The Crystal Kingdom

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

He glanced down from his hiding place among the trees. The four sheilders came into view, along with the remaining warrior and hatcheteer. Lawerence gauged how dangerous each was, and how fast he could move on his injured leg. He grimmanced, and pulled the throwing hatchet from his belt. He looked for the Shaman-like Orc, but couldn't find it.

He gritted his teeth, and threw the hatchet. With a resounding 'Thud' it buried itself in its orcish owners stone-like skull, and the foul creature fell dead. The warrior looked at the tree the hatchet had come from, but Lawerence had already jumped to another. He silently stalked through the branches, then jumped into battle.

He hopped on the warriors shoulders, burying his sword in his chest as he flipped, jumping on the edge of one of the sheilder's front sheilds. His weight pulled them down, and he stabbed the orc's torso before yanking his sword free and jumping back, the three sheilders circling him silently.

Lawerence screamed the Vengence call of Terislie's Royal Guard at the top of his lungs. A battlecry only the Knights of Terislie knew well reverberated through the forest as the sheilders dropped their front sheilds and charged, maces in each of their hideous claws.

The cry, which translated from an ancient language to 'I am dead, only in Victory shall I live' was cut short by a scream of pain that cut through the night.

 

[Cryo]

The cry of pain penetrated her ice shield, causing Meru to quimper even more. More thunds banged agains the ice, causing it to crack. She put her hands up to it and reinforced, but still prayed that the battle would quickly end. Oh, where are you sisters, when I need you the most?

 

[poohlive]

What a little whiner. Garret almost took pity on the thing. She seemed to work so hard for him to follow her. If this was some trap he swore she would be the first to go.
Besides... for some reason he couldn't get that girl out of his mind. Well, he had a reason, two reasons actually, two perfectly round reasons.
"Ok," he gave in, turning around to her, "I'll follow you, and we'll meet this "master" of yours, but on three conditions."
He regretted it already. Why was he doing this? Why?
Four simple words is why.
Hasn't been laid in 2 years.
Ok, so it was a little more than four.
"First, there is a reward that the King of Edilan is presenting for the capture of a local band of ogres. I don't care how it happens, but I want that reward. All of it, for myself."
Demands were sweet. It was actually pretty decent to be the sage of flint or sparks or whatever.
"Second, I want you," he fumbled through his knapsack, looking for it. A hah. A small spell book. Quickly he took it out, opening it up to small cantations. There, a little cage.
"I want you in this cage, and you will not be realeased until I see your master and I find out whatever I am walking into isn't a trap."
He opened the cage, looking at her very seriously.
"And finally, I want all new gear including clothes. Anything and everything I want. Basically a shopping spree in the biggest city we can find."
There would be pain, he knew it. He hadn't gone on a quest himself, but he had heard of those who had. Might as well get some fancy new stuff to help him out. Besides, he had a lot of more beans to plant, if things like dragons kept popping up he would need new gear. His eyes gleamed with delight.
Wow, this was just like getting a genie with his own wishes. He had a little faery for all his own now. Although he still didn't trust it, it smelled like a trap.
So, if he died, he knew he would at least get to take the faery with him.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

Goddess that had hurt. Who knew orcs could scream like that? His ears were in definite pain. He moved to the right, and twisted his sword into one of the orcs, the other two were circling now, watching him without even a glance to each other.

Lawerence watched one of them carefully, ignoring the other completely. Suddenly, the one he was looking at charge. Lawerence spun, and leapt towards the other, smacking away the maces, turnig, and kicking it in the face as he raised his blade to defend against the mace whizzing towards his head. He felt a thud as the other mace tapped into his breatstplate. He jumped back, and ducked, the orc followed, and crushed his fellows skull with a hit that could fell a tree.

He turned, and ran for the trees, grabbing a low branch and swiging himself up at an angle, letting go, his legs wrapping around another branch he pulled himself up into. The sheilder was right behind him, floundering through the branch. A few lights hops, and Lawerence turned to face his enemy. The orc threw a mace, which he dodged easilly. The great Orc stepped forward, and the bracnh it was on gave way, letting it fall to the forest floor. Lawerence followed, sword point first.

With a yank of the hilt he stood up, facing the Shaman-like Orc. He flinched back, raising the sword. His opponent raised his own sword, and spoke in the slured, growling accent of orcs. "Yourrr da Yeamon warri-arrrr knowrn as da Lawrrr?"

He stood his ground, shifting his feet, moving his sword at an angle. "I am he." The orc glared, then shifted his shoulders and tossed his head, letting the cape and shoulder armor with the braids at the great helm fall. The orc's covered eye had a slash through it that went through that whole side of the head. "Yourrr havvva killled man-nay of mine peo-pals. Yourr the vone who in-jared my. I kill yourrr frriiends, and you trrroo."

The aged warrior grinned. "You may try, but I have cleared many of your kind from this, my ancestors homeland. How many remain? Is this your last attempt?"

The orc sneered. "Borrderr guarrd, and trro resvers still rem-man. You dri now, yeamon!" With that barely understandable sentanced, the orc charged, raising his sword high.

Lawerence leapt forward,slicing through his middles, and heard a slight 'Thud' and the upper torso fell to earth one way, the legs and lower torso falling the other way. Lawerence grinned, and scooped up the helm. He recognized it now as he was up close. It was the helm of the Orc Chieftain. He smiled. This was going to be helpful. He hobbled back to the camp, looking at the dead bodies. "Been busy, have you. Let's see there's,...1,...2,....Wow. A whole five of them! You should be proud. No major wound s either."

He limped over to the stream, and lowered himself in, the water carrying blood, dirt and sweat downriver while the cool mountain water numbed his wounds. He pulled his head out, setting his armor, belt, boots, and sword on the shore while he cleaned his shirt, examining the wounds on his body and the rips in his clothing. "Crud. These are my best clothes. Have to buy something new at the next town...Hey, could you guys pile up some wood on the fire?"

He looked at Meru, and knocked on the sheild of ice. "Hey! They're dead! You can come out now!" Then, he went back to his cleaning.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Ariana glared at Aidan then turned her back to him. "damn him for putting himself in danger. Damn him for showing up now! Damn it!" she muttured under her breath as she began tending her wounds. After cleaning them up she went further downstream till she was alone then sitting in a comfortable position she closed her eyes and slowly fell into a healing trance.

Aneke:

Aneke shook her head "YOU want ME to climb into that FILTHY cage?" her eyes narrowed "so I can grant you wishes!?!?!" she flew right into his face "I think not! If you want a shopping spree for equipment if can be done, if you want a reward it can be done but what can't be done is getting me in that damn cage! Now you see I have magic, I can hipnotize you if I must but I will get you to my Master! The only reason I haven't done it yet is because she told me to be nice. Believe me it is a hard job with you ... you.. you outworlders!!!" she crossed her arms "Now you have a choice accept my conditions or be hypnotized!"

 

[poohlive]

Garret stepped back from the flying fireball. She seemed to be the one in charge now, taking over everything. Hypnotism? She threatened him with hypnotism?
She was supposed to be nice?
He nearly laughed, she basically was forcing him to come with her anyway. How was this being nice? She needed a life or something. This was just a little bit out of his league. Hypnotism? She actually threatened him with hypnotism.
"You know what," he pulled up his hands, grabbing his bag, "No, I'm not doing this. Have you fun with whoever your in cahoots with. Go tell your boss or whatever that your plan didn't work. If you want some special crystal boy get someone else, I'm out of here."
He began walking off, curious as to if she would actually hypnotize him or not. At this point he really didn't care though. He had nothing that could stop a hypnotizm spell, and he wasn't going to hurt the little thing. If she had a hypnotizm spell, what other things could she hold. There are worse things than death.
He had to keep his dignity though, no way was he going to let a faery tell him what to do, and a female faery at that.
If she did hypnotize him though, he supposed he really didn't have a choice in the matter then. That was the thing though, if she really needed his cooperation, then hypnotizing him wouldn't help a bit. In fact, she'd be doing more damage. He wasn't going to be some experiment for a mad female scientist who dug up an ancient scroll and is trying to relive the ancient crystals.
No way, he had better things to do.
Like planting more beans.

 

[Lady_Raisa]

Victoria's mom looked at Victoria ."Ok , you can go outside..."
"GREAT!Thanks mom!" Victoria got up and kissed her mom on the cheek.
"I want you home at dusk Vikki."
"Fine." Victoria opened the door and ran outside . The animals were pleased to see her , They hoped and ran to her and gave her animal kisses. They played for a while then she walked threw the forest gathering stray flowers.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Aneke:

"Damn you, I didn't want to do this. I actuall thought you would be ok for an outworlder shows how much I know!" with that she blinked till she was right in front of his face. She then threw some type of powder at him. He coughed as he inhaled it feeling slightly dizzy. "that is a special root from Crystalia that when ground up becomes a powder that hypnotizes anyone who inhales it, in other words you. You will be completely aware of yourself you will just do everything I say with no way to stop it. If you change your mind and you wish to come of your own will I will remove the powder. Ok?" she turned "Now follow me please" with that she began fluttering towards the mountain pass that lead to tarten smiling as she heard the boy following her.

 

[Cryo]

A blue blade appeared near the top of the small ice dome. The blade effortlessy moved in a circle, effectively cutting the top off. Meru pushed the top away and rose out of the dome. She looked at lawrence, then her eyes fell in shame.

Without thinking, she went to camp and picked up the fire. She sat down and took off her helmet, staring into the flames. She thought about her sisters, and how they wouldn't cower like that, further deepening her shame.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

He gave a small sigh, lying in the flowing water. He stood, his wet slacks clinging to his legs, and mentally called Domicus. The wolf ran over, and jumped in the river.

He spent almost half and hour cleaning the wolf and the horse, and the stream turned dark with blood and dirt. Then he groomed the horses, and checked the Sage's horse. He glanced at the headgear, then tied the horse to a tree. He'd ask that later. He gathered his dried clothes, and pulled on his shirt and his boots, going to the fire. He slid his right gauntlet on before reaching the light of the fire. Wouldn't do to have them see what was there. He sat, and after tending to his lighter wounds and wrapping guaze around the deep wound just above his right ankle he polished his gauntlets, his breastplate, and his sword, carefully cleaning the Royal Seal of Terislie on the hilt. He held it out, letting the blade shin in the firelight before he put it back in his sheath, and got properly dressed, putting on his armor and belt, strapping the sword to his back.

He pulled a small pot out of his pack, setting it over the five on a small tripod and added some dried foods, finally filling a tin cup in the river and pouring the water in. He looked from Meru, to the Sage's 'Shadow'. "Hey, boy, you gotta name, or should I keep callin' you 'Shadow'?"

He pulled his braid over his right shoulder, combing out his hair and rebraiding it as he waited for a response, staring into the fire.

 

[poohlive]

Oh, this was just great. A big smile rose to his lips as Garret followed the faery. He had forgotten her name, and refused to ask it again. Besides, if he ever got the chance....
He supposed he was being a jerk to her, especially since she was a nice little faery. He probably would have had the first wish to make her strip in the cage.
He followed her (let's make it a short walk), eyeing a camp ahead. His eyes shone brightly as he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
There, up ahead, an orc. He knew it, a trap, he just knew it. His hand felt like stone, he couldn't get his sword out. That faery, that damn faery.

 

[Cryo]

"Oh arti, where are you?"

"Who's arti?" asked lawrence.

meru looked at him. "he's my bird."

"Oh, that roc. How did you manage to tame a wild think like that?"

"I met him a long time ago, when he was first buil.....born." or should I say a long time to come she muddered to herself. "He was pro......trained to be my friend and has been my best friend ever since. My sister got a wolf and my other a dolphin.I was the lucky one that time, though I'd traid in all my luck to have my sisters with me right now."

"What happened to them?"

we went our seperate ways, seeking adventure on our own. It's very unusual for arti to dissapear like that" she changed the subject. "I hope he's allright...."

 

[Lady_Raisa]

Victoria walked down to the waterfall. She jumped in the water and swam to the rocky edge (at the bottem of the watrefall) and let the water fall over her face . Hoping that she meets someone so she isn't just talking to herself

 

[Lady_Siren]

Ariana's eyes opened slowly as she emerged from her healing trance. The cuts and brusies were now healed leaving her skin as flawless as it was before the fight. The only problem was that trance took alot out of her. Spreading out her bedroll and layed down mentally sending a message to Aneke that she wanted the sage here as soon as possible then she sent one to her horse calming her and telling her to rest. Closing her eyes she drifted off asleep.

Aneke:

Aneke saw the orc up ahead and made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a growl. She looked to Garret "stay here" he obediently stopped in his tracks standing there a strange look in his eyes. She turned and blinked till she was behind the orc, she tapped him on the shoulder and he spun around his eyes narrowing at the small creature that floated in front of him. "My name is Aneke I must ask you to leave these lands now and leave me with proof I defeated you so that I may collect my reward for running a theif like you out of here" the orc looked at her then burst out laughing "You hurt me? Me think not! Me crush little woman with thumb!" with that he swiped at her, she easily dodged and repeated one last time " I repeat leave now or else" the orc took another swipe at her that she again dodged. "You have not heeded my warnings, not a smart thing" with that she closed her eyes a moment then opened them and blew a long thing of fire as if came pouring from her mouth the Orc screamed and tried to run but was caught up in the intense heat of the flames. Withint minuttes he lay on the ground his body twitching. Shaking her head she looked to Garret "These Orc's seem more stupid then you outworlder, how is that possible?" with that she turned back to the orc took his insignia necklace proof that he was dead and placed it in Garret's hand. "You know you seem a little upset, did you actually think that was my master? A trap?" with that she laughed fully motioning him to follow her towards the mountain pass.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

He reached over, and picked up the Orc Chieftain's helm. The gold glittered dully in the light as he bothered to take the time to polish it, clearing out the inside grimmy with orc sweat, and probably blood. He held it out, admiring the impressive rack of antlers on top. Orcs were extremely stupid, and few could speak the common language as well as the one he had run into. Their natural language was one of grunts, growls, and snorts.

He set the helm down. He'd been picking off the orcs in small groups for the past few months. Mostly to regain his people's homelands in the mountains, but also to help the two kindoms open the border pass again. He smiled. Anyone, or anything that wore the Chieftain's helm was the Chieftain. That's the way their society worked.

When they rode through the pass tomorrow, which was the only possible direction to go in from their position without going all the way back to town, he'd simply put on the helm and order them away. The King of Edilan had offered a reward. He'd give him the helm so no one could carry a few heads into the capital and claimed they'd saved the day.

Then again, they'd need a little money to help with the quest. He shrugged. He might take a few small pouches of gold. He shrugged. It really depended on if they went to the capital. He gave the small pot of stew a stir, and looked at Meru. "You want some stew, or should I go catch a fish for you?"

 

[Cryo]

"stu will be fine. Thank you" She smiled, taking a bowlfull. What could he be thinking? she asked herself looking at him. He seemed deep in thought, and he kept looking at the road. Possibly where we'd be going next? Meru sipped her stu lightly, thinking about how much of a help she could be.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

He watched Meru as she ate, then looked over at the Sage. He gave a grunt, and looked up at her 'Shadow' who seemed to be thinking about how to respond. He snorted, and looked of into the night. "I wonder where we're off to next. Interesting trip if nothin' else."

He looked up at the night sky, the stars shining in the air, a cresent moon hanging overhead. He snorted, and turned back to the fire, throwing a few sticks from a pile Domicus had worked up into the small blaze.

He stared into the flames for a while, letting his mind drift back, all those years. He started at the sound of one of the sticks in the fire snapping. He stood up, and kicked the log he'd been sitting on before he stepped over the large peice of wood, and grabbed Shan's saddle, laying down, his head on the saddle, he looked over to those still gathered round the fire. "Eat all of that stew you want. If anything happens, wake me up."

He turned over and closed his eyes, falling asleep immediately.

 

[Cryo]

Meru looked at arianna. "so who get's first watch? my vote is for him!" she pointed her fork at lawrence mockingly

 

[poohlive]

Garret took the necklace, his shoulder slumped. A stupid faery saved, a female faery. What in the hell was that all about? He had to admire her technique though.
It wasn't everyday he saw some pathetic little flying ant actually take down an orc.
He dropped the necklace, "That doesn't prove a thing. I need the golden helm from the leader for the chest."
So, she wasn't part of a clan of Orcs. That still didn't change his mind at all. At least with orcs he knew his life would be ended shortly. This woman who decided to dig up a thousand year old spell and do it was worse, much worse.
They stepped back into a clearing, where some people were huddled over a fire. He could see others sleeping.
Isn't that perfect, brought in just like a prisoner. He would have to pay this kind guesture back to Aeneke sometime. That he was sure of.

 

[Cryo]

Meru looked up, and started giggling. THen her giggles turned into a laugh which progressed into an all out bawl. The last thing she expected to se come out of the woods was a grown man slumped in defeat, being led by a fairy. It was the funniest thing of meru's life and she was on the ground rolling. Her sides split, she couldn't breath, and tears started rolling.

Her laughter woke Lawrence and Arianna. They looked at meru with a start, then at the fairy and man. Meru managed to compose herself, took a couple of deep breaths, looked up at the two and started laughing again.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

He was awoken to the sounds of laughter. He sat up, and looked around. Okay, a fairy, and....

He stared, then broke out in laughter, looking at the young man in tow of the small creature. "Oh, well, never thought to see you again! What are you doing out here?"

Lawerence had been in many a places, all over all of the lands. The man who'd just came upon their camp was one of the most skilled theives he'd ever met, even though they'd only met once, about two years ago. But that was unimportant. Why was he here?

THe old warrior grinned, and picked up thye cheiftain's helm, letting the gold glint in the light. "I bet you came to these parts hoping to get the King's reward. What I'd like to know is why. You're a strong kid, but that many orcs, by yourself?"


OOC: Oh, hope you don't mind me creating an earlier meeting. It was just an oppurtunity I couldn't pass up.

 

[Lady_Raisa]

Victoria sang as she stood under the waterfall.
"you have a pretty voice " a voise said
"thank you "Victoria said as she looked for the stranger who spoke to her. all she saw was a small cat with grey fur and green eyes.
"allmost as buetiful as mine" the cat spoke. Victoria opened her mouth in a gasp of curiousity.
"did you just speak?"Victria asked finally.
"yes."
"but cats don't speak human "
"no we don't , but you can hear what we say, you have the gift of hearing us. You can hear the animals and the trees..."
"and I'm sure i can hear the rocks to!"Victoria said with sarcasum dripping off the notes.
"I wiouldn't dream of it, they are very boring."

 

[poohlive]

Garret nodded, knowing what was to come. This was probably worse than a bunch of killing orc's, a bunch of laughing hyena's. He took it in, letting the anger go from them right to Aeneke. She would pay, for this he was sure.
He saw a very strong warrior holding the golden helm. His eyes shone rampantly. In an instant he went from anger to greed.
"It isn't the treasure itself," he said. He decided a half lie would work best in this situation.
"It's one particular piece of jewelry. A ring, been in the family for years, and I'd like to get it back, is all."
Maybe it was a little less than the half truth, but if they knew what it was really capable of he wouldn't get it at all.
"So, this is the group that found the age old spell and wants to save the world," he glanced down at the laughing woman about to break something, "This is your master? It's a shame, she looks better naked."

 

[tmuyo]

arithon watches....

ooc: no one try and be a smart ass and try and detect me or accidentally find me ok? i'm trying to slowly introduce my character...

ic:from my vantage point in the tree i watch as the travelers quibble around a campfire. fools. they fight amongst themselves when their are other things and creatures to fear. i cast an incantation and walk closer to them. making sure i was scentless to the wolf i sit down not too far from them and listen to them. the small framed female claiming to be a sage. well, in this time of need there are more and more claiming to be, yet they have fallen under my hands, proving that they are not.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lawerence

He snorted, and tossed the helm at the man. It fell right before his feet. "Fine by me. Take all of it if you want. I really couldn't care less, not my money."

He turned and sat down, staring into the fire. His right hand began to itch and he knocked the back of it against the log a few times before settling himself back down, and going back to sleep.

Domicus whined in his head that the smeel of dead orcs was making it so he couldn't smell a dead deer in a thousand years and could they leave soon?