they weaved their way through the poor quarters and closer to the gate. "He's right. What we're getting into is very dangerous. I won't send any of my men in, I don't want them getting killed." And it was true, Brand did indeed look as if he was on his own. No soldiers marched along side them and his cloak covered most of his armor.

They soon came apon the gate, Becca having set a brisque pace. There they found a small altercation between the gate guards and a small blue water nymph. She was very distressed and the guards themselves weren't exactly handling the situation very well.

Brand placed an arm on Becca's shoulder, "Please wait. I am the captain of the guards after all," then he strode into the discussion, pulling aside his cloak and inquiring as to what was going on.

The nymph turned to him, obviously recognising his rank and pouted, "My name is Mia and I've got a very important mission! I can't tell you what it is, but the Spirit sent me on this mission and these lumps won't let me pass though!" she puffed herself up and pointed at an Ent which wavered uncertaintly on the outside of the gates, "He needs to get to Vale City and I need a guard to get him there! I can't very well protect him all by myself! And they won't let me come to see you!"

"Sir," said a bewildered man, "A young foxman decided to pluck her out of the air and throw her around a little. We caught him redhanded and sent him down to the courthouse, but now she insists that we owe her an escort to Vale City."

"Look! I have a very important mission that I must not fail!!"

Brand shook his head. "Miss, please calm down. We're a very busy and large city. We can't just give an escort to any person that asks for one. We need proof that you're a VIP and we need you to disclose this 'mission' of yours."

Mia haruumphed and crossed her little arms, "That's not going to do. I said that I have a great mission but I can't tell you... I mean... umm...." she looked the Ent and suddenly realised that she had made a huge mistake. She was supposed to lead and guide Elmhand around and keep him safe. And now she had just opened her big mouth.

Kail looked over the Ent and his bright light suddenly brightened. "A guardian!" he whispered to Becca and then floated towards the water nymph, his calming blue light creating waves over her face. "Calm down," he said, his melodious voice carrying lightly over her, "I am a Guide too. Becca here is my... charge." He paused, not saying the word that would most likely cause mass panic.

Mia blinked... "Oh?" she looked from Kail to Becca and then over to Kail again. He pulsed a positive light and suddenly Mia's face brightened. "Oh!" she looked excitedly at them and suddenly began to herd Kail towards Elmhand.

"HI! This is Elmhand and he's my.. erm... charge. And my name is Mia!" She introduced them both as they little party caught up with them. Kail hovered in the air before the Ent and politely washed a light blue over the Ent's roots.

Kail smiled, "I am Kail and this is Becca. This," he turned to Brand, "Is Captain Brand. He's helping us when some issues," he brightened and then floated over to Becca, "This is most fortuatous indeed."

 

[Mantra]

"I'll prepare some dinner while you're working. Tell me, do you eat meat?"

Jay perked up at once.

*Meat? Hell yeah I eat meat!*

As Courdron moved on to get things settled, Jay remained in his burned out circle, practicing his powers or silently trying to recreate his encounter with the magi. Jay's exhilleration soon gave way to frustration and concern however, as his powers still seemed to be uncoperative and sporatic, but at least he didn't blow himself to smithereens or set the whole prarie on fire.

Worse still was his meditations, which were also spotty and uncooperative...and a little disturbing. Coudron returned with supper, which after a long diet of fruit and other NOT meat, made his mouth water with the thought of eating -real-food. Even then, Jay was distracted, often silent and distant for long periods of time.

*Um, Rocky?* he projected, still chewing. *Y'know this magi thing? What if...well,... what if he's a little bastard?*

 

[EHawkins]

Kail and Becca/Brand/Mia and Elmhand

Then Kail sailed past his head and quietly said a word into Becca's ear. "The NightStalker is an expert in combat. It uses mainly magic at long distance, not allowing its opponent anywhere near. But should you get in close, its claws and teeth are vicious and very very fast."

“Good to know. What kind of magic are we talking about?” Becca asked. “We have to be smarter than it, somehow. Surprise it, or something …”

Brand caught up, striding beside her, his armor clinking slightly as they weaved their way through the poor quarters and closer to the gate. "He's right. What we're getting into is very dangerous. I won't send any of my men in, I don't want them getting killed."

Becca gave the crocodilian captain a side-long glance. There was no one marching out with them. It was only she, Brand and Kail walking through the gloom of the slums on their way out the find the Night Stalker.

“I know it’s dangerous, Brand. It has to be done. For Vakare and that little girl.”

Becca looked and squinted in gloom. In the dim torchlight, she saw some blue pixie-looking thing, and she seemed pissed. Becca felt Brand’s massive hand on her shoulder.

"Please wait. I am the captain of the guards after all,"

Becca sighed, agitated. She fidgeted full of adrenaline, and anxious to get out to the willow grove, as he walked away. The pixie seemed to acknowledge Brand’s rank, and started spouting off to him.

"My name is Mia and I've got a very important mission! I can't tell you what it is, but the Spirit sent me on this mission and these lumps won't let me pass though!" she puffed herself up and pointed at an Ent which wavered uncertainly on the outside of the gates, "He needs to get to Vale City and I need a guard to get him there! I can't very well protect him all by myself! And they won't let me come to see you!"

"Sir," said a bewildered man, "A young foxman decided to pluck her out of the air and throw her around a little. We caught him redhanded and sent him down to the courthouse, but now she insists that we owe her an escort to Vale City."

"Look! I have a very important mission that I must not fail!!"

The more the blue pixie argued, the more Becca itched to interrupt. She started towards Brand and the other guard.

We don’t have time for this! Can’t Brand just pass this off to someone else!? We got more important things to worry about than some pixie-thing’s stupid escort! You’re damn right there’s an important mission—we have to go save this city!




"Miss, please calm down. Becca heard Brand say. We're a very busy and large city. We can't just give an escort to any person that asks for one. We need proof that you're a VIP and we need you to disclose this 'mission' of yours."

"That's not going to do. I said that I have a great mission but I can't tell you... I mean... umm...."

Becca watched the pixie look up for a moment. She squinted in the dull, flickering torchlight and her eyes went wide.

“It’s … it’s a giant tree!” she muttered in awe. She had been so focused on the Night Stalker and then on the little pixie-thing keeping her from it that she hadn’t noticed.


"A guardian!" Kail whispered to Becca and then floated towards the water nymph, his calming blue light creating waves over her face. "Calm down," he said, his melodious voice carrying lightly over her, "I am a Guide too. Becca here is my... charge."

"HI! This is Elmhand and he's my.. erm... charge. And my name is Mia!" She introduced them both as they little party caught up with them. Kail hovered in the air before the Ent and politely washed a light blue over the Ent's roots.

Kail smiled, "I am Kail and this is Becca. This," he turned to Brand, "Is Captain Brand. He's helping us when some issues," he brightened and then floated over to Becca, "This is most fortuitous indeed."

“Fan-freakin’-tastic …” Becca said in a somewhat irritated yet distinctly Brooklyn accent. “Another one of us, me … whatever. Look, it’s nice to meet you and all, but Kail, the good Captain, and I have a very important date with a very nasty monster that needs taken out …”

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"Don't worry. I'm sure your children are just fine. I am sorry to hear that you did not relish your world as I relish my own."

It hurt to realize that the other knew that that was how he felt about his world. He planned on going back to his old life once he was permitted but for now he would enjoy... and try to survive whatever was going to be thrown at him in this strange time.

"When I was but a youngling, we were taught how to fly with the Dragons. We soared on the winds with magnificent beasts, golds, reds and greens flashing through the air. But, for a child that had small wings... it was hard.

"Eliadha helped me to grow... but I hated her for it for so long. I hated that I needed help... that I could not... fly..." he sighed. "We may have hardships in our lives, but never once have I ever thought it was so bad that I had to end it."

"Yes, that makes sense... And maybe I was meant to be here with you so I am glad that I didn't take my life." He smiled and knew how that could be taken... Did he mean it like how he suggested? He wasn't entirely sure but he felt like it needed to be said.

"My life was fine for the most part. It only got difficult when I realized how I was... Not like the rest of them..." He suggested.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

It was a comfortable home, she recalled the large home she had back in her world, with the animals she cared for. She too noticed how quiet the beautiful Celeste was but really was there any room for her to question it? She hadn't known the woman at all.

The beautiful avian had hoped to get a chance to speak with Faelin's 'friend' once more. But that seemed to not be in the plans of the fates. She rested on her bed and was all too aware of the black wolf settling down at her feet.

"Tomorrow, things will make more sense. For now, I suggest that we rest and think of more pleasant things."

"That sounds like a good plan," Fay replied as she stretched her wings and settled herself down for a sleep. She wasn't even tired really, she was restless, wanting to know how she was going to have to deal with the town leader in the morning, if it would be that soon.

"Did you have a mate, back where you are from?"

Her cheeks tightened with the question. "I... I wouldn't call him my mate... I had thought... that that might be where it was going... But... I was wrong..." She said with a soft sigh.

The next part came out easier.

"He was cheating on his 'mate' with me... But I didn't know about the other woman..." She explained. "He was using me..."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Eeth

Eeth could tell that Van was not entirely happy about him taking a break, but Eeth was hungry, especially after having dodged falling trees in his own mind. As Eeth moved to take some of the stew from the pot on the fire, he looked at his hand, the one still holding the blade, and he seemed to have realized that it was there in his hand. And indeed, he had only just realized it was in his hand.

Eeth paused in mind motion, staring at the blade in his hand, wondering at how it had escaped his notice before. Then his mind moved to wondering where the other blade was, if it wasn’t in his other hand. He looked around for the other blade and when his eyes fell upon it stuck hilt-deep in a boulder behind him, he was stunned, his jaw slack and eyes wide. Eeth looked from the blade in his hand to the one stuck in the rock several times, trying to remember when and how he had done it. But he kept drawing a blank.

Eeth turned back around to face the fire, the stunned look still on his face as he put aside the blade in his hand and collected some food. As he ate in silence, the stunned look on Eeth’s face changed to a more confused look as he continued to fail to remember when he had stuck the blade into the rock. As he moved to take his third helping, Eeth looked over at Rolyn and then Van, with a questioning look on his face.

“Did I do that?” asked Eeth, indicating the blade stuck in the rock behind him. “If I did, I don’t remember doing it.”

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Elmhand Meets Another Guardian

"If you want, you can stay out here while I make a few enquiries and get some supplies. You just wait here. I'll go see how the Spirit Road is faring today and get a few things cleared up."

Elmhand was relieved that he didn’t have to go into the city. But then that relief changed a little, almost as if he were concerned for Mia’s wellbeing. It was a big city, she was by herself, and she was just a little on the young side. He felt…protective of her, in a grandfatherly sort of way. He didn’t understand why, seeing as how he’d only known the young water nymph for less than a day.

Of course, these protective feelings weren’t helped in the least when a furred man with a tail decided to pluck poor Mia out of the air and start tossing her around. Elmhand was just about to go to her rescue when he spotted the guards at the gate come rushing out to help. The guards did their thing, sending the furred man off into the city with an armed escort. Elmhand paid them no heed and concentrated on the odd event from before where his branches seemed to grow of their own accord.

He was just starting to figure it out when he noticed a disturbance up at the gates. Apparently an argument had broken out between the guards and a small blue water nymph. It took Elmhand a moment to realize that was Mia that was involved. When he did, he moved forward to where he could hear the argument. He chuckled when he heard her continue to insist that an escort was need to Vale City. Apparently, she was just a little overzealous in her job, and had yet to realize that Elmhand could take care of himself.

Then something caught Elmhand’s eye: a pair of lights approaching the gate from within the city. One of the lights was a floating wisp of blue light, but the other…the other was what appeared to be a woman, a rather “woody” looking woman, with a strong green aura around her. He didn’t even notice the man with them until he stopped the small group and moved towards the argument that Mia was neck deep in.

Elmhand shook his head as Mia continued to talk, spouting on about a very important mission. It took her awhile to realize that she had said just a little too much, but by then it was just a little too late. Then the blue wisp floated over to the argument, and somehow managed to calm the water nymph. In fact, her mood did a 180 and she was suddenly ecstatic. Mia then lead the blue wisp, the wood woman, and the armored guy who appeared to be a high rank officer in the guard, over to Elmhand, leaving the guards at the gate scratching their heads at the sudden end to the argument.

The blue wisp introduced himself as Kail, the wood woman as Becca, and the armored man as Captain Brand. Kail, the blue wisp that somehow spoke, said that the captain was helping them with some “issues,” although he didn’t mention what issues.

“Fan-freakin’-tastic …” Becca said in a somewhat irritated yet distinctly Brooklyn accent. “Another one of us, me … whatever. Look, it’s nice to meet you and all, but Kail, the good Captain, and I have a very important date with a very nasty monster that needs taken out …”

Elmhand looked down at the wood woman, recognizing the distinct New York accent. So, there are other Guardians about, thought Elmhand, dismissing the wood woman’s hastiness. He looked at here for a little bit, examining her. He noticed that she seemed to have some sort of armor covering her that appeared to be made of bark. And her hair was essentially like Medusa’s, but with a forest theme instead of snakes.

“Now, now, don’t be hasty young lady,” said Elmhand, smiling down at the anxious woman. “I recognize the accent, Becca, New York possibly?

“And if this monster you seek is called a Night Stalker,” continued Elmhand, his voice lowering in pitch as his distaste for the creature that the Vaka Woods feared rose. “Then it shall meet its end soon enough, for I too seek to rid the land of that foul creature.”

 

[rengadeirishman]

"Saints preserve us, what new devilry is this?" Michael asked Renvir and Takkin. "It seems we cannot catch a break."

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

*Um, Rocky? Y'know this magi thing? What if...well,... what if he's a little bastard?*

'Rocky' took one look at the Nightmare on the other side of the small fire he had built up in order to cook the meat from the deerlike animal he had found grazing nearby.... and laughed.

"Bastard?" he asked, quizzical as he continued to occassionally grunt out a chuckle or two. "Jay, Magi's have no parents but your own. Unless you were a bastard, I would not consider your Magi a bastard.. though it would be up to interpretation I suppose," he shrugged, not having a Magi himself, he wasn't all too sure about the interaction between a person and their Magi.

And he sure as hell didn't know that Jay meant about the 'bastard' comment due to a lack of knowledge on Earthen social skills.

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

"Yes, that makes sense... And maybe I was meant to be here with you so I am glad that I didn't take my life."

Drak looked sidelong at Noah but didn't comment any further about that, just content to continue looking out at the night. He wasn't a creature that needed all that much sleep, to be honest and he was used to long nights. He simply sighed and remained silent, content to let Noah do most of the talking for now.

"My life was fine for the most part. It only got difficult when I realized how I was... Not like the rest of them..."

Drakalin lifted an elegant eyebrow, "Oh? And how were you? Besides being a fox man," he grinned slightly, just a little at his own joke. Though he hoped that Noah didn't think him weird... Come to think of it, why did he even care?

 

[Wolfsister]

"I... I wouldn't call him my mate... I had thought... that that might be where it was going... But... I was wrong..."

The next part came out easier.

"He was cheating on his 'mate' with me... But I didn't know about the other woman... He was using me..."

Faelin gave a small, soft growl as her lips peeled back to indicate her distaste, "Men!" she huffed. Then she looked up and down Fay, "Did you look like that? I mean, I know you were different, but were you beautiful? Even if you weren't..." she shook her massive black head, "It doesn't matter, that doesn't excuse males..."

She yipped and growled even more, "I know Lee would not do that..." she gave a sly, wolfish grin at the Avian and then nudged the woman's legs in a suggestive manner.

 

[Wolfsister]

Eeth/Van/Rolyn

“Did I do that? If I did, I don’t remember doing it.”

Rolyn nodded as Van continued to clean himself, licking his paws and rubbing them along the back of his ears accompanied with mewing sounds of varying degrees.

"You did it, Eeth. That is the kind of power you will find that you have, but you still only tapped it in an unconscious manner. You will need to call upon that power in times of need and be guaranteed that you can do things like that when you want." He nodded over to the food, "Take some rest... we have much more to do. And you need to make some sort of peace with your Magi,"

"Eeth on time limit..." Van mewed from the side and then went about licking himself once more.

Rolyn nodded, sighing, "Yes... unfortunately. After you defeat the Queen we can train you in more advanced and leisurely ways if you wish. But for now a crash course is needed." He place a lot of confidence in Eeth when he said 'when' he would defeat the queen and not 'if'.

"You have been doing well so far," he grudgingly allowed Eeth to hear and then turned away, busying his hands with the arrangement and sharpening of several weapons he had laid out during Eeth's trancing.

 

[Wolfsister]

Becca and Elmhand

“Fan-freakin’-tastic … Another one of us, me … whatever. Look, it’s nice to meet you and all, but Kail, the good Captain, and I have a very important date with a very nasty monster that needs taken out …”

Kail pulsed with an affirmative light as he sailed around Becca's head, which was the equivalent of him dancing. "I know, I know Becca, but this is most fortuitous. Now we have another to help us with the NightStalker." He hummed a merry jig as he spoke rapidly in a different tongue to the blue pixie like thing.

She nodded in enthusiasm, then her eyes widened, and widened further and suddenly her eyes were the size of her mouth. "Oh that is terrible!" she squeaked in the Common Tongue and then wizzed up to Elmhand. "We have a situation. There is a terrible beast that needs to be vanquished and only those with Guardian powers can do it." She went on to explain what the Night Stalkers were and how they came about and all that history. Though she did it in a clipped and rushed manner.

"So, we're going to help them?" she asked, but did not wait for an answer before she zipped back down to Kail and nodded her assent. "Just lead the way!" she said, her little voice quivering though she looked rather scared.

Kail pulsed a positive blue brilliance again and then wizzed back to Becca and Brand. "The Ent will help us. He might prove a valuable asset to your Dryad abilities, Becca." Then he was off and out of the gates with Becca, Brand, Elmhand and Mia hopefully following along.

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

"Saints preserve us, what new devilry is this? It seems we cannot catch a break."

The dwarves shrugged and looked at Sila. Her face was pale, her skin clammy and she quivered with fear as her wide, white eyes turned to Mike. "I... I don't know. We need to stay away from it though..." she whispered and then stepped lightly back onto the road. Her eyes were closed briefly a she tried to sense the presence of the thing that had just passed them.

"Its gone for now," she whispered and then made her way back up the main road, it being the most direct path to the fortress that loomed overhead. She didn't want to be here any longer than she had to if she could help it.

 

[Mantra]

Jay

Jay looked incredulously at Coudron for a moment.

*What?? no, no no! I mean like a bastard, kinda... um...* Jay's projected voice lowered, concern deepening his thoughts. * Just like... I don't think I like him,... it....whatever. I think he wants to hurt people. He likes to show me things...tell me things...* Jay shuddered.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Michael moved onto the road and knelt down to embrace and kiss Sila. "i'll protect you my love." he said looking into her eyes. He got up and changed to his wolven form. "Let us be swift, so we may leave this evil place." He said.

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

*What?? no, no no! I mean like a bastard, kinda... um... Just like... I don't think I like him,... it....whatever. I think he wants to hurt people. He likes to show me things...tell me things...*

Coudron cocked his head to the side and scratched his rocky chin. "Hmmm... well, your Magi shouldn't be too far from your own personality." He mused, trying to sound somewhat knowledgable on the subject. "I've heard of Magi testing their hosts. Seeing if they're worthy of the power of a Magi. Some people lose their Magi... either because they abused them or they didn't mesh." He shook his head, "Sometimes I'm glad that I don't have a Magi. I don't think I could deal with another me, that wasn't me."

He looked at Jay then, studying him. His slightly beady eyes smouldering in his deep set skull. "Have another try Jay. Perhaps this is just a test.... perhaps this is your Magi's way of warning you of the power that you could possess and seeing how you react?"

Then again... Jay was a Guardian. There was almost no telling just what a Guardian's Magi could do, or would do. This was new ground... and though Coudron was adaptable... this had never even been done before.

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

"Let us be swift, so we may leave this evil place."

Sila nodded and gathered herself up. She smiled weakly to the werewolf at her side, trying to reasure him that she was okay. Then she set her face towards the Keep and resolutely took a step.

They reached the looming fortress with no more incident, the shadowy keeper and his lantern nowhere to be found. Sila was silently glad of that fact and Renvir and Takken breathed sighs of relief once they entered the ancient Keep tower.

"Tha maps say ther vault's ir down.." Renvir indicated with a pipe shoved in the direction of a darkened stairwell that wove its way down into the depths of the Keep.

"Well then..." Sila whispered, "Perhaps Mike can go first with the torches, then me, Takkin and Renvir can cover our rear with another torch." She smiled, taking a wavering stab at being in charge. What she said made sense though, and so they continued on down the stair well.

 

[Angelus]

Largos turned to look at Len and tried to find the words to say to her but nothing would come because in truth he did not know what was happening himself. He stood there for a second or more and looked at her then turned and looked at the group who had come with him. He knew that he should have expected anything in this strange world that he now called home but this was the strangest thing that he had every come across. He let his hand fall to the hilt of his sword as he looked from the group to Len and back again then raised his hand to scratch his head. His first impulse was to laugh at the situation that he now found himself in but he knew that it was only going to be a joke he could share. For everyone else around him everything was normal.

He looked straight at Len before moving to her and crouching down in front of her.

"I have no idea what is going on or who these people are. They came upon me in the darkness and seemed uptight when I told them what I was, especially when I said that I had come from the Dark Woods."

It was then that he heard the footsteps behind him and looked up to see Malakiel and the fox creature standing there looking down at him. He slowly got to his feet and looked at the two of them before looking at Len. He knew that he wanted to put some distance between the group and her in case something was to happen between them. As they walked away from the fire Malakiel spoke up,

"I see that you are telling the truth vampire which in itself is a surprise but what is more unusual is that you are also travelling with an avian who seems to treat you as a friend."

When Largos looked at him with wide eyes and wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword Malakiel looked at him and raised his hands.

"I am sorry if what I say offended you but if is not often that we see things like these in this dark part of the Vale. We live near the Spirit Road as a refuge of sorts for the weary traveller but lately we have been attacked nearly every night by things that come and take our friends and kin."

It was then that Malakiel's gaze fell to the ground and Largos realized just why he did not trust him. He wanted to tell him that he was sorry for his loss and that he wanted to help him in any way he could but he wondered if those woulds would fall on deaf ears. He took his hand slowly away from the hilt of his sword but did not take his eyes away from Malakiel. He was just about to open his mouth to say something but before he could he heard Len say something and turned around to see the fox man standing over her.

He walked slowly and carefully away from Malakiel and up behind the fox man just to hear him say, "Why do you say that to me? You should come back to the settlement with me? At least there you will be away from that vampire and safe."

When Largos looked at Len's eyes and saw what he thought was fear in them he grabbed the back of the fox and without saying a word picked him up and threw him backwards. He looked down at Len once more before turning towards the fox man just to see Malakiel standing there, a weapon in his hand.

"Why do we trust this vampire. He just wants to get into the settlement so that he can kill us all!" the fox man screamed out as he got to his feet, a line of blood coming from his mouth.

"I will not kill you. I give you my word on that," Largos said as he looked straight at Malakiel.

He could see that Malakiel was gripping his weapon tight as he looked at Largos.

"If you do not plan on killing us why did you do that to Aaran? Did the avian tell him something you did not want us to know?"

Largos let out a loud sigh then looked at Aaran.

"The avian has a name and her name is Len," Largos said as he took a step forward, his focus going from everyone in the group, "I had to do that because she was scared of what Aaran was saying to her."

Aaran moved quickly towards Largos, "That's a lie!"

Largos started to move towards Aaran but before he could reach him Malakiel moved and struck him across the head, knocking him to the ground.

"You know as I do that vampires cannot lie Aaran. Why must you always do this to me, why must you always cause trouble."

Aaran did not say a word but looked at Largos with hatred in his eyes.

Largos moved towards Malakiel and smiled at him, "Thank you. I know what it is like to trust people in a place like this."

Malakiel looked once more at Aaran then turned to Largos, sliding his weapon out of sight. He did not say a word but placed one arm onto Largos's shoulder.
"That is true but I think that I can trust you. I must warn you that you will be watched carefully as soon as you enter the settlement, if you wish to do that that is. I hope that you will say yes because you will be safe while you are there; I make that promise to you."

Largos wanted to say that he would go with them but there where things about these people that he did not know and he would not make a decision if he did not talk to Len first. He turned slowly to look at her then back at Malakiel.

"I want to say yes to you Malakiel but I cannot if I do not ask my companion what her opinion will be. I hope that you respect these wishes."

Malakiel smiled but did not say a word as Largos turned and walked back towards Len. He crouched down slowly and looked straight into her eyes.

"What do you say Len? Do you wish to go with them to their settlement. I know that neither of us know them but they seem to be okay and I hope that they might keep us at least a little safe, at least for a little while."

 

[DarkPhantomLynx]

Kat and Asterion

Kat watched Asterion as he spoke and moved about the crowd following him towards the hovel she glances around at the crowd and town. Small insignificant enough if it disappeared not many would miss she was sure, but then stranger things had been happening since she woke up here. Lira, she could be trouble Kat figured but then again perhaps she was useful surely Asterion wouldn’t keep her around otherwise. Turning her eyes back to him she smiles widely knowing this will make several eyes follow him she slides her arm into his and moves along to the hut. She watches the Drider scurry away hearing a few comments and jeers sent her way. With a swift look at the villagers they fall silent and move away. Looking back up at Asterion she shrugs and fakes a smile. She may not get along all the time with the Drider but she had found she was not a bad companion to have with her, and she had proven to be quite trustworthy so far. As far as she was concerned Rylia was proving to be the only friend she had here in this world and she planned to keep her on her side.

Stepping inside she turns looking about; a whiff of the air lets her know what has gone on in the room she smiles and looks up at him. "So the town provides for all our needs I take it?" With a chuckle she shakes her head letting him know it was merely a jest she asked it.

She settles down against the wall with a weary sigh and rolls her neck, her legs stretching out in front of her. the dress bunching up on her thighs exposing more skin than she realized. Her hands slide up to push the fiery red tresses from her face with a soft smile and flash of her eyes. Feeling the horns once again she chuckles softly. "Forgive me, I am still learning this new form I am in. I keep forgetting things like horns and tails are commonplace to these people but to myself it’s all new." With a flick the tail wraps itself around her leg just below the hem of the dress.

"So tell me, Asterion what do you know of this spirit I am off to meet. I seem not able to get an answer from my guide, do you have anything you might be able to tell me?" Looking up at him she is really struck just by how large he really is, how strong and just how easily he could kill her if he wished. She wished now perhaps Rylia was with her.

 

[rengadeirishman]

"A fine idea my love." Michael said to Sila. He kissed her and took hold of a torch, taking point and starting the long walk down the stairs.

 

[Wolfsister]

Rylia and Lira

The Drider followed the halfling towards her little hovel. It was in a rather sad state, the roofing straws were sagging and dripped from the rain, water sleucing down onto the bare, muddied floor. The door squeaked and hung on its hinges in a haphazard fashion.

The single bed inside was the only thing that had been kept in good condition. The mattress was firm, the stuffing in good condition. Prestine sheets adorned the frame and the pillows were soft and comfortable.

Rylia dropped their bags in the dryer area of the hut and rolled her eyes, hissing slightly as her jaws clacked together in an odd imitation of a spider's hunting sounds. Her legs skittered on the muddy surface, but she kept her balance in an oddly graceful, yet unconsciously so, way.

Lira eyed her with barely veiled distrust the entire time, her lips tight as she absently stroked the side of her thigh. She was silent as Rylia inspected her dwelling, not that she cared. The Drider could be as critical as she liked, Lira didn't mind. Being what she was, her entire life had been ruled by criticism. She could take it, she had been her entire life.

Then Rylia clicked her jaws once again and turned swiftly, leaving the hovel behind. Lira followed.

 

[Wolfsister]

Michael and Sila

"A fine idea my love."

Sila followed, with Renvir bringing up the rear. Takken stayed behind to tend and take care of the Bassa who was by far too large to fit onto the little winding staircase.

Sila crowded behind Mike, but was careful to give him enough room to swing his axe should he need to. Still... it was comforting to have his solid back underneath her hands in the dim light.

The further down the went, the mustier became the air. The scent of earth and water pervaded their senses and soon a constant drip, drip noise invaded their aural senses.

"Mike..." Sila said, as the air around them got colder and colder, "I think we're close..."

True enough, they were at the end of the stairway. Before them lay a large cavern carved into the earth beneath the fortress above them. The cavern beyond lay in darkness, the only light coming from the flickering torch in Michael's outstretched hand.