The Song of Swords

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios nodded, his face still showing his amazement. He turned to see a similar look on Mirshann's face.
"Milady... I promise no harm will come to while you are under my protection. Nonetheless, I think it would be best if we rode with speed to Wargrave." Darios swivelled in his saddle to once more face Elik. "Mage, you are free to come with us, if you will. I am sure you can take care of yourself when the need arises." Darios spoke the last sentence with a smile playing across his lips, before he turned and spurred his horse into a slow gallop, turning back to face the others as he did.
"C'mon, let's hurry!"

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

"Alright." I say as Darios turns back in his saddle and spurs Whitefire on.

Velkryn needs no urging and follows at a comfortable gallop. I ponder why Darios needs to hurry but don't question. The steady beat of the horses' hooves on the firm ground make it easier for me to slip in to thought.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

Nodding towards Darios, Elik spurrs his mount into a gallop as well. What was the meaning of the gnolls? Why were they carrying the claw? It was not typical behavior for such creatures. So many questions Elik had, and he knew the answers lay in the town called Wargrave. His first thought was to seek out the mages guild there. Surely they would have answers, and would share thier knowledge, at a fair price.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

OOC: Hooray, I've finally reached 100 posts. Just felt the need to share that.

IC: I urge Velkryn forward to catch up with darios.

"Darios?" I say cautiously, "Can I ask what is in Wargrave? The name of the town sounds vaguely familliar, but I can't quite place it. Maybe something my father mentioned long ago...."

I let the last sentence trail off as I start to think about him. I know he's very worried about me. My mind turns to Morn, my bodyguard who was sworn to protect me. I feel bad for slipping away while he wasn't looking. "Maybe I shouldn't have, then none of this would have happened." I think to myself

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios turned to Mirshann, slowing down just a bit.
"Wargrave? Well, it's a decently sized town... but nothing much happens there. The most interesting part about it is its history. You see, it was founded by a group of survivors from a distant war. There ideal was a city that would segregate itself from the rest of the world, and from all the warring groups. They wanted a simple place where peace was the only ideal."
Darios stop talking for a moment as he considered the dream. It was one of those things that was good in idea but ineffective in practice.
"Eventually they gave into the rule of the Northern kingdom." he finished simply.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

I nod, noticing some hesitation in Darios as he speaks of our current destination. "Is he hiding something?" I ponder briefly to myself.

I shrug it off.

"Could you tell me more about Wargrave? About how much further ahead is it?" I ask.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

"Oh, well, it shouldn't be too far ahead!" Darios yelled, looking at the path ahead. "A few more minutes at this speed, and we should be there. In fact, when we make this next rise, you should be able to see it." he spurred his horse on a little faster, eager to be in Wargrave. Surprisingly, he found Mirshann matching his pace.
"You're quite a fine horse-rider, milady! I don't think I've ever seen a female ride with such speed!" he yelled, a grin playing across his lips.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

Not really having anything to say, Elik continues to pace the two with his mount. As his steed is magical, it has no problems keeping up, or even going faster than either of the two horses in the group. Elik makes the perparations mentally for the encounter that lay ahead with the mages guild in Wargrave.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

I laugh softly.

"Thank you Darios. I've spent many a night out in the stable with this one." I say, patting Velkryn's neck as he continues to gallop. "When the stable boy caught me one night, he promised to keep it a secret until I thought I was ready enough to demonstrate my skills. We then trained together until one of the guards saw me in the pasture. Nearly killed me, thinking I was an intruder."

I laugh again at the memory.

"Those were fun times. Then one day, I guess the guard told my father and he demanded proof. I was very nervous as I led out Velkyrn by myself and saddled him. Everyone there waited in silence, expecting him to lash out at me. To their surprise he didn't and the rest is history."

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios.

"Well, milady, I can tell you one thing. Unless your father has changed greatly, he cares much about you."
Darios cast a sideways glance at the princess, and their eyes met for a moment. He allowed a smile, before turning his attention back to the path. They reached the top of the hill, and the town of Wargrave came into sight.
"There it is!" He yelled out. It had been a while since he had been here. Just a few more minutes ride and they would be there.

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

As we reached the top of the hill I could see a town spread out below. "There it is." Darios shouted. Whitefire seemed to move faster and Velkryn easily kept up.

The town was nice and looked really calm and quiet. I could make out the shapes of a few people in the streets.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

Elik simply raised his hand and brought his mount to a stop at the top of the hill, along side Darios and Mirshann. Mirshann was right, Elik thought to himself. It was a nice town indeed. Mirshann was rather wise for such an unseasoned traveller. Elik let out a heavy sigh, as he thought of the bantering that would take place inside the mage guild. Mages seldom agreed with each other when it came to things such as this. Would they even know the answers to his questions? It was going to cost him dearly to find out, but he did not want to tell the others of his self sacrifice that would be made. He'd probably have to give up the deed to his castle, and a few other extremely valuable items. Sighing once again, he turned to Darios. "Ready?" Elik asked.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

OOC: Snork Maiden....I am unable to return a message to you as your box is full. No pun intended. Either empty it or ask your question here

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

Velkryn gave a little snort and pawed the ground. He seemed to know this place, but I didn't know why. I shrugged it off, maybe someone there would know about him.

"I hope they have some food there. I'm starving." I say to Darios as my stomach rumbles. "And I can sure use a bath."

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

OOC: Bump. DId we stop playin?

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

OOC: Dark Warrior, still around? We are kinda needing your posts here. BlkPnther, think we should just continue with out him?

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

OOC: I don't think that'd be good. It's his game after all

 

[plasticman33]

What's up BP?

 

[Dark Warrior]

OOC: Sorry. I've been a combination of busy and un-inspired with this thread, but I'm ready to continue if you guys want to.

IC: Darios shook his heads, trying to get rid of the ghosts in his mind. It was a feeling he got every now and then, and he couldn't explain them... something like an evil looming on the horizon. And funnily enough, they always tended to be true...
"Yes, of course, milady." he said, turning to Mirshann. "Now, let's get going." he finished, really not in the mood to talk. He kicked Whitefire into a straight gallop, leaving the others behind him. He never turned to see if they followed.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

OOC: Well we can just let it die if you like. It's your game and I am uncertain what you are hoping for. Were you hoping Elik would take the evil character role? If so, I think you'd be sorely outmatched

 

[Dark Warrior]

OOC: Let me put it this way: I wouldn't really mind if this thread died. BUT, I'm also willing to keep going with it. Actually, I think it could lead somewhere, it's just been a little slow so far, that's all.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

OOC: Well, I threw in a bit of action and was waiting to see what you were going to do with it. I didn't want to take over the thread so I left it up to you to come up with the exciting stuff

 

[AriaSilverfyre]

OOC: I'm enjoying this thread. I understand when a lack of inspiration hits. Get that all the time with my stories. *shrug* Happens to all of us I guess.

IC: I wonder what has been troubling Darios. He suddenly kicked Whitefire into a gallop and went straight for town. I shrugged and nudged Velkryn to follow.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Darios

Darios slowed his horse as the town walls loomed ahead. He looked behind to see Mirshann and Elik following his lead as they approached the gate guards.
"Halt! Who goes there?" A challenge called out, and Darios brought his horse to a stop. They were about 10 metres in front of the gate.
"Greetings, good sir. My name is Darios." he began.
"Darios? Is that you?" the guard called back, friendlier now. "It is! Ah, Darios, it has been too long!" He called out, trotting towards the mounted warrior, who smiled when he recognized the guard.
"Lanrik!" he exclaimed, swinging out of his saddle and striding forward to meet the man in a friendly embrace. "Indeed, it has been some time since I have come this way." he said, before the two released from their grip and took a step back. "So, tell me, how are things here?" Darios said.
Lanrik's face grew dark. "Bad things, Darios. Bad. The world is not what it once was. But come now, you must have travelled some distance. I would love to share tales with you over a good mead." Lanrik signalled to the other guard, who began the mechanism which raised the gate. "And your companions...?" Lanrik asked, flicking a glance at the two behind Darios. His eyes locked on Mirshann, and a thoughtful look came over his face.
"This is the lady Mirshann, and a fellow wanderer named Elik." Darios said, gesturing at the two.
"Good to meet you all. Tell me, fair lady... have I seen you somewhere before? Your face seems familiar." Lanrik asked. Mirshann opened her mouth to answer, but Darios cut in.
"I doubt that. She comes from the South, and this is the furthest north she has ever been." he said. Both were lies, but one could not be too safe with words, even amongst good friends, in such dark times. Darios then turned to Elik.
"Elik. I trust you will look after the lady. I am sure you can find an inn nearby. Any suggestions, Lanrik?" Darios said, turning back to Lanrik.
The guard scratched his chin. "Aye, the Divine Rest is not too far from here. They are not quite what they claim, but they are the best in this small town. Just a short distance down this road, on your right." the guard said to Elik, gesturing.
"Then it is settled. Elik, take the lady there. I shall meet you at the Divine Rest once I have done talking with Lanrik. Farewell. And to you, milady." Darios said, giving a quick bow to Mirshann.
"Now, Lanrik. That mead sounds very good." Darios said with a grin to the soldier.

 

[BlkPnthr]

Elik

As the two friends reaquianted themselves, Elik, looked at Mirshann and cocked an eyebrow. When Darios told Elik to take Mirshann to the inn, he attempted to protest, but it would have been in vain as Darios was far too wrapped up in his long lost friend Lanrik. Slowly nodding his head towards Darios, he spoke quietly, "Let's go m'lady. I have a feeling those two will be a while yet." With that, he paced Mirshann, not leaving her side till they reached the inn.

"Curses," Elik thought to himself. This is all he needed, was more stalling of time before he got to the guild. Why did he have to babysit the lady anyways? She was a capable woman. Not a seasoned adventurer, but definitly not incapable of looking out for herself. Elik sighed, and smiled softly at the lady. "Shall we get a table?" he asked.