Quest for the Light.......The Child of Light is lost, the quest for the key to salvat

[Vivid]

Minlor

It was good to have what few answers she could give.

"Lady Tabbetha, I offer my company to your cause. It was good to get out of that damned college anyway. We seem to be heading Northward. I'll just finish my potatoes and we'll be off." He smiled and ate.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha

The hour was long past when Tabbetha had intended to be on the road, but she knew the order of things had to proceed according to universal plan. She ordered her self some fresh bread and honey, washing it down with some goats milk and waiting for the others to finish.

As they rode from the village Tabbetha looked back to see a boy watching them. As soon as he saw her looking, he raced off behind a building. She considered going back and finding out what the little tyke was up to, but time was already short, and she didn’t have the time. Perhaps it was nothing, but she would be ready none the less.

The day passed without anything else untoward happening and they found a sheltered spot by a stream to camp for the night. Morlock felt the need to stretch his wings, he found the form of a horse somewhat confining over long periods of time, and Tabby went to the stream to bath.

The water was cold, but refreshing and as Tabby bent to wash her face, she saw a reflection other than her own in the water. It was the child from the village where they had rested in last night. When she looked, there was no one there. She reached out with her mind but still found no trace of the boy. Was this to be another night to on their guard?

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann had realized at once the power the mage held, and watched as the man looked over him with an interested eye. Kalann was no stranger when it came to the affairs of magic. For his father, and his father's father and so on back up the family line into the forgotten past had been accomplished magi. Kalann himself had abondoned the art save for his beloved flame magiks. He wore proudly at his hip the scimitars his uncle had forged of mithral tempered with the scales of a silver dragon(given freely as a token of friendship) which had been endowed with fire magik by the arch-mage Cathatner Rathwind (his grandfather). He also senced the power of the one called Tabbetha who had been referred to as the keeper which brought back memories of a story told to him as a child by his beloved mother before her passing.
Also he knew of the shapeshifting Dragon Morlock. He had grown fond of the dragon race while living alongside
Kalanthalastus, a silver dragon who chose to live as a human in the Castle Rathwind as advisor to the family for centuries lost, until the coming of the darkness when all were slain even his dear friend the silver. Kalann saw as the woman turned from washing her face and felt a tingle as though some sort of magic had been used. He then walked to her side his hands upon the hilts of his scimitars and asked her,

" Is something wrong Tabbetha? "

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha

OOC: Welcome back Kalann

Tabbetha had become unaccustomed to living on the edge after so many years with the dragons. It wasn’t something she liked much at all. Looking to Kalann she considered for a moment.

“Something is amiss, but I know not if it be good or evil. Mayhap it is neither but we had best be on our guard, seems all but the sun wish to stop me finding the child. I’ve waited to long to let anything stop me now. We’ll take turns at sleeping this night.”

She looked the sky, hoping to see Morlock return, but as yet there was no sign of him. She returned her attention to Kalann.

“Are you hungry?”

“I can go without food for quite some time my Lady.”

She gave him an admiring smile. He was indeed a true Lord and gentleman.

“There is no need to go without my friend. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll call dinner if you kill it, then our friendly wizard can cook it.”

Kalann nodded in agreement, it sounded like a sound enough plan, but how was she going to call dinner? Tabby reached out to the trees, lifting her head and singing softly. It was an ancient chant, but it was so soft and sweet it would lull even the most ferocious beast to contentment. As she sang the words over and over, two rabbits immerged from the trees and came toward her. Kalann wasted no time in making the kill, dropping them almost in the lap of the unsuspecting Minlor.

 

[Vivid]

Minlor, the arch-cook?

Minlor sat upon the ground in the clearing. Few people would imagine a mage of power just plopping, legs crossed down on the ground. But such things didn't bother the old adventurer.

He was peering into a smooth clear quartz stone that covered the length of his palm. Waving his hand over it the image of a book encased within the stone turned its page. He studied the arcane gestures on the illusory parchment of his spellbook. This was much easier than lugging around a paper copy of all of the incantations, rituals, and channelings he knew.

He heard the giant of a man returning to camp but thought nothing of it until two rabbit carcasses fell from the sky landing very close to his knee. Blood splattered on his robe then was immediately repelled by the cloth's enchantments.

He looked up. "Did they attack you, large one, or are they the forward scouts for a legion of squirrels that's about to overrun us?" He smiled to himself as he retreived a cooking pot and some spices. The stew was finished in moments.





[Edited by Vivid on 03-19-2001 at 11:28 AM]

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann opened his mouth to comment on the response to rabbit carcases but shook his head and remembered instead that wizards especilly elder magi had a funn way about them.

" Twas a hard fought battle with the beasts of the wilderness." Kalann began with mock exclamation, " but in the end the furry devils were no match for my blades."

The stew was prpared by the mage and the companions sat and ate. Though all the time Kalann had a funny suspision they were being watched but mad no show of this knowledge to the others.

 

[Neale]

Morlock

"Mock the warrior, if you will, mage, but the forest holds many strange and fell creatures. I was once disguised, and part of a party who ran across a truly ferocious beast... with vicious fangs..." Morgoth held his fingers in front of his mouth, to demonstrate the shape of the creature's fangs, "and long, floppy ears!" and he held his hands up by the sides of his head to demonstrate again. "Yes, that was no ordinary rabbit!"

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha

Tabby smiled at the fun the two men were having with the mage. The forests were not a place to be taken lightly, but they were all tired and on edge, a little fun was just what the moment called for.

She watched the skies for a moment, watching as the coulds moved across the sky, gathering on the horizon. She could feel the storm building, but it was be several hours before it would come close to them, and by then it would be her turn for night watch. She could keep them all dry easy enough. so intent was she in watching the cloud formations, she didn't hear the mage speaking to her, Morlock tapping on her sholder brought her back from her thaughts.

"Is there something on your mind Tabby?"

She frowned at her self. She knew better than to let her mind wanted like that.

"No, nothing. I was just watching. This stew is delicios mage, perhaps we will have you cook for us every night."

She chuckeled at the look on his face.

 

[Vivid]

"the mage"

Minlor laughed heartily with the others, loving the interaction. "You truly were a vorpalous creature I'd imagine, Mister Morlock! By the by, cooking is a hobby I'd not practiced for some time. I rather enjoy it. How long do you think I might get to excersize this skill in your company?" This thinly veiled probe was directed at the keeper.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha * The Keeper*

She gave him a concidering look. His questions was well masked in his jest, but it didn't slip her notice.

"Well friend mage, that would depend."

His face lit up at the prospect of getting additional information.

"Depend on?"

"On weather or not you can cook anything other than rabit stew." They all laughed, it was hardly the answer he was looking for, but it was worth the laugh. She gave him a look that was a little more serious, but her face still beamed with her amusement.

"I am hopeing to be united with the child before the next full moon, and as long as nothing disasterious happens between now and then, that should be the case. Once i have the child in my care, you may stay in aid me, or be on you way, the choice is yours."

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

" No Tabbetha." he began, " The choice is not ours nor has it ever been er the day we were born. For we are tied by destiny to this child as tightly as you yerself are."

And as he let this little bit of information sink into the minds of his companions he smiled and said,

"Anyway where else would I get the lovely pleasure of such horrible stew."

He nudged the mage's shoulder with his and and both men began to laugh.

" No I think not mi'lady." Kalann continued, " I will stand beside ya till I fall in my own blood and not rise again, and shall I keep thee safe just as long. The child as well."

 

[Vivid]

Minlor

Minlor was interested to see how the bladesman could be completely serious in one breath and jest in the next.
He considered the keeper's words. Wasn't long now by her timeline.

He smiles again,

"If this stew isn't to taste good warrior, or if variety is sought, I think I might have a recipe for dragon somewhere if preferred or should our bunnyslayer's talents for catching the oldest, most decrepid rodents fail him...." he glances to Morlock consideringly and his smile broadens.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha * The Keeper*

Tabby chuckled at her companions. She hoped they could maintain this bond that was quickly developing between them, it was almost as if they were becoming family, and she liked that, she had be too long without one. She thought on Kalann’s words and reasoned her was right, but she was never one to assume the destiny of another. Inwardly she was pleased that they would be with her till the end, no mater how long that might be.

She looked to the sky again, the storm was drawing nearer and there was heaviness in the air.

Finishing off the last of the stew in her bowl, she went to the pot to refill it, then took it to the edge of the edge of the tree line and set it on a rock in clear view of the others. Returning to her place by the fire, the others gave her a curious look concerning her odd behavior. Pressing her finger to his lips, she bade them to pay no attention to the bowl one the rock.

“Dragon stew? I don’t believe I have ever tasted it, it’s it as good as it sounds?” She winked at Morlock and giggled.

 

[Neale]

Morlock

"I met a cavalier once, who thought it would be nice to have a dragon for dinner. He was right! Once I got that crunchy coating off of him, the bits underneath really were good with catsup. And that ridiculous pig-sticker he had, the magical one? I'd always wanted a glow-in-the-dark toothpick..."

Morlock reclined against Tabbetha's leg, "Nice work with the rabbit, mage. Thank you." and promptly closed his eyes, resting.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha * The Keeper*

With Morlocks head resting on her leg, Tabby ran her fingers through his hair. He was the best friend she ever had, more than a friend really, dispite their diferances. Looking back to the sky, the storm was drawing closer much faster than it should have. She paid closer attention but felt nothing amiss.

She held out her hand towards the bowl full of stew she had set on the rock earlier, and it flew into her hand. As she suspected, it was empty. They had company in the form of a small boy. She miled softly.

[Edited by Moonlight_33 on 03-23-2001 at 03:15 AM]

 

[Neale]

Morlock

The seemingly sleeping dragon called mentally to Tabbetha,

Lady, despite the distraction of your fingers running through my hair... NO, don't stop! please?... thank you, anyway... I have noticed a small human child skulking about the camp. He is amazingly quiet for one of your kind, but hardly a challenge for my senses to spot. Shall I capture him for you?

 

[Vivid]

Minlor

Minlor saw the bowl fly to the Keeper's awaiting hand. He smiled at it. There wasn't the same tingle of magic irritating his mage sense; this was smooth and mellow.

It was as if the Air itself conspired to move the bowl at her asking. His post as Director of Comparative Magicks at the university afforded him greater appreciation for the subtleties of her ancient magic. He allowed himself to be lost in contemplation.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha

twirling a strand of hair in her fingers, she talks to Morlock's mind.

*No, Leave him be, i will round him up if the need arises, just keep track of him*

Addressing the others,

"We better get some rest, we need to cover some ground tomorrow"

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann listened as the others talked around him. When Tabbetha sugested sleep to them Kalann spoke up.

" I shall take the first watch Tabbetha." he said, " For no matter how calm the surroundings or safe the area tis always to great a risk to mark no sentry."

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha * The Keeper*

Tabby looked again at the storm building on the horizon. There was still plenty of time, and she did need to rest just a little. Standing so the Morlock's head dropped to the ground with a thud, she smiled wickedly at the look he gave her.

"Your head bounced pretty good for a dragon." giggling to herself, she spread her blamket out beside the fire and curled up to sleep, always keeping one on Morlock. She never knew when he was going to get even for dropping his head like that.

 

[Kalann Rathwind]

Kalann

Kalann rose to his feet and walked to the edge of the firelight. He felt a presence he had felt only once before in his 26 year life. The presence of that which had slaughtered his family and driven his people from their homeland. He knew it was out there somewhere in the night watching and waiting.

" Not again." Kalann said to himself, " I will not let it happen again. Not ever."

 

[Vivid]

Minlor

The old mage saw that bedding down for the night was commencing. He asked Kalann to wake him for second watch and ducked into a tent that had pitched itself earlier in the day.

"Good night all."

OOC: going out of town til the weekend, I'll checking some time midweek tho. Thread is looking good.

 

[Moonlight_33]

Tabbetha * The Keeper*

OOC: no problem Vivid, have fun and stay safe.

As Tabby surendered to sleep, she let her mind wander, search. There was a memory some where in the back of her mind that was tugging to be brought forward, to be recalled.

The intensity of the storm on the horizon was building, grolwing like an enraged beast hungry for blood, but it was ordinary story, and not a beast to be tamed by normal means.

In her dreams, Tabbetha found the memory she saught. Twelve men, clad in black, linked to form a circle around a crystal shard. It took that many of dark blood to use even a fraction of the powers held within, one of light, such as herself or the child they saught could control the full force easily. A single drop of water fell upon the shard and she remembered it all, waking with a start. She jumped to her feet, drawing her sword and running a short distance from the camp, she drove it into the ground. The earth shook and heaved as massive rocks were purged and came together to form a single block of stone hollowed out in the centre. There was eough room inside to shelter all of them, their horses and their gear.

She called for them all to enter quickly, this was one storm they would be lucky to survive.

 

[Vivid]

Minlor

Minlor awoke with a start and rushed out of his tent in his bedclothes. At a thought his blue travelling robe was upon him.

The Keeper was calling them urgently. He grabbed his staff and ran to where she indicated. Commotion around him indicated that the others of his party were likewise mobilizing. He paused when he saw the granite shell her magicks had created for their containment. He allowed a puzzled glance in her direction. What danger would merrit such measures?

With out further hesitation he scrambled inside giving passing thought to his self-erecting tent and other belongings. He commanded the unicorn's horn tipping his staff to shed a warm yellow light within the cold stone sphere and awaited any manner of destruction the would ensue.

 

[Neale]

[Edited by Neale on 04-01-2001 at 11:15 AM]