When RP takes control IC thread

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She glared as Dirk stepped forward and removed the collar. She would have loved to rip his throat out right then and there. She felt Avrice’s power wash over her as the collar was removed. She knew she couldn’t attack him no matter how hard she tried. The more she had blended with her gameself, the more undead she was, before Tyler had some option to fight him, but now there was no chance of that.

She looked to Avrice, “She is no whore, and I think she is finding out what you have done and will find a way to rid herself of it. Dominic is well, another necromancer in Sanctuary has healed him of the blight.” She did not make an attempt to get up from the floor as she had not been asked to do so, his control over her was pretty much complete, she was at his mercy at this very moment.

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

The elf watched as Skyler left, leaving only half the party and the lady necromancer. He was listening intently to the sages now, as he’d quickly come to terms with who he was. He was traveling with them to prevent the loss of this world. He would make sure that the evil in this place was routed, but he would find a way to prevent the humans from destroying his reality to kill that evil.

He had always possessed a since of wanderlust, and he desired greatly to be on his way. He wished the sages would finish so they could reassemble and be off. If the lady necromancer and her servants decided to join, all the better.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I placed my hand on Athyna's shoulder. "Athyna, you're free to say whatever you want. You are my friend and I trust you completely. What you did in the past is just that: in the past. And I know all about how someone could want to kill someone, but change later. I've learned that people CAN change." I looked at her. "I don't think any less of you."

"I don't want to think about it...but you could be right about Skyler. However, please don't try and pass any judgement on her. We don't know anything. It could just as easily be Jasleth, or Thal..."

"No!" I got up and charged at Skyler. She turned around as I drew my short sword. There was a sickening sound of skin seperating as my blade dug it's way deep into her chest. She dropped her sword and her mouth went agape. Her eyes widened and began to fade back to normal. Her innocent eyes turned up to look at me and I could see they were filled with shock and betrayal. Her look burned it's way into my head as I attempted to realize what I just did. She slowly slid backwards off my sword and landed on the ground in a pool of blood.

"...or me." I said slowly. My eyes glazed over a bit. I shook my head and looked away. "Just...keep your eyes open and your mind clear. The last thing we need is our group falling apart because of suspicion." I gave her a smile. "You're like family to me...I know we haven't exactly spent a lot of time getting to know each other, but I do care about you."

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Avrice

"So they are fighting it, hmm? That's wonderful." Avrice smirked a little bit. "It should make it all that much more fun." He looked down to her. "Stand up." Obidiently, she stood up for me.

"Here is what I want you do. I want you to follow with the group. Let them know you are still on their side. But when you finally aquire the Frozen Flame, you will deliver it to me."

"You see, the Flame was stolen from me and brought to a fortress of ice. I could not approach it, despite my efforts. However, the prophecies state that if anyone would find that Frozen Flame, it would be the Company of Doom." He gave her a malicious smile. "But it only said they would find it, not use it."

"Why would you do this? Simple. The Blight has a unique effect on the already dead. It allows me to exercise my control over you at any point. You may think you would have free will, but you wouldn't. If you do as I say, your friends will live, especially that one Oracle. However, if you disobey me, or tell someone about my plan...then I will have you kill everyone of your friends in horrible ways."

He closed his eyes and began to transplant images in her mind. I can make you do horrible things Skyler. Avrice told her. In her mind, she watched as he showed her images of herself. First, of her slowly skinning Kryss alive, her screams echoing in the air as Skyler cut off her skin in one piece. Then, wearing Kryss's skin like a costume, she seduced Jasleth into bed, and slicing his muscles out with a dagger, leaving him bleeding to death on a bed. Finally, she moved to Dominic and, using a rusty knife, cut out each of his eyeballs, slicing his tongue off , and finally carving her name into his chest, slowly dragging the blade until he died, screaming her name.

"Do you want to do these things, Skyler?" Avrice asked. "Or will you help me?"

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

If she could have grown paler, she would have as he planted the visions in her mind. She looked to him, knowing his words were true, she knew that was a downfall of playing the character she chose and was now becomming.

A tear fell down her face as the visions played through her mind. "I have no choice but to help you, I do not want to harm my firends and if it keeps them alive I will do it."

 

[katalynn]

Athyna looked up as Dominic fell silent, then said perhpas it would be him. Slight confusion swept through her, but dared not to speak of it. For it was clear that the vision or perhaps memory of something was fresh in his thoughts.

"Aye, to fall apart now would not be the best of things."

Thinking of the few words he had spoken, about caring for her and thinking of her as family; it stung a little. Not even Avrice had ever said such things. Thalryn to said that he cared deeply for her.

"I... I thank you for your kind words... And I to feel the same towards you and the others... I never judge until otherwise proven for me to do so.."

She had felt something, something that wasn't right. Almost as if one of the party was missing from the safty of sancuary. This bothered her a little but she did not speak of it, her hands were bare on the earth and that is what gave her the feeling. The earth gave her this gut feeling that one of is right now in danger. Even if she was to speak of it, how would she explain it.

"I had my doubts on staying with the party, your words, even Thalryns' words. Have made an impact on me. For now I shall stay and travel you......"

There was this look in her eyes, as if she was hiding something, something that just came up suddenly.

"ummm I think we should go, something I can not explain. The earth is giving me this feeling that something is not right. One of us is missing from this place.... I do not know how true it is, or who it is. Just a feeling that I feel and believe we should seek..."

She stood up and reached a hand out to Dominic to help him up and back to the town. Taking one last look back to where the tamer was, she could only hope that he will not be leaving anytime soon.

"If you wish we can stay together, or you can check the Inn and I will the sages. Up to you. Something is not right, I just know it."

Athyna can only pray that she was wrong... That everyone was here and safe. This feeling that the earth provided her was to strong to deny.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Kryss watched how the others were leaving slowly. The necromancer asking her questions. Or at least her servant was in concern for his master, perhaps long ago lover. The way they acted that was not impossible.

Her concern was heavy and about the blight that was growing strong in her veins. Did she dare ask the sages to cure it? Or wait for a little longer and try to ask the necromancer for the cure? Kryss held her tongue. Unsure of so many things right now, her emotions brought the flames, it was her that caused this ability. Sooner or later it would consume her if she didn't find a way to control them.

"Since this is a game, or at least used to be. And we go after the flame. Will Avrice truly die if we are able to kill him? He is of great power and is able to use one of us to take whatever hits him. We have tried to take him, but this spell he used only made us hurt one of our own. What is there that will help us by pass this spell?"

She knew she asked two questions, but they were very important. If they were to defeat him then they had to know how to do it.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Avrice

"Wonderful." His voice sounded almost happy, in a sardonic, evil way. "I knew you would agree. who would want to do...what I would make you do."

"But first I must give you the Blight...and make it undetectable." Avrice gave her an evil smile. "And I have an idea how." He gave her a cold look. "I want you to strip for me." He said.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Skyler could see Dirk and the four men laughing and joking around, all eager for a show that she would provide, willing or not.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

"Not right?" I asked, standing up. "Someone's missing?" I hurridly followed her back into the center of the city. "It doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, right? Maybe Thal went for a walk." I hoped things weren't starting to go downhill already. In the sanctuary, he had hoped they would be safe.

"Look, I'll go to the pagoda, and you go to the sages." I said to her. She nodded and we split up. I hobbled as fast as I could down the streets until I reached the pagoda. It was almost the middle of the night before I got there.

"Hey! Anyone here?" I yelled out. No response. I looked in each room, but the building was empty.

"Well no one's here." I said, slightly worried. I could sense this was bad.

Clever deduction. Slip said from my backpack.

"Shut up." I growled back at him. I sighed and began to move as fast as I could without injuring myself back to the sages hut, hoping everyone was still there.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She looked to Dirk and the others, before her attention returned to Avrice. She didn't want to do his bidding but felt compelled by his words.

She slowly dropped her cloak to the floor revealing the tigher clothing underneath. She slowly removed her calf high soft boots. She looked to him keeping her mind off of the others as they had fallen silent, watching the show she was putting on.

She then slowly almost teasingly slipped from her black skin tight pants. Her skin less pale in the candlelight, the red glow from the flame giving her a glow that hid her paleness.

She ignored the sounds the others were making as she ran her hands up her legs and reached up to pull her shirt off. As she dropped it to the floor her long ebony hair fell over her silky smooth skin.

She stood there in the stillness of the room awaiting Avrice's next move. She stood ever so still, almost looking as if made of white stone in her stillness. He could now see every curve of her lithe frame, the swell of her breasts , the hint of shadow at the joining of her legs. She lowered her gaze not wanting to look at him.

 

[katalynn]

Athyna ran to the sages hut. Without words she looked around. Only saw Jas, Thal, and Kryss.... Skyler? Where is Skyler...

The next moment she was outside again to look for Dominic seeing him on his way back to the sages. Obiously no luck in the Inn. She ran to him helping him in his hurried state, watching how almost tripped at one point.

"Careful.. Can't have you down any longer than needed..."

She looked around for a moment,

"Skyler, she wasn't in with the sages. She is the only one missing it appears..."

Athyna was hopeing that Dom would calm down, but knew how he felt about Skyler and to know she is missing. That wouldn't be easy on him.

"Please take it easy... I'll see what I can find out.."

They were close to the Sages hut that she noticed the ground, tracks. She followed them slowly as if they were telling her story. Soon coming up to other tracks that surrounded the ones she was following.

"She has been takened... But it is hard to tell who and where they takened her.."

She fell silent still following the tracks that lead to outside the city, but dared not to go any further without the others and Dominic in his state.

"We can not follow them now, they have reached their detination and it will only hender you to travel that far.... If she has not returned by tomorrow, I will go out and seek her.."

Her reply was calm despite the worried Dominic that was next to her. She prayed silently that Skyler was ok. There was no sign of a struggle, course there wouldn't be, this place did not allow any harm to come. Yet, how can they take her with possible ill content.

"There is nothing we can do right now except wait. I am sorry..."

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I felt my heart drop at Athyna's words. Skyler...I cringed at the thought of what might have happened. Dirk...my mind was aflame with fear and anger. It must have been him, how did he find us? How!

I calmed myself down. "Right...tomorrow..." I said slowly. Maybe...she wasn't taken...maybe she just left with someone. Maybe she was helping someone...maybe...too many maybes.

I wanted an answer.

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

Avrice smiled as he watched Skyler remove her clothing in a very sexual way. Avrice enjoyed every moment of it. The glow on her naked body spurred on his lust.

"Beautiful..." He said slowly. "Look at me." Obidiently, she looked into his eyes. The look in her eyes was enough to make Avrice smile. He reached out and pulled off his glove, revealing a skeletal hand, with a few pieces of skin still hanging off. The bony fingers made their way to her breasts and toyed with her erect nipples. "Yes..." He said raking his skeletal fingers across her skin.

"Now get on your knees again." He commanded. Skyler did so, a reluctant look on her face. She could tell what Avrice wanted. Avrice placed his skeletal hand on the back of her head, grasping a handfil of hair. "Now, unless you want Dirk and his friends to take advantage of your current position, I suggest you go along with this as willingly as you can. Oh, and no fangs." He gave her a sick smile and unzipped his pants.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She did as told, looking up to him as he undid hs pants. She concentrated and willed her fangs to withdraw. She fought with her very core, but to no avail, he had full control. She would not enjoy what she had to do, but knew he could make her enjoy it if he so wished.

She reached up and pulled his hardening cock from his pants. She closed her eyes and tried to picture someone else, but he must have known she would try that and Dominic's features kept fading into those of Avrice.

Hearing his threat of letting Dirk and the others have their way she leaned forward and took his cock into her mouth. She began to suck it as she stroked him with one of her free hands. She just hoped he would finish with her soon, but knew too that her horror had only just begun.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Avrice

Avrice moaned as Skyler's mouth and hand caressed him and he threw his head back. He removed his other glove and revealed his other hand. It seemed normal, but still smelled of rotting flesh. He grabbed the back of Skyler's head and controlled her pace and movement.

His other skeleton hand reached down and fondled her tits, rubbing the nipples in his icy grip. He pinched them and twisted them, elicting moans from Skyler. She would moan and enjoy it. He would make her.

He continued to thrust into her mouth and moaning and groaning. Her free hand moved onto his sack and massaged it in her hands. Despite the heat of the moment, his entire body was cold.

"Just so you know...I am going to release in your mouth...and I want you to swallow all of it." He said in between breaths.

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

I sat down on a nearby bench and closed my eyes. Athyna watched me prepare for a vision. I wanted an answer and I was going to get it. I concentrated on the image of a crystal ball in my mind. Then, on an image of Skyler. And let the vision come to me.

Skyler was naked. She was naked and on her knees, her ebony hair cascading down her back. Her mouth was wrapped around someone's cock and her hand was furiously moving along the shaft. She let out a low moan of enjoyment as she sucked the man's erection.

I opened my eyes quickly, hoping to banish the images from my mind. What the hell was that? She was sucking off some guy? I felt a pang of jealousy, as, although I didn't see north of the man's waist, I could tell he certainly wasn't me. Was that what she was doing right now? Is that why she left? I let out a groan.

My vision gave me more questions than answers.

 

[katalynn]

Athyna sat cross legged at Dominics feet, watching intently as he seeked for answers of him own. The look on his face gave her more questions as well.

"What is it? Is she alright? Did you see her?"

Luathas nudged Dominics hand, feeling the oracles pain and was trying to comfort him.

"Dominic, do you wish for me to go now? To go seek her out? I can be back here by morning with or...."

Lowered her gaze a moment,

"Or without her... But I will go seek for her if you wish."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She couldn't help but moan as she felt his control taking stronger hold on her. She felt his cold grasp in her hair and tried to pull back, but he only held tighter.

"Just so you know...I am going to release in your mouth...and I want you to swallow all of it." His breath was coming faster and she was thankful she didn't have to breathe for she felt he was trying to smother her.

She tried once more to pull away but his words made her stay. She moaned in what he would have taken as acceptance of his warning.

All she could think of was Dominic and the others and what this betrayal would do to all of them. She would almost rather die than to betray her friends, but she knew Avrice could make her kill them as he had shown her. She would do what she had to do to keep that from happening.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Zhu and her servants

Lang suddenly glanced up, as if he had been burned. Shihou rose to his feet, hands closed into fists. Huozai paused in the asking of his question, turning to look outside. Zhu suddenly stumbled, falling to her knees. A splitting pain ran through her chest, causing a cold sweat to bead on her forehead. Shivering violently, she could barely hear the voices of Lang and the startled Sages. All she knew was pain…and the cool arms of milk and almond surrounding her.

“My Lady…” She saw his mouth moving before the world descended into night.
_____________________________________

The brunette and the redhead ran silently next to each other in the cool night, occasional slips of moonlight painting arrows and a spear into a solid reality.

There was another necromancer.

They had felt him - all of them. The pain that had streaked through the Lady’s body, unforgiving and cruel. Somehow, this man was linked to their past….After she had passed out, Shihou chose to stay behind with her in the hall of the Sages. Lang was uncontrollable. In the minute that she passed from his arms to Shihou’s, he had let out a bestial roar and overturned a heavily laden table as if it was no more than a pebble.

“He will PAY for this! For this suffering!” His face was flushed, nostrils flared. Without a second word or regard to the Sages, the young man produced a glittering spear, flipping it between his fingers with a deftness and dexterity rarely seen this day and age. “Let him command armies of dead whores for all I care, but he WILL not treat our Lady like this. The time for vengeance is now!”

Before any of the other men could restrain him, he disappeared into the night. Huozai and Shihou exchanged glances, before Huozai dashed out after him.

They approached the alley now, the ocean eyes of Lang shining inhumanly in the dull light. The glint of his golden earring seemed a small sun in the enveloping darkness. He lifted the spear high above his head, prepared to send it through the throat of anyone who dared to block his path. Huozai stepped forward, his face pensive. He could smell the reek of sex in the air now, the reluctance of the woman, the pleasure of the man…and the overwhelming stench of a corrupted necromancer. To have Zhu be grouped together with this kind….He said nothing as he slowly drew his bow, fitting an arrow to the string. He knew full well what consequences could lay before him, but it would be worth it to take such scum out of the world.

“A necromancer that sullies the name of such a great Art will be punished!” Lang’s voice boomed from outside of the alley, every inch of that life forgotten rushing to the front, lending his words more strength. “May death visit him and his allies swiftly!”

"You who have ursurped the throne, have erased our thoughts...the one that she called brother! You turn on us in such a fashion, and not expect death?! Recall the ones that you killed in that fire, and die by our weapons!" snarled Huozai, his voice bitter.

 

[katalynn]

Something startled her, Dominic was to much in shock over something. All Athyna could do was wish she knew what was happening.

"Stay here with Dominic... Luathas.. Don't let him out of your sight."

She looked at Dominic on last time before she saw the zombie servants rush out. Both were very upset about something, the sages were inside with some kind of disturbance. For now, she had to take the chance with the servants. Running along walls for they had their weapons out and ready to strike at the first thing they could.

Staying behind a wall for protection...

"Lang... Huozai ... Please... I know you have no reason to hear me out... but please.. for your ladys' sake hear me out this once.."

She wasn't sure if they heard her. Can only pray that they did and will not cast those weapons out.

"I beg of you... bring down your weapons."

Voice was gentle but strong at the same time.

"If you were to cast those weapons, for any reason. Your lady would never recieve the possible help... and never be allowed back here again for your actions. Can you live with that? Can you continue this enternal life with that in your mind? A chance right now to help your lady, and you risk it?"

She paused a moment and waited for their move, or reply. Fearing that they would come after her.

"Please, just hear me out.."

 

[Armphid]

The Sages & Jasleth

As Zhu crumpled to the ground, the Sages spoke as one. "The Time of Prophecy is upon us." "The Twisted Usurper is come, and the Second Book of the Forozen Flame will end in battle, and in strife." "There will be no sanctuary in the dark days before the dawn." The words reached out through the valley, sounding in the minds of Athyna, Dominic, Skyler, Lang and his fellow guards, and the mysterious Caller. "The Peace of Sanctuary is broken." "Battle him and his servants, as was intended." "Know that this valley is still our place, and we will work to weaken him and his foul magics." "His strength will nto be as great as when last the Company of Doom made war upon him." "Go, and remember what you have learned here."

Jas was kneeling next to Shihou, his face knit with concern. He had a fleeting suspciion of why he felt so worried about her, about where he knew her from. However, at the mention of Avrice, he stood. "Shihou," he'd never heard the man's name before, but he knew it. As if he remembered him from somewhere. "I know it goes without saying, but look after the Princess."

He ran across the space to Thalryn and Kryss. "If Avrice is here, the others'll need us." "If he acts like before, he'll go after Skyler, since she's weakest against him." "Let's go find her, and deal with that coward."

 

[Tantrikenetic]

Dominic

"I just have something else to give me nightmares." I said slowly, my head in my hands. "Athyna...We need to find Skyler together. If something did happen to her, you going alone would only mean the same chance of it hapening to you."

"She may...she may be back tomorrow. If she isn't, we can look for her then." Athyna nodded and went to go deal with Zhu's servents. I just sighed and let out another groan of sadness.

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

Avrice grunted two more times, thrusting harshly into Skyler's mouth. Then, with a loud moan, he shot his seed down her throat. Gripping tightly to the back of her head, he waited until she had swallowed the whole load. Then he slowly pulled his member out of her mouth.

"Now...the Blight is within you." Avrice smiled darkly. He cupped her chin with his skeletal hand and stared into her eyes. "Now get your clothes back on and get back to the Sanctuary. Your friends will be waiting for you. Oh, and tell them this: That you were meeting an old friend. And old lover of yours."

He turned around. "Dirk, lead her back to the sanctuary. DON'T harm her." He smiled to himself, confident with his new plan.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Skyler

She was just thankful when it was over. She stood and dressed quickly. She nodded when he told her that she was to tell them she had met with an old lover. Guilt twisted inside of her at what Avrice had made her do.

Once dressed, Dirk and the others took her back to Sanctuary and not once did any of them try to lay a hand on her. They left her on the outskirts of the town to make her way back to the others on her own.

She considered briefly to not return to them, but the memories of their horrible deaths at her hands, made her go to them. She returned to the pagoda she shared with Dominic and moved to the bed, knowing he was probably worried, but knew he would return soon.

As she began to drift she felt her stomach churning, a soft moan of discomfot escaped her lips. She had to let Dominic and the others know she was here and safe. "Dominic, where are you? Please return to our room and I will explain where I was to you." She hope either he or Slip caught her voice in their mind as they had contact from her before and a link had been established.

She closed her eyes and dreaded Dominic's return and her having to lie to him as to where she had been.

 

[katalynn]

Kryss was up in a heart beat, and ran towards Jasleth. She wasn't sure what she can do for the female necromancer if anything at all. Even if she could, wasn't sure if her servant would allow it.

The voice of the mages ran deep into Athyna and Kryss, they both wondered what happened. Kryss was ignoring the pain she felt inside, was alomost like Avrice was right there. Only her eyes shown how deep the pain was.

"Lets get out of here, doesn't look like much more is going to be said here... Plus something is else is wrong, saw Athyna run in here, looking for someone, then rushed back out."

Kryss looked to Jas and Thal. Despite the pain that was stirring inside her, she was more than ready to get out of here.

 

[Apollo Wilde]

Lang and Huozai

Lang paid no heed to the elf ranger, so great was his rage. His eyes glittered as he searched the darkness, his breath coming ragged through his clenched teeth. He knew that there was so much more…so much that could be opened once this man was out of the way. If it cost him his life, then so be it. As Dirk approached, Lang suddenly grew silent, stilling everything in his body. As he paused, Huozai jumped to the top of the wall, nimble as a cat. An arrow was caught between his teeth as he prepared his long bow. Fitting the notched arrow, he paused, keeping aim, keeping track. His hands were careful and steady as the obsidian point traced the line of the man’s neck, pausing at the base. Lang leapt up to the wall beside him, prepared to throw his spear should this man decide to fight back…

Which wouldn’t be in his best interest.

With a smirk, Huozai let the arrow fly, impaling Dirk through the throat.

 

[katalynn]

Athyna then realized that it was to late, something else inside had happen because of what the sages had said. Then she remembered seeing the necromancer laying in the arms of her servant.

"It doesn't matter now I guess."

She followed Lang and Huozai to the rooftops. Seeing Dirk fall to the ground as the arrow pierced into his throat. Even she had to smirk with that one. He was an ......

Wondering if that meant that Skyler was back? Was she with him.. did Dominic see those together in some fashion?

"I just have something else to give me nightmares."

Did Skyler betray him? Betray us?

"Damn it, to many questions.... This is sooo unreal.."

Athyna cursed a moment, trying to keep focus. Lang and Huozai were on the loose. She had wonder just how strong of a hold the female had on them. If she was to take them to Avrice, would he be able to control them like he does Skyler.

"Huozai! Please.... It's too late now obviously... But I can help you and Lang find him... He has hurt to many of us as well. I do not know what he done to your mistress. But I know that he will fall. You and I want the same thing... At least where he is concerned.

Paused a moment, hopeing to get at least Huozais' attention. He seemed to be slightly more in control that Lang was. Not by much though.

"And I can find him.... For I'm sure you can as well... I saw it in your eyes you sensed something in that alley... Our friend depends on it. What was it that set you off in that Alley?"

She was talking both mentally and verbally to them. She didn't have the link that their mistress did, but she can try. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. It was something she hadn't mastered yet. Praying that it worked for this moment.

"I feel he has done something to one of our friends. She roams the land like you do. A vampire, he is able to control her... Please I beg of you.. what was it you felt before in that alley..."

Athyna was behind them, unprotected from any wall. Her bow being her only weapon and way to close to use if she needed to.

"I feel we need to put things aside and work together on this. Whether we like or not. It seems like we must get along, long enough to put this .... this... whatever he is, to rest. What say you.."

She was so calm, even her words were calm. Determined, but smooth none the less. Athyna wasn't expecting to be the one to befriend them. Specially not like this. After all she had become jealous of their mistress..

"What say you.. We put everything to the side, let your mistress gain strength. And we go on a little hunting trip..."

 

[Xenocide_613]

Thalryn

Thalryn was on his feet as quickly as Jas was, his emerald eyes flaring at the mention of the fall of Sanctuary’s protective magics. The gold elf nodded to Kryss in understanding, for he too had seen Athyna return. Instinctively Thalryn’s hands went to where the pommels of his swords should have been, and the elf quickly remembered leaving his blades back at the pagoda. Even as he made the realization, Jasleth eyed his lack of a sword belt.

“I must return for my blades before I can be off, but I should be able to track you from here.” An edge of concern was in Thalryn’s voice, and as he spoke, his eyes kept wandering down to the lady necromancer. In the craziness of the moment, the elf didn’t even wonder how Jasleth had known the undead servant’s name.