The Time of Dragons, an Magic.. *All welcome*

[Screech]

An elfin woman entered the main dining halls carrying a plate of roasted pork. Long green hair was tied back and hung down to her waist. Her eyes were cast down as she walked, and shifted her shoulders as if she was unaccostomed to wearing the dress of a serving girl.

It had been a long time since she had seen anyone other than dragon kind and Dwarves. A long time indeed. However, it was not the fact that there were a group of strangers sitting at one of the feasting tables that made her stop and stare. No, it was the fact that she recognised one of the group. It was a face she was not likley to forget. The features of the High Born were etched into her memory as securely as the name that belonged with them.

"O'Bonn...."

---

At the table, Gar had decided he could stand it no longer, and had revenously tucked into the meat. It was good meat! Not as good as if it were raw, but it was good enough. As he ate, he listened to the general murmour of all those assembled

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn heard his name. He lifted his gaze from his cup to stare at the female Elf that had entered carrrying a serving plate.

She was familiar to him...a face that carried some memory. He had seen so many on his travels......

She addressed him by his given name. She had not called him 'Master Warrior', his given rank among the High Elves. No, she had called him by his given name. That, in itself, must mean something.......

 

[Screech]

The female elf bowed her head again at a stern glance from Drakkon and stepped up to the table, placing the tray of pork on the table. She glanced up at O'Bonn, and looked directly into his eyes for a second. She let a little miscevious grin play accross her lips, before her expression returned to normal, and she backed away. She knew her draconic masters here would not look too kindly on her remenissing with their guests when there was serving to be done. Inwardly, she cursed her luck for being caught, hunting in what thay said were 'their lands'.

 

[Mantra]

In the Hall

Drakkon acted the host, making pleasant small talk and comments while the group ate. All seemed guarded and some were outright silent, but if any mattered to Drakkon, the winged one didn't seem to be concerned. The lot ate their fill before Drakkon moved onto more serious business.

"It has been mentioned that some of you, perhaps all of you, wish an audience with the Matriarch. I wish to know whom wishes an audience and why so that I may announce your coming. Also, it is customary to offer tribute to the Matriarch for this audience."
"If not, rooms can be provided as well as access to the bath house for the night. You are welcome to stay in the town inn as well if you do not wish to remain here also."

 

[Mantra]

In the Stables

Ona was happilly tending to Bardo as well as letting the dancing display contiinue to amuse when Bardo suddenly tensed, whickering with alarm and pressing back against Ona sharply. She looked up to see the second winged man, the one with the red-black wings and horns, watching her intently with his golden eyes. Ona could not help but note that for as ...noticable, as the big, winged man, he had a disturbing knack for moving quickly and silently, like a true preditor. The sudden appearance jarred Ona, and the floating display clattered to the ground in one fluid motion.

The boy too, stepped back behind Ona as he became aware of the other's presence.
"That's Phalanx." he whispered. "He's kinda like my Da, when I accidently set the barn on fire..... cept he's like that all the time."

There was a long moment of silence, Phalanx's eyes boring holes into everyone as he stood, arms crossed across his bare and broad chest.

"You do not use regular magicks to manipulate objects. Tell me then, what are you?"

 

[Mantra]

Malus

The Ivory Staff pulsed three times with it's malicious, slow rythem when Malus cast the tip into the ground. He waited long moments, but finally, the ground over some of the grave sites finally stirred. In the end, only three remains managed to free themselves from their rest, rising slowly before shambling over towards Malus.

The three newly risen were much more decayed and decomposed than his first creation, moving awkwardly and slowly but followed obediently behind him as they resumed their journey down the road.

 

[Dracona]

Ona was nonplused at the question. What was she? What did he mean, what was she?? He could very well see she was human, what else could she be? She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came forth.

A sudden feeling of being trapped had her gaze darting around the stall as if seeking an escape. She could feel the air around her begin to warm. The close scrutiny of those golden eyes was making her extremely nervous. A tendril of her hair writhed against her cheek, snapping off a tiny spark, and the stables were becoming brighter as the flames in the torches intensified. This wasn't good.

Phalanx's words echoed through her mind as she sought for something to focus on to maintain control. She didn't really consider the things she could do magical. They were just a part of who she was, things that she could do and sometimes things that just happened whether she wanted them to or not. She had never questioned why she could do them. Too much introspection only made things worse.

Ona became aware of the protective stance she had taken between the boy and the winged man and she felt her face flush. The boy hadn't shown actual fear of Phalanx, it was more a healthy respect that a small child should give to such a stern elder. She didn't know why she felt as if she should be keeping the child from being harmed. A part of her knew that there was no actual threat from this imposing creature, at least to the boy.

She took a deep breath and then another, sending her confusion and anxiety into the torches. The metal baskets holding the flames began to glow white hot. Silver flecks glowed faintly in Ona's blue within blue eyes as she met the winged man's steady gaze.

"I don't know what you mean by regular magicks." she said, her voice was low yet steady. "I am merely a simple woman with a few talents."

She was telling the truth.....wasn't she?

 

[Mantra]

Ona and Phalanx

"I don't know what you mean by regular magicks." she said, her voice was low yet steady. "I am merely a simple woman with a few talents."

Phalanx's eyes shifted quickly, noting the change in the lit torches. They again directed on Ona's, narrowing as the did so.

"It is my sacred honor and duty to protect the Matriarch and her haven. If you do not ceace your actions, then I shall judge this as a challenge to my position and I shall kill you where you stand. If you cannot ceace your actions, then you are a danger to yourself and all around you...and I shall kill you where you stand." Phalanx growled, his voice taking on a deadly earnest.

"We may yet speak together, but do not challenge me."

 

[Mystical Avalon]

From her pensieve, Morrigann watched as they took food and rest. She noted curiosity when the elven woman spoke his name. a twinge of recognition ran through her and she was suddenly struck with a vision.

Drifting into his head, she bowed hers summoning the power of shadow as she spoke.

"High Warrior, lift your head to take notice of the elven woman with the green hair. She will be an asset on the journey to follow as you should keep her close to your side. She will help you on your way to the Matriarch. There will be bad times ahead and friends will turn to bitter enemies. She will be faithful as should the Drow. Take the Fay hound and bid your time. Say nothing to anyone and keep your guard up. I will come to you when the time is again right. Ther is a task for you but it is unforseen to me now. Eat refresh dear one."

Leaving him reluctantly as a lover must, she kissed him faintly before growing deep within shadow. What reasons they were bound were stronger than anything. She did not know it yet but loosing her life to save his would be the greatest thing she would ever do. She would love him yes. And somehow she must reach the elven lady.

Backing away from the pensieve, she made her way to the mirror laying on her armoir. The lady was standing in what possed as a kitchen. Splashing water onto the mirror, she stepped into the water.

"Lady, there, Elf creature. You must ware the High Warrior. He wil be your strength as you must be him guide. There are things set in motion that no one can stop but he will need you on his journey" the water faded and Morrigann stepped back. She hoped the lady would understand her hurried message. The power of Avalon would help. The power of Shadow would help. Her life for his.

 

[Dracona]

"It is my sacred honor and duty to protect the Matriarch and her haven. If you do not ceace your actions, then I shall judge this as a challenge to my position and I shall kill you where you stand. If you cannot ceace your actions, then you are a danger to yourself and all around you...and I shall kill you where you stand." Phalanx growled, his voice taking on a deadly earnest.

"We may yet speak together, but do not challenge me."


Phalanx’s words caused Ona to flush with anger, searing white hot anger. How dare he speak to her in this manner! She offered no challenge, posed no threat. She had come to be of some service and her life was being threatened by the very people she had thought to help? She would show them…show them all. These thoughts passed through her mind in a split second and she sensed the air vibrating around her.

Movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention and she glanced that way, tensed to defend herself….instantly all of her anger drained away….

The boy whose laughter had warmed her heart was now shifting closer to the large winged man. His eyes were huge and filled with fear….fear of her. She reached a hand toward him and then cringed as he darted behind Phalanx peering at her from the shelter of his wing.

Had she lived alone too long? She thought back to the time after she had found herself in the forest and why she had decided to live away from others. Phalanx was right, her lack of control did make her a danger to innocents around her. She had chosen the life of a hermit as much to protect others as for her own peace. It had taken weeks, months, for her to learn to keep her emotions under some semblance of control. Now that she had willingly thrown herself back into contact with others she would have to tighten that control.

Her hand dropped to her side and Ona looked up to meet Phalanx’s watchful gaze…and she understood. There was a great evil growing in the world, there would be war, there would be bloodshed. She was an unknown, she had not shown herself trustworthy. How could he not see her as a possible threat? She squared her shoulders and took a long steadying breath.

“All I can give is my word that I mean no harm.” She spread her hands before her, palms outward in a gesture of peace. “I do not know the people I come from, or why I can do the things I do…but I will not allow harm to come to anyone from my actions. This I swear.”
It was the best she could offer. Whoever and whatever she had been in the past no longer mattered. She was who she was now and in this moment, and no innocent would suffer at her hands.

….never again….A tiny echo of a pain filled voice drifted briefly through her mind and was still.

She stood facing Phalanx as if awaiting judgement…a feeling that was strangely familiar.

 

[Mantra]

As thension and temperatures rose, Phalanx crouched, his wings folding back as he rose his arms, spreading his fingers as if to spring and grapple. He hissed meanicingly towards Ona, bearing sharp teeth. The child scurried towards him and Phalanx pushed him back and behind him, away from any potential harm. It was then on that razor's edge that Ona realized her situation, letting the anger and tension drain away.

“All I can give is my word that I mean no harm. I do not know the people I come from, or why I can do the things I do…but I will not allow harm to come to anyone from my actions. This I swear.”

Phalanx held his position for a moment, feeling for any possible hint of a trap or ruse before slowly letting his fighting stance ease.
"So be it." He looked down at the child, who was still wide-eyed at the whole incident. "Go boy, return home."

The boy ran off and Phalanx turned his full attention back to Ona.
"To anwser your first question; what I consider'regular magicks' would be either the manipulation of powers and energies to create what the person wishes or to alter events through the use of certain words, gestures or symbols. Or they can channel the devine powers and gifts which are bestowed on them by the dieties. You however do neither to achieve your ends, I find this 'curious'."

"So who are you girl and why have you come here?"

 

[Screech]

The Elf-girl had returned to her duties, those of washing the pishes of the feast. She let herself feel the annoyance that filled her everyday life at being confined within this latge structure. She mumbled to herself and glanced around at the other two serving maids in the room. They seemed content with their lot in life, but she was destined for greater! For she was Valanthe Nailo! Huntess to the Lady of Avalon!

Or, she had been. Right here, right now, she was the serving girl Val. Her attention returned to the washing. Then, a voice entered her mind, bidding her to aid the High Warrior! To guide and protect him on his journey! The message was short, and the voice faint, but she pulled a name from her deep memory and attached it to the voice.

"It shall be done, Mistress Morrigan."

 

[Dracona]

Ona sadly watched the boy dash off, sorry that she had been the cause of his distress. She had been drawn to him…to something familiar in his smile. She flicked her gaze back to Phalanx, the dark blue outer band nearly overwhelming the lighter blue inner ring of her iris. Her sorrow was a deeper well than she cared to look into at this time.

She half turned to run a calming hand along Bardo’s neck as Phalanx spoke. Calming for the donkey, calming for her. She thought about what he was saying…gestures and symbols, deities…they meant nothing to her. There was nothing in her mind to base a reference on.

"So who are you girl and why have you come here?"

Ona sighed and made a decision. If she wanted to gain trust and not suspicion she needed to be as honest as she was able to be with those she hoped to work with. She turned to face him again, crossing her arms over her chest as if chilled.

“Two summers ago I found myself in the forest….” She related what she remembered in a low emotionless voice, as if talking of someone else. It was the only way to keep things from bursting into flame around her. She told of the blood she had washed from her body…of the blinding pain trying to remember beyond coming to herself in the forest that day caused…of her decision to live apart from any others…

“I don’t know if what I do is magical…they are just things that I can do. I think about something and it happens, whether it is moving objects, manipulating fire or connecting my mind with others and knowing what they are thinking or feeling….and that’s why I have come here.” She looked Phalanx straight in the eye so that he could read her sincerity. “I felt the evil that is gathering power. I knew that if I had felt it others would know of it as well and be preparing to fight it. I don’t know the hows and whys, I only know that I felt compelled to come and be of whatever help I possibly could.”

Ona watched Phalanx for a reaction. Her mind ticked over what she had told him knowing that there was something she had left out. A thing that she knew had something to do with her forgotten past. She looked down at her forearms and chewed her lip pensively. Should she show him the marks hidden behind the leather bands she wore? Could she show them without them causing the kind of anger and shame within herself that she had just fought so hard to control?

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn had listened once again to the voice of the spectral Morrigann as she spoke to him as if in a dream. He looked to find the Elven girl, the one he had seen serving, the one that had called him by his given name. Not finding her within the room, he finished up his dinner, nodded to those that had gathered at the table, and excused himself.

The Fay hound was curled asleep by the roaring fire that shown in the hearth on the other side of the room. O'Bonn walked over near him, and gazed upon the tapestry hung on the wall.

The tapestry was a map of the Known World. It was, in fact, the original, drawn by the great Elf K'Nel'Shutta. O'Bonn saw Red Mountain, where they now rested. He looked, past the village of Gall, to Balmora, into the great lands of his people. He thought for a moment. N'Leauthra and his infantry were camped in Suran, to the east on the coast. There was a contingent of Elven soldiers quatered in Gall. It would take only a few days for either to reach the Warlands, if in indeed that was where they must go. O'Bonn knew he must take counsel with the Great Dragon, to learn what evil they now faced, and from where this evil came.


O'Bonn leaned close to Drakkon. "I must speak with Thorn, my lord. Time is of the essence now. Evil is about. I bring this to her," he said reaching into his belt pack. He withdrew a small, green colored stone, like an emerald, but veined with red. His people called it a dragonstone, and it was an appropriate name, for the legend told of the great dragons having built a fortress long ago, before even the Elves were known. Inside the fortress, there was a cache of these stones, used by the dragons to see into the hearts of the lesser creatures. These stones were incredibly rare, and priceless to the Elves.

 

[Screech]

Shifting on his seat, Garfield was getting more and more uncomfortable with the heat in the great room. Standing up, he excused himself from everyone nearby and walked out of the room, moving back the way they had first come. The furthur from the dining hall he got, the cooler the air got.

Finaly relaxing, he leaned against a wall and glanced around himself. Seeing that on-one was in the vacinity, he pulled out one of the octagonal tiles that he had removed from the ogre's keeping earlier. Examining it closely, he tried to work out just what these things were for, and just why each one had different markings apon them. If only he had a spell to summon such knowledge.

Then the thaught struck him. He could ask one of the ogres! Sure, they were dead, but what sort of barrier was death these days? Pocketing the tile, Gar rushed back down the passage back to the outside world where the battle with the beasts had taken place

 

[Mantra]

Ona and Phalanx

Phalanx's eyes never wavered, instead, they bored holes into Ona's heart and soul as he studied her, analyzing every word and motion she said and made.

"You are a strange one." he said, "An enigma, and I do not like such things. We face and enemy which is very cunning as well as wicked and I do not trust easilly. I shall take you to see the Martiarch now, this very night. If she chooses to vouch for you, then you shall be allowed to go about your way with the others. If she doubts, then you shall never leave her chambers."

Phalanx's body language and the tone of his voice made it clear that his offer was not optional.

 

[Mantra]

The Great Hall

Drakkon accepted the offering, admiring the stone a moment before settling it in a pocket.
"As you wish Nightblade, I shall make the arrangements. If there will be no others, and seeing as some of the guests have already taken to their own interests, I shall see to the quartering of the rest of you. A word of caution if I may. You are welcome here and may come and go as you choose. The bath houses, dining hall as well as a chapel will be made available to you, but I humbly ask you not to wander through the keep. "

He stood, looking at O'Bonn directly. "Such a breech of trust would not be looked kindly on. And now, I shall go. You shall all be escorted to rooms for the night and i shall come for you when the Matriarch is willing to recieve you."

 

[Mantra]

Garfield

Garfield made his way back down the entry hall and towards the courtyard and gate. As he did so, his fingers traced the tile edges, as he tried to riddle out the mystery. Each tile was the same, save for the image in the center. Most had small chips here and there along their edges as well as having flakes of some sort of adhesive on the backs. Clearly, these tiles were plundered from some larger thing, and probaply rough handled by the ogres as well.

Emerging outside, Garfield realized the shock of the sudden change from very warm inner halls, to damn cold and snowing outside. The courtyard was only dimly lit and outside wasn't much better. Drakkon had been right in that snow was alredy falling in great, fat white flakes, dampening what sights, sounds and smells could be detected. Farther down, he could see small lights bobbing about near what he thought was their battle site only a few hours ago.

 

[Screech]

Gar put the tiles away as in involuntary shiver ran through him. Damn it was cold outside! Cold enough that even he could feel it. But then, it was better than that blasted stifling heat inside.

Keeping himself low, he started to creep forward through the snowdrifts, wary of the dancing lights. What they were, he didn't know. And what he didn't know, normally wanted to inflict serious pain apon his person. Still, talking with those ogres was something he didn't want to have to pass up.

Creeping ever closer, his mind kept wandering what those lights were...

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn bowed to Drakkon, then left with the majai-hi and followed a servant to a waiting room.

The High Warrior took one look at the large and comfortable bed, and he immediately shed his armor and weapons. He saw the Far hound had the same idea, as the silvery-white wolf-dog curled up on the rug at the foot of the bed. O'Bonn lay upon the bed and wished for sleep to take him.

As soon as his eyes closed, he began to dream. Morrigann was there, in a grassy grove beside a stream......

 

[Screech]

Valanthe

Ever since the incident with the voice and the water, the elf girl had been distracted from her work. Time had passed and the other servants had left, going about other chores. Filling a pitcher full of water, she left the kitchen

Wandering back into the main hall, she noticed the O'Bonn had left, as had the hound that was by his side. Also missing was Drakkon. Given the time of day, she thaught, it was likley that they were preparing for a night's rest. That would make finding the High Master that much easier.

Still carrying the pitcher, the elf girl moved off down toward the gues quarters

 

[Dracona]

Silence hung heavily on the air as Ona gazed at Phalanx for a moment. Oddly, she felt something like a kinship with him. She knew that he meant what he said, her life was forfeit should she be found lacking. There was war coming and he would do what was necessary. She was an unknown variable, even to herself.

“So be it.” Ona lifted her chin and straightened to her full height. “I will see your Matriarch and she shall be my judge and jury….and no doubt you shall be my executioner if it comes to that.”

She went to Bardo and gave him a parting scratch between the eyes before turning back to Phalanx and offering a strange half smile.

“Not that I am worried, but if it doesn’t go well for me would you make sure someone kind takes care of Bardo here?” She shrugged and walked to stand beside Phalanx, looking up to meet his golden stare. “He’s a bit on the dumb side, but really quite sweet. Perhaps the boy…”

Keeping her head up and her back straight she preceded Phalanx from the stables somehow knowing that he would want her where he could keep an eye on her. Undoubtedly he would tell her where he wanted her to go. It was what she would do with a potential enemy. Yet somehow she thought that perhaps she was getting much better treatment than she would have given if she was in his position, and that worried her a bit.

 

[Mantra]

Outside the Keep

Gar continued towards the flickering lights and made out several dark shapes as they moved about with the lights. A moment's deduction revealed them to be torches, held by dwarvish hands.

After a moment of observation, Gar noted that a group of the dwarves were busy removing the bodies, loading them up onto sleds and apparently, dragging them off the mountain. If only he...

"Oi, fuzzy! What is it you be doin' out here, ay?"

...Drat![ he thought to himself.

 

[Mantra]

[/i]"and no doubt you shall be my executioner if it comes to that.”

"Yes." Phalanx said simply, with what almost sounded like sympathy.

They said nothing more, insted Phamx followed her up the way they cad come, but not to the dining hall. Instead they went another way until they came to a small, open room which seemed to be a sort of bedroom.

"You will stay here." he said motioning for her to enter. "Do not exit until I come for you."

He said nothing else, instead he sinply closed the door and Ona heard it lock behind him.

"You stay here." Phalanx's muffled voice drifted to her from outside. "If she attempts escape, kill her."

 

[Screech]

Crap. Dawrves. And they'd noticed him. This wasn't good. No sir.

He started to sweat again, despite the cold

"Ah. Yes, well, you see, I'd come back out here to see those lovely fellows that are being towed away by you're, uhhh, friends. I believe they may, uhhh, might havem known something"

Gar hoped that the Dwarves would at least let him close enough to one of the ogres so that he could get off a spell...