NationStates Jolt Archive

Alone. Solitude. Serenity?

The frozen bite of the wind would not comfort anyone, but one. She was singular in the wide world of torture and pain. Now, her button nose red from the touch of a cold.

Wrapping a thin scarf, tattered and aged, around her thin neck. She tried to shield her frail body from the elements.

How long had it been since she had meet the sun's glory and welcoming warmth? Endless it seemed. Winter had come and captured her within its relentless chill. She couldn't withstand it much more, just like her clothing. A jacket, although it was wool, it was like a sheet. It barely provided any warmth. Underneath she wore a summer dress, she was from a land of the sun.

She had wandered off, in search of something. What that was she was not certain. She knew she just needed to leave. So she did.

Her leather boots sloshed through the thick blanket of snow and ice. Her brown eyes squinted against the stinging snowflakes that grazed her exposed face.

Her eyes searched around and found a town, so wrapped in the weather could not notice her. Was she a shadow? She felt like one.

Several bundled men bumped into her setting her off balance and falling to her knees. Bones meet the ground with resistance. Pain shot up her legs and radiated around.

She sighed; at least I am not numb.

Numb. Without feeling. So alone.

She didn't even bother getting up. No one bothered to even help her. Not that upset her.

She looked up to the sky. Gray. No light broke through. She blinked.

She would not cry.

So alone.

OOC: Should I wait for a second post?

OOC: Do what you like. You know most of my stories have no direction to allow whatever to happen.

IC: A black pit, void of well anything, engulfs an universe. It shallows it whole, leaving the solid colour of black.

Days, months, years, centuries, and ions fly by like seconds. Time is of no value.

A flicker of light, quite dim, begins to twitch on and off. It struggles to gain energy against the overwhelming control of the dark.

Soon its light goes brighter and stronger. The dark slinks away, but to remain a shadow.

The shadow always lurks.

One star has formed and blinds the dark.

-----------------
She opens her eyes; a star can be seen in the dark colour of her eyes. It shines bright, were all other lights have gone out.

Still in the snow she sighs once more. There is something missing in her heart and she searches for more.

Whispers in her head tell her of the Star Moria. The star to start the universe Golatrica. Where, creatures like her come from. Star Moria will bring her to her destiny; will bring her home.

OOC: this looks interesting...**TAG**

Finally she sat back on her rump and slowly she got up, the pain still sent shivers up her legs, quivering. The quivers soon became monotonous, but still consistent. She began to walk through the city.

The city. She knew not its name, nor did she care. It reminded her of an ant farm for some reason. Tall brown buildings towered above her, for what seemed miles. She felt like a small ant, just one out of a trillion or more.

The buildings stood tall and erect, but could fall with a sneeze. Yet, looks can always be deceiving. The brown seemed not be from the paint, but from decades of dirt, smog, or whatever was caked to the sides.

It appeared the citizens did not take care of their city. Assumptions were made.

She glanced quickly at those who passed her, they too similar to the buildings. Encrusted with years of dirt, it was hard to tell the age of those who passed her, or just merely tried to run her over. In general they looked drained of all their energy, merely carrying out their duty by habit.

It was almost a sad sight, but she would not pity them.

There were other things at work here.

----------------
A cry in the middle of the night did not wake those who slumbered.
The cry muffled and then died. Died like the very light that night. Darkness crept back, back where it had used to reign. The light was failing, but would not let the dark prevail. A fight would soon begin. The ages would be changing.

She made her way to an opening in the center of the city. In the center of the opening was a dead white tree.

An image flashed before her eyes. The white tree was on fire, sending sparks into the dim sky. Overhead a black vulture circles, waiting. The vultures black beady eyes stare blankly ahead and then the image fades.

What does this mean? Noncoherent messages cross and conect in her head. How do I put all of this together?

She steps across the way and walks up to the tree. She lifts up her sleeve and out pops her pale white hand. Her hand softly touches the tree.

Cold. She starts to shiver. So cold. The tree felt like marble, not wood.

A gruff voice, "Hey you. Get away from that tree. It is fragile."

She turned her head to the voice and slowly pulls her hand away.

In a meek voice, "Sorry sir. I did not know."

She walked away. Her hood trailing behind her. She grabbed her hood and placed it on her head to cover herself.

Her eyes came across a sign.

Lucy's Saloon. A bar. Nothing ever fails to find a bar somewhere.

She stepped into the bar. Typical croud she assumed. She did not bother to look.

She stepped into a back table, with a light not working. In the dark she would match. She did not want to draw attention to herself. A barmaid came and took her order.

In a twangy sweet voice, "What can I getcha hun?"

A flicker of her eyes in the light and her voice cut like steel, "Your top malt, please."

The woman left in hurry, but took her time to come back. Setting the drink on the counter, she hurried off once again. She then tried not to come around that end, for it was colder there now.

There she sat just watching and waiting.

ooc: thought you might want some company

ic:

Seeing a white tiger in the city was a strange sight, seeing it with a teenage girl, was even stranger. The street was deserted and the tiger looked up at it's compainion. She seemed to be cold from the wind that blew through the streets. The teenager turned and smiled at the man that now stood next to her.

The man stood at 5'11 with jet black hair, his most interesting feature was his emerald eyes; they had cat-like pupils. Roman Cyrus smiled at girl.

"Come on Sheyrena, lets get someplace warm."

Roman lead her down the street, the only place he found suitable was a saloon. He opened the door, put on a pair of dark glasses, and led Sheyrena inside. He took her to a booth that was away from the door, but near a warm fire. A barmaid came up.

"I'll have a large coffee, black and my friend would like a hot chocolate if you have it."

The woman nodded then left. She returned a few mintues later with thier drinks. Roman thanked her and sipped his coffee. Doesn't taste great, but it warms the bones. He looked over at Sheyrena.

"Feel better now that you're out of the cold?"

Enli Cu-Chulainn walked silently through the dreary town, bumping past the citizens who moved like mindless drones about their business in the freezing night. The hood of his black jacket was over his head, hiding his eyes in shadow while a dark red sash was wrapped around his face, covering his nose and mouth.

The Golatrican will be in the bar passed the tree white as marble the voice had told him. Get her before they do, else the real trouble will begin.

Enli shook his head as he walked. Who are you, and who are they? He had asked the voice, speaking into the darkness of the night. You will know the Golatrican when you see her... Was the only reply he had from the voice. Strange things seemed to be happening since he had gotten amnesia.

What are you doing? He asked himself. Since when do you follow dreams and listen to voices? Since when do you even hear voices? I'm going insa-

He stopped in his tracks before a white tree. Do you see? the voice said in his mind. Enli spun on his heel and looked around, expecting to see where the voice had come from. Nothing. Who are you??!!! He screamed within his head.

Yet again, no answer. Enli stalked forward. Mabye this Golatrican will know- He paused. But what the hell is a Golatrican?!

He found the bar, Lucy's Saloon. He entered the door, earning a short glance from a handful of customers. Enli glanced around the bar. You will know her when you see her. The voice had told him. His eyes stopped on a lass sitting alone at a back table, the nearest customers were two tables away from where she sat.

That'll be her then. Enli was shoved aside as a man passed quickly.

"Sorry." The man continued and found a seat at the bar.

Get her before they do, he thought. What am I supposed to say? 'Excuse me I think someone may be after you?' Enli sighed as he tried to piece things together.

OOC: Sheyrena's mental powers are pretty much equivalent to Professor X in X-men (i.e. very powerful), however, when she gets emotional, they become hard to control.

IC: Sheyrena smiled and slowly sipped her hot chocolate. "Much better," she said. She looked around the saloon, watching the faces, using her telepathic powers not to read minds, but to get a sense of the patrons.

There were all kinds of people here, and Sheyrena sensed some things that made her glad Roman was with her. She ran her fingers through her waist-length golden brown hair, then shook it out so that it fanned out around her.

At sixteen, Sheyrena Rhys-Ane had been more places and seen more things than most people twice her age. She had been to hell and back. She was small for her age, but one look in her bright blue eyes revealed her to be wise beyond her years.

Sheyrena drained the last of the hot chocolate from her cup and looked up at Roman, the man who had been her guardian for the last six years. "So...where do we go from here?"

The cold mug settled and soon became luke warm. She glanced at it and then touched, just barely, her fingertips to the edge of the glass. Within seconds of her touch the glass froze and the liquid almost slush, alcohol is hard to freeze.

There, no use in beer getting warm. It is not so easy to go down.

Her eyes, dark chocolate brown, flickered around the new croud that just showed up.

Hmmm...

Then she returned her gaze to her drink.

The star Moria...she must find it.

... But it was too late because Moria EXPLODED! HOLY CRAP!

A single man walked slowly in the empty snow-filled street. The cold howling wind buffetted the man from all sides causing him to stumble and sway to and fro, hindering his ability to walk straight. His numerous layers of think travelling cloaks that covered both himself and a small rucksack, that hung on his back, from the freezing bite of the frozen wind. His outstretched hand, wrapped in lengths of cloth, held onto a staff which he used to help feel his way throught the empty street and shin(sp?) high snow.

As he felt through the town, his senses picked up the traces of warmth from the buildings around him, but the one building stood out among the others. It let out its trace of warmth as did the other buildings, but was unique in a way that his ears, though covered, picked up the most traces of talk and noise of which is commonly found at a tavern or bar. The only other thing that caught his interest, besides the thought of finding a warm refuge in the bar, was a scream that echoed throughout the city but was quickly silenced by the howling gales of the snow storm.

Deciding to get out of the cold and rest, he slowly headed towards the bar.

------

Several years earlier...

A man, shrouded by darkness stood by a wooden door replaced his sword in a staff like sheath. Slowly, a strong but unsteady hand reached out and pushed on the door, another hand held tightly onto the staff. The outside light crept into the darkened room, revealing bodies, dozens of blood stained bodies, many of which were still twitching. But the whole room was engulfed in an erie unexplainable silence. So swiftly were the death blows of the sword inflicted upon the bodies of the men that death was instantaneous. Death had come so swiftly upon the group that the faces of the dead was not of death and agony but was of shock and surprise, many were still in the process of reaching for the swords at their sides.

As the man held the door open and slowly walked out, he paused as he took his step over the threshold.

"The one who drew first was you." were the words he spoke as the door shut behind him.

OOC: sorry 'bout the grammar mistakes...just a rush post before bed...g'night

(OOC Stramford, hush.)

Been a while since I did this.

It was pleasant to escape once more, just to sit at this bar, to be me, without any guards, any questions. This was his equivilant of a Lrnecdsyc holiday to him, the holiday which was pretty much within the day of Christmas for other civilisations. Lrnecdsyc was when the nation celebrates the appreciation for one another, and celebrates the gift of magic.

Celebrations were being made and ready within his home, and the individual was not worried. He just sat there, drinking that dark liquid he had within that tankard he had just asked for. Explained it was for his medicine to the barkeep. They obliged, and no-one really asked further questions. He poured the liquid into his tankard and was sipping away at the wonderful and rare stuff which he did drink.

He sat in the corner of the tavern, observing everyone else. It felt so good to be...normal again. At home, there were always people worshiping him as such, idolising thier hero. Here, he was no-one, worth a slight look for his appearance, but nothing much at all.

How long as it been since I have actually done this?

The man sat rather contentedly on his own. He wore a heavy brown robe, one which was very plain and simple, the robe of a travelling mage perhaps, or a sermonising priest with no money to buy the elaborate clothes of thier clergy. He wore a hood over his head, which did not much light in. Few saw within that, he seemed to look down all the time, when indeed he was looking normally at everyone, observing and musing. Only occasionally did a white strand of hair show itself from under that hood, which showed itself like a child peeping out from thier hiding place to see if the person seeking was coming.

I like this. I wonder what she is like.

His hands were clad in very thick white gloves, whichhad a white fur trim. Upon the top of the gloves, there was a small mark upon each one. Perhaps it was a clan symbol of some sort, or a magical rune or something. They did resonate a very secretive magic, one which was not easilly detectable. It was nothing for people to grow alarmed about, mages often have magical enchantments around themselves. But if someone who was magically attuned came too close, more questions might be raised. The nature of the magic which this individual had around him was more deceptive than protection.

It was part of the slight excitement about it, that childish glee that he might be caught. But the more adult side in the magic-user was enjoying the sights and sounds of normal people just getting on with things.

Damn! What are they doing here?

The individual gave no visible sign of being annoyed when Roman and Sheyrena came in. He certainly did not want people that he knew coming here.

What am I worried about. They will hardly recognise me. Not like this.

The individual remained contented, and sipped is very fine and rare drink, one which he was savouring immensely. He did not have much of the strange crimson liquid left which was the prime component of it, so he was treasuring every drop.

He thought to himself, what should his alias be? It might be highly odd if he used his actual name. Hmm.

How about Rejanian? No, too....complex. John? No...too...plain. Vincent....Vincent.

The man rolled the word around in his head, tasting the word's sound as if it was a very fine wine, much like he was doing with his drink.

"Vincent it is then.", Vincent said to himself very quietly, happy with this other name in which to call upon.

Getting to crowded here, thought Enli. He tightened the sash around his face as he stepped toward the back table. He passed the two tables and as neared the back table, it seemed to grow colder. Odd...

He stepped in front of the table and looked at her. Now how do I say this? he thought.

"I need to talk to you, and I believe we may have to go," Enli began. And with the size of the crowd showing up, we may have to go now....

"I understand you are a.....Golatrican, I'm not sure what that is," said Enli. "But, I believe someone, or rather a they may be after you, for reasons unknown to me..."

OOC: Merry Christmas to all. Reformed Velmora, it is good to see you involved in one of my stories. It has been awhile, eh?

IC: The swirling liquid drew her in, mud colored, but thin. Then her attention was suddenly displaced with that of another.

She shifted her eyes up. Another watcher?

Magic...

She sensed his magic. Creatures like her were of magic and therefore could sense its work. What is his plan here? She intently watched as he drank his liquor.

A smile came across her face, quite rare, as she saw the magic rise up from the tankard. He makes it special.

He is like me in a way, trying to be hidden, but usually not because of what we are. And sir, what are you?

She could tell easily he had a lot of power, but she was not alarmed. She was almost comforted by his presence.

Her eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of his eyes, they were on the couple, the couple that had arrived just slightly before him. Hmm...I do wonder what they have to do with him.

Should I ask for his assistance? Slight warmth picked up and then left. The cold slapped her in the face for even considering a thing. She could never. Her people were too arrogant at times and to modest at others, quite ironic.

Her eyes bore at him and she blinked. The fire of the tree would he know the meaning?

The white tree stood tall and towered over all. Its branches grazed the sky and it pierced it way to the heavens, or to lands which no one knows of.

Citizens used to come to the tree and just stare in wonder. They would not know of its power to come, but were still drawn to it. They would eat and have their entertainment nearby. The children would play around it and even climb up it strong limbs.

It was one day that changed all of that. It was a gorgeous days, days of long past. The sun showered the people with its warmth and love. The people were happy. Moments later a storm cloud formed above, yet the people remained. Watching this with wonderment. Clouds just did not form that fast. It swirled and then everything was silent.

Clash...there was a blinding light. People could not remember after that. They would forget the days of the past. There would be no happy memories. After the light was gone there was dark, an eerie dark.

Silence still and the citizens remained.

Soon a small fire ignited. Seconds later the tree was ablaze with the intensity of heat and flame. It was now the flames that licked at the sky and scorched it. A naked baby appeared by the tree. Her brown eyes danced with enjoyment at the sight of the fire. It kicked and giggled with happiness.

The citizens were horrified they ran off to their homes. One motherly citizen grabbed the unclothed infant and took her home. Several days later the infant was dropped off at the local orphanage. Years past, five to be exact, and the infant named Sage took off to the forbidden forest to be never seen again. While the citizens forgot about her and they forgot about the burning tree and they forgot about the glorious past, they lived their days as robots, slaves to the present. They did not look to the past for knowledge, nor did they look to the future for hope.

She found herself now caught in the fire. Her eyes danced with it. The light caught with the brown of her eyes.

Getting to crowded here, thought Enli. He tightened the sash around his face as he stepped toward the back table. He passed the two tables and as neared the back table, it seemed to grow colder. Odd...

He stepped in front of the table and looked at her. Now how do I say this? he thought.

"I need to talk to you, and I believe we may have to go," Enli began. And with the size of the crowd showing up, we may have to go now....

"I understand you are a.....Golatrican, I'm not sure what that is," said Enli. "But, I believe someone, or rather a they may be after you, for reasons unknown to me..."

She did not notice him until he spoke to her. She was losing her touch. No she just did not care here.

Golatrican, yes, she was one of those. The word sent a lot of emotions with it, but mostly sadness. She missed her people, although, she did not know them. She, however, did know what she was like and assumed that was what they were like. Her knowledge was more expanded then theirs, but that was because she was here and they were there. Plus, she was the child that was to rule them all. She had been sent away for the reason to escape evil. Evil this world would never know and she prayed that it wouldn't.

Who is this man? Did the elders send him to me? This would only make sense if he can hear. Is he one of the chosen or has the evil haunted him? Would my eyes be blind to that?

There would be only one way he was from the elders, her beloved muses.

Her voice solid and firm, yet could send shivers up and down even the strongest man's body, "Show me the sign and I shall follow."

Enli stoodfast, searching his mind. How can I remember a sign if I can barely remember me?! he shouted within his own mind. Mabye..no, she wouldn't know that, or would she? Mabye the sign is just a symbol of good...

He remembered an amulet around his neck. A green stone that seemed to be filled with a cloud rather than solid was held by a gold band. Marking the gold band were ancient runes. I was told that this stone would mark my stance in the wars of good and evil...

Enli reached around his neck and undid the gold chain and held the amulet before her, sure hold his hand behind the stone to hide it from others in the bar.

The cloud of death, the words whispered in her head. How does he have the amulet to hold the cloud of death? He either is of them, or he is a guardian to it. I do I know.

Child, look into his eyes. You shall see the world and so much in someone's eyes. You have that as one of your gifts. Do not forget your heritage.

She blinked, those words could be of a sign of her elders also. She looked into his eyes. They too were clouded, but she ran through it like air. One could tell so much about a person by their eyes, she could see their world in their eyes. She could see things that they did not even know.

He is the one. The guardian, my guardian. Yet, where is my guide? He is not it.

She stood up. The shadow of the dark that surrounded the two would only show his eyes and maybe a select few the sight she would show him. The sight she guarded, the sight she must hide from those who continuously watch.

She slide the hood down off of her face. Her skin, perfect complexion of ivory white. The sun or the elements would not damage such beauty. Her face was oval and the features were as if an artist drew it out of a vision of a goddess. She radiated in the dark, her face would stand out to the many. Her eyes were the dark feature on her face. Wide eyes of chocolate brown with swirls of yellow light in them. The bridge of her nose slipped down to her button nose. Her nose placed center above her pale pink lips, thin and straight. Her jawline smooth and stroked upward to her ears. Another interesting aspect of her. Her ears were pointed upward, much like the elven population of this world. Across her brow, just above her thin brown eyebrows, she wore a thin crown of white gold. In the centre was a small jewel, the same one he wore around his neck. Yet this one did not have the cloud in it. Her caramel brown hair fell gracefully around her within the cape's hood. It showered her skin and gave her some warmth.

She rose her chin up slightly, her eyes meeting his though. In the same voice, "I am Lady Sage of Cartica, the family Cartica the gaurdians of the Golatricans."

The icy chill of the night air around him did little more than ruffle the tattered cloak wrapped around his shoulders & snout. The tattered tunic & pants he wore had the same appearance, as did the cloth wrapping his clawed, scaly hand & feet. Finally, a ragged band of cloth concealed his eyes, pupil-less orbs of molten gold...

Silently he dropped to the frozen ground from his treetop perch. The aural-vision he now possesed read the alignments & magical aptitudes of those he encountered, but did little else. A gathering of beings caught his eye, something he'd known as a 'bar' in his past life. The chargoal-gray shadow-creature moved forward, slipping through the doors like the night wind. He would never know why he'd entered, it was a thing of impulse.

It had been a great many moons since he had tasted the bitter flavor of alcohol. Perhaps he would indulge himself, perhaps not. First, he would need money, since nothing in the mortal realm was free...

(OOC It is very very good to be in this roleplay, as I have been meaning to roleplay with such a fine writer such as yourself. I was going to use a completely new character...but seeing as I roleplay with you so rarely, I thought someone far more familar might be more apt and enjoyable.)

Vincent continued to sip his strange drink, noticing the look of that woman upon him. The rush of energy and pleasure consumed his odd body, and he shuddered slightly from it. It was never something that you grew desensitised to. His kind would be in trouble if it did. The sensation reminded him of when he first heard classical music, the rising of the soul and arousing of the emotions as the music in the air soared and elevated the mind to greater heights.

On that thought, Vincent reminded himself that he never really could play the piano again, his most favourite instrument. The human hands which he had woven in the fabric of magic were hardly the most graceful, and Vincent was highly cautious as not to spill a drop of the substance in his tankard. That would be a crime indeed Vincent thought to himself.

Word flowed in from every corner of this building to his strange ears, and due to the nature of this beast, Vincent could understand and absorb every sentance with clarity and organisated understanding. And he heard one very interesting conversation which was evolving before him. Concerning that woman and that man...interesting indeed.

And then he saw her true appearance, her face, that perfect and shapely face! Vincent forgot himself and looked directly at her, revealing most of his face in the process. And such a face was not forgotten easily, nor discredited. A flash of green flesh and alien features, then the cowl dropped once more over those features and the figure realises his rather fatal mistake. He certainly hoped she had not observed this, but she might have quite easily. As for the other idiots...most likely not.

Vincent mentallty rebuked himself for that error. It was highly rare for him to be taken back by a female's appearance, but she certainly did. It was not just the woman's appearance, it was a certain...something. A certain something which another had, but was cruelly taken away from Vincent.

The sentance drifted into his ears like a clear voice from the heavens, contrasted against the infernal din of mortal superficality.

"I am Lady Sage of Cartica, the family Cartica the gaurdians of the Golatricans."

Now, this certainly was getting interesting, Vincent thought to himself. This was worthy chase, this was worthy intrege. Perhaps the old glory days were not dead, Vincent thought with a wonderful relish of his independant exploits of years ago.

Enli's emerald green eyes grew wide. The Golatrican is royality?! he thought wildly. He nodded his head in a quick bow. He stood tall again with the build of a boxer. The guardians, I still must know who these Golatricans are...

Do you see? the voice said in his mind. Get her away from them, find the guide...

What guide?! Who is 'them'?! he shouted against the barrier in his mind.

He lowered his sash, deciding it best not hide from the Lady. "I am Enli Cu-Chulainn, I am saddened to say I know nothing more of myself. I cannot remember past a few weeks ago.

"My lady, they are after you. I do not know who they are, and it is to complicated to explain how I know this. But we must leave, and soon."

OOC: Quick thing, "Cu-Chulainn" is pronounced "Koo-Koolenn"

Leaving are we? Well, I think this is intreging. Better than sitting in here drinking my finest beverage. At least in this sort of weather, I can follow them easilly.

A slight twang of guilt came into Vincent's mind, the feeling that the following actions were somehow wrong or immoral. The man dissmissed it immediately, this was more of an experiment and entertainment. And anyways, I might be able to help, Vincent thought.

Vincent continued as if nothing had happened, sipping his fine drink and viewing those around him.

"You look a bit lonely doncha?"

The smooth and well practiced greased phrase slid onto Vincent's ear. If he was a worse and less decent man, he would have punched him in the face, and quite possibly with no regard for the walls, sent him flying through the building with ease in that one punch, breaking many bones in the guy's body.

Why? Because Vincent knew that this man was a pimp with a lot to sell to someone who was no longer in the market, or indeed really had been.

Vincent turned his head with infinate slowness to address this person. His cowl was still dropped, not revealing anything. He raised his face, inch by inch.

A scowl from the robed man met the pimp's smirk.

A mouthed phrase matched a horrified face, as the colour of his skin was revealed, and the thing of legend was revealed before him, only slightly.

The pimp saw his teeth and skin... and the pimp left in a damn hurry.

Sometimes, just sometimes, Vincent thought, his appearance was such a joy to use for bad reasons. Sure, he could have just told the guy politely to leave him alone...but Vincent was feeling in a playful mood. Beside, he didn't pity those bastards. In fact, he detested them.

Maybe that image will stay with him, Vincent thought. Always nice to make an impression, Vincent thought wryly and went back to his drink, with a rather mischievous grin on his face.

#TAG# :p

Roman looked around the room, his hightened sense picked up many faint smells and sounds most people would miss. He sensed something was happening here. Roman turned and smiled warmly at Sheyrena. It had been six years since Roman had taken it upon himself to guard her. Both were of the Celadrin Clan and had become close friends over the years. He still remembered his shock when he learned of her great power, and her surprised when she learned of his gift.

"I think we'll rest here for a little bit. But were we travel to....lets play that by year."

He turned and studied the woman who called herself "Lady Sage of Cartica", he could tell there was much more to her than met the eye. He also studied the man who seemed to be begging her to leave.

"Sheyrena, something is about to happen here. Lets sit and maybe something interesting might pop up."

Lady Sage looked around, there were those who had not noticed her and there were those who were appearing as they didn't notice her.

The air surrouding the two got chiller and a breeze circulated the two, quite odd to break through the building. The wind had played with her cape and it appeared as if she was floating. The wind was her foundation.

She spoke once more in her cold voice, "I am quite aware of the current situation, Enli Cu-Chulainn. I know there are after me. They have been after me before I was born. Whispers in the night worn me of their growing powers and I sense it in my very bones." She paused and noticed several people were listening to her conversation.

She sat down and motioned for Enli to sit down opposite of her.

She saw his brow furrow with confusion. "Let me explain."

She sighed, this would be a long story, but they had time. Time that he was not aware of.

"My family is known to gaurd the universe Golatrica, the daughter of Moria. I can go into history at a later date. The story will be of importance later. Our family has been watching over the thrown and ruled it for ages dated back to the birth of our kind. Time passed and people seperated. This is known in every civilization, those things cannot be stopped. They are called Noricans. They had always wanted to rule, but the power was not theirs. There was a prophecy of a child born who would end their growing power."

She stopped once more and smiled. "The child would be born and they would be, let me say, contained within her. This child was me and they had learned of this. So, they tried to stop me from being born. They attacked my mother, but she tossed me to this place called earth where they could not travel. My memories were formed and I learned what any child would learn back home, but more. I experienced much more because of my potential. My history ties to this very town. The citizens have forgotten the past, but this what is needed. Yet, when I was brought to this life another was also. I was the child who set the flame to the tree, but as I lie on the ground the clouds formed another lightening and formed my opposite. The Noricans have their own child to oppose me. I have not found him yet. Although, he has not found me either. My elders have been talking to you, you are my guardian and I need a guide yet. Those things are needed to bring me back to my land and end the power of the Noricans."

In her mind she has been wondering about him. Where is he and why hasn't he showed his face yet. She has sensed his power, but not him. "Do you have any questions for me?"

Elders....that would explain the voices, all but one. The voice whispering in a strange language, yet sounding strangely familiar...

"So...this they...are Noricans eh?" said Enli. "And I'm a guardian....All this is strange to me, but if I could just remember..." Enli stopped talking for a moment then said, "Well then, how tough are these Noricans? I'd like to know what we're up against."

So now we need a guide....

The guardian would not know of his past. The prophecy is still in play, we still have time.

Lady Sage continued, "The Noricans are the same as the Golatricans. We are all the same race. We have similar potential is what we call it. Your people might call it magic. To not make things confusing we are much like your race of elves. We look quite similar to them as you can see. We also have very strong ties to nature. I guess the main difference is we are from a completely different universe."

She took a sip from her frosted mug. Her breath could be seen and it floated softly in the air. "As I said before the Noricans are merely us, but with evil tendencies. The dark is always watching and waiting. It played with our kind and manipulated it. Thus, these creatures look like us. Yet, one of your kind can even tell the difference. Their eyes are red, like demons, for they are possessed by evil. Their power now matches much of ours. Now they have created one like me. Let me tell you what I am against. You shall not have to battle these people, I must do that alone. Stories have been told to me about their torture and horrific plans against our people. One story was one young Norican, at the age of four, went to a local daycare and strangled a infant. He strangled her without remorse. They only get worse and they use any of different ages. Mainly it is our male population, but they have started to include females because of the potential."

She stopped again, almost ready to cry. "I will not go on. The things they have done to my people are horrendous and it will be stopped. I can say my people live in fear and that is something that we are not used to. Much like the citizens here live like that is what the Noricans want us to live like. Drones to them, robots to do their evil work. Their plan is to rule our universe and later conquer others, including the one I currently on."

She sighed. "Their is a hidden plan. A plan with my opposing part. A plan with me. These things I do not know, but I am not afraid. They have not found you and let us pray that they do not find my guide."

Enli nodded solemnly as Lady Sage spoke. An image flashed through his mind as he listened, though it seemed not to have anything to do the tale.

A flash of lightning. Pouring rain. A man wearing a black cloak with multile tears slowly approached the iron barred gates of a fortified mansion. Thunder clapped across the night sky. In the man's hand dangled an ancient sword. A flash of lightening, Enli returned to his senses.

Gods, what was that? he thought.

Lady Sage finished speaking.

They sound like murderous demonic savages.... "Lady Sage, you can count me as your shield, a guardian I will be."

OOC: I'm not going to be able to get on for a week, something kinda important came up, sorry....Amanda, can you play out my char til I can get back?

ooc> must forgive my bad grammor this is my first attempt at a storyline plot rp.

The local Arbitor of the bleek town stood in his office some 20 floors up looking out of his window into the square of the sacred tree. Watching for a moment he turned as a slight knocking came to his door.

Interesting, he thought, who would dare to disturb me at this time?

"Enter" he bellowed. His frame was frail without his armour on but slight whisps of energy crackled between his fingers as the static of mana had built up in his persona and his periforal air essence began to leak into the real world. He quickly concentrated on moving some papers on his desk into a neat pile to use the unwanted mana - the files spiraled into the air before setteling down into a neat pile as some dust sifted out around them as they landed gently on the desk.

Into the room walked an upright creature, it was not man nor beast but somthing between, its eyes glowing with the fire of hell and its ears coverd by a black headband swept around its head.

"Ah so you have returned have you?" utterd the Arbitor "and have you made up your mind?"

The creature looked towards the floor for a moment before speaking:
"We agree to your demands, you shall live the lifetime of a star if you complete what we ask of you. Are you still in agreement with the terms?"

The arbitor smiled "But of course, i knew you kin would come round. Tell me how am i to find this 'star child'?"

And so he was told that he was to be their guide and that he should show upon request a scar emblazend onto his chest as a sign of his trust and to show he was her guide the one who would show her the way. But that she must be misled and deliverd to the evil kin in order that they may do with her as they wish.

"But what scar - i do not understand?" He pulled back his shirt and looked at his chest - as the skin appeared in the light a dark red arc of lightning lept from the evil kindred's eyes scaring the mark of the old one's deep into his chest - it healed over so that it appeared to be old and worn.

The arbitor screamed in pain as the lightning struck him falling backwards he landed on the floor and fell unconcious. The evil kin bowed over him and inscribed some runes into the air that flowed around the fallen arbitor before spiraling into his head and dissapearing.

When the arbitor awoke he was sitting comfortably in his great watching chair looking out over the city - as he studied the image before him he noticed the warming glow of the inn as a customer hid from the bleak cold of the night.

Snarling he stood his armour already adorned the crest of the city emblazend onto his black iron helm the adamantium chain mail resting gently upon his frame supported by the intricate black plate emblazend with the laws of the city in gold. His sigil of office worn proudly on his back - a great scimitar and his sign of arbitration - a wickid spined whip curled around a tie in his belt.

He swept out of his chambers and down towards the streets his destination set out clearly in his mind.

Exiting the building the wind grabbed his cloak sending it spiraling out behind him he walked with a powerful grace through the snowcoverd streets, brown clad citicens cowering as he passed in fear of the arbitors wrath he walked into the square where the marble like tree was situated - he smiled gently at it before turning towards the inn where another customer had left.

The man shrinked away trying to hide from the cold after the warmth of the inn before setting off towards his home.

A snowflurry whipped around the arbitor as he stood watching the inn decided if he should continue....

ooc> any good? sorry for any spelling errors :)

OOC: The Druidic Clans, I do understand this. However, I will not "play" your characterm you do that so much better than I could ever. Instead I shall just work something out, having him there, but silent. Maybe converse with RV's character or Gorg's or something like that.

Hive Fleet Imodius, it was a great post. Don't worry about spelling if we can understand it. Just a hint though, capitalize the letter "i" when one says I. I am glad your character is playing "the guide", can you also play the opposing threat to the world?

I will post an IC later. Thanks y'all.

ooc: Of course >I< can play the threat as well - I hope this ties in ok dont want to mess about any plot you had going tho :)

(OOC Yes, that was a wonderful post Hive Fleet. If you have problems with gramma or spelling, just copy and past the post before you enter into NS, into word to fix any bugs. I really should do that more with my posts.

Vincent remained where he was, listening to the conversation with rapt attention, although to anyone looking at him he was simply lost within his own thoughts. He played with the engraved marks upon his metal tankard, the symbols of dragons flying towards the sky feeling Vincent's gloved hand's idle attention. The strange man pondered the words as they flowed through the air towards him, the river of a strange past and strange future agenda revealing it's colours to him in a method which was not it's own choice. As the conversation continued, Vincent was thinking that he should get involved somehow, do something more than simply listen.

And that he would.

But, someone intended that he did not hear the full breadth and length of this fine tale, which was being shared by the wonders of natural...or unnatural abilities of Vincent. Someone came into Vincent's view, blocking the view of those two conversing travellers. A shadow went over Vincent, as the man was an impressive height, and obviously someone who was not a stranger to using his body as a weapon.

He had a great shaved bald head, with a blue tattoo depicting an ice dragon roaring upon it. His eyes were small, coloured by God a shade of blue which were intelligent. The man's face was obviously a face of someone who harshed this cold weather every day, and possibly the inhabitants of colder places than here. He had a great expanse of what could only really be called fur around his mouth, which was dyed a light frost blue, which made this character seem like an ice giant of some sort.

His manner was stern, yet restrained. Like the attitude of a guard asking ruffians to keep the peace when they were running around screaming at the early hours of the day. This barbarian, which was strapped in heavy winter furs which gave his chest a barrel like appearance.

Vincent looked up, looking at this man's eyes dead on, although the man did not see this person's eyes. The cowl still remained, so the man thought he was ignoring him slightly. The barbarian placed his hands upon the table with some force, making a loud noise which was intended to scare the robed individual. Vincent's only cause for concern was the fact that he almost caused his rather inapt hands to spill the contents of the tankard. No shudder and no recline came from the robed figure, he proceeded as nothing occurred, apart from a slight raise from his hood indicating he was listening.

"You can tell a lot by a man by lookin' in his ey'. An tellin' by tat reactoon tat individual ha'd when he sa ye eye, there mus'ta'been sometin rather interestin, nay? An wheen meself knows and feels that ye be no ordinary man, despite those pretti spells ye around self, I can still tella ye are not ordinary man."

The artic warrior spoke in a thick accent, which made him sound to the ear like someone who always knew better than you, was wise in the world and of course, that this person always knew what was wrong with the world and how to fix it. The sort you get ready to tell you how to change the world, the grumbling old man in the back of the bus who was disgruntled with today's youth. But the difference between the two was that the old man was quite harmless.

This guy had a great axe which looked like it was used to fell trees, the great double headed thing of his trade was still by his seat thankfully. But Vincent knew that this guy had a hatchet or something. His intent was violent here, and he would not come over to someone he knows aint human without some mean of making sure his words were backed up by something sharp.

Vincent felt like saying something towards the barbarian which would cause a riot no doubt, and trouble which he did not want. He would have to reveal himself that way most likely, and the powers he possessed. And that was not the point in being here. He kept his mouth closed and waited for the obvious next comment that the woodcutter was going to express in his most polite of ways.

And like clockwork, the lumberjack leaned further forward, his face getting closer to that cowl that Vincent had around him.

"Let's have a look at ye face, strange thing." The man said with a grin, his left gloved hand reaching gingerly towards that cowl which was Vincent's shield against being revealed.

This was insane Vincent thought. There would be no reasoning with this person, no reasoning at all. He could not talk out of this. He could not fight out of this.

Vincent knew what to do.

A crack of his own gloved hand slammed down onto the lumberjack left hand which was coming towards him. A loud bang was heard of the tankard clinking against the wood, and the small amount of liquid sloshed. A tiny droplet of the liquid fell upon the floor, not that Vincent noticed. That droplet was a strange volcanic colour, a mixture of crimson of a dark green, which was acidic to the touch and rank to the smell. It smelt slightly coppery, and like nothing that most had ever smelt or had wanted to. It was only noticeable as someone neared it.

"I am leaving. Now. Don't follow me." Vincent commanded the lumberjack, which was still trying to react to that lighting move. His face was contorted into a mixture of pain and rage, those eyes exploding into utter fury against this strange individual. His right hand clenched together and was pulled back for a punch against Vincent. The cowled man did not flinch in preparation of the pain of the blow.

He simply slid away.

The cowled man, like something elven and mysterous slipped away, letting his grip go of the lumberjack's left hand, and rather guiding his right hand from the back, pushing it forward. This made the lumberjack overbalance from this person's almost instantonous moves, and a shout of protesting had no time to utter from his lips. His right hand slammed into the wall with a crunch, and his massive body was tippling the wooden table. Vincent, with his left hand drained the rest of the tankard, which was minimal indeed, and got out of the tavern in a short three seconds, his hurried footsteps getting away from this commotion.

He walked by the bar, by those two people, and placed his tankard near where they were seated for the barkeep to take it. After all, Vincent was not a thief.

Vincent escaped outside to the cold. The glorious cold which Vincent loved but did not feel. It was the images of snow and the wind's noises which Vincent loved. He heard the bellow of a man who had his pride severely dented, and was on the warpath. Vincent did not doubt with a slightly amused thought, that he was going to attempt to follow him.

And so the lumberjack did, he burst through the tavern, screaming for the stranger's blood, spilling someone's drink in his rage. He exploded outside, the door almost coming off it's hinges, and his body barely fitting. He was obviously used to normal sized doors now, and sidestepped outwards swiftly, trying to pursue his offender.

But Vincent was no where to be seen. No footsteps, no trail in the snow.

Nowhere.

Enraged, the lumberjack began to ask people nearby if they had seen him, but they replied with shakes of the head which infuriated the guy even more. No-one saw Vincent now, for he was above them, looking down.

His body was flat upon the roof of the tavern, almost invisible to see due to his abilities. If someone looked upon it, they would just see snow and tiles upon the roof, and possibly some mist which flowed eerily around the place.

Vincent found that was quite enjoyable. His mind was keen once more, his wits about him. It was a long time since he had to do something like that. Long time indeed. His abilities were still available, that was good.

He waited for someone to leave the tavern, or indeed, this...guide to enter it. He had listened to enough of the conversation to get something of a gist of it, but not the full tale. Vincent thought the information he had would suffice for the moment, and waited.

The dark-clothed being remained in the shadows at the rear of the bar, his figure further obscured by the hazy smoke that blanketed the area like a light fog. He watched. He waited. A brief scuffle erupted between an odd individual & a human of powerful build, the reason remaining a mystery. The individual smelled different, his senses beginning to return.

How long had he been dead? A week? A year? Ten years? Twenty? There was no sure way to know, he could not remeber the date of his death... His past was like a dream, something surreal that couldn't have happened. His rebirth was an awakening, his senses sharper, his movements more fluid, his body more powerful. A certain clarity of mind had befallen him, a calmness that was difficult to explain. The aural vision he now posessed allowed for the identification of persons with great deeds before them, something he missed greatly. He had once been a great warrior of his people, a renouned hunter of various abominations & mythical creatures. Since his return he had done little but wander, drifting from place to place, seeking a new quest to test his abilities, to learn his limits.

This might actually be the place to accomplish that goal. A woman, shaded in greyish hues, conversed with a Druid-like man. Grey was the color of the unknown, much like his garments. This intrigued him, so he resolved to follow. Perhaps they would lead him down the familiar path of glory, or to another untimely grave. The future was the ultimate game of chance, the stakes where high & you where required to play...

OOC: man...sorry guys...gotta pull out of this thread...i dont have enough time on my hands to juggle threads anymore... :(

The Arbitor continued on his journy through the meek streets as the howling wind tried to rip the cloak from his back. Walking with greater conviction he neared the inn but before he could get anycloser a hunched man in a grey cloak appeared from out of the inn, a twig snapped under the arbitors foot, surprised he looked down, the road sweeps would need diciplining for this. Looking back up the man had disapeared. The arbitor took a quick look around surprised by this until he saw a slight glow, the glow of magic on the roof of the inn. His essence sight granted him the ability to see such things. He smiled breifly and was about to call up to the man inciting law

4291: Trespass of another's property, even a freehouse or inn, is punishable by law at an arbitors descresion.

However before he could begin a large barbarian looking man burst out of the inn in search of somthing, the arbitor twigged what was occuring and smiled to himself. As the large man rushed from person to person he came to the arbitor and belowed:
"WHERE IS HE I SHALL HAVE HIS HIDE!"

The arbitor looked at the man for a second before reacting, he brought his whip round as if from nowhere spiraling it around the large man's legs as it snagged the material of the mans leggings he tugged, hard. The large man fell to the floor with a startled look on his face.

"You would dare to shout at an arbitor?" He sneared

The large man whimperd slightly realising his mistake. The arbitor twisted his wrist and held his other hand to the sky invoking the powers only granted to an arbitor.

"By law 13 of arbitration I herby act as judge jury and execution!" He looked into the snow swept streets "Does any man or woman speak for this individual?"

The bitter wind howled down the street as the civilians quickly rushed away from the scene terrifyed by the law they only wanted to get away.

Looking down once more at the man now attempting to get to his knee's with the whip coiled around his legs.
"Did I say you could stand?"
Again the large man whimperd slightly
"N..no sir AAAIIIEEEGH!"
The arbitor twisted his hand sending a huge bolt of lightning down through the whip which surged into the man sending him realing onto the floor trying to get into the featal position as his body was wracked with pain.
The arbitor smiled whickedly before tugging hard on his whip sending the man rolling away from him and freeing his tool of arbitration. At the scream several people from inside the inn stuck their head's out to see what was going on, however as the arbitors marks of office shimmerd in the light from the inn they quickly dove backinside to get out of sight.
Sneering the arbitor reattached his whip to his belt and stepped over the man heading towards the inn.

(OOC Hive Fleet, can I do something? Can you edit your post so that you do not kill that man, but that you are waiting for someone to answer if they will defend this person. My character will feel compassion for him, although it will be a dilemma. My character is a "good" character, to use such a shit term. He does not mind breaking the guy's hand, but allowing the person to die? That is not what he would allow.

Plus, this is far more interesting...:) )

ooc> he's not dead just in a hole world of pain.

ic> The abitor sneared over his shoulder at the fallen man now stiring
"You have been marked and tagged, I shall give you 12hours to find a man or woman who will speak for you. Untill then, try to keep out of trouble."

A shimmering mark now emblazend the man's forhead signifying arbitration was in process - the gold disc shimmerd as lightning seamed to curl around on its surface.

The snow refused to melt under Vincent's robed body, as the individual wrapped around in the plain matieral provided no body heat, his body being as cold as the snow that lay and fell around him. He lay perfectly still upon those rough tiles, and if he were more ordinary, he would have stumbled and fell down onto the floor, granting that voice down there a new individual to look upon.

His ear detected the words, and he listened in to the proceedings. Arbitor? Vincent was not familar with such an order, but he was familar with the word. Someone who decides, judges...

The sound of magic filled Vincent's senses, the forming of the arcane mental commands...now this arbiter whoever the hell he was have had his rapt attention if he did not have it before. Vincent immediately slid down from the rooftop, so that he was still out of this arbiter's vision, in a back alley. He was not arcanely hidden, more of natural ability to blend in now. He movements were silent when there should have been the sounds of moving snow, tiles being disturbed, a drop being falled. But no sounds whatsoever, the robed man fell gracefully and utterly without sound.

Now, like a predator, Vincent walked over, hunched. His robes made him appear like a ghoul of some sort, snow still fleckec upon the surface, not melting. The robe was slightly torn from the decent, but it did not reveal the nature of the being. Silently, like a ghost who had decided to become active in the world once more after the foolishness of the current generation, Vincent flowed onto the pavement, looking at the display on show.

He was still an enigma, his body moving in a strange way. He was slightly hunched over, like a beggar would be, but the arbiter could definately tell something was odd about this individual. For one, he made no sound, apart from when he spoke. Secondly, he kept his face hidden beneath that cowl, and many other reasons beside...

"Arbiter. I speak for him."

No protest from the large man on the floor. He was rather thankful that somone had spoken out, although in his dazed and extremely desperate state, he cared not whom it was who defended him.

The clear voice cut into the snow, and raised attention to Vincent.

Immediately, Vincent was having doubts. Perhaps there was a better way of dealing with this all. But, he supposed, this was the only way this little situation could be resolved, at least without raising too much attention to himself. He could not allow the man to die due to his...playfulness. That would be on his conciousness for a while, and that was not the whole point of this journey.

"I speak for this man." Vincent repeated, as he stood completely still, his face a mystery. His voice was deep and commanding, one which was experianced and calm. The sort of voice which could slice through the din of combat to issue a command.

Following the commotion outside, as the pair he had been watching seemed lost in conversation, the shadowy being burst from the doors of the inn to find a pitiful excuse for a power display taking place...

'Fool... He is no more just in his punishments than the Roanian Inquisition was in their witch-hunts... This will not stand...'

He moved forward, raising his voice to speak after that of another who the man had apparently wronged...

"And I will not allow you to kill him. Your rank carries no weight here..."

His voice was a cruel hiss, he had little time for the self-important & over-zealous... Violence was a secondary resort, the lethal breed only when nessecary, when all others failed...

The Aribitor looked at the small old man pondering how he could know the wretch on the floor.
"Very well, then let arbitration begin." but before he could continue another figure burst from the inn.
"My rank carries no weight here? You are a stranger to these lands, this city is my city to watch over, I am the carer, the law and most importantly this city's method of total arbitration. You belive to question this?"
The arbitor snarled unfurling his whip once more.
"Or perhaps you, yourself, are in need of arbitration from your law breaking? I shall deal with you once this matter has been resolved."
He turned to the old man, you have 1 hour standard to produce evidence to show this man should be spared, if you fail to convince me at the end of that hour then his fait will be in my hands. I am a fair arbitor, perhaps too fair at times."

Vincent was tierd of this. He let of a long sigh which made no condensation at all, and looked around slightly, his eyes moving from left to right. Not that the arbitor could see them.

"You know what? How about frelling no. How about you back off, and quit waving your title and right around." Vincent said cooly, without any regard anymore. What was the point of hiding? He was who he was, and that was that. If people did not like it, well, good for them.

Standing up to full height, which was not too tall at all, but higher than his previous stooped position, he reached for his great mass of brown clothe which was swamping him. He tore it off with a rather contemptous rip, revealing his true nature.

And there before this arbitor, was the strangest vampire than he had ever seen. A green skinned vampire, which had a long mane of white-silver hair. His brown eyes drank in the expression of the arbitor, and prized it. He loved having this affect on people, although it was a guilty pleasure at best. No smile came across those thin lips of his, although Vincent...Kain rather, could have done to reveal those fangs which was his racial right.

"Got a problem?"

Click here for an image of Kain. He has taloned hands, I will offer more description as I go. (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SwDtAqoXy5ICpjrOuM*R48wUUJdCTSpd4yoebsBbTww2JnLB*i0Jk*ab8kR8cb6RCmUXfd7IpDkgWfBTpVlaw6rYQIfWpZZJxy1 V30a82i82v6cdv!dPPA/Kain.jpg?dc=4675503654629907419)

Sage remained silent and watched with cautious eyes as the scene unraveled around her. The one of "ice" did not stand a chance against "him". "Him" being, well, she didn't know, but there was an aura of ancient power around him. Much of her knowledge told her ancients were the ones that passed their horrendous power down, but kept their secrets. Thus, one must be careful around. Although, she was not afraid, for she herself was an ancient in a sense.

She glared as she watched the man leave. She glanced to her guardian, motioning for him to follow, but she created a spell for which he would be hidden from any searching eyes. She would watch him in times that he could not prevail.

She made her way to the door, following the retreating man of cold. The wind meets her and she looked up to find "him". He is quite intelligent. She remained back and hidden from even his eyes.

Her eyes widen as the arbiter came. What was his business here?

She watched as the plot continued and she saw "him" take a noble stance for the wretched man.

Now who is this lizard creature? It seems my appearance has many others that come. Who can I trust? She looked upon the arbiter, he I can sense something of gray. Gray can never be trusted you do not know where their power will be shifted to.

Oh my Star Moria! She held her arm back for Enli to stay back. I sense his urgency, but his sword and arm has nothing for magic. Her "him" was known to be Kain. The very famous Kain, how could her own senses deny the very knowledge that was being shown to her?

Now it was time for her appearance.

She stepped forward, releasing the very spell that guarded her own appearance.

The wind picked up and played with her hood, causing it to fall back off of her face. Her voice matched the very iciness of the wind. "Arbiter you shall be on your way. Justice is not in yours now."

The Arbitor looked at cain with a slightly simpathetic look "I feel for you for you are the damned. However it is unsightly that you break such a masqurade in this manner, have you forgotten the great inquisition? Kain you do not scare me for I know what it is you desire and that brings my pity upon you."

He snapped his head around looking at the girl as she spoke and you, what do you have to say for this man, I am giving you the right to save him what would you have done? He is surely not completly innocent in these matters and yet perhaps not entirly to blaim. Come child, enlighten us." He smiled warmly and a great silence fell about them no one dared to speak lest the gods twist fait against them, the girl felt compelled to speak her whim, her wish for the fallen man.

The arbitor stepped away from the man allowing her access to him he recoiled his whip never taking his eyes off her.
In his mind he could hear the dark one's screaming that she was the one tho he gave no sign anything was amiss.
"Do not fear child, lead me and I shall in turn be your guide." As her eyes looked him over he moved the dark shirt that coverd his chest revealing to her the sign bestowed upon him to signify him as being her guide.

"You pity me?" Kain spoke out darkly and slowly, more of slight disbelief than anything else. His eyes examined this mortal who was before him, in that armour which had so many symbols ofhis station, of his status, of his purpose. Such things that Kain did not have, even though he was a ruler of a nation, Velmora. A nation inhabited by the Psi, a race of humans whichhad magic flowing within thier veins.

Kain let out a bellowing laugh, one which was mocking and terrible due to it. Kain rarely laughed, and this cold chilling laugh was not one which people were fond of hearing. His great green chest rippled as he did so, his finely toned body revealing thier adept nature.

"Your all the same. Inquisitor...Paladin...Arbiter...your all the same. Same little quest, same little pompous attitude. You might be more afraid if you were more wise, I have laid to waste more of your kind that you realise, and creatures far more terrible than myself. Do not threaten me." Kain darkly utterly, his eyes narrowing. He spoke the truth. Kain had fought countless foes, both of those who hid in the light and those who hid in darkness. The demon hoardes which had plagued his life, and thier owners interest in him, had granted Kain a certain reputation.

"And your arrogance of your assumption." Kain continued, now walking slowly and chillingly towards the arbiter. His movements were slow and fluid, his eyes bearing into this mortal's soul. He demanded a certain respect, there was a certain aura of honest and geniune power.

"What do I desire then? I am curious to know. And how did you make this assumption, hmm? From the numerous tales of me? From eyewittness accounts of me? From those who I have fought by? Definately not those who I have fought against, they are all dead or rotting in hell." He asked with in a strange mocking manner. His last words, of those in hell, he meant that rather literally. Those who knew what he was referring to grew more chilled due to this.

Kain had no patience or sympathy with those who would lay down justice in this manner.

The dead have their own tales and much can be told of Kain. Her people have both sides and he tells of the truth. Sage let him finish. Her eyes on the scar. It was if it bore into her own eyes.

Was this my sign? My time to go home? Home, she knew of it, but to experience was an organismic thought, such pleasures that she never had.

She questioned herself, why would my guide be an arbiter? He should be tested throughly, the dark could be hiding in him and I may not know.

How do I test him? Thoughts ran through her mind.

Her voice chill to the core, much like Kain's laughter, "You call me child, you fool. You are not wise. I have more time on you then what you assume. I am what your people call ancients. Do not underestimate appearance." She paused and looked at Kain. "Well, in his case you might want to trust his."

A slight smile flickered across her face and disappeared much like the snowflakes on a warm sun lit day.

"You need not question us, but we in turn question you. What has this man done to deserve this treatment? Also, why not let the man defend himself and not be dependent on another's opinion."

The Aribitor looked at the small old man pondering how he could know the wretch on the floor.
"Very well, then let arbitration begin." but before he could continue another figure burst from the inn.
"My rank carries no weight here? You are a stranger to these lands, this city is my city to watch over, I am the carer, the law and most importantly this city's method of total arbitration. You belive to question this?"
The arbitor snarled unfurling his whip once more.
"Or perhaps you, yourself, are in need of arbitration from your law breaking? I shall deal with you once this matter has been resolved."
He turned to the old man, you have 1 hour standard to produce evidence to show this man should be spared, if you fail to convince me at the end of that hour then his fait will be in my hands. I am a fair arbitor, perhaps too fair at times."

The response the man gave him was to be expected. The pompus & the proud often did over-estimate the weight of their titles & their superiority over others...

"As I have stated before, the dispute between this man & Kain has ended. Your services are not needed. I would ask that you leave, before more trouble is caused by your over-zealous-ness..."

The shadow-lizard paused for a moment, letting his request sink in...

"As for your assumption that I am a stranger to this land, you are incorrect. I am a wanderer, as such I have seen many places, many people... I have seen enough evil to know its many shapes & forms, intentional or not. Your weapon does not intimidate me, nor should you underestimate my lack of such a device. I was once one of my people's greatest hunters, similar to your order, but acting with less judication & more subtlety. As for your fairness, I find that too great of a stretch. To kill a man for speaking to you in a manner you find offensive is not only murder, but is also hipocritical. Your manner offends me, and if I was to strike you with a forearm blow to the neck followed with a knee-strike to the chest & end with the seperation of your neck vertebra, I would be ending your life for the same reasons you seek to end his..."

Again, he paused. It was odd Kain had not recognized him, but perhaps it was better this way. He had fallen assiting the exiled being in some task he couldn't quite remember...

Enli stood beside Sage silently, watching intently for any need step in.

Magic users... He thought, eyeing the scene before him. Why do I seem to remember meeting their kind before? He paused as a scene flahsed across his mind. A blast of heat and a dark red light. A shout of anger and a scream of terror, followed by a cold and manical laughter.

The image passed. He shook his head and took a breath. One of these days I'll get some peace to find some answers.

Sage seemed to jump into the arguement head on. Enli tapped his fingers against the hilt of his sword.

This unfamiliar blade will do. Enli sighed to himself. The sword he wore was just a weapon he had found in a roadside ditch since the few weeks he could remember. It felt awkward to him for some reason, but he had proven to a band muggers that his fists and a dagger can more than make up for the sword.

Don't get all these guys against us, Sage, thought Enli as the arguement seemed to grow.

He looked at the girl smiling "For one, you are a child among your race, I know this it has been revealed to me by the...old ways. This man cannot defend himself because in the eye of the law he has commited a crime and so is a law breaker. As such according to law he is not capable of defending himself lest he worsen his punishment or lie his way out of it and so cannot be allowed to defend himself. This has been the way of things for hundreds of years and is the reason there is little crime in the great city's."
He looks at the others who are present.
"I am no wandering paladin or zealot of old, all the great city's and towns now have their own arbitration office where a diligent law enforcement group works from to maintain the peace and to ensure the safty of the locals."

He could not belive their ignorence if a patrol where to turn up and over hear such heresy then he would have to act, he looked around and saw non for the moment and breathed a little more easily his heart beat slowing to a steady controlled pulse.

"If you will not defend this man then by edict of the law's I will judge him and determine his crime and punishment as fairly as he deserves."
He looked around once more his voice softening "I am not here to take advantage of the weak, I am here to ensure the weak are protected, do you not see this?"

She raised one perfectly arched eyebrow, how could he know of my people? Also, if he does why is he not afraid? I could easily dispose of him with a blink of my eye, but I have sympathy for those who have not been equiped like my people and I shall not do nothing to harm him, but neither shall I allow this man to be harmed.

She still showing her face went to the man, who was still lying down in pain. She touched his forehead softly and closed her eyes. A pastel blue flowed from her fingertips and surrounded the man and herself. She would absorb his pain because it would not affect her. Her touched drifted away and he fell into a deep sleep, a peaceful one. His head resting on her lap. She brushed several strands out of his face. She still wasn't sure what he had done...

She rested his head on the ground and shielded his body with hers.

As soon as her voice could be heard the wind picked up and watched the freezing effect. "Aribiter, you will release this man from your judgement because I see no harm this man has done against the other citizens of this city. If I am to be mistaken then you shall strike me for what he has done, but beware the consequences of what you reap. Also, tell me more of what you know about my people."

Is he my guide? Or just something to confuse me?

Kain looked at the strange magic that woman was weaving, as she laid her head against his chest. he felt some sort of empathy between her and himself, that he related to her in some sort of way. perhaps it was the way that no-one really knew who they were. Kain felt some sort of bond to her for some reason, it might have been just identification to her situation. He reminded himself when he was mrotal, still slightly neive although he did enjoy thsoe days because then he still had B'jorn, Jarrid and his father, Xzar still around.

Damn, he missed B'jorn. He kept expecting his great plated figure to jokingly tell him his sword was just a toothpick in comparison to his massive claymore. That claymore now rested with his body under the ground, in the tomb which held all the casulaties from the first, second and third civil war. It was funny to think that he had been in every single war, and in many ways, the cause of the third one.

Nevermind that, Kain thought. He was musing voer things long gone, things which no longer mattered. He used to blame himself for a lot of things, be sad over thigns which had passed. All the wounds of past memories had healed, apart from one long hungry scar, which never did fade. A scar where his heart was, where he still missed someone he did care for greatly.

Kain shook his head, and went down to the man, concentrating upon the moment at hand. it was pointless looking back upon the past in such a long way Kain thought. The only way your going to see her again, is if I die. And being a vampire and demon, I don't think that is going to happen soon.


Then again...Kain didn't know what God had in mind.


"Would you move please?" Kain asked the girl politely, looking down upon her as she got up and moved out of the way.

"Thank you." With a swift fluid movement of his powerful hand, he took the rather peaceful looking slumbering lumberjack across his broad shoulder, and looked at the arbiter once, and then began to walk off in another direction. He said with a rather dark humor, "Wan't him? Get him."

Kain was certainly not taking any bullshit on this. While others talked with logic and retoric, things which Kain had done with inquisitors and people like them, Kain now just dodged the talk and gave up with negotiations. He seriously doubted that the guy would try and attack him, a demonic vampire, to get this person who only insulted him.

Kain had a sly smile on his face as he was taking small steps away in the snow, intending to put the guy back in some dark place, ready to recover in a couple of hours. By then, the arbiter, he hoped, might have given up, and gotten some new toy to play his power games with.

She watched him retreat with the man slung over his shoulders.

Well, I must give him props, he did what I could not do. She glanced up at the Aribiter, his eyes penetrating into the back of Kain's head.

She began to follow Kain, several metres behind. She turned around and faced the Aribiter.

"I warn you not to follow. I shall deal with you later."

She returned to the previous position.

Kain we have much to discuss. I feel a connection to you. I do not think that you could deny my presence either. Let the man go and let us find our path.

She stood waiting for his reply. She watched the air drift from his mouth and disappear in the sky. There was no cloud of breathe from hers.

The environment was her own.

"Our path?" Kain asked scrutunously, looking over towards Sage with a raised eyebrow. He looked for a couple of seconds, his movements fluid with the body on his shoulders. It seemed wieghtless to him. Well, after all, he was a vampire, and those muscles certainly were not for show. With every step, his long white-silver hair swayed with his graceful movements, making it appear to move upon it's own will. It seemed to glow from within, as if it had the spirit of the moon within it, glowing outwards in this curtain of organic thread.

Kain looked forward to the path ahead, turning to the right around a corner. People were not outside in this cold, people did not like braving the elements too much. Most of the people were busy with their own devices anyways, or working hard.....wherever they worked. Or perhaps, Kain mused, they were afraid of him. He almost smiled at the thought, but his face remained pretty much emotionless, those brown eyes scanning around for a good place to put someone.

Ah, a stable.

Kain approached the stable doors, and opened them. Gently and fluidly, he dlis the passed out man onto the straw, next to a horse which seemed not to care about the vampire's presance, strange as it was.

Kain closed the door quietly, as clasped it in place once more. The guy was pretty much invisible in that straw, and there were a hundred more places to look.

The vampire addressed Sage fully, looking at her directly and formally.

"How did you mean by connection. What did you sense?" Kain asked her softly, his tone slightly more mellow now that he had removed the body and out of the sight of the Arbiter. His face still seemed to carry those deep furrows of stress and worry, the face of someone who had endured much hardship.

Enli walked next to Sage as she followed Kain as he walked away from the arbiter, carrying the passed-out man in his arms. Enli eyed the dark shadows of the city, looking for any sign of potential trouble.

"Our path?" asked Kain as he walked. Enli stared at him curiously. The guy talkin to himself? He glanced back at Sage. Gods, this guy might be a lunatic...

They entered a stables and Kain laid the man down on some straw. The vampire turned to face Sage and asked, "How did you mean by connection? What did you sense?"

Enli caught on what was happening now. Apparently Lady Sage has other ways of communicating....Can this be the guide she spoke of?

A slight breeze blew through the stables, carrying with it a smell strangely familiar to Enli. A memory came back to him, a tense pain rushed through his body. Enli fell back on one knee and held his head in both hands.

A flash of lightening lit the dark halls of a manor. A man walked in a dark-green cloak with his hood over his head toward a large wooden door. He walked quickly, an ancient sword held in one hand. The door seemed to open before him as he approached, revealing a room alight in a crimson red and fire-light. All went black, then a creature lunged from nowhere toward the man who rose his sword-

It passed. Enli felt the sudden pain leave. "I'm okay..." he muttered, staring at the ground. They are nearby..., a voice whispered in his mind. Enli glanced up suddenly, his hands moving toward the daggers at his hip and the other in his boot.

"They're here!"

She felt him tense up.

Don't worry Enli, I am with you here.

"Our path. Well, I cannot decide what our path is, but we lead similar lives. Am I not mistaken to say we have both been away from our land for quite some time in search of something. I cannot say what you are in search of or even if you are, but you are away and so am I. Plus, we have more similar traits. Our appearances are much different then most people are used to and that can be quite frightening."

She paused and winked at him. She was not afraid to look at his face, nor his whole body, she actually liked to look at him.

She could see something was happening to Enli and she placed a hand on his shoulder, this to mean she was there for him if he needed her.

"Furthermore, we are creatures who have things hidden so far back that no one can know," a smile softly curves her lips upward, "sometimes I don't even know all the power I hold."

She was going to continue, but Enli's worried voice interrupted her thoughts.

They're here!

Her eyes and actually all of her senses searched the exterior for several miles, she did not seem to sense anything out of the oridinary.

Are they hiding from me?

She had dreamed of the day for meeting them and she had no idea who they were. She wasn't scared of them. She knew what their plan was and she wouldn't allow it.

Redemption was hers for the taking now. She would get back home, even if it meant killing them all.

She slide her sword out and the sssswsshhh was all that was heard in the night.

Come and get what you want.

Kain looked at her for a while as she spoke, aborbing the words she spoke. They did have truth within them, and Kain was slightly disarmed by them. It was strange, she did speak the truth...but for some irrational reason, Kain grew slightly frustrated by her knowledge of him. He gave no sign of his slight frustration, his composure calm and steady.

"You know a lot of me. Seems my reputation preceeds me...and I as normal know little about the person who does know me."

Kain swore softly, in slight annoyance. Kain always did hate it when people did know so much of him, but he knew little of the person talking to him. It seemed to put him on the off foot, be the one less in knowledge. If someone knew him and he did not know them, that meant they had an advantage over him. He did not like that, his instincts told him it was a bad thing, fame.

For some odd reason, Kain's mind flashed with a mental image of Daniella.

Forget her for God's sake.

Kain angrilly hurled the memory away. He did not like thinking of her. It just made him sad or enraged.

Mostly enraged.

Then, a voice uttering the words of alarm and combat approaching. Kain was ready for any form of combat, although he remained completely calm. His extoror gave no sign of alarm, no preparation for the combat which threatened to involve him.

"Who comes?" Kain asked curtly, wanting information about a foe which might appear. He did not know why he was worrying, this fight might not be his.

But then, if someone attacked her, he would defend her.


Call it some form of old honour, or habit which dies hard.

The shadow had followed, keeping his distance...

"They're here!"

His vision scanned the horizon, the aural hues reading a series of crimson shapes heading towards the stable. He knew not what they where, nor did he care. Obviously they came with evil intent, not that they would discriminate between himself and the others. He stepped out of the shadows, making his presence more visible...

"Who are these 'they'?"

The shadow-lizard awaited a response, aware of the potential danger...

Enli jumped to his feet with agility of an experienced warrior. His two daggers held in each hand, on held at chest level, the other nearer to the hip, he stepped closer to Sage. He quickly scanned the area and saw that they were not in the stables. Enli stepped cautiously toward the stable doors. He made another step, and paused.

Then a shape suddenly threw itself through the doors and tackled Enli backwards into the ground. He stared dead in the eyes of a twisted creature that looked as if it were once something human, but had reptillian teeth and claws, with small scales covering parts of its body, which was covered in tattered clothes. The creature's arms suddenly lunged forward, a stilletto in hand, towards Enli's head. Enli dodged the blade and thrust both of his own daggers into the ribs of the creature. He ripped his dagger's out and stabbed again, then kicked the corpse away and jumped back to his feet, ready for more.

Something familiar about the creatures clicked in his memory. "Minions.." he whispered. "Lowly servants to the...." He shook his head as he could not remember more.

A dozen more minions rushed into the stables. One seemed to ignore Enli altogether as it rushed forward and Enli lashed out with his dagger and the minion fell to the ground in a heap.

Kain recieved the answer to his question.

These small minions, these dinosaur like creatures were hardly too much of a threat for an experianced warrior, but in large numbers they would tear down the greatest of fighters. Kain knew this from experiance, and knew apt spells for the situation if they came as an army to take the group en masse.

Kain turned to meet the threat, rather casually which would have unnerved most opponents. Well, a considerable lot about Kain would unnerve an ordinary opponent of this realm, but these foes were hardly from this realm. From another one, Kain could smell it a mile away. The scent of another realm. HIs ability to smell was one of vampiric ability, but even vampiric ability could not tell where someone had originated from on the planes. No, that ability was from the demonic blood flowing in his veins, that powered and thundered during the more itnense combat sin his life.

But this combat was hardly intense, in fact, Kain hardly saw it as a combat. If he was on his own here, he would have not used magic because he could have taken these enemies out with a lesuirely patience that power provided. But, Kain realised that those around him might not be so adapt in dealing with such a situation.

No messing around. Get the job done.

Kain, outside of the stable, saw the line of reptiles sprinting towards the interior, thier intent to rip the hell out of whoever was in there.

"Lets see that power demonstated then." Kain said coyly to Sage, as he walked calmly towards the line, his left hand outstreached, as if he had leeshes upon the line of skittering lizards.

He closed his hand, and four of the reptiles were jerked backwards. This was not magic, this was telekentic powers. Kain was far more adept with magic, but his own mental abilities were reasonable. He could hardly rival the masters, like his hated brother, Qui Shentavo, but they did come in useful in the fray of combat to manipulate his foes.

Kain realised that the mortal magic of the Psi took too long in this situation, so he resorted to his other methods of magic. His own homland form of magic was extremely potent, the rune structure method being the most powerful he knew within this mortal realm, but he resorted to "ordinary" theories of magic for this spell. Kain uttered to himself some simple words which seemed to sound like an army of large spiders' feet upon thin ice, the staccato sound seemingly meaningless and random.

But, these words brought a spell into being, a spell which Kain had done absant mindedly while considering what the other reptiles were doing.

A arcing intense blue ray of magic scorched forth towards the held reptiles, burning thier bodies and minds, making them fall to the floor, screaming in thier agony. Kain gave no heed to the babblings they uttering in thier own foul tongue. His mind did not give mercy to the demonic kind if they charged.

Kain went into the stable, looked at the situation, and went to assist further...

She growled. Minions. They weren't even them. They had sent minions, those fools.

This is a waste of my time.

She paused and noticed they were near. They had to be near to be able control these horrible, yet extremely worthless creatures.

There they are!

She made her way out the door of the stable and past several minions easily.

I will let them deal with the minions, I will deal with them.

She jumped to the roof of the stable. It was black as the bottom of a well. She could not see a thing. This worried her, ever so slightly, and then it passed by.

They had left already, those two had taken care of the minions.

They do not have the power yet to take over me. It is time I sent forth and found my way home.

She looked up to the sky, now the light shined down.

Before it is too late.

"Enli, I am out here. It is okay, they have left."

Kain, will you come with us on our journey and I will be able to explain more. You might know more of you if I tell you of my other name. Most people do not know my real name, but know of the other. Please, come with Enli and I.

An adventure? Going back to the old days...you sure that is wise? Kain's thought about it for a moment. It could be exciting, but that was the kind of thinking which got him intoa whole load of trouble, and got other people killed.

No. Keep a level head. Be the experianced wise one, the one to defend and guard and advice. Like Ravelyn was to I. And beside, she requires my aid. This much is obvious.

Kain nodded slowly in answer to Sage's question, an odd slow nod which was peculiar indeed.

"Alright. I shall join your journey, whatever it may be...for a short while. I need to know more. Know what is going on. Know who you are, and what you want." Kain explained, his voice steady and not shaky at all. It was was obvious that he had not really been phased by the extremely brief combat.

Kain looked down at his clothes, saw that they were hardly the clothes he wanted for any kind of journey. He has near naked, within this frost. A green monolith tends to stand out.

"I need some new clothes." Kain stated, looking around for some sort of shop.

Enli walked out of the stables, wiping his bloodied daggers off on his sleeves. He eyed Kain, after hearing the words exchanged. He sheathed his blades and stepped in beside Sage. He crossed his arms and stared at Kain, then gave a quick nod of his head.

"Welcome aboard then," he said to the vampire. So here's our guide... "I am Enli Cu-Chulainn, Guardian to the Lady here."

Enli paused, looking around the now empty sun-lit streets of the town. There's the problem...empty...

"Er, Sage...notice anything different?"

Her eyes wondered around to the now vacant streets.

How odd.

The night, now, eerie and quiet. She looked to her two companions. She was not afraid.

Hell, I wouldn't be afraid if I was alone. Yet, it is quite odd. Where is everyone?

"Kain, I suppose we find you some clothes and then we get to the bottom of our missing people."

She began to trek down the street, the sound of her feet softly padding the ground in a rythmatic tone.

She extended her senses, trying to find any source of human beings.

How could they vanish like so?

Enli stared at the buildings for a moment, then at the ground around them. He scanned the streets and shops, and down the plaza. Interesting, it seems cleaner...

Either I really have snapped or its the truth. He laughed. "Ah ha, don't you see? Its not real!" Enli stepped near a building. "Look, no snow on the building, and its as clean as if it were newly built, unlike the brown, grime covered buildings we passed earlier." He paused and stared around. "Sage, how good are these enemies of yours...ours, exactly?"

Kain viewed the surroundings strangely. He thought he might have sensed something if it was an illusion. Apparently, people could still decieve the mind and body rather well, through powerful arcane abilities. Truly, thier opponents did know how to do a good magic trick. But what to end? What was the point in this? What end did raising an illusionary city provide the foes they faced...strange. More questions.

"Well, looks like I am not going to find any clothes here." Kain muttered to himself absent mindedly, as his eyes looked around at what was meant to be a town. His brown eyes sweeped over everything, the orbs within his worn green face analysing everything. That critical look which was used to everything, and viewed it casually.

Kain was not suprised anymore.

He considered summoning up some robes for himself, or some simple armour. But then, he considered that he might require all of his sources of magic for a combat, and simply wasting energy upon modesty was idiocy. Kain didn't really care that people saw his muscled chest, or that this freezing weather did not affect it.

Didn't care that people saw that intensely grim scar going upwards in his stomach. Some impliment was obviously put into him, and dragged up. The scar carried to the other side of his body, reflecting the tale of pain. If someone looked at it with the right frame of mind, they might wonder what would cause a vampire to scar. Vampires cannot scar from ordinary wounds.

"Don't worry about the clothes. More important things. And I don't honestly care bout the cold, my...vampires cannot feel it." Kain stated, still looking outwards. He was about to say, 'my kind' but thought better of it. He was certainly not any other kind of vampire, different blood flowed in his viens from his own sire and his circumstances of survival.

Kain looked at Sage when the question about the extent of their enemies was asked. He was curious to the answer, as that would prepare him for whatever may spring up. And it might answer some questions about why this enemy might want to face him.

They.

She shuddered. The Noricans were a subset of her people that really rubbed her raw and touched emotions she rarely felt. She had never met one, but she knew they were horrific people anyway.

She looked at Enli. "Well, the thing is they look like me. They act like me and well, they have very similar powers that I encompass. In fact they can be confused with my people because they are my people. Maybe this is something the Golatricans are doing to test me? I do not know at this time.

She was content having Enli and Kain with her. She never really depended on others, but this was turning out to be a positive experience. Her gaze fell upon both men and she narrowed her eyes.

But what do these men want from me?

Undaunted by the unresponsiveness of the group, he followed again...

"Trouble follows you like my tail follows me... You keep interesting company, a Druid & a vampire... This brings me to my intended question: Who are you?"

Enli nodded understandingly as Sage spoke. He gazed around him at the "town" quietly. Then a voice a reached his ears.

"Trouble follows you like my tail follows me... You keep interesting company, a Druid & a vampire... This brings me to my intended question: Who are you?"

Enli spun on his heels, his daggers already out and gripped in a fighting stance. He stared for a moment at the reptillian creature before him. Whatever it is, it isn't a Minion...

Enli studied him then asked, "Where in the Seven Hells did you come from?!"

"Not from Hell at least. Aragonians are hardly devils, but hardly angels. Mortal, lizard like. Trustworthy from my own experiance. Although, I have only really known one." Kain stated impassively, regarding the lizard men without warmth, without coldness, but a neutral, almost factual, relation of his experiances to the others.

He wondered if Sage was going to answer his question, and his own question would be directed back at himself. Well, he did like to know what people's names were.

Enli nodded understandingly as Sage spoke. He gazed around him at the "town" quietly. Then a voice a reached his ears.

"Trouble follows you like my tail follows me... You keep interesting company, a Druid & a vampire... This brings me to my intended question: Who are you?"

Enli spun on his heels, his daggers already out and gripped in a fighting stance. He stared for a moment at the reptillian creature before him. Whatever it is, it isn't a Minion...

Enli studied him then asked, "Where in the Seven Hells did you come from?!"

The shadow-Argonian shook his head...

"I do not believe Makaal's Realm qualifys as one of your 'Seven Hells'... But I think that would depend on your perception of it..."

He pauses for a moment...

"I am Whiptail, of the Longtail line... You will not need your weapons, I am no foe. My introduction is done. I am familiar with Kain, but the rest of you are unknown..."

Enli lowered his daggers, muttering, "Its just an expression..." He glanced from Kain to Whiptail. I guess a friend of Kain's would be alright...I think...

"I am Enli Cu-Chulainn, of the...Well, I don't rightly remember where I'm from or much more than that." Enli glanced toward Sage. "I am guardian to the Lady, though." He put a dagger away, though he still kept one in his right hand, still unsure of the Argonian.

"Whiptail? By the Gods, my senses must be failing me. I did not recognise you at first. Seeing as your the only one of your kind I have met, I cannot say I know how to tell one from another, if you understand me." Kain explained, realising who the individual was. He smiled, knowing that at least Whiptail he could depend on in combat...and not to betray him. Kain had fought with him a few times, and Kain functioned better within a group in combat. He could handle himself on his own, no doubt about that, but Kain had been trained in group combat. He had learned how to fend for himself from his sword and his sire.

It was more than enough to keep him alive.

"Good to have you with us Whiptail.", Kain said smiling slightly. His manner was one of pleasant suprise. He seemed less hostile, or unconfrontable now, Kain had gotten more...approachable.

The vampire awaited the answet to Whiptail's question, as to what and who Sage was. It was a prudant question, and one Kain was going to ask himself. He had heard snippets of infomation from the conversations within the bustling tavern, but a full explaination addressing all of them would be gratiously recieved.

Whiptail shook his head, a slow & deliberate gesture...

"I am not as I have once been... Like yourself, I was a victim of some higher power I could not hope to combat, but unlike you I was unable to escape from it... At any rate it is good to finally meet an ally from my past. I feared they had all met the same fate as I..."

The former Dark Argonian paused, feverishly trying to recall the last few moments of his past life...

"Do you remember where I fell? I only recall that it was dark, like the death that finally caught up with me there..."

"I cannot remember freind. One experiance which freed me from one of the higher power's manipulation resulted in my mind shattering and reforming. Some memories are still blurred and fragmented I am afraid." Kain said softly, his voice still audible over the imitiation wind.

The event to which Kain refered to was when the demon within the Brightblade, the demon which had sustained his own life when he was under a curse which prevented him from killing, and made his thirst thrice fold. The demon was banished by his sire's hand, and his mind recovered from the event with some difficulty.

The question could always be hard to explain of her species of her population. The best way was to compare her to something of their world.

"My family is known to guard the universe Golatrica, the daughter of Moria. I can go into history at a later date. The story will be of importance later. Our family has been watching over the thrown and ruled it for ages dated back to the birth of our kind. Time passed and people seperated. This is known in every civilization, those things cannot be stopped. They are called Noricans. They had always wanted to rule, but the power was not theirs. There was a prophecy of a child born who would end their growing power."

She stopped once more and smiled. "The child would be born and they would be, let me say, contained within her. This child was me and they had learned of this. So, they tried to stop me from being born. They attacked my mother, but she tossed me to this place called earth where they could not travel. My memories were formed and I learned what any child would learn back home, but more. I experienced much more because of my potential. My history ties to this very town. The citizens have forgotten the past, but this what is needed. Yet, when I was brought to this life another was also. I was the child who set the flame to the tree, but as I lie on the ground the clouds formed another lightening and formed my opposite. The Noricans have their own child to oppose me. I have not found him yet. Our powers are much like those of the elves. We are intertwined with nature and we use her powers with ours. We have very similar characteristics to your said elves."

She paused once more, touching her ears. "I am told me look much like them also. We are also much like your witches, tying to nature, and we can create spells and use them. Vampires may be quite similar to us because our internal medicine. Maybe we can even be considered immortal. It is hard to really place a name on me I guess." She laughed softly. "I hope that helped some though. Any more questions?"

Whiptail nodded, content with the responses given to him...

"An interesting tale... If you require assistance, I would be glad to join you in your quest. It has been too long since I have fought beside others in a holy crusade... You have my fists & my feet at your disposal... I will wield no other weapons while Makaal holds my fate in his hands."

It was as he had expected... Kain had suffered a similar fate as he. Perhaps Dekker, Skadi, Maximus, and Alexander had also had some tragic happenings befall them? He could not be sure until he located them, but that would have to wait...

OOC: Time to get this thing moving along again....
IC:

Enli was only half listening to the conversation going on between Sage, Whiptail, and Kain. He stared around at the fake town, the illusion conjured by the enemies Sage called Noricans. Something was different about the town, other than the fact it was an illusion. His eyes scanned the Plaza, and stopped in the middle where there should be a tree white as marble...but there was none.

"Sage..." he said quietly, stepping toward the place where the tree should be. He stepped cautiously, not quite sure what else to expect from what so far has been a very eventful evening. His right hand still held the dagger, and held it before him as he moved, half expecting another minion, or worse, to coming lunging from nowhere.

He reached the center of the plaza and examined the area around the spot where there should be a tree. He smelled smoke and ash, and was sure he felt the heat of fire. He moved his hand across the air, and felt a hot breeze where there should be none. What in the Seven Hells is this??? He thought in wonder. He pushed the dagger forward, and the edge of the blade disappeared into the air. He tried to pull it back, but it would budge.

He put all his strength against the dagger, trying to pull it upwards, and a network of dark orange and red lines seemed to spread across teh air before him as if it were a web. Enli ripped upwards, and the illusion before him shattered like a break window, the shards spraying in every directions before disappearing into the air.

"How in the name of Dagdah did I do that..." whispered Enli. His eyes grew wide as he gazed around him at what was hidden behind the illusion. The town was a scene of chaos. Flames leaped toward the sky, which was hidden behind a cloud of smoke. Buildings crumpled under the fire. Bodies littered the streets, some with spears or arrows portruding from their corpses. Enli's eyes stopped in the middle of the plaza on a broken, white tree, its color unchanged in the firey carnage. Enli sensed that whatever did this was more than a minion, and sheathed his daggers and walked toward the corpse of a town guard and picked up a yew longbow and the guard's quiver of arrows.

"Is this just a taste of what the Noricans can do, Sage?" he asked quietly, stepping closer to the Golatrican as he tied the quiver of arrows to his waist. A spell flashed across his mind when he looked at the dull, metal tipped arrows.

"Muire donnacht mynn" he whispered quietly as if by instinct. The arrowheads seemed to changed from metal to glowing, red crystals. "This is a very strange night indeed..." He whispered to no one in particular.

"Yeah. One question. What the hell is the explaination of all this?" Kain gestured towards the devestation with curiousity, seeingly not alarmed by the devestation. He did not seem really affected by it all, as if it was just another page in this story book.

OOC: Thanks, but now that I think we lost our Arbiter I think we also lost the enemy too.

IC: Illusions. They loved to trick people so. I am not alarmed by this and this is only a small portion of what they can do. This is a warning to me then. They must know I am here. I must move quickly. However, I do want to dispose of them if I can.

Sage watched the scene play infront of her, like a movie, but just an illusion. One to trick, one to confuse, and one warn. She looked at Enli.

Dear, he must be scared. I suppose I would be if I had never experienced this and well, if I could experience fear.

A soft smile filled her eyes and not her lips. Her comforting waves of pleasantness sent to him, to let him know she was there.

"This is only a warning gentlemen. He knows I am here and he wishes to frighten me and my aides. Yet, I do not know who he is. All I know of are the Noricans, which he is, but he can be something else either."

She whispered several words of her native tongue and waved her hand in the air before the illusion and it disappeared.

"I suggest we get moving and keep all our senses open."

But keep my mind close.

Enli nodded. About time we left this place... He looked to his hand, expecting to see the bow had disappeared with the most recent illusion, but saw that it remained intact. He grinned at that. Seems I have a knew weapon.

He untied the belt holding the large, unfamiliar sword and dropped it to the ground and slung the new longbow over his back.

He looked toward's Kain. "So, where is it we go from here?"

Kain turned his head slowly, his mind currently in the occupation of planning. There were many routes available before them, but Kain only really saw one which would bring a satisfactory outcome.

"This other child...do you know of it's capabilties? What I mean, is that if you encountered such a creature, would you be able to combat it? Do your powers rival it, and the power in comparison to this group....how does it fare? Either way, we should prepare for more conflict, or at least move into a better position. Or....hunt this other child. Such is my suggestion." Kain revealed his mind's working, and left it at that.

He dismissed his silver wave blade, the birthright and name sake of Kain fading into nothingness, as if it was sinking into another world, the ripples of reality claiming it's smooth and shimmering surface. Kain pushed back his long threads of hair, so it all fell behind his head, and did not obscure his vision.

Sage looked upon Kain. "So many questions and so many answers I cannot give you."

A smile crossed her face. "Child, he is not. For that would be like calling me or you a child." Shaking her head, "These things are not true for we are much ancient beings. Kain, I have been around longer than what I appear. I may not have been born in your sense, but my soul was living in my parents and growing with them. I formed on this world," pausing spreading her hands and arms around her body in a wavelike motion, "and appear very young, but this earth and I are similar in age."

She laughed. Her giggle exploded with the earth and its humor mixed with hers. She stopped, although, the earth continued for it knew more than she did.

She placed a hand on Kain's shoulder, "It appears than that I am older than you."

Her hand slide off his body, but she knew her warm touch would continue to linger. "My sibling, my twin, and my very equal. As for our enemy they are weaker than me, but they have the weapon that can destroy me. If we find him and destroy him then my land and very soul can be saved. If not eternal torture for my people and my heart would not rest knowing the damage. I guess we can only find out by trial and error and pray that we do not fail."

OOC: I need a villain, my equal, although he is not my twin in the essence of same blood just another part, I suppose I can explain that later. I think I am going to ask Roania to play that part. If you have any other ideas let me know. Thanks, and sorry about the stall in writing I have been busy and tired.

Lightning crashed through the skies as Adrik sat down heavily on his tall throne. The tall, hawkish man frowned and smoothed back his black hair, fixing it in place with his black metal circlet. "Failure is not something I can tolerate, General Uphazon..." he murmured, lounging like only a Norican can. "And you, my friend... failed."

The general grunted. "Sir, we had thought she was there."

"And I told you she was not. Innocent bloodshed is all well and good, General. But not when it takes resources away from our main goal." He smiled wickedly. "But don't worry, I sent them a message. Sent her a message."

"My lord is most wise."

"Indeed I am, Uphazon. Now go! You are on slave-guarding duty for the rest of the year!"

Enli drew in a breath and looked around the group as Kain and Sage spoke. He cracked his knuckles and pondered what had happened so far through the night.

"....If we find him and destroy him then my land and very soul can be saved. If not eternal torture for my people and my heart would not rest knowing the damage. I guess we can only find out by trial and error and pray that we do not fail."

Enli looked back toward the group.

"There's got to be a better way than trial and error..." he said suddenly. "Trial and error would be slow and dangerous. And neither would seem to help the cause..."

Kain smiled as she said about his own age, no means insulted by it.

"Well, most individuals are older than me, I am only twenty nine." Kain said, with a practiced reflection of time. He listened to Enli's comments, and suggested his own.

"Well, whatever happens, we should get away from here methinks. Such lingering about is very dangerous considering that our new found foe knows where this location is. Best keep moving while we consider what to do. Sage, how might we reach the other child?" Kain asked, while his body was aside. His body language suggested that they should move away from here, like his words.

Whiptail remained as silent & observant as ever, keeping his energies focused more on his surroundings than his newfound companions...

"I would agree. This area is no-longer secure... I smell something approaching..."

Sage was not listening to the others speak an image was forming in her mind, before her very eyes.

The night air appeared thick with smog. She could even feel her body seperate the very particles surrounding her. The environment did not make her cold, but trillions of small bumps rose on her skin, sending each hair in uprise. She looked down at her body. Her attire had changed and she was wearing something that resembled a slip, but just that.

The slip did not leave much to the imagination and she glared. I would not wear this out and about. Where exactly am I?

She began to not focus on the anger that boiled underneath, but now she realised that she was on soft ground, worn out by many feet. She felt the dirt and grass on her bare feet. She continued to walk down the path that wound in and around large oak trees. It seemed as if she was in a large forest at night.

She wrinkled her nose. She could smell the odor of the animals around, the freshness of the near growth and the pugnant decay of those dying.

I still wonder why I am here, in my underwear and not armed. She continued and something caught her eye.

A small light flickered off in the distance. Could it be a fire? People?

She walked slowly now, as to not startle anything around her. Maybe it is my friends? She wanted to call out to Enli, but knew she could not use her voice.

She crept closer and now she could hear voices, gruff voices of two. She could not understand what they were saying, but one did not sound happy. She was getting closer and the light of the fire played on the remaining figure.

It was not a male like she figured, but an elderly woman, aging like trees surrounding her. Her skin was much like the bark, worn and tattered thin. Sage looked into her eyes, she had been seen by the woman.

Black voids. She fell in them.

Meanwhile...

As she falls into the abyss her body remains with Enli, Kain, and Whiptail, but is a state of unconsicousness. She will appear to be sleeping.

She opened her eyes to find a dimmly lit room, with scattered candles around her. She layed on the flat surface of, looking closely, marble with diamonds embedded in them. Still in her same slip she sat up.

The room became more clearer to her.

It was empty, well, except for her the candles and one other.

She looked at the figure. He appeared much like her species, but the red eyes gave his intentions away. She glared. Norican, but who is he?

She noticed his black hair and especially the black crown he wore. He is the other.

"Who are you and why am I here?"

OOC: Hope you didn't mind Roania that I did this, but I want this to get moving, I think the others are antsy, as well as I.

Enli gave the Argonian an odd look. That must one good nose... He glanced toward Sage and then to Kain. Wait a tick....

His eyes moved back towards Sage. She had an odd, empty look in her eyes. Sage....?

"Sage? You feeling alright?" he asked. "Sage?" He asked more quickly. "What in the name of the Gods..." He put a hand on her shoulder and shook lightly. He recieved no answer. Aaaargh!!

"What in the Seven Hells is going on here?!"

ooc: Waiting on Roania. Sorry guys...