The Summons...

[BlazeofLife]

Her face clouding in anger, Shota leaned forward, watching the two hostile figures facing each other some distance from where she sat. Hissing in exasperation, she furrowed her brow, and a bolt of lightning struck the ground directly between the two, leaving a charred circle mere inches from their boots. She focused the strike carefully, having little wish to cause harm to either of the combatants, but such foolishness had to be brought to an end.
"Idiots", she growled, not caring that her words were clearly audible to all present. "This must stop, immediately. Your battle is with Panis Rahl, not each other. I will not tolerate this behavior within my home. Save your preening and strutting for elsewhere, when you may actually find someone dim enough to be impressed by them."
Turning to gaze at each in turn, her face darkened further still.
"Jerahmeel, Egan had nothing to do with the deaths of your family. Whether it was done by people he trained or not, your blame is missplaced. Your own father was involved with the House of Rahl, should we therefore blame you for the actions perpetrated by every member of that House? Of course not. Similarly, Egan has renounced all ties to his former Lord, and cannot be held accountable for actions performed by those he once knew.
"And Master Reustwich, your temper ill becomes you. I had thought you a man of control, a man dedicated to his purpose. This man attacked you with nothing save words, and you responded with force. Where is your control? You both share the same goal, the same purpose, yet how does this serve that goal?"
Shaking her head at both of them, she glowered at them, noting the furtive glances among some of the others.
"You both have seperate strengths, as does everyone here. If you wish to defeat the threat that Rahl represents, you must find a way to use all of those strengths against him, not waste your time fighting amongst yourselves."

 

[Jerahmeel]

Jerahmeel

After picking myself up I walked over to Edgan. I had did it again I let my temper get the best of me. He was not to blame for there deaths and I knew better. I walked over to him. "You know she is right. I shouldn't have blame you for something that is anothere fault. Also I shouldn't have questioned your loyality. I allowed my anger to get the better of me. For this I apologize and will not let it accure again.But never put your hands on me again. For the day you do one of us will die.But untill then less focus all our energy on killing Rahl. After that if we won't to contiue where we left off . I think the lady won't care eithere way."

 

[delite]

Sirroco

"Testosterone, thats the bloody problem with men they've got to much testosterone" Sirrococ mumbled.
"Well if you two have finished trying to kill each other are we gonna get these horses and get on our way or are we waiting around here for the solstice to arrive?"She asked as she looked at the gathered group.
As she hefted her pack on her back she mumbled to herself "I 'ate waiting not as much as I 'ate walking but I still bloody 'ate it."
As sirroco surveyed the group she noticed that the woman who had collapsed was still sat at the table, walking over she asked in a quiet voice
"Are you feeling better? did you get some grub? Don't worry about carrying loads I've got plenty in my pack, How's ya feet? it was a bloody long walk wasn't it? Are you gonna be ok until we get horses, walking on them feet, if not you'll just have to lean on me I reckon I'm about the right hieght to make a good human walking stick for ya."
With that she gave the woman a big friendly grin,
"by the way me name's Sirroco whats yourn?"

 

[Paendragon]

Darren watched the altercation, and shook his head. Those two might be trouble. He would have to keep an eye on them.

As for the rest, they were a capable group, more or less. And they all seemed to have something to prove.

A few were even likeable - he would hate to have to put an arrow through 'em.

The biggest question of all, unfortunately, wasn't whether they had the skills to complete the quest, but whether they would all kill eachother before they had the chance.

He turned to Cullen (one of the likeable ones), and grunted, before turning his back to the group.

 

[Beethoven'sFire]

Onatah

A short but able woman approached Onatah and began barraging her with questions at a rate so fast that the woman found them hard to follow. She finished the onslaught of words with an honest and friendly grin.

"Onatah," she spoke, pausing and letting her name sink in. "I'm feeling strangely... but... Grub? Am I? I haven't had time to attend to my toileting for a while, I'm sorry I..."

The woman was looking at her strangely, and Onatah at once felt a bit out of place, but decided to press onward in her attempt to fit in.

"Horses... I left mine a few days ago, I... I can walk, miss... faster, without the horse." Onatah shot the woman a sweet smile, struggling to her feet and showing that she could stand. She walked on the outsides of her feet so as not to irritate the blisters, ackwardly limping. "Though, perhaps I need a day to let the sores heal over."

Onatah glanced around as several heads peeked up at the mention of waiting one day. She looked down to the ground, ashamed to be the one to suggest waiting, but the woman had not eaten nor slept in three days.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Gazing down at the confused woman, Shota felt a touch of sympathy for the woman, and an honest smile appeared on her face, reaching her eyes for the first time that day.
"Child, I fear that your quest can afford no delays. You still have some time left this day, but losing the night will put Rahl's ambitions yet another step ahead, and he has too many advantages as it is."
Descending from her high seat once more, the Witch woman came to a stop beside the girl, who was struggling to stand upright, ignoring the obvious damage to her feet. Placing one slender hand upon the girl's shoulder, Shota smiled reassuringly at her when she lifted her head to look cautiously at the figure standing beside her.
"But do not fret. Follow me, Onatah Curott, and we will remedy your ills, and wash away your pain."
Turning, and not waiting to see if the girl truly followed her, Shota began to stride across the clearing, stopping only when she reached the great portal that marked the entrance to her palace. Gesturing toward it absently, the doors swept open silently, revealing a dark interior.
Casting a meaningful look at the others to remain where they were, and beckoning Onatah to follow her, she disappeared into the recess, vanishing within the shadowed confines of the palace.

 

[Beethoven'sFire]

Onatah

"Follow me, Onatah Curott, and we will remedy your ills, and wash away your pain..."

My mistress speaks. Such words... so simple and yet they hold power... Onatah found herself following in step behind the regal woman, trying not to wince with each foot forward. The witch seemed to glide, almost to float far ahead of her as she struggled with her own steps, falling farther behind.

When at last Onatah crossed what felt like an enourmously vast spanse, the witch woman motioned with a delicate hand toward a doorway, and the heavy doors swung outward. Holding her breath, Onatah stepped into the blackness within.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Glancing about, and noting the girl's apprehension at the darkness, Shota arched a single, delicate brow, and the sconces upon the walls burst into flame, illuminating the room with a soft and welcoming glow. Not bothering to look around herself, and allowing Onatah to reach her own conclusions about the oppulance of the vast throne room, she motioned her limping companion onward, and bade her sit upon the throne, an exact duplicate of the one that sat atop its pedestals outside in the clearing. Pressing her fingers against Onatah's forehead, Shota closed her eyes, and a blue glow sprang to life around the girl once more, as the Witch woman concentrated and focused upon her.
Several moments passed, and the glow began to recede, leaving unblemished skin in its wake. Opening her eyes, Shota felt the drain in her power, but it was manageable.
"You should be fine now, I have repaired the damage to your feet, and replenished the energy lost to your fasting. You will still feel hunger, but it should amount to little more than what you should have garnered from being here today. You may return to your companions whenever you feel ready, or if you would prefer, there is food in the cabinet there beside you. Feel free to look around as see fit, but all doors except the entrance from this room cannot be opened by those who do not possess the Gift. Rejoin us whenever you feel ready to do so."
And with that, she spun on her heel and strode rapidly away, tossing the last comment over her shoulder at Onatah as she swept from the room and made her way once more across the clearing.

 

[The GrandMage]

Egan Reustwich

He laughed at the responses of the others. Shaking his head, he walked to the far edge of the clearing, looking at the mountains surrounding the valley. They are were clueless. Control? Purpose?

He was Mord Sith. His purpose was to give pain. To control others. To bend them to his will as he tortured them beyond themselves. They should be glad he had enough control not to attack others, or to kill the poor soul.

Grunting to himself, he looked off into the distance. Southeast, towards their goal. He let his mind wander where it would. Years of torturing, being tortured. His final breaking of loyalty. He had taken his control, his purpose, his entire being, and had thrown it all away. The very fact he was even here proved that. His only purpose now was to bring pain,...to kill.

He looked over his shoulder as the witch woman took the other away, watching as the girl limped. Wincing at the memories it brought up, he quickly turned his back again. He had watched many young girls limping away as they walk, but they had been in tears, coated in their own blood. Closing his eyes against the memories that treatened to consume him, he shook with emotion. Rage.

Rage at what he had done, who he had done it for, and who he was. What he was.

 

[darkscribe]

Cullen was turned around when heard the outburst. He turned around to see the strong gentleman who he thought was a soldier swiftly grab his accusor by the chin. He gave him a once over, then grabbed him by the throat, told him what he needed to know and dropped him on his ass. Darren who was standing next to him had grunted in disgust and walked away.

Shota with a quick display of power showed the men just who was in control of this situation. They seemed to settle their differences for now. Cullen had noticed how the woman Sirocco had packed alot more food into her pouch than he had. He had only packed a day or twos worth of food into his pouch and realized now that he would need more. So he went back over to table and got some more beef, fowl, peppers, and bread. As he was packing the food a feeling of awe and being naive came over him. The Mord Sith had really exsisted!! He always thought it to be an old tale his mother used to keep him in line. She would say "Be good or I'll ave the Mord Sith come for ye". Yet here were two men in front of him both with ties to the Mord Sith. He felt that he needed to understand more of this.

Cullen mustered up some courage and proceeded to walk over to Egan. He spoke with some fear not wanting to recieve the same treatment Jerahmeel had just gotten. "E-E-Excuse me, Egan. W-W-What can you tell me of the Mord Sith? I-I come from small farm not near any town. I had always thought of the Mord Sith of an old tale my mother used to tell me to scare me, but after the display, I see that it is no tale."

 

[The GrandMage]

Egan Reustwich

Egan turned from his own thoughts to look at the man who approached him. His eyes drifted up and down, sizing the poor soul up before he looked into the distance again. He sighed, and let his muscles tense and relaxe in a wave from toes to head before he began.

"There are two types of Mord Sith. The female, and the male. Female Mord Sith are more common, and the males, such as I, are their trainers. At most, there are three or four males who train each Mord Sith. Mord Sith are hand selected. The kindest, most innocent and gentle souls of young girls are brought from the far corners of d'Hara to the People's Palace. There, they begin their training. First, they are broken for a first time. Tortured day and night until they are held of the very cusp of death, and insanity slowly begins to warp their minds. Then, the watch as their trainers, men like I, torture their mothers, and make them our pets until they die. Then, they torture their own father's, make them their pets, and kill them. Mord Sith wear leather that fits as a seond skin. Mord Sith wear red leather to mask the blood of those they torture. The Agiel, a magic intrusment, a rod of red leather about a foot in length, hanging from a gold chain, is used. It works through magic that hold them to Lord Rahl, with it, they can inflict pain beyond imagination. They are usually sent after those with the gift, for they have the ability to control another's magic. Hold it from them, and use it to give them pain."

He lookedto the man. "They live to hurt, to take pets, and torture them to death. They are used to torture 'normal' people as well, but only when Lord Rahl wishes them to feel the very worst pain. They are grueling soldiers, and kill as easilly as you can breathe. The Males are used to train Mord Sith, and their training is worse yet. Most female Mord Sith are taken for training when on the fragile age just before coming of age. Male Mord Sith are taken for training at birth. We get a very special kind of pleasure for causing pain. You have no idea how sweet a scream can sound, how wonderous sobbing can sound, unless you are Mord Sith."

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He turned to the tabl;e, and started walking towards it, his hunger showing its face again. "We are monsters. I worst of all, for I am not controlled by the wishes of Lord Rahl. I do not only cause pain to those he wishes."

 

[darkscribe]

Cullen had alot more questions for Egan about the Mord Sith, but he knew better to keep them to himself until a later time. The last thing he wanted was to anger this trainer of the Mord Sith. So he picked up his pouch and walked over to the clearing just as Shota had appeared coming out of a portal. He sat down and patiently waited knowing she had something to tell them all.

 

[Guest]

Jerahmeel

After explainging myself I walked away. I need to be by myself. So I started walking but not matter how far a walked. I could see her shaking her head at me with disappointment. Was it her shaking her head or was it all in my mind. Was it the fact I lost my temper or that I allowed him to get the better of me. I knew of his strenght. I knew he could probably have killed me. But that didn't matter until he stood and grabbed me. They I froze but it will not happen again. Mistakes like that will make me a lier. I promised them that he would die and he will. So for now I must be nice and controll myself. I contiue to walk and found a farm. I was a friend. Somone I had not seen in years. We talked for hours but there she was never leaving me. I talked to him and he told me I could take as many horses as i need.I got the horses and left for the group. Maybe this would gain me some points with the woman and the old guy. I arrived with the horses here. An old friend gave them to me." You won't find better horses anywhere around." I stood waiting for them to speak.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Looking up at the sky, and noting the sun's pace across the heavens, Shota sighed, and looked about at the group. They were a mixed lot, and had the focus and ability to complete the task ahead, but...
...But they lacked motivation. The enormity of their burden had not yet descended upon all of them, she knew, and it would to her to give them the initial push. They were too content to remain here, safe, and wait for others to take the lead. Noting the horses the the youth, Jerahmeel, had aquired from somewhere, she did not question their source, pleased simply to have the question of their means of transportation solved. Moving into the middle of the clearing, knowing that their eyes would follow her as she came to a stop, she halted, and clasped her hands before her, resting them atop the pleated seams of her gown.
"The time has come, children. Even now, your foes move onward, racing toward their goal. If you wish to reach it before them, you must depart now. Time yet remains to travel tonight, and you may rest assured, such time as you waste dallying here is being put to good use by Lord Rahl. your advantage is your size, that you may move more swiftly than his army, and your destination. Whilst he must find means to ferry his men around the Barrier, I have made arrangements for one to meet you, who will assist you in traveling through it directly. Such will be difficult, but it shall save you weeks of travel. However, you must leave. I stated before that Rahl does not yet know of you, but that may change at any time. Your only chance for now lies in your speed. When the time is right, the one I have spoken of will find you, so make all speed for your goal."
Looking around at them, she added softly, almost inaudibly, "and good luck. You will need it."

 

[Paendragon]

"It's about damned time," Darren whispered. He whistled, and his horse Traveler trotted into the clearing. He patted the horses neck, and secured his pack to the pommel. His quiver went on his back - and he held his bow - as he placed his foot in the stirrup and swung himself up into the saddle.

He used his knees to turn Traveler, and looked over the group. He sighed. He was still the only one mounted.

He looked toward the witch, and found her staring at him again. Her eyes unnerved him. It was as if she could look right through him, into his soul. He shook off the feeling, and nodded to her, smiling a small arrogant half-smile.

She might be a witch, but she was still beautiful in a way. And he was always a sucker for the ladies. Of course, he had a feeling that if he did find his way into her bed, he wouldn't be the one in control. Oh well. There were other women present. Maybe they would be amenible to making the journey more pleasant.

He turned Traveler again, and spurred the stallion toward the edge of the clearing, waiting for the others.

 

[The GrandMage]

Egan Reustwich

He raised an eyebrow at the horses. Horses, in Agaden Reach? The idea that the man had been able to scrap up any horses here, in a valley high in the mountains that no one lived near for fear of the witch woman, Shota, was just plain silly.

He shrugged, and walked over. No point in wondering about what was there. He looked to the looming mountains they had to pass in order to follow the witch woman's path, and the horses again. He frowned, unsure if they could make the narrow passes.

He shrugged again. Most of the horses had the gear they needed, but there was one he noticed that did not. He returned to the table, and got a melon. Cutting some of the rind from the melon, he put a little in his beltpouch, and he went to that horse, and fed it the melon. The horse responded to the treat as Egan scratched its neck. He slowly got up onto th horse, nudging it with his legs to turn it and start it off.

"Well, let's go."

 

[darkscribe]

Cullen noticed that Jerahmeel had brought some horses over. He saw that Darren had his own steed and was already at the edge of the clearing waiting impatiently for rest of the group. Cullen was a bit worried cause he couldn't tell if Darren was anxious or impatient. 'Anxious is OK' he thought to himself 'but impatience could bring us trouble'.
In any case Cullen went over to one the horses which already had all of its equipment and mounted it. He strode over to where Darren was and waited. They rest of the group still wasn't prepared, though it wouldn't be a long wait since Shota had already told the group that they should have left already because time was against them.

 

[Jerahmeel]

Jerahmeel

I climbed back on my horse. My friends horses where bread for hard travel. He gave me his best horse and supplies. I looked at the group we where a ruget bunch. I don't see what she see's in us. But there most be something.We must hurry and go before time is to late."If we are going to do this less go. Lord Rahl is waiting and I have a promise to keep. So less go before we upset the the lady. As me and the other guy can say she is not the type you won't upset."

 

[Paendragon]

Figuring someone had to be the one to get this party moving, Darren heeled his horse forward, leaving the clearing behind. He didn't know precisely where he was going, but since there seemed to be only one way out of the clearing, he took it. He would stop at the first fork, and wait for the map.

He heard the others start after him. Good.

 

[delite]

Sirroco gave agreat sigh of relief when the horses arrived "thank god for that NO walking" lugging her pack over to one of the horses she strapped it on "now then horsey me and you is gonna be friends we've got a long way to go together so you just be nice to me and stand stillwhile I get on"
Sirroco hooked her bow over the pommel and started to mount at that moment a couple of the others moved of to follow Darren and so did sirroco''s horse with sirroco manging to hold on but definately resembling a sack of spuds draped over the saddle as the others stopped having caught up with Darren her horse came to a sudden stop Sirroco ended up in an unceremonious heap on the floor, "Bollocks" she said as she sat up, Well one of you handsome chappies is just gonna have to give me a leg up while another one holds her 'ead." looking over at Jerhameel she said "Did you have to get the tallest 'orses in the country?"
" Well come on then give us an 'and".

 

[Jerahmeel]

Jerahmeel

I hear someone call my name. I turn to see that it is one of the women needing help on her horse.I bet wars have started over bodies like that. Look at those curves.Wethere I wanted to admitted it or not one would be a foul not to be attracted to such beauty.But the question will be is it skin deep, is she a user. This I most find out. I walk over yes I will help you. After helping her on her horse i looked at her. "You owe me one"

 

[BlazeofLife]

Shota watched them making their preparations impassively, waiting for them to finish mounting before coming to stand before them.
"I wish you luck in your travels, and speed in the attainment of your goal. When you leave this clearing, you will be on your own, but you will find a small town located just east of the pass out of the mountains. It will be the first settlement you come upon. There is a tavern there, to help to ease the rigors of your journey. As well, there is one waiting there for you, who will guide you past the Barrier. She will help you, but once you pass Tanimura, her travels with you will be over, and others shall join you to help you along the remainder of your trek. Make haste, for she awaits you even now, and risks discovery if she stays overlong."
With that, she turned away from them, gliding away, her gaze fixed upon her palace as she heard the soft sound of hooves striking dirt behind her. She breathed in deeply as she listened to them depart, her brow creasing.
Now, the adventure would begin, she thought. She had done what she could, offering them advice, and setting out their goals for them. The rest was up to them, and the time had come for her to step aside. Their own destiny's would dictate the events to come, and she could do little to influence such.
With a sigh, she returned to her throne, to sit, and brood, her mood foul with the knowledge that she was powerless to influence events any farther.

 

[darkscribe]

The journey starts

Cullen watched as Shota had spoken her finals to them, the went back to her throne and retired. Cullen had an uneasy feeling about the situation because he was summoned here by this witch, but she is not joining them on the journey. It just made him feel uncomfortable. He realized though that her not joining them was better for maybe Rahl could sense her ahead of time and that wouldn't help them at all.

Cullen rode over to Darren. "Well it seems that we have to back to the town that I used to live near. There I know how to get to anything after that, I'm totally lost." With that Cullen started towards his town at a slow pace.

 

[Paendragon]

Darren grinned at Cullen. "Perhaps you could show me to a good fletcher, I'm in need of shafts and feathers for arrows."

Darren fingered his bow, checking the string. "And some spare bowstring wouldn't hurt. Perhaps the company of a lady? Or two?"

He turned to look back at the women in the group. The thief was saucy and spirited, just how he liked them. The other was a mystery. He had a weird feeling around her. Probably just the hair, but... oh well. No point in worrying about it now. He would find out her secrets sooner or later.

His mind drifted to the town. They should make it by nightfall at this pace. And then he could get himself some good wine, and a nice. plump, maid on his knee. Yes, a maid on his knee would suit him nicely.

 

[BlazeofLife]

Sitting calmly amidst the growing throng of patrons, Alicia sat calmly, sipping at her herbal tea while the rest of the tavern rocked to the boisterous celebrations of the men, returning from their days of farming. She glanced about, noting the unsettling number of people beginning to flood the common room, and adjusted her pleated skirts absently. Tuning out the surrounding noise, she began thumbing through a small, dog eared book she carried in her belt pouch, carefully scrutinizing the neat text scribed within it. Furrowing her brow, she closed the notebook, returning it to her pouch, and ensuring that she secured it properly. It would not do to lose such a valuable tool, oh no, not at all.
Carefully, she reached upward, putting a finger against her glasses to return them to their proper position upon her nose, and adjusted the high collar of her buttoned jacket. It would not do to appear unkempt, and certainly not among such an excitable group of males.
Deciding that she had spent enough time in the common room, she stood, stepping lightly away from her table, and began to move across the floor, a gentle touch of her Han more than enough to nudge aside the few men who reached out drunkenly toward her. They stepped aside, puzzled looks upon their faces at the unexplained sensation, and she brushed past in the momentary confusion. Shrugging, and laughing at each other's apparent distraction, they resumed their cheers, the diminutive woman quickly forgotten. Alicia took her time, seeing no need to hurry, and calmly made her way to the rickety stairs braced against the far wall. She blinked owlishly at the people around her, their forms a haze because her glasses had once again fallen to sit at the tip of her nose, but she paid too little attention to notice, her mind distracted by more ephemereal matters. In truth, she was ill-suited to this task at all, her natural bent toward more scholarly pursuits lending itself well to her normal lifestyle, that of a recluse, yet she had left her precious books. One had called, Shota, and asked for aid. Who was she to say no? What she might accomplish, she had no idea. Yet Shota had been adamant. So, here she was, among the people, just another poor, lost soul, she thought morosely, as she left the stairway, and made her way to the last door of the hall, opening it to see the room she had rented from the tavern owner.
If her readings were any guide, the group Shota had sent should arrive within the next day or so, depending on their speed. She rather hoped it was the latter; she didn't get on well with people, and hadn't talked to more than a handful in centuries.
With a sigh, the Sorceress sat upon the rumpled bed, laying back, and took out the journeybook from her beltpouch once more.
They should arrive soon, she wrote. What am I to tell them?
Closing the book and replacing it within her pouch, she reclined against the lumpy pillow, to await a response. Journeybooks were wondrous things, small notebooks, that came in pairs. What was written in one would appear in the other, so they served as excellent devices of communication when given to two people a distance apart. This one's twin was with the Witch woman, Shota, and it was she, who had written to tell Alicia that the group was on its way. Now, if only they would arrive, so she might return to her studies...