Scayde was making her way to the women near the pool when she saw Yshania turn from the group and walk away. She looked on as her friend seated herself on the rock ledge and buried her face in her hands, Scade felt she might understand, she felt like crying too. The bat woman, devil thing that had caused all of this would have to wait for an appology.
Glad for the decision not to have to face her just yet, Scayde altered her direction and with a "Please forgive me" glance at Dragon Wench, went to sit down next to Yshania.
The Order of the Dark Flame: Book 5. (story, no spam)
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
“Hey, Gwally!” Bloodstalker shouted suddenly, “Watch me pull a rabbit out of muh hat!”
Gwalchmai blithely watched the proud warrior stumble a bit as he grabbed a helmet from a dead something-or-other and began to wave his hands in a parody of magical incantation over the up-turned helmet. Gwalchmai shook his head and waved a dismissive hand, “Oh that trick never works!”
Bloodstalker ignored him. “Nothin’ up my sleeves!” he intoned, plucking at the armor on his forearms. He reached into the helmet and rooted around a bit, his face screwed up in concentration and the tip of his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth. Finally, his eyes lit up and he withdrew his hand…..
For the briefest of moments, Gwalchmai could have sworn that Bloodstalker pulled the head of an angry lion from the helmet. Evidently, Bloodstalker thought he saw something similar, as his eyes grew wide and he quickly stuffed the lion back into the helmet. “Don’t know muh own strength!” he muttered.
A strange feeling of dejavu came over Gwalchmai, and he slowly backed away from the addled warrior. This is not the kind of thing he wanted to get into right now…
Gwalchmai blithely watched the proud warrior stumble a bit as he grabbed a helmet from a dead something-or-other and began to wave his hands in a parody of magical incantation over the up-turned helmet. Gwalchmai shook his head and waved a dismissive hand, “Oh that trick never works!”
Bloodstalker ignored him. “Nothin’ up my sleeves!” he intoned, plucking at the armor on his forearms. He reached into the helmet and rooted around a bit, his face screwed up in concentration and the tip of his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth. Finally, his eyes lit up and he withdrew his hand…..
For the briefest of moments, Gwalchmai could have sworn that Bloodstalker pulled the head of an angry lion from the helmet. Evidently, Bloodstalker thought he saw something similar, as his eyes grew wide and he quickly stuffed the lion back into the helmet. “Don’t know muh own strength!” he muttered.
A strange feeling of dejavu came over Gwalchmai, and he slowly backed away from the addled warrior. This is not the kind of thing he wanted to get into right now…
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
Far above the fetid jungle of hell, imprisoned atop the temple of terror, lie Justice in her bonds. Strong they were, and impossibly so, for Justice was no being of meager stature. Wrought by the magics of the Demon Prince himself, the chains had held the defeated Planetar powerless in the infernal Lord's grip for time without end.
For thousands of mortal years Justice bore the unspeakable burden of her enslavement with nary a sign nor moan, for this her eternal foes relished above all other things: her suffering and torment. Therefore she steeled herself, calling upon her immortal reserves within to resist the malevolent will of her captor even as her form withered, turning ashen and cadaverous beneath the overwhelming evil of the Abyss. And so she had held fast, awaiting the arrival of her deliverer, as her lord had promised her...so very, very long ago.
The time had come. He came to her now, the Knight of her Lord, wielding the Shard. In the vastness of the jungle Justice sensed his approach, and though dreadfully weakened by the feeding of the vampiric succubus she rose to her knees to see, for the first time in thousands of years, the shining rays of the dawn in Hell.
Opening her cracked, bleeding lips, Justice whispered his name...
Thalimon.
Raising his eyes to the dizzying heights above, Thalimon Shestare could at last answer her call.
"I come to you at last, Aylindarra. Long have I heard you call my name in the realm of dreams. I shall not fail you now."
For thousands of mortal years Justice bore the unspeakable burden of her enslavement with nary a sign nor moan, for this her eternal foes relished above all other things: her suffering and torment. Therefore she steeled herself, calling upon her immortal reserves within to resist the malevolent will of her captor even as her form withered, turning ashen and cadaverous beneath the overwhelming evil of the Abyss. And so she had held fast, awaiting the arrival of her deliverer, as her lord had promised her...so very, very long ago.
The time had come. He came to her now, the Knight of her Lord, wielding the Shard. In the vastness of the jungle Justice sensed his approach, and though dreadfully weakened by the feeding of the vampiric succubus she rose to her knees to see, for the first time in thousands of years, the shining rays of the dawn in Hell.
Opening her cracked, bleeding lips, Justice whispered his name...
Thalimon.
Raising his eyes to the dizzying heights above, Thalimon Shestare could at last answer her call.
"I come to you at last, Aylindarra. Long have I heard you call my name in the realm of dreams. I shall not fail you 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]
Grasping the blazing sword-shard in his hand, Thalimon continued his journey to the massive Ziggurat unchallenged. Before him the tanar'ri fled in terror to the four winds, for the blazing aura of the Avenger shone about him like the sun at mid-day, burning all that was unclean and unholy with a wrathful fire.
Here, even in the very heart of evil, the Avenger was near the power of his Lord...and here, greater than ever before, the true might of the sword was revealed more fully to the tiefling who was chosen to wield it. Gone was his subdued mail of Thykiri steel, and cured leathers of sslath hide. Arrayed upon him now was mail of a glorious hue, lustrous and alive within the aura of white fire which bathed him in unearthly radiance.
Changed too were his dark, chiseled features, tainted as they had always been with his Abyssal heritage. Nay, a tiefling he seemed no longer, son of the cambion warrior-lord of Sigil. Infused with the power of his Lord, Thalimon had become transformed into a creature somewhat familiar, yet utterly different, than who he had been before.
Spreading his feathered wings wide, Thalimon rose into the air upon a swelling thermal, quickly rising above the fetid morass of death and despair below.
Here, even in the very heart of evil, the Avenger was near the power of his Lord...and here, greater than ever before, the true might of the sword was revealed more fully to the tiefling who was chosen to wield it. Gone was his subdued mail of Thykiri steel, and cured leathers of sslath hide. Arrayed upon him now was mail of a glorious hue, lustrous and alive within the aura of white fire which bathed him in unearthly radiance.
Changed too were his dark, chiseled features, tainted as they had always been with his Abyssal heritage. Nay, a tiefling he seemed no longer, son of the cambion warrior-lord of Sigil. Infused with the power of his Lord, Thalimon had become transformed into a creature somewhat familiar, yet utterly different, than who he had been before.
Spreading his feathered wings wide, Thalimon rose into the air upon a swelling thermal, quickly rising above the fetid morass of death and despair below.
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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Bloodstalker
- Posts: 15512
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Hell if I know
- Contact:
"Pardon me sir, but I believe your druid friend is a bit daft"
Bloodstalker looked down at the dwarf, considering the words and not really being able to refute them.
"Too much time in the sun I suppose" he shrugged.
"He looked at you as if you had antlers or something" the dwarf replied.
BS was just about to check his head when a small voice cried out excitedly. "Antlers, of course"
Seeing the confused look on BS's face, the dwarf interceded. "I believe it came from you hat"
Looking into the hat, BS was amazed to see a small mouse with a pointy hat jumping up and down excitedly, talking all the while.
"Don't you see? Antlers. Antlers are like horns. Horns, yes, I have it, Horns are sounded when one goes to war and war...war...rhymes with...BOAR! Yes, that's it, and a boar is a woodland animal...woodland animal, let's see a squirrel, yes, I have it. Gwally thinks he's a squirrel!!"
BS stared at the mouse a bit longer before replying. "Where'd you get that stupid hat?"
"What ? Let's see now, Who here is a miniature giant wizard mouse, raise your hand. Oh that's right, just me. So shut up."
"Oh...huh?"
"I am the all-knowing yet diminutive Mickey, and I alone can help you save your freind. But, we have little time, the delusions are already settleing in. We must find the Han quickly."
BS thought a moment, "Where do we start?"
"That fetching young lass over there, you know, the one who likes to hoarde her booze"
"Yshania?"
"Yes, we must observe her, but stealthily, lest we spook the Han. Therefore, cover your eyes so she can't see you, and bear me closer. I'll...er.....take things from there" The mouse replied a bit enthusiastically.
Taking one last look at Gwally busy admiring his own tail, BS covered his eyes and tiptoed across the cavern, careful to stay out of sight.
Bloodstalker looked down at the dwarf, considering the words and not really being able to refute them.
"Too much time in the sun I suppose" he shrugged.
"He looked at you as if you had antlers or something" the dwarf replied.
BS was just about to check his head when a small voice cried out excitedly. "Antlers, of course"
Seeing the confused look on BS's face, the dwarf interceded. "I believe it came from you hat"
Looking into the hat, BS was amazed to see a small mouse with a pointy hat jumping up and down excitedly, talking all the while.
"Don't you see? Antlers. Antlers are like horns. Horns, yes, I have it, Horns are sounded when one goes to war and war...war...rhymes with...BOAR! Yes, that's it, and a boar is a woodland animal...woodland animal, let's see a squirrel, yes, I have it. Gwally thinks he's a squirrel!!"
BS stared at the mouse a bit longer before replying. "Where'd you get that stupid hat?"
"What ? Let's see now, Who here is a miniature giant wizard mouse, raise your hand. Oh that's right, just me. So shut up."
"Oh...huh?"
"I am the all-knowing yet diminutive Mickey, and I alone can help you save your freind. But, we have little time, the delusions are already settleing in. We must find the Han quickly."
BS thought a moment, "Where do we start?"
"That fetching young lass over there, you know, the one who likes to hoarde her booze"
"Yshania?"
"Yes, we must observe her, but stealthily, lest we spook the Han. Therefore, cover your eyes so she can't see you, and bear me closer. I'll...er.....take things from there" The mouse replied a bit enthusiastically.
Taking one last look at Gwally busy admiring his own tail, BS covered his eyes and tiptoed across the cavern, careful to stay out of sight.
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!
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dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
Momentarily alone... or at least left with her thoughts... Dragon Wench gazed into the pool.... as if somehow hoping that the crystalline depths might bring truth to murkiness clouding mind and soul.
How she longed for clarity... how she ached to feel sunlight upon bare shoulders... Yet, in some ways, it was almost as if the ever-present darkness had become a part of the person she was... Or maybe.. it was that the nearly absolute absence of light merely elongated the shadows that had always fed upon the uncertainties lurking just below fragile consciousness....
Unmistakably, her scalp prickled... and she could not escape the feeling of being observed. Dragon Wench glanced about...but like before... no danger seemed apparent.
She turned her attention back to the pool... In a flicker that was at once familiar and strangely chilling... the tranquil waters rippled...
Dark hair pulled tightly back... greenish eyes... defined cheekbones...returned her gaze... searching yet somehow distant...
Inaudibly, she gasped faintly, and reached for him.. But at the last instant she pulled back.... for fear that the simple act of dipping her hand into the limpid waters might dispel his image... Despite herself... suppressed desires and vulnerabilities surged upwards.... overwhelming her... In a single, suspended moment she allowed herself to touch that which had become forbidden... Searing pain.... intense joy.... arose within... engulfing her every thought.... her every want.... And with it, came knowledge... a sense of finality.... the realisation that their shared darkness could only consume them both...
As if for the first time... grief spilled up.... and her tears rained down into the waiting pool... A fountain of awareness pouring into every fissure... every lacerated edge... every quivering shadow...
How she longed for clarity... how she ached to feel sunlight upon bare shoulders... Yet, in some ways, it was almost as if the ever-present darkness had become a part of the person she was... Or maybe.. it was that the nearly absolute absence of light merely elongated the shadows that had always fed upon the uncertainties lurking just below fragile consciousness....
Unmistakably, her scalp prickled... and she could not escape the feeling of being observed. Dragon Wench glanced about...but like before... no danger seemed apparent.
She turned her attention back to the pool... In a flicker that was at once familiar and strangely chilling... the tranquil waters rippled...
Dark hair pulled tightly back... greenish eyes... defined cheekbones...returned her gaze... searching yet somehow distant...
Inaudibly, she gasped faintly, and reached for him.. But at the last instant she pulled back.... for fear that the simple act of dipping her hand into the limpid waters might dispel his image... Despite herself... suppressed desires and vulnerabilities surged upwards.... overwhelming her... In a single, suspended moment she allowed herself to touch that which had become forbidden... Searing pain.... intense joy.... arose within... engulfing her every thought.... her every want.... And with it, came knowledge... a sense of finality.... the realisation that their shared darkness could only consume them both...
As if for the first time... grief spilled up.... and her tears rained down into the waiting pool... A fountain of awareness pouring into every fissure... every lacerated edge... every quivering shadow...
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
testingtest12
As the raptu-bird of his distant desert home, Thalimon spiraled high into air, reaching for the impossible summit of the Zigurrat of the Demon Prince. This he would reach no matter the cost, for the Tiefling would at last know his destiny, and hold it in his hands once and for all...his own hands.
Often he had dreamed of the raptu, the dark-winged bird of prey of the Waste, and ever did he see the signs....signs that signified a link between himself and the predator. Thas his friend would often speak of this connection during the quiet moments, yet as always his words were crytpic and distant, lost in the furnace-winds where the Warder lord heard the voice of his Mistress. This Thalimon respected, yet faintly understood...until now.
He did not know why these wings were his, yet they were, and as aptly as he had in the land of his dreams, the warrior soared in broad, lazy circles, navigating the thermals with little thought at all. Aimlessly his mind wandered as he rose ever higher, piercing the crimson pall that gripped the sky of Hell in a gruesome embrace, lending what light that escaped the copper clouds a blood-stained hue. Swiftly the veil parted, and there he beheld the serene eyes of blue he knew so well. Shalimare...
Yet it was not, for these were eyes tinged with a great sadness, a sadness that reached out to him from the world that he had left behind to fulfill his destiny. Not time, nor even the power of Hell could sever the bond he shared with the one who looked upon him with these eyes, for her sadness was not a sorrow of despair, nor of pity. No, like Shalimare their mother, her sadness was one which cleansed and purified, bringing life where there once was death. As their mother's tears had cleansed the drow cavern of the taint of evil a lifetime ago, so they fell upon him now in the heart of Hell, cleansing his mind and bringing him to the present...
In the air he was met by the gigantic guardian of the Ziggurat, the dread Lord Balphozir'eth, shrouded by fire and held aloft by leathery wings of massive breadth. This was no lesser Tanar'ri, one that would flee before the glory of a Knight of Torm the True. No, this was a Baalor, a Lord of the Abyss in his own right...and in the nightmarish expanse of his own infernal dimension he was without peer, save for the Demon Princes themselves in their dark, malignant might.
Often he had dreamed of the raptu, the dark-winged bird of prey of the Waste, and ever did he see the signs....signs that signified a link between himself and the predator. Thas his friend would often speak of this connection during the quiet moments, yet as always his words were crytpic and distant, lost in the furnace-winds where the Warder lord heard the voice of his Mistress. This Thalimon respected, yet faintly understood...until now.
He did not know why these wings were his, yet they were, and as aptly as he had in the land of his dreams, the warrior soared in broad, lazy circles, navigating the thermals with little thought at all. Aimlessly his mind wandered as he rose ever higher, piercing the crimson pall that gripped the sky of Hell in a gruesome embrace, lending what light that escaped the copper clouds a blood-stained hue. Swiftly the veil parted, and there he beheld the serene eyes of blue he knew so well. Shalimare...
Yet it was not, for these were eyes tinged with a great sadness, a sadness that reached out to him from the world that he had left behind to fulfill his destiny. Not time, nor even the power of Hell could sever the bond he shared with the one who looked upon him with these eyes, for her sadness was not a sorrow of despair, nor of pity. No, like Shalimare their mother, her sadness was one which cleansed and purified, bringing life where there once was death. As their mother's tears had cleansed the drow cavern of the taint of evil a lifetime ago, so they fell upon him now in the heart of Hell, cleansing his mind and bringing him to the present...
In the air he was met by the gigantic guardian of the Ziggurat, the dread Lord Balphozir'eth, shrouded by fire and held aloft by leathery wings of massive breadth. This was no lesser Tanar'ri, one that would flee before the glory of a Knight of Torm the True. No, this was a Baalor, a Lord of the Abyss in his own right...and in the nightmarish expanse of his own infernal dimension he was without peer, save for the Demon Princes themselves in their dark, malignant might.
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]
Visions streamed into Nova's consciousness. In her mind's eye she saw the Dark Guard transformed into a being of sheer radiance. An asimar of great might and stature arraigned in the light of his God. So faint was the resemblance to his former self that had she not been linked to him through Tashara , she would not have known this was Thalimon. A memory flashed and she saw him again as a dark and complex Tiefling battleing the drow priestess's minions. Nova jerked her head up and turned to face Tashara.
"I offer you cold comfort. I know I came here asking for your help, but your brother and the planatar are beyond our assistance now. Much has changed since I left him standing in the portal. It would seem there has been a transformation. He is no longer the man you knew as your brother. He is no longer the one I watched from affar. I do not know what he calls himself now, but your brother has been transformed into something very different than the man we knew him as. He is fulfilling his destiny. He has taken the semblance of an Asimar.
Take great pride in your brother.....He is destined to be a hero, but he has gone now where you can not follow, and I cannot return. I am afraid he must do this alone. Hopefully he will be strong enough to prevail. He too is a Child of Shalimar. We must have faith that his God will aid him in his quest. Perhaps someday he will find his way back to you, but for now your destinies have taken separate paths."
With that Nova spread her wings and glided to Tashara's side.
"Dry your eyes Tashara. Your friends need you. As for me?
I will honor my pledge and fight by your side."
"I offer you cold comfort. I know I came here asking for your help, but your brother and the planatar are beyond our assistance now. Much has changed since I left him standing in the portal. It would seem there has been a transformation. He is no longer the man you knew as your brother. He is no longer the one I watched from affar. I do not know what he calls himself now, but your brother has been transformed into something very different than the man we knew him as. He is fulfilling his destiny. He has taken the semblance of an Asimar.
Take great pride in your brother.....He is destined to be a hero, but he has gone now where you can not follow, and I cannot return. I am afraid he must do this alone. Hopefully he will be strong enough to prevail. He too is a Child of Shalimar. We must have faith that his God will aid him in his quest. Perhaps someday he will find his way back to you, but for now your destinies have taken separate paths."
With that Nova spread her wings and glided to Tashara's side.
"Dry your eyes Tashara. Your friends need you. As for me?
I will honor my pledge and fight by your side."
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong
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dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
Hearing Nova's words, Dragon Wench looked up. Deep within, something told her that the Succubus spoke true.
In a rapid, brusque motion she slid her robe-covered arm across her face and weighed her response before answering.
"As you likely know, my dark friend, my tears are for so many.... I mourn the loss of a lover, the loss of life for which I am guilty, and the soul of a brother I so briefly knew. I barely knew my mother, I know not even the name of my father. The lover I trusted and to whom I could bare all was taken from me, and then by a miracle, he re-emerged in my life ten years following.... only to be taken from me once more. Meeting Thalimon so soon after helped to give me the strength I needed to continue. I felt him to be a mirror of my soul, and because he was my brother, one that would never fade. "
Dragon Wench lowered her head again and swallowed hard. "But, I was wrong," she whispered softly. "Somehow stepping into that portal has transformed him in ways I cannot begin to comprehend.... and I fear the link he and I shared exists no longer. You are right..... he must walk his own path now.... there is nothing any of us can do except offer up prayers and hope he will triumph in his journey."
A warmth in her expression, Dragon Wench considered Nova. "I can't speak for my comrades.... they are wary of you... but I welcome your offer of assistance. The coming battle will be a challenge to all the strength we collectively possess..."
Her gaze more steady than it had been for some time, Dragon Wench fell silent and awaited Nova's reply.
In a rapid, brusque motion she slid her robe-covered arm across her face and weighed her response before answering.
"As you likely know, my dark friend, my tears are for so many.... I mourn the loss of a lover, the loss of life for which I am guilty, and the soul of a brother I so briefly knew. I barely knew my mother, I know not even the name of my father. The lover I trusted and to whom I could bare all was taken from me, and then by a miracle, he re-emerged in my life ten years following.... only to be taken from me once more. Meeting Thalimon so soon after helped to give me the strength I needed to continue. I felt him to be a mirror of my soul, and because he was my brother, one that would never fade. "
Dragon Wench lowered her head again and swallowed hard. "But, I was wrong," she whispered softly. "Somehow stepping into that portal has transformed him in ways I cannot begin to comprehend.... and I fear the link he and I shared exists no longer. You are right..... he must walk his own path now.... there is nothing any of us can do except offer up prayers and hope he will triumph in his journey."
A warmth in her expression, Dragon Wench considered Nova. "I can't speak for my comrades.... they are wary of you... but I welcome your offer of assistance. The coming battle will be a challenge to all the strength we collectively possess..."
Her gaze more steady than it had been for some time, Dragon Wench fell silent and awaited Nova's reply.
Spoiler
testingtest12
Spoiler
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"The link is there, I sense it. But you are right. It has grown faint. His focus has been distilled to a single purpose. He will use all that he was, and all that he has become in this task. Prayers may be the best we can offer him now. I dare not pray to my God in this, but I will pray to yours, and his for all our sakes."
Nova turned to face T'lainya. "I will pray to yours as well priestess. I sense the strength of your God is strong in you. You will make a valuable ally, or a formidable foe. I sincerely hope for the former."
Nova looked up and addressed the rest of the Dark Flames.
"Do not misjudge me because you think I mean you harm. I do not. I will not ask for your trust. I do tell you that we have a common enemy, and that makes us likely allies. I have pledged my aid to Tashara...and I offer it to you."
Nova looked toward the direction of Simbul. "I hear you in my mind. You know I speak the truth"
Just then Bloodstalker came into view sneaking up on tip toe with his hands over his eyes, groping his way toward the rocky perch where Yshania and Scayde were sitting. Nova looked on with wry amusement as a cat admires the cricket before pouncing on her snack. Reflexively she licked her lips running a pink forked tongue over the edge of a delicate fang. She pushed her thoughts away and directed her attention to the two women sitting there.
"Perhaps you should restrain your mad friend before something happens to him."
She returned her gaze to Tashara. "I stand ready."
Nova turned to face T'lainya. "I will pray to yours as well priestess. I sense the strength of your God is strong in you. You will make a valuable ally, or a formidable foe. I sincerely hope for the former."
Nova looked up and addressed the rest of the Dark Flames.
"Do not misjudge me because you think I mean you harm. I do not. I will not ask for your trust. I do tell you that we have a common enemy, and that makes us likely allies. I have pledged my aid to Tashara...and I offer it to you."
Nova looked toward the direction of Simbul. "I hear you in my mind. You know I speak the truth"
Just then Bloodstalker came into view sneaking up on tip toe with his hands over his eyes, groping his way toward the rocky perch where Yshania and Scayde were sitting. Nova looked on with wry amusement as a cat admires the cricket before pouncing on her snack. Reflexively she licked her lips running a pink forked tongue over the edge of a delicate fang. She pushed her thoughts away and directed her attention to the two women sitting there.
"Perhaps you should restrain your mad friend before something happens to him."
She returned her gaze to Tashara. "I stand ready."
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
As the creature uttered her apparent threat, Yshania glanced towards Scayde before rising and putting herself boldly between Nova and her enchanted friend. She was at fault for his trip, and so would not see him fall...and she did not understand this talk of absent blood striding it's own path now...what a stark and lonely place to bold without company! All the while, Bloodstalker sang "In and out the dusky bluebells" whilst grinning inanely and feeling his way along the wall towards where the women had been sitting "I'm getting closer!!"
Yshania was so uneasy now, but she stayed her blade this time... openly biddng the newcomer to show her colours to an unarmed challenge. Slowly she began to speak...
"Stranger...you come before us and demand the attention of my sister, whilst promising aid to those you might otherwise slay...you now deny her the combined path of her new found kin"
She turned to Tashara
"My friend, you welcome this being with as much openess as you welcomed your brother...yet in her appearance you challenged the love and understanding of those who hold you dear" her voice dropped "I will not forget this..."
"So your name is Nova? Why did you take flight from healing hands, Nova? Why did you come here in such agony and making such demands, only to turn all away but Tashara?
I question your motives."
The druid turned away
Yshania was so uneasy now, but she stayed her blade this time... openly biddng the newcomer to show her colours to an unarmed challenge. Slowly she began to speak...
"Stranger...you come before us and demand the attention of my sister, whilst promising aid to those you might otherwise slay...you now deny her the combined path of her new found kin"
She turned to Tashara
"My friend, you welcome this being with as much openess as you welcomed your brother...yet in her appearance you challenged the love and understanding of those who hold you dear" her voice dropped "I will not forget this..."
"So your name is Nova? Why did you take flight from healing hands, Nova? Why did you come here in such agony and making such demands, only to turn all away but Tashara?
I question your motives."
The druid turned away
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
"You need not fear for your friend. My suggestion was for his safety and yours. There is danger about. I sense the presence of Plane's Touched nearby. I do not know their intent, but I do know where they are focusing their energies. It is upon the one that has drawn me here to this place."
Nova looked squarely at Yshania, her eyes glowing the faintest blue.
"You are wise to question my motives. I cannot share with you all that I have shared with Tashara, but I will tell you what I can. I am a creature of the Abyss. I have lived for thousands of years in servitude to Demogorgan. Freedom was never an option. Hatred and loathing were my core existence. There has never been a moment when I did not long for my freedom. There has never been a moment that I did not hear the call of Justice ringing in my ears. She cried out for one who was destined to free her from her bonds. She has called out for eons to one who is reborn time and time again, whose purpose is to restore her to her rightful place. Tashara's brother is the last incarnation of this being. When he came through the portal I feared that Justice would be freed and forever lost to me. I fed on her until I dared not feed anymore. This did not bring justice to me. In fact Justice was never farther from me than at that time. When the Dark Guard stood in the portal both myself and Justice were near our destruction. When the portal opened I saw my chance to escape. I followed the link between the Dark Guard and his sister, Tashara, because I was hoping that it would lead me out and to freedom. I did not know where it would take me, only that I had a chance to escape...I took it and wound up here. There was too much to tell, to much to ask. I could not take the time to 'learn' my new surroundings. I bonded my mind to Tashara in order to learn what I needed to know. I admit this was an attack upon your friend. Before the sharing her thoughts, things like that did not matter to me, but through her I sense the magnitude of that violation, which is why I am not going to do the same with you. I have made no demands. I have made no request other than to be allowed to heal in peace without fear of attack from you or your friends. This was as much for your sake as my own. It is my desire not to harm any of you, but if you were to attack me, I would defend myself. Some of you would be seriously hurt, possibly killed. This is not what I want to see happen.
As for my motives. Call it revenge, call it callous hatred, call it what you will.....but the creature you battle is one I also want to bring to destruction. As I do all of the minions of my God. I once spat in his eye. Now I wish to rip out his hideous heart.
You see Dear Druid, Common enemies make strong allies.
Nova looked squarely at Yshania, her eyes glowing the faintest blue.
"You are wise to question my motives. I cannot share with you all that I have shared with Tashara, but I will tell you what I can. I am a creature of the Abyss. I have lived for thousands of years in servitude to Demogorgan. Freedom was never an option. Hatred and loathing were my core existence. There has never been a moment when I did not long for my freedom. There has never been a moment that I did not hear the call of Justice ringing in my ears. She cried out for one who was destined to free her from her bonds. She has called out for eons to one who is reborn time and time again, whose purpose is to restore her to her rightful place. Tashara's brother is the last incarnation of this being. When he came through the portal I feared that Justice would be freed and forever lost to me. I fed on her until I dared not feed anymore. This did not bring justice to me. In fact Justice was never farther from me than at that time. When the Dark Guard stood in the portal both myself and Justice were near our destruction. When the portal opened I saw my chance to escape. I followed the link between the Dark Guard and his sister, Tashara, because I was hoping that it would lead me out and to freedom. I did not know where it would take me, only that I had a chance to escape...I took it and wound up here. There was too much to tell, to much to ask. I could not take the time to 'learn' my new surroundings. I bonded my mind to Tashara in order to learn what I needed to know. I admit this was an attack upon your friend. Before the sharing her thoughts, things like that did not matter to me, but through her I sense the magnitude of that violation, which is why I am not going to do the same with you. I have made no demands. I have made no request other than to be allowed to heal in peace without fear of attack from you or your friends. This was as much for your sake as my own. It is my desire not to harm any of you, but if you were to attack me, I would defend myself. Some of you would be seriously hurt, possibly killed. This is not what I want to see happen.
As for my motives. Call it revenge, call it callous hatred, call it what you will.....but the creature you battle is one I also want to bring to destruction. As I do all of the minions of my God. I once spat in his eye. Now I wish to rip out his hideous heart.
You see Dear Druid, Common enemies make strong allies.
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
Yshania kept her back turned as the succubus spoke, her voice a lilting accent with some words being barely discernable, and her tone dark, and low and level. With her hands by her side and her head tipped slightly down and to one side, the druid listened intently...waiting...and then it was said. The creature did not withdraw her threat, and this is what Yshania was looking for. There was no denial, the stranger had admitted her attack, and openly discussed the possibility of another. Slowly, Yshania raised her face and searched the expressions of each of those close enough to have witnessed the interchange, then she turned to face Nova again. For a moment the druid was silent as she absorbed the creatures introduction, remaining intensely aware of the threat, but also of the honesty of the admission by Nova of her own brutality, her justification, her journey and her pain...
As for my motives. Call it revenge, call it callous hatred, call it what you will.....but the creature you battle is one I also want to bring to destruction. As I do all of the minions of my God. I once spat in his eye. Now I wish to rip out his hideous heart.
You see Dear Druid, Common enemies make strong allies.
"I thank you for answering me" she offered steadily "but for now I withold judgement. Please excuse me." With that, she turned away again and left the cavern.
As for my motives. Call it revenge, call it callous hatred, call it what you will.....but the creature you battle is one I also want to bring to destruction. As I do all of the minions of my God. I once spat in his eye. Now I wish to rip out his hideous heart.
You see Dear Druid, Common enemies make strong allies.
"I thank you for answering me" she offered steadily "but for now I withold judgement. Please excuse me." With that, she turned away again and left the cavern.
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
"Very Well Druid."
Nova faced the remainder of the company of Dark Flames.
"I have made my pledge to Tashara.
I have offered my allience to you all. Decide among yourselves If you would have me fight at your sides. I await your decision.
But I would caution you that time is short. I sense a shifting in the planes. "
Nova felt Simbul probing her mind like fingers teasing apart knots in twine.
"The one who hovers in the Shadows and watches silently knows of which I speak. Time is short. Ready yourselves.
I give you my word. I am not your enemy."
Nova faced the remainder of the company of Dark Flames.
"I have made my pledge to Tashara.
I have offered my allience to you all. Decide among yourselves If you would have me fight at your sides. I await your decision.
But I would caution you that time is short. I sense a shifting in the planes. "
Nova felt Simbul probing her mind like fingers teasing apart knots in twine.
"The one who hovers in the Shadows and watches silently knows of which I speak. Time is short. Ready yourselves.
I give you my word. I am not your enemy."
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong
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dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
Yshania's words resonated in her mind, and Dragon Wench's gaze followed her friend's retreat from the cavern. She wanted to go to her, and explain the complexities of her actions... the built up confusion and feelings of helplessness that had made her lash out in the manner she had. Yet, she sensed that perhaps this was not the time. There was a controlled determination to the druid's step, and the set of her shoulders mirrored the slightly brittle tone to her voice. Dragon Wench knew that tone... and it was with a heavy heart that she turned to face the Dark Flames who had gathered to hear Nova's words.
Uneasily, she addressed her friends. " I know that my actions since we have been down here... have seemed irrational.... erratic even... I know that my judgement has often been clouded... and I can't blame you if you think me delusional or perhaps easily swayed by what may be a potential foe... But if you are even willing to hear me... " She paused, her companions eyed her... waiting... Apprehensive, Dragon Wench continued. " Yes, fusing my mind with her own was in a very real way an attack by the Succubus... but... just as she learned of my thoughts... and of my experiences... so I learned of hers'. This creature... it is true comes from the Abyss... and as such.. has little choice in the alignment she takes... but... " Dragon Wench glanced meaningfully at Simbul.. " This being who stands before us now neither bears us ill nor intends us harm...
I realise that you may be sceptical of what I perceive.... but before you dismiss me as mad.. at least recall that we have been in these caverns a long time. We are exhausted from battle.... some of us endure wounds that have yet to fully heal... An offer of assistance by another committed to destroying the foul stench beyond..... is not one we should lightly refuse."
Uneasily, she addressed her friends. " I know that my actions since we have been down here... have seemed irrational.... erratic even... I know that my judgement has often been clouded... and I can't blame you if you think me delusional or perhaps easily swayed by what may be a potential foe... But if you are even willing to hear me... " She paused, her companions eyed her... waiting... Apprehensive, Dragon Wench continued. " Yes, fusing my mind with her own was in a very real way an attack by the Succubus... but... just as she learned of my thoughts... and of my experiences... so I learned of hers'. This creature... it is true comes from the Abyss... and as such.. has little choice in the alignment she takes... but... " Dragon Wench glanced meaningfully at Simbul.. " This being who stands before us now neither bears us ill nor intends us harm...
I realise that you may be sceptical of what I perceive.... but before you dismiss me as mad.. at least recall that we have been in these caverns a long time. We are exhausted from battle.... some of us endure wounds that have yet to fully heal... An offer of assistance by another committed to destroying the foul stench beyond..... is not one we should lightly refuse."
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Scayde listened to the exchange between Yshania and the devil woman. Then she heard what Tashara had to say. She watched as T’lainya stood clenching her weapon and observed the general uneasiness of all the companions. She was beginning to wonder if maybe it would not have been better if her aim had been truer. Something about this creature reeked of foreboding.
She did not understand all that was being said. What had been meant by the comments that Thalimon had changed. That he was in an Abyss. If he had fallen into some canyon or cavern somewhere, why were they all standing around? Were they not going to help him get out? Surely with Hunter and her rope she could help him. And what was an As-i-mar?
And why was Yshania worried about this thing hurting Bloodstalker? Nothing made any sense.
She stood and ran to catch up to Yshania, grabbing Bloodstalker by the shirtsleeve on the way.
“Come on, I better not leave you here.”
She did not understand all that was being said. What had been meant by the comments that Thalimon had changed. That he was in an Abyss. If he had fallen into some canyon or cavern somewhere, why were they all standing around? Were they not going to help him get out? Surely with Hunter and her rope she could help him. And what was an As-i-mar?
And why was Yshania worried about this thing hurting Bloodstalker? Nothing made any sense.
She stood and ran to catch up to Yshania, grabbing Bloodstalker by the shirtsleeve on the way.
“Come on, I better not leave you here.”
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong
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Yshania
- Posts: 8572
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: Some Girls Wander By Mistake
- Contact:
From the shadows, Yshania listened in on Tashara's speech. She trusted her friend yet felt concern at what initially appeared a defeatest tone...she had come through so much and it was almost like...
The druid ceased her ponderings as a new thought creased her brow. Maybe the healing waters of Eldath had proved to be a catalyst in this unusual display of public emotion, as much as her experience with the succubus? Maybe there were indeed greater powers at work now, part of which included this channeling of energies that had brought Nova to the Dark Flames, for good or for bad...
Her thoughts were interrupted by Scayde who was striding purposefully towards her, dragging Bloodstalker behind her and ignoring his fake pleas of innocence and please don't hurt me whines...
"Why did you deflect my shot, Yshania, when it is now apparent you do not trust this Nova?" Scayde asked "she admitted to her violation! She admitted she could quite easily kill again"
"When I first met Thalimon" Yshania started "instinctively I drew my blades to slay a creature I did not understand. Now, I realise the implications of my actions and if what Nova and Tashara say is true..." the druid shivered "justice would be slain, and our purpose here futile
"Even if we cannot find it within us to ally trust to the succubus, we should at least give Tashara the benefit of the doubt. We owe her that much. If her link to this creature is as strong as they both profess, then I say we stay our weapons but not rest our guard. As Nova rightly said, there are more enemies than she around, and we should take care..."
The druid felt a sudden pang of guilt as her attention was brought back to the meandering activities of Bloodstalker, she sighed "If T'lainya holds no antidote to the Syrup o' Dsney" she said quietly, almost to herself "then we should ensure he is safe..from the enemies, from himself, and from the women...until the effects wear off. He is so going to kill me..."
The druid ceased her ponderings as a new thought creased her brow. Maybe the healing waters of Eldath had proved to be a catalyst in this unusual display of public emotion, as much as her experience with the succubus? Maybe there were indeed greater powers at work now, part of which included this channeling of energies that had brought Nova to the Dark Flames, for good or for bad...
Her thoughts were interrupted by Scayde who was striding purposefully towards her, dragging Bloodstalker behind her and ignoring his fake pleas of innocence and please don't hurt me whines...
"Why did you deflect my shot, Yshania, when it is now apparent you do not trust this Nova?" Scayde asked "she admitted to her violation! She admitted she could quite easily kill again"
"When I first met Thalimon" Yshania started "instinctively I drew my blades to slay a creature I did not understand. Now, I realise the implications of my actions and if what Nova and Tashara say is true..." the druid shivered "justice would be slain, and our purpose here futile
"Even if we cannot find it within us to ally trust to the succubus, we should at least give Tashara the benefit of the doubt. We owe her that much. If her link to this creature is as strong as they both profess, then I say we stay our weapons but not rest our guard. As Nova rightly said, there are more enemies than she around, and we should take care..."
The druid felt a sudden pang of guilt as her attention was brought back to the meandering activities of Bloodstalker, she sighed "If T'lainya holds no antidote to the Syrup o' Dsney" she said quietly, almost to herself "then we should ensure he is safe..from the enemies, from himself, and from the women...until the effects wear off. He is so going to kill me..."
Parachute for sale, like new! Never opened!
Guinness, black goes with everything.
Guinness, black goes with everything.
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Gwalchmai
- Posts: 6252
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:00 am
- Location: This Quintessence of Dust
- Contact:
“Wait! Wait a minute,” Gwalchmai said, stepping from the shadows where he had been hiding from Bloodstalker. “I think it’s my turn to make a speech.” He regarded the winged demoness and his dear warrior friend for a moment.
He first turned to Dragon Wench. “Look, D.W., or Tashara, or Sheena Queen of the Jungle, or what ever you’re calling yourself at the moment, you’re right when you say that you haven’t exactly been a bastion of stability lately. You’ve gone from being a strong Amazon, to a dew-eyed girl in love, to a suicidal psychopath – all in the course of a few days! It was only yesterday when we narrowly prevented you from committing suicide-by-battle,” and with a pang of anger, Gwalchmai recalled that he had sworn to kill the source of her anguished insanity, “only to have you declaring yourself a brother to a teifling, changing your name, and suddenly manifesting a little toy dragon familiar that no one had ever seen before!” He slowly shook his head as Axis snorted a huffy little growl of irritation. “You have to understand that your credibility is a bit strained when you announce that a demon has entered your mind to tell you that we can trust it.”
He stared defiantly at the succubus before looking back at Dragon Wench. “Still, I’m willing trust you, for now, simply because you’ve never tried to hurt your friends, despite the turmoil you’ve experienced.” He stepped closer and said in a low voice, “But watch your demon pet closely, now. We’ve dealt with demon-kind before, you know. Remember Ogre Falls?”
Suddenly, Gwalchmai’s voice trailed off as a flood of memories from a recent vision he had had at the cavern pool came rushing back to him. Why would the mention of Ogre Falls remind him of Eldath’s Vision? He shook himself and focused back on Dragon Wench. “Remember. it was at Ogre Falls where I dispatched the demon that had almost killed Georgi.” He held up his arms to expose the bracers he wore. “Vivien helped me use its hide to fashion these, that I might gain greater protection from others of its kind. I would have no compunction against killing the succubus should she get out of line. Especially if it tries to attack you again.”
Finally, he turned to the succubus, “That said, Nova, I find I have a question for you: You claim to also want to bring destruction upon the creature we battle. What do you know of whom we battle? For in truth, we know so very little ourselves.”
He first turned to Dragon Wench. “Look, D.W., or Tashara, or Sheena Queen of the Jungle, or what ever you’re calling yourself at the moment, you’re right when you say that you haven’t exactly been a bastion of stability lately. You’ve gone from being a strong Amazon, to a dew-eyed girl in love, to a suicidal psychopath – all in the course of a few days! It was only yesterday when we narrowly prevented you from committing suicide-by-battle,” and with a pang of anger, Gwalchmai recalled that he had sworn to kill the source of her anguished insanity, “only to have you declaring yourself a brother to a teifling, changing your name, and suddenly manifesting a little toy dragon familiar that no one had ever seen before!” He slowly shook his head as Axis snorted a huffy little growl of irritation. “You have to understand that your credibility is a bit strained when you announce that a demon has entered your mind to tell you that we can trust it.”
He stared defiantly at the succubus before looking back at Dragon Wench. “Still, I’m willing trust you, for now, simply because you’ve never tried to hurt your friends, despite the turmoil you’ve experienced.” He stepped closer and said in a low voice, “But watch your demon pet closely, now. We’ve dealt with demon-kind before, you know. Remember Ogre Falls?”
Suddenly, Gwalchmai’s voice trailed off as a flood of memories from a recent vision he had had at the cavern pool came rushing back to him. Why would the mention of Ogre Falls remind him of Eldath’s Vision? He shook himself and focused back on Dragon Wench. “Remember. it was at Ogre Falls where I dispatched the demon that had almost killed Georgi.” He held up his arms to expose the bracers he wore. “Vivien helped me use its hide to fashion these, that I might gain greater protection from others of its kind. I would have no compunction against killing the succubus should she get out of line. Especially if it tries to attack you again.”
Finally, he turned to the succubus, “That said, Nova, I find I have a question for you: You claim to also want to bring destruction upon the creature we battle. What do you know of whom we battle? For in truth, we know so very little ourselves.”
That there; exactly the kinda diversion we coulda used.
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dragon wench
- Posts: 19609
- Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2001 10:00 pm
- Location: The maelstrom where chaos merges with lucidity
- Contact:
As the sting of Gwalchmai's speech hit her, Dragon Wench reeled slightly..... and then her blood quickly began to boil... She stared at him with a dark glower. Simultaneously, she considered possible replies and tried to recall if she had any appropriate minor spells at her disposal. Just as she began to unleash a scathing response, Dragon Wench stopped.
Something told Dragon Wench that losing her temper like this upon one of her dearest friends would hardly strengthen her case, nor would it convince anyone that her sanity was indeed intact. As she considered it, she conceded that Gwally had a point, her behaviour and the events by which she had been surrounded did not portray her as particularly strong or rational.
Quietly, much as if she were sheathing her sword, she drew in her breath. The expression in her eyes softened as she recalled those days so long ago, and it was in a muted tone that she responded.
“I don’t blame you for thinking as you do… circumstances and the more chaotic side of my nature have conspired to suggest I have no control… and that I have lost my edge as well as my grip on sanity. I can only ask, though I recognise it may be an unrealistic request, that you believe me. I am neither deranged nor psychotic…. and despite my previous behaviour I have little intention of forfeiting my life to the demons that so recently tormented my soul… Yes.. I still feel grief, but now I need to be strong; with the rest of you I intend to engage in battle and send my spells and arrows tearing into the rotting mass that awaits.
Something told Dragon Wench that losing her temper like this upon one of her dearest friends would hardly strengthen her case, nor would it convince anyone that her sanity was indeed intact. As she considered it, she conceded that Gwally had a point, her behaviour and the events by which she had been surrounded did not portray her as particularly strong or rational.
Quietly, much as if she were sheathing her sword, she drew in her breath. The expression in her eyes softened as she recalled those days so long ago, and it was in a muted tone that she responded.
“I don’t blame you for thinking as you do… circumstances and the more chaotic side of my nature have conspired to suggest I have no control… and that I have lost my edge as well as my grip on sanity. I can only ask, though I recognise it may be an unrealistic request, that you believe me. I am neither deranged nor psychotic…. and despite my previous behaviour I have little intention of forfeiting my life to the demons that so recently tormented my soul… Yes.. I still feel grief, but now I need to be strong; with the rest of you I intend to engage in battle and send my spells and arrows tearing into the rotting mass that awaits.
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Scayde listened intently to Yshania, wondering if perhaps this strange creature had bewitched her friend. She remembered tales of Hoodoo Voodoo women down in the Louisiana swamplands that could bewitch people and gain control of their senses, making them loose their minds and do things that they would never have done under other circumstances.
She glanced up at BS still holding his hand over his eyes snickering and calling out
"M..........I..........C........See you real soooooooon !"
Maybe that was what had happened to him too. One by one it seemed the companions were coming under the influence of something weird and unnatural. She thought of the old movie "The Exorcist" and fumbled with the little silver cross she still wore from her confirmation as a child. Maybe that magic pool would work as Holy Water, but still she would need a Bible...This was crazy, She didn't know how to perform an exorcism.
Damn that demon woman back the hell she came from!
Things felt utterly hopeless.
Scayde looked back at Yshania. "Are you actually falling for that Demoness's story? How can anything that rapes a person's mind be an ally? "
Scayde shook her head, red curls falling all around her shoulders. "Yshania, This whole day has been the weirdest of my life. I keep thinking I will wake up and it will be a dream, no a nightmare.
Hell, I even clicked my heels three times, but it didn't work !"
Yshania raised an eyebrow at the young Texan. "That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. No spell begins with clicking your heels."
Scayde drew a ragged breath in exasperation. "No, it isn't a spell, it is a movie." Yshania c*cked her head and looked at her friend quizzically. "Movie?"
Scayde tugged on BS's sleeve as he strained to wonder off again. "Never mind..it isn't important. That Nova creature was right about one thing though. BS might ought to be restrained somehow. He could wander off and hurt himself or get lost down here.
For a minute Yshania considered casting "Hold Person" on Bloodstalker, but then remembered his aversion to magic, and that he would suffer greatly for it.
"I can't restrain him Scayde...Bloodstalker is harmed by magic.
I can't cast a spell on him. It would cause him too much pain.
"Spells...magic... don't you people ever do things the regular way?"
With that Scayde unhooked the lariat from behind her belt and giving the free end to Yshania looped the lasso over Bloodstalker's head and shoulders, dropping it down over his chest and arms before giving it a snug yank.
"Hold on tight, he's gonna buck !!!"
Both women held the rope tightly as Bloodstalker pulled and strained trying to break free. He was strong, lifting them both off the ground at one point before they managed to work their way to and around a stalagmite rising from the cavern floor. Finally securing him tightly to the rocky outcropping, they tied off the rope and fasted a leather pigging string round his feet, effectively hog-tying the hapless ranger as he continually screamed
"Run Mickie !!! Find the Han !!!"
Having secured their friend for safekeeping, the women shared a shot from Scayde's flask and sat down to catch their breath.
Yshania sighed looked at the frantic Bloodstalker.
..."He is so going to kill me."
She glanced up at BS still holding his hand over his eyes snickering and calling out
"M..........I..........C........See you real soooooooon !"
Maybe that was what had happened to him too. One by one it seemed the companions were coming under the influence of something weird and unnatural. She thought of the old movie "The Exorcist" and fumbled with the little silver cross she still wore from her confirmation as a child. Maybe that magic pool would work as Holy Water, but still she would need a Bible...This was crazy, She didn't know how to perform an exorcism.
Damn that demon woman back the hell she came from!
Things felt utterly hopeless.
Scayde looked back at Yshania. "Are you actually falling for that Demoness's story? How can anything that rapes a person's mind be an ally? "
Scayde shook her head, red curls falling all around her shoulders. "Yshania, This whole day has been the weirdest of my life. I keep thinking I will wake up and it will be a dream, no a nightmare.
Hell, I even clicked my heels three times, but it didn't work !"
Yshania raised an eyebrow at the young Texan. "That is the silliest thing I have ever heard. No spell begins with clicking your heels."
Scayde drew a ragged breath in exasperation. "No, it isn't a spell, it is a movie." Yshania c*cked her head and looked at her friend quizzically. "Movie?"
Scayde tugged on BS's sleeve as he strained to wonder off again. "Never mind..it isn't important. That Nova creature was right about one thing though. BS might ought to be restrained somehow. He could wander off and hurt himself or get lost down here.
For a minute Yshania considered casting "Hold Person" on Bloodstalker, but then remembered his aversion to magic, and that he would suffer greatly for it.
"I can't restrain him Scayde...Bloodstalker is harmed by magic.
I can't cast a spell on him. It would cause him too much pain.
"Spells...magic... don't you people ever do things the regular way?"
With that Scayde unhooked the lariat from behind her belt and giving the free end to Yshania looped the lasso over Bloodstalker's head and shoulders, dropping it down over his chest and arms before giving it a snug yank.
"Hold on tight, he's gonna buck !!!"
Both women held the rope tightly as Bloodstalker pulled and strained trying to break free. He was strong, lifting them both off the ground at one point before they managed to work their way to and around a stalagmite rising from the cavern floor. Finally securing him tightly to the rocky outcropping, they tied off the rope and fasted a leather pigging string round his feet, effectively hog-tying the hapless ranger as he continually screamed
"Run Mickie !!! Find the Han !!!"
Having secured their friend for safekeeping, the women shared a shot from Scayde's flask and sat down to catch their breath.
Yshania sighed looked at the frantic Bloodstalker.
..."He is so going to kill me."
Scayde Moody
(Pronounced Shayde)
The virtue of self sacrifice is the lie perpetuated by the weak to enslave the strong