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

[Screech]

Valanth stood up after Idrial had spoken. "I am Valanthe Nailo of Avalon. I have been commanded by my mistress to safeguard both yourself and Master O'Bonn, and I shall do so, even with my life if need be. All I need to to be released from my duties here, and I shall be at your side"

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial looked from Valanth to Thorn before speaking. It would be an honor for you to join us Valanthe Nailo of Avalon, and should you be released from your duties here you are welcome to come.

Looking around the room she knew O'bonn had not changed his mind and as far as she knew Thelron, and Drakkon were still with her as well.

She hopped they had not changed their minds but even if they had she under stood why and would not hold it against them, and if she lived threw the tasks ahead then she would still come to their aid should they have need. It was simply her way.

 

[Dracona]

Ona stared fixedly at the stone floor letting all that she had heard sink into her mind. Her attention was drawn to her hands braced against her bended knees and she slowly raised them and turned them to stare at her palms thoughtfully. These hands had done terrible deeds, of that she was certain, but now they would be used for something good. For once the wide leather bands covering the marks on her forearms didn't overwhelm her with self loathing. Now she had a purpose, there would be no more hiding away from the rest of the world. She raised her gaze to Thorn and the child sheltered in her shadow and her back straightened with determination.

Rising to her feet she moved to stand beside Valanthe, nodding to her briefly as she turned her face to Idrial.

"I am Ona....I will join you on this mission, if you will have me."

 

[Screech]

Gar had stood squietly, almost transfixed with terror in the presence of so many beings that could snap him like a twig if they had reason. And what more reason would they need other than him accomanying them for his own, selfish ends? Best to remain quiet, and to lend his aid to where it is needed to keep up the pretense. Besides, O'bonn's group had already accepted his help in return for first 'appraisals' of the loot....

"I...w-will f-f-follow"

 

[blackopal19]

"Very well. What do you seek?"

She would not give her name. No matter if it was agaisnt the Old Ways or not. An yet her bow did not move. He gave an air of untrustworthiness.

ooc-sorry for such short post...will do much better on my next.

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial's eyes showed the pride she was feeling as each in turn spoke out that they would join. I thank you all and welcome you.. now we must be off. Turning to Thorn Idrial bowed down once more and thanked Thorn for her aid and that of her protection of Rhys while she was away before rising and leaving the room to prepare her own belongings for emedate travel.

 

[Hun1918]

Over the next few days Malus and his small band of living dead had grown to the size of a army as he raided hamlets and minor villages for new recruit, mostly slaughtering helpless peasants and the few men at arms they to protect them.
“Soon the pathetic fools will no doubt send troops to stop me he said to the rotting zombie of the man he met on the road.
And I must make a sacrifice to the dark god of the void master Set hissed Malus and turn to a brood of undead.
Find me a virgin girl my minions and return to me at the alter of blood in the shadow forest during the next harvest moon”.

 

[Bladesman]

((OCC its cool, I've done it before myself))

"I seek a young boy, His age, I do not know, although Iguess it to be near ten human years old. His name, I believe is Rhys, he is of great importance to the one that sent me. However, I am not permitted to speak of the one that sent me."


He could have told her, however he didn't in order to keep the mission classified as he had been instructed. Now to see what the centaur would do. Now, the question was wheither his employer would send another agent that worshipped a different god, if so. How long would he have to wait till the other agent arrived

 

[Mantra]

Malus

Perhaps two dozen of the undead slaves shuffled off into the snowy woods in search of prey. Tragically, it was doubtful that the mildless zombies would know a 'virgin girl' from any other female, ...or a female period, but even those not acceptable for his ritual could become another zombie minion easilly enough.

Of all his newly raised slaves, the man he had first killed seemed the most 'alive' and reacted best to his commands, even if it too was severly limited in death. Malus especially liked the cynical half-smirk which had become perminate with the onset of rigormortis. Such was the fate of any who displeased him. Two nights had passed before the first of his searchers returned, but it did not being him a sacrifice...instead the 'sacrifice' had returned his searcher.

A human man, quite common looking, without armor or weapons rode in on a jet black horse whose hoves scorched and hissed as they touched the snow...when they touched at all. In a semi-circle around the rider were three other monsterous figures, running along on overly long legs, giving them a foolish loping stride. Each thing looked sort of like a cross between a vulture and an ostrich, but where wings should be, long, bony hook like arms extended and curved. One of these things carried the smirking zombie along it's bony back, but promptly threw it to the snow as the entorage loped to a halt near Malus.

"So you are this wonderous necromancer I was told of." The rider said, as he looked Malus up and down. His horse snorted heavilly, giving off a whiff of sulfer as it's feet slowly sank into the snowbank on which it stood, steam and vapor risisng as it hissed and spat. The vulture things quivered and chicled to themselves as they glared all about them with beady, black eyes.

"I hardly see why you are so special."

 

[Mantra]

Gabrielle and Draken

As the two starred each other down, each looking for the critical flaw in the other, both became aware that they were not alone.

Shapes began to emerge from between the trees to their left. Humans all, but there was a great variety of them. Men, women, children, of all ages, some wearing the heavy winter clothes similar to that which was worn by the slain, and ranging down from casual dress to the under dress of bedclothes. All were armed, although very few actually held weapons. The odd woodaxe, kitchen knives, fireplace pokers were among the devices carried openly as well as a mishmash of other clubs and blades.

They all advanced at a walk, hindered only by the snow, but they did not shamble or stumble as the mindless would. Instead each moved with purpose and intent.

 

[LittleSprite]

ooc: i am going to be out of a puter for awhile my roomates are moving out and the computer i have is theres so until i can buy one i prob wont be on for awhile. Mantra if you will please write my char along with the others it shouldnt take my hubby and i long to get one.

 

[Hun1918]

Malus jumped back as the strange human and his escort approached him and held out his Ivory Staff in defence, “you should show some respect young man to your elders but I see your bless by the dark gods.

Malus had sense strong dark energy drawing closer to him and was taken slightly back once he realise it was centred on a mere mortal.
May I know your name and the reason you come to me while I prepare to summon the dark god Set favour hissed Malus”.

 

[Bladesman]

A crunch of snow from behind caught Draken's attention. He spun around, his falchion leaping up into a guard as he caught sight of the humans. He didn't like this, not in the least. These people weren't in a good mood and he could tell this was gonna get quite ugly They were armed with a variety of lousy weapons that weren't fit to be taken to battle.

He drew his second falchion and looked back at the centaur. "It would appear the human reception committe doesn't seem to care for non-humans. Personally, I would suggest the hostile actions first unless you have a better idea?"

His falchions began to hum. They were semi-aware and hungered at the sight of so much blood. They were able to send a telepathetic thought to his mind. Master, so much chaos we could cause here. It has been some time since we tasted of blood, our thirst grows stronger and stronger. When will we taste of blood again.

"Soon, very soon. When you do it will be more then you know. I can promise you that. It will be more then the you had with the dwarves I can promise you that."

 

[Dracona]

Ona excused herself from the others, chosing to wait for them in the stables where she could check on Bardo. She wound her way through the tunnels and halls and into the large chamber that smelled of hay and horses. Bardo stood in the stall where she had left him, her packs and gear stacked neatly outside it. The small donkey made a welcoming sound when he saw her shuffled over to nudge her with his soft muzzle.

"It seems we will be leaving again, my friend." She scratched him affectionately between his fuzzy ears. "I hate to take you into danger, but I have need of you. We will keep each other safe, yes?"

Leaving Bardo to return to the sweet hay he had been munching she knelt beside her pack and removed a bundle wrapped tightly in homespun cloth. She stroked it thoughtfully for a moment before undoing the knots and folding back the cloth and remove a pair of trousers. They were dyed dark red, the color of heart blood. Shaking them out she laid them across her thighs and reached back to remove a leather tunic dyed the same color as the trousers. The last things removed from the bundle were a wide black belt, thick and sturdy, and a long dagger in a black sheath.

It had been quite some time since Ona had looked on this attire. She had cleaned the blood from them as she had from her own body and exchanged them as soon as she was able for simple clothing made from rough, homespun cloth. She had never worn it again, but for some reason she had kept it safe, feeling that some day there might be some need for it.

With a sigh she stood and glanced around the stable to assure herself that she was alone. She stood and slipped her simple, modest tunic from her body glancing down at her bare form. There were scars here and there on her body. Some that must have come from fairly severe injuries. She shrugged and slipped quickly into the trousers and tunic, buckling the belt around her waist with the dagger's sheath hanging over her left hip. The pliable leather molded to her shape as it warmed. From another bundle she pulled a pair of boots and pulled them onto her feet, the lacings criss-crossing up her shin over her trousers and tying just below her knee. Her discarded, plain clothing was soon rolled and tied the protecting cloth and stowed in her pack.

Tugging briefly at the wide leather bands on her lower arms she sat with her back against the wall, legs folded comfortably, hands resting lightly on her thighs. Now she would wait for the others.

 

[Screech]

Valanthe had left the company of the others as soon as their business with the dragonkind had been compleated. Moving quickly through the keep, she made her way to what passed for a storage room for odds and ends. It was in there that her equipment had been stored. She laughed with glee as she ran, the thaught of getting out of this closed, confined, hot environment playing on her mind.

She started to rummage through the various piles of gear as soon as she arrived. There was quite a variety of equipment and things scattered accross the floor, but none of them interested Valanthe. It wasn't long until she found what she was after. A small bundle of leather clothing, two sheathed knives, and a recurve bow. Her heart leaped as she threw off the maids clothing she had been forced to wear, before unwrapping the bundle and pulling on the clothes: A pair of short, leather leggings, a short leather top, a pair of gloves, and well worn traveling boots. Strapping both knives to he waist, she took up her bow and, once again laughing with glee, rushed for the outside.

*********

Gar was releaved that the meeting had come to an end. He couldn't stand being in the presence of all those dragons any longer! Paying no heed to the others, he had rushed headlong for the way out, feeling releif as the cold winds hit him

 

[Bladesman]

After getting no answer from the centaur, Draken angled his weapons for attack. This was going to be rather enjoyable. He stood there for another moment or two allowing the foremost group of men to get with in weapon range of him before he moved. His black blade becoming a blur as it slashed out and caught two of the five men and slit their throats. His right falchion began to hum quietly as it tasted human blood.

The rest of the seven men jumped back slightly, suprised at the ease with which Draken had killed their two companions. Then they charged, yelling loudly as they rushed him thinking that their numbers could overwhelm him.They raised their rusty swords, daggers and axes as they rushed him. He spun as they reached him, his falchions dancing as they turned aside blow after blow, slipping into bodies after parries and breakign down guards. In a matter of three minutes the five men that had rushed him lay dead around him.

He looked up at the crowd of people. "Who is next?"

Again more people rushed at him as he opened a large portal, the other end of which was the heart of a tree. Ten or twelve people jumped into the portal thinking that it was an illision. The next thing everyone heard was piercing screams from the victims as their bodies became trapped in the trees.

The humans were stunned, they had heard about the savagery of the drow but they had never seen it before. Their pausing gave Draken enough time to call forth the dark energy inside of him and harness it, letting it build to monumental strength before releasing it in a blast of energy that blew everything into the air, killing most and wounding the remainders of the crowd. Trees were blown to shivers with the force of the blast and the gore of some of the humans was splattered against the rock face and door leading into the dragons lair.

His work was done at the moment, his cover had been blown. He quickly opened a portal and leapt through it, he came out on the other side of the mountain, near a large city.

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial gathered her belonging's, her rangers mind turning to the task at hand as she made her way outside. How did one fight a dragon who was already dead... they would need holy wepons or a preast of somesort or both...

Stiring from her thoughts as she stepped threw the doors she saw that three of their party were ahead of her. One she saw entering the stables Ona she thought. Gar and Valanthe were outside as well she smiled and moved to join them in awaiting the others arrivel.

 

[AmenRa]

The High Warrior O'Bonn

He waited quietly, leaning against the wall beside the hearth in the outer room. He had changed clothing, now dressed in the light mail and steel plate armor of the High Warriors. The armor, shining silvery, was adorned with Elven script in gold. His helm, with its sweeping high crest, was fashioned of silver and bronze, and denoted his rank as Master Warrior.

Upon hearing the dragon Thorn's words, O'Bonn had thought much about the coming battle against the undead one.

He could, within a day, summon a battalion of Elven infantry from the nearest fort. And this, he thought, may be necessary at the last.

But now, there were powerful beings in his company. Surely together they could face and defeat any manner of evil.

As Idrial approached, O'Bonn slung his bow and bowed to her. "It is good to see you once again, m'lady."

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial smiled at O'Bonn's words, and glad of his company he had been with her sence shortly after she had found Rhys in the remains of the burnt out village, and was one of the few who wasnt offended by the fact that she was a half elf.

Greetings O'Bonn it is good to be seen, and moving again. I am still a bit swore, and weak but i believe it will pass. How have you and the others faired sence i was attacked? there wasnt much time for us to speak once i made my way to the meeting with Thorn.

 

[Mantra]

Outside the Fortress

Outside the snow was still falling but at least the intensity had eased somewhat. Likewise the wind had stopped but full night had fallen over the mountain top commune.

Some of the group noted the exit of the four younger dragons as the clustered momentarilly at the gatehouse. They spoke to one another in their own language briefly and once more Drakkon and Phalanx seemed nearly to come to blows again before Reverend and LoreKeeper stepped between the two to seperate them. The four broke us shortly thereafter with Drakkon heading out into the snow while LoreKeeper and Phalanx went back down into the keep. Reverend however, walked calmly towards O'Bonn and Idrial.

He nodded as he approached, greeting each before speaking.

"Night has fallen and we offer you all the opportunity to rest and take nourishment within our walls this night. Yet at the dawn, we would ask that you and your allies meet here at our gate. We shall see you off upon your journey."

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn bowed deeply to Reverend as he approached. And upon hearing the dragonkind's offering of rest within the keep, he bowed once again.

"Weariness has yet to claim me, my lord," he said. "That I must be prepared if it does is my need, and I will gladly accept a night of your hospitality." O'Bonn turned towards the countryside and made a sweeping gesture with his hand. "I have traveled this land over, and have yet to find a more honorable soul than that of Dragon!"

The snow fell lightly upon the High Warrior's armor. The helm framed his angled face, the tip of the nosepiece coming to a sharp point. His eyes were clear and bright, and yet the dragonkind and even the half-Elf could see a hint of anxiety in them. Not fear, for fear was not a word the Elf knew. But there was worry, for the task set before them was dangerous, and peace as the world knew it hinged upon their success.

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial had noticed the dragons over by the gate house while she awaited O'Bonn's responce, and wondered what Phalanx had said to provoke Drakkon so. Remembering his comments when Phalanx had come upon her while she bathed. Drakkon had been able to keep control of his emotions then, and it made her wonder what had changed.

Idrial bowed as Revrend approched along with O'Bonn and listened as he and O'Bonn spoke when they were finnished Idrial thanked him as well for the offer of shelter for another night. O'Bonn it seemed had many things on his mind as did they all.

She watched him a moment as he looked out over the land. Twill be alright we will find a way thru this we've come threw thus far. Those were the only words she could offer she couldnt promise that they wouldnt die, but only that perhaps some of them would survive in the end.

Idrial waited a moment more for O'Bonn to speak with her before moving twards where Gar stood relaying Reverends message and then going to the stables to speak with Valanthe so that she would know as well.

Comming back out of the stables she looked twards the guard house and seeing the tracks the Dragons had left her thoughts turned again twards Drakkon.

Deciding to follow him she would see if he needed someone to speak with or vent at.. ether way for some reasion she just couldnt let it be. The only hard part about following his tracks would be if he had decided to take to the air.. tho there were ways to track him if he had it would be much more difficult to do.

 

[Mantra]

Reverend smiled meekly at O'Bonn's words.

"You flatter an old being." he said, although Reverend looked to be no more than a human boy of 18. "Be wary that such flattery does not swell my head young one."
He joked, but seriousness crept into his face quickly. "There is much more to weariness than mere rest, O'Bonn, son of M'Rune. Even were I not a priest I would know that your heart is troubled beyond what we have asked of you. What troubles your heart?"

*********************************************************

Idrial did not have much difficulty following Drakkon through the snow and soon came to the place where the dragon had perched himself atop a rocky outcropping. Snow flecked his head and shoulders yet the cold seemed not to bother him. As Idrial approached, his golden eyes turned towards her.

"You should be resting Idrial Two-Bloods. Tomorrow will be only the start of your tests."

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn heard Reverend's question, and he turned his eyes outwards, towards the very distant mountains that could just be seen.

"It is my place to be here," he told the dragonkind, "among warriors who fight with honor. I am the commander of a great army, a battle mage of great strength, and the son of a great king. And though I feel our fellowship needs a leader, I do not think it should be me."

O'Bonn looked Reverend in his eyes. "Idrial should be named leader of this fellowship. She possesses a soul and keeness I have witnessed only in the greatest of warriors. Yet she gives freely of herself, her love to the man-child, and her devotion to our group. She is, in a way, much like Thorn, who holds and binds all dragonkind together.

"This weighs upon me, my lord, for I fear Idrial will not accept, and the task would fall upon me." O'Bonn lowered his head and continued, quietly, "and I am afraid that in such a task, I would fail."

O'Bonn knew his destiny was not to lead them, but to protect them.

 

[Dracona]

Through the open door of the stables Ona watched the light snow falling. It would be chill travelling, but it was the chill that had settled in the pit of her stomach that concerned her more. Soon they would set out to meet whatever evil was sent their way by the enemy. She stood and went to her pack removing one final item. A hooded cloak the leaden gray of a stormy sky. She slipped it round her shoulders and pulled the hood up to shield her face in shadow. A pat for Bardo and she stepped out into the courtyard.

Her hand went unconsciously to the hilt of the dagger at her hip, caressing it with her fingertips as her gaze rested on the others where they stood speaking. It seemed that they would not be beginning their journey yet. Her eyes tracked Idrial as she followed the one called Drakkon, and she did not wish to intrude on the intent conversation O'Bonn and Reverend were involved in so she turned and made her way back into the Keep. She would return to the main hall and wait there near the warm fire. Instinctively she kept her cloak pulled around her body and stayed in the shadows as she moved silently along the corridor.