Illusion Vale: A Spirit's Cry

[Wolfsister]

Eeth and Ilandria

Ilandria slowly sat down on her bed, letting the information sink in. She sighed and fiddled with the small wooden medallion. It was such a simple thing, but it was also bound with the most complex of spells. It was a sigil of recognition, something only royalty really knew about. A clever elf could puzzle it out, but that would alert the owner of the sigil and sigils were ever only created for the royal family.

Family...

"Where is my family now?" she whispered, staring down at the sigil. "Perhaps you should call Rolyn in, he can fill me in with more details." She paused, "Guardian, thank you. I do not know you, but you helped to save me." Casting about, she gave him a small medallion to wear around his neck, "Always wear this in this city, or near other elves. It will tell them you a personal guest of mine. And take these scrolls. I have been saving them for someone like you." She pressed three scrolls the size of pigeon notes into his hand, "Take them to the weapon and armor smiths. You deserve your rewards and I think you will have need of them soon enough."

Then she turned away, dismissing him and waiting for Rolyn to attend her. There was much they needed to discuss.

 

[Wolfsister]

Largos and Talon

"Just die you bastard!"

Talon laughed. He laughed so hard that darkness seemed to spew from his open mouth and his eyes poured forth a mist of dark that threatened to engulf both of them. His fangs glistened in the absence of light and his laughed sent chills down the spine. "You sword... it has no power over me!"

Then he staggered backwards and gasping, clutched the wound on his abdomen. His left arm hung useless and refused to heal. He stared at the crystal sword clutched in Largos's hands and shook his head, cobwebs sneaking past his mental barriers and clogging up his mind even more as blood flowed freely from his wounds.

Crying out, he lunged forwards with an outstretched arm, claws distended and watched as if in slow motion as he fell forwards, well clear of his intended target, his legs giving way beneath him. Crumpling to the ground, he burbled with the effort to breath through all the blood. Why wasn't he healing? Things like this were nothing to him! He was immortal! He was the Shadow Lord!

Crying out, he once again tried to attack, but his limbs now refused to accept commands from him. Darkness began to dribble out of his open, slack mouth, and his every other orifice in his face. His skin began to shrivel and shrink, dehydrating and dying all over again. Agony lanced through his brain and he cried out again, this time in pain and fear. Something he had not felt for hundreds, thousands of years.

Images flashed before him and suddenly he saw that same sword again, but in a different place. It was being placed on an altar while a Goddess stared down at him, her wings steel and her might Warsword poised above their heads. There was thunder and lightning, there was storm and death and a great wailing of the Gods chanting their fantastic spell. The Crystal Sword rose in the air and the might Goddess of War touched its tip to the tip of her sword, a blinding light rose between them and then they were one.

"NOooooooo!" Talon cried, curling up in a foetal position. He didn't want to go back there again! He didn't want to remember who he had been. Didn't want to remember the forging of the Weapons of Power - he didn't want to remember that he had once been human. And in love!

Spurned!

"Aaaawwawaaarrghh..." his mouth chattered around the sound and then he was gone, tormented no longer with distant memories, his body laying shriveled and decaying at Largos's feet.

The pool of darkness strengthened and gathered, pooling at Largos's feet until it suddenly made a form. A naked woman - looking remarkably like a human female with rounded ears and soft ivory skin, sat huddling at his feet.

"Oh great hero! Thank you!" she shuddered and shivered in her skin, "You have saved me!"

 

[Wolfsister]

Fay and Faelin

Faelin shook her massive head and her eyes took in all that Fay was looking at. Normally she was uncomfortable in such large crowds, but the Avian Guardian was making her feel more at ease. It was probably just her presence - and for that the great wolf was more than grateful.

"You need some nice silk, I think." She yipped and tipped her head to the side, the image of a wolf thinking deeply, "And a few more pieces of jewellery." She knew very well that Fay would not part with the ruby necklace, so she didn't bother suggesting it. "It could take the focus off some things you don't want seen. And focus on other things... perhaps your chest? Males like you seem to like that sort of area. Or your legs."

 

[Wolfsister]

Noah and Drakalin

Drakalin took the rest of the afternoon and night to teach Noah some simple woodcraft and things that would help get him out of trouble should Drakalin not be around to protect him. He did not go too much into the fighting side of things, rather, he taught Noah how to use darkness and foliage to effectively camouflage himself and how to run silently through the underbrush.

He was always shifting his wings, always seeming like he wanted to take into the air at any moment. But he always stayed stubbornly on the ground, even when Noah's back was turned. No matter what he wanted to do in the air, he had a duty to his new charge and he was going to do right with this one... it would not turn out like.. like...

Refusing to think of his Dragon, he kept himself and Noah busy until he was satisfied that at least Noah wouldn't trip over his own feet. Being Fox he was a natural in the outdoor world, but his own mind prevented him from seeing this, so it was hard at first but Drakalin refused to give up.

At the end of the night, they both fell exhausted into their sleeping blankets. Drakalin dozed lightly, occassionally waking to patrol around their campsite for a breif few moments and then returning to sleep. He knew the value of a good night's rest.

The next morning dawned bright and fairly early. Noah would wake to find Drakalin smoking some fish on a fire.

 

[Wolfsister]

Silver and Varic

The night had not been as successful as he would have liked and Varic slipped into Silver's chambers without noise, but with much weariness. The winged being was already resting on his pallet when he lit a lamp and Varic gave him a small smile.

"I'm sorry for waking you, friend. And for my absence." He sighed and shrugged out of his coat and took the weapons from his back, settling them onto the bottom of the bed, within reach and flopped onto the bed opposite Silverfang's. Closing his eyes, his voice already among the sleepy tones, "I hope you have been vigilant in your lessons. I have a feeling that we may need...." Then he began to snore, having finally dropped off to sleep.

As he slept blood dripped from his twin scimitars to splash on the wooden decking beneath them.

 

[wolfknight20]

silver watched and listened as varic spoke he could smell blood on his swords and guessed what the next words would of been need them for long so he swished his tail and snagged the blanket of the foot and covered varic up

 

[Mantra]

Jay

Jay lowered his head, thankful that his dark complexion did not allow him to blush.

**Thanks Rocky, but really, I don't even really know what I did....**

His head perked up and his 'speech' seemed to also lift in spirits. ** but I guess it worked pretty well, huh?**

With that, the new group started out towards this city of mention. For a time, the trip was uneventful, although Jay's leg and hip still stung and ached, occasionally causing him to limp. Limp not withstanding, the horse still lagged to the back, often keeping Couldron between himself and the new arrivals and remaining silent at they traveled. In spite of this, Jay often snuck sidelong glances towards the dryad and nymph, quickly looking away if any gazed in his direction.

 

[Wolfsister]

silver watched and listened as varic spoke he could smell blood on his swords and guessed what the next words would of been need them for long so he swished his tail and snagged the blanket of the foot and covered varic up

The next day, Silver would awaken to find Varic once again gone and a priest waiting to take him to morning service. In the great hall, he would find Varic sitting at a table and talking to Torar. The centaur's head was bowed in thought and varic was whispering in a hurried manner with him.

As Silver approached, he turned and gave the guardian a large smile. "How are we this morning?" Silver would notice that Varic's blades were now clean and the elf himself looked fresher for the rest.

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay; Coudron; Becka; Elmhand; Kail; Captain Brand and Mia

Coudron made sure to set a steady pace, but it was more of a stroll than a powerwalk, and so they woud find themselves with plenty of time to speak and get to know each other. Becca would friendly and captain Brand less so, though not because he was rude, he was just naturally distrustful.

Elmhand would not speak unless spoken to, though he followed the rest of the group readily enough, even if he was only following Mia's advice. Kail floated along, pale and pulsing blue - clearly exhausted, but happy enough to be getting on their way.

Coudron did not miss the looks Jay kept giving the nymph and dryad. Likely he had never seen something like them before - but he gently coughed to gain Jay's attention. "Staring isn't nice, horsey." He still insisted on the nickname, seeing as Jay still kept calling him Rocky.

Though they had plenty of time, it was soon apparent that nobody was in a talking mood. There was no one to blame for this, considering what they had just gone through, but it wasn't too long before their companionable stroll turned into something just slightly awkward.

Mia whizzed towards Elmhand and settled on one of his branches, "Why don't we continue on to Vale city. I'm sure the Spirit will want to know about the NightStalker." She gestured towards Vakare and urged the ent to keep moving, moving off and away from the other group. She waved to Kail and Becca, smiling towards Jay - letting them know that it wasn't their fault she was leaving. Just that this Guardian had things to do as well.

Becca waved back breifly and Kail pulsed, Brand typically did nothing. Then Becca piped up, "I don't know what your plans are Jay; Coudron. But I have some people I need to get back to, and an orphanage I need to see."

With that, she too moved off, in slightly a different direction but gradually picking up more speed until she was walking rather brisquely. Brand and Kail followed, but not before Kail bobbed a wave towards the two and Brand saluted Jay.

Suddenly finding themselves alone, Coudron resisted the urge to sigh. He was alone with the responsibility of a Guardian yet again. Turning to him as he kept his pace, he asked Jay, "Can you remember anything from the attack?"

 

[Mantra]

Jay

"Staring isn't nice, horsey." Courdon teased.

Jay almost jumped straight up and lowered his head for moment before replying, in a hushed and almost entranced whisper of a thought.

*Yeah but, damn Rocky, they're totally fucking HOT! Y'know?*

There was an awkward moment of silence while the temerature around Jay ticked upwards a bit. As the night progressed, the horse tried to be more considerate, but his gaze still lingered from time to time, hie ears laying flat against his head when either of them came too near or looked his way and smiled.

Finally, the time had come and the tiny group spit and went their seperate ways, leaving Jay alone with his thoughts, which did NOT willingly include being alone again with a big, muscelly rock-man.

"Can you remember anything from the attack?"

Again Jay nearly started out of his skin before his head swiveled around to look at his guide.

*What? oh, um, really, no. I mean, I remember trying to stomp on the thing's tail and getting stabbed. That hurt like Hell....*

Jay's head turned to look again at his damaged leg and hip.

*I um, remember there was a big purple ball or something...then it really, REALLy hurt...and...nothing else... I came to and my leg felt like it was on fire but i was super dead tired....That's it really...Sorry.*

 

[Wolfsister]

Jay and Coudron

*Yeah but, damn Rocky, they're totally fucking HOT! Y'know?*

Coudron wasn't too sure what to make of this statement, though he assumed that it described both Becca and Mia as sexually desirable. Hot? He was hot.... they were luke warm compared to him... but perhaps Jay would care to explain better when they were alone.

*I um, remember there was a big purple ball or something...then it really, REALLy hurt...and...nothing else... I came to and my leg felt like it was on fire but i was super dead tired....That's it really...Sorry.*

He paused to listen, shortening his stride somewhat to pay full attention to the NightMare. He had no doubt any longer... but Jay's power could very well be his own undoing. He had to get the kid sorted, get him confident enough to handle what he was capable of. He would make a powerful Guardian if he could just focus enough to harness his own energy.

But ultimately, he was just a kid. Coudron didn't have much experience with the young, but he knew he had to take it easy. To feel out his way and try to be patient. "Don't worry. We'll get you to the Spirit and see what happens from there. I won't leave you, Jay."

Suddenly quickening his pace, he looked back, "But first we need to get that leg looked at. There should be some good horse handlers in a city the size of Vakare. Come on."

 

[wolfknight20]

vary well my freind im glad you seem rested to day

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Elmhand

"Why don't we continue on to Vale city. I'm sure the Spirit will want to know about the NightStalker."

“Ho-hum? We have a destination?” said Elmhand, moving as one brought quickly out of quiet contemplation. “A destination is often a good thing. Of course, it is just as often a good thing to wander aimlessly: you never know what you’ll find when you do. Hmm, yes, you never know what you’ll find.”

Elmhand fell silent again, having drifted off into the depths of his mind once more as he continued to walk. Every once in a while, it would seem to Mia than Elmhand was humming to himself; it was a quick-paced little tune that bounced around in pitch while still seeming to carry a sad undertone to it.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Eeth

“Perhaps you should call Rolyn in, he can fill me in with more details. Guardian, thank you. I do not know you, but you helped to save me. Always wear this in this city, or near other elves. It will tell them you a personal guest of mine. And take these scrolls. I have been saving them for someone like you. Take them to the weapon and armor smiths. You deserve your rewards and I think you will have need of them soon enough."

Eeth accepted the gifts with a slight bow and realizing he was dismissed, left the queen’s chambers. Stepping outside, Eeth found himself flanked by the same guards that had escorted him to the queen’s chambers only a few minutes ago and not far away a group of the queen’s ladies in waiting stood, waiting for word of their queen’s condition. As soon as Eeth stepped out, the ladies in waiting immediately turned their attention towards him, their mixed expressions both blaming Eeth for what has happened and begging him for answers at the same time; the guards had enough decorum to keep their gaze off of Eeth, but he had a feeling that the guards felt the same way as the ladies in waiting.

“The queen will be fine,” said Eeth, addressing both the guards and the ladies in waiting.

“But there is much to be done in private before the queen is ready to be attended to once more,” continued Eeth, essentially telling the ladies in waiting to keep waiting and for the guards to not allow anyone inside just yet. Eeth then asked for one of the ladies in waiting to bring Rolyn, Van, and one of the elders. As he waited, Eeth stared out over the city of Neferin, thinking over the events of the past few days.

When Eeth saw Van, Rolyn and one of the elders approaching, Eeth turned back towards the door to the queen’s chambers and indicated that they should enter where they would find Eeth waiting in the antechamber where there was some semblance of privacy.

“Well, I have good news and bad news,” said Eeth quietly after a slight pause to ensure the door had closed. “The good news is that Queen Ilandria is no longer insane. The bad news is that the last thing she remembers is seeing Malas off to war.”

At that point Eeth turned his gaze onto the elder as if asking if amnesia was a normal byproduct of the spell, while also allowing for a few questions to be asked to clarify the situation.

 

[wolfknight20]

silver sat dowun to eat his meal and wait for varic to speak