The Seven Keys.

[Strolling Gecko]

I listened politely to Sabaka and Cali trade barbs. I had to bite my tongue several times when I thought Sabaka had been particularly offensive towards my princess or towards the people I had chosen to spend my life with. Even for a dwarf, Sabaka seemed to have a low opinion of elves in general. That upset me, but if I had learned anything about Cali in the short time I had known her, it was that she was more than capable to handle some drunken insults from a dwarf. But I still felt as though I should say something in her defense. After all, I was her knight and I was pledged to defend her honor even if she was able to defend herself. One of those knightly trappings you tend to hear about from bards.

Before I had a chance to say a word, both Cali and Sabaka disappeared outside. Trianna placed a hand on my shoulder and told me she was going to find a room. I smiled and kissed her lightly, saying I would be along soon. Trianna stood and walked off just as Sabaka reappeared inside. I figured now was as good a time as any to say what I had been thinking all night.

"Sabaka," I said gripping his arm as he walked past, "allow me a few words."

The dwarf didn't respond immediately other than to look in my direction. He was completely drunk. Not uncommon in dwarves at this hour. "You needn't be so hard on Cali. She has gone through more in this last few days than most humans go through in a lifetime. It's a great shock to anyone to suddenly find out who your father is, let alone to find out he is not only a king but a completely different race. These things take time to sink in and even though Cali is as strong as they come she still will need time for it to completely sink in."

I paused before addressing Sabaka sternly. "And I would appreciate it if you never speak disrespectfully to Cali again. Otherwise, I will be forced to uphold my oath to King Tildiir to defend her. And it won't be with words. Do I make myself clear?"

I stood and waited to see what Sabaka's reaction would be.

 

[LadyRozes]

The tree appeared to look at Yrismir and shook one of its branches and then asked, "Would you mind touching my bark.. this will help me give you a proper image.."

The tree knew that would be the only way to get him to understand what his mother must have tried to tell him in her letter.. he also knew it was the only way to have Yrismir meet him face to face..

 

[LadyRozes]

Baddies

The Door rippled and shook but it did not open .. it seemed to know someone that did not know who how to enter .. was trying to enter.. Once more the wood staff knocked on the door and the Wood staff suddenly came alive with current and singed its owner more than just a bit.. causing him to get thrown back against the ogre..


Nexus started to swing her scimitar through the knolls suddenly feeling a elation .. she was feeding off their pain .. and it was making her stronger.. a lot stronger ..

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela hadnt found Tana.. but comming back to the hall and stepping inside she saw two of her new companion's.

One was the dwarf that had left as she had enterd the dinning hall earler in the evening, and The other she had met inside..tho she couldnt remember if they had been introduced, or if they had simply dined together.

Sencing the tension in the air between the two she was unsure wether to make her present's known or simply slip back out of sight.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir shrugged, and did what the tree said. He reached out, and placed his hand on the inner bark of the tree, wondering what kind of power flowed through the tree to let it communicate with others.

That, and wondering how a tree could form higher thought. He assumed it must stem from a spell, but he didn't know enough to even begin to omprehend how it could be done.

 

[Mantra]

Viktor

Viktor's charge speared one gnoll clean through, his momentum lifting the gnoll up and carying them both backwards until the weight of the corpse brought them both down. Still in a feral rage, Viktor jumped up, maddingly hacking away at the gnolls.

The larger gnolls were taken back by the wild frenzy which had suddenly claimed two, then three of their comrades all cloaked in this eerie silence of death. They hesitated, but soon their cohorts behind them and from the other doorway rallied them forward again. A fourth gnoll buckled and was then beheaded by a wild downswing by Viktor. A fith stumbled backwards, clutching a slash along it's midsection, but the larger and more numerical gnolls managed to push Viktor back into the room.

Unable to block the left doorway, gnolls began fanning out to the left and right into the room.

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I couldn't tell if what I had said sunk in at all with the wildly drunk Sabaka, so I released him and let him go on his way. I let aloud a sigh and shook my head. I didn't really want to give him a talking to, but my oath dictated that I give one. Protecting the family wasn't just some bullshit you said while on your knee with sword drawn.

It was then I noticed the elf from earlier, the one Cali had talked to before Sabaka got together with his muse.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we were formally introduced," I said to her. "My name is Sir Ramas Vae, knight of Tildir of Ankoria," I bowed slightly. "But everyone just calls me Ramas. Call me whatever suits you."

 

[LadyFairy]

I thank you Ramas.. My name is Tela La Moonbrook...Please call me Tela. I am sorry if I interupted. She said nodding at the drunkend dwarf. Could you tell me more about the quest we are on? I should like a little more information.. if it dosnt ofend anyone that is...

 

[LadyRozes]

Once Yrismir touched the tree the ree swept him in side its trunk when yrismir looked around it looked as though he were in a different place entirely.. looking around he saw what looked to be another home.. and a fellow with barkskin and leaflike hair.. His arms were crossed over his chest. He looked to be sitting ojn a chair that was formed from the tree itself...

The fellow gestured to the other chair looking object protruding form the ground and said, "have a seat young one.. there is much you need to learn about the places that surround you"

 

[LadyRozes]

Tana and Growles headed out into the savanna. They roamed about for a couple hours and then headed back towards teh village.. it was not much, but it was a peaceful place.. one that tana could not help but feel safe.. she wandered a bit more and roamed around the village.. looking around she could see that there were children running about .. feeling much the child she walked towards them hoping htey would let her in on some of the games

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I studied the elvin girl in front of me. She seemed trust worthy enough. Especially since Cali had so readily accepted her into the group. But still, there was something about her. Wolves often came in sheep's clothing and I knew this. You don't wander for as long as I have without learning this valuable lesson. But I sensed no....evil in her. And my senses were usually right.

"Charmed Tela," I said as I sat back down and gestured for her to do the same. "Our entire quest started not all that long ago. In fact, not one of us knew any of the others until we were each sent to a tavern on the Slaver's Isle. I was sent there by my mentor and friend Lan Hawker, I don't know what brought the rest of the group there. All we know is that we are in search of keys. But not the kind of keys you would expect. I believe we have two keys in our possession. One is a weapon and the other....." I paused, wondering if I should reveal all of our information at once. "The other is one of us."

I took a swig of water from my mug. "That is the nutshell version. If you wish to hear any more of our exploits, all you need do is ask." I looked the girl over, my eyes coming to rest on the bow and quiver she had with her, and smiled.

"But first allow me a question. How good are you with that bow?"

 

[RoneLith]

While I was away

((Look look , I came back like I said I would.))

As Garin stared at the village before him he watched in near horror as the image started to fade. Had he blacked out, he flet no pain so he could not have been killed by violent means, plus his keen wolf senses would have spotted anything suspicous. So where was he? As if answering his question a white light filled his vision and he stood still in his wolf form starring up at a familur face, in a very familur forest. "Horin?" He tried to speak but all that he heard was a loud bark. He shook his head and folded back into his human form. "Horin? What happend?"

"Well I am a wizard mind you," he spoke in his useal calm demeanor. Levelheaded was an understatement for his friend. "Sorry to just pull you back home but there is much to do?"

"No it is alright, I had just met a beautiful elvin girl, that's all."

"Mere triffles of what news I have." He began to lead him out of the forest heading twoards the cottage not a couple of minutes away. Knowing he would not get the answers out of Horin until he was ready Garin decided that some small talk would be in order.

"How is Rebecca?" The concern Garin felt for his first love was still evident. He almost ran into Horin but stopped just short. This type of outburst might as well have been a cry of pain for the calm wizard.

He did not speak for sometime what felt like hours was only a few minutes. When he finally did speak his voice held a twinge of pain and sorrow. "That is one of the many things we must speak of." They walked in silence until they had settled inside the warm cottage. Rebecca, Horin's daughter, was no where to be found. He motioned for Garin to have a seat near the fireplace, a warm glow that gave no flame emitted from it filling the room with a gentle calm. Horin took a seat across from him in his favorite chair. "Rebecca has been stolen from me," he said after sometime. "Your old enemy has demanded that I marry them or he says that he could not contain himself from doing her harm. After you left other heads of families began turning up dead, each time the blame was placed on the oldest child, male or female. The townfolk began to see the truth but could do nothing for fear of their own lives plus proof was needed to call the Lord. So they sat in fear preying that they would not be next. I had found that proof, a strange incantation stating he needed the blood of one who had birthed a child. The fool belived that it could be man or woman and he had no desire to kill women. However, exact nature of the spell had stated that it must be a woman since only they can actually birth a child, plus it only required a pint of blood there was no need to kill. His ignorance turned to pleasure as he began the killing with your father. He delighted in placeing the blame and getting away without any tarnish on his honor."

"How did you come to this information?" Garin asked interrupting him.

"I am a wizard afterall, it was rather easy to slip into his house and gain this knowledge. Had I know it was a trap I would have acted differently. While I was away on my little sneaking mission he stole Rebecca away from me with his ultimatium."

"So you have the proof? He killed my father afterall?" Garin was near hestirics he ached to return to his wolf form and sink his teeth into the neck of his father's killer.

"Yes, both a copy of the spell and the note he left will be sufficent." Garin's lips pressed into a tight grin exposeing his k-nines. Without his asking Horin, placed the note in his hand. Quickly he smelled the parchment both Rebecca's and his father's killer jumped to his nose. He locked it in his mind and almost with realizeing he was doing it he shifted again to his wolf form. The hunt had begun.

-------

It was easy to track both Rebecca's and the killer's scent, obviously not concerned about a wolf finding him. Still as he stood in a deep section of the forest the scents had split. Rebecca's continued deeper into the forest while the killer's had returned to town. He was eager to avenge his father but his heart went out to his first love and to the man that had saved his life. No with the killer's scent still fresh it would be a simple task of finding him again, he might even come to him if Garin was lucky. Quickly and with amasing silence Garin followed Rebecca's scent.

He no longer needed to follow her scent it was evident where he had taken her. A small cave lay a few leages out of town a few hours ride by horse and only an hour at the speed Garin could manage. The town had named it Ogre's Maw, after the shape reminded them of an Ogre's yell. Indeed the wind from beneath the earth constantly whistled with a deep sound adding to its effect. It was this wind that carried with it the scent of three others, clean scents with a hint of soap and scented oils. At least they were human, his prey had not befriended Ogre's. The sheer ease of his apporach struck him as odd. Why only three? he asked himself. Horin could have easily dispacted only three men. He slowed when he was insight of the cave and hid in the grass behind a large pine. He smelled the air again and listened to the wind.

"yeah...should any wizard come to the cave..." a voice said floating on the wind, barely auidible to even his keen ears. "...just like the boss said..." Another voice distinctively different. "...A Wizard Trap..." Garin inched his way closer to the enterence as he grew close the scent of fire stung him aprubtly then quickly faded. He noticed it then an orange ring around the enterance. He stopped and watched the foliage swirling around the line. Dead leaves and sticks did not set it off. However he did notice a centipied flash to dust as it touched the ring. His heart sank, but for only just a moment as a small forest bird flew over the ring and landed on the other side to grab a grub for its meal.

If it can fly over, I can leap Garin thought, or so he hoped. He crouched back and with only the faintest ruffly of leaves leaped over the magic ring. He landed just as silently as he had taken off. Surprise was once again his, today four men would die. Three now, one to come.

((I feel I have written enough for now, more to come, I must get Garin back into the story soon or it would be to late. Hope it was alright Roze))

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela smiled She new that being a stranger he had no reasion to turst her in any way, and so was greatful that he had shared at least this much. Yes please continue if you wish. In turn when your storie is done i shall tell you mine. As to my bow i would wager that there are better archer's out there than i, for i have learned other skill's as well, but i beleave i am sufficent enough...Why do you ask?

 

[RoneLith]

Knowing his prey would be unprepared for a giant white wolf to rush their cave Garin spead through the opening relying on his nose and sharp eyes to guide him through the dark passage. He was quick and surpriseingly silent, even he was surprised at how quite he was. The tell tale glow of a fire shot through the darkness, a becon urging his paws to fly faster. Instinctively he leaped over a second orange ring, his sense and body quicker than his mind. Three men stared at his approach before running for the wepons. They had foollishly left them too far from reach, truly these men were amatures. Rebecca lay tied to a post, her clothes torn and her luscious red hair hung in shambles. His prey found, the hunt was over, now it was only death and the spray of blood to come.

He reached the first before he had even a chance to grab his sword his fangs digging deep into his throat. He barely felt the man collaps before he leaped on the next. He had only been able to pull his sword half out of its sheath before Garin knocked him to the ground. A quick bite to the throat and he slumped lifeless. Garin shot his eyes to the third who had managed to reach a light crossbow which he held in one shaking hand and his sword in another. Deep and powerful his growl arose from his throat exposing his bloody teath. His white coat speckled red and his eyes focused intently on his last victum, his kill did not know it was already dead. He yelled his bark, startleing his kill, before he leapt his claws tore throught he crossbow shattering it to peices. The man swung his sword wildly as Garin landed underneath it, faster than should be possible Garin shifted to his human form, in an instant he locked his claw on his arm and tore through the man in a long arc flipping backwords as he did. Five deep slices shined through the mans skin, his body tried desporately to hold itself intact as Garin shook the blood off his weapon, like sliced meat the man slid to the cave floor in a rush of blood, bone and sinew.

Garin had grown acustomed to the carnage he could cause with his teath and claws and was only momentarilly disgusted. Quickly he walked to Rebecca, as he reached her the stench that filled his nose nearly caused him to loose his stomatch. He finally saw the horror of her body. Urine and waste filled both his vision and nose, he ignored them and quickly untied her bonds. Water and time can heal all wounds, as long as he returned her to Horin quickly. Garin caught her as soon as he cut the final rope, "Father?" she mumbled.

"No Becca," he said softly, quickly he placed his claw in its sheath. "Keep those jades of yours closed for now its best you not see."

"Garin," she passed out from what could only be exhaustion.

_____


It was only a day later when his father's killer stood in the middle of the town, his hands nailed to a wooden stake. His screams of injustice went on uncarring ears. The entire town stood and watched the murderer and breaker of families, all but one. In the distence out side of the town stood a lone white wolf, Garin watched with the display and knew his father now rested in peace. Slowly he turned from the sight having no wish to hear his screams any longer and made his way to the symbol Horin had made apon the ground. He had only to touch it and be transported back to where he had been. Horin had assured him that Rebecca would be fine and to not worry about them at all. They both knew his destiny was not in this town, an ancient ring he wore around his neck was proof of that. That was were his path lay. Horin had offered to remove the wolf from Garin but he had turned him down. He was no longer just a man nore was he just a wolf he had become a mix of both. A great beast both noble and cunning, his spirit had become fully intergrated with the wolf spirit in his body. He was whole an entirely different creature, able to leap between forms in an instant.

Garin Orinholtz, had been both a wolf and a man now as it should have been in the beginning, was just Garin Orinholtz.

He placed his paw on the symbol and his vision faded.

____


It was the same town that he had seen only a day before, it was still dark here not yet a new dawn. As he looked to the east he could tell it was fast approaching. Wondering where Tela had gone he sniffed the air and caught her scent on the wind.

 

[The GrandMage]

Yrismir

Yrismir sighed as he sat down. Here it comes. It always seemed as if his elders wanted to tell him things he really didn't need or want to hear. Sure, it might be important or interesting, but they always choose a very poor time to spring it on him.

"Do you have to? I mean, I'm sure it's very important, but do you suppose it could wait until after the Race? Because if we lose, it probably won't be that important, and do you really want me rushing off to save the world with these things rattling around my head? It's best to be able to focus entirely on your purpose, not have questions bouncing around your brain throwing you off at odd intervals."

 

[Vixandra]

Cali

After I managed to whip up a slug of ice three times, I called it a night with practice.
I knew I must look a sight- sweaty and occasionally singed in places, frostbitten in others.
Working my fingers to warm them, I coiled my whip and placed it back on my side. This whole frost thing was possible, I mused, but damned if it didn't hurt worse then learning the fire side of the whip. Still, that last slug had been pretty before I'd let the magic that created it go, leaving it to slowly melt away.
Heading back into the palace thing I found a servant and asked to be taken to Yris. Part of me was rather worried about him- he hadn't seemed too thrilled to be coming here in the first place and I wanted to be sure he was still okay and had help if he wanted it.

 

[poohlive]

The dwarf was laughing as he made his way back to the stool, trying as he might to get back on top of it. They had little dwarf booster steps, but even that was making it difficult.

"You hear that? Did you hear that? Shhh, everyone. Quiet!!! Cali is afraid and confused. We can't talk too loud in front of her, she might wilt like a gentle spring flower."

His new friends barreled with laughter, as Sabaka gave up on trying to get up on the stool, and just fell back hooting and hollaring.

One of the orcs composed himself enough to grab the dwarf by the collar and put him up on the stool.

"She's been through a lot, guys, this is serious. Ok? We're all warriors here, but we only go through the usual mediocre shit. Princesses of course go through the big serious shit. Fucking bitch. I tell you, the only thing worse than royalty... other than elven royalty..."

He turned back to the bodyguard of the princess,

"Are those willing to walk around and lick their boots all day. Sad and sorry excuse for a man. He'll die without honor, or without any battle to call his own. A toast, to the one, already fallen."

"A toast."

Glasses clinked.

 

[LadyFairy]

Hearing the dwarf's comments about cali, and his barb's aim'd at her companion. upset Tela greatly. Rising up from where she was sitting she walked over. Picking up a medium sized water bucket and scooping up some of the water out of a water barral near by.

The other Dwarves seeing what she had done quickly stumbled over there chairs trying to move out of the way as she dumped the water bucket over there companion's head.

What right to you have to speek little one. What Loyalty do you have? Clearly you've none for those you travel with? Mayhap you should think twice about whom you instult for tho you may not like them nor care for them. they may mean the diffrence between life and death.

 

[poohlive]

(for anyone keeping score, three characters now who mysteriously appeared in the bar)

The worst part about it wasn't the cold, or the wet of it, or even how his beard was going to smell in the morning, the worst part of being drenched was the painstaking way that the world suddenly came back into focus. Being drunk had such wonderful dulling visions, and in one failed swoop, the young mistress had destroyed all of them.

"My dear," He said, knowing if it had been a man, of any species, they wouldn't be able to walk in the morning, he only kept his tongue in civility cause of that, "These people are nothing of my companions, and I wonder what cause it is of yours just how I talk to them, or about them for that matter? If they wish to call me out, then it is their concern to hear my words. I will not bite my tongue, not for royalty, not for companions, not for women, and certainly not for precious elves who have their stupid pointy ears and feelings hurt if my words sting. Good god, I'm not traveling with warriors, I somehow hitched up with a bunch of gossip sewing women."

Sabaka held up his warhammer, proudly, and spun it around once, it blinked in the candlelight as water shed from it like a dog.

"This, my dear, if you need education in the matter, is the difference between life and death. You want to depend on those people? The princess will be so lost in who she is, she will forget to fight the enemy. And this war hero will be so lost in protecting her, he will forget who the real enemy is. I can see it, even now. If that is how they want to die, so be it. I care not for them... but I also do not push my own opinions on them either... or throw buckets full of water to prove my point. Tender, two more beers please. Apparently, I'm not half as done as I had originally planned."

The dwarf got off the stool, shaking himself off, and rattling the contents of his knapsack. It seemed dry enough, he opened it up and felt around. Things were damp, but fine. He could live with that.

He put it back on, adjusting the straps.

"I must make an apology though. It seems as if my presence here has made everyone think I want to make friends... especially with stupid elves. Believe me when I say it is not. I don't like you, I don't care for you, and if this is any indication, I will end up hating you very very soon, but that means nothing. Dwarves have fought and bravely died alongside the greatest ally who have cared nothing for each other. Why don't we all just make a promise? Huh? You stay the fuck away from me, I stay the fuck away from you, and if any bad guys show up, we'll do what comes naturally? All right..."

He downed one of the beers, holding the other in his hand. He was tempted to spill it all over her, just make her reek of the foul stuff for the rest of the night, maybe even get it in her hair, that could last a good long week, but thought against it.

He instead, handed her the beer.

"Don't worry lass, dwarves aren't a hard species to figure out, once you get to know us."

 

[Strolling Gecko]

I bit my lip from laughing when Tela emptied a bucket of water onto Sabaka. He raised some good points in his rebuttal, but I still disagreed with him on several points. I decided to say a final bit before turning in.

"A life spent in serving faithfully is not a life without honor, Sabaka, but I believe we define what honor is differently because you are a dwarf and I am a human. Such misunderstandings happen and it isn't uncommon for them to draw harsh reactions."

I looked at Tela, managed to keep a straight face, and then continued.

"However if Cali is truly lost, then it is my duty to help her find her way. And I will not forget who the enemy is while I am protecting her because I will be protecting her from that very enemy."

I stretched and yawned.

"Now if you'll both excuse me, I have to get some sleep. Good night."

I turned and made my way up to the room where Triana was, entered and shut the door behind me.

 

[LadyFairy]

Taking the beer from the dwarf Tela thanked him and sat down across from him saying. Deal......! Here is to the battels ahead may they be frend or foe..

 

[poohlive]

"I suppose so," the dwarf shrugged his shoulders, unsure what had just happened. She seemed so eager to dunk water over his head, now she was just as eager to share a drink with him. Humans, about as dumb and flighty as elves, he could figure.

Oh well, nothing wrong with that, so long as they can be pulled in the right direction.

The dwarf went off with his friends and spent the remainder of the night getting drunk.

 

[RoneLith]

Silent as a mouse and faster than any could see, Garin crept tword Tela's scent. She had deffinately gone into this town and now it seemed was making new friends in the local tavern. He kept hidden as he made his way to the back of the tavern. Luckily no one seemed to be out and about in the alley way behind the tavern. He smelled the air and decided it was safe, quickly he shifted to his human form and tested the door to the back of the tavern. He was surprised to find it unlocked, he just opened it and shifted back into his wolf form. He knew Tela was a friend and could be trusted but what of the others? He would rather have them belive he was just a wolf. Slowly he pushed the door open and smelled the air. At an instant a rush of fermeneted barely filled his nose, it was of an average quality with a slight bitter flavor. It smelled like something one would grow accustomed too. He still caught Tela's smell but a miriad of other's filled his nose. Human's, drawven, other elves, even a orc was mixed in. Strange patron's of this bar, he thought. He needed to see Tela's eyes but could not find her from his current position. He poked his head inside the tavern and noticed his from was well hidden from the tender by the bar itself. Quickly he rushed in and found a dark corner to hide in. Surely someone would come to close the door, if they spotted a wolf uninvited there would be trouble. So for now he stayed hidden cautious and paying close attention to what the tender was doing.

 

[LadyFairy]

Tela sighed as she once again found herself alone in the tavern. She decided to stay a long enough to finnish off the beer the dwarf had given her, being half elven she normaly preferd meed. Taking a drink she could tell the beer was defanatly diffrent.. deciding it wasnt to her liking she set the beer aside

Raising she started heading for the door, then stopped. Catching a fimilar sent. Looking around she didnt see him, but she new he was there. Hoping he would see her and follow she contiued going outside.

Stepping out into the night air she moved to the side of the building, and waited for her friend. Hoping that he had seen her.

 

[LadyRozes]

"Do you have to? I mean, I'm sure it's very important, but do you suppose it could wait until after the Race? Because if we lose, it probably won't be that important, and do you really want me rushing off to save the world with these things rattling around my head? It's best to be able to focus entirely on your purpose, not have questions bouncing around your brain throwing you off at odd intervals."

Dri looked at the Young Green elf. It seemed he was just as impatient as his mother once was.. amazing about what time can do to a person.. Smiling he thought about the many ages he himself had been through.. Then shook his head and his leaf like hair rustled as though the wind passed through it.

"You know young sap you seem to not understand that everything that is told to you may come to be handy throughout this Race as you call it.. IN my life I have seen two other races.. and they were not as lucky having help from others.. such as myself.. " Dri flashed Yris an arrogant smile.

"Now, what exactly did your mother tell you about yourself .. this is important .. becusae the abilities you have are the ones which will help you find what you are looking for.. the one Tenora hid .. you see look around you .. did you know this place existed? .. no yhou passed my home a million times and never once did you consider I lived and I could have helped you.. who do you think runs this place .. when you are gone .. surely not the council.. Now think .. what did she say about you ... "