Lords and Ladies of the Realm

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Moonlight and Lord Stark both turned at the sound of Nightwolf howl. His armies had arrived, now they could plan.

The healing Moonlight had done on Nightwolf had done something she had not expected. It had created a link between them. Part of her had absorbed a few of the traits familiar to the wolf kind, a slightly disturbing, yet advantageous addition to her senses in this time of need. She could feel him, and had a strong sense of what was happening around him. She sent him a silent call, asking him to join them in the dining room. Lord Dralk should also have been present, but he was busy discussing the requirements of his forces with Lady Dorynan, so they would plan what they could, and get his opinion when he was free to join them.

Seven-up came to sit on Moonlight shoulder. He had made his pledge, and whispered that he had chosen to follow the lady Dorynan. Moonlight thanked him for offering his aid to her sister. She suggested that they leave at first light, heading West in search of the girl, Yelena. Provisions would be light as they could hunt and use magic along the way, horses would be her preferred mode of transport, but she would leave it to them to chose for themselves how they would prefer to travel. She has several fine mounts in Dory’s stables and they were welcome to chose from them. She sent Lord Stark a teasing thought.

“They are for riding, not for snacking.” He grinned at her tease and her eyes sparkled.

The basic plan was to travel as far and as fast as they could, concentrating on finding the child. They would leave the preparation and convening of the armies to Lady Dorynan. She was more inept with dealing with such large numbers of worriers. Night insisted that at least some of his people join them, and it was decided that he would select thirty of his best to shadow us at all times, and as many of the fairy folk as he deemed necessary to cloak and guard us while we slept. Looking to the men would be joining her on this quest she asked if anyone had anything to add, or any more suggestions to offer.

Biting into another of the chocolate treats, she awaited their replies.

 

[unclebigbad]

Walks into the dining room...

I have already instructed my faerie scouts to divide their numbers in twain. Each group should be sufficient to mask you from detection. I will send with each party 30 of my best troopers. They will, of course, be of the Were, but you have no need to fear them. They are as I am, able to control the beast within their breast.

*looking to Lady Moonlight...sending her this, mind to mind...'I will send with you, my most powerful faerie, her name is Silky. She will be able to help you to better understand that which you got from me when you healed me. You have the gifts of the Were, such as the ability to heal thyself from all but poison and magikal wounds, without the curse. Use them well. If time were not so short, I would teach you of them myself, as I would like to get to know you better, but that will now have to wait. Fare thee well, M'Lady. I shall well and truly miss thee until we meet once again.'

*looking back to the assembled company...* Ah, here they are now, my best troopers. *looks to them as they walk through the door* Please, shift back into human form. These folks mean you no harm. In fact, these are the ones you will be protecting and guiding through the forest realm.

*in their human forms, they range from short and wide, to extremely tall and rail thin, but in their Were forms...They are all formidable Were-beasts, each one capable of taking a tremendous amount of damage before needing to stop to quick heal themselves...then once more walking into the fray...*

Lords and Ladys, they can hunt and forage for you as well as guide and guard you. One of the Were, can provide for at least a dozen not of the Were.

*one of my troopers walks to me and sends me a message mind to mind...'Silky says that she will be the only one to come into the keep, M'Lord. The rest would rather stay outside. She did not say why, M'Lord, only that they sensed something.'

Dragon Lord, did you or any of your kind ever attack faerie folk?

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

Lady Dorynan agreed to the changes in the proposed plan of action. Lord Dralk summoned fifty of his men and instructed them to be prepared by nightfall to leave with Lady Dorynan's search party. Since his men had the power of illusion it would only appear that a small insignificant band was traveling along the forest.

It was decided that Lady Dorynan and her entourage would head East toward Preoria where Brodhan was being kept. Lady Moonlight and her entourage would be headed West to Delisard where Yelena was in hiding.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

As Lady Dorynan and Lord Dralk reentered the main hall, Lady Dorynan was aware of all the hustle and bustle but there was something out of place. She scanned the crowd. She saw her sister, Lord Remy was consulting with Nightwolf and his army who'd just arrived, servants were passing around trenchers of food and Doltram was giving a young maid orders.
Then there it was. Three tiny glimmers of light out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look. For a split second her heart felt a moment of panic. But then one of the dimmer lights brightened three times in quick succession.

"Colin!! Roderick!! Michaela!!" Lady Dorynan looked almost child like for a moment as she jumped up and down in joy.

"She's gone mad." exclaimed Millicent, a seven year old who was famous for knowing everything.

"Hush Millicent." her mother Moira scolded.

Moira and Millicent had come looking for shelter a little over three days ago. They wer quite new to Visilica.

Everyone looked around..there was no one with there with that name. Maybe she had gone mad.

A sudden warmth saturated the room, the fires in the hearths flared up, and the curtains and tapestries at the windows blew as if a strong gust had touched them, although all the windows were closed.

Materializing in the middle of the crowd of strangers still getting to know each other, were two extremely tall rugged handsome men and one very shapely petite female.

"Dorynan!!" Colin's thick scottish brogue was evident. "Come to me girl, i deserve some of your brand of love."

Dorynan approached him at a run and he swept her up in a bear hug, sword and all. She kissed him on the cheek and he passed her off to the other striking man who kissed her full on the mouth while dipping her.

When he let her go she playfully slapped him on the arm.

"You know i couldn't resist lass!" his rich voice combined with the accent was an endearing thing.

Dorynan looked at the petite girl, and they gently embraced each other like old friends do saying so much without words.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

"We heard you needed us." Colin regarded her with censure

Lady Dorynan knew that look. She also knew that they hadnt heard of her need from her.

"Yes." agreed Roderick "And to think we actually thought we werent invited."

"Ryn..you should've told us." Michaela with her outgoing personality gave her the cocked eyebrow look and then began to pace around looking at everyone taking it all in.

"I didn't want to involve you in anything that might bring you harm. I dont know the full extent of what we are facing."

Michaela never did have a problem attracting attention. With her raven black hair and her crystal clear blue eyes and yearlong tan. Men gravitated towards her. One seemed to really catch her attention. Nightwolf. She watched him boldly.

Dorynan called to her sister. She wanted her to be the first to meet her friends.

"Lilly, I want to introduce you to my friends. I want to introduce you all to Roderick, Colin, and Michaela McAllistar." Dorynan called out to everyone.
And then just to Lilly she said, "They were my family when i had none."

Lilly immediately understood and embraced them all three thanking them. For if it had not been for them her sister might not still be alive. They saved her and kept her safe for 6 years when the triplet girls were separated in their youth. She grew up with them and kept them close to her heart.

"Well no matter what you face, we are there. You once pledged your life and fealty to us, and we now pledge it to you. Life, Honor, and Heart are yours Ryn." Roderick pledged their lives to her.

"The same goes for me." Colin emphatically stated

Michaela turned towards them and looked as if they were losing their faculties. "Well she knows this...you know that dontcha lass. We've never left your side even in heart. We're ready whenever you are."

And so it was that The McAllistars would be travelling alongside their surrogate sister Dorynan, or Ryn for short.

 

[Neale]

Stark Wyrmsbane

Stark turns to look Nightwolf directly in the eyes. "While I cannot say that no member of my race has ever attacked one of the faerie, I have heard of no such attacks. The fae have little of interest to my kind, and would not likely provide much of a meal." He grins slightly, and turns back to Lilly.

The Lady Moonlight proceeds to lay out something of their travel plans, and jokes about the horses not being his provisions. "Really, Lilly." He shakes his head, bemused. "Have you ever eaten domesticated animals? Horses are no better than cows or sheep. Boring, boring, boring. No challenge at all. I will supply my own provender, should the need arise." He smiles warmly at her, seeing that no one else was watching them.

Some short time later, Stark's senses the encroachment of magic into the area. He prepares to shout a warning, and readies to battle the intruders, but notices the Lady Dorynan's reaction to the intrusion. The warning dies on his lips, but he remains prepared.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Moonlight greets her sister’s foster siblings warmly. She was glad Dory has a close family relationship with the people who raised her. For moonlight it was also the rekindling of a deep sadness. The family she was fostered to dies of the red fever when she was only two, and was taken in by the little people of the mountains. She never had what Dory had, and although she never in her life wish anything but the best for her, there were times when she felt the empty spaces only a family can fill.

As everyone gathered around, meeting and greeting the new comers, Lilly slowly faded into the shadows, invisible to all. Or though she though. Making her way to the turrets, she needed to be alone. That was how she had always been, alone. Hiding away in her mountain home, happy in her solitude. But now; something was different. Something deep within her moved and cried out. She didn’t want to be alone anymore, not like she was. It scared her immensely.

From the highest of the turrets, she looked out over a wold that seemed so happy in it’s ignorance. People who saw nothing but their own little piece of the picture. The had no idea of the dangers that were impending, and they were happy not knowing. Closing her eyes, she opened her mind. She could feel the wards Lord Stark had set, the Were worriers, the fairy folk, Lord Dralks men, the people down stairs, but she brushed them aside. Further and further she reached with her inner vision until at last she looked upon a familiar figure.

A smiling blond haired girl of six playing jump rope with two other children. She trips on the rope and falls, skinning her knee. Lilly wanted to cry out, to run to her and gather her into her arms and give her comfort, but for here she could do little. Reaching out a little stronger, she took the sting from the child’s wound, feeling a sense of pride that the little girl didn’t cry despite being hurt. Instead she got back to her feet and continued jumping.

Withdrawing, she felt the tear that spilled down her cheek. She had been there when the twins were borne. Held Morgana’s hand, given her healing when she tore and threatened to bleed to death, breathed the first breath into the tiny infant girl’s mouth. She has a special bond with Yelena. Lilly remembered begging to be allowed to raise the child herself, and how devastated she had been watching the child vanish into the night. She only then had an inkling of the pain and anguish Morgana must have experience, knowing that babes she had taken thirty six hours to deliver would be taken from her before they were even a week from the womb.

Covering her face with her hands, she wept. Crying away all the pain in her life, washing away the sadness with salty tears, emptying her heart of the past, and making it clean and open for the future.

 

[Morgoth]

Lord Dralk surveyed his soldiers. Many of them were far beyond human. He selected his best fifty. They were the stealthiest, strongest, most strategic, and most acute of his amry, whose standards were very high. They bowed to him and walked to his side. He took them to Lady Dorynan. "Mi'Lady, I have selected my 50 best soldiers to accomapany you. I shall also go, if you do not mind? And who are these fine looking people?" he asked, looking to the MacAllisters.

 

[unclebigbad]

Sensing Moonlights' tears...

I throw my head back and loose a long mournful howl...The pain evident...The howl gone from my lips, I shake my head, not knowing why I am so linked to Moonlight...Egads, it must have been during the healing...I run to the staircase, instictively knowing where to find her...I stop myself short of the door that would have opened to where she sits, crying silently in her pain...

Mind to mind, I speak to her...'M'Lady, wouldst thou care for my company. I feel your sorrow and anguish. We needs must talk 'ere you go. I am just outside the room you are in. If you would speak with me, please let me know.

I sit on my heels, waiting for her to respond...My mind yet reeling from the sensation of her pain and sorrow...Trying to order my thoughts, I find myself slipping back into my past...I fight to regain control...I lose the fight...My mind takes me back to my youth, before I lost myself...I was the son of an earl...before my family was killed...I was taken into the forest by one of the wardens of the forest...There I was raised as his own son...Being only 5 or 6 years old when my family was slaughtered, I never really knew the difference...until I was beset with the dreams, both waking and sleeping dreams of my mother, my father, and my three older sisters...I must have seen them killed...As I relived their torture and death everytime I lost the fight to stay out of my past...Silver tears of pain, anguish, sorrow, and shame burn my bearded cheeks as they stream forth from my eyes...I was unable to save them...But the first time I had the dreams, I swore a bloodoath...I swore to not allow anyone else to die because of my inaction...I watched as the shadowed figure raped my mother and sisters...ripping their hearts out after he defiled their bodies...my father didn't die so easily...He struck the shadowy figure with a hidden dagger...after plucking the dagger out of his waist, he strung my father up by his naked heels and disembolwed him...laughing as my father screamed in agony...in a final show of contempt for my father, this shadowy figure removed his privvy bits, and fed them to the large hound at his feet...The forest warden, bade me be still whilst all this went on, it was all he could do to keep us both from being discovered...and when they had gone from the room...he took me out through a secret passage and into the forest...in the forest, he taught me to be a woodsman, to be self-reliant and need nothing from anyone, save their company...he taught me the healing herbs, and how to brew them into elixers, how to use them dry or as poultice...how to hunt, fish, and make things from the wood i cut...i thought to live my life alone in the forest, where i could do no harm to any, through thought, deed, or inaction...but that was not to be the case...the wood fae were talking of this keep, and the struggle that was destined to happen here...so i came to offer my life to assist, in the hope, however small, that this dark lord might be the same one that hurt me so long ago...

[Edited by unclebigbad on 02-26-2001 at 03:13 PM]

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

"Lord Dralk. My surrogate family. Roderick, Colin, and Michaela McAllistar." I introduced them personally. The men shook hands and when Lord Dralk got to Michaela he took her hand and kissed the back of it.

"Lord Dralk i would be completely honored to have you by my side in this. I would like to leave by nightfall." Lady Dorynan informed him.

"Of course m'lady." He bowed casting another glance at Michaela

"But when might we get the opportunity to catch up on old times?" Michaela questioned her sister in heart.

"We'll have to do so as we travel. Do you remember Morgana?" At their nods, she continued. "She is gone now and we must find her children before Rohbodahn does."

"We'll go help in the bailey, make sure the horses get the best grain and hay and that they are well rested before we set out. Is there anything else we should do to make things easier for you?" Roderick asked.

"Ahh no love, but thank you." Dorynan found herself picking up their accent as she had when she lived with them. All her life she'd been able to do that. Mimick voices and pick up accents and languages. It amazed most, put others at ease. She kissed them both on the cheek, Colin on his left, and Roderick on his scarred right cheek.

Taking Michaela's hand she addressed Lord Dralk. "Lord Dralk. I would hear more of your people and who you are as we journey also."

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Sitting alone, reliving and releasing all that had caused her pain she did not think for a moment that her link to Nightwolf would affect him. She heard his howl, and felt his pain in kind. Opening the door she looked upon him for a moment, crouched there in the memories of his past, and she embraced him. Her small form vanishing with in the folds of his strong arms.

“I am sorry Locklin, I never meant to cause you pain. I never thought for a moment that the link we now share would be so strong. Please forgive me.”

Holding her away from himself he looked into her eyes,

“There is nothing to forgive malady, nothing at all. How did you come to know my name? I have not head it spoken in almost an eternity.” She shook her head a little.

“I know not, some how I just knew. I saw your memories, felt your fear and your pain, and your loss. I am so very sorry for you my friend. No one should have to live through what you have. I saw the one who caused your pain. The shadowy figure that haunts both our dreams. He is the one we seek. I pray when all has come to pass we will both have our vengeance, and perhaps a little peace.” The hugged again, a new and deeper understanding of each other. Looking up at the huge man, she asked.
“Locklin, it would do me a great honor if you would join me on this quest. Would you honor me thus?” Before he could answer she put her hand to his lips.
“Answer me not at this time. I feel your conflict and I will give you time for consideration. Once again I offer my apology for the pain I have caused you to remember.” With that, she swept past him and headed down the stairs. Taking a narrow passage that went past the kitchen, she sort to avoid company on her way to the stables.

She found her favorite mount in his stall. A tall appaloosa stallion, he was a vision of strength and beauty. She petted his nose fondly and he nuzzled against her chest. There was a time when it was only the two of them, traveling what had seemed like and endless road. To many memories, to many thoughts. She pushed them aside, trying to focus on more urgent matters. She felt a familiar presence and turned to see Cory, one of the young mountain men in service in her home. She was a little surprised to see him, but also pleased. They clasped hands in a warm greeting.

“You defy me by coming here Cory. I gave you instructions to stay with the keep.” She did her very best to sound displeased but suspected she was failing terribly. Falling to one knee, he pleaded,

“Forgive me my Lady, but the Oracle insisted I bring you this.” Looking her in the eyes he handed her a satchel. Within she found the orb the Oracle always wore. Things were not looking good if Nina had sent her this. She slipped it around her neck, tucking it inside her shirt, hiding it from view.

“Thank you for bringing this to me Cory, and give Nina my thanks on your return to the keep.” He looked at her imploringly.

“M’Lady, Nina…..I mean the Oracle, bade me stay with you in your service here. She was most insistent, and I would find great honor in the duty.” She gave him a surrendering smile, that incessant old woman would find a place in all of this after all, no matter how had Lilly had strived to keep her from it. Very well then, so be it. She gestured for Cory to join her and sort out her sister.

 

[Neale]

Stark Wyrmsbane

Stark sighed quietly to himself. Once again, he'd entangled himself in the affairs of the human world. Still, he couldn't help himself. Despite their fiery breath, most dragons' hearts pulsed with cold blood, while the short-lived races had fire in their veins. It was very good to warm himself at their sides.

The brightest fire he'd ever encountered, however, coursed through the Lady Moonlight's veins. He couldn't even look at her without feeling an answering surge of fire warming him from deep within.

He flew down to where she stood, shapeshifted in mid-air, and landed beside her. "You have been crying, milady. Your sages say that time heals all wounds. However, I've had more time than all those sages put together to learn that isn't true. Ancient griefs still live within my soul, loved ones lost millenia ago, and I can still hear each sweet voice, stilled forever. All you can do, is to go on, and make your life a testament to the joy you've shared with them. Don't let loss cripple you to the wonder of what is here and now. Honor their memories, and live some of the life they would have had in their honor."

Slowly, the dragon-lord opens his arms to the lady, and holds her. If any present wondered at his actions, he did not notice, or particularly care.

"If you've had quite enough of an old, old dragon's lore, perhaps we could scare up some more of those chocolate treats? Wouldn't suppose you've any decent wine about the place, do you?" Together, they descended the stairs back into the castle.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Siren approached Lady Dorynan, "sorry for my absence I was called away by a very important matter. You may be wondering why I have showed up without so much as an invitation but I have good reason. My father knew you when you were but a babe and just the other day he sensed you were in need of help, him being an older man could not travel the distances to get here so he has sent me instead. He told me nothing except that you make need my help and to assist you in any way that I can and I shall. So there you have it M'lady , I am at your service" now finished with her explaination she patiently awaits Lary Dorynan's reply.

 

[Flurtayshus]

"It is quite alright Siren. But who is your father? I do not know who you are and therefore i do not know who your father is."

Before she could answer Lord Remy came through the door. "Milady, we are ready to leave whenever you are."

Dorynan just looked at him. She wasn't expecting him to go. He kept saying he was going, he said he was ready now but he had not offered his help nor his pledge and she could not allow him to leave this place without having said so. She stared at him blankly and then turned her back going in search of her sister.

Doltram, her favorite servant approached a befuddled Drakkar. "My lord if i may."

"What?" Remy was confused as to why this old man was talking to him.

"You don't remember me Drakkar, but i remember you. I was there when you and Dorynan were small children playing together. You used to speak your mind. You used to know Dory well. Look insided your heart, it's time you spoke your mind." Doltram said his peace and walked away .

Siren was a little confused but figured she would explain once they left. It seemed that moment would be soon so she sat on a bench and picked at some of the food left in one of the trenchers.

 

[Morgoth]

"Yes, Mi'Lady", said Lord Dralk. He turned and went into the stables. He found his war horse, and saddled it. He turned to his squire. "Take very good care of this horse, or the Council of Thirteen will have you screaming in their torture chambers for eternity", he growled. The squire looked fearful, then responded. "Yes Mi'Lord". Dralk nodded to him, then walked to the 50. "You soldiers know that the Council of Thirteen has permitted me to do this, so you are to listen to me at all times", he said. The 50 bowed, and went to their animals. Dralk went back to Lady Dorynan. "Mi'Lady. Me and my soldiers are prepared for travel. The SLOB's are with you for eternity", he said. His hand went into a fist and to his heart.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Lilly sort out Dory. She could see her group was ready to leave, but she knew her sister would not leave without seeing her first. Lilly’s group would not be leaving until morning. The terrain they had to cover was rugged and there was not point attempting to cross it in the dark.

She and Dory found each other in the passage that lead to the stables.

“Dorynan, I would like you to meet Cory, the most defiant of all my staff, and the worst joke teller in my Keep.” The small man blushed. Though really he was tall by dwarfed standards, Lilly had always made great sport of teasing him about how short he was. Dory gave him a courteous nod and greeted him warmly. Lilly could see the moment had come to say their farewells, so she sent Cory on an errand to the kitchen.

Lilly and Dory look at each other for a moment and embraced, fighting back tears they knew they had no time to shed.

“Dory, I’ll not watch you ride away. I couldn’t do that again, so we should say our good byes now.” Dory was just a distressed as Lilly at their parting, but time was slipping away, and she still had much to do.

“Never goodbye Lilly. We will never be out of contact with one another, and we’ll be reunited again soon enough with a million tales to tell.”

Lilly sighed heavily. She had secrets even her sister didn’t know, but now was not the time. She had much that still had to be done before her group could leave as well. The embraced again, then turned and went their separate ways. They didn’t need to wish each other luck, or say long goodbye, things between them went without saying, because they need not be said when your connected as they were.

Cory had located Lord Stark in the wine cellar and was trying in vain to make him smile at his really bad jokes. Stark was looking at him, shaking his heads saying something about it really not being all that funny. She had to smile. Cory’s jokes consisted of about a dozen very poorly memorized ditties he had over heard a drunkard rattle off in a tavern one night. None of them made sense at all.

 

[guspimp]

Lord Remy

I had spent the last two days readying my armies here and in the North. I had provisions sent to my hidden home and had my finest soldiers stationed around it. I had a feeling that we would arrive there under duress, so I had my men set it up for such circumstances. I also had the many fairies of the North gather around the house and conceal it and my troops from sight.

After doing all these things I proceeded to inform Lady Dorynan, that all was prepared. I wasn't quite ready for the reception I received, but once her servant had talked to me, I understood the problem. In all my hurry to make ready everything I hadn't made my pledge to defend this house and all within it, especially the Lady Dorynan. Realizing this, I quickly made my way to her and knelt before her, laying my sword across my hands and raising it up to her, I pledged, "I will with all my powers, and all that is in my control defend this household and you Mi'Lady." With that she bid me arise and join her among our compatriots as we readied for battle.

We had all made preparations for battle, but in a way I felt safe in all I had done, for there was a saying in my native lands, "No righteous quest is ever met with insurmountable evil, good must always triumph, this is the law of the land." With that thought in my head, I felt prepared for anything. With that I bid that we all set out on our quests. I wished each warrior, fairy, Lord and Lady well on their journey, whether they be headed East or West.

With that I walked the Lady Dorynan to her mount and helped her up. Her battle armor did not leave any of the smooth skin exposed, but she still had the sweetest smell about her, and I couldn't help but take a nice deep breath of it and savor the sweet smell in my lungs. Then I made my way to my mount and with that our journey began. None knew of what was ahead besides certain danger. But we did know that united we would stand and face this treacherous demon.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Siren contemplated Lady Dorynan studying her. 'why did my father have to send me, I would rather be home then here. I don't even know why I'm here ' she thought silently. When she noticed Lady Dorynan mounting a horse she frowned slightly and stood up walking over to her, "may I accompany you M'lady?" She asked politely

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

Lady Dorynan looked down at Siren from her perch up on her big black warhorse Shalomar, that most men envied her for.

"You may do as you wish, but we both know you don't want to be here, correct?" Lady Dorynan was irritated.

Lady Siren gasped, thinking she must have read...

"Yes. I do that from time to time. I receive some thoughts. Not all." She cut her off. It was time to go.
"Go ahead, go back to your father. Thank him for me and for his concern. But your devotion and loyalties are unsure. You are unstable and that means you are dangerous. I would not allow you to put our lives in danger. Not mine nor any of the men pledged to me."

Lady Dorynan Vandalusia was becoming impatient. She looked ahead seeing the warriors, men and the glimmers of faeries every now and then. She looked back expectantly at Siren.

 

[Morgoth]

Lord Dralk swung up on his horse. He rode up to Lady Dorynan when she was done speaking. "Mi'Lady, I would love to leave, but I can;t until the Council of Thirteen arrives", he stated. He saw her look of confusion. "Oh, that's right, none but the Secret and Loyal Order of the Black Dragon( the SLOB's) know about them. I am a member of the Council, actually. We rule the elite force of Paladins known as the SLOB's. These 50 soldiers are not really mine, but are under the rule of the Council", he explained.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Siren looked at Lady Dorynan surprised at her ability to hear thoughts. "M'lady you misjudge me. I am loyal to you and I do wish to help but you see my father is ill and I doubt he will live much longer, I only wished to be with him at the moment instead of being here when I don't even know why he sent me. I cannot go back to him, it will bring disgrace upon our family and it would hurt him dearly. I beg your forgiveness if I offended you at all. I swore to protect to you and to help you any way I can and I shall. I hold true to my oaths" Siren whistled and seemingly out of know where appeared a beautiful white mare with a mahongany colored mane. Siren mounted and waited for Lady Dorynan's words.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

Lady Dorynan cursed outloud and silently roared toward the sky. Could anymore obstacles impede their leaving.

Lady Dorynan nearly glared at Lord Dralk. "Why did you not tell me of this before now Dralk. Why wait until now. We would not have been at the ready if we had known this before. My visions are coming more and more quickly and they are getting darker as we speak."

"Milady, I was sure they would be here by now." He replied solemnly

"Damnit." she cursed again. "Paladins? S.L.O.B.S? what are you speaking of...make sense my lord." Lady Dorynan demanded an explanation.

 

[Flurtayshus]

Lady Dorynan

"Lady Siren, mount up. Move up to the middle of the group. Join the riders there. I am sorry to hear of your fathers health. But you still have not told me who he is, or who you are. But i do not have time for this now. We shall talk another time."

Lady Dorynan turned her attention back to Lord Dralk. She was frustrated with everything that seemed to be going so smoothly was now rearing up to confront them.

 

[Neale]

Stark Wyrmsbane

"Ah, Lady. Your sister's wine-cellar is amazing. There are vintages here that I've only heard rumour of. However, your dwarven steward here could use some work." He turned to the strange dwarf. "Tell me, young one. Do your people still speak of Ancaleg the Black, the dragon who leveled Thorgardin? A cousin of mine, on my mother's side." The dwarf blanched a ghostly white, and fainted dead away.

A slight smile flitted about the corners of Stark's mouth. "Now, THAT was funny."

 

[Moonlight_33]

Moonlight

Moonlight gave Lord Stark a cheeky grin as she leaned down beside her unconscious off-sider.

“M’Lord you are positively wicked.”

He threw back his head and laughed, it was the best joke he’d played in a long time.
Helping the still shaken Cory to his feet, she sent him to the kitchen for a snack and a little ale.

Lilly could feel her sister’s frustration and wondered if she should intercede, but decided against it. If Dory was having trouble, she had no doubt that she could handle it. Besides, she doubted Dory would appreciate her interference and knowing Dory’s temper, she didn’t want to be anywhere near when it got loose.

Following Lord Stark into one of the smaller halls, they made themselves comfortable. She accepted the goblet and sipped the sweet wine. Mmmmm very nice. Over Starks shoulder she spotted something she has not seen in a long time. Rising, she walked over and pulled away the cover sheet. It was her mother’s harp. It had been left to her but he’d had no where to house it so she left it in Dory’s care. Sitting behind it she began to play. It had been so long, but the notes still came easily. The harp took on a life of it’s own, almost singing with it’s won inner voice, but then Moonlight added her own voice to the tune it was pure magic. The melody, ancient and pure, drifted through the castle, catching every ear, soothing every nerve. The calming affect was instant, tender, surreal. She closed her eyes, singing a melody only the very timely would know and understand, in a voice of a long dead and forgotten people. Her mothers people. When she finished, all was still, and all were calm.