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

[LittleSprite]

Idrial stopped and waited as his eyes turned twards her she once again moved forward to stand infront of him. Aye tis true there is much ahead of us.. and we all need our rest, even dragons must gather their strenght. What troubles you my friend? she asked watching the snow fall around him gathering lightly on his head, and sholders thinking that he looked quite handsome but kept those thoughts to herself as she waited for him to speak.

 

[Screech]

Valanthe had been gathering her thaughts, and re-training herself in the stables when Idrial had come in to find her. They had been asked to stay the night as it was getting dark, and cold. She seemed to have something else on her mind as she walked away, and began to follow tracks that only a ranger could.

A ranger, or a wildling.

Gathering her equipment, Valanthe dashed out of the stables and into the snow-driven night, tracking the two sets of prints in the snow that were rapidly dissappearing. It didn't take her too long to find Idrial, and the one she was talking to. Drakkon. Valanthe moved out into the open so that they could both see her easily and approached.

*****

"Great". Gar grumbled to himself. Not moving yet, it seemed. Therefore, he had three choices. One: wait outside in the cold snow. Two: wait inside in the unbareable heat. Three: push on ahead of the rest.

Options two and three were stupid, so option one was the only one left. Muttering a few words, Gar settled down in the snw, a spell of warmth warding off the freezing chill

 

[Mantra]

O'Bonn

Reverend listened and pondered for a moment.

"You are a High Noble of a Royal house, Prince by birth, commander by right. You have fought many foes with both magic and weapondry and been victorious yet you worry that the Two-Bloods will not lead you effectively and by consequence, you must lead in her place and that you too, shall fail in your quest."

"With my skills and power, I can remove your fears for you. It would be quite easy to do really."

 

[Mantra]

Idrial and Valanthe

Drakkon smiled softly back at Idrial.

"You need not concern yourself over me Two-Bloods, yet I thank you for your intent. It is an old arguement between Phalanx and I, pay it no mind."

He motioned a greeting towards Valanthe as she revealed herself.

"There are other things that are more pressing that I have thought about. LoreKeeper and I have debated and mused about your quest. I am worried about your confrontation with DreamWeaver. In life he was most skilled in draconic rune magic, yet even if he does not have such power in undeath, he shall still be nightmarish in his power and fury. Yet it is exactly this which confuses me."

"I have absolutely no doubt that DreamWeaver was brought forth against his will, added to this, in all the time we have known of his existence, he has never ventured far from his lair save for a few, selective strikes. This makes no sense. We know that in the making of a lich, the soul of the creature to be must be place into an enchanted recepticle, a plylactery. Also, since DreamWeaver was forcibly reanimated, it makes sense that his tormentors have kept his phylactery in order to control DreamWeaver's actions."

"Therin lies the weak link. Find the phylactery and with one stroke, you discover the root behind this evil, free DreamWeaver's soul and punish his tormentors."

 

[Mantra]

Ona

Ona only had just gotten the slight chill out of her bones when Phalanx appeared in the doorway, his golden eyes unerringly sought her out as their gaze stabbed through the shadow.

"Come." he said and left the room.

He led her back through the deepening corridors, but they did not go towards the living quarters nor the central halls which led to Thorn's chambers. Nevertheless, the heat grew, telling Ona that they still traveled deep into the fortress. They finally came to a set of heavy iron doors inlayed with gold forming an artistic depiction of two dragons facing one another. Heat practically radiated from the doors, yet Phalanx never hesitated, shoving the doors open and walking through.

A blast of superheated air issued out as the doors opened and Ona had the idea of stepping into an oven. Perperation had already formed on her skin early on, but now sweat rolled off her brow and began to seep through her clothing.

Inside the room was small, circular and dome like. A proverbial pocket in the earth. At the far side were three dragon statues. To the left and right, each dragon wore an eternal snarl and seemed frozen in mid-battle with some unseen adversary. Ona's keen eyes noted that each were crowned with curving horns which mirrored Phalanx's own set. They flanked the center dragon, which was larger, but seemed more regal than fierce. It stood back on it's hind legs with it's forearms out, as if reaching down to take Ona in it's arms.

The center of the room was a shallow pit which was filled almost to the top with round and polished stones. They practically glowed with intensity and ripples of heat bubbled up from them. Around the pit set at the sides of the chamber in a semi-circle were five flat stones like mats.

"Strip." Phalanx said once Ona entered.

Again he ignored her, continuing until he stood before the statues. His red-black wings snapped out and up, extending straight up until they stretched nearly their full six foot length. He fell to his knees with his arms out to his sides. He spoke sords in his own language, sounding like a series of growls and hisses, then lowered himself forward until his forhead, hands and wingtips touched the stones.
He held himself there for a few minutes in silence before rising. His wings folded back into position as he turned to face Ona for the first time.

"Sit." he said, motioning to one of the stone mats around the pit. "Rest. Meditate." Phalanx himself stepped to the mat opposite her and settled himself down in the lotus position. He breathed deeply, exhaling once as he settled, finally tipping his head back and letting his eyes close.

 

[Dracona]

Ona had asked no questions when Phalanx had come to her, merely followed where he led. There was no imminent sense of danger coming from him so she felt...not safe exactly, but close enough. Her eyes took in every detail of the room he had brought her to and returned to focus on the dragonman when he spoke. His order to strip took her by surprise and yet, here in this place that felt somehow sacred, it seemed only right that the trappings of life be removed.

With swift hands she silently removed her cloal and clothing folding them neatly and leaving the belt and dagger on the top of the pile near the door. She hesitated when she looked at the bands covering her forearms, hiding the marks there that she loathed. A quick glance at Phalanx kneeling before the dragon statues and she squared her shoulders, her fingers working the lacings on the bands and slipping them from her arms. She felt vulnerable without them, more so than without the rest of her clothing. Phalanx's voice bidding her to sit caused her to start in an almost guiltily manner and she glanced at him quickly. He took his place on one of the stone mats and seemed to ignore her once more. Ona felt an odd feeling of relief and lowered herself onto the mat.

The heat from the pit of stones caused the air to waiver and blur and Ona lost herself in the nearly invisible patterns. She felt the intense heat seeping deep into her bones, trickles of sweat running down her spine, the hot air of the room filling her lungs as she took one deep breath after another. Glancing over at Phalanx she saw his eyes closed, his breathing even and his muscles free from tension. Yet she was sure that in a split second he would be battle ready. She harbored no ill feelings toward him for her earlier confinement. In fact, after their previous encounters, she found herself beginning to admire him. His was a life of duty and honor, one that she herself envied in a way. He had purpose.

The statues of the dragons drew her gaze and she regarded them as her mind began to expand and drift. Almost she could hear the fierce snarls from the two, as if warning her that they were watching, but it was the center statue which held her attention finally. The arms reaching down seemed to welcome her, accept her. Her eyes drifted closed as she felt herself enfolded in the dragon's arms.

 

[Mantra]

Ona and Phalanx

The heat was soothing and relaxing as it penetrated Ona's body and mind. Tension and worries all melted away under the constant barrage of heat. Time also melted away as they sat in silence. The only sound was the faint breathing of the two along with the rare drip and sizzle and hiss of sweat on superheated stone. Even Phalanx, who had seemingly been immune to both the heat of the caverns an the snowy cold outside now had persperation beading on his horned brow and running down his scarred arms and torso.

"The one on the left is WarCrown, in our language; his name is Lord of War and my Sire. The one in the exalted position to the right is DaemonReaver; which in our language is; Foes Tremble Beneath His Shadow. He is my Sire's, Sire's Sire's, Sire and Destroyer of one of the hated Chosen."

He spoke softly but in the dead silence his words echoed in Ona's ears at first.

"I brought you here to tell you important things. You have been judged by the Matriarch and will be set free, allowed to go with the Half elf. It was I who asked this for you."

His golden eyes finally opened and locked with Ona's. "I will tell you honestly; I did not do this for your benifit, but for practicality. You have an unknown strength, you do not know your purpose nor your past. We have not been able to divine this either save that you are not demon tainted and that your destiny is somehow tied to the Two-Bloods."

"It is hoped that you will be of service to the greater quest and your presence will sew confusion and mystery among our common enemies. At the same time you, as an unknown, will be removed from the Human boy and the Matriarch."

"There is something else. Something that weighed heavilly on my decision to send you away. While Dvination is neither my gift nor am I particuarilly skilled in it, there is one thing I can sense in you. Likely because I recognize the same trait within me."

"You are a killer. You have killed many and often, but not recently. You have also taken great pleasure in this killing."

"Of this I have no doubts."

 

[Screech]

"There are other things that are more pressing that I have thought about. LoreKeeper and I have debated and mused about your quest. I am worried about your confrontation with DreamWeaver. In life he was most skilled in draconic rune magic, yet even if he does not have such power in undeath, he shall still be nightmarish in his power and fury. Yet it is exactly this which confuses me."

"I have absolutely no doubt that DreamWeaver was brought forth against his will, added to this, in all the time we have known of his existence, he has never ventured far from his lair save for a few, selective strikes. This makes no sense. We know that in the making of a lich, the soul of the creature to be must be place into an enchanted recepticle, a plylactery. Also, since DreamWeaver was forcibly reanimated, it makes sense that his tormentors have kept his phylactery in order to control DreamWeaver's actions."

"Therin lies the weak link. Find the phylactery and with one stroke, you discover the root behind this evil, free DreamWeaver's soul and punish his tormentors."

Valanthe had moved in close to the pai as they stood and talked. She hadn't particularly enjoyed her time as servant to the dragons, but Drakkon had been one she had managed to get on better with. Probably due to his demeanor. Idrial, however, she didn't know at all. She had been given the command to guard the half-elf by her Mistress Morrigann, and she would do so, even if she knew nothing about the woman.

"This... pylactery. Does it have a common form or container? I'm sure we could track down those who caused this to happen, but my feeling is that they would be lothe to co-operate"

Valanthe stood next to Idrial and smiled at her, shaking a little of the settling snow out of her hair. It was a smile of pure mirth. If nothing else, this trip would be fun

 

[LittleSprite]

Valanthe's questions were good ones, and Idrial voiced her thoughts aloud so that the others add theirs as well. Then we will need to split into two groups tho i would rather we all stayed together.

One group will need to go with me and continue on to DreamWeaver, so as not to raise suspicion as that is what our emamys will be expecting and perhaps watching for us to do.

The other will need to track down who ever attacked the village and sent the wolves after Rhy's and I so that they can hopefully find this plylactery and destroy it. What say you? she asked both Valanthe and Drakkon wanting their opion's and thinking that she would need to speak with O'Bonn and the others as well to see what there thoughts on the matter were before she made her decicion and they set out wich means the night was going to be a long one.

 

[Screech]

Valanthe was starting to feel the cold seep through her skin as more snow settled on her. She wasn't much of a military strategist. In fact, the closest she came to was back in Avalon after that massive ritual magic spell...

She braght her mind back to the here and now. "Splitting us up may help, but if we are being watched and tracked, then it could easilly get turned around on us. Perhaps if only one or two try to track down these attackers? It would be less obvious"

 

[Mantra]

Idrial and Valanthe

Drakkon considered the questions posed to him.

"A Phylactery is merely a shell to house the soul in. Honestly, it can be nearly anything, but prudence would suggest that some thought be used in it's creation. Something such as a house would be unsuitable, as those moving in, out and about may damage it. Likewise it would be unwise to make a phylactery out of a clay pot which would possibly be carried off or broken."

"While splitting your numbers would indeed double your reach and search, you would also cut your strength in half. While I will not say that your thought is without merit, I know that while the Wolven and ogres have some rudimentary knowledge of shamanism, the raising of a lich, let alone a Dracolich such as DreamWeaver, is far beyond their abilities. The phylactery is probably near DreamWeaver's lair, where his reanimators would have the greatest control over his remains. Besides, what better watchdog would there be to protect DreamWeaver's phylactery than DreamWeaver himself?"

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial had noticed Valanthe's shiver as the tempreture begain to drop lower. She felt the cool air as well , and knew the sun would be setting soon. She considered both Valanthe's words as well as Drakkon's before speaking.

This is true Dreamweaver would be best to guard such an artifact... there is much we all must discuss and i have much to think on. We should return to O'Bonn and the others and let them know about the phylactery. she said and waited for them to walk with her not wanting to leave anyone behind.

She had wanted to ask Drakkon if he were feeling calm enough to return but didnt wish to push the issue there were other matters that needed attention at the moment, and if he wished to speak with her he knew were to find her.

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn considered the dragonkind's words.

"So that my fears may be put to rest that if the time should come," he said at last. He looked at Reverend and bowed his head. "Let your magic come forth," he requested.

 

[Dracona]

Ona regarded Phalanx for a moment absorbing his words. Several emotions warred within her…anger, denial, sadness and finally acceptance. She lowered her gaze and forced herself to look at the twin marks tattooed on her inner forearms. A vicious snake, fangs extended in mid strike, coiled around a dagger not unlike the one lying with her clothing. Visions crowded her mind…..blood covering her arms and body, fire running along the ground, smoke filling the sky…the screams of dying men echoed in her ears, their bodies lying twisted, charred and broken on the ground. She braced herself for the searing pain that usually accompanied these flashes of memory and was surprised when her head only began to ache dully.

“I would tell you that you are wrong if I could.” Ona lifted her blue within blue gaze and could not hold back a small sigh of resignation. “But your words ring true to me. My heart tells me what my mind refuses to accept. I have done terrible things, perhaps even cruel things, and taken pleasure from it. I do not know who I was then, and hopefully I never will. What I do know is that I will do all that is in my power to see that this quest is successful.”

Her gaze was drawn back to the regal statue in the center and she took a deep breath. "Whatever I may have done before pales in comparison to the evil that we will soon face. Perhaps...somehow...by helping to defeat this enemy I can be redeemed."

 

[Mantra]

O'Bonn and Reverend

"Very well then, O'Bonn, son of M'Rune. Remove your helm and kneel before me. I shall seperate your head from your shoulders and have your body sent back to your people for propper burial."

"Thusly, shall you be freed from all your fears and concerns."

 

[Screech]

Valanthe nodded at Idrial's words. It would indeed be a very good idea to gather the others together. And the light was fading. Sure, she could survive outside in such temperatures for the night, but it wouldn't be comfortable. And it was unlikley that everyone else were as resilliant as her.

Idrail had taken a few steps back toward the Dragon's holdings, and Valanthe fell into step deside her

 

[AmenRa]

A slow smile spread across the High Warrior's face. He looked to Reverend, then bowed once again.

"One is never too old to learn a lesson, especially a lesson of life," O'Bonn told him. "I shall remember this one."

O'Bonn turned to walk back into the keep where the warmth of fire would be most welcome. He stopped midstride, then turned back to face Reverend. With a most serious look, O'Bonn told him, "Thank you". He then bowed yet once again, and stepped into the keep where he would wait for the others to join him.

The dawn would see them leaving this place. It would be busy day indeed.

 

[Mantra]

O'Bonn and Reverend

O'Bonn's smile was quickly removed as a stinging slap scorred across one cheek. He starred suprised at Reverend, who only returned his stare, impassively.

"You think you have learned a lesson, simply because you did not wish to die?"

He leaned forward a bit, letting his eyes burrow into O'Bonn's for a moment before continuing. "Do you even realize how arrogant your comments to me are?"

He began to pace, circling O'Bonn as they stood in the snow.

"Allow me to speak, and then let us see if you have 'learned a lesson.' There is a difference between being a leader and being in charge, just as there is a difference between being a bodyguard and being a defender. Do you think we follow the Matriarch because she has royal blood, or because we fear her authority or power? Why do your people follow your father? Why should they follow you?"

"You have consigned yourself to be a bodyguard for Idrial and her quest then speak of fears about her abilities and by consequence, your own. Yet for all your blustering, what have you done to prevent your fears from coming to pass?"

"I have never known a successful leader who did not have trusted voices around them. Call them what you will, aide-d'camp, Seargent-At-Arms, royal advisor, whatever. True it remains the duty of the leader to make the decisions and policies, but the wise leader shall listen to their advisors. In addition, the good advisor supports their chosen leader and their actions."

"A bodyguard is neither an advisor nor a leader, O'Bonn, son of M'Rune. It has been spoken in our prophecy about the Coming of the Two-Bloods and that the Two-Bloods shall choose a Champion. That Champion shall be entwined by the threads of fate and shall draw forces for and against the Two-Bloods to them. If you wish to hold Idrial high as leader than so be it, but again where do you stand in this quest? Even now your chosen leader questions, even now she has fears and doubts. So now O Prince of the elves, here is my question for you, to learn from or not;..."

Reverend finally ceaced his pacing and circling, again letting his eyes burrow into O'Bonn's.

"What are you going to do about it?"

 

[LittleSprite]

Idrial had walked with the others and had reached the front of the guard house where they could see O'Bonn, and Reverend speaking, and watched with some concern as Reverend slapped O'Bonn, and begain circling him.

They were not close enough to hear what was said but nor would she interfear unless it turned into a brawl.

Seeing that there were no futher blows and that O'Bonn appeared both shocked and angry, but was listining to Reverends words she gave a questioning glance to Drakkon wondering if she should let it go.

Deciding there were other matters such as they had discussed earler she would let what was between them be and hope they worked it out.

Giving them a few moments more after Reverend stopped circling she moved forward slowly giving them both time to notice her presence and giving the others time to decide if they would continue with her or go on into the keep and wait for her there.

Reaching them she bowed to Reverened, and O'Bonn in greeting. Greetings Reverened. Drakkon has spoken with me breifly about his and your concerns and i beleave it is something we all should discuss this night before setting out, and much i need to decide.

Looking at both O'Bonn and Reverened she asked When the two of you are finnished speaking i and the others would appreceate your joining us , both of your thoughts on this matter will be most welcome. Bowing she left the two of them there and moved to speak with Gar asking him to come inside long enough for this meeting as the information would be important for all concerned.

 

[AmenRa]

Not since he was a child, training with the weapons masters of his people, had he been struck across his face.

O'Bonn's eyes showed shock for a brief instant, then flashed to anger, and then to humility. He heard the dragon speaking, and the words bore into him. Truth was seen in the words. O'Bonn sighed heavily, realizing the thing Reverend was telling him was the thing he knew all along.

"I will fight as I have chosen" he told Reverend. "This path has been set before me, and I will follow it as I was meant to do."

With that, O'Bonn turned to Idrial.

He gestured towards the keep. "By your leave, my lady," he said.

 

[Mantra]

Phalanx and Ona

Phalanx regarded Ona with his eternally impasssive and stoic features.

"Of course I am right. I am Dragon."

Phalanx unwound from his perch and bade Ona to follow him again as he exited the chamber. He did not hesitate long enough for Ona to do little more than scoop up her belongings and follow him down the corridor, fortunately, the hall was still deserted.
The hall outside was still quite warm, but it chilled Ona given the superheated temperature of the chamber she had just left. They traveled down the hall to the very next door, some 40 feet down. There was an identical set of stone double doors, except the etched dragons were inlayed with silver instead of gold. Again Phalanx shoved them open and entered.

This room was also very rough like the first, except it was very long, nearly fourty feet in length. It almost seemed like a giant burrow laying next to the carved passageway they had just traveled down. The sound of flowing water permeated the area and with the continued hot temperature, the air was heavy with moisture and mist rolled about them. Light was provided by three glowing orbs set into the wall, but these only gave a faint white light. Other light was provided by a series of flouresent mosses and softly glowing mineral crystals in the water. The glowing lights reflected off the pools and highlighted the water as it churned, giving the room a magical and mystical feel to it. The water itself bubbled up into a long basin of water set about five feet high along the far wall. This basin overflowed and cascaded down over the lipped edge neareast the visitors, forming into a gentle waterfall some twenty feet in length but only about five feet in hight, where it filled a second basin. This second basin swirled and drained into a round pool at the farthest end, circling about in this final pool until the water exited, flowing under the wall and vanishing back into the mountain where it had come from.

At the closest end nearest Ona was a wading pool, which Phalanx stepped into. He paused for a moment with his head bowed, then walked forward, entering the basin along the edge of the falling water. Phalanx quickly was submerged to his waist, but walked on, beneath the spray of the gushing, tumbling water. He dipped down under the water several times as he traversed the length of the pool finally rising out at the other end and stepping up along a narrow but well worn path which led up and around the final pool.
Phalanx dropped to all fours, and shook himself, much like a dog might, sending water dropplets flying in every direction. His tremors ended with a final flourish and snap of his wings as he stood again and waited for Ona while his wings settled back into place again.

 

[LittleSprite2]

ooc

OOC :

Hi guys sorry about changing things on ya again but i lost my littlesprite account cas i went in to change the e-mail adress and spelled the new e-mail wrong so i couldnt get the code i needed to reactivate littlesprite.. Just wanted to let you know that it's me before i posted so you didnt think someone was trying to take over on me

 

[LittleSprite2]

Idrial entered the main hall after speaking with Garth, she could feel O'Bonn walking with her but didnt say anything, as she waited for everyone to gather making sure to grab something to eat and drink while she could.

Once everyone arrived she begain to explain what Drakkon had told her, about the plylactery, and asked for everyone's thoughts on the matter, before she decided on a corse of action.

 

[Dracona]

“Of course I am right. I am Dragon.”

Ona suppressed a grin at Phalanx’s words. From any other creature it would have been as arrogant as it sounded, but from Phalanx it was merely a statement of fact.

The chill of the hall as she hurried to follow Phalanx caused her pale flesh to pebble and she was thankful for the heat of the room he led her to. It wasn’t until she had set her things on the floor and turned that the full beauty of the room hit her. The breath caught in her throat as she beheld the dimly lit waters, the mist swirling all around her. The intense heat was different than the previous room. The humidity seemed to seep into her very pours and she once more felt trickles of moisture sliding down her skin.

When Phalanx reached the far side of the last pool Ona realized what was expected of her. And somehow it all seemed strangely familiar. She stepped to the edge of the pool her fingers reaching for the thick braid hanging between her shoulder blades and swiftly unraveling it. Then, eyes fastened on Phalanx, she stepped into the water. As she walked forward and the water began to swirl around her limbs that odd feeling of familiarity returned. The first room where the heat caused impurities to sweat from her body as her mind cleared and focused, and now this room where the waters washed it all away. She dipped her head beneath the surface, the gentle roar of the waterfall filling her ears. When she could no longer hold her breath she surfaced taking in a deep cleansing breath. Focus. She moved on toward the far side of the pool, mimicking Phalanx’s moves and dipping beneath the surface several more times. The sound of water and her own blood pounded in her ears. Focus.

Finally she stepped from the water, her eyes faintly glowing like a latent ember. The water ran in rivulets down her body, streaming from her hair that lay plastered to her skin. She stood before Phalanx, her breathing even and calm, her mind for once not torn by turmoil and confusion.

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn

O'Bonn sat and listened to Idrial. The majai-hi lay curled at his feet, the dog's silvery-white muzzle resting on his forepaws. After Idrial had finished speaking, the fay hound looked up at O'Bonn.

"I have held in regard such magic before," he told her. "There were those among my people who were necromancers, and sought to hold the souls of the departed for infusion into a re-animated corpse. This plylactery we seek will be well-gaurded by Dreamweaver's keepers. I believe a concerted strike against such a well-defended target would be foolish. I suggest a more stealthy approach."

And why not call forth a legion of Elven warriors to attack this place, once you learn where it is?

O'Bonn looked down at the majai-hi. With a sigh, he spoke softly to the dog, "Only after the vessel is destroyed would an attack be wise."

We stand ready.

O'Bonn knew the fay hound was speaking of his kin. He was certain they would indeed need help from the trees, the wind, and the earth.