King and Country

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

She hadn't said much since she had returned. Sith had asked her many questions in rapid fire succession. She could barely remember what they all were, and Valdor, bless his heart, hadn't really left her alone since she had been found.

She couldn't get the sight of Pierce out of her head. He needed her, and she needed him. Marietta needed them too. Glorianna had a feeling that if she could defeat Indigo, Marietta would be healed of her scars. They had to find Pierce soon. She didn't know how much longer he would last in that monster's presence. Please watch over him mother. Please keep him safe until I can find him.

Glori nudged Jafar forward a little. "Mansard, do you know where Indigo's castle is? I don't know how much longer Piecre can hold out."

 

[Jonas]

Mansard's mighty gelding struggles along slowly under the added strain of the drag cart. He turns to Glorianna.
"My Lady, we are not more than...2 days ride at this...reduced pace, from the castle. However, it's not when we arrive...but how. Stealth, My Lady, we must remain unseen." Mansard looks back at the sleeping Lokken. "In our...groups...weakened condition, I fear we'd not survive another major attack."
"Perhaps I should ride ahead, save time."
"There is a ridge several hours ahead. If we follow it...it may shelter us from view. But from magic, that is the problem. If you ride ahead, you need a shield, this evil ones magic is strong.""

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

"I thank you for the warning. Perhaps Sith could offer council on how to sheild us from his magic."

"He may. Maybe the two of you could ride ahead and form a sheild before the rest of us arrive."

Glorianna thought over this plan in her head. She saw only one flaw. "I'm afraid that isn't the best course of action. With Lokken injured and Sith and I gone, that only leaves Roland and Vixen, with her little magic, to protect everyone should Indigo attack again."

"Tis true My lady."

"Vixen and I will ride ahead and make camp. Sith, Roland, and Valdor will stay behind and accompany you and Lokken on your ride. Rothrar will should catch up soon. But we can't be sure when. Keep at your steady pace. We will be waiting for you."

"Done my lady."

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen looked up from her vigil over Lokken as Glorianna rode up. Glori dismounted to talk to her friend.

"Vixen, I think you and I should go ahead towards Indigo's keep, at least until the ridge that Mansard has spoken to me of."
Vixen didn't try and hide her expression as her gaze glanced towards Valdor. Glorianna smiled clearly reading Vixen's thoughts. "I know he will be hard to convince, but I've already thought this through and it is the best and only way, of this I am convinced."
Vixen grinned wryly at the confidence with which Glori spoke. Truth be told she was glad Glorianna had found her confidence and strength again, she herself felt too battered to take charge right at the moment. Truely she admired her friend. Vixen swallowed again painfully. She thought apon Glori's plan and found no real flaw, it made sense, with Lokken in his condition the group needed it's strongest magick weilders close to keep them all safe against another possibly devestating attack. The two women were the best bet, they were the least injured and had already proven more than capable of taking care of each other.

Vixen nodded in agreement, but she didn't envy Glorianna having to tell Valdor. He would not be happy to let Glorianna out of his sight even if Vixen was to be with her. Vixen watched as Glorianna approached her big brother. He seemed taller and more menacing somehow, as if his need to protect Glorianna, the woman he loved had honed him. Vixen had finally gotten him to tell her of Glorianna's request that he not dedicate his life to protecting her's. She had hurt for her brother then, truely understanding how hurt he had been. He seemed to have dealt with the pain though and in fact, she smiled as she realised it, he had in fact gone ahead and dedicated his heart to the woman which in a way was even more binding than any ceremony she could have witnessed.

She felt a tear fall down her cheek. A rough finger genlty wiped it from her face. She blinked back the tears which threatened to follow and looked into Mansards serious face. She smiled ruefully and shook her head at the concern she saw there. Suddenly she flung her arms around the small but solid man and hugged him tightly. He felt comfortingly real and alive and this acted as a kind of balm to the turmoil she was feeling. He patted her back gently as if to comfort her. She almost giggled. How had this strange man managed to crawl into her cold heart and set up camp she wondered to herself. She left his embrace, her heart feeling lighter for it. She smiled at him and took a deep breath before turning to remove her horse from the cart and check her pack for sufficient supplies.

She felt a chill down her back as she checked her things. Glancing over her shoulder she noticed Garret staring intently at her as if in a daze. She frowned wondering if he was okay, he seemed to snap out of it suddenly and he smiled at her. The tension she had been holding in her shoulders relaxed as she saw that familiar warm smile. She shook her head, she was letting her imagination run wild. She grinned to herself and closed her saddle bag.

 

[Morgoth]

Lokken lay there, ut suddenly he began convulsing in pain as more waves of horror spread through his body, bringing only suffering both mental and physical. He suddenly slumped into a long and torturous dream. He saw himself chained to a metal wall. Then he saw his family appear. Then he saw Fuge walk in laughing. He cut his little boy's genital's off and then molested his daughter and wife. Then he bagan to painfully torture the three of them until finally they all died of pain. HE watched this scene replay constantly in his head. Meanwhile his body was spasming and convulsing unstoppably. His eyes opened briefly, blood leaking out where tears should of been. His eyes were still there, though. "I fear that if he is not brought out of this dream quickly, he will die", Rorthar said sadly.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard watches Vixen pack in silence. He could still feel her embrace, smell her hair. Never had he felt this way about any woman. "By the Goddess, I'm scared." He spoke quietly to himself, "Scared of this feeling...scared of myself...and her, I'm most scared of losing her." He walks off, returning to Lokken. Roland is with him as Lokken rides through another covulsion.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

"I know you don't want to listen to me, but you must."

He gave her a mulish look.

"You know as well as I do that this is the only way it can be. Vixen and I will be just fine. We will look after one another. I promise not to let anything happen to her."

Valdor stared at her for a long moment, "It's not my sister I'm worried about. She can handle herself just fine."

His implying that she couldn't take care of herself was the last straw. "I'm going and you are staying with Lokken. He needs you more than I do right now. I know you think you need to protect me, but Lokken and the rest need you. They need your strength."

"I'm...I'm afraid Glori."

She embraced him fiercly. "I know. I'll come back to you. I promise." she turned to leave but stopped and threw her arms around him. "I love you."

********

They rode until dark and made a camp in a small clearing away from the rode. They hardly spoke, the ride had taken much out of them. They went to sleep right after dinner wanting to head out at dawn. It wasn't long before Vixen was sitting up and staring at the ghostly figure in the white cloak billowing in the wind.

"Hello Vixen."

"Who are you?"

Glorianna opened her eyes and slowly sat up. "She's my mother, and she must have something important to tell us."

Her mother smiled at them. "I do, my darling. Sweet Vixen. Inside you think you are cold and hard, but I know different. Inside you are a small child hiding yourself from hurt. I know, my sweet that you are a good person. How do I know? Because if you were not, my daughter would not call you friend. I warn you now, there is something not right with Garret, beware of him." she turned to leave. "Believe in yourself and in each other. You are sisters now and forever more. It is a hard road you have chosen, my darlings. You will need each other now more than ever. Draw strength from one another, and your enemies will fall. You have my love, the both of you. I will be watching over you, this I promise until the end of eternity." she faded into the darkness.

 

[Morgoth]

Lokken lay there, convulsing, unaware of anything but the pain and the dream. It repeated itself constantly inside his head. No matter what the potion or the herb was, it would not work. His dream was the dark magic behind this, and they all knew it.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard looks at the setting sun. The men had traveled slowly all day, Roland on point, Sith as rear guard and Valdor riding in the cart with Lokken. Mansard stops and signals to Roland, who responds, riding back to the cart.
"Any change Valdor?" The youth weary from his efforts, looks at the small man and shakes his head.
"No, somehow we must find the means to wake him. I'm at a loss as to how." Mansard gestures to the setting sun.
"We will camp for the night. I have a...friend...that may be able to help. I will attempt to contact him after dark." Roland pulls his steed up by the cart.
"I've found a good camp site, excellent cover with water nearby." Mansard pulls a skin from his bag, smiles and tosses it to Roland.
"Don't feel up on water my large friend, we still have a little drink left. Hey..." Mansard stands in his saddle and sniffs the breeze. "You smell that...smells like..."
"Brimstone." Valdor finishes. The three men speak as one-"Dragon!" Roland sips from the skin, makes a face and tosses it back to Mansard.
"You didn't say anything about dragons." Mansard drinks deep from the bag.
"The dragons are all loyal to the Gray One, except one. It's a...pet, for that bastard Indigo, he can...see...though it's eyes. I pray the women find cover, I don't want to think about them in his hands."
"Follow me quickly, I lead us to cover." Roland took lead again, as the cart began to roll.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen stared into the night where the ghost of Glorianna's mother had disappeared as if unwilling to believe she had appeared at all. Glorianna rested a hand on her friend's shoulder. Vixen turned to her as if awaking from a dream. "She... she was a ghost?"
Glorianna nodded.
"She... she spoke... like she knew me..."
"In a way I guess she does." Glorianna smiled
Vixen smiled back and took a deep breath. "I hope Garret is okay... I wonder what she meant by that? He was tired for a while but I haven't sensed anything since. Do you think she meant he was ill?"
"I'm not sure Vixen... but it can wait until we meet with the others."
"Yes, I guess... Glori?"
"Yes?"
"Do... do you care for my brother?"
Glorianna paused before answering. "Yes" she said softly... "yes I do..."
"Do... do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Oh Glorianna!" Vixen flung her arms around her friend. "I'm so happy, I wasn't sure... I knew he loved you but I wasn't sure... I'm so glad... for you both."
Glorianna hugged her friend back. "Thank you"
The sat side by side in companionable silence until,
"Glori... how did you know you loved Valdor?"
"How?"
"I... it's just that... I... I have feelings for someone... but I'm not sure... not sure if it's... what it means..." she trailed off.
Glorianna looked at her friend fondly. Even though her friend had many years of experience in the world that Glorianna could never compete with, she was so innocent in understanding her own emotions and feelings. Everything was strictly bottled up inside so that it was almost impossible for her to express them truthfully. Glorianna was pretty sure who it was that had managed to wiggle into Vixen's heart.
"I thinks it's different for everybody Vixen, you just... know... it feels... " She stopped.
"Did you hear something?"
Vixen stood up, she held out her hand indicating Glori should stay still. Vixen turned her head left and right as if listening and smelling the air all at once. She motioned with her hand towards the right. Glori looked but couldn't see anything. Vixen handed her a small crossbow that was ready to fire.
"Stay here" she whispered. "I'm going to check it out"
Glori wasn't sure it was a good idea for them to split up but she trusted Vixen. Vixen crept foward silently and slipped into the trees. Glori clutched the crossbow and waited.

A few moments later Vixen re-emerged. She knelt beside Glorianna. "We have to move camp... there I found a cave... I think a dragon lives there. It's empty, but that sound... it was some of his prey slowly dying. I don't think it's a 'nice' dragon." Glori would have laughed but Vixen's eyes were deadly serious. "I don't want to be here when that thing get's back."
"Ok..." Glori agreed and they hurriedly packed their gear. In minutes they were riding out, moving closer to their intended destination.

It was several hours into the night when Vixen felt they were safe enough to set up camp. She started a small fire so they could unroll their bedding. "Glori... do you think we could try and guard ourselves? I have a small spell I've used before as protection while I slept in Inn's... maybe if we try working together again... we could."
Glori nodded in agreement. Vixen cleared her throat. It was still hoarse and hurt a lot but the elixers she had been making herself were helping a bit. She sang the chant, she winced as the first croaky words left her lips. She sincerely hoped her voice would return, she wasn't vain, but she enjoyed singing, enjoyed the pleasure it gave others as well as herself. The spell worked despite her off key voice. A blue glow enveloped their camp site before fading. Vixen threw a small stone outside their camp and it set of sparks of warning and deflected it. Glori and Vixen nodded at each other happily before finally getting some rest.

 

[Lady_Aline]

Pierce felt so utterly alone that night. He had been visited by Indigo again, the taunts of his words stinging him under the surface. Again Pierce asked for release, reasoning that all the King's men against one mage would kill him. But Indigo laughed even more, taunted more at that comment.
"I will break the chains that bind you- but only if you beg," he would say. And then Pierce would get angry, and in his anger try his hardest to kill Indigo- and that would only add fuel to his taunts.
So now, as he curls asleep wondering how long he has been caged, he cries silently. He wishes to see his sister, his cousin... to see natural daylight... to taste real food not tainted with the stench of prison.
"Your majesty?" Whispers a voice. Pierce rolls over, and standing iluminated in the doorway is Varden, his soft, black hair falling over his face, his lean frame delicate and not disguising his concern.
"Varden? What is wrong?"
"I have news." Varden enters in his serene way, his elfin face darkening as he approaches.
"It is about Indigo... he is ill. Someone is trying to poison him." Varden leans into Pierce, and Pierce had to sit on his hands to stop himself from reaching to Varden for comfort. "For the past week, Indigo's magick has been tainted with a poison that weakens him everytime he uses his mana. This poison is not like normal poison- it kills him slowly inside -physically and mentally- everytime he tries to do magic."
Pierce smiles sardonically, a mixture of hope and relief filling him. "How do you know this? And who did it?"
Varden smiles sadly at Pierce's enthusiasm for his news. "I know because I have seen it before my eyes. And- and I don't know who. He has been ill since last week... when he returned from the Patrician's office." A noise started from outside. Nervously Varden rose. With a gentle stroke of his cheek, he left Pierce with the words "I have to go... but I will return." Then Pierce got up and out from depression, and decided to do some Paladin exercises... and looked forward to Indigo's next visit.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

They started out as the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon. They weren't that far from the ridge where they were to wait for the others. Only a few more hours of riding.

"I was thinking last night about what you asked." she looked at her friend. "When I think about my life before your brother was in it and after...I can't imagine my life without him in it. It just doesn't make sense to me. If I ever lost him, I know I would myself be lost. Do you understand?"

Vixen nodded, "I think I do. Do you think you two will get married and have babies?"

Glori blushed at the thought. "I would love for nothing more, but I don't know if that will ever happen."

"Why?"

"Your brother thinks that because I'm royalty he isn't worthy to be my husband. I know better and so do you. He is the most noble, kind...well, he's the one I was meant to be with."

"Promise you'll fight for him."

"With all my heart."

They continued on until they came to the ridge Mansard had told them about. The two worked side by side setting up their camp. When they were finished there was nothing for them to do but wait, a very long wait.

 

[Sith]

"I fear that if he is not brought out of this dream quickly, he will die." said Sith with what seemed like a worried expression.

"And if we just wake him up with a snap of our fingers, brain damage could occur. There is a way to do so: as I told my 'friend' Roland some time ago, I managed to defeat Nightmare, who lived in what I call the Shadow Realm. He controlled nightmares, and he's still around, but weakened. I could send one or two of the group, through Shadow Plane, into Lokken's nightmare, and they could do something to awaken him. I, personally, can't go, or Nightmare would attack us."

Thus said he looked around at the group expectantly, and he could see the faces of the group, most of them at the same time eager and doubtful to go.

 

[Moneytalks]

Roland immediately nodded at Sith's idea. "I'll go, I've heard what you have been willing to tell me of the shadow planes. I'm sure I will be able to rouse our friend Lokken here."

Valdor looked at Sith. "Are we... the same in the shadow realm as we are here?" He asked curiously. "Will I be as strong? Will I be able to perform magick as I can here? Either way, Glorianna asked that I protect Lokken, so I also volunteer. Garret and Mansard should probably stay to protect our physical bodies."

 

[Morgoth]

Lokken again was chained up. But now, a dark figure swept in and began to laugh. Then, he saw Valdor and some of the others walking through the forest. He tried to scream to them, but he could not talk. The dark figure slowly swept towards them silently.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard grudgingly accepts his role in the attempt to revive Lokken.
"I suppose you'll want me to cook and feed the horses as well." Roland and Valdor nod in agreement.
"Good idea my friend, easy on the salt this time." Roland grips Mansard's shoulder and smiles. Mansard knocks Roland's arm away.
"Don't patronize me you overgrown...Hey!" He grabs Roland by the wrist and looks in his eyes. "Be cautious, I don't think this will be as easy as you might think." Roland smiles and the men shake hands. Mansard walks over to Garrett, who is sitting by a tree. He picks up the man's bow and waves it in his face.
"Take bow, go find us some meat. Do you understand?" Garret's face remains dazed, but he stands, takes the bow and walks off to hunt. Mansard catches Sith watching the scene. He shrugs and scratches the stubble on his chin.
"Something's not right with him."
Mansard proceeds to unpack his horse. The night sky is clear. He gazes up at the stars, and his thoughts wander to Vixen. His face hardens as he visualizes her facing danger. Then a broad smile comes upon him and he laughs.
"Ah Vixen, your so dangerous it's those that would cross you should worry, not me. Great Mother bless her...bless us all." As he works on building a small cooking fire, a strange feeling comes over him. He draws his blades, setting them in easy reach. "This isn't going to be easy at all."

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen sat staring over the ridge down at the castle they hoped to save Pierce from. Her eyes had long ago stopped seeing the actual building. She looked up into the sky watching the stars... and she thought of Mansard. She let herself think about him and she felt... like a girl guilty of skipping her chores. She smiled though, there was something altogether insufferable about the man, yet she couldn't deny she had intense feelings for him. Aside from that, she added to herself, he was a fantastic lover. She grinned as she recalled their night together. It seemed an eternity ago now. Then her mind wandered back to the ghostly appearance of Glori's mother. That warning about Garret still worried her. She hoped the men and Marietta were okay. Then she remembered something Sith had given her. She rumaged through her backpack and produced a small mirror. She flipped it open and spoke outloud... "Sith"

 

[Sith]

Sith, having 'volunteers', started to concentrate on the spell. He then heard Vixen's voice on the mirror, so he answered it.
"What do you want, Vixen?" he said in a cordial tone.

 

[Moneytalks]

"Sith!" Vixen spoke excitedly, "you answered! I wasn't sure if this thing still worked! I wanted to tell you Glorianna and I made it to the ridge safely. We've set up camp and are awaiting you... what news at your end?" Vixen wanted to be able to speak to Mansard and Valdor and Garret but wasn't sure if this was polite seeing as it was Sith's mirror she was speaking to.

 

[ShyGoddess]

Glorianna:

She sat on the opposite side of the small fire, stairing at Indigo's castle. Pierce was in there, and she was going to get him out, even if it took ever ounce of her being.
What if I can't do it? Her mother's words came back to her. Believe in yourself. Believe in each other.

A small sound distracted her from her thoughts and her head swiveled towards it. There was nothing there, but she had a feeling that they were being watched. It wasn't a feeling that sat to well with her.

"Vixen, did you hear something?"

 

[Sith]

"It's magical, OK? It is virtually eternal." he said in quite a harsh tone. Then, he calmed a bit. "Sorry for that. Some magicians would say they will last as long as their creator, and then they'll just be nice mirrors. Other magicians believe that eternal just means 1000 years. Some other magicians, myself included, believe it will last as long as there is magic, no more, no less."
Then, seeing her look, he finished "OK, OK, just talk to those people as I finish the spell. Some of us have to work!"

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen looks up from Sith's tirade to hear Glorianna's question. "What?" She looks around and listens carefully... "no... I don't... why? What did it sound like?"

Valdor picks up the mirror. "What's wrong? Are you two alright?" Vixen looks into the mirror at the concerned face of her brother. "Yeah... we're fine... don't fret!" She passes the mirror to Glorianna and goes to look around to see if she can see anything.

 

[Jonas]

"Mansard come here." Valdor's call roused Mansard from his cooking. He trots over to Valdor.
"You have need My Lord?" Valdor shows him the mirror, Glorianna is there now. Mansard takes it from Valdor and speaks to slowly and to loud.
"Are..you..well..My..Lady? Is..Vixen..there..with..you?"
"Don't shout Mansard, it's magic I can hear you. We are well, but Vixen has gone to investigate a noise. Wait..."
Mansard looks at Valdor, both men feel helpless and hate the feeling. Mansard unable to stand the inaction hands the mirror back to Valdor.
"I'm riding out to find them."


[Edited by Jonas on 08-29-2000 at 05:20 PM]

 

[poohlive]

Garret was pacing back and forth. What did it mean. There had to be a reason, some sort of purpose. What did it mean.
The pendant was now on a tree, dangling for a piece of string he had found. It's slow motion seemed almost hypnotic, but he couldn't look at it anymore.
"Kill, kill," Garret repeated over and over. Why had this said that, was someone going to die, was someone about to die. His mind wandered to the two women out there all alone. He knew they could handle theirselves, but what if Indigo had come after them. They would be defenseless. What if Vixen got hurt, he would kill the man who ever tried to hurt her. She was his friend, she was his companion, she was his....
"Partner in crime!" he laughed, but then a confused look came upon his face. What if she was in trouble, she was so far away, what could he do. Just sit here and worry about it, thats all.
Garret decided he had to be near her, had to make sure she was all right.
Garret grabbed the pendant, without thinking about it, then made his way back to camp. He saw the everyone, except Lokken, were gathered around the fire. They were talking, but not to each other.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"We are talking to Vixen and Glorianna, come sit and chat."
Garret looked around, he didn't see them anywhere.
Sith laughed, "No, through magic."
Garret shrugged his shoulders, then sat down with the rest. He could see Glorianna. He couldn't see Vixen though.
"Where is she?"
"She went to go investigate a noise."
Garret closed his eyes, he hoped she would be all right, he just hoped.
His hands clasped the talisman inside his pocket.

 

[Jonas]

Mansard quickly saddles Lightening and hurries off to find the women. Breaking out of the trees into a meadow, he gallops north toward the ridge. He smells the dragon before he sees it. Jogging his horse back and forth he avoids the diving dragon, ahead he can see a tree line.
"The trees Lightening, it's our only chance." The hardy gelding runs like the wind. Mansard jumps up in the saddle, drawing his swords. The dragon swoops, he meets it's claws with steel. The sheer weight of the dragon's blow knocks the small man off his mount and before he can hit the ground the beast grasps him firmly about the middle. Mansard fighting to break the dragon's grip looks down.
"Goddess bless me!" The dragon had taken him up and was flying toward the distant castle. Mansard ceased his struggling and prepared for the worst.

The dragon, flying low over the castle wall, drops Mansard to the courtyard. Before he can stand, a squad of the Patrician's warriors attacks him. Mansard battles bravely but is overcome and severely beaten.

"Why have you disturbed me Indigo?" The Patrician takes his chair and scowls at Indigo. Indigo waves to the guards and Mansard, trussed and battered, is tossed at the Patricians feet.
"A visitor, dropped in for you." The Patrician's eyes open wide, a smile forms on his thin lips.
"I don't believe it! Indigo, let me intoduce you to Mansard." Mansard rises to his knees and speaks.
"We've met. You traitorous bas..." Indigo cheerfully smacks Mansard in the head with a staff, knocking him to the floor. Indigo begins to jab his staff at the small man.
"Easy Indigo, this is the Gray Ones personal assassin. The one that did the dirty work for that...holy man." Indigo stops his prodding and studies the man at his feet.
"Not very big for a killer, is he?" The Patrician laughs.
"No, no, he got a little to big for his own good so I had him, cut down to size." Mansard raises his head.
"It ...was...you? You cursed me!"
"Yes, I ordered it. You see Indigo, every time he kills he shrinks." The Patrician stares at Mansard's swollen face and laughs again. "Where is the rest of your group, and...You will tell me where the Gray One is hiding." Mansard spits and is rewarded with several whacks from Indigo's staff rendering him unconscious.

Waking in the dark, Mansard hears Indigo's voice in his ear.
"Don't try to open your eyes, they are far to swollen, just listen. You will tell me what I want to know." Mansard begins to struggle with his bonds. "No my friend, I'll not hurt you. I know it would be a waste of time. Tell me what I want, and I'll restore your height. Yes, I can do it. Have you forgotten what it's like to be normal, the women..." Mansard freezes. "Oh, I've struck a nerve. Is there a woman? Hmmmm...is she a dwarf? No, she's not is she? How can she want a dwarf like you?" Indigo whispers close to the man's ear. "Tell me and you shall see her eye to eye. I'll not harm you, or her. Think now, I'll be back for your answer. How tall were you anyway?" Mansard hears laughter and a door slamming shut. Tears well out from his swollen eyes.

[Edited by Jonas on 08-30-2000 at 07:09 PM]