A shadow crept out slowly in front of her and she tensed, her hands instinctively fell to her empty hips seeking her blades, and again she hated her reaction. She stood still for a moment, the sound of her heart beating a loud tattoo in her ears, her mind racing...seeking an alternative, trying to recall how she might once have responded had her hands been empty...then he stepped out before her and she relaxed, her shoulders sagging.
"You have the way of the flame" His voice was soft. It was dark and the torchlight was too distant to illuminate his features, yet his irridescent eyes lifted slightly...and Yshania sensed him smile. She laughed without thought, quiet and sardonic.
"Yes, all consuming"
A quiet moment, then: “There is a way to harness the power of the flame” She studied his silhouette, and something passed between them, an energy that confused her. Tenuously she reached out her hand, to find it immediately enclosed.
“I best get back” she hoped he could sense her smile, as she had his, then released his hand to join Dragon Wench and the others in the tunnel ahead…
The Order of the Dark Flame: Book 5. (story, no spam)
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Bloodstalker
- Posts: 15512
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Hell if I know
- Contact:
BS watched in amazement as Mysteria floated in the air, flapping her arms like she thought she was a bird.....maybe that was it, maybe she was trying out a polymorph spell.....in any case, his attempts at holding in a snicker were to no avail.
"I got some rope in my pack, if you want to tie yourself down.....you're arms are likely to get tired after awhile"
Judging by her glare she shot at him, she didn't find the situation quite so funny. Backing up for a moment, he figured maybe he should offer some support, maybe try to put a positive spin on things...
"It could be worse....you could be wearing one of those robes Viv seems to favor. At least dressed as you are, you don't have to shoo Gwally away from trying to look up your skirt so to speak"
Sensing that he still wasn't helping, he decided not to comment further, and just stood there, trying to hide his grin
"I got some rope in my pack, if you want to tie yourself down.....you're arms are likely to get tired after awhile"
Judging by her glare she shot at him, she didn't find the situation quite so funny. Backing up for a moment, he figured maybe he should offer some support, maybe try to put a positive spin on things...
"It could be worse....you could be wearing one of those robes Viv seems to favor. At least dressed as you are, you don't have to shoo Gwally away from trying to look up your skirt so to speak"
Sensing that he still wasn't helping, he decided not to comment further, and just stood there, trying to hide his grin
Lord of Lurkers
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!
As Aegis came walking back, rejoining the Dark Flames, he noticed that not much had changed. People were still speaking with the new coming, Scayde was it? He had been absent for the coming and leaving of Thalimon, so a thought didn't even pass through his mind. He instinctivly made his way to Bloodstalker, and Mysteria, who was oddly floating in the air. He stopped next to the two of them. These two had been the only ones he had really connected to since joining the Dark Flames, the only ones he had really spoken to. He glanced at Bloodstalker, and seeing the grin, looked towards Mysteria who was glaring at him.
"How did this happen?" Aegis asked, curious at the floating woman. Mysteria just sighed, and shrugged, and Bloodstalker only grinned more. Aegis supressed a chuckle of his own, and raised his hand, offering to help Mysteria back to the ground. The woman took it graciously, and the small Ranger pulled her back down to the solid ground of the caverns. Once on the ground again, Mysteria shot the ranger a smile, then quickly turned away.
Mysteria took a couple steps, making sure she was firmly on the ground again, she let go of Aegis' hand. She turned and nodded towards Aegis. As she began to move away from the two men, here feet slowly began to leave the round again, though she seemed not to notice. She began to float away, but stopping next to Fang. She knelt over, and began to pet the wolf, occasionally glancing back at the the two men.
Bloodstalker stepped next to Aegis, and nudged the elf in the ribs. Aegis glanced towards the larger man, and quirked his brow. "What was that all about?" Bloodstalker inquiered, the grin still on his face.
"I was trying help her to her feet..." aegis replied. This only made Bloodstalker grin more. "It was nothing more..." Aegis then glanced towards Mysteria, then turned and walked off to meet the new woman who had appeared...
"How did this happen?" Aegis asked, curious at the floating woman. Mysteria just sighed, and shrugged, and Bloodstalker only grinned more. Aegis supressed a chuckle of his own, and raised his hand, offering to help Mysteria back to the ground. The woman took it graciously, and the small Ranger pulled her back down to the solid ground of the caverns. Once on the ground again, Mysteria shot the ranger a smile, then quickly turned away.
Mysteria took a couple steps, making sure she was firmly on the ground again, she let go of Aegis' hand. She turned and nodded towards Aegis. As she began to move away from the two men, here feet slowly began to leave the round again, though she seemed not to notice. She began to float away, but stopping next to Fang. She knelt over, and began to pet the wolf, occasionally glancing back at the the two men.
Bloodstalker stepped next to Aegis, and nudged the elf in the ribs. Aegis glanced towards the larger man, and quirked his brow. "What was that all about?" Bloodstalker inquiered, the grin still on his face.
"I was trying help her to her feet..." aegis replied. This only made Bloodstalker grin more. "It was nothing more..." Aegis then glanced towards Mysteria, then turned and walked off to meet the new woman who had appeared...
T’lainya gazed with concern at the human who named herself Scayde. The young woman’s fear was evident although she held herself with courage. The priestess felt a sharp pang of sympathy for the lost woman. T’lainya remembered how she had felt when her father had brought her to Evereska after her mother had died. She too had been a stranger, the same plane perhaps, but a far different world. The priestess was also curious about the newcomer. Her favorite tenet was Corellon’s mandate to learn from those around you, and she was anxious to learn more about the stranger and her world.
She started to place a gentle hand on Scayde’s arm to reassure her when the red-haired woman drew back in terror. T’lainya withdrew her hand, thinking she had frightened her or perhaps committed some breach of courtesy. Then she saw that Scayde’s eyes were fixed on something behind her. She half turned to see what Scayde was staring at. Dragon Wench had appeared with an armored figure that appeared to be the source of Scayde’s fear. A slight frown creased T’lainyas face as she studied the stranger. Her first thought was to protect Scayde and then common sense reasserted itself. DW wouldn’t bring an enemy so easily into their midst.
As Dragon Wench and her companion drew closer, she noticed more about the man; his cautious manner and brilliant green eyes were the first things she saw. Then a slight movement in the shadows caught her eye, a tail flicked behind him.
“Tiefling” she thought to herself.
Her frown deepened as she processed that information. She had no inherent dislike of tieflings; save that many of them followed the calling of their infernal blood. She shook off the thought, ashamed of herself. She was hardly one to be making judgments about mixed blood. She was about to speak when Scayde fainted. With one last glance at Dragon Wench and the tiefling, she turned her attention to the unconscious woman. T’lainya knelt at her side searching for injuries. There were no obvious wounds on Scayde. The priestess tried to sense any injury, but something was causing resistance. T’lainya wondered if Scayde was protected by some magic item or if there was something else interfering. She decided that the faint was caused by the stress of the portal and the shock of her new surroundings.
T’lainya reached into one of the small pouches attached to her belt and pulled out a small silver-chased flask. She opened it and gently poured a few drops of strong Cormyran brandy into Scayde's mouth. Thantor raised an eyebrow and smirked.
T’lainya smiled sweetly at him and said “A well known restorative.”
She started to place a gentle hand on Scayde’s arm to reassure her when the red-haired woman drew back in terror. T’lainya withdrew her hand, thinking she had frightened her or perhaps committed some breach of courtesy. Then she saw that Scayde’s eyes were fixed on something behind her. She half turned to see what Scayde was staring at. Dragon Wench had appeared with an armored figure that appeared to be the source of Scayde’s fear. A slight frown creased T’lainyas face as she studied the stranger. Her first thought was to protect Scayde and then common sense reasserted itself. DW wouldn’t bring an enemy so easily into their midst.
As Dragon Wench and her companion drew closer, she noticed more about the man; his cautious manner and brilliant green eyes were the first things she saw. Then a slight movement in the shadows caught her eye, a tail flicked behind him.
“Tiefling” she thought to herself.
Her frown deepened as she processed that information. She had no inherent dislike of tieflings; save that many of them followed the calling of their infernal blood. She shook off the thought, ashamed of herself. She was hardly one to be making judgments about mixed blood. She was about to speak when Scayde fainted. With one last glance at Dragon Wench and the tiefling, she turned her attention to the unconscious woman. T’lainya knelt at her side searching for injuries. There were no obvious wounds on Scayde. The priestess tried to sense any injury, but something was causing resistance. T’lainya wondered if Scayde was protected by some magic item or if there was something else interfering. She decided that the faint was caused by the stress of the portal and the shock of her new surroundings.
T’lainya reached into one of the small pouches attached to her belt and pulled out a small silver-chased flask. She opened it and gently poured a few drops of strong Cormyran brandy into Scayde's mouth. Thantor raised an eyebrow and smirked.
T’lainya smiled sweetly at him and said “A well known restorative.”
[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com"]GameBanshee[/url] Make your gaming scream!
"I have seen them/I have watched them all fall/I have been them/I have watched myself crawl"
"I will only complicate you/Trust in me and fall as well"
"Quiet time...no more whine"
"I have seen them/I have watched them all fall/I have been them/I have watched myself crawl"
"I will only complicate you/Trust in me and fall as well"
"Quiet time...no more whine"
-
Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
“Wait!” he called. Yshania stopped and turned around. Thalimon left the shadows and stood some feet in front of her, his arm outstretched, fist clenched. “Take these” In a flash, he released two objects from his hand, tossing them towards the druid. Yshania managed to catch one but the other dropped and skittered into the shadows. It wasn’t too hard for her to find, though, a medium sized pebble with a glowing golden vein running through it, a twin to the stone she held in her palm. She turned the two stones over in her hands...
“They are beautiful!” she couldn’t think of what else to say as she gazed at the glassy orbs, and she was confused and intrigued as to why she had been offered these items.
“When you are ready, I will explain” he smiled, almost reading her mind she thought…then she realised his lips had not moved as he had spoken to her. Curious, she approached him and studied his features for a long moment before saying;
“Ok, I am ready.” Thalimon laughed softly, humoured by her apparent urgency.
“Come” he said.
“They are beautiful!” she couldn’t think of what else to say as she gazed at the glassy orbs, and she was confused and intrigued as to why she had been offered these items.
“When you are ready, I will explain” he smiled, almost reading her mind she thought…then she realised his lips had not moved as he had spoken to her. Curious, she approached him and studied his features for a long moment before saying;
“Ok, I am ready.” Thalimon laughed softly, humoured by her apparent urgency.
“Come” he said.
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Thalimon gazed intently at Yshania. He could sense her eagerness boring into him…
He had searched the barren camp and the surrounding dunes, but could find no sign of the man who had taken him in. Turning back to the camp, a dark figure suddenly materialized in the distance…
It was the man. He stood still on the crest of a dune, silently regarding the tiefling with his dark eyes.
When Thalimon finally stood before him, he noticed the man’s palm was open, revealing two smooth, dark stones, each with a vein of gold streaking through the center. They looked identical to one another, as if they were hewn from the same lode and carefully polished to perfection. Mesmerized, he studied the subtle hues surrounding the gold veins. If only he could…
“Boy.” The man’s gravely voice pierced the silence. Somewhat startled, he looked up to find the man frowning deeply…he sensed waves of disapproval coming from his stern gaze.
With a blur, the open palm launched the stones directly at Thalimon. Without thinking, the tiefling neatly caught them, one in each hand, and stood stunned as the man’s gaze seemed to intensify.
“Juggle.” Thalimon did not understand. These two stones, like the dark eyes of a cat, were so beautiful to look upon, and…
*Crack!*
The man struck Thalimon on his thigh with a slender, dark rod. Grunting with the pain, Thalimon staggered back, not understanding the man’s command…
“Juggle.” Looking into his eyes, he suddenly understood. As a child he would often juggle the eggs from the henhouse as he walked to his mother’s kitchen…11 eggs would merrily dance in the air as Shalimare bade him to hurry, lest he starve away to a withered shell.
Two stones were easy. Thalimon began to juggle mindlessly. A hawk on the hunt caught his eye high above the dunes of the Anauroch, and he marvelled at the ease in which the bird…
*Crack!*
The pain caused Thalimon to drop a stone. The man had struck the same spot as he had before…whimpering, Thalimon turned to run…yet found he could not move, for the man had his arm in a grip of iron.
“Juggle.”
So it was that day for the young tiefling, under the gaze of the Thukariin, until at last Thalimon was juggling the stones, and avoiding the sudden sting of the black rod of pain.
Yshania, overcome with the vision of the dark man and the black rod, looked wordlessly at Thalimon. She had felt his mind’s eye open…and had shared the tiefling’s memory.
“Juggle,” Thalimon said softly, a smile playing across his lips. “There shall be no black rod. There shall only be you, and I…”
“Thalimon!” Breaking his gaze from the druid’s, he turned to face a most unusual female coming towards him. She had been standing over the fallen woman, and he recalled the stern gaze of her emerald eyes…eyes much the color of his own. Her long hair was of a firey hue, cascading down over her shoulders in luxuriant waves, falling upon her silver and blue mail. She looked elven….however, she was greater in stature than the elves of the Flames, much like a human would be. Yet her features were delicately carved much like exquisite alabaster, her slender nose poised above a delicate mouth. Instead of scrutiny, he felt instead a warmth emanating from her now.
He had searched the barren camp and the surrounding dunes, but could find no sign of the man who had taken him in. Turning back to the camp, a dark figure suddenly materialized in the distance…
It was the man. He stood still on the crest of a dune, silently regarding the tiefling with his dark eyes.
When Thalimon finally stood before him, he noticed the man’s palm was open, revealing two smooth, dark stones, each with a vein of gold streaking through the center. They looked identical to one another, as if they were hewn from the same lode and carefully polished to perfection. Mesmerized, he studied the subtle hues surrounding the gold veins. If only he could…
“Boy.” The man’s gravely voice pierced the silence. Somewhat startled, he looked up to find the man frowning deeply…he sensed waves of disapproval coming from his stern gaze.
With a blur, the open palm launched the stones directly at Thalimon. Without thinking, the tiefling neatly caught them, one in each hand, and stood stunned as the man’s gaze seemed to intensify.
“Juggle.” Thalimon did not understand. These two stones, like the dark eyes of a cat, were so beautiful to look upon, and…
*Crack!*
The man struck Thalimon on his thigh with a slender, dark rod. Grunting with the pain, Thalimon staggered back, not understanding the man’s command…
“Juggle.” Looking into his eyes, he suddenly understood. As a child he would often juggle the eggs from the henhouse as he walked to his mother’s kitchen…11 eggs would merrily dance in the air as Shalimare bade him to hurry, lest he starve away to a withered shell.
Two stones were easy. Thalimon began to juggle mindlessly. A hawk on the hunt caught his eye high above the dunes of the Anauroch, and he marvelled at the ease in which the bird…
*Crack!*
The pain caused Thalimon to drop a stone. The man had struck the same spot as he had before…whimpering, Thalimon turned to run…yet found he could not move, for the man had his arm in a grip of iron.
“Juggle.”
So it was that day for the young tiefling, under the gaze of the Thukariin, until at last Thalimon was juggling the stones, and avoiding the sudden sting of the black rod of pain.
Yshania, overcome with the vision of the dark man and the black rod, looked wordlessly at Thalimon. She had felt his mind’s eye open…and had shared the tiefling’s memory.
“Juggle,” Thalimon said softly, a smile playing across his lips. “There shall be no black rod. There shall only be you, and I…”
“Thalimon!” Breaking his gaze from the druid’s, he turned to face a most unusual female coming towards him. She had been standing over the fallen woman, and he recalled the stern gaze of her emerald eyes…eyes much the color of his own. Her long hair was of a firey hue, cascading down over her shoulders in luxuriant waves, falling upon her silver and blue mail. She looked elven….however, she was greater in stature than the elves of the Flames, much like a human would be. Yet her features were delicately carved much like exquisite alabaster, her slender nose poised above a delicate mouth. Instead of scrutiny, he felt instead a warmth emanating from her now.
CYNIC, n.:
A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.
-[url="http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/a.html"]The Devil's Dictionary[/url]
A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.
-[url="http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/a.html"]The Devil's Dictionary[/url]
-
Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
A blast of images unbidden, then the strangest suggestion
“You want me to do what?” she laughed aloud, amused by the absurdity of the situation. One minute she had threatened his life, the next he was asking her to perform circus tricks. The softness of his features said different, and when he promised no black rod she realised he was serious “to what end?” she asked.
“I showed you those pictures for a reason…” he paused reflectively. “To learn the ways of the dance” these words he spoke hushed, like he was sharing a secret. Then at the sound of his name being called, he smiled mischievously and headed past her...leaving her standing deep in thought, a stone in each hand.
“You want me to do what?” she laughed aloud, amused by the absurdity of the situation. One minute she had threatened his life, the next he was asking her to perform circus tricks. The softness of his features said different, and when he promised no black rod she realised he was serious “to what end?” she asked.
“I showed you those pictures for a reason…” he paused reflectively. “To learn the ways of the dance” these words he spoke hushed, like he was sharing a secret. Then at the sound of his name being called, he smiled mischievously and headed past her...leaving her standing deep in thought, a stone in each hand.
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Scayde coughed when the brandy was administered. T’lainya nodded approvingly. Leaving Scayde to Thantor and Gwally, although with some reservations, the priestess thought it was time to redress her rudeness.
Something was bothering T’lainya, a nagging sense that was forgetting something. She thought for a moment and then she remembered. She thought her reaction to Thalimon had been less than tactful. She felt shamed at the brief flash of distrust. She supposed she could blame it on the atmosphere and the proximity of the drow, but she would not lie to her deity or to herself. She had reacted to his heritage, much as others had reacted to her human blood. Asking the Protector for his forgiveness, T’lainya rose to face the others. She saw Yshania and Thalimon speaking and waited until their conversation seemed to be ended. Then she called his name. “Thalimon. I would like to speak with you, if you have a free moment.”
Something was bothering T’lainya, a nagging sense that was forgetting something. She thought for a moment and then she remembered. She thought her reaction to Thalimon had been less than tactful. She felt shamed at the brief flash of distrust. She supposed she could blame it on the atmosphere and the proximity of the drow, but she would not lie to her deity or to herself. She had reacted to his heritage, much as others had reacted to her human blood. Asking the Protector for his forgiveness, T’lainya rose to face the others. She saw Yshania and Thalimon speaking and waited until their conversation seemed to be ended. Then she called his name. “Thalimon. I would like to speak with you, if you have a free moment.”
[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com"]GameBanshee[/url] Make your gaming scream!
"I have seen them/I have watched them all fall/I have been them/I have watched myself crawl"
"I will only complicate you/Trust in me and fall as well"
"Quiet time...no more whine"
"I have seen them/I have watched them all fall/I have been them/I have watched myself crawl"
"I will only complicate you/Trust in me and fall as well"
"Quiet time...no more whine"
**Please Insert before T's last Post**
AC was still getting over the fact that people liked to poke (or, in this case, pull) fun at her, all because she was just a little fuzzier than the rest of them. Darn humans and elves and red-head women...
But a quiet, but shrill sound pulled the woman from her thoughts. It was like a... a scream, or a roar. Not a growl, but... What was it?
After a moment of silence, Aqua-chan decided it must have been the catnip and turned to Vivien and T'Lainy in order to help the newest red-head member of the group, who, apperently had no idea what was going on.
Then, she heard it again. But, nobody else did... How could they not? Was it because they didn't have beautiful cat ears, like hers? If they did, then they probably wouldn't be tugging on hers all the time...
Hello, Kitty
Aqua-chan's heart began to race. Only one person she knew ever said that every single time she encountered the hybrid. AC looked up, and her heart skipped. In pink and purple robes, an elven woman stood with her blade in hand.
"Alora?!" she asked, but in a blink, the apparation was gone.
Vivien and T'Lainya were looking at Aqua-chan oddly, when Thantor and Gwally joined the party.
Aqua-chan shook her head and stood up. Beginning to walk away, she stopped next to Gwally and gave him a thump in the back of his head. The other druid could only wonder why she had the urge to do that.
Damn that catnip...
AC was still getting over the fact that people liked to poke (or, in this case, pull) fun at her, all because she was just a little fuzzier than the rest of them. Darn humans and elves and red-head women...
But a quiet, but shrill sound pulled the woman from her thoughts. It was like a... a scream, or a roar. Not a growl, but... What was it?
After a moment of silence, Aqua-chan decided it must have been the catnip and turned to Vivien and T'Lainy in order to help the newest red-head member of the group, who, apperently had no idea what was going on.
Then, she heard it again. But, nobody else did... How could they not? Was it because they didn't have beautiful cat ears, like hers? If they did, then they probably wouldn't be tugging on hers all the time...
Hello, Kitty
Aqua-chan's heart began to race. Only one person she knew ever said that every single time she encountered the hybrid. AC looked up, and her heart skipped. In pink and purple robes, an elven woman stood with her blade in hand.
"Alora?!" she asked, but in a blink, the apparation was gone.
Vivien and T'Lainya were looking at Aqua-chan oddly, when Thantor and Gwally joined the party.
Aqua-chan shook her head and stood up. Beginning to walk away, she stopped next to Gwally and gave him a thump in the back of his head. The other druid could only wonder why she had the urge to do that.
Damn that catnip...
"There are worse things in the world than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess." - Zevran
-
dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
Suddenly overwhelmed by the activity around her...the rapid swirl of events that were assailing them from all directions...Dragon Wench stepped somewhat away from the group.
Despite the danger that might befall her, a deep need compelled the mage to seek out the peaceful snowscape that brought her tranquility and calm. Quietly crouching against a shadowed niche, Dragon Wench dredged up a spell she very rarely used....a few moments passed.... a majestic wolf appeared. Eyes noble and questioning, it gazed at her ...waiting..... She returned the look....awed that so dignified an animal had responded to her summons. Axis, seemingly dumbstruck by the wolf's appearance, simply eyed her with suspicion.
"I need you both to guard me," she requested of the two creatures. The wolf placed a paw on her knee, while Axis emitted an irritated "harrumph." Then, unusually serious, he spoke to her.
"I know what you are doing...where you are going...to do so now while your companions prepare for battle is foolish....but I understand..."
A grateful smile illuminated her expression....and she shifted her position so that she sat cross-legged upon the floor. Breathing deeply, Dragon Wench allowed herself to sink inside.....
Shimmering darkness engulfed her....and then in invitation....a soft, embracing, green ...reached out...pulling her from the twilight of inner harmonies.
Sunlight...a hazy gold....breezes whispering across Spring-touched tendrils of a sylvan vale. Above...the familiar chirp of a chickadee....
Dragon Wench turned to the bird, "It was winter the last time I was here." The tiny creature flew down to her shoulder....gently pecking her ear before lighting beneath an ancient oak a short distance away. A small object at the bird's feet caught her attention.....an acorn.....resting upon luminescent earth..... glowing with an inner life all its own. Locked deep beyond a satined surface lay the knowledge of what could be...... the kernel of new beginnings...of a dawn yet to break.
Cradling the nut in her palm, Dragon Wench walked to a clearing...... Carefully, she began moving earth aside creating a small trough. In the depths of warm loam, she placed the acorn....Tears arising from a many-splendoured fountain of love, joy,and a touch of sadness, sprang forth...nurturing the fragile hope resting now within the mother that was all.
Despite the danger that might befall her, a deep need compelled the mage to seek out the peaceful snowscape that brought her tranquility and calm. Quietly crouching against a shadowed niche, Dragon Wench dredged up a spell she very rarely used....a few moments passed.... a majestic wolf appeared. Eyes noble and questioning, it gazed at her ...waiting..... She returned the look....awed that so dignified an animal had responded to her summons. Axis, seemingly dumbstruck by the wolf's appearance, simply eyed her with suspicion.
"I need you both to guard me," she requested of the two creatures. The wolf placed a paw on her knee, while Axis emitted an irritated "harrumph." Then, unusually serious, he spoke to her.
"I know what you are doing...where you are going...to do so now while your companions prepare for battle is foolish....but I understand..."
A grateful smile illuminated her expression....and she shifted her position so that she sat cross-legged upon the floor. Breathing deeply, Dragon Wench allowed herself to sink inside.....
Shimmering darkness engulfed her....and then in invitation....a soft, embracing, green ...reached out...pulling her from the twilight of inner harmonies.
Sunlight...a hazy gold....breezes whispering across Spring-touched tendrils of a sylvan vale. Above...the familiar chirp of a chickadee....
Dragon Wench turned to the bird, "It was winter the last time I was here." The tiny creature flew down to her shoulder....gently pecking her ear before lighting beneath an ancient oak a short distance away. A small object at the bird's feet caught her attention.....an acorn.....resting upon luminescent earth..... glowing with an inner life all its own. Locked deep beyond a satined surface lay the knowledge of what could be...... the kernel of new beginnings...of a dawn yet to break.
Cradling the nut in her palm, Dragon Wench walked to a clearing...... Carefully, she began moving earth aside creating a small trough. In the depths of warm loam, she placed the acorn....Tears arising from a many-splendoured fountain of love, joy,and a touch of sadness, sprang forth...nurturing the fragile hope resting now within the mother that was all.
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
Annoyed, Mysteria looked down towards the ground that kept being a few inches beneath her feet. Flailing her arms didn't do much good, and neither did trying to push herself downwards by taking hold of the adjacent rock wall. Additionally, she became more and more uncomfortable, acutely aware that the others would soon notice her predicament... too late. First Bloodstalker, then Aegis came over to her. Trying to make herself invisible, she was awfully glad when the elf decided to give her a hand and pulled her down to earth. For a moment, she felt again drawn towards him, but quickly avoided his look, stepping away and towards the wall, kneeling down for a second to stroke Fangs fur. Straightening, she cursed as she noticed that somehow she was airborne again.
Warily eyeing her surrounding, she was hoping that nobody had noticed her this time when she became aware of Fang, still sitting next to her, looking slightly amused. "Don't just sit there looking", she grumbled, "get over here." Docilely, he trotted over to her, then began to sniff at her feet, intrigued by the space between the earth and his pack leader. Looking down at him, she finally managed to bend down enough to get hold of him, then urged him to drag herself out of sight.
Once they disappeared around a corner, she breathed more freely. Now she only had to get back on the ground. First she tried to get a grip on Fang and pull herself down, but that resulted only in her lifting him off the ground too. With a yelp he freed himself, quickly putting himself out of reach, leaving her to flail around helplessly once more. After some contortions, she finally managed to move herself ... upside down. Snorting, she crossed her arms, determined to wait till the effect would wear off, hoping that she'd catch herself before falling on the head.
"You should leave levitating to those who have mastered that art." Symbul was floating in front of the upside-down ranger, and the absurdity of the whole thing caused Mysteria to giggle uncontrollably ... looking up into someone’s nostrils kind of spoiled their authority. "This isn't the time for amusement or fooling around -- the situation is grave. The Abomination is near and darkness infiltrates the Weave, the very Weave you're linked to by the way." Symbul bent down, facing Mysteria. One look into Simbul’s eyes was enough to cut her amusement short and she barely avoided hitting her head on the hard ground when her levitation ended as suddenly as it started. Straightening up, Symbul viewed her appraisingly. "That's better," she noted with some satisfaction. Slightly dazed, Mysteria looked warily at the other woman who began to circle around her, examining her closely.
"Do you know how talented you are?" Mysteria was startled by Symbul’s point blank question. "I see a gift for fire, for telekinesis, but above all", she stopped squarely in front of the ranger who'd gotten back on her feet by now, "transmutation." Mysteria blinked several times, Symbul’s sudden interest taking her by surprise. "If you learned at least some control,” Symbul continued, “you'd be a very valuable ally. But it looks to me like you don't have even the slightest idea where to start. You're vulnerable, very vulnerable." Something like concern almost showed itself on Symbul’s face, but she continued too quickly for it to surface fully. "You should try to learn the basics, to begin unlocking your power, to ..."
Suddenly wary, the ranger took a step back, interrupting the older woman, "And I suppose you want to help me with it ... you can't! I've had enough of mages trying to teach me for their own goals!" She took another step back, her hand unconsciously straying towards the dark drow blade at her side. "What do you want from me? Power? Don't you have enough of that yourself already?"
"I merely suggested what you could achieve ..." the Symbul said, raising her hand, trying to calm the increasingly agitated ranger down, "... some control."
"Do you think I like not being in control? Do you really think I like to have my magic go amiss?" Mysteria retorted heatedly. "I hate it, but I can at least count on this," she said, motioning to the sword at her side. The two women looked at each other for a long moment, then slowly Mysteria was aware of movement from the corner of her eye. Turning her head quickly, she noticed…. flowers. Small, beautiful bluebells blooming directly out of the rock, blooming all around her. Mysteria was confused, since her magic usually responded in an aggressive fashion when she was angry. Flowers only came when she…
“A peace offering,” said Simbul quietly. Mysteria turned her head back to Simbul, who was standing gently before her, hands in plain view. “Who are you more afraid of, child, me… or yourself?”
"I'm not afraid! And I am not a child!" Fighting the urge to stamp her foot, she found that she was barely able to keep herself from backing off. The Symbul’s words suddenly gave substance to the vague feeling of fear that had been lurking in the back of her mind. Yes, she was afraid, scared by her own magic, afraid to come under the manipulating influence of yet another mage, frightened by the knowledge of the Symbul's power. But she could not let it show or she would be defenseless. Through a great act of will, she took a step towards the other woman, forcing herself to be calm, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "I am who I am, and I will not let myself be enslaved into anybody's service. Leave me alone!" A shudder ran through the ceiling above them and a big blob of mud oozed out, falling toward Simbul’s head. Before it ever reached her, however, it seemed to slow, boil, and then quickly vaporize. She had not moved a hair.
“I will leave you alone, if that is what you truly wish,” Simbul said patiently, as if speaking to a petulant child. “I have noticed that Thantor is working with you and that this seems to be helping you in some way. But remember that Thantor, for all his skills, is not a mage. At some point, you will require tutelage if you are to truly blossom.” Her hand subtly indicated the flowers, which continued to bloom in orderly confusion all around her.
“I don’t need you or anyone else,” Mysteria said pointedly, her eyes flashing in defiance. “Others have tried to manipulate me to their ends, but no one has ever broken me and neither will you.” She would not back up again, never ever. “No… not me nor a darker power,” Simbul mused. She smiled suddenly and Mysteria was amazed at the warmth and genuineness in it. She seemed almost… human. “Perhaps I have underestimated you, Lady Mysteria.” She bowed slightly, then she floated off, leaving behind a very relieved but also quite confused ranger. Mysteria drew her coat closer around herself, suddenly feeling very stupid and having the definite feeling that the real danger wasn't coming from the Symbul and whatever plans she had read into the mage’s words.
Warily eyeing her surrounding, she was hoping that nobody had noticed her this time when she became aware of Fang, still sitting next to her, looking slightly amused. "Don't just sit there looking", she grumbled, "get over here." Docilely, he trotted over to her, then began to sniff at her feet, intrigued by the space between the earth and his pack leader. Looking down at him, she finally managed to bend down enough to get hold of him, then urged him to drag herself out of sight.
Once they disappeared around a corner, she breathed more freely. Now she only had to get back on the ground. First she tried to get a grip on Fang and pull herself down, but that resulted only in her lifting him off the ground too. With a yelp he freed himself, quickly putting himself out of reach, leaving her to flail around helplessly once more. After some contortions, she finally managed to move herself ... upside down. Snorting, she crossed her arms, determined to wait till the effect would wear off, hoping that she'd catch herself before falling on the head.
"You should leave levitating to those who have mastered that art." Symbul was floating in front of the upside-down ranger, and the absurdity of the whole thing caused Mysteria to giggle uncontrollably ... looking up into someone’s nostrils kind of spoiled their authority. "This isn't the time for amusement or fooling around -- the situation is grave. The Abomination is near and darkness infiltrates the Weave, the very Weave you're linked to by the way." Symbul bent down, facing Mysteria. One look into Simbul’s eyes was enough to cut her amusement short and she barely avoided hitting her head on the hard ground when her levitation ended as suddenly as it started. Straightening up, Symbul viewed her appraisingly. "That's better," she noted with some satisfaction. Slightly dazed, Mysteria looked warily at the other woman who began to circle around her, examining her closely.
"Do you know how talented you are?" Mysteria was startled by Symbul’s point blank question. "I see a gift for fire, for telekinesis, but above all", she stopped squarely in front of the ranger who'd gotten back on her feet by now, "transmutation." Mysteria blinked several times, Symbul’s sudden interest taking her by surprise. "If you learned at least some control,” Symbul continued, “you'd be a very valuable ally. But it looks to me like you don't have even the slightest idea where to start. You're vulnerable, very vulnerable." Something like concern almost showed itself on Symbul’s face, but she continued too quickly for it to surface fully. "You should try to learn the basics, to begin unlocking your power, to ..."
Suddenly wary, the ranger took a step back, interrupting the older woman, "And I suppose you want to help me with it ... you can't! I've had enough of mages trying to teach me for their own goals!" She took another step back, her hand unconsciously straying towards the dark drow blade at her side. "What do you want from me? Power? Don't you have enough of that yourself already?"
"I merely suggested what you could achieve ..." the Symbul said, raising her hand, trying to calm the increasingly agitated ranger down, "... some control."
"Do you think I like not being in control? Do you really think I like to have my magic go amiss?" Mysteria retorted heatedly. "I hate it, but I can at least count on this," she said, motioning to the sword at her side. The two women looked at each other for a long moment, then slowly Mysteria was aware of movement from the corner of her eye. Turning her head quickly, she noticed…. flowers. Small, beautiful bluebells blooming directly out of the rock, blooming all around her. Mysteria was confused, since her magic usually responded in an aggressive fashion when she was angry. Flowers only came when she…
“A peace offering,” said Simbul quietly. Mysteria turned her head back to Simbul, who was standing gently before her, hands in plain view. “Who are you more afraid of, child, me… or yourself?”
"I'm not afraid! And I am not a child!" Fighting the urge to stamp her foot, she found that she was barely able to keep herself from backing off. The Symbul’s words suddenly gave substance to the vague feeling of fear that had been lurking in the back of her mind. Yes, she was afraid, scared by her own magic, afraid to come under the manipulating influence of yet another mage, frightened by the knowledge of the Symbul's power. But she could not let it show or she would be defenseless. Through a great act of will, she took a step towards the other woman, forcing herself to be calm, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "I am who I am, and I will not let myself be enslaved into anybody's service. Leave me alone!" A shudder ran through the ceiling above them and a big blob of mud oozed out, falling toward Simbul’s head. Before it ever reached her, however, it seemed to slow, boil, and then quickly vaporize. She had not moved a hair.
“I will leave you alone, if that is what you truly wish,” Simbul said patiently, as if speaking to a petulant child. “I have noticed that Thantor is working with you and that this seems to be helping you in some way. But remember that Thantor, for all his skills, is not a mage. At some point, you will require tutelage if you are to truly blossom.” Her hand subtly indicated the flowers, which continued to bloom in orderly confusion all around her.
“I don’t need you or anyone else,” Mysteria said pointedly, her eyes flashing in defiance. “Others have tried to manipulate me to their ends, but no one has ever broken me and neither will you.” She would not back up again, never ever. “No… not me nor a darker power,” Simbul mused. She smiled suddenly and Mysteria was amazed at the warmth and genuineness in it. She seemed almost… human. “Perhaps I have underestimated you, Lady Mysteria.” She bowed slightly, then she floated off, leaving behind a very relieved but also quite confused ranger. Mysteria drew her coat closer around herself, suddenly feeling very stupid and having the definite feeling that the real danger wasn't coming from the Symbul and whatever plans she had read into the mage’s words.
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
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Bloodstalker
- Posts: 15512
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Hell if I know
- Contact:
Bloodstalker grinned widely at the retreating form of Aegis, still not convinced that the ranger was simply being polite to Mysteria. Shaking his head, he figured he'd have to keep an eye on the situation, it might prove to be entertaining.
Walking the wall off the cavern, he found a seat on a large rack and settled down, arching his back as he stretched, trying to ease some of the tension that was mounting in his body. The pulse of the Abomination was still present, always pressing on him. But it was becoming a little more than just that, having always been a man who lived in the wilds since he escaped the chamber, he found he missed the open country badly at this point. He wanted to see the sun again, to feel the wind brickly blwing across his face, the sounds of the wilderness after the sun had set. It all contributed to his increasingly sour mood. Under the sky, everything was alive, vibrant. But here, all was dark and eerily silent to ears that had long been acustomed to the constant sounds of nature. There were no birds, no wind to gently glide through the trees, no soft rustling of the leaves. No, this place was cold and dead, seemingly like a tomb, and so very much like the chamber itself.
Thinking of the chamber caused his unease to grow more. running his hand across his face, he scowled as he became aware of the days old growth of a beard that was forming and starting to itch from the mixture of sweat and grime that had accumulated. He wondered for a mment how bad he must look, but decided that he probably looked better than he felt t the moment. His thoughts had unerved him somewhat. He half expected to look up and see the undead gurads of the wizard roaming the cavern, searchng for him as the did so long ago as he made his escape.
He began to tighten his bracers, simply to get his mind off it's present course. Taking a dagger from the attached sheath below his wrist, he examined the blade,taking sour note that it had began to dull. He wished for a mment that his memories would dull as much, before he slide the blade back and closed his eyes. No sense worrying nw, he told himself. He had escaped long ago, and this wasn't an annex of the chambers underground complex. He was among friends, and he had left nothing behind worth the memories.
You have forgotten....
The voice in his head snapped his attention back into focus. A voice he should know, should recognize, but it evaded him. Closing his eyes once again, he concentrated, trying to recall, to force a face from his mind that would clear the confusion. For long moments he struggled, but only succeeded an bringing a distant image, a figure that looked familiar indeed, but in a more confusing way. The voice was from his past, but the figure it forced into his mind was one more current. Again the voice spoke.
You have forgotten all of us, you have forgotten me
But the voice spoke with the lips of a friend. FFor a moment, the image became sharper, and BS was looking into the eyes of Mysteria, then it seemed to shift, to morph to another person, but in an instant was gone....leaving a thouroly confused Bloodstalker trying to make sense of it all.
Walking the wall off the cavern, he found a seat on a large rack and settled down, arching his back as he stretched, trying to ease some of the tension that was mounting in his body. The pulse of the Abomination was still present, always pressing on him. But it was becoming a little more than just that, having always been a man who lived in the wilds since he escaped the chamber, he found he missed the open country badly at this point. He wanted to see the sun again, to feel the wind brickly blwing across his face, the sounds of the wilderness after the sun had set. It all contributed to his increasingly sour mood. Under the sky, everything was alive, vibrant. But here, all was dark and eerily silent to ears that had long been acustomed to the constant sounds of nature. There were no birds, no wind to gently glide through the trees, no soft rustling of the leaves. No, this place was cold and dead, seemingly like a tomb, and so very much like the chamber itself.
Thinking of the chamber caused his unease to grow more. running his hand across his face, he scowled as he became aware of the days old growth of a beard that was forming and starting to itch from the mixture of sweat and grime that had accumulated. He wondered for a mment how bad he must look, but decided that he probably looked better than he felt t the moment. His thoughts had unerved him somewhat. He half expected to look up and see the undead gurads of the wizard roaming the cavern, searchng for him as the did so long ago as he made his escape.
He began to tighten his bracers, simply to get his mind off it's present course. Taking a dagger from the attached sheath below his wrist, he examined the blade,taking sour note that it had began to dull. He wished for a mment that his memories would dull as much, before he slide the blade back and closed his eyes. No sense worrying nw, he told himself. He had escaped long ago, and this wasn't an annex of the chambers underground complex. He was among friends, and he had left nothing behind worth the memories.
You have forgotten....
The voice in his head snapped his attention back into focus. A voice he should know, should recognize, but it evaded him. Closing his eyes once again, he concentrated, trying to recall, to force a face from his mind that would clear the confusion. For long moments he struggled, but only succeeded an bringing a distant image, a figure that looked familiar indeed, but in a more confusing way. The voice was from his past, but the figure it forced into his mind was one more current. Again the voice spoke.
You have forgotten all of us, you have forgotten me
But the voice spoke with the lips of a friend. FFor a moment, the image became sharper, and BS was looking into the eyes of Mysteria, then it seemed to shift, to morph to another person, but in an instant was gone....leaving a thouroly confused Bloodstalker trying to make sense of it all.
Lord of Lurkers
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!
Guess what? I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!
Thalimon walked towards T’lainya his expression guarded yet curious. The priestess studied him carefully and smiled.
“My name is T’lainya, a priestess of Corellon Larethian. I wish to…apologize if my manner was less than welcoming. I was concerned by Scayde’s reaction to you. I feared that her consternation was personal. I meant thee no insult, though I fear it may have seemed otherwise.”
“My name is T’lainya, a priestess of Corellon Larethian. I wish to…apologize if my manner was less than welcoming. I was concerned by Scayde’s reaction to you. I feared that her consternation was personal. I meant thee no insult, though I fear it may have seemed otherwise.”
[url="http://www.gamebanshee.com"]GameBanshee[/url] Make your gaming scream!
"I have seen them/I have watched them all fall/I have been them/I have watched myself crawl"
"I will only complicate you/Trust in me and fall as well"
"Quiet time...no more whine"
"I have seen them/I have watched them all fall/I have been them/I have watched myself crawl"
"I will only complicate you/Trust in me and fall as well"
"Quiet time...no more whine"
Thalimon noticed a slight smile play on the bright face of the elf-woman...he had been here before, aye, so it seemed, and he was here yet again. It was tau'rathkaa, the Way, upon which he was to travel this life, and in the stinging sandstorms of the Anauroch he had yielded his will to this Way. He had found peace. Let it be so.
The paladin listened intently as the priestess spoke, and noted that her careful and measured words seemed also to reflect her equally careful and measured gaze. He nodded his head as she fell silent.
"My lady T'lainya, priestess of Corellon Larethian, I am Thalimon, servant of Torm the True. Truly I am honored, for I have heard tell of your lord, and the deeds of his servants. Fear not," and at this the tiefling smiled broadly, "for I bear you no ill will, as you were so diligently protecting your charge. Well met.
"I must beg your leave, for there are matters I must attend to. I am honored, indeed, to make your acquaintence. Fare you well."
The paladin listened intently as the priestess spoke, and noted that her careful and measured words seemed also to reflect her equally careful and measured gaze. He nodded his head as she fell silent.
"My lady T'lainya, priestess of Corellon Larethian, I am Thalimon, servant of Torm the True. Truly I am honored, for I have heard tell of your lord, and the deeds of his servants. Fear not," and at this the tiefling smiled broadly, "for I bear you no ill will, as you were so diligently protecting your charge. Well met.
"I must beg your leave, for there are matters I must attend to. I am honored, indeed, to make your acquaintence. Fare you well."
CYNIC, n.:
A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.
-[url="http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/a.html"]The Devil's Dictionary[/url]
A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be.
-[url="http://www.alcyone.com/max/lit/devils/a.html"]The Devil's Dictionary[/url]
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
As soon as she thought she was alone and unnoticed, she opened her fists again and examined the stones. How beautiful they were, and what a strange request! She almost laughed aloud to herself, why would he trust this clumsy druid with something he so cherished? This was obvious to her from the pictures he had shared. "Ok then!" she said determined, and setting her jaw she began passing the stones from one hand to the other...not yet letting them go, just passing...that was all.
She smiled, their weight was as balanced as their beauty pure! She risked releasing one, and as it landed squarely in the palm of her receiving hand it seemed to temporarily hum with a life of it's own. "Heh!" she tried it again, and again. Each time the stone landed, she sensed a brief zap of energy...of a connection, an invitation almost...before she knew it she was juggling! She would have laughed in spite of herself if she was sure it would not break the synchronised dancing of the stones. She didn't toss them high, she wouldn't risk dropping them, but she was gaining gradual confidence in releasing and catching, she was succumbing to the invitation of the rhythm the stones projected. Then she caught a stone, but it took a while to respond "huh?" as the second stone fell to the floor, she realised the distraction. She sighed "Why did you do that?" she asked petulantly, before leaning to seek the dropped stone.
"You are doing well" he projected back.
"I was!" she scowled. Then she smiled "So you saw me? I have never done that before!"
Thalimon laughed heartily "A dropped stone is a cherished stone" he said, before collecting the pebble and handing it back.
"Oh! thank you!"
"The next time you will catch it" then he winked at her, and she scowled mockingly in return.
She smiled, their weight was as balanced as their beauty pure! She risked releasing one, and as it landed squarely in the palm of her receiving hand it seemed to temporarily hum with a life of it's own. "Heh!" she tried it again, and again. Each time the stone landed, she sensed a brief zap of energy...of a connection, an invitation almost...before she knew it she was juggling! She would have laughed in spite of herself if she was sure it would not break the synchronised dancing of the stones. She didn't toss them high, she wouldn't risk dropping them, but she was gaining gradual confidence in releasing and catching, she was succumbing to the invitation of the rhythm the stones projected. Then she caught a stone, but it took a while to respond "huh?" as the second stone fell to the floor, she realised the distraction. She sighed "Why did you do that?" she asked petulantly, before leaning to seek the dropped stone.
"You are doing well" he projected back.
"I was!" she scowled. Then she smiled "So you saw me? I have never done that before!"
Thalimon laughed heartily "A dropped stone is a cherished stone" he said, before collecting the pebble and handing it back.
"Oh! thank you!"
"The next time you will catch it" then he winked at her, and she scowled mockingly in return.
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Scayde swallowed the warm, delicious liquid, wincing a little as it burned her throat. Her eyes opened to a blur of faces and muffled voices. Hunter nuzzling her shoulder gave her the reassurance of familiarity she desperately needed. Opening her eyes more fully, she began to prop herself on one elbow. The man called Thantor placed his hand behind her back, helping her into a sitting position, while the priestess offered her more of the wonderful brandy. Scayde sipped gratefully letting the fiery liquid take effect. She was beginning to feel calmer.
Draping her arm over Hunter, she pulled herself up. The woman, T’lainya helping her to stand, Thantor’s hand remaining at the ready should she fall, again. It was beginning to sink in. The soreness in her hip where she had fallen offering further confirmation that she was indeed alive.
Her eyes swept the cavern. Then she again looked at the man in front of her. Her brows creasing, she turned her face toward Thantor. “You are telling me the truth....Aren’t you” It wasn’t a question. She already knew the answer.
Looking down the tunnel toward the pool. She pointed in its direction. I fell in the water over there, and when I came out, I was here. I have to get back...
Picking up Hunter’s reins, she looked at each one in the room. “You are all very nice people. But I don’t belong here.” With that she headed back to the pool. Turning her head once more the people who had showed her such kindness, she said simply “Thank you” and walked into the darkness.
When she reached the water’s edge, her heart sank in her chest. Where she expected to find a great underground lake, was a small shallow pool, much too shallow to be a way out of the caverns. She buried her face in Hunter’s warm neck and began to cry.
When there were no tears left, Scayde dried her eyes. With new resolve, born of an adaptability she had possessed since she was a child, she gathered Hunter’s reins in hand and set out to find the group again. She was in a strange world, among strangers, but they had been kind. She knew now was no time to be alone. Perhaps, she hoped, she would find acceptance among them. Someday, she hoped to return to her beloved home, but for now, survival was at stake.
Draping her arm over Hunter, she pulled herself up. The woman, T’lainya helping her to stand, Thantor’s hand remaining at the ready should she fall, again. It was beginning to sink in. The soreness in her hip where she had fallen offering further confirmation that she was indeed alive.
Her eyes swept the cavern. Then she again looked at the man in front of her. Her brows creasing, she turned her face toward Thantor. “You are telling me the truth....Aren’t you” It wasn’t a question. She already knew the answer.
Looking down the tunnel toward the pool. She pointed in its direction. I fell in the water over there, and when I came out, I was here. I have to get back...
Picking up Hunter’s reins, she looked at each one in the room. “You are all very nice people. But I don’t belong here.” With that she headed back to the pool. Turning her head once more the people who had showed her such kindness, she said simply “Thank you” and walked into the darkness.
When she reached the water’s edge, her heart sank in her chest. Where she expected to find a great underground lake, was a small shallow pool, much too shallow to be a way out of the caverns. She buried her face in Hunter’s warm neck and began to cry.
When there were no tears left, Scayde dried her eyes. With new resolve, born of an adaptability she had possessed since she was a child, she gathered Hunter’s reins in hand and set out to find the group again. She was in a strange world, among strangers, but they had been kind. She knew now was no time to be alone. Perhaps, she hoped, she would find acceptance among them. Someday, she hoped to return to her beloved home, but for now, survival was at stake.
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong
Deep in thought, Mysteria instinctively kept deep in the shadows, melding in with her surroundings even though she was more used to the open, rustling trees and soft grass. Slowly, she proceeded back towards the rest of the group, her earlier escapade having her taken back a bit into the tunnel they had come from earlier. At the entrance of the main chamber, she stopped for a moment to get her bearings. A lot of her friends were gathered here, some moving around, some still, but the dim light made it hard for her to tell if they were all there.
Keeping to the wall, she was just in time to see the strange horsewoman rush off into the gloom, apparently headed somewhere in a hurry. It urged her to go off after her, those tunnels were dangerous, but she didn't feel up to it and, besides, she saw Thantor and T'Lainya watching after her.
Trodding forward like this, she almost stumbled over Bloodstalker who had sat down against a wall, his eyes closed. For an instant, she believed him to be sleeping, but the tension that was still in his body told her better. Carefully, she stepped in a half-circle around him, not wanting to let her magics come too close to the man.
Redirecting her attention away from Bloodstalker, a slight movement in front of the rock wall alerted her to Aegis's presence. Apparently, he had been keeping an eye on the other man but now he was watching her, his lone eye light in the surrounding darkness. Her step faltered for an instant, but then she set her jaw and walked towards him. Leaning onto the wall, she let her form dissolve in the shadows, though she still sood out much more than the elf in his tattered cloak who was almost melding into the rock.
She forced a grin through her doubt, slightly surprised as it turned into a genuine smile, warming her heart, then nodded in greeting towards the elf. More serious, she then turned slightly back towards Bloodstalker, lowering her voice. "Is anything the matter with him? Why's he sitting there?" Waiting for the elf to reply, she was glad to see that he had fashed the grime off his face allthough that made his ghastly scar show all the more. Shifting at the memory of how he had refused any help, she nevertheless found that she had become somewhat used to it, making it seem less worse than before.
She jumped as he nudged her slightly, "Hey, you asked me a question, aren't you interested in the answer?"
Slightly embarrassed, she realized that he had already been talking to her. "Sorry, I wasn't listening, what did you say?"
He grinned, then mockingly raised an eyebrow. "What do I get if I repeat myself?"
She stifled a laugh, then grinned back "I promise I'll try not to turn you into any animals again, what about that?"
With a wry smile, he replied "I really hope not ... I was saying that I have no idea what our big fighter is doing. He seems to be thinking about something, he's probably just as sick of being in these caves as I am."
Nodding, she confirmed his thoughts. "I'd love to see some green grass again, not those black, damps rock." She gave the wall a reproachful look, then leaned with her back against it, chosing to ignore the other ranger's closeness and her decision not to approach him again. "Well, in that case, let's wait for him to finish his meditation. It's probably not very smart to go anywhere alone in these caves." As she said it, she felt relieved that she had actually made it back to her friends ... anything could have been lurking in the darkness and she was glad it had only been the Symbul.
Keeping to the wall, she was just in time to see the strange horsewoman rush off into the gloom, apparently headed somewhere in a hurry. It urged her to go off after her, those tunnels were dangerous, but she didn't feel up to it and, besides, she saw Thantor and T'Lainya watching after her.
Trodding forward like this, she almost stumbled over Bloodstalker who had sat down against a wall, his eyes closed. For an instant, she believed him to be sleeping, but the tension that was still in his body told her better. Carefully, she stepped in a half-circle around him, not wanting to let her magics come too close to the man.
Redirecting her attention away from Bloodstalker, a slight movement in front of the rock wall alerted her to Aegis's presence. Apparently, he had been keeping an eye on the other man but now he was watching her, his lone eye light in the surrounding darkness. Her step faltered for an instant, but then she set her jaw and walked towards him. Leaning onto the wall, she let her form dissolve in the shadows, though she still sood out much more than the elf in his tattered cloak who was almost melding into the rock.
She forced a grin through her doubt, slightly surprised as it turned into a genuine smile, warming her heart, then nodded in greeting towards the elf. More serious, she then turned slightly back towards Bloodstalker, lowering her voice. "Is anything the matter with him? Why's he sitting there?" Waiting for the elf to reply, she was glad to see that he had fashed the grime off his face allthough that made his ghastly scar show all the more. Shifting at the memory of how he had refused any help, she nevertheless found that she had become somewhat used to it, making it seem less worse than before.
She jumped as he nudged her slightly, "Hey, you asked me a question, aren't you interested in the answer?"
Slightly embarrassed, she realized that he had already been talking to her. "Sorry, I wasn't listening, what did you say?"
He grinned, then mockingly raised an eyebrow. "What do I get if I repeat myself?"
She stifled a laugh, then grinned back "I promise I'll try not to turn you into any animals again, what about that?"
With a wry smile, he replied "I really hope not ... I was saying that I have no idea what our big fighter is doing. He seems to be thinking about something, he's probably just as sick of being in these caves as I am."
Nodding, she confirmed his thoughts. "I'd love to see some green grass again, not those black, damps rock." She gave the wall a reproachful look, then leaned with her back against it, chosing to ignore the other ranger's closeness and her decision not to approach him again. "Well, in that case, let's wait for him to finish his meditation. It's probably not very smart to go anywhere alone in these caves." As she said it, she felt relieved that she had actually made it back to her friends ... anything could have been lurking in the darkness and she was glad it had only been the Symbul.
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
-
Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
Gwalchmai did not know that Aqua-Chan was behind him until he suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of his head. He looked at her askance and was about to spout out some witty repartee, but he stopped himself. The torchlight backlit the feline humanoid, causing a halo to appear around her as her fine fur reflected the light in golden hues. Her inherent beauty struck him; an exotic, surreal quality comprised of lithe grace, curved symmetry, and soft attractiveness. He tried to imagine her without the layered leather armor, and found it an easy task.
He sighed and smiled as the same time as a warm feeling enveloped his heart. He looked around the cavern. If he squinted just right, he could blot out the presence of Bloodstalker, Nippy, Thantor, Obsidian, Aegis, and the new teifling. Thusly, he could imagine himself alone amongst a sea of alluring, beautiful, feminine power. He sighed again, knowing that he had returned to that center of his being that made minute-to-minute life possible.
He sighed and smiled as the same time as a warm feeling enveloped his heart. He looked around the cavern. If he squinted just right, he could blot out the presence of Bloodstalker, Nippy, Thantor, Obsidian, Aegis, and the new teifling. Thusly, he could imagine himself alone amongst a sea of alluring, beautiful, feminine power. He sighed again, knowing that he had returned to that center of his being that made minute-to-minute life possible.
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
Nippy had carried on watching everyone talk to the newcomers, the Tormite now looked like a demon or somesuch, but he sensed no evil but the other one, the red-headed woman, she lacked an aura. He was shocked slightly at this. He detected something other-worldly about her, it was well... frankly damn strange. He clucked his tongue and sucked in breath between clenched teeth.
He concentrated further on the new womans ki and aura. He focused but then a searing burn flashed through his mind. White light danced across his eyes and he saw a brief silhouette of his mortal enemy flicker across his sight.
Nippy suddenly took on another demeanour. He let his emotion take hold of him and he felt the anger course through him. This anger began to fire his muscles and he clenched his hand, his knuckles whitened, they cracked slightly under the pressure.
A dark storm raged across his green eyes, they seemed to darken and a bitter taste cropped on his tongue. He tasted the coppery flavour of blood, Nippy only just realised he had been biting his tongue.
He walked forward behind Bloodstalker silently. Nippy laid his hand on Bloodstalker's shoulder, and though he had only known the man a short while he felt a close bond with him, someone who relied on the martial skills. Magic was all well and good, but Nippy would be damned if he didn't prefer having strength of arms.
"My friend. I know you cannot tell the magica running through this place, but evil is palpable. I saw that b@stard that caused all of our problems. Not to mention mine..." Nippy added silently.
"I think we had best move soon. If we sit here too long we risk capturing the attention of people that don't need to know that we are here..."
"What? Nippy, you speak in riddles man! We are safe here, no one..."
"Hah! No one can find us? The True does not stand around waiting for his enemies to come to him, he follows them, he tracks them and then he releases his divine fury upon their souls!"
A relegious zeal burned its way across Nippy's face. His eyes seemed to glow with passion, but just as quickly as his voice raised, it softened.
"I can feel him Bloodstalker. I saw that... man that sent me from my home, my life. I've been lucky, but by the God's he'll pay, Torm's fury will fuel my blows and will strike true through his servant! We must either decide to move against the Abomination, or move on. Standing here serves no purpose, we merely risk an ambush."
Nippy looked over to the group of Dark Flames and sighed.
"I'll go and see if I can get them moving, I overheard Gwalchmai, I think he might have a plan. If not, we move on, I think." Nippy shrugged.
"Do you trust me Bloodstalker? Tell me you trust me on this..."
He concentrated further on the new womans ki and aura. He focused but then a searing burn flashed through his mind. White light danced across his eyes and he saw a brief silhouette of his mortal enemy flicker across his sight.
Nippy suddenly took on another demeanour. He let his emotion take hold of him and he felt the anger course through him. This anger began to fire his muscles and he clenched his hand, his knuckles whitened, they cracked slightly under the pressure.
A dark storm raged across his green eyes, they seemed to darken and a bitter taste cropped on his tongue. He tasted the coppery flavour of blood, Nippy only just realised he had been biting his tongue.
He walked forward behind Bloodstalker silently. Nippy laid his hand on Bloodstalker's shoulder, and though he had only known the man a short while he felt a close bond with him, someone who relied on the martial skills. Magic was all well and good, but Nippy would be damned if he didn't prefer having strength of arms.
"My friend. I know you cannot tell the magica running through this place, but evil is palpable. I saw that b@stard that caused all of our problems. Not to mention mine..." Nippy added silently.
"I think we had best move soon. If we sit here too long we risk capturing the attention of people that don't need to know that we are here..."
"What? Nippy, you speak in riddles man! We are safe here, no one..."
"Hah! No one can find us? The True does not stand around waiting for his enemies to come to him, he follows them, he tracks them and then he releases his divine fury upon their souls!"
A relegious zeal burned its way across Nippy's face. His eyes seemed to glow with passion, but just as quickly as his voice raised, it softened.
"I can feel him Bloodstalker. I saw that... man that sent me from my home, my life. I've been lucky, but by the God's he'll pay, Torm's fury will fuel my blows and will strike true through his servant! We must either decide to move against the Abomination, or move on. Standing here serves no purpose, we merely risk an ambush."
Nippy looked over to the group of Dark Flames and sighed.
"I'll go and see if I can get them moving, I overheard Gwalchmai, I think he might have a plan. If not, we move on, I think." Nippy shrugged.
"Do you trust me Bloodstalker? Tell me you trust me on this..."
Perverteer Paladin
Mysteria stared at Nippy, surprised by the burning hate she could see in his eyes. He was ready to take on the Abomination alone? She stared at him, her mouth gaping open. Snapping it shut, she still was amazed, surely he wasn't speaking seriously ...? Somehow, he was right, they were just standing around, almost asking to be ambushed, but rushing ahead of the others wasn't really a choice.
She shook her head, then a look of concern came upon her face. The filthy dungeon air wasn't the healthiest place to be and even though Nippy should probably be immune to any disease you could pick up in here, she still couldn't keep herself from wondering if he hadn't caught something bad. Energetically, she walked over to him and looking him up and down, finally touching his forehead gingerly. Drawing back, he looked at her in confusion, "What ...?" "Just checking on your health ... I thought your mind had been confused by some sickness, but apparently you can be as healthy as a bull and still be mad enough to try tackling the Abomination on your own."
She looked down at Bloodstalker, "I wouldn't tell him that you'll go with him if there's any chance that that'll keep him from pulling through with that mad plan." She crossed her arms, challenging the men to say something.
She shook her head, then a look of concern came upon her face. The filthy dungeon air wasn't the healthiest place to be and even though Nippy should probably be immune to any disease you could pick up in here, she still couldn't keep herself from wondering if he hadn't caught something bad. Energetically, she walked over to him and looking him up and down, finally touching his forehead gingerly. Drawing back, he looked at her in confusion, "What ...?" "Just checking on your health ... I thought your mind had been confused by some sickness, but apparently you can be as healthy as a bull and still be mad enough to try tackling the Abomination on your own."
She looked down at Bloodstalker, "I wouldn't tell him that you'll go with him if there's any chance that that'll keep him from pulling through with that mad plan." She crossed her arms, challenging the men to say something.
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."