Quest for Life

Ghast

The bird bobbed its head slightly, as if nodding, and the voiceless words came again.

You are more perceptive than most, Captain. Aye, I am the bird. Or, I am within the bird. I am a ghast, captain. A being of spirit alone. I was turned that way by a powerful curse, though more of that I will not say. Suffice it that you know I need the blood of a dragon to reverse this spell. That is why I will journey with you on your quest.

The ghast could sense the captain's abhoration of the filthy bird before it, together with his doubt as to what good it could be. Perhaps a demonstration was in order. More words formed without speech.

You wear a dagger at your belt, Captain. If you doubt my power, slay me with it now.

The bird spread its wings and lay upon the table, looking up at the powerful man before it, waiting.



OOC: Thanks for pointing out my mistakes - made a quick edit to the previous post to correct for them and make sure it flows with the scene. Sorry for the screwup.
 
Yruddry and the sergeant stared in astonishment as the bird spread its wings and flipped onto its back, bending its neck to look at the captain. The men eyed each other, then Yruddry slowly raised the dagger from his belt. He gently poked the bird in the belly with its point, but it just laid its head back and spread its wings wider, still fixing him with its eyes. The captain looked around at the few who had noticed, then with an *oh well* shrug he plunged the dagger through the bird's body and into the table. Reaching out, he gently held the body in place as he pulled the dagger out. The group leaned closer, peering at the broken form on the table.
 
Cera

She didn't see the bird fly in, but when she saw Yruddry talking to himself she stood up a little and saw that he was talking to the little creature. She watched intensly as the two seemed to have a conversation and when the bird lied down at the captains mercy, Cera became a little worried. What was the captain doing, she thought. Then, she saw the light reflecting off his knife as he pludged it into the little body and Cera couldn't stop her sream.

"NO!" she shouted as she raced to the front of the room. She knocked over chairs and pushed men out of her way as she ran to Yruddry's table. She had a tear in her eye as Yruddry pulled the knife out of the now listless bird. She dared not look into Yruddry's eyes, for fear of revealing her weakness, but by then he had seen her tear and the shadow which had passed over her eyes.

She went to pick up the bird, to see if by some strange miracle the thing was not dead when it moved, lifting itself up, spreading its wings and taking flight.

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-28-2001 at 01:30 PM]
 
Ghast: The Miracle of Life

Ghast drew the birds wings in again as the dagger was withdrawn. It rolled over and took to the air, flying once around Yruddry's head before landing gracefully back on the table before him. The bird cocked its head, almost as if in humor at what had happened. Then the voiceless words came again.

The bird is a corpse, Captain, as I stated. You cannot kill what does not live. Even apart from the shattered rib cage and heart, you sliced enough muscle to prevent the bird flying if it were alive. Yet still I make it fly. For the ability is in the cells of the bird itself, in the very fabric of its being. When I inhabit a body, I can tap that fabric, no matter what is done to the body.

Captain, I still see your doubts. Perhaps because this bird has little to offer you. It is small and fragile, and, I agree would not worthy of your attention; but there is nothing dead I cannot possess, and precious little alive I cannot if I am willing to face the danger and difficulty of that task. Even that which I do not possess I can manipulate. Shall I demonstrate? Would you like one of your men to proposition the Queen? No, I see the flash of anger in your eye. It would, perhaps, be inappropriate, even if the best demonstration I could give of my power.

The bird stood still as if studying Captain Yruddry for a while.

Ah, the lingering doubt. You ask, if I am this powerful, why do I not go after the dragon alone? Why do I not possess it and force it to commit suicide that I may draw its blood? Captain, I said there is precious little I cannot possess or manipulate. Dragons are powerful magical creatures in their own right and sadly, their minds are beyond my ability.

The bird hopped forward, shivering slightly as if nervous.

Shall we travel together, Captain?
 
Yuddry looked up at Cera, seeing the wonder in her eyes as the "dead" bird flew about and landed. Her expression mirrored his own, then the bird spoke to his mind again.

He listened, then straightened up. This was really getting weird.

"Sergeant, assemble the rest of the volunteers and bring them to the tower office. You," this to the bird, "um, come along..."

He gave Cera a follow me nod and turned for the door behind him. The sergeant shook his head and looked at his mug, then set it down quickly and scanned the room. Catching the eye of the big redheaded Celt, he motioned for him to follow.
 
Surprising comrades

Leroy watched on as yruddry impaled what looked at first to be a normal bird but after he removed the daggerand the creature flew about as if nothing had happened he was inwardly startled, yet let none of this show on his face.
Thinking to himself he wondered what kind of group this would be, and wondered if there would be yet more surprises in store.
After noticing the seargents nod he began following the group up the steps to the tower, running through his mind everything he knew of the celts beliefs in spirits and those possesed by them he struck apon an ancient legend of creatures that could magically inhabit the dead. Some were evil, others were just poor souls trapped. He had yet to decide which this being was. Though being one who's magick was known by his people as being very strong he had no fears that whichever this creature was he had no fear of possession.

OOC: will expand on my magickal abilities later in the story.
 
A Dragons Dreams

While dozing in the warm sun Drakkhen began to Dream of the things he found most pleasant in life. Such as the feeling of soaring through the skys higher than any man could see, darting through the clouds gazing down leagues to watch men and women at work in their fields or just traveling apon their various roads to trade with one another. He dreamt of
the hunt, spotting a nice fat buck grazing in a field cautious of everything around him, always watching out for his enemies. Bears, wild cats, and most deadly of all humans. yet ever oblivious to the creature above him which swooped from up high with no notice to painlessly snap it's neck before taking him to serve as his sustenance. Drakkhen always thanked the creatures soul for giving it's life so that he might live on. That is why he always made sure to hasten it's demise so it felt no fear, nor pain.
He dreamt of his bretheren, and they joy of flying wing tip to wing tip with a lovely She Dragon, of enticing her to fly higher and higher till their union could be more pleasurable..........But apon thinking of this he began to remember his lost mate, A Dragon of such surpassing beauty that all others had envied their union. His sweet Iliana his beautiful jewel of life. His dreams began to darken as the memories began flooding in, memories of how their first brood were to soon emerge from her womb. How their eggs were to harden in the warm sands of their island an island that no human nor beast save for a few birds had ever set foot apon. And how his mate had died unexplicably laying those cold dead eggs, of how his dreams and heart had died with her.
He awoke with a start tears filling his bejeweled eyes, weepeing for his lost Iliana for who knows what number of times. though it had been several centuries his heart still hurt within his scaled chest, and he cried himself back to sleep.........



[Edited by dragonmld on 03-28-2001 at 10:38 PM]
 
The meeting

Leroy walks into meeting chamber slowly looking around at the few people actually joining in on this hunt, though he could not call the bird creature a person. He sat down across fomr Cera with a bland expression on his face, waiting for Yruddry to start the meeting. He fumbles with the stone secured to the leather thong around his neck a symbol of his Magickal power, as well as his protection against certain attacks by those who chose to use magick against him. Noticing the chill in the air he mumbled under his breath causing the newly set firewood to blaze to life. Leaning back in his chair he prepared himself for what he knew would be a serious meeting.
 
OOC: this is a test of the emergency dragon snoring network, this is only a test, in the event of adragons snoring you would be given emergency information, and escape routs to help you safely survive this catastrophy.
 
Cera

Cera followed the men into a back room and sat down on one of the wooden chairs. Her eyes followed the bird as it circled around the room a couple of times then took a spot on the back of a chair. Cera couldn't believe a dead animal could fly, and she figured some kind of sorcery was involved. She had never met anyone with powers such as this and the idea of being so close to one frightened her a little. The red headed man from before and joined the group and took a seat beside her. Cera glanced out of the corner of her eyes and saw the blank expresion on the mans face. She wondered if he really wanted to be here or if he was being forced.

Cera tried to pay attention to Yruddry. What he was saying was surely important, but she could't keep her mind off the fact that in just a few short days she'd be treking through God's country in search of a Dragon!

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-29-2001 at 08:15 PM]
 
the Quest

Yrrudry's first thought on entering the tower office was annoyance. Word had been given of this meeting but the fireplace was cold. He moved to it as the rest of the group filed in, including the bird which flew to land on the back of his chair. He bent to get the fire started when it suddenly popped and flared into life. He jumped back, then looked around at the others. Cera looked surprised as well, and the bird was looking at the other two. The big dark man simply looked back impassively. Yrudry nodded to himself and walked to the desk as the sergeant came in and closed the door. Rain clattered against the closed shutters.

"Good evening," the captain began. "First, I want to commend you for your courage in volunteering. Many would have done it out of greed or overconfidence. I am not so bold as to say what is in your hearts, but you have shown us in other ways that you have the desire and skill to pursue our quest. To put it short, we four are to travel to the Barrier Peaks and bring back the blood of the great dragon, Drakkhen."

Lightening flashed through the cracks around the shutters, and a crash of thunder immediately followed. Everyone in the room shifted a bit uneasily, and the captain began again. "The risks are easy to imagine. Dragons kill. Dragons eat what they kill. And dragons kill people. They slash with claws the size of this table, bite with jaws that can swallow you whole. Their wings let them soar and dive, and can blow debris at you with great gusts of wind as they beat the air. Their tail can slice behind them and can send a horse flying forty feet. They can stamp on those who try to run up for the disembowel. Their overlapping scales give them an armored hide as good as the grandest knights. And most terrible of all, they're smart."

Yruddry looked at each in turn. All three were silent, ruminating on the captain's words.

"I'm not saying this to frighten you, although you should be frightened. I'm saying this as the last chance to talk you out of an insane mission. There are hundreds of stories of those who have come back with a dragon's hoard, but the number that are true could be counted on one hand. It will be us four that ultimately make the difference. There will be a few other soldiers with us, but they are mainly to tend the animals and act as escort. We may make use of them in the end, but if we find we need to turn to them for help, we will already be in dire straights.

"This is the mission." He turned to an ancient map that hung on the wall. "This is where we are, the king's castle. This is the village of Dulla, where Cera comes from. Leroy, the sergeant tells me you are a Celt. Those lands are off this map." The big man nodded back. "And..." he turned to the bird, then looked at the others. "I suppose this needs to be explained." The captin quickly summarized what he had happened between him and Ghast, noting the evidence of an obviously dead but flying bird. "What help he can truly give remains to be seen," he concluded. "But it is an extraordinary ability, and will not be turned away."

The captain turned back. "These are the Barrier Peaks, beyond this wilderness forest. And here," he pointed to a red X. "Here is where the beast's lair is. The journey will take two weeks out and two back. That assumes good weather and no problems en route. However," he added. "I have no idea how long the actual encounter with the dragon will take, or if we can find it quickly. We will bring three wagons, with enough supplies for two months. Three guards to guide the wagons, two horses per wagon, plus three horses for us." At a questioning look from Cera, he said, "The sergeant will remain here in charge of the castle garrison."

He leaned against the table. "This is the king's quest. It is said that those who drink of Drakkhen's blood will be given eternal life. I don't know if that's true or not. It may just as well be poison. But it doesn't matter. We will retrieve the beast's blood and bring it to the king, and if he drinks it or turns it over to his wizards and clerics, well that is his decision. We have also been charged with bringing back whatever stolen goods the dragon has accumulated in his raids. That's another reason for three large wagons. And we are assured of a more than generous share of those goods before they are redistributed."

Yrrudry folded his arms. "Now, are there any questions or comments? This is the time to make them. If the storm breaks, we will leave tomorrow. By the way," he turned to Ghast. "Do you have the ability to communicate with more than one person at a time?"
 
Ghast: Another's Point of View

Ghast's words formed in the memory of all present: Yes, Captain. The others within this room can sense my words. Any whose nearness to me I am aware of can, for they are within my sphere of awareness. And no, I have no questions for you. Your words are wise, but obvious. I have seen dragons before which have massacred whole regiments. I am aware of their danger, and I have told you that I must have the blood to life this curse. So fear not as to my knowledge or commitment. Those I have in excess.

Indeed there had been nearly nothing surprising in what the captain and said, but one particular triviality. Why had he assumed the Ghast was a man? In truth, even ghast could not recall what it had been so many years ago. It recalled the touch of its lover, Greskith, as she had held its head to her bosom in desire. But whether this had been a hetero- or homosexual relationship, Ghast could not remember. Experience was a great teacher, but time robbed the memory. And that had been what, one hundred and eighty, two hundred years ago? One decade had become much like the others in that time. Ghast sighed silently at the loss it still felt so intensely. The last time it had ever felt a lover's touch. That, however, was for another time. Thinking about things which could never be regained would not help it succeed in lifting the curse.

Ghast looked at the other people in its party. The woman held herself with a looseness and assuredness which made it aware that the way she presented herself was only half the story. She was a warrior of some kind undoubtedly, and in all probability even she did not realize her potential. The captain was a strong man, in body and mind - a natural leader and a great ally. The celt was, most probably a shaman or a red branch warrior. If the latter, his berzerker frenzy would either save him or kill him when he looked down the gaping maw of the dragon. If the former, then he would be a useful person to have, if he had truly learned his craft. Shamen were a strange mixture of priestly mage and warrior. On the one hand, this made them powerful in several ways, on the other they excelled at none: too devoted to the ways of magic to learn all they could about the sword, and of tribes too devoted to warrior strength to entirely develop their magic. Perhaps this group could succeed where many others had failed in the last two centuries, but Ghast had learned not to get overly expectant. Too many disappointments had seen to that.

Ghast relaxed as it flew up to the window latch and perched, listening to the plan being further outlined.
 
OOC

BadForm

I wanted to email you but since you have no email thing, im typing it here. Luv your character, but just wanted to be clear on the main theme of the thread.

Cera falls in love with the dragon. I've worked it out with him how the plot goes, its a surprise to everyone else in the thread. After reading some of your posts i just wanted to make sure you were aware of what i have in mind.

thank u!
 
The Path laid forth

Looking up at Yruddry Leroy spoke up, I have travelled those paths many times, I know them well. After leaving my people I wandered far and wide in search of one thing or another. I can act as guide and scout on this mission, I know of places to sleep and places to camp when the towns are scarce. There are places where a false step could send you into a bog which few ever return from, and places where the snakes have no fear of any beast much less man.
Plus as I am sure Yruddry has figured out by now I am skilled in the magickal arts. I am able to sense when danger aproaches and am able to protect us from most magical attacks we may encounter.
 
Yruddry

OOC: Unless corrected, Yruddry will continue to assume that Ghast is male.

IC: The captain acknowledged the other's words with a nod. "If there is nothing more to say, then we should get some rest."

He led the way out of the office and down the tower stairs. The sergeant saluted and left, and Yruddry led the others down the hall to where a chambermaid was standing. He indicated three doors. "These will be your rooms. The fires are lit, and there is water to wash with. Ghast, the maid can set you a basket and blanket near the fireplace. Maybe you can use the washbowl too, no offence. My room is there," he pointed nearby. "At dawn we will meet in the dining hall. If the weather is good, we shall leave as soon as possible."

He paused with his hand on the door, looking again at the rest. He met the eyes of Leroy and Ghast, then lingered on Cera's. "Sleep well, all," he said quietly.

Inside, he sat and closed his eyes. Finally it would begin. It had been difficult keeping a level tone when he talked of the dragon. His anger was simmering so close to the surface. He looked at the table near his bed and picked up the small silver locket laying there. He opened it and gently touched the tiny portrait inside. Then his eyes darkened as he remembered running back from the hunt, legs still strong in his youth, running to the shouts and screams and seeing the smoking ruins of his house and stable and the dead and torn farmhands and animals, and the image of the black creature winging into the air with her broken body in its claws. So long ago, but the memory and anger were still fresh and brought the rush of blood to his face. "Soon," he whispered. "Soon I will avenge you." He closed the locket and sat on the bed, listening to the rain on the shutters.
 
OOC: Cera, I had not realized where the plot is going, but frankly it is not a problem at all. Either 1) the quest for dragons blood fails abysmally (probably resulting in the death at least of Yruddry given how loyal he is to the king), or 2) we find some humane way of getting dragon blood. In the second, that fulfils Ghast's quest too, in the first, well... it wouldn't be the first failed quest ghast has been on, as stated. So thanks for the info, and nope - won't be harming the thread for you.
 
OOC: There are several directions that this story could go, and still satisfy Dea's vision of the story thread. It's possible the dragon's blood could be obtained without violence, or the captain's heart could be healed, or he could be killed, or everyone could be killed, or Cera saves them all from the dragon, or Drakkhen could hunt down the black dragon that had raided the humans long ago, or etc etc...
 
Cera

Cera followed the men up to the rooms. She thanked Yruddry with a polite nod, opened her door and closed it silently behind her.

She stood in a room lit by a fire which also made it comfortably warm. She placed her bag on the floor, walked to the window across from the door and looked out into the darkness. Little lights from cottages dotted the country side, making the land seem like a reflection of the stary sky. Turning away from the window, Cera's eyes focused on the four poster bed and the dresser on the opposite wall with the wash basin. Although the room was sparse, it met Cera's needs. Cera undressed, placing her sword on the bed and keeping on her cotton shirt for cover. She splashed some water on her face and undid her braid, running her fingers through her long hair, then she got into bed and snuggled into the covers.

Cera thought about everything that happened that day. She felt overwhelmed by everthing, yet excited at the same time. She couldn't help her feelings for Yruddry, but she knew nothing would ever happen between them, despite the sexual tension. She thought about the red headed man who sat beside her in the meeting room. He had seemed interesting, but a little scary at the same time. She made a mental note to stay away from him as much as possible.

Just as sleep was taking over her body she could feel a feeling of love wash over her body. Whatever it was, it calmed her fears about starting out tomorrow and Cera fell into a deep sleep.

Cera woke up to the sun streaming in her room and shouts and laugher coming from outside her door. Immidiately Cera felt a rush of excitement. The hunt would begin today!

[Edited by Dea Artia on 03-31-2001 at 10:37 PM]
 
A good nights rest.

Leroy walks into his room small yet adequate, he prefered sleeping outdoors and having lots of room to move and breathe. Walking to the window I look out, gazing out across the countryside he sighs softly. Yet another quest for a dragon when will they end, Lowers his head and thinks to himself. At least this group seemed to be capable of surviving the journey...hopefully.
Walking over to the bed he stripped off his cloak tossing it on the chair sitting nearby, then untied his breeches and slid them off, leaving him in only his loincloth. The slight chill in the room didnt bother him, he reveled in the feeling of having nothing between him and the air around him. He began thinking of the young woman cera and he felt a stirring within his heart, an old feeling he hadnt knon in many years. He shrugged it aside shaking his head and mumbling, it just cant be.
Laying down on the bed he tries to keep his thoughts from the woman in the next room, only partially succesful he fell asleep to dreams of a warrior woman wearing nothing but a sword and a smile........
 
Lair sweet Lair

Drakkhen slowly awoke from what was not the most restful of naps he had ever taken After stretching a bit he moved toward the back entrance to his cave this one only accesible if you had the ability to fly for a sheer drop estended from the edge of the small ledge which led all the way to the floor of the valley. The other entrance which was several hundred winglengths down the mountain was only large enough for an animal, or a small human to wiggle through sideways. inside the mountian his lair opened up into beautiful caverns of sparkling crystals that seemed to hold their own light, but which were just reflecting the sun at the moment, though he had magically made them so they could store up the suns rays to allow them to glow all night if he needed them to.
Slowly he walked to one of the smaller antechambers of his lair an area that should a human take a look inside they would immediatly be stunned at what they knew to be the Dragons Hoarde, piles of gold coins, silver cups and plates, and gems of every color and size layed about as if they were nothing more than junk. But what few knew to him it was junk just something taking up space in his clean lair. He kicked at the nearest pile and coins and gemstones scattered as he mumbled to himself about humans and their trinkets. He continued down deeper into his lairmumbling to himself as he went.......
 
Ghast: The Definition of Personality

The bird soaked itself in a washbowl set near a roaring fire. It preened the mud from its wings carefully, wrinsing out its beak occassionally in the warmed water. When finally clean, it got out and flew over to stare out of the window.

Sleep, thought Ghast. Now there was something it barely even considered nowadays. As a spirit inhabiting corpses, sleeping was as irrelevant to it now as breathing. That had been easy to give up following the curse. Ghast had slept little before, and so not sleeping at all was little change. Harder to give up were the drives to eat and drink. But what was the good of food if you could not process it? All that happened was the body grew heavy and fat, that which was consumed lying in its stomach unmoved, until its insides tore open under the building pressure.

Ghast sighed at all the things it had given up; things which, though few realized it, defined a personality. Dreams, preferences of food, drink, music, arts... Even its emotions were a dull ache now - the drive to overcome the curse blotting out most everything else, and the disappointments of previous failures numbing even that desire. Still, perhaps this time would be a success. Perhaps, in but a short time, it would regain a normal life.
Perhaps. Perhaps not. Ghast sighed into the night and stared at the woods beyond the castle.
 
The dawn skies were misty and gray, but the storms seemed to have passed. Yruddry made his usual rounds and checked with the guards, seeing the wagons get their last supplies loaded. Then he joined the others in the dining room. His mood was brighter. The rolling emotions of the previous night had been a catharsis, and now he was eager to start the trip. Everyone had caught the spirit of the morning, despite the weather. Yruddry finally caught on to Ghast's non-eating habit, and found his initial repugnance of her was giving way to curiosity. With a large meal and several cups of warm cider under (most of) their belts, they all went outside.

Three guards were loading the final bundles into the last wagon. The sergant came up to Yrrudry. "All loaded up, sir. The lances are divided among all three wagons, just in case they get split up at a bad time." At the questioning looks, Yruddry motioned the others to a wagon. He opened a compartment on the inside and pulled out a lance. It was nine feet long with a gleaming ironwood handle carefuly bound with leather grips, and intricate runes carved from midsection to the tip. There the runes continued onto the needle-sharp blade, two feet long with backward-pointing spines. The metal shone with a soft green glow.

"These were made by the greatest wizards of the court, ones who have devoted their lives to the study of dragons. Remember, the more you know about your enemy, the greater your chance of success. These will give us a powerful edge." He slid it back and closed the cover, then lifted and latched the tailgate.

Three horses had been brought forward. The captain's was black with white stockings and a star on its nose. Of the other two, one was brown with two white stockings, and the other was white with a speckling of brown patches over its hindquarters. All three were huge animals, spirited and bred as warhorses, and as ready to fight in a battle as the best soldier.

Yruddry mounted his as the guards climbed into the wagons. He watched the others mount up, then saluted the sergeant who turned to cry out, "Raise the gate!" The iron portcullis rattled upward, and the wagons and horses and would-be dragon-slayers moved through the gate to the cheers of the troops they left behind. They clattered through the village outside of he castle walls, then it fell behind. After two miles the road split. The main way curved south towards the Inner Kingdom. But the captain led the others to the right. This road was not traveled nor maintained as well, and they began to move into the edges of the great forest.
 
ooc: just poking my head in, and hoping to join. Feel free to kick me out. *winks* And my character's identity is a secret, for now...

ic:

Twin smokey blue eyes watched the carivan from the forest warily. Beneath her, a slim but powerful steed shifted around the roots of a tree. Instantly, her hand came down, pressing against the stallion's golden neck. She made no other move... nor a sound as she watched.

They didn't seem to present any danger to her, or her friends. Thus, the arrow and her bow stayed still at her side.

#Who are they, sister?#

A voice in her mind spoke, startling her with it's calming presence.

*I'm not sure, brother... Whoever they are, I'm going to keep an eye on them...*

Squeezing the stallion's body between her legs, she eased him from behind their tree, and melted back into the forest. The blue eyes continued to watch the small carivan of warriors, but disappeared as the shrill cry of a hawk broke the silence of the morning.
 
The journey begins

Leroy Walked up to the brown stallion with two white stockings and carressed it's neck slowly moving his way to the horses head. he whispers quietly into the beasts ear and the horse moves slightly and whinnies as if in response. Leroy unbuckles the saddle and tosses it on the nearest wagon saying to yruddry. The weight will slow me down if I am to scout ahead. In one quick movement he hopped on the animals back and with a click of his tounge he started moving forward, slipping up in front of the procession.
as they started to enter the forest he felt something like a tickle as if being watched, but as soon as he sensed it , it was gone. He moved his head slightly to see around him, but anyone looking would think he was still looking forward.
He slowed his horse down a little to have a word with yruddry.
Sir I believe we are not alone, I felt for a moment there as if someone or something was nearby watching.
 
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