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

[LittleSprite]

Outside:
Idrial's room:

The two elves chatted softly when the door opened revealing the youthful, boy-dragonman, Reverend.

"I was right." he said to himself when he saw Idrial. "I knew something was wrong here. Did the shadows touch her?"

O'Bonn and Val quickly explained what had happened as Reverend bent over Idrial's still form, examining her.

"She is not well, but neither has she passed to her next life. I will do whaty I can for her, but now you must go. The Matriarch herself has commanded all the companions of the Two-Blood shall attend her. I am to bring you to her."

Idrial could hear Reverend as she continued to swim in the darkness she had no idea how long she lay where she was or how long they had been gone when she finnaly managed to open her eyes.. The light hitting them even tho it was dim was bright and her arms as she raised them to sheald herself felt as tho they were made of led...

Groaning softly she managed to slowly pull herself to a sitting postition using the wall for support. The room spun and swam before her eyes she closed them and leaned back against the wall for a few moments until she felt she could move again, and tryed to get up off of the bed.

Only shear determanation and anger at being so helpless kept her on her feet as she made her way to the door of her room. She had to find Rhys and the others.. she had to get to Thorn.. She fell in the room as she looked for her wepons.. she couldnt remember what had happend for her to be so week and nearly usless had she almost died??? she didnt know and she didnt like it....

The only thing that kept going threw her mind was that she needed to protect Rhys and fullfill the quest she had been set upon, and to do that she needed to get to the others to get to Thorn..

Slowly making her way down the hall even with her wepons she knew she stood no real chance of defending herself in the state she was in if anyone did attack her. Arriving at the doors to Thorns chamber she raised her hand to knock and nearly fell to her knees. Grumbling her own frustrations out she steadied herself against the door frame and then raised her hand to knock once more.

 

[Mantra]

"Great One, who is this that attacks us without revealing himself?"

Thorn's head settled onto the dirt, just to one side of the pool.
"A wise question, young one. I have sensed the wolven and the ogres, but neither are strong enough nor have the ability to animate the dead or summon shadows. I have sensed the presence of Rakasha in the distance beyond the mountains as well, but I suspect they too, are merely pieces on a chessboard. Rarely do so many varyous creatures rally together and all have tangled with us in the past and learned well to fear us. No, there is another, someone who has managed to bind these creatures together in one cause."

"To kill the boy-child you have brought to me."

Thorn sighed, kicking up a puff of dust from the floor before continuing. "I do not know who that one is, but it is there, that much I can divine, and there is more, but I must explain first. I must tell you about the beginings of the world."
"By our religion and beliefs, when the Gods created the universe, they joined together and created the five First Races to populate the universe and aid them. These were the Angels, the Fey, the Djinn, the Dragons and the Demons. From these First Races, all other races either were made after or decended from. It is why some of my Kith refer to your kind as 'Lessers'."

"There is much in lore, ledgend and history but little time. What is important is that the Demons despised the Dragons for our power and position, as well as our great wealth. The wars began in earnest soon afterwards and Demonkind and Dragonkind have warred ever since in a Blood-Feud that has reached back almost as long as time has existed."

"In these attacks and events which have transpired here, I feel the Blood Feud. Things are in motion which I cannot predict and shall take time to divine. The boy, Rhys, is very special and has been marked for death by our ancient enemy. Idrial, Two-Bloods, has become the Protector of Rhys and in doing so, has likewise has been marked for death."
Thorn's head came up and swayed from side to side, looking over each of the party before her.

"And it is likely that those that travel with her shall so be marked as well."

"Thork cocked her head to one side for a moment. "There is more, but let the door open and invite the Two-Bloods in. She is key in this and is likely still unwell following her attack."

 

[Bladesman]

Draken leapt to the floor, the room pitch black and silent. " Varadone....Hurgo...Dranco...Mortouse." A swirling purple and blue portal opened up in the room, the other side of the portal opening up on the other side of the mountain. This portal being the only true mage skill that he possessed, the rest of his magic was raw and untrained.

He looked around for a moment, then leapt into the portal, its swirling shape expanding then shrinking to nothingness as he disappeared. Seconds later he appeared, not on the ground as he had hoped, but in a tree. He quickly grabbed a branch and pulled himself onto a comfortable position, where he could await the travellers exit from the mountain lair.

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial waited as the doors were opened for her stepping back as the door moved so that she didnt fall on her face. Slowly making her way into the room she bowed before Thorn as best she could and knelt next to her companions...

She did not speak but waited and listened as the others did to Thorns words. Rhys was where she had left him at Thorn's side for which she was greatful, and all of her companions were there as well which eased some of her worrie, and she could focus on what lay ahead for them all should they join her.

 

[Mantra]

Draken

Draken took what shelter he could in the tree and settled in as was available in the snow laden branches. His visibility was dampened by the falling snow, even with his gifted vision, but he had a good vantage point at least. More concerning, was his clothing, which stood out clearly among the eternal white of snow. Fortunatly, the wind was mild and although it was cold, if was not freezing cold...yet at least, but the sudden hot from the dragon caves to the cold of the treetop made him shiver.

Even with his limited range of sight, Draken spotted two approaching individuals. They were heavilly clothed against the weather, but both carried heavy wood axes. Both were bearded, but too tall to be dwarves. They seemed oblivious to Draken as they made their way through the snow and would pass almost directly beneath his perch.

 

[blackopal19]

ooc- I would like to reintroduce my old charator, Gabrielle the centuar back into the plot, but am unsure of where to jump in at...

 

[Dracona]

Ona held her place, moving only her eyes to take in the others as they entered and knelt in respect of the great dragon. She listened as Thorn spoke, her mind absorbing the tale and saving it to mull over as the days progressed. What stood out in her mind was the fact that by journeying here and ending her seclusion she had dropped herself right in the middle of terminal danger.

She looked long at the boy sitting safely within Thorn's shadow then gazed along the line of her companions and watched as the doors were opened and the woman, Idrail, entered. The strain of whatever had befallen her was evident in her slow pace and the way she held herself as she joined them. She would need the strength and support of those who joined her if the boy were to remain alive to fulfill what destiny lay before him.

Unbidden came the memory of Phalanx's words to her in the stable. If she was as much of a danger to herself as to others would she be a help or a hinderance. Could her presence only add to their danger? For that matter, was she willing to put her own life on the line for the sake of this quest?

Once more her gaze traveled over her compainons and rested finally on the child who needed their help and protection. There was more at stake here than the life of one child and the lives of those in this chamber, especially her own. This was something she had to do, as if to atone....for what she didn't know.

Her gaze flickered to Phalanx and then back to focus on Thorn and her chin lifted a bit in defiant determination. Yes, she would do this....she would travel with them, fight at their side and stake her own life on the outcome.

 

[Bladesman]

After a moment of studying the two men walking. He decided that the two men were human and thier cloaks were the perfect color to blend in with the snow. He leaned forward slightly and limbered up his longbow. He pulled an arrow from his quiver and looked it over. He found the fletching to be a bit rough but it should be good enough to do the job. He nocked the arrow and drew it back as he sighted in the lead man.


He drew in a breath and released the first arrow. The arrow spiralled downward and slammed into the man's left eye and out through his skull. The second man did a very laughable thing. He raised his woodaxe into a guarded stance and began to dart looks around into the trees, trying to figure out where the arrow had come from. Draken smirked, were humans always this stupid?

He moved to the other side of the tree and slowly climbed down. He slipped around through the woods cover, so that he was behind the man. He wanted the cloak that the man was wearing, it was white fur and would be warmer and hide him better then what he was wearing. He drew his dagger and stepped silently up behind the man and tapped him on the shoulder.

The man spun around, his axe flying around in a wild swing. Draken ducked the cut and drove his dagger into the man's chest piercign a lung and dropping him to the ground. Draken removed his cloak and put it over his own cloak and walked away. He looked around and found a bigger tree that would provide him better shelter then the first tree. he climbed about twenty feet into the tree and sat back and waited.

 

[Mantra]

Draken

The two men died easilly, they did not seem to have much skill in combat and once they were dead, Draken pulled off the heavy cloak. It was not specifically white, but was already caked with snow and made from several rabbit pelts, sewn together.

He threw on the cloak and climbed again, this time choosing a different tree. As he was climbing, he spotted yet a third, similar man walking through the snow. He came towards Draken's tree, but stopped well short of the carnage wreaked on his fellows. His bearded face looked up into the tree untill he was looking directly at Draken, but he did nothing save raise one arm, pointing back towards the way he'd come, then stood there, arm raised and looking up.

 

[blackopal19]

Gabrielle

Gabrielle left the crowded and distasteful village to the more secure, less inhabited forest. It was cold, but she wore only a thin grey cloak that draped over her shoulders and gracefully over her equine back.

She stuck to the animal trails that wound slowly, with the snow being too deep for her to forge her own path. It was of no matter, as she was searching for a lowland stand of trees or other forms of shelter.

It was then she spotted the two forms of the dead humans laying upon the snow. Humans. She knew not their ways, and they often made her nervous. She stopped short, her centuar form hidden in the treeline. Upon the bodies was a third man. She knew not if he was friend or foe, or if he was the murder.

Silently, she drew forth her own bow, and notched an arrow. She raised her arm, her keen eyes taking careful aim. No, she would murder a man, but untill she knew for sure he would be treated with utmost caution. Hopefully, he would continue on his journey, never knowing she was there.

She stood there with the famous centuar patience and grace, with the only movement being the soft tendrils of her long hair being toyed with by the wind.

 

[Mantra]

In the Snow

The man stood, statuelike for a minute or two, then lowered his arm, slowly turning, looking about hesitantly. His searching gaze finally settled on Gabrielle as she stood. He turned to face the centaur fully, just looking before slowly walking forward, pushing his way through the snow towards where she stood.

"Another one." he said, seemingly oblivious to her weapon. "What is your name."

 

[blackopal19]

"My name is of no importance."

Her arrow was notched, and raised to the perfect hieght. She took a step back, her hoofs soundlessly placingin the deep snow. This man didn't seem right....didn't seem safe.

But yet she still would not kill him for spite. Centuars are not murderers.

"Hold thy ground and come no closer. Pray tell, what is thy business?"

 

[Mantra]

"Hold thy ground and come no closer. Pray tell, what is thy business?"

Despite the weapon and her challenge, the man still continued forward towards her.

"Everything and nothing is our business. Everything is relivent to us, nothing matters to us. Lead one to their destiny, draw another to their fate, but you, you should not be here now."

"Which one of them touched you? They are marked.....as are you...."

 

[Bladesman]

Draken watched the man turn toward another part of the woods, his back turned to Draken as he approached something else. He smiled, the man had turned his back on a very dangerous opponent to look toward another person. He pulled his quiver to his side and looked into it. There was a certain arrow that he needed to find. Its fletching was white with a black shaft, the arrowhead was smaller with tiny poison tipped spines.

The poison was from the black viper, the most venomous snake in the underworld. Luckly only those in the city of shadows knew of the antidote for the poison. The poison was slow acting and almost impossibile to detect unless someone knew the signs that a person showed when they were poisoned.

He nocked the arrow and sighted it in on the man's lower back, just below his right kidney. Releasing the arrow, he quickly tucked his bow away and opened a portal that would let him move to a different tree. He leapt inot the portal just as the arrow pierced into the mans side. A second later, he was on the other side of the small woods. Now he could see what had caught the mans attention, there was a centaur standing near the now fallen man.

 

[blackopal19]

The man was not making sense and Gabrielle was torn. To committ murder...or to stop him from hurting her. She lowered her bow just a fraction..her aim now to brush his leg with the sharpness of her arrow. At least it would slow him.

"Marked by whom?"

Was this human a spy? Did he know of her pact with the others? Or was he simply part of the band of humans known for thier instability? She needed to know.

But she would not have the opportunity to hear his responce as she heard the sharp burn as an arrow slid through the air and pierced the man infront of her. His face twisted and he fell to the snow. She could smell the stinging stench of poison and instantly her eyes flew to the area she logically knew the arrow must have come from. But it was silent, and not a movement.

Panic threatened to distract her and fought to remain calm. She twisted her body around, looking, searching. Did she walk into a trap or was it a loner? Running at this point was not an option, as the deep snow would hinder her and slow her down...not to mention exhaust her. And if it proved to be an enemy she would rather die fighting than a worse fate.

"Who are you?"

She cried out, her fear and panic hidden well in her authoritative call.

 

[Bladesman]

"Who are you?"


This cry came echoing back to Draken. It was quite laughable actually to him and he smirked and almost started to laugh. "Who am I? You ask the wrong question of me. It is not who I am, that should worry you. Rather what I am here for and where I am at.You also should be worried about wheither or not I have you in the sights of my bow.You fail to ask the right questions, I am suprised.

I don't think I should tell you anything.....at least not yet. Perhaps you should be the one to tell me who you are and why you are here."

 

[blackopal19]

Gabrielle

Gabrielles eyes scanned every conceivable position, her keen eyes missing nothing. The voice was coming from someplace closer, and not the angle the arrow came from. So either he was a very quick mover or there were more.

"Ask the right questions? And yet you too wish to know who I am. No, I shall not ask the obvious ones, as the response may not be trusted. If you were to murder me, like the humans laying upon the snow, you would have done so already."

There. She almost had his position. If only he would continue to talk, his voice would give him away. Of course that wouldn't help if there were more, but it was a start. The tip of her arrow followed exactly where her eyes were searching, ready to release at a moments notice.

Oh how she wished for the long sheilds of her bretheren! But they were heavy and not meant for the roaming and travelling she was used to. But she had never fought in armour and would not start now, no matter how tempting the thought was at this moment.

 

[Bladesman]

Draken smiled. It seemed she had turned his statement around on him. If there was something he enjoyed more then a good battle it was a battle of wits. He moved to the back of the tree and slowly climbed down to the ground. He tucked away his longbow and drew one falchion. This could prove to be very intriging and possibily a chance to get some information. It would all depend on how the centuar acted.

He was extremely cautious as he inched around the first tree and into the open. She wouldn't see him quite yet and he could strike if he wanted to, however, he needed information about the boy Rhys. He held his weapon to the side and stepped into the side of her vision.

"Centaur. You now know where I am, what will you do?"

 

[blackopal19]

Her Centuarian ears heard the soft thud and crunching of snow as he made to reveal himself. She grinned. By the rythem of his walk she could tell that he thought himself hidden yet. She let him have that ruse, and turned towards him as he stepped into her eyesight.

But her bow was still level upon him.

"Centaur. You now know where I am, what will you do?"

"It depends upon your next move. A shot to your calf would do nicely to stop you upon a charge, or perhaps I could aim higher..to make for a quick kill. My aim is impeccable."

She quickly calculated the next few moves she could make. The snow would hinder her for sure, but not stop her.

Although he had his weapon raised, he did not seem ready for a sudden attack. Did he want something, need something, or was it simply entertainment for others hidden in the woods?

 

[Bladesman]

"Perhaps you could kill me, perhaps your aim might just miss. Have you considered that? Or there is a chance that I have another method that I could use against you, you fail to consider that. However I will not do anything hostile if you agree not to as well, since my mission does not involve you. However you may be of some use to me after a form. You have several questions that much is plain to see, well so do I. You answer my questions, I will answer what I am permitted to answer of your questions."

He wasn't about to truly trust this centuar. He had heard about and seen their prowess with a bow before. Their race was strong and wise, however they were part of the surface world and not exactly the most trustable to drow. He would have to wait and see what happened.

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial... Thorns chamber

Idrial waited as the doors were opened for her stepping back as the door moved so that she didnt fall on her face. Slowly making her way into the room she bowed before Thorn as best she could and knelt next to her companions...

She did not speak but waited and listened as the others did to Thorns words. Rhys was where she had left him at Thorn's side for which she was greatful, and all of her companions were there as well which eased some of her worrie, and she could focus on what lay ahead for them all should they join her.

Idrial was unsure as to how long they knelt where they were it couldnt have been long sence she had joined them in the room but she could not seem to focus, only her detemanation not to fall on her face infront of Thorn, and to protect Rhys as well as the others kept her upright.

Thorn continued to speak with them telling O'bonn and the others of the riddle and all that they would be up against when they journyed to Dreamweavers tomb. She tryed to think of Thorns words and how things fit together..Dreamweaver must be put to rest...the directions Thorn had given her were comming back.

Five days ride to the south lies another patch of hill lands surrounded by marshes. This too, was once the home of another of my kin, DreamWeaver. He was a powerful draconic rune mage and an eon ago, a consort of mine. Yet, although we are powerful and long lived, we dragons are not immortal. Time eventually brought DreamWeaver to his greatest challenge, death."

How did one fight an undead dragon... holy wepons yes a preast..perhaps but Dreamweaver tho a feat unto himself is not the ture enamy the one who anamated him and sent the rest of these things is.... As to the riddle..
Evil comes and Villainy brings,
Darkness comes on Dragon’s Wings

Fueled by Rage and an Age-old War,
Seeking to tip the Scales forevermore.

now one Stands,
Holds the fate of World with in her hands.

Idrial still could not peace it together she needed more information and had a feeling they would find out more along the way and that it would all come together in the end.

 

[blackopal19]

"And I suppose i should just put away my bow to please you? I think not. Untill you give me a reason my aim shall remain. "

She studied him. He was odd, different. Definatly a threat.

He needed something, that much was clear. She wondered if the men laying dead upon the snow had refused him.

She was also beginging to think he was alone. So much better for her.

"And who says I have the knowledge you seek?"

 

[Bladesman]

"I said nothing about putting your bow away. Keep it trained on me if it makes you more comfortable."

This centaur was beginning to annoy him, that much was plain. He looked down to his weapon, wishing he could put it to good use at that moment. How he wanted to see the blood fly from the centaur, his fingers twitched as the thought of bloodshed enticed him.

It took quite a bit of self control for him not to attack at that very moment. He calmed himself and looked at the centaur. It was time to try a different method of attempting to gain knowledge.

"My apologies noble centaur, I have forgotten my manners. I am Prince Draken Shadowlord, heir to the throne of the City of Shadows. This realm is unfamiluar to me and I do not know most of the creatures and races of the this realm. Perhaps you might forgive my rudeness and consent to help me to a certain degree."

 

[Mantra]

Thorn's Chambers

Drakken assisted Idrial to a smooth stone where she could sit. All heard the accounting of the prophecy and of DreamWeaver. If anything, the group looked at best, ill and at worst, petrified.

"There are many things in motion now, things which are both hidden as well as complex. They will take time it interpret. I had hoped that you would have some time to organize and bond in the safety of my commune. Now I do not see that as wise."

"Although I cannot divine all that there is, I know that the Two-Bloods is central in what is to happen. She is the Protector and the threads of destiny wind about her. Tragically, our enemy has divined this as well. Already they have struck three times here in my commune. Once at Idrial herslef. In the meantime, DreamWeaver gets stronger and will soon threaten thousands, not to mention the mockery of a once-great and majestic being like DreamWeaver being used as a tool by his reanimators. The offer I made to Idrial stands for each of you. Put DreamWeaver to rest and I shall reward each of you from my own horde. "

"In any case, you must go, and you must go soon."

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial nodded, and gripped Drakkens arm gently silently thanking him for helping her to sit while Thorn spoke. She knew Thorn was right and that as soon as they could gather what they needed they should be off staying any longer would only put Rhys and Thorn in more danger here they could not even risk staying another night.

Once Thorn had dismissed them Idrial arose using the wall behind her for support, and turned to the room at large. I will understand if you do not wish to go, but for those of you who are willing to acompany me we must gather only what we will need, and leave emedatly. Remember that Dreamweaver is undead and anything you can think of to use in putting him to rest will be helpfull. she said.

Letting go of the wall she reolized that she was feeling stronger than she had when she entered the room. At least it wasnt spinning and she could walk a little better. With any luck she would be well enough to defend herself once they left.