Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

His thoughts wandered across the number of songs he had in his head. He had a grand knowledge, picked up from extensive training is his homeland, and an inquisitive nature in the rest of the world.

Songs of men, elves, midfolk, and his own people. But he liked the music from his homeland the best. Besides, he knew more of it. He smiled to himself, and changed the mood of his playing.

He played a very complex tune. It was a haunting song, and sounded of both a joy beyond joy, and a terrible sorrow and shame. It was difficult to convey both emotions at the same time. He remembered the story that was always told with the tune, and it helped him to play it.

The world slipped away, and soon it was only him, his flute,...

And what what growing into a terrible pain from riding on this blasted horse all the time.

 

[katalynn]

Knowing the next song that came from the flute it brought her more at ease. She heard the story behind, almost tempted to tell the tale to go along with the music, though, she couldn't remember it word for word so she softly hummed to the tuned.

After so long she stopped humming, another sound caught her attention, making her ear twitch slightly in the direction. Not wishing to stop Zarl just yet, only lowered head and focused on the sound, hoping to hear it again. And she did, sounds of rusling leaves in the distance. Slowly lifted her head towards the direction, seeing some oddly shaped shadows within the trees. Seeking to see what they were, but for the time being, they were mere shadows slipping within the treeline. One upon many seemed have looked at her directly for a moment.

"I think we are being followed........"

Just as she spoke an arrow shot out from shadowy movements right into Lavastines left arm.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan stopped at the sound of Levastine's voice and the sound of the twang of the bowstring that followed. He glanced from side to side.

"Pursuers on both sides." He hoped all heard the thought. He looked back to Levastine's mount. Saw the fear it felt in it's eyes, he turned towards the steed and caught sight of the beasts closing in on them from both sides.

He pawed at the ground hard in front of him, eager to protect the party to the best of his ability. "We can fight or run.. I do not know though how Levastine's mount would fare and I can not carry everyone." He awaited the others' responses knowing they had no real choice in the matter they would have to fight.

 

[katalynn]

What she saw was many shadows in the trees, she felt it was best to run and she knew once she got her horse calm enough and moving it would make it. But that chance didn't come, for the arrow must have been poisoned, tried reaching to pet the horses neck only to end up in an weak attempt.

At first things got blurry, went from color to color, movements were jumpy soon it all went black. It was hard for her tell if her eyes were open or closed, she closed them, or at least hoped she did. Lavastine must have started to slip off when she barely felt Zarl hold her tightly against him.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan saw Levastine start to slip until she was caught by Zarl's embrace. He moved closer, coming around next to her horse. His presence seemingly calming the horse some.

He looked ot the trees, only able to see nothing more than shadows. He wanted nothing more than to move on and get the group to safety.

He did not wait for Ritsuko, Taren or Eeve to repsond he moved next to the horse and urged it forward with him. He looked to Zarl briefly. "What can I do to help? I can heal her, but I do not know if I can do it on the move and I do not think our pursures will let us take the time to stop just yet."

 

[katalynn]

Within the trees, the shadows grew more and more till it seemed as if it was blanket covering the treeline. No sooner did whispering begin to fill the air of many voices that came from no where in particular.

"Did it hit her... Master would be most displeased if that arrow missed."

"Aye you fool, it hit her.. can you not tell..."

"Surely she was stronger than that, it should not have affected her that quickly."

"Master said it would take mere seconds, now we wait to for our chance."

"If they back down? If they flee we won't have a chance."

"There will be other chances..."

The whispers continued through out the trees, saying many things, some were in a language long forgotten, others were in thick elvish accent that spoke english. Within a moment there was silence, pure silence within the air.

"We seek the dark elven one..... Give her to us freely. Or we will be forced to kill you."

The voice was strong and was hard to pin point, but clearly it was leader.

"The dark elven one belongs to us..... If you leave her here, we shall let you free..."

Whispers began once more, some seemed to have this haunting laughter to it, making it seem as if the words were lies.

"We just wish to bring her home.... Though, we will not hurt her. We can not promise what pain and torture Master will make her endure."

Shadows became closer from the sides and behind, but never surrounding the party completly. They were expecting the party to run for they were no match, but the shadows also wanted to give them the chance to give her up freely. And if not, they would simply die, or be chased. Not worried about the unicorn, for Master knew of him, guarding the poisons heal against the unicorns magic. Making the Master have the only true cure.

"Our Master is the only one that can truely cure her. So you must give her up...."

Again, the shadows gave out that haunting laughter. The knew the truth, she would not die, but it would always be within her and they knew the affects it would have.

"What say you... Give the Dark one to us... Or die?"

With that, the shadows grew more restless within the trees. They never really went past the treeline and out into the direct sun, but that wouldn't stop them from doing what they were sent out to do.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Black)

He glared into the shadows, concentrating. His skin darkened, and truened black. He slipped his pack off, and put his flute back into it. He stroked a hand across Lavastine's face, and cooed softly to her. He looked at the others, and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I think it's best to surrender. After all, what's the point of fighting back?"

He slipped back a little, pushing Lavastine onto the horse and hoping she'd stay put. He moved to the end of the horse, and turned to face the shadows. "Fine! She's yours, then. Come and claim her!"

His fingers itched as he motioned for the others to move back. He had absolutely no intention of losing the only woman who seemed to share his lusts. He might be able to get the others, with work, but who would he fuck in the meantime?

But, then again, he did need to meet this 'Master' it would seem. But it'd be easy enough to find him. Just don't kill all of them.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine could hear everything that was going on, almost recognizing the voice that had spoken but it was so hard to place. Couldn't move, speak or see anything, only to feel Zarls touch followed by his words. Tears streamed down cheek as she couldn't feel Zarl near her, not knowing what was happening around her.

The shadows hissed with uneasiness of how easily they gave her up. They wanted some kind of fight.

"You chose wisely Macrai-Itoche..."
"Yesssss Masster will be pleased...."

Only some of the shadows came out across the path, avoiding the others as promised and reaching towards the Dark One.

 

[Armphid]

Taren recognized Zarl's gambit. Risky, very risky. But well worth it. Draw out some of thier foes. He nodded at Zarl's decision. "Take her, and begone!" "You've gotten in the way enough." He exchanged a look with Zarl, knowing what would come next. All I'm waiting for is your move, the look said.

He leaned forward, as if to restrain Evee. Instead he whispered. "Evee, we're going to need as much light as you can make as soon as those things get close to Zarl." Priestly magic was supposed to include light creating spells, according to Manora. "But fast is more important right now that really bright." "Logan, keep us healed if you're not sure you can fight." His face was grim, "Ritsuko, your elven eyes are the sharpest among us." "The ones they send forward won't be all." "Find the archers and deal with them."

Then he straightened, and spoke louder, "Our compliments to your Master." "I'm sure he will appreciate the spirit in which we give him this gift."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan nodded his head slightly and pawed the ground as if impatient. "I will be ready." He shifted as if nervous of the approaching shadows.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Marcai-Itoche (Black)

Zarl grinned, and then frowned. "Damnit. Why is it always the assholes who say it right the first time?"

He drew his katana as he slipped of the horse, slicing into the first of the shadows as he hissed, bringing a foot around into the second.

"Fucking retards. You really think I'm gonna give her up? Then who'll I have sex with? You tell you master she's fucking mine."

 

[Armphid]

"Assholes understand each other, Zarl," Taren responded. "I'm sure you know what I mean." Despite the levity, the muscular half-elf was already moving into action.

He threw himself backward off of Logan, Overture and Finale flashing free of their harness as he flipped int he air to alight on his feet. He leaped once more toward the small group of shadows, his blades flashing as they sliced into outstretched limbs. "She is our friend, and it will take more that you and your arrogant threats to take her from us!" "Cowards and weaklings, all of you!" "Poisons and darkness...you're almost not worth killing!"

 

[katalynn]

The shadows laughed even harder, each strike that was placed upon them simply turned into smoke with a screeching cry.

"You mortals are fools! Aye, she may be your wench... Or your friend, whichever. It matters not. The Dark one belongs to us. And we will take what we seek."

"As for not worth killing! HA! You fool, we can not die by simple swords. We can not help the fact we live in shadows."

"The poison was purely not of our prefrence, it was specially made for the Dark one."

"The Macrai-Itoche has the power to truely put us at rest. The female that hides the dragon within her could as well. If only they knew what to use."

"If indeed they are smart enough to figure such power out."

"Fools!"

"Aye.. fools"

Soon the whispers had ceased and started swarming the party, for now, slowly but surely scaring the horse she was on enough to seperate it and her from the party.

"You should have flee'ed when you had the chance!"

 

[roleplaylifer]

As the arrow sunk into Lavastine's arm, Ritsuko spun towards the surrounding foliage. Elven eyes searched the wavering branches for any sign of their attackers, dreading the sight of their pursuers, thinking at first of the dark entities that sought her own life. But why attack Lavastine?

Then the whispering started. Cold, dry echoing, as if from the very edge of the grave. A shiver spilled down the elf's spine as she listened determinedly to the exchange between Zarl, Taren, and the unseen creatures.

She watched Zarl's courageous gamble, and found herself nodding grimly with no hint of surprise as the Macrai-Itoche claimed Lavastine as his own, before attacking the few shadows that dared to emerge in the hopes of claiming the dark elf.

Her thin lips drew together in a pursed frown as the creatures spoke of Evee and Zarl being able to hurt them. Taking a moment to reflect on the words, Ritsuko unconciously palmed a needle shuriken, looking for the archers and the arrows that she knew had to be coming.

"Only a fool would reveal their weakness to an enemy. You may be formidable, but you're not too bright."

Slender eyebrows arched as she thought she finally put the pieces together, not that it would do much good.

"I think I see. Creatures of shadow.....of pure spirit. That is why you are wary of Evee, who's magic specializes in healing and exorcism. But there are worse things that walk the night than its omnipresent shadows aren't there? Things like Zarl. Zarl showed his power over darkness by defeating a Void Golem, and can probably do the same against you."

A quirky smile crossed her face as she waited for her enemies reaction to Zarl's latest deed. Nodding politely to Zarl to show she did not mean the reference as even the least slight, she decided to explain her words to him later outside of combat if he took offense.

The one thing she did not admit was her own weakness. These creatures shone very dimly across her own inner senses. Almost unable to detect them with her ken sight, Ritsuko would have to rely on her keen elven eyesight to seek out her opponents. Though she too could disrupt spirits, the samurai doubted she'd be of much use in this battle. Night time would have been a different story, though she doubted by much. While she could have vanquished a struck foe in combat, how much harder is it to detect a shadow at night?

Faced with a daunting task indeed, she tried to take comfort in the chilled sliver of steel in her palm, readying it for its flight against any who drew near.

She only hoped that her theories had been correct enough to help them in this battle.

 

[katalynn]

The voice that appeared to be the leader of the *packs* had turned its attention to the new voice.

"Aww yes, the last one of her kind now speaks. But alas, I did not say how. Though, I give you credit in your theories little one."

She was only partly right, though it was left unsaid as to what part it was. He seemed to be impressed as the party stayed to fight against things there aready dead and imprisioned, bound to this earth. In the forgotten language he whispered a few words among the other shadows, shortly after the arrows came flying at first from the right, then to the left. Never came close to the Dark one, and only by passing the others. As if it was a warning or to get them to leave. EAch time a shadow reached Lavastine an blade would make it poof into thin air.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko's eyes narrowed dangerously at the whispered words, salt rubbed into a still fresh wound.

As the arrows whistled in, her hand jerked outward from her sleeve. Judging the projection of one such arrow, she whipped the slender shuriken in that direction, still not able to actually see her target. She could only frown in disappointment as her ears picked up the solid thunk of steel biting into hardwood instead of the pained groan of an opponent struck.

Reaching for her katana, she drew the blade as her eyes slowly closed. Though her enemies' auras were too faint to rely upon, she sought to draw upon her inner focus to at least deflect a few of the arrows when the next volley came. She had no idea what their combatants hadn't slain them all with that last round. What were they waiting for?

Hoping against hope that these strange shadows saw something threatening amongst them that she could not, she braced herself silently atop of Logan for the next attack.

 

[katalynn]

The shadows were growing somewhat impatient. They were told to not actually kill this party, for the Master had his own plans and needed the she elf to do so. They were not expecting the party to fight back as they were, let alone surround the dark she elf. They were making it difficult to scare and lure the horse away, some how this unicorn was keeping the horse calm.

The leader of this pack was getting wary of these games, it should not... was not suppose to be this way. The shadow walkers were one of the most feared, yet this party remained?

"Why does this dark she elf mean this much to you? Why? She is nothing more than a mere wench. Why must you fight to defend her?"

He growled into the air with frustration, soon a commanding voice filled the air in that forgotten tongue. Throwing what seemed like commands out within the trees, shortly after the shadows were all over each of the fighters. Mostly to distract them and keep them from the elf they seeked. Once the party was busy slashing at the creatures, the leader crept up from the ground right where Lavastine was and began to lift her from the horse and started to carry her away.

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee smiled at Taren as he aplogized for suddenly grabbed her as he leaped on Logan.

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure you won't fall off so easily."

She smiled before turning to watch the forest as they rode on. As Zarl began playing, she turned to watch him for a little while. She soon closed her eyes to let the music fill her ears, focusing only on that. She had been so focused on the music that she didn't notice what was happening till several moments after the music stopped. Her eyes opened in confusion as Taren began to tell her to use her magic.

"Huh?"

She blinked a few times before she relized that Lavastine was in trouble. She frowned at the dark elves who were trying to take her.

"She protected me when I was hurt. And I won't let you do anything to harm her."

She slipped from Logan as her staff reappeared and she grabbed ahold of it. She closed her eyes as she began chanting, ignoring the battle around her. Her robe began to flow around her as the magic gathered in the air, crackling with energy.

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko slid noiselessly from Logan's back as the onslaught began. Her katana veering to the right, the sound of steel slicing through air could be heard as another of her mysterious opponents dissapated into harmless smoke.

Cold fingers raked her arms and legs, sending a dread shiver through her slight body. Not abandoning her stance, she continued to endure the pain silently as she dispatched another and another and another......

Her breath rattled painfully as the battle wore on, her sword becoming heavier with each moment. Incorpereal hands seemed to pass right through her clothing to score direct hits on her warm flesh, even while her magicked blade sought to drive them back. She knew she was in trouble, yet was at a loss as to what to do about it.

A flick of her wrist sent a trio of shuriken streaking at targets that were no longer there. Sweat collected on her brow as her mind raced towards a solution. She never heard the silent lifting of the dark elf from her seat on the chestnut mare, not that she could have done much if she had heard. She was far too hard pressed to stay alive in her own combat.

She was not without a few tricks however. While she had failed miserably at learning her father's techniques at the blade, a nagging memory kept resurfacing in her mind as she continued to fight for her survival. Grasping at the desperate thought, she fought away from Logan and further into the thick of the creatures. Not allowing herself to think of even the possibility of failure, she began to chant the nearly forgotten words of a Trance.

Blood that flows and heats my veins
Unleash thy tempered force
Till only death here now remains
Burnt ash with no remorse.

Bloodfire

Ritsuko's true problem with Fire Trances lay in her calm and orderly nature. She lacked the reckless abandonment it took to truly master such a destructive force.

Even though nowhere nearly as successful as if her father had performed the Trance, briefly her body was cloaked with a thin sheet of flame, driving the tearing hands back. Howls of frustration filled the air as flames licked at shadowy bodies.

And then it was over. The flames disappeared leaving a tired and bloody samurai in their wake. She could only wait helplessly for the assault to begin again. Wistfully, she knew that if her father had cast that Trance, he would have exploded into a fiery pillar that would have consumed any who attacked him....instead of a few singed hands.

She smiled....almost laughed....at the irony of it all. Here she had fled her country to avoid the battle she saw there....only to engage in battle after battle since arriving here. So be it then. The weary samurai lifted her katana once more, briefly touching the cold steel to her brow in salute, before once more assuming her battle stance.....

 

[katalynn]

The shadows began to slowly disappear as the leader carried the dark she elf into the woods. There was a slight pause when the dragon female elf began to cast a spell, some of the lesser shadows fled from the unknown, knowing what she was capable of doing.
Others remained till the leader had called them back. As promised to their master, none had died. Yet.

"Consider the dark she elf claimed Macrai-Itoche!"

 

[Sky Jade]

True Eeve was capable and wielded a great power, but she didn't always have control over it. This seemed to be one of the times. The power was only supposed to build so much, but it seemed to have surpassed the limit. A large wind had kicked up around her, effectively creating a whirlwind of dust. She was almost hidden when she suddenly released the spell.

The wall of dirt fell into a huge circular pile around her as a very bright blanket of light enrupted from her in a large circle. She gasped at the sudden release, falling to her knees and panting for breath as the magic continued onward.

 

[katalynn]

Shreeks that pierced into the air 10x the pitch of when they were being slained. Making the blood curl within any that were around. Before the leader could disapear completly with the she elf, the light surrounded him. Overcoming the shadow blanket that overwhelmed that part of the forest.

"You fool! You will regret this day."

Shreeked into the air just before the light hit him and sent the she elf to fall hard on the ground when he vaporated. Even from the sheer pain of the fall, she could nothing more than listen unable to even scream. Fresh tears were coursing down her cheeks, praying that she wasn't carried to far and they would find her easy enough.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan kept with the horse, his presence calming it. He had been able to kill a few of the shadows with slices of his horn, but when the leader came to claim Levastine, a larger force surrounded him separating him from her and her horse.

He fought the things as hard as he could, but they had managed to send more then he could handle alone. As they retreated with her, he stepped forward to follow only to be met with more resistance.

He was pushed back to the group before the others disappeared with the rush of wind and light. He blinked a few times to reorient himself. He rushed to Eeve seeing she had fallen. He knew Zarl and Taren would find her and they were more equipped to deal with any that were left. "Taren I will check on Eeve and then the three of us will catch up with you."

He would stay with Eeve and Ritsuko and would help Levastine when they returned with her. That is if they hadn't gotten away. He didn't know that she had been dropped by the shadows.

He moved to Eeve, "Eeve are you alright? Are you hurt?" He was concerned for her, it was part of him to worry when others were injured and these were his friends.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

Zarl wiped his sword off on his pants, though the creatures seemed to be shades, not made of flesh and blood. He slipped it into it's sheath as he finished going the few feet to Where lavastine was.

His body had returned to its natural color as he had fought, his rage fuelling him, making him fight harder. He had been close on the heels of the one who had grabbed Lavastine when Evee's spell had gone off. He had thought that light would exterminate them, being seemingly made of shadows.

But his magic was too destructive, and would take too much energy to create the needed light. He kneeled down, and took Lavastine in his arms, cooing to her in the tongue of his species as he carried her back to the others.

He looked around, holding Lavastine against himself.

"What can we do for her?"

 

[Armphid]

Taren snarled as his blade passed through the misty bodies, yet he did not stop fighting. All they needed to do was buy Evee time! Cold, impossibly cold hands reached out, chilling his flesh with thier touch. Yet he did not flag in the least, "Earth endures," he muttered to himself, "Earth fears no shadow."

He did not know how long the fight actually lasted, but it seemed a frozen eternity. Finally, light washed over the forest, spreading out from Evee as the priestess finished her spell. The shadows shreiked before twisting int he brightness, fading to nothing save curses floating on the fresh breeze.

Taren took a moment to hold his face to the light, the brightness seeming to banish the chill that had fallen upon him. "Just like all darkness, a little light, and it's power is gone." He whipped his blades through the air, sheathing them. The small group seemed all right, save for Lavastine.

The tall warror walked over to Evee and Logan, laying a hand on the priestess's slender shoulder and the unicorn's flank. "Well done, the both of you." "All the Gods bless you, Evee, you won the day." He patted the unicorn, then made his way back to where Zarl was cradling Lavastine. On the way he passed Ritsuko, he smiled at her a bit ruefully. "I'm sorry your journey with us has been so eventful." "This group seems to attract trouble." "Your Trance was impressive."

Then he came to the winged swordsman and the dark elven sorceress. Until Evee and Logan tended to her, he knew some healing, though it was in the nature of battle dressing and splints, trail medicine. "Let me see her, Zarl." He felt her forehead a moment, then frowned. He opened an eye, looking at it. "Well...if it's a poison, it's not acting like any that I've seen." He sighed. "It's beyond my skill and knowledge, but we've got two powerful healers here." "There are some herbal mixtures that may ease her discomfort..."

He looked up at the sun in the sky. They would not be out of the forest at night as things were going. "Logan, please see to Lavastine as soon as you are able." "I don't wish to be brusque, but time is of the essence." "I don't want to be in the forest at night with these shadows." He closed his eyes, hating this. Absolutely hating this. He'd never wanted to guide anyone's fate but his own.

"This changes everything, we must get out of the woods before nightfall...and there is only one way to do so." He looked at the still panting Evee, "Evee...how great a weight can you carry as a dragon, and how fast could you make the trip tot he mountains?"