The Seven Keys.

[Strolling Gecko]

I pushed Aoth around to the front of the group, directly in front of Yrismir. Aoth snorted and shook his head as he came to a stop. I looked at Yrismir.

"You know, Yrismir, it wasn't too long ago that you were saying we needed to go faster," I said with a half mocking tone. "I find it interesting that now you want to sit around in the woods since we're on the way to your home. Now I'm not going to pretend to know whatever it is that's keeping you from being excited about returning home, but I do know that you didn't want to return to Tildiir's palace and that turned out all right. So man up, and let's get going."

Aoth turned and began to follow the path we were presently following.

"As for the dwarf, as slow as we're going, he shouldn't have any problem catching us."

 

[Mantra]

Viktor heard Nexus's warning, and turned back towards the group in time to see the 'monster' solidify....more or less anyway. It was man-shaped and materialized before Nexus and behind him, effectivly cutting him off from the rest, but the ghostly monster also had it's back to Viktor.

Turning sharply, Viktor dropped the book/torch at his feet and let the scabbard fall free, loosing the blade with a metalic 'schink'. Viktor drew his weapon back, the corridor was too narrow to swing the sword effectivly, but gripping the weapon with both hands, Viktor drove the blade forward, loosing a warcry as he struck. Yet none heard the warcry, nor heard the book fall to the stone stairs. There was only a deathly silence surrounding the skull-faced warrior.

Viktor, standing on a lower step, struck low as well. The heavy blade struck home, driving through the ghost-monster's thigh from the back to the front. The wispy substance around the blade wavered and fluttered wildly, but the blade held, effectivly damaging the monster. The wound would have been enough to shatter bone, sever muscle and tendon and cripple the victem, but the dead had other advantages, shrugging off the weaknesses of the flesh being one.

Damage was done, but not enough to cripple the monster.

 

[LadyRozes]

Nexus's eyes widen as she sees the sword in Viktor's hand.. NO..... no .. it couldnt be..

Nexus steps about five feet away from him lower into the stairwell.. and casted the turning calling on the power of her goddes.."I call on the power of she, she who commands the dead.... I demand you on the behalf of The goddess AGRESHIA You come to me.."

The ghost turned and the spots that looked as though it was supposed to be eyes flashed in surprise.. speaking in the dead language of infernal.. "What do you seeK?"


"LEAVE THIS PLACE BE GONE !!! GO SEEK MY... mistress!" Nexus was faltering all she was able to do was distract the ghost for a few moments... her power had never been fully charged.. her power had not been at its strongest .. hense .. the ghost was able to fight her call...

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela thanked the villager's for their direction's as well as the supply's she was able to gather, and the repare's that their smith had made to her wepon's. She headed out tword's the capital.

Entering the capitol she could see several house's made of mud and grass. In the middle of the capital appeared to be a Huge Tree. Looking around she could see several Dwarve's, Elves, and Ork's.

As Tela walked farther into their tribe a little boy ran towards the main hut. A few men in long robes stepped out and the little boy pointed the new commer out. An elderly ork walked towards Tela, and asked, "Child, I am a member of the council here.. is there a reason you come to the capitol of the Nuetral lands?" Smiling Tela said to the elder. Yes i have been sent here on a quest... and seek the wise one's council. Will you aid me in finding the one i seek?

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Micaelae grumbled and pushed Lucia behind him,reaches out wiht his ruined arm,the cup in his hand flaring and dissapearing as a globe of red-tinted energy shot out,passing throughh the rest of the party harmlessly and smashing into the ghost,expanding like a soap bubble to trap it,leaving it snared.The sphere floated a few feet off the ground,pulsing a dim,see-through red.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yes, well, here I was afraid of being arrested. But I wasn't. At home. Well, it depends on how many people know the Wise One isn't around anymore. It could range from a Heroe's welcome with a lot of political trappings in private to try and tie down the rest of my life, to the people falling to the ground before me to retie their vows of Loyalty."

He sighed. "It's not exactly what I want. But if you're in such a hurry, okay. Let's go. I'm sure the High Circle can't wait to get their hands on me. Draft me into leadership for a millenia."

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I wrinkled my nose at the very idea. "Being trapped into anything for that long? Oh, no no no, we'll find a way to save you from that. I'll think of something if things get that bad."
I shuddered at the concept of being tied anywhere for that long... heck I grew tired of some places in less then a month, which says nothing about a millenia. Eww

 

[LadyRozes]

The elder Council member shifted nervously.. The Wise one had not been in residence in quite some time... "My dear I dont know if you have been notified.. but the wise one.. is .. " suddenly thinking himself quite smart says..."The Wise one has been gone on a pilgrimage and will not be back for some time .. although .. we have heard that the heir arrives soon.. yes.. I am sure that the Heir will be able to answer any question .. why do you not stay here , and as soon as either the Wise One comes, or the Heir.. we shall notify soon.."

The Council member then went and had people set up one of the guest huts for you and then made his excuses and left Tela there .."Feel free to come join us for meals in the main hall.. The tribe eats together.."

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela graceiously accepted the elder's invatation, and thanked the people for setting up the hut for her.

That night she joined them at their meal. Spending time with them, and getting to know their custom's while she awaited the arrivel of ether the wise one, or the heir.

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

To break the monotony for a moment I look over at Yris and ask, innocent expression on my face, "Are we there yet?"

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir and the Magic Tunnel of Weed...I mean, uhhh,...

Yrismir sighed, and lead the way into the tunnel. "No, but we'll be there soon enough. Just come on."

And several hours later, having trekked through the tunnel, they arrived at the Capital of the Neutral Zone. In a most baffling way, because they had started out a lot farther away than they had walked.

"Now, no questions about how we got here. It'd take to long to answer if you can find anybody that knows. Anyway, here we are, at the seat of the Neutral Zone. La-De-Da. No, if you don't mind, I have to go attack some people in private. The main Hall is over there. They can give you something to eat if you need."

He waved at them a moment, and stomped off towards where he knew the High Circle would be.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I watched Yrismir stomp off. I was beginning to think he didn't like to be anywhere other than a tavern after hours. I wondered what drove Yris away from this responsiblity. He was such an enigma. Yrismir took this race more seriously than any of us, yet he seemed to want to skirt his other responsiblities. Even Lan didn't completely shy away from working for the crown and he was the most reclusive of all the heirs before us. I thought that maybe I should sit down with Yrismir and have a talk about it over a drink.

That would come later though. Right now, I was hungry. I dismounted and told Aoth to stay within whistling distance. I walked into the hall for some food.

 

[poohlive]

The dwarf, who had found the direcxtions a lot more complicated than he'd thought of, finally caught up to the party he had been searching for ( don't ask me why you were waiting for me... I was away from computer for a week, I knew I couldn't come in until today).
"Where is the ogre and his group? Are you searching for them? I was told you could find this one for me. Where did he go?"

 

[poohlive]

Goven watched, leaning against the walls as they began fighting off this monster. He waved a hand against Tork, who had begun to pull out his axe in the melee.
"No... no need. Too many people fighting in a crowded space... and you'll only make it worse."
The ogre grunted, watching the fight continue.
Goven only gave a sly smile, and noticed how they handled the creature. A sword, some magic, and prayer... most people would just use fire on an undead, but he supposed might as well use overkill. Every little ghoul and goblin this party comes across needs the help of powerful spells and diety intervention.
He sighed, letting a little flame trickle to life in his hands. Perhaps life was wasted on the living... the dead seem to find it much more satisfying.

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela watched from her hut as several other's arrived in the capital. She was curious about why so manny would come here to this place. Perhap's they sought the wise one as well. She thought.

Gathering her bow and arrow's from the hut incase they posed a threat, she begain to walk twords the Hut where the high councle would be.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir was well-recieved by the underlings on the routine tasks of making sure the High Circle knew what was going on. Luckily, none of them were stupid enough to try anything too elaborate. They simply saluted, welcomed him back with any number of titles they liked best, and then quickly scampered off to continue working.

When Yrismir reached the High Circle, they already knew he was back, and, of course, they knew he wasn't in a good mood. For that reason, they had carefully decided the best course of action would be not to be there.

This action, while probably the safest course for them, was not exactly the best course of action for the objects in the room. Enraged both by the seeming enslavement of the rest of his life and the lack of people to take his rage out on, Yrismir went to the next appropriate form of action,...

Ripping apart every inanimate object in arm's reach.

 

[LadyRozes]

An old Woman entered the hut and sighed she knew as well aas any of the other members of the council .. Yrismir was not happy about being back.. but there was no other way they were going to be able to get a hold of him.. and especially all of the recent visions they were having .. it seemed...too impossible to ignore..

SHe cleared her throat and then spoke, " I assume you were planning on redecorating the council's chambers..you could have simply wished it and we would have done so.."

*******

Tana watched the dwarf walk in and grumble something about some ogre.. she shook her head and shrugged her shoulders..



*******

One of the guards see Tela heading towards the council room and stops her, "beggin yer pardon lady , but I canna let you enter those chambers..."

Loud crashing noises were heard comming from the hut.. he knew very well this was the Temper of the First Bodyguard.. he was happy not to be in the hut .. else he would have had to deal with picking up his bones later.. it was always difficult the first day He came back..

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

I watched Yris stomp off and wished I could help. But little to be done there at t he moment, I thought with a sigh.
"Well, lets go find something to eat. I'm starving," I said, breakfast a distant memory.
I looked to the dwarf. "We'll find the oger later on, more likely then not. For the time being, lets get something to eat and drink. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll have some of that Aurin Ale. Goddess that's gold in a tankard."

 

[LadyFairy]

What goe's here? is anyone hurt? Tela asked of the guard that stopped her outside the hut. Hearing the crashing noise's made Tela all the more cautious.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir turned on the women and gritted his teeth. He shoved out a finger, pointing it uncomfortably close to one of her eyes for a moment beforee pulling it back and kicking apart one of the few remaining chairs. He sighed, and picked up one he'd already broken the back off of, and sat down on it.

He sighed, and put his head in his hands. "Yes, well, things can be replaced easilly. Not so with people. Well, shall we get this started? I have things to do, you know."

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

The creature lifted his head, he was paralyzed.. entranced by the pull of the symbol in Nexus hand.

"You fools kill him, he simply needs killing now.. he has been contained," Nexus cried out as she concentrated on keeping the creature entranced by her..

It would only take another hit or two before it would be annaliated..

 

[LadyRozes]

THe old council member smiled slowly, she knew he would not be happy when he came, but if not for the seriousness of the reason they come .. then they would not have called in the first place..

"Yes great one.. we will do as you bid.. allow me to call the council members.." with that she left and about ten mins later hopinng that Yris had time to cool down she brought the rest of the council members

One of the elderly men blubbered his gratitude that yris showed..

The Old woman spoke being the voice of the council when Yrismir had left.."we prayed you would come to us on your own and recieved word that you would. Im sure just as you have been plagued with ... um..thoughts or voices ... so too have we.. .. we are in dire need of assistence.. first the people are crying out for a leader they wish to see the Wise one.. and we have not been able to give that to them .. none of us are able to call her... Now we have strangers that are comming to ask to see the Wise one.. and we dont know how to explain to them .. How can we turn them away .. when we know that you are still alive and we Know the WIse one left her blessings upon you ...."

Another half elvish fellow spoke, "We do not have the blessings of the Wise One, how can we rule over and make the decisions that only she or you could make" He groveled.

The orkish Woman that had been speaking grunted and retorted, "If you would but come every few months to listen to the pleas then we would feel better knowing that something that we couldnt agree on would be settled when you come.."


*********

The guard didnt say anything to the question that the Tela asked. He simply stayed quiet when he had seen the Councilwoman leave and the noises stop she nodded to him and then he returned the greeting. When se arrived again with the entire council he knew things were going to get a bit more interesting...

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir sighed, and dropped his hands, he looked up at then, and growled. He sighed, and looked down at his feet, and then started talking softly.

"No. It won't do. Every few months is too large a gap. There are too many chances for emergencies. Plus, with the lack of a dedicated leader, it could be seen as a sign of weakness. Not just by outside forces, but also by our own people. We can't let them think that there isn't a firm grip on what's going on, and that any problem that might arise won't get an immediate response."

He sighed, and stood up. He looked over the council, and then sighed. "I've been in touch with my mother. Tell the people that the Wise One has ascended to continue her watchful gaze over her people and speak on our behalf with the Gods, and that I will be taking over as the Leader of the Wise One. As of right now, though, I have urgent business my mother charged me with to attend to. Send out the word to the Clan leaders. Once I've returned, I'll expect them to renew their oaths of loyalty. Now, bring me whomever wants to see the Wise One who's in town. I have to go soon, and I don't have a lot of time to give now, but I'll do the best I can. Oh, and bring me my old uniform, Kinslayer, and a barber."

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Micaelae


Micaelae weaved hsi hands in a slow circle and punched hsi hand forward,palm facing the creature,which screamed as another ripple of power made it fuzz,dissolving slowly but surely.

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela had waited outside not far from the hut where the councle had entered. She was curious about what was going on but kept her distance, these people had welcomed her and she would not offend them by eves dropping on conversations.

About 10min after watching the councle members leave the hut. One of the guardsmen came up and said that she was to be brought to meet with the wise one's heir. Tela gave her thank's to the guard, and begain walking tword's the hut.

What would the heir be like? she wondered. Would the heir help her in her quest?